12:34am

I would have Remus but I'm still working out how to write him humanised so

Au
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"I still don't know why we needed Roman" Remy piped up in the silence as the six of them walked through the underground building mostly made out of metal. At this Roman rolled his eyes but bit his tongue, he didn't need to start an argument which was obviously what Remy wanted. They knew exactly why they all brought Roman along and he wished he never agreed.

"For the millionth time" Logan responded with clenched teeth, "because he is the only one out of all of us who can understand Spanish" and that was true, he was basically fluent in the language after getting immensely interested in it at school - he ended up learning and practicing it much more outside of lessons and is currently the top of the class. The only one he is at the top of. He's pretty far up there in drama too.

"Couldn't we have asked literally anyone else?" And Roman silently sighed, for the first time since Remy has brought it up they're finally going further than usual into their argument.

"Not if we want to keep this a secret" Virgil shot back at his friend who rolled their eyes and removed their sunglasses from their head to place back onto their nose.

"Besides" Patton spoke up amidst the tension, "Roman knows the layout more than any of us"

That was also true. His father used to work in this building and would often take Roman to work when he was a kid because he wanted Roman to grow up and take over his work in similar businesses and such. Deep down Roman knew he'd never get himself involved in it but didn't argue. Pleasing his father was almost always easier than trying to go against him. Especially if he didn't want to be hit across the head or back with a belt.

"You know" Roman just couldn't resist, "I didn't exactly want to be here either"

Remy scoffed, "yet here you are"

"You wouldn't leave me alone!"

"Oh don't flatter yourself babes"

"Stop arguing like children" Deceit finally glared at them both which shut them up pretty quickly. Don't get onto Deceit's bad side. In Roman's case on his even worse bad side.

Roman wasn't exactly friends with any of the group due to an argument that occurred between him and Virgil. It broke him up away from the rest of them and he never tried to come back so they all assumed he turned into an asshole and left him alone. That was a year ago and this was the first time they had hung out with him since. Well, take the term "hung out" loosely, this wasn't hanging out, this was trespassing, breaking into a building and theft. They just haven't gotten to the stealing part yet.

Roman didn't know how they managed to persuade him to come. It was a few weeks ago and he was dawdling in his home, waiting for his mind to come up with something to do when the doorbell rang throughout the house. Curiously (and as he was home alone) he answered before peering through the peephole and regretted it immediately. Standing on his porch was his old ex-friends, the only one that resembled some sort of kind smile being Patton but Roman knew he was just trying to ease the tension somewhat.

"Hm, what a wonderful surprise" Roman had said, "goodbye" he quickly ended, ready to close the door but Logan's hand struck out, holding it open with a look that told Roman he'd do anything to talk to him. Even if it meant breaking into the house.

"Okay" he sighed mostly to himself, crossing his arms and leaning on the doorway.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" And he smirked at Remy who seemed to be the most pissed which further aggravated them. They instantly sided with Virgil after the argument (even if none of them know exactly what happened/what the argument was about) and as they were protective would keep Roman away from Virgil if he were to near - which he never did - and would often glare at Roman in school or if they saw him in general.

Roman and them used to be close, it kinda hurt.

"Can you please take this seriously before we continue?" Logan asked for confirmation and Roman sighed dramatically, of course now thinking of a million things to do to cure his past boredom. "Go ahead, I'm all ears" he finally agreed and Logan nodded, glancing at his friends who all looked back at him, some of them nodding.

"Remember the...mess we all got into last year?"

And Roman recalled it instantly, the year prior (before the argument) they had become aware of some knowledge they definitely weren't supposed to hear. A case of corrupt a businessman trying to take over to ruin the lives of the innocent and the five boys plus Remy weren't going to allow it to happen. Of course they were caught but it set the businessman back so they kept a very low profile until he rocked his ugly head up again which he did recently and was why they were all standing on his porch.

"How could I forget?" He responded a tad absentmindedly. If they were going to suggest what he thought they would he would deny instantly and return inside.

"Well, I am sure you already realise this but he is back and we need your help-"

"No!" Roman disagreed, shaking his dad. "No! Nope! Nope!" He repeated and Deceit rolled his eyes.

"You are so mature, Roman"

"Hm, says the one-" Roman clamped down on his tongue, he promised himself he'd never bring up the argument or anything loosely related to it, saying 'says the one who shut me out without even knowing what happened' would open up questions and he did not want to get pestered with those again so he shifted his gaze from Deceit who seemed surprised he held himself back.

"I won't" he stated, "I nearly died last year and I won't be doing it again" Roman shook his head afterwards to emphasise this.

"You didn't care last year" Remy shot at him and Roman wanted to slam the door in all of their faces.

"Let me rephrase then" he spoke with narrowed eyes directed at Remy who stood beside a very awkward Patton, "I nearly died last year because I would sacrifice my life for the people I love. Now? I won't sacrifice my life for people who I don't love" he glanced at Virgil momentarily as he said this, "not anymore" he added on as an almost afterthought, closing his eyes for a few seconds to compose and sigh out, heavily leaning on the door handle and doorway.

"This isn't for us" Logan tried, "this is for the people that could potentially be ruined by this man. Do not do it for us- do it for them" Roman looked up at him and contemplated his words.

"Remember Logan, he doesn't love them either. They're strangers to him" and Logan's head dropped in exasperated defeat.

"No, he'll do it" Patton looked straight at Roman with determination in his blue eyes, "he'll do it because a courageous prince like him would save anyone in distress" and that struck at Roman. As kids he always pretended to be the Prince, he was always the 'savour', helping them all in their games when one would be 'hurt' or 'needed saving' (of course all made up in the minds of children).

And that's why Roman was in the building, bearing through Remy's comments, Deceit's glares, Patton's looks of concern not for him but for everyone else in case Roman might act up and Logan and Virgil completely ignoring him - until Logan had to answer Remy's petty questions of course.

A few minutes of silence passed and they finally reached the end of the hallway where a room resided, door open. Inside boxes upon boxes of paper work - all of them knew somewhere inside was the documents that would expose the business man for who he truly was. An evil power and money hungry bastard.

"Don't close the door" Roman commented as they slipped through into the room, the first time he talked without being prompted to. Without wasting time he went straight to the back of the room and began to search through the boxes that were easily accessible, kneeling on the cold metal ground and flipping through files and files of paper work. He could hear the quiet murmurings from everyone else but couldn't make out what they were saying (as if he'd want to) all he wanted to do was to find the paperwork, get out and go home.

However nothing was ever that easy, was it?

Nearly two hours had passed and Roman was close to giving up, paper work surrounding him and making him feel like he was going insane. When he heard Patton's voice call out that he found the paperwork he felt relief flood through his system, finally allowing him to breathe and relax his tense muscles.

Standing up he groaned at the pain from sitting in the same position for so long, imagining leaving this place and walking through the beautiful fields back home when he looked towards the exit.

The doors were closed.

And he felt his heart sink.

"No" he whispered, pushing past boxes and rushing past the others, they all watched as he rattled the handle, pulling and pushing, twisting and turning but it was no use - they were locked inside.

Sudden anger surged through him and he slammed his fists against the door a few times, taking some calming breaths before turning to the group of boys plus Remy behind him.

"One rule" he murmured, "one rule and you couldn't follow it! What did I say?!" And yes maybe he raised his voice but one couldn't blame him! If anyone found them in here they were all sure to be shot dead on the spot!

"I said keep the door open" he repeated as he knew no one else would answer for him.

"Why didn't I stay home" he then whispered, leaning his back to the door, head tilted back to stare at the ceiling which was mostly panels covering bulbs that lit up the room in a white light. "Yeah, why didn't you" Remy murmured and Roman clenched his hands, closed his eyes and breathed in and out, in through his mouth, out through his nose.

"Is that it?" Patton raised his eyebrow, "are we really trapped in here? There must be a way out!" He tried but Roman snorted, throwing his arms up into the air.

"Point me in the direction of another doorway, Patton!" He asked for sarcastically and Virgil glared at him. "At least he hasn't given up" and Roman placed a hand over his face, chuckling into his palm. He wondered for a moment if he'd come out of this sane let alone alive.

For the next half hour Roman laid down on a pile of boxes, counting the dots on the ceiling while everyone else around him tried everything to get out the room. Roman would tell them it was impossible but he also knew it was irritating them so he'd much rather be entertained by their groans of annoyance than sitting in depressing silence.

Unfortunately it didn't last.

"Oh!" Patton chirped, suddenly emerging from the boxes. "Oh oh!" He grinned, "What is it, Patton?" Logan asked and he excitedly pointed at Roman who dropped his head to the side to stare at him curiously.

"Roman! He can call his dad! He'll know what to do!" And Logan's face lit up a little, "yes that's a good idea Patton" and the boy practically vibrated in enthusiasm, smiling widely at Roman who slumped even further, slowly looking back up at the ceiling.

"Well, Roman?" Remy prompted.

"I can't call him" Roman responded quietly and Remy huffed out in annoyance. "Why? Do you even want us to escape?!" They angrily asked and Roman stayed unusually quiet. He didn't retaliate or make a move of exasperation, just stayed silent so they all took it as a sign.

"So" Deceit drawled, leaning on the wall. "We're trapped"

"Seems so" Logan responded, sitting down on a sturdy box. Patton was now frowning, sitting cross legged on the floor while gazing at the papers that were still in his hands.

"Why don't we play a game?" He suggested after awhile, to try and pass the time, possibly even lighten the mood.

"Sure" Remy instantly agreed, eyes homing in on Roman who watched from his peripheral vision. "Who turned you into such an asshole?" And Roman snorted quietly, he didn't think of Remy any less against popular belief, he was sure now that they all had no escape they wanted to sort out this whole argument fiasco because they were all curious to what happened but none of them asked Virgil for they knew he wouldn't respond and ended up with a sour mood for the rest of the day.

"I think it was when the wicked witch of the east cast a spell on me" he replied sarcastically and Remy glared at him.

"That isn't a bad idea, Remy" Logan rose his head to stare at Roman who still laid down casually. "What did happen to you, Roman?" And he almost let out a noise of offence. What happened to him? He knew what happened to him - he became bitter because of a stupid argument. He became a douchebag because of his and Virgil's lack of apologies and communication.

"Do we really have to talk about this?" Virgil sighed, shifting a little uncomfortably where he sat beside Patton. Roman snorted and Virgil looked up at him, "what? You want to continue?"

"I'm surprised you haven't told them is all" Roman shrugged and Virgil's lips pulled into a tight, angered frown. "Why do you think I would tell them?"

Finally Roman stopped staring at the ceiling to gaze at Virgil across the room from him, "they're your friends?" He replied back as if it were obvious and Virgil scoffed, looking down at his legs. "You obviously don't get it" and now Roman was sitting up, his own eyes narrowed into a glare, everyone else in the room silent to see what would happen and if they would finally get answers.

"Don't get what, Virgil? Don't get why you're hiding something from your friends?"

Virgil rose up from the ground which made Roman follow suit but they didn't near each other, not yet, the tension was rising at a steadily pace however. "What's so bad about me not wanting to talk about it? You don't either!"

"I have my reasons" Roman defended and Deceit stepped in, "oh please enlighten us" he encouraged and Roman glared at him, "they're none of your business" he spat back.

"So they don't exist, basically" Remy commented and now Roman turned to face them. "No, basically they're none of your business"

"It is our business!" Remy fired back, "Virgil's our friend, you're an ex-friend, we deserve to know something!" And Roman scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Then ask Virgil!"

"He doesn't want to talk about it"

"Then why do I have to?!"

"Guys..." Patton whined, drawing a few steps back, the shouting and arguing making him severely unsettled. Logan noticed and walked over to him, standing close to him to comfort him and send him small smiles. Patton appreciated it greatly but the arguing continued.

"Because we want to know" Remy countered and Roman groaned. There were a few reasons why he didn't want to disclose the information of why the argument happened and what it was about, he wished his ex-friends would take a hint and leave it alone especially because of how upset Patton is but they were persistent.

"How about this, I'll give you three guesses" and Remy clenched their jaw. "As immature as always" Deceit insulted. Roman's eyes shot over to him, "how about we drop all of this and stop arguing?!" He tried but the two weren't having it.

"How about you tell us what happened!" Remy yelled back and his eyes flickered between Remy and Deceit, this wouldn't stop, it wasn't going to end and he knew this could lead to Patton falling into a panic attack. He had to think of something and quick.

"Just spit it out, bitch! Or do you not want to tell us because you're in the wrong? Because you hurt Virgil and you don't want us to know the full truth to what you did to him-!"

"Yes!" Roman yelled over them, silencing them instantly. "Yes" he repeated, eyes blazing. "That is exactly it. I hurt Virgil. That's the end of it. I started the argument, I hurt Virgil before it and during it. Are you happy now?" Everything was a lie but only he and Virgil knew that.

Remy's glare hardened, along with Deceit who both drew a step back from him. "Less happy more fucking pissed off at you" he snarled and finally Roman could relax, their argument was over, Patton didn't have to be subjected to yelling anymore.

"Please be annoyed at me, please" he begged quietly, sitting back down onto the boxes and holding his head in his hands.

Patton and Logan started a quiet conversation to distract and help ease the prior of the two. Deceit and Remy stood on the wall beside each other, whispering without failing to glare over at Roman while Virgil? He stared at his old friend who had lied. Why? Because he wanted it to end. Why did he want it to end? To ease Patton and Virgil could respect that but...he couldn't let this happen. He couldn't let his friends forever believe that Roman was a bad guy.

"Liar" Virgil stepped up and Roman's shoulders deflated. Why couldn't that be the end of it?

"You never hurt me, not intentionally, not once" and Roman lifted his head, still slumped down in his makeshift seat. "Why won't you just tell them?"

Roman rose his eyebrows in shock, standing up again, hands clenching and unclenching. "Tell them, Roman" Virgil repeated, "tell them the truth" he forced, his own hands fists under his sleeves which he subconsciously pulled over them.

"Just tell them Roman-!"

"No!" Roman interrupted, "you do it!"

"You lied, you need to tell the truth" Virgil countered and Roman viciously ran a hand through his hair. "I don't need to do anything" he replied back lowly but Virgil wasn't scare or threatened by his darker voice.

"Yes you do. They deserve to know. Just. Tell. Them"

"No" Roman repeated with a shake of his head.

"Are you purposely being difficult now?!" Virgil raged, the tension coming back at full force, their voices raising and raising until they couldn't go any louder. "Tell them! Tell them all what happened Roman"

Virgil wasn't relenting, he wanted Roman to admit it and he wasn't backing down, Roman knew that and he desperately tried to hold himself back but with Virgil repeating 'tell them' over and over he didn't know if he'd be able to keep quiet.

"I don't want to!"

"Why not?! Stop being dif-"

"Because it hurts!" Roman's voice overpowered Virgil's, his eyes coated over with flames. "It hurts to talk about Virgil! You meant so fucking much to me before that argument and you still do! Do you not realise how much it kills me just thinking about it?!" He yelled with stinging eyes, "we had an argument, we broke up, that's all there is to it!"

And he didn't realise his mistake until Remy piped up.

"You two were dating?"

Roman's heart shrank and broke, he wanted to shrink into a ball and evaporate but then he remembered the words his father yelled and instilled in him when he found out his son liked dick. His eyes hardened and his heart turned to ice cold stone.

"Yeah" he confirmed, "we dated" and not once did his eyes leave Virgil. "We argued because Virgil wasn't sure about our relationship because I didn't tell anyone. News flash, I'm going to be homeless by the end of the day because I was lucky enough to be related to someone homophobic" and everyone stared at him in a new light.

"I'm so, so sorry Virgil" Roman's words oozed with venom, he wasn't apologetic at all. "I'm sorry I didn't want to come out in a place that would make me suddenly very unsafe - but hey!" He threw his arms up, "I'm the bad guy so it's fine" and suddenly there was noise from the other side of the door.

In a flash Roman switched off the light and ducked behind a few boxes, everyone quickly followed suit and the door was opened, the room illuminating as two men walked in, talking in Spanish while they searched through a box specifically labelled for their use.

They weren't in there for long but when the four boys including Remy emerged Roman was long gone, leaving a swamping guilt filling each of them.

They left the building after that, they didn't want to stick around much longer as they were sure they would be caught.

Down the road they all spotted Roman walking away. Virgil parted from his friends and ran after him, catching up with him pretty quickly (luckily).

He walked by his side for a few minutes while he caught his breath. "Still not much of a runner" Roman murmured very quietly and Virgil managed a slight smile.

"You can-uh...stay over mine if you want. My parents still miss you" Virgil offered once the silence became too thick. Roman sent him a smile of his own - a pained one.

"Thanks, Virge"

Virgil nodded and looked back down at the ground again. "You could stay in my room too" he offered, "we could-uh..." he swallowed, "go back to the way things were before" he offered in a soft voice and Roman chuckled breathily.

"We'll see, Virgil. We'll see"

—
2:11am