Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The truth of soulmates is that nobody understands them.

At some point in humanities history, signs of soulmates began appearing and even the timing of that is vague at best. For some, entire governmental departments formed basically overnight to notify the soulmates of that connection type and Logan knew the stories of people who essentially got a soulmate notification of a new job: The first time had so many reports written for it as some soulmates were no able to send letters to each other. There were videos of protests when reports of item swaps was shared.

Logan, even as a child believing he only had one soulmate, wished to understand soulmates and would ask hundreds of questions about the kinds of connections there are, why they form at different ages, and most of all after his second connection formed, how could he find them?

Of course he'd still get more questions, specific to the soulmate types, beginning with the timer that formed the day he turned 6 years old: How can the soulmate connection know the precise moment they'd meet? Why didn't the timer change or get impacted at all by his decisions?

It did, however give him one set day when Logan would do everything he could to keep clear of appointments. His family was frankly amused when he first decided that the day he'd rest and relax was the day his timer came due, shortly after his 18^th Birthday. They were concerned later, when even during holidays Logan would be studying, working on various online courses and anything else he'd claim would make him able to ensure that day was free.

It had taken the appearance of 2 more soulmate connections when Logan was 13 to let him realise constantly studying was wearing him to exhaustion, even with the times his parents and siblings stole his books away and claimed use of the family computer for themselves.

He was still resolute that, other that school, he was going to have a day free from plans when his timer ran out. Even if he met one of his other soulmates before that time, they could cope without him for the day.

/\/\

For Janus, the timer appearing on their wrist only brought anger in the moment. It was never directed at their soulmate, but rather the parents now excitedly explaining the truth of soulmates existing to them.

Their parents were so happy to see these numbers on their wrist, thankful that it was an easy connection to explain that they forgot Janus's 4^th birthday. “Of course there are other connections that can form, Janny, Some people get them even younger than you are, invisible animals that only the soulmates connected by them can see, but you've got a timer. Isn't that wonderful? You can plan a wonderful date to take your soulmate on and have a perfect day.” Their mother had explained, stroking over the timer, seconds on it ticking away.

2 years before, Janus had woken their parents up exclaiming over a tiny frog climbing over them. Their parents had complained that it was too early for them to be imagining things and to go back to sleep. For months after Janus had tried mentioning their frog friend and had it dismissed as an imaginary friend, no matter how clearly they knew it was real.

Now they were getting told about soulmates and that one of the connections that come younger than 6 was spirit animals, such as the one now sat on their shoulder. It was infuriating and the entire explanation why the child yelled about their parents not being allowed to meet their soulmates.

They ended their 6^th Birthday grounded and colouring pictures in of what they thought they could do to meet either of their soulmates. The timer soulmate obviously was going to meet them under a big town clock.

/\/\

Logan knew that his timer was going to run out just after school. He'd know it for months actually, and had been scanning the school hallways, paying a little more attention to the rumours spread in hope of getting clues to who his soulmate might be. So far all he'd been able to decide was that it wasn't likely to be any of the people getting rumours about their relationships changing since most people who already knew their soulmate connections wouldn't be pursuing other people without reason.

As his timer went from hours to minutes, then down to being in the last 10 minutes before he was supposed to meet this other person, Logan tried to focus on having his bag packed and going on one of the quieter routes off the school grounds in hope of actually being able to know who his soulmate was without calling about his timer ending.

In fact he was trying to pay so much attention to the few people he was passing that Logan missed someone directly in his path, walking straight into them. “Sorry, I was lost in thought. Are you okay?” He immediately asked, steadying them and meeting their eyes as a smirk spread over their face.

“I'm fine, thank you. Are you, per chance, my soulmate?” They stepped back from him only slightly, to meet his eyes without leaning back too much.

A glance at his own wrist and theirs that was now held out, sleeve pushed back had Logan nodding too. “Yes, I believe I am. Do you have some time to spend together this evening?”

“Yes. I was thinking of visiting the cafe a few blocks from here. I'm Janus by the way. They/Them pronouns.” They introduced, turning to carry on walking the direction mentioned.

Logan followed easily. “I'm Logan. He/Him. Do you happen to have other soulmates?” He had to ask, the ever present ribbon tugging on his wrist reminding him of the 4 others he knew he had now.

“3 others that I'm aware of. Does that mean you have others also?” Janus wasn't looking at Logan but he was fairly sure they were watching his reaction regardless of how their face was directed.

“I have 4 others. I wonder if they're the same people and you have another connection to form or not.” Logan explained, lengthening his steps to hold the door open for Janus as they approached the cafe.

They just nodded at him, smirking. I suppose only time will tell that.” They replied, heading straight to the counter. “In the mean time, I'm sure we can entertain ourselves well enough.”

Chapter Text

The year before, Roman had spent ages laughing and occasionally taunting Remus when his brother lost 2 colours from his sight. It wasn't so funny now, when on what he could only assume was this soulmates 11^th Birthday, he found himself just seeing black for the sash he was certain should look red, and the sky outside just as dark despite being a clear, sunny day. It definitely made the clouds more fascinating than they had been against blue skies for some bright side.

It took a few moments before the 12 year old decided the best course of action was to circle the date on the calendar and note what had happened. Perhaps he could use knowing their birthday to find them in a few years. Roman was sure there had to be a way to find them from that.

/\/\

Patton would tell people that she'd always liked pastel colours and that her second soulmate had no impact at all on her choice of clothes. In reality though, it was simply easier to recognise blacks that others would see as pale blues when looking at clothes sections filled with other pastel colours and he did actually like the types of clothes that came in those shades.

The biggest thing Patton missed was actually seeing all the colours flowers could bloom but he would carry on gardening while he wasn't allowed to study animal care. There were plenty of creatures to be met outside among the plants anyway, and at least there the spiders would blend in or be hidden from his view in their homes rather than his.

Patton was resolute that life should be just as colourful with 2 colours subtracted from it as it was before and if people disputed that then she'd just have to find more flowers to grow, more wonderful animals to study and learn about.

/\/\

The amateur dramatics group was Roman's favourite thing. Of course he loved the school performances he could join, but for those he kept being put in the older roles, letting younger students fill the parts of other characters and honestly, Roman could only enjoy playing a wizard so many times.

It was even better because the costume department at school had little flexibility to fit outfits to actor preferences but the costumers with the amateur dramatics group asked him about his own colour preferences for outfits before making sure they'd fit the performance being rehearsed. It was wonderful to know that even years after his favourite colour in childhood was removed from his sight he could be wearing it to perform in.

Tonight was opening night for their performance and he was ready to steal the show.

/\/\

Patton had tried. He'd tried to convince his family to leave him out of this outing, and then attempted to feign sickness when that hadn't worked. She just didn't see the point of watching a play when the lighting and occasionally costumes could leave sections completely black to her.

It had happened before that her sibling would be leaning forwards in awe, whispering about how lovely a scene is while Patton's is squinting and hoping he's following the scene properly from the words since red or blue lights means he can't see the stage for the moment. Tonight he assumed it would be more of the same and no matter how interested she was in the play, she just didn't want to go through that again. At least with her flowers there were always other colours to look at around the black shapes.

Still, he'd been brought here and was going to try his best to enjoy the show.

That became a lot easy and immensely more difficult when during the second scene a character looked out to the audience just before being addressed for the first time and met Patton's eyes.

The black outfit draining to become red was the first thing to have Patton gasping, and he was soon turning in his seat, looking around and back to the actor, shocked to see they weren't showing any of the shock and joy he was going through.

The play was going on as normal, the character sassing a shop owner before agreeing to help with an errand. Her father however was leaning around her sibling frowning. A sharp point down to her seat and jab toward the stage was enough to tell her that if she didn't sit back down and pay attention to the show she'd likely be grounded for all the months until she left for college.

/\/\

Roman collapsed into a seat as soon as he was off stage from his first scene, looking around at the props and costumes of the other actors. It felt like he'd been fighting his reaction for hours rather than a few moments and was entirely happy that he'd managed to stay in character even while the audience had black clothes draining out to reveal blues and reds.

His soulmate was out there. They were sat in the audience, and he could peek through the curtains to try and find which seat. “Remus.” He muttered, too used to his brother attempting to sneak up on him after breaking into back-stage to be shocked at a presence behind him. “You need to ask for an announcement to be made. The person sat in Row E, seat 12 is requested back-stage on the interval. If they ask why it needs making say Roman can see all the colours again.”

“Not here to take orders from you. Why don't I shove you through the curtain and into the audience now? Quicker introduction that way!” Remus suggested, only lightly shoving his back, not enough for Roman to actually stumble.

“You know how close our parents are to trying to kick you out. Have you saved up enough for that to happen yet?” He felt bad bringing that up, neither of them liking the comparisons that had been getting more pointed recently, but needed the play to go well, just as much as he needed to actually meet that person.

Remus laughed, “Not yet, but nearly there. I'm gonna go out with a BANG!” It's odd hearing a quiet yell, but Remus had always been able to manage it. “I'll get your announcement made.” He'd vanished before Roman could turn to thank him.

/\/\

“You caused trouble so you can go and face it now.” Patton's father sounded grave as he turned to her, but she was fairly sure trouble wasn't the reason for her seat to have sounded from the tannoy. She only held her hand out for the ticket her father was bringing out of his pockets.

He nodded anyway. “Of course. I'll make all the apologies needed, just as you saw me doing to those sat around us once the lights went up.”

Leaving his family, it was easy to head to reception, show his ticket and ask how to get to back-stage. They were smiling at him so he assumed the actor must have said something in requesting the announcement, but didn't ask anything more after giving him the directions.

“Are you my bluebird?” The rouge was stood just behind the door of back-stage when Patton walked through it, looking for them.

She smiled, nodding. “I guess I am, if you're my rosebud.”

“Roman at your service, he/him pronouns. What's your name, lovely?” He bowed to her, managing to keep her attention away from the hustle that was back-stage.

“Patton, she/he pronouns. You're more eloquent than your character.” He stated, wondering if he could make some puns yet or if his soulmate would need to start getting ready for the next act.

The five minute call delayed any reply, but Roman shrugged as he straightened up. “Of course. One might portray anyone on stage, but how one carries themselves off it is wear the most important impressions are made. But you best be returning to your companions now, while I prepare for the stage once more.”

“Let's meet for hot chocolate tomorrow! The theatre cafe, maybe?” Patton suggested, doubting they'd be seeing each other after the show given his father usually had reservations for immediately after shows.

“I'll be there for 3pm.” Roman promised, bowing again as she turned to leave back-stage once more.

Chapter Text

Janus wondered how they'd feel if when they had first seen their frog their parents had simply explained that it could be a soulmate connection. Their mother had asked after their 3^rd soulmate connection formed if they still saw the frog they'd spent a few months trying to point out to her and had admitted to worrying if that was what Janus was talking about since she hadn't been ready to admit she wasn't her husband's soulmate, not to their child.

They had denied it, already resolved to never trust their parents with their soulmates if at all possible, and then questioned why she used that excuse when she hadn't explained their lack of soulmate connection when Janus turned 6 so it definitely wouldn't have need to be brought up before then. They hadn't gotten an answer for it, their mother instead declaring it time for presents.

Occasionally they thought about the animal, about getting into a field working with them. It was, after all, what society expected of people with these connections as an easier way to find their soulmate. The issue was it held none of their interest like other subjects did.

They'd be far more interested in laws, politics and management, especially the ways to stop it from screwing workers over. Breaking expectations wasn't difficult to do either, with the lie provided to them from their parents never acknowledging the frog could be a soulmate connection for years, there was nobody to push them towards aquariums.

/\/\

Patton was raised on Disney films, had known about soulmates and the various connections that could form simply because they'd been included in the fairytales. He'd spent the entirety of his 4^th birthday insisting on watching Snow White on repeat because he had a serpent now, just like her dog, ready to lead him to his soulmate.

It was why he chose to study zoology and get summer apprenticeship's at the city zoo. He could look after animals more solid than the soulmate one usually wrapped around his shoulders and even was allowed to lead the talks in the reptile house.

He wasn't expecting to realise, during one of his talks, someone staring not at the snake he'd brought out to begin the talk, but at the serpent wound around his leg since it's customary spot on his shoulders was taken. Patton blinked away from them soon enough, silently wondering how Roman had managed on stage to not miss a line when he'd momentarily lost everything he needed to say for the talk from his mind and had to make a pun or two to refocus on the children wanting to learn about snakes.

As the talk ended, Patton looked around once more for the person who'd been looking at his soulmate creature but now couldn't see anyone in a dark hat, let alone a bowler. He just carried on putting the last lizard brought out into her travel box and pausing while bent just long enough for the serpent to return to his shoulder's. There were creatures to return to their enclosure's and other animals to be fed. He could keep an eye out for the person in a bowler hat while going through the public areas.

/\/\

“I was wondering if the beauty on your neck was tamer than the rest or if she's actually a soulmate creature. Can I assume by her presence even when there's no talk or display on that she's the latter?” Patton heard asked from behind him. The zoo was closing in an hour and he hadn't spotted the bowler hat again, but apparently they'd found him instead.

He smiled, turning to them. “Yes, this is my Sunbeam. I can't see any soulmate animal on you however. Have you figured out some hidden way to leave yours behind or are they small enough to hide?” He asked, looking over and around them curiously.

“He's under here. Mr Houdini given the ways out of any carrier he's had. I'm Janus, by the way. They/Them pronouns.” Janus had tipped his hat back just enough for Patton to see a frog quite happily nestled into his hair.

“Well since you were at my talk, you know I'm Patton, He/Him pronouns. I've met one other soulmate and know I've got 2 more than that. Do you have multiple?” He asked, curious about that and knowing there was nothing he had to rush off to do until the zoo was actually shut.

Janus grinned, “Exactly the same actually. I have to ask though, are you as impulsive and curious as the frog is? The little I've read on soulmate creatures suggests they have some similarities with the person they connect to.”

“I guess I can do.” He shrugged. “It's just how I am. My next day off is on Tuesday. Maybe we could meet for lunch then and get to know each other better?” Patton offered as they heard the zoo closing soon announcement go off.

They nodded. “It would be my pleasure. I'll wait at the clock tower in town at half 12 on Tuesday then.”

Chapter Text

Remus was used to everything he owned looking black to him. Really he had been from a month after the purple and green turned black, but waking up to a yellow cord winding around his wrist was new.

His immediate thought was to barge into his brother's room. “HA! Now we're 2 each!” He cheered, slamming the door open, glancing back to frown at the cord he'd attempted to tie to his own so they'd slam at once. Apparently the cord wasn't corporeal enough to do that yet. He'd keep trying.

His twin just groaned at the noise, only rolling over to avoid him getting louder, knowing already that he would and it didn't matter that it wasn't 4am yet, just that he now had the same amount of soulmates as Roman. “2 what? Weeks of being grounded? Cause I'm fairly sure you're the only one getting that for waking the house up.”

“Soulmates! I got a cord! Bright yellow too. Come on, we're going on an adventure to follow it now!” Remus demanded, already slamming the door shut again as he hurried to get ready back in his own room.

Honestly he was a little surprised to hear Roman actually getting ready to join him but was happy to stay quiet if he could have that company.

That lasted until the end of their street when Roman pointed left after Remus was already going right, asking, “My ribbon goes that was. Shall we continue our quests separately?”

“NO FAIR! We're meant to have the same number! Stop getting extra ones!” Remus yelled, scowling before turning to race along his cord alone.

Remus honestly meant to follow the cord straight to his soulmate that day and be the first of them to find one of his soulmates, but there was the playground and he could try to figure out how to make the cord corporeal. He was sure there had to be a way to manage it.

/\/\

Janus looked at the green ribbon curiously when they notice it. Given it was falling through the table, they're fairly sure it's incorporeal and a soulmate connection rather than something that had been tied there. If they hadn't been having breakfast with their parents they might have been tempted to try following it, but didn't feel like explaining the new bond.

Then the ribbon began to tighten and start straightening out of the dip that had previously been in it. “Sorry Mom, I'm being inexplicably pulled away from your riveting take down of todays news.” They stated, already heading for the door.

“Whatever you've decided to do can wait until after breakfast, Janus.” Their father called, pointing at the seat they'd just vacated. “Sit down and explain what's so urgent to pull you away from your family on your birthday?”

If they'd had their way, Janus would have avoided explaining the soulmate connection to their parents, but any attempts to lie was interrogated more until they had to be honest. As it was they gave the minimum amount of details possible and refused to go for a walk or leave the house for the rest of the day.

Just for some privacy from the parents who only seemed interested in their soulmates when it might benefit them, Janus resolved to only ever follow the ribbon if it had pulled tight and there was a useful reason aside from it to leave wherever they were.

/\/\

The tugging was leading through the park this time, to an outdoors gym that Janus had been sure nobody would actually use. They'd just finished having lunch with Logan when the tugging began and had decided that work could wait a while longer.

They were mildly amused to realise that this was the time they had actually managed to follow the ribbon to their soulmate, but were still not getting noticed at all. “Are you actually trying to do something there, or is your idea of using that exercise bike truly jumping off the pedals towards the branches of a tree?”

“I'm gonna my this cord corporeal! It's got to impact the world beyond me somehow!” The person insisted, not turning around, only growling when the yellow end of the ribbon once again phrased straight through the branch.

“You do realise that there have been no recorded instances of that happening, not even anecdotally?” They asked, curious over how long they could talk before seeing the face of the other.

Their soulmate laughed, walking over to a weights machine. “That just means people haven't had the imagination to try. I'm gonna manage it, just you wait and see!”

“Well I could, but what do you expect me to be seeing? A green ribbon pulling the weights forwards or just something moving with nothing to indicate why?” Janus asked, smirking when that got a glare thrown at them.

“First of it's a Yellow Cord! Get the type of rope right. And second of all, why in god's asshole would you stick around to watch the crazy man? Most people have hurried on calling me insane by now.” The rant didn't break as Janus raised their hand, trying to show the ribbon around their wrist off, mostly because the other wasn't looking away from their eyes.

They lowered their hand a second later, humming a little. “Well there is at least a few records of this being possible.” They decided, grabbing the ribbon with the hand it was attached just above and yanking towards themself, watching their soulmates arm fling forwards too.

“YOU!?” The person had basically leapt to be uncomfortably close in front of them after registering the yank. “It's YOU! My soulmate! First one I've met?”

“And you, third one I've met. Do you happen to have a name? Or just pronouns will do, I suppose.” Janus asked, taking a small step back.

Now a hand was shoved into their own. “Remus, He/him. Who are you? What are your other soulmates like?”

“Janus, They/them. I've only met Logan and Patton and they're both quite lovely. Do you have multiple soulmates also?” They replied, blinking at the questions.

Remus nodded wildly. “3 others! And now I've got my own place I can actually try and find them!”

“Oh, you recently moved?” Janus asked, only getting more interested the more subjects that seemed to be brushed past for something else to look at.

“Got kicked out. Knew it was coming so I'm glad that the parentals waited until I'd got plenty saved up, even if they didn't know it. Wanna come around?” Remus suggested, turning to walk out of the park and tugging the ribbon in an attempt to make Janus follow.

“Unfortunately I have a job to return to. Do you work night shifts instead?” They asked.

“Yeppers, nights at the bar being a guard, later nights being an usher at the club, forever giving the assholes the beatings they request.” Remus nodded, “Come follow this if you ever wanna watch an entertaining evening.”

With that Remus was bounding away again and Janus was laughing in disbelief, a little uncertain what just happened but certain they'd find Remus again soon enough.

Chapter Text

Two new soulmates was a lot for a thirteen year old to comprehend over breakfast, but there they were. Both on his left arm, a name and a vibrantly red ribbon which were meant to lead him towards people he'd get along with, even love, if the stories were true.

Given just a first name made locating any individual with it was unlikely, he resolved to focus on the ribbon, easily going through the cabinets of the shed to locate a compass and at least learn the direction from his home the ribbon lead in. Perhaps over time and a lot more data points Logan could get a more accurate idea of where he'd need to live for the highest chances of encountering his ribbon soulmate.

A small notebook to record the direction was easily found and located also.

/\/\

After leaving Remus to chase after the cord he'd been talking about, Roman had set himself up to hike for as long as he could. He stopped at a corner shop to get snacks and a drink for the walk and set off cheerfully taking the turnings closest to the direction his ribbon lead in until realising it was mid-morning and his parents were probably worried, especially if Remus hadn't gone home yet either.

Walking to find his soulmate would have to wait for another day. For now he had a birthday to celebrate and a twin that needed some reassurance that no matter how much they called it a competition they would clearly have the same amount of soulmates by the end of them manifesting.

/\/\

Logan had 2 reasons for visiting the orienteering club that he'd heard about at the freshers fair. The one he'd admit to everyone was that he needed a break away from reading sometimes, no matter how much he enjoyed the sciences, but the primary one was hoping that the club would lead him closer to his ribbon soulamte. Only Janus had been told that, although it was likely they'd mentioned him to their other soulmates too.

Looking at how short the ribbon seemed to be, especially that he couldn't see it leaving the group no matter how he wandered and hesitated to join them, Logan was fairly certain he would actually encounter his ribbon soulmate as soon as he went over. Not quite how he'd believed joining it would help but he was grateful for the ease.

“Hello, is this the orienteering group? I signed up as interested at the freshers fair.” Logan asked, tapping the nearest person to the edge of the group on the shoulder.

“It is. What a splendid adventure we're going to have together. I'm Roman, He/Him. And you are?” He turned around smiling, already holding out his hand to shake, but Logan's thoughts momentarily short-circuited at seeing the other end of the ribbon wrapped around Roman's wrist.

Taking a breath before holding his hand out, then bringing his left one up when realising a right hand shake wouldn't show his end of the ribbon off, Logan smiled. “Your soulmate apparently. I'm Logan, He/Him as well.”

“Delighted to meet you.” Roman was about to say more when the leader of the group called for everyone's attention. At least they already had a partner for the introductory exercise already picked out.

Chapter Text

Virgil was used to being alone. Eir parents didn't mean to do so, but they both responded to their arguments by finding more reasons not to be home, leaving em there, alone since they didn't like having other kids over when neither of them was around.

Ey were hopeful that ey'd have plenty of friends in the future though. The amount of soulmate signs ey had to look for guaranteed ey'd at least have 4 friends, possibly more. Actually one already was, Virgil already classed the soulmate ey could write letters to as a friend, whether ey knew their name or not, and hoped that the soulmates their soulmate had already met might just be eirs as well. Truthfully for Virgil, it was even better to have written letters to them as ey could know for certain the right way to refer to them.

That certainty hadn't come with the name that had formed on eir wrist. Actually it had initially. Ey had only ever encountered males with the name Logan before that, but then eir mother had looked at it and commented on it being nice name and being sure the girl would be just as lovely. That was when ey learnt that some names get used for any genders and eir mother assumed men would be paired with women.

Ey had argued with it, but soon resolved that whatever eir mother thought ey wouldn't assume anyone's gender from eir name again. It made it even easier when changing eir pronouns since asking others was already a part of eir introductions.

Speaking of introductions, Virgil noticed that someone was unlocking the apartment opposite eirs just as ey were walking up. Ey hadn't had the chance to meet any of eir neighbours yet and was a little curious about them. Ey only hoped it wasn't rude to say hello when they were both arriving home at the same time.

“Hi? I'm new here. Are you one of my neighbours?” Ey asked, cautiously waving as ey unlocked eir own front door.

They straightened, turning with a small smile. “Yes, I'm Logan, He/him pronouns, please.” He held out his left hand to shake, which seemed a little odd, especially with how it was held, but Virgil didn't question it until realising eir own name was staring up at em.

“Virgil, Ey/em pronouns please. Um, is – is that?” Ey didn't want to ask but also would only panic later if ey didn't. It wasn't unheard of for people with hidden soulmate connections to get tattoos of each others names, but usually those weren't places where the soulmate connections would form.

“Indeed it is your name. Do you perchance have mine?” Logan nodded, barely even glancing at his wrist before replying.

Virgil released his hand, fumbling with eir sleeve in a scramble to push it up. “Yes! It's – it's here. Sorry, I've not met any of my soulmates before. Do you want to talk? Or would some other time be better? I don't mean to interrupt if you just want to relax after work or.” The words came tumbling from em, not wanting to inconvenience eir soulmate but really wanting to get to know em.

Logan looks at him for a moment, before returning to his door, locking it again and pocketing his keys. “I'm free now, if you don't mind me joining you in your apartment. You seem to be experiencing heightened anxiety so I assume a familiar space would be more comfortable to you, Virgil.”

Ey nodded, fumbling with eir keys as ey tried to unlock eir door, but soon enough was leading Logan in. “Yeah, come in. Have you eaten yet? I was going to make pasta for dinner.” Virgil offered, trying not to start darting around to tidy up since that seemed likely to bring more attention to any mess.

“Not yet, would you like me to assist?” Logan replied, following em through.

It wasn't the perfect meeting that people liked to paint soulmate connections as having, but it was enough for Virgil to feel a little less alone in the world.

Chapter Text

Janus hadn't received a letter before the notification. They hadn't expected to, granted, but looking at the notification made them distinctly aware that they would have preferred to have received a letter first, even if they couldn't actually know who it was from.

It was their fourth soulmate to learn about, and the second that their parents wouldn't know of. Their school had already been talking about a penpal scheme that Janus had wondered about joining so they would just declare that as the reason for the letters they would be sending. The fact their their birthday was one of the few days when they'd be the one to collect the mail without it being seen as suspicious did make it easier to hide as well.

/\/\

5 letters with address stamped on over another were in the mail. Virgil blinked at the pile ey'd been given. Beneath a few birthday cards from relatives and an official looking envelope, there were 5 almost identical letters with eir name stamped.

Curiously ey put the birthday cards to one side, looking between the letters and the official envelope for a few moments before deciding to open the official envelope first.

Dear Mr Virgil Stewart,

This is your notification of a soulmate connection that allows you to send letters to the other party connected to you.

The address to direct your letters to so they can be directed to your soulmate is below along with a list of rules and limitations to what will show in the letters you send. If the other person is older than you any letters they've already sent will have arrived alongside this letter and going forward will be sent straight to you after your name is added to the envelope.

Congratulations on your new soulmate.

Sincerely

Personal Connections Officer

Thomas

It took a moment after reading the letter for Virgil to understand what was happening. Ey had a 4^th soulmate and a lot of letters to reply to apparently. Hopefully eir soulmate would understand that ey're younger than them so couldn't reply before now.

Dear Soulmate,

It's my fifteenth birthday and I can only assume that you are not yet fifteen given I received no other letters alongside the notification, so hello. If I'm wrong, then I must be offended that you haven't decided to reach out yet, but I'm well aware of how parents can be regarding soulmates. I hope you are able to reply soon though.

I'm not going to tell my parents about having a soulmate connection with you. It's nothing to do with hiding you and a lot to do with their attempts to interfere with the other connections I have that they know about. I hope you have multiple soulmate connections too. I know it isn't always guaranteed that we will share multiple soulmates but that does seem likely to be the path of fewest disputes.

We might have a few arguments anyway. I've been told plenty of times that I'm deliberately contradictory and overly sarcastic. Apparently that's a personality flaw, although I fail to see why. It merely means the times I mislead someone are often more obvious for people to see than when they themselves do so.

I can't write for much longer but I'll try to get at least one letter sent each week if you don't reply.

From Your Soulmate.

..

Dear Silent Penpal,

Apparently I need to be speaking up more in class to get the attention. Considering I have a few teachers who deliberately try to ignore me that will be difficult, especially since those are the teachers who have just told my parents I'm not speaking up. Why must the adults of the world do one thing but request we do another when they are the ones responsible for it in the first place?

I'm not sure what else to write to you today, but hope that when you begin replying that will be easier. I'll have something to respond to at least.

Until then, My Hand is in the Air

…

Dear My Darling,

I have visited an aquarium today. My parents were being insufferable and they constantly say I should be doing more with my days so I took myself out and decided the aquarium sounded wonderful.

Largely it was a chance to learn some more about the fishes and creatures of the sea, but the one in town also has a section for amphibians. I was hoping that the little frog I've had with me for years could be identified while going around it, but unfortunately, whether due to the incorporeal forms limitations, or simply lack of variety, I was unable to manage this. I do, of course, refer to a soulmate creature, rather than a living pet. Please do not suppose me an irresponsible pet owner who doesn't know the animal they look after due to ignorance.

I don't believe I told you before what the other soulmate connections I have are, but as I've just said, one is an animal, a small frog. The others are a timer counting down, which has a few years left until I meet them, and a ribbon. I've attempted to follow the ribbon numerous times since it formed when I was 13, but sadly am still bereft of meeting any of my soulmates.

Perhaps if we were all fish it would be easier to find each other and form our own little shoal, but then again, the ocean is a very large expanse.

Wistfully, Your Dreamer

…

Dear Stranger,

I wish you were old enough to write back to me. I wish I could find one of my other soulmates without waiting so long. I wish I could finally move out of this house.

Actually that last one will be coming true soon enough. I've been saving for years really. Distrust in my parents has only been growing since I turned 6 and had soulmates explained to me so the moment I understood living on my own would take money I began saving, taking on chores and since I turned 15 part time work when possible to be able to afford my own place. I think I'll have enough by the time I'm 17. Of course that's over a year away now, but it's soon. I have to believe it's soon.

I had an argument with my parents today. Somehow they've figured out I've been saving and are pressuring me to use my money to learn to drive as soon as I turn 16. I stand by that if they want me to do so, then they can pay for the lessons. It isn't like our family is struggling for money.

In fact, if I did know how to drive I'm fairly sure my mum would be trying to come with me every time I left the house, just in case I was going to follow the ribbon around my wrist. Getting away from them has to come first.

I hope wherever you are your family is more supportive of your independence, Dear.

I'll run to you one day,

Your Confidante

…

Dear Soulmate,

I've been thing of ways I could tell you enough for us to be able to meet up. We're told from the beginning that letters breaking the terms won't be sent, and while I've definitely tried, those were returned. My parents tried to read them and when they couldn't scolded me for writing swear words or sexually explicit letters to a school penpal which was frankly amusing to listen to.

I believe I should be able to describe areas and let them get through however. I mean the letter about the aquarium trip got through and that did describe an exhibit that seems relatively unique to my town. Most aquariums don't have an area for frogs and other amphibians, did you know?

Perhaps when you are able to reply you can try describing where you live, or landmarks near it so that we can learn how close or far apart we live.

Yours Scheming,

J

Virgil read each letter immediately after the one above it, smiling at the connection with eir soulmate actually being a way to get to know them. The latest seemed to be written fairly recently too, and ey could just imagine eir soulmate being frustrated to have the letters breaking the restrictions returned to them.

Ey wasn't certain about what to say, even with 5 letters to reply to, but ey would get something on the page.

Dear Soulmate,

I'm not sure that there is anything I'd call a landmark in this town. It's exhaustingly boring. The museum is cool, I guess. It has an Egyptian exhibit with a few actual mummy's in. I always think the entrance is trying to look like an old Roman building with its columns and the shaping of it.

Sorry you've had to wait for me. I'm writing this as soon as I've read all 5 of your letters on my 15^th. I do have 3 other soulmates too. One of mine is a timer connection that's got a few years to go still, and another means I can't see purple or green any more. The last one is their name on my wrist which I assumed meant they were male, my mom thought they were female so I'm not sure of anything beyond their name.

I'd be terrified of hurting a soulmate animal. They do better if you look after them, right? It sounds difficult looking after a whole other being. Convincing myself to look after me is difficult enough.

Sorry again you had to wait for me,

Your soulmate

V

It wasn't the letter ey thought eir soulmate deserved but ey didn't want to write too much, not with eir first letter. Maybe when they know each other better ey can write more. Besides, at least now they both knew each others first initial.

/\/\

No matter how much J had described of their home town, or how much they convinced Virgil to describe neither of them were certain where the other lived, even after years of writing to each other and moving away from their parents. Virgil knew that J had their own place and was working and studying still, as well as that they had met their other soulmates already. In fact J had even met the soulmate of one of their other soulmates according to their last letter.

Ey was grateful to finally be able to share the same.

Hey J,

I met my neighbour yesterday and he'd one of my soulmates too! The name on my wrist actually.

We spent a wonderful evening together and I think you'd really like his intelligence. I was struggling to keep up with some of the rants he went on.

Plus he could keep up with my sarcasm and said it almost reminded him of one of his other soulmates too. I wish I was as lucky as you and he have been over finding my soulmates.

V

It was just a short note sent off on eir lunch break, and ey didn't entirely expect a reply.

Ey definitely didn't expect to get a note even shorter than eirs the next morning, delivered just before ey left for work which was unusual for eir postman to manage.

V, That sounds like one of mine who had a similar story. Might have found you. If so, see you tonight. J

Virgil wasn't sure if it was good or bad to be found by J because ey'd mentioned Logan, but if that was what had happened, ey couldn't wait to finish work that night.

/\/\

“Janus, I don't see why you were so insistent on coming over but now refuse to come in at all. If you wish to meet Virgil, I'm sure we can wait in my apartment until ey've arrive home and have relaxed for a while.” Ey could hear Logan saying while climbing the stairs, too impatient to wait for the lift.

“I just want to know if ey're mine too, Logan. You know the desire to find your soulmates, just as well as any of us do.” The voice replying was smooth, deliberately calm Virgil thought as ey hastened eir steps.

The pair must have heard em on the stairs then since they fell silent, already watching the stairs when Virgil reached eir floor. “Hello?” Ey asked, tentative, curious.

“Hello, I'm Janus, Are these letters you've written?” The stranger stepped forward, holding out familiar pages covered in eir handwriting.

Some part of Virgil wanted to wrap this oh so familiar and known stranger in a hug immediately, but ey instead just hugged the pages, nodding. “You found me.”

“I did.”

Chapter Text

Logan was learning, not stealing ideas, just learning from his soulmates methods of finding each other.

Honestly with this specific soulmate he'd been learning almost immediately after he got his first reply. She had corrected him over the importance of being himself and not needing to fit into some questionnaire format for other people to understand him by.

Nowadays he was a little embarrassed to remember that his first letter sent was essentially a dating site profile, barely even looking like a letter to anyone. His soulmate had sent it back to him covered in question marks for his first reply.

That letter was still at the front of the folder he kept their correspondence in though.

Dear Soulmate Hi Honey

??? Name: I'm not allowed to provide this. Perhaps you may call me Scientist since that is a passion of mine

Age: 15 as this process dictates I must be to know of our connection Did you base this off an online dating profile?

Location: I live in a 2 story family home with a pond in the garden. ?? That sounds like a lovely home. What are your siblings like?

Turn Ons: I do not understand this section. Does it mean my interests? It could do to be clearer. My interests are in astronomy and chemistry primarily but beyond that I desire to learn everything I can about the world we live in. Honey, it means what gets you excited according to my parents. If your passionate about science then I guess that would class as a turn on.

Turn Offs: Another section I do not understand. As humans the only way for us to be turned off, as it were, would be in death. For machinery and electronics perhaps there are other ways to turn them off but for every living thing we are only truly off in death. I asked my mum to explain turn-offs too and she says they're things that stop you wanting to be around someone. It could be small things, pet peeves, like how someone constantly taps things, or larger like hating the political views people hold.

Perfect Date: The ideal time of year for me is usually as Autumn truly sets in cooling the fervour of summer. I suppose to give that a more specific date would be early to mid October. I love sweater weather too.

Dear soulmate,

This was interesting to read but you don't need to fill out a form to tell me about yourself. We're just talking you know, even if that's talking through letters. Are you okay with me calling you Honey? My family is big on pet names and that one just seems to fit you.

What are your siblings like? I've always wished I could have younger siblings to look after, but I often get to babysit for my cousins and our neighbours anyway. Kids have the biggest imaginations you know, and don't care about staying in the lines when colouring either.

Love Popsie (that's my cousins nickname for me)

Of course the letter was old now, and the folder it was kept in had changed a few times to have space for all their letters to be kept together, but Logan still re-read them often enough.

What was hanging on his mind more than that first letter though was that Janus had managed to find Virgil through him, and both of them mentioning how they met each other to them. He wondered if there could be a way to meet his letter connection by doing the same; If by some miracle, Janus or Roman already knew her.

They had both already told him of the one they knew that he hadn't managed to meet yet, Patton, and the connections shared with him. It even seemed plausible since both his letter soulmate and Patton used she/he pronouns and happily asked people to swap between them regularly. The only thing he needed to know now was if she truly was his soulmate.

Dear Soulmate,

I hesitate to write this, since I know we agreed not to push the limits of what we can share in an attempt to meet up before life gives us that chance, but curiosity makes me ask.

As I've mentioned before in letters I currently know 3 of my soulmates, with only yourself and my item swap soulmate left to meet. What I did not wish to share as the story wasn't mine to tell, is that 2 of my soulmates also know another of their own who uses pronouns the same way you do.

The first I met, whom I had a timer counting down to when we'd meet, met this other a few months after we first met. They had soulmate creatures, themself a frog and their soulmate a serpent and encountered each other at the city zoo.

My ribbon soulmate informs me that the other they've met was the cause they believed the ribbon that connected us was black for the longest time. He described a rather fantastical scene of colours coming back to him mid-performance and interrupting the entire show. I suspect he's embellished some since surely the theatrical company he was performing with would not be so happy to give him roles again if that was the case.

If either of these situations sound at all familiar to you, please can you meet me in the astronomy exhibit that's currently visiting the town museum? I'll be visiting everyday after work for this week.

Yours Hopefully

Astronomer.

/\/\

Patton read the letter and froze, knowing that his scientist had just described how he met Janus and how Roman felt things happened when they met. There was no way she wasn't going to the museum that week, and it did have the exhibit mentioned showing on the website for it.

He was going to meet his third soulmate deliberately, and knowing that it was going to happen. It sounded like a lie, as if they'd managed to break some unspoken rule, even if they were just letting their soulmate connections help each other. Then again she was too nervous to ask either of her soulmates about Logan directly. Once they met, he could get to know Logan more in person, although he already knew him fairly well from all the letter's they'd written over the years. Perhaps he should take a few, just to confirm again that they're meant to be.

It's the first and latest that end up in her bag come Monday evening when she's entering the museum, following the arrows around for the exhibit. Her soulmate had mentioned preferring to look and dress smart, so she was looking around for someone in a suit, or at least a shirt and tie. If Roman had thought the ribbon connecting him to Logan was black that meant he was likely wearing blue as well, so there were definitely clues to help Patton locate him.

There was a man stood tracing the constellations with his fingers on one of the displays who was dressed how Patton thought his penpal would be. He hesitated to interrupt, but went over to stand next to him, glancing over occasionally and pulling the pages from his bag. “Excuse me, Kiddo. Can I just ask if you were the one to write these letters to me?” He asks when he realises the man glancing over at him.

“I am, although I would prefer not to see a copy of that one ever again. It was quite mortifying for you to return it questioning my methods of introduction. Are you Patton?” Logan turned to her, flushing slightly as he recognised the profile of his first letter.

“Are you Logan?” She replied, nodding to answer his question. “And it was cute. Don't be embarrassed. I doubt anyone had such a unique first letter.”

Logan paused before nodding back, “That is a much kinder view of it than I've allowed myself and yes, I am Logan. How useful it is for us to share soulmates in Janus and Roman.”

“Best thing to share ever!” Patton agreed, almost cheering the words but trying not to since they were in a museum and shouldn't disturb the other visitors.

Chapter Text

The notification was a reminder of Remus's favourite type of soulmate connection that he hadn't thought he'd ever get. Soulmate dedicated theft. Alright, fine, some of Remus's things would be swapped with his soulmate's but he was used to losing things.

It caused a very busy morning for him also, making sure anything and everything that was his was painted, drawn over, or otherwise customised to be unique. He needed to be certain if he ever met the person who had these items. Roman had blinked coming into his room to fetch him for breakfast to see the extra chaos created in the room.

“Does this mean we have an equal number of soulmates now, or are you just trying to send Mum into a fit?” He asked, looking over everything and remembering which soulmate type could cause this reaction as well as happen on their 17^th Birthday.

Remus grinned, his voice lilting as he replied, “Who's to say it isn't both? Or that I just wanna be and look special.”

“You look like a trash goblin and like it that way, Re. Besides we're going out for breakfast this morning. Try actually wearing clothes under your covering of paint.” Roman rolled his eyes, frowning as he realised the clutter around Remus didn't reveal if he'd bothered to get dressed yet.

“Will do Bro-man. How much do ya think the parentals will have to pay if I get paint covering something?” Remus called after him a he turned to leave.

The only call in return was “5 minutes if you wanna eat this morning.”

/\/\

“Would I be able to get personalised name labels?” Logan asked, looking up from the letter that had been slotted in amongst his birthday cards. He'd had a few items go missing in recent months, just as he'd found things he was sure nobody in his family would have. With the notification that had just been provided to him it all made some more sense and Logan was grateful to have already been recording when and where he found the pieces. While none of them gave any indications over who the person who had owned them was, they were all made unique in some form.

His father paused in passing some cereal to his sister, before nodding. “Of course Logan, is there any reason why so I know how many to order?”

“Apparently I have a fifth soulmate connection which involves items moving between us both. I believe if I've labelled the items with my name and perhaps my favourite subject then they should be recognisable if and when I encounter my soulmate.” He reasoned. “Perhaps a few storage boxes would be a logical investment also so I can store the items I receive from them.”

“We'll get those ordered today.” His father agreed, but focused on breakfast for the time being, as did Logan.

/\/\

Remus had known the day was coming when he would have a place like this. He'd hoped his parents would have lasted longer, left him in a position to be able to completely leave town, find work somewhere completely new and away from his family. It seemed like everything except moving would have been easier if that had been the case.

Even Roman was ignoring him now. They had shared their own harsh words and argument over the incident that finally pushed their parents to kick Remus out, but still went to the same school. Except Roman was invisible to Remus now, changing spots they used to meet up either because of their parents influence or lingering anger, Remus wasn't sure.

At least everything of his soulmate had come with him. All of the items were actually stacked together, slowly forming into a kraken sculpture that Remus swore would dominate his living space. Cradled in amongst the legs of the kraken was the plant he'd received on his last birthday too, the only item not directly owned by the soulmate he stole things from and had things stolen by in return.

Remus had painted a copy of his soulmate's sticky labels onto the front of the plant pot and changed the name to be 'Bristles' rather than L. O. G. It was simple enough to do when he had stared at the labels each time something new was swapped.

Also a simple thing to notice was when the man sat on the front row next to him had identical labels on his folders. He'd come to a lecture on experiments conducted on the international space station and had intended to learn everything he could.

That also left Remus stealing the folder as people prepared to leave the hall, shoving it up his shirt as the other bent to retrieve his bag.

“Excuse me, do you know where my folder went?” The man asked, turning to him.

“Do you have the item swap soulmate connection? Perhaps it went to them!” Remus countered, leaning close and leering.

The man took a step backwards. “That is a connection I have yes, but experience shows that my items do not disappear in such a way as you are suggesting. If you've picked it up then please return it to me.”

“Nope!” Remus decided after pretending to think for a moment. “I wanna know what you've been able to steal from your soulmate!”

“It is not theft. It is a soulmate connection recorded and which all participants are notified of as they turn 17 years old. You have taken my folder if the outline in your shirt is any indication and I'd like you to return it now.” He held out a hand as if waiting for the item to be returned.

“I think it'll look good as one of my kraken's arms. The label already matches, so no I'm not doing that.” Remus hopped up then, grabbing his jacket and turning as if to walk away.

A hand on his shoulder stopped him. “What do you mean the label matches?”

“I mean if I was playing snap with labels then this one matches those, Mr Log! And I'm going put this as the arm surrounding my plant. You can keep my jacket if you like. Seems like a trade that's happened before anyway.” Remus did turn to wrap his coat around his soulmate's shoulders, nodding at the confused glance going from him to the jacket.

He'd only got a couple of steps when he heard the reply. “That was last March 23rd, and it was actually a sketchbook of yours for the suit jacket I wore for a cousins wedding.”

“Damn, I haven't kept track of the dates that much, Mr Log. I'm Remus by the way.” Remus whistled, impressed.

“Logan, no need to try and make a name from my initial's any more.” He introduced before pausing. “Have you actually made a kraken out of my things?”

Remus crooked a finger inviting Logan to follow him, “Come and see it if you like.”

Chapter Text

Patton had accepted the delivery with wide eyes. He'd know this was a soulmate connection that could occur, had been warned that people would assume this was the reason he'd gotten into gardening as he grew past 18 years old, but had still never expected to actually be given a plant.

His thoughts went to Rapunzel and how she'd seen her plant begin growing outside her tower for years before she left it to finally leave, but had been compelled to dig up her flowers to bring with her. He didn't want to cause his plant damage by carrying it around, but how else would he find the person with the identical plant?

Then again, Patton was smiling at the seedling. She could recognise the leaves already as mint and was sure that whomever this soulmate was would grow just as wildly as mint if given the chance.

/\/\

Once again, Remus vanished first thing in the morning according to his parents. He swore they must be half deaf not to hear the knocking at the door, or his yell that he was going to do some gardening.

He might not have actually researched or learnt anything deliberately but experience was a great teacher and Remus was certain that mint would best grow outside. He'd even be nice to the flowerbeds his mother constantly screamed at him for destroying and keep his new plant in its pot. No need to let the mint go wild when he'd just have to take it with him whenever he's ready and able, hopefully not forced, to move out.

“Remus! You know Mom will go insane if you're digging up roses before we've even had breakfast. Are you going to come in?” Roman called from the backdoor.

“I'm winning for soulmates, Ro! Got a plant delivery this morning. I wonder who got the other mint plant?” Remus bounced up and over to his brother before the door could shut.

Roman just paused for a moment before smiling. “I don't know but can't wait for you to find out. You know there's still a few years and chances for me to catch up again.”

“Yep, but for now I'm winning.” Remus grinned, carrying on to breakfast.

/\/\

Janus had frozen, looking at the kraken in confusion, but including Remus's plant within that. “One of these days I sincerely need to arrange for all of my soulmates and all of each of their soulmates to meet up together to actually find out if we really could be all connected.” They stated after a moment.

“Are you meaning Logan? Cause I stole his folder a couple weeks ago. He's decided I'm allowed to keep it since the jacket I put on him isn't being returned.” Remus asked, tugging on the ribbon and pouting when the knot around his cupboard door immediately released.

They shook their head. “I'm referring to Patton, actually. She has a mint plant identical to yours, and I assume given the similarities to Logan's labels it has something to do with your soulmate connections?”

“It is! Can Patton come over then?” Remus was already trying to steal Janus's phone to send the invitation.

They shoved him away to send the message themself. “So long as you don't do anything to traumatise him once he gets here.”

“I swear I won't”

/\/\

The door was open to the address Janus had invited her too but nobody was responding to her knocking, not even to call a greeting. With a glance Patton decided to just invite herself in and was immediately rushing to separate Janus from someone she almost mistook for Roman.

“What on earth are you doing? You could have hurt them, or yourself. Just – Just sit there and don't do whatever you were doing.”

“Trying to wrap the ribbon around Janus's neck! It's gotta influence us so surely we can get suffocated by it!” came the cheerful reply, making Patton even more aghast.

He made sure to stay between Janus and this stranger again, “There's no need to try and kill our soulmate, no matter what you want to prove Kiddo.” He scolded, “Now, I'm Patton, she/he pronouns please. Are you the person who lives here? Janus said I should meet you.”

“I'm Remus, he/him and They think you're my soulmate! Do you have my mint plant?” Remus pointed at the plant which Patton was almost happy to see was surrounded by an octopus sculpture rather than anything else.

She turned to look at the mint more closely, but already knew that it was the same as her own .She just wasn't completely comfortable with the idea that this man was one of her soulmates. Remus had just been trying to suffocate Janus afterall.

“It – it is the same as my soulmate plant.” He admitted after a moment. “Perhaps we should get to know each other without you trying to harm Janus though?”

“I wouldn't have done that! Jan's great at holding their breath. I'll make this ribbon corporeal somehow!” Remus dismissed the concern carelessly. He didn't seem to mind Patton's caution towards him at all so there was definitely time for them to get to know each other.

Chapter Text

At 11, Remus focused entirely on painting in 3 colours: Black, black and black.

The twins had been given some paints for their birthday, to be shared between them, which now seemed entirely unfair when he could no longer see his favourite colours. Roman hadn't helped, bursting out laughing when Remus complained of there being too many black paints and asking where the purples and greens were.

It was the fanciest set of paints they'd had so far, both of them actually trying to do great art in order to earn this set. The paints were all in little tubes and had labels showing the colour with a name beside it. After a while of laughing, Roman did attempt to comfort Remus's pouting by suggesting he uses the colour names to know what colours he's painting with, even if he couldn't be certain of the shade.

Remus wasn't comforted, but after scowling for a little longer decided it didn't matter. He could paint a black bat on a moonless night, or a coalminer down in the mines, or a dead volcano in a solar eclipse. There were hundreds of black pictures he could paint and if he wanted to try adding shading that's what the white paint is for.

/\/\

Even young, Virgil knew black was a comforting colour. Occasionally he'd like dark purples, the night sky was perfect for the colours that soothed him.

That was probably why he didn't realise on his eleventh birthday that 2 colours were no longer recognisable from black for him. He'd thought it was only green that vanished; a nice colour but never one of his favourites.

His mom was the one to ask what the second colour was and to explain that the type of connection he'd just had form usually stopped the people connected by it from seeing 2 colours, one important to each of them. She was also the one to pull out his felt tip pens to try and find out which ones he thought were black now.

Even knowing that purple was probably the colour connected to him didn't make Virgil understand the choices. He was most comfortable in black, in darkness that stopped people looking at him and when it fell would bring quieter streets where strangers talking to him could be fought off, rather than needing forced manners to escape.

Now with his own home, and knowing a couple of his soulmates, well Virgil was still sending pictures of tops and hoodies to his family to check they really were completely black, or possibly purple since he wasn't so concerned over wearing purples as he was greens that could be annoyingly bright. Occasionally he'd even double check his jeans and pants were actually black, after an incident in his teenage years where he'd found some cool black jeans, with chains to hook his keys on so they couldn't get lost only to hear as jeers, and comments about a summer look, were actually a purple plaid fabric.

Those pants lived folded on his shelves, waiting for the day Virgil could see colour again and decide if he actually liked them or not.

Frankly in the moment he found himself in, Virgil would very much like to be with those pants, just sat on a shelf at home, not out running an errand he'd put off and encountering a city festival he hadn't heard about before being inside it.

It was the black that caught his eye, squares of black lining part of the pavement in an area that was quieter of people. Virgil had to see what it was all about, and even then was still confused, blinking at the prices in the corners of the black squares.

To one end of the area there was someone painting another black square. He wandered down to them, lips pressing into a scowl as he realised they were actually drawing lines of some pattern. That was either the weirdest amount of effort to put into a black painting, or for whatever reason, this artist was painting entirely in black, green and purple.

“All black like my soul. The hell are you drawing cause it doesn't seem to be selling well?” He grumbled, only to freeze as they looked up and the paint palate in their hands was revealed to be a hurricane of colours, literally all greens and purples swirled together.

“A black bear running through a tire dump on the edge of a city at midnight?” They replied, before frowning down at the page and back at Virgil. “Can I have the blackness back? It's more fun seeing people's reactions when I can't tell what they're reacting to.”

Virgil snickered more from shock than intent. “I'm Virgil, He/him and seriously? You were actually painting pure black pictures and using colours you couldn't see?”

“Remus, he/him and I'll have you know my street art is well-known for it's abstract uses of colour and recognisable through the intriguing uses of purples and greens.” Remus raised the paint-brush towards Virgil in what he initially thought was gesturing with his words, before having a line of purple dripping down his cheek. “And I'd like to have them go back to black if you don't mind.”

“Can't undo a soulmate meeting, you madman. Suffer!” Virgil snickered, making no attempt to wipe the paint off since he had no tissues with him and didn't want to get paint over his hoodie.

“Shame! Pretty sure Pat would have already figure out how to if we could. He thinks trying to wrap a ribbon that refuses to stay solid around someone's neck is too violent. Not that he could actually see anything though.” Remus shrugged, frowning at his painting for a moment, before deciding to place it alongside the others. “Once that's dry I'll add a price to it.”

Virgil looked back over the rest of the artwork, fighting to keep his snickers contained. “I can definitely tell you couldn't tell the difference between colours for all of these. Why on earth would you become an artist when you can't see the colours you're using?”

“Why would I want to see everything the way everyone else can?” Remus countered. “This is great because I got to learn to see an image in my head and paint it without knowing quite how well it was coming out. You can't say my pictures are indistinguishable for what they are!”

“And I can't say there's any type of bear that's purple in sunlight but looks green in shade.” Virgil nodded at the one drying, shaking his head.

Remus beamed at him. “I like you, patchwork purple. Even if you made me see colour again, I think I'm gonna keep you.”

“Glad to hear it.” Virgil agreed, carrying on to look and shake his head at the pictures he could now properly see. They were definitely interesting to say the least and he thought that probably described Remus too.

Chapter Text

Of all his soulmate connections, Virgil only found one actually useful outside of being a tool to find some other person. At 6 years old he gained a timer on his wrist, ticking down until he met that soulmate and while he wasn't obsessively looking forward to the date it would strike zero, it was the connection he focused on most often.

When he was young, it was comforting to him, a quiet reminder that someone was there for him. The ticking wasn't loud enough to disturb his sleep as some clocks would, but whenever Virgil focused on it, it was there.

As he started to have anxiety and panic attacks, the timer took on another role as a tool to count his breathing against. Virgil wasn't always able to use it for breathing exercises, definitely needed some help from another person occasionally, but having that tick every second was something to focus on when grounding.

Even as the timer got shorter and closer to meeting, Virgil wondered what he'd do after, if he should get a watch or something to use when his timer no longer ticked.

/\/\

Roman was making plans. He was going to visit Patton's zoo for the day, spend some time with her and Janus who had suggested the trip and then go around the shops in town before meeting Logan. The timer to when he met his next soulmate was going to conclude today and he wanted the best chance of being around strangers for the entire day.

Then Janus had a meeting at work, and Patton said Roman should leave visiting for another day. Then he realised that the temptation to actually buy things would be too big if he was going to spend the entire day in town so decided to go to the park instead. Even Logan had messaged to say that a surge of work had come in so he'd have to work late, suggesting meeting for dinner another day.

Well, when everything feels determined to ruin any plan Roman makes for the day, he decides whatever comes next he isn't going to let it stop him. He'll go around the shops and get things to have a picnic. Then he would change from going to the park to hiking on the edge of town. He'd stay away from his home until at the very least he meets his soulmate.

/\/\

That morning, Virgil hadn't wanted to leave the house. He was getting nervous over the timer running out and how he'd learn to cope with his anxiety without the steady ticking he used for counting breathing against. If he stayed home and didn't go around people then the timer would have to extend...

Or Virgil would have to leave and get groceries just to have something to eat in his apartment.

He hurried around the aisles, trying to remember the staples he usually got and snagging a few treats while he was there. He knew he had enough to afford them.

“Excuse me?” Someone called after him, just as Virgil was turning towards the dairy aisle. “I think you dropped this instead of getting it in your basket.”

He turned, glancing from the person to the pack of bacon in their hands. “Thanks, sorry.” He mumbled, noticing the timer on their wrist strike zero just as he glanced up. “Is that...” Taking the bacon he made sure to get it into the basket this time before rolling his sleeve up just enough to show a row of zeros where his timer was.

“I think this means we're soulmates.” They agreed quietly, a soft smile on their mouth as he pouted at the mark. “Isn't that a good thing?”

Virgil's gaze shot up, head shaking a little as he realised they'd misunderstood his reaction. “It is! Of course it is! I just, it helped when I – I didn't mean to – I used the timer for breathing!” He tried to say too many things and his heart sunk into his stomach thinking nothing about that would be understood.

They paused for a moment before holding their hand out again. “Do you mean you used it to count breathing exercises? Like for meditations?”

“Yeah, also for helping with anxiety. I get overwhelmed and have panic attacks sometimes. It helped to have my timer to listen too.” He nodded, shaking the hand, but finding his soulmate didn't release it, instead tapped their thumb softly on the back of it.

“Well, I might not be able to be with you constantly, but I can do this for you while we're together.” They suggested, still tapping. “By the way, I'm Roman, he/him pronouns. What's your name?”

“Virgil, also he/him. Do – do you have other soulmates? I know my 3 others.” He replied, watching the thumb tap. “That actually does help, thank you.”

Roman smiled, nodding, “I'm glad it helps. And yes., I have 2 others that I've also already met. Logan and Patton.”

“Logan's my neighbour, or well, I'm guessing it's the same Logan that lives across the hall from me. He's mentioned a Roman before, I think.” Virgil muttered.

“Then we should make sure to let him know we're once again connected.” Roman grinned, glancing between their baskets. “Now, if this is uncomfortable for you, just say, but I was simply planning on having a picnic and spending some time at the park this afternoon. Would you like to join me, after taking your groceries home of course?”

“That sounds nice.” Virgil nodded.

Chapter Text

“So what about you?” The question, sounding more like a demand, made Roman blink.

He'd been stood in his room, watching everything unfold for the last hour. He'd heard the yelling and come out to see things being thrown and hear more yelling, both from his parents and from his brother. It felt like he'd tried to speak up a million times, to ask what was going on, to try to stop the scene from getting worse, and every time he was yelled over, ignored.

Now Remus was stood staring at him, the question hanging between them and Roman was lost over what it meant. “Me? Well, what – what about me?” He asked after trying to figure out the question and failing.

“You taking their side? You coming with me? What are you doing?” Remus ground out the questions, half turned to go back into his room and start throwing things into bags. He'd been given a day to pack up and move out and Roman had been wanting to try and talk his father out of that decision, to make them let Remus stay until he decided to move out for himself.

“I don't have savings, not like you have. I'd just cause you more troubles.” Roman tried to explain, still frantically trying to think of a solution that wasn't this, that he could convince Remus to go along with, that his parents would accept.

Remus fully turned away then. “You know you wouldn't, not if you actually cared about me enough to come with me out of here.” He stated, already closing the door when Roman jumped over to block it.

“Of course I care! I've been the freaking middle-man in these arguments for so damn long, I'm still shocked that whatever caused this argument didn't have me sent to talk to you in the first place! But you know my theatre clubs, all the acting has meant I haven't been able to save up as much as you. I won't be the reason you struggle to eat just because I can't bear to live away from you!” Roman hissed out, refusing to yell when that could cause their parents to come back and begin the argument again, or worse, shorten how long Remus has to pack.

“NO! You care about keeping your perfect life! Perfect will be even more true with me gone and all you'll be is relieved the screw-up isn't around!” Remus snapped back, glaring while shoving pens and paints into a bag.

Roman tried to force his brother to turn around, to face him, but got shrugged off. “If I feel any relief at all it will be because that pair won't be expecting me to control you any more, something I never wanted to do. I want you here and the yelling to stop, but their need for appearances is stifling both of us but you especially. I want you somewhere that your paintings can be praised and sculptures admired like you deserve! If that means I let you keep your savings to have furniture in whatever apartment you get , then damn it I'll stay here!”

“I want you with me! I want support out there that isn't from strangers thinking I'll get them things or can be used for something! We can get more savings or different jobs and do it our own way! Together!” Remus did face him now, shoving Roman back into the door frame, fire dancing in his eyes before it died away. He turned back to packing with a sigh. “Just say you don't want to come with me. Don't make excuses based on money.”

The fight drained out of Roman too, as he turned to go back to his own room. “I won't say that, because I wish I could. You text or call and I'll come running. Hell, I'll even help you move your stuff tomorrow.” He promised.

Remus's room was empty before Roman woke the next day, no messages left for him, or any of their family.

/\/\

Since Remus left, Roman hadn't heard from him. He'd tried, called and text for months after he left, but all the calls were ignored, all the texts went unanswered and it felt like his twin was doing everything he could to block him out.

Patton had mentioned meeting a soulmate called Remus, and he'd felt hope, but no meetings were arranged. Actually it seemed like Patton was almost avoiding that soulmate entirely, not just trying to stop Roman from meeting him.

Roman had tried asking Logan if he had a soulmate called Remus too, and learnt that after being involuntarily used by Janus to find Virgil Logan was against deliberately introducing any of his soulmates to each other. He tried not to be annoyed by this soulmate Patton and Logan shared causing him issues in reconciling with his brother.

When he was younger, Roman had doodled, on paper, on his arms, occasionally on tables. Remus had done so as well, enough that their parents teased them over making meeting to easy if they ever get the soulmate where pictures on your skin shows on the other persons.

Since becoming an actor, and now attempting to make that a job, Roman had curbed the habit. He didn't want to cause issues for costumers. Except watching his arms that seemed like an unavoidable situation now.

Lines were twisting over Roman's skin, patterns and style familiar enough he wondered why it was showing up now, months after his birthday.

By the time the picture was finished and lines stopped forming Roman was scrambling for his phone, typing in the number he'd given up hope from ever hearing from again. If the image on his arms wasn't drawn by Remus then Roman was a tone-deaf businessman.

The dial tone said he wasn't going to find out though.

/\/\

Virgil was still getting to know Roman, still trying to know who this person was that whatever formed soulmates dictated he'd get along with, but he definitely smiled at the lines going over Roman's arms.

They were on a picnic again, having decided that could be their date night activity until the weather grew colder and Roman had decided to just wear a t-shirt today. Given Roman had mentioned knowing all his soulmates and none had the connection he was witnessing he assumed a new connection had formed recently.

Even more interesting was that he recognised the design. Remus had been trying to convince him that a tattoo would be the coolest thing for them to get together since forcing him to take the painting he'd been doing when they met. “That looks like one of my other soulmate's is drawing on you.” He commented, offhand when Roman noticed the artwork forming.

“Remus? You're one of Remus's soulmates?” wide eyes were turned on him immediately with the comment, Roman suddenly leaning towards him. “He changed his number so I can't contact him! Can I come with you when you next see him?”

“Jeez, fine!” Virgil lightly nudged Roman back, but frowned, “If you know each other and are soulmates, why...?” The words drifted off, unsure over if he actually wanted to ask the question.

Roman collapsed back onto the ground. “Brothers, family argument. He cut off all contact and never replied or answered when I tried to stay in touch. Now the number I knew was his just has a dial tone when I've tried calling it.”

“Guess I'll play telephone then. Want me to tell him or do you want to surprise him?” Virgil offered, reaching out to hold Roman's hand and mimicking the tapping that Roman usually did for him.

“I'm scared he'll run if you tell him I'm coming.” Roman admitted, his free hand coming to cover his face. “Is he doing okay, though? I've been worried.”

Virgil thought for a moment before snorting. “Since you love Disney so much, I'll say he's basically become Bert from Mary Poppins and seems to be loving it.”

/\/\

Remus wasn't sure what to expect. Virgil had said someone would be joining them today, for the movie night they were having at Remus's apartment and when he'd tried to guess which of their shared soulmates it was had received only negative replies.

So all the clue he had to go on was that Virgil thought it was someone he knew, and they'd enjoy having a movie night all together. Well that, and now he looked at his arms, an analogue clock with the hands pointing to their agreed time for the movie night and a doodle of a TV. Apparently there was a fifth soulmate that Remus hadn't known about until now that had figured out who he is.

The movie night couldn't come fast enough with that realisation which was almost enough to stop Remus realising the TV doodle seemed familiar somehow. If only he could figure out where he'd seen doodles similar to it before Virgil and this other person arrived... Perhaps it was time to rearrange the sculpture of Logan's things into something new.

Virgil's knock came just as Remus placed the last folder to complete the dragon's mouth. He assumed it was Virgil at least, this knock wasn't the tentative on Virgil usually gave, but loud and basically demanding attention.

“Virge! You know I've said you can just come in!” Remus bounded over calling, yanking the door open before freezing.

“You might have told Virgil that, but I'm really not sure if that extends to me.” Roman replied, not moving to enter at all, and bringing his arm up so Remus could see the same doodle that had appeared on his arm still there.

Remus blinked each eye individually, as if this could be a hallucination, or a trick of the light, or something, anything other than his brother stood outside his apartment, with a soulmate connection evident between the 2 of them. “Roman?”

“No, I'm actually a mirror Virgil got on discount from the thrift store.” Roman tried to joke, his attempt at a smile falling at the lack of reaction Remus was giving while his mind raced to understand what was happening.

A shake of the head got him out of his shock. “Was it a fun house mirror? I'd never wear so much white!” His cackled, grabbing Roman's wrist to yank him through the door and into the tightest hug he could manage.

“Bet you would if I spilt bleach over your wardrobe.” Virgil snickered, slipping through the door behind them and closing it. It was only then that Remus realised he must have brought Roman with him and had just gone unnoticed when Remus entirely focused on Roman.

“Wouldn't be a true white. I've tried to even bleach light coloured fabric and even that doesn't go as white as this jacket.” Remus countered, one hand dropping to tug at the bottom of Roman's jacket while refusing to let the hug go, even when Roman tried pulling back.

Roman scoffed, “You poured bleach into the washing machine on lights laundry day. Am I just taking up residence here?” He'd turned his head to speak, so it wasn't buried in Remus's neck anymore.

“I've been severely deprived of your hugs so yes, you are. Don't make me get the super glue out!” Remus nodded, grip tightening.

Virgil and Roman were both grinning, snickering at him. “Wouldn't dream of it, but I was told we're having a movie night, not a cuddles night.” Roman remarked, arms relaxing around Remus now he'd accepted the hug would carry on for longer.

“I've decided it's both. Virgil can join in too if he wants.” Remus nodded, dragging him over to the sofa so the were curled on it together.

“Fully good over here. That level of touch seems overwhelming right now. Why don't I put the first film on?” Virgil raised both hands in surrender to stay out of the cuddles, instead looking for the remote and sitting just out of reach of them.

“Your loss.” Remus shrugged, but nodded and waved to the remote sat in front of the TV.

Chapter Text

Janus was amused that the comment they'd made to Logan about getting all their soulmates and their soulmate's soulmates together actually did happen and wasn't even arranged by them in the end. It wasn't even arranged by someone they knew, rather the soulmate of Logan, Patton, Virgil and Remus.

They were curious over who Roman might be. Actually they were a bit more than curious. Janus had realised when Remus was rambling about the evening that the only people not currently soulmate's were themself and Roman as well as Virgil and Patton. There might not be many soulmate connections likely to form, but Janus was convinced that they should be expecting one of the last few to form.

What they weren't expecting was to wake up on their 25^th birthday to a tumult of emotions tumbling through them, distant from themself but very effective at influencing them.

Janus spent a while absorbing the new flow of emotions, trying to take them in and confirm their actions weren't going to be immediately energised due to how exaggerated they seemed to be. Then they reached for their phone to call Roman up.

“Janus? Is everything okay? You don't usually call me.” The words when the phone was answered were accompanied by a surge of concern. They were certain now that Roman was their fifth and hopefully final soulmate.

“It's perfectly fine, Roman. I was just realising that I've failed to make any plans for my birthday and thought spending the evening having dinner with you would be a wonderful idea. We've had so little time to get to know each other away from our shared soulmates after all.” They decided, choosing to leave mentioning the new connection until at a minimum it was reciprocal. Janus was fairly sure people knowing their soulmates but not being close with them was a relatively unusual situation for new connections forming, especially for groups of multiple connections.

/\/\

Roman had been flattered and a little bewildered for months now. He knew he had 4 soulmates, but it was beginning to feel like he had 5 and now he'd woken up to anger running through him, but detached.

He was meant to be spending the day with Remus, sharing the birthday again and meeting up with everyone later on in the day for presents and however much of a party Patton had been able to talk their other soulmates into arranging. The anger didn't make any sense to him, unless it was a new connection forming.

This was at least similar to how Virgil was speaking about the emotional soulmate connection he'd formed. When that had happened it hadn't taken long for everyone to learn Virgil and Patton were also soulmates, but Janus's birthday was months ago. Surely if they'd formed a connection they would have said something?

Except they had called on that day, reasoned away spending their birthday with everyone instead of just Roman and had been reaching out to him more ever since. He'd welcomed it, loved the idea of at least being close with his soulmate's soulmate, but now... surely something would have been said?

“Roooo? You okay? You're sitting in silence and ignoring my knocks.” Remus was leaning close to him, noses almost touching by the time Roman blinked out of his thoughts.

“Does Janus have a fifth soulmate?” He asked, fairly sure that if he hadn't been told then likely none of their soulmates had been either but wanting to know. Remus definitely wouldn't hide it from him when asked directly at least.

Remus predictably leant back, exaggeratedly stroking his chin. “Hmm, not mentioned anything. If they're gonna have any it'd be you. Why?”

“Because I woke this morning to a surge of detached rage which I can only explain as an emotional soulmate connection, but Janus has been 25 for months, not far off a year and they've said nothing.” Roman explained, frowning, and glancing towards the door as if he was about to go out and start trying to meet strangers or something in the search for his fifth soulmate.

Grabbing his phone from his pocket, Remus made a different choice. “Hey, Janjan, everything okay in the party planning? What time do you want us where later on?” He'd put the phone on loudspeaker so Roman could hear as he turned and sat down again.

“It's not gone well, the place we'd booked months ago called before I'd woken up to say they'd double booked the area and since the other booking was more prestigious whatever that means they're cancelling ours, no refund available for our deposit even. Logan and I are going down to take them to task as we speak. I'll text the details to you once we know them ourselves.” The frustrated rant carried on longer, but Remus and Roman were nodding to each other.

“Well how about that, is there anything else you'd like to tell us on this fine morning, Janus?” Roman pried, realising that matched with even the emotions running through the bond now, including the surge of shock when he spoke.

There were a few moments of silence before they sighed. “I thought waiting for it to be reciprocal was best before bringing it up to you. Then when Virgil mentioned his it felt like I'd waited too long to change my mind about that.”

“How about we meet up before the party later to talk about this, because all this courting you've been doing makes a lot more sense but seems a lot less trustworthy given you kept this connection a secret for the entire time.” Roman was serious, holding back the hurt he felt at being deceived over this at least to Remus. He had no doubt that Janus could feel it still, given there was a reflected sorrow coming from them now.

“Yeah, we can do that.” Janus easily agreed. “I'll call once we have the party sorted out and Remus can spend time with one of our other soulmates while the last 2 decorate for the party.”

“Hmm,” Remus scrunched his face up, “How about no, Janjan. I know when Ro's holding pain back and you know that I vowed to destroy anyone who hurt my brother after we reconnected. I'll stick with you at least until you've given an apology that starts to make up for whatever game you've been playing.”

Roman glanced at him, before deciding to go along with it. “You heard Remus, I guess it'll be us three for a while this afternoon.”

“I'll text or call in a while. I need to go argue with this venue for now though.” Janus promised, barely waiting to say goodbye before hanging up.

“Paintballing!” Remus declared after frowning at the phone for a moment. “That's what we're going to do today!”

Roman was startled into laughter by the suggestion, but stood anyway. “Let me get into messy clothes before we go then.” It was an obvious distraction of what was going on, but he welcomed that. There was no point thinking about Janus and why he'd have hidden this all day.

/\/\

Remus had burst into cackles already and Roman was biting his lip to hold laughter back also. Apparently Janus's view of a big apology included a bouquet of flowers bigger than themself and a large gift bag as well.

They hadn't text or called in the end but were stood outside of Roman's apartment as the brothers were returning from paintballing, or well, Roman assumed that was who was stood there. There weren't many friends who could look like a bunch of roses, tulips, chrysanthemums and forget-me-knots wearing a bowler hat.

“Hello Janus, did you decide to join us for lunch?” Roman failed to keep the laughter out of his voice as he approached, dodging around the flowers to unlock the door. Remus had fallen to the floor a few steps back, still cackling.

As soon as the door was open Roman took the flowers, holding them low so he could finally see Janus behind them as he turned to find a counter space they could rest on. “I brought lunch with me actually. A few of your favourite finger foods. I might have asked Virgil for suggestions since you regularly have picnics with him still.” They held up a shopping bag that had been hidden by the gift bag.

“That sounds lovely.” Roman nodded, before glancing out of the door. “Are you just going to carry on rolling around out there?”

“The gravel is my home now! I'll leave you two to sort this out. Damn, Jan goes extreme when you tell them to apologise properly, don't they?”

Janus raised a hand to their chest in affront at the teasing tone. “It's what Roman deserves and you've both made me realise I've been a sorry excuse for a soulmate for not sharing this earlier. I intend to make it right, from now on.”

“Then I'm sure we can work this out.” Roman nodded, closing the door now his brother had agreed to leave them be until the party.

Chapter Text

Virgil had been nervous when their soulmates formed a group, mostly he'd just been nervous over meeting the last of the group as he wasn't her soulmate. How would Patton react to him, and would they even get along since there was no connection there?

Thankfully that hadn't been the case, although he still got uncomfortable occasionally when Patton decided to act like he was her son. Even weirder was the fact that he was actually older than her by almost a year, but Virgil couldn't deny that having Patton there to have hot chocolate with and talk through issues knowing solutions would only be offered if he asked for them was soothing.

He hoped that would remain the case since the adoring urge to squish feeling in the back of his mind definitely was not something he was actually feeling. It felt too detached from him, as well as there being nothing around to cause that reaction. Out of all Virgil's soulmate's and their connections, Patton was pretty much the only one so ready to adore something cute for the emotions he was feeling.

Hoping he wasn't going to regret doing this, he sent a message to Patton; “Hey, I think I'm feeling someone's emotions. Have you seen something cute this morning?”

It wasn't long before he replied, sending a picture from an animal sanctuary Virgil guess, given the amount of small fluffy creatures around. “I'm getting to pet these guys. Do you think it's a new soulmate connection between us?”

“We can try and check, or wait to see if you can feel my worry come your next birthday.” Virgil replied, only realising after he'd his send that he never actually said yes, burying his head in a pillow.

Patton's reply didn't question it though, “Well we already have our hot chocolate catch-ups. Let's just make them weekly and if you notice any reactions matching go with it. We're all having a game night at yours for your birthday later right?”

“Yep, see you there.”

/\/\

“No more chances for you to be Patton's soulmate, Virgil.” Roman commiserated at the party, patting his shoulder when they'd ended up sat together while the others tried to decide on the next game to play.

“Actually, we think he is. I can feel someone else's emotions but they're like vague, detached from me. When I messaged Pat this morning, he said what I was feeling through the bond matched how his morning was going.” Virgil admitted, before elbowing him lightly, “And should I return the sentiment. Janus's twenty-fifth has already passed after all.”

Roman sighed but nodded, “Yeah, I guess we just aren't meant to be. I've got plenty of soulmates already though.”

A cheer came from Patton, matching the joy momentarily surging in the back of Virgil's mind as a game was pulled out and brought over to them. “And it's not like we aren't all together regardless. A group of all our soulmates together.” Virgil agreed, looking at the box. “Or not. Patton, are you really making us play monopoly tonight?”

“It's good fun, kiddo.” Patton justified beaming at everyone when a few people were groaning.

“Good fun before it devolves into arguments.” Roman countered, letting the conversation from moments before fall away to focus on the games.

/\/\

Patton woke up on his birthday slowly, relaxed and comfortable, except for nerves running in the background of his thoughts. They didn't feel like his though, too detached from him to be an emotion he was actually feeling.

He didn't need to think for long before reaching for his phone to send one short message; “Stop feeling nervous. We're soulmates and I can confirm that for certain now.”

Chapter Text

It wasn't the first time they'd had a party just for the six of them. That had basically become somewhat of a tradition for birthdays since Virgil's 25^th. Roman had insisted on it after being told Janus had no plans for theirs before that.

This was however the first time they were deliberately spending time all together since all the soulmate connections formed, and that made the evening important. Virgil and Logan had both tried claiming that the importance wasn't real, that the evening could just be treated as a normal one since they'd already been acting as if everyone was together and connected whether through others or through their own connections. They were very much overruled by Patton and Roman's sentimentality, by Janus's joy in grand events and having anniversaries to add to the calendar and by Remus's wish for chaos which important events always left the opportunities for.

“Candles and sweet decorations are a must for memorable events! As my apartment has the largest space, and having learnt from the chaos that our birthday was sent into over location, I propose that we host our event there. I'll ensure everything is decorated impeccably.” Roman had decided while they were discussing it, ignoring any concerns raised over candles being a fire hazard and any requests for a quieter evening.

Patton had been the one to claim something to do for the event next. “We can't have a party or gathering without food. I'll get treats baked for all of us. If anyone wants anything specific to eat, just let me know or I'll stick with our favourite dishes.”

“Please, this evening is meant to be a relaxing time for us all to enjoy being soulmates together. Surely some drinks would be nice. I've learnt how to make a few delightful cocktails that I'm sure we'd all enjoy.” Janus had replied, brushing off concerns over the group getting drunk with promises of mocktails and hot drinks also being on the menu.

Virgil was uncertain what else there could be to bring, but definitely realised there was no real plan for the evening besides decorations, food and drinks. “Guys, unless you're making all this ordeal for us just to end up curled in front of Roman's TV, I'll bring some games. No monopoly will not be included in that list, Pat.”

“But Poker will be.” Remus and Janus stated simultaneously with Remus making a stern nod.

“No it won't and if you try I will destroy any cards you bring.” Virgil countered, resolute against giving either of them the chance to bring any kind of gambling into the party.

Remus groaned but saluted teasingly. “Well then I'm bringing the garden! No soulmate evening can be complete without getting covered in mud and flower petals!”

“I can assure you, any evening can be complete without that.” Logan blinked frowning. “How on earth would you suggest bringing a garden anywhere?”

“Don't Answer That Remus!” Roman snapped as soon as the question was asked. “And if you feel the need to bring flowers make sure they are actually in pots held correctly. I'll have soaps and hand sanitisers stocked up so we aren't handling your plants then eating. You know too many poisonous plants for me to trust.”

Logan frowned again, looking between the twins and half tempted to ask his question again, only directed to Roman now. There was definitely some story behind the reaction. Instead he focused on the end of Roman's sentence. “Perhaps I can bring my first aid kit, should you deem it important to have?” He offered.

“Between Roman, Remus and Patton why weren't you intending to have it with you already?” Virgil asked quietly, in an aside. “I'm still trying to get small kits hidden in each of their homes.”

“Patton included?” Everything else made sense to Logan, but he had to check.

“She's a clutz when excited over something. This thing they're planning definitely has her excited.” Virgil explained.

Patton only helped proving that point by trying to jump up and instead tripping over his feet, ending up still sat just a little left of where he was before. “That looks like we've all got something to bring to this now Kiddos.”

“You're the youngest of us all. Why must you insist on calling us Kiddos?” Roman asked, pouting slightly.

“Because I get to look after and love you all.” Patton nodded as if that made perfect sense and she didn't need to explain further.

None of the others were quite sure who groaned, but everyone was feeling the urge to.

/\/\

There were, as far as Roman could manage, candles everywhere. Virgil walked in and immediately started checking the areas around all of them to ensure nothing was above the flames, there was no flammable objects too close to the candles that could be knocked over.

“Ah, I should have expected you to go extravagant. Can I ask if you have actually put the heating on or if all the candles lit are providing the warmth in here?” Logan smiled, looking around in curiosity.

“Just the warmth of the flames and each other to keep us warm tonight, Logan. I'm glad you approve of my decorations.”

Virgil turned with a scowl on his face. “Just how much are you hoping to set your apartment on fire? Have you met your brother? I've literally heard him plotting over how to strangle Janus before now.”

“And I'm still entirely charmed every time he tries.” Janus agreed, entering without knocking as if they owned the apartment. “Such a delightful ambience in here.”

Roman grinned, waving them over to the sofa. “Thank you Jay, and if you haven't seen Remus around fire before then I think you'll be surprised by-” His words were cut off in a splash of water being thrown through the door, covering him.

“No fires are happening here! I'm ready!” Remus yelled, barging in from where Logan had caught the door on Janus's entrance. There was an empty bucket on one of his arms while his hands held another mostly full bucket. Now holding the door open was a low cart full of potted plants.

“Virgil, are you still concerned over fire hazards?” Roman muttered, wiping away some of the water with a smirk, no matter how drenched he now was.

Virgil snorted, “Nope, It's upgraded to flooding hazards, but I'm guessing that would be bad for the flowers Remus insisted on bringing.”

Before the reply could be given they were turning to a knock on the still open door. “Hey Kiddos, can someone give me a hand bringing the rest of the snacks up?” Patton asked, trying to feel his way in with one leg kicking out since there was a number of plastic boxes blocking his view.

Roman moved to take a few from the top immediately. “I'll show you where we can lay these out, Pat. Is there much more to come up?” He offered.

“Thank you, Ro.” Patton sighed before blinking at him, “But you are definitely not helping me like that! Go and get into something dry before you catch your death!”

Remus perked up at that but Logan had stepped over to claim his full bucket before it could be upended over his head. “Loooo, How am I meant to catch death if you won't let me get drenched!?”

“You aren't and I agree with Patton. Roman you should get into dry clothes while Remus and I help bring in Patton's contributions, and Janus's if they need to bring anything in?” Logan looked over to Janus only to have a head-shake in reply.

“And here I was sure you'd all be enjoying the wonderful display of my body through my clinging wet shirt.” Roman playfully pouted, “But fine, I'll get myself into something dry. Oh and Janus brought the stuff they want to make drinks from over yesterday.”

“And I dropped the games I brought at the door, beside your bag.” Virgil reminded before he could be checked on.

When just greeting all your soulmates for a get together is as chaotic as that, the evening could only become calmer as they settled into the time.