A/N: I see the massive amount of views, but you know you can still review as a guest, right guys? :) That being said, I appreciate you all for even taking the time to look at this story. It's fun to write about my all-time faves in a love story. :)

Additionally, if you love Sasha Banks, go listen to her podcast with Jericho on Youtube. Because she is one classy mo'fo. God, I wish I had that good of a head on my shoulders at her age.

What was Seth even thinking?

He couldn't. He wouldn't. He shouldn't. Not with AJ, anyways. She was so very damaged and deranged that he should have never even offered to spend time with the veteran diva. He knew, however, there was something about her that he couldn't just ignore; she was struggling to find her footing again in the WWE. And he as struggling as well to move forward. Surely, this would end badly.

But all we are is friends. Just friends.

Yet, here he was, wondering if he should be the first to text her. The little talk that they'd had for the past hour or so was invigorating, and for the first time in a long time he felt that someone in the world understood him. He'd been taking tons of criticism lately for being an "unhappy, not smiling, brute" from fans, especially during signings. But it was so hard to pretend to be happy when inside he was feeling things that he didn't really know how to address. Being with AJ, though, settled those angry claws in the pit of his stomach, easing him and reminding him that he was lucky to be living his dreams. He felt like he was younger again, his reunion with AJ similar to his first time meeting Leighla. At the time, his ex was much different; carefree, loved to experiment with her hair and makeup, and had a passion for odd items. Quickly, all that had changed. She'd started buying expensive, designer handbags that prior to his signing with WWE, she would've never thought twice about. She dropped almost a grand on makeup during one outing. She'd spent a few hundred dollars on one-just one-pair of jeans.

It was disappointing to see the change, and Seth knew that it was a coping mechanism for her. He always had women watching him, oggling him, and literally throwing themselves at him. And no matter how many times he'd told her, she still felt inferior to anyone else. It was damaging, in a way. She'd started to become more and more "fake" and try morphing herself into what she thought he wanted.

And then, there was Zahra...ugh.

Zahra aside, it was nice to talk to AJ tonight. All he had to do was remind himself over and over that this was all that could happen between them. Besides, he had to focus on his career. Being the top heel of the company was an ongoing effort, and he needed to keep at it to prove to the world that he, Seth Rollins, deserved to be at the top of the mountain. Not Kevin Owens, not Dean Ambrose, and certainly not Roman Reigns.

Pulling out his phone, he made a quick slide with his finger, mentally noting that Leighla hadn't bothered to text him back. Not that it mattered; she was bitching him out yet again. She'd told him she moved on, met a nice guy who was making a "real living," which meant he wore a business suit. She mentioned this new guy after she verbally harassed him for a half an hour or so after reading the newest gossip about himself and Zahra, which was all a farce anyways. But she didn't care.

Hovering over his newfound friend's name on his contacts list, he wondered what he should even say. He didn't want to say anything that would make her wonder what he was really interested in.

Thank you for walking with me tonight.

That sounded decent, right?

Waiting for his response, he tossed his clothes on the floor, opting to sleep in just his boxer briefs tonight. He had a single room, Kevin and Antonio choosing to room without him. They said it was because they both had to be at the performance center early in the morning and didn't want to wake him, but Seth knew it was actually because he'd flipped at Kev for barging into his locker room with news of AJ's backstage brawl backstage.

His phone lit up, and he tried to suppress the fact that his heart pounded with excitement. She'd responded immediately.

You're welcome. I really needed to get out with all of that excitement tonight.

He suddenly wished she had never left.

I know this is random. Do you want to watch a movie? Can't relax.

Okay, so much for coming on to her. He regretted pressing 'send.' She probably would be furious, ready to punch him in the gut for suggesting such a thing. But it was true; his mind was anxious now, and he wanted company of a real, actual person. Texting would be nice, but he knew that he'd be up until the wee hours of the morning with her. It'd just be easier to keep talking.

Paige is literally snoring-LOL, you can make fun of her later. The Matrix is on channel 34. Be there in ten. Also, please get popcorn from the vending machine. Room number?

What the...seriously? Seth was thrilled to have her company. No, he was happy to have any company at all. Tossing a pair of basketball shorts on his bed, he pulled the WWE Performance center t-shirt over his bare chest.

What in the holy hell am I thinking?

AJ couldn't believe she just agreed to hang out longer with her sworn enemy. Her mind was busy as always, though, and being with someone might do her some good. At the same time, Rollins had a reputation. And fuck if he seriously thought he was going to get her to do anything with him other than hang out. People whispered about Seth just as much as they did about her. She'd overheard Natalya in the weight room recently telling Summer Rae and Emma that Seth had gone home with a stripper.

And by the way he sounded, he was so mentally destroyed right now, that it was probably a true story. He was a repulsive pig.

Of course, in the back of her mind, she wondered if his intentions were good. Judging by his character and how many parallels between him and her ex-husband existed, however, she was still led to believe that he only wanted to fuck with her head. She was weak right now, and would it really be surprising if he set out for the weakest link in the divas roster just to fall into bed with whoever was willing?

No, it didn't seem like it'd be an impossible thought.

Ready to text him again and apologize for changing her mind, she felt guilty again. He hadn't exactly wronged her. And while he was definitely not a trustworthy person to have a relationship with, she wasn't interested in that at all. She wasn't interested in sleeping with him. She just needed a confidante at this point; because clearly the only person that gave a shit lately was Paige. And while she appreciated her friendship to the highest, AJ knew that she had to give an effort to try and get along with more than just one person.

Instead of wimping out, she left her black hoodie on, scrubbed whatever makeup she'd had left on from the night off her face, tossed her hair in a bun, and slid her rectangular glasses over her tiny button nose.

She wiggled free of her denim shorts, opting for the free promotional DEAN AMBROSE: AMBROSE ASYLUM sweatpants that the merchandise specialists had been handing out to whoever wanted them backstage a few weeks ago.

She wanted to make it very clear to Seth that she wasn't going to be pushing her boobs in his face, she wasn't going to get tangled up in his bedsheets, and she wasn't there to take out built up sexual frustration. Giving herself a once-over, she smirked at her reflection. She looked like a bum.

Paige gave a quiet snore as AJ crept towards the door, so as to not wake her up. Once in the bright hallway, she whipped out her phone, trying to read the text from Seth.

Quietly knocking on the heavy door, it opened slightly, the champion peering out. He stepped aside to let her in, annoyingly obvious as he checked the hallway to make sure nobody was watching her slip into the room. She didn't know why, but AJ couldn't help but feel a little bit insulted by that. Did he really not want anyone to know he was hanging out with a social leper?

The air was stale with silence for a few moments, knowing that they'd just ended their last conversation with a rush of awkward, teenage-like angst. He studied her for a moment, an amused look crossing his face as he noticed her sweatpants.

"First the Chicago Cubs t-shirt, and now these?" he joked. "AJ, you need to go shopping."

For a split second, she felt dumb for wearing such a dressed-down ensemble. Surely, women didn't show up at Seth's room looking homeless. But she wasn't there for any reason other than to hang out with him, so what did it matter? Okay, maybe it looked like she tried too hard to look like she didn't care. But she was guarding her heart, and didn't want him to get any ideas...

"I got the popcorn, I'll throw it in. These microwaves suck ass. But I'm glad you came back," his words kind of smushed together, and she realized he was just as nervous, worried that she'd take this night in with him the wrong way.

Sitting on the edge of his still perfectly made-up bed, she flipped through the channels to find the movie she'd discovered in the TV guide earlier in the evening. The aroma of fresh, buttery popcorn wafted through the room, and Seth sat beside her as finally found what she was looking for. He offered her a handful from the bag, and she grabbed, her hands getting slick with the butter immediately. But she didn't care: it was one of her guilty pleasures.

"I hate this prison. This zoo. This reality, whatever you want to call it. I can't stand it any longer," Seth quoted, just a few moments before the movie's character, Agent Smith, delivered the exact same line. AJ cocked her eyebrow at him, shoving a small piece of popcorn in her mouth.

"I've seen this a few times," he explained, a shrug of his shoulders. Even though he wasn't trying to be awkward, she couldn't help but notice as he cracked his knuckles, his confidence waning just a little.

"Nerd," she breathed, throwing a kernel at him. He looked surprised that she'd done that...almost like he didn't know how to respond to her silly gesture. All she wanted him to do was lighten up a little.

"Hey-not cool," he responded, jabbing her with a finger in the ribs. She giggled, feeling at ease. She liked this playful side to the champ; it was a nice replacement for the normally brooding, angry person he was known to be.

They spoke minimally through the rest of the movie, his robotic demeanor fading as they spent more time talking about the plot. From there, they began to talk about other great movies, television shows, and even a hint of anime. AJ was known for her love of InuYasha, and Seth swore up and down that the greatest adult cartoon was Metalocalypse, which was respectable.

As the infomercial following their movie started, the two ignored the horrifying actor trying to sell some copper bracelet. Instead, they fell in tune with each other's company; allowing their conversations branch out to simple things. Seth was a big music junkie; he'd played her a few songs from Pandora. AJ showed him a few funny videos she'd found on YouTube, a few vines that still, no matter how many times she re-watched them, made her laugh her ass off.

They joked, they debated, laughed, and smiled. It was as if she'd been reuniting with an old friend after many years, which wasn't possible; she'd hardly talked to Rollins prior to this.

"So, why did you come back?" Seth finally asked, the question that was probably rolling through his mind for the entire night. The pair had avoided almost all conversation regarding the WWE and their pasts, choosing to make a brighter night by ignoring the pain that each of them harbored.

She was shocked that he'd brought it up. After the past few hours, she expected him to keep on with the petty teasing and goofy antics. This felt like he was digging too deep. She'd promised herself after she'd left Punk that she would never let anyone get so close to her again. She'd keep building her castle walls higher and higher, so that if any knight in shining armor decided he'd try to climb over, he'd end up falling flat on his face. And even if Seth had no interest in being anything, the conversation still shifted uncomfortably. Why did he have to ruin such a fun night?

She fell backwards on to his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"You already know why," she responded, ignoring him as he fell next to her. She peeked at him from the corner of her eye, expecting him to be wearing that stupid, smug smile. Instead, he appeared annoyed. Maybe he felt bad for probably ruining a great evening.

"I know why you left Brooks, April. I don't know why you chose to come back," he pointed out, not turning to look her in the eye.

She propped herself up on her elbow, now forcing him to look at her. "I still have things that I'd like to accomplish here. You forget, the divas revolution took off right after I left and, I don't mean to be tooting my own horn, it started because I left. I left too early because I wanted to spend more time in the Windy City, so what? I should be forced forever to live in a hole because things didn't work out for me like I'd planned?" She could feel herself getting defensive.

"So you're trying to recapture the divas title?" he asked simply.

She thought about that. "You know, as much as it'd be great to be toting around that stupid little butterfly and remind the world that I'm still here, and I'm still awesome...I don't mind not having it. I really want to help create divas that shape the company, and make them better than it was when I started. You know, with the pretty Kelly Kelly and Eve's of the company? No, I'd like to be the one to push the bad ass women who are actually there to make it better. The Sasha's, the Bayley's..." AJ trailed off, remembering that she was actually going to have to lose to fucking Eva Marie.

"What's wrong?" Seth noted the sudden distance she held in her gaze.

"I gotta start training with Eva Marie in the next few days. What a slap in the face to the women who really are here to swing the bat at full force."

Seth gave her an appalled look. "What? Eva? You?"

A sigh escaping her lips, she launched into the full explanation, giving him solid details from Stephanie McMahon. "And as much as I'm glad you saved my ass with the McMahon family, I still hate the fact that I'm being forced to job to someone who sucks that much." AJ recounted her memory of stepping into the ring to re-train with Cameron, revealing to Seth how inadequate she'd felt already, her ego deflating with each week that passed.

"As much as I love being in-ring partners with Paige to help destroy the Bellas, it's sad, too. We're mid-card divas, which is fine. Let Charlotte sparkle like she should. Bring on Becky Lynch. Sasha is seriously a boss. Yet, because we're considered veterans now, we're supposed to fall back into the abyss? Not to mention, I will never understand why the push for Eva. No matter who explains it to me, I just don't get it."

Seth listened to her intently, trying to decide what he should say in response.

"You know what it is? A lot of it is Eva Marie's publicity. She's on that godawful TV show. She's going with The Rock to movie premieres, publicizing her thoughts about the current divas division, and helping to design hair extensions. She's doing all of this stuff so that people forget how bad she is with her skills in the ring...like a distraction. And you know, Eric Bischoff has said that controversy creates cash. Give Eva Marie a push that nobody wants to see, and they'll all still pay money just to see her fuck up," he pointed out. "I feel that way often about Roman. Sick of seeing him in the main event picture."

AJ rolled her eyes. "Roman is not that bad," she said quietly. "You only think so because people like him better than they like you."

Seth laughed once, and said she was being ignorant. "It's not that they like him better. Yeah, he's a good guy. Faithful family man and that. But would he really be in the title picture if it weren't for his family connections? When you compare Roman's move set to the Usos, or Roman's mic skills to Rocky, I just don't...I don't see that championship material."

AJ supposed his opinion made sense, even though she didn't fully agree with it. "So, did they really not know that you were going to throw them to the wolves, and join the Authority?"

She watched Seth grit his teeth. "They really did not know. It was part of a contractual obligation that I couldn't tell them when I'd break from the group. WWE creative teased our break-up for months, but everyone expected the Lunatic Fringe to be the one to cut the cord. What the problem was, though, was that fans saw me as the weakest link, someone who had a hard time connecting with the fans. And I know that's true. So I needed the change more than either one of those two did."

"They're still upset about it, then?" she questioned, intrigued at the superstar's background. He was talking to her without a filter, not bothering to give stereotypical answers. His thoughts and feelings were real, and it was nice to not have everything sugar-coated. So many people on the roster tip-toed around the truth, making sure that nobody was offended.

Seth sighed. "They're treating me just as the divas division is treating you. I've got a few decent friends, but at the end of the night, I'm still turning in to a room by myself. Throw that in the mix with the bullshit between me and Leighla, and I've got an entire company and fanship that despises me for my choices."

The answers she was getting from him were meaningful and thoughtful; and she was amazed that he was opening up to her in such a way. Maybe it was because it was so very late that he was beginning to give her a clear perspective into his thought process, much like a drunk would.

"Maybe...maybe Leighla will forgive you, if you worked hard enough at it," AJ offered, realizing instantly how stupid she sounded. Though her own circumstances were a little different, she knew there was no way in the world she'd get back together with Phil after he did the unthinkable. Their relationship was ruined; so was Seth's. For almost the same reason.

"You...are being way too optimistic," Seth murmured. "Ape, she doesn't feel that way about me anymore. I promise you that much."

AJ cringed at the nickname he'd used. It was the same that Punk would use often during podcasts and interviews whenever he'd referred to her...back when things were great. Coming from anyone other than him, the "Ape" nickname just sounded insulting.

"Call me April if you must, but I really do prefer AJ," she said, not bothering to mask the annoyance in her voice.

"I'm sorry," Seth murmured, and she watched as his eyes began to close. She wondered if it was about time to head back to her own room as her eyes, too, began to feel the sleep settle in. She shifted, watching him breathe. He was peaceful as she'd ever seen him, a small smile spread on his face.

She looked at his alarm clock...almost three in the morning. Even though she ha literally nothing to do until she had to meet with the NXT trainers in two days, she got the urge to get back to her room before Paige realized that she was gone. If the dark-haired diva figured out who she was hanging out with, she'd either flip out and demand to know every hairy detail of their conversations or remind her that he was the same heartache that she'd left behind in Chicago. A broken heart waiting to happen...

Not that it would ever get that far.

"Don't go," Seth said as she began to get up from the bed. His eyes fluttered open. She hadn't even realized he was still truly awake.

"Paige will worry if I'm not there in the morning," she plead, but the argument sounded weak. As much as she wanted to go, she felt like her feet were made of lead.

Suddenly, Seth's eyes flew open. "Speaking of, didn't you say you have two days off until you've got to let Eva Marie botch an Irish Whip against you at the Performance Center?"

AJ shrugged, trying hard to ignore the impending sleepiness. "Yeah, so what?"

"So, Paige is scheduled to train straight away in the morning. I remember reading the itinerary. After that, she's got time off. So what are you going to do while Paige is off doing whatever she does? Crashing motorcycles and starting bar fights, you know...the good stuff."

"That was mostly scripted," AJ pointed out, recalling the short conversation she'd had with her friend about that. Paige was annoyed that the script writers for Total Divas would even suggest it, but how could she turn down the money? And AJ still felt great knowing she'd never succumbed to such low levels to gain publicity.

"Whatever," Seth was unfazed. "You going to hang out with Nikki, or what?" he teased, his voice still low. He was clearly overtired but enjoying the moment regardless. AJ felt a quick wind of butterflies flapping in her tummy, but quickly felt repulsed by even thinking that.

"I was thinking I'd just head to another hotel or something," she responded. "I don't know."

"I don't have anything going on for the next few days. If you want, we can hang out," he offered, yawning. "As friends," he quickly added, realizing what he'd offered.

"Oh, Seth...maybe...I don't know..."

"Otherwise, like I said...Nikki is your other option."

"Shut up," she snorted, elbowing him as she settled back into the comfort of his bed. Pulling her hood back up over her ears, he put a hand on her hip.

"I could really use a friend," he said, his eyes closing once again. "And I don't think you're in the position to deny one."

She didn't know whether she should be pissed that he'd said that or not, but as she watched his breaths slow, she knew that he'd fallen asleep, and any arguments now would be null and void. Though she hadn't agreed to spend the next few days with this person who, as much as she despised him, helped her to re-emerge from her shell again. She'd never admit it, but with him, she was a real person again. He seemed to value her opinions and what was really going on deep in her mind.

With him, it was different. And even though all they'd ever be is what they were at this precise moment, it was comforting.

With little effort, she fell asleep, Seth's hand still resting on her hip.

AJ awoke the next morning, Seth's arm now draped across her, holding her like...well, whatever.

Her phone was buzzing mercilessly in her sweatshirt pocket, an indication that Paige had already woken up. Repulsed, she through Seth's muscular arm from her body, yanking the vibrating object from the awkward position it was nestled in.

You must be out for a run. I will be catching a flight right after training. Text me, I'll miss you boo!

Oblivious to the fact that AJ had actually spent the night with Rollins, she breathed a sigh of relief. She stretched, getting from the bed she was laying in.

"Don't leave," Seth said quietly, aware that she was waking up.

"I have to run back to my room...you know, I can't wear these sweatpants all day," she responded, pulling the hair tie from the mess on top of her head. Her hair fell in tousled waves, the dark color sharp against her skin.

"That's for sure," Seth chuckled, giving a quick stretch. "We've got two days to pretend we're real, normal people. I don't even have a signing to worry about. I meant what I said before, we should just hang out. I could use it. Cesaro and Kevin have their own obligations, anyways...which leaves me alone." Seth's eyes plead with hers, a warmer side to him shining through. She hated to see that his personality wasn't one-dimensional: it made it harder to despise him.

Leaving his room, she wandered through the empty hallways. How did Seth get away with having a few days off, anyways? It wasn't a surprise that she did; after all, at this point, she was considered a has-been. It lead her to believe he'd actually requested time to spend alone, which was interesting, given that he held the championship belt. Lord knows the strenuous schedule hadn't been so forgiving to her, back in the day.

Fumbling deep into the pockets of her sweats, she found the key card she'd shoved in there late last night. Emerging through the door, she smelled Paige's perfume, but her belongings were already gone.

Quickly, she stuffed her own things back into her bags, carrying a pair of black leggings and a flannel shirt to wear from the chaos inside her largest bag. Shuffling her way to the shower, she saw a scribbled note in what looked like Paige's eyeliner.

The black, fierce-looking words written in Paige's girly cursive read the last thing that she wanted to read.

Hot water not working! Sorry, babe!

Knowing fully well what that meant, she was no annoyed to levels higher than Zeus. Slinging her items over her shoulder, she made the walk back down the hall to Seth's room, warily watching to be sure that nobody would see her re-entering a room that was not hers.

"Back so soon?" Seth teased as he swung open the door, allowing her back in. He was now wearing dark colored jeans and a crisp, white t-shirt. For some reason, the simple outfit looked breathtaking on him...which, of course, she never wanted to admit to.

"Shower at my room wasn't working...is it alright if...?" she already started towards the tiny bathroom, not letting him agree to her borrowing his shower.

"Yeah, you'd better get in there. You sure look rough this morning. Well, I mean, not that you looked great last night," he kept teasing her, and she had to remind herself that he was only trying to piss her off.

She shut herself in the bathroom, starting up the hot water as she peeled her sweats off. Stepping in, she felt instant relief; her muscles relaxed, and it was nice to be alone for a moment, stuck in the humidity and her own head. Letting the water beat against her skin, she wondered why she was even allowing Seth to be a part of her life. She wasn't particularly happy with what her life consisted of, but she wasn't upset over it, either. So where did the Architect really fit in to her life?

The door creaked open, and she jumped. "Seth? Seriously?" she ducked lower behind the iced glass, not wanting him to see parts of her that she'd prefer to keep hidden.

"Knock it off, AJ. I brought you your shampoo. And conditioner. And some soapy shit."

"You went through my things?" she shrieked, peeking around the corner of the shower to see Seth starting to brush his teeth, feigning ignorance to her nakedness just a few feet from him.

He didn't respond, and she huffed. "Can't you do that when I'm not in here?"

Spitting white foam from his mouth, he smiled at his reflection. "I enjoy not having gum disease. And also, you are much more lively when you're uncomfortable. Which, by the way, you shouldn't be. You're pretty much one of the coolest people I've ever met."

Not sure what to say in return, she heard the floor creak and the door shut, the emptiness of the room slightly overwhelming.

On the back of the toilet, she grabbed the hygiene products he'd left for her. On the plush, purple cushion of the toilet, he'd laid out clothes for her. AJ didn't know what to make of this...either he was a real creep, or he was trying to be nice.

All she knew is that the next couple days together might be exactly what she needed.