#tbar

“And new WWE Universal Champion Dominik Dijakovic!” The announcement was met with thunderous applause as Dominik stared at the title from where he sat on the ladder. He held it up proudly, ignoring the pain in his knee and the side of his head that he was pretty sure was bleeding. He found Skye in the crowd easily, she was jumping up and down yelling with Brett on one side and his parents on the other.

“You did it baby, I almost had a heart attack but you did it!”  Dominik grinned at her thought and quickly scaled down the ladder. Turning to each side of the ring with the title raised in his hand before rolling out of the ring and limping to the top of the ramp. He turned to face the crowd once again with the title raised above his head as fireworks went off signaling the end of the PPV. 

He was greeted with another wave of applause and handshakes when he stepped through the curtain, coworkers and crew members offering their congratulations as he was escorted to medical. 

They had just gotten the gash on his head from a rogue ladder stitched when a commotion at the door caught his attention and Skye came barging in glaring at the new security guard who was trying to stop her. “That is my soulmate and I swear to everything holy you will let me back here or I will make sure you need medical care as well.” 

Dominik laughed and waved the terrified guard off, Skye launched herself at him apologizing when he winced in pain. “Shit, sorry, ladder match right.” She quickly looked him over, analyzing the bruising from the match. 

“I’m fine Skye, a little banged up but we did it!” he whispered, pressing the title into her hands. 

Skye smiled softly as she studied the title he had been chasing since his main roster debut a year ago. “You put in the hours of work and have taken your fair share of bumps and bruises, I had nothing to do with it.” 

“You cheered me on every step of the way, I couldn’t have done this without you by my side.” Dominik argued back, wincing again as the trainer finished wrapping his ribs. 

“You are good to go, congratulations champ.” The trainer patted him on the shoulder. 

“Thanks man, see ya Monday.” Dominik replied, stepping down off the table and draping an arm over Skye’s shoulders. “I’m starving”

“You need to change and clean up first, you stink.” Skye laughed, wrinkling her nose at his sweaty arm. 

Dominik’s parents and Brett met them outside the door to medical, his mom rushing over to check him out like Skye had. His dad looked like he was about to burst with pride and Brett was not so slyly checking out the other wrestlers backstage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A fork clinking against a glass drew the conversation to Dominik as he stood up. It was late but the restaurant had agreed to stay open for the large group of wrestlers that had shown up after the PPV. Keith Lee, Mia Yim and several others had joined their group to celebrate Dominik’s win. 

“I just want to thank you all for joining me tonight. This has been a long journey and I am so thankful to celebrate it with all of you. Keith, thank you for your friendship and advice over the years. In the ring or out I know I can always trust you. Mom & Dad, I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you setting that example, raising me right and supporting my dreams. And Skye, my beautiful Skye. Words cannot express what all you are to me. My friend, my partner, my confidante, my cheerleader, my soulmate. There’s one more thing I would like to ask you to be.” 

Skye’s eyes widened and his parents, along with Brett gasped when he grabbed the box that Keith slid his way and slowly lowered himself to one knee in front of her. 

“I have loved you from the day I knocked you over in that hallway, I thought I knew how it would feel when I met my soulmate but it’s nothing compared to the feeling of loving and being loved by you. I came to life when I first kissed you, the best me has his arms around you, you make me better than I was before. I thank God everyday that I'm yours. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” 

The lump in Skye’s throat prevented her from answering but she nodded her head and her thoughts screamed at him as their table erupted into cheers.