Miz struggles to breathe. After all of these weeks, things are coming to a head between he and Lumis. He can barely think the man's name, much less say it aloud. It all falls on his shoulders now- keeping the man from getting a contract with WWE, or else risk his... well, his manhood. It's the worst situation he could've been put in, and he's not sure what to do next.
Maryse is sitting next to him, cake still dripping from her hair, and Mike buries his face in his hands. "I'm sorry," he mumbles. "I'm so damn sorry. I didn't mean to drag you into this. I can barely think straight around him, there's... there's no way this match is going to end well."
Maryse sighs, angrily brushing a wet towel through her hair. "You need to stop feeling so sorry for yourself," she snaps. "You have so many people who believe in you, and just want you safe. Fight for them. Even if..." she sighs. "Even if the worst happens, and you fail, we'll all still be here for you. He... He who should not be named has traumatized you, it's not... it's not anything against you if you lose next week. He should probably be arrested for assault, not given a chance to win a contract." She exhales shakily. "I wish I could do more to help you. But I'm unsure what."
Mike breathes in. "Either way," he murmurs. "It means a lot to me that you still have so much faith in me. I... I don't think I have any in myself, honestly. But you and AJ... you always support and comfort me, and I don't think there's a way for me to ever repay you."
"Please," Maryse says, waving her hand. "You sacrificed everything for me when you told the world we were married to help me out of the financial hole I'd dug myself into. I know it hasn't been easy for you and AJ, but you've held steady to that fabrication for so many years by now. I am the one who could never repay you. I won't even complain about taking a bath in cake frosting."
Mike laughs and sighs, ignoring the cake crumbs and whipped frosting still clinging to her hair and clothes and wrap an arm around her. "Thanks," he sighs, not sure what he did to deserve people like Maryse in his life, but so relieved for it.
"You're welcome," she says, nudging him. "Now let's get out of here before something else happens. I really, really need a nice, long, hot shower. This," she shakes her hair pointedly, "is definitely not my conditioner of choice."
He laughs at her and stands, holding a hand out to her. "Then let's go, milady."
Maryse smiles and takes his hand, allowing him to ease her up onto her feet. "Yes, lets," she agrees, smile growing as he tucks her hand in his arm and guides her outside to the waiting rental car, both of them eager to safely leave before Lumis sneaks up on them and decides to do something else..