Warnings: Nothing that I noticed, let me know if you spot anything
Summary: Logan runs a library in a small town, allowing him to share his love of books without feeling left out. His business partner and friend Roman helps by running the bright Disney themed cafe that attracts more people to stay for longer. The two clashing but somehow perfect match of a friendship went their days peaceful in their small community until one day a new pair of brother; Patton and Virgil, moved into town and showed the owners a new way of life.
Logan let out a heavy breath as he looked up at the opening doors, expecting to see a certain dramatic man, but instead being greeted by a couple who he recognised had visited a few times. He gave them a friendly smile before looking around the rest of the library. He had opened at his usual time in the morning,but was confused when Roman did not enter at least 30 minutes after. Checking his messages to make sure he didn’t call in sick, he huffed as he got to work. Logan was counting his lucky stars that it wasn’t busy today, meaning he was able to go between doing his usual business in the library, hands out discount cards and apologise to the regulars of the cafe while answering any questions that visitors came up to him and asked.
About two hours later, Roman came rushing into the library, immediately going to his cafe and starting to set it up. He was a mess. Not even in his Prince outfit, hair a birds nest on top of his head which was a sign something was definitely wrong or not right.
Logan watched Roman run around like a turkey without its head as he got the chairs out and ready and getting the coffee machine started up. Observing him, Logan noticed that those were indeed the clothes that Roman went with when he went to give Virgil back his bag. (Logan doesn’t understand the need to change clothes depending on the situation as he believes formal is always the way to go, nor the need to get your friends to check your outfits to make sure it’s ok for said situation. But Roman did both, and he wasn’t going to tell him how he criticizes his actions, especially since Roman is his only lasting friend from school). Knowing this, Logan came to a conclusion and went up to the counter Roman was under, trying to fix the plug that fell loose. “Roman, did you sleep at Patton and Virgil’s house yesterday.
Thunk.
“Oh fuuudge,” Roman groaned, standing up while rubbing the back of his head. “How did you… actually, I don’t want to know how you know. But yes, I did.”
“Did you have-”
“Don’t even finish that sentence.” He held up a finger in warning.
Logan gave a single nod. “Sorry, I just assumed because that’s what two people usually do when they like each other.”
Roman sighed. “You’re kinda correct. In this sense, we were just… connecting. I learnt new stuff about him and then we all ate pizza and watched cartoons for the rest of the night.”
“Until you fell asleep?”
“Yes, which lead to me waking up on their couch late which is why I am late. The house was empty but I got a morning text explaining that they didn’t want to wake me since I apparently ‘looked adorable’ in the words of Patton.”
Logan could feel the fondness rolling off of Roman as he talked about Virgil’s text, which just made him give a small smile. “Well I’m glad you were able to have some quality time with Virgil, even if it did make you late for work.”
Roman face turned a shade of light pink, but his smile was wide as he started to serve the first customers of the day while Logan went back to labelling the new order of books.
—
“Hey-a Logan!” Patton exclaimed as he came up towards the librarian later that day.
“Greetings Patton,” He smiled back, turning back to stack his books and trusting that Patton will follow him.
“May I just say how lovely it was for Roman to drop by yesterday. I wasn’t expecting him too after what happened but my golly it made Virgil so happy to see him!”
“Yes, well I suggested it may of been the best option to at least return Virgil’s bag to him so he may attend school tomorrow with his work.”
“Awww, that it so sweet Logan! It really meant a lot to him, he was even more panicked when he realised he had left his work but I knew you would take good care of it.”
Logan nodded. “I take work very seriously and I understand how important it is. I would never let a student lose their work in this library.”
They both fell into a comfortable silence fell upon them. Logan walking around, placing the last of the new books into the shelves while Patton followed him, just a step behind. Eventually Patton spoke up, breaking it.
“Um… Logan?”
Logan turned around, giving his full attention to the smaller man in front of him. “Yes Patton?”
“I… I just wanted to apologise…”
“I don’t understand. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“No, not now… but when we first met…” Patton gaze stayed down, his hands fiddling with the sleeves of his cardigan that sat on his shoulders. “You had constantly asked me to call you Logan, yet I refused to… I realise looking back how rude that was of me and I should of listened to you and I’m sorry.”
Logan just stared at Patton for a few moments, completely bewildered. No one had ever apologized for something they’ve done to him apart from Roman. Although it got him irritated, he forced his emotions down about it because he was preparing to just power past it. But Patton apologized. He was told that his feelings matter and his chest felt like it was glowing even though he knew that was physically impossible but he didn’t know how else to describe this feeling.
“I… Don’t know how to respond… Thank you Patton.”
Patton’s face released the tension it was obviously holding as he waited for Logan’s response, a small smile flourishing on his face. “It’s no problem. You deserved the apology Logan.”
Logan returned the smile. It was small, but it was enough to make Patton’s grow.
“Well, I’ve got to keep putting these books back.”
“Oh of course! Let’s finish this and then we can do whatever else you have left!”
They fell back into their comfortable silence, Patton walking beside Logan as he finished off his work around the library. Both content as could be.
—
Virgil walked into the library cafe and took his usual seat. Could he really call it his when he’s only been coming here for the past week and a half?
‘Who is going to stop me?’ Thought Virgil has he pulled out his books. With headphones drilling music into his head, he got into his work with the comfort of the library environment helping calm his nerves about getting good grades on these assignments.
Roman, who had given Virgil space to do his school work, couldn’t help himself after an hour and made him a coffee. He slid it in front of the boy, a smirk growing on his face at the unamused look he got out of Virgil.
“I don’t remember ordering anything. What type of service is this?” Virgil asked, pulling his headphones down around his neck.
“Are you really going to complain about getting a free coffee?” Roman winking, getting a grumble out of the blushing boy. “Plus, I made this coffee extra special today.”
“That scares me.”
Roman gasped, hand covering his heart as he truly looked like an offended dramatic ass prince. “That is so rude! What would make you think that I would do anything bad towards the coffee?”
“Because knowing your taste, there’s goin’ to be so many sweeteners in where that my teeth will fall off just from this drink.”
“Just because you don’t have a sweet tooth doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy my taste in drink!”
Virgil rolled his eyes, putting his pen down to lift the hot drink up to his lips, the lips Roman were definitely not staring at. He took a sip, the drink sitting on his tongue for a second before he spat it back into the cup, scrunching up his face.
“Oh god dude, what the hell is that?”
“Vanilla, one of the best flavours that add an extra sweetness to your live.”
“How dare you make my coffee vanilla. You know I like it strong and kinky.”
Now it was Roman’s turn to blush, his mouth hung open from him being speechless.
Virgil snickered. “Here pretty boy, take your poison of a drink.” He placed the coffee in front of Roman, who just silently picked it up and drank the coffee, still shocked about the comment. Virgil picked up his pen again, leaving his headphones down as he started to get back to work.
He tried to ignore how Roman stared at him, but after 20 minutes it started to get to him. He looked up, eyebrow raised.
“Why don’t you just take a photo? It would last longer.”
He smirked when he managed to make Roman’s eyes widen when he realised he had been caught. But his eyes widened and he ducked his face into his hands when he realised Roman was actually pulling out him phone.
“What are you doing?! Don’t take a picture of me!”
“You’re the one who asked me too handsome,” Roman grinned. “Pleaseee, just one picture for me?”
Virgil grumbled some curses under his breath before removing one hand to flip Roman off. His other hand was covering his lower half of his face to hide his blush and his smile that formed by seeing Roman’s eyes shimmering when he looked at him.
Roman held his phone up and snapped a few photos for good measure, immediately setting Virgil as his homescreen. He couldn’t stop grinning even after he put his phone down, looking back up at the stunned emo.
“Thank you,” acknowledging his nervousness, Roman reached over the table and grabbed the hand that was just before expressing rude remarks and held it so softly. He didn’t mean his breath to hitch, but god was his breath taken away by the feeling of Virgil’s hand in his own. He could feel the calluses along Virgil’s hands, the unique bumps that displayed his dedication to banging those drums with such emotion. The way his fingers slotted into his own, no resistance to one another as they held hands.
“You’re!!! Holding!!! His!!! Hand!!!”
Alarm bells started ringing in Roman’s head as he pulled his hand back, his face turning scarlet. “I am truly sorry, I should of asked for permission to just touch you like that I just-”
“Ro.”
“-I wasn’t thinking I just saw that you were nervous-”
“Roman.”
“-and so I didn’t know what to do because I made you nervous and your hand was just there and so I just-”
“For the love of god, Roman shut up.” Virgil snapped.
Roman finally shut his mouth, eyebrows scrunched with worry as he stared at Virgil.
“Yes. You taking that photo did make me nervous. But mainly because I’m full of anxiety because that’s what I do. But… this…” Virgil reached back out and laced their fingers together. Although his face started to go the slightest bit pink and his breath went shaky at the contact of Roman’s impossibly soft hands, his voice was sure. “… this was ok…”
So they sat like that. Virgil got back to his work while Roman admired every detail of his face, every small movement to every reaction that just made him seem more and more beautiful. Hands staying together across the table.
Content, Roman took a deep breath.
Sigh.
~~~
A/N: I had no idea what I was going to do this chapter so thanks @tisithelittleelephant for your comment on one of my chapters that inspired a major part in this chapter :)
