Prince next door (Prinxiety au)

Chapter 21

"Dad?" Virgil asks for his dad's attention as the four of them are having lunch together. "I'm going to go out with Roman, Kathy and Tim in a bit. I was thinking to visit mom before leaving as well. I'm guessing Thomas will already be in bed by the time I'm back so I was wondering if calling would be better than ringing the door bell to say goodbye?" He asks him.
"Did your mom guilt you in having to go to her as well?" His dad looks at him with a frown. Virgil lets out a sigh. Here they go again.
"No dad, mom didn't guilt me into anything. I just thought it was only fair I go to see her as well since it's also been months for her since she's last seen me." Virgil tries to calm him. Sharrol looks up from feeding Thomas, but doesn't mix in the conversation which Virgil is grateful for. His dad hums. Clearly not too pleased.
"I'll leave the door open. You can just come in." He answers his question then. Virgil nods before finishing his meal and getting ready. Roman will already be here in a few minutes. Just when he's putting on his shoes he feels his phone vibrate.
"I think he's here." Dad announces as he looks through the window.
"Yeah." Virgil replies affirmative after reading Roman's text. "See you tonight." He kisses his dad's cheek before kissing the top of Thomas' head and waving at Sharrol.
"Have fun, bud." His dad waves him goodbye with a smile.
"Hi." Roman smirks when Virgil gets into the car. He leans forward to give him a kiss, but Virgil stops him.
"Dad's looking." He lets him know. Roman sighs as he looks down at his lap before starting his car. He knows Virgil stopped him because of what he wants, but it still sucks not being able to kiss him anymore. It feels more and more as if he's back to hiding his feelings. Only this time he's not afraid of Virgil's reaction, but that of everyone else. Virgil squeezes his knee with a sympathetic smile. Roman looks back at him with a crooked smile before turning back on the road.
"How's your dad doing?" He asks his boyfriend without taking his eyes of the traffic.
"He's trying to hide his pain." Virgil sighs. Roman looks at him for just a second before looking ahead again.
"Must be hard for him. I can't imagine losing mom." Roman admits.
"Yeah, me neither." Virgil replies softly before looking outside distracted. "Did Kathy send you the address?" The younger man wonders then.
"Yeah. She actually picked a place outside of town. I think she felt bad about yesterday." Roman nods.
"She's got a big mouth, but a tiny heart of gold." Virgil comments pleasantly surprised. They soon arrive at the place Kathy picked. Virgil's never been here before so he's curious as to what to expect. He notices Roman look around after he parked before turning to Virgil with a question in his eyes. Virgil smirks softly before leaning in and pecking his lips softly before pulling back again.
"I'm going to be so happy when we're back in our apartments." Roman sighs. Virgil snickers as he opens his door.
"You and me both." He agrees. They head inside and quickly notice Kathy and Tim already waiting at a bar. It's quite dim for a bowling alley Virgil observes.
"There they are!" Kathy holds up her glass. Virgil quirks a curious eyebrow at the bright green liquid.
"Hi." Roman greets them with a smile.
"Let's move to an actual table, shall we?" Tim suggests as he picks up his beer and already walks over to a little table in the corner where they can actually all see each other without having to crane their necks from left to right every time someone talks.
"How's uncle John?" Kathy asks when they sit down.
"He'll be okay. I guess he's a bit confused about what to feel." Virgil admits. Tim and Roman look at each other with a hint of confusion, but Kathy knows what he's talking about. She also knows the story about his dad and their wonderful grandparents. She looks sympathetic for a moment before locking her feelings up as usual.
"Alright, that was all the sad talk for today. Choose your alcoholic beverage, gentlemen. Let's make this an interesting bowling session." She grabs the menu and lays it down in front of Virgil and Roman. Virgil snickers softly before looking down at the menu. Roman scans the drinks really fast before hanging back again.
"That's someone who knows what he wants." Kathy smirks approving.
"Or someone who just can't drink any of that." Roman chuckles in response.
"There are virgin cocktails on the back." Virgil speaks up when he flips the card. Roman looks curious again. He's a sucker for cocktails. He looks at the non-alcoholic drinks for a few minutes before picking what sounds like a sweet one.
"I don't even know what half of this means." Virgil frowns as he flips the card again.
"Close your eyes and point." Kathy suggests. "Or pick the funniest name." She adds. Virgil tries her first suggestion, but comes out in something that just sounds like something really bitter. He scrunches up his nose.
"Take that one." Roman points at another one. Virgil looks questioning at his boyfriend. "It sounds like the peachy blinder one." Roman explains. Referring to the party where they got far too drunk.
"Okay. Let's hope it isn't as dangerous though." Virgil snickers as he puts the card away. Remembering all too well how he could barely taste any alcohol until it hit him too late.
"What? You don't want to accidentally throw the bowling ball at us instead of the pins?" Roman pretends to be utterly surprised by that revelation.
"Ha ha." Virgil reacts sarcastic. Getting that Roman is referring at how bad he sucked at the Wii bowling game. Always accidentally letting the ball go too soon making it roll in the audience instead. The little Mii characters yelling in panic.
"You know since the three of us are drinking and Roman isn't. I propose that we all get brackets and Roman doesn't." Tim speaks up as he finishes his beer.
"Fair enough." Roman laughs.
After a couple of drinks they move to the actual bowling alley they've rented.
"Call me a Saint, but I asked for the one in the corner." Kathy smirks. There are several rows on one side of the building where a lot of families are playing, but there are also three rows on the other side of the building, hidden away by the bar.
"Go Kathy." Tim jokes as he nudges his half sister before picking a bowling ball. His name being on the top of the list on the big tv screen above the alley. Kathy, Virgil and Roman sit down at the little table to wait for their turn. It's soon clear it's not at all fair Roman is the only one without brackets. Virgil manages to throw another spare but only because he's cleverly using the brackets. Roman squints his eyes teasingly at his boyfriend who smirks smug before sitting down next to him.
"Do try to keep up, Princey." Virgil winks at him. More confident with the alcohol easing his nerves.
"If you wouldn't have those safety nets you wouldn't even make half of these points." Roman points while Kathy is rolling her bowling ball.
"Hmm, scared to lose to some drunks?" Virgil leans in with a teasing smirk.
"You're not drunk." Roman comments with an amused grin. He looks from Virgil's eyes to his lips before his smile falters and he stands up to stop himself from kissing his boyfriend in public.
"I'm going to show you how it's done." He boasts.
"Right." Virgil chuckles.
"Just watch me." Roman points at his eyes with his index and middle finger before pointing at Virgil.
"Good luck, Disney prince." Kathy hands him a bowling ball. Roman takes the ball and turns around to the alley. For a moment the ball seems to go straight towards the middle, but by the end it edges more to the left and he only gets four pins.
"I'm watching." Virgil tilts his head innocently.
"Shht." Roman shushes him as he grabs another ball.
"Maybe try thinking of Virgil naked." Kathy suggests before he can roll the ball.
"Kathy!" Virgil calls shocked.
"I'm just saying." Kathy shrugs before taking another sip.
"Great, now that's an image I can't get out of my head." Tim sighs as he shakes his head.
"Can we not discuss my naked boyfriend, please?" Roman asks as he turns around to look at the others.
"Ro!" Virgil looks shocked at him now.
"Don't look at me, she started it." Roman points at Kathy with a chuckle. Virgil sighs as he hides his blushing cheeks in his hands. Roman throws the ball, but doesn't wait to see what it does.
"Come on. They're just joking." Roman nudges his boyfriend when he sits down next to him again.
"It's not funny." Virgil mutters.
"It's a little funny." Roman smirks. Earning a deadly glare from his boyfriend.
"Okay, not funny. Not funny at all." Roman shakes his head. Virgil lets out another embarrassed sigh before Roman pulls him against him and kisses his temple.
"You're adorable when you're flustered." He whispers. Virgil feels his cheeks burn even brighter when Roman's lips brush against his skin. Knowing how much it means for the other man to kiss him out in the open like that. Even if it's just a small peck.
"Am not." The younger man grumbles as puts his hood on. Roman chuckles softly at the familiar reaction whenever Virgil blushes.
"Roman!" A new voice sounds up surprised. All four of them look up at the girl who just called his name.
"Jenny!" Roman's eyes widen with delight as he lets Virgil go to walk over to her and hug her tight.
"I didn't know you were in town!" She looks happy back at him when they let go of each other.
"Just for the weekend. I'm heading back later tonight." Roman replies.
"Why didn't you say so? It's been so long since we've seen each other!" She looks at him a bit accusing.
"It wasn't really planned and I didn't have a lot of time to catch up." Roman looks apologetic at his old friend from high school. "Talking about catching up. I didn't know you work here." He points at her apron and notebook.
"Yeah, just in the weekends though." She smiles as she shows off her brown apron. Roman smiles back at her. He can't believe he's seeing Jenny again. The last time was at new years eve.
"Oh, uh, you remember Virgil?" He asks as he looks back at his boyfriend.
"Uh, yeah, boy next door, right?" She wonders. Roman nods.
"Hi." Jenny waves at him. Virgil awkwardly waves back. Not sure what to do or how to feel about being known as the boy next door. Did she see him in high school? Did Roman talk about him?
"And these are Kathy and Tim. His lovely cousins." Roman then introduces the other two.
"Guys, this is Jenny. We were close friends in high school." He adds with a nostalgic smile.
"Hey." Kathy smirks flirty at the blonde. Virgil has to stop himself from rolling his eyes while Tim shakes his head fondly over his half-sister. Jenny doesn't seem to realize the subtext as she just smiles wide.
"Nice to meet you all. Can I get you guys something to drink?" She wonders as she holds up her notebook. They give her their order.
"Hold on, no." Kathy stops her when Virgil tells her he wants a diet coke.
"You agreed to drink cocktails." She looks disappointed.
"And I did. Two of them. Besides, it was Ro who agreed to your plan. I just went along with it." Virgil replies.
"Boo." Kathy holds her thumb upside down, but doesn't stop him from asking that coke.
"Alright, I'll be right back." Jenny promises. Roman grins at her before sitting down next to Virgil again.
"Boy next door?" The younger man quirks his eyebrow unimpressed.
"Well, you are." Roman shrugs innocently. Virgil tries to not let that get to his head and watches how Tim throws his ball. After they've all thrown one more time, Roman distractedly grabs Virgil's hand in his to play with his fingers. Virgil looks down at the little concentrated frown on his boyfriend's face.
"You want to paint them again, don't you?" He snickers knowingly. He's allowed Roman to paint his nails black three times now and he actually really likes the way it looks. Roman hums affirmative.
"I was thinking-" He starts as he grabs Virgil's index finger.
"This one a dark purple with a black cross. Then maybe-" He lets Virgil's finger go to spread his hand in front of them.
"Maybe the other's can stay black, but with subtle purple patterns. Like stripes or a dot or something." He tilts his head as if he's trying to see the colors on his nails in his head. Virgil hums.
"You can experiment if you like." He tells him. Roman looks pleased up at him. Glad to hear those words. He really had to convince Virgil to just let him paint his nails black the first time.
"Yeah, if I don't like it I can just take it off afterwards." Virgil smirks devilish.
"Now you're just trying to hurt me." Roman looks offended at his boyfriend. He sees the amused twinkle in Virgil's eyes and can't help but get lost in them.
"Here you go." Jenny's voice sounds up as she puts the drinks down. Roman startles and drops Virgil hand again as he tries to focus on the drinks alone. Virgil suppresses a sigh and forces a grateful smile up at Jenny when she puts down his coke.
"Thanks, dear." Kathy speaks up as she eyes Jenny suggestively. Jenny ignores her and looks at Roman instead. A very clear question in her eyes. Roman gulps as he pretends to not see it.
"Thanks, Jen. How much do I owe you?" He asks her with a big confident smile that doesn't reach his eyes. His heart racing faster than before. She knows.
"Oh, I forgot the check. Can you come with me and pay at the register real quick?" Jenny nods her head at the bar. Virgil squints his eyes suspicious. He's sure he saw her put the check in her pocket.
"Of course, yeah." Roman nods. Trying not to panic. He casts a glance at Virgil, but his boyfriend seems to be too much in his own head to notice.
"Hey, can I ask you a weird question?" Jenny wonders when they're at the bar. Roman feels his throat close. He doesn't trust his voice right now so he just nods.
"It's about-" She nods her head at the table where Virgil is still at. Roman gulps as he closes his eyes for strength. He won't deny it. It's been going on for too long already. If she knows, she already knows and lying won't help.
"I-I know what you're going to ask." He speaks up and she looks relieved he seems to understand. Roman looks down at his feet before looking back up at her. Holding one of the bar stools to keep steady.
"I-I am. He is." He admits. Squaring his jaw painfully for her reaction.
"What?" She looks confused. "I was wondering if that Kathy girl is trying to hit on me." Jenny clarifies. Roman's eyes widen at the misunderstanding.
"Oh!" He calls out. "Uh, yeah, she's definitely trying. Don't pay too much attention to it though. I'm getting the sense she's more of a hit it, quit it kind of person." Roman answers her question then. Looking back at Kathy who's enjoying her fourth cocktail. How isn't she more drunk already?
"Wait. What did you think I was going to ask?" Jenny looks amused at him. The small sense of relief gets squashed down when he looks back at her. He could pretend it was something entirely different. She wouldn't know after all. He looks one more time over his shoulder at Virgil who catches his eyes and smiles softly. He lets out a sigh as he looks down. He can't do that. Not anymore.
"I-I thought you were going to ask if I was-" He stops nervously as he looks at her. Begging her with his eyes to not react weird. "If I was gay." He finishes softly. Her eyes widen surprised before a big excited smile forms on her lips.
"So you and Virgil?" She looks at him as if he just told her he's going to get married.
"Yeah." Roman nods affirmative. Jenny jumps in his arms to give him a big hug.
"I'm so happy for you!" She exclaims. "And I'm incredibly proud of you for being honest to yourself." She adds as she steps back. Her arms still holding Roman's to look into his eyes. He can see how sincere she is and tears fill up his eyes. "Oh, no don't cry." Jenny instantly looks guilty. Roman lets out a chuckle as he laughs at his own ridiculous reaction.
"You're, uh, you're the first one from home who knows." He tells her softly as he wipes his eyes.
"I feel honored." She rests her hand over her heart.
"I've been so scared to tell any of you." Roman admits weakly.
"Oh come here, silly." Jenny pulls him in another hug. "Now why would you be scared of that? You know we all love you regardless. That's not going to change." She tells him matter-of-factly. Roman smiles through the tears.
"Thanks, Jen." He whispers.