The Sanders Sides

42 - Surprise!

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Roman's eyes widened in disbelief, his jaw slack with surprise. The book tumbled from his grasp, clattering to the floor with a dull thud.

"Roman?" Patton breathed, his voice barely a whisper.

A slow grin spread across Roman's face, transforming him from a stoic prince to a man genuinely delighted. "Patton? Logan? Virgil? Janus? What... what are you all doing here?"

The surprise might have been blown, but the joy in Roman's voice, the genuine shock on his face, was a reward in itself. Their mission, despite the queen's well-timed intervention, had been a success. And as they all rushed forward, engulfing Roman in a joyous embrace, the grand hall of the Royal Palace echoed with the sound of their laughter, a sound that spoke of friendship, adventure, and the promise of a reunion that wouldn't soon be forgotten.

The surprise might have been blown, but the joy in Roman's voice, the genuine shock plastered across his face, was a reward in itself. Their mission, despite the queen's well-timed intervention, had been a success.

As Queen Anne's words echoed in their ears – "He's probably in his bedroom, brooding over some artistic crisis or another" – a single thought united them.

Surprise.

With Logan pushing open the oak doors, the element of surprise detonated in a flurry of limbs and joyous yells. Patton, ever the embodiment of sunshine, was the first to break free, launching himself at Roman like a human missile. The book tumbled from Roman's grasp, clattering harmlessly to the plush carpet.

Roman's initial shock gave way to a grin that could light up the entire palace. His arms instinctively shot out, catching Patton in a tight hug. The joy in their embrace was palpable, a silent conversation of shared adventures, unspoken longing, and the unbreakable bond of friendship.

Logan, Virgil, and Janus, their faces mirroring the unrestrained joy, flooded into the room, their laughter echoing off the opulent walls. Virgil, his usual stoic demeanor momentarily forgotten, gave Roman a firm, if slightly awkward, hug. Janus, ever the mischievous one, opted for a playful back slap and a hearty, "Well, look who finally decided to join the party!"

Roman, overwhelmed with the sudden influx of friends, his laughter echoing through the room, returned each hug with equal gusto. It felt like a dam had broken, releasing a torrent of emotions – relief, excitement, and a warmth that had been absent for far too long.

They stood there for a moment, a tangled mess of limbs and laughter, a testament to the powerful bond they shared. The grand bedroom, once a symbol of Roman's solitary life, now pulsated with the chaotic energy of their reunion. In that moment, the opulent surroundings faded away, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the promise of a reunion that would be anything but ordinary.

Roman, still enveloped in the warm press of Patton's embrace, finally managed to pull back, a wide grin splitting his face. Laughter lines crinkled around his eyes as he looked at his friends, their faces flushed with excitement.

"How did you guys even pull this off?" he exclaimed, wiping a stray tear from his eye. "Seeing you all here... it's like a dream."

He pulled each of them into a tight hug in turn, the joy of their reunion washing away any lingering surprise. "Logan, Virgil, Janus! It's been too long, you gits."

Finally, he stepped back, his gaze lingering on Patton a beat longer than necessary. "Seriously though, how did you guys manage to keep this a secret from me? Especially you, sunshine boy," he said with a playful nudge to Patton.

Just then, a mischievous glint sparked in Janus's eyes. "Let's just say, your dear mother may have unwittingly spilled the beans," he said, a teasing grin stretching across his face.