And here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything recognizable. :D

Chapter Two: I've Fixed Everything

June 2, 2014 2:00 A.M.

Roman rubbed his chin. Where would Seth be? Well, the man was probably climbing the walls, stressing and obsessing over what he was planning to do the next night. And what did Seth do when he was stressed?

Duh, a stressed out Seth worked out.

He was likely out for a night run.

Roman dug through and stole a Hounds of Justice hoodie out of his past self's suitcase and pulled it on. He had to look the part if he was going to do this the right way. He took one last glance at his past self, still sleeping away before he left the hotel room. Thank god, he was dead as a doornail when he was asleep otherwise there would be no way this could work.

He made his way to the hotel lobby. After finding it empty, he sat down on one of the plush chairs in the lobby near the front door waiting for Seth to return from his night run.

In only a matter of minutes, Seth came gingerly walking back through the doors and looking exhausted. He paused in front of the doors, looking down at his Ipod screen. After a minute, the high flyer rolled his head and cracked his neck, noticing Roman sitting nearby. He frowned and walked over to his teammate, concerned about why his big brother was up and about.

"Big Dog, what the heck are you doing up? You should be upstairs resting." Seth's eyebrows were knitted and scrunched together tightly as his eyes radiated with concern.

Roman couldn't help but wonder how someone this concerned could betray his brothers in the next 24 hours. Seth obviously cared about him, about Dean. This was the man who willingly sacrificed himself on a nightly basis to protect them. He was worried about Roman's health and well-being when he planned on stabbing him in the back the next night, how strange.

"Rome?"

Roman looked up stoically at Seth from his seat on the plush chair, carefully watching as Seth sat down next to him. "A lot on your mind?"

A lot on his mind? That was a gross understatement. Seth always had a lot on his mind because of his role as the Architect of the Shield. He was always stressed; he always felt like the weight of the Shield was propped on his shoulders, and he was always running the risk of crumbling under its considerable weight. And tonight? The night before his life changed drastically? Where he would make a deal with the devil and sell out? No, not sell out but buy in; he was going to buy in... A lot on his mind? That was almost laughable for its too casual approach.

There was no way Roman knew any of that. Seth carried his personal demons close to his chest, and what he would do on RAW would silence them forever...hopefully. So Seth frowned unsure of where Roman was going with this impromptu chat. "What're you talking about?"

"You went on a night run. You only do that when you're stressed or need to think something over."

Seth fidgeted with the hem of his Crossfit T-shirt. "Well, course, I have a lot on my mind. We just beat Evolution again. I would have to be insane not to be stressed out right now. God knows what Hunter is planning. God forbid, it actually be over and we could be done with this mess."

If Roman didn't know what would happen the next night, he would have wholeheartedly accepted Seth's explanation without a single thought against it. "Yeah, I know what you're saying. And it would explain everything, but I have a feeling that's not it."

Seth frowned again, beginning to worry as his voice wavered slightly as he said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Roman sighed, knowing full well Seth was already considering what Hunter had offered him. "Maybe you were thinking about how you were feeling when you were climbing up the Titantron."

Seth stared at Roman. "What?"

"And you were trying to figure out why the hell you'd jump off."

"I know why I'd-"

"Because why would you take such a risk at a time like that? Yeah, you like the thrill. You don't feel alive without it, but you tend to risk more when there's something on the line. That's your MO. You gamble to get what you want, but you're also the 'd never make too big of a gamble. You take calculated risks. So normally, you wouldn't think twice before sacrificing yourself for me. Why tonight? Why would you sacrifice your body if you're planning on stabbing me and Dean, your brothers, your family in the back tomorrow night?"

Seth's mouth fell open. He looked frozen in time as he searched for what to say. "What? What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about you being Hunter's little Plan B tomorrow night. I'm talking about your plan to beat me and Dean with a steel chair. I'm talking about your plan to betray us and join the Authority."

Seth ducked his head not wanting to make eye contact with his older brother out of shame. "How'd you find out?"

"Does it really matter?"

"I mean, I guess not. I just…" Seth looked so lost as he tugged on his loose hairs.

"Wanna walk me through this?" Roman wanted to reach out and pull his brother into a hug, but he didn't. No, he wanted answers. He wanted to know why Seth had thought this a good idea.

Seth shook his head; his eyes firmly trained on the coffee table in front of them. "Why the hell haven't you speared me or something yet? You should've killed me by now, or sicced Dean on me. I don't get it. You just fucking told me you knew I was planning on betraying you!"

Roman tentatively reached out and put his hand on Seth's shoulder. "Just talk to me, honestly, little brother and no lies. Tell me what is going on in that head of yours? I can't help you if I don't know."

"I was just - I guess... I- shit, this is going to sound stupid when I say it… I've been in the middle between you and Dean for the longest time. I feel like I'm stuck being the moderator, the peace keeper. It's too much; I feel like I'm going to suffocate from all the pressure that comes from keeping you and Dean from tearing each other's throats out. You remember the Wyatt match and what happened there... It's just, I get the feeling that it's never going to get better. Things between us are great now because we're riding a high from those victories, but what happens if we start losing? If one of us gets more support than the others? What will that do to the dynamic?" Seth paused and took a deep breath. "I know how partnerships end in this company. In disaster, in betrayal, or even worse... obscurity. They end with the universe not caring about some or all the wrestlers involved. I panicked when I realized there isn't much left for us to accomplish now. We're going to disband soon...You're destined to have an amazing future; people love you. Dean is something else, too. You'll both be fine. But me on the other hand I just don't think my future is as stable as yours… and I saw this opportunity. Triple H made me an offer that would ensure me a future with stability. I accepted. I don't want to be forgotten about after you and Dean are off being successful." Seth finally looked at Roman, revealing watery eyes and a bright red face as the loose strands of hair tried to hide the frustration and hurt on his face. "Why the fuck haven't you done anything to me, Roman? You should've jumped me at the arena. Left me for dead! You knew I was planning on betraying you! YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING, DAMN IT!"

"Seth," Roman said firmly as he met Seth's unsteady gaze, "Do you really think I care so little for you that a betrayal would make a difference? When I say 'family,' that's what I mean. I love you, Dean loves you, and you'll always be our little brother, our family."

Seth broke down; he couldn't hide the tears anymore, and Roman pulled him into a hug. Seth continued to sob into Roman's shoulders, wetting the other man's hoodie. Great, past Roman was going to be so annoyed be that, but he'd get over it if he got to keep his little brother. "I dunno what I'm supposed to do, big brother. Help me."

"You know, you don't always have to make the logical decision. Just don't think about the future or any those worst case scenario situations. Just think about what makes you happy. Even though you're the Architect, you can take a page out of Dean's book and think with your heart. It never hurt anyone before."

Seth pulled himself out of Roman's embrace, wiping his eyes and damp face. "You're saying, I can choose to decline Hunter's offer because selling out feels wrong?"

"Or because staying with your brothers feels right."

Seth appeared to be lost in thought before he began to nod. "It does feel right; it feels like home. When I'm with the two of you, I feel like I'm with family; I'm with my brothers; I'm home."

He sighed. "I don't know how you knew, Rome, but you just stopped me from making a decision that would've haunted me for the rest of my career, if not my life."

Roman managed a half-hearted smile, not wanting to really dwell on that line of thought. "That's what I'm here for."

He carefully stood up, making a big show of feigning soreness (While he was sore from the match from that night in 2015, it was nowhere near how bad he had felt on this night in 2014…).

"Crap, Roman, I'm sorry! Your back must be killing you right now. Come on, we'll get you some ice on the way back up to the room."

Roman waved off Seth's concern. "Don't worry about it. If you don't mind, I'll just meet you back at the room; I need to lie down and get some sleep. Man, did we take a beating tonight."

Seth smiled weakly. "I totally understand, man. Head up there; I'll be right up." The high flyer took off towards the vending area in search ice to help his brothers tend to their wounds.

Roman waited until Seth was out of sight before he pulled out the watch. He spun the dials forward, so he would travel to his present day during RAW. He smiled to himself.

He was getting his little brother back.

He snapped the cover shut and closed his eyes. He couldn't help but say, "I've fixed everything."