P.O.V.: Virgil, First Person
Timeline: Flashback (cont.)

To say that Prince had an ego boost would have been a bit of an understatement.

Patton was all but worshipping the dude.

To say that Patton was excited would have been a bit of an understatement.

Patton let out a squeal of happiness, his grin massive. His eyes watered - was he going to start crying? Oh my gosh, Patton is just a stream of emotions.

"Oh my gosh! Can I touch them?!" Patton squealed, hand hovering inches away from Prince's wings, glancing over at him for approval.

Oh - did I mention that Prince was still shirtless.

Yeah.

That was still a thing that was happening.

"Go ahead," Prince said, opening his wings a little wider, magically grinning wider than Patton.

"WOW," Patton whispered in awe, stroking the center of Prince's right wing lightly.

Logan was as emotionless as ever, though he was analyzing Prince's wings - but more like he was trying to find out how they worked rather than awe.

"Do you remember, Dad? Back when I had them before?" Prince asked gently, eyes lost in memory.

Patton's smile dropped a little, a little sadder now. "Well of course, kiddo."

Prince's eyes dropped to the floor, smile fading -

"Anxiety! Don't you wanna see how they feel?" Patton yelled over at me, louder than what was really necessary since I was only in the kitchen, several feet away.

I was sitting on the counter - trying not to pay them any attention. Me admitting that I was curious was not going to help his ego.

"Nah, Dad. I'm good sitting right here," I answered, avoiding eye contact and grabbing another strawberry from the small - now almost empty - container in my hands.

Which is why I didn't notice Patton coming up to me.

Patton yanked on my arm and I yelped in surprise, falling from the counter, barely able to keep my balence.

Patton yanked me around back to the living room over with the rest of them. I stumbled clumsily behind, still trying to regain my balence, but failing.

Well at least Prince caught me.

While shirtless.

An embarrassed blush flared on my cheeks and down my neck as I hurriedly got to my feet, coughing in a sad attempt to hide my embarrassment.

I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, avoiding everyone's eyes.

Prince chuckled. "Don't ya wanna touch 'em?" he asked, gesturing to his wings, shaking his shoulders a little with a knowing smile. "Come on. I know you're curious."

I shifted my balence between my feet, anxious.

"B-But what if... whatifIhurtyou?" I blurted out.

I froze - tensing instantly. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

Ugh, God, I wish I had the skill to just be fine and cool and chill.

Prince grinned softly at the question, though he took my concerns seriously - which made me both surprised and... happy.

"As long as you don't yank on them or something, I'll be fine," Roman answered, voice just as gentle.

Huh.

Was... was it just me or was he being incredibly nice to me?

"Give me your hand," he said, holding out his left hand to my own.

And... somehow I ended up giving it to him for reasons I couldn't explain.

Roman flattened my hand and guided it to his wings, pressing my palm to the center of his wings.

I gasped in surprise. I had expected them to be fairly soft, but this was just ridiculous. And they were so soft and expectedly warm that I couldn't help rubbing my hands back and forth over the gold-tinted feathers.

Roman shuddered and I stopped and I stopped immediately, pulling my hand back, concerned. "Did I hurt you?" I asked, drawing my hand close to my chest nervously.

"N-No, no, no - not at all," Prince stuttered. "Actually, it - UM -"

Logan let out a loud cough and we both jumped.

How had I forgotten that Logan and Patton were still standing there so quickly?

"Come on, Lo. Let's... give them a little space to... talk," Patton said, gently nudging Logan to start leaving and winked at me.

WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!!

Prince looked just as surprised as me, and we both stood there sorta oddly after they left.

"Look, I'm sorry for calling you an egoist," I started. One of us had to. "It was unfair of me to judge you so harshly so quickly." I didn't look at Prince, keeping my eyes fixated on my black combat boots.

Roman gave a small laugh, and I lifted my eyes to his - curious.

"It's not like you said anything that wasn't true. I AM an egoist. And to be honest, I should be thanking you. It's... been a long time since anyone out me in my place, and I needed it.

"And I'm sorry for how I reacted," Roman continued. "That was... incredibly uncalled for and not at all the way a Prince should act. And I sincerely apologize."

Neither one of us moved.

"Even?" Roman asked, holding his hand out for another handshake, this time as a truce.

"...Even."

___________________________
I'm so so sorry.
This took me way longer than I thought.
And for those who don't follow me and didn't see, I've been working a lot on editing this story and the companion to this a LOT lately cause I've kinda been neglecting it. Also I'm experiencing a little burn-out at school so I've been a little lazy - I'm not gonna pretend. I probably could've gotten this out by Wednesday if I really had given it all my attention. But I just wouldn't have given this my full effort, which has is something I really don't want to do.

Voters:
@FubunkiSnow
@CinderAsh
B****JerkA**butt666 (sorry this is a Fanders zone)
@SMOLOFTHEFANDOMS
@myfanasyisntyours

Commenter: B****JerkA**butt666

Bro I'm shook (this is AMAZING)

Me: X3

Commenter: FubunkiSnow

wElP -
ROMAN HAS WINGS WE CAN ALL GO DIE PEACEFULLY NOW!

Me: XD XD

I had to put two - the comments were so freaking adorable X3

And one last thing, if you do notice that I don't post on my planned days, you can check my profile - I always have my reasoning there and when to expect the next chapter if there's a delay. I don't like posting A/N chapters saying there's gonna be a delay - I think that's just mean.

-Max :)