Birthday Distress

Roman was trying his best to not seem bigheaded. From what he has seen in the past, his methods of covering up his insecurities had conflicted Patton, annoyed Virgil and Logan, given Deceit the impression that he was brainless and gullible, and encouraged Remus to amplify the behavior described as "extra." That being said, when he woke up and looked at his calendar confirming that it was his birthday, he decided against making a big deal about it. He put on the skirt, tights, boots, and dress shirt he wore for special occasions, but he figured that it would be the most subtle he could be.

He left his room to do the rest of his bathroom routine and grab himself some breakfast. Until Crofters could make a jam in his honor, he rather enjoyed the strawberry one the most, so that's what he put on his slices of toast to go along with the Mickey Mouse waffles he made for himself.

Roman saw the others go to the kitchen and get breakfast, and though he saw that they took notice in his outfit, the Prince didn't think they saw any significance in his attire. After finishing his breakfast, Roman cleaned his dishes and put them away for the sake of making things easier for Patton. He told everyone else that he was headed for the Imagination to take part in combat and everyone else mumbled some words along the lines of "be careful out there" and "okay." He grabbed his sword from his room and left for the Imagination, but not with as much enthusiasm as normal.

He wasn't lying to everyone else when he said that he was going to take part in combat, but he just didn't say it was to take his mind off of everything he couldn't stop thinking about. As much as Roman would have liked to pretend, he knew that he was nowhere near perfect. He had his fair share of flaws that makes him wonder if his family actually liked him or just tolerated him because he couldn't go even if he tried (which he has in the middle of the night). He knew there were times where everyone else could handle his company, but he has screwed up so many times that if he had that amount in nickels, he'd be able to afford a diamond ring. He'd been loud, he'd been seemingly vain, he'd been chimerical, he had done a lot that he could in an attempt to silence his insecurities but simultaneously be seen by his peers in a not-so-desirable light. After piercing the Dragon Witch's heart again, he looked at his reflection in his sword with disappointment on his face. He wanted to be like the princes from the Disney films, not Prince Charming from Shrek.

After succumbing to his thoughts, Roman shook the blood off of his sword and walked to a tree where he could sit down and stare at the waves of the ocean clashing against each other and the rocks down below. He couldn't help but think about the idea that everyone else was relieved that he left for a good while and yet wouldn't be relieved for too long since he would come back eventually. If he were to leave long term, where would he even go? How would he manage the real world without his flaws getting in the way? How long would it take for Roman to attempt to manage until he came crawling back home? He knew the other sides had skeletons in their own closets, but he didn't know how to start the potential conversation. It was not like he could say, "Hey, I'm damaged, too. One of the reasons Deceit is around is because I lie about being strong. Please help keep me from wishing I could disappear," since it would put him at risk of being accused of begging for attention. Sure, some of them might actually get what he's going through, but he felt they were outweighed by everyone else who would make him feel like he was talking to a wall. Roman knew that he wanted to be assured that there were those that cared for him and would give him permission to cry and be vulnerable while he was stuck in a world where someone like him is expected to be strong no questions asked, but he didn't want that sense of care to feel forced.

Roman stayed at his spot for who knows how long before he saw a familiar figure looking around in confusion. Roman approached the figure and was surprised, to say the least.

"Thomas? What are you doing here?" the Prince asked.

"Well, I'm probably still on my couch, but I just wanted to find you and tell you happy birthday," Thomas told him while looking at his outfit.

"Oh, um, thanks, Thomas," he looks away awkwardly.

"What's wrong? It's one of your favorite days of the year, isn't it?"

"Well, yes, but... is it really right celebrating another year for me when I'm basically a liability to the others?"

"Everyone has doubts about themselves, but take it from me, everyone else still loves you. Remember what Virgil said when you all were puppets?"

"Well, even when Logan caved and turned into a puppet, I still wasn't feeling all that great."

"No one said it would be taken care of immediately. However, how can you be so sure no one would be willing to listen to what you're dealing with?"

"My attempts at compensating for those doubts made a lasting impression, and you should know that better than anyone."

Thomas looked around again and hugged Roman ever so tightly. Although Roman could recreate this moment, he didn't want it to end.

"Roman, there are many of us you can talk to. If we're willing to hear Patton and Virgil out, don't think we won't do the same for you."

Roman looked at Thomas with tears in his eyes.

"Sure, Disney movies tend to neglect the fact that more Disney princes have their own battles to deal with, but that doesn't make you any less strong. You'll always be our hero no matter what happens."

The Prince gave Thomas a smile as if he fully understood part of what the fanders saw in him. Roman brought Thomas home before heading back to the Mindspace to fix himself some dinner. Oddly, Roman saw multiple plates and a note in the middle of the table that said "Count backwards from five." Roman slowly did so and everyone popped up from behind the counter shouting "Surprise!" Since Roman never actually brought it up, he was genuinely surprised by what the Sides had done for him.

"Hope you don't mind the method of counting backwards," Virgil brought it up.

"But, why did you include it?" Roman asked.

"Simple. It's supposed to be a method of destressing," Logan explained.

"While we were preparing for your party, I felt some negative emotions from your direction, so Logan gave Thomas the idea to search for you in the Imagination and he did the rest," Patton explained while he prepared to hug Roman.

Roman accepted the hug and smiled.

"There's a lot that I want to get off my chest if you guys will allow me to, but can we save it until tomorrow? And I'd appreciate it if I was given a reminder in case I get too scared to try," Roman told them.

Logan wrote down the reminder and said to Roman, "Certainly, Roman. If it'll assure that we're willing to stick together, we'll hear you out."

The party wasn't too extreme, just sharing dinner and cake, cracking some jokes, and a few gifts being left in Roman's room all before they had a movie marathon in the living room. Roman didn't care that the party wasn't too extravagant nor did he care that it was only celebrated in the evening; all he cared about was that he spent a good amount of it with a family who loves him dearly.