A/N: It's been a hot minute! Thanks to everyone who has stuck around! Thanks to Celticprincessx3 (Danie) for letting me share ideas for this story. Between Omega and Mox's feud from 2020-2021 and then Elite vs BCC 2023 this story is going to be time traveling per say; so I hope everyone enjoys the trip. :)
Clarity
Chapter 3: Adore You
JON MOXLEY VS KENNY OMEGA: WINTER IS COMING 2020. AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.
This was the tagline for tonight's AEW episode. This episode was going to be something special and something the fans wouldn't forget. So many twists and turns.
It was bittersweet for Jennifer because this was going be her last AEW appearance for quite some time. She found out she had a severe case of lumbar spinal stenosis. For the last several months, she'd been feeling numbness and tingling radiating down both lower extremities. Kenny convinced her to see a neurologist. The neurologist she saw recommended surgery to fix her herniated discs in her back that was causing her constant pain, numbness, and tingling.
Tonight would be the last night for quite some time she would be accompanying Kenny ringside. The two of them among with TK, Matt and Nick all came up with a plan to write Jennifer offscreen. Since Jennifer was being lowkey about her surgery for now, she informed Kenny's opponent and AEW champion Jon Moxley, that she would be taking a bump but it was for dramatic effect.
She would miss her duties behind the scenes as well. She gained a lot of trust from the AEW roster within the last year since the promotion started. Quite few of the wrestlers would come to her for any concerns because she would listen and give advice. She felt bad for not letting the roster know she was getting surgery, but she wasn't ready to face that battle quite yet. As far as everyone was concerned, she was taking time off, and she would write a corporate email to everyone post surgery about her current situation.
Also, she would miss being ringside for Kenny's matches. It meant more to her now than when she first started valeting for him because she was cheering for her real life domestic partner.
Speaking of him: Kenny was about to get a rocket strapped to him and get the push he'd so rightfully deserved. Jennifer hated that she was going to miss this time of his career, but her health also mattered. Kenny had assured her that he wanted her to be well over her accompanying him to the ring.
Kenny had come up with an idea for a tournament for the number one contendership for the AEW world title which was occupied by Jon Moxley. Kenny and Adam Page were the finalists and The Best Bout Machine came up the victor. TK had the final say on the winner and Kenny was the lucky one chosen. All Jennifer had a say in it was the participants and the structure of the matches.
It was now Kenny's time to shine once again and show everyone why he is indeed The Best Bout Machine.
Speaking of Kenny: he was currently in his dressing room warming up for his big match. Jennifer was sitting down on the leather couch, scrolling mindlessly through her phone. As her well wishes present prior to her surgery, TK decided to let Jennifer have the night off from backstage duties. So here she was hanging out with Kenny. Which she didn't mind a bit.
Kenny finished his warm up and looked at Jennifer. "What's got you so invested?"
Jennifer looked up at him and laid her phone down to the side. "Nothing; to be honest. It just feels weird not having any backstage duties."
The number one contender for the AEW championship took a seat on the couch beside his domestic partner. "Just relax, Jen, take a load off."
Jennifer leaned her head back and sighed. "I really need to relax considering my surgery is two days away, but that's also a main reason I cannot relax. I'm nervous as hell."
Kenny patted her thigh. "Everything's going to be fine. I am going to be right there with you every step of the way."
"Thanks," she smiled. "I can't thank you enough for being by my side for this. This is why you're emergency contact material."
"I try," he chuckled. He placed his hand on her thigh. "I have something to ask you." He then proceeded to rub her thigh in a soothing manner.
"What is it?"
"Considering you'll be crashing with me while you recover from your back surgery, why don't you just move in with me?"
Jennifer started at Kenny, her mouth agape. "You're asking me to move in with you? Are you sure?"
"I'm positive," Kenny responded. "It makes sense. I will even pay to have your things packed and shipped to my house… well our house… if you decide to say yes."
Jennifer launched herself into Kenny's arms for an embrace. "Yes, a million times yes!"
"Good!" They got out of their embrace. "Tomorrow, we will make arrangements for your stuff to be packed and shipped out this way."
"Sounds like a plan. Thank you so much for making everything easier."
"Well, of course, that is what I am supposed to be here for."
Jennifer smiled. How she managed to snag the once unattainable Kenny Omega is beyond her. Not only that, but is managing to be the best partner she's ever had. "It'll be a lot easier too since I rehomed by pups to someone who give them all their time and attention I couldn't." It was sad for Jennifer but after having her pups for a year and a half, she decided to find another home for them. Her pet sitter and neighbors were taking care of them more than she was anyway. She knew in her heart it was the right decision.
"I know you love the pups and I'm sorry to had to rehome them, but you made a mature decision to do that knowing you give them all your dedication like you wanted."
"Thanks. It did come at the right time with my upcoming back surgery."
"I agree."
"Well…" Jennifer saw the time on her phone when her phone lit up that she had a notification. "…I guess we better get going, your match is coming up shortly."
Kenny and Jennifer got up from the couch and walked to the door. He opened the door and she exited the door first. He followed and shut the door. They proceeded to walk to the tunnels side by side. This would be the last time before her back surgery that they would be walking to the tunnel for their entrance together.
Kenny Omega makes his entrance being accompanied by Jennifer Best and then Jon Moxley makes his entrance being accompanied by the AEW championship.
Square up, Omega offers a handshake but Moxley doesn't take it. Collar and elbow, go-behind, Jon with a sleeper hold but Kenny gets the ropes! Circling, back to the lockup, Omega with a go-behind, a takedown, a front chancery, reversed, Kenny pries an arm loose and grabs a wristlock. A mare into a reverse chinlock, Mox trips him up to break the hold!
Omega back to the side headlock, shot off, shoulder block, headlock takeover from the champ! Back and forth, a Frankensteiner puts Moxley on the floor, Omega off the ropes, Jon slides back in and hits a Bossman Slam! Action to the floor, Omega stops himself short of the barricade and then lands on his feet off a back suplex, kick to the gut, Mox hits a straight suplex!
Jon throws him over the barricade, following after, referee giving them a wide latitude.
After some back and forth Omega is in control and targeting Moxley's knee on the floor! Back inside, wrenching away at it even as Mox gets a reverse chinlock in the corner. Referee Paul Turner counting, Kenny traps the leg and dropkicks the knee! Desperation lariat lays Omega out but Jon can hardly capitalize on it with a bum knee!
Kenny with a kneebar, clean in the middle of the ring, Mox gets the ropes and forces the break so Omega shifts to a wristlock and alternating chops and leg kicks! Fireman's carry, Finlay Roll denied, German suplex from the champion! Going for another one, Omega fights out with elbows, Jon improvises into a pumphandle exploder suplex... nope!
Crash Landing follows, another nearfall and another nearfall.
Some more back and forth offense. Omega hits a tope con giro! Back inside, springboard countered... PARADIGM SHIFT! Moxley slow to capitalize and he decides to go out to the floor and throw some chairs in the ring. Referee Paul Turner warns him, but Mox sets the chairs up... he wants to brawl with Omega! Trading right hands square on the jaw, nowhere to go, punch for punch!
Jon wins the punch exchange but Kenny hits a V-Trigger that knocks him out of his chair! Dragon suplex, another one, off the ropes, release German suplex from the champion! V-Trigger for a lariat and both men are down and out! Underhooks, another Paradigm Shift, cover... KENNY OMEGA FINDS THE WILL TO KICK OUT!
Omega goes to the floor, Moxley runs the ropes, suicide dive... COUNTERED WITH A V-TRIGGER! Back inside, Kenny up top, missile dropkick sends the champ sprawling! V-Trigger to the back of the head, underhooks... JAY DRILLER CAN'T KEEP JON MOXLEY DOWN! A series of V-Triggers right in the middle of the ring, Mox catches the third!
Elbow gets another V-Trigger, electric chair, Jon reverses, jockeying for position, Omega with a dropkick right on the button! Ripcord V-Trigger, electric chair, overhead elbows from Moxley, Kenny shifts gears... CROYT'S WRATH GETS A DEEP TWO! Up top, Mox gets up and goes to blast Omega off the turnbuckles but he jumps down first!
Brawling on the floor... PARADIGM SHIFT INTO ONE OF THE RINGSIDE SPACE HEATERS! Turner calls for a doctor to look at Kenny! A hysterical Jennifer rushes for officials to check on Omega, Jennifer kneels down to check on him too, but Moxley decides he's waited long enough and pulls Kenny back inside! Mounted punches from Mox to Kenny. Jennifer gets on the stage and tries to tell Jon that Omega's hurt and Mox shoves her back, making her trip over her own feet and she fell off the stage and onto the hardwood ground.
Turning around, Kenny's got the mic, and he blasts Mox in the face with it while referee Paul Turner is checking on Jennifer! Jon bleeding from the forehead, trying to get himself back up to his feet... V-TRIGGER! ANOTHER ONE! MOX IS HANGING ON THE ROPES AND A THIRD AND A FOURTH V-TRIGGER COME! Electric chair, Moxley out on his feet and BOOM… One-Winged Angel!
Kenny Omega wins by pinfall with One-Winged Angel to win the AEW World Championship. Kenny's Uncle Don Callis is on commentary, but he comes to the ring to celebrate with the new world champion. The new champion looks around the ring for Jennifer since she was not in the ring celebrating with him too, but Don tells Kenny not to worry about Jennifer and the two hightail it out of the arena.
Don and Kenny are stopped by Alex Marvez to have the post match interview but Callis cuts off the interviewer that Kenny was going to explain everything on IMPACT! The two get into a big SUV and speed off into the night.
Camera cuts back to the arena and Moxley is being escorted to the back by referees and officials. He has a look of frustration and anger combined upon his rugged handsome face.
Jennifer is not too far behind flanked by agent and wrestling legend Jerry Lynn and the big boss, TK, who is making a rare appearance onscreen. The show ends with Jennifer staring up at the titantron, absolutely devastated by Kenny's actions.
Kenny and Jennifer were literally the last two people left in Daly's arena. Jennifer changed from her onscreen attire which had consisted of a black lace bralette, black skinny jeans with holes and black vinyl doc martens into a black crop top, black leggings, and black flip flops. She washed off all her dark makeup and put her long blonde hair into a high bun.
The freshly showered new AEW champion came out in a graphic t-shirt, black gym shorts, and sneakers. He was finishing packing up the rest of his belongings. He looked over at Jennifer who was wandering into space.
"Earth to Jennifer!" He called out to her. Jennifer shook her head and smiled at him. "Everything ok?"
She nodded. "Yes everything is fine."
"Then why are you wandering off into space?"
"I am just thinking."
Kenny raised an eyebrow. "Care to share?"
"Nothing important."
"Ok, but I'm here if you need to talk."
"I know," the younger woman responded with a smile. "Thank you."
"Of course." The older man walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek. "That's what I am here for."
Jennifer felt her heart flutter. She decided to admit to Kenny what was really wrong because he was so genuine and it was hard to not want to tell him what was wrong. "I am just thinking about how I won't be around for your title reign; also, I am hella anxious about my back surgery on Friday. What if something goes wrong?"
Kenny enveloped Jennifer into a hug and started stroking her head. "I am going to miss having you around here, I really am, but this also gives me a chance for my character to develop. You have this babyface energy that can't be taught. People genuinely love you. People don't exactly feel that way about Don. He is a heat magnet. He will help my new character get some heat and it'll help me gain traction for my reign." His hands found their way to stroking her back. "It'll also be good for you too. You can actually relax. Of course, whenever I am home I will help you with whatever you need. But when I travel back and forth between here and IMPACT!, use that time to relax so your recovery process will be smoother."
The blonde haired woman looked up, a glimmer of spark in her blue eyes. "You have such a way of making me feel better."
"What kind of partner would I be worth if I didn't make you feel that way?"
"Not two cents."
Kenny laughed. "Exactly." He placed a kiss on top of Jennifer's head and patted her butt. "Are you ready to head out? We are literally the last two people left and we still have to grab food for dinner."
Jennifer grabbed the handle to her suitcase. "I'm ready. By the way, dinner is on me tonight." She lugged her suitcase to the door.
"You don't have to do that." Kenny grabbed his suitcase and met Jennifer at the door.
"I know I don't, but I want to. You have been so supportive since finding out I needed back surgery and I want to pay it forward."
"Ok," the new AEW champion nodded. "I appreciate it." He opened the door to the dressing room so he and his partner could leave.
Jennifer walked out first and then Kenny followed behind. "You don't have to go cheap on me, whatever you want, get it." The two started walking towards the parking lot.
"I will get the most expensive item on the menu," Kenny teased.
Jennifer laughed. "Get it. You deserve it."
Their car was there to pick them up. Since Kenny and Jennifer decided to leave last and make sure everything was good after the show, TK arranged for them a private vehicle to get them home. Kenny loaded up their suitcases into the trunk of the car before joining Jennifer in the backseat. Once they both were situated, Kenny gave the driver the cue they were good to go. "Please stop by Wendy's nearby so we can grab food."
"This is my last time riding home with you from the arena until my recovery from back surgery."
"It is, but instead of being in pain and having all these neurological symptoms, next time you ride home with me, your back will be healed and you'll feel brand new."
Jennifer smiled and nodded. That sounded good to her. "True, very true."
Kenny and Jennifer finished their dinner. Jennifer was in the kitchen making a grocery list of items that they would need for the rest of the week. Kenny, who was chillin' on the couch, joined her in the kitchen.
"Whatcha doing?" He leaned against the counter, his arms crossed.
The blonde woman finished writing down an item on the list before looking up at the older man. "I am making a grocery list. What are you doing?"
"Coming to see what you were up to. You haven't really sat down since we have been home besides eating your dinner."
"Kenny," Jennifer sighed. "That's because I know today and tomorrow are going to be the only two days left I'll be worth anything."
"Jennifer, you're having back surgery. You're not going to be down forever. Besides, that's what I'm here for. It's my house so I can help partake with the upkeep of it."
The younger woman frowned. "I thought this is my house too."
The older man sighed. "It is. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come across the way I did. It is our house, but I meant I live here too so it's not just up to you to have the responsibility of dealing with the house and everything that comes with it."
"I'm sorry too. I am just so anxious. I am staying busy to keep my mind off of Friday."
"Jennifer, lovely, things are going to be just fine. There isn't a storm you haven't weathered and this will not be any different."
"I know." She ran a hand through her hair.
"I'll help you finish up the grocery list and cleaning up and then after that, you are going to come lay with me on the couch and we are going to just hang out and relax," Kenny insisted. "Capiche?" He extended his hand out to her for her shake in agreement.
She met his agreement when she reciprocated his handshake. "Capiche."
Kenny rummaged through the cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator to see what he needed to add. He told Jennifer anything that needed to be added to the list. After about thirty minutes between finishing up the grocery list and cleaning up, the first couple of AEW(as they were recently named by the AEW roster: namely Matt and Nick Jackson) sat together on the couch. Jennifer was content as she laid into Kenny's side. Nothing felt more right at this moment in time.
A/N: Thanks so much for reading! :)