Post by Dean Harper on Jun 9, 2024 15:00:11 GMT
The camera comes on to Dean Harper cautiously making his way through the dimly lit, abandoned hospital. The atmosphere was heavy with an eerie silence, only broken by the occasional creak of the old building settling and the distant sound of dripping water. The air was thick with the scent of mold and decay, and the faint light from his flashlight cast long, sinister shadows on the peeling walls.
The hospital had been abandoned for decades, and rumors of it being haunted were rampant in the local community. Stories of ghostly apparitions, unexplained noises, and strange occurrences had kept most people away.
“So here we are. I lost the Night of the Immortals match against Warren. He got the better of me. I’m not gonna bitch about it. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Was I surprised to be put into Heir to the Throne? Course I was.” Dean gives a wicked smile, “But who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? I won Heir to the throne in 2020. The idea of being the first-ever two-time winner? Shit, that’s enough to make a man giddy.”
As he walks down the main corridor, his flashlight beam flickered slightly, and he pauses, “The Tag-Team aspect could be problematic of course. I’m not going to pretend it’s not. There are people in this contest who are paired up with their lovers. People who are in the same faction. There are people who are friends and people who are strangers. It’s all fun and games.”
“Then there is me and April.” The sound of faint whispers seemed to echo from one of the nearby rooms. “Can’t pretend this is going to be super easy to work together. We don’t really know each other. Sure, Brooklyn is my little sister but she and I haven’t been on the best terms since I betrayed the Pack. Or since The Murder decided to make their entrance by attacking me. Or since I beat her in that match. But all's fair in war, isn’t it? Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Dean follows the sound, his footsteps echoing in the emptiness.
Dean Harper couldn't believe he was about to share a meal with Brooklyn and April Maddrox. Their rivalry had been intense, but circumstances had changed, forcing them into an uneasy alliance. As he approached the trendy downtown Osaka sushi restaurant where they were meeting, he took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and steeled himself for the inevitable tension. Damien was with him, dressed nicely carrying his Bluey stuffed animal for comfort, and wearing a pair of headphones to help him from getting overstimulated by the strange place and the noise.
Warren and Dean had been having small dates since Warren had beat him on the night of the immortals match. They hadn’t revealed to Damien they were dating yet, Dean didn’t want to get the kid's hopes up in case things fell apart again. They had done some touristy shit together as a family today which had made it hard for Dean to stop smiling. Warren had declined to come with for this, picking to go have dinner with Shea instead... sometimes loving someone meant you had to trust them, he trusted Warren even if he didn't trust Shea entirely. But he was working on it.
“Why are we standing outside?” Damien asked looking up at Dean.
“Preparing myself for this to go poorly,” Dean admitted, smiling at Damien. “I haven’t always been good about being a team player and people get mad about that.”
“Are you bad at sharing?”
Dean laughed, “You should ask your Daddy about that.”
Inside, the restaurant buzzed with the chatter of the dinner crowd, a stark contrast to the silent storm brewing at their reserved table. Brooklyn and April were already seated, their expressions unreadable. Dean walked over, a confident smile plastered on his face, hand resting on Damien’s back.
"Good evening," he greeted, pulling out a chair.
Brooklyn, the elder of the two Maddrox sisters gave a curt nod. April, the younger, offered a thin smile.
"Dean," Brooklyn acknowledged. "Separated yourself from Warren for the evening? I thought you two were back to being codependent."
“You know Warren, he holds a grudge.”
“Still being a little bitch about Extinction Event?”
“Brooklyn.” April objected softly.
“Hi I’m Damien,” Damien interjected waving. “This is Bluey.”
Brooklyn’s icy expression melted instantly, “Hey, Damien. I’m your Aunty Brooklyn. This is my sister April. Wow, you look so much like your mother.”
“Doesn’t he?” Dean smiled at Damien.
“Do you like Bluey?” April asked leaning forward.
“It’s my favorite!” Damien beamed.
“Been enjoying being on the road with your dad?” April asked, Dean already liked the younger girl.
“Yeah! Tomorrow we are going to the Pokemon Center with Daddy. But only if I’m good.”
“I bet you’re always good.” April praised.
“You’ve gotten so big.” Brooklyn looked at Dean, “Seriously. It’s scary how much he’s grown since...”
“Yeah.” Dean nodded, last time they had been all together. The last night at Centralia before he’d bent the knee to Verona ending The Pack but protecting everyone he’d considered family’s careers. Not that anyone saw it that way. It was a betrayal he was never going to be forgiven for. Another on an ever-growing list.
“Are you going to be a problem?” Brooklyn asked.
“You think I’m going to sabotage my chances just to get back at you?” Dean asked. “I know I’m an ‘oathbreaker’ but come on, even you have to believe my thirst for gold is stronger than that?”
“If you hurt her or betray her I’ll put you in the fucking ground.”
“You’ll certainly try.” Dean winked. “But trust me. The little sister of my little sister will be perfectly safe with me.”
He enters what had once been a patient ward. Rows of rusty beds lined the walls, and the remnants of medical equipment lay scattered across the floor.
“I have to give my compliments to Kasey Vex. Three matches and three wins? That’s an impressive record. It’s rare to have that kind of fire just starting out. I have no doubt you are going to be the highlight of this tournament. Assuming you can handle moving past the low card to hang with the big kids. They are just throwing you into the deep end, aren’t they? I’m sure you’ll figure out how to swim, won’t you?” Dean licked his teeth, “I’ll admit I’ve always had a soft spot for a girl who could kick my ass. And I have a feeling you are certainly going to give it your best shot. Love to see you try it. I’d love even more to give you your first defeat. I love giving people their first defeat. It’s kind of my favorite thing in the world, besides my husband. There’s nothing quite like the release of seeing that crushing death of ego when someone is pinned whose never been pinned before. I don’t know if they are going to let me play with you though. Maybe we’ll have to save that for another time.”
“Nick!” Dean claps his hands together, “How long has it been? Since the roulette? How long has it been since we were able to play in a more intimate setting? I feel like it’s been years. I know we are both coming off just losing a belt. It can sting a bit, but I know we both got that dark violence in us. I know you are going to be coming into this wanting to put on a goddamn show.”
“Did I ever thank you for performing the wedding? If I didn’t, that’s my bad. I do appreciate that. Truly. Even despite the ups and downs of what Warren and I are. The fact you performed that service meant a lot. I know this is wrestling and you might be tempted to say you wish you hadn’t, hell there was a time I wish you didn’t too. But trust me, I am grateful.”
Dean's breath becomes visible in the cold air, “I want to see the monster again. I want to see you unload that anger from that loss in this match. Something I think we’ve both been missing having someone who can handle some of the darker things we can do. We both are able to bite the hand that feeds us in this business for the sake of a win. I’m not going to say we are the same, that would be underselling the thrilling differences.”
Dean leans against one of the rusted and empty hospital beds, “But I am saying, I get you. I get you maybe more than anyone else in this business. Let’s fucking dance. I like the more feral version of you. So bring him out to play, just for me. Promise I’ll be a good boy and give you a fight. Don’t worry about some lingering damage from Warren, I bounce back like you wouldn’t believe.”
The hospital had been abandoned for decades, and rumors of it being haunted were rampant in the local community. Stories of ghostly apparitions, unexplained noises, and strange occurrences had kept most people away.
“So here we are. I lost the Night of the Immortals match against Warren. He got the better of me. I’m not gonna bitch about it. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Was I surprised to be put into Heir to the Throne? Course I was.” Dean gives a wicked smile, “But who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? I won Heir to the throne in 2020. The idea of being the first-ever two-time winner? Shit, that’s enough to make a man giddy.”
As he walks down the main corridor, his flashlight beam flickered slightly, and he pauses, “The Tag-Team aspect could be problematic of course. I’m not going to pretend it’s not. There are people in this contest who are paired up with their lovers. People who are in the same faction. There are people who are friends and people who are strangers. It’s all fun and games.”
“Then there is me and April.” The sound of faint whispers seemed to echo from one of the nearby rooms. “Can’t pretend this is going to be super easy to work together. We don’t really know each other. Sure, Brooklyn is my little sister but she and I haven’t been on the best terms since I betrayed the Pack. Or since The Murder decided to make their entrance by attacking me. Or since I beat her in that match. But all's fair in war, isn’t it? Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Dean follows the sound, his footsteps echoing in the emptiness.
Dean Harper couldn't believe he was about to share a meal with Brooklyn and April Maddrox. Their rivalry had been intense, but circumstances had changed, forcing them into an uneasy alliance. As he approached the trendy downtown Osaka sushi restaurant where they were meeting, he took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and steeled himself for the inevitable tension. Damien was with him, dressed nicely carrying his Bluey stuffed animal for comfort, and wearing a pair of headphones to help him from getting overstimulated by the strange place and the noise.
Warren and Dean had been having small dates since Warren had beat him on the night of the immortals match. They hadn’t revealed to Damien they were dating yet, Dean didn’t want to get the kid's hopes up in case things fell apart again. They had done some touristy shit together as a family today which had made it hard for Dean to stop smiling. Warren had declined to come with for this, picking to go have dinner with Shea instead... sometimes loving someone meant you had to trust them, he trusted Warren even if he didn't trust Shea entirely. But he was working on it.
“Why are we standing outside?” Damien asked looking up at Dean.
“Preparing myself for this to go poorly,” Dean admitted, smiling at Damien. “I haven’t always been good about being a team player and people get mad about that.”
“Are you bad at sharing?”
Dean laughed, “You should ask your Daddy about that.”
Inside, the restaurant buzzed with the chatter of the dinner crowd, a stark contrast to the silent storm brewing at their reserved table. Brooklyn and April were already seated, their expressions unreadable. Dean walked over, a confident smile plastered on his face, hand resting on Damien’s back.
"Good evening," he greeted, pulling out a chair.
Brooklyn, the elder of the two Maddrox sisters gave a curt nod. April, the younger, offered a thin smile.
"Dean," Brooklyn acknowledged. "Separated yourself from Warren for the evening? I thought you two were back to being codependent."
“You know Warren, he holds a grudge.”
“Still being a little bitch about Extinction Event?”
“Brooklyn.” April objected softly.
“Hi I’m Damien,” Damien interjected waving. “This is Bluey.”
Brooklyn’s icy expression melted instantly, “Hey, Damien. I’m your Aunty Brooklyn. This is my sister April. Wow, you look so much like your mother.”
“Doesn’t he?” Dean smiled at Damien.
“Do you like Bluey?” April asked leaning forward.
“It’s my favorite!” Damien beamed.
“Been enjoying being on the road with your dad?” April asked, Dean already liked the younger girl.
“Yeah! Tomorrow we are going to the Pokemon Center with Daddy. But only if I’m good.”
“I bet you’re always good.” April praised.
“You’ve gotten so big.” Brooklyn looked at Dean, “Seriously. It’s scary how much he’s grown since...”
“Yeah.” Dean nodded, last time they had been all together. The last night at Centralia before he’d bent the knee to Verona ending The Pack but protecting everyone he’d considered family’s careers. Not that anyone saw it that way. It was a betrayal he was never going to be forgiven for. Another on an ever-growing list.
“Are you going to be a problem?” Brooklyn asked.
“You think I’m going to sabotage my chances just to get back at you?” Dean asked. “I know I’m an ‘oathbreaker’ but come on, even you have to believe my thirst for gold is stronger than that?”
“If you hurt her or betray her I’ll put you in the fucking ground.”
“You’ll certainly try.” Dean winked. “But trust me. The little sister of my little sister will be perfectly safe with me.”
He enters what had once been a patient ward. Rows of rusty beds lined the walls, and the remnants of medical equipment lay scattered across the floor.
“I have to give my compliments to Kasey Vex. Three matches and three wins? That’s an impressive record. It’s rare to have that kind of fire just starting out. I have no doubt you are going to be the highlight of this tournament. Assuming you can handle moving past the low card to hang with the big kids. They are just throwing you into the deep end, aren’t they? I’m sure you’ll figure out how to swim, won’t you?” Dean licked his teeth, “I’ll admit I’ve always had a soft spot for a girl who could kick my ass. And I have a feeling you are certainly going to give it your best shot. Love to see you try it. I’d love even more to give you your first defeat. I love giving people their first defeat. It’s kind of my favorite thing in the world, besides my husband. There’s nothing quite like the release of seeing that crushing death of ego when someone is pinned whose never been pinned before. I don’t know if they are going to let me play with you though. Maybe we’ll have to save that for another time.”
“Nick!” Dean claps his hands together, “How long has it been? Since the roulette? How long has it been since we were able to play in a more intimate setting? I feel like it’s been years. I know we are both coming off just losing a belt. It can sting a bit, but I know we both got that dark violence in us. I know you are going to be coming into this wanting to put on a goddamn show.”
“Did I ever thank you for performing the wedding? If I didn’t, that’s my bad. I do appreciate that. Truly. Even despite the ups and downs of what Warren and I are. The fact you performed that service meant a lot. I know this is wrestling and you might be tempted to say you wish you hadn’t, hell there was a time I wish you didn’t too. But trust me, I am grateful.”
Dean's breath becomes visible in the cold air, “I want to see the monster again. I want to see you unload that anger from that loss in this match. Something I think we’ve both been missing having someone who can handle some of the darker things we can do. We both are able to bite the hand that feeds us in this business for the sake of a win. I’m not going to say we are the same, that would be underselling the thrilling differences.”
Dean leans against one of the rusted and empty hospital beds, “But I am saying, I get you. I get you maybe more than anyone else in this business. Let’s fucking dance. I like the more feral version of you. So bring him out to play, just for me. Promise I’ll be a good boy and give you a fight. Don’t worry about some lingering damage from Warren, I bounce back like you wouldn’t believe.”
Well howdy there pardner.