Like everyone else, I am deeply saddened that the Shield had come to an end tonight. It honestly left my heart feeling heavy despite the fact we knew it was coming...and that it was possible that it was going to end like this. So in order continue believing in the brotherhood they share, I had to write this. I will always love and Believe in the Shield.

The sounds of the crowd echoed through their ears as they waited in silence for their cue to enter the arena. Each one of them battered and bruised from the previous night; Payback was a complete brawl...a battle which no one member left unscathed. It may have been entertainment, but the risks were real, the bruises and scratches were no illusion.

Dean began to pace slowly back and forth, unable to sit still...there was a tense atmosphere among the three of them. Each member knew this night was going to happen eventually...the time for the Shield to go their separate ways had finally come.

Seth leaned against the wall, listening to the sound of his friend's footsteps. His eyes trained on the floor, mind in complete disarray. He was the one the higher ups had chosen to turn heel, the one who would "betray" his partners...and it was all for entertainment.

Doing what was best for the fans was something he always prioritized, even if it meant having to dirty his own hands in the process. This feeling though...this weight on his chest was heavy. Even if he was only turning against them in a fictional sense, it still hurt. Dean and Roman were people he traveled on the road with for an entire year, shared rooms, and had formed a familial bond with. They were two people he would lay everything down for, no matter what happened...and now...he would have to be on the other side of the fence against them, just for the sake of a story.

'It's best for business...' he kept repeating to himself in an attempt to soothe his anxieties.

'This is all for them...the WWE universe...all for entertainment. We're all still okay...'

It was true, with Batista leaving to promote his movie, they had run out of options on what road to take next in the story. The moment the Vince and the rest of the big suits announced their intentions, a thick atmosphere had engulfed the three of them. Seth, at the time, could only nod in acknowledgement while Roman lowered his gaze to the ground, Dean had been the only one to remain composed through it all.

Thus, here they were on Monday Night Raw, ready to give the universe the shock of their life. It was almost time...

He squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds, his gloved hands clenching into fists. Seth had nothing to be sorry for, he was only doing his job...so why was he...feeling like this?

'I don't want to do this...I really don't want to go through with this...'

"Hey."

A hand gently rested on his shoulder, causing him to jolt from his thoughts. Roman was looking at with with a concerned expression.

"Everything good?"

Seth didn't know how to really answer that, his eyes looking away from the bigger man, "Yeah man, everything is good here."

"You know you're a poor liar right?" Dean chimed in, his figure standing directly in front of the him. His brothers were here, surrounding him...worried about him.

"What Dean said, tell us what's up."

A huge sigh escaped his lips, shoulders slouching ever so slightly which caused Roman's grip to tighten.

"Just..."

How was he going to say it? It was not only embarrassing, but he was worrying over nothing. Finally he looked at Dean for a moment, and then he turned his attention to Roman.

"Even if this is all made up..." he began, his hand moving up to hold the bigger man's for reassurance, "I don't want to do this guys."

Dean's stare was heavy on him the moment those words escaped his mouth, it was rough on all of them sure...this was going to be their biggest hurdle yet. It was something that was a long time coming but...it still hurt.

"I...don't want to betray you two. I'm getting sick to my stomach thinking about it."

Seth raked a hand through his hair with his free hand, "I...I have to hit you guys with a chair...like actually hurt you two! I just...I can't..."

He almost wanted to cry, if he could...he would have objected to it. If it were up to him, they'd never split up...he would stop the inevitable from happening if this was all up to him.

"After everything we've been through I have to just-"

His words were cut off as large arms wrapped around him.

"That's enough..." Roman said softly, forcing Seth to cradle his head against his shoulder, embracing the smaller man tightly, "Everything is alright..."

Dean came around to his left side, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I'd hug you right now dude, but I think Roman has that one covered."

That initiated a chuckle from the distraught architect, his one arm returning the embrace of his bigger partner, the other hand reaching for Dean.

"I'm sorry guys..." he hid his face in Roman's neck, shutting his eyes tightly, "If it were up to me...we'd be dominating this ring for many years to come..."

"This hasn't just been hard on you man..." Dean finally spoke up after several minutes of silence, "I think I can vouch for the big guy that we have both been a little anxious over the whole thing...its going to be weird without you at our side. You're the glue that holds us together."

After tonight, Seth would be joining Evolution, the group they had sworn to take down. Had this been real, it would no doubt be the biggest slap to the face that the world has seen.

"We've been through it all together..." Roman began, giving no indication of releasing Seth from his hold, "No matter what the future may hold for us, the three of us will always be a unit. You will always be our brother Seth, don't forget that."

"Guys I..."

Seth could only stand still as the two men consoled him, spending their last moments as the Shield together huddled up in a group embrace. The security came several minutes later, signalling it was finally time; Dean waved back in response.

"Alright, let's do this thing," he looked Seth in the eyes, "Don't you dare hold back on us okay? We have to wow them."

Seth could only nod as he watched his friend walk away. Roman had finally let him go after a few seconds, his expression still holding a look of concern.

"Are you going to be alright?" he asked again.

Seth let out another sigh, "I'm gonna have to be..."

"Don't forget what I just said to you Seth, I mean it. I guarantee this isn't going to be the last time the Shield step into that ring together," he held out his fist to him; their trademark of sorts, "Just believe that."

Seth shook his head and let out a chuckle, "Did you seriously just...?"

"What do you expect? Someone has to drill some sense into that head of yours."

"Hey slowpokes! Get out here before I decide to hit you two with a steel chair!" Dean spoke from halfway down the hall.

"We're coming! Geez man calm yourself for once!"

He took a few deep breaths as Roman waited by his side.

"You ready?" he asked again.

"As I ever will be...sorry again for what I'm going to have to do to you..."

"I've taken harder hits before, just expect to get it back tenfold when we finally face off against each other."

"Right...duly noted."

Their theme music had finally begun to play through the arena, the crowd was cheering...oblivious to what was in store for them.

No matter what the future held for the three of them down the line...he would always consider Roman and Dean his brothers.

Well after typing that, I honestly can say I feel loads better. The heaviness I had been experiencing in my chest is gone...and honestly I wouldn't be surprised if there was a short private moment like this that happened before hand. I want to say thank you to Roman, Seth, and Dean for everything you have taught us about being a unit...a brotherhood. I always will continue to believe in the Shield! Thank you for reading.