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Seth’s knee hurt.
No, his knee was in agony.
It felt like it had been ripped apart and torn to shreds, which technically was true. His knee had been put through the ringer for the past two nights. Trying to stand, let alone walk was an insane challenge.
And as Kevin helped Seth hobble backstage, handing him off to the trainer and giving him a ‘good luck’ pat on the shoulder and an encouraging smile, Seth was on his way. The new trainer asking him question after question as they entered the cold room, his body covering in goosebumps as he did so. “I’ll get you ice, okay? You just hang tight.” He said, rushing out the door.
“Not like I can go anywhere.” Seth mumbled, laying his head against the cold paint covered cinder block wall. For a while, the only sound he heard was his own breathing, slightly faster than normal from the throbbing and ever present pain in his knee that wouldn’t go away. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on anything other than the raging pain now shooting up his entire leg. ‘You’re okay. It’ll be okay.’ He kept repeating to himself as he focused on his breathing, trying to calm himself from the panic of what answers there might be to how badly he was injured.
Seth was snapped out of his thoughts of panic by the door slamming open. Seth jumped, his head shooting to see who was standing in the door. His eyes widened, and his blood went cold.
Standing in the doorway was the tear stained face of Roman Reigns. His hair tied up cleanly into a bun, his shirt still off, not having changed from his ring gear.
He had been waiting for Seth.
Roman took a shaky breath, Seth could tell his body was buzzing from adrenaline. “You promised.” He said, his voice trembling. “You promised me Seth.” Roman took a slow step towards him. “I…I lost everything. And you helped.” Roman’s voice was full of pain and confusion. Roman began to take bigger steps toward Seth, the smaller man subconsciously sinking down. “Do you really hate me that much?” He asked.
Seth’s lips formed a narrow line. “Roman.” He whispered.
“I love you.” He paused. “You told me you loved me more than you hated me.”
Seth’s eyes fell to the linoleum floor below. “I do.” His voice was soft.
“Then why?” Roman’s voice was almost a yell.
Seth winced as his knee shot up pain up to his hip. “I just-the company needed a change.”
Roman was now at Seth’s side. “A change?” His eyes were full of disbelief. “I carried it on its back for four years. I was the reason people came, I got asses in seats, I sold tickets. And you thought it needed a change?” Roman’s hands were squeezed at his sides. “I saved this business.” Roman huffed. “I did.” His finger poked himself in his chest, seemingly to reassert his point.
Seth frowned, slowly looking up at Roman. “And look at what it did to you.” Roman paused, taken aback by Seth’s statement. He looked at Roman, his eyes glossy. “Look who it made you become.” Seth shook his head. “You’re not my Roman. You’re not Jon’s Roman.” Seth reached for Roman’s wrist, who tensed up but allowed it. “You’re a Roman who you think those people need you to be.” Seth’s thumb gently ran over Roman’s pulse. “Ro-“ he started, pausing as he took a deep breath. “I needed you to come back to me.” His eyes pleading with the taller man.
Roman’s lip quivered as he stared down at Seth. “You promised me.” His voice sounded full of defeat and sadness. “You said you’d never wear this again. You said-“ Roman began getting choked up, wiping his eyes with his free hand. “I told you…your promises don’t mean shit.”
Seth furrowed his eyebrows. “I know you did Ro.” He whispered. “I didn’t…it wasn’t my first choice.” He shook his head, gripping Roman’s wrist tighter. “It wasn’t really my idea.”
Roman’s eyes widened. “Who suggested it? Was it Cody? I’ll fuck that little twerp up, I swear to god!” He growled, attempting to storm out of the room, Seth gripping his wrist tighter to keep him in place.
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that it’s done.” Seth grabbed Roman’s attention again. He slowly turned towards Seth; Roman’s body began to slump in exhaustion. “C’mere.” He waved with his hand, signaling for Roman to get on his knees at eye level with Seth. Roman did so and instantly pressed his forehead against Seth’s.
He took a long shaky breath. “You’re lucky I’m too tired to beat your ass.”
Seth smirked, letting out a small laugh. “Yeah, yeah I know.” He put his hand against Roman’s cheek. “It’s okay baby.” Seth mumbled.
Roman broke down in sobs once more, gripping into Seth’s shoulder tight. “Seth…” he whimpered.
Seth shushed him, wiping his tears away. “You can rest now Roman.” Roman leant more into Seth, pressing almost his whole body weight into the other man. “I’ve got you.” He whispered.