The Sanders Sides

44 - 'You Look Hot'

Exhaustion draped itself over Patton like a warm blanket. Yet, despite the day's whirlwind of activity, sleep refused to claim him. He sat on the plush armchair in Roman's room, the silence broken only by the rhythmic tick of a grandfather clock.

Roman, sprawled on the bed, in nothing but a pair of shorts, seemed equally restless. He scrolled through his phone, a frown occasionally marring his features.

Roman at 10:55 pm posted a snapchat story that said "Why am I getting so many DM's -was is the hair? my bad i forgot to mention I dyed it 4 days ago.." With a flustered emoji.

"Hey," Patton finally spoke, his voice barely a whisper, A blush creeping onto his cheeks at Roman's toned abs and shirtless torso but pushed the thought down, cause it wasn't weird. their friend group were basiacally brothers. + Arya

Roman glanced up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Hey yourself, sunshine. Can't sleep either?"

Patton shook his head. "No, not really. Just... thinking."

A comfortable silence settled between them once more. Patton's gaze drifted to Roman's hair, the same choppy short style he'd always known, but with a bold new twist – a fiery red dye job that seemed to crackle under the muted glow of the bedside lamp.

Hesitantly, Patton spoke again. "I... I like your hair, Roman."

Roman's frown softened, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Patton. I was a bit nervous about it at first, but it's growing on me."

Patton nodded, his smile mirroring Roman's. The red hair seemed to accentuate the warmth in Roman's eyes, adding a touch of rebellion to his usual princely demeanor. "It suits you," Patton added, his voice barely above a murmur.

He regretted his words almost immediately. The casual compliment felt loaded with unspoken emotions, emotions he'd kept bottled up for far too long.

As if sensing his internal turmoil, Roman leaned closer, his gaze locking onto Patton's. "You know, Patton," he began, his voice low and husky, "it's good to have you guys back. It feels... different."

Patton swallowed hard, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. "Different how?"

Roman hesitated, then blurted out, "More... alive."

The air crackled with unspoken energy. Patton felt a surge of warmth bloom in his chest, a desperate urge to confess the true nature of his feelings.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, a different confession tumbled out, a truth he hadn't meant to reveal so soon.

"You... you look hot, Roman," he blurted, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

The unexpected compliment hung in the air, heavy and charged. Roman's eyes widened in surprise, then softened with a hint of amusement. A slow smile spread across his face, a smile that sent a jolt of electricity through Patton.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The weight of their unspoken feelings, the tentative hope for something more, hung heavy in the air. In the quiet intimacy of Roman's room, bathed in the warm glow of the bedside lamp, their reunion had taken an unexpected turn, one that promised a future filled with both friendship and the exhilarating uncertainty of blossoming love.

The weight of his own confession settled on Patton like a lead balloon. His cheeks burned a fiery red, hotter than Roman's newly dyed hair. "Oh my gosh, Roman," he stammered, scrambling to his feet. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to... to blurt that out like that. Did I make you uncomfortable?"

Roman, however, didn't seem fazed. In fact, a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. Before Patton could launch into another apology, Roman chuckled, a warm sound that sent shivers down Patton's spine.