Title: The Balance

Pairing: Mike "The Miz" Mizanin & Alex Riley
Rating: T
Summary: Mike discovers his happiness comes at a price. AU.

Chapters: 6 (all chapters have been posted as of 5/23/2014)

Started: 4/28/14
Finished: 5/15/14

A/N: So….this is different.
I had the idea for this story back in January but I didn't think I could do it and then I did. Hope you like it.

Chapter 1

Tragedy struck like a lightning bolt. It was sudden, destructive and precise, like it was set on a particular course. Fortunately for Mike, it happened so early in his life, when he was no more than a week old, that he's shown no signs of distress or psychological damage because of it. He's happy and innocent like a little boy should be. And in that regard, he's been spared.

It was his mom who had passed away suddenly and because of the heartbreak it caused for his dad, Mike was left alone. It took two whole days before his grandmother found him in his crib. He was so peaceful she feared the worst. But when she focused, she could see his tiny chest rise and fall as he breathed. She was positively amazed – abandoned for two days and not a single fuss.

In the four years since that day, her amazement has never been given a reason to falter. Not just because he's her grandson and she loves him, but because there's never been a single issue. Teething was a delight. The so-called terrible two's were anything but, and even now when dropping Mike off for his very first day of preschool, he's nothing short of excited and eager for the new experience.

The hours seem to fly by and before he knows it, it's already recess. While playing outside, Mike notices one of his classmates crying and though he's seen it before, he's suddenly at the age when he wonders why such a thing never happens to him. And come to think of it, he's not even sure he understands what it means or what the word for it is. But he's sure his grandmother will. She's smart like that.

"She had water on her face, Grandma. Coming out of her eyes."

"She was crying, Mikey."

"Why did she do that?"

"She must have been sad."

Mike looks at his grandmother with great curiosity and confusion. There's another word he doesn't know. "What is sad?"

"Sad is when you feel like you've been hurt."

"Like when I fall off my bike?"

"Not quite. It's more of a feeling deep inside," she answers, placing her hand on his small chest. "And sometimes when it really hurts, the only way to deal with the pain is to cry."

"She made herself do that?"

Such innocence. Mike's grandmother can't help but chuckle. "No, no honey. It's something that just happens."

Mike appears to be embarrassed, worried even.

"What is it, Mikey?"

"It never happens to me."

Mike's grandmother picks him up and spins him through the air, causing him to laugh and squeal with joy. "That's because you're a very happy boy! The happiest!" She sets him down and cups his rosy cheeks in the palms of her hands. "And you are so loved," she says with tears starting to form in her eyes. She blinks rapidly wanting to dissuade her emotions from surfacing. Wouldn't want to confuse her grandson. Wouldn't want to be asked a question she can't answer…not yet.

"I love you, too, Grandma."