After a very colorful session with Pranks, Roman had been pacing around the living room ever since. Pranks had apologized but Roman didn't want to hear it. The person who needed the apology was Virgil. Pranks said that he thought that Virgil was good with jokes because he was around Roman and that's how Roman was, but Roman didn't believe it.

Remus had gone upstairs a while ago and didn't come back down. Roman figured it was because Virgil hadn't let him. Roman felt guilty and took that out on Pranks. He would have to apologize for just how far he did go but he really thought Pranks deserved it.

Roman didn't tell him exactly what Virgil had gone through but the fact Pranks had held on to Virgil when he tried to get away wasn't okay and Roman had to make sure that was known. He had made a promise to himself and to Virgil. He that very seriously. Remus finally came back downstairs to a quiet living room. Liz had come home just as Roman finished and figured that the friends needed to be left alone.

The only reason Roman didn't kick Pranks out was because Virgil wanted to meet him and Matt, if only Roman was able to catch up faster. Remus came in and looked around. Matt was sitting in a corner with headphones on, Pranks was sitting on the couch looking terrified, and Roman looked more than pissed.

Remus knew what went down more than anyone else and stayed out if it. He was upstairs the entire time and wasn't supposed to hear what was said. However, angry Roman was not a quiet Roman so he heard it anyway. He would interfere if it wasn't for Virgil really needing someone to sit with for a while so he could calm down.

"Roman." Remus said and motioned for him to follow. "He's okay now. He just is embarrassed about having one, I know they won't mention it because of that reaction you had but be his Roman when you go in." Remus said and left him in the hallway.

Roman walked up the stairs and went to his own room and didn't see Virgil. Confused he walked next door and saw Virgil in there playing with the lion stuffed animal he had gotten Remus. The rabbit was near the pillow. Virgil was just running his hands through it's mane and twisting it very carefully. Roman found it cute.

Roman knocked and walked in, Virgil didn't look up and kept his focus on the stuffed animal. "Are you okay?" Roman asked quietly. He didn't want to startle him. Roman stayed over by the door. He didn't want to make Virgil uncomfortable. He just wanted Virgil to be okay.

Virgil didn't move to say anything, Roman watched as he watched the scene. Virgil still looked upset, he didn't know what to do. Roman stayed where he was and sat down.

"We have time. If you need it then we can stay here." Roman said to let Virgil know he could take time. Virgil looked up and made eye contact with Roman. Roman could see he had been crying and just wanted to hug him and hold him tight, but he was scared to send Virgil into another attack.

Virgil found his notepad in his pocket and wrote something. Roman got up and moved to the bedside. I am sorry. Remus said this would happen.

"You don't need to be, Pranks doesn't know when to stop and I hadn't told them about you being mute because I would rather have you there when I did or have your permission before hand. I wasn't expecting you to want to meet them so badly, not that it's a bad thing. If you want I can get them both to leave." Roman rambled and saw Virgil get slightly angry. Virgil shook his head.

No, a panic attack isn't going to stop me from meeting your friends. I am sure there is a reason why he said what he said. Was it all okay? Not really. A little fucked up? Yeah. Roman watched Virgil write fast. Roman realized Virgil was upset with himself.

"Virgil, did I scare you?" Roman asked. Virgil made eye contact again and then looked away. "Virgil, please I need to know if I did so I won't again."

It doesn't matter right now, we can figure it out later. I want to meet your friends now. Virgil wrote.

"Virgil. Please?" Roman pleaded. Virgil looked at him, Virgil didn't want to tell him anything he didn't have to so he just hugged Roman. Roman was surprised and hugged him back.

"I am sorry I scared you, I didn't mean to...Please don't hate me." Virgil shook his head. Roman wasn't sure what that meant but he didn't want an answer yet.

I don't hate you. I did get a little freaked out because of the language he used but I am sure if he avoids it when he references our friendship then he will be just fine. Or maybe he's like Remus and I just need to adjust. We can't get upset with the fact we need to adjust, I should've waited for you. That's on me being a brat. But don't you dare blame yourself. Virgil wrote after Roman let go of him. Roman inwardly winced when he read the word "friendship," he didn't want that.

Virgil didn't wait for Roman to move so he could get up and just climbed over Roman. Roman figured he scared him. Virgil really didn't want Roman to blame himself but knew it would happen anyway. So, he waited for Roman to follow him before going downstairs. When Roman fell into step next to Virgil who grabbed his hand for comfort.

It was for both of them, Virgil so he had something to ground himself to and Roman to know that Virgil was okay. Virgil did the usual when he met new people with someone he knew. He still had Roman's hand as he stood behind Roman hidden. Roman would protect him if needed.

He had before and sure it was a little scary but it was okay, Roman knew that he would have to be stoic again. But he would keep it balanced enough that it wouldn't scare Virgil. And he was more than esatic that Virgil was holding on to him closely.

He really hoped he wasn't blushing as he walked in with Virgil. "Virgil, I would like you to meet Pranks Alrlington and Matt Norman." Roman said while putting on his stoic mask. Virgil moved and waved. "Boys, this is Virgil Cyrus. He goes to school with me at Westward." Roman glanced at Virgil who nodded. "He's mute."

Pranks froze up when he heard that and Roman found delight in that. Even if Virgil wanted to respond he couldn't because he wasn't comfortable enough with other people. He just didn't talk. Remus smiled at Virgil who seemed to get closer to Roman.

Matt got excited and jumped up to shake Virgil's hand. "Hi! It's nice to meet you. Roman mentioned something about flowers, do you grow them?" Virgil was surprised but shook his head. "Oh. Well I am sure they are still great."

"I like them." Roman responded. He saw Virgil hide again. "No, you aren't doing that. Come on, let's sit." Roman stopped him from hiding because he knew Virgil would do that the entire time. Roman avoided the couch with Pranks who was still processing things and sat on a different one. Roman sat down and Virgil did too. On the arm rest so his legs were over Roman's. Roman still held his hand but let go so he could keep Virgil steady.

"So, Virgil, do mind if we ask questions?" Matt asked. Virgil shook his head. Remus got ready to translate. Roman drew shapes on Virgil's legs to keep him there and comfortable.

"So, when did you get to Westward?" Matt asked. Virgil signed a number and a few other things. Roman still had no idea, Matt and Pranks looked confused then looked over at Remus.

"He's been at Westward since his freshman year of high school." Remus said. Matt nodded, Pranks looked shocked.

"What did you do that got you sent there?" Pranks asked. Roman looked away because the audacity of Pranks was insane to Roman. Virgil tapped his heel on Roman's thigh to calm him. Roman looked at Virgil who took both hands and pushed them down near his lower body.

"He said calm down Ro." Remus said with a smirk. Roman blew out air and watched Virgil sign to Remus.

"He was moved there to live with his uncle and he got free tuition along with his cousin so he just decided to go to that school rather than the high school that was further to drive." Remus said.

"Huh, so no crazy partying or anything?" Matt asked. Virgil smiled. Roman knew Virgil and Matt would get along. He felt a twinge of jealousy but ignored it, Virgil was sitting with him for a reason right?

"Maybe." Remus said and laughed. So did Matt.

"Next! So are you friends with any delinquents? Other than Roman." Matt asked. Roman was a little scared that Virgil wasn't going to just gloss over that fact, but he did. Virgil nodded. "Really? What did they do?"

"Oh damn." Remus said when Virgil responded. Everyone was waiting for him to translate. "Are you sure you can say that?" Virgil nodded. "Apparently, a friend of his punched a cop after being caught hacking into the police department to wipe a few things off of someone's record." Roman looked at Virgil shocked.

"What?" Roman said, and Virgil nodded. "Who?"

Virgil signed. "He said don't worry about it. He's better now." Roman had a feeling he knew who it was but didn't want to say anything. Janus didn't seem that intense. But then again, everyone at Westward had a past that he didn't know about. Virgil barely knew his and he barely knew Virgil's.

What surprised Roman was that Virgil didn't even blink when Matt called him a delinquent. Maybe that was because he was so used to being around people that he went to school with.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Virgil did like Matt and Pranks eventually warmed up. He wasn't sure why he was so silent all of a sudden, did Roman say something to him? He asked Remus who responded in sign. That was only one time because Virgil didn't want them to think he was talking shit about them.

Virgil was comfortable with Roman sitting next to him. Virgil had then moved so Roman's arms were around his waist and his arm was around Roman's neck. He was happy Roman didn't care about him being too clingy. While he listened to the questions he leaned on Roman's head.

He smelled roses every once and a while and scrunched his nose. Not now, they weren't doing that. He was meeting some of Roman's friends from back home, if he still had contact with anyone he knew back when he lived with his parents he would do the same thing. But he didn't.

Roman was sitting contently and Virgil knew he was trying to not to look too intense while keeping his reputation with his friends. Soon the two of them needed to leave. Pranks apologized while he was leaving. Remus was translating for the most part but Virgil had his phone.

Roman was called away and reluctantly left. Remus had dropped the ball on translating so Virgil resorted to his text-to-speech app.

"Listen, I really am sorry. Roman said you went through some shit and being mute it's clear that it was traumatizing and I am sorry that I triggered something." Pranks said.

"Take a breather. It's alright I don't blame you. I didn't listen to him when he told me not to wander the house alone, I should've waited for Roman. Shit happens." Virgil responded. Pranks looked surprised.

"Is-is that the voice of Alice Cooper?" He asked. Virgil nodded.

"It was a Christmas present when my uncle first got me. He was able to contact an old friend who could get a favor done by him. We actually got to meet him too, I cried." Virgil said. "I must applaud you though, no one had noticed who it was."

"Bro, I would too. I love that guy." Pranks said. "Also, hearing that coming from Alice Cooper is doing wonders for my self confidence." Virgil smiled.

"Same, Roman complains when I play it." Pranks laughed.

"He's a bit of poor sport when it comes to that." Virgil nodded. Roman came back and saw the two getting along. Virgil knew he walked into the room and felt the anxiety spike.

"Everything okay over here?" Roman asked. Virgil looked over and smiled. He felt Roman relax. Maybe he wouldn't null the spell.

"Yeah, found out that little violet over here likes Alice Cooper and has his voice as the speaker for his thing." Pranks said while messing with Virgil's hair. Virgil knew he didn't know what it was called and didn't take any offense to it.

He did feel a wave of jealousy from Roman. No doubt the nickname sparked it. Virgil took his hand to calm him down. "It's hardly surprising, he's totally my aesthetic."

Roman glanced down at Virgil who smiled again. "You aren't wrong." Roman said. Pranks watched it and smiled. No doubt this is the special guy and Pranks knew that Virgil was good for Roman. Who else, other than his brother, would Roman fight for against friends he's had for a while?

Anyone who knew Roman knew that he wasn't himself at home, so Pranks was glad someone was able to get through to him like Virgil did. Pranks also knew a jealous Roman when he saw it.

"Well, I am glad we could find common ground, Virgil. I hope that we meet again, it was nice to meet you. Have fun at school, Roman." Pranks said. He yelled a farewell to Remus who yelled back.

Roman had his arm around Virgil's waist since he came up to Pranks and Virgil. Virgil felt him relax once he left. He smiled and rolled his eyes. He was glad that Roman wasn't around when Matt said goodbye.

"Matt is like Patton." Virgil's phone...or Alice Cooper said. Now that Roman knew who it was, he could hear it.

"I guess he is. A little more willing to do bad things though. Patton couldn't hurt a fly." Roman said.

Virgil nodded. Roman wasn't right but he wasn't wrong. Patton was terrifying when he was angry, and it didn't happen often.

"Ready for dinner?" Roman said. Virgil nodded and the two left for the table.

That night they didn't do much. Remus, Roman, and Virgil all sat in Roman's room as he packed. New York was New York and there was snow on the ground. It was winter of course there was. Remus was saying random things and kind of freaking Virgil out but it was all in good fun.

Currently, Virgil sat on the air mattress with Remus laying on his lap while Roman was talking through what they were going to do when they were going back to school. Liz would drive the two of them back to the school and Remus was coming with them. Remus refused to miss a drop off for Roman. Joseph needed to go to work and couldn't go with them.

"So, that being said...we need to get there around 12 for check in for me at least. So we have to leave by nine." Roman said. Virgil made a face. "I know but you can sleep in the car Virge."

Remus laughed as Virgil pouted. I don't want school to start again.

"If school doesn't start, you don't get Roman each day until June." Remus responded. Roman just looked at the two of them.

"Who wants school to start?" Roman said as he turned around and looked at Virgil who raised his eyebrow.

Logan. Roman looked at Remus.

"Logan?" Remus said. Roman nodded.

"You are right about that." Roman went back to packing. Virgil was surprised that he wasn't upset with Remus on his lap. But Virgil figured that both him and Remus were in the same category for Roman.

"Are you sure you don't want to take any of your other jeans?" Remus asked.

"No, I told you, we have to wear dress pants even when it's summer there. Who's idea was it for a uniform anyway?" Roman said. Virgil laughed silently.

"What?" Remus said.

It's a boarding school. Before my uncle took over, it was well known for its strict code but flexibility. That's why we work, a lot of other schools scare into submission. That's not what we do, a student who has choice over what they learn will clean their act up. We use the uniform to give a sense of structure. At least that's what my uncle says. Virgil signed. Remus was just in shock.

"I mean, I guess. But wouldn't that just make a person who needs that saving grace to clean up their act able to cheat the system?" Remus asked. Roman was just confused. He stayed quiet and continued his packing.

Most kids who go there just need someone to listen, that's what they do there. I have done so well because my uncle just listened to me when I started to open up and got me what I needed. I wouldn't be where I am if he didn't. That's something I hope that I can carry on. Virgil signed.

"What do you mean?" Remus asked. Virgil shrugged.

I am planning on going to Florida for school, and if my cousin doesn't want to take over the school, I am going to. My uncle told me I could if he didn't want it. Remus nodded. But I truthfully don't know what I want to do yet.

"I think you would do well." Virgil signed thank you and they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Roman said. Liz walked in and saw Remus on Virgil and sighed.

"Really Remus?" She said. Remus rolled his eyes and sat up off of Virgil. "Anyway, I know I said I would drive you guys but I am not able to. There's a meeting that has been moved and I can't get out of it. So, you are going to be there by yourself. Virgil, do they need an adult there?"

I am sure I can work something out. He said.

"If I am needed, I'll go." Virgil shook his head. "Alright, I'll wake you all before I leave and have Gloria make you breakfast."

"Actually, I was going to take Roman and Virgil out for breakfast before they left." Remus said. Liz nodded.

"Alright. So, just wake you guys up then?" They all nodded. "Good, well you should all be getting ready for bed anyway." Liz moved to Roman. She kissed his head, then Remus's, and gave Virgil a hug. "Thank you." She whispered.

Virgil was a little surprised by that. Why was she saying thank you, he didn't know. But he took it and went with it.

"Well, I am turning in and so should you two. Don't go making out late into the night now." Remus said. Virgil smiled and waved. Roman rolled his eyes and grumbled. Remus left the room and the two were alone.

"Go change, I just have a few things to finish up here." Roman said. Virgil nodded. Roman had been grumpy since his panic attack, Virgil wasn't sure if he needed to ride it out or get Roman to face it. He was going to be clingy and see what Roman does.

Virgil got changed into a big t-shirt that he was given by Patton this Christmas. He may not celebrate it but Thomas does so he participated for him. He got the sweatpants that matched anything. He folded his clothes and brushed his teeth. When he went back to Roman's room and waited for him to come back. He drew in his sketchbook for a little while.

Roman came back in and laid down. Virgil looked for his notepad and a pen and then went over to his bed. He sat down and put his arms on the edge of the bed so it got Roman's attention.

"What are you doing there?" Roman asked while glancing down at Virgil.

Talking to you. Roman hadn't learned to read upside down so he had to sit up in order to read it.

"Are you sure?" Roman said , Virgil nodded.

We are going to talk about why you are being sulky. Virgil wrote.