Chapter Text
Virgil awoke abruptly to the sound of his phone alarm ringing. He groaned as he leaned over to the night table to shut it off. His head was throbbing and his body ached as he turned over in the bed. The sight of the overturned sheets on the opposite side of his double bed reminded him suddenly of the previous night’s events.
“Oh dear lord what have I done…” he grumbled as he ran his hands over his face. As he got up and started making breakfast he felt as though his heart was twisting upon itself. Part of him was relieved to see that his one-night stand had left before he had woken up, the other part of him was heartbroken.
The night before he had gone out to his favourite nightclub to hang out and unwind with some friends. It was there that he happened to stumble across an old high school friend. Virgil had always found Remus rather attractive and the years in between had Only served to make him even more so. They had casually chatted and flirted all throughout the evening as they progressively got more and more drunk before eventually making their way back to Virgil’s apartment.
In hindsight, it probably hadn’t been one of Virgil’s best ideas, but he didn’t exactly pride himself on good decision making. Considering how busy he’d found himself lately, he had been well overdue for some kind of night out, but...he definitely didn’t expect this.
He poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned his back against the counter, the warm mug cupped in his palms as he tried his best to remember more from the night before. It wasn’t entirely fuzzy, but then again, not totally all there either.
He’d come across Remus when the other man had approached him, clearly with the goal of hitting on him. It had taken him a few minutes, but after a few minutes of looking rather distracted and accidentally giving Remus the impression he wasn’t interested, he finally recognised him.
Things had gone from there and they’d spent a good amount of their time catching up and by the end of the night, well...they’d ended up here. He couldn’t remember much else, but found himself rather disappointed that he didn’t get Remus’ number. He hadn’t seen the other man in years and thought… He wasn’t sure what he thought, but while he’d expected this, part of him has still hoped he’d be there by the next morning.
**********************************************************************
Over the next few weeks Virgil had returned to the nightclub on a few occasions, secretly hoping to see Remus again. Not that he was willing to admit that to himself, pining was pathetic and he was not desperate. He passed the lingering feelings on his friends teasing of him on the following occasions that they had gone out. They were the ones reminding him of Remus, his own subconscious surely wasn’t responsible for this. And yet there was a clear pang of disappointment every time he came home alone.
It was sometime later that he finally did cross paths with Remus again. This time it was at a bar close to his apartment where he had gone to wind down after having dinner with some colleagues which had been very socially draining for him. He had just settled himself by the bar counter with his beer when someone sat down in the stool next to his.
“Well, well, fancy seeing you again,” Remus had smirked with that cheeky grin he always wore.
A faint blush had passed across Virgil’s cheeks though he tried to pretend that it was only due to his exhaustion rather than him being flustered to see Remus unexpectedly. Thankfully their exchange wasn’t tinged with any awkwardness concerning the outcome of their previous encounter as they continued talking and catching up. As the evening wore on they eventually made their way once again to Virgil’s apartment for the night.
This time, however, Virgil woke up the next morning to Remus still next to him. He’d gazed at the sleeping man for a few minutes before he’d also woken up. They’d gotten up and had breakfast together before Remus gave Virgil his number and was off for work.
Over time, Virgil and Remus got reacquainted with each other and quickly found themselves becoming friends. They hung out pretty often and eventually, Remus even started getting invited out to the movies and to clubs with Virgil and his other friends. Patton wasn’t too fond of the new addition to their group, but Virgil seemed to be having fun and so the rest of them didn’t mind all that much.
Remus and Virgil’s relationship quickly evolved into a friends with benefits situation which at first Virgil had no quarrel with. He was fine with everything and it was going well, plus he really wasn’t interested in any relationship commitments, so it worked out.
However, what he gradually began to notice was that he really did enjoy Remus’ company. They started hanging out one on one more often and Virgil found himself expressing a fondness for the other man. A fondness that...wasn’t totally platonic. Now that they’re seeing each other regularly and not just for hookups, he was slowly realising that maybe he didn’t just want Remus physically.
Now, Virgil had done plenty to try and push down the feelings. He’d insisted to himself that they were platonic and meant absolutely nothing else, but it wasn’t long before he’d been forced to face them. Remus and him had been cuddling at the time, limbs entangled with each other and quite happy there.
Virgil was too tired to push down his feelings and he’d kissed him. Remus had reciprocated and as he gently wrapped his arms around the other man’s neck, he knew he was completely fucked. He’d gotten too attached again because of course he had.
Remus left Virgil’s apartment that evening and by the next morning, Virgil had himself entirely convinced that Remus would never return his feelings. He had plans to emotionally cut him off and ride the wave until the crush passed, it was what he always did after all.
Little did he know, Remus had other plans and even repressing his feelings for the other man wouldn’t get him out of this one.