Lily

30

Roman gently nudged Virgil through the diner doors chuckling softly at the timid stance Virgil got around all the strangers. Virgil basically clung to his side as Roman and him were led to a table. The younger just watched as Virgil sat down anxiously glancing around at everything. He was trying to take everything in. The chairs... the tables... the lights... even that odd thing in the center of the table with this paper stuff in it. 

Virgil was trying to get a feel for it all but the amount of people was making it hard to focus. The only good thing Virgil seemed to latch on to right away was the bright yellow daisies in a vase in the center of the table. The moment his eyes latched on to them Roman could see him start to shine. Virgil's fingers reached out gingerly brushing the florescent petals as he smiled, seemingly calm now that he noticed them.

"You really do love flowers." Virgil nodded as Roman glanced around noticing no one was looking. He brushed his fingers through the bouquet and Virgil's eyes went wide as a single multicolored rose bloomed in the bunch. Roman plucked the flower before breaking the stem and handing it to Virgil.

"So pretty." Virgil smiled as he held the rose in his palm. The Light lavender that dusted the tips of those orange and red petals captured his senses. He was enraptured. His eyes flashed black and soon enough just like before he was holding the crystallized rose. His eyes went wide as he looked back over to see Roman holding back a laugh.

"I'm starting to think you're doing that for a reason." Virgil frowned as he held the rose up. Roman just smiled as he saw the way it shined in the light. "So far you've only done that with mine."

"Sorry..." Virgil sighed as he placed the rose back on the table, with a sad look.

"Hey, no, it's ok." Roman took the boy's hand and smiled as Virgil glanced back up at him. "I find it nice. After all, now those pretty flowers you love so much won't die." Roman beamed as Virgil started to smile again. That was all he really wanted. He wanted to see Virgil smile. He'd give him his own garden if it made him happy. "You probably know this already but..." Roman laughed as he let his fingers hover over the daisies. "... our magic reacts to our emotions. The stronger the desire the more likely it will just happen."

"Yeah. Cassidy told me once." Roman nodded as he let his finger brush the petals. Virgil lit up as the yellow daisies began to change color. All the yellow vanished to pink and reds making Virgil tense with excitement. Any words Virgil might have had vanished with his pure joy over the flowers. "So pretty."

"I was just saying that your crystal thing... might be a reaction to a desire you have." Roman just watched Virgil gush over the flowers, that soft blush that dusted his cheeks as his eyes shimmered. Roman's eyes went red as he sighed happily with a small smile. "It's surprising I haven't made roses show up just by being there." It was an off-handed comment but Virgil had caught it.

"Why?"

"Hmm?" Virgil shot Roman a look only to freeze seeing how red Roman's eyes were. Roman blinked finally noticing Virgil was looking at him. He cleared his throat and laughed. "Sorry, zoned out. What was that?"

"I asked you why." Virgil watched Roman inquisitively as the other fumbled for the menu. "You said it was a wonder roses didn't just bloom around you. Why?"

"Oh... uh. Well, uh..." Roman bit his lip as he quickly changed the subject. "What do you like?" Virgil frowned as Roman eyed the menu purposely ignoring his question. "I don't really know what your used to food-wise. I could just order for you but... do you have any allergies or anything? Like can you eat nuts or eggs... does milk cause you issues or is it ok..."

"Roman..." Roman jumped slightly as Virgil just laughed. "It's fine. Pick whatever and I'll try it."

"Oh... ok then." Roman smiled as he searched the menu for the perfect first meal. Yes, they ate that firebird meat but roman really didn't consider that his first meal here because that was something he knew how to make and therefore had before.

Virgil couldn't help but wonder why Roman had been looking at him like that. He had seen that look before. In fact, he had seen it many times... on his father as he watched his mother from afar. Virgil frowned as he looked down at his crystal flower. Roman's been so kind to him. Virgil honestly didn't understand it. He didn't understand any of it... but he knew one thing. Roman was right. There was a reason he kept doing that to the roses. He just didn't know what.

"I'll have your Royal scrambled with hashbrowns and banana nut muffin." Virgil snapped up seeing Roman passing his menu over to this lady. "And he'll be having your magical maple waffles." The lady giggled as Roman shot her a wink. She rolled her eyes as he glanced between the two.

"And will you friend be wanting any sides or..." 

"Honestly, Linda... This is the first time having waffles so... load em up." Linda beamed as she nodded and quickly left to get their food. Virgil frowned in confusion as Roman laughed seeing her go so happily. "Linda's a sweet girl. It's nice to see she's doing better after her accident."

"You know her?" Roman nodded as he rested his head on his hand just staring at Virgil again. Virgil chuckled as he pointed at the younger with this look making Roman confused. "You staring again."

"I am?" Virgil nodded as Roman blushed slightly. Roman laughed as he looked away and mumbled. "Well, I guess I just like the view."

"You're an odd one Roman." Roman frowned slightly as he looked back to see Virgil smirking at him. "I just can't figure you out."

"I hope that's a good thing." Virgil laughed as he nodded and turned back to the flowers. 

"It is..." Virgil's eyes shined as Roman smiled softly at him. "...It's nice."