Love is When... - Logince & Prinxiety

Chapter Twelve

"What?"

"You said you want 'that' back. Is 'that' me or the happiness?" he pressed.

"Is there a difference?" Logan asked, arms folding over his chest.

"Yes. Monumentally. One favors both of us, and the other only favors you," Roman countered.

"Please, Roman. I need you," Logan said, arms uncrossing and reaching for Roman, voice pleading.

Roman, to his surprise, found himself stepping back. "I... I don't know, Logan."

"Roman, please. I am nothing without you. I am drowning and I... I need you to save me," he begged, coming closer

"Logan - I - we weren't good together!" Roman tried to explain.

"Please, I'm begging you. Just say that you can... please? For me? For us?"

Say it. You can! You have to.

You need to.

"I..." Roman faltered.

TELL HIM YOU CAN.

"I can't. I can't do that. I'm sorry but... I can't do that to you. It hurt you! It hurt me," Roman cried, voice breaking at the words that fell from his lips.

Logan stopped advancing, retreating his arms to his sides as his face set into a stone cold expression. The change was instantaneous. Like a faucet turning off, Logan became devoid of emotion. If Roman wasn't sure before, he was now. No one can spill that many genuine emotions and wipe their face clean as if it never happened.

"Well then, I see where your priorities lie. Not such a great hero, are you, Roman? After all, heroes are rarely so selfish," Logan said coolly before he stormed out of the classroom, the door slam leaving a resounding echo in Roman's head.

What just happened? Roman thought to himself as silence crashed down upon him. He stumbled to a desk and sank into the plastic chair.

Not such a great hero are you? Heroes are rarely so selfish...

Not a hero... rarely so selfish.

Not a hero, too selfish.

Selfish.

Selfish.

Selfish.

I'm selfish. I'm selfish because I can't ever stop loving you...

* * *

Roman trudged into the theater and made a beeline for the sign-in sheet, marking that he would be working up on the catwalk. Without saying a word, he clambered up the ladder, practically sighing in relief as he looked over the stage.

"Oh, it's the actor," a voice drawled. Roman internally groaned when he recognized the speaker. Taking a steadying breath, he turned toward the voice.

"Dylan, what a pleasure," he said flatly.

"Isn't it?" Dylan retaliated, stepping closer, and once he did, he could make out the tear tracks that lined Roman's face. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his tone shifting.

"Yeah, I'm... I'll be fine," Roman answered.

"I'm gonna get Beltz," Dylan said, heading for the ladder.

"Wait, who?" Roman asked, spinning to follow him, but Dylan was already gone. "Great," Roman muttered, crossing the platform to start checking the lights. "Might as well do some work while I'm up here."

"Princey, you okay? Dylan sent me up here," a very familiar voice called out from behind him, and Roman felt a small smile spread across his face.

"Hey, V. I didn't know your last name was Beltz," Roman said, turning towards his friend.

"Yeah, sorry, it never came up."

"Don't be sorry."

"So... are you okay?" Virgil asked, turning towards the stage and peering over the railing. When he was met with silence, he glanced over at Roman who stood staring at the ground, fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "Princey?"

"I... no, not really," Roman said, slumping against the railing beside Virgil. "But I really don't want to talk about it... honestly, I just kind of need a hug," he muttered but quickly straightened up. "Not that I'm asking you to give me one. I know you don't like that so, don't worry about it, honestly," Roman sputtered, hurriedly trying to justify himself.

"Hey, Princey, calm down, breathe," Virgil reassured. "It's okay, you know. Um... yeah, I don't like hugs, but uh..." he trailed off, trying to think of a compromise.

"Do... do you know what a hand hug is?" Roman suggested, peeking up through his bangs.

"No?"

"Oh, it's something I used to do with my brother when he was younger. Here, it's like this: can I take your hand?" Roman asked cautiously.

"Uh, yeah sure," Virgil said, offering his hand. Roman pressed their palms together, wrapped his thumb around the back of Virgil's hand, and squeezed gently. Virgil, almost on instinct, reciprocated the action before letting go.

"See? It's just... you know, a hand hug... Sorry, it's dumb," Roman mumbled, quickly retreating from Virgil.

"No, wait, it's not dumb, Princey," Virgil reassured, holding out his hand to Roman and letting out a small smile when Roman connected them again, briefly. Roman exhaled a laugh before turning back to the stage below them, gazing out at the other techies. "Are you okay?" Virgil repeated quietly.

Roman sighed. "Well, I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yeah... and..." Virgil hesitated before finishing, "I'm really glad you are."

Roman glanced over at him a confused sort of smile on his face. "Thanks, V."

"Anytime, Princey."