Disclaimer: See Chapter 33.

Note: First and foremost I want to say thank you, to each and every person that has read not only Gravity Of Love, but also weathered through Casualty Of Love to make it here. You are fantastic and amazing. I'm very overwhemled with the love and support you've shown me. When I first started Casualty Of Love, I never expected it to get so popular, and I NEVER would have thought that this fic would have ever come into existence. I know I say this a lot, but I really don't know the words to express my sincerest gratitude to you. Thank you for this wonderful ride. I know I've enjoyed writing this for you, and I enjoyed every single review and ask (from tumblr) and comment that I've been sent. I'm a little emotional about it being over now, probably because I think this is the best work I've ever done and I don't know if I'll ever be able to top it. With that said. I hope you enjoy the final chapter to this crazy roller coaster ride. It's been a journey. Thank You.

It Was Always You

Wade and Brad carried the heavy wooden desk inside the house, maneuvering around the other furniture, trying hard to keep from dinging up the walls and door frames as they set it in the spare bedroom. Brad wiped at the sweat on his forehead, smiling up at his boyfriend. "I hope he's buying lunch," he teased, hurrying to the door to help Cody set down a larger box.

Wade just smiled, following the two out back to Dean's truck, grabbing a few more boxes and walking them in. He was enjoying the warm spring air that fluttered around them, only slightly bothered by Moxley. He was allergic to cats, and even though she wasn't near him, he felt his nose tickle, ready to sneeze at any moment.

Cody paused, watching as Dean sat in the grass in the front yard with Jey, holding him, looking completely lost as he tried to get him to sit in the grass and play with the toys Cody had set down. He tapped Seth's arm as he passed, pointing to the sight.

Seth smiled, the sight warming his heart completely. "He's doing good," he said, his brown eyes meeting Cody's blues. "Maybe we'll have that kind of happy ending after all."

Jey pushed away from Dean, smacking the man in the face before he grabbed his ear and yanked it, screaming at the top of his lungs.

Dean tried bouncing the little boy, looking around the yard almost frantic, trying to find someone to help him. "Shh, shh, it's okay," he tried, his voice trembling as he felt a small hand grab a handful of blond hair. "Cody!"

Seth and Cody shared a small, almost hopeless look. "Guess not," Seth chuckled, shrugging and walking back inside the house to set the box he'd been carrying down.

Dean walked over to where Brad and Wade were slamming the tailgate shut on his truck, holding Jey out at arms length. "Take him, please!" he nearly begged, his entire body shaking as the boy kept screaming. "I don't know what I'm doing."

Wade was the one to reach out, pulling the boy to him, settling him on his hip, their eyes locked. "Hello," he greeted, holding his free hand up.

Jey just looked at it before he took one finger.

"Well I'll be Wade, I didn't know you were good with kids," Brad teased, crossing his arms over his chest, almost laughing at the look of relief on Dean's face. He looked over to Jey, the little hands holding tight to Wade's fingers, pulling them apart, searching them intently. "They're big, huh Lil' Man."

Jey looked up, cocking his head at Brad. He released Wade's hand and held his hands out, showing that he wanted to be held in Brad's arms.

Brad shook his head, growing a little nervous. "Sorry big guy, I'm not good at this kind of thing," he said, looking over to where Cody was watching them intently. He shrugged, finding a wide smile on Cody's lips, something he hadn't seen in almost a month.

Cody held his hands up, Jey leaning heavily towards him. "C'mon," he chuckled, holding Jey to his side, resting the boy on his hip as he looked the other two over. "Thanks for helping us today. I know Seth really appreciates it."

Brad and Wade both shook their heads, showing that it was nothing.

"I'm really glad they're taking this step, they deserve it," Cody murmured, smoothing back a few curls from Jey's face. "And I'm glad you two are doing good. It's really nice to see everyone happy."

Brad smiled, wanting to speak out, ask Cody about Roman or how he was doing. But he held his tongue, everyone looking up as Seth called for them to come in and get something to drink, and that Moxley was locked away in his and Dean's room so Wade wouldn't be sneezing the entire time. He smiled, looking up at his boyfriend, letting Cody and Jey start away from them. "I know Roman still hasn't called," he murmured, reaching over and taking Wade's hand in his. "I tried calling the other day and his number was disconnected. I don't know if he was just late with the bill or what. I'm afraid to bring it up to Cody."

Wade nodded, leaning in and pressing a kiss to Brad's forehead. "Don't ruin the fun," he breathed, starting up towards the house. "Talk to him about it later, okay? He looks happy today." He saw Brad's head bob up and down slowly in agreement. "It makes me want to punch him in the face for Cody."

Brad chuckled, nodding again. "Yeah, me too." He led Wade into the house, both sitting on the couch, watching as Cody and Seth played with Jey on the floor as Dean ordered them a couple pizzas as payment. "No beer?" he asked playfully as Dean walked back in, flopping into his favorite recliner.

"Not with the baby here!" Dean scoffed, smirking. "Naw, for real his mom would kill me. You know Trin, I'm not willing to lose my favorite personal part." He chuckled, patting the arm of his chair for Seth to come up and sit with him. "Wait until we get all his shit moved in and set up and we'll have one of those house warming parties. With plenty of alcohol."

"Sounds good to me," Brad laughed, watching as Seth stood and leaned against the chair, leaning over and kissing Dean softly.

"But I'm not ready for one of those, so don't even ask," Dean pointed out, his finger raised right at Jey. "I love you, but the answer is no."

"But Moxley loves him dearly," Cody chimed in, thinking how the white cat hated just about everyone but Dean, Seth, and now Jey. She was always rubbing against him, butting their heads together and purring before curling up close to him. For a stray, she sure was affectionate with the baby boy.

"She doesn't count," Dean went on, waving his hand in the air, dismissing Cody's argument. "It takes more than a cat to raise a little human. I'm not ready for that, may never be ready for that."

Seth smirked, chuckling along with Wade and Brad. "It's okay babe, I'm not very good at it either. Remember that day you can to talk to Cody, Brad, and he started screaming in Paula's backyard. Yeah, Cody barely leaves me alone with him just for a bathroom break," he explained, chuckling, leaning back into Dean, a strong arm wrapping around his waist. "We can always practice though."

Dean smirked at that, looking up mischievously. "Really now?" he asked, one brow rising. "Alright, get the hell outta my house." He moved his hands in a shooing motion, laughing even after Cody had thrown a couch pillow at him. "What? A guy's got needs."

Brad just leaned into Wade's side, an arm wrapping around his shoulders. He looked up at the handsome Brit, wondering if him and Wade would have this kind of relationship in the future. Him and Wade were still taking everything slow, enjoying the other as much as they could, when they could. He sighed, reaching up and lacing his fingers with Brad's, resting his head on a shoulder. He'd hold on until he couldn't anymore. He'd weather just about anything as long as Wade was there by his side.

An hour or so later Cody was packing his and Jey's things up, realizing that it was about time for Jey to go home. He told everyone good bye and strapped Jey into his car seat, giving him a toy truck to play with as he drove. He smiled, tapping on his console, his phone automatically synced up with it. He heard a couple rings before he heard a message that made his brows furrow in confusion.

"We're sorry but this user's mailbox is full. Please try again later."

Cody sighed, hanging up. He just wanted to tell Roman about how happy Seth and Dean looked now that they were actually living together. He felt stupid, thinking that Roman had probably just played him. He didn't want to believe it, but as each day passed with no word, that was the conclusion he was coming to.

The spring warmed up, April bleeding right into May. It was bright and sunny outside, the only thing rivaling that brightness being the smile on Bayley's face as she walked around the store, a little spring in her step. "Hey boys," she greeted, Bo and Cody sitting at the back table trying to figure out how to assemble the new cart, the old one finally falling apart.

"Hey babe," Bo answered, getting up and walking over to her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for tonight?"

"Graduation night already?" Cody asked, surprised at the words. "Shit, I forgot all about it! I can't believe it's that late in the year already. I'm sorry Bayley!" He stood, barely able to open his arms before he was wrapped up in a hug. "Let's get this thing together and go out for lunch, I'm sure Damien won't mind if we close the store for an hour. My treat."

"Sounds good to me," Bayley agreed, giggling. "Don't feel bad for forgetting. I didn't really tell anyone."

"No, but your boyfriend here sure was excited about it," Cody teased, nudging Bo with his elbow. "I know Damien ended up telling him to shut up about it last week or else he was going to sew his lips shut." He chuckled, smiling proudly at Bayley. "I'm really proud of you. I mean I know that doesn't mean much coming from me, but I'm really happy for you."

Bayley felt her cheeks start to burn, her hand taken in her boyfriend's. "You two, you're just amazing, you know that?" she asked, smiling brighter. "And it means a lot Cody, I've been here at the store for almost a year now, so I feel like we've all grown together, even Kofi."

Bo chuckled at that. "So the ceremony is at six right?" he asked, turning his attention just to Bayley. "And your family is going to be there."

"Stop worrying so much, they're going to love you," she said, squeezing Bo's hand. "I know it. I have a friend coming to stay with me over the summer, so if you have some free time Cody, I'm sure she'd like a tour of Pensacola."

"You're not trying to set us up are you?" Cody asked, eyeing Bayley, a sneaky smile on his lips. "Because—"

"No, no, no," Bayley smoothed over quickly, shaking her head. "You've just been here longer than everyone else, and probably one of the nicest guys I've met, so you would make the perfect tour guide."

Cody smirked, feeling a little proud at her words. "Yeah, well I have lived here for a while. I'll show her around," he agreed, looking up at Bo. He could see the happiness on the handsome face, and it made him happy. Really, it did. "Well, lunch isn't going to buy its self, lets go."

"You know this will be my last semester," Bo said gently, pausing to look at the spine of the book in his hands. "Melvin, Melvin, right here."

Cody nodded, smiling. "Yeah, then both of you will be up and grown and leaving the nest. Dame and I are so proud," he teased, chuckling as he reached for another book on the new cart. "I love this thing, it's so much nicer than the old one."

Bo couldn't help but give a light laugh, nodding. "I don't know about leaving the nest, Bayley and I both really like working here," he explained, turning to face Cody, the other man stopping as well, confusion written on his face. "I wanted to thank you, for telling me to ask Bayley out. She's really something."

Cody smiled, shaking his head. "Nothing to thank me for. You deserve to be happy," he explained, shrugging as he went back to shelving books.

Bo was quiet for a moment, swallowing hard. It was growing late in the summer, it was nearly August and his classes started in a couple weeks. "You deserve that too," he started, noticing just how Cody stiffened. He could see how Cody had changed after coming back from Iowa in January. He didn't smile as much. He was quieter, and Bo hated it. "I'm not trying to be in your personal life, because I know it's a touchy subject, but I'm worried about you. I'm really worried."

Cody felt a warmth in his chest, thinking that no matter the situation, Bo still always had a way to make him feel just a little better. "I'm just taking it one day at a time. I doubt I'll see Roman until Christmas. And right now, I don't know if I want to see him then."

Bo's heart ached, his eyes lowering to the carpet. "I guess you're not interested in dating anyone then," he started, looking up to see Cody's head shake.

"No, I think I need some serious time to myself before I even think about dating again," Cody explained, reaching for another book without looking, finding that he'd reached the end of his stack. "Well, seems like I need more books." At that he chuckled. "Don't worry about me Bo, I'll be fine. I'm still pretty young. I'll find someone when the time's right." He forced a smile as he took the cart and started walking towards the back to reload.

Bo stood there, arms crossed over his chest. If he ever saw Roman again he'd probably— His thoughts were cut short when the bell above the door rang, signaling a customer. He put his best smile on, moving out of the isle so that he could see who it was that had stepped in.

Bo stood still, his eyes narrowing on the man standing there in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room impatiently. "Look who the cat dragged in," he deadpanned, crossing his arms over his chest, steel grey orbs landing right one him. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up, seeing a look in those eyes he'd never seen before.

"Bo," Roman murmured, smiling lightly, walking over to him. He could see Bo stand a little straighter, his eyes narrow, lips thinning into a thin line. He knew Bo still didn't like him, and he was sure that dislike had only grown over the time he'd been away.

"What do you want here?" Bo asked, refusing to back down. His hand was itching to close up into a fist and just rear back and smash into Roman's nose. He had a lot he wanted to say.

Roman paused, coming to stand right in front of Bo, swallowing hard. "I'm sorry, for how I treated you when I was here over Christmas. I was a dick to you about Cody and I also want to thank you, for telling him to come up to Iowa. It set a lot into perspective," he explained, his eyes falling to the floor. "You don't have to believe me, but I do need to talk to Cody. Is he here?"

Bo's jaw tightened. "And why would I tell you?" he snarled, his hands falling to rest on his hips. "How long as he it been, four maybe five months, he hasn't heard from you and you come barging in here wanting to see him? Fuck you Roman."

Roman winced, the apparent hatred still alive and well in Bo. "I know I have no right to ask you to do me a favor, but I need just this one from you," he said, his grey eyes moving to meet heated brown. "Unless he's with you again."

Bo's eyes narrowed. "And if he is?"

"Then I'll walk right back out that door."

Cody started back out the back of the store, pushing the freshly stocked cart to finish up the mystery section he'd been working on. He looked up, heavy footsteps starting towards him. "Bo?" he asked, the other man walking up to him quickly. "Something wrong?"

Bo shook his head, smiling lightly. "No, we just have a customer that needs a little help and I've got to run back to the back for a second," he explained, pointing towards Science Fiction section. "In the fantasy isle. I'll be right back."

Cody nodded, waving Bo off. "Go before you have an accident, you're dancing," he teased, pushing the cart to stand along the wall before he brushed his hands against his apron, putting on his best smile. He turned the corner, his eyes focused on the floor for a moment as he thought of the best way to greet their customer. "Hello, looking for anything—" His words died right one his lips when he saw Roman squatting down looking over a set of blue spine books. "Roman?"

Emotions crashed over Cody, fear, hatred, sadness, frustration, happiness, love. They all swirled around inside him, making him shake and tears enter his eyes. He couldn't speak, his voice suddenly gone, a thick, heavy stone stuck in his throat. He watched as Roman looked up and him, a soft smile on the bronze lips as their eyes met.

Roman walked over, shoving his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. "I'm looking for a couple books," he started, closing his eyes. One's called 'A thousand ways to say I'm sorry' and 'I'm home, to stay if you still want me'." He looked up, heart pounding at the tears in Cody's eyes. He bit his lower lip, daring to take one more step closer.

Cody's eyes narrowed, his hands shaking. He barely registered his arm moving at all, until he'd felt his hand burn and Roman's face snapped to the side. "Five months Roman," he bit out, breathing heavy. "Five fucking months I haven't heard a fucking word from you and now you're standing here wanting to come back?"

Roman's cheek burned from the slap. He was only glad it wasn't a punch. He didn't want to relive the last time Cody had punched him in the face. He was silent, his neck slowly turning back to where it had been before. "I deserved that," he finally whispered, reaching up to touch the hot mark gently with his fingertips.

Cody stood there, standing a little straighter. "What happened in Iowa after I left that kept you from even sending me a text saying you were busy?" he questioned, his fists clenching so tight at his sides he could feel his nails digging into his palms, probably cutting them open. "Or were you just taking your time playing me all over again."

"It's not like that, Cody, I swear it wasn't," Roman tried to reason, expecting things to go a lot different than how they were. "Please, let me explain. Just listen to me."

"Why should I?"

"Because if ye don't he'll probably end up on 'is knees begging."

Cody's head turned to the side, shocked to see a flaming red head on the other side of the bookshelf, looking over it at them. "Shea?" he questioned almost in confusion.

"On second thought, maybe ye should get on yer knees Roman. Not like ye got anything to lose now," Shea went on, shrugging. "Yer pretty much living in yer car."

Cody's eyes shot from chuckling green ones down to Roman's anxious greys. "What's going on?" he asked, taking a step back, crossing his arms over his chest. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Roman's hand cupped his burning cheek, taking in its heat and hoping to turn it into courage. It wasn't that long ago he was standing here doing the same thing. "When you left that night, I went home and was upset."

Shea snorted. "More like downright despondent," he muttered. "Don't go lying Roman, you were sitting at yer table crying. If yer going to tell the story, don't leave anything out." He walked around to where Cody and Roman were, standing just behind Roman's broad form. "He was just sitting there. Didn't even hear me open the door."

"I can handle the explanation Shea," Roman hissed, refusing to look up from the floor. "That morning, when we woke up together, I wanted to come home with you and watching you get on the plane and leaving ripped me apart."

Roman was sitting at his table, his head hung, his hands in his hair as the tears just seemed to slowly slide down his cheeks, landing with little wet plops on the table under him. He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there, nor did he care. All he cared about was that he was alone, that once again his heart was separated from him and it hurt. It fucking hurt.

He didn't hear the door as it opened. He didn't even hear Shea as he said his name and he barely felt the heavy hand of the Irishman as it rested on his slumped shoulder.

"Hey, fella, ye okay?" Shea asked softly, taking a seat next to Roman, watching as another tear fell from Roman's cheek to the table. He sighed, sitting back. "Why'd ye let him go Roman?"

"Because he belongs in Florida," Roman started, sighing and wiping at the wetness. It was the first time he'd moved in a while and he felt stiff, his body protesting. "I belong in Florida."

Shea couldn't help but smirk, nodding. "Yeah, yeah ye do mate," he agreed, looking over to see Roman as he once again wiped at his face. "So what are ye going to do to get there?"

At that Roman paused, unsure. He really didn't have an idea of how he was going to get back to Florida, to get back home to Cody. "I don't know yet. I'll figure something out. But I have another problem. Max," he murmured, his watery grey eyes meeting green ones. "And that's going to be a mess."

Shea nodded, knowing full well what Roman was saying. "Yeah, fella it is," he agreed, crossing his arms over his chest, smirking. "So, does Cody know, that ye feel this way?"

Roman froze. He didn't know what to say. "I haven't told him, if that's what you're asking. His flight won't land for another hour or so. I asked him to wait for me. Even if I'm here until next summer, I have to go home to him. He's my heart Shea. He really is."

Roman took a breath, daring to look up into the softened blue eyes, hurt and anger still settled in them. He noticed that Bo had snuck in behind Cody to hear the full story and not the little snippet he'd told him to get him to agree to helping him. "So, I went to talk to Maxine the next day."

Roman stood outside the apartment door, trying hard to smile as he knocked. He heard the shuffling inside and the clicks of locks being unfastened before the door opened, showing his girlfriend with her hair pulled back, a smile on her lips as she stood there in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, all covered in paint. "Working on props at home again?" he asked, heart already aching with the way she smiled so brightly at him. He was about to rip her heart out.

"Yeah, just finishing this one up, that's all," she explained, stepping to the side, motioning for Roman to enter. "I'm guessing you're here because you've had enough time to think."

Roman nodded, stepping inside the warm apartment, swallowing hard. "Yeah, I have," he murmured, standing just inside the door as Maxine shut it.

"Make yourself comfortable babe," she eased, running a hand over Roman's arm. "I've got to finish this before the paint gets too dry."

Roman nodded, following slowly behind her, slipping his coat off and folding it over his arm. "Max, I really need to talk to you after you're done. I want your full attention," he said, his voice low, almost shaking.

Maxine turned back to Roman, the prop completely forgotten as her dark eyes met Roman's. "What's wrong?" she asked, walking to stand in front of him. "Roman? What's going on?"

Roman swallowed, feeling like his heart was about to burst out of his chest. "I'm going back to Florida. It probably won't be until next summer, but I can't stay here," he started, his eyes falling to her carpet before rising to meet her widened ones. "I don't belong here in Iowa."

Maxine stood there, more in shock than anything. "No, you're going back to him," she bit out, letting out a heavy sigh, her entire body tensing. "That's what you're doing, right?"

Roman nodded, taking a breath. "I won't get to see him until Christmas but I know my mind's not going to change. I'm sorry Max, I really am. I never meant for us to turn out like this."

"Shut up Roman," Maxine bit out. Her voice growing bolder, stronger. "Just shut up!" Her eyes turned fiery, her entire body shaking. "Why can't I be good enough for you? Why? Why do you really want to do this again, especially with the distance and the time until you can go back?" She threw her hands up in frustration, starting to pace. "You're going to go back and what, beg him to take you back? Pretend that none of this ever happened? What makes you think he's going to work again when it only fell apart before?"

Roman's breathing had increased, his heart pounding so hard in his chest he could barely hear over the sound of blood rushing in his ears. These were all fears he had himself, but he couldn't keep living and letting those fears control him. He had to take the chance. "I love him Max. I always have and I always will," he started, looking up to see angry tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, it's not you Maxine. Really, if I'd met you before Cody, then this wouldn't be a problem, I'd be here happily, but he's the only one that I've ever felt like this about."

"What about your job Roman? Are you even thinking logically?" she asked, stopping and looking right into the startled face. "You're just going to quit and go back? And even if you wait, what makes you think he's going to wait on you again?"

Roman was growing tired of her hateful tone, his eyes narrowing on her. "Because he loves me too. This entire thing was because I couldn't handle things at home. I was only fooling myself thinking that I could move on from him. I can't give him up and I won't." He saw the first tear start down her face, a shaking hand moving up to wipe it away. "I'm sorry, I really do love you, but my heart belongs to Cody and it always will."

Maxine's hand moved faster than both of them could blink. "Fine," she growled, her heart aching in her chest. "You're a selfish bastard Roman Reigns." She shook her head, biting back a sob. "I fell in love with you, and you're telling me that none of it mattered. Well fine, go back to Florida, go back and stay there!"

Roman was quiet, letting her completely unload on him, her voice rising into a yell. The truth was, he did love Maxine and he would always have a spot for her in his heart, but he'd never been in love with her, something he hadn't noticed until recently. "I'm sorry," he tried, reaching up and touching the burning handprint on his cheek.

"Just get out," she hissed, the tears evident in her voice. "Just get the fuck out."

Roman nodded, pulling his coat back on and heading towards the door. He hadn't wanted them to end so baldy, but he hadn't wanted to hide his true intentions either. He'd lied to her and hurt her enough, it was time he man up and do things right for once. As he shut the door behind him, he let out a sigh, a smile tugging at his lips. As much as it hurt, he was free. Now he only had one more place to go before he could go back to his apartment and call Cody.

"Don't leave out the important part," Shea interjected, looking over to see that Cody's face hadn't changed at all. He could see the confliction in the blue eyes, knowing that Cody wanted to give in and believe everything and just fall into Roman's arms.

"I'm getting there!" Roman snapped, shooting a glare at Shea. "Just give me a second." He shook his head, turning back to Cody. "I went to the President of UI and told him that I wanted to somehow cut my contract short, finish it up in a year instead of two." One hand rose to rub the back of his neck, his voice dropping.

"That's why I stopped calling so much. He amended my contract but I had to take over some extra classes, most of them that started around mid term and then double up my summer classes. I left my apartment at six in the morning and I didn't get home until around nine at night. Between grading and trying to eat, I barely had time to shower, and I barely slept. By the time I got done with stuff for that day it was almost midnight and I didn't want to call you so late," he went on, his jaw tightening. "It wasn't because I stopped caring or that I didn't want to."

"You didn't even text me," Cody murmured, sniffling, tears in his eyes. "Just a text saying you were busy. I left voicemails, before it was full, and Brad said your phone was disconnected at one point so I stopped trying."

Roman nodded. "I rarely had time to check them. You weren't the only one leaving me messages. Brad, and Mom, my cousins and Trinity, Seth, God Seth sent me like twenty over the course of two weeks." He let out a low, almost bitter chuckle. "I wanted to, but every time I tried the words weren't right. I'm sorry Cody. Fuck I'm sorry for all of this. I just wanted to come home to you. That's all I wanted," he admitted, his heart pounding, tears in his own eyes. "I never meant for my phone to be off. I was a couple days late paying the bill."

"So you just up and moved back down here expecting me to take you back in?" Cody accused, the first tear starting down his cheek. "Why would I do that?"

Roman sighed, unable to hold back from reaching out and pulling Cody to his chest. "I'm not expecting anything. I do want to come home, if that's still possible." He pulled back, smiling into the sweet face. His hand came up, wiping the tears away. "But if you don't want me there I'll figure something out. I'm sure mom will let me move back in for a while."

Cody shook his head, pushing his face into Roman's chest, breathing in his cologne. "What about your apartment? And your job?" he asked, his fingers winding in the back of Roman's shirt, holding him close even against everything that told him to push away.

"I only signed a year lease and it ended in May. Shea was nice enough to let me move in with him. His couch wasn't as nice though," he chuckled, smiling lightly. "All my stuff is crammed in the back of my SUV right now, all expect a duffel bag of Shea's stuff." Roman sighed, pulling back, heart pounding. "I'm here Cody and I'm not going anywhere."

Cody took a step back, jumping when he felt an encouraging hand on his back. He turned to see Bo's gentle smile. "You lied to me earlier," he murmured, almost surprised at Bo's nod. He looked back up at Roman and then to Shea, the ginger standing there almost holding his breath for an answer. He shook his head, knowing that he couldn't deny that he still loved Roman. "No."

Shea and Bo shared a shocked look, Roman's eyes widening, heart spluttering in his chest. It was silent in the bookstore, the only sound filling the air being the quiet hum of the air conditioner.

Roman nodded feeling like someone had sucked the life out of him. It hurt bad to hear that simple word. "Okay," he swallowed, his hands fisting at his sides. He wouldn't beg Cody. He'd done enough to him already, he couldn't blame Cody for not wanting them to be together again. "Well, I'll be around."

Cody looked up, shaking his head. He wasn't telling Roman he didn't want them to be together. "I love you Roman Joseph Reigns," he said a little louder, Roman stopping and turning towards him again. "And I want us to be together, but not like this," he explained, looking down at where his hands were playing with his apron strings. "We have to take time and learn to communicate, something. And until we're on the right path, we can't live together."

Roman smiled, his heart fluttering full of hope. "That's okay," he answered, rushing over to wrap Cody in his arms. "That's just fine as long as I can be with you again." He held Cody tight, pulling back to kiss his lips. "I love you. I love you so much. We'll start over, learn how to do this right." His hands cupped Cody's cheeks kissing him again and again.

Shea smirked, shaking his head at the two. "Alright now, enough with that mush," he teased, walking over and slapping Roman's shoulder playfully. He looked from glassy grey eyes to the teary blue ones, thinking that it was almost magical to witness something so beautiful between two people. "Ye promised me some babes Cody if I came down here, I'm ready for me half of the deal."

Cody laughed, nodding. His gaze turned to Roman, pressing his face into the other man's neck. There they were, finally after over a year of emotional pain. It wasn't perfect, in fact it was far from it, but the fact that both him and Roman were willing to start over with a blank page was enough for him. "I love you."

Roman nodded, holding Cody even tighter. "I love you too. You're my only one," he murmured, kissing Cody's cheek, running his hand through the short brown hair. "And I'm never leaving again." And he wasn't. He was going to show Cody that they could be just as happy as they were before this entire mess happened. He'd do whatever it took, even living with his parents until Cody let him move back in. He pulled back, looking down into the blue eyes he loved so much. This was his everything. This was his future.

~Owari~

(A/N): First off I have to say thank you to everyone that's stuck with me through this entire (nearly) year long run. From the first chapter of Casualty to now all I can say is thank you for reading, for everything. You guys really pushed me to make something I'm so proud of. I'm almost in tears that it's over. With that being said, this is the end, there won't be another installment of this crazy relationship, but I am thinking about doing an Epilogue. Would you guys be interested in that? If you want it, it will feature just about everyone so it won't just focus on Roman and Cody.

I also want to give a mega shout out thank you to cheekiecharliee, GatesVengeance, Loretta's Purple Orchid, and SparklesBlue for reviewing each and every chapter. You guys are just amazing. And I want to say thank you to each and every one of you that have read, reviewed, favorited, followed. I really appreciate everything. Thank you for making Casualty of Love and Gravity of Love so much fun. I honestly doubt I'll ever write something better than this Haha.

I'm just in shock that so many of you have liked both stories. I honestly started writing them thinking they would get lost in the back of the fandom and you all proved me wrong.

I never expected to have 350 reviews for Casualty and we have over 400 for Gravity. That's just mind boggling to me. So, thank you. I'm just really overwhelmed with the love and encouragement from everyone. So with that said. I hope I can entertain you again sometime in the future with another story. Until that day; onwards and upwards! The title to this chapter is It Was Always You by Maroon 5.

JacktheSinister_JaketheJust