Inspiration for A Viper

After the July 21, 2014 RAW.

Warnings: swearing and Bo Dallas.

The July night was sweltering, matching Randy's temper. The heavy Miami air made his shirt stick to his chest aggravating him even more. He was leaning against his car and trying to get a handle on his rage. He sucked on his cigarette and exhaled. Damn Roman Reigns! That stunt had cost him a title shot at Summer Slam. Now it was Brock Lesner that would be getting the chance at Cena and the title and Randy was stuck in another pointless feud. Ever since Wrestlemania, Randy's life had been in a holding pattern and he was getting sick of it. The constant battles with the disbanded Shield members were getting in the way of his regaining the title.

He had been so close at Battleground! Kane's betrayal hadn't been a surprise. In fact, Randy had been expecting it. He hadn't needed Kane's help. But to actively hinder Randy was unacceptable. He could have beaten John Cena at the Fatal Fourway. He had beaten the man before. His face still burned at John's yelling at him to tap when he had the STF locked in on Randy. Mr. Never Give Up wanted Randy to give up, the hypocrite. Randy was going to get back at John for that.

And Hunter kept stalling on his rematch clause. He took another drag and exhaled, willing the nicotine to have its calming effects on his stressed-out system. He had gotten a ticket from the wonderful Florida highway patrol for having tinted windows (seriously, were they that hard up for funds?) earlier that day and it had gone downhill ever since. Hunter had insisted he and Kane partner against Reigns, but Randy was done with all that crap. Kane, Reigns, Rollins, they could all go hang for all Randy cared. He just wanted his chance to get the title back.

"Hey buddy!" a horrifyingly sunny voice said, breaking into his solitary rage-reflection.

Randy froze, unable to believe that someone was brave enough to be talking to him right then, let alone the person who was doing the talking. Slowly, he turned. It was Bo Dallas, dressed in street clothes and his hair pulled back in a ponytail.

Shit.

Randy vaguely hoped that maybe Bo wasn't talking to him, but someone else lurking nearby that he hadn't noticed earlier. He glanced around but no such luck. Randy was the only person in the arena parking garage.

"You look a little down," Bo observed, his voice dripping with honey sincerity. He smiled that wide smile that made Randy's fists itch with the urge to punch that face. "I saw what Roman Reigns did to you and boy did that stunk. And then Hunter giving Brock the title shot at Summer Slam instead of you? That's like, insult to injury, isn't it? But you just need to look on the bright side!" Bo encouraged with enthusiasm.

For once in his life, Randy was at a complete loss for words. He continued to stare at Bo in shock. Bo Dallas had to be making fun of him. There was no bright side and no one could be that clueless.

"Cheer up! If you keep your face to the sun, you cannot see the shadows!" Bo continued.

Randy's whole body twitched. Did this guy really believe what he said? It sounded like something from one of those stupid motivational posters that sterile offices had hanging on their walls. Randy refused to believe anyone took those things seriously. And what did that shit even mean?

"Take it from me, all you have to do is Bo-lieve!" Bo held up his fists and stuck out his thumbs, still grinning like a lunatic, even more so than Ambrose at his worse.

Randy kept telling himself that Bo didn't truly believe the crap he spouted. It had to be an act. But if that was the case, Bo was probably the best damned actor Randy had encountered to date.

Then the nasty suspicion occurred to Randy that he was being pranked. He glanced around again, looking for the cameras. He didn't see any, but that didn't mean they weren't there. He stubbed out his cigarette and leaned over into Bo''s personal space. That made most people cringe back, or tremble with terror. But the little creep didn't seem to mind at all. He just stood there, grinning.

"Look," Randy said. "First off, I am not your buddy, got that? Now, I never had a problem with you in the past, Bo. In fact, you running over El Torito was the funniest shit I'd seen in a long time. But if you continue to waste my oxygen by saying that stupid shit to me, there will be a problem. Do you Bo-lieve that?" His voice dripped venomous sarcasm.

"Oh Randy," Bo said and Randy tensed in shock again as the young man reached out to pat his shoulder. This was getting surreal. "You are so stressed out. You should really look into knitting. I hear that's very relaxing."

Now Randy was sure he was being trolled. "Where is it?" he demanded.

Bo's punchable face looked confused. "Where is what?" he asked, his nose scrunched up and Randy imagined it swollen and bloody from connecting with his fist. It took a huge effort, but he managed not to give into his violent urges. Just look at Stephanie getting hauled off to jail for slapping Brie Bella. Brie had deserved it, in Randy's opinion, since she slapped Stephanie first, but no one had asked him. He didn't need to get arrested for beating the shit out of Bo, but maybe he could plead he had been provoked? Randy was sure that anyone who had been in Bo's presence for more than two minutes would understand and sympathize.

"The camera," Randy said point blank. Bo still looked confused, increasing Randy's irritation. "Where is the camera?" he asked again. "Did Cena put you up to this? He did, didn't he, the bastard! Well tell him that this is a shitty prank and I am not falling for it."

"This isn't a prank, Randy." Bo's earnestness was almost convincing. "John didn't put me up to anything. In fact, when I tried to talk to him, he just muttered something about me not seeing him, then ran away." He looked mystified.

But it wasn't enough to fool Randy. He gathered a handful of Bo's shirt collar in his fist and pulled the younger man closer so he could glare right in his eyes. Bo's sunny confidence wilted just a tad and Randy could hear an audible 'gulp'. 'Good,' he thought. His message was getting through. "This is the only time I will tell you this: leave me alone!" He held Bo close for a few more seconds to ensure his warning was heard, then shoved Bo away, though not hard enough to make him fall. He took out his keys and got into his car. He had to get to Orlando for tomorrow's show.

As he drove away, he glanced in the rear-view mirror and saw Bo standing where Randy had left him. The young man was smiling and Randy had a sinking, terrible feeling that his message hadn't gotten through as thoroughly as he had hoped.

Then he remembered Bo's motto: Don't Give Up.

Shit.

TBC?

I'm not sure why but the thought of a frustrated Randy being chased around by a clueless Bo spouting inspirational drivel just makes me laugh. I might continue to play around with this, just for giggles. But don't worry, I am still working on the next chapter of Legend Killer too. ~ Belle