A/N: based off a prompt from WrestleKink2. Modified for posting here.

Root Canals.

A long match with Braun Strowman.

Beets.

These were a few things guaranteed to ruin Seth Rollins' day.

On this particular day, he chose to add freak computer failures at the airport and a nine hour drive through the Midwest to this list.

"Why did we decide to drive?" Dean Ambrose asked, staring at the rows of field in front of them. He anxiously fiddled with the radio, trying to settle on any station that wasn't static or worse- preaching.

"It was easier to drive the nine hours than deal with the crazy that is American's computers all going down at once." Seth drummed a beat against the steering wheel. "Or we're sadistic." He shrugged. "Take your pick."

"Our choices are classic country, preaching or some strange local station." Dean stared at the radio in disgust before shutting it off. "I vote for quiet."

"It's only a nine hour drive." Seth sighed.

"Only nine hours?" Dean asked, incredulous. "Only nine hours?"

"Sit back and enjoy the ride."

They drove in relative silence for the first hour or so. This was the first time that they had ridden together alone since they had started talking about reconciliation.

Seth knew that he had done wrong to Dean. He wasn't sure what had caused him to stray so far but he was grateful that they had started talking more.

Every so often, Dean would open his mouth as if to speak but then would stop before speaking, keeping the quiet.

He chose to break the silence by threading his fingers through Seth's free hand.

Seth tried not to recoil out of total shock.

This was the first time that that they had touched outside the ring in well over a year.

"Yes?" Seth asked, lightly squeezing Dean's hand.

"Just making sure you're real." Dean's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Why wouldn't I be real?" Seth fought the urge to look at Dean, choosing to keep his focus on the road.

"You weren't for so long." Dean sighed, holding their hands up. "I dreamt of this."

A dull ache began to gnaw in the pit of Seth's stomach. He twitched, hoping this would clear the ache.

It didn't- only making the ache worse.

"I told you- you don't have to worry- I'm not going anywhere."

Dean sat silent.

"I never stopped."

"Never stopped what?"

"Never stopped loving you. Never stopped hoping you'd come back." Dean shrugged. "No one could live up to you."

Now Dean will never trust you or anyone again.

"What?"

"I went on a few dates here and there. We either didn't get along all that well or they thought I was odd." Dean shook his head, breaking his trance.

"I can't apologize enough." Seth sighed again. "I'm just glad you're giving me a second chance."

"Don't get it twisted." Dean wrenched his hand free of Seth's grasp.

Seth couldn't look away from the road but he didn't need to. The heat from Dean's gaze was practically boring into him.

"I said most likely. I need more time to have you back as a friend before we can even begin discussing that."

Seth could only nod.