The drive back to the hotel was quiet.
Too quiet.
Dean was driving, deeming Roman unfit to after his grueling match with Braun Strowman and Samoa Joe. Roman hadn't been successful in his attempt to bag a championship match at SummerSlam, and he hadn't said a word to anyone since the match ended.
Enzo knew he was upset, but didn't realize just how upset he was until they were in the car and Dean ran 3 consecutive red lights without so much as a scold from Roman.
Dean himself hadn't said much either since after his match and his confrontation with Rollins. Enzo hadn't even found him in the arena until it was time to leave, and even then Dean had barely even looked at him. This Rollins thing must've been affecting him a lot more than he was letting on.
Enzo sat in the backseat looking from Dean to Roman and back to Dean as they stared straight ahead at the road.
He cleared his throat, needing this silence to stop, "Sorry you lost your match, Roman."
"I didn't lose," he said immedietly.
Enzo frowned, "But-"
"I wasn't pinned and I didn't tap out, therefore I did not lose. Strowman pinned Joe while I was buried underneath the barricades. So I did not lose."
Enzo nodded, pulling his lips into his mouth.
The silence was back with a vengeance. Dean turned the wheel fast, all but sending Enzo flying to the other side of the car.
"Seat belt," Roman muttered dryly. He didn't even yell at Dean to be careful.
He always yelled at Dean to be careful.
Enzo put his seat belt on and cleared his throat, "Dean," he said quietly, "Sorry about the thing with Rollins."
"I don't care about Rollins." Dean said with a deadpan expression, "He can go to hell for all I care."
Enzo pursed his lips, nodding, "Okay. cool."
He hadn't felt awkwrdness like this in a long time. Well, they hadn't had such a bad night at RAW in a while, so it kinda made sense.
Enzo himself hadn't been so unlucky. He had gone out to the ring to address Big Cass about their SummerSlam match. He would have called Cass out too, but apparently the man wasn't going to be on RAW until the PPV, due to his mysterious face injury.
It seemed that the WWE Universe was completely on Enzo's side for SummerSlam, and it made him a lot more confident about the match.
With that, and the fact that he had cleared things up with Corey, the night hadn't been as awful as Enzo had expected it to be.
As for Dean and Roman...well, this night must've really gotten to these two.
They looked pretty shitty.
Unbeknownst to Enzo, Seth Rollins had nothing to do with Dean's mood. And Roman's anger had very little to do with Roman's clenched fists.
No, all that was owed to the discovery of Enzo's secret boyfriend.
After Roman had limped back to the dressing Room, he had found that Dean had cleared the room of all the other superstars with his growling and punching and pacing.
Before Roman had even opened his mouth to rant about his... not win, Dean had turned to him with fire in his eyes.
"It's Graves." he had said.
Two words. That was all. It took Roman two seconds to realize what he was saying, and all of a sudden Braun Strowman and Samoa Joe took a backseat in his mind.
"It's Graves?" he had growled.
"It's Graves!" Dean had hissed.
Those were the last words they had said to another. The locker room door had opened, and Superstars started pouring in to get their stuff, so they couldn't discuss it further.
And now here they were, in the car with Enzo, who was oblivious to the storm going on in their heads.
Enzo sighed softly when they finally got to the hotel,, and the two stormed out of the car. Roman didn't even yell at Dean for using two parking spaces.
There were still no words as they walked to their room, just each man silently stewing in his anger, and Enzo trailing behind them trying to figure out how to lift their awful mood.
He couldn't count how many times he had been feeling like crap and Dean and Roman had made him feel better. It was about time he returned the favor.
Enzo pulled out his phone and looked for the contact and send the text.
E: Can I use your kitchen?
The reply came only a few seconds later.
C: My kitchen?
E: Yeah. No kitchen in the hotel room.
C: Why do you need a kitchen?
E: I need to cook.
E: I'll be quick, I just really need a kitchen.
On the other side of the town, Corey frowned at his phone. He had to admit that this conversation was confusing him. And curiosity alone is what made him send the next message.
C: Fine.
Enzo smiled at his phone when the last message came.
"So what are you guys thinking for dinner?" he asked as he pocketed the phone.
"I'm not hungry," said Dean as he jammed the room key into the slot.
"Of course you are," Enzo scoffed.
"There's only so much Taco Bell a person can eat," said Roman.
Enzo raised his eyebrows. Roman was tired of Taco Bell? Okay, this was serious.
"I'll bring back something good, okay?" he promised, "Don't go to sleep till I get back."
He turned and all but ran down the hallway back to the elevators. Dean and Roman looked after him until he disappeared around a corner.
Roman took a deep breath, "Well by now we know what 'getting food' means." he said though gritted teeth.
"It means fucking Graves," Dean spat, throwing the door open and storming into the room.
:::
When Enzo got to Corey's house, the door was unlocked, so he went in and headed straight for the kitchen. Immediately he started ransacking the cupboards to see what he had to work with. He was checking out the fridge when he heard a yell behind him.
"Amore! What the hell are you doing?"
"Oh hey, there you are," Enzo grinned, "Do you have any cheese?"
Corey blinked, "Dude, you ever heard of knocking?"
"Well... the door was unlocked. And you knew I was coming already."
"That doesn't mean you can just barge into a man's house unannounced." he huffed, tightening his robe angrily.
Enzo grinned, "You're naked under there, ain't you."
Corey just glared at him and Enzo sighed, "Alright, alright, I won't go there. Now, cheese?"
Corey huffed again, and went to the fridge and pulled out the lower drawer to reveal a huge block of Cheddar Cheese.
"Perfect." Enzo grinned.
Corey just looked at him strangely, "Are you gonna explain why the hell you're making a mess of my kitchen at midnight?"
"I'm cooking, obviously," Enzo said, still looking through cupboards, "it was a bad night for Dean and Roman, and they like my cooking so that might make them feel better. Plus they like to eat, and eating always makes people happy, right, so i'm gonna make something real nice for them. Plus, I ain't cooked for them in a while, so I thought I'd just..." Enzo trailed off when he saw the look on Corey's face. He sighed, "Yeah, pathetic, I know."
Corey sat down on one of the island chairs, "I didn't say anything,"
"You were thinking it,"
Corey shrugged, "Well, obviously."
Enzo rolled his eyes and snorted, "Well if it makes me sound any less idiotic, I'm also cooking for me. It calms me down when I'm stressed."
"Why are you stressed?" Corey regretted the question almost as soon as he'd said it, because Enzo would take it as an invitation to talk a whole lot. And sure enough, Enzo turned away from the cupboards and regarded Corey with a sigh.
"SummerSlam." he said, "I'm seriously having second thoughts about this match, man. I don't think I should do it. Do you think it'd be too late for Kurt to cancel it?"
"Well look at that, you're actually thinking smart," Corey snorted, "Of course this match isn't a good idea. The last one was already a complete disaster for you."
Enzo snorted, "Oh no, this ain't about me. I'm not worried, I can take Cass no problem. It's Roman I'm worried about."
Corey blinked, and then frowned, "I'm sorry, what?"
"Well," sighed Enzo, "Don't tell him I told you this, alright? But Roman's scared of heights. Like... terrified. And I don't know how he'll make it twenty feet above the ring for so damn long. Cause trust me, that ain't gonna be a short match."
Corey frowned, putting his elbows on the table in front of him, "Hang on, Reigns is afraid of heights?"
Enzo nodded, "Don't tell him I told you."
Corey brushed off the comment, "That... that's what you're worried about?"
"Well, yeah."
"You..." Corey blinked, "You're having a street fight with Cass and you're worried about fucking Reigns?"
Enzo blinked, thinking, "Am... am I being pathetic right now?"
"So damn pathetic," Corey shook his head. "But if you're so damn scared for your precious Reigns, why would you set yourself up for this match?"
"I didn't," Enzo shrugged, "Cass is the one who wanted the match and wanted Dean and Roman up there."
"Why?" Corey couldn't help but ask.
Enzo shrugged again, "I don't know. Can't ask him either, he's not gonna be at work because of his face injury."
"Face injury?" blinked Corey.
"You didn't see him?" Enzo raised his eyebrows, "His face is pretty smashed up, like someone beat him up really bad. Like... really bad. I have no idea who the hell it was though."
It took only a few moments for the information to go through Corey's head, and for him to put the very obvious pieces together. The pieces that Enzo still seemed completely oblivious about. He just kept working on his special meal while Corey looked at him incredulously.
"So... let me get this straight." he said slowly.
"Yeah?" Enzo answered without looking back at him.
"Someone smashed in Cassady's face... And then Cass just so happens to request an impossible match for you... where Dean and Roman can't get to you to help."
"Yeah, basically," nodded Enzo as he started chopping up some onions.
"And... you don't know who did that to his face."
Enzo shook his head.
"Not even... an idea." Cory tried again.
Enzo just shook his head with a sigh, "No clue, man."
Corey blinked at him, "dude... are you dumb?"
Enzo looked up, confused, "Huh?"
Corey sighed softly. That was answer enough, "Never mind. Just... carry on."
Enzo carried on with his chopping, oblivious to the fact that Corey was staring at him with narrowed eyes. Did he honestly not know? Anyone with half a brain should have been able to see that the reason for Cass's mysterious face injury was obviously Ambrose or Reigns. Thinking about it, it was probably Reigns.
Corey's hand subconciously went to his neck.
"Man, you're lucky I'm the one who found out and not Roman. You wouldn't have gotten off so easy."
Oh yeah, definitley Reigns.
Corey wondered if he should tell Enzo about the fact that Dean had almost choked him unconscious. Or if he should tell him that Roman was the one who'd battered Cass's face. But looking at the oblivious man now made him rethink it. Maybe it'd be better for him to figure it out on his own.
It was a nagging thought though, that Dean and Roman tended to physically hurt people.
People who hurt Enzo.
It was... interesting.
Corey had made Enzo feel like crap yesterday, and that had earned him hands around his throat. He didn't know what Cass had done, but it must've been pretty bad to get his face bashed in.
Maybe Corey really was lucky that Dean had been the one to find out about him. But then again, he'd probably already told Roman by now, so...
Corey narrowed his eyes, "You said you're doing all this because Dean and Roman are pissed?"
"Yeah," nodded Enzo, "Cause of their bad night."
Corey tilted his head, "You sure that's why they're mad?"
Enzo scoffed, "Of course. Why else would they be?"
:::
Back at the hotel, Dean kicked the edge of the sofa, and then cursed at the throbbing in his toe.
"Could you stop kicking stuff?" Roman sighed.
"Can't," said Dean, "I'm trying to pretend it's Graves."
"Are you sure it's Graves?" he asked for the hundredth time, "I mean, how sure are you? Maybe you got it wrong."
"I'm pretty fucking sure," Dean spat.
"It can't be Graves!" Roman threw his hands up, "He's hated Enzo since he got to RAW! He never has a good thing to say about him! I mean, for god's sake he's-"
"I'm sure!' snapped Dean, "I... I talked to him, so I'm sure."
"Well what did he say?"
Dean finally stopped his pacing and clenched his fists in front of him as he looked down at Roman, "I don't know, Ro. I was trying real damn hard not to choke him to death."
"Then how are you sure!"
"I'm the one fucking Enzo!" Dean yelled, "That's what he said to me. 'I'm the one fucking him'. So yeah, I'm pretty damn sure it's Graves."
Roman gaped as the words sunk like tar in his stomach. He stood up in a rage.
"Why the hell would Enzo be fucking Graves!" he all but shrieked, "Of all the people on the roster, his secret boyfriend had to be Corey fucking Graves?"
Dean crossed his arms, "He's an idiot."
"A goddamned idiot," Roman kicked at the couch. This time it was his turn to pace, "What the hell is he thinking? This is al wrong, Enzo should not be fucking Corey Graves."
"Enzo shouldn't be fucking anyone," muttered Dean, sitting heavily on the sofa.
"Exactly!" Roman threw his hands up, "I mean, what the hell is he thinking?"
"I dont know," dean huffed, "But man, we gotta do something."
Roman nodded angrily, "Yeah man, we need to... we need to... what- what should we do? What can we do?"
"I already yelled at him a lot, and that didn't do much so-"
"Well... well maybe if we go to his house and-"
"No." Dean said firmly.
"But Dean-"
"I don't want another Big Cass situation, okay?" said Dean, "Last time we made someone mad, they took it out on Enzo."
Roman clenched his fists together, knowing that Dean was right, but still really not wanting to do nothing.
"That being said," shrugged Dean, "I did kinda threaten to let you at him if he didn't back off, so maybe that'll work."
"Dean, Enzo is probably with Graves right now. I don't think a threat is gonna work."
"He already threatened to report me, Roman! I'm this close to suspension already, and if you actually go after him he'll put you in prison!"
"Why do you keep thinking I'm gonna go to prison! I don't just go around attacking people. Cass was an exception."
"An exception how?"
"I- I don't know!" Roman threw his hands up, "But sometimes Dean, people just need to get beat. And people keep hurting Enzo, so it's our damn duty to beat them!
Dean looked up at the pacing angry Roman and blinked with a frown. He almost seemed even madder than Dean was at this situation. now Dean knew why he was pissed. he'd figured it out earlier that night.
He was jealous. Inexplicably jealous, and he still wasn't sure why. But why was Roman-
Before he could finish the thought, there was a knock on the door. Roman stopped mid yell and turned to it. He stomped over, ready to tell whoever it was to go away because he was busy ranting. He opened the door, and there stood Carmella.
As soon as the door opened and she saw Roman's face, Carmella's eyebrows shot up, "Whoooa, somebody's in a mood." She flipped her hair behind her and reached out to pat his face, "I saw your match honey, and don't worry, even the best of us lose once in a while. Well, not me. I'm Miss Money in the Bank so-"
"Can we help you?" called out Dean's voice from the couch, deciding that he would much rather go back to complaining about Corey Graves.
"I'm looking for Enzo," she said, straining her neck to look into the room, "Could ya tell him to come out here?"
"He's not here." said Roman through gritted teeth.
Carmella raised her eyebrows, "Where is he then?"
"We don't know," answered Roman, "Probably with his boyfriend somewhere."
A shaped blonde eyebrow shot up, "His what?" she gasped, "Enzo has a boyfriend he didn't tell me about?"
"Sucks doesn't it," muttered Dean, now lying on the couch with a pillow clutched to his chest.
"Wait, is this the same guy who made him cry last night?"
"Well we can't be sure considering he doesn't fucking tell us anything." snarled Roman.
Carmella was too busy pulling her phone out of her pocket to notice the hostility that was all but radiating from the room, "Alright, I'm gonna find him, he still owes me a lot of Vodka.
As she started to walk away, Roman called after her, "Uh, when you find him, could you tell us where he is?"
Carmella frowned up at him, "Why don't you just ask him?"
Roman looked at her for a while, finding it hard to come up with an answer. He thought that telling her that he was scared that he might commit murder if he saw Enzo with Graves right now probably wouldn't make much sense to her. Especially since it made even less sense to Roman himself.
In the end, Roman decided not to give her an answer, and he promptly shut the door.
Carmella raised her eyebrows at that. That was weird, right?
But before she could answer herself, a text showed up on her phone, an answer to the message she had just sent. She didn't get much from Enzo, just an address.
She raised an eyebrow again. Was he telling her to go there? She really hadn't been planning on going anywhere at all tonight, but hell, now she was curious.
Before she knew it, Carmella was in her Rental Car and typing in the address on her GPS. When she arrived at the driveway of a large house in the suburbs, she was just as confused as she had been when she left. Even more so when she knocked on the door and none other than Corey Graves answered.
"Corey?" she tilted her head in confusion.
He frowned when he saw her, "Are you lost?"
Carmella as about to think that she was, but then a voice from inside yelled out.
"Is that Carmella?"
"Enzo?"
Graves frowned, "Did you tell her to come here?" he called over his shoulder.
"Yeah! I needed more hands."
Before she could bee invited in, Carmella bypassed Corey and followed the voice. Corey grit his teeth, "What the hell is this, a party?" he muttered as he shut the door.
When Carmella followed Enzo's voice, she wasn't surprised when it let to the kitchen. She was surprised, however, by what she saw in there.
"Uh... what the hell?"
"He's making dinner for Ambrose and Reigns." Corey rolled his eyes as he sat down, a small tub of yogurt in front of him.
Carmella frowned, "Why?"
"They had a bad night," said Enzo as he bustled around the kitchen grabbing more ingredients, "And Roman and Dean are the most happy when they're eating. And they're also real happy when the other one is happy, so making them this dinner is gonna make them doubly happy so it'd be great if you two could shut up and let work alright?"
Carmella was still quite confused, "So you borrowed Graves's kitchen in the middle of the night so you could make dinner to make your travel buddies happy..." she said slowly, "I'm gonna go back to 'why?'"
"Cause he's in love with them,"said Corey as he went over to his fridge.
"I'm sorry what?" choked Carmella.
Enzo's head snapped out of a cupboard and stared at Corey, "Dude! You said you wouldn't tell!"
"I said I wouldn't tell Ambrose and Reigns." he said, grabbing an apple and going back to sit down.
"Hang on!" Carmella shouted, her hands shooting up, "Enzo what did he just say?"
"I said," answered Corey, "He's in love. With Dean and Roman. Yeah, as in both of them."
Carmella's eyes snapped to Enzo, who was glaring daggers at Graves.
He had to look away when he felt a hard slap on his shoulder, "Enzo is he being serious?"
"I-" he looked at her, "I... he... well...kinda." he sighed, "Yeah."
"Enzo!"
"I know," his shoulders slumped, "And before you start, yes, I now they're a couple, and yes, I know I'm stupid, and yes, I know how pathetic this is."
"Couldn't have put it better myself," nodded Corey. He sighed when Enzo glared at him again, "Fine. Sorry."
Carmella's mouth was still open in surprise, and then she crossed her arms and scowled, "Okay, how the hell does this guy know and I don't?"
"'Mella-"
"You told Corey Graves and not me?" she stomped her foot.
"I didn't tell him!"
"Well how does he know?"
"I accidentally said their names while we were having sex," he shrugged.
Carmella's eyes widened, "I'm sorry, while you were what?"
Corey's head snapped up, "Hey!" he hissed, "No one's supposed to know about that!"
Enzo just shrugged, "If you're tellin' my secrets, I'm tellin' yours."
"Wait wait wait," Carmella held her fingers to her temples, "You two are... you're-"
"Fuck buddes? Yes." nodded Enzo.
"We are not buddies," Corey snarled.
"Yeah we are," Enzo scoffed, making his way back to the stove, "Get over it already."
Corey threw his spoon down, "We are not-"
"Okay shut up!" Carmella shrieked, causing both boys to shrink back, "Whether or not yous two are friends so don't matter right now. I'm more interested in the fact that you," she jabbed her finger at Enzo, "are in a completely inappropriate love situation. Again!"
"Well I don't do this on purpose you know," Enzo sighed.
"Well why do you always end up falling for the wrong people Enzo?" she huffed desperately.
"Wait wait wait," Corey held up his hand, "Again? You mean you've fallen in love with a couple before?"
"Not a couple," Enzo rolled his eyes, "Just... someone who didn't want me back."
"Who?"
"Me," said Carmella, "Duh."
"And eventually, the feelings passed!" exclaimed Enzo defensivley.
"After two years!"
"And here we are. Still friends." said Enzo, "Which is how I know that this thing with Dean and Roman is gonna pass. Eventually I'll get over it, and in the meantime, I'm just gonna pretend that everything is normal. So it would really be great if you two would shut up about it already, yeah?"
Carmella raised an eyebrow, "You're gonna pretend things are normal?' she scoffed, "Babe, you're making an elaboreate meal for the couple you're in love with, in your boyfriends kitchen. I think you passed 'normal' a while back."
"I am not his boyfriend," Corey cut in.
Carmella just rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah whatever." A thought suddenly came to her mind, "You know Enzo, why didn't you just fall in love with Corey? That would have been a whole lot easier. Makes more sense too."
Corey almost choked on the apple he was eating, "I'm sorry, in what world does that make sense?"
"Anything makes more sense than wanting Ambrose and Reigns!" exclaimed Carmella.
Corey jabbed a finger at Enzo, "Man, you better not fall in love with me,"
Enzo scoffed, "Believe it or not, I got standards."
"I don't believe anyone who'd want Neanderthals like Ambrose and Reigns has standards," scoffed Corey.
Enzo glared, "Just shut up and grate this cheese for me." he shoved the block in Corey's direction.
Corey looked at the cheese and scoffed, "You're kidding me."
"Well the faster I finish in here, the fasster I'm outta your face, Graves. That's what you wanted, remember?"
Corey seemed to consider it, and was about to say no again, but surprised himself by grabbing the grater.
"Aw how sweet,"Carmella rolled her eyes. "Now you're helping your boyfriend make dinner for his loves."
"Still not my boyfriend," muttered Corey.
"You know 'Mella, you could make yourself useful and help me with the chicken."
She scoffed, "Me. Helping you cook. That's cute. I'm actually going back to the hotel now."
"You can't!" Enzo stopped her, "Im'ma need a ride back when I'm done here."
"Get your boyfriend to drive you back," she rolled her eyes.
"Okay I'm getting sick of the boyfriend crap," growled Corey, "You're starting to sound a lot like Leah."
Carmella gasped, "Leah Mayne? Don't you dare compare me to that girl."
"You find her annoying too?" Corey nodded.
Enzo scoffed, "Nah, she's just bitter because Leah kicked her ass."
Carmella huffed, "My nails were drying, alright. I had no way of defending myself!"
Enzo just laughed, and even Corey let out a chuckle.
Carmella just shook her head, "I don't have to listen to this," she flounced, turning around.
"Aw come on 'Mella," Enzo pouted at her, "You know I'm playing around,"
She just scoffed at him.
"Come on, don't leave. Please? I won't even make you help me."
Carmella rolled her eyes, "I wasn't gonna help you anyway," she muttered, but sat down nonetheless.
Enzo grinned, going back to his work, "Yeah, I love you too."
:::
By the time Enzo's meal was ready, Corey was waiting for them at the door, all but shooing them out.
They were already out the door when Corey stopped him, "Wait, you forgot some."
Enzo turned back with a grin, "nah, I left that for you."
Corey raised an eyebrow, "Oh... okay. uh..."
"The word you're looking for is 'thanks', Enzo grinned, "And you're welcome. Enjoy" he slapped Corey's back, "You see? Having friends has it's perks."
Corey looked at him for a while as he walked down to the driveway. he cleared his throat, "We're still not friends," he said after him, but this time, with a hint of a smile.
Enzo laughed, "Yeah we are!" he called behind him.
Corey stood in the doorway for ages after Carmella's car had disappeared. He finally went back inside and turned towards his house. His suddenly extremley quiet house.
He let out a little sigh as he pushed off the door and walked lazily to the kitchen. He sat down on the counter again, which was laid out with Shepards Pie and some Roast Chicken pieces with various sides.
He sat looking at it for while, and he couldn't help but think about the fact that Enzo would be sharing this meal with Dean and Roman. All of them sitting around and eating and smiling and being happy.
While Corey would sit here eating it by himself.
Corey let out a small sigh and stood up. He took the food and stocked it into the fridge, having suddenly, lost his appetite.
Corey left the kitchen, turning off all the lights, and made his way up the stairs. As he went, he couldn't but realize that the house seemed a whole lot bigger now that Enzo was gone.
And Corey didn't like it.
:::
Hello again
Leeh here.
So, I'm getting lots of questions about Corey's involvement in this story, and about how suddenly this triangle is becoming a bit of a square, and surprisingly a lot of people are starting to turn on the Dean/Enzo/Roman couple (uh... trio?) and are really leaning towards Enzo/Corey.
For curiosities sake, I really wanna know which couple/threesome you're rooting for.
Your feedback is always greatly appreciated. :)
-Leeh