Roman & Julian

Scene Four

 Ben and Mark are still on the hunt for Roman, he hasn't been seen in the past twelve hours and his family is starting to worry.

"Where could Roman be?" Ben whines, "I'm starting to miss him."

"He's going to be in so much trouble with his parents when he finally comes home," Mark states.

"Did you hear that Tim dropped off a letter here this morning?" Ben asks, changing the subject.

"What do you think it says?" inquires Mark.

"I bet it's a challenge."

"What if it's an invite for you on a date with him?"

"Don't be silly." sighs Ben, "We don't go on dates, we just mess around with each other."

"But, what if..." Ben trails off in thought. "Roman is probably dead." he blankly states. "There is no way he could beat Tim in a fight."

"Why do you say that?"

"Tim is an experienced fighter, he could've even gone professional if he chose to. Tim has a lot of pent up anger, which is good in bed, but not good if he's going to beat up someone on the street. I'm being honest here, Roman isn't the best fighter and even if he had some sort of advantage, Tim is going to win and nothing is going to change that fact."

"Well, we see where your loyalty lies, Ben."

Ben is about to make a comment back when he spots Roman coming from behind Mark.

"Look Mark! It's Roman."

"Where have you been?" Mark asks Roman, embracing him into a tight hug.

"I've been busy... organizing... stuff..." Roman lies.

"Your parents are going to be so happy you came home."

"They're also going to be super angry with you for being gone so long," adds Ben.

The trio keeps chatting amongst themselves, Ben and Mark keep telling Roman how much trouble he is going to be in. From the Cap manor, Nine and Peter exit and begin to make their way down the street to the group.

"Peter, could you grab me my phone?" Nine requests

"Yeah Peter, grab her the phone," Mark says mockingly.

"Good morning to you too, Mark," Nine says, sneering.

"Good afternoon, Nine," Mark corrects.

"Is it noon already?" Nine questions.

"Indeed it is," Mark pulls out his phone and it reads noon on the dot.

"I have a question to ask you, Mark."

"Shoot."

"Where can I find Roman?"

"Not telling."

"I can see him right behind you." states Nine "Aren't you forgetting an engagement you had at noon, Roman?"

Roman looks at his watch, seeing the minute hand ticking. After a minute, it clicks in his head. His date with Julian! Roman leaves the group so fast that all they see is a cloud of dust left in his place.

Roman is out of breath by the time he has scaled the garden wall and to where Julian is waiting on his balcony, overlooking the gardens.

"Julian!" shouts Roman.

Julian perks up and looks toward the source of the voice, "Roman! I thought you weren't going to show up."

"I'd never leave such a handsome man out in the open for anyone to snatch him up, of course I was coming."

Julian produces a rope ladder from the balcony and climbs down, standing in front of Roman, who is nearly six inches taller than him.

"You seem so small from my balcony." Julian gawks.

"Now that we're on the same level I'm not so small."

Roman pulls Julian closer to him with an arm and takes Julian's free hand in his, bringing it to his mouth and plants a kiss on top. Julian smiles at the simple and sweet gesture, allowing Roman to woo him even more. The pair are head-over-heels for each other.

Roman intertwines his fingers with Julian's and asks, "Are you ready for our date?"

"I am."

When they reach the wall Roman glady helps Julian over, giving himself the opportunity to check out Julian's bubble butt. The pair spends several hours hours in town, walking around and getting to know each other. They get a few sideways glances, but nothing too serious.

Around five o'clock Roman says, "C'mon, let's go. I have dinner reserved for us."

Roman guides them towards the beach where he has Ben, Mark, Nine, Peter, and Priestess Lawrence waiting with dinner.

"Roman," Julian asks, disappointed "I thought we were going to be alone."

"Don't worry," Roman reassures, "we will be."

Ben and Mark set up a blanket and lanterns overlooking the ocean. Roman and Julian go and sit on the blanket next to one another and face the sun that is just beginning to set. Nine and Peter bring over the dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread, with chocolate cake for dessert. Once the pair settles in Ben, Mark, Nine, Peter, and Priestess Lawrence head back to their respective homes.

The two eat their meals and share a slice of cake. Roman puts his arm around Julian and Julian leans in to the embrace, putting his head on Roman's shoulder. They sit there, completely absorbed in one another enjoying the moment. Julian looks over at Roman and feeling his gaze, Roman looks back. The moment is shrouded in purity and innocence. Roman leans down, closing his eyes in the process and gently presses his lips to Julian's. They stay like this for some time, there is nothing fancy about the kiss; no tongue, no rough grabbing or making out. When Roman finally pulls away, his eyes say everything he has ever wanted to. He loves Julian more than life itself, he would do anything for this man infront of him. If Julian wanted the Moon, he would go to outer space to retrieve it for him. Julian was the one meant for him.

"We should head back," says Julian, "the sunset is over now."

Roman agrees and they gather all the dishes from their dinner and throw them in the back seat of the car that Mark left for them. The short drive back to Verona Drive is a comfortable silence. Roman stops in front of the Cap manor and gets out to open Julian's door, extending a hand to assist Julian in exiting the car.

"I really enjoyed tonight, thank you," says Julian.

Roman nods in agreement, "Tomorrow, could you meet me at The Church? I want to talk with you about something that J Law is going to help with."

Julian agrees to meet Roman at The Church at one the next afternoon.

Just before Julian goes inside the front gate, Roman goes out on a limb, "Julian," Julian turns back to look at him, "I love you."

Julian is quick with his response, "I love you too Roman."

Roman grins to himself as Julian closes the gate behind himself.

Tim had been hiding around the side of the pillar by the front gate. As Roman goes to get back into the car, Tim make his appearance. Arms crossed, he plants himself in front of the car. Roman nearly doesn't see him and slams on the breaks. Tim walks around the car to the drivers side where Roman is, Roman rolls down the window.

"I really wouldn't suggest that you try and go after Julian, Monday, he's already been claimed." says Tim.

"Claimed? By whom?" Roman asks.

"Priscilla, she intends to marry Julian. It's already been approved by his father as well."

Roman is visibly shook, "Thanks for the information." Roman speeds off to do a couple laps around the block so it wouldn't be suspicious that a vehicle dropped off a Cap and then went to the Monday manor.