Triggerwarnings: Roman Angst, Unsympathetic!King, Swearing, Intrusive Thoughts
Days passed since Deceit had earned the Light Sides' trust, with Roman still being an exception. The prince knew Janus wasn't stupid–the snake felt his distrust, saw behind his faux friendly smiles, and noticed the subtle venom in the nicknames Roman gave him. And strangely, Roman was aware of this, though he could not care less. Let that slippery fiend do whatever he wanted with that information.
But, Roman was getting tired of everything. He couldn't keep on pretending like this–he was barely even needed in recent videos. It was always Janus in the spotlight–it made Roman feel like a disposable comic relief, but the Prince figured it was fine. He was, after all, still Thomas' hero.
He sighed at the thought, dropping it as fast as he picked it up. It was enough that it was obvious he was barely wanted in the videos, he didn't need this for the final nail in the coffin that secured his self-hatred. All he needed to focus on was to be as useful as he was allowed to be.
Yes, he needed to make the others proud. Needed to make Thomas proud.
He stood at his door, preparing himself for another video. He ran his hands through his hair, tending to it to make it look like he wasn't laying down for hours, contemplating his worth to Thomas. He took one deep breath, and adorned his face with a practiced smile, and opened the door.
He stayed there, in the darkness, as he was stunned. They already started – no, they sounded like they were almost through in solving the dilemma. He suddenly lost all energy to participate in the video, especially when he felt another Side taking his spot, and from the way he spoke, Roman could tell who he was. The prince scoffed, crossing his arms.
It was unbelievable. He was already shoved in the very back, waiting in the wings for his time to shine, that deep inside he knew would never come, and now the Scooby-Doo villain was taking his spot? He wouldn't have it. Roman prepared himself to pop up, and when he finally did, he wished he hadn't.
"You're our hero, Jan," Thomas said brightly, his eyes widening as he saw the better half of his Creativity appear, "er, hi Roman." he greeted, his posture tensed awkwardly.
The other sides stared at him, and he saw the expression in their eyes as clear as day. Virgil looked anxious–of course, when is he not? Patton looked unbearably guilty, so much that Roman couldn't look at him for long. Logan looked aloof, but there was a sympathetic glint in his eyes, as he looked like he was preparing to say something to fix this new faced dilemma.
And Janus. Janus was proud of himself, Roman could tell, but he seemed to still want Roman on his side.
Roman turned away from them, and uncomfortable silence hung in the air. He forgot that he was in front of a camera for a moment, and looked up, an unexplainable look in his eyes, his face as hard as stone.
"Well, Thomas, it seems like I was interrupting something," Roman uttered, a spiteful tone laced in his voice, "like I do everyday, so really, it's nothing new. Still, I apologize."
Patton looked broken, his face soft and tears already in his eyes, "kiddo, no, you didn't interrupt anything! Right guys?"
A beat, and then Logan spoke up, "what Patton said was true, Roman. There's no need to feel guilty, you are still needed on the table, there's no need to over dramatize–" Logan stopped, when Virgil sent him a sharp glare.
"Nice, specs, that definitely helped–" Virgil said spitefully, but was caught off by Roman.
"No, Virgil. He was right. There's no need to be over dramatic, but that really is just how I am," spoke Roman, his voice lifting into a pathetic version of his usually booming voice, "so I'll just see myself out, before I make a bigger mess of things, yeah?"
Patton looked like he was about to cry, and Janus gave him a look of concern, "kiddo, no, it's not healthy to keep things to yourself. I learned that the hard way. We can talk about it kiddo, I promise we'll listen–"
Roman let in a sharp breath, and let out a cruel laugh, full of pent up hurt from how many times he was dismissed and ignored, "yeah, you showed me how much you all could listen to me in the last days."
That shut Patton up, as he hung his head in guilt. Janus sent Roman a sympathetic gaze, "I know we've never seen eye to eye Roman, but I'd be glad to help you with this, it's been eating you up lately–"
"Yeah," Roman breathed out a laugh, "you noticed, and said nothing. Don't tell me you care now."
Janus paused, before opening his mouth to say something, but Virgil spoke up before he could get a word out.
"Janus, you're not helping, just let us–"
"Wow, first name basis now, Virge?" Roman said, and he shook his head, "what am I doing? You all don't care."
"Ro, don't. You're taking this too far, let's just talk about it–"
"Taking this too far? Me!?" Roman exclaimed, and Virgil flinched. The prince bit his lip, but didn't back down, "you don't want to concern yourself with me, I'd say you all are the ones that are blowing this out of proportion–"
"Roman, calm down–" Logan said softly, "fighting isn't going to solve any of your problems–"
"My only problem is myself. So let me handle it." Roman gritted out, crossing his arms.
"Ro, come on, let us help you, we'll listen this time–" Thomas said, before Roman let out a loud laugh.
"No. If I'm no use to you, I don't matter. I don't deserve your help."
But he never got to finish what he was going to say, as Roman sinked down without warning, the hurt in his eyes never leaving.
Darkness. He shouldn't stay here, they'll find him easily, but he couldn't go back to his room, as that was their obvious destination. But then, he snorted, they probably won't even care enough to look for him.
Regardless, he still wanted to make sure they wouldn't spot him easily. So, he went to the last place they expected him to be.
It's been a while since he last visited his brother, so he had trouble focusing on the things so he could get there. But in the end, he did, and for a while, there was nothing but silence.
"Ooh~ it's the Prince of Prude!" Remus cackled, "to what do I owe the displeasure?" the Duke bowed mockingly, a demented grin on his features.
"I just wanted to get away, there's no need to be cruel, brother." Roman said, his posture softening, as he sat on the couch, ignoring the disgusting smell, and the mysterious wet stains.
Remus raised a brow, his grin dropping into a frown, "get away?" then he looked around, and his brows raised in comprehension, and something clicked in his eyes, "trouble in paradise, huh?"
Roman scoffed, crossing his arms, "paradise would be too much of a kind word for it."
A silence hung between the two brothers, and Remus shifted uncomfortably. He had no idea what to do, and Roman could tell that. His brother wasn't the most comforting side, and kindness wasn't his forte. Roman opened his mouth, about to bid his farewell, when Remus smirked up at him.
"Brother, would you care for a duel?" the Duke said, summoning up Roman's sword and throwing it to him. Roman caught it easily, his features softening, as he realized this was Remus' way of comforting him. He let a small smile grace his features, which turned into a smirk, as he looked up at his brother.
"You better prepare your white flag, brother, you'll be waving it as soon as we start." Roman said smugly, standing up as the room around them shifted, and they were now in the dark parts of the Imagination.
Remus cackled, a demented smile once again adorned his face, "the only thing I will be waving is your decapitated head on a stick in front of your weeping fragments, brother!" Remus said, waving his Morningstar threateningly at Roman.
"Is that a challenge, brother!?" Roman cried, lifting his sword up in front of him, a carefree and true smile on his face, for the first time in a while.
"No, it's a promise, Prince Bubble-bum!"
Roman laughed, exclaiming "en garde!" and he surged forward, going for the attack swiftly, but Remus was just as fast with his defense, pushing Roman back, with the intent of making him fall over, but Roman was determined to stay upright, and he retaliated quickly.
They went at this for what seemed like hours, neither backing down, as frustration built up inside them was expressed in their duel.
As Remus was being shoved down by Roman with his sword, he asked, "so, why are you so upset, princey?"
Roman raised a brow, thinking this was some tactic to distract him, but saw no motive like that in his eyes. There was curiosity, andthe slightest bit of concern, and the prince sighed, "it's nothing big." Roman faltered, and Remus took the opportunity, albeit with a hint of hesitancy, to twist the situation around. He didn't give up on the question though.
"Come on, Roman. I'm not exactly your usual company, you hate me, remember?" Remus scoffed, and Roman looked at him in pure confusion. He dropped his guard, and Remus followed suit.
Remus rolled his eyes, "don't give me that look, you royal fucktard. What went up your ass that made you suddenly want my company?"
It was now Roman's turn to roll his eyes, but he was, admittedly, surprised at the hurt tone in his brother's voice, "when I said I hate you, I meant it in a brotherly way." he sat down on a patch of dead grass, running his hand along his hair in frustration.
Remus raised a brow, sitting beside him, "really? Even if I'm the reflection you see in a funhouse mirror that shows you everything you hate about yourself?"
Roman shook his head, "I said everything I don't want to be, Remus. I've never hated you, only the things you do to the others, and how you affect Thomas... But I know you can't help it. It's too much of a cruel thing to pin against you."
Remus furrowed his brows at him, then let out a sigh.
Roman looked at Remus with a raised brow.
"On that day, when Janus told you you were almost exactly like me," Remus huffed, a cruel grin on his face as he set his head on his raised knees, "I know I shouldn't have been so hurt, it shouldn't have bothered me so much. That was my role wasn't it? To be the evil one? But... You looked so disappointed, and upset, being compared to me. And it hurt like a bitch, you know. To know that even your brother doesn't fucking like who you are."
There was a beat of silence, when little sniffles emerged from Remus' lips. Roman frowned, when Remus spoke, "what's worse, is that Jan has been spending more time with his precious little Light Sides than me. I mean, can't exactly blame him, right?" he chuckled darkly, "I'm just some freak that eats deodorant. Who'd want to spend time with a mistake like me?"
Roman's frown deepened, with a spark of renewed hatred for the snake-like Side. Was singling out Roman not enough, now he had to abandon his brother, too?
Remus raised his head, looking at Roman, as he felt a comforting hand on his back, "I'm sorry... That I ever let you believe I hate you. You're a good brother, even if you don't see it. Even if you won't accept it," Roman added, chuckling at the look of disbelief in Remus' eyes, replacing his usual vivdly crazy irises, "from now on... I won't be abandoning you anymore."
Remus let out a surprised noise, as he was suddenly engulfed in a warm hug. He fought tears, still unbelieving of his situation, as he hugged his brother back with hesitancy.
"I'll always be here, from now on, brother." Roman said, and suddenly, a bright light engulfed the both of them.
And when it faded, there was only one person standing.
"Roman? Kiddo, are you here?" a scared Patton said, followed by a sharp gasp, as he stared at the Side before him.
"Patton? What's wrong–?" Janus followed the Moral side's eyes, and his own widened.
The others stared in awe, as the fusion of Remus and Roman stood, in all his elegancy and pride, a smirk on his features.
"Guys... Who is that?" Thomas asked, his voice shaky, "whe-where are Roman and Remus? Guys?"
Virgil gulped, his eyes blown in panic, as he said, "i-it's the King..."
The King smirked, as he tilted his head in mock to the Sides. Logan was too shocked to speak, Patton looked terrified out of his mind, Virgil looked anxious–no, paranoid, Thomas looked confused as ever.
Janus looked like he didn't know what to do.
It pleased the King to no end.
"Hello, my loyal subjects," The King drawled out, "my name is Icarus," he smirked, snapping his fingers, and the ground shook beneath them, and they were suddenly in a grand castle of different hues of green, red, and orange, matching his attire, with Icarus sitting on the large throne. He was the fusion of two brothers' anger, hatred, loneliness and sadness—it was clear in his threatening heterochromic eyes.
Roman and Remus, rest, the King thought, your Highness will take care of everything, I swear to you.
With that final promise, he eyed the Sides with malicious glee, and finished,
