Chapter Text
The first time had been… a surprise.
Roman and Virgil had talked and found out that when Thomas was in love and went on dates they were both strongly affected. Logan ad Patton were both pretty much confided to their beds, they were that much of a mess. But Roman was extra energized and Virgil was well… tipsy.
They were watching a movie to ride out the butterflies, as was their new routine. Stick together, distract themselves, keep each other from doing something they’ll regret.
They were watching Lilo and Stich, and had Treasure Planet lined up next. Non romantic movies so they wouldn’t get any ideas.
“I like your butt and fancy hair too Ro,” Virgil drawled as he snuggled deeper into Roman’s side. Tipsy Virgil was a cuddler and Roman was only too happy to provide his fellow side with the physical comfort he needed in this vulnerable state.
They never addressed it afterwards, and Virgil was never weird about it, nor did he seem to have trouble remembering any embarrassing remarks Roman made during the evening while his brain was in hyper drive so it had to be fine with Virge. If only in these moments. When they could both blame the hormones for their actions. Roman would take it. And maybe it was just the hormones that made him think that maybe he’d like to hold Virgil every evening. That he’d like to hold his hand and brush his hair out of his eyes… Nope, thoughts were reeling again. Still, the dream of being with someone… None of them had ever really kissed someone. They could only experience life second hand trough Thomas, or some strange echo of it in the imagination. But when Roman held Virgil like this, it was real. As real as things could get for them.
And Roman knew this because there are tons of things he didn’t expect. He didn’t expect Virgil to be so warm and soft for example. He’d expected sharp edges and a small skinny body hiding underneath all that fabric. Or… maybe toned and firm, ready to protect. But he was neither.
In the imagination everything was always how Roman expected, it was his kingdom after all. Unless he went in with Virgil. His unique energy allowed for the unexpected to pop in Roman’s head and be created before he could think too much about it. That was the closest he got to a real adventure.
Anyway, back to the situation at hand.
“The date must be going well if you start talking nonsense like that,” Roman chuckled. Sure Virgil would be right to appreciate his hair and backside, but he’d never… or he’d never admit it out loud.
“Thomas is nervous…” Virgil whispered suddenly. “Of course he is. Things are going well. This guy might stick around for a while… maybe he’s the one,” Roman sighed hopefully. Thomas deserves that adventure.
Virgil became silent for a long time after that. In fact it wasn’t until Jim Hawkings boarded the Legacy before he spoke again.
“He is going to take him home tonight,” he told Roman to which the Prince stiffened. How had he missed that? Virgil couldn’t be here for that! If Thomas was feeling… amorous, whether he had a partner or not, Roman couldn’t be held accountable for his actions. He just became consumed with passion and want.
But when he spoke, he didn’t make a plan for Virgil to be both away from his own room to keep Thomas’ anxiety manageable, and not be anywhere near him at the same time.
Instead: “Is there anything you need if he does?”
Virgil blushed. “Um…. Bed, sleep,” he muttered. That made sense, despite the nerves involved with the anticipation of lovemaking, once it started, it would probably almost completely knock Anxiety out, at least if Thomas was as comfortable as he ought to be in such circumstances.
Roman supposed he could lay Virgil in his bed and excuse himself to the imagination, feigning the need to go for a run before joining him… God no, he couldn’t think that far ahead, not now that he was made aware of the slowly growing anticipation for the end of the night.
He focused for a moment to see where Thomas was right now. They just ordered desserts. The evening was indeed going well, there were subtle but suggestive touches initiated from both sides, there was eye contact that promised sinful things. Shit. Virgil was absolutely right. The date would not end at the front door.
Focus Roman, first take care of Virgil and then time your leave just right so he doesn’t expect you back before he’s out.
So he lifted his friend up bridal style, making him giggle quite adorably, and tucked him into bed. He moved the tv to the foot end of the bed so they could continue watching and laid on top of the covers next to Virgil so they could cuddle a little longer.
“You’re not staying?” Virgil pleaded timidly. He was always so gosh darn cute when he was like this. Not that he wasn’t cute when sober. He still had these brief unguarded moments, and when he was stoic ad firm he was kind of sexy… No, bad Roman!
“I’ll need to work of the butterflies with a run before I can come to bed. But if you want I’ll join you afterwards?” As soon as I’m sure that I won’t take advantage of you when you are at your most defenseless.
Virgil hummed briefly and then got lost in the movie again. Roman checked in on the date regularly now, wondering when he could take his leave. Once they arrived at the house? While they got a nightcap? His answer came when the car was parked in front of Thomas’ residence and their charge awkwardly invited his date inside for coffee. Virgil tensed up and then started shivering. Roman sort of recognized this. Virgil was trying to hold his fears to himself. Roman couldn’t leave now.
“It’s going to be okay V. You are being so brave,” Roman soothed him as he rubbed circles on his back and tried not to think of one sure way to get Virgil to relax. Not now, not when he wasn’t in his right mind. Virgil would say yes to anything just so he wouldn’t be left alone right now.
“I’m stupid. I’ll ruin everything and Thomas is going to hate me,” he whispered.
“No, you’re not. Just hang in there a little longer V,” Roman pleaded as he encouraged Thomas to sit a little closer, just to make things move a little faster. “You are giving him those wonderful nervous butterflies right now Virgil. The ones that make everything exciting.”
Virgil nodded slowly, showing that he heard Roman, so the prince kept talking and encouraging Thomas to make all the right moves. It was going well, soon Virgil would be out for the count and Roman would just have to hold it together long enough to sprint to the imagination. 5 seconds. That’s all. He could do it, for Virgil.
“You are doing great V. Just, deep breaths, go to sleep my stormy knight, I’ll take care of Thomas for a bit. I promise.” He prayed Virgil would trust him with that responsibility for a few minutes. Once Thomas went for the kiss, things could heat up very soon.
“I…I’ll try, thank you Ro,” Virgil breathed and when Roman looked down his eyes were closed and his breath was evening out. “Anything for you, my dark angel,” Roman whispered, no longer caring if it was the hormones causing him to feel this way. Tomorrow he would try to figure that out. Now he had to get out of here, before he gave in to the urge to lean down and kiss Virgil’s hair, or cheek, or neck… Yep getting up now. Roman conjured a big plush dolphin for Virgil to cuddle up to and gently transferred his friend’s grip over to the inanimate object. Then he carefully got out of bed. He checked in with Thomas, they were laughing at a joke. “Good Thomas lean a bit closer and look him in the eyes,” he whispered as he walked over to the door, swaying on his feet.
Thomas did and there was the magic moment. “Put your hand on… Oh, he beat you to it. That’s good. Let him see you noticed, smile, let him know you want this too. Are you ready? Then let him lead. You are home, you are safe. Don’t be afraid to tell him when you’re uncomfortable alright? Tonight should be magical for you both, that can’t happen if you’re not honest.” Even Deceit would have to agree on this. Ugh, now there was a sure way to help Roman get his head back in the game enough to leave Virgil be.
They kissed and Roman could feel Virgil’s energy change, in an impossible way it made him want to turn around and… No!
With a jolt of hidden strength he burst through the door.