7:45pm

Heyoooo feel like I have to say this: I won't be doing as much death in my stories due to a new 'trigger' I have become accustomed too. Unfortunately death triggers me soooooo I can't really write it as much. If the story needs it I'll do it, I care more about my work than myself, but just a heads up

[I'll also put this notice on my conversation board]

Au
—

"Have you finished yet?" Virgil called, leaning on a tree with his arms crossed. They had both been walking for two hours, collecting leaves, sticks, branches along the way for a fire and shelter. As he said this Roman came back round from a few trees, picking up his bag he left beside Virgil's feet.

"Yep! My bladder is empty again" he said in relief making Virgil roll his eyes and pull a face. Roman stuck out his tongue childishly and jumped away before Virgil could hit him, both men laughing afterwards. Even if they had only known each other for under three hours they felt like life-long friends, it was easy to throw witty banter back and forth (which Virgil adored in a friendship) and found Roman's nicknames to be hilarious.

Let's just say Virgil wouldn't want to be stuck here with anyone else. Apart from Beyoncé.

Plus Roman was brave, would take the lead if Virgil felt particularly worried and would often shield his body if they heard a twig snap or the noise of an animal. The worst they had seen was a bear in the distance but other than that they were a-okay.

"D'you think we'll ever get out?" Virgil asked after awhile, they both had the unspoken worry, they knew the forest they were walking through was a famously known dangerous one for how many people escape when they find themselves lost inside of it, however they had the advantage of where they fell. The actual entrance to the forest is much more confusing than where they were now (which they didn't exactly know yet).

"I have confidence we will" Roman responded, arms held behind his back. "I'm not one to easily back down from a challenge!" He added with a smile.

Virgil snorted, he could guess that. "I am" he murmured, not really intending for Roman to hear but he did anyway. "Well I'll just have to carry you" he replied back without hesitation and Virgil looked at him with risen eyebrows, this man actually...cared that much about him? To go out of his way to carry him to safety?

Virgil quickly hid his smile.

"It's a good thing we both have spare food" Roman commented, due to their lunch break earlier that day being so short they both didn't have enough time to eat it all but it wasn't like they had a buffet on them. They both agreed to only eat today if absolutely necessary, if not they'd save it for tomorrow.

"So..." Roman trailed, "what do you do for a living?"

"I-uh..well, my main source of income is my commissions" he explained, scratching the back of his neck shyly. He doesn't often talk about his work to people other than his close friend Patton. "I do art and they give me money, I actually get a lot...which is surprising"

Roman snorted, "I bet it's not! Can I see some of your finest work?"

Virgil pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled through his camera roll. He did save a few favourites but none of his work he could look at without seeing some flaw and pointing out something he could've done better. Still, he chose a picture he commissioned a year ago, it was a landscape based picture with two girls laying on the grass, one pointing up to the sky, both of them holding hands. Remembering the fact Roman's friend had a boyfriend Virgil was sure he wasn't homophobic so let him see the image without worry of that.

He watched his expression closely, his eyes widening, letting out a soft breath. "Wow, Virgil" he whispered, Virgil felt his heart clench. "This is beautiful" he complimented sincerely, zooming in to see some details closer. At this he relaxed, glad he liked the art and he could push aside his anxious thoughts.

"If you're not busy I might ask for something of my own" Roman smiled at him, handing back his phone. "As long as you pay" Virgil shrugged and Roman gasped loudly, "are you insinuating I wouldn't?!" He replied in mock-offence, Virgil shook his head and pushed him playfully.

"Shut up, moron"

And he laughed when he made offended noises.

As the sun began to lower and lower, the two men thought the best thing to do would be to set up a shelter. Roman called Logan again and he explained how to build a shelter with what they had right now. Finding a large branch, they leaned it against a tree and lined up smaller branches against it, tying large leaves to it all with spare rope Roman had in his bag. His excuse was he always comes prepared but honestly it's because when he's in nature he always enjoys building rope swings. Don't judge him.

After they built the make-shift shelter, they covered the ground with a few spare clothes they had brought along in each of their bags for the tour webpage specifically said some clothes might tear or stain when walking through certain areas. Plus it might get cold.

"Have you found water yet?" Logan asked once both men finished with the shelter. "Unfortunately not" Roman winced and Logan sighed from the other end, "I know this is useless advice, Roman, but please do everything you can to find a way out...you and Deceit are all I have-" Roman quickly took him off speaker so Virgil couldn't hear something Roman was sure Logan wouldn't want anyone else knowing.

"We will, Logan, I promise" Roman murmured, Virgil turned the other way to give him more privacy, mindlessly searching through his bag to distract himself.

"I'll see you soon, know why? Because I always keep my promises" Roman smiled.

"You better or I will find you myself and kill you"

Roman laughed heartily, "stay safe, specs"

"You too, prep" Roman hung up after that, a new determination settling within him. Of course he had determination to get out of here, for his life and Virgil's, but now it was also for Logan, someone he most certainly didn't want to hurt - he had been through enough already to lose another friend so soon. Roman was sure Deceit was doing everything he could to comfort the man.

"I think it's time for bed!" Roman clasped his hands together, "it is dark after all" he gestured around them, the most light they had coming from Virgil's phone's flashlight. Nodding in agreement Virgil scooted into their shelter, zipping up his jacket and covering his hands with his sleeves. They left their bags by their feet, Roman slouched down beside Virgil, chuckling awkwardly.

"I know we just met today" he began, "but to stay warm the best thing we could do is-uh-" he cleared his throat, "cuddle? If you're comfortable, that is" he offered, looking up at him with a kind expression, one that told Virgil whatever his response would be it would be okay with him.

"Uh..." he drifted, definitely wanting to keep warm. He usually didn't allow people he didn't know well to touch him, let alone cuddle but something about Roman made him trust him, so he nodded softly.

"Yeah-uh...how should we do it?"

"I suggest spooning?" He offered, lifting one arm up. Virgil nodded and slowly laid down so his back was facing Roman, the two shuffling to be closer to one another, Roman's arms slipping around his waist and pulling him closer until Virgil's back was pressed up to his chest.

"This okay?" Roman asked quickly and Virgil's heart warmed at how caring this guy was. "Uh-yeah, it-it's fine" he replied, stumbling over his words but he meant it. "Tell me if you get uncomfortable" he added, finally laying down completely, closing his eyes after a moment. Virgil only took a few minutes before he was relaxed in his hold, one arm underneath his head, his other laying over Roman's arm.

They stayed like that for awhile until Virgil realised something. Both of Roman's arms were around him so he had nothing to make his head at least somewhat comfortable so slowly he rolled over until he was on his back, Roman watching him silently yet curiously. "Uh-you can-um" He swallowed, blushing. "Lay your head on my shoulder-or...whatever" he shrugged lightly, silently cursing himself for how cringe that was.

"You sure?" Roman wanted to confirm and once Virgil did he gently laid his head on his shoulder, honestly appreciating it very much for before his head laid directly on the hard ground. Now Virgil had a spare arm he timidly manoeuvred it to rest across Roman, the man somewhat cuddling further against him and Virgil bit his lip, if this wasn't the most adorable thing he's ever seen-

He had to tell Patton all about this holy shit- 

"Goodnight, Ro" Virgil murmured.

"Goodnight, hot topic"

Virgil snorted lightly, "aw, you think I'm hot"

"Who wouldn't?" Roman's responde was a tired murmur, yet still Virgil's face lit up red. He hadn't expected Roman to respond so smoothly, especially in his tired state!

"Shut up, flirt"

Roman laughed lightly, "shh, sleep, before you attract anything"

Virgil rolled his eyes but didn't say another word, falling into slumber just like Roman had.

The next morning Virgil was first to awaken, during the night he had removed his arm that woke him up due to how dead it felt, the toughest thing he had to do was not wake Roman up as he tried to shake away the pins and needles. Still, even if his head hurt he was glad Roman was comfortable, he had been so great to him during the day so it was the least he could do.

Speaking of the man, he glanced down to see he had cuddled closer Virgil during the night, their legs intertwined and his head fully relaxed onto his chest, not just his shoulder. Yes Virgil found it endearing and cute, sue him, this man was doing things to his heart and he didn't exactly hate it.

Letting him rest until he woke up on his own, Virgil closed his eyes and daydreamed, Roman waking up naturally twenty-ish minutes later, wondering what that sensation was until he realised Virgil was playing with his hair.

He lifted his head into the touch which made Virgil freeze up, not even entirely realising what he had done until Roman moved in a way that proved he was awake but when Roman gave no complaints he softly continued, smiling when Roman made a hum of appreciation.

"Sleep well?" Roman yawned and Virgil didn't have the heart to tell him he didn't really because he didn't want Roman to feel guilty.

"Like a log" he replied and Roman lifted his head, smiling at Virgil and oh god how is he still attractive when he just woke up- Virgil prayed Roman couldn't see how flustered he was.

"You're comfortable, if we have to sleep here again we can switch positions" and Virgil nodded, not trusting his voice. They both crawled out the shelter, taking turns to do their business while the other took down their shelter in case they needed to make a new one.

As Virgil finished backing his bag his entire life drained from his body when he heard Roman scream. Dropping everything he ran in his direction, hearing him repeat his name over and over.

"What is it?! What happened!?" Virgil fretted, bursting through the hedges to see what was wrong. "LOOK!" Roman gestured to the lake that resided right in front of him. Virgil blinked, staring at the body of water before slowly turning to Roman which a look that made him draw back.

"You made me nearly shit myself because of a fucking lake!?" He yelled which made Roman bark out a laugh.

"This is important!" He resorted, and yes Virgil couldn't disagree but still he threatened to push Roman in before the two hurriedly grabbed their things, taking the path alongside the lake and following it down stream. Roman made sure to send Logan a text to try and ease him.

"Think it's safe to drink?" Virgil asked and Roman shrugged, "I have spare water if you want?" He offered instead and Virgil nodded with a quiet please, his throat feeling dry. Thanking him he took only a few sips knowing they had to preserve the little recourses they had.

As the two followed the stream they came across a few bushes that grew berries, Roman sent pictures to Logan and after he approved they both stood there for awhile to eat as many as they could find, somehow falling into a playful fight of throwing them at the other after Roman "accidentally" threw one at him first. They stopped, however, when they realised they needed to eat these. Roman even grabbed a few that landed on the floor which made Virgil draw back in disgust but Roman merely purposely pushed the food in his mouth onto his tongue which made Virgil gag and swat at him.

This was a terrible situation to be in but at least they made each other laugh.

—
haHA YOU WERE FOOLED

9:08pm