Virgil sat in the uncomfortable chair in the hospital room, the only noise was the steady beeping of his best friend Roman’s heart monitor. Roman coughs a couple times before looking over at Virgil, who was already looking at him, eyes full of concern. Roman’s chapped and cracked lips curved into a small smile, shaking his head at his friend.

“Don’t look so worried, Virg.”

“Roman, I have reason to worry. Y-you’re dying!” The younger male exclaims. Roman had been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia six months ago and was basically told that he was going to die no matter what. Virgil had spent countless hours researching a cure with his other two best friendd, but it was no use. There wasn’t one. All they could do was give Roman radiation treatments and hope to put off death.

“Yes, Virgil. I am. But it’s my time and honestly, I’m not scared. So let’s make the most of my time that I still do have on this planet memorable. Wanna play some Uno or something?” Roman asks. That was just like him, to live in the moment and make the best of a situation while Virgil prefers to hang back and see the bad. Virgil swallowed the large lump that was forming in his throat and nodded, walking over to Roman’s bed. He sat on the corner of the white sheets.

The corners of Roman’s lips turned up into what could have been a smile, but was more of a ghost of one as Virgil shuffled the deck of cards. The older male let out a chuckle.

“I don’t see why you insist on playing this game, my dear Princey. It’s such a children’s game!”

“Aren’t we kids? I have a smiley face on my face.” Roman said as he gestures weakly to his nose. It's true. Patton had drawn it on there when he visited earlier. Virgil chuckled and nodded, dealing the cards out to himself and Roman. He ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly and Roman watched him do so wistfully. He reached up to stroke his head which had lost all hair long ago.

“Sometimes, I wish I still had my hair, Virg.” Roman mumbled. The younger male’s dealing faltered slightly for a second, but immediately picked up its old pace. He shook his head.

“I don’t see why. Hair is a pain in the butt!” Virgil exclaimed in a weak attempt to make Roman feel better.

“Say that again when you lose all of your hair.” Roman says as he strokes Virgil’s purple and brown locks. Virgil sighed and pulled Roman in for a hug. Roman’s tears began to flow as he hugged Virgil back as hard as he could, afraid to lose his best friend.

“V-Virgil… I lied… I am afraid, but only of losing you. What am I going to do without you?”

“You’ll be fine, Princey. You’ll have all the angels up there to protect you. I promise to think about you every single day, every second of the day, every day of the year, for as long as I live.” Virgil said as he gently stroked Roman’s cheek with his thumb. Roman nuzzled Virgil’s hand and both guys sat there silently, just looking into each other’s eyes.

“Have I ever told you how beautiful your eyes are? Because they are.” Virgil said softly, gesturing at Roman’s amber eyes. Roman chuckled quietly and nodded, gesturing at Virgil’s matching pair.

“I could say the same to you, Mr. Anxiety.”

“Roman? Can I… Can I say something?”

“Of course.” Roman says, that ghost of a smile back on his face.

“I really, really like you.” Virgil blurts out. Roman was quiet for a moment before squeezing his friend’s hand.

“I know that.”

“No… I mean… I mean, I like-like you.”

Roman rests his forehead up against Virgil’s.

“I guess it was a little too late to say I love you.” Virgil said as he intertwined their fingers.

“It’s never too late to say I love you, Virg.”

“I still wished I had said it earlier.”

“Me too. Me too.” Roman said as he wrapped Virgil in a hug.

“Stay with me?” Roman asks.

“Always.”

***

Three hours later, Roman was still awake. Virgil could see his eyelids growing droopy, and he knew he needed sleep.

“You should get to bed, Roman. You’re going to need it. More chemo tomorrow.” Virgil said as he gently ran his thumb across the back of the older male’s hand. Roman nodded weakly and turned to look at Virgil, tears threatening to spill out of his eyes.

“Will you kiss it better?”

“I wish I could. I really wish I could.”

“Please don’t leave.” Roman whispers hoarsely. Virgil nodded slightly and watched as Roman’s eyes slowly closed.

***

Virgil listened with his eyes full of tears as the steady beep turned into a long continuous one. He felt the hand that he held so tightly grow limp and he just held on tighter, begging Roman to come back to him silently. When the nurse came to usher him out, Virgil stayed completely silent until the nurse spoke.

“Did you know him well?” She asks in the hushed tones nurses always use.

“He was my--” Virgil paused. There were so many different ways he could answer this. Best friend. Roommate. Boyfriend. “He was my prince and I loved him more than humanly possible.” Virgil turned on hid heel and walked out of the hospital. He managed to make it back to his house before breaking down crying. He closed the door behind him and slid down it, crying as hard as he could. He sat against the door crying for the next two hours, screaming to the world, asking why. Why? Why Roman?! Why couldn’t you have taken me?! Virgil screamed internally as he pounded on the floor, falling to it, sobbing even more. He would never be the same again. All because of a princely boy he had come to love.