Cookies And Wine

Chapter 6

Roman woke up with a massive hangover. His head was throbbing in pain and his stomach was swirling. He just felt plain gross. He tried to remember the events of the previous night. He remembered a dark man saving him from going home with another man from the bar. He was very helpful and nice. Roman could remember splotches of his face in fuzzy memory. The only name that came to mind was Anx, surely that wasn't his real name though. Roman rolled out of bed and walked into the living room where he saw the dark man sitting on his couch staring into space. 

"Hey are you ok?" The man asked

"H-Hey? I-I'm fine why are you in my house? Wait...... weren't you the dude at the bar who helped me?"

"Uh, yeah, you don't remember me do you?"

"I mean I remember your face and you were nice and you helped me...... then you took me back here and I guess you stayed over"

"Yeah sorry I just wanted to make sure that creep didn't try anything"

Roman nodded and looked down. He didn't even have to ask to know he was referring to his roommate. Roman hoped he didn't try anything, but he most likely did, and apparently the dark man had saved him yet again. 

"I'm sorry I can leave" 

"No, no, no it's okay..... Thank you"  *quieter* "please don't leave I'm scared"

Roman didn't want to admit it, but he was. He lived in constant fear of his roommate ever since… that night. Having someone there always made him feel better, and he trusted this man. The dark man nodded and Roman went into the kitchen and made his tea. He walked back out into the living room and sat in the armchair kitty-corner to the man. 

"Sorry for making you deal with my problems"

"It's quite alright" *quiet* "I want to take you to the police later. Is that ok?"

"I'm scared of what he'll do........" Roman said quietly

"I'll be here for you," the man said quietly and smiled a little

"Thank you" Roman said, and smiled an infinitesimal amount

"Do you want coffee or something?"

"It's ok… thank you"

Roman's roommate came out of his room like a zombie. He rolled his eyes and grunted at us before going into the kitchen. Roman was taking deep breaths and looking directly at Anx refusing to look anywhere else. 

"Do you want to leave? I can get you breakfast" Anx asked quietly

"I-it's fine" Roman answered at the same volume

"Are you sure? We could go get your car from the bar" Anx offered

"That's probably smart" Roman laughed a little

The two gathered their belongings and walked out and to Virgil's car. Virgil started the car and waiting a few minutes for the engine to heat up.

"Well sorry you met me whilst I was intoxicated, I'm not actually like that in real life. "I'm sorry"

"It's ok, you weren't that bad"

"Sorry anyways"

Anx started driving and the Beyoncé song that was playing from the night before turned on. Roman immediately started giggling.

"Beyoncé?"

"Your queen apparently"

"Mhmm" Roman smiled and giggled yet again

"How are you this morning?"

"My head hurts, but I'm ok" 

Roman's cheerful smile melted into a sad one as he recalled the splotchy memories of the previous night. 

"I'm mainly happy that he didn't do anything. Thanks again"

"No worries. Wouldn't want the prince to get in trouble" Anx said smiling

"Pfft"

"What's your name? All I can remember is Anx" Roman giggled

"You can still call me that"

"What's your real name though?"

"Why should I tell you?" He asked slyly

"Because… I wanna know"

"Not good enough"

"I'm going to put my shoe in your ear. Please tell me" 

"You wouldn't dare"

"I would. I would dare. Truly. Honestly I would"

"Do it" Anx challenged