Dean grabbed the large suitcase and the large duffel bag that held the gear he would need for the night. Denise pulled a smaller suitcase and a small duffel. They adjusted the straps and bags, Dean slammed the trunk shut, and then they turned toward the arena. Denise took her first step before he drew her up short. Dean planted his arm on her waist, sticking three of his fingers in her back pocket. He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and muttered, "Mine" before pulling her towards the arena door. Denise slid her arm around his waist, tucking her thumb in one belt loop, and whispered back, "Mine." A half smile crossed Dean's face.
Once inside the arena, Denise and Dean stowed their luggage in a locker room now reserved for the two of them and headed for catering. On the way, high-pitched squeals gave them pause. "I guess one of us should have let Nattie and Nikki know that you were okay." Dean chuckled, curling Denise against his chest.
"We were kinda busy." Denise laughed in response.
"True. True." Dean faced the oncoming women. "Hi, ladies. How are you this evening?"
"Don't even start that, Dean Ambrose!" Nattie touched Denise's shoulder. "The last time we saw you, you were running away from him."
"You'd nailed him in the grapefruits." Nikki said with a snicker. "It was funny to watch him try and run after you. You certainly laid one on him, hon."
"Then we didn't hear anything from you for days. What happened?" Nattie asked.
Denise looked at Dean with a secret smile. "He caught up with me. Dean caught up with me and took good care of me since I had drunk myself into oblivion. Then we had a heart-to-heart and straightened things out. We are good, all good." Dean nodded in agreement with her account of the story. Then Denise added, "We have agreed that we aren't doing guys and girls nights in the future, though. We'll go out together. Less risk of issues coming up that way."
"You have to trust each other…" Nikki started to argue.
"And you have to understand and respect a decision that we made together for the benefit of our relationship." Dean said firmly. "Our relationship. Our decision. Not requiring anyone else's approval." Denise nodded.
Nattie grabbed Nikki's elbow and began to drag her away. "We get it. No night out is worth screwing up a relationship, especially with what you guys have been through and what just happened. We just want you to be happy. Right Nikki?" Nikki groaned in agreement as she was pulled down the hall.
Denise and Dean were laughing together at Nikki's antics when they heard another familiar voice. "Care to share the joke?" Looking over Denise's shoulder, they saw Seth standing a few feet away with his arm around a woman with auburn hair who was just tall enough to reach his chest.
Denise extended her hand. "Welcome. You must be Kay. Are you sure you are ready for the craziness that traveling with these guys is going to bring?"
Kay shook Denise's hand and smiled. "I think I can handle it if you help. Seth isn't always that great of a help."
"Hey!" Seth yelped, moving behind her and propping his head on her shoulder like a lost puppy. "I always try to be helpful." Both women shook their heads.
Kay ran her fingers through his hair with a sigh. "Have you found your ring gear yet?" Seth shrugged his shoulders. "Have you looked?" she asked. He shrugged again, drawing a giggle from Denise.
"This is why us guys have to stick together." Dean muttered. "You women will torment and torment…"
Denise tapped Dean on the ass as she whispered, "Remember that later."
Dean kissed her on the nose and said, "I promise to remind you I said that." To Seth he said, "Come on, I have your gear in my bag."
As soon as the guys were out of ear shot Kay turned to Denise as said, "Please tell me your secret." Denise raised an eyebrow. "Dean is so into you, so…How can I say it…He listens and respects, teases and makes innuendo promises all at the same time. The two of you…"
Denise linked her arm through Kay's. "Dean said that you wanted to talk about some lifestyle choices and about traveling. We don't have to jump into everything right now, though." A kind smile crossed her face making Kay feel comfortable. "The main thing that I will say is make sure you feel comfortable and confident with anything that you do. Whether it's traveling or the other subject, your comfort in your own skin is very important. Communication with Seth is also critical. Any issues that Dean and I have had have been mainly because of a lack of communication."
The women sat together in a corner of catering that no one else was near. "So you quit your job and travel with Dean full time?" Kay asked.
"Basically. I didn't exactly quit, but I didn't argue losing my job either because I love what I am doing here now. And spending time with him is a dream come true. Don't tell him that – his ego won't fit inside the doorway." The women laughed and chatted about the similarities between their men before the men found them several minutes later. When Dean approached, Denise asked him for some fruit and a drink. Kay followed her example, sending Seth after her food. Denise took the time to continue the conversation. "Just keep in mind, what happens in the bedroom is one thing. Here, they are the alphas. They need to be in control. They are the dominants and protectors. That is how it has to be in order for the relationship to survive." She raised her eyebrow. "Behind closed doors…"
"Other things can happen." Kay whispered.
"Exactly." Denise smiled.
The guys sat plates heaping with food on the table to share with their ladies. Dean put his arm around Denise and kissed her cheek. "Why do I fear the conversation the two of you were having?" he said with a smirk.
"Nothing to fear." Denise said softly. "As long as you've been behaving."
Seth dropped his fork on the floor. Kay laughed and said very quietly, "I guess someone has something to fear." Seth swallowed hard.
Dean caressed Denise's shoulder. "She learns fast."
Denise nodded and murmured, "Remember what I said about timing." Kay looked around and saw that a few more superstars were starting to filter in.
With a nod to Denise, she murmured to Seth, "You'll just have to wait until later. For now get a clean fork." Denise smiled and fed Dean a bite from the plate with her own fork. Some of the people entering the room remarked on how disgustingly sweet they were. If you only knew what we were going to do tonight you'd know there's nothing sweet about us. The tip of her tongue darted between her teeth, eliciting a tiny growl from Dean.
