Seth withdrew from Roman and Dean as much as he could the next month. It wasn't easy when they were still together as The Shield but he stopped traveling and sharing hotel rooms with them.
Roman and Dean tried to keep the talk about Roman and Nyx's relationship down whenever Seth was near but Seth often overheard their conversations when they hadn't noticed him. Roman was happy with her. He was planning a future with her. He was gonna give her everything Seth never would. And somewhere deep inside that hurt.
"Hey, the princess summoned us," Dean said.
"Stephanie?" Roman asked. "What does she want?"
"I don't know but her text says to come right away," Dean answered.
Since they were already at the arena, they walked straight to the office that had been set up. Surprisingly they found Seth already in there waiting along with Stephanie. Two empty chairs stood next to Seth and they sat down on them.
"What's this about?" Dean asked their boss.
"Seth has voiced some concern between the three of you," she answered.
"Concern?" Roman shook his head. "Really, Seth?"
"I just don't think we're on the same page anymore," Seth crossed his arms.
"No shit?" Roman said.
"Will someone tell me what this is all about?" Stephanie asked.
"Seth has a problem with my new girlfriend," Roman answered.
"She was mine first!" Seth hissed.
"No, she was never yours!" Roman was starting to feel angry. "You fucking used her and treated her like shit for years. She's moved on, Seth. Fucking move on too."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Stephanie raised her voice. "A woman? You're letting a woman split you apart?"
She stared between Roman and Seth. Dean stayed out of it. He was just an unlucky part in all this mess.
"I'm done, Stephanie," Seth said. "Fucking turn me on them again and let me run solo."
"No, you don't get to choose," she reproved him. "We're turning them on you. Next Monday. Tonight you're gonna go out there and pretend to still be a strong trio."
"But..." Seth started.
"But nothing!" She cut him off. "You wanted this, now you're gonna get it my way. You're taking a step down the ladder and you only got yourself to thank for that."
Seth stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him like an immature child. Stephanie sighed and looked at Roman and Dean.
"I know this is not on you," she said.
"Don't worry about it," Roman said.
"After splitting you up, we're gonna have you two going for the tag team titles. Are you cool with that?" She asked.
"Tagging with my brother here?" Dean tapped Roman's chest. "Hell yeah, I'm cool with that."
"What about Seth?" Roman asked.
"He needs to learn he can't act like that and demand things out of jealousy. For the rest of the year he'll be pushed down to jobber status until he's learned to be a bit more humble," she answered. "You two don't need to worry your head about that. After turning on him next week, you're done with him."
The two men left Stephanie's office and found a quiet corner of the arena.
"How are you feeling?" Dean asked.
"To be honest, relief," Roman answered. "And I can't wait to be done with tonight's show and fly out to see her."
"You really like her," Dean pointed out.
"I love her," Roman said. "I know this is not ideal but nothing in this world ever goes as we plan. And Seth never cared about her. He's just mad that he doesn't get his way anymore."
"I think in his own twisted way he might have some sort of feelings for her. Not love but something. Something he'll never admit to," Dean said.
That night Roman was met by the brightest smile as he got off the plane. He scooped her up in his arms, kissing the life out of her and not caring if a late night fan snapped a photo of them.
"I love you," he said between kisses.
"Roman," she blushed.
"I mean it. I love you," he said.
"I love you too," she smiled even wider than minutes before.
He put her back down and took her hand.
"Can I fly you out for RAW next week?" He asked.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"You'll see," he smiled secretive. "If you'll come."
"Getting to see my man beat up people live. How can I say no to that?" She giggled.