King of Mean

37

"What's gotten into you, Prince?" Roman frowned seeing his pup looking around antsy and on edge. Roman narrowed his eyes as he picked Prince up only laugh as he got a face full of kisses. "Ok ok ok... I get it your worried about someone. I just don't understand who." Roman glanced around seeing the mess of people surrounding him. He was helping Patton out with another one of his pet adoptions days but his familiar didn't seem at all ok with something. He just shrugged and turned back to the kennels, cleaning it up for any potential adopters. He didn't even notice Prince ran off.

Someone did though.

"Prince?" Virgil knelt down seeing the small pup run up to him. Virgil smiled as he pawed at him in concern. Blue sang as he flew around them both, obviously happy to see his friend again. "How are you, boy? I take it Roman's here then?" Prince whined as Virgil's eyes darkened. "I'm ok, Prince." The dog wasn't having it though. He wiggled and pawed at the darker royal as Virgil just laughed. "I know. I know. But really I'm ok... this is what I wanted." Virgil sighed as he picked up the pup hugging him tightly as he looked around the area. "Let's get you back to your royal than huh?"

"Prince?!" Virgil tensed hearing his voice before he could even see him. "Prince, where are you?!" Virgil let Prince down but the pup refused to leave Virgil's side. That was one thing he loved about the pup. Despite being Roman's familiar, Prince was just as protective and concerned about Virgil. Almost as if he belonged to them both. Virgil glanced over at Blue and smiled a bit. Actually, Blue was the same with Roman. Ever since Virgil started to care for the other Prince Blue had been caring more and more for Roman too. "PRINCE?!"

"You really should go, Prince." The little pup laid himself down at Virgil's feet refusing to move as Virgil sat down with him. "Why don't you want to go?" Blue sang as he landed on Virgil's shoulder rubbing up against Virgil's cheek. "You both... I know you're worried about me, but I promise it's going to be..."

"PRINCE!" Virgil flinched violently as Roman's voice sounded right in front of him. His heart raced as he looked up to see Roman standing there with narrowed eyes. "Uh... hi." Virgil frowned as he slowly picked himself up.

"Hello." Virgil's voice shook like crazy but the fact that he was talking, in general, was a shocker. He hadn't spoken to anyone except Blue and Prince since it all happened. Prince whined drawing both of there attention to him as he pawed at Virgil again.

"Prince, come one bud. Seriously, what has gotten into you?" Virgil frowned as Roman picked prince up who tried really hard to get back to Virgil. "I'm sorry about that. He isn't quite acting like himself."

"That's alright. He's just worried. I must... remind him of someone." Virgil smiled up at the prince who nodded in thought. Blue practically cried in his hear making him flinch. "Not you too, mister." Roman frowned as he looked Virgil up and down, his confusion growing. Virgil just sighed as he waved him off turning to leave.

"Hey wait..." Virgil tensed up feeling his breath nearly leave him as Roman grabbed his wrist. "You didn't tell me your name." 

"My name?" Roman nodded as Virgil turned to look at him again with tears in his eyes. "You don't remember me?" Roman narrowed his eyes in confusion as Virgil just smiled.

"Should I?"

"No." Virgil laughed as he just shook his head. "Call me Anx. I'm sure you'll hear about me soon enough, Roman." The little bluebird flew over to Roman who held his hand out in confusion as Blue rubbed up against him. Virgil frowned as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Come on Blue. We have to go."

"A bluebird?" Virgil frowned even more as Roman shot him this look. Virgil sighed as he just turned around and left.

"Let's go, Blue!" Roman watched the boy leave as his bird flew to catch up. Prince whined at his feet as Roman just stood there at a loss. Who was that?

"Roman?" Roman turned to see Deceit standing there and the prince smiled brightly. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine! Hows Remus?" Deceit shrugged as Roman pulled him over to the kitten area. "Don't give me that. I know he's been struggling. He is my brother after all." Deceit frowned as Roman filled the bowls for the kittens. "Ever since he fail that test he's been pushing himself. I want make sure he's ok."

"He's struggling but he's ok. I'm not more concerned about you." Roman narrowed his eyes in confusion as Deceit shot him this look. "Prince said something happened. I'm not checking up on you."

"What are you talking about?" Roman laughed as he petted the kittens before leaving the area with the food bag. "Nothing happened."

"Are you sure about that? Prince was adamant..." The little pup yipped like crazy cutting Deceit off who frowned in confusion. "Still is adamant that something is wrong with you."

"What could possibly be wrong with me?"

"You weren't crying yesterday." Roman froze up already feeling his eyes tear up as Deceit watched him with growing concern. "Roman, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I... I'm not crying." 

"I am half snake." Deceit smirked as Roman rubbed his eyes. "My senses are heightened than most. I know you're sad. I heard you crying."

"I don't know why I was crying Deceit." Roman pushed past him droping the bag by the others as he sighed. "I don't know... I'm fine really. You guys are worried for no reason." Roman's hand went to the necklace around his neck. "Everything is ok."

"Ok, Roman. I'll believe you but... If I find you crying again like you were the other night... I will snap." Roman smiled as Deceit laughed.

"I pity the man that dares to hurt your family." Roman glanced off, his mind drifting. He didn't understand it. It just felt like something was missing. He felt like something was taken from him. That something so important to him was now gone... and he couldn't even remember what it was. 

"Just promise me you'll talk to someone if you aren't ok?" Roman smiled over at Deceit who's eyes shined with concern.

"I'm ok Dee."