(For Story Info, see Part 1)
Part 3 (part 2):
Dean's acting strange -stranger- then usual. Roman can't help but notice. Every time he would ask if he's okay. Dean is super quick to reply that he is. Roman's not believing that for one second. And then the moments when Dean tries to talk, it seems like he purposely cuts himself off. He's never been afraid to speak his mind, no matter if he's right or wrong. What's going on?
After the millionth time of cutting himself off in mid-talk, the Powerhouse had enough.
"Dean!" he says. "Would you stop that? Whatever you need to say, freaking say it!"
That's the problem. How can Dean tell his best friend that it may be too late to tell his crush how he feels? Does it even matter? It'll come off like an "I told you so" and that's the last thing Dean wants.
"I…" If Dean could stand outside of himself, he would do it so that he could help Roman kick his own ass. That's just how annoyed and irked he is right now. "Dude. Seriously. It's nothing."
"Like it was nothing the last time I asked you? Did I do something wrong? If I did, I'm sorry."
It's too late. Why didn't you tell Seth, Ro?
A smile is cracked. Blue eyes fake that brightness. "Nah. You're good. I just got stuff going on my head."
Oh. That's it? "I told you about that. Don't keep it inside." Some of the displeasure Roman had earlier dissipate and is replaced with concern. "Wanna talk about it?"
I don't know if I should. It might break your heart. "It's okay. I can deal." Dean lets out a short laugh. "I'm Dean Fucking Ambrose! I can take on anything."
Liar! But I'mma let it slide. For now. The big man just nods.
Dean is just about to return a smile when he sees Seth making his appearance backstage.
"Gotta go! Catch ya before the match." He gives Roman a quick fist bump then quickly walks off. For a brief moment, Roman is confused about the hasty exit, but then he turns around to see where his friend is heading off to. His grey eyes narrow as his lips form a thin line. The pin pricks of jealously are felt as he watches his best friend and his crush stand next to one another. They're just friends. They're just friends. They're just friends….
"What's up, dude?" Dean says in greeting Seth. "A late start huh?"
Tired brown eyes hidden behind shades. A baseball cap askew over messy majority brown hair pulled into a ponytail. Slightly rumpled band t-shirt and skinny jeans that are probably painted on as far as Dean knows.
"Bro, you have no idea." Seth says in an exhausted sigh.
"If it has anything to do with the chick I saw you with, I probably do, you fucker!" is Dean's actual thought. What he actually says out loud is, "Rough night?"
"Take a walk with me. Don't want all these ears around."
The men start walking down a hallway, away from the gathering area they were in.
"My ex found me last night." Seth finally says when he felt like there was enough distance.
Cerulean eyes bug out somewhat at the news. "What?"
"Yeah." Seth chuckles a bit. "I don't know how, but she found me. "
In Dean's head, he is doing cartwheels of joy. Rome's not too late! Again his outside appearance is that of a supportive friend. "Damn, man. Stalker much?"
The Champion gives a little shrug. "She broke up with me. Tried to humiliate me on social media. And now she's talking about wanting me back? That's bullshit."
Mental Dean is now doing the moonwalk. Real Dean sometimes has problems just regular walking!
"I told her to stay out of my life. I don't need that drama anymore."
"Good call." Dean says with a gentle pat on shoulder.
"As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about just not jumping back into the pool for a while."
The hand on his shoulder freezes. Uh oh.
"I-I wouldn't go that far, Seth."
A chocolate orbed questionable glance. "Really? You saw what she did right?"
Yeah, the whole world saw the chaos, Dean thinks. He also remembers having to talk a drunk and highly pissed off Roman out of not calling said ex and cursing her out. Do you know how hard it is to talk a 6'3", 260lb Samoan brick wall of a dude out of anything?
"I'm just sayin'! No need to close yourself off because of one bad experience."
"You're not saying that because of that secret admirer I have and you won't tell me who it is, are you?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, they totally want you. You and everything that comes with you. Even CrossFit." Dean had to laugh at that part. A couple of times Seth had managed to wrangle him and Roman into a CrossFit workout. Roman only did it to be near Seth. He knows the big man is not a fan of CrossFit.
"Crossfit isn't bad." Seth laughs as he bumps shoulders with Dean, who laughs back. "Are you going to give me any more hints? Throw me a bone here!"
Roman would throw you a bone and everything else, Seth. Trust me. "They're on the main roster. And…we see them all the time." His former Shield partner tells him.
"Again with the vagueness."
"They want you big time. You'll find out soon enough okay?"
No more play time. Dean is on a mission!
Way later…
The good news is that Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns emerged victorious against Luke Harper and Braun Stroman. The bad news is they emerged victorious barely. Even more bad news, Roman is in a bitchy mood and Dean doesn't even know why. He was fine earlier today. Kinda. Sorta. Maybe? If Roman had been any other person, Dean would have been pissed at the amount of times he's been snapped at. Even more upset because every time he would ask what the problem was, the Samoan would mock him about his actions from earlier. I was trying to not hurt your feelings, Ro! What the fuck?! Now I know the truth you can ta-
"Hey!" The smaller man grabs Roman's arm to stop him. He responds by yanking from his grasp then spinning around to face him. Roman's whole body hummed with anger. Annoyance was just written all over his face.
"Would you fucking calm down, Uce?" Dean had to constantly remind himself to not take what Roman's doing personally. "Talk to me."
"No." Roman growls at him. "I need to be by myself tonight. Find somewhere else to bunk."
"What?" Dean sputters out in shock. "Really?"
Roman doesn't answer. He turns and continues to walk off. Dean runs after him and again grabs his arm to stop him.
"I'm guessin' it was me that pissed you off. Whatever I did I'm sorry."
"Why were you in such a hurry to talk to Seth today?"
Oh. Ooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Fuck!
Dean's hand falls away. He could feel his face heating up as he let out a nervous laugh. "I needed to ask Seth something important."
"I hope you weren't talking about me with him."
Not really about you but kind of about you.
"Nope. But guess what? This is the perfect opportunity to talk to him!"
"Jesus Christ, Ambrose! Leave it alone!"
Oh we're using last names now?! "You know what, Reigns. You need to stop being scared and man up about your feelings."
"How about you mind your own fucking business!"
That time, Dean had to really catch himself before he popped off with the first thing that came to mind. Maybe he should stay out of it. It's Ro's business right? Why should he care if he tells Seth how he feels? What kind of friend would he be if he just- Dean takes a deep breath and steps back from his infuriated friend.
"I'm sorry." he whispers. "I was only trying to help."
"…don't."
Right now he's seeing too much red to look at it from Dean's side. Roman decides that it's best to just walk away, and he does just that. Dean doesn't follow, just watches his retreating form. Fuck that was intense, he thinks. At the same time, he can't just let this go. He hopes that what he is about to do will not forever fuck up his brotherhood. Sorry Uce. You need this.
Dean takes out his phone and sends a text message.
Ok big clue. long black hair. Sleeve tat. Hates turtlenecks.
