Seth, Roman and Dean stood at the end of the ramp just a few feet shy of the ring. Seth watched as Hunter and the authority cut their promo but he could barely focus. He had to leave Renee with Rhys and he was miserable with a high fever from cutting teeth. He bounced on the heels of his feet giving off the appearance he wanted to charge after the men across the arena from him but he just wanted to go check on his little boy. The promo ended with the shield charging the authority and standing tall over them as their music played. Heading back through the curtain Seth headed for the locker room to get changed and go find Renee. Forgoing the showering Seth threw on his sweats and hoodie and headed for catering, he could hear Rhys before he could see him. His whimpers echoing down the long hallway Seth spotted him curled in Renee's arms, his cheeks blood red with tears streaming down them.
"Hey baby boy" He whispered lifting the toddler into his arms, wincing at the heat that radiated from his little body as he pressed himself as close as he could to his daddy. "He's definitely got a fever, poor guy is so uncomfortable" Renee said pulling her fingers through the soft brown hair "I didn't give him any Tylenol because I wasn't sure if you had, we've just been cuddling while you were with the boys. He wont eat either totally refused his bottle"
"Someone doesn't look like he's feeling to good" Stephanie murmured walking up to Seth and Renee. She smiled softly at Rhys brushing the back of her hand over his forehead a grimace settling onto her face as the heat touched her skin. "Wow he is burning up, is he sick?" Seth shook his head adjusting Rhys on his hip. "He's cutting two teeth and it's taking a toll on him. He was up 4 times last night crying from the pain." The toddler had been up at 12, 2, 3 and 5 am sobbing in Seth's arms from the pain in his little mouth, the Tylenol not doing much to cut the edge off. "Why don't you and Renee pre-tape your interview and then you can take the poor guy to the hotel?" Stephanie knew how hard teething could be and it was her and Hunter together to deal with it. She could tell Seth was exhausted, and he would never complain about it. "I really appreciate that Steph" And he did, he could tell that Rhys was going to get worse before he got better.
The camera crew got ready and Renee grabbed her gear while Seth passed Rhys off to Dean who wailed unhappily, just wanting his daddy's comfort. "Hey come on now daddy will be right back" Dean murmured taking Rhys into another room so Seth could concentrate, he rocked the toddler gently back and forth humming softly. He smirked when he felt Rhys curl into his arms, he secretly loved cuddling the little boy. The interview ended quickly and Seth packed up the car while Dean rocked Rhys back and forth. "Thanks man, I know he's miserable" Seth sighed lifting Rhys into his arms, pressing a kiss to his warm forehead. The drive was stressful as Rhys cried the entire time from his car seat. Swinging the car into the local pharmacy Seth unbuckled Rhys and held him tight as he entered the store. Walking the isles Seth bounced Rhys on his hip as he whined unhappily against his neck.
"Can I help you with anything?" The young pharmacist asked quietly, she had noticed Seth struggling from behind the counter and walked over. Seth nodded his head quickly "He's teething and has a really high fever, I've tried Tylenol but it's just not cutting it. I'm at a loss as to what to give him" He sighed pressing his lips to the toddlers' hair. Pulling a bottle from the shelf she placed it in Seth's hand smiling softly "Try this it's a little stronger then Tylenol and it works for the fever and pain" He quickly thanked her and paid for the medicine, making the short drive back to the room. Juggling Rhys and the bags Seth struggled his way to the room dropping the bags at the door and carrying Rhys over to the bed. The toddler lay on the bed screaming his little fists pushed into his eyes and his body shaking. Seth sighed heavily grabbing the diapers and wipes to quickly change him. "I know it hurts champ, this will make it better" He murmured propping the toddler up and pushing the plunger on the syringe watching to make sure Rhys swallowed it all.
Seth spent the next hour rocking Rhys back and forth as he sobbed against his chest, his little cheeks burning and Seth had no doubt throbbing in pain. A loud knock sounded through the room just barely louder then the toddlers' cries. Seth laid Rhys down on the bed, swinging the door open he came face to face with Seamus and Rusev who glared down at Rhys. "The fuck do you two want?" Seth groaned this was the last thing he needed. "Some of us are trying to sleep, so be a gent and shut that up would yeah" Seamus snapped Rusev nodded beside him. "I'm so not in the mood for this shit just go" Seth growled turning to close the door. Seamus grabbed Seth by his throat slamming him into the wall just inside the hotel room. Rusev pressed his fist into Seth's ribs keeping him against the wall "Not so tough now are we Rollins" He laughed his dark eyes flickering over to Rhys who screamed from the bed not from pain but fear as the two men slammed his daddy around. "If you don't shut him up we will" Seamus laughed "And trust me when I say this it wont be pleasant for your sweet lad"
Sasha walked towards Seth's room, heart breaking at Rhys's sobs. She carried a take-out supper for Seth and a box of infant popsicles for Rhys. Nearing the doorway, she paused when she noticed the door propped open "Poor old Rollins not so tough with out those old boys of yours huh?" She heard Rusev snap at Seth. Her heart slamming in her chest she ran back down the hallway to the very end room where Dean and Renee were staying. Her first pounded on the door nearly knocking into Dean as he tossed the door open. "Whoa where's the fire man?" Dean blinked as she pulled him from the room pushing him towards Seth's room. "He's just teething Sasha he's okay" Roman laughed following them out. "No, shit, no Rusev and Seamus are in their they have Seth" She had barely finished her sentence when both men's lips turned into snarls and they charged past her.
Seth leaned against the wall groaning as Seamus landed another kick to his ribs, Rusev slapped him across the side of the head laughing as Seth groaned. Rhys sobbed on the bed his little body shaking with fear as the two men attacked his dad. Dean and Roman burst through the door grabbing Rusev and Seamus tossing them into the hall. Seth's vision was hazy but he pulled himself from the wall and stumbled to the bed pulling Rhys into his arms holding him tight trying to calm him. His screams were panicked more so then when he woke Seth in the night deep into a nightmare. Pulling his shirt over his head Seth pressed the toddler against his bare chest, skin to skin contact just like the therapist had said.
"Shit are you okay" Dean cursed gripping Seth's chin eyes scanning for any damage. Seth nodded rocking the toddler back and forth "Its just some bruises, it's not me I'm worried about" He growled as Rhys's little fists gripped his hair, his body shaking in fear. Roman growled low in his chest watching the toddler slowly come out of his panic. All three men jumped when Hunter stormed into the room eyes wild his fists shaking at his sides. "Where. Are. They" He snarled, Stephanie hot on his trail coming in behind him. "We threw them out into the hall, don't know after that" Roman shrugged. Turning on his heels Hunter flew back out the door leaving Stephanie alone with the group. "Are you okay Seth?" She asked quietly watching as Rhys's eyes began to droop buried in his dad's strong arms. "It's just a few bruises Steph I'm okay" Seth looked away before his eyes met Dean and Roman's "They threatened my kid though" Dean growled loudly heading toward the door only being stopped by Roman's strong grip. Stephanie blinked in shock that slowly turned into silent fury. "I can promise you Seth, that they will not bother you again"
Seamus has it out for poor little Rhys.
Next chapter is either another date or a family gathering I haven't decided yet.
Any suggestions on how Seth's family reacts? Let me know
Review ;)