Sleight of Hand - Sanders Sides

Chapter Ten

Slight Trigger Warning in this one guys!

TW: Mentions of abuse

Stay safe out there!

Roman and Patton walked to the bus station in silence. Roman's performance was buzzing through his mind. Never did Roman think he'd have to be nervous about his performance. Dillon had his place in the highest level performers locked in. And what would Roman get for doing something challenging but within his comfort zone? What if he failed? What if he wasn't as good as he thought he was? What if people had only come to his shows out of pity? What if-

"Roman!" Patton said with a raised voice, shaking his shoulder a little bit. Roman's head turned to the cute boy. "The lady needs your bus pass." Patton directed, pointing to the bus. Roman snapped back to reality and pulled out his bus pass with slightly shaking hands.

They both entered the bus and took seats in the back. Patton read the little map of the city painted on the ceiling of the bus. "Three stops..." He announced to Roman. The magician nodded, staring out the window. "Okay, what's wrong?" Patton asked, grabbing Roman's left hand and taking it in his own. "And don't lie to me. I know that look." Roman chuckled a little but knew that Patton was right.

"I'm just a little worried about my...performance. Dillon did something hardly anyone can pull off. I did something that people know how to do just...not many get it right."

"Hey, look at me," Patton said, guiding his head to meet to eyes. "You gave an amazing performance. Who cares if others know how to do it, no one else did that. And, fuck Dillon, okay? Whatever he did, doesn't matter!" Patton sighed. It surprised Roman a little bit to hear Patton curse. But it only made him blush, knowing that he was serious. He was cute when he was serious. "Does that make any sense?"

"Yes, it makes perfect sense. And you're right. I shouldn't be worried about my performance or some crazy snake faced guy." The two laughed at the last part. The bus pulled up to the street, two stops to go. "I'm sorry if this is a sore subject but...you said, you let Dillon beat you in order to break up with him?" Roman questioned. He could tell Patton wasn't proud of the fact, but he took a breath and nodded.

"He always said, he'd kill me if I broke up with him. But after countless court meetings, I couldn't take it anymore." Patton leaned back in his seat. Roman's hand was still laced in his, so he gave it a firm squeeze and continued. "The night I told him that we should break up...he lost his mind. He broke things, he threw things, he hurt...me." He squeaked out with oncoming tears.

"He hit me, cut me, verbal abuse, physical abuse. Punches left and right! Too many scars and bruises to the point you couldn't see my pale skin. Just purple and red. And...no one...believed it." He wiped his tears on his black sleeve. Roman was caught up in the moment.

"Why didn't anyone believe you?"

"Dillon is a compulsive liar. All of our friends thought I did it for attention. All of our friends thought he broke up with me. All the people in my life turned away from me. And I was left to rot." The bus pulled up to the street's corner. One more stop.

Roman pulled Patton closer, wrapping his arms around him. Patton couldn't hold in any more tears, as he cried into Roman's chest. It was a painful sight to watch for Roman. All because of some sick freak that Roman was going to have to see on the daily. Roman's heart ached for the boy. And if like a switch was flipped in his mind, the magician realized, he was in love with the boy in his arms.

"Patton?" Roman croaked out quietly, not wanting to scare him. He tilted his head up to meet Roman's eyes. A little smile appeared on Roman's face which then found its way to Patton. Roman rubbed the boy's cheek with his thumb, their faces naturally getting closer. "Patton, I think...I think I'm-"

"I know." Before anyone could say anything else, the two met their lips together in a passionate kiss. Roman's eyes were wide but slowly closed. This was amazing. Everything the magician had wanted. Patton looked a little fearful as they pulled apart.

"What's wrong, darling?" Roman asked.

"I...I want to love you. But having a relationship still scares me." Patton muttered out. Roman gently kissed the top of Patton's soft, curly hair while rubbing his back comfortingly.

"I promise, our relationship will be nothing like your old one." Patton nodded, trying to convince himself of that.

The bus pulled up to the street again. Patton's stop. The poor boy freed himself from Roman's grasp and smiled at him. "I'll see you on Monday, Princey," Patton smirked. He leaned in a kissed Roman's cheek before dashing gracefully off the bus. Roman's heart sank as he left. He loved him. He truly, truly did.

Roman closed his eyes for what seemed like a minute before he realized the bus was at his stop. He wandered off the bus and walked the corner until he was face to face with his apartment complex. His heart was still in a flurry. Beating rapidly while his mind couldn't shake away Patton.

He unlocked his apartment and went inside. He liked his apartment. He had posters from every show he ever saw of performed in on the walls, reminding him of simpler times. He had two small couches that both faced his small coffee table and TV. His kitchen was to the right, pretty small and simple but just enough to suit him and his lifestyle.

He walked into the kitchen and opened his fridge. A small pizza box sat in the middle of it. He opened it up and took out a piece. He couldn't remember how long the pizza had been there but what could it hurt? He ate it cold, walking back into his living room and turning on the TV.

His thoughts were free of the competition. He wasn't thinking about his placement. His mind was void of Dillon. And he had his new little boyfriend to thank for all that.