Six

"What is it?" Dean asked, worry evident on his face.

Roman took a deep breath, willing for his nerves to calm down but it was hopeless. He couldn't help but wonder if he could take it back but it was too late.

A huge part of him wanted to know why too especially when there was no reason for him to deny it.

"Dean," he said softly. "I really like you. But you already knew that. I was wondering if you'd like to go steady with me… you know, be my boyfriend. I know we haven't even dated for a week but… gosh, I feel so foolish for asking you that."

Dean appeared to be mulling over it. His blue eyes were focused on the ground while a hand was on his chin. A moment later, he looked at Roman. "Can I think about it?"

Roman nodded briskly. "Of course! Take all the time you need."

"I guess we are sort of boyfriends now," the mass communication major added. "So don't worry too much, okay?"

That soothed some of worries as he nodded again. "Okay."

Boots Lounge was particularly crowded when they arrived but Dean and him managed to get good seats.

They ordered Coke and chatted about school while waiting for the band to start.

The lights dimmed a while later and the band started strumming.

Hey have you ever tried
Really reaching out for the other side?
I may be climbing on rainbows
But baby, here goes

Dreams are for those who sleep
Life is for us to keep
And if you're wondering what this song is leading to,
I want to make it with you

I really think that we could make it, babe

Though you don't know me well
And every little thing only time will tell
If you believe the things that I do,
And we'll see it through

Life can be short or long
Love can be right or wrong
And if I chose the one I'd like to help me through
I'd like to make it with you

I really think that we could make it, babe

Roman gazed at Dean beside him who was paying attention to the band. The Samoan man struggled to keep his hands to himself, wanting nothing more than to hold Dean's hand.

Instead he played with the end of his t-shirt; he didn't want to freak Dean out.

"Thank you!" the lead singer, Jack Gallagher, cheered. "The next song is something I'm sure you will all appreciate. It's called You Make Me Feel Brand New. Enjoy."

My love
I'll never find the words my love
To tell you how I feel my love
Mere words could not explain

Precious love
You held my life within your hands
Created everything I am
Taught me how to live again

In the darkness, he saw Dean swallowed hard. Maybe this was not the best place to bring him out...

Once the concert ended, Roman suggested going to the park near campus but Dean declined; he wanted to turn in early. When he walked Dean to the door, the auburn haired man thanked for a good night. "Dean," Roman said slowly, "I'm sorry if I seemed to be pushy towards you earlier. It won't happen again."

"It's nothing serious, Roman. I'm attracted to you. You're attracted to me. No biggie. It's just that I've never done serious relationships for a long time so it'll take me some time to get used to it."

"Why?"

"Relationships involve emotions and that scares me, I guess. I felt suffocated in my last two ones."

"Oh." Now what? Should he give Dean some space?

Roman asked him that question aloud. "No," Dean declined. "I think we're okay. I just can't promise you about the boyfriend thing. But I'd love to see you tomorrow if you're free."

"You… would?"

"Sure. Why not?"

"Do you miss seeing other people?"

Dean frowned. "I never really thought about it. I mean sure the idea of being in a committed relationship scares me but I don't know… we don't have labels, you and I."

They didn't. Roman wished they did but he did not want to freak Dean out. "So uh… I'll see you tomorrow then."

"See you," Dean replied. His eyes flickered to Roman's lips and eyes before Roman pulled him close and smashed their lips together. Dean responded back with just as much passion, hooking his arms around Roman's neck.

The Samoan man wondered why Dean was afraid of committing when his body seemed to be responding in another way but decided not to push it any further. He had to learn how to restrain himself.

They pecked a few times before letting go.

Roman bid him a good night before returning back to his own dorm room with a happy sigh.

Dean was not in a good mood when Kevin approached him the next day outside his dorm room. "What?" he snapped.

"Dude, I've been trying to reach you and you haven't been responding. What gives?" Kevin asked as they started to walk towards the elevator.

"I'll tell you what. Roman overheard you and almost gave up on us."

"Overheard what? Me calling him a stalker?"

"Yes! And found that damn article you gave me. Look, Kev. You're my best friend and I know you're concerned about me but I'm fine. Roman is not a stalker. If he was, I'm pretty sure Dolph wouldn't encourage us being together."

"Together? You guys are boyfriends now?"

"No. I don't do relationships. You know that."

"Okay then, Dean. So what are you both doing?"

"We're dating."

"Isn't that the same as being boyfriends?"

"No. I never promised him commitment."

"So you're both free to date other people too? Didn't you said you wanted to give it a try with him?"

"...Yeah."

"Giving it a try with him means you're dating him exclusively. It means you are in a relationship with him."

"What?" Dean gaped. "I never agreed to that. Look, drop this subject, Kevin. I'll talk to Roman myself."

"Fine."

As the two men walked towards their lecture room, Dean couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever get over his fear of commitment. Maybe not now but in the future. He could see himself dating Roman and he didn't doubt Roman would stop wanting to be with him either but what if he was still afraid in ten years?

Would Roman get antsy and allow himself to be swept away by someone else?

"Dean!"

As if on cue, Roman was there in the flesh, wearing a black tank and cargo pants with sneakers.

"Hey… Roman." Awkward. Especially with Kevin beside him.

"I've been looking for you. You dropped your student matric card in my room. I found it near-"

"Thank you." Dean quickly grabbed the card and shoved it in his pocket. "Roman, this is Kevin, my best friend. Kevin, this is Roman."

"Hi," Roman greeted politely. "It's nice to meet you."

Kevin apparently thought otherwise. "I'll be honest. You look like a nice guy. But I resent you for pushing my best friend into something he's not ready for."

"Kevin!" Dean reprimanded. "That was uncalled for!"

"I'm sorry, Dean. But I've been looking out for you since we were kids. I'm not about to let some guy force you to be someone you're not."

Roman crossed his arms. "I'm not forcing your best friend into anything."

"Oh really?"

Dean shot Kevin a warning look. "What Roman and I are to one another is our own business, Kev. I've told you this."

His best friend stormed into the lecture hall.

"I'm sorry," Dean apologised. "He's never acted like this before."

Roman gave him a small smile. "It's alright." He rubbed the back of his head nervously. "See you later?"

"Later," Dean confirmed.

Roman was writing down notes in his notebook when he was invited again by Marcellus for lunch. He declined the invitation. "Thank you anyways. I'm meeting my boyfriend."

Then it hit him what he said.

Oh no.

Dean was going to flip if he ever found out.

It was a good thing that Marcellus and Dean didn't run in the same circle, Roman thought as he closed his notebook.

But he discovered how wrong he was when he saw Marcellus greeting Dean as he walked past their table. "Dean!" Marcellus greeted, fist bumping him. "What's up, man?"

"Hey man!" Dean beamed. "How are you?"

"I'm good! I-" Marcellus' eyes widened when he saw Roman. "Oh! So you're Roman's boyfriend."

"Boyf-" Dean looked at Roman before he forced a smile at Marcellus. "Yeah. Who knew, huh?"

"Dude, I'm glad you finally found someone whom you really like."

"Me too."

His reply seemed so forced and Roman felt horrible. He wished the earth would swallow him. What the hell had he been thinking when he told Marcellus that? He knew how uncomfortable Dean was with words like that…

When Marcellus left, he felt Dean's eyes on him. "Roman," Dean begun.

"I'm sorry, Dean." Roman pushed his plate aside and quickly rushed out of the cafeteria.

Upon reaching his dorm room, he locked the front door to a surprised looking Seth who was reading a textbook. "Something wrong?" his friend asked.

"Please don't open the door for him."

"Who? That Dean guy?"

"Yes!"

"Ummm okay." Seth didn't question him any further, turning his attention back to his book.

Roman went straight to his room. His phone vibrated; it was from Dean but he was too terrified to answer it.

How could he face him after all that? This whole thing was putting him in a bad light. The nursing major was thoroughly embarrassed with himself.

There was a knock on his door then, interrupting his thoughts.

"Roman?" Dean's voice floated through the door.

He sat up immediately. Didn't he tell Seth not to open the door?

"Come on, Roman," the mass communication major pleaded. "Please open the door for me."

Well, sooner or later he had to face him. Roman swung his feet over and opened the door to find Dean looking at him quizzically. "Hey."

"Hey," Dean answered, walking in and shutting the door behind him. "Roman-"

"I'm sorry. It was wrong of me to have said that. Maybe we should just cool things between us-"

Dean's kiss silenced any more rambling that was coming out from his mouth. Roman sighed inwardly before he took over the kiss, holding onto him tight and enjoying the feel of their bodies pressed together.

"I'm not mad at you, Roman," Dean assured him. "You probably said it in passing without consideration. It's okay."

No, it wasn't but Roman decided to keep it to himself. One, Dean wasn't ready for that and two, Roman knew he was getting way ahead of himself.

"How about we have some fun?" Dean suggested.

"What kind of fun?"

"There's a carnival in town. Would you like to go together?"

"I've got lots of reading to do-"

"So we'll study together then. You wait here. Let me get my books and I'll be back."

Dean gave him a quick peck before leaving the room.

Roman stared after him with forlorn before shaking his head; he really needed to work on his patience.

When Friday came around, while they were eating lunch, Dean was disappointed to learn that Roman wouldn't be able to spend time with him for the next two days because he'd staying over with his family.

"It's my mum's birthday," the Samoan man explained.

"Oh."

"I'll be back on Sunday night."

"Sure." He was leaving without Dean and didn't seemed to care about it either.

Roman must have noticed his unhappiness. "I'd have asked you but it's my family. I wasn't sure if you'd be comfortable with meeting them so soon."

"I'm fine with following you but maybe we can lay off the labels, okay?"

"O-okay."

"Is it going to be a big gathering?"

"Not really. Just a medium sized one."

That didn't sound so bad.

Or so he had thought.

When they reached Roman's home on Saturday morning, the nursing major's parents were looking at Dean with polite smiles.

Dean smiled back; Roman's family looked like nice people. This weekend was going to be awesome.

"This is Dean," he heard Roman introduce. "My friend."

A/N Only four chapters left… :-)