Prince next door (Prinxiety au)

Epilogue

It's already dark outside. The slight slimmer of the moon hidden behind gloomy gray clouds. Stars barely visible when he looks up at the sky. A sigh leaves his lips and swirls up in a frosty breath as he shrugs deeper inside his black coat. It's a cold night, but he can't be inside right now. He'd go insane.
"There you are!" Roman smiles relieved to see his boyfriend outside in the little forest behind their managed to buy a year after Virgil graduated.
"Y-Yeah." The younger of the two smirks apologetic. God, he's nervous. What if he ruins it by making Roman suspicious?
"What are you doing out here, silly?" His boyfriend steps closer to wrap his arms around him. He never lost his charisma over the years. Nor did Virgil stop loving his affection for even a second. If he's honest, he probably only got needier over the years. Though Roman did too so they're perfectly in sync.
"Uh, trying to not crumble in a puddle of nerves?" Virgil offers with a weak smile. Roman frowns confused down at him. It's been exactly seven years since the day Roman stopped him from jumping in front of a train. This exact day years ago he got a second chance. And he's still holding on tight to it. He climbed out of that dark pit only to fall back in and climb out again. It's a cycle he knows won't stop, but it's one he can manage now. He learned how to keep fighting. And with Roman beside him he can do anything. Even if that means his ridiculously understanding and patient boyfriend just lays down next to him for a couple of hours when Virgil's having a particular tough time.
"Are you okay, Virge?" Roman's golden eyes darken with worry. Virgil takes in a deep sigh. He's ruining it! Quick, fix it.
"I was wondering if maybe we could go back to the playground near our old college?" He looks hopeful up at the other man. Roman blinks a bit baffled before slowly nodding.
"Uh, yeah, of course, love." He gives in. Virgil smiles relieved as he pecks Roman's lips grateful. He knew Roman would give in easy enough. He's learned that Roman loves him just as much as Virgil loves him back. They'd do anything for each other if it meant the other would be happier because of it.
"Are you sure you're okay, Virge?" Roman looks at the dark haired nervous wreck sitting next to him once they get into the car. He's not acting like himself. Virgil nods, but doesn't reply. Roman knits his eyebrows together as he starts the car. Maybe he has another bad day and is longing for something nostalgic? Roman figures it's probably for the best if he just listens to what Virgil wants for now and figure out what's going later.
He parks the car near the gates and gets out. Virgil grabs his hand in his and Roman smiles down at their intertwined fingers. There hasn't gone a single day by where he didn't love the younger man with all of his heart. It hasn't always been as easy over the years. There were some rough patches like in any relationship, but they always got through them together. And they always will. They're both determined that they won't end up like Virgil's parents. Not in a million different lives. No. They'll grow old together. Still holding hands in their rocking chairs. The gloomy one complaining about the loud kids and neighbors while Roman would still try to sing back to the birds with a voice that has gone long hoarse. Making Virgil laugh his little 'I'm trying to be annoyed at you right now because you're an idiot, but I still love you because you're my  idiot' laugh he always does. They will be happy together until the very end.
Virgil starts to fumble nervously with the zipper of his coat and Roman looks worried down at his boyfriend. Keeping a close eye on him in case he needs him more than he's saying. In fact he's so focused on Virgil that he doesn't realize the playground seems brighter than it should be at this hour, until he looks ahead of him again. Fairy lights decorating the trees and iron igloo. Rose petals on the ground leading to the almost magical looking scenery. Roman stares dumbstruck at the playground they hung out at for years even after he graduated and Virgil still had some years left. The playground where they fell back in love and rekindled the strong fire of a fierce friendship. Where they laughed and cried. Played like dorks and held each other close in silence.
Virgil lets his hand go and Roman looks confused at his boyfriend who pretends to be just as confused as he lifts his shoulders in a shrug. Roman startles and jumps in front of Virgil protectively when people start coming from the trees. He soon recognizes his twin brother and their closest friends in the dim lights.
"What the-" He tilts his head with a frown when they don't say a word, but start playing a song. Remy and Janus holding a guitar while the others sing softly. Even Logan. He's always known Logan could sing like a god, but the older friend would never even as much as admit he likes to sing. Roman looks amused back at his boyfriend until he sees Virgil sit down on one knee. Holding up a small black box with a gorgeous golden ring inside. It's decorated with little diamonds. The smaller man smiles nervously when he sees Roman catch up with what's happening. Roman lifts his hands up to his now agape mouth. Is this really happening?
"Roman princy Shaw, would you do me the honor of becoming my lawfully wedded husband?" Virgil quickly says his line as he tries to stop his heart from beating painfully against his ribs. Roman looks from the box up at his dark brown eyes.
"For real?" He whispers. Virgil smirks softly.
"No, I'm just messing with you." He can't help but react sarcastically. Roman chuckles softly at his response and starts nodding.
"Yes. A thousand times yes." He replies with tears in his eyes. Virgil lets out a relieved breath when his lips curl up in a massive smile. He puts the ring on Roman's left ring finger and stands up again. Roman grabs his face in his as he presses his lips eagerly on his. Their friends cheering loud in the background. Happy tears are streaming down Roman's face when Virgil rests his hands on his hips and deepens the kiss. Both of them drunk in love.
"I love you so much." Roman whispers when they pull back.
"I love you too." Virgil smirks up at him. His own eyes a bit teary from seeing Roman so happy and realizing he really did it. He really proposed to his boyfriend and his boyfriend said yes!
"You gave me a grand gesture." Roman giggles when he realizes why Virgil has been acting off lately. It wasn't anything bad he had to worry about. In fact it was the best possible outcome.
"I'm not good at it." Virgil snickers apologetic.
"It's perfect." Roman whispers as he kisses Virgil again. He then pulls fully back to look at the ring on his finger. It just screams his name all over. "It's beautiful." He grins happy as he looks back up at his boyfriend, nay fiance.
"Took you guys long enough!" Remus shouts. Roman snickers up at his brother and looks at the others with a massive smile he doesn't think he'll be able to erase from his face any time soon.
"You guys." He shakes his head fondly knowing they all kept this from him. He can't believe they all managed to keep him in the dark about all this. Patton runs up to them and hugs them both excited.
"I'm so happy for you two!" The small blond exclaims. Him and Logan got married a few years ago on a perfect summer day. One by one their friends congratulate them and Virgil leads him to the igloo where they sit down like old times while the others sit scattered on the swing set, seesaw and little platform.
"Want to know something funny?" Roman looks down at Virgil with an amused smile.
"What?" Virgil grins happy up at his fiance. God that words sounds great. Fiance. Roman is his fiance. Roman takes something out of his coat pocket.
"I also planned to ask you." He admits. Virgil bursts out in laughter and pecks his lips.
"I'm glad I was first." The younger man admits. He almost died from nerves, but it was worth it. He'll never forget Roman's shocked face. How his eyes filled with happy tears while his lips curled up in a smile.
"Me too." Roman admits softly as he opens the box to show Virgil a pitch black ring.
"Aw you know me." Virgil jokes while Roman puts the ring on his finger.
"I sure do." He snickers as he pecks Virgil's forehead.
"Hey, you never even told me you were going to ask Virgil!" Remus calls out shocked.
"I didn't think you'd be able to keep it a secret." Roman admits as he looks amused at his brother who now scoffs. "Clearly I was wrong and you're better at keeping a secret than I thought." He adds with a happy smile as he gestures around them.
 "That's right. I'm great at deceiving. It's a skill you master when you hang out with this guy all the time." Remus points at Janus with a wink. Janus nudges him with a fond eyeroll. They didn't marry yet despite living together for longer than Roman and Virgil or Logan and Patton and they probably never will. They declare they don't need a little paper to indicate they love each other. Some official document doesn't determine that what they have is real.
"Alright time for bubbles!" Remy announces as he moves to the treeline and comes back with a box full of champagne and snacks. Him and Emile hand out plastic champagne cups. Virgil decides to drink only half a cup and Logan doesn't drink at all. Both of them still having to drive home. Remy and Emile came with their bikes. They still live in this town and it doesn't look like they'll move anytime soon. Roman guesses Janus and his brother are riding home with Logan and Patton.
While they enjoy the night Roman suddenly thinks of something.
"Who's babysitting Steven?" He looks up at Remy and Emile.
"Mom." Emile replies with a big grin.
"Don't worry, we're not missing this for the world." Remy winks at him as he holds up his cup.
"I'm glad." Roman admits happy. It's really quite extraordinary they all stayed together. As couples and as friends. They really did create unbreakable bonds at that college.
"Oh, I need to tell mom and dad!" Roman perks up with realization.
"It's ten pm." Virgil warns him they might already be asleep.
"I don't care." Roman looks at him with a crooked grin while holding the phone up to his ear. He has to tell them the news. They'll be so happy when they hear it!
"Roman?" His mom picks up. She doesn't sound sleepy in the slightest.
"Mom! Is dad there too?" He asks them enthusiastically.
"He's sitting next to me." She replies.
"Okay, put me on speaker." He orders. Virgil looks amused at him.
"Done." His mother declares.
"I've got some big news." Roman starts.
"What is it, sweetie?" His mom wonders innocently.
"I'm going to marry!" He exclaims happy.
"Oh honey, I'm so happy Virgil finally asked you! It's been torture trying to stay quiet." His mom squeals happy.
"I'm so happy for you, son." His dad adds with a warm voice.
"You knew?" Roman looks surprised at Virgil who shrugs with a guilty smile.
"Of course, hon. He told us months ago." His mom answers.
"You sneaky-" Roman doesn't continue as he glares fondly at his fiance. Virgil pecks his cheek amused.
"Alright, mom, dad, time to say goodbye so I can get him drunk." Remus jumps on the igloo to interfere in the call.
"Remus, leave your brother alone." His dad warns as if they're still kids living underneath his roof instead of two adults with their own separate lives already.
"Too late, bye." Remus taps Roman's screen before Roman can stop him. He grins wide at his twin brother. He still hasn't get rid of that awful mustache. Roman shakes his head fondly at his brother before pulling him in a hug.
"What's this?" Remus stiffens shocked before awkwardly hugging him back.
"Thanks for being here, Ree." Roman smirks when he pulls back.
"Of course. Been there for the entire ride. What makes you think I wouldn't want to see you cry now?" His brother winks before jumping off the igloo again and grabbing the champagne bottle to fill Roman's glass again.
"Drink up, little bro. You're chained for life now." He jokes. Roman and Virgil snicker softly. Roman looks down at the younger man then.
"Hey, do you realize I'll really be your idiot for always now?" He grins amused.
"Why do you think I say it every time?" Virgil smirks and they peck each other's lips gently.
As the night progresses Virgil rests his head on Roman's shoulder as he plays with his hand. Looking at the ring he gave him before looking at his own. He's glad Roman stopped him seven years ago. He smiles softly up at the former prince next door who's now laughing over something Logan said. Immediately throwing a counter argument at his old roommate. Life is worth fighting for. Virgil decides as he lifts Roman's hand to kiss it softly.

The end

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Ahhh it's over! I can't believe it! I loved writing this story and I hope you liked reading it just as much ^^
I decided to go for the lovey dovey, happy peppy ending because let's be real, they've been through enough and deserve a happy ending haha
My original plan to end this story was to actually let Virgil commit suicide to bring up the topic that love can't heal or save everything and everyone. The epilogue would've focused on Roman trying to get through that immense pain and the feeling of guilt for not having done enough. How he was angry at first, but eventually forgives Virgil for leaving. But then I decided that might be a bit much to end a simple fanfic that's supposed to bring people joy and a distraction from the real world.
If you'd still want to read that ending, let me know and I might write it as an alternative epilogue in the future!

Anyway I want to thank everyone who took their time to read this. The people who voted on the chapters and those who commented. You all gave me such an amazing feeling while writing this and I'm really grateful for those motivation-boosters!