The Sanders Sides

4 - Confessions of Grief

The tension in the room eased, replaced by a sense of hesitant camaraderie. Roman, his voice still weak, took a shot at a joke. "Yeah, we get it, Logan, you're wrong a lot," he said with a weak attempt at a playful jab.

A ghost of a smile touched Logan's lips. "Wow, every time I try to be nice to you," he started, but a chuckle escaped him before he could finish.

Roman, feeling a lightness return to the room, managed a genuine smile of his own. "No, wait, Logan, I was kidding," he admitted, a hint of relief in his voice.

Perhaps, amidst the pain and worry, a seed of understanding had been planted. The road to recovery would be long, but with newfound respect and a shared experience, they might just face it together.

Suddenly, Patton threw his arms around Logan. Logan blinked, caught off guard. "I thought we agreed to not catch me off guard," he said, a hesitant smile playing on his lips.

Patton chuckled. "I guess I suck at it," he admitted, wrapping an arm around Logan's shoulders from behind.

Seeing Patton's embrace, Roman shuffled closer, his movements slow and deliberate. With a wince, he managed to extend his other arm, awkwardly pulling Logan into a three-way hug.

The embrace was tentative at first, a silent acknowledgment of their past mistakes. But as they held each other, a sense of warmth spread through the room. They weren't perfect, but they were together, and for now, that was enough.

"Looks like we're all a bunch of saps," Logan mumbled into Patton's shoulder, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

"Maybe," Patton replied, squeezing them both tighter. "But at least we're saps who are looking out for each other."

Roman, tucked between them, a weak smile gracing his lips, felt a single tear roll down his cheek. It wasn't a tear of fear or pain, but a tear of gratitude. They were a mess, a dysfunctional family, but they were his family. And in that moment, as they held each other close, Roman knew they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, together.

Logan, still enveloped in the awkward yet comforting hug, glanced at the clock on the wall. "Well," he began, clearing his throat slightly, "it's getting late. Maybe we should all head home and get some rest. We can come back for Virgil when he's awake and out of isolation."

Patton nodded in agreement. "Sounds good, Logan. We all need some sleep and a change of clothes."

Roman, feeling a surge of energy after the emotional exchange, shifted in his hospital bed. "Speaking of needing a change of scenery," he said, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes, "where's the ever-so-charming Remus?"

Patton chuckled. "He texted a little while ago, said he was on the fourth floor, people-watching from the balcony."

Roman's eyebrows shot up. "People-watching? Sounds more like trouble-finding to me."

Patton shrugged. "Knowing Remus, it could be either or both."

A mischievous grin spread across Roman's face. "Well, then," he declared, ignoring the wince of pain it caused, "I think I'll go pay our favorite brooding shadow a visit."

Logan and Patton exchanged a look, a mix of amusement and exasperation evident on their faces. "Just... try not to cause any chaos, Roman," Logan cautioned.

Roman scoffed playfully. "Chaos? Me? Never!" He winked at them, a weak attempt at his usual bravado, before carefully maneuvering himself out of bed. "See you guys later."

With a surprisingly steady gait, considering his injuries, Roman headed towards the door. Patton and Logan watched him go, a flicker of worry battling with the hope that bloomed in their chests. The road ahead was still long and uncertain, but for the first time in weeks, it felt a little less daunting. They had each other, and that, at least for now, was all they needed.