Dolph is feeling strangely accomplished. He had had a match against Kane, had beat him. Sure, just by the skin of his teeth, but considering it's the Big Red Machine, he feels pretty damn good about it. Thinks maybe it'll make up for his superkicking Zack on the JBL and Cole show the week prior, considering Zack still holds some understandably hard feelings towards Kane because of what he'd done to him at the most vital moment in his US title reign. He's on his way out of the arena so he can't talk, trying to keep his focus on the road, but at a red light, he sends a quick tweet to Zack that he'd finally gotten revenge on Kane for him.
Zack's reply is short, bland. Thanks, bro. Dolph frowns at the alert on his phone as he settles in at his hotel room, considering calling Zack but it's late, so he decides to hold off on discussing it with him until he actually gets home the next morning. Not to mention he's kind of sore himself. Kane isn't anyone to play with, even if you are relatively healthy, and not in a back brace... or wheelchair. Dolph grimaces, remembering that night all over again. He and Zack were on the outs at the time so he couldn't even go to him... forced to hear reports through the grapevine for the next few weeks until Zack had returned. All in all, Zack had been lucky... but he still has back problems to this day. Thus, the urge to get some modicum of revenge, even at this late date.
Dolph falls asleep with a frown on his face and wakes up in about the same fashion, his muscles tight and sore as he rolls out of bed and starts to pack the last few things scattered around. It's not that big of a surprise when he lands back in New York and Zack is at the airport, waiting for him. He smiles upon catching sight of him and sighs when Zack starts kneading his shoulders on the way to the car, Dolph's bag digging into Zack's arm with each step. "You should've at least showered, bro."
"You saying I stink?" Dolph wonders, throwing a smirk over his shoulder as Zack rolls his eyes at him.
"No, I'm saying it'd have kept your muscles from getting like this. Geez, how long have you been in this business, bro?"
"Not long enough, apparently, kid," he says, leaning back into Zack as he unlocks the car and pushes Dolph towards the passenger's side. Settling into the seat, he sighs and turns to watch Zack cross to the driver's side. "So, that tweet you sent me last night. It wasn't what I was expecting," he admits once they're on the highway heading towards Long Island.
"What were you expecting?" Zack asks, distracted while making a quick lane change.
"I don't know, a more gushy kind of appreciation, or something." Dolph makes a face when Zack barely glances over at him. "It's not every day someone gets revenge for you, is it?"
"No," he drawls out slowly, knuckles turning white as he grips the steering wheel. Dolph notices, his brows furrowing in worry, but he barely gets to open his mouth to ask when Zack is turning sharply into a gas station on the left and killing the engine, turning to glare at Dolph. "I didn't ask you to do that! What if he'd gotten the upperhand, and did to you what he did to me? Or worse? Dammit, bro... that's why I was fine with you not trying to get revenge for me, because I'd never want you hurt like I was. You've been through enough."
"So have you," Dolph says simply. "Look, kid, I know you don't want me to get hurt, but I wasn't in the picture when all of that was going on, and by the time I was, it felt like old news and we were both wrapped up in different things... this was the first opportunity I had to really do something to try to make it right. So yeah, I saw my chance and I took it, and it worked out. I promise you, I'm fine, I'm going to continue to be fine. Just try to relax, ok?" Zack is seriously worked up, now that the car's stopped and they're just staring at each other, Dolph can see it- he's all but shaking in the next seat, and Dolph sighs, reaching over and squeezing his hand. "Kid..."
"Fine," he mumbles, eyes squeezed shut as he breathes in and out. "I'll try. But you gotta try too, ok? To take care of yourself, and not put yourself in situations like that- not for me."
"Fine," Dolph sighs. "I guess. I'll stay out of your feuds... but if someone tries to use you to get to me, I'm not making any promises." They stare at each other for a few more minutes before Dolph tugs on his fingers. "Now, are we going to sit in this weird gas station parking lot all day, staring at each other, or are we going to go home? Now that you mention it, a shower would feel nice. And maybe a massage. And some food."
Zack rolls his eyes, a soft laugh slipping past his lips. "Fine. Don't ask for much, do you?" Starting the car back up, he edges it into traffic once more.
"Nope," Dolph says quietly, face tilted against the headrest so he can watch Zack the rest of the way home.
