After Austin was done changing, he went to a small diner with Liv and Y/N since the three of them were reeeaallyyy hungry after an eventful episode of Raw. Not only did a diner give them a better atmosphere to talk, it was also quicker and easier than going to a fancy restaurant. They couldn't be any more different from each other in appearance and personality which made it quite strange for any outsiders who saw them. Usually people would ask Liv and Austin for pictures or autographs, but now that Y/N was around  they rather stay away, just in case. Y/N understood the fear though: he was big, jacked, had scars on his face and an annoyed expression on his face as well. It was clear why people wouldn't get closer. Did he like it that way? No, of course not. But everything felt so foreign to him and that made him feel like he didn't belong, like he was an expandable asset even now that his military career was over.

Austin:" Hey Y/N, are you alright?"

Y/N:" Hmm? Oh yeah, everything is fine, Austin."

Liv:" You don't look so well though. What's troubling you?"

Y/N:" It's nothing, guys. Just trust me on this one."

Y/N clearly wasn't fine, but who was he to trouble others with his emotional baggage? He didn't really know why people would feel sorry for him already eventhough they knew absolutely nothing about him, which also begged the question of what he was hiding. Liv looked at the big man across from her, hoping to catch a glimpse behind the facade. It already bothered her that Y/N was so hard to reach, because he let nothing through.

Meanwhile Austin ordered for everyone while Liv had quite a lot of thoughts going through her head.

Liv's mind:" You're so shut off, Y/N. I don't like that...There's something about you that really intrigues me. Who is the man that's hiding?"

Austin:" Guys, you can talk, you know?"

Liv:" Hmm? I'm sorry. I was thinking."

Y/N:" So was I."

Austin:" Well, fortunately we have some time, because I got so many questions."

Y/N:" I advise you don't go overboard though. Some things might get ugly sooner or later."

Austin:" Okay, let's start easy then. What was your dream job?"

Y/N:" I first wanted to be a car mechanic. The technical aspect of cars was something that I always liked."

Liv:" And do you have a car, let alone a drivers license?"

Y/N:" Yes and Yes. I got my license a while after I turned 18. And the car that always gets me around is this Ford Capri."

Austin:" So you have a faible for old cars. Got it. When did you get into wrestling?"

Y/N:" Watched it since I was 6 years old, but started doing it last year, just to round out my actual workout."

Liv:" Speaking of, how often do you work out?"

Y/N:" Every day. 2 hours in the morning and 3 more in the afternoon. Don't expect a normal workout though. Once the drill instructor kicks in, you got to work your ass off or you'll get it kicked. No weaknesses, no signs of letting yourself go."

Austin:" How do you handle that mentally though?"

Y/N:" That's a different story. Even after the years I was in the military, I'm not used to any of it either. You get into the same routine of getting up early in the morning and I mean exactly once the sun starts rising. You go to a briefing, then get your backpack and guns ready to march towards your target...suddenly bullets start flying, grenades explode and the battle begins...it can take minutes, hours, days...even weeks...You see your brothers and sisters fight, get injured or even...die for that matter. All while you fight for your own life as the enemy moves in closer, ready to kill..."

Y/N was very deep in thought when he recited these things that really happened to him. He saw members of his squad lose limbs or even die all while he tried to push the enemy back to their holes. Austin and Liv however were stunned by the seriousness of his words. What the news showed was bad enough, but hearing it from someone who actually went through it hit different.

Austin:" I'm so sorry for asking, Y/N."

Y/N:" It's fine by now...I have come to realize that it's the nature of war. My squad leader always said 'Throw your soldiers into positions when there is no escape and and they will prefer death to flight' and he was right most of the time."

Liv:" But you're with us now. You don't need to worry about what's in the past anymore."

Austin:" Yeah, Liv is right. Sure, it will stay with you, but it's not going to be the end of you."

Y/N:" Easier said than done, but I guess you're right. The soldier part in me won't go, but...I want to start fresh."

Liv smiled and put her hand on top of his to show some support for the ex-soldier. She didn't know what it was, but something made her feel sorry for Y/N and she didn't want him to be sad. Although there was one really important question on her mind and she couldn't keep it in that much longer.

Liv:" I know this might get a bit too personal, but...is there a woman in your life?"

Y/N:" No, not anymore. The last lady I was in a relationship with has left once I joined the military and ever since, I haven't dated anyone."

That was exactly what Liv wanted to hear, but she also felt sorry for Y/N, because it has been so long. To her, it was unbelievable that someone let him go because he put his life on the line like that. Yes, Y/N hated being called a hero, but in Liv's eyes there was something heroic to him.

Austin:" What are some of your hobbies though?"

Y/N:" My hobbies? I tend to read a lot about history, watch documentaries and everything. I'm an indoor guy, unless I go out with friends which is rare these days too."

Liv:" I think I have a band that you might like. They're also war-themed and base their songs on historic events."

Liv quickly took out her phone and searched up the band she was talking about on YouTube, playing a song of them for Y/N.

Y/N: 'The deadliest weapon on earth is a marine and his rifle.' I remember that saying very well."

Liv:" Did you like the song?"

Y/N:" Yeah, I did. I like that they include actual facts and don't make anything up."

Austin:" Maybe they help you through the day or something."

Just then the food arrived and the three took what Austin ordered, starting to eat and talk. For once throughout the whole day, Y/N wasn't anxious or in a bad mood and that meant a lot to him. He had trouble controlling his emotions sometimes, so it was always hard to see what he was like, because he changed every few hours. Y/N got counsling for this issue and had to take pills on rare occasions. However, sitting with Liv and Austin was keeping him calm, because they became two of his new friends.
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Dinner was soon done and the trio of friends were on the outside of the diner, joking with each other. It was honestly a good time, but unfortunately the time to head back to the hotel had come and Y/N was used to strict punctuality, so he was the first one to go, which left Liv a little sad, but also smiling, because she knew she would see him again very soon. Austin noticed the smile and softly nudged the Jersey girl.

Austin:" What do you think about vom now?"

Liv:" I thought he was the coolest ever, but I feel sorry for him. The things he had to see, all the friends he lost in battle. Everything..."

Austin:" Yeah, I understand what you mean by that. War never changes, but it changes people. The physical, mental and emotional scars Y/N has really sit deep."

Liv:" Maybe we should introduce him to a few more people."

Austin." What do you reckon?"

Liv:" Let's introduce him to some more people tomorrow. I will als Ruby, if she has time."

Austin:" Cool. I'll ask AJ. He's mostly not too busy after a show, so he's probably available."

Liv:" Sounds good to me. We will make this stonefaced man a social butterfly sooner or later."

Austin:" You're set on that goal, aren't you?"

Liv:" Maaaayyyybeee?"

Austin:" Something is definitly going on in your head. Come on, let's head back."

With that, Liv and Austin also made their way back to the hotel as they thought about how RAW and everything after it went with the new guy in WWE. How did Y/N transition from soldier to wrestler? Why did he do it? There were so many stones left unturned, but Liv was determined to get through Y/N's shell and bring out the real him.
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In the middle of the night when everyone was sleeping, Y/N was awake. The reason for that were night terrors and flashbacks to the last battle he was in flooding into his head. This happened only when he was stressed or in an awful mood for a long time, keeping him awake for hours on end. His mind was replaying images of people dying by bullets or grenades, others getting buried under rubble. Y/N felt like he was back in such a fight as he was thrashing and bashing all around his room until he had enough, got on his knees and let out an ear-rattling yell. Whenever it got this bad, Y/N knew the next day was going to be hell for him, no matter what the situation was like. A breakdown like this always hurt him the most, because he often blamed himself for being the cause of death whenever a soldier fell to their death. The big man sat down with his back propped up against the bed and a hand violently running through his hair over and over again. Breaking away from war itself was one thing, living with the memories was another and he hated it. He hated the guilt, the pain, the suffering, knowing his comrades would never come back. Countless lives have been lost. Even when his squad leader talked to him, Y/N wasn't so sure that everything would be fine eventually.

Y/N:" Living in a world of makebelieve. Expandable like tires on a car......I'm sorry for letting all of you down...."

Y/N stayed seated like this all night, thinking about what happened in his life and how bad it really seemed. Yes, he fought like the devil whenever he was on a mission and he did his very best to protect everyone, but apparently his best still wasn't good enough. He has fallen from grace as a beaten, bruised and broken man.