Post by Dean Harper on Feb 22, 2018 5:01:42 GMT
The camera comes on to Dean sitting in an abandoned gas station, he is seated on the counter with the Man of Steel belt across his lap.
“Danger zone.”
Dean chuckles.
“I have no doubt the whole show is going to be something to watch. There’s a little competition to see who gets the honor and glory of facing Brooklyn for her belt. Whose all fighting for that shot? No one of consequence except Maxine. I have no doubt that Max will cut her way through the useless women they’ve thrown in that match.”
Dean wiggles his eyebrows.
“What else do we get to see? God fighting AJ for the Imperial title. Here’s hoping someone finally rips that belt out of his hands. Spike is facing little Pax Stormcrow, that might at least be interesting. A bunch of nobodies no one cares about fighting Rayne for her belt. Ulf fighting Nighthawk to see who will be packing their bags. Steve Awesome continuing to scream about how relevant he is, wank fest.”
Dean drums his fingers on the counter.
“I’m not surprised by the booking decision for me; in fact, I fucking welcome it. Me and Bob get to do a little singles action? Hells the fuck yes.”
Dean leans forward with his chin resting on his hands.
“I love being able to defend this belt. I love the ability to bring it more attention. I love the ability feed it the blood it so thirsts for. I added Xavier’s to Mason’s on the side. Want to see it?”
“I’m not saying it’s the worst horror movie I’ve ever seen,” Dean comments as they walk away from the concession stand to the mostly closed mall.
“You slap a name Winchester and claim to be inspired by the real hauntings? I was expecting more.” Max agreed taking a sip of her soda.
“They remembered the nails, which was a nice touch. Most people forget that.” Dean grabbed a piece of popcorn from the refilled bucket and tossed it back catching it in his mouth.
“What was the other movie we saw with the nails? It was unexpected…” Max took the popcorn bucket and passed Dean the soda as they walked through the empty halls toward the parking lot.
“Right. We did see that one recently…” Dean considered sipping the soda as they walked. At home, everything was abandoned but there was a sort of energy to places that were still used but empty. “Stay Alive. The video game one.”
“Right.” Max nodded. “Where you die in the game you die in real life.”
Dean sighed, “Warren was pretty on the money on calling it an 85-minute ad for Alienware laptops.”
Max stopped walking. “Dean?”
“Hm?” Dean looked at her. “What’s up?”
“You like Warren.”
“What?” Dean felt the drink drop from his fingers before catching it with a smile. “That’s a random statement.”
“Dean.” Max stepped closer to him. “I have eyes.”
“I care about you. A lot. Like, you know poetry and stuff.” Dean’s shoulders slumped. “I never meant for this to happen.”
“I know.” Max smiled at him fondly.
“You seem less mad. Shouldn’t you be more mad?” Dean asked tilting his head slightly to the side.
“The way you flirt with everyone, am I meant to be surprised?”
“The…the thing with Warren, I’ve never done anything-”
“The way you were shooting glances at each other during the line for The Haunted mansion made it clear you hadn’t.” Max shrugged. “We were making bets on how long before he caught how you were looking at him.”
Dean made a sound at the back of his throat. “Does everyone know?”
“In The Pack? Yes. Except maybe Rowan, but when it comes to noticing emotions she doesn’t really count.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Then don’t.”
“I’ll stop.”
Max sighed before closing the distance and took his hand in hers. “I’m not mad. I know you won’t hurt me. It’s okay. I’m okay. I comprehend Polyamory.”
“It’s okay?” Dean repeated before jerking slightly. “Wait, seriously?”
“I …care about you. Deeply.” Max took a deep breath. “I’m more worried he’ll hurt you more than I am jealous.”
Dean smirked at her. “Hurt me? I’m untouchable.”
“Sometimes you’re very fragile.” Max squeezed his hand. “Though that’s mostly been for me.”
“You’re not just doing this because you think I want you to right? Because I can toss it in a closet and ignore it.”
“I’m not that kind of girl, Dean Harper.”
“Just checking.” Dean leaned forward and kissed her. “I care about you profoundly. Three little words.”
“Tease,” Max smirked at him as they started walking again.
Dean winked at her as they pushed open the door to the outsides. “Hang on…”
“Hm?”
“When you said everyone knew did you mean….?”
“He and I had a discussion about it. He knows I’m okay with it. All you two need to do is talk to eachother.”
Dean winced, Yeah, that won't be awkward.
“Bob, you can be amazing in the ring. There is so much untapped potential in you. You have had an amazing career. You were recruited by Spike for a reason. He believed in your talent. He’s picked you to guard his back during that clusterfuck of a match Nighthawk put on. AJ trusts you, though he seems like the sort of naïve child who’d trust a starving dog with a raw steak. Point is, anyone who tries to sell you short with that ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’ horse shit needs to get their head checked. There is so much to admire about your career. So much to look at and believe in. That’s why fans call your name. That’s why you’ve survived so long. I know you hate following, I know you see your past sins with nothing but regret. You need to see your past as necessary to bring you to where you are. You are worthy of so much, Bob.”
Dean takes a moment.
“That’s why I made the offer. I wanted to help. I wanted to show you how to really tap into that. How to stop holding yourself back and really embrace those imperfections. Maybe not reveal in them as I do but at least dig deep and bring yourself to the level you fuck deserve.”
Dean looks earnestly into the camera.
“We could have been family. Could have helped each other out. I don’t ask anyone to clear the way for my own victories in The Pack. I don’t use them to get a step up for anything. I want to show everyone what I’ve seen. I want everyone to succeed. I want Max and Brooklyn to rule the women’s division. I want Warren and Caleb to get belts of their own in the men’s. If you’d been in the mix? Maybe you and me could have had some fun in the tag tournament. Maybe I would have stepped aside for you to take this belt. The Pack doesn’t use our members to further our own agenda. We want what’s best for each of us.”
Dean touches his heart.
“Bob, you’re convinced that everyone has nothing but the worst intentions for you. Imagine what it would have been like to have real companionship. People who really have your back. Something to actually come home to.”
Dean shakes his head.
“But no. That’s not where we are, is it?”
Dean takes a deep breath, clearly switching gears.
“Let’s get the basics out of the way, shall we? You think I’m nothing more than a man at a pulpit selling the emperor’s new clothes with a few honeyed words sprinkled in about it all coming from a higher power.”
Dean rolls his eyes.
“Well, sweetie, what I promise is so much more than that. Who I sell it for? She’s real. She may be out of active competition, busy cleansing her vessel of the taint Shea, Spike and AJ put her through but she’s very much real. I could have shown you.”
Dean shrugs.
“You’re a non-believer. That’s fine. I have no problem proving things with actions instead of words.”
Dean winks.
“I have been rejected before. So why do I keep pushing?”
Dean taps his chin in thought.
“Good question. Am I feeling a little extra bitter about your rejection? Yes, there is so much I could have done for you. Could I try to move on and let it go? Maybe. But I like hurting people instead. Might not be a ‘healthy’ coping mechanism but fuck healthy. It’s fun!”
Dean laughs.
“Pain. It’s one of the many services I offer.”
Dean grins.
“No one wants to play with me unless I make it personal for them. I had to attack The Council to get Xavier’s attention. I had to keep showing up in Dev’s life in order for him to play. Spike? Spike was easiest. You did put your hands on me so I get the feeling you want to play too.”
Dean licks his teeth.
“Rejecting my offer has made you simply my latest plaything… and I have a habit of breaking even my most favorite of toys.”
Dean blinks and his eyes glow the pale green.
“You’ve been thirsty for a strap of leather and metal for so long. You want it so much you can feel it in your bones, can’t you? You tried for AJ’s beloved but like so many, he beat you and everyone else in that ring. You’re scared to go after Spike’s new leather. So our little problem had gift wrapped you another chance to try and get one where others have failed. I’m not your first choice but belts a belt for you, right? It’s a way to shut up everyone who whispers behind your back. It’s a way to lift up everything you’ve been working towards. It’s a symbol for you.”
Dean caresses the belt lovingly.
“Maybe it’s about punishing me because I’ve been a bad boy who does bad things. Maybe it’s about trying to take away something The Pack has held onto since October Revaluation. It’s not a record by any stretch but it certainly has some angry.”
Dean taps the belt.
“You feel like everything you’ve ever done has earned you this belt. Haven’t you worked hard enough for it? Haven’t you longed, pinned and bleed enough to get a nice little title of your own?”
Dean scuffs.
“That’s not how it works. Whatever you’ve done before doesn’t matter once that bell rings. It likes being with me. It likes the blood I’ve been feeding it. You try to be a good guy deep down. You don’t have what it takes to make this belt happy.”
Dean sets the man of steel belt aside.
“Also…spoiler alert, sweetheart, even if you beat me all those things everyone whispers about you? It doesn’t stop. I’ve beaten Chris Card with a baseball bat. I tried to kill Xavier Cross, three times. I tasted Mason’s motherfucking skull. They still don’t think I’ve earned my place. They still think I taint this belt with my undeserving hands.”
Dean smirks wide with sharp teeth.
“Only way to shut them up is to leave them bleeding and helpless. Do you have that in you, cupcake?”
Dean waits a moment as if expecting an answer.
“You’ve seen what I’ve done with my other playthings. You’ve been in the ring with me but never one on one. Now you get to face the full force of The Demon of Steel. I am going to break you, honey. In this kind of match, I win. You can’t pin me, not for the full count. I don’t submit. Do you have it in you to knock me the fuck out? Can you do it? I wonder if you can. I doubt it.”
Dean licks his teeth.
“Hopefully you put up a better fight than Xavier did. Don’t tuck your tail between your legs and run. I want you. I hope you come to me with all you’ve got. Deliver that good shit. This isn’t about just surviving me, cupcake, this is about beating me.”
Dean motions with one finger beckoning forward, eyes still glowing.
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Danger zone.”
Dean chuckles.
“I have no doubt the whole show is going to be something to watch. There’s a little competition to see who gets the honor and glory of facing Brooklyn for her belt. Whose all fighting for that shot? No one of consequence except Maxine. I have no doubt that Max will cut her way through the useless women they’ve thrown in that match.”
Dean wiggles his eyebrows.
“What else do we get to see? God fighting AJ for the Imperial title. Here’s hoping someone finally rips that belt out of his hands. Spike is facing little Pax Stormcrow, that might at least be interesting. A bunch of nobodies no one cares about fighting Rayne for her belt. Ulf fighting Nighthawk to see who will be packing their bags. Steve Awesome continuing to scream about how relevant he is, wank fest.”
Dean drums his fingers on the counter.
“I’m not surprised by the booking decision for me; in fact, I fucking welcome it. Me and Bob get to do a little singles action? Hells the fuck yes.”
Dean leans forward with his chin resting on his hands.
“I love being able to defend this belt. I love the ability to bring it more attention. I love the ability feed it the blood it so thirsts for. I added Xavier’s to Mason’s on the side. Want to see it?”
“I’m not saying it’s the worst horror movie I’ve ever seen,” Dean comments as they walk away from the concession stand to the mostly closed mall.
“You slap a name Winchester and claim to be inspired by the real hauntings? I was expecting more.” Max agreed taking a sip of her soda.
“They remembered the nails, which was a nice touch. Most people forget that.” Dean grabbed a piece of popcorn from the refilled bucket and tossed it back catching it in his mouth.
“What was the other movie we saw with the nails? It was unexpected…” Max took the popcorn bucket and passed Dean the soda as they walked through the empty halls toward the parking lot.
“Right. We did see that one recently…” Dean considered sipping the soda as they walked. At home, everything was abandoned but there was a sort of energy to places that were still used but empty. “Stay Alive. The video game one.”
“Right.” Max nodded. “Where you die in the game you die in real life.”
Dean sighed, “Warren was pretty on the money on calling it an 85-minute ad for Alienware laptops.”
Max stopped walking. “Dean?”
“Hm?” Dean looked at her. “What’s up?”
“You like Warren.”
“What?” Dean felt the drink drop from his fingers before catching it with a smile. “That’s a random statement.”
“Dean.” Max stepped closer to him. “I have eyes.”
“I care about you. A lot. Like, you know poetry and stuff.” Dean’s shoulders slumped. “I never meant for this to happen.”
“I know.” Max smiled at him fondly.
“You seem less mad. Shouldn’t you be more mad?” Dean asked tilting his head slightly to the side.
“The way you flirt with everyone, am I meant to be surprised?”
“The…the thing with Warren, I’ve never done anything-”
“The way you were shooting glances at each other during the line for The Haunted mansion made it clear you hadn’t.” Max shrugged. “We were making bets on how long before he caught how you were looking at him.”
Dean made a sound at the back of his throat. “Does everyone know?”
“In The Pack? Yes. Except maybe Rowan, but when it comes to noticing emotions she doesn’t really count.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Then don’t.”
“I’ll stop.”
Max sighed before closing the distance and took his hand in hers. “I’m not mad. I know you won’t hurt me. It’s okay. I’m okay. I comprehend Polyamory.”
“It’s okay?” Dean repeated before jerking slightly. “Wait, seriously?”
“I …care about you. Deeply.” Max took a deep breath. “I’m more worried he’ll hurt you more than I am jealous.”
Dean smirked at her. “Hurt me? I’m untouchable.”
“Sometimes you’re very fragile.” Max squeezed his hand. “Though that’s mostly been for me.”
“You’re not just doing this because you think I want you to right? Because I can toss it in a closet and ignore it.”
“I’m not that kind of girl, Dean Harper.”
“Just checking.” Dean leaned forward and kissed her. “I care about you profoundly. Three little words.”
“Tease,” Max smirked at him as they started walking again.
Dean winked at her as they pushed open the door to the outsides. “Hang on…”
“Hm?”
“When you said everyone knew did you mean….?”
“He and I had a discussion about it. He knows I’m okay with it. All you two need to do is talk to eachother.”
Dean winced, Yeah, that won't be awkward.
“Bob, you can be amazing in the ring. There is so much untapped potential in you. You have had an amazing career. You were recruited by Spike for a reason. He believed in your talent. He’s picked you to guard his back during that clusterfuck of a match Nighthawk put on. AJ trusts you, though he seems like the sort of naïve child who’d trust a starving dog with a raw steak. Point is, anyone who tries to sell you short with that ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’ horse shit needs to get their head checked. There is so much to admire about your career. So much to look at and believe in. That’s why fans call your name. That’s why you’ve survived so long. I know you hate following, I know you see your past sins with nothing but regret. You need to see your past as necessary to bring you to where you are. You are worthy of so much, Bob.”
Dean takes a moment.
“That’s why I made the offer. I wanted to help. I wanted to show you how to really tap into that. How to stop holding yourself back and really embrace those imperfections. Maybe not reveal in them as I do but at least dig deep and bring yourself to the level you fuck deserve.”
Dean looks earnestly into the camera.
“We could have been family. Could have helped each other out. I don’t ask anyone to clear the way for my own victories in The Pack. I don’t use them to get a step up for anything. I want to show everyone what I’ve seen. I want everyone to succeed. I want Max and Brooklyn to rule the women’s division. I want Warren and Caleb to get belts of their own in the men’s. If you’d been in the mix? Maybe you and me could have had some fun in the tag tournament. Maybe I would have stepped aside for you to take this belt. The Pack doesn’t use our members to further our own agenda. We want what’s best for each of us.”
Dean touches his heart.
“Bob, you’re convinced that everyone has nothing but the worst intentions for you. Imagine what it would have been like to have real companionship. People who really have your back. Something to actually come home to.”
Dean shakes his head.
“But no. That’s not where we are, is it?”
Dean takes a deep breath, clearly switching gears.
“Let’s get the basics out of the way, shall we? You think I’m nothing more than a man at a pulpit selling the emperor’s new clothes with a few honeyed words sprinkled in about it all coming from a higher power.”
Dean rolls his eyes.
“Well, sweetie, what I promise is so much more than that. Who I sell it for? She’s real. She may be out of active competition, busy cleansing her vessel of the taint Shea, Spike and AJ put her through but she’s very much real. I could have shown you.”
Dean shrugs.
“You’re a non-believer. That’s fine. I have no problem proving things with actions instead of words.”
Dean winks.
“I have been rejected before. So why do I keep pushing?”
Dean taps his chin in thought.
“Good question. Am I feeling a little extra bitter about your rejection? Yes, there is so much I could have done for you. Could I try to move on and let it go? Maybe. But I like hurting people instead. Might not be a ‘healthy’ coping mechanism but fuck healthy. It’s fun!”
Dean laughs.
“Pain. It’s one of the many services I offer.”
Dean grins.
“No one wants to play with me unless I make it personal for them. I had to attack The Council to get Xavier’s attention. I had to keep showing up in Dev’s life in order for him to play. Spike? Spike was easiest. You did put your hands on me so I get the feeling you want to play too.”
Dean licks his teeth.
“Rejecting my offer has made you simply my latest plaything… and I have a habit of breaking even my most favorite of toys.”
Dean blinks and his eyes glow the pale green.
“You’ve been thirsty for a strap of leather and metal for so long. You want it so much you can feel it in your bones, can’t you? You tried for AJ’s beloved but like so many, he beat you and everyone else in that ring. You’re scared to go after Spike’s new leather. So our little problem had gift wrapped you another chance to try and get one where others have failed. I’m not your first choice but belts a belt for you, right? It’s a way to shut up everyone who whispers behind your back. It’s a way to lift up everything you’ve been working towards. It’s a symbol for you.”
Dean caresses the belt lovingly.
“Maybe it’s about punishing me because I’ve been a bad boy who does bad things. Maybe it’s about trying to take away something The Pack has held onto since October Revaluation. It’s not a record by any stretch but it certainly has some angry.”
Dean taps the belt.
“You feel like everything you’ve ever done has earned you this belt. Haven’t you worked hard enough for it? Haven’t you longed, pinned and bleed enough to get a nice little title of your own?”
Dean scuffs.
“That’s not how it works. Whatever you’ve done before doesn’t matter once that bell rings. It likes being with me. It likes the blood I’ve been feeding it. You try to be a good guy deep down. You don’t have what it takes to make this belt happy.”
Dean sets the man of steel belt aside.
“Also…spoiler alert, sweetheart, even if you beat me all those things everyone whispers about you? It doesn’t stop. I’ve beaten Chris Card with a baseball bat. I tried to kill Xavier Cross, three times. I tasted Mason’s motherfucking skull. They still don’t think I’ve earned my place. They still think I taint this belt with my undeserving hands.”
Dean smirks wide with sharp teeth.
“Only way to shut them up is to leave them bleeding and helpless. Do you have that in you, cupcake?”
Dean waits a moment as if expecting an answer.
“You’ve seen what I’ve done with my other playthings. You’ve been in the ring with me but never one on one. Now you get to face the full force of The Demon of Steel. I am going to break you, honey. In this kind of match, I win. You can’t pin me, not for the full count. I don’t submit. Do you have it in you to knock me the fuck out? Can you do it? I wonder if you can. I doubt it.”
Dean licks his teeth.
“Hopefully you put up a better fight than Xavier did. Don’t tuck your tail between your legs and run. I want you. I hope you come to me with all you’ve got. Deliver that good shit. This isn’t about just surviving me, cupcake, this is about beating me.”
Dean motions with one finger beckoning forward, eyes still glowing.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Well howdy there pardner.