"Oh come on!" Zack mumbles, pacing around backstage. Dolph had just had a really competitive match against Neville, both men had fought with everything they had, Dolph only just getting a victory over the highflyer, but then Sheamus had appeared. Ruined the feel good moment of Dolph's victory and laid him out, memories of last week flashing though Zack's mind as he forces himself to watch his fiance get laid out again.
He tugs at his hair, bites at his lip and finally turns as the curtains shift and Dolph is helped backstgae. "Bro!" He crowds the referees assisting him a bit, but barely notices, cupping Dolph's dangling hand. "Is he ok?"
"I'm fine," Dolph mumbles, forcing his eyes open. "Kid." He squeezes Zack's hand and struggles to smile. "Just a little out of it. I'm ok." Zack takes over for one of the referees, Dolph hissing at the slight change in height, and Zack murmurs quiet apologies as they guide him to the trainer's office, settle him on the cot once more. Zack keeps ahold of his hand as he's looked over, Dolph hissing in pain here and there, the trainer not finding anything too concerning, but still not looking overly pleased either.
"So ice and rest, right, Doc?" Zack asks, playing with Dolph's hair as they wait for the verdict.
"Yeah," he says finally, looking up at them after scribbling on a sheet of paper for a few moments. "And I don't want to see you in here again for a good month, understand?" He points his pen aggressively at Dolph, whose eyes widen as Zack chuckles.
"He'll be a good boy, doc. I promise." Easing Dolph down from the cot, he grips his arm and helps him out of the room to find some clothes and shoes, so they can leave all the sooner. "Hotel bed even sounds nice right now, huh, bro?" he asks, kissing Dolph quickly before guiding him into the room where their things had been left earlier in the night, before things got so hectic.
"Yeah," Dolph sighs, slumping down on a bench and running his fingers through his hair. "It does definitely." He watches through blurry eyes as Zack leans over, tugging his boots off. "I need to shower."
"I know, bro, just helping you get there faster." He helps Dolph upright and makes sure he doesn't face plant as he tries to get his tights off, then urges him into the bathroom, listening anxiously for anything out of the ordinary. As he waits, memories from last week, tonight, both beat downs, Sheamus' general attitude since his return, replays again and again in Zack's mind. He digs his knuckles into his eyes and exhales roughly.
It's a relief when the water finally turns off and Dolph reappears, looking a little more steady on his feet, and less sweaty and grimy. Zack kisses him before holding out his street clothes, lips twitching up into a smile as Dolph grips his arm, hopping around while pulling his jeans on. Once he's got his shirt on, and Zack's helped him tie up his shoes, they walk side by side down the hallway, Zack keeping an eye out for any sign of Sheamus and his ridiculous hair. "We're not going to Nevada this time, bro. We're going to my home."
"Miss your toys that much, kid?" Dolph teases him as Zack pushes the door open and they walk to the car.
"No, it's sweaty and nasty at your place." He leans onto the roof of the car and looks at Dolph over it. "Besides my place has food."
"Well, damn, kid. That's all you had to say." Dolph smirks at him before getting into the car and leaning back against the seat, squinting through the windshield.
"Alright?" Zack asks once he sits down too, pausing before starting the car up.
"Yeah, just need a minute," Dolph sighs, closing his eyes. "Headache, it'll pass."
"Here," Zack says, reaching into the backseat and digging around in the bags, handing him some painkillers. "Just relax, I'll have us at the hotel before you know it."
"Thanks, kid," Dolph murmurs, already falling asleep.
Zack waits until the pills are taken and Dolph's out before starting the car and merging into traffic, peeking over at Dolph at every red light and relieved when he stays asleep no matter how pitted the street is or how quickly Zack has to brake due to other drivers' stupidity. He digs his thumbs into the steering wheel and exhales, glancing over at Dolph once more, wishing he could help against Sheamus. Knowing our luck though, I'd try and Sheamus would only take it out worse on Dolph, and then who'll make sure Dolph takes care of himself afterwards? He sighs and turns the wheel to enter the hotel parking lot, shifting to the right to watch Dolph sleep once they're parked. "It doesn't feel like enough, but it'll have to do, bro," he mumbles, brushing his knuckles down Dolph's face. "C'mon, bro. Let's get you to bed."
Dolph blinks awake slowly, groggy and warm. "Kid?"
"Yep, I'm here." Zack pulls him closer and kisses him softly. "C'mon, let's go. We're at the hotel."
Dolph nods, but makes no rush to move, pressing his forehead to Zack's. "Thanks for always taking care of me, kid," he murmurs.
Zack pauses. Continues rubbing his knuckles along Dolph's cheek. "You know I'm happy to do it, bro." Kisses him again. "Any time you need me." Some of his guilt eases as Dolph smiles at him, eyes warm. "I love you, bro."
Dolph grins. "I love you too. Now come on, I really like the sounds of that bed right about now," he says, finding something of a second wind and moving to get out of the car with little warning.
Zack watches him for a moment, fondly shaking his head before getting out to catch up with him.
