Bent to Fly

"Wait just one fucking minute! Roman, I know you didn't have this bitch around MY daughter?" Tangie screamed as she stormed into the court house.

The relationship between Roman and Iris has somehow turned into a serious one throughout the past couple of weeks. Although they were still getting to know each other on a romantic level, the bond they had as friends was damn near unbreakable. And so when Roman asked Iris if she would go with him to the custody hearing, saying no was out of the question. So upon hearing his ex screaming at the top of her lungs, Roman pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Not only at the sheer fact that Tangie was had embarrassing them and herself, but also at the fact that she used that kind of language while he had his daughter in his arms.

"You must really think I'm stupid if you think for one second that I'm going to allow you to have THAT skank around my little girl." Tangie continued her rant. Roman just shook his head before looking down at Iris, "Let's go." Iris took a good look at Tangie before rolling her eyes and following Roman. She wanted to give that chick a piece of her mind, but she knew this wasn't the place or the time. "Don't you walk away from me, Roman! If you think for one second that the judge is going to grant you full custody, then you're even more fucked in the head than I thought you were!" Tangie screamed.

Before they went into the courtroom, Roman was greeted by Manaia's law guardian, Ms. Bridgette Poltensky. They met a few days after Tangie had told him about the custody hearing, and he wanted to make sure that Manaia knew what was going on. Even though she was only eight years old, he knew she needed to make her own decision on who she wanted to live with.

"Good morning, Mr. Reigns I have everything in order for Manaia." She turned her attention to Manaia, "All you have to do is tell the judge everything you told me. Your parents are here too, right?" She asked as she adjusted her eyeglasses. "Yes ma'am. The judge arrived not too long ago." Roman knelt down so that he was at eye level with Manaia. "Alright baby girl, you're gonna go with Ms. Bridgette for a little while. Are you okay with that?"

Manaia nodded her head, "I'm not going back with mommy am I?" Roman squeezed her small hand with a hopeful smile. "No baby girl, you don't have to go with mommy if you don't want to." Manaia smiled brightly before moving to whisper in his ear. "Good, cause I want to stay with you and Iris." She said before hugging him. "I love you daddy." Roman held her tight and let out a relieved sigh, "I love you too baby girl. Now go. And behave yourself." Manaia giggled before waving off her father. "I always behave."

"So, you and Reigns, huh?" Iris looked up from her phone noticing Seth leaning against the wall beside the diva's locker room. They hadn't spoken to each other in a several weeks, and she was beginning to miss him. "It looks that way. How have you been?" She asked as she put her phone in her back pocket.

Seth ran his hand through his hair before pushing himself off the wall, "I've been good, can't complain. I heard Roman got full custody of his daughter. Good for him." She nodded, "He needs her in his life. That little girl is everything to him."

"Listen, can I talk to you about something. But you have to promise not to freak out on me." Seth said as he looked around cautiously. Iris rolled her eyes, "This better not be one of your pranks, Rollins." He put his hands up in defense. "Believe me, it's definitely not a prank." His voice was full of concern at that point.

"What's wrong?" He had Iris' full attention. "Have you seen Orton around lately?" He whispered. Iris gave him a confused look, "Orton? Why would I have seen Orton around?" Seth continued looking around as if he was being watched. "Cause there's a rumor going around that he's looking for you."

That piqued her interest, "What do you mean he's "looking" for me?" She asked. "Listen, I don't know all the details. All I know is that he's been looking for you. I don't know what his game is, but I do know that if you've gotten Orton's attention it's not good." Seth explained.

"How do we know that? He hasn't made any type of moves on me since I've been here. And all of our interactions were tame, so whoever started these rumors needs to have a seat." Iris said before hopping off the crates. "Listen, I just want you to be careful around here. Roman and I won't always be around to have your back." Seth said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She rolled her eyes, "Are you forgetting who I was when we first met, Rollins?" It was Seth's turn to roll his eyes. "I've been trying to forget. My balls still hurt from all those low blows. I'm pretty sure Randy would have fallen in love with you." He mused. "I highly doubt that. How long did it take you to get on my good side?" Iris asked.

"Too fucking long. But it all worked out for the best if I do say so myself." He said as he draped an arm over her shoulder. "I just don't want to go back to being that destructive person, you know? And if anyone wants to push me then I'll be forced to do just that." Seth turned her towards him and held her by her arms, "Listen, you won't go back to being that person. Look at everything you've accomplished? Even if the rumors were true, you have people around you that are willing to protect you."

Iris gave him a confused look, "I'm not some damsel in distress Seth. I can take care of myself." Seth shook his head, "I know that, but you don't know Orton."

"So what, if that fucker even thinks of coming anywhere near me, it'll be hell for him." Iris said clearly annoyed.

"Look, I just want you to be careful around here." Seth said as he gently caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

"Whatever you say Rollins. Why don't you go help Becky prepare for her match. She needs you more than I do." Iris spat.

Seth groaned, "Don't start with me."

"What!? I didn't say anything. But I'll tell you this, if you continue to insult my intelligence with your captain save-a-hoe tendencies WE will have a problem." Iris threatened.

"Why are you so stubborn? Is it so wrong of me to want to protect my friend?"

"Seth, I appreciate you worrying about me and wanting to protect me, but this is my life. If Orton wants a piece of me, he can bring it. I've got a two piece and a biscuit waiting for that ass."

"Just be careful."

Iris let out a frustrated sigh, "What did I just say? I can handle Orton. You just make sure to stay out of the way."

"Uh oh, who's face do I have to punch?" Paige asked as she walked towards the two. Clearly noticing the irritated look on Iris' face.

"It's nothing like that. Seth here was just giving me a heads up about this Orton rumor that's been floating around." Iris rolled her eyes at the ridiculous ordeal.

"What rumor?" Paige asked before hopping up next to Iris on the crate.

"Apparently, he's been "looking" for me." Iris repeated. "But no one seems to know why?"

Seth pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, "Does it matter? The last time he was around a lot of people got hurt. But for some odd reason, he didn't hurt you." He looked as if a light bulb lit up in his head when he looked back at Iris, "Of course he didn't hurt you! Why didn't I think of that before?" Seth started rambling off as he laughed and danced around. Iris was extremely confused, "What is it you're rambling about Rollins?"

Seth put a comforting hand on Iris' shoulder, "Honey, he wants to fuck you." Iris looked at him like he was the dumbest person on planet Earth, and at this very moment that statement would be true. "Okay, you're smoking crack." Seth was "appalled" at Iris' little quip. "I resent that! And I do not smoke crack. I might partake in a little of the green giggly bush, but nothing that extreme. Also, why would I lie about Orton wanting to fuck you? It's not like it's completely farfetched."

"Okay can someone explain to me how these rumors got started in the first place?" Paige asked finally intervening in the chaos. Seth threw his hands up in defense, "Hey, I only heard it in passing from Riddle. So, it's clear that he doesn't want to harm you." Iris shook her head still trying to understand. "But it's not clear that he wants to fuck me either. So, you're entire theory is kaput." Seth threw his hands up in defeat, "Okay fine, lets say he is out to hurt or fuck you somehow. There's no way any of us would let anything happen to you." Iris just shook her head before heading back inside.

"Well, that didn't go as planned." Seth said, he just wanted to keep Iris safe. "She appreciates everything you do for her. But what you have to understand is that this..." Paige pointed to the arena, "this is the place she's fought to get to for most of her life. And I hope you don't think that Orton can scare her?" Seth shook his head, "I know she can take care of herself, but Orton is unpredictable." Paige smiled softly, "So is Iris."

That was the last thing Seth heard before Paige walked back into the arena. He knew that Paige was right, but he couldn't help but want to protect Iris.