I had a plot and then realized this was three words and not two so uh shit
LAMP Highschool AU. Roman is (amab) and Bigender. He uses both he/him and she/her pronouns and is closeted to almost everyone but her small groups of friends. Their prom is coming up and everyone is shopping and getting dates, etc. Roman offhandedly mentions wishing that he could go in a dress, but knowing her parents would never approve.
So The Gang? They prepare to let Roman be Princess for the night. Logan (agender), top of their art class for four years in a row, makes a few sketches for prom dresses based on Roman’s favorite movie. They show the sketches to Patton (demiboy) and Virgil (Binary transman) and all agree on the blue and pink Sleeping Beauty dress.
Remy and Emile are tasked with getting Roman’s measurements (which is DIFFICULT and now Remy has to make a historical costume piece that fits Roman because this boy CANNOT lie)
Logan and Virgil figure out the best materials that (a) match Logan’s designs, (b) are easy to sew with, and (c) would be comfortable to wear and dance in for a few hours. With the measurements from Remy, and a few calculations, they send Patton to the store to buy the materials.
Except Patton gets super excited and also ends up buying tons of ribbon and jewels and even a little plastic tiara.
Anygay, so Virgil sets up a “pre-prom party” at his house with Patton, Logan, and Roman. Roman shows up a little dejected in an old hand-me-down suit from his older brother but tries to keep an optimistic smile. Virgil tells Roman there’s a surprise waiting for her in his bedroom and there’s Logan and Patton holding the finished dress.
Roman nearly breaks into tears and kept help but twirling around as the pink and blue tule puffs out around her. She can hardly stay still but manages to when Patton does his makeup. The four go as each other’s prom dates and Roman has “the best night of my life.”
Bonus points if they all end up sleeping on Logan’s couch at the end of the night.
“Arms up,” Remus instructed and Roman lifted her arms with a big eyeroll.
The moment Roman had entered Remus’s room she had been placed on a pedestal and was now meticulously measured by her brother. The whole ordeal was not really necessary, Remus could just conjure clothes to perfectly fit if he wanted to but the trash rat insisted that like this, his work would be even better.
“I really like your proportions. It will make for a really pretty ballgown,” Remus commented and conjured white fabric and sat down at his drawing table with to work on a first sketch.
Meanwhile, Roman sat down on the pedestal in her black undershirt and watched Remus get lost in his element.
“Feeling good being out in the open?” it came after a while from him.
Roman let out airy breath and looked down on her knees. Her knees. It was so strange how much her knees looked and felt like her.
“It feels outstanding. I feel outstanding,” she answered contently and a short period of silence followed.
“Are you mad with me not telling you about the others being genderqueer?”
Remus’s tone was neutral but it did not manage to stop Roman from sensing the tenseness in the air.
“Are you mad at me for saying to Thomas you were everything I didn’t want to be?” Roman replied knowing that she was gambling quite high with this question.
As expected, Remus stopped drawing for a moment and just sat still on his chair. Roman could hear his breathing and started playing with the hair on her thighs.
“A little. But that’s not the same thing.”
Quietly Remus looked over his shoulder eyeing his sister and her slight nod at his comment.
“No, it’s not, you’re right. I’m sorry for saying that. I’m also angry at myself for saying it...”
Remus stood up from his chair and strolled over to Roman. Sloppily, Remus sat himself down next to her and put his arm around her back. Automatically, Roman leaned against him and Remus hummed for a moment calming his twin.
It’s over now, the melody seemed to sing and he felt the warmth of Roman slowly spilling over to him.
“But are you mad at me for not telling you?” Remus asked again quietly.
Roman put her hand on Remus’s leg and squeezed it affectionately.
“We both didn’t talk about the others. It was a deal and you just protected them. I mean... We both know I didn’t like me being different in this way and I might have said hurtful things to them.”
“You never said hurtful things about me being genderqueer.”
The twins stared at each other for a moment, before Roman sighed and scratched her scar. It was not easy having a brother who could listen to your thoughts in specific places if he wanted to. It meant no privacy but also more intimacy than she could ever have with any other side.
“We both know you’re special to me,” Roman eventually settled on and nudged him in the side. “And for the record; I’m not mad at you for not telling me.”
“Okay.”
Roman could have checked if he believed her. But she didn’t need to that as the tone told her enough. For someone, who was so quick to forgive he had a hard time believing that others could forgive him also. But Roman didn’t get to dwell on that too long as Remus prompted to get his design sketches, so she could say if she liked them or not.
“Sure,” Roman said and with a snap the sketches were in Remus’s hand.
Roman gave the drawing a short look over. Then she huffed and shook her head in disbelief.
“You really have to make it this over the top? I mean, I’m extra but this court fashion... it’s just so -”
“Marvellous?”
“Positively overgenerous was what I wanted to go with, but feel welcome to lie to yourself.”
“Hey!” Remus yelped and hit Roman in the side who just laughed at his offended noise.
With a pout Remus pulled the designs back to his chest and said: “You don’t have to be mean! And it’s just the right kind of extra. Especially for court.”
“I apologize,” Roman retorted and put her arm around his shoulders, “I’m joking. It’s good work just a little much for me. But maybe you could make the sleeves straight instead of so overly puffy?”
Remus shot a look at the sketch, closed an eye and squinted with the other eye at it before he summoned his pencil and eraser and erased the sleeves and redid them as Roman had requested. Quick he let her look over it alast time, stood up as she nodded with approval and summoned white fabric as well as already cut out dress patterns. With no hesitation and an undeniable air of practice Remus, laid the fabric out on the suddenly appeared tailoring table and started affix the pattern with pins.
Remus worked quick and Roman just leaned back to watch him for a while. It had always been fascinating seeing him sew. Or crochet. Or knit. Or stich.
The second fabrics got involved Remus worked differently than with paints and clay. There was still the strong and chaotic energy in him but there was more method to his madness and it was the only time, Roman truly believed that there was more method to his madness than madness to his methods.
“What did you and Pattycake talk about? Was he being “fatherly” and stuff?”
Roman sighed. She knew the tone. After all Remus’s stance to Patton was still rather shaky. And well, Roman understood why Remus had his reservations or concerns about Patton being not supportive about Roman having a fluid gender.
“He was indeed,” Roman answered and watched Remus taking the scissors. “And he did good, I think. I mean, I know how hard it is for him to get used to changes and that it must have come as a shock that I am not cis but he tries to be supportive, Ree. And he can be an outstanding ally. Trust me. I’ve known him for being supportive too. And a good shoulder to cry at, if need be.”
“As if you went to him to cry your eyes out, Ms Pride,” Remus joked with no edge in his voice.
“Maybe not as often as I should. Might have helped the both of us from running into that disaster we ran into with the wedding…”
Remus stopped and turned to look at his sister. The wedding was never a good topic. Not that it still led to heated discussions or moments of anger and hate, but it made Roman unhappy and Remus didn’t like that. Not today, when they had finally gotten closer to being themselves again.
“I’ll take your word for it,” Remus tried to deflect the topic and got Roman to look up at him.
Remus gave her a crooked smile and waved her over. She came and sat down at the edge of the table, while Remus steered their conversation into a new direction: “Virgy seemed to do quite a good job at calming you… Lo told me you’ve been drawing together?”
“Ah, yes!” Roman exclaimed happily and she missed the slightly surprised side-eye from Remus over that. “I found him drawing again and he’s asked me then if I could make his picture move like we did. It was a lot of fun. He’s actually quite talented at drawing. Did you know that? Did you draw with him when you were little?”
Remus chuckled and replied: “A few times, yes. But I guess, he liked it better when he could do it on his own. Less pressure on him like that.”
“That sounds like him,” Roman responded dreamily and looked down on her thighs.
Remus turned to look at her. Romance was the last thing Remus was interested in. It was not something he would dabble with and nothing he desired to experience. Quite unlike his sister, who just wore this look in her eyes that Remus had to assign to feelings that were possibly romantic in nature.
With a sigh Remus resigned to his fate and asked Roman: “So, what’s your relationship with him? Like – This is not my stuff at all but, he seems … at least invested in you. And he let you draw with him, which required him to admit that he was drawing all along and not writing, which was a stupid cover up to begin with, but let’s not talk about that. You know that he’s probably interested in you, right? That he trusts you a lot?”
Roman looked up and Remus could almost feel her face flushing with heat. But even so there was no surprise in her eyes and Remus furrowed his brows in confusion. She sighed and looked to the side, rubbing her right upper arm in contemplation.
“I think he figured it out…”
Remus blinked. He had barely heard Roman’s words and before he could ask for her to repeat them, she said: “I think he’s realized his feelings. I mean; I know he did. After realisation they usually grow more intense and it’s getting stronger each day for him since we were drawing together. And he, he tends to look at me and then suddenly, when he realizes that it has been a moment looks frantically away, right?”
Remus nodded. He had noticed it too. That now posed another question, which Roman apparently tried to avoid.
“So, are you going to do something about it?”
Dramatically, Roman let herself drop backwards onto the table and sighed with as much flair as she could. Remus rolled his eyes and massaged his temples, making peace with the fact that he would not get anything done until he’d cleared this up with her.
“Mind to elaborate? The dramatics are showy but not really that informative,” Remus asked, as he pushed the fabric to the side and sat next to her.
“I just feel so conflicted about all of it!” Roman said in a haste and shot back up, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “We’ve come a long way and all, he is certainly my friend now but… Still… We’ve hurt for such a long time Ree. And Virgil did part of it and I don’t know how I am supposed to feel about it. I – I think I don’t feel like I’m supposed to feel, actually. It’s complicated and – I want him to be happy. I do. And it’s nice knowing he feels happy with me but – I – I don’t know if that’s, you know, if it’s… uhm.”
“If it’s enough?”
Roman nodded and Remus inched a little closer to lay his arm around her.
“Just being with him because it makes him happy, is not enough,” Remus then stated and felt Remus nodding along. “But also, that whole thing with him hurting me and him being mean to the bunch of you – he’s changed. You still don’t need to trust him and like him because of it. You have no obligation to do so, just because he’s different now. You have apologized and worked on the faults whic you made on your part and I’m pretty sure he’s over that now. I think that’s all you really need to do to become “better”. So, that’s all that is done but what do you feel? What is complicated? That you still don’t trust him entirely, despite having forgiven him?”
Roman froze under Remus’s arm and he eyed her suspiciously for a moment, as he watched her open her mouth and close it again with an airy laugh. Almost trembling she drove with her hand over her face and then met her brother’s look helplessly.
“It’s the opposite; I trust Virgil, despite not – not really having forgiven him.”
“What?” Remus asked perplexed as Roman fumbled with her hands and shook her hands with an uncertain giggle.
“I let him come into my room, after the wedding. I let him see me and let him listen to my lie. I trusted him that he wouldn’t sell me out to Pat and – and I let him help me when I felt sick after using my powers. I cannot help myself but trust him. It’s not a choice, not something I saw coming, just something that happened and – I feel bad for not- not being able to let go of this stupid grudge yet! All those things… He didn’t need to do them! He came for me! He helped me. And yes, I’ve become better but… How has he managed to forgive me, when I can’t?”
Remus clacked his tongue. Of course, Roman was quick to trust. Quicker than all of them actually. Willing to give her heart away and set herself up for heartbreak. But it was a risk she needed to take. Courage and bravery were risky things and they were part of her role so this was not such a surprise, after all.
“He’s grown and he takes responsibility for his mistakes,” Remus said simply and pulled his arm away from Roman. “And he sees your effort, clearly. But, you know, he might not trust you entirely… That takes a long time with him and Jay and they both have been hurt badly in the past. So, trust issues and shit. But now, what are you going to do? Tell him you know?”
“Dear gods no!” Roman exclaimed and slid down from the table and started to pace around in circles.
Remus shrugged and inquired: “Okay, then what? You just let him make a fool of himself? Let him pine for you?”
“No – I. It’s not that I want to make him suffer! Virgil is dear to me! He’s a great friend despite all of what was and I was so glad I had him with me today. I – I feel more at ease with him around and I want him to be happy. Because he makes me happy and because he helps me and because he is adorable when he’s excited and clingy and hissy when he gets tired and because his smile is beautiful and it makes me love him even more.”
Roman stopped. She turned to look at Remus, whose mouth was open a word obviously stuck in it and she wanted to throw herself into the ocean.
“So… We’re using the L-word now?” Remus asked after a solid minute and Roman sighed dramatically.
“I can’t believe that of all the words you use you censor “love”, but yes, I’m using the L-word because I’m not an idiot and I know the feeling quite well.”
Remus rocked a little back and forth and petted his moustache in thought as Roman took a seat at Remus’s desk and watched him muse over what she had just said.
Then there finally comes a response from the Duke: “So, what exactly is the problem? Why aren’t you making a move? If you’re both into each other then why not just do it?”
“If this wasn’t about Virgil, I’d agree with you, brother dearest. But I don’t want to make mistakes with him. I don’t want to overwhelm him and go too fast for him. And I’m not sure how to initiate that without being too noisy, so I’ll wait until he initiates it… I decided.”
Remus stared at her for a second and then pinched the bridge of his nose with a loud woeful sigh.
“Romance is so fucking stupid. Dear Medusa turn them to stone and salvage them from their suffering!” Remus moaned and heard Roman chuckle amused by his annoyance.
“Stop laughing Princess! You’re the one who suffers!”
Roman waved at him dismissively and leaned back in her chair with the answer: “Don’t worry, it’s fine. It’s not like I plan on doing nothing on the matter. I’ll ask him to hang out and spend time with me and if he brings it up, I’ll lead him into the right direction. It might take some time but we’ll eventually get there. He’s bad at hiding stuff after all, so it will slip out eventually.”
As Roman crossed her legs over another, Remus saw the imagery of Janus sitting on the couch in the lounge, hearing him say -
Eventually one of them will slip and I’ll be brought up, Remus. They are the slaves of honesty, after all.
- and smiling at him over their next plot. Or the lack thereof, since Janus’s plans were more of manoeuvres he went back to when the opportunity presented itself. He was an opportunist and on many days in the past, Remus had found that Roman could be just the same. Wanted just the same things and made just the same proposals just in a different tone.
If Remus would tell that to Roman the latter would probably still feel a little offended if Remus would make that comparison.
“Well, don’t cry if your plan doesn’t work, sis. I’m not going to comfort you, if Virgy is too nervous to say anything to you anymore, when he sees you in this stunning dress, I’m working on!” Remus exclaimed and jumped down from the table and turned back to his work.
Roman only laughed and the siblings bickered for the rest of the afternoon, as Remus continued dressmaking and eventually managed to make two dresses and three skirts for Roman. His sister didn’t like to admit it but Remus was certain that each one of them were more special to her than her regular prince outfit could ever be.
When the siblings later that day went to dinner, Roman felt her heart flutter as she noticed Virgil doing a doubletake, as she now wore white off-shoulder blouse with loose sleeves and a red tulips skirt with golden seems. She smiled widely as Janus complimented the look and then Remus for the work, which led to Logan poising some questions about Remus’s sewing.
Contently Roman listened to Remus babble and Logan asking questions, as they ate and felt a sense of stability settle in her stomach. She watched how Janus sometimes reminded the both of them what topic they had started with and then went back to his own food, while Patton simply marvelled at the atmosphere and told her and Virgil to eat and ask for seconds if they wanted to. Virgil replied sounding barely annoyed and then shot a look to Roman.
They giggled and Roman nudged him into the side, as she had almost let her fork drop. With a smile she then continued eating and was certain; Somehow, they’d find their way.
They were cuddling and holding each other for a little longer. Virgil almost nodded off in Roman’s arms, as the prince suddenly facepalmed and began to babble and apologize that he had to go into the imagination.
“But breakfast?” Virgil protested.
Sadly, Roman shot him a look and kissed his forehead.
“I was going to show up and say that I would be off to some royal business but now I’m already late. I’m sorry, love.”
Virgil wanted to pout but the resolve melted at the nickname and he just let Roman kiss him again for a Goodbye and got up from the divan. He let his eyes linger on him as he walked towards the door, watching him snap himself into a far fancier outfit and finally left Roman’s room.
Two steps out he stopped and began to flap his hands and walk a few circles, before he eventually let himself lean against the wall and let himself slide down full of excitement and this dizzy feeling in his stomach.
He couldn’t believe it. He had kissed Roman! He had made the first step in their relationship and it was so exciting! He didn’t remember when he had felt so excited the last time. It was just invigorating. He couldn’t remember when the last time had been when he had felt so excited.
“Virgil?”
Virgil jumped at the voice and at once stood back on his feet manically looking around who had spoken. And to his horror he saw Janus standing in front of him. Immediately his face flushed and the snake began to smirk amusedly.
“Virgil, what are you doing in front of Roman’s door, if you don’t mind me asking?” Janus said innocently.
A yelp escaped Virgil’s lips which made Janus chuckle a little. Flustered Virgil thought about what to say, about what not to say. They had not yet talked about the status of their relationship, just kissed, so what were they? Did Roman even want to come forth with what had happened? Or would he rather have it private?
“Did the movie night turn out to be more romantic than you thought it would be?” Janus asked further.
Finally, Virgil got a grip and said vaguely: “I – I don’t think I can tell you that yet. I need to, uh, talk to Roman first about what I am to tell you all and stuff.”
Janus raised an eyebrow. He did not seem to be convinced, which did not surprise Virgil when he considered the uncertain tone he had been using.
“And why don’t you talk with Roman about it right now?”
Oh, right. That was the other thing. He had almost forgotten.
“Princey is off to some royal duties, he said? He was pretty late already apparently, which is why I can’t ask him now. Yeah.”
Janus looked at him even more unbelieving but Virgil could not bring himself to care. Instead he turned away and walked towards the living room where breakfast was awaiting him.
Patton, Remus and Logan were already there. To his luck Remus made not comment concerning his pretty dishevelled look and Logan was still to sleepy to notice that he was. Patton greeted him and Janus with his usual enthusiasm and the breakfast continued as if everything was quite normal. No one questioned where Roman was, since Remus apparently had told them already that he was off to do some stuff in the imagination, which was what Roman had told Virgil as well.
Happily, Virgil finished his meal pretty quickly. He desperately needed to take a nap, as he had barely gotten any sleep last night and soon vanished into his room. Groggily he decided to change from his current pyjamas into other pyjamas and then let himself fall down on his bed. His body was heavy and tired but the crawling feeling of gushy warmth kept him smiling and awake for a bit. Long enough to hear a knock.
He sat up in his bed and said: “Who is it?”
The door was opened for a bit and Virgil saw Patton’s face peeking in.
“Am I disturbing you? Can I come in for a minute?” Patton asked carefully.
Virgil nodded and the fatherly side quickly came in and closed the door behind him. with quick steps he walked through the room and sat down on the other side of Virgil’s bed. Virgil felt anxious at once. Something was wrong. Patton usually did not act like this.
As Patton looked at him, he immediately found the panic spark in Virgil’s eyes and moved closer, reflexively wanting to hold his hand to calm him down. But he stopped himself and took a short breath.
“It’s okay, Virgil,” Patton now said instead. “I am not mad and nothing is wrong. I came because I wanted to talk with you about Roman.”
Virgil stiffened but felt somewhat calmer. At least he knew know about what to feel anxious.
“What is with Roman? Why do you want to talk about him with me?”
Patton let out a sigh and scratched the back of his neck. He closed his eyes for a moment and then looked back at Virgil with an oddly serious expression.
“I’d like to just say a few things without you interrupting me, would that be alright? You can say all you want afterwards, but please let me speak first,” Patton said slowly.
Virgil nodded and shifted a little as Patton began to speak.
“Okay, so. I know that you and Roman are having feelings for each other. And I’m assuming that something happened between the two of you tonight, if I was interpreting this lovey-dovey grin correctly this morning. And that is very good! It’s great! I am very happy for the two of you. I really, really am.”
Patton paused for a second and bit his lips before he continued.
“But I need to ask you to be gentle with him. He- he is very strong. He’s a lot smarter than we sometimes make him out to be, and he gets when people belittle or berate him. He’s willing to give anything for just a tiny bit of recognition and I need you to be aware of that. Which probably is an unnecessary thing to tell you, since you are Anxiety and all, but I have to say it. I don’t want him to sacrifice himself into a relationship and – I don’t know if I do him wrong by saying this – and I’m afraid he would do it. For all of us. Just for a simple ‘thank you’ or a ‘you did good’. I love Roman. I love him dearly and I want him to be better. To feel okay. I am trying to help him, to treat him right but I know what I have done. What I have done to him with my expectations. And what you did to him in blind panic. I am not blind to what you did and I am not naïve. I did not forget. I forgave you.”
Virgil was almost shivering. This was ten thousand times scarier than any shit Janus or Remus had ever pulled. This was straight up horrifying.
“And I know you’ve changed. You are good. And you want his best. You love him after all. You saved him already once and I know he needs that. To have somebody he can trust and turn to. Someone he knows will try and save him if they can. So, please do not let him down. Don’t hurt him. Be gentle and listen to the things he doesn’t say. They tend to be more important than the things he does say.”
Virgil just stared at Patton. Let the words slowly sink in. Let himself realize how worried Patton was over Roman. How much he loved him. How much he cared. And what kind of talk he had just received.
“You-” Virgil stuttered suddenly feeling a grin fighting its way on his lips, “You just had the don’t-hurt-my-child conversation with me. Like with the new boyfriend of your son. With me.”
Patton’s face flushed and Virgil saw how he dug his fingers into the fabric of his bedsheets. He opened his mouth to say something, anything really but Virgil watched as he failed. With a frown Virgil leaned forwards and tapped Patton on the arm. Gave him a tiny smile.
“It’s fine! I get it. I’ve done shitty stuff and you saw that. It’s good. I wanted you to stop infantilizing me, so it’s nice to see you take me seriously. And care so much for Ro. I’m sure he’d protest to all of what you just said but-” Virgil paused and put his hands in his laps with a shrug – “he deserves to be saved too. To be a damsel worth saving. And I’ll make sure to look after him. Don’t worry.”
Patton nodded and after a moment stretched out his arm. Virgil let out an amused huff and gave into the hug invitation. Patton’s hugs were refreshing. They smelled like home and left one with the feeling of comfort. Virgil liked them quite a bit. With a last pat on Virgil’s back Patton the broke off and bid his goodbye. Told him to take a nap and take it easy for the day.
“Oh, and Virgil,” Patton said when he had the door handle in his hands, “I am very proud of you. I’m sure you two will be happy.”
Virgil just grinned a little sheepishly and watched the dad leave. Then he buried himself in his bedsheets and took his well-deserved nap.
___
Evening came and Roman was still not back for dinner. Remus had reassured them all that he was fine, but was held up in unscheduled a meeting. He would be back today, even if it would be late. With that all had been calmed for the moment.
Well, almost all. Virgil wanted to see Roman. They needed to clear things up and just- Well, just see him. He just wanted to see him. What a sap he had become within such a short amount of time.
Around ten PM, he was sitting in the living room watching a documentary with Logan, while Remus was playing cards with Janus as he suddenly had a weird feeling. He became antsy for no reason and looked around the room until his eyes fell on Remus. He staring down the hallway but looked back to him when he felt the eyes on him. And there was a quick moment in which they looked at each other, a conversation was had with no words and Virgil got up and bid Logan and the two other sides at the table good night and went straight to Roman’s room.
He heard something rustling inside and immediately knocked.
“Yes?”, was the muffled answer.
Something in Virgil eased away. Roman did not sound odd or hurt or disturbed in any way. Relieved he let his held breath out and said: “It’s me. Can I come in?”
A little shuffling and Virgil stepped away from the door as it was opened Roman’s face looking at him through the crack. He flashed a shy grin at him and let Roman open the door a little further before he went inside and turned towards Roman who closed the door behind them.
At first, he noticed that Roman is wearing his usual attire again, not the fancy one from this morning. Then he saw the cut on Roman’s left side just under his ribs. And the red which was tinting the white fabric.
For a second there was just a white noise in Virgil’s head. Then rationalisation. Roman was not shaking. His breath was a little quicker but not by much. Not much sweat either. Virgil made a step to the side. He looked at the cut. Not all the white around it was stained red. It didn’t seem to stain anymore. The cut could not be so deep then.
“Take your shirt off,” Virgil simply said while pulling the sleeves of his hoodie back and walking towards Roman.
Roman stammered, confused by the tone shift and the sternness of Virgil’s look: “I’m sorry! I – I really didn’t- I wasn’t in danger! This happened on my way back and-”
“Roman. Shirt off. Then sit down. I’m gonna heal it.”
And Roman took his shirt off. Virgil guided him to sit down on a char at his dining table and looked again how deep it was. To his relief it truly didn’t seem to be such a big deal, the cut was clean, exactly under the ribs and not too deep. He would have an easy time to fix that.
“Okay,” Virgil said and gave Roman a short look before he let his hand get closer to Roman’s wound but not touch it yet, “I’m gonna heal it now if that’s okay?”
Roman eyed him warily.
“Do you not want me to heal it?”
“No, I mean yes I want you to, uhm, is- is your hand gonna be cold?”
Well, that surely threw Virgil off his rhythm. Perplexed he stared at him for a second before answering: “No, it- it won’t. I’m not Pat. My hands don’t get cold when I heal. It might tickle though, sorry for that.”
Roman nodded but still looked rather tense. Virgil forced himself to smile gave him a light squeeze on the upper arm.
“It’s fine. It’s okay. I’m not mad and it’s not so bad as I first feared. I just get very quick when something like this happens. All good now? Can I start?”
There was the sign of a tiny smile and Virgil repositioned his hand again to hover over Roman’s wound. Virgil concentrated and felt as if air was gathering around his fingertips, as a faint purple light started to engulf his hand. Carefully, he let his fingers roam over Roman’s skin. He saw a few muscles flinch at the touch, he must be ticklish there, but he did not have to let his hand linger for too long. The cut closed itself quickly and Virgil took his hand away just as fast.
He looked back up to Roman. His eyes were locked to him in awe. Faintly the Prince touched the place where the cut had been and then looked back to Virgil’s face. Back into his eyes.
His fascination caught Virgil a little off guard until he realized that his eyes probably had been glowing a little, just like Patton or Janus’s did when they were healing someone. The something that Roman could not have.
As the staring from Roman continued, Virgil slowly began to feel heat arise in his chest and a slight wave of embarrassment rush through him. It didn’t help that he saw Roman’s strong arms and his bare chest, the many, many faint scars and long healed bruises on it. It was quite odd that it made him so nervous, he was not a prude after all.
Yet before Virgil could ponder more Roman suddenly yelped and held his hands over his chest, promptly turning away from Virgil.
“What-” Virgil was about to ask, as he watched Roman’s form slowly change.
With a subtle tap from Roman a white bandeau now covered Roman’s chest. Virgil watched Roman’s figure change slightly, saw how the more feminine form of the back, heard the pitch change of Roman’s voice, as another soft gasped escaped Roman’s lips.
Roman looked back over her shoulder with a slightly embarrassed look and Virgil raised an eyebrow with a sigh.
“It’s she/her now?”
“Yes. I apologize for, uh, the sudden - the sudden change,” Roman said timidly.
Virgil let out a chuckle and shook his head. Cautiously, he stepped closer to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She leaned into the touch Virgil gave her a short peck on her shoulder.
A mockingly scandalized Roman looked down at him and he said with a smirk: “That’s for apologizing for something you never need to apologize for. You’re just being you. No need to apologize for gender happening to you. It’s not like you or anybody could control it.”
Roman’s eyes grew soft and before Virgil knew it, he was pulled into a firm hug. Roman was quick to show her affection and Virgil still had to adjust to the tempo. To the warmth and so obvious display of care and adoration. It was nice, he mused as he felt her leaning against his chest, burring her face in the fabric of his hoodie.
Eventually, walked over to the couch, Roman snapping herself a long comfortable sleeping shirt on and found themselves huddled against each other again.
It was then, when Virgil remembered with which intent he had initially come to Roman’s room.
“Ro? Can we talk maybe about us? What we are now and what we tell the others?” he asked carefully as Roman sat up in a more upright position.
She met his eyes only shortly before she cleared her throat nervously and said: “Yes, I think we should. But before, I, I need to confess something, which might change your mind about wanting to be with me. Which is fine. I forgot to tell you earlier. Just- Just don’t laugh please?”
“Of course not! I won’t. What is it?” Virgil asked with a frown.
Roman took a deep breath. She really hoped this was not a dealbreaker but somehow, she felt like it would be.
“I – I’m. I am not interested in a sexual relationship. With anybody, not specifically just you. I’m – I’m ace. And I’m an ace who doesn’t want sex. Not at all. It’s – It’s fine if other people want it, or if you want it, of course! Just. Just not me though. I don’t want it and it makes me feel weird thinking about it. If you thought you would have that with me, or wanted to have that with me, I’m sorry for leading you on. I didn’t mean to do that.”
Helplessly, Roman pressed her eyes together. She was sure that was it. Virgil could only have so much compassion for her and that would certainly be it.
But then she was met with a confused voice: “So, you don’t like people in a sexual way? All people not just not me, if I got that right?”
Roman did not react.
“Hey.”
Virgil’s voice was so gentle. She did not want to lose him.
“Hey, Ro. It’s alright. Look at me. Come on. Look at me.”
He put his hand ever so softly under her chin and made her gingerly look over to him.
“It’s okay. You did not lead me on. It’s okay. There wasn’t a moment for that yesterday.”
“Today,” Roman corrected weakly.
“Today,” Virgil repeated with an eye roll. “It’s alright with me. I don’t need to sleep with you to be happy with this. Whatever it is. Even though I would like to have a name for the relationship because then I’d know how to call it when the others were to ask and-”
“Boyfriend and girlfriend. Right now, at least. Because right now I’m a woman.”
“So, I’m cuddling with my girlfriend right now?” Virgil asked with a sparkle in his eyes.
Roman’s heart beat fast and she pulled him a little closer, closed a little distance between their faces.
“Yes~ And if he lets me, I’m going to kiss my boyfriend now~” Roman said in a singsong voice.
Virgil simply giggled and closed his eyes. And then Roman kissed him happily.
___
Whistling rang through the kitchen. Roman had had a relaxing night after Virgil and she talked a little more (and kissed a little more) and was absolutely at ease when the other side had left to go to bed. Which was why she now stood in the kitchen before all the others where here and made pancakes. She needed to share her happiness with her fellow companions and was contently preparing the dough for the breakfast, when she heard the shuffling steps of a certain side.
With a twirl Roman turned around and saw her groggily smiling emo approach.
“Good morning my Dark Prince!” Roman greeted and put her ladle down on the counter.
Virgil grinned at the nickname and shuffled closer while lifting his chin and holding something behind his back.
Before Roman could ask what it was, Virgil said with a raspy voice: “G’moring Daffodil.”
Roman frowned. Daffodil?
“I’m not yellow. That’s Janus’s schtick!”
Virgil laughed and took Roman’s hand with his free one.
“They’re also spring flowers. The early ones. The pioneers. Hope and stuff. Like you. My Daffodil.”
Roman couldn’t say anything to this. Usually, she was the one who made such comparisons. Who was the romantic. Not the other way round. Not that she was complaining. This was very cute.
Yet before she could tell that Virgil, and possibly make him blush a little, the side had pulled out something from behind his back and handed it to her. Roman stared down and saw a black notebook in Virgil’s hand. A dried daffodil was glued on its cover.
“Is that for me?” Roman asked already feeling far too emotional so early in the morning.
“Of course, it is, you doofus.”
Roman wanted to take offence for a moment, when Virgil promptly flipped the book open and showed him the interior page of the book cover. On brown paper there were many tiny patterns drawn. Crowns, hearts, shields, feathers, music notes and more. In the colour of the ace flag. Black, grey, white and purple.
Moved to tears Roman looked to Virgil, who gave her a sheepish smile and a little shrug.
“Apparently, purple’s your colour too.”
Roman laughed and carefully took the book in her hands. It was empty and she would be able to fill it with all the memories she desired. And they would be safe behind the pages Virgil had so carefully doodled on for her.
She pressed the book against her chest and told Virgil with a wavery voice: “Thank you so much. It’s perfect. I don’t know how I ever can show you my gratitude for this.”
Virgil chuckled a little and yawned.
“You don’t have to but I’m not against you being my pillow. You’re really warm.”
Roman blinked but then grinned amused.
“While that is true, I am making breakfast as of now and can not act as your pillow. But we can cuddle later.”
“But I’m tired now!” Virgil whined before he suddenly shot up a little and started to slip out of his hoodie. “I’ve got an idea. Put that on.”
Quick Virgil threw his hoodie over to her, while hoisting himself on the kitchen counter. Confused Roman put the hoodie on and watched Virgil grin a little at her expression before he said: “Please don’t move for a sec.”
Roman couldn’t answer before suddenly her boyfriend morphed into a black cat and gallantly sat on the counter. Amazed she stared at him, as he let out the little “mwrr” noise and the jumped onto her shoulder, lovingly brushing against her face with his head. Smitten with his adorableness, Roman cooed at Cat Virgil and scratched him behind the ears until, the slowly moved behind her neck and she felt him nestling himself inside of his hoodie's hood.
With a soft and content purr coming from behind her neck, Roman turned back to kitchen counter and continued to make the meal for the others, gently humming the melody of “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat”.
Outfits for bigender Roman and agender Remus in my little Prinxiety fic D as in... (AO3)
[ID: Traditional drawing of Remus and Roman standing next to each other on brown paper. Remus wears a black short skirt with puffsleeves, his green sash over it, netstockings on his legs and, black knee-high combat boots. He holds his morning star over his right shoulder. To his left stands Roman. She’s wearing a long white jaket, with golden embroidered lapels and cuffs. She wears a red ascots tie, skinny plack pants and knee-high boots with riding heels.]
Two months after Princey almost burning himself in the Imagination, causing all of them to finally get a grip and starting therapy, some semblance of peace taken over the Mindscape and Virgil was quite content with it. Content enough to spend an afternoon doodling with Roman, only to realize in his bed at night that the doodling part had not been what had made his heart beat faster.
(This is part of the Between Black and White Series. So, if you want more context you can go and check it out^^)
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You can find this story here on my blog @mimssides
