; glory and gore [1]

T W E N T Y - T H R E E ; MOON

_______I'm drinking not to guess, I go out just so I can reforget...

Stupefaction is the kind of infrequent emotion that rarely finds a place among Rollins' distraught entity. Rage and remorse are the ones usually unleashing inside of his brain, the entirety of his dark thoughts set free in a mess of crimson liquid and cries of agony.

But that day proclaims the birth of a brand new feeling crashing upon the remains of a smothered heart : relief.

The covered joy of discovering some very familiar faces knocking at his door, willing to bury the hatchet once and for all.

Seth apprehensively scrutinises each parcel of their skin as they're heading to town, the atmosphere almost fully released from its perpetual oppresive tension.

The usual unbearable silence is overshadowed by endless small talk attempting to put Rollins at ease, his muscles so tense that it'd elude the knowledge of none.

The frequent fights replaced by benevolent aspirations and reassuring words coming from the same mouths that used to throw the most hurtful insanities at him. His mind becomes utterly confused, unable to grasp any bit of the strange encounter.

Once they eventually arrive at the restaurant's spot, Zayn is designated as the orders' responsible whilst the other three look for a decent table to install themselves at.

A couple of minutes spent bickering over which place was actually the perfect one between Owens and Graves ignites some tender memories inside of Rollins' mind - full of dust, ashes and taboos.

He immediately pictures the countless times him and Corey argued over whose tattoos were actually the most aesthetic or the animated conversations he used to have with Kevin regarding his marriage's disbelief.

These precious flashbacks take him right back to a period of his life he'd cherish until his last breath and beyond because then, he was free.

Liberated from all of the unforgiven actions he since done, the guilt of carrying his former friends scars' responsability and the burden of living through another day of sorrow and regrets.

For a split moment, he recovers that gentleness he lacked so much of.

But even the most magnificient flower can get brutally removed from the ground, its heavenly view not enough for the one admiring it, one's bad habits seemingfully never changing.

A furtive glance in Zayn's direction is enough to infuriate him, his mood totally shifting from one extreme to the other in a matter of seconds.

The Canadian who apparently decided to join Banks' stable, participating in the backstage's strategies only, already shows some fragile loyalty in Seth's opinion.

How ironical is it that the most infamous traitor that ever graced the company is at the same time victim of obvious trust issues ?

"You're already bonding with the enemy, Sami ?" Rollins provokes whilst slowly approaching the two, causing them to break their amicable hug. The way the former Shield member pronounced the Canadian's name is full of disdain, overly articulated and with a touch of wickedness.