Charlie's Hero

Dean and I went back to the hotel. He walked straight to his room. Seth and Roman were sitting on the couch.

"Hey guys." I said.

"Hey Charlie." Seth greeted.

I sat down in a chair.

"What's goin on guys? Why don't you trust him?" I asked.

"That's not it, Charlie." Seth said, "This isn't the first time Dean's done something like this. After everything, it's hard to believe him."

"But he's telling the truth." I said.

Roman shook his head, "How do you know?" He asked.

"We found him near the dumpster." I said.

"Doesn't mean he didn't unintentionally not come back." Roman said.

"Wow, great thinking guys." I said, rolling my eyes. "Ya know, I know that Dean has messed up a lot, but maybe sometimes he just needs you guys. He went crazy earlier."

"What?" Seth asked.

"He told me to tell him how worthless he was to me. I didn't know what he was talking about." I said.

"I told you he gets to a high point in his anger. He gets to a point where he feels like everyone's against him and no one cares. Maybe you should go talk to him." Seth said.

I nodded. "Guys, Dean is supposed to be your brother. You're all he has. Try to consider that next time you don't believe him." I walked into Dean's room. He was in the shower.

I took my title and examined it.....AJ? I haven't talked to her.

I dialed her number.

"Hey C." She answered.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked.

She paused like she was trying to think about her answer. "Yeah." She finally said.

I was relieved, "And....we're still best friends, right?" I asked.

"Yeah of course. Congratulations Charlie." She said.

"Thanks." I said.

"Really. You've been working your entire life for this. You deserve it." She said.

I smiled, "Thanks AJ." I said.

"So, it looks like we have ourselves a little feud coming up." She said.

"Yep!" I said.

"What about you and the Shield? What's going on there?" She asked.

"To be honest, I have no idea. I never know when they're gonna come out. I really don't know if I'm supposed to love them or hate them. So we've labeled it challenging." I said.

"Well, he is challenging you." She said.

"Yeah." I said, "He's really angry right now."

"He must be." She said.

"I think he feels like he's let me down." I said. "After everything Bray's done to me, he really wanted to teach him a lesson."

"Awww, don't worry, C. He'll get better. Just give him a little time." She said.

"Can I come room with you?" I asked.

I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up.

Dean was standing there in his boxers.

"Why do you wanna go over there?" He asked.

"Hold on a sec, AJ." I said. I looked up at Dean, "I wanted to give you some space for tonight."

He shook his head. "No. Stay with me." He said as he sat down next to me. "I'm okay. I'm calm."

"Why were you so angry? It was just a match, Dean." I said.

He shook his head, "It wasn't just a match. No match is ever just a match. Wrestling is everything to me, Charlie. Nothing is ever just a match. It's my life." He said.

"You're life? Speaking of your life.....can we...." I paused, not knowing what to say.

"What?" He asked.

I looked down at my lap, "Nevermind." I said quietly.

He gently lifted my chin. "You wanna talk about my life, don't you?" He asked.

I nodded, "Talking to me might be better than keeping it all inside." I said.

He shook his head. "Listen, I want to tell you everything. I just.....can't. I will....soon. I'm just kinda tired right now."

I sighed. "Alright."

"Let's go out. Saturday. We can....talk. You can ask me any questions you want. I'll answer them, I promise." He said.

"You don't have to do that, Dean. If you're not ready to tell me, I'm not gonna rush you to." He said.

"No, no, I am. I'm ready to tell you. I just....need a little while to find the right words to say." He said.

"I'm not here to judge you, Dean. I'm here to comfort you." I said as I played with his hair.

He kissed my forehead.

I took a quick shower and walked into our room to see a sleeping Dean on the bed. I curled under the covers next to him.

I didn't want to bother him. As soon as I layed down, I found myself being curled up next to him.

"I thought you were asleep." I giggled.

"Without you in my arms? Naw." He said.

I smiled.

I fell asleep in his arms.