Across the Universe: Book 2~Prinxiety

24. I got questions.(Virgil)

I winced as I collapsed onto the ground once we had gotten back. Cassidy ran over to help me but I just shooed him off. I didn't feel like getting up. The dirt and gravel cut into my arms since I had taken my hoodie of long before coming back. Actually, I took my hoodie off right after Roman left. I just laid there sore and hurting. Roman's going to freak out. 

"VIRGIL?!" Like I said... I heard footsteps racing over to me as I rolled over. Romans face appeared above me and I smiled brightly. Every time I see him, my heart races. He, however, looked about ready to puke with worry. "Virgil..."

"I'm ok, Roman." He was helping me to my feet, eyes filled with anxiety, as he looked me over. I was fine. All It was was a backfired spell... enthesis on the fire part. His eyes started to water just staring at the new and old burns that littered my body and I frowned. "Roman... really I'm..."

"What happened?" His voice was quiet and shakey and I cringed at the pain in his eyes. "I know it wasn't... So what happened this time?"

"He had some trouble with a spell." Cassidy responded as he helped Roman help me inside. They sat me down on this couch and Roman frowned as he leaned over me. "I offered to help him he declined."

"I'm fine, really." I could feel the familiar rustle of the wind and I frowned. However soothing it was to me, I knew how much Roman disliked it. The air brushed against my exposed skin as it was desperately trying to sooth it. To help heal me and I smiled... I reached out letting my fingers brush against his skin and he sucked in a shaky breath. "I'm ok Roman. I promise."

"B-But you... y-you... I can't..."I pulled him towards me and he just weakly listened, laying down on the couch with his head on my lap. His hair fell in his face as he held my hand closely.  Cassidy sat down criss-cross on the floor and just smiled sadly at us. "I'm sorry."

"You didn't do anything this time." He tensed up before slowly relaxing again and I frowned. This time... He didn't do anything ever. His sad overly worried look from that night filled my mind again and I frowned. He looked so different. His skin was purple grey as trails of green scales snaked down his features. Black and yellow eyes with white markings that encaged them. His hair was even streaked with purple and red. How did I not see it the first time? How did I not know? 

"Even still... I'm sorry." His voice was quiet and I could see his eyes start to close. I just sat there running my hand through his hair absentmindedly as he started to drift off. "Cassidy..." I could see the honest trait tense up as Roman smiled sleepily. "Thomas says hi..." Caz narrowed his eyes in confusion as Roman practically snuggled into me. "He's not well... you should... go check on him."

"If that is what you wish?" Roman nodded and Cassidy seemed to tense up as he glanced between the two of us. "Are you sure? What about..."

"It's... ok... Caz. Go." Roman's grip on my hand went limp as he let out a peaceful breathe. I wonder if he's been sleeping at all. I know I had trouble... It would make sense.

"Alright then." I looked up to see Cassidy getting up and I frowned. 

"Wait, what? what are you..." He froze looking back over at me as I stopped and looked back over at Roman. "Where are you going?"

"To go check on Thomas." He said it as if it was the most obvious thing ever. I just frowned. "It was what I was asked to do."

"Do you always do what you're asked?" I didn't mean for it to come out the way it did. It's just... I have a thing about free will. Just simply following orders regardless of what you want... you have a choice. Everyone has a choice. And I've noticed when it comes to Roman, Cassidy does whatever he wants. "You didn't seem all that happy to go a minute ago."

"Oh, I'm very happy to see Thomas." I shot him this look and he just laughed. "That wasn't why I was tense. I was specifically tasked to watch over you. Him asking me to what he did took me away from that."

"Tasked... You make it sound like I'm some sort of job." He frowned slightly before sitting back to down with a sad smile.

"Unfortunately, Virgil... To me at this moment... you are." I glared at him and he sighed. "It not that I wouldn't care about your safety regardless but... Now it is literally my mission to keep you safe and protected. Please don't take it the wrong way. I do care about you it's just..." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "... We were never close. Our Virgil and I... We just were never close."

"Why?" He shot me this look of confusion seeing the sad look in my eyes. I know this isn't 'deceit' and I'm not 'anxiety' in this word but... "Deceit and I were always close. He's helped me so much..." His eyes darkened as I looked away. "I guess the idea of us not being friends in any universe is a little upsetting. So... Why?"

"To put it plainly..." He glanced at Roman slightly before looking up at me with this serious expression. "... you didn't approve of my connection to the Dragon Witch."