Three

Roman had never been in a casual relationship before. He was not familiar with the rules of such an arrangement. So far, Dean and him had an agreement to meet up three times a week: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

It sounded simple and the nursing major had nothing else to ask until he saw him on Thursday with a hickey on his neck.

"Ummm… what's that?" the grey eyed man asked. The thought of Dean being intimate with someone else made his stomach turn.

"Oh. Went out with Jimmy Jacobs last night."

"Who's that? Another squeeze?"

"Nah some dude I met a party on Tuesday."

That escalated quickly. "So we can date other people too?"

"Yeah that's what casual means."

"What if we fall in love with someone else? Do we end things?"

Dean frowned slightly. "I suppose so," he replied slowly. "Why?"

"Just asking."

"Do… do you have your eyes on someone?"

"Well-"

"I didn't come here to talk about other people."

"But you just asked me that question." Roman pulled him closer, fastening his lips over his. Dean merely wounded his arms around his neck, pressing his body closer.

Roman didn't think he would ever get over the fact that Dean was in his arms right now, kissing him. What surprised him was how the auburn haired man didn't seem to be fighting him for control. "Dean…"

"Mmmm…"

"I forgot to tell you but I'm not available this weekend."

Dean raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Well, I'll be out of town. I'm going to Foxtown."

"Why?"

"Just to spend a day or two exploring. I made plans before things became ummm sort of official between us."

"So you were going to go on your own?"

"Yeah."

Dean leaned against the wall, his face unreadable. "So what were you planning to do in Foxtown? Were you planning to visit art museums?"

Roman wanted to laugh. What was up with the twenty questions? "I was planning to explore: cafes, museums and go bar hopping…"

"Maybe have a one night stand?" Dean sounded like he was gritting his teeth.

He bit back a smile. There it was. That was what was eating him. "Maybe," he allowed.

"Do you have room for one more?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean can I follow you on this trip?"

"Dean, I'd be driving on Saturday and leaving on Sunday. That's more than three days we're meeting in a week."

"I don't mind," Dean replied.

Roman could tell he was telling the truth. "Why do you want to follow me again?"

"I want to explore with you. I mean I've never been to Foxtown."

Roman wanted to push him a little so he said, "But you coming with me would be challenging, Dean. How am I supposed to pick up a guy when you're with me?"

"So? Pick me up instead."

"I'm not having sex with you, Dean."

"Oh Roman, don't be silly. You know you will."

The moment he heard of Roman going away, he knew he had to follow him. As he stared at the Samoan man who was relating about his day, Dean couldn't help but think how much trouble he was in.

Roman was making it tough for him; he was endearing and knew how to push his buttons. That had never happened to him before; he had never met a man like that.

He pulled Roman mid conversation into his arms and started to ravish his mouth before peppering his neck with kisses. Roman grunted as his hold on Dean tightened.

Fuck, Dean needed to work on his game if he wanted Roman to be underneath him on Sunday.

Their lips met again in a fierce liplock.

Dean decided to take his chances, slowly sliding his left hand towards Roman's butt cheek. Success, he thought. Just as it happened on Monday, Roman swatted his hand away, breaking the kiss. "Seriously, Dean?"

"Oh come on, Roman. Why can't I grope you?"

"Maybe you can only grope me when we're in a committed relationship."

"I don't do committed relationships."

"Well, I don't do anything more than kissing unless I'm in a relationship with someone."

Dean's jaw dropped. Another first. Usually people had no problems with the arrangements he made with them. "What?"

"You have your rules... I have mine."

"So unless I'm your boyfriend, I'm allowed certain liberties?"

"Well, yeah. Essentially."

"That's kind of smart," Dean remarked. "Holding things off and leaving a person hanging."

"Or it's called self respect," Roman drawled. He cocked his head. "Still want to do casual?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Roman straightened his white Everlast t-shirt. "Want to watch something on the laptop?"

"Nope." He wanted to get back to kissing, truth be told.

"Oh come on. I found this great website that streams old and new movies."

A part of him was tempted to just jump on the man but maybe that wouldn't turn out so good. "All sorts?"

"We're not watching porn."

Dean grinned. "Why?"

"Because. You ask a lot of questions."

"I do. Like I said, you have to in my future profession. You should practise giving sponge baths. It'll be part of your future job responsibilities."

Roman laughed. "Nice try, Dean."

Dean straddled him. "Come on, Roman." He kissed him softly. "Why can't we fool around?"

"We barely know each other, Dean. Well I know a bit about you but-"

"Sex bonds people, you know."

"So do experiences."

"Sex is an experience."

"Uh huh."

"An experience that you'll never forget. Especially when you're with me."

"But I'm not with you. I'm just your side dude."

"Which is weird because you talk about self respect yet you're okay with that?"

Roman shrugged. "I won't know; maybe I'll meet someone who will love me… whom I'll wind up falling for."

Before he could comprehend, the words flew out of his mouth, "You take back those words!"

The Samoan man looked at him quizzically. "Why?"

"Because."

"Look, Dean. Since it bothers you so much, why don't you break your own rules for a bit?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean why don't you try dating me exclusively for a while? You can see if I'm worth your time."

That was an interesting offer. It would certainly keep any other men from hitting on Roman. "Can I think about it?"

"Sure."

He was in the midst of going back to his dorm when Dolph called him. "How goes, cousin?"

"Fuck, Dolph," Dean replied. "Have you been reading Shakespeare again?"

"It's amazing. I'm trying to use it on Vickie so that when we do it-"

"Too much info there."

"Right."

"So what's up?"

"How are things with you and my best bud?"

"Okay I guess."

"Dean, Roman's a great guy and he's someone - one of the few people really - that I care about. Don't break his heart."

Dean sighed. "Dolph, he's okay with a casual relationship."

"Look, there's nothing superficial about him. He's the kind of guy who will love, honor and obey you. So don't lead him on. Such a love from a person is rare."

He was about to reply his friend as he reached the floor of his dorm when he found his roommate, Baron Corbin leaning against their door. "Dolph, I'm going to have to call you back." Dean hung up the phone. "Forgot your key again?"

"Yeah," the long haired man moaned. "Where were you? New date?"

"Or something."

Dean opened the door and they walked in. Baron chuckled as he threw his coat on his bed. "When are you ever going to settle down?"

For all his self confidence and tattoos, Baron was a man in a committed relationship with a nice young lady. Dean envied him for not having the fears he had. "I'm not sure."

"Gotta ask yourself if this guy is worth it. Go out. Observe. Trust your heart, Dean. You can't go wrong."

Roman couldn't sleep.

He spent his time tossing and turning in bed, unable to get Dean off his mind. He hoped his words got through to the blue eyed man. It was obvious Dean liked him but was he willing to jump to give himself that chance?

Swinging his legs over his bed, he made a quick change of clothes before he left his dorm to go to the twenty four seven convenience store. Campus was fairly empty with a handful of students walking around.

Roman headed to the isle where they sold fruit cups and grabbed one.

He saw a couple squabbling at the chocolate and sweets section. "I can't believe you kissed him!" the skinhead yelled. "What were you thinking?"

The blonde frowned. "It was for our fraternity initiation!"

"Oh yeah? How random!"

Maybe that was what Dean was afraid of? The quarrels and such.

The grey eyed man went to the counter to pay for his fruit cup. As the cashier was counting his change, Dean walked in. "Roman?"

"Dean," he greeted with a warm smile.

"Can't sleep?"

"No. You?"

"Same. Let me grab a drink first."

The park had not a single person in sight, Roman noted as he sat down with Dean at a secluded part. "So why can't you sleep? Big test tomorrow?"

Dean grinned. "I wish. No." His face fell. "I kept thinking about your offer."

"That's not so bad."

"Of course you would think that. Have you ever been in a relationship?"

"Yeah."

Dean gave him a look. "You have?"

"Yeah. Just one. That was before I heard about you from Dolph."

"Why did you break up with him?"

"What makes you think that I broke up with him?"

"So he broke up with you?"

Roman laughed. "Never had the chance to break up. He all but humiliated me. Then we were over."

"Wait? What?"

"He made fun of me to fit in with this fraternity he was trying to get in. Tripped me while I carrying a tray full of food. Mocked my size in front of them. It was a nightmare. Until Dolph came up to him and punched him in the face." Roman shook his head. "Anyways, he and I avoided each other actively after that except towards the end of senior year"

"I'm sorry to hear that." Dean reached for his hand. "He's a fool to do that to you."

"I'm over it. He tried to get back together with me towards the end of senior year after seeing how much weight I had lost but I was over it. I mean I had heard about you from Dolph and I knew I wanted to meet you-"

"That's a lot of dedication for a guy you have never met."

"I don't know. Something in me told me you're worth it."

Dean swallowed. "You think I'm worth it?"

"Yeah."

"And if I don't want to be exclusive… what happens then?"

Roman had braced himself for such a question. After all, Dean had never been one for commitment. "I guess we'll have to see. We won't know where life will take us, right?"

"You mean you could fall in love with someone else?"

"I don't know that. No one can give you an answer to that." He squeezed Dean's hand. "Just think about it, okay?"

"The dude sounds like a psycho." Kevin bit into his muffin during lunch the next day. "Who does these things for someone you barely even met?"

Dean shook his head as he stirred his Mountain Dew. "He did, Kev."

"I'd run for your life, Dean."

"He seems harmless. Dolph likes him. Knows him very well too."

"And Dolph's not alarmed?"

"Nope."

"I still think you're nuts for even considering something with him. Seriously. This whole behavior screams of stalker."

The rest of his Friday turned out crappy. The paper he had turned in for his Fundamentals of Journalism class had been graded C because of his lack of objectivity. Dean wanted to blow off his steam; he had worked hard on that paper.

Somehow he found himself standing in front of Roman's door. Knocking on it, he was greeted as always with those beautiful eyes and warm smile. "Today's Friday."

"Hey." Dean stepped in. "I had a horrible day."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Tea would be nice."

"Sure. Make yourself at home. I'll boil the water."

The kitchenette had the delicious smell of cookies again. "Chocolate chip cookies again?" he asked as he stood beside the grey eyed beauty.

"Snickerdoodles." Roman offered him one. "These are Seth's favorite."

Seth? "Who's that?"

"My roommate."

Lucky guy who having to experience this. "You always bake for Seth?"

"No. It's just that he's been feeling homesick and snickerdoodles remind him of his mum. I thought it'd be nice to make him feel at home."

It took all of him to fight the jealousy he was feeling. "So you all set for tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Are you?"

Dean nodded. "Would be nice to get out a while."

They sat on Roman's bed and chatted about Dean's day. Roman cracked some jokes to make him laugh while they had cookies and tea. Dean felt better.

Later as dusk was approaching and Roman was watching an old black and white film on the laptop serenely, Dean mentally argued with himself what was the worst that could happen with trying to date Roman exclusively?

If this was what Roman offered, then Dean would gladly take it.

"Roman?" Dean said softly.

The Samoan man turned his attention to him. "Yeah, Dean?"

"I'd like to try."

And Roman pulled him closer, their lips meeting in a gentle kiss. "I promise you I'm worth it, Dean," the nursing major told him.

He fervently hoped so. Dean sealed his lips over his again.

A/N Awww… my apologies for the late update. Thank you for the favorites and follows. Please leave me a review; they make my day! :-)