Six
Dean stood in court next to Clarence Mason, glancing at Regal who seemed nervous. The American Literature professor repeatedly tugged at the collar of his white shirt.
The judge - an old man with grey hair and beard - did not seemed to be amused by Regal's withdrawal. "You mean you were under medication when it happened?"
"My medication makes me hallucinate at times," the professor lied. "Dean did nothing. In fact, he's one of my favorite students."
The judge looked at Dean.
"Your honor," Clarence said. "My client has always maintained his innocence."
"I am aware of that, counsel," the judge replied before turning to Dean. "Mr Ambrose, in light of this new piece of information from Professor Regal, I'm releasing you with no sentencing. You are free to leave."
He knocked his gravel.
Dean had never been so relieved in his life. He thanked Mason profusely before fist bumping Brennan. Upon seeing his boyfriend, he embraced him tightly. "Thank you, babe."
"I love you," Roman whispered. "I told you it'll be okay. By the way, I filed a report in school against him for the grievances he has caused you. We should be hearing from them shortly after Clarence sends the verdict over to their office."
At least he seemed normal. "That's good news. Are you going to box today?"
Roman nodded. "Yeah, I am."
"I have nothing planned. I'll follow."
Michael was talking to Randy when they both arrived at the gym. Dean noticed that the man's brown eyes kept going back to Roman during their conversation.
Not that Roman noticed. Hi boyfriend was drinking water from his sports bottle before he smacked Dean on his butt. "My butt's insured," the blue eyed man teased.
Roman grinned. "So is my Merchandise. Ah yessir!" He shouted that last bit; Dean was pretty sure his face was red. Some gym goers laughed a little before continuing their workout. Coach Ron, who was lecturing a young man, smirked at him.
"Roman!"
The grey eyed man laughed. "It's easy to wind you up."
"You…"
Roman took off his t-shirt. Dean ogled at him in awe, admiring his physique, the intricate tribal tattoo sleeve on his right arm which extended to his right chest pec. "Like what you see?" his boyfriend teased him.
Dean had to smile at that. "Yeah."
"We're going to bang all night to celebrate," the former champion whispered into his ear, causing him to shiver involuntarily. Roman nibbled on the side of his left neck. "Fuck, babe," Dean hissed softly. "Not now."
Roman pouted.
Dean shook his head. "If you had it your way, we'd probably be banging on the floor right now."
"I've never done it in public-"
"No, thank you."
His boyfriend laughed again. "Oh Dean." Roman kissed him on his forehead. "Don't change."
He all but melted upon hearing that. "Do you want me to tie your gloves for you?"
"You know how to?"
"I can try…"
"Okay. Let me wrap my hands first."
He watched Roman quietly tape his hands while his eyes kept darting to Michael who was still sneaking glances at the Samoan man. Dean did not like the feeling that was creeping up on him. Once his boyfriend seemed satisfied, the auburn haired man slid the gloves on his hands and tied the laces.
Roman made no complaints so maybe he did it right. "Is it okay?" he asked.
"More than that." His boyfriend sat beside him and watched two men sparring in the ring.
Dean laid his head on Roman's left shoulder. A moment later, he felt Roman's head on top of his. This was his boyfriend. He'd chalk up yesterday's behavior to Roman being a dork. His dork, he reminded himself.
"You put a spell on me," his boyfriend sang softly, "I'm right where you want me to be." He kissed Dean's forehead again.
"Reigns, it's your turn. Get your ass in this ring. Date's over," Coach Ron instructed.
Roman grinned. "Wrong. I still have all night in a whole lot of ways."
Dean was mortified; he looked down, focusing on his hands. His boyfriend gave him a quick kiss before sliding into the ring.
But fuck if the blue eyed man wasn't proud of him as he watched his Roman the dork turn into Roman the boxing champion before his eyes as training started.
Roman shuffled his feet, throwing blows on the boxing target pads Coach Ron was wearing. "That's right," his coach kept repeating. "Hit hard!"
Hit often, he added silently.
Swinging his right hand, Coach Ron tried to move swiftly but Roman's fist met the target just as quick. He stared intensely, his mind working fast, pacing perfectly with his coach's movements.
He heard people cheering as he moved about, his feet light and his arms poised to strike.
Coach put his hands down but raised it just as fast but not before Roman swung his right arm, giving the pad an uppercut.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Coach Ron boomed. "That's the champion I know! We're taking a break. I need to smoke!"
Right. Of course. His coach's mandatory smoke break.
He got out of the ring where Dean wiped his sweat off his face with a towel. "You were great up there," his boyfriend complimented him.
"I'm only great because I have you," Roman said.
"You've been boxing before me. Passion doesn't die just because you stop doing it. You had no choice but to give it up. Remember when you told me how you actively sought your coach to train you?"
Roman smiled.
"Boxing's your heart and soul," Dean continued. "It's your life… no matter what don't give it up again."
"You know me."
"Of course I do. I can see it in your eyes and the way you move." Dean cleared his throat. "Speaking of which, umm… last night… you didn't seem yourself."
"I didn't?" Roman was puzzled.
"Yeah. I mean you were stranger than usual."
"I am not strange."
"Well, dorky then."
"Did I do something that was remotely out of character?"
"Well for one thing, you were okay with me bringing Brennan to James' house. That's not you. I expected a long lecture on laying low till the trial."
Roman shrugged. Then he remembered why. "There's nothing wrong with being happy."
"No, there isn't."
"I went out and bumped into Michael at Grilled Burger last evening when I couldn't find you. And we talked. His grandfather, Kevin Smith, was one of the greatest boxers I had the honor of competing in the ring with."
Dean frowned. "You ate together?"
"Well, yeah. But nothing happened. We just talked, mostly about his grandfather. He's gone."
"Oh. What did he die of? Old age?"
"I wished. Pancreatic cancer." He sighed. "I hate cancer. It takes away your loved ones in a blink of an eye. It hurts to see them suffer and you know that there's nothing you can do about it. The boxing world lost a legend."
Dean was quiet for a while. "Roman, do you like him?"
"Kevin? Yeah. He actually taught me a lot."
"No, I meant Michael."
The idea was hilarious. "No, Dean. I don't."
"You realise that subconsciously you maybe do, right?"
"What? Why on earth would I like him subconsciously?"
"Because he reminds you of Xavier. He seem to keep looking at you."
He sat down beside Dean. "His eyes can keep looking at me but Dean, my eyes are on you. It's not a boisterous feeling that you give me - though I do tend to bounce off the wall at times - but it's a quiet joy. I smiled more since you came into my life. I take things easier too. I was in a good mood because I realised that I was not attracted to him."
Dean looked at him.
"All throughout our conversation, we kept talking about his grandfather and his business; he's a comic book store owner. My mind kept wandering back to you. He may look like Xavier but he's not Xavier. No one can take Xavier's place. Just like how no one can take your place. I love you, Dean. There's no competition here. I'd do it all over again with you."
Tears welled up in Dean's eyes. "Damn it, Roman. Are you trying to make me cry?"
"I was just being honest."
His boyfriend smiled before pulling him close to kiss him tenderly. "Dork."
"Your dork."
Their lips almost met again before-
"Can't you two keep your hands off one another till the end of training?" Coach Ron complained.
Roman rolled his eyes. "Xavier and I used to do the same thing, you know."
"Mmm hmmm and I gave him hell for it. Get your ass in the ring. You're sparring with Randy."
The former champion stood up and stretched his arms before bending down to claim Dean's lips. "Round two."
And Dean laughed.
Coach Ron stood next to him as he watched Roman dance in circles around Randy in the ring.
"I'm glad you brought a smile to his face," Coach Ron told the auburn haired man. "But I'd watch for the doppelganger there."
Dean followed Coach Ron's gaze on Michael who was watching the session too. "Roman said I had nothing to be worried about."
"I love that boy like my own grandson. Trust me. But I also know how much he loved Xavier. I'm not saying he's going to cheat on you. Far from it, he's loyal to a fault. Boxing was his right hand; Xavier was his left. That's how it was. This guy - since the moment he stepped in here - even made me think that Xavier returned from vacation or something. With what would have been his birthday coming up this week-"
Dean gulped.
"I just hope it doesn't stir up any more memories for him just as he's starting to move on with you."
"When's his birthday?" Dean asked.
"Thursday."
Fuck. That was a day away.
Still, knowing how much Xavier meant to his boyfriend, maybe they could do something together to honor him.
He was sure that would make Roman happy.
After Roman finished sparring, he sat down with Dean where he teased the auburn haired man until he was red in the face again.
He must get a kick out of doing that to him, Dean decided.
Coach Ron announced that training was over for the day, asking them to get a room. "Sure," Roman agreed. "There's a hotel close by."
"No hotels," Dean informed him. "We're going home to spend some quality time together."
His boyfriend made a sad face.
As they left the gym, Dean noticed that Michael was staring at them.
Roman's cheekiness wasn't restricted to just the gym. When they got home, Dean asked him to hit the shower; he'd make them something to eat.
"Scrub my body?" his boyfriend asked keenly.
Dean stuck his tongue out. "I don't work in a spa."
"Did anyone tell you how hot you look when you do that?"
"No…"
Roman removed his Ambrose Asylum t-shirt and threw it on the couch. "Our celebration starts now!"
Dean allowed himself to be carried up to the bathroom.
The Samoan man wasted no time kissing him passionately, hands travelling all over. When the auburn haired man felt lips on his cheek going down to his neck, he clung onto his boyfriend.
His cellphone started to ring and he saw James' name flashed across the screen. "Babe, give me a second. I have to answer this." He slid his hand over the answer button. "James?"
"Dean? I need your help. Can you meet me at Hyde Park?" The blond sounded nervous.
"Now?"
"...Yeah."
"Sure. Hang tight. I'll be there in fifteen minutes." He gave Roman an apologetic look. "He needs my help."
"Do you want me to follow?"
"It's okay. If it's urgent, I'll call you."
"Please do," Roman said.
"I love you," he whispered. He kissed his Samoan beauty before pushing him into the bathroom.
Dean walked towards the direction of Hyde Park. He fervently hoped that James was okay.
What if Regal took out his frustration on his best friend? He couldn't run that far if he did. Brennan had already asked him to keep him abreast of any news regarding James too.
There was a traffic in front of him which would take forever to reach.
Maybe he ought to jaywalk. It'd be faster and he would be able to intercept James should he be followed by his professor.
As he walked a few steps, crossing the road, he heard a loud screeching sound. He turned to look but it was too late.
He felt the impact of the Jaguar, sending him flying across the road before rendering him unconscious.
A/N Who ran Dean over? Thank you for your favorite, follows and kind words. Adrianna, I'm glad you're okay with the frequent updates :-)