Dean Ambrose stood in the ring beside his best friend...brother and former Shield stablemate Roman Reigns, he leaned against the ropes, as they watched the rest of their team make their way one by one to the ring. He was nervous as hell, but had to keep his game face on, not just because of the cameras and fans, but also because of Roman and their best friend...brother, Shield stablemate and Dean's boyfriend Seth Rollins. He couldn't let his brothers know that he was terrified that after tonight they could lose everything they worked so damn hard to fix and call their own! He sighed shakily and thought about everything that's happened to them that led them to this moment!
Their life together wasn't easy, it was filled with many regrets; all of them Seth's! He had always loved Dean, but had never found the courage to tell him while they were in The Shield. After he destroyed The Shield, betraying his brothers and joined The Authority, Seth realized too late he had made two of the biggest mistakes of his life; betraying the only two people who truly loved him and not telling Dean about his love. Knowing he couldn't fix their brotherhood he decided to go after Dean, his efforts paid off and they became a secret couple, sneaking around for two years with no one; including Roman knowing. That changed when The Authority found out and confronted them in front of Roman; who pissed off they hid that from him, stormed out. The Authority tried to break them up, but nothing worked, until they threatened to fire Roman! To protect him they agreed and ended their love, but it didn't last long though thanks to Roman, who got them back together. He protected them, covering for them and running interference between his brothers and The Authority; all three continuing to play their parts, acting like they hated each other.
Unfortunately, The Authority found out they were still together and furious they confronted Dean alone and threatened to fire Seth if he didn't break up with him. To protect him Dean agreed, he broke up with him in a voicemail, before he went back to Vegas for two weeks. After finding out what happened Seth refusing to lose Dean again, quit the WWE and went after him. When he found out Dean refused to let Seth throw everything away for him and so while Seth slept, Dean called Hunter and got his job and position back, promising to stay away from Seth. The next day Dean told Seth and broke up with him, before Seth left broken-hearted. Not wanting Dean to go through this alone, Roman showed up at Dean's place and they spent their two weeks off trying to figure out a way Dean and Seth could be together for good! Unable to think of one, they returned to work and nothing changed between them. Hating seeing his brothers suffering, Roman asked Dolph to pretend to go drinking with Seth, instead he brought him to Dean and Roman's room. Their love was renewed and after talking Dean came up with the idea to put himself into any kind of match, against any opponent of The Authority's choice. But the stipulations were if Dean won, then off camera, The Authority had to allow the trio to be a family again and Dean and Seth could be a couple, all of it without any problems! If Dean lost then they end everything, Dean and Roman stay away from Seth for good! The Authority agreed putting Dean into a Gauntlet match at Night Of Champions against Orton, Cesaro, Owens, Sheamus and Kane. Roman was banned from ringside and even though both Roman and Seth tried to refuse, Dean stopped them and agreed.
During the match Dean fought hard, giving it all he had, making it through four of the five opponents, ending up battered and exhausted! Kane was his final opponent and after beating on Dean, Kane set him up to go through the announcer's table, but Dean caught him with a DDT, both men got counted out. After the match Dean; who ended up with stitches, a black eye, bruised ribs and a concussion, was in the trainer's room, with Seth and Roman by his side, when Hunter and Stephanie came in. They set up a rematch with the same stipulations as before, Dean against Hunter in a Hell In A Cell match. Seth and Roman were scared for Dean, but no matter how many times they tried talking to him about it, Dean refused to back out, he was doing this for the three of them! The days leading up to Dean's match with Hunter, The Authority continued messing with the three of them off camera and messed with Dean and Roman on camera. Through it all though Seth made sure that any time he could interfere on camera, without blowing his cover he did! The night before the match the trio were together in Dean and Roman's room. Dean tried to relax and enjoy being with his brothers, without thinking of the match, but couldn't because Seth and Roman wouldn't stop talking about it and it drove him crazy! While Roman went on a beer run, Seth talked to Dean and made him promise that if things go wrong or get too dangerous in the match; even if it meant Dean would lose, he would end it, stopping the match. Dean agreed knowing how scared both his brothers; especially Seth, were about the match.
After spending the night and that morning with Dean and Roman, Seth had to go back to his room and prepare for Hell In A Cell. He wasn't able to see or talk to either of his brothers all day, because of the Pay Per View and it drove them crazy! That night they either won the right to be free or lost everything! Finally before the match, the trio met up in Dean and Roman's locker room and talked; Dean still refused to talk about the match. Dean gave both his brothers matching rings; he had a matching one too, all three were inscribed Brothers Forever. Dean told them that the rings were a way for all three of them to remember that no matter where they were or what happened they were always together! As they talked Hunter came to their locker room and told them he had made changes to their match; Seth was now the guest ref and Roman was now on commentary with Kane. He then told them that if Seth or Roman do anything to interfere Dean would be disqualified and they'd lose, before he walked away laughing.
After Hunter left, the trio talked; Seth was so scared something bad would happen to Dean, but he reassured Seth he'd be fine. Soon it was match time; all three got into character. From the start of the match it was brutal and went back and forth. Seth played his part, but kept Hunter from cheating. Finally, at the end of the match, Hunter frustrated he couldn't put Dean away, decided to cheat using Seth as a distraction. After Hunter was thrown against the ropes by Dean, he bounced off them and purposely ran into Seth hard, knocking him down. While he was down Hunter low-blowed Dean, before he Pedigreed him and went for the pin; thankfully Seth was still down or he would have gotten the win! Hunter was pissed and went to get Seth up, giving Dean time to recover. He played possum and Dean hit Hunter with Dirty Deeds, before pinning him and getting the win! Dean's celebration was short lived though, Hunter and Seth attacked him; Seth faked his entire attack. Roman and Kane got into the ring too and The Authority attacked Roman too; again Seth faked it. Backstage Seth and Roman helped Dean to the Trainer's room to be checked out; Dean ended up with only a mild concussion and 10 staples in the back of his head. Alone in their locker room the trio celebrated their victory and both Dean and Roman confronted Seth about his fake attacks on them; reminding him that they made a pact that at work nothing changes, they all stay professional and do what they have to. Their celebration was interrupted by Hunter and Stephanie coming to their locker room. They told the trio to enjoy their victory off camera, because at work The Authority owned all three of them! After they left all three knew they were in for more Authority bullshit, but they didn't care because they'd face it together.
Days ago at the arena, while Seth and Dean were at catering; Dean not cleared to wrestle, Roman was alone in their locker room. Hunter came to talk to him and he finally got Hunter to admit why The Authority hated the trio so much; he knew they were jealous of their talent, success and of how many people fans and co-workers included liked them. Of course, Hunter would never admit to that and told Roman they were tired of the trio acting like they ran the company, thinking they were irreplaceable and Hunter vowed to not only prove them wrong, but humble them! Before he left he told Roman that all three men were in matches that night; Roman and Dean in a three on two handicap match against The Wyatt Family and Seth against Rusev.
After he left, Dean and Seth returned to the locker room and they talked about the matches, but ended up fighting over them because Roman and Seth didn't want Dean to wrestle, but he refused to back out. Needing to cool off, Dean left the room, but a few minutes later his brothers found him and they agreed to keep fighting The Authority with him! Seth's match was first; since he had never faced Rusev before and both Dean and Roman had, they gave him all the info they had learned to help him win. During the match Dean and Roman watched it from their locker room, most of the match Rusev dominated Seth, until he made a mistake and Seth took advantage of it and won the match. A little later it was time for Dean and Roman's match, Seth watched it from their locker room. From the start The Shield took and held control over the match, it looked like they were going to win, until near the end of the match Strowman was tagged in and completely destroyed both men. Seth watched helplessly as The Wyatts continued hurting both his brothers inside and outside of the ring, before they left smiling. Both men were helped backstage to the Trainer's room and Seth rushed to be with them, but he was stopped at the door by a smiling Hunter and Stephanie.
They argued and The Authority refused to accept that they lost and vowed to keep hurting the trio, until they were humbled, before they left Seth alone. After they were gone, Seth sighed shakily, as he thought about what they had said. He didn't know what they had done to make Hunter and Stephanie hate them so much and honestly he really didn't care. Truthfully, in the beginning Seth wasn't sure if they should go up against The Authority; it seemed impossible and doing it would lead to only pain and heartache for the trio. Seth's fears and doubts were replaced with hatred and anger! After being forced to watch Dean and Roman being hurt, something inside of Seth snapped and he was more determined than ever to end The Authority; no one messed with his family, no one! Thankfully neither were seriously injured, only bruises and both had a concussion; luckily none of the staples in Dean's head from Hunter's attack the night before had come out. Seth had tried to talk his brothers into waiting until they were both healed before they went after The Authority, but neither would listen, both were too focused on getting revenge on Hunter and The Authority's little bitches! Dean and Roman went to see the trainer the next day, but both weren't cleared. Hunter came to their hotel room and told them that since Dean and Roman couldn't compete, he was giving Seth the night off too. He then told them that on Smackdown Dean and Roman would have to face Kane, Randy and Seth in a handicap match.
A couple of days later at the arena before Smackdown, Dolph came to their locker room and talked to them. He told them that everyone who isn't part of The Authority are tired of The Authority's bullshit and they all talked and think they've come up with the perfect way to end The Authority. Challenge them to an elimination match at No Mercy; The Shield's team against The Authority's. If the trio's team wins The Authority is done, out of power, but if they lose then the trio ends things between them for good! The trio agreed to the idea, but they needed a team of five, Dolph agreed to join Dean and Roman. They then went to find the rest of their team and ended up picking Cesaro and Cena. After getting their team together they went to talk to Hunter and Stephanie. After talking to them Hunter would only do it, if the trio agreed that if they lost not only would they end their family, but Dean also loses his job too. Seth and Roman tried to refuse, but Dean agreed and the match was set.
They left the office and Dolph, Cesaro and Cena left to get ready for the show, while the trio went to their locker room. Dean knew that there was a chance they could lose, which meant not only would he lose his family, but his job too! The thought of finally ending The Authority was enough to keep him positive and fighting for their freedom! He just needed to convince Seth and Roman that this was worth the risks and that they were stronger than The Authority! He knew that The Authority wouldn't fight fair, but that didn't worry him, his team was fighting for something more important than just a job, they were fighting for love! Dean hated the thought of losing his job; he loved wrestling, it had saved his life, but that wasn't what was scaring him. What terrified him was the thought of losing Roman and Seth; they were what kept him going, they gave him a reason to keep living and he could lose them for good!
Later that night Dean and Roman had their match against The Authority; they had taken control of the match early on and managed to keep it, stopping The Authority from getting any kind of momentum. Near the end of the match Hunter came out and caused a distraction, allowing Kane to pin Dean for the win. After the match The Authority attacked Dean and Roman; they fought back, but were eventually beaten down. After The Authority went backstage, Seth went to leave, but was stopped by Hunter who told him he was being replaced on team Authority by Big Show. Seth angrily went back to his brother's locker room and waited nervously for them to return. When they did he was relieved they both were okay and told them about being replaced. Roman and Seth were worried, but Dean managed to calm them down.
A couple days ago, Dean went to the gym alone to work out, he was pretending for his brother's sake that he wasn't worried about the match. Honestly though, he was terrified that they could lose everything! As he worked out Hunter came up to him and they talked about the match, finally Dean had had enough and demanded to know why Hunter hated them so much. He told Dean it was because the three of them have forgotten who brought them into the WWE! He had handpicked the three of them and made them who and what they are today! They became his enemies the day they turned against him and he vowed to destroy them; he had started by breaking up The Shield, but nothing could keep the trio apart. Dean was furious to learn that all of this was because of Hunter's wounded ego! They argued for a few minutes, before Hunter left and in that moment all of Dean's doubts and fears about the match disappeared and were replaced with pure anger and hatred! He changed and quickly left the gym, on his way out he drove past Hunter and stuck his middle finger up at him. As he drove to the hotel he couldn't stop thinking about what Hunter said and it pissed him off more the longer he thought about it. Dean was dangerous when he was motivated and an angry, motivated Dean was unstoppable! Threatening him was one thing, but threatening his brothers was suicide and Hunter had just ignited a fire in Dean that wouldn't be extinguished until Dean finally brought that son-of-a-bitch Hunter to his knees at The Shield's feet! Dean didn't tell his brothers what Hunter had said, not wanting them to know the real reason Hunter was screwing with their lives was because he was angry they weren't treating him like he was their Creator anymore!
Yesterday, Dean woke up before his brothers and thought about the match, he was nervous, the fate of his brothers and himself rested on the shoulders of not only him and Roman, but three other guys! He had to rely on other people to win the match and keep his family together; that was the part he was nervous about! He knew that the others would give it all they had in the match, but they were only fighting to end The Authority, while Dean and Roman were fighting to keep their family together! When his brothers woke up they tried to get him to tell them what was wrong, but he wouldn't and after a few minutes they gave up. Later that day the trio, Dolph, Cesaro and Cena went to the gym to work out and come up with a plan for their match. After working out together for a while, Dean stayed behind at the gym by himself to work off his nervous energy. An hour later he returned to the hotel, as he was getting his bag out of the back seat he was tackled from behind, causing him to hit his head off the car, knocking him out. When he woke up his head pounded, he kept his eyes closed until he heard someone come into the room and speak. He opened his eyes hearing Hunter's voice and realized he was handcuffed to a chair in Hunter's room. They argued with Hunter giving Dean a way out of this mess; break up with Seth for good, no sneaking around and end their family and in return, The Authority will leave him and Roman alone. Dean refused, before Kane came into the room, Hunter left the room, Kane then beat the hell out of him, before he undid Dean's cuffs and took him on the elevator to his floor, once there he shoved Dean out of the elevator. After making it to his room, he went inside, seeing him his brothers became upset, he told them that Kane attacked him. When Seth suggested going to the hospital Dean refused, but agreed to let the Trainer come check him out instead.
A couple hours later, Dean had been fixed up; he had cuts and bruises all over his face and body, two needed stitches, he had a slight concussion and bruised ribs. After the Trainer fixed him up he gave Dean some painkillers and told them that Dean was in no shape to compete at No Mercy; he almost didn't clear him, but Dean managed to convince he was okay and so the Trainer agreed to let him compete. After the Trainer left, Dean argued with his brothers, both tried to get him to not compete, but Dean refused to let Hunter win, before he left the room. He was going to do the match and he was going to enjoy every single second of beating the hell out of The Authority! Nothing was going to stop him, he wouldn't quit, until he put an end to Hunter's bullshit reign and finally get his family back, the only thing he ever wanted!
This morning his brothers had tried again to talk him out of doing the match tonight, both afraid he'd get hurt worse than what he was already, but Dean refused to back out and let The Authority win. They finally gave up and they spent the morning together in their hotel room, before they went to the arena and after saying their goodbyes, Seth left Dean and Roman alone. Later after doing all the endless press, meet and greets with fans and the other stuff they have to do every Pay-Per-View; which included not being able to see, talk to or spend any time with Seth the entire day, all Dean wanted to do for a while was relax in their locker room, his ribs were killing him. He made it to their locker room and went inside to find it empty, he sighed happily and took a couple painkillers, before he laid on the couch on his back, he then closed his eyes and put his arm over them to block out the light. His peace only lasted a few seconds, before it was interrupted by someone knocking on the door, not moving he called out for them to come in, the person did and stood near the couch, before they spoke; it was Hunter! Dean stood up and they argued over the trio not backing down, after a few minutes Hunter left. After he was gone Dean was so angry he began talking to himself, as he tried to make the pain he felt from his bruised and battered body go away.
A couple hours later it was almost time for their match, Dean got ready; he took some more painkillers, wrapped his ribs and got changed. He then began stretching his stiff body to loosen up, at least the painkillers took the edge off his pain and he could handle it. He sighed, as he thought of the bruises and cuts left by Kane, obviously unable to hide how he looked they lied to anyone who asked; he tried to remember what he had told someone so he could at least make it believable, but after the fifth person he gave up and just told them whatever came to him in the moment. His brothers and the rest of their team came into the room, he smiled at them; he had gotten good at hiding the way he really felt from everyone, including his brothers. They talked for a few minutes, Dean became frustrated though when all of them checked up on him again, after reassuring them he was fine they began talking about the match, before someone angrily began pounding on the door. Roman answered it to find Hunter standing there, he came into the room and began demanding to know which one of them had done it, then he accused all of them doing it. Confused they asked what he was talking about and he told them that someone had attacked Big Show and he was now out of the match. They denied doing it, but Hunter refused to believe them, he then told them that since he couldn't take Show's place, he was putting Seth in. Hearing that Roman angrily accused Hunter of taking Show out so he'd have to put Seth into the match to try and throw them off.
Hunter denied it, before he left, a few seconds later Dolph, Cesaro and Cena left too, leaving The Shield alone. Roman went to get them some water, Seth tried to leave too, but Dean stopped him and told him that he knew he had taken Show out, but Seth continued to deny it; no matter what Dean said, he denied doing it. Dean finally gave up and told Seth not to cheat or hold back in the ring, he agreed. They hugged and kissed before Seth left to get ready, once he was alone Dean thought about what happened, there was no proof Seth had done it, but he knew in his heart he had. This was all just another of Seth's plans that always had a funny damn way of working out exactly like he wanted them to. He was worried about the match though, he had no idea how the match would go now that Seth was involved. Would the three of them be able to do battle with each other? Would they be able to have a clean fight with no one cheating? He had so many questions racing through his head, but no answers. Tonight was supposed to be their chance at ending The Authority and now with the added element of Seth, he wasn't sure that would happen.
He then took a couple more painkillers, before Roman returned to the room to him. They talked for a few seconds, with Roman reminding him that no matter what happens, they'll always be a family and nothing The Authority could do would change that! They hugged, before they left the room and went to the gorilla where the rest of their team waited for them. Seconds later Dean's music hit and he went out to the ring, as he did he put his game face on and went through the curtains into the arena, the fans went crazy. He got into the ring and as he did his fan greet, he hoped that everything worked out and he was able to finally be with his brothers again for good...where he belonged! After his fan greet Roman came out and Dean forced himself to remain in character, on the outside he acted like he had no fears, but on the inside, he was freaking out! His thoughts were interrupted by The Authority's music, he waited with his team in the ring, as they made their way towards them, once at the ring Dean and his team got out. They stood together, as they watched The Authority get into the ring and do their fan greet; the whole time though Dean's eyes never left Seth!
After their fan greet, Dean's team got back into the ring and went to their corner, while The Authority's team stood together in their corner too, listening to a final speech from Hunter and Stephanie. While they waited, Dean looked at Roman, both were worried about having Seth in the match and they hoped that this would be the last surprise of the night. Soon the match began with Dolph and Randy, the two men locked up in the center of the ring and gave everything they had to ensure the win for their team! Randy though took control after a few minutes when he gave Dolph a cheap shot to the eye when the ref wasn't looking. After hitting him with a dropkick, Randy went for the pin, but Dolph quickly kicked out and managed to get away from him. He got to his corner and tagged the first person he could reach in, which ended up being Ceasro, Randy tagged out too, bringing Kane into the match now.
The match had gone on for a while and was now almost over, all 10 men had been in the ring at least once and there had been many close on both sides, but now there were three members on team Authority; Seth, Kane and Randy, and only two members on the other team left; Dean and Roman. Every one of them were beat up and exhausted, especially Dean who wasn't 100 percent going into the match in the first place. Roman and Seth were worried about him, knowing his ribs were killing him after The Authority made sure to focus on them. Dean was in the ring with Randy and despite fighting back, he was in a bad place as Orton continued his attack on his ribs, before tagging Kane in. Dean refused to give up though and fought back, after headbutting Kane it gave him a bit of space between them and he quickly dove for his corner and tagged Roman in. He then rolled out of the ring and sat on the floor leaning against the barricade holding his injured ribs, trying to catch his breath. He watched proudly as his brother went full Samoan Superman on The Authority and took control of the match.
As Roman set Kane up for the Superman Punch, Dean saw Randy grab his brother's leg from outside the ring, distracting him. Angry Dean got up and charged Randy, he connected hard sending them both backward into the barricade, Randy took most of the hit, but Dean fell to the ground holding his ribs too. Meanwhile, the distraction was enough to cause Roman to be caught by Kane and quickly put into the Tombstone Piledriver. Dean tried to get back into the ring to help, but Randy grabbed his legs stopping him and Roman was pinned for the three count and eliminated. Seth's heart dropped, as he realized what was about to happen, The Authority was going to win! He could feel his tears threaten to fall and his heart ached, there was nothing he could do to stop it!
Dean got back into the ring and looked at Seth, their eyes met and seeing the hurt in his boyfriend's eyes caused something in Dean to snap. Refusing to stop, he charged Kane and began beating on him, before he did Dirty Deeds and pinned him for the three count, making it two on one now. Seth stood beside Randy on the apron and he knew when Orton didn't move, that he was supposed to be the one who took Dean out! He looked at Hunter and Stephanie, who sat at ringside, both were smiling, he had never hated anyone more before in his life, than he did them! He got into the ring, his eyes met Dean's and he suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe, let alone move! Dean charged him and the fight was on, even though Seth kept his promise and fought back, Dean fueled by love was too much for him. Sensing trouble, Randy quickly distracted the ref, while Hunter rushed to the ring, looked under it for something, before he got onto the apron holding a sledgehammer and used it to hit Dean in the ribs. He got down, hiding the weapon as he did and ordered Seth to pin Dean, as Randy returned to their corner. Seth couldn't move, so Randy tagged himself in and quickly pinned Dean for the three count, winning the match for The Authority!
Instead of celebrating their victory though, Randy and Hunter pulled a defenseless Dean out of the ring and after talking trash to him, they began beating him up. Randy finished with an RKO to Dean on the announce table, before Roman and the rest of their team came running, causing The Authority members to quickly back off and head up the ramp smiling. At the top of the ramp The Authority stopped, Seth stood between Hunter and Stephanie, smiling they all raised their hands in victory; they held Seth's hands up for him. The fans booed and medical staff rushed to help Dean, but Seth didn't see or hear any of it, as he met Roman's sad eyes. Unable to be there any longer, he pulled away from them and went backstage, he had only made to the gorilla when Hunter caught up with him.
"That was a hell of a match out there, Seth!" Hunter said smiling proudly, as he patted Seth on the back.
"Leave me alone, you bastard! You won, dammit, you got what you wanted! Dean's fired and our family is...no more, congratulations asshole!"
"Don't be like that, Sethie! The Authority won, this calls for a celebration!"
"Go back to Hell!" Seth replied angrily, before he turned and walked away.
**Later**:
Dean lay on the table in the Trainer's room on his back, his eyes closed as he held his now wrapped ribs, he was exhausted and every part of him hurt thanks to the match and beat down after it from The Authority. He had refused to go to the hospital, so the Trainer had fixed him up the best he could and gave him more painkillers. After the Trainer left the room, Roman had tried talking to him, but Dean feeling like a failure refused, his brother wouldn't drop it, so he kicked him out. It was over, everything they worked so hard to fix and keep was gone! In one night Dean lost everything; his job, his brother and the man he loved. He got off the table and holding his ribs, he left the room and headed for their locker room; hoping his brothers wouldn't be in there waiting for him. When he arrived he went inside and was relieved that neither of his brothers were in there, he just wanted to be alone right now. He didn't bother changing, instead he quickly packed his stuff, before he left the arena, in the parking lot he ran into Dolph and asked him for a ride back to the hotel, he agreed.
The car ride was silent, Dolph knew what the match meant to the trio and what was at stake and it made him sad that they had lost everything. Dean though was relieved that he didn't ask a million questions or try to talk about what happened. Once they were at the hotel Dean thanked him and went inside to their room, after going inside he dropped his bag by the door, grabbed his stuff for a shower and locked himself in the bathroom. He stripped out of his clothes slowly, wincing from the movement and got into a hot shower; as hot as he could stand it, and let the water relax his sore muscles, before he washed himself. After he washed he stood under the water, the match replaying in his head again, like a movie stuck on repeat. He put both hands on the shower wall in front of him, hung his head down in the water and closing his eyes tight he cried silently, finally letting out everything he's been holding in for weeks.
**Meanwhile**:
After telling Hunter off, Seth went back to his locker room, holding back his tears until he was alone behind closed doors. As soon as the door shut behind him though his tears began to fall, he sat on the bench, as he thought about his life now without his brothers...without Dean! This was all his fault, if he had never betrayed his brothers in the first place, then he'd still be with them...with Dean! He needed to see his brothers, needed to apologize for being the reason they were in the position they were in now. He went to the door and opened it, surprised to see Roman standing there alone, about to come in. Their eyes met and without another word, Seth hugged him, Roman returned the hug; both men knew this was the last time they'd be able to do it for a while and neither wanted to let go. When the hug ended, they went inside and sat on the bench together, Roman sighed, as he ran his hands over his face.
"How...how is he?" Seth asked quietly, as he stared at the floor.
"You know D, he's hurting, but he won't talk about it. He kicked me out of the Trainer's room when I tried." Roman answered, as he sighed again.
"This is all my fault, dammit!" Seth said angrily, as he stood and began pacing; a bad habit he and Roman had picked up from Dean.
"Seth, stop it!" Roman said firmly. "It's not your fault!"
"Isn't it?" Seth questioned, as he stopped pacing and looked at him. "If it wasn't for me...doing what I did, we'd still be together and Dean would still have a damn job!"
"Seth, we've been through this a 1000 damn times before, Dean and I have moved past it! It's time you forgive yourself too." Roman replied, as he stood.
"I tried Ro, I really did, but when shit like this happens it makes it hard to!"
"Do you remember these?" Roman asked, as he went to Seth's bag and took out the small box that held the ring Dean had given them and turned back to face him, holding the box up so he could see it. "Do you remember what Dean said they represented?"
"Of course, how could I forget something like that?" Seth replied. "It represents us...our brotherhood, our love!"
"My point is, that like Dean said nothing and no one can ever truly keep us apart! No matter what happens, we'll always be brothers! Dean loves you, Seth, you two have been through so much together, stuff that was meant to break you apart, but you guys only came out of it stronger than ever! And nothing; not even the damn Authority, will ever take that from you...from us!"
"We lost, Ro, they..."
"Stop!" Roman said, cutting him off. "They won the battle, but we're going to win the war! This isn't over, Seth, not even close, we'll figure something out, we always do."
"I want to believe you, Ro, but..."
"Believe it, Seth! Dean believed in it enough to put everything on the line and dammit we need to believe it too. I refuse to let those sons-of-bitches keep my family apart!" Roman said, cutting him off again.
"You're right, nothing is going to keep us apart! Thanks for reminding me of that." Seth agreed, before he hugged him.
"Come on, we've got a Lunatic who needs to be reminded of that too." Roman said smiling, when the hug ended.
Seth nodded, before he quickly changed and packed his bag, after he was done they left the room to find Dean; they wanted to spend the night together, not knowing when they'd be able to do it again. They went to Roman and Dean's locker room expecting to find him, but he was gone and so was his stuff. Knowing he was back at the hotel, Roman quickly changed and packed his bag, while Seth tried calling Dean. Not getting an answer he hung up and told Roman, both were worried about him, knowing he blamed himself for their loss. Roman grabbed his bag and they opened the door to leave, but stopped seeing Hunter standing there smiling, about to knock.
"What the hell do you want, Helmsley?" Roman demanded angrily.
"Nothing actually, I just came here to...gloat!" Hunter answered still smiling.
"You think this is over, Helmsley?" Roman questioned. "You think this is going to stop us?"
"Nope!" Hunter replied. "I don't think it, I know it! In case you two dummies, have forgotten, we made a deal and you lost, which means your little family ends tonight and that Lunatic Ambrose is fired!" He added proudly.
"You bastard!" Seth said angrily, as he went to attack Hunter, but Roman stopped him.
"You know something boys?" Hunter said, the smug smile never leaving his face.
"What?" Roman replied.
"Since I'm such a generous guy, I'm going to let you enjoy your last night together, before I tear you apart tomorrow."
"Screw you, Helmsley! This isn't over, dammit!" Seth said angrily.
"Oh, but it is!" Hunter replied, before he turned and walked away, but stopped at the end of the hall and turned back to face them. "I tried to warn you boys, I told you that The Authority always wins, but you didn't listen. Enjoy your last night together and say hi to Ambrose for me!" He said, before he turned and walked away laughing.
"Forget that son-of-a-bitch!" Roman said bitterly, as he put a hand on Seth's shoulder. "Come on, Dean needs us right now." He added, Seth nodded, before they left.
As they walked to their car in silence, Seth knew Roman was right, none of them would give up on their family ever, not when there was air still left in their lungs! He had let Hunter get into his head once and he had almost lost everything because of that bastard! He refused to let it happen again, it was Hunter's turn to know what it feels like to lose everything you love, it was time he knew what it was like to lose!
THE END!