Adam finished his snack of an apple and a protein bar. Now he and Dean had their heads together and worked on a summary for The Tudor Times, their history project. They realized they only had ten weeks left to do the the project.
They sat in the Auditorium of WWE High. Chris Jericho had called for Act One, Scene One, it was like the first night of rehearsals, two weeks ago. Adam wondered if they were ever going to get it right. Only Rhyno, James had their lines and movements down perfectly.
Rhyno played Gregory and James played Sampson, they were men at arms for the House of Capulet. Soon Ted DiBiase as Balthasar and Sami Zayn, who played Abraham, were the men at arms for the House of Montague, joined Rhyno and James. They too knew their lines, but not so much their movements.
Seth felt bad. It was time for Benvolio to be on stage, it was Roman's part. It was throwing off Alberto Del Rio's portrayal of Tybalt. The were supposed to have a rather dramatic near fight. Alberto was good, but with Chris just reading lines, Alberto couldn't figure out where to place himself.
Chris stopped the group. "Alberto, it will be alright. You're trying too hard. I appreciate that, but, you need to be more fluid. The sword is an extension of your arm. You're a solider, you wouldn't even think of it as a sword, it's part of you. Here, I'll help you..." Chris turned to the audience. "If you have sword work in the play, please pay attention for a few moments."
Before Chris could demonstrate, the back doors of the Auditorium opened. Roman entered, along with the other cast members on the football team and Dolph Ziggler. Seth pointed to the stage when Roman started for him. Roman nodded and went right up on stage. Chris was visibly relieved.
Adam waved Dolph over. Dolph sat so that he could rest his back against the bottom of an upturned seat.
"Sorry, I didn't text. After the Doctor's Randy and I went to sit and talk. I think he's in trouble for doing it, but maybe Coach Hart will understand. It was a talk that needed to happen, we got a lot of things worked out. We couldn't have had this talk with someone watching over us. Dean, maybe you could put a word in for Randy. I'm the one that insisted we stop." Dolph looked at Seth and Adam, then Dean. He looked worried.
Dean nodded. "I'll speak to pops, Dolph. I'll do what I can. I can understand, I love my folks to the Heavens, but sometimes, pops especially can be hard headed. But tell us what the Doctor said. Are you alright? The... is he alright?" He knew Dolph wanted a boy, so he used that for a code. Any ears would think he meant Randy.
Dolph smiled, and he spoke in a quiet voice. "Yeah, all is good. I go back in a week for some deeper tests. Doc Ross said I kind of cramped up because of intense morning sickness and then stress in telling Randy. It can be perfectly normal, but because of my history, he wants more tests. He really is good, made me feel a whole lot better. Randy is okay too, just nerves. Right now, he bleeds freely in the nose. It's also why my morning sickness is so strong. I.. I... took... I didn't know... I didn't..." Dolph's voice wavered and emotions over took him.
Both Adam and Seth slid over to Dolph. Seth was the one that put meaning to Dolph's words. "Oh Dolph, the roids and coke? You took it, but of course, didn't realize you were pregnant. You told the Doctor, right?" He gave Dolph a look filled with worry. Both Seth and Adam had a hand on a shoulder of the teen.
Dolph nodded. "Yeah, I did. He said I probably stopped before it could hurt... him. The tests for that will have to come much later, after the brain develops. He told me to just be healthy now and don't stress over it. If I'd only known.. I'm a horrible person." He sighed deeply.
Adam looked at Dolph. "Dolph, that's just it, you didn't know. If you had, you never would have done it. How do you think I feel. I knew, and I did this. Don't you think I'm terrified too? I died, stopped breathing, maybe I hurt mine..." The gravity of his own thoughts hit Adam hard. He began to tremble.
Dean pulled Adam against him, so that the blond's back was pressed against Dean's chest. "Hey now, none of that, baby. You asked Doc Regal and he assured you nothing happened. You weren't … out... long enough. That's enough, okay? Both of you. You're both going to be wonderful daddies. We have enough on our plates, lets not add more stress. Everything will be fine for both of you. So, are you and Randy together? Or don't you want to talk about it?" Dean gave Adam's cheek a soft kiss and pulled him closer.
Adam leaned against Dean and simply melted. "You're right. Doc said it was alright. Yes, Dolph, talk if you want, but you don't have to..." A sudden cry of pain stopped Adam's words.
All eyes turned to the stage where the cry had come from. Seth looked in horror, Roman was on his knees, his hands over his eyes. Chris knelt next to him.
"Barrett, just... go sit down. Listen next time. Now go!" Chris was angry as he pointed Wade toward the seats.
Seth dashed up onto the stage. Dean, Adam and Dolph went as well, but stood back out of the way. Seth slid on the stage floor to get to Roman, his Big Dog was in pain.
"What the hell happened?" Seth growled as he tried to pry Roman's hands from his face so he could see what had happened.
Chris spoke. "He and Wade were rehearsing their sword fight for later, and someone refused to listen to my instructions and whacked Roman in the eye. Roman, let us look, please." He hadn't been able to get Roman to move his hands.
Seth was worried, this wasn't his Roman. "Ro, babe, let me look. Sethie can make it better, I promise. You trust me, don't you?" He once again gently pulled at Roman's hands.
"It hurts, Sethie. If... my football..." Roman wasn't scared of much, but one thing terrified him, anything that could hurt his football scholarship and his future career.
"I know, Ro, I know. Maybe it's nothing. We need to see if we need to take you to the hospital. At least put ice on it. Let me look, please?" Seth spoke soft and calm, like Roman was a nervous, wild stallion. It wasn't the first time he'd had to deal with an injured Roman.
Roman slowly pulled his hands away from his face. Seth tried not to react to the angry, red mark just under Roman's right eye. There was no blood, but he would have a bruised, black eye for sure.
Chris felt a hand on his shoulder. "I'll go get some ice from the cafeteria." AJ spoke softly. He'd been grading homework in the lighting booth at the back of the auditorium.
Chris nodded. "Adam, go with him, please?" Chris looked over at the worried couple. He then looked at Roman's eye and carefully checked the damage.
Roman now began to feel foolish. He was a tough football player and he was acting like a baby. Roman had not only been afraid of an injury, he was slightly vain about his caramel skin being flawless except for a tattoo around his right wrist. He'd begun his tribal tattoo over the summer.
Roman's family were extremely traditional Samoans. They followed their island culture like a religion. When Roman had turned eighteen that year, his father took him for his wrist band. It had been done in the traditional way of hand-tapping, called Kakau. The tattooist used the ancient tools made from dense wood and animal tusk. Although the tusk was now synthetic it still worked the same. Between now and the age of twenty-five, Roman would add to the tattoo until his entire right arm and pectoral muscle were decorated with tribal tattoos. The design of the tattoo was also part of Roman's family history.
When the tattoo was completed, Roman would be a warrior in the eyes of his family. If he showed pain or cried out during the tattoo, the artist would stop, and never finish. An unfinished tattoo was a mark of shame and weakness. Now he fussed about a whack to the face? Roman was ashamed of himself. He got to his feet.
"I'm alright. I was just shocked. I think I screwed up. I went right and I should have gone left. It's my fault, sir." Roman knew better, but he'd deal with Wade later. He didn't want to disrupt anything further at the moment.
Chris shook his head. "No, Roman, it wasn't you..." He waved for everyone go back and sit in the audience. As everyone took a seat, AJ, Dean and Adam returned.
Roman had sat in the last seat on the front row, near what was known as Camp McMahon. Seth took the ice filled towel from AJ with a smile. Seth held the ice to Roman's cheek. Roman only slightly twitched.
Chris spoke in a stern voice. "Wade, I told you four times to pull back to the left. You could have put Roman's eye out. I dunno, maybe it is bad luck to do Shakespeare. People, please, just concentrate. Time gets shorter every day. Lets go ahead and order food. You seem to do better on full stomachs. Rhyno, James and Drew will do the run. The vote was Sonic again. While they are gone, we will begin Act One Scene Two, that's Jeff, Wade, Santino, Roman and Dean. Roman are you up to it?" Chris arched his brow and looked at the injured actor.
Roman smiled. "Yes, sir. It would take more than this to keep me down." He gave a sidelong glance at Wade, who spoke quietly with Drew about his food order.
Chris smiled. "Good. Thanks. Okay place your orders and we'll get started." He came down to where AJ sat with Adam's group. They talked quietly together.
James Ellsworth took Seth's food order. Adam frowned. Seth only got a small order of tater tots, and a small drink. Roman always offered to buy Seth's food, but Seth always said no. Adam knew he had to be sneaky, but Seth would eat.
"Um... two foot long chili cheese coneys, large onion rings, chili cheese fries and a huge iced tea, please." Adam placed his order and gave James some cash.
Dean laughed. "Better ride home with the windows down, Dolph. Adam's unicorn gas will kills us all after he eats that." He gave Adam a wink.
Adam chuckled. As he did, Roman caught his eye. The football player still held the ice to his cheek. Roman gave Adam a wink. He knew exactly what Adam was up to, and he appreciated it. He would gladly pay for Seth's food, but Roman had learned the hard way, Seth was prideful and charity was a no no. The only time Seth ever let Roman pay for anything was when they were on an official date. One thing Seth did love, were the occasional gifts Roman would give him out of the blue, usually a small piece of jewelery, like an earring or necklace. Seth loved the diamond earring he wore in his left ear. Roman had given it to him for Christmas last year.
Dean got a double cheese burger, onion rings and a vanilla shake. He ordered a second vanilla shake for Adam, as a surprise treat. He knew Adam would rather have a shake over tea, but was being good for the baby. Adam still had weight to gain, and milk shake would be okay.
Before they went up on stage, Roman took the ice filled towel away from his cheek. Chris, AJ and Seth looked at the wound. Roman wanted to roll his eyes, but he let them fuss. Roman knew it could have been worse.
No one noticed that Drew and Wade spoke quietly in the corner by the exit door. They were looking toward Camp McMahon. Drew let out a growl when Seth kissed Roman.
"You nearly got his eye. Well, you will have more chances. Ta for trying. I know the type. Kill his career, kill his future. If he can't be the big shot football star, he won't stay with Seth. It's an Island thing, the man of the family must provide. I'll get him yet." Drew whispered to Wade. He and the Brit hand formed a truce to help each other. Their goals, to win Adam and Seth away from Dean and Roman.
Wade nodded. "Be careful. We don't want them to get on to us. It's like taming a wild stallion, slow and steady. Shut it now, here they come. Now, be charming. Ells-no-chin has Adam's ear, which means Seth's ear." Wade nodded toward Ellsworth and Rhyno as they approached the exit where Drew and Wade stood.
While they waited for the food to arrive, the rehearsal continued. Anyone not on stage was buried in their homework. AJ sat and graded papers in a seat in the McMahon Camp.
AJ finally decided he needed to know the answer to the question that had been on his mind for a while now. He put his reading glasses on top of his head like a headband and leaned forward in his seat. He spoke softly.
"Adam, sorry to bother you. I need to ask you a question. You can answer me honestly. I won't criticize you, I promise." He looked at Adam, sincerity on his face, as well as deep concern.
Adam looked up from his calculus workbook. He twisted his pencil in his fingers. "Yes, you can ask me anything, Mister Styles. I'll answer as honestly as I can."
"Thank you. I just need to know. Did you do Orton's homework for him?" AJ looked directly at Adam. There was no animosity in his eyes, only curious concern.
Adam hung his head and slowly nodded. "Yes, Sir. After a week, Dolph's too. I used to help Randy during the Championship weeks, but not like I did for your class. Sir, I know it was the wrong thing to do. If you want to take off a grade, I'll understand. A few times, I thought about giving him the wrong answers, but that would have … more..." He let out a sigh. Adam knew it would take a long time to undo all the bad he'd done forced or not.
AJ nodded. "Hurt you even worse, possibly have Jason hurt?" He gave Adam an arched brow look of deeper concern.
Adam sniffed. Seth put a hand on his shoulder. AJ hadn't mean to make Adam cry. He slid down onto the floor and put a friendly hand on Adam's knee. Adam looked up at AJ, his hazel eyes filled with moisture.
"Yeah. I'm sorry I cheated, AJ. I have a lot to make up for, but I'm going to try. Randy is trying too. I'm going to tell everyone the truth, well, most of it, not the personal stuff. See my sister does an assembly every year on suicide prevention, bullying, all that stuff. I'm going to tell my story. Maybe I can save one life. I also hope I can generate enough interest in forming a student run hot-line. I just... I don't wanna see anyone with things like these, ever again." Adam held up his black bandaged left arm and pointed to it. The tears were replaced by the fires of determination.
"That's very brave, and very wonderful of you. Do you think it would help if I told my story? I'll understand if you want it to be students only, but, I will help in anyway I can. If you want." AJ looked at Adam with equal determination, maybe it was time to stop hiding his own past. Perhaps his story could help too.
Adam's eyes went wide and Seth's mouth fell open. Adam looked at AJ with admiration. "If you're willing to share your story, I won't say no. You do realize though, some could use it against you. We don't have many students like that here, but, there are a few. I wouldn't want to see any harm come to you. Please Mister Styles... AJ, talk it over with Chris and Stephanie. I'm going to talk to her tomorrow, if you'll excuse me from history?" He looked at AJ in earnest.
"I'll do that. I didn't think about devious students. I hate to say it, but yes, they could use it against me, if I let them. One think I have learned through all this, I let Luke put me in fear. I'll never give anyone that power over me ever again. I'll bet you've learned the same lesson. To never let yourself be backed into a corner again." AJ smiled at Adam.
Adam gave a wry chuckle. "You got dat right. I have a lot more to think about now. AJ... if I may... tell you something? I want to keep it to myself, well, a few people know, but I don't want it broadcast. I have to be honest, Chris might know, but I'm not sure. If he kept it a secret, it was out of respect for me, so don't be mad, okay?" He looked at the history teacher with anxious worry.
AJ smiled softly. "I know. Chris wouldn't break his word, and I would never ask him to. As long as we're not in class or around others, AJ is fine. You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to, Adam." He spoke honestly. He didn't want Adam to feel obligated to tell him anything.
Adam chuckled. "See, my secret affects Dean, that affects Chris, which affects you. AJ... I'm pregnant. Now, the complicated part. It's Randy's, of course, but, Dean is like, it's his, which is wonderful. So far, Randy is okay with it, as long as he gets visitation. He knows that depends on him, his recovery and behavior. So... maybe... one day... you will be Uncle AJ. You are already really, but you know what I mean." Adam now had that special smile and glow he got when he spoke of his baby.
AJ smiled brightly. "Oh Adam, that is wonderful. I know you're young and it's probably not the best situation, but a baby is sweet no matter what. Congratulations." He gave Adam a hug. As they hugged, James, Rhyno and Drew returned.
Chris called for the dinner break. Adam and Seth packed away their homework. Miss Phoenix would not appreciate chili dog stains on their workbook pages. As they waited for Dean and Roman to bring their food, Adam's tummy growled like a starved lion. Seth laughed.
"Wow, I guess you are hungry. I thought when you ordered all that food you were crazy." Seth shook his head. He was hungry, but his dad couldn't pay him for his farm work till later in the week. Till then, he had to count his pennies carefully.
It was so much fun to sit with Seth and Roman as a couple with Dean. With Dolph added to the group, they laughed even more. Adam ate his first chili cheese cony, his fries and a couple of onion rings. He sipped from his tea and his milkshake, and now Adam felt like he was about to pop a button. Adam pulled the second foot long fully loaded chili cheese cony out its wrapper.
"I can't... I just can't. Dean, you want it?" Adam asked his boyfriend first, he had to play the game to get Seth to take it.
"Nope, I'm stuffed. Roman will eat it, he's a growing boy." Dean teased his Samoan friend.
"Not me. I can't finish my second burger." Roman put down the wrapper of his second double burger, there were only a couple of bites left.
"Seth, you eat it. If you don't it will go in the trash and that's a waste. Please be my billy goat." Adam held the food out to Seth. He prayed it would work, he saw the hunger in Seth's eyes.
Seth looked at Dolph. "Don't you want it, Dolph?" Seth thought the platinum blond needed more than he did, after all, he had a baby to feed too.
Dolph shook his head. "I can't, but thanks. I can't eat hot dogs. They make me really sick. I have to make sure they made of either chicken or turkey. I dunno why, but I have never been able to eat a normal hot dog. And, they taste even worse, coming back the other way. I'll finish the last bites of that burger though Roman, if I may?"
Roman handed the burger to Dolph. Seth took the cony. Seth wasn't stupid, he knew Adam, but he wasn't about to let Adam know that he knew. He was simply grateful that Adam cared so much. Seth more easily accepted it from Adam, because Adam came from the same side of the tracks, plus Adam did it with love. Roman did too, but Roman already took good care of him. He didn't need Roman spending money on him every day. Once they married, that was different as were dates, but every day now, was wrong. Roman understood.
Adam watched as Seth chowed down. He then stood. "Well, time to face my demons. If I don't go, my bladder will burst. At least I don't have to go to the girls room." Adam babbled. He hated it, but he had to go to the bathroom. He looked like a frightened rabbit.
Dean stood and took Adam's hand in his. "You're not going alone, my prince." He leaned in and gave Adam a kiss.
Adam smirked at his knight. "Okay, but no peeking at my junk." He teased Dean as they walked, hand in hand to the restrooms.
Seth beamed. "They are gonna get married." Seth spoke like it was already a done deal. Dolph cocked his head and looked at Seth. How could Seth speak so confidently.
Roman saw the curious look Dolph gave Seth. "Seth... knows things. He's never wrong." Roman gave a shrug.
Dolph looked at Seth, but awe replaced curiosity. "Seth, can you, could you talk to my daddy?" His eyes filled with hope. He believed in psychics, but his father did not. They had argued about it, more than once.
Seth frowned. "It's not like that, Dolph. If I could I would. I just... have feelings, and I'm never wrong. Sometimes, I will see something in a dream, but ninety-nine percent of the time, it's just a feeling. I'm sorry, Dolph, I really am." He did feel bad, he could see the hope on Dolph's face.
"It's okay, Seth. I understand." Dolph smiled at Seth. He did understand, different psychic people had different talents, it wasn't Seth's fault.
As Seth, Dolph and Roman cleaned up all their wrappers and trash from the fast food dinner, they continued to talk. A pair of eyes watched Seth's every move.
Dean looked at his face in the mirror while Adam tended to his business. Dean felt he was getting a bit too scruffy. Usually Dean didn't give a flying fuck about his looks, but now, he wanted Adam to be proud to be seen with him. He wouldn't change, but a more careful trim, and a bit of cologne would help.
Dean shook his mop of auburn hair. When he'd been little, Dean had nearly been as ginger as Heath. Dean liked it now, just enough red to be saucy, but the brown had dulled down the flaming red.
The former orphan grinned, Adam had finished and now stood behind him. Adam wrapped his arms around Dean's waist and rested his chin on his boyfriend's shoulder.
"It's okay, my prince. You want me to go in with you?" Dean looked into Adam's hazel eyes via the mirror. He knew exactly what Adam wanted to do. Dean knew Adam wanted to go the girls bathroom.
"You're scary, you read my mind. I wasn't sure at first, but I need to see it. Wait for me outside? I won't be long." Adam kissed Dean's cheek softly.
"Well, I just know what I would want to do, you're a lot like me in that way. I'll be right here. I won't move." Dean spoke as they stopped in front of the girls bathroom. Dean took up post right next to the door.
Dean spoke again. "Remember, past is past. He will never hurt you, or anyone again. You're not that person anymore either. Say goodbye to it, my love. Don't forget, our little one wants you happy. I know you can't be okay until you face it, and as I said, say goodbye. I love you, Adam." Dean leaned in, took Adam's face tenderly in his hands and kissed him.
"I love you, Dean. Thank you." Adam returned Dean's kiss and then, with a deep breath, pushed open the door and entered the pitch black girls bathroom.
Just as the bathroom door closed, the door to the Auditorium opened. Chris Jericho stuck his head out, he frowned when he saw Dean. Dean stared at the door to the girls restroom, like he was waiting for something, but what?
Chris stepped over to his nephew. "Dean, kiddo? What's up? His voice was light, Chris didn't want to scare Dean.
Dean's eyes stayed pinned to the door. "He's in there. He had to say goodbye. I just hope..."
Adam felt along the wall for the light switch as the door closed behind him. A slight fear filled his soul as he continued to fumble for the switch. He let out a tiny whimper of relief when he found it. Adam had to blink several times as the bright fluorescent light filled room.
Adam's eyes came into focus. The room looked fresh and pristine. A brand new, sparkling clean mirror hung over the row of vanity sinks. Adam also noticed the mirror was now in a steel frame and on closer inspection, a fine, nearly invisible mesh was tightly stretched across the glass. Adam knew it would keep broken glass from being grabbed. It was a good thing.
When Adam looked down at the tiled floor, he noticed two things. All the grout had been redone and some of the tiles looked to be more washed out than the others. He knew washed out look came from being deeply cleaned and scrubbed with bleach or other strong cleaning solution. If it hadn't been so costly, Adam knew they would have replaced the flooring entirely, but it wasn't possible. Adam also knew it was the scrubbing to clean up his blood that caused the visible damage to the tile floor.
The bathroom also held the faint smell of fresh paint. Adam slowly made his way down to the last stall. He looked down once again. This time it was obvious four tiles had been replaced. It was most probably the spot where he'd fallen and drawn the heart in his blood. Adam trembled.
He pushed open the door of the last stall. The place where Dean had kissed him so sweetly, and where Randy had fucked him so brutally. The place where he'd been so desperate to get away, he didn't care about the baby he carried.
Adam slid down the wall and sat on the floor. He faced the stall where his life had changed. Adam placed his hand on his abdomen. "I'm sorry, my little one. I was so... beaten down, I forgot to care about you. It won't ever happen again, daddy promises you that. You also need to understand, your poppa Randy was sick, too. He's working on getting better. Your poppa Dean loves you already and your daddy loves him. I promise, my little one, we will do everything we can to give you the best possible life. Daddy is a much stronger person now, and knows to call out for help if I need it. I'll never let anyone put me into a corner again. Well, time to move on, my little one. We have a future, this is the past. Come on, poppa is waiting for us. Life is waiting for us." He patted his tummy and got up off the floor.
Adam took one last look around, then clicked off the light. He opened the door and smiled. Dean was right there, waiting for him. Adam fell into Dean's open arms. He felt safe and loved.
"Did you say goodbye to it, baby? Are you completely mine now?" Dean asked softly as he held Adam close. His Uncle had agreed this was important for Adam. The only way he could be completely free was to face it and put it away. AJ had to do the same thing. Once he had AJ had grown even closer to Chris. Chris told Dean to take his time, there were plenty of scenes to rehearse without them.
Adam nodded. "Yeah. They've put a safety mesh over the mirror and replaced the tiles where I … the heart... I said goodbye and promised our baby I would never be backed into a corner again, or if I am, I will scream for help. Yes, Dean, I belong to you, lock, stock and barrel. Do you completely belong to me? I want us to work, Dean." Adam looked hard at his boyfriend. Was Dean really ready to take on all of the baggage? The question burned in Adam's eyes.
Dean hugged Adam closer, his lips against Adam's ear. "Yes, baby. I'm all yours, I've been yours since I first laid eyes on you. We both have baggage, baby. My crap life at the orphanage left its mark. You have your Randy baggage. Now, we move on to the future, together, with our little one. Time to make new baggage. I can't wait till the day when I can truly make you mine." His last words were hot in Adam's ear. Dean raked Adam's earlobe between his teeth with a low, rumbling growl.
Adam's eyes rolled back with a shiver. He ears were his hot spot during sex. "I can't wait either, babe." Adam's voice took on a low husky tone, one Dean hadn't heard before. Damn, Adam was sexy.
Lust over took the two teens. Dean pressed Adam up against the wall, his intentions very clear, but gentle. Adam's hazel eyes darkened and glittered like emeralds as his lust grew. Dean's blue eyes held the same glitter. Dean licked his lips, he just had to have a taste, he needed his drug, his Adam.
Adam's hands clamped down on Dean's shoulders, he wanted to taste Dean just as badly. Dean leaned in closer, their lips were millimeters from touching.
"Guys? Oh... um... oh... well... um... Chris..." Seth's voice stuttered from the Auditorium door. He hadn't meant to interrupt, but Chris really needed Dean for a scene.
Dean let out a near silent curse. He then turned to Seth. "Yeah, on our way..." He turned back to Adam. "Come on, baby. Later, I promise." Dean took Adam's hand and led him back to the Auditorium.
When they got into the huge room, Dean went left, along the side apron of the stage and Adam went down the steps to his "camp". He avoided eye contact with Seth, he wasn't up for being teased. Adam fell back into his homework with a deep pink flush on his cheeks.
Seth snickered as he leaned over and whispered in Dolph's ear. Dolph giggled with Seth. Adam finally looked over at his two friends.
"Be jealous." Adam teased and stuck his tongue out at his friends. A happy smile almost split his face in two.
Dean stood backstage with Roman as they waited for their cue to enter the scene being rehearsed on stage. He leaned in to talk to the older teen.
"Big Dog, I need a huge favor, please?" Dean gave Roman a very pointed look with a knowing arch to his brow.
Roman shook his head with a tisk. "Yeah, okay. The usual?" He knew exactly what Dean wanted.
Dean pulled out his cell phone. He touched his screen a couple of times. He found what he wanted and showed it to Roman.
Roman looked at the picture, then at Dean. He couldn't believe what he looked at. "It has sparkles, it actually has sparkles? Like glitter sparkles?" Roman was in utter disbelief.
"Adam deserves sparkles. Don't judge the sparkles, dude. Will you get it, please?" Dean still had his brow arched at Roman.
Roman nodded with a chuckle. "Hey, if Seth wanted sparkles, I'd get them for him. You know I'll do it. Might be a couple of days before I have time though."
Dean pulled out his wallet and gave Roman the cash to make the purchase. "That's cool. It's not time yet, but I do want to be ready... maybe this weekend. It all depends on him. Adam gets to decide if and when. You think it's okay... you know..." Dean made a quick gesture of rocking a baby in his arms.
Roman smiled. "Yeah, it's fine. If you had paid attention in health class last year, you'd know that. You can even do it to help labor, it relaxes the muscles. Dean, you know... look, I know Adam has been the object of your desire but, don't let that head rule over this one." Roman looked from Dean's crotch and poked Dean's head, albeit gently.
Dean looked at Roman. "Come on, bro, you know me better than that. Of course, I want to, but, if we never do it, I don't care. I want a chance to show him what real lovemaking is like, but it is Adam's choice. I just... If you'd have seen the look in his eye, heard his voice, he's close to being ready. I want to be prepared. Adam deserves the best. So, get the one with the most sparkles." Dean grinned at Roman.
Roman gave a playful eye roll. "Okay, okay. You know, I am a bit jealous, sometimes. I want Sethie so much it hurts. I gotta... ya know... almost every night." He made a gesture of jerking himself off.
Dean pulled Roman further back into the backstage shadows, no one else needed to hear this. It wasn't often Roman opened up to talk. Dean wanted his friend to be able to talk without fear of nosy ears.
"Maybe you and Seth should seriously talk about it again. I think signing the pledge was great. It means that your commitment was real, not physical. But, now you know, your relationship is forever. Have you two talked about lately?" Dean asked with concern, would Roman stray out of need?
Roman picked at his fingernail absentmindedly. "No, I'd like to, but what if Seth thinks I'm just out to stuff the donut? Like you, if we never made love, I'd be miserable but I wouldn't leave Seth, or betray him. Not happy with Mister Hand, but it works. How do I go about even talking about it, without upsetting Seth? Dean, you've been single since I've known you. Are you sure you want all the relationship crap? Well, no, it's not crap... arg... I don't know what I mean!" Roman growled in frustration.
Dean smiled at his friend. "Yeah, I do, every bit of the crap. As long as it's Adam's crap. Now you have me saying dumb shit. You know, we've got the perfect solution, our boys. What If I explain it to Adam. Adam can explain it to Seth. At least open the idea of talking. What do you think?"
Roman gave a shrug. "Might work. Just as long as Adam understands, I'm not being a horn dog. Oh maybe... yeah, forget it, D. When it's meant to be our time, it will be. Guess I'd better pick up some stuff for myself as well." He gave a slight chuckle. He tucked the money from Dean into a secret slot in his wallet. Their conversation had ended just in time. Their cue was given and they entered into the scene.
Seth and Adam sat with their heads together and worked on their history homework. They felt funny working on it with AJ only a few feet away. Dolph had gone up on stage, as he had a scene with is Shakespearean family.
Adam inadvertently let out a whine mixed with a sigh. Seth looked at his friend. "Ads? You okay? Was it too much?" He didn't want Adam to fall back into a depression about Randy.
Adam sighed again. "Seth, I don't want to offend you because I know your saving yourself. I respect that, but..." He paused. How could he talk about it without hurting Seth's feelings.
Seth gave Adam an impish smirk. "You're as horny as fuck?" He arched his brow as the blond nodded like bobbled headed dog on the dashboard of a car, driving in an earthquake.
"Yeah. I want him so bad. I don't want a relationship based on sex, but, once in a while, a hand job just isn't enough. Does it make me a slut?" Adam's expression changed to one of worry.
Seth frowned. "Don't Ads don't. You said goodbye to all that crap. Adam to answer your question, no it does not. It makes you a normal, healthy male. Adam, don't think I mean anything weird when I say this, but you are a beautiful, sexual creature. There is nothing wrong with enjoying sex. Sometimes I wish we hadn't signed the pledge. It was more to show our parents this wasn't your average teenage romance. It's not based on sex or physical things. It's based on love and emotions, which it is. But sometimes, I mean, look at my man he's gotta be hung like bull, and I want him, Adam. Our relationship is ready, but how can I tell him without sounding like I want to polish his pole?" He spoke in a whisper, AJ was too close, even if he wasn't listening.
Adam bit his lip thoughtfully. "Maybe I could explain it to Dean and he could talk to Roman. At least it would get you two talking about it. I'd make sure Dean understands, so it's not weird." He looked at Seth with a shrug and curious eyes.
Seth's eyes lit up. "Yeah..." Then Seth frowned. "Well, no, better not. Even if you explain it, you know how guys can make it sound, without meaning to. It could turn into a big mess. Ro and I will figure it out. It will happen when it's meant to happen Don't take this wrong, but I am not ready for a..." He gave Adam's belly a quick pat, then kissed Adam's cheek so his friend would know he wasn't judging him.
Adam snickered. "I know what you mean. Guys just don't handle conversations well. We tend to be too honest. Girls like to be so dramatic and want to analyze every single word. How do you mean that? What did that mean? Why did you say it that way?" Adam did a good imitation of a girl.
Seth laughed. "Yeah, they do. Where as, Dean would probably say, hey Ro, Seth wants to fuck, thinking nothing about it. You and I have the perfect mix. We say what we mean, but we do with finesse. So, are we boys or girls in the way we do things?" Seth had confused himself.
Adam guffawed. "We're adults, Seth... oh.. he's so fucking hot." Adam's eyes had flicked to the stage. Dean in the guise of Romeo was in a fight scene. His thigh muscles flexed and strained through his jeans. Adam nearly drooled as he watched.
Seth watched Adam. Adam had never watched or reacted to Randy in such a way. More and more things cemented the fact that Adam and Dean were perfect for each other. It was so fucking good to see Adam so happy.
The final scene rehearsed was the balcony scene, where Romeo and Juliet kissed. You could have heard a pin drop. It was beautiful and tragic because of the knowledge of how the play ended. When their kiss broke, the applause was deafening.
Wade and Drew watched from their seats in the far back corner of the Auditorium. Their heads together as they spoke in whispers. They worked on a plan to win the objects of their desires.
Wade wasn't about to let Dean have Adam, especially after the incident in science class. He vowed that Adam would be his, one way or another, willing or not. Drew felt the same about Seth.
Adam had just barely managed to survive one brutal relationship. What would happen next?