#background royality

That was why Virgil and Remus were bewildering all their friends currently.

~

Roman had been one of the relationships that everyone aspired to. He and his husband were seen as the sweethearts of their state, the dreams who would reach out and help people find the romances dreamed of, whether that was in new relationships or ones they were already in.

He was also finding himself on the brink of divorce, unable to accept any more demands of charity work that had become thankless with the death of this romance god. Where before, he could flirt through them with Patton, and get praise and thanks as they finished, now he was faced with explanations over how it was only right to do what he was pulled into doing, and had his loving touches rejected as often as they were allowed.

And he meant allowed. There was no longer any real reciprocation in his touches or the sweet words he tried to keep saying. Roman saw Patton give more sweet words and loving touches to complete strangers than to him everyday and looking back, could be fairly certain that this had been the case for a long time, or would have been if Patton hadn’t before returned and reciprocated the times he reached out.

He visited Remus in the hopes of commiseration and understanding, after all, his brother had a similar relationship, even if it was only people into darker aesthetics that viewed it as a relationship to aspire to.

Finding there were none of the issues he was seeing everywhere stumped Roman entirely.

~

Logan had thought he and Janus weren’t a romantic couple. He’d thought their marriage as practical as it was loving. He’d thought that gods didn’t exist or at least didn’t influence the human world if they somehow did.

The spa nights Janus arranged for them were for self-care as much as they were dates surely, so why, with the news of the gods death, did Janus request time for themselves to do them now?

Contradicting that, were the lectures and science events Logan would take them both to. He’d always viewed them as dates, but now, when they usually separated during the larger events to find things that interested them individually, they were becoming more enjoyable. They were one of the few days the pair were happy to be married to each other, because they had someone to talk to about the various things learnt as they made their way home.

Why were the separate spaces Janus had once had to argue with Logan into agreeing to feeling like vital supports to their relationship, rather than a cruel distant put between them?

The god of romance dying had changed their relationship irrevocably, but Logan could sigh in the realisation that it didn’t seem to be broken yet. It was only stretching some to allow the distance between their interests space to exist.

Virgil invited him to visit, offering support after hearing of Roman and Patton’s troubles, but Logan could see nothing at all seemed to have changed between him and Remus. He had to wonder why all over again. Were the relationships everyone had truly that different?

~

“I think it’s because Romance is a god in disguise.” Remus decided, teasing their pet rat with his fingers but snatching them away last second. He’d let himself be bitten eventually.

Virgil scoffed, focused on cleaning the cage out. “Sure, let’s not give ourselves any credit for knowing how to have a relationship without the flowers and flattery.”

“Come on, Virgil, Don’t you want us to have our very own little god? Our wonderful goddess of romance to worship and feed.” Remus goaded.

He snickered, “Roman’s gonna steal her away if you say that around him. Besides, what makes us so special you think we’d need our own goddess of romance?”

“Because we aren’t!” came the cheerful chirrup in reply. “Roman always said nothing about us is romantic because we like muddy walks and making messes for our date nights over the things he swore by when dating Patton.”

“Then we don’t need Romance to be a goddess at all.” Virgil countered. “Perhaps we just never needed romance and the boiling pot of anxieties that becomes to love each other or want to share as many of our moments as we do.”

Remus gasped at him playfully, “Roman will scold you for suggesting love can exist without romance!”

“Romance is right there!” He snapped, gesturing to the rat before turning back to refilling her food and water. “And we’ve been telling Ro that she’s all the romance we need basically since we got her. He’s been planning out how to make us go on dates and be romantic when she dies for about as long.”

“He’s plotted our goddess’s demise? How rude! I shall revel in the destruction of his romance with Patton even more.” Remus cackled, leaving his hand in reach of the rat he’d been irritated for long enough she latched on with her teeth and his cackle turned into a laugh of delight.

Virgil shook his head, leaving the cage open, but ready to be closed if Remus decided to ensure Romance couldn’t escape for a while. “Maybe we’re just in a QPR with sex and that’s why this gods death didn’t impact us at all.”

Someone else came and stood beside him as another prince swept into the room, sitting beside Roman at the table. He glanced over at the person, head not moving from its position. “Are you an attendant or a bodyguard?” He asked quietly.

The man smiled, not taking his eyes off the man he came in with. “A bodyguard. You?”

“The same. My name’s Virgil, I’m with Prince Roman.”

“Logan with Prince Patton.” This time, he flicked his eyes over to look at Virgil, accidentally meeting his eyes. In that split second of contact, their future flashed before their eyes.

Virgil rolled over in bed, snuggling closer to the warmth next to him. He hummed as an arm was slung over his back, a warm chest pressing against his side as another arm snuck under his torso. Logan hummed, his head resting on Virgil’s back. Virgil chuckled, moving as close as possible. “You’re warm.”

Logan’s answering chuckle was a rumble against his side. “We should get up soon, my love.”

“Noooooo.” Virgil whined, somehow managing to worm his way even closer to his now husband. Logan’s arms started moving away from Virgil, who curled closer. “Nooooo, don’t leave me!”

This pulling away and pressing closer continued until they both tumbled off the bed, thudding to the floor with giggles. Logan sighed but tried to untangle them from the blanket. “Are we getting up now?”

Virgil briefly considered trying to curl back up in the blankets on the floor but Logan had already stood and was waiting to give him a hand up. So, he took the offered hand and let Logan pull him into a hug. He leaned down for a kiss and a murmured, “Good morning, Husband.”

~~~~~~

Logan picked up a sword and tossed it between his hands. “Come on, dear. Won’t you duel me?”

Virgil just laughed as he stepped around the other bodyguard, coming to a stop near the daggers. “You are an insatiable flirt when you want to be but you know I prefer to dual wield.” That being said, he grabbed two short swords.

“Ha ha!” Logan crowed as Virgil went into a ready position. “Let the best bodyguard win.” With that, he launched himself at the man he’d been flirting with just a few seconds ago. 

Virgil parried and the fight was on, the pair going back and forth across the training grounds. To the outsider, this would look like a fight to the death, but to them it was courting. The sun set behind them as they continued to strike, block, parry, swipe, slash, and try in every other means to kill each other lovingly.

The time came when Virgil’s foot slipped and he went down. Logan swiftly hit the ground on top of him, his knees straddling the bodyguard and his sword at the other’s throat. A gasp rose from an ignored onlooker, the pair's attention solely on each other.

“I believe that’s a win for me.” Logan said. Virgil didn’t respond, instead surging up to kiss Logan on his cheek before he dumped the man on his side, standing and brushing his clothes off, offering a hand up.

They broke eye contact, both turning to watch their respective prince instead. They were quiet the rest of the meeting, standing side by side but never once glancing in the other’s direction. When the meeting was over, the two princes seemed to continue talking to each other. This made sense as they were to be married for an alliance. Virgil was glad, having had to listen to Roman’s pining for Prince Patton ever since he got the position.

“So,” Logan’s voice brought him from his thoughts, “I’m assuming this means we’ll be seeing more of one another?”

Virgil smiled, shifting so his shoulder was barely pressed against Logan’s. “One way or another.”

Logan pressed his own shoulder back on Virgil’s. “If what I saw is true, I don’t think I’d mind that all that much. Although, I must ask, how good are you at dueling?”

Virgil smirked. “Better than you’d think looking at me.”

Before their conversation could continue into a duel, Prince Remus approached Virgil. “I’m bored.”

Virgil rolled his eyes. “Go bother someone else, my prince. I’m trying to have a conversation with Prince Patton’s bodyguard.”

Remus looked between them, his sharp eyes noticing their shoulders pressed together. “What are you talking about?”

Logan smiled but shifted away from Virgil. “We were discussing if we were to take turns guarding both of them or if we were to do so at the same time.”

Virgil nodded. “You know,” he turned to Logan, “I still think it would be more efficient to have one person guard both of them. Then, we could swap between the two of us in shifts.”

Logan shook his head. “No, because we each already take shifts with another guard. If we both guard together, that keeps the shifts intact.”

Remus pouted at the lack of attention and wandered off, likely to cause mischief but Virgil couldn’t care less in that moment. Instead, his full attention was on the man standing beside him who he knew was gonna be his husband one day. “You might be onto something. However, I think we should both take a slightly longer shift than normal. Just so they match, of course.”

Logan nodded, a mischievous smile forming on his face as he understood Virgil’s intentions. “I think that’s a wise decision.”

So, they stayed five paces behind their charges while being glued to each other’s hip, asking as many questions as possible. Virgil’s questions were more along the lines of which weapons Logan favored and if he would be willing to teach them to him while Logan’s were about evasion and protection strategies, but they both still learned a lot from each other as they kept up the façade of being interested in comparing notes. It wasn’t until they were relieved of duty that their questions turned more introspective, more tender. The weapons were replaced with food, the tactics with morals.

He stood and stretched in an attempt to clear his head, and as he did so he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. “Hey, Lo. You doing alright?” It was Virgil, still in his pajamas, purple hair mussed from sleep.  

“Virgil, good morning. I’m fine, thank you,” he replied as he sat back down. “Did you sleep well?” Virgil nodded in response and sat on the floor, legs crossed and back against the couch. Logan couldn’t help but smile at his best friend and set his book down on the coffee table.

“Hey L, did you make coffee yet? I’m still sleepy and some caffeine would be great.” Virgil ran a hand through his hair and looked up at Logan expectantly. The logical side felt an unexpected tightening in his chest. He ignored it and said “I haven’t yet, but I can go ahead and start it now. Is anyone else awake?”

“Yeah, Dee should be heading down soon, and I heard Patton singing with Roman in his room so they’ll probably be down in a little bit too. Thanks, L, you’re the best.” Virgil gave Logan an easy smile and there it was again. That pang in his chest. Shoving the feelings aside, he muttered a “No problem” at Virgil and headed into the kitchen to make coffee.

The routine of the morning helped a little: Logan always made the coffee in the morning. The others preferred it when he made it, for some reason, and Logan was happy to oblige. He made just enough for the three of them who liked coffee, as not to waste any. Logan leaned against the counter, taking a deep breath. What was that pattern I always tell Virgil? In for four, hold for seven, exhale for eight…

He repeated this to himself until he felt steadier, then busied himself with other tasks he didn’t usually do. Water on the stove to boil for Roman and Patton’s morning tea, setting the table, taking out three coffee mugs from the cabinet. It was something concrete and ordered for him to focus on. Logic was what he was best at, after all.

He heard more footsteps and talking coming from the living room. He went to stand in the doorway and looked on. Virgil was now on the couch, head in Dee’s lap. Roman was telling a story from his time in the dreamscape and Patton was watching him with a soft, fond look that he never gave anyone else. Another feeling he didn’t have a name for made his heart ache. Loneliness? Longing? Perhaps even jealousy? No, that was impossible. What reason could he possibly have to be jealous? Just because the others found love and he didn’t? Just because he felt like the odd one out? Just because Virgil and Dee were having a low conversation and Dee said something that made Virgil laugh and they kissed and Logan wanted to—

“Hey Lo, good morning!” Patton’s cheery voice pulled Logan from his whirlwind of thoughts.

Logan schooled his expression into something neutral and nodded. “Good morning, Patton. I went ahead and put the kettle on for you and Roman, and the coffee is ready now."

“Thanks, Lolo, you’re the best!” Patton headed into the kitchen, pausing in the doorway to give Logan a hug that he barely managed to return. Roman followed right after, leaving Virgil and Deceit to their conversation on the couch.

Logan cleared his throat and the two sides looked up at him. “My, my, Logan, don’t you look ravishing this morning?” Dee said, mismatched eyes sparkling with mischief. A flicker of something like hope rose up in Logan’s chest but a sharp voice echoed in his head, shoving that feeling back down. “He’s just in a good mood because Virgil is with him. That’s all. He’s never commented on your appearance before. It doesn’t mean anything that he’s saying something about it now.”

“I- ah, thank you. I don’t know if you heard me but the coffee is ready.” Logan turned, thoughts racing, and went back into the kitchen before anyone could say anything else. He was being ridiculous. Surely he was imagining things, and this was just a one-time occurrence, and everything would go back to normal soon. Right?

***

The day did not get any easier by any means. Roman and Patton disappeared off into the dreamscape not long after breakfast, leaving Logan alone with Virgil and Deceit. He tried to excuse himself but Virgil coaxed him into staying downstairs with them and watching documentaries. 

He only stayed because Virgil said it was a documentary about space. Definitely not because Virgil was pouting, and definitely not because that look in Virgil’s eyes made it impossible to say no.

Which is how Logan ended up sandwiched between his two best friends on the couch, trying and failing to focus on the tv and not on Deceit’s thigh pressing into his, and Virgil’s hand inching slowly closer towards his own. Logan felt like he couldn’t breathe. He wanted desperately to hope that their actions meant what he thought they did, to ask if it were possible to be in a relationship with two people at once and could they please try it, but that sharp, cold voice in his head shut it down again. “In the past, neither have expressed affection for me. Therefore it would not make sense that their feelings about me would change now.”

The documentary finally finished and Logan took the opportunity to try and leave. “Thank you for inviting me to watch this with you. Now if you'll please excuse me, I really should be going.”

Virgil looked up at him, frowning. He shot a glance at Dee before turning his gaze back to Logan. “Oh, um. Are you sure, we can watch another-”

Logan shook his head adamantly, already heading towards the stairs. “No, thank you.” He was gone before Virgil or Dee could say anything else.

***

Logan spent the rest of the day in his room. He paced back and forth, hands alternating between running through his hair and fiddling with his tie. That had been a less than ideal situation. It left Logan feeling even more confused than before. Patton had come to ask if he wanted lunch, and he declined, claiming that he had too much work to do. He didn’t feel hungry anyways, though he knew he should eat something, at the very least for Thomas’ sake. Despite that knowledge, he couldn’t bring himself to go downstairs, to face Dee and Virgil.

He sat down at his desk and turned on his laptop. He wasn’t really able to focus on anything else but the problem at hand. Perhaps he could do some research on his earlier questions after all. Surely he couldn’t be the only one who had feelings for multiple people at the same time. At the very least, it was worth a try.

He wasn’t sure what to type at first. Maybe information on if it was possible to date more than one person at the same time? He took a deep breath and started taking meticulous notes on what he found.

He worked steadily and didn’t stop until he heard another knock at the door. He ignored it at first, but after a minute had passed another knock sounded. Logan sighed and stood, taking a moment to stretch before he went to open his door. “Patton, I told you I’m very busy, I’ll be-”

But it wasn’t Patton who was at the door this time. It was Dee, dressed not in his usual outfit but a white button-up shirt and a pale yellow skirt. Logan felt heat rise up to his cheeks and he turned away slightly. “Deceit. How can I help you?” 

Dee took a step forward. “May I come in?” Logan stepped back out of instinct and Dee was in his room before he knew it. He sat down on the edge of the bed, smoothing out his skirt. 

“I believe we should talk.” His voice was uncharacteristically soft. Logan closed the door and sat down at the desk, facing Dee. He closed his laptop and turned his notes over. He didn’t want to talk about what he’d been researching. He only hoped Dee hadn’t noticed.

“What would you like to discuss?” Logan asked. Dee didn’t answer right away. Then, in a voice that was gentle yet firm: “You’ve been lying a lot lately.”

The words struck Logan like a blow. He blinked, all train of thought derailing. “I- what? I’m not sure-”

“Don’t.” Dee held up a gloved hand. “You know I can tell, right? I just know when people are lying. Mostly I try to focus only on Thomas, but sometimes I just get worried about others enough to warrant checking on them. Roman. Patton. Virgil.” Dee scooted closer and rested a hand on Logan’s knee. “You.”

Logan opened his mouth to say something but closed it again. “Do you-” he started, but didn’t finish his thought. What was he supposed to say? He knew what he’d been lying about. He’d been lying to himself this whole time. He was jealous. He had feelings- romantic feelings- for both Dee and Virgil. But he’d been denying it. Or at least he’d been trying to. He gulped and looked down at Dee’s hand.

“I- Can you, I mean. Do you know the nature of said lies?” Logan couldn’t meet Dee’s gaze, though he felt Dee’s eyes on him. 

“Not exactly. All I know is that it’s been lies of omission and that it’s been mostly to yourself. But you lied to Patton earlier, when he came up to ask if you’d be joining us for lunch. I felt it.” Dee gently reached out to cup Logan’s face, guiding him up so Logan would look at him.

Dee’s mismatched eyes were full of concern. “Why didn’t you come down for lunch? Are you okay?” Logan shook his head, moving back and away from Dee’s touch. He didn’t see the hurt in Dee’s eyes when he did so.

“I was doing research and did not want to be pulled away from my work.” A truth. Dee’s gaze shifted from Logan to the desk behind him. Looked at the closed laptop, the papers beside it.

“If I ask what you were researching, are you going to tell me?” Logan didn’t answer. He wasn’t sure if he could answer. What was he supposed to say? “I’ve been researching and I found out I’m polyamorous? I have romantic feelings for not only you, but Virgil as well? I want nothing more than to be a part of your relationship with Virgil? That I love you both?”

Dee’s gaze shot back to Logan the moment he thought it. Logan bit his lip, his heart racing in his chest. “Dee, I-” 

But Dee turned and sank out. One moment he was there, eyes wide and intense, the next he was gone. Logan didn’t know what to do. He sat at his desk, staring at the space Dee had occupied only moments before. If Dee had heard the admission he’d thought in his head, the logical thing to do would be to tell Virgil. If Dee felt the same way, he would have said something instead of running off. Which meant that he didn’t. Something in Logan’s chest cracked, and his breath caught in his throat. 

A sob escaped him unbidden, and he covered his mouth, desperate to stop it. He wanted to force the feelings down again, but that first sob had been like a dam breaking inside of him. The tears flowed freely down his face, and he cried.

***

“Wait, he what?” Virgil’s voice was incredulous. Dee had run right to his boyfriend and told him everything. Virgil almost couldn’t believe it. What had Logan been thinking, keeping those thoughts to himself?

“But we- I mean, we’ve been flirting with him for months and he never-” Virgil shook his head. He didn’t know what to feel. Relief that his and Dee’s feelings were reciprocated? Happiness at the idea of dating Logan? Sadness that Logan had been lying to himself this whole time, for sure.

Dee sat next to Virgil, taking his hand. “I love Logan, you know I do. But we both know he can be a bit.. dense.” Virgil nodded, a soft smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. 

“That’s true. Listen, we should really talk to him about this. And it has to be up to him, and at his pace. Whatever he wants to do, whatever he’s comfortable with. No matter what.”

“Of course, Virgil. Here,” he said as he stood, pulling Virgil up along with him. “Let’s go get our man.”  

They appeared outside Logan’s bedroom door. Dee raised his hand to knock when Virgil stopped him. He held a finger to his lips and shook his head. “Listen” he mouthed.

The sound was muffled, but it definitely sounded like crying. Logan was crying. Panic and worry flooded Virgil’s face and Dee didn’t hesitate a moment later as he opened the door. To hell with knocking, not when Logan needed them.

Logan was still at his desk, head in his hands. He looked up when he heard the door open and saw them there, his two best friends. He quickly wiped the tears away and shook his head. “Virgil, Dee, what are- I mean, I…” his voice trailed off. Dee and Virgil came in and were by his side before he had even finished speaking. Dee stroked his hair and Virgil grabbed a tissue from the box on the desk and handed it to him.

“Logan, hey, it’s okay. We’re here now, it’s alright. Just focus on your breathing, okay?” Virgil’s voice was soft and Logan nodded, taking deep breaths in order to try and calm himself enough to speak. 

He looked at Dee first, then Virgil. He wasn’t quite sure where to begin. Why were feelings so difficult? He hadn’t realized he said this aloud until he heard Dee chuckle softly and saw Virgil smirk. 

“Nothing worth doing is ever easy, is it?” Dee asked. He held out his hand to Logan, who tentatively took it. Virgil repeated the motion, and Logan took his hand as well. He gave them both a gentle squeeze before finally finding the courage to speak.

“It would seem that I have… feelings for the both of you. Romantic feelings.” 

Virgil grinned, and Dee’s eyes glinted with happiness. Logan blinked in surprise as they hugged him, and he hugged back.

“You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that, L,” Virgil said as he gently pulled away from the hug to look at Logan. 

“I am too; it’s nice to finally hear you admit the truth after all these months.” Dee gave Logan a conspiratorial wink. Logan blushed. “I can and yet can’t believe it took you so long to realize Virgil and I have romantic feelings for you as well. We’ve been flirting with you for months now. Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one?” 

Logan scowled. “Apparently that’s true only when it comes to common sense or things steeped in general logic. Not emotions. But I will admit it seems I may have made a few logical fallacies.” 

He hesitated for a moment but decided to continue. “For example, earlier today when we were watching that documentary. And this morning, when you told me I-”

“Looked absolutely delicious? Because that’s true.” Dee leaned in and brushed his lips against Logan’s cheek. Virgil laughed at the look on Logan’s face and shook his head. “Actually, you said he looked ravishing, if you want to be technical about it,” Virgil said teasingly.

Dee shrugged. “Delicious, ravishing, tomato, solanum lycopersicum.” This made Logan laugh, and neither Virgil or Dee wanted him to stop. Logan’s laugh really was a delight to hear. 

“In all seriousness though, Logan. We do need to discuss some stuff, okay? Things like boundaries and how we want to go about doing this.” Logan tilted his head to the side quizzically. 

“What exactly are you saying?” 

Virgil looked at Dee, who nodded encouragingly. “I’m saying that Dee and I love you, and we want to be with you. But we also want you to be comfortable, so we’re going to do this on your terms.”

“Oh. What does that mean specifically?” Logan studied Virgil’s face intently.

“It means that if you want to start by just dating one of us, you can. Or if you don’t want to date at all right now, if you just want to think about it, that’s okay too. I, we, don’t want to make you uncomfortable, or rush into things and cause you to become overwhel-” Virgil was cut off by Logan pressing a soft kiss to his lips. When Logan moved back, Virgil was at a loss for words. Logan gave him a smile, his dimples showing, and Virgil thought he’d melt right there.

Dee cleared his throat. “Well, that was lovely to watch. However, don’t I get a turn? After all, it’s only polite to share.” Logan smirked and kissed Dee as well, just as softly and sweetly.

“I want to be with both of you. We can take things slow, but I love you both. I think we’ve all been waiting long enough.”

Virgil and Dee hugged Logan tightly, and Logan never felt happier than he did in that moment. He felt something in his chest, like his heart was a roaring fireplace. 

It was love.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this story! Reblogs are greatly appreciated. Tell me what you think! Comments add 10+ years to my lifespan. If you’d like to be added to (or removed from) my taglist, please let me know by sending me an ask. You can find me on ao3 at Storytelling_Sparrow. Thank you so much for your continued support!

Yeah, yeah. He knows it isn’t a big deal. Tons of people are queer, and he just happens to be one of them. For fuck’s sake, his best friend Logan is gay! It’s not his fault that no one had told him there was an in-between. He was anxious enough about crushes on girls so once he figured out boys too? Well, he didn’t have the balls to tell anyone.

Sometimes he blamed it on the fact that he grew up in the foster system. Getting shuffled around from home to home the way he did, he didn’t exactly have a chance to get a good set of parents to teach him the ins-and-outs of the LGBTQ+ community. He was a fourteen-year-old getting bounced around, not even trying to get close to any of the people whose care he was under because in a blink of an eye, they’d be gone.

And then he’d gotten adopted by the Knight-Hart’s. It was still what Virgil was probably the most grateful for in his life. He was fourteen-in-a-half, having lost hope of being adopted years ago and yet here he was, brought into the home of two of the sweetest people he’d ever met.

It’s so stupid – Virgil’s parents are gay! He’s got two dads and he can’t even tell them he’s bi? Why does his brain hate him so much?! His fathers’ have helped him so much in the few years he’s been in their care, bringing more happiness and joy into his life than he’d known in so long. His Pops is always making dad jokes that Virgil can pretend he despises all he wants, but really, they crack him up. He’s such a kind, good-hearted guy who’s been nothing but supportive of Virgil since day one. His dad is no different in that respect, loving just the same but with a bit more bravado and eccentricities. What can he say? His dad’s an actor and his flair for the dramatics fail to surprise Virgil any longer.

He loves them. He really loves them but it’s still so hard to think about coming out to them, let alone Logan. God, Logan’s going to be there anytime now!

Virgil continues his pacing, trying his best to steady his breathing. If he can muster up the courage, he’s going to tell him. Virgil’s going to come out to his best friend.

After everything the pair’s been through, Logan deserves to know. Virgil met John in the beginning of high school, a time where he found it almost impossible to make friends of any kind. Virgil’s anxiety and self-doubt made having a mere successful conversation feel like an accomplishment of some kind. He didn’t think he’d ever get the chance to have a true friend, let alone a best friend. But when he met Logan that all changed.

Despite Virgil’s hesitations, they got along famously right away. Although Logan was far stiffer and more out of touch with pop-culture than anyone Virgil had ever met (Seriously, he pronounced “fam” as fahm) he was also an incredibly smart and interesting person who Virgil was proud to know. Logan could tell him so many interesting facts about outer-space or the ocean and was always really good about handling Virgil’s anxiety. Virgil had never met someone who he clicked with so instantaneously before, they just got each other. Even if they were spending time together doing separate things, Virgil was thankful to merely be in Logan’s presence. He kept him grounded.

So, of course he fell hard for him. it’s not like Virgil doesn’t know that there’s a change that his feelings are reciprocated, it isn’t impossible. Just unlikely, and damn does it sure feel impossible. Virgil’s been spending the nearly four years he’s known Logan trying to convince himself that he’s straight as an arrow and doesn’t feel anything for Logan – neither of which things are true, of course.

The two friends are going to the same college, so it isn’t like Virgil’s gonna have any room to breathe and get other his feelings. He’s been dancing around things for so long, and frankly it’s getting kind of exhausting. Virgil isn’t expecting Logan to feel the same way – god, he’s never been that much of an optimist in all his life – but telling him is something Virgil’s decided he has to go through with.

If he can manage to muster up the courage, that is.

Logan arrives, punctual as always and beautiful as ever. Logan’s the only kid Virgil’s ever met who wears a tie almost daily, claiming such attire is an attribute of his “seriousness.” Hah, as if Virgil doesn’t know about his unicorn onesie, not that he’d tell anyone about it. He’ll let Logan keep up the “serious” act, if that’s what he wants. It suits him, anyhow.

Virgil’s going to give it a minute, he decides, and they start to do their homework in relative silence. This is no oddity for the pair, they often spend time over at each other’s homes after school to do work or catch up or both. But Virgil’s heart isn’t usually beating out of his chest when he’s doing his fucking APLit homework. He told himself he was just going to take a minute to collect his thoughts before breaking the silence, but god, it’s been like thirty minutes at least and he hasn’t said anything and he’s getting too fucking nervous and he doesn’t think he can do this and –

“Virgil?” Logan’s voice cuts through the haze of his mind, voice calm and collected.

“Uh – yeah?” Virgil replies dumbly, his eyes snapping up to meet Logan’s gaze. Logan shuts his book, moving from his spot at Virgil’s desk to sitting beside him on his bed, a look of concern etched into his face.

“Are you alright? You seem distressed, and you’ve been reading that same page for over five minutes now.”

Shit, Virgil hadn’t even noticed. Logan’s question has offered him the perfect Segway to what he wants to say, it couldn’t have been laid out better. Except…Virgil can’t do this. He’s too nervous, and his hands are trembling, and this is going to be an absolute train-wreck.

“I’m fine,” Virgil mutters, hoping Logan will just drop it. He just wants to burry himself in his own cowardice, thank you very much. “Just a little distracted, I guess.”

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you,” Logan’s voice is even and steady, so the opposite of how Virgil’s feeling, “but you appear to be very nervous. For several days now, your anxiety has appeared to be heightened. I didn’t want to voice my…” Logan swallows thickly, “…concerns, fearing it might only worsen things. But I must confess, I’m getting a bit worried.”

Well fuck, is all Virgil can think. Logan, in the absolute sweetest way possible, has backed him into a corner. Evidently, Logan’s been worried about him and the thought makes his stomach turn. He hadn’t even realized he was acting any more nervous than he usually does.

"I don’t suppose you won’t just drop this for a while?” Virgil asks with a fleeting hope that maybe he can escape this in one piece.

“I’m afraid not.” Virgil sighs. It figures.

“Okay. Okay, you’re going to think this is so fucking stupid.”

“I highly doubt that. When was the last time I reacted in such a way to you telling me something?” Logan makes a good point, as Virgil can’t remember a recent instance.

“I mean, sure, but this is really dumb, L. I’ve kinda been trying to tell you this for forever, but, big surprise, I’m really anxious about it.” Virgil flinches as he feels a hand settle onto his shoulder, seeing the sincere concern in Logan’s eyes.

“Whatever it is you want to tell me, I’m here, Virgil. I’m your friend and your fears are not baseless or dumb. It’s okay to be afraid.” Virgil’s pulse hammers in his ears as he nods, taking a shaky breath.

“Yeah alright…s-so uh, I’m bi.” Virgil nervously ducks his head, his eyes landing on the carpet. It’s not like it would make sense for Logan to react poorly, but like, what if he did?

“Well, thank you for telling me, Virgil. How long have you –.”

“I dunno, a while,” Virgil interrupts, still not looking at Logan, “See? I told you, stupid.” “I never said stupid. You aren’t stupid for not coming out until now, there is no time limit or restrictions when it comes to identity. I’m glad you told me, Virge. Thank you, I know that it can be very hard to do so.” Virgil finally feels confident enough to meet Logan’s eyes, a lopsided smile forming on his face.

“Thanks, man. That kinda makes me feel better. You’re, uh, the first person I’ve told. I wanted it to be you who I told first, that is. Cuz, you know, we’re…” Virgil hesitates, struggling through the words “such good friends.” The pressure on his shoulder reseeds and is replaced at his hand where Logan has laced their fingers together. Virgil feels a shiver run down his spine.

“Is that all you wanted to tell me, or was there something else as well?” Virgil can feel the heat radiating off of him, knowing his cheeks are going crimson. Fuck, fuck Logan knows. He knows and he’s pitying him.

“I – uhh –,” Virgil sputters, incredibly dignified.

“I only ask because you still seem to be rather nervous. I’m not trying to provoke you and I apologize if that’s what I’ve made you to believe. I’m –.”

“I’m also, uh, kinda really in love with you.” Virgil can’t help it, it just comes up like word vomit. He can’t believe he just said that! He’s sure any second now Logan’s going to let go of his hand and push him away. He’s sure Logan will leave and never come back, and he’ll have lost his best friend.

“You…you are?” Logan doesn’t sound outraged or disgusted. He sounds relieved.

“Uh, y-yeah. Shit, did I just make things weird?” From the way Virgil finds Logan taking a fistful of Virgil’s hoodie and pulling him into a kiss, he’s inclined to believe that no, he didn’t just make things weird. The embrace is clumsy at first, their teeth knocking before Virgil’s hands are laced in Logan’s hair, melting into this kiss.

“I love you too, in case that wasn’t clear,” Logan says breathlessly as they part, their foreheads pressed together. Virgil laughs, relief washing over him in waves.

“Fuck, L, I thought I was about to lose you as a friend or something. I never entertained the thought that…”

“That I’ve been in love with you for years?” Virgil’s lips curled into a smirk.

“Years, huh?” He asks, as if he probably hasn’t loved Logan for just as long unknowingly.

“And here I’ve been, suffering in the belief that you were heterosexual. And you know my stance on feelings.” Virgil laughs, kissing Logan again and wondering how quickly you can become addicted to something because holy shit, this is amazing.

“Yeah, yeah, their “the bane of your existence” and all that.”

“Priestley.”

“Full disclosure, there’s no way I’m finishing my homework now,” Virgil says. Logan swats him.

“You horrid delinquent.” Virgil chuckles again, throwing his arms around Logan and pulling him into a bone-crushing hug. For two boys who claim to be averse to most physical contact, they seem to be enjoying themselves a fair amount.

“Okay, this is probably a stupid question, but are we a thing now?”

“Are you asking to be my boyfriend?”

“Maaaaybe.”

“Well then I accept. I find your presence to be tolerable.” Virgil snorts, holding Logan closer than he ever has and never wanting to let him go before a thought comes to mind.

“Hey, L?”

“Mm?”

“You wanna stay for dinner and help me come out to my dads?” Virgil can’t believe it, but for once in his life he’s feeling brave. Logan’s made him feel brave.

“I would be more than happy to offer my assistance.” Virgil grins. “It’s gonna be great because they already love you, I mean, you’re so fuckin’ smart, and nice, and cute, and –.” “You’re rambling, Virge.” Virgil pulls away to see the flush on Logan’s cheeks.

“Aww, you’re embarrassed!”

“I absolutely am not.”

“Lo?” “Yes, Virgil?” The fondness in Logan’s tone was just about to kill him it was so sweet. Virgil kisses him again, long and slow, his hands planted firmly above Logan’s waist. His boyfriend – oh my god, he has a boyfriend! – continues to lean in, even as he pulls away. There’s no way Virgil’s ever going to recover from the cuteness.

“I love you.” Logan sighs contently.

“I love you too, Virge.”

“Virgil, honey, dinner’s ready!” Virgil’s Pops calls from downstairs. Virgil and Logan share a somewhat nervous, lovesick glance.

"Let’s go tell my dad’s I’m bi as fuck and have an insanely nerdy boyfriend,” Virgil says as he gets up from the bed, earning a chuckle from Logan. Logan grips onto his hand.

“Lead the way.”

He’s never been a hopeless romantic, never even much of a romantic. The only thing that changed that was meeting Roman. Despite their fighting and differences, they became closer than anything within a matter of months. They were introduced through Patton, Logan’s childhood friend and Roman’s boyfriend, and Patton often joked about how Logan would end up replacing him some day. They both hated this joke, mostly because it was wildly inaccurate. Roman was so head over heels in love with Patton that he was scandalized at the idea of loving anyone else, and Logan is not romantically attracted to Roman at all. Sure, they spend a lot of time together, but Logan has never even been to his apartment! The effect Roman has on Logan is purely platonic, and highly emotional. He has made Logan rethink and reanalyze his feelings on most things, and he doesn’t often change his opinion, but he was swayed so heavily on one subject. Just one. 

Love. Many a night, Roman has spent time curled up with him on his couch. Nothing playing on the TV, just sitting and pining. Fanciful ideas of romance and true love, wild journeys, ideas for romantic dates. A favourite of theirs is the prince and the gardener. Roman pictures himself as a prince, longing for Patton, the gardener for his palace. Logan imagines he works alongside Patton, befriending the prince, and eventually falling for one of his royal allies. He likes to add to the fantasies with little facts about their chosen era or scenario, which Roman always gasps at with the fervour that comes along with a new idea. Somehow they always make their way back to a royal ball. 

‘And I’m there, everyone wants to dance with me, but I’m looking for my two special guests, and when I find you, Logan, I’ll introduce you to some royals because you want to talk about nerd things.’

‘I think I’d have my eye on one already, maybe a Count, or a Duke,’

‘Oh my god no, not a duke! My brother always pictures himself as a duke when we do this!’

This is the first time Logan has heard of him having a brother, but it’s not much of a surprise. 

He doesn’t ask, but Roman tells anyway. His name is Remus, and because of their wildly different personalities, they made a mutual agreement not to talk about each other as brothers. Logan has heard some of his stories, however, because he’s been calling Remus his “roommate” and telling some quite wild stories about their adventures. He doesn’t really believe most of them, except for the time Remus filled their apartment with street cats. Patton, who has been over at his apartment and is allergic to cats, regaled the terrible story about wanting to pet the cats but being unable due to aforementioned allergies. Despite the cats, Patton seems to like Remus well enough. 

‘So Roman told you! That’s great! What do I think about him? Well, he’s certainly different! But-I mean-It’s not bad different! Well...He’s-I think you have to meet him to really understand what I mean!’

Logan spends a week confused, and not wanting to push Roman’s buttons. Then he decides he has to push the buttons because he can’t bear not knowing. 

Luckily, Roman calls him.

“Logan! You won’t believe my day today!” Roman starts with a comfortingly familiar dramatism.

He chuckles softly, smiling to himself, “I’m sure I will believe it, however perhaps you would prefer to tell me in person.”

“You read my mind! I’ll be right over!” He can nearly see the bouncy and excited look Roman has on, he knows him too well. 

“Actually, I was wondering if I could come to your apartment?”

Roman pauses for a moment, “Sure, I’ll have to force Remus to get presentable though.”

Logan hears a loud “Hey!” then Roman signs off. He can be at Roman’s in twenty minutes on an average day. Today he stops at the bakery they like to get some pastries, just in case Roman needs a little longer to get everything presentable. 

When Roman swings open the door he immediately takes Logan in for a big hug. 

“We’re making milestones today! You’re coming to my house and meeting my brother, what a huge achievement!” He seems genuinely excited, so Logan only lovingly rolls his eyes.

With one large swoop of his arms, Roman has taken the box of pastries and put his other arm around his friend’s shoulders. He gives him a squeeze and pulls him into the house. It’s a little messy, but it has its charms. The living room has a lot of strange, and occasionally graphic, decor. The couches are brown and worn in, they look soft. Their kitchen and dining room are fairly bare, kept clean for cooking and eating. Roman shows him his room, which is as wildly colourful and eccentric as he imagined it would be. They’re in the hallway when the second bedroom door opens and Remus steps out.

“Presentable enough for you, your highness? Remus snarks at his brother.

Logan feels something in his chest move and then swing violently in a direction he never expected. Remus’ skin is pale, near white, stark and clean against the eggshell walls. His hair is messy and wet, evident that he just showered. His eyes are sharp and a little wild, a dark brown colour that Logan near instantly commits to memory. There are natural bags and discolouration all the way around his eyes, his teeth are strangely sharp when he grins at Roman, he’s got a quite terrible mustache that makes him look a little like a cartoonish villain. He’s in a tank top with the sides near cut out, black jeans, and socks with phallic objects. Just like Roman, he’s nearly a foot taller than him. Logan forgets how to breathe.

“Could do without the penis socks, but yes! This is who I needed you presentable for!”

Remus looks at him then, curiously. His gaze moves up and down slowly, a shiver runs down Logan’s spine. 

“This is Logan?” Remus slyly smirks, “RoRo you didn’t tell me he was hot!”

The music Roman told him about swells in his mind. His entire body feels light and airy. It’s not exactly joy and passion but Logan is suddenly overcome with the urge to devote his life to this beautiful near-stranger. He can feel his cheeks go pink when Remus says he’s hot, and in all honesty he does not care. Embarrassment is the least of what he’s thinking about. 

“Remus! He is my best friend and our guest! You cannot say that!” Roman looks over at Logan, opens his lips to apologize, then notices his nervous posture and blush. 

Logan decides to speak, but makes the mistake of looking at Remus first, his words come out as mush, “I-No-No it’s-uh-It's quite alright. I didn’t mind.”

Roman blinks at Logan wildly. He’d never seen Logan be such a mess when speaking. He’s usually measured and clean! It dawns on him in an instant what’s going through Logan’s mind.

“Well! Nice to see you Remus!” Roman starts pushing Logan harshly towards his room, “Logan brought pastries! Eat up! Bye!” 

When Roman slams the door he hears Remus call out, “I’m gonna order pizza for us in like thirty fucking minutes so you better be done girls talk by then or I’m getting anchovies and olives!”

Logan is being stared at like his head has cracked wide open, but his mind is in the figurative clouds. 

“I know what you mean now.” Logan mutters, putting a hand over his cheek gently and pressing his back against the door to sigh gently.

“Logan what are you talking about!?” Roman whisper-shouts, but part of him already knows.

“The music. The feelings.” Logan continues, not even speaking to Roman, “Not needing another person for as long as you live.”

The joy floods him in an instant, “I felt it.”

Roman pulls him over to sit on his bed. Logan flops backwards into the red sheets and throws his arms over his face. He tries to conceal the smile on his lips, but he can’t. He can’t believe he ever doubted Roman on this. This. This magnificent feeling. Love at first sight hit him like a truck in one indescribable instant. 

“You look happy,” Roman says softly, Logan nods slowly.

He mutters against his sleeve, “I apologize for doubting you.”

“I mean realistically, it’s not exactly love. More like a huge crush.” Roman flops down next to him.