#cawtent

But actions were something different entirely.

It started simple enough, almost like an extension of the teasing. After all, a kiss on the hand could be easily disguised as sarcasm on the outside. Even if both of them knew the real reason. Still. It was easy to brush it away as nothing more than Janus’ dramatics. And for the longest of times it stayed like that. Teasing greetings and goodbyes from Janus until Virgil decided to respond with his own. Kisses to the top of his head. Friendly, familial, safe. Easy to pretend they weren’t a desperate request for something more.

But the two of them knew each other far too well to hide their intentions.

Roman Aidel harbored a great secret that he would take to his (early, if the weather keeped up) grave.

He detested snow.

Sure. The white powder that covered the earth in its chilly blanket sounded poetic, even pretty in theory. The prospect of spending an evening with a potential future husband by the window, staring into the evening with a mug of chocolate in each of their hands, sharing jokes and kisses sounded nothing short of magical. But actually having to go outside into the dreadful weather? Not so much.

His shoes would get soaked, his hands would get cold, his torso would swing back and forth between the state of dreadful chill and overheating, as Roman never quite grasped how to bundle up properly. It was safe to say if he never had to touch snow again, he wouldn't complain.

God. He really sounded like one of these villains from the Christmas movies his mother was so fond of. Remus would never let him live it down if he knew.

Then again it sounded almost preferable to being left with the task of clearing their driveway alone as Remus had friends over and promised to take over the house cleaning duty onto himself once the two left, clearly thinking it to be a fair trade.

He almost wished Remus did it out of malice, at least that way he would have anger to keep him warm.

"Hey, you looked cold."

Roman snapped his head upwards, locking eyes with one of Remus' friends, who he may or may not have been harboring a crush on for the better part of a year.

"I am."

"Good." The man said as he handed Roman a steaming mug, before his face flushed red. "I don't mean good as in you're cold. I mean good as in I have chocolate. For you. That you might want. Because you're- yeah, I'll shut up now."

"I, thank you." He responded sincerely as he took the mug, hoping Virgil wouldn't notice his face had gotten significantly redder since he joined him.

"Sure." Virgil said, making no indication he planned to move and simply continued to stare at Roman.

He sneaked a glance towards the window under the guise of taking a sip. Sure enough Remus and Janus sat there glued to glass, a shit eating grin on both their faces. As soon as they noticed him staring they started making kissing faces at him. Roman nearly dropped his mug.

Desperate not to have Virgil see the clown show Janus and Remus were up to, he quickly swallowed the rest of the liquid down, ignoring the way it burned his throat on the way down.

"Thanks." He said, practically slamming the now empty mug into Virgil's chest. "It warmed me up."

With the way his cheeks were burning, he was sure he sounded rather believable. And yet Virgil lingered, watching him with that weird expression Roman wasn't quite sure how to decipher. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something. It was Riman who finally broke the silence.

"Go inside." Roman said. "You'll catch a cold." And before he could think better of it he added. "Unless you want to have someone bringing you hot chocolate to bed."

Virgil chuckled.

"I wouldn't mind."

"Me neither." Roman smiled.

They let silence fill the space between them before Virgil's face had suddenly gone red.

"Well i umm... don't get cold, ok?" He said, gesturing wildly as he looked anywhere but at Roman. "I'll um... i'll be inside." He announced, promptly turned on his heel and almost sprinted towards the house. Roman heard Remus' cackle for a split second before slammed the door shut, leaving him alone in the snow.

“Nonononono.” Virgil’s breath was rapidly getting faster. “This is bad, nonono. Why now. Why today.”

“Hey, hey.” Roman put a hand on his friend’s shoulder, but the man flinched back, as if he was burned. Frantic eyes scanning Roman up and down. “Hey, it’s ok, I’m here with you.”

“That’s the problem!” Virgil snapped, his eyes uncharacteristically wide. “They didn’t put you in another cage!”

“Wow, ouch.” Roman grumbled. “And I thought you liked spending time with me and hey-” he protested as Virgil pushed past him, falling to his knees in front of the door. He grasped the metal bar, shaking it furiously. “Virgil, what are you doing?”

“I need to get you out.”

“Virgil, you’re panicking.”

“They locked us up.”

“Yes, but can we just talk?”

“We don’t have time.” His voice was a mix of fury and fear as he turned towards Roman, and the shorter man swore he black streaks slowly painting their way down Virgil’s cheeks.

“Virgil?” He leaned closer, trying to ignore the pang in his chest when his friend pressed his back against the metal bars. They’ve been imprisoned and the person Virgil wanted to escape most was apparently Roman. No, he reasoned, it’s just stress. “Virgil, are you crying?”

“We need to get you out of here.”

“We need to get us out of here.”

Virgil shook his head.

“There is no time for that.”

“Virgil,” Roman reached for his friend’s cheek, running his thumb up and down the moist skin. He let out a breath when Virgil didn’t flinch away this time. “yo- we need to calm down, ok?”

“There is not time for-”

“Hey, hey.” Roman spoke softly, letting his hands travel down Virgil’s face and arms to gently grasp his hands. “We’re going to escape. It’s going to be ok.” 

“We don’t have time!” He was still shaking, but his voice wasn’t as frantic anymore as he finally locked eyes with Roman.

“Yes, we do.”

“We don’t!”

“Virgil-”

“Roman” Virgil took a deep breath, then another, and another, his shoulders easing up just a bit. “Roman, it’s a full moon tonight.”

“So what?” Roman chuckles. “You think our captors are going to turn into werewolves?”

Virgil didn’t laugh.

“No…” He seemed scared as he stared at Roman. “no, I am.”

There was a long pause and Roman let the words sink in.

“You’re shitting me, right. Is this some kind of joke-”

“I’m being serious, Roman.”

“This… is not good.”

“I fucking told you!” Virgil snapped, his voice raising once more. “You’re stuck here, and if I don’t get you out you’re going to die.”

Roman took in a ragged breath, refusing to be scared. Not when Virgil was panicking as he was. They needed at least one clear head to form a plan, and what were heroes for, if not to do just that.

“You’re not going to kill me.”

“Yeah sure. And I’m not going to turn into a monster too.” Virgil scoffed, but Roman could hear the panic behind his sarcasm. “And while we’re stating wishes I hope our captors will bring us some cake too.”

“Virgil.”

“Nono, it’s not like we’re completely fucked. It’s not like-”

“Virgil.” Roman grabbed his face softly, guiding it back to face him.”You’re not going to hurt me.”

“I can’t promise.”

“You don’t have too.” Roman cut him off with a smile he didn’t quite feel. “Because I promise. That you won’t hurt me.”

“It doesn’t work like that, Roman.”

“It does, because I trust you, ok?” He held Virgil’s gaze for a few seconds before the other man closed his eyes. Letting out a chuckle that didn’t sound cheery in the slightest.

“You’re a moron.” The fondness with which he said it made Roman crack the first smile since they got captured that didn’t feel forced.

“But I am your moron.”

“Not for long.”

Roman pretended not to hear the last comment in favor of guiding Virgil’s head to his lap.

“What makes you relax?”

“Not being about to murder my best friend.”

Roman rolled his eyes.

“I mean what can I do to make you feel more at ease?”

Virgil felt silent and Roman started to worry the man started to spiral away into panic. He opened his mouth, another reassurance already forming on his lips when Virgil spoke up, his voice quiet and vulnerable.

“Can you stroke my hair?”

Roman didn’t have to be told twice. He sunk his hand into the raven black hair, massaging the scalp. He smiled when the body on his lap started to relax.

“I’m sorry.” Virgil whispered.

“You haven’t done anything to be sorry for.”

“I might-” his voice sounded as if he was crying. Roman decided not to press. “-I might not be able to.”

“You might not have to apologize.”

Virgil let out a wet chuckle.

“God, why are we even friends? You’re so optimistic.”

“Someone has to balance you out.”

“You know. I always thought-” Virgil cut himself off with a loud hiss, Roman heard himself joining as the man’s nails dug into his thigh. 

“Virgil.”

“Sorry.” The man groaned, deeper than Roman was used too. His voice seemed to echo in his throat as he spoke. “I’m sorry, Ro. I’m soo-aaargh. Nrgh.”

The grip on his tight tightened, he was sure his friend drew blood, but it hardly mattered at this moment. 

He wrapped his arm around Virgil, pulling him into an awkward hug as the man struggled to break free.

“Shhhh, shhhhh, Virgie.” He spoke softly, fighting to keep the fear out of his voice. “It’s ok, I’m here. It’s ok.”

He winced as Virgil shifted, digging his nails into his chest. The cut wasn’t deep. 

Yet.

He pulled him closer.

“I trust you ok?”

Virgil groaned in response.

Roman moved his hand from Virgil’s head to his back, rubbing small circles into the fur as he hummed a lullaby.

His friend’s breath was still ragged, but he didn’t seem in pain anymore as he pressed their chests together, nearly knocking Roman onto the ground.

“There, there.” Roman whispered as he planted his face in the crook of Virgil’s neck. “It’s ok now.”

Virgil let out a sound between a groan and a scoff, his body tense.

Fortunately, Roman wasn’t one for quitting. And so he rubbed his hand up and down until he felt Virgil relax, he rubbed it until the man pressed all of his body weight against Roman, he didn’t stop when he heard the man softly snore.

“Who would have thought all I needed to trick you into peaceful sleep was to have you turn into a werewolf.” Roman chuckled softly. “It almost makes me wish the full moon was every night.”

He shifted slightly under Virgil, careful not to wake the man up as he placed his friend’s head on his lap. The man gave a displeased snore at the shift, but soon he settled again. Melting under Roman’s touch.

"It wasn't my fault." Roman finally snapped, as he turned his head to glare back at his friend. His resolve faltered when Logan narrowed his eyes.

"Clearly." Roman didn't know his friend was capable of such venom. 

Roman took a deep breath, trying to calm his breath.

"Look, can we focus on making the potion instead? Please?" He tried to reason. "So we can go back to normal?"

"Oh I'm sure there are plenty of other things you'd rather be doing."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean!"

"Well I clearly don't!" Roman shot back. "So enlighten me please!"

"You're taking advantage of the situation!" Logan gestured to Janus with his arms around Roman's back. Hands barely connecting around his torso. One of Roman' arms hugged him back to keep the smaller man placid.

He tried to take it back but Janus stared at him with such hurt in his eyes Roman was sure the man was going to start crying.

It made him nauseous to see his friend like this, taken down by some half brewed potion, with that lovesick look on his face.

"What exactly about this is an advantage?"

Logan gave him a look as if he stated the earth was actually flat before tightening his jaw further. Roman was seriously starting to get worried for this man's teeth.

"You don't have to be glued to him."

"Oh, tell that to Janus then." Roman challenged. "I'm sure he's going to listen."

"I'm not going anywhere." Janus spat as he tightened his grip on Roman, making the man wince. "I'm staying here with my love."

Roman began to understand what Remus meant when he said all this romance stuff was making him wanna gag. Not that he was ever gonna admit it to his brother.

"Look." Roman tried to soften his voice. "If you let me go for five minutes, we'll be done really soon, ok? And then I can go hug you with both hands for the remainder of the afternoon, ok? How does that sound?"

Janus furrowed his brow, thinking about the offer before shaking his head.

"I'm not leaving you alone with Logan."

The nerd slammed his vial against the table.

"Well I'm not the one who's all over Roman!"

"Yesss!" Janus snarled, finally ripping his eyes off of Roman to glare at their friend. "Becausssse I'm here."

Logan took a step forward, glaring down at Janus who started to dig his nails into Roman's skin.

He really wished the dragon witch had eaten him today.

"Look." Roman started, trying to place himself between Janus and Logan despite every last of his senses screaming at him not to. "How about we take a little break, huh?"

"Fine." Logan sneered. "You two go 'take a little break'. I'm going to be the responsible one and clean up your mess."

There were a few choice words Roman wanted to say back at this point but he settled on a strained 'thank you'. 

Janus for some, seemed delighted at this turn of events. Clearly pleased to have won more of Roman's attention for himself."Let's go make out on the couch."

But from all the tales Janus insisted weren’t true, the one of the little prince with silver eyes who saved his people from an evil sorcerer stuck with Roman the most. He wanted to meet him. He wanted to be like him. Daring and kind and smart and beloved by his people. His people.Janus had rolled his eyes every time Roman laid his plans on becoming a prince before him, but for his next birthday the blond had sewn him a red cape with untrained fingers.

“Just don’t leave me when you become king.”“I promise!” Roman grinned, hugging his friend despite his protests. “I’m gonna take us both to a castle!”

He still had the cape that Janus had gifted him for his eight birthday tucked away under his bed like a precious gemstone. But just like the promise it seemed nothing more than wishful thinking.

Who would have thought it would become a nightmare instead.

It was some odd job Janus and him were so prone to taking to earn a bit of money to help their families. He enjoyed them. He was sure Janus did too, even if he was rather loud in his complaints to anyone who would listen. And today’s victim seemed to be one of the boys from a nearby village, who tagged along on their walk, claiming he needed to pick up some ointment for his mother. But from the red on his ears whenever Janus smiled his way Roman was sure that wasn’t the only intention. If Janus noticed he certainly didn’t mind.

Roman tried to hide his smirk as he laid out plans on how to tease his friend about the unexpected crush when his mind was suddenly dragged back into reality by a sharp scream of pain.

He didn’t have time to even open his mouth before some shoved him forward, sending him tumbling to the ground. He hissed as his elbows hit the cold sand. He tried to turn but a boot found it’s way onto his back, pushing him down.

“Janus.”

“Quiet.” The brute hissed, slamming his foot against Roman’s shoulder, drawing a pained gasp. In all the dashing adventures he imagined for himself he never went down as quickly. He couldn’t go down now. 

He moved his palms closer to his chest, pushing himself off the ground in one swift motion. He felt the weight on his shoulder fall back off with a yelp and Roman quickly scrambled to his feet, scanning the surroundings with a ferocity of a wild animal sentenced to dinner. There were seven of them, one on the ground, dangerously close to Roman’s feet. Two more were holding down Janus, the fourth one had a sword pressed against the villager’s throat. The last three were staring daggers at Roman, weapons glistering dangerously in the evening sun. 

“That was a real dumb move, boy.” The one in the middle growled, taking a step forward, the other two followed. Roman’s thoughts jumping between getting help and diving fist first to save Janus when something grabbed his leg. He had just enough time to curse himself for not moving away from his opponent before his chest hit the ground once again. Laughter followed, ringing in his ears.

Those bruises won’t be looking pretty tomorrow. But then again being able to witness tomorrow sounded short of a miracle right now. 

The one who spoke, most likely their leader, leaned down to grab Roman’s shirt and yank him up. His face splitting into a cruel smile. He opened his mouth but words never came. And suddenly something entirely different settled into his features. Surprise.

“Boss?”

The leader's hand found its way to Roman’s chin, lifting it up. The gesture would have been gentle if not for the way the bandit’s nails dug into Roman’s skin.

“Say boys.” The crook began, that wicked look returning to his features as he turned Roman’s face back and forth like he was nothing more than a ragdoll. “He does look awfully lot like the Nothian prince, does he not?”

The other goons crouched down next to the man, and Roman felt panic as their smiles widened.

“What are you doing all the way here, your highness?” The title sounded almost like a mockery and for all Roman knew it might have very well been.

“I-”He opened his mouth, desperately trying to wrap his racing thoughts around the situation, but Janus cut him off.

“If you know who he is, you’d better let us go or-”

His friend didn’t have the chance to finish as the goons started laughing. The leader let go of Roman’s face, sliding to his feet with an air of uncanny elegance. He strode slowly over to where the of the goons were still holding Janus, but his voice carried anger when he spoke.

“Do you take us for stupid, runt?”

“Do you really want me to dignify that with an-” His sentence was caught short with a fist aimed into the middle of his stomach.

“Janus.”

“Now.” The leader grabbed at Janus' hair, yanking it back so the blond would look at him. “For your sake I hope you learn as fast as you think, because I will only say this once.” He leaned closer to Janus and Roman could almost hear the smile in his voice. “You either keep your tongue behind your lips or I’m going to take it out, permanently. Are we clear?”

He heard Janus grunt something back. The leader, seemingly satisfied with the answer, leaned away with a chuckle. He turned back to Roman and the teen felt his mouth run dry.

“Please let us go.”

The man chuckled again.

“As I see it, you have three options.” He began circling around Roman as he spoke. “One. We kill you for a quick coin, but I’m afraid that would benefit no one.” He chuckled again. “Two, we sell you to the nearest slaver that is willing to cash out enough coin for our trouble, which will be a quick and painless. Well, for us-” one of the goons snickered “But I assure you, that’s not a pleasant life. There is variety for sure. A mine, a field, a brothel, I’m sure they will find some use for you.”

“And the third option?” Roman whispered.

The man stopped in front of him, leaning down with a smile that made Roman’s blood run cold.