A/N: Hey AJPunk fans or any wrestling fans for that matter. This is going to be a multi-chapter story which I have really been looking forward to writing. I hope you all enjoy it! I will be posting updates quite often as I have a lot of free time right now but bear with me!
DISCLAIMER: This is purely a work of fiction as a result of my overactive imagination.
Nothing We Can't Overcome
Chapter One - I just don't know anymore
It was the night of the 2014 Royal Rumble and everyone backstage was abuzz as the road to Wrestlemania had officially begun. AJ was sitting backstage in catering watching the events unfold on the large screens backstage. She was amongst most of the other Divas but mainly focused on her phone and the matches taking place. AJ was really disappointed that she wasn't having a match tonight because in their words "there was simply no room on the card." She did let out a good laugh as she watched the championship match that was overtaken by "We want Divas" chants.
She pushed those thoughts to the side as she watched her boyfriend make his entrance to the ring. Damn she thought, he always looks so hot in his ring gear. And then the sweat is just dripping off his body and making his tattoos glisten. Even with his tired and worn out body he continued to show up day in and day out since his break last year and if she felt anyone deserved that top spot this year it was him. The last accolade he wanted in his career was to win the Royal Rumble and go on to Main Event Wrestlemania.
However no one knew who was going to win the match, even as it started. Many assumed it was going to be Batista due to his recent return but no one was sure. Word going around was that Reigns was in with a shot as well.
The match rolled on as AJ kept a close eye on all the bumps Punk was taking. She loved watching him wrestle as he continued to teach her still to this day. After every match she had, he would provide his thoughts which would only help her improve. Of course AJ was the perfect student and listened closely to every thing he would say.
As she saw Kane run out to the ring she knew how his involvement in the match was about to end. She watched as he was choke slammed through the announce table. The camera panned away so she grabbed her phone and headed back down to his locker room where she was sure she would find him after he made his way back.
AJ saw Punk making his way down the corridor and her expression changed and was now filled with worry. He was clutching his back and was refusing to talk to any of the trainers and other officials who wanted to check up on him. She walked over to him and cupped his face, comforting him. He gave her a small smile in return but that was all he had the energy for.
"I'll meet you on the bus." She pecked his lips and headed straight back to the divas locker room to grab her bag.
Punk ignored everyone as he walked the short distance back to his locker room. He chucked a pair of shorts on and his hoodie, not bothering to remove his ring gear. He figured he would shower on the bus as usual before collapsing on the bed from total and utter exhaustion.
AJ was first the luxurious travel bus on and began to set up his heating pad for his back. He wearily slumped up the steps, dropped his shoulder bag on the floor, something he rarely did as he was pedantic about the cleanliness of the bus.
He proceeded to wearily walk into the back room where he found AJ just hanging up from a phone call.
"We are staying at the hotel tonight. You need a good night's rest. I can see it in your face."
He was about to object before wearily nodding his head before sitting next to her. He fell back against the mattress as AJ got up and left the room.
She returned a short while later after retrieving a bottle of water and found Punk lying flat on his back with his eyes shut. She was well aware though that he was not asleep. She sat by his side eating her snack when she felt the begin to slow down. The bus came to a halt shortly after and AJ slightly nudged his shoulder alerting him that they had arrived at the hotel. He didn't say a word. He just grabbed both their bags and hopped straight off the parked bus.
By the time entire they had checked in and made it into the hotel room it was 11:50pm. Again Punk didn't say much. He got changed out of his ring gear and jumped into the shower quickly. He emerged a few minutes later in his boxers before climbing under the covers. AJ followed suit and laid on the other side of the bed, wanting to give him his space. She rolled onto her side and curled into a ball. Seconds later she felt the bed shift and Punk moved over to wrap his arms around her waist.
"I love you" he whispered as he placed a kiss into her long brown hair. She simply leaned back in response as both fell into a deep slumber. A rare occurrence for the two of them.
AJ first fluttered her eyes open when the sun was just starting to peak through the curtains. She found Punk's arms to still be tightly wrapped around her abdomen. She noticed how his grip slightly tightened more and more each night. She could see how much physical pain he was in, yet he continued to avoid all pain medication against doctors orders. She slightly turned her neck in order to see his face. His eyes were even more sunken than usual. As she continued to stare at him for a few more moments she recalled the first time she discovered the true extent of the pain he dealt with everyday.
AJ was already decked out in her shorts and dress shirt for the evening for her role as general manager. She had in hand the script for tonight's show which once again saw Punk and herself in the opening segment. She headed down to corridor to his private locker room and saw the door was ajar so she knocked first before calling out.
"Leave me the fuck alone!" he shouted out which garnered the attention of a few people in the halls.
"Phil? It's April." Her voice was quiet and she knew better than to get in his way when he was in this mood, but they needed to speak about their segment before they went out in an hour. A few seconds later the door opened and Punk was rubbing his head sheepishly.
"Sorry." He stepped to the side to let her into his locker room. "I'm not in the mood today.'
She watched as he closed the door and hobbled back over to the couch where is script for the evening laid. With each step his face scrunched up in pain. He tried to cover it the best he could but April just knew him better then she probably even realized.
"What's wrong?" asked a concerned AJ.
Punk shaked off the comment. "Nothing."
"Don't nothing me. I can clearly see something is wrong. You can barley even walk straight." AJ was seriously concerned for her friend. Even just sitting there on the couch he was inhaling sharp breaths as the pain over took him.
"It's nothing I haven't dealt with before. No need to worry." A forced smile was plastered on his face.
"But I do worry about you Punk. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Can you help me tape my knee?" he asked hopefully pulling the roll of tape out of his bag and waving it in front of her.
AJ stared at him for second. "Why can't you see the doc?"
"They can't know" he quickly replied. "Just not yet anyway."
"Okay." Her answer was hesitant was but wasn't going to say no. He outstretched his leg on the couch as AJ knelled on the floor beside Punk as she tried her best to help the injured knee.
"It hasn't been right for a few weeks" he finally spoke as he put the final pieces to tape in place.
"Then why haven't you said a word. Perhaps get proper help."
"I feel like I have to continue to go out there for the fans. I'm their champion and I want to entertain them each and every night. Even if it means my body continues to fall apart" rambled off Punk.
"Living up to your title of best in the world for sure" warmly responded April.
"Exactly" Punk replied proudly.
"But seriously Phil, make sure to take care of yourself." April's face was filled with a concerned expression as she rested her hand softly on his injured knees.
"Just remember April, I'm like a superhero. I'm fairly sure I'm indestructible." They both shared a laugh as she began to discuss work for the evening.
By the time Punk began to stir it was 10am and the next show was only 2 hours away meaning they still had a few more hours before they needed to head off in order to reach the call time.
"Wow, what time is it?" He groggily came to realising the tight grip he still possessed around his girlfriend's waist. The sun was shining through the thin curtains alerting to them both that the day had already begun.
"Just after 10" responded AJ as she clicked on her phone that laid on the small table by the bed.
"How long have you been up for?"
"A few hours."
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"You looked so peacefully sleeping." It was cliche of course but he rarely slept due to his insomnia and he honestly looked at peace without any pain. "And you're like my own personal teddy bear that hugs back."
"Thanks I guess" he replied as he captured her lips with his own for a good morning kiss. He rolled just off to the side of her and tossed the covers down revealing his bare tattooed chest.
He went to toss his legs to the side to get out of the bed but collapsed back on the mattress in pain. He winced as his head laid in defeat on his pillow.
She leaned over to him and place her head and left hand on his chest, comforting him.
"I just dont know anymore." His voice was soft and laced with defeat. He was physically worn out and it was certainly starting to affect him mentally.
After a few minutes AJ hopped out of the bed and helped Punk with his back.
"Promise me that you'll see someone today about your back." He tried to shake off the pain but it was too much. "I really hate seeing you like this."
"Anything for you." He once again captured her lips as she melted into the kiss.
"Let's just head off to the arena and see what's in store for tonight. I'll promise to try see the trainers as soon as we get there." She nodded her head in response as they prepared to face the day together like always.
Please let me know what you think! I should get another chapter up within the next day :)
Also follow me on twitter at "KickCaskett" or "CRUMPETQUEENS"
