Thirty Seven

Dean was healed up nicely, all forms of bruises and injuries gone.

Roman was disappointed when his parents insisted they bring Dean back to his own home though, citing Mrs Ambrose as the reason.

The Samoan teenager could not argue with that. He helped put a sleeping Dean in bed, tucking him in.

"Give him a few days to rest," Sika instructed. "You can see him once he has time to recover… as you should too."

Roman wanted to protest, wanted to insist that it should be him by Dean's side. But the look on his parents' face told him otherwise.

So he planted a kiss to his boyfriend's cheek, whispering an "I love you" before leaving with his parents reluctantly.

For the time being.

That night, Roman climbed up Dean's window and found him still asleep. He settled into bed, pulling his boyfriend in. Cradling Dean's head near the crook of his neck, he yawned and slowly drifted off to sleep while holding onto him protectively.

"How long will Dean be out?" Roman asked that morning during breakfast, having sneaked back to his house before dawn.

"Probably a day more," Uncle Afa explained. "I sedated him for a while. He'll be okay."

"Then I can see him?"

"Yes but you need to rest too, Roman. You fought too during that battle."

"I fought my soulmate, you mean." He still could not believe all the things he had done to his boyfriend. Couldn't imagine what Dean thought of him either. What if Dean didn't want to be with him anymore, soulmate or not?

His father patted his back. "It wasn't you, son. You didn't mean to hurt him."

"Suppose he resents me? I mean I attacked him-"

"Roman, I think you're being too hard on yourself. Dean knew it wasn't you. I'm sure of it. Now why don't you finish your breakfast and rest as well. Okay? It was quite an eventful night and you need to recuperate."

Roman didn't like it but he supposed sleeping would make the day go by faster.; then he could see Dean. "Sure."

"Roman," he gasped, the mark burning. "What… what are you doing?"

"What I should have done a long time ago," his boyfriend answered. "Get rid of you."

Dean found himself being pulled up again before being slammed hard on the concrete floor.

Darkness greeted him when he woke up. Dean rubbed his eyes, slowly standing up. He switched on his cellphone. Sunday, 9pm.

His door cracked opened at that moment and his mother came into the room. "You're up!"

"Yeah just about a minute ago," he replied, accepting her hug and kiss. "How long was I out?"

"Just a day. How are you feeling?"

"Normal, I guess."

"I've got casserole-"

"Not hungry yet, Mum."

"I'll make you something warm to drink then."

Before she left, he called out to her, "Mum, I'm not ready to go back to school."

"You take as long as you need, sweetheart," his mother assured him before shutting the door.

His mind was in a blank. What now? Dean didn't know if he should call Roman or leave him be to find TJ.

His phone vibrated; Bret wanted to know if he was interested in fighting on Tuesday night. Dean contemplated. Oh why the hell not? He could certainly use the money.

"You're up."

Dean's eyes widened at the sight of Roman climbing into the room. "Yeah I just got up."

Roman looked relieved, immediately sitting down beside him, claiming his lips lightly before hugging him tight. "I'm so sorry," his boyfriend started to sob. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

His lover's tears tore his heart apart. Dean grabbed the back Roman's head, allowing himself to be selfish and kissed him softly. "Hey, I knew it wasn't you, okay?"

"But I don't want you thinking that maybe deep down I wanted to hurt you. I never want to hurt you."

"I know," Dean comforted him. "I know, babe. That's the last thing I'd expect from you."

They stared at each other for a while. Roman combed Dean's hair. "I love you," the Samoan teenager said, leaning towards him.

Dean hesitated and turned his head. "So did you eat yet?"

"Yeah just a nibble. Dean, what's wrong?"

"A nibble is not eating, Roman."

"I was worried about you."

"You shouldn't be. After all I did to you…"

"You saved me. Like you always have." Roman put his arm around his waist. "What's going on?"

"This battle is over."

"Yeah."

"And we're free."

"We are."

"I hope you took the letter."

"I did."

Dean sighed in frustration. "So shouldn't you be trying to reach out to TJ?"

"It's not what we think."

"I don't get it. What's written on it?"

"Something someone's known all along." Roman took out the paper and passed it to him.

Dean opened the scrap, reading the words. TJ knew… TJ knew how Dean had felt all those times.

"Besides," Roman continued, "even if TJ had declared his "love", I wouldn't have gone out to find him. You're the only one I've always wanted; you know that."

Dean's heart melted.

"I love you," Roman tried again.

Dean finally smiled; oh how much he loved him. "I love you too."

They both took a day off from school the next day, choosing to catch a movie, go bowling and feed rice to ducks at the park.

"This is nice," Roman remarked as they strolled hand in hand. "Normal stuff."

"Yeah," Dean agreed. "Now we only have to worry about prom, graduation…"

"Graduation…" Roman still had no clue what he wanted to do with his life. Once upon a time, he was sure it was directing but after all that's happened, that goal seemed so far away. "So what's next?"

"I'm not sure. MMA training I suppose. Maybe I'll take up Mark's offer and train with Roufusport."

"I promised you that when this was over, we'd leave Lakeview and build a home of our own elsewhere."

"I remember."

"We need money for that though."

"Right." Dean exhaled. "Which is why I'm still going to continue fighting. I have one tomorrow night."

Roman stopped walking, tugging Dean's hand. "You just recovered, babe."

"I know."

"Who knows how much hits your body can take."

"Roman-"

"If this is about me beating-"

"Roman, this is about me pursuing something I love. That's all."

The grey eyed teenager bit his lip. "Can I come watch?"

Dean seemed hesitant. "I don't know, Roman…"

"I'll be quiet. You won't even know I'm there."

"You'll see me getting beaten up."

"I'll be fine. Really. I understand why you're doing it."

"Okay. Sure. You can come."

Roman had insisted that Dean come over to his place so the auburn haired man followed his boyfriend behind reluctantly.

The entire Anoa'i family was there, beaming at the sight of him walking in with Roman.

"Dean!" Mrs Reigns threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"How are you feeling?" Sika asked, coming up from behind her.

He was overwhelmed by the outpour but answered their questions, assuring them that he was okay. "I'm just glad that it's over," Dean concluded.

"It's definitely over," Sika replied. "Thanks to you."

Dean took a deep breath. There was something he had to say and it was important that the entire family heard it. "I know that under most circumstances, you may not think I'm the best choice for Roman because of my rebellious and stubborn nature but I can guarantee you that no one will love him more than me. I'd do it all over again for him. That's how much I love him."

"Son, we owe you a huge apology and I know it's not enough… not after everything so we'd like to help you both out after graduation."

Dean found Roman squeezing his hand. "What?"

"We'd like to pay for the first three months of your rent in wherever you choose to settle down after graduation," Sika explained. "Roman told us what he promised you and we intend to help out. It's the least we can do for the both of you."

This was a welcomed news, Dean thought. "I don't know what to say."

"Allow us to say it then," Sika announced. "Welcome to the family, Dean."

Roman and him made love in his bedroom later that night and Dean had never felt as closer to his boyfriend as he did then. "Fuck, Roman," he groaned as he accepted a quick kiss. "That was amazing."

"Not as amazing as you." Roman was gazing at him with love in his eyes.

"Keep complimenting like that and I'll ask you to take me again."

"You're beautiful, Dean. I'm so glad that you're mine."

"You just had to do it. Make love to me again."

Roman grinned and started to plant open mouthed kisses on his face.

"Oh and babe?" Dean added as Roman's eyes met his, "I'm so glad that you're mine too."

"Yeah? You're going to be screaming my name this round."

"Ha!"

If Dean had thought Bray would not turn up again after Sunday's clash, he was wrong.

Bray strolled into English class Tuesday morning, his eyes on the ground as he sat down at his usual seat. Dean approached him slowly, not sure how to start the conversation. "Well," Bray chuckled wryly. "If it isn't the hero of the day."

Dean shook his head. "I only did what I did because I love him."

"We always knew that. Everyone knew that. Especially Phil."

"But why help Phil?" Dean wanted to know. "Luke pointed out about Erick and Abigail…"

"Aaah yes. We were set to take on the world with him and he promised us power. Told us we'd be fulfilling the prophecy and assuming our destiny. It turned out we were all nothing but pawns in the grand scheme of things." Bray scratched his cheek. "He loves you too... Roman. Don't ever doubt that."

"Not anymore." Dean crossed his arms. "What's next now that you're not going to conquer the world?"

"We're leaving town after graduation."

"Where to?"

"Who knows? Louisiana? Montana? I'll see where Luke wants to go and I'll follow. If there's one thing I've learnt is that true love always wins. No matter how much huddle we've tried to throw at you both, you managed to hold to one another. That was where Phil was dead wrong in underestimating; he thought that it was enough to tear you apart as teenagers where you're still susceptible to hormones and growing up. He thought in doing so we'd be able to win."

"There were challenges-"

"Which you overcame."

"He always did look at me with stars in his eyes."

Bray nodded. "He's still looks at you that way."

Dean followed Bray's gaze and found Roman smiling at him. The auburn haired teenager turned back to Bray. "I think you're right."

After English, Mr Regal called him aside and said Bret was excited to see him back in action again tonight. Dean rolled his eyes upon hearing that. "I just missed one fight."

"Oh yes," Mr Regal replied. "I'm aware of that. But I understand why you did it."

"You… do?"

"Why, of course. I work for Vince, you know. I was overprotective, trying to deter you from getting hurt. Yes, I may have gone overboard trying to separate you but Vince chewed my ear off about it. It's our duty to look out for you and I was overprotective. For that, I apologise."

"Seems all everyone does lately is apologise," Dean quipped.

"Hmmm…"

Roman drove Dean to the fight before they went their separate ways there.

The warehouse was filled with men and women with some teenagers, dressed to their nines holding some beverages and snacks, cash visible from some of the pockets. Roman chose to sit down near the corner in the middle of the stadium like setting.

It reminded him of an ancient Roman colosseum with the cage ring in the centre.

It also reminded him of the battle last Saturday.

When Dean entered the ring, Roman held his breath seeing his boyfriend shirtless wearing Wrangler jeans. His opponent was announced as an eighteen year old who was from New York and weighed five pounds more than Dean. Physically though he did not look as imposing.

Roman prayed that Dean would be okay.

He watched Dean raised his hands poised for the first swing. The teenager did not hesitate to swing at him but his boyfriend was quicker and gave the bald guy an uppercut instead, making the man stagger back.

Roman gulped when he saw Dean missed a step, giving his opponent to give him a kick which Roman felt but managed to control. Guilt bubbled through his stomach as he watched Dean dodge another blow, his mind taking him back to Saturday again.

Baby boy, I'm so sorry, he thought. I'll make sure to mend you every time you're hurt from now on.

And that was another promise he intended to keep.

He waited for Dean after the fight outside in the car where his boyfriend settled in the passenger seat, throwing his bag in the backseat. "Buckle your seatbelt," Roman said.

"Well hello to you too," Dean replied.

Roman leaned over and their lips met halfway. "You're hurt." Dean had some facial bruises. They needed ice, he thought. Lots of it.

"Yeah. Some of a bitch hits hard."

"I'll ice you when we're back at your place."

"Okay." Dean leaned back as Roman started to drive. "I made a thousand for this. The guy had the nerve to actually hit on me when I was about to leave."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Asked me if I fucked as hard as I fought."

"Do you?"

Dean threw his head back and laugh. "I'm not sure, babe. But we've got the rest of our lives to find that out, don't we?"

A small smile grew on Roman's face, his heart jumping to his throat. The rest of their lives, he thought. "Yeah, we do."

"Still want me now?"

"What do you mean now?"

"Well, I am bruised up."

"Yeah. And I'm here to fix you up any way you want."

Dean sighed in satisfaction. "Love me?"

And Roman stopped at the red light, giving him a warm smile. "Always."

A/N And that's it. That's a wrap for Vermillion. I hate to say goodbye to it but I have to if I want to publish part 2 (which was always the goal). I'd like to thank to those who stuck with me along the way. I know it wasn't an easy read but for all the encouragement and kind words, thank you. Thank you so much. You can find me on Tumblr as sabrina-the-champ. :-)