Chapter 10

For that guest review I got on the last chapter, Roman doesn't even know that Dean tried commuting suicide... YET! Ahaha stay tuned..

"So... Where are we goin' again?" Dean asked. He and Ziggler decided to meet up and have brunch in Richmond VA, a couple hours before they had to be in the arena for RAW. Dolph had picked him up from the airport a few minutes earlier. He could already tell Dean hasn't slept right, or even slept at all. Dean slumped into the passenger seat, shades glued to his face, and had bed hair. He has been an emotional wreck this whole week and it's now starting to physically show on him.

"Just to a little café in the city... I've heard good things about it." Dolph answered. He decided the grunt Dean let out was a good enough answer to drop the conversation. He just feels awful for the guy. Dolph wants to understand why Dean has been so fucked up lately, so drained, but it's been hard and will still be hard since Ambrose has a pretty tough shell surrounding himself. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for the light to turn green. He just felt nervous, like Dean had this intimidating presence right now and it gave off that he didn't want to be messed with. Still slumped in the seat, Dean looked out the window, wondering why he was even with Dolph right now... He usually prefers to be alone or with Roman. But if he had to choose anyone out of the roster besides Rome, it'd probably be Ziggs.

"Hey, why'd you even invite me out to eat or even pick me up from the airport?"Dean asked, staring at Dolph through the window reflection, still sliding more and more down into his seat.

"Well, you know I wanted to talk to you..." He trailed off, only to have Ambrose interrupt.

"It couldn't have just waited until RAW tonight? Why is it so important?" Dean said as he straightened himself up and out to literally look at Dolph now.

If Dolph wasn't already intimidated enough, having Dean sit up straight and stare him down did it. He just wanted to help the guy out.

"Dude chill out. I just wanted to chat, nothing serious, so calm down.." Dolph snapped back. "Always so damn forceful." He mumbled under his breathe, achieving a slight smile from Ambrose. They arrived at the little café and had taken their seat. It was a relatively quiet place, nice spot to have a good conversation or to mingle. Dolph had placed his jacket on the back of his chair and Dean did the same... Well more or less tossed it. They had gotten their drinks from the waitress and Dean took a sip of the water. While doing so he stretched an arm out and took his shades off. Dolph immediately noticed the dark, ominous bags hanging low from under his eyes, his pupils were dilated and the sadness seeped through his features. He finished the gulp and hung the sunglasses to the collar of his T-shirt, connecting his stare with Dolph's. Ambrose's face scrunched up judgmentally.

"What? I didn't get a lot of sleep last night." Dean confessed. Dolph only looked at him, really taking in the man in front of him. How broken he looked. Ziggler let out a sigh, breaking his gaze away from Dean.

"Look.." He started off. "Why. Why is all of this happening? The loosing sleep, the hand, the huge fight you're having with Roman-"

"Rome and I are not fighting." Dean said as he slammed his healthy hand down in the table. Dolph struck a nerve. After calming down and realizing his current actions, Dean sweat some of the anger and let go of the breathe he was holding.

"He just doesn't understand anything yet. He doesn't understand what is going to eventually happen, it's going to. We'll be able to be happy.." Dean trailed off as he looked as if he was about to cry. Dolph has no idea what that could possibly mean. Knowing Dean, he could be plotting to kill someone for Roman. Or to seek revenge on Seth for the whole Shield implosion? Ziggler didn't know what to think, and he couldn't really push any more of Dean's buttons, especially since he looked like he was about to cry. Dean had entered another realm almost. His thoughts engulfed him so fast, he just blanked out.

"Hey, dude it's all good. We don't have to talk anymore. You don't have to tell me about your hand, let's just eat some food and we'll head to the arena." Dolph suggested, but it was too late. Dean just bursted. He stood up and punched both fists down onto the table, not caring his knuckles' scabs just broke back open.

"I love Roman." Dean confessed, looking Dolph dead in the eye. "Always have and I always will." He was more calm and straight forward with saying this than most other things that came out of his mouth. He was a firm believer in all of what he was doing and stood behind his outburst with confidence. Dean waited patiently for a response of some-sort from Dolph, but instead Ziggler just sat there, jaw agape, wondering how he didn't pick up on it earlier.

"...Holy shit. Uh, I- I didn't know." Dolph said as he scratched the back of his head, trying hard not to make eye contact with Dean since his gaze was burning straight through his head. He just didn't know what to say. "I mean, I've always noticed- I mean we've all kinda noticed how close and touchy-feely you guys are but I never imagined you two, you know... Like that." He finished. With Dean still in his position, now slightly relaxed, suddenly a question dawn on Zigg. "So wait. Why is Roman so pissed then? Wait does he know? Is that why he's so angry?!" Dolph started to get louder.. Not angry but more demanding for answers.

Dean closed his eyes and huffed while his head fell between his arms. He just snapped out of the weird purgatory his mind was swimming through, not really knowing what to think or say anymore. What was the point of telling Dolph anyways? It's not like he was going to aid him in his heartbroken stages, not like he wanted that anyways. And the fact that he told Zigg? He couldn't believe it. He told the one person that has the biggest god damn mouth in the business.

"Fucking just leave it. Never fucking mind I shouldn't have said a god damn word-" Dean stated as he carelessly swung his body around to walk towards the exit. He was already pissed him and Rome had problems, but now those problems are going to get out and ruin his already crumbling friendship, but also his reputation in the locker room. But fuck it, Dean didn't care what anyone thought but Roman. Whatever he needed, Dean was there to give it to him. Even something as simple as fetching him a bottle of water after a match that Roman probably didn't even think twice about, but Dean did. He cherished the little moments that he could help Roman benefit in life, even if it was a small victory such as that.

"Fuck." Dean mumbled under his breathe as he pushed the door open and headed for the car.

Dolph briskly paid for the brunch and made his way to the door. Since he had the keys, Dean wasn't able to go anywhere anyways. He spotted Ambrose leaning against the rental with his shades on, head down, and arms crossed. He looked deep in thought. Dolph felt really bad for him as he stared at the man across the lot. It didn't really hit him until now that it's got to be really tough to be in the love with your best friend, not to mention your best friend being married with an already growing family of his own. His heart immediately sank with that last thought. He approached the car, Dean still not budging to move away from the driver's door. Dolph stopped in front of him with the keys in hand, being patient. Instead of letting Dean sulk in whatever thoughts he had running through his mind, he came in and gave Dean a caring hug on instinct. He fell into Dean with open arms and gave him a very firm, meaningful hug. Dean immediately tensed at the sudden touch. He knew it was only because Dolph pitied him and wanted to help, but he just couldn't accept it. He just stood there with but his arms still crossed being hugged by this man. Dolph loosened his grip and let go. He took his step back, realizing Dean didn't want any physical interaction.

"Just hop in shotgun and I'll take us to the arena, okay?" Dolph said with a concerning tone. Dean didn't even open his mouth as he gained his footing to walk to the passenger's side. He slumped down right back into his seat and looked out the window, almost like a kid that was just punished. Dolph watched all of his actions and stared at him in scrutiny. He puffed and shook his head. They came to their first red light, something that was used to stop people from doing something and that's what exactly Dean was doing.

"Do not fucking tell any one about this." Dean stated, as he kept his gaze locked on whatever was outside of the window, not daring to look to the right of him at Dolph. He only sighed, gripping the steering wheel while thinking over Dean's threat.

"I would never."

Ah, so Dean now has someone to help him through all of this crazy ass shit. What will happen on RAW later that night? Will he face Roman once again and squash it, or will he dig a deeper hole for him and his cherished friendship?