"Now all of a sudden you want to go home for Christmas?" Cody complained as he unwilling followed his boyfriend through the house. Roman had come home from work that day and told Cody that he wanted to go home for Christmas without him. Cody was confused, considering that just a few weeks ago, Roman was telling him that he didn't want to go home, that he wanted to start new traditions with Cody. Now? Roman was trotting up and down the stairs, trying to find things to put in his suitcase. While ignoring Cody's every complaint.

"What changed Roman?" Cody asked exhaustively.

"I just need to get away for a few days. That's all." Roman answered him meakly. It was the truth. Well, part of it anyway. He had to leave out the part about Dean agreeing to come with him because Cody would flip if he knew. Roman didn't want to keep things from Cody, but he needed this. He needed to take Dean with him and finally figure out what it is he wanted.

Even if it scared him.

"So why can't I come?" Cody pouted as Roman stopped in the bedroom to get clothes. "Why do you have to go alone?"

"Because, Cody." Roman shouted from his closet. "I just need some alone time, with my family. It's not gonna be for that long and I'll be back before you know it." The sound of clothes being tossed to and from the closet filled the room as Cody sat on the bed. He crossed his bare legs Indian style, then sadly looked down at his fingertips.

"But I'm your boyfriend." Cody said it so quietly. "You shouldn't need alone time from me."

Cody's sad words forced Roman out of the closet. When he came out he saw Cody sitting on his bed with his head down, staring idly at his fingertips. Roman came over to sit down next to him, slowly picking up Cody's chin so that their eyes met.

"Cody, you know it's not you I want to get away from you okay? I promise it's not you." Roman reached down and grabbed at one of Cody's hands, holding it close to his heart. "I just need to figure out a few things on my own. Please, tell me you understand that?"

Cody's sad blue eyes stared at Roman for a second. He wanted to believe Roman, he really did. He wanted to understand him going to Florida by himself… but something in Cody was telling him that none of this was right. That all of this was just Roman pulling away from him.

Cody couldn't let that happen.

"I understand." Cody said back softly.

"Come on then, smile for me." Roman pleaded as he softly caressed Cody's jaw.

"I can't." Cody shook his head no. "I still don't want you to go Rome." He looked downwards, trying to avoid that gray eyed gaze he loved so much. Roman smirked at how cute his boyfriend was when he was being stubborn. But, he really wanted Cody happy. He knew he had to go soon and he didn't want to leave it on such a somber note with him.

"I know how to make you smile." Roman said happily, "Remember when we first met?" Cody still refused to look at him, but it didn't stop Roman from continuing, "You called my mom's shop with the most complicated order of 12 dozen cranberry lemon cookies for the whole of your dad's firm, and my mom sent me to deliver it. I came up the stairs with minutes to spare and as soon as I saw you… you smiled at me. Do you remember Cody? C'mon, show me the smile you gave me that day baby…" Cody rolled his eyes at Roman yet still couldn't fight the instant smile that formed on his face. "See? There it is. That's the smile." Roman kissed Cody's cheek then got up to finish packing. Cody watched him start to put all his clothes in his black suitcase and at that moment, Cody felt compelled to send Roman off with an everlasting taste of him on his lips.

"I love you Rome." Cody said as he kneeled on his bed, and pushed Roman's suitcase to the side. "You know that right?"

"Of course I do." Roman said back. He smiled when Cody came closer and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, blue eyes smiling up into gray mischievously. "You have this look on your face… what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." Cody shook his head, and softly bit his lip. "I just want a kiss. Before you go. Think you can do that for me, big man?"

Roman smirked, then grabbed Cody at the waist and nodded. "Anything for you." He said right before he laid a passionate, lasting kiss on Cody's lips.

Dean was nervous.

More nervous than he's ever been before, and this is coming from a guy who once took the bar exam. But as he waited at the airport for Roman, in those not so comfortable gray seats, all Dean could think about was how everything could possibly go wrong. He thought about Roman calling to say he changed his mind or about Cody catching them in the act. Dean's mind raced as he looked down at his Rolex, over and over again. Except time ticked so slow. Roman was nowhere to be found and their flight left in 30 minutes. His right leg twitched nervously; maybe he was being stood up. Maybe this was all one last big fuck you to him for hurting Roman all those years ago…

"Dean?" He heard his name being called and when Dean looked up, his blue eyes caught a wonderful sight. Roman was standing there, in his heavy black trench coat, hat, boots and gloves all still on. He must've just gotten there. "Sorry, I know I'm cutting it close. Cody refused to let me leave for another ten minutes." He shivered slightly, then quickly removed his gloves. "Have you been waiting long?"

About a fucking hour. Dean wanted to say. But he decided to just lie instead, with a slight shrug, "Not that long no. I'm just glad you showed up. It would've been awkward if I had to go see your family by myself." Dean stood up slowly, unzipping his leather jacket. He noticed Roman watch him, those gray eyes staring at him up and down intensely.

"It's 20 degrees out, why are you only wearing that? You're gonna be an icicle by the time we get back." Somethings about Roman never changed, one of them being the best overprotective boyfriend. Even though they weren't even dating.

"Calm down mom." Dean exaggerated his words a bit, "All I know is that it's gonna be nice in Florida, so I packed light. I'll be fine. Don't worry."

Before Roman could protest any more the announcement that their flight was now boarding played through the speakers. Both men looked up at the sound and then looked back at each other. Roman lips had formed into a soft side smile, and Dean couldn't help but to mimic that same one back at him. It was finally time to go home. Roman was the first to look away, walking towards the gate and Dean followed, happily getting a nice look at Roman's ass as he walked. Still a great sight.

"I know you were looking at my ass." Roman whispered when they both got to the boarding gate.

"Can you blame me?" Dean said back smugly. "It's still the best ass in America."

Roman only rolled his eyes playfully in return.

This was going to be a long weekend.

"Roman!" Roman was greeted by his mom as she answered the door. She immediately tossed her arms around him and hugged him tightly to her chest. Roman was fake gasping for air, but at the same time, smiling as he and his mom embraced for the first time in a long time. "I missed you. I never get to see you anymore!" His mom said finally letting him go.

"Well you and Dad decided to move back to Florida so that's not really my fault now is it?" Roman teased his mom, then suddenly, Dean who happened to be standing right next to Roman cleared his throat.

"Ahem. I don't think Roman's the only one who missed you, Mrs. Reigns." Patricia Reigns smiled at Dean and then gave him a big hug. Dean hugged her back and Roman watched with a permanent smile on his face.

"How have you been Dean? Jimmy told me you got yourself a fancy job, and all these fancy new things! I was so proud to hear about that baby. The whole family is proud of you." Patricia held onto Dean's jaw softly. "We missed you." She said with a smile.

"I missed you too, mom." Dean called her mom so effortlessly. Roman noticed the look on Dean's face as he said it too. It was genuine. He always considered himself apart of the family, and honestly it was true. He would forever be, just like he would forever be a part of Roman. "I promise to tell you everything once we put our bags and stuff away?" Dean sort of hinted at them still being in the doorway, and Patricia, the wise old broad, laughed and nodded her head.

"I'm so sorry boys." She giggled, "Come on in. You both are staying in Roman's old bedroom… If that's okay?"

Dean and Roman looked at each other in that moment. They haven't shared a bed in months, and neither wanted it to be awkward, but he also knew with Jimmy and Jey staying over as well, there was limited space for everyone.

"It's fine." Roman nodded, looking at Dean for confirmation. "Right D?"

"Yeah, it's fine." Dean nodded too, hoping to god that Roman didn't see his hands shaking. Because it may sound fine on paper but there was no real way that this would turn out good

Roman and Dean went up the stairs and turned to the right. That's where Roman's old room was. He opened the door and found the room looking the exact same from their last visit. Roman said nothing as he grabbed both his and Dean's bags and went to put them in the closet. Dean, however was looking around, taking in the scenery.

It had been a while since he's been there, but absolutely nothing seemed different from the last time they were here. The room still had pictures everywhere, and the sky blue paint still chipped at the walls. Dean sat down on the edge of the bed and then picked up a frame from the nightstand. It was a picture of Roman and Dean from their last visit there. Roman had Dean in his arms as they both smiled happily along with Jimmy and his wife Naomi. Dean smiled and caressed the photo gently, then put it back in its place.

"Okay everything is finally put away." Roman said as he came back from the closet. "You wanna give me your jacket or do you wanna keep it on?"

"Oh." Dean laughed looking down at his coat. "Yeah, you can have it." He stood up and unzipped his jacket, then handed it to Roman. His ex moved to quickly put it away with the rest of the things then came back to where Dean was. Silence crept between them now. They looked at each other and then looked down at the carpet simultaneously.

"So…" Roman began to say.

"So?" Dean asked back.

"I don't want things to be awkward between us, Dean."

"I don't either." Dean agreed.

"Good... So before we go downstairs, I think we should go over a few things." Roman sat down on the bed then patted the space next to him, letting Dean know that he could sit down. Dean came over and sat down next to him, his blue eyes gently looking into gray as he wordlessly let him know he could continue. "I told my parents that we weren't together, so you don't have to worry about that question being asked. My dad is still pretty pissed at you, so maybe avoid him until he calms down a bit. As far as the bed situation goes, I don't mind sleeping in the same bed with you, just as long as you understand that nothing can or will happen between us on this trip. I want to talk things out with you, but I won't hurt Cody. Okay?"

Somehow the mere mention of Cody's name put a frown on Dean's face. He understood where Roman was coming from but just to hear that lying little bastard's name put a very bad taste in Dean's mouth. "I get it Ro. You're with him. I got it a long time ago when we fucked in your office while you were with him. Remember?"

Roman's jaw clenched as Dean mentioned what they did in his office a couple of months ago. He was visibly angry by the notion that he was a cheater. "That was different, Dean." Roman tried to defend himself.

"Yeah? Why? Cause he lives with you now? Is that it? Does that now mean you don't think about me?" Dean's blue eyes searched Roman's to find the lie, but he could see the truth behind Roman's ice cold glare. "Does that not mean that you don't think about what we did in that office?" His voice was smooth, yet challenging. It was like he was begging Roman to tell him different. "I can still feel the way your dick pounded into me that day, Ro." Dean whispered that last part, and by the look on Roman's face, he could tell that Roman could still feel it too. "And you sure as hell weren't thinking about Cody as I sucked your cock or when I rode it. So tell me, Ro. How much does Cody really mean to you?"

"Shut the fuck up, Dean." Roman shouted at him. He got up in a fit of anger and headed for the door. Roman turned the knob and was about to exit, but not before he gave Dean one last big piece of his mind. "Cody loves me enough, to not leave me when times get rough. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for you."

After that, Roman walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Dean came downstairs about ten minutes later and everyone was out in the back yard, talking, eating and playing. Roman was in the corner helping his mom set the food on the big table and Jimmy and Jey were playing cards with their wives. Dean thought about going over to apologize to Roman for what he said about Cody, but Jimmy saw him just standing there and the first thing he did was get up and run over to him. "UCE!" He screamed as he jumped on Dean and gave him a hug. "Dean! How've you been dude? We missed you!"

"Hey Jim!" Dean smiled, patting his back softly. They both pulled away then smiled at each other. "I missed you too man."

"Well whatchu waiting on then? Come over and play spades with us. I need a new partner anyway. Naomi keeps making me lose!"

"Hey! I heard that!" Jimmy's wife shouted at them as Jimmy brought Dean over to the cards table.

"I didn't whisper it woman!" Jimmy laughed, pulling Dean down next to them. Jey, his twin started to shuffle the cards while Naomi and Jimmy playfully argued. Dean watched the whole scene with a big goofy smile, now feeling more at home than ever.

"So Deano, you know we missed you dog, but it's time to press you… are you still dating our boy?" Jey asked as he started to deal everyone a hand. "Cause the last time we got an update from Roman, he was still not over you know… the breakup."

At that moment Dean looked over at Roman. He was smiling and laughing while helping his mother. Dean smiled at him then cleared his throat and shook his head. "Uh, no we're not together." Dean hated the words coming out of his mouth, but he wouldn't ever lie to Roman's family. "I um, I fucked up guys. Like really fucking bad." Dean admitted while looking down.

"We know you did." Jimmy added. "But that don't mean you can't fix it." He smiled softly at Dean, "Let me tell you, I've seen a lot of people Roman has brought home, but I've never seen Uce more in love, than when he came with you. Things have a way of working itself out dude. You'll see."

Dean looked at Roman again after Jimmy was done speaking. He smiled at him, then turned to Jimmy, "I hope so." Dean softly agreed.

xxx

The game had gotten really intense in a span of a couple of minutes. So intense that Jey and his wife gave Jimmy and Dean the silent treatment as they paused the game for food. Jimmy and Dean laughed as they sat and ate, and every now and then they would stick their tongues out at Jey for being such a sore loser.

Jimmy and Dean were so immersed in conversation that Dean didn't notice Roman in the corner watching. He sipped from his cup and leaned against the fence that connected to backyard. Roman watched Dean smile, and laugh with Jimmy as though they have been friends for years. It was like he right in with them. Like he belonged.

And Roman didn't understand why that was pissing him off so much.

Dean and Jimmy got back into the game with Jey now teaming up with Naomi since his wife retired for the night. Roman watched the entire scene of laughter mixed with anger as Dean put out a spade too early, giving him and Jey an unneeded extra book. Jimmy playfully put Dean into a headlock while Jey and Naomi gave each other high fives for keeping their books low. Roman's jaw clenched as Dean laughed while Jimmy gave him a noogie. He took another tight sip out of his red solo cup, not even realizing his mom coming to stand next to him.

"Finn Balor." His mom said quietly while smiling at her son.

Roman turned his head away from Dean long enough to look at his mom. "What?" he asked confusedly.

"Finn Balor. Remember him? The sweet Irish boy you dated in high school. The one who you told me you were most definitely gonna marry. Then you graduated and met that Cody boy. I never liked him." His mom answered simply.

"Mom!" Roman laughed at how blunt his mom could be sometimes. "What does Finn have to do with anything?"

"Well, when you were with Finn, you used to smile at him like he held the gift of your happiness in his heart. Remember? When daddy caught you two doing a little over the football jersey action in your bedroom that summer?" his mom laughed while Roman started to blush at the memory. "You told me that you loved him. But I knew, it was only temporary. And I was right. Because a year later, you told me you loved Cody."

Roman's jaw tightened as he looked back at Dean again. "What are you getting at mom?"

"Roman, there's been so many guys you told me you loved, and all of them, I said were temporary. Except for that one." She pointed at Dean, "That one over there. Smiling with your cousins. You looked at Finn like he held your happiness, but you look at Dean like he holds the secrets to the universe. You have stars in your eyes when he smiles at you Roman. You've had em since you met that boy, in my shop all those years ago." His mom took Roman's cup out of his hand and then drank a little bit.

"Hey, that's my cup ma!"

"What are you doing Roman?" His mom asked him as she handed the cup back to him. "You have a boyfriend, yet you bring Dean here? Why?"

"I…" Roman struggled to find the right words, "I don't know, okay? I don't know." He looked down defeated, "I'm so torn ma. I feel so… broken. I love him. But he's hurt me so bad that I don't think that could be forgiven. I thought bringing him here would help me see things clearly but so far it's only left me with more questions. I don't know what to do." Roman whimpered that last part out pathetically. His pleading gray eyes searched his mom's face for an answer, "What should I do?"

"I don't know baby." His mom said quietly. "But I do think you should stop trying to figure out what to do, and go with what's inside of here." She touched his heart gently. "If you don't start listening to it, those stars in your eyes when Dean's around… they'll eventually fade away." She cupped his cheek gently, then gave him a small kiss on it. "I'm tired, night baby." Roman looked at her somberly and smiled as she walked off into the house.

xxx

"OH! LOOK AT THAT BITCHES!" Dean shouted as he stood up, "WINNER! TEAM JIMMYDEAN!" Him and Jimmy stood up and did a little shoulder dance together that made Naomi and Jey laugh.

"Jimmy Dean? Like the damn breakfast sausage?" Jey asked with a laugh.

"Yes, like the breakfast sausage. Don't hate Jey, just appreciate." Dean teased him, with a snort.

"I cannot believe we lost to food products, Naomi. That's some next level bullshit." Jey playfully shook his head, "Fuck this, I'm going to bed." Jey got up and stretched, giving Dean and the rest of them hugs. "Night guys." He smiled, "Oh and rematch. Tomorrow!" Jey said right before he exited.

"I'm going to bed too. I'm exhausted from getting beat by Dean of all people." Naomi added, getting up from her seat and stretching.

"Hey, don't blame me, if anything you should blame Roman. He's the one who taught me how to play." Dean said it smugly, smiling at the memory of Roman trying to teach Dean how to play before they spent the weekend at Roman's parents house for the first time. Roman wanted him to be able to keep up with his cousins, apparently playing spades was their 'thing.'

"Yeah sure, blame him." Naomi said back sarcastically. She smiled at him then pulled on Jimmy's hand. "Lets go to sleep baby, I'm really tired." Jimmy nodded his answer then gave Dean a quick hug. "Night Dean." Naomi said pulling Jimmy towards the house. Dean watched them go then turned around, and noticed it was only him and Roman left out back together. Blue eyes met gray from across the room, and suddenly Dean felt nervous. His nervous hands shook as he began to walk over to him.

"Hey." Dean said softly, "About what I said earlier... I want to apologize. That was out of line. I'm sorry."

Roman looked at Dean for just a second, then looked down shaking his head. "You were out of line. But I appreciate you apologizing." He couldn't look at Dean after he spoke. Not after what his mom said to him. They were outback, alone with nothing but the sound of "Dancing On My Own." Playing softly from the speakers. Dean noticed Roman unable to look him in the eye, but it didn't deter him from moving closer.

"Roman." Dean's voice was so deep, so stern. "Please, look at me."

"I can't." Roman shook his head again, "I… can't Dean." His voice was practically begging Dean to move away. But it only made Dean move in closer. This time he was so close that Roman felt his hands go around his waist. Roman let out a whimper, and looked up, finally capturing those blue eyes in his own. As they stare at each other the music softly played in the background.

"… I'm right over here, why can't you see me?"

"Dean, please." Roman was begging, for what he didn't know. Maybe he was begging for Dean to finally let him go. Maybe he was begging for him to never let go. He didn't know.

"Dance with me?" Dean asked in a whisper.

"What?" Roman asked confusedly.

"I said…" Dean pulled Roman into him and their chest softly hit against each other, causing them both to smile. "Dance with me?"

Roman's watery gray eyes looked into Dean's and softly he nodded. Dean pulled him towards the middle of the backyard, where the lights dangled from the clothing line. He held Roman by the waist and Roman wrapped his arms around Dean's shoulders and slowly they started to dance to the music.

"So far away, but still so near, the lights go on, the music dies…"

"... but you don't see me standing here."

They looked deep into each other's eyes as they dance slowly. Dean squeezed Roman's sides, and it made Roman giggle. He spun Roman around and then brought him back in. Their foreheads softly pressed against each other's, and slowly their eyes closed at the same time. Dean moved in first. His lips softly caressed over Roman's, just a touch, not to kiss. Roman softly gasped at the feel of Dean's lips on his own, but he didn't pull away. He felt Dean pull him in even closer, and that's when his lips nipped at Roman's. Slowly he nipped and nibbled, until Roman started to kiss him back. He pulled on the back of Dean's head to deepen the kiss and Dean happily obliged him. Their lips and tongues met again for the first time in months and Roman couldn't get enough of the sweet taste of liquor and pineapple on Dean's tongue. Or the way he moaned in his mouth as their tongue slid against each other's effortlessly.

"Dean..." Roman whispered after he finally pulled away. "You gotta stop." Roman tried to say, but at the same time he was biting his lip as Dean grabbed handfuls of his ass.

"Do you really want me too?" Dean asked as he pulled Roman in closer, and laid a small kiss at the base of his neck.

"… No." Roman answered, getting lost in Dean all over again. "I don't."

A/N: Okay I fucking hate this chapter. Son of cock sucker wouldn't fucking flow so sorry if it doesn't make much sense. I wonder what will happen next! Tell me what you think, should Roman stop? Is anyone on team Cody? Leave me a review hoes! - Melle

Song of chapter: Dancing On My Own (cover) - Calum Scott