Mike hums. Thumbs through AJ's book while she lays on top of him. Her book tour had eventually led her back home, so for a couple of night, Sara gets to sleep in her crib, and AJ and Mike get to discuss life post-superstar shake up, how it feels to be on Raw with Heath and Rhyno, and everything else going on. "Well, it's the first time in a long time I've gotten Tuesday off, so that's nice," Mike murmurs. "Hey, I'll be home for the DVD release of Marine 5 next week."
AJ nods, nuzzles closer to him and kisses under his jaw. "I'll make popcorn, we'll marathon all three of your movies and make a night of it, yeah?"
He hums, closing his eyes and looping his arms lazily around her. "That sounds really good," he nods, staring up at her as she leans against him with a small smile on her face. "As long as little Sara doesn't get scared by all of the gun fights."
AJ chuckles and whispers, "Maybe Uncle John and Aunt Taya would want to take her for the night. We'll see." She taps him on the nose and gets up. "Want anything?"
"Water," he says, watching as she leaves the room. Now that things are settled, and things like Wrestlemania and the Shakeup are behind them, things are feeling pretty good. Like, really good. He smiles and sinks back into the pillows, stretching his arms out cheerfully.
-x
Come Raw, some of his contentment fades away. Dean Ambrose is still being a thorn in his side and, even when he tries to have him on Raw to get the upperhand, Ambrose wrecks it, leaves him and Maryse scrambling to escape the ring, but that's not where the worst of the fear comes from. Braun Strowman is on a rampage and he pushes Maryse behind him while the man storms by, dragging Kalisto out of the nearest locker room, the two of them rushing to his private locker room and shutting the door securely behind them. Heath and Rhyno are in there, Heath sipping from a water while Rhyno chews on his usual crackers and cheese... when Maryse rushes into Heath's arms and clings to him.
Mike explains quietly what just happened and Heath hugs her tighter, Rhyno opening the door enough to peek out. "Looks like things've calmed down," he says simply, shutting and re-locking the door. "We're safe."
Maryse slowly calms but she hates to let any of them out of her sight, aware that Braun is still angry, still desperate for Angle's attention, to get his hands on anyone in his path. When Heath and Rhyno leave to do a quick interview about their being moved to Raw, she sits on the couch and tugs at her lips with her perfectly manicured fingers, Mike eventually pulling them free and patting them soothingly. She breathes loudly as Braun appears, her worst fears coming true, but Rhyno pushes Heath back against the wall, similar to how Mike had pushed her back earlier, and outside of losing his crackers, nothing awful happens. Braun storms through, eager to get to his match and Heath and Rhyno are left alone, fearful, but safe.
When they return to the locker room, Heath grips Maryse's arms and comforts her as she searches him all over, despite knowing on some level that he's ok. He smiles shakily at Mike and then presses his lips to Maryse's forehead. "C'mon, let's get outta here while the hallways are still safe, yeah? I'll get you some'a that wine you like. Would that be nice?"
She nods, leans up on her tippy toes and kisses him slowly. "Yes, I'd like that."
"I'm in," Rhyno says, still looking woeful at the loss of his crackers.
Mike has no problems with bailing early. They've all had too many near misses with Braun, so he follows them out, eager for what's become a regular stop at the hotel bar before some sleep prior to their flights or media or whatever the day following Raw leaves them. He glances at the other three once they're all settled in the car and smiles. "I really am glad we're still on the same brand. I'd have missed this otherwise."
General murmurs of agreement from the others and he turns his focus back to the road, still smiling. Might have Braun to deal with, and the exhaustion of being on a three hour show versus Smackdown's two, but still. It's worth it.