True Deceit

Chapter 24: Roman

TW- Mildly mentioned abuse, anxiety. 

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Thomas woke up at a reasonable hour the next day, finally able to open his eyes and dress for a day's work. Though his mind was chaotic and stressed, at least he was physically rested.

"Roman," Thomas summoned, waiting for the prince to arrive. He rose, clapping his hands together, a fake smile plastered on his face.

"Good news Thomas, that ordeal from the day before yesterday is no more! I'm ready to be productive." He felt ashamed to be lying, but if Logan wasn't going to be here to keep everyone focussed he was going to act like it.

Thomas smiled. "So Logan is better?" The first punch in Roman's stomach.

"Well, not quite yet. But alas he is on a road to recovery!"

"And Remus?" The second impact.

Roman gritted his teeth, pretending to be content. "Don't worry about the duke, he's fine."

"And Patton?"

"Fine, they are fine!" Roman shouted agitatedly. "Can we just finish the script?"

Thomas tensed back. "Are you okay?"

Roman nodded, smiling falsely. "Sorry, just super excited. I have a ton of new ideas!"

Thomas grinned back, pulling out his notes. "Ready to take a trip to the imagination palace?"

Roman froze. If he left Patton alone for too long, he'd probably try and return to Deceit. 

"Um, be right back," Roman swallowed, rising into Virgil's bedroom. The previous night The Duke and Anxiety had hoisted up Remus's bed from the dark side, and now they slept side by side with matching purple quilts and sheets.

"Virgil," Roman hissed, gripping a pillow from the ground and slapping him harshly in the head.

Virgil groaned as he opened his eyes. "What the hell Roman."

"Get up, I deal for you." The irritation in his voice instantly reminded Virgil of the previous evening, causing him to sit up hastily.

"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I just need you to do something for me."
Virgil let out a quiet chuckle, smirking. "You know I don't do favours princey, I don't work for nothing."

"Who said it's for nothing? Yesterday I was searching through my makeup draw and found some indigo eye shadow, which I could maybe gift to you," he whispered smugly. "If you do one important thing for me."

Virgil furrowed his brows. "What might that be?"

"Simple. Don't let Patton leave your sight. It's the only way to make sure he doesn't try and visit Deceit again."

"You can't be serious," Virgil murmured sharply. "You can't bribe me into stalking my friend."

"It's not stalking, it's protecting."

"Janus may not be a good person, but he's knows when to quit."  Virgil felt his cheeks turn red. He didn't want to be defending his ex-father, but he wouldn't forgive himself if the snake carried through a threats he'd made ten years ago. He remembered it so vividly, the night he'd snuck through the light side door. 

"If you were to ever leave Virgil, i might kill myself. You and Remus are the most important things in my life, and without you mine is not worth living. Never betray me again." Virgil's skin was burning where the punishment he'd received turned his backside into a deep red,  the weapon still held firmly in Deceit's hands. 

"Yes Father."

Virgil shook his head. If Patton could prevent Deceit from suicide, he was for it.

Virgil gasped as Roman gripped the collar of Virgil's shirt tightly, staring directly into his eyes. Virgil felt fear flood his chest and his flight instincts kicking in.

"Let me go."

"You know what Virgil? You're a useless excuse for a friend, if you don't do the right thing for me."

"Let me go Roman, you don't understand, we can't stop Patton because-"
"Maybe you don't understand!" Roman hissed. "Patton's life is in danger if we don't protect him!" He jerked Virgil forward, staring him down threateningly. "I swear, if you don't do this for me, we'll both really regret it."

Virgil winced. "Let me go, come on Roman, you're not really going to hurt me."

Roman stilled, frozen in place. Hurt him? What on earth was Virgil on about?  

"What?"

"Let me go." 

"Virgil, I... Goddamn it, I meant we'll regret it because Patton could get hurt! Please, just help me." 

Virgil felt sweat drip down his face, and his heart racing in his chest. It wasn't long until embarrassment tour down his defiance.

"Okay, I'll do what you want, just let me go."

Roman smiled, releasing Virgil. "Great, just stay with Patton and make sure he doesn't return to the dark side."  Virgil nodded wordlessly. 

"And if he does leave, come to the imagination palace and warn me." A second nod. "Thanks Virgil, I owe you one."

Roman quickly emerged into the living room, beaming at Thomas. "Let's do this!"

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Hi readers, what do you think? Is this a little out of character for Roman? How about Deceit and Patton, two chapters previous? I wanna hear your thoughts!