Baited~ Book 2

43

"Virgil?" Roman's eyes narrowed as he glanced around the garden, following his fiance closely, as the two walked down the path. Virgil had dragged the outside as soon as lunch had ended without a single explanation or warning. The only problem Roman actually had with this was... he had been meaning to talk with Remus. They haven't been doing their lessons and Roman didn't want to just stop. He had to get better. He had to get stronger. He had to... for Virgil. "As much as I love doing... anything with you, Love... why are we out here?"

"Do you remember when Remus pulled me away?" Roman nodded as Virgil took his hand and started to lead him off the path and into the woods. "Well, we had an interesting conversation... before it was interrupted."

"Virgil, you haven't actually answered my question." Virgil laughed as the two reached a clearing hidden away from everything. Roman frowned as he watched Virgil spin around and just smile at him. "What are we doing?"

"Remus and I both decided... that it would be in our partner's best interest... if the two of us..." Virgil crossed his hands pointing off in random directions as Roman's eyes widened. "...switched students."

"Oh, no." Roman's heart dropped as Virgil just laughed.

"What's wrong? Don't like the idea?" Virgil smirked teasingly as Roman just frowned. 

"No, it's... it's not that. Virgil, I'd love to spend all my time with you. And I did promise to let you help and not to shut you out it's just..." Roman bit his lip as he scratched his arm a bit. "Remus's method of teaching was always very... hands-on."

"Oh, I know. I saw." Roman crashed as Virgil took his hand softly. "You don't have to be scared. I know you won't hurt me."

"That's not what... My head is saying otherwise." Virgil's eyes darkened as Roman shrugged. "I love you, Virgil. I just don't like the idea of you seeing that side of me."

"But it isn't you..." 

"Yes, it is." Roman cut Virgil off, taking his hands and holding them firmly, with this serious look in his eyes. "Virgil, I may have gotten in this mess by taking on your insanity... but if hadn't noticed... I don't act like you did." Virgil's eyes narrowed as Roman smiled slightly. "I'm aggressive and cruel. I'm angry and... prideful... violent and destructive... verbally and emotionally abusive. I am not blind to the fact that... this insanity is amplifying ALL of my bad traits to a degree that's... monstrous. When I snap... I'm a very horrible version... of myself."

"That's not you..."

"Virgil, you aren't listening to me. This insanity is not yours anymore." Virgil's eyes went wide as Roman's smile fell. The prince just stood there with a sad yet serious look that took the dragon by surprise. "It's mine. It IS me... the worst version of me. The worst version that's been made 100% worse. I don't want you to see that. I don't like being that but I can't deny that it is in fact me."

"What are you saying?" Roman sighed as he just looked away and smiled sadly. "You aren't pushing me away..."

"I promised I wouldn't. I just... I just wanted you to be aware of my thoughts on it all. I don't... know what you have planned in terms of lessons but just knowing how Remus when about theirs..." Roman tensed as he squeezed his eyes trying to tune everything out as he took a deep breath. "...I didn't want you to go into this thinking that this insanity is something that it isn't. As much as I fucking HATE to admit it... the fact remains the same... Virgil, if I snap... I... snap. It will be ME that you have to deal with not the 'insanity'... although it will be... fuck. You know I mean. Right?"

"Roman..." Virgil smiled softly as he gently caressed Roman's cheek brushing the tears from his eyes. "...I love you..."

"Virgil..."

"...and nothing is going to change that." Roman's eyes darkened as Virgil just smiled wider. "Nothing at all."

"I can be very cruel." Virgil just laughed as Roman's head sank. "The things I've said to Janus when I've snapped... I don't want to..."

"Nothing at all, Roman. Trust me. Please? Let me help you." Roman froze up as he just stared into Virgi's ruby red eyes. "I can help you. You just have to let me."

"If I snap and I..." Virgil's eyes narrowed giving the other a very stern look only to soften as Roman laughed. "...you better kick my ass." The two melted into laughter, filling the empty clearing with the soft sound. "And don't you dare go easy on me either... I still can't believe Remus was. That fucking hit my pride hard... damn demonic sibling."  Roman beamed at the sighed of his love so lost in his laughter. "I love you so much, Virgil. So much... I've missed you."

"I know, Roman" Virgil melted as Roman pulled him in, hands holding him softly around his waist, as they just stared deeply into each other eyes. "I've missed you too." Virgil leaned in watching as Roman's eyes started to glow purple.

"I... I never want to go through that again." Roman's eyes slipped shut feeling Virgil's breath tickle his nose. "I don't ever want to be apart... never again."

"I won't let us." Virgil pressed a soft kiss to the man's lips before sighing. "I promised you... didn't I?"

"We're going to have to postpone the wedding." Virgil frowned as he nodded despite Roman still having his eyes closed. "With the war and everything... and with my head the way it is..."

"We are going to get married. Who cares if it's in two months or another year? Roman... you're more than just my rider. You're my mate." Virgil's eyes flashed brightly as he pressed himself into Roman kissing him hard and shocking the prince enough to make the two stumble a bit. Roman's hands went to the smaller's hair as he kissed back with just as much emotion. "We will get married... when all this is over I will be calling you my husband."

"Guess I'd better shut up and focus on my lessons then, huh?" Roman chuckled as Virgil just crashed with laughter.

"Yeah, you should... What's your teacher even doing?" Roman shot the other a silly look as Virgil pulled away with mock annoyance. "How are you supposed to learn if he isn't showing you anything?"

"Oh, I don't know about that... He's doing a good just of showing me just how much he loves me." Virgil blushed slightly as Roman leaned in for one more kiss. "And I'm learning yet again... just how easy it is to fall in love with you."