If the Shoe Fits (Prinxiety Cinderella AU - Roman x Virgil)

Chapter 10

3/25/19 at 8:13 pm: You know what just dawned on me? My name's Ella. Like I was watching the original Cinderella and I suddenly remembered that it was my favorite movie. My mind went "no shit? You were a little girl obsessed with a princess that shared your name?" I'm kinda glad you guys chose this AU instead of another one now.
             at 11:03 pm: Do you guys call it soda or pop? Because I've always called it soda but there are people in my town that have lived here all their lives that call it pop.
4/20/19 at 7:59 am: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from now on. I'm going a bit stir-crazy.

WARNING: This chapter deals with some dark shit. If some of you are like me and think of warnings as spoilers, skip down to the text that isn't bolded. If you appreciate stuff like that, the trigger warnings are as follows:

Physical/Emotional abuse.

"Sorry, Princey," Virgil apologized with a smile, "but I have to go take care of dinner before it burns."

"Don't leave me so soon," whispered Roman.

His voice sent shivers down Virgil's spine. "Unless you want my house to burn down, I really do have to go."

He groaned.

"Don't worry," Virge chuckled. "I'll be back eventually."

"Fine. Goodbye."

"Bye." He hung up, though his thumb hovered over where the button had been. He sighed and tossed the phone onto the bed—his cousins would no doubt question him if they saw him with a newer model.  He walked upstairs quickly, knowing that the timer for the chicken would go off any second.

His foot crossed the threshold into the kitchen and there it was.  He took it out of the oven, smiling at the smell.  Carefully, he served the green beans, chicken, rolls, and fruit on four plates, then stashed one away in a corner—his for later.

"Dinner!" he called into the silent house.

Uncle Jackson showed up first, which was a surprise, and Virgil handed him a plate, keeping his head down.

Hayden and Jayden arrived finally, though Virgil's mind was elsewhere to the point where he couldn't tell the twins apart; he simply handed them their dishes with a forced smile.

He stood there, knowing better than to try to leave or to eat his own dinner.  He was as still as a statue.

Finally, one spoke, snapping Virgil out of his haze.  "This is disgusting!" Hayden yelled.

Virgil's brow's furrowed.  He'd tasted everything—hadn't dared to change the recipe since perfecting it years ago.  What was wrong?  "I'm sorry.  Let me-"

Something hurled passed his head, smashing against the wall.

A soda can.  It splattered against the wall, staining the white with a sticky brown.

Virgil turned back in time to see food being thrown at him and he managed to duck out of the way.  Well this is new...

"Make me more.  Now," Hayden demanded.

"That-That'll take at least another half an hour."

More food came flying at his face in response.  "Are those excuses?"

"N-No, sir."  His entire body shook and he begged himself to calm down—prayed to any god that might exist.  He began preparing more chicken but found his stomach growling in protest.

Oh, how he longed for food, even if it tasted bad...

Fifteen minutes passed—longer than he'd thought it'd take—but Virgil slipped a new batch of chicken into the oven then did his best to sneak away.  He grabbed his plate from the corner of the counter, beginning his escape.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?"  Now his uncle was butting in, which was never a good sign.

"I, um, was, uh...  I-I was hoping I could eat my dinner while the, um, replacement dinner cooked," Virge tried.  He was completely frozen in fear.

Footsteps stormed over to him.  "You think you get to eat before me?" Hayden yelled in Virgil's ear.  He snatched the plate from him in a second, smashing it to the ground at the other's feet.  "You think you're better than me?"  He shoved Virgil.

"Hayden, leave him," Jackson ordered.

"No, Dad.  He needs to be taught a lesson."

Shoving.  Punching.  Kicking.  Before Virgil knew it, he was brought to his knees before the stairs to the basement.

Hayden knelt before him.  "Stay down there with the rest of the vermin," he spat.

And Virgil fell.