Roman was bored.

Completely bored. He had nothing to study that needed his direct attention, and Micheal was out at a club he was running. Granted Roman could go, but without theater he really didn't have much to do. Theater would start in a few weeks but he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do until then.

What did he used to do?

He could go talk with Virgil! Roman smiled and got the sweatshirt he had cleaned by Virgil and his room key. He was going to go see his friend. He was going to surprise him too.

Roman also grabbed his bag so he could have an excuse in case Virgil asked him. With that he all but ran down the hall with a smile on his face. A few classmates greeted him as he did, he sprinted past them and waved. Several times, he had to jump to get out the way of someone or go around.

He got to the purple door he knew so well by now and knocked on it. He felt giddy despite having a class with Virgil everyday. Roman and Logan had been working with Virgil when they did group work in their English class. It was a few weeks after winter break and Virgil had been hanging with Janus after school a little bit more.

Roman couldn't say he wasn't upset by it but he needed to let Virgil be. Roman refused to be selfish when Virgil was involved, he had already forced him to do the makeup for on production and he wasn't going to do that again. They had a deal though and Roman did have a good time.

Roman waited knowing that Virgil couldn't really respond, he was patient and he did hear the music shut off. Virgil opened the door and looked at Roman. Roman smiled at him. Virgil had changed from his uniform which Roman liked on him, but Virgil's style did mix well. He was wearing a pair of purple sweatpants he was okay being seen in public with on, and a loose t-shirt that hung slightly off his shoulder. He still had his makeup on.

Roman felt his breath catch. Ever since Virgil had visited him, he had been seeing Virgil in a different light. Not that he minded, he just didn't want to freak Virgil out. The more he hung out with Virgil, the more he found he liked. He was thinking that maybe his brother was right, he did have a crush and not doing anything was what did him in.

He had gotten closer to Virgil and Virgil seemed glad to hang out with him, but the fact that he had been hanging with Janus really didn't sit well with him. He wasn't sure why, it just made him sad.

"Hi,what the fuck?" Roman asked. Virgil lifted an eyebrow and then glanced at his shoulder. He was so focused on Virgil himself he didn't see the yellow and white snake wrapped around Virgil's shoulder.

Virgil smiled and grabbed a notepad as Roman entered the room. Roman got a whiff of roses which he really didn't understand because Virgil didn't have roses in his room. He did have lilies but he didn't think they were real.

Do you like my new pet? Virgil wrote and then led Roman over to the couch.

"You got a snake? A snake? Virgil, I know you are kind of emo. I mean look at this place, I like what you did with it but it does look like a Hot Topic's employee's dream bedroom. I expected maybe a black cat or even a spider, despite the fact Patton is very scared of them and would not walk into this room if you did. But a snake? And one that is yellow, maybe a black one is more your speed. I know, we will call Remus and he will take us back to the place where you got them." Roman was already getting his phone out. "Do you have a receipt for the little guy?"

Virgil put his hands on Roman's and deleted the message to Remus. Roman just saw the name on the phone. Roman looked up as Virgil wrote something.

I don't, it's Janus' snake. He's out of town for a few days and asked if I could watch him, I said yes because I do like him. Virgil poked the snake's head. The snake stuck it's tongue out and flicked Virgil's finger. Also Patton and my uncle are allergic to cats, so I'd have to always keep track of the hair and everything clean.

"You seriously made me think you bought a snake when you are just pet-sitting?" Roman asked. Virgil smiled and nodded. He moved the snake from his shoulder to his hand and scrunched his nose at it. The snake responded by putting his nose to Virgil's. Virgil giggled.

Roman smiled at the sight. Virgil was just too cute for him. "You are a good friend, is that why he needed you the last few days?" Roman asked. Virgil glanced over and smirked at him.

Maybe, why? Roman had never heard Virgil's voice but he could hear the tone of it.

"Just wondering that's all." Roman said. Virgil nodded and then let the snake slither on to the table.

Jealous, Ro? Virgil wrote and Roman gasped.

"No! Why would I?" Roman watched curiously as Virgil tapped the table in a specific pattern and didn't seem to hear Roman. Was Virgil making fun of him? "Why'd you-?" Roman started but Virgil put his hand over Roman's mouth.

Virgil pointed to the snake. Roman watched as the snake moved off the table and then climbed towards a cage on the desk. The snake had an open top cage, his tail flicked a light on the side so it turned on. He then curled up and settled in.

"That's amazing." Roman said. Virgil nodded with a smile.

He's trained to respond to noises. Janus trained him that way so his parents didn't know he had the snake. He's also trained to put his light on himself. It's helpful since I can't talk but I can give him commands. Virgil wrote. Roman nodded.

"That's cool, why did Janus get the snake?" Roman asked. Virgil settled his legs across Roman's lap and Roman put his arm around Virgil's waist.

That is not information I can repeat, but Janus loves the snake more than anything. It's cute, I wish I had a pet like that. Virgil wrote.

"Why don't you?" Roman asked. Virgil shrugged.

Have you seen where I live? It's not exactly pet friendly, plus we have to take to the board and that's a pain. Janus quite literally snuck him in here, he's coming back tomorrow after his thing. Virgil leaned on Roman's shoulder.

"Is it the thing you have to help him with?" Roman asked. Virgil had not said too much about why he had to help Janus or what it was about but Roman could tell he was nervous. Virgil nodded. "I know it's not my place to say but I am sure you are going to do fine. It doesn't matter if you can talk or not, you are the best person for it and I don't even know why you need to go." Roman took a breath. "Also someday you will get a pet."

Virgil had spoken to Roman about it and said that he really wanted to be able to talk for it. Roman wasn't sure if he was jealous or not, but he pushed that aside to support Virgil in his practicing. They hadn't gotten anywhere other than a few syllables and Virgil getting really overwhelmed. Roman told him he shouldn't push so hard but that seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Virgil smiled into his shoulder. Roman drew circles with his thumb on Virgil's side. If he couldn't have Virgil romantically he would settle for this, but he was silently hoping he wouldn't get swooped up before Roman had a chance to ask.

You put too much faith in me, but they are going to have an interpreter. I have to be on record saying it. Roman nodded.

"See, they make accommodations for you and you are going to do so well. I promise you." Roman said.

This reminds me, I am not going to be in class at all tomorrow. I leave right after breakfast and then don't come back until a little before dinner. Virgil wrote. Roman nodded.

"Want me to get notes from history?" Roman asked.

Can you teach them to me too? Virgil countered. Roman rolled his eyes.

"I doubt you even need me to teach you what we are going to learn, you have already read ahead. And before you say anything, the history book is right next to the snake cage open to the chapter." Roman pointed out. "You don't need me."

I like the way you teach them, you don't use big words and confuse me. Virgil wrote. Roman sighed.

"You really aren't letting that go are you?" Roman asked. Virgil shook his head. Roman thought for a second and then started to tickle Virgil. Virgil kicked and tried to get away but Roman caught him before he did.

Virgil eventually found his way out and grabbed his notepad and pen, he ran over to his bed and hid. Roman then moved over to the bed and sat below it. Virgil would have to get out of the blankets and move to see if Roman was there. After five minutes he did and Roman jumped up and tackled him.

Virgil was smiling as he giggled. It was the second time that day and Roman was glad. Were they getting somewhere? Virgil then signed blue. That was their code word for anything that needed to be attended to.

"Are you going to let it go?" Roman asked. Virgil was underneath him. Roman had him on one of his pillows. Virgil shook his head. "Then I am sorry, but I am afraid I can not yield." Virgil shook his head as Roman moved his hands closer to his waist.

Virgil then grabbed Roman by the neck and pulled him to his chest while turning them to the side. Roman was against the wall now and Virgil had his arms around his neck from but not hurting him.

"Fine, you win this one." Roman said. Virgil nodded and smiled, he moved his legs so they were around Roman. "Whatcha doin?" Roman asked.

Virgil handed him a one word note. Hush.

Roman sighed and wrapped his arms around Virgil. He would gladly stay here if that was what was going to happen. Way too soon for Roman's liking, the dinner bell rang. Virgil got up and grabbed a sweatshirt which Roman internally pouted about.

But at least now he didn't have to choose where he ate meals. Virgil had the idea of bringing both tables together for meals, that way Roman could eat with all his friends. Roman believes it's because Virgil just really likes talking with Kayleigh and Victoria.

"Dinner awaits us, let's not be late." Roman said dramatically. Virgil rolled his eyes and grabbed his room key. The two walked out the door together.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

If you would've told Virgil that two years from when Janus first got to Westward he would be a key witness in a hearing to reduce therapy sessions, he wouldn't have believed you. To be honest, he still didn't believe it.

But here he was sitting in a silent court room next to his uncle and Dr. Picani dressed like he was going to church. They looked like a gay couple sitting together. That made him laugh. He was nervous. The lawyer for Janus asked him not to wear anything too outrageous, they wanted to paint a good picture for the court. So Virgil was wearing a tux.

And some eyeshadow.

He couldn't help it. It made him feel just a little bit better. He would rather let his experiences speak for themselves rather than his appearance. Besides with how Janus was now, he couldn't see anything wrong.

But he could.

What if he wasn't convincing enough? What if they asked about when he was bullied by Janus? What if they asked him why he chose to forgive rather than let Janus get in more trouble? Could he really put his mental health out there for everyone to hear?

Thomas put his hand over Virgil's. He needed to breathe. Thomas was tapping a rhythm on his hand to keep him in the moment. He recognized the beat. Thomas was tapping Welcome To The Black Parade. That made Virgil smile, Thomas really tried with him.

Janus was sitting next to the lawyer in front of him. Janus' parents were sitting further down. One of them had greeted Virgil and Virgil liked her. The other woman sat staring forward. Virgil knew the feeling, he hated it too.

They all knew he wasn't a bad kid. He just got messed up in the wrong crowd, and sadly a jury didn't see that when they tried him. The judge had taken pity on him and reduced the sentence, something they were all thankful for. He played the part of a kid with a rough past, which he had before his parents now, but he was in a better home now.

Which was the reason for the trial or hearing. Virgil wasn't sure to be honest, he didn't pay attention during that part of the explanation from Picani. He was worrying about Janus' snake. But Virgil had found the reason for this a little while ago and he was shocked but not too much.

Janus looked different. He had a white shirt and a blue tie on. It wasn't his color at all. Janus could tell and he didn't have his hat on. He looked different than he did when he first went to Westward. Virgil hoped that his testimony was enough to get what they wanted.

"All rise." The bailiff said. Virgil didn't understand why they needed it for Janus. He was a kid, but Virgil had been on the receiving end of the punches Janus had thrown. Janus could hit and he hit hard, so he understood the caution. Sometimes he thought that the American judicial system would have severe anxiety if it was a person. Virgil wasn't really paying attention until the judge slammed the gavel on the desk he had and they could sit back down.

Virgil zoned out as the prosecution brought in doctors to talk of how Janus could be considered borderline sociopathic and how he can mimic emotions. Roman had texted him but he couldn't respond. He knew it was Roman, each text that came in was accompanied by a wave of rose scented air. He had to shake his head each time it happened to clear his head so he could focus.

Janus' lawyer stood up when prompted. "I'd like to call Dr. Emilie Pciani to the stand." Picani stood up and moved past Virgil. Thomas had taken Virgil's hand again, he could tell in his nephew's eyes he was nervous.

Picani was sworn in and they began. "Dr. Picani, it's good to see you today."

"It's good to see you as well." Picani answered. The lawyer smiled.

"Well, we are here to discuss Mr. Janus Brazen. Please can you tell me your findings over the last six months since we last had a hearing?"

Picani still had a smile on his face, how Virgil had no idea. "Janus has done very well in anger management and has even shown he can solve conflicts without using any kind of violence. He has taken his friendship with a few students very seriously and has made a new friend recently." Picani answered. Virgil smiled and watched as Janus blushed lightly.

They were talking about Remus.

"That's wonderful. In your professional opinion, are those friendships beneficial to him?" The lawyer asked.

"Of course they are, they have done well with him. He has shown a great deal of emotion regarding all of them, he cares about his friends deeply. Even the ones he had a negative experience with which he was able to resolve without any adult stepping in." Picani said.

They were talking about Roman. Janus didn't resolve it, it was more of Virgil telling to suck it up because Virgil liked Roman and wanted to be his friend.

The lawyer nodded. "In your opinion, does he need four days of anger management therapy?" Picani shook his head.

"He doesn't. He has shown that he just needed a good group of friends to help him out and calm him down."

"No further questions." The lawyer said. He had a smile on his face when he sat down.

"Would the prosecution like to cross examine the witness?" The other lawyer stood up. Virgil immediately didn't like her. He must have been staring to make a face because Thomas lightly nudged him.

"Dr. Picani, back again I see?" She said, Virgil resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Even her voice was pissing him off.

"Of course why wouldn't I be?" Picani answered. Virgil could see Picani didn't like her either.

"Simple, this boy is someone who shows clear signs of violent behavior and is a compulsive liar. Are you saying that you have cured that?" She asked him.

"He was never a compulsive liar at heart, I have said it before and I will say it again. He was putting on a persona so people would be off-put, the lying was a byproduct of that in my professional opinion." He responded.

"If I may, why is it that he ratted his previous 'friends' out for an easier deal rather than just lying about it? Shouldn't he have the same compassion for them at that moment then like you say he demonstrates now?" Picani nodded along.

"That's a great question. I believe he never considered those people friends. They all were in debt to him, and that's how he believed friendships should have worked. Now, he is doing well with the other friend he had made. These are his true friends. It's quite possible there were things that happened there that we don't know." Picani answered.

"Like what?" She asked.

"Some kind of deal or threat, we don't know because he hasn't told anyone." Picani answered. The lawyer seemed to think.

"Wouldn't he tell you? You are his therapist after all."

Picani shook his head. "I cannot say anything like that, it would be breaking the law which I am not inclined to do. The law protects what he says behind closed doors, that doesn't mean that I can repeat it. Janus is protected by the law."

"It's a yes or no question, why are you being vague?" She pushed.

Picani turned to the judge. "Your Honor, if she is implying I have to break the law to continue this line of questioning I am not risking my license or the trust of my patient, I am done with answering."

The judge nodded. "Mrs. Swanson, tread carefully. I don't want to have to find you in the wrong."

"Of course, I am all done with my questioning." They dismissed Picani and he came back down.

"Defense your next witness." The judge said.

Janus' lawyer stood up. "I'd like to call Virgil Cyrus to the stand. Along with an interpreter." Virgil was shaking. Picani gave him a smile and Thomas let him out. He tapped on Virgil's hand one last time before he walked over to the seat.

"Your Honor, we weren't told that they needed an interpreter for this witness. We weren't aware he was deaf." Mrs. Swanson said.

Janus' lawyer shook his head. "We have followed all the correct proceedings. If you look at your documents, we stated that Mr. Cyrus is mute and communicates via sign language and written notes. He has chosen a sign language interpreter instead of writing notes."

"Mrs. Swanson, he's correct. He did tell you ahead of time and the court is providing an interpreter for him, you have no reason to dismiss this witness." The judge says.

The bailiff comes over and swears Virgil in. The interpreter is standing off to the side so he could watch Virgil as he signed.

"Virgil, may I call you that?" Janus' lawyer asked. Virgil signed yes. "Good, good. So Virgil, you are friends with Mr. Brazen here."

Virgi signed and the interpreter spoke. "Yes, we have been friends for almost a year now."