DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. The characters belong to WWE and Vince McMahon. This is a work of fiction and I claim no knowledge of the actual events that went on in real life. The title was borrowed from Christian Kane's song "Sever".
Hunter was watching Shawn's speech on the small monitor in the dressing room. He meant to get changed into his street clothes in the meantime, but the second Shawn stepped into the ring with that beaten down look on his face, he simply couldn't turn his eyes away. His heart was aching for his best friend. Hunter had just lost the Intercontinental Championship to Rocky in order to open the door for new opportunities that were lying ahead of him in the upcoming months. He was scheduled to become the next King of the Ring in a few weeks' time. Whereas Shawn… He couldn't even let himself finish that train of thought. The WWF without the Heartbreak Kid. And even more so, Shawn not being able to do anymore what he loved. Life never gave you any guarantees; he knew that as well as anyone in this line of work… but this was just wrong. Shawn had just regained the title from Sid less than four weeks ago and he was supposed to face him for a rematch later today – not stand there in front of a live audience and surrender his belt.
As he listened to Shawn talk about how he lost his smile this past year, Hunter's own emotions welled up. He had tried to be Shawn's rock when Kevin, Scott and Kid left for WCW and Shawn's temper got the better of him even more regularly than before. When the pressure of being the champ and face of the company was weighing heavily on his shoulders. And when the very same people who used to praise him as the Second Coming turned on him and ripped him apart. Yet for the most part he could only watch helplessly as it ate Shawn alive. Yes, he had noticed and hated how his real smile became a rarity – replaced by a cocky show for the cameras and the world outside. Sitting in many a lonesome hotel room with a man whose eyes were tired and weary, Hunter knew better. Over the past two years they had become too close for Shawn to still be able to fool him. He had stopped counting the times Shawn yelled, broke furniture, popped pills or drank himself into oblivion to stop the pain and anger at least for a little while. Hunter had stuck with him when nobody else did, no matter how obnoxious Shawn got; not even when he tried to push him away. In his not so fine moments Shawn really could be a bastard and lash out at those who cared about him the most. However, sometimes the façade cracked after all, and, too tired to keep up his front, the bottled-up emotions showed and he let Hunter comfort him. Those nights he wished the most he could fight his friend's demons for him.
His attention still on the screen, he did not fail to notice the single tear that was rolling down Shawn's cheek. That and the raw emotion in Shawn's voice, how he was obviously trying hard to keep some semblance of composure, almost physically pained him. Screw kayfabe, he wanted to be out there with him and offer the support his friend desperately needed right now. It was probably a good thing Shawn was just leaving the ring and making his way to the back as Hunter was already on his feet, all but running to meet him. He wouldn't let Shawn do this alone a second longer than he had to.
When Shawn stepped through the curtain, Hunter was right there and all he could do was pull him into an enveloping hug. He was almost surprised at the intensity in which Shawn returned it and just held him as long as he let him. Eventually Shawn pulled away and Hunter could see a fresh wave of tears shimmer in those blue eyes. His whole being radiated that at least for now all fight had left him after the turmoil of the past few days with the doctor's diagnosis that his knee was shot beyond repair and tonight's emotional forfeit. Gently he put both of his hands on Shawn's face, forcing him to look straight at him. Shawn may not be able to believe in a positive turnaround currently but he would be damned if he let him give up that easily.
He hoped some of that conviction showed when he softly spoke, "You'll be back, Shawn. And if you can't fully believe it right now, I sure as hell will for you."
Shawn held his gaze for a moment, neither agreeing nor denying his words. So Hunter wrapped his arms around him again, before slowly leading him towards the dressing room and away from the prying eyes at gorilla.
No battles would be fought anymore tonight. But tomorrow would be another day and he would be right by his best friend's side to win this one.