Sleight of Hand - Sanders Sides

Chapter Fourteen

Roman marched backstage only to be greeted by a big hug from Patton. It took the magician by some surprise but he returned the hug nonetheless. When the two pulled apart, Roman let out a gasp as he noticed his boyfriend's face was caked in damp tears and his eyes were red as blood. "What happened, darling?" Roman asked immediately, cupping the poor boy's face in his warm hands.

"He...he..." Patton choked out. But Roman didn't need to hear anymore. Roman knew exactly the 'he' Patton was talking about.

"What did he say to you?" Roman demanded to know, grabbing Patton's hands tightly.

"Alright folks, that's the first round complete!" Anton shouted, walking backstage with a clipboard in his hands. "And I'm happy to announce the winners of this first round are: Sloane McLaughlin, Elliot Pennybacker, Kai Atwell, Chad Wickhills, Dillon Ceit, and Roman Sparx. You 6 are moving on. So, can I please have Mr. McLaughlin, Mx. Pennybacker, and Mr. Ciet back on stage please!"

There were a few murmurs of understandings and thank yous to Anton while the performers who didn't make it gathered their stuff and left in a rush. Roman didn't care though. He turned his attention back to his boyfriend. "Please Patton, tell me what he said."

"He just said, that you'd fail this competition because of me. And that I don't deserve to be around you." Roman shook his head, bringing his boyfriend in for another hug to comfort him.

"You know that isn't true though. You know Dillon better than anyone and you know he's a liar." Roman told him calmly. "I can't let Dillon come between you and me as he did to Logan and I. Let's just focus on the competition and kicking Dillon's ass," Roman concluded. His statement earned a laugh from Patton as he nodded, planting a sweet and small kiss on his lips.

"Okay. You're right, Ro. I'm sorry." Patton said. He shook out his hands, running his hands through his hair. "Break a leg, Roman. Remember, this round determines who of the highest level will battle for the best of the best tomorrow." After that, Patton found himself wandering back to his tech station.

Roman nodded to himself, eagerly wondering what the next challenge was. He found himself lost in his thoughts, mainly involving his love. He wished he could've been backstage to protect Patton from Dillon. He wished he could truly show Patton how much he met to the young magician. He wished Dillon never entered this competition, but there was only one way to do that now.

Suddenly the three on-stage performers came backstage again, queuing him to stand again and head towards the backstage curtain. He caught the eye of Dillon as he wandered backstage. The man smirked, his eyes giving off a glint of a devilish demeanor. "GOOD luck, Roman. May the best man win."

Roman shook him off his mind and hopped on stage. He met the eyes of his other competitors, giving them a friendly smile. On the table in front of him was a stack of cups. His mind ran with the possibilities of what he could do with the cups.

"Alright, your task is to use those cups to wow me. Good luck. Please begin!" Anton shouted. Roman took one of the many cups in the stack. With the one cup he went about the process of performing the cup through the table trick. While it was simple, not many could pull it off super well. He noticed from the corner of his eye that the other two performers were watching him.

Roman could help as his ego flared. As he finished up his trick, seeing how the other two competitors had fancy cup stacks made his confidence skyrocket. Roman bowed to Anton and jumped backstage once more. Patton was there to congratulate him but now it was a waiting game to see who had made the next round.

After a long while, Anton rounded to the backstage, his round sunglasses blocking his stone-cold eyes. "Alright, babies. You all did an amazing job with this challenge, but only two may proceed. I am pleased to say, Mr. Sparx and Mx. Pennybacker will be proceeding to the next round. Please be back here tomorrow with an entire act planned." With that, everyone went about their own ways.

"Congratulations, Roman!" Patton cheered, wrapped his arms around his waist. Roman was ready to celebrate with him, but he saw Dillon bounding towards him. His arms went protectively around Patton as Dillon came closer.

"This IS the end." And with that, the snake-like man stormed off. From behind him, stood Logan. He looked awfully overworked. His hair was astray and his glasses were askew. His eyes read full heartbreak. He looked at Roman with fear, as if begging for help. "COME ON, LEWIS!" Dillon shouted to Logan who jumped.

"I-It's Logan....sir." The nerdy man mumbled as he followed behind him.

"Uh, anyway, I have to sweep off the stage tonight so I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Patton said. He gave his love one final squeeze before wandering off for the night. Roman sighed, wishing to help Logan. He made a mental note to himself to text Patton and ask about him.

The magician went to grab his belongings in his old high school jersey bag. While it was old, it held too many memories to get rid of. As he was ready to leave the tent, his ears caught the serenading sounding of something. He stepped back to the stage area, peaking through the curtains. He almost couldn't believe his eyes.

"You've stripped me of my pride--That's for the best, but you've also deprived me of a full night's rest. So no more dreams, where we pull through. And I can't collect my thoughts 'cause they're still with you." Patton was singing Roman's favorite song. His jaw dropped. His singing was beautiful and incredibly pure.

"Patton?" Roman questioned. The boy jumped in fright, dropping the broom in his hand. He watched Roman with fearful eyes. He took careful steps back, just trying to get away. "Watch out!" Roman shouted, but it was too late. Patton had already fallen off the side of the stage. Roman rushed over to help him but Patton had fearfully run out of the tent's opening. Roman's heart sank. After everything that had happened, this was only the cherry to the collapsing cake.