Secretly Loving You

Confession

[Set around July 2014, shortly after The Shield split]

.  .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   

It's the faint sound of crying that causes Dean to stop in his tracks as he and Roman slowly make their way towards the parking lot 

"What's up?" Roman asks as he turns around, noticing Dean wasn't beside him anymore

''Can you hear that?'' Dean asked as he made his way over to one of the storage rooms

''Hear what?'' All Roman could hear was the pounding in his head from a blow he took during his match 

''It's coming from in there'' Dean answered as he pressed his ear up against the door

Roman moved closer and knocked on the door, causing the sound to stop abruptly

''What did you do that for!?'' 

''I was trying to help!" Roman replied

Dean sighed, hesitating as he tried to figure out what to do next

"What are you doing?'' Roman asked as Dean tried to peek through the keyhole

"I don't know, ok!" Dean replied "I don't know what I'm doing"

"We should help them" Roman decided "Or at least try to"

Dean nodded in agreement "Is...uh is there something you need?" Dean asked loudly to whoever was behind the door. "Anything we can do to help you?"

"JUST GO AWAY. LEAVE ME ALONE.''

Dean and Roman looked at each other as they both recognized the voice

''SETH!?" Dean tried turning the door handle, but it was locked

''Bro, just open the damn door'' Roman sighed

- SILENCE -

"Sethie, talk to us" Dean tried "What's got you so upset?"

They were met with silence again and were about to try and kick the door down when they heard the lock clicking. The door opened, and Roman and Dean took in the sight of their former teammate standing in front of them, looking completely broken.

''I didn't think anyone would still be here'' Seth mumbled, red with embarrassment

''Why were you crying?" Roman asked

''I've been holding everything in for so long, my feelings, my frustrations, it just got too much, and I broke down" Seth explained "I'll be fine. You don't have to stay with me or anything"

"We may not be The Shield anymore, but it still hurts us to see you like this" Roman replied "You'll always be our little brother, no matter what"

Seth chanced a look at Dean, who had so far said nothing ''I just miss you both that's all'' 

Roman understood where Seth was coming from ''We miss you too but the split doesn't have to mean we act like strangers"

Roman's phone started to ring, so he excused himself to answer it and that was when Dean finally spoke

Dean moved closer to Seth, who shivered as he felt Dean's hand brush up against his "You're hiding something"

Seth looked at Dean, unsure what to say. Dean was right, but he was unsure of how Dean would react if he told him what was really bothering him

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" Dean said as one of his fingers linked with Seth's 

''I can't" Seth argued "It will change everything" 

Seth attempted to walk away, but Dean grabbed his hand "Just tell me"

Seth studied Dean's face for a moment before deciding to bite the bullet. He'd been keeping this secret for three years, and he was sick of hiding it

"I'm in love with you Dean"