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Hello hello! I love your writing so so so much!!! I have a prompt request partially inspired by the Switched Around series for Sanders Sides if you have the time and interest for it! I was thinking about the song Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Dusty Springfield and how that could be applicable to all of the sides trying to do nice things for Roman because they want to date him. At first, Roman and Remus are both oblivious, but Remus catches on first and has a Conversation with the others about “You aren’t being nice to my brother just because you want to date him, right? Right?” Anyways. – anon
Might I request a fic where the sides are soft to Roman? I desire hurt/comfort in these desperate times – anon
Hi so I had a random idea. What if Virgil was weirdly flexible? Maybe he spiraled or something and just taught himself so he could hide somewhere if needed. Just a thought tho thanks!! – anon
Virgil learns three things about Roman.
One: Roman loves to cuddle.
The Imagination has several spots that are basically their own private little rooms, whether they happen to be inside or out. The one Roman has a not-so-secret preference for is tucked up along the side of the coastline below the mesas overlooking the ocean leading to Patton's realm, right on the border between the forest and the beach. Flowering trees and bushes have grown together in a thicket, creating a small overlook of warm, flat stone just above the nesting grounds for the sea dragons. It's large enough that all six of them could sit there comfortably without risk of falling off, but small enough that it covets the right amount of safety for his little dragon.
"C'mere," Virgil murmurs as he eases himself to the ground, holding out his arms, "come sit with me, baby."
Roman sniffles, scrubbing an arm under his nose. He heeds Virgil's instruction and slots himself into the crook of his legs, burying his face in his neck. Virgil closes his eyes and breathes in the warm scent of saltwater, fresh flowers, and Roman's favorite shampoo, rubbing his back.
"Hey," he whispers, "I'm really proud of you, you know that?"
"Why?"
"You stood up for yourself when you were really scared. That's hard to do. God knows I don't make it easy on you."
"You don't," Roman mumbles, prodding his side just to make him yelp. "But…thanks."
The breeze ruffles his hair as he kisses his temple. The sun hasn't quite begun to set yet, but it's low enough in the sky that they're no longer at risk of being cooked alive. Still, he has the presence of mind to shift them slightly into the shadow of an overhanging tree, just so Roman won't be blinded when he looks up. He keeps tracing idle shapes across the space between Roman's shoulder blades, keeps running his hand through Roman's hair. He gets a few more sniffles and shivers for his efforts, but Roman also snuggles against him a little more so he's counting it as a win.
Then he hears a soft growl from over his shoulder and turns to see a curious wolpertinger peering at them from the shadows. Roman goes stiff in his arms and he doesn't hesitate, twisting around and stretching out his leg to tap it lightly on the nose with his foot. It stiffens and squeaks before scampering off.
"Sorry, little dragon, it didn't mean us any harm. Just curious as to who stole its favorite sunbathing spot." He looks back to see Roman staring at him with wide eyes and he can't help the coo that slips from his mouth. "It's okay, baby, we're not hurt, it's not hurt, we're okay."
"How did you do that?"
"Do what? Most of them are harmless, baby, and I didn't do anything hard enough to—"
"How did your leg move like that? Since when are you that flexible?"
Virgil blinks. Oh. Right. He, uh, doesn't really have to do that very often around Roman. Roman, who's currently staring at him like he just grew a third leg as opposed to moved it in a way that he didn't expect.
Only belatedly does he realize that Roman's gone all still and warm in his grip again, and when he blinks, he notices those cute little ears have gone all red at the tips and Roman's looking everywhere but him. He frowns, going to ask what's got him so worked up, only to replay their conversation in his head.
Oh.
Oh.
He can't help the small grin curling up his face, chuckling when Roman catches sight of it and flushes bright pink. As soon as his lip starts to wobble, though, he pulls him right back in and kisses his cheek.
"I know you didn't mean it like that, little dragon, it's okay. 'M sorry, I was just trying to think of the best way to answer you."
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No, I will, I just—" he sighs, adjusting his grip so they're leaning up against the trunk of a nearby tree— "I don't think I've ever…told someone this before."
His soft admission is enough to jolt Roman from the worst of his flustered state. He sits up a little more, looking at Virgil with a cocked head that definitely does nothing to discourage the puppy allegations Janus keeps throwing at him. Virgil allows himself a moment to internally freak out about how adorable that is before he takes a deep breath.
"Growing up with a strong connection to the Imagination was difficult sometimes. Not just because it was hard to remember what was 'real,' so to speak, but it was really hard to figure out how to turn the 'make stuff' thing off."
"What do you mean, the 'make stuff' thing?"
In response, Virgil reaches a hand up. The branch above them sprouts a new vine, curling down through the air to hover just above Virgil's outstretched fingers. A small red flower blooms at the very end, just large enough for Virgil to tuck behind Roman's ear. Roman watches him with that familiar wide-eyed expression and he can't resist the urge to sweep his fingers across his cheek.
"That's the 'make stuff' thing," he says softly, "the way Patton and I control stuff in here. I've got a pretty good handle on it now, and so does he, but when we were growing up, it was really hard to figure out."
"How does it work?"
"Well, normally I just have to picture what it is I want to appear or happen, but—yeah," he murmurs when Roman goes pale, "I think you can figure out what made that hard growing up."
"Oh, God," Roman whispers, before surging forward to wrap his arms tightly around Virgil's shoulders, "I'm so sorry, it's—it's bad enough when they stay in my head but seeing the things that freak me out appear right in front of me— oh, God, Virgil—"
"Hey, hey, little dragon, it's okay. I'm okay now, see?" He taps the flower and ruffles Roman's hair. "I'm all okay. You're so sweet, baby, but it's okay. We're all okay."
Roman's mouth is still all tight and pinched but he relaxes a little under Virgil's ministrations. He slumps, his head against his shoulder, one hand still curled protectively into the fabric just over Virgil's heart. He tries not to melt at that and fails miserably.
"You're kind of right, though," he murmurs, "it was…hard. And I wasn't the brave and dashing knight you know and love—" he chuckles when Roman lightly smacks his chest— "so I couldn't really fight them off."
"So you had to hide."
He blinks, looking down at the certainty in Roman's voice. Roman looks back, something way too close to understanding flickering behind his eyes. Which does mean that Virgil has to pull him a little closer and kiss his forehead about it, because he is a brave and dashing knight now, thank you very much, and he is more than willing to fight off every single one of Roman's monsters.
"Yeah, I had to hide. And there aren't really convenient hiding lockers and closets like there are in horror movies and stuff, so…had to get good at squeezing into anywhere I could. Or climbing on top of or under the nearest bigger thing."
"Why couldn't you make a place to hide?"
"Because—because—shut up," he mumbles as Roman laughs, "don't bring Janus into this."
"I guess it would look pretty suspicious if a locker just appeared out of nowhere."
"Yeah, see?"
Roman narrows his eyes but lets it go, giving him another squeeze. "Thanks for telling me, Virgil. I…well, you know I get what it's like to be really scared, so…I get it."
"I know you do."
"So, like, how flexible are you?"
This time, Virgil does not let him get away with it, waggling his eyebrows until Roman splutters and shoves at his shoulder. He snags his wrist—gently!—as he goes to pull back, clicking his tongue. "Don't start fights you won't win, little dragon."
"Big talk from a guy who couldn't figure out how to make a convenient hiding place."
Virgil just smirks—not just to hide a way fonder smile that Roman's really comfortable enough to tease him back, finally— and hooks one leg over the arm he's holding, the other around Roman's hips, using his weight to push Roman back until he's splayed out along the rock with Virgil on his hips. He has one hand under his head to cushion the fall—obviously—and the other pins his free wrist to the ground. The cutest squeak leaves Roman's lips as he tries to figure out how they got here, staring up with those big puppy dog eyes that make Virgil want to tease him so bad—
—but Roman's still a little fragile from earlier so he settles for a chuckle and a tilt of his head.
"What was that?"
"You—how—what— Virgil!"
"Yeah, baby?"
Roman struggles a little against the hold but Virgil's got him pretty well and truly stuck—he is careful he's not hurting the poor thing, though, he promised he wouldn't do that, after all—before he subsides with a criminally adorable pout on his face. He chuckles again, leaning down to kiss his forehead.
"I told you, baby, don't start fights you won't win."
"You made your point, lemme go now."
"Hmm…"
"Virgil!" He lets out another cute noise when Virgil can't resist the urge to tickle him just a little bit. " Virgil!"
"Okay, okay, I'm done, I'm done, I promise." He lets Roman out of the hold, immediately sweeping him into another cuddle right up against his chest. "I gotcha, little dragon, you're okay."
Roman grumbles a little but snuggles back under Virgil's chin with a contented sigh. "I like this new method of apologizing."
"Yeah? Does that mean I get to cuddle you all the time?"
"Mhm. Shut up now, no more talking. I wanna take a nap."
"Shutting up, little dragon."
This works out great, because Virgil is also a snuggle monster, which means he now has an excuse to sweep Roman into his arms all the time. Which does come in handy because two…
Two: Roman's really easy to startle.
Now, did he sort of know this already? Yes. Did he take advantage of it sometimes? Also yes. Is he gonna do that anymore?
Only sometimes.
But he keeps his word: he no longer sneaks up behind Roman to scare him and he doesn't loom over Roman's shoulder to startle him. Instead, he'll walk up slowly from the side so Roman has a chance to see him before he gets right next to him, leaning down to call his name or whisper boo before wrapping his arms around him. Roman normally jumps a little and occasionally swats his arm before relaxing into the hold. Then Virgil just climbs onto the couch behind him and holds him like a little dragon teddy bear while Roman rambles about whatever he wants.
Logan's in the living room when he does it once and fully puts down his book to smile fondly at them. "Well, isn't that precious?"
"He is, isn't he?"
Roman swats his leg. "He was talking about both of us, you menace."
Virgil gasps. "You think I'm cute?"
"Oh my God, shut up, Virgil."
"You think I'm cute," he teases, leaning forward to press a smacking kiss to Roman's cheek, just to hear him yelp.
" Virgil!"
"Aw, don't worry, baby, you're still the cutest thing I've ever seen."
Roman grumbles and mumbles as Virgil kisses his shoulder a few more times, a grounding hand on his stomach to help him calm down. When Roman slumps against him, he leans them both against the back of the couch and then remembers that Logan's still smiling at both of them. Only this time, his gaze is only on Virgil and it's very knowing.
Virgil may or may not mouth at him to shut up over Roman's shoulder.
Or when Patton has next pick at movie night and although he picks a Disney movie, he happens to pick one that has a nightmarish sequence involving worshipers of the literal Devil coming to burst into flames to an admittedly impressive score but…yeesh. This is a kid's movie? This is the Disney movie that Patton picked?
(That one…actually makes a little more sense when he thinks about it, but he can't think too much about it without getting a little sad.)
So it's not too much of a surprise when Roman lets out a very quiet oh when the screen goes a dark blue, and then promptly buries his head in the crook of Virgil's neck and hangs on for dear life as the music builds and builds and builds. Virgil immediately squishes them further into the back of the couch, reaching down to snag a free blanket, wrapping it around them under the guise of warming up. Really, he's got a little dragon to snuggle and he'll be damned if he fails at his job.
Roman's so still, so quiet, the only noise the soft panting breaths at Virgil's shoulder. He flinches a little when Virgil's arm moves away to grab the blanket so he leans in to whisper in his ear.
" Hey, little dragon, it's okay. I'm right here, you got me, see?" Blanket wrapped around them both, he shuffles Roman a little closer, tucking a bit of hair back from his face so he can stroke his cheek. "It's okay. You're okay. Just hang onto me."
Roman snuggles gratefully into his hold as a plume of fire engulfs the screen—okay, Virgil might have to have a word with Patton after this—that is, if Logan doesn't get to it first, he can see the glances Logan's been giving Patton for a while now. He can't stop the disapproving huff that leaves his mouth as he turns his attention back to Roman, scratching along his scalp and humming under his breath. Out of the corner of his eye, though, he sees Janus watching them. He glances up with a wordless 'what?'
Janus just rolls his eyes and looks away, like he's offended by something. Virgil frowns, huddling a little more around Roman. Roman manages to watch the last bit of the sequence once the dawn actually arrives and—wait, that's the end? Okay, forget having a conversation with Patton about picking better movies so Roman doesn't get scared, they need to have a conversation about goddamn standards. But that can wait for a time when Roman's feeling better and not still barely trembling in his arms.
"Hey," he whispers as the credits start to roll, "what do you need, little dragon? What can I do?"
"C-can we go watch something stupid so I can sleep?"
"Of course we can. Your room or my room?"
"Mine?"
Virgil smiles, ready to sink out right there with Roman still in his arms, when he catches Janus staring at him pointedly. "I'll be right there, okay? I promise."
Roman nods and sinks out, which gives Virgil precisely no time to figure out what the hell he's done to make Janus stare at him like that before said Janus is sitting right next to him. "You'd better not be doing what I think you're doing."
"What?"
Janus glares at him. "I said, you'd better not be doing what I think you're doing."
"Well, what do you think I'm doing?"
"If you're luring Roman into a false sense of security so you can scare him—"
"Whoa, whoa, what? No, J—he's scared as hell right now, he asked if we can go watch something stupid so he can sleep. I'm not gonna do shit right now, what the fuck?"
Janus visibly relaxes, tugging on his gloves. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to accuse you."
"Kinda sounds like you did, J."
"Yes, and I'm sorry for that. I suppose I'm…caught off guard by the movie as much as Roman was."
"Believe me," Virgil mutters, glancing at the conversation happening between Logan, Patton, and Remus right now, "you're not the only one."
"I'm glad Roman has you to rely on," Janus says quietly, "now go, make sure he can sleep."
Virgil tips him a lazy salute before sinking out, knocking on Roman's door. Roman opens it with a shy smile and all his previous irritation melts away before he can even remember that it was there. And if he's a little extra affectionate as they watch something that night, well, he's only making sure he lives up to Janus's expectations.
Which leads him neatly to three: Roman has a very protective older brother.
He's not quite sure how he ended up in Remus's room with Remus glaring at him like he just ruined his stuffed Kraken, but here he is.
"Don't even fucking think of lying to me," Remus growls, voice as deathly serious as Virgil's ever heard it, "you got that?"
"Yeah, Remus, I got it."
"Good. Now: what the fuck are you doing with my brother?"
"What? I'm not doing anything with Roman!"
"Bullshit." Remus gets up and stalks over to him, prodding him in the chest. "You've been acting all mushy-gushy with him for ages. And he's falling for it. So I'll ask you again: what the fuck are you doing with Roman?"
"God, is Logan gonna interrogate me next? I'm being nice to Roman because he deserves someone being nice to him. He's my friend, Remus!"
"But you want him to be more."
That shuts Virgil up. Because that's true, but technically he and Roman are already working on that part. The thing is, they've agreed that they're not telling anyone that yet.
Unfortunately, Remus takes his silence the wrong way.
"You're fucking unbelievable, " he snarls, "are you stringing my brother along for some sick entertainment? Is that all he is to you, one of your fucking stories?"
"Hey, hang on—"
"Or are you only being nice to him 'cause you wanna get in his pants? Is he a prize to you? You gonna dump him and break his heart as soon as you—"
"Shut the hell up, Remus," Virgil growls, finally pushing himself to his feet. "I know you like to think you know everything, but you have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. No, I'm not just being nice to Roman to string him along, no, I'm not just trying to sleep with Roman and then break his heart, and no, I'm not treating the person I love like a game! And for the record, the reason I'm not answering you is because I'm trying to respect his boundaries! "
He stops, panting from the force of his outburst. Remus is staring at him, eyes wide.
( Not as cute as Roman, part of him whispers, but enough for there to be a family resemblance.)
"You love him?"
Ah.
Shit.
He did say that, didn't he?
"Yeah," he says, because he's not going to lie to Remus, he gave his word, "I really do, Remus. Not a joke, not a game, just…yeah. I'm not going to hurt him."
"You'd better fucking not," but it's more of a playful threat now, and Virgil can't help the relieved smile. "Or else I will get Patton to kill you in the worst way possible."
"I swear on my honor."
"Yeah, yeah, your honor."
"Remus, I'll put you in a headlock, I swear."
"On what, your honor?"
And it probably would've continued from there, had there not come a timid knock at Remus's door, followed by a heartbreaking sniffle of: "Re?"
Remus sobers instantly, darting to the door and yanking it open to reveal a teary and sniffly Roman. He catches sight of Virgil and draws up short.
"Oh, baby, what happened?"
"Y-you're busy," Roman stutters, "I'll—I'll just g—"
"You're not going anywhere." Remus pulls him inside and shuts the door. "Who do I need to kill? What happened, Ro?"
"I'm—I—" he won't stop glancing at Virgil— "I'm not—I don't—"
"Do you need me to go, little dragon?"
"No!" Roman grabs his arm. "Please, please don't go, I'm sorry, I just—"
"Whoa, hey, hey, baby." He pulls Roman into a cuddle, slipping Roman's shaking hands around his neck. "You got me, sweetheart, see? 'M right here, cutie, I'm not going anywhere."
Roman sniffles again, weakly clutching Virgil's collar. He leans down to kiss his forehead.
"You gotta cry some of this out first, Princey, or you good to talk to us first?"
"Can—I can talk."
"Okay. You gonna let me hold onto you while you do it? I'll turn you 'round so you can talk to Remus, just hold onto you 'round your waist, okay? Yeah?" Virgil takes Roman's hands and gives him a little spin, wrapping his arms tightly around Roman's middle and pressing him against his chest. Roman grabs onto his sleeve with one hand, the other still wiping the tears from his face. Virgil hooks his chin over his shoulder and closes his eyes. "There we go, little dragon, you're safe."
He catches a glimpse of the approval in Remus's gaze before it switches fully to concern as he grabs Roman's free hand. "What happened, Roro?"
"P-Patton told me we needed—needed to talk. An'-an'-an' I didn't know what—what about, and he said that I've—that we've—that Virgil's—"
"That Virgil's what, Roro?"
Roman's stomach hitches so badly Virgil has to smooth his hand over it, shushing him lightly. "He said that we've been too—too vulgar."
Something dark and furious sprouts in Virgil's chest. Vulgar? What, cuddling and chaste kisses are vulgar now?
"You've been what? Unless I've missed something, I don't think you've been anything other than tooth-rottingly sweet to each other. Which is its own thing, but we'll talk about that later. No, Ro-Bro," Remus says, reaching up to cup Roman's cheeks in his hands, "you and Virgil aren't being vulgar or anything like that."
"H-he kept saying we were being inappropriate and that we—that we knew better and that we shouldn't be—"
Remus gently cuts Roman off by covering his mouth. " Listen to me, Ro, I'm being 100% honest right now: there is nothing wrong with the way you and Virgil have been acting. Cuddling is fine, him kissing your forehead or your cheek is fine, you getting comfort from him when you're scared is fine."
"He's right," Virgil murmurs, "don't listen to Patton, not about this. We're not being vulgar."
Roman mumbles something behind Remus's hand and Remus takes it away. Roman sniffles. "P-promise?"
" Yeah, Roro, I swear. Virgil swears too. On his honor."
Virgil rolls his eyes but kisses Roman's temple anyway. "I promise you, Princey. We've…I know we've talked about this."
"Wait, you have?"
Roman's still sniffling, but he manages to summon up a bit of snark. " Yeah, Re. We talk about stuff."
"Shh, it's okay," Virgil soothes, "your brother's just being protective."
"I told you it wasn't any of your business!"
"You're my brother, that makes it my business. Especially when your soon-to-be-suitor starts dropping the 'L' word."
"Wait, what?"
Virgil glares at Remus, who just grins at him. He sighs, letting Roman turn around to look at him. And when he sees that hopeful little face looking up at him with tears still shining on his cheeks and his little red nose… fuck, what is he supposed to do, not melt?
"Well, I didn't want the first time I told you to be right after your brother gave me a terrible shovel talk and you've been crying," he says softly, "but…yeah, Roman. I love you. So much, little dragon. And you don't have to say anything, you don't have to—"
"I love you too."
And yeah, that's a kill shot. Virgil's gone. Too cute. He's passed away from too much adorableness. And he's smiling like an idiot and Remus is snickering at him but he is just gonna lean down and kiss Roman's cheek before he spontaneously combusts.
"Is that what I look like when I get all red?" Roman mumbles.
"Nah. You're still cuter."
"Shut up."
"Alright, that's enough being sweet in my room," Remus announces, "now, you two go frolic in the nice part of the Imagination while Logan and I go have a nice chat with Patton."
Which… maybe he should be fearing for Patton's safety? A little bit? But he's too preoccupied right now.
Oh, right. Virgil actually learns four things.
Four: Roman loves him too.