“I'm just saying that it's not natural.”

Carter visibly cringed at the words he had heard from random strangers ever since he had come out at the tender age of fourteen. Some of them were family and former friends. Most had been his school classmates although just as many, if not more, were surprisingly supportive.

But it was still vastly disappointing and hurtful when you would hear a stranger offering an opinion on not just the fact on whom you shared a bed with, but also how this supposedly affected the ability in how you performed your craft. Something that you had been doing relatively successfully for over six years, and only recently surpassed your own dreams by climbing to the upper echelon of the business.

But sure, let’s forget about all of that.

Carter had been content to spend a portion of the day alone while Miles busied himself at the gym, getting in one of his (in)famous workouts. Carter usually loved going to the gym as an open excuse to ogle his “hot husband” but found neither man got a lot accomplished during the session. Well, as far as actual working out goes. So this time Miles opted to go alone and he’d return to pick Carter up so the two of them could go shopping for a birthday present for their nephew in London. Riley’s parents had made them swear an oath not to go overboard like they had in their last visit to England, but despite crossing their hearts, they made no ‘real’ promises.

So here Carter remained at their home, watching a podcast he had been told about only moments ago by his best friend, Ariana Angelos. She had texted him to let him know that “Beyond the Squared Circle” - one of theory mutually favorite wrestling-related podcasts was going to be dedicating this episode to not just Carter, but also his reign atop the mountain of Sin City Wrestling. And even better? The host Ava Garner was to be joined by some “wrestling expert” by the name of Tobias Holloway. Whoever that was. Carter figured it to be some guy who never set foot in the actual business side of the sport, let alone an actual wrestling ring, but still somehow believed being a fan made him an expert on everything wrestling-related.

Ava always took her own craft seriously, treating each and every guest of her show with the utmost of respect, even when some of those old school boys treated her less so all because she possessed a uterus. Her studio was brightly lit from overhead stage lights and the set itself was two chairs in the center of a stage made up to resemble a wrestling ring on three sides. That was it. She felt no need for anything more glamorous because she was here not to impress anyone but to have fun and pay her respects to the men and women who put their bodies on the line, day in and day out, and all in the name of our bloodlust infused amusement.

"And welcome back to Beyond the Squared Circle!"

Ava Garner said with a perpetual smile on her face, a woman in her late twenties with olive tone skin. "Today my guest Tobias Holloway and I have been discussing something that has been making waves in recent weeks, and that is the fact that Helluva Bottom Carter has become the brand new World Heavyweight Champion of Sin City Wrestling, having defeated the legendary Alex Jones for the gold this past May in Paris, France.”

Tobias, a man who was pushing fifty if we are being generous, and possessed the countenance of a right-wing politician, sat in the chair next to her and looked every bit the part of his belonging there. For a man like this, it was not about the entertainment or the fun aspect of discussing different opinions on any topic. It was about control and convincing the world why he was right and everyone else who disagreed with him was not.

Tobias, or Mister Holloway as he preferred to be addressed as, cleared his throat and shook his head with a faux sense of dismay. He spoke up, all but interrupting his host to say, “We are, to put it mildly, in a regrettable era of the sport that we all love. Helluva Bottom Carter, World Champion.”

He shook his head in disgust, “It simply defies the natural order of things, on a business that was built on the backs of men. Real men who bled for the sport, only to have others enter their world and turn it into a complete mockery."

“Well I think you’re using the term ‘mockery’ a little loosely.” Ava countered, shaking her head. “And I have to say, that is not the first time that you so freely used the phrase ‘natural’ or ‘unnatural’ where Carter is concerned. I mean, are you implying that a wrestler's sexual orientation has any bearing on their ability to perform in the ring, or their worthiness of holding a championship?”

It looked like Tobias was about to speak over her or interrupt, but Ava literally did the same to him, talking over him as she pointed out, “Helluva Bottom Carter has consistently delivered incredible matches, displayed so much charisma, and clearly has the support of the fans."

Carter could not help but smile as he took a drink of the water he had infused with strawberries and kiwi. His and Miles’s “little girl” aka Ms. Thang hopped up onto the couch at his side, demanding tribute and he idly obliged, stretching an arm over to stroke her scalp lovingly as the close-eyed purring commenced. Carter felt grateful for people in the business like Ava who did not support sexual orientation per se, but more so anyone who wanted to make a living in this sport no matter who they shared their bed with. But he was also smart enough to know this exchange was far from over.

And the close-minded nature of Tobias was put on full display for the world to see as he finally got his chance to speak and said, “Talent is one thing, but the championship is about presenting an ideal. It's about aspirations, about what young boys see as the pinnacle of power and prestige. And yes, young boys are some of the top demographic targets for the business.”

“Ignoring of course the fact that the audience is heavily flavored with young girls as well, considering how female wrestlers are just as big in many areas - if not bigger.” Ava pointed out.

“Score.” Carter murmured as he took another drink, watching.

But it was as if Ava had not even spoken, given the way Tobias all but glossed over everything she had just said. Instead, he played the role of “peacemaker” by stating, “With all due respect to Mr. Carter’s personal life, his being the current champion, diminishes the title as well as its lineage. Now, I’m not denying Helluva Bottom Carter is talented in the ring!”

Carter all but rolled his eyes even though there was nobody present to see the fact.

Tobias continued, “It’s like you said. He’s got athleticism, charisma, and can cut a promo with the best of them. But let’s not pretend like this isn’t a calculated move to disrupt the traditional legacy of the World Heavyweight Championship.”

Ava’s face found the frown for the first time since this program started and she questioned, “How do you figure?”

To which Tobias, excuse me, Mister Holloway, gleefully answered, “Wrestling has always had its share of characters, but the champion has historically been a symbol of dominance and authenticity. This current title run? It feels like a publicity stunt. Carter’s overt flamboyance, his sexually charged persona? Especially given it’s ‘Pride Month…’ (And yes indeed, he did do the air quotes!) … It's not what the SCW World Heavyweight Championship was built on! You can call it progress all you like but the simple fact is that his title reign is woke and is diminishing the legacy of almost thirteen years and names like Gabriel Stevens, Austin James Mercer, Fenris and Michael Harris to name a few! Until Carter came along, there has not been a single homosexual World Heavyweight Champion…”

“Not true.” Ava interrupted, and the stricken expression on Tobias’s face would scream that he was unsure of which was the greater sin. Being interrupted or being told that he was wrong. Ava continued, “You mentioned names such as Fenris but Fenris was openly gay, and Kris Ryans himself - a two-time champion in his own right, was a member of the LGBTQ community. As a matter of fact, as I recall, Fenris and Kris Ryans had a brief personal relationship between the two of them.”

Tobias stared at her, at a temporary loss for words but he recovered quickly enough. He again cleared his throat and spoke up, “Be that as it may, Fenris is a perfect example. One would look at him and never know he was a member of that lifestyle. You look at him and see a rugged fighter. Kris Ryans too - to a degree! Neither of them flaunted who they were behind closed doors but men like Carter make their entire personae all about being gay!”

Ava sighed, “You see Carter winning the championship as some kind of joke or a publicity stunt but I see it as a reclamation of a spot that has long shut out performers like him or made jokes out of them. The crowd reactions are real. The merchandise sales are real. The impact he brings to the business is real!”

“But that’s exactly what I’m talking about, Ava!” Tobias countered. “The timing of Carter’s push was too convenient. Do you seriously not find it suspicious that Alex Jones, one of the most technically sound champions in SCW history, loses clean to someone like Carter? Come on.” He sat back, rolling his eyes. “That wasn’t a title change! It was a social experiment…!”

But whatever else was going to be said between the two was silenced as Carter quickly slammed the laptop shut. Carter fell back against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. After languishing in the SCW midcard territory and being unable to capitalize on numerous chances at the championship, to finally succeeding and having his success story reduced to nothing more than bigoted propaganda and claims of social experiments did more than turn his stomach!

It broke his heart. It shouldn’t, but it did. Carter had been dealing with people like Tobias Holloway most of his life, let alone his career. Many would not know this, but when Carter first entered the business, he was personally concerned about how he would be accepted in the locker rooms when he signed to both SCU as well as SCW. A fear that turned out to be unfounded because he had been supported from day one. Strongly so. Many of the men he shared a locker room with? Names like Austin James Mercer and Mac Babe among others. They had no problems sharing a dressing room with him. In fact, men like that were more prone to have a problem with anybody who complained about sharing a dressing room with Carter.

Still, it never felt good to know that someone did not accept you. Arrogant pricks like Tobias? They weren't worth the time or effort to care about them or their little feelings and opinions. Carter was willing to bet anything that this jerk off was a Trump supporter. And he wasn't about to let this asshole ruin his day.

If anything could pick up his mood…


… It was sitting back and watching Miles do squats.

Carter stepped into the shadows of the parking garage beneath the Turnberry Towers, the sound of his hard soled shoes against the concrete the only noise breaking the stillness, but it might as well have been a thunderstorm. The track lighting overhead cast ominous shadows over the rows of parked cars and for a moment, his old fears came back. Not just from the memories of the time he had been attacked in this very garage at night by a hired assailant, but also that deep rooted phobia he had always had about a break in and what would come of it. The hum of distant traffic was barely audible as Carter struggled past his irrational fears to reach his car, the lime green VW Beetle that he had inherited from his Grandfather. Miles had once questioned why he held onto such an old fashioned car, but once the connection between his Grandfather and the car was explained, Miles more than understood. He helped Carter take the utmost care of the memorial keepsake.

As he approached his car, keys in hand, something made him slow his steps. The air felt heavier all of a sudden. He glanced around but nothing seemed out of place. Rows of empty cars, a trash bin in the corner, a flickering light above the stairwell that really needed replacing. Still, his instincts whispered that something wasn’t right. He paused at the driver’s side door, hand hovering just above the handle, eyes scanning the shadows between pillars and parked cars.

A prickle was felt across the back of his neck. Carter turned abruptly, heart thudding now, scanning the rows behind him. Was that movement near the support beam? No. But feeling like a spotlight had settled on him refused to fade. His jaw tightened and he almost jumped when another car turned into the garage and headed his way. And only when Carter recognized it as being Miles’s very own blue Jeep Renegade

Carter watched with a subdued sense of relief as the car pulled around the rows and came to a crawl until it finally stopped parallel to where he was standing. The driver’s side window rolled down and Miles shifted his shades down over the bridge of his nose and said, “`Ey you pretty thing, you looking for a good time?”

Carter snorted back a laugh, all past trepidation all but forgotten in favor of Miles attempting to pick his husband up. And by ‘attempted,’ we of course mean Carter would have given it up for him had Miles simply said, “Yo bitch, backseat!” But he was far too much of a gentleman.

“What are you doing back from the gym so soon?” Carter asked, leaning against his car. “You’re usually there for another hour at least.”

“Eh, it’s just not the same when I don’t have your eyes glued to my arse.” Miles quipped, then with a lilt of the head, beckoned his husband to the passenger side. “C’mon an’ get in. Let’s grab dinner and then make my sister regret limiting what we can send Riley for his birthday.”


Carter just smirked gratefully as he walked around the now open passenger door and hopped it. And mere moments later, the Jeep Renegade vanished from the garage and into the famed “City of Sin.”

And it was inside of the Turnberry Towers security office when a gross sense of bad timing, and the guard having taken a quick break from the monitors, did not see the figure step back from around the pillar to watch as the vehicle pulled away.

---

“Living the dream.”

“That is the saying, isn’t it? When you either fulfill a life’s goal or you’re at least trying to give the illusion that everything in life is alright and couldn’t be better. But here’s the thing. I do happen to be living the dream. Not just now but I have for some time. Too many people these days are just skating by in life, barely making a living in jobs that they can’t honestly say that they love, let alone are loyal too. Hell, you even see people that have incredibly successful careers that pays well and gives them a life that would be the envy of many, but they can’t always say that they themselves are happy because they can’t say they love what they do. Doctors, lawyers, politicians… many of them begin these careers out of family desires and obligations rather than doing what they really want and later on in life, they look back with regret in their hearts and a single, painful question on their mind;”

“What if?”

“Me? I can honestly say that I am one of the lucky few. I might not have had a lot of family support in my chosen career, but I had plenty in the aspect that I was living a dream that I’ve had since I was a kid. To step inside of the ring. To travel the world. To meet fans of all ages who ask to have their picture taken with me? I’ll be honest, I get just as much a charge out of posing with people at shows or on the streets now as I did when I first got involved in wrestling. It’s these little things that bring me such joy and get me past the threshold of the injuries and frustrations. And I’ve had my fair share of those. But all of that pales by comparison when I can look at myself in the mirror and finally realize that I am the best.”

Carter lifts the SCW World Championship belt into the cradle of his arms against his upper body as if it were a small child.

“When all is said and done, that is what this particular accomplishment is all about, isn’t it? To win the top championship, to beat the best offered to you - that makes you the best.”

Carter paused and held up a hand.

“In most cases, at least. I was taught from the earliest stages of my training that a champion is only as good as the challengers that he or she faces, and that’s why when I first won this, the first thing I told everyone. Fans and the SCW bosses - that I wanted to make an example. I wanted to be a defending champion. And I’d like to think for the most part that I’ve fulfilled my side of that particular bargain without slowing down. I know Guy thought he was being funny when he booked me against Artie but he wasn’t. Neither Artie nor I treated our match like it was going to be anything less than a championship match to bring the house down. And we did just that – right up until the part where J2H and Kevin Carter just had to go and get involved. But I won. Artie gave one hell of a performance and an even better fight, but I am still the champion. Which brings me to the next step on my path toward J2H, and that’s the man that I beat for the championship in Paris.”

“Alex Jones.”

“I’ll be open and honest with everyone that’s watching right now. This match with Alex Jones? It should be for the championship. No questions or doubts about that. I know a lot of people aren’t big on impromptu title matches or big matches like this ahead of even bigger matches like what I’ve got at Summer XXXTreme, but you can not deny the fact that Alex Jones is in line for a championship match. He’s the freaking former champion for God’s sake! He hasn’t had a rematch yet and if he doesn’t deserve the opportunity to take this title and face J2H then tell me; who the hell does!?”

“How can anyone out there look at the history between us? The fights. The threats. I mean, literally EVERYTHING … and then book a non-title match between us like it’s nothing more than just some exhibition? Granted, it’s right where it belongs as the Main Event of the show but you know what would make it even better? If the championship was at stake!”

Carter nods toward the camera, and thus toward whomever might be watching.

“So Alex, if you’re watching and I suspect that you are, despite everything that happened between us in the past, I can say with sincerity that I am sorry for this happening. You not being given a rematch is disrespectful to the weight of what you and I’ve been through, and frankly, it’s a disservice to the SCW Universe who knows exactly how high the stakes should be! I wanted this to be the defining moment. You and I each hold one win over the other and this could have been our big time, the rubber match to decide it all. And technically it still can be but I just felt like it could be … more.”

“I wanted the lights brighter and the pressure more intense. Because if Alex really thinks he’s ready to climb back to the top, if I want to send a message to J2H, then we should have been allowed to prove it with everything at stake. Let him walk that same path I did and try to take what matters most. Instead, we’ve got the inevitable repeat of a fight with no crown to claim, and to me that just feels hollow. I want the title on the line, not to protect it, but because I believe in proving myself every time I step in that ring. Just like every single champion should do! That’s what a champion does. And if Alex wants a shot at redemption, I say put some damn gold on the table and let’s make it mean something!”

“And you and I are fully capable of doing just that. We brought the house down at Into the Void IX, we can do so again and make Climax Control seem like the Supercard to end all Supercards! Just … do me one favor.”

“I’m getting a little sick and tired of people poking their nose in my business. Either to cost me the championship or to give themselves a leg up on the inevitable. Your little friend Aaron Asphyxia tried to get involved and would have cost me were it not for my own bestie, Ariana. Ad Ari - and other ladies backstage - both told me that they were ready to have my back if Aaron tried to get involved again. And you saw that J2H and Kevin almost cost me everything just two weeks ago. I’m just done with people interfering and tarnishing everything that could be!”

“So please … leave Aaron in the back. Let’s just make things you and me - man to man. That way when you lose a second time around, you won’t have anyone to blame but yourself.”

The residency of Brianna and Garrett Kasey in which they shared with Brianna and Miles’s mom, Mora, was one of relatively quiet calm and familiarity - at least on this day. The house was empty, save for Miles himself and his niece and nephew. Morrigan was sound asleep in the playpen in the corner of the living room, surrounded by an army of stuffed toys, all standing guard over their little charge. Riley busied himself playing with an impressive array of toys that Carter and Miles had gifted him, much to Brianna and Garrett’s chagrin.

Miles and Carter had taken their duties as the “fun uncles” seriously when they had taken their nephew and niece on a little outing to give their parents a little time to themselves. Of course, had Mom and Dad known what was to come, they might have put a little more thought into the Uncles having free reign for that morning. Because Carter and Miles took the children to the nearest toy store - which just so happened to be Hamleys. This store was, in Carter’s own words, what Toys R Us had strived to be. With a massive selection, it was the prime spot for the Uncles to commence spoiling.

Being less than five months old, the baby just watched from Carter’s arms as they offered one soft plush after another. That was until Miles dangled an Eeyore plush in front of her and her little hands snatched onto it like it was a life preserver. And the moment Eeyore’s nose went in her mouth, the decision was made. Carter then insisted that she couldn’t have just Eeyore without one of each of his ‘friends’ from the Hundred Acre Woods, so plushies of Whinnie the Pooh, Piglet and the rest of the gang were added to her tally.

Riley had struck it rich with his Uncles spoiling him as well, what with toys like the Hot Wheels Shark Car Wash and others. But it was the Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game that had both the three year old and his Uncle engrossed. That was until Miles heard the unlocking of the front door and turned his head to see his twin sister entering her home.

“You’re home early.” Miles observed, his sister working as an Esthetician. Brianna paused, taking in the sweet scene and privately felt that her children didn’t get to see enough of her brother - or his husband. Brianna dropped her keys in the ceramic seashell on the accent table beside the front door and she said casually, “I had a light schedule today.”

She then paused and looked around, then found herself asking, “Where’s Carter and Mum?”

Miles, his attention focused solely on the tweezers in the shape of a squirrel, trying to pick up a pebble in the game, answered, “Mum took Carter to her store to explore a bit.” Miles glanced up and added, “I’m hoping she can get him to open up a little.”

To which his sister nodded, having learned from Miles earlier in the week Carter was going through some self doubt issues and needed an impartial ear. It was one of the main reasons they were here - not that Carter knew that. Brianna then asked, “Didn’t you say Carter loved to read?”

Miles nodded, “Mm. He usually has his nose buried in a book in his down time.”

“And he’s something of a shop-o-holic?” She added, her eyebrows raised.

Miles laughed, “Carter got a wedding invite from two different Amazon delivery drivers!”

Brianna then said, her tone taking on a trace of amusement at her brother’s expense, “So you sent him to Mum’s bookstore, a place he might feel obligated to support?”

Miles glanced up, staring at Brianna and she could tell the moment the reality struck him as his eyes went wide and he pursed his lips, “Ooo! I didn’t think of that!”

Brianna sighed, walking past him and she patted him on the shoulder, “Carter’s lucky you’re cute.”


On a side street in London’s Bloomsbury district, there was a small shopping district that favored the tastes of more independent shops and cafes that tended to draw the attention of the tourists and passers by. But there was something special about these smaller shops, particularly the book store that stood nestled between a cafe and a flower shop. It radiated a quaint and timeless charm, its exterior a deep red brick with black awnings over the windows which displayed a variety of employee recommended reads. Golden fairy lights lined the underside of the awning that protected the small exterior nook with two round tables for patrons to sit and enjoy a coffee and a read in the fresh air. And above the door - the name of this locally owned business - “A Likely Story”. This store was the dream realized by the matriarch of the Kasey clan, the very woman who pulled her Nissan Leaf into the reserved parking spot.

Mora stepped out of the driver’s side, followed by her son-in-law, Carter. The young man never grew tired of visiting London, and to discover his mother-in-law was the proprietor of her very own bookstore absolutely enthralled him. She watched with no small amount of pride as Carter’s eyes darted everywhere, taking it all in. The window displays. The chalkboard on the pavement that announced local poetry nights and book club meetings. Even the ivy that perfectly framed the front door held a special charm to it. Carter turned to Mora who had joined him at his side and he asked, “This is yours?”

To which she nodded with a smile as she took his arm as a lady does and they walked toward the entrance. Carter took the initiative to open the door for her and he followed her inside and whatever he had expected to find inside failed by comparison.

Well-loved novels from local authors took prominence in this store’s displays; names such as Richard Osman and Colleen Hoover. Obscure titles and handpicked staff favorites along with the usual popular and classics titles by more well known authors filled out the displays. Soft lighting cast a golden glow over reading nooks with comfortable chairs, some filled by the store’s patrons. Mora followed Carter as he found himself exploring, savoring at first that scent of paper that any avid reader could recognize. Then his nostrils took in a new scent as he turned a corner to find a small coffee counter, all the better to draw in readers who enjoyed a coffee while reading something new. Behind the counter, a chalkboard menu listed local drinks and homemade pastries.

“I should have known you would have zeroed in on the coffee.” Mora half joked, well aware of Carter’s coffee addiction. He turned to respond when the pair were interrupted by a cheery voice, “I didn’t know you were coming in today!”

Carter turned to find an older woman, perhaps in her late fifties or early sixties and to be perfectly honest, resembled Diane Wiest from the film “Practical Magic”. She approached the pair with a charming grace and the type of friendly familiarity that made you instinctively just adore her.

Mora answered her, “I wasn’t planning to, but I wanted to show my son-in-law around.” And that was all the woman had to hear for a gasp, but not one of shock but a delighted surprise.

“Is this Miles’s husband?” She gushed, her older eyes sparkling almost with the delight of a girl a third her age.

“It is.” Mora answered. “Carter? This is my dearest friend, Cora Adkins. She manages the store. Cora, this is Carter…”

Carter took a step forward to offer Cora his hand but found himself suddenly enveloped in a big hug, the woman reacting as if he was some long lost relation, exclaiming, “Oh it’s so nice to meet you!” While Carter himself reacted with surprise, “Oh! You’re a hugger! That’s alright. I am too.”

Carter finally managed to separate himself from the syrupy sweet friend of Mora’s. She then looked over his shoulder to Mora and said, “I’ll just leave you two alone.”

Carter watched her walk back behind the counter piled high with books and he turned to Mora and observed, “I bet she knows the words to every Mary Poppins song, doesn’t she?” To which Mora took his arm again and allowed him to guide her as he explored her store.

Carter instinctively wandered to the fantasy section, his preferred genre of books. His eyes roamed over the selection of titles when he stopped on one in particular: a very nice hardcover edition of the Lord of the Rings.

“Carter, what are you doing?” Mora asked as she watched Carter pulled the volume from the shelf and tuck it into his arms. He sheepishly glanced around until he shifted his eyes to her and answered, “Uhhh, we’re in a bookstore? I’m buying a book.”

“You’re my son’s husband.” Mora stepped up, pointing to the volume in his possession. “Do you honestly think I’d charge you?”

But Carter proved to be equally as stubborn, stating, “You’re Miles’s Mom. Do you really think I wouldn’t support your business?” Leaving her without an immediate response but still, a pleasant feeling as she watched him continue to explore.

He picked up an edition of the literary classic, “the Picture of Dorian Gray” and finally, his gaze fell on “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon, its vibrant cover and promise of dragons too tempting to resist. That was when Mora felt best to reel him in, stating, “Okay, I think that’s enough for now before that son of mine has a fit.” Pulling him away before Carter could make for the small table adorned in rainbow colors and filled with books representing the LGBTQ community for the upcoming Pride month….


Carter had just settled into a corner table near the window, his newly chosen books stacked neatly beside him, when Mora appeared with two steaming cups. She slid one across the table to him with a smile, the rich aroma of roasted beans curling between them before taking the seat opposite him. Carter nodded his thanks and took a drink, savoring the surprisingly rich and flavorful taste.

That was when he found his mother-in-law's hand covering his own, drawing his attention to her warm, caring expression. She said “So, how have you been?”

“Me?” He questioned, seemingly caught off guard. “I'm fine. Miles and I are doing…”

“Carter,” Mora said softly, her fingers curling around his own. “I'm not asking about you and Miles. I want to know how you're doing.” Emphasis on the "you're”.

Carter stared into her eyes, trying to decipher what brought this on when it suddenly struck him. The answer. He closed his eyes and exhaled, “Miles talked to you, didn't he?”

“Of course he did.” Mora answered calmly. “Why else do you think he decided to take a detour from the capital of romance to visit home? He's worried about you.”

Carter shook his head “He doesn't have to…”

“Well he is.” She cut him off. “You know that son of mine. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He makes other people's troubles his own.”

“It’s one of the reasons why I love the man.” Carter said with a smile, setting his coffee down. “But he can’t keep doing that for his own mental health. Plus, this is as much a professional issue as it is personal. And Miles isn’t exactly impartial when it comes to my career.”

“He wants what’s best for you.” Mora smiled. “Being confident in someone you love isn’t a terrible trait.”

Carter said, “I know. He’s my biggest supporter. But with what’s going on, I think what I need is the exact opposite. That’s why my first instinct was to call my own Mom.”

“What do you mean?” Mora frowned. “Doesn’t your Mom support your career?”

“She never wanted me to be involved in wrestling.” Carter answered, shaking his head. “Every time I get hurt, it’s just another tally on her list of why I should get out of the sport. She and Grams barely watch my matches because it scares them so much.”

“That last match must have really done a number on them.” Mora observed, to which Carter nodded and said, “Yeah. My phone was lighting up before I ever made it to the hospital and … Wait, you watch?”

“Of course I do.” She said, “I might not be the biggest fan of wrestling but I am a fan of my son. And you.” She gave his hand a shake. “So talk to me.”

“I couldn’t even talk to my own therapist.” Carter shook his head, even though deep-down he felt the need to confide in someone. “I didn’t come all the way to London just to unload on you.”

Mora took Carter’s hand and wrapped it in her own, forcing him to look directly into her eyes. She said, “You listen to me, Carter. I have always - always - told my kids that they could come to me wherever they needed someone. And like it or not, for better or worse, you’re one of my kids now.”

Their eyes remained on one another’s until Carter’s lips turned upright in a smile and he nodded. He picked his almost forgotten coffee up again and slowly confided, “I really don’t even know what’s wrong with me. That’s the problem. I was fine going into the Elimination Chamber, even though everyone thought I’d never make it to the end. Then even after I did win, I was left wondering if I even should have because Jayden was a sitting duck thanks to Vincent Lyons.”

“Questioning the past is not going to do you any good.” Mora observed, her chin resting on her curled fingers. “You can’t change the past and if you continue wondering ‘what if,’ you’ll drown in self doubt.”

“Yeah, well… I’m already at that point.” Carter admitted in defeat. “I’ve had so many chances at the World Championship - and every time I’ve fallen flat on my face. In the tournament, I was eliminated in the first round. I challenged Finn and he beat me. Hell! Alex Jones even beat me and he hasn’t shut up about it since.”

Mora just sat there listening rather than intervene, knowing he needed to vent. Carter continued, “And ever since our match was made official, I keep having people tell me that I’m a failure. I always come close to the gold but I’m unable to go that extra mile to actually win it. Alex especially has been running me down, telling the world I don’t have what it takes to get the job done.”

“I imagine he means fighting dirty.” Mora said, to which Carter nodded. “It looked like you did pretty well for yourself when you were fighting with him. You’re not the one who was left running away.”

“I know.” Carter whispered. “I just-”

“You can’t let him get into your head, Carter.” She said, "That’s exactly what he wants: to throw you off your game before it even begins. You’ve trained too hard and come too far to let kindergarten mind games unravel everything. Stay focused on what you can control, not the noise he’s trying to make. Trust your instincts, trust your training. Block him out and play your game. Not his.”

Carter sat still as Mora’s words settled around him. He didn’t speak or nod, his hand still held lovingly by the woman seated across from him. Slowly, his shoulders eased, and his breath came a little more evenly. He looked up and into her eyes and just smiled.

“Thank you.”

---

The room was bathed in white - from floor to ceiling, and entirely empty save for the matching sofa and desk. The uniform whiteness reflected the overhead track lighting intensely, erasing depth and distorting perception, evoking feelings of isolation and sterility. Without any decor, the mind may begin to drift inward, amplifying thoughts and emotions.

The lone door that was almost invisible opened and in walked Miles Kasey in bleach-white scrubs, carrying a mannequin draped in a straight jacket with a magazine’s likeness of Alex Jones pasted on its face.  Miles nonchalantly dropped the mannequin onto the sofa and turned to look off camera.

“Oy! That basketcase patient of yours is ready doc!”

“Ah! Excellen Seig Heil!”

A voice with an obviously fake German accent called out. And there in the camera's range walked Doctor Carter Von Bottom. Clad in a suit, his hair clicked back, thick rimmed glasses and to top it off, a pointy beard glued to his chin. He stepped up to the sofa and as he left, Miles was unable to resist grabbing a handful of the good doctors backside.

Dr Carter watched as his aide took his leave before he turned back toward his patient, the viewpoint being from the mannequin itself seemingly.

“So! You haf kome to me Alex Jones fur help since you haf a problem vitt your noodle!”

He tapped a forefinger to his temple before clasping his hands behind his back.

“Zis is fery good! I always tell mein patients zat ze first schtep to recovery is admittingkt zat you haf a problem. Undt between you undt me…”

He leaned in closer toward the patient.

“I haf never met a more problematic man above ze neck zan you Alex Jones. You are a vorld class azzlete who has been respected by fan undt peer alike, undt here you schtand - or lay - ready to  yust throw it all aside. Just fur ze sake un taking ze easy vay out razzer zan earn your vay to your position as you vere once known to do. You cheat, Alex. or shall ve say, your schtrumpet Aaron Asphyxia, cheats for you. Undt vhile ze respectable zing vould be fur you to earn vhat you haf, much like vhen Aaron lays on your bed undt gives you ze full cowgirl, you take ze easy vay out.”

Doctor Carter began to pace back and forth in front of the patient.

“Now you must ask, vhy iz zis? Vhy do I cheat vhen I haf proven many times zat I do not need to? To get to ze root uff ze problem, ve must first explore vhy so many ozzers in sports uff all kinds feel ze need to cheat. People cheat in sports for a variety uff reasons, often schtemmingkt from a desire to vin at all kosts, wezzer for fame, financial reward, or personal ego. It iz ze allure uff victory, ze pressure to perform, undt even personal feelings uff inadequacy zat kan all contribute to cheatingkt behaviors.”

“For some athletes, vinningkt isn't just about ze trophy, but about proving zeir worth undt maintainingkt a positive self-image. At zis schtage uff your career, Alex, zis might just be ze answer zat ve seek. You vant people to remember you beingkt at your very best, even vhen zey are vatchingkt you at your vorst. For men like you, any attention is goot attention.”

“Vhile it is true zat some athletes may feel zey lakk zee natural ability or hafe an injury zat prefents zem from performink optimally, leadink zem to cheat to compensate. In your kase, zis is far from true because you have proven many times in zee past zat you neet not go zee low road to achieve ultimate viktory. You serft as a vonderful example to zee younger generations - both fan ant peer alike. So vhy zen do you not compete nov as sie dit once before?”

“Could it be because you look at zee kurrent playink field, your fellow wrestlers in zee locker room, ant sie see zem as younger. More fit? Perhaps efen shtrategikally superior inside of zee ring? If zis is zee case, zen zee answer voult be klear. Zee shtrong desire to excel ant outperform others can also kontribute to cheating, as athletes may see it as a vay to level zee playink fielt or gain an unfair advantage.”

“Or, could it be simple because…”

Dr Carter proceeded to remove first his glasses and then he stripped the fake pointy beard from his chin and he stared hard into the camera.

“Because you’re a fucked up asshole with all the morals and self respect of Donald Trump on his knees beneath the desk in the Oval office, giving blowjobs to Vladimir Putin!?”

Reaching back blindly behind him, Carter grabbed the one lone chair in the office and swiftly pulled it close behind him and dropped to it, still staring into the camera - IE the patient Alex Jones.

“Why don’t I just do the both of us a favor Alex and cut the bullshit? You can try to delve into the psyche of any one person who cheats in sports but there is one universal truth amongst the many: they are not victims. You - are not a victim! The truth of the matter is that your moral compass is obviously broken! Or maybe it was just never installed. You're like a GPS for ethical dilemmas, leading everyone straight into a pit of shame and regret. It really is impressive how you can navigate your life with a sense of right and wrong that’s as nonexistent as your ability to make a decent decision. Which leaves me to wonder, just what the rest of Wolfslair think of your recent life choices? In retrospect, I would like to think they remember just how you thoroughly chastised and reprimanded Miles for when he attacked Finn from behind. You lashed out at him verbally for his actions, leading such names as Alicia Lukas and Austin James Mercer to agree and turn their backs on Miles, acting as if the man never even existed!”

“And then you turn around and do not the same, but much worse. You beat the shit out of Finn badly enough that you ended up getting yourself disqualified. You pressured the higher ups for a rematch so that you could tie up your loose ends and what did you do? Oh we all know what you did! You embarrassed yourself and dragged the reputation of Wolfslair down into the mud by relying on Aaron to win the championship for you! I can’t recall Alicia ever needing help in order to pull off a win! Even at his worst, when did Austin ever have to rely on outside interference to pull off one of his many impressive wins? Maybe, just maybe… Everyone else in Wolfslair is about to open their eyes and see you for what you’ve become; a hypocritical shell of his former self! A blight on this sport that is going to drag their names down with you, the longer they bother associating with you!”

Carter stood up so fast that the swivel office chair beneath him was sent spinning back, settling hard against the desk.

“So let me ask you this, Alex. Why now? Before that first title match against Finn, you seemed quite content with your role in catering and being at best, a mid card Superstar. So what crawled up your ass and made you change your outlook on things? Because let’s face facts; your head is so far up your ass that it’s probably wher4e you do your best thinking! I am going to hazard a guess here and theorize that you decided that you were at a pretty late stage of your career. There’s been whispers in the locker rooms about that back injury of yours long before Finn Whelan ever made it public. And the rumors of a possible imminent retirement had tongues wagging for months. And yet there you were! Sitting in the background, away from the cameras and listening, allowing all of these people to give voice to your own self doubts. Your back concerned you as it should, and everything they had to say was only making it worse. You wondered how much longer you could go on inside of the ring from a physical standpoint and here your peers and the fans were speculating the same! Maybe even thinking it was time that you hung up your boots and let the younger generation take control and lead things from hereon in. And that right there is where you snapped.”

“Because when all is said and done, you are a self-admitted, self absorbed, egomaniacal twat waffle! You were watching the younger generation Superstars like myself take center stage and you just couldn't stand to share the spotlight! You truly believed that the further up the ladder men like me made it, the farther down you were getting pushed! So you shoved us out of the way and went to take back the spotlight that quite frankly, at this point in your career, you didn't deserve!”

“Try something new for a change Alex, and be honest. Who the hell did you defeat to earn that title match against Finn in the first place? You can't say that you beat Miles because for all your bravado and bluster, he took you to the absolute limit in a time limit draw! Yet somehow the very next week you get announced as the Challenger against Finn!”

Carter held out his arms in stark disbelief at the reasoning.

“I don't know if you played nice and played some bullshit political agenda with Mark or Christian, but in no way did you deserve that title match! Even less so did you deserve the rematch afterwards because you fucking blew it! You got disqualified by your own accord! And yet you have the balls to strut out here and question my validity as to why I'm your challenger!? At least I earned my place against you! At least I had the balls to step inside the Elimination Chamber which is a hell of a lot more than you can say! I had to go through six other men in order to get this chance against you for the Championship! I even went so far as to fight my own husband to get to this point, so don’t ever fucking tell me that I don’t have what it takes to go the distance against you! Don’t you believe for one second that I am not in my rightful place because I am exactly where I belong!”

“But you, Alex? It is truly impressive how you've managed to stumble upon success recently without even breaking a sweat. I mean, who knew that being an ass kisser and ‘being in the right place at the right time was an actual talent? Bravo!”

Carter applauded openly and quite brazenly.

“Alex, your success is like a participation trophy for a race you were too slow to even enter. It’s a pity that mediocrity can still find a way to stumble into the spotlight. You're like a broken pencil: pointless and always trying to take shortcuts, but in the end, you just prove that cheating is the only way you can even pretend to compete against men who have a longer and brighter future in this business than you could ever pretend to.”

“And yes.”

Carter nodded knowingly, but there was anything but merriment or even sarcasm in his eyes. It was something harder - darker.

“I am well aware I probably said some things that you were expecting. But in my defense, it's hard not to be predictable Alex. One can only say so much of variety week after week when dealing with an asshole that's as one dimensional as you are. It's like your personality took a shortcut through a flat field and forgot to pick up any depth along the way! You are not the unique and trail blazing star that you like to believe yourself to be! Do you think yourself unique? Do you believe that you’re something special and that everyone around you looks on in envy?”

Carter rolled his eyes.

“Bitch! You are not the special snowflake that you’ve led yourself to believe! Trust me when I say this: that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of wrestling promotions around the world - and in every single one of those promotions,  there is a man just like you! When God or whatever deity you may choose to believe in made you, he, she or they did not break the mold! They just took one look at you and hit factory reset and churned out one right after the other! Hoping to eventually get it right but thus far have fallen short. You're like something limited edition. Everyone pretends to care, but deep down, we all know you're just another common print in a world full of masterpieces.”

Carter nodded.

“Yeah. You got one over on me. But here’s the thing: that was back in March. You act as if it was a cakewalk but it took two of your curb stomps to put me down! I gave you a bigger fight than you were ready for and deep down, that’s what got into your head. The fact that you practically passed out from the pain and exhaustion to pin me in that match. And when I won the Chamber, you realized that you and I were going to meet again but this time? The stakes would be higher. So you went the extra mile with the insults, telling me that I didn’t deserve to be where I am now. How I always get close to the brass ring, only to let it slip from out of my grasp. Sound familiar, Alex?”

“And all this time, you thought that you were in my head when the opposite has been true.”

Carter took a step closer to the door and opened it up, giving the camera one last look.

“I’m in your head now Alex, and after you see me holding up what used to be your precious World Heavyweight title? You’ll never get me out!”

He slammed the door shut behind him.

It was less than a week ago when all hell broke loose following the Main Event to Climax Control, and much of the controversy surrounded none other than the World Heavyweight Champion, Alex Jones. Alex had issued an ominous threat against his number one contender, Carter McKinney - promising that Carter’s loved ones would bear the burden of his “sins” against the champion. And Alex is nothing if not a man of his word.

Carter’s brother-in-law, Lyle Kasey Junior, fell in defeat to the veteran wrestler - and it was Carter that saved him from a post-match beat down. It was also Carter that suffered for his efforts, thanks in part to the timely interference of Aaron Asphyxia and a curb stomp right into the very same chair he had used against Alex mere seconds ago. Which was where we picked up mere minutes later, following the arrival of Carter’s husband and LJ’s half-brother Miles…

“Careful, luv.” Miles said as the curtains to the famed “gorilla position” were thrown open wide and he and a now alert LJ, helped Carter through - his arms draped over the shoulders of both Kasey brothers. They took one step at a time, carefully, as they led Carter down the small flight until Carter's feet met solid ground once again.

“Miles…” Carter said, his bell clearly been rung, but still as stubborn and as feisty as ever. “I’m fi-”

“You’re NOT fine.” But it was LJ who had spoken up in place of his own brother. He and Carter had issues between the two of them at one point but that was ancient history. Carter was his family now, and Carter had proven that by coming to his aid when he needed it. The least LJ could do was the very same. “I was RIGHT there and felt that fecking stomp! If I wasn’t so damn out of it…”

“Stop, the both of you.” Miles all but commanded as they set foot on the floor and were converged upon by some of their close friends such as a concerned Alexandra Calaway, not to mention Bella Madison and her own husband, Malachi. But it was the sudden presence of Christian Underwood, flanked by two of the backstage paramedics that were hired primarily for just such occasions.

“Follow me.” Was the simple but direct command of the SCW’s boss man as he did an about face and headed back up the aisle with Miles and LJ helping Carter along the path…

***

“Do you feel nauseated?” One paramedic asked Carter, as the young grappler sat on the bench in the room set aside for first aid. LJ had taken his leave momentarily alongside Alexandra, but Miles remained, hovering as close as allowed while the two paramedics did their work. Christian had taken his leave with the specific request that he and Mark Ward be updated as soon as possible on Carter’s condition.

The second paramedic made note of this on the tablet in his hand, while her peer shone a small light in Carter’s eyes, murmuring solidly, “So you just have the headache?” To which Carter nodded in the affirmative.

“I just had my head stomped into a steel chair.” Carter retorted with a trace of sarcasm in his tone. “I’d be surprised if I didn’t.”

“Babe…” Miles all but warned Carter, knowing his husband’s saucy nature and even more acidic tongue. But these professionals were only doing their jobs and Carter’s personality quirks could hinder that.

The older man that was kneeling in front of Carter for the examination glanced back at Miles over his shoulder and smiled appreciatively. He turned back to the ‘patient’ and addressed him, “No dizziness? No sensitivity to the light in this room?” Both of which Carter shook his head no to in answer. The paramedic then said, “Okay, up.”

Carter did as instructed, and the paramedic stepped back and said, “Walk across the room and back.” As in testing him for any signs of imbalance or sudden waves of dizziness that might arise. Carter did as told, walking across the room and passing Miles who watched his progress intently. Carter arrived at the far wall, then turned back but it was as he passed Miles again that Miles jumped, almost making a squeaking noise.

“Oop!” Miles quipped. “I think he’s good.”

“Why do you say that?” The female paramedic asked, shaking her head as Carter returned to sitting on the bench at their direction.

Miles answered, “He grabbed me arse.”

All heads turned to Carter who just wore that smoldering grin on his face. The male paramedic exhaled gently, shaking his head. He took his place beside his coworker and said for both Carter and Miles to hear, “I don’t think he has a concussion since he just has the headache, so I don’t think a trip to the hospital is necessary.”

“Thank fuck…” Carter whispered, but the paramedic continued, “Just take some over the counter aspirin for the headache for the time being. But I would suggest not leaving for Copenhagen tomorrow as scheduled. I would wait an extra day, just to be on the safe side.”

“Is that really necessary?” Carter asked, but before either paramedic could say anything, it was Miles who answered with a firm, “Yes it is!” prompting Carter to turn his head aside with an almost comical expression that silently said “Sorry I spoke!” Miles then looked to the two as he opened the door and he gave a genuine smile of appreciation for the care shown to his husband, “Thank you. Both of you.”

They both smiled and nodded as Carter slowly stood up, still feeling it, and Miles was quick to lend him a helping hand and he escorted him through the door as it shut behind them. Miles started to walk down the hall, heading in the direction of the locker rooms with his arm snugly wrapped around the waist of his husband.

Miles said, “I’ll drop you off for a moment to get your things and let LJ and Ally know we’ll meet them for a late dinner. I have to go talk to Christian.”

“About what?” Carter asked, his brow knitting into a frown as if he had some slight inkling on the direction Miles’s mind was headed. And he was right.

“Protective hubby mode has been activated.” Miles stated matter-of-factly, a statement that sounded silly but was anything but intended. “So I’m going to have a little chat with Christian and…”

But whatever else Miles was going to say was interrupted by a forceful, “no.” emanating from Carter himself who stopped, forcing Miles to come to a halt as well. Carter turned to face Miles directly and shook his head, a most uncharacteristic expression of stern authority on his own face. “Just… no.”

“No, what?” Miles questioned, to which Carter answered, “No going to Christian and wanting a match against Alex.”

“After what that fuck did to you!?” Miles asked, clearly caught off guard by this stark refusal on Carter’s behalf. “Why shouldn’t I go out there and kick his…?”

“Because I am asking you not to!” Carter’s voice rose before he could check himself. The two men stared into one another’s eyes, as if searching for something. A lingering silence was kept between them until Carter broke it with no small sense of discomfort. He asked, “Do you believe I can beat Alex?”

Miles frowned, as if he couldn’t believe Carter was questioning his faith in him. “Luv, you know I do!”

“Then you need to step aside and let me handle this.” Carter stated, his words strong. His tone was even stronger. “Because even if I do win the title from Alex, how seriously will anyone take me with you handling all my fights for me? Or softening up Alex for me two weeks before our match?”

Miles stared hard at him, but his facial expressions softened as he took in his words and the meaning behind them. If Miles went to Underwood now and demanded a match against Alex, it would be little to no better than what happened when Vincent Lyons interfered in the Elimination Chamber, costing Jayden Harris and leaving Carter questioning to this very day if he truly deserved that victory and the title opportunity against Alex Jones in Paris.

“You know I don’t like this?” Miles asked with more of a statement than a question. Carter just smiled and he answered back, “And you know how much I love it when protective hubby mode is activated but there are just sometimes when I have to do this on my own. Like now. Vincent already took away the credibility for my win in the Chamber. Please don’t do the same with Alex.”

Miles drew in a deep breath and gently exhaled through his nose, his eyes never leaving those beautiful blue orbs that he often found himself lost in. He felt the familiar warmth of love swell in his chest. Though he had his own thoughts, his own wishes melted in the light of Carter’s persistence. With a small smile he wrapped both arms around him and drew Carter into one of those famously talented hugs.

“If it matters to you, then it matters to me,” Miles said, his voice low and yielding, not out of defeat, but out of devotion.


Standing in an empty wrestling arena, the silence feels almost surreal, a stark contrast to the roar that usually fills the space. Rows of vacant seats stretch into the shadows, their stillness echoing with memories of cheers, chants, and the clash of bodies in the ring. The faint scent of sweat and adrenaline lingers in the air, mixing with the sterile smell of disinfectant. Overhead, spotlights cast long, sharp beams onto the vacant ring, now just a silent stage awaiting its next battle. The emptiness carries a strange weight, as if the ghosts of past matches still linger, watching, waiting for the bell to ring again. And it was inside of that ring where the “Pride of SCW” - Helluva Bottom Carter, stood.

The camera panned a surrounding shot, showcasing each side of both this young grappler as well as the arena where in two days, the latest stop on the Viking Era tour would take place. More to the point, it would be where Carter would put the proverbial foot down on an issue that had arisen in recent weeks.

“Let me put this as gently as I can, and this goes out to the so-called ‘loose cannon’ of the Lyons Den. My opponent in just a matter of days. Vincent Lyons … Junior. Vincent, I won’t pretend any sort of good will between your family and myself - save for perhaps Eddie and that’s only because in a family of black sheep, Eddie is solid gold. But with his present company excluded, please allow me to say that the Lyons family is about as stable as a game of Jenga during an earthquake!”

“And yes, this all started when the Queen Bee herself, Little Ms Victoria, decided to play sex therapist between Miles and myself and show us that pain is supposedly pleasure or something to that degree. Really, who the hell knows what goes through that woman’s head? I mean I could say she’s the more shallow basket case between the two of you when the truth is just that much more simple; Victoria Lyons is like a family heirloom that nobody wants to inherit. Cluttered, outdated, and just a constant reminder of how bad taste can run in the same bloodline. I never really had any issues with the woman, up until she decided to play off some perverse pleasure of watching Miles and myself beat one another bloody. I mean, she and I even bonded somewhat over our mutual affection for Patti Lupone.”

Carter snapped his finger as if to proclaim, “Yes Queen!”

“But after your actions in the Chamber, and her being almost as dismissive as you were in what you cost me? The gloves are off and the filter is non-existent. But this isn’t about her, not really. This is about you and why I went to the brass and asked for this match specifically. This is why I wanted to stand inside of the ring against a man so many are calling one of the more physically and psychologically dangerous Superstars in all of Sin City Wrestling. And that is to deliver one very simple message…”

“Stay out of my business!”

Carter raised his brow, his eyes glaring right into the camera.

“I blame you, Vincent. For everything! SCW was making history and seven men went into that Elimination Chamber and we put on the grandest show, one that I am certain will have its place as a Match of the Year candidate. We didn’t leave a single fan in their seat that night, but you just couldn’t handle that, could you? You just had to be a part of things, even if literally nobody wanted you out there! I had Jayden! I knew it then, just as I know it now! But you took that away from me. For whatever reason you have it out for the Brat, you took away all credibility of that one career defining win! Now, for the remainder of my career, I am going to be left wondering those two most painful words – ‘what if?’! And that’s why I wanted this match! That is why I called you out!”

“You  and that Queen cousin of yours, you both told me to just accept the win and move on.”

Carter shook his head.

“Sorry Junior, but I don’t work that way. Do you honestly think for a second I haven’t come across men like you before? The kind of man who walks into a room and makes the air feel charged, like a storm about to break? Unpredictable and explosive, a man that plays by no one’s rules. Not because he wants to be thought of as a rebel, but because rules simply didn’t exist in your world! A man who’s temper flares without warning, your maniacal laughter too loud, and who’s silence is often more dangerous than your words.”

“I’ve known men like you my whole life, Vincent. People around you watch with a mix of awe and fear, never sure if you’re about to start a fight or crack a joke. A loose cannon, volatile and magnetic, the kind of man you can’t trust but also you can’t ignore.”

“But here’s the thing; do you know what happens when you turn your back on so-called ‘loose cannons’ and ignore their reputations? They disappear. All of your words - which I’m certain Victoria thinks of as sharp and commanding - are going to fall flat on deaf ears. And you are going to fall flat beneath the uncomfortable weight of your own failure. You and Victoria think of you as some powerful figure to be in awe of, but in truth the world sees you as you are. Small. Insignificant. Grasping at some ghost of control that you never really had in the first place outside of your own family tree, if even there!”

Carter approached the side of the ring where he leaned against the ropes, resting his forearms on the top rope and he looked down into the camera below.

“The sad, simple truth of this entire ordeal between us Vincent is that I don’t care. I don’t care about you, or whatever the hell you have going against Jayden Harris. Jayden made his thoughts about me all too evident last week and I can respond to everything he said about me with two very simple words - ‘suck it!’. But you, this is about you. Literally everyone around the world watched you get involved in the Chamber, but at the time nobody was angry at you. They just felt pity. Because interfering in that match was like seeing a raccoon try to join a ballet recital. Completely out of place and embarrassing for everyone involved. Especially your own flesh and blood.”

“She’d never admit it but I can’t imagine Victoria feeling anything but shame where you’re concerned. She’s become the most dominant Bombshell Roulette Champion in recent memory so kudos to her! And no matter where he stands, no matter what Victoria says to the contrary, Eddie is a success story and his star is just going to burn hotter and shine brighter the longer he’s in the spotlight! But you?”

“If you were any more of a failure to your family, you’d have to apply for a part-time job as a cautionary tale! I mean, people talk down on me about not being able to extend my reach and grab that brass ring, but you serve as something of an inspiration for all the wrong reasons. It’s impressive how you’ve achieved absolutely nothing with all the time in the world to be somebody other than Victoria’s toady!”

Carter gave the ring ropes a hard tug - as if testing them - but he used them as a means to stand upright. Tall and proud. The number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship. 

“I also admit that this match is going to serve another purpose, so I hope you don’t mind my use of you as something akin to a guinea pig. Men like you… Men like Alex Jones. You question me. Question whether or not I have the killer instinct to do what must be done in order to take that one, final step up the mountain. Well, after Sunday? Nobody is going to be questioning just how far I can go in order to get things done - and to make things right. The days of people questioning how far I can go in this business are going to come to an end, and I can only pray to god that Alex Jones will be watching - because while you’re first? He’s next.”

Carter then stepped through the ropes and dropped to the ringside floor, one last thing to say to the Lyons whom he knew would be watching.

“Oh, and Queen Victoria? Do let me know where to send flowers in lieu of Vincent digging his own grave.”

He puckered his lips and walked into the shadows of the arena’s darkness.

Perhaps one of the more familiar sites as of late where Carter Kasey-McKinney had been concerned as of late, but this time, things would be seen a bit differently. Because when the door that led inside of the fifth floor condo that the 2023 and 2024 Couple of the Year called home, it was not Miles who was accompanying Carter inside, but someone who had not been seen in some time – Carter’s best friend for a number of years, Ariana Angelos.

The day had been long and grueling, but not because the two besties had spent all of their time in training at the GO Gym, Carter to better prepare himself for Blaze of Glory XIV or Ariana to keep her ring skills razor sharp on the off chance she might be interested in an eventual return to the six-sided ring. No, the two had spent a rare day together at the movies and lunch, and then a shopping spree at the Fashion Show Mall that spanned the remainder of the day. When it came to shopping with Carter and his bestie, it was more of a sprint than a marathon and the two buddies were thoroughly exhausted by day’s end.

“Oh god, I missed this!” Carter exhaled with a smile, setting his shopping bags down to the cherry wood floor paneling at his feet, while an equally exhausted Ariana set her own bags on the Ottoman, turning to her closest of friends with an inquisitive smirk.

“What are you talking about?” She asked. “You go shopping at the mall all the time.”

“Not all the time!” Carter objected, walking across the foyer of the condo and he sat down on the white sectional sofa that dominated the living space. “I do the online thing too… maybe a bit too much. I’m on a first name basis with a few Amazon drivers.”

Ariana smiled as she joined Carter on the sofa and after kicking her open-toe shoes off, surly her feet up under her with an arm draped on the back of the sofa. She asked, “Where is that husband of yours anyway?”

To which Carter answered, “He’s off with LJ, somewhere on the Strip. Brotherly bonding and all that! They both invited me to tag along but I thought they needed time to themselves every now and then. Things are still new between them.”

“It’s not because of that whole mistrust issue you have with LJ?” Ariana asked, and Carter was quick to correct her, “‘Had,’ Ari. Past tense. I know things were tense at first when LJ showed up, but I can admit when I’m wrong.”

A single, perfectly coifed eyebrow rose on Ariana’s forehead, causing Carter to put on his best affronted act, a face that screamed aghast and hand on his chest. “I just don’t have that option often enough to know the feeling!” He declared, allowing her to nod with a satisfied smirk.

“That’s my boy.” She said. Ariana then glanced around and asked, “Where’s Ms. Thang?”

Carter then started to look around, noticing that his and Miles’s ‘baby girl’ didn’t come greeting them with head bonks to the shin or weave between their legs and cause a face plant to the floor like was a normal routine of the little black and white Tuxedo cat.

“I’m not sure.” He said softly before he started to cluck his tongue, a gesture that had started to act as close to a summoning or a calling for Ms. Thang as anything could.

He called aloud, “Here kitty, kitty…!” Before the mistress of the homestead finally deigned to grace them with her presence, but all was not as Carter might have believed it should be. Ariana spotted her first, only a split second before Carter himself did. The cat’s head peaked slowly, almost as if with caution, around the corner of the guest bedroom door which was slightly ajar, giving Carter pause. He could have sworn that he had closed that door after airing it out.

“Hey girl…” Carter cooed, leaning over at the waist in a gesture of invitation. “What’s wrong?” Realizing that she was not immediately heading over to them for her usual tribute of head scratches and massages. She almost seemed cautious before finally moving over into the foyer and hopping up onto the sofas where her daddy and ‘Auntie Ariana’ started cooing over her and helping her to relax.

“What’s wrong?” Ariana asked with a soft voice as she stroked the fur along her head, taking care to pay close attention to that spot between her ears. Ariana knew Carter and Miles’s girl well enough to know her massage preferences. Ariana added, “You know me!”

“Course she does!” Carter insisted. “She’s probably just still a little bitter about having to get her annual shots at Dr. Mary’s this week.”

“Aww!” Ariana pouted her bottom lip. Carter then leaned over and whispered like a co-conspirator, “Took two vet techs to hold her down and she still managed to draw blood.”

“That’s my girl!” Ariana chuckled, and finally the cat crawled up into her lap and perched there like Ariana’s lap was her throne. Ari then cast her gaze toward Carter and asked, “So how are you doing? Really.”

“Me?” Carter asked, confused. “I’m fine.”

Ariana rolled her eyes and said, “Carter. I’m your best friend. I’ve always been able to tell when you’re lying.”

“How?” Carter all but demanded, then quickly changed his tune and stated, “I most certainly do not!” causing his BFF to smother a smile, but not quickly enough. She pointed a forefinger toward her own eyes and answered, “You have this way about batting your eyelashes a little bit when you’re not being entirely honest.”

She then tilted her head to the side and asked, “Is this about your match with Miles?”

Carter sighed, seemingly avoiding her gaze as both she and Ms. Thang looked back toward him. He sighed, “Is it that obvious?” To which she pinched a thumb and forefinger close together.

He finally admitted, “I’m just nervous, Ari. This match is serious. It could be violent. And I’m in there against my own husband and I-I don’t know how to handle it.”

“Have you tried talking to Miles about it?”

“And say what?” He asked. “Confide that I’m feeling the same way that he probably is?”

“Fair.” She conceded. “But you have to talk to someone.”

Carter nodded, a downcast look on his face. “I considered Doctor Delacore but this is out of her realm of expertise. Besides, I can’t just go run to my therapist every time I have a problem.” He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ll think of something.”

Ariana patted his shoulder before giving it a light squeeze. She said, “In the meantime, why don’t you pick out a movie for us to watch? I’ll order us a nice curry. I’m in the mood for something spicy!” She then glanced down at the feline who was now curled up on her lap and purring with contentment. “It looks like I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

“Now you’re talking!” Carter’s face lit up, all concerns over the past few minutes all but forgotten. He stood upright and crossed the immediate threshold to the shelves where he and Miles had grown quite the collection of DVDs and BluRays. True streaming was the thing now, but both he and his husband had an affinity for the classics.

“Hello?” he heard Ariana on the phone. “I’d like to place an order for delivery?”

Carter reached for the movie he had his heart set on when he paused, his face confused and his eyes roaming the collection. Noticing this, Ariana covered the phone with her hand and asked, “Carter? What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure.” Carter said. “I just bought Kraven and thought we could watch it, but it’s not where I put it on the shelf.”

“What do you mean?” She asked, her brow knitted in a confused frown. “Where is it?”

“Well, it was on the shelf…” He answered, picking the BluRay up from the spot his eyes discovered it. “It’s just not where I put it.”

He turned around to Ariana and shook his head, “It was moved.”

---

The Elimination Chamber

Seven men will enter this history-making match in Sin City Wrestling, and only one will exit with both the honor of being the very first victor as well as being named the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship. Whether it be Finn Whelan or Alex Jones, both would be paying very close attention as whoever walked out of the Chamber would have earned it, and thereby declared themselves publicly as a legit threat to their championship reign.

And one of those seven men - Helluva Bottom Carter - stood on the viewing deck of the Las Vegas Strip’s Eiffel Tower, his eyes surveying the night life for the famed “City of Sin” that had become his home. All of the lights of the hotels and Casinos along the famed Strip beneath the night sky, while the lights of hundreds of cars passing along the historic route, going both to and fro.

“I’m going to fill you in on a little secret Bulldog. I know, I could call you by your given name of Bill or your surname of Barnhart but to me? As both a peer and a fan of this business before I ever set foot inside of the ring? To me, you’ll always be the Bulldog. Anyway, out of all the men I've competed against from SCU to SCW, you rank right at the top as one of my favorite opponents. Not just toughest, but favorite.”

“Reason being, for all of your accolades. For every championship and Hall of Fame induction that you've earned - and believe me when I say there's been plenty from both sides - you don't take yourself as seriously as you might want for us to believe. I mean, any grizzled veteran of the ring such as yourself that can break out into song during a promo?”

Carter shows those pearly whites and salutes the camera.

“Respect! You and I have had our share of experiences inside of the ring, in both singles and tag team matches. And for someone who is as old school as you are, it amazed me just how open-minded you are as an opponent. You never once hesitated in getting up close and personal. You were, are, an equal opportunity butt kicker. In fact, the only thing I ever had against you doesn’t even really have anything to do with you, either as a person or a wrestler.”

Carter leaned in closer toward the camera with his hand cupped over his mouth to stage whisper.

“It’s your wife and manager. And this isn’t even because of how she involves herself in your promos. I mean, who cares if she does some of the talking? She’s your manager. A manager is a mouthpiece for their wrestler, so you shouldn’t be penalized for her doing her job.”

Carter briefly looked into the camera before resuming his shoot.

“No, this is because she’s both a back stabber and a hypocrite. Now I know you feel the need to defend her by proxy but let’s be honest. She’s about the most dishonest person in SCW and that includes Logan Hunter and Kevin Carter. This is the woman that helped blind Fenris and then told the world it never happened, even though everyone saw it! This is the woman who warns everyone not to interfere in your matches lest they incur her wrath – and then goes out and interferes in your matches herself. Get where I’m going with this, Bulldog? I’m hoping that you haven’t grown too comfortable with her lending you a helping hand because that’s not happening this time around. You’re going to be inside of a sealed pod and the Chamber itself, and she’s going to be on the outside with absolutely no way to help. It’s just you and six other men, Bulldog. Let’s make history!”

That said, Carter briefly leaned over for something off camera and proceeded to pick up a small, potted cactus. He gave it the once over before setting it back down.

“Funny the things you find here in Vegas, isn’t it Vinnie? I remember that match I had with you back in January of 2023 like it was yesterday. Yeah, can you believe it’s been that long? Two years since you and I set foot inside of the ring against one another! I can only hope the fact that the memory still lingering to this very day is a testament to just what that match meant to me at Inception VI. I remember I wasn’t exactly in my best frame of mind - which I’m fairly certain that you can relate to. At least from a professional standpoint. I was ready to chuck it in and settle for being a curtain jerker for the remainder of my career, were it not for two certain individuals. One was, of course, my now husband Miles. He had no intention of letting me step back into the shadows of obscurity, and neither would the other person I make mention of… You, Vinnie.”

Carter nodded.

“Yeah, you might not even be aware of what you did for me at that point in time, Vinnie, but I’m here to tell you now. I know full well that I wasn’t booked for Inception VI. Another Supercard event with yours truly holding down the fort in catering. A feeling that I thought I should get used to. And then you stepped in. You weren’t booked either. In fact, you were making something of a return as I recall and you wanted booked, and you wouldn’t take no for an answer. You are a former World and Internet Champion more than once and you weren’t going to be left out. And seemingly, you weren’t going to let me be left out either. You wanted a match, you wanted me as an opponent, and you and I practically set that ring ablaze with the performance we gave the world.”

“And I’ll be honest with you. I still feel as if I won that match by the skin of my teeth. You beat me from pillar to post and showed me the tough love inside of the ring that I desperately needed. You showed me why, despite all of your unique characteristics, you are a former World Heavyweight and Internet Champion. And that win against you was all the proof that I needed that I belong up there as well. It was that win that gave me the confidence I needed to win the Internet title from Peter Vaughn. And it’ll carry me on though this match and straight towards the World Championship. So I will thank you again Vinnie for everything that you did for me then, but you won’t be thanking me anytime soon for what’s going to happen in just over a week.”

Carter then paused, arms resting on the rail of the deck, his head lowered. After several lingering moments, he glanced up and scoffed, shaking his head.

“You know Eddie Lyons, and what I am about to say is going to be said with respect so I hope that you take it that way. Out of all the men in this match, to me, you are the truest wildcard out of everyone. I’ve been inside of the ring against Finn Whelan. I’ve watched countless others step inside of the ring against the champion and it’s my personal opinion that you took one of the most dominant champions in SCW history to the brink of defeat. I was honestly shocked that you didn’t walk away with the gold that night, but that’s more a testament to the caliber of athlete Finn is than anything negative about yourself.”

“And I am positive that not only will you get another shot at the championship and one day will become top dawg around here, but it won’t be because of the Elimination Chamber because you won’t be the man with his arm raised in the end. Because when you decided to stoop low enough to infer that Miles and I were the ‘weak links’ of this match because of our devotion to one another, you made me all the more determined to see you not walk out the winner. You think that just because Miles and I aren’t willing to bash each others heads into the Chamber and reduce each other to bloody pulp that we don’t have it in us to win the Chamber?”

Carter just shook his head, his eyes never straying far from the camera.

“I’ll tell you again what I told you then. Miles and I don’t have to turn each other into ground beef in order to compete against each other. You on the other hand? You flat out said that you’d do it for us so please, allow me to hit you with the one insult that is going to have you so damn pissed that it’ll make you want to use my head and the Chamber like a cheese grater! You are more like your cousin than you pretend to NOT be! And I welcome you to try anything and everything that you think yourself capable of doing at my expense – and we’ll just see for ourselves if you’re truly ‘Unbreakable’.”

Carter stood upright and his face took on a more serious expression, one more annoyance than determination.

“And I will go on record and reiterate that Jayden Harris and J2H do not belong anywhere near this match! They don't! This whole thing between them has been dragging on since Jayden ran J2H down because, at the time, Daddy Dearest, was unable to get the job done. And that was how long ago? Let it die out already because it's getting to the point where nobody cares anymore! The only ones who do are …”

Carter motioned from side to side toward the camera.

“The two of you. And you two could have had some big match to bring this thing between you to a close at Blaze of Glory. Something epic between just the both of you that would burn its way into the memories of wrestling fans and your own peers for years to come. But no. Instead, you horn in on a history-making event that neither of you belong in. Of course I'm pretty certain what the both of you are going to say. Or at the very least, what J2H is going to say. He's going to say what he always says - I'm J2H!... And that's it. That's his reasoning. That's his justification for being handed everything that he thinks he's entitled to.”

“J2H! 2016 and 2017 Wrestler of the Year! J2H! 2016 and 2017 Man of the Year! J2H! In 20168, ranked by Tommy Knocks as the greatest Superstar in SCW history! J2H! 2019 Hall of Fame inductee! J2H! Longest championship reign in the history of Sin City ..!”

Carter briefly broke his focus, smiling and holding up a hand.

“Sorry, force of habit. That one doesn't belong to you anymore, at least it won't in a matter of days. That's when our current champion, Finn Whelan, will have broken your record. Now granted there are arguments that the competition levels between them and now differ like night and day…”

Carter scrunched up his face and shook his head

“I can't say I agree with that, but it's neither here nor there. Point is that in a matter of days you are no longer going to be the Golden Child of Sin City Wrestling. Your time of waltzing in like you own the place and think you can call all the shots? Gone. Your time of thinking you have Mark Ward and Christian Underwood wrapped around your little fine? Gone. The days of you walking in and just getting a championship match just because you feel like it? Gone. Do you honestly think that if you win - you won't - but if you do and you happen to unseat the champion? That they'll let you get away with your usual modus operandi of MAYBE winning the championship and then just throw it back in the faces of EVERYONE by just vacating it rather than defend it like a REAL champion?”

Carter closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Two times you won the World Championship and just vacated it. Two times you won the Internet title and just left it there like you were proving some kind of insipid point. I always wondered why you would do that when you worked hard to win the championship in the first place. Attitude aside, I actually respected you because you were one of the first wrestlers to prove that guys like us, guys like me - light heavyweights - belonged in this business and could succeed in it. And then the answer struck me from out of nowhere and even I have to admit it was a disheartening discovery. Maybe you preferred vacating rather than defending simply because – you couldn’t. I mean, you could but whatever reign you had in the now would pale in comparison to that first one and your ego just could not handle it. And your ego is not going to be able to handle the Elimination Chamber because there is not a man involved in that match who is not going to work overtime just to keep you from winning and once again tarnishing the prestige of the SCW World Championship!”

“But… as infuriating as your previous actions have been, at the very least you have proven time and again that J2H is money. J2H is a Main Event level star. You worked your way from the bottom to the very top, from being the laughing stock of the locker room to the envy of many. More than I can say really for Jayden Harris - the guy who shares the reason why either one of you are even involved in this match in the first place.”

“I mean, I get it. The bosses think a major feud will help sell this match - both Chamber matches actually because what they did for you two? They also did for the Bombshells’s Chamber match, gifting the spots to Candy and Necra rather than have them actually win a qualifying match to earn it.”

“But I suppose that’s just one of the benefits of being SCW’s resident nepo-baby, isn’t it Jayden? I mean, the sheer level of hypocrisy that practically radiates off of you is about as blinding as staring into an eclipse. Some time ago last year, you told the world that you were not your father, and you’re right. You’re not. While I am not the biggest fan of his for obvious reasons, at the very least, Michael Harris had a personality that wasn’t dominated by this overbearing chip on his shoulder. He at the very least had a personality that didn’t make him seem like Bart Simpson had stepped into the real world. Your father had style. He had charisma. And he had a legacy that is going to be remembered for years to come. Decades! Can you actually say the same? Because for a man that tells the world over that he’s not his father and wants to separate himself from his legacy, sure does seem to be reaping the benefits of being a second generation Superstar!”

“After all, how else can you really explain this immediate push to the stratosphere that you’ve been enjoying ever since you signed your name on the dotted line? Because you are the son of Michael Harris. It’s sure as hell not because of your own merit because you really haven’t done what you want the world to believe.”

“Okay, you made it to the Quarter-Finals of the 2024 Blast From the Past before you pussed out and stabbed your partner in the back. That alone showed your lack of maturity inside of the ring and proof you never would have made it past Whelan or whoever the champion might have been at the end of the tournament. But aside from that…?”

Carter held his arms out with an expression of wonder.

“You’ve been so consumed by J2H and his bootlicks that you haven’t really noticed that there is a whole roster that is anxious for the chance to step inside of the ring against the so-called ‘future legend’ that you claim to be. Granted, you got some pretty impressive wins for yourself against the likes of Alexander Raven and Kevin Carter in the process, but once again: you have blinders on, taking your attention completely away from everything else going on around you. There is more to SCW than J2H. More than Kevin Carter. And even as we near the Elimination Chamber, why are you even involved? Because of your obsession with J2H! The simple truth of the matter is that you did not earn your spot in the Chamber like five other men did. You fell into it. You lucked out! True, you did make J2H tap out but at the same time, HE pinned YOU and I am STILL trying to wrap my head around the way that worked.”

“Oh and side note? Don’t get cocky because you made the great J2H tap out. You weren't the first to manage that. That honor goes to Fenris.”

“Which brings me back to my original point. When Song and Seleana Zdunich both missed out on their chance to get into the Chamber, they didn’t get a second chance. Nobody else that flubbed theory shot got a second chance, so why then did you? Answer: Because you’re the son of Michael Harris.”

“I admit it. I want to like you. After the hell you’ve been put through over the past year, I want to support you. I want to root for you and have your back if you need it the next time you get jumped. But Jayden, I am going to say two words that are probably going to haunt you in the years to come. Earn. It! Daddy isn’t here to help you out this time, and once that Chamber door closes, neither is anyone else.”

Carter then leaned against one of the metallic support structures and drew in a deep breath, his face marred by concern.

“I guess you could say I saved the best for last.

Carter shook his head, his visage confused.

“I still don’t know how this is supposed to play out if Miles and I are the two that have to begin this match, or if we’re the final two. Anything could happen in this match where we end up left alone inside of the Chamber and then what? Both of us have the same hopes and dreams going into this match; to win and secure for ourselves a shot at the World Championship. And for one of us to realize our dream, we have to dash the hopes of the one person we love. And I’ll be honest - the very thought scares me.”

“How do you look at the person who brought you from the brink of disaster and showed you a love that you never thought you deserved, and tell them that your dreams will be put ahead of their own? When I sat backstage and watched Miles earn his spot in the Chamber by beating Logan Hunter, I was as proud as a husband could be. I was telling everyone who would listen - willing or otherwise - that we were looking at the winner of the first-ever Elimination Chamber. And then I was scheduled for my own qualifying match against Connor Murphy. And when I won that match, all I could think afterwards was ‘what did I just do?’”

“Admittedly this isn’t the first time that Miles and I faced each other in a match - and I’m not counting that bullshit match that Victoria Lyons tried to force us into. I’m thinking more about the time that Miles was the Roulette Champion back in `22. For some god forsaken reason the powers that be granted me a title shot at the worst time in my life, and unbeknownst to Miles or anyone else, I walked into that match with a broken finger. And through no one’s fault but my own, I think I became the first person in history to tap out to a hammerlock. Not my proudest of moments but my point remains the same. That match was our last legit competitive match - well before we started dating and long before we got married. And now here we are, together in possibly one of the potentially most violent matches conceivable and I … I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to handle this.”

Carter then moved over to the elevator and pressed the ‘down’ button. He turned toward the camera, his eyes glistening. And for all intents and purposes, he might as well have been looking at Miles himself.

“Miles, you know that I love you. More than any poet could ever describe and do it justice. But you and I have the same dream going into this match, and as much as we want to support each other's dreams, only one of us is going to be able to make it out of there as the winner.”

The elevator door slid open and Carter stepped inside, giving the camera one last, lingering stare.

“So let’s you and I prove Eddie Lyons wrong and one of us win this thing without busting each other open?”

He gave a wistful smile before the elevator door closed.

A familiar enough site for anyone with a knowledgeable history where some of Sin City Wrestling's resident Superstars were concerned. The Towers, located a mere block away from the famed Vegas Strip, was where not only Carter and Miles called home, but of course, Fenris - his husband David Shepherd and his brother Aron as well. It was centrally located on ten acres right in the heart of Vegas and everywhere around the Towers was something for the residents to take hearty advantage of.

But in this particular condominium on the fifth floor, there were two faces most familiar with the SCW Universe on the scene...

"Mal and I really appreciate you and Miles letting us crash here for a few days." Bella Madison said amicably as she and Carter Kasey-McKinney emerged from the hallway of the luxury condo in which Carter and his husband Miles called home. Having helped Bella get her things settled in the guest room, Carter paused and gave Bella a funny look at her use of the phrase 'and Mal' to which she sighed with a smile and a slight shake of her head.

"Okay," She admitted. "I appreciate it. Mal was kind of pushing for us to stay at a hotel."

"Why?" Carter frowned. "Hotels are just an unnecessary expense. Why would someone rather stay in a hotel than with friends..." Carter trailed off, looking into Bella's teasing eyes and he looked aside and exhaled gently.

"He was afraid he would overhear Miles and I going at it." Carter reasoned, to which Bella betrayed the truth with a laugh as she admitted, "Yeah. I believe his exact words were 'I don't want to hear those two making barnyard noises all night!'" In the best impression of Malachi's husky Irish accent that she was able to muster.

"Uh huh..." Carter mused. "Well not that I'm making any promises, but how did you manage to convince him to stay over while you were in town?"

"I told him that you guys had the bedroom sound proofed." Bella answered all too casually as she had a seat on their sofa in the front room. Carter remained standing at the foot of the sofa and he folded his arms over his upper body and frowned, "And he bought that?"

"By the time he finds out the truth, it'll be too late." Bella answered, to which Carter just shook his head and turned around, stating, "We'll try to control ourselves."

"Where are they, anyway?" Bella then asked, sitting upright and having a look around. "The movie is going to start soon." A movie. In the City of Sin and playing hosts, Miles and Carter would have taken their guests to anywhere they wanted to go for a nice evening out. A dinner, nightclub - anything. But all Malachi and Bella wanted (for this particular evening) was a movie and a nice home cooked meal.

Carter just directed her attention toward the sliding patio doors where indeed Miles and Malachi could be seen standing in the cool, Las Vegas air and hovering over Miles's most cherished possession - his grill.  "I think they're still debating over the proper way to stack charcoal briquettes." Carter said, turning to give Bella an exasperated look.

To which she replied, "You know you'd avoid silly debates like that if Miles would just get a gas grill." Carter just stared at her and visibly shuddered before he said with much faux seriousness in his voice, "Oh I just dare you to suggest that to Miles!"

Bella just smiled and held her hands up in surrender but just in time as the patio door slid open, letting in a gust of cool wind to blow across the foyer. Ms. Thang, perched on her royal throne aka the coffee table, looked up from her royal nap and twitched her whiskers in annoyance before hopping down and moved about the condo to continue her leisure.

"It's about time!" Carter greeted the two men as Miles and Malachi entered the condo, Mal sliding the patio door closed behind the pair. "Who won the big debate?"

"It's my grill." Miles stated matter-of-factly, giving his husband a quick smooch. "I won." And behind Miles, Malachi mimicked his friend by making a face and mouthing the exact same words Miles had just spoken.

"Well fascinating as the Great Briquette debates are, I'm sure..." Bella all but announced, standing up from where she was sitting. "That scintillating wit could have waited. We need to get to the movies."

"Yeah," Miles stole a glance at the clock on the wall. "I checked and the next showing for Captain America isn't too far from now."

"Captain America?" Carter frowned. "I was hoping we could go see Flow."

"Oo!" Bella turned around from grabbing hers and Malachi's jackets, eyes wide with a reflection of excitement in her baby blues. "I thought Flow was out of theaters! I haven't seen it yet!"

Carter stated with a smile, "I found a theater that keeps those indie films longer than most others!" At about the same time Malachi said, "You can see that on Max any time!"

But Bella was not someone to just not accept a random gauntlet being tossed down at her feet and she helpfully pointed out, "Considering how fast those Marvel films go to streaming these days, you could say the same for Captain America."

"Besides," Carter added. "The MCU has went downhill ever since Endgame! I mean, just look at Kraven!"

"Kraven isn't a part of the MCU!" Malachi barked, but Carter debated, "Close enough!"

"And besides..." Carter then walked around the edge of the sofa, joining Bella at her side for what was fast becoming a "wives versus husbands" debate, even if one of the wives was, in fact, a man. "The only good thing they've done since is Agatha."

Malachi audibly scoffed to which Carter spun around and held out a finger, pointed directly at him, "Ohhh NO!" Malachi blinked back with widened eyes and looked to Miles who just shrugged with a smirk, stating, "Thou shalt not speak Agatha's name in vain in this house." Causing his male guest to roll his eyes quite noticeably.

"So what are we going to do?" Bella asked, passing her husband his jacket to stave off the bitter chill that Vegas was still seeing at this early time of the year. "We clearly don't agree on what movie to see?"

"Well," Miles offered. "You two..." he pointed at Bella and Carter. "Could go see Flow while Mal and I watch Captain America. They've got to be playing at the same theater."

"They are." Carter answered with a nod. "But Captain America starts thirty minutes later and is almost an hour longer. So Bella and I would be left sitting and waiting for over an hour for you two."

"And...?" Mal shrugged his shoulders, earning him a swat in the upper body from his wife. Malachi cleared his throat and looked innocently toward first his wife and then to a smiling Miles. Malachi nodded toward Miles and then to Carter, half jokingly saying, "You two could just arm wrestle for it as the hosts."

Miles smiled and Carter just looked between them and shrugged, slipping off his feathered wool/denim jacket, "Sure, I'm game!"

Carter passed his jacket over to Bella and Malachi just smiled confidently, knowing full well that his friend Miles was clearly the physically stronger of the two. Miles just went along with it, always a good sport no matter the circumstance. He too removed his jacket and flung it over the back of the sofa and followed Carter toward the bar counter that separated the kitchen from the rest of their home. Bella and Malachi watched closely as both of their hosts took their positions and placed their elbows on the bar counter.

Bella stepped up to play the role of referee as her boys locked their hands together, their fingers interwoven.

"You ready?" Bella asked each, and both Carter and Miles nodded. "Okay... go!"

And no sooner did she call out for the contest to begin, than did Carter reach up and with a deft flick of his hand, pop open the upper half of his button up shirt, flashing Miles his developed left pectoral. Miles stared and Carter swiftly put his arm down for the win. Miles remained slack jawed and his lustful gaze followed his husband as he walked back around to the foyer, buttoning his shirt back up as a very pleased Bella announced to a startled Malachi, "Flow it is!"

Malachi watched as Carter and his wife headed for the front door and he called out, "Two out of three!"

"Not a chance!" Bella shouted back.

Malachi just turned and huffed at Miles who continued to stare, "Nice going lust bucket!"

---

A video feed proceeded to showcase the violent intricacies of the upcoming Elimination Chamber. The images of the monolith of steel, eighteen feet in height and thirty-six feet in diameter. At a staggering fourteen short tons, it is an imposing structure where in mere weeks, the Superstars and Bombshells of Sin City Wrestling would be putting it all on the line for this one shot at potential glory.

The camera then drew back, the shot widening and it is revealed that the viewer of this footage is none other than former Internet Champion, Helluva Bottom Carter. His dazzling eyes are foreboding and stern in a most uncharacteristic way, never leaving the flickering images on the screen until the footage finally draws to a close. Only then did Carter nod and slowly turn around, his back against the wall both literally as well as figuratively.

He clapped the palms of both hands together.

"Okay! So, now we come to our favorite part of the day. That part where all of you fine people tune in to hear whatever it is that I have to say about my opponent. Now I know some of you out there are going to support the other guy, while others have my back and will be cheering me on. And bless you for that - but first, before we get that far, there's another fork in the road that I want to take a little detour down. Same destination, different path if you will."

"When Mark Ward and Christian Underwood first announced the Elimination Chamber matches at Inception VII, I think you could hear the collective roofs over both locker rooms - men and women's - blow clear off the building. Not in anger mind you but in excitement because after twelve plus years, there was very little that we haven't done in Sin City Wrestling. Since 2011 when SCW first manifested and I myself was just eleven years old, the fans who watched from around the world saw everything from Hell In A Cell matches to the classic All In Bombshell Championship match! Exploding Barbed Wire Death matches to that bad ass Candy versus Sin Cinematic match! I mean, the sheer level of imagination from the bookers and match makers has been nothing short of phenomenal! And now, we are getting the Elimination Chamber! Both the Superstars and the Bombshells! But..."

Carter held up a forefinger and frowned.

"And trust me when I tell you that there is always a but... there seems to be a key difference in these matches between the men and the women and it seems to have caused a certain level of confusion. For the Bombshells, the Elimination Chamber is for the World Bombshell Championship. For us guys? It's for the Number One Contender spot for the World Heavyweight title."

Carter bit at his bottom lip and casually glanced in mock confusion from left to right. he held out his arms and shrugged his slim shoulders.

"Can you spot the difference? Do you see where I might be a bit confused? -Whereas the new World Champion Andrea Hernandez and Kayla Richards - who have unfinished business obvs, get automatic spots in their respective Chamber match, the unfinished business between the Heavyweight Champion Finn Whelan and Alex Jones is going to be settled seemingly in a one-on-one rematch. Just the two of them. My question is ... why? Is the fact that Finn - as of now - is only thirty days away from breaking J2H's record as the longest reigning champion in SCW history? So he likely is starting to have J2H-level stroke with the powers that be? Or do the match makers just think there's more money to be made with a rematch between Finn and Alex after the way their first match broke down?"

"Well, even if that is how they feel, I can't say as whether or not I agree or disagree. Because their first match for the gold at Inception VII was, to put it mildly, on fire! But we are talking about history being made here and the participants who have earned their way into the Chamber so far? We're talking about Eddie Lyons and, of course, my husband Miles Kasey?"

Carter cast a quick glance into the camera and winked.

"Love ya, Miles!"

Before he resumed his shoot.

"And this week things are no different, with more to come! I just think this match would mean even more if it were actually for the championship rather than just to see who is next in line. But that's just me, and Lord knows I'm not the passive aggressive type. So...! Let's just move on to the heart of the matter here tonight, shall we? And delve into the next step of my career. You see, I just so happened to lose my Internet Championship to Kevin Carter at Inception and as much as I would like to go out and tell the world that he stole it from me...?"

Carter clenched his teeth with a tight fist.

"I just can't! Because he didn't steal it. He won it, he earned it. And as bad a taste as this leaves in my mouth to admit, Kevin carter was the better man. But, did anyone else notice that his first title defense of the Internet Championship was not a rematch against the former champion? No, the former champion - me - was left standing on the sidelines while he put his title on the line against the Bulldog. I guess I can see the logic behind it. Barnhart gave Kevin such a fight in that match that had he given me my rematch, I probably would have walked away a two-time champion and most likely would have forfeited my spot in the Chamber. So perhaps Kevin Carter ducking me was his way of being... charitable?"

Carter wandered over and had a seat on the edge of an upright table and pondered this and then shook his head with a silent "Nah!".

"In a small way, this is almost better, as this gives me the chance to get my career back on the track. For months now I've had people asking me things like why am I not going after the World Championship more often? Accusing me of wasting all of the momentum that I had built for myself - especially after I got that upset win over Michael Harris. I've had some armchair experts tell me I wasted everything by not trying, or not trying harder. But the simple fact is that I did try. I did, and I bided my time and made my moves when I was ready. But the champions like Finn Whelan at the time, they were more ready than I was. Plus others were vying for the gold and I wasn't going to find myself in the legendary Jessie Salco mold where I made demands and challenges for championships at every turn. I had a great run as the Internet Champion and sooner or later, I'll get that belt back home where it belongs. But for now, the World title is in my sights and to get there, I have to get to that Elimination Chamber! And that means, I have to get past Connor Murphy."

Carter placed both hands on his knees and sat up straight, his gaze wide as he leaned back and breathed deeply.

"Connor Murphy. Not to crack age old jokes but I almost didn't recognize you when you returned to us. And not to be crass or anything, but when Mark and Christian announced a former Superstar was returning, I will be the first to admit that I got my hopes up. Maybe a little too high. Because when they said someone was coming back, my immediate hopes were for names like Ben Jordan, Fenris ... maybe even Austin James Mercer. But no, when the lights died down and the music hit ... it was you, Connor. And I have to admit that at that given moment, I felt a giant swell of... oh, what's the word I'm looking for? Disappointment, I guess. And I am not saying that to anger or belittle you, but it's just that they built this idea up to be something - or someone - major and you just... aren't. Not really."

"I mean, don't get me wrong. There was still a certain level of enthusiasm when you showed back up. Especially with Despayre at the GO Gym. He kept referring to you as the Gummy Bear Savior... whatever that means. But it's Despy so it obviously means something meaningful."

"But let's be honest for a second here, Connor. Before your big return, the last time you set foot inside of the ring was against J2H back in March of 2020. Almost a full five years ago. And before that? It was September of 2016 - against Dmitri. I could go on but do you see where I'm going with this? Even back then when I was just a know-it-all teenager, I knew well enough to know what my hopes and dreams were. I knew I wanted to be right where I am now, and I didn't let anything come between me and realizing those dreams. Not even the objections of my own loving family. But as a know-it-all teen, from the outside looking in? All I could think of when I turned in and watched you was that you wasted every chance the bosses gave you. It felt like you had virtually no commitment to this business. You would come back, have a match or two to make sure your name was still heard and remembered, and then would just go and piss off until you got bored enough to make another go of it. And Connor...? That just isn't cool."

"And it's not like you didn't have all the tools it took to be a success inside of the ring! I mean, you came from out of literally nowhere to tea, with Tim Staggs and beat the Guns For Hire for the World Tag titles! And you held them for almost two months. Kudos, bitches! But, for all the potential that you hold, that's still the pinnacle of your SCW career. A title reign that you had to share with a second generation star that used his daddy's name to get his foot in the door. You deserved better, Connor. You deserved more, but the simple fact of the matter is that you just never showed the initiative nor the interest. You would just come and go as you pleased and not show any interest in actually furthering not just your career but the careers of your peers! And really, what is the point of even being in this profession if you're not willing to give it your all, and be the very best?"

"And to be the very best, means you have to beat the very best! Which, as you might have guessed, means actually making the effort in becoming the best - the World Heavyweight Champion. That is why we are here, Connor, you and I. Now I don't know how these Qualifying matches were even determined. Whether they were luck of the draw or if there's a method to the madness. Maybe at some point my lack of enthusiasm for your return got back to the bosses and they decided to have some fun at my expense and put us up against one another. "

"Well, that's fine. I don't want you getting the wrong idea and thinking that I don't like you. I don't know you well enough to say whether or not I like you. I just find your lack of commitment to this business to be infuriating. And being put into this position to earn your way into the Chamber - insulting."

"Or am I wrong? And if so, prove it to me. I've broken bones, Connor. I've been hospitalized for injuries I suffered inside (and outside) of the ring. And all to prove my commitment to this business that I love and respect - and you profess to."

Carter stood up from the table and looked hard into the camera.

"I know compared to you, I am a relative rookie Connor. But I have been more true to this business in the past five years than you have your entire career. So before you decide to prove anything to the fans or to yourself...?"

He tapped a finger into his own chest.

"Prove it to me. And then we'll talk."

“A broken nose. That's just terrific.” Carter Kasey-McKinney grumbled as he struggled to slip his shirt back on over his head, still in the examination room of the hospital he had been brought to following the attack by Kevin Carter. The young man was obviously worse for wear, his body was freshly banged up, having not healed completely from the previous week's attack.

That, coupled with his nose covered in a special brace to keep the cartilage in place so it would heal properly, he was having a good deal of difficulty with a simple task. His husband, Miles, immediately stepped up. He sat down the paperwork the doctor had given him, complete prescription for painkillers.

Miles helped pull his shirt down the rest of the way and reached for his husband's jacket, all the while Carter looked absolutely miserable and said, “First Lazarus and now that jack off! Why do they always target my nose!?”

“Don't worry about that bastard “ Miles warned in his distinctive, British accent. “I'm going to fuck him up…”

“No.” Carter quickly said, catching his husband by surprise. “You're not.”

Miles shook his head in a quizzical manner, not understanding but Carter stressed, “You know I love it when you take charge and defend me. But Kevin targeted me for a reason so I'm handling this my way “

Carter gazed closely into Miles's eyes, “I have to.”

Prompting Miles to draw Carter into one of his famous hugs, “I understand.” He said. “I don't like it, but I understand. It's just a damn shame this shit show ruined our Christmas plans.”

Carter frowned from where he was being held and slowly, and somewhat reluctantly, separated from his husband's arms and shook his head. “What are you talking about?” He asked. “We're not canceling anything.”

Miles sighed, already knowing what was about to happen because of his husband's stubborn nature.

“Love,” Miles started to say. “You heard the doctor. You can't fly with a broken nose.”

“For 24 hours.” Carter corrected him. “She said I shouldn't for 24 hours minimum.”

“She also said that you shouldn't be flying at all.” Miles added on to the already convoluted logic between them. “So, we're not going to.”

“Miles….”

“Don't ‘Miles’ me!” Miles interrupted his husband before Carter could get going. “This isn't the time to get stubborn!....” Miles thought for a moment before adding, “More so than normal! I'm serious!”

“Alright, Miles!” Carter held his hands up in surrender. “Alright! You don't have to get so worked up! I know you have my best interests at heart!”

“Of course I do.” Miles stated.

Carter shrugged, “And I've always thought of you as something of the boss of the relationship.”

“Good.” Miles nodded.

“If you say we're not flying then we're not flying.”

“Okay, okay.” Miles said. “We're not flying.”

“We are too.” Carter said matter of factly as he marched right past Miles out of the examination room, grabbing his prescription along the way.

Miles stands there for a brief moment, trying to process what was just said and he shakes his head and quickly catches up to Carter, “Pardon? Is this not the same man that did nothing but give me nothing short of all the business when I cracked my ribs in that match a year and a half ago? I seem to recall you constantly watching over me after that hellacious match against Austin.”

“Yes, I did and I will still stand by the fact that us flying to China was absolutely pointless and it only delayed your healing even more by flying. But we’re not active over the next 2 weeks..”

“And we’re going to Seattle, right? So it’s not like we can’t drive...” Miles stops for a moment, “actually more like I drive.”

“What's wrong with my driving?”

“Love, just trust me, it's like a 17 hour trip and the weather hasn't been the best. Or better yet, I can get last minute plane tickets for your mum and Grams and they can join us....”

“Miles, we can't do that!”

“Why not!?”

“Because we're not going to Seattle!” And suddenly a hush of silence fell between the two. Miles just stared at his husband as Carter looked like a deer in headlights briefly until he closed his eyes and exhaled gently.

Miles shook his head, “What do you mean we're not going to Seattle?”

“Damn it…” Carter mumbled helplessly as he fished in his pocket to draw out his phone. Miles watched as Carter went about on his phone, searching for something. Until he found what he was looking for and turned his phone around, handing it to his husband.

Miles looked it over and with a look of realization dawning on his face, he looked up. “The tickets aren't for Seattle. They're for London.”

“Yeah.” Carter sighed. “We were never going to Seattle.”

Carter watches Miles take in all the details both on his phone as well as spoken. He continues, “I know it's been years since you spent a Christmas home in the UK. I've had this arranged since September. I rented a flat. Ms. Thang is going with us. Mom and Grams are on their way there now…”

“Really?” Miles looked up with a toothy dopey smile, to which Carter shrugged almost bashfully. He responded, “Why not? Most married couples take turns on holidays with which family to spend it with. I don't see any reason why we should restrict ourselves like that. We can just take turns on where.”

“So that’s why Brianna was giving me the bum's rush when I was trying to nail down details when I could call her and mum on Christmas day, she was fighting keeping the secret.”

“Which I thought for sure when you asked her that I was screwed at that point,” Carter laughed, “I know that the flight is gonna hurt but I don’t care. Not if that means I get you out of this funk you’ve been in. You’ve been very Grinch-like and considering how much I know you love Christmas, I’m more determined than ever to get us there.”

Miles cringes, “I haven’t been that bad, have I?”

“I’ve seen worse. Not completely Scrooged but you were teetering there for a bit.” Carter tilts his head, noticing Miles is having that emotional moment of ‘I so do not deserve him’, “So we’re flying?”

“I still think it’s absolutely insane because you are going to be in so much pain but, love...I cannot believe you did this. And not just us, but your mum and grams too?” Miles smiles, “I’d kiss you right now if I didn’t think it’d damage that beautiful face more.”

Carter just smiled as Miles snaked his arm around his waist to escort him through the automatic doors of the hospital and into the night sky. This Christmas was going to have so much potential.

From the moment the camera opens, we are gifted with a shot of a set of the classic and popular game show Family Feud. The theme music plays in the background and the studio audience cheers heartily, and we see the set slightly changed where a makeshift wrestling ring is set in the forefront of the game's center podium along the stage’s floor. And on both the left and right of the stage stand figures stand in red lighting and shadow beneath the arches lined with lights.

Rubert Ervin: Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! It is time for Celebrity Family Feud!

The studio audience cheers, many of them wrestling fans but many others just thrilled to be a part of the show that is featuring celebrities.

Rubert: The stakes have never been higher as it is the women against the men in anticipation of the biggest wrestling event of the year! This weekend’s thirteenth edition of the High Stakes Supercard Event! Introducing first the Bombshells of Sin City Wrestling…!

Bella Madison! Bobbie Dahl! Crystal Zdunich! Alexandra Calaway! And Cassie Wolfe! Ready for action!

All five women are caught in a five-way mock brawl, with Alexandra and Bella doing the Laverne and Shirley ‘slap fight’ while Cassie was on Bobbie’s back while Bobbie had Crystal in a side headlock! At the announcement, all five look like they’d been caught and they immediately break character and separate, applauding before they descend to their panel!

Rubert: And their opponents! The Superstars of Sin City Wrestling…!

Helluva Bottom Carter! Miles Kasey! Ben Jordan! Alex Jones and “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart! Ready for action!

The men are no less subtle as they are in a train of side headlocks; Alex holding Carter… Ben holding Alex… Bulldog holding Ben… And Miles holding Bulldog! Their heads turn as one at the announcement and they jump apart and put on their best innocent expressions and stances while applauding before descending to their panel!

Rubert: And introducing the star of the show! Your ring announcer! Your time keeper and most importantly, your referee! STEVE HARVEY!

The studio audience and all ten wrestling stars applaud and whoop it up as the popular comedian and game show host Steve Harvey walks onto the stage, that ever-present smile present on his face as he waves to the audience and then to both sides of the stage and their celebrity contestants. He fist bumps Carter as he passes the men by and he takes a brief moment to pour on the charm, bounding over toward the Bombshells and takes the hand of Alexandra to lightly kiss the back of it; Alexandra feigning a swooning act and fanning herself as Steve takes center stage inside of the ‘ring’.

Steve Harvey: Thank you! Thank you very much! Welcome to this special High Stakes episode of Celebrity Family Feud, everybody! I’m Steve Harvey!

Everyone, audience and grapplers alike, cheer and applaud!

Steve: Boy I don’t know if you all are going to be ready for this one tonight! Because we have the men and women of Sin City Wrestling competing tonight for not just the $25,000 for their respective charities, but also to head into this weekend’s Pay-Per-View Supercard, High Stakes XIV! Woo! Yeah!

The audience cheers as the camera pans both sides of the stage, the Superstars and Bombshells from start to end.

Steve: Alright everybody, let’s get this battle underway! It’s ladies first so let’s meet the Bombshells of SCW!

The studio audience cheers and applauds as the men’s side ‘boos’ and gives playful thumbs down while Steve walks over to the ladies’ side, where Bella stands as captain. Steve then takes a step behind her and points at the men…

Steve: Now that’s just uncalled for! Don’t make me come over there!

Steve points at the Superstars while the Bombshells ‘taunt’ and the audience laughs. Steve then steps back around to greet Bella.

Steve: Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for Bella Madison! Challenger this weekend for the Bombshell Internet Championship!

Bella does the RVD thumbs to the shoulders pose and laughs as her teammates cheer her on.

Steve: And joining her is none other than the former Bombshell Roulette Champion Bobbie Dahl, competing this weekend against Harper Mason in a Baby Wear match!

The audience cheers as Bobbie makes her best ‘cry baby’ face while wiping at her eyes.

Steve: Joining them is former Triple crown Champion and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Crystal Zdunich!

Crystal just puts on her best ‘who, me?’ impression and waves off the cheers.

Steve: Two-time Bombshell Roulette Champion, Alexandra Calaway who is an entrant in the High Stakes Rumble!

The crowd cheers as Alexandra points at herself with a cocky grin and nods her head.

Steve: And rounding the team out, another entrant for the Bombshell Rumble and nominee for Newcomer of the Year, Cassie Wolfe!

Cassie strikes a double bicep pose while Alexandra playfully tests her muscles to the audience's cheers. Steve backs up to the head of the panel with Bella, all smiles.

Steve: You know my sons watch SCW every week and they told me earlier their favorites are the Bombshells and that they hope the Bombshells beat the Superstars today!

The Bombshells cheer and applaud, nodding with satisfied smiles while the men opposite them jeer and give thumbs down. Steve turns to give them a look and they immediately quiet themselves. Steve gives them the universal “got my eye on you” sign before turning back to Bella.

Steve: Now, Bella Madison. Why don’t you tell everyone the charity the Bombshells are playing for?

Bella: Oh, yeah! We are playing for Hope For the Warriors. It provides support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that focuses on transition, health and other opportunities.

The audience cheers and both sides applaud.

Steve: Alright, a very worthy charity! And now it’s time to meet the men! The Superstars of Sin City Wrestling!

Steve crosses the stage and shakes the hand of all five Superstars before taking his place at the front where Carter stands, the SCW Internet Championship belt on the podium in front of him. He is about to start the introductions when…

Cassie: BOOOOOO!!!!

Everybody laughs and Steve turns to her with a stern expression which quickly melts. He smiles and nods, eyes closed with a thumbs up. Steve turns to the Superstars staring at him ‘aghast’ but he just shrugs.

Steve: My sons like the Bombshells, what can I say? Now, let’s meet the current Internet Champion of SCW - Helluva Bottom Carter… Helluva…

Steve looks at the card in his hand, then at the name badge on Carter’s orchid colored button up. There are scattered cheers and Steve stands upright and stares at him.

Steve: You know what that sounds like, right?

Causing Carter to laugh and nod, all smiles.

Steve: You know WHO it sounds like?

More laughter and Carter nods.

HBCarter: I do!

Steve: And … do you think she would approve?

HBCarter: I hope so because I love her!

Steve turns to look directly into the camera.

Steve: I hope that takes the sting out of it, Helena. Now, Carter? You are the reigning Internet Champion and this weekend you’re defending against…?

HBCarter: Kris Ryans. Grand Slam Champion and he’s in the Hall of Fame.

Steve: Wow… And this here…

He taps the center plate of the Internet title belt.

Steve: This here is the championship?

HBCarter: It is, you want to try it on?

The audience cheers as do the wrestlers on both sides as Steve is all “Oooo!” and he steps back while Carter picks up the Internet title belt and he walks around the panel to drape the championship belt around the waist of the game show host and feast it, snug and secure. Everybody cheers and laughs as Steve hams it up, acting all big and bad while Carter resumes his place at the head of the panel.

Steve: Yeahh! That’s right! That’s what I’m talking about! And I’ll meet you…

He turns and points at Carter.

Steve: This weekend if you want to get this belt back!

More cheers and applause as Steve steps back up to the front and he resumes the introductions of the Superstars.

Steve: Now joining you is not only your husband but also challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship this weekend - Miles Kasey!

The studio audience cheers as his teammates applaud while the Bombshells playfully ‘boo’ his and each name of their opposition.

Steve: Joining you and participating in the Superstars Rumble, former World Heavyweight, Tag Team, Roulette and 2017 Blast From the Past Champion, Ben Jordan!

More cheers!

HBCarter: The Cockney King!

Steve stumbles and turns to look at Carter.

Steve: What… what did you just say?

HBCarter: The Cockney King!

Steve shakes his head with a shocked expression on his face.

Steve: You can’t say that on TV! This is a family show, young man!

HBCarter: So sorry!

Steve: Now, if we can BEHAVE ourselves… we have another Superstar Rumble entrant! Former two-time World Heavyweight Champion! Roulette Champion! Mixed Tag Team Champion AND 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, Alex Jones!

Alex drinks in the cheers and applause, eyes closed dreamily.

Steve: And finally, yet ANOTHER Superstar Rumble entrant! Two-time Roulette Champion and Mixed Tag Team Champion, the Bulldog himself! Bill Barnhart!

There are cheers and applause as Bill playfully barks along.

Steve: Now you three are all in this Rumble match… I’m not going to have to separate you tonight, am I?

All three; Ben, Alex and Bill all act innocent with hands held up and shaking their heads while Steve watches them warily as he heads back up to the front of the panel.

Steve Harvey: Alright, because you know you know I'd hate to have to get physical and break things up.

The Bombshells call out ‘that’s right’ while the men all look around with wide eyes as the audience cheers and laughs.

Steve: Carter, why don’t you tell everyone the charity that your side is playing for?

HBCarter: Well we’re playing for For the Love of Alex. It provides urgent and emergency veterinary care for cats and dogs whose owners can’t afford it.

Everyone present applauds as Steve nods with a smile as he steps back toward the main podium.

Steve: Another great cause! We got to take care of those fur babies! Now it’s time to play the Feud! Give me Bella! Give me Carter! Come on down!

The theme song plays as Bella and Carter make their way to the podium, the audience and their respective teammates cheer them on. Carter and Bella take their place and ready themselves as Steve prepares the first question.

Steve: We had a hundred people surveyed, top seven answers on the board! Name something that gets passed around!

Both slap their hands on the buzzer but Carter is just a shade faster.

HBCarter: Valentine’s Day!

The camera focuses on the answer board and ‘Valentine’s Day’ is there, with four points.

Steve: Bella?

Bella: A date!


The women play! Steve walks over as Bella joins her teammates and Steve approaches Bobbie…

Bobbie: Well this is just a guess because I don’t normally wear underwear but…

Steve freezes, card in hand and he just slowly starts to sink down to one knee as the laughter from both the wrestlers and the studio audience grows in intensity until he places a hand on his heart.

Steve: Oh don’t do that to me, girl! I’m not in my twenties any more!

Steve manages to pull himself upright and …

Bobbie: Wedding night?


Alexandra: Just to feel confident?


Crystal: A job interview?


Cassie: …. A holiday?


Steve: Okay Bella, two strikes. The men can take this one.

Bella: … To bring wealth?

The buzzer goes off and all the Bombshells call out and cry foul. Steve crosses the stage where the Superstars were conferring and they separate.

Steve: Alright Carter, what’s your answer?

HBCarter: Gambling!

Steve: If it’s there, you take the points. Show me gambling!

---

Steve: Alright, now let’s bring down Miles Kasey and Bobbie Dahl!

The fans cheer as Miles and Bobbie approach the podium to cheers and support from their teammates.

Steve: We had a hundred people surveyed, top five answers on the board! Name something that gets passed around!

Both slap their hands on the buzzer but Bobbie is the quicker of the two.

Bobbie: Gas!

Laughter fills the studio and Steve stares at Bobbie before he very slowly turns around to check on the answer. The buzzer goes off.

Miles: A rumor!


And the men take control.

Ben: A joint.

He mimics a smoke as Steve stares at him and shakes his head.

Steve: You’re going to hell, you know that? Right?


Alex: A cold?


Bulldog: Food!


Bulldog: What!?

HBCarter: Notes?


Miles: A collection plate.


Ben: A ball.

Steve: You mean like as in a sports ball I hope?

Ben laughs: Yes!


The Bombshells take control and break from their huddle.

Steve: Bella? Can you give me the answer and steal this one away?

Bella: A baby!

---

Steve: Alright, let’s bring up Ben Jordan and Crystal Zdunich!

Ben and Crystal jump up to the podium and shake hands amidst cheers and applause.

Steve: This is double points! Name a wrestling move that best describes your partner in bed!

Both slap their hands on the buzzer but Ben is first!

Ben: Belly to back!

The audience and everyone around them erupts in laughter as Steve tosses the card from his hand into the air. He just paces, hands on hips until he picks the card back up and rejoins them.

Steve: What have I told you about this being a FAMILY show!? Filth!


Steve closes his eyes and shakes his head.

Crystal: Backslide?

More laughter.


The men take control and Steve approaches Alex.

Alex: Bearhug?


Bulldog: Body press.


HBCarter: Piledriver!

Steve stares at him as scattered laughter begins and grows in intensity as Miles closes his eyes and the red color creeps up his neck and colors his face while Ben just pats him on the shoulder.

Steve: You okay over there, Miles?

To which Miles just nods.


Miles: Booty bop?

More laughter as Steve looks between Miles and Carter and shakes his head.

Steve: We are going to get canceled at this rate!


Ben: Body scissors!

Buzzer and the Bombshells take control! Steve crosses the stage and the women are ready for their answer.

Bella: I can’t speak for any of us but a sleeper hold!

---

Steve: Okay Bombshells! The Superstars here are just sixty six points away from winning this! Let’s bring down Alexandra and Alex!

Alex and Alexandra approach the podium to cheers and applause. They shake hands which turns into a brief thumb wrestling match before we are ready!

Steve: Top six answers are on the board, triple points! In one word, describe the last kiss you got from your partner!

They slap the buzzers but Alexandra is faster!

Alexandra: Perfect!


Alex: Quick?


Steve approaches Bulldog.

Bulldog: Happy?


HBCarter: Breathtaking!


HBCarter: Noo!

Miles: Sloppy.

Laughter immediately fills the audience and Carter stares at Miles with wide eyes and an even wider mouth. Miles does a comedic double take at his husband and Steve clears his throat as he turns around.

Steve: Looks like the honeymoon is over?


The theme song plays and the five men jump about and high five and embrace as the Bombshells side bemoan the loss as the studio audience cheers!

Steve: Okay ladies, I just want the Bombshells to know that even though the Superstars have won tonight, we are still making a donation to your charity. Thank you for being here with us tonight. Now you fellas…

He turns to the Superstars.

Steve: I need two of you fellas out here for our Final Round! Two!

The audience cheers as Carter and Bulldog join Steve on the stage.

Steve: Okay! I got Carter and I got the Bulldog, we gonna play Fast Money when we come back!

---

And we return to celebrity Family Feud with Fast Money on the line, Steve standing beside Carter.

Steve: Now Carter, stand there and tell the world what you are playing for!

HBCarter: $25,000 for For the Love of Alex!

The audience cheers and both Superstars and Bombshells applaud and cheer as well.

Steve: Alright, twenty seconds on the clock! Name a place you stop going to when you’re broke!

HBCarter: The bank!
4 points

Steve: Name something that is full of holes!

HBCarter: Clothes!
16 points

Steve: Name something you would find in a bathtub!

HBCarter: Shampoo!
7 points

Steve: Name a place that’s filled with people who don’t want to be there.

HBCarter: Jail!
36 points

Steve: Name something you might catch up on.

HBCarter: Chores!
8 points

Steve: And that brings you to seventy one points! Now let’s bring out the Bulldog!

Carter rejoins his team as Bill walks onstage and shakes Steve’s hand.

Steve: Alright, now your teammate Carter scored 71 points, meaning you need 129 to win this and the $25,000. But you can do it! Are you ready?

Bulldog: I’m ready!

Steve: Alright, 25 seconds on the clock! Name a place you stop going to when you’re broke!

Bulldog: Restaurants!
32 points

Steve: Name something that is full of holes!

Bulldog: Cheese!
40 points

Steve: Name something you would find in a bathtub!

Bulldog: Water!
44 points

Steve: Name a place that’s filled with people who don’t want to be there.

Bulldog: Work!
10 points

Steve: Okay, final question. All you need is 3 points and the Superstars win $25,000 for For the Love of Alex! Name something you might catch up on.

Bulldog: Sleep!
29 points


The audience cheers as Bill fist pumps as the Superstars swarm the stage and they celebrate! Ben and Alex pick Bill up as the veteran raises his arms while Miles and Carter hug and applaud their teammate pushing it through!

Steve: The Superstars win $25,000 for For the Love of Alex! Make sure you tune in THIS Sunday for High Stakes XIV! Thirteen matches! The 2024 Hall of Fame AND the 2024 Year End Awards! Good night everybody!

The audience continues to cheer as the Superstars continue with their celebration as the camera fades out.

---

“I’ve been the Internet Champion since the beginning of August, winning it on the Summer XXXTreme cruise and it was one of the best wedding gifts I could have received, and it’s a memory that I’m going to look back on and cherish from now until I ultimately hang up my boots and even  beyond. I might have held a number of championships in Sin City Underground, but when I came up to SCW, I discovered just how much more severe and challenging the competition was. Mark WSard was the one who was impressed enough by me and what I accomplished in SCU, to which he felt like he could take the chance on some young, wet behind the ears pup such as myself. He even made me an early offer but I didn’t want to abandon SCU until its dramatic curtain call. Hot Stuff had told me that the door was open and he officially signed me to the roster in December of `21. I even remember my first match as an official SCW Superstar. It was against Levi Russow and yeah, I admit it. I walked away the loser of the match but – I still managed to walk away. Levi’s own career in the six-sided ring was winding down and the list of his accolades could reach to the moon and back! That match against him taught me so much. Ity taught me that sometimes just managing to walk away from a confrontation is a victory unto itself.”

“Of course, I wasn’t sure I believed that at the time. I kind of had to get the whole thought process beat into me over the course of the next near-three years. I faced every single man on the roster that they could find that were willing to face me. Some of these Superstars did so because they thought I’d be an easy win and a stepping stone to them moving a step further up the rankings. Men like Austin James Mercer and Peter Vaughn. Others agreed because they knew I was just on the cusp of my career and some of the veterans like Bill Barnhart, Goth and Ben Jordan knew that they had a lot that they could teach me. Win or lose. And for a time, I can’t lie. I was losing more often than I was winning because, as I said, I was not prepared for the sheer high level of competition that SCW provided!”

“I scratched and I clawed, and yeah. I admit it. Things got to the point that I was so downcast and feeling sorry for myself that I managed to convince myself that ultimate success inside of the ring was never going to happen for me. That championship gold was not something that I was going to end up experiencing. But as I was at my lowest points in both my personal and professional lives, I had what a lot of unfortunate people did not; a strong support group of friends, co-workers and family that loved and supported me. They gave me the confidence boost that I so desperately needed to keep fighting and not utter those three, unforgivable words - ‘I give up’. I had them in my corner and I truly believe that is what kept me pushing forward, and it allowed me to realize that everything I was believing about my career was not true.”

“I could be a success story, because I became one. At Summer XXXTreme X, everything came together. Just days prior I had married the love of my life and before we left for our honeymoon, I had one more thing to do. Strip Peter Vaughn of the Internet Championship. And there is no way I am going to act like so many others before me and tell the world how easy it was because it was not. Vaughn held that championship for as long as he did for a reason – and not just because he had this habit of taking the low road to secure the final piece of the puzzle. He was a dominant wrestler because he was a quality wrestler! Win or lose, there wasn’t a match he was involved in that was not a Match of the Year candidate in my own humble opinion. I went into that title opportunity as the dark horse, the underdog. And I walked out a champion. And if I have to be perfectly honest? So far my reign as Internet Champion has been somewhat…”

“... I guess underwhelming is the most politically correct way of characterizing it. I was hoping to further make a name for myself and put this championship back on the map where it belonged. Peter Vaughn brought it up to the highest level, and I thought it was only right that I honor the man and try to keep it right where he left it. Where it belonged; as a proper rival for the standing of the World Championship itself. But since the start of August, I can count on one hand the number of opportunities I was given. I mean my first defense was against a glorified jobber for some god forsaken reason! I competed in more non-title matches than championship defenses!”

“The single most legit title defense I had since winning the gold was against my own brother-in-law! And I think that was because the powers-that-be thought it would be morbid fun to see family fight it out. I just hope we did them proud because LJ and I beat each other senseless in that Ladder match, which I am proud to say that I ultimately won. But while we gave the world what it wanted in glorified violence between fami;y, it had the added bonus of bringing us closer together as in-laws.”

“But that was at Violent Conduct X. The end of September. Almost two months ago! That was my last proper championship defense! So much for keeping this title where it belongs, am I right? Which is why when Kris Ryans made it known he was publicly calling me out as champion to step up and defend the title against him  here at High Stakes XIV? Trust me when I tell you what I was feeling about that - the world’s most accomplished authors and poets could not put into words! I mean, think about it! Kris Ryans! The man is a Grand Slam Champion and one of the single best talents to have ever set foot inside of the six-sided ring! 2021 Hall of Fame inductee! A two-time World Heavyweight Champion! Two-time Roulette Champion! World Tag Team Champion! Undefeated Mixed Tag Team Champion! And yeah… the Internet Champion! The only thing he hasn’t managed to accomplish is win the Blast From the Past!”

“That is who wanted to challenge me for the championship! One of the best wanted an opportunity to face me for the gold and the chance to test myself – I mean truly test myself – was at hand! So you’re damn right I accepted the challenge! Kris came off a loss to Finn Whelan a few weeks prior but i didn't care! This could go down as one of the biggest matches of my career! There was no chance I wasn’t going to reach out and grab this opportunity! And once I did… poof!”

“The self contained interest on Kris’s part seemingly vanished. Just like that. The minute I signed on the dotted line, it was like Kris just turned his back on me like all the hard work was done and what was coming was a mere formality. Like he was already looking past the match in Tucson and celebrating becoming a two-time Grand Slam Champion and at my expense! And you know something? I could even get past that level of disinterest and disrespect, because in the end, it often plays to my advantage as I’ve said in the past. Men who look past me and think just because I look soft, I compete that way? In the end, that’s their mistake to make at their own expense, and seemingly now it’s yours, Kris.”

“Now whether that is true or not, I guess we’re going to find out. I just can’t think of any other reason why I went from up where your interests were concerned, to practically floor level. If you have distractions or issues going on outside of the ring, then just tell me! Because like it or not, I want to face the Kris Ryans that took men like Fenris and Tommy Crimson and Kain to the absolute limits! Otherwise, what the hell is the point of all this? Winning a championship!? Trying to defend it and do everyone proud! The fact you tanked a match to a man named after a cartoon character that is over a hundred years old just compounds things! If and when I get past you in Tucson, I feel obliged to offer a title shot to Felix but the point here is… I have to get past you.”

“And I will because whether you know this or not, in the past few weeks you gave me all the motivation I could possibly need to walk out of the TCC Arena still the Internet Champion!”

“I blame you, Kris, for the relative lack of interest in a title match that could have been right up there along with the World title matches and Harris-J2H! But no, you seemingly took this match for granted and now, from the outside looking in, treating it like it’s some form of consolation prize! You were given an opportunity against Finn Whelan and even though you did yourself proud, Finn was the victor. So rather than take the time to build yourself back up, you instead build on your past reputations to and look at me as second best. Now, I admit it! I could be reading you completely wrong because from a personal standpoint, I don’t know jack about you other than locker room whispers and the fact you and Fenris used to be a thing!”

“I have my own thoughts and opinions where you’re concerned but that’s a Fairy Tail for another day. I even sunk so low as to go to Fenris and ask him what he could tell me about you, and do you know what he said? He said you had a thing for being tied up and gagged and I am NEVER going to be able to unsee that mental image! He refused to help out of loyalty to whatever the two of you held in the past, but bright side? He also told me he wouldn’t have helped you against me either. So, in the end? I’m on my own against one of the living legends of the SCW locker room.”

“You want to use me to become a two-time Grand Slam Champion. But not this time. Not at my expense. I need this win, Kris. And I am going to take it. For both myself, and for the integrity of the championship itself. Come hell or high water, I am going to do it proud!”

It had been awhile since Carter had last accompanied Miles to his hometown of London, but circumstances had changed since then. The last time they were here, it was to soothe a homesick Miles who, at the time, was not even completely aware of what was wrong with him. This visit proved that you can indeed go home, and doing so sometimes was the absolute best of medicines. And this time? Sin City Wrestling’s “Royal Pain” tour was culminating for the Violent Conduct X Supercard event, and it just so happened to be in Miles’s backyard. But first things first…

The room reserved was spacious and comfortable, predominantly colored in tans and whites with wood panel accents. While there was a dresser with flat screen TV over it and a comfortable recliner in the corner with a desk, the predominant feature of the room was the king sized bed with golden headboard and matching comforter over the white linens and the white and turquoise pillows - and in the center of the bed a wicker basket filled with fresh fruit as a welcoming gesture. Very comfortable surroundings for a two-week stay.

The door to the room then opened with the soft sound of the key card lock being undone and the first to enter the room were two hotel porters in classic suit uniforms, delivering an impressive amount of luggage on a bellman luggage cart. While they proceeded to unload the bags and suitcases carefully and neatly along the far wall, Carter and Miles then entered the room where they would be staying over the course of the next two weeks; taking care of assigned SCW duties to better promote Violent Conduct X and Carter’s championship defense, while also working in some free time to visit Miles’s family and friends.

While Carter did his usual walk through the hotel room - a habit he seemed to have picked up somewhere and it carried over to every place they stayed together since - Miles tipped the two men generously before they took their leave, wishing Miles and Carter a pleasant stay with them. Miles walked over to the large, picturesque window and gazed out at the city surrounding them and he felt a tightness in his body and mind slowly begin to loosen. He still would have preferred to be competing on the biggest event his hometown had hosted in years but for now, he would have to be satisfied at playing his part and getting some rare family time.

Miles tore himself away from the window and wandered back over to the bed and had a seat at the foot, giving it a slight ‘bounce test’ when Carter emerged from wherever he had wandered and he proceeded to walk across the room’s threshold and he grabbed the first suitcase within reach and opened it, starting to unpack as Miles watched with curiosity.

“You okay?” Miles asked, causing Carter to look up from what he was doing with a quizzical expression of his own and he nodded, “Yeah, why?” But Miles didn’t answer just yet, as he watched Carter continue to unpack for them both and set their clothes in the dresser drawers until there was no room left and he then went for the nearby hangers in the room’s closet…

“Love, stop.” Miles' soft accented words caused Carter to indeed stop as he was walking back across the carpeted floor with a handful of hangers, staring at his husband.

“What's wrong?” Miles once again asked, but this time his words were stronger in concern, wanting an answer that was more than avoidance or denial in nature. Carter appeared to be lost or confused as to why Miles was asking this from out of the blue.

“Why do you think something is wrong?” Carter asked with a soft smile, to which Miles offered a shrug of his own muscled shoulders and he wore the wisp of a cocky smile on his lips as he answered, “Because since you and I first started traveling together, this is the first time we arrived at a hotel room where the first thing you wanted to do wasn’t … me.”

Miles then watched as the color rose from Carter’s lightly tanned neck and rose up to his cheeks, giving him a charming and endearing flush. It did Miles’ heart (and ego) a world of good to know that even after all this time together, their dating and finally their wedding, he still had that ‘hot flash’ effect on his husband. Where Miles was concerned, Carter’s “appetites” were damn near insatiable (thank GOD!), so this was indeed a change of pace.

“Are you worried about dinner with me Mum?” Miles asked all-too casually, earning him a look from Carter who asked, “Why would that bother me, having dinner with your Mom? We’ve had dinner together before.”

“Year,” Miles laughed to himself. “But back then she was the mother of either your boyfriend or fiance. Now…” Miles leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and a wicked smirk on his face. “Now she’s your mother-in-law.”

Carter just stared at Miles for several long seconds before he shook his head, “Sometimes you can be truly, truly evil.” Before he turned back to his duties and resumed unpacking. “Cute AF, but evil!”

Miles stood up from where he had seated himself and approached his husband from behind and wrapped his arms around his slim waist, reeling him in and holding him tight as he nuzzled his chin in that soft crevice at Carter's neck.

“I know what you’re uncomfortable about.” Miles confided gently, his words washing over Carter’s ear gently but he still had that effect that caused Carter’s body to tingle. “You’ve been acting like this ever since LJ won that match.”

That was when Miles felt Carter’s body tense somewhat, and he set the hangers down on the surface of the dresser and he turned around to face Miles while still remaining in his embrace. Miles saw Carter’s questioning gaze and his dark eyebrows rise almost to the hairline as he asked, “You think I’m bothered by having to defend against your brother?”

Miles did not answer directly. This indeed was what Miles felt was troubling his man. The moment Lyle Kasey Junior pinned “Unbreakable” Eddie Lyons in the Main Event of the Monaco tour stop, the champion - his husband - had little to no reaction. They had been watching on the monitor alongside Alexandra Calaway in the annals of the backstage area, and once LJ emerged victorious, Miles and Alexandra were each proud of the younger brother getting not only his first victory in an SCW ring, but gaining a championship opportunity in the process. Carter – simply walked away.

Miles shrugged and offered, “It’s not so unusual, being uncomfortable defending against family or someone that you’re close to…”

“LJ and I aren’t close…” Carter shook his head, causing Miles to close his eyes and draw in a breath before resuming, fully aware of the tension between his husband and his brother. He resumed, “But… look at how you and I reacted when Victoria put us against each other. Neither of us wanted to…”

“Miles,” Carter spoke softly. “That was different and you know it. She wanted us to hurt each other to the point one of us couldn’t continue because she’s a sadistic bitch. LJ…?” He shook his head. “The only thing about this match that makes me uncomfortable is the fact that it’s a ladder match.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Carter stressed. “I never understood how climbing a ladder was supposed to prove who the better wrestler was - but that’s not even the issue. The last time I was in a Ladder match, I was blinded and almost broke my neck. There’s still one or two demons at play about that up here…” He tapped a forefinger to his temple.

Miles smiled, knowing that match still haunted his husband, but also the fact Carter had his ways of getting past these hurdles to overcome them, both mentally as well as physically. Miles leaned in for a quick kiss, to which Carter all-too happily obliged, before he said, “Trust me Miles, this may or may not be what you want to hear given the circumstances but I am going to treat your brother like any other man who wants to try and take my championship.”

“Understood.” Miles nodded with acceptance. He had to accept it. What other option was there? He couldn’t rightly ask or expect Carter to ‘go easy’ on LJ when he knew LJ would be attempting everything to try and win his Internet Championship. He especially could not - would NOT - ask Carter to ‘allow’ LJ to win. The mere thought of that option was just unthinkable. Miles then looked again into those dazzling blue eyes and shrugged, “Then what is it?”

“Truth?” Carter asked, which almost sounded more like a statement than it did a question, with a touch more force to it than Miles might have come to expect.

“Yes, Carter.” Miles nodded. “The truth.” Miles took a few steps back, releasing Carter from his arms and had a seat on the edge of the bed. Miles continued, “I’m not your boyfriend anymore, babe. I’m not even your fiance. I’m your husband.” He nodded. “I deserve the truth.”

“Okay…” Carter sighed. Truth be told, he felt his heart pounding in his chest as he turned to face Miles. Like any good spouse, Carter did not want to upset or offend his husband. And it was true; Carter and Miles have had few arguments over the past two years and no full blown fights. But new as they both were to the world of marriage, Carter knew that they had to have open communication between them. He just had that nagging feeling in the back of his head, wondering if what he was feeling was petty or legit.

He resigned himself and finally said, “I’m upset because of how you reacted to the match. About my having to face LJ.”

“Me?” Miles’ own eyebrows rose in surprise, a hand on his sternum for emphasis. “What did I do? What did I say?”

“Nothing.” Carter answered. “And that’s the whole problem. The moment LJ won and the match was signed, you pretty much stepped off to the side and played the role of Switzerland in the War rather than support me in my first legit defense!”

“Carter,” Miles stressed. “I told LJ that he was on his own.”

“Yeah,” Carter nodded, his head downcast. “But it just feels like you pretty much told me the same, even if you didn't say the words outright. Rather than support me from the start, tell me that I've got this or … anything – it just feels like you and Ally have stepped off to the side and are just going to let Lyle and I beat the hell out of each other and whoever wins…” Carter held up a hand as if to silently say, whatever happens, happens.

*You're making it sound a lot easier than it is, love.” Miles stressed with a heaving sigh. “How do you think I felt when LJ won that match and I knew you two would be fighting in a potentially dangerous match? He knows how you feel about him and he's concerned himself about what this match is going to mean.”

“Which brings up an interesting point.” Carter nodded, chewing at his bottom lip. *I figured he knew how I felt. I mean, he seems to go out of his way to avoid me. I figured Alexandra probably filled him in but that begs the question… how did she find out?”

Miles blinked and glanced down briefly but nodded. Holding up his hand as if to silently answer the question. “I told her.”

“And now I’m the bad guy for how I feel.” Carter sighed with helpless resignation. “Even though you admitted yourself that the circumstances of his showing up were suspicious. And that Brianna felt the same way that I did.”

“Babe…”

“Miles,” Carter interrupted. “What we told each other in those sessions with Doctor Delacore was confidential. Or at least, it was supposed to be. You heard her number one rule…”

“I know, and I am sorry.” Miles sighed. “I just started feeling the pressure and felt like I needed someone impartial to talk to.”

“Someone like Alexandra who is one of your best friends and dating the aforementioned party?” Carter questioned with a risen brow.

“He's my brother babe…” Miles stressed.

“Yeah,“ Carter said gently. “But I'm your husband. We've known each other for, what? Three years? Four?” To which Miles nodded, saying, “Give or take “

Carter nodded, “You've known LJ for less than a year. Maybe I’m just old fashioned like that, I don’t know.” Carter said, tucking his hands in his pockets and sitting against the edge of the dresser. “But I was always led to believe that the choice between spouse and family is made when you take your vows.”

Miles briefly looked downcast, taking in everything that Carter had said up to this point and he nodded, “Fair enough.” he stated, finally looking back up. “I get where you’re coming from. You know I never intended for you to take any of this that way? I just …” he sighed. “I don’t want either of you to go out there and hurt each other. So I thought if I just stayed out of it…?”

“Things might work out for the best?” Carter smiled, to which Miles simply nodded. Carter just chuckled, “God I love you.”

“Now YOU tell ME the truth.” Miles stood up and said, gathering Carter once again in his arms. “You say spouses first, before family. Right?”

Carter nodded and Miles continued, “So if your Grams and I had a blowup, you’d side with me by rote?”

Carter scoffed, “Oh come on now, Miles! That is a completely irrational example! Grams adores you!”

“It is not irrational, Carter! It could very well… No, you’re right. She loves me. I’m wonderful.”

---

It was much like the last time these two had visited London, when they made the reservations for an extended stay in a hotel so as not to cause Miles’ - and now Carter’s in-laws - any discomfort by crowding themselves into Brianna and Garrett’s house. But now that these two newlyweds had settled between them what was troubling Carter - and they got back into their familiar routine of Christening their hotel room, they had decided it was time to accept the invite to dinner from Carter’s in-laws. Not that there was much choice in the matter. It was one of the primary reasons why the two men had arrived so early before Violent Conduct X; so that they had ample time to conduct their work for SCW while visiting Miles’s family at length.

Miles already didn’t get to see his family as much as he should, so they were going to make sure they saw them as often as their schedule allowed these two weeks.

They had pulled up in front of the house and walked the path and before they even reached the front porch, the door swung open and there stood Miles’ mum, and Carter’s mother-in-law, Mora. Her face lit up with unbridled joy as she ran straight for them and she enveloped first her son into her arms for one of those hugs mothers around the world were famous for. (So that’s where Miles learned his famous hugs from!) Once they separated, Mora turned to her new son-in-law and she lost none of the joy at the sight of the newest addition to their family.

She hugged Carter tightly, whispering into his ear, “Thank you so much for coming!”

“Thank you for having us.” Carter smiled as Mora took his arm into her own as a lady would a gentleman and they walked toward the front door, her free hand waving off his words, “Nonsense, dear. Bri and I wouldn't hear of you boys having anything else but a home cooked meal for your first night in London!”

“That does sound nice.” Carter admitted with a smile.

Mora continued, “So as a special surprise, we fixed Miles’ favorite!”

“Oh?” Carter said. “What’s his favorite?”

“Steak and kidney pie!” Mora exclaimed, and Carter’s head whipped to stare at his husband as Miles 'conveniently moved out of arm's reach of Carter to the other side of his mother.

“You’re finally here!” Were the first words Miles and Carter heard as they entered the house, Mora shutting the door behind them. They turned the corner into the living room where Brianna was seated on the sofa. She started to rise to greet her brother and brother-in-law and Garrett quickly made his way over to give her a hand, and once he did so, it was soon evident as to why.

Carter gaped and pointed at her obviously pregnant belly, "Do you know what you did!?"

All heads turned toward Carter and Miles smiled, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and drawing him in, "Isn't he cute?"

---

With the recent news of the passing of Dame Maggie Smith, there just seemed no more appropriate location for the reigning Internet Champion, Helluva Bottom Carter, to talk about his upcoming championship defense. And as the masses moved about the world famous train station, there was Carter himself, poised against Platform 9 ¾, clad elaborately in his Slytherin robes, the curved wand of Bellatrix Lestrange twirling idly in his fingertips.

“Professional wrestling, by nature, has always been a physically demanding sport. Often to the point of being physically brutal, even cruel. But more so than any other contact sport, professional wrestling has evolved since its earliest days. From the nineteenth century when wrestling first got a kick start as a professional sport, the men who were the biggest stars worked more than anything to physically wear their opponents down to the point they could not continue. Often resulting in a pinfall or a submission, and at times, a referee having to step in and make an official decision. It wasn't unheard of for a single match to last two hours or more because of the excellent physical conditioning of the wrestlers way back when, but as time moved on and what happened inside of the confines of the ring changed, there was simply no way matches could continue going on for that length of time. Physically punishing moves like body slams and clotheslines and soon suplexes took over much of what happened to wear down a body faster. Submission holds like Boston crabs and hammerlocks (yeah, hammerlocks!) could force a submission in record time if applied right.”

“And now, look at how far we’ve come as a sport. Or as some purists like to believe, how far we’ve fallen. Matches where the ring is surrounded by a steel cage or barbed wire, or even when the wrestlers are allowed to use any weapon at their disposal and fight anywhere in the building! Like it or not, that is just where we stand right now in this business. The more you do to physically punish your opponent, the more the fans are rabid for it. And the entertainment of the fans is chiefly what we are even putting our bodies on the line for. Am I right? These purists and so-called armchair experts want to go back to the territory days and think we were better off ‘old school’ style but I am here to tell you…”

Carter leaned down close to the camera so that his face practically filled it.

“IT IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!!!”

He then stood upright and adjusted his emerald green robes and leaned against a pillar in order to continue.

“Now… I don’t profess to be an expert on this business or even some kind of self-professed historian or student of the game. I just know one of my favorite hobbies is watching some of wrestling’s earliest matches and can you imagine how some of the stars of the Golden Age would react if they were able to look into the future and see what we’re doing now? Can you imagine them doing it then? Granted, the very first cage match in wrestling was held way back in 1937 so it has been known to happen. Can you imagine some of the original badass men in this sport like Dick the Bruiser or Bobo Brazil fighting in a hardcore match? They’d kill each other! But this business is all about the show. Give the fans what they want, and more often than not, what they want can be narrowed down to two things… Sex and violence.”

“Sex and violence are the predominant traits of this business. Way back when, it was a forbidden pleasure for the mostly male population in the arenas to get to sit back and watch two women in swimsuits scratch and claw and flip each other ass over! The sexism at the time behind women's wrestling was even one of the reasons why women weren’t allowed to compete in many states. It was unholy. Of course, they just said they were doing it for the women's…”

Air quote…

“Best interests. And, let’s be honest, it wasn’t just about the women inside of the ring. Women attended matches too, and do you think they objected to seeing two handsome and physically fit men wrestle each other in nothing more than those little trunks? Sex. Sells. It’s a fact of life and this business, and it continues right up to this day. It doesn’t matter if the fans are men or women, gay or straight. They come to the shows to see and enjoy some eye candy and I say more power to them!”

“But it’s not just about sex. I mean a lot of it is, but that’s where the violence comes into play. There’s no other logic behind this, folks. The entire point of wrestling is to physically hurt or wear down your opponent’s body until they either can’t escape a pinfall or they end up having to submit so they can continue to fight another day. And as time went on, this just wasn’t enough. When two men or women hated each other enough, the promoters raised the stakes to satisfy the bloodlust we all know fans of this business have. Steel cages. Barbed wire. Thumbtacks… Scaffolds over piranha tanks…”

Carter turned to the camera and cupped a hand around his mouth for a stage whisper…

“Sorry Miles! Just an example!”

“But the thing about these violent stipulations is that many times it just isn’t enough. In the eyes of the fans or the pockets of the promoters. The men and women that run this business often strive to reach new depths as far as match styles to shed blood and break bones, their only concern filling their pockets and not on the physical welfare of the men and women that they are technically responsible for.”

Carter turned toward the camera, facing it directly.

“Which is where we stand right now. Where I stand, to be more precise. SCW is here in London for a Supercard event DEDICATED to these types of matches and yes…”

Carter nodded in the affirmative, free hand on his upper body.

“I find myself in one as well, defending my Internet Championship for the first time against an actual contender and not some glorified jobber. Two issues, however…”

He again held up two fingers to count off.

“One, is the fact that I am defending the championship in, of all things, a Ladder match. I make no bones about how I feel about Ladder matches, and that goes back to before that fiasco of a Golden Briefcase match I was in back in June of this year. You know, the one I would have won if it hadn’t been for Enti-oh, excuse me. Kevin Carter! The one where I got blinded and fell off a twenty foot ladder with no way to brace myself? Yeah, that one. No, my issue with Ladder matches is more basic. I don’t see how or why the better wrestler is decided by who is able to climb a ladder the fastest to reach the belt over the ring. That only tells the world who is the fastest or luckiest - not the best. But, it’s what the boss wants. More importantly, it’s what the fans want. So who am I to argue or dispute?”

“The second thing that has me feeling like I’m backed into a corner is the fact that I’m not facing just any random challenger, but my own brother-in-law, Lyle Kasey Junior who, I hope doesn’t mind that for the duration of this, I’m going to just call him LJ. The last time I was stuck in a spot like this, I was booked against Miles in a Knockout match, thanks to that raving lunatic Victoria Lyons. Things didn’t turn out quite how she wanted, but that’s more on her.”

He shook his head.

“Not my problem. But as uncomfortable as that situation was, this feels just as problematic. And why? Have any of you even seen a Ladder match!? The things that go down just to immobilize your opponent enough so that you can climb the ladder freely without worry of being pulled down - or worse - tipped over and spilled out of the ring!? There’s no way around it! People are going to fall from that ladder! LJ and I? Neither one of us are going to be content to just stand back and watch the other climb up; me to reach and retain my title or him to win it from me. We’re going to pull the other down! I imagine if necessary, we’ll tip that ladder over if there are no other options. Someone is going to end up using that ladder or ladders as a weapon! Someone will POSSIBLY get hurt BY the ladder or ladders!”

“It’s an unfortunate fact of life when you get stuck in these types of matches with a championship on the line. But here’s the thing…”

Carter glanced up and his eyes were focused. Intense.

“I have no issue with this. I don’t care right now who I’m up against. I fought for too long to win my first championship here in SCW, and I am not going to lose it in my first legitimate defense. LJ? I told your brother, and I am warning you. I am going to treat you like any other man coming at me to take the Internet title away from me. I am going to fight like a rabid bitch to protect what's mine! Now…”

He raised a forefinger to stress a point.

“That doesn’t mean that I’m going to go out of my way to hurt or injure you. I know you might not believe me, given I know you know how I feel about you, but it’s the truth. I am just going to do whatever it takes to keep what’s mine, and to send you to the back sans MY Internet Championship. So don't take anything personally, LJ. Family or not, I just have a job to do, and a championship to retain. And you…?”

Carter slipped the hood over his head, now hiding his young features and near-white hair in shadow.

“You’re going to find out why your own brother calls me a tried and true Slytherin!”

He twirled his crooked wand around and a gathering of people passed, and once dispersed, he was gone.

As if by magic.

The activity from the Port of Los Angeles had been hectic since just after sunrise at 6:05 AM. Vessels from the world over had both arrived at dock for passengers to disembark for recreation or having arrived at their chosen destination - while others were making their final preparations to launch to begin their own grand adventures on the Pacific. One such vessel was the Sun Princess, who in the coming week, would play hostess for the twelfth year to not just the stars of Sin City Wrestling, but also those lucky members of the SCW Universe that would be attending Summer XXXTreme XII on the open water!

Nearly one thousand employees worked the port keeping each and every cruise ship running smoothly as they awaited the arrival of the oncoming passengers of which many had arrived early. Porters efficiently took hold of the baggage brought and stacked them onto carts so that they could be checked in and delivered to the assigned rooms and suites aboard. Security was stationed on all corners of the port to ensure the safety of all while leaving themselves open to being approached, should any passenger have any questions or concerns. And maintenance had been busy at work from sunup to current, inspecting every aspect of the ship for safety. All the better to get on the ship and settled in their cabins without delay. Nearly three thousand guests total were expected to board, counting both SCW stars and staff alike alongside those aforementioned fans. Which was a reason why many thought ahead and had already arrived, all the better to quickly get their luggage checked and get to the front of the line to board the ship to get settled for what would hopefully make for a memorable event.

Two who had thought ahead as such - well, more like one while the second was just brought along for the ride, were about to arrive at this early hour as a taxi pulled into the nearby parking lot for the port and as the driver stepped out to assist with the luggage, the rear doors opened and out emerged the newly married couple of Miles and Carter, both of whom elected to take their partner’s last name as their own. Miles, a morning person by nature, appeared refreshed and ready for what the day would bring - while Carter, who was anything BUT a morning person, seemed almost surly by comparison.

All of the luggage was unloaded from the trunk, quickly and efficiently by the cab driver with Miles lending a hand. A driver was about to assist in bringing the luggage to the port to be checked in, but Miles held up a hand with a genuine smile to indicate that he and Carter had this well in hand. Tipping the middle aged man generously as was Miles's nature, he and Carter gathered up everything they brought and wheeled the entirety along. Miles's arms remained full while Carter expertly used one hand to wheel the luggage cart behind him while his free hand held tightly to that mighty cup of java that Miles had purchased for him. Miles knew his husband well enough to know what would work best to not only get him out of bed, but to get his proverbial motor running. It just so happened that this morning was proving a bit more difficult than normal.

“Did we really to get here this early?” Carter asked, almost dropping the luggage to the ground while they waited for the porters who busied themselves with the luggage of the passengers in front. “The ship doesn’t even set until noon! We could have slept in a couple more hours!”

“It’s nice to know married life hasn't changed that cheery, morning disposition that I fell in love with.” Miles quipped, the smile evident on his face as his husband’s own eyes narrowed at him from over the rim of his coffee cup. Miles then asked, “And even if we can't get on board yet, you know as well as I do that the bosses wanted everyone here as early as possible. See?”

Miles pointed around, indicating that they were far from being the only SCW star or staff who was present. He followed up by taking his life into his own hands, removing the cup of coffee from Carter's hand so he could take a sip himself, “We're not the only ones here. And besides… I'm just as exhausted as you are. And it's entirely your fault.”

“How is it my fault!?” Carter questioned, snatching the coffee back out of Miles's hand.

Miles answered, “I suggested we get to bed extra early to arrive here in time.”

“We did!” Carter shot back, only for Miles to answer in kind, “Yeah but we didn't get to sleep for three hours after that.”

Miles then leaned in and whispered into his husband's ear, “Not that I'm complaining, mind you.” Earning a self-satisfied smile from Carter, “I guess not! You fell asleep on top of me!”

Followed by a murmur, “Best comforter on the market.”

Of course there was a minimum of three hours between our heroes’ arrival and when boarding would finally commence. Needless to say, we’re not about to bore you with the minute details. Needless to say as soon as the fans attending this cruise started arriving, the sight of their favorite Superstars and Bombshells was enough to cause an impromptu meet n greet on the port itself with young and old approaching the men and women who put their bodies on the line for photo ops and autographs. This in itself caused a congestion in the boarding process to the point that the LA Port security had to step in and bring it to an end and get everyone back in line so that they might board in a safe and orderly fashion.

Once onboard the Sun Princess, Miles and Carter went about locating their cabin, their eyes shifting between their assigned suite ticket and the numbers along the walls by the closed doors. They weaved in between fellow passengers and cruise staff alike, pausing only long enough to ask once or twice for directions until they finally arrived at their assigned cabin door. Miles, as was his nature, took the lead and slid the key card to unlock the door and he stepped aside to let Carter enter first, and once they set foot inside, they were brought to a complete halt by their surroundings. Whatever the two of them had been expecting, this far exceeded everything they had imagined. In lieu of a regular cabin or even a mini suite, they found themselves standing in the honeymoon suite of the ship, the size of a small hotel room. Their luggage had already been brought within and was set up against the walls, allowing them to make their way further inside and inspect their surroundings. The teal and gold plush carpeting of the room matched the drapery that hung over the port window as well as the sliding patio doors that led out to a private balcony. The bedroom was set opposite a small living area, complete with round table, sofa and wall-mounted flat screen television and a bathroom that looked comparatively the same size as a small cabin.

“Miles…” Carter, jaw agape, turned back around to face his equally perplexed husband, and he asked, “Are you sure this is the right room?” To which Miles could only answer by holding up the key card in his fingers, indicating that it worked so this had to be it.

“Not that I’m complaining but… Wow…” Carter was looking everywhere, and he even then noticed the bottle of champagne in an ice bucket on the center of the table with two towels folded into the shape of kissing swans. Carter turned back around to Miles and the smaller man stepped in closer and snaked his arms around Miles’s waist, drawing him in closer.

“You know, sometimes I don’t think it’s hit me entirely…”

“What's that?” Miles asked.

“We’re married.” Carter replied, shaking his head but the pearly white smile on his face was self-evident at how thrilling this past week had been. “We’re actually married.”

Carter leaned up and Miles took that as his cue and he gave as good as he received with the impending kiss. It lingered for several long moments, threatening to take Carter’s very breath away. Miles shifted his legs forward, effectively backing his husband up toward the bed for potentially more clandestine activities when anything else more fun-related to pre-honeymoon activities was interrupted by the resounding knock on their door. They pulled apart, both sporting equally disappointed expressions on their faces.

“I suppose we should get that.” Miles sighed, to which Carter questioned, “Why? We were just getting to the good part.”

Miles smirked, but pulled away nevertheless, resulting in a pouting Carter. Miles walked across the suite to open the door and there stood none other than the Co-Owner of Sin City Wrestling, Christian Underwood.

“Thanks, I’d love to come in.” Christian said nonchalantly, stepping inside and having a look around before noticing the slightly disheveled appearance of both of his Superstars. He asked, “Am I interrupting anything?”

“No, we were just standing around waiting for you to show up.” Carter answered with his natural sauciness, to which Miles deflected by asking, “Something we can do for you?”

“Actually, I came here to deliver these.” Carter answered, holding out manilla envelopes toward both men separately. Both Carter and Miles accepted and Carter asked, “What’s this?”

“The usual itinerary we give you every year.” Christian said. “You have the first two days for yourselves but it is a working vacation after all, so we assigned you both some activities with the fans.”

“What sort of activities?” Miles asked, a raised brow as he slid the papers inside out of his so he could have a quick look. He knew Christian all too well and was naturally suspicious of the man ever since the “piranha incident”.

“Oh you know, the usual.” Christian answered with that smirk of his. “Fan meets. Photo ops and interviews. Some together, some on your own. … Newlywed Game…”

“Say what?” Carter asked, but by then the boss man had made his way to the door and opened it to take his leave and continue distributing the itineraries to everyone else. He turned around and smiled, but this time it was genuine. He said, “Plus, I wanted to get a look at the suite we had reserved for the two of you.”

This caused Miles and Carter to share a bewildered look before looking back to the boss who was typically thought of as the “bad cop” between Mark Ward ands himself.

“You reserved the room for us?” Carter asked, to which Christian just nodded, “Consider it a wedding gift from Mark and myself.”

He then took his leave and was about to close the door entirely when he opened it up again just enough to peek through and add, “But don’t let word get out! I have a reputation to maintain!” And shut the door behind him.

---

Sun Princess - The Eatery

If there was one thing that many passengers on not just this cruise but any cruise looked forward to, it was the dining experience. And the food here on the Sun Princess was no exception. There were, in fact, more than one dining establishment on this ship, including the three-tier level main dining hall. This was preferred by many for the late hour dining but when it came to breakfast and lunch - or really anything else between - the Eatery, served as a more laid back and casual buffet experience.

In fact, the ship had set sail two hours prior and many onboard had converged to one of the dining rooms to grab a bite to eat before they made the most of soaking up the sun, go swimming or - as far as the fans were concerned - hunting down a Bombshell/Superstar or two to chat, take pictures - whatever!

Carter himself was actually right here in the buffet line with two full plates in hand, but conspicuous by his absence was his new husband, Miles. It was almost comical by how much Carter was having piled onto the plates in hand - one, presumably, for his hubby; Belgium waffles, omelets, sausages and the obligatory bacon. By the looks of it, he was going to have to ask for a hand back to his table before he could even grab coffee - when his best friend Ariana came hurrying up to him in line, a most uncharacteristic look of worry on her face.

“Carter!” Ariana said as she glanced back over her shoulder before returning her attention to him. “Where’s Miles?”

“Probably still asleep in our suite.” He answered nonchalantly. “He asked me to bring him back a plate. Why?”

“Hey babe.” A familiar voice came from behind and Carter turned around, thinking Miles had decided to come have breakfast in person but just as he turned, he realizes there was no British accent behind those honeyed words and the moment he saw who was standing there with a smarmy smile on his face, his stomach about plummeted to his feet and he came ever so close to dropping the two plates that he held in his hands.

Lazarus.

“Laz…” Carter whispered, and Ari bit at her thumbnail. She had caught sight of her bestie’s abusive ex not more than twenty minutes ago in the crowd and had hurried to warn him and Miles but she had arrived only seconds too late.

“Maybe I should…” Go get Miles was what Ariana was about to say, but Carter pushed one of the heaping plates in her hand and shook his head, “No.” He stopped her from getting his husband for one reason only. He knew what Miles would do if he found out Lazarus was onboard this ship.

“Ari,” Lazarus smiled in her direction, and the sight was enough to make her stomach go sour. It was like a snake attempting to be charming. As if he thought everything he had done to Carter, all of the mental and physical abuse, had never happened. Lazarus asked, “Could you excuse us?”

“Maybe I should…” Ariana said, to which Carter finally yielded with a nod. He knew his best friend well enough by now to know she herself was this close to attacking Lazarus for everything he had done in the past, and he took the plate from her and she took her leave.

Carter turned back to his ex and shook his head, “What are you doing here?”

“What?” Lazarus poured on the charm with that smile of his and stepped closer, prompting Carter to take an instinctive step back. Lazarus asked, “Is it so unbelievable I’d want to take part in this fancy cruise of yours?”

Carter scoffed, “You’ve never taken an interest in wrestling a day in your life!”

“No.” Laz conceded. “But I have taken an interest in you.” And this statement only caused Carter to do a double take and he frowned.

“Seriously?” Carter sneered. “It’s been two - years, Laz! In fact, the last time I saw you, you tried to sue me!”

“For beating me up and costing me five modeling gigs.” Lazarus pointed out, to which Carter said, “Because you put your hands on my Grandmother. You’re lucky I didn’t do worse!”

“Whatever.” Lazarus rolled his eyes as if Carter’s admonishing of him was the most ludicrous act imaginable. He sighed and that smile returned, taking another step forward, “That’s all water under the bridge. You and I had a good thing going until your friends got involved. I thought, you know… maybe we could get a drink? Catch up on old times?” One step closer. “Have some fun…?”

“Save it.” Carter stated roughly, setting the plates in hand aside and he held up his left hand in his ex’s face, giving him a closeup view of both rings on his finger. Lazarus stared and it took a moment to process until things clicked.

“You’re married?” Lazarus said, a mocking tone of disbelief in his voice. “You?”

“What can I say?” Carter shrugged his shoulders, matching his smile with one of his own. “I upgraded since we saw each other last.”

Lazarus just shook his head in disbelief before he ultimately asked, “Who is it?”

“None of your business.” Carter answered back defiantly, before he yielded, knowing the answer would do more harm to his ex than not knowing. “Miles.” Lazarus’s otherwise handsome face slid into an expression that could best be described as cold and ugly. Carter could not help himself but to add, “And why would I ever settle for pot roast again after tasting kobe beef?”

Lazarus laughed derisively, “Come on, Carter. You talk but it was all bad. We had some good times.”

“Oh, right!” Carter looked upward in thought. “Remind me again about those good times? Were they the ones where you beat me so bloody that my own family didn't recognize me? Or the time you beat me to the floor and raped me?”

“Watch your mouth.” Lazarus said with dangerous intent, not taking any form of insult likely. And perhaps misunderstanding that their old relationship hierarchy yet stood. “I’d hate to go to your bosses and get you fired for that smart mouth.”

Carter just stared at the man before he snorted back a laugh. The smile was anything but cheery as he shook his head and took a moment to compose himself before he shook his head and said, “Do you seriously think that you can still intimidate me, Laz? I mean, at all? Especially by threatening to tattle on me to my bosses? Which, when you think about it, only goes to show how little you know about this business I'm in. Especially when one of my bosses has turned being a bitch into an art form and the other is extremely protective of the men and women he's responsible for?”

This time it was Carter, not Lazarus, who stepped closer and Lazarus taking a step back, knowing now things had indeed changed. Carter whispered, “If I were you, I'd be smart for the first time in my left and skedaddle. Because if I know my Ari - and I do - then she is fast on her way to get Miles.”

Carter turned and picked both his and Miles’s plates back up and started to take his leave, pausing just long enough to lean in and whisper in Lazarus’s ear with as much sarcasm as he could muster, “It was good seeing you again.” And he walked right past Lazarus, leaving him all alone and watching him vanish into the crowd.

---

The door to an office setting opened up and Helluva Bottom Carter, who in a matter of days would be challenging for the Internet Championship at Summer XXXTreme XII, entered. He was dressed in a tasteful and tan tweed suit with his hair slicked back and thick rimmed glasses worn over his eyes. Carrying a clipboard in hand, he carefully walked across the hardwood floor of his office, passing a couch where a mannequin, dressed in coveralls and a Xerox copy of the face of Internet Champion Peter Vaughn taped to its head.

“Pardon me a moment, Mister Vaughn…”

Dr Carter drew up a chair close to the sofa and had a seat. He crossed his ankle over his knee and smiled down at his “patient”.

“I'm sorry I'm late but I got here as soon as I wanted to. Now, where did we leave off from our last session?”

He starts to rifle through the papers on his clipboard and smiles with satisfaction, nodding.

“Ah yes! We were discussing your career and how your recent actions have tarnished it.”

Setting the pen back down on the clipboard and resting it on his lap, Dr Carter folded his hands together, interlacing his fingers, and looked down with much sympathy toward his “patient”.

“While I am greatly in favor of the direct method, I thought we'd start this session a little bit differently if you don't mind? And discuss not only your actions, but maybe how history has had its effect on you and allowed you to think that taking the shortcut was a perfectly normal and acceptable thing to do. And if you don't mind, I thought perhaps we could take part in some comparative therapy? In doing so, we can visit some instances in other sports where individuals also took the shortcut en route to success. Thus way I can show you that your actions aren't so unique nor special. And truthfully? Neither are you.”

Dr. Carter, eyes closed and nodding with sympathy, reached over and patted his patient on the hand.

“I know. It's easier to say than it is to hear, but that is one of the risks of therapy.”

“Now then, are you familiar with the basketball controversy between Russia and America in the 1972 Olympics? It was no small secret that Russia wanted to win fifty gold medals to commemorate the anniversary of the Soviet Union. The Soviets stacked their team with professionals while designating them as soldiers to get past their own “no professionals’ rule while at the same time, crippling the American team under the same conditional rules. Among other flagrant violations, the last three seconds of the game was restarted multiple times until the Russian team was able to score the winning basket. Cementing one of the worst controversies in Olympic history.”

Dr. Carter looked over the rim of his glasses toward his patient.

“See? Compared to that, you're not so bad.”

“Even the NFL has not been without controversy over the last fifteen to twenty years. In the 2007 season, the New England Patriots videotaped the defensive signals of the New York Jets which was found to be a gross violation of the rules.”

“However it is in my professional opinion that the worst example of cheating in sports within 1983 when professional boxer Luis Resto removed an ounce of the padding from his gloves, replacing it with chalk, allowing him to brutalize and defeat the undefeated Billy Collins Jr. Billy's injuries were so severe that he lost partial sight in his eyes and his boxing career was ended. There is speculation that this was the catalyst that led to Billy ending his life prematurely.”

Dr. Carter looked down at his patient and smiled.

“You see? Compared to that, you're relatively meaningless.”

“Now I think the fascinating question is not the who's not the how's but the why's. Why did these and countless other athletes attempt to cheat their ways to victory? There are, of course, your typical sociological cliche answers. Anything from those self-esteem to the desire to get ahead of others. In sports, money and fame is a motive. As is prestige. Some might run circles around themselves by cheating to prove how smart they are when in fact, it proves the exact opposite. Some cheap simply because it makes things easy. But where you're concerned, dear?”

Dr. Carter looked to his patient and shook his head, clucking his tongue.

“You're short.”

He shrugged.

“I'm sorry! I simply don't know how else to say it. Average height for a professional wrestler is between 5 '10 and 6 ft 4. You, my dear, are clearly below average and it has affected you psychologically. It's a psychological fact that people, mainly men, who are of short stature, possess an overly aggressive or domineering demeanor. Your attitude to win at all costs, along with your recent actions, is all the evidence that I need to prove you not guilty – but in desperate need of help. That's where I come in here, and I am thankful that you decided to come to me. It's probably one of the few smart decisions that you've made recently in life.”

“You know, now that I think about it, having you as a subject raises a very interesting point. In most sports when someone is caught cheating, they face severe repercussions. Fines. Suspensions. Some are even banned for life and forced to return whatever prizes or awards that they had won due to their unscrupulous methods. The aforementioned Luis Resto? He was imprisoned because of his criminal actions. However in professional wrestling? This is the only sport where the government isn't involved where cheaters are not only allowed to get away with their actions, but are allowed to prosper. You don't have your championships taken away or victories  from the records. No, if anything you're just handed more opportunities.”

Dr Christian uncrossed his ankle from his knee and slowly removed his glasses. He cast aside the clipboard onto the coffee table nearby and drew in a deep breath.

“I was truly hoping that trying to deal deeply enough into your mind might give me some semblance of how you can be helped. But the simple truth is, I cannot help somebody who doesn't want to be. Everything that you said as of late, doesn't scream ‘Help me!’. It mocks the very profession that we are in and has told me you feel absolutely no shame.”

He shrugged, staring straight ahead at the wall.

“So be it. I can see you out of a place of caring, wanting to remove the tool around your waist that has only served to make you think lower and lower each time you stepped inside of the Ring. But if you want to just continue acting like a male Karen who does nothing but play the victim card and continuously talk out of his ass, well then we're going to have to abandon this subterfuge and simply fight. Tooth and claw.”

“That's fine Peter. More than mine actually. Everything that you've said, all that you've done, you've proven only one thing by all of that bullshit. And that is a simple fact that you're looking past me already. And that's not an insult to me. It actually works in my favor better than you can imagine. You think I'm some sad little victim that you're going to take advantage of inside of the ring? Sweet pea, I seriously cannot wait to see the look on your face when you find just how wrong you are. I've had too many people already - too many - who have made that same mistake and the only thing I left behind inside of that ring with them was excuses. Excuses for why they lost. Excuses for how I could have done to them what they suffered. You don't live the life I lived, young as I am, without knowing how to fight.”

“And yes, Peter. I will give you full props for your track record of success at my expense. I admit it. In four matches, you've had my number. But I want you to tell the full story. I want you to acknowledge that in my big return that you talked about and in that mixed tag team match, there really wasn't anything at stake. I lost in front of my dad, that stung. I admit it. And losing with Ariana as my partner wasn't how I wanted that match to go but it also didn't move you forward or hold me back.”

He leaned forward, is right forearm rested against his knee.

“And as for those last two matches? The tag team match and the ladder match?”

He shook his head.

“Neither time did you straight up beat me. That's just where you continued with your outlook of winning at all costs. You had to cheat to win that title around your waist. You had to drug me to get that pinfall against me in the tag team match. And you never would have won that briefcase had it not been for that masked lunatic blinding me. That's not something you can dispute unless you really have something negative going on up here!”

He tapped the forefinger to his temple.

“I find it amusing at best that throughout this entire ordeal between us, you question my intelligence in attacking you. As if it hasn’t brought me to where I wanted to go all along. True, I could have issued you a challenge but I found my own methods to be much more effective. And, not to toot my own horn but … toot toot! It was me getting under your skin, not the other way around and I don’t think you know how to handle that. By my own estimation, it’s gotten me exactly what I want so how was it a dumb thing to do on my part? Oh! I get it… that was your way of warning me, or some sad attempt at intimidation. Well, allow me to tell you Peter that the only mistake I ever made where you’re concerned was when you revealed to the world that you wore that outfit due to your janitorial roots. And here all this time I just thought you were a garbage man.”

“You don’t scare me in the slightest, Peter. You’d do better to climb back into your Keebler house and make the locker room some cookies than try to make me fear you. I’ve been inside of the ring with ENIGMA. I’ve been in the ring with Michael Harris - THAT Michael Harris - both men who are above and beyond anything you’re capable of when it comes to intimidation factors! And them I beat!”

He shook his head and slowly forced his way to his feet.

“I’m sorry, Peter. You can’t be helped. Only humbled.”

He looked down toward his patient one final time.

“Feel free to remain until the weekend is over.”

He turned his back and made his exit, one final statement to be made.

“That is when our session comes to an end.”

The night was young and well within its prime, as in a matter of days Sin City Wrestling would hit the scene of Inglewood, California, a distance of less than forty miles from the famed City of Angels, Los Angeles - for the much hyped and celebrated 400th edition of Climax Control! This show has attracted attention the world over, not for merely proving the staying power of SCW and the men and women behind it, but because stars of the past - both male and female alike, would be returning for one more clash in the spotlight!

And the two men who called this condo in particular their home would be no different as the soon-to-be-wed Miles Kasey would be challenging for the Mixed Tag Team titles alongside Alexandra Calaway, and Carter McKinney would be accepting the challenge by former Superstar and Roulette Champion, Caleb Storms. But it was what was to come in less than a week which brought us to where we were this evening; a wedding between two young souls who had found and completed one another. And tonight, only two days away from that historic edition of Climax Control, both groom and … groom, would be partaking in one last night of single revelry with their respective wedding parties and closest friends.

“So…” Miles started to speak as soon as Carter emerged from their shared bedroom and the adjoining bathroom, freshly showered and practically glowing. Carter could indeed be accused of being the stereotype of a gay man’s propensity for self care. His blond-colored hair carefully styled and dressed in a white dress shirt with gold floral accents, black slacks and matching dress shoes. The only bling being that moonstone necklace gifted to him for his birthday two years prior, and of course the moonstone ring that Miles had proposed with.

Miles slid up from behind his fiance and snaked his muscled arms around his waist to nuzzle him in the nape of the neck, and felt quite satisfied with himself by the shudder that he felt course its way through Carter’s body. Having that effect on his man never got old and Miles finished asking, “What are your plans for the evening?”

“Hey - heyheyhey!” Carter laughed as he finally (and reluctantly) pried himself away from Miles’s grasp. “We had an agreement about asking what each others’ plans were. And besides…” Carter walked across the threshold of the condo toward the front door, followed closely by Miles. “But if I’m going to be honest, I’m not entirely sure what Ari has in mind. I know her first plan was a rooftop pool party but Bobbie is coming and she doesn’t want her feeling left out with that boot of hers.”

They reached the front door and Carter extended a hand for the keys to his lime green bug from the ceramic seashell dish they rested in on the counter, when his hand was swatted with lightning fast precision by the “lady of the house” and their adopted little pain in the butt, Ms. Thang. The black and white feline was laying contentedly on the very same table and how dare he disturb her rest. Carter stared at the cat and then to Miles who made no attempt at hiding the smirk from his face and he jetted a thumb back at Ms. Thang, stating, “Control your daughter!”

“Oh sure!” Miles quipped with dry sarcasm. “She does something wrong and suddenly she’s MY daughter.” Earning him a look from his man as Carter successfully retrieved his keys from the dish, avoiding another swat.

Carter turned around but this time there was a genuine smile on his face as he snuggled up once again into Miles’s arms, saying, “But I can say I told the girls no strippers, much to their disappointment I imagine.”

“Oh?” Miles’s brow raised.

“Sure.” Carter leaned in for a kiss, adding, “Why would I need that when I got you to do that for me any time I want.” Adding a reach around to quickly grab two handfuls of Miles’s backside, causing him to jump and make that “Oo!” face complete with pursed lips.

“Keep that up,” Miles started to say. “And neither one of us will make it to our parties!”

Carter just drew back and waggled his eyebrows suggestively as he backed out of the door and closed it behind him….

---

The evening had started off successfully as Ariana had reserved only the best private room at Las Vegas's trendy Cathédrale restaurant just off the lobby of the Hotel Ariana. Carter’s closest friend spared absolutely no expense and money was no object for this one special evening for her bestie and those closest to him, indulging in French cuisine that would wet even the hardiest of appetites! Dishes such as Faroe Island Salmon, Black Truffle Fettuccine, Prime Aged Ribeye etc were enjoyed by all, and money was no object for this one evening as Ariana had this night planned well in advance! But it was what was to come afterwards that truly made this night something to remember!


https://open.spotify.com/track/5R8dQOPq8haW94K7mgERlO?si=803d6ebe97494c00

“I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas, please
Fold 'em, let 'em hit me, raise it, baby, stay with me (I love it)
Love game intuition, play the cards with spades to start
And after he's been hooked, I'll play the one that's on his heart”

“Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got”

“Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No, he can't read my poker face
(She's got me like nobody)”

The music of Lady Gaga pumped across the sound system of the Golden Ring Casinos nightclub and the opening shot was that of a ring of extended hands reaching to the table top, each one grabbing a shot glass filled with only the very best tequila in the house. They picked the shots up and you saw none other than the man of the hour himself, along with his best woman for his upcoming wedding, Ariana Angelos, along with his immediate wedding party of Dawn Warren and Kat Jones. Not to mention friends Bella Madison, Bobbie Dahl and Alexandra Calaway rounded out the guest list. Even Ben Jordan popped in for a drink and to wish Carter all the best. And Ben would not explain how he was able to attend both Carter's as well as Miles's bachelor parties at practically the same time!

Everyone present was wearing a custom made “I Do Crew” rainbow shirt that Ariana had custom made for one and all.

The shots were downed and Ariana immediately signaled the nearest bar made for refills, fully intending to get her bestie absolutely lit and he was well on his way! The fact that the owner of the Golden Ring Casino, Daniel Morgan, had made certain that all drinks for the wedding party were on the house as his gift to Carter and Miles, only helped speed things along!

And as the music continued to pulsate throughout the nightclub, Dawn acted the life of the party as she started grabbing hands and dragging everyone out onto the already glutted dance floor for an impromptu dance party, of which everyone was only too glad to oblige, having the absolute time of their lives!

Everyone that is save for Bobbie Dahl herself who was unable to take part in this part of the evening because of her foot injury and the fact she was yet wearing her walking boot. And to Carter this was absolutely unacceptable for her to be left out of anything involving the evening, despite the fact this one night was meant to be all about him. So perhaps it was the wine at dinner coupled with multiple shots afterwards, but Carter proceeded to march himself over and straddle Bobbie’s lap and give her the steamiest lap dance he could manage!

Bobbie’s jaw hit the floor and all of the party guests and many around them whooped and cheered as Carter totally and completely hammed it up for her benefit!

That was when none other than Mackenzie Page of London Underground, along with Charlotte Elliot and Osbourne approached the party - but not before Bobbie slipped a twenty into Carter’s pocket.

“Alright kid, break it up.” Mackenzie said in a tone that would brook no argument, but it was for an altogether different reason. “We got one more surprise for you.”

Carter, still straddling Bobbie’s lap, cast a playful look back over his shoulder and smiled, “Oh keep this up and you just might spoil me!”

“Dare to dream!” Mackenzie rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the collar, pulling him from Bobbie’s lap. “Now c’mon!” And she, along with the other two London Underground members and his guests, walked through the crowd until they hit another part of the nightclub and as the crowd parted, there was actually a professional mud wrestling ring set up in the middle of the floor! It was surrounded by ring ropes and rows of seats, most of which were occupied by attendees of the Casino, save for the empty seats in the front row reserved specifically for Carter’s bachelor party.

“Are you kidding me!?” Carter laughed as he turned to Mackenzie while the guests all made their way past him to take their seats. “Since when does Daniel have this sort of thing at the Casino!?”

“He doesn’t.” Charlotte shrugged as they followed Carter toward the front row. “But it’s a special occasion…”

Mackenzie added, “So he said fuck it.” And they arrived at the front row to see each seat had been filled, leaving Carter looking confused and he looked to London Underground.

“But there’s no seat for me.” He started to say to which Mackenzie replied, “Therein lies the surprise.”

And before Carter could react, Osbourne scooped the MUCH smaller man up into his arms and HEAVED him over the ropes as Carter screeched, “NO!” and he landed with a wet splat, sending the mud splashing everywhere! Ariana, Bella and everyone else were all laughing and the rest of the audience cheered even though they themselves were none the wiser!

Carter flopped helplessly in the mud and rolled over to rise to his knees and he was completely covered in California red clay - mud for professional mud wrestling! His clothes were ruined and his hair soaked, the mud covering his facial features as he stared at the women of London Underground.

“Uh oh.” Charlotte quipped. “I think he’s angry.”

“Yeah, maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.” Mackenzie swatted Osbourne on the shoulder and nodded to the mud pit. “Help him out, Os.”

The big man lumbered over to do as instructed and leaned over the ropes, extending a hand. Carter clasped it but no sooner did he do so than Mackenzie planted her boot on Osbourne’s backside and with a tremendous push, sent the big man of London Underground tumbling over the ropes and landing in the mud with an even BIGGER splash!

Now the crowd was really in a fun loving frenzy as Osbourne rolled over to his knees and glared out at his personal tormentor in Mackenzie who just smirked and shrugged her shoulders. By instinct alone, Os tore his now ruined shirt off and threw it aside, exposing his massively muscled upper torso and garnering quite a rave of whistles and catcalls!

Mackenzie cast Charlotte a look and nodded and with her left hand, Charlotte swung the hammer into the time keeper’s bell and a loud clang was the result!

And immediately the drunken Carter pounced on Osbourne’s back, the slippery mud causing Os to collapse face-first into the mud and the pair scrambled in the mud! A laughing Bella fell against Dawn and said, “Now the party has REALLY started!” With Mackenzie high-fiving Charlotte as the crowd cheered the two in the mud on!

---

Carter emerged from a special locker room that was housed deep in the Golden Ring Casino, showered and wearing a change of clothes that Ariana had secretly smuggled inside, thanks to Mackenzie Page having tipped her off. All the mud gone, and the thrill of the evening’s festivities having started to burn the booze from his system to a lesser degree.

His skin still hot and moist from the shower, his clothes clinging to his flesh, Carter stood back against the wall and looked absolutely euphoric.

“Okay, this week has been one long and absolutely wild ride and I hate for it to come to an end, but as they say, all good things have to come to an end. But in this case, to pave the way for even bigger and better things to enter your life. And I will be the first to admit that I am heading into this match at Climax Control 400 with so much on my plate that my head is absolutely swimming, but that’s life!”

“Right now, I am blessed and everything coming to me has been the result of someone looking down on me and smiling. Above everything else, I’m pretty certain that everyone watching me out there is aware that in just five days, I’m going to be a married man and I swear to god…”

Carter closed his eyes and with a smile on his face, shook his head as if he were in a dream-like state.

“I don’t think my life could get to any better place where I am right at this point in time. I didn’t even think being here where I am would have ever been possible, but I was fortunate enough to have loved ones like Miles and Ariana open my eyes to what I truly deserve as a man. Other things that are looming on the horizon…?”

He jetted out a bottom lip and looked upward in contemplation.

“I might have a hand in myself. Both out of a sense of justice and no small amount of pettiness. Most of that leaning toward what I did after Peter Vaughn’s this past week. Call it a spur of the moment decision because while I was standing backstage, watching on the monitor. And to his credit, Miles did try to stop me but…”

He shrugged.

“Consider that payback for that shot with the briefcase, and sending me falling, blind off of a ladder! I could have broken my neck, and was lucky I was only banged up as much as I was, but that really is of no concern of yours, is it Vaughn? Because like you always say - anything to win? Well, I guess you heard the news. I was originally scheduled to be in the Ultimate X match at Summer XXXTreme XII but I just could not resist the temptation to bow out and bring all of your plans crashing down around you. Me laying you out? That was just a sign of things to come.”

“Which brings us to the here and now – and what’s coming in Inglewood, California. Climax Control 400… Wow!”

Carter whistled and shook his head.

“I was about twelve years old when that first show took place, and I was glued to the set! I watched every episode, every Supercard web-per-view that my family would subscribe to, and here I stand, the result of endless dreams coming to fruition. … Pun intended. And here we go, returning to California for the big 4-0-0 and a match that is literally going to steal the show! Caleb Storms and myself!”

Carter cupped his hands around his mouth, leaned back at the waist and … 

“WHOOOO!”

“Now I have to admit that when Caleb first signed up for the Blast From the Past, I was thrilled to see him back because before I realized my dream, he was one of my absolute favorite wrestlers on the roster! He and Despayre were the two GREATEST aerial wrestlers and they left my head absolutely spinning with the things they did inside of the ring! Caleb’s ongoing in-ring rivalry that he had going with my GO Gym grad peer, Fenris? Those matches, even though they didn’t go Caleb’s way, god they showed the world just how ballsy the man was because how many men actively sought out Fenris and WANTED to fight him in his own turf!?”

Carter pursed his lips and let loose a low whistle while shaking his head, thoroughly impressed.

“So, imagine my surprise when after the Blast From the Past when Caleb spoke up about one more match and he wanted it against yours truly at Climax Control 400? By the time I was aware, I was not medically cleared because of that fall off of the ladder, but I wanted to accept more than anything else just to experience the thrill of not only competing at such a historic event, but also having the chance to wrestle one of my favorite wrestlers bar none! I was actually concerned I wouldn’t be cleared in time but here I am, and here we go Caleb!”

“I admit I don’t know why you chose me out of everyone to face at Climax Control 400. You could have challenged Fenris one more time…”

Carter paused in thought and nodded.

“Scratch that. But did you think maybe facing me, a less experienced and not as imposing GO Gym graduate might be your ticket to a little comeuppance toward your record against Fenris? I shouldn’t think you’d have such a thought in your head. You’re a good guy, and you have your reasons and the fact that you did, in fact, choose me out of everyone both past and present…”

He almost laughed with a hand on his heart.

“I tell you Caleb, I’m honored. I’m thrilled. And I am confident that you and I are going to tear that house down.”

Carter pushed himself up from the wall and smiled into the camera.

“I can’t wait, Caleb. And thanks, for everything.”

Carter then walked off-camera, bringing the promo to a close.