pretty things are meant to be ruined

Cross your sorry heart and hope to die for me?

"And it's winter, again!" Roman yelled, throwing his hands up and then harshly slamming them down on the desk. Remus watches from his bed, setting down his unlit cigarette.

"I know that Princey," Remus smirked cockily, laughing at Roman's glare. "Look, if you like the guy so much, why don't you just fuck?" Roman's face went red. He looked away from Remus, huffing angrily.

"I don't like him like that, not anymore." Remus snorted. They both knew Roman was full of shit.

"If you don't like Virgil. Then I don't skip English to cuddle with Logan," Remus shot back, hands on his hips. It reminded Roman of a mom.

"That's different!" Roman groaned, hiding his face in his hands. "Logan didn't drunkenly kiss you after revealing super personal things! He also hasn't been ignoring for months now." A fond smile spread across Remus's face. Roman was a helpless mess. Thank god Roman had him.

"Why don't you just go to him and just like, I don't know, kiss him or some shit!" Remus grinned while Roman just looked out the window.

"I don't even know why we're trying. I'm too busy for a relationship anyway," Roman's hair fell into his face, and his bright eyes were slowly turning dull. Remus frowned, his curly hair falling into his face.

"Busy doing what?" Remus paused, biting down the smile threatening to overcome him, "Hoes?" He raised an eyebrow, smirking with his thumbs up. Roman groaned but laughed.

"Last time I told you, you called me crazy," Roman muttered, causing Remus to sigh.

"Seriously?!" Remus started, grabbing his cigarette. "I'm not listening to this whole Venca shit or Henry creel or whatever fuck you called this imaginary guy." He lit up the cigarette and stood up. "Call me when you stop being crazy, 'kay?"

Roman's mouth opened to protest, but no words came out. Instead, he mumbled an okay. Remus rolled his eyes and left the house with a slam. Roman ran a hand threw his hair. Great. Now his only friends were people who were 15 or just as crazy.

He wishes Virgil was here with an issue that could distract him from him being insane. A knock on his door pulled him out of his thoughts. He rushed down. For all he knew, it could be one of the kids. God knows they don't have much to do in their life than save the world.

He opened the door, and standing at the door in the pouring rain, was none other than Virgil Salem. "I'm really sorry. I didn't know who to go to," Virgil stumbled out. Roman couldn't see his face to know if he was crying or not, but it sounded like he was. He was wearing a black hoodie that had holes in it.

Roman hurried Virgil inside. "You're always welcomed here." Roman said, a soft smile playing on his lips. Virgil didn't smile. He shivered and sat down. Roman got everything he may need. A pillow, blanket, the help kit, and a snack. "Where did you get hurt at?" He asked, on his knees to look Virgil in the face.

"Uh, I'm not in any physical pain, well, at least nothing that your help kit can help with," Virgil mumbled, cuddling into the blanket. Roman hummed. He wasn't sure if he believed Virgil.

"Okay. Why are you?" Roman asked, sitting down on the floor. Virgil scoffed.

"I can't visit you?"

"The last you visited me was in middle school, and that was to spit in my face."

Virgil did his best to stifle his laughter. "That's not wrong. I just.." Virgil stopped, sighing. His face was slowly fading into pink. "It's so stupid."

"Virgil, your feelings are stupid. I won't laugh" Roman crossed his finger making Virgil giggle

"Cross your sorry heart and hope to die for me?"  Virgil asked teasily.

Roman laughed, 'I cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye." Virgil nodded in approval.

"I don't feel safe in my house anymore. With my dad being more aggressive lately and that accused murderer, Eddie Munson, he lives across from me."

Roman has to stick a needle in his eye. He didn't mean to laugh, it's just Eddie was harmless, and not a murderer. "Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. I just don't believe that Eddie murdered Chrissy." Virgil raised an eyebrow but thankfully didn't ask. The two sat in uncomfortable silence. Roman put on a vinyl to fill the silence. Roman eyes lit up with an idea.

"Virgil!" He yelled over the music. Virgil sat up, startled. "You could live with me. We can listen to music like this, have dinner, and you can sleep in the guest bed." Virgil blinked but smiled.

Living with Roman didn't sound so bad. He wouldn't have to deal with his dad- no. James' drinking problem or the weird things he thought he saw. He could live here in the peaceful silence of Roman's house. He could deal with the shitty music taste and the random gun in the corner. He just wouldn't question it. "Okay. I'll live here," Virgil decided.

Roman smiled widely and sat down by Virgil. "I'll get a job, pay some of the rent, make dinner, and-" Virgil was breathing heavily. He was starting to regret his decision. He would owe Roman so much. There was no way Roman would be able to pay for food for both of them by working at the Arcade. Not to mention Roman wants to go to college. His heart was thumping loudly against his ribcage. Why couldn't he breathe?!

He tried harder, but it just made it more difficult. His hands were shaking, he was going to pass out. Tears flooded his eyes. "I can't move in you." Roman frowned. Something was wrong with Virgil. He was shaking like a leaf and the blanket was completely off of him. Virgil's hand shot up to his hair and he tugged at it desperately.

"Hey Virgil, can you hear?" He asked, holding Virgil's hands. Virgil nodded. "What are five things you can see?" Virgil looked around.

"The bookshelf," Virgil paused, trying to catch his breath, "Uh, Your broken tv, You." Another pause as Virgil looked around the room again. "Oh! The blanket and floor." Roman smiled.

"Very good job! Can you tell me 4 things you can feel?" Virgil smiled at the praise. He wasn't crying anymore, but his breathing was still uneven.

"My feet on the couch, the blanket, your soft hands," Roman blushed lightly at the comment of his hands. Virgil's breathing was starting to calm down.

"You're doing great. I need one more thing you can feel." Roman reminded softly.

"The couch?" Virgil asked hesitantly. Roman nodded.

"You're awesome, Virgil. Doing so good. Three things you can hear?"

" Separate ways, is that by Journey?" Roman didn't respond, just nodded Virgil on to continue. "The birds and you humming." Virgil finished with a laugh. His hands stopped shaking, and he pulled the blanket close.

"Almost done! You're good at this. Two things you can smell?"

"The blanket and burnt cookies?" He asked, unsure of where the smell was coming from.

"Sorry, I burnt some cookies earlier. You did great, as expected. Now one thing you can tase?"

Virgil hummed in thought, "Uh, my saliva? Does that count?"

Roman laughed, "Good enough for me. What made you go all panicky on me?" Virgil's face turned red with embarrassment. He can't believe he got all worked up about moving in.

"I was worried about you going to college.." Virgil mumbled, but Roman blushed furiously.

"You remembered I wanted to go to college?"

Virgil smiled fondly, " 'Course I did. You want to go to college to become a therapist."

Roman's face broke out in a bright smile. "Don't worry about me and college, okay? I'll get there one day." Virgil didn't respond, trying to blink the sleep out of his eyes. Roman laughed lightly, "Go to sleep. I'll be up in the morning with blueberry pancakes." Virgil smiled and for once, he fell asleep into peaceful dreams.