Weeks had gone by and school continued to be a pain in the ass for Dean. It felt like a complete waste of time with each breath taken inside those walls. Those same structures that trapped him and constricted his every cell. There was really nothing that could be done, as much as he wanted to just run away from it all. Nothing could be said, no damn thing would get him out of that prison, and doing so presented too much risk anyway. Risk he could not afford to take.

And so he continued to go. Each and every day, occasionally ditching and whatnot. If he was being completely blunt, he was even getting tired of ditching so much. Jumping fences and tricking clueless staff could become exhausting, even for someone like him. It presented way too much activity, actions that drained him of any energy. Whenever he got back home all he had the will to do anymore was sleep. Plop down on his block-like bed and drift off, dream of that one source. That one day where he could be free. His mind was constantly in training mode, looking for ways to escape; just leave it all behind with no trace from the past catching up to him. Ditching and smoking pot were not enough distractions, never quite coming close; his conscious just went off. It just happened and could not be stopped. That one faithful day. That time would eventually come... it had to. There had just been too much shit thrown in his life for nothing to happen; everything had to change eventually, whether for better or for worse remained unknown to him. It didn't matter, change was coming, he felt it every damn time his mind allowed.

RING

Thoughts immediately faded at the metallic sound of the school bell, so loud and annoying it nearly made his head explode. He was still struck from the sudden escapade his brain had taken him on, as was the usual, with every time just presenting itself a little more intense, a bit more strong. He did not want to look up however, look around, gawk at the reality that was his life. Stare it right in the face.

"Alright students." Any form of thought he'd had of ignoring it all immediately and completely vanished at the sound of that voice, its deep sound, "Hopefully this assignment is done for the majority of you." The figure behind the big desk looked around and Dean could sense those gray eyes on him, examining him for any trace of life. His head was down, forehead resting on the now warm desk, taking in the dark, but not quite feeling its surroundings. He could tell the man's words were towards the classroom, but his attention was to the young teen fully, trying to figure out whether or not he had finished his assignment. The answer to that question was pretty obvious, "As for the ones who haven't, Wednesday is the due date."

"Thank you Mr. Reigns but it won't be necessary." The biggest brat in class: Dolph Ziggler, regarded Roman with the smirkiest of smirks and a nod. He stood up, walking towards the teacher along with the rest of the class, too much confidence clearly on display, something he did not lack. Wavy, bleached blonde hair was tied loosely behind his head and tanned body glistened under a baby blue muscle shirt. Kid looked like he'd just been to the beach, as if there was anything remotely resembling a beach even within 300 miles of the small town. His orange-colored tan, however, expressed itself differently, "Good thing I finished mine on time." He handed Roman the piece of paper, his finished assignment.

The handsome man eyed it intently and glared up at Ziggler, small smile on his face, "Thank you Mr. Ziggler."

He set the paper aside before the surfer-looking teen quickly corrected, "Please Mr. Reigns..." He chuckled briefly and shone one of his signature full-toothed smiles, "call me Dolph."

Roman couldn't help but let out a quick chuckle himself and shake his head, "Alright, Dolph."

The stuck-up boy winked, "See you tomorrow Roman."

With that he walked off, pulling the small, American Eagle backpack over his shoulders, confidence radiating off his walk. Reigns' eyes widened briefly, it wasn't like the first name allowance was mutual but whatever.

The rest of the students kept walking out, some handing him completed papers, the rest simply avoiding his gaze at all costs. He stretched a little and checked his phone, something he never did during class but the lack of anything to do asked for. A small smile presented itself whenever one of the many enamored girls in his class would wink at him and blush.

The room was nearly empty when Seth approached him, worried look on the pretty kid's face, "Mr. Reigns?"

Roman looked up from the bright, flashing screen and was met by a pair of deep, chocolate brown eyes, "Come on Seth. I told you, you can call me Roman." The young man's bright look rapidly dissipated upon registering the concern on Rollins' face, "What's wrong?"

Seth's cheeks flushed a bit but he shook it off with a tiny smile, nearly nonexistent, "Roman."

"That's better!" He pointed towards the trash can, the new smile that crept up not leaving his handsome features yet, "Thank you for the apple by the way. That sucker did not make it past class like I thought it would." Even with the small, genuine laugh emanating from the young teen, Roman could tell something was not right, making his newly found smile quickly fade, "What's wrong?"

Seth looked around briefly, letting his guard down and sinking into his shoulders, something bothering him for sure, "I, uh- I saw my quiz."

"Yes, I passed them out today." The teacher placed his elbows on the desk and shifted his body closer, paying full attention to what the boy wanted to say, "What happened?"

"I saw my grade and..." Roman's posture also fell a little, he knew what was coming, "it was awful."

Reigns shook his head, "Of course not Seth, it was not awful."

Despite trying to keep everything on the low, Rollins' voice came out louder than originally planned, "Yes it is! It was terrible."

"No Seth you're wrong."

"Oh just like I was totally wrong in that quiz?" The teen looked around, completely losing his cool, but trying to regain it at the same time to no success; it was difficult to watch for Roman who had not seen him like this, ever. Seth Rollins was always composed, a really gentle and well-behaved kid. He'd yet to witness this behavior in the short weeks they had been together, "I did absolutely terrible and that is- that is not acceptable! At all." He went on to take the quiz from his backpack, searching desperately and failing altogether.

All Roman could do was wait. He wanted to help Seth, he really did, but there was no way that could be done with the current ways the teen was exhibiting. He first had to calm down then they could work something out, but as usual Roman just waited patiently for the boy with nothing to say. He still had to get used to being on alert for unexpected occurrences; situations such as this one or what had gone down a couple weeks back; the one moment Roman could recall so vividly, having the words Dean Ambrose had so confidently muttered before walking away still deeply engraved in his mind. He'd been left quite dumbfounded if he ever had to admit.

Speaking of Ambrose.

Apparently the rowdy teen had not left just yet. He remained in his seat eyeing both individuals intently. He not once showed any signs of movement to pick up his things, or gave much mind to the fact that school was over, which was rare since he was the first one out each day. Roman looked over to the boy and their eyes met, icy blue to burning gray. In that moment everything seemed to have frozen; a spell appeared to have been cast on the teacher to where he could not take his damn eyes off. A spell that looked to have had no effect on the young boy who began to clean up his desk, tossing supplies, a mere pencil and bare sheet of paper, into his bag; not once caring if things landed safely. Reigns had noticed before that Dean was anything but organized, typically not bothered by anything relating to that class, disappointing Roman each time. He wanted nothing more than to get the line of slackers on track, and Dean was in the lead. Every passing day, however, proved to be more of a challenge than the last; instead of things moving for the better, they ran for the worse.

The young teacher took that opportunity to speak up, the spell now wearing off thanks to Ambrose, "Didn't notice you there Dean." No answer was given from the other side of the potential conversation, one Roman wanted to start. The kid simply stood up, walking over to the over-sized desk, next to Seth.

Rollins had finally retrieved the stapled packet from his bag and that sea of heavy-looking books and binders, no wonder the kid was in good shape from all that carrying around. The small teen eyed it briefly before placing it in front of Roman, not paying much attention to the fact that Dean was standing right next to him as if he'd been invited to join in, eyes traveling back and forth between both guys. Seth just completely no-sold his existence, opting instead to keep a focused gaze on Roman, "Look. This is awful."

Roman did not once do so much as to think about the papers in front of him. Instead it was Dean who picked them up and flipped through, paying extra close attention to the ones the younger boy had gotten wrong. He was so painfully focused and Reigns had to contain a chuckle that bubbled up suddenly. He could not understand why, but underneath all that macho persona, Dean was quite the goofy individual, and Roman could not help but find it funny. It was as if everyone else failed to spot it but him; the quick flashes Ambrose gave which were ultra rare occasions when he wasn't flipping the world off. Roman believed in a universal rule, one stating that there is always a different side to what everyone tries to be, the true side. Dean Ambrose was not exempt to that rule and it was too obvious at times.

After going through the pages a bit more, he spoke, "Final grade..." He looked closer and shook his head, "a 'C'." With each shake of the head, lips smacked loudly, "How disappointing. Wonder how daddy is going to take this one." With a smirk, he quickly dropped the paper on the desk and began walking off, Seth now eyeing him, clear anger registered.

Roman chose to ignore it. It was no use arguing over it with Dean or give him a suspension, that was exactly what the boy wanted and Roman did not want to give him that victory. No. He had to be patient and insistent when it came to Ambrose, get things right, the way they are supposed to work. He chose instead to grant his full attention back to Seth, that being something he could do and would actually work, "Seth, a 'C' is not that bad."

"You're right, it's not THAT bad." The young boy quickly shook his head and glanced around the room making Reigns immediately regret his choice of words. Rollins too ignored Ambrose's remarks but was still very much bothered by it all, "I cannot afford a "bad" on anything. At all." He took the papers, round eyes immediately drawn to the big 'C' in red pen. The sight was gigantic to him, a clear proof that he'd failed in something, an occurrence that did not present itself often, if ever. It couldn't have been more obvious or clear to him at that moment... something had to be done. As much as he didn't want to, things could not remain that way. The words that came out of his mouth next were so foreign, automatically despised, "There has to be something we can do. There has to be something I can do."

Roman looked around, rubbing the back of his neck in the process. He'd failed to realize how sore the soft spot was and how much this whole school routine had been catching up to him. He scanned the room, looking for ways in which he could help the hopeful boy. A few seconds passed when it finally hit him, "Well, there is something you could do."

"What? What is it? What can I do?" The small teen immediately responded, shooting out ideas in the process. He placed his smaller hands on the desk along with the quiz, "Extra credit? Take the quiz again?" He knew that last one was far-fetched but had to try.

The answer that came out of Reigns was quite unexpected to him, "Tutoring."

His face immediately fell a little, as if that was any more possible. He would be lying if he said he was expecting tutoring to be an option, the concept being far away from his mind before the words were muttered, "Tutoring?"

"Yes." Roman stood up and walked over to where Rollins was standing, hand resting on the boy's shoulder, "Tutoring is the only thing I can think of that would truly help. You would not only do better on your next assignments, but would learn new concepts. It is a win any way you look at it." The man offered him a reassuring smile, hoping this would work for the boy.

Seth thought about it a bit more but decided on not arguing. Tutoring was not something he wanted to do, but if that was the only option, it that was what it took to never have to see any hint disappointment from his parents, then he would do it, "Okay." He nodded briefly, all while something popped up in his brain, a question, "You're going to be my tutor... right?" He was more shy than usual, but that was pretty much an established thing whenever he got even a few mere feet close to Roman.

"I don't know about that Seth." The man's hand fell from his shoulder accompanied by a sigh, "I have other things to do after school, unfortunately. There's other professors that would gladly help you. I'm pretty sure." His head fell and Rollins could tell the teacher had genuinely wanted to be there.

He had to think of a solution quick. Alone time with Roman Reigns? That was something he could definitely live with, "What if- what if we do this at lunch then? During lunch." The teen shrugged a little.

Reigns pouted, leaving Seth breathless once again, "Maybe that could work." He thought about it some more, gaze traveling to the ceiling. After a bit more thought he smiled and Seth's face quickly lit up, something he hadn't intended on doing, "Tell you what. Lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. That sound good?"

The smile that next adorned the teen's features was exquisite, as big and bright as ever, cheeks flushing a pretty peach color, "Sounds- sounds great profess- I mean Roman." The older man's smile only grew, "I like that."

"Alrighty then..." The handsome individual walked behind the desk and picked up his black, leather portfolio. He placed some folders and books inside, not in any way how Ambrose had done earlier, and walked with the young teen to the door, keeping a hand on the small shoulder, as had become the custom, "See you on Wednesday for lunch then, Seth." They both exited the room, Roman turning off the lights and closing the door while at it, not locking up in case the janitors went in to clean. He looked over to Rollins, who still hadn't managed to erase that contagious smile from his face. It wasn't like that bothered Roman at all, on the contrary, "Don't forget. Lunch."

"I won't... Roman. See you on Wednesday." With that and a wave, the teen walked off, exiting the building through the nearest door. Roman sighed and smiled once again. His lunch was definitely going to be quite interesting from now on.

In their daze, both guys had failed to notice the figure standing in front of the most beat up locker in school. The one that with small, sharpie-written letters warned each and every living soul to stay away. Reigns started walking the opposite direction of where Seth had gone and did see it. The door was opened and so he could not make out the face. That jean and boot combo, however, could not be mistaken.

Dean.

He was putting something into his locker, so focused, not noticing the taller man standing right behind him, "Ahem." Still unheard, Roman spoke, "Dean."

The young boy turned around quick, body tensing a little. He'd definitely not expected Roman to be standing there. His sharp expressions registered a bit of shock which was quickly masked by a smirk, shielded by a sarcastic tone of voice, "What's up Mister." He placed some more unknown items into the compact space and shut the small, dark yellow door, "Or should I call you 'Roman'?" His body turned towards the older man and leaned against the locker.

"You can call me that too. It really is not a matter of having a privilege if that's how you view it." Thick arms folded across his broad chest, and taking a page out of the Dean's book, walked over to lean 2 locker doors away from the boy, but still pretty close, keeping his body towards Ambrose, who was now smirking but facing away. The halls were already empty, not one soul presenting itself; it surprised Roman to see Dean still out there.

"Oh." Ambrose shuffled a bit on his spot, making Roman smirk. He noticed the brunette usually moved a bit more than normal, whether on his seat or doing one of his goofy dances while standing, he seemed to not be able to contain himself. This time was not an exception, and so the boy kept moving his shoulders back and forth gently, "So you mean Seth and Dolph are not the only ones who get to do it? I thought only rich, well-behaved kids got that chance."

Roman shook his head, eyes rolling wildly, "No Dean. Anyone can call me Roman, including you. I really don't mind." He glanced over Ambrose's shoulder, eyeing the door Seth had exited from just a few minutes ago, thoughts of the other teen quickly bubbling up, "You know... what you said to Seth earlier... that was really uncalled for Dean."

"Oh here we go." Now it was Ambrose who rolled his baby blue eyes, "Not another lecture. I already had it very clear with the first and last one we had." They both recalled the little encounter outside the classroom, the first time Dean had shown up to class, "I'm already sitting way in front where you put me. I moved." That part was true. Roman smirked some more, picturing the young boy's face when he'd seen that his new seat was way in front of the class. Right in front of the teacher's desk he oh-so despised, "Now I don't think this is a terrible thing. Goody Rollins can damn well defend himself." The boy kept talking, his voice not once raising its tone, instead as a way to avoid another argument in a calm way. Surprisingly, he did not feel like arguing this time.

"Yes it is. And Seth does not have to do anything when it's you who could stop." Roman interfered, still not knowing why he couldn't be annoyed with the kid. Somehow, each and every time they had an argument, no matter the size, he just couldn't get angry at all, "You love bothering Seth and that is unacceptable to me."

"Well then..." That was when Ambrose took a step forward, getting right in the older man's face, taunting him. He was not much shorter than Roman, maybe only 2 or 3 inches under, but Reigns didn't quite know if he could be taken down easily. It would definitely take some effort. Bark and bite were equal when it came to Dean, "Why don't you do something about it?" The bigger man picked out the scent of cinnamon laced with the kid's hot breath. He also caught the tinge of something else, smoke maybe, in the air. The boy spoke with such confidence, such reassurance with a spark of humor to it. He was definitely a talker and Reigns knew right then that Dean could be very convincing and manipulative if need be. That gift had just been generously handed to him in spades. He would have to watch out for that; watch to not fall for that damn spell Ambrose could cast with ease, "Huh... Roman? Why don't you do something about that? You want to defend your precious Seth... your favorite student. Why don't you take action?" He stretched his arms and smirked, a deep dimple making its appearance on his left cheek, a shake of the head following, "You should damn well know by now words don't work with me. I need action." At this point the teen's raspy voice was a low sound, trying its best to become menacing. Not once failing.

Roman just chuckled lightly. He would not fall for it, and he was trying too damn hard not to, the idea of what Dean wanted him to do appearing crystal clear. No, he would not hit the kid. He would not apply violence despite the situation. That just wasn't him. Not anymore.

With that in mind, what came out next he knew would apply an equal amount of pain to the boy, if not more. All without having to move a muscle, "Tell you what..." He did not once step back or lost his position. They were still as close as could be, cool, minty breath tickling Dean gently, whose smirk had not left since the taunt begun, "I would do it right now... I really would. If that's what makes you happy, don't think I wouldn't raise my hand and-"

"Then do it." The tone of that raspy, deep voice did not once lose its warning.

"No, Dean." He let go of another brief chuckle and shook his head, "I think something else would be better." He eyed the young teen who simply stared back, curious, without muttering a word, waiting for the suggestion that came next, "Tutoring."

"What?" Roman did not get to finish his thought when the questions began falling like grenades, the kid's expression crashing even harder, "Why?! What the fuck, why me? My grades aren't bad. Why do I have to pay for this? Why do I have to?"

"Dean. Dean." The man kept his gaze fixed on Ambrose, voice calm, curiosity and amusement taking its toll. He knew exactly what this would do and enjoyed every second of it, "A 'C' on the recent quiz is not good."

"What the fuck? Of course it is! I have a better grade than most..." He motioned towards the classroom, more than annoyed, "if not all those chumps. Hell, I have the exact same grade Rollins got. Remember? Your favorite student?"

Roman just shrugged, trying to contain the huge smile that threatened to form, resuming his walk before it would "Well, Rollins wants to fix it. And so should you." He shrugged, "Sorry." After that, he walked off, leaving Dean an angry mess. The way he'd reacted was exactly how the man had seen it coming. He'd done it many times before with past students, and this just amused him even more knowing it was Dean. Yea, the school's badass was going to take tutoring. Calculus tutoring at that, "Oh, and Dean..." He regarded the boy who stood glued to the same spot, fuming, "See you Wednesday for lunch alright. My room."

"Wednesday at lun- Roman!" He nearly had to jog behind the teacher, struggling to catch up with the wide steps the man took.

"Oh now you wanna call me Roman." The smirk did not leave him, he continued strolling as casually as possible to his destination.

"Mr. Reigns. Roman. Roman please, I will do anything!"

Both individuals walked along the brightly decorated corridor, Reigns not once stopping for Dean who kept struggling quickly behind, "Nice, then I guess tutoring it is."

"Not that- you- you can't be serious. You don't understand. Send me to Cena's office tomorrow in front of the whole class. I will let him give me a punishment, please. I will practically beg him for some sort of punishment... anything non-sexual of course."

The look Roman gave Dean was of pure disgust which a quick shake of the head did not fix. Instead he scoffed, "I already made up my mind Dean." He heard a quick, quiet sigh right behind, then the footsteps stopped. The boy had finally resigned by the time Reigns reached the door that went out to the front of the building. He opened it, glancing behind him, checking if the boy was still there. The spot was empty as expected, the whole place was. Dean had walked off, probably flipping him off in the process, muttering every curse in the book under his breath. Roman could picture him already, not like that was rare in any way. He'd actually expected more whining from Dean, looked forward to it.

And he couldn't do much. With a stupidly wide grin and a shrug, the man walked out of school knowing damn well from now on his lunch would be anything but bland.