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a-vintage-snake · 4 years

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Reap The Hate You’ve Sown

Pairing(s): Romantic Royality

First chapter - Previous chapter - Next chapter

Warnings: Choking, manipulation, villanous Deceit Characters: Roman Sanders, Patton Sanders, Virgil Sanders, Deceit Sanders, Remus Sanders,

Summary: Roman ventures out to rescue his brother

Word Count: 7585

People who were asked to be tagged: @avocados26, @fandoms-will-collide @nottoonormalme, @bihighandgivinghighfives, @atticusfinchthelegend, @hekking-happy-nonsense, @lockmcduckwoodchuck

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The storm howled as three figures made their way through the woods surrounding the castle. Branches pulled at Roman’s hair as he cleaved his way through the forest. It was pitch black aside from a small purple glowing orb Virgil had conjured to light their way. General Isolda closed the ranks, occasionally pulling Roman or Virgil to safety when an overhead branch swept dangerously low in the fierce wind.

“Where do we go?” General Isolda asked. “How do we know where the warlock keeps the prince?”

“We have to go to the eye of the storm,” Virgil said darkly. “It won’t be far. That’s where he’ll be waiting for us.”

A shudder crept over Roman’s spine, which had nothing to do with the relentless storm. He tried to remind himself he had done this countless times, he had fought monsters for years! It didn’t work. This was no mindless beast, just acting on a hungry belly. No, this demon was driven by a vastly different kind of hunger. Roman remembered the eyes that had rested on him for a few seconds… He couldn’t shake the feeling that the warlock wouldn’t stop until he devoured everyone in the castle.

The further they got into the woods, the quieter the wind became. When they finally stepped out into an open spot, it had become wind still. A perfect circle in the sky showed of the starlit sky. Roman looked up, gaping at the swirling clouds that raged just outside the circle, yet he felt not a single breeze.

“There he is.” The general said. Roman snapped his attention back to the open spot. In the middle clearing stood a large tree. Someone was tied to the trunk, strapped tightly in roots and branches.

“Remus…” Roman took off in a sprint towards the tree, ignoring the cursed out protests of his companions. “REMUS!!” He didn’t bother to check if the others followed behind him. All he could see was his brother’s pale face, his eyes closed and his head leaning limply against a branch.

A fire sprouted up just a few meters from the tree. Roman could stop just in time, the flames licking at his hands. He took a few steps back, his companions running up next to him.

“That’s far enough, dear.” A voice said. From the shadows of the tree stepped the warlock. A snap of his fingers and the fire extinguished itself. The general unsheathed her sword. Virgil bared his teeth in a hiss. Romeo the spider crawled out from the sorcerer’s cloak to sit protectively on Virgil’s head and joined in on the hissing. Roman only tried to swallow away his fear.

“Well, well, well, look who have come to play the knights in shining armour…” Deceit drawled. “The beloved crown prince,” He turned to Virgil, who glared daggers at him. “A sorcerer with secrets,” Lastly he turned to general Isolda. “And I have no idea who you are, so I’m just going to ignore you!”

“Unhand my brother, villain!” Roman said in a braver voice than he felt.

“Are these the only soldiers that Augusto could spare from his grand armies?” The warlock laughed softly as he strode to Remus in his wooden prison. “Pathetic, really. My expectations were low to begin with, but this?” He tutted and shook his head. “This is just sad.”

“I said, unhand my brother!” Roman tightened the hold on his sword to hide how his hands were shaking.

“I thought you were all too scared for your insignificant little lives to leave him at my mercy for so long,” Deceit said as he absentmindedly trailed a finger across Remus’ jawline. “But I guess it’s just plain indifference. A minor setback. If one son captured isn’t enough for that coward to face me, maybe…” Deceit tilted his head in thought. “Maybe I just need to capture his golden boy. What do you think, dear prince?” He turned to Roman. “Would your parents save you? Or would they leave you to rot, just like your brother?”

“Over my dead body!” Virgil growled. He stepped up next to Roman. His eyes had never been a more vivid purple. “If you want him, you have to go through me first, you lying scumbag!”

“Dear me, Virgil,” Deceit sighed. “Still as dramatic as ever, I see. I don’t know why I expected otherwise.”

Virgil stiffened. “Don’t!” He hissed at hooded man.

“What? I just meant you haven’t changed since I last saw you-”

“Don’t!”

“-When you abandoned me all alone in the mountains! That hurt, you know.”

“…Wait.” Roman looked between the two men, confusion mixing with fear. “You… know him, Virge?”

“…Oh dear,” The warlock delightedly said after a few seconds of tense silence. “What an awkward situation! You never shared that little fact with the class, did you? What’s wrong, stormcloud?” Virgil recoiled at the nickname, but Deceit gleefully continued on. “Ashamed of your old master? Well go ahead! Do tell your new friends who exactly taught you everything you know!”

“Old master…? You mean-?” Roman stared at his friend who hung his head, shame colouring his cheeks. “Tell me that’s not true! Tell me he’s lying!”

Roman desperately wanted Virgil to deny it, wanted his friend to grow angry, to spit and yell at the accusations. Instead Virgil only guiltily avoided Roman’s eyes.

“Oh he was such a diligent student,” Deceit continued. “Always ready to learn, so eager to follow my instructions. When I told him to apply for the job of court sorcerer, he readily agreed to be my spy! Didn’t you, stormcloud?”

“Your spy…?” Roman whispered.

“Shut up!” Virgil spat at the warlock. “I’m not the obedient little puppet you tried to make of me! I freed myself! Please Ro,” Virgil turned to Roman pleadingly. “I don’t work for him! I would never hurt you!”

“You are his spy?” Roman asked horrified.

“I’m not!”

“Yes you aaaaaare!” Deceit singsonged. “I mean, really, prince Roman! You can’t trust anyone these days!”

“I SAID SHUT UP!!” Virgil snapped before turning back to Roman. “Alright, maybe it started like that, but I had a change of heart very quickly! Please, I promise I’m not that person anymore! I changed, I swear!”

Roman said nothing. He could only back away from the man he considered his friend, betrayal nearly suffocating him. Hurt crossed Virgil’s face.

A hand grasped his shoulder, stopping him. Roman startled, looking up to general Isolda’s stern face.

“Know your enemies, my prince.” The general said solemnly.

“I… I don’t-” Roman stammered.

“You would distrust the one who dropped everything to help you, at the risk of angering the crown?” General Isolda continued. “Who has had every chance to hurt you in the past, but never did? Or do you want to believe the words of someone who tries to manipulate you to forsake your friend?” The woman glared at the warlock. “The one who has your brother in captivity, might I add?”

Roman tried to think of something to say, but every retort died on his lips. He glanced back at Virgil.

“I swear on my life, Ro…” Virgil pleaded. “I’m on your side.”

…...The general was right. What was he doing?

“I… I trust you, Virge,” Roman nodded, shamefully. “I’m sorry-!”

“Good,” The general released Roman’s shoulder. “Glad you have come to your senses, my prince.”

“Don’t worry,” Virgil assured. “You’re not the first to fall for his trickery,” With a growl he turned back to Deceit. “But I’ll make damn sure you’re the last!”

“You’re outnumbered,” The general said to the warlock. “Now unhand the prince.”

“I don’t like you.” Deceit scowled at her.

“Go back to ignoring me then,” She countered.

“Such a strong woman,” Deceit said. “I’m so impressed. I guess strength is the only worthwhile thing Augusto sees in you, doesn’t he? Don’t you wish you had-”

“Your tricks won’t work.” Roman interrupted, grinning when the warlock let out a low hiss in annoyance. “Release my brother, or we will get him back through force!”

“I’m positively quivering,” Deceit deadpanned, before he gave a resigned sigh. “Have it your way.”

It was the only warning they got.

Roman felt it before he saw it. An all-encompassing heat as his eyes violently had to adjust to a sudden burst of bright light. General Isolda dragged him to the side just in time as a comet of golden flames singed Roman’s hair. As abruptly as the light had started, a wall of purple sheened shadows extinguished the flames. Roman blinked away spots in his vision, never more glad for the dark.

“Very good, Virgil!” Deceit taunted. “You’re so… Evolved.”

“There’s more where that came from.” Virgil said, just a hint out of breath.

“Well then,” Deceit said. His eyes flared up like flames in the darkness. “Teacher versus student! Show me what you have learned!”

“Gladly.” Virgil spat. The shadows built in his hands, before Virgil flung them towards Deceit with an infuriated scream. Golden flames met them in the middle, colliding into each other. Roman watched as an inferno of purple and gold swirled up in a tornado of raw magic. When it vanished the two men attacked each other, snarling and snapping like animals, magic scorching the air. Deceit towered over the short sorcerer, but what Virgil lacked in physical stature and strength he made up with pure, relentless rage. Even so Roman saw his friend struggle.

“We have to help!” He said to the general. The woman nodded, determined. Side by side they threw themselves into battle with a drawn out war cry, falling in next to their friend.

It was three against one. To Roman it felt like he was fighting a small army. Spells slammed into cold metal, magic met swords. Any time he tried to get a hit in, the warlock disappeared and reappeared somewhere else. The warlock cast spells and vanished fluid and agile like a snake before any of them could counteract. Hits and spells meant for Deceit struck themselves or their companions. General Isolda would swing her sword only to meet thin air, missing Virgil by a hair. After a spell of sharp shadowed arrows just barely avoided Roman, Virgil was forced to go with less dangerous spells. Whenever either of them tried to get close to the tree they were driven back by energy blasts or flames. Virgil shouted a spell that Deceit countered easily. Purple shadows fiercely fought against golden light.

Eventually however they started to see through his tricks. A blade grazed Deceit’s hand, leaving an angry red line. Virgil’s spells met their target more often. They adapted, saw attacks better coming and jumped out of the way quicker. Roman could cheer when he finally saw the warlock falter in his steps, hope coming alive in his chest. They could actually do this!

An energy blast propelled Roman backwards, landing on his back a few meters away. He quickly scrambled up again and ran back towards the battle. The warlock shot him a look, then looked back at Virgil and general Isolda. Deceit slammed his fists together and yelled something incomprehensible. Mist whirled up around him, surrounding him and pulling him from sight. And it didn’t stop there. It grew and crept over the open spot at an alarming speed, until even the starlit sky was obscured from sight. Roman stopped. He whirled around, turning, turning, more frantic each time. There was nothing. Just mist. He couldn’t see an inch in front of his face.

“Virgil?” He shouted hesitantly. “General??”

“We’re here!” General Isolda’s voice answered, further away than what was reasonably possible.

“Where are you? I can’t see you!” Roman’s voice cracked on the last ‘you’. His heart raced in his throat.

“Stay put! We’ll find you!” Virgil answered, his voice even more distant than the general’s. Roman nodded, croaking out a shivery ‘okay’, as he tried to stay still. Part of him wanted to run and scream. Part of him wanted to curl up and cry. Where was his bravado now? Where was the courage that never failed him when he slayed monsters? He swallowed, inhaled deeply through his nose. Four seconds in, hold for seven, breathe out for eight. Four seconds in, hold for seven, breathe out for eight.

Everything would be okay. They would return safe and sound with his brother. He would have another chance. Everything would be okay. They would return safe and sound with his brother. He would have another chance. Everything would be okay, everything would be okay, everything would be okay-

He repeated the same mantra in his head over and over, hoping to calm his hammering heart and every instinct that screamed at him to run, run, run, run, run, RUN-!

A shadow moved in the corner of his eye. Roman whirled around. Nothing there. A soft laugh echoed at the edge of his hearing. He leapt and swung his sword, but only cleaved through mist. Endless, endless mist.

“Over here.” A voice teasingly whispered behind him. Roman screamed and jumped around, once more swinging his sword and finding nothing. The voice laughed again, this time to the right of him.

“Princey??” Virgil yelled anxiously, still too far away.

“I’m here!” Roman choked out, a whisper more than anything. He attempted to yell louder, but his throat closed up painfully. A hissing sound made him spin on his heels. Roman caught a glimpse of something slither on the ground, something with yellow and black scales before it slinked back into the mist. He walked backwards, legs trembling underneath him.

“You fight so bravely, dear prince,” The voice hissed. “But in vain. You know you can’t win thissss…”

“I won’t stop fighting,” Roman answered wobbly. “I won’t!”

“Oh, of course you won’t,” The voice cooed, circling him. Roman tried to follow it, hoping to spot something other than mist. “You’ve fought all your life, haven’t you?”

“Yes!” Roman said. “I have defeated many foul beast before you, and you will be no different!”

“All those victories,” The voice hummed. “And yet none of those have ever truly satisfied you, haven’t they? Because you can’t fill your hollow heart with empty praises.”

Roman’s heart thumped in his throat. “I… I don’t know w-what you’re talking about!” He answered.

“It’s amazing what one spills when they’re in pain… What dark secrets your brother has told me about you.” The voice shifted, and suddenly Roman felt a solid presence behind him, hot breath tickling his skin as Deceit spoke directly into his ear. “I know your heart, Roman Alveraz.”

With a startled shout Roman spun on his feet, lurching his sword towards the other. It was blocked mid-air as Deceit grabbed the blade and held on tight. Roman was left staring into the piercing golden eyes that glowed from the darkness of the hood. He felt like prey trapped under a predator’s hungry glare.

“I know how you constantly fight for approval,” Deceit said. Blood trickled down his palm, but still he held the sword tight. “I know you fight for the love from your peers, while your ambitions rot at your feet.”

“Stop it…” Roman said shakily.

“I know how you follow in mommy and daddy’s footsteps like a good little marionette,” Deceit continued on mercilessly. “I know how you obediently dance every step they ask of you, until your feet are bleeding and raw. I know you hide behind that mask you call your true face.”

“Stop it!!”

“You must be so tired, dear prince… All those years fighting, and for what? For a crown you know very well you haven’t earned? For the shallow smiles of people who would stab you in the back at their first opportunity?”

“Don’t listen to him!!” Virgil’s voice sounded from across the mist.

“I can help you, you know,” Deceit said sweetly. “Your life is a balancing act above a raging wildfire, where even the smallest mistake burns you beyond repair. But I could douse the flames. You don’t have to fight anymore. I can make it all stop. No more fake smiles, no more pretending… I can take the pain away for you. Forever.”

“He’s lying!! Roman, don’t listen to him!” Virgil shouted, but Roman scarcely noticed. He was drowning. Deceit’s words pushed him down under in an ocean of honey, sweet and suffocating.

“You want that,” Deceit pressed on. “Don’t you?”

“Yes…” Roman whispered before he could stop himself. “Yes.”

“Of course you do,” Deceit said gently, ever so gently. “But if you want my help, you know what you’ll have to do first…”

“Invite you in…”

“Exactly!” Deceit’s voice shook in triumph. “Walk back into the castle, and invite me in.”

“…No.” Roman said in weak defiance. “No! You’ll hurt people-!”

Deceit growled, all gentleness leaving him. “What have they done for you? What do those mindless sheep mean to you? Nothing. You owe them nothing!”

The golden eyes flared up with every word, and Roman was helplessly pinned down under their gaze. A shiver started in his leg- Wait, his leg?

“You think anyone would miss them if their worthless lives ended?” Deceit went on, but Roman was a bit distracted by the tingle on his leg that startlingly enough moved up. The shiver crawled up and up, until it crawled onto Roman’s shoulder and down his arm. Roman only briefly saw a dark purple gleam and eight furry legs, before it leapt. With the tiniest yet fiercest war cry ever heard, Romeo the spider soared through the sky like an avenging angel and landed full on the warlock’s face.

Deceit gave an undignified screech as he released Roman’s sword and leapt back, flailing his arms around as he tried to smack the spider off. The mist surrounding them disappeared. Deceit’s concentration was broken.

“Get off, get off!!” The warlock shrieked, golden spells continuously just missing the purple blur that crawled over him with lightning speed.

“Good Romeo!!” Virgil yelled proudly as he ran to Roman to drag him away from the preoccupied warlock.

“He’s distracted!” General Isolda shouted. “Now is our chance!”

It was the only thing Roman needed to hear to shake away the hold that the honeyed words had on him. Virgil released him as Roman ran towards the tree, where general Isolda was already busy slashing away the roots that kept Remus prison. Roman and Virgil joined in her efforts, Roman using his sword and Virgil blasting small fire blasts to burn the wood. Roman’s breath quickened, his arms swinging frantically. Too slow, too slow, this was too slow-!!

“Keep working!” Roman yelled as he threw down his sword. The other two shouted in confusion, Roman ignored them. He wrapped his arms around Remus’ torso and pulled. He heard branches snapping as his brother was torn free from their grasp. Understanding his plan, Virgil and the general doubled their effort on the roots still wrapped around Remus. Roman kept pulling, throwing his whole body into it. He felt how the roots gave way bit-by-bit, until-

Abruptly all resistance fell away. Roman lost his balance and fell on his back, dragging his brother with him. The air was knocked out of his lungs by the limp body suddenly dropped on his chest. The weight was promptly removed when general Isolda lifted Remus up and threw him over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“We got him!” She said as Roman staggered back onto his feet with Virgil’s help. “We have to get out of here now!”

“Not so fast.”

They turned. Deceit stood, slightly panting, but victoriously holding out a hand where Romeo squirmed and struggled to break free. Virgil paled.

“No,” Virgil pleaded. “Deceit, please no-!”

“So you do remember some of my lessons,” Deceit said with an unpleasant tone. “Good.”

Deceit tightened his hand and squeezed. Romeo let out pained squeaks at the same time as Virgil wailed, dropping onto his knees while clutching his chest.

“Virgil??” Roman kneeled next to his friend, whose face was pale with pain. He didn’t understand. What was happening??

“Deceit…” Virgil gasped. “Please, please stop-!!”

“You know what I want,” Deceit said a little shakily. His hand trembled as he gripped the spider even harder. Virgil cried out and the warlock looked away. “I never wished to hurt you, stormcloud, despite what you think of me…” He continued softly. “But I have to do this. I hope I can make you understand some day.”

“Whatever it is you want, it’s yours!” Roman yelled, even as Virgil weakly protested. “Just stop what it is you’re doing, just stop!”

Deceit relieved the pressure on Romeo. Virgil slumped against Roman who caught his friend. Virgil was pale as milk, yet his pained expression faded quickly, something else taking over entirely.

“Good,” Deceit said unsteadily. “Good... Well then, if we could come to an arrangement-”

A hurt and absolute livid scream tore itself from Virgil’s throat. Shadows shot from his hand like an oncoming tsunami, and hit the warlock square in the chest. Deceit was launched backward, made hard contact with the ground, rolled over a few times before coming to a stop on his stomach. He didn’t get up.

Roman stared at the unmoving body of the warlock, then at his friend. Virgil only frantically searched the open spot.

“Romeo…?” Virgil called out uncertainly. “Romeo??”

A soft rustle in the grass made Virgil hold his breath. A purple glimmer skittered over the ground as quick as it could towards Virgil.

“Romeo!!” Virgil cried out in relief as he held out his hands. He cradled the spider close to his chest as soon as Romeo crawled onto his palms. “Oh Romeo… I’m going to get you ten- No, twenty cherry crumble pies topped with the biggest, fattest flies when we get home! All for you, brave little buddy!” He kissed the spider on its furry body multiple times. Romeo wiggled under all the attention. The sight made Roman want to laugh and cry at the same time. He went with neither, as his eyes fell on the warlock, who still hadn’t moved. Roman determinedly rose, grabbing his sword from the ground. Time to finish the job.

A hand grabbed his wrist. “Leave him.” Virgil croaked.

“Wait, what?” Roman stared down at him incredulously. “But this is our chance, we could kill-”

“NO!” Virgil yelled. “Just leave him!”

“But-!”

“Please Roman,” Virgil stood up. Roman saw him wipe away a few stray tears. “Let’s go.”

Roman didn’t understand any of it, but he couldn’t ignore his friend’s pleas. So he nodded.

“Right… Let’s go.”

They ran. Virgil in front, conjuring a glowing orb, general Isolda with Remus thrown over her shoulders in the middle and Roman at the back, his sword still at the ready. As they ran out from the open spot and back into the woods, Roman turned one last time. Deceit slowly pushed himself up. Roman could swear he saw something float near the warlock’s head, but he didn’t stay to see what it was.

The storm still raged. As they ran through the forest, the wind even worsened. They struggled against its push. The soft purple orb was the only source of light they had, and it cast the forest with its swaying branches in haunting shadows. In every part of the pitch black darkness Roman’s imagination conjured up images of the warlock, ready to drag them back into the night. Roman knew they had to keep running, otherwise one of those images might prove to be the real one. Virgil, however, had other ideas. The sorcerer came to a halt as they reached a good distance from the open spot. General Isolda and Roman stopped too, puzzled.

“Why have we stopped?” The general asked.

Virgil turned. “Put him down,” He said as he pointed at Remus.

“Whatever for?” General Isolda questioned. “Need I remind you, we came here to rescue him!”

“Put him down!” Virgil said with such urgency that the general quickly lowered Remus onto the ground. “We can’t go back to the castle yet!”

“Why?? That monster is not going to stay down for long!” Roman asked as he threw down his sword and knelt down to pick Remus up again. “We have to keep moving, or-”

Hands shot up, closing around Roman’s throat. Roman’s yelp was cut off as the hands wrung his neck in a crushing grip. Remus sat up like a doll on strings. Roman wheezed and struggled, scratching and pulling at the sudden suffocating hold Remus had on him. Vaguely he saw how Remus’ face was distorted in a vicious snarl as he tightened his hands. Virgil and general Isolda yelled, but all Roman could focus on was the shadowed face of his brother. Remus’ eyes were feverishly bright. Too bright. “Rem…” Roman gasped, black spots appearing in his vision.

Virgil grabbed his shoulders and pulled, at the same time as general Isolda grabbed Remus in a headlock and yanked him back to disconnect the two. Roman gasped for air as he was released, taking in the air like a drowning man. Remus meanwhile shouted and shrilled violently, even continuing when the general covered his mouth with her hand.

“There’s your answer!” Virgil said as Roman caught his breath. “Look at his eyes, Ro!”

Roman looked up at his brother, who struggled and screamed in the general’s arms like a feral animal. Remus’ eyes were glowing a molten gold, the same colour that had glared at him from underneath a hood.

“He’s hypnotized! The second we set foot in the castle, he’ll invite the bastard in and it would all be for nothing!”

The general winced when Remus bit her hand with a fierce growl. “What do we do?” She asked.

Virgil got up, helping Roman to his feet as well. “Hold him down.” He said grimly. General Isolda didn’t question it, instead wrestled Remus to the ground and pressed him down by his shoulders. In order to do so, she had to release his mouth and Remus immediately screamed his lungs out again.

“Whatever you must do, do it quick!” The general yelled over Remus’ cries. “His screaming might attract that thing right to us!”

Remus struggled harder, furiously clawing at the general’s arms, but she managed to keep him pinned. Virgil knelt down next to Remus, shadows gathering in his hands and his eyes flashing purple. Remus immediately tried to scratch and bite at him, but Roman knelt down alongside the others and wrestled Remus’ arms to the ground. Virgil gave him a thankful nod, before he placed his hands on Remus’ chest, the shadows pulsing on his skin. Remus screamed louder.

“Get out of him,” Virgil said through gritted teeth. “Get out!”

Remus convulsed on the ground like lightning set his bones ablaze. His eyes rolled back in his head as two powers inside him fought. Virgil pushed and pushed his magic against the other, sweat forming on his brow.

“I said…” Virgil’s already gravely voice deepened, the veins on his hands darkening to a pitch black. “Get. OUT!!”

With a final push, Virgil forced all his magic into Remus, who’s back arched and mouth flew open in a soundless scream. A stream of golden light bled out from Remus’ open mouth. Under their bewildered gazes, the gold first pooled together, before shimmering and forming a tiny snake of light. It raised its little head and hissed at them.

“Quick! Grab it!” Virgil said.

Three pair of hands tried to swipe the snake off the ground. The snake hissed again and ducked under their hands before any of them could get a hold on it. It slithered back into the forest, lightning its path like a little beacon.

“Shit!” Virgil spat.

“What is it? What will it do?” General Isolda asked.

“Tell him where we are,” Virgil said. “We have to go. Now.”

The three of them jumped up. The general wanted to lift Remus back up, but Roman beat her to it. As he gathered Remus in his arms, his brother tilted his head to look at him.

“Roman…” Remus muttered.

“That’s right, Rem,” Roman laughed wobbly as he hauled his brother up and held him protectively against his chest. “I got you. I’m not letting go.”

Remus blinked tiredly at him, before his head fell on Roman’s shoulder and his eyes slipped shut. Unconscious, Roman thought.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Virgil urged as he swept Roman’s sword of the ground. Roman and the general followed Virgil and the small light orb through the dark as fast as they could. Roman had no idea how long they walked, but every minute felt like an eternity. The storm pushed at them ruthlessly. They couldn’t run as fast as they would have liked, lest they constantly trip over roots and holes in the ground, so progress felt like wading through syrup. He briefly thought how this might be his eternity, running through the woods with danger breathing hot down their necks, when-

“Just up ahead! We made it!” Virgil shouted. Roman wanted to cry out in happiness as he saw the edge of the woods, the castle’s lights shining through the branches. A lighthouse in the storm, guiding them home.

Bursting from the treeline they started to sprint towards the castle gates. Thankfully someone had left them open. Needles pricked in Roman’s lungs, his legs nearly collapsing under him but he didn’t dare to slow down. Almost there-!

Fire burst to life in front of them, stopping them meters away from the drawbridge. The flames circled them, until they were trapped. Roman didn’t need to look to know who had finally caught up to them, but he turned anyway.

Deceit was shrouded once more in mist, far closer to them than Roman had hoped. His eyes burned golden, promises of destruction flaring in them.

“Give him back!” Deceit snarled in a booming voice.

“RUN!!” General Isolda yelled.

Virgil doused the flames with his shadows so they could make their escape. Roman’s feet ached as he raced towards the castle. The extra weight of his brother threatened to drag them both down, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on. Behind him Virgil shielded him from oncoming flames, the heat licking at the back of his neck. General Isolda dragged Virgil with her as the sorcerer cast protection spell after protection spell. Roman was almost at the drawbridge-!

His foot got stuck behind a rock just as he wanted to run in. He tripped, only preventing from falling on his brother by twisting his body just in time so they fell sideways on the wooden planks of the bridge instead. Virgil cursed and turned to run right towards the danger, hoping to distract Deceit from the others. The general however grabbed him by the collar, lifted him off the ground and practically hurled him towards the castle gates, where he landed next to Roman. General Isolda stood protectively before Roman and Virgil, her sword drawn as the warlock closed in, flames and mist surrounding him like a hellish entourage.

“If you want them,” General Isolda hissed. “You’ll have to get through me first!”

“With pleasure.” Deceit purred. His golden magic came to live in his hands. Roman braced for impact, shouting the general’s name as Deceit ran towards them-

A sound not unlike a tapping against thick glass was heard. The air pulsated and Deceit was thrown back, barely managing to stay on his feet. He shook his head, throwing himself towards them to attack them again. Once more, an invisible shield stopped him.

“…What’s happening?” The general asked, confused, as Deceit feverishly felt among the air, his palms flat like he was touching a wall rather than thin air. He slammed his fists, ripples like water forming wherever he hit, but it did not let him through.

“…We’ve made it onto castle grounds.” Roman realized. “He can’t enter!”

Roman’s disbelieving laugh was overpowered by Deceit’s furious outcry. The warlock called forth his magic, hitting the shield over and over with golden fire with enough force that the flames climbed up as high as the watchtower. Roman felt the heat on his face as the air rippled, but held steady. Deceit’s livid screams followed Roman and his friends as they got up and ran over the drawbridge to the safety of the castle walls. Above them the storm roared to life once more, lightning strikes following each other up closely. They reached the door as lightning struck down behind them.

“OPEN THE CASTLE DOORS!!” The general shouted as she pounded her fist against the heavy wood. No answer came. Virgil growled in impatience and pushed against the doors, his shadow magic pushing alongside him. The doors groaned and opened, allowing the three companions to stumble in.

Roman had never been more happy to see the castle’s entrance hall in his life. Then a sword was pointed at him. He stared up into the shocked face of colonel Bentley, along with a few dozen startled knights behind him.

“Prince Roman?” The man stammered. “Isolda?? You- You survived…” His eyes fell on Remus and they widened comically large. “You found the prince! How-??”

“Stand down, Bentley!” The general commanded. The man instantly drew back the sword and jumped into a salute. “Our princes went through enough tonight! They don’t need to your questioning on top of it!”

“Yes ma’am! Sorry ma’am!” The colonel barked automatically. But then he seemed to realize something as he dropped his hand. “Wait, no! You’re no general anymore! Our king and queen have dishonourably removed you from your position! You committed treason!”

Isolda nodded. “As I suspected.” She said before she addressed the rest of the knights in the hall like she hadn’t heard him. “Make yourself ready! We have a warlock to capture!”

“What??” Roman gasped.

“B-But general…” The colonel protested, the title still slipping from his tongue without thinking. “The king and queen said that you-”

“That man is a threat to the crown, colonel!” Isolda interrupted. “Surely you’ll do our king and queen a favour by capturing their enemy. Who knows, they might even handsomely reward you! They need a new general, after all. I’m sure they’d want a brave man such as yourself to fill the position.”

The colonel thought this over for a few seconds. Greed twinkled in his eyes.

“If you put it like that…” He finally said. “Very well! Knights! Like the lady said! Make yourself ready!”

“General, you can’t-!” Roman protested.

“Not a general anymore,” Isolda said. “But it doesn’t matter. If we have any chance of capturing him and bringing that man to justice, it’s now. We have to try! And this time…” She looked around the hall proudly, where the knights readied themselves to venture into the storm. “I’ll have more help.”

“We could come with you!” Virgil said. Roman nodded in agreement.

“You’re both very brave. But I think someone else needs your help more than I do,” Isolda said as she nodded at Remus. “I’ll be fine.”

Roman stared up at her, at a loss for words. “Thank you…” He said eventually. Isolda nodded at him, a smile playing on her lips, before she followed the colonel and the knights outside, leaving Roman and Virgil alone in the entrance hall.

It was only then, as the knights disappeared into the night and his brother safe and sound in his arms, that Roman truly realized that they had done it. Somehow, against all the odds, they had saved Remus. His brother was home. Laughter bubbled up in his throat, slightly delirious. Virgil gave him a funny stare, before his lips hesitantly quirked up and his breathless chuckles joined Roman’s.

“Did… Did we just do that? And win?” Roman asked an equally stunned Virgil.

“Yeah!” Virgil said. “What the shit…”

Roman snorted at that, relief tampering down the adrenaline still running through his veins. A glance down at his unconscious brother quickly sobered him up though.

“He needs healing.” Roman said. Virgil turned serious as well.

“I have everything for a proper healing in my workshop,” Virgil said. “But in order to get there we would have to cross the courtyard…” Both friends turned to the storm outside that only seemed to turn more violent by the minute, lightning strikes following each other up with barely a pause. “Yeah… We should probably avoid any more life threatening situations if we can.”

“But he needs help now!” Roman said.

“Relax, I can heal his most urgent injuries right away,” Virgil jumped when a thunderclap made the windows rattle. “We better get him somewhere safe though.”

“Right, yes,” Roman nodded, weary exhaustion and heaviness settling in on his shoulders. Damn, he needed- What he desperately wanted was… “Let’s go back the throne room for now.”

“The throne room?” Virgil frowned. “You sure that’s a good idea, princey? Your pa- I mean, the king and queen are there too!”

“I know,” Roman scowled at the idea of facing them, but his heart ached for the comfort of golden curls and blue eyes. “I just… I need to see Patton. He has to know we’re okay.”

Virgil still looked dubious, but he nodded in understanding. “Let’s go then.”

Their footsteps rang through the empty halls as they made their walked to the throne room. Occasionally lightning outside lit up their path. Roman threw his friend a few hesitant glances before he cleared his throat.

“Virgil… About what the warlock said…” Roman began carefully, but Virgil flinched even so.

“Look, I can explain!” Virgil said hastily. “I met him when I was young, and-”

“It’s okay.”

Roman would have laughed at the startled wide-eyed stare Virgil threw his way, if it hadn’t been for the sheer dread still present on his friend’s face. “No really,” He said sincerely. “It’s fine, Virge. I don’t care about your past. I mean, you saved my butt multiple times tonight! Screw what that guy said! You’re my friend now and that’s what matters.”

“I…” Virgil looked more than a little stunned. The darkness of the halls couldn’t quite hide his touched half smile though. He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head to cover it up. “Princey, you sap.” He muttered as he gently bumped his fist against Roman’s arm.

“I’m serious!” Roman said.

“I know you are, you lovable idiot.”

“Good. Secret softie.”

“Oh shut up…”

“But Virge, if you ever do want to talk about it…?” Roman said.

Virgil groaned. “I think I’m gonna take a three day nap first.”

“Ha! You and me both!”” Roman adjusted his grip on Remus slightly. He was getting heavy, but Roman was not letting go. Luckily the throne room doors were just up ahead.

“But after that,” Virgil said quietly. “I’ll tell you everything.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you don’t have to-!”

“I know I don’t. I just… Think it would be nice to finally tell someone, you know? No more hiding.”

“No more hiding,” Roman said. “Sounds like a plan!”

The knights standing guard gaped at them when they approached, but they scrambled to open the throne room doors. Horrified gasps and astounded whispers rang around the throne room as Roman and Virgil walked in, the doors closing again behind them. Roman could not blame them. He knew what kind of picture they painted. Both him and Virgil exhausted and dirty, Virgil holding a bloodied sword, and him walking in with an unconscious Remus held protectively in his arms. The crowd parted to let them through, eyes wide and disbelieving.

“Virgil?! ROMAN!!”

Pure joy swiftly coursed through when Roman saw Patton push people aside to run up to him, tears of relief streaming down his love’s face. Patton skidded to a halt however when he spotted Remus. Shocked he covered his mouth with trembling fingers.

“You… You found him,” Patton said with wide eyes. “A-And the warlock…?”

“Currently being hunted down by the general and her knights,” Virgil said as he led Roman further into the throne room. Patton followed. “He’s not a threat anymore.”

There stood a long console table to the wall, tastefully decorated with candelabras. Virgil dropped the sword against the wall and unceremoniously shoved the candelabras off the table so Roman could gently place Remus on the temporary sick bed. Patton hurriedly shrugged off his jacket, folded it up and placed it under Remus’ head as a makeshift pillow. A shuddery sigh left Roman as he carefully adjusted Remus in what he hoped was a somewhat comfortable position.

He would have his second chance. He only hoped Remus would give it to him.

Roman took a few steps back to give Virgil his space. The sorcerer’s eyes lit up once more in a purple gleam, as he moved his hands lightly over Remus’ chest. Virgil softly started chanting healing spells, a songlike quality to his voice. Did Roman’s eyes trick him, or did Remus immediately look a bit better?

“Roman…” A soft hand was placed on his arm. Tearing his gaze away from his brother, Roman looked at Patton. His fiancé stared up at him with wide tear-filled eyes. A broken sob left him as Patton threw his arms around Roman’s waist. Roman immediately returned the embrace, tightening his arms around the shorter man. He buried his face into the soft curls and pressed desperate kisses on his love’s head.

“I thought I lost you…” Patton sobbed into his chest. “I thought- I thought I would become a widower before we ever got married! I thought-!”

“I’m here, dear heart,” Roman murmured, tears forming in his own eyes as well. “I’m okay. I got back to you. I’m here.”

Patton nodded and happily blubbered out something Roman didn’t quite hear. It didn’t matter. For one brief, beautiful moment all was well.

But of course, of course, the moment had to be broken. Roman heard the breathless crowd hurriedly part and footsteps approaching. One glance away from the safe haven of his fiancé’s curls confirmed who said footsteps belonged to. With a snarl Roman pulled himself reluctantly out of Patton’s embrace.

“Don’t come near him!” Roman growled. His parents stopped in their tracks.

“I’m not allowed to go near my own son?” Queen Nadia asked with a tremor in her voice, one delicate tear gliding down her cheek.

“No! No you’re not!” Roman said with a humourless laugh. “Glad you understand it so quickly!”

“He’s our son!” King Augusto protested. “We haven’t seen him for nearly a year!”

“And whose fault is that exactly??” Roman bit out. “If you had actually done what you promised you would instead of, oh I don’t know, lying to me, maybe, just maybe, you would have seen him a little sooner! Just a thought!”

“We didn’t lie!” King Augusto said. “We never lie to you!”

“YES YOU DO!!” Roman pulled at his hair. “You’re lying to me right now!” He didn’t want to have this conversation right now. He was tired. So, so tired…

“Come now Roman,” His mother smiled and held her arms out, stepping up like she wanted to embrace him. “How about you we talk about this in the morning, after we all had a good night’s rest after such a terrible day?”

“Don’t touch me!” Roman stepped back, trembling. He wanted to grab his sword to make sure these people never touched him again.

“Roman, you’re obviously stressed,” His mother said in a sweet, yet admonishing tone. She kept advancing in on him. “You’re not thinking clearly. How about you calm down first-”

Roman recognized the shivery crawl that shot up his leg and back before he saw Romeo the spider take his place on his shoulder. Queen Nadia stumbled back with a high pitched shriek as the tarantula hissed angrily at her. Roman let out a crazed little giggle as Romeo protectively hunched, waiting to jump on the face of the first person stupid enough to get closer. Wow, since when was a spider the size of his fist less frightening than his own mother touching him?

“Thanks, little buddy…” He whispered gratefully. Romeo clicked his mandibles happily in response.

“What is that thing?” The king asked in disgust as he eyed the spider.

“His name is Romeo,” Roman said. “And he’s not a thing!”

“Damn right!” Virgil said, briefly interrupting his healing.

“Stay out of this!” The queen said before turning back to Roman. “Sweetheart, this is all a big misunderstanding-!”

“It’s a misunderstanding that you didn’t even CONSIDER to look for Remus??” Roman snapped. “Or didn’t want to send out soldiers WHEN HE WAS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR???”

“Oh please forgive us for prioritising everyone else’s safety in this castle over one person!” The king barked. “Which that wasn’t an easy sacrifice to make!”

“Ohohohoho, that’s rich, coming from you!” Roman laughed bitterly. “You complete and absolute ASSHOLE-!!”

“Wait! Roman, sweetie! Stop!” Patton stepped in front of him, bravely ignoring Romeo in favour of smiling sweetly at Roman. “It’s okay! They’re right!”

Roman distinctly felt like someone kicked him in the stomach. “What…?” He whispered.

“They’re right! When you were gone, they explained everything to us! I promise you, it really was just a misunderstanding!” Patton said. “They can explain to you too, you just-”

“Pat-! Pat, NO. Not you too!” Roman grabbed him by the shoulders. “Don’t listen to them! This is what they do! They lie to your face and make themselves the victims! This is what they’ve always done!”

“But… But…” Patton stepped back, looking between Roman and his parents hesitantly. “They wouldn’t! It’s all just a big mistake, that’s all!”

“Patton, please!” Roman pleaded. Not him. Not his fiancé. “Listen to me!! I’ve lived- Or rather, survived- With them for years! They’re lying! Please believe me!!”

“He’s right, Pat.” Virgil said as he turned away from his healing to stand behind Roman for support. “They’re a bunch of liars. I can know, I have experience with those.”

Roman wanted to hug him, but kept his eyes focused on his love. Patton stared at him, chewing his bottom lip, again looking between him and the king and queen.

“But…” Patton said hesitantly. “I know them too! I thought-”

“It’s a façade, Pat!” Roman pressed on. “It’s not real!”

“Honey,” Queen Nadia said gently. “Maybe you should listen to your fiancé.”

“STAY OUT OF THIS!!” Roman screamed at her before looking at Patton. “Dear heart… Please.”

Patton looked around, first at Roman, then his parents, then at the crowd that stared and waited with bated breath, unconsciously loving the juicy gossip they were getting. Doubt tore him apart. He turned back to Roman. His fiancé, who looked torn up, hurt and scared. Patton’s tried to say something, anything, when his gaze flicked to a point behind Roman. His eyes widened. Roman frowned. What was-

“VIRGIL LOOK OUT!!” Patton screamed.

Roman heard a sickening whack. He whipped around in time to see Virgil tumble to the ground, blood trickling down his temple. The figure that loomed over him held a bloodied candelabra, which he had soundlessly picked up from the ground in the confusion. The figure chuckled.

“Whoopsies! That’s gotta hurt!” Remus giggled, swinging the candelabra around like a baton. Roman stood frozen to the ground. His eyes went from his knocked out friend, up to his brother who grinned and put a foot on Virgil’s back like he was prey he finally managed to kill. Romeo jumped down from Roman’s shoulder to run in panicked circles around his master, which were stopped when Remus kicked the spider away with another cackle. The spider smacked against a pillar, and didn’t move anymore when he fell down.

“You- Wait-!” Roman tried to make sense of what was happening, his mind flailing to catch up. He desperately searched for a hint of gold in his brother’s eyes, but they were the same dark brown as his own. “You were unconscious!” He finally blabbered out.

“Oh yeah… I was, wasn’t I?” Remus wiggled his shoulders mischievously. “Aren’t I a stinker?”

His mother caught on before Roman did. “GUARDS!!” She shouted. “GUARDS!!”

“Haha, nope!” Remus wagged a finger teasingly. “I don’t think so! This show is SOLD OUT!”

At the last word Remus’ eyes flared up in a bright green glow. One wave of his hand thrown towards the doors, and a current of green streams rushed itself through the crowd, webbing themselves over the door in an intricate glowing pattern. Barring anyone from coming in… And getting out.

“What the-?!” Roman gaped. “Remus, you-??”

“That’s right, bitches!!” Remus screeched. “I can do magic now!” He threw his arms wide, the green energy surging and pulsing around him and he laughed, a wild maniacal sound. Roman finally snapped out of his stupor.

“You-! But why-?!” He stammered.

“Why?” Remus looked Roman in the eyes. He barely recognized Remus in this crazed green-eyed creature. “To assist a very dear friend of mine, of course!”

“That thing in the mountains?! He tortured you!” Roman yelled.

“Oh, he definitely made me scream alright, but it was in a very different way than you think!” Remus giggled. He twisted his head, grinning at the sight of multiple guests running towards the doors and desperately trying to tear them open. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. “Ah, the sweaty smell of sheer and utter panic… One of my favourites!” Remus giggled again, unable to hold back his mirth. “But not what I want right now! So everyone…” His eyes shot open, the green flashing even brighter. “LOOK. AT. ME!!”

His high-pitched scream overpowered the hysteria that had grabbed the crowd by their throats. All eyes turned to him in horrified silence. Remus shimmied under all the attention.

“Look at this!” Remus beamed. “What a reunion, huh?? And at such a killer party too! Although…” Remus made a show of looking around critically, caressing his moustache in exaggerated consideration. “I don’t know, I just feel like there’s missing something! Or should I say…” A big grin split his face in half as Remus’ eyes darkened with vengeful glee. “Someone.”

King Augusto’s face twisted in panic, which he in vain tried to cover up with anger. “Don’t you dare!” He screamed, fear lilting the edges of his voice as Remus only grinned wider. “You traitorous scum, don’t you dare-!!”

“DECEIT!!” Remus threw his head back and howled up at the sky. “Come on down here, you slippery snake! I OFFICIALLY INVITE YOU TO THIS PITY PARTY!!”

Thunder roared in triumphant response, so powerful that Roman felt it vibrate in his chest. The beautifully crafted glass stain windows cracked and shattered, dousing the screaming mass in splintered glass as they ducked for cover. Roman quickly grabbed Patton and pulled him towards the ground in a protective embrace, feeling the glass cut on his cheeks. Mist crept in through the shattered windows. The mist gathered itself on the steps that lead to the thrones, twisted, twirled in itself, before finally solidifying into an all too familiar cloaked figure.

The panicked cries of the crowd were interspersed by Remus’ cackle as he clapped his hands in delight. Deceit raised his head and took in the screaming people with disdain, before he reached up and snapped back his hood. Finally Roman saw the face of the warlock. He sucked in a breath. One word echoed through his head as Roman took in scales, furious two-toned eyes and fangs just barely visible in a loathing snarl.

Monster.

Before Roman could find his words, Remus ran and bounced up the steps with eager joy. He halted just one stair below Deceit.

“Did I do good, DeeDee?” Remus breathlessly asked. “Did I, did I??”

The warlock turned to Remus, and to Roman’s bewilderment his face immediately softened into something akin to tender fondness.

“Oh Remus,” Deceit cooed, as he gently caressed Remus’ face with one hand. “You did absolutely marvellous, my darling.”

Remus sighed happily as he melted into the contact with a soft moan, nuzzling his face into the hand and looking up at Deceit with what could only be described as lovesick adoration. Deceit smiled, then looked back at the huddled crowd. All softness in his face instantly died away.

“Now then,” Deceit said darkly. “What a day of reunions this is turning out to be.”

#sanders sides #sanders sides fic #deceit sanders #remus sanders #roman sanders #patton sanders #virgil sanders #ts roman #ts deceit #ts patton #ts virgil #ts remus #royality #romantic royality #the alternative chapter title: Romeo The Spider Finally Gets To Jump On Someone's Face

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