HAPPY SHIELD BETRAYAL ANNIVERSARY!

I'll keep it short, just please, pretty please, read the notes at the end afterwards.

June 2nd, 2016
1:11 am

It wasn't unexpected but still disappointing when Seth woke up on his birthday and Dean was nowhere to be seen. Only Kevin had been snoring lightly, sleeping on the empty side of the bed as if to fill in for the missing person.

Seth had insisted on Dean not stressing himself even more – after the cage match he had wanted his brother to take it slow and concentrate on the house shows instead of rushing back from freaking Canada before flying to Wisconsin just so he could congratulate Seth.

It had been his request and yet he couldn't help but feel sad for being all alone on his special day. Somehow he had nourished the hope that Dean would once again pull another ace out of his sleeve and manage to be in two places at the same time. Seth has a very high opinion of his fiancé, which might be a bit unhealthy.

As it turned out, Dean did pull off another stunt – his biggest one so far; Seth just didn't realize it until the very end. To be fair though, his friend didn't give him a lot of good clues, only irritating Seth with his mysterious demeanor that further gained momentum on the night of Extreme Rules.

Seth had told them he was cleared to come back and ready to take care of the unfinished business with Roman – and quite frankly, he wanted to hold his baby in his hands again; the title, not Dean –, so they agreed on that Pay-Per-View. Mostly to show AJ Styles who is the real boss in the ring and that he should let go of his title ambitions. With Seth around, no one gets another shot. Oh, and no one will hurt his family, of course.

So when he was standing backstage, Seth had waited for Dean to finish his painfully to watch match, too engrossed to pay attention to anything else happening around him. If he wouldn't have had to keep up his game face, Seth would have publicly despaired because Dean was as reckless as ever, throwing caution in the wind, even though Seth had begged him to not, under no circumstances, use thumbtacks.

As Dean was walking past him – alive, mostly unharmed and so full of himself – he waited for the signal, which his friend revealed to him after the Wizard World Convention in Des Moines. Yes, Seth couldn't resist to go there, just to spend some quality time with Dean, which earned him a whack on the head by Roman because they didn't even try to keep it low.

The signal was so typically Dean and also exactly what Seth had been missing these past months. When he got hit with a right forearm Seth didn't duck, although he knew it was coming. All he did was take Dean's hand into his own to snatch the tiny envelope out of it. Instead of just sending it to their home in Davenport or handing it to him during the rare occasions he managed to come back to Iowa like any normal person would have done, Dean had to make things unnecessarily complicated.

Unfortunately, the thing was sealed, his brother's handwriting all over it, warning him to not open it until his birthday. All this meticulously planned fuss and Seth still had to wait almost another week? He couldn't believe it.

Needless to mention, he did not listen. Dean wasn't there to see it, so he thought he could open the letter anyway, get a sneak peek to appease his hunger. Patience was never Seth's strong suit, so he couldn't understand how Dean expected him to hold out until his birthday.

No one heard the frustrated scream bouncing off the insides of his rental when he read the note. It shouldn't surprise him anymore but every time Dean proves to be smarter and craftier than Seth, he gets mad. Not at Dean but at himself. His boyfriend knew very well Seth wouldn't behave, so the only present in the envelope was a torn piece of paper, saying Told ya not to open it, dumbo. Now suck it up till Saturday.

So, with no other option left, Seth waited half angry, half out of his mind for his special day to roll around, only to wake up alone and to find another one of Dean's letters in his mailbox. It took him a while to rip it open, mostly because he was pouting like a nine-year-old, but ultimately, his curiosity won.

This time it read Come to our motel after SD on June 2nd; you'll know the place when you see it. Don't freak out, you'll get your gift there. Wear a tux. Happy 30th birthday, Biebs. Welcome to the club of grown men. Glad you're back with us. Whip Ro's ass for me. D.

'A suit?' Seth had asked Kevin at least a dozen times that day, never getting an answer from his beloved dog. Other than his puppy eyes that begged for another treat. A suit could only mean that Dean had planned for them to have some fancy dinner in a run-down, shabby motel with a special, heartbreaking surprise in store for Seth since he asked to see him on the worst day in the Shield history.

Never ever was he prepared for what really awaited him in his brothers' motel room. Which, oddly enough, is room number 02. Uh-oh. Seth can be glad if he makes it out of this in one piece. Maybe Dean wanted him to wear a tuxedo so he'd already be properly dressed for his funeral.

First of all, there is no food on the table, like he thought. Neither are there candles or rose petals on the bed or whatever romantic thing Seth had imagined, and there is also no trace of a wrapped birthday present.

The moment Seth's eyes fall on Dean, all of that doesn't matter anymore. There he is, standing right in front of him, being a natty dresser just like him. His brother's Hall of Fame outfit was nothing compared to the expensive looking suit Dean is wearing now, including a waistcoat and a perfectly knotted tie. Totally dressed to kill. Looking like this, his brother could easily model for Abercrombie & Fitch. Though, then again, Seth doesn't like to share.

The dead silence is getting awkward really fast, so Seth chuckles helplessly, trying hard not to think about the bruised body hiding beneath all that fabric. What is Dean's angle tonight?

'I can't imagine Tyra Banks would have a picture for you,' he jokes; a futile attempt to laugh away his own uncertainty. But it is always suspicious if Dean goes out of his way – especially on this day –, and looking like this, not even hiding his eyes behind a pair of sunglasses, frightens Seth more than he wants to admit.

Alright, fine, it scares him to death. A year ago, in the Undertaker's home, Dean was talking about breaking up and all, so maybe he finally has had enough of Seth and thought about dumping him while sporting an outfit that usually hints at a marriage proposal. One never knows with an Ambrose.

'Don't need one,' his fiancé replies casually, running a hand through his extra curly hair, finally stepping closer to drag Seth into the room and shut the door behind them. His friend hums lowly while eyeing him up and down, nodding kind of lost in his own thoughts before declaring solemnly, 'Happy Birthday, Black Canary. Was hoping you'd show up in white but we can't have everything.'

And with that – will the nicknames ever stop? Does he even want that? – Dean kisses him while pulling Seth into a tight hug, not letting go of him for what feels like a blissful eternity. Aw, someone missed him. He could have visited him at home some more to prevent that, but hey. No complaints tonight.

It definitely is awesome to be back on the road with his family again. At least until the Smackdown draw will most likely separate them again. They can worry about that when the time comes though; for now, Seth just lives in the moment, enjoying every second he can spend with his brothers.

After a while of sniffing the skin behind Dean's ear, Seth remembers their weird outfits and his promised present but he has no time to answer or ask anything because Roman chooses that very moment to emerge out of the bathroom, also showing off a brand new, pitch black suit.

Okay, what is going on here? 'Are we the poor version of Three Men in a Boat now?' he attempts to horse around once more, his voice cracking out of sheer nervousness. And why is no one praising him for making random fandom references?

Roman completely ignores his question and cocks his eyebrows, mumbling towards Dean – who is still clinging to Seth as if he is going to turn into thin air should he let go for just one second –, 'You sure bout this? After all, it's Seth. Biggest dork on earth.' Hello? He is still standing here, able to hear their every word. Dean chuckles and nods, his scruff tickling Seth's throat, the grip around his waist only getting stronger.

Slightly offended, Seth accepts the birthday wishes from his big brother once Dean reluctantly released him, deciding to forgive Rome for that comment if his long overdue gift is a real breathtaker. So far, neither Dean nor Roman have given him any indications as to what it is and simple congratulations don't sweeten his tea. But he is waiting in vain, his family decides to let him suffer for as long as they want. He gets another embrace from Rome, the moment passing by without anyone giving him something with a ribbon on it.

What kind of birthday party is this? Are they intending to go out with him, even though they aren't allowed to be seen together in public? Roman's rule and everybody knows that that's the law. Why is no one talking to him? 'Alright, mystery-mongers, are we going to church?'

Dean tips against his nose, a proud smile flashing over his face. It's official now, Seth couldn't be more confused. They just cannot go outside, not even if the destination is a holy house – and why the heck would they even want to go there? For the past two years they haven't been anywhere together and getting caught now that Seth and Roman finally have their feud and the Authority is no longer an issue – apparently, it needed a McMahon to beat the McMahons – would be more than just stupid.

Once Seth tweaked his knee they stopped making plans, since it was pretty much useless without him, but his absence had at least one good effect. Dean and Roman finally went their separate ways – which worked wonders on Seth's general wellbeing and recovery. His fiancé takes each day as it comes, letting Roman handle the title business without interfering. The Family turned into The Bloodline, which Seth celebrated alone at home with beer and greasy pizza because it meant that Dean was no longer a piece of decoration. He felt like a jerk for about two minutes before just being happy that he didn't have to watch his family be so freaking close on screen.

It was different when he was still on the road, meeting them in a motel late at night to stay with them until dawn. Sure, he had been ridiculously jealous – and it was easy to ignore the fact that he brought it all upon himself – but at least he was a part of everything.

Being benched however brought out the worst in him. That he helplessly had to watch his brothers together without being able to fool around with them in bed afterwards made everything worse. It also made him miss his job more than anything else. Not just because he could be close to his friends, and especially Dean, but also since he needs the adrenaline rush, the love and hatred of the fans, the physical challenges, the atmosphere.

He is back now, so that is in the past once and for all. And even though he is still a heel – to help Rome fight all these silly people booing him –, Seth will never forget the excited roar of the crowd when he appeared at Extreme Rules and made a statement by attacking his former tag team partner.

Since his brothers still torment him with their silence, he rolls his eyes and throws up his hands. 'Would you finally tell me what is going on here? Why the Barney Stinson cosplay? We look like some wannabe priests,' Seth gripes, flinching visibly when Dean yells ha and watching puzzled how Roman grumpily throws a ten dollar bill at his best friend.

Is their birthday present a free trip to the asylum? Well, he probably wouldn't mind a day in the Ambrose Asy– no, forget that. Not even for all the money in the world.

'Excuse me?'

'You're excused,' Dean grins, stuffing the money into his trousers pocket. Seth can only blink, unsure of how to feel. Well, he should be bitter that they treat him like this – after asking him to come here, he might add – but as always, his curiosity lets him forget their weird behavior, so he swallows down his usual hissy fit and simply sighs defeated.

Which, at last, leads to one of them having mercy on his poor soul. 'Dean bet you'd mention church and priests before I could show you this,' Roman explains with his soft big brother voice – that immediately calms Seth down – holding out a thin white slip, while wearing an expecting, somewhat excited expression, as if Seth would know what to do now. If anything, his thoughts are spinning more and more out of control.

His family looks at him, patiently waiting for Seth to piece it all together. Just when he thinks he will never understand anything, it clicks. And his heart skips a beat.

Dean's suit isn't black, it is actually a nice shade of dark, velvety blue and his well-fitting shirt is as white as the clouds. Roman on the other hand is dressed completely in black, just like Seth. The only thing differentiating them is the white stripe Seth is still holding in his trembling fingers.

Last June, Dean had mocked him about this – or at least Seth thought it was something between a rib and a threat – but now he seems to be true to his word. This must be a dream. A whole year Seth had told himself that Dean had only suggested it because it would never happen anyway. He was so sure his man would be too afraid to go through with it. Huh, look at that. How the insecure can grow.

'This is not some childish prank to get back at me, is it?' he asks hesitantly, not quite convinced he really wants an answer. Dean groans annoyed – showing Seth very clearly that he's once again a stupid fool for not trusting his family – and nods towards Roman, who then proceeds to rummage through his suitcase until he finds a little folder. He opens it to hold out an official looking document that Seth doesn't take, but his eyes skim over the text at least a dozen times.

Out of the blue, Seth is getting unbelievably dizzy, even to the point he needs to steady himself, falling backwards against the door to rub over his temples and eyes as if that would bring him any more clarity. He isn't hallucinating and Dean is definitely not mocking him; his family really intends to go through with it. This is serious, that piece of paper Roman is still offering him with his amused grin and this whole scenario just prove it.

Tonight will mark the end of their personal trilogy and once again, Dean managed to turn something Seth screwed up into something magnificent.

'It's nothing we could brag about and it won't change a thing, we'd still have to hide 'n all, but– ya know,' Dean says hurriedly, catching on to the severity of the situation and fighting his still deep-rooted instinct to flee. He's suddenly as fidgety as Seth, which is so relieving and cute at the same time.

'It doesn't change anything?' he croaks out, disbelief almost turning into sarcasm, huffing loudly. This reshapes everything. Well, sort of. Okay, Dean is right, it doesn't but this is still the single most important step they ever took in their bumpy relationship. And this time, they'll take it together. 'You dressed up, looking real sharp by the way, and organized this surprise while knowing fully well what it would mean for us. And don't forget Rome here getting a shiny new certificate.'

Turning thirty was the best thing that has ever happened to him. Except for Dean. Or, rather, everything good is always connected directly to his brother. He really is the most blessed man alive.

'Happy birthday,' Rome repeats, bowing his head as Seth finally takes the document out of his hand, reading it one last time, just to make sure he is still wide awake.

License of Minister

Roman Reigns

having received his calling and upon completion of all training requirements is ordained as a minister on the 2nd day of June, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and sixteen, with all rights, duties and privileges deriving therefrom.

Signed, Bishop Thomas Edward Lance, Th. D.

'I'll be your priest tonight.'

Seth's ears ring, Roman's words echo in his head over and over, yet he still opens his mouth and miraculously manages to ask without his knees giving out, 'Are we seriously getting married tonight, in a Norman Bates motel, looking like the owners of a funeral home, just the three of us and with the ceremony being held by our brother?' Dean beams – radiating warmth, confidence and so much love that it completely overwhelms Seth –, entwining their fingers, speaking softly the only words he needs to hear.

'Wouldn't have it any other way.'

'So, this is it now. Forever you and me and nothing can intervene anymore,' Seth sigh cheerfully, wearing his wedding ring on his finger for the first time. He will keep it on the chain around his neck during the days, obviously, but this is a whole new feeling he wants to experience as often as possible.

Dean's mouth falls open and he grabs Roman by the collar, yanking their faces together so that their noses touch and yells overly dramatically, 'Ya never told me this was a forever kinda deal. Can I still opt out?'

He just married a total goofball and Seth loves every second of it.

A/N: Alright. This is it. The epilogue to two incredible years. This fanfic was my baby (still is), but I think this is the perfect time to end it. As some of you might know, I wanted to finish with a Shield reunion (my foolish heart wanted to believe in a fast one when they broke up) but plans change. Stories change and LTWK kinda went its own way at one point. I let it run wild but I feel like I've come to my limits here. Not only do I strongly disagree with the way WWE treats Dean since 2014, I also don't like the direction Roman is heading to and quite frankly, I'm done making excuses for shitty booking. On the bright side, we get something far better than an on screen faction. Family. In every sense of the word.

So, I want to thank each and every one of you for staying with me until now. It was a weird ride, with lots of ups and downs, but I think we did pretty good. Let The World Know is over now, but don't be sad. A very cute Spaniard once said "esto no sea un adiós, sino un hasta luego". And I'll say the same to you. This isn't farewell; it's a see you later. I really appreciate what all of you did for this fic - without you I wouldn't have had the energy to keep writing for two years - and I'm looking forward to see you around again. Maybe even in LTHI *wink*