Years Later

Quick update for a fic I haven't worked on for a bit. Not sure why this specific fic but it just happened.

The song featured in this chapter is "Beautiful Mistakes" by Maroon 5 and Megan Thee Stallion.

I do not own anything related to WWE (kinda glad about that) but just this fic. Please R&R. Thanks!

Chapter 2: Interactions

Damn.

There she was strolling down the hall, Mickie James. Along the way, she was greeting all the crew and talent, some she knew and others newer to the scene. Even though it's been years, Mickie regarded everyone in the locker room new and old, with the same warmth and maturity as always and the feelings were mutual with everyone interacting with her. Mickie is one of the most professional individual's John's ever met. Her drive, passion and creativity for the business always fueling her in and out of the ring.

Mickie still practically looked the same, the only real difference was that her hair color was more a honey blonde than the brunette shade John was accustomed to for so long. Honestly, John thought any shade would look great for her but this honey blonde just spoke volumes…. Mickie has an aura about her. Always has. Her aura so strong that John couldn't help but selfishly steal glances at her. Although it probably looked more like blatant stares to anyone else.

As Mickie continued towards the Gorilla pit, she was open with everyone. Well except with John. It was different with him. At different points in the evening, John tried to gage a conversation with Mickie, which was only met with stoic responses. Basic cordial phrases that shut down any progress of them being friends again. John knew it shouldn't bother him, since he was clearly the reason for all of this, but it sure as hell did. Dammit, Mickie was even trying with Nikki. Minutes ago, John spotted Mickie (as awkward as he observed it to be) trying to make small talk with his current girlfriend… yet not with him. In that moment, John came to the shocking realization on how much Nikki and Mickie differed. The mere fact that Mickie took the high rode in that moment made him stop in his tracks. As much as John hated to admit it, Nikki would not have the same reaction if the roles were reversed. He's well-versed in Nikki's personality to know she for sure still would've held a grudge and would play her interaction with Mickie entirely different.

Anyways, despite Mickie's attempts at avoidance of John, John figured her behavior must mean something. If Mickie just didn't care then she'd be indifferent to John… not whatever this is. Which could only mean… there's still something? Maybe sadness, anger… both? Definitely some sort of emotion. But John knows better than to examine it further, he has no right to.

Despite all the bullshit that happened (the truth that only the two of them know… and all the rumors surrounding their situation), John at least thought they'd be friends, the way it once was (as far-fetched as that thought was), or civil at the very least. Wishful thinking on John's part, he guesses.

As bad as it sounded, and as weak and pathetic as it felt, John couldn't help but compare his former and current relationship. Damn his guilt. Here John was, physically standing next to Nikki, his girlfriend of over 3 years, the same girlfriend that John would continuously defend wasn't a diva or a fake, while his mind and eyes would unconsciously dart and drift down the hallway towards his former flame. What the actual fuck was wrong with him? Was this ache normal? Maybe more importantly, would the ache John still feels for Mickie ever disappear or even just slowly wane? As of now, it only seems to be growing stronger and deeper. That much, John sadly acknowledges.

Oh shit.

Everything's going in slow motion right now for John. John barely registers Triple H walking towards Nikki and him backstage, while gathering Mickie to the corner as well. John vaguely hears Hunter mention a match between Nikki and Mickie… fuck… Not just a one-off match but a full-fledged storyline with each other and John's somehow involved too? Starting on tonight's Smackdown where the WWE Universe addresses Mickie James' return? What… the…fuck? Apparently it was all Vince's idea and that it would make for 'good shit' on TV? Despite being the top babyface for WWE for years, despite all of John's championship reigns, despite his merch being the top seller, despite John's face being plastered all over the goddammn company plane and buses, John's somehow the center of the worst storyline possible.

Where do Mickie, John, and Nikki all go from here?

[Adam Levine:]

It's beautiful, it's bittersweet

You're like a broken home to me

I take a shot of memories

And black out like an empty street

I fill my days with the way you walk

And fill my nights with broken dreams

I make up lies inside my head

Like one day you'll come back to me

Now I'm not holding on, not holding on

I'm just depressed that you're gone

Not holding on, not holding on

Beautiful mistakes, I make inside my head

She's naked in my bed

And now we lie awake, makin' beautiful mistakes

I wouldn't take 'em back

I'm in love with the past

And now we lie awake, makin' beautiful mistakes

Nah-nah-nah, in my head

Nah-nah-nah, in my bed

Nah-nah-nah, eh

Makin' beautiful mistakes

It's pitiful, I can't believe

How every day gets worse for me

I take a break, I cut you off

To keep myself from lookin' soft

I fill my nights with the way you was

And still wake up with broken dreams

I make these lies inside my head

Feel like they're my reality

Now I'm not holding on, not holding on

I'm just depressed that you're gone

Not holding on, not holding on

Beautiful mistakes, I make inside my head

She's naked in my bed

And now we lie awake, makin' beautiful mistakes

I wouldn't take 'em back

I'm in love with the past

And now we lie awake, makin' beautiful mistakes

[Megan Thee Stallion:]

You did me wrong 'cause I let you

Usually, I like my situations beneficial

Doin' something different, got me lookin' stupid (Damn)

The only way I'm comin' back to you is if you dream it, lucid (Hmm)

Prove it, if you made a promise then keep it (Keep it)

Why you wanna lie and then get mad? I don't believe it (Boy, bye)

But really, I was doin' just fine without ya

Lookin' fine, sippin' wine, dancin' on club couches (Ah)

Baby, why you wanna lose me like you don't need me? (Like you don't need me)

Like I don't block you and you still try to reach me (Still try to reach me)

How you figure out how to call me from the TV? (Huh?)

You runnin' outta chances and this time I mean it (Ah)

Yeah, bet you miss my love, all in your bed (Bed)

Now you're stressin' out, pulling your hair (Hair)

Smelling your pillows and wishin' I was there (I was there)

Slidin' down the shower wall, lookin' sad (Sad)

I know it's hard to let go, I'm the best (I'm the best)

Best you ever had and best you gon' get (Gon' get)

And if we break up, I don't wanna be friends (Be friends)

You're toxic

[Adam Levine:]

Beautiful mistakes, I make inside my head

She's naked in my bed

And now we lie awake, makin' beautiful mistakes

I wouldn't take 'em back

I'm in love with the past

And now we lie awake, makin' beautiful mistakes

Nah-nah-nah, in my head

Nah-nah-nah, in my bed

Nah-nah-nah, yeah, yeah

Makin' beautiful mistakes

Nah-nah-nah, in my head

Nah-nah-nah, in my bed

Nah-nah-nah, eh

Makin' beautiful mistakes

Nah-nah-nah

Nah-nah-nah (Ooh)

Nah-nah-nah