Despite how last week had gone fairly well, this week falls back into the status quo. Heath loses in a battle royal, and then he and Titus aren't even included in the tag team gauntlet match. After returning home to Florida, he hugs his knees to his chest and stares out over the ocean, the rippling water reflecting in his eyes. He's not too surprised when he hears footsteps in the sand behind him. "I'm ok," he mumbles.

"Of course you are, why wouldn't you be," Wade says impassively, dropping down next to him and handing him a bottle of beer. Heath isn't much of a beer drinker, normally, but he wrinkles his nose and takes a deep pull anyway, proving to Wade just how bad he really is feeling right now. "Wanna talk about it?"

Heath shrugs. "Just... sore about yesterday," he sighs. "I wish... like, that WWE would see me'n'Titus as a legit team 'cause then maybe he wouldn't be so against the whole thing, and maybe with him by my side, I could actually win somethin', and things wouldn't feel so damn empty and bleak all'a the time..."

Wade's hand is warm on his back, smoothing circles against his flesh, and Heath's words drift into the wind before he starts to shake, the beer bottle clattering against his teeth as he struggles to down another sip before the tears come. Wade grabs it, pulling it away before Heath risks needing a visit to the dentist, and tugs him closer, kissing the top of his head. "Shh. It's ok." He nuzzles closer. "Do things feel empty and bleak now?"

"I wish they felt empty, I'm tired'a feelin' like this all the time," he cries, burying his face into Wade's chest. "'M sorry, it's stupid, I know, just- I can't-"

"It's not stupid," Wade sighs. "You've been through a lot. Just breathe." He continues stroking through Heath's hair, trying to calm him, and feeling awful when it only seems to help to a certain extent.

"I miss Justin," he admits weakly. "I miss Drew'n'Jinder. I knew those guys had my back, but now I'm just all alone and I hate it so bad. You got your own things planned for your return and I'd never ask ya to sacrifice that for me, I just... wish the Nexus never fell apart, or the Corre..." He presses his face into Wade's chest and struggles not to start crying all over again. "I hate all'a this."

Wade holds him quietly for a few minutes, giving him a chance to calm down. "You're not alone," he murmurs. "I'm still here, maybe not by your side in the ring, but backstage, and at home." His fingers are warm, teasing against Heath's arm, and he exhales. "Any time you need me."

"I know." Heath's lips are wet and trembling as he kisses Wade. "That means more than you'd prolly ever know. I try not to get like this, it's just..." He rubs at his face and shakes his head, unsure how to verbalize what he's feeling.

"Maybe it would help if you let it out more," Wade says. "And not let it build up like this, you know?"

"Yeah, I guess." Heath leans against his arm and sniffs, wiping the last few tears off of his face. "Where'd my beer go?"

Wade chuckles and hands it to him, sipping at his own while they watch the sun set slowly, Heath relaxing as more time passes. "Come on, let's go home," he says. "Boodah will start to get mopey without you there to play with him." He stands up, dusts the sand off of his pants, and pulls Heath up, rubbing his hands down his arms briskly. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm ok." Heath pauses before they walk off and wraps his arms around Wade, kissing his chest quietly. "Thanks for comin' to check on me, Brit. I was, uh, not in a good place there. But I'm better now."

"Well, that's my job," Wade says. "Make sure you don't sit out here pouting at waves for hours and ignore your dog, and whatever else." He kisses the top of Heath's head again before leading him down the beach.

"Pouting at waves," Heath scoffs, squeezing him around the middle. "You're lucky I like you."

"I know," Wade says simply, unable to keep the smile off of his face when Heath glances up at him, pressing closer to him as they walk side by side home.