Roman was winning Cards Against Humanity again that night, they also played a number of other games over the course of the three hours they had the room for. It was almost 11 and they needed to get back to the dorms. Roman, Micheal, and Virgil were walking back to Roman's dorm.

Virgil was settled on his back, Roman was giving him a piggyback because Virgil didn't want to walk.

Roman had told Micheal he wasn't going to be in the dorm that night and not to wait up. Micheal just nodded and unlocked the door. Roman placed Virgil on his bed who just flopped on his back. His hair fell over to his eyes and he smiled. Roman felt a fondness come over him.

Micheal had grabbed his clothes and went to change for bed. Virgil was playing with the stuffed octopus again. Roman smiled wider.

"We can take it with us if you like it that much." Roman said. Virgil slipped his phone out.

"Nah, it's just giving me something to do while I wait." His phone said.

"I forgot I have to keep you entertained all the time or you get restless." Roman said. He was finishing when Micheal came out of the bathroom. He knelt down to Roman.

"Alright, all set. Let's hit it." Roman said.

Virgil rolled off the bed and got Roman's coat from behind the door. Micheal looked and raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

It seemed that Virgil knew Roman knew something but. Roman didn't know what he knew. Virgil walked with him and Roman couldn't help but smile at the fact Virgil was holding Roman's coat with two arms like he was hugging it. His backpack was worn fully on his back and he didn't transfer it to one shoulder like he usually carried it.

Roman liked the small moments where he could just watch Virgil, those were his favorites. He liked watching the small movements of his face when he was doing a math problem or writing a response to a prompt for his psychology class.

Roman almost took the same course just to watch Virgil but he didn't have the space for it. They got to Virgil's apartment and settled in. Virgil went to the bathroom to change and Roman quickly changed in the room itself. He looked around. Virgil had rearranged the room slightly. The bed was in the same place as was the canvas and all his drawings but he moved a set of drawers from the side of his bed to underneath and a small table was set up in the corner where he assumed the set of drawers were.

The table was a dark color and covered in a lace tablecloth. On it there were candles and what looked like an incense burner. Could they have incense here or did Virgil just use it and get away with it? Next to it was a small bookshelf that held a bunch of journals and some tarot decks. Roman recognized those from when he bought Virgil the steampunk deck. That deck was sitting out on the table with a white crystal on them.

He went to reach out to the crystal but he heard the bathroom door open. Virgil walked out and saw him over by the table. Roman looked at him and smiled weakly. "I wasn't doing anything." Virgil rolled his eyes and Roman went to brush his teeth.

Roman figured he was in trouble, so he tried to apologize when he walked out but instead he saw Virgil lighting some candles while mouthing words. Roman wasn't sure what he was doing but he left him to it. Roman tried to be as quiet as possible while he did.

"You don't have to be quiet, he's quite good at what he does." Roman froze. It wasn't Virgil who spoke because he was on the other side of the room to where the voice came from. It didn't sound like Logan or Patton, so Roman slowly turned to look at the source of the voice.

His breath caught in his throat. Standing next to him was his great grandfather, he knew from pictures. Why was he right there? He was wearing a black suit with a red tie. He looked around twenty but Roman knew he lived until he was eighty-five. He was also slightly transparent, Roman figured that it was just some kind of manifestation. He hoped it was.

"Would you hush? He needs to concentrate to fully cast the circle so he can explain." An older voice said. Roman looked there and saw a man with grey hair and wearing what you would expect a grandfather to wear. Virgil opened one eye and glared at the guy. "Sorry, Tymek." He responded.

Tymek? What was going on?

"That's a good question for when the circle opens fully and he has free range of the room." His great grandfather said. Roman nodded. He was very confused. Virgil seemed to be done and opened his eyes. Roman saw a reflection of purple on the metal on the table.

Virgil was using magic openly in front of him? Virgil walked over to Roman and pulled him so they sat near the table when they were on the floor. "I know you must be very confused, Roman. But for all purposes while we are here, my grandson has asked us to refer to him by his Wiccan name." The older man said.

"So, Tymek?" Roman said with humor in his eyes. Virgil seemed to see it there and smiled.

"Do you have a problem with it?" Virgil's grandfather asked, not seeing Virgil's smile.

"No, it just fits. Something I would expect him to choose. Although I am curious what it means..." Roman said, still looking at Virgil. "So, what exactly is going on here?"

"Well, right now Virgil has opened a small door between the Other Side and this plane of existence. That way both me and your ancestor can freely walk in and out, however it's only for us. He figured it would be easier to show you something by what he meant earlier rather than explain it in full." His grandfather explained. Roman was shocked.

"Woah, are you like in his head or something?" Roman asked.

"No, he just told me the plan."

"He talks to you?" Roman asked, looking at the older man. He could sense everything now, even Virgil's confusion.

"Not exactly, he says it in the form of a prayer and it reaches our ears as ancestors. It's a way around the mutism so he can still practice." Roman nodded.

"I was just wondering that's all." Virgil's grandfather smiled. "So, what exactly do you mean by showing me? What is this?"

Roman could hear his great grandfather sigh. So dramatics run in the family, good to know. Virgil's grandfather rolled his eyes.

"Stop that, they are progressing just fine." He said and then turned to Roman. "Tymek said that this is why you are smelling roses. He figures you have a talent that you aren't telling anyone."

"What does he mean by that?" Roman asked.

"He means your magic, Roman." His great grandfather said.

"You know?" Roman asked quietly. Virgil nodded.

"Not for long though, just since you told him you smelled the roses too. Seems like they are telling you two something." Virgil's grandfather said.

"I am surprised that you guys are like okay with the fact that we are both gay." Roman said. Virgil's grandfather laughed and so did his own great grandfather.

"Roman, they are Wiccan they wouldn't care who he's sleeping with as long as they are compatible in magic. As for me, I was given the same gifts as you were. In fact the ancestor I had as a beginner guide when I begun practicing is reborn in you. You have her eyes." He said with a smile.

"O..Kay then." Roman responded. "Past lives are a thing?" Virgil nodded. "And so is magic?" Virgil nodded again.

"And this is something that is normal in your family?" Virgil nodded.

"He comes from a long line of strong Wiccans. You do too, except the gift has been phased out over the past few generations. You need to start practicing more formally." His great grandfather said.

"How do I do that?" Roman asked. Virgil's grandfather looked at Virgil and Virgil nodded.

"You go to my son-in-law and you tell him you want to be placed in an introductory Wiccan course. There you will learn what type of Wiccan you are. Virgil is a medium and an energy Wiccan. He deals with tarot and healing mostly. Patton is more connected to the earth. He's a Green Wiccan. Janus is a protective Wiccan, he mostly does wards which are hard to break trust me. I would expect you would be a bard Wiccan. Singing and acting is where you shine, music is easy for you to connect with. You can dable in other forms of course but you might now know for sure." Roman was surprised.

"And you'll help me?" Roman asked Virgil. Virgil nodded.

"If you want him to, then he will." Virgil's grandfather said as Virgil got up and went back to his table.

"Before you guys go, what would be compatible with Virgil's type of Wiccan?" Roman asked. His great grandfather smiled and went to answer. Virgil's grandfather stopped him.

"That's a question for another time. Tymek needs to close the circle and you can ask him questions when he is done. He might be tired though." Roman nodded as he watched their images flicker for a little bit.

Virgil opened his eyes and there was another flash of purple and he blew the candles out. "Are we good?" Roman asked. Virgil nodded. "Did they, like, leave?"

Virgil got his notepad and jumped to his bed. He wrote something while Roman went over and climbed into bed with him. I don't think yours did but mine did. I think he's curious about what we are going to talk about. He's kinda pushy though.

Roman nodded. "I was told he was a secretive man. Didn't like many people and only really liked his family, other than that all I know is that he was kinda mean." Virgil seemed to be listening to something.

He said he acted that way to protect the fact he was doing magic, where he lived really wasn't open to that kind of stuff. Virgil responded. Roman was a little shocked at that answer. I am good at what I do, I've had a lot of practice. Now, questions?

"Yeah, why the smell of roses, what does that mean?" Roman asked. Virgil smiled.

Yeah, no you are going to learn correspondences the way I had to. But I'll be your mentor. He wrote.

"What?" Roman asked.

When you do the introductory class you learn the types of Wiccans and then some pantheons, you need to have a more experienced Wiccan to be your mentor. A Lot of the time it's an older student but I won't let you get scooped up by anyone. Pantheon specific will be next semester, assuming you are coming back and want to continue Wiccan studies.

"What if I don't want to learn here?" Roman said. Virgil gave him a look. "Listen, I'll be more inclined to learn it if I am not doing it for a grade. I would like to study freely. Besides you could teach me, you know a lot it seems." Roman said. Virgil shook his head.

I barely follow a singular pathway. Virgil told him.

"What are you most familiar with for practice?" Roman asked.

I don't stick to one path, I mix between Celtic and Italian magic.

"You could teach me that." Roman said. Virgil smiled and rolled his eyes. "So, what does Tymek mean?"

The pair was near Thomas' apartment. Roman was fidgeting because he wasn't sure they were supposed to be there. Well Virgil could be, Roman wasn't sure he was even allowed near it. He was a student, not a family member. Virgil had told him it was fine.

Because it was, Thomas had told him that any friend that Virgil wanted to bring over he could. It was to make Virgil more comfortable and to encourage him to make friends. It didn't work, Virgil kept to himself and it still amazed him he was as social as he was but he guessed that's what he got when he hung out with Patton.

Virgil's jacket and winter boots were in the apartment. He just needed to pop into Patton's room and grab them. "Are you sure?" Roman asked again.

Virgil nodded and put a finger to his lips. His uncle would be awake soon and he needed to get in there now. Virgil unlocked the door quietly and walked in.

Roman was behind him and sucked a breath in to gasp. Virgil put his hand over his mouth. Roman got the message and mouthed an apology on Virgil's hand. Virgil just sighed and walked to Patton's room.

Roman was trailing behind him and tried not to touch anything. He got to the room but heard his uncle waking up. Mentally swearing he shoved Roman into the room and motioned for him to put his hands on his ears.

Virgil had informed him that he talked to his uncle and if they needed to then Roman could hear it. Roman wasn't sure why but didn't question it, it was for Virgil's comfort and that's all that was important. Roman was to cover his ears and move to the closet which was on the other side of the room and close it. There he would sit with his hands over his ears so he couldn't hear anything.

Vrigil knew it worked because he had tested it. Virgil slowly closed the door to the room and turned around to see his uncle. "Virgil? What are you doing here?" He asked.

Virgil just waved. He tried to speak but he couldn't. Roman couldn't heat him, why couldn't he speak?

Thomas smiled and softened. "Bad day?" He asked. Virgil just nodded. "Come on, let's sit down. Speaking today?" Virgil shook his head. "That's alright."

Virgil sat down with his uncle on the couch. "So what can I do for you?"

Just need my boots from Pat's room. And a few old books I have there. Virgil wrote.

"Going out in the snow?" Thomas asked with a laugh. Virgil shrugged and walked over to the room. "And Virgil? Do tell Roman to get out of that closet."

Virgil looked at his uncle and Thoams looked back. How'd you know?

Thomas smiled. "I heard the closet door close, also you aren't talking which means that there is something you are anxious about or you just aren't ready to talk to him yet." Thomas said. "You'll get there, don't worry. Roman!"

Roman opened the door and came out with Virgil's boots and coat. "I plead the fifth." He said.

"It's alright, my nephew is the one who snuck you in when he knows he can bring his friends over when he wants." Thoams ruffled his hair and Virgil whined. He did see Roman's face suddenly flush. "You two have fun out there and I'll get you those books, just give me the names and I'll look on the bookshelf." Thomas waved and Virgil left with Roman.

"I think he likes me." He said. Virgil rolled his eyes. "I know, I know. Let me dream, Vi." Roman said. Roman hadn't used nicknames since the first time he had shown up at Virgil dorm. It felt like a year ago but it was only a few months ago. Virgil didn't pay much attention to it.

He changed into his boots and put his jacket on. Roman gave him gloves and they went to the door that led to the meadow. Both of them had their keys and ids so they were fine. Virgil was nervous about losing them in the snow, Roman knew that they weren't on the outside of either of their jackets so it wasn't a problem.

They went out to the meadow and Roman ran to the middle. Virgil smiled and followed him. "Come on!" Roman took Virgil's hands when he caught up and fell backwards into the snow pulling Virgil with him.

Virgil couldn't stop smiling. Roman was hot, like really hot but seeing this childish side was cute to him. Roman was laughing. "Snowman time!" Roman said. Virgil helped him gather snow for the base of the snowman. The entire Roman was singing.

Roman was constantly going between Disney and Christmas songs. Finally, Virgil had gotten tired of it. Around the fifth time of "Do You Want To Build A Snowman" Virgil got a handful of snow and made it into a snowball.

Since he was behind the snowman, he peaked around and launched it right at Roman, he smiled as he saw it hit Roman in the side of the head.

"Hey!" Roman said. Virgil just looked around and pointed at himself. "Yes you." Roman said. Virgil shrugged and went back to the snowman. He was then hit with a snowball. He turned to Roman who was laughing.

Virgil's eyes narrowed and Roman stopped laughing but still had a mischievous grin. Virgil and Roman then got into a full fledged snowball fight. Some of the other students heard them running around and went to see what they were doing. When they saw two teenagers sprinting around and laughing like little kids, they were shocked especially since Virgil never seemed to smile.

Patton heard some students talking and looking out. He saw Virgil and Roman running around in the snow, he smiled seeing his cousin happy. He pushed past some of the students and ran out the door. He then joined in the fight.

Virgil smiled at him and then they went to throw snow at Roman.

"Guys! This is fair, there are three of us. It's not even!" Roman said. That was when Micheal and his friends came outside.

"Mind if we join?" He asked. Virgil nodded and then hid behind Kayleigh after throwing one at Roman. Soon the entire Junior class was involved in a snowball fight in a small meadow. Virgil saw Janus sitting on the sidelines and they made eye contact. Janus saw him and shook his head.

"Oh no. No. Don't you dare." He said. Virgil looked over at Logan who was involved as well. If Logan was playing, so was Janus. So Virgil threw some snow at Janus.

Janus got hit and then sighed. He picked up some snow and Virgil took off running. Janus hit him and soon got hit by his roommate which gave Virgil a chance to really get away. Virgil was running and looking behind him to see if Janus was going to follow him and didn't focus on where he was going. He ran straight into someone. He tripped over himself and the two went tumbling down.

Virgil knew the grounds well, so he made sure he didn't get hit by the rock that he was going towards, or the person he took with him. He hit the snow and looked up and saw Roman looking at him.

"Virgil, if you wanted my attention you didn't have to tackle me." Roman said with a smile. Virgil felt his face heat up and he put his hands on his face to hide it. Roman kept one hand on the ground to keep him above Virgil, the other moved so he could take Virgil's arms away.

"No hiding, we are too close for that." Roman said. Virgil felt breathless, his head was spinning. Roman was so close and he could just kiss him. He had done it before, and he was happy that he did. He wasn't sure what Roman meant by being so close. Virgil had to keep his breathing in check to make sure he could breathe.

Roman seemed to be looking for a response and Virgil couldn't give him one. Roman smiled and then leaned down towards him, Virgil wasn't sure what he was doing but he was happy to find out.

Then they were both hit by snow. Micheal was standing a few feet away looking at the two of them. "Get a room!" He yelled and Virgil scrunched his face up. Roman rolled his eyes.

"We started something didn't we?" Roman asked. Virgil sat up which made Roman move. He saw their entire class playing in the snow and he nodded.

Virgil saw Thomas looking down from his room. He gave Virgil a smile and a thumbs up before another teacher came over and told them all to get inside and out of the cold.

News traveled fast, and it wasn't long until it was something that was a weekly occurrence.