"What. Did I do. To deserve this?!"

Roman heard the pain, the anger, that little bit of insanity. He just wanted to run over, to say the truth. He knew it wouldn't happen. He knew it was all just a dream. He'd followed his dream, and now here it ended.

"Answer me."

Roman coughed, tried to find his voice, tried to find his words.

"Nothing, my love."

"Then why did it happen?"

Roman flinched swag from the sharp, bitter anger. He hated it. He hated the words that would never be enough. He hated the tears slipping away, he hated his weakness. If he'd just been stronger...

"I... I don't know."

Virgil whipped towards him, face a growling mask of rage.

"Do you think I wanted this?"

If Roman was honest, then yes, he was pretty sure Virgil had wanted it, at least a bit.

"No..."

"Do you think I asked for this?"

Roman noted the emphasis. He knew it.

"Why would I want this? How could you do this to me?!"

Roman flinched. He hated how helpless he was, watching as the man he loved fell apart.

"You knew it would end, didn't you?"

Roman grimaced. He did know it. He'd have to be a fool not to see it.

"Why did you do this to me?"

Roman wanted so badly to say how he felt, but he was scared. Not scared of his words or his feelings, but of how Virgil would react.

Then again, what would he lose? Virgil was leaving, Roman was used to a broken heart, and Virgil's words would never hurt him as much as his tears.

"Love. It's not something we can control. It's not a weakness. It's not something we can give and take at will. I'm sorry that it hurts you. I'm sorry that I wasn't strong enough to pull away before it grew, but now it's here. It's something beautiful, and I want you to know that. Love does not make you weak. It makes you stronger."

He brought his hand up to wipe Virgil's tears. Virgil almost leaned into his hand.

"It's just... it hurts so much, and it doesn't... make sense! I haven't... loved before. Why must it hurt?"

"Have you heard 'no pain, no gain' it's pretty stupid, but love isn't something easy. It hurts, and I'm the end," he took Virgil's hands and looked him in the eyes, "it's worth it."