"Dean! Hey. I see you finally made it home. How was the rest of your weekend with Roman?"
Seth asked as Dean came in with his bags. He put them near his bed then began to take off his clothes... well Roman's clothes. They were just so much more comfortable than his own and they smelled like Roman, which was a very big plus for the young artist. He probably owned just as many of Roman's clothes as Roman did. Luckily, his boyfriend didn't seem to mind... that much.
"It was great. We ended up going to the movies and walking through central park together." Dean exchanged Roman's jeans for some shorts but no shirt and he laid down on his bed. "Something weird was happening with Ro though.."
"Weird how?" Seth looked over at him from his pillow confused.
"Everytime i would say i love you to him he would just.. change the subject. Or say 'you too' and that's so unlike Roman. He always says i love you. Usually he's the one who says it first. I felt awkward and so i confronted him about it. He got mad, i got mad so we ended up arguing in the car when he took me to the airport. After a ton of uncomfortable silence, he told me to be safe when i went home. I don't even know what that means. I screamed at him and asked him to tell me what was really wrong with him and he just gave me a look. He touched my face and it looked like he was so sad. Like he was losing me or something. I told him i loved him again and he finally said it back. We ended up kissing for over thirty minutes and then he watched me go. I think he thinks something is going on here.. between me and Elias." Dean sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "He thinks I'm cheating on him or something."
Seth blew out a breath and shook his head. "Does he have a reason to believe that you are?"
"What?" Dean spat angrily, "I told you i would never cheat on Ro. I love him. Why would i ever give up a good thing for a quick thing?"
Seth shrugged, "I dunno. Some people like the thrill of sneaking around. Not saying you do, it's just that... Roman's a good guy, Dean. Who's totally in love with you, and from what you told me he's been cheated on in the past. Maybe he's just in his feelings right now. He doesn't want to lose you."
"He fucking won't lose me. I don't cheat. That's NOT who i am. And fuck you for thinking that it is." Dean got up and put on one of his deadpool shirts and some converse, tieing them angrily.
"Dean, come on, that's not what i meant. I'm just saying that if you keep bothering with this guy, and keep this 'friendship' you got with him going, you'll lose Roman in the process. Is that what you want?" Seth pleaded with him to understand.
"I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG OKAY!" Dean shouted at him. "I wouldn't do that. Fuck you AND Roman if either of you think that i would hurt the man i love for some dick. I'm going to class." Dean grabbed his bag and then quickly left the dorm, slamming it behind him.
"Roman?" Nikki snapped her manicured fingers in front of him, trying to get her best friends attention. He was looking idly out the gym window staring blankly into space. He called her to hang out but Nikki knew something was wrong as soon as she got there. She could always tell when Roman was at his lowest. Her fingers kept snapping until Roman focused back, looking at her sadly. "Ro you're on a treadmill, not even using it. What's going on with you?"
"Dean didn't call me to tell me his plane landed or if he's okay. And he always calls me." Roman got off the treadmill and took his phone, looking to see if there were any miss calls from Dean. None. Not even an i love you text.
Nikki shook her head and stopped her machine, getting off so she could take Roman's phone away. "Maybe he's in class. He'll probably write you tonight." Roman simply nodded at her sentence, not looking up. "Rom, i know this is more than about a silly phone call. What's truly going on between you two?"
Roman gulped, embarrassment flown through him as he had to admit to Nikki what he thought was true. "I think Dean's cheating on me Nik. With the guy i punched out at the party. He got up yesterday morning just to check voicemails from him and then had the nerve to say he loved me." Roman looked down and sighed heavily, "I can't get it off my mind. Dean might be.. cheating."
"Oh my god-" Before Nikki got a chance to finish her sentence Sami popped up from around the corner. Nikki's whole body went stiff as he waved at Roman and came walking over to them.
"Hey Ro. You said meet you at the gym.." Sami looked at Nikki who was looking back at him the same way. Roman's mind was so focused on Dean that he forgot that he was playing his two best friends parent trap style to get them talking to each other. And now all three friends stood there in a very awkward silence.
"Hey umm.. Nikki." Sami said, giving her a small wave.
"Umm, hey Sam." Nikki ran a finger through her hair and then fluffed it, looking away. Sami could tell she was uncomfortable, he didn't want to make her feel that way. After the dinner party, Sami told Kevin everything and Kevin said he needed space which was totally warranted. Sami missed him but he missed Nikki too. He had a lot to tell her. Starting with him finally talking to Brie and actually signing his divorce papers.
"Nik i didn't know you would be here. If you're uncomfortable I can go.. sorry." Sami turned to walk away but Nikki stopped him, touching his shoulder lightly.
"Actually i want you to stay." Nikki said with a smile. "I was hoping we could talk?" She saw Sami smile at her and nod. Nikki was grateful he was giving her the time of day after her little tirade. She always figured it was Roman's way of making them talk it out and get over it. And Nikki was thankful for that.
"Let's go talk in the member lounge." Sami suggested, "Roman.. you coming?"
Roman shook his head, not that he didn't want to join but he just wasn't at the place he needed to be emotionally right now to deal with Sami and Nikki's mess. "Unfortunately i have to study. I'll catch up with you guys later okay?"
Sami nodded, "Okay. We'll see you later." He held the door open for Nikki. "After you, m'lady." Sami said with a smile.
Nikki stalled watching Roman walk away. "Go on Sam. I'll be right there." Nikki then ran after Roman and stopped him before he reached the exit. "ROM!" she screamed and caused Roman to turn around. He stopped, looking at Nikki with a confused expression. Nikki hurried over to her best friend and gave him a big hug. Roman didn't ask why or fight it. He just ended up hugging her back very tightly.
"Don't give up on Dean. He loves you." Nikki whispered in his ear. She hugged his neck and then gave him a soft kiss there. "Promise me you'll work it out?" Nikki had pulled away to look into those sad gray eyes. She pushed his hair back and Roman smiled genuinely at the care she had for him.
"I promise."
Dean was heading back to his dorm after his late class. His whole day was miserable. He felt an emptiness inside when he didn't talk to Roman. How he could even think Dean would even consider cheating on him was crazy. He loved Roman so much. Yes, he was being stupid about this Elias thing but he was just being friendly. He didn't want Elias. He had everything he wanted in Roman. Dean sighed and pulled out his phone, ready to call Roman to clear the air. Nervously, his thumb pressed call under Roman's name and he waited and waited and finally.. Roman answered.
"Hey." The sweet sound of his voice caused Dean to crack a smile. He missed him so much already even though he was with him a couple of hours ago.
"Hey." Dean said back.
"I think we should talk." Roman told him honestly.
"I think so too."
"But not over the phone. I'm coming over. I need to see you."
Dean's heart did a little flip in his chest. Roman was coming all the way to Ohio just do they could talk. He loved him that much. "You're coming here? But what about classes tomorrow?"
"I only have two classes tomorrow and it's nothing i don't know by now. Besides... you're more important babe. I'll be there soon." Roman hung up and Dean held a smile all the way to his dorm. Roman was coming, and they would talk, and get their relationship out of limbo and back to the honeymoon phase. He was so happy.
After they hung up, Dean was ready to text Seth an i'm sorry and tell him he needed their dorm all night when..
"Dean. Hey."
Elias was just sitting there, in front of his door. He wasn't kidding when he said he got beaten up pretty bad. The boy had bruises up and down his face and arms. Even though Dean felt so bad for him, he didn't understand what Elias was doing there. The blonde stood up slowly and leaned against his door. "Can i come in?"
"Hey Elias." Dean greeted him, "I don't really have time to talk right now.." He sure didn't. Roman would be over soon and it would be hard to explain Elias in the dorm to an already insecure Roman.
"It'll only be for a second i promise." Elias faked a smile but on the inside he was becoming frustrated with Dean's avoidance techniques. He needed to get this shit over with already so the big payout from Sika could come tumbling into his account.
"Okay but just for a minute." Dean stupidly agreed. Elias followed him in then closed the door behind him. He had already texted Sika that he would be getting results tonight and Sika happily cheered him on through the phone, and now?
It was time to deliver.
"So you wanted to talk? Can you make it quick because i really gotta go shower and stuff." Dean said as nice as possible. "Roman's coming over so.."
"Did you get my voicemails? I was high on morphine but still able to write you." Elias smiled, completely ignoring everything Dean just said. He started moving closer to the young artist, but Dean backed away slowly and sat on his bed.
"Yes i got your voicemails. Did you get my mine?"
Elias shook his head, "Nope i didn't,." he lied, "What did it say?"
"Umm... I told you that even though i feel bad about what happened to you Eli.. I can't take this friendship.." he used that term loosely, "Any further. I'm sorry. I hope the best for you but my boyfriend doesn't approve, my best friend doesn't approve and they're both absolutely right. You're a sweet guy but the way we started off has me thinking you have some ulterior motives.." Dean watched as Elias sat next to him on his bed and he could feel the tension rising now in the dorm. He knew he shouldn't of let Elias in.
"What ulterior motives would that be?" Elias moved impossibly close to Dean, getting in his space kinda like he did at the party. But Dean wasn't drunk this time around. He pushed Elias back then got up off the bed and onto Seth's. Elias laughed as he watched Dean move away. "Dean, what's wrong? You seem scared." Elias chuckled.
"Get out, Elias now, before i call dorm security." Dean warned.
Elias was growing frustrated. Dean kept fucking dodging him, flying off to New York, avoiding him. He didn't have time for this anymore. Sika told him not to do it his way, but Elias couldn't resist. He was gonna have Dean's ass now. And deal with the consequences later.
"You're gonna call campus security on me? I thought we were friends Dean?" he faked hurt and got up, pulling on Dean's arm. Dean tugged away but still got pulled to his feet by the blonde. "You can't just throw me away, Dean. It doesn't work that way." Dean struggled against his hold, trying to release his right arm. He couldn't get out of Elias' tight grip so he used his southpaw to punch him in the nose. Elias winced in pain, releasing Dean in the process.
"I said get the fuck out now. That was your final warning." Dean was serious now. Seth had been right about Elias all along. He was an asshole who didn't know boundaries. Dean should've listened to him.
Elias touched his nose and noticed little droplets of blood dripping out of them. He wiped it with his forearm and laughed as he turned towards Dean. "At least your bitch of a boyfriend hits harder."
"Fuck you." Dean spat back.
"Ya know Dean.. that sounds like a great idea." Elias didn't wait, he charged at Dean, both men falling back on Dean's bed. He was quick to grab both of Dean's hands and he pinned them above his head, causing Dean to squirm under him. "Look at you, so gorgeous. I wonder if you're ready for my big cock Dean... hmm?" Elias leaned down and kissed the shell of Dean's ear. Which made Dean scream. He sat back up and laughed and that's when Dean spit right in his face.
"Your dirty dick is going nowhere near my ass you bastard!" Dean kneed him in the gut hoping that would get Elias off of him but instead it only made him laugh harder. He sat up, holding both of Dean's hands in a grip and pulled out something from his pocket.
"Since you won't play nice Dean.. I was thinking we could have some fun." Elias took out some handcuffs and trapped Dean's hands to his bed. Dean fought against them but soon they were locked and he was at the mercy of a man he shouldn't of befriended in the first place.
"I can tell you're wearing his shirt." Elias said looking down at the gray tee Dean was wearing. It was Roman's, and Dean's favorite shirt of Roman's to wear. Elias pulled on the shirt and ripped it open, making Dean groan angrily in the process. "Oh I'm sorry... did i do that?" He laughed and licked his lips at Dean's abs. Mmm. He was gorgeous. "I can't wait to stuff my cock down your throat, Dean. Are you gonna take this cock like a man?" Dean noticed Elias trying to pull down his pants. His feet weren't tied so he kicked Elias in his nose, causing it to bleed even more.
"The day i fuck you is the day i die." Dean watched Elias' smile turn sinister as he sat on top of him.
"That can be arranged." Elias laughed then punched Dean straight in the face. He knocked Dean out cold. Good, Elias thought. He was doing too much talking anyway. He finished taking off Dean's pants and noticed he wasn't even a little bit hard. Elias had to change that.
It was time to get to work.
xxx
Roman couldn't wait to see his boyfriend. The way they left things in New York is not how he wanted it to go. Yes, he was mad about the voicemails but he wanted to give Dean a chance to explain himself before he jumped to conclusions. Roman was so glad he didn't pack anything but the essentials. He wanted to get there quickly without having to wait at baggage claim.
Roman got a cab to the university and walked to Dean's dorm. His heart pounded as he was let inside by the security guard and then he walked all the way around the corner to reach Dean's room. He thought about knocking but that wouldn't be much of a surprise, so.. turned the knob and came in quietly, making sure to tip toe in. Once he came in though.. Roman's eyes flashed in disbelief.
Elias had Dean handcuffed to the bed and Dean was out cold. Dean's cock was flacid, hanging out of his boxers and this fucker was kissing up Dean's legs, towards his limp dick. A tidal wave of anger and adrenaline surged through Roman as he picked Elias up by his neck and tossed him across the room. Elias smashed into Dean's dresser hard, then fell out. He quickly ran over to Dean to make sure he was okay. He had a growing bruise under his eye and his hands were bruised up too, probably from trying to fight against the handcuffs. Roman looked around for the key desperately, but he couldn't find it. Elias was knocked out from the hard throw so Roman left Dean to look through his pockets. He found the key and then released his boyfriend, letting him rest against the pillows.
Elias started to stir and that's when Roman turned around and he could swear in the background he heard kill bill sirens. "YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST HURT MY BOYFRIEND?" Roman was raging. He picked Elias up and held him against the wall. One hard punch to his face, another to his ribs, more and more. Roman saw red as he punched him over and over. Elias could barely see and that's when Dean ran over and stopped Roman's now bloody hand from connecting again.
"Rome stop. He's not worth it! Please stop." Dean held onto him and Roman listened, he let Elias go and held Dean tightly. Dean clung to him desperately, and the two men held on, never once letting go.
"I should've gotten here sooner. Dean i'm so sorry." Roman held on, rubbing his back. Dean didn't want to tell him the truth. That he was used to this kinda thing as a kid so instead he just held on, giving the shell of Roman's neck a soft kiss.
"I'll call the police." And with that, Roman pulled away and took out his phone to call the authorities.
xxx
After Dean got checked out of the hospital, he and Roman took a shower together because Roman refused to let him out of his sight. Dean was essentially getting babied by his boyfriend and even though he didn't necessarily care to be coddled, having Roman there was making everything so much better. Dean had some truths to tell him but he just didn't know how without Roman looking at him differently. No one knew, except Seth. Dean thought it was in his past until today and he didn't know how to explain to Roman that he's been damaged goods from the start.
"Dean.." Roman softly cupped his non bruised side of his face and gave him a soft kiss. "I'm so sorry. I was mad at you over something stupid and you almost got hurt because of me and my stupidity. I love you. I wish you would come live with me for a couple of days." He pulled Dean in and Dean smiled against his chest, giving it a small kiss.
"Ro.. i can't. You know finals is coming up soon. I'm not hurt, and Elias is in jail. I'm fine. Everything is okay." Dean closed his eyes as he listened to Roman's heart beat.
"Yeah but things like that don't just happen every day, Dean. This was serious. I think you might need grief counseling or something. I don't want you going through it alone, I'll be there through everything until you're okay again.." Roman softly ran his finger through Dean's hair. "Whatever it takes to help you."
"Ro, trust me. I had enough therapy to last a billion lifetimes. I'm fine." Dean didn't mean to spit that part out, but it was the only way for Roman to drop the subject of therapy and slide into the subject he never liked talking about...
His mom.
"What do you mean?" Roman asked, "You've been to therapy before?" He was confused.
Dean sighed then looked up gently into Roman's eyes. "Ro there's something i wanna tell you but i don't know how you're gonna take it. I know you're gonna look at me differently and i'm not prepared for it but.. i want you to understand why i don't need therapy."
"Okay gorgeous." Roman smiled as he and Dean locked eyes, "You can tell me anything you know that right?" Dean nodded, "So what is it?"
"I never told you the story.. about my mom."
A/N: Whew. That chapter was intense. I almost took out the Elias/Dean part but ya know a girl had to do it to y'all. Nikki gets best friend award hands down. Seth gets the award for brutal honesty. Any guesses on what happened to Dean's mom? - Melle