Five

Dean didn't want to leave the comfort of Roman holding him in his arms in his bedroom. But he knew he had to if he wanted to order in for dinner.

He had woken up, nestled close with his face near the crook of Roman's neck. He also could not stop smiling. If this was what love did to people, then he didn't mind.

Despite having boyfriends, he had never been in love with them. They certainly hadn't made him feel over the moon the way Roman had.

He gave the sleeping Roman a soft kiss on his cheek and got out of bed. There was a missed call on his phone from John.

He sat down on the high stool and returned the call.

John answered on the fifth call. "I was wondering if you forgot about your pals down at the station."

"Maybe," Dean replied.

"Anyways, Billy Kidman is stopping by tomorrow. He says he remembers something else about that night."

"There goes my day off… again."

"Roman knows what you do for a living. Surely-"

"Quit bringing his name up."

"Actually it's the first time I've brought it up today."

"Mmmm okay I'll be back to work tomorrow."

"Great!"

"Now put the phone down." Then as an afterthought, "Or Roman and I are not coming to that party."

"Dwayne's really looking forward to it," John babbled. "Once he knew who your date was, he insisted on going all out."

"You mean you're actually launching fireworks? John, you shouldn't have."

"Be serious, Dean."

"Look, let's just keep this low key, okay?"

"Sorry. Too late. Enjoy the rest of your day with the boyfriend."

"What?"

"Bye."

The line went dead. Trust John to sneakily throw in that line. Dean rubbed his temples. He had a strong hunch that this case was going to take a while.

Three victims. All men in their early thirties. All men had black hair.

"Dean?"

The blond cop looked up and saw Roman walking towards him. "Hey," he greeted him. "What do you want? Thai or Italian?"

"Italian," Roman said, yawning. "Definitely Italian."

Dean picked up his phone and ordered from Italia's app. He knew Roman had mentioned that he wanted to try the mushroom ravioli of their first date. So he ordered two and a large dish of meatballs.

"I have to go to work tomorrow," he said, putting his phone down.

"No problem. I'll just do some-"

"Reading. Enjoy yourself first, Roman. There's always Monday. You should try going to Burt's Books."

"What's that?"

"It's a bookstore three blocks away from here with a small café. The owner also lets you browse books while drinking your coffee or tea. I used to go there to study during my junior and senior years in college."

"Okay I'll check it out." Roman smiled. "I can't believe you reciprocated my feelings. Somebody needs to shake me. I think I'm dreaming."

"Nah. You have Cesaro, Finn and Sami to thank. They talked some sense into me. Even made me realise things," Dean explained. "I'm sorry for acting like an idiot. I told you before that I'm scared of how much I like you."

"I thought you loved me?" Roman pretended to look hurt.

Dean smiled. "You know what I mean."

"Does saying it make you uncomfortable?"

"I've never said it before. It's going to take some getting used to."

"Then I won't make you say it. It's a given. Okay?"

Dean was thankful Roman was not a pushy person. "Okay."

Dean drummed his pen the next morning at the station while waiting for a very nervous Billy Kidman to give his statement.

John was smiling, an attempt to help the poor guy to feel at ease. The problem he was looking at everywhere but the two them. "I don't have all day, Billy," Dean drawled.

"Sorry, Officer Dean," Billy stammered. "I just uh… I don't want to get into trouble."

"I assure you that you won't," Dean said, his tone measured with patience.

"He… he wore a ring. I remembered it flashing as he attacked me."

"What kind of ring was it? Any stone on it? Color?"

"It was a gold man ring with a green gem."

"Gem?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Is that all?" Dean was beginning to wonder why Billy was freaking out. It wasn't as if the guy was waiting around the corner of the place. In his first statement, he said himself that he had never seen his rapist before, that his face had been concealed by a horse head mask .

"Thanks, Billy," John said.

Billy stood up and looked at Dean. "I saw you the other day with a guy at the diner."

He was there at Wings Diner? Dean wondered why he never saw Billy. Maybe it was when he sitting near the corner. "What about it?" he enquired dryly.

"He looks familiar. I think I've seen him before."

"Maybe." Dean didn't want to talk about Roman to anyone except people he trusted. Their "relationship" was new and he wanted to protect it. "See you."

Billy looked surprised at Dean's abrupt closure to the meeting but he walked away. John looked at him with a puzzled expression. "What was that all about?"

"He was stepping on grounds he shouldn't even be talking about namely my personal life." Dean sipped his coffee. "Plus I don't trust him."

"And what reasons do you have?"

"Why was he trembling?"

"Dean, have you seen how you look when you're staring at people? It's intimidated the fuck out of everyone including Chief Calaway."

"You're crazy," Dean dismissed him.

"I dare you to go home and stare at Roman. He'll be packing his bags and running for the nearest hotel."

"You're on," Dean grinned. "If he doesn't, Dwayne and you have to praise the hell out of me if he asks either of you about me."

"He lives with you. He's bound to find out things about you that we can't save you from."

"Don't rain on my parade."

Roman bought two books from Burt's Books - the latest novels from Paulo Coelho and Neil Gaiman. He was also bought a new bookmark with a picture of an owl in front with the words "Owl Keep Your Place" written beneath in purple color.

He was happy with his purchases and looked forward to go home and try Dean's Nespresso machine which he had been eyeing on since he moved in. Dean actually gave him a look that suggested he was weird when he asked if it was okay he could make coffee from that machine.

The truth was Roman wasn't used to getting things. He was so used to giving. Rosey always made sure that his stuff could not be used except for the kettle and microwave oven. When he bought the Keurig, he told Roman it was off limits as he didn't want different flavors being put into the machine.

Dean had told him he would be back about one in the afternoon so Roman had about two hours to spend reading one of the two books. Maybe he should start with the Neil Gaiman one.

When he reached the apartment, he found an elderly man with a very short buzz cut hair with a muscular build standing in front of the door. He bore a resemblance to Dean. "Can I help you, Sir?" Roman asked.

The man gave Roman a quick glance. "Where's Dean?"

"Dean's at work. I'm-"

"Don't care. He told me he had the day off and now he's at work."

"He got called in at the last minute," Roman explained apologetically. "Would you like to come in?"

The man gave a brisk nod. Roman opened the door to the living room and the man walked in and handed Roman his coat. The Samoan was surprised but he helped to hang it on the coat hanger by the door.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"A Scotch."

Roman did a quick glance at the small area where Dean kept his alcoholic beverages and grabbed a blue labelled Johnnie Walker and poured in a glass before passing it to the man who stared at the drink before downing half of the glass.

He took out an iPhone and just as he was about to touch the screen, Dean walked in. His eyes fell on the man. "Dad?"

That was his father? Roman was mortified. Dean's father was not amused. "Your helper let me in. Damn it, Dean. Keep me posted. I wanted to bring you out to lunch."

Dean sighed. "Roman's not my helper, Dad. He lives with me. And I can't have lunch. I have to rest first before heading out to a dinner party." He looked at Roman. "Roman, this is my father, Hunter. Dad, this is Roman."

Hunter gave Roman a critical look. "What's the matter, son? Have you run out of money? You could have called me if you need some."

Dean rolled his eyes. "When have I ever needed money, Dad?"

"Then why do you have someone living here with you?"

"Because… look, I'll explain later. Point is you don't have to worry."

"So he's the guy Seth was complaining to us about."

"Seth was complaining to you guys? What the fuck was he-"

"Language, Dean Jonathan Ambrose."

Dean crossed his arms. "What did Seth complain about? Honestly, I'm not in the mood for this."

"He said that you appeared to have strong feelings for-" Hunter turned and frowned at Roman. "Do you mind? This is a private conversation."

"Dad!" Dean reprimanded before turning to Roman. "Roman, do you mind giving us a few minutes alone?"

"Umm… sure, Dean." Roman didn't know what to make of the whole thing. Several thoughts crossed his mind as he went to his room and closed the door: that was Dean's father and apparently Seth knew both of Dean's parents well and had spoken to them about Roman.

The question was who was Roman to Dean? Sure they both knew how the other felt but was that just it? Was he Dean's boyfriend? Dean's lover? What? Don't push him, Roman reminded himself. Pushing him might lead to him running away.

"Dad, I don't appreciate you listening to Seth of all people," Dean said as he took off his black leather jacket and threw it on his couch. "Especially after what happened between us."

Hunter sighed. "People make mistakes, Dean."

"Wow. That was some mistake he made. What did he do? Accidentally tripped naked on the bed?"

"Dean, who is this guy? Seth says you have strong feelings for him."

"Of course I do. I love him." He was surprised at how easy it was to confess it to his father.

"How can you possibly love this guy when you barely know him?"

Dean shrugged. "Anything is possible when it comes to love."

"This isn't like you, Dean. You always think things through. For all you know, he could be a murderer or a con man."

"I'm a cop, Dad. And I think you forget how well I read people."

"You didn't read Seth, did you, Dean?"

"Well, if me not reading Seth means I can't read people, then why are you entertaining his complaints? Oh wait. It's because he's the son of your business partner. Give me a break, Dad. I love Roman and nothing you say can convince me otherwise. At least I know him better than either Seth or you."

"Dean, are you even listening to yourself? Okay, son. You're a logical person. You've read Romeo and Juliet in school, right? This is exactly that. It's just an infatuation and nothing more. One day you will wake up from this and regret it. This guy is just using you."

"Roman has done anything but that. I'm the one who insists to pay; I'm the one who insists that he not work until he finds something he really likes. He refuses to touch the money that I leave him. I fail to see how he uses me, Dad."

"By your heart. It's very simple." Hunter shook his head. "I can see you're stubborn, Dean. So prove me wrong. Bring this guy over tomorrow and introduce him to the family. Assuming you are serious about him."

Dean squared his shoulders. "I am serious about him."

"Good. So we'll see you tomorrow at noon for brunch."

He frowned at his father's back as he watched him leave the apartment. Sighing he went to Roman's knocked the door. "Roman, he's gone. You can come out now."

The door slowly opened and Dean pulled him into a hug. "I'm taking a shower," he said. "And possibly a nap too."

"Okay. I think I'll head out to see my friend, Kofi. I'll be back by five."

Dean nodded. "Sure. Do you need m-"

"I have it. Thanks."

He knew Roman must have heard something but right now, he was too tired to dwell on it.

"I feel for you, man," Kofi said.

Roman accepted the hot chocolate from his friend. Kofi was his longtime friend from middle school who worked as a freelance web designer at home. He was always there when Roman needed sound advice. "I don't know, Kof. I think I should move out."

"Wouldn't that hurt him, Roman? He already said he loves you."

"But it's going to be putting a strain on his relationship with his parents. It's not fair to him."

"No," Kofi corrected, plopping down beside Roman on the couch. "What's not fair to him is after he lets you know how he feels about you, you all but ditch him leaving him to wonder where he went wrong and possibly scarring him… especially since it's the first time he said those words."

"But I feel responsible for this whole mess. If I had just… just… just shut up my mouth-"

"Okay, Roman. What exactly do you think you could have said that made him suddenly decide that "hey I love this Samoan man?""

"Well… I-"

"Look, man. He must have felt something for you when he saw you. An attraction. You both won't know how this whole thing goes, Roman. Maybe as time goes by, what you both feel now will change into something better and maybe even deeper. Walking away is not going to solve anything even though you think you'll be doing him a huge favor. It's going to be a slap to his face and his father will be gloating that he was right and his son was wrong. Stick it out. He sounds like a great guy, to be honest."

Kofi's mother, who was staying with him, brought them a plate of pastries. "Here you go," she said, putting it on the table. "Roman?"

Roman looked at her. "Yes, Ma'am?"

"Sometimes you can tell when you see someone that love is possible with that person and that it can be developed between. Sometimes you just can. But there are also those - a majority - where it takes a while to develop. But I have seen one or two couples who are lucky to have found it the way you have. So don't think so much and just let things happen."

A/N Thank you for reading the story thus far. Next chapter will be longer and grittier for Dean at work.