Traveling out feels weird now. They go to Dynamite, they go to Collision or Rampage, they come home, spend a couple of days trying to help Taz with his rehab, then they're back at the airport, at arenas, Hook trying to find answers. Orange trying to support the Conglomeration where he can, then it starts all over again. A holding pattern that follows WrestleDream, everyone waiting for Mox's next move. To see what his crew will do next.
That mixed with Hook searching for Taz's attacker, it feels like a cycle that will never end. He's anxious, especially after the PPV. Anxious for answers, anxious that he himself has helped put a target on Orange's back. He's not sure what to do to fix either situation. He's mulling all of this, trying to think of a gameplan for one or both of the issues haunting them tonight when there's a knock at the locker room door. One of the agents in charge of setting up the show peers in and immediately looks right at him, Hook tensing in response.
"Tony wants to see you," he says, nodding down the hall where a sign pointing to Tony Khan's office is in sight. "Says it's important."
Hook grimaces, not wanting to leave Orange behind right now, but he nods. "Alright," he mumbles, catching Orange's eye before letting the door go, standing there with tension thrumming through his hands as it drifts shut. He turns and walks back down the hall, knocking just below the sign indicating Tony's office.
"Come in," Tony calls out and Hook pushes the door open, walking in.
"Was told you wanted to see me," Hook says.
"Yeah, I did," Tony says, nodding towards one of the chairs across from him. Once Hook sits, Tony doesn't elaborate, examining Hook somberly.
"What's going on? Is this about my dad's attacker?" he asks, feeling his blood pressure rising the longer it takes Tony to respond.
"Well, yes," Tony says slowly. "I didn't want to mention this until I knew for sure we could get our hands on it, but there was security footage of the parking lot the day Taz was attacked."
Hook's jaw works as he stares darkly at Tony. "What? You've had it this entire time and didn't tell me? What the f-"
Tony holds a hand up, leaning closer. "Once I learned it did exist, I had to go through official channels to get it," he says. "The arena wasn't very willing to give the footage out, I had to get my lawyers involved. They just gave in within the last couple of days, and I now have the footage in my possession." He turns the laptop towards Hook. "I've been waiting to look at it until you were with me."
Hook scrubs at his face, exhaling slowly, trying to keep his temper. "Fine," he grits out. "Let's watch it, then."
Tony nods, relieved, and then hits play.
-x
After leaving Tony's office, Hook is in a daze. He finds somewhere quiet and films a video. He's not sure what he's going to do yet, but he will address the footage next week. Gives him time to think, to try to strategize. His head is lowered as the footage cuts out and then he nods grimly at the cameraman who had obliged him enough to film this, making his way back to the main hall of the arena.
There are various wrestlers milling around, murmuring, frantic looks on their faces, and Hook has fleeting moments of curiosity, but he can't stop seeing the footage playing over and over again in his mind. Nothing else really matters, just that. Or at least, he thinks that until he walks hard right into someone, hands instinctively curling into fists, grabbing at the tank top of the other person-
"Whoa, whoa," Garcia says, pulling away forcefully, breaking Hook's grip and catching his eye, a grim look on his face. "Hey, look, you need to go check on Orange."
This cuts through Hook's thoughts, distracts him from what he'd just witnessed. "What?" he says, stepping closer to Garcia. "What about Orange?"
"Mox's group attacked during the trios match he and the Conglomeration were-" Daniel's words die away as Hook turns sharply and rushes in the direction of medical, every possible worst case scenario playing through his mind.
He slams his way into the room and stops short, finding Rocky and Kyle getting looked at too. They look up in surprise before their gaze skitters over to the far corner, Orange surrounded by the doctor and one of his staff. Hook shivers, gritting his teeth to try to keep himself from screaming as he makes his way through the mess of people- Alex Reynolds and the other members of Dark Order are also scattered around, the room pretty damn crowded the harder Hook tries to get to Orange's side. "What happened?" he finally manages to ask, resting a hand carefully on Orange's shoulder.
"Mox and his thugs," Orange says dully, very little life in his voice as he stares up at Hook. "I'm ok though. They targeted Reynolds worse."
Hook doesn't offer anyone else a glance, just focuses on Orange. "Fuck, I'm sorry," he says, guilt and frustration feeling like ice through his veins. "I should've been out there with you, or watching, something- I should've been able to-"
"It's fine," Orange says. "You were safe, I'm glad. I don't want you to get targeted by them too, Hook."
Hook hisses, holding Orange's hand carefully. "Still-"
"What did Tony want?" Orange asks, trying to distract him from the mess going on around them.
"He had some information about my dad's attacker. I don't want to talk about it right now," Hook says, tense. "I need to think about what exactly I want to do about things first."
Orange searches his face. "Alright," he says quietly. "I'm here if you want to talk to me about anything. You know that."
"I do," Hook says softly, pressing a kiss against his jaw. "Thank you." Right now, there's too much spiraling around in his mind. The fact Tony had been knowledgeable of proof this entire time and the moment Hook goes to get answers, Orange gets attacked. It's horrible timing, he wants to punch something again for everything continuing to snowball, but he knows he can't, especially when Orange is already so worried for him. "Got anything else tonight?"
"No," Orange murmurs.
Hook looks up at the doctor, who's moved on to check on Reynolds. "He good to go?"
"Yeah. Just keep me informed if he starts feeling worse," Doc Sampson says.
"Will do," Hook says, staying nearby, supporting Orange as he slowly gets up from the cot and gingerly makes his way back to the locker room. Hook keeps an eye out just in case, grinding his teeth together as they collect their things and head out. He's glad that all in all it doesn't take long, that they manage to avoid whatever else Mox and the rest of them may try tonight.
He drives them back to the hotel, urging Orange towards the shower once they're inside their room. "I didn't do anything tonight, you go on," he says, not in the mood to try to wash up tonight, or deal with being wet and chilled afterwards. He sits on the foot of the bed and buries his face in his hands, breathing heavily as he listens to the water whistling through the pipes in the next room.
By the time Orange comes out, Hook has regrouped somewhat, gotten some clothes out, and stands ready to help him into bed. "What would I do without you?" he mumbles, following Hook's quiet instructions as they work together at getting him into a fresh shirt and some shorts, Hook then guiding him over to the bed and helping to tuck him under the sheets.
Kicking his own shoes and pants off, Hook settles down next to Orange and waits as Orange buries his face in his neck, exhaling shakily. "Don't have to find out," Hook mumbles, kissing the top of his head. "I'm not going anywhere."
Orange doesn't say anything for a long, tense moment, and then mumbles something into Hook's collar that he has no hope of deciphering.
"Huh?" Hook murmurs, brushing Orange's hair back and tilting his face up so he can look at him.
Orange closes his eyes, exhaling hard. "I'm not the man," he says quietly. "I hate to disappoint, but I'm just... I'm just me." He shrugs. "I'm tired, and I'm old, and I don't have it in me to fight. Not like this. Not anymore."
Hook feels... He feels horrible. Guilt and disgust fight for domination within him, and he shakes his head, holding Orange close. "I'm sorry," he says quietly. "I didn't... I wasn't trying to force you. I just... I wanted to support you. I wanted you to know I agree with Jerry. I didn't intend for you to take it to mean I thought you had to fight." He pulls back and stares into Orange's tired, beaten gaze. "Whether you fight or not, you'll always be the man to me. Alright? I love you, and you inspire me every day, no matter what. You could never disappoint me."
Orange stares at him for a long time. "Really?" he finally whispers.
"Really," Hook tells him. "And don't let anyone else force you into something you don't want either. This is your life, your career. And you've had a hard enough year as it is. You only do what you're comfortable with. I've got your back either way."
Orange exhales and sinks back into Hook's arms, pressing deep into his warmth. "I love you too," he mumbles as Hook kisses the top of his head and holds him even tighter.
Hook hums and rubs lazy circles up and down his back, staring at the shadowy wall across from them, listening as Orange falls into a restless sleep. There's still so much going on, and he doesn't know if Orange will actually be able to stay out of the brewing war, but Hook really wishes he could. At least then he'd know someone in his life was somewhat safe. He closes his eyes and reflects once more on the footage. On what he'll have to do in response, fingers twisting into Orange's shirt as he tries not to completely lose it yet again.