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Virgil wasn’t one for PDA. Actually, he sort of hated it.
When he was single, he had always been disgusted by over-affectionate couples in public. He never saw the need for it. Why on earth would anyone want to stick their tongue down their partner’s throat at the bus stop? Not only was it disgusting, it was downright anxiety inducing.
Just the idea of everyone’s eyes on him while engaging in any sort of intimate act, from hand holding to making out–yeah, no. Virgil vowed to himself that if he ever got a boyfriend, they would never be a couple that took part in public displays of affection.
Of course, as soon as Virgil was sure of himself and his boundaries, Roman Sanders waltzed in and turned all of Virgil’s standards on their heads.
Sure, he had never thought that he would hold hands with a guy in public, but he had also thought that his type was definitely not cocky, dramatic guys obsessed with their hair who sang half of what they said.
What made it even worse-better?-was that Roman seemed to understand Virgil’s aversion to displays of affection in public. Roman made it no secret that he would love to shout it from the rooftops that he was Virgil’s boyfriend. Nevertheless, ever since the first time that Virgil had pulled away from a hug in the middle of the school cafeteria with a quiet explanation, Roman hadn’t even tried to touch Virgil in public beyond what he had when they were just friends.
It was infuriatingly nice, and Virgil was so so grateful.
Honestly, Roman’s courtesy was probably the reason that Virgil finally changed his outlook on PDA.
It started when Virgil reached across and grabbed Roman’s hand during a movie date. In the darkened theatre, the touch didn’t seem quite so daunting, and Roman’s bright smile made it all worth it.
One set of clasped hands in a dark room turned to walking down the hallway with fingers interlaced every morning. That turned to hugs at the beginning and end of every day.
Slowly but surely, Virgil got used to showing his love for Roman in public. It was easier when Roman asked each time. It was easier when Virgil stopped feeling everyone’s eyes on them as the school got used to his and Roman’s relationship.
It got to the point where it seemed almost natural when Virgil finally leaned up and kissed Roman in between classes that fateful Wednesday. There was nothing particularly special about the day itself, other than the fact that Roman looked especially handsome in the awful fluorescent lighting with his new Spring-Break-Tan and messy hair from his own fingers running through it with the frustration of his math class.
So, yeah, absolutely no one could blame Virgil for giving in and pulling his boyfriend into a surprise kiss.
Roman immediately relaxed into the touch, bringing his hands up to Virgil’s waist as that was what had become usual for their kisses. Virgil smiled softly against Roman’s lips, his anxieties about being watched not even occurring to him as a pure happiness bubbled up in his heart.
Of course, just as Virgil was beginning to enjoy the kiss, Roman was pulling back, his forest green eyes bright with concern darting back and forth between Virgil and their classmates. “Virge- I’m sorry, are you sure you-”
Virgil shook his head, reaching up, taking hold of Roman’s collar, and pulling him back in for another kiss.
Luckily, this time Roman didn’t hesitate.