August 14, 2014

Olivia and Rami were watching Bayley and Sasha go at it to become the number one contender for the NXT women's championship from the comfort of their sofa. They, of course, knew the result, as the episode had been taped weeks prior. Like always, they were watching the episode while chilling out at home, after a few busy weeks in a row. Olivia had been doing her best to keep her head down; following the Tye drama, she kept her mouth shut and her emotions in check, the way Shawn had warned her. Bill's words had rung in her mind – Vince doesn't need another reason to doubt me. She had been working hard in the gym, working hard in the ring with the girls and not getting in anyone's way. Rami had been trying to get her back in the ring for one of his house show matches, but she'd asked him to put it on hold while everyone forgot about her involvement in Tye's concussion and subsequent calling off of the match. He had been reluctant, but understood her reasoning. Like always, so supportive, she thought, looking over at him.

Rami was resting his chin on his hand, leaning on the arm of the sofa. Sasha had Bayley in a crossface - a pretty good one, actually – and he felt a twinge of jealousy. These girls are pushing boundaries and making history. They're being promised something. Their pathway seems clear. He sighed. If only we could all say that. He looked at the TV, but he wasn't really watching. His mind went round and round his current storyline, with pre-taped episodes such as this one already in the books. He was winning, regularly, but the storyline they were building towards was him being unable to get the job done, to win when it counted. It resulted in him watching what felt like everyone around him win number one contender matches, or defend the title, while he wasn't going anywhere. He had been in the business long enough to know it can't be your time all the time. Well, unless you're Cena. He knew how the game worked, that WWE worked on storylines and long term plans. But he'd now been in NXT for a year and a half with nothing to show for it. He was over as hell with the crowd, but no title, no sign of getting close to it, and, worse still, no indication of when he would get a call up to the main roster.

"Earth to Rami," he heard Olivia's sarcastic voice sing, piercing his thoughts. He shook his head back into the here and now, turning towards her. She was sitting a slight distance away from him, leaning up against the cushions at the other end of the sofa, her legs tucked up under her. "Huh?" he asked, completely unaware she'd been talking to him. Olivia smirked. "I was saying you've been pretty quiet tonight," she chuckled. "What's going on up there?" She shifted her position, indicating she was ready to give him her full attention. I don't want to talk about it, Rami thought. He knew Olivia was aware of his eagerness to progress, but he didn't want anyone to know just how much it was beating him up. He didn't want to seem ungrateful. "Just thinking about the tour," he lied, referencing the upcoming few weeks he was going to spend in the Middle East and Europe with the main roster. See, I'm going on another international tour with the main roster, wrestling for the NXT title. I shouldn't be angry. He tried to remain rational. But I'm not going to win it…. "It'll be another long stint away from you," he said, raising his arm, inviting her to snuggle up against him, hoping it would be enough to distract her line of questioning.

Olivia wriggled under his arm, settling in against him. I can at least do something right, he thought to himself, turning his head back to the television. After a moment, Olivia spoke up. "You're not that smooth, you know, RamBam," she said, prodding him gently in the leg. "That was cute, but I know there's no way that's what's on your mind." Damn you, woman. He sighed, and didn't answer her. I don't want to be negative. That's not who I'm supposed to be. Olivia wasn't having any of his silence. "You can either choose to tell me what's bothering you, or I can start making assumptions, and you know what assumptions do…" She laughed, and ordinarily that would be enough to shake his bad mood. But he'd been thinking about this for too long, and it cut too close to home. Where do I start? he asked himself. Olivia pushed slightly away from him, looking at him intensely. "It's not… it's not something I've done, is it?" she asked cautiously. Now she thinks she's done something wrong. Man up. Be honest with her.

"It's not you, Livvy," he sighed. "In fact, you're the only thing that's going right at the moment." Olivia frowned. "What makes you say that?" she replied. "Just a month ago you told everyone at your birthday that life had never been better." That's true, and I know it's still true. But I just want more. "It's…. it's pretty unreasonable, actually. Sounds stupid to say it out loud," he rebuffed, hoping she would accept that. Olivia's thumb was tracing gently across his forearm, an attempt to comfort him. "Babe, if it's got you so worked up, it's probably not unreasonable." Rami again stayed quiet. He was being careful not to say anything, because he wasn't sure he could contain the frustration once it came out. His eyes flicked back to the screen, watching Neville and Breeze face off for the championship. He knew Sami Zayn was close to running out from the back, making a save. Playing a part in the storyline, but still not winning it. So close but so far.

Olivia's eyes must've followed his, as she seemed to piece it all together. "Your time will come, honey," she said softly. "Only one person can be champion at a time. I believe it was you who told me that." Rami shook his head. "It's just not good enough," he spat out, running a hand through his hair. "The lack of direction, the lack of communication. Every time Hunter comes I ask him what the scope is for me, and he just tells me that he values me and I'm a big part of their plans, but I swear that's what they told me when I signed. And since then? What? Nothing!" He saw Sami Zayn come running down the ramp, and reached for the remote to turn the television off. "I'm treading water, you know," he said, trying to calm himself, to remain rational. "I came here because it was the stepping stone to the big league. I had it good on the indies. And I don't understand why it's taking so long. I'm not a f—king rookie," he said. Here it comes, you're on a roll now, boy. He pushed himself up off the sofa, Olivia moving aside to allow him. She pulled her knees to her chest, watching him pace along the length of the room. "I have years of experience behind me, I can literally out-wrestle everyone in that place." He threw his arms around to accentuate his point. "I am fine with playing a part in storylines to boost other people, but there's no indication whatsoever of when it's going to be my time." It's bullshit, if you ask me. But I'm not allowed to say that. Always got to be the smiley, happy guy. The positive one. Like it doesn't bother me that I haven't had a chance yet.

Olivia looked at him sympathetically. "It sucks, I get it," she replied and he immediately scoffed internally. No, you don't, you don't know what it's like. She didn't notice his response, and continued. "You've worked your ass off, built a name for yourself, and came here expecting the ball to keep rolling. The carrot was dangled, and you can see it, but you just can't reach it." He slumped backwards against the table, taking in her words, and realised she knew exactly what it was like. The same thing is happening to her, remember. But to her credit, she wasn't making this about herself. At least I don't think she is. "And it's not unreasonable to be upset and frustrated by that," she said, getting to her feet, slowly making her way towards him. "You work your ass off, Rami, you do everything they ask of you. And more." She stood before him, while he looked down, aware he was sulking like a child. "Not to give you a lecture, but you are in a storyline close to the title, you're on TV each week, and you're not getting ignored. There's plenty of guys who would trade with you, including a 2012 El Generico."

I know she's right. It's just not easy when you can't see the path ahead. He glanced up at her, her eyes wide, expression soft. He knew she got it. And when he was being rational, knew she had it worse. "Come here," she said, pulling her into him. He let his head drop on to her shoulder, and wrapped his hands softly around her waist. He frowned, quelling the burning sensation building his eyes. "I'm better than this, Liv. Why won't they let me go up?" The question was rhetorical, and Olivia must've known it. She didn't reply, verbally, but she tightened her grip on him and ran her fingers softly on his neck. "All I know is when you do, they'll regret not doing it sooner." She kissed his temple, and he knew she didn't care. She loves me, even if I'm not a champion. She's happy enough with that, so why aren't I?

"There's meant to be an Attenborough documentary on tonight," he heard her say. She leaned back to look in his eyes. "Let's learn some random shit about meerkats or octopuses or something." Rami felt a smile creep on to his face. "I'll make a hot chocolate," she added, squeezing his hand as she pulled away from him, moving towards the kitchen. Rami felt some of his ice melt away. He didn't think anything was going to completely put his mind to rest tonight, but Olivia's suggestion, and bribe of hot chocolate, was the best offer he could think of.