#thingsssssssssss

Dee needs a date to an office party cause he kinda sorta told Remy he had one.

So he asks a friend to go with.

Or friends...

~~~~

He needed a date.

He couldn’t just show up to a formal fucking office party with no date when everyone else had one. He had already promised his date was the best guy ever to get Remy- engaged Remy- to stop hitting on him (big mistake number one). And Remy (petty as he was) had told the whole office. So Dee was stuck.

Very stuck.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place. And between a few more boulders on top of that.

“Just ask someone,” Remus suggested unhelpfully. “Ask one of your friends- like my brother or something.”

Dee took a swig of his beer considering his words (his second and third big mistakes), “Which should I ask?”

“All of them. You’re crushing on all of them right? Then even if it doesn't work you tried, and if it does you get an orgy!”

Dee frowned at his roommate, and disregarded the words, but as he climbed in his bed that night the suggestion pierced his hazy mind yet again (big mistake number four), and before he knew it he was reaching for his phone (five).

Hey, I need a date to the office party friday night. Would you be my date?

(six).

He copied and pasted the text and sent it to each of them (seven) feeling a tad better about the situation.

He didn’t realize he had fallen asleep until the sound of his alarm sounded on his phone.

Dee jolted awake and turned off his alarm. He blinked a few times adjusting to the morning, before he looked at his phone and was surprised to see a number of texts from a number of people. A few from a coworker asking for a favor, one from Remus about apartment stuff, and then ones from friends which quite frankly confused him.

Logan: If you would have me

Patts: Of course! I can’t wait!

On The Virge: Wow um... I’d like that

Greek: 10000 million percent yes

Greek: Is it formal?

Greek: What should I wear?

Dee’s eyebrows knitted in confusion as he read the texts. None were part of the group text, each individual, and each seemed to be answering a question. He unlocked his phone and went into each conversation his heart sinking as he did.

“...Fuck.”

(What number was he at again?)

~~~~

Me: So... funny story...

Patts: What’s up kiddo?

Me: Firstly I blame remus

Greek: UGH what did he do now?

On The Virge: Thats fair

Me: I was drinking and kinda took his advice on something...

Logan: Dee we have discussed those two things are not to be done in conjunction

Me: I know

Greek: So what did you do?

Me: I kind of asked ALL of you to the party?

“I thought you were bringing a date?” Remy asked with a smirk.

Dee nodded, “I did.”

“Where is he?”

“Well actually-”

“Dee save me,” Virgil complained coming to his side. “Roman is being Roman.”

“I just want him to dance with me,” Roman frowned going to Dee to his other side.

“Dance with Patton,” Virgil told him.

“He’s getting drinks with Logan... Why won’t you dance with me?”

“Because part of the agreement of me being one of the dates is that I didn’t have to socialize.”

“And my agreement to being a date is that I wanted to dance. ”

“Remy these are two of my dates,” Dee introduced. “Roman and Virgil. The other two are somewhere.”

Remy blinked in surprise before he forced a smile, “Nice to meet you, both .”

Roman leaned a bit more into Dee, and Dee tried not to focus on how much he enjoyed the feeling. “Did you brung someone, or someones tonight?” Roman asked curiously.

“My fiancé was feeling sick,” Remy answered slowly. “But he insisted I come and have fun.”

“You could hang with us,” Virgil suggested. It was casually said, but Dee knew that Virgil knew exactly what he was doing.

“We got the drinks!” Patton’s voice came as he and Logan came from behind.

“Ah, is this one of your work friends?” Logan asked skimming over Remy analytically.

“This is Remy,” Dee nodded.

“Logan,” he introduced holding out a hand which Remy shook uncertainly. “This is Patton. We’re the final two of our little quintet.”

“Nice to meet you,” Patton smiled.

“Remy is going to hang with us,” Virgil tossed in.

“Actually I need to go talk to my fiancé,” Remy said starting to walk away.

“I thought he wasn’t here,” Roman asked sipping at his drink.

Remy’s forced smile wavered, “I gotta call I mean.” He walked off before more could be said.

Me: Thank you all SO much

Patts: It was super fun!

Greek: It was fun

Greek: Who knew Logan could dance

Logan: I did

On The Virge: I just enjoyed the look on that guy’s face

On The Virge: If you ever need to mess with him again let me know.

Me: Well... we could always keep up the charade for a while?

Me: Just so he believes it of course, a few dates I think could REALLY sell it.

Greek: Are you asking me out?

On The Virge: No dumbass

Patts: Virgil!

On The Virge: Hes asking US out

Logan: I accept

Patts: Me too!

On The Virge: I’m in

Greek: Sure but I’m an expensive date

Dee set his phone down with a smile on his face.

“Isn’t it funny?” Remus asked. “You take my advice and things work out well.”

“Shut up Remus.”

“So now all you have to do is-”

“I’m not licking an outlet.”

“Come on, I’m sure sparks will fly.”

“Did you just- I give up. Goodnight.”

Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated.

~~~~

Step One: Totally Do Not Find Him Attractive

“Handouts. Poster. PowerPoint. Lunch money. Lunch box. Lunch. Snack. School supplies. Roman... I think I have everything, so why do I feel like I’m missing something?”

“Dad? You’ve said that four times, but we haven’t left yet.”

“Fine,” Virgil sighed starting the car. “We’re leaving. We’re leaving... So, are you nervous for your first day Ro?”

Virgil watched as the seven year old shook his head in the rearview. 

“Some of my friends from camp will be there.”

Virgil nodded, “True, it’s good that you’ll already have some friends. Not that you’d ever have a problem making them.”

Roman beamed a smile at him, “Of course. Everyone wants to be my friend.”

“Is that right?”

“Yup. But are you nervous?”

“Very. I have a presentation at work.”

“You always have a presentation.”

“True, but this one is for my boss’ boss. So this one is very important.”

Roman rolled his eyes, “You say all of them are important.”

“They are.”

“You worry too much.”

“I don’t- coffee! That’s what I was forgetting!”

Two months had passed since Virgil had picked up his and Roman’s life for his new job. It had been difficult, leaving to go somewhere he had never been with a child by side, but this job offered more money and he could get Roman in a better school system so he had to. 

And for two months things had been alright. Roman had made fast friends at summer camp, even if Virgil hadn’t really made any, and things were going so smoothly. So of course a presentation which threatened his whole career had to come up. 

It was supposed to be a simple one. Just a collection of everything going on in his department to be shown to higher ups. It was something that his boss was supposed to present to her bosses. And his boss would’ve- had she not have sent Virgil a text at three am saying she was sick and that since he had made the presentation he should do it in her place. 

Two months since he started and he was finally going to meet his boss’ boss. The man in charge of this place. The man whose tongue was apparently so sharp that he made interns cry and employees quit. 

Virgil wanted to puke. 

He took a deep breath in and out as he stared in the bathroom mirror to attempt to calm himself. He was about to do so again when his phone dinged with a text. 

ROMAN’S EMERGENCY PHONE

Already made a friend I think! I’ll tell you all about him! Good luck with the presentation!

Virgil couldn’t stop the small smile on his face as he responded to remind Roman the definition of the word “emergency”, but regardless his son’s words were enough to calm him. He nodded at his own reflection satisfied and headed for the conference room. 

He arrived seven minutes early (early enough not to look insane, but early) the room was already filling with people he recognized and didn’t, but each introduced themselves and settled themselves as they trickled in. 

And for a moment Virgil real thought he could do this. For a moment. Because as soon as that thought crossed his mind the door opened and everyone silenced. 

Virgil looked up from where he was hooking up his computer to the projector to see a man walk in. While Virgil had never seen him or even a picture of him before, the different colored eyes and scar of the stories gave him away to be Dante Ekans. 

The stories Virgil had heard of Dante Ekans spoke of a man with one brown eye and one that looked almost yellow in the light, and a scar that covered half his face (none of the stories however could agree on how he got said scar). The stories spoke of a man who was short tempered, cruel, and stiff. 

The stories seemed to say everything about the man, other than the fact that he was hot in a suit. 

The suit fit him perfectly- but then again the thing was probably tailor made to do so. And everything about it perfectly complimented his face. 

Virgil had assumed that the scar spoken of would make anyone look terrible, so why did he look even more rugged, and serious, and attractive?

“So you’re Storm?” Dante Ekans asked running his gaze up and down Virgil’s form in way which must’ve been unimpressed. 

Virgil forced himself not to pick apart everything that sounded beautiful about that voice and instead nodded, “Yes sir.”

“Then get on with it.”

Virgil gave a hard swallow, “Yes sir.”

The presentation... went. 

It didn’t go badly, and it didn’t go well. But Virgil couldn’t blame anyone else but himself for that. He had started strong, been on a roll for about half of it. But that’s when Dante Ekans had  looked up from his phone for the first time since the presentation started, and that’s when the two locked eyes, and that’s when Virgil forgot how to function like a normal human being. He liked to think he recovered towards the end as he was able to answer any and all questions perfectly as if he had practiced them (because he had). So yeah, it went. 

Virgil was just happy to retreat to his desk afterwards, also known as a safe place where hot bosses don’t exist (according to his coworkers his own boss was hot, but that wasn’t Virgil’s area of expertise). He was just content to drown himself at the work he had, because if he could make it through the day he wouldn’t have to think Dante Ekans again for a while. Just gotta make it through the day. 

Simple enough. 

~~~~

Virgil was texting his boss about the meeting when the back car door opened suddenly. He jolted and dropped the phone and holding back a curse bent down to pick up.

“Dad!”

“Hey Ro,” Virgil greeted looking around for the device on his floor. “How was your first day?”

“Amazing! You’ll never guess what happened!”

Virgil found his phone and sat up to look at his son in the rearview and froze noticing the presence of a second child in his car. 

Even scarier, the child looked just like Roman. 

Virgil turned around in his seat and blinked a few times, “What?”

“Tada!” The two shouted at once. 

Virgil’s mouth opened and closed twice before he was able to speak. He focused on the one he knew was his, “Roman? What’s going on?”

“This is Remus!” Roman smiled happily. “We gotta be twins!”

Virgil nodded with a forced smile, “Alright. Um, nice to meet you Remus.”

“Nice to meet you Mr. Virgil!” Remus smiled. 

Virgil nodded again, “Um boys? Why don’t you hop out a sec? Okay?”

The two boys seemed confused, but did so and Virgil walked around to the sidewalk as they climbed out, waving over a teacher as he did. 

“Remus!” The man said hurrying over. “You cannot go home with Roman!”

The two boys grabbed each other in a hug, “He's my brother!” Remus declared. 

Roman nodded, “Dad! Remember Mrs. Julie always said I had a brother who adopted? It’s gotta be Remus! Our names even go together!”

“Remus you need to go home with your dad, and Roman his,” the teacher tried with a slight sigh (Virgil had met him when dropping off Roman in morning, what was his name? Mr. Hart? That sounded right). “I’m sorry Mr. Storm,” he apologized. 

“Not your fault,” Virgil told him turning his attention back to the duo- who were giving him identical pouting faces. “Roman, you’ll see Remus tomorrow.”

Roman shook his head, “No, I don’t want to be separated again!”

Virgil opened his mouth to comment that the two didn’t know they were brothers yet, but looking at the two it was obvious. “It’s just until tomorrow,” he tried. 

“But Dad.” Roman’s eyes welled with tears. 

“I’m sorry Roman. Another day I can talk to Remus’ parents and then we can get a playdate or something okay?”

Apparently his response wasn’t good enough because that’s when both boys started crying. 

Virgil held in a curse, “Roman come on, you’ll see him tomorrow. You have school everyday.”

This only seemed to make the two cry more. 

“Oh there’s your Dad, Remus!” Mr. Hart smiled suddenly. “Let’s get this figured out.”

“Daddy!” Remus cried letting go of Roman- but he still held Roman’s hand as he moved past Virgil to go to a man who bent down to hug him. 

“Daddy he’s mean!” Remus cried pointing to Virgil. 

His father picked up his head enough to acknowledge Virgil- and Virgil died right then and there. “Did you make my son cry, Storm?” 

Virgil swallowed and took a step backwards at the man’s piercing glare, “Not exactly sir...”

Needless to say, Virgil didn’t make it through the rest of the day without thinking about Dante Ekans.

Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated. Ao3

~~~~

Step Five: Do Not Go On A Date 

I was right,” Dee nodded pleased with himself. “You look great in my suits.”

Virgil blushed more than he wanted to, “Are you sure it’s okay that I wear this?”

“Completely,” Dee nodded circling him. “It’s actually a bit small for me anyway.”

Virgil nodded and glanced at the crisp dark grey suit in the mirror. It fit perfectly, and he had to admit he was a fan of the purple shirt Dee had picked out to go underneath. But with Dee’s style there’s no surprise he’d know what he was doing. His gaze shifted to Dee’s face in the mirror only to find Dee’s eyes were focused on his rear. 

Virgil’s face heated up as memories from the night previously surfaced. 

“Um... can I ask you something?” Virgil asked awkwardly. 

Dee’s eyes met his in the mirror, “Let’s hold that thought until we drop the boys off, okay?”

“Okay...”

~~~~

Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated.

~~~~

Warning: Things get serious for a bit

Ao3

~~~~

Step Six: Do Not Talk About The Past

Virgil eyes left the menu in front of him as his phone buzzed with a text from Dee.

Be there in five

Virgil smiled as he put his eyes back on the menu feeling a tad more relaxed Now that Dee was on his way. They had intended to walk over for their lunch date together but Dee’s meeting had run late so Virgil had come over to secure a table for the two of them. Meaning Virgil had gotten the pleasure of sitting awkwardly for the past ten min under the pitying eyes of his waitress who seemed convinced that he had been stood up.

He was debating what to get for a moment before he was surprised to see a form sit down in the seat across from him. Virgil lowered the menu confused. The man was dressed simply in jeans and a business casual shirt, his eyes were dark and his hair brown, but Virgil didn’t think this man worked with him. Or that he even knew him at all.

“Uh... can I help you?”

The man’s eyes narrowed, “What’s your relationship with Dante Ekans?”

Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated. Ao3

~~~~

Step Four: Don’t Bond With His Kids

Days had passed and while Roman seemed happy once more, Virgil still felt as if he needed to do something for his son. To show that he really truly cared and loved him. He just wasn’t sure what. 

He couldn’t afford to take him anywhere too special. Not with his car currently being the bane of his existence. Perhaps he could bake Roman something special? No, Roman would simply be upset that he wasn’t included in the baking. Maybe he could have a “Roman Day” and let the boy pick whatever he wanted to do?

He paused considering what Roman would ask him for when a voice cut in his psyche. 

“Hey Storm?” Michael asked bringing Virgil’s attention back to the meeting. “Can you run this report up to Mr. Ekans? Get some feedback?”

Virgil blinked in surprise as all the eyes in the conference room turned to him, but he nodded and took the folder and headed out. 

The secretary- Lian- looked up as he approached.

“I was sent to get feedback on a report,” Virgil explained. 

She nodded and reached for the phone but hesitated as she did so, “May I say something Mr. Storm?”

“Sure.”

“Mr. Ekans has been through a lot- and I understand it’s not really my place, but can I ask you to be respectful of that?”

Virgil quite frankly had no clue what she was talking about, but he nodded nonetheless, “Of course.”

She nodded satisfied and reached for the phone, “Mr. Storm is here for revisions.”

Inside Dee sat at his desk and gave Virgil a casual wave as he walked in. “You usually don’t bring things to me for revisions.”

Virgil shrugged and sat across from him and handed over the folder, “I was asked to be the runner today.” 

Dee nodded and took the folder and grabbed a pen and began to look over the report while Virgil scrolled on his phone. But after a while Dee gave a frustrated sigh. 

“Can I be honest with you?”

Virgil looked up, “Using corrections would be harder if you weren’t.”

Dee’s expression was serious as he ran a hand through his slicked back hair, “This... this is trash. Everything about it. It’s not in the format I want, there are spelling mistakes, math is wrong, and more. It’s like it was written in two minutes. Like tell me, what- what were you thinking? Are you joking with me or something? ‘Cause you know I don’t like to joke about work. And this needs to go in my report to the CEO tomorrow. Talk to me Virgil, what the hell happened?”

Virgil’s eyebrows knitted in confusion, “How would I know?”

Dee gave a groan, “If you don’t know that goes to show this was written in two minutes... Just be straight with me, did you put any effort into writing this?”

“I didn’t write it.”

“What?”

“I didn’t write it,” Virgil said again. “Michael was supposed to write it with input from Jeff.” 

Dee raised an eyebrow and pulled over the cover page for Virgil to see. “It puts you as the sole author.”

“But I didn’t... I’m just the messenger...” he took the page and looked at it confused, before something caught his attention. “It also spells my name wrong... it’s Vigil Storm.”

“...So it does.”

There was a long pause before Dee collected all the papers in front of him. “I don’t know what’s going on, but this needs to be redone before morning. I’m gonna need to put you on fixing this, because I know you’ll actually do it well regardless of it you did or didn’t write it.”

“It’s gonna take all day, and then some,” Virgil realized quietly.

“Then start.”

Virgil gave a sigh, “Yes sir.”

~~~~

The sound of chattering children found its way to pierce Virgil’s concentration. He looked away from the computer screen and it’s numbers and letters which blurred together as the sound grew louder. 

“I thought he had two kids?”

Virgil shook his head as he tried to focus once more. He was almost done, the math just wasn’t adding up. Once he fixed that he was done. He was free. 

“Dad!” 

The sound of Roman’s voice caused Virgil to look up and turn to see his son standing there beaming. Surprised he pulled his son in for a hug and looked up at Dee who lingered in the cubicle entrance, Remus and Logan by his side. 

“It’s almost done,” he informed Dee. “I gotta fix a math issue I know is there, but I don’t know how I’m missing it. I’m just barely off.”

Dee nodded and moved closer to look over Virgil’s shoulder at the spreadsheet, “Oh I see what you mean. Those two should equal and they’re not.”

“It’s because you have a seven there instead of a one.”

Virgil looked to Logan had taken a post on his other side. “It’s here,” he said pointing at the screen. 

Virgil’s eyes scanned for a moment before he did as the boy said, “Logan you are a genius. Thank you. I have been staring at this for over an hour.”

Logan seemed taken aback by the praise, but he didn’t say anything so Virgil hurriedly finished everything up. “I’ll send it to you now,” he told Dee. 

“I’ll look it over after dinner,” he promised. 

“What's for dinner?” Roman asked Virgil. 

“Whatever I decide to order.”

“I want Chinese!”

“I want Chinese too,” Remus tossed in. 

“We have food,” Dee disagreed. 

“We don’t have Chinese. Why don’t they come over for Chinese and then you two can work together?”

“Virge?”

 Virgil shrugged, “You're driving.”

 “Then let's go, we can order in the car.”

 ~~~~

 “I’m sorry for being hard on you today,” Dee apologized suddenly. “And I suppose my constant checking in to see how it was going didn’t help.”

Virgil shook his head, “You're my boss. It’s to be expected now and then, and I have a feeling that you would’ve been a lot worse had it not been me...”

He shrugged, “I am guilty of playing favorites... And I guess that’s why everyone in your department has been giving you a hard time.”

Virgil looked at him in surprise, “What?” 

“I’m not stupid Virgil. I talked to Nadine, she said that recently a lot of people have been treating you wrongly lately because of how I play favorites. They thought you were trying to one up them for a promotion. And that’s why they put your name on that report, right?” 

“I...”

“You don’t have to confirm or deny it,” Dee told him. “Just know, that I know.”

“Dad, can we just have a sleepover?” Roman asked looking away from where he and Remus were playing some game on the floor. 

“We need to go home at some point,”  Virgil answered, grateful for the distraction.

“Yeah, but Mr. Dee is gonna drive us home and then he has to drive us to school in the morning. If we stay here it's less driving!” 

Virgil paused to look for a flaw in that logic, to look for a way to not think about the implication of sleeping in his hot boss’ boss’ house.

“You could stay,” Dee stated and Virgil thought he might die of embarrassment then and there. “Well Remus can give Roman some clothes. As for you- you’re skinny sure- but you could definitely fit my clothes.” 

“Sleepover!” The twins shouted in excitement. 

Virgil was given the guest bedroom down the hall, and a clean set of pajamas to wear.  

“We can pick you out an outfit for tomorrow in the morning,” Dee told Virgil bringing in a set of towels and setting them on a dresser. “You’d look great in one of my suits.”

Virgil hoped he wasn’t blushing too deeply at the comment, “My rent is less than one of your suits.”

Dee chuckled, “Just don't stain it and it’s fine.”

“My son is a walking stain.”

“Yet another thing he and Remus have in common.”

“Are they all asleep?”

“It took a while, but yes they are.” 

“Good... good.”

“Well, I’ll let you be... goodnight Virgil.”

“Night Dee.”

~~~~

Virgil had been on the way back from the bathroom when he found Logan standing in the hall. The boy was standing outside the room which was Dee’s, but he didn’t seem to have any urge to knock. 

“Did you need him?” Virgil asked.

Logan blinked up at him before he frowned and moved away from the door, “No.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

Virgil decided not to push at first, and instead moved to walk off when he noticed a tear in Logan’s eye.

“Is something wrong?” He asked squatting down to look Logan in the eye. 

Logan shifted his weight, but didn’t respond.

“You might feel a bit better if you to tell me or your dad, but if you don’t want to that's okay too.” 

“You and Roman are all Dad and Remus care about anymore. He even had us stay with you...” Logan said after a pause. “I was mean, why won’t you just hate me and go away?”

Virgil’s mouth opened and closed in surprise, “I would never hate you. And I’m sorry that-”

“Go away! Papa is gone so it was just supposed to be the three of us! But now you and Roman are here, and I don't want another dad to make Dad sad again! I just wanna- wanna-” the tears which had been welling in his eyes finally fell and Virgil felt his heart break. He wanted to pull the boy into a hug, but he had a feeling Logan would only shove him away to make it worse.  

“I’m sorry Logan,” Virgil said quietly. “I didn’t mean to take time away from you. But I promise I won’t hate you. And I’m not sure if I can just go away, but know that I’m not trying to take anyone’s spot okay? And I know Roman isn't either. He’s just excited that he has a brother... and actually I was hoping that you’d spend some time with him so he could have two.”

“They don’t want me around,” Logan disagreed through his tears.

“That’s not true. I’m sure they both want you around, just like your dad does, and just like I do.”

“You do?” he asked rubbing at his eyes. 

“Of course I do. I would still be at work right now, if you didn’t show me what I did wrong. And if you still don’t believe me, then how about tomorrow everyone plays a game that you pick? Okay?”

Logan nodded, “Okay.”

“Can I get a hug?”

Logan moved forward to give him a hug which Virgil happily returned. After a pause he stood and took Logan’s hand and led the boy back to his bedroom. 

“Thank you Mr. Virgil,” Logan told him as Virgil tucked him back in.

“You can just call me Virgil. Night Logan.”

“Good night.”

Dee was sitting on the bed when he got back. 

“You are magical,” he declared.

“What?” 

“You and Logan. It's amazing it takes Logan forever to warm up to people and you accomplished it in under five minutes.”

Virgil shrugged, “Well, he was crying. And I suggest you talk to him come morning.”

Dee nodded and stood, “I will, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re an actual gift.” 

Virgil tried not to blush, “It's fine. I’m sure you’d do the same for Roman.” 

Dee didn’t seem to have heard him, “And I thought I was falling for you before.”

A pause. “What?”

“I said, ‘and I thought I was falling for you before.’”

Virgil’s face heated up as his heart drummed in his chest. “I-I heard you, but um... what?”

Dee smiled as he came closer and Virgil subconsciously backed up into the wall, “Your obliviousness is just as attractive.” 

“What?” his voice only came out in a squeak.

Dee gave a laugh as he moved away, “We’ll talk in the morning. Goodnight Virgil.”

“What?”

~~~~

Step Three - Step Four - Step Five

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“Let's go already,” Roman groaned moving to lay on the floor.

“We’re waiting for Henry and his little sister to get here,” Dee reminded him.

“Daddy!” Patton called coming in the room, his eyes on the brink of tears. “I made Virgil cry!”

Dee gave a slight shrug as he listened to the sound of Virgil’s cries from upstairs, “He didn’t get a nap. I’m sure he’s just upset about you and Logan trying to put his costume on.”

Patton shook his head furiously, “I don’t think he likes zombies! I made him cry!”

“Duh!” Remus chimed in. “Roman and I did awesome, so you look like a real zombie! Everyone should be super scared!”

“I don’t wanna scare Virgil...”

“Don’t cry!” Roman shouted getting up. “You’ll mess up your makeup!”

Too late.

“I don’t wanna be a scary zombie!”

Dee gave a sigh and glanced at the clock. They had fifteen minutes.

Fifteen minutes...

“How about a uh- uh mummy?”

“But then who’s gonna give out candy?”

“Ms. Miranda is gonna stay here and watch the house and give out candy while I take Ashley with us trick or treating.”

“But then who's gonna give out candy at her house?”

“Her husband.”

“So she won’t get to go trick or treating?”

Dee glanced over to where the woman had made herself comfortable in front of his TV, wine and candy in hand. “I think she’ll be fine.”

“I thought you said your costumes matched?” Remus asked Logan and Henry. “You’re both not Frankenstein.”

“I’m Frankenstein’s monster , and he’s Dr. Frankenstein . They’re different,” Logan explained.

Remus didn’t look convinced, “Is this a trick?”

“No! Look it up!”

Dee looked over the large mass of children in front of him and did a quick headcount. Three that weren’t his, and five that were. He gave a nod, “Alright everyone, let’s head out!”

“Wait Dad, Where’s your costume?” Roman asked.

Dee paused, “How many jump ropes do we own?”

~~(And now for some snippets)~~

“Dad! Patton’s toilet paper got caught on a bush again!”

Dee gave a sigh as he stopped to go untangle Patton who gave him a wide smile back, “Did you bring the extras?”

Dee nodded and grabbed the extra toilet paper from the stroller, “Alright Pat, give me a spin.”

~~~~

“I think people only get my costume ‘cause we’re a pair,” Henry commented.

“Is that a bad thing?” Logan asked in return.

Henry shook his head, “Nope. But you’re being the harder to guess one next year.”

~~~~

“And what’s your costume?” Another parent asked amused.

Dee held up his number of jump ropes- tugging the kids slightly as he did so- “I’m a dog walker.”

~~~~

“Oh my what a dashing Prince! Do you slay dragons to save kingdoms too?”

Roman shook his head, “I tame dragons.” He reached over to poke Virgil’s nose. “He even knows tricks watch! Virgil, say Dada!”

Virgil clapped his hands and repeated the word happily, “Dada!”

~~~~

“Remus, stop stealing Ashley’s candy.”

“But I’m a pirate! I have to steal candy!”

“At least he’s not robbing banks yet,” Logan shrugged.

“Logan you- yet?”

“It’s gonna happen one day Dad. Don’t be surprised when it does.”

Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated.

~~~~

“Why do we have to have homework on the first day?”

“Because that’s how school works,” Dante Ekans chuckled. “Here, why don’t you do work on your story? Mr. Hart said you can write about anything you did this summer right?”

“I don’t want to though, I want to play with Roman.”

“Roman is writing his story too... So can you write for me while I talk to Roman’s daddy?”

Virgil must have stepped into a parallel world.

Gone was the boss who glared at him and clearly thought he was a waste of time,space, breath and more, and here was some soft man trying to encourage his kid do homework.

“Can I go to the bathroom?” his other son asked from his other side.

Dante Ekans nodded and looked around the small cafe before pointing out where it was. His other son- Logan apparently- rose from his seat and walked over as his father watched him the entire time.

“Sorry, what was I saying?” Dante Ekans asked.

Virgil gave a shrug, to be honest he was confused by the majority of this conversation- or well he had been confused since the moment he had arrived to pick Roman up from school. First a sudden twin, and then crying children, and then an angry boss, and then his boss inviting them to get coffee.

None of it made sense.

“I can’t remember,” he frowned drumming his fingers on his coffee cup. “Regardless, it’s clear that two are going to be attached to the hip now.”

Virgil nodded in agreement as he looked at Roman. His son was busy writing his story, but he kept glancing up at Remus as if worried the boy would disappear while he was distracted.

“I should get your number, we can properly schedule a playdate that way.”

Virgil nodded in agreement and tried his best not to think about the fact that the hot boss’ number would soon be his. “That sounds good, but particularly I’m more worried about leaving afterwards.”

“We’re staying together,” Roman interrupted to further Virgil’s point.

Dante Ekans gave a chuckle, “We’ll have to figure it out.”

“You did well by the way,” Dante Ekans commented as he held his crying son in his arms.

Virgil looked up from where he was attempting to hold Roman back, “What?”

“Your presentation,” he said casually. “You did well. You seem to know what you’re doing and do it well. You could use some confidence though.”

Virgil did his best not to blush, “Uh thank you... thank you sir.”

“Dee,” he corrected. “I go by Dee.”

Virgil nodded quickly, “Thank you... Dee. I- ow! Roman! Kicking me will only end in you not getting dessert tonight.”

“They’re stupid,” Logan commented adjusting his glasses.

“We don’t use that word,” Dante chided. “Come on you two.”

“I hate you,” Roman declared as they left.

Virgil sighed and took his son by the hand, “You’ll see him tomorrow.”

~~~~

“Storm?”

Virgil looked away from his computer as his boss poked her head in his cubicle. The woman gave him a sorrowful look, “Ekans wants you in his office.”

Virgil’s heart skipped a beat as he forced himself to nod. It had been about a week since the two had and their children had parted from the cafe. They had texted a few times purely so Roman and Remus could keep in contact, but they hadn’t really spoken themselves. And now he was being called to the hot boss’ office.

Dante Ekans was on the phone when Virgil entered the room.

The office was large and mostly empty aside from the sitting area and the desk. Dante Ekans himself sat at his desk on the phone, but as Virgil entered he hurriedly hung up.

“You can close the door,” he announced.

Virgil did so and tried not to flinch at the echoing sound it made as it clicked shut. “Did you need something Mr. Ekans?”

He leaned forward and leaned his elbows on his desk and fixed Virgil with an expression that wasn’t able to deciphered, “Dee.”

“...Dee.”

“How is Roman doing?”

“He’s- he’s good. Being attached to Remus is certainly helping him adjust to a new school.”

“Good, good. I- you don’t need to stand in the doorway, I don’t bite.” He stood. “Here, why don’t we sit on the couches?”

They sat on opposite couches, a coffee table between them. Dee looked casual- as he should in his own office- as he sat with his laptop on his lap typing away. “Sorry, someone just emailed me... But I called you here to talk about the boys. I had my people look into the adoption records. It just confirms the obvious, the two are twins. After their mother’s death they were put in the system and then two were seperated due to overcrowding.”

Virgil frowned, “Overcrowding? That’s... That’s ridiculous.”

“Agreed,” Dee closed his laptop and set it beside him with a tired sigh. “Shit, I didn’t even ask how you were. Let me pretend I have manners. How are you doing today?”

Virgil couldn’t stop himself from smiling slightly, “I’m fine. You?”

“Tired as hell, but I guess that’s what I get for running this place at my age, and raising two kids.”

“Do you want me to go so you can nap or something?”

Dee shook his head, “Nah, you being here is a break. So you’re fine.” He paused, “That shirt is a nice color on you.”

Virgil blinked and looked down at his shirt- purple- before he nodded, “Um, thanks.”

Dee said nothing for a moment his eyes running over Virgil in a way Virgil found himself unable to interpret.

“So um,” Virgil said awkwardly looking away. “Out of curiosity, how long ago did you adopt Remus? Roman said it was a while ago, but I don't remember.”

“He was two,” Dee recalled. “You adopted Roman a few years ago right?”

Virgil nodded with a slight smile at the memory, “Something in me was crazy and decided I wanted a kid. It's been crazy, but I love Roman.”

“I understand that,” he nodded. “My boys are my everything.”

“How old is Logan?”

“Nine going on twenty,” Dee chuckled. “He’s serious as hell, but I can’t tell if its nature or nurture... Oh, I meant to ask you what your weekend plans are?”

Virgil blinked, “Um, nothing?

“Perfect. I was thinking you and Roman could come by my place and the two boys can hang out like they so desperately have been craving.”

“Sounds good,” Virgil nodded. “Which day is better for-” Virgil was cut off as the door opened and Dee’s secretary entered.

Dee frowned at her, “Did you need something?”

“He called again,” she said awkwardly. “Another new number.”

Dee sighed and ran a hand through his hair, “I’ll text you Storm, I need to deal with something.”

Virgil nodded and stood, “It’s... it’s Virgil.”

His boss’ lip quirked in a slight smile, “I’ll text you, Virgil.”

~~~~

“This place is huge!” Roman marveled as they pulled up. Virgil was inclined to agree.

The house was huge, nice looking from the outside, and probably cost an amount that Virgil could only dream of. He climbed out of his small beat up car and grabbed the bag he had brought before setting off for the front door.

Roman hurried ahead of him and run the doorbell. It was adorable to see him bounce on the balls of his feet with barely contained excitement, and it was something Virgil would savor while he could.

A moment later the door opened and Virgil nearly dropped everything his holding at the sight of Dee- shirtless Dee- shirtless and toned Dee- shirtless, toned, and hot Dee... (Just to be specific).

“Welcome!” He smiled casually.

“Where’s Remus?” Roman asked him.

Virgil couldn’t even force words to work in time to chide his son for not greeting Dee properly. Thankfully Dee only laughed as they stepped in the house, “He and Logan are in the pool. Come on.” He led the way through the house and Virgil pulled his eyes from his boss long enough to admire the place.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Dee nodded. “What’s in the bag?”

Virgil paused before he remembered the bag he was carrying, “I know you said I didn’t need to bring anything, but I figured who could turn down homemade cookies?”

“What kind?”

“The best kind, extra mixed chocolate chip!” Roman answered for him. “Dad and I made them last night! It uses different kinds of chocolate chips and we put a ton in.”

Virgil chuckled, “He’s my baker in training.”

“Dad said our next project is lemonade cupcakes.”

“Oh?” Dee asked as he led the way out into the back by the pool. “Well if you ever need someone to try any sweets I will happily oblige... And I guess the boys would too.”

“Roman!” Remus cheered from where he hung out in the pool, but beside him Logan rolled his eyes.

“We brought cookies!” Roman cheered taking off his shoes.

“For after lunch,” Dee tossed in.

“Are you gonna swim at all?” Dee asked swimming over to him a while later.

Virgil shook his head, “I don’t own a swimsuit right now. I swore I had one before we moved but it vanished, and I’ve never gotten around to getting a new one.”

“Moving makes somethings vanish and others reappear,” Dee shrugged.

“You can swim with the boys without me,” Virgil told him kicking his legs lazily in the water. “I’m fine, just here sitting on the edge.”

The other man paused before he moved to the edge and hoisted himself out of the pool (giving Virgil a decent view) before sitting beside Virgil. “I’ll join you for a bit. Have a conversation that’s above a sixth grade level... I hope you’re above the six grade level.”

“Well I’m 80% sure I passed sixth grade.”

“Why are you missing 20%?”

“Well if I said 100 it would be too suspicious no?”

“Touche.”

“Can- can I ask you something?” Virgil asked after a bit of hesitation.

“Sure.”

“Well um, there’s so many rumors around you at work. But you seem like an entirely different person than what they say? I guess that’s not question... or proper grammar.”

“It’s that last 20% kicking in, but as for your not question. I turn work me on and off. Right know I’m Dee Ekans, a dad hanging out having a good time. At work I’m Dante Ekans, and I need order and things done when I say.”

“Doesn’t that get... tiring?”

“Not so much as trying to stick to work mode. I’ve tried to stop bringing work home with me, and it’s made things a million times easier on me- on all of us.”

“Dad can we get lunch now?” Logan asked swimming over.

Dee nodded and stood, “Sounds good.”

“Do you need help with anything?” Virgil offered.

“Um, why don’t you help Logan carry everything out here? I’ll take the twins?”

Dee had managed to get the two seated at a table, by the time Virgil and Logan returned from their horribly silent trip to the kitchen.

“-That’s what my other dad said,” Remus was telling Roman.

“Other Dad?” Roman echoed.

Remus nodded, “I have two dads.”

“Really w-”

“Alright boys, what do you want to eat?” Dee interrupted. “I’ve got corn, hot dogs, and chicken, and more. Take your pick. Oh, and of course we have the cookies afterwards.”

Of course there was another parent.

A house this large? Super demanding day job? Two kids? Dee has to have someone else to help him out. That was logical. So why did Virgil feel a tad, disappointed?

He chose to ignore the feeling and on top of that he would need to stop gawking over a taken man.

But with the sound of the man’s laughing ringing beautifully in his ear? It would be easier said than done.

~~~~

Virgil’s just trying to fake his way through life, but when he finds it hard to shake his hot boss’ boss’s attention- on account of their adopted sons being twins- things get complicated.

~~~~

Step Three: Do Not Let Him Know Your Car Broke Down

The silence which echoed around the office gave Dee away before Virgil could see him. So when Virgil got to his cubicle, and was horribly unsurprised to find the man sitting at his desk.

“You don’t have enough decorations in here,” he commented. 

Virgil raised an eyebrow amused, “Your office is pretty bare.”

“We have different roles, and I’m surprised drawings aren’t covering this whole thing.” 

“I used to hang up Roman’s stuff, but then he claimed only the best ones were allowed to be in my office. And given that his opinion on his best drawing changes daily it turned into a lot of putting up and taking down. So I leave them at home.”

 “That’s adorable.”

“Did you need something?” Virgil asked him. 

He looked at Virgil like he was stupid, “You promised me cupcakes, so I am here to collect.”

Virgil rolled his eyes and moved towards his desk and reached into the bottom drawer before pulling out a container. “There you go.”

 “You are wonderful human Virgil.”

“And you’re crazy.”

If Dee heard him, he paid the words no mind as he stood and exited the cubicle examining the cupcakes through the plastic as he did. 

“Those are for your sons too. Not just you,” Virgil called as he did.

“Same thing.” 

“Goodbye Dee!”

 When he was gone Virgil sunk into chair and clicked on his computer to resume his work when suddenly peering eyes appeared over his cubicle. 

“Yes?”

“You call the boss by a nickname?” Sharie asked in surprise.

Virgil nodded, “He asked me to.”

 “And you bake for him?” John asked. 

Another nod, “I had a lot.”

“You didn’t offer us any sweets,” Liam threw in.  

“You never asked. Would you like some next time?”

“Definitely.”

“Can I go back to what I was doing now? Or...?”

There was a pause before the eyes met one another before each of them sunk back behind a cubicle wall.  

~~~~

It had taken a while- a long while- but after all that time Virgil was finally feeling not freaked out and amazed by everything Dee did (now it was only most things and that was an improvement). But still there were things about Dee which came as a complete surprise. 

“No no no! Come on baby, come back to me... You can’t give up on me now.” 

“Does talking to the car make it start?” Roman chimed in. 

Virgil gave a groan and kicked his tire, “Let me call someone and see if someone can drop you at school. I’ll have to take the bus to work. For now let’s go back in the house.” 

Virgil was in the midst of calling his third person to ask to drive Roman, when his doorbell rang. 

“Hold on Sarah,” he told her going to answer it. And he froze in surprise at Dee and the boys standing outside his door. 

He gave a slight wave, “Ready to go?”

“What?” Virgil asked in surprise. 

“Roman texted me saying you guys needed rides.”

Virgil’s eyebrows knit as he tried to process, “Nevermind Sarah... uh thanks anyway.”

With that Virgil stepped inside and after a moment, the family followed. 

“You guys came!” Roman cheered. 

“Of course!” Remus responded. “We get to go together!”

Virgil gave a sigh, “Roman, the emergency phone is for emergencies.”

“It was an emergency.”

Virgil turned to Dee to thank him, and found the man’s eyes scanning his home. He tried to ignore the embarrassment he felt as the man looked at Virgil’s “modest” home. It was clearly small, with a small kitchen and living room connected. Down the hall was the two bedrooms, the bathroom and that was it. 

It was nothing in comparison to Dee’s. 

“Thank you,” Virgil forced out.  

Dee nodded, “We’re going to the same place and this isn’t really out of shall way, I just had to switch my bigger car. But shall we get going?”

“Please.”

“I can drive you back too,” Dee told Virgil later as they stood in the elevator. “Picking up the kids is included in that.”

 “I appreciate it, but I’d feel bad.”

“Don’t. Consider it me repaying you for all the cooking and baking I get out of you.” 

Virgil chuckled as the elevator reached his floor, “Alright, text me when you’re heading out.”

“Will do.”

~~~~

“Hey Virgil? Can I ask you something?”

Virgil paused at the elevator as Jeff called for his attention, quite frankly he was surprised the man even knew his name. “Something wrong?”

He shook his head and moved closer, “Just a question.” 

“Okay...”

“You and Mr. Ekans... are pretty close right?” 

“I guess?”

“It’s just kind of surprising. He doesn’t usually talk to any of us. Or seem to even notice any of us.”

“Oh. Well, I know he gets very serious about work things.”

“Still... I mean you’ve been here a few months and you’re already cozied up. It’s just... a lot of us have been really vying for that promotion and well it wouldn’t exactly be fair if the needy-new guy got it.”

Virgil nodded and gave a swallow as understanding of the situation sunk in, “I don’t want-” 

He was cut off as the elevator dinged open to reveal Dee, “Perfect timing, I was just coming to get you. Let’s go.” 

Virgil nodded and gave Jeff a look before stepping into the elevator. 

“Was I interrupting something?” Dee asked as they descended. “He looked serious, he hit on you or something?”

Virgil shook his head quickly, “No no no. Just- just asking me about my piece of my project... And I’m pretty sure he’s straight and married... And also not my type.”

“Oh? What is your type?” 

You. “Does it matter?”

“I’m curious.”

“Well what’s yours?”

His boss gave him a smirk, “Get me drunk then ask again.”

Virgil shook off all possible meanings of the statement as they’re exited the elevator. “...I’m just gonna assume that it’s whatever your partner looks like.” 

Dee raised an eyebrow, his scar stretching as he did, “Partner? I’m single.” 

Virgil blinked surprised, “But- but Remus mentioned two dads before?”

Dee nodded, “I’m divorced.” 

“Oh...”

“My ex and I... we saw the world very uh- differently and we didn’t end on good terms, so I have the boys.” 

“Oh... sorry.”

He shrugged it off, but Virgil could tell there was lingering emotion. “You didn’t know. Now let’s get the kids.”

~~~~

“How was school?” 

The boys climbed in the car one by one and Virgil noticed as Remus and Roman immediately began talking excitedly about their days, but he couldn’t help but notice as Logan said nothing staring out the window. 

“How was your day Logan?” He asked when the twins had paused for air. 

The boy’s eyes left the window momentarily to look at Virgil, before he looked back out. “Fine.”

“Anything fun happen?” Dee asked him. 

Logan shook his head, “It was just school.”

“There has to be something interesting?”

“Remus ate a bug!” Roman tossed in. “That’s interesting!”

“That’s disgusting,” Dee disagreed. 

Virgil went to comment himself when a text came through from Sharie. 

You’re going for the promotion????

Virgil grimaced and hurriedly replied: I’m not

Oh 

I heard you were 

I’m not

Then why are you trying to get so close to Ekans?

I’m not, it’s just because of our kids

 Hmmm I guess

She didn’t seem to believe him. 

And as Virgil learned from the coming week, no one else seemed to either. He was well aware of their disapproving glances as he would pass, and he was very aware that those in his group were suddenly forcing more work upon him. 

But all his words fell on deaf ears, because Dee had made a new habit of coming to bother Virgil at least twice a day. But Virgil appreciated the distraction from his coworkers even if it meant that he had to listen to Dee drone on about the horrors of something business related that he had no clue what it meant. 

“Your work is flawless as usual,” Dee commented handing Virgil back his notes. “I think you’re all set for next week’s presentation.”

Virgil let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you for letting me practice on you. I just needed to say it out loud to someone... Are you sure you won’t be there the day of? You’re pretty calming.”

“I will be gone,” Dee chuckled. “But this reminds me of something.”

“Which is?”

“Can you watch the boys stay for the week? You’re allowed to say no.”

Virgil paused in surprise. “Um, yeah. I can.”

Dee let out a sigh of relief, “You’re a lifesaver. They were supposed to be with someone else, but sickness is floating 'round her house so it’s probably not good to have them stay there. Logan gets sick easily.”

“Um... yeah I can do it.”

“Great! I’ll owe you big time.”

“You’re leaving the day after next right?”

“Correct. And I’ll be gone for five days.”

“Five days,” Virgil echoed. 

Five days. 

It was going to be a long five days.  

~~~~

Virgil frowned at Roman’s bedroom, it was small on its own but it fit Roman well. But now he had two other kids to worry about. 

One option was the two slept on the floor- or Logan did while Remus and Roman shared the small bed. Another was that Virgil gave up his own bed and slept on the couch.  

Neither seemed ideal for two boys used to having their own large rooms to themselves.  

“Where would prefer to sleep Logan?” He sighed finally.  

The child gave him a glare, “At home.”

Virgil nodded once, Logan could take the floor. 

They had made it through the first day. Or well most of the first day. He had gotten through it, he had managed to drive Dee’s too nice of a car to shuttle the boys to school, head to work, and get them back to his house. All that was left was dinner, baths, and bed. 

He could do this. 

He could do this. 

“I’m allergic to tomatoes.”

He couldn’t do this.

Virgil froze as he stared over the pasta sauce he was cooking before he looked down at Logan beside him. The child bore a serious expression as he crossed his arms and waited.  

Virgil wasn’t sure how to respond. He had questioned Dee for thirty minutes about his boys, health concerns, allergies, likes, dislikes, and not once had tomatoes been mentioned. 

“Um... do you like something else on your pasta?” Virgil asked awkwardly. “I don’t have any other sauce... but I um... I think I have rice?”

The nine year old gave him a slight glare, “I don’t want rice.”

“Oh, what- what do you want?” Virgil regretted the question as soon as he asked. What if he didn’t have something that Logan liked?

Logan opened his mouth to respond, but he was cut off as Virgil’s phone rang. Virgil reached for it and hurriedly answered when he saw Dee’s name. 

“Why didn’t you tell me Logan has an allergy?” He asked hurriedly as he turned back to the stove to stop the now bubbling sauce. 

“Uh... because he doesn’t?” Came Dee’s voice.  

“He just said he’s allergic tomatoes.” 

“What? Are you sure he wasn’t just joking?”

“I’m in the middle of making pasta and he comes up and says he’s allergic with a serious expression. So I didn’t think he was...”

He heard as the man gave a sigh, “Put him on.”

Virgil turned, but Logan was gone. 

The boys had talked to Dee before dinner, and with that Logan ate all his pasta without complaint, (he actually seemed to enjoy it slightly before he decided to frown for the rest of dinner).

Following dinner, baths were taken while Virgil did the dishes, and then it was time for a board game to wind down. Or well that was the intentions before the twins started arguing over who’s turn it was and Logan had walked out of the room.  

“Alright! If you guys aren’t going to share then you can go straight into Roman’s room.”

“But we want to play this,” Remus whined. 

Virgil shook his head and began to gather the game pieces. “You can play quietly in Roman’s room for a half hour and then it’s bedtime. Better yet how about a book? I know you both have reading you're supposed to do for school... If you don’t have a book I can pick one?”

The threat of picking a book seemed to be enough to cause them to retreat, but that still left Logan. He found the child in his bedroom sitting on his bed. 

“That’s not where you’re sleeping.”

Logan rolled his eyes, “Your house is so small there’s nowhere else to go.”

Virgil pretended it didn’t sting as much as it did, “Those two are unwinding in Roman’s room. If you want we can go back out in the living room and you and I can finish the game?”

“No. I’ll go to bed.”

“Oh, uh okay... goodnight.”

~~~~ 

“Were you driving the bosses car this morning?”

Virgil looked up as his coworkers sat down across from him at the cafeteria. “Uh yeah... his sons are with me, and even if my car wasn’t at the shop waiting on a part that will never come, Dee’s car is large enough for two car seats and a booster seat. So he gave me the keys while he’s gone.” 

“Wow, you both got close fast then.”

“I-I guess...”

“Has he said anything about the promotion?”

“No? I haven’t asked... we mainly talk about the boys...”

They didn’t look convinced. 

But it’s not like he expected them to be. 

~~~~ 

The rest of the days seemed to mimic the first, the twins being the twins, and Logan picking and choosing when to be cooperative. But it was alright regardless, and while he enjoyed the company of the extra children he was silently looking forward to having his small home clean for more than an hour at a time, and a tad more quiet. 

“Ready to pick up your dad you two?” Virgil asked as they all climbed in the car.  

The two boys nodded eagerly, “I’m glad this trip was short,” Remus commented. “Oh what souvenirs do you think he got, Logan?”

“I want another snow globe,” Logan put in. 

“Does he go on trips often then?” Virgil asked. 

Remus nodded, “He goes lots of times. Sometimes we can even go with him!”

“That’s only in the summers,” Logan clarified. “Our other Dad would take us to the beach while Dad was in meetings.” 

“Then we’d stay longer and have vacations! My favorite was Hawaii.”

“Italy was better,” Logan disagreed. “Or maybe Paris.”

“I wanna go somewhere cool,” Roman complained. “Dad, can we go somewhere cool?” 

Virgil grimaced, “One day Ro.”

“Have you not gone any trips?” Logan asked. It was an innocent child’s question, so Virgil wasn’t sure why he could hear a smugness to the boys voice. 

“Dad and I only go to amusement parks,” Roman replied albeit sheepishly. 

“You would like Paris,” Remus told him. “It was super cool! Oh and in London there were a ton of castles and stuff!” 

“You like princes right?” Logan asked him. “Then I say London.”

Roman nodded mutely in response, and Virgil gave a sigh. 

Virgil was more than thankful when Dee walked out of the airport doors and hurriedly pulled his sons in hugs. He climbed into the driver's seat, and Virgil moved to the passenger before they pulled off. 

“In the bag I gave you are souvenirs,” he commented with a smile.  

Virgil glanced back to watch as Remus dove for the bag and bag hurrying through it eagerly. 

“They didn’t drive you insane?” Dee asked redirecting Virgil’s attention.

Virgil chuckled and looked at his boss’ defined face, he seemed a bit more tanned than when he had left. “Still just as sane.” 

“Good-” 

“Thanks for the snowglobe!” Logan called. 

“Thanks for the shirt and bear,” Remus put in there was the sound of him digging around. “And mini cup?”

“Oh those are for Virgil and Roman,” Dee explained. “I got Roman the bear, the shirt is yours.” 

“Me too?” Roman asked surprised taking the toy. 

“You didn’t need to get me anything,” Virgil told him quickly. 

Dee shrugged, “It’s just-”

“I wanted a magnet,” Remus complained. 

Dee shook his head, “I’m not going to the hospital for you trying to eat one again.” 

Virgil had many questions and opened his mouth to ask, but Dee continued. 

“It’s just a shot glass,” he started again. “...I always buy one on trips. I have no one to give it to, so as they smallest of thank you for watching my kids? A shot glass. Let me know when you think of a way I can really repay you.”

Virgil could tell there was more to it, but he smiled and thanked the man regardless. “You let me use your car for days, and you’ve been driving me around. I think that’s thanks enough.” 

“Did you get any update on your car?” He asked. 

“The part was supposed to come today, so hopefully only a week more.”

~~~~

“You’ve been pretty quiet,” Virgil observed as he and Roman sat down for dinner. “Missing Remus and Logan already?”

Roman shook his head and poked a bit at his chicken. 

“Everything okay?” Virgil asked hesitantly. 

“I'm fine Virgil.” 

Any possible words died in Virgil’s throat. It had been months, possibly an entire year, since Roman had called him by his name. It was something he had grown out of as he had become more comfortable with Virgil. Mr. Storm had become Mr. Virgil, which became Virgil, which had turned into Dad.  

Virgil still clearly remembered the day, Roman had come to him looking nervous and scared and had asked him to call him Dad. He had pulled the boy into a tight hug and held him as he had cried tears of joy (he had been so shocked and happy that he had forgotten he was cooking and had terribly burned their dinner). 

Roman now only called him Virgil as a joke, in those moments when he recalled that day. 

Or when he was truly upset. 

Truly upset with Virgil himself. 

Virgil decided to give him a bit of a time and space. They ate their dinner in silence and only exchanged a few words as he got Roman ready for bed. But he chose to say something before Roman went to sleep. 

The two had discovered early on that reading a book before bed wasn’t what worked best for them. Instead Roman would climb into his bed and the two would either take turns to make up a story or simply talk about their days. The past few nights with the other two sleeping over he had left the boys alone and they all had seemed grateful, but tonight was back to the not-routine.  

“Should we do a story? Or do you wanna talk?” Virgil asked carefully as Roman sat down on his bed. 

“I dunno.”

“Would you mind telling me what’s wrong, Ro?” Virgil tried. “Did... did I do something wrong?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong!” Roman shouted suddenly surprising Virgil. 

“Then... what's up?” Roman sat silently and Virgil gave him a small smile, “Why don't we do a story instead?” 

“It’s just not fair,” Roman said quietly. 

“What isn't?”

Small tears came to Roman’s eyes, but he hurriedly wipes them away. “Remus... Remus and Mr. Dee.”

“What about them?”

“It’s not fair!” Roman shouted. “Remus was adopted when he was two! He was two and he gets a rich dad! I had to stay with different people! He left the country while I was stuck with people who hated me!”

Virgil tried not to let his heart break with each word, with each tear his son shed.  

He tried.  

And he failed. 

“I’m sorry,” he replied softly. 

Roman shook his head and moved closer to wrap his arms around Virgil’s torso and pulled him into a hug. “It’s just not fair,” he cried. “It’s not fair that they separated us!”

Virgil hugged Roman back and pressed a kiss into his hair, “I know... and you’re right, It’s not fair.”

“I’m sorry,” Roman said after a short silence as he wiped at his eyes. “I love you Dad... It’s just not fair.” 

Virgil nodded and held Roman close as the boy cried, trying not to let the words hurt as much as they did. He knew what had happened to the two wasn’t fair. Remus has grown up with a loving family getting anything he could possibly want, and Roman had nothing.  

He had Virgil. 

But that was only official for two years of his life.  

So it wasn’t fair. 

And it wasn’t Virgil’s fault.  

So why did he feel like it was?

~~~~

Step Two - Step Three - Step Four

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