#wwe fluff

Iyo Sky, also known as the “Genius of the Sky” has been a happy camper recently. Before, she came off as cold when she was in Damage Control. But ever since her friendship with Rhea, she started to let loose. Especially after Asuka and Kairi turned on her due to jealousy.

For the first time, she is now starting to act like her authentic self. Something that the WWE universe rarely see from her. Everybody loves Iyo, especially when she does her emote 👉🏻😄👈🏻.

Fast Forward To The Day Before Monday Night Raw:

Stray Kids are visiting New York City to do some promotional work for Governor’s Ball. WWE Superstars also arrived at New York for Monday Night Raw, on the road to WrestleMania.

The members have some free time on their hands. So Felix decides to scroll through TikTok for the time being. He stumbled upon a video of Rhea’s WrestleMania commercial. So he was curious about learning more. He then stumbled upon a post on social media that WWE are in Madison Square Garden for RAW tomorrow night. So Felix decides to show these to the group.

“Hey guys, look what I stumbled upon scrolling through Social Media today?” - Felix

“More cringy TikTok dances?” - Seungmin

“No Seungmin! This!” - Felix

Felix shows the members the promotional post for WWE Monday Night Raw and Rhea’s WrestleMania commercial. Bang Chan noticed her accent sounded very familiar.

“Wait, is she Australian?” - Bang Chan

“Yeah, I think she is.” - Felix

“My Aussie buddy!” - Bang Chan

“Do we have anything scheduled for tomorrow?” - Felix

“Nah Felix, our schedule is actually not busy for that day.” - Bang Chan

“You thinking about attending Monday Night Raw tomorrow?” - Changbin

“Yeah, just to go check it out.” - Felix

“I mean, I’m totally down to attend if everyone else is okay with it.” - Bang Chan

The members unanimously decided to attend Monday Night Raw for tomorrow.

Felix then looked at Rhea’s social media profile. Besides the thirst trap photos she has on her Instagram page, there are also cute photos of her and Iyo together.

“Aww! She looks so Kawaii!” - I.N

“Who is the Japanese redhead girl?” - Hyunjin

“Yeah! What’s her name?” - Han

“IDK, I think I found her profile though.” - Felix

Felix then pulled up Iyo’s Instagram page. He loves Iyo acting like her cute self. But he also watched a video of her being interviewed about her favorite hobbies and interests during a podcast.

From that moment, a lightbulb moment had hit Felix.

“Hey, do we have time to go grocery shopping tonight?” - Felix

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea since we are actually hungry!” - Bang Chan

“I’ll cook us dinner for tonight!” - Lee Know

“I also upgraded my brownie recipe! I’ll let her try them out!” - Felix

The members went grocery shopping. They managed to grab some items for Lee Know to cook dinner and for Felix to bake his brownie recipe. Felix also bought ingredients to make the banana pancakes and a container of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Fast Forward To The Morning Of Monday Night RAW:

Lee Know cooked dinner last night. Felix woke up very early in the morning to bake his brownie recipe and the banana pancakes for Iyo. He modified his brownie recipe a bit to include the mint chocolate chip ice cream. He managed to finish the brownies and the pancakes before the members had to leave and head over to Madison Square Garden.

Stray Kids arrived at Madison Square Garden later that afternoon. Thankfully the WWE event staff allowed the members to enter inside of the arena before the show, thanks to Stray Kids’ management team.

Felix is carrying the banana and whipped cream pancakes and his homemade brownies with the mint chocolate chip ice cream. The members went to catering where they met the WWE superstars.

“Hello everyone, we are Stray Kids!”

At first the superstars were not 100% familiar with Stray Kids in general. But Rhea was able to notice who they are because Zelina bragged about her love for Stray Kids during their conversations.

“Oh my god! Zelina Vega has told me all about you!” - Rhea

“Wait Really?!?!” - Bang Chan

“Yeah! Fellow Aussies in the house!” - Rhea

Rhea invited the members over to a table where they were greeted by Iyo. Felix placed the box of the banana pancakes and mint chocolate chip brownies on the table.

“Just a little present we would like to gift to Iyo.” - Felix

Iyo opened the box to see the banana pancakes and mint chocolate chip brownies he made for her. Her face immediately lit up with happiness.

“Oh my god! Are those for me?!?!” - Iyo

“Yep, Felix spent a lot of time and effort towards making these for you. Pancakes and ice cream both make you happy.” - Bang Chan

“Aww thank you! Pancakes and ice cream does make me happy! Yay!!! 😊” - Iyo

Iyo does her little emote with Rhea and the Stray Kids members. Her and Rhea shared the banana pancakes and the mint chocolate chip brownies.

“I made a recipe for the brownies, but it’s without the mint chocolate chip ice cream. I can give it to you guys if you want to make them at home.” - Felix

“Yeet 🙌🏻😎” - Rhea

Rhea and Iyo spent the next hour eating the banana pancakes and mint chocolate chip brownies with Stray Kids. CM Punk and AJ Lee also stopped by to say hi to the members and took a few bites of the pancakes and brownies.

“Holy cow! This is so good! Did you make these?” - AJ

“Yeah I did. I bake brownies a lot since I’m an amateur baker.” - Felix

“Send us the recipe please!” - CM Punk

“Yeah sure!” - Felix

There were leftovers of the pancakes and brownies. Unfortunately Iyo and Rhea were unable to finish all of it since they need to prepare for Monday Night Raw tonight. They said goodbye to the members before they start heading their way to rehearsal.

Stray Kids stayed to watch Monday Night Raw in attendance. They ended up having a blast from attending their first WWE event. Let’s just say Felix is now Iyo’s ult bias! 👉🏻😄👈🏻

After their promo dissolved into a snapping match ending with her saying that he should know better than to entertain Roxanne even though she was supposed to be their friend and him saying she was acting like Rhea, he stormed off.

He needed some air.

He was outside, breathing in the cool night air. Not wanting to go back inside or back to the hotel. He and Liv were sharing a room this time. And he don’t want to have another argument.

“Trouble in paradise, Mysterio?” A voice piped up from behind him.

He turned and had to bark out a humorless laugh. Standing off to the side was (Name), a wrestler he knew well and had a slight history with. Before Liv, before Rhea, when he was still a baby face wrestling with his dad…there was her.

There were talks about maybe have a soft and sweet romance plot on screen as they got closer. But then he and his dad started to disagree a lot. And he got swept up in the surging tide that was Rhea Ripley. And the Judgement Day.

And that relationship consumed him.

She’d let him go. Become that household name. She always said she didn’t mind being the cult favorite of a select few weirdos. And she’s become just that. She did pretty good on merch sales and there were always fans who wanted to meet her.

She and Dominik had drifted apart once he turned heel. They didn’t have many run ins as her rival at the time was not Rhea. Even though it had been a plan, her trying to appeal to Dominik’s soft spot for her, one he admittedly still had, a shoulder injury took her out for a few months and the storyline was scrapped.

They still were friendly, but didn’t get the chance to talk like this much anymore.

“You can say that, this whole Roxanne business has got Liv on lockdown mode.” He did his best to joke.

“Seems the only one on lockdown here, is you, Mysterio,” she said, “It’s like Rhea 2.0. You are good to them and then once they get their claws into you…they just put you in a trophy case like some prize. I mean…I don’t get it…you ain’t that cute.”

The lighthearted jab added at the end of such brutal honesty earned a real laugh from the recent Intercontinental champion. She smiled at him, enjoying the sound of his genuine laugh again.

“There’s the Dom I remember," she said with a grin, she reached into her bag and pulled out a jolly rancher, she had always carried candy, it was a personal quirk that became a part of her kayfabe, she popped it into her mouth and smile at him, before grabbing another to offer, “It’s Blue Raspberry, your favorite.”

The fact that she remembered that after all this time. Something that seemingly inconsequential had his shoulders feeling lighter. And his heart pounding in a way he hadn’t felt in years.

He took the candy, “Thanks.” He unwrapped it and popped it in his mouth, “So what else do you remember about me?” He teased back.

(Name) laughed and shook her head, “You’re a hard man to forget shit about, I still got your coffee order down.” She joked before reciting it, “Or does your latest girl not let you drink that anymore?”

Dominik rolled his eyes and once again barked out a humorless laugh, “I am still a grown man, I can drink what I like. But, yeah, I haven’t had that in a while…I always feel like I’m in a rush…getting coffee in the morning.”

He didn’t say it, but it was because Liv didn't like waiting too long if she could help it. Much as she liked fancy drinks she did not want to wait to give any kind of special requests. So he’d had to simplify it.

But what was so complicated about a mocha with a bit of caramel syrup?

Or maybe it was because it was part of his past. With (Name). Her signature vanilla latte with a couple pumps of caramel syrup was well known. She worked out a lot to be able to handle the amount of sugar she liked. But then again…she was the ‘Sweetheart of the WWE’.

Or at least that was her latest moniker due to her gear from the previous Valentine’s Day. Candy heart themed. It was all for fun. But the nickname stuck.

“You know, Dom, you should let yourself enjoy things,” (Name) said and pushed off the wall to walk over to him, standing right in front of her old friend, "You've got the title now, you worked so hard for it. Don’t lose yourself to anyone else. You’re the champ. Girlfriend, best friends, teammates, father…you need to live up to your own standards, not anyone else’s.”

It was a modified version of the same speech she gave him when he told her he was getting tired of being disrespected by his father and their allies in the ring. He felt like he was living in the shadow of a legacy like he hoped to build for himself.

“Says the one not on a team,” he replied with a sarcastic laugh.

She didn’t take it to heart.

“And how’s that team thing working out for you, Mysterio?” She joked, “The Sweetheart doesn’t play well with others. Not anymore. She’s kinda a lemon drop…after Mami took her favorite playmate.” She repeated the words Rhea had used once when they were spouting off pre-match after Dominik’s heel turn.

She poked Dominik’s chest, “Team or not, you support them, they support you, but in the end…it’s you in the ring with your opponent…they do not get to dictate who you’re friends with or who you date…you’re not their chew toy. You’re the draw. At least in my eyes.”

She smiled at him again before they both heard Liv shouting for him. “Time to kiss and make up, Dirty Dom.” She said and reached up to pat his cheek, “If you can, actually treat yourself for winning that belt.”

She turned and walked away, leaving a very confused Dominik behind her. He was frozen. Unable to move.

Liv walked over and grabbed his hand, “Hey look, I know you didn’t mean the Rhea comment,” she assured him and he turned to her, letting her pull him into a kiss.

Hoping she didn’t taste the blue raspberry jolly rancher on his lips.

—

The next week on Raw there was a different kind of tension in the air. It was uncomfortable. Everyone knew that he and Liv had had an argument during the promo shoot. And that Liv and Roxanne had been feuading. But tonight they the two women weren’t arguing. There seemed to be tentative peace in the clubhouse.

But Dominik knew better. He could sense the anger brewing below the surface with both Liv and Roxanne. Liv’s possessiveness was in overdrive. And it was like she was showing off her claim on him at every opportunity.

He was honestly emotionally exhausted. He used to love when she hung off of him. But it never felt like this. Strangling and claiming.

She was being overly affectionate when the cameras were on. But kept making biting comments. About him. About his loyalty. The loyalty he had never broken with her.

But still, she persisted. He didn’t understand the issue until she implied that Roxanne wasn’t the only one that he was eying up as they were walking through the hallways backstage. Walking up on another wrestlers promo spot.

(Name’s) promo spot.

It happens before Dominik could step in to stop it. Liv and Roxanne both came from either side to ambush the other wrestler. On camera. Insinuating she was trying to ‘steal Dominik from me’!

(Name) for her part held her own in the surprise before Dominik could pull Liv away, Finn rushing over to snatch away Roxanne.

“Whoa! What the hell Liv?!” Dominik demanded.

“She’s got her eyes on you now that you’ve got the belt too!” Liv insisted, “I know you gave her the time of day last week!”

“Oh my god, you think I want any part of this drama?!” (Name) exclaimed.

“Is this because of that damn candy?” Dominik asked.

“You tasted like you’d been kissing her! If I lose you to anyone I should at least respect them!” Liv snapped.

This was reminiscent of a custody match Dominik remembered all too well. And it seemed (Name) had the same thought, they always had been on the same wavelength.

“Should we get the ladders out then, Liv? Whoever gets the case gets to call Dirty Dom their own?” (Name) said, rolling her eyes, “Excuse me if I’m not chomping at the bit for that prize. Been there, done that.”

“Excuse me?!” Liv snarled while Roxanne just glared at her.

“Oh, you want me to play, you want the Sweetheart in on this, let’s go, because you forget, before Roxanne who, let’s be honest, isn’t even a contender…” Salacia said, a hand on her cocked out hip, grinning as Finn did his best to hold her back.

She turned to face Liv who had the sourest look in the world on her face. And it seemed like (Name) was revelling in it. Knowing the cameras were on.

“Before there was you, Liv, the one who he turned to, who snatched Dominik’s affections from Mami…and speaking of Ms. Ripley…before Rhea…there was me,” she finished, “So…I don’t need to compete with you…because the only reason Rhea got her claws into him…was because I was out due to family needing me…”

“Oh please, like you’d have stood up to anyone back then!” Roxanne snapped.

“Oh honey, you don’t know me at all, do you?” She asks and stepped up to get in Liv’s face first, “I’m gonna fight you, and I’m gonna win…not to win my ex back…but to show you exactly who the hell I am!” She moved to get in Roxanne’s face next, “You are welcome to join us…I know you’re just desperate for the attention.”

She turned and stormed off not even sparing Dominik a second glance. He could feel the anger and hurt rolling off of his old friend. And all he wanted was to go after her. Be sure she was okay. He waited for the cameras to turn away to let go of Liv.

“Man, what the fuck was that Liv?” He snarled, “Fucking with my friends over some dumb shit you got in your head, over thinking Roxanne had a chance with me. I’m not gonna save you. If you insist on going through with this, if you think that I’m just a chicken tender slut like Rhea calls me…we’re gonna be fucking through.”

He stormed off next. Wanting to blow off some steam. She had one week to decide if she was gonna be ridiculous about this. He couldn’t handle her drama while trying to keep his title.

He was tired of every woman in his life being drama. Whether current partner or wannabe partner. He was sure the only reason that (Name) was entertaining this was on the principle of the matter being jumped like that.

He saw her fuming in the corner, wringing her hands, before digging into her bag and pulling out a piece of gum. He walked over.

“Hey, you good?” He asks.

“They fucking attack me together like they aren’t gonna keep being prissy with each other over you…I mean…you’re a catch but not a prize…” she was honest, “I’m going through with the match, Dominik…don’t try and talk me out of it…I’m gonna drag your Barbie doll by her bottle blonde hair and show her who the hell I am!”

“I forgot what a firecracker you are, Ma,” Dominik said, their old rapport falling from his tongues easily.

She smiled up at him, slightly flirtatious, “Careful Dom, people might actually think you like me. Got a sweet tooth?” She joked

“Maybe I do,” he said with a chuckle.

This felt…right. Like no time had passed. Still with a sigh he had to walk away. He had to see if Liv was gonna be stupid and wrestle (Name). That was never the smart idea.

Neither of them realized that their private moment had been caught on camera. And was already in talks to be part of the promotion for the upcoming triple threat match.

—

Another city. Another Monday. Promos were shot. And accepted. Her comment about Liv being a bottle blonde going viral. She hadn’t planned on that. But maybe the audience needed to know she wasn’t just sugar. She had some spice to her.

Waiting for her entrance music to start she was bouncing on the balls of her feet. Shaking out the nerves that always hit before her music did. She could hold her own in the ring. Everyone knew that. Or should know that.

Liv seemed to have forgotten.

So had Roxanne. But she barely registered to (Name) this was about pride.

—

Over with Liv and Dominik he had ended things earlier in the day in private after she went on ranting and raving about him being hers and only hers and they shouldn’t even be part of the Judgement Day anymore because they were better than them and he should only be around her. He had heard this song before. And he didn’t like it then either. So he broke up with her in their off screen life and was planning on working on breaking their on screen relationship as well.

Needless to say she was pissed at him.

“I told you I wasn’t gonna do this shit again, Liv,” he said, “I broke up with Rhea over this…you know that.” He said to her, “I’m done being your fucking chew toy.”

She wasn’t speaking to him. Just glaring ahead. They had to enter together. Put up a strong front for the cameras. But he had ended that.

She wasn’t ready to admit that it was her fault.

Hers and Roxanne’s.

She had another person to blame. But her main focus was on (Name) now.

—

Liv and Dominik had walked to the ring together. And she kissed him in a show of possession. Maybe if she won this she could convince him to stay. At least publicly she could win him back privately.

Roxanne entered next and the two spat some barbs at each other. Waiting for the music of the third opponent to hit. And it was as energetic as she was.

Bright and light but fierce at the same time. Just like the woman making her way down to the ring. Confident and cheerful. She was going to make a real show of this.

—

The bell rang and Dominik was on the outside of the ring. Doing his best to seem invested in Liv during the match. But his eyes kept wandering to (Name) who was truly holding her own against opponents.

Roxanne said something cutting to Liv about Dom being done with her already. So Liv turned on her and tossed her out of the ring so she could focus on (Name). Who seemed to be really enjoying herself.

They were going toe to toe. Move for move. Dominik was really impressed. She had gotten better in these past few years.

Dominik knew he had to interfere in the match. It was expected of him. There was even a steel chair under the ring just waiting for him.

And Finn was waiting to distract the ref. He turned and nodded at Finn as Liv and Roxanne were both pounding on (Name) again. When (Name) had tossed Roxann into the turnbuckle and kicked her out of the ring only to be caught in a chokehold by Liv.

That’s when Finn rushed out to pretend to interfere. He went for the chair the second the ref’s back was turned. He moved to slide it into the ring as soon as he could.

(Name) reached behind her and grabbed a chunk of Liv’s hair like she said she would and yanked it making her release the hold.

She may be a baby face…but she could fight dirty.

Still when they both saw Dominik with the chair neither expected him to slide the chair right for (Name).

A smirk on his lips as he said loud enough for the cameras to hear. “I said we were done, Liv.”

He knew that if (Name) was caught with the chair she would be disqualified. But he was certain she knew what to do.

She picked it up and waited before pulling a move right out of the old school WWE. Slamming the chair on the mat loudly and, with a wink, tossing it to Liv who caught it on instinct before dropping to the mat like she’d been the one hit.

A perfect homage to one of Eddie Guerrero's signature plays.

The crowd went nuts.

The referee turned around and immediately called for the end of the match due to disqualification. Liv tried to argue as (Name) made a show of needing help from the ring. Dominik kept his distance but watched on with a proud grin.

—

They didn’t see each other that evening after everything was said and done. The entire roster buzzing with the typical gossip that came out after a dramatic match like this.

But the next morning in a Starbucks just outside of the hotel the talent was staying in. While (Name) was scrolling her phone, reading the reactions from the night before. The internet was abuzz with the rumor mill. She didn’t do this often. Only the first day after a match if part of some big storyline had taken place.

And that was one way to put what had happened the night before.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Dominik there, holding two coffees.

“Vanilla latte with two pumps of caramel syrup,” he said with a soft smile, a smile she recognized.

“Wanna join me, catch up, before we gotta fly out,” he asked.

(Name) smiled softly, “Okay.” She said.

@afterdarkprincess

all you ever did was wreck me (x seth rollins) mine (x seth rollins) tangled up with you all night (x roman reigns & seth rollins)

@eringobragh420

late night with the devil

@fistsandfangs

@dpriestxripleysgirl

pretty little problem series. masterlist.

@mytribalnightmare

Somnophilia

@onlyangel4

owned. (feat. the MFTs) at the beach in every life. in the silence. jenny. guard dog. pierced.

@prettyfilmz

receiving gifts

@saintheel

@acute-crashout-jeyuso

Same Damn Time (feat. damian priest) How Many Licks? Freak Cry Me A River (x rhea ripley) Who's Your Mami? (x rhea ripley) series (x cm punk): MONTERO (part one), JEALOUSY (part two), Forget It (part three)

@astria0wwe

Public Sex

@dpriestxripleysgirl

extra butter relaxation man in the mirror

@femdisa

I Hate You Too Rooftops

@fistsandfangs

rum and coke don’t ever wanna live alone

@holdmyquinoa

Basking in your heat (x kevin owens) This was a mistake (x kevin owens) Make It Right (x kevin owens)

@jimslvrr

The Silent War. my man...

@juceys

been yours eavesdrop just this once parenthood

@minteagalaxea

angel matte stiletto siren

@onlyangel4

first time for everything.

@prettyfilmz

throb big jim acts of service

@punksyeet

no you hang up

@saintheel

blind devotion. reflection. on the hotline. just relax. no contact. (part one) slip. (part two) interlude. (part three x naomi)

@shes2real

2 AM

@sualeo

our little secret

@trippiexlove

Only With You

@usomads

Don’t Knock It ‘Til You Try It

@wisteria-bae

The panic attack didn’t hit until after Jimmy left. 

Jey had been fine until then. He’d just focused on Jimmy and tried to block out the screaming fans and clamoring press. He didn’t even realize his brother was leaving until Jimmy finally let go of his hand, murmuring something running back to the hotel to shower and change before the afterparty. 

Now Jey stood alone backstage, clutching his new World Heavyweight Champion and trying to control his breathing. A million thoughts were racing through his mind. 

Did the match end too quickly? Was it too long? Were the people really happy to see me win or was it just pity applause? What if I end up on another list of worst WrestleMania matches ever? How many hate comments and death threats am I going to get from this? Has this belt always felt this heavy? Why does it feel like this gear is strangling me? Why was it so fucking hot in here? 

His legs felt weak. His vision was blurry. His hands were shaking so bad he thought he was going to drop the title belt. He stumbled forward, clutching the wall for support. 

The company… The weight of the company on my back. Everyone will look to me now. I’m their new champion. I can’t fuck this up. I can’t be just a catchphrase. I have to do better. I have to work harder. God, I have so much shit to do. The press, the afterparty, then Raw on Monday. I can’t fuck this up. I can’t fuck this up. I can’t fuck this up. 

He was vaguely aware of noises around him, but he could barely understand them. He felt trapped in his body. Trapped in his mind.

 He couldn’t breathe. 

He couldn’t breathe. 

He couldn’t breathe. 

“Jey?” 

A new voice cut through the noise and had Jey blinking up to see familiar blue eyes. 

“Jey, just breathe with me, okay?” 

He felt a hand on his chest, something that would normally cause him to panic but for some reason it calmed him. 

“Breathe in.” 

Jey tried but his breathing was too quick, too shallow to even attempt it. 

“Slow down, Jey. Just slow down and breathe with me. Okay?” 

Jey forced himself to obey. 

In. 

Out.

In.

Out. 

“Good, baby. That’s good. Let’s keep going. Keep breathing with me.” 

Jey did. 

In.

Out. 

In. 

Out. 

“That’s it, Jey. Just in and out. You’re okay. I’m here. I’m right here.” 

Cody Rhodes, the undisputed WWE champion, was kneeling in front of him, his blue eyes wide with concern. 

“You with me, Jey? Can you say something?” 

Jey furrowed his brow, trying to realize where he was. He was sitting on the floor for some reason, holding his championship belt so tightly that his fingers were cramped. He tried to speak but all that came out was a low croak, his lips dry and cracked. 

“Can someone bring us some water? Now, please!” 

A water bottle materialized in Cody’s hand and he was quick to offer some to Jey. 

“Here. Drink something, Jey. You’ll feel better.” 

Jey couldn’t pry his fingers from the belt. Thankfully, Cody seemed to understand. 

“It’s alright. I’ve got you.” 

Cody brought the water bottle to his lips and Jey drank, only realizing his thirst once the first drop of water slid down his throat. He didn’t remember drinking the whole bottle, but Cody seemed pleased, now rubbing reassuring circles on Jey’s arm. 

“Better?” 

Jey looked around. A small crowd of the production crew had gathered in concern, a medic team hovering anxiously nearby. Jey was still confused. 

“What happened, Cody?” he whispered. 

Cody offered him a reassuring smile. “You had some kind of panic attack, Jey. The medics couldn’t get you to calm down.” 

Jey had no memory of it. The last thing he remembered was Jimmy’s hand slipping from his, leaving him alone. 

Cody squeezed his shoulder. “You feeling okay now? You gave us all quite a scare.” 

“I did?” 

“Mm hm.” Cody’s eyes sparkled, motioning to the belt in Jey’s hand. “But I think I know why. It’s a lot, isn’t it? Winning your first world title.” 

Jey stared down at the belt in his lap. It glittered and shone, his blue nameplates catching in the light. He still couldn’t let it go, even though his knuckles were blanched and his hands were beginning to ache. 

“I can’t fuck this up,” Jey whispered, the words barely audible. But Cody heard them all the same, his eyes softening in understanding. 

“You won’t.” 

Jey wasn’t sure if he believed him. He’d worked so hard for this, but did he really deserve it? Weren’t there dozens of other superstars backstage with more talent than him? Why didn’t they get a shot at this? 

“You’re slipping away again,” Cody murmured. “Let’s get you back to the hotel. It’ll give you a chance to freshen up.” 

Jey tried to stand but his legs felt weak. Thankfully, Cody was there to keep him upright, allowing Jey to lean on him for support. 

“You don’t gotta go with me,” Jey muttered. “Don’t you wanna see the rest of the show?” 

Cody’s eyes were kind. “I’m not leaving you, Jey.” 

By the time Jey came out of the shower, Cody was lounging on the bed. He had to. It was the only free space in the damn penthouse. 

“Sorry it’s such a mess,” Jey apologized again, kicking some clothes to the side. “I got so much from the fans and press and I ain’t even had a chance to go through it all.” 

Cody chuckled. “Hey, don’t even worry about it. Mine looks about the same.” 

Jey tried not to stare at him as he began searching the room for his clothes. It was strange having Cody here. It had been a few months since they’d spent any real time together, let alone fucked. They’d both been too busy. 

“You ain’t gotta stay, Codes,” Jey said again, feeling guilty that he’d taken the other world champion away from the arena. “I know you got shit to do tonight.” 

“What shit? My match isn’t until tomorrow. They don’t need me there.” Cody smiled at him. “Besides, I’m liking this view.” 

“Yeah?” Jey couldn’t help but laugh, suddenly very aware that he was covered with nothing but a towel. “It’s been a while, huh?” 

“Mm hm. Too long.” Cody’s gaze was piercing. “Though I guess you haven’t missed me that much. Especially since you’ve kept everyone else wrapped around your finger.” 

Jey shook his head, still letting out breathless laughter. “Yeah, but they ain’t you, Codes.” 

Cody smiled again, something warm and easy, before standing and making his way to Jey’s side. 

“I never said it, you know,” Cody murmured, reaching out a gentle hand to clasp around Jey’s wrist. 

“Never said what?” 

“Congratulations. For winning your first world title.” 

Jey laughed. “You ain’t gotta say nothing, Codes. I know how you feel.” 

“Do you?” Cody intertwined their fingers. “Do you have any idea how proud I am of you?” 

Jey flushed crimson under his praise and Cody was delighted. He thought Jey had never looked more beautiful–his curly hair tousled and damp from his shower, his tattooed skin shimmering in the light, his round puppy eyes staring at him almost shyly. 

“I mean it,” Cody breathed, moving closer. “You showed the entire world what you were made of tonight, Jey. You showed them who you really are: a fighter. A warrior. Someone who never gives up.” 

Jey seemed embarrassed now, staring at the floor to avoid meeting Cody’s sincere gaze. 

“Come on, Codes. It ain’t that serious.” 

“Bullshit.” Cody kept their fingers intertwined as he sat down on the edge of the bed, encouraging Jey to straddle his lap. “It is that serious. The world kept doubting you and look what you did. You proved them all wrong.” 

Jey reluctantly allowed Cody to toss the towel wrapped around his waist to the side, leaving him bare as he straddled the champion’s lap. 

“They doubted you,” Cody repeated, keeping his large hands on the Samoan’s hips to keep him balanced. “But I never did, Jey. I knew years ago that you had what it took to be a world champion. And I knew that you could do it all on your own.” 

He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Jey’s chest, staring up at him with those crystalline eyes and unwavering sincerity. 

“I’m so proud of you, Jey. You earned this. You deserved this.” 

Jey stared at him, seemingly unsure of what to say. His cheeks were dusted with pink, his naked body a stark contrast to the suit Cody wore. Cody was enchanted at the sight. 

“My beautiful boy,” he murmured, reaching out a warm hand to cradle Jey’s cheek. “So gorgeous and perfect. I can’t believe you’re here with me. I’m the luckiest man in the world.” 

Jey couldn’t help but lean into the touch. His eyelids fluttered, practically nuzzling into Cody’s hand like some kind of starved stray, and Cody smiled again. 

“You really are perfect, Jey. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.” 

Jey’s eyes opened and Cody’s heart stuttered at the sight. He had to be the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. 

“I know everyone telling me I’m supposed to be happy,” Jey murmured, still resting his cheek in Cody’s palm. “And I am happy, Codes. Really I am. But I still feel…” 

“Worried?”

Jey let out a breath. “Yeah.” 

Cody nodded in understanding, rubbing reassuring circles on Jey’s hip with his hand. “You’re allowed to feel that way, Jey. You just achieved the biggest accolade of your career. There’s a lot of emotion that comes with that.” 

“I just feel stupid, you know?” Jey muttered. “I’m supposed to be celebrating right now. Supposed to be getting drunk off my ass and enjoying my success. But I don’t know if I’m ready, Codes. What if I fuck it all up?” 

“You won’t.” Cody’s tone was laced with conviction. “You’re not a rookie, Jey. You’ve been in this business for fifteen years. You’re a good wrestler. Trust your instincts. You know what you’re doing.” 

“No, I don’t!” Jey’s eyes watered. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Cody. I won the title, but I won’t keep it long. I’ll fuck it up. I always fuck it up. I always–”

“No, stop. Stop.” Cody reached up to grab Jey’s hands, holding them tightly. “None of what you’re saying is true, Jey. This is the fear talking. It’s not real. Don’t let it in.” 

“But I–”

“You are the world champion for a reason,” Cody said, his voice firm. “Not Seth Rollins. Not CM Punk. Not Gunther. Not Roman Reigns. You.” 

Jey gasped when Cody suddenly grabbed him and flipped him onto the bed. Jey felt pinned in place beneath Cody’s piercing stare, his body beginning to tremble as Cody hovered above him. 

“You achieved this because you’re talented, Jey. You worked your ass off and earned it. You think they’re just handing out world titles on the corner like candy?” 

“Cody…” 

“You deserve every bit of your success, Jey. God, I’m so proud of you.” Cody reached out his hands to cradle Jey’s face, holding him like he was something truly precious. “I just want you to believe it too.” 

Jey’s eyes watered again when Cody leaned down and pressed a comforting kiss to his cheek. Hearing so much praise from the undisputed champion was life-sustaining and for once, Jey felt like the massive weight on his shoulders was being lifted. 

“You’re so beautiful,” Cody whispered, his fingers tracing lightly over the tattoos on his chest. “I watched your entire match, Jey. Every move was flawless. And you looked so fucking hot.” 

He leaned down and brushed their lips together, smiling when Jey’s fingers tangled in Cody’s suit jacket to pull him closer. 

“Tell me you believe me,” Cody said suddenly, pulling away from the kiss. Jey seemed surprised.  

“Believe what?” 

“Tell me you believe that you’re perfect and deserve the world.” 

Jey stared at him. Then he laughed. He laughed and laughed and Cody really couldn’t get over just how gorgeous he was like this–his golden teeth sparkling and his round eyes crinkling. 

“Cody, you’re ridiculous.” 

“I’m telling the truth.” 

“Uh huh.” 

“Tell me you believe me.” 

Jey reached up to wrap his arms around Cody’s neck, still looking amused as he gazed up at him. “I believe in you, Cody,” he murmured. “Even if you cheesy as hell.” 

Cody grinned. “You like it though.” 

Jey leaned up to kiss him again, still smiling. “Yeah, I do.”