AU
—
It's been a few weeks...a few months since Roman and Scarlet went on the "date". Couldn't really call it a date, seeing as Scarlet solely focused on the cameras and questions people asked. Roman tried but in the end he was mostly trying to keep his happy composure because if one picture of him gets out there where he isn't smiling while on a date with his girlfriend, the rumours will start to spread.
During the months, Roman hasn't had the courage to break up with Scarlet, nor the courage to tell anyone his sexuality. Roman didn't watch to rush, but his feelings only grew for Virgil, and soon he wouldn't be able to hold back from kissing the man, but he doesn't ever want to cheat. And technically, he was still dating Scarlet.
But one day, after Roman ended the call to Scarlet with "Love you" (even if he didn't mean it) he saw pain flash through Virgils eyes. Even if he was trying his hardest to keep Roman happy, and not give away the fact he just wanted the famous man for himself, Roman could tell. Which was why that day he finally had the courage to end things with Scarlet...and if she asked why - which was inevitable - he would tell her. He was gay..and happy.
But...his plan was broke into pieces and flushed down the drain once he got home.
"Roman, baby! We should get married!" Scarlet yelled happily, rushing to her boyfriend and wrapping her arms around his neck. Roman stammered, looking down at her with wide eyes.
"M...married?"
She nodded enthusiastically, twirling around the room. "Yes! I phoned a few people, this is the ring!" She pulled out a red velvet box, showing off the most expensive ring Roman had ever seen. He guessed she used his money to buy it.
"Next week we'll go in for a fitting to get the clothes, and me plus my girls will plan the entire thing out! It will be the best wedding ever!" Scarlet gushed, turning to Roman.
"What do you think?!"
"YOU SAID YES?!" Virgil yelled, dragging his hands through his hair and pacing the room. "I..I couldn't say no! I would feel terrible!" Roman replied, crossing his arms. Virgil groaned, his eyebrows drawn together in an obvious angry expression. Roman sighed, falling onto the seat by Virgils desk. He held his head in his hands, not knowing what to do...
"You have to call it off"
"I know..."
"Then you'll have to break up with her"
"I know..."
"She's hurting you, Roman!"
"You don't think I realise that?!" Roman finally yelled back, standing up so fast the chair fell back behind him. Virgil flinched, never had he heard Roman yell before, even if Virgil was doing it prior, he was more angry at Scarlet.
"Sometimes...Sometimes I don't even know what's the point anymore, Virgil..." he trailed off, tilting his head down. Virgil paused, taking a step closer. "What do you mean?"
"I mean...I can't live like this, hiding away who I really am, but once I stop I..I won't have a family, anymore. I know I have you and your family, but it won't be the same...they'll hate me for something I can't change, and there's nothing I can do about it" Roman ended up whispering, clenching his eyes closed for a few seconds.
"I don't have a choice...either way, I'll be hurt. Is this the Earth's way of telling me I don't belong...that I shouldn't be alive?" He whimpered, falling to the floor and turning into a sobbing mess. Virgil gasped in shock, rushing to Romans side to bring him into a tight hug, closing his own eyes too.
"No, no it's not" Virgil said, quietly but firmly, "you can't die, I won't let you die, I'm sorry to tell you this but I can't sugarcoat it, you have to tell them, it'll rip you apart if you don't. Maybe...maybe - well, definitely end things off with Scarlet first, then when you're ready, you tell them, okay?" Roman nodded against his chest, sniffling with tears still running down his red-tinged cheeks.
They sat like that for awhile, Roman resting against Virgil while Virgil played with his hair in attempts to calm him down.
Later, Roman silently drove himself home, ignoring some of the waves he got from the public. Driving up to his garage, he sat in his car for awhile, staring into space and imagining life with Virgil and an accepting family.
Suddenly, someone knocked on his window, making him flinch. It was Scarlet, no surprise there. Roman forced a smile, getting out the car. "Hey, honey! Or should I say fiancé?" Scarlet grinned, kissing Roman. She was too self-obsessed to notice Roman didn't kiss back.
"I'm going out with a few of my friends tonight, buuuuut don't be surprised to see two men upstairs, they're my friends and they're staying the night! Tomorrow they'll be moving into their new house" she explained, quickly kissing Roman before he could reply.
"Wait, Scarlet, can we talk-?"
"Sorry, Roman, gotta go!" She jumped into her car and sped off down the road, leaving Roman stood in the cold garage, trying desperately to keep his cool.
He swore, if those two men - whoever they were - did something that even slightly annoyed him he'd punch them in the face- oh god they're kissing...
Roman stood in the doorway to his house, watching with mouth fallen open as the two men heatedly made out with each other, one pinned to the wall making sinful noises, while the other moved down his neck, sucking deep red marks onto his skin. Well...Scarlet definitely didn't know about this. Smirking, Roman silently stalked across the floor, coughing to get their attention.
As he did, the two men yelped, splitting apart with worried eyes. They relaxed, though, once they realised it wasn't Scarlet.
"Roman, right? Hi! Sorry about that" one of them said, straightening out his blue top and glasses, along with his...cardigan wrapped around his shoulders(?). The other man apologised too, fixing his tie and black shirt.
"Greetings, I am Logan, this is Patton" Logan introduced, shaking Romans hand. Patton waved, instinctively reaching out to hold Logan's hand in his own.
"Nice to meet you, as you probably already know I'm Roman, but I must admit the last people I'd expect to be friends with Scarlet would be a gay couple" Roman explained, giving the two a once over, his smirk still prominent. Patton giggled and blushed, glancing at Logan who sighed.
"We are not...friends, per se, I knew her in high school and asked to stay the night with my "friend" obviously, she said yes" Logan explained, adjusting his black-rimmed glasses.
Roman nodded slowly, "so she'll let anyone in here? I need to be more careful..." Roman shook his head, turning to sit on his couch. "Soooo!" Patton dragged out, plopping on the couch next to him.
"I hear you two are getting married!" Patton grinned excitedly, Logan situating himself next to his beloved. "Hmm" Roman hummed, Patton watched his facial features subtly fall with a frown. "You...do want to get married, right?"
Roman paused, his hesitance answering Pattons question instantly.
"Why did you say yes?" Logan inquired, leaning forward. Roman shrugged, running a hand down his face. "I don't know! I was under a lot of pressure! She asked me! I can't say no to..to marriage!"
"Even to someone you don't love?" Patton whispered softly. Roman whipped his head to face him. "You know?!"
"It's obvious!" Patton replied, then he giggled. "Whenever Logan talks about something he loves - like space! - his eyes light up like the bazillion stars! But when you mention Scarlet...your eyes dim...is everything okay?"
Roman mentioned her once or twice and Patton already knows that much?! And why does he care so much? Maybe this is a ploy...maybe Scarlet has become suspicious and wants to see if Roman really loves her! But honestly? What's the point in lying anymore? The secret will get out sooner than later, so why try to hide it in hopes everything would change?
"No, nothing is okay...." Roman replied, watching worry and concern wash over Patton's face. "I'm gay" Roman replied, Patton and Logan leaning back a bit in shock. "Yes, I'm gay!" He yelled out, jumping up from the couch. "I don't care who can hear me, I don't care if you'll tell Scarlet, I'm gay and I just want to live my life...not keep it hidden" Roman leaned against his cold window, closing his eyes.
"I only act on stage and in movies...but for the past year it feels like my whole life is just me acting..." Roman sighed out like a real dramatic boy. After awhile, a hand settled on his shoulder, rubbing the tense-ness away. "It seems this has taken a toll on you" Logan quietly spoke, standing the other side of him. "So, the best thing for you to do is tell her" Logan added, watching his eyes slowly open to stare at the ground.
"She will be back around midnight, but she will not be drunk, you can tell her then, let her stay the night and find her a place to live...I cannot reassure you she will not tell the press lies about the whole ordeal, but I can tell you Patton and I will help you in any way we can" Logan explained, Patton nodding along with him.
"Yeah! We promise, Roman!"
"I barely know you yet you've helped me so much" Roman chuckled weakly, sending them both grateful smiles. "Thank you"
"Anything for a gay in need!" Patton giggled, giving him a quick hug. Roman chuckled again, telling them he'd rather be alone for awhile while he thinks. They agreed, heading upstairs.
"I was not going to tell you this..." Logan spoke after Patton had disappeared down the upstairs hallway.
"But I overheard a conversation with Scarlet and her friend. I do not know how to put this lightly, but she is only here for the money. I am sorry, Roman"
Logan stared at Roman's back for a few seconds before silently heading up the stairs to the guest room they'd be staying in. To be honest Roman always had his suspicions but he never thought she'd actually lie for this long for just the fame and fortune.
Well, people can be very deceiving, but Roman wasn't any better...was he? Lying about who he truly was.
Flopping onto the couch, he debated whether or not to text Virgil, but decided against it, he didn't want to bother the man, anyway. His problems are his own to deal with, he doesn't want anyone to get involved more than they should.
After watching tv, Roman fell asleep on the couch, only waking up hours later to the sound of a car pulling up outside. Checking the time, low and behold Logan was right, she was back at midnight and by the sounds of things, she wasn't drunk.
The front door opened and closed.
"Oh, Roman!" She said, surprised to see him still awake. The man didn't reply, only slowly stood up, facing her. She chuckled, placing her bag on the table. Roman noticed she looked a little...disheveled, but it wouldn't be the first time she cheated. "How are you? Why are you up?"
"I don't want to marry you" Roman stared bluntly, breathing in deeply. All his life he was told he was confident, so better live up to the title, right? No hesitating or lying, he was going to be completely honest.
"Wh...What?" She questioned, taking a few steps closer. "I don't want to marry you" Roman repeated, sounding firmer than before. "I'm sorry" he added, but did he feel guilty? Fuck no.
Suddenly, her expression turned soft. "Oh, come on Roman..." she smiled, placing her hands on his forearms. "It's late, you're not thinking straight"
"I've never thought straight..."
"What?"
"I can't be with you, Scarlet, for a whole bunch of reasons, do you want me to list them?" He said, sounding a little sassy. Without waiting for an answer, Roman carried on.
"One, you don't love me, I don't love you, either, two, you use me for my money and fame, three, you're a fucking cheat, and four, I'm gay, shall I keep going?"
She stared, bewildered with a hanging open mouth for what felt like forever. "What? I...of course I love you! I-...wait, you're gay?" Roman nodded and she shook her head in disbelief. "You're...you're just saying that as an excuse! You can't back out of the marriage now! You said yes!" She glared, getting more and more aggressive. "I can back out and I will. I want to be happy, and I'm not happy with you" He replied, keeping his cool but he definitely let clear animosity towards the woman seep in with his words.
She stuttered and stammered, trying to come up with another excuse. "I'm not sorry, Scarlet get out of my house and find someone else to catfish" Roman demanded, throwing his arm towards the door.
"You can't kick me out!"
"I can and I will, this is my house"
"We are getting married!"
"No, we are not. Get. Out"
Scarlet could tell Roman wasn't changing his mind, so she stomped her foot, crossing her arms and glaring daggers at the man. "What about my stuff?" She demanded with a growl.
Roman turned to a cabinet, picking the red velvet box and shoving it in her direction. "Everything else you think belongs to you actually belongs to me. Remember? You bought everything with my money, so leave before I force you to hand over my clothes you're wearing" Scarlet cried out in anger, slapping his face. He flinched, but it didn't hurt much, she was weak.
Grabbing the red box, she threw it across the room.
"Please, Roman..." she tried in a sweet voice once more but Roman wasn't having it. He finally felt like a strong, independent gay man who didn't need a woman.
"Get out before I call the police"
With that, she yelled out once more and stormed towards the door. "Oh, and keep your pink car. It looks disgusting" she shot him a glare, sobbing as she slammed the door closed as hard as she could. Roman stood in silence for a few minutes and in those few minutes he actually felt...free.
"I'm so proud of you!" Roman jumped at the sudden voice of Patton, he rushed down the stairs and pulled Roman into a hug. Logan slowly followed after, a camera in his hands, a smirk on his face.
"I efficiently caught all the evidence, so if she lies to the press, I have it covered. That is, if you are alright with coming out as gay to the world....?"
Roman nodded, smiling brightly for the first time in awhile.
"No more lies"
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Part three?...it's fine if you don't-