author's rant, really sorry, but i have to get this off my chest:

i fully support reviews. if you have something to say, go ahead and say it. praises, constructive criticism, that's fine. but do not, under any fucking circumstances what-so-ever, purposefully trash someone's entire story because you didn't like "how the characters acted." ever heard of muses? but really, my other chapter story, No One Ever Loved, was completely trashed via reviews and i am fucking steaming because why? why do you have to call someone trash because they defended themselves after you left an insulting review? if readers are entitled to reviewing, writers are entitled to replying to those reviews, correct? but really, who cares. i have loyal, kind reviewers and readers that can overshadow any kind of hater that decided they're going to shit on my hard work. at least i can put sleepless nights in and get 13,000 words out. so thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who's reviewed, favorited, followed, or just taken the time to read my work. it means the world to me, and it motivates me to write and get better at writing.

(btw, to the kind person who decided to leave a rude review for all 8 chapters of No One Ever Loved, jokes on you, punk. i get reviews, you get a shitty reputation.)

Seth liked Roman.

Dean liked Seth.

Roman, well, Dean wasn't sure where Roman stood. He allowed Seth to kiss him, and he didn't punch him in the face. But then again, Roman was Roman and he was afraid of spiders and teared up that one time they watched Toy Story 3 with Roman's cousins. The thought of him punching Seth of all people was funnier than it should've been. Roman fucking loved Seth, which made Dean wonder if the oldest teen had a thing for him. But there was also the fact the Roman hadn't spoken to Seth since they kissed. Roman probably liked someone else. No, scratch that, Dean knew Roman liked someone. He just didn't know who it was.

Maybe it was him. Roman was always clinging onto Dean, like Seth clung onto Roman. He was always worried about Dean's well-being. Getting hard when they play-fought, actually, Dean didn't blame him. That whole ordeal was pretty intense, but not unenjoyable. The older teen actually looked extremely good on top of him, so Dean knew his boner wasn't just from the contact. Roman was hot (and sweet and kind and caring but who cares), and Dean was willing to admit that, but what he wasn't willing to admit was that he was slowly falling for his other best friend.

Dean really hated thinking. All the variables and the possibilities were putting unnecessary stress on him. Why couldn't someone just say they liked someone else? Why were there so many strings? It sucked.

He was gonna go to Roman's house. He knew the older teen was home (sent Dean a text as soon as they pulled in), and Seth probably wasn't there, so he was gonna go over there and talk to Roman. Whether or not Roman was willing to discuss the topics Dean was interested in, they were gonna talk. And Dean was gonna stop thinking.

"I missed you, big guy."

Roman chuckled and looked down at the blonde head that was resting on his shoulder. Dean had finally made his way over to Roman's, the day after he got back, and by that time Seth had to go back home. They were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in the grass in Roman's backyard, and as mentioned earlier, Dean had discovered that Roman's shoulder made a great pillow. Roman wasn't sure how long they'd been sitting like that; all he knew was that it was bright daylight when they went outside and the sun was now setting, bathing the sky in beautiful hues of pink and orange and purple. It made Dean look (and act) even better than usual, too. He seemed calm and at ease, and his eyes were focused on the sunset.

"I missed you, too," Roman said, letting his arm boldly snake around Dean's waist. Yeah, he and Seth had their little agreement, but it didn't change Roman's feelings for Dean. "Were you and Seth alright? He didn't really say much."

"We were good," Dean answered, seemingly unaffected by the arm around his waist and the hand on his hip. "He made me take him to the beach while it was raining, that little shit."

Roman chuckled. "Yeah, he'll do that to you." The older teen looked back down at Dean, and he couldn't help but smile. There was just something about Dean that he adored much more than he should.

"You and Seth have habits of staring," Dean remarked, his head lifting up from Roman's should so he could look at the bigger teen properly.

Roman's face flushed almost instantly, his arm subconsciously drifting away from Dean. "Sorry about that..." He said sheepishly.

"No, no, no," Dean began, grabbing Roman's wrist and placing his arm where it was. "I have felt your dick before, you really think I care that you looked at me? If anything, it's kinda flattering."

Roman's blush only got darker, if it was even possible, and he earned a laugh from Dean. "Shut the fuck up," Roman muttered, half-heartedly slapping Dean on the shoulder before scooting away from the younger teen.

"Aw, Roman, don't be like that," Dean teased, moving over to Roman and wrapping his arms around the bigger teen's shoulders. "I was hard too, y'know. There you were, that big ass of yours rubbing all over my dick-"

"Dean." Roman warned, his voice low but still wavering slightly. Did he really have to do that then?

"It actually felt really, really good too," Dean had the biggest, most devious smirk on his face, like he knew that he was affecting Roman. "I kinda hoped me moving my hips would've encouraged you to bounce."

"Dean," Roman was full-on whining now. "Don't talk about it like that." He wriggled out of Dean's grasp and scooted away once again.

"Like what? Like I enjoyed it?" This time, Dean's arms wrapped around Roman's waist, his chest pressing against the older teen's back. "Because I did."

"Okay," Roman drew out the word, slipping away from Dran for what felt like the millionth time. "That got real weird real quick."

"Man, whatever," Dean giggled, shoving Roman lightly.

"Boys, inside, it's late."

Both of their heads snapped around to look at the back door as Roman's mom called them inside. Both had neglected to realize that the sun had completely set, and it was pretty much pitch black outside. They got up and went inside, both grabbing slices of the pizza that Roman's mom had ordered, and went up to Roman's room. Dean proclaimed that he was sleeping over, to which Roman had close to no choice but to agree. Not like he would've said no. They stayed up until past midnight, just messing around and playing video games and watching bad action movies, until Roman's mom started pounding on the door, telling them to go to sleep. They giggled uncontrollably for a good ten minutes, but they soon obliged and fell asleep in a heap on Roman's bed.

"Roman...Roman, c'mon, wake up...I'm bored, you douchbag, get up!"

Roman groaned and attempted to roll over, but his hips were pinned down to the bed. He cracked his eyes open, and groaned once more when he saw Dean straddling him, a pillow in hand. He closed his eyes and threw an arm over his face. Dean, though, didn't seem to be taking no for an answer. He brought the pillow down and began hitting Roman with it repeatedly. Roman began to fling his free arm around as if he was swatting a fly, and he managed to hit Dean's hand and knock the pillow from his grip.

"No..." Roman mumbled, not lifting his other arm from his face. "'M not wakin' up..."

"Yes you are," Dean says flatly, getting off the bed and grabbing both of Roman's hands. Roman let out a noise of disapproval, but didn't fight back. Dean began to pull, Roman's body sliding off of his bed with every step backwards Dean took. Eventually Roman hit the ground with a loud thud, a string of curses coming from his mouth.

"You motherfucker," Roman muttered, finally standing up and stretching. His shirt rose up as his arms stretched up above his head, and Dean couldn't help but stare at the teasing, tan sliver of skin. Dean hadn't seen Roman shirtless in what seemed like forever, so he knew that Roman had developed in some way, and that little hint of a v-line was more than enough evidence that he had. "And you gave me shit for staring."

Dean's eyes snapped up to look at Roman's face, which had a small smile on it. "Shut up," He mumbled, turning away and walking towards the door

"Is this all you woke me up for?" Roman asks, walking towards Dean and slipping an arm around his waist. "To stare at my crotch?"

"I was actually looking at your stomach, you jackass," Dean answered, his face flushing as Roman pulls him back against his chest.

"If you wanted to see me shirtless, you could've just asked, you know," Roman said, letting go if Dean and taking a few steps back

"What are you..." The question died in Dean's throat as he turned around, and was greeted by Roman pulling his shirt over his head. Dean couldn't help but gasp softly as Roman's shirtless body came into view; all perfectly tan and toned and smooth, the beginning of abs forming, and if course that glorious v-line.

"You good?"

Dean just nodded. He took a step towards Roman, his eyes never straying from Roman's naked upper half. Dean didn't even bother considering the consequences of what he was about to do, he just reached out and drifted a hand down Roman's stomach. That same hand moved back up Roman's stomach and across his wide chest. Dean, finally, looked up at Roman, blue eyes locking with grey, and Dean felt his breath catch. He was t sure who started leaning in first, but somehow his lips were mere millimeters from Roman's. They were right there, just about to kiss, and...

"What are you guys doing?"

cliffhangers because why not. if you managed to read this chapter, and you weren't completely disgusted with me after my rant, then thank you. i was kinda hurt by the review(s), and i just needed to get it off my chest somehow. anyways, the chapter! wow! dean's exploring, roman...is afraid of spiders, and someone just interrupted the two. who do you guys think it is? reviews are welcomed with open arms!