A/N: a quick update because i have a 1/4 of this pre-written and I'm quickly getting more chapters done and today is my birthday so here's a celebratory chapter! enjoy and dont forget to drop me a review and tell me what you think! xxx.
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"Roman, would you mind staying back a few minutes after class, I'd like a word." Roman feels everyone's eyes on him as the biology teacher dismisses them all. He shoves his text book in his bag roughly, knowing exactly what she wants to talk to him about. The last test he did, he didn't even pass. So she'd asked him to re-sit it, saying that it didn't matter what he got as long as he passed and she could help him from there. He failed that re-sit, only getting one or two marks more than the first test. That alone should of made her call his parents, but for some reason she took pity on him and asked him to take the test again. It's not the most ideal situation, seeing as he's failed it twice and a third probably won't make much difference, but it's better than letting his father know just how badly he's doing. He's probably failed it again, but he doesn't know what to do if he has.
The rest of the class slowly filter out of the room, some casting sympathetic glances at him as they leave. He hangs back by his desk until everyone is gone, approaching his teachers desk when she's finally settled. She looks up at him with a small smile, and Roman can see how stressed the poor woman looks.
"So it's not all bad news Roman. You passed the second re-sit," Roman feels some weight roll off of his shoulders, a sigh of relief falling from his lips. She hands him the paper with her red scrawl scribbled all over it, the big red D shining bright at the top of the page. "The bad news is that it wasn't by much. You were right on the boundary, but I'm just so happy that you passed. It means that we can start working on what problems you have." Roman thanks her, folding the test paper up and opening his bag to slide it into his folder.
"Look Roman, I know that you've always found this class hard, and I appreciate that. And I know that little stunt you pulled with Corey was just because you were desperate not to fail, but I know that you can do this Roman. We're gonna' do whatever we can to get you to at least a C, alright? And don't worry; I'm not going to call your parents. But I will be calling them if you don't pass the next test. It's in two weeks, so I'm giving you a week head start in front of the others. Use it wisely, OK? Now off you go, maybe you can get that brother of yours to help you." Roman thanks her multiple times before he almost runs out of the classroom.
He passed. It's all that really matters right now. Passing, passing his classes means he can get into college. Passing his classes will make Dean happy, and that means just as much. Roman shoulders past the students littering the hallways, intent on finding Dean and telling him that maybe he could do biology after all.
Dean's waiting at his locker like for him like he always does, but he's not alone. Seth is with him, standing so close to him it's like they're attached at the hip. It makes Roman's fists clench, the good mood he's just been put in slowly seeping away from him with every step he takes toward them. He can hear Seth's voice, laughing at whatever lame joke Dean just said. Dean sees him coming, a wide grin splitting onto his face. Roman forces himself to look happy and tries not to glare at Seth.
"Hey Rome, what took you so long? Usually you're the first one out." Dean laughs, almost completely turning away from Seth. Roman fights back the urge to grin, because that would be extremely childish.
"Ms Miller wanted to talk to me. I finally passed my biology paper." Dean's face lights up at that, his arms instantly engulfing Roman.
"What did I tell you? I knew you could do it, Rome!"
"Yeah well, couldn't have done it without your help." Roman grins, holding onto Dean maybe a moment or two longer than he should have.
"Yeah, well done Roman, told you it was just a hiccup." Seth chimes in, smiling at him. Roman wants to roll his eyes, but forces himself to smile anyway.
"Thanks Seth, you pass that history thing you were freaking out about last week?"
"Oh yeah, managed to do some cramming the night before. Passed it and got the grade I wanted, so I think I can stop worrying now."
"Good, well, well done. Here's to finally passing." He smiles at Seth, only because Dean's got this big goofy grin on his face as they converse. Roman shoves him playfully, opening up his locker and pulling the rest of his books out and putting them in his bag.
"Oh Rome, I'm not gonna' be coming home straight away. Seth and I are going to this bookstore to get these new textbooks. I already called mom, she's not expecting me back." Dean grins at Seth, who grins back at him equally as wide and it pisses Roman the fuck off. He doesn't know why, because it's just a bookshop, but Seth just gets under his skin.
"Alright, well have fun you nerds." Roman says, trying to keep the disappointment out of his tone.
"Shut up, you asshole." Dean shoves him before letting Seth throw an arm around his shoulder and lead them away from the lockers. Roman watches them leave, his gut twisting uncomfortably at the way Seth leans in close to Dean's ear and says something that makes Dean let out a loud, wonderful sounding laugh. Slamming his locker shut, he struts down the corridor, preparing to walk home alone for the first time in a very long time.
xXx
The smell of his mother's home made lasagne wafts all the way up to his room, making him look away from the littering of papers in front of him. He's been working nonstop since he got home, focusing mainly on biology but dipping into his other subjects too. Dean isn't back yet, though it's only half six, and it shouldn't annoy him like it is.
With a shake of his head and an annoyed sigh, Roman gets back to his work. He's going to do this, he's going to pass biology whether it kills him or not, because the thought of not going to college is like a horrible nightmare that won't go away. The thought of Dean going to college without him feels like someone driving a screwdriver into his chest. It's all kinds of painful that Roman would rather not think about, but he's got to think about it if he wants to pass this class. It's an incentive, of sorts, because he and Dean have been talking about college for a long time.
The plan, the plan they came up with many years ago that still stands, is to go to Georgia Tech and do football. Well that was their only plan, until Seth came along, bringing a stream of other possibilities with him, throwing the idea of med school into the air. Apparently, that's something Dean would really be into. And something their dad likes the sound of too, but it doesn't sound even remotely appealing to Roman.
Well maybe it does, because there's nothing more Roman would like to see than Dean succeeding in something he both loves and excels in, but he'd like to be beside him when he does. And that's selfish, Roman knows that, but the thought of Dean being hundreds of miles across the country does horrible things to his insides. And it's not like he's ever going to be able to get into med school.
The sound of the door slamming downstairs once again pulls him out of his work, the restless energy that seemed to be buzzing around his body finally settling. He's never really understood it, but his body has always been able to tell when Dean's around. If he's angry, and Dean is nearby, he'll calm down. Roman gathers up all his papers and piles them up on the floor, shoving his pens in his pen pot as he passes his desk.
When he gets downstairs, Dean is helping their mom set the table. There is a great big smile on his face and Roman can't help but feel Dean's happiness latch itself onto him too, his grin being more than a little contagious.
"Get your nerd-books Deano?" Roman finds himself asking, taking plates from his mother and setting them down on the placemats. She scolds him lightly for his words, but they don't affect Dean, who's grin only gets wider.
"In fact I did, and I managed to get you something too." Roman raises an eyebrow as Dean scurries off into the hallway, returning shortly after holding something behind his back. He's still wearing that beautiful grin when he speaks up.
"Close your eyes, Ro."
"Oh my god Dean, why-"
"Just close your eyes for me, please Ro?" Of course, Roman complies. Because it's do Dean. He closes his eyes for a couple of seconds, a soft sigh escaping his lips before Dean is telling him to open his eyes and Roman can practically hear the grin through Dean's voice. In front of him, Dean is holding a large book, it's bright yellow with large black lettering reading 'Biology for Dummies'. Dean is snickering as realisation spreads across Roman's face. He takes the book from Dean, staring down at it and flipping through the pages. Dean's brought it him as a joke, but Roman guesses it may be helpful for something.
"You're an idiot." Roman says fondly, hand reaching out to ruffle Dean's hair. "Thank you, though." Dean slightly scowls as he fixes his hair, but the grin is still present.
After dinner, Roman excuses himself to go back upstairs to try and cram another hour or two of studying in before relaxing for the night. He's halfway through a mock paper when there's the familiar sound of a quiet, rhythmic knock on his door. It's unmistakably Dean, and Roman looks up from his work.
"Come in." The door opens slowly, revealing Dean who's freshly showered and dressed in an old pair of sweats and one of Roman's t-shirts. It shouldn't make Roman's heart flutter, because they've always shared clothes here and there, but it does. Dean steps into the room, hair damp and a soft, tired look on his face.
"Don't overwork yourself, Rome." Dean says, padding over to the bed and plopping down next to him. Roman sighs, twisting his pen in his hand. He is tired, eyes starting to sting from looking at words on a page for a long time.
"I have to pass, Dean." He stifles a yawn, avoiding Dean's obvious glare.
"You have plenty of time to pass, Ro. You're not going to be remember all of this in one night. Just take a break for tonight, alright? We can do some more tomorrow." The 'we' part of Dean's comment makes his heart swell a little, as Dean shuts Roman's books and places all his stuff on the floor. Dean pushes him until he's finally letting out a yawn and shuffling towards the head of his bed, discarding his hoodie and making himself comfortable as Dean rifles through his DVD cabinet. Dean finally gives up and puts on a mindless comedy, settling partially on Roman's lap and partially next to him as the opening credits roll on the screen.
It's when they're in positions like this, at times like this, that Roman is truly happy. Nothing beats just laying back and unwinding with Dean, feeling his brother breathing peacefully next to him while Roman runs a hand through his hair, both slightly dozing and paying to mind to the movie playing on the screen.
These moments usually only happen on weekends, because on weekdays, after Dean's completed every piece of homework ever, or has been with Seth all evening or Roman has been with Randy, they're too pooped to do much else other than shower and go to bed. Or sometimes they'll help their father fix up his old car in the garage.
So these moments, the quiet, precious moments are the ones Roman treasures most. Because he knows it isn't going to be like this forever. They're going to be going to college soon, and their lives are going to move on at some point and all of this will be somewhat over.
It hits him hard in the chest and he pushes those thoughts away, he doesn't want to think about the future, only what is right now, and that is Dean with his head pressed against his chest, breathing quietly as he dozes.