#kenmatt

Matthew and Jack walked inside the office as the older man placed an ice pack onto Jack’s black eye. “My god, Kenny really did a number on you. You sure you’re okay? Can you see with that eye? Oh my god, this is all my fault, that could’ve been me out there, I—,”

“Matthew.” Jack interrupted and while he held the ice pack on his eye, his free hand placed on Matthew’s shoulder. He smiled at the older man. “I’m fine. In fact, I’m doing much better than I already am.”

“But…,” Matthew glanced away from Jack, still feeling like he’s the one at fault, “You’re hurt…”

Jack sighed and shook his head “Matt, you gotta stop worrying so much. Like I said, I’m fine. I can see just fine.” He pulled the ice pack off his eye; There’s a small dark bruise under it, “This. This is nothing.” And before Matthew can open his mouth as he glanced back at the younger man, Jack quickly placed an index finger at his lips to shut him up.

“Before you start rambling again, you don’t have to apologize. It’s okay.”

Matthew couldn’t help but chuckle, “Yeah, well, maybe I’m just like that. I worry too much.”

“Heh, yeah I can tell.” Jack plopped himself down on the couch as Matthew followed suit. The EVP rest his hand on the Scapegoat’s leg. It reminded him of something.

He used to do this to Kenny when they had a rough night after their loss in a match. He thought about those times the Kenny had together for years and those memories still burned through his mind whenever he thought about it. It was so many years ago, when they first met in the indies, their time in Ring of Honor, and New Japan, until AEW, it was slowly starting to fall apart. Kenny left Matthew and Nicholas behind and now they’re on their own. They built their new group with Okada and Jack and they’re proud of what they’re doing now….

Kenny had the audacity to show up that night and call them out. He shouldn’t have showed up and let them attack him. He’s the reason the Elite is the way it is now because of his actions….

Matt balled his hand into a fist against Jack’s leg, brows furrowed as his eyes sting for the tears to fall; still thinking about what he said to Kenny when he was being stretchered to the ambulance.

"I didn't wanna have to do this.... Things could've been different.... I love you so much Kenny but I have to do this because if I couldn't have you then nobody could."

The question is, did he regret pushing Kenny off the stretcher? Did he still care for Kenny after being out for months of being sick? Did he regret firing him from the Elite?

Does Matt regret anything—

“Matthew?”

The EVP looked up at Jack, a look of concern on his face.

“Are you okay?”

Matthew smiled. It wasn’t the bright, confident smile he had when was determined to get work done and quick for shows. It was melancholy.

Kenny and Matt stumbled inside their hotel room. Nick was off to take Takeshita to treat his wounds so now they have the time for themselves. Kenny needed to ease his anger towards the chaotic BCC, who hurt their friends and insulting their profession and Matt was able to offer. He wanted Kenny to stay calm so they can stay focus. He wanted The Elite to stay together and be on the same page.

Their lips pressed to together in desperate motion, longing for each other’s touch. Hands searched around for whatever button to press to make any sound. Kenny and Matt dropped into bed, pulling each other shirts off in heavy breaths. Kenny planted feverish kisses all over the Buck. Matt bites back a loud moan when the felt his hands roam around and made a gentle squeeze at his chest.

Kenny straddled under Matt, their denim covered bulges rubbing against each other. Both men breathing heavily as they kissed once more. Their thoughts were blurred out of sight, nothing to think about but their comfort, their touch, their kiss.

Kenny kissed down to Matt’s neck and nibbled at it as the Buck moaned a name.

“Adam…”

Kenny paused his movement, his baby blue eyes wide and brows furrowed as he pulled away from Matt. That name rang from his like a dreaded echo.

Adam.

How that name haunted him.

Matt sat up with his elbows with a raised brow. “Wh— wait why’d you stopped”

Kenny couldn’t dare to look at Matt right now, giving himself second thoughts about continuing. “…. What did you just say?”

“I said why’d you sto—,”

Kenny shook his head quickly as he interrupted Matt, “No. What did you say before that.”

Matt took a moment to figure it out until it struck him suddenly. His eyes were wide in realization that had just made the biggest mistake of his life. “Ah, damnit!”

“It’s about him isn’t it?” Kenny’s voice was low, as if he felt left out. “You want him back didn’t you. Was that why you had us all in the group chat? And I’m not enough for you and Nick?”

“You are!” Matt protested as he sat all the way up as Kenny pulled away from him, keeping his distance. “He’s in the same situation as we were.”

“Because of him,” Kenny interjected, his blue eyes glanced at the Buck. “We’re roped into this with BCC because of him…”

“But we had to save him! He was outnumbered.” Matt glanced away from Kenny, “I thought… maybe if we get back together, we’d stop the BCC. I missed us together.”

“Well, I don’t. I’m not his friend, and you know it. He hasn’t changed. You saw what he almost did to Don.” Kenny got up to grab his shirt.

“Either you’re just blind or you’re letting Don in your ear.” Matt muttered under his breath for him to hear.

Kenny’s eyes were shut out of anger. This all felt the same as the last few years. That time when— no. Not that. He doesn’t want to even think about it. “…. Listen we can’t do this tonight. I’m catching a flight home.” Kenny puts his shirt on as he grab his bag and walked towards the door.

Matt pushed himself off the bed to follow him. “Kenny I—,”

“You have a choice, Matt. It’s either me, or him.”

And that sounded almost familiar. To Matt. He had said the same thing to Kenny once.

“What’s gotten into you?” Matt asked. He wasn’t sure of that’s the Kenny he remembered. And he hated seeing his Cleaner side of him, because things gets very ugly when it came to that. He’s afraid that he’ll go back to that route again, because that man is with him pulling his strings. And Matt and Nick are the only ones who can see through it, that worries them both.

“I would say the same thing about you….” Kenny turned away from him. He can’t forgive Hangman. Not after he caused them both the tag titles and not after he lost his world title to him a year ago. He still thinks he’s nothing but a big tragedy. “I refuse to work with him. If you think you’re gonna bring us all back together, you’re out of your mind,” Kenny opened the door before taking a step out, “Think about what you’re doing…” as he walked out, the door closed behind him.

Matt sighed, glancing down at the wood patterned tiled floor then back at the door.