A/N: Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! And hope international readers have a good weekend! 3
Ten years, to the day. Mike taps his fingers against his forearm and stares at his briefcase, a slow smirk crossing his face as John bustles around behind him. "Hey, Johnny," he calls out, and feels more than sees as Morrison turns to look at him. "What do you think I should do tonight? Cash in, or wait?"
John drops whatever it is he's doing and joins Miz, looking down at the bright green monstrosity as well. "I don't know, you think you'll feel up to cashing in after the battle royal later?" They're both in, and Mike and he's talked extensively about plans on how to outlast the others- then deciding between the two of them who will win. "Maybe rock paper scissors or something," John had cracked to Mike's amusement.
"I guess we'll find out," Mike muses. "Winner of a battle royal and new World Champion after tonight? Sounds like a fantastic way to kick off the holidays to me." John doesn't argue with him, and Mike twists to look at him. "What about you? I mean, I notice a lot of your aspirations and goals have taken a back seat to all of this." He falters briefly, mulling over how best to ask this. "Do you want... to win or anything?"
Morrison shrugs, his eyes careful not to meet Mike's. "I mean, a win's always good. But I'm just along for the ride, right now, man. I'll have another turn later, I'm sure."
Mike shakes his head, watching him. "What's going on with you? I know we haven't really talked about it a lot since I won this briefcase, but you're doing so much to try to help me, and it just feels like-"
John cuts him off. "Hey, Mike, you know what was also happening ten years ago today?" When Mike shakes his head, uncertain, John smiles a little. "We were tag champs, and I was doing what I could to keep the Anon GM off of your back so you could cash in successfully. Remember that?"
"Of course I do," Mike mumbles. "It gave me my best friend back. Kinda hard to forget something like that."
John's face clears, slightly, and he smiles. "So when I do what I can to help you now, it just reminds me of then. For everything that changes, there's just as much that stays the same." He lightly punches Mike in the shoulder. "So don't worry about me. I'll land on my feet, I always do."
"Just like a cat," he teases, nudging John as he stands up and collects his briefcase. "C'mon, man. Let's go deal with this battle royal nonsense."
Their plans go up in smoke early, John gets eliminated first, and Mike gapes out at him in horror. John looks contrite as he shrugs up at him and slowly takes his leave at the referee's demands. "Shit," Mike mumbles, turning to glare at the ... entire field of superstars just waiting for him to start something. Which, after a few moments to accept what just happened, he does, and he maintains his place in the match, fighting throughout... until Dominic Guerrero tries to kick him out of the ring. He rolls under at the last moment, however, then hits the ground, and sees out of the corner of his eye as a referee waves it off.
He hides under the apron, listening for more eliminations, and as soon as the commentary says as much, he's up, he's in the ring, and he eliminates Dominic with as much pleasure as he can muster. Sneers as he looks out over the annoyed faces of the people watching from their homes, grabbing his briefcase and holding it high.
"I'm sorry," John apologizes to him as soon as he makes his way backstage.
"Hey, no harm, no foul," Mike says, squeezing his shoulder. "Still got the win, that's the important thing. You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good. You? Up for whatever may come later?"
Mike smirks. "Always."
But he ultimately decides to sit on cashing in. The date would be perfect, he enjoys the symmetry of it, but he's sitting there watching Drew and Roman kill each other, and he thinks he'd rather not get trapped in the middle of the Anoi'a family drama right now. John looks surprised by his decision, but Mike knows it's the right one.
That week, they're not on Raw, but Mike does get to host MizTV on Main Event, which gives him and John more time to settle into things, less likely to get interrupted, and they interview Retribution, which is uncomfortable at best and positively creepy at worst. "Well, I'm glad that's ok," Mike mumbles once they're backstage safely once more.
"Yeah, that was kinda..." John's words drift off and he allows himself a full-body shudder that makes Mike smile a little.
"Yeah, you can say that again." He grabs a few things for his shower and then pauses at the door, glancing over his shoulder. "Hey, John."
"Yeah?" he asks, looking up from where he's staring down at his own things, trying to organize it for the flight home.
"I'm really glad we're doing Thanksgiving together this year," he admits. "I know we usually try to do something, but it feels different this time. You know?" Getting to work together, knowing John will have his back personally and professionally is probably one of the biggest things Mike's grateful for this year, and he hopes it shows as he stares back at John.
John smiles slowly, his eyes gleaming. "Yeah, man, I feel the same way," he chuckles. "Now go shower, get that Retribution smell off of you. Man, they need to do something about their gear, that stuff really needs aired out or something."
Mike laughs and takes his leave, thudding his knuckles against the doorway before heading out. Yeah. I have a lot to be thankful about this year.