Seven

"This is Dean, my friend," Roman introduced to his parents who welcomed both men in.

Dean did not look not pleased though when they were alone in the room. "Friend?" the auburn haired man bit out. "Really?"

"What do you want me to call you then?"

"I'm not sure but friend isn't one on the list."

"Didn't you tell me to cool it with the labels-"

"Friend is a label!"

"Then-"

"Dean! I'm Dean and you're Roman and that's the way it is!"

Roman could tell that Dean was shaken. This whole thing must have been freaking him out. "Dean?"

"What?"

"It's okay, you know. You can go back to dating casual. I'm okay with it." No, he wasn't but he didn't want to hold on to a caged Dean.

Dean was looking at him in disbelief. "Really?"

"Yeah. We'll do Monday, Thursdays and Saturdays again. No pressure."

"And you won't be upset?"

"How can I be? Your happiness matters to me."

Because they arrived early, Roman decided to take a nap. Dean decided to watch CNN to catch up with the news.

When he woke up, he found Dean nestled in his arms. He didn't had the heart to wake him up so he stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out what he had gotten himself into.

He found himself groggy when he felt kisses on his face; he must have dozed off again.

"Hey," Roman mumbled.

"Shall we freshen up?" Dean proposed. "Then you can show me around."

"Okay."

Roman sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Dean was up on his feet, combing his fingers through his hair. "I'm done!" he announced.

That was fast. At least he seemed to be in better spirits.

The two men bounded down the stairs where Jimmy was laughing at something his girlfriend, Naomi was saying.

His eyes widened at the sight of Dean. "Hey, man."

Roman quickly introduced Dean before heading for the door. But not before his mother stopped them. "Not so fast. I made pancakes."

At the mention of that, Dean licked his lips. "Oooh."

Guess they were staying in.

Roman's mother was fussing over Dean, putting more food on his plate. Not that the auburn haired man minded. He wolfed down whatever he could.

"So what are you studying, Dean?" Patricia asked.

"Mass communication," Dean answered with pride. "I want to be a journalist."

"That sounds wonderful."

"Thanks. I always wanted to know the human side to stories. I want to show the world the truth."

Roman admired Dean for his drive. He always knew there was more to him than what he showed the world… much like the stories he wanted to report.

It was a shame he wasn't Roman's to call his.

"After graduation, I intend to go to France for a year to study French," Dean continued. "And if I'm lucky, secure an internship for TV5 Monde."

"That's very ambitious of you, Dean," Patricia commented. "It's nice to see someone with planning."

"Roman plans too," Dean supplied.

"Yes. He hopes to get an internship at Amber General Hospital and then work there. If only he'd find someone to settle down with…"

Roman gulped. "Mum… not this again…"

"You know, Jason stopped by the other day. Maybe you should call him."

Why the hell was his ex boyfriend coming around his house?

"Who's Jason?" Dean asked with a slight frown.

"My ex," Roman said, standing up. "I'm not calling him, Mum. I don't care how much he claims to have changed. There are other fishes in the sea and he's not one of them. I'll see you later. Happy birthday."

He drove Dean and him to the nearest mall, Big Box where they tried to find gifts for Patricia.

"How about pearls?" Dean suggested. "She'd look gorgeous in pearls."

"I guess. Or I could get her a gift card."

"That's such a cop-out!"

"Well…"

"We're getting her pearls. The end."

There it was again. That word "we". But Dean didn't appear to take notice he used it so Roman brushed it aside. They went to a jeweller where they bought fresh pearl earrings on sale.

The blue eyed man insisted on paying half of it so Roman agreed.

Dean insisted on getting ice cream so they ate vanilla soft serve on a cone while walking around the mall.

"Dean!"

The two men turned around only to find a brunette smiling at him, holding paper bags. "Hey, Zack," Dean greeted when the guy approached.

"Hey…"

Roman decided to give them some privacy so he stood aside, looking at the new books on display from the window of Kinokuniya.

It was the hardest thing he ever had to do - letting go of Dean - but if they were meant to be, they'd reunite someday.

If not, well… the joke was on him.

When Dean joined him, they continued walking until Roman decided to call it a day.

"I… uh… won't be joining you tomorrow," Dean informed him as Roman turned on the ignition of his car.

That meant he had a date, most likely with Zack.

"That's okay," Roman assured him.

Inside, he was falling apart.

Dean admired how close Roman's family were later that night around the table as they celebrated Patricia's birthday.

It was a far cry from his dysfunctional family.

He could see where Roman got his warmth from. He was instilled with good values as well.

There was a sadness in his eyes, however that he was trying to mask and Dean couldn't help but wonder if it was because they were both back to where they had started.

Patricia loved the pearl earrings and squeezed the hell out of him while hugging.

His twin cousins, Jimmy and Jey, were a riot; Dean really liked them. They had the same interests as him which helped.

At one point, Jimmy teased him, "Watch out; Aunt Patty probably adopted you already. You're part of this family now."

His eyes scanned the room for Roman who was close by his parents, chatting.

After the party, Roman stayed behind to clean up, asking him to head to the bedroom but Dean helped him instead. The living room was clean within an hour.

Dean did not missed the sad glint in Roman's eyes.

They winded up making out on the bed before starting to remove their clothes. Roman made love to him instead, trying to tell him how much he loved him, adored him and cherished him.

Dean was apparently not used to such a style but he adapted to it quickly.

I love you, he thought as he thrusted into the aspired journalist. I love you, I love you… He buried his face near the crook of Dean's neck, inhaling his scent… wishing Dean would say the same.

When he woke up the next morning, Dean was gone.

Roman lied back down, covering himself from head to toe.

Suddenly he was exhausted.

Reaching for phone, he tapped on his radio app.

But I found something here I can't use

What can I do with this broken heart
And a goodbye that leaves me nowhere
What can I do with this broken heart
And a love I can't get over

Roman shut his eyes tight.

Dean met Zack at Blue Cafe where they decided to have coffee before catching a movie.

He knew Zack because they were ex high school mates who ran with different crowds. The Sociology major was a nice guy though… hardly a snob. He also knew about Dean's odd dating arrangement and didn't mind.

As Dean skimmed the menu, he wondered if Roman had his breakfast yet. It was eight thirty already.

"I'm having a mocha," Zack decided. "And a muffin. You?"

"Mmmm… chocolate croissant and espresso. It's Roman's favorite type of coffee," Dean said, absent-minded.

They placed their orders while making idle chit chat about their courses, life. Dean looked at the clock before sipping his coffee.

"So what do you intend to do the rest of the day?" Zack enquired.

"I'm not sure. All I know is I can't wait to see Roman later." Dean felt a pang in his heart. Last night, being in Roman's arms that way… his tender kisses and touches, loving whispers... it melted his heart.

There was something endearing about the Samoan man.

"This is the third time you've mentioned this Roman guy's name."

Dean looked up from his espresso at Zack who looked amused if anything. "What?"

"Yeah," the brunette affirmed. "You've been saying his name. When we were ordering our drinks, you said you'd try the espresso because it's Roman's favorite type of coffee. Earlier, on our way over here, you answered his name as your favorite empire."

"But I do like the Roman empire."

"Also, you just said you can't wait till you see Roman later."

"Nothing wrong with that."

"It's Sunday."

Dean sighed. "Coincidence."

"Or you're falling for him and you don't realise it."

Dean shook his head stubbornly. "Impossible."

"He sounds like a great guy, Dean. Honestly, you struck gold with him. Lots of other people starve for such affections."

It was as if a tsunami swept over him. Dean could not believe how silly he was.

All this while, he had been afraid of relationships and commitment but Roman was accommodating to his needs. He truly loved Dean, putting his own needs aside and giving him space.

Roman took care of his heart.

And Dean wanted to take care of his. He wanted Roman to be the only one to hold his.

When he reached Roman's parents' home, he was informed that Roman had already left to go back to campus.

Why hadn't Roman informed him of his plans, he wondered as he made his back too.

Dean kicked himself mentally as he went straight to Roman's dorm, knocking on his door. Please be at home...

Roman opened it with a confused look. "Dean? It's Sunday."

"I know. You know what I discovered? What a freaking idiot I am. You know what else I discovered?"

"What?"

Dean practically grabbed Roman by his t-shirt and kissed him hungrily, shutting the door behind them with his foot.

"I missed you," Dean admitted.

"I missed you too."

"Why didn't you text me to tell me where you were?"

"Because it's Sunday. We don't meet on Sundays."

"You didn't think I'd try to find you?"

"No. I thought you'd be having a great time with your new… lover, that you wouldn't think about me."

"But I did think about you, Roman. I thought about you a lot… I think Zack's right."

"Right about what?"

"Me. You. Us." Dean stared deep into his eyes. "Roman, I'm falling for you."

Roman's eyes were searching his face when he noticed them softening a moment later. "Dean… I… I must be dreaming."

"It's not a dream," Dean promised him.

"You have no idea how much I wished you'd say those words to me."

"I can only imagine but to be honest, you made it so easy for me to fall."

Roman cupped his face, gently kissing him. "Does this mean you're mine?"

And Dean raised his lips to his. "I'm yours."

A/N Well...