[Samuel x Roman]

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Harper squealed in delight when Samuel picked him up and lifted him into the air. He also looked very proud of himself when he was rewarded for saying the word correctly, and when he had received his ball, he gave it an adorable cuddle and then rolled it to Roman. Roman couldn't do anything but roll it back, because he was so precious, and Roman would do anything to keep him happy.

"Nuh-uh," Roman said to Samuel with a sassy tone. He was joking, of course, because if Harper wanted to be a soccer player Roman wouldn't do anything to stop him, because he believed in promoting his son's dreams and passions, rather than squashing them down. "No son of mine is going to be a soccer player."

Harper wasn't listening to their silly banter. He picked up the ball and carried it while he crawled over to sit between his Daddy and Papa. Then, he set the ball in Samuel's lap, took another slice of banana and popped it into his mouth, and gave Roman a big hug, before turning and doing the same to Samuel. Roman nearly died, because that was just too precious.
 
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Samuel, of course, hugged his son back. He was the most precious little thing in the world, and he was so affectionate and lovely. Then he let his son go so he could go back to adorably snacking on banana and playing with the ball.

It was really amazing of fun it could be to just sit there and watch their son do something as objectively boring as just rolling the ball between his two dads, but even if Harper hadn't just said his first words Samuel would have loved it. He just enjoyed seeing Harper having fun and be happy, he wanted to shield him from anything that could make him sad because Samuel just felt like the little boy deserved all happiness in the world.

"Roman, I'm sorry to tell you but you're literally indulging in his future soccer career right now," Samuel laughed and pointed to the plush soccer ball, Samuel knew Roman was joking, and Samuel wouldn't pressure Harper into playing soccer if he didn't want to, but honestly, the little boy did seem to think the sport was fun. He was only one of course so the couldn't really know but he always seemed interested when Samuel watched it on the TV or when he and Evan played it out f the backyard, plus, the plush soccer ball was one of his favourite toys.

"Harper, baby," Samuel tried to get his son's attention, "you love soccer right?" and then he pointed towards the plush ball to let it communicate soccer.
 
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Harper let out a happy gurgle and nodded his little head, picking up his soccer ball and hugging it to his chest.

"That doesn't mean anything," Roman grumbled, but in a clearly jesting tone. "Harper, do you love Donald Trump?"

Harper blinked a couple of times at his father, then nodded and gave the same affirmative gurgling sound as he had before. Roman smirked at his husband. "See? He'll agree to anything, he's not even one."

Roman chuckled and laid down on his back. He hadn't meant for this to change what they were doing, he was just lazy and wanted to rest a little, but Harper seemed to take the opportunity to climb onto his taller father and lay down on his chest, his little head resting on Roman's collarbone, and wrap his arms as far around him as he could reach in a small but precious cuddle. Roman melted inside, and looked up at Samuel with an expression that said, do you see how cute this is?

Harper turned his head to face Samuel and reached out to him whilst making a grabbing motion, clearly indicating he wanted his other father there as well.
 
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Samuel let out a small "aww" sound, that was barely audible, both at Harper laying down on Roman's chest and at Harper reaching for him. It was a true testament to the fact that Harper viewed them as nothing but his dads. It was always a fantastic feeling.

Samuel laid down on his side with them and put an arm over both Harper and Roman. Lady came back and snuggled up next to Roman's other side. Samuel smiled and nuzzled Roman's shoulder a little it was nice to spend time like this as a family and he really cherished things like this, when they could just cuddle up together and hug each other. Because Harper wouldn't be a tiny toddler who loved affection forever. It was hopefully still plenty of years until he grew out of it, but Samuel would still make sure to remember as many moments like these as possible.

He moved his hand to give Harper's soft brown hair a small affectionate pet, "I love you, Harper," he said. It was his opinion that one never could tell one's family that enough. He hadn't gotten it enough from his own parents, even his mum, despite clearly loving him had used the words sparingly when he was younger, "and you too Roman,"

They were laying there, all together, Harper had just said his first word, and they all loved each other. Samuel honestly didn't know if things could be happier than that. He added, in Spanish, "I love you both."
 
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A week after Harper had said his first words, the little boy was spending the night with his Auntie London and Uncle Evan, and Roman and Samuel were attending a play that Elliot had directed. Roman was very excited, and he was also dressed nicely in one of Samuel's navy blue dress shirts and black skinny jeans because while this wasn't necessarily a formal event, it was still important, because this was Elliot's first big play since he had started working as a stage director again.

Elliot was never going to be able to go back into professional baseball. That was just a fact, one they never actually talked about, but one they all knew was true and no one was trying to dispute anymore. For a while, Elliot had fell into a deep depression, and Roman was really starting to worry about him, but out of nowhere one of his old associates from when he was still playing semi-professionally and working in the theatre business called him and offered him a job at the Melbourne Arts Centre. Elliot had always had a potent passion for theatre, just as strong as Roman's, so of course he had taken the job.

And everything had went amazingly from there. He had started off as an assistant director but quickly moved up the ranks to a permanent stage director, when before he had only been part-time, and tonight was his grand debut. His production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, one of the most famous and renowned plays of all time, was being performed in the Playhouse Theatre, one of the best theatres in the Melbourne Arts Centre. Elliot's name was plastered everywhere. Roman knew that his best friend had taken every ounce of passion he had had for baseball and had poured it into his new profession, and Roman couldn't have been happier for him.

They were waiting outside the theatre to be let in, and Roman was filling Samuel in on the plot of the play. "So it's set in 1950s Tennessee, and this dude, Brick, he's gay as fuck, but its the 1950s so he's still in the closet and he's recovering from the suicide of his best friend Skipper, who he was totally in love with but wouldn't even admit it to himself, and his wife, Maggie, is the sexiest chick ever but obviously he's gay so he doesn't want her, and he hates her because he blames her for Skipper dying, and she's miserable because she loves him but he hates her, and his dad Big Daddy is dying of cancer but he won't admit it to himself and they're back at the house Big Daddy owns where Maggie and Brick's brother Gooper's wife Mae are fighting over the inheritance because Big Daddy's really rich, and it's a whole shitshow and I love it and Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman were in the movie and they're both really hot and I'm excited."
 
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"Brick sounds like, mildly relatable," Samuel laughed at his seventeen-or-so-year-old self's expense, "But like don't hold that against me because haven't seen it and he might be a huge asshole,"

Samuel was happy to be out with Roman for the first time in quite a while. He loved Harper with all his heart, but having a kid was quite time consuming, so it was nice to get the occasional night out, especially when it was paired with a big moment for a friend.

Samuel was very happy to see Elliot having recovered as much as he could, not only physically but also mentally. He was now able to put his focus into something else he loved after baseball had been so cruelly robbed from him by a dumb accident.

Bu tonight was going to be great and Samuel had dressed accordingly in a grey dress shirt and a pair of navy chinos and a blue and black watch, together with some nice dark blue socks with little stars on them. His and Roman's outfits were kind of matching. It hadn't been intentional, but it was probably in part due to Roman stealing one of his dress shirts, plus them both opting to dress a little nicer since they weren't only going to the theatre, but they were going to what was going to be Elliot's big night.

"Hello!" A chipper and familiar female voice could be heard, it was Matilda hurrying up to them from inside the theatre, to come wait in line with them. Elliot was obviously busy doing his job, but Matilda would be watching with them. She looked absolutely gorgeous in a lavender, off the shoulder, tea length tulle dress. Her pastel pink and purple hair was curled and pinned back a little from her face so you could see her cute shimmery makeup that had the similar colour pallet as her dress properly. She practically radiated happiness and excitement.

"I'm so excited!" She said happily as she wrapped Roman in a hug, and then Samuel, "I mean, I've seen a bunch of the rehearsals already, but opening night is different!"
 
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"Trust me, we're very excited too," Roman assured Matilda, hugging her back and then stepping away so she could hug Samuel. "You look stunning, by the way." But not as much as Samuel, of course.

They chatted outside the theatre for a few more minutes, before a staff member came to their group specifically, to tell them that the director had secured three seats in the front row for his wife and best friends. Roman felt honoured, and a little surprised even if it was typical of Elliot to do these kinds of things, and followed the staff member into the theatre and to their assigned seats.

The stage was decorated in the style of a 1950s bedroom that clearly belonged to a family of opulence. The wall was see-through, because, while it would not have been see-through in real life, a lot of the action took place on the balcony and therefore the audience needed to be able to view it. Behind the wall was a set of pillars, typical of an American plantation house, and behind it all was the backdrop of a sky, bright and clear blue, peak afternoon. The set was beautifully made and Roman's theatre bones were tingling.

They sat down, and the rest of the audience was let in. After a little while, the lights dimmed and the audience hushed, and on stage, a gorgeous, muscular, absent-looking man exited the room's en suite bathroom and used crutches to go to the bar, pour a drink, and then carry it to the couch, where he laid down on his back and stared at the ceiling. Not long after, a gorgeous woman with an hourglass figure and short black hair bustled into the room angrily, seething in a Southern American accent, "One of those no-neck monsters hit me with a hot buttered biscuit, and now I have t' change!"

Roman watched the play with an avid interest. He had seen the film a dozen times, and he had also seen several other stage productions of it -- and, he and Elliot had starred in it in high school, with Roman as Brick and Elliot as Brick's brother Gooper. All in all, Roman was floored by the perfection of the performance. Tennessee Williams, the playwright, was known for his stage directions that resembled the descriptions in a novel, and it was clear that Elliot had paid close attention to them when directing his cast. Each character was perfect -- Maggie was catty, petty, passionate and conniving, and the actress carried herself in a sensual and enticing way, and her voice matched the cadence and pace of a preacher, just as Elizabeth Taylor's had in the film. Brick was detached and apathetic, just as a true alcoholic was, and the only emotion he showed was in response to someone questioning his sexuality and his relationship with his dead friend.

Big Daddy was coarse, vulgar and angry, Big Mama was stupid, naive and fiercely devoted to her verbally abusive husband. Mae was nasty and vindictive, Gooper was a fucking pushover. Most importantly, just as Tennessee Williams had intended when he had written the play, there were several scenes where the intensity was so thick you were on the edge of your seat, but the mood was abruptly cut with some triviality that seemed absurd in such a serious moment, such as the appearance of a child, or the arrival of another family member. That was what made Cat on a Hot Tin Roof such a thrilling, enthralling and beautiful play, as well as the strong themes of family dysfunction, homosexuality and avarice.

Elliot had managed to capture this perfectly, and Roman had never been more proud of his best friend.

The performance was a hit. When the final curtain dropped, after the end of an emotional rollercoaster, the theatre erupted in a standing ovation, everyone clapping and cheering and Roman was among the loudest. The curtain rose again and the cast came back out to bow, then they took position in a line near the front of the stage, and the actress who had played Maggie came forth with a microphone in her hands.

"Thank you all for coming out to the opening night," she said in an Australian accent that was honestly quite jarring to hear after having heard her speak in a Southern accent all night. "You've been a wonderful audience, and this has been one of the best productions we've ever had the privilege of putting on in the Playhouse Theatre. I'd just like to take a minute of your time to welcome the director, Elliot Darter, onto the stage."

Elliot came out, wearing a black dress shirt and black skinny jeans and a small blush to his pale cheeks, and his audience cheered for him just as they had before. He waved to them, and caught sight of his wife and friends in the front row, and shot them a smile.

"Now, this is going to surprise you, but this was Elliot's first show that he's directed on his own." Indeed, there was a chorus of surprised murmurs among the audience. "I know I speak on behalf of everyone who worked on this production when I say that it was an honour to work for Elliot, and that I can't wait to see what he does in the future."

Elliot grinned, the audience clapped, and the director took the microphone to say a few words. "Hi, so, I won't take too much of your time, but I'd like to tell you all a little story. So almost two years ago, I broke my back, slipping off the edge of a public swimming pool. I could have drowned, but I was lucky enough to be saved by two of my best friends."

Elliot took a deep breath. The audience was clinging onto his every word. "I was paralysed from the waist down for months, and only recently have I actually been able to walk again. I ... I had just made it into professional baseball, and I was about to start playing for the state. That dream was stolen from me because of a stupid accident, and I thought I was lost. Without my wife, I would have been lost. But I realise now that this accident, while it stole my dream from me, opened up an opportunity for me to pursue another dream I had, directing, which is what brought me to stand before you today. So while I'll always be a little sad about losing baseball, I'm thankful for this new journey I'm embarking on. And I'm also thankful for my wife, Matilda Darter, because without her, I wouldn't be here, I would still be in that dark place I thought I was lost in. Thank you, I hoped you enjoyed the show."
 
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Samuel understood why Roman and Elliot loved theatre when watching plays like this. Sure he didn't truly understand all the hard work that went into it in the same way as them. But there was something so fantastic about sitting there watching the actors perform, managing to convey such emotions and always keep the audience on their toes while just performing in one single set, without much more than their voices, their body language and the light to convey their story. Samuel sat completely hooked and watched impressed as all of the people on stage spoke in southern American accents, all portraying such different characters. He only ever tore his gaze away to look at Roman's or Matilda's amazed expressions.

The play was over too soon in Samuel's opinion, he could have gladly sat there for another hour, but he supposed the best works of fiction was the ones that left you wanting more after the end. Samuel clapped with everyone else, but let Roman, and also surprisingly, but not too surprisingly, Matilda, do the loud cheering.

When the actress who played Maggie came out Samuel was almost surprised to hear her speak in her natural accent, but he didn't pay that too much mind, as she was introducing Elliot, who then came up on stage. The actress continued to say some nice words about Elliot, but then it was Elliot's turn to speak.

His words were emotional. Matilda was openly crying, but she was smiling. Elliot's story was a tragic one, but it was also one about recovery and finding something good in a horrible situation. He had gone from being depressed and paralysed to finding a way to channel his feelings and creativity into another passion of his. Samuel was honestly so incredibly happy for him, and it would have felt weird to be in such a good place in their lives knowing they had friends who were suffering.

After Elliot's speech everyone clapped and surely more eyes than Matilda, Samuel and Roman's were wet. But there weren't much more to the show so after everything was wrapped up everyone started to make their way out of the theatre after an incredibly engaging play. But not their little company of three, no, they were directed backstage by some crew workers.

Backstage was bustling with energy and happy faces, which was understandable, this was opening night and it had gone by flawlessly. Elliot wasn't hard to spot, while not as tall as Roman he was still tall, and clad in all black as usual. Matilda hurried up to him and wrapped her arms around him, you could tell she was making sure not to act too impulsively by throwing all her weight on him, a small reminder why Elliot was there and not on the field. But in that moment Samuel doubted anyone wanted him somewhere else.

"That was fantastic!"
 
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Elliot's speech was amazing, and Roman was definitely wiping away some tears by the time he finished. Every day, Roman ached for his best friend and mourned alongside him the loss of his dream, his career. But tonight, he couldn't be anything but happy for this amazing man, who had taken a horrible situation and made the best out of it, and it was clear how much passion and devotion he had packed into this performance. He had found a new creative outlet, a new dream to pursue, and Roman would support him to the very end.

They were directed backstage, where the cast and crew were celebrating their performance with a toast of champagne, all still in costume, all gathered around the actress who had played Maggie, who was proposing the toast. "To Elliot Darter," she said.

"To Elliot Darter," Roman joined in with the toast, even if he didn't have a drink.

Elliot didn't drink right away, but instead wrapped his arms around his wife. He couldn't bend over and kiss her on the head like he would have before the accident -- he still had trouble bending his back, so if he ever had to pick something up off the floor he would have to bend his knees and sink down. It annoyed him to no end, but he was getting around it. Elliot ran a hand over his wife's elaborately styled hair, making sure not to mess it up, and gave her a tender smile.

"I couldn't have done it without you," he told her in such a sweet, loving voice that Roman felt like he was going to cry.

"Congratulations, Elliot, that was fucking brilliant," Roman said with a big smile. Elliot let Matilda go momentarily to hug him, and then hug Samuel.

"Thank you." Elliot was glowing with pride, and was clearly elated to be receiving all the praise he was getting. After losing baseball, it obviously meant a lot for him to know that his new passion was just as celebrated as his previous one.

"I mean -- fuck -- the tension, like when Brick is losing his shit at Maggie because she told him she tried to sleep with Skipper, and he was about to fucking kill her -- and when Big Daddy is screaming at Brick -- and the ending -- Jesus Christ, I thought we were good in high school, but this was incredible." Roman couldn't stop himself from having his little fangirl moment.

"You played a very good closeted homosexual alcoholic ex-athlete, Roman," Elliot assured his best friend, and they both laughed, because that was the opposite of Roman.
 
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They got to talk to Elliot and congratulate him and it was so clear that Elliot was happy and proud of his accomplishment, which he should be because this production of the play clearly had been incredible.

Samuel laughed at the mention of Roman playing Brick, If there was one person there who had had a possibility to grow up to be a closeted alcoholic ex-athlete, it was probably Samuel, it was slightly amusing, but Samuel opted not to say it simply because the idea of a life without Roman scared him more than it made him laugh.

"Man, It's things like these that makes me wish I got to see more of your school productions," Samuel said with a smile, that was true. He had seen a few of them when teachers had them go watch, and h always enjoyed them, but if he hadn't really been able to go watch them, because that would have meant half associating with people like Elliot and Roman and clearly that had made you gay by association to some people he hung out with in high school. It was one of those things that felt very silly now, "I want to see Roman playing an ex-athlete and Elliot a huge pushover,"

"Right?" Matilda laughed, "I mean, getting to see an amazing production of it like this is probably the best way to experience it, but I totally demand you two act parts of it out when we're hanging out sometime,"

Samuel nodded eagerly, it was a half-joking statement, but it honestly wasn't a bad idea. Roman didn't do much acting anymore, Samuel missed seeing, and anything that supported Elliot in his new profession was a good thing, "Yes, I can even offer to flatly read the lines of other characters if it means I get to see you two be your exact opposites,"
 
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"Well, in that case, we have to do it, I really want to hear you read lines for a couple of bitchy Southern chicks and a really angry old dude," Roman said with a laugh. He put an arm around Samuel's shoulders and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. God, he loved his husband so much.

Elliot had to say goodbye to a few people and congratulate a few more members of his cast, and then they were off, sitting in Elliot and Matilda's car as they made their way to dinner. Roman and Samuel had been dropped off by London and Evan specifically for this reason. Elliot was driving, which was great to see, since it meant he could move his legs enough to push the pedals and before, he hadn't been able to move them at all. Any reminder that Elliot was healing was fantastic in Roman's eyes.

Instead of KFC, they had made reservations at a nice restaurant to celebrate the occasion. It had a dark, Gothic theme, with entirely black decor and furniture and thick velvet drapes lining each of the walls. Classical music was playing through hidden speakers and all the waitresses were dressed up as vampires. The only light source came from the abundance of candles set up on each table and lining the walls.

Roman hadn't seen this place since Elliot had made the reservations, but as soon as they walked in, he felt like he was in heaven. "Oh. My. God. Samuel, we need to redecorate our whole house at once."
 
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"Roman, no" Samuel insisted as he curiously looked around in the restaurant, absorbing the unusual décor, "I can live with black for the sake of aesthetic, but I draw line at full-on fucking goth,"

He said that but he had to admit that this reminded him a little of Roman's bedroom back in Maryborough where he had had a bunch of candles to light up his dark coloured room, so it wasn't like he didn't enjoy the atmosphere. He really did actually, it was a cool place, Samuel really liked themed restaurants like this, he just didn't want to live in a gothic home.

"Unless you're secretly a vampire," Samuel joked, "then we can do it to respect your culture, but you're not, so..."

"Maybe he's really good at hiding it," Matilda giggled as they were being shown to their table.

"Nah, believe me I would know, he's a weirdo and bites me regularly, but he has no fangs," Samuel laughed and squeezed Roman's hand, which he, as usual, was holding.
 
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"Don't pretend you don't love it," Roman joked, gently pushing his husband but making sure he didn't fall. They were lead to their table, where Roman sat beside Samuel and across from Elliot. They were given menus that were printed in fancy curly writing, and glasses of water in opulent silvery glass goblets. Roman felt like a medieval king and he was digging it.

Looking at the menu, he was for some reason expecting vampire-themed items, but everything seemed pretty normal, admittedly with little vegetarian and vegan options but normal nonetheless. They ordered some garlic bread -- which Elliot had giggled at -- for appetisers, and Roman got a rare steak with sweet potato fries for his main, and Elliot got spicy fried chicken, which was no surprise. Once the vitamin D-deficient waitress had left, Elliot turned to Samuel.

"So, as our resident theatre noob, tell me, what did you think of the play?" he inquired. "Also, as the last one of us to have come out of the closet, tell me your thoughts on Brick. And maybe Maggie, since we all know that Roman wants to be her when he grows up."
 
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Samuel ordered some nice salmon dish from the surprisingly normal menu, he would have gone for a salad but there was a suspicious lack of them, so maybe they had tried to somewhat fit it to the theme of the restaurant. Matilda went with some non-fried chicken, showing that she and her husband clearly had similar taste in food which was sweet and the stark opposite of Samuel and Roman.

But rather than thinking about that, Samuel gave Elliot's question some proper thought before he answered. The whole theatre thing was important to Elliot and it was his work so it deserved some thought.

"Well the play was really nice, like, I was constantly at the edge of my seat cus there was a lot of tension? And it was kind of like when you read a book and you're at the end of the chapter and you're super invested and need to know what happens next?" Samuel tried to explain how it felt like watching, using books as his means of reference. Samuel made a quick mental note to read more manuscripts since he clearly was missing out on some nice stories by not reading them, he'd probably get Roman to recommend him some later.

"To be honest I think I got extra invested just because I know he was in a situation I know I could have ended up in if I graduated without meeting Roman," Samuel laughed a little to make that comment a little less heavy. It was actually kind of scary to think about that, which was why he hadn't mentioned it when they were joking around, "but like it was obviously also because the character was portrayed so well, all of them were, I suppose part of that is in the stage direction yeah? You closely did an amazing job with it,"

And then he added in a more joking tone, "and Roman can aspire to be whoever he wants as long as he's still sweet to me," half jokingly and placed a sweet little kiss on his husband's cheek.
 
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It obviously meant a lot to Elliot for Samuel to praise his work. He had a big smile on his face and was looking at Samuel gratefully. Directing wasn't that easy -- you had to meticulously plan out each scene and work with the actors to portray your vision. You also had to oversee the construction of the set and spend countless hours blocking and designing the play. It took a lot of effort, effort that Elliot had transferred from baseball to this, and clearly, it was important for him to be told that he was doing a good job.

"Thanks, Samuel," he said earnestly. "And for what it's worth, I think you're too smart to end up like Brick."

Roman thought about that a little. It was horrible to think that Samuel could have ended up in the same position as the main character of the play they had just seen. Alcoholic, rendered unable to play sport, depressed and stuck in a relationship with a woman he didn't and couldn't love. For the thousandth time, Roman was grateful that he had come into Samuel's life at the point in which he had, because he had managed to save Samuel from that kind of pain.

Their food came and Roman cut into his steak, and grinned when the bloody juice ran out and onto the plate, soaking the first few of his fries. "Hey, Samuel, look. Blood."
 
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"I would like to retract my previous statement about my husband being a vampire," Samuel laughed as Roman made a point to mention the blood seeping out of his meat.

Samuel rarely ordered his stakes rare, simply because he loved animals and it just reminded him what the stakes were made off. Part of the reason he didn't have a more vegetarian, or at least pescatarian diet at this point when he technically could decide that himself and wasn't restricted by what his mother made for him at home, was Roman. It wasn't something that made him bitter or anything, and if eating vegetarian was a high priority of his he would do it, but Roman made most of the food and was also a picky eater, and Samuel liked being able to sit down and have the same meal as his husband at the end of the day, and he felt like Roman would have more of a difficulty restricting himself to a vegetarian diet than Samuel had eating meat.

"See I told you!" Matilda laughed.

"Vampires don't eat fries though," Samuel pointed out with a playful smile and stole some of the fries from Roman's plate, "or garlic," he said as he chewed, normally he wouldn't talk as he was chewing, but it was simply to make a point of the stolen fries. He continued as he had swallowed, "so there'll be no more garlic bread for you. Ever."

"Is it really wise to anger a vampire?" Matilda pointed out, now cutting into her own dish.

"He won't hurt me, he loves me? Right, vampire husband?" Samuel said sweetly to Roman, knowing full en well then stealing Roman's food generally didn't earn you his sympathy.
 
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To answer, Roman gave Samuel a filthy glare, reached over, picked up a few fries from Samuel's plate, and shoved them in his mouth. He then turned back to his own meal and began to grumpily eat his bloody steak without saying anything more.

"Naw, Roman, you'll make Samuel sad."

Roman glared at him, too.

After a few minutes Roman stopped being an idiot and cheered up again, engaging in conversation with his friends and smiling and laughing like normal. When they had received their desserts -- Roman ordered a blueberry cheesecake that was sublime -- Roman stood up and raised his glass of Coke.

"So, I know your cast and crew already gave you a toast, with, like, proper champagne and everything, but this is going to be way better," Roman said to his best friend. "To dreams, to passion, to vampire-themed restaurants, to the Playhouse Theatre and the Melbourne Arts Centre, to Tennessee Williams, to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and, most of all, to Elliot Darter, and the long, successful, brilliant career he's going to have."

Elliot was smiling broadly, and lifted his glass of soda as Roman finished the toast. This man was incredible. He had bounced back from one of the most tragic accidents Roman had ever witnessed, from losing his career and his passion, and now, he had found a new outlet, and Roman could not have been happier for his best friend. Things were looking up for Elliot, and Roman was grateful to be there to witness this new bright future.
 
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They made their toast and Samuel, and Matilda and all of them were all smiles, because things were finally going right, for both couples, and hopefully things would continue that way. Elliot was back to having a job he loved, Matilda was there to support him in anything, and Samuel and Roman would always be their close friends. Things felt right.

A couple of days later Samuel and Roman were at home, sleeping soundly when Samuel blinked away from the sound of Harper's cries from the other room. Waking up from Harper crying was one of those things that got rarer each day, but it still happened, and since Samuel was a light sleeper there was always someone there to go help him out, and really Roman was pretty good at waking up at Harper's crying too, he was a good dad.

Since Samuel had woken up first he yawned,detangled himself from Roman, kisses his husband's hair and then got up to hurry over to Harper's room. There he found his son crying in the crib.

"I'm here, don't worry," Samuel murmured in Spanish as he lifted his son up, kisses his hair just like he had Roman's and rubbed the little boys back gently to calm him. By the smell of didn't seem like he needed a diaper change, and it was just a few hours since they had fed him and put him to bed, so he probably wasn't tired. Chances were he simply missed his dad's. Samuel thought it was important that Harper could go to sleep without them, so that he would be able to take midday naps at day care. But the boy hadn't even turned one yet so it was hardly a top priority and Samuel made the simple decision to bring the now slightly calmer child into Roman and his bed.

"Hey Roman, wake up, I have a little guy here who seems to want to sleep with us," he said softly as he entered the bedroom to get Roman's attention, "isn't that right Harper?"
 
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Since becoming a father, Roman had managed to wake up slightly easier, though he still grumbled about it a lot. So, when Harper began to cry that night, Roman woke up at the same time as Samuel. Samuel seemed to have it under control, as he got out of bed first and went to check on the child, but Roman stayed awake, laying on his back so he could talk to his husband when he returned about their child and whatever problem there was.

When Samuel came back with Harper, it wasn't a surprise. Often if their son woke up in the middle of the night, they would bring him back to sleep with them, since it made him calmer, and anyway, they liked having him close. "Well, luckily we have a pretty big bed over here, so there's more than enough room for this little dude," Roman said. He turned on his bedside lamp, then took Harper from Samuel and sat him carefully in the middle of the bed, where he would be cosy between his two dads.

Immediately, Harper clung to Roman's side, and Roman frowned, running a hand over his soft hair in a soothing motion. "Hey, what's wrong, sweetie?" he asked, concerned.

"S - Scary," Harper said in a small voice. He had been talking a little since that day he had said his first word, simple things like 'cat' and 'dog' and 'dad' and 'sun'. The word came out as 'scar-ree' in his baby voice, and it would have been adorable, if that didn't mean that he had had a nightmare.

Roman looked over at Samuel with a concerned expression on his face. They hadn't had to deal with a nightmare before, and Roman wasn't sure how to approach the situation, because Harper couldn't talk well enough to tell them what had happened in his dream.
 
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Hearing Harper utter that small little word made Samuel instantly concerned, and he caught Roman's eye, seeing the expression of the same feeling on his face. Samuel hated nightmares with passion, simply because the once he got due to his PTSD were so terrible. I small child's nightmare was obviously very different from the trauma induced nightmares Samuel got, but he was still concerned because Harper's nightmare could be due to anything from feeling a little stressed or seeing something he found scary on the TV while Samuel and Roman weren't in the room.

Samuel sat down in bed, close to Harper so he could feel both his dads next to him. He was still young and little and it wasn't like a nightmare would traumatize him, but Samuel still thought it was so very important that the little boy knew he had his dads there to help him when he was scared. Because he was still little though it was always hard to know what was the best way to approach him, it was hard to know exactly how much he understood of what they said and what he'd take away from the situation.

"Well, you're with us now," Samuel said softly, and reached out to gently rub his little arm, giving him as much physical comfort he felt he could without overwhelming him too much right after having what might just be his first nightmare,"And we'll protect you from anything scary you could think of, because we love you so, so, much, we wouldn't ever let anything scary get you, isn't that right Roman?"
 
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