This story just keeps growing, which is why I thought it was time to step it up a notch. Thanks to everyone who is still miraculously reading this. I admire your endurance. Have yourself a little Elimination Chamber and 1st anniversary of Seth's betrayal chapter.


Elimination Chamber
03:07 am

He knows something is seriously amiss when Roman opens the door for him and not Dean. No matter what happened in the past between them, his brother has always been there to greet him. Even if he most likely rather wants to punch him in the face than letting him into his heart and motel room alike.

Tonight, he fucked up. Big time.

Seth had it coming, he finally lost to the better man. He always knew Dean would one day find the inner strength to beat him, even though he was fighting one against four and without Roman backing him up. Dean doesn't need anyone in his corner but Seth knows how much confidence it can give you if there's someone watching over you.

He shouldn't be the champion and he completely deserves that he had to listen to his own boyfriend call their big brother baby. It's Dean's way of showing him that he made one too many mistakes and that his friend is no longer willing to turn a blind eye just because they're together.

He's lost his free pass to screw them over, even if he only has the best intentions.

Seth isn't jealous of the bond Roman and Dean share, at least most of the time. Usually, he can see it for what it is: family, best friends; the only person that didn't leave when their whole world fell apart, thanks to Seth. It's his fault that they're this inseparable unit and he has no right to complain about it.

Especially since he too has a unique, unbreakable – well, after tonight he's not so convinced anymore, but he keeps on hoping – bond with Dean. One that Rome will never have and that is entirely theirs.

Doesn't mean he's a good person and leaves them be while he has to suffer all day long. They all know he's hell-bent on splitting them up, so he won't have to be alone anymore. But all he achieves with that is that they stand together even stronger.

He misses that so damn much. Having someone close who loves him with all his heart, traveling with his buddies, coming into a hotel room and there's a friend hugging him because they felt that he needs some cheering up.

Nowadays he can't show any weakness. Only when he's alone with Kane but it's not the same. Sure, he knows it's because he ran off like a headless chicken, but he's been paying for that for a whole eternity already. He's not sure how long he can keep going like this. How much he can endure until he breaks apart.

The title is lying on the floor, next to Dean's stuff and Seth's gaze is instantly drawn to it. Honestly, he's not missing it one bit. Not because he still owns it, technically, but because Dean has earned it. He didn't steal it to teach Seth a lesson like he did with his briefcase. You robbed me off my victory, so I retaliate by stealing the prize.

This time the title belongs to his brother and Seth will leave it exactly where it is. Besides, he didn't come to take what rightfully belongs to Dean.

'Where is he?' he asks, dread starting to pool in his gut. His friend's absence bothers him more than he wants to admit. Roman shrugs, closing the door behind him after scanning the darkness outside. 'God knows,' is all he gets as an answer and Seth sags his shoulders.

Great. Not only is Dean gone, walking around outside to deal with everything on his own again, but Rome is watching him with that big brother stare of his. The one that tells Seth he expects a proper explanation and apology.

It'd be a miracle if Dean even wants to see him at all tonight. Seth in his place wouldn't be able to but he prays his boyfriend will calm down enough to at least come back.

'Is he mad?' Roman scoffs, looking at the championship belt that was carelessly thrown to the floor and Dean's leather jacket. For a moment he thinks the other will grunt out a what do you think? but then his brother only sighs and shakes his head. 'Surprisingly not because of tonight, no. You're blessed with him, man. I already would've ripped your head off.'

He knows that Dean is the yin to his yang, the light to his darkness, the chaos to his order. He is blessed and sometimes he forgets this, hurting his family without wanting to. The past two weeks he put everything in jeopardy, throwing Dean in prison and secretly busting him out again, attacking his best friend, letting the numbers game catch up on him.

'I didn't think they'd bring out a second ref.' And he never imagined that he'd change the result, making it a disqualification even though Dean clearly won. Everyone who escapes the Phoenix Splash deserves to be victorious. Roman just waves his hand in a dismissive gesture and Seth gets the hint. His big friend has no nerves to talk about this right now. He's seen enough of Seth for the whole week.

'I'm sorry. He won, I'm the first to admit it,' he tries but Rome turns around, shooting him a warning glance. The words instantly die on his tongue. 'I told you to not fuck him over.' But he didn't want that to happen. He wasn't exactly happy that he lost but Seth knows when he got bested. After years of coming up short in matches against him, Dean finally exploded, showing him and the world that he still has so much fight left in him.

'I told you to give him a chance, to be the real Seth.' He looks down, not able to meet Roman's gaze anymore. It's been a long time since he got a dressing-down. Seems like Rome finally lost his cool and thinks it's time to intervene. Quite frankly, Seth can totally understand it. If he wouldn't be the one getting it, he'd approve a hundred percent.

'You know what's the worst? He doesn't mind how you treat him out there.' Oh, okay. This is going to suck. His brother needs to let it all out and Seth remains silent, knowing that it was long overdue. Roman has kept his mouth shut for the longest time, but tonight was the last straw; he is so disappointed that he uses Dean's absence to vent his anger and frustration.

If he had known what would happen when he pulled the referee in front of him, he never would've done it. Sure wasn't worth all the trouble. He's never liked it when someone showed him all his faults and pointed out his misbehavior. Family though can do that and one day he'll be able to appreciate Rome's honesty.

'He loves your feud, no matter what he has to go through. Jail, beat downs, you playing dirty or shitting on him in the ring. Dean accepts whatever you throw at him, as long as he knows you're happy. He's doing all of that for you, have you spared a single thought at that?'

Not really. Sure, he asked himself what Dean would think of this or that but he never bothered to check if his brother might have a better way. He never complained, so Seth assumed everything was okay. He's an idiot. As if Dean ever was outspoken and honest about his true feelings.

He'd take a bullet for Seth, even if he's the one pulling the trigger. That's the way Dean ticks.

Seth can deal with Rome's anger, as long as he doesn't say their brother is way too good for him. He couldn't handle that. Not after a night like this, when he sat in his hotel room in complete darkness, mourning the loss of Dean's clean victory instead of his own title.

Not when he waited for a few hours to give them some time for their obligatory celebration beer because Dean got away with his belt. He watched the footage, feeling utterly sick because his whole being craves to be together with them at all times. He wanted to party too. After all, it was Dean's first World Heavyweight Championship.

Roman walks up to him, forcing Seth to look him in the eyes. 'No matter how many times you break him, he'll patch himself together for you, ignoring is own needs because that's what he does. Makin' sure you're okay. While I admire the work he's done on himself since he left Jon Moxley behind, I am so pissed at you for doin' this to him. And to make it all worse you're forcing him to let go of me.'

Man, why did he come here? 'He's not your tool, Seth. So stop bullshitting us all and for fuck's sake stop urging him to turn on me. Even if it'd be fake.' He never saw Dean as his instrument, never meant to abuse him. Roman has to understand that.

'But he promised–' 'I know. Was there too,' Rome brusquely cuts him off, throwing his hands up in the air. 'You're always there.' He didn't intend to say this one out loud, since he doesn't want to sound overly butthurt. Roman is right with everything he says. The truth still stings the most and no one can deliver it better than the Samoan standing in front of him.

Each word feels like a punch in the gut. Seth would like nothing more than to sit down but he doesn't trust his legs to carry him all the way to the couch, so he remains in his spot, ducking his head like he did when he was still a child and got caught doing something stupid.

'I wonder why,' Roman mocks him, throwing his boots into a corner only to breathe through his nose and put them neatly next to his suitcase. Rome is them unified in one person. He has the sudden outbursts of their allegedly unstable brother and the sense of order from Seth.

'Point is, sooner or later he'll do it for you. And I respect that.' Seth does look up at that, dying to know if Roman truly means it. The other's hard eyes leave no doubt; he would never dare talk Dean out of this.

'He can make his own decisions even if he kinda lost his focus and made you his new one. It's not about what's best for him and his career, it's mostly bout keeping you safe and pleased. Like he's afraid otherwise you'll run away again. Maybe cause Tuesday is the anniversary of you selling out. He's kinda edgy lately. Awfully quiet too.'

Since Seth can't be around all live-long day and no one ever told him, he didn't know. His brother always sounds fine on the phone, but he's also an exceptionally good actor. He has to admit that he never thought about the fact that soon June 2nd would roll around.

After one year he hoped the resentment had vanished. That they all got over it. Dean tries with all his might, but Seth must have hurt him more than he ever realized. And he continues to do so. He's the most horrible brother and boyfriend ever. Everything got to his head a bit, changing him more than initially estimated.

'Why do you never ask me to turn?' He doesn't want to laugh, yet he can't contain it. 'You, a heel?' he says, voice not hiding how absurd that sounds. 'Come on, Rome, you'd never do it. The fans finally don't boo you out of the arena anymore, why ruin that by betraying the guy who gets the second biggest pops each night?'

Roman looks like he wants to grab him at the collar and shake him but he stays where he is, only towering menacingly over him, his whole body screaming bitch slap him. He doesn't and Seth is eternally grateful for that. 'So it ain't cool if I do it, but it's perfectly fine if you force Dean to give it all up?'

Yeah, doesn't make a lot of sense. He can't believe that logic bites him in the butt right now. Seth shakes his head, muttering ashamed, 'No, of course not.' It was never his intention to let their world only revolve around him.

'You're selfish.' Roman should start hitting him now, that'd be a lot less painful than listening to his big brother dishing out things he doesn't want to acknowledge. Even though it's true, he still opens his mouth; it's not in him to go down without a fight.

Rome interrupts him instantly, tone loud and authoritative. The big dog is talking, so the puppy needs to shut up. 'Before you pull a spoiled diva move on me, hear me out. I won't repeat myself. You're acting selfish, which you've started doin' ever since you dropped us, but we're family and we understand.'

He doesn't like where this is going and he seriously wishes Dean would finally turn up. He'd rather face him than Roman. Mostly because Dean holds back since he doesn't want to murder his own boyfriend. You've changed and someone needs to tell you. This isn't you. I want the old Seth back. Yeah, that voice inside his head isn't the only one with that wish.

'Still, kiddo, you got yourself into this jam and we ain't The Shield anymore. We can't get you out of it. You started it, now we'll finish it one way or another. But you need to stop pushing him to turn heel. Don't be so impatient. He needs time to come around cause he really loves the freedom he has at the moment.'

Wait a second. Did he just hear that one right? Not only did Roman stop barking at him, he also– No. Because it sounds like– 'You're no longer asking me to back off completely.' This isn't happening. After everything he just said, his friend gives in?

His kicked puppy face game must be really strong tonight if it even melts the Samoan's heart. His brother groans, sitting down on the bed, rubbing over his eyes and forehead. He's seen that so many times in his life already that he dubbed it the my little brothers are a pain in the ass but I could never hate them gesture.

He also has a Dean is doing his weird shit again but I can't be mad cause he's such an adorable doofus smile and the Seth is too smart for is own good and I will just pretend I'm still with him head shake.

'No point in doing so,' he grumbles, taking off his shirt and pants. 'You never listen to me anyway. He'll follow you wherever you go, but please, let him do it his way. In his own pace. And if he rather wants to stay a tweener, then let him be.'

Seth finally is able to move his body again, leaning against the wall because the couch is still so far away, slipping out of his shoes now that Roman has let off some steam and is back to being the reasonable, silent source of peace he and Dean need so much.

'You don't mind?' His friend huffs out an amused laugh and puts on some sweatpants. 'I mind a lot, dickhead. But I know this time it's only show and why he'd go. Understandable, if you ask me. Think he'd do it even if all that shit didn't happen, if you never would've apologized to us. He's been yours all along, he just needed to see it.'

A few minutes ago, Seth was stunned to silence by Rome's aggressive tone. Now he's too overwhelmed by the tender words and the forgiveness his brother once again gives him even though he's a total prick these days. Fate meant it good when it shoved Dean and Roman at him.

Or rather, when Dean walked up to him all these years ago and announced he – his arch enemy – would be their missing link, their third member and that he has no say whatsoever in this. It's already decided and without Seth there'd be no Shield. For a whole week, Dean told him this and every day he had the same answer. No, go screw yourself, weirdo.

Now they're here, former members of one of the most dominant stables in WWE history, brothers not by blood but by their own choice and boyfriends. Sometimes life is strange like that.

'You're amazing,' he breathes, relief flooding his veins. When Roman smiles down at his feet, he dares to move forward. He'll take all of this conversation to heart and consider it in the future. Seth doesn't want to use Dean. This is not the kind of relationship he aspired to have.

'I know,' his friend replies grinning, ruffling through his hair as soon as he's close enough. 'You're pretty baffling yourself.' No one else would swallow down their own acrimony for his sake, but his brothers do it over and over, not wanting to hurt him even though he does it more often than not.

He needs them to take him down a peg or two, this just proves it again. Without them he's unbalanced.

'Would you hold me?' He needs that more than ever after getting lectured by Roman. For some reason he always feels like his mom scolds him when his friend raises his voice, which also makes it so effective. Seth doesn't want to disappoint, not his own family.

Rome throws him a glance that makes his heart flutter around in his ribcage happily, pulling him in for the world's best big brother embrace. 'Like you need to ask, twerp.' He lets the other guide him to the bed, for once not caring that Dean still isn't back yet.

They can start the cuddling session without him – just like in the good old times. Being alone with Roman does have its advantages; when he's not being reprimanded, of course.

It's so peaceful and quiet that Seth closes his eyes and dozes off a bit, his subconsciousness only waiting to hear the door being opened. A part of him registers Roman switching off the light and letting him snuggle up to him. While his mind is wrapped up in warm affection and satisfying exhaustion, he distantly hears the telltale creak announcing the return of his true anchor.

He's too lazy to look at his brother – and to be honest, he doesn't feel up to getting another telling off. So he decides to do what he's done for most parts of the night: shut up and listen.

'One of us has to leave.' He hears Dean scoff disdainfully, can practically feel the other's anger crashing over him. It was a wise decision to stay out of this. 'Yeah, and it's all his fault. He stabs us in the back and now he expects us to abandon all we hold dear.'

Dean whispers, though he's barely able to keep his voice down. Looks like he couldn't get rid of all his ire while he was leaving a path of destruction in Corpus Christi. Seth refrains from biting on his lip in shame, only concentrates on breathing evenly to not give away that he's awake.

'You're just pissed he makes you long for him, Shakespeare,' Roman snickers, a heavy hand dropping on his head to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear. Shoes are being thrown to the ground, undoubtedly joining the title on the floor, and the fabric of clothes rustles.

'I'm pissed that he thinks he can do whatever he wants, forcing us to somehow deal with the aftermath.' Has he really been so arrogant all this time, thinking he did them a favor while only helping himself?

The bed dips down at their feet and Seth assumes that Dean takes off his socks before he changes into boxer shorts and wifebeater. 'What else is new?' Rome jokes, calming their brother simply by making a dumb comment. Seth is infinitely glad to call him his family.

'You heard him, it was never about me. I'm not worthy enough to be close to him, not in his league. Pretty ninja boy is the measure of all things. He's the future and I'm just gutter trash. God, I can't even eat as much as I wanna puke.' He knew his words would offend him, saw it in Dean's eyes when he was trapped in the corner and that insanity slipped past his lips. As if Dean needs another reason to resent Seth. He's so utterly stupid sometimes.

'It was always about you,' comes the soft reminder, Seth's cheek tickling slightly when Roman's voice booms through his chest. It was, still is. He didn't mean it; almost everything he says in the ring or in promos is made up crap, but some of these pretend things ache more than others. He'll try to consider this before he spits out such hateful things in the future.

Dean heaves a long-suffering sigh and crawls under the covers to rest his head on Roman's right arm, muttering weakly, 'I love him.' Hands down, feigning to be asleep was the best idea he ever had. He's never before heard Dean admit so openly what he feels for him. It's almost enough to make him open his eyes and kiss his boyfriend while trying to push Roman out of the bed.

Their big brother stays silent, knowing there's more to come. Seth is barely able to keep on breathing, curious what else Dean has to say. 'But sometimes I wanna strangle him. Pull his limbs off his damn torso. One by one, while I make him drink his own blood. He keeps on fucking me, Ro.'

There's no interaction he could hear for a while and he knows they're having a discussion via furious stares and exasperated facial expressions. When Roman speaks up again, they've already moved on without him being able to catch up.

'It's been a year.' 'Not you too,' Dean moans, probably wishing people would already stop pestering him with this dreaded topic. Roman shrugs and Seth's head slips down a bit, but a protective, caressing hand immediately cups his cheek, holding him in place until his friend stopped moving.

He knows it's Dean steadying him and he wishes he could smile without giving him away. After everything his brother is still there whenever he needs him. In good times as in bad.

'Just sayin', 'Roman concludes, pulling the covers back over Seth. He's treated them like shit, stabbed them in the back and is still trying to lure one of them to the dark side and they have nothing better to do than condone his actions each and every time. How on earth does he deserve these two?

'Yeah yeah,' Dean grumbles, 'I heard you. Heard him the first thousand times too.' His boyfriend sounds tired, like he and Roman had this discussion so often that he's already fed up with it. It's obvious he has no desire whatsoever to change his current situation. Not if he can help it.

Like Roman said, he'd only do it for Seth. Which is flattering but he needs to think twice about doing this to Dean.

'What do you want?' Rome tries a different approach and Seth pricks his ears, eager to know what the answer will be. Dean doesn't need long, not even a second, to burst out, 'My brother, my family back. This.' The hand on his cheek returns, a thumb running over his jawline, the touch intimate and featherlight.

It's so different than what he did during their match, marking his back violently with his fingernails. But it all ultimately means the same. Dean wants him. Let that sink in, bitches. Dean Ambrose wants Seth Rollins with every fiber of his being.

'Then go get it.' Seth can sense that it's not that easy for his middle brother to just take what he craves without considering Roman's feelings and he stifles a chuckle when his boyfriend grits out, 'I hate you.' Like that would ever happen.

'You wish,' Roman snickers, clearing his throat in the following silence to whisper after a few minutes – in which Seth finally had the chance to grin from ear to ear since Dean turned off the lights again, 'Did you see his derp face? He's such a buffoon. I think I'll give him an XXL poster of that for Christmas.'

They both start laughing and he rolls his eyes, not begrudging them of some happiness, especially because they're giant dorks. 'Nothing beats his orgasm-face. I enjoyed it way more when I called you baby. That's what you get for pissing on my parade and boasting that you're the damn future, golden boy.'

'How did you know I was awake?' he mumbles, opening his eyes even though it's pitch black in the room. 'Are you kidding me? I've been on the road with you for years. Besides, you lit up like a candle when I touched you. You're so predictable, princesa.'

God damn.


June 2nd, 2015
02:48 pm

'Son, you got some nerves. You shouldn't be here.' 'I know. That's exactly why I am. Where can I find him?' he answers more confidently than he feels, pushing himself into the man's house without getting an invitation. He's even able to momentarily forget the utmost respect he has for the other.

Being there for Dean during this fateful day is all he can think about. He's the reason his brother sought out the solitude of Taker's residence, so he wants to be the one helping him get through everything too. Roman has no idea he's here, though Seth can imagine he suspects as much.

'In my gym. Face him and I can guarantee you'll get hurt,' Taker warns him but Seth is only listening with one ear. He's well aware that he's the last person Dean wants to see and that interrupting him will entail serious consequences.

Seth came to help Dean put himself back together. After all, it was him who broke his brother exactly one year ago with the help of a steel chair.

The Undertaker leads him through his home and to the back, opening wordlessly – but with a hard stare that still manages to carry a lot of warmth – a door for him. He walks into the man's private gym, watching for a moment how Dean punches a sand back with all his power. Seth is surprised there isn't a picture of him sticking to it.

His brother hits with such ferocity that he gets second thoughts about this. Being on the receiving end of that might just rearrange his face – like his friend promised the night after his betrayal.

Dean is covered in sweat, his hair sticking to his head and falling into his eyes but he doesn't care. He keeps on unleashing all his pent-up frustration on the poor heavy bag, not yet knowing that he's no longer alo– 'The fuck you doin' here?' his brother grits out furiously, fist connecting with the sand bag so hard that it almost falls off its hinges. That's some Captain America stunt right there.

Mark him down as scared and horny.

'You,' Dean yells, stopping to destroy Taker's inventory for a moment to dash towards him and it takes all his willpower to not flee. Heat and wrath crash over him, making him gasp for air. 'How dare you? This is my– it's– I need this,' his brother struggles for words and for the first time ever Dean has some serious trouble not attacking him outside of work.

It's heartbreaking to watch how he bites hard on his bottom lip to the point of drawing blood, the blue eyes so stormy that Seth feels like he's drowning in an ocean of loathing and love. Even now, at his most vulnerable moment, Dean can't stop forgiving Seth for everything he put him through and it's killing him from the inside.

Never before has Dean had to deal with so many conflicting emotions and he evidently has no clue how to properly do it.

His brother is shaking, a tiny trail of blood running down his stubbly chin. 'You can't be here. I don't want you close. Go.' No, no chance in hell. He didn't come all the way to just turn around and leave without having achieved anything. This has nothing to do with their feud or Seth insisting on breaking them up; by the way, he wants to tone that down in the future. He understood how much damage that does to their friendship.

'Rollins, fuck off. If you stay I will hurt you without having any regrets. I told ya, I wanna be alone today. Piss off, I don't wanna see your fucking face. Taker,' he yells, pushing Seth hard so he'll tumble backwards and out of the door. 'Take him away or I'll forget myself.'

'Dee, please.' Uh-oh. Wrong name. That's Rome's thing, not his. Predictably, it ticks Dean off even further. 'You piece of– go. Now.' Oh God. Look at his boyfriend trying to keep it together. Seth shamelessly called him a piece of shit mere days ago in front of the whole world but Dean doesn't want to stoop so low.

He shakes his head determinedly and grabs his brother at the wrist, revealing what he was hiding behind his back all this time. Dean's eyes widen and he staggers a few steps to the side, obviously shocked to see his beloved Shield mask in the traitor's hands. 'No,' he whispers, all the fight leaving his body and for a second Seth is convinced his brother will collapse to the floor. 'You don't get to do that. Not today. You have no right.'

Seth hears the door being closed again; Taker has left without a word, sensing that they need some more time alone.

'I didn't want you to see me like this. You weren't supposed to– I'm not myself– Why won't you ever listen?' Seth refuses to respond, just puts on his mask, breathing relieved when the cool fabric hides his flushed cheeks. He missed wearing it, even though they only had them for a short period. Dean keeps staring at him bewildered and Seth is tempted to say something but no excuse, no plea would make this any better. Or easier.

All he can do is meet Dean's gaze head-on and not crumble under the sadness and agony he can see on his brother's face.

Dean reaches out hesitatingly and touches the mask. A finger runs over the white painted teeth on it before he closes his eyes and leans forward, resting his forehead on Seth's, nose bumping against his hidden one.

'How can you do that to me?' The question pulls the rug out from under his feet and he has to steady himself. His brain is blank, not a single thought running through his mind. Seth expected Dean to beat him to a bloody pulp, not to break down mentally and be all soft and unguarded.

'It never ends. I can't shut it down,' his brother speaks on, irritated by himself, desperate hands holding Seth's head in place even though he'd never leave his boyfriend in a moment like this. Dean is in a dangerous place and he doesn't want to be held responsible if he harms himself like in the past.

'Can't stop what?' he croaks out, the mask on his face giving him enough confidence to dare talking. Dean presses his cheek against the well-known texture, whispering defeated, 'Thinking about you. Being close to you. Helping you. Finding flimsy explanations for everything you do, all the things you constantly fuck up.' Doesn't sound like such a bad thing to him.

'Needing you. Loving you. I can't– you're everywhere.' Seth doesn't get it. Has Dean not once had a partner that made him genuinely happy? Has he never had trouble breathing until he was in the partner's arms? Wasn't he ever blessed with someone who made all the colors shine brighter, who elevated his heartbeat just by thinking of that person?

Is it really that daunting for Dean to want someone so badly, to depend on another human being?

'I want you gone. You have to leave. Seth, I'm begging you, let me go.' June 2nd will forever be the day that has ruined a perfectly healthy friendship, even if a tentative relationship rose from its ashes. Whatever will happen, Seth has thrown away the trust and faith of the most loyal person this world has to offer.

He thought the past year was atrocious torture, but Seth never imagined Dean would break up with him due to one mistake that only brings him down to his knees once a year. They've come so far and now it's supposed to be over? Just like that. All the progress they made is gone because his what?, ex-boyfriend, he guesses heartbroken, can't get over it no matter how hard he tries.

Three hundred and sixty-five days ago, he sabotaged his own happiness. Well done, Seth.

He averts his gaze, unable to look into his brother's pale face anymore. Coming here was a good idea, but the outcome isn't exactly what he had in mind. Story of his life, as it would seem. He's dicked around with Dean's feelings for too long, has to pay the price now. It had to happen, Roman warned him but he wouldn't pay attention.

He was too sure of Dean, took everything for granted. Look at him now. They've reached the end of the road.

'Still want your title shot at Money in the Bank?' he murmurs crestfallen, snapping his eyes open when Dean's hands leave his body, anger marring the other's handsome features. His earlier confusion dissipates, laying bare the raw, unguarded part of Dean. The one he only shows two people. 'You dipshit. This isn't about our job. It's– have you even listened to a single word I said?'

Yes. Dean is done with him because he loves him too much and it's making him sick. Seth doesn't want to harm him even further, so he'll retreat. Maybe one day Dean will be ready for everything.

'After all the crap you've put me through, you think I'd let you run off again? Making my worst nightmare come true before you can hurt me by doing it yourself? I've done a lot of stupid stuff, but I'm not that dumb. I just need you to let me be free. I'll come to you when I'm ready. You gotta trust me on this, Seth. I'm not giving up. I never did. You're the one taking off when it gets too hard, remember?'

No need to rip open old wounds that don't heal, no matter how well Seth tends to them. 'You said I should let you go.' Dean groans and rolls his eyes, screaming helplessly, 'This, we, it's completely unknown territory. You mean the world to me and I'm so horribly afraid of tainting you, of losing you. I don't know where I end and you start. It's scaring the shit out of me.'

But Seth is as insecure as Dean, can't he see that? His biggest fear is that Dean will one day leave him the way he did. He wouldn't survive without the other anymore; his heart and soul already beat in unison with his brother's.

'I don't have all the answers either, Dean. I only know we're in this together.' 'Course we are. I'm with you till the end of the line, you wannabe Bucky,' Dean assures him, grinning weakly while nuzzling the mask, pressing their bodies together. Seriously, they even think alike. They're a match made in heaven.

'Don't worry, you're doing a fantastic job as boyfriend so far.' Definitely better than Seth ever could. Dean has so much to offer, so much love to give. It might be frightening but it's good. He's the most loving, caring, passionate and protective partner Seth ever had the fortune to call his.

'Sorry to interrupt your seven minutes in heaven, boys,' Taker suddenly butts in, making Seth flinch. Dean couldn't care less, just keeps on rubbing his nose against Seth's neck, grunting to signal the man he heard him. 'I have a strict no sex in the gym rule. You can have your room upstairs, I'm sure you still know the way.'

And with that the older man is gone, one of his huge dogs staying behind to watch them curiously. 'Did you bring Kevin?' Dean mutters and Seth yanks the mask down to free his lips. Just in case there'll be some kissing. 'Am I crazy? He'd get eaten by that hound over there.'

Dean chuckles, the life and fire in his eyes returning. 'Like master, like man.' He joins in his brother's boisterous laughter and entwines his hands with Dean's, feeling at least ten pounds lighter. 'Don't ever shock me like you just did. I thought you wanted to dump me.'

'You'd definitely deserve it, but like I said. You're hard to ignore and a huge pain in the ass, yet life'd be pretty boring otherwise.' Not exactly his words but Seth's fine with that. As long as Dean is willing to spend his time with him, he won't complain. 'I'm addicted to you.' Same here.

He never meant to say the following in a moment like this; it slips out of his mouth unforbidden but as soon as it's out in the open he realizes he doesn't even want to take it back. It sounds right to him. Since it's honesty hour anyway and he's been wanting to ask for quite some time. Anniversary of his treason quarrels or not, Dean's the right one.

As a matter of fact, he intended to do this the classy, romantic way. Mostly because his brother always claims it's too cheesy only to come home with a puppy, partner wristbands or another thoughtful gift. Seth can't imagine a better instant; not when the afternoon sun is giving Dean this ethereal appearance by reflecting itself in the countless beads of sweat covering his skin or with the whole truth finally being revealed.

It's only fitting that he wears Dean's most valued possession around his neck when he pops the question. 'Marry me.'