For Love and Brotherhood
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the WWE, TNA, HWA or CZW. I only own the OCs.
The room was silent for several minutes, while Roman did everything he could to avoid looking at the man across from him. He was in a bedroom. That much he could tell, but he had no idea whose room it was. He didn't think he could feel anymore awkward or embarrassed than he was feeling at that moment. Just what the fuck had he gotten himself into?
Nervous shuffling could be heard on the other side of the room, but he didn't dare chance a look. How was he suppose to have sex with someone he couldn't even bring himself to look at? He just had to keep reminding himself that this was for Dean and he would do anything for his best friend's happiness.
"So, uh," the man's voice cut into his thoughts, but Roman fought to keep his eyes down. "Your name's Roman?"
Roman didn't know why, but he slightly flinched when the man said his name. He tried to collect himself quickly and nodded his head in the man's direction. "Uh, yea. Roman."
"Well, uh, I'm Seth," Seth said hesitantly than cleared his throat awkwardly, "Which you already know... Since Hunter said it before... Umm... Do you want something to drink?"
Roman could've laughed at the awkwardness in Seth's voice if he was trying hard to fight his own down. His attention zoomed in on the question Seth had asked and he suddenly found himself extremely thirsty. "Uh, sure... What do you have?"
He saw Seth move out of the corner of his eye towards another wall. He chanced a glance over at him, seeing that he was now crouched down in front of a small fridge.
"Let's see," Seth spoke as he examined the contents of the fridge. "There's Pepsi, water, and a lot of beer. Anything tickle your fancy?"
Roman froze when Seth suddenly turned around and met his gaze. Their eyes locked for several moments as Roman scrambled for words. "Uh... Beer? I'll have a beer."
Seth only nodded, then reached in retrieving several beers. He must have decided on the same and Roman found himself panicking again when he realized that in order to get the beer from Seth, the other man would have to approach him. Seth would have to get close to
him. He hadn't thought this through, but as Seth stood up and turned to face him, it was like the other had heard his thoughts and simply tossed the beer to him from across the room.
"There ya go, big man," Seth said as he moved back across the room and set the other beers down on the small table next to the bed.
"Thanks," Roman said quietly as he popped the beer open and quickly guzzled down three quarters of it. Roman looked over and met Seth shocked expression as he held his own beer close to his lips, but not touching them.
Roman felt his cheeks heat at the expression and was once again thankful for the dim lights around him. He cleared his throat and turned away, looking around the room again.
"So is this your room?" Roman asked as he motioned around them, desperate to curb his obvious nervousness.
"Uh, no," Seth shook his head. "I'm not a brother."
"Oh," Roman answered somewhat surprised. He had just assumed that Seth was connected to the frat. "So how did you get pulled into this?"
It was Seth's turn to fidget nervously. He dropped his eyes to the beer in his hands as he shrugged. "It's... Um... It's kind of a long story."
"Sounds more like you don't wanna talk about it," Roman responded bluntly. "Your frat boyfriend making you do this?"
"No!" Seth's head whipped around at the man and gave him an annoyed look, but stopped himself from saying anything smart. He bit his lip harshly and glared at Roman. "It's not exactly something I'm proud of... And in all honesty it's none of your business."
Roman was slightly taken aback by his defensive tone, but shook it off before finishing his beer off. He moved across the room towards Seth and watched the man tense as he approached him. By passing Seth, Roman placed his empty beer can on the table and quickly picked up another, popping it open.
He turned and kept his eyes fixed on Seth's as he guzzled down the entire beer. Not caring this time when he simply tossed the empty can aside.
"Well, dude," Roman said with a sarcastic smirk. "It's been real. Check ya later."
Seth froze for a moment as Roman began walking towards the door. He quickly got to his and began to follow after the man.
"Wait, what?!" Seth called out to him, stopping Roman, who turned around with a look of disinterest. "Where are you going?"
"I'm leaving," Roman shrugged and turned back towards the door.
"But what about your friend?" He asked as roman reached for the door knob.
"Dean'll get over it," Roman answered still showing no worry.
Seth flew forward and slammed his hand against the door preventing Roman from opening it. As the bigger man turned to look at him, Seth plastered his back against the door, putting his body between Roman and the door.
"You can't leave," Seth whispered, his eyes pleading with Roman. "Please."
"Why not?" Roman asked as he gaze into Seth's pretty brown eyes. 'Wait, what? He does not have pretty eyes.' He mentally berated himself as he realized how close they actually were, but he wasn't backing off.
Roman watched as the smaller man glanced down and could imagine that his cheeks were now flushed. Seth sighed deeply, his chest lightly brushing against Roman's, before returning his gaze to the bigger man's.
"I have as much riding on this encounter as you do," Seth spoke softly. He licked his lips and watched as Roman's eyes flicked down at the movement, then raised back up. "Maybe more."
"Tell me," Roman's expression turned softer, but still guarded. "What's your story, Seth?"
"I'll tell you," Seth swallowed harshly. "Can we just... Move away from the door?"
"Nope," Roman shook his head. "Tell me right now or I'm out the door." Roman knew he was being an ass to the man, but the alcohol was starting to kick in and his 'give-a-damn' filter was officially out of order. He wanted to know exactly what he was about to get himself into.
"Fine," Seth husked out. He watched Roman's face carefully as he began to speak again. "I'm gay." Roman didn't interrupt, just simply nodded and Seth felt himself ease, glad that the bigger man held no disgust for the revelation.
"Well, I just recently told my parents," Seth swallowed again, but Roman could see the sadness in his eyes. "It didn't go like I expected. They shunned me and cut off all financial funding, which means no money for school."
"Hunter and I met last year at a party," Seth continued as Roman pressed a forearm on the door, leaning against it and bringing himself even closer to Seth. He honestly felt bad for the guy. What kind of parents shun their kid because he's gay?
"I'm friends with his girlfriend and she introduced us," Seth's voice bringing Roman back to the story. "He seemed like a cool guy and I told him what happened with my parents. He offered me a solution."
"And what was that?" Roman asked, his voice was soft and husky. Seth's eyes lowered again, but this time he couldn't bring them back up to Roman's.
"He said that if I helped him with something during Hell week with one of the pledges that he would pay my tuition this semester," Seth murmured, but Roman had heard him clearly and couldn't help the anger that flooded him at Hunter's offer. He wanted to strangle the man. "I didn't know what it was until I got here tonight."
Seth didn't speak again for several minutes and he kept his eyes focused on the floor. He could feel the anger radiating off of Roman, but he wasn't sure who the anger was directed at.
Roman breathed heavily in anger as he kept his eyes on the side of Seth's face. He felt bad for the kid, he did, but he wanted desperately to beat the shit out of Hunter. He knew if he left the room right now he'd be condemning not only Dean, but Seth as well and that was a heavy burden to carry.
"Please, Roman," Seth whispered, finally bringing his eyes back up to the Samoan's. "I know this is the last thing you want to do and I know you don't know me, let alone owe me anything. But I'm desperate here, man. I can't get kicked out of school. I have nowhere to go."
Roman didn't speak. He just stared at Seth as he processed it all. He felt so overwhelmed and even in his drunken state he felt himself giving in.
"Roman, help me, please," Seth begged him, placing a gentle hand on Roman's chest. "I promise, I'll do anything you ask."
A/N: Thanks to those that reviewed/followed/favorited the story so far. Keep them coming!
