CW: overwhelming feelings, anger and grief, it's very brief but I'm putting this just in case
Virgil's eyes kept flickering from the watering can in Roman's hand and the sketchbook in his own. He wore his necklace today, which he hasn't done in years, but he's been wanting to wear it more often.
"So, we never really talked about it but I was hoping we could go on our first official date somewhere soon?" Roman asked as he tended his garden.
"Oh, huh, I guess you're right," Virgil mused as he continued to draw the witch. "I didn't even realize that we haven't been on an official date yet. Let's go to Johnson's."
"Ooh, yes! We can order a nice dessert and then take a nice walk together!"
"Also, before we started dating he told me that if we have our first date at his bakery, then our order will be half off. He was mostly just teasing me but I'm going to hold him to his word." Virgil finished the watering can and moved on to putting details on the figure itself.
"What, were we the last people to know?"
"Nope, Mr. Miller was."
Roman laughed, a nice rich sound that made Virgil's chest feel warm. "That's true, he somehow didn't notice I suppose."
The fairy drew a fold in Roman's red jacket. "By the way, have you always had that jacket? I've never seen it before."
"Oh, this?" The witch lifted his arm. "It's actually my cloak, it has magic infused into it. Sorta like your necklace but with different magic."
Virgil put his hand over the purple stone. "What does it do?"
Roman set down his watering can. "This!" He grabbed the edges and tugged, instantly it turned back into his cloak that Virgil's used to seeing. "Or this." He tugged again and the cloak turned into a different jacket, a much thicker one. "It changes shape into a different clothing piece, but it's always the same color. It's more helpful than having a bunch of different coats." He tugged again and it changed back into a light weight coat. "I have it as a jacket in the garden cause it often gets caught on the plants."
"Yeah, that's definitely different from my necklace." Virgil hesitantly went back to drawing.
Roman sensed a bit of sadness from the fairy, but he just picked up his watering can. "I can sense the magic in the stone isn't yours. I'm guessing it's one of your parents?"
"Yeah, it's the only thing left I have of them. They had similar stones, and they were supposed to be able to find me with them no matter where I went." The fairy continued to draw, adding volume to the hair by drawing lines in it. He felt some guilt come from Roman. "Don't worry, I'm not upset that you asked. I just miss them sometimes."
"I know what you mean. I'm just happy that-" He cut himself off, looking up and into the woods. Darrell perked up from where he was laying next to Virgil, and the fairy became worried when he felt shock, guilt, anger, and a bunch of other emotions flash through the witch.
Before he could ask what was wrong, he felt it. Magic, coming from somewhere in the forest. It felt like two different kinds, both coming from the same direction.
"It-it can't... How..." Roman struggled to speak, dropping the watering can.
"Roman?" Virgil asked hesitantly.
"It's his magic... but he... He can't be here."
"Is everything okay? What's wrong?" Virgil set aside his sketchbook and pencil, standing up.
"Remus, he..." Anger flared up in the witch. "I can feel his magic, I know that's his magic. It must be the hunter who killed him. Darrell, stay here with Virgil." Roman started moving towards the magic, but before he could get far Virgil grabbed his arm and the fox was by their side in a second.
"I'm coming with you, I won't stop you from doing whatever it is you're going to, but I'm coming."
Confliction crossed through the witch's eyes before he nodded. They both felt the two different magics coming towards them as they started to head in their direction.
Darrell grew as he ran besides them, both the witch and fairy running to keep up. Roman ran in front, tearing a branch from a tree and using his magic to wrap it around his arm to use as a weapon.
And then they heard something that made both of them freeze in their tracks. "Roman!"
It wasn't a voice Virgil recognized, it was nasally and the kind that would be annoying to listen to for too long, but Roman seemed to recognize it. The anger drained from him in an instant and was replaced with grief and hope.
"Remus!" he shouted, tears forming in his eyes. Darrell, who had run in front of them when they froze, looked back in confusion.
Soon a man came into view, he looked a lot like Roman but at the same time completely different. He had a scar on his cheek, and a handlebar mustache. There was a pure white streak in his hair, and he had shaggy bangs falling in front of his face, the rest tied in a long ponytail.
Behind him, another man appeared. Well, 'man' wouldn't be what Virgil would describe him since he was a gorgon. Yellow snakes slithered on his head, though the fairy knew they were actually attached, and a slim yellow tail trailed behind him. Scales trailed down his neck, but eventually gave way to skin. He had two piercing yellow eyes, black slits for pupils.
"Ro-ro! You're alive!" the first man shouted, rushing over and jumping at the witch.
Roman quickly wrapped his arms around him, gripping his shirt and holding in a bone crushing hug. "You're alive! You're really alive," he sobbed.
Virgil sighed at the feeling of relief coming from Roman, overwhelming relief. So much so that he had a hand on Darrell to steady himself, the other against his chest.
"I'm so happy you got away!" Remus told his brother as he pulled away. "Gods, I'm such an idiot!"
"You were a bigger idiot back then," the other man corrected.
"Yeah, using magic while the monster hunters were in town, ha! I'm just glad my mistake didn't get you captured, Ro."
Roman blinked as he was taken aback. "Your mistake?! I was the one that used magic while in town! I- someone was talking bad about magic and I had an outburst, someone ran to get the monster hunters!"
"Ooh for real? That's why they didn't get you. I must have done it first since they got me first, huh?"
"Do you know how long I blamed myself? I thought they killed you! And- I'm-I'm going to need a moment."
"See! That's proof that we just like each other!"
Roman laughed and placed his hands over his face, hiding the tears. "Not that old argument again."
"It's been eight years! Let's pick it up again! Just like... old times..." Remus started to choke up, trying to blink the tears in his own eyes. "I-I... you're alive. I never thought I would see you again."
Roman tried to rub his tears away as Virgil stepped up and put his hand on the witch's shoulder. Roman looked back at him again, and almost as if they had a silent conversation the fairy nodded. "Yeah, I'm alive. I'm better than ever now. Who's um..." He gestured to the gorgan.
"Oh! This is my snakey!" Remus grabbed the gorgon's arm, the small snakes cuddling against him as the man blushed.
"Please don't call me that in front of others," he requested.
"His name is Janus, I'm pretty sure we're dating!"
"We are."
"And who's your angel?"
Roman and Virgil both blushed brightly, Darrell yipping behind them. "This is Virgil, we're boyfriends as you probably guessed," he answered.
"Yeah-huh. And the giant metal fox?"
"Darrell, he's my familiar."
The fox barked again, coming closer and sniffing Remus and Janus. He rubbed against the witch, who tried to scratch him only to poke himself on the metal fur. Darrell shrunk and Remus tried to scratch him again.
"I like him! Oh, hold on!" Remus whistled hard. "Come on down, Rascal!" The branches in the tree's shook as if something was running on it. Out of nowhere, a possum appeared and landed on Remus's shoulder, making Roman jump back. "This is my familiar! Rascal! She can turn invisible!"
Roman laughed, "Of course your familiar is a possum. It's very fitting."
"She's my partner in crime! Other than Janny of course."
"Naturally. Stars, it's so good to see you, Remus. What happened? How did you escape?"
"Well... That's a long story..."