Red String and Red Paint

by natsukileeRKOlover

Roman Reigns was the new Universal Champ. With his friends by his side, nothing can go wrong. That is until John Cena is backstage at Raw after Summerslam. And Roman's best kept feelings are ready to be revealed. His best friend is acting weird. Work is beyond stressful. Then there's Finn Balor, who seems to pop up every where.

18. Chapter 18

Monday December 17, 2018

Raw started off with the Mcmahons and by extension Triple H addressing the fact that ratings have been low and it's essentially not their fault. They're blaming Baron. Though, Roman didn't blame them for that. Then they talked about new faces going to be introduced and how the fans were going to be listened to. Which of course sounded good on paper. The Mcmahons were known for making promises that only lasted a few weeks. Once they feel like the prophecy is fulfilled and ratings rise again, they'll be back their old tricks.

Roman didn't care much about Baron coming out and pleading to stay as GM. Roman had better things to think about. Like finding Finn. He hadn't been able to talk to the man at all before the show. And last night's feelings were coming alive in his mind. He still had no idea what he had dreamt of last night, but he was extremely positive that Finn had something to do with it.

Because in all honestly, he had been so hard waking up this morning that it had to be a sex dream that didn't involve him crying like an idiot over John Cena.

Baron was staring in horror as the Mcmahons kept adding more opponents to his match, when from the corner of his eye, Roman caught the familiar swagger of a toned body and perfect hips wrapped in tight dark red trunks.

He wasn't sure when he had decided to run, but there he was jogging towards his Royal Rumble opponent, the Universal Championship clutched tightly in his hand.

"Can we talk?" Roman said, breathing a little heavy and a hand lightly touching Finn's taped up wrist.

Blue eyes that haunted Roman's dreams and brightened Roman's nightmares looked up at him, brow furrowed slightly. His sweet mouth twitched into a frown. Roman knew that he was worried for him now.

"I'm fine!" Roman added quickly, hoping to stifle Finn's worried expression. He let go of Finn's wrist (oh he was still touching him? oops) and waved his hand. He smiled softly. "I just- I really want to talk to you... about us facing each other at the Rumble."

An amused glance flickered at the bigger man. "Are you going to pay me to go easy on you?" Finn said, voice soft but teasing. "I told you once, I can beat you."

Roman couldn't help grinning like a child at the memory of Finn's apartment when he was cooking dinner and Finn said he could beat him and Roman responded that Finn could also top him, but neither was happening at the moment. But that night's memories were tarnished by Roman and Finn breaking things off. Because Roman wouldn't lead a man on. He wouldn't sleep with a man he didn't have feelings for.

What about now? That was then. But what about now?

He shook the thought away and sighed dramatically, playful look on his face. "Damn, let me just go return the huge lego sets I bought as bribes."

Finn giggled. Music to Roman's ears. The conversation was light. Not something they've had in a while. The dirtsheets would have a field day if they heard it though. Tomorrow's headlines would read 'Universal Champ bribing opponent to lose. Did Roman just screw Roman?'

"I um, can we talk privately?"

"I have a match next."

"I know," Roman said, brown eyes pleading with the shorter man. "It won't take long."

Finn nodded, he looked around quickly and noticed a little empty spot off to the side with a bunch of crates and boxes. No WWE personnel in sight to overhear. He nodded in the direction and Roman followed him over.

Alone in the semi-privacy of a public hallway, Roman stood in front of Finn. And the words he wanted to say died on his tongue. Mostly because he wasn't exactly sure what he had wanted to say. He just wanted to talk to him. He just wanted to settle things a little before they had to fight each other.

"I um," Roman sighed. He scratched his beard with the hand that wasn't holding the championship. "Look, we all know how this is going to play out, right? I am so proud of you for winning yesterday. But I'm upset too."

Finn watched the younger man talk, not positive where Roman was going with this.

"Upset, because a feud means that we're going to say horrible things to each other. We're going to have to fight back and forth for the next few weeks."

Roman's hand dropped from his beard and hovered towards Finn, fully intent on touching the bare chest and feeling the gentle heartbeat under warm tanned skin. But as he was almost touching Finn, he pulled away, hand falling heavy like a bag of rocks.

"We're going to have to hate each other. And I don't want to hurt you."

More than I already have, Roman said to himself.

The words he did say knocked the wind out of Roman, though. They were words that meant way more than what was said. They also hit Finn hard. Hard enough for the Irishman to look down at his boots, arms crossing over his chest. In that moment he looked older than he normally did. It reminded Roman that this man was almost 40 even though his child-like giggles didn't match that.

They were quiet for a few seconds, the seriousness of Roman's concerns weighing on them. They were going to be feuding for at least a month. And sure, they could try and prevent ill feelings and keep this match up civil, but it never ended that way in this business. Very little friendships end as friendships here in the WWE. Just look at Roman and Dean. Years together as brothers and then Dean decided Roman made him weak. Good relationships do not last in pro-wrestling. So, it was almost a given that Roman and Finn's good relationship (good? was it good? Finn loved him? Roman was... confused) will shatter and they will say and do things to each other in that ring that they cannot take back.

Finn took a deep breath, probably coming to the same conclusion. His lips pressed together in thought and his brow furrowed low and troubled. "I understand where this is coming from, but who says we have to follow the usual narrative?"

Ocean blues looked up and locked on his deep brown eyes, like the sea meeting land.

Did Finn always look at Roman like that? With love? With sincerity? Deep emotions swirled in those blue eyes, like a summer storm. Warm but destructive nonetheless.

If Finn had always looked at Roman this way, Roman had only noticed it now, and it sprinkled more guilt in Roman's stomach. The way Finn's eyes looked at him made Roman shiver. So intense. They spoke so many words that went unsaid. But those eyes, that gaze, didn't scare Roman. It called for him like a siren in deep sea waters. It showed Roman all he desired.

"You said you don't want to hurt me. So don't," Finn said, shrugging his shoulders as if what he said was the simplest thing in the world. "We can just put on a show for the fans. Make up hostilities. They don't need to know what we've done behind closed doors. And they don't need to know that you don't want to hurt me and I could never hate you."

Roman's eyes narrowed, trying to focus on Finn's words. It was a hard task to manage when Finn's eyes were burning his very bones to ash.

"So you want us to fake it? Script everything?"

Finn's mouth did that thing where his lips shrugged and he looked at Roman like he was uncommitted to his own idea. "Not everything, but we can list things we can and cannot talk about. Like for one, please don't mention my height. I had enough of that with Baron."

It was probably mean of Roman to chuckle but he did. He knew how much Finn hated the bigger men in the locker room commenting on his height. He always said it was because they couldn't think of anything else to say about him that was negative. "Aw, there goes my whole attack method."

Finn spared him an eye roll. He ignored Roman's comment even though Roman could see the inkling of a smirk play on those red lips. "And I won't bring up 2017."

"Agreed," Roman said, quickly, not wanting to remind himself of that clusterfuck. "So let's do it. Let's pretend to hate each other. Let's make the fans think we aren't friends."

Friends.

A simple word that cracked at Finn's heart like a swift whip. What a devious and terrible word.

"Exactly," Finn gritted out. He cleared his throat. "I have a match to run off to. But I assume I'll see you out there, Champ."

Finn patted Roman's arm. It was a gentle touch. But it took the air from Roman's lungs. Was he that touch starved- intimacy starved- that the most innocent touch threw his entire being down the well? But could anyone blame Roman for reacting to Finn's cool fingers like that? They felt so good. They felt like love.

Before Roman could say a word, the Irishman was rushing off down the path he had been taking before Roman interrupted.

As Roman walked back over to the monitors he couldn't help but wonder why the word friends had left a strange taste in his mouth.

---

Drew must have been upset about losing to Finn yesterday, because as Ziggler had Finn right where he wanted -woozy and kicking out from a Zig Zag- the Scot made his way to the ring. Ziggler stopped cranking up for the superkick and dropped down to ringside to attack his former associate before it would happen vice versa. Drew didn't get a chance to lay a hand on Ziggler yet.

As that was happening, Finn got up and ran the ropes. He dove over the top rope, landing on McIntyre. When Finn stood, Ziggler pulled him into the ring. Ziggler went for the Fame-asser and a pin.

Roman was sure this was it. Roman was sure his number 1 contender was about to get shown up by the show off.

But Finn kicked out at a close 2 count.

That's when Drew came in and hit Balor, causing a disqualification.

Ziggler looked pissed and Roman was sure he would have been too if that were him.

The minute Finn was dropped on the mat, Roman started moving. He didn't wait to see Ziggler try to get a few hits in when Drew tried to get him. He didn't see Drew yelling angrily for Finn to get up and fight him. And he didn't hear Drew yelling about Finn not deserving this chance, but no one heard it besides the cameras, because by then Roman's music was blaring and he was jogging down the ramp.

In a fury, he came face to face with Drew Mcintyre, their chests pressed together and their noses almost touching. They growled and snarled like animals fighting over a piece of meat.

Roman was ready to rear back and break Drew's nose with a punch, but the taller man backed up, smirking. There was a knowing twinkle in his eyes. They were blue like Finn's, but they were cold and calculating, not unlike Dean's recently.

Drew backed away slowly until he was on the stage. He was chuckling. The kind of laugh you did with menace to show you've done what you've set out to do -cause shit.

When Drew was gone, Roman turned and there was Finn slumped against the far turnbuckle, his arm around his waist. He looked annoyed but not surprised.

Realizing that they were filming still and the heat in Finn's eyes wasn't entirely real, he climbed into the ring, fixing Finn with a sassy smirk. Loudly, so microphones can catch it, he said, "What? It looked like you needed my help."

Finn continued to glare at him, pushing off the turnbuckle and standing straight. A steady breath. A clenched jaw. Angry blue eyes that blazed under the arena lights.

The shorter man didn't spare him any words, instead he walked by Roman to exit the ring, bumping their shoulders together on his way. It jarred Roman a little from his spot, shifting his balance off kilter. The championship on his shoulder slipped and hung from his hand now.

Roman couldn't help it. He started to laugh, eyes scrunched and mouth grinning wide. He turned around and watched Finn walk up the ramp.

"What did I do?" Roman yelled. He laughed some more, one hand on his hip. He shuffled his feet, looking down at his strap and his grin softed, still amused.

Before the cameras could cut to commercial he looked at one and shrugged, leaning it to say "Why's he so mad? What happened? Just wanted a friendly talk with my number one contender"

His face was a mix of goofy and calm to reflect his amusement over Finn's reaction.

The show continued on. When cameras found Finn backstage, he was quickly interviewed by Charly Caruso. Charly asked him what happened in the ring earlier.

"I didn't need Roman's help. I beat Drew last night and I can beat him again anytime, anywhere. As for Roman, maybe he should focus on preparing to face me at the Royal Rumble instead of playing big dog protector. Or he'll end up just like McIntyre last night."

And later when cameras caught up with Roman, walking down the hallway towards the monitor bay, Charly asked him what his reaction to Finn was.

Roman snorted, entertained. He didn't even say a word as he went back to walking, leaving a silent Charly, microphone still raised and waiting.

---

Hours later, the sun was peeking over the horizon, filling Dean's hotel room with a pleasant glow.

But Dean's thoughts weren't pleasant.

They were frustrated.

They were upset.

They were sad.

The sunshine and birds chirping did nothing to change that.

"I can hear you brooding, what's wrong?" Renee mumbled into his shaved chest.

He looked down at her. Even though he was mentally exhausted and upset, he smiled when he saw her messy blonde hair and the sliver of clear drool shimmering on her chin. He was sure the drool was pooling on his chest, but he paid no mind.

Dean tightened his arm around her, squeezing her shoulder.

"My contract is ending in April."

"I know. Have they come up to you with a new contract yet?" Renee's eyes were still shut but her voice was clearer, less groggy. She snuggled in closer, hoping the sweet fog of sleep didn't fully vanish and she could get at least another hour of rest before her alarm went off.

He sighed. It was a sound that hollowed out the other noise in the room. It was dramatic but also quiet. "I'm not going to resign."

His wife lifted herself up on an elbow and looked at him, face worried, soft brow scrunched low. "What?"

"I think I'm done."

The worry on Renee deepened. Her eyes scanned over his face like rapid fire. He wasn't sure what she would find there, because he wasn't sure what emotions he was showing.

But he knew after saying the words, that this was what he wanted and what he needed.

Coming back after surgery and the infection, Dean thought he would find his happiness again. But he didn't and being in the ring the last few months has made him feel sick with nausea he didn't fully understand.

Did he love wrestling? Yes. Did he love his brothers ...ex-brothers? Yes. Was he a workhorse in that ring? Yes.

And yet, with all of that, Dean still felt exhausted. He was tired of trying. He was tired of watching his supposed best friends succeed with him sitting on the sidelines as protector and bodyguard.

He had things he wanted to do before, championships to win and matches to have. But now he didn't want any of it.

He wanted to find a new path in life.

Outside of the WWE where the aura wouldn't suffocate him.

"I'm done," Dean said, voice low. "I just don't feel it anymore."

Renee was still watching him with studying eyes, but slowly she nodded. She understood. She always did. His wife might be the only one who understands him the way that she does. No judgement. Just pure support.

How'd he get so lucky with her?

After a life of bullshit and anger, at least Dean still had the most amazing woman at his side.

She sat up, big t-shirt rumpled up and twisted around her body from sleep. Dean unconsciously reached his hand and fixed the shirt, tugging the hem until it lay the way it was supposed to. Then the hand rested on her bare leg, gentle and far from sexual.

He just needed to feel her skin against his, even in the slightest.

"Are you sure?" Renee whispered. She sounded sad and Dean knew she would be. They met in the WWE. He met his brothers in WWE… ex brothers, he reminded himself. He met happiness and triumph in the WWE. He also met pain and frustration. He met agony and betrayal. And he betrayed himself in the WWE. "You just became Intercontinental champ."

A small smile stretched his lips, making his dimple pop out in the early morning sun. "Yeah. I think I'm ready."

Renee nodded again. "Is this why you've been so angry recently?" She asked, still whispering as if speaking any louder would break something. "You weren't happy there anymore?"

Dean stretched, curling his tall body around his wife's lap. His blue eyes watched blankly as he played with the hem of her panties, feeling the frilly fabric with his fingertips. "I just wanted to do so much, but I felt held back, you know?"

A soft hand ran through his shorn hair, scratching softly at his scalp. It only made him inch closer to her, his amazing partner. Sometimes it felt like he was one of their dogs, the way she would scratch right behind his ear as she pet his head. But he wouldn't ever say a damn thing against it, because it felt amazing.

"Everytime I'm there, I don't want to be there. I've spent years of my life itching to be in that ring and put on the fight for my life, but now I'm exhausted just thinking about it. It makes me so pissed off. And no one seems to understand why, which makes me even more annoyed."

Renee listened in silence. She slid back down to lie beside her man, the hand in his hair staying in place as her legs tangled with his. Sweet comfortable bliss tinged with sadness and worry.

"It's gotten so annoying, that I just want to escape," Dean grumbled. He tucked his face against Renee's shoulder. "I used to want fame and glory, to be a symbol of excellence in the WWE. But now, I just don't give a shit."

She could have sworn she heard his voice cracking when he murmured the last bit.

"They've called me lazy and boring," Dean sighed. His throat felt tight. "Said I'm not on the same level as my br- Rollins and Reigns. Honestly, they're right."

Renee pushed Dean back enough to look at his face, clearly seeing the tears pool in his blue eyes. "No! Don't you dare believe the shit other people say about you. You are amazing and anyone saying different is jealous, babe. Don't trust any negative word anyone says about you"

Dean leaned into the hands Renee put on his face to hold him still. They were soft. It calmed the knot in his throat.

She kissed him tenderly, willing with all her might to send her love through the kiss. She wanted him to know that she loved him. She wanted him to know that he was perfect in her eyes. He knew that already, but he needed a little help remembering. And Renee had no problem reminding him just how much he was worth. To her. To the fans.

"What are you going to do?" She asked after the tears vanished from his crystal blue eyes.

Dean cleared his throat and dropped his head to Renee's shoulder. She wrapped her arms around his body, pulling him closer. He practically slumped into her, one hand idly playing with her t-shirt again. "I uh… I'm going to decline a new contract. No matter how much money they try to offer. It's just not worth it."

Renee nodded. "What happens after? Where do we go from here?"

"You-" He softly bit the curve of her neck. It was so random but not an uncommon thing for her husband to do when they were wrapped up together. "-are going to stay in WWE if you want to. I'm not going to force you to leave. You love your job."

Relief spread through Renee's body. A relief she didn't know she needed.

"But I think I'm going to sign with Cody."

Renee's eyebrows arched high. She wasn't expecting that. She was expecting that he might take a break or just simply go back to the CZW. But to jump ship and go to the new coming competition. It was a bold move. One that was exactly like her husband. A new place. A new set of opponents. A fresh start.

"Have you talked to him yet?"

Dean nodded against her.

They were quiet for a few minutes. Renee was fully awake now with no sign of going back to sleep anytime soon. Her mind was racing.

It had been obvious for the longest time that Dean wasn't happy in WWE anymore. The constant battle in him to be himself but to surpass his Shield brothers weighed heavily on him. But Renee had selfishly denied that it would all result in Dean leaving the company that joined them together. She felt ridiculous. She should have prepared for this day better. Should have thought about this possibility more.

Instead she sat with her arms around her silent husband and worried.

She worried about his health. She worried about his career. She worried about when they were going to see eachother now. The second he left WWE it would be like it had been when he had been hurt months ago. But worse because he would be travelling and she wouldn't have him waiting at home for her anymore. Renee didn't want to not see her husband. Seeing him made her whole being happy.

And if Dean went back to deathmatches like he used to do in the indies, Renee worried about her husband not coming back to her as the same man he once was.

Her hands gripped his bare shoulders tightly, bringing him in as close as physically possible, even though it was an uncomfortable position for her. But she needed to feel him close for as long as she could.

"Hey," Dean said, low and gravelly, "I'll be okay. We'll be okay. Because I'll follow you wherever you go. If you don't want me in Cody's promotion then I'll stay home with the dogs and be a dog dad."

She chuckled, a sliver of sadness in her tone. "No." She shook her head, messy blonde hair shifting as she moved. "No. I want you to be happy. I want you as happy as you can be so you go do what you need to do. I'm just going to miss being around you."

---

Roman sat in an empty room. The details weren't pronounced. It was just a room. He didn't know where or when or how. Just sitting in a room. Intense feelings washed over him. Feelings of want. Deep and heavy on his heart.

Before he knew it, the room flashed bright hot red. And then it was black, like an endless abyss.

And attached to each of his large hands were red strings. Just dangling limp at his sides. They were broken and tattered, not leading anywhere.

Roman tried to look around, see if he could see anything. Nothing. Just black everywhere. Except the glow of the red strings. Glowing in the dark like a beacon calling for him.

He tried to yell. Tried to tell himself it was a nightmare. Wake up Reigns. Wake up!

Suddenly the strings lifted from where they were tied to his fingers. The pull was so strong it made Roman's wrists clash together like binds or handcuffs. The strings- floating in the blackness- twisted together in a braid. Strong and tense.

The force that had brought the string together in front of him now tugged on the strings.

Roman had no idea what was happening, but he fought back. He tried to pull his hands back from whatever was tugging the strings into the blackness. He didn't know what was happening and it was worrying him.

He tried not to let the force drag him, but whatever it was, it was strong as hell!

Roman's body went flying forward then, into the abyss -the unknown.

His body followed the glowing red strings through the darkness.

He couldn't find any solid ground beneath him. Nothing to stop the force from flinging him forward. No stopping this.

When he thought he'd be flying forever, his body came to a gentle floating stop.

In front of him was a door. A large dark wooden door that looked like something from an old mansion.

The door was open, but Roman couldn't see anything inside of it. Pitch blackness.

The only thing he knew was that his braided strings were extended in through the door. As the braid went through the door the thinner and tighter the string became, until it looked like just one thread, not two.

Then a hand stretched out from the other side of the doorway, palm up. It was familiar. So very familiar. A strong hand with knobby knuckles.

And attached to the pinky of the hand extended toward him, was the string that came from Roman's hands.

Connecting them both.

Roman called out.

He took a step forward.

He put his head through the door.

Who was this?

Why couldn't he see their face?

Who was this hand attached to?

But before he could see anything other than the hand and the strings, a loud jarring ringing blasted around him.

His body jolted awake. He looked around panting on the hotel bed. He was in his room. It had been just a dream.

But it left his heart clenching.

What was that?

---

Finn sat up, breathing heavy, heart hammering.

Another bad dream.

Another night alone.

It had been almost 2 months but Finn was still feeling the emptiness of not having Roman around.

He got up from the bed and grabbed some water from the mini bar. The water was cold and refreshing, easing the white hot pain in his chest. The dream had been about the red string tied around Finn's pinky. It had dangled at his side as he ran in the darkness. Balor's paint smeared up his arms as if the string burned the paint away. The string that was torn and threadbare, limp and dull, was so filled with dying love that even a demon's red paint inched away from it, as if it would hurt by getting too close.

The darkness ate at Finn's eyes, getting harder and harder to see. His blue eyes blurred and darkened.

Suddenly, he heard yelling, Loud, desperate bellows crying to wake up.

The string at Finn's side pulsed. He looked down trying his best to see the stupid broken thing in the darkness with his blurry vision. He could almost see it jump to life again. The red glow of the string seeped back into it and spread its brightness around the abyss. Finn's eyes cleared up and he could see clearly again, watching the broken string grow longer, inch by inch down the length of his body.

Finn picked up his hand and took a closer look.

Why was it doing this?

He heard more yelling for help before the string tied to his pinky started to pull Finn with a force the man didn't understand.

He couldn't understand any of it.

He let the string lead the way, walking slow steps until he saw a door. A dark wooden door standing in the middle of nothing and nowhere.

Finn stepped to the door and there on the other side stood the most beautiful man Finn ever knew. Even in his dreams Roman had the kindest eyes, tinted with the sweetest bit of confusion.

Roman looked scared and lost. His hands were pressed together at the wrist as if he was in handcuffs. He had two strings, not one, tied to each pinky. The strings were twisted and braided tight together by the fates until it was just one strong cord.

His blue eyes trailed the string across the empty darkness, following it's lovely red glow, only to realize it was the same string that was attached to him. Finn gasped. How?

Why? What had changed?

Finn looked back up to see Roman getting closer to the door.

He reached out, palm up, hoping beyond anything tangible the dark depths of his mind could conjure that Roman would take his hand. He prayed that Roman laced their fingers together.

He watched as Roman saw his hand and called out. "Who's there?" he asked, voice hoarse and deep.

Roman leaned forward towards the door, getting closer, but he still looked confused. It was as if he couldn't see Finn. Finn's heart ached. He stepped closer but some invisible barrier kept him from going fully through the door. He smiled when Roman looked through the door, but those kind brown eyes looked around, unable to see anything.

And then a loud noise jarred Roman from the door and his image vanished before Finn's eyes.

Not again.

Finn can't take these dreams anymore.

Losing Roman was a nightmare and he was living it every night.

Except tonight, the string was still alive. It was still glowing and strong.

Now that Finn was awake and able to analyze what it all meant, Finn let the ache in his chest transform into a hopeful pressure.

Finn had to push fate.

He had to challenge fate.

He had to retie his own red string to Roman's. Because if he relied on what the fates had planned for him in the very beginning, then he'd be lonely forever.

If Finn wanted his string to be the very same that joined Roman's together and pulled him through the darkness, then Finn had to work for it.

Finn had to move forward with his plan.

He had gotten Roman's attention again with his little flirty displays and touches. Now he just had to trust that Roman would fall in love with him as much as Finn did him.

Slowly.

Finn wasn't in a hurry.

Well, his loneliness would say differently.

But he wasn't going to force Roman to love him. Just guide him in the right direction.

Show the big dog just how much he meant to Finn. Show him that Finn loved him more than words could ever explain.

---

Friday, December 21, 2018

The week went by quickly. Roman didn't have much time to get home and spend with his daughter. He had interviews and make-a-wishes. But it was okay, because this year they were recording Raw on Sunday, which gave WWE employees Christmas off.

The holiday had snuck up on Roman. He realized very quickly that he barely did any gift shopping. Happily the person that mattered, his daughter, had been taken care of weeks ago. Roman would never forget to buy her gifts.

Tonight they had a house show. It was a relatively easy night. Roman had a title defense against Drew. He won clean. No problems. Finn had a rematch with Dolph. Seth and Dean went at it again, Seth trying to get his title back. Nothing big happened.

But Roman could tell Finn was low. Like the first days after Roman essentially broke up with him despite the fact they had only been fuck buddies. At first Roman wondered if Finn had moved on, but catching him staring at him from across catering made the Samoan man understand that Finn hadn't given up on him. Not yet.

It gave Roman a sliver of hope he failed to recognize. He didn't really know why he was hopeful about Finn. Well, he kind of did. But he didn't admit it to himself.

The end of the show came and he had to drive to the next city. But looking at Finn's little frown and furrowed brow held Roman at the arena longer. He couldn't move. He couldn't leave.

He had to talk to him.

He had to …

Had to something.

Anything.

As long as Finn was involved.

Roman patted Seth on the back as they walked towards the parking lot. "I um- I need to talk to Finn."

Seth's eyebrows shot up. "Okay. I'll just hitch a ride with Bayley and Sasha." He took out his phone and called his hotel roommate. As the phone rang he smiled at Roman. "What are you going to talk about?"

"I have no clue. I think I want to talk to him about the Royal Rumble."

Roman turned back down the hall, heading through the backstage labyrinth to the men's locker room.

He rounded the corner, only then realizing that he was walking so fast. He must have looked like a mad man. Roman got there just on time to find Finn rolling his bags through the door.

Finn looked up when he heard someone approaching.

Roman waved dumbly. Like a shy child. "Hey."

"Hey."

Finn was smiling but Roman knew better. Because those blue-green ocean water eyes that he adored so much had storm clouds brewing in them.

Roman stepped forward, getting close enough to Finn that he could just lift his hand a little and feel the fabric of Finn's grey hoodie. He hadn't meant to get this close, but he couldn't help his own movements at the moment. They had a will of their own. Roman fought the part of him that wanted to just hug Finn. Roman was a hugger. But not now. Not with Finn. Not after he broke Finn's heart.

His brown eyes searched the handsome face of the older man. He didn't know what he was looking for, but he was sure he found it the second Finn lowered his eyes and pressed his lips together.

"You're a great actor."

Roman had lost control of his mouth too. He didn't know why he said that. He didn't know why his own words made him so sad.

"Am I?" Finn said. He had taken a quick breath and looked back up with a simple smile. A very fake smile, Roman could tell. And when he spoke there was a short little laugh that was more polite than true.

He nodded slowly, letting his hand lift slightly and his index finger brushed against the hoodie pocket where Finn had stuffed his hand. The simple touch struck a match and lit the small flame in the younger man's stomach. His whole body warmed just feeling the fabric, feeling Finn's body heat radiating off him. Roman watched his hand for a second before forcing it back down to his side. He looked up at Finn's face again and swallowed thickly. "You are. You're all laughs and smiles even though-"

"I'm generally a happy person," Finn cut him off. "I don't like to hold on to bad feelings."

"But you're sad?"

What a stupid question, Roman. Of course he was sad. Roman had broken his heart. And still continues to break it because he couldn't let himself be happy and go for the guy that actually likes him.

Finn licked his bottom lip slowly and looked away over Roman's shoulder at a blank wall. Crew members milled about, but they didn't pay any mind to them, just focused on moving crates. With a deep shuddering sigh, Finn turned his eyes back on the man of his dreams. "I am," he said low and tired.

"I'm sorry."

Finn looked surprised, eyebrows shooting up to his hairline, mouth pinched. "Roman, it's not…"

Pull yourself together, Reigns he scolded himself.

Roman shook his hands in the air and put on his best smile. "Forget it. I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing." He scratched the back of his neck, awkwardly. " Look what I came to say was, I think we should spend this weekend together. Iron out the details for fooling everyone into thinking we are bitter rivals… But after the dumb shit I just said I can understand if you don't…" he trailed off, looking over at Finn with that little glimmer of hope appearing in his heart again.

The shorter man was smiling. A good smile.

"Roman," Finn said, softly, voice calm like it had always been when he and Roman talked through the night. "I think that's a great idea."

Finn really did think it was a great idea. Mostly because his plan was to get Roman's attention and be with him, make the man realize how amazing Finn was for him. And Roman wanting to spend the weekend together was a perfect next step.

Roman nodded and grinned. "Great, let's head out."

As they walked, Finn watched Roman from the corner of his eyes. His heart was aching in his chest. Roman's words, that apology had meant alot to Finn. But it also told Finn that he might still have a chance. Roman cared for him. Roman could see him- the real him. And that made Finn happy again.

"Roman," Finn said, causing the younger man to look back at him. "Don't apologize. I'm a little sad, but being around you makes it all better."

A spark, tiny, almost easy to miss, flickered in Roman's kind brown eyes. His pouty lips slowly curled up into a smile. "Good," he said. He faced forward again and led the way to the parking lot. "I'm happy that I can make you happy."

Because Roman kind of sort of knew that he liked Finn. He just didn't know if that was okay. He just didn't know if Finn still wanted him. If Finn really did love him anymore.

But maybe this weekend, Roman could find out.

Maybe Roman could make a move and let himself fall for this beautiful, talented man named Finn Balor.

---

Finn relaxes into the passenger seat as Roman drives. They have a few hours to fill and Finn contemplated taking a nap since he wasn't sure he'd be able to sleep soundly with Roman in the room. He would be too focused on Roman to let himself rest.

The radio was on softly and the city lights blurred into the dark night sky.

They were quiet for a long time.

"What do you hope the next year brings you?" Roman asked out of the blue.

Finn turned amused eyes to the man driving. He shuffled around in his seat, getting more and more comfortable. "Why? Are you going to use my aspirations against me on Raw?"

Roman rolled his eyes at the humor in Finn's voice. He chuckled. "No. Just answer the question."

Scratching his beard idly, Finn thought about the question seriously.

"Not really sure if I hope for anything specific," he started.

Roman listened intently. He hung on every word. Letting the music of the lilt of Finn's accent wash over him and hold him hostage. And if it weren't for the fact that Roman was driving, Finn would have his undivided attention. It was unconscious. It was his brain focusing in on a sound that meant a great deal to the heart swelling in his chest. His stomach did little jumps at hearing the soft tender tenor.

The relaxed and calm mellow voice instantly calmed Roman and filled him with buzzing energy all at once. It reminded him of sweet nights where they would talk about anything and everything. The desire in Roman to hear every ounce of what Finn would say and somehow absorb it into himself was so strong. He just wanted to feel them since he couldn't feel the actual man, despite them sitting just inches apart in a crappy rental.

"Obviously, winning a top championship would be great," he mulled over the words as they came out. He closed his eyes, imagining what it would feel like to hold top gold. "Main event Wrestlemania."

Roman smiled. "What about outside of work?"

Finn grinned but his eyes remained closed as he spoke. "Buy more legos. Go to a few Tottenham games."

"Those are some high achieving goals, man," Roman joked. "But I like it. It's simple."

Finn slowly opened his eyes and looked over at Roman, leaning his head back against the headrest. His eyes roamed over the handsome features, admiring his faint freckles and the tiny patches of grey in his beard. He wanted to kiss him. Wanted to feel the scratch of that beard against his own.

But for now, Finn would wait. He told himself that he would wait.

Finn did his part.

He got Roman's attention with his flirting. Obviously. And maybe he was just seeing things in nothing, but he could swear on his life that something in Roman was drawn to Finn.

Roman had to have feelings for Finn.

He had to.

Finn begged the heavens that he did.

"What about you?" Finn asked, clearing the sad thoughts from his head. "What do you hope the new year brings you?"

The smile on Roman's face was small and a little disheartened. It was his polite smile. Finn had seen it many times. Finn had learned that it was the smile Roman gave when he was thinking about work and his brothers.

"I want to be a great champion. Make my family proud. Spend as much time with my daughter as I can. See Seth and Dean happy. Spend some vacation time in Samoa."

Finn didn't move. He wondered if there was more. It looked like Roman had more on his mind. Maybe he was thinking about John? Or was he mulling over Dean?

Roman sighed and glanced over at Finn. He winked, making Finn's heart flutter. "Nothing complicated."

"Not at all," Finn chuckled softly. "It's admirable how you always think of others even when you're supposed to be thinking of yourself."

"Can't help it," Roman replied. His eyes glimmered happily. "I'm just a caring person."

Finn hummed in agreement. "A true babyface soul. No bad bone in your body."

Roman laughed. His eyes narrowed with mirth and he looked over at Finn, not hiding the inkling of adoration. "Well there is one bad bone in my body. It makes people beg for mercy."

The older man couldn't help his high pitched giggles. He gave his companion a cheeky grin once his laughter had calmed down. The grin was so broad that his face looked like it was going to split apart. "I may have heard that, but I can't personally recall."

"Ouch." Roman put a hand on his heart and twisted his face dramatically to feign being offended. "Well okay, damn. I thought I had a certain Irish man screaming at one point."

"Yeah?" Finn smirked, shifting slightly at the renewal of blistering sexual memories flooded his mind. He could almost smell the sex in the air that had filled every hotel room they used. "I didn't know Sheamus was into lads."

Roman laughed loud and hard, taking the hand off his heart and shoving Finn playfully before returning it to the wheel. "Come on man, now I'll never be able to look him in the eye."

"Oh? Why not?"

"Because I'll think back to this conversation where you implied I fucked his pasty white ass."

Finn giggled. "Would you prefer I say Fit Finlay?"

A face of amused disgust stretched Roman's face. He shivered animatedly. "Now that is just weird, baby boy."

Ah. That term of endearment. The term that Finn cherished dearly. "Well, if not Fit or Sheamus, was it Becky?"

"Becky isn't a man. I said man. And I am very sure she would kill you if she ever heard you say that."

"No doubt about it," Finn snickered. "So it's not Rebecca, Fit, or Sheamus. Well I'm all out of Irish lads you could have made scream. Unless you made a trip to NXT UK and met my dear protege Devlin."

Roman shook his head.

They pulled up to a toll booth, waiting in the line to pay and drive through. As they sat idle for a second, Roman looked over at Finn. Only one thought crossed his mind.

I could refresh your memory. I could fuck you so hard you'll never forget.

But he wouldn't say that outloud. No matter how much Finn wished he would. No matter how much Finn could see the lust bloom in those relaxed brown eyes. Finn wanted it. Remind him. Roman, please, remind him. Over and over again.

Let me taste the honey moans from your lips.

With a thick swallow, Roman turned back to the road ahead. He pulled up to the toll booth and paid with money he dug out from his wallet. Then they were driving down the highway again, silence filling the air, creating this electrifying buzz in the car.

After a few minutes of neither one talking, the tension was starting to suffocate. Finn opened his window a sliver letting in the chilly California December air.

He reached forward to the radio, hoping to fill the quiet with some kind of noise. But as his hand touched the knob, Roman's had done the same. They both jolted and pulled their hands away, mumbling soft sorries.

Finn decided to let Roman handle the radio. Roman turned it on, but there was only static. He scanned around trying to find something decent, but he was left with heavy metal or hispanic oldies.

"Grab my aux cord for me from my duffle in the back seat, please?" Roman asked.

The older man gave a quick okay before unbuckling his belt and reaching over the middle console. He bent over the back of his seat and dragged Roman's duffel closer.

"Should be one of the side pockets."

Roman looked over to see if Finn had gotten it only to come face to face with Finn's plush sweatpants wearing ass. His eyes went wide and he quickly looked away. He didn't need that right now. He couldn't handle thinking anymore about having Finn's body pressed into his. He was still trying to push the thoughts from earlier away.

"Found it?"

"Yeah."

Finn sat back down and buckled up before plugging one end of the cord into the aux port in the car. He handed the other end to Roman.

Roman plugged the aux cord into his phone where it sat on the mount. He scrolled through the phone as best he could while driving before he set it to whatever playlist looked decent. Both men were silent, letting the music flow through the car. It kept them awake after a tiring house show. And it distracted them from the previous sensual thoughts.

They honestly shouldn't even be riding together since Finn was Roman's number one contender. If fans saw them it would be a whole butt load of problems and yelling from Vince.

Roman wanted to be around Finn, though. That's why he asked him to come with him. That's why he told Finn to come with him to the hotel so they could plan things out. Because more than anything he wanted to be right next to Finn.

And Finn. He would never pass up the chance to be with Roman. He would never say no to him. He loved him too much to deny himself those short minutes alone. Especially when they could relax and talk like they had been earlier. Though, that conversation usually came to a halt when it got too carnal.

Because… Roman didn't want Finn anymore. Because Finn loved him. And no matter how much Finn planned and hoped and dreamed and pursued Roman, the bigger man hadn't made his move on Finn yet.

Was there any hope that he would or was Finn playing the waiting game for the rest of his life?

Finn took his phone out, skimming through his instagram tags and texting Karl Anderson. He missed his best friend. He missed having Karl and Luke there to distract him from depressing thoughts. They always knew how to get his mind off things, at least for a second.

It's funny how quickly Finn could go from amused and enthralled to doubtful and sad by just reminding himself that he could be pushing fate for a battle he'll never win.

The song changed over to a funky, catchy beat. Finn knew the song since it was on the radio a lot. I Feel it Coming by The Weekend and Daft Punk. It was a fun beat. Chill but a song you could jam out to. Finn tapped his foot a little to the beat.

He looked over when he caught movement from the corner of his eyes.

Roman was tapping his hands on the steering wheel. His head was bobbing to the music.

Eyes focused on the road, thinking of whatever, getting himself into the music. Releasing the tension in his shoulders.

When the pre-chorus started, Roman started to sing along. It wasn't loud or obnoxious. It was the kind of singing you did when you were doing it unconsciously. Soft and unfocused. A few words slurred or whispered.

Finn smiled warmly. He wondered what Roman was thinking about while he sang so distractedly. Was it about him? Was he still thinking about their previous fun nights? Or was it John again?

He leaned his head back in the seat once more and turned to watch the hulking man sing along to the song.

Roman must have noticed the change in position and looked over. The second he saw Finn watching him, he grinned. As big and bright as the sun.

And then loudly and enthusiastically, Roman sang the chorus. Dancing in his seat as much as he could while driving safely. Hands tapping that steering wheel. As the song kept going into the second verse he continued to sing, grinning and looking over at Finn every so often.

Finn couldn't help but laugh at the goofy grin on Roman's handsome face. It was amazing and beautiful and perfect.

"Comeon, Finn," Roman said at some point. He gave Finn devious eyes that on anyone else would seem dangerous. But on Roman… no. Roman always felt safe even when he was plotting. "Join in man!"

Eyebrows arched high, Finn laughed. He shook his head, deciding not to talk, just to watch.

"You know you want to!" Roman continued. "I thought you said you had an angelic voice! Were you lying?"

Blue eyes twinkled with elation, but Finn stayed quiet and just watched.

Roman shrugged. "Suit yourself."

As the song played, Roman continued his jam session. He was having a fun time singing away. Not at all embarrassed or reserved in his actions around Finn. When you've eaten someone's ass out it's a bit hard to be demure.

And despite the fact that Roman was off key in some spots, Finn loved it. Because Roman was having fun.

"Hey! You've been scared of love and what it did to you
You don't have to run, I know what you've been through
Just a simple touch and it can set you free
We don't have to rush when you're alone with me"

While Roman was distracted singing and dancing as he drove the car, Finn tapped on his phone as sneakily as possible, getting the camera on and recording.

He wanted to be able to rewatch this anytime he felt sad. Because right now watching this before his eyes made his heart soar. It made him feel so good and happy. Seeing Roman be a goofball and enjoying the moment made Finn proud. It filled him with so much joy.

And he wanted to relive that joy.

Plus the words Roman was singing….

It sent warmth through Finn's body. Because with Roman, Finn never had to rush.

He never had to rush with Roman, because every moment was perfect, even the horribly sad rejection.

How quickly waves crash into cliffs and how quickly the mood can change in a car ride with Roman. Comfortable, teasing, horny, tense, and fun. All wrapped into one big ball. That's how Roman affected Finn.

He made Finn feel so much.

But at the end of the night, it all equaled one major emotion- love.

Finn knew he was shooting into the wind when it came to Roman returning his feelings. But he had to try. He had to have Roman. Because he was dying without him.

---

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Finn and Roman had gotten to the hotel late last night. Too exhausted to do anything but sleep. So they did. In their separate rooms.

But as morning broke, Roman's alarm woke him up with a groan.

The car ride eventually got it's easy energy back after Roman had put on the music.

He wasn't sure what was wrong with him yesterday. First pointing out that Finn was sad because of him and then making sexual comments. It was so dumb of him to do this.

But Finn did that to him.

Finn made his mind relax open so that whatever he was thinking or feeling could simply come out. It took all his strength to hold back the more inappropriate or badly timed thoughts.

And the more time Roman spent thinking about Finn- the more time he spent with Finn- the more Roman was sure he was starting to have some kind of feelings for Finn. And surprisingly, though he didn't actually notice it himself, Roman hadn't thought about John once this week.

Roman sat up in bed and stretched, letting his joints pop.

They had some time before they needed to be at the arena today. And it was only 8am. Which was sleeping in for Roman lately.

He texted Finn his room number and a quick "got time to plan?"

While he waited for Finn to show up he took a 5 minute shower, not bothering with his hair because washing it too often would make it dry and brittle. And Roman could not have that.

He let music play quietly on his portable speaker, feeling 90s R&B that morning. As the tunes filled the quiet morning, he did a few quick exercises. Push ups and some squats and tricep dips using the desk chair. Just a little something to get his blood pumping and brain flowing.

Roman practically jogged across the room when he heard a knock on the door. He swung the door open and grinned at the shorter man standing there. Finn smiled back, eyes covered by sunglasses and the hood pulled to hide his face just in case anyone was watching. They were supposed to be rivals after all

Finn walked in and took off his sunglasses before sitting on the chair Roman had been using earlier.

"Before we get started, I haven't eaten yet. You want something from room service?" Roman asked, shutting the door behind him.

When Finn waved him off, Roman used the room phone to call down for a huge plate of scrambled eggs. The kitchen staff probably thought the order was for an entire family with how many eggs Roman had asked for.

"Okay so we have to figure out what we can say to each other and what's off limits," Roman said sitting down on the bed. "And like, what angle we can take on all of this."

Finn took a long breath through his nose and then let it out loudly. "Basics, right? No bringing up sore subjects. And try to keep it fresh. Way too many guys in the back bring up the same tired arguments."

Roman nodded. He got up quickly, going to his suitcase and digging out his sparingly used workout notebook. The pages were filled with specific dates and little notes about weight added to the rack and other personal details. Roman flipped to the back of the notebook to a clean page and started to scribble things down. "No 2017 for me. No height for you."

He racked his brain for specific things he didn't want mentioned, eyes squared on the page before him. "I don't want you saying I got everything handed to me, either. I fucking hate that shit. I worked too damn-"

He jumped and stopped talking when he felt a hand at the bottom of his neck. Cool fingers skimmed the warm tan skin peeking out above the t-shirt collar. It felt like time had slowed as he turned and looked over at the man now standing beside him.

Was it horrible of him to want Finn to lean down and kiss him until his insides melted?

Was he being selfish?

What would happen if Roman just reached up and grabbed this beautiful man, pulled the hoodie off that amazing body, and trailed his tongue over every part of creamy skin?

Would Finn push him away or would he urge him to keep going?

Roman wanted to know so badly.

He wanted to lift the smaller body and sit it on his lap. He wanted to buck his hips up against Finn as they made out, tongues re-tastiting everything they've forgotten since October.

Just as he was about to let his hand reach out, time resumed normally and Finn plopped down on the bed, sitting beside the man. He was nodding, eyes calm and lowered. His hand slipped off of Roman's body and idly scratched at his own beard. He looked at what Roman had written so far, then moved his eyes up to study the bigger man's face.

"I would never say you got everything handed to you," Finn finally said, voice like a feather floating in the wind. "I know how hard you had to work to make everyone appreciate you. Even the fans are starting to get it now."

They were sitting so close. Roman could feel the short puffs of Finn's toothpaste scented breath that came out with every word he uttered. Finn shifted ever so slightly but it made a huge difference, closing the tiny gap between them, allowing their knees to press together. Despite the clothes that covered them, Roman could still feel Finn's skin against his.

A knee touch had never felt so … it felt like so much. Roman couldn't find the words anymore. He's used them all to describe what Finn does to him. Now he couldn't think of anymore. None that would do this man justice.

Roman was falling so quickly.

Finn's touch woke up every nerve in Roman's body. He wanted to feel his fingers run through his hair again. He wanted to wrap his body around Finn and breathe in the smell of Finn's cologne.

He wanted so much.

Roman wanted so much from Finn.

Roman's core ached to feel the warm breath tickle his neck when they slept cuddled together. Roman wanted to see those blue eyes that reminded him so much of the ocean waves at home. He wanted to look into those eyes before falling asleep. And he wanted to feel that safe feeling he would get knowing that Finn would be there when he woke up again. Because Finn was comfort. Finn was forgiveness. Finn was all Roman could think about these last few days.

The only thing he had to do to get all of that was to offer up his heart.

Why was that so hard to ask of himself?

He wanted to be loved.

He wanted Finn.

He needed Finn like a fish needed water, because Roman was constantly swimming in those blue-green eyes.

He liked Finn. Roman could admit that much.

Now how could he tell that to Finn after breaking his heart months ago? How could he go back and fix this mistake? How could he go back to ideal days together, spending time with laughter and heated touches?

Roman shook the thoughts from his head. Focus, Reigns. He wrote down that no one mentioned Roman's family or getting things handed to him.

"Can I mention the Shield and Dean?" Finn asked, he was still looking at Roman, his eyes burning Roman like hot coals. Finn's fingers were always cool like a summer night breeze, but everything else about him seared Roman's skin like he was torturing him continuously. "I know that's a really hard topic for you, but …"

A quick inhale, then a soft sigh. "Yeah that's fine. But only a little. I don't want us to revolve around them."

When the bigger man finished writing that down, Finn took the notebook and the pen from Roman's hands, fingers brushing against each other. He wrote something down Roman couldn't see at first. When he turned the notebook back to Roman, he was smirking.

Roman chuckled. It read "If anyone tries to interfere or put their two cents into things, we ignore them like they don't fucking matter at all."

"Even Vince?" Roman asked.

"Especially Vince."

Laugh lines crinkled around Roman's eyes as he giggled. It made Finn laugh, too.

They continued with their planning. Figuring out what they should do on tomorrow's Raw taping. But not knowing what matches the brass had planned had them creating several options. As they worked Roman's food arrived. He scampered like a happy kid to the door, bopping his head to the music still softly playing from his speaker.

He scarfed the food down, taking a break from plotting and planning to enjoy his enormous plate of eggs. Finn watched him with amused eyes.

"Sure you don't want any?" Roman asked around a full mouth.

Finn shook his head, snickering. "I'm okay, thanks."

The typical 90s R&B beats had them both tapping their feet. Finn laid back, folding his arms under his head and closing his eyes while he waited for Roman to finish inhaling his food. The aura in the room was comfortable and easy going. And sitting so close to Roman let Finn's heart relax despite the fact that it was pounding hard in his chest like it always did around the man of his dreams.

The bed dipped with a tiny creak as Roman got back up. Finn peeked one eye open to watch Roman put the plate and fork back on the small tray it was delivered on.

Maybe Roman thought Finn wasn't watching, but the older man caught Roman moving around to the bassy funk beats and smooth soul lyrics that only R&B from the early 90s could produce. The new song playing was catchy and probably a famous song in the states 25 years ago. Roman danced around as he made it back to the bed, finally realizing that he was being watched.

With a tinge of surprise, Finn laughed when Roman put out a hand.

"Dance with me." Roman offered, swaying to the young man's voice singing about candy coated raindrops and love.

"No way." Finn laughed harder.

"Come on! I love this song."

"You love very many songs."

Roman stepped closer to Finn, a little suave flair added to the dance. His broad shoulders shrugged with the beat and smirked deviously. It was probably supposed to look sexy, but Finn couldn't breathe, he was laughing so hard.

"Please, Balor?" Roman pouted. "For me?"

Finn watched as Roman beckoned Finn toward him, like a hypnotic dance drawing Finn off the bed. And it worked. Because Finn sighed heavily but lifted himself off the bed and took one of Roman's offered hands.

Roman dragged the hesitant Finn to the middle of the room. He kept their clasped hands in the air as Roman continued to dance. After shaking his head and smiling, -eyes lit up so brightly, Finn danced too. They weren't the best dancers, Roman better than Finn, but no one cared at the moment. They just danced.

As the song continued, Roman and Finn gravitated closer to one another. So close but never touching. It only made the dance more magnetic. To be able to touch if they wanted to, but they didn't. Nothing other than their palms pressed and clasped together.

They laughed when Roman made a stank face.

The aura in the room matched the sun shining in from the windows. Bright and warm. Full of energy. Finn was having so much fun, he wasn't sure he ever wanted this to end.

Roman took Finn's other hand, unfolding the loose fist Finn had made while dancing and laced their fingers together tightly. As the song changed the bigger man brought the two sets of hands above Finn's head like an arch to dance under. It closed that little gap between them.

The new song had the same basic beat but sounded so differently. Sweeter with the female vocals and pronounced snare drum.

Their dancing blended together and matched. A simple two step.

Eyes locked together as they moved side to side.

Then Finn smiled and Roman couldn't stop himself, he leaned down and pecked his lips on the other man's cheek.

Finn's whole body glowed warm. At first his smile fell, not sure what any of this meant, but then his lips pulled in the most brilliant grin. This was all he could ever ask for.

The smaller man pulled their arms down and slipped his hands out as he turned his body so his back pressed into the bigger man. And as quick as he let the hands go he clasped them again, bringing the large palms to wrap around his body. He bent at the hips slightly and twisted his ass against Roman behind him.

"Oh?" Roman giggled. "You adding stuff in now, huh? We going down this road? Okay."

Finn shook his head as he giggled. "That's the only addition I can make. I can't dance much more than this."

"Yeah? Where'd you learn that little tease then?"

"Sasha tried to teach me how to dance," Finn answered. He did it again, rolling his hips back into Roman's body. He enjoyed the small grunt the bigger man made. "She gave up on me, though. You need to give me a few drinks before I show you my real dance moves."

Roman snickered. "What dance moves are those?"

"I pull out the big guns. The macarena. I also have a great Miley Cyrus twerk impression."

He could feel Roman shaking behind him as he laughed. It was a really good feeling. Nothing compared to being in those thick arms, happy.

"You'll have to show me one day."

"Yeah," Finn muttered. He could only hope. "One day."

Maybe.

If Roman ever really wanted it. Ever really wanted him.

The song ended and another one started. This one was not like the song they had just been dancing to. The first few seconds were a woman singing beautifully before a slower rhythm kicked in. The kind of song you danced with a lover, a boyfriend, a husband.

None of which they were.

But all of which Finn wanted.

And it was with that thought that Finn pulled away.

"We should finish up," Finn whispered, hurriedly. It was almost like he couldn't speak any louder, afraid that his voice would give away how much he wanted to get back in Roman's arms. "I have a make-a-wish at 3."

Before he could get too far, a hand grabbed his, turning him around to face the soft smile waiting for him. "Just one more. Please?"

His heart slammed in his chest and he nodded.

Roman wrapped his free arm around Finn's free waist, holding him close as they slow danced across the hotel carpet.

The silky vocals wrapped around them as if there was a ribbon holding them pressed together.

Both men were nervous. This was a lot more than what Roman had thought would happen when he started dancing 10 or so minutes ago. He just wanted to dance. He was feeling good for the first time in a long time and he had no doubt at all that it was because Finn was with him in that room laughing and talking.

Now they were in such an intimate situation, looking at each other, reading every tick and emotion in each other's eyes. Roman never felt so vulnerable.

He could hear the song coming to an end when his body moved on it's own. He leaned in again, like earlier. And like that time he had no clue what he was doing or what was going to happen. He just knew there was nothing else in the world that mattered at the moment.

His lips pressed to Finn's. He felt Finn gasp against his lips in surprise but soon he melted in Roman's arms.

It wasn't a long kiss. Too fast if either of them were honest with themselves.

When they pulled apart the song was long ended, but they couldn't care to listen to whatever was playing now. Instead, they looked at eachother, mouths open as they caught their breath since the kiss left them both breathless. Finn's brow furrowed and no matter how hard he tried to cover it up, Roman could see two emotions swirling and battling out all over his handsome face.

Hope and hurt.

So much hope.

God, Roman.

Just do it Roman willed himself. Just tell him all the things you want. End his pain. Make him happy. Make us both happy.

But he couldn't do it. Not yet. He wasn't sure what he was feeling. He wanted Finn, yes. But Roman wasn't sure if he wanted Finn because of how lonely he was or something else. He needed someone to fill the void and Finn could do that for him. But Roman could not use a person like that. He couldn't.

This was all too much.

He couldn't let Finn hope and watch his heart keep breaking.

"Roman…" Finn whispered.

Roman nodded and swallowed thickly. "I know. ...I know. I'm sorry, baby boy. It just felt right."

A smile tried to replace the look of confusion on Finn's face, but the hurt won out the hope. His face was smiling despite the pinched brow and sorrowful blues.

It made the older man look tragic and Roman wanted to wipe it all away. He wanted to make Finn happy.

Why was he like this?

Why couldn't he let himself fall into Finn's arms?

After a choking minute of silence, Finn rubbed his hands down his face and sniffed, controlling his emotions as best he could.

"Let's forget about it. It was just a mistake, yeah?" Finn said.

"Yeah."

Finn looked down at his feet. He didn't know what else to say.

"No."

He looked up when Roman spoke again.

The bigger man pressed his palms into his eyes, hoping it would dull the oncoming headache. "I don't fucking know if it was a mistake. I don't know what the hell I'm doing."

"It's okay, big dog," Finn said, voice soft and gentle, trying to calm the other man. The older man just wanted to take Roman in his arms and kiss him again, feel those lips against his. And perhaps the looks of disorientation on Roman's face still made Finn a little happy. Because he had a chance. So if Roman was confused and didn't know what he wanted, Finn would wait until he did. Finn would wait for him. "Let's just… let's just finish up for today. I'll see you tonight. We can talk more tomorrow morning before the show, okay?"

All Roman could do was grunt.

Once Finn was gone, Roman sat himself on the bed like he weighed a ton, unable to hold himself up anymore.

What was he doing?

Roman had no clue what to think anymore. One second he wanted Finn. All of Finn. Nothing less than that man. Then the next second he was questioning his motives. Roman didn't want to use Finn as a rebound. Finn deserved so much more.

And the question remained, repeating itself over and over.

Did Roman deserve Finn at all after playing with his heart and kicking him to the curb for a man who would never love him?

---

Just as Roman and Finn had met that morning to plan their storyline out, Bayley and Seth were returning to their hotel room from their early morning WOD. As Roman and Finn's emotional roller coaster led them to slow dancing in the room, Seth and Bayley laid down exhausted on their respective beds, trying to get the energy back so that they could shower and get lunch before heading to the show.

Well, Bayley had energy. But it wasn't the energy she needed to be productive after a long crossfit session. No, this energy was one that buzzed in her after a good show. It was the energy that came with adrenaline. It was the energy that soaked her underwear and had her squeezing her aching thighs together.

Here she was again, near the man she wanted to kiss and cuddle. And she was impossibly horny.

Bayley was a sweet girl, but she had needs. Needs she desperately wanted Seth to take care of. She thought about it alot. More than she should. But Seth was so… adorable and sexy. His body made her melt. She wanted to be wrapped up in his arms and feel his smile against her skin as they talked about books and music into the late hours of the night.

But Bayley also wanted to sit on one of his thick hairy thighs and rub herself back and forth like she could conjure a genie.

Even though Bayley's body was sore in all the right places and covered in dry sweat- too lazy to hop into the shower- the only post workout meal she wanted was laying on the bed adjacent hers, shorts tight around his legs and riding up just enough to give Bayley that sweet look of skin she rarely got to see in person. She bit her lip wondering if Seth wore any underwear when he worked out. Did he like the feel of his dick moving with him as he did crate jumps and handstands?

Her moan of arousal could have definitely been thought of as a groan of exhaustion.

Seth was scrolling through his phone, his eyes focused on whatever sports update he was reading, so he didn't notice Bayley's hand brush quickly against the crotch of her tight colorful leggings.

She must smell of sweat and look like a mess. Bayley spared a thought of just taking care of herself in the shower like she usually did when she was around Seth and turned on.

But a loud voice in her head that sounded alot like Sasha yelled "If you don't fucking take the chance now, Bay, you'll never do it. Tell him you want to suck his dick and put yourself out of your own misery."

Before Bayley could form a coherent thought that didn't involve the words "fuck" and "into a wall", Seth spoke up.

"You think we should stick to the meal plan or is today the kind of day for pancakes?" He asked not looking up from the small phone in his hand. He idly scratched his side, pulling the ratty tshirt up a little.

"Do you wanna fuck?"

Well. It was now or never.

And apparently the blunt little devil on her shoulder could not sugar coat it at all.

Seth slowly lowered his phone, confused. He looked over at Bayley's red face, his brows furrowed tightly. "Did you just swear?"

He hadn't been paying attention. But the word Fuck was so loud in the room that it instantly caught Seth's ears.

Bayley's face was a mix of desperation and amusement. "I think you're missing the rest of what I said."

"I never heard you say Fuck before," Seth said, accidently ignoring what Bayley said.

Bayley groaned and ran her sweaty palms against her legs. The butterflies in her stomach were going to change the arousal to nausea if this all went south. "Seth. You are seriously oblivious to what I just asked you, huh?"

"I got distracted by your potty mouth."

She couldn't help but laugh. Her big smile and her entertained eyes watched as Seth sat up and tossed the phone to the side. God. She really did love this man, no matter how selective his hearing was.

"I asked if you wanted to have sex."

The wide brown eyes paired with the small little 'O' shaped mouth was cute. Seth looked like he just discovered the secret to life by accident.

"What?"

It was all he could manage how to say. Was his mind playing tricks on him? Was this just another elaborate wet dream he was having? It had to be a dream. His heart was pounding but he wasn't sure if jumping across the room would be too eager. Plus, he was still not believing what he had just heard. It had to be a dream. A dream he really really wanted to happen.

But he wanted more than that. Not just a morning of passion. But days, years, a lifetime of moments with Bayley and only Bayley.

"I- uh," Seth looked around the room trying to gather his wits. He couldn't form a coherent sentence. Bayley's words just kept tickling his ear like a fond whispering wind. He cleared his throat and swallowed thickly. "Are you ribbing me?"

Bayley's face was turning a deep shade of pink and her lips twitched anxiously.

She shrugged as nonchalantly as she could manage. "Just horny," She said, voice gaining confidence when she spoke again. "Was wondering if you wanted to give it a whirl?"

The obvious question -other than is this real?- was "Me?"

Seth only realized as Bayley snickered that he had asked that out loud.

Bayley couldn't believe she was doing this. Everything in her heart wanted Seth. Craved Seth. So she was being bolder than usual. But if it got her what her body needily trembled with, she would do it. Sasha would be so proud.

She gave Seth a look and pointed around the small hotel room. "Well, I don't see anyone else around. So it's you or my hand." Bayley started to stand up off her bed, slowly moving away from Seth. "I'm starting to think my hand would have been a brighter choice," she teased.

Seth scoffed. He could almost feel Bayley's game. He could see how nervous she was by the way she softly bit the corner of her bottom lip. This was real. He wasn't dreaming this. No. This was reality and Seth's heart was pounding. A flash of pressure passed through his entire body like an intense shiver. His shorts felt unbearably tight.

"Hey. I take offense at that," he replied.

Over her shoulder, Bayley smirked at him. "So do something about it."

"I will."

"Yeah?" She turned back and took a few small steps closer to his bedside. "You gonna fuck me, Rollins? Make me not regret asking you?"

Seth couldn't help the soft breathy moan, but there was something about how sexy it was to hear Bayley -sweet, huggable, cheery sunshine Bayley- say those words.

"Hell yeah," he rasped.

She stepped closer, standing right in front of where he sat. Only a few inches separated them. Seth reached his hand out timidly, resting it on Bayley's hip, putting the slightest pressure to urge her closer to him.

The urging hand pulled her to kneel beside him. Their eyes locked.

Closer and closer.

Their faces were just an inch apart. Body heat mingled with pheromones and sweat leaving the room heavy. What should have been gross, was smelling delicious to the both of them. Each Other's smell only made them lean in closer.

But before their lips could touch, Bayley's brows furrowed and she sunk down where she knelt, lips pressed together in a tight line and fingers picked at the hotel bed sheets.

It felt like the air was knocked out of Seth. He had thought about this moment so many times. And he had been so close to living the dream, but instead Bayley had stopped and the moment was paused indefinitely.

"What happened? What's wrong?" Seth asked softly. He slowly took his hand away from her hip and placed it on the fidgeting hand still messing with the bedspread.

She sighed and looked back up at those pretty brown eyes. She had almost done it. Almost crossed the finish line and grabbed the trophy. But her conscience stopped her. Bayley couldn't just sleep with Seth. Not feeling the way that she did about him. She really liked him.

She had feelings for him and doing this without telling Seth the truth felt wrong.

Taking a deep breath, she whispered. "I'm sorry."

"What for? Was this some kind of joke or something?"

"No! No." Bayley waved her free hand around. "I meant what I asked. But I didn't tell the whole story."

Seth watched her with confused eyes. He stayed quiet, hoping she would clarify everything, make sense of this whole thing.

"Yeah, I want to have sex with you, because I was so horny," she blushed and took a deep lungful of oxygen to calm her nerve. "But I also wanted to have sex with you because I really like you."

Seth blinked.

"Like really like you. Like I have feelings for you that are more than friendship."

Another blink.

"Oh god, Seth say something. I'm freaking out now."

She went to pull away and run to the bathroom to hide in shame, but Seth's hand clutched hers and held her where she sat. They looked at one another, both unsure of what to do at that very moment. Bayley just wanted to put her head in a hole and forget this confession ever happened.

Seth had other ideas.

Bayley jumped as a pair of lips pressed into hers and a hand cupped the back of her head, pulling her further into the lock. Her eyes rapidly scanned over Seth's face but seeing his eyes close had her whole body relaxing.

He moved his hand from her hand and slipped it up her side as their lips slipped and pressed together. A peak of Seth's tongue touched Bayley's lips and she shuddered and whined so quietly Seth almost couldn't hear it with the blood buzzing in his ears.

Their lungs started to burn and they pulled apart revealing red lips and heaving chests.

Seth pecked her lips once more before smiling brightly.

"I like you, too."

Bayley's heart swelled in her chest. Her soul couldn't feel anymore like it was floating. "You do?"

Seth groaned, playfully. "You have no idea. I can't stop thinking of you, Bayley. You're driving me crazy."

He kissed her lips again as if he couldn't get enough.

"Fuck," he mumbled. He licked his bottom lip, trying to taste her. "Be my girlfriend."

Bayley's eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Yes." Seth's eyes were half-lidded, the fluttering feeling in his stomach made him smile. The hand he still had on Bayley's side moved up a little. His thumb rubbed circles against the tank top, feeling the strong skin covering fleshy muscle. Only Bayley could manage that. She was muscular and strong but her body was still soft and rounded out by supple curves. "Be mine. All mine. I don't want anyone else."

She could cry at that moment. Happiness filled her like a hot air balloon. Was she floating? She felt like she was floating. Her insides were twisting and twirling and her heart was fluttering. If she was a cartoon, she'd look like one of her Bayley-buddies. Because that's the only way she could describe herself right now.

She must have been starry eyed and silent for a second too long because Seth took their clasped hands and brought them to his lips. Gently he kissed her knuckles and whispered her name. She looked at him, chest rising and falling as she tried not to cry her happy tears.

She had liked him for so long. Had waited forever as he decided not to date and focused on work. She waited when he obsessed over the beautiful NIkki Bella. But now here he was asking her to be his girlfriend. Here he was unfolding her fingers one by one and kissing each tip.

"Well?" He asked. His dark brown eyes looked up at her from under his lashes. He looked like a puppy begging for a treat.

Bayley nodded erratically. "Fuck yes. Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

He didn't get a chance to even smile before she pounced on him and kissed his lips.

Seth laid back and brought both of his hands to the curve of her back. The hands slipped under her shirt and massaged the hot skin found there. Their legs tangled together and Bayley's hands threaded through Seth's messy loose bun.

When he peeked his tongue through her lips and touched her own tongue, shocks of pleasure ran through Bayley's body. She moaned into his mouth. God, it felt so good.

Suddenly, he flipped them over so that Bayley laid under him. He pulled their lips apart and moved them to her neck, licking down the salty skin until he reached the junction between her neck and shoulder. Bayley gasped and moaned with the way his beard scratched her. The makeup girls were going to hate her. Sasha was going to tease her all day when they were in the car. She could hear it now.

But she'd take all the knowing looks and sassy remarks in the world to continue feeling him on her the way he was.

He nudged her head up to get more room. His lips landed on her throat and he scraped his teeth ever so lightly before sucking.

The nervous feeling from her confession was completely forgotten and she was back to square one, horny and hoping Seth fucked her into the mattress.

She grabbed at his shirt pulling and tugging hoping he'd get the message. She couldn't trust her voice to get the command out. Not when he was moving his open mouth kisses down to her collar bone.

Seth chuckled and sat up. He looked at Bayley's flushed face and grinned. He pulled his shirt off and tossed it behind him. It landed on the small cable tv in the corner making Bayley laugh.

He looked over his shoulder and gave a goofy dramatic cringe then snickered.

He hummed softly closing his eyes when Bayley ran her hands over his abs, feeling the muscles twitch.

Unable to wait much more he repositioned himself lower so he could kiss Bayley's flat tummy once. His eyes went up to Bayley's face. She was propped up on her elbows and watching him with dazed half-lidded eyes. "Bay," Seth called, low and thick. "Is the offer still on the table? You still want to fuck."

Bayley couldn't even answer right away, moaning when he dipped his tongue in her navel. "God if we don't fuck, Seth, I'm going to die."

Seth smirked, eyes twinkling. "Can't have that, can we?"

As if fire was lit under them, their lips came together again, sloppy and leaving them bruised. As they made out, Seth worked off Bayley's shirt, separating their lips to get the fabric off completely. Bayley had to help with the sports bra. It was a strong tight fit and couldn't just be tugged off.

Once her breasts were free Seth cursed under his breath. He palmed them, feeling how hot they were. How heavy they felt in his hands. He could spend an entire day just admiring Bayley's body and not get bored for a second.

Slowly, he took a nipple in his mouth and flicked his tongue on the hard little nub. When he heard her moan, and felt her fingers in his hair, his heart raced faster than it already had been since this whole thing started. He gave the other nipple the same treatment. Then he graced her with soft little butterfly kisses to the center of her chest.

"Seth," Bayley sighed happily. "I love your mouth."

He sucked a spot at the top of her right breast until it was red and soaked wet.

"Fuck Seth."

She wrapped her legs around his body, drawing him closer so she could rub her hips into his, feeling the unmistakable hard cock under flimsy workout shorts. The motion repeated and repeated until they were dry humping and kissing deeply.

"I'm not sure how far you want to go tonight," Seth hummed. "We don't have to go all the way. We can take it slow and get to know what we both like. But I want to make you feel good. Tell me what you want me to do, babe."

Bayley groaned. Seth was so sweet. So considerate. So out of his fucking mind if he thought they weren't going to both cum at least once that morning.

"Your mouth. Make me cum with your mouth," Bayley panted in Seth's ear. She nibbled on his earlobe and then said. "I think about your mouth on me so much."

Seth chuckled and continued to move his hips against hers, relishing the friction. "Yeah? Like in the shower with that purple bag of yours."

A tiny little whimper left Bayley's throat. God, Seth had heard her one (or more) of those times she had to take care of herself. She felt so embarrassed.

"You had me so hard listening to you like that. Makes it so much better knowing you were thinking about me."

"Always," she moaned.

No more words.

Seth kissed his way back down her body and stopped where the waistband of her leggings lay flat against her round hips. He gripped the leggings and pulled them down slowly, giving short quick pulls until the fabric was completely off and leaving Seth's eyes to rake over creamy thick thighs.

He wanted them wrapped around his face. Wanted to mark them up with his love bites and hickeys.

So he did, taking one leg and holding it up, hands caressing and lips kissing the exposed skin. Skin he dreamt of touching. After a few minutes of lavishing each thigh with a million kisses, Bayley whined. She needed more and he was going to give it to her.

Seth took hold of her panties at each side and shimmied them lower, just enough to get a peak at a trimmed pubic bone. He kissed it, then pulled the panties off past her thighs, her legs lifting up to help.

With her legs up the way they were he caught the sexiest glimpse of a string of wet arousal clinging to the panties as he pulled them off. He groaned at the sight, entranced. "Fuck. So wet."

He couldn't get rid of the panties in his hands fast enough before diving right in between Bayley's opened legs.

He held a thigh with each hand where they fell open around his head.

Bayley's yelp turned into a deep moan as the tip of his tongue ran over the labia like he was testing her reactions. Satisfied, he prodded his tongue through the folds and tasted the bitter (but mouth watering) juices. He started off slow and soft, teasing. Then he dragged his tongue around, taking Bayley in like she was his favorite treat.

Her moans were soft short groans and long hums, but they slowly became gasps and words that didn't form sentences. She was a quivering mess, whining in the back of her throat as he swept in tongue around her swollen clit, so close to the sensitive bundle of nerves but avoiding it enough that the sensation wasn't too intense.

Every so often he would come up for air, panting and hairy chest heaving. His beard glistened with his own saliva and Bayley's juices. He'd lick his lips and look at Bayley for a second then dipping his head back down and continuing where he left off.

The sight of Seth between her legs.

The sound of Seth's moans as he sucked and licked at Bayley filled the room mixing with her own euphoria.

The feel of every nerve in her body lighting up and in her core her muscles clenched.

She had never felt this damn good in her life. It was the best feeling she had ever experienced. She couldn't keep still, covering her face with her hands, leaning up to watch, holding her legs apart, palming her full breasts. She couldn't stop moving. Her body felt like it's going to run away from her, because it wasn't sure how to react to the way Seth's tongue flicked against her hole. And when it went in, just the tip, tasting her even more, Bayley sat up, immediately.

Her fingers laced back into Seth's thick dark curls and held him into her, probably suffocating him a little, but it just felt so perfect. If he just kept doing what he was doing- just kept thrusting his tongue in and out of her pulsing, sloppy wet hole, she was going to cum.

She rotated her hips in tiny movements, getting him deeperer. If he wasn't able to breathe, she didn't give a fuck, because he wasn't letting up. Seth was spurred on by Bayley's reactions.

It was beautiful music to his ears.

He needed to breathe though. So he tore her hands from his head, gasped for air once he could and then pushed her down, folding her almost in half and pinning her arms down with his legs. It would almost look like a pin if he wasn't giving rapid licks to her red hard clit.

Bayley was shaking under him. "Fuck. Seth," She moaned. "Oh shit. I'm going to cum. Don't you dare stop."

Oh, he wasn't going to.

As his tongue worked, Seth slipped a finger in, feeling her contract around him. And right when he felt her really start to tighten around his finger he sucked with as much pressure as he could on her clit, sending her completely over the edge.

A small burst of clear fluid shot out, hitting Seth's hand, finger still inside her feeling the muscles squeeze and twitch like crazy.

She saw stars. And it was only when she took a deep loud gasp did she realize she had stopped breathing for a second.

Seth let go of her and sat down, watching her, to admire his work. She was completely wrecked and he felt amazing. He felt proud that he made her squirt, that he made her the mess of panting and shivering aftershocks that she was.

He trailed kisses up her body until he got to her lips where he gave her the softest lock, something only lovers could share.

When she could finally breathe correctly and her thighs had stopped quivering, she looked at him with bold adoration. "Holy cow," She said, unable to fully articulate.

Seth grinned. "God, you are amazing," he sighed happily. He ran his clean hand over her thigh, but brought the hand with Bayley's drying juices to grasp his very hard cock straining against his shorts. He was so hard and horny that he wasn't sure he could last long if they went any farther.

Brown eyes followed Seth's hand and she bit her lip.

"You gonna just sit there or are you gonna use that thing?" Her voice was low and soft. "Be good and make me cum again, Seth."

The way she was talking to him was not at all the voice she used in the ring. It wasn't bold or energetic. It was warm like hot coals sizzling on his skin. Seth fucking loved it.

She pulled Seth in for a warm embrace. They locked lips. It was lazy and Bayley could still taste herself on Seth's tongue. As they kissed, Bayley ran her hands down Seth's muscular back until getting to his shorts.

Before he could blink, his shorts were down to his knees and Bayley's strong hand was pumping him. He couldn't help gasping and moaning.

"Bay," He said low and deep. He took her hand off of him -unconsciously bucking up at the loss of friction- and brought it to his lips, kissing her palm. Then he pushed her back against the bed.

He had to drag himself away from the bed, pulling his shorts off the rest of the way and rushed over to grab condoms from his luggage. Condoms he'd had in there for a few months but never used.

The sight he beheld when he turned back to the bed made his heart leap and his stomach tighten. His cock bobbed with a drip of pre cum.

Bayley had her slick thighs open again. Her right hand fingered the sweet juicy hole Seth had just been tasting. Her left hand tweaked a hard nipple. Her brown eyes were closed and her head tipped back as she took short pleading breaths.

He couldn't help the moan when she slipped her fingers out and they were soaked. He wanted to eat her out all over again. He had no problems going in for seconds. Or thirds. Or an all night buffet.

Her eyes opened when she heard him moan and she gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I couldn't wait."

Seth would have told her she didn't ever have to apologize. Not for that. Not for anything.

But he couldn't talk. So struck by the beauty of the sun haloing in from the hotel windows, peeking behind the white curtains, warming Bayley's tan skin, accenting every curve, scar, and every bump. She had been beautiful before, but to see her like this, hair sweeping in front of the sweet brown eyes staring up at him as he approached the bed.

He would kneel and kiss her feet all the way up to her silky dark hair, every inch of Bayley he could touch, if he wasn't so sure that doing so would absolutely make them both late for work.

"Come closer," Bayley smiled.

Once he was at the foot of the bed, Bayley leaned into him. Her lips brushed over his abs, tickled by the thick dark swirls of hair that covered muscle.

The hand that was still slick with herself wrapped around Seth's hot hard cock. He took a sharp breath through his nose and his thighs trembled just a little. But it was enough to make him believe he would fall, weak.

Fuck.

He was going to be late for work wasn't he.

Didn't matter though.

Because Bayley was touching him.

Bayley, the woman who for months had stolen his every free thought.

Bayley, the woman he could see a future with.

Someone he respected. Someone he cherished. Someone he admired.

Bayley who made him laugh. Bayley who understood his passion for wrestling. Bayley who had the best hugs Seth had ever imagined.

Bayley the woman of his dreams.

That Bayley was stroking his cock slow, but tight. He couldn't help rocking his hips up into her fist, his body following the orgasm that would hit him soon.

Her hand disappeared and he wasn't sure if he whined because the pleasure stopped or because he was grateful that he didn't cum just yet.

The condom in his hand was taken. In a blink of an eye the foil wrapper was thrown to the side and the latex rolled down his erection. She did it so meticulously, as if afraid that she would do it wrong. Had it been a long time since Bayley had done this? She seemed calm and collected but her hands trembled as they slid the condom in place.

Of course, it had been a while since she last had sex with someone.

But she wasn't really nervous about that. She was nervous about this going as perfectly as possible so that Seth never thought of another woman -never thought of the beautiful and amazing Nikki Bella- ever again. Bayley wanted Seth to be so sated when they were done that he became bewitched by Bayley.

Was that selfish of her? Was that as crazy as it sounded?

Probably, yes for both.

Her nerves were a representation of her insecurities. When the man you love has been with the most beautiful women imaginable, it wasn't hard to be a little insecure.

Seth took her hands and pressed them to his lips. His doe shaped brown eyes looked her over. "Fuck," he whispered. "I can't believe you're my girlfriend."

He kissed her palms one by one. It made her breath hitch.

"You're so amazing. I…" He took a deep breath. Then his face warmed up with a dusting of pink. "I'm going to be perfectly honest, right now. If I suck at this it's because you're so fucking sexy that I not sure I'm going to last long."

Somehow, the embarrassed tone to those words still felt like a compliment to her. It made her heart slam into her chest. Then she smiled.

"Seth," She said, voice soft. "Baby, we have plenty of time to get over first time jitters. Fuck me."

He cursed under his breath but chuckled as she pulled him over her.

Their lips sealed as their bodies pressed together.

Strong hands caressed whatever body part he could touch, trying to burn the feeling into his brain. He knew that now that they were dating, that he could spend as much time as she consented to just mapping out her body and engraving it into his memories, but he didn't want to waste a second. Her voice and her passion were already home to his senses, he wanted to feel like her body was home too.

Sweat trickled down his spine and his lungs burned for air. Gasping for breath, he pulled away and looked at her flushed face. "I'm going to…"

She nodded. "Yes. Please, baby."

Damn did he really like the way she called him that. It wasn't casual. It was arduous and amorous. It hit him like a truck but sooth his every worry all in one word.

Seth lined himself up but only started pushing in when she was looking straight at him. His body shivered. She felt amazing, wet and hot. And the way her eyes held his as they connected like this, it blew his mind. A low deep groan pulled from his throat. Perfect. Bayley was perfect.

Damn him for taking so long to realize it.

The rhythm was easy at first. They were getting to know the sensations.

The smell of sweat and sex filled the air around them. Bayley's hair stuck to her neck and her hands gripped his forearms. The blankets they were on were rumpled and dragged to the side of the bed. The bed creaked a little, too, but the noise blended in just fine with her sweet hums and moans.

Thick thighs wrapped tighter around him and her eyes fluttered shut. She sighed his name over and over again and the sound of it had his cock throbbing inside of her.

He wasn't sure he could last much longer, so he dropped his hand to her mound. Fingers rubbed circles over the clit he sucked on earlier. A sharp gasp and her eyes popped open while her back arched off the bed.

"Seth, don't stop."

He leaned down and kissed her, desperately.

Once again, her body quivered and it looked like the wind had been knocked out of her.

Seth wasn't much of an art critic, but he was sure the way Bayley shook beneath him from the orgasm was a masterpiece.

Her hole fluttered around his cock, the condom was shiny with her cum.

So close.

He could feel his balls draw up and his hips buck wildly.

"Cum on my tits."

His rhythm stuttered. "What?"

Bayley took his face in her hands and held him close. "I want to see you cum on me."

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He quickly pulled out and tore off the condom, her words tipping him over the edge of orgasm. His cum shot across her tummy and breasts.

Bayley moaned and kissed him. "Thank you," she whispered and he nodded unconsciously, his brain slow and lazy at the moment. "That was so hot."

He was gulping down air as he slumped onto the bed beside her. They laid together like that for a few minutes, basking in the afterglow and reliving the images in their minds as if they played on the ceiling like a movie. Their hands found each other and eventually their breathing leveled out.

"Baby," Bayley grinned. "Clean me up."

He looked over at her, then at the mess he made on his tan skin. "Yeah?"

Despite never doing this with each other before that morning, Seth knew what she was asking- no, ordering him to do. And the demanding side of Bayley put him at ease. She told him exactly what she wanted. No guessing. It was all he could ever ask for.

"You don't want to let me stay a mess do you? Lick me clean, please Seth."

Seth had never been ordered around in such a sweet way.

He crawled back over her and ran his tongue down his body, collecting his own sticky thick cum in his mouth.

Her legs dropped open for him as he laid against her sweaty body, kissing and sucking little marks on her chest. When he was done, he rested against her.

"You're different in bed then I expected you'd be," he mumbled, feeling the exhaustion creep in.

"Is that a bad thing?" She asked, biting her lip. Had she gone too far asking him to clean her up? He did it though, no complaints and no confused looks. He did it like he was happy to do it.

Seth shook his head. "No, I like it. I was wondering if you would order me around a little. It's sexy."

He pressed a kiss to her collar bone and she smiled.

They cuddled together for a little while before Bayley sighed. "We should eat something," she said, grabbing her phone to look at the time.

A sly smirk played on Seth's lips. "I just ate. But I'm always up for seconds."

She yelped surprised as he moved them around so his face was between her legs again.

Seth laughed as he dove in. This was a dream come true for him, and he was going to really enjoy it.

---

December 23, 2018 It was the morning of the Christmas Eve episode recording, and the crew and superstars were all in cheery moods. Some of the women did secret Santa this year and they made sure to get the gifts passed out early in the afternoon so that it wouldn't disrupt the show. It caused lots of thanking and happy conversations.

But despite all the festive cheer and the Holiday off the next two days, Roman was lost deep in thought.

He sat up in audience seats, far enough away that no one could see his face. His sunglasses were on so no one could see that he wasn't looking at his phone. Because he was looking at the ring, watching Finn run through some bumps and moves with some of the other guys. They were all in good moods and the smile on Finn's face looked convincing to them all.

Except Roman.

Because Roman had made Finn sad. Roman could see it.

It made his gut twist and his mind blur. He couldn't think straight, remembering the hope and the hurt in those blue-green eyes when Roman kissed him yesterday.

Roman wasn't stupid. He knew he was starting to feel something real for Finn. He wanted to hold Finn in his arms. He wanted to touch Finn. He wanted that intimacy.

But the big dog felt like he was afraid of his shadow. Afraid to admit everything to himself and then admit everything to Finn. Because what if … what if Finn and Roman were not meant to be?

Roman cleared his throat and closed his eyes, willing the feelings to go away.

It's funny.

Roman had prayed his entire life for a caring soul.

Someone who would stand beside him as he followed his dreams.

As he got older and that person never appeared, he only prayed harder.

He spent lonely nights in hotel rooms wondering if God would ever send him someone.

Someone caring and passionate. Someone goofy and silly. Someone who worried about him as much as he worried about them.

He prayed every damn night.

Begged God.

Asked him why he hadn't met the one yet. What could Roman do differently? What was he lacking?

He was a good soul. He was humble and worked hard for whatever he got. He loved his family and cared for his friends. He took life a day at a time and let God steer him through the worst times he's had to face in life.

But God never gave him an answer.

God never answered his prayers.

Roman continued to pray every night, though.

Prayed for a soulmate to spend the rest of his life with.

Perhaps, Roman had his prayers answered already. He just was so damn oblivious.

He leaned his head back and stared at the arena ceiling. His heart called out to God and prayed.

Please, Lord. I hate feeling like this. I know you'll come through one day and lead me to the person I am destined to love. But it feels like my heart is breaking. I don't know what to do. I want to be with him, but I just … I don't know what I'm feeling anymore. I'm so confused.

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Songs for this chapter.: Candy Rain by Soul For Real Right Here by SWV (Human Nature Radio Mix) At Your Best (you are love) by Aaliyah