Post by Cause and Effect on Jun 5, 2017 3:56:33 GMT
The time had come. While Gabriel Laroux’s meeting with Rayven was after that fated Proving Grounds show, there was another meeting that day. This one, much more personal..much more consequential. Outside of that sime, unassuming door stood Xavier Laroux. Arms crossed at his chest, he had been waiting for that door to open, waiting to see just who he was there to see.
And then it happened, that door opened and out walked The Antagonist Gabriel Laroux. Almost instantly, Xavier's features tightened, as did his hands when he balled them into fists. Just the sight of his older brother was enough to get his blood boiling, the urge to fight growing to an almost uncontrollable level.
Bringing his hand up, Xavier ran it through those strands of hair, a commonly seen relaxation effort from the man who often refers to himself as The Addiction. His lips parted and something happened that could be described as a rare occurrence..nothing came out. Not even a sound. His thoughts blocking out any word he had hoped to say, he simply shook his head, letting it drop.
”I..trusted you.”
It was Gabe's turn to part his lips. A mere sound escapes, nothing more before he found himself struck in the mouth with his younger brother’s balled fist. The shot sent him staggering back only to be caught with another..another. A third was on the way until Xavier hesitated, his hand moving up to cup the side of his head. A low groan slipping free from behind his lips, it was crystal clear that he was still not recovered fully from that accident.
A pained expression dominating his features as he threw up his free arm, the forearm being used to prop himself up. His bared chest moved up and down rapidly. Turning his head to the side, Gabriel spat a wad of blood from his mouth, not showing much concern where it landed. He turned away from Xavier before walking back through the door he came out of.
Mere moments later, Gabriel walked through that doorway once more. This time, in his hands was a steel folding chair. Opening it up, he moved to help Xavier into it, the younger Laroux pushing the older to the side before slowly lowering himself onto a seated position upon the cold steel. A deep breath of air taken in, Xavier sighed out softly, slowly shaking his head.
”I get the whole wantin to do things on your own, believe me Gabe..I do. You coulda said somethin. Gave me a fuckin hint, man. She didn't even say you hadda choose right then and there. You just..bailed and hauled ass outta there. Especially with all this shit goin on..you're the last person I'd expect this shit from, y’know?”
”Listen..”
Before Gabriel could continue on, he found himself interrupted by Xavier. Taking in a deep breath, he exhaled through his nostrils, his patience clearly being tried by his younger brother.
”And it ain't even just bout that. I can handle defending by my goddamn self. What really fucked me up..is that shit you were talkin on Twitter. Tellin the truth. I swear to fuckin god, Gabe. If you were anyone else, you wouldn't be able to walk by time I got done with you.”
Another with slipping freely from behind Gabriel’s tightened lips, this one in particular with the ever so slightest hint of relief.
”But don't think that's outta the fuckin question. You told those things bout me. That fuckin hurt. How do you think they're gonna look st me after your shit?”
”Since when do you care, in the slightest, about what anyone thinks about you?”
”Since I grew the fuck up!”
Those words from Xavier were considerably louder than usual, Gabriel’s eyes widening just a small amount as he did so. The younger took a moment, taking in a breath as he tried to collect himself.
”The fuck do you think Ray’s gonna think bout me after this? Second place? Are you fuckin serious, man?”
The anger and feeling of being betrayed lingering in his voice, seemingly growing with each word he spoke. His jaw tightens as do his fists, with his head tilted upwards, a rarely seen look of the utmost seriousness plastered to Xavier's face.
”And Phe..I swear to god, Gabe. I will fuckin end you. I told you that shit in confidence. You are the only one I tell everythin to. Not Atti or Laina, Phe or Blair. Nobody. Maybe I made the wrong choice..”
”Look..”
At this point, Xavier was near overly emotional, not even acknowledging that Gabriel was trying to talk.
”You crossed a serious fuckin line, Gabe. I can’t let this go. Like I said, if it were anyone else, they'd be out already..”
”Like Lennox, right?”
Though slower than usual, Xavier rose up to his feet rather quickly, taking a single step forward to stand chest to chest with Gabriel.
”That's what this is all about and you know that. This isn't about me crossing a line or tarnishing your image. This is about me lighting a fire up under your ass so you'll get off of it and handle her before things get worse. How many more people does she have to play with before you finally act and go after her?”
Xavier parted those stiff lips, fully ready to verbally tear apart Gabriel's argument. Instead, the only sound that slipped free from behind his lips would be silence. After a few moments, Xavier closed his eyes, slowly lowering his head.
”My point exactly, Xavier. For whatever reason, you're hesitating against her. You won't do what you know you need to do. For whatever reason, a reason I cannot even fathom to guess, you're holding back against her. Is it because of them? Phe and Blair, they'll understand, they'll accept this you. Rayven..Cass..Jessica. If they can't accept you doing whatever you need to do in order to protect your family then do they really need to be apart of your life?”
“Look at yourself. You haven't even been standing for ten minutes and you're already about to collapse. And for what? You're resisting..hesitating for these people who matter nothing in the long run. If someone really cares about you, Xavier..they'll be able to look past your faults. When you hit rock bottom, look around you, see who's surrounding you in your darkest hour. Those are the ones who matter.”
Bringing his head back up, he looked in Gabriel’s direction, rather looking past him, instead of making eye contact as usual. His words came out forced and it was as if he didn't even believe them himself.
”There's not gonna be a rock bottom..”
”Listen to yourself, Xavier. Do you even believe what you're saying? The more you fight it..the harder it's going to be to resist. You have to hit, Xavier. You have to find that person you know you are and I'm not going to stop until you do. I truly want you to know that..no matter what any of them say..I do care. I've got a flight to catch.”
Before another word could be shared between the two, Gabriel turned away from Xavier, walking off in the opposite direction. A slight smile growing across his features as he slowly nodded his head, mouthing the words thank you..
_________________________________
”See, I was perfectly fine with defendin these titles by myself, I didn't need to have a partner. Then shit well..hit the fan. So, I went to Ana Hardy, I went over Zooey's head and I got the ability to have whatever partner I want. And! Got that stupid ass Ladder Match thrown out too, whatta stupid fuckin match idea. But I digress. The one time I ask for help and go figure, the whole thing goes to shit. Regardless of the fact..Lennox Daniels is my partner. Usually, that's somethin I’d fuckin puke over. But now, it's a reality I gotta work with..”
“And Ima just do that. Ima put my shit aside for however long I gotta if it means keepin my Fuckin Awesome Tag Team Championships. I mean, it's not like it's gonna take long to beat The Callaghans..again. C’mon now, how many of’em did it take to make sure they even got this match? Really big show of faith in Ryan when it took that many of you to beat me.
Obvious scepticism showed in the face of Laroux, the same was heard in the words he spoke. Shaking his head slowly, he took a long drag off of that cigarette held between his fingers. YOUR Favorite Drug stood, rather cleaned up as he wore that black suit, clearly having a good time at that wedding.
”Since the beginnin..I've been out to ensure that our Tag Team division is somethin to wanna be apart of. But yet, outside of WeSynn, the only thing we've really faced was the pisspoor Callaghans. I mean, they're persistent, I'll give’em that. But let's be honest folks..”
Leaning forward, Xavier held the back of his hand up to block sight of his mouth on one time, as if telling the biggest, most mind blowing secret ever.
”They’re fuckin trash.
Laughing out, Laroux returned to that full standing position, another hit taken off of that cigarette.
”Assumin y'all got your shock under control by now, lemme elaborate. Other than Twitter drama, stupid ass accents, and douchebag personalities, there's literally nothin there. Nothin to get behind. Nothin worth supportin. They're literally two bitch made punks who think dick ridin their town’s popularity makes them even the slightest bit relevant. News flash boys, y'all ain't done shit to be proud of. Just like bein from Seattle doesn't make me a coffee drinkin, pothead, grunge rocker, bein from Boston doesn't make y'all a success. Nothin will.”
“And after Barbed Wire Massacre? We’re gonna add another to the growing list of Callaghan Failures. Before that tho, there's somethin I feel like I gotta address..”
Laroux stiffened up, the subject clearly a rather sensitive one. The final hit taken off that cigarette, he dropped it to the ground, rubbing it out with the sole of those polished black shoes.
”Lennox. I'd be stupid to think that there's notta chance you're gonna use this match to continue to try and use as one of your backwards ass sermons. Soundin like a broke ass Jim Jones. But lemme tell you right now. If you fuck this up for me, Lennox. All bets will be off. I will do everthin in my power to make sure you writhe in fuckin regret. I'll make sure there's nothin left for you after this, I promise you that. I can't stress that fuckin fact enough. You fuck me over at Dirty Deeds and I'll make you suffer unlike anythin you've suffered afore.”
“But for now? Gonna take my ass back inside to my fuckin beautiful date and enjoy the rest of my night. Enjoy yours boys, damn sure ain't gonna be able to enjoy it at Dirty Deeds.”
And then it happened, that door opened and out walked The Antagonist Gabriel Laroux. Almost instantly, Xavier's features tightened, as did his hands when he balled them into fists. Just the sight of his older brother was enough to get his blood boiling, the urge to fight growing to an almost uncontrollable level.
Bringing his hand up, Xavier ran it through those strands of hair, a commonly seen relaxation effort from the man who often refers to himself as The Addiction. His lips parted and something happened that could be described as a rare occurrence..nothing came out. Not even a sound. His thoughts blocking out any word he had hoped to say, he simply shook his head, letting it drop.
”I..trusted you.”
It was Gabe's turn to part his lips. A mere sound escapes, nothing more before he found himself struck in the mouth with his younger brother’s balled fist. The shot sent him staggering back only to be caught with another..another. A third was on the way until Xavier hesitated, his hand moving up to cup the side of his head. A low groan slipping free from behind his lips, it was crystal clear that he was still not recovered fully from that accident.
A pained expression dominating his features as he threw up his free arm, the forearm being used to prop himself up. His bared chest moved up and down rapidly. Turning his head to the side, Gabriel spat a wad of blood from his mouth, not showing much concern where it landed. He turned away from Xavier before walking back through the door he came out of.
Mere moments later, Gabriel walked through that doorway once more. This time, in his hands was a steel folding chair. Opening it up, he moved to help Xavier into it, the younger Laroux pushing the older to the side before slowly lowering himself onto a seated position upon the cold steel. A deep breath of air taken in, Xavier sighed out softly, slowly shaking his head.
”I get the whole wantin to do things on your own, believe me Gabe..I do. You coulda said somethin. Gave me a fuckin hint, man. She didn't even say you hadda choose right then and there. You just..bailed and hauled ass outta there. Especially with all this shit goin on..you're the last person I'd expect this shit from, y’know?”
”Listen..”
Before Gabriel could continue on, he found himself interrupted by Xavier. Taking in a deep breath, he exhaled through his nostrils, his patience clearly being tried by his younger brother.
”And it ain't even just bout that. I can handle defending by my goddamn self. What really fucked me up..is that shit you were talkin on Twitter. Tellin the truth. I swear to fuckin god, Gabe. If you were anyone else, you wouldn't be able to walk by time I got done with you.”
Another with slipping freely from behind Gabriel’s tightened lips, this one in particular with the ever so slightest hint of relief.
”But don't think that's outta the fuckin question. You told those things bout me. That fuckin hurt. How do you think they're gonna look st me after your shit?”
”Since when do you care, in the slightest, about what anyone thinks about you?”
”Since I grew the fuck up!”
Those words from Xavier were considerably louder than usual, Gabriel’s eyes widening just a small amount as he did so. The younger took a moment, taking in a breath as he tried to collect himself.
”The fuck do you think Ray’s gonna think bout me after this? Second place? Are you fuckin serious, man?”
The anger and feeling of being betrayed lingering in his voice, seemingly growing with each word he spoke. His jaw tightens as do his fists, with his head tilted upwards, a rarely seen look of the utmost seriousness plastered to Xavier's face.
”And Phe..I swear to god, Gabe. I will fuckin end you. I told you that shit in confidence. You are the only one I tell everythin to. Not Atti or Laina, Phe or Blair. Nobody. Maybe I made the wrong choice..”
”Look..”
At this point, Xavier was near overly emotional, not even acknowledging that Gabriel was trying to talk.
”You crossed a serious fuckin line, Gabe. I can’t let this go. Like I said, if it were anyone else, they'd be out already..”
”Like Lennox, right?”
Though slower than usual, Xavier rose up to his feet rather quickly, taking a single step forward to stand chest to chest with Gabriel.
”That's what this is all about and you know that. This isn't about me crossing a line or tarnishing your image. This is about me lighting a fire up under your ass so you'll get off of it and handle her before things get worse. How many more people does she have to play with before you finally act and go after her?”
Xavier parted those stiff lips, fully ready to verbally tear apart Gabriel's argument. Instead, the only sound that slipped free from behind his lips would be silence. After a few moments, Xavier closed his eyes, slowly lowering his head.
”My point exactly, Xavier. For whatever reason, you're hesitating against her. You won't do what you know you need to do. For whatever reason, a reason I cannot even fathom to guess, you're holding back against her. Is it because of them? Phe and Blair, they'll understand, they'll accept this you. Rayven..Cass..Jessica. If they can't accept you doing whatever you need to do in order to protect your family then do they really need to be apart of your life?”
“Look at yourself. You haven't even been standing for ten minutes and you're already about to collapse. And for what? You're resisting..hesitating for these people who matter nothing in the long run. If someone really cares about you, Xavier..they'll be able to look past your faults. When you hit rock bottom, look around you, see who's surrounding you in your darkest hour. Those are the ones who matter.”
Bringing his head back up, he looked in Gabriel’s direction, rather looking past him, instead of making eye contact as usual. His words came out forced and it was as if he didn't even believe them himself.
”There's not gonna be a rock bottom..”
”Listen to yourself, Xavier. Do you even believe what you're saying? The more you fight it..the harder it's going to be to resist. You have to hit, Xavier. You have to find that person you know you are and I'm not going to stop until you do. I truly want you to know that..no matter what any of them say..I do care. I've got a flight to catch.”
Before another word could be shared between the two, Gabriel turned away from Xavier, walking off in the opposite direction. A slight smile growing across his features as he slowly nodded his head, mouthing the words thank you..
_________________________________
”See, I was perfectly fine with defendin these titles by myself, I didn't need to have a partner. Then shit well..hit the fan. So, I went to Ana Hardy, I went over Zooey's head and I got the ability to have whatever partner I want. And! Got that stupid ass Ladder Match thrown out too, whatta stupid fuckin match idea. But I digress. The one time I ask for help and go figure, the whole thing goes to shit. Regardless of the fact..Lennox Daniels is my partner. Usually, that's somethin I’d fuckin puke over. But now, it's a reality I gotta work with..”
“And Ima just do that. Ima put my shit aside for however long I gotta if it means keepin my Fuckin Awesome Tag Team Championships. I mean, it's not like it's gonna take long to beat The Callaghans..again. C’mon now, how many of’em did it take to make sure they even got this match? Really big show of faith in Ryan when it took that many of you to beat me.
Obvious scepticism showed in the face of Laroux, the same was heard in the words he spoke. Shaking his head slowly, he took a long drag off of that cigarette held between his fingers. YOUR Favorite Drug stood, rather cleaned up as he wore that black suit, clearly having a good time at that wedding.
”Since the beginnin..I've been out to ensure that our Tag Team division is somethin to wanna be apart of. But yet, outside of WeSynn, the only thing we've really faced was the pisspoor Callaghans. I mean, they're persistent, I'll give’em that. But let's be honest folks..”
Leaning forward, Xavier held the back of his hand up to block sight of his mouth on one time, as if telling the biggest, most mind blowing secret ever.
”They’re fuckin trash.
Laughing out, Laroux returned to that full standing position, another hit taken off of that cigarette.
”Assumin y'all got your shock under control by now, lemme elaborate. Other than Twitter drama, stupid ass accents, and douchebag personalities, there's literally nothin there. Nothin to get behind. Nothin worth supportin. They're literally two bitch made punks who think dick ridin their town’s popularity makes them even the slightest bit relevant. News flash boys, y'all ain't done shit to be proud of. Just like bein from Seattle doesn't make me a coffee drinkin, pothead, grunge rocker, bein from Boston doesn't make y'all a success. Nothin will.”
“And after Barbed Wire Massacre? We’re gonna add another to the growing list of Callaghan Failures. Before that tho, there's somethin I feel like I gotta address..”
Laroux stiffened up, the subject clearly a rather sensitive one. The final hit taken off that cigarette, he dropped it to the ground, rubbing it out with the sole of those polished black shoes.
”Lennox. I'd be stupid to think that there's notta chance you're gonna use this match to continue to try and use as one of your backwards ass sermons. Soundin like a broke ass Jim Jones. But lemme tell you right now. If you fuck this up for me, Lennox. All bets will be off. I will do everthin in my power to make sure you writhe in fuckin regret. I'll make sure there's nothin left for you after this, I promise you that. I can't stress that fuckin fact enough. You fuck me over at Dirty Deeds and I'll make you suffer unlike anythin you've suffered afore.”
“But for now? Gonna take my ass back inside to my fuckin beautiful date and enjoy the rest of my night. Enjoy yours boys, damn sure ain't gonna be able to enjoy it at Dirty Deeds.”