Chapter Text
June 16, 2023 - After SmackDown
The locker room was buzzing with an energy that hadn’t been there in years.
For once, it wasn’t tension. It wasn’t fear or the suffocating weight of Roman’s expectations pressing down on them.
It was relief. It was freedom.
Jimmy and Jey moved around the room, grabbing their bags, the adrenaline still coursing through them, still riding the high of what they had just done.
"Man, I ain't felt this good in years," Jimmy grinned, shoving his gear into his bag, his hands shaking slightly not from nerves, but from excitement.
Jey chuckled, the sound light, unburdened. "I know that’s right. We finally did it, Uce." He clapped a hand over his brother’s shoulder, shaking him slightly. "We out. We done. No more Bloodline. No more Tribal Chief. Just us."
Jimmy grinned back at him, nodding. "Damn right."
For the first time in a long time, they were back on the same page.
No mind games. No manipulation.
Just family.
Jimmy zipped up his bag, glancing over at Jey. "Hey, you thinking what I’m thinking?"
Jey raised an eyebrow. "What’s that?"
Jimmy smirked. "We ‘bout to run this whole damn show now."
Jey let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Damn right, Uce."
But then the energy shifted.
A presence lingered in the doorway, quiet, unmoving.
Jey felt it before he even turned around.
He knew who it was.
Sami stood just inside the doorway, silent. He hadn’t said a word. He didn’t have to.
Jimmy tensed beside him, his shoulders squaring up immediately. His jaw tightened, his fingers twitching like they wanted to grab his bag and leave.
Jey exhaled slowly.
He looked at his brother.
"Uce," he said, voice softer now, calmer. "Lemme get a minute."
Jimmy’s expression didn’t change, his eyes never leaving Sami. He wasn’t sure how he felt about seeing him there wasn’t sure if he even wanted to figure it out.
But Jey gave him a look one that said please, one that said trust me.
Jimmy exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly. "Man…"
He didn’t finish.
He just grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out.
Sami stepped forward, finally meeting Jey’s eyes.
Jey didn’t think. Didn’t hesitate. Didn’t let doubt creep in.
The second Sami took a step forward, Jey closed the distance between them, grabbing Sami’s face between his hands and pulling him in.
Their lips crashed together, the force of it sending a shiver down Jey’s spine, every ounce of tension in his body dissolving the second Sami kissed him back. It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t hesitant. It was everything a fire that had been building for too damn long, waiting for the moment when they weren’t on opposite sides of a war.
Sami’s hands gripped Jey’s waist, steadying himself, pulling him in deeper. Jey groaned against his mouth, one hand slipping back, fingers curling into Sami’s hair. He could feel Sami’s breath hitch, could feel the way his heart was hammering just as hard as his own.
This wasn’t some stolen moment in a hotel room. This wasn’t something they had to hide. This wasn’t something Jey had to feel guilty for.
This was real.
This was them.
They pulled apart just enough to breathe, their foreheads resting against each other, noses brushing, breaths still shaky. Jey didn’t let go. Didn’t move away. He just kept his hands on Sami’s face like he needed to make sure he was really there, that this was really happening.
Sami swallowed hard, his hands still curled around Jey’s hips. His voice came out soft, almost breathless. "I’m so proud of you."
Jey’s chest ached at the words, but before he could respond, Sami kept going, his voice tinged with something heavier. "But I’m sorry for the rift in your family."
Jey’s stomach twisted.
He knew Sami meant it. Really meant it. It wasn’t just about being happy for Jey, about seeing him stand up for himself, about finally stepping away from Roman’s control. It was about the cost.
Sami knew better than anyone what it felt like to lose family over this. To make a choice and watch everything fall apart around him. He had been there. He had felt it.
And he knew exactly what Jey was feeling right now.
Jey didn’t know how to respond at first. His throat felt tight. His hands were still on Sami’s face, his fingers absently brushing over his cheek, like he needed something to ground himself.
Finally, he exhaled, shaking his head just slightly. "I ain’t lost Jimmy," he murmured. "Not really."
Sami nodded, searching his face, his fingers squeezing at Jey’s waist. "I know."
Jey swallowed, his voice quieter now. "But I lost Solo." He shook his head again, looking down. "And I dunno what’s gonna happen next."
Sami reached up, covering one of Jey’s hands with his own. "You don’t have to figure it all out right now."
Jey huffed out a breath, his lips twitching slightly. "Yeah?"
Sami smiled, just barely. "Yeah." His fingers curled around Jey’s. "Just… don’t shut me out, okay? I’m here, Jey. I’m always gonna be here."
Jey met his eyes again, something in his chest tightening. He knew Sami meant it.
He had always meant it.
Jey’s fingers curled tighter around Sami’s, his other hand slipping back into his hair. "You better be, Uce," he murmured, voice rough, thick with something neither of them wanted to name just yet. "You better be."
Sami exhaled, leaning in just enough for their noses to brush. "I’m not going anywhere."
Jey kissed him again, slower this time, softer. A promise.
♡♡
The car ride back to the hotel was quiet. Not tense, exactly, but heavy. Jimmy was at the wheel, eyes on the road, grip tight around the steering wheel. Jey sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, staring out the window. Sami was in the back, trying not to let the silence weigh too much on him.
It wasn’t awkward, not really. But Jimmy hadn’t said much since they left the arena.
He hadn’t said much to Sami at all.
Sami understood it, of course he did. Jimmy had always been the one to take care of Jey, the one who had his back no matter what. And now? Now Sami was back in Jey’s life, right after Jey had turned on Roman, right after everything had changed. Of course Jimmy wasn’t going to trust him right away.
Still, it stung a little.
Jey was the one to break the silence first. "You hungry, Uce?"
Jimmy huffed out a breath. "Man, I don’t even know. Feel like my stomach still back at the arena, tryna figure out what just happened."
Jey let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah. I feel that."
Sami glanced at Jey through the rearview mirror, just for a second. Jey met his eyes, something soft flickering there, something intentional.
They pulled up to the hotel a few minutes later. Sami got out first, grabbing his bag from the trunk, and Jimmy and Jey followed. The three of them walked inside together, but there was still a distance between Sami and Jimmy.
The hotel lobby was buzzing with quiet activity other wrestlers checking in, staff moving around, the low hum of conversation blending with the distant sound of the hotel bar’s television. The three of them stood in line at the check-in desk, waiting to get their room keys. Jimmy was a step ahead, arms crossed, tapping his fingers against his bicep impatiently. Jey stood beside Sami, his shoulders still carrying the weight of the night.
Sami kept his voice low, just enough for Jey to hear. "You should come to my room tonight."
Jey glanced at him, surprised, then flicked a quick look at Jimmy to make sure he wasn’t listening. He wasn’t too focused on the line moving forward, too caught up in his own thoughts.
Jey’s voice was equally quiet when he answered. "Yeah?"
Sami nodded, keeping his expression even. "Yeah."
Jey hesitated for only a second before he murmured back, "Aight. I’ll take you up on that."
The line moved up, and Jimmy was already at the desk, getting his key. Jey and Sami stepped forward together, but that moment between them lingered, an understanding settling in without the need for anything else.
Jey stopped near the elevators, leaning in just slightly toward Sami, his voice low so only he could hear. "Give me a few. I’ll come up."
Sami nodded, heartbeat picking up just a little. "Okay."
They rode up together, but Jimmy didn’t say a word to Sami. When the elevator dinged on their floor, Sami stepped out first, glancing back just long enough to see Jey and Jimmy walking toward their rooms.
The twins stopped in front of their doors right next to each other, as always.
"Night, Uce," Jey murmured.
Jimmy hesitated, then sighed. "Night, man."
They hugged it out, holding on just a little longer than usual. Jey patted Jimmy’s back, a silent reassurance that everything was okay. Or at least, that it would be.
Jimmy lingered for a second, like he wanted to say something, like he was waiting for something to make sense. But in the end, he just nodded and went into his room.
Jey exhaled. Then turned, glanced down the hall, and walked toward Sami’s room.
His heartbeat was loud in his ears, but it wasn’t from nerves.
It was from relief.
From knowing exactly where he was supposed to be tonight.
♡♡
Jey walked the halls of the hotel, his steps slow, measured, each one heavier than the last. His whole body felt like it was still running on the high of the night the energy of the crowd, the adrenaline of that final kick, the weight of his choice settling into his bones. Every step he took away from Jimmy and toward Sami felt like he was walking further into something he hadn’t let himself fully consider until now.
He ran a hand over his face as he turned the corner, exhaling sharply.
He wanted this. God, he wanted this.
Sami had been there since the beginning since before the Bloodline turned into what it became, before Jey had to spend years being broken and rebuilt under Roman’s control. Sami had been a light in all that darkness, and even now, even when Jey had finally broken free, Sami was still standing there, waiting for him.
But that was the problem.
Jey didn’t want to be waiting on anybody anymore.
For years, he had been caught between Roman’s orders, between Jimmy’s leadership, between everyone else’s decisions but his own. Even when he and Sami had first started falling into whatever this was something bigger than friendship, something heavier than desire there had always been something standing in the way.
Jey needed to stand on his own two feet. He needed to do this for himself.
His fingers twitched at his sides as he reached the door to Sami’s room. He hesitated, staring at the handle like it might give him an answer. His chest felt tight, his heart knocking against his ribs in anticipation, in fear, in something else he couldn’t quite name.
But when he finally knocked, when the door opened and Sami stood there still in the same clothes he’d been wearing downstairs, like he’d only just gotten to the room himself, eyes soft and warm in a way that made Jey’s stomach twist everything else faded into the background.
Sami didn’t say anything at first. He just stepped aside, an invitation unspoken but clear. Jey stepped inside, his breath shallow, his body tense. The door shut behind him with a quiet click, sealing them off from the rest of the world.
And then Sami was in front of him again, close, too close.
Jey didn’t think. He just moved.
His hands found Sami’s face, his fingers brushing along his jaw before pulling him in, crashing their lips together in a way that was more desperate than he intended. But Sami met him just as fiercely, his hands gripping Jey’s waist, holding him in place, like he knew like he always knew.
They kissed like they were making up for lost time, for every moment they had let slip between them, for every second they had spent looking at each other from across the ring instead of like this. Jey felt himself sinking into it, losing himself in it, in Sami’s touch, in the way their bodies fit together like they had always been meant to.
But then the words came back.
The ones he hadn’t said yet. The ones he knew would ruin this moment.
Jey pulled back first, just enough to rest his forehead against Sami’s, his breath heavy, his heart pounding.
“I want this,” Jey murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I want you. I want to be with you.”
Sami’s hands tightened on his waist, holding him there like he could feel the shift coming, like he knew something was about to break.
“But?” Sami asked, his voice careful, knowing.
Jey swallowed hard. His fingers were still tangled in Sami’s curls, but his grip loosened.
Jey’s breath was shaky as he looked at Sami, his fingers still curled loosely in his hair. His chest was so tight it hurt, his heart pounding like it was trying to break free from his ribs.
“I feel like I need to figure out myself,” Jey admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve always been Rikishi's son, Jimmy’s brother. Roman’s cousin. The right-hand man to the Tribal Chief.” He shook his head, jaw clenched. “And these last few years under Roman’s thumb have just… crushed me. I need to find out who I am outside of that.”
Sami’s hands tightened on his waist, holding him there, grounding him.
Jey dropped his forehead against Sami’s shoulder, squeezing his eyes shut. “I’ve made you wait so long,” he murmured, voice breaking. “And it kills me, ‘cause now that we can finally just be… here I am screwin’ it up again. How do you have so much patience?”
Sami’s fingers traced soothing lines up and down Jey’s back. “Because I love you,” he said simply, like it was the easiest truth in the world. “You doing this finding yourself, standing on your own that’s why I love you.”
Jey let out a broken breath. His chest shook. “What if by the time I’m ready… you’re tired of waiting?” His voice cracked, and he forced himself to keep going. “What if I stand on my own, figure out who I am, and you don’t love that version of me?”
Sami pulled back just enough to look him in the eye. His gaze was steady, unwavering. “I love every version of you, Jey.” His thumbs brushed away the tears Jey didn’t even realize had fallen. “And the wait? It’ll be worth it. You being okay on your own that’s what’s most important.” He swallowed, emotion thick in his throat. “You’re about to have the fight of your life against Roman. You need to be ready mentally, emotionally. You have to be ready to go up against your own blood, against Solo. And against Roman, who whether you want to admit it or not was like a brother to you once.”
Jey’s entire body shook with the force of his sobs. “I’m so sorry, Sami,” he choked out. “I feel selfish.”
“Don’t,” Sami whispered. “Don’t do that.”
Jey pulled back just enough to look at him, his vision blurry with tears. He hesitated, then swallowed hard. “Can I ask you somethin’?”
Sami nodded. “Of course.”
Jey’s voice was so small, so vulnerable, it made Sami’s heart ache.
“Can you hold me tonight?”
Sami exhaled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to Jey’s temple. “Of course.”
Jey sat on the edge of the bed, watching as Sami laid out his prayer mat. He had missed this missed watching Sami move through the motions with such quiet reverence, missed the way everything seemed to slow down around him in these moments of peace.
Sami’s voice was soft as he whispered his prayers, the cadence familiar, soothing. Jey let his eyes drift over him, taking in the way his shoulders relaxed, the way his hands moved with steady precision. He had always loved watching Sami like this, seeing him so centered, so at peace. After everything after the months of chaos, of war, of heartbreak there was something grounding about it. Something that made Jey feel like maybe, just maybe, there was a world outside of all the noise in his head.
By the time Sami finished, Jey was still watching, his heart feeling too big for his chest. Sami turned to him with a small smile, rolling up his prayer mat before making his way to the bed. Without hesitation, he climbed in and wrapped his arms around Jey from behind, pulling him close.
Jey exhaled, sinking into the warmth of Sami’s embrace. He let himself close his eyes, let himself breathe.
Sami pressed a soft kiss to the back of Jey’s neck, his voice nothing more than a whisper. “Get some sleep, Uce.”
Jey swallowed hard, nodding. He didn’t say it out loud, but he knew Sami understood.
Thank you.
Sami held him tighter, and for the first time in a long time, Jey let himself rest.
♡♡
June 17, 2023 - Hotel
The morning light filtered through the hotel curtains, casting a soft glow over the bed. Jey stirred first, shifting slightly before rolling over onto Sami’s chest, pressing his face against the warmth there. Sami let out a slow breath, one hand lazily running up and down Jey’s back, the other resting on his own stomach.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet was comfortable, their bodies still tangled in the familiarity they had spent so long missing. But eventually, Sami’s fingers stilled, and he broke the silence.
“So… how do you want to do this?” Sami asked, his voice still rough with sleep.
Jey didn’t answer right away. He just sighed, pressing his forehead against Sami’s chest like he could absorb the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
“I don’t know,” Jey admitted, his voice muffled.
Sami nodded like he expected that. “Do you wanna just… go no contact?”
Jey immediately shook his head. “No,” he said, voice firmer this time. “I don’t think I could do that.”
Sami smiled a little, his fingers tracing light patterns against Jey’s spine. “Yeah,” he murmured. “Didn’t think so.” He exhaled, thinking for a moment before speaking again. “We can just text occasionally. We don’t have to avoid each other if we run into each other for work. We can still say hi, still talk and all… but no hotels, no kissing, none of that.”
Jey swallowed hard, eyes closing for a second. “Okay.”
Sami let out a small breath of laughter, though there was no humor in it. “That sounded real convincing.”
Jey groaned, shifting so that his cheek rested over Sami’s heartbeat. “Man, I just I don’t wanna act like we don’t know each other. I don’t wanna act like we’re nothing.”
“We’re not nothing,” Sami reassured him. His voice was gentle but certain. “But this is what you need, right? You need space to figure yourself out.”
Jey nodded slowly. “Yeah.”
“Then we’ll figure it out.” Sami tightened his arms around Jey for a brief second before relaxing again. “Even if it sucks.”
Jey huffed, but the corner of his mouth twitched up just a little. “It does suck.”
Sami chuckled softly. “Yeah, I know.” He sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “Guess that means no more sneaking into each other’s rooms after shows.”
Jey let out a breath. “Guess so.”
“No more late-night phone calls when you can’t sleep.”
Jey squeezed his eyes shut. “Damn.”
Sami smirked a little, running his fingers through Jey’s hair. “No more holding each other like this.”
Jey groaned. “Okay, man, I get it.”
Sami laughed, but there was a sadness beneath it. “Sorry. Just trying to make sure you’re really sure about this.”
Jey turned his face slightly, looking up at Sami. His chest felt tight, like there was too much emotion packed into a space too small to contain it. “I ain’t sure about nothing, Sami,” he admitted. “Except that I love you.”
Sami’s breath hitched for a moment, but his smile stayed soft. He brushed his thumb over Jey’s shoulder. “I love you too.”
Jey sighed, closing his eyes again. They could lay here for a little longer. Just a little while more before they had to face whatever came next.
Jey stayed in bed, watching as Sami slid out from under the covers. He already knew what was coming next. The morning routine, the quiet devotion. It was something he’d seen so many times before, but after everything after losing it, after missing it watching Sami kneel and begin his prayer hit different.
Jey propped himself up on his elbow, eyes never leaving Sami as he whispered words Jey didn’t understand, movements fluid, practiced, peaceful. Jey had never been a religious man, but there was something about watching Sami like this that made him feel something close to it.
He'd missed this.
Missed the way Sami's face softened, how his breathing slowed, how everything else seemed to fade away when he prayed. He missed the calm it brought, the quiet in contrast to the chaos of their lives. He wished he could hold onto this moment forever just sit here, watching, memorizing but too soon, Sami finished, whispering his final words before running a hand over his face, exhaling deeply.
Jey knew better than to break the moment. He just stayed where he was, watching as Sami turned back toward him, giving him a small smile that made Jey's stomach ache.
Neither of them spoke as Sami grabbed his things and disappeared into the bathroom.
Jey let out a long breath, rolling onto his back. He wanted to go in there with him. Wanted to stand under the water together, rinse away the weight of the night before. But that wasn’t how this was gonna be now. That was the whole point.
So instead, Jey waited.
The sound of running water filled the hotel room, and Jey stared up at the ceiling, fingers drumming restlessly against his stomach. This sucked. He knew why they were doing it, but damn if it didn’t suck.
When Sami finally emerged, towel around his waist, Jey forced himself to look away, not trusting himself. Sami didn’t say anything as they passed each other, but his fingers brushed against Jey’s for the briefest second, a ghost of a touch that shouldn’t have meant as much as it did.
Jey took his own shower, alone, hating every second of it.
By the time he stepped out, Sami was dressed, stuffing the last of his things into his bag. Jey swallowed, knowing what came next, knowing they had to walk out of this room as something different than what they’d been when they walked in.
Sami turned to him, eyes warm, knowing.
Jey didn’t hesitate. He closed the distance between them, hands framing Sami’s face, kissing him slow, deep, memorizing. Sami sighed against his lips, kissing back just as desperately. This was the last time for a while. Maybe the last time ever.
When they pulled apart, Jey rested his forehead against Sami’s, breathing him in. “I’ll see you around, Uce.”
Sami smiled softly, brushing a thumb over Jey’s cheek. “Yeah. You will.”
And then he was gone, slipping out the door to go meet Kevin, leaving Jey standing in the middle of the room, hands curled into fists, already missing him.
♡♡
Sami knocked once before pushing open the door to Kevin’s hotel room. The place was a mess Kevin’s bag half-unpacked, clothes thrown everywhere, and a half-eaten bag of chips on the nightstand. Sami sighed, shaking his head.
“You’re not even ready yet?” he asked, closing the door behind him.
Kevin was sitting on the edge of the bed, still in sweatpants and a t-shirt, tying his sneakers. “I am getting ready,” he muttered. “You’re early.”
Sami rolled his eyes and dropped his bag onto the chair. “Yeah, I bet I still beat you downstairs.”
Kevin ignored that. Instead, he leaned forward, his expression shifting into something way too interested. “So?”
Sami blinked. “So what?”
Kevin scoffed. “So what happened with Jey?! You literally spent the whole night with him after he finally turned on Roman, and I haven’t gotten one text, not one update, not even a damn thumbs-up emoji. So spill it.”
Sami sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I mean… it was good,” he started, trying to find the right words. “I saw him backstage after everything, and we just ” Sami hesitated, a small smile tugging at his lips. “He kissed me.”
Kevin’s eyebrows shot up. “Jey kissed you?”
Sami nodded, still looking a little dazed by it. “Yeah.”
Kevin let out a low whistle. “Okay, that was fast.”
Sami rolled his eyes. “Oh, please, don’t act like you didn’t see this coming.”
Kevin held up a hand. “I mean, yeah, eventually, but like, right after he superkicked Roman? That’s a hell of a way to celebrate.”
Sami chuckled, running a hand over his face. “Yeah, well, I wasn’t exactly thinking straight. He looked so ” He exhaled. “I don’t know, man. He looked free.”
Kevin watched him carefully. “And then?”
Sami hesitated again, sitting on the bed across from him. “Then he came up to my room.”
Kevin immediately groaned, shoving a hand in the air. “Okay nope, nope, nope. Don’t need those details.”
Sami rolled his eyes. “Relax, nothing happened.”
Kevin eyed him suspiciously. “Nothing?”
“Nothing,” Sami confirmed, a little softer this time. “We talked.”
Kevin tilted his head. “Talked about?”
Sami sighed, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Jey said he needs space. That he wants to figure out who he is outside of Jimmy, outside of Roman, outside of… me.” Sami’s voice dropped a little at that last part.
Kevin’s face softened. “Damn,” he murmured. “I mean… that sucks for you, but honestly? It’s a good thing. It’s smart.”
Sami nodded slowly. “Yeah. Yeah, I know.”
Kevin was watching him closely. “You okay with that?”
Sami exhaled, looking down at his hands. “It’s not easy,” he admitted. “I mean, I waited so long for him to finally get out, and now that he has, I don’t even get to ” He shook his head. “But I get it. And I want him to do this the right way. He deserves that.”
Kevin nodded approvingly. “Yeah. He does. And hey, if he really wants to stand on his own, that means he has to do this without you, right? No leaning on you for comfort, no hiding in hotel rooms with you while he figures it out.”
Sami sighed. “Yeah, I know. I told him I’d be here when he’s ready.”
Kevin nudged him lightly with his foot. “You will be.”
Sami looked up, meeting his best friend’s eyes. “Yeah.”
Kevin smirked. “But just so we’re clear, next time you’re about to spend the night with your on-again, off-again love of your life, text me first so I don’t have to wait till morning to hear about it.”
Sami chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. Noted.”
Kevin stood up, stretching. “All right, well, if you’re done pining, now I’ll finish getting ready.”
Sami laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah. Take your time.”
Kevin rolled his eyes and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Sami sitting there, feeling lighter than he had in a long time.
♡♡
June 19, 2023 - Raw
Backstage at Monday Night Raw, Byron Saxton stood with the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. The lights buzzed overhead, the energy in the arena pulsing through the walls, but Sami and Kevin had heard enough about the Bloodline for one lifetime.
Saxton, ever the professional, kept his composure. “Gentlemen, we’ve all seen the shocking events unfolding within the Bloodline. Can I get your thoughts on ”
Kevin threw up a hand before Byron could even finish. “No. Nope. I can’t do this anymore.” His voice was sharp, cutting through the hallway noise. “I cannot take one more question about the Bloodline. I don’t care. We don’t care. We are done with them.”
Sami sighed, already expecting this reaction, but instead of letting it slide like usual, he grabbed Kevin’s arm. “You know what? We do need to talk.”
Kevin blinked. “About what?”
“Enough’s enough.”
Kevin narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”
Sami inhaled, squaring his shoulders. “It means you have a problem.”
Kevin scoffed. “Oh, come on, what are you even ”
“You’re a rage-a-holic.”
Kevin’s face twisted in disbelief. “WHAT?!” His voice echoed down the hall, causing some nearby crew members to glance their way.
Sami pointed at him. “See?! That! Right there! That’s exactly what I mean.”
Kevin opened his mouth to argue, but Sami steamrolled right over him. “Look, man, you have an anger problem. I know it, you know it, everyone knows it. You’re always one second away from exploding at everything. And if you don’t see that, then we have a problem.”
Kevin huffed, crossing his arms. “I don’t have a problem.”
“Okay. Fine.” Sami tilted his head, an amused yet determined look on his face. “Then prove it.”
Kevin eyed him warily. “How?”
Sami smirked, knowing he had Kevin right where he wanted him. “Go the rest of the night without a tantrum. No yelling, no storming off, no threatening to beat someone up just for annoying you. If you can do that, I’ll drop it. I’ll never bring it up again. But if you can’t ” Sami let the implication hang in the air.
Kevin’s jaw clenched. He hated this game.
Sami waited, lifting an eyebrow. “Well?”
Kevin sighed dramatically. “Fine. Fine. You want me to prove it? Done. I won’t lose my temper.”
Sami patted his shoulder. “Great. Looking forward to it.”
Kevin grumbled under his breath, already regretting agreeing to this.
Sami turned back to Saxton, who had been standing there awkwardly throughout the entire exchange. “Sorry about that, Byron. You didn’t need to see all that.”
Saxton gave a hesitant smile. “Uh… no problem?”
Sami nodded. “Yeah, well… it’s been 20 years of this.”
♡♡
Later Kevin and Sami walked through the bustling backstage area, the hum of crew members, production staff, and wrestlers creating the usual pre-show chaos around them. Kevin, still hyper-aware of the bet Sami had made with him earlier, was doing his best to keep his cool.
That resolve was immediately tested when a stagehand, hurrying past with a tray of water bottles, accidentally bumped into Kevin. The impact sent water splashing all over his shirt.
“Oh, crap! I’m so sorry, Mr. Owens,” the stagehand stammered, eyes wide with panic.
Kevin stiffened, his hands balling into fists at his sides. He took a deep breath, exhaling through his nose. Don’t yell. Don’t yell. Don’t yell.
Sami, standing beside him, folded his arms, watching with mild amusement.
Kevin let out a sharp breath and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. “It’s fine.”
The stagehand hesitated. “Really? Because ”
“I said it’s fine,” Kevin repeated, his voice a little too tight, a little too forced. He looked down at his soaked shirt, then at Sami, who raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting to see if he’d crack. Kevin inhaled deeply, schooling his expression into something neutral. “See? No problem.”
Sami smirked. “Huh.”
Kevin pointed at him. “Don’t ‘huh’ me.”
Sami just shrugged.
As they continued down the hall, Kevin muttered, “I don’t have an anger problem, I have an idiot problem.”
Sami chuckled. “Sure.”
They turned the corner and nearly walked straight into Matt Riddle, who beamed when he saw them. “Bro! What’s up?”
Kevin groaned internally but kept his composure. “Hey, Riddle.”
Riddle bounced on his heels. “Man, I was just watching Honey, I Shrunk the Kids the other day, and I was thinking, what if someone actually got shrunk in real life? Like, what if you could shrink people? Would you wanna shrink someone, bro? Like, imagine a tiny little Roman Reigns running around, all mad but small.”
Kevin blinked at him. Sami did his best to hold in a laugh.
For a split second, Kevin’s brain screamed at him to react What the hell kind of conversation is this? but he forced himself to take a breath. He smiled, the muscles in his face twitching like they were rebelling against the effort.
“Those are great movies,” Kevin said through gritted teeth.
Riddle grinned, oblivious. “Right? Classic, bro. Anyway, wish me luck in my match.”
“Good luck,” Kevin said.
Riddle reached out and gave Kevin a solid pat on the chest before walking off.
Kevin closed his eyes for a second before speaking. “Hey, Riddle?”
Riddle turned back. “Yeah, bro?”
Kevin pointed at him. “Don’t touch me.”
Riddle nodded like that was the most reasonable request in the world and walked away.
Sami clapped Kevin on the back. “That, my friend, is progress.”
Kevin huffed. “I hate this.”
♡♡
Kevin and Sami were mid-conversation backstage, the energy between them lighter than usual after Kevin had managed to keep his temper in check for most of the night. Sami was smug about it, wearing that knowing smirk that Kevin kind of wanted to wipe off his face but also kind of appreciated.
“I’m just saying,” Sami teased, arms crossed, “you’ve been doing good. Real good. Almost like you don’t have an anger problem.”
Kevin scoffed. “Almost.”
Before Sami could retort, a shadow loomed over them. They turned to see WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser standing in front of them, their expressions unreadable but clearly not friendly.
Kevin immediately tensed. “Oh, come on. We didn’t call for you.”
Kaiser ignored him, addressing them both with a sneer. “You saw what happened to Matt Riddle earlier, yes? That can happen to you too.”
Kevin’s nostrils flared. His hands curled into fists, his entire body practically vibrating with the need to lash out. “What did you just say ”
Sami was faster. He grabbed Kevin’s arm before he could take a step forward, his grip firm but calm. “Nope. Not doing this.”
Kevin jerked his head to Sami. “Did you hear him?!”
“Oh, I heard him,” Sami said smoothly, already pulling his phone from his pocket. “But we have something more important to take care of.”
Kevin narrowed his eyes. “What?”
Sami turned his phone toward him, letting Kevin read whatever was on the screen. Kevin’s frustration faltered just slightly, curiosity overtaking his irritation.
Gunther and Kaiser didn’t seem to care that they were being ignored. Gunther simply smirked before walking off, Kaiser following closely behind.
Kevin didn’t even watch them go. His attention was on Sami’s phone, his face shifting from annoyance to something more serious.
Sami clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on.”
Kevin nodded, already falling in step beside him. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
♡♡
Cody walked down the hallway, adjusting the tape on his wrists, when Akira Tozawa popped up beside him, an eager grin on his face.
“I be your tag team partner tonight?” Tozawa asked, looking up at Cody expectantly.
Cody blinked, caught off guard by the request. He smiled, appreciative but unsure. “Uh… I appreciate it, man, but I think I’ve already got something lined up.”
Tozawa nodded, undeterred, and scampered off, leaving Cody shaking his head in amusement.
Before he could dwell on it, Kevin and Sami walked up, looking ready for whatever lay ahead. Sami held up his phone, waving it slightly. “Got your text.”
Kevin crossed his arms, grinning. “Yeah, and we’d be happy to help out. Always down to punch some people in the face.”
Cody chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
Sami raised an eyebrow. “Wait, hold on. We weren’t your only option, were we?”
Cody hesitated just long enough for Kevin to narrow his eyes.
“Wait, who else ?” Kevin started, but Cody held up a hand.
“Tozawa,” Cody admitted. “He asked to be my partner.”
Kevin’s face twisted in immediate outrage. “Tozawa?! Tozawa?! You were considering Tozawa?!”
“I didn’t say I was considering it,” Cody corrected quickly. “I said he offered.”
“You better have declined that,” Kevin huffed, throwing his hands in the air. “You had us on standby, and you were this close to picking Tozawa?!”
“I did decline,” Cody said, shaking his head in exasperation. “That’s why I texted you two.”
Kevin’s stance shifted, the irritation melting off his face in an instant. “Oh. Okay. Good.”
Sami shot Cody a knowing look before rolling his eyes. “You see what I deal with?”
Cody laughed. “Every day, huh?”
Sami sighed, slapping a hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “Every single day.”
♡♡
Cody stood in the ring, rolling his shoulders as he locked eyes with Damien Priest. Damien looked at him with that usual smug expression before smirking and stepping back, slapping Dom on the chest to tag him in. The crowd erupted in boos the second Dom stepped through the ropes, but Cody barely paid them any mind his attention stayed locked on the younger man in front of him. Dom hesitated, glancing at Damien, then back at Cody before, without warning, he turned and quickly tagged in Finn.
Cody let out a breath, shaking his head as Finn stepped up. They locked up, and Finn immediately twisted Cody’s injured arm, wrenching at the cast. Cody winced but didn’t back down, instead rolling through the hold and flipping Finn over his shoulder onto the mat. Finn scrambled to his feet, only to be taken down again with a fireman’s carry slam. Cody didn’t give him time to recover, but before he could grab him again, Finn lunged forward, slamming Cody back into the corner.
Dom took the opportunity to blind tag in, smacking Finn on the back as he slipped into the ring. With a cocky smirk, Dom took a cheap chop at Cody’s back before immediately running out of reach. Cody turned, jaw clenched, as Dom ducked out of the ring and ran straight behind Rhea. The crowd jeered louder, a “Dom’s a pussy” chant echoing through the arena.
Dom finally climbed back into the ring, but before he could even try anything, he immediately tagged in Damien. The Judgment Day laughed amongst themselves, but Sami leaned over the ropes, holding his hand out for Cody.
Cody smirked and nodded, tagging Sami in.
The energy in the arena shifted instantly. The moment Sami stepped between the ropes, the crowd came alive. Damien barely had time to react before Sami launched himself forward, taking the bigger man down with a diving elbow. He covered for a quick pin, but Damien kicked out at two.
Sami barely had time to breathe before Dom tagged himself back in. Sami straightened up as Dom came at him, grabbing him around the waist, but Sami twisted and reversed it into a quick suplex. Dom gasped, rolling to the corner as Sami backed up, preparing for another attack.
Rhea saw it coming. She hopped onto the apron just as Sami went for the ropes, knocking him off balance. Sami crashed hard onto the mat, groaning in pain as the crowd booed.
From the outside, Kevin slammed his hands on the apron. “Are you serious?! Get her out of here!”
Rhea just smirked.
Inside the ring, Dom scrambled to capitalize, stomping on Sami’s chest before tagging Finn back in. Finn wasted no time, climbing the ropes and driving a foot into Sami’s ribs. Sami gasped, rolling away, but Finn grabbed him and threw him back into the Judgment Day’s corner. The ref barely had time to intervene before Damien tagged in again, slamming a boot into Sami’s midsection.
The crowd chanted for Sami, trying to will him back into it. He heard them. He felt them. And when Damien went for another strike, Sami ducked and leaped forward, making the hot tag to Kevin.
Kevin was ready.
He stormed into the ring like a wrecking ball, knocking Dom off the apron and sending Finn crashing into the turnbuckle. Damien barely had time to react before Kevin laid into him with punches, knocking him back into the ropes. Kevin lifted him for a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Finn managed to tag in midair. Finn jumped in, landing a cheap shot to Kevin’s back before hitting a falling elbow. He covered, but Kevin kicked out before two.
The brawl continued to escalate. Kevin battled Finn, sending him sprawling outside the ring before turning back to Damien. He superkicked him hard, watching as Damien stumbled.
Then, out of nowhere, Dom tried to interfere again.
Sami wasn’t having it. The second Dom tried to pull something, Sami was there, clotheslining him right out of the air.
Finn tried to capitalize, aiming for Kevin with a Sling Blade, but Kevin dodged, sending Finn into the ropes instead. The second Finn bounced back, Kevin hit him with a huge superkick, dropping him instantly.
Cody was back on the apron, itching for a tag.
Kevin grinned and tagged him in.
The crowd erupted as Cody entered the ring, locking eyes with Damien. He ducked under a clothesline, hitting a quick drop-down uppercut. He followed it up with a snap powerslam, getting the crowd on their feet.
But then Rhea got involved again.
She yelled something from the apron, causing Cody to hesitate for just a second. It was long enough for Damien to hit South of Heaven.
Cody was down. The Judgment Day looked primed to finish things, but Sami wasn’t having it. He jumped in, taking Dom out with a Helluva Kick. Kevin followed suit, hitting Finn with a Stunner.
Cody, finding his second wind, leapt to his feet and caught Damien with a Cody Cutter. He covered.
One…
Two…
Dom tried to intervene, but Sami tackled him before he could get there.
Three!
The bell rang, and the arena exploded.
Kevin rolled into the ring, throwing an arm around Sami, as Cody pushed himself up, a grin on his face. They had done it. They had taken down Judgment Day.
And from the outside, Rhea seethed, pulling Dom away from the chaos.
♡♡