"You sure he's comin'?"
"He said he'll swing by. He'll be here."
Enzo set his bottle of beer down on the table and clambered onto his pet giant's lap.
"Just saying Cass…he's a bona fide main roster champ, he might not have time for us no names down here in developmental anymore."
"Who might not have time for you anymore?"
Enzo's head flew up at the interruption and springing to his feet, he bounced up to the new arrival like the little terrier he so resembled and flung his arms around him in greeting.
"Ambrose! Buddy! How you doin'?"
"Not bad Enzo...not bad…"
The smaller man gave Dean another enthusiastic squeeze before he was gently but firmly moved to make way for Cass.
"Deano. So good to see you brother...how's life on the road?"
The former roommates quickly fell into an easy conversation, Dean sharing his stories from the main roster, Enzo and Cass, well Enzo mainly, sharing tales of their recent adventures in Europe with NXT.
"You shoulda heard the crowds. They loved my man Cass here…"
Cass smiled fondly at his proudly bragging partner.
"He's exaggerating Deano. My firecracker here is the one the crowds adored. I mean come on...how could they not?"
Ducking down he planted a noisy kiss on Enzo's bearded cheek.
Dean watched their interaction, a tiny frisson of envy underneath his genuine affection for the seemingly mismatched pair. Except for all their differences, they weren't mismatched at all. They were literally perfect for each other.
Soulmates.
Marked on their bodies so they would be able to find each other.
No one really truly understood how it worked, but somehow it did.
You were born with a tiny birthmark somewhere on your body that would grow as you grew, blooming, spreading, taking a distinct form during puberty that was unique to you and one other person.
That one other person who would 'get' you. Your perfect complementary other half.
It was practically unheard of for soulmates not to be drawn together eventually. The fates, or gods, or whatever cosmic agency was in charge worked to bring you together. You might meet your soulmate at the bank, calling in to withdraw cash in person for a change because you both lost your atm cards, perhaps you decide to dash into their bakery because you need a last minute birthday cake and the bakery you usually go to is on the other side of town, you could even meet at work like Enzo and Cass or maybe you just bump into each other in a bar.
The important thing was that you would find each other at some point.
Sure, you could date someone whose mark didn't match yours, even marry, or start a family, but deep down you would both always know that no matter how happy you were, there was someone else out there for you, someone perfect.
A romantic at heart, Dean had made the decision a long time ago to wait for his soulmate. He dated, never wanted for a companion for the night, but once he laid eyes on their soulmark and saw that it wasn't a match, he thanked them for their company and went on his way in the morning.
The life of a casanova was starting to grow a little stale by now though. Dean wanted what Enzo and Cass had, what John and Randy had, what Steph and Hunter had. He was thirty now and ready to settle down with whoever the universe had set aside for him. He didn't want to end up a tragic joke like Jerry, old and creepy and inappropriately hitting on ever younger people because his soulmate still had to make an appearance, or worse, like the crazy woman he found trying to alter her mark with makeup so he'd stick around after they'd slept together.
"Be like hating on puppies Cass."
Dean laughed with the big man as Enzo furiously protested his totally non puppy like nature, only to stop dead mid-objection, interrupted by his phone.
"Yo!...nah, Sweet Mary's...hang on, lemme check…"
He held the phone away for a second.
"We staying here for a while guys?"
Cass and Dean both nodded their assent.
"...yep, staying here. And we have a surprise visitor for ya...no, not telling...no, you'll see when you get here...NO!...now get your ass in gear."
"Who was that?"
"Not telling you either Ambrose, you'll see."
Fortunately they didn't have too long to wait. They were in the middle of devouring a large platter of chicken wings and another pitcher of beer when a very feminine squeal filled the air, causing Enzo to shoot up in his seat, grinning over Dean's shoulder towards the entrance.
"BAY-LEE!"
"Oh. My. God. Dean Ambrose!? Is that my surprise?"
Dean had just enough time to wipe his hands and get to his feet before the young woman rushed across the room and flung herself at his in a warm hug. Cass leaned over to his friend.
"Yeah...that's not really a gimmick...she's a hugger…"
"Oh hey, sorry, I'm just a huge admirer...we were just talking about your match with Kev on the way over…"
Letting go, she turned and gestured to her companion, previously unnoticed by Dean as he was overwhelmed by the smiling hurricane that was the NXT Women's champ.
Standing patiently behind her, waiting to say hello was her fellow NXT champ and if rumour was to be believed, her soulmate…
"Finn, nice to finally meet you Dean, how's it going?"
The latest arrival balanced precariously on his crutches, extending a hand toward Dean.
"Good to meet you too. You need a seat there bro?"
Dean moved to take the seat next to Cass, leaving the chair next to Bayley, who was already slotted in and chattering away Enzo, free for her guy. Obliviously Finn slid in instead.
Conversation began to flow freely around the table once more as drinks were refreshed and common friends were found.
Pretty soon, Enzo and Bayley started to grow heavy eyed, the lateness of the hour taking it's toll. When Enzo ended up with his face smashed against Cass's chest barely managing to stay awake, they decided to call it a night.
"Colin, can I catch a ride with you?"
Bayley yawned and felt around the back of her chair for her bag.
"Sure thing sweetheart, you ready to go now?"
"Yep. G'night Finn, bye Dean, really was great meeting you."
She waved in the direction of the two men who were deep in conversation still, comparing their experiences in the ring with Owens. Finn looked up briefly and waved a quick goodbye as the trio left.
"Hey, bud, don't be staying behind on my account, if you need to get back with your little lady there, I'll be fine."
Finn looked at Dean like he had six heads.
"Little lady...you mean Bayley? Don't tell me you believe that rumour too Deano? Bayley's like my little sister and even if she hadn't already met her mate, we're not exactly...compatible...if you catch my drift."
"Compatible? Oh...you're into dudes?"
"That's not gonna be a problem is it? I've been enjoying the craic with you tonight…"
"I'd be the worst kind of hypocrite if it was…"
"You're gay too? The great Titty Master?"
"The fans totally took that the wrong way...and I'm not gay. I'm pan...equal opportunities ya know?"
"Right so...well now we've cleared that up, what say you go get us another round and then you can finish spilling the dirt on Drake...there's a wind up in his future and no mistake…"
The bar had been getting steadily more and more packed as the night went on, not that Dean minded the wait to get served, using the time away from the table to mull over this new information. Finn was a good looking man and he'd been great company tonight. It wasn't that he wanted to jump him all of a sudden now that he knew he was single and into men, but it was no hardship chatting with him and if certain opportunities were to present themselves later, he wouldn't necessarily object.
Grabbing the drinks and tucking a bag of peanuts under his chin, he made his way back to the table, the sight that greeted him on his return causing him to drop the bag and almost the drinks.
Finn had made himself more comfortable, losing the hoody he'd been wearing and was now sitting at the table in a very flatteringly fitted Bayley shirt, but that wasn't what made Dean stop dead in his tracks.
What caused Dean's shock and caused the whole world to fall away around them was the mark, clearly visible in the crook of Finn's elbow, the little trident with a curved central prong that Dean knew with certainty if he followed round to see the part hidden against Finn's body would show a tiny curlicue on the trident's handle that looked like a crescent moon.
The soulmark that matched his own.