The Sanders Sides

24 - Movie Marathon

Roman stood alone on the balcony, the cool night air wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. In his hand, a lighter flickered, casting an erratic dance of light and shadow on the stone floor. He stared at the tiny flame, the memory a hot ember in his gut.

He'd thought facing the fire, reliving the accident in a controlled setting, might help. Maybe by confronting his fear, he could finally move on. But as he brought the flame closer, the familiar dread washed over him. It wasn't the heat, the flickering light, none of the physical aspects. It was the feeling, the terror, the helplessness that came surging back.

He squeezed his eyes shut, the lighter clattering to the ground with a metallic clang. Tears welled up, blurring the city lights below. He wanted peace, not this gnawing fear that seemed to lurk around every corner.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to force his mind down a different path. He pictured Patton's infectious smile, Logan's calm gaze, Virgil's sharp wit, even Deceit's sly grin. He thought of game nights, shared laughter, and the unwavering support they offered. He thought of them as his family, a messy, dysfunctional, but fiercely loyal family.

The image of the flickering candle from game night surfaced – a symbol of what had triggered him. But this time, it wasn't accompanied by the terror. Instead, it sparked a flicker of warmth. Maybe candles weren't the enemy after all. Maybe they could represent the light his friends brought into his life, a light that could help push back the darkness.

Roman opened his eyes, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek. He wasn't there yet, he knew. The journey to healing would be long and arduous. But for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn't alone. He had his friends, his family, and maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

Roman was sprawled on the couch, a half-eaten bowl of popcorn resting on his lap, as Patton and Virgil bickered playfully over the selection of the next movie. His phone buzzed on the coffee table, the screen flashing with Arya's name. He smiled, a welcome distraction from the jumbled mess of emotions swirling inside him.

With a quick pause button on the movie remote, he grabbed his phone. "Hey, Arya! What's up?"

Arya's face filled the screen, a concerned frown creasing her forehead. "Roman! It's about time you picked up. I haven't been able to get a hold of any of you guys in ages."

Roman winced slightly. It was true. They had been a little... reclusive lately, ever since Patton's messy break up. They'd all been there for him, offering a shoulder to cry on and a mountain of cheesy movies to drown his sorrows in. But it had also meant less time for outside connections, less time for Arya.

"Yeah, sorry about that, Ary," he apologized. "Things have been... a little hectic around here lately."

Arya's frown softened slightly, but a hint of worry lingered in her eyes. "Hectic, huh? Spill the tea, Ro. Is everything okay with Patton?"

Roman hesitated, unsure how much to share. Patton had been private about the whole ordeal, and Roman didn't want to overstep any boundaries.

"Uh, yeah," he said finally, opting for a vague answer. "Patton's been... going through some stuff. But he's doing alright, thanks for asking."

Arya raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. "Roman, you know you can't lie to me. Breakup blues? New roommate drama? Alien invasion?"

Roman chuckled, a relieved laugh escaping his lips. There was no point in keeping secrets from Arya. She always saw right through him.

"Alright, alright," he conceded. "Yeah, Patton went through a rough breakup a while back. But hey, he's tough. He'll bounce back."

Arya nodded, her expression turning sympathetic. "Ugh, breakups are the worst. Sending all my positive vibes to Patton. But seriously, Roman, if things are bad, don't hesitate to call me, okay? You know I'm always here for you guys."