Mike is still thinking about what Braun had said to him, laying in bed with AJ's head resting on his shoulder as she dozes through whatever TV show is dragging on on the TV across from them. He knows the guy had a point, he doesn't want to get caught in Bronson's wave of anger, of course not, but it still rankles at him.
Braun was respectful, for the most part, but it's still rough to hear. Mike's always hated being underestimated, all of his years in wrestling not being enough to considered tough enough or smart enough or whatever to handle himself. He closes his eyes and remembers how Truth is still recovering, how Seth hasn't been seen since that night.
"Stop thinking so loudly," AJ mumbles, curling more thoroughly around him. "Or I will wake the babies up and make them distract you."
"Oh don't do that," Mike huffs with a laugh, rubbing her back lazily. "Just working through some stuff, sorry I woke you up."
AJ sits up and strokes his brow with a thumb. "I know it wasn't the best thing to hear, but I'm kind of glad he's watching out for you. Personally, I don't want you to become like Seth or Truth. So if Braun takes the brunt of Bronson's anger instead, it works for me."
Mike sighs. "Logically, I know you're right," he says, watching as she continues fussing over him. "But my pride hates it."
She clucks at him, leaning in to press a kiss to his forehead. "I understand. But maybe think about me and the kids whenever it happens, huh? We need you to not be pancaked on the mat or thrown through a car. Alright?"
Mike nods. "Alright," he murmurs. "I'll try."
She smiles at him and leans in, kissing him on the lips. "Good. Now come on, let's watch the rest of this show."
Mike wisely doesn't say that she's slept through the majority of the episode and instead adjusts so she rests comfortably against him once more, trying to figure out what's going on all over again in the show.
He watches her instead, smiling a little. She's right. He'll accept it eventually.