~A Light in the Shadows~ PRINXIETY FANFIC [EDITING] (temporary cover)

Chapter 8~ Truth, Minus the Dare

Virgil's POV:

Roman walked into my room suddenly...again. I wiped the tears out of my eyes and looked up at him.

"What do you want, Princey?" I asked, my voice squeaking. He sat down on my bed and hugged me really tight. I couldn't breathe, but I didn't want to spoil the moment. I tensed up at first, but relaxed and hugged back, burying my face in his shoulder. He rubbed my back again, attempting to calm me down. I squeezed the fabric of his shirt, trying not to start crying again.

"Shhhh. It's okay, Anxiety. I'm here," He said, whispering in my ear. I sniffled, feeling tears form in my eyes.

'He cares about me. He truly cares about me. He would care if I disappeared. He would miss me.'

Don't be so stupid. He wouldn't give a shit. He just wants you to stop screwing the others over. You're ruining everything. He just wants to get rid of you.

'No, he doesn't. I'll show you.'

"Hey Princey? Can you do me a favor?" I asked, pulling away from the hug. His eyes sparkled, signalling him trying to read my expression. He always had some cue to what he was doing. Eyes sparkling meant he was trying to read someone's emotions. Constantly taking deep breaths meant he was trying not to be nervous. He was fairly easy to read, since he rarely kept secrets.

"Sure, Anxiety. What is it?" He spoke in a very calm, steady tone. He tensed up a little bit, but it was hardly noticeable. I only saw it because I was looking for it.

"Can we play a game or something? I'm kinda tired of crying." He seemed to relax a little bit at my request. He smiled and nodded.

"Sure. This could be a good chance for us to get to know each other." He said, blushing slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "You've been here for who knows how long and I still feel like I don't know you."

I felt my face get hot, signalling I was blushing. "Yeah..." I trailed off, not bothering to finish my sentence.

'That's the thing. The less you know about me, the better.'

"Well, I heard about this really fun game," Roman said, interrupting my train of thought. "It's like truth or dare, just not without the dare part. You start off with little secrets and you eventually progress to the biggest secret you have."

He's setting you up. He's manipulating you. Don't fall for this again.

'Just shut up. He's trying to get to know me. What's the worst that could happen.'

You're so blind to what's really happening. I've been inside his head. I've seen what he's planning.

'Bullshit. You only exist in my imagination.'

Keep telling yourself that.

I ignored the voice's remark and smiled. "That sounds fun. Let's play." Roman clapped his hands in excitement and grinned like a little goofball. God, he could be adorable sometimes...when he wasn't being annoying.

"Woah there, Princey. Calm down. It's just a little game," I said, smirking at his adorableness.

"Okay, okay. I'll go first!" He exclaimed. "My favorite color wasn't always red. It used to be yellow."

An image flashed into my head of a younger Roman, his smile missing a few teeth, wearing a yellow t-shirt and jeans. A little laugh escaped my lips, the image making me smile.

"What? Is that so hard to believe?" Roman said, crossing his arms.

"No, it's just....nevermind." I paused for a second, thinking of a minor secret to tell him. "My favorite animal is a cat."

"No surprise there..." He muttered. Aaaaand the cute time was over. He was back to being annoying. "My favorite animal is a swan. Elegant and beautiful, yet fierce and powerful." I nodded, pretending to care about what he was saying.

"I've never tried tea, only coffee."

"Interesting. You should try tea some time. I heard it helps with anxiety and insomnia," He suggested.


'How does he know I have insomnia?'

Are you finally ready to listen to what I'm saying?

'......no.'

"Cool."

"I've never had garlic bread before."

"You're missing out, man."

We went back and forth like that for hours. Time flew by immeasurably. I didn't let my guard down, but there wasn't a point in fighting this. I....was actually kind of enjoying it.

"This one....this one's kind of hard to admit." Roman paused, playing with his fingers. "I actually get stage fright. I know I'm, like, the dramatic side, but something just changes whenever I get up on stage. It's like I just freeze up and forget everything. I usually just wing it after that."

'Huh. I had no idea. He always seems so brave and confident. I don't know how he does it.'

"You're a really good pretender then. I had no idea."

His eyes fell to the floor and he smiled, a sad look in his eye. "Yeah. Good pretender." I changed the subject quickly, fearing where this might go.

"I actually like musicals," I said, bracing myself for impact. Roman squealed with delight, his cheery expression returning.

"OH MY GOSH! WHICH ONE'S YOUR FAVORITE?" He asked, practically bouncing up and down.

"...Heathers." Roman nodded in approval at my comment.

"Ah, yes. That is a good one. My personal favorite is Hamilton." He smiled, making me feel more and more at ease.

"Man, I'm out of secrets," I said, lying straight (well, not straight. I can't do anything straight) to his face. At this, he winked at me, obviously seeing through my lie.

"I'm sure you have at least one more secret."

If you tell him, I swear to god, I will end you.

'Tell him what? That I cut myself on an almost daily basis? That I plan to kill myself in a few days? That I love him? You gotta be more specific, dude.'

....All of those things.

'I wasn't going to anyway. That's such a stupid idea.'

Good. You don't deserve to be happy. He's just lying to you. Don't take pleasure in his beautiful lies.

'God, not now.'

Think about it though. He's just playing this game to get to know your weaknesses. He knows that you love him, WHICH YOU SHOULDN'T, and he's using that to his advantage. He's just trying to get what he wants.

'.....'

I didn't have a snarky response to that.

You know what, you deserve to suffer. Say it to him and see what he says. Tell him. I dare you.

I don't remember opening my mouth. I don't remember speaking. My whole body went numb. I couldn't tell if Roman was talking or if I was. All I remember was a voice...

"I have one more secret."

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(Dramatic pause)

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(hold for Jesus)

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"I love you."

(SCREEEEEEEEEEEET I LOVE IT! Next chapter coming as soon as I find the motivation and will in life. Love ya'll! See ya next chapter!)