Alone in his room, Roman pouted at himself in the mirror as he applied his afternoon moisturizer. He pursed his perfect lips pondering his predicament. Curse his tragic luck. Truely, he has worse luck than a cabbage seller in the Earth Kingdom. Worse than Wile E. Coyote. A Style E. Coyote, if you will. What else would cause all of his Sides to be ignoring him?
Sure, Janus and Patton were off on their little vacation or whatever they're doing. But they have phones! Roman feels like a clingy girlfriend with how much he's blowing up Janus' cell. But he hasn't responded to a single one. Maybe they don't have any signal out in the wilderness. You do have to go over a river and through some woods to get to grandmother's house, you know. Roman sorta forgives him for that one. They're probably having so much fun, Janus hasn't even looked at his phone once.
Logic's no better. He's been out of the house more times than not. When it got too dark last night Roman went and found him at the library. His dork had taken his glasses off, reading with his head resting in the crook of his arm. He held the book open with his free hand, but in such a way that he wouldn't be able to read the other half of the book without moving.
On closer inspection, Roman wasn't even sure he was actually reading. His eyes weren't moving, and his breathing seemed slow. Roman poked him and Logic jumped upright with a yelp of "Frontal Cortex!" (Logic agreed he did "lose focus" but adamantly refused that he was "sleeping with his eyes open like a zombie-fish".) He was very grumpy after that and none of it was Roman's fault at all. Anygay, he's been locked in his room ever since. He put a little note on the door that said 'please knock if emergency. otherwise, do not disturb.' He has some big project or something for one of his big, fancy classes. Roman wonders if his utter boredom counts as an emergency.
Roman sang all day and now his throat hurts, which is why this segment has no dialogue. He winks at himself in the mirror. Roman, the clever jenius, chuckles at his own wit. He cleans off the remaining moisturizer from his hands and picks up his mug of jasmine mint tea.
He might have snuck through Janus' tea cabinet; but he's not here, so it'll be fine. Janus would have wanted him to have it. The scent makes him think of his little liar. He smiles as he takes a sip. And it's gross! Tea is just leaf water. It's just … hot … water soup.
He holds the cup for a while and smiles down at it. He can see himself in his reflection, stained by the tea. Roman begins to rate his reflections. Mirror Reflection had bright lights pointed at it, as blinding as they are dazzling. Tea Reflection asked nothing of him. Mirror Reflection was small, and alone, in a big room with a big, empty bed. Surrounded by stuff that never responds when he talks to it. (He talks to it, still.) (Except for right now because he's resting his throat.) Tea Reflection is too close to catch any of that. The perfect shot, where no one could see his sorrow hanging in the background. Mirror Reflection doesn't smile back at him. Tea Reflection whispers Janus will be home soon.
Roman thinks that sounds like a lie. He takes a sip of the nasty water soup. What was he thinking about? Oh yeah. How could he make someone notice him? He could try to talk to the Doom-and-Gloom shadow that haunts the halls at one in the morning. But, just between the two of us, Virgil's a spooky guy. Startling, even!
Like, just the other night, Roman was up late working on a sketch when his tummy began rumbling. Naturally, he freshened up his night time moisturizer and headed downstairs to the fridge.
Turning the corner into the kitchen, Roman was greeted with a blinding light. Invaders?! He thought so too, but alas, the terrifying torchlight came from none other than the very fridge he was destined for. Fear point number one.
The fridge was being opened by a shadowy, cloaked figure. He stood hunched in posture, with long fabric draping off his shoulders, as if trying to pull him down under. Even stranger yet, the unnatural, moving lump on the back of the figure. A beast with two heads? No, a familiar with a keen sense of balance. Nonetheless, unexpected. Fear point number two.
The familiar, upon hearing Roman's grunt, jerked up to look at him. It startled, signaling danger. Virgil looks up then, and Roman gets a good look at his face, ghostly pale from the fridge light. Roman must've looked strange in the dark, because both the cat and Virgil hissed at him. At the same time. Fear point number three, does he need to go on?!
Okay, so Roman gets that Janus is not as bad as he seems. And he's not even that good at lying, like he always tells Roman the truth. (But that's just because he and Janus are like this. Imagine two fingers crossed- yeah, you know.) But Virgil doesn't even try to make friends with the rest of them. He hangs out with Patton, or seals himself in his room. What's the point of having a Side that doesn't want to be with his Sides?
Just look at Janus, he's going on a fun trip with Patton and soon they'll be best friends! Virgil really ought to learn from his fellow- no, wait Logic and Patton have talked to him about this. Anxiety was re-certified or something.
But what's that even mean? Is he an Emotional trait, like Roman? He's like… not a bad guy anymore because the government said so. Why are there government-issued bad guys anyway? Thinking about this political stuff made his head hurt. He knows people have explained it a thousand times but none of it ever makes sense to him.
The world is made of boxes upon boxes upon boxes. Roman has never been able to find one that mattered. Boxes, littering the street, the buildings, everywhere you look. And no one seems to have a problem with it. Sometimes, Roman has a terrifying thought. What if, in a world created from boxes, there's not a single one made for him. He's boxless.
Remy. That's who'll give him attention! Remy is always willing to hang. He loves being around Roman and his bubbly personality! Roman glances at the clock as he texts his lover. He can't help but be hopeful. The night is young! Maybe someone will hold his hand yet!
Remy was out on campus and told him to meet him at the fountain by the science hall. The air was chilly but nothing a trusty scarf couldn't handle. As he approached the science building he could hear Remy's laughter in the wind. Roman couldn't help quickening his pace.
His smile dropped slightly when he saw Remy wasn't alone. A second later he relaxed again as he saw their company was just Pop and Kai.
"Hey!" Roman waved as he walked up, keeping his voice cheery. "It's all my friends!"
Having fun without me. He kept that part in his head. He didn't have long to sulk before Remy pulled him into a tight hug.
"Babe!" He cheered, and somehow Roman wasn't upset anymore. "I feel like I haven't seen you in five-ever, how are you?"
Roman smiled and tried to sound believable. "Good. Half of my group is gone for the weekend and I'm so bored."
Bored, is that the right word? Try needy. Whiny? A voice that sounded like Janus' said in his head. He ignored it and sat down with Remy on the fountain's edge. Kai sat on the other side of them, playing on his phone. Roman could hear little noises coming from it as he swiped, but paid it no mind.
"Rem was just telling us how his trip went." Pop said, gesturing for him to continue.
"Missy's family is doing well." Remy said. He paused, then smiled widely, eyeing Roman.
"What?" Roman asked. His smile grew. "What?"
Remy whispered, his hands covering his mouth.
"Sorry, what?" Roman leaned closer.
In his excitement, Remy exploded, startling Roman, "WE FOUND A SIDE!"
"AAHHHH!" Roman screamed. Pop screamed. Remy screamed. Kai waved his hand around enthusiastically.
"No way no way no way!" Roman shook Remy by the shoulders, earning a laugh. "A real side?"
"I KNOW!" Remy ran a hand through his hair, his sunglasses slipping down his nose. "We fucking fused and everything!"
Roman didn't know why that news - that joyus news - made his chest squeeze slightly. He was happy for his friend. Remy deserves this, they had been looking for their other sides for a long time. Roman put his acting skills to use, shoving down that unexplainable, vile feeling.
"We're doing the long-distance thing until summer." Remy said, smiling widely.
He pulled out his phone and showed Roman a picture. The boy in question looked just like them. His hair was a tad darker than theirs, and he was missing a front tooth. He had his arm slung around Remy's shoulders, looking all-too comfortable with the contact. He wore a cocksure grin that Roman didn't trust. Despite his upset tummy, Roman had to admit that the guy was cute.
"I'm happy for you, babe." Roman said, leaning closer to rest his head on Remy's shoulder. "What's his name?"
"Jack." Remy said in a dreamy sigh.
Roman stayed quiet, listening as Remy retold how they met at a beach. Jack was coming out of the water, like a shirtless, wet god. Remy said they didn't get a chance to stalk him. Jack saw them watching and approached first. Remy said he was charming and bold. Remy said they spent every day together. Remy said he thinks he loves him.
Kai interrupted them with a laugh, silently leaning over to show his phone. Pop crowded beside them to see the screen. It was a short video that repeated once it was done. The person on the screen was riding a bike down a ramp. It looked to be handmade, and Roman was surprised it held his weight. The person flew off the ramp and into an awaiting pool. He got lots of air, before splashing with a shout.
Roman laughed at the noise the guy made. He took Kai's phone and swiped up. A new video appeared, this one someone was singing a parody.
"What's this?" He asked.
"It's a new app." Pop responded, "Everyone's on it."
"You make silly videos and stuff. It's fun." Kai said, taking his phone back. He swiped again and the next video was of Vogue. Roman grinned when Kai liked the video with red cheeks. "It's called 'Shine'. V showed it to me."
"Oh so they're V now?" Roman grinned, earning a glare from Kai.
"I think you'd like it." Remy said, pulling out his own phone. He showed Roman the app icon and said, "You'd be able to watch yourself talk."
"Why do I need that when I can listen to you?" Roman said, as coolly as he could. He felt warmth spread throughout his chest as Remy giggled.
"You're pretty smooth, Dream Boy." They kissed, and Remy's soft lips pulled away too soon.
Kai showed them another video, and Roman pulled out his phone to download the app. He still didn't have any messages, but that was fine. He was okay, he didn't need to be the center of attention all the time.
Liar. Janus' voice said again.
Get out of my head and into my arms. Roman thought back.
Eventually Pop took the spotlight, giving them the Hollywood run down. Roman listened to the trending news. She was so handy at keeping them up to date. She knew everyone's name, everyone's gossip. Roman always liked that about Pop, she had the best dirt.
Janus would like her. Roman thought. He had to ignore his grumpy tummy again; reminding himself that Janus would be home soon. Fuck, he missed that little liar. They had gotten closer, bit by bit, and Roman wanted to keep that momentum going.
Did Janus? Would he rather spend time with Logic or Patton and Roman would be left alone forever? Was he becoming the clingy girlfriend he always feared he'd be?
"But here's the juicy part-" Pop said, wiggling her fingers at them. "So the Bos Burnham were on the Late Night show, right? And during Humble's apology speech, Jaded got really defensive and-"
Remy wrapped an arm around Roman, and he let himself relax. He dipped his fingers into the fountain behind them and listened to his friends converse. He could survive one weekend without his Side's attention. Remy squeezed his hand and Roman shifted closer. Probably.
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