Kidnapped ~A Prinxiety Story~

Chapter 16: Tension

Warnings: Angst, anger, crying, self-deprication, anxiety attack

The next day, Virgil had joined Roman for fencing practice, sitting to the side of course. Roman often fenced with Joan and Talyn, as they both were more skilled with a sword than the other human servants.

"Your stance, Roman." the king says. Roman groans. "I'm trying, father, it's not easy!" he says back, blocking a strike from Talyn.
"You've been doing this for 95 years, you shouldn't be messing up such trivial things." Romulus responded. "But you put both of them up against me, that's not fair!" Roman said as he trained with the other two.

"Life isn't fair. Learning how to fight two opponents is a useful skill to have. Especially if you come across a fight with more than one opponent." Romulus tells him.
"Like that will ever happen! When has that ever happened, father?" Roman snips. "There are vampires who rebel from others, Roman, they will pick fights for anything." the king says back.

"The ferals, I know father. Why don't you just kill them off if they're so bad?" Roman says, rolling his eyes as he practiced.
"Roman, remind me, how do you kill a vampire?" Romulus asked, crossing his arms. Roman realized his mistake immediately and looked away. Talyn and Joan had stopped, backing away slightly and looking at each other awkwardly.

Virgil frowns and sighs quietly. ‘this is my fault, it has to be, if I just didn't ask, no one would be on edge right now...’ he thought, hugging himself a little.

"Go on, how?" the king said. "I'm not answering! You know just as well as I do, father.." Roman responds.

‘Nono maybe this is normal.. No, it's not, what am I saying, they're thinking about her because of me, I brought it up..’ Virgil thought, putting a hand in his hair.

Roman and his father glared at each other for a moment until Roman's attention was divided, hearing Virgil's heartbeat rise, looking over at him slightly worried. "Virgil?"

Virgil curled into himself slightly, gripping his hair with one hand and hugging his knees with his other. ‘That really is all I'm good at, isn't it? Fucking things up for other people..’

Roman went up to him quickly. "Hey, what's wrong..?" he asks, frowning. "It- it's m- it's m- i-" Virgil stuttered, pulling at his hair.
"Woah woah woah, Virge, Virgil, I need you to breathe." Roman says. Virgil shook his head, muttering ‘no’ and ‘I can't’ over and over again.

"You have to, please, you're going to faint if you don't.." Roman says. Virgil whimpers, breathing in as best he could. It was forced back out before it could be considered a deep breath, though.

"Keep trying, please... You've got this.." Roman says, carefully trying to pry Virgil's hand out of his hair. Virgil took another breath in, trying to hold it and hiccing a little.
"Out.." Roman says softly, gently grabbing Virgil's other hand. Virgil breathes out shakily, his body still trying to hyperventilate. "Again.." Roman says, holding both of Virgil's hands gently and rubbing them with his thumbs. Virgil took another shaky breath in before breathing out again.

"Keep going, focus on breathing right now, love..." Roman says softly. Virgil kept taking deep breaths until he was calm enough to speak.
"Now what's wrong, my love..?" Roman asked. "I-it's my fa-fault, isn't i-it.." Virgil stutters. "What..?" Roman says, frowning.

"Y-you and your dad.. Y-you're only fighting b-because I asked a-about-" Virgil starts, but Roman quickly stopped him. "No, no that fight had nothing to do with you. It's not your fault, it's mine. I promise, it's okay." he says.
"I-it's not your f-fault..." Virgil says. Roman sighs softly. "Yes, it is.. I didn't think before I spoke, causing that argument."

Virgil frowns a little and hugs Roman. "I promise love, it wasn't your fault. This isn't the first time we've argued and ended up bringing her into it.." Roman tells him.
"Besides, I feel bad for my father.. Even though she died over 200 years ago, it still feels like yesterday to him.. Yes, what she did was.. Selfish, in a way, but.. I can almost understand why.." he says.

Virgil looks at him. "He must be lonely.." Roman nods. "He is. Usually, our kind mates for life, that's why we turn our partner if they're not a vampire.. Once we mark them.."
Virgil blushes a little, putting a hand over his mark. "S-so.. Y-your father marked her? Your mom..?" he asks. "Mhm. That's why we don't have a step mother." Roman says.

Virgil sighs softly, looking around a little. "I'm sorry.. I.. I interrupted your practice.." he mumbles, fidgeting a little. "It's alright. You're my top priority now." Roman says, running a hand through Virgil's hair.
"Mmm.. Where'd everyone go..?" Virgil asks. Roman hums quietly. "Talyn and Joan probably went back inside to eat, and father probably went to go speak to my mother.. He does that quite often.. After I brought you back with me, I was walking outside one night and happened to overhear him. I know eavesdropping is wrong but.. I couldn't help it..

"I remember what he said, too. Word for word. ‘Hey, Vanessa. I just thought you'd like to know that our son, Roman, shares your kindness for humankind. He brought one home, fairly young; looks no older than a human teenager. But I already know there's more to that human in his eyes. He likes that human, I know he does. He wouldn't have brought one back otherwise. As for Remus, he's still a spitting image of you. He still hasn't found a mate yet, but I have faith he will.. I wish you were still here to see them.. It's not easy without you..’... I've never heard something so bittersweet from him before.." Roman says.

"I... He... Knew..?" Virgil asks, too speechless to say anything else. "I suppose so. My father is quite good at reading people; he's been doing it for just about 510 years." Roman responds.

"Hey I actually have a question-" Virgil says. "Mhm?" Roman hums, looking at him. "So, for humans, ‘teenage’ years are considered 13-19, what is it for vampires?" Virgil asks.
"Umm... Roughly 200-600 years I'd say?" Roman answers. "Jesus- okay wait so, that means your dad is technically a teen parent- And you'd be considered a young teen." Virgil says. Roman nods. "Yeah. Though, a lot of vampires have a family before they're 400 years of age or so- in other words, it's not that uncommon for us."

"Another question.." Virgil mumbles, feeling a little annoying. Roman chuckles a little. "Go ahead."
"How was your dad so accepting?" Virgil asks. Roman tilts his head. "Pardon?" he says. "Y-you know, of me, of us, dating?" Virgil says. "Whyyyyy wouldn't he be?" Roman asks, thoroughly confused.

"W-well you know, cuz.. We're two guys.. And.. Homophobia and stuff.." Virgil mumbles, fidgeting. ".... What the fuck is homophobia? Is that a human thing?" Roman asks, visibly confused now.

"S-seriously? Umm.. Homophobia is.. When people hate on other people for.. Being gay- er, men liking men, women liking women.. I-i'm gay, basically, I like guys.." Virgil says.
"Why the hell would someone judge you for who you love? That seems a bit rude and unnecessary. You humans are... Something else." Roman says, kissing him afterwards.

----------
Fun fact, humans are the ONLY species known to express homophobia. Many animals have homosexuality, but only humans judge each other for it. Have a nice day~ :)