Misinformation Can Be Deadly

Chapter 27: Great, Now Everyone's Uncomfortable

CW: talk of death and cults, sexual innuendo

Remus laid on Janus's bed, kicking his feet in the air as Janus chose what to wear. Emile and Remy had said they were going to take him out somewhere, and he couldn't help but wonder where. The most important question was what should he wear, though Remus wasn't helping with that.

"Did you notice Virgil and Roman were acting weird since last night?" he asked lightly, holding his head up on his elbows like a teen girl. "Do you think they fucked?"

"No, I don't think Virgil would do that," Janus answered, putting away a shirt and throwing the other one he was holding onto his bed. It was a yellow shirt with gray stripes in it. "Besides, Virgil seemed more nervous and Roman seemed upset."

"Oh... do you think something happened last night? Virgil and Roman seemed happy at dinner."

"Ask them yourself. Maybe Virgil had a bad nightmare, or maybe they had a fight of some kind."

Remus groaned, "But I want gossip!"

"Then go ask them, figure it out, and tell me. That's still technically gossip." Janus grabbed a belt that had a chain on it.

"I don't wanna, I'll figure it out later."

"Then pick out a nice outfit for Remy and Emile later. Maybe something like what you wear at school."

"Fine! Only for you though."

~~~

Virgil fidgeted with his hoodie sleeves. Logan and Patton had picked him up earlier and took him to the movie theaters this time. It had distracted him at first, only for a little bit, and it just ended.

People were already getting up to leave, Logan and Patton were picking up their things and slowly standing up. Virgil followed suit, grabbing his drink and the wrapper for the candy they had bought for him. He was still nervous though, especially since a guy in the front row had an imp on his shoulder.

Roman stayed in the back of the theater, his eyes going back and forth from Virgil and the imp. He was holding his arms tightly, feeling his nails dig into his skin. He hated this. So much.

Virgil would barely talk to him that morning. It was understandable, this was a big thing to hide. It's no wonder that he was upset. But it was to make him feel safe... even if he wasn't.

Roman had of course killed the demon that had cursed him so long ago. Remus had even helped! But after all that effort, both of them nearly dying themselves, the curse hadn't gone away. Of course it hadn't, even though the demon had died.

They both had tried everything to get rid of the curse, but it stuck to him. No matter what they did, who they talked to, the curse couldn't be removed. So Roman had trained to fight without his magic. He had extra strength thanks to his demon powers, even if they were weakened when his curse kicked in. Still... it seemed like his skills always failed him in the end.

And just like Virgil, any other charges who had found out no longer felt safe with him. But seeing how uncomfortable his human was, the fact that he couldn't even enjoy a movie, it hurt Roman. He wanted to do something, prove to Virgil that he was safe. Maybe Roman couldn't take a swarm of imps by himself, or humans, but he can still take down a small group.

Plus, if Janus is right and they don't mess with the cultists, then there's no reason to feel unsafe. Except for the fact that the cultists were already on edge and the wrong move could set them off at any moment.

No, Roman couldn't think like that. They'll be fine, Remus was in town so if they run into trouble, he could help them. If they were in reach of him anyway.

Roman followed after Virgil as he, Logan, and Patton left the theater. He glanced back at the guy with the imp, who was still picking up their trash. Roman didn't dare to hope they were in the clear, the best thing he can do now is keep away from Virgil, but keep him in sight. Luckily the guy seemed older, and definitely wasn't going to any high school.

Following Virgil, it seemed like Logan and Patton were talking with him about the movie. It was a simple movie, sadly not Disney. Though that seemed to be a good thing since it would have distracted Roman, instead it seemed to be a movie about some superheroes. Still slightly distracting, but the demon was able to focus on Virgil and the imp.

Virgil seemed to relax the farther they got from the imp. The conversation at least distracted him. Maybe since Patton was Christian he would be fine, at least if any imp tried to get into any kind of church they would burst into flames. But that would be only if Patton took him to church, after Virgil moves in with them. Which, he still had a week before that happened.

They had talked about it before, and Virgil was nervous, but he was also excited about it. Roman wondered if anything had changed since he learned about Roman's curse. After all, once he leaves the orphanage Remus won't be so easy to run into outside of school. Sure he could visit, but only so often. Remus wouldn't be able to help them in a fight. Hopefully Virgil hadn't realized this yet but... His mind seems to think a thousand thoughts each second. He was a smart kid, even if he's an overthinker.

By the time they reached the car, Virgil seemed to be more relaxed. His shoulders were still tense, and he still looked around nervously, but he was smiling as he talked to the other two.

Roman sighed as he watched from a distance. There weren't any imps around anymore, but he didn't know about any cultists. Some could be out without imps, and the last thing he wanted to do was put a target on Virgil's back. So for now at least, he would follow at a distance, unless Virgil told him otherwise.