Twenty Six

"So what are you getting Dean for his birthday?"

Roman closed his locker door and smiled at Seth who was buffing his nails. Gym had ended, it being the last lesson that Friday afternoon but Dean wasn't allowed to go home like the rest. He had detention for using the F word in class against his World History teacher about a deduction of points.

"Something that he'll definitely be proud to wear," Roman gushed happily.

"A t-shirt?"

"No."

"Jeans?"

"What?"

Finn called out to Seth, saving Roman more interrogation from his boyfriend's brother. Seth bid him a good day before running off. Okay. Time to head down to the jeweller's before they closed.

Roman hadn't been lying when he said Dean would be proud of his gift; he was getting him a promise ring. It had been on his mind all week. Sure he debated with himself internally but he figured that it would make sense.

They were soulmates; they'd be together for the rest of their lives.

So far the plan was to have a bonfire (Corey's idea) at the lake (Roman's idea) on Saturday and invite those closest to Dean. Last night, as they cuddled on the sofa watching TV in Dean's house, he almost let slip his little surprise when Dean kept pressing him on the details.

"How am I supposed to know how to dress?" Dean had grumbled when Roman shook his head weakly.

"You always dress in the same clothes. You'll be fine," came Roman's counter.

The only downer was his family insisting that Afu be invited for the party. Roman liked Afu; considered him a friend too but Dean still had reservations about him and Roman did not want his boyfriend being in a foul mood on his birthday.

His parents were worried about his safety while Uncle Afa thought it'd be a nice gesture to just let him have a night out.

Roman could not argue with that. While they were on high alert, Bray had disappeared mysteriously with not a clue about what had happened to him. Mr Regal didn't even bother to announce it, continuing on with the class.

He was still breathing down Dean's neck about the AP Class, insisting he'd do well. Roman had pleaded with Dean not to accept when his boyfriend almost caved in. Mr Regal knew how to push the right buttons.

But Roman knew Dean better.

His father and Mark had promised that they'd look into Mr Regal's background and see if they could find anything. After all, who knew what other lies were present in this town?

Dean made an airplane and threw it across the classroom. Unfortunately, it landed on the second table in the row. He made a face and leaned against his chair.

Roman had already told him that he wouldn't be waiting for him, that he'd see him tomorrow instead; Dean had been sorely disappointed but he figured it had to do with his party. Why else would Roman be so secretive?

He drummed his fingers on the table, eyes roaming about. Bray had disappeared, the weasel. Who knew where he was hiding or what he was doing. The unsettling thing was that the Wyatts mansion was empty.

Did they leave town again? And so soon without a fight?

Dean was kind of disappointed. He had been hoping to kick some asses in this feud. Now, he'd have to settle for an uneventful senior year.

"Dean, you may go now," Mr Long announced.

He pushed his desk away and stood up, wondering now what to do with himself. Sneaking into Roman's bedroom was out of the question… or was it?

Dean grinned mischievously to himself. With any luck, he'd find Roman jerking off with his name on his lips.

When he reached his boyfriend's home, he climbed the pipe before skillfully positioning himself on the window ledge.

Peeping inside, he didn't find Roman but Afu standing in the middle of the room, talking to someone.

Straining his ears, he struggled to listen in on the conversation.

"Yeah, it's all been arranged. No problems so far. He doesn't seem to know about it. Yep. I understand. See you tomorrow."

And he hung up the phone.

A bad feeling overcame Dean. This wasn't good. Afu was a traitor; he had to be.

And poor Roman was unsuspecting as always.

No way. No one was going to hurt his boyfriend. Dean would tear them apart limb by limb if they tried to hurt him.

When he was a safe distance from the house, he decided to text Roman to meet him. He had to give him a heads up so that he'd know what to do.

Roman, it's me, he typed. Listen. Meet me at the park near the mall when you get this. I'll be there till nine. There's trouble. I love you.

Dean hoped Roman would read it.

His cellphone buzzed almost immediately and he sighed in relief when his boyfriend replied that he'd be there shortly.

And he would have been that way the whole day until he saw Roman talking to Afu near the park. "What's he doing here?" Dean demanded in an accusatory tone.

Roman looked taken aback. "I called him. If it's about trouble, he has to know. He's a warrior too."

Dean was starting to think the whole thing was a nightmare. He had to get Roman away from the traitor. "Can I talk to you in private?"

He didn't give Roman a chance to reply, merely dragging him along to an apple tree a distance away.

"What's wrong?" Roman asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Something is going on with that guy," he commented. "I climbed up your window and heard him talking to someone over the phone."

"Ummm okay?"

"About something being already arranged and how you don't seem to know about it. What's worse is that he's seeing the person tomorrow."

"Did he specifically said I wouldn't know?"

"Ummm no. He didn't."

Roman gave him a lopsided smile. "So how do you know it's about me?"

"Roman! Something doesn't seem right about that guy."

His boyfriend sighed. "Dean, we're just friends. Besides, my parents want me to bring him along to the party. So I assigned him a task for it to get him involved."

"I have a bad feeling about him, Roman."

"Or you could be letting your imagination run wild."

Dean glared at him. "I doubt it."

"Would you like me to ask him?"

"Of course not. That's not how you catch someone."

"Dean, he's my friend and my bodyguard. His role is to protect me, not harm me. Relax, will you?"

The auburn haired young man was disappointed that his boyfriend did not believe him. "Yeah, sure," he mumbled.

"Why were you at my house though? I told you I'd meet you tomorrow."

"I wanted to sneak into your room and surprise you. It was a stupid idea."

Roman held his hand. "Don't say that."

But it was a stupid idea. What use was it telling Roman about Afu when he was naive like always? "It was. Look, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay." His boyfriend looked at him with concern. "I'll pick you up-"

"No, it's fine. Just text me the address tomorrow morning or something. I'll drive there."

"But I was planning to drive you. Dad said he could borrow me his car. And I kind of have something planned for just the two of us before the party."

"Will Afu be there?" Dean asked.

"Dean!"

"What? It's a serious question. He's around when there's trouble and I'm trouble."

"That's not true. Where are you getting all this from?" The grey eyed young man hugged Dean, dropping a kiss to his forehead. "Look. Go home and just rest, alright? It's going to be a long night tomorrow."

Dean merely nodded. "Yeah, you're right. See you tomorrow." He disentangled himself from Roman's arms and walked towards his car.

It was only when he was halfway home when he realised that he hadn't kissed Roman goodbye.

A pair of eyes watched the two lovers separate as one walked towards the car. The narrow waisted one seemed upset and the Samoan warrior was looking on in dismay.

Oh yes. This was perfect.

Those who didn't learn from history were doomed to repeat it. This time they wouldn't mess up.

Tomorrow… tomorrow there will be hell to pay. Just they wait. The Samoans will be wiped out from existence.

And they knew just how to do it.

Dean sat in Sika's BMW listening to a station blasting Quiet Riot on the radio as Roman drove them both to a place he still refused to reveal anything about. He merely kissed the auburn haired young man and wished him a happy birthday.

The blue eyed young man didn't think it was one. He was still trying to figure out why Roman refused to trust him on Afu. But this was Roman. Always trying to see the good in everyone.

"You'll love this, baby boy," Roman gushed. "I know you will. But first we need to make a pit stop."

Dean realised that his boyfriend had taken another route to go to the spot they loved to go camping together the moment he saw them approaching the open spaced lot. When they reached the place, Dean saw a blanket spread on the grass with a bottle of non alcoholic wine and two glasses.

"Dean…"

"Yeah?"

He turned around only to find Roman on one knee. His breath got caught in his throat. What…

"I know we're soulmates so this probably pales in comparison to what I'm about to give you. I love you, Dean. I've said it many times; I'll say it a million times a month. I don't care. You're the best thing I have in my life. I know we've hit road blocks a couple of times recently but things always worked out because we both love each other. You're the first in my heart, the place where my life begun." He took out a ring box and opened it, revealing a two toned black striped titanium ring band in it. "It's a promise ring. I can't give you an engagement ring now obviously but I hope that until then, this will do."

There were so many words running through his head as he stared at the ring. This was what he wanted, wasn't it? To be with Roman for the rest of their lives? But why was it so hard to say yes?

"Dean?" His boyfriend sounded nervous.

Yes, they loved one another. And apparently they were soulmates too. But what about other issues at hand? Dean knew he was a hothead while Roman was calm… well until he exploded the way he did the other day in former's father's home. Being tied down to him that way would be a horrible thing. He didn't want Roman to wake up one day regretting it.

Breaking up would be easier especially when you were just boyfriends.

But divorce would be expensive and the inflict of emotions of separating through that way would be far more painful than anything. He should know; most of his family members' marriages all ended up that way. So how could he subject Roman to something like that?

Roman had now stood up, looking sad. "You don't like the ring?"

"It's lovely, Roman," he assured him before taking a deep breath. "But I can't take it."

"Why?"

"I'll tell you later. You just ummm hang onto that ring."

"Oh." There was tension now in the air that Dean hadn't anticipated. "You head on back to the car first. I have to clean up."

"I'll help-"

"You go on first," Roman insisted sharply.

Dean knew that they had gone into hostile territory now. He'd have to sit down and explain to him when he could consolidate his thoughts properly. "Sure."

Roman was torn apart on the inside; Dean didn't want to be bounded to him that way.

He had been so sure that his boyfriend would have loved the ring. His speech came from his heart. Where did he go wrong with the whole thing? Surely Dean wasn't still upset about yesterday's event?

With a heavy heart, he packed all his items into the basket. Maybe they weren't doing what he thought they were doing. His cousin's words came back to him about marking someone else.

His heart sank to his knees. He couldn't imagine himself with anyone else but Dean.

"Roman?"

He looked up and found Dean standing there, twiddling his thumbs. "I thought I asked you to wait in the car."

"Why do you want to be with me that way?"

Dean's question took him off guard. "What do you mean why? Because I love you, obviously."

"But we're soulmates. Isn't that enough?"

"We know we're soulmates, Dean. Other people don't. To them, it's just a word that's being thrown about. I want to be able to introduce you to people as something other than that. Also, I'd be proud to call you mine."

His boyfriend looked troubled. "You were my best friend before you became that and my boyfriend, Roman. You've seen what my family is like. Very rarely do happily ever afters last. I don't want you to wake up regretting after some time the way I've seen them do. It'd be easier for us to break up than divorce. I mean you know how much of an asshole I can be. Why tied yourself down that way to me?"

That was why he didn't want the ring? "Dean, it doesn't have to be a matrimonial thing. This ring could also represent a sign of commitment. Also I think you've forgotten how well I know you and how I've loved you for so long. I'm not going anywhere, Dean. My place is right beside you." He decided to try once more, taking out the box and holding it out. "What do you say?"

Dean stared at him, his blue eyes wavering. "You better not run away, Roman."

"I won't."

"It'd be too late for you to date other people."

"I only want you."

"You can still change your mind."

"I won't."

A small smile spread on Dean's face as he nodded and held his hand towards him. Roman was delighted. He stood up and happily opened the box, taking the ring out and slipping it through Dean's finger on his left hand before sharing a deep kiss.

"I love you, Dean," he cooed.

"I love you too, Roman," his boyfriend affirmed, looking at him lovingly.

"Let's get this party started now, shall we?"

The party was in full swing by seven thirty with bottles of Coke and some beers brought by Randy for consumption.

A bonfire was made while James saw to the task of making s'mores for them.

Dean was happy it was a circle of his closest friends with the exception of Afu whom the MMA amateur fighter still had his reservations about. He was sitting on a log talking to Corey about his plans after high school. Corey was eyeing going to a local community college to study healthcare to Dean's surprise. He started to explain why he had chosen the course.

"So what about you?" Corey asked as he sipped his Corona. "Where do you see yourself?"

"MMA I guess. It's just that I'm torn between training in Quebec or Wisconsin."

"Two different academies?"

"Pretty much. Quebec would mean being far away from Roman."

"Unless he comes with you."

But would he? Dean didn't want to be the reason why his boyfriend had to give up his dreams. Phil tapped his right shoulder and handed him a long silver box with a blue bow on top. "Hey, Dean," he replied. "I almost forgot. This is for you. I bought it from some kind old man who was selling gifts outside the mall."

Corey laughed. "Why don't you tell him how much it is while you're at it, love?"

Phil blushed as he took his seat beside him.

Dean laughed before excusing himself to answer nature's call. He looked back at Roman who was laughing with Afu, John and Randy about something. His boyfriend seemed so relaxed, Dean noted and it made him swell with happiness.

He decided against informing the Samoan man where he was going; it'd only take a minute. Heading about twenty trees away from their site, he did his business while whistling Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams.

Once he was done, curiosity got the better of him as he opened up Phil's gift. He tried to justify to himself that it was okay to open one gift. After all, it was a long box. What could possibly be in it?

A watch apparently. It was a black G Shock watch accented in red with large numbers. Dean liked it immediately so he strapped it on his wrist.

Suddenly he saw a blinding light coming from between the trees in front of him; he closed his eyes.

When he slowly opened it, he found himself standing in a living room with cream walls. Wait a minute… where was he? This wasn't the woods!

He rubbed his eyes, hoping it was a dream but to his dismay, he was still in the same place. Dean stared at his hands then. They were big. And come to think of it, so were the rest of his body. He touched his face and felt a beard there.

Where was the mirror? It couldn't be… there was no way...

He walked ahead where he found himself in the kitchen, staring at the most gorgeous man - whom he guessed was probably in his thirties - he had ever seen who was chopping garlic near the island counter. With black locks tied up in a man bun and a well manicured moustache and beard, this man looked like he had stepped out of a GQ magazine.

But when Dean saw his right arm, he froze when he realised who he had been gawking at.

"Roman?!"

A/N Well… this just got interesting. Thank you for your kind words, favorites and follows. I appreciate it.