"I don't wanna leave you."
The words came out of Dean's mouth before he could stop them. Roman had driven him to the airport Sunday afternoon, and it took everything in Dean to actually get out of the car. When he did, Roman followed and Dean ended up leaning against the passenger's side door. Roman stood in front of him and their fingers entwined gently. They were lost in love, and frightened of losing it. They made love before they left and it was even more intense than usual. Because it was the very last time they would ever do so. Roman's hand prints were permanently etched on Dean's skin, and his taste would be permanently felt on Dean's tongue. Dean got lost in those gray eyes of Roman's and he could tell Roman was lost in his too. Their were people staring at them as they walked pass their private moment but that didn't matter to Roman or Dean.
Nothing mattered to them right now except each other.
"Dean..." Roman grabbed him like he always does, their foreheads gently pressing together as Roman tried to find the right words. "I don't want you to leave either." Roman admitted quite shamelessly. "But you gotta go... you gotta chase your dreams." Roman didn't want to start crying again... he already did that enough last night and this morning. He wanted this to be a happy moment for Dean, even though he was losing the love of his life and his own heart was breaking, he still wanted Dean to understand he supported him 100 percent.
"But I'm leaving you..." Dean practically whimpered out. "Ro... I don't know what I'm going to do without you."
"Hey..." Roman's hands went in Dean's hair, the thick brown locks curled around his fingertips. "We said we weren't going to cry remember?" Roman started whimpering now too. Not able to hold the pain in for much longer. "A clean break. That's what we agreed on."
"I know." Dean nodded his head slowly, forcing some fallen tears out of his face, "I'm just... I'm... gonna miss you so much baby..." He cried, "so so much."
"I know." Roman sniffed, bringing Dean in as close as possible. Roman wiped one of Dean's tears away and watched as his boyfriend close his eyes at his touch.
".. I'm going to miss you too."
xxx
1 year later.
"Dean! Babe get up! You're gonna be late!" Dean could hear shouting from his room. He rolled over in his bed then yawned with a stretch. His tired eyes looked over at clock in his room; it read 5 am Paris time. Dean tried his best to shrug off his sleepiness as he got up to walk to the kitchen.
"Hey! You're finally up. I swear I've been shouting at you from here for hours." Antonio Cesaro, Dean's boyfriend and roommate said to him as he made breakfast. Dean offered him a small sleepy smile, and opted to make himself a cup of coffee. Antonio watched Dean make his coffee while being half awake. Honestly it was the cutest thing ever. He gave Dean a kiss on the cheek to wake him up and it obviously worked because Dean was now blushing while sipping his coffee. "You better hurry up and finish." Antonio comments, looking at the clock in the kitchen. "If you don't leave soon, you'll miss your flight and we both know Seth will never forgive you."
"Yeah I know." Dean mumbles as he drains the last bits of black coffee down his throat. "Imagine me missing my best friend's wedding... when I'm the best man? I would never hear the end of it." Dean puts the cup in their sink then brushes some hair out of his face. "I better get moving..." Dean gave his boyfriend a happy coffee stained kiss then headed to shower, change and get ready. Once Dean was done, he came back into the kitchen to find his boyfriend who started eating his breakfast at their table.
"Okay... so... passport check, wallet check, overly expensive phone check, keys check and tickets... looks like I'm all set." Dean said finally, popping on his leather jacket. "How do I look babe?" He asked as he stood in front of their mirror.
"You look good." Cesaro mentioned, as he scanned Dean's body up and down. "I'm going to miss you so much." He meant it in more ways than one. Dean smiled then leaned down to give his boyfriend a kiss on the lips.
"I'm going to miss you too. But don't worry... I'll be back to love on you in a couple of days." Dean smirked at him then opened the door to their room, rolling his suitcase into the hallway.
"Dean..." Cesaro started to say something but Dean noticed him stop himself. "Forget it. Have fun okay?" He pulled Dean in by his waist and gave his forehead a soft kiss.
"Babe..." Dean pulled away slightly, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's middle. "If you have something to say... just say it." Dean looked up at him and smiled, "I'll listen."
"You sure?" Cesaro asked hesitantly.
"Yeah. but make it quick. I got a flight to catch." Dean answered with a laugh.
Cesaro sighed. "Okay... look, I know you're going to New York to support Seth because he's the most important person in your life." Cesaro breathed out softly, "I just hope that when you come back... we can finally talk about... getting serious about... us." Dean pulled away after Cesaro finished his sentence. He had hoped he wouldn't bring up their issues this close to him leaving for NYC, but he did understand why Cesaro said it. It's been 5 awesome months with Cesaro now and things were going great between them, but every time things got a little too serious, Dean would pull away. He liked Antonio a lot but, he just didn't know if he was ready for a full commitment yet. And he knew that Cesaro wouldn't wait forever for him to grow up and finally just choose him either. Still, Dean didn't know if Cesaro was the one and if he were being honest with himself...
He didn't know if he was ready to give him his heart.
"Can we not talk about this right before I'm about to get on a plane?" Dean spat at him, rolling his eyes. "We can discuss it when I get back."
"No Dean! Because you never want to talk about it!" Cesaro fired back.
"That's because there's nothing to talk about." Dean told him tossing his hands in the air. He really didn't want to fight with Cesaro at 5 in the morning but it looked like that's where this was headed. Ever since Seth told Dean that he was getting married, Cesaro has been hesitant about Dean going back to New York. Not because of Seth, but because he knew Dean had unfinished business there with another guy and that made him extremely jealous. Even though, Dean kept assuring him he had nothing to worry about with Roman. They've been over for an entire year. He wished Cesaro would understand that.
"Look at it from my perspective... When I met you Dean, you told me you were in love with someone else. Now you're going to be seeing him in New York, I have a right to be angry about that. You refuse to make it official with me and even though you won't admit it, I know it's because of him."
Dean sighed dramatically, "I'm not in love with him anymore! " He practically yelled at his boyfriend. "How many times do I have to say it? I'm with you, we're happy. Why can't it just be that?"
"If that were true, you would've been able to tell me you loved me. Like you know I love you." Cesaro crossed his arm in front of him. "If you love me Dean, I need you to say it now before you leave to New York so I have some peace of mind about you being there."
"And if don't?" Dean said back very frustratedly. "What happens then?"
"If you can't say it now... then I know you never will Dean. So when you come back... I won't be here." Of course he's giving Dean an ultimatum right before he leaves. Of course Dean's heart is breaking right before he has to board a plane. Dean exhaled sharply... he didn't know what to say. He loved being around Cesaro. Paris was fun because of him. Those couple of months without Roman were hard and depressing at first, but Cesaro became his friend and eventually something more. But Dean didn't know if he was ready to say the L word to him.
He didn't know if he'd ever be ready to say it to anyone else.
"That's not fair..." Dean said back with a sniffle. "You can't do this to me, Tony."
"I'm sorry Dean... but it's how I feel." Cesaro exhaled, "What's your decision?"
"I.." Dean shook his head, unable to look his boyfriend in the eye. "I have to go." He warned, "I'll see you soon." Dean turned to leave without another word, hoping to God that when he came back to Paris, Cesaro would still be there and so would their relationship.
"Mmm."
That was the only sound Seth or Nikki were making as they made out in their bed. Nikki was on top of her boyfriend, giving him soft kisses to his lips then down his neck. In turn, Seth softly caressed Nikki's naked sides, on down towards her supple ass. He squeezed it, causing Nikki to moan and bare down on that exposed neck of Seth's marking her territory.
"Fuck Nik!" Seth could barely whisper that, since it felt so good. He gave her ass a little teasing slap and it made her suck even harder. After Nikki was sure she made a nice bruise, she released Seth's neck with a pop, then pecked his lips. "I can't wait to have sex with you on our wedding night.." Nikki laughed as she cupped Seth's face and gave him an extra set of kisses.
"I can't wait either." Seth agreed with a smile. "I want everyone in the damn hotel to know how good i give it to you.. all night long. I want them to hear you scream my name... I want you to let the staff know that Nikki Rollins is getting properly dicked down." Seth's gloating was turning Nikki on. She bit her lip, and Seth licked his own, before they resumed their make out session for a few more minutes. Nikki slid her tongue in his mouth and slowly grinded against him. They both promised to wait until the wedding night to have sex.. starving themselves for months now. But it was looking like neither person was going to keep that promise as Seth squeezed Nikki's ass and she cupped him through his underwear. It was getting seriously hot and heavy between the lovebirds when Seth's phone started to ring. He grunted when he heard the familiar tone, looking over to his dresser to pick it up. Nikki was all over him as Seth grabbed his phone, not even looking at the caller ID before he answered. "Hello?" Seth said as Nikki started to kiss down his torso.
"Hey dude! I just got to NY. I'm in a taxi on my way to your place now." It was Dean on the other line. Oh shit. Seth forgot he was getting in today. He sat up in bed, stalling his fiancee from going any further down his body. Nikki pouted and sat up on top of him, wondering who Seth was talking too.
"Dean dude. I almost forgot you were coming today!" Seth told his best friend honestly. "I can't wait to see you!" Nikki could practically hear Dean say the same thing back to Seth which meant, officially the bromance was back in full swing. Seth left Nikki on the bed and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him as he laughed at whatever funny thing Dean said.
"Boyfriends I swear." Nikki laughed to herself.
xxx
"DUDE!" Seth screamed at his best friend who happened to get there about 30 minutes later. Seth flew straight into Dean's arms, causing the young artist to drop his bags just to hug his best friend back. The two men were getting super emotional as they embraced for the first time in a year. "I missed you so fucking much." Seth mumbled into Dean's ear. "You have no idea"
"I missed you even more superman." Dean said back with a smile.
"Excuse me! Don't I get a hug too?" Nikki interjects, interrupting Dean and Seth's little moment.
"Ha! Of course you do. Hey Nik." Dean grabbed her and hugged her extra tight.
"Well look at you!" Nikki commented, letting Dean go so she could admire how different he looked. "Oh my god you got so much muscle on you now.. and you're blonde!" She brought Dean in by his hand while Seth got his bags.
Dean laughed, ruffling his hair a bit, "Yep, I'm blond."
"It looks good on you." Nikki told him as they both sat on the couch together. "Seth missed you so much.. Are you happy to be back in NYC, Dean?"
"Yeah." Dean smiled genuinely. "I really miss the air around here, even though, my boyfriend wasn't too happy about me leaving Paris to come here." Dean sort of shrugged, he didn't want to mention Cesaro. It kind of just slipped out.
"Cesaro?" Seth rolled his eyes as he said his name, "That meathead. I always told you that you can do better Dean."
"Way better." Nikki agreed, "The way you describe him... it just seems like he's a little possessive of you Dean, and besides.. who goes from Roman to a bald Swiss guy anyway?.." Nikki's freudian slip of the tongue made the entire room go dead silent. Seth gave Nikki a "why did you bring him up?" glare while Dean kind of just.. looked around awkwardly. He hasn't heard from Roman or spoken to him since the day he left for Paris a year ago. They both decided it was better to just.. go their separate ways. The last Dean heard, Roman was a lawyer now, and he seriously dating his old ex, Finn Balor. "Sorry.." Nikki apologized... "I didn't mean to mention the R word.."
"It's okay." Dean promised her, "I mean I'm going to see him all weekend right? I might as well get used to hearing his name." Dean gulped while looking down. "And seeing him." He exhaled then shook his head, "Anyway, I'm pretty jetlagged so.. I'm gonna hit the hay. I promise I'll start my best man duties as soon as I wake up okay?" Dean retreated to the guestroom without anymore words to the lovebirds. In reality he wasn't all that tired.. he just couldn't talk about Roman right now. Even though he knew Roman moved on and he moved on too, apart of Dean still cared about him and he didn't feel like hashing out unhealed wounds with Roman's best friend. Dean dragged his bags to Seth and Nikki's guest room then plopped down on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. As he was staring into space there was a knock on the door. It was Seth.
"Hey Dean.." Seth came over and laid down next to him on the bed. "You think you'll be okay this weekend?" Seth asked worriedly. "You know Roman's gonna be at the rehearsal dinner tomorrow and he's Nikki's best man for the wedding..."
"What makes you think that I'm not going to be okay?" Dean countered, crossing his hands on his stomach. "Because I have to see my ex boyfriend?" He snorted, "Do you honestly think I'm that fragile?"
"No." Seth stopped him from going further. "I just know you Dean. You and Roman ended things so terribly. Honestly, a clean break where you don't talk to the person you're were love with for a whole year? That's crazy, dude. And just proves how not over each other you both are."
"I DON'T LOVE HIM." Dean shouted more to himself than to Seth. "Why does everyone think I still do?" He sat up now, frustratedly running his fingers through his blonde hair. "First Cesaro, and now you!" Dean was so done with this bullshit. "IF I still loved Roman I would've came back for him. If he still loved me he would've fought for me instead of breaking my fucking heart. I'm here for you. To support you and Nikki. Whatever I once felt for Roman Reigns died when he let me get on a plane to Paris. It's over between us! Will I be fine this weekend? Yes, you know why? Because I don't love him. I HATE HIM! I hate his fucking guts." Dean's voice trailed off at the end as he got emotional. He looked at Seth for just a second, with tears stinging in his blue eyes.
"Dean.." Seth tried to reach over to console him but it was too late.. Dean had already gotten up..
And ran into the bathroom.
Rehearsal Dinner, Saturday Night 8pm.
Dean stood in the bathroom mirror; looking at his reflection. He and Seth just got to Crave, the hottest restaurant out right now for the rehearsal dinner. He splashed water on his cleanly shaven face and tried to keep it together. Last night Dean said a lot of things he kept bottled up from a year and he was feeling really vulnerable right now. The fact that he was going to see Roman tonight, very soon on top of his issues with his boyfriend back in Paris gave Dean an uneasy feeling. Seth told him that he wasn't over Roman, and apart of Dean knew that was true. But the other part knew it didn't matter. This wasn't a year ago; they both lead separate lives now. Roman was this fancy lawyer type guy now and Dean was living in Paris, pursing his dream and happy with a new guy. Even if he did see Roman today, Dean needed to keep it together. It was over. Has been for a while now.
He needed to let it go.
"Dean?' Someone knocked on the door to the men's room. Dean looked in the mirror one last time before he exited, seeing Nikki there waiting for him. "Hey.. you okay?" She asked calmly, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, I just needed to gather myself." Dean nodded, "Is everyone ready?"
"Yeah it looks like we are just waiting on a few more people." Nikki looked up at him and just sort of smiled.. Dean looked back at her curiously wondering what she was thinking and why exactly was she smiling at him?
"Do I have something on my face?"
"Nope." Nikki shook her head, "I wanted to come and find you because... last night... I was kind of ease dropping and... I overhead your conversation with Seth. I just wanted you to understand that.. Roman hurt too, Dean." Nikki smiled somberly. "It wasn't as clean of a break as you guys hoped it would be. Just.. remember that okay?" Nikki kissed his cheek then walked away. Leaving Dean there alone to think about what she said.
xxx
Their families started piling in and after a while everyone was finally there. Dean sat near Nikki, and Seth and saw their was an empty chair right next to him. He knew it was Roman's seat. Dean gulped and his eyes scanned the room to look for the man in question. His heart raced as his eyes searched, finally coming across him talking to Brie, and Nikki's mother. Roman. He was smiling and laughing with the girls while holding his stomach. His black and gray suit sat perfectly tailored to his skin and his hair, much longer now sat up in a tight bun at the back of his head. When he smiled Dean found himself smiling too. He almost forgot how infectious Roman's smile was. Roman seemed to be finishing up his conversation with them and when he did, the first thing Dean noticed is that Roman's eyes automatically find his. He sees him stand and then slowly he walks over to the head of the table. Dean's breath is now caught in his throat as he watches Roman come closer. Their eyes didn't disconnect once as he finally sat down next to Dean.
"Hey." Roman said it to Dean automatically. Dean noticed Roman kind of check him out too, and under his heavy gaze Dean found... sadness in back of those heavy eyes. "You look great." Roman tells him with a smile. "I like your hair." It takes everything in Roman to not run his fingers through Dean's perfect curls right now. He saw that Dean almost bit his lip as he looked back at him, but of course he stopped himself from doing so.
"Thank you." Dean blushed, running his hands through his hair flirtatously. Their chemistry was evident to anyone who bothered to look at them right now, including Seth and Nikki who were watching with bated breaths. "You look good Roman." Dean didn't know why that came out so shyly. He used to fuck the guy for god sakes, now all of a sudden Dean was acting like he wasn't even worthy of his presence.
"Thank you." Roman said back with a small side smile. "Means a lot coming from you." Dean couldn't tell if Roman was flirting with him just then or if it was just a friendly compliment. Fuck.. why did it even matter?
"Boys.." Nikki snapped her fingers at Dean and Roman who unlocked eyes long enough so they could look at Nikki. "If you two don't mind.. We'd like to start the rehearsal dinner now?" She said it with a smile.
"Sorry." They both seem to say at the same time. Dean and Roman looked at each other with a small smile on their faces at the coincidence.
The dinner went successfully, and since Nikki's parents paid for the restaurant for the entire night, everyone started socializing. Nikki and Seth were forced to converse with the out of town cousins on Nikki's side from Norway that didn't speak much English. Meanwhile, Roman and Dean found a quiet corner to talk in. It was weird, how they haven't seen each other in a year but as soon as they got to talking it was like no time had passed between the exes at all.
"I can't believe you got into criminal law Ro.. You always said you didn't wanna go that route." Dean commented as he sipped his beer.
"Well.. I needed to do something that would pay my bills." Roman laughed. "My dad was true to his word, as soon as I graduated law school he cut me off. I fully support myself now." Roman said back, swirling the straw around in his drink.
"Wow... I didn't think Sika had the balls to follow through. But it's nice to hear you're an independent man now Ro."
"Yeah..." Roman clicked his tongue then shook his head, "Can you do me a favor and not call me Ro?" Roman asked him simply. "I don't wanna seem like an asshole but umm when you say it just... brings up memories... ya know of better times."
"Oh." Dean didn't know why he was just hurt by what Roman had just said. It was just a nickname but he guessed Roman wanted to move pass it. Dean could understand why. The nickname was more like a term of endearment for them, a special thing that they used in their past relationship. "I'm sorry." Dean apologized, "I didn't know it was making you uncomfortable."
"It doesn't really make me that uncomfortable." Roman told him the truth. "It's just when you say it… it makes me want to do things to you that I haven't thought about doing in a year…" Roman said it very softly, "And I'm trying to remain civil so... yeah."
Dean and Roman looked at each other after Roman was done speaking. There was nothing but heavy tension in the air now, an invisible layer of thick sexual tension caused by Roman's stare and comments. He saw that a faint blush was staining Dean's cheeks, as his baby blues shined for him.
"I…" Dean cleared his throat... "I don't think that's appropriate to say when I have a boyfriend and so do you." Dean said back. He watched Roman's facial expression change from surprised to saddened within seconds. Roman laughed then nodded his head, looking down at his shoes now.
"Well… I don't have a boyfriend. But it's nice to know you do." Roman felt like such an idiot. He was shamelessly flirting with his ex-boyfriend who happened to have a boyfriend back at home. This was the most stupid he felt since getting back with Randy a second time.
"You don't?" Dean was really genuinely surprised by Roman's confession, "I thought you were dating Finn?"
"I don't know who told you that but I haven't seriously dated any guy since we broke up. It's all just been causal." Roman shrugged. "It really doesn't matter…" He tried to play it off, "What's the name of the guy you're dating?"
Dean was actually hesitant to say his name. Nikki had told Dean about five months ago that Roman was seeing Finn. Now, Roman was standing there letting him know that he was single. Letting Dean know that he never really got over him like Dean had done. "Um." Dean stuttered, "His name is Cesaro... well... Antonio but I call him Cesaro… He's uhh... he's Swiss and really sweet to me. I'm trying to make it work." Roman just nodded at Dean in return. Dean could practically see the hurt all over Roman's face.
"That's great." Roman smiled at him but it was one of those forceful smiles he does when he was trying to hide how he was truly feeling. "I'm happy for you Dean. I really am." Dean knew he was lying. The sad, disappointed look on his face told Dean everything he needed to know. "Hey uhh... it's been fun catching up but I gotta go. I'll you around okay?" Roman touched his shoulder in a friendly manner then walked away as fast as he could, not giving Dean a chance to say goodbye. Dean watched him go and once he exited the restaurant Dean knew he had hurt Roman badly. Nikki watched Roman go too then she looked at Dean who had his eyes permanently on the door. Dean thought about it for a second before he ran out of the restaurant after Roman. He ran down the street, trying to find him but it was too late. Roman was gone. Dean had a choice to make. He could just let him go... or he could follow his heart.
"TAXI!" Dean screamed into the busy NYC street.
He let Roman go once... Dean wasn't going to let it happen again.
"He's dating someone ma." Roman was on the phone with his mother when he got home. He called her to check in and she asked him how it went. Roman told her the news about Dean's boyfriend and momma reigns was almost as sad as Roman was. "I can't believe I actually thought I had a chance with him after a year." Roman laughed to himself. "I feel so stupid." IT was true. He did feel stupid. He has spent an entire year trying to move on from Dean. Guy after guy… but none of it worked. There was no one for him besides the guy he let go off to Paris. And now that he found out that Dean had someone new, Roman realized it was definitely time to move on.
"It'll be alright baby." His mom said back over the phone, "Why don't you come over and I'll make you some pie?"
"That sounds…" KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Roman was interrupted by a knock on his apartment door. He looked at the clock, it was reaching 12 am. Sami was still on vacation with Kevin until tomorrow and he knew it couldn't be Seth or Nikki. Roman put on a tank top then headed over to the door. He opened it without looking to see who it was only to find Dean standing there.
"Ma… I gotta go." Roman tells his mother then hangs up before she can say anything else. "Dean?" Roman says his name so quietly, "What are you doing here?"
"You left while we were in the middle of a conversation." Dean says back... letting himself into Roman's apartment. "Anyone ever told you that is very rude?"
Roman let out a short, confused laugh and closed the door behind Dean. "I'm sorry that I didn't want to stand there and listen to you gloat about your new boyfriend." Roman answered him very sarcastically. "Please forgive me."
"So you admit that you're jealous then?" Dean asked as he took a look around. It was different, that's for sure. His décor really screamed "hot, young, single gay lawyer" now more than ever.
"Is this why you came across town? To tell me I'm jealous of your little relationship?" Roman rolled his eyes at him. "Are you that petty?"
"I'm not petty." Dean replied with a shrug. "You left so abruptly I just thought maybe it had upset you to know that I have a boyfriend."
"It doesn't upset me." Roman lied.
"You sure?" Dean asked, walking closer to him slowly. "You sure it doesn't upset you to know that he touches me better than you do?" Dean spoke softer as he moved even closer to Roman. "That he can fuck me better than you can?"
"Dean…" Roman's jaw set as he listened to Dean talk about his boyfriend. He moved even closer to Roman, stopping when they were face to face. The two men looked at each other again, that same sexual tension and chemistry from earlier came creeping right back in.
"…That he loves me more than you ever did?" The last taunt of Dean's sentence was pretty much all Roman needed to hear. Without warning he grabbed the back of Dean's head and laid a strong passionate kiss to his lips. Dean tried to pull away, but Roman held on; and soon Dean's lips were perfectly molded onto his own. They fell back against the door, their air around them becoming tight as Dean's tongue snaked its way into Roman's mouth. Roman kissed him slower now, tearing Dean's suit jacket down his shoulders softly. Dean moaned near Roman's mouth, and gasped when he picked him up off his feet. Their kiss was never broken as Roman carried him towards his room. "Ro..." Dean whimpered out as he felt Roman squeezing his ass through his slacks. Dean's hands ran through the thick Samoan mane as he was carried in, and placed gently on Roman's bed. Roman stood above him, licking his lips as he started to take off his tank top. Dean watched, letting out a small moan at that beautifully thick upper body he hasn't seen in a year.
"Does he look like me when I take my shirt off?" Roman teased Dean, at the same time he tugged Dean's pants off. Dean shook his head no then slowly took off his shirt for Roman, revealing a tight muscular body of his own. Roman groaned as he looked at Dean, his beautiful pale skin, and innocence still there, even after an entire year apart. Roman kneeled on the bed then softly, he touched Dean's legs… caressing them until he sat in between.
"Come to daddy." Roman said to him and Dean gladly did. He sat up in Roman's lap, biting his lip at how hard he felt Roman was underneath him. The boys looked at each other, blue and gray eyes respectively thinking the same thing… I still love you.
"I've missed you." Roman was the first to admit it. His hands held Dean at the waist while Dean's slowly wrapped around his shoulders.
"I've… missed you too." Dean wasn't as hesitant as he thought he would be saying it. He smiled, baring one of his dimples for Roman then slowly they kissed again. This time with Roman lifting them up so he could take off their underwear. Their briefs dropped to the floor and soon... they were in the middle of the bed, making love. Dean cried out as Roman thrusted up in him, and he wasn't hesitant at all to call Roman's name out over and over again. Their bodies were glued to each other, sweat bathed, and drenched of all fluid except cum. Dean grabbed onto Roman's hair for leverage as he rode his cock into oblivion. They kissed passionately, and when they were right on the brink of no return… Roman whispered something into Dean's ear. It sounded like "I love you" but Dean didn't focus on it. He was stroking his own cock in time with every hard thrust of Roman inside of him. Dean finally couldn't take it anymore and he came over Roman's body and his own. Roman wasn't far behind, thrusting hard in Dean five more times before he came inside of him. Dean panted, and Roman gasped as their orgasm overtook both of them.
They kissed softly, and no other words were said as they both fell asleep… together.
Day of the wedding
Roman woke up at about 7 am. Last night felt like a haze; all he remembered was drinking, and seeing Dean again. Then… making love to him again last night. He never planned on having sex with Dean after hearing that Dean was coming to NYC. Actually, he never planned on Dean wanting to talk to him at all this weekend. But last night proved to Roman that he and Dean really were soulmates. They haven't been together in a year but once their lips connected... it was like no time had passed between them at all. He smiled and yawned to himself, rolling over to snuggle with Dean only to find Dean gone. "Dean?' Roman said as he sat up. He didn't get a reply back so he just got up to go find him. Roman looked everywhere around his apartment but…
Dean was nowhere to be found.
xxx
Seth was getting ready with Dean in the plaza hotel changing rooms. Seth looked good; a crisp, clean black and white tux, and his hair was up in a nice low bun. Dean was standing in one of the mirrors in the corner, getting dressed at a snail's pace. Seth kept looking over at him, and he kept noticing how sad Dean looked and how guilty. He knew something was up, but he also knew it was about Roman. Dean left right after Roman did last night and it was clear as day where Dean was headed. But from the looks of things it didn't go too well between the two.
"Bray, Wade, Dolph and Cody are downstairs in their suits. Should I tell them they can come up so we can do a little gentlemen's toast before the wedding?" Dean asked him as he began to put on his dress shirt and tie.
"Not yet… first, I wanna talk to just you." Seth said to him. Dean looked back at him very hesitantly but nodded anyway. Seth pulled up a chair next to Dean's mirror and looked up at him curiously. "So I saw you talking to Roman last night and I also know that you followed him home. My only question is this... what happened between you that you look so sad and depressed?"
Dean listened to Seth speak then kind of just shook his head. "Nothing happened." He lied as he started to put on his tie. "And I'm perfectly fine. So can we drop it… please?'
"You're a bad liar and you also know that I can see through all your shit by now. So don't stand there on my wedding day and tell me you're fine because you look like someone stabbed you in the heart and honestly? It's weighing on me too." Seth was super angry with his friend. "You told me you hated him the other night and then you're laughing with him the next day and following him home and the whole time you've been here Dean has been an emotional wreck for Nik and me because you're still completely in love with him and lord knows Roman is still very much in love with you two so I don't understand why you two idiots can't just work out whatever issues you have and fucking get married already or something because it is exhausting dude. ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTING." Seth threw his hands in the air, then breathed out slowly. "Sorry... I didn't mean to go all world war seven on you bro... it's just that..."
"I slept with him." Dean said, cutting Seth off. Dean's eyes filled with tears as he admitted what he done. "We had sex... and then I fell asleep in his arms and everything felt... so damn right." He let the tears fall freely now. "I made a mistake and now Antonio won't forgive me."
"Wow." Seth was most definitely taken aback by Dean's words. He thought that Dean and Roman fought… not fucked. "Dean bro… I don't know what to say here..." Seth was legit at a loss of words. "Why did you tell Cesaro?" He had to ask.
"Because he's my boyfriend?" Dean stated the obvious.
"Well yeah I know that but he never would've known if you didn't tell him. You told me you guys were fighting before you came so telling him only put the nail in the coffin for your relationship. I don't think you told him because it was the right thing to do, D. I think you told him because you wanted it to be over."
Dean looked at Seth and his best friend could see the admittance fall over Dean's face. "I…" Dean tried to find the right words. "I said I hated Roman because I was angry. We were in love and he just let me go without fighting for me but... when I was with him last night it just proved to me that I want him to be the only person in my life. I… I'm still in love with him, Seth and that scares me."
"Love isn't easy D. Nikki broke up with me more times than I could count and I thought I lost her once for a long time there… but I wouldn't let my insecurities and her doubts stop me from being with her. And today… she's gonna be my wife." Seth smiled at that. "From the moment you two met there was a connection and it never left, despite the breakups and the fights and you moving to Paris. Roman still loves you despite it all and when you find someone like that, someone who will love you through the good times and the bad, you don't let that walk away dude. Not a second time."
Dean started to cry as he listened to his best friend. Seth was right, despite it all there was no other man who loved Dean like Roman. No other man who cared for him, who protected him, or saw him, the way Roman did. "What if I fucked it up though?' Dean asked with a sniffle. "I left him alone this morning... what if Roman thinks that's it for us?"
"Easy…" Seth smiled at Dean then shrugged, "Go fix it."
"You look so beautiful Nik." Roman told his best friend as he watched Nikki twirl in the mirror. Nikki had on a vintage Vera Wang original that hugged her in all the right places yet left a lot to the imagination. Nikki smiled happily at her dress then turned to Roman who had offered her a glass of champagne. "To… new beginnings." Roman said with his glass in the air, "I'm happy you found love babe and I sincerely hope that you and Seth last forever."
"Aw, thank you babe." Nikki kissed Roman softly then they sipped their drinks. The best friends smiled at each other, then Nikki saw Roman look down quite sadly. "Hey…" Nikki said bringing Roman up by his chin. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.
"Yeah." Roman said forcing a smile. "I'm just thinking…"
"About last night?" Nikki said cutting him off. "I saw Dean leave the club after you and I can take a wild guess at what happened after that." She giggled, "Do you two… ya know?"
"Yeah we did." Roman kind of just shrugged, "But he left in the morning so I guess he just needed to get me out of his system one last time." Roman shook his head, "I feel so stupid." He told Nikki sadly.
"…Not as stupid as I do." Roman looked up at the voice in question and saw Dean standing in the door way. "Roman…" Dean said softly. "Can we talk? Please?" Dean was pleading but Roman didn't know if it was a good idea. He looked at Nikki who was mouthing 'go talk to him' to Roman.
"Sure." Roman agreed at Nikki's pestering. He followed Dean to an empty dressing room and then closed the door behind him. Their space was limited so they were very close, making it a little uncomfortable. There was silence for a little while, with Dean and Roman both just looking at each other, not knowing what to say.
"Ro…" Dean began to say. His hands were shaking, and he was so nervous. But he had faith in their love and Seth was right, he couldn't just give up on it, at least not without a fight. "I didn't leave last night because you were just a booty call." Dean told him honestly.
"Then why did you leave?' Roman asked him quite heart brokenly, "I woke up this morning and I felt so cheap Dean. I know we had sex in the heat of the moment but I thought I deserved more than that."
"You did." Dean nodded his head in agreement. "I didn't leave because I wanted you to feel sad or alone, Ro. I left because… I needed to call Antonio and tell him what happened between us and because I was scared..."
"You're scared of me now?" Roman replied, shaking his head, "Scared of what… Dean?"
Dean bit his lip and exhaled, "No. Not of you... of us." He blew out a breath, "Roman when you let me get on that plane, I resented you for it. I thought... if he could let me go, he never truly loved me. That's why it was so easy for me to jump into another relationship, I didn't think there was anything else left between us. But as soon as I saw you again, and you smiled at me all my walls came crashing down. I told you about Antonio to hurt you but I just ended up making a fool out of myself. Because..." Dean's eyes filled to the brim with tears, "I'm still in love with you Roman, and that scares me because I've been away for so long, I never thought I'd still feel this way. But I do, and I know that my word probably won't mean anything right now but I'm tired of pretending that I can go on without you. Because I can't. I love you and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to win you back."
"Dean…" Roman started smiling as Dean spoke. He wiped some tears out of his face and Dean smiled looking up at him. "I let you go because I knew that if I convinced you to stay just for me, you'd resent me. But I never stopped loving you. There's been a lot of guys who came into my life after your exit, but I never fell hard for any of them. Because I'm still in love with you too. I regret not trying to make it work between us back then but I'll try my hardest to make it with now. 7 hour flights mean nothing as long as I get to see your face." Roman cupped Dean's face in his hands and softly caressed it. Dean smiled through his tears then leaned up to give Roman a passionate kiss. Roman didn't waste time in kissing him back, letting his lips connect with Dean's over and over again. They made out in the changing room for a good ten minutes, before pulling away slightly to breathe. Dean laughed as his forehead pressed gently against Roman's and Roman held him by the waist.
"Hey Ro..." Dean said his name softly.
"Yeah babe" Roman asked back, with a soft lick of his lips.
"You once asked me to move in with you. I just wanna know if… that offer still stands?" Dean looked up at him after he said it, there were stars in Roman's eyes and his mouth formed a wide smile. "As long as you're okay with living with a broke art student who wants to move from Paris back to NYC… that is."
"Hmm, well I dunno I think that broke college graduate is going to have to get a job, but for you babe..." Roman pulled him in by his waist and smiled, "For you, I'd make an exception."
Dean smiled then kissed him softly, "I love you." He told him honestly.
"I love you too."
"… By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The minister said his final words and Seth and Nikki kissed. Everyone in the hall cheered for the newlyweds, it was a glorious, happy moment. As Nikki and Seth walked up the aisle together Dean grabbed onto Roman and they both smiled.
"Think we'll get married one day?" Dean asked Roman as they walked towards the reception together. Roman smiled at Dean as they walked and entwined their fingers.
"Sooner than you think..." was Roman's answer.
A/N: There it is, a sweet, hopeful ending to such a beautiful story. Once my baby, i had some hard times with you. There was writers block and depression from the hate mail.. but there was also good times. Like the excitement i got out of uploading new chapters and the reviews that made me critically think as a writer and a reader. I wanna shout out my bae, Slivie, for legit being the only reason i didn't stop writing. I came to her with concerns no other friend wanted to talk about with me and she listened, and reviewed every single chapter, even if they were just filler ones. Also shout out to Roman fan, and reigns' bae for also reviewing every single chapter and being there for me as well.
Once was generally about the struggles of a long distance relationship. I've been in one and although it was great, it didn't work out as well as it did for ambreigns. It was also about taking leaps of faith in love and life, being able to dare to be who you are, like for Dean as he came to realizations that he was indeed, bi-sexual.
I hope that you guys had fun reading, and I hope that you'll read more of my fics in the future.
May you all find the Dean to your Roman and thanks for reading. -Melle