The Arrangement

Chapter 2 – In which Melanie goes through the motions and make an ally, the relationship between herself and her family fragments, and Roman acts like a human being.

Warning – chapter does contain some reference to slash which was necessary for the plot. Very light. If you don't like it, tough.

I own nothing at all

Melanie watched at the Florida suburbs passed her by and the streets changed to a shopping precinct. Her father sat next to her in the back of the car frequently glancing over but Melanie refused to look at him. Eventually they pulled up outside one of the more expensive bridal boutiques. Melanie undid her seatbelt and opened her car door. She heard her father move to get out as well.

"Don't bother, I don't want you with me", she said through gritted teeth.

"Baby girl"-

"Don't baby girl me, dad. You expect me to marry some I don't know in less than forty eight hours, and I expect you to give me some space".

Dusty said nothing and Melanie slammed the door behind her.

An older woman approached her as soon as she entered the shop. She smiled warmly and reached out a hand to Melanie.

"Hello, you must be Miss Runnels".

"Yes", Melanie took the woman's hand and shook it.

"My name is Alison, I am the P.A. to the Authority, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. I've been sent to make sure the fitting goes well and the dress meets with your expectations", the woman continued. "Ms McMahon apologises, she wanted to be here but a meeting came up with the board.

"It's no problem", Melanie said stiffly. Alison extended an arm and escorted Melanie to the rear of the shop to a private dressing room. At the entrance to the dressing room was an older man with long dark hair and a lot of muscles. I recognised him from Cody's work, but I didn't know his name. I decided to play dumb.

"Who's he"? She nodded to him and turned to Alison.

"Why, he is here for your protection", Alison smiled blindly and made the introductions to the shop assistant who was dealing with her wedding dress.

Here to make sure I don't run you mean.

Melanie's POV

The sales assistant immediately began to give me a number of brisk commands as she ushered me into the dressing room.

"Your dress, shoes, veil and undergarments are in the adjoining chamber Miss Runnels. Place everything on carefully and ask if you require any assistance. After you have changed, come to this room and stand on the platform. Please remain still while we make the necessary adjustments".

All at once, her bad mood made complete sense. She had to put all of this together in a hurry and she would be hard pressed to make everything ready in time for the ceremony.

I would gladly trade lives if it meant getting out of this predicament.

I entered the adjoining room and undressed. I studied the dress. I refused to call it mine. It was beautiful, don't get me wrong. But it just reminded me how much of a farce this was. I didn't pick this dress, I didn't go shopping with my mother or girlfriends or cousins. I didn't spend ridiculous amounts of time trying on various styles and pursuing the shops for the perfect dress for the perfect day.

Like my soon-to-be husband, this dress had been picked for me. It was a simple dress. It hugged my slim figure perfectly, giving me an hourglass figure. It was strapless and fastened at the back. The top of the dress balanced perfectly across the top of my breasts and accented my neck and shoulders. Thank god the shoes weren't too high. I stared regretfully at my doc martins on the floor next to my jeans and black shirt. My best friends had called it my artistic look, that was the real me. This was just a mockery. I felt tears stinging again and bit them back. I wished Declan was here. My best friend always made me laugh. This just wasn't me, I didn't recognise the girl standing in the mirror. She was just a doll for dressing up.

On the platform, I turned slowly as directed by the seamstress as she made the last few adjustments. She made very few overall and I was convinced, more than convinced, someone had passed on my sizes before now. I made a mental note to find something bigger to throw at my father.

Alison watched the whole scene with mild interest and a fixed smile. I really hated that smile. By the door, the muscle-bound guy hadn't moved. He wasn't interested in this, his gaze was fixed on something outside in the street. At least I wasn't the only one who didn't want to be here.

"You're awful quiet Miss Runnels. Pre-wedding jitters"? the seamstress enquired as she sniped a stray thread from the hem.

"Probably still recovering from that bout of flu", Alison piped up. Again with the ever-present, cult-like smile.

"Flu"? I questioned before it struck me. "Oh yes, my flu".

If Alison wasn't full of complete sincerity in the cock and bull story she had been fed, she had one hell of a poker face.

"Well that's me done. Only a few adjustments, it won't take me long".

The seamstress stood and her knees popped as she stood up.

"Excellent. Please have the dress and accessories delivered to this address", Alison handed her a card and I took this as my cue to slip off and get changed. I didn't want to spend a second longer in this dress than I had to.

Alison led me out of the store just as a car pulled up to the kerb.

"A pleasure Miss Runnels, Roman here will see you safely home and then escort you and your family to the venue". Alison nodded and then left us.

Roman held the car door open for me and we climbed in. He still hadn't said anything, but that suited me. I didn't really feel like talking.

When we got home, dad and Cody were waiting for us in the front hall. My brother's face instantly darkened as we walked through the door.

"What the hell are you doing here"?

Roman didn't respond, he just stared Cody down. My dad pulled Cody away frantically whispering. I just rolled my eyes and headed upstairs. I really didn't want to deal with this shit right now. I had stuff to finish off. Halfway up the stair, I noticed Roman had followed me. I rolled my eyes again. I stopped at the third floor and went to a locked door. I pulled out my keys and unlocked it. Roman was still right behind me.

"OK, why don't you just go away Hercules or Adonis, or whatever your name is"? I snapped. I was stressed, angry and in no mood to deal with my grumpy shadow. My mood didn't improve when Roman just quirked one eyebrow at me.

"You know what my name is little girl". Ah so the big lump of muscle does speak.

I just unlocked the door and turned to face him.

"I really couldn't give a flying fuck. This room is off limits to anyone who isn't me, got that? So piss off".

With that, I stalked in and slammed the door behind me. Or at least I tried to. Damn that physique. Obviously it wasn't just for show. The door wouldn't budge. I growled in frustration and banged my head against the wood. Roman just stood there impassively. Then he sighed.

"Look, you know I could just kick the door down here. But I'm guessing there are other people than me you don't necessarily want to see just now". I wasn't getting out of this was I? Reluctantly I stepped aside, and he walked in. I locked the door behind him. At least he wouldn't try to talk to me.

"Just don't touch anything".

Roman's POV

First reaction, the kid was a little mouse. Proven wrong, she had spunk. Not many people stand up to someone twice their size.

Second, the kid is talented. Really talented. This studio was bigger than most people's apartments. Art supplies were everywhere and the walls were covered with sketches, canvases and designs. Several easels stood in various spots, in front of displays or with photos attached. They were all varied; some were portraits, others were still-life, some were landscapes. Even scenes from fantasy. Girl definitely had imagination. She also spent a lot of time here; kettle, microwave, small fridge, small sofa bed with pillows and a blanket. This room was far away from the rest of the house. This was hers, this was her sanctuary. Now she had to leave it. I stopped at a large painting covering a quarter of the area. It was a twisted tree with two ravens flying around it and coloured spheres balanced in the branches. This was amazing. He reached out and traced the roots of the image.

"It's the world tree", she had come up behind me as quietly as a shadow. She had donned a paint coloured apron and rolled up her sleeves. Her hair was pulled into a bun and held in place by two bushes. "I always loved Norse mythology. Order in a chaotic cosmos". She smiled lightly then it disappeared. She remembered who she was talking to.

"It's amazing", I tried quickly to make amends. I felt guilty for invading this space, but I didn't have a choice. "Did you do all these"?

She shrugged. "I have double this in storage and more pieces dotted about the country on display. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I got this one back after the exhibition. A few offers for it, but I couldn't bear to sell it".

"I can see why", I commented. "You've got a real talent kid".

"I'm not a kid. I'm the same age as Cody you know". The hostility was back.

She walked away from me and settled in the far corner. She picked up a brush and started to make small and defined strokes. I ambled over and looked over her shoulder. She tensed but otherwise she didn't respond to my presence.

The portrait was of a man. He was thin, pale and had wide blue eyes and dark hair. A little smile graced his mouth and he had a mischievous look on his face. Melanie's face had lost its hostility. She was staring at the strokes, lost in memories. I moved away slowly and settled on the couch. Classical music started to drift out an iPod near Melanie. It seemed to fit her mood. A few sketch books were lying nearby. I started flipping through some. The same guy was on every page, in a variety of scenarios and mediums. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out. Three missed calls from Dean and a text message.

Dean: Hey man, how goes the babysitting?

Roman: Actually it's OK.

Dean: Seriously? Fuck Rome, I owe Seth thirty bucks now

Roman: Why?

Dean: We kinda had a bet she'd be freaking out.

Roman: Nah, bit pissed but she isn't freaking out.

I bit my lip and tapped out another message.

Roman: I need you and Seth to do me a huge favour.

Dean: Sure man, what do you need?

Roman: Can you get your hands on some decent art supplies and a couple of sketch books and canvases?

Dean: Uh, I guess so. Why?

Roman: I think it'll help. I will pay you guys back though.

Dean: Don't worry about it, if you say it's needed we trust you.

Roman: Thanks Dean. Oh and uh they don't need to know, OK?

Dean: Got you. See you tomorrow dude. Seth says hi.

Roman: Hi back. See you both at the hotel.

Normal POV

They stayed in the studio for an hour until there was a small rap on the door. Cody shouted through that Dustin had made some dinner and she best come down and eat. As they left the studio, Cody's face darkened even more. Roman guessed even he wasn't allowed in. the five of them met in the dining room. Roman pulled out the chair next to Melanie. Dusty sat at the head of the table and Cody and Dustin sat across from them. Dinner was already proving to be a stressful affair. The Rhodes brothers shot Roman death glares. Melanie was ignoring the looks her father aimed at her and wouldn't talk to anyone.

"Are you all packed"? Dusty asked. No one answered. Later that evening they would all be leaving for the hotel where the wedding would take place. He tried again.

"Melanie, are you packed? I'm talking to you", Dusty put his fork down and shot a pointed look at his daughter.

"She just needs an overnight bag". Roman shoved some more chicken and rice into his mouth and chewed slowly. "Stephanie said they would set her up with everything she needs".

"Great", Melanie replied sarcastically. "How the keys to the invisible cuffs everyone keeps yanking me around by"?

She shoved her chair away and stormed up the stairs. Roman grunted and put his fork down. He had really been enjoying that.

He tried the studio door but it was locked. A few noises came from a door further down the floor. Eventually he found her in her bedroom. At least, he thought it was her room. It was sparsely decorated and didn't look like anyone really lived there. Melanie was stalking around throwing a few clothes in a large bag on the bed.

"That's a bit much for overnight", he said. "You did hear me say you'd be getting new stuff picked out for you, right"?

"I did and I elected to ignore you", she said snippily. "If you think I am going anywhere to be dependent on someone else you are fucking insane. I am a person not a piece of property! This whole situation is insane and I have had it. I draw the line here. It's bad enough having to go through this shit, but being stripped of any freedom? Fuck that, and fuck you for good measure"!

Roman POV

Melanie flopped down on the bed, head in hands. I raised my hands in self-defence.

"Come on, I'm just the messenger".

"Prison guard sweetie, prison guard. Guess dad couldn't stomach it right? He'd rather be the middle man. You'd think he'd see this through and watch me himself".

Her voice cracked. There were soft sobs, and I closed my eyes. Damn. Fuck, I am no good with crying women. I sat stiffly on the bed next to her and patter her on the shoulder. OK, think. What would Dean do- No wait. Probably not the best role model for this situation. Seth, right! Seth would….talk it out?

"Listen it's not"-

"If you say it's not that bad, I will have to punch you", her voice was muffled by her hands. I swallowed. She could and I had no doubt. Only one thing was worse than a crying woman. A crying woman who was pissed off, and knew the weak points on a man, that would lead to a major freak out that I'd be on the receiving end on. At that moment, I made a resolve not to mention any of this to Dean.

I decided to take a risk and did the only thing I could reasonably think of. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. Hugging a stranger is so awkward. Eventually, her sobs lessened.

"I'm sorry", she whispered.

"Me too", I said, and I actually was. This situation had way too much drama. I thought my family was bad. This was so beyond fucked up, it was unreal. I needed a way to settle her. Something for normalcy, and maybe help build a truce. However, uneasy it may be.

"How about we order a pizza"?

Melanie POV

We sat cross-legged across from each other with an empty pizza box between us. I was staring in shock at Roman.

"How in the seven hells can you still be hungry"?

"Dunno, I usually am", Roman shrugged.

I sighed and reached into the top drawer of my bedside table. So long my secret stash. I pulled out two candy bars and tossed one towards him. He demolished it two bites. I sighed and handed him my unopened one as well.

"Thanks Roman".

He paused mid-chew. "Why are you thanking me"?

"This is probably the first time in three days I've been able to relax. So, thank you", I said simply and stretched my legs out. Only an hour and then we had to leave. I wasn't sure if I would see Roman again, but he hadn't been too bad to hang around with. And he provided me with junk food for dinner. That alone lifted my mood a couple of points.

"Well, you're welcome. For what it's worth, I don't agree with this".

I nodded. "You and me both".

I took a deep breath and asked the question that was buzzing around my head, well except from Dad, how the fuck could you do this to me? I would be stuck on that one for a while. I swear, eventually all my savings would go on therapy after this.

"Do you know who I'm supposed to be marrying"? His answer shocked me.

"Yes. Do you want to know"?

"No". It made everything more real. I wanted to hold on to the illusion of my freedom for a little longer.

"Look, I don't really know him personally, but he'll treat you fine. You'll be safe with him. They could have picked someone a lot worse".

I laid back on my pillows. "It doesn't exactly fill me with confidence".

"Hey, I was told to come here and keep an eye on you. But, look at us, at all civil", Roman pointed out.

"But a marriage built on a contract and possibly civility? This isn't the eighteenth century. This… this wasn't how I thought my life would end up", I admitted.

"Can I ask you a question"? Roman leaned down on one side and met my gaze. I smiled and propped myself up.

"Shoot. You've seen the dress we have no secrets".

We chuckled and then Roman became serious. "Who's the guy"?

"What guy"? My brow furrowed in confusion. Did Roman think I had someone else?

"The guy you were paining, he's everywhere in that studio. Who was he? Muse, boyfriend, past lover"?

"Declan", I said simply. "He was my best friend. We lived together and went to the same art school in New York".

"What was he doing in New York"?

"Photography. He had such an eye for detail. He never went anywhere without his camera. We met during our first lecture and became fast friends. He didn't care who I was or who my family were. He stuck by me through everything, came to all my shows and supported me at competitions. He was the one who convinced me never to give up on my dream. A lot of my classmates knew who my family were and tried to take advantage of it, score free tickets, girls wanted to date my brother. It wasn't easy to be invisible when your last name was Runnels".

"Sounds tough", Roman agreed. "But Declan was different"?

"He really helped me. I had acquaintances and colleagues but couldn't trust people. He never gave up and eventually he broke down the walls".

"Were you in love with him"? Roman asked softly. I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing.

"Oh no. Declan was gay, really gay". I smiled fondly. "We were friends, that was all".

"So where is he"?

"He died in a car accident two years ago". I wouldn't ever get over that, there would always be a great gaping void.

"I'm sorry", Roman murmured. "So you draw him"?

"I miss him. It's as simple as that". I straightened up and forced a smile. The conversation was too depressing. "You know, it's too bad. I think you guys would have gotten on really well".

The tips of Roman's ears turned pink.

"Am I that obvious"?

"Not really, just a look in your eye when I said about Dec", I confessed. "Your secret is safe. Are you seeing anyone"?

"Yeah", Roman flipped out his phone and loaded up a photo of himself and another guy, pale with red hair. They were both smiling at the camera and Roman had his arm wrapped around the red head. The physical contrast between them was striking, but they suited each other.

"He's a wrestler too right"? He looked familiar.

"Yeah, he goes by Sheamus but I just call him Shea. His real name is Stephen". Roman locked his phone and put it away. "He's crazy, Irish, and completes me".

I tossed a pillow at him. "Such a romantic. You guys do make a cute couple".

"Yeah. Most of the locker room knows, but we keep it private in public".

"Well, considering he's a face and you're a heel, I see why. Nothing like a little dose of reality to ruin the illusion of wrestling". Roman shot me a surprised look. "Just because I don't watch it doesn't mean the names don't mean anything to me. Dustin and Codes talk a lot".

"Do you not enjoy wrestling"?

"It's not high as a priority no. It was something for the boys. Dad was disappointed when I didn't show the same aptitude. He didn't get how the two of us could be so different. He used to send Cody and me to the same sports classes. Cody always used to cover for me when we got older. Dustin too, he'd write notes saying I had the dentist or doctor and I'd hide out in the art rooms at school while Cody was pursuing sports. I always made it back in time to be picked up though, never got caught". I hugged my knees to my chest. "You know, I didn't stay in New York because there wasn't anything for me. I came home because Dad said I could move back and get myself sorted before starting the next stage of my life. I never realised he had already planned it out for me. I just wanted to be an artist. Find my own place and maybe one day, own a small gallery. I thought Dad would have given it up".

"I'm sure this decision wasn't easy for him", Roman tried to play devil's advocate.

"I don't doubt that", I said. And that was true, no matter how much I told myself Dad was doing this to spite me, I knew it was probably eating at him. It just wasn't enough for me. I stared Roman in the eye.

"But he still did it, and that I can't forgive".

Outside, a car horn beeped.

Stay tuned for chapter 3 – in which Melanie meets the architect of the contract and the wedding gets underway, the Rhodes family are backed into a corner and boundaries of friend and foe become even more blurred as this incredibly out-dated situation continues.

Thanks for reading!