A/N Just a disclaimer

*enter Unus Annus disclaimer song heere*

This chapter takes place around five years after the first chapter so be aware that there have been some developments you guys don't know about yet. Let's begin!

2.)

"Half an hour, I can't believe it." Roman Castillo muttered in disbelief.

He walked along the city streets, staring at his phone and still in his apron from work. His hair was messy, sweat dotting his forehead from walking at such a fast pace.

Roman briskly tapped his phone a few times before holding it up to is ear and keeping it in place pressed against his shoulder. He used his hands to untie the apron as the dial tone rung.

It didn't take long for someone to answer, an amused voice speaking from the other end, "Well if it isn't my favorite brother! How've you been since you left?"

The man threw the apron over his shoulder and took the phone in his hand, "Remus, I only moved out a week ago and it's barely four blocks away. C'mon bro, I'm supposed to be the dramatic one."

There was a cackling laughter on the other end that made the slightly frustrated man grin just the tiniest bit. "Ok ok, seriously though Rem, shut up. I need your help. Patton's still with you, right?"

"Nah, I gave him a sippy cup of bleach and let him loose in a bear cave for some good old fashioned fun!"

"Remus."

"Yeah, yeah, of course he's still with me. It's been too long since I've hung out with my nephew, haven't let him outta my sight!"

Roman rolled his eyes, "You saw him two days ago."

"Exactly! Too fuckin' long!" Remus replied. There was some light giggling in the background and Roman's eyes narrowed, smiling.

"I know those giggles. Remus, are you swearing around my son?"

There was a quiet "shit!" Then some whispering before Remus said, "Whaaaaat, noooooo. I think something crawled into your ear and died bro, you're definitely hearing things."

"Oh yeah?" Roman had a full smile now, his frustration a fleeting memory. Putting on the cheery voice he usually used to talk to his son, Roman said, "Are you there, mi principé?"

The giggles sounded again, this time louder as Patton spoke into the phone, "Hi Papí!"

Remus let out a disappointed groan, "Patton, you blew our cover!"

Roman laughed then glanced at his watch and remembered why he had called his brother. "Hey tadpole, go play. I gotta talk to your Tío for a sec, alright?"

"Ok! Bye Papí!" Patton said happily, his voice fading as he got further away from the phone.

There was a pause before Remus spoke again, "The little target is now secure and playing with his terrifyingly vast assortment of stuffed animals. What's up, bro?"

Roman sighed heavily, "The boss held me later than I expected so I haven't bought Patton's gift yet. I've got exactly half an hour to get to the other side of the city and get back to the apartment in time for the party."

"What!?" There was a shuffling sound as Remus sat up, "Roman, why didn't you just ask to get off early? Who wouldn't understand having to leave early to get your kid's birthday present last minute?"

"My boss. I've told you he's an asshole, Remus. And I couldn't argue and risk getting fired, I needed today's paycheck to actually buy the gift, remember?" Roman grimaced, remembering his boss's raised eyebrow and cold order to work later. He angrily dug around his pockets for his subway card, walking down the stairs into a crowd of people just getting out of work.

"That bastard. I swear, one day when you don't need the job I'm gonna twist that guy's head off." Remus growled into the phone.

Roman snorted, "You can stick to the murder but I'd totally join you if I didn't have a son to support." A woman next to him on the subway gave him a strange look and he quickly changed the subject, "Anyway. I called because I need you to stall him and the party for at least another half hour. Tell Jan about the change of plans and take him out for ice cream, or to the park, or to get candy. Anything to buy me some more time."

"You want me to take Patton out or Jan?"

Roman rolled his eyes, "I know you would be okay with either but now is not the time to take action on your hopeless crush. Just keep Patton busy until I get back, ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, ok. I got it." Remus said, exasperated. A beat later he mumbled, "And it's not hopeless..."

Roman softened and leaned against the metal pole on the subway, already expirienced enough not to lose his balance. "Alright, it's not hopeless. Janus is a good guy, you two would be great together."

There was a light chuckle and some thudding footsteps as Remus got up and walked to the door, "Don't go all sappy on me bro, but thanks."

"See you in an hour, if you succeed." Roman said, smiling.

"Don't worry, I will. Bye Ro." There was a clicking sound as the other twin hung up and Roman put away his phone.

The man sighed heavily and shut his eyes. Work had been hard that day since he'd had to power through the morning rush of a popular coffee shop. All he wanted to do was head straight home to his son and relax.

But because of his stupid boss he was now in yet another stressful situation. Figures.

The subway came to halt and Roman perked up, rushing out as soon as the doors opened. He had to go quickly to avoid being a even more late.

That's when he spotted the old man, hunched over and struggling to carry several heavy grocery bags into the departing subway. Roman froze, one hand on the stair's railing.

After a second of internal battle he reluctantly let go and ran over to help the man. "Excuse me, sir? Would you like some help with that?"

The old man looked up at Roman who was sporting a small, kind smile. He smiled back, "That would be very helpful, thank you young man."

"Of course!"

As quickly as possible, Roman grabbed most of the bags and placed them inside the subway next to where the man sat moments later. He slicked back his hair and gave a quick goodbye to the old man who gladly returned it.

Full-on sprinting now, Roman went up the stairs and crossed the street to the small pet shop there.

Slamming the door open, Roman entered the establishment, panting. He looked up to see everyone staring at him. Smiling sheepishly he walked over to the dog kennel.

There was only one other person there, looking at what was inside the kennel. Roman looked down and fought the urge to screech at the cuteness.

Among a litter of beagles there were two brown Yorkies, a Shitzu with a bow in its hair, an extremely energetic Labrador and a sleeping Dalmatian.

But there was one dog that caught his eye even with all the other choices. A fluffy St. Bernard puppy that seemed confused but happy even in the midst of all the chaos around it. And whenever one of the other puppies tried to play with it they would be happy to oblige, wagging their tail at a surprising speed.

Somehow the puppy reminded Roman of someone.

Suddenly there was a loud sniff next to him. Roman glanced over and realized that it came from the person next to him, a man his age about a head shorter in a black and purple patchwork hoodie with matching purple hair.

He was hugging himself and clearly trying not to cry, instead glaring menacingly at the floor of the kennel.

Roman watched him for a moment before shaking his head and turning away. He didn't have time, besides, he'd already done his good deed for that day.

But...

Something made him turn back. Biting his lip, he reached out and tapped the man on the shoulder.

And all at once that piercing glare was directed at him. "What?" The man snapped.

"Are you...ok?"

"What's it to you?"

Roman raised an eyebrow. He'd encountered defensive people before but never like this. There was a clear edge to the man's voice when he spoke, like every word was the parry of a sword. "Well, in my experience, most people don't start crying when they see puppies."

The man narrowed his eyes before looking away, "Well, then you've clearly never met any people with dog allergies."

Roman grinned and leaned against the short glass wall of the kennel. So he was working with salt, was he? "Oh, so is that it? A dog allergy?"

A tear escaped the man's eye and he started blinking quickly, turning so Roman couldn't see his face and sniffing.

Grin faltering, Roman straightened again. "Wait, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry! I just wanted to help. Honest!" He held up his hands to show he meant no harm.

The man furiously wiped away his years, smearing his hands with eyeshadow. "Who said it was your job to help every stranger you find crying in a pet store? What are you, some knight in shining armor or something?"

Roman smirked, "I would say more of a daring Prince, actually."

Looking up in surprise, the man stared at Roman and then, to both of their surprise, let out a short burst of exasperated laughter. "You just won't quit, will you?"

Shaking his head, Roman held out a hand, "Roman."

After a beat, the man took it with a small wary smile, "Virgil."

Tilting his head in confusion, Roman smirked, "Interesting name, 'Virgil'."

Virgil shrugged, "My dad apparently had a thing for 'Dante's Inferno'."

The two studied each other before turning back to the dogs, a comfortable silence between them. After a while, Roman glanced over again, "So, you gonna tell me what's wrong?"

Shifting nervously, Virgil avoided eye contact. He paused and seemed to steel himself, looking up to meet Roman's gently curious gaze. "It's...my brother."

When the man didn't continue, Roman grew concerned, "Is he sick?"

"I dunno, maybe?" Virgil bit his lip, "Ever since my mom...passed away a few months ago, he's been different. Less emotional."

Roman's brow furrowed, "I'm sorry about your mother." He hesitated, "And...I'm no expert...but isn't it normal for children to become depressed when their mothers die?"

Virgil laughed bitterly, running his hand through his purple hair, messing it up even more than it already was, "That's just it, it's not depression. I would know." He mumbled the last phrase under his breath and then pursed his lips before continuing, "No, Logan's more...robotic. He's far too cold and analytical for a five year old kid.

"He's started preschool in the city but even though its been months Logan hasn't made a single friend, not even an acquaintance! I feel like a hypocrite every time I try to cheer him up but, ugh-!" Virgil whirled around to look at Roman with a distressed expression, "Is he not telling me the truth or am I really so incompetent that I can't even help my little brother maintain a normal enough emotional state to make one, single goddamn friend?!"

Roman gaped at the man, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of information. But before he could respond, Virgil's face fell and he looked away, embarrassed. He laughed, but it was hollow, "And here I am, spilling my problems to stranger I met literally a minute ago. I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's completely alright!" Roman said quickly and Virgil jumped a bit at the sudden outburst, "I was just astounded how one person could be under so much pressure and an equal amount of self doubt and anxiety. That explains the intense emo style, now that I think about it." Roman desperately hoped his attempt to lighten the mood wasn't taken the wrong way.

Thankfully, it wasn't. Virgil blinked and raised an eyebrow, looking impressed, "Well didn't you just read me like a book? That would be nerve wracking if it weren't so damn impressive, Princey."

"Princey?"

"You've been nicknamed, there's no turning back now."

Roman snorted and the two shared a smile. After another comfortable silence, Roman once again engaged the purple-haired man in conversation, "You still haven't explained why you were crying in the middle of a pet store."

Virgil groaned, burying his head in his arms which were crossed on top of the glass kennel. He eventually peered over his arms into said kennel before answering, "I figured if Logan couldn't get a human friend I would get him the next best thing, he's always been fascinated by animals." He buried his face again, "It was an impulsive idea, though. It wasn't until I got here that I remembered my apartment doesn't allow pets. My own desperation just kinda scared me, I guess so..." Roman saw Virgil's shoulders tense a bit, "I broke down."

This time, the silence was heavy, "Oh." Roman said.

"Yeah."

Something stirred inside Roman's chest as he observed the other man's thin frame, hunched over and defensive. He was not a stranger to wanting to help people, in fact, he had been told several times by loved ones that he helped too much. But what he felt towards Virgil was different, more compelling than his usual instinctively helpful nature. Not only did he want to help Virgil but he wanted to get closer to him, a man he had met barely met a half an hour before.

"Hey, I'm...not sure if it'll help at all but...my son's birthday party is today at 2. He's around your brother's age, turning five today, actually. If you want...you guys could come by? It'll only be my son and a few family friends." Roman said, choosing his words carefully. He felt nervous for some reason he couldn't quite identify.

Virgil stared at him, wide eyed, "...Really?"

Roman nodded, smiling his most charming smile, "Of course!"

The shorter man opened his mouth to say something (possibly to accept the invitation) but hesitated, face falling slightly, "I'm not sure...how do I know Logan won't get along with your son and mess up the party? Like I've explained, he's not that great with other kids."

Chuckling fondly, Roman reassured Virgil, "Don't worry about that. My Patton loves people, I'm pretty sure not even a tornado could ruin this party for him. He always gets super excited on his birthday."

Virgil considered this for a moment and then smiled at Roman, "Okay...I guess it wouldn't hurt. Thanks Roman." The earnest tone with which he said the last statement made Roman blush.

"N-no problem!" he replied, trying not to let his blush show, "I could, uh, text you the details."

Raising and eyebrow playfully, Virgil smirked, "Is this your way of asking for my number?"

Returning the look, Roman offered a teasing scoff, "You wish, My Chemically Imbalanced Romance."

"Emo themed nickname, nice."

The two exchanged numbers and, while the other wasn't looking, changed each other's names in Contacts to 'Princey👑' and 'Emo Nightmare🌩'.

When they finished Virgil glanced at the top right corner of his phone and frowned, "Um, did you say your son's party was at 2?"

"Yeah, why?"

He looked up at Roman, amused and slightly anxious, "It's...it's 1:34."

Eyes widening, Roman looked down at his watch to confirm that it was indeed 1:34. Again, he had half an hour (less than, this time) to buy the present, rush back home and set up the party. The overwhelming fact settled into a mild defeat, Roman sighed, "I'll just have to be fashionably late, I suppose."

Virgil grinned, "Can't relate. I gotta go pick up Logan but I should be right on time."

The other man sensed the teasing tone and relaxed slightly, "Well of course you couldn't relate. How could you be fashionably late in a distasteful hoodie like that? " Roman shot back.

Virgil narrowed his eyes, "Ooh, I'll get you for that." He picked up a leather satchel off the floor that Roman hadn't noticed until just then and gave him a wry smile, "See you later, Princey."

"I'll be counting the seconds, Sunshine." he responded fondly.

And with that the two parted ways, one out the door and the other to buy an extremely kind and extremely confused St. Bernard puppy. Both with their mind still on the other.

A/N

AND THE SECOND CHAPTER IS DONE!

And it is...so much longer than the first one😅😅

The third chapter and last introduction chapter will be posted by Tuesday next week! After that, if I'm done with general plot planning and have a determined length for the story, there will be weekly posts on Sundays of every week.

See you all soon, guys :))))

DON'T DIE!!!!

~Prongs💙