Roman exhaled heavily as he lowered his sword, the dragon witch he'd been fighting disappearing with a puff of smoke. He hadn't done this in quite a while, having taken a break from these sorts of quests in favor of spending more time with the other Sides. It felt good to get back into the swing of imaginary quests but it was definitely more draining than he remembered it to be.

He slid the sword into his scabbard and wiped the sweat from his forehead. As he did so, it disappear with a little puff of sparkles; being in the Imagination meant he could look flawless any time he wanted.

"You saved me!" a female voice said from behind him, jolting him back into the situation at hand.

Roman turned, seeing the princess' chains had disappeared when the dragon witch died. She ran to him and threw herself into his arms. He humored her excitement, twirling her around as he hugged her back. Usually, this was when he'd get a flutter in his stomach or chest from being so adored by someone; this time he felt nothing.

She smiled at him when he set her down. "You were so brave! I owe you my life!" she exclaimed.

"Nonsense, you owe me nothing," he replied. "It was my pleasure."

The princess laughed a little. "Well, at least allow me to repay you with a kiss," she suggested, tapping her cheek as she leaned up.

A sudden panic shot through him as he raised his hand to stop her. "No, no, that's quite alright," Roman said quickly. She frowned, looking wounded. "I mean, you should save those lovely kisses for the man you truly love. In the meantime, a thank you will do just fine."

"Well, thank you then," she said, uncertainty clear in her tone.

"You're quite welcome."

He took her hand and brought it to his lips in a respectful manner. He then released her and made his way out of the tower.

Perhaps he'd been a little terse with her, but he couldn't help but be distracted. He was used to wanting the person he rescued to be all over him. He usually felt butterflies all over when a prince or princess kissed him. Today, Roman didn't feel that at all and now he was determined to find it again.

~ One Month Later ~

Roman knocked on Patton's door with an exhausted sigh. He felt like he hadn't slept in a month. Ever since the encounter with the princess, he'd been racing across the Imagination and rescuing every royal he could find. He was searching for those butterflies he used to feel but was met with no luck. He hadn't felt anything for any of the royals he rescued. This was why he was outside Patton's door that afternoon.

"Hey Roman, what brings you to my room?" he asked as the prince entered.

"Well, you're good at love stuff, right? Like the actual feelings behind it and emotions?" he asked in reply.

As he sat down on the moral Side's bed, Patton frowned in surprise. "I suppose I do, why are you asking?"

"I've been rescuing royals all over the Imagination and I haven't felt a thing toward any of them! I don't know what's going on with me! It's so weird!" Roman explained. He shook his head. "It makes no sense. I don't feel any butterflies anymore, Pat! What's wrong with me?"

The dad-like character smiled sympathetically. "I think it's a bit of an overstatement to say that something's wrong with you, kiddo," he pointed out. "But maybe you're in love with someone already?"

"Impossible, I don't have feelings for anyone! That's why I've been rescuing royals!" the creative Side said with a sigh.

Patton frowned and patted his shoulder. "Well, that's the best reason I can come up with for you," he told him. "I would think about it if I were you. Maybe you're just not aware of your feelings yet!"

"I suppose I'll think about it, thanks for the advice, Padre," Roman mumbled as he left the room.

~ Three Days Later ~

A muffled scream was filling the silence of Creativity's room. Logan was concerned, but the prince had spoken to Patton earlier, and the moral Side had reassured him it was fine.

To Roman, it was not fine. He had come to the realization that the dad-like Side had been correct. He hadn't realized his feelings yet.

He was then made painfully aware of them when Virgil sent a flirty smirk his way that made his insides feel like mush. He vaguely remembered stammering and then fleeing from the common room.

He raised his head from his pillow and ceased his screaming, opting to whine pathetically. "This is just great! How am I supposed to cope with these feelings?"

Patton had suggested to act on them, being fairly confident that the anxious Side felt the same way. The prince wasn't so sure of that but he knew that laying in bed moping the rest of his existence wasn't going to do any good; it wasn't his style anyway.

With a huff, Roman pushed himself up and headed toward his door. He was going to try and flirt with the anxious Side, but without being super obvious so he wouldn't give himself away too quickly or freak him out. Virgil was observant, so he had to be careful to go slowly and not be too obvious.

He clapped his hand and conjured up three flowers. He then made his way to Logic and Morality's rooms, leaving each of them attached to the door with a friendly note. Roman then made his way to the common room, knowing it would be better to give it to him in person.

Virgil was lounging on the couch with his phone in front of his face. He looked pretty relaxed.

"Greetings Virgil," he said, causing the anxious Side to jump. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine, I'm just a bit tense all the time," he explained, a hand over his chest as he tried to calm his racing heart. "What's up, Princey?"

Roman swallowed and handed him a black and purple rose. "I was practicing my creating powers and made each of you a flower," he explained. "This one is for you."

"Oh... thank you, it's cool, or whatever," the anxious Side replied, flipping his hair more over his face. "You made one for all of us?"

"Well, yes, I wanted to make one for all of you so no one got upset," he said, quickly realizing that that's not what he meant. "I-I mean- I wanted to make something special for you- well, not just you- not that you're not special! You are special! But so are the others- and- yeah..."

Virgil looked confused. "Okay?"

"Yeah, sure, would you like something to eat or something?" Roman rushed out. The anxious Side's eyes widened in surprise and the prince's cheeks flushed. "I-I'm heading toward the kitchen so I thought I'd grab you something if you wanted it."

He shrugged and mumbled something about chocolates. The creative Side made a dash for the kitchen to get out of the awkward situation he was in. He was being too obvious.

"Idiot, idiot, idiot! He's gonna know you like him!!" he exclaimed.

"Uh, what?"

Virgil's voice came from behind him, making him gasp and whirl around. Roman slapped a hand over his mouth. "I didn't know you followed me!" he exclaimed once he pulled it away.

The anxious Side's cheeks were rosy under his pale foundation. "W-Well I didn't know you liked me!" he countered indignantly. "You could've just been being friendly!"

"You're kidding right? I made you a rose Virgil, and offered to get you stuff," Roman said. His face was bright red but it was too late to take it back so he pressed on. "When have I ever done that for the others? Do you really hate the thought of me liking you that much that you blocked it out?"

"I don't hate it!" he rushed out. "I just... I never let myself believe you might. I'm glad you feel that way, cause I do too..."

The prince stopped, feeling those long awaited butterflies in his stomach. "So, could we potentially be a couple then?" he asked, running his fingers through his hair. "Because I've been rescuing princesses and princes all over the endless Imagination, and none of them gave me butterflies the way you just did."

"Oh," Virgil stammered, turning even redder. "Um... if you're okay with moving slow, I'm okay with dating you."

"Of course, we can go as slow as you want," he said with a smile.

The anxious Side nodded and an awkward silence settled between them. After a moment, Roman cleared his throat. "So, you still want that chocolate?"

"Yeah, that would be great, and a glass of water while you're up," he said, waving at him as he headed back toward the common room.

"Hey! You're up too!"

"So? You offered!"

The prince huffed but smiled to himself. Things had worked out a little better than he'd predicted.