Helping a stranger out: part 21
Summary: Roman is working at a bookstore and his customer needs help. But how much would he do for a stranger?
Author's note: Haha umm it’s literally been a year since I wrote this but I’m determined to get this fic over with. So here you go. Thanks for the support!
Don’t hesitate to message me if you want to be added to the taglist
Pairings: Anxceit (they broke up), eventual platonic prinxiety
Other parts: Part 1(-) Part 20 (-)
Warnings: Deceit by name Famian, cursing, abusive relationship mentioned, breakup, crying, panic attack, mild angst, manipulative s/o, kissing
Virgil managed to arrange Valerie's birthday party to be the same as Roman's new role celebration, despite the fear in the back of his mind that told him none of them would want to come around. Luckily all of them seemed pretty excited about the idea, and they decided to do it on the next Thursday, to avoid running out of time while Roman was still in town.
At the early evening of said day, Virgil kept pacing in the living room where various snacks had been spread over the coffee table, and Roman's entire shelf of Disney movies was moved closer so they could choose which ones they would like to watch together. Roman watched Virgil go from checking his phone to peeking at the driveway several times before interrupting him.
"Virgil, dear, I'm sure they are all coming. It's Valerie's birthday! She's one of my best friends. And why would anyone else decline either? We are going to have fun," he reassured the nervous man.
"I guess," Virgil shrugged. "It's just that if I was in their shoes I would easily choose to just stay home and watch Netflix. Maybe they think the same."
"Very well," Roman shrugged. "But at least I know for a fact that Valerie is very extroverted. And she really gathers people around her like a lamp gathers moths."
Virgil snorted at the mental image. Right then, the doorbell rang and Roman let go of Virgil's shoulders (when had he even grabbed them?) and jogged to the door.
Virgil followed the theatre nerd, walking into a funny scene of Valerie pretending Roman was the birthday prince, and not him. He smiled fondly, friendship was an amazing thing.
Wish I could get one someday
The deprecating thought crossed his mind before he was able to remind himself that all the people before him, were, in fact his friends. Maybe for not very long yet, but still.
The evening went very smoothly, and everyone seemed to get along well even if there was several friend groups suddenly merged into one. After watching Cinderella they decided on a few board games, and after several hilarious rounds of Pantomime (Who would have known Joan could so perfectly mimic “Pediatrician”), they settled back into choosing another Disney classic, at which Virgil quietly separated from the group to take a few breaths in the quiet hall.
It was clear everyone in the group liked Roman. Of course, Virgil liked him too, tremendously. And even if he knew it was unnecessary and overthinking, he began to ponder if he felt sad about it because he wanted more attention and acceptance from this group of people or if he wanted Roman all for himself. And he had almost had the Prince, but it still hadn’t worked between the two of them, at least for now. And now he had to share him with everyone else, and they paid so much less attention to him…..
The man in question jumped, looking at the woman next to him. Valerie smiled reassuringly, keeping a bit of distance which she assumed Virgil would apperciate.
“Something worrying you?”
“No, I mean..” Virgil straightened the strings of his hoodie. “I always stress about social situations, I’m fine.”
“Alright, I’ll leave you have a quiet moment, but please come back soon.” She moved closer to whisper. “Disney movies are fine and all, but I wouldn’t stand two in a row without your genius commentary.” And then she walked back to the living room.
Virgil huffed out a quiet laugh. It seemed like Valerie just knew what to say, even if it seemed barely like a side comment. The gloomy man smiled to himself, heading back to the already packed sofa as the intro of Brother Bear was playing on the TV.
“You guys were right, it’s really weird I didn’t know Roman until a couple days ago,” Terrence chuckled after beating everyone at Alias, as teamwork with said man.
Roman frowned at his game partner “‘A couple days ago’? I just met you today, what are you talking about?”
Terrence grinned. “I saw you at the auditions for ‘The Newsies’. Knew right off the bat they’d choose you, what a talent!”
Roman blushed. “Oh, thank you! But I still don’t know why you were there, and how I didn’t see you, as I thought I talked with almost everyone there before the auditions.”
“That’s because I’m the costumier, not one of the actors,” Terrence answered.
“Oh, that’s so cool!” Roman gasped. “Are you coming on tour as well, then?”
“Of course!” Terrence laughed. “How else would you guys survive, having to put the clothes on yourselves? What a tradegy!”
Virgil smiled to himself, watching the convo from across the table. Terrence and Roman looked like soulmates, they seemed to have a lot in common. His stress of letting Roman travel the world lessened, at least he would be traveling with amazing people who cared about him.
Virgil went to the kitchen, fetching the snacks and carrying them to the coffee table. He was greeted with happy exclamations and was pulled to the crazy discussion that was going on. He didn’t have time to think about how glad he was to have new friends, but it could be seen in the way he laughed among the others.
Taglist: @the-unrealistic-dreamer @selectivereality @metaphoricalpluto @sherlock-lives-on-bakerstreet @quietwords-loudthoughts @aesthetemoonshadows @draw-eat-stab-and-sleep @max-is-tired @the5thcoy
