Chemically Imbalanced: Chapter 18: The Chill Sets In

nyxwordsmith:

A/N: Hey guys! I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get this chapter out to you guys, but I have a few setbacks and hiccups in regards to plot so I hope I haven’t kept you all waiting too long! This is another soft, fluffy chapter, with only a mild, healthy dose of angst. It was supposed to be angstier, but it was too sudden so hopefully we’ll start getting into the true grit of the boys pasts in the next chapter? (Maybe)

Warnings: Insecurity, Implied Stalking, Implied Harassment

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The bitter winter wind tore through his thin
jacket, biting and nipping at his skin as he stood on the corner, hair lashed
into his eyes as he scanned the street back and forth. No matter how cold he
got every winter, no matter how sick he got, he couldn’t bear to tell his mother’s he needed a new jacket.

They’d barely had enough money to cover their
electricity bill that month. How would they possibly afford a new jacket for
him?

And even with the majority of his own
pay-check going to help his mothers with the bills, he couldn’t help but feel
the need to escape his family. He loved them. He loved them all dearly. But
years of debt and struggling was starting to show.

Even now, he was avoiding it.

A familiar black motorcycle appeared at the
end of the street and Roman felt the familiar surge of warmth, joy and the one
thing he was quickly getting addicted to. Security.

He let the smile spread on his face, watching
the bike as it pulled into an empty space and the rider braced themselves,
leaving the bike running as they reached up to their helmet.

The helmet gave way to familiar, scruffy black
and purple hair, silver eyes meeting his from the bike. Roman didn’t hesitate
any longer, trotting slowly toward Virgil as he smiled back warmly.

Just as Roman reached him, barely suppressing
a violent shudder from the fierce wind, Virgil shut the bike off, “You wanted
to meet here?” he asked, kicking at the stand and climbing off his bike.

Roman beamed back at him, bouncing a little on
his toes as pure excitement raced through him. He’d been carefully planning
this. Okay, maybe careful wasn’t the right word. Maybe he’d been hesitant about
it. There were a lot of things that could go wrong. So many possibilities to
consider.

But he was glad that they’d made it this far.

And Roman had saved up enough to finally show
his thanks. Or at least what he
thought would be enough for thanks. There
was a fear rushing under his excitement and as much as Roman desperately tried
to ignore it, he couldn’t help but feel it.

“I have a surprise.” Roman answered softly,
keeping his hands in his pockets.

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