It was before dinner on Friday and Roman was in his room looking at the book he checked out. He was at his desk and had the flowers in front of him. Micheal had asked why they were doing so well and Roman shrugged. He knew why, they weren't going to die until he figured it out. The second that Virgil told him he got the correct answer, they would start to decay. It seemed weird but Roman wanted to be sure he got the right answer.

Micheal was on his bed reading something on his computer. "I am just saying that you could be reading too far into it."

"Micheal you are supposed to be on my side here! Help me!" Roman whined.

"Listen Kingsley, I am happy to help but I am not going to go through hundreds of books." Micheal shrugged and didn't take his eyes off the screen.

"Then what do you think he meant?" Roman said. Micheal took a deep breath and looked at Roman.

"He gave you flowers."

"Yes."

"He's like your closest friend here other than myself in this school."

"In life kinda." Micheal ignored that, they didn't have time to unpack all of that. He was a roommate not a therapist.

"You have talked about relationships before."

"Yes."

"He knows you like romantic gestures."

"He does."

"You know what he likes as a gesture of affection such as finding something that reminds you of him or making something."

"I do."

"Flowers could be considered a romantic gesture."

"I guess."

"Let's try this: Flowers could be a symbol of affection."

"Sure?"

"He gave you flowers." Micheal looked at Roman.

"They were after a performance though. It's tradition, Remus gave me flowers too." Roman reasoned. He still wasn't getting it.

"Roman, they were in the room. In a vase. He didn't give you a bouquet that was store bought." Micheal told him. "Clearly, he's telling you something. And I think you can figure it out now."

"But I don't know! The flowers have meanings and so do the colors. It's complicated!" Roman said. Micheal rolled his eyes. His roommate was so oblivious.

"Fine." He typed on his computer and pulled up a website. He rolled off the bed and moved the flowers so he could put the computer on the table. This senseless pinning was getting everyone nowhere. "There. I found a website that explains meanings and colors. Let's start with the roses."

"Blue?" Roman asked.

"Mystery of some kind."

"Is there another one? The book I got said there was a double meaning sometimes." Roman said.

"Not that I can see. Next?"

"Purple?"

Micheal made a sound. "Going to have to ask you to be more specific. Like shade." Are they really that specific, Roman didn't think they were.

"Lavender? The entire thing is a little pastel, which is weird coming from Virgil. He's not too cutesy." Roman said.

Micheal laughed. "You'd be surprised. But the website says that it would represent majesty." Roman looked confused.

"Why would he put that in there?" Roman asked.

"How dense are you? Janus calls you Princey, and you played the prince in Beauty and the Beast. Also your last name Kingsley?" Micheal sighed. "It makes sense, don't you think?"

Roman nodded. "Next are carnations, in light pink?" Micheal scrolled through and found it.

"Oh." Micheal said with a smile.

"What?" Roman asked.

"Well, roses are more romantic in meaning. Carnations are pride and beauty. Light pink for love." Micheal told him. Suddenly he grinned. "I think he just called you pretty but full of yourself."

"Micheal!" Roman said. Micheal started to laugh.

"He's not wrong though. You are the definition of prideful." Roman rolled his eyes.

"Listen, he also called me pretty and that's not too far from the truth."

"That wasn't narcissistic at all." Micheal said and took his laptop back and moved back to his bed.

Roman pouted. "Why would he put something that represents love?" Roman asked out loud.

"Because maybe he likes you." Micheal said in a mocking tone.

"That's insane, he told me he's not going to date anyone until he can talk." Roman said. "There's no hope on that front."

"He's still human, he can have crushes. Maybe he's telling you he likes you or he's rethinking that statement. It's possible Roman." Micheal told him.

"But it wouldn't make any sense."

"Why not?"

"Because Virgil isn't like that."

"Like what? He's gay."

"Not what I meant." Roman sighed and got up. "I mean, he wouldn't just use something that is kinda cheesy to say something that important."

"Roman, maybe he's trying to speak your language. You should ask him. Why wouldn't he do something that he knows you like? Maybe you should try and do something you know he likes." Micheal said.

"And if this hypothesis is wrong?" Roman said.

"That was a big word, stop hanging with Logan so much. But to answer that question, if we are wrong then it's okay. But we won't know unless you say something."

"What do I even say? 'Hey I think I figured out the flowers but in order to do that I have to ask you something really invasive.' Not even Patton asks him about crushes." Roman said.

"Are you going to mope about that fact someone likes you or are you going to respond?" Micheal said.

"I don't know, I want to. Like a part of me is relieved that he likes me as I do him, but another is kind of scared. I haven't told him if I was coming back and I am leaning toward coming back. If this goes south then why would I come back?" Roman said.

"If it goes well, and you stay then you are going to have a great time." Micheal responded. "Don't be such a wuss, where's the Roman Kingsley that beat everyone up all the time?"

"We both know it was an act. A persona of which I hate." Roman said.

"That's why you are such a good actor. However, you would think you would gain some kind of confidence from all those years of you 'persona' as you call it. But seriously, respond to it. Tell him that you feel the same way."

"What if it's just in a friend way?" Roman asked.

"Roman, he cuddles with you when you are here or in his dorm. He holds your hand during meals and will lean on you if he's tired, you seriously think he's just thinking of you as a friend?"

"It's possible, nobody really knows how he is with friends." Roman says.

Micheal sighed. "I have been here long enough to know. He's not like that with Logan. He tolerates Patton's hugs probably because he is Virgil's cousin. And he sure as hell isn't like that with Janus."

"Micheal, I just don't know." Roman said. "Besides shouldn't you be on the lookout for your crush."

"Don't know what you are talking about. There hasn't been a lot of things happening since Alex got his ass handed to him by a girl." Micheal said.

"What?" Roman asked. Micheal nodded.

"Yeah, apparently she told him that she liked him and he didn't see her the same way. But one day he went over because she asked him to and he ended up staying over, he woke up-" Micheal was cut off by a knock on the door.

Roman knew who it was, Virgil had a knock for every one of his friends so they would know who it was. Roman's knock was a series of two knocks, one higher on the door and one lower near the door knob. Roman didn't know how he remembered them all but he did.

"Go get your boy, I'll tell you the rest later." Micheal said, Roman slid the book back into his bag so he could return it. Roman opened the door and Virgil handed him a note. Roman got his keys and his phone and told Micheal that he would see him at dinner. Micheal waited for the two to leave before he opened the website he found again.

He saved the blue rose page, mainly because there was a piece of information that Roman didn't need to know. Roman didn't need the extra stress, he already believed Virgil couldn't like him despite the blushes that dance on both of their faces when one does something cute.

He looked at the meaning one more time. "Virgil, Virgil, what do you mean by unattainable love? He's already yours, you just have ask." Micheal whispered to nobody in particular.

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

Roman and Virgil were sitting on the ledge. They had started doing this a few weeks after the practices for Beauty and the Beast began. Roman would practice lines while Virgil drew. No one had seen the notebook so they couldn't see the amount of drawings of Roman as the Vampire Prince Virgil had drawn over the few months they were prepping.

Roman was sitting with Virgil between his legs, Roman had promised not to look unless Virgil said he could. Even if Virgil did let him watch during New Years. Roman had his phone out and his cheek was on Virgil's shoulder, one arm was wrapped around Virgil's waist.

Dinner was enjoyable and they had some time to kill before Micheal held his weekly game night. The two had gone off and went to the window. The meadow was still covered in snow. Roman looked over it and smiled.

"Virgil?" He asked. Virgil closed his sketchbook and looked over at Roman who was handing him his notepad. "Want to build a snowman?"

Virgil rolled his eyes. You are such a dork. You really want to do it now? We have to meet everyone in a half hour.

"I meant tomorrow. It's Saturday and we don't have much homework. I am sure Patton would love to come with us." Roman reasoned. He had slipped his phone in his pocket and put his other arm around Virgil's waist.

That's not fair, using Patton against me. I can't say no to him. Virgil wrote and looked over the meadow. It wasn't much of meadow but he did see him and Roman out there. Roman chuckled and looked out with him.

"I don't think you can say no to me either." Roman said.

I can. Virgil wrote.

"Then give me your answer to playing in the snow." Virgil rolled his eyes

I am only saying yes because I like the snow. Virgil wrote.

"No you don't, you hate being cold and wet. Playing in the snow is just putting those two together for you." Roman said. Virgil elbowed Roman lightly. "I am right." Virgil rolled his eyes again and leaned back into Roman. He felt better with Roman with him.

He knew the flowers would have an impact on him as well he just didn't realize that it would amplify what he small crush he had on Roman. But he didn't realize just how cuddly Roman would be. Maybe this was just how they were now, but he would have to wait and see.

Would this all change when he figured it out? The moment Virgil says yes, he would wave his hand and the spell would reduce as the flowers will die. Or the effect would just diminish completely. Love spells weren't his forte at all.

"I think I figured the flowers out." Roman said. Virgil sucked a breath in. He was nervous, why now when he was feeling a little upset already? It was kind of ironically prefect to him. Virgil nodded. "But I need to ask you a question before I tell you."

Virgil was confused. What question could Roman ask?

"It's nothing bad, I was just wondering if you liked anyone." Roman said.

I think, but I am not sure. One thing about communicating strictly by notes was that it was easy to lie. Virgil knew he liked Roman, it wasn't difficult for him to figure out. He just wanted Roman to say it first, Virgil didn't have the confidence to just say it out right, not even through notes.

"Do I know him?" Roman asked. Virgil shrugged and avoided looking at Roman or anywhere close to him. "Can I have his name at least?"

Virgil thought for a second. How was he going to do this? He could just write Roman's name and be done with it. That way Roman would make his decision to go back to his hometown and he wouldn't come back despite saying he would. Virgil checked the time, they needed to go soon. He started to clean his area up.

"Virgil?" Roman said as he picked up. Virgil shook his head. "I am not going to push if you don't want me to. I am just wondering. You don't have to tell me. Virgil shook his head.

We need to go soon. Virgil handed him the note. He felt a wave of what he thought was disappointment from Roman. Virgil ignored it as just him not wanting to leave hanging out with a friend.

"Oh, right." Roman said. "Micheal is having game night." Virgil gave him a look. "What?"

He's your roommate, you should know this. You basically begged me to come. Virgil wrote. He smiled hoping Roman wouldn't find it as a negative. He had been a lot more sensitive to some things and phrases that he hadn't been before Virgil visited him.

"Well, I figured you would want to hang out with me. Besides you like my friends." Vrigil couldn't argue with that.

True, and Kayleigh is like a mom. Not in the way Logan is though. She's more chaotic. Virgil wrote. Roman nodded.

Virgil was done packing his bag up and he moved to the ledge. "Are you scared that you are going to hurt yourself at some point jumping form here?" Roman asked. Virgil wrote him a note.

Not really, I have had broken bones before. Can't imagine this would be any worse than that. He promptly jumped off the ledge. Roman was wide eyed when he looked back up to him.

"You've broken bones?" He asked. Virgil nodded and laughed. That's what he focused on? Roman jumped down too and stumbled when he landed. He found his footing. "You know this isn't my area."

Virgil laughed and rolled his eyes. They were going to be late if they kept this up. Virgil started to walk away and towards the room he had gotten his uncle to give to him for their nights. He had also gotten a room with nice chairs so they didn't have to be uncomfortable.

"Sometimes I wonder about you." Roman said. Virgil raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue. "You are so kind to people you know when you want to yet you are scary to outlookers." Virgil got his phone out.

"Your brother didn't seem to think so." Roman nodded and took Virgil's hand. Virgil looked down at it and was faintly blushing.

"My brother doesn't find most things scary, he's also had to live with me for a number for years." Roman responded. He didn't seem to react to holding Virgil's hand. They did it sometimes but not often for it to be normal. Virgil smelled roses.

Roman must have smelled it too because he inhaled a lot. "I don't know why the school chose Rose as a scent for cleaning supplies but it's calming. Like the ones you gave me." Roman said with a smile. Virgil stopped walking which caused Roman to follow suit.

"Cleaning supplies?" Virgil typed. Roman didn't know that was from the Other Side? He knew it was possible for Wiccans to be born into families where they don't have those abilities because a lot of people were descended from polytheistic religions and Magick. He just figured that natural curiosity would lead one to find Wicca as a whole to help study it.

Roman nodded. "Yeah, isn't that what it is? I mean I don't smell it all the time and I figure that everyone is used to it by now because of living here so I never really mentioned it." Virgil shook his head.

"It's not that. The cleaning supplies they use aren't floral scented. It's citrus." Virgil responded.

"Then what is it?" Roman asked. Virgil checked the clock. They didn't have time for this. He thought fast.

"Want to sleepover tonight?" Roman wasn't all too surprised by the jump in topic but he shrugged. Virgil did that a lot.

"Sure why not." Roman responded, Virgil nodded.

"Good, I'll explain it then." Virgil continued walking. Roman then seemed to get an idea.

"I sleep over then we have to build a snowman tomorrow." Roman said. Virgil huffed.

"I already said yes!" Roman smiled and grabbed Virgil's hand. They were close to the classroom where they needed to be. Roman pulled him and spun him so Virgil's back was to Roman's chest. He then whispered in his ear.

"I know, but this is confirming it." Roman's voice made Virgil shiver and blush. Roman seemed to smirk. "Now we gotta go, can't be late." Roman said and started to move away from Virgil.

If Roman seriously couldn't figure it out then what was the point of the love spell? Roman turned to look at him.

"And Virgil, I value our friendship too. Those flowers say it all, thanks for thinking of me as royalty. If anything, you are the mysterious one." Virgil looked at Roman and his eyes widened. He felt a wave of energy flow through the hall between the two of them.

Roman winked and walked off. The spell had worn off, would Roman change or be the same? Virgil went into the room still a little dazed by the sudden outburst.

"Good, he's here. Now Roman can have his cuddle buddy and we can start the games. Now, who's ready to get their ass handed to them by Roman in Cards Against Humanity?" Micheal asked with a smile.

Virgil made his way over to the chair that Roman was in. It had a low back with a flat top so Virgil could sit semi comfortably behind Roman if he wanted to. Roman didn't give him an option though. Virgil put his bag down and was pulled onto Roman's lap.

He settled in but saw the worried glance that Patton threw him. Of course Patton would know, Patton knew his signature of magic. With the really strong blast it only made sense he would recognize it. Virgil smiled at him.

I am fine, just a little dazed. You know how it is. Virgil signed. Patton nodded.

Okay, as long as you are good. He signed back. Roman put his chin on Virgil's shoulder as he looked at the white cards he was given.

The set up was always the same for the game but it was interesting how they had it set. There was a white pile in front of two people and they shared from there so there was no reaching on the table and Roman could have Virgil in his lap.

Virgil settled into his seat, he also made Roman move his legs so they wouldn't fall asleep from him sitting on them despite him saying that it didn't matter. Roman's energy was just helping him recharge and that was it.

It wasn't like it calmed him down and made him feel safer than he had ever felt. It wasn't like Virgil liked it a lot and it was on the verge of love with the feeling.

It wasn't that at all.

He was suddenly confident that their friendship wasn't going to change either.