It had been Dolph's idea, this whole taking over JBL and Cole show thing. That should've been Zack's first hint that something was wrong. Another was just how agreeable Dolph was to what Zack suggested. Killing the show, which was something that he'd never quite gotten over after Z!TLIS' far from spectacular ending. He had wanted his show to wrap at around the 50th episode, but had been persuaded to continue it, to bad results... and now here was the JBL and Cole show, approaching its own 100th episode.
So taking it over long enough to end it feels right, before it starts dragging the ground like his own. And he thinks Dolph is on his side until it's time, until he's seriously succeeded at doing it, knocking JBL out and everything... and then- just like that, bam, superkick to the face. He loses track of time after that, laying on the ground, Dolph's voice echoing back to him. When Dolph pulls him up and throws him through the green screen, he doesn't move, dazed. His face is throbbing now, his entire body tense from the fall, and he hasn't felt this angry in awhile. "Are you serious, bro?" he mumbles, struggling up to his feet a few minutes later to find himself alone. Dolph's gone, the camera crew's gone, everyone's gone.
Digging his palms into his eyes, he groans and tries to shake off the headache the superkick had brought him, staggering back towards the locker room. His eyes narrow as he comes upon one of the camera guys, looking over the footage and editing it here and there. "Let me see that," he snaps, grabbing at the device and ignoring the man's protests. He figures out how to play it- the device isn't that different from what he used to film Z!TLIS back in the day, after all- and watches, jaw tense, as he and Dolph celebrate ending JBL, everything that leads up to the superkick. He huffs, putting it down and looking up to find Dolph standing in the doorway, watching him. The only thing keeping Zack from going after him right away is that the screen is paused on his face, and he looks really glum about it all. Not much better than how he looks right now, staring at Zack.
"Well, that was fun," Zack says sarcastically, handing over the camera to the tech and watching him scramble away, scandalized and checking over his equipment.
Dolph sighs and walks in slowly, settling down next to Zack. "Look, I probably should've just told you beforehand but I thought doing it on the show might be a bit of a wake up call for you. I know you still feel weird about the end of Z!TLIS, but trying to end the JBL and Cole show... well, it won't change how things went with yours, you know? You have to let them do their own thing, and however it ends, that's for JBL and Cole, or Renee, or whoever, to deal with. This show, or any other future youtube show that may crop up, doesn't have to be your responsibility. Alright?"
Zack grunts, rubbing at his jaw, and Dolph looks even more guilty as he ducks down to try to look at him. "I know you're right," he mumbles, leaning into Dolph's touch as he lifts Zack's head up so he can see better. "It's just weird. I feel like I started all of this, kind of, all of the youtube shows and stuff, and now... my show's about to be overtaken as the longest running WWE Youtube show and..." He hisses as Dolph's finger ghosts over where his boot had imprinted not even half an hour ago. "You're right, it's not my place, and it was kinda childish to try to sabotage it for 'em..."
Dolph nods, leaning closer and lightly kissing where he'd kicked him. "It's ok, kid. No harm done. It was kind of fun to be working together anyway, huh?"
"Yeah, until you kicked me," Zack pouts, looking away. "Seriously, bro-" He falls quiet when Dolph takes his hand, squeezing lightly and staring into his eyes. "What're you doing?"
"Just repeating what I said back there. I'm sorry, and I love you, kid."
Zack grunts, then laughs quietly, squeezing back. "I love you too, bro."
