https://youtu.be/IyoCqWlNWqI

It was Sunday and that meant Dean was training with Seth. Roman and Dean weren't as close as they used to be since the brand split, but Rollins and him stayed close. Seth was lifting weights while Dean was...daydreaming. "Dean, do you love Renee?" Seth asked out of nowhere,

Dean climbed to his feet, defensively, "Yeah of course I do, why would you ask that?" He glared, folding his arms across his chest. The long haired man shrugged, before reaching back up to the bar.

"You don't seem in love, anymore. Look, Renee is great but is she the right woman for you?" He grunted slowly bringing the weights back down, he had been wondering the same thing these last few days, but that was none of Seth's business.

"I love Renee." He said stern, trying to leave no doubt but even he didn't know if he believed the words. His gaze dropped to the floor as he thought about Penelope, he didn't question his feeling until he met her.

"No, opposites do attract but you two are too different. You like training, she likes talking, you hate social media, she loves it. I don't know, man. I just want you to be happy." He looked back at his friend, his eyes sincere.

Dean shook his head "I am happy..." Seth looked at him, almost as if he didn't believe him. But he wasn't unhappy, he knew that much for sure. Life with Renee wasn't a bad thing. He rubbed the back of his neck, as he tried to think of the last time he was truly happy, almost giddy inside like a schoolgirl. Images of him kissing Poppy on the forehead flash in his mind before he shakes it away.

"What do you think of Carmella's friend?" Dean frowned,

"Who Poppy? She's okay." He swallowed hard, hoping Seth wasn't going where he thought he was.

"Great, you know her name. Get to know her, she's great, I helped train her while she was in NXT." He smirked, and Ambrose's jaw clenched tight, Seth slept with most women he trained and the thought made Dean's stomach twist into knots. Was he jealous? "Though I don't think I'd admit that to anyone else, she's been on a losing streak since she got brought up."

He shook his head "Nah, Renee thinks I should be focused on getting my world title back. You know the one, right? The one I took from you." He grinned as his friend sat up with a frown, "Aren't you also on a losing streak? I see where Poppy gets it from." He winked,

"If you're so awesome, why don't you train her?" He growled back, wiping his face with a towel, all amusement drained from Dean's face. Seth smirked, "Afraid you'll fall for her?" He laughed, Dean shook his head, Seth was starting to irk him.

"No, I just got a lot going on. I don't have time to worry about someone else." He said through gritted teeth, his palms extra sweaty, he was sick of this topic. He didn't want to doubt himself, he had invested so much time into Renee.

"Okay, I'll let Penny know you can't help her." Seth shrugged, anger brewing within Dean, he hadn't know Poppy long but he was sure he'd never heard anyone call her Penny before. His hand clenched into fists at his side,

"If you like her so much why don't you date her?" He forced a chuckle out, but it was stiff. He needed to know if Seth and her had been together. He didn't know why but the thought made him sick to his stomach. Seth turned around cocking an eyebrow up,

"Penny is cool but she's like my sister." Dean let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, he nodded, relief washing over his body as he released his fist. "And you're like a brother to me. I'm actually surprised, I was pretty sure you guys would have instant chemistry."

"Why would you think that?" He found himself asking without meaning to, Seth gave a mischievous smile; there was hope. Dean rolled his eyes, walking back to the locker room. "Forget I ever asked." He groaned,

"No, no, ask and you shall receive. I aim to please," He laughed chasing after his friend, he placed his hand on his shoulder and Dean turned around to face him. He was annoyed but listening. "Well lets see, I know you're a sucker for pretty eyes and she has dimples."

"A lot of people have pretty eyes and dimples." Dean shrugged, but just thinking about her smile and eyes had his heart pounding in his chest.

"True, but she is also super sweet. You have always been into those good girls, I don't get it, personally I like bad girls. They're much better in bed." Dean stepped forward with a growl and he threw his hands up in a surrender motion. "Alright, touchy subject. I get it." He took a step back and Dean relaxed.

"These are traits that most people have, Seth. Why did you think she was so different?" He groaned, feeling like this was a waste of his time.

"Because," He sighed, raking his fingers through his long black hair. "She looks at everyone like they're the most important person in the world. And I know how much you crave that... I know we aren't allowed to bring up your childhood-" He heard enough, he turned on his heels and stormed into the locker room. He couldn't get his breathing right, he hadn't realized it in the moment but Seth was right. That was why he was so drawn to her, and if she looks at everyone like they're special wouldn't that make no one special?

~

Penelope entered the arena with a massive grin, she skipped ahead of Carmella and spun around walking backwards. "Hurry up!" She whined playfully, her heart was pounding against her rib cage rapidly. Carmella just rolled her eyes, and she laughed. "So grumpy today."

"I just don't get why we're here seven hours before Smackdown starts." She groaned, throwing her long hair into a ponytail.

"Because you're friends with a loser and I need to practice." Penelope smiled but they both knew it was a lie, neither of them wanting to say the true reason; Dean. She sighed but followed her eager friend, Carmella knew deep down this was going to end badly.

They went straight to catering, they both grabbed a snack but the brunette lingered taking her time as she looked around the small room. A few people were there but not who she wanted, so she left with Carmella. "Subtle, Pop." She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"What?" She asked, her cheeks burning as she brushed her hair behind her ear looking over to her friend.

"You are literally looking down every single hall."

"It's a new arena, that's exciting." She lied,

"I was hoping you'd come to this conclusion on your own but clearly I have to be the one to say it. This needs to stop, you liking Dean." Penelope opened her mouth to object but Car put her hand up, "Save it. It is painfully obvious." The two girls stopped walking and just stared at each other,

"I don't know what you're talking about..." She whispered, her vision blurring just slightly as she tried to pull back her tears.

"He's pretty much a married guy." She opened her mouth but she kept going, "I know, there isn't a ring. But three years is serious, Penelope. I'm sorry, I am. But you need to stay away from that guy."

"We're just friends." They stood there in uncomfortable silence as they just looked at each other, clearly there was no getting through to her.

"Fine, but when this blows up in your face, just know I'll still be here for you." Carmella walked away, leaving a speechless Penelope behind.

Slowly, she wandered around the arena, all of her energy, now drained. What if Carmella was right? What if this was a mistake? Poppy found herself in the center of the arena, they were still setting up the ring, she sat at the bottom of the ramp and watched. "You okay?" She turned around and saw Dolph.

"Yeah." She gave a weak smile before turning back to the busy men, but she could feel him still behind her. "Are you okay?" She finally asked looking back at him, he gave a small chuckle.

"I will be," He slowly sat down beside her, crossing his legs. "I've been in a bit of a rut myself, but they don't really last." They both sighed, and turned back to the ring.

"Sorry," He nodded, "For what it's worth; you're an amazing wrestler."

He smiled, "Thanks, you're not too bad yourself." He patted her head and she laughed, "I came out here to let you know Shane's looking for you." Her eyes went wide with surprise, was this because of her explosion last week?

Her heart was pounding violently in her chest as she made her way to his office, the tips of her fingers tingling with anticipation. All eyes were on her as she walked past people, paranoia taking over; did they know something? Or did she just look as sick as she felt? She couldn't be sure. Her shaking hand knocked on his office door, "Come in." He didn't sound a friendly as he usually did.

"Looking for me?" She coughed out, trembles going through her body.

"Yeah, take a seat, this won't take long." She willed herself to the chair, her body having trouble functioning. This was it, she was going to lose everything. She could feel it in her bones. Shane smiled, and she tried to return one back but it didn't feel right on her face.

"Am I fired?" She blurted out, tears beading in her eyes.

"What?" He furrowed his brow, "No. Not sure where that came from." He laughed, and she pushed out a fake laugh still not feeling comfortable. "I have an opportunity for you..."

~

Poppy walked out of his office in a daze, could she do what he asked of her? It would be the ultimate betrayal... friendship is second to the championship. Dean's words echoed in her head but they sent no comfort with them. "Poppy," Dean called out to her but she turned around and went the other way,

Carmella was right she needed to stay away from him, he jogged up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. He needed to say his peace and then leave her alone, it's what was best for his career and for his relationship. "You should just leave me alone, I bring everyone around me down. I'm a mess." She confessed, the moment she spun around, her green eyes unable to leave his blue ones. He was surprised,

"Hey, that's my line..." Those blue eyes shined with amusement, but she gave none back and he knew something was seriously wrong.

"I'm serious, Dean. Leave me alone or I'll be the end of you." Tears beaded in her eyes, she placed her hand on his cheek before turning back around. He watched her figure slowly disappear down the hall, as he stood there dumbfounded.

***

*Gasp* hope you liked it! I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know what you think so far

(:  Thanks for reading <3 

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