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Despite not being on the card for the PLE, LA Knight spent his Saturday evening backstage at All State Arena, watching and waiting for JD to be finished for the night.
Sure he could have done the same thing from the comfort of their hotel room, but he’s a worrier by nature and with JD in the precarious position that he’s in, there’s nowhere else he could be tonight and retain any amount of sanity.
They parted upon arriving to the Arena, JD going in ahead to meet up with Finn before joining the rest of the Judgement Day. They’d been keeping things under wraps from most people, especially from the other members of his faction, with all the eyes on JD for his first PLE match appearance in the main event, they couldn’t be too careful.
It makes Knight so proud to see the way that JD has developed and grown over the last year, rising in popularity as his own career has taken off and catapulted him to new heights. But dealing with all this added attention as they’ve started their lives together has been strenuous on both of them.
After the end of the show tonight, Knight has some time free and he’s traveling with JD to the next city for the Raw taping, paying a little extra to put them up in really nice hotel rooms, with date night restaurant reservations. His sweet Clover has been struggling lately and has more than earned this surprise.
He’ll have earned it all the more after a match like this, he hadn’t been sent out first for the Judgement Day, but Knight watched as his sweet boy took hit after hit for his new friends.
Things had been going their way for a while, the time running out as Team Cody’s cage remained steadfastly empty. Knight felt bad to root against the guys he respected and admired, he was looking out for JD too. A 5 on 4 match would make for a swift finish without the man he loves taking any more hard hits.
He watches as Rhea appears onscreen, briefcase in hand and referee in tow. It makes sense for Damien to cash in tonight, Knight thinks, it’s something he would do with the World Heavyweight Champion beaten down as he is.
Things change very quickly, and the elation of the approaching Judgement Day victory turns to dread as Randy Orton finally appears on the screen and the odds are evened considerably.
Knight feels horror sinking in his stomach as he can do nothing but watch as JD climbs the steel structure, though he can’t be trying to escape as those idiot announcers suggest, his Clover would never attempt something so cowardly.
Whatever his plan is, he’s thwarted by Seth and Sami, with Orton below poised to strike. Knight feels a stinging in his palms as his nails dig into the skin, fighting every instinct in him to go out there and protect his lover from what’s about to happen. Finally JD’s grip on the metal slips and he’s falling, falling, falling toward the mat and into the awaiting RKO.
His head hits the mat hard and JD doesn’t move again.
Knight’s heart nearly stops until he sees the tiniest of movements as the refs check on his boy. It was a hard fall, but he’ll be alright. His breath comes back to him and the relief turns to hot rage that he has to fight to control. There’s no way he’s going to be able to face anyone in that match for a while until he’s got a cooler head. And really his first priority is making sure his sweet boy is okay.
The match ends with the Team Cody prevailing, and Knight’s as surprised as everyone else by CM Punk’s return. He paces, knowing that JD would likely have to go through medical before coming to him, but each minute that passes without Knight being able to see him is pure torture.
Several times he walks to the door, intent on yanking it open and tearing through the arena to find him, but he keeps reminding himself that all the secrecy is for JD, to help further his career, and that the waiting will be worth it to see his boy shine, no matter how much it hurts now.
Finally after what feels like ages, there’s a soft knock followed by the door creaking open. JD ducks his head as he enters the room, but Knight is at his side in a moment, sweeping him into a tight embrace and shutting the door behind him.
They knock into the wall, but he has his hand on the back of JD’s head to protect him from the impact. The anger and noise in his head evaporates the moment his lips meet JD’s, soft and sweet and loving.
Knight pulls back after JD barely responds, taking his boy’s chin in his hands and raising it gently so their eyes meet.
JD looks crushed, and not just physically. There are bruises and small cuts along his face and arms, but it’s the sad and deadened look in his eyes that Knight can’t abide.
“Clover honey, tell me what’s wrong.” He keeps his voice soft and light to not spook his lover further.
JD sniffs, bringing a hand up to wipe his face, trying to hide further. “I failed,” He starts, but he gets choked up and can’t continue.
Knight shakes his head. “I watched the whole thing, sweetheart. You didn’t fail at anything, nah nah.”
The catchphrase gets a quiet laugh out of the younger man, but his head droops still.
“I just,” He pauses, biting his lip and looking at Knight like he’s unsure. “I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.”
Knight frowns. “Whadda ya mean?”
“I been friends with Finn forever, and that was supposed to be my foot in the door, join the Judgement Day and climb my way up, right?”
Knight nods, rubbing one of his hands along JD’s arm for support.
“Jus’ lately all it seems I know how ta do is take a beatin’. And I don’ know if it’s worth it, keepin’ things secret like this.” JD’s frown almost breaks his heart.
The older man sighs, thinking about how much easier things would be if JD would turn on his teammates and join him. They’d make headlines and turn the whole universe on it’s head. But would that really be what’s best for his little clover in the end?
“Listen, honey,” Knight presses a kiss to JD’s cheek where a tear falls. “You know how much I hate watchin’ you hurtin’. But I think you need to trust yourself and stay the course. Puttin’ that work in is tough, I know it. But look at ya! As young as you are and already in the main event of Survivor series! That’s not nothin’, Clover.”
JD sniffs again, and meets his eyes. Knight would burn the whole world down if it made him happy.
“Tonight was rough, and I’m not gonna say it’s not gonna be hell for me to face those guys and not clean their clocks for touchin’ you. But we gotta do what’s best for your career. Even if it’s tough.” He kisses JD again, just a sweet brush of lips, and at the end that little grin comes out to meet him. It’s all worth it.
“You’re right,” JD sighs. “Of course you’re right. Jus’ overwhelmed is all. Ready to get outta here too.”
Knight laughs, “Come on now, we gotta real nice place waitin’ on us, with a big ol’ bathtub to soak in.”
“Sounds like heaven,” JD grabs his bag, slinging it over his shoulder before taking Knight’s hand in his.
Knight kisses their joined hands, “It really does.”