“What’s wrong Roman, can’t handle the fact that I’m milking everything you’re going through?” He asks, smirk on his face as he steps closer. He won’t admit that he actually hates having to use Roman’s suspension as part of a storyline - would rather keep Reigns relevant another way, but there’s not much he can do about it now. He bites on his lower lip and looks down, a quick sign of weakness before he looks back at the older man. In a rare bout of honesty, he shifts slightly, before, “But really, how are you?” he asks, looking down once more.
Hands balled into fists, and they slammed on the nearby table rather roughly. How could he believe what he was saying? His actions were deplorable at the least, and it still stung greatly.
“You bein’ scared doesn’t justify your actions. Am I really supposed to believe that? You took advantage of me, back then. And now I’m supposed to let you back in as if nothin’ happened? It doesn’t work like that, dammit.”
He found himself shaking his head, looking anywhere but at Roman. The older Samoan was right, of course, but Seth hated having to admit that even remotely.
“Of course it doesn’t, Roman. But it’s a reason, and it’s a reason you deserve to bloody well know, you asshole.” Seth responds, baring his teeth before letting out an exhale of breath and then rubbing his face tiredly.
He’s quiet for a few more minutes before finally looking at the man and shrugging.”You deserved to know Roman, and I needed to tell you. Because having time to myself during my injury – I don’t regret turning on you an’ Dean, but bein’ injured made me think, and it made me realize–” He stops here, turning away and planning to walk away.
Anonymous: "“I’m not angry at you, just at myself… Because I knew this would happen, but I let myself fall in love with you anyways.” /from ricostrvita to romaaan"
Dark brown hues dilated momentarily, trying to process what the other said. He would’ve never guessed that someone who willingly tried to destroy him for his own selfish gain. Regardless of how much time passes, he will always remember what the betrayal felt like.
Now the ball was in his court, and he could do what he pleases. Now it was his turn to make Seth suffer like he did. But he didn’t. He didn’t feel vindictive enough to do something that cruel. It wouldn’t be better than what he did.
“…Sounds like karma bit ya in the ass, huh? You’re fallin’ in love with the very man you stepped on to get ahead. It must make you sick inside.”
He shakes his head, already knowing that Roman doesn’t understand – can’t understand. maybe that’s his own fault, he thinks to himself. He knew Roman wouldn’t make Seth suffer, that wasn’t who Roman was, but still – for Roman to think that being in love with him was sickening – Seth didn’t know what to think. Not anymore.
“You have no idea, do you?” he asks, shaking his head and rubbing his face and looking at Roman carefully. “I was in love with you long before I stepped on you, Roman,” he pauses here, licking his dry lips as he looks down in shame. How could he possibly admit the truth to this man, this amazing man, when he hated admitting the truth to himself?
“I stepped on you, because I was scared, Ro. So fucking scared,” the nickname slips out and Seth doesn’t even notice it, too lost in his thoughts. “We were on top of the world, and I was in love with you, so sure of admitting my feelings to you, that – I took the first out I could think of.”
Roman was known for his strength and his temper, but today was just the day where he just could not take anymore of Seth and his constant boasting and superiority complex. Before he had realized what he had done, he had yelled and grabbed the two toned bastard, yanking him down onto the ground to prevent him from moving.
Once he came to, he had immediately let Seth go. He didn’t mean to do what he did, but his anger overflowed. He slicked back long raven locks of hair, sighing.
“…Do me a favor and shut up, alright?”
Seth arched an eyebrow when he felt himself go to the ground, tried his hardest not to do any thrusting of any sort when he realized it was Reigns that had him pinned, and then –
“You okay, there, big dog?” He mutters after a moments, frowning while sitting up on his elbows, worry going through his once friend at the thought of something not being right.
“S’not like you to black out and pin me like that,” He adds, trying to keep any suggestion out of his tone. He doesn’t know if he’s successful though, doesn’t know if he even cares, really, but –
“Kevin got out? Search outside, I’ll search in here.” There was clear concern for the other’s pet, considering how in Florida, alligators eating pets was a big issue.
“You think I haven’t tried that?” He says to the retreating back, his voice raised before he shrugs and lets out a whistle that’s meant to call his dog back. “Reigns, c’mon, I’ve looked. He’s not here.”
He was tired and he was sore but as he walked over to Roman, whom he knew was feeling the same things he was, just a thousand times worse, Seth felt all of that pain fade away. When he finally arrived at Roman’s chair, he sat down in the one next to him with a yawn, nudging their elbows together. “How’re you doing?” His voice is soft, the exhaustion coming through as Seth lifts Roman’s head up to check him over for any obvious signs of concussion before letting go of it gently, not thinking straight, not thinking about the fact that they were no longer this close..
There was a little groan of irritation from Roman as he realized his gym bag was not his own. It was Seth’s. He only realized it when he took out the clothes to be washed. They were way too small. He went to his house (which he knew like the back of his hand), to drop off the bag and get his own.
The only problem was that he was hesitating slightly to even knock on the door, but he did anyway. Seth’s car was in the driveway, so he should’ve been home.
“Hello? Anyone home?”
He didn’t want to stay sitting on the couch, no matter how tired and comfortable he was. Antsy, he had gotten up and gone to the kitchen, planning on making something to eat. For a while, he had completely forgotten about why he had been so annoyed beforehand. But then he heard the voice, and –
“Shit,” He mumbles, dropping the knife onto his counter, grabbing a towel and wiping his hands before slinging it over his shoulder and heading towards the door, glaring at the silhouette.
“My car’s in the drive, isn’t it?” He snarks, opening the door with a huff.
