This chapter is pretty warm and cozy. We take a glimpse into Dean's first day of work at Escape Velocity by the end. :) Christmastime is drawing nearer and I'm so stoked to write that part...and everything I have planned after. Big things ahead, guys, HUGE things!
And speaking of that, I'm PLEASED to announce that contemplating this story, building it up, plotting it out...all of that has led to my decision to turn this into a series. This particular story is far from over, but when it ends, it's certainly not the END for nerdy Roman Reigns, crazed yet quirky Dean Ambrose, and loving, faithful peacekeeper Seth Rollins. So far I have two stories planned after this one, but who knows how far it could go after that? However far it goes, I'm so excited about this decision! I have so many plans for these characters, and I just can't wait to share them with you guys! Thank you all SOOOO much for your support. It's because of your generous reviews, kind words and daily dedication to this story that inspires me to keep it going for as long as I want to. I owe you guys so much!
The series is officially called "To Love A Lunatic." This story, "More Than Words", is the first in said series. So continue to enjoy this story for all it will contain. My time with this piece isn't QUITE over yet. ;)
Sunday was lazy.
Perhaps that was too weak of a word to describe it. Roman didn't even get out of bed until close to two in the afternoon. Dean wasn't in bed with him, but Seth was still asleep on the couch and Dean was sitting close to the TV in the living room, legs crossed, head inclined towards The Avengers on the screen. The subtitles were on, and the volume was down almost all the way.
"Morning," Roman said. "Or, afternoon, rather."
Dean craned his neck to look back at him. "Afternoon, babe," he greeted.
"What's this for?"
"Wanted to keep it turned down so Seth wouldn't wake up before he should be."
"I mean, why The Avengers?"
"Prepping for my first day of nerd work tomorrow. Next on the list is Man of Steel."
Roman leaned his head back, groaning. "Oh, God, no, don't put yourself through that misery."
Dean's mouth fell open. "I thought Superman was your favorite?"
"He is. That's why I didn't like Man of Steel. Just stick to the first two movies, the originals, and you'll be fine. I own them both."
"Weren't there like, three or four original movies?"
"We don't talk about those."
"Okay. I trust you, O Dweeby One."
Roman also noticed the Christmas tree, his seven-foot tall fake plant that Randy had left with him, was plugged in in the corner. Dozens of tiny gold lights beamed weakly from the branches. There were two presents, wrapped neatly, beneath the tree. So that's what Dean must have been doing while Roman slept with Seth last night.
Roman frowned, changed the wording in his head. Lay beside him to keep him warm without falling asleep for too long.
Dean's new guitar was still stowed away in Seth's trunk. He couldn't imagine how they'd wrap the thing before Christmas. Even if they did attempt sheathing it in glittery festive paper, Dean would know right away what was inside. Perhaps wrapping it was pointless.
Roman was anxious to see that look on Dean's face when he received his new instrument. And everything else. Eleven days to go.
He prepared grilled cheese and tomato soup, an appropriate meal for such a cold day. He sat beside Dean on the floor, and together they watched the movie in the quiet of the apartment, nibbling at their lunch. The credits were minutes away when Seth groaned, spun onto his stomach, and nearly rolled right off the couch. He awoke with enough time to catch himself before the fall.
"Morning, sunshine," Dean said.
"How are you feeling?" Roman asked.
"Chest hurts," Seth said, wincing. "Feels like I pulled a muscle."
"How much do you remember?" Dean queried.
"Oh, I remember everything. Wish I couldn't, but that's how it is."
"Manage to call into work at all?" Roman inquired. He had a late afternoon shift scheduled, but he'd called up a coworker and asked for coverage. Miraculously, he'd received it. Pays off to bust my ass. Get rewarded for it from time to time.
"Ah, shit." Seth rolled onto his back again, putting his hands over his eyes. "Well, that's only one no-call/no-show on my record. Hoping I won't get fired for it."
"If they knew what happened to you, I'm sure they'd let you off."
"No," Dean stated. "We can't let anyone know what happened. It would ruin everything. Undo everything my uncle managed to do for us. Can't tell anyone, especially the fuzz."
"I'll be alright," Seth promised.
"Can I make you anything to eat?" Roman offered.
Seth's mouth stretched into a yawn. "What do we have?"
"Anything. You name it."
"Don't test him on that one," Dean said, giggling. "Might ask for filet mignon and garlic mashed potatoes."
"Nah, something simple will do, as long as it's warm," Seth said.
"Care to join us in tomato soup and grilled cheese?" Roman recommended.
"Sounds good to me."
Roman quickly prepared another bowl of soup, another hot sandwich on the stovetop, while Dean traded the Avengers DVD for the first Superman. It didn't take long for Seth to devour his lunch after Roman handed him the bowl and plate. He must have been starved. But he refused Roman's offer to make him anything else. He only really wanted one thing now.
"Bring your warm, cuddly asses back here." Seth drew the blanket back, revealing all the couch space beside him. "Helps me feel better."
That was the day. Roman hardly stirred from that spot on the couch, not once to get up, but only to shift when the boys traded places on the couch. Seth started in the middle. Roman held him in his arms, while Seth held Dean. Then Roman assumed the center of the couch, and Seth and Dean curled against him while he held a secure arm around them both. When it was Dean's turn in the middle, he leaned into Roman while Seth rested atop him, his head rising and falling with each of Dean's breath, the way he'd been atop Roman last night. Roman fell asleep several times during both movies. Seth certainly wasn't awake for a majority of each flick, and Dean seemed captivated by older scenes he'd apparently never seen before. He was awake every time Roman stirred into consciousness, then when he fell into deserved slumber again.
The next time Roman awoke was due to his stomach grumbling, begging for food. Dean was in the final scene of Superman II, where Clark Kent erased Lois Lane's memory with some sort of super kiss—a rather stupid scene, in Roman's opinion—and Seth was asleep with his head strategically placed on Dean's shoulder.
"Dinnertime?" Roman said.
"I'm not that hungry. You go ahead, though."
"You sure?"
"Sure, I'm sure."
"You haven't eaten since lunch," Roman pointed out.
"That was only a few hours ago. I promise I'm okay. I won't starve to death before I get some more food in my system."
"Alright, fine." Roman was certain Dean just didn't want to wake up, disturb Seth's doze. His muscles locked on him as he tried to push himself up. "Then again, I really don't feel like cooking." His body sank back against the couch, muscles loosening in satisfaction that he wasn't putting them under any exertion.
"Let's order in."
"We do that a lot. Are we fatasses?"
"It doesn't have to be pizza. Make it exciting. Like pitas or something."
"What's a pita?"
Dean's face twisted in genuine concern. "You've never had a pita before?"
"No. Is it like a sub sandwich or something?"
"No. Pita bread is, like…flat, hollow, unleavened bread that can be split open to hold a filling. And you can put all sorts of shit into a pita. They're killer." Dean suddenly beamed. "Wow. Look at me, teaching you something for once."
"I'm proud of you."
"There's actually a Pita Pit right next to the place where I met Sick Fucker and Co. They deliver, so we're all good."
"Sure. I'll try a pita."
"I'll order one for Seth, too. He loves those things. He can eat it when he wakes up."
"I'm awake," Seth groaned from his shoulder.
"Oh. How long have you been awake?"
"Since you started yammering, jackass."
Dean smiled. "Aren't you a grumpus."
Seth got up for the first time that entire day to pull up an order menu on his laptop. Roman, still not quite sure what to expect, chose a chicken breast pita with provolone cheese, mushrooms, romaine lettuce, and barbecue sauce.
When the meals were delivered, Roman was impressed by the food. It was like eating a fully enclosed burrito, with a soft, warm tortilla cover and a tasty blend inside.
"Damn, this is good," Roman said, licking a drip of barbecue sauce off his thumb. "Good suggestion, Dean."
"And it's healthier than pizza," Dean indicated.
"Speak for yourself," Seth said, wolfing down his Philly steak pita.
During and after dinner the boys watched both Captain America movies. Dean asked all sorts of questions about each superhero starring in each movie. His heart was set on fitting in with Cody and Neville tomorrow, and Roman couldn't help but feel a little proud and thrilled for Dean. Dean was essentially working the job of his dreams, yet he wasn't even jealous. Not that much, anyway.
After Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Dean, Roman and Seth opted for a less geeky film to carry on the slothful night. Whatever Seth's choice was, Roman didn't make it more than a quarter of the way through before falling asleep again. His position was ideal: smushed in-between Dean and Seth, Dean gripping his right arm tight like a koala clinging to a tree branch, Seth leaning into Roman's side with Roman's arm draped over him like a belt.
I'm never letting go, Roman thought before his dreams—and within them.
Life had to go back to normal the next day.
All three boys had to report to work. Seth was gearing up to get chewed out by his manager. Roman was already missing the couch with Dean and Seth. Dean, however, was charged for the day already. He was awake early, showered, with a full breakfast in his belly and dressed in one of Roman's black button-up shirts and slacks. They were a tad big on him, but he solved that problem with a borrowed belt. He promised to get his own clothes for work with his first paycheck. Roman loved the way Dean looked in his clothes. And he looked rather dorky, in an adorable way, in the button-up shirt.
Rides were arranged for Dean. Dean started work after Roman, so Seth delivered him to the comic book store in his car, and Roman would pick him up after his shift.
It dragged.
Mondays usually sucked for business anyhow, but not even bustling Christmastime was a good enough excuse for more than a dozen or so people to enter the shop during the usual "rush" time. Department stores and other retail chains would prove to be much more hectic than a local coffeeshop. Starbucks was heavy competition as well. Roman poured himself a toasted almond coffee to keep himself awake. How could a day of nothing but R&R make him feel so sluggish the next?
"How are you holding up?" Roman asked Dolph at the dish pit. Usually it was Dolph asking him this sort of question, not the other way around.
"Oh, I'm great," Dolph said, plunging a scrubbing brush into a stained malt cup. "Actually have a date tonight."
"Really?" Roman was impressed—and surprised Dolph had managed, allegedly, to get over Lana so quickly. "Who with?"
"Her name's Vickie. She's pretty feisty, fun, strong, level-headed."
"You know all this about her before the first date?"
"Oh, this isn't the first. It's actually the third."
Roman was incredulous. "Three dates?"
"Mhmm."
"Didn't…you and Lana, like…just break up?"
"Oh, no, no, no, Roman, it ain't like that. Vickie and I saw each other a few times way before Lana was around. Now that she's gone, I figure, why not try to start things up again with Vickie?"
"I see. Well, good luck, man, hope all goes well."
"Thanks, dude. How's Dean?"
"Things couldn't be better. Seriously."
"Good to hear. You should just marry the guy already, if he makes you this happy."
Roman chuckled. "We'll see. Maybe someday. Now's definitely not the time. Gotta finish up school and get started in my career and whatnot, first."
"Yeah, as long as he's not impatient or trying to rush anything, I doubt he's going anywhere. You take your time. be careful not to do anything stupid and mess it up. You might just lose a treasure."
Roman wasn't ready to question Dolph's motives for dating this new Vickie character. Was she merely a crutch he was using to get over Lana? A pawn to make his ex jealous? Or was he really still into her even after dating—and dumping—Lana?
He distracted himself with an order up front. Not his place. Not his business.
After work, he drove to Escape Velocity. He couldn't explain to anyone what delight he felt waltzing into the store and seeing Dean behind the counter, ringing up an older gentleman with several items on the counter. The shop, impressively enough, was fairly busy with business. Neville was assisting someone with a poster hanging on the wall, and Cody was behind the counter, close to Dean but engaging in his own conversation with a chatty couple.
Dean scanned one of his customer's items with the scan gun. It beeped, and he frowned. "Why isn't this stupid thing showing up?" he wondered aloud. He scanned the item again, obviously with the same results as his frown deepened. "Sorry, man, give me one second…" Dean jumped to the right and stated, almost like he was guilty, "Cody, it's not working again."
"Give me one second," Cody told the couple. He joined Dean at the computer, immediately knowing what the problem was as soon as his eyes fixed on the screen. "You're in 'item lookup' mode. You have to be in this screen here, for transactions."
Dean blushed. His fingertips drummed against the counter. "Right. I knew that."
Cody returned to his previous couple, Dean scanned the item for a third time, this time with success. "I'm really sorry, dude. It's my first day. I'm learning everything fresh."
"It's no trouble," the man answered.
Dean also had a difficult time opening up one of the store's big white bags for the patron's order. He rubbed the top of the bag between his thumb and pointer finger, frustratedly trying to open the sack. "Come on, come on," he mumbled. "Piece of sh—" He was able to censor himself in time. At last he managed to open it. "That one wasn't actually my fault," he explained to the customer, who at this point was quite amused by Dean's antics. "But I'm still sorry, on behalf of this stupid bag." He collected the items in the bag and finally handed it over to the patient customer. "Here you go. Thanks for coming in."
"Um…you didn't charge me," the man said, holding out his credit card to Dean.
Dean tried to play off a grin as sheepish, but Roman pitied him. He looked humiliated, blanched. "Oh. Right. Well, consider this my store's gift to you. Merry Christmas." He grabbed the card from the man before anything he just said was taken seriously. Dean swiped the card, guided by his apparent self-vexation, laid out the receipt for a signature, then shoved the customer's copy into the bag. "Here you go. I think. Finally."
"That's alright. Merry Christmas."
"Yeah, same to you."
Roman waited for the man to walk past him, then approached the counter. Dean looked broken with relief at the sight of Roman, yet still a bit flustered.
"You okay?" Roman asked.
Dean shook his head. "I ain't gonna make it a day in this place, Ro. Ten bucks says I'm fired by the end of my shift. Only, don't take me up on that bet, because you'd win and I wouldn't be able to pay you back 'cause I'd be fired before my first paycheck."
"They're not gonna fire you, Dean. It's your first day. You're still learning."
"I'm a freakin' idiot. You know this is the first time I'm actually really using a computer?"
No, Roman hadn't known that. "You haven't used Seth's laptop before? Or your own?"
"Once or twice. But not like this. It's all so complex."
"You'll get the hang of it. I promise."
"Should have applied at a Taco Bell again or something. Shoving lettuce and meat into a taco seems simpler than this bullshit." He waved towards the computer like it was his greatest enemy. "I don't know. Maybe one of these days I'll go to college so I can learn how to live practically in this overly-complicated world."
Before Roman could answer, Cody perceived Roman's pretense in the store. "Hey, Roman! Long time no see, bud. How've you been?"
"Oh, you know. Life." Roman offered the guy a smile. "How are you? How's business?"
"Great. This season's been really good to us. And hey, thanks for loaning us this guy for a few days a week." Cody wrapped a friendly arm around Dean for a brief moment. "He's really cool. Knows a lot about superheroes."
"Just what I know from this guy," Dean said, grinning at Roman.
"Which is still a lot. Roman is an honorary nerd."
"And one of our best—if not, our very best—customer," Neville said, wandering around the counter. "Hey, Roman, good to see you, man."
"Yeah, you too, Neville."
"We were worried something might have happened to you when you suddenly stopped showing up every day."
"I was really busy with work and school and whatnot." The "whatnot" being coping with those miserable Wyatts.
"I totally get it. This semester was harsh, but it's almost over, thank God."
"Your semester?"
"No, dude, my college career overall. I'm graduating in May."
"Damn, I didn't know that. Congrats. You still majoring in Marketing?"
"Yeah. Unless I'm feeling bold and switch it up for my final semester. I'd need to catch up on a lot of credits."
"Yeah, don't be doing that," Roman laughed.
"Oh, hey, you know that comic you preordered? It's here."
"It is? I completely forgot about that."
"Yup, it's been sitting here waiting for you. Gathering dust," Neville teased.
"Like an orphan waiting to go to a good home," Cody said.
"Wow, way to make it dark, Codes."
"Fine. Like a puppy in the pound waiting for…adoption."
"Much better," Neville jibbed. "I'll go get that from the back."
"I want to ring that up," Dean said. He positioned his hand on the mouse, awaiting instruction. "How do I do that?"
"Okay, so since he already paid for it, you're gonna go to 'Make a Sale', then click on 'Orders', then…hang on, let me get the order number from the comic…" When Neville handed Cody the sleek comic book wrapped in plastic, he read the numbers off to Dean: "317825."
"Wow," Dean gasped, "you have that many preordered items?"
"Oh, no. It's just a code." Cody chuckled. Dean seemed agitated yet again. Roman could practically read his mind: can I do anything right? "Then you'll select it, and press this button, and bam. Good to go."
The cash register popped open, and the receipt machine spit out Roman's copy to sign and one to keep. He would have added more to his purchases for the day, but he didn't want to stress Dean out any further. "Here you go, sir." Dean tried handing the comic to Roman, then drew it back suddenly. "Oh, wait. Do you want a bag?"
"I wouldn't mind one. Keep it safe from the snow."
"Sure thing." Dean had a bit of an easier time opening up the bag for Roman's comic. He safely deposited the comic book into the sack, then handed it over to Roman. "Here you go. Thanks for coming in."
"Thanks for having me."
"Yeah, no problem."
Roman got an idea. "Hey, Neville, could you show me something over here right quick?"
"Sure." While Dean and Cody assisted the customers waiting behind Roman, Neville followed Roman over to a corner of the store. "What do you need?"
"Actually, I need a favor. But it's kind of a secret from Dean."
"Oh. Got it. What's up?"
Neville was so cool for being so understanding even before he knew what this was all about. "Did he request Thursday nights off?"
"No, he didn't really give us restrictions on his availability. He just said 'I can work whenever you need me.'"
"Okay. For my sake, could you give him those nights off?"
"Sure. Cody usually closes, anyway. How come?"
"That's when he comes to the coffeeshop and plays his guitar. It's our open mic night."
Neville's head tilted to the side. "I thought his guitar got destroyed?"
Roman's head mimicked Neville's action. "You know about that?"
"He filled us in on a couple of things," Neville said, sounding awfully sorry for Roman and Dean. Roman wondered how extensive those "couple of things" were.
"Well, our roommate and I actually got him a new guitar for Christmas."
Neville's brown eyes sparkled. "Really? Aww, that's really nice of you, Roman. Good on you."
"Thanks. I'm sure he'll love it."
"Well, if that's the case, yeah, I'll arrange for him to have Thursdays off. Business slows way the hell down after Christmas, anyhow, so he might lose hours, anyway." He winced, unhappy about delivering this bit of information.
"He'll be alright. I know he's enjoying it, even if it's a little frustrating."
"It is, at first. It doesn't help that our computer system existed before any of us were born. But seriously, he's doing well so far. Asking questions when he needs to, but mostly he's fantastic with the customers. He spent about twenty minutes chatting it up with a guy about the Avengers."
"Oh yeah?" Roman folded his arms over his chest, impressed.
"Yeah. They were discussing whether or not Natasha Romanoff was really a child spy for the KGB."
Roman pulled a whistle through his lips. "Wow. Dean held up pretty well in that convo?"
"Oh yeah. Solid answers, like he knew exactly what he was talking about. Either that, or he's the biggest BS-er I've ever met."
Roman could believe either one. "I'm glad you guys like him. And I know he'll get the hang of things. It's a new experience for him."
"Oh, he'll love it here. We like having him around. Christmas probably isn't the best time to be training for a brand new job, but we needed another guy, and he fit the bill. We weren't looking for a master cashier or the biggest geek in the century—or else we would have hired you, not caring whether or not you had another job." Neville smiled. "He's good with connecting to people, talking to them, interacting and even convincing people to add to their sales. He's terrific."
"Perfect." Very expected of Dean. "Oh, something else I wanted to ask you. Are either you or Cody very…artistically talented?"
"Cody paints."
"He does? Awesome. I actually have a little project for him. It's a Christmas present idea I have for Dean. I'm more than happy to compensate Cody for his time, if he agrees to do it."
"Depends on what it is, but I'm sure he'd be happy to help."
Roman filled Neville in on his "project" idea, and Neville agreed to pass it onto Cody. "We'll keep you informed."
"Thanks. It means a lot."
"It's a cute idea. So, you guys are pretty serious?"
"Did Dean say we were?"
"Dean definitely said you were."
"We sure are."
"That's good, Roman. That's so good."
The support he was getting in his relationship with Dean was moving. Nobody judged him for dating another man, falling in love with such a deranged individual. Not that he would have cared if anybody did. Dean was perfect in his own ways, perfect for Roman in every single one of them.
He wouldn't trade the relationship for anything in the world.
Except…
Dolph's words came to mind. "You should just marry the guy already, if he makes you this happy."
An idea Roman couldn't afford to invest in now. But one he tucked away in a drawer of his mind. Perhaps for the future.
It certainly wasn't an idea he was rejecting.
Dean was off sometime later. Roman entertained himself for that time in the shop; it wasn't easy to get bored in that kind of place. Dean clocked out (after asking Cody to remind him how to perform the task) and thanked him and Neville for all their help, and patience.
"Ready to go home?" Roman asked. Dean was probably tired, ready for another round of sleep so soon. The shift hadn't been easy, this Roman knew.
"Nah, dude, we need to go shopping."
"Shopping? For what?"
"Seth's Christmas gifts. Can't leave him out of the loop, now, can we?"
"Ah. Guess you're right."
Outside in the cold afternoon air, Dean fastened his fingers through Roman's. Roman took a moment to glance down at their meshed hands. Wondered what it would be like if each of them bore a ring.
A symbolic ring pledging eternal love to one another.
Someday, he told himself, meaning it with all his heart. Boy, I sure hope, someday.