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Chapter 9 - Split

[sorry for the long update!! again ;-; as you might've been able to tell i was working on blades of time again because motivation told me to :)) if yall like my work then please consider checking that series out!! i put a lot of effort into it and it would mean the world if someone read it <3 no pressure though! self promo aside here is the chapter!!]

Roman had a plan.

His soulmate was Janus. He'd gotten his completely during their argument two months ago about supposedly kissing Virgil, while Janus had gotten a slightly faded one. Now, six months after they'd been together, they both had full marks. 

Which was a problem, because his soulmate loathed his roommate. And the feeling, as far as he could tell, was completely mutual.

He was done dealing with their childish bickering, especially since there was no kindness or smiles behind it. He was all for teasing, but this was just too mean, too rude.

So he'd planned for them to hang out, with Patton - one of Virgil's bandmates and best friends - being there to act as a mediator. The man was so incredibly shipper and cheery, Roman figured it would be impossible for either of them to be angry around him. It was Christmas, after all.

"And everyone wins on Christmas, right?" Roman had his right shoulder raised as he explained his plan to Patton.

"I dunno, Roman," his voice crackled back through his phone. "They seem really at odds. I don't think one day will change that."

He sighed, planing his hands on the counter and shifting the phone to the other side. "Fair. But It's a start, alright, Pat?"

"You know I'm all for good starts!" he said happily.

"See you there?"

"Of course," he said.

Roman pressed the small red button and shut off his phone, quickly pocketing it as Virgil came out.

"What are you doing up this early?" he complained, rubbing his eyes and walking over to him, leaning on his shoulder and looking at what he was doing.

"Croissants," he said, showing him the bowl.

"How long does that take?"

"A whole day."

Virgil groaned, lightly smacking his head against Roman's shoulder. "Damn you and your righteousness."

"If you don't follow the recipe, then you don't get anything in the end."

"...Shut up."

Three hours later, the dough was in the fridge and Roman was walking with Janus. What his boyfriend did know is that they were going to lunch at the place the couple worked. What he didn't know was that Virgil and Patton - who were, to Roman's knowledge, walking to the coffee shop from wherever their band was rehearsing that day - were going to be there as well.

Roman let Janus slide into the booth first, feeling a bit mean as he sat in the seat next to him. He really did want to tell him, but Patton had convinced him that surprises were better.

Janus gave him a strange look. "You know I love sitting with you, babe, but why are you sitting there?" he said curiously.

"Oh, y'know, thought we'd switch it up," Roman said, shrugging. "Just wanted to be closer to you, my love."

"You're sweet," he chuckled, leaning forward and kissing his cheek.

Five minutes later, the door opened again, only to have the equivalence of a ray of sunshine and a ball of angst walk in before it shut again.

Patton dragged Virgil over. "Oh, hey, Roman," he said, doing a horrible job of being natural. "Didn't see you there. Mind if we sit with you?"

"No," Janus and Virgil hissed at the same time.

"Please do," Roman interrupted.

Patton motioned for Virgil to go first, but the man was having none of it. He crossed his arms and waited for his friend to be seated first before sliding in after him.

It was probably for the best if the most jumpy of the group was seated as far away from Janus as possible, and had the ability to leave if he so chose.

But he was sitting. Sitting and glaring, yes, but sitting nonetheless.

Good.

"So, Janus," Roman started off, trying to lighten the already dim mood. "This is my friend Virgil."

"We've met," the two said, somehow making it difficult to tell which one was more pissed off.

"...Alright. And this is Patton." The cheery man waved.

Janus blinked, unsure how to handle the fact that such a dreary person could manage to be friends with someone so...radiant.

"It's great to finally meet you, Janus," he said happily. "I've heard so much about you."

He hesitated for a second. "Yeah, same to you," he finally said, offering his hand. "It's so strange that Roman never told me you were coming," he said, now pointedly looking at Roman, who looked away.

The four eventually started talking, except for the fact that Janus and Virgil refused to acknowledge each other's existence. Finally, Patton had to leave to help his younger brother Emile with some homework, and the table grew much quieter.

"I'm just gonna cut to the chase, here," Roman finally said after a lengthy silence. "Look, I get that you two hate each other, and that's fine, as long as you aren't trying to actively hurt each other." He glanced at them, earning some head shakes. "But it's starting to piss me off."

"He's  starting to-" Virgil said before Roman cut him off.

"That's exactly what I'm talking about, Virge. The arguing. The bickering. I feel like i have to separate you two. Like I'm leading some sort of double life."

"Your point being?" Janus said.

He groaned. "I'm saying that the two of you are making me feel like I have to choose. And I don't want to choose." He turned to Janus. "I like you romantically, and no one else. You make me smile, and laugh, and brighten my day just by seeing your face," he said before turning to Virgil. "And I like you platonically. I trust you, and I want to make sure you're okay." He looked between them. "Does anyone have any issues with that?"

More shaking of their heads.

"Then why the hell are you two so at ends all the time?" He shook his head. "Can you at least put it aside for me?"

Silence.

He crossed his arms. "I'll give you some time to think about it," he said, standing up. "Because I don't like choosing. So either you both get me," he said, turning away, "or neither of you do."