The Favorite Side
Summary: Roman just wanted to celebrate his birthday but...of course, because of Logan's impromptu photoshoot, he's left to celebrate alone. After all, it's not like he's anyone's favorite side...right?
AO3 Link
Pairings: None, BROTHERLY Creativitwins
WARNINGS: FOOD MENTIONS, REMUS BEING REMUS, LIGHT ANGST
(A/N: Roman just wanted to celebrate his birthday but...of course, because of Logan's impromptu photoshoot, he's left to celebrate alone. After all, it's not like he's anyone's favorite side...right?)
taglist: @part-time-zombie @oatmeal-stans-the-trash-rat @enigmasalad
Roman sighs, watching from the banister as he peered around the wall. Today was Logan’s photoshoot for his new skirt look. Thomas had the idea of getting Logan all dressed up once again. Once Logan was told about it, he seemed happy and even flattered to help Thomas do another photoshoot. Of course, that called for some creative touch, and they called Roman in.
Roman was happy to help and asked when they were going to do the photoshoot. His heart then sank when they told him the date. His birthday. He tried to get them to change it without throwing a tantrum, but they seemed to have forgotten how important that day was. So, Roman spent the whole day of his birthday listening to everyone fawn over Logan and praise him. He couldn’t do anything but hide his own pain because Thomas forbid, he threw a fit or got upset as his special day was overshadowed by the favorite side.
Now, the prince himself watched from up the stairs as Patton, Janus and Virgil gathered around Logan. Remus was nowhere to be found, having been gone all day. The photoshoot had ended hours ago and Roman had made up some excuse that he had things to attend to inside the Imagination but really, he didn’t want to listen to them anymore. Yet, he was still here and watching in envy. It just wasn’t fair. Why did Logan get all that attention? Why does he get to dress up when it’s not even his special day? What does he have to do to have that for himself? Roman sighs, feeling so small now. Logan always was better than him. He was smarter and quick to understand things he didn’t. He was organized and focused. He was everything Roman wasn’t.
It hurt even more, knowing that the fans loved Logan even more than him. Roman was just the annoying, loud, and arrogant prince that no one liked because he was mean to his friends. Maybe he deserved nothing today. Sighing once again, Roman decides to let Logan have this. After all, Logan deserves the spotlight more. He had shoved the logical side towards the backstage one too many times. So, as everyone rains more praises on Logan, the princely side quietly slips away before anyone could notice him.
As soon as he closed the door to his bedroom, Roman felt his legs tremble and he moved to sit at his desk. He glances at the calendar tacked to his corkboard, sniffling as he sees his birthday marked a with big gold, glittery circle. He then picks up a red marker and crosses it out multiple times. Roman then tosses the marker aside and huffs. It looks like he’s going to celebrate alone this year. With the wave of his hand, Roman summons a red velvet cupcake with a little candle.
“Happy birthday to me…”
Roman then blows out the candle and watches the smoke swirl into the air. He then buries his head in his arms, sniffling again. He’s trying so hard not to cry but he can’t help it. It was supposed to be HIS day. Not Logan’s or anyone else’s. The tears drip onto his desk as he breaks down. While everyone was celebrating Logan downstairs, they’ve truly forgotten their prince who had hidden away. Their prince who was left to be alone on his special day. At least that’s what Roman thought. Who would want to still celebrate his birthday after all his failures?
“Hey, Prince Poopy!”
Great.
Roman sniffs, not bothering to look up or dry his tears.
“What do you want? Don’t you have some kind of chaos to cause elsewhere?”
“Not for another few days at least!” Remus replies, slipping out from under Roman’s bed. “What’s got your dick twisted?”
“First, eww. Second, nothing. It’s dumb.” Roman then sighs. “I’m just…having another bad day, Ree.”
Remus frowns as Roman buries his head in his arms, spotting the cupcake nearby and stealing it.
“Ro…”
“Drop it, Remus. I don’t want to talk about it. Why don’t you bother Janus or…or Logan?”
“Well, Jan is busy making out with his wine glass and I didn’t wanna be downstairs with the other light dorks.” he says as takes a bite of the cupcake with the wrapper still on. “They’re busy playing dress up with the skirts again.”
Roman sighs and sniffs, tears falling again. It’s silly to be crying over a missed birthday but it was the one day where he didn’t have to feel guilty for getting special treatment. Where he could enjoy affection without needing to seek it or beg for it. Where he could pretend for just a moment that he was loved by them all. It was the one day that Roman could be surrounded by love but instead, Logan stole that from him. Logan had everyone else’s attention and praise. And he deserved it.
Remus could only watch on as Roman fell apart. He frowns and stands up, finishing the cupcake before looking at Roman. He really looks upset today. Remus then glances at the calendar. It’s filled with important dates and deadlines as well as reminders. The intrusive side then notices that today’s date was crudely crossed out. Oh.
“So, you’re just gonna mope all day on your birthday, moody booty?” Remus asks a moment later.
Roman looks up at Remus with wide, watery eyes.
“You…You remembered my birthday?” he whispers, surprisingly hopeful for Remus.
“Of course I did, dumbass. Why would I forget my own twin’s birthday? We share it.” Remus answers, feeling an ache in his chest.
“B-But you have your own birthday day. You don’t have to celebrate with me…”
Remus sighs.
“Okay, Pissy, look. I only agreed to have my own birthday day so you can have yours too. I know you like having your moments.” he explains before averting his gaze. “But it’s kinda boring to celebrate alone sometimes. Sure, it’s fun with Janus but not as fun without you.”
Roman rubs his tears away, gaping at Remus.
“Remus…” he lunges at him and tackles him into a hug. “Thank you...for remembering. I’m sorry I let you celebrate alone but I’m here now. M-Maybe we can celebrate together?”
Remus blinks this time and pulls back to look Roman in the eyes.
“Really? I thought you were going to celebrate with the others again.” he replies, a bit surprised.
“No.” Roman’s face falls, sighing. “They…They’re busy talking about Logan’s photoshoot and fawning over him. Not even Thomas remembered. I deserve it though.”
Remus is frozen for a moment. Oh, hell no. No, they did not. That’s why his brother was so upset. Those bastards. The dark Duke holds back a growl and huffs instead. If they wanted to exclude his twin like that and make his special day all about someone else, then so be it. They don’t deserve Roman if they’re going to treat him like that. Remus doesn’t show it on the outside often, but he does care about his brother. So, the dark creative side grins.
“You know what, Ro? We don’t need them to celebrate. You and I are going to have our own party here.” Remus proposes, patting his twin’s shoulder.
“But-“
“You deserve it, Ro. You deserve to throw your own damn party.”
Roman finally smiles at that, rubbing his tears away.
“Okay. As long as you’re here, Ree.”
Remus grins.
“Always! Now, you get yourself all princely and pretty. I’m gonna raid the kitchen for food and snacks.”
Roman giggles and Remus feels the ache in his chest ebb way. Good. If the others were just going to hurt his brother, Remus will just have to make sure to cheer him up and give him a damn good birthday. He leaves his brother to get ready and ambles downstairs. Much to his annoyance, the others are still fawning over Logan. Gross. Wrinkling his nose, Remus sneaks over to the kitchen as he listens in on their chatting. It’s free juicy gossip for him.
“I just refreshed the page, L. Everyone’s loving your new look.” comes Virgil’s voice.
Fucking traitor.
“O-Oh. I’m not used to all that attention. I wish I could thank them all.” Logan follows, sounding flustered.
“You’ve had quite the day, Logan. We’ll let Thomas handle that.” Janus replies.
Patton’s giggles follow.
“Speaking of Thomas, he wanted to know if we had any other important things going on this week.”
“Other than his current cabaret play? I believe there’s nothing else important for him to do.”
Janus hums.
“Are you sure? We’re not missing anything, are we?”
Virgil huffs as he cuts in.
“Shut up, Janus.” then to Logan. “Hey, don’t worry too much, L. That’s my job. Besides, we looked at your schedule earlier and nothing was missing.”
Logan sighs.
“You’re probably right.”
Remus growls lowly at what he hears and resists the urge to knock some heads together, turning towards the fridge. He starts rummaging through it, stealing the jar of crofters as revenge. He then summons a giant bag and steals a few things such as Patton’s icing and whipped cream, some leftover cookies, a bag of Doritos, some champagne that Roman likes and hides in the back of the fridge, and a jar of pickles. Huffing, Remus then hefts the bag over his shoulder and makes his leave, waiting for someone to-
“And where are you going, you little shit?”
Of course, Virgil is the one who caught him.
“Why do you care, emo? I thought you were busy with whale dork over there.”
“Because you’re sneaking out of the kitchen with a huge bag. You’re not stealing the silverware again, are you?”
Remus rolls his eyes.
“I’ve got better shit to do then steal silverware.”
Janus huffs a laugh.
“Off to collect body parts then?” he asks this time.
Remus giggles then grins widely as he drops the big news on them.
“I’m celebrating RoRo’s birthday with him!”
The dark duke then watches with glees as every single face in the room pales in horror. Wonderful. It’s so wonderful that it makes Remus cackle joyfully, doubling over as he does.
“W-Why are you laughing?!” Virgil huffs, trying to act as if he didn’t just realize how badly he fucked up.
Remus giggles again, catching his breath.
“Hoo…that was good. I’m laughing because, wow, you’re all a bunch of fucking idiots.” he grins.
“W-Well, we…we didn’t mean to forget Roman’s birthday! Honest!” Patton cuts in, trying to fix things like he always does.
Remus rolls his eyes.
“You meant it. You didn’t. Blah blah blah. Even so, you’ve already hurt him. You always do.” he huffs, staring Patton down.
Patton shrinks with a squeak and Logan takes that moment to cut in.
“Alright, Remus. We apologize for forgetting Roman’s birthday, but we really did not mean to. I hadn’t thought to include it because I got caught up in the photoshoot.” The logical side explains.
“Oh, fuck you, you brainy bitch! You were enjoying all the attention and the spotlight! Remus growls, glaring at Logan. “You whine and whine about being ignored but have no fucking problem pushing my own fucking brother aside!”
“Like you fucking care about him, Remus! You knocked him out once!” Virgil cuts in with a hiss.
“Yeah, but he knows I would never hurt him as bad as you all do. I don’t fucking lie to him. I don’t fucking think he’s annoying. I don’t put him down and make him feel fucking worthless like you all do.” Remus spits back. “I don’t fucking forget his birthday! Ever!”
“Remus, if you let us, we’ll celebrate Roman’s birthday now. We can prepare something.” Logan tries.
Remus laughs.
“It’s too late to celebrate. You spent all day shoving him aside. You think he’s going to accept a last minute, half-assed celebration?”
“Come on, kiddo, please? You can help too.” Patton pleads this time, desperate to make up for another mistake.
“No. You’ll make it up to him, let him believe you truly care, and then break him all over again. It’s an endless fucking cycle.”
“Then why do you get to celebrate?” Patton asks.
Remus growls, glaring at them all.
“Because I didn’t forget his birthday. I never have. And you know what? He never forgot mine.”
The room falls silent for a moment then
“Remus…we’re really sorry. Truly. Let us make it up to Roman. And to you.” he speaks, feeling just as guilty though he doesn’t show it.
Remus huffs.
“Shut up, Janus. I know he laughed at your name but he apologized. You haven’t apologized to him. You’ve been a total bitch All of you have. None of you get to apologize or throw a party right now until Roman feels better and says he ready.”
The dark duke then looks around as everyone shifts under his gaze. They all share the same guilty look. Remus waits for any of them to say something more and huffs when no one speaks up. Fucking cowards. Remus glares one last time then continues on his way out with the stolen goods.
“By the way, if I hear any of you fucks at the door, I will rip your heads off.”
With that last threat, Remus heads up the stairs and returns to Roman’s room. As he enters through the door, the dark duke is greeted by Katy Perry singing her birthday song on Roman’s radio. This isn’t usually Remus’ kind of music but he lets it be for today, reminding himself that Roman needs this. Smiling to himself, Remus locks the door behind him and joins his brother.
“I got the shit, Ro!” Remus grins, putting the bag down on the floor.
“Please tell me it’s actually edible stuff and not some mold that you scraped of off the kitchen sink.” Roman chuckles, going over to see what his twin brought.
Remus looks up and pauses for a moment. Roman had combed his messy hair and his face sparkled with makeup like it’s supposed to. Good. Remus would never admit it out loud, but he liked seeing his brother all sparkly rather than shining with tears on his face. Putting that thought aside, Remus opens the bag and it falls open, the snacks and other stolen goods tumbling to the floor in a pile.
“Ta-da! I said I would raid the fridge for us, dummy! Look!” Remus then picks up the jar of crofters and gives it to Roman.
It’s half empty already but there’s enough for Roman to enjoy.
Roman snickers.
“Did you steal Logan’s jar out of spite?”
“A little birthday bonus for the birthday prince.” Remus grins.
Roman giggles, pulling Remus into a bear hug. Remus happily hugs back.
“Thanks, Ree.”
“Of course!”
After a few moments, they break the hug and Remus looks around. It could look a little more party-like. Grinning, Remus waves his hand and the fallen fairy lights float up and wrap themselves around the canopy of Roman’s fancy bed, flickering back to life. Another wave of Remus’ hand makes some extra star thingies appear and they decorate the walls, glittering under the light. Remus also summons some gold, silver, red, and green balloons. Much better.
“Ooh, I like it, Ree.” Roman smiles, catching a ballon as it floats down into his hands.
“I thought you’d like some decorations.” Remus grins. “Now, we just need entertainment.”
Roman perks up.
“Ooh, I’ll handle it! You’ve already done so much, dear brother.” he grins, waving his hand.
With a bit of creative magic, their food is set up like a picnic on the floor and is surrounded by soft pillows and blankets. Roman’s laptop is propped up on some books and a list of movies pop up on the screen. Another wave of Roman’s hand makes them both change into pajamas and the lights dim down. Sure, it’s no grand party that he usually has but this is good too. Roman’s glad Remus at least remembered.
“So, what movie should we watch?” Roman asks, sitting with Remus on the floor.
Remus picks up the jar of pickles.
“Dunno. I was gonna let you have the pick since it’s your birthday.
“It’s your birthday too, dummy.” Roman giggles. “Go ahead and pick!”
Remus sets the jar down as he blinks in surprise.
“Alright, fine.”
After looking through Roman’s movie list, Remus ends up deciding on Shrek. Roman isn’t surprised and they start the movie. By the time the movie was half-way mark, half the snacks that Remus had stolen were eaten. Roman is happy, laying on his tummy while Remus laid out like a starfish as he used his brother’s back for a pillow. Roman feels lighter and happier, relieved that someone remembered him. That someone still cared for him.
Remus feels happy too, seeing his brother happy. They both may argue and fight and insult each other but at the end of the day, they still need each other. They’re still brothers who can put their differences aside to celebrate their birthday together. Maybe Remus will do that often. It’s very rare that he and Roman have any down time together. Smiling, Remus glances at his brother who is currently shoveling the last spoonful of crofters in his mouth.
“Hey, Ro?”
“Hm?”
“Happy birthday.”
Roman grins and a faint glow surrounds him.
“Thank you, Remus.”
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