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Being in Riyadh felt off.
Not because he didn’t like Riyadh, no, but because of something he didn’t particularly like. Kevin was still injured. Out, in Florida with Michin. They’d kept in contact, and he had Jey, so it really wasn’t that bad. He still missed him, though.
Sami sighed, fidgeting with his straw at the bar. Water, as boring as the drink could be, was helping. He wasn’t sure where Jey was. Probably with everyone else partying at the pool, if he had to guess.
Not him.
Dread was already filling his system for Saturday.
What if he didn’t win? What if, by some chance, he couldn’t do it? He was already 12-0 with Drew. It’d be miraculous for him to even think about getting a win over him now.
Why is he even getting his hopes up?
He’ll just let everyone down again. Like he did in against Seth, where he tried everything in his power and it still wasn’t enough. Like he did against Gunther, passing out like a fool.
And in Montréal …
Sami squeezes his eyes shut.
Deep breath in, out.
Until a voice cuts him out of it.
“Sami? Man, what are you doing sitting by yourself?”
Carmelo Hayes, grin present as ever, stands with his United States Championship over his shoulder. It looks amazing on him. He couldn’t be more proud of him.
“Huh? Oh, sorry, I’m just preparing for Saturday. A little nervous, y’know?”
Melo hums, taking a seat next to him like they’d been friends for years. “I get that. It’s big. Want me to grab Jey?”
Sami shakes his head, quicker than he wanted to. He was how happy Jey was, dancing with everyone and being an idiot. It’s what he does. That’s one of the things he loves about his boyfriend.
“No, no. Let him have his fun, I’ll be fine. You go have fun too, okay? Don’t let me stop you.”
Rolling his eyes, Melo pats him on the shoulder and pulls out his phone. He types for barely a moment, before Sami’s own phone rings and he tilts his head.
“I told you. You got us, we got you. They’ll be here.”
“Melo, I really don’t want to bother everyone else about me being a little nervous—”
“Shut up. We got you, let us help you.”
Sami sighs, taking a sip of his water instead of protesting further. They barely have to wait a minute before he sees Rey slide into the room with a smile. He thinks it’s a smile. The luchador makes his way towards them, looking at Melo first.
“Code red. You said code red, yes? Is this about Saturday?” A nod follows in response. Then, he turns to Sami. “You are one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Beating him will come easy to you! You will be WWE Champ this weekend.”
He blinks, a smile can’t help but come onto his face. It’s so sweet, he can’t help it. “Thank you, Rey.”
The luchador grins, moving to capture Sami in a tight hug. He pats his back, and it reminds him of smaller times when he used to wear the mask. Maybe he’ll joke about it with Kevin on his call home later.
Once he moves back, he looks back to Melo. “Are we making this an everyone event, or should I leave?”
“Nah, nah, stay. We can make a day outta this. I’ve got it covered.”
Before he can even question what that means, two pairs of footsteps were approaching. When they approach, slight bickering follows it.
“We’re gonna miss them, c’mon!”
“They won’t run away, Melo wouldn’t leave without us.”
“Okay, but still! Sami could be crying bad, we gotta run.”
“He’s definitely not.”
That’s when they turn the corner, entering the room together as if they weren’t friends. Ilja Dragunov and Je’Von Evans. That’s everyone. Sami can’t help but let his smile grow even more.
Ilja moves closer first, letting an arm wrap around Melo’s shoulders with a sigh. The latter leans into his boyfriend, grin on his face. It’s such casual intimacy, they’re all used to them by now.
“Sami, you’re nervous about your match with Drew? You have nothing to worry about,” He shakes his head, face screwing in concentration to pick his next words. “You have so many in your corner. Your momentum is off the charts, there is nothing to be afraid of.”
He supposes he’s right. But, that’s the emotional side of him talking. The logical side of him knows that the 12-0 track record is waiting to add another tally to Drew’s side. That’s what he was thinking, but seeing the hope in all of his friends eyes …
It makes him want to believe.
Je’Von grins, ruffling Sami’s hair with a large grin and clapping his hands together. “Yeah! And, like, you’re one of the best to ever do it, unc. You got this! Show him who’s boss! If I were you, I’d just slap him like you did last week.”
Behind him, Rey makes a boom sound to mimic the slap. The thought makes him grin.
“See?” Melo kicks his shin lightly. “You’ve got all of us in your corner. Plus, I’m sure Jey and Kev are rooting for you.”
“Ooooooooh … man, they are for sure! Hey, how is Kevin?” Je’Von asks, moving towards the group to make them a little circle and Rey follows suit.
Sami smiles, laugh elevating from him. “He’s good. Recovering well, I’d say. He’s watching live tomorrow, with Michin. Actually, he promised he’d call me sometime today —”
Ring, ring!
Ilja can’t help but chuckle. The timing is insane, he can’t even dispute it. He shuffles to pull out his phone, but before answering, he looks to everyone with him. “… Are you guys gonna stay?”
“Yes! Kevin is wonderful,” Rey affirms, smile on his face.
Melo sighs. “And we can’t miss an opportunity to see your smiley ass with him. You’re whipped, Sam.”
Sami shakes his head, clicking the answer button. The cameras on, and he sees Kevin. A whole flood of worries leave him when he sees his face. God, he loves him so much.
“Hey, Sami. Miss me?”
“So much. Uh, before you say anything else —”
Je’Von puts his chin on Sami’s head from behind him. “What’s up, Kev?”
Kevin blinks. Sighs. Smiles slightly, before raising his eyebrows. “Je’Von. Let me guess, you’ve got all of them with you?”
“Guilty as charged. I was a little … down, so they cheered me up. Seeing you made it even better. How are you?”
Rey awws in the background and Je’Von pokes him on his shoulder. They can’t be that cute, right?
“I’m good. Missing you and Jey, but I’m good. Hey, where is he?”
Ilja hums, turns to look at the pool, then sighs. “The diving board. He’s making the most of his holiday, it seems.”
“Man, he’s doing it with the belt? That’s INSANE,” Je’Von’s jaw is wide, he can feel it on his head.
Sami sighs. “And dangerous. I’ll talk to him about it later. Did you call me for any particular reason?”
“Not really,” Kevin admits. “I just wanted to see you before SmackDown tomorrow. You seem busy though, so I don’t really want to burst your bubble or anything.”
“You’d never! Kev, you can come with us if you want. I don’t know what we’re doing, but you can —”
Kevin sighs. He looks at Sami through the phone, really looks at him, and shakes his head. “You can call me when you’re back to your hotel room. You’re ahead of me, I’ll still be up. Go and have fun.”
He blinks. Why is he telling him to do that?
“Kevin, do you know what they’re planning?”
Melo snickers. Ilja sighs. Rey’s smile grows wider. Je’Von taps Sami’s shoulder again.
“Maybe I do. Guess you better go find out. I’ll see the pictures later.”
“Kev —”
“I love you. I’ll talk to you tonight, mon cher.”
Click!
Melo chuckles. He leans up, kisses Ilja’s chin before standing and grabbing Sami’s shoulders. “Lost your Kevin privileges for the night. We’re going out.”
“But where are we going, Melo?” Rey asks, a fake tone of curiosity in him.
“Great question! We are going to Six Flags and you’re gonna go on every ride till you’re sure that you’ll become WWE Undisputed Champion on Saturday. Deal?”
Je’Von moves back, nodding his head. “Yeaaah! I got so many I wanna try. Iron Rattler, anybody?”
A sigh falls from Sami, but he smiles. They’re all so happy. How could he say no?
“Okay. We’re going to Six Flags.”
And as he stands, the door opens and in comes Jey. He’s soaking wet, belt slipping from his skin. Grin is present on his face as he walks toward Sami. “Hey, you leavin’ without me?”
“We’re going to … Six Flags. The theme park,” Ilja informs him, moving to capture one of Melo’s hands to hold. “Is he coming with us?”
His boyfriend shrugs. “If he wants. You comin’, Jey? We are an uneven number, your boy will need a seat partner.”
Jey blinks, the grin growing even more. “I gotta get changed first, but … yeah, I’ll come. Sami, wanna grab some stuff with me?”
“He’s pulling him away so they can kiss,” Rey whispers into Je’Von’s ear.
“I know that! ‘M not stupid, jeez.”
Sami sighs, taking Jey’s hand and kissing his knuckles lightly. “Okay, Jey. Let’s be quick though, yeah?”
“No promises, uce.”
And he drags him away with a dopey grin.