The Sanders Sides

28 - Guilty Tango

Sunlight streamed through the hospital window, casting a warm glow on the sterile room. The rhythmic beep of the heart monitor had been replaced by a comfortable silence, a testament to Roman's remarkable progress. He was finally on his feet, though a slight limp betrayed the lingering effects of the accident.

Virgil, ever vigilant, trailed Roman as he paced the room, a frown creasing his brow. The silence had stretched for too long, filled with unspoken emotions. Finally, Virgil blurted out, "Why, Roman?"

Roman stopped mid-stride, turning to face him. His gaze, though still a little hazy with recovery, held a steely resolve. "Why what?"

"Why did you..." Virgil's voice hitched, the words catching in his throat. He cleared it and continued, "Why did you save me from that crash?"

The question hung heavy in the air, a constant echo in their minds. Roman sighed, running a hand through his hair, a gesture that spoke volumes of his frustration.

"Because you were closer!" he finally said, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Look, it was a reflex, alright? There wasn't time to think."

But Virgil wasn't satisfied. He shook his head, his voice firm. "No, Roman. You could've..." the image of the crash flashed in his mind, the sickening thud, and he trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

"Died?" Roman finished for him, his voice hardening. "Maybe. But so could you."

Silence descended again, heavier this time. Then, Virgil spoke, his voice choked with emotion. "But it should have been me! You could have had a future, Roman. A life you almost threw away... for me."

Roman's face softened. He walked towards Virgil, his steps slow and deliberate. He stopped close enough for their breaths to mingle.

"Virgil," he said, his voice low and intense. "Look at me."

Virgil hesitantly met his gaze. The playfulness that usually colored Roman's eyes was absent, replaced by an unwavering sincerity.

"I care about you, alright?" Roman continued, his voice raw. "Maybe not in the way you think, not yet. But... seeing you almost get hurt, it scared the living daylights out of me. I wouldn't... I couldn't let that happen."

A flicker of warmth bloomed in Virgil's chest, a counterpoint to the storm of emotions churning within him. He didn't know why Roman cared, what had changed during their brush with death. But the weight of his words, the fierce protectiveness in his eyes, was undeniable.

"You had so much to lose," Virgil whispered, his voice thick with unshed tears. "Don't you see?"

Roman shook his head, a wry smile twisting his lips. "Maybe. But losing you... that felt like losing a part of myself too."

The air crackled with unspoken truths, a vulnerability neither of them had expected. Virgil stared at Roman, his heart pounding in his chest. This was new territory, a path neither of them had dared to tread before.

"I..." Virgil started, then stopped, unsure how to articulate the jumble of emotions threatening to spill over. He settled for a simple, "Thank you."

Roman reached out, his hand hovering over Virgil's for a moment before landing gently on his shoulder. "For what?"

"For... for caring," Virgil whispered, unable to meet Roman's gaze.

A ghost of a smile played on Roman's lips. "Just promise me you'll be more careful next time," he said, his voice lighter, a hint of his old playfulness returning.

Virgil managed a weak smile, shaking his head. "No promises."

Roman chuckled, a sound that still held a hint of raspiness but resonated with a newfound warmth in the sterile room. They stood there in silence for a moment, a newfound understanding blooming between them. The future remained uncertain, but they faced it together, their bond strengthened by the ordeal they had both survived.