Two weeks flew by on a magic carpet. Between his classes, rehearsals, dance practice, and packing, he had barely had time to hang out with his friends. Which was probably a good thing, Logic was still upset with him about Remy. They argued the entire ride home from Virgil's apartment. He had never seen Logic angry before, and the sight of it didn't sit well with him.
Logic gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes never leaving the road, even as he spoke with a quiet fury. "When were you planning on telling me you had another boyfriend?"
"Oh. That's what you're mad about?" Roman asked, frowning in confusion. "I thought you knew."
"What?!" His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"I told you we met on a dating app." Roman said, holding his hands out defensively. "He calls me 'babe'!"
Logic didn't say anything. The car stopped jerkily at a red light. Janus braced himself on the back of Roman's seat, glancing between them nervously. The car is quiet until the light turns green and Logic glances at Janus in the rearview mirror, "Did you know anything about this?"
"No, not at all." Janus said instantly.
Logic looked back to the road, and asked, "Are you lying?"
Hesitantly, Janus said quieter, "No, not at all."
Roman sighed and said, "I told him during our date. He doesn't care about Remy, right?"
Janus was staring out the window now, his chin propped up by his fist. His voice scratched when he said, "Right."
"Jan?" Roman glanced at him, but his attention was drawn away by Logic.
"So you had previously made the decision to inform your Sides about your boyfriend during your first date with them? Did you forget about that at the library?" Logic asked, shaking his head. "Or what about every time we interacted after that?"
Roman frowned, "Wait-"
Before Logic could start another bombardment of words, Janus bit from the back, "Dude, he was going to tell you after our date. We just got caught up with Jason. Relax."
Logic shook his head, "You're correct, Janus, my irritation with Roman is infinitesimal in comparison to my utter outrage at you!"
"Uh-" Janus said, sinking back further into his seat.
"How did Jason know where to find that Side?" Logic asked. Roman blinked, thinking to himself. He didn't know their Side was a tattoo artist. But Jason had a distinct and natural urge to go there. Roman pulled his shirt back to look at the bandaged tattoo on his chest. A flurry of emotions blew through him as he followed Logic's line of thinking.
Did Janus plan all of this?
"I am trying to build a professional profile for our Established self, and you seem to be going out of your way to tarnish our reputation!" Logic flicked on his blinker with more force than necessary.
"It's a tattoo, not a mugshot." Janus rolled his eyes, "And the quiet one had some too, so if you want to be mad at me, you have to be mad at him, too."
Logic shook his head, and Roman could see the bewildered expression Janus couldn't. "I don't give a shit about the tattoos, Janus!"
Roman felt his throat tighten at hearing Logic raise his voice. He could see Janus freeze up like a Stagefright in a spotlight. He wanted to jump in and help, but he didn't know what to say.
"You can't just use people like that." Logic said, his voice lower now. "What you did wasn't fair to Roman and it wasn't fair Virgil or Patton, and it wasn't fair to me."
"But-" Janus seemed lost, "but I got us all together. That's what we're supposed to do, we're supposed to find each other."
Logic nodded, "Yes, and now, because of the method you chose to introduce us with; our Sides have reason to fear or distrust us."
"We just went to his job, he's the one that took us home." Janus argued, "I didn't try to break into his house or something! We were in public- how are you supposed to meet your Sides then?"
Roman spoke up then, his voice quiet in comparison to the others, "It was the fusion, Jan. He knew you, so you used me to get closer to him."
"But we're Sides!" Janus said.
"But what if we weren't?" Roman asked.
"But we are!" Janus groaned.
"That shouldn't excuse your behavior. Your Sides are still people who still deserve privacy and a reasonable expectation of safety." Logic said, parking his car in the parking lot outside his apartment. Roman didn't remember the rest of their argument, but he knew they sat in that car for another ten minutes before getting out.
Janus didn't go inside with them, saying he had to be going home. He refused a ride when they offered him one, and walked off into the dark with his hands in his pockets and his head ducked low. Logic watched his retreating form for several seconds after Roman had already looked away.
Roman wanted to leave, too. He wanted to storm across campus and wake Kai up to gossip about his night. But he couldn't leave Logic alone when he clearly was still upset. He ended up following him up to his apartment. The boys locked themselves in Logic's room, even as the rest of the apartment seemed empty. They sat on his bed, exhausted and emotionally drained.
"I'm sorry." Roman took Logic's hand, "I really didn't mean to hurt you. If it makes you feel better; I was with Remy first, so I would've been cheating on him with you."
Logic blinked slowly, resting his head on the wall. "That does not make me feel better."
Roman laughed, which made Logic's lips twitch into a tiny smile. They spoke quietly back and forth, Roman slowly earning back the right to see Logic's smiles again. He apologized again and promised to be better with communication. Logic didn't ask him to break up with Remy, which is fantastic, because Roman didn't think he'd be able to go through with it.
And even though Logic says he's not mad at him anymore, Roman still feels unprepared to see him again on move-in day.
When Roman arrived at their new home, Logic's car was parked outside. No one else seemed to be there yet, thankfully. He had a little thing planned and it'd probably go smoother without an audience.
He grabbed the bouquet he had laid carefully on the passenger seat. He had to shove some of his bags in the back to make room, but he didn't want to risk a single petal tearing. He took a deep breath and walked up to the door. He rang the doorbell and waited.
Logic opened it a few moments later, unsurprised to see him. He pulled the door open wider and stepped aside.
"Good morning, Roman. Do you need help carrying your things?" Logic asked, his expression irritatingly neutral.
"Yes, but first-" Roman pulled the bouquet out from behind his back and recited, "I was told it is customary to provide flowers to those who just moved somewhere new."
Logic's face dropped in surprise as he slowly took the flowers from him. The bouquet was one Roman had custom requested; a complicated array of Hyacinths, Orchids, and Peonies, purple and white. Flowers that expressed remorse and asked forgiveness. He was sure Logic didn't know flower language; even if he was a nerd, no one really cares about that kind of thing. Except for Roman. What can he say? He's a romantic.
When Logic didn't say anything, stunned silent, Roman smiled nervously. He added with a small chuckle, "Were my sources wrong?"
"I don't- You're quoting me." Logic said, finally looking up to Roman's face. Roman's smile spread more naturally as he snickered at Logic. He got squinted at for that. Logic cleared his throat and said, "Thank you. I'm sure the others will enjoy these in the kitchen."
Roman's smile fell slightly as Logic turned and walked into the house. Roman quickly jogged after him. He watched as Logic filled a glass with water. Boxes were neatly stacked on the counter. Logic carefully placed the bouquet into the glass, setting it in the center of the island. Roman scratched his neck, unable to make eye contact. "They're kind of just for you, actually. Um, we haven't really gotten a chance to hang out much, and…"
He trailed off, unsure how to finish. Logic's gaze flicked over Roman quickly, examining him. Roman hated how clinical the sweep of his gaze felt. Logic stepped closer to Roman, gently taking his hands. Roman shivered at the touch; smooth fingertips sliding against his skin.
"Do you require attention?" Logic asked softly, his gaze piercing through Roman.
"No. Yes." Roman glanced away, "I don't know. But," he closed his eyes and said with effort, "it's not about me right now."
When he opened his eyes again, he stared at their joined hands. He asked, "Are you okay?"
Logic blinked in surprise, "Me?"
"Getting this place couldn't have been easy. And the last time we seriously talked was, well, when we were arguing about Remy." Roman said, squeezing his hands slightly.
"Ah." Logic said, nodding in understanding. "I assure you Roman, so long as you are honest about your relationships, I don't mind who you date."
"That's great." Roman said in a chipper voice, "But how are you? Was it hard to get this place? Are you already unpacked?"
"I still have a few things left to unbox." Logic said slowly, a shy smile spreading across his lips. Still holding Roman's hand, he led them back to the front door. "I suppose I could discuss the rest while I help you move in."
"Excellent idea." Roman all but purred, far too pleased that Logic was opening up more.
They walked together to the car, Logic answering his questions with a calm voice. He talked about his classes and some of the more technical things he had to do for them to be able to move in. It was nice to shut up and listen for once, letting Logic take the lead for their conversations.
Roman struggled to see where he was going through the hearts in his eyes. Logic didn't seem to mind his staring, too focused on actually unpacking. They carried bags and boxes upstairs to the room Roman picked.
There were three rooms on one side and two on the other. Logic had taken a room in the corner on the side with three. Roman chose the room across from that, on the two room side. Janus had already said that he would take the room next to Roman's, regardless of the house set up. So, that side of the hall was filled, with just Patton and Virgil deciding who wanted the middle room. Roman guessed Patton would take it, but that was for later.
Unpacking Roman's car took almost two hours. He declared they deserved a drink (of water) and some snacks. Logic followed him downstairs to the kitchen, asking, "That's everything you own?"
"No, that was just the first round. Kai will be bringing more in a couple days." Roman said with a laugh. "I just brought the essentials."
He looked through the boxes on the counter until he found one with glasses. He saved two of them from newspaper beasts and set them down on the counter. He could hear them cheering for being rescued from the cardboard box. He grabbed two water bottles from the case sitting nearby, and filled the thirsty glasses. They loved it, so thankful to no longer be suffocated and dry. No, the Toy Story series didn't bother him, why?
"Why not drink from the water bottle, Roman?" Logic asked, watching him from across the island. Roman looked at him, snapping out of his thoughts, then down at his hands. One held a glass of water, the other an empty bottle.
He frowned, giving up, "Is this a riddle?"
"We have tap water." Logic said, gesturing to the sink. "Filtered." To the fridge. "And bottled: a resealable container. Yet you chose the most difficult method provided." He smiled funny as he asked, "Do you always make things hard for yourself?"
"Uh-" Roman felt his face flush as he couldn't think of a response. He felt himself winding up into an improv speech about how water tasted better out of the bottle, but he couldn't think of enough lines.
They jumped as the doorbell rang. Logic gave him another small smile before he turned and headed to the front door. Roman glared down at the empty bottle in his hand.
He tossed it on the ground and muttered, "Stupid, Ro."
He followed after Logic to avoid his thoughts. Logic was talking to Janus, who was frowning. Roman stepped behind Logic and looked over his shoulder. Janus was wearing his weird black hat, an oversized yellow sweater that fell to his knees, and black tights. He had a backpack, a shoulder bag, a cage with something crawling inside it, and another bag he carried. Roman squinted, counting on his fingers. That was only four bags. He looked outside, but there was no car, no moving truck.
"Hey, where's your stuff?" Roman interrupted, completely unaware of what Janus was saying.
Janus flinched, but quickly covered it with a frustrated huff. He glared at Roman and said, louder, "This is all I have!"
"That's alright, Janus." Logic said in his 'I'm being calming' tone. Then he smacked Roman's chest. He added, quieter, "We already discussed that."
He grumbled, rubbing his new sore spot, "Sorry. I was over there."
"Just-" Janus sounded stressed, "Show me my room."
Logic led the way upstairs, and Roman took up the rear. They showed him his room, which only came with a bed. He seemed relieved when he saw it, sitting down on the mattress. He set his cage beside him and Roman only then crept up to inspect it.
"There better not be a snake in there." He said, peering in.
"Please, those are so basic." Janus responded, propping his head on his chin. He watched Roman with clear amusement.
Something in the cage moved. He stared down at it, unable to see the suspect. Then it moved again. He glanced at Janus, "Rocks?"
"Close," Logic said, kneeling beside him, "Take a look at their crab claws."
Roman squinted where he was pointing, stooping down to see at the same level. He gasped in surprise, "Hermit crabs?!"
"They like being alone, too." Janus said with a smirk.
"That's actually a misconception." Logic said, standing up to lecture. "There are over eight hundred species of hermit crabs in the world and as a collective they are very social; living in or gathering to form groups of a hundred or more called 'hermies'."
Roman glanced at Janus. Janus glanced at Roman. They both glanced at Logic.
He started talking again. "Furthermore, hermit crabs are not crabs, as they-"
"Wow, that's great!" Janus said, taking Logic's hand and smiling. "You're really smart, Logic. We know."
Logic frowned, his gaze flickering between them. "I'm sorry, I thought I was being brief. Um." He licked his lips, pulling his hand out of Janus' grip and gesturing at the cage. "Interesting pet."
Roman could feel the air grow tenser. He tried to cut through it, using his words as a sword. "Are they hard to maintain?"
"Uh, not really." Janus said slowly, also clearly uncomfortable with the energy they've created in this room today. "They only really eat once a day."
Logic piped up softly, "In the wild they can survive up to two weeks without food."
"These girls are divas, they wouldn't stand for that." Janus said, sliding the cage a little closer. "This one is named Rose and this is Sasha. Do you want to touch them?"
The room was quiet for a moment, and then Logic responded with a simple, pleased, "Yes."
Roman sat back and watched Janus instruct Logic on how to hold the crabs. They shared facts with each other. Logic kept his sentences short, his eyes stayed on the crab in his hands. Even after Roman got them both to laugh, he still felt a little off.
Yeah, it's fun to visit your boyfriend-slash-Side. It's really fun to spend the night in his apartment and have a sleepover. To be a welcomed visitor in a familiar area. But this? This was something different entirely.
He spaced out, imagining all the different ways the five of them would learn to coexist. It wouldn't be all bad, he was sure. But he has a feeling he'd get used to tension hanging in the air.
Tell me what you think!