#time jumps

It wasn’t until several months later, while he watched your husband accuse you of witchcraft in front of the town square, he knew he had to act. With some clever planning and use of his own herbal medicine stores, he was able to drug the guard and sneak you away.

That’s when he became “Your Michael”

The two of you traveled the colonies, Michael treating illnesses in different villages as you moved along, never staying in one place for too long.

You stayed together, happy and in love, until you both peacefully passed away together, old and content in a dilapidated seaside cottage you had stumbled upon.

It went like this for hundreds of years. You’d always find each other again. Sometimes you’d stay together for a life time, others times? Other times one of you would die younger…leaving the other to live alone until the next cycle started.

The return wasn’t always instant, either. Sometimes it would take several years for the other to return. Other times you’d both return the next second, but take years to find each other.

Michael had been living in Pittsburgh as a Senior attending at PTMC, a local trauma hospital, for about 4 and a half years. The last time he saw you was when you were both brought to the ED, both with severe Covid, both of you completely unknown to the hospital.

They had your beds next to each other, keeping husband and wife close together in hopes it would assist your healing and raising your spirits. Michael passed first.

When his eyes opened the next morning, cycle starting over again for the umpteenth time, he was back in the hospital. Only this time he was in scrubs and covered head to toe in PPE. He was walking side by side with who he automatically knew to be, Dr. Montgomery Adamson.

Neither of you ever fully understood how this worked, this endless cycle of love and life. Whenever you would ‘reincarnate’, so to speak, you’d awake in a fully fledged mind. There was never any question who you were now. Everything about your life would change. Except your looks and your love.

In the cruelest twist of fate, Michael ended up treating you. You were still hanging on, barely.

You passed first and shortly after Michael found himself pulling the plug on Adamson.

That was the last time he saw you. Every day that’s passed without you walking back into his life has been excruciating. He’s found a life for himself here in Pittsburgh. He has friends that he considers family. His job means everything to him. He’s lived through a lot of trauma here, alone.

He even started going by Robby, courtesy of Dr. Adamson who said ‘Robinavitch is a strong last name, one to be proud of, but not one I’m willing to shout across the ED all day’

It was 10 months after Pittfest and today was Robby’s last day at work before his 3 months sabbatical. He was stilling shadowing with the new attending, Dr. Al-Hashimi and the new Trauma NP started today.

He felt comfortable leaving his department in the hands of capable providers.

You had been hearing a lot about the Senior Attending, Dr. Robby. He had the last two days off to prepare for his trip, while you were there doing onboarding and filling out forms.

Dana tapped your shoulder and smiled down at you. “Come on, lady, let’s go meet Dr. Robby so you can get acquainted before he leaves. He wants to touch base with everyone”

You nod and stand, following Dana eagerly. You had heard great things about him. He could be closed off, yes, but everyone said he was selfish and kind, protective and an incredible teacher. You had been looking forward to meeting him.

As soon as you saw the back of his head, you felt it. The electricity moving through your body started behind your ears and moved down your spine. You could even smell him. A scent personal to only Michael. A scent you’ve followed faithfully for 333 years.

Dana was walking ahead to get Robby’s attention so she didn’t hear the small gasp that escaped your mouth as you froze mid step.

“Boss, meet the new NP.” Dana says, clapping a hand on his shoulder and giving him your first and last name. You can see the moment he senses you, too. His shoulders shoot up to his ears and the exposed skin of his arms quickly becomes covered in goosebumps.

His body whipped around so fast, he would have knocked Dana into the wall if she hadn’t moved.

His brown eyes widen at the sight of you in the hallway, unable to see anything or anyone but you.

“Crap, you guys introduce yourselves, your adults. There’s a fight in chairs” she says after hearing it over security’s walkie and leaving you two alone as she jogs off.

“Michael…” you whisper, not even recognizing your own voice for a second.

“I knew I’d find you…” your voice stays the same, low and soft.

His feet move almost involuntarily and before you can reconcile what’s going on his hands are in your cheeks and his mouth is enveloping yours in a strong kiss. Every emotion he’s had for you for the past 333 years being spelled out with his lips and tongue.

You break apart, panting and his thumbs gently brush the apples of your cheeks.

“I was leaving tomorrow…to find you. I gave myself 3 months…3 months to look with no distractions…no interruptions…and of course you found me first” he says through a chuckle and happy tears.

“Everything that’s happened since you left me in 2020….i just can’t continue to go through this version of my life without you anymore.” He admits openly.

“I’m here, my darling ….my eternal beloved” you whisper against his lips before you both push forward, claiming the other’s lips in a rough push and pull of dominance.

“I can’t leave now…not now that I have you back” he’s eyes bore into yours and for a split second you can see flashes of pain and heartache behind his eyes.

“I’d never allow it” you jest softly and nip at his bottom lip, something you’ve been doing playfully since 1692.

After several minutes of soft kisses and light touches you giggle softly and shake your head, “Dr. Robby?” You question playfully.

“Yeah…I uh…everyone calls me Robby” he says, looking bashful.

“Mmm…it’s fits you, but to me you’re always my Michael. For the past 333 you’ve been, My Michael….and you will forever be-“

“Your Michael” he finishes, his lips pressing against yours. For the first time since he lost you and Adamson all those years ago, he finally felt whole again.

“Bee, honey? You want some breakfast?” Your mother has cracked open your bedroom door, poking her head in as if approaching a wounded animal. 

“No.” Your response is muffled by your pillows, but you hear her sigh, so you know she’d heard you. 

“Okay. Try to eat something soon, though. Please.” You know it’s not fair, shutting her out like this. Her pain is probably one million times worse, watching her son be sent away as her daughter drifts in and out of consciousness with the grief. You can only imagine her inner monologue these last few weeks, trying to keep it together for your sake while you break down. But it’s not enough for you to peel the sheets back and leave the bed. Not yet.

Robin and Steve have each called you several times since yesterday, causing you to turn your phone off entirely. You know everyone’s talking about it, considering this trial is the biggest thing to happen in Hawkins since the lab explosion when your parents were in high school, and you can’t bear to scroll your feeds right now. Your head hurts from the crying, and your bed sheets are soaked through with your tears. Maybe it’s not fair wallowing like this, but it doesn’t feel right to continue like nothing’s wrong. 

The bigger pain, though, comes from the fact that Eddie hasn’t called at all. It’s been a year, and he hasn’t let himself be alone in the same room as you, let alone reply to your texts. It’s like you’ve had a limb ripped off, and you’re just expected to carry on like nothing’s changed. 

–

It’s a full week before you can even leave your house, and it still hurts like hell. You clock the looks from your neighbors, the ones of pity and disgust, like somehow you’d had a hand in your brother’s bad decisions. Mothers shield their kids as you walk by, just trying to order your coffee without bursting into tears because the cashier’s name is Chris. Once he’s handed you your coffee. You take a seat by the window, cracking open the book you’d been trying to read for months now without much luck.

“Hey, kiddo.” The voice is gruff, gravelly with age. You’ve only been sitting here a few minutes, your hopes of being approached shattered when you realize he’s talking to you.

“Chief Hopper?” You look up at the aging man, brown hair sprinkled with gray streaks. 

“Ah, just call me Jim. Haven’t been chief in a long time. May I?” He points to the seat opposite you, and you nod, unsure of how to tell him you’d rather be alone. “I’m sorry about your brother, Bee. I wish I had been there.” 

“It’s alright.” You’re not sure what else to say.

“No, it’s not. We both know they’d been after Chris since he was a kid. Eddie, too.” He’s hunched over the small table, like he’s afraid of being overheard. 

“Look, Ch- Jim. I don’t really wanna talk about what could have been done about my brother going to jail. I have spent the last year wondering if I could have stopped it, or if anyone else could have. It doesn’t solve anything.” You don’t mean to sound so harsh, but you’re tired of having the whole town shoving their noses where they don’t belong.

“Understood. If you or your mom need anything, though, feel free to call me. Deal?”

You sigh. “Sure, okay.”

He opens his mouth to speak again, but his phone starts ringing in his chest pocket. “Sorry, I gotta take this real quick.” He gets up from his seat and walks out of the cafe, once again leaving you alone to dwell on all the what-ifs. Unfortunately, Hopper takes his call directly on the other side of the massive window you’re sitting next to, and you can hear every word on his side of the conversation.

“Kid, I don’t know what to tell you. You made the choice. There’s only so much I can do to keep you both out of a cell. He didn’t wanna listen, you did. That’s the difference.”

He paces as whoever’s on the other line replies, his face worn and tired. 

“No, I don’t think it was what you said. They’d made their case already, and it wasn’t really a chance of whether he was going or not, but how long he’d go for.” More pacing. 

“Yeah, I talked to her. She’s alright, considering. Definitely pissed off, and I don’t blame her.”

You decide, before that conversation is over, to get up and leave. You can figure out who he’s talking to, what he’s talking about, rather easily. However, you have no desire to wait around and hear if you’re right, so you shove yourself from the seat and leave the cafe without letting Hopper know.

–

You get in your car and drive. You have no destination in mind, no plans of where to escape to or how long you’ll be out, so you just tell your mother you’re going to Robin’s for the night.

“Okay, sweetie. Call me if you need anything?”

“Yup.” You sling your bag over your shoulder and slam the door behind you. Once you’re in your car, down the street, and eventually out of Hawkins, you turn your music as loud as it will go, and scream until your throat is raw. Lyrics you’d never want to relate to now feeling like you’d written them yourself, and the breeze is warm on your tear stained face. After what must have been hours weaving through the lanes as you shrieked up and down the interstate, you still end up where you always do. Taking the road back through town and into the woods, concrete turns to unpaved gravel the deeper in you get.

Lover’s Lake is always crowded in the summer, but everyone must be home by now. It’s getting dark, and the mosquitos are coming out in swarms. As you exit your car, you hear the hum of crickets and cicadas, but there’s something else, an unexpected tune being played nearby. It’s definitely not playing from a speaker, the music’s too clear; the strum of an acoustic guitar. Something deep inside your chest tells you exactly what you’re going to find if you follow it.

Obviously, you follow it anyway, passing the lake down a footpath made from years of being stomped on. Eventually you turn a corner, finding the warm glow that matches the sound of the guitar. Your steps come to a halt as you continue listening, waiting for the voice to accompany the strings. You already know what it will sound like, how the words will leave his mouth and go straight to your brain, leaving no room for a logical thought beyond Holy shit.

“Too old to learn new tricks I need a new fix

I need a stimulus, I need a paycheck

And a brand new deck and some new kicks,”

You slide down the tree you’ve hidden behind, careful not to make a sound even as the bark scratches your back through your thin t-shirt. You hadn’t heard Eddie sing in a year, possibly even longer at this point. Corroded Coffin announced a hiatus shortly after Chris’s arrest, and you hadn’t listened to any of their music since, let alone spoken to Eddie at all. His voice had disappeared from your life, along with the rest of him. Once you’d graduated, it was like he had forgotten about you. He’d barely called, and every time he had been to your house or the bar was to see Chris, and he never stayed to chat. 

Now, listening to him sing, you lose your composure, stifling the sobs with your fist, tears you somehow still have to shed streaming down your cheeks. You have to leave. Now. After a few more agonizing seconds while you gather your breath, you finally stand up and prepare to bolt back from where you came, but you’re sabotaged by a stray branch in your path, cracking as you step directly on it. The strumming stops, and you’re frozen where you stand as you wait to be caught spying.

“Hello?” Eddie calls out into the settling darkness, and you cringe. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.” His voice cracks, like he’s been crying too, and it makes you want to turn around, walk right up to him like you could have a year ago, and wrap yourself around him. You could cry together, then figure out what to do. You could get your best friend back.

But that is not your choice to make; he’s the one that left you alone. He made that decision for both of you, and you can’t be the one to fix that, especially now, so you take another step towards the path without answering him. He doesn’t start playing again, and the glowing of the fire disappears, sizzling as Eddie puts it out. Before you even bother to check if he’s following you, you’re sprinting back to your car. You hadn’t noticed it coming in– you’d been too frazzled to even lock your car–  but Eddie’s van is parked directly on the other side of the dirt lot. You can’t help slapping your hand to your forehead as you mumble, “So fuckin’ stupid!” yanking your driver’s side door open and slamming it behind you. 

You’d left your phone in your car on purpose, knowing eventually Robin, Steve, and your mom would catch on that you’re not with any of them. Of course, you’d been right. 

bobbins: missed call (27) stevie: missed call (26) mama: missed call (34) bobbins: i swear to god im gonna call jim stevie: bee, please pick up. We’re all worried sick mama: baby, please give me a call back…. I cant lose both my babies…!!

You groan, tapping the screen to call your mom back as you start your car. 

“Bee?!” She shouts when she picks up, barely letting it ring.

“Yeah, mom. I’m okay.”

“Honey, I was worried sick! Robin came over to check on you, she said you never had plans today. We called everyone we know trying to find you!”

“Mom, relax. I went for a drive. I’m at Lover’s Lake right now, I can be home in half an hour.”

“Why didn’t you call us back?”

You sigh. “Turned my phone off, wanted to be alone.”

You can hear your mother mirror your own sadness, and it stings. “Okay, honey. I understand. Just, please don’t scare us like that again, okay? Usually I don’t need to worry about you so much, but we’re all kinda…” She trails off.

“I know. I’m sorry, I should have told you the truth. I didn’t really know where I was going ‘til I got there.”

“It’s okay, sweetie. Get home safe.”

“Love you, Mama.”

“Love you.”

–

Steve’s car is parked on the street in front of your house when you pull into the driveway. The sun is gone, along with any semblance of energy you’d had today. Seeing your home, and knowing Chris won’t be behind its front door, is not something you see yourself getting used to any time soon.

You cross the threshold into the front room, taking off your shoes, now caked in the dirt of your earlier travels. 

“Bee? That you?” Robin’s here, too. 

“Yeah, it’s me.” Your words come out shaky, barely audible if Robin hadn’t already been five feet away. 

“Hi, Beebs.” She wraps herself around you, and you let yourself melt into the hug. Another pair of arms wraps around you from behind, and you settle into the weight of your best friends. 

“I’m sorry, guys. I didn’t mean to scare you.” The apology is muffled by Robin’s shoulder, but you feel them tighten around you, showing they’d heard you.

–

Steve’s on the phone in your kitchen the next morning. You stop before entering, curiosity getting the better of you.

“Yeah, she’s home. Said she was in the woods or something. No, she’s fine. Why?” You can hear the anxiety buzzing through the line, but you can’t make out who it belongs to. “Look, you could have–” He’s cut off. “Oh, whatever, dude.” And with that, He’s hanging up, slamming his cell on the counter.

“Who was that?” You ask, like you’ve only just arrived downstairs.

“What? No one. Dustin.” He gives you the fakest smile you’ve ever seen. 

“I don’t have the energy to ask you why you’re lying to me right now.” You shake your head, walking past him to pour yourself a cup of coffee. “Just know, I know you’re lying.”

He nods, like he’s willing to accept it if it means you won’t ask him again. And you don’t. “You didn’t have to sleep here, by the way. I know your bed is much more comfortable than my couch.” 

“Yeah, just didn’t feel like driving Robin home, then back to my house on the other side of town.”

You nod. “Right, yeah. You didn’t have–”

“Bee, I don’t have to do anything. I know! You’ve proven that for the past week and a half when you disappeared from our lives!” 

“I did not! Forgive me for missing my brother, how dare I grieve in a way that doesn’t suit you!” You don’t mean it, but it’s too late to take it back.

“You’re not grieving, Bee. You’re disappearing. You look awful, I know for a fact you’ve barely eaten since you got the trial date. You haven’t been out with us in months, even before we’d known for sure what was going to happen.” His words click together suddenly, and you realize exactly what he’s saying. You’d done what Eddie had to you. You’d ghosted your friends without an explanation, and hurt them in a way you’d never meant to. 

“Shit, Steve. I’m so sorry.” 

His face softens as he examines yours. “No, no. I’m sorry, that wasn’t fair.”

“No,” You sniffle, “That was more than fair. You’re right, I’ve been a shitty friend. There’s no excuse.” You leave your spot across the kitchen, approaching Steve with your arms open. He returns the hug, wrapping his own arms around your shoulders as yours find his waist. 

“Are we hugging again?” You hear Robin’s bare feet patter across your kitchen floor, then her weight on yours as she joins the huddle. 

–

Present Day

Your head’s fuzzy and throbbing when you wake up. The apartment is relatively tidy, and you thank god you’d been able to do it while drunk instead of hungover. You realize you’d somehow made it to Steve’s bed, but Steve is nowhere to be found; the other side of the bed is instead occupied by a head of messy curls cascading down pale, inked shoulders. Panicked, you recall the events of last night. Unable to, you peek under the covers. Eddie’s wearing pants, and you’re fully dressed. You don’t feel any different, and you’re sure you would if you’d–

“You awake?” He interrupts your thoughts before they can get too dirty.

“Yeah, just woke up. Why are you in here?”

“Because I had to carry you. Again.”

“Fuck!” You groan, and wince at the sound of your own voice. “What did I do?”

He chuckles, turning to face you. “Honestly? Nothing. Was kinda cute, actually.”

“Edward Munson if you don’t tell me what happened right this second I’ll–,”

–”

“You’ll what? Bite me?”

“Wh– No? Why would I do that?”

“He yanks his free arm from under the comforter. “Because you did already.” And sure enough, there are teeth marks etched into the flesh of his forearm. “I was super drunk, though, I barely felt it.”

“Why the fuck did I bite you?”

“I asked you to.”

“Now I’m confused.”

“Listen, I was not in the mind to take care of you last night. Clearly, we were fucking around, because,” He nods to your shoulder, “It looks like I got you back.” 

Confused, you bring your opposite hand to your shoulder, and feel the bumps and ridges of what must be Eddie’s own teeth. “What the fuck?” You find yourself asking this question a lot lately. 

Eddie bursts out laughing, and you can’t help but join him. It’s absolutely absurd, but it makes sense to you anyway. You’d both always been pretty hands on with each other before, well, everything, and you’d both consumed an insane amount of alcohol last night. It only tracks that you’d slip back into old habits. 

“Are we gonna have to explain this to them?” You jerk your thumb at the door.

“God, I really fuckin’ hope not.” He snickers, eyes drifting from your face to your shoulder. “Kinda wish I remembered doin’ it, though.” He says it mostly to himself, like he’s trying to remember what you’d tasted like. You find yourself wondering the same thing, if he’d made a noise as you’d sunken your teeth in, if he’d thrown his head back in pain or something else. You try to remember what it had felt like, but everything’s too far away.

He clears his throat, and you snap your eyes back to his face. “Anyway, breakfast?”

You nod, feeling the warmth in your face start to subside. 

“Ahem.” Eddie clears his throat as the two of you step into the kitchen. “Whatcha whisperin’ about?” Steve and Robin had clearly been in the middle of gossiping at the kitchen counter as you and Eddie approach, each snatching a breakfast sandwich wrapped in foil that Steve had already made the trip for.

“Secrets don’t make friends, y’know!” You tease, sliding onto the stool next to Robin. Eddie takes the one opposite you, unwrapping his own sandwich. 

“Uh,” Steve looks to Robin for help, but she only shakes her head. “Nothing, don’t worry about it.”

You roll your eyes. “Whatever. I’ll get it out of her later.” You snicker, taking a bite of your greasy sausage-egg-and-cheese. Turns out, it’s exactly what you needed to remember the events of last night, the alcohol being absorbed by the food entering your stomach.

–

Last Night

You stumble around, picking up stray bottles and cans as the music continues thudding through surround sound speakers, accompanied by someone’s drunken vocals. Eddie follows with a garbage bag, giggling as you try to collect more recyclables in your already full arms.

“Quit laughin’ and help me!” You whine, dropping a Miller Lite can on the floor. 

You go to pick it up, but Eddie’s just as quick, fingers brushing yours as he grips the can in his fist. “You just told me to help. Now let me.” For being drunk, he’s still awfully put together. Unfortunately, you cannot relate, a mess of giggles and buzzing skin as Eddie looks at you with his stupid, crooked smile. 

“Stop it.” The command comes out weak, shy, and you barely recognize yourself. 

“Stop what?”

“I don’t know. Bein’ cute. Given’ me cute aggression.”

“Cute aggression?” He repeats, shaking his head. “Don’t think I know that one.”

“It’s like, y’know when you see a really cute baby? Or a puppy, or Ethel! Your cat! And you just wanna, like, eat it?”

“Bee, sweetheart, I think that’s just you.”

“No, you know what I’m talking about.” 

“So, you wanna eat me? Right now?” He smirks, like he’s got you stumped.

But you only shrug. “Maybe.” His eyes widen, and you cackle. “Maybe not eat eat. But I definitely wanna bite you.”

“Okay… Go ahead.”

You raise your eyebrows at his challenge. “Excuse me?”

“You can bite me. Here,” He holds out his arm. “On one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“I get to bite you back.”

Normally, you’d stop it here. You’d laugh the whole thing off, and change the subject. Normally, you’re not six drinks deep at the best party of the year, though. “Okay.”

“Seriously?”

You nod. “Why not?” And before he can retract the offer, you lean forward and sink your teeth directly into the flesh of his forearm. Not too hard, not for too long, but just enough to satisfy this weird, drunken urge to take a bite of your estranged friend. He winces, but more so in shock than in pain, breathing heavily through his nose. 

You pull back, smacking your lips together playfully. “Little salty.”

He snorts. “Whatever, your turn.” He reaches for your arm, but you stop him. “Wait.”

“You can’t chicken out now!” He accuses.

“First of all, I could if I really wanted to. But I’m not. Just… Not the arm.”

“Okay… Then where?”

You tug the fabric of your dress off your shoulder and tap the top. “Here. I’ll be able to hide it better.” Really, you just want him to bite your neck, but this is as close as you’ll get. 

“Um, right. Okay.” Suddenly, he’s less cocky, less confident as he approaches you. You toss your head to the side, giving him the room to place his head. You can feel his breath, hot on your skin before finally sinking his teeth into your skin. The noise that slips from your throat is embarrassing, and completely out of your control: a breathy moan poorly disguised with a yelp of falsified pain. He doesn’t fall for it, though, snickering as you exhale heavily, the sharpness of his teeth sending a fire through your veins the alcohol can’t stave off. 

After what you’d describe as an eternity, you’re free from his mouth, the only reminder being a dull throbbing in your shoulder.

“Well?” Your voice squeaks as you ask the question, but Eddie has the grace not to point it out.

“Sweet as I imagined.” He winks, picking up the trash bag he must have dropped. Your knees wobble as he makes his way past you, shoulder brushing your newly marked one as he collects the rest of the trash from the kitchen.

“Jesus Christ.” You mumble, hands sliding down your face, willing the blush to fade. 

–

Present Day:

“Jesus Christ!” Eddie’s gone home, and you’re pacing the living room floor as Robin and Steve exchange knowing, conniving smiles. “And you both watched the whole thing? Without stopping me?!” 

Robin had just finished filling in your black spots, and you feel like you’re about to throw up. 

“Well, I mean, what was I supposed to do?”

“Literally anything!” It’s not her fault, but who else are you supposed to rely on in your drunken times of need? “You could’ve interrupted, woulda saved me an immense amount of embarrassment right now.” 

She snickers, and you have to fight the urge to glare at her. “Okay, next time I’ll make sure to intervene.” “There better not be a fucking next time!” You exclaim, borderline hysterical. “He’s gonna think he has a chance with me or something.”

“Right… and that’s bad?”

This time, you do glare at her. “Yes, it’s bad. Very bad.”

Clearing his throat for a second, Joseph finished adjusting that hair and walked shirtless, pairing shorts with black shoes to answer the door.

“Yes, Ma'am?” Offering kindness, Joe wouldn't pull his character yet and smiled when you stood wearing this headset for the production team.

“I'll join our camera crew, but I wanted to show my face before we start rolling.” You grinned and nodded, keeping Joseph aware before the match.

“No problem. It's nice to meet you.” Joe understood pleasantries, but his heart started to race.

Even while you dressed to handle work backstage, Joseph almost turned flabbergasted.

You're so pretty, it's unfair.

“See you out there.” Leaving that door open, you gave Joseph his last few minutes alone before the match started.

Soon enough, monster Roman Reigns would burn this place to the ground.

****

Defeating opponent CJ Parker, Joseph Anoa'i channeled his dangerous persona and quickly shook the world beyond NXT, encouraging noise.

When Roman inked that main roster beside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, you helped large-scale cameras with the biggest smile on your own face.

The Shield was born.

_____

As “wreckage” plummeted the Survivor Series event, you found Joseph in person and grinned while this cleaning staff hustled.

“Congratulations.” You genuinely respected this man.

“Thank you.” Wearing black and sporting new pants to replace shorts, Joseph nearly towered beyond height when compared with your stance.

Uh-oh. Joe realized.

Whenever facing you, butterflies almost swarmed his stomach like the movies.

Before this man could speak again, security arrived to escort teams home.

“Take care.” You bid farewell and Joseph watched your footsteps leave the tunnel, already protective.

Damn.

*****

While big-time events continue hitting the famous schedule, every single wrestler kept fighting various opponents throughout televised chaos.

Even interviews became different.

One night, SHIELD gathered for this post-match conference with media platforms and the Reigns character pulled back up, showing off an attitude.

“Catch my good side.” His strong voice would settle anger and everyone laughed when your camera zoomed toward his own face.

“In all seriousness, I just wanna thank everyone for welcoming our squad near the WWE family. Good night and stay safe, y'all.” Joseph returned and broke the fourth wall to meet reality again.

Finding your presence, Joe winked after leaving the press table and moved forward, yet those invisible butterflies would rattle once more.

“You're bold.” You nearly whispered, but Joseph caught on and walked toward the camera.

“Let somebody else film until we leave.” Joseph answered this time.

“Okay. Is something wrong?” You squinted, definitely concerned.

“No, but we should talk in private.” Joseph no longer pulled the character idea.

“All right.” You agreed, led down the corridor near dressing rooms for this program.

_____

“Whatever you need, I'll do it.” Joseph attempted to explain himself without saying too much.

“I appreciate your respect.” You understood his generosity.

“Thank you for everything.” Joseph moved away, before you could respond, but your mind stood puzzled now.

What happened?

=====

2014

Two years later, everything changed.

With SHIELD now lying dead in the name of cinematic betrayal, WWE started to promote Roman Reigns as a solo act for the first time.

Despite facing changes, you would stand right there and keep composure while millions of disappointed fans still loathed this outright turn of events.

Meanwhile, Joe still looked out for you.

*****

Before his match against Mark Henry would take place, Roman knocked in full costume, but smiled off camera.

“Don't I look good?” His strong voice nearly flirted as footsteps marched closer to you.

“Yeah.” You almost giggled, excited to witness the broadcast. “Now, get out there. Everyone's screaming through the walls already.”

“Yes, Ma'am.” Biting his lip, Ro smoothed back perfectly long hair and turned down that hall, ready for war.

*****

“Welcome back. We are here broadcasting live for Monday Night Raw! Roman Reigns has readjusted his momentum and will now stalk legend Mark Henry.” Pundits described updates following one of the commercial breaks.

“Hold on. What's this? Oh my! Reigns bolted forward and locked down this hefty spear maneuver to defeat the world's strongest man right now!” Announcers kicked up shock while fans lost their minds.

“I did that. Me!” Reigns nearly sprinted to your camera and showed out while celebrating this victory. Even footage began to shake up.

This is my job? Awesome! You couldn't help smiling regardless.

Ooh-wa!

______

In the tunnel, Joe dashed beyond his adrenaline and lifted your weight out of nowhere, then spinning this joyful moment round and round.

Even when your stance reached this floor again, Joe stepped back and offered distance.

“Sorry. I'm still excited now.” While Joseph glanced down to meet your eyes, his Southern accent pulled forward.

“It's all right, that was fun.” You smiled and his heart flipped again.

Good Lord. Joseph thought.

Right before Joe would talk again, your work phone rang and its noise echoed in the tunnel.

I'll go.” Joseph pointed backwards and planned to exit with security guards.

You nodded before picking up the call and your voice still lingered when Joe began to leave.

“Hello? Colby, what's wrong?” You greeted wrestler Seth Rollins by his real name, Colby Lopez. “Flat tire? Shame. I'll contact someone right now.”

Watching frustration reach your eyes, Joseph stood with guards while other professionals helped, moving to the lot found outdoors.

_____

Waiting in this dressing room just in case, Joseph stood up immediately when you knocked on the door again.

“All set.” You offered the update. “Everyone should be good to go with transportation and security’s waiting for you.”

“Thanks.” Joseph didn't even think about personnel, but excused himself anyway, grateful as you joined the parking lot to depart.

Everyone is safe, especially you.

*****

As time moved along, Ro would take charge beyond words.

“I'm not talkin’ to Renee. Look at me.” Roman locked down brutal eye contact with your camera and the fans whistled, seeking his next move.

“Woo!” Spectators encouraged Reigns more and more.

“You're not slick here. Stop flirting before I do something too hot for TV.” Reigns bit his lip and stepped right back.

Even commentators laughed before the program ended.

Your thoughts know exactly what Roman meant tonight.

Before filming, you dressed in black for work as usual, but the outfit teased your curves without pushing boundaries regarding this important job.

Off camera, Joseph nearly couldn't stand your presence this time. Even as you clicked heels in all directions, his firing glare would keep its torch.

“Where are you going?” Joseph peeked around the corner later and noticed you, trailing your footsteps near his dressing room.

“Ah - Put me down, Joe!” Yet, he caught up just in time and carried you over his shoulder, stomping in the tunnel when your laughter nearly howled.

Happy birthday to me! You thought.

His silly behavior lasted all night and this special card waited.

Boss,

Best wishes to my favorite camera expert. 🫂

Always,

-Big Dog 🐾

====

2017

Years would leave calendars once more and you secured different experiences many times, still working with that famous company nowadays.

But when The Undertaker loomed between shadows for “Wrestlemania,” you made popcorn and gathered everyone, just awaiting madness.

Ouch. Each passing strike crossed Big Dog as an icon marked danger.

Dueling back and forth, each competitor slammed this movie in real time.

“Watch this.” Grabbing this chair, Ro acknowledged your main camera and threw down the tough prop with all of his might, fighting back.

“No!” Thousands of people would shout with disbelief.

“Stay down, this is my yard!” Roman barked at The Deadman and knocked out one last spear to beat this legendary monster.

“Roman Reigns has defeated The Undertaker at Wrestlemania!” Announcers revealed that impossible finale as Deadman centered this ring.

_____

“Are you serious?” You still couldn't believe what happened.

Joe stuck out his tongue and left with security guards, never answering.

When you jokingly casted both eyes toward the ceiling, your coworkers just laughed beyond this special venue to leave another spectacle marked.

Ro still took care of business.

*****

Months later, John Cena would line up for the “No Mercy” event.

“I've heard rumors about the cameras. What's going on, Roman?” Cena walked forward in this ring.

“Don't start. Wanna get your ass beat?” Ro shook his head and defended you in silence.

“There it is.” Cena caught how venom struck Roman's glare and the crowd watched in shock.

“I will knock you out right now. Just keep talking, John!” Ro paced back and forth, heating jealousy to fuel the match this evening.

“Make a move, Big Dog! Somebody else could get her phone number.” Cena struck one more comment right before this duel would kick off.

Ding, ding, ding!

The massive audience erupted throughout another venue. Even Roman headlocked Cena first and quickly started the battle right now.

“C'mon! Get him, Ro.” Even when Reign failed different maneuvers, you kept shouting behind the camera.

“I got it.” His Southern accent pulled beyond the rasping voice just before Roman knocked out victory again!

“Oh my goodness. What an incredible match tonight! Ladies and gentlemen, The Big Dog Roman Reigns just took down John Cena.”

****

For the first time since crossing the NXT match, Joseph whispered to you in private and held hands while walking right through this tunnel.

"Too much?” He offered kindness to help you feel comfortable.

“No.” You welcomed his gesture, but paused near the dressing room.

“Oh, right.” Joseph realized the point of you stepping back and cleared his throat for a second.

“See you next time.” Your heels clicked once more, but Joseph couldn't help answering differently.

“Baby…” Sighing, Joe slipped that nickname for you and no longer kept up with his Roman Reigns persona.

Turning around, you looked up to face his nearly pleading stare.

“What's going on, Joe?” You offered this burning question.

Peering down beyond towered height, Joseph bit his lip and moved closer, fading proximity for you b

“I want…” His strong voice revealed genuine truth here.

Your breath hitched while his power nearly shook up thoughts. Tempting lips almost met inches away.

Before you'd consider this point of no return, sother voices interrupted.

“Time to go, everyone!” An announcement signaled the building for departure.

Pulling together several emotions, you know much better and stepped away from Joseph, leaving this place like nothing happened.

====

The Announcement - October 22, 2018

“My real name is Joe and I've battled leukemia for the past eleven years.” Joseph Anoa'i revealed his personal medical condition to the world.

Backstage, loved ones arrived to give l and offered support before Joseph would begin his lifesaving treatment.

You nearly sobbed alongside Paul Heyman, unable to smile past true feelings. The spectacle of WWE no longer made a difference tonight.

“Hey.” Joseph opened both arms to hug you despite everything.

The embrace nearly squeezed beyond comprehension, but you didn't even care.

“You got this, okay? If you need anything, let me know. Take care, all right?” You sniffled through remarks and still faced him.

“Thank you. God bless.” Joseph's kindness never wavered and you watched him leave to fight such an unbelievable illness.

=====

The Return - February 25, 2019

“I'm in remission, y'all.” Everyone cheered when Joseph returned to WWE and revealed the most amazing news.

Once Colby Lopez, also known as Seth Rollins, welcomed back Joseph another voice, while echoed throughout the large-scale space.

“What's up, Big Dog?” Spotlights beamed as your favorite color changed the show.

That unexpected greeting crossed lively music while the audience sent this night into a frenzy and Joseph couldn't help looking for you.

Even working behind the scenes, your own legend stood high among this WWE platform.

Within seconds, this entire space darkened and one effect with clicking heels reminded Joe of countless memories. Fans only wailed louder.

Another light revealed your silhouette and when this room brightened, cheering almost shook when you stood across from Joseph in person.

“Thank you so much. Thank you!” Emotions ran high no matter what as Joe whispered on camera.

“Welcome back, I'm so proud of you.” Your tears reached smiles this time.

“Baby Girl, you have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you.” Joseph held your hand in the most subtle manner despite footage.

The overjoyed crowd screamed beyond words to kick off another broadcast while Joseph looped his arm around your shoulder, reunited for good.

=====

2022

“Careful, Sweetheart. Don't forget who's in charge here. Huh? Ten years with your pretty self. You know I'm right.” Even while fighting opponents, his matured yet classic voice still offered habits for you during trash talk.

Complying, you nodded behind the camera and smiled, accepting his chances to flirt again.

“Locked the vice grip around this guy.” Roman continued battling someone and you caught on.

“You haven't met my clutch.” You snuck this opportunity right back.

“What did you just say?” His Southern accent pulled even further regardless of the match.

“You heard me, Ro.” Your next comment shortened his ring nickname as Roman scored this victory on purpose.

****

“Get back here! Stop running.” Joseph Anoa'i finally won you over.

Nearly chasing your steps down that tunnel this time, Joseph no longer held back and felt spurred by your laughter. The sound just echoed again.

No better feeling in the world.

“Look.” Setting your bum on top of this private table in his dressing room, Joseph lifted your chin and knelt between your legs.

“Yes?” Your gaze would still offer undivided attention.

“If you'll have me, I love you.” His rough tone settled down with this confession.