Chapter Text
Roman had always been close to his brother. Growing up at least. But after high school, they went their separate ways. It’s not that they hated each other, they just had different goals in life. Remus went on to study marine biology while Roman went on to get a degree in acting. But Roman hadn’t known that Remus’ career was going to be much more successful than Roman’s. Roman spent day after day, week after week, looking for any paying acting job. And since he barely showed up to his part time job at a fast food place since he was going to audition after audition, he didn’t have enough money to keep up with his rent. Which resulted in him getting kicked out. Long story short, he was currently waiting at a gas station he never knew existed for his brother to come pick him up and bring him to a town he didn’t know the name of. At least Remus was letting Roman stay with him. He really was a good brother. Roman had been told that Remus had two roommates and that they had been okay with him staying. Roman watched as a green Honda Pilot pulled into the gas station parking lot and his brother got out of the car. Roman couldn’t even afford a car. He was just glad Remus didn’t pull up in a Tesla. Roman walked over to Remus and gave him a huge hug.
“Hey, Re.” He smiled and Remus hugged him.
“Sup loser.” Remus said. Roman rolled his eyes and handed him a bottle of Mountain Dew.
“I went inside when I was waiting for you. Thought since you were letting me live with you, the least I could do was buy you a soda.” Roman said and Remus shrugged, taking the bottle.
“It’s really no big deal, Ro. Besides, you’re already a loser. Wouldn’t want you to be a homeless loser.” Remus snickered and Roman rolled his eyes.
“Really though, thank you.”
“No problem. I love you too much to let you struggle like that. Oh and a little warning, my roommates have been drinking so it’s going to be very chaotic when we get there. I’m gonna order a pizza for dinner.” Remus said, getting in his car. Roman put his bag in the trunk before getting in the passenger seat.
“Love that I’m meeting your roommates and they’re going to be drunk.”
“Well one of them might be tipsy. And I’d be surprised if the other isn’t drunk. He’s a borderline alcoholic.” Remus said, pulling out of the parking lot.
“I live not too far from here so don’t worry, it’s not a long drive.”
“Long enough for you to get us into a car accident.”
“Eh I’ll wait for a week to possibly kill you.”
“Woah thanks Re.”
“No problem.” Remus grinned and Roman laughed.
“How’s life been treating you?” Roman asked.
“Great. I even got a boyfriend before you.” Remus said and Roman gasped.
“That’s the one thing I never wanted to happen!” Roman huffed and Remus snorted.
“What’s his name?”
“Logan. He’s a science teacher.” Remus said, smiling when he said his name.
“Awwww Remus is in loooove.” Roman teased and Remus playfully rolled his eyes.
“At least I could get somebody to date me.”
“Yeah, how much did you pay him?”
“Wow.”
“You know I’m joking. When do I get to meet him?” Roman asked.
“Well he’s with my roommates right now so today.” Remus said.
“Awesome!”
“We’re here.” Remus said, pulling into the driveway of a rather big house.
“Holy fuck you’re rich.” Roman said.
“Not really. I live with two other people so we needed a big house.” Remus shrugged, taking his keys out of the ignition.
“Your boyfriend doesn’t live with you?”
“No.” Remus muttered, getting out of the car. Roman also got out of the car and grabbed his bags before Remus locked the car. He followed Remus into the house and felt way more nervous than he thought he’d be when he saw three people on the couch laughing over something. Well, the guy in blue seemed annoyed.
“Remus thank god you’re back your roommates are impossible.” Blue guy said, standing up. Roman watched as he walked over. Remus smiled and kissed the blue guy.
“Now you know what I have to deal with every day.” He said, hanging up his jacket on the coat stand. Roman saw a black bowler hat on the top of the stand. Who the hell wears bowler hats anymore? Blue guy wrapped his arms around Remus’ waist before he noticed Roman was there.
“Oh is this your brother?” He asked and Remus nodded.
“Logan, this is Roman. Roman, this is Logan.” Remus said, stepping away from Logan. Logan held out his hand to Roman and Roman shook it.
“Hey Re, Jan’s drunk.” A guy in purple said from the couch.
“Yeah I expected him to be. Surprised you aren’t.” Remus said.
“Me too.” Purple dude laughed.
“Roman that’s Virgil.” Remus said, guestering to the purple guy. Virgil waved to Roman, shoving somebody off of him.
“And that’s Janus.” Remus said, guestering to the person Virgil just shoved away.
“He’s drunk.” Roman nodded and set his bag down.
“Oh I’m gonna show you your room then you can come down and converse with people.” Remus said, picking up his bag. Roman nodded and followed Remus up the stairs.
“So damn he’s a science teacher?” Roman asked.
“Are you hitting on my boyfriend?”
“Hey, I can appreciate beauty when I see it. Besides he’s probably the teacher all the sixth or seventh grade girls have a crush on.”
“I hate that you’re right.” Remus snorted and opened a door.
“I’m always right.” Roman said and looked into the room.
“Would you believe me if I told you this is literally bigger than my old apartment because I’m pretty sure it is.”
“Nah, I wouldn’t be surprised. You lived in a studio apartment in New York City.” Remus said.
“Yeah in hindsight, living in New York City wasn’t the best idea. Seeing how expensive it is. I’m surprised I even had enough for the buses here.” Roman said. Remus nodded and set Roman’s bag on his bed.
“Your room is in between Jan’s and Vee’s.” Remus said, pointing to either side as he spoke.
“Across from mine.” Roman nodded and followed his brother back downstairs.
“So you gonna actually introduce us to your brother, Re?” Virgil asked. Remus rolled his eyes.
“Virgil, Janus. This is my brother Roman.” Remus said and Virgil gave him a two fingered salute while the yellow guy, Janus apparently, squinted at him.
“He’s kinda hot.” Janus said and Roman’s face went red and Virgil proceeded to slap Janus’ arm.
“Sorry he gets really honest when he’s drunk.” Remus said, sitting on the couch in between Virgil and Janus.
“Maybe it’s because he’s a pathological liar when he’s sober.” Virgil said. Logan stood up and walked over to Remus, kissing his cheek.
“I gotta go home now but I’ll talk to you later.” Logan said, holding a jacket. Remus nodded and pulled him back over, giving him an actual kiss.
“Gonna let me drive you to work tomorrow?” He asked and Logan nodded.
“That was the plan.” Logan hummed, walking towards the door. “I love you.” He said, opening the door.
“Love you too, Lo.” Remus said before Logan walked out of the house.
“Roms you can sit down.” Remus said.
“Yeah but I’m awkward.” Roman replied and Remus snorted. He stood up and nudged Virgil’s arm. Virgil looked up at him and scooted next to Janus. Remus sat back down and motioned for Roman to sit next to him.
“Thanks, Mus.” Roman said as he sat next to his brother. Roman watched as Virgil moved over until he was halfway in Janus’ lap and the other kissed his cheek.
“Are you two dating?” Roman asked.
“Yeah. He’s kind of a dick though.” Virgil said, staring at his phone.
“Says the bitch.” Janus huffed.
“Shut up you're drunk, you don’t know what you're talking about. Hand me my Monster will you?”
“No. Logan’s given us enough lectures on mixing caffeine and alcohol already.” Remus butted in.
“Sorry, Storm Cloud. Can’t.” Janus said. Virgil huffed and put his phone to the side.
“So Roman what do you do for a living?” He asked.
“I’m an actor.” Roman responded.
“A struggling one, clearly.” Janus muttered and Remus glared at him.
“What?” Janus asked and Remus sighed.
“He’s trying his best Jan, so kindly, shut up.” Remus muttered. Roman awkwardly looked back at his phone.
“Who are you texting, Roms?” Remus asked.
“My friends Emile and Patton. They live around here and I haven’t seen them since I moved to the city.”
“What are their last names?” Virgil asked.
“Emile Picani and Patton Cooper.” Roman responded.
“Eyyy those are like, my best friends. Patton’s basically my dad.” Virgil smiled.
“And Emile’s basically my brother. Still my best bro though.” He said.
“I didn’t know you knew them.” Roman said.
“Small world.” Remus smiled.
“Yeah. I miss them so I guess I’m glad I got kicked out. Not really at all actually but it gives me a reason to talk to old friends. We’re talking about meeting up tomorrow.” Roman shrugged.
“Mind if I come or you just want time to catch up?” Virgil asked.
“No, I don’t mind.” Roman said. “I’ll text them and let them know you’re coming.” He added, looking to his phone. He was being way quieter than he normally was and Remus seemed to pick up on it.
“Bro you good?” Remus asked quietly and Roman nodded.
“Yeah I’m fine. You know how I am with new people.”
“I know but you’re never this quiet.”
“I think it’s the given circumstances on why I’m even here in the first place.”
“Maybe. But I’m glad we get to catch up again.”
“Me too. Even if I did have to move. Honestly, it’s not like I was leaving anything behind in NYC. I mean, I didn’t really have any friends there and it’s not like I was about to find the love or loves of my life there.” Roman muttered.
“Loves?” Janus asked.
“Oh I’m polyamours.” Roman said and Janus nodded.
“Me too.” He said.
“Me three.” Virgil chimed in.
“I like Logan.” Remus said and Roman snorted.
“Yeah, claim that ass.” He said and Remus scoffed.
“That’s
my
line!”
“Mine now, bitch.”
“Wow.”
“Bro you only ever used it once and it was when I was dating Patton.”
“You and Patton dated?” Virgil asked and Roman nodded.
“Not for long. We realized we were better friends and hey, he’s still one of my best friends. Even if I haven’t seen him in person for years I’ve still been talking to him.” Roman said.
“I’d be so awkward.” Virgil laughed. “I hope Jan and I never break up because I’d die of awkwardness before I could look him in the eye again.” He said and Roman laughed.
“I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
“Oh no it’s bad. He once ate something he was allergic to because he didn’t want to tell the waiter they got his order wrong.” Remus said.
“Actually?” Roman asked and Virgil nodded.
“I’m not proud of it.” He laughed. “I gotta get Janus up to his room before he falls asleep on me. I’m also probably heading to bed so I’ll see you guys in the morning.” He said, grabbing a water bottle before picking Janus up bridal style and walking him upstairs.
“We should probably go to sleep too. It’s getting late and I’ve got work tomorrow.” Remus said.
“Where do you work?”
“I work at a research lab.” Remus said, standing up. Roman nodded and stood up as well. They walked upstairs and stopped in front of Remus’ door.
“Night bro.” Remus said, giving Roman a quick hug.
“Night royal annoyance.” Roman said, dodging the punch Remus threw at him.
“Asshole.”
“Love ya too.” Roman laughed, ducking into his room before Remus could throw anything at him. Maybe this wouldn’t be the worst thing to ever happen to Roman.