Virgil stood with his hands in his pockets slightly behind the other three as they stood in front of a merchant's cart. Logan was trying to ask the person behind the stand about the night of the attack. Unfortunately, they and most of the other residents of the town had their facts mixed up and things weren't very clear on what had happened, in this town at least. Logan said it made sense, the longer it's been the more memories of the night the brain will throw out.

Virgil didn't think it made sense, he still remembered plenty from that night. Logan said that also made sense, Virgil had experienced trauma and everyone experienced trauma differently. He also mentioned that Virgil had experienced trauma throughout the trip, not allowing his brain time to process it all. Virgil thought the brain was weird... he wasn't sure he liked it very much.

He sighed with impatience as he waited for the others to finish talking to the cart owner, leaning back against a nearby building as he did. His eyes traveled around the boardwalk they had been walking through. This was one of the many beachside towns the Dark Realm had to offer. It was also one of the largest import and export towns the kingdom had, meaning it was very busy with all sorts of people of all sorts of racial, ethnic, and magical origins. The others had been so impressed by it, Patton was the only one who had ever been to a town like this and according to him, it wasn't nearly as diverse.

The Dark Realm might have a more notorious and... evil... history but they were definitely more progressive than the Light Realm was.

He turned his gaze to a nearby dock, where a mass of traders, fishermen, boat crews, and many others went about doing their day-to-day job. His eyes trailed across the pier, searching for anything that might pose as a danger. Ever since he had had that vision he had been doing his best to try and keep an eye out for things but it wasn't as easy as it seemed. Anything remotely odd or suspicious would make him tense and skeptical, or more accurately, paranoid.

Virgil froze when his eyes landed on a familiar figure, form, and face slightly obscured by the boat captain they were talking to. His whole body tensed as he waited for the person to move out of the way, and after several agonizing seconds, they did. The figure turned around to walk to the end of the dock but by then Virgil had already seen their face and was certain of who they were. 'Remy' He thought as he pushed off the wall and suddenly began sprinting to them.

"Ann!" Patton called before taking off after him. Logan and Roman sighed, apologized to the person they had been speaking to, and then followed.

As soon as Virgil reached them he all but tackled Remy into a hug, arms wrapping around the other boy's back and to his front. Remy jumped, not having seen him at all as he had been turned away, and instantly managed to spin Virgil in front of him, a knife suddenly appearing at the prince's throat before freezing in absolute shock at seeing them.

"Unhand him you fiend!" Roman yelled as he and the others came to a sudden halt a short distance away from them, missing the way Virgil smiled widely at the boy with the knife.

Remy didn't let go of Virgil but he did drop the knife to the ground, "Virgil?" He asked softly as the other boy laughed slightly and nodded. Remy pulled Virgil to his chest, embracing him tightly as coffee brown wings with milk-white swirls grew from his back and he lifted them both to the air with a laugh, spinning them in excited circles as they rose up high. The others watched with confusion, not knowing what to do or what exactly was going on. Only that Virgil had been with them one moment, then sprinted towards a random person the next, and now they were here. Virgil smiled and giggled again as his arms wrapped around Remy's neck and the two pressed their foreheads together as Remy lowered them to the ground again.

"Virgil," Remy whispered affectionately, "Holy shit, do you have any idea how god damn worried I've been about you? People were telling me you were dead! Others said you ran off towards the Light Realm? I mean what the shit Anxiety, you hate those pricks!" Virgil laughed again, the other three stood slightly uncomfortable at the comment, "Listen, V, if you ever scare me like that again I will-... oh man I don't even know. Just, don't... okay? Don't do that again." Remy opened his eyes and pulled away from Virgil.

Virgil smiled at him and nodded as he pressed a kiss to Remy's forehead, 'I missed you too Remy,'

Patton gasped and jumped forward, "Wait! This is Remy? Oh my goodness Ann's told us so much about you!" Patton said, he held his hand out to Remy as the two turned to face the rest of the group, "I'm Patton! I'm Ann's new friend, it's very nice meeting you."

Remy smiled slightly, "Aw, that's so nice of you Anx. Most of the time he just insults me when introducing me to people."

Patton laughed, "Oh no! Ann has told us- or me- about you and how you help out with all your siblings and your family's shops and how smart and resourceful you are and all sorts of reasons why he loves you!"

Remy smirked as he turned to Virgil, "Now is that how you feel? Does my little Caffeine Bean really love me?"

'I will stab you.'

Remy laughed the threat off, "Babes, you're as harmless as a kitten, and nothing will convince me otherwise."

'Kittens have claws'

Patton giggled as the two went back and forth like that while Roman and Logan stood slightly farther behind them and watched the scene unfold around them. Both of them had to admit that Remy was a very handsome young man with dark curly hair and brown eyes. He was taller than Logan by a few inches and strongly built, it was obvious that he got plenty of physical exercises though unlike with Remus and Roman it wasn't really a fighter's body. They didn't look like they were native to the Dark Realm, dark-skinned that was more common in the kingdoms opposite of the ocean than it was in the ones here. He had a triangular face, his hair framing it well. When he smiled he displayed a large amount of charisma and mischief, it was bold and arrogant, this look was only assisted by the dark-tinted glasses sitting on top of his head.

"-and who are you two?" Remy asked them as he took a step forward.

Logan took Roman's hand, "I'm Logan Croft and this is-"

"Holy shit you look like Remus," Remy said with surprise as he took in Roman's appearance.

The prince laughed a little nervously, "You look like your siblings too," he said as he took a small step forward himself and shuffled partly in front of Logan as if to hide him.

Remy swiftly turned back Virgil, "You saw my siblings?" he asked him desperately, Virgil nodded, "Are they alright? We tried sending a letter but everything so backed up right now, we don't know what the fuck is going on and-" Virgil pressed a hand to Remy's chest and Remy immediately grabbed hold of it. He got the message, calm down, everything would be explained. Remy sighed with relief as he nodded, "You guys hungry? I'll buy yall some lunch, seems like Virgie has got some stuff to catch me up on."

The five of them sat in a booth at a small restaurant not too far from where they had found Remy. Roman and Virgil each sat on the inside of the booth next to a window, with their respective partners next to them. Patton sat at the end of the table as there wasn't much room for him to sit on the bench, though they seemed perfectly happy with it.

The Dark Realm prince had his head resting on Remy's shoulder with his eyes closed. Remy had his arm around Virgil and kept playing with his hair. It was clear to them all that Remy and Virgil were super close if the prince allowed Remy to do such things. Virgil must really trust him and have missed him to be so okay with physical contact and to be partly initiating it. Not to mention that Remy didn't often ask to touch him, he simply knew when, where, and how it was okay to do so. His hands never trailed below Virgil's waist, his touches were always soft, slow, and gentle, the only time he had grabbed Virgil was when he thought he was being attacked. Remy didn't try and touch or hold Virgil's hands, knowing it was his way of communication and not wanting to effectively kill that. He was very gentle with Virgil, but not in a way that was patronizing, and somehow, Remy always knew when Virgil had had enough and would pull away from him before Virgil even signed anything.

They had spent some time catching Remy up to speed and talking. Remy had been on a trip outside the kingdom with his father and one of his sisters when the kingdom was attacked so he hadn't been there to witness it. They had had to get back on a trading boat because the regular commercial ships were backed up and not many were going towards the Dark Realm. But it took a while for them to find a way back, apparently, they had only arrived in town the other day and were stuck waiting for their father to find them a quick way back to the capital. But Remy claimed they were almost done and would probably be leaving within a few days. They had told Remy about his family, how only about half of them had managed to get away. He had needed a moment to compose himself but when he came back he seemed better and had a short conversation with Patton about how proud they were of River. Virgil also promised to help Remy tell his father and sister when the time came.

"So how long have you two been dating?" Patton asked.

Remy shrugged and looked to Virgil, "Whatsit been now? A year or something right?"

Virgil shrugged as if to say he wasn't sure either, "You guys don't know? How do you now know?" Roman asked with surprise.

"Well, it's kinda unclear," Remy reasoned, "There wasn't really an exact date, we just kinda did, huh Virge?" Virgil nodded in agreement.

"How did you two get together?" Patton asked them.

Roman sat up tall as he suddenly became more interested in the conversation, "Ooh! Yes! It must be a fascinating tale! Who wooed who? Was the confession dramatic? Were there tears? Blood? Death?!"

"I doubt there was death," Logan mumbled.

'No death,' Virgil confirmed as he opened his eyes, 'It's actually kind of a funny story though, right Rem?'

"Stroy time!" Patton yelled excitedly, earning a glare from some of the other patrons.

Remy laughed lightly, "Yeah, it was funny baby," Remy said as squeezed Virgil slightly, "about a year ago Jan and Remus were teasing us about how close we were. Kept saying stupid shit like 'you're in love' and 'look at the adorable couple' 'whens the wedding' blah blah blah whatever. Which was total bs considering the only time Remus isn't practically sitting on Janus's lap is when Hollis or King Harper wasn't in the room."

'It was disgusting,' Virgil added in.

"Revolting, definitely," Remy agreed, "Anyway, V and I had had enough and weren't gonna let them win so we just kinda went along with it... And never really stopped. It became real after a bit though." The others seemed surprised, maybe even disappointed, by the short explanation of the story. Especially Roman who had obviously been expecting some dramatic retelling of a beautiful love confession. Remy shrugged, "Our relationship didn't really change much, we already loved each other, just became more intimate or whatever the hell you wanna call it. And that's kinda it."

"That's it? Where's the drama and the romance and the thrill?" Roman asked, "Where's the life-saving true loves kiss and the tears of joy and beautiful wedding?"

'Dude, I'm sixteen,'

"That's no excuse!" Roman yelled, "I already have mine and Logan's wedding planned out!"

Logan looked only slightly startled, "Are we already engaged? That's a little fast Roman, isn't it? This wedding better not be overdramatic, Roman, if it's anything like the wedding you planned for the girl you liked when you were fourteen then we'll be getting a divorce before we get married. Oh, wait, were you lying about liking her too?"

Patton laughed at the two while Virgil just rolled his eyes, "We kissed," Remy said with a shrug, trying to indulge the dramatic prince, "And V's seen me cry happy tears before whenever I get a new sibling. He's more of a sad cryer though, that's okay cause he still manages to look absolutely stunning."

'Don't compliment me, I'll poison your coffee'

"You think that's gonna stop me? I'll drink coffee no matter what you put in it."

"You love and trust him that much?" Roman asked with awe.

'No, he just really like coffee.'

"No more than I love you though, you and coffee are equals babes."

"Is it healthy for a person to compare the love they feel to that of an inanimate object?" Logan asked, only to get a shrug from the two Dark Realm boys, they didn't know and neither of them really cared. They both knew that if by some minuscule chance Remy was forced to choose between coffee and Virgil, he would choose Virgil.

"-Interesting," Logan muttered in response to Remy's explanation, "What about that odd yellow powder that Virgil carries with him, he's told us that was your creation."

It hadn't taken long for the nerd to engage Remy in a conversation about magic. Remy's family knew hundreds of different types of recipes for all sorts of magical remedies, many of these recipes had been invented by the Somnum family themselves, many more had saved lives. Remy himself had already created multiple magical powders and ointments that they sold in their stores. Including one specifically made for Virgil.

"Oh yeah," Remy began with a nod, "Well that's actually not the kind we normally sell. I made the commercial stuff after V's Ma passed. He and Dee couldn't sleep for a while after and I was worried. Most sleeping spells are dangerous and have crumby side effects, I didn't want that so I made a powder that harmlessly causes an almost instant sleep. Has no side effects either. Takes about ten minutes for it to work and depending on the dosage it'll keep you knocked out for a couple of hours. The one Virgil has is much more... extreme, instant knockout and just a pinch will keep people out for half-day or something, it was just something he could use to protect himself. Virge is a great fighter, but his refusal to kill is a large weakness, unfortunately, most people aren't gonna play fair. This is just made to... even out the playing field." He smiled lightly as he looked at Logan, "I gotta protect his stubborn ass somehow right?"

Logan nodded and began rambling about something else, which would eventually lead to another question. Meanwhile, Remy briefly turned his attention to Virgil, who had since pulled away from Remy's touch and was now staring out the window towards the skies. He was fidgeting oddly and Remy didn't miss the other symptoms of raised anxiety he displayed. Gently, he placed a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder, "You okay?" he asked quietly.

Virgil nodded with a tight-lipped smile.

"Nah babes, you're not. Don't lie to me please, that's your brother's job. You wanna take a break?"

Virgil sighed slightly but seemed relieved, 'Can we fly too?'

Remy smiled, "Course we can, just gotta be careful alright?" Virgil nodded excitedly and took Remy's hand as he turned back to the others, "V and I are gonna take a breather. You guys planning on spending the night in town?" They nodded, "There's an Inn down the street, that's where I'm staying with my dad and sister. Plenty of rooms open, you guys should crash there."

"That sounds fine, thanks," Patton said with a smile

Remy nodded as he pulled some money out of his bag and placed it on the table to pay for their meal, "We'll see ya there then. Ready Anx?" Remy asked as he turned to the other Virgil nodded excitedly as he waved the others goodbye and followed Remy out the door.

The others stared after them for a while before Patton slid into the seats the two had previously occupied with a smile, "They make a cute couple."

"Yeah," Roman agreed, "Logan?"

"Yes?"

"You never stood a chance."

Virgil squealed with both joy and terror as he and Remy sailed through the skies. Cool wind slapped them in the face and made both of their hair wild and crazy. Ocean mist made their skin and clothes slightly damp. Remy's arms were wrapped around Virgil's torso and, as if for extra precaution, a rope held them together and would prevent them from getting separate. Virgil's arms stretched out on either side of him, like a bird, trying to touch the clouds and feel the sky between his fingers.

Remy smiled lightly as he moved them through the air, his grip on Virgil was tight enough to keep him safe but not so tight to hurt the other or make him uncomfortable. His head rested on Virgil's shoulder, every once in a while he'd press gentle kisses to the side of the other's head. He'd missed Virgil, the prince had been one of many people on his mind when news of the attack reached him. He'd worried for his boyfriend and what could happen to him, the rumors that had been spreading throughout kingdoms didn't help any of that. He was just glad he was okay and safe.

"You feeling better hun?" Remy asked softly. Virgil turned to look at him, noses practically touching, as he nodded with a soft smile, "That's good, they haven't been messing with your anxiety have they?"

'Never on purpose.' Virgil signed, with a little bit of difficulty given their position, 'They sometimes forget to ask before they touch. Pat's getting okay at it but they really likes to hold hands sometimes. And Roman tends to grab when he wants attention. Logan's pretty good at it, but he sometimes gets jealous over the others.'

Remy hummed a laugh, "I don't need to be worried do I?" he asked teasingly.

'I mean Logan kinda kissed me a few days ago but that was before he and Roman got together'

"Why would he kiss you?" Remy asked

'I know, I'm disgusting right?'

"No, don't do that V, we've talked about that. Why would he kiss you? What did you do?"

'I slapped him. He said he had a crush on me.'

"Did he ask to kiss you?"

'If he had asked to kiss me I would've said no and wouldn't have slapped him,'

"Fair I guess," Remy said with a shrug, "Seriously now though, do I have to be worried?"

'About our relationship or about me?'

"Both, I don't wanna to lose you."

Virgil smiled lightly at how Remy squeezed him slightly as he spoke, 'Logan's with Roman now. And Pat and Roman don't see me that way, I think they just see me as a kid.'

"And you? Are you okay with... everything?"

'I'm not okay with it. But I'm dealing with it, I'll be fine Rem.'

Remy nodded slowly, "Yeah, I know. You're strong like that" Remy looked to the ground below, "wanna land yet?"

'Just a few more minutes Rem, please?' Virgil begged, even holding his hands together and making his eyes wide and pleading.

Remy laughed at him, "Okay, okay, just a little bit though. I don't want your friends getting worried." Virgil celebrated in Remy's arms as he stuck his own back out again, and caught the wind beneath them.