He wasn't the kind to look for trouble. Trouble, though, loved to look for him. So no matter what he did, Enzo Amore was always getting into trouble. It didn't matter if it was his fault or not. It just loved to follow him around and make him seem like some kind of delinquent, even though he wasn't.

Like, right now. He wasn't looking for any trouble. If anything, he was purposefully trying to stay away from anybody and anything that might bring him any kind of complications. There was almost no one around him at this point because of how well he'd managed to hide himself. So he hoped that, somehow, he'd be able to get through the night.

He didn't speak backstage. Not only from the overwhelming sadness that caused his chest to feel too tight and a knot to form at the base of his throat. But also from the ever present fear that came from not having a trusted shadow standing behind him at all times.

Cass had left him. His brother had abandoned him. Kicked him to the curb. Literally thrown him out as if he were nothing more than yesterday's trash.

He'd always known his big mouth would eventually get him into a whole lot of trouble. It had done so thousands of times before, even when trouble had not been his target. But... Well, it was a low blow that he'd never even thought about before because it wasn't supposed to happen. His big mouth had gotten him into enough trouble that Big Cass had finally left him.

With a heavy sigh, the Certified G (who felt none of his usual confidence after having been betrayed by his brother) pulled his black hoodie lower over his face. He wanted to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. And this little hole he'd managed to find seemed- to him- to be the perfect spot to stay in to avoid anyone finding him.

By a normal person's standards, Enzo was a big guy. But in the WWE, with its larger-than-life stadiums and giant competitors, he was dwarfed. Cass, with his seven foot frame, had always helped keep Enzo feeling safe from all the bigger men. But he wasn't around anymore now, was he? There was no one around to keep him safe. So he needed to make sure that he didn't do anything too stupid.

It was a small, dark spot which was nestled in between two large crates that were held in the deepest, less used backstage area. The kind of spot that Enzo would normally avoid because he thrived in the spotlight, not on the sidelines. But he was aware that this was the kind of spot that no one would actively look for. Unless they were looking for a spot of their own to hide in, of course. Last he'd checked, though, Enzo Amore was the only dumbass to have gotten betrayed recently by his brother.

A nice, quiet place where no one would find him. Nice, lonely place where no one could see him struggle to hold his tears.

Really, it wasn't fair. It was supposed to have been Enzo and Cass forever. Tag team 'til the end. They had started the road together and they were supposed to have reached the finish line the same way. Together.

Big Cass had other plans... Big enough to off on his own as he beat Enzo out of the running...

"Shoulda seen it coming..." The man murmured softly to himself, trying his best to keep his voice from becoming even marginally loud. "Can't keep my mouth shut... Even for the life of me..."

A sharp hiss escaped his lips as he moved his arms to cross over his chest, pain erupting all around him even at the slightest movement. He knew he should have gotten checked over by the docs after having been thrown down the ramp during Cass' betrayal. His whole body ached and his head pounded uncomfortably. And, from the way his right wrist insisted on pounding as if his heart now lay there, he knew he must have sprained a few things.

Leaving his cozy little spot wasn't an option, though. Because leaving meant having to face a reality without his brother having. Leaving meant having to meet pity filled stares that would be sent his way by the wrestlers that cared enough to feel, but didn't care enough to act. And, worst of all, leaving meant running the risk of accidentally running into someone- anyone- that hated him. Because now, there was no one to bail him out.

With his eyes closed and his mind racing, Enzo leaned his head back so it rested against the wall behind him. He was tired and in pain. But he didn't want to head back to the hotel just yet, more than aware of the fact that Cass and he shared a room. They'd checked in together. And Cass wasn't really the kind to lose a good night's sleep over something he considered trivial.

Enzo... He was now a trivial thought in Cass' mind. He wouldn't spare a single thought to Enzo or his feelings anymore now that he'd finally gotten his message through.

Hope was a horrible thing sometimes. Enzo had hoped after Cass had admitted to attacking him that they would be able to make up. He had hoped that years of friendship and always watching each other's backs wouldn't be thrown away by a few impassioned words. But it seemed that, even though Enzo hoped this would happen, Cass didn't give a single damn.

Soft sniffles left him as the aching man tried his best to keep from crying. He really didn't want any more tears to fall. He'd never been a big fan of crying, much less in public spaces.

But it wasn't as if he had anywhere to go...

As he huddled deeper into himself and pressed his back into the wall, Enzo couldn't help but feel as if there was someone watching him. Which, on a normal day, would be fine. Because being watched just meant that Cass was around to fuss over him... But... But there was no Cass around to watch him anymore... So why in the hell did he feel eyes on him?

Even though curiosity began to bite at him, made him wish to look up to understand why he felt as if he were being watched, Enzo didn't want to. There was a possibility that there was someone watching him. And if there really was, he didn't know if he had it within himself to face them. Not tonight. He couldn't be strong tonight.

Faintly, he could hear the roar of the crowd as faint music played. He had not idea what was going on anymore, who was fighting. He hadn't really paid much attention to those that were slotted to fight tonight because he had been so preoccupied wanting to make up with Cass.

Over the sounds coming from the main area, though, he swore that he could hear footsteps and... Was that whispering?

The more Enzo focused on the noise, the more he was able to make it out. And, without a doubt, it was the harsh whispering of at least two people trying to communicate quietly. He wanted to know who it might have been that was so close to him... But the man just kept his eyes closed and his head leaned back. Because the last thing he needed was for his curiosity to land him in trouble once more.

After a few seconds, the hushed hisses are gone and Enzo is left alone once again.

Alone.

He hadn't been alone for so long... He didn't like it...

With a heavy groan, the man stretched his arms out in front of him to try and ease some of the tension within his muscles. But just as he was about to retract them to cross them over his chest, he felt something suddenly touch him.

A shouted gasp was what left Enzo as his eyes flew open. And in the faint darkness of the large room he found himself in, his eyes focused in on the other human that had no reason to be in here.

"Little lamb, do not be afraid."

Glassy green eyes bore into Enzo's soul as thin lips curved upwards in a smile that was as terrifying as it was oddly comforting.

Enzo blinked at Bray Wyatt in complete stupefaction for a few seconds before he looked down at his right hand, only to find that the odd sensation he had felt had been Bray's fingers brushing up against him. He quickly snatched his hand away from the insane man, though, and tried to push himself even further into the wall he hid within.

"Uh... What do you want?"

The long haired man didn't answer immediately. Instead he continued to stare at Enzo, glassy eyes bearing into him in a way that made him feel naked. Enzo squirmed under the gaze as he waited for an answer and tried to think of a form of escape. But there was none. Because he had sandwiched himself in between the large containers, there was only one way to get in. Only one way to get out.

(Yeah, they're called bottlenecks, 'Zo. It's like a chokepoint where the guy with the best skills wins. That's why you're always getting your ass kicked at video games. You don't know how to deal with 'em. )

(But that's what we got explosives for! Blowing bottles up an' shit!)

(... True...)

A bottleneck. Shit.

"Dear little lamb, you have been hurt. Betrayed by the one you considered dear." Bray's body stood right in front of Enzo's only way out, effectively keeping the other man trapped inside. "But there is no reason for you to continue hurting. Let me help you, little lamb. Under my watchful eye, you will never be-"

"Oi! Wyatt!"

The sudden shout had Enzo jumping. But Bray merely breathed in with frustration tainting his features.

From behind the long haired man's body, Enzo could faintly make out two pairs of feet heading their way. But when Bray turned around to face the new comers, he stepped closer to Enzo, making sure that he wasn't able to see much of what happened.

"Sheamus. Cesaro. My, my, what sort of violent business brings you two to me?"

"Look, we don't want any trouble." Enzo could hear Cesaro clearly and his voice seemed annoyed and somewhat breathless, "But I don't think messing with Enzo right now would be a good idea."

Bray's head cocked to the side as he placed his hands on his hips, "And why would that be? Listen here, Swiss Sheep, this lamb has lost his way through a betrayal he cannot forgive. I am merely a shepherd looking to bring him back towards a new, brighter light."

"Yeah, no." A deep, accented voice snarked, making Enzo immediately begin to wonder just what Cesaro and Sheamus were doing trying to drive Bray away from him. "I'm not dealing with this now."

A pale white fist flew from in front of Bray and slammed into the side of his face. The man was left stunned from it and open to further attacks. But he was merely shoved away from the opening, allowing Enzo to see the men that had come to his rescue.

To the side, he heard Bray's body crashing into some kind of metal. But he was much too busy staring up at both Europeans to think too much about it.

Sheamus was breathing heavily and glared over in Bray's direction. But Cesaro merely shook his head at his partner's actions before he took a step forward and offered Enzo his hand.

"Come on. You can't stay in there."

Enzo didn't react at first. He just stared and stared and stared. But eventually Cesaro seemed to tire of waiting for him so he leaned down and forcibly grabbed him. And then he dragged him up, pulling him out of his little safe spot and into the backstage area he had wanted to avoid.

"Are you alright?" Sheamus asked roughly, making Enzo turn to look at him in confusion. The Irishman waited for an answer for a few seconds before he prodded further, "Did that snake do anythin' to you?"

Was... Was this really happening?

Had Bray Wyatt actually talked to him? And had Sheamus and Cesaro actually come in to stop him?

Too stunned to speak, Enzo merely shook his head.

The taller men didn't seem pleased by his answer, though. They both frowned down at him.

"Let's go."

Enzo was pulled behind Sheamus by a strong grip that bordered on vice-like. But he remained quiet as he was dragged, for he really couldn't believe what was occurring at the moment.

"You should really try and stay out of trouble now, Enzo." He heard Cesaro comment from his side, and turned to find the man looking at him knowingly. "You don't have your guard dog around anymore."

This made Enzo frown for two reasons. First of all, reminding him about Cass was not going to do anything good for his mood. Second of all, though, Cesaro didn't know why it was that Bray had appeared. Just like Enzo didn't. And it wasn't as if he'd looked for trouble... It had just found him again...

"I-" He was about to defend himself, but then shut himself up and shook his head.

They wouldn't believe him if he tried and explained to them why it was that the past encounter with Wyatt wasn't his fault. And Sheamus was moving really quickly, making Enzo stumble over himself every now and again as he struggled to gain the precise amount of speed he needed.

All three men were quiet after this. Enzo didn't have anything to say (something that was so unusual for him that he was getting frustrated) and it seemed that neither did they.

..~..~..

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