Roman dried his eyes and looked at Seth. They had been sitting on his couch for a while now. Seth had let Roman cry for as long as he needed it.
"Tell me the truth," Roman finally said. "After I kicked you all out, who was laughing with Dean?"
"No one," Seth said. "They all broke contact with him over the years. We're the only ones who were still his friends but that's over now. I can't stand the sight of him after knowing what he's done."
"I'm the one who's supposed to be angry," Roman chuckled sadly.
"Let me be angry with you," Seth chuckled too.
Roman managed to smile and nodded at his friend.
"I talked to them all yesterday. They all really liked Lucky even though they didn't get more than an hour with her before Dean showed up. No one is blaming her for anything. They're waiting to hear the full story if she wants to share it, and they all want her to be their friend too. I know she's embarrassed and we will all understand if she can't face us right away," Seth said.
"She won't answer my calls," Roman said.
"You haven't talked to her since the party?" Seth asked.
Roman shook his head and ran a hand down his face.
"I've tried calling her a million times. I call and I text but she ignores me. I don't know what to do. I love her so much but I can't force her to talk to me," Roman said.
"Have you tried visiting her?" Seth asked.
The look on Roman's face made Seth chuckle and shake his head no.
"Get out in my car. I'm taking you to her," Seth said.
"What if she won't open the door?" Roman asked.
"Then we'll come up with something else," Seth said. "You need to talk to her, Roman. We can't put ourselves in her place or even begin to imagine what she's been through and what is going through her mind. All I know is that she needs you even though she won't tell you. She must feel so embarrassed right now. You need to let her know that this doesn't change a damn thing between you."
"It doesn't," Roman said.
"I know," Seth smiled. "So let's go tell her that."
They got out in Seth's car and Roman gave Seth directions to Lucky's place. She owned a small house close to the edge of town where there was a little more distance between neighbors.
"She likes the peace and quiet out here," Roman says. "I never knew why she needs it so bad but I understand it now."
"Don't break down now, big man," Seth patted Roman's knee. "Go knock on that door."
"Come with me, please," Roman said.
Seth followed Roman up to the front door. Roman knocked and they waited 30 seconds until they heard the door unlock. Lucky opened the door and looked at both of them. Tears started running down Roman's face again. Instead of saying anything, he moved forward, pulled Lucky into his arms, and held her tight.
"I love you so much," Roman said.
"I love you too," Lucky said.
"I'll go wait in the car," Seth mumbled.
"No, come inside. Both of you," Lucky said.
"Are you sure?" Seth asked.
Lucky nodded and both men followed her inside the house. They went to the living room where Seth sat down on an armchair, and Roman and Lucky sat down on the couch.
"I'm sorry for ignoring you," Lucky said.
"You can't fucking leave me over this," Roman said.
Lucky reached over and took Roman's hand.
"What happened to your hand?" Lucky asked.
"Dean happened. Or I happened to Dean. He never got a punch in," Roman said.
"You shouldn't have," Lucky said.
"He deserved it," Roman said.
"Dean knows better than to tell anyone. If he does, I'm Roman's witness," Seth said.
Lucky looked over at Seth and he gave her his best smile.
"I won't pretend to know anything you've gone through but I can assure you that no one you met at the party looks down on you for it. We all really liked you and we hope we'll see you again. Don't leave Roman over this. He fucking loves you, Lucky. I've never heard him talk about anyone the way he talks about you," Seth said.
"Did you plan this wingman speech?" Lucky asked.
"Seth never knows when to shut up," Roman chuckled. "We didn't plan anything. I went to beat up Dean and found Seth in Dean's house for a similar reason. Seth convinced me to come here so we could talk."
"I'm so fucking embarrassed about my past," Lucky said.
"Don't be," Roman said. "It doesn't change a damn thing. When you're ready to tell me about it, I'm ready to listen. No matter what happened to you, I won't love you any less."
Lucky nodded and gave Roman a tired smile.
"I haven't eaten much since the party. Is there any chance we can get some fastfood?" Lucky asked.
"Allow me to run out for a family sized pizza," Seth stood up. "What toppings?"
"Pineapple," Lucky said.
"Pepperoni," Roman said.
"Guess I'll pick the rest," Seth chuckled. "I'll be back soon."
Seth walked out of the house and left Roman and Lucky to talk about things while he was gone. Lucky moved closer to Roman and leaned in for a kiss.
"I'm so sorry, Roman," she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up to straddle him. He reached his hands up to stroke her face and traced her scars on her left cheek with his thumb.
"If you ever see that asshole, let me know so I can give him some five knuckles therapy," he said.
She let out a cute, little laugh and leaned down to kiss him.
"I never knew what it meant to make love until I met you," she said. "It's funny how simple words can mean the same, yet be so different. Making love, having sex, fucking."
"You did neither in that place. You were forced. That's called rape. Don't ever begin to think that you had a choice. You're a victim and a survivor. And I swear if I ever meet any of them, what I did to Dean will be the least of their worries," he said.
"I don't want you hurting people for me," she said.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"You," she smiled. "I want you to hold me and make me feel safe like you've always done."
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a tight hug.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too," she said.
She leaned back enough to look him in the eyes.
"I don't mind Seth being here but I'm gonna need a few days before entertaining the thought of meeting the rest of your gang again," she said.
"Maybe we can take it a little at a time and meet up with them individually. That way you can better get to know them and we'll throw a barbeque in my garden once you feel ready for a social gathering," he said.
"You would do that for me?" She asked.
He placed a hand on her cheek and smiled.
"In joy and sorrow, Lucky. You are my joy. We just went through sorrow and I'm not fucking leaving you over it. I'll never leave you. I love you too much to let you go," he said.
"I never thought the perfect man existed until I met you," she said.
"No one's perfect," he chuckled.
"You're perfect for me," she smiled.
He pulled her down for another kiss and smiled against her lips. They had just gotten over the worst thing and they were working their way back to normal. It would take time working through her trauma but he would be there by her side for every step of the way.
"You're beautiful," he said. "Inside and outside."