The Sanders Sides

32 - Opening Night

Patton settled into the chair beside Roman's bed, the air thick with a comfortable silence after their shared laughter. He glanced at his friend, his gaze lingering on the pale cast of Roman's skin and the slight hitch in his breath with every laugh. A wave of protectiveness washed over him, a feeling that went beyond just friendship.

He wasn't sure when it had happened, this shift in his emotions. Maybe it was the way Roman always had his back, the unwavering loyalty that shone in his eyes. Maybe it was the way Roman, with his easy smile and goofy charm, could always make him laugh, even on the darkest days.

Hesitantly, Patton reached out and squeezed Roman's hand gently. "Thanks for being there, Roman," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Roman's gaze met his, warm and understanding. "Always," he replied, squeezing Patton's hand back with a reassuring strength.

The silence stretched again, charged with unspoken emotions. In that moment, Patton knew he couldn't keep his feelings bottled up any longer. He needed to express some form of gratitude, a physical gesture that transcended mere words.

With a deep breath, Patton leaned forward and brushed a soft kiss against Roman's cheek. It was a platonic gesture, a friend showing appreciation for another friend. But for Patton, it was a small step, a tentative exploration of the uncharted territory of his own heart.

He pulled back quickly, his cheeks burning with a blush that rivaled the sunflowers on the bedside table. "I, uh, just... thanks again," he stammered, his voice tripping over itself.

Roman's eyes widened in surprise, but a soft smile touched his lips. "Anytime, Patton," he said, his voice gentle.

There was a new understanding in Roman's gaze, a recognition of the unspoken sentiment behind the kiss. He wasn't sure what it meant, this shift in their dynamic, but he knew it was something they would need to explore further, when they were both healthy and out of the sterile confines of the hospital room.

For now, the comfortable silence returned, a new layer of unspoken intimacy woven into the fabric of their friendship. The future remained uncertain, but as Patton sat beside Roman, their hands intertwined, he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to their story than just friendship.

The backstage buzzed with a nervous energy that crackled in the air. Fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting an ethereal glow on the costumed actors flitting about. Tonight was opening night of Heartstopper, and Roman, his stomach churning with a mix of pre-show jitters and genuine fear, stood in the cramped locker room fumbling with his costume.

Just moments ago, chaos had erupted. Tara, who played Charlie, had received a frantic phone call, her face paling as she explained a family emergency had forced her to leave immediately. Now, with the curtain due to rise in a mere twenty minutes, the entire play hung in the balance.

Panic, a familiar unwelcome guest, clawed its way up Roman's throat. He choked back a gasp, the air suddenly thick and suffocating. His fingers, slick with sweat, betrayed him, the buttons on his rugby shirt refusing to cooperate. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drum solo threatening to burst out of his chest.

This wasn't just stage fright; it was a full-blown panic attack. The memory of his recovery, the fear of letting everyone down, the weight of the responsibility now thrust upon him - it all collided in a devastating wave.

Just as he felt the familiar tunnel vision closing in, the locker room door creaked open. Logan, dressed as the school bully Ben, walked in, his playful demeanor replaced by a look of concern.

"Ready to knock 'em dead, Prince Charming?" Logan asked, his voice laced with a teasing lilt that usually calmed Roman's nerves.

But today, the teasing fell flat. Roman, his face pale and clammy, could only manage a shaky breath. Logan's smile faltered, his eyes widening at the sight of his friend struggling to breathe.