Most restaurants had more circular tables than rectangular ones. Logic said this had something to do with Sides and most people going out to eat in groups of five. Either way, it meant everyone sat in a circle for their lunch. Roman found himself in between Janus and Logic. On Janus' other side was Virgil, who sat next to Patton. Roman was roughly across from Virgil and he had to resist the urge to nudge him with his feet.
He still felt a little awkward around Virge and Janus, but after a full week of wallowing in guilt, he was ready to fix his mistake. Virgil can't hate him that much, anyway, right?
He got mad when Roman told him why he wanted the tattoo finished. Virge didn't seem to like the idea of getting even with him. Roman thought that would be such his style, too. It was the most Negative idea he could think of. But if Virge hated him, he would've jumped at the opportunity to hurt him back.
Someone who hated him wouldn't have held him against the support beam like that. They would've jumped away as soon as they realized Roman was enjoying himself. But Virge didn't. He pressed against him harder. Roman was trying to be so good and not blow their cover with a horny moan. Logic would definitely kill him if they died because Roman popped a stiffy.
Whenever Roman made eye contact with Virgil, he had to look away quickly. Virgil watched him with a hard, guarded expression. Roman didn't know the little emo could be so controlling.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Janus asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Roman leaned close, speaking so only Janus could hear. He saw interest grow on Jan's expression at the prospect of a secret. He whispered, "Virge is kinda hot."
Janus smirked, tilting his head. "Is that so?"
"I mean." When Roman glanced at him again, Virgil's face was a little pink. He was looking down at his menu, but his eyes weren't moving. There's no way he could hear them, right? Roman licked his lips and tried holding up his menu to hide him and Jan from the others.
He said, "Like, when we were in the mall…"
Janus' grin spread wider and he nodded. He said, "You did a good job being quiet, love."
Roman felt his heart flutter a little at the praise. He wondered if Janus noticed his, uh, situation back there. If he did, he didn't mention it. Roman shrugged and said, "It was like…"
He didn't know how to describe it. He wasn't usually the type to be held down. He didn't know he'd like it that much. He bit his tongue, feeling his face flush.
Would Virgil want to do it again? For real this time? Without a STRESS in the area?
He lowered his menu when the waiter came to take their orders. Roman ordered a pasta dish. He forgot to actually look at the menu. He was too busy thinking about Virgil's hip digging against his, pinning him in place, a firm hand against his lips to keep him quiet. God, Roman, focus.
Janus was not helping. "Do you like danger, Roman?"
"Shush." Roman ignored the heat in his cheeks.
He glanced up. Virgil's brows were pinched, just barely. He sat with his elbows on the table, his chin resting on folded hands. Despite the pink to his cheekbones, his face remained almost entirely blank.
He asked, "You okay, Virge?"
"Hm? Yes. There was a STRESS." He said simply. "I'm dealing with that."
"Oh, gosh, that was so scary. I'm so thankful we were all safe." Patton said, reaching out and taking Logic's hand on the table. Logic smiled and they shared a look. Roman glanced at Patton's other shoulder, the not-quite-limp-ness to it.
"Very scary. Wasn't it, Roman?" Janus said.
Roman glanced at him, squinting at the clear mischief in his eyes. "I didn't see much."
"Me neither." Patton glanced at Logic again.
Janus smoothly waved away their concerns. "You didn't miss much."
Patton let go of Logic's hand to cover his mouth as he gasped, "Wait- when did you guys get out?"
"Shortly after the cops came." Virgil said. He cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact.
"So you didn't see…?" Patton didn't finish his sentence.
Janus shook his head stiffly. "We saw enough."
"Why did they arrest those hippies?" Virgil asked. Everyone looked to Logic.
Janus scooped up his hand, gaining Roman's attention. He didn't hear the beginning of Logic's explanation. Instead his thoughts were filled with Janus' soft voice.
"Do I need to visit your room tonight?"
Roman involuntarily inhaled at the offer. Thankfully, it was at an appropriate time for Logic's explanation, since the Nerd said: "Exactly! It's a very disturbing history. But that's why there's safety precautions-"
Roman glanced at Janus and did his best to nod as subtly as possible. Janus smirked. Virgil shifted in his peripheral. Roman felt his brain cells clinking together as he glanced at Janus, then Virgil, then Patton, and back to Janus. He sat up a bit and waited until Janus wasn't focused on him again. Jan sat pretty, eyeing Logic as he spoke, one hand propping up his chin.
Logic was saying something about, "The Department made it illegal to protect STRESSes during attacks, to prevent further damage. But then, with the marches…"
Then, Roman reached for his water. He smoothly dragged it across the table to knock his silverware to the floor as he raised the cup. It clattered quietly at his feet and he gave the others a sheepish look before he leaned down. Roman snatched the silverware and looked across the underside of the table, under the table cloth.
Virgil had his legs spread as wide as possible, his heels digging into the ground. On one knee rested Patton's hand, occasionally giving Virge a little pat. On the other side, Janus' hand sensually slid up and down Virgil's thigh. And Virgil was keeping the odds of those hands brushing to a minimum, giving Roman a lovely view.
He emerged from under the table a changed man. Roman's eyes immediately found Virgil's. He felt his face burn at the same moment Virgil's pink cheeks darkened.
He was- that was- and!
"What did you find?" Janus murmured innocently. Virgil shifted in his seat across the table.
"Uh." Roman swallowed heavily. He didn't know where to look. Obviously when Virge spent a week in Janus' bed, they would become closer. Roman just didn't realize they were that close. His mind was running with messy thoughts.
He stood and told the table, "Excuse me. I have to go to the restroom."
He was only two steps from the table when he heard Janus' voice say, "I should wash my hands before the food comes. Malls are just covered in germs."
Roman turned the corner into the hallway to the bathroom. It was a small hallway tucked into the corner of the restaurant, completely hidden from view. A community corkboard hung on one wall, tacky paintings on the other. Roman twisted, placing his back against the wall, and waited. A moment later, Janus arrived beside him.
Roman kissed him as soon as they were hidden. He wasn't expecting Janus to follow him; he was really just going to get a moment to breathe. But Roman wasn't going to turn down an opportunity when he saw one.
Janus pressed close against him, cupping his face and licking against his lips. Roman pulled away just enough to look at him as he whispered, "So when were you going to tell me you were jacking Virge off under the table?"
Janus snorted and asked, "Jealous is a pretty color on you."
"Hey, I am not Jealous." Roman muttered.
Janus let out a genuine giggle that made Roman feel like bubbles were forming and popping in his chest. Jan leaned closer and said, "Could've fooled me."
"You're so going to get it when we get home." Roman growled against Janus' neck. He heard Jan sharply inhale and he wished they weren't in public right now. "I haven't been able to touch you all week."
Janus pressed a row of kisses along Roman's jaw. He hummed and said, "No one told you to stay away."
The bubbles all popped. Roman felt his lungs fill with gasoline. He shoved down the guilt, trying not to ruin the mood. His fingers dug into Janus' hips, pulling him closer. He muttered, "I only want to hurt you if you ask for it."
"Hm, how sweet. I should have Virgil rough you up more often." Janus said after a small pause. He poked Roman's nose and said, "It makes you feisty."
Roman felt his heart come back to life as he asked, "Could you … get Virgil to, uh, to do that again?"
Janus smile grew smug. He squeezed Roman's hip and said, "I'll see what I can do."
Roman felt his mind run wild with fantasies. Janus had shown Roman just how skilled he was. He couldn't help the feeling he got in his stomach when he looked at his Sides. He felt giddy and sick at the same time. He wanted to touch and touch and touch and never stop.
"We should get back to the table before they claim I've kidnapped you." Janus said, pulling Roman closer by his hip.
For a brief moment, Roman thought about how Remy used to do the same thing. How they used to walk as close as possible, like if they tried hard enough they'd be able to merge. He thought that meant something. He thought he meant something.
Janus gave him a funny look. Roman must've been too obvious, he was never very good at hiding his emotions. Acting was different. But in his day-to-day, Roman's expressions were far too genuine. That's part of his stupid, undiagnosable Emotional trait. And Janus was the kind of Side that could pick his smiles apart. Roman had seen him do it, although Janus was nothing to compare to Samuel's piercing gaze. Imagine the creepiness the three of them would make. Roman voted they don't meet that guy.
Janus squeezed his hand. Right. Focus, Roman. Food, home, kisses. He could do this.
They reached the table the same time the first bit of food arrived. Janus kept both hands on the table for the rest of the meal, but Virgil didn't look any less pink. He kept making glances at Roman and Janus, which Roman kept count of because it was more interesting than whatever Logic and Patton were talking about.
"...various studies about the possibility of different variations of STRESS Fusions, but they're wildly disapproved of and mostly inconclusive…."
Roman instead focused on his pasta, thankful that it was yummy. It was hard to find a bad pasta dish, in his opinion. It was always his go-to for his indecisive nights. A comfort food of sorts; nothing reminded him of peace more than carbs, cheese, and tomato.
He looked over at Janus' steak and fancy mashed potatoes. Janus had cut a few cubes of stake at a time, taking his time with each bite. As quick as a viper, Roman stabbed a little slice of steak and popped it in his mouth.
Janus placed a hand on his chest in mock offense. He said, "Well that was rude. Did you forget to ask?"
Roman leaned close and asked in a low voice, "So I can press you against the wall and make out with you, but we can't share food?"
Surprisingly, Janus' cheeks grew pink. He silently relented; scooping up a few pieces of his stake and setting them on Roman's plate.
Roman considered it a victory, until Janus nodded towards his pasta expectantly. Roman gathered a few swirls - he didn't know the shape name, he wasn't a Logic - and delicately raised his fork to Janus. Roman watched as Jan took the bite, smiling when he seemed to like it. His gaze darted down to Janus' chin, where a bit of sauce landed.
He raised his thumb, wiping it off slowly. Janus' gaze was locked with his own. Roman brought his thumb to his lips and licked the sauce clean.
There was a grumpy grunt noise from across the table, and Janus glanced away for a split second. His smile only grew as he watched Roman's lips.
"You're scaring Patton." Janus said, joy in his voice.
"Wha- I'm not scared."
Suddenly, Roman felt his knee get a sharp squeeze. He sat up straight and was met with Logic's disapproving glare. Roman felt heat and shame rise to his chest as Logic let go of him and returned to his meal.
"Honestly, boys. We're in public." Logic scoffed. He met Roman's eye again and said, "Can't you behave?"
Roman's cheeks grew hot as well. He looked away, only to find Virgil's wide, interested expression. And nope, he couldn't think of that right now. To Janus' golden eyes and pure amusement. He had no where to look, so he stared at his plate. His face was probably as red as his entrée.
Oh shit. Roman realized as Logic gave his knee a small squeeze of approval. Oh he was so fucked.
The rest of dinner passed without incident, as Janus stopped being a tease and Roman stopped speaking at all. He got lost in a day dream or two, but as long as he kept shoveling food in his mouth, no one would notice. Logic paid the bill and they all gathered their stuff to leave.
Patton said, "Let me run to the potty real quick."
"As long as you refrain from referring to it as a 'potty' again." Logic said. Roman thinks it was a joke.
Patton rolled his eyes, "I work with kids, Lo, it just happens. Be right back!"
The rest of them slowly made their way through the restaurant to the front door. They waited just outside the restaurant, and Logic was polite enough to open the door for everyone who came by. Some old lady must've thought he worked there, because she gave him a dollar.
Logic offered it to the rest of them, and Virgil and Janus bickered over who got to spend it on a pack of gum back inside the building.
They came back both chewing gum, so Roman doesn't know what the purpose of the argument was for.
Logic checked his watch and said, "It has been an above average amount of time…"
"Maybe he's-" Janus' punchline was cut off as the doors to the restaurant swung open, almost hitting Logic.
Patton's wild eyes met his as he shoved a paper in his face and shouted, "Guys! Janus is missing!"
"What!" Roman took the paper and held it better so he could actually read it, thanks. He stared at a picture of Janus, glaring at the camera. He was younger than he was now, possibly years younger. His hair was wilder, and he didn't have a scar. Roman had never seen Jan without it. It almost didn't look like him.
Patton took Janus by the hands and asked, "Are you being kidnapped?"
"Yes." Janus said, tugging his hands away.
Logic and Virgil gathered on either side of Roman to look at the missing poster. It had Janus' full name, age, height, and a warning that he might be-
"Where did you find this?" Logic asked.
Patton pointed towards the restaurant. "In the hallway, by all the other posters. Didn't you guys see it when you went to the bathroom?"
Roman cleared his throat. Janus ignored his own blush and said, "We must've been busy."
"Might be aggressive to approach?" Virgil read out loud, sounding bewildered.
Janus shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I bite."
"You're not worried about this at all?" Logic asked, taking the missing poster and looking closer. "This is an official police report."
Janus shrugged again, not looking at them. "It's fine, I'll give Frank a call and tell him I moved in with you guys and he'll-"
Patton gasped, covering his mouth with his hand. He said, "Janus, you never told your dad that you moved out?!"
"Hey- hey- he is not my dad. He's my uncle!" Janus said, like that made any difference.
Logic crossed his arms. "The same uncle who raised you since you were a child and took custody of you during your parents divorce?"
Janus scoffed and said, "It's not a big deal-"
Patton shook his head. "Janus, it's been like two whole months! How did you not-"
"Because it doesn't matter? Okay?" Janus glared at a family that walked past them to get into the restaurant. He rolled his eyes as he said, "I come and go as I want. We don't have that kind of mushy relationship that you have with your family, okay? It's just different."
Logic stepped up to Janus and placed his hand on his shoulder. He led all of them a few steps away so they weren't blocking the entrance. He spoke calmly. "Janus, if your uncle filed a report, then perhaps he's worried this time. Have you spoken to him at all since moving in with us?"
Janus didn't respond.
"Maybe we could visit, simply to stop his fears?" Logic tried gently.
Janus made an annoyed sound, and Roman knew he lost him. He didn't talk a lot with his family either. But both his parents knew he was "at school". They didn't really care much further than that.
Virgil moved to stand next to Janus. He threw an arm around his shoulder and spoke quietly. Roman only heard because he's a nosey bitch who leans in close.
"Dude, you don't want to be on the cops radar. Be smart about this. Clear the record and then they'll have no reason to be looking for you." Virgil said.
Janus waved him off, but his irritated expression broke. He threw his hands in the air and said, "Fine! I go visit Frank tomorrow. Who's coming with me?"
Roman raised his hand, followed by Logic and Virgil. But Janus' gaze landed on Patton's timid hand, raised along with them.
Janus groaned and stormed off in the direction of their car. He dug through his cell and found his phone. Roman wondered if he simply ignored Frank's messages, or if Frank never sent one to begin with.
Roman's hand was currently owned by Janus, who tugged him into his room, right behind Virgil. Roman felt his heart stumble as he closed the door behind them.
"Uh-" Roman started, but didn't know what to say next. So he shut his mouth for once and watched.
Virgil climbed onto Janus' bed like it was his own, lazily spreading out to take up most of it. Janus chuckled and sat on the edge of the bed. He gestured for Roman to come closer, so he hesitantly stepped away from the door. He stood by the bed, Janus looking up at him, and Virge all splayed out. When he asked Jan if he could arrange a threesome, he didn't think it'd happen so fast. Janus had that funny little smirk on his face again. The one Roman always wanted to kiss.
"Can you sit up for me, love?" Janus asked. Miraculously, Virgil sat up, looking over his shoulder expectantly. Roman bit the inside of his cheek.
"Let's get this off you." Janus hummed, fingers looping under the collar of Virgil's jacket. "Although it is simply marvelous. Didn't Roman do a good job?"
Virgil nodded, pulling his arms out of the sleeves stiffly. Janus shifted to help better with raising his shirt above his shoulders. Virgil pulled the shirt off the rest of the way, sitting patiently for them.
Roman tried to count sheep while he mentally recorded every slope of his skin. Roman's gaze caught on the massive webs across his arms and elbows. Of the little spiders that crawled across the thin lines. Roman wanted to get closer, to look at the art work, but he didn't want to interrupt whatever Janus was doing. How did Jan manage to tame the terrifying emo?
"How are you feeling, dear?" Janus asked. Roman almost answered, if it weren't for a warning glance from Jan. He held his tongue with his teeth.
Virgil let out a long exhale, seemingly relaxing as Janus slowly peeled off the big, rectangular bandage on his back. Roman then realized what was happening.
Oh, Gods he's such an idiot. Roman wanted to curl up in shame. They weren't having a threesome, they were showing Roman the damage he'd done. Roman closed his eyes as he heard the bandage slowly tear away from skin.
"I'm alright. I think." Virgil said, and Roman focused on his voice. "I think I'm just tired. From my trait being active for so long."
Janus made a humming noise. "I'm sure the STRESS made it spike again."
Virgil hummed back. Roman peeked his eyes open to see Janus rubbing a smooth, white medicine onto Virgil's back. From what Roman could see of Virgil's expression; his relaxed posture and closed eyes told Ro they were very used to this activity. Roman bit his lip, well aware of what he had caused.
"Do you need anything to help recharge?" Janus asked softly, like they were the only two in the rroom. Roman got the weird feeling that he was invading something personal. Janus asked as he gathered more medicine onto his fingers, "Gatorade? Your inhaler?"
Virgil shook his head. "I'll be alright. I really should carry that thing around with me."
"Do you have extras?" Janus asked.
Virgil shook his head again, short this time. "I can get more."
Janus leaned close and pressed a kiss to the juncture of Virgil's neck and shoulder. He murmured, "Do that."
Virgil shivered. Roman blushed. Janus continued working, gently rubbing in small circles. After a moment, Janus looked up at Roman, and took his hand.
Roman felt robotic as he watched Janus move his hand to the medicine and add some to his finger tips. He guided Roman's fingers to the burn on Virgil's back.
Roman jerked, his hand matching the outline far too well. He remembered the feeling, the burning, the need to get away. Janus shushed him, keeping his hand still.
"Be careful." Janus said, and Roman forced himself to breathe.
Why was he being so stupid? He could put lotion on someone's back. He wasn't afraid of a scar, that would be stupid. Roman closed his eyes as he touched Virgil's skin.
He heard a soft sigh, and felt the pressure against his fingers increase. He glanced down, seeing Virgil lean back against his small touch. Roman let out a shaky breath.
"It doesn't hurt?" Roman asked.
"Not anymore." Virgil said, looking over his shoulder at him. "Not with the lotion."
Roman blushed and focused on finishing the rest of the burn mark. He ignored how his fingers were the same length, the same width as the tender, discolored skin. The burn was nothing more than a shadow, outlining who was responsible for its existence.
Virgil sighed when Roman finished, stepping back. He wiped his hand on his pants while Janus gently applied a fresh bandage. He watched as the wound slowly covered up, bit by bit. Roman wondered how long it would take for the rest of the pain to go away. Until Virgil wouldn't have to treat it anymore. Would he still think about it? And when he did, would he think of Roman?
Janus helped Virgil lay down, pulling the blanket up to his shoulder. Roman, once again, felt jealous at the thoughts his mind supplied. Virgil and Janus in their shared bed. Why was that so interesting to him?
"Rest up, love." Janus said, brushing Virgil's hair out of his face. "You deserve a break."
Virgil sat up slightly when Janus stood up. His hand twitched on the pillow, like it wanted to reach out. Virgil asked, "Are you leaving?"
"For only a moment." Janus replied, gently pushing him back into the bed. "I have to take a shower. I'll be back when I'm done."
Virgil nodded, nuzzling into Janus' pillow. He said with a wide, sleepy smile, "Oh, okay. Have fun with Roman."
"I-" Janus straightened, glancing at him. Roman covered his mouth to hid his giggles. Janus cheeks burned as he said, "I will."
Virgil snorted, eyes closed. Janus took Roman's hand and pulled him out of the room. Roman tried not to giggle the entire time.
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