Vices and Maces

Chapter 58: Yeah They Totally Aren't Gay for Each Other

CW: self deprecating thoughts and guilt

For once, the air around was refreshing to Virgil. It wasn't suffocating him with fear or stress as he got out of the car. Even the sound of the river was nice to him, when usually he hated it considering Black is a water genie. He had a nice night, he had to admit that.

He locked the car and made his way to the house, passing by some plants with young flower buds. There were quite a few of them growing around the factory, growing past the gravel for the road. Virgil didn't focus on them though, he was lost in thought about the night he had.

Roman had been kind to him all night long. It was... nice. New. Well, aside from Janus forcing him to take care of himself. But the vampire was softer, more gentle, but not in a way that he treated Virgil like glass.

It was new and overwhelming, but honestly Virgil was sad it ended. Okay so what if he liked him! It wasn't a big deal, besides it's a small crush so it'll go away quick enough. He barely knows the guy, a bit of sweet talking shouldn't get Virgil's heart pounding so hard.

Besides, there was no way he was ready for a relationship! And he probably won't ever be ready! He... might not live long enough to get in one. And after all of the weapons he's created, and all of the deaths from said weapons... He deserved it.

Virgil thought of Janus, and how they were able to escape from all of this. No. He will not just lay down and die. He's created some horrible weapons, but that does not mean he's going to let Black win. He's going to live, and he's going to make sure Black doesn't get away with any of this.

That means he has a lot of planning to do.

~~~

Roman smiled softly as he unlocked the door to the house, walking in and putting the keys away before closing and locking the door. He took off his jacket as he started walking towards the stairs which were past the living room.

"Ooh where were you?" a voice startled him, and he turned to see Remus laying back on the couch, Janus laying on top of him. Thankfully they were both fully clothed.

Janus blinked their eyes open as Remus spoke, possibly being half asleep.

"I was at a meeting," Roman answered as he folded his jacket on his arm.

"A very late meeting, are you sure it wasn't a date?"

Roman's face flooded with heat. "It was not a date," he hissed.

"Uh huh, sure, I smell food on you. So who's the lucky guy?"

"Like I said, it was not a date. However, if you must know, I was meeting up with Virgil at a restaurant."

"Virgil?" Remus looked confused.

Janus sat up. "You met up with Vee? Is he okay? How is he doing?" They carefully got off of Remus.

"I saw no visible injuries, nor did I smell any blood coming from him. He seems physically well, but he was nervous for most of the night. I did my best to calm and distract him though, and he was smiling by the end of the night."

"God you sound like a robot," Remus commented.

Janus however relaxed. "Well... that's good. I'm glad he's still alive." They must have had a good time if Virgil was smiling before they left. That's good, he needs to smile more. "I just wish I was still there..." Janus glanced at their bracelet. Somehow Black let them keep it on when they were captured, or maybe they just didn't care about taking it off.

"Are you sure it wasn't a date?" Remus teased. "Is Virgil gay?"

"He is, actually," Janus answered.

"It wasn't a date!" Roman said. "It was just a meeting!"

"What were you meeting up for?" Janus asked, grabbing the crutches that were on the ground and resting them against the couch.

Roman was quiet for a moment. Well... it wasn't fair to hide it from Janus, Virgil is their best friend after all. "He's agreed to give me a copy of his notes for the weapons he's designed and created."

The shifter's eyes widened. "What?! Do you know what Black would do if he's caught! He'll kill him!"

"I know, and I told Virgil I don't want to do this if it means putting him in danger, but he said that he wants to do whatever he can to stop Black."

Janus rubbed their face. "I swear he has a death wish. He's always doing stupid stuff, and I'm no longer there to protect him!"

"I've fought him several times now, he's a good fighter. He almost beat me last time."

"Were you trying to kill him? You do remember that I was there the last two times, right? And the first time, your team was able to blow up a portion of the factory."

"But he still survived each time! I'm with you though, he should be careful, but he doesn't seem like the type to back down. When he first came to me with news that you have been kidnapped, I got the impression that he would go in alone if he had to."

Janus sighed, Roman is right, they know that. "I'm going to have a talk with him later. But I should be getting to bed now. If he's safe right now, then he'll hopefully be safe in the morning. Was there any important news?"

"Black gave him a new assignment, he wants him to make a laser. However he wasn't given a due date, so hopefully Virgil plans to take his time with it."

"No due date is odd... Black usually gives him a month at most."

"That's what he said. He also wanted to know how you were doing, I told him that you're safe and with us. He was relieved when I told him that."

Janus nodded. "Well... I suppose all of that is typical Virgil behavior." They picked up their crutches and got up. They started for the stairs before saying, "Thank you for checking in on him."