Adding Shadows

Breathin'

Roman walked to the trunk of the car to hell carry things, he picked up the cooler as told to by his father, wincing at the pain in his arm.

He carried carefully to the picnic blanket. Roman could see the library from where he was, and wished he could be there instead. But there was no point on wishing such things.

Roman set the cooler down, and looked at his father, who looked at his mother, who looked back at Roman and nodded, smiling. Roman grinned and ran to the park.

He climbed a latter to the highest point of the park, looking over the road and parking lot on one side, and the trees and flowers on the other. The sound of a car door opening made him look, happy to see his friend get out of the back, followed by a teenage girl.

Roman climbed down and ran over to them. "Sir Virgil! Who is this wonderfully beautiful mistress I have been blessed with the presence of?"

Virgil laughed as Roman bowed "This is Brittney, she lives with me."

"One of your foster siblings?" Roman asked in a oddly low voice. Virgil nodded, and Brittney smiled brightly, telling them she'd be back in a couple hours in less she got a call not to, and waved goodbye.

"Come on, the view over here is magical!" Roman exclaimed, leading Virgil to the playground. Virgil followed after waving goodbye to Brittney.

They walked past the picnic basket and was offered a smile from Mrs Phillips, and a much less friendly glare from Mr Phillips. Roman decided to ignore them, but could feel Virgil's confused looks from behind him, which he also decided to promptly ignore.

"Careful not to slip, good sir." Roman told Virgil as they went for the latter. When he got to the top Virgil started up and Roman grinned "I've seen how clumsy you can be." Virgil gasped, stepping off the last step and onto the playground.

"It was that one time!" Virgil exclaimed frustratedly, Roman laughed, shaking his head and pretending to wipe away tears of laughter that weren't really on his face.

"It was definitely not just 'that one time'." Roman giggled "You tripped over your own feet three times just yesterday, and at least four on Wednesday."

"That's an exaggeration!" Virgil declared, embarrassment lacing his tone of voice causing Roman to giggle.

"Now is not the time for your big words, Sir Clums-elot." He informed, sitting on the highest point he could. Virgil sat in front of him so they were facing each other.

"Now is not the time for your punny nicknames, Princey." Virgil retorted. Roman laughed again. Virgil's facial expression twisted into realization or remembrance.

"Oh yeah, I noticed you wincing when you climbed the latter. Is your arm okay?" Virgil asked, voice a little bit quieter then before.

Roman swallowed and shook his head "Nothing is out of the ordinary!" He assured. Virgil sighed and propped his chin up on his hand.

"No offense, Princey, but I don't particularly agree with what you view as normal." Virgil huffed, asking the original question once again.

"Well, than by your standers, nothing is out of the ordinary." Roman informed, sounding rather annoyed they were still on the topic, or that Virgil had asked at all.

When Virgil had seemingly given up Roman opened his mouth to speak again, only to be cut off when the other boy reached forward and forcefully grabbed his arm, ignoring Roman's protests as he pushed the sleeve up.

"Oh, my god, Roman."

Roman swallowed hard, refusing to meet Virgil's eyes directly. Virgil just stared at him with a worried expression.

"This bruise is huge. Is that.. is that a cigarette burn?" Virgil let go of his arm and poked Roman's shoulder trying to get them to look at him.

Roman nodded slowly, and Virgil bit his cheek. "My dad said I shouldn't have invited a friend.." he gulped slightly "He said you could still come if he.. punished me in advance."

Virgil stared at Roman in shock "Your dad did this to you?" That wasn't what a parent is supposed to be like.. "What the hell?"

"Virgil, please don't try and talk to him. It'll be worse.."

"Then I won't! After this you'll come to my house and we'll tell Patton or Remy!"

Roman shook his head sadly "It won't help, but your attempts are valiant."

"You won't get help?" Virgil asked slowly, Roman shook his head "Okay." He stood up and hurried to the latter, Roman hurrying after him.

"Virgil, wait! Where are you going?"

"Home. If you got hurt because of me I guess I should leave. But call my family when you're willing to get help."

"Virgil.."

"That's all I want to do, Princey. I just wanna help you."

When Virgil turned to him for a moment Roman was surprised to see that his eyes were glossy.

And then Virgil did as promised. He walked home.

And Roman wanted to die.