Roman was 4 years old when he made his first real friend. Before that, he never left the house and usually played outside by himself. When he turned 9, he and his best friend learned to ride bikes. It was so much fun.

They were both outside rough-housing like nine-year-old boys do. They were laughing and rolling around in the grass underneath the warm basking light of the sun. Roman’s dad came home and they both ran inside to greet him. Although Roman’s friend wasn’t blood-related family, he was an orphan and was treated as part of the family.

“Dad!” Roman yelled upon seeing his father, running to give him a hug with his friend on his tail. It was never said but they always had competitions to see who could get to the front door first.

“Hey, kiddo!” Roman’s dad said leaning down and embracing him in a hug.

“Hello,” Roman’s friend said, waving at Roman’s dad enthusiastically.

“I told you, you can call me Dad.” He said giving off a friendly and welcoming chuckle.

“Ok, Dad!” Roman’s more of a broth than a friend said. Offering a toothy grin in return of the wholehearted smile.

Roman’s mother walked out of the kitchen to join the conversation. Roman’s mom had her cooking apron on and she gave a sweet kiss on the cheek as a sign of affection to her husband. Roman gagged and his ‘friend’ laughed at his silly antics.

“Lunch his ready you three,” She said, referring to the three boys in the room.

“Yummy! Come on let’s go!” Roman said, running to the kitchen ready to eat the beef stew his mother had prepared.

He sat down at the table next to his best friend. He bounced up and down in sync with the other bouncing boy next to him.

His mother placed ceramic bowls and soup spoons next to them. She put plastic cups filled to the brim with sweet chocolaty milk. Roman grabbed his with two hands and took a large gulp from his drink. He put the cup and smiled, licking his upper lip to rid himself of the chocolate mustache they milk had left behind. Then, his mother walked over and grabbed his bowl, filled it with the warm soup, and returned it or her son to eat. She did the same thing with her soon-to-be son and her husband.

When she finished she smiled at all three and grabbed herself a serving of soup. They ate and talked till all four bowls were empty. She collected the bowls and took them to the sink washing them with suds and water.

“Boys I have a surprise for you.” Roman’s father said, leading them outside and to the back of his old-fashioned truck. He pulled out two metal objects primarily composed of metal poles but they also had another feature that stood out. On the back and the front of the object where wheels. The vehicle had two wheels in all and the boys’ eyes widened as they realized what these were.

“You got us bikes?” Roman said jumping with joy and he had a big goofy smile on his face.

“Yep, you two deserved them. Plus nine is a great age to start learning.” His dad said, smiling. He clearly noticed the boys’ eyes sparkle when he confirmed what they thought.

For months, his dad taught Roman and Alden how to ride bikes. By their 10th birthday, they finally learned how to ride. But that year, was full of good surprises.

Later in the year, Alden was officially adopted by his family. The boys were both so happy that words can’t describe. They never forgot that day.

For two whole years, life was perfect. They boys world ride to town and make new friends. They both made friends with a boy named Patton. Patton then introduced them to some of his other friends. It was a fun experience for both boys. They never forgot that day.

One day the day, the boys hopped on their bikes to meet up with Patton and their other friends. Before they left they ran up to their mother and gave her an affectionate kiss on the cheek. They went to their Dad and gave him a more manly hug. They said bye to both of them.

“Bye Mom, bye Dad. Love you.” Roman said waving out he door.

“We will be home before lunch. Bye love you.” Alden said after Roman.

“Bye we love you too,” Their parents said, in unison to one another.

The boys left on their bikes, racing without having to say anything. It has always been like that. A bond that is stronger than anyone could ever understand. The whole town doesn’t even know that they aren’t related. They act as though they have been one of the same since birth. Everyone assumes that their just twins, especially with their telepathic bond that only a set of twins could ever have. They got to town and smiled upon seeing their friend.

“Hey, Pat!” Roman called while his brother waved.

“ Oh! Hey, guys!” Patton smiled, waving.

The boys talked and played for what felt like minutes but was really a few hours.

Alden was the one who just poked his brother. That’s all he had to do. Simply poke his twin and he knew what he meant.

Roman turned and smiled at Alden. He turned back around.

“Sorry Pat, we have to go for lunch,” Roman said running a hand through his curly chocolate brown locks he inherited from his mother.

“It’s fine!” Patton said dismissively, still in awe every time the boys talked without words. Just knowing the other so well was enough for them.

The boys smiled and rushed back home smiling and racing on their bikes laughing for no reason imparticular. They pedaled faster and faster getting in some not needed exercise. One thing that brought the boys so close was how playfully competitive they both were. When they lost they would come up with a vague and clearly on the spot excuse causing both parties to burst into fits of laughter. Once the excuse was ‘I would have won if your dog let go of the ball.’ It caused both to laugh for they were playing soccer the excuse wouldn’t even make sense if they had a dog.

The boys set the bikes down off to the side in the garage. They walked together to the driveway, making small talk. They got into the house and Roman was the first to talk.

“Mom! Dad! We’re home.” Roman said walking into the house with his brother following closely.

“Mom? Dad?” Alden said looking around.

He noticed the house was a mess with lamps knocked over and everything but he shook it off, not wanted to think much of it. Alas, he still did. He fiddled with his hands and pointed it out to his brother.

“What do you think happened..?” He asked looking around nervously.

“I- I don’t know Alden,” Roman said in a calming tone even though it was no help. Alden could see right through his act and knew he was scared to.

They walked through the house and got to the kitchen where their mother would be considering it was lunchtime. The good news was Mom and Dad were both in the kitchen. The bad news was they weren’t exactly making lunch… to say the least.

Roman looked in horror at his parents in their puddle of the red liquid. He had never been less fond of his favorite color. His broth was a completely different story. He was already at their sides checking for a pulse. He started sobbing after checking both. Roman knew it meant they were gone. Forever.

He felt the warm tears run down his face in long consistent streams. The clear salty liquid started pouring down his tears even quicker. It got to a point where his vision was blurry and he suddenly felt his knees buckle. He felt numb as he fell to the floor on his hands and knees. His whole world felt like it was being ripped into shreds and there was only a small light shining. His brother. He looked at his brother and could he was crying much more than he ever could. He scooted over to him and wrapped him in a hug that they both needed. It always seemed like that day brought them closer. If that was even possible. They made a silent promise to never let anything come between them.

Roman looked at the house that had been set in flames second ago by none other than him and his brother. They never wanted to go back. Even so, they both agreed to bring one thing and the bikes they grew so fond of. Roman brought the sword that he got for his 12th birthday. Alden brought his favorite book that he had already read over 61 times no doubt. They both smiled at the burning house affectionately and rode away on their bikes into town.

As they neared town, Roman stopped his brother looked at him and stooped as well, not even having to look to know what was going through his mind.

“I don’t know what to do when we get their either. I was thinking-” Alden was cut off when Roman interrupted him, already knowing what he was going to say.

“We go to Patton’s house,” Roman said looking up at his brother giving a small sad smile, the only smile either could manage in a time a dark as this. Alden returned the sad smile only, his felt more relaxing.

The boys got to Patton’s house, explaining the situation. Pat’s mum let them in and kept saying things like ‘oh you poor things’ and ‘I’m so sorry boys.’ It made them feel welcome but didn’t help their mood much.

By next week, the two were not having random outbursts of crying and they started to talk again. Slightly. It was still a large improvement from when they first came.

4 years later, both boys still never have recovered fully. Roman has always helped his brother and Alden has always done the same. Even 8 years later they still help each other. Like when Alden helped plan Roman’s wedding with Virgil. They two met 8 years prior to the wedding and started dating 7 years prior.

He was gladly their as Roman’s best man too. They two boys never were apart even when neither had time to visit.

Roman was sitting in his office with a certain purple-haired boy on his lap. They didn’t do anything but sit, content with the other’s presence. Virgil smiled when he saw the framed picture of their wedding on Roman’s rather large desk.

He saw Roman in his dapper white suit with a black tie and he saw himself in a black suit and a white tie. He smiled upon seeing his parents and smiled more upon seeing the two almost empty seats. To most, they were just some empty seats, but to the ones who knew two spirits sat in the seats, smiling at their son.

He turned to his husband and he gave a sweet kiss on the cheek as a sign of affection. He never knew the real reason but he knew his husband loved it more than anything when he did that. He chuckled lightly as his husband’s face lit up and a big goofy grin made its way to his face. He would no doubt die for this man. The best thing? Roman would do the same.

Roman loved the man that just kissed his cheek more than he has ever loved anything. He kissed the man on the cheek and smiled, loving the way his husband smiled back. He did smile back, but he also attacked Roman's lips in a kiss. Roman smiled and chuckled into the kiss but kissed back none the less.