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Roman had to be honest, he didn’t know what he was getting into when he agreed to keep V. Don’t get him wrong, he was very happy that he was around- but it was just so… different with him there.
Roman and the Duke couldn’t just mess around and spar all day without planning in advance, he couldn’t construct and deconstruct anything without warning V first, he couldn’t even create the fields anymore without talking to J. While he wished he could do all the things he used to, waking up every morning and wandering into the kitchen to see V sitting on the counter eating a piece of toast with Pat nearby was all worth it. Anything was worth it with V.
Every day Roman would walk to the lake for maintenance and foraging and see V sitting by the shoreline. Roman would smile when he would carefully dip his fingertips into the water or pick up a rock and fiddle with it. More than once has Roman considered painting the scene. He knows J would most likely poke fun at him for it- but he couldn’t be bothered to care. It wasn’t like J didn’t want a painting of V just as much as he did.
Okay yeah, it was a bit creepy but come on . V was the most adorable thing he’d seen in ages . He deserved to be immortalized in art to truly capture his beauty. Roman wanted to paint every beautiful imperfection and line every cutting edge that V had. He wanted to paint him in any circumstance; relaxing, cooking, eating, sleeping- he didn’t care. V was just always so endearing.
Roman had fallen fast and hard for V and he was far from ashamed or embarrassed to admit it. Sometimes he wanted to hold V’s face and just tell him everything was okay. Every day he walked by Roman wanted to push a piece of his hair out of his face and see him blush oh so beautifully. Roman swore to himself that one day he’d paint V.
He’d spoken to the Duke about it on one of their adventures only to get passive-aggressively pushed off with a small joke-like mutter of ‘at least he pays attention to you’. He did feel bad for his brother not getting as much attention as everyone else from V, but they both knew exactly why. Roman was the most… put together half of the twins for lack of better phrasing. As much as he loved his brother, he wasn’t sure he was quite ready to share V with him. V was his ; well, V was technically everyone’s but that was beside the point. His brother tended to break things he would borrow. Roman may have been second to arrive but by the gods, he would not be the first to leave V.
“Good afternoon, beauty,” Roman waved from where he was sat at the lake as V walked to the lake. He raised his eyebrow as V sat down a few feet away from him, putting a basket down next to him.
“Is there anything you are interested in doing today?” V shrugged and kept his face neutral as he reached into the shallow water and pulled out a pebble. Roman strained his ears to hear what V was saying but despite his efforts, couldn’t hear him.
“Could you repeat that, little one?” Roman put a hand in the water and felt around before pulling out a smooth piece of purple sea glass. He looked at it for a moment before extending his hand to V.
“I’m thinking of looking for flowers for Pat to cook with,” V said softly, taking the glass and rotating it against his fingers. Roman nodded and gazed across into the water.
“Ah, do we need more honeysuckle?”
“And lavender,” V said, looking up at Roman with a small smile. And oh , oh dear that just made him melt .
“And until then? Or do you perhaps want to do it now?” Roman asked, reaching into the water again.
“I don’t know, I’m figuring it out,” V mumbled, going back to weighing the glass in his hands. Roman pulled out another piece of sea glass- this one a vibrant red. V glanced over opening and closing his mouth before training his eyes down. Roman's jaw tightened as he attempted to hold his words- ultimately failing his small challenge and giving in.
“You can ask things little one, have we not made that clear?” Roman’s eyebrows knitted together as he put the glass in his pocket.
“Nono you… you have I’m just-” V sighed and rubbed his sleeves against his face, “I was wondering something. It’s fine.”
Roman rolled his eyes gently and reached his hands over and carefully- feather-light so that V could pull away, pulled V’s arms from his face. He frowned for a moment at his reddened face, scratched by the fabric.
“Just ask beauty. I promise I won’t be mad.”
“J told me you painted…” V mumbled, fumbling with his thumbs.
Ohhh. The weight on Roman’s shoulders lightened just a bit,
“Would you like to paint with me today?” Roman proposed, a gentle smile stretching across his face. V nodded, looking away with a small blush.
Roman drifted his hands up and cupped V’s cheeks, almost laughing as he felt his face heat up further beneath his hands. V hesitated before resting his weight into the hands, cautiously closing his eyes. Roman cooed softly and pushed a bit of V’s hair out of his eyes. He’d have to get the Duke to cut the hair for him eventually- but for now Roman gently tugged at the roots of his hair, listening to V borderline purr when he scratched his nails against his scalp.
I wonder…?
Roman reached behind V’s ear and rubbed circles into the hard bone with the pad of his finger. He was delighted when V practically keened and leaned into the touch, gently whining every so often. Roman relished in the small sounds he could draw out of V. He drifted a finger across V’s nose and chuckled as he sighed, his head bobbing slowly.
“Alright, I believe that’s enough.” Roman looked up as Janus walked over to the two of them.
“Oh? Are you growing possessive again?” He teased, continuing to scratch at V’s head. Janus pursed his lips and adjusted his coat.
Got him .
“I’m not possessive , I just do not wish for you to hurt him.” He hissed his half-truth. Roman laughed as Janus swatted his hand away. V whined and chased after the touch, opening his eyes with a small frown before he realized that there was more than one person with him. He glanced to Janus and neutralized his expression, trying to get his blush down.
Janus drifted over to V and gently rested a hand in his hair, looking down at Roman as he slowly began to thread his hand through the strands. Ro rolled his eyes and reached a hand out to hold V’s, swiping his thumb pad softly against his hand.
“To see you committing to your double standards is unremarkably unsurprising.”
“Oh, hush . Now, what were you two discussing before I arrived?”
“Only what we have planned for the day. We’re going painting later this afternoon if you’re interested in relaxing for once.” Janus scoffed and ruffled V’s hair before pulling his hand away and bending down slightly to grab Roman’s chin.
“Sass me as such and I may have to refuse.”
“As if you would refuse an offer to spend time with your favorite little thing.” Roman chimed back, a mischievous smile crossing his lips.
“Hm, I hate to bruise your ego my prince, but you simply are not what I favor,” Janus hummed, relaxing his touch slightly and gliding his hand to Roman’s cheek. He rubbed his thumb across Roman’s cheekbone with a cheeky smirk.
“Oh, I’m afraid I wasn’t referring to myself,” Roman raised a hand to gently pull Janus’ from his face, “Have you already forgotten after only just a moment?”
Janus glanced back to V who was staring at the water like it was the most interesting thing in the realm. The pink blush coated the mortal’s cheeks darkened when he noticed the two fae had finished their conversation in favor of gazing at them. J could hardly resist when he reached forward and gently cupped V’s face in a hand.
“Hello my darling,” Janus cooed. The boy breathed steadily, taking a long blink before the words registered.
“Hello,” He said barely above a whisper. Roman drifted his thumb against V’s hand once more before looking up at Janus.
“So, is that a yes to coming along with us?” He coaxed. Janus smiled down on V and rubbed his thumb against his lip, relishing in how his breath hitched.
“Must you ask?”
Foraging had gone well. V had almost accidentally picked a poisonous flower and panicked for a moment but other than that nothing truly notable had happened.
Janus, busy as always, was tending to the realm and mending any tears in gateways. Roman would never admit, but he truly admired how effortlessly J could weave the thin strands of reality and warp them so perfectly to create such flawless gateways. Most fae would simply construct a thin gateway in moments and allow it to fall apart whenever they got bored. But Janus seemed to take pride in his creations. He spent hours every day wandering around the realm, searching for loose strands and the occasional broken bond in the fabric of time.
It was all too existential for Roman. He had never bothered to spend time to ponder just how their realms were made. That wasn’t his job anyway. All he had to worry about was presentation and average upkeep.
“Prince?” V asked, snapping Roman out of his daze and making him look over to where V was sitting beside him.
“Yes, beauty?”
“May I… Can we paint soon?” He mumbled, shuffling with the edges of his sleeves. Roman smiled at him and stood up, brushing off dirt from his slacks.
“Of course. Bring your basket, we’ll stop by the kitchens on our way to the grove.” Roman outstretched a hand to V, helping him stand up. V adjusted his shirt and kicked his feet into the dirt before moving to pick up the now full basket.
Some time between moving from the hearth of the realm to the clearing Roman had reached over and gently took V’s hand in his. V’s hands were slightly clammy in his, squirming every so often, but Roman would simply squeeze his hand every so often to ground him. It’s okay, don’t let go little one, I have you, you’re mine, you’re ours.
“Alright, shall we go get J?”
“Couldn’t I just… call for him?” V asked, setting down his basket on the counter. Roman raised his eyebrows.
“If he actually came, I’d be pleasantly surprised.” Roman paused and looked V up and down before sighing, “Actually, considering earlier, I wouldn’t be… that shocked.” V looked back at him and frowned.
“Why wouldn’t he come? Why- why wouldn’t you be surprised?” Roman sighed and leaned against the wall.
“J… He’s never been the most sentimental. He’s all too walled-off with us. He encloses himself so tightly in a shroud of fake indifference. It was admirable for a fair amount of time, then the act just got old. But you, my beauty,” Roman laughed to himself, “You’ve broken him in.
“He seems much more fulfilled being able to care so deeply for someone. Though, I’m not sure as to why I’m so surprised. You are so precious.” V looked down, a deep blush covering his cheeks as he let out a low groan. Ro chuckled gently and pushed himself off the wall.
“Alright, alright little one. I’ll stop.” V walked toward him and stopped before stepping through the portal.
“I’ll call for him as we leave the clearing. Or if you take too long, I’ll just have him guide me to the grove.” V teased before stepping through. Roman rolled his eyes and rubbed fixed his coat before stepping through himself.
Sure as could be, Janus had arrived when V called. After a small bit of arguing, Roman had convinced Janus to pose for them. He, of course, seized the opportunity to open his shirt a bit and silently flirt with V. He wasn’t afraid to do a more intricate pose, laying on his side and propping his body sideways. He laid his cloak underneath him, letting some of it dangle slightly off of the stone bench.
The three knew this process would take a while, Roman would glance to V every so often to see his progress, taking in the red dusting his cheeks as he looked between his canvas and Janus.
“J, for the gods’ sake, stop looking at V like that. It’s quite distracting.” Roman huffed, flicking paint onto his brush. The bristles scratched against the canvas, barely muffling the dramatized gasp from the posing fae.
“But my dearest V seems to quite enjoy it, don’t you darling?” He hummed, sending a quick wink and flirty smirk. V hunched his shoulders and forced himself to focus more on his canvas. His strokes and breaths got ever so slightly faster. That was enough of a sign for the fae to back off . Janus softened his expression.
“I apologize little one, I shouldn’t have assumed such a thing,” He snapped his eyes to Roman as he opened his mouth, “Don’t you dare.” V chuckled, making the fae smile.
A few hours and breaks for snacks and water later, the three decided to end their session. V’s hands were dotted with different colored paints, along with his clothes as well. Roman, miraculously, had painted without accidentally getting even a drop of the paint on him. Stupid fucking fae and their magic making them all clean and stuff all the time. That’s not even fair.
“Hm, I guess your edition of my figure is… nice , could use a little work around the hair though.” Janus ribbed, laughing as Roman gaped with mock offense.
“How dare you, my art is flawless . Just because you feel you must be correct in every circumstance doesn’t mean you truly are.” Janus rolled his eyes and adjusted his hair out of his eyes.
“V darling, may I see yours?” Janus asked, pushing a side of his hair over his shoulder. V’s eyes widened as he looked back at his canvas, rubbing his hands together anxiously.
“It isn’t very good. I haven’t painted in a while and-” V rambled only to get cut off by Roman.
“Dear, I’m sure it isn’t as bad as you say. I know you’re talented, plus,” Roman and Janus looked at each other and smirked before looking back at V, “We can taste your lie.”
“Too bitter a taste for something as sweet as you darling.” J flirted, the fae smiling as V’s blush rose back onto his face. V silently stepped to the side and turned to stand by his painting. The two followed suit and stopped on opposite sides of the mortal.
“Oh little one, this is…” V braced himself, “gorgeous.”
… What?
“I must agree, this absolutely stunning.”
Wait hold on, how? This isn’t how this was supposed to go. V’s thoughts swirled, unsure as to what he truly wanted to happen.
Perhaps he wanted them to tell him how terrible he is at art, throw him away for being useless. V didn’t know what he wanted from them. As much as he seemed to want them to hate it- and in turn hate him- he equally didn’t want them to not like it.
It seemed pathetic to him that he wanted so badly for two things on wildly different spectrums, knowing full well that he couldn’t get both. Gods why was it so hard to figure out what he wanted- what he needed.
“Darling? Are you with us?” When V’s eyes focused back he found himself staring into Janus’. His heart sped up in his chest as he realized how close they were.
“May I touch you, little one?” V’s dazed nod was enough for the two. Janus reached a hand forward and rubbed his cheek, Roman moving behind V to wrap his arms around his waist.
“Beauty, I promise you that we would never and could never lie to you,” Roman said, bending down slightly to rest his head on V’s shoulder.
“I once heard someone say,” Janus and Roman locked eyes for a precious moment, “the art matches the artist, and you, my dear…”
Janus cupped the bottom of V’s chin and leaned in close, ghosting his lips against his cheek for a moment before tilting his head to the side slightly. Roman twisted his head to tuck into the little pocket that Janus had made, his breathing sending a shiver down V’s spine.
“You are as beautiful as any Renaissance painting, gods, far more beautiful than anything I’ve seen. It shows in your art how stunning you are my darling.” Janus whispered in his ear, holding himself back from kissing his cheek. Roman looked up for a moment, smirking slightly but biting his tongue. V’s blush darkened, his cheeks red as he let out a low whine. The two fae chuckled.
“What is it, beauty?” Roman asked, tapping his fingers against V’s sides carefully as to not tickle him. V did not whine, he did not lean more into the touch, and he was not flustered.
Roman pulled away slightly, looking at Janus for only a second before turning V around in his arms and bringing his hands up. He propped up V’s head with the heels of his hands, gently tapping the pads of his fingers against V’s cheeks. V let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes, his face hot. Janus rolled his eyes at Roman’s antics and stepped closely behind V, placing his chin on top of his head and bringing a hand through his hair.
V keened, unable to tell who he wanted to lean into. It was all too much but also not enough. There was so much to just feel , and so much that he was feeling. His heart sped up and the two fae slowly moved from action to action. Janus eventually turning him back around and Roman bringing his hands to V’s hips, resting his head on top of V’s and humming quietly.
“Oh little one,” Janus took one of his hands, resting his forehead against V’s, “How you have undone us.” V whined and turned his head to rest his cheek against his.
“As much as I would love to simply stand here forever, we must leave for supper. Pat wouldn’t be happy with us if you were late to eat.” Janus chuckled and rolled his head to reconnect V and his foreheads.
“I’m not sure anyone would be happy with us stealing all of V’s attention. I wish we could just have our beautiful darling to ourselves.” V whined again and pulled his head back, opening his eyes with a small pout that neither fae was sure he was aware of.
“Alright beauty, alright. We’re done for now.”
Roman still hadn’t gotten that painting, not for lack of trying though. He’d spent hours planning a time to ask V to model for him, to perhaps just lay down and take a nap by him, come on little one, I promise it’s safe, I’ll protect you .
“Have you tried just asking him to model?” L asked, not bothering to look up from his notebook. Roman stopped his pacing and snapped his head toward L, Of course he… hadn’t … Gods, how did he just forget ? It was a painting , not even a nude one, and he was nervous to just ask his subject for a few hours of their time.
“I um… I haven’t really- I didn’t… It didn’t even come to mind.” Roman confessed, running a hand through his hair. L huffed a laugh and sent a glance up.
“Well…? Are you going to just stand around like a confused toddler or go ask him?” He teased, flipping a page. Roman pursed his lips and rolled his eyes. As much as he loved L’s wisdom, his snark was far less enjoyable.
J?
Yes?
Would you like to join me?
With what, Prince?
I’m going to be asking V if I can paint him.
Well, I doubt that he’d say no to the both of us…
Is that a yes or are you speaking in riddles again?
Do you take me for a fool? Of course.
Asking V to let himself be painted wasn’t very hard, actually getting him relaxed enough to be painted was extremely difficult . He was so tense- so scared that he would move and mess up. The two fae fussed about, trying to get him to just take a breath.
“Little one, come here.” Janus beckoned V as Roman fixed the easels, “Breathe with me for a moment dear, just a moment.” Janus extended a hand for V to take, drawing circled in alternating directions on his hands as they took deep breaths.
“Good, good . You’re doing perfectly darling. Look at me please- yes, good .” Janus smiled and slowly reached his hand toward V’s face, pulling back when he flinched, “Alright, I won’t touch, you, that’s alright. Just keep breathing okay little one.” Roman walked over and placed a hand on Janus’s shoulder, using him as support as he crouched down a bit.
“Is there anything we can do to make this easier? Would you perhaps like to back out?” Roman asked, a soft tone seeping into his voice like syrup into warm tea. V shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut before opening them drearily. An idea flickered behind Roman’s eyes.
“Would you perhaps like to take a nap? Just lay down and relax for a bit. Would you allow us to paint you while you rested?” Janus raised an eyebrow and nodded, rubbing the bone of his thumb against his wrist. V’s eyes moved, shifting from thing to thing as he thought for a moment. He mumbled quietly under his breath, Roman just out of earshot to hear what made Janus laugh.
“What did he say?” Janus pushed Virgil’s bangs behind his ear.
“He’s worried that he’ll snore ,” if Janus would have given anyone else the look he gave V, Roman would have made fun of him for it, “Honestly my darling, you’re too precious.”
“Beauty, we would rather you be relaxed and noisy- adorably noisy at that - than awake and stressed while we paint you. Also, both of us are well aware of how late you’ve been staying awake lately. You must relax, my beauty.” Roman coaxed. V blinked at the two for a moment, his pink undertones lighting up as the words settled in his chest.
“I- Are you sure you wouldn’t get annoyed.”
“Darling, I’m not sure any of us could be annoyed by you.” Janus smiled down at V, bringing their hands up to plant a gentle kiss on the heel of V’s palm. He chuckled when V blushed and attempted to hide his face away.
“Can- can we do the uh… the sleep thing?” V asked, trying to get his brain to think through his body screaming at him to just melt into the affection and attention he was getting. Roman and Janus smiled at him. Roman reached forward and running a hand through his hair, Janus reaching behind him to rub his back.
“Of course little one, just relax.” Janus moved to sit a little away from V, gently pulling him to lay his head in his lap while he carded his hands through his hair. Roman sat down in front of them, holding V’s hand and humming softly.
It was all so… domestic. If V had been anyone else, Janus wouldn’t even have considered doing this. Of course he might make an exception for his clan- emphasis on the might- but something about V triggered every protective instinct he had. He was so small, so hurt, so afraid . Only recently the fae had been able to get him comfortable around them, though V still gravitated towards Janus. Roman looked up at him as V’s breath evened out, coming in soft puffs.
May we stay just a few more moments?
Absolutely.
Roman nodded and leaned toward V’s face, gently pushing his bangs out of his eyes before planting a kiss onto his forehead. Janus smiled and used a spare hand to ruffle Roman’s hair, chuckling when he sent a quick glare in return before looking back down.
He’s beautiful.
I’m fully aware.
I know, but it never hurts to remind.
… We’ve broken in for him, haven’t we?
We aren’t broken J, simply softened. Have you not noticed?
I’m not blind, Prince. It’s just… strange. Do you perhaps think he’s enchanted?
No, we would be able to detect that. I think he’s just… new, simply something we’ve never experienced.
Ah… Strange.
… It’s scary, being devoted to something new- something so breakable, so precious.
I have to agree. It’s also strangely nice- pleasant even.
The fae looked at each other.
May we start?
Of course.
The two were almost finished with the last few layers of paint, occasionally sending a quip to each other while waiting for the paint to dry. Roman had taken off his coat and folded it to be placed beneath V’s head, Janus draping his cloak gently over him. V was right, he did in fact snore. Janus was also correct in the assumption that V was very adorable when sleeping. Every so often V would stir, and cause the fae to pause to watch and hope for him to relax again.
“What are you up to-”
“Shhhh!” Roman hissed, turning his head to send Patton a small glare.
He’s sleeping.
Well, it’s also his supper time, if you could wake him that would be wonderful. We’re having salmon.
Hmm, the duke will be pleased.
He’s been upset lately; jealous.
Of course he’s been jealous. His brother has been soaking up all of his new playfriend’s time.
I haven’t been soaking up his time!
Oh hush, you just don’t know how to share. One of you wake him, I’ll go set the table with L.
Pat waved goodbye and walked back out of the grove. Janus rolled his eyes and set down his pallet and brush. He gracefully walked to V while Roman collected their brushes and cleaned up.
“Darling, it’s time to wake up,” Janus placed a hand on his shoulder and shook it gently, smiling gently when his eyes cracked open just a little, “Hello there.”
“Hi,” V blinked slowly, a glossy sheen of sleep coating his eyes. Slowly sitting up, he rubbed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Janus reached around and rubbed V’s back, chucking when he groaned and leaned into the pressure.
“Up up, it’s time for supper,” Roman said, washing the brushes off in a bucket by his easel. V groaned louder and sent a mock-glare to him, a frown on his face as he tried to stretch while sitting. Ro rolled his eyes and smirked at him.
“Don’t groan at me, you know you have to eat.”
“Yeah, and it’s fuckin’ stupid.” Janus chuckled and patted his back before standing up fully.
“Watch your language little one, Pat wouldn’t be all too happy to hear such language coming from you.” He quipped back, the two falling quickly into a mock-argument. Roman rolled his eyes and flicked the water off of his hands.
“As much as I find your conversation endearing, I don’t feel like getting lectured. Come on, we’re already late.”
“Fine, fine, we’re getting up.”
Roman had finished the painting on his own time. He was almost embarrassed to say that he had memorized the exact image of V. He dragged his brush steadily against the canvas, capturing each hair and blemish. He had to admit that he wasn’t all that thrilled that Janus had put his cloak on V at the time, but it kept him warm. He wasn’t very happy that he wasn’t the only claim visible in the painting.
He knew V was to be shared between them. He knew he was supposed to let V be with whoever whenever. But he was so tired of sharing. Roman just wanted to have him to himself for… a while. He wasn’t selfish - he wasn’t !
As Roman hung the painting up on his wall, he took a deep breath. V still looked so relaxed, so peaceful, so perfect. He may be possessive, he may want to steal V away for himself, but if the others made V happy- which he clearly did-, he’d allow it. V completed them- completed him. Roman wanted V to be his, but he accepted that V needed to be everyone’s.
Even if it was the hardest thing he ever did.