Author's note: Me: "Beware of some un-Nooneymish-ly bad language. Yeah I mean you Dean" Dean: "I talk how the f-umphmff" Me: *covers his mouth* "Yeah, sorry about that ^^' "
And I'm sorry for the late update, just been... occupied with other stuff (some having to do with Seth's injury...) and some difficulties getting things right. I hope the longer chapter makes up for it... And I apologize for any mistakes...
"Hey, man, wake up."
Dean lazily cracked one eye open. Roman sure could be loud in the mornings. He had had such a nice dream too… He had won rock-scissors-paper against Ziggler and was just about to claim his prize when Roman so rudely interrupted him.
"What…?" he said, his voice hoarse from the sleep.
"We're summoned."
"Didn't do it." Dean just turned over and pulled the covers over his head. Whatever they were summoned for, they got the wrong guy. He hadn't done anything. And he just wanted to sleep; it was way too early for this crap. Was it too much to ask for?
Suddenly the blanket was roughly yanked off him.
"I'm sleepiiing~" he complained, trying to pull the covers back over him but Roman hold on to them tightly.
"You're not. You're talking."
"I'm talking in my sleep."
"Oh, you did, alright. You were talking about 'Sethie' last night."
That got Dean completely awake, and sat up. "As if…!" That was not even funny to joke about, he didn't really talk in his sleep and he would never say that brat's name.
"Okay, so you didn't, but you're definitely not sleeping."
"Screw you. Why do you insist on mentioning him anyway?"
"Because you're getting all worked up when I do and I find that entertaining?"
Dean didn't get all 'worked up' hearing his name. What was Roman talking about?
"I don't care about that kid. Not at all."
"Then why are you still talking about him?"
"You're still talking about him!"
Roman just laughed. "Well, at least you're awake now. As I said, we're summoned and should be at the training grounds at noon."
"Who's summoning?"
"Triple H, I guess."
"Why the training grounds?"
"Ask him yourself. I just know we got a visit from his henchmen-"
"The pipsqueaks?" Dean interrupted as he stretched his popping back, scratching his sides a little afterwards.
"As you refer to them… Anyway, they asked us to be at the training field at noon, meeting with Triple H."
"Why wake me already then?" He looked towards the window, it was still kinda dark.
"Man, we're to be there in 30 minutes…"
Dean gave him an incredulous look. "It's still dark."
"It's cloudy. Get your ass in gear so we can leave."
"What about breakfast?"
"You should have gotten up earlier."
"You should have woken me up earlier."
"You seriously believe I didn't try? I've been trying to get some life in you since 9."
No way Roman had tried earlier. Dean tended to be a light sleeper so he would have noticed if Roman had tried earlier. He was just trying to make himself look better, he was sure of it. "I don't believe you." He threw his legs over the edge to do the effort of getting up.
"Suit yourself." He threw Dean an apple but Dean didn't react fast enough and got it bouncing off his head. The younger of the two made some surprised and hurt sound as he rubbed the area where the fruit had hit. Roman laughed at Dean's pouty face. "Have an apple on the go."
And he left, leaving Dean to his annoyance and equipment gathering. Why did Triple H want to meet them at another place than his office? Had he started to give out missions on the field? That man sure was odd. But maybe that was just office workers for ya…
They arrived at the field where Triple H already was waiting. He was standing by the shade shed with his minions. Was that his body guards of sorts since they always seemed to be following him? Not that they seemed to be able to do anything useful with their size. If they didn't aim for the knees.
"Gentlemen", Triple H said as Dean and Roman approached him. Roman acknowledged him but Dean just finished his apple and offered the core to Trips. The man just raised an eyebrow at it, unappreciative bastard, so Dean just threw it over his shoulder and heard it land in the bushes behind him.
"So… Reigns and Ambrose", Triple H continued. "The two of you could be better."
"That's why you're meeting us at the training field? You're gonna give us some private lessons? Teach us everything you know?" Dean asked mockingly. He wasn't going to bother with that insult in any other way. Triple H was always like that with them. The man was never satisfied, even though he obviously knew The Shield was the best the Guild had to offer.
"I'm glad you find my appearance here amusing. No, I won't give you any lessons. I'm here to tell you that the two of you are not going to be The Shield."
Dean's insides immediately did a back flip. What the fu-? Not going to be The Shield? Triple H was splitting them up? That's the reason they was out here? Dismantling them on even ground? He was not having that!
"You bastard!" he shouted. "How dare you split us up!? We're the best in the Guild for fuck's sake! I'm NOT playing with anyone else! I'm just gonna partner with Roman and if you split us up I'm outta here! I'm leaving the Guild! I'm refusing to work with anyone else! Roman's my bro and he's the only one I trust! You're not doing this, you shithead bastard excuse for a man!"
"You can't be serious, Triple H", Roman said, holding Dean back. "Dean and I are best suitable. You can't seriously consider splitting us up?"
"Let me go! Let me at'im! I'm gonna tear you a new one, you hear me, you son of a bitch! You're not doing this!" Dean reached and clawed after him, even tried to kick him, but Roman kept holding him back. Why wouldn't he just let him at him!? "Let me go, you bastard! I'm gonna-"
"Ambrose, Reigns, you got it all wrong", Triple H quickly said, raising his hands in defence, trying to calm them. Or Dean especially.
"You fucking said we're not gonna be The Shield!" Dean shouted. What was there to have gotten wrong? He fucking said so himself!
"Dean", Triple H said, fixating his eyes on the furious swordsman. "You're not listening. You two aren't going to be The Shield. I'm adding a member."
"I don't care what you say! I'm not fucking doing it! You're not splitting us up! I'm gonna haunt you and-"
"Dean… calm down man, he's not splitting us up", Roman said, firmer than before, trying to get Dean back down from his rage. He pushed him a little further away from the other men, holding his shoulders, keeping his gaze on him.
"But he fu-"
"Listen. He said he's not splitting us up. He said we're not gonna be two. He's adding a member."
Adding a member…? Dean looked stupefied on him. Adding…?
"Hell no…!" He could barely feel the relief of them not being split up. Adding another member? "The Shield's just me and Roman! We're not sharing The Shield!"
"It's not up to you to decide", Triple H said.
Dean hated him so much right now. He breathed heavily through his nose as he was watching the head of the Guild.
"You're lacking something and I just happen to have that something for you", Triple H continued when Dean had cooled down as much as he could in this situation. Which wasn't much.
"No matter what you decide, I'm not dealing with it…!" he said with a low, threatening voice. How the hell could this happen?
"You're going to deal with it", Triple H had the audacity to smirk. Dean never wanted to punch him in the face as much as right now. But Roman's hand on his shoulder kept him somewhat leveled.
Triple H turned towards the shed and held out a hand as if he was trying to wheedle a puppy out. "You can come out now."
Dean almost jumped out of his skin at the sight of the person coming out from behind the shed.
"I presume you already know Seth Rollins?" Triple H said.
Dean 'knew' him alright. And it wasn't a happy sight.
"Seth's out newest recruit and he's going to be part of The Shield."
"No fucking way I'm adding a Rune Bearer…!" Dean burst out.
"You are. It's already decided. And you're going to have some practice right here and now, under my observation."
"I'm not accepting this! I'm not having a MAGE in my party!"
"Accept it, or be disbanded. You're good but you could be great. Young Mr Rollins might just be what the two of you lack. It's up to you. I could always find you a spot with one of the Wyatt Family, if that sounds more appealing to you. I hear they're recruiting."
Dean just gritted his teeth, so hard he thought he'd push them back on their roots. He just wanted to be with Roman. He didn't want anyone else in his family. Roman was his only family. But he didn't want to be in any other partnership either. And knowing Triple H, he would most definitely make that a promise of Dean ending up with a Wyatt.
He glared at the terrified kid. So he had managed that test? Did he really think he'd last? He mentally snorted at his tiny built.
"Why can't you have him on another team?" he asked angrily. "I'm sure Sheamus and Barrett would be very happy with skinny brat like that."
"Compatibility, Mr Ambrose. Compatibility." As if that said it all.
What did that even mean? The only one he had ever had compatibility with, and would ever have compatibility with, was Roman.
"Anyway, here are Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns", Triple H said to properly introduce the kid.
"I knew you'd make it", Roman said, smiling towards the kid. The kid gave a small smile back. How come Roman was so nice at him immediately? He was all buddy-buddy with him. He had been, calmly, pissed but now he was cool with him?
"Thank you", the kid said, shyly. Dude, what's up with that?
"Hey, sure, no problem." They shook paws.
The kid reached out his hand towards Dean. "Um, nice seeing you again", he said. But Dean refused taking his hand.
"The pleasure is all yours", Dean grumbled, making the kid chuckle. It was a nervous one, but still a chuckle.
"So now when presentations are over with, let's get down to business. You need to get to know each other through battle."
"Can I beat him?" Dean quickly asked, pointing his thumb towards the kid.
"No, he's your team mate."
Dean just made some pouting face. The kid gave him a look but he didn't bother to make out the expression.
"Um… I would need a Re-Set", the kid spoke up.
"Again, what do you do with your Magic? You have so little of it?" Dean mocked.
"I had the Trial yesterday, I used the Magic then."
"Waster."
"Wou-"
"Hell no." Dean wouldn't do it again, once was too much already. He walked away from him, just to make that statement clear. He placed himself at a tree, leaning against it with crossed arms.
"No problem", good guy Roman said. "Would want you fit for fight anyway, so go ahead with your Re-Set."
"That's… I can't do it myself…" the kid said shyly. "I have it on my back and… I need someone else to Re-Set it."
"Oh~" Roman said understandingly. "One of my cousin's the same. But I can help, if you want?"
The kid just smiled a little at that. He looked awkwardly around the company of men, seeming to be thinking of something to say, but didn't know how to phrase it. Or did he have performance anxiety? That fancy little shit…
"You're a hugger?" Roman suddenly asked, after having observed the kid.
"Um… well… I mean…" the kid seemed very flustered just as suddenly. He actually blushed, looking stupid.
"It's okay, I just asked because that cousin I mentioned before is a hugger too. She always says it makes her feel better about the Re-Set."
"Yeah… I'm the same…" the kid admitted.
Funny how he was all awkward about it this time around when he had practically assaulted Dean with it last time.
The kid turned his back towards Roman and revealed his Runes to show him which one to Re-Set. They were perfectly normal, not shining or anything. But then again, they weren't in use and probably didn't have much juice in them anyway.
Roman let the kid face him as he embraced the smaller man (man… lanky kid…).
Dean couldn't help but watch the process; how the kid gripped at the back of Roman's clothes, his squeezed shut eyes and tense posture. He was in… pain…? The Re-Set caused him pain? Not that he cared, he was just surprised, is all. He just thought the process was some kind of weird pleasant feeling. He quickly cast away an image of his ecstatic Re-Setting mother from his mind.
But he went through that every time Re-Setting? He had only seen Roman Re-Set himself like once or twice and he only had this look of it like stinging and then it was over with. But he did it himself, was it different from assisted Re-Sets? Why was he even thinking about it? They had themselves to blame for that, if they didn't use the Magic they wouldn't have to feel like so, if it's so bad. Or maybe the kid was just a wimp.
As he put an end to his totally random thoughts, the pair pulled apart.
"Thank you…" the kid said shyly without looking at him and put his hair behind his ear.
"Hey, no problem", Roman smiled and patted his shoulder.
Dean tensed up more and more, looking at them. How the hell dared he adopt that puppy-like kid like that? He was totally taking him under his wings. Hugging him and everything.
Was he really going to ditch Dean? From the moment they had learned that the kid was the new intruder, Roman had totally gone from being on edge and defiant as Dean to accept the brat wholeheartedly. He had welcomed him with open arms. And he had even offered to Re-Set him and shit. Dude… he felt like he didn't know Roman at all even though they had been partners for so long. Was he really so easily replaced? Roman wasn't cool with him anymore? Maybe it really was some bond between those with Runes… and that's why Roman preferred the brat? Fine. If that's how he wanted then he wouldn't be in his way. He'd always been alone anyway, so he'd just continue to be alone.
"Hey, bro? You okay?" Roman interrupted him.
How dared he be all 'bro' with him still? Dean wasn't exclusive anymore, they weren't 'bros'. That was just something Roman easily threw out, obviously to completely anyone, even freaking Rune Bearing brats. Maybe especially Rune Bearing brats.
"Don't let me intrude. Hope you'll be happy with your precious Sethie…!"
With that, Dean put an end to it. Roman could be with that brat all he wanted without Dean. He stomped off, ignoring Roman's calls after him. He had nothing to say to him either way.
He felt abandoned, betrayed… disappointed even. Disappointed with Roman for giving his brotherhoods away so lightly and disappointed with himself for trusting Roman; he should have known he'd be left alone again.
He brought out his sword and swung it at some young trees, completely cutting them off. He grabbed the handle with both of his hands and hacked his way forward, putting every emotion into every swing. He didn't care if he hit trees, bushes or rocks; he just hit anything. Sparks actually flew whenever metal hit that hard material, sending numbing pain through his arms. He welcomed it; that meant he still felt something.
The ruckus scared animals and birds, having them leaving in panic. This led to some monsters approaching. Some jawks; birdlike monsters with shark beaks.
Another welcome.
"Come for me! Come on, you fuckin' bastards!" he yelled, hoping it would attract even more monsters. Give him a reason for his existence.
The jawks launched hungrily at him and he attacked them mercilessly. It wasn't until the forest was tinted in red and jawks parts that he realized the battle was over. He panted and fell to his knees. He looked at his hands. They were covered in mud and blood.
He felt empty… drained… Did he feel better? He didn't know. He was numb.
His sword lay next to him, all busted up. It had lost its edge. Was that from the battle? No… it must have been the rocks.
He felt as blunt as his blade.
He had no idea for how long he'd been sitting there. Could have been minutes… hours… half a day… when he felt something on his shoulder.
He was startled and immediately got to his feet and entered fight mode.
"Dude, it's me, take it easy, man." It was Roman.
Dean felt neutral seeing him. Or he didn't know what he felt.
"I tried calling out for you, but you didn't react", Roman continued.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you baby sit the princess?" Dean muttered, very annoyed.
"You took off so I had to look for you. You're able to handle yourself, yes, but because of the state you left in, I feared you might have done something stupid." He paused and looked around the jawks slaughter. "Wanna talk about it?"
"As if you care."
"I always care about you, you're my brother."
"That's just something you say and give lightly…"
"What are you…?" Then it seemed to have gotten through that thick head of his. "Seth."
Dean was triggered just by hearing his name. He tensed up visibly and felt the anger starting to boil again. "Why are you so nice to him!? We're The Shield and you just welcome him!? He's an intruder, how can you welcome him with open arms!? He's just some stupid fucking Rune Bearer with some fancy Wind Magic! But that's it, isn't it? He's a Rune Bearer just like you, so off course you're gonna go with him!"
"Dean, what are you talking about? I thought we had this conversation and you were cool with that. We're bros, man."
"Don't call me that…!" Dean spat. That word sounded like a curse now.
"Dean… I'm not leaving you."
"But you-"
"Let me finish, okay? Just hear me out."
Dean didn't want to; he already knew what this was all about. He stood up, only to be pushed back down. "Let go of me…" he growled.
"You will listen, Dean Ambrose", Roman said with a firm and serious voice. Dean knew it was very serious when he used his full name. He settled down at least, but he was still glaring.
"Dean… I think you have misunderstood things, just seeing stuff and filling the gaps with things from your own head. Yes, we are The Shield and I was as upset as you when Triple H dropped the bomb. But it's his call and now he wanna add Seth to us. Isn't it better than disbanding us? They could have given us someone worse. We've seen Seth in action and he is a Healer. A support, and that's always a plus."
"What did you say to Triple H anyway?" Dean suddenly accused him, having gotten a very sudden, very gut freezing thought. "You wanted him right after we met him, you convinced Triple H to put him on our team!" He hadn't thought of it before, but it made sense. How could he betray him like that?
"I never told him anything like that. Where did you get that silly idea from? When I visited Triple H, he gave me our mission and then I mentioned a kid we met on our way back home; a young mage with Healing abilities that got in trouble and had to resort to his unapproved Magic. That's more or less it. Triple H didn't seem interested anyway. He didn't even ask for his name and I didn't give him that either. I didn't think anything would happen. So no, I didn't suggest that we'd be the ones having Seth. Triple H did this all by himself."
Dean wasn't convinced but he didn't argue.
"Seth's our new team member and he's a good kid. Of course I'm gonna take him in. Wouldn't you want to be met by someone friendly if you were added to a new group? No, don't comment that; you're a lone wolf", Roman gave him a smile, trying to lighten the mood, but Dean wasn't fooled by that.
"What I wanna say is… I'm not replacing you. Yes, I'm friendly to Seth because he's new and I want this to work because I believe Seth can be a great asset to us; using his Healing abilities. I don't want anyone else having him. I'm firm on that, we're lucky to have the opportunity of having a Healer.
Again, we're bros, Dean, and Seth's not changing that. Okay, I'm nice to him but you are my brother. I'm not gonna let go of you, ya hear that? I won't change my opinion of you in a flip of a hand. How long have he known each other? You seriously think I'm gonna let that balance out a couple of days knowing Seth?"
How would Dean know that? Roman was just so unnecessarily friendly. To answer him, he just shrugged.
"I think you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous…!" Dean snapped. As if he'd be jealous of them, of any of them…
"Then what is it?"
Should he say something…? Roman probably would bug him forever anyway…
"You're too goody-goody with him, okay?" he admitted, mumbling.
"What can I say, I am goody-goody and he's a good kid. Just have to be good with him, can't help it. It has nothing to do with him being a mage or Rune Bearer or anything like that. I'm being friendly to Seth."
Dean reluctantly got reminded of his own thoughts about the Re-Set he'd done to the kid before; he'd hugged the kid, not the mage…
"Triple H is our boss and we just have to do what's best. And right now I think it's best just getting along with Seth. He's not bad and we could have been stuck with a cousin from the Wyatt family. So… maybe you can't quite get along with him, at least don't scare him off, okay?"
As if Dean could promise that.
"And your accusations about me being friendly and give 'brotherhoods' away. Can't say I have adopted Seth just by being friendly but… I come from a big family, both related by blood and extended by choice. Guess I just have a big heart letting everyone in. Maybe that's bad, being too trusty. But that doesn't mean I haven't room for you, okay?"
Roman was too trusty, letting more or less anyone in, but that was Roman.
"We're cool?"
Dean didn't know. He didn't know how he felt, he was still scared of being abandoned, but Roman was still here, looking out for him… He ditched the kid to come find him. His actions spoke louder than words…
Maybe he could get that Roman was nice to a newcomer… he had been the same to him in the beginning, even if that really annoyed Dean. But it was still Roman and if he wasn't goody-goody and trusting and just generally Mr Nice Guy… He wouldn't want him to be any other way.
Okay, that's just emotional shit…
"You're stupid…" he said.
Roman just smiled and offered his fist. Dean decided to bump it.
They returned to the training grounds together. The place was empty with no one to be seen. Not that he was surprised; on the way back, Roman had informed him that Triple H had left for the time of the kid's Recovery. He would probably be back, but Dean was just happy he didn't have to see that smug face. That bastard was always like that; all arrogant and… bastardy.
Dean headed for the shed to wait for Mr Bastard's return. Upon entering, he collided with someone leaving. Because Dean was in the middle of a step and the other one in a rush, Dean was the one losing his feet. He fell backwards to the ground having the other stumbling and falling too. On top of him. For a moment he lost his wind and when he managed to focus, he met big dark brown eyes. With long eye lashes for a dude. They enhanced his eyes though. And they kinda… sparkled. He found himself lost in them before the kid was the one to first come to his senses and tried to get up.
"Sorry, I'm sorry…!" he said quickly as he fumbled to get up from Dean. "I didn't mean to- I'll just- I-" He didn't get to what he wanted to say as he got up. "Here." He offered his hand but Dean didn't need it.
Seriously… that kid sure made it a habit of running into him. He became even more certain he did it on purpose…
As he rearranged himself to get back on his own feet, he felt a painful sting in his right arm.
"My goodness, you're hurt…!" the kid exclaimed. "Did I cause that? Here, I'll Heal you." He quickly grabbed the half getting-up Dean by his wrist and dragged him towards the shed.
"Whoa, hey…!" Dean protested.
"I don't care what you say, I'm your team mate and I won't let you train hurt, alright?" There was a different kid there, not like the nervous one they had been introduced to, or the flustered one that always fell on him. This kid was more like the one he had seen during the Trial.
He was sat down and the kid stood before him, examining him more thoroughly.
"I don't need-"
"You do need. Look, you're all busted up", the kid interrupted him.
Dean looked at where the kid meant. Crap. No wonder he felt that painful sting. He had a serious wound on his forearm, it had covered all of his arm coverings with blood and a, even for him, nasty gash was shown where his light armour were ripped. It was full of dirt and seeing it triggered a solid throbbing, making him really feel the pain. And it was already infected, his skin coloured an angry red.
"Can't have you lose an arm…" the kid said and knelt before him, hovering his hands over the wound and let the light surround his arm. The wound visibly started to heal and close up. It tickled and strained but the bodily pain was a worse sensation.
While Healing, the kid looked up at Dean. "I'm glad Roman found you." He didn't seem to expect a reply as he just continued with what he was doing. What was it to him anyway?
The wound was soon closed and the kid released the spell. He smiled faintly. But Dean didn't return it; it was kinda below his dignity. Even though he tried to push it aside, he couldn't help feeling a little… grateful for the help. That wound had been really nasty and would have been forced to regular treatment and changed bandages daily for at least a week. And the kid had treated him in minutes. With no additional pain.
The kid Healed up some of the other scratches as they waited for Triple H to return. Dean was still silently fascinated by that light around him and the kid's hands over his wounds. To see him using his Magic to help others… to help him.
"Don't expect me to thank you", he quickly said, looking away from what the kid was doing.
"I don't. And I don't do it for you to thank me. I'm a Healer, this is what I do." Another small smile.
He noticed the kid's smiles were different from Roman's. His weren't as sneaky or had some undertones. He just smiled. And he had a small gap between his front teeth.
"Heh…" Dean just made a sound at that.
"Hey… Dean…?" the kid said in a very serious tone. "I'm sorry to intrude… I don't mean to come between you and Roman…"
Dude, where did that come from? The kid was obviously smarter then he had given him cred for.
"I know you don't like change…. and that I am that change… but… I'm happy to be on your team, to be able to be support to the only Hunters I know, and two great warriors at that." He silently focused on what he was doing for a while, before speaking up again. "I don't want to cause any trouble…" he said as he finished up the last scratch. "There, good as new", he changed the subject with a smile. He tucked his blonde side behind his ear and stood up.
Dean looked up at him, or glanced without turning his head. He still didn't like him, but he guessed he appreciated what he had just said. Kinda. Maybe. He still didn't like him. Nope.
Looking at him, he couldn't be angry with him. He wanted to be mad at him because he was an intruder but that emotion just wasn't there, looking at him. Had he emptied all emotions back then? Couldn't he at least feel some annoyance towards him? He still looked at him, seeing his big brown eyes… doe eyes… His eyes had an occasional un-synced blinking, like, one eye wouldn't blink completely or just halfway or one eye just was lazier than the other. He wasn't sure which, but it still sometimes was un-synced. He had quite the nose… and that gap between his teeth… Being dark haired, his stubble was quite distinct as well. Why was he even analyzing his face? He had quite the flaws anyway, though being the pretty boy type he was. The perfect face…
Gah, seriously! Why'd he do that? There. Finally some annoyance. Thank you! The kid looked stupid, so why did he keep on looking at him?
He finally forced himself to look away from him, focusing on removing his bandage-like bands around his arm. It was all messed up anyway and he'd need some new bands. He inspected the arm where the wound has been and lightly touched the area. It was normal, no scaring or anything. No sensation whatsoever.
"You okay?" The kid must have seen his inspection.
"Yeah, whatever", he just replied.
"Just figured, because you touched where your wound had been."
"At least you left me with my arm intact…"
"You think I would have severed your arm or something?" The kid made a small chuckle at his question.
"I dunno, you're the freakin' mage…" Dean mumbled.
The smile faded. Dean just figured it served him right to realize that.
"I wouldn't do that. I want to help people, not hurt them."
"You're still able to attack", Dean said, not even realizing he said it.
"I would never attack you, my Magic is for self defence, or defending someone I care about… even if that means I have to attack. But you're the same, you attack to defend others."
"That's…" Dean gave it a reluctant thought. He realized he had used offence to defend Roman occasionally. But he attacked to attack too, and most often. "That's not the same", he just said. Couldn't have the kid have right.
"Maybe", the kid said, with a small smile again as he looked at Dean.
Dean suddenly felt awkward having those doe eyes on him. He looked away and sneaked a glance at the kid again, who just averted his own gaze, tucking his hair behind his ear, even though he still had his hair there.
Their awkward moment was interrupted by Roman who alerted them that Triple H was coming back together with his minions. He even had a couple of Hunters with him; Cena and Swagger. Roman just had nodded towards the trees and Dean could see the men approaching through the woods.
Dean remained seated but the kid tensed up some it seemed. It was just training, nothing fancy at all. And Cena and Swagger were kinda basic opponents too.
"I see you found Ambrose again", Triple H said when they all were gathered. Whose fault was it he left, huh?
"Yeah, he just needed to let off some steam", Roman said, putting a reassuring hand on Dean's shoulder.
"Hope you still got some left in you though", their leader said with a smirk.
"I'll beat that smirk off your face in a heartbeat", Dean growled. That audacity… dropping that freaking bomb and now this. Did he have a death wish or something?
"Save that for you training, Ambrose, you might need it."
Triple H really did everything to push Dean's every button today. He was just about to get up on his feet and at least invade Triple H's privacy by giving him some well chosen words to his ugly mug, when he felt a hand on his forearm. He just was about to swat if away, thinking it was Roman when he actually looked and saw it was the kid's hand. That made him stop and for some reason feeling the kid's hand was warm. For a split second the sensation made his insides jolt, so he instinctively recoiled his arm. The kid did the same as a counter reaction to Dean's sudden movement. What was that…? He was more confused by the kid's reaction than annoyed with Triple H at the moment.
The kid just looked at him, having that very hard to read expression. Dean avoided him.
"Anyway, I brought Cena and Swagger as your play mates", Triple H continued.
Dean decided not to comment on that.
"Hello, I'm John Cena", Cena said and reached out his hand towards the kid.
"Hi, I'm Seth Rollins", the kid said, taking his hand, shaking paws.
"Jack Swagger", the other one said, mimicking his team mate.
The kid repeated his greeting. Polite little shit too.
"It's a pleasure meeting a Healer and having one in our ranks", Cena said.
"Thank you, it's an honour being in the Guild", the kid said, actually bowing.
"Hey, we're all Hunters here, no need for bowing."
"Oh okay", the kid said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
"That's enough chit chat, proceed with your sparring", Triple H said. The men just acknowledged his words by one-syllables, a nod, a mix of it, or doing an Ambrose and just rolling his eyes.
The teams went against each others, fists meeting fists and weapon meeting weapon. Both Cena and Swagger were sword fighters; Cena using a normal broadsword and Swagger using a shorter sword and a protected himself with a shield.
Dean occasionally battled Swagger, grinning at him. His spirits had risen with the fighting. Even if it was just training, a fight always had that effect on him.
"What's so funny?" Swagger asked.
"Oh, nothing, just that… are you sure you wanna fight?" He mocked, pushing against his deflecting stance. "Don't wanna mess up your hair."
Swagger was known for his perfectly slicked back hair. He just grinned at him, pushing back Dean. "Don't you worry about my hair." And just to prove a point, he dragged his fingers, flattening out his hair.
"Narcissist."
"I'm impressed, didn't know you knew such fancy words."
Dean just gave him another challenging grin as they clashed weapons again.
Cena and Swagger soon joined forces and charged The Shield. Dean was just about to take them both on when a gust of wind sent his opponents backwards, making them fall on their backs. Dean wondered what that was good for; he had them in his aim, both of them. Now they would regroup, and they did. Cena had gotten to his feet and brought out another weapon in his arsenal; a slingshot, but it was more like an open pouch with a string attached and if you swung it and suddenly snapped, you could send a projectile flying. And Cena had mastered that weapon. He even had two of them now. It happened in seconds and before Dean managed to react, two stone projectiles were heading his way. Dean raised his sword to use the broad side to deflect them but they never hit. They just bounced off an invisible wall. Behind him, the kid stood with his hands raised.
Dean ignored him and attacked the momentarily stunned Cena. Seems like he wasn't prepared for his stones to go skipping off the air like that. Cena quickly regained his senses though to parry Dean before retreating again for the moment.
Roman handled Swagger, before he too retreated, joining his team mate.
Dean joined Roman and just observed the situation. Cena and Swagger exchanged some words before they come charging again.
Dean smirked. They were so straightforward. Swagger charged first this time, using his shield to break through The Shield. Dean faced him, duelling with him. Roman awaited his opponent and was soon faced by him, only to be knocked down by a sudden aerial attack and passed. Cena made sure Roman stayed down and focused his attack on the kid.
Dean was occupied by Swagger but could see the kid avoiding Cena's strikes, trying to get some distance, forcing his wind between them. Cena grabbed after the kid, but Roman had gotten to his feet again, and tripped Cena using his spear.
"You okay?" he quickly asked the kid.
"Don't worry about me", the kid said, being the stoic little shit he was, and made some gestures towards Dean. What was the bastard thinking? Sending some Magic at him? He was just about to rage at him when he noticed a grunt from his opponent. Swagger's hit was deflected by some spinning wind blades.
"I don't need you help!" he shouted instead and focused on his one on one with Swagger again.
Swagger kept on attacking him but Dean easily read his intentions, knocking him to his knees and kicked him over flat on his back. He stood over him, pointing the tip of his blade at his throat.
He grinned triumphantly.
Swagger made a last attempt with his sword but it was suddenly dropped as if he had been sliced by something.
Dean knew this by now. And it angered him. He turned towards the brat. Sure enough, he had his hands in his direction.
"What's so hard to understand!? I said I didn't want your help!" he shouted.
"Then what should I do, huh?" the brat shouted back, showing more back bone than ever. "I have a support role and with only two opponents all I can do is support you, alright!? I saved your ass, I don't expect you to thank me, but you don't have to be an ass about it!"
Dean stepped away from Swagger. "I'll be an ass as much as I want!" he said and stepped closer to the brat. "I don't want you or your kind on my team!"
"I'm not some kind! I haven't done anything to you! I've only supported you! So why do you keep being like this towards me!?"
"All freaking mages are like that!"
"What the hell do you mean 'like that'? And I'm not just some freaking mage! All I've done is protecting you, God knows why I do that for an ass like you, but I just do, because that's just the kind of mage I am!"
"I don't fucking care! I hate ALL mages! They hurt people and just do everything for their own gain!"
The brat's expression changed, but Dean was too furious to make out the kind. "How the hell can you say that!? You don't know all mages! You can't just go implying shit like that! How can you honestly say mages are like that!?"
"Because of my mom, alright!?" Shit…! He really didn't mean to spill that aloud. But seeing the brat in action, so close. It just triggered some well hidden painful memories that he quickly tried to stash back down again.
The brat's expression suddenly changed again, just looking at him now. He knew that look.
"Save your pity…" Dean just said and sheathed his sword and left the training grounds once again.
Author's note: emotional roller coaster... poor Dean...
I won't make any promises about the next chapter. Just that I'll have it up as soon as I can.
Thank you~