Home feels like nirvana after such a rocky few days. Mike lays next to AJ, yawning as she gingerly smears cream across his battered chest. "Thanks, sweetheart," he mumbles, half asleep in the comfort of their bed. She settles against him as soon as she's finished tracing patterns in the soothing ointment, settling her head on his shoulder, careful to keep her hair from the medicine. "That feels better already."
She smiles a little and kisses the side of his jaw. "I'm glad." They lay quietly for awhile longer before she releases a breath. "Things are going to get busy again, huh? With Tough Enough and everything else?"
He nods, squinting his eyes open as he ponders her words, reflects on how it is for Paige and Ricardo. "Yeah. But we'll still see each other as often as possible," he promises, stroking her lower back. "And I'll be calling and Skyping... we'll make it."
"I never had any doubt," she tells him with a soft smile, leaning up to kiss him. "I'm just wondering how the others will fair."
"You're worried for Paige and Ricardo too, huh?" She nods against him and he sighs, stroking her hair. "Yeah, they're getting hit by a lot of things at once... but both seem determined to see it through, so I'm sure it'll be alright."
"I hope so," she mumbles, nuzzling into him.
He's staring at the ceiling, pondering her words, and his own feelings on the situation. "Hey, sweetheart, come to Florida with me next week." She pulls back and looks at him curiously as he smiles. "WWE emailed me earlier, they want me to skip Raw, go to Florida, get a feel of the Tough Enough contestants and the building, prepare to host Tough Talk. Paige'll be there, we can stay at Alberto's and you can get a feel of things between Ricardo and Paige. How's it sound?"
She wrinkles her nose up, one big issue keeping her from accepting or denying right away. "Are you going to be ok being in the same area as Alex? You won't go rogue and try to kill him or something, right?"
He hesitates and shrugs, eyes darkening as he realizes she's right. "I hadn't really thought about it," he admits lowly. "I was so busy thinking about hosting Tough Talk that Alex was the furthest thing from my mind. How will you be if we see him?"
"I'll be fine," she says quietly. "I laughed off his stupid comment, but I know it really hurt you. Especially since they're getting married and this whole situation has made you keep your distance when I know you'd like to be doing the whole best man thing with him."
"Kind of," he admits slowly. "Has it kept you from helping Alicia as much as you'd like?"
She hesitates, then shakes her head. "Not really, we've both been busy with our various things, but I've made myself available whenever she wanted to talk about wedding plans. At least they're waiting until Alex is further along in his rehab until they actually get deep into planning. Maybe I can help her more while you're in Florida... I'd like that."
He stares at the top of her head, sitting up and causing her to shift until they're staring at each other. "Do you regret it? How rushed our own wedding was?" he wonders, brushing a few stray strands of hair out of her eyes. "I mean, we barely had a month to plan everything..."
She presses a hand to his lips and shakes her head, smiling in disbelief at him. "Our wedding was perfect, and beautiful. It was everything I could've ever asked for. Never question that again, silly. Sometimes when I miss you, all I have to do is pull out the pictures of that day, and I immediately remember just how lucky I am, that I have the best husband in the world." She curls up against him once more and sighs, smiling as he strokes a hand down her arm. "I think you should make things right with Alex this week. I know you'll be busy, but just... try, yeah?"
He groans. "Only because you asked so nicely. And because you're right... I do want to have his back during their wedding..." She grins against his shoulder, just to let out a gasp of a squeal when he flips her onto her back, hovering over her and smirking as she huffs indignantly, eyes locked on him. "But for now... we might as well enjoy the quiet time we have while we're still at home..." She nods as he leans in and kisses her.
-x
Thursday is lowkey. Mike isn't booked for anything in particular, but Paige has a match against Brie. One that Nikki claims she will be staying backstage during to prove that one Bella is enough to defeat Paige. Right, he thinks sarcastically. His doubts are proven when, barely a few minutes into the match, Alicia runs down, pushes Paige off of the top rope and affectively costs her the match. He grimaces, seeing more drama ahead for both AJ and the trip to Florida next week, before going out towards gorilla.
Alicia, Nikki and Brie are giggling and talking when they spot Miz. The Bellas roll their eyes and flounce off but Alicia remains, peering at him distantly. "What are you doing here, Mike? You don't have a match."
Her blase statement does sting a bit, the truth of it gnawing at him as it always does, but he shakes it off because it's clear she's putting on some sort of an act. "What is this? You've never liked the Bellas, now all of a sudden you're on their side?" He laughs bitterly. "What's going on, Foxy?"
Her dark eyes are unfathomable and he wonders if Alex would have an easier time guessing what's going on with the woman, but finally she speaks. "I'm so alone, Mike. Do you realize that? I can't trust Paige, she's turned on me so many times... and AJ, I don't blame her, but she's left me too, and that leaves me with... with no one but myself to depend on while Alex rehabs. I don't even blame you, you're busy with your movies and of course you bonded with Paige while filming Santa's Little Helper, but I need someone I know who'll have my back. And no, I don't trust the Bellas further than I can throw them but at least they're someone I can make a clique with, even if it's only for the short term."
He stares at her, these words like a blow to the gut. He tries to remember one moment, any particular point in time, when he'd been less than welcoming to her... "If I ever made you think you couldn't come to me if you needed something, or you assumed so because of this nonsense between Alex and I, I'm sorry," he tells her. "You are one of my wife's closest friends, hell you were her bridesmaid... I'm always here for you, it makes me feel pretty crappy that you didn't realize it. Yeah, I've been helping Paige out but that's because I didn't know you needed anything. If I had, I would've been right there, doing what I could for you."
She looks broken as well, shifting anxiously. "I guess I knew that. I just didn't want to impose. I know things have been rough on you too, with AJ leaving... and I didn't want to make it worse by piling on, or starting drama with Paige in front of you."
Mike stares at her for a moment before stepping forward and wrapping his arms around her. "Hey, any time you need me, seriously, just come find me. Whether I'm talking with Paige, or being an obnoxious movie star."
She swallows and hugs him back, nodding slowly. "Alright, thank you." They stand awkwardly for a moment before she pulls away. "I have to go find the twins now." She tilts her head and smiles weakly at him. "I'll see you later, Mike."
"Bye." He watches her go before turning around, desperate for something to do. He wanders around the arena just to find a cameraman who looks as bored as he feels. Motioning to the man, he draws him to a set where he proceeds to discuss movies. Mostly, how terrible Big Show's is. Afterwards, he leaves the arena and meets up with Paige, looking her over. "You ok?" He had been so focused on Alicia, he had missed Paige leaving ringside. He hadn't missed how close to tears she was in the ring after the initial attack. Yet another thing for him to feel guilty over. These divas, can never make anything easy, he grouses.
"I'm fine," she says, her accent thick. "Can we just go?"
"Of course." He listens to her ragged breathing as he drives towards the hotel and can only imagine how it'd felt, to walk backstage and find him comforting Alicia immediately following her actions against Paige. "I'm sorry," he says quietly.
"It's fine," she insists. "Alicia is AJ's friend too, I understand you're in a rough spot. I just... don't understand why no one in the divas division wants to help me anymore."
Alicia's words play through Mike's mind as he drives through a series of green lights, but he keeps them to himself, all too aware that it's not his place to break her confidence. "I don't know what to tell you, but just hang in there. Everything'll be alright."
"Sure," she murmurs. "I can't wait until we're in Florida for Tough Enough." She rests her head against the window and neither say another word for the rest of the ride.
Me too, he thinks grimly, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.
The next day, they fly out to Florida and Mike sighs, glad to be here. It's warm, it's sunny, and it's relaxing. Alberto is in France so Ricardo greets them at the airport, hugging Paige close. She kisses him before curling her fingers around his hand, allowing him to lead them to the car. "AJ's flight will be in later," Mike explains. "I'll come back and get her closer to the time of."
"Alright." Ricardo smiles at him. "Sofia will be happy to see you both. El Patron and I are so busy usually, she doesn't have many people to fuss over."
Mike nods, hesitating around a question. "Have you seen Alex lately?"
"Yes," he admits. "I've been helping him with his rehab when I have the time." He slams the trunk shut on their bags and looks up. "Are you going to see him while you're here?"
"I think so," Mike says. "I need to think about it a little more, but AJ wants me to and I know we have to make things right before the wedding, so..."
Ricardo smiles mirthlessly. "Well, it'll be a relief to him to have this sorted out, I'm sure." He gets in the driver's seat and, using one hand to drive, uses the other to hold Paige's hand while Mike plays around with his phone, staring at an old picture of him with John and Alex a couple of July 4ths ago.
With WWE touring in Japan and Singapore early July, he's not sure he'll be home, but he hopes that his Tough Talk duties will keep him home so he can enjoy the holiday with his friends and wife.
Ricardo had called it, Sofia greets them eagerly and wraps her arms first around Paige, then around him and he laughs, hugging her back. "I've missed you, Sofia."
She grins up at him and pulls away. "I've made food, you all are probably starving. Come on." She leads them into the kitchen and starts bringing pans to the table, piling slices of meatloaf and generous portions of mashed potatoes on their plates. Ricardo laughs at the looks on their faces, already digging into his own feed. "Eat up," she tells them before bustling off to the kitchen. She returns this time with sodas and bottles of water for all of them, joining them once everyone is served and eating happily.
Mike groans as soon as he tastes the meatloaf, sighing. "That's ridiculous," he sighs, hunching over his plate and eating faster.
"Don't mind him," Ricardo says with a laugh. "He has no manners but it's really a compliment to your cooking."
"I know," Sofia chuckles, all too used to being around hungry wrestlers. "It's fine, at least he's eating."
After the meal, Mike thanks Sofia with a brilliant grin, then heads outside for a walk with Paige and Ricardo, exploring Alberto's large grounds. The pond, the multiple garages, the area where he'd hung his hammock. "It always seems to get bigger every time I see it," he mutters, prodding a clump of grass with his toe.
"Same here," Paige comments, sitting by the pond to run her hand through the sun-warmed water. "It's beautiful, though." Ricardo settles next to her and watches her as she absorbs the sun with a soft smile. She's just turned to look at him when he splashes her, leaving her gasping. "Hey!"
He laughs until she presses her soaked hand under his shirt, chilling him. "Paige!" he chokes, trying to get away from her but she cups her hands in the water, scooping more up and chasing him. "No!" Mike watches, amused, until Ricardo presses his back against the fence, affectively pinned by his girlfriend. "Paige... Paige, no! Stop-" She drops the remaining water over his head, drenching him entirely and he gasps as his dark hair sticks to his face.
She smirks at him and tangles her arms around his neck, leaning up to kiss him. "Did you really think you could get away from me that easily?"
"I wasn't trying to," he admits off of a laugh, leaning against her. "But now you're wet too."
She doesn't seem too bothered by it, pressing against him even closer. "Oh well..."
Mike checks his watch before turning to leave for the airport, give them some privacy. He doesn't have to wait too long, thankfully, before AJ leaves the gate and runs right into his arms, smiling up at him. "Just so you know, Sofia is going to overfeed you and baby you, especially since she doesn't get to at least see you on TV every week."
"I... think I can live with that," AJ murmurs, smiling as he takes her bags and walks with her out to the car. "Thanks for asking me to come. How's Ricardo?"
"He's good." Mike pauses. "He asked about Alex. I think he agrees with you that I should go talk with Alex."
"Well, he did seem intelligent," she smiles, gasping when he finds her ticklish stop, causing her to writhe against him. "No! Mike, stop!" Before long he has her in the car, lightly attacking her ribs and sides until she's so breathless that tears are filling her eyes.
He eventually stops and smiles down at her, leaning in to kiss her neck. "I'm sorry."
"I don't believe you," she gasps, resting back against the headrest and coincidentally giving him more room to move. "Damn, Mike." She sighs and tugs lightly at his hair, staring up at the roof of the car. "We need to go."
"I know," he mutters, kissing her shoulder before reluctantly pulling away. "I don't want to share you with Sofia but I imagine you're hungry, so I will."
She smiles at him. "Thank you."
He spends Saturday with them all, watching movies and discussing wrestling and various things that have been going on, which leaves him Sunday to decide what to do. His thoughts are so heavy, despite the nice, relaxing night he'd had, that while AJ sleeps soundly next to him, he stares at the ceiling of the guest room and tries to decide how best to handle the Alex situation now that he's only a few minutes away and has some free time.
The sun has long risen, Sofia stirring, when Mike rolls over, his eyes gritty and painful. AJ is still sleeping, blissfully unaware of his torment, and the rest of the house is tellingly quiet so he quietly gets out of bed and pads into the kitchen, staring at Sofia as she pours him a cup of coffee and hands it over, smiling understandingly at him. "There are eyedrops in senor's bathroom if you need them," she tells him, searching his painful looking eyes. "He won't mind if you use them."
"I doubt that," he says, all but inhaling the coffee. "But I think I'll try it. Thanks, Sofia." It feels like an intrusion as he makes his way to Alberto's bedroom, walking through to the bathroom. The eyedrops are easy to find, right in the open in the cabinet, but he moves hurriedly as he uses them, then leaving, still feeling like Alberto is watching him even though he's in a whole different continent.
Sofia smiles comfortingly at him as he cups his refreshed mug, downing it yet again. "Thanks, Sofia. I'm going out for awhile. Tell AJ I'll be back in a little bit."
"Alright."
He smiles at her before putting the mug down and heading for the door. The drive to Alex's apartment feels surreal. He's not sure what to expect, especially at this hour, but when he arrives, his former protege is actually sitting outside, peering at the ocean with such a painfully wistful look on his face that Mike actually feels sick inside for ignoring him the past few weeks. He leaves the car and approaches the stoop, staring down at Alex for a moment before sitting next to him.
"Ricardo said you and AJ would be in state for Tough Enough," Alex mumbles. "I didn't expect to see you though."
Mike shrugs. "You know, I'm a glutton for punishment." He pauses when Alex looks back towards the water, a mopey look on his face. "Besides, I, uh, figured it was time to at least try to talk through everything. It's been long enough, I think."
Alex shrugs. "Not sure what you want me to say. It was a dumb tweet I thought was funny, you clearly disagreed, and here we are."
"At least you admit it was dumb," Mike says, staring down at his hands. "Look, I know you've had problems with AJ. Hell, we all have at one time or another. But you're one of my closest friends, and she's my wife, and I was hoping you'd show her some respect, if not because you actually do respect her, then at least for my sake. Epsecially since she's close friends with your fiancee."
Alex grimaces, pinching his nose. "I know. It was dumb, and I was taking the pressure I was feeling at the time out on the wrong person. She'd just left and neither of you needed that added tension."
"This is true," Mike admits simply. "The ridiculous thing was your tweet hurt me more than it did her. She shrugged it off like she has so many insults over the years, and y'know if the tweet had been a dig against me, I think I would've forgiven you sooner. But you attack my wife, and I just... lose it. You know?"
"I actually do," Alex sighs. "Any time anyone says anything against Alicia, I want to take my crutch and smack them until they beg for forgiveness on their knees in front of her."
"Now see, if I had a crutch, things between us would've been resolved sooner," Mike smirks.
Alex shrugs, staring down at his heavily braced knee. "Trust me, you don't want this." When Mike rests a hand on his shoulder, he looks up in surprise. His expression relaxes and he sighs again. "I really am sorry, Mike. And when I see her again, if you let me see her again, I'll tell her that too. Alicia deserves to have all of the happiness at her wedding, and if that means her best friend and her husband-to-be actually gets along, I'll do my best to provide that for her.
"And I will too," Mike tells him. "You're forgiven, at least from me." He stands up and dusts his hands off on his pants. "Come on." He holds a hand out to Alex and waits.
"Where are we going?" he asks, instinctively reaching out and grabbing Mike's hand, the two of them working together to hoist him back to his feet, where Mike then hands him his crutch.
"To the house," he says. "Where you'll apologize to my wife and things will, slowly, return to normal."
Alex stares at him for a moment, clearly waiting for the punchline. When it doesn't come and Mike continues to stare at him patiently, he smiles. "I'd like that." They walk side by side to the car, Mike helping him into the backseat. He's finally settled safely before looking up at the Most Must See Superstar, a hesitant smile on his face. "So tell me, is it just that you like helping guys on crutches now? First Rusev, now me..."
"Shut up," Mike sighs, closing the door on him and going to the driver's side.