"Mike, why aren't you training to be more like Rey Mysterio? Now there's someone impressive you should model yourself off of, really get people's notice!"
"I hope you thanked The Rock for helping you retain."
"That Shane McMahon, now there's a guy I can get behind! Flying around and risking everything to defend his brand, I bet his father is real proud of him."
No one really knows, it's the kind of thing Mike never talks about that much- not to AJ, or John, or many other people. Remembers whispering to Sara late one night when neither of them could sleep how he hopes he never makes her feel like his father makes him feel even now, well into his 30s with a family of own and all. So, after a quiet Christmas spent with John and Taya, exchanging gifts and laughing at Sara's awe over everything, it's disturbing to find himself in the ring at Smackdown, pouring his heart out to Shane about what the last few weeks truly were about- gaining his father's respect by teaming up with Shane. Part of him hopes George is paying this as much attention as he pays to everything else important to Miz, part of him hopes he hears every word and feel even just a little twinge of conscience.
He sees when the realization crosses Shane's face, how similar their situations are between their relationships with their fathers, and swallows hard in hope, everything melting away when Shane agrees to try teaming with him, and Mike can't help but to hug him, more than a little overwhelmed with it all after so many weeks of Shane not being interested in much to do with him. "Thank you so much," he says as they walk backstage together./
Shane points warningly at him. "You'd better not be playing with me, Mike, in the end I am still your boss, after all."
"Of course not!" he exclaims, lifting his hands in what he hopes looks innocent enough, still unable to be offended with Shane's leery atitude towards him, He knows he has a reputation he has to grow past, leave behind, and- he's pretty sure tonight is a good start for all of that.
Still, Shane sighs and turns to look at him, a twist to his lips. "I feel like you may have more to get off of your chest," Shane tells him. "if you're not comfortable talking about things more, I understand but the offer stands, if you ever wanna talk about your dad or, well, anything else within reason, you know where to find me. My doors are always open,.. partner."
Mike thinks about it for a minute, almost tempted, but he doesn't want to risk this tenuous thing growing between them, so he quietly backs away. "Thanks a lot for that, Shane, but I've taken up enough of your time tonight, and you have to focus on the main event, so I'll see you later."
Shane looks pleasantly surprised as Mike turns and takes his leave, content to go to catering and get something to eat before leaving to spend the rest of the holiday with his girls. He's still eating a slice of sweet potato pie when a general rumble spreads through the room and Mike looks up at the monitor in time to see Jamie Noble talk AJ Styles away from a downed Vince McMahon, "Uh oh," he mumbles, just imagining the rage Shane must be feeling, especially after earlier.
He considers finding Shane and checking on him but decides that may be a bit much, considering the progress they've made this evening, so he decides to text him before bed just to check on Vince. "Not pushy," he reminds himself. "Just a partner checking on his friend's father. no big deal."
Still, it's hard for even him to believe this as he approaches the exit.