"Do you want to talk to him or should I?" Roman asked. Janus shrugged as they waited.

"You are the one he would expect to be looking for him, not me, that's why I had you do it. Talk to him, I'll apologize later. I just needed to see that he was okay and with people. You get rid of the trail when he opens the door. You don't need to do anything, explain to him the situation. I can go alone if he doesn't feel comfortable going." Janus told him. Before Roman could say anything, Janus was gone and walking away.

Roman couldn't go after him because the door opened. Logan stood there looking confused. "Roman, what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Can I come in?" Roman asked. He could feel the pull towards Virgil tighten. Logan closed the door after stepping outside.

"If you are going to talk about Virgil for whatever reason, he's in there." Logan said.

"He is? Oh thank goodness." Roman said. He was going to act like he had no clue. "I have been looking for him for almost half an hour now. He ran off after Janus said something and I got nervous. Is he okay?" Roman asked.

Logan looked surprised. "He's a little shaken. He said that Janus mentioned something about you and him going to dinner?" Logan asked.

"Janus did, but he was nervous about being around my brother. It would be a little weird if I just went to dinner by myself during Valentine's Day, I figured both you and Patton had plans and I am not taking any of my roommate's friends. I would rather not be assumed straight." Roman said, "It wasn't meant to make him angry or uncomfortable."

Logan nodded. He then walked over to Virgil's door and then swiped his hand on top of the doorway. "This key up here is a copy of one that I made last year. It stays here, he needs something and texts you and can't get to the door, you will use this. I am letting you into his dorm, you will sit on the couch and wait for him. Don't touch anything." Roman nodded.

Logan let him in and Roman sat on the couch. He realized his bag was still at Virgil's dorm. He didn't want to move so he kept his eyes trained on the wall as he figured out what he was going to say to Virgil. They were friends and that was it really.

The door opened and Virgil scowled at the door as he sat down. He slipped his notepad out of his pocket.

I am sorry I ran off.

"It's alright." Virgil looked up at him. "I am serious. You were in an uncomfortable situation and you got out in the way you needed to." Roman said.

I am not mad.

"Huh. I kinda expected you to tell me to get out and ignore me for a few weeks to be honest. This is a nice surprise." Roman said to him.

You aren't upset?

"I can't get upset with you for doing what you needed to do." Roman said. "Why did you run?" Roman asked.

I got nervous.

"About?" Virgil moved around on the chair.

What you were going to say about Janus' idea? About going to dinner with him and Remus? Virgil wrote.

"He just wanted moral support, we don't have to go if you don't want to." Roman said.

Virgil had no idea what to think and neither did Roman. They sat in the quiet for a while. Roman knew Virgil was getting antsy but there was nothing he could figure out to say that would make it better.

Talk please. Virgil wrote.

"Virgil, what are you doing for Valentine's Day?" Roman asked. Virgil looked over to Roman with wide eyes. "I am not asking you to dinner. I am not doing anything and you aren't doing anything, we could plan something." Roman said.

What did you have in mind? Virgil wrote.

"Well, we could do a number of things." Roman got up off the couch. "Considering it is in a week and a few days, we could get a bunch of snacks. I have Netflix and Disney+ so we could watch movies for an entire night while eating more junk food than anyone should ever eat in a few hours. We could go into town and do different things there. We could go to dinner, but I don't have a car to get us anywhere." Roman saw Virgil writing things down.

I have a car. He wrote.

"You do?"

Technically it's my uncle's but I borrow it from time to time during the winter.

"Why only in the winter?" Virgil smiled at Roman.

You'll see. Anyway, I like the idea of getting a bunch of snacks and having a movie night. Would it just be us? Virgil asked.

"Depends on if you want to invite other people or not." Roman said. Virgil seemed to think for a little bit.

I just want it to be us. Me and you. I can get us into town to buy snacks. Patton is using his car on that Saturday, so it will just be us. Roman smiled.

"If you are getting us to town, then I am buying the snacks. And I am not taking no for an answer." Roman told him. Virgil pouted and Roman chuckled. "Don't be like that."

Virgil rolled his eyes and then went over to drag Roman back to the couch. Virgil had put his notepad down and made fists. He crossed them over his chest and squeezed himself.

"Hug it is then." Roman said. Virgil jumped into his arms and Roman laughed. "You do need to talk to Janus, he thinks you're upset." Virgil pointed to his notepad and Roman leaned over to get it.

Why can't you just tell him?

"Because he's your friend." Roman said nicely.

He's going to ask out your brother. Virgil countered.

"You've known him longer." Virgil didn't have an answer to that so he just pouted and hid in Roman's chest. "Tell him to come to dinner, you can tell him then okay?" Virgil nodded and they just stayed there.

Roman told Virgil that Janus taught him how to find him and how the energy field looked to him. Virgil listened and asked questions when he needed to. Roman was happy that Virgil didn't care that Janus suggested it and he was glad that he had plans with his crush for the next week.

Micheal was going to have a field day with this.

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

Logan cornered him on Friday before he could get out of English. Virgil wasn't sure why he was going along with this but he was.

"Virgil, I need to talk about this weekend." Logan said. Virgil tilted his head toward Roman. They walked together to History each day. "That's right. Roman, Virgil will be along in a moment, I have a private matter to discuss with him."

Roman nodded. "See you soon, I'll cover for you." Roman winked and walked away. Virgil rolled his eyes.

"So, when are you gonna ask him out?" Logan asked, Virgil glared at him. "Glare at me all you want Virgil, it doesn't change the fact that you two clearly like each other."

Okay, hypocrite. It hasn't even been a year yet, I also still can't talk to him. There's no point. Virgil signed.

Logan shrugged. "He doesn't seem to care. I think he likes you for you and your personality comes out even without you talking. I am not going to talk into something you don't want to do. I am merely returning the favor, but that's not the reason for this. I need you to do me a favor." Logan said.

Logan, I told you once already. You are dating Patton, just get him to look in the closet, he is more than happy to- Logan grabbed Virgil's hands.

"Not that, though I do appreciate the cleansing. I may not be practical and not one that I am happy with but it does make me feel more secure. I need you to borrow Patton's car and drive me somewhere." Logan said.

Why? Virgil signed.

"I need to pick something up before next week. It's for Patton." Virgil nodded.

Consider it done, if he asks you just tell him I am stealing you. Virgil signed.

"Why?" Logan asked. Virgil smirked.

The less you know, the less he can get out of you.

"What are you talking about?" Logan asked.

When Patton wants something, he gets it. You will fall right at his feet once he gives you a simple smile or a little kiss. Virgil made a kissy face at Logan. Logan fleshed and shook his head.

"Despite being mute, you are a bit of a dick." Logan said.

Roman must be rubbing off on me. Anyway, don't worry about what I am going to tell him. I have had an entire lifetime to learn how to lie to my cousin, if I need to I can get Janus to distract him. Logan nodded and Virgil went to history. The teacher nodded to him and he sat down next to Roman.

"So what did Calculator Watch want?" Roman asked during group work.

Nothing really, I need to go into town with him to pick something up. If Patton asks, just tell him that. Roman read the note and looked confused.

"Why would Patton ask?" Virgil shrugged.

I'll tell you when I come back tomorrow.

Virgil didn't tell Patton he was taking the keys. He walked into the room trying not to wake him up and took the keys. Once he did, Patton stirred. Logan and Virgil froze. Logan looked to Virgil who waved at him to do something.

What do you want me to do? Logan signed.

Something! He's waking up! Tell him I need you to do something for me. Virgil responded.

What? Why? Logan asked. Virgil rolled his eyes.

I told you, I can lie to my cousin. Now go, I'll bring the car around. Virgil signed. He heard Logan walk over to Patton.

"Logan?" Patton asked tiredly.

"Go back to sleep darlin' I am needed elsewhere." Virgil was surprised by the southern accent but couldn't blame Logan for turning the charm on. They all had their pasts, Virgil knew Patton's and Patton knew Virgil's. They worked together well. Vrigil made sure he had his keys and swung out to the back door where they parked the car. Virgil pulled his coat closer to himself.

Roman was right. He doesn't like the cold. Virgil flushed at the thought of that. He walked by the garage that held his bike. He missed it, but he would get back on soon enough. It just needed to get warmer, and the leather jacket in his uncle's apartment was itching to be worn again. Maybe he would take Roman for a ride in the spring. He unlocked the car and slid into the drivers side. He turned the car on and made sure the volume was turned down. Roman remembered something like that, Virgil couldn't blame him. He remembered silly things too.

Like Roman actually likes to watch scary movies more than Virgil does. Or his favorite season is spring because of all the flowers. And his favorite holiday?

Valentine's Day.

Virgil wouldn't tell anyone but that's why he ran away. Roman's favorite holiday was Valentine's Day. He wouldn't mind dating Roman or even going on a date with him, they've had dinner before. It's the fact that Roman is a romantic and he would expect a lot from that day. Could Virgil pull it off?

He wasn't sure but now isn't the time. He had to sneak Logan off campus and back on with this present before Patton figured out they were leaving for a present. Patton isn't easily persuaded, but Virgil has a talent to make anyone feel at home despite the mutism.

He pulled to the front of their dorm building as Logan came out. He opened the door and buckled. Virgil hit the gas and they sped off.

"Did anyone follow you?" Virgil asked.

"I don't see the urgency to this. It's a present." Logan said.

"You and I both know, Patton takes presents very seriously. Now where is this shop you want to go to?" Virgil asked.

Logan gave him the address and an hour later they pulled up to a flower shop. "You can either come in with me or stay here." Logan said.

"I am coming with you, missing this moment to make fun of you is honestly a sin." Virgil said.

"Many things are, but I don't think that is one of them." Logan said while getting out of the car. Virgil stuck his tongue out. Logan had a simple dress coat on and Virgil still didn't understand why he wore it. Logan said it was for professionalism but they were still in high school.

Virgil thinks that it was his dad's and it was sentimental rather than logical value. "I can't believe you actually went with the flower idea." Virgil told him before they got to the door.

"Why? You did. Besides, I am doing something different." Logan said as they walked in. Virgil grabbed his arm to get his attention, once he did he started signing.

I like to avoid things, you are pretty upfront. Why would you beat around the bush? Logan shrugged.

"I am not, it's a present." The two walked up to the counter. "Hi, I am Logan Conroy and I called about the mini roses." He said to the person at the counter. They nodded and went to the back.

Roses? Really? Virgil signed.

"Get off my back, Virgil." Logan said. Virgil rolled his eyes. The counter hand came back.

"So they are red like you asked for. And it will be $28.95." They told Logan. Logan pulled a card out and paid for it.

28? Is that all my cousin is to you? Virgil signed with a smile.

Logan sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. "I swear you are insufferable sometimes." He responded.

But you love me. Logan rolled his eyes.

"You two are cute, you are very lucky." The person behind the counter said to Virgil. Both Logan and Virgil stopped what they were doing.

"Actually, I am dating his cousin. I dragged him along because I wasn't sure what color to get." Logan said to them.

"For the roses?"

"No, the ribbon." Logan said.

Don't lie to them. You didn't have a ride or know how to get away from Patton. Virgil signed. Logan rolled his eyes.

Virgil knew that he was winning. "You are just as tiring when you don't talk." Logan said after taking the potted plant and walked outside. Virgil sighed and took his notepad out.

It was a force of habit to have it on him. Blame Roman.

Sorry, I can't help it. Thank you. Virgil wrote and unlocked the car. Logan sat down and kept the plant in his lap. Virgil sighed and looked over at him. "Leaving without saying goodbye? So rude Logan." Virgil said.

"Whatever." Logan responded. Virgil's phone went off and he checked it.

Virgil rolled his eyes and started the car. "Since it's early and we totally are missing breakfast, we are stopping for breakfast. You know Patton's order and you know mine. Roman's is in the texts." Virgil told him.

"Roman?" Logan asked.

"Fuck off, you got Patton a damn plant which I am going to be conned into taking care for a week." Virgil said. "What if we gave it to Roman? Tell him it's for a surprise but not for who. That way Patton won't see it, Roman lives on a completely different floor. It also prevents him from being questioned, we just need him to keep his mouth shut." Virgil said. Logan nodded.

"Drive thru?" Logan asked.

"Bitch I ain't going back out there unless it's necessary." Virgil said as he pulled into the drive thru. He always hated this part, here they would avoid all questions about the fact he's not talking.

"You are something else." Logan said as Virgil pulled Roman's order up. Logan ordered the drinks and then some food for them all. Virgil complained about it but he couldn't do anything about it. Virgil texted Roman and told him he would be at his room in a half or so.

Logan took the food for him and Patton when Virgil dropped him off at the door. "What am I supposed to tell Patton?" Logan asked.

"It's a surprise. He'll try to guess but it's better than nothing. Give him a time of when he's going to get it too. He's gonna love it."