Number 9. Zack exhales, holding the ball with his number in his fist and pressing it to his lips, hoping for good luck. Ring rust might be a problem, but any sort of action in the ring will be alright right now. Even if he lasts only a few minutes, it'll be great to hear his theme music after the last few months of fear and uncertainty, scraping his way back up from the dirt in rehab, and at the performance center.
He lasts about as long as he expected, thrown out within 30 seconds by Bray Wyatt, but still. It's his first night, it's a start. He's ok with it, considering he'd worried about being out for months if his stem cell treatment had failed him. But it had worked, he's here now, and it's load off of his mind to have this night, this return behind him. He'd survived, his arm had held up, and he's sure he's going to be fine now. Dolph is waiting for him with a warm look in his eyes, offering him a kiss. "So you're still waiting, huh?" Zack mumbles against his lips, trying to be heard over the latest entrance. "You're really not going to tell me what number you are?"
He pouts as Dolph laughs, slipping his engagement ring back on his finger. "Nope. You'll just have to wait to find out when everyone else does. How'd it feel to be back in the ring?"
"I didn't really have time to fully take it in, but it felt good," he says. "My arm's doing good, so I think, you know, I'm gonna be alright."
Dolph nods, leans in and presses a lingering kiss to the barely visible scar as Zack runs his fingers through his hair. They remain there as the match progresses, listening to one theme after another, and the crowd's reaction to each entrant, each elimination. Dolph's smirk is obvious against Zack's arm as Reigns' music hits but neither of them says anything about it, too lost in their own thoughts.
Finally, the hallway has cleared, everyone either in the ring fighting, or in their locker rooms, licking their wounds, and Zack tries to count how many have entered already but loses track. "Bro, are you even-?"
Before he can finish, Dolph's music hits and he kisses Zack soundly before turning with a wink. "There's my cue." Zack's jaw drops as he realizes Dolph is #30, standing by the curtain and watching. He lasts longer than Zack did but ultimately gets eliminated by Kane and Big Show within two and a half minutes. He's not thrilled as he trudges back up the ramp, clearly, but when he sees the concern on Zack's face, he struggles to grin. "C'mon, kid. Let's go get showers, and then we'll celebrate your big return, yeah?"
Zack's lips twitch as he allows Dolph to drag him through the halls, their fingers interlacing once he catches up with him. "Pizza, bro?"
"Whatever you want, kid," Dolph murmurs, turning in the doorway and cupping the back of his head, angling his head just right to kiss him thoroughly. "I'm glad you're back, all of this felt pretty damn empty without you."
"I'm glad too," he mumbles, eyes fluttering as he grips Dolph's shoulders and exhales, skin tingling even more than it did while he was waiting to go to the ring. "I love you, bro."
"Love you too, kid," Dolph hums before pushing him into the shower room with a mischevious grin on his tanned face.
