CELEBRATION

Takes place after Summerslam 2018. Kayfabe compliant.

Roman had barely stepped behind the curtain when someone launched themselves into him; their head hitting his protective vest and nearly knocking him backwards off of his feet.

"You did it, Uce!" Dean shouted jubilantly over Roman's still-playing theme music. "You fucking did it! I knew you would! You HAD to! Universal champion, baby!"

"Big Dog took care of business!" an equally joyous Seth agreed, wrapping his arms around the taller, older man. "Congratulations, brother! Knew you'd get it done!"

"Thanks, guys." Roman smiled, ruffling Dean's hair with one hand and tapping the Intercontinental title on Seth's shoulder with his own newly-won prize. "Sorry, Architect, but I just couldn't let you have all of the glory tonight."

"Ah, I think I can endure having to share the spotlight." Seth chuckled, keeping a hand on Roman's shoulder as the trio moved awkwardly forward through Gorilla (Ambrose still hugging Roman tightly around the waist.) "You earned this, brother!"

"That you certainly have." Vince McMahon agreed as he approached the trio. "However, your reign might not last much longer! With the way Ambrose is hugging you, we'll probably have to put you on the injured list again with another hernia." The older man smiled as he extended a hand to Roman. "Congratulations! Well-deserved victory."

"Thank you, sir." Roman nodded, shaking the older man's hand. As Vince turned to leave, the dark-haired man looked down at the red and gold belt on his shoulder. "Been chasing this so long! Still trying to wrap my head around it finally being mine."

"Should have been yours a long time ago." Dean replied, finally letting go of Roman as the Shield headed towards the locker room area. He paused momentarily on the border between the larger backstage area and Gorilla. "Should have been yours in Saudi Arabia at least!"

"Ambrose!" Seth half-chuckled, half-admonished as Dean caught up to him and Roman.

"Might get some heat for that, but ask me if I give a flying fuck." Dean grinned, starting to do some sort of half-walk and half-dance. "Hell yeah! We are CELEBRATING tonight, boys! Drinks are on me!"

"Oh, hell no." Roman disagreed as the group stopped. "You know the rule, Mr. Ambrose! The champ, which would be me, buys the beers and whatever non-alcoholic drink Seth wants."

"You won the big one and I won the Intercontinental title." Seth smiled, "That doesn't happen every day so I think that I might…"

Footsteps were heard, thundering towards the trio, which prompted Rollins to trail off.

"There you are!" Braun Strowman boomed, turning the corner from a nearby hallway. The seething monster of a man marched towards the Shield with an angry gleam to his eyes. "Roman!"

"Thought I'd see him sooner or later." Roman groaned quietly enough for only Seth to hear. Shaking his head, he ran a hand through his hair and visibly adjusted the title on his shoulder before turning to face the new arrival. "Got something you want to say, Meat Shack?"

"You lucked out out there!" Braun growled; his gaze locked onto the title. "We all know that if Lesnar hadn't taken me out, that would be going home with ME tonight!"

"The fuck it would!" Dean smirked, not showing any fear when Braun turned his attention to him. "Yeah, you heard me, big boy."

"I'd be careful, Ambrose." Braun warned, taking a step towards him. "Be a damn shame if you ended up injured again so quickly!"

"I'd love to see you…" Dean started to reply, cracking his knuckles.

"Hey!" Roman exclaimed, physically stepping in between the pair. He kept his eyes on the Monster Among Men. "Now, I will admit that it does suck for you that Brock took you out before I could. But as far as this going home with you goes?" Pausing, he again visibly adjusted the title with a grin. "Nah, don't think so."

"Guess I can be nice enough to let you believe that for one night." Braun replied, "And I will admit that I am glad that you finally managed to get the damn thing off Beastie Boy so we don't have to wait another six months for him to show up again. Enjoy your night tonight, Roman, but don't think for a moment that I'm finished with you! I'm just getting started."

"You know where to find me." Roman narrowed his eyes.

"And you two better stay out of my way too!" Braun glared at both Ambrose and Rollins before storming away.

"Well," Seth remarked, "that was friendly."

"It's Braun. That's about as friendly as it gets with him." Roman shrugged the tension out of his shoulders. Noticing that Ambrose was still staring in the direction Braun had gone and muttering, he reached over and put a gentle hand on the back of his friend's neck. "Easy, Uce! Braun's my fight."

"He's still a giant jackass." Dean shook his head before wiggling his own shoulders. He turned to face Roman and Seth with a smile. "So, where do you guys want to go? That pizza joint from the last time we were here still open?"