The Sanders Sides

27 - Bunnos

The shared laughter and camaraderie as they drove towards the sunrise cafe was abruptly interrupted by a notification on Patton's phone. His smile faltered as he glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Everything alright, Patton?" Roman asked, his voice laced with concern.

Patton hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "It's Timothy," he mumbled, his voice strained.

The air in the car grew thick with tension. Roman and Virgil exchanged a worried glance. Timothy, Patton's ex-boyfriend, was a sore spot, a painful reminder of a past filled with heartbreak.

"What does he want?" Virgil asked, his voice devoid of his usual sarcasm, replaced by a quiet concern.

Patton took a deep breath, his fingers hovering over the phone screen. "He... he's asking me to look after his bunnies while he's out of town."

Roman and Virgil both stared at him, surprised.

"Look after his bunnies?" Roman repeated, incredulous. "Seriously?"

Patton shrugged, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "Apparently, his new girlfriend is allergic. Can you believe it?"

The absurdity of the situation hung heavy in the air. Here they were, embarking on a new chapter, a tentative bond forming between them, and Patton's past was intruding, disguised as a pair of fluffy rabbits.

"You don't have to do it, you know," Virgil said gently, his voice surprisingly soft. "Considering... well, everything."

Patton nodded, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. "I know. But..." He trailed off, his voice laced with a complicated mix of emotions.

Hesitantly, he tapped the screen and began typing a response. As he did, Roman stole a glance at the message.

"Hey Timothy," it read. "Thanks for reaching out. But I'm actually pretty busy right now. Maybe ask someone else?"

A wave of relief washed over Roman. He knew Patton still harbored unresolved feelings for Timothy, and the thought of him being sucked back into that drama was unsettling.

Just as Patton was about to hit send, another message popped up from Timothy. This time, the tone was different, devoid of its usual arrogance.

"Patton," the message read, "Look, I know this is a long shot, considering how much I messed up. But... I was an idiot. I didn't realize what I had until it was gone. I just wanted you to know... I'm sorry."

The car fell silent once more, the weight of Timothy's apology hanging heavy in the air. Patton stared at the message, his expression unreadable. A million unspoken emotions flickered in his eyes – hurt, anger, confusion, and a flicker of something that might have been... forgiveness?

Roman and Virgil exchanged another glance, unsure of how to proceed. This was uncharted territory, a glimpse into Patton's past that threatened to disrupt their newfound sense of normalcy.

The silence stretched on, heavy with the weight of Timothy's apology. Patton reread the message, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling in his eyes. Roman, sensing Patton's turmoil, reached out a comforting hand, which Patton squeezed gratefully.

"Look," Virgil finally broke the silence, his voice low and surprisingly gentle, "whatever you decide, Patton, it's your call. But..." he hesitated, then continued, "if you do want to see those rabbits, I wouldn't mind tagging along."

Patton's head snapped up, surprise flickering across his face. "You... you'd come with me?"

Virgil shrugged, a hint of self-consciousness creeping into his voice. "Well, someone has to make sure you don't get attacked by a horde of fluffy death machines, right?"