Chapter 24

The next day Roman was allowed to bring Dean home. He was glad it had worked out this way because it was a Sunday and the restaurant was closed, allowing him to take care of his boyfriend.

Roman parked his car in front of the apartment and quickly went to the passenger side where Dean already climbed out. He wore a thick winter jacked and a beanie and when Roman was about to carry him he slapped his arms away with force.

"Don't you dare. I walk up there alone."

Stubbornly he walked inside and managed five stairs but then what little strength he had was used up.

Wordlessly Roman put his arm around Dean and practically dragged him upstairs.

All the while Dean complained under his breath but Roman knew he was thankful.

In front of the apartment Dean swatted the helping hands away again and Roman unlocked the door and pushed it wide open.

"Welcome home." came a chorus of many voices and Dean looked truly surprised.

There were Brie and Daniel, Nikki and John, Damien was there with his girlfriend he had only seen a handful of times, and Beth was there.

Roman stepped behind Dean, encircled his far too thin waist with his strong arms and clasped his hands together on Dean's stomach. He sensed the emotions running through the other man. Happiness. Doubt. Embarrassment. Sadness.

"Welcome home." he whispered in Deans ear and kissed him right below it making him shudder.

"It's our turn now." Brie announced and was the first to grab Dean out of Romans embrace to hug him. Beth and Nikki were next, while the males...well all but Damien clapped Dean on the shoulder. Damien hugged him as well. The young cook valued Dean and all the help he had provided. His patience that Roman sometimes lacked. Dean had made him a better cook and he would be forever grateful for that.

After even Damien's girlfriend Gracie hugged Dean he turned away and stepped into Romans arms hiding his face. Roman felt his t-shirt drain instantly.

"Listen why don't you go and get the food ready? We will be there in a second?"

Everyone vanished and Roman steered Dean into the bedroom.

"I don't deserve this kind of reception." Dean mumbled with a tear streaked voice.

Roman grabbed his face and looked at him hard.

"You deserve everything and so much more. You are a good man Dean. They love you. Beth loves you because you tried to give back to the homeless as soon as you had a chance. Damien loves you because you took him under your wings with patience. Brie loves you because she sees your good heart. Nikki...well I am not sure yet about her but for now I stick with the explanation that you two are two peas in a pot. Made out of the same wood. True friends. And I...Dean...I love you because you set me free in so many ways. Because you see me. So let us celebrate that you are back and will be fine soon. You have friends out there and everyone cares for you as much as you cared for me. Accept it."

Deans blue eyes were fixed on Romans silver ones and he nodded. Without any grace he brushed his pullover sleeve over his nose.

"You should go and take care of the food before they ruin it. I need a moment Ro."

The big guy studied him intently.

"Try nothing stupid. You are my man. You hear me?"

He grabbed the back of Deans head harshly and shook it. "Say it. Promise me."

"I am yours. I will not go anywhere. I just want to freshen up. And I really don't want to see that food go to waste."

Roman heard the truth in that and chuckled. "Lunatic." he shook his head and walked out leaving Dean to himself for a bit.

Dean took in the bedroom. At the first glance not much had changed. But Dean noticed the second pillow on the bed and two empty drawers. He pulled one open and was surprised to find some of his underwear in there that he had left behind. Roman made a statement. He would not accept Dean putting his stuff in the office anymore and he expected him to sleep in his bed.

Dean's heart beat a little faster. If he wouldn't have seen the honesty in Romans eyes when he told him he loved him he would put everything in question that was happening here. But like this...he still had a hard time wrapping his head around it but he accepted slowly that Roman loved him. Truly loved him. And he would not run anymore. Dean shrugged out of the thick pullover Roman had made him wear and he put it into the drawer. He was now only in a t-shirt but he felt too thin to walk out like this so he grabbed one of Romans old sweat jackets and put it on. It was way too big but he loved it. Especially since it smelled like Roman.

Dressed like that he walked out again and found everyone gathered around the kitchen table already. The seat next to Roman was still empty and he walked there and sat down. Roman gave him an appreciating glance about the wardrobe choice and then he put some meat on Dean's plate...

Dean had found it all. A job he loved. Friends that cared for him. And a boyfriend that threatened to cut his meat for him but he grabbed the knife out of Romans hand, softly clicking his tongue and shaking his head.

He was pretty sure all of that was the recipe for love.

A/N:

It was supposed to be done here. I had that pretty neat last sentence and everything was perfect. But Dean and Roman INSISTED on an epilogue. And after the epilogue…well I will tell you when I post that, okay?

Stay tuned!