Seventeen

"Can I charge my phone for a bit?" Roman asked when they were in Dean's room at the centre. "My battery's running low."

"Sure," Dean replied. "You head on to the bathroom. I'll help you."

He plugged the cellphone into the charging dock. Roman's phone lit up. There were several missed calls from Rosey and four messages.

His curiosity piqued, he slid his hand over the screen.

Roman, mum's collapsed. We're bringing her to the hospital.

I'm serious. Please call back.

Doctors are working on her in the ER! I'm not joking.

Still no word. Doctors are doing the best they can.

Fuck, Dean thought. Roman's mother was in the ER. He should let his boyfriend know.

"I hope the battery's enough to sustain me till I get back…" Roman said, when he walked in. "What happened?"

Dean bit his lip. "Your mother's in the hospital. She collapsed and she's now being worked on in the ER. It doesn't look good."

His boyfriend was frozen at the same spot.

The auburn haired man pulled him into his arms. "Roman?"

Roman shook his head. "My mother too?"

"Yeah. I'm afraid so. You better hurry down there."

"I…"

Dean could understand his hesitation. "Go. I'll be right here. Call me and keep me posted." He took out the phone and handed it to him.

When he reached the hospital, it was nine forty five. He found his siblings waiting outside the ER. Rosey spotted him but his attention was back to whatever the doctor was saying.

"Roman!" Serena said tearfully.

Roman didn't know what to think anymore when he saw Angel breaking down.

"She's gone!" Talia sobbed. "Roman, she's gone!"

He felt tears spring to his eyes. "No! It can't be!"

"Cardiac arrest," Rosey said. "It was too much for her-" He lost it halfway and started to cry too.

Serena wiped her tears. "Now what?"

"I'm making arrangements to bring her back to Pensacola to be placed near Dad. Doctor said he'd do his best to expedite the process."

This was overwhelming. In less than a week, he had lost his parents. He didn't even say goodbye to his mother in a nice way either, walking out of the hotel suite instead.

"Roman?" Serena asked. "Will you come back for a while to Pensacola for the funeral? Just for a bit?"

He nodded numbly.

Stepping further away from his siblings for a bit, he called Dean to inform him. His boyfriend answered on the third ring.

"Babe? How's everything?" Dean asked.

"She's gone too, Dean," he cried. "She's gone."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Do you want to come down there?"

"No, Dean. I don't want you to get hurt again."

"But you're hurting, Roman."

"I'll be fine. The funeral will be back home so I'll have go with them too."

"S-Sure. I'll follow you then."

"It'll only be for a week. And honestly I don't want you being a punching bag again."

"You can't do this by yourself. At least make sure Manu is with you."

In the end, it was agreed among all five of them to cremate her here.

As they were far from Florida, Roman managed to talk to a funeral home close by the hospital to see if they had any space. The funeral director gave them a medium sized room and arranged for a cremation early the next morning.

Rosey had insisted - being the oldest - that they carry it out fast because they could bring her ashes home without much hassle.

The rest of the day flew by in a daze. He sat by her coffin, staring down at her peaceful face. At least she no longer had to worry about keeping the peace.

And he would no longer have strings attached to his siblings.

"You okay?" Manu asked, sitting beside him at the pavilion near the garden a few feet away from the home. The Samoan man left his siblings there when they had entered the room.

"I can't believe she's gone. I messed up with her too," Roman sniffled.

His friend rubbed his shoulder. "She was actually defending you against your siblings. It was a nice change."

"A little too late…"

"Yeah."

"Neither my parents wanted me with him. It's just so sad."

"She was okay that last hour. Maybe she knew…" His friend pulled him in a hug. "It's over now. You can breathe again."

"I feel like I'm a terrible son."

"Actually they are terrible people. Your siblings in particular."

Roman sighed when they pulled apart. "Thank you for being here for me."

"Hey. We've been friends for so long. I can't believe your dad wanted us together. That'd never work out. No matter how beautiful I think you are as a person, I'm glad to call you a brother." His friend reached into his pocket. "Your mum wrote this for you in case anything happened to her."

Roman was surprised. He opened the piece of paper.

Roman,

I'm writing this to you in case I'm gone. Firstly, I owe Dean and you a huge apology for all the grievances this family has put you both through.

You left earlier without a word so I couldn't tell you in person how sorry I am. You have made me so proud of the man you've become. And despite the reservations your father and I had about Dean, I can see we're both wrong.

Ignore the letter that your father wrote to you. Being with Manu wouldn't have brought you that kind of happiness. I know you're probably blaming yourself for not making amends with your father but I'm here to tell you that it's okay. You're too good for this family anyways.

Reach for your dreams and fulfil them. I love you always.

Mum

"She gave me this letter on our way over here," Manu explained.

"She said my dad left me a letter too."

"Yeah. It was an ugly letter."

"You read it?"

His friend nodded. "Nothing that you haven't heard before."

When they returned to the room, Rosey frowned. "Do you have any last words for mum?"

Roman shook his head; he was already at peace with his mother.

"In any case, thank you for arranging this."

He didn't reply.

Manu held him while he cried during the hymn being sung, repeatedly telling him that he had done his best.

Once the service was over - Roman's mind was in a state of blank for the most part of it - they left the home without a word to his siblings.

He wasn't sorry for that.

He was sorry though for how things ended between his parents and him. Maybe if he hadn't met Dean, it would have been different.

He wasn't ready to go home alone yet - it was only eight in the morning - so Manu accompanied him instead. As Roman opened the cabinet to look for snacks, he found a bottle of Jack Daniel's that Dean had most likely hidden, behind some potato chip bags.

"Oh nice!" his friend commented when he saw the bottle. "Dean's, I assume?"

"Yeah. His favorite beverage."

"I could use some."

Roman poured him a little and handed him a glass.

They watched TV and chatted about other stuff, avoiding anything about his family. He was happy to hear about Manu's though.

"Your brother used to tease us both kissing in a tree," Roman giggled. "I'd stare at the branch and wonder how to climb up there."

"I was so embarrassed," Manu recalled. "I didn't know how to face you after that."

Dean called him then.

"Roman, are you okay?" his boyfriend asked. "I didn't hear from you since last night."

Roman hiccuped. "I'm fine." What time was it? His eyes fell on the clock on the wall. Eleven thirty.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Nope," he mimicked Dean.

"Where are you?"

"I'm at home."

"Stay there. I'll be over shortly."

Roman didn't know why but he found that funny as he switched off the phone. Apparently Manu thought the same thing too because he started laughing when Roman related it to him.

His boyfriend must have broke the traffic rules because he was back within half an hour.

"What the hell, Roman?" he demanded, slamming the door shut. "Why are you drinking?"

His rock star boyfriend looked handsome in his blue t-shirt and denim jeans.

Roman stumbled towards him - wanting to give him a hug - but he fell on the floor, his knees wobbly.

"And now you're drunk," Dean shouted.

"There isn't any problem that can't be solved by getting really, really drunk," Roman justified. The room was starting to spin? Or was Dean dancing in circles?

"Roman! Are you listening to yourself?"

"I… think so? Yes. I am."

He was obviously wrong because he passed out soon after.

When Roman finally came about, Dean kissed him all over his face softly. Somehow he had managed to bring him up to their bedroom.

Manu was left on the couch with a pillow and throw over him. While he was cleaning the mess, the auburn haired rock star was shocked to find his Jack Daniel's bottle almost finished. This wasn't Roman; he occasionally touched alcohol.

"Dean?" Roman said.

"Hey babe," he greeted him.

"I hate drinking."

Dean grinned upon hearing that. "Oh? Do you?"

"Yeah."

"Considering I have no more drink left…"

"I'm sorry."

Dean held him against his chest. "How did the whole thing go?"

So Roman filled him in on the funeral arrangements and service. One thing that caught Dean by surprise was Helen's blessings. It was a bittersweet gesture, one he was sure he would never forget.

Then his boyfriend started sobbing. He whispered comforting words softly, hugging him tight. It could not be easy having lost both parents so soon.

He stroked Roman's hair until he seemed to have calmed down. "You've done the best with what you had at that point in time. And even though it seems biased, I think you were a good son too."

"You really believe that?"

"Yeah. I do." He pressed a kiss to Roman's forehead. "I love you, Roman. Your mother was right: you should be proud of the person you've become."

Roman was quiet for a moment. Dean held him, enjoying the feel and warmth of the Samoan man in his arms.

"Was Dr Foley annoyed that you left the facility again?" his boyfriend asked.

"Not at all. He understood why."

He kissed Roman's nose and cheeks before claiming his lips in a sweet kiss. His boyfriend reciprocated beautifully.

"Why do you take a shower?" he suggested. "I'll fix us something."

Roman looked at him in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

So his boyfriend went to the bathroom while Dean bounded down the stairs to make both Manu and him egg sandwiches. While he waited for his eggs to boil in the saucepan, he took out some mayonnaise, mustard and green onion.

Maybe he should take Roman on vacation. His boyfriend had been through hard times. Maybe some time off would help him. But where?

Dean had just removed the saucepan from heat when Roman walked in shirtless. "You have to stop walking around like that."

The grey eyed man grinned. "Or?"

"Or I'll just take you on the table again."

"I don't mind."

"Sit down," Dean instructed. "I'm making you both egg sandwiches."

Roman filled the kettle with water. "Remember when Amoka said you did a lot of crazy things…"

The Steel Hounds' lead singer gulped; he still remembered that? "What about it?"

"What are some of those crazy things?"

Dean pondered what to share. It'd be better to spare him some of those acts. "So many men threw themselves at me," he related. "I had to rent out several hotel rooms and go from room to room to sleep with them."

"Lies, baby boy?"

"Nope." He started chopping the eggs.

"Next you're going to tell me you've slept with porn stars."

Dean's eyes widened. "How did you know that?"

"How are you not bored with me?"

"Because I love you. That's the difference."

Roman was staring into space. Dean out his cutting board aside. Something was bothering Roman but he didn't know what.

His boyfriend looked him with a confused look when he requested him to stand up. But he did so anyway.

"Take off your shorts," Dean instructed.

"Now?" Roman clarified.

"Now."

As he stripped off his shorts, Dean took off his t-shirt before he was helped by Roman to unbuckle his belt.

"We're doing it here?" Roman asked.

"That's the plan," the blue eyed man affirmed.

"What if Manu wakes up-"

Dean covered his mouth over his boyfriend's, cutting him off. Roman held onto him tight as their kissing became wild. He couldn't help it; Roman smelt so good. Fuck. Dean wanted him so bad, spread out on the table-

Roman's hand was in his jeans, slowly stroking him. He gritted his teeth. "Roman!"

"I want you, Dean…"

He was lost and he knew it.

Roman was now on the table and Dean slowly crawled on top of him before planting kisses on his boyfriend's face.

My body is burning, it starts to shout
Desire is coming, it breaks out loud
Lust is in cages till storm breaks loose
Just have to make it with someone I choose

"Your voice…"

Dean grinned before stroking him at a painstakingly slow pace. Roman trashed his head, begging him to increase his speed.

The night is calling, I have to go
The wolf is hungry, he runs the show
He's licking his lips, he's ready to win
On the hunt tonight for love at first sting

He quickly jumped off and dropped his pants. Roman was jerking himself so Dean slapped his hand. He worked his boyfriend's length faster than before, licking it in between. Clear liquid could be seen from his slit so Dean sucked on it.

"D-Dean, don't stop…"

His boyfriend ran his hand through his auburn hair as Dean slowly took his erection in his mouth, swirling his tongue and sucking hard. Roman tasted good as always.

After ravishing his boyfriend for a short while, the Samoan man pleaded, "Baby boy, I'm going to… I'm going to…"

Dean let go before jumping off him. He found the medicine box at the top cabinet and took out a condom. After rolling it on, he nudged Roman's thighs apart and thrusted into him.

He moved slowly before Roman moved restlessly. Grabbing Roman's butt cheeks, he thrusted in and out. His boyfriend's sweet cries drove him on as he picked up pace. It wasn't long before Roman came, his cum spilling in between them. Dean came next before he laid down on top of him.

"Fuck, Roman. Not exactly what I had in mind when I came back…" he panted.

His boyfriend laughed. "Me neither."

"I'm due back by eight. I need to fix this sandwich and then spend some time with you before I head back."

There was a knock on the front door before Dean jumped off Roman and quickly dressed himself. His boyfriend merely had to put on his shorts before heading into the living room. No sooner than Dean put on his t-shirt, he heard Roman call to come upfront.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Cesaro at the door, looking sharp in his Armani suit. "Hi, Dean."

"What do you want?" Dean asked. His eyes fell on Manu who was still sound asleep on the couch. The auburn haired rock star wondered how much he had drank.

His ex boyfriend smirked. "I want you. I know I told you that it was okay you go but it's not. You signed a contract, remember? Therefore, Dean… you're mine. You're hitting the road again."

A/N Uh oh. Always read the fine print, boys and girls. Thank you for the kind words, favorites and follows. And for your patience. :-)