Today could be like any other day.

It could, but for obvious reasons, it was not. Under most circumstances, Carter McKinney was leading a relatively happy life. He had a wonderful home and a job he loved, a dream that many could but wish they could say the very same. He had supportive friends and family in his life, and perhaps at the very top of his list, he was engaged to be married to the love of his life. A man who had become his knight in shining armor from the day they had met. But if there was any one particular thing that life had to teach us, is the fact that nothing is guaranteed, and that fate always got its own way. Nothing was certain in our everyday lives, and the slightest straying from our respective paths could be like someone tipping over a single domino. Tip just one, and many more would tumble over right after.

This was certainly the case where Carter was concerned in his private life away from the prying eyes of the SCW Universe. Away from the six-sided ring where he and his peers put their bodies on the line for the entertainment of the rabid fans known to Sin City Wrestling. Away from the fans asking for autographs and photo ops, away from nosey reporters anxious for the latest scoops and glimpses into his and his peers’ everyday lives.

As of late, life had proven its penchant for taking twists and turns against even the best laid out plans, when Carter had found himself in the middle of not one but two legal dramas. Circumstances that had gone beyond his control had turned a peaceful and happy existence into something more akin to a nightmare. But this is where his fiance Miles Kasey had admitted his love for Carter, in recognition that the twenty four year old man possessed the tenacity of a pitbull when it came to adversity. While he might get depressed or frightened like any other human being, he did not just give up. He sunk his teeth into whatever was causing his undue distress and he did not let up until his problem had been solved. But it never proved more helpful than when you had loved ones standing right there, ready to back you up.

He knew Miles would be taking charge in the legal issues where a woman literally named Karen was concerned, along with her accomplice who together they orchestrated an (attempted) attack on Carter’s person mere months ago. But that was an issue for another day.

Olympia, Washington -
Olympia Municipal Court

The turquoise 2024 Toyota Corolla had cruised down the city street, en route to its final destination, having ventured all the way from Seattle, Washington to the state capital itself. Miles Kasey sat behind the wheel, taking charge as was asked of him to get the family to its destination, namely the law firm that had been in charge of the estate of the late Cillian Macguire, Carter’s recently deceased father. To Miles’s right was surprisingly NOT his fiance, but his fiance’s grandmother, Joan McKinney. It was in the back seat (no jokes now, it was not the proper time!) where Carter would be found, seated beside his mother Joanna. All four were dressed properly as if for a day in court, and as a matter of fact, that was exactly where they were headed. It was stated as before, Carter had legal issues to attend to, issues where Miles had been a direct witness. As for the participation of his Mom and Grams…?

“Mom, you know you didn’t have to come with us?” Carter turned in the back seat to look at the woman who had given him life, and sacrificed her own in more ways than one during the process of his growing from adolescent into a young man. “Miles and I could have taken care of this ourselves.”

Joanna stared straight ahead, the glasses over her eyes doing nothing to shield the world around her from the anger buried deep within. There was definitely a case of ‘Momma Bear Syndrome’ brewing just below the surface and if scratched wrong, would soon erupt. On her lap was a manilla folder filled with legal papers from the passing of her late ex-husband, a testament that she stood ready to help her son in any way she could. However, her son’s meager protest could have ultimately served as the catalyst for ‘said scratch’ as she turned her head to address her only child and he almost flinched under her stare. A true declaration that a boy never outgrew his mother’s care – or her authority.

“You and Miles will NOT handle this alone!” She declared, her mere tone enough to make Miles have the inclination to answer back with a “yes ma’am” even though her words were not directed at him. Joanna continued, “Those lowlifes tried to steal from your father’s estate. That makes this my business!”

No more need be said, as Carter had no basis nor desire to argue the point. She was right. His dad had made his mom the executor of his will and by attempting to relive the family from his father’s possessions, his ‘other grandma’ and uncles had indirectly involved her.

“And you, Joan?” Miles spoke up all-too casually as he followed the directions of the GPS. “What made you decide to tag along?”

Joan aka Grams just shrugged her shoulders as she watched the cityscape pass them by and she said, “Oh I wasn’t going to miss this for the world.” Prompting a smile from Miles as he turned back and pulled into the parking lot of the Lee Creighton Justice Center, the modern location of the Municipal Court Administrative Offices, the Courtroom itself, Olympia Probation Services, and the City Prosecutor's office. It was time to put one of these annoyances in life to rest and pick that fallen domino back up and set it right.

The arbitration room was what one might expect, almost completely empty save for the long, cherry wood table stationed in the very center with vacant chairs on each side. At the head of the table was the Arbitrator, a Missus Catherine Leigh. Carter and his side of the legal case had arrived early, along with the attorney who had handled his late father’s estate; Noah Bennett. In a row it was Mister Bennett, Carter, Joanna, Joan and finally, Miles. The clock on the far wall continued tracking, drawing their eyes to it as Mrs. Leigh checked her own watch just to be certain.

The arbitrator said, “If they are not here in the next five minutes, then we’ll simply conclude…” But whatever else she had been prepared to say was interrupted as the door to the room was opened by the municipal clerk and held so that into the room could enter Carter’s grandma by name only, Fiona, along with her ever present and always supportive sons, and Carter’s uncles - Liam and Conor.

“Please forgive us for being late.” Fiona sniffed with an air of self indulgence. “Traffic was unbearable.” Before she, along with her sons, took their seats opposite of Carter’s own.

“No attorney?” Mrs. Leigh asked, more of a statement than a proper question, but Fiona merely shook her head in an uncharacteristic sign of defeat.

“No.” She said, “We’ve been through enough of that.” But her son Liam added, “But we will if need be.” His eyes bearing down onto Carter who acted as he hadn’t even bothered to acknowledge him. In fact, Carter simply opened his mouth and added insult to injury with a silent yawn.

“Well then,” Mrs. Leigh said as she clasped her hands together on the surface of the table. “We all are well aware of why we are here. Last month you, Missus Macguire, along with your two sons broke into the house at 5416 Peninsula Drive to steal…”

“I object to the term ‘breaking into’.” Fiona sniffed with her nose in the air, as Liam added, “And I object to the use of the term ‘steal’!”

“What exactly would you call it?” Now was the time where the attorney Noah Bennett spoke up. “You drilled off the front door lock to gain access and then started to make off with multiple items from inside the house that did not belong to you.”

Mrs. Leigh looked to the Macguire’s side for a response but they remained stone silent. She opened the folder at the forefront of the table and she read off the report, “It says here that you attempted to take several pieces of furniture, artwork and photographs before you were stopped. It also says that things turned physical between Liam Macguire and Carter McKinney, and you - Missus Macguire, were taken into custody for … striking a police officer?”

“I did not strike her.” Fiona said matter-of-factly. “I slapped her.”

“There’s a difference?” Mr. Bennett stated. “Kindly explain it to us.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Mrs. Leigh stated, a hand held up to ward off any further interruptions. “We’re not here to discuss that. We are here to mediate whether or not the rightful owner of the house, Carter McKinney, will be pressing charges against you for the events described.”

“You would do such a thing?” Fiona turned to Carter, her eyes drawing his attention toward her and he remained impassive. “You would take your own family to court? Your own grandmother?”

To which Carter openly and brazenly scoffed, stating simply, “You might have been my father’s mother, but you are not my grandma!” He then turned toward his father’s brothers and added to stress the point, “And you may have been my dad’s brothers but you are not my uncles! I hadn’t laid eyes on any of you three for the better part of a decade, not until my Dad died! And only then did you show up, sniffing around for whatever money or material possessions he had!”

“Objection!” Conor called out, to which Mrs. Leigh actually rolled her eyes in front of all present and said, “May I remind you that this is not a courtroom nor a hearing? There are no objections to be overruled or sustained. We are here to discuss the matter at hand and hopefully settle the issue away from the actual courtroom setting.”

Properly chastised, Conor exchanged looks with his brother and mother before sitting back in his chair, practically sulking like a child rather than the grown man he actually was. Fiona patting his hand only added to the almost comical picture.

“The simple fact in this case is,” Joanna stated, opening the folder she had brought along with her, citing her legal status as the executor of Cillian’s estate. She slid the folder over toward Mrs. Leigh and went on, “The only one who has any say in who gets what, is myself.”

“That is not…” Fiona started to speak but Joanna literally talked over her, driving the elder to silence, “If there was something you wanted to remember your son by, you could have come to me.” She shrugged and shook her head before continuing, “But you didn’t. You decided that was beneath you and you’d rather simply take what you wanted instead of speaking to me like an adult.”

“And look what happened.” Mr. Bennett added. “There is no debate or room for discussion toward the fact. There is video evidence from the security cameras as well as the dash cam of Mister Kasey’s rental that has already proven your guilt. The only question now is what Carter intends to do with it.”

“Carter?” Mrs. Leigh directed the floor to him, and this was the moment he had both looked forward to as well as dreading in equal measure. All eyes turned to him and he drew in a deep breath before looking straight at Fiona, “The only reason I’m here is to put all of this behind me so I can finally move on and past it.”

He looked to his Mom and then back to Fiona, shaking his head, “I’m not taking you to court, much as I might want to. And despite the fact I said I would never acknowledge you as my grandmother, let alone family… you were still my dad’s Mom.” He looked to Liam and Conor to follow up, “And you were his brothers, much as it pains me to admit it. That is the only thing keeping me from asking Missus Leigh here to move forward with charging you.”

“Well, at the very least you’re showing some maturity.” Liam said derisively, drawing some hard stares from all others save for his mother and brother. To which Carter returned his gaze and words toward Fiona, adding, “The house is mine. That much is fact. What’s also a fact is that everything in the house…?” He shook his head. “The only one who gets to decide what to do with it is this woman.” He patted Joanna on her hand as her burning gaze went straight through the three opposite her.

Carter said, “If she wants to keep my Dad’s possessions there, that’s for her to decide. If you want anything from Dad's… you talk to her. I have no opinion on the matter, except for this.” He tapped a forefinger on the surface of the table and stressed, “If my Dad had wanted any of you to have anything of his, he would have said as much in his will. But he didn’t. Take that for what it’s worth … and do not bother me or my family ever again.”

Miles felt a surge of pride in his man for having dealt with the situation so effectively, The smile on his face spoke volumes as he hadn’t taken his eyes off of Carter since the meeting started. Grams as well smiled, and Mr. Bennett simply nodded in satisfaction.

Mrs. Leigh looked around the room and asked, “Has anyone further to say?”

Mr. Bennett spoke up, “Just this. The appeals court already ruled against Mrs. Macguire when she and her sons attempted to contest the will. When they made their move to try and take the deceased’s belongings last month, they have legally disqualified themselves from any rights in regards to his estate.”

All eyes turned toward the three accused and for the first time since the ordeal had begun, they looked utterly defeated. Fiona, after what seemed an eternity, looked up to Joanna and asked in a shaky breath, “May I contact you then when you’re willing?”

Yet Joanna was unmoved and all she could say was a simple, “You can … but I am not promising anything.”

Fiona nodded and that was all but a silent sign that the arbitration had concluded. Everyone stood up and first Mr. Bennett, followed by Carter and Joanna, shook the hand of Mrs. Leigh before all present took their leave…

---

“Miles, dear?” Grams said from the front passenger seat which he himself had insisted that she take for the duration of the trip, both out of a sense of respect and to help further integrate himself into the family’s goodwill. Not that such a gallant act was warranted to do so. Miles had been lovingly adopted by Carter’s Mom and Grams from the moment they met him and the fact he would soon be an in-law only made their hearts swell even more so.

Grams asked, “Where are you taking us?”

From the rear seat, Joanna was looking at the surroundings passing by herself and had noticed the cityscape had given way to a more domestic and rural setting amidst trees and the impressive setting of Lake St. Clair. Joanna added, “Yes, I thought we were going back to Seattle before it got dark.”

“Well, it’s going to be dark out before we get back anyway.” Miles answered. “So Carter has a little something he wants to show you.”

“You never got to see the house Dad left me.” Carter said, his attention on his Mom as he knew well that this would affect her most of all. “All things considered, I thought you both should see it … as it’s where Miles and I decided we wanted the wedding to be held.”

As the car turned into the familiar turnaround drive that wove through the trees and toward the house, Joanna asked, “... What? You want to get married at…?”

“Dad’s house.” Carter stressed. “Miles and I talked it over and … I guess it’s my way of having him there. If that makes sense.”

“I think it’s lovely.” Joanna smiled at her son, then logic took over as the car slowed to a crawl. She asked, “But do you think there will be enough room for a wedding?”

“Oh I don’t think that is going to be much of a problem, dear.” Grams stated as she stared ahead at the palatial estate willed to her grandson. Joanna turned to look and she slowly removed her glasses in silent awe.

“Yeah.” Carter nodded. “That was pretty much our reaction.”

“Ladies?” Miles said as he turned off the car engine. “Shall we?” And no more need be said in the open invitation to have a tour of Cillian - now Carter’s - house, and where he and Miles would be married. Seat belts were unfastened and car doors opened, and the four made their way up the path and toward the house as a typical Washington rain started to fall…[/color]

And it was as if the rain was washing away the color of the world around them, leaving the scene running in rivets like a ruined painting that had gotten wet. Yet rather than a blank canvas being left behind, it was a dismal and dreary setting. The front door of the house swung shut behind the group, and an eerie music could be heard as the camera swiftly panned out far and wide, taking us elsewhere with no say in the matter.

It was as if a dream had turned into a nightmare, and the world around was reflecting the fact. Where we once reveled in the beauty and surrealism of Lake St. Clair and the inherited estate, we were now taken to what at first resembled a run down school. One child - only one - was playing in front of the school, a blank expression on her face as she “merrily” skipped rope and sang…


Then in what could only be described as fast forward, we were moved forcibly forward, bursting through the front doors and into the empty, dilapidated hallways of the once prosperous building, abandoned by student and faculty alike. The camera continued to move quickly throughout the twists and turns of the school’s hallways until it arrived at one door in particular which was hanging off of its hinges.

The boiler room.

It would seem this room is the only one teeming with life, as the machines were fully functioning, too well to the point that they were spewing steam everywhere while rattling audibly, threatening to erupt. That was when the sound of footsteps was heard over the machinery, and what could only be described as relentless ‘nails on a chalkboard’. The lights flickered and a single bulb popped, casting the area in darkness as a lone figure emerged from the parting steam; a slender figure that could be seen wearing a striped cardigan sweater in the colors of the rainbow, a violet fedora – and glittering long-nailed glove. This was what was causing the ear splitting sound as the glittered nails raked across the metallic boilers. While the facer remained hidden, the figure himself was prominent.

“Carter Krueger, at your service.”

He took a sweeping bow.

“And I'll be your tour guide through today's nightmare.”

That being said, the figure turned its back to the camera and stepped back into the steam, prompting a follow.

“I find myself in something of a conundrum. It’s only within a matter of days where I find myself facing off against something of a mystery – an enigma. A man whose identity remains well hidden save for a simple name - the Entity. Now, the first thing that came to my mind when this man not only signed on the dotted line and made his presence known by mentally tormenting J2H himself, but when I found out that after his match encounter with Rodrigo Afonso, that it was none other than li’l ol’ me who would be up against our resident Scooby Doo villain. Can you imagine?”

The figure paused and gave a mimic of jazz hands to showcase his giddy excitement.

“It got me to thinking, and considering what IS an Entity but a mere person or object. A simple institution that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality. 3. : an organization. I mean, I get it. I understand that you went with this name because it’s mysterious in nature and it makes you think of something more along the lines of a spirit or monster. You know, use that enigmatic name to be the first step in getting under the skin and into the collective minds of your opponents, hm?”

He started to chuckle while wagging one of those elongated nails in a ‘no-no’ gesture.

“That would only work on the weak minded and someone without the remotest hint of imagination in their noodle.”

He tapped that nail to the temple of his still hidden face and head.

“To anyone that could be bothered to use their head, they’d see the moniker for what it really was; a useless ignition for the playing of mind games. An Entity is nothing more than a single person, single product, or single organization. An individual, branch, partnership, associated group, association, estate, trust, corporation, or other organization, and any government. To put it in the simplest of terms my dearest friend, anything and anyone can be an Entity. So when you get right down to it, there's really nothing altogether special or unique about you.”

The steam parted and we found ourselves in what could only be best described as a photo lab. And along the wire where photographs were dried and developed in the ‘old fashioned’ way, there was a row of nothing but images of the Entity on full display. Some images of his competitive matches against J2H and Rodrigo Afonso, but more so close up shots of his masked face and those unnerving eyes. The long/sharp nailed hand ran along the images as if caressing them until the hand dipped down beneath the running faucet which could be seen now as flowing with a thick, red liquid.

The hand rose once again and ran the nail tips along the pictures, leaving crimson streaks. Much like open wounds.

“And while I could be mistaken - although I know I’m not - I'm pretty sure that when you chose this name and hid your identity under a mask, you were going for a more dramatic effect. It’s just a shame that you’re such a terrible salesman that you didn’t really follow through. You could have done so much with what was presented to you, and you had to go and blow it. I’m speaking, of course, about your little run-in with our very own Prince, J2H. Now under ordinary circumstances, I’d have a good laugh at why you chose to poke the bear with J2H of all people, but when you want to make the biggest impression, you go after the grandest target. And nobody can deny that J2H is the grandest of the grand.”

The figure strolled through an open doorway and into a bedroom setting. It resembled a virtual blood bath ala Nightmare On Elm Street with the waterbed imploded and blood dripping from every surface. Your ‘tour guide’ approached a desk where a toy SCW ring had been set up and the much desired Elite J2H figure was propped up, facing off against a badly homemade Entity figure.

“You came into here, trying to screw with the mind of one of the best, and what happened? Now ordinarily I would say that you couldn't get the job done but let's face it. This is J2H that we're talking about. I had a match against the man and he showed me why he's the best even to this day. So me pointing out to you that you couldn't take him would be pretty darn hypocritical of me now wouldn't it? Oh make no mistake. The match between you both was one made of epic violence that had the entirety of the SCW Universe talking. A certain Match of the Year candidate! But…”

“You didn't just not beat him. There's a difference. You vanished. You pretty much ran away without finishing the job. Why is that..  Enigma? I could have understood the tactic if you were ‘living to fight another day,’ but that's not the case. You've had nothing to do with J2H since, so it just begs the question - what was the point except to get your name out there? But with how you handled not just the match but it's aftermath. My friend, I am sorry to best describe it as anticlimactic. It served no purpose save for self promotion and even that concept fell flat when you tucked your tail between your legs and ran like a whipped dog.”

Reaching into the toy ring, a flick of the finger, the Enigma figure was toppled over with J2H standing tall. Carter Krueger’s hidden visage turned to the camera with arms held out.

“Okay, you're violent. We GET it! But does that really make you so different than one out of hundreds of other wrestlers? Does it really make you special in the eyes of the world around you? Trust me when I say I've been inside of the ring with men like Austin James Mercer who put me through a literal hell and he didn't need to put on this air of mystery or pretend to be something that he's not. He was simply and unapologetically himself.”

He tilted his head like a curious puppy.

“Is that why you tend to resort to mind games, Enigma? Is that why you delve into the eternal darkness.. “

He tapped a forefinger to his temple.

“Up here? To make up for your, or what is the word I'm thinking of? Mediocrity? To keep those watching from understanding just how one-dimensional you truly are? Well, kindly allow me to give you something of a history lesson.”

“For fifteen years, I had what would best be described as the ideal childhood. Until the day came when I put my faith in my family, and up so that I felt I could come out as homosexual. I believed as happy and as loved as I was, everything would be all right. How wrong I was.”

“My father, the man I practically worshiped, could not accept me for who I was. And under duress, he attempted to have me placed against my will in one of those conversion camps. My mother, however, what's what one might refer to as a mama bear. And she fought him to the point of ruin where their marriage was concerned to keep me safe. It ended their marriage, and it destroyed my family.”

“And that torment followed me from home to school because we all know just how good and accepting kids are. I was called every derogatory name under the sun, everyday without release. I was harassed. I was beaten up. And despite my and my family's protests, the school simply turned aside and pretended not to notice. That was my school life. My mother wanted to take me out of school but I would not allow it. I would not let them win! That small amount of pride was the only thing that kept me from taking a razor to my wrists.”

“I thought I had finally found happiness in a living and sensual boyfriend. Little did I know I was destined to become less than a statistic. I was beaten bloody, had bones broken. I was choked. Sexually assaulted. And I was so desperate for love, I was willing to live with it until my Knight In Shining Armor came to my rescue! He… along with my closest of friends and my family have been the one shining light, piercing through the darkest of clouds.”

“And then… Well then we have when fate intervened and showed what a cruel bitch she can truly be! When it came to light that my father who I thought abandoned me, had loved me the entire time. Had never given up on me. Died immediately after reconciliation.”

“Not your average Disney happily ever after, cute little woodland creatures tale, now is it? So tell me, Enigma. After everything that I've had life throw at me…”

He finally stepped from out of the shadows, revealing his face; contacts that rendered his eyes completely white and runny, black eyeliner streaking down his face and pooling at his chin.

“What then could someone like you POSSIBLY do to me?”

Henderson, Nevada -
Sunset Station Hotel & Casino

Sometimes it was a rare treat when the wrestlers of Sin City Wrestling that called Las Vegas their home did not have to go out of their way in order to hit the next town while on tour. Henderson was a city that was less than an hour’s drive from its more famous ‘sister city’ Las Vegas but that made for quite the convenience. Sometimes the wrestlers used that to their advantage when they just wanted to drive up the night before or the morning of and easily head back home again. But for the 2023 Couple of the Year aka Miles Kasey and Carter McKinney, they decided that given the specialty of this upcoming weekend for them personally, that they would take this as an opportunity and make the most of it, having arrived Friday, that very morning.

What was so special about this weekend for Carter and Miles, you might ask? It was one year ago - January 27 - when the two young men acknowledged their feelings for one another and what they had between them became official - even if the entirety of SCW was aware of it when they themselves had yet to be. So while their frisky fur baby Ms. Thang was busy being spoiled rotten even further by Aron Baltasarsson and his brother Fenris (but mostly Aron), Miles and Carter headed for Henderson to properly celebrate their one-year anniversary together.

Which was where they had been since, staying at the luxurious Sunset Station Hotel & Casino. While SCW officials attempted to wrangle their stars into staying at the same accommodations so as to better keep track of who was where, some strayed from said plans and this was one of those cases. Miles knew his boyfriend’s tastes almost better than Carter himself did, and he knew Carter could and would easily forgo a modern and stuffy five-star hotel for one that had that special ambience and atmosphere - and the Sunset Station Hotel fulfilled that and more so. With the clock tower forefront and built on almost one hundred actress, the hotel was central to everything that made Henderson great. With numerous buffets and restaurants, casino games, bars and even a bowling alley, there was something for everyone who visited Henderson and stayed here. Save for Carter and Miles who had only ventured outside of their suite in order to grab food. Inside their room, they kept to themselves … Well, YOU KNOW!

Speaking of, Carter himself, known in the SCW ring wars as Helluva Bottom Carter, was lying about on the disheveled bed, clad in the plush, cream colored bathrobe that the hotel provided and Miles had playfully warned he had better not find tucked away in their luggage when the weekend was over. With his personal laptop open on the bed’s soft surface at his side, Carter had been busying himself doing some much needed research ever since Miles had taken a brief leave to shower and freshen up. His fingertips scrolled along the surface of the mouse pad, examining one listing after another on the screen when there was the soft chime on an incoming message.

Carter's eyes strayed toward the pop-up message and it was from one of the higher up agents of Sin City Wrestling. Rather than risk Miles over hearing anything, Carter took a moment to pop in his wireless ear bud and he clicked ‘accept’ to the message….

Only for moments later when a freshly showered Miles emerged from the large bathroom with just a towel wrapped around his waistline, the steam still wafting up from his tanned and moist flesh. He was running a second towel through his wet hair when he overheard an interesting one-sided conversation that Carter was having.

“Look, it’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer, but I’ve had a lot of time to think about it and I’d just rather not do this again.” Carter was saying from his end. “I know offers like this don’t come every day but I’ve had my fill.” … “Yes, but you’ve given me chance after chance and even I can’t justify it any more.”

Miles sighed from where he stood, already knowing what Carter was discussing with someone of importance. An agent or manager from SCW’s end of things. After his boyfriend’s elimination from the first round of the World title tournament and the shocking first-ever argument between the two lovers that was an end result, Carter had seemingly relegated himself to - in his own words - mid-card status. A distinction that both Miles and Ariana vehemently disagreed with. And apparently - those in the SCW offices did as well.

Carter continued with his conversation, “It’s all I can do just to continue wrestling when part of me feels like I’d be better off if I just stepped down.” Okay THAT caused a raised eyebrow from Miles. Carter went on, “No, no. I was talked out of that. But the rest … Yeah. I’m sorry but I know my place right now. It’s just not anywhere near a Main Event or championship. At least not for a very long time.” … “Yes, thank you. Bye.”

Carter exhaled deeply only after he turned the call off and pulled the bud from his ear. So intent was Carter’s conversation with – whoever it was, that he did not notice Miles approaching the bed.

“Better off if you stepped down, huh?” Miles said from out of nowhere, startling Carter and almost making him jump and fall from the bed.

“Jesus!” Carter shouted. He turned at the waist and for a brief moment, forgot himself while drinking in at the sight of Miles in just the towel. Even after a year, Carter still seriously had the hots for his man. It did Miles' ego good, “Milo” had to admit.

Miles nodded toward the laptop, “Who was that?” He asked. Carter cast a glance back over to the laptop and he shrugged innocently, “Just someone from SCW again. Talking to me about a title shot or some other nonsense.”

“And since when are title shots nonsense?” Miles asked, hands on his hips. Only to have Carter answer, “Since they’ve handed me half a dozen recently and I’ve fallen on my face each and every time. I told you Miles, I don’t want to do that any more. I’m … done. I’ll make due with the mid card and leave the rest to…”

“Don’t say it.” Miles demanded as he proceeded to slip into the bed at Carter’s back, wrapping his muscled arms around Carter’s slimmer frame and pulled him in close for a comforting cuddle. One in which Carter was immensely grateful for and he sank back against Miles’ bare chest and simply laid there, his eyes closed with content.

MIles went on to say, “Don’t call the others more talented. Not again.” Carter speaking down of himself was one of the catalysts that caused the two to engage in their first heated argument two weeks ago, shocking everyone backstage that was in the vicinity to overhear.

Carter said sleepily, “Just calling it how I see it.”

“Well, stop it, love.” Miles held him even tighter and snuggled his chin into the crevice between Carter’s shoulder and neck. “You should really call them back. Take them up on the offer.”

“It’s my career, Miles.” Carter said softly. “I’ll be fine.”

Miles closed his eyes for a brief moment, frustrated more at himself for not being able to get through due to his boyfriend’s own stubbornness. Carter had all the talent to walk away with any championship the bosses dangled in front of him. It just hasn’t happened … yet. But it would, and Miles just wished Carter would believe in the fact as much as he himself did. Ah well. Patience.

Miles opened his eyes once again and asked, “You hungry? We could go hit the buffet downstairs.” But when Miles didn’t get a response, he leaned over slightly to gaze at Carter’s face and he asked, “Babe?”

Only to find Carter asleep in his arms, worn out physically by Miles himself and emotionally by his own negative thoughts directed against himself. Miles smiled to himself and was going to lay back himself when the laptop screen had captured his eye and he found himself stealing a glance at what Carter had been doing while he had been in the walk-in shower.

A website that featured a bucket list of the best ways to celebrate an anniversary.

Miles smiled once again, and snuggled close and closed his eyes.

---

Henderson, Nevada -
Bayou Bistro

As it so happened, Carter’s worry over what he could do for Miles to properly celebrate being together for a full year was unwarranted. Carter realized that where romantic endeavors were concerned, Miles was the more imaginative and adept, whereas Carter practically worried himself sick trying to come up with just the right thing to let Miles know just how much he meant to him.

And Miles? He loved Carter dearly and was only too happy to go along with whatever Carter had planned for the remainder of the day. Miles was satisfied so long as they were together. And it all started when the two went for a visit to the Botanical Cactus Garden at the Ethel M Chocolates Factory. It wasn’t so much that either man was vastly interested in cacti. God knows they saw enough of them living in the desert oasis known as Las Vegas. Plus, Miles knew that Carter much preferred a regular Botanical Garden with a vast array of flora. But there was indeed a method to his boyfriend’s madness when, after touring the near three acres of almost three hundred different species of colorful cacti, the tour was followed up by visiting inside of the chocolate factory itself for a tour and straight into the gift shop.

Little known fact - Miles was even more of a choco-holic than Carter himself was, and a visit to one of the country’s premiere chocolatier factories was indeed a treat, as was the numerous chocolates and bon-bons and other assortments Carter treated them to, feeding each other one chocolate covered treat after another and purchasing many more to be savored later. They were careful, however at Carter’s own insistence, not to overdo it and spoil their appetites any more than they already have, because Carter had made reservations at a very special place…

Namely where they were now, atop the luxurious rooftop restaurant and lounge known as the Bayou Bistro. It was perhaps one of if not the most treasured restaurants in the city, overlooking the entirety of Henderson itself. And considering by this hour that the day had already transcended into nightfall, the sight was truly breathtaking. All of the city’s lights mesmerized from the Bistro, where Carter and Miles sat at a private table and dressed in their finest. Both loved the way the other looked in a suit so, despite there not being a dress code, they opted to dress up anyway for this special occasion. Miles looked absolutely stunning in his emerald green dress shirt and black vest with gold accents, and matching black slacks, whereas Carter went the extra mile to both capture and maintain his man’s eye, wearing a gray dress jacket over a white, button up shirt and matching gray slacks.

Carter spared no expense as on the surface of the table was the remnants of their meal, including bowls of gumbo, jambalaya… the house specialty was their monstrously sized king crab legs but Carter’s shellfish allergy made this impossible so he had the fettuccini Alfredo with blackened chicken. Miles, even though he could have indulged in the crab legs or even the menu’s offering of lobster, indulged instead in a steak that was large enough that even he had issues polishing it off despite possessing an impressive appetite. When the waiter had just passed by to offer up dessert, both men groaned and waved off the offering. For the time being, the two young men were content to simply sit there, enjoying the wine and each other's company.

“Carter? Babe?” Miles said, causing Carter to look up into his man’s eyes. Miles said, “Thank you.”

Carter smiled, a faint blush coloring his skin as he looked down and around before he returned to Miles’s gaze. Carter shyly shrugged and said, “You’ve done everything for me… you do everything for me…” He corrected himself. “This … was the least I could do. I mean, you deserve the best. I couldn’t just take you out for pizza.”

“Why not?” Miles asked as he reached again for his glass. “You know I would have been happy so long as I spent the time with you.” MIles smiled, despite himself. Even after this past year, Carter was still something of a shy schoolboy where Miles himself was concerned. Carter, always having difficulty believing that he deserved someone like Miles when Miles personally had trouble thinking it was he who deserved Carter.

Carter then continued, “I know I don’t say this enough because of my own hang ups but I love you. I really do.”

Miles was about to take another sip of his red when he set the glass down and leaned back in his chair. Miles looked deeply into his eyes and after a moment’s silence, said, “That’s all I need.”

“Oh, there is one last thing I thought we could do to celebrate?” Carter said with a mischievous twinkle to his beautiful eyes, resting his chin on the back of his curled fingers.

“Oh really?” Miles asked, taking a sip from his crystal goblet before setting it back down. “What’s that?”

Reaching into his suit jacket, Carter removed a card and extended his arm across the table, offering it up to Miles. Miles gave it a once over before he reached up and plucked it from his boyfriend’s hand.

Miles raised a single eyebrow and said, “...Twister?” He lowered the card and his smile was both bright and genuine. “You want to play Twister for our anniversary?”

“Mm hm.” Carter mused, his smile taking on a good deal more heat as he added, “Without clothes.”

Miles stared at Carter for seemingly an eternity before he held a hand up, forefinger extended and called out, “Check! PLEASE!”

---

The set up for the Dollar Loan Center in anticipation of Sunday’s edition of Climax Control was nearing its completion. The ring was front and center in the arena floor with the surrounding seats and stands filling to the thousands in numbers. The stage and lighting was finalized and the crew were finishing with the sound system, but far down below the rafters and inside of the six-sided ring was a single chair, turned around and one figure in particular seated on it, backwards.

“I’ve had plenty of time in the singles spotlight…”

Helluva Bottom Carter said softly as he rested his chin on his forearms which were draped on the back rest of the chair.

“It was high time that I got back into the thick of things in the tag team division with my best friend, Ariana. It’s been a long time since we got the chance to team with one another, both of us so caught up in our singles careers. And while I expect Ariana to continue her pursuit of the Bombshell Internet title until she can take it back from Courtney, I am thankful she took this time to team up with me once again. Team GO - reunited once again!”

Carter lifted his chin from his forearms and leaned back, ever-so slightly.

“And let’s be honest. It couldn’t have come at a better moment. With the ongoing World Heavyweight tournament and Finn Whelan in the finals, the tag team division has suffered somewhat. When it was first re-established, we were seeing mixed tag team matches on every card. It was unlike anything I can remember seeing with the mixed tag division! It was sky rocketing to a whole new level and then … nothing. A mixed tag team defense here and there highlighting some shows but when was the last time we saw Miles Kasey and Alexandra Calaway? Or Austin James Mercer and Tempest? Finn and Kayla breathed new life into the division when they beat - and kept beating - Oz and Eiley, but the champions are only as good as their challengers and I think it’s time that we gave this division a swift boot up the jacksie and get things back on track. Don’t you?”

“And what better way than to give the fans a match between the two teams who - by all rights - are the two top tag teams in Sin City Wrestling who are NOT the champions? Ben Jordan and Samantha Marlowe – and yours truly – HBCarter and Ariana Angelos? This is going to be the match that is just the shot in the arm that this division needs and we all walk away winners. Well… Ariana and I will, but I can tell you all for a fact that Ben and Sam won’t be making this easy by any stretch of the imagination.”

“Under normal circumstances, I’d focus solely on Ben as he’s the one that I have to be inside of the ring against, but Sammi…?”

Carter shook his head, eyes closed and a soft whistle blowing through his pursed lips.

“With all due respect to women like Mercedes Vargas and Roxi Johnson, when I think of icons of the Bombshell division, I can’t help but think of you. You’ve done so much for the women’s side of things and you strive to continue doing even more, at your own expense sometimes if need be. Mad respect for that and even more for fighting on whether things go your way or not. You’ve lifted things up for your division and did so with a positive and selfless attitude, unlike so many of the women that surround you with a dreadful case of the ‘me, me, me’s’. Do you want to win? Of course, who doesn’t? Do you want to be a champion again? I would bet so, especially with the tag team titles and Ben at your side because that would complete your Grand Slam, wouldn’t it? You have your ambitions and aspirations, but I can not remember once where you were selfish. I can’t recall a single time where you didn’t work hard for yourself but also to help establish the other women around you. For that … I have to applaud you.”

And indeed Carter did clap his hands together in a respectful applause.

“But here’s the thing, Sammi. While this is the first time our two teams have met, it’s not the first time we all have met in our respective divisions. You and Ari have met before, and correct me if I’m wrong but it was Ariana who walked away the winner the last time you two wrestled. That gives my bestie the edge I think, and she has to be in your head that if she beat you once, she could do so again. And she will. I have that confidence in my closest friend. Now Ben Jordan…”

Gripping the back of the chair, Carter leaned back a bit and sighed.

“Ben, you and I didn’t exactly have the best past, did we? And I can’t deny the fact that I have nobody to blame for that but myself. I know that I’ve apologized for my actions and everything that I’ve said to you that cut you to the core. I know that you, being Saint Ben and all, accepted my apology but time and again I just don’t think it’s enough. You were just trying to be a supportive friend and I turned that against you and everything that I said… It haunts me to this day. You’ve moved on with your life and I am genuinely happy for you in that regard, but there are times when I wonder if I’ll ever move on for how I acted with you. And I can’t deny that when you and I finally met inside of the ring after that incident, you whipped my tail from one side of the ring to the other and I deserved every moment of it. Every clothesline and every suplex… I deserved it. And the impending result…”

Carter closed his eyes and exhaled.

“I admit that I deserved that too. But that was how many months ago? Things have changed. Circumstances have changed. …  I’ve changed, Ben. I’m not that same little wallflower that you were in the ring with last time around. Since then, my career has had plenty of its own ups and downs with a number of hiccups in between, but I’ve come into my own. I know who I am now and sooner rather than later, I want to ensure that the world knows. I want you to know. I am the man that took J2H to the brink of defeat. I am one of the eight that J2H hand picked to be his chosen successor. And even though I didn’t advance in the tournament, I know who I am. I am the best that I can be, and when you and I team with our closest gal pals this Sunday, I am going to take great pleasure in introducing you to that man.”

“I’m now going to be perfectly honest with you, Ben. Being in the ring against you was a unique experience that I will treasure for all the right reasons. I mean, you’re Ben Jordan. There is just no other way to describe you or to pay respect than by simply saying your name. How many other men in SCW can command that level of respect? Even J2H, for everything he’s done in this business, I don’t think even he has quite that level of adulation when someone hears his name. You are the locker room leader that we’ve always needed. You offer up help and advice even to those you would see as a rival and never think twice about doing so. You are a former multi-time champion around these parts.”

He held up a hand and counted off on his fingers.

“Two-time World Heavyweight Champion. Roulette Champion. Three-time World Tag. You are this close to capturing the Roulette and Mixed Tag and going total Grand Slam but… here’s the thing. It’s not that important to you. Everything I’ve come to know about you is that you put titles second and showcasing for the fans first. Whether you become another in a long line of SCW Grand Slam Champions is virtually meaningless where you’re concerned. Except for one thing … for one championship. The very one in which we’re competing in the division for. The World Mixed Tag titles.”

Carter again rested his chin on his forearms and showed some teeth behind his smile.

“And please don’t insult my intelligence by denying that, Ben. You want those championships just as much, if not more so, than anyone else in the division. But not for yourself… no. For your partner. For Samantha. You would want to win the titles for her benefit alone because it’s something that she would like to accomplish; winning the titles with her best friend by her side. See? It’s something that you and I have in common. It’s just a matter of which of us wants it more.”

Carter slowly pushed himself back to his feet and stepped back away from the chair.

“I’m looking forward to this more than you know, Ben. Being inside of the ring against a man like you, a walking, breathing legend in the making … It's what makes careers for guys like me. But all the respect in the world is not going to keep me from fighting you at my hardest to pick up the win. I’ve been in the ring with some of the best in this business recently; Hall of Fame names like Goth and Bill Barnhart. Why you are not yet in the SCW Hall of Fame is beyond the scope of my imagination but you will be, and I hope that it’s soon. And when you are, I am going to look back on this Sunday fondly and think… I was able to pick up the win against that man.”

Carter winked and turned to exit the ring as the camera faded out.

Las Vegas, Nevada - Black Friday

“2AM…” Miles said through a giGANTIC yawn as he and his boyfriend Carter stood outside in the cold of the Las Vegas morning, just outside of the doors to the local Target nearest to their home. With eyes filled with sleep, Miles cast a sidelong glance to Carter as he sipped from an extra large cup of coffee purchased from a nearby gas station. Miles mumbled, “Remind me again why we had to be here four hours before the stores even open?”

Carter looked up at Miles with an innocent quirk to his expression and he shrugged as if the answer were obvious, “Because they have some kick ass deals and we need to start our Christmas shopping?”

“You just inherited the better part of almost six digits!” Miles yawned again. “So again, why do we have to be here so damn early to try and get … what are we even here to get anyway? The 55 inch TV I can get behind, but what else could be so important?”

Carter answered, “The new iPad is only $229!”

Miles blew a raspberry.

Carter then said, “I want that new crockpot…”

Miles rolled his eyes rather dramatically.

“There are a few things I want to get for Ari and Mom and Grams and…”

Miles shrugged, accepting this while Carter rattled off a list of names they had to shop for.

Carter then said, “I also see they have deals on those Resident Evil 4 and Diablo III games you were after…”

Miles held up a forefinger and said, “To which I approve heartily!”

“Oh thank you.” Carter replied as he went for a drink of his coffee and Miles then took more direct notice.

“Give me some of that?” Miles then said, nodding his head toward the steaming cup of java, to which Carter playfully pulled the cup away from Miles’s “grabby hands” and he said, “No! You had your chance when we stopped at the store! You snooze, you…”

“Gimme!” Miles snatched the cup from out of Carter’s hand, but Carter did not even try to stop him. In fact, he wore a smile on his face and allowed it to happen. Under most circumstances, Carter would have bitten the hand of anyone who reached for his coffee – but this was Miles we were talking about! Plus, Carter had a sharp mind and came prepared. He reached down to the drink carrier on the pavement at his feet and removed another large coffee flavored to his tastes. Miles started to take a drink but instead did a comical double take.

“You had more this entire time and never told me!?” Miles said sharply, to which Carter countered, “You said you didn’t want any at the time so I didn’t think to!”

And before Carter could get even so much as a single sip, Miles had this one right out of his hand as well - even though he had yet to finish the first cup he had just confiscated! Carter just stared at him with bemused eyes, then reached down and instead of grabbing yet another drink, which would probably be taken anyway, he instead grabbed a white paper bag and removed a jelly filled donut.

Which was promptly snatched from out of his hands!

"Miles!" Carter laughed, to which Miles replied, "What donut?" With the tell-tale ring of powdered sugar and jelly around his lips. Carter huffed back a bark of laughter before leaning over to look at the elderly couple who were standing directly behind them in line.

“Do you see how he treats me?” Carter asked playfully, to which the old woman waved him off, saying, “My boyfriend treats me the same way!”

The old man looked at her through his own thick-rimmed specs and said aloud for everybody to hear, “You ain’t got no boyfriend you old bag!”

The old woman promptly swatted the old man in the arm with her beaded handbag, causing Miles to almost choke on his donut - giving Carter all the opening he needed to grab his own drink, the only remaining one that Miles had not confiscated for himself. Carter stole one more glance back at the comical old couple before looking up to his own loved one and he smiled, stating the obvious, “We always meet the most interesting people.”

Garnering a nod of agreement from Miles as he drained his cup.

***

Just about four hours later, there was a noise of movement from within the store, alerting everyone in line which had now grown considerably larger, stretching the length of the building. The movement from inside the doors caused a start from Carter who quickly jostled Miles who appeared to be dozing standing up!

“Miles…!”

“I’m not tired, you’re tired!” Miles called aloud, before he blinked the sleep away and saw what Carter was alerting him to! “Well it’s about…”

“Do you remember the plan?” Carter asked excitedly. To which Miles replied, “How could I forget?”

Carter and Miles, and for that matter, the entirety of the gathered crowd of holiday shoppers behind them, all readied themselves as the doors opened and the employee said, “Hi! Welc-!”

And the line surged forward! Carter jumped INTO the nearest shopping cart and Miles grabbed it and took off racing into the throng of furious bargain hunters!

We’d spare you the intricate details of this rabid shopping excursion. Suffice to say, if you live in the United States, you've heard of some of the horror stories about Black Friday ordeals. If you live outside and are unfamiliar, well just a handful of what happened in this particular Target….

A mother all but abandoning her kids at the entrance for not being able to keep up and ignoring all employees intercoming for her to get to the front of the store – all so that she could get her hands on a brand new Macbook…!

A man stole an ice cream maker out of the previously seen elderly woman's hands and made a run for it, prompting her husband to trip the offending shopper with his cane so he could easily retrieve the goods for his wife…!

Miles could have sworn he saw Despayre and Gabriel Stevens in the midst of some of the chaos, Despy baseball sliding under a group of brawling shoppers and snatching the last Looney Tunes BluRay from their grasp…!

Two ample sized women brawling over a lace bra that would have been too small to have even been used as a Band-Aid for them, let alone cover their… you know…!

But perhaps the most notable moment was just as Carter and Miles had gathered everything they Carter had set their his sights on - they detoured around the toy department to reach the end of the L-O-N-G checkout line when something bright and blue caught Carter’s attention. Carter made an excited squeal and he ran off down the aisle, prompting Miles to look on, “Babe…?”

There was a new Stitch plush toy on the market – and just the one left on the shelf! Carter just barely snatched it off the shelf when a football player-sized man snatched it from out of HIS hands!

“Hey, I had that first!” Carter yelled as he grabbed the man’s wrists to pry Stitch loose without damaging the plush toy!

“You little bitch…!” The hulking brute growled as he pulled away. “I don’t give a shit! I’M taking it so let - GO!” And the man’s superior strength won out as he practically threw Carter around and down, causing the young man to lose his balance and fall against the shelves!

The man sniffed triumphantly and turned to make his getaway – only to meet an angry, sleep deprived and VERY protective Miles used the shopping cart to shoulder check the man, sending HIM back and tripping over Carter! Stitch went flying into the air to which Miles caught him with one hand and with the other, reached down to gallantly assist his man to his feet.

“You were right!” Miles exclaimed, breathless. “This IS fun!”

Turnberry Towers

“So at least now I understand why you wanted me to come with you.” Miles said as the elevator door to their floor slid open with a soft chime, and the Brit stepped out into the hallway with his arms laden with shopping bags while Carter carried – exactly one bag and the keys to the condo. Miles muttered sourly, “To do all the heavy lifting.”

“Now that is simply not true, Miles.” Carter objected as he fished the keys to the condo from out of his jacket pocket. “And I am wounded that you would suggest such a thing. Wounded I say!”

“Mm hmmm!” Miles muttered, clearly not believing a word that Carter was saying. “It’s true!” Carter stated outright. As he turned the key to the deadbolt, he looked back over his shoulder to give his man a devilish grin, he added, “You also make one fine human battering ram!”

Miles made a face and then playfully stuck his tongue out at Carter, making the young man laugh merrily. He pushed the door open and stepped inside of their shared home – and almost dropped the bag he was carrying at the sight that was immediately set in front of his eyes, front and center in their living room. A shimmering seven foot tall Christmas tree - white in color and decorated in shades of blue lights, garland and baubles. But it was the tree topper and the random ornaments hanging from the artificial branches. They were all Stitch related. There was even a brand new plush Stitch stationed right under the lowest branch, ready for the taking and mandatory cuddling.

Carter just stared, caught completely off guard as to where this all came from when Miles set the bags down in the foyer and walked past his boyfriend, giving him a smug grin along the way, “You’re not the only one who can pull off a surprise!”

---

“Oliver Zahn…”

Carter winced, holding up a hand in mock surrender.

“Sorry, I know you have a preference for being referred to as OZ for some godforsaken reason, but we’ll get into that theory later. For now, I suppose since the holidays are upon us and I’ve had a pretty good past few days, I can play along. I imagine OZ is just your boyish acronym for your first and last name but I’d like to think better of you than that. I mean, indeed you are a graduate of the Jet City academy and as such, one would think you had a bit more of a creative output towards what you want others to call you; nicknames, ring names, you know… that lot. But just wanting to go by your initials but a word made out of your initials just…”

Carter cringed, then held up a finger and nodded.

“Yeah, exactly that. Cringe. Just like when we tune in on the monitors backstage to keep up to date on what’s happening both inside of the ring and backstage in interviews and such and Oli-OZ? What in the world has happened to you? You came into SCW with both guns a blazin’ as the old timers might say, and in the past few weeks you just started shooting nothing but blanks. I mean, first you and Eiley drop the tag team titles to a virtual brand new team, when you had been beating established teams left and right. Then after that you try and regain your footing and… well, how had that been going for you? You thought you could use Ari and myself as a means to an end to get the momentum back on your side for your rematch and, what happened again? Oh yeah, that’s right! Eiley tried to rob us and it backfired and we put one over on you instead. Now I’m not the biggest fan of how it happened but…”

He tucked his hands deep into his pockets and shrugged.

“Omelets and eggs, y’know? Then you went and challenged a team that you had beaten once before - Sam Marlowe and Ben Jordan. I guess since you thought you beat them once, it made them easy pickings to be beat again and looky at what happened! Now I know a few people have been accusing you of being the so-called **air quotes** ‘weak link’ of the team but more often than not, it looks to me more like Eiley is the one who’s been causing your team’s losses, even though your shoulders are the one getting put down to the canvas. And now you want to, what? Prove yourself to her and to the entire SCW Universe by using me as an example?”

Carter closes his eyes and waves a finger in the negative.

“No, no. For one, I am not going to be used by anyone without specifically asking to be - and two, your name isn’t Miles Kasey so the odds are nonexistent! I have been placed against bigger, badder and more experienced men than you Ollie, and I’ve won some and I’ve lost some but I have never been used as an example! Not by them, and certainly not by you! You see, I absolutely love going up against guys like you. Guys who are so full of themselves that they think they’re the greatest thing to hit the ring since turnbuckle pads! That means I get to stand there and watch their faces fall when they realize they’re flat on their back and my hand is being raised, leaving them wondering what the hell just happened! I like facing egocentric guys like yourself because I enjoy serving them a big slice of humble pie, and being the weekend after Thanksgiving, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate dessert! This time around, your greatest strength is going to become your greatest weakness. You rely so much on your speed and your aerial game to upend the guys you’re in the ring against but SURPRISE! This time you’re in there with a guy who can match your style and then some! This time you’re in the ring with a guy the same size as you, but who can compete in ways that you can’t! A guy who might be two years older than you but I also have a good four years experience edge against whatever it is that you bring to the table!”

“I don’t know. Maybe I’d take you a little more seriously OZ if you weren’t constantly being made a fool of by a group of grade school children seemingly on a weekly basis, backstage in front of the world. Maybe I’d take you more seriously if you weren’t calling yourself ‘the Miracle of Oz’ when Oz is either some make-believe land you reach somewhere over the rainbow, or some prison show that was the Hallmark of male genitalia being shown for all to see.”

“Take notes, Ollie. Whatever you think you’re going to accomplish against me this weekend, isn’t going to happen. This match is just going to be another loss on your record, only this time you won’t have Eiley to blame. Just you, yourself. We just passed a day in which we celebrate our thanks, and I am going to leave you with nothing to be thankful for!”

Las Vegas, Nevada

If there is one universal truth about all gay men, everywhere in every corner of the Earth, it’s the fact that they all have the exact same thing in their bedroom. And no, I am not talking about shackles on the bed so get your minds out of the gutters you pervs! There will be no kink shaming on my watch! It’s a full-length mirror, all the better to gaze at and admire their utter fabulousness. And the star of our time together, none other than Carter McKinney - aka Helluva Bottom Carter - had been standing in front of his own floor-length mirror for what seemed like an eternity, simply staring at his reflection. Not out of vanity mind you, despite the stereotype that all gay men went to extreme lengths to look good and take care of their bodies. Truth be told, Carter did fit the proverbial bill where that particular stereotype was concerned. He always took great care to look as good as possible, especially where Miles' own enjoyment was concerned, but in this circumstance, it was simply not the case. He was not dressing to impress his boyfriend because truth be told, Miles found his attractive in just about anything. Let alone what he was wearing now.

Carter had found a new love for the color magenta, and was wearing a long-sleeve, button up shirt of that very color with black skinny jeans to match. And here’s a little secret for all of you nosey Nellies; Carter did indeed wear glasses when it suited him. All those photos he’s posted on social media of him wearing specs? They weren’t just for show. Carter was somewhat near-sighted and wore either glasses or corrective contacts to better address the problem. He preferred contacts as glasses tended to hide his eyes, something he considered his best feature. (Miles might dispute that fact but we digress.) Today, he wore his Tower Grey style, busily scrutinizing himself.

 His eyes roamed over his reflection, and what had to be the fourth straight outfit that he had put together for what he was about to put himself through, in what would most assuredly be a roller coaster ride of his own making. Privately, he could not believe that he had made a special trip to the mall just to shop for new clothes for where he was about to go and who he was going to meet. Why was he even bothering to dress to impress this particular individual? In between changes, he had been half tempted to dive into his closet and come out wearing the gayest, most garish clothing he owned – but he just couldn’t bring himself to be that petty. Which is saying something because Miles himself had stated that his boyfriend could bring petty to an art form. 

He could not remember the last time he felt as nervous as he did now. Probably the moment Miles had made his desires known, but this was nothing of the kind. Circumstances were entirely different. When Carter was getting ready for his first official date with Miles, the butterflies were caused by the anticipation of spending the evening with the man he had fallen head over heels for. Whereas this time, the butterflies were more like a squadron of Boeing F/A-18Es, and caused by the idea of meeting his dad, the very man that for over a decade had hated the very existence of. But as both Miles as well as his Grandmother had told him, times change, as do people. Hence why he had placed the call to his mom to deliver the message to his dad. Things simply weren’t the same as they had been over a week ago…

Carter stepped out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him out of mere habit while Miles was prone to leave it open when they weren’t entertaining company. Carter made sure that he had everything… wallet, phone.. And once satisfied, he walked from out of the hall and into the main living foyer of his and Miles’s shared home to be greeted by a soft whistle of appreciation…

“Look at you…” Miles said with a smile from where he was lounging back on the worn out sofa that Carter still believed he had to have picked up at a garage sale at best. Miles set aside the PS5 controller so that he could give his man his complete and undivided attention. “You look great.”

“You just keep up with your flattery.” Carter half teased as he walked toward the front door where he and Miles put their respective car keys in a dish on an end table. He quipped, “It just might get you everywhere.”

“Counting on it.” Miles replied in kind, to which Carter turned around and for the first time, realized Miles was not dressed to go, but sporting his pajama pants and a muscle shirt that best defined his upper torso.

Carter raised his brow and waved a hand toward Miles, “Erm, Miles? Aren’t you a little underdressed for meeting my dad?”

“Yeah, about that…” Miles pushed himself up to his feet and crossed their threshold to gaze down into his man’s blue eyes, placing his hands on his shoulders in a comforting reassurance. “Babe… I’m not going with you.”

“What are you talking about?” Carter blinked with slight disbelief, shaking his head as if he had heard Miles incorrectly. “Miles, I need you…”

“Babe? Listen to me.” Miles interrupted what he knew was going to be a well performed protest on Carter’s part. “What you need right now is to talk to your dad … alone. I’ll just end up being a distraction neither of you need.” Carter was about to say something to the contrary, the worry in the pit of his stomach now turning into a knotted ball with spikes to match. Miles went on to say, “I’ll be right here with my phone, just in case things go bad. But…” He shook his head. “I don’t think they will. Not after what Grams told us. Not after what you found in your dad’s journal.”

Carter held Miles’s gaze within his own, drawing in a deep breath. He was right. He didn’t like the fact, he had been relying on Miles being there as a means of emotional support. He said with a faux sense of indignity, “You could have told me this sooner. I was counting on you being there.”

“I know.” Miles smiled. “That’s why I waited to tell you. You would have found a way to change my mind.”

Carter huffed and opened the front door and stepped through, but before he could close it, Miles turned him around and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Miles pulled away and smiled, telling him, “It’ll be okay.” And only then did Carter finally take his leave for what was going to be a very emotionally draining experience.

---

Carter stood alone on the balcony of his shared home with Miles Kasey, several stories up from the Las Vegas streets below. The sun had long since fallen, and the lights from the nearby Las Vegas Strip were illuminating the skyline in a colorful display as far as the eye could see.

“I have to admit that when I first was told about my match this week against Michael Harris, I wasn’t certain if I should feel flattered or insulted. I mean, any match against a reigning World Champion is something to be celebrated as it puts the eyes of the wrestling world directly on you. It gives you the chance to shine, especially when it’s a non-title match, like this week’s match is. The championship isn’t up for grabs but this is the next best thing, as everyone wants to see if you can take this shot and elevate yourself at the champion’s expense. And, if you can, the sky's the limit! You beat a champion, and a title shot is sure to follow! So, win?”

“But on the flip side, a Beat the Clock challenge? Meaning I’m reduced to, what? A warm up for the champion before he inevitably loses the gold to J2H. And yes, that’s my prediction for the Main Event of High Stakes XIII. That J2H will secure his legacy and end the career and the second title reign of one of the luckiest sons a bitches to ever hold the most prestigious championship in wrestling! But, Beat the Clock! Meaning Harris’s match against me and the outcome will be timed against J2H’s, and the winner gets to choose whatever stipulation they want for their big match in just a few weeks. Hm!”

Carter nodded, his teeth nipping at his lower lip while he wrapped his arms around himself.

“Much as I like the idea of another match against the World Champion so soon after my title shot at J2H, I have to say the circumstances do sort of overshadow myself and even Jaycee. Because even if one or both of us somehow come out on top in our respective encounters, all attention shifts away from what it could possibly mean for us and to what it definitely means for this feud between Michael Harris and J2H. But, as the old saying goes, you have to look at the glass and decide whether it's half full or half empty.”

Carter’s eyes shifted to a sidelong glance toward the camera and the viewer could spot the mischievous nature in those lovely blue orbs.

“As for me? I just drink whatever is inside the glass. Meaning, I am going to take the situation as it is given me and make the most of it. Also, considering – as I understand it – that they chose each other's opponents, that J2H thinks highly enough of me and the match I gave him, that I can fend Michael off for longer than Jaycee can hold J2H at bay. And, well… not to toot my own horn but, toot toot!”

“As for the champion himself, well there’s not enough time to really put into words just how I feel about that egocentric, hypocritical jackass. You see, way back when I was one of the outspoken critics who didn’t think he should have been put in that title match between Chris Page and Mac Bane. After all, that was the match that everybody wanted to see! Adding Harris to it on a technicality was like putting A1 steak sauce on prime rib! It became watered down as far as World title matches go, so much so that Page couldn’t even take part for his own reasons. But, credit where it’s due I suppose. The title match happened and Michael Harris took advantage and made the most out of it. He won the title and started one of the single most controversial reigns since Jeremiah Hardin screwed Rage out of the championship way back in `17! And the reason why Harris’s first reign was so full of bullshit is because he proved he had absolutely no respect for that championship or any of the men who came before him! If he had, he wouldn’t have resorted to any of the underhanded tactics he did in order to keep such a hold on the title for as long as he did! It didn’t matter who he was up against, he saw everyone as a threat to his reign as well as his manhood – and with good and obvious reason! Whether it was Austin James Mercer or Miles Kasey or any one of the other many men he defended against, he would pull the tights or use the ropes! He would grab the first weapon he could lay hands on from out of the official’s sight to use to his advantage! And if THAT didn’t work, he always had his wives out there to save his ass and that was when you knew SCW had sunk to a new low as far as top champions go!”

“I mean, relying on your wives to interfere in your match outright or to cause a distraction because you’re not tough enough - or man enough - to win on your own speaks more about you than it does for your defeated challenger. Oh and you can also throw in that old adage that Harris has used time and again that ‘the only thing that mattered was the outcome of the match’.”

Carter nodded, gazing out into the Vegas sky before he pondered in obvious contemplation.

“Unless of course those same tactics are used against him and then it’s an entirely different story. Then he cries and protests like a great big man baby, crying foul and accusing everyone of conspiring against him. Even going so far as to bring in his personal attorney to try and fight his battles for him behind the scenes when he can’t get in done where it counts. And here’s the thing… you would think that when looking at Michael Harris, for all his experience in this business, that he wouldn’t need to resort to those cheap wins in order to secure his standing in the sport, but I suppose when you get to be his age, you start to grow desperate. Your body just can’t take the beating that it used to so you start to sink to new depths and use tactics that you never had before in order to make life easier before you find yourself in one of those crooked old folks homes you see on an episode of Hard Copy.”

Carter tapped a forefinger to the side of his head.

“The mind starts to go so you use flawed logic and reason to explain away your actions, but the only one that you manage to delude into believing your bullshit is yourself – and your wives but they’re probably supporting you more because you serve as their meal ticket rather than any true sense of loyalty. How else can you explain having your own son run J2H down? What did you even think was going to happen after that, Michael? I mean obviously you were trying to take J2H out for the long haul, but even if it had been successful, did you think the bosses would let you sit the show out and not have to defend? Uh uh! They would have just found another challenger for you to try and lie, cheat and steal your way past! But unfortunately for you, and luckily for everyone else watching from the stands to the dressing rooms, it didn’t work. J2H came back and whipped your ass and took your title. My only regret is nobody even bothered to try and lure your rotten apple of a son into a match for his part in all of this, just for the sheer joy of watching someone – anyone – wiping that smug smile from the little ass hat’s face!”

“But I have to admit that once you lost your title to the better man – and J2H IS the better man – you didn’t react the way that I suspected you would. I half expected you to drop to the ground and kick and scream until someone gave you your title back just to shut you up. I thought you would cry foul and raise hell, but you did neither. The way you reacted – well it disappointed me if I’m going to be perfectly honest. You went radio silent. You said NOTHING. The most the world got out of you was a social media pity party, and us users get quite enough of that, thank you very much. You gave us the random tweet and hint that maybe retirement was on the way, and that sob story made me lose whatever minute amount of respect that I may have had for you. And considering how low I thought of you before, that bar was set about so high…!”

Carter bent low at the waist and held his hand down about shin-high before he stood back upright.

“And that’s being generous. Winning the title a second time, besting J2H in that cage? I think we can all agree that it was nothing but sheer, dumb luck. A dark cloud fell on SCW that night, but it’s a cloud that is going to be lifted in a matter of time. J2H has your number but if not him, then you can damn sure fire bet I’ll be cashing in after jumping the line with a win against the World Heavyweight Champion.”

“So let me close things out by giving you a harsh dose of reality Mikey. I can call you Mikey, can’t I? This is no longer about how long I can last against you in a Beat the Clock challenge. This is about how you’re going to react when I send you into High Stakes XIII with your tail tucked between your legs. The last person you probably ever expected to be booked against, title or no, putting your shoulders to the mat and feeding you to J2H on a golden platter. My time is now, and yours is up.”

---

The Hello Kitty Cafe

Okay, so maybe Carter did work in a touch of pettiness for this meeting in where he had told his dad to meet him. His dad was always the mature individual, often quite serious in his dealings so he could not begin to imagine the very same man sitting there in the Park MGM venue dedicated to the world’s most adorkable feline. And yet, there he stood, seemingly un phased by his surroundings. His dad, Cillian Maguire. As far back as Carter could remember, his dad always dressed to impress, and today was no different. Whether by habit or design, he was a handsome sight in his light gray dress jacket with matching slacks and white button up shirt.  He had yet to take a seat, obviously waiting on his son’s arrival and judging by his stiff posture and the expression on his face, perhaps unsure if his son would show or if it was perhaps some cruel trick.

Only when Cillian shifted his gaze far enough to the right did he see his son and realize the exact opposite was true. His dad had begun to approach but Carter took that first step and beat him to the proverbial punch. Carter worked his way around the predominantly younger aged crowd until he stood face to face with the man himself. Neither spoke for several long, intense moments until…

“Carter…” Cillian started to speak but Carter found himself interrupting, saying, “Do you…?”

“I need to get a drink.” Carter said suddenly, turning to the nearby vendor of the cafe and quickly approached in the attempt to gather his thoughts and second guess himself. But if he were trying to create some distance between his dad and himself, it was in vain as Cillian dutifully followed him, his own posture poised and calm. A stark contrast to the inner turmoil his own son was going through.

Once he found himself at the front of a long line, Carter asked the vendor, “Can I get a peach iced tea?” And at the vendor’s glance to the man beside him, Carter then asked his dad, “Did you want anything?”

Cillian smiled and was about to decline the offer, but saw it as something of an olive branch being offered between father and son and opted to say, “A green tea.” And despite the fact Carter had asked, by instinct Cillian reached for his own wallet to pay for them both, but found his son’s hand on the wallet, pushing it aside.

“Put that away.” Carter said. “I deal enough of that with Miles.” And he paid for his father’s and his own drink, and moment’s later, the two had found a shady spot in the Las Vegas sun, seated at a small table beneath a colorful umbrella stand.

“As far as places to meet at, this is an interesting choice.” Cillian said all too casually as he looked around, his cool, blue eyes returning to Carter and he finally took the initiative. “I was surprised when your mom called me to tell me you wanted to talk in person. After the way we left things on the cruise, I had pretty much given up hope.”

“Yeah, well…” Carter drew in a deep breath. “That makes two of us.”

“Grams told me.” Carter interrupted his dad, and let the words simply hang there. Cillian stared momentarily at his son, unsure of his meaning before it finally took root and he sighed, closing his eyes. He said, “She shouldn’t have done that.”

“No, you should have.” Carter replied. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Pride, I suppose.” Cillian pushed his drink aside and now looked every bit as uncomfortable as Carter himself felt. He then said, “Despite everything that I put you through, I didn’t want you knowing what was happening. No father wants his son to see him as anything less than…”

“Perfect?” Carter questioned him openly. “I think we’re pretty well past that, don’t you?”

Carter had a hard time believing it, but the stricken look in his dad’s eyes tore at a part of his heart that he had long thought dead and buried away. Cillian reached again for his tea and nodded. He said, “I was … horrible to you. It was worse what I wanted to do at the time…”

“If you know that, admit that… Why are we here? Now?” Carter found himself asking aloud. “I mean…”

“I know what you mean.” Cillian nodded, a sad smile on his face. He raised his mug of hot tea to take a careful drink before saying, “I don’t fool myself into assuming you would ever forgive me for not accepting you when you told your mother and I that you were gay. You were at your most vulnerable and I didn’t give you the support or love that you deserved… Hell. I can’t even say I would have forgiven my own father if he had treated me the way I treated you. All you wanted to be was accepted and at the time, I just couldn’t.” Cillian paused and corrected himself, “Or I just didn’t.”

“So why now?” Carter asked. “I’ve been looking through your album ever since Grams gave it to me. I saw the pictures you had of Miles and myself… what changed your mind? Or, did you even?”

“I did.” Cillian admitted, finding it a difficult challenge to look his son in the eyes given the shame he felt at having failed so as a father. “I couldn't say when exactly. It was well before I ever found out about … you know. Even after the divorce, your mother was still giving me updates on how you were doing. I was as concerned as she was when you decided not to go to college and instead become a wrestler, but…”

Cillian paused, as if in either deep thought or reflection, before he continued, “I watched your first match and before I realized it, I thought to myself … ‘that’s my son’.” He chuckled to himself before he looked at Carter and shook his head. “I think that was the moment I stopped caring about your sex life and realized what I had lost all those years ago. I totally and completely failed you as a dad.” Cillian’s gaze seemed so very far away at that given moment. “And even if you ever do find a way to forgive me, it’s not something that I will ever forgive myself for.”

Carter drew in a shaky breath, struggling to restrain his emotions. He did not want to let his dad see him react to what he was saying. He never thought he’d see the day his dad ever admitted fault to anything, let alone how he was as a dad. Rather, Carter looked at his drink and took a sip through the straw and shrugged his shoulders, saying, “It wasn’t all bad. You know… before.”

“You’re being kind.” Cillian started to say, but Carter quickly said, “No, I’m being honest. There’s a difference. Before I came out, to me you were the perfect dad. You played with me. Tried to teach me sports or things about cars. You let me watch movies that Mom forbid me to see. Came to my school plays and you were at every PTA meeting… all of that is why I loved you so much!” Carter caught his voice raising before gathering himself. “That’s why it killed me when you wanted to send me away! When you…!” Carter bit his lip and looked down, the first tear streaming from his eye. One that he hurriedly wiped away with the misguided belief that his father would be fooled into its nonexistence.

“I know.” Cillian nodded sadly. “I know.”

“That’s why you started coming to the shows?” Carter asked. “Why you’ve been following me?” To which his dad nodded with a silent affirmation.

“Yes,” He admitted. “And no. It was around that time I had been told by my doctors about my kidney failure. I knew I had low priority on the donation registry, so after some difficulty in accepting things for how they were, I called your mom – and I wanted to see my son again.” And despite Carter’s denial, at that moment all he could do is reflect on how he reacted to seeing his dad… and the last thing he had said to him on the cruise.

“Why didn’t you come to talk to me before that?” Carter asked, swallowing a choked sob. His eyes misty with emotion. “Why didn’t you try to talk to me before you found out…”

“Because your Mom and Grams had given you the life that you deserved after I had left.” Cillian admitted. “And I just felt that you deserved better than to have me in your life.” And Carter’s own reactions to seeing him had justified that assumption, Carter again thought to himself. Cillian rested his chin on his curled fingers and said, “And after I found out I was sick and was going to… “ He sighed. “I just wanted to see you and your mom again.” Both let those words simply remain between them, and neither spoke after several moments, simply preferring to enjoy the evening between them with a bit of people watching.

“So…” Cillian finally broke the emotionally silent barrier between the two. “Tell me about this ‘Miles’.”

“Seriously?” Carter arched his eyebrow. “You want to go the protective dad route? Now?”

Cillian smiled gently and shrugged his shoulders. “Father’s prerogative.” Which caused Carter to laugh, despite himself. And with that one barrier down, Carter started to talk, and his dad listened…

And before either man realized it, two hours had passed since they had sat down across from one another and the sun had begun its slow descent into the horizon. Realizing their time together had started to draw to a close, father and son found themselves simply walking along the Vegas Strip, mostly silent and simply experiencing the forgotten feeling of each other’s company.

Carter finally said as they passed the famed Bellagio Fountains, “The next pay-per-view is in a few weeks, here in Vegas.”

“Is that an invitation?” Cillian asked.

“Yes.” Carter found himself admitting. “It’s an invitation. I can nab you a ringside seat… maybe a backstage pass?”

“I’ll be there.” Cillian said as they finally arrived at the spot where Carter had parked his car. Carter turned to his dad but neither moved, neither spoke. Moments of silence passed between father and son, but neither man could find a suitable way of ending the evening. Neither wanted to.

“Are you scared?” Carter finally found himself asking.

“Terrified.” Cillian smiled softly. “Anyone who would tell you otherwise would be a liar. But I’ve skipped past all of those other stages and I’ve accepted what I can’t change.”

The tears started to flow as Carter finally broke down, “I don’t know what to say to you…”

“You don’t have to say anything. You’ve said enough.” Cillian smiled, placing a reassuring hand on his boy’s arm. “You meeting me halfway here tonight was all I could have asked for.” And in that one moment, Carter did something he had not believed himself capable of for the better part of ten years. He found himself in his dad’s arms, hugging him with everything he had. And in that one moment, Carter felt like a little boy again, the floodgates now completely open.

“I don’t want to lose you!” Carter cried hard as Cillian smiled, hugging his son tightly against him and stroking his hair like a child… and as the father glazed up, his eyes were wet as well.

Beijing, China
July 30th

Tiananmen Square served as a prominent location for not only tourists the world over, but also for the very citizens of the city of Beijing itself. The Square is perhaps best known for the tragic massacre in 1989, following protests and a military crackdown the square is best known for the 1989 protests and massacre that ended with a military crackdown, watched the world over by a global media coverage. These days, however, Beijing citizens as well as people from all across the world visit for the wondrous attractions such as the beautiful floral displays and attractions such as the Tiananmen Tower, the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of the People and the National Museum of China. But on this particular day, something else was taking place that has attracted the attention of wrestling fans worldwide. Today, Tiananmen Square would serve as host for Sin City Wrestling. Although China was not known for professional wrestling, there was still a great interest in the sport in this country and the fans were hungry for the type of wrestling action that only SCW could provide.

And thus far, the show had been a rousing success with eager fans reaching out to the men and women of SCW, cheering them on their chosen favorites. But while the action continued inside of the ring, more was taking place “backstage” that would affect future happenings. Due to the open nature of the program, special tents and trailers had been brought in for the privacy of both wrestlers and staff alike, allowing them to prepare, get dressed and conduct all business both before and during the show.

One of the more important trailers set up was for the wrestlers’ physical benefits as it served as a proverbial first aid station. Although China did not have a recognized paramedic career for sporting events, Chinese officials worked with Mark Ward and Christian Underwood for a physician and nurse to lend their professional talents for the evening, the better to ensure all were physically well for the evening. In fact, it was just such an instance that had brought our attention toward the First Aid station where Carter McKinney, known best by his in-ring moniker Helluva Bottom Carter, stood stoic as he watched the physician and nurse give his boyfriend Miles Kasey a careful examination.

Miles sat on the table, sans shirt which MIGHT have had something to do with Carter’s intense stare, as the physician lifted his arm and added some pressure just below near the ribcage, asking “Téng ma?”

Miles, like Carter, shifted a look to the nurse who loosely translated, “He asked if that hurt?”

“Be honest.” Carter said simply, arms folded over his chest and Miles shot him a look, knowing how seriously Carter had been taking his injuries. He supposed it was only fair, given Miles acted the exact same way when Carter had been laid up for weeks on end thanks to Austin James Mercer - the very same man who was responsible for Miles’s own injuries.

Carter coughed into his fist, “Payback!”

“What was that?” Miles asked, to which Carter feigned innocence and Miles sighed, then turned to the nurse and admitted, “They do still feel sore when I take in deep breaths.”

The nurse relayed the information to the doctor who took a step back and said, “Ta keyi chóngxin chuan shàng chènshanle.”

“You can get dressed.” The nurse translated loosely, to which Miles grabbed his short that was laid out across his lap while Carter murmured, “Damn.” Miles, of course, overheard this and looked up at his boyfriend with a playful smile before he struggled to get the shirt on over his head with his ribs crying out in protest. The nurse and Carter both lent a hand, and once he had managed, Miles turned to the doctor who was jotting something down on a clipboard.

The doctor looked up and said, with the nurse translating…

“Ni de laoban ràng wo pínggu ni de jìnbù.”
“Your bosses asked me to evaluate your progress.”

“Suirán ni yijing cóng wo dé zhi de qíngkuàng zhong qudéle jìnzhan, dàn wo juédé ni zuì hao zhìshao zài jìngguan yizhou.”
“And while you have made progress from what I have been told, I feel it would be best if you were to sit out at least one more week."

Miles closed his eyes and groaned, disappointed as he had hoped to be back in action the following week in Peru. He asked, “Are you sure?”

The nurse relayed the question to the physician who looked almost affronted at his expert opinion being questioned, to which Miles held up his hands, begging off his own query. Satisfied, the physician then said something additional to the nurse, “Wo quèshí xiangxìn ni de feixíng suo chansheng de qìya shì ni de lèigu réngrán rúci suantòng de yuányin. Rúguo ni méiyou chéngxíng, wo cai ni de jiànkang zhuàngkuàng kenéng huì haozhuan.”

The nurse turned to Miles and Carter to translate, “I do believe the air pressure from your flight here is why your ribs are still so sore. Had you not made the trip, I would guess you could be medically cleared.”

Miles immediately shot a look up at Carter and said, “Don’t say it.”

Smiling with a smug sense of playful righteousness, Carter said, “Hey when you’re as right as I am, you don’t have to say it.”

Moments later, the door to the trailer opened and Miles stepped out first, followed closely by Carter. Waiting outside for word was none other than SCW’s Co-Owner, Christian Underwood. Knowing what is to be asked, Miles turned to face the boss man as Christian asked, “Well? Are you medically cleared?”

Miles could have risked a little white lie in order to get back inside of the ring a week earlier than expected, but it just was not his style. Instead, he openly admitted, “No.” Hands on his hips, he tilted his head back and the frustration was evident on his face, even at that angle.

Carter added, “The doctor said it’d be about another week before he’d get released without risk.”

Christian nodded, having had a suspicion that might end up being the case. He ran his fingers through his hair and said, “Damn shame. I had you scheduled for a shot at J2H next week, Miles.”

If the disappointment was not evident before, it sure as hell was now at the news that he was this close to having a crack at the World Heavyweight Championship only to have it taken away from him just as easily. Mac Bane had once asked when Miles would be challenging for the top tier title in SCW. The answer was seemingly pushed back even further on his professional calendar.

“Christian, I…” But whatever else Miles was going to say to possibly endeavor toward going ahead with the match of a lifetime was stalled by Christian holding up a hand and he said, “Save it. I’m not the nice boss, remember? There’s nothing you can say that is going to put you at any further risk. Especially against someone like J2H.”

Miles nodded, disappointed but altogether understanding of the situation he had been put in. Christian drew in a breath and shrugged his shoulders as he spoke up, “Still, that does put us in a spot because we have scheduled J2H for next week in a title defense so he is going to need a proper challenger.”

Christian’s gaze then turned toward Carter, and the boss clapped him on the shoulder and he said, “Congratulations.” Before Christian took his leave. Christian blinked, then looked first at Miles who seemed just as surprised or caught off guard, before he spun about to the retreating visage of the boss, “Wait… what!?”

 

---

Cuzco, Peru

The weather in Peru had not lived up to what preceded it across the world. China. Jordan. Each stop thus far during the 2023 World of Wonders tour had been graced with blue skies and warm temperatures, but such was not the case in Cuzco, Peru. The skies had been gray and overcast since the arrival of Sin City Wrestling earlier in the week. And just this previous evening, the sky had seemingly opened up and a heavy downpour had erupted from the clouds. Rain poured for hours on end, lasting almost the entirety of the evening and well into the night. It was now the next day, and while the rain had not ceased completely, it had been subdued to more of a light drizzle.

One would think this would be quite enough to keep everyone indoors, but such was not the case where Carter was concerned. He loved the bright sunshine, but one of his favorite scents was the smell of ‘morning after rain’. There just was nothing to compare it to, and that was why Carter worked to convince Miles to go on an extended walk with him out in the countryside of Cuzco. For both a breath of fresh air as well as a break from the confines of their hotel room. After all, how many times could they pass the time by… well, you know!

Thanks in passing from the advice of his own Mom in London, Miles had made certain he and Carter both had packed some form of gear for possible weather related changes. Thus, they were both sporting light jackets to stave off the chill of the wet weather in this higher altitude. The hotel was far enough behind them now and the cityscape slowly faded in the distance as the pair walked comfortably at one another’s side, their fingers interlaced with the other’s hand in a genuine display of comfort at the other’s company and touch. They walked on the side of the road to keep their distance from the random vehicle that passed them by as pavement gave way to grass and buildings to trees and shrubbery. The famed Macca Picchu could be seen in the distance as the sprinkle from the heavens pelted both men’s hair and faces as they simply walked in a comfortable silence.

That is, until Miles broke the silence and asked, “So, did you tell your family about your big match on Sunday?”

“Miles, you know they don’t approve of my wrestling.” Carter answered casually, but still after a brief pause, he admitted, “I did call and tell Grams though, about having a shot at the World Heavyweight title.”

“What did she say?”

“What she always says.” Carter half-laughed. “‘Try not to get hurt.’” He said in his best imitation of his lovely Grandmother. He then added, “Then she wished me luck.”

“And your Mom?”

“I don’t know.” Carter said in a  low tone of voice. “I just talked to Grams.”

“Carter…” Miles stopped walking, and given Carter’s hand was linked to his own, his boyfriend wasn’t given much choice in stopping as well. Miles turned Carter around to face him and he could easily read Carter’s face, knowing this wasn’t a discussion his boyfriend wanted to indulge in. Well… tough.

Miles went on to say, “You haven’t talked to your mom since the cruise.”

“I don’t have anything to say to her.” Carter shrugged. “Not after she brought my Dad onto that ship. Not after everything…”

Miles pointed out, “You know you’re not going to get answers to the ‘why’ until you speak to her, right?” He took Carter’s chin in his fingers and lifted his gaze so he could see those gorgeous blue eyes that always caused a lump in Miles’s own throat. “Right?”

“Miles, I don’t think there’s anything she can say for ‘why’ that’s going to make me feel any better about betraying me.”

“Betray is a little harsh…” Miles started to say, having taken Carter’s Mom and Grams into his heart as if they were his own, and so he felt a subconscious desire to defend or understand what had happened and why. But before he could finish what he wanted to say, Carter turned to continue their walk and Miles had little alternative but to catch up and walk at his side.

Carter said, “Don’t get me wrong, I still love her. I’m just angry with her. Hurt by her. I always knew she never stopped loving my Dad and… vice versa I suppose. It’s just…” He tensed and shook his head, “I’ll talk to her … eventually. But I’m just not ready.”

Miles nodded, understanding completely and it was a start toward fences being mended. Miles knew well enough just how much Carter loved his Mom, and to be separated from her like this was just killing him inside, even if he put on a brave face to deny it.

“How about Grams?” Miles finally asked. “Does she know anything?”

“I think so.” Carter answered. “But she’s so tight-lipped when someone confides something to her that she… Oh ho HO!”

Carter then came to a stop, and a look of utter delight crossed his youthful, handsome face.

“What?” Miles asked. “What is…?” Miles then turned to where Carter’s attention was solely focused and saw a large puddle just off the side of the gravel road and in the grass. He turned as Carter leaned heavily on his shoulder with one arm to remove his shoes with his free hand.

“Seriously?” Miles choked back a laugh. “Aren’t we a little old to be playing in puddles?”

“You’re never too old to play in a puddle in the rain!” Carter protested, stripping off his socks and tucking them into the shoes on the ground. “Growing older isn’t an option, but growing up is!”

Miles just shook his head, but the smile on his face couldn’t be smothered at Carter’s enthusiasm over something so innocent. Carter walked up to the edge of the puddle and Miles called after him, “If you get sick, don’t come crying…” But Carter jumped onto the puddle for a good stomp – and practically vanished beneath the surface of the water! Only the top of his blonde scalp could be seen before he struggled and erupted from the near six foot deep, water-filled hole and Miles fell over onto the grass in a hysterical fit of laughter!

---

“Well, here I am J2H. The challenger you didn’t expect. Probably the last person right now you expected to be setting foot inside of the ring against with your title at stake, hm? Well, if I’m going to be perfectly honest, I have to admit I wasn’t expecting this either. At least I wasn’t expecting it to happen at this point in time. I had a lot of success down in Sin City Underground before its closure, and when I came to SCW, I would like to think that I’ve done pretty well for myself even if not at the same level. I’ve had a number of hurdles thrown in my path. Some I’ve overcome and others… not so much.”

“So imagine my surprise when I get taken aside by Christian Underwood himself and I am told I was next in line after Miles Kasey to get a shot at the top championship for the Superstars. Well, all I can say is deep down I firmly believe that Miles should be the one with this title shot and trust me J2H – you’re damn lucky it’s not him or else you’d be kissing that shiny gold best of yours bye-bye sooner than you’d care to admit. But I suppose you owe Austin James Mercer a fruit basket or something because he’s the reason right now you’ve got me in the ring instead of Miles. But don’t make the mistake of thinking this means things will be going any easier for you because… they won’t.”

“I’ll be the first to admit I was questioning the logic of giving me a title shot at you, because I had a plan of my own. I wanted to work my way up from the bottom to the top, just like I did down in SCU. I wanted to start with the Roulette Championship, then go after the Internet and THEN … the World Heavyweight Championship. I even went so far as to try and talk to Mark Ward about this, thinking it had to have been a mistake. He wasn’t the only one to assure me that my being the next choice as challenger to you wasn’t an error in judgment. Miles. Ariana. And plenty of others have been messaging me, giving me all the support a person could ask for and then some. I was even met with a handful of protests when people suspected I wanted to back out of this match because I didn’t think I was ready or worthy.”

“Of course, that was then. This … is now. You see, you and I J2H? We’re not so different. Oh sure, there’s the simple fact that you have millions of dollars in your bank account and your track record inside of the ring is second to none. But we’re only a few years apart in age and where I am right now? It’s not so different from where you first got your start. I mean… your real start. Not where you started where you were losing matches to teddy bears and were basically the joke of the men’s division. That was not you. Even I can admit that. That was a rich little punk who didn’t know what the hell he was doing and believed his bank account could buy all the success and respect that he THOUGHT that he deserved. No.”

“This is the real you, J2H. The man that is going to be standing proudly across the ring from me. The man that swallowed his pride and went to Atlanta where one of wrestling’s finest tore you down and built you back up to being the man that you are right now. That I can admit. That I can respect. The only thing I ask is that you think hard and acknowledge just how parallel things are between you and I. You see when you entered that Gauntlet match eight years ago, nobody in the world gave you a chance in the world at walking away with the championship. Everyone thought based on your past showings that you’d be eliminated before you even had a chance to start. But… that’s not what happened, is it? You literally shocked the world by outlasting everyone and pinning GOTH of ALL people! After that, you set the world on fire. You set a record for the longest reign ever, and you even came back after losing it to win it a second time – and now, a third.”

“Me? People took one look at me and how I dressed and the way that I acted, and thought I’d be a joke for no other reason than I was a gay kid in a sport filled with macho men. They thought I was in it for the cheap thrill of rolling around with a bunch of men and had no real hopes for any success. But whereas you had Austin Parker to thank for turning you into the man you became, I have the GO Gym, and Gabriel Stevens for doing the same for me. And for all those assumptions of how I’d never make it?”

“SCU Pride Tag Team Champions. Combat Champion. TV Champion. And the youngest ever Underground Champion. And now, here I am… challenging you for the SCW World Heavyweight title. The thing you hold most dear in your professional life. And like you when you first challenged for this title, I don't think too many people are looking at me too favorably right about now. They see me going up against the Great One, and thinking I don’t stand much of a chance. But like you, I intend to shut those critics right up and surprise the world by walking out of Peru with the World Heavyweight title.”

“So do yourself a favor James, and don’t make the same mistake everyone else did when they set foot inside of the ring against me. Don’t look past or through me. Look AT me. Because otherwise you’re going to be leaving the ring, minus something.”

“And it’ll be MY turn to set the world ablaze.”

So, here’s the thing! Have you read Miles Kasey’s promo yet? If you have, well then carry on! If not, then perhaps you best wait and come back to this one because trust me – it’ll make a lot more sense once you do. Either way - tally ho! Or… carry on!

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - Dollywood
June 13

Dollywood is located in the Knoxville metropolitan area in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, near the gateway to the great Smoky Mountains, as people from across the country have come to know them as. Jointly owned by Herschend Media Entertainment and country music legend Dolly Parton, it is a renowned destination for tourists who aren’t even fans of the country genre of the music industry where nearly three million visitors visit annually. And it is not just your average fan of music and movies who come to Pigeon Forge to visit this cultural amusement park. Celebrities from movies, music and the like are sometimes seen walking the paths of Dollywood, eagerly visiting and enjoying themselves just like any other. In fact, two such celebrities are the entire reason behind why we are visiting today, as standing before the prominent floral hedges and the gateway, bearing the butterfly emblem of Dollywood is none other than…

“I still can’t believe that you pulled this off.” Carter stared in a quiet awe at the sign above the front entrance to the theme park that he had once ranked at the very pinnacle of his “bucket list” of places that he’d like to visit one day. He turned his head toward his immediate right, toward the slightly taller and more physically structured man that stood beside him, his boyfriend Miles. Miles was looking over the park from the outside, watching casually as many visitors walked past them and inside, passing the employees their vouchers for visiting. Carter said, somewhat impressed and a little concerned, “You didn’t go through a lot of trouble on my behalf, did you?”

Miles smiled, all but executing this worry from his boyfriend. Carter was, in most cases, supremely confident in himself and who he was as a person and a member of the LGBTQ community. It was a very large part of what attracted Miles to him in the first place. But Carter was also self conscious in what others did on his behalf. Such as spending money on him. How many times when the two went out on a date to the movies or to a nice dinner, did Carter act timid, almost embarrassed, when Miles got to the check before he did (which was the vast majority of the time). Miles simply loved to take care of Carter - treat him. Spoil him a little even. Privately, Miles thought to himself that it was just something about himself Carter was going to have to get used to. Outwardly however…?

Miles turned to Carter who looked at him with those gorgeous eyes of his and answered, “Trust me, Carter. It wasn’t any trouble. And even if it was…” Miles took a step closer, feeling the heat rise between the two lovebirds at such close proximity. “It would have been worth it just to see that smile.” To which Carter did indeed smile, showing off those dazzling pearly whites of his.

“Come on.” Miles said casually, draping an arm around Carter’s bare shoulder, both men sporting muscle shirts and shorts ensembles due to the hot Tennessee weather, and escorted him toward the entrance…

And from the moment the pair entered the theme park dedicated not just to Dolly Parton herself, but to the way of life that she had known and valued the entirety of her life, Carter and Miles did not stop moving as both young men wanted to see everything that was offered and explore as much as they could. It was their initial intent to explore today and dedicate tomorrow to the rides and attractions, but that was by far easier said than done as the two gave way to temptation and soon found themselves riding on Big Bear Mountain, one of many roller coasters that Dollywood offered. Carter absolutely loved roller coasters, as did Miles, and both were mildly surprised that such a down home park offered ones that would be the envy of many fair and amusement parks across the globe!

And true to form, it did not stop there for the pair as they found themselves on a raft, speeding down the daredevil Falls ride, water splashing and soaring on both sides! Once they reached the bottom of the ride, the water drenched everyone on board, which given the humid and hot Tennessee weather could be seen as both a bad thing as well as good. Still, neither Carter nor Miles complained as Carter had to grab Miles’s arm to venture further into the park rather than let his man go straight back on the ride for a second go and get even MORE soaked!

There were also games a plenty for anyone to take part in here at Dollywood, whether it be throwing balls or beanbags at bottles with the intent to knock them over and win a prize, or using a squirt gun on ducks on a track with the attempt to knock them over. For the most part, Carter and Miles bypassed these attractions because of the old belief from state fairs that the games were rigged, but then Miles had noticed Carter’s eyes fall to one game in particular - or the prize for that matter. A colorful, patchwork teddy bear dedicated to Dolly and her famed ‘Coat of Many Colors’. The look of appreciation in Carter’s eyes was all the motivation Miles needed, and after a few attempts, Miles sent the bottles flying and the much desired souvenir was handed to Miles, who handed it right over to Carter who held it tight.
 
Of course, the day had only just begun and there was so much more to explore and experience. Carter and Miles visited the Chasing Rainbows Museum, and rode the Dollywood Express Train Depot before closing the visit out by visiting Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home, an expert rendition of the small, two-room cabin that Dolly and her large family had grown up in, in the town of Locust Ridge.

6:15 PM
The afternoon was growing late and slowly turning into evening, and while the sun would not descend into the horizon until near 8:00, giving way to night, Dollywood did, in fact, close to the public at the hour of eight. Many theme parks around the world would stay open later, especially given the warm temperatures and tourist seasons, but not Dollywood. Here a vast majority of the attractions employed people from these very parts in the Tennessee hills. People with families that they wished to get home to and Dolly herself thought that was reason enough for these folks to get home and on time. But as evening slowly did approach, that brought up another little birthday dilemma that Miles had wished to solve for the birthday boy.

“So,” Miles broke the soft and brief silence between the pair as they walked along the cobblestone paths amidst the rest of the park’s visitors, Carter’s one arm intertwined in his own, his free arm cuddling the large, patchwork teddy bear Miles had won for him earlier in the day. “There is still the small matter of your birthday dinner.”

From the moment the two men had arrived, they took full advantage of all the many food offerings Dollywood held out before them, and there were plenty. Everything from ice cream to soft serve pretzels were purchased and devoured. Hotdogs. Cotton candy. Hamburgers. Cinnamon bread and they even split a pizza between them for lunch. They were two growing boys and at this rate, they were more likely to grow out than up. But, come on! One of the best reasons to come here, or any amusement park or fair, is the food! And as much as Carter and Miles have both traveled, they had to admit that Dollywood was offering up some of the best.

But we’re getting away from the entire point. Miles had addressed the issue, and the pair paused in the ‘town square’ of the park. They had been walking most of the day without stopping and by their own admission, their dogs were barking. Carter sat on a small partition wall, the teddy bear on his lap, while Miles leaned against a lamp post, creating quite the striking image.

Miles said, “Pigeon Forge isn’t exactly overflowing with five star restaurants but I’ve done some research and there are some pretty nice places we can have your birthday dinner at.”

“Miles,” Carter smiled, shaking his head slightly. “That’s not…”

“If you say it’s ‘not necessary’ I swear you are this close to not getting a spanking.” Miles threatened, playfully wagging his finger at his man. He went on, “It is necessary. It’s your birthday!”

“No, I mean it’s not necessary we have to leave to have my bday dinner.” Carter said. “When we were doing all that walking around, I was checking things out too.”

“I know.” Miles quipped. “I’m blushing.”

“Your fault for wearing tight shorts.” Carter returned fire, then said, “ANYWAY… there’s a place here I thought maybe we could have dinner at?”

“Well, lead on.” Miles offered Carter his hand to help him to his feet and the two started to walk off in the direction that Carter himself intended until they arrived at…

The Front Porch Cafe
A homey cafe/restaurant that offered good, home cooking and many dishes served were of the favorites of none other than Dolly Parton herself.

“Here?” Miles asked, bemused. There were times where he felt he knew everything that there was to know about this wonderful young man beside him, and yet still Carter would tend to surprise him. Carter had great taste in restaurants, and in wine - something Miles believed he had inherited from his Mother and Grandmother up in Seattle. But to pass up the chance to celebrate his birthday in a fancy restaurant, or whatever passed for one in the hills of Tennessee, to want to eat at such an old fashioned and comfortable looking place just made him adore this man all the more than he already did.

“Why not?” Carter shrugged his shoulders. “It reminds me of Cracker Barrel. Mom used to take me there all the time when I was a kid. Plus…” He sighed. “I don’t want to leave before we really have to.”

“You know we’re coming back tomorrow?” Miles smiled. “I got us a two day pass. All the better to get everyone souvenirs when we’re done exploring.”

“Still…” Carter turned from him and looked to the restaurant in front of them as people filed in and out. “... This is where I’d like to go.”

“Well then…” Miles placed a hand gently on the small of his back and the two walked toward the first step up onto the porch. “What the birthday boy wants…”

And only a short wait later, Miles and Carter had been escorted by the hostess to a small table to share between them in the center of the restaurant. Miles had discreetly shared a word with the hostess when Carter was getting settled, and soon enough the pair was enjoying a hearty dinner of old-fashioned, Southern cooking. Carter had always wanted to try fried green tomatoes, and lo and behold, it was one of the appetizers on the menu and he just had to have them. That, along with the Tuscan chicken and a big slab of strawberry shortcake and he was a very satisfied birthday boy. Miles, on the other hand, had a hearty appetite and it showed, as he practically devoured the large portions of chicken street tacos that he had ordered, along with the same entree Carter had ordered in Tuscan chicken but for dessert? There was no way that he wasn’t getting the chocolate cake once his eyes laid upon it on the menu page.

All in all, it was to Carter the perfect birthday dinner as the two ate quietly with casual and flirty conversations between them. They had even been approached once their meal had been finished by a handful of people that recognized them from SCW broadcasts. The fans had waited with good manners until their meal had been finished so as not to interrupt them before approaching for autographs and photos between them. Admittedly this caught Carter and maybe even Miles a touch off guard, as they were in the South and their relationship together was public knowledge. Still, Dolly Parton herself was a big supporter of gay rights and loved her gay fans, and it seemed only natural those that came here would not be so narrow minded as one might find elsewhere.

The waitress had just dropped off the check to the table when a sound that any birthday person dreaded hearing was heard, as the clapping hands of the waiters and waitresses was heard from across the Cafe, and Carter closed his eyes, a deep blush coloring his cheeks as two waitresses and one waiter marched across the cafe, heading right toward their table with a large ice cream sundae being carried by the young man.

Carter opened his eyes and arched a brow at a beaming Miles, saying, “You didn’t!” To which Miles simply answered, “I did!”

The sundae was set down in the center of the table, more than enough to share between the two of them as the trio started to sing for the amusement of all as heads turned to watch,

“I don’t know but I’ve been told…”
“I don’t know but I've been told…”
“Someone here is getting old!”
“Someone here is getting old!”
“The good news is we sing for free!”
“The good news is we sing for free!”
“The bad news is we sing OFF key!”
“The bad news is we sing off key!”

There was some applause from the other patrons and much laughter - most from Miles himself as a tightly smiling Carter just shook his head, trying to hold in the laughter at his own expense despite the embarrassment.

“Thank you!” Carter thanked the staff sincerely as a hard laugh escaped him, and once they had made their escape, Carter just stared at Miles, his own eyes twinkling. Miles tried his best innocent look and shrugged, asking, “What? That part was for my own amusement.”

Reaching for one of two offered spoons, Carter said, “You’re just lucky you’re cute!” And he was about to dig in, despite already feeling ready to burst, when Miles held up a hand.

“Before we start on that, I got something else for you.” He said, reaching into his shorts pocket and standing up.

“Something else…?” Carter frowned slightly. “Miles, you didn’t have to. You already…”

But whatever else he was going to say was cut off by Miles saying simply, “Hush. It’s your birthday and he set the small jewelry box down on the table in front of him. Miles sat back down and watched Carter – and waited. But Carter didn’t move. He seemed almost frozen as his eyes stared down at the small box and they didn’t move from it for even a fraction of a second.

“Well?” Miles prompted. “Open it.” But Carter almost flinched, and his eyes darted up briefly toward Miles with a ‘deer caught in the headlights expression. He swallowed hard, almost shaking, then stared back down at the box but still didn’t move. It was then that the proverbial bulb went on above Miles’s head and he suddenly understood the colossal misunderstanding.

“No,” Miles stood up. “No, Carter. It’s not a ring!” Miles walked around the table and picked the box up and offered it to Carter who seemed to finally take into account what Miles had said and his reassurance. Miles did not sit down, however. He stood at Carter’s side of the table and waited, watching as he gingerly popped open the box and stared down at the jewel necklace with the bright, translucent stone in the center.

Carter shivered and looked up to Miles, his voice cracking slightly, “It’s moonstone.”

“I know.” Miles simply nodded, “You said it was the one thing you’d buy for yourself. Your birthstone.”

Carter blinked, his eyes suddenly stinging as he felt the threat of an unfamiliar emotion coming close to overwhelming him and the walls he had erected around himself. He started to say something, but struggled to get it out for fear of a loss of composure. He sniffed back and finally yielded, asking, “You remembered that?”

“Contrary to popular belief,” Miles smiled. “I do pay attention.”

Carter’s fingers slipped under the thin chain of the pendant necklace and lifted it up, his eyes casting over every part of it as if he wished to commit it to memory.  He finally looked up to Miles, and Miles could see the emotion within. Even if it remained unspoken as of yet. The tears finally streaked from his eyes and down Carter’s cheeks as the young man said, “I-I love it.”

Miles said nothing in response. He took the necklace from Carter’s fingers and stepped behind him and carefully clasped it around his lean neck. Carter lifted the pendant to look at it with appreciation while Miles stepped back around the table to resume his seat. It was then that an elderly man and woman, perhaps husband and wife, stepped up to the side of the table. The old woman placed a gentle hand on Carter’s arm.

“We didn’t mean to overhear but Happy Birthday dear.” The old woman said with a smile. Her husband offered a handshake to Carter which was accepted, and the wish was repeated.

“Thank you.” Carter said as he and Miles watched the two take their leave, the old man shaking Miles’s hand as well as they walked past. Then, as Miles and Carter dug into the sundae, every so often other visitors who had heard stopped by the table briefly to wish Carter a Happy Birthday, one by one each accepted and cherished. There truly was something to be said about Southern hospitality when one more approached…

“I heard it was your birthday!” A woman’s voice spoke with a Southern twang to it. “Happy Birthday!”

Carter turned his head to say, “Thank y-” And found himself face to face with Dolly Parton herself. His eyes shot open wide and he let out a shriek of surprise, falling backwards over his chair and to the floor! Miles simply stares, his eyes almost as wide open as his mouth as Carter rose from where he landed, the top half of his head peeking over the surface of the table where the Queen of Country laughed her girlish laugh.

---

Seattle, Washington
Current

In the family home of the McKinneys where Carter had a late celebration for his birthday with family and friends, Carter was seated at the desk in the bedroom he has had since he was in his early teens, but for the first time ever - he was sharing that bed. Sharing it with someone more special than he had ever dared to dream would enter his life. The lights were out in their entirety, and Carter looked out into the Seattle suburbs from the window, the street illuminated from the lamp posts as well as the moonlight. Carter cast a look back over his shoulder and could not help but smile at the almost-angelic site of Miles sleeping beneath the covers of the comforter bearing the likeness of the animated character, Stitch, his head on top of a mountain of Stitch likeness pillows.

That was something Carter had never grown out of, his love for that Disney character famous from Lilo and Stitch, and his bedroom was adorned with memorabilia of the little chaos bringer. Something he had worried at one point Miles might find amusing at his expense but if anything, the previous Christmas holiday proved otherwise. Carter then turned back and looked back out the window.

“I can’t deny that this past week has been one of the best of my life. If Miles had planned to make sure that my twenty-fourth birthday would be one to remember well then … mission succeeded. Dollywood. Meeting the Queen herself, even if I did embarrass myself in doing so….”

His fingertips caressed the necklace that he wore around his neck, having not taken it off from the moment that it had been gifted to him.

“This. No, more so the fact that Miles had remembered it was something that I wanted very much, and he made it a point to get it for me. Proof positive that the thought behind a gift from the heart means as much if not more than the gift itself. Then my late party with Miles and my family here in Seattle, and Ari and Francisco joining me… I couldn’t have asked for more - or better. And, my birthday week isn’t even technically over.”

“Because this weekend, I have another present presenting itself - an opportunity. I thought for a while that my BFF Ari and I were going to be left out in the cold when our originally scheduled opponents for the Mixed tag Qualifier were announced as not being able to make it. I thought to myself - ‘Well that’s it then.’ We’re out of the running for possibly wrestling at Summer XXXTreme XI and Ari and I won our first titles together since we were the Pride champions in Sin City Underground. But then, lo and behold… our dreams were answered, and things got even better – and a touch more complicated. Because, yes. We do have opponents to earn our way into the Fatal Fourway for the Mixed Tag Team Championship, but we’re up against a woman who means so very much to me as a friend, and a man who, quite frankly, had my number when he and I faced each other a few weeks ago. Kim Pain, and the Roulette Champion, Peter Vaughn. Once again, the Go Gym versus Hellsgate. Team GO against the Saviors, and this will be nothing if not difficult.”

“Because, Kim? The friendship that you and I share … it just kind of came from out of nowhere, didn’t it? Just out of the blue, you were there for me when I needed help. You lent me an ear and a shoulder, and truth be told, a swift kick up the ass when I sorely needed it. When Austin basically beat me into the ground and left me buried, you didn’t even have to pause to think twice. Not knowing me at the time didn’t stop you or Whisper. You reached out and offered me the rehab help I needed to get my career back on track that wasn’t available to me at the time. When Ari and I were betrayed, you responded as if it were you who had been stabbed in the back. The Hallmark of any friendship. You, Cyrus, Kat, Mac and Whisper… you’ve become another family to me. Like everyone I love at the GO Gym, you’ve proven that you can choose your family. That’s why this weekend is going to prove so powerful and hard to bear, because I have to stand back and watch my bestie Ariana and someone I care about deeply tear into one another in order to get that coveted fourth and final spot at Summer XXXTreme XI. And I know that Ari will fight her hardest, but I also know that you will do the same. But, let the chips fall where they may ladies, because what happens in the ring between the two of you – is between just you. I have someone else that I have to face and beat if I want to get to that cruise, and it’s a man who has proven capable of beating me once already.”

“And that man is the man himself, the Roulette Champion - Peter Vaughn. I have to admit that I was bitterly disappointed Peter, when you beat me a few weeks ago in that non-title match. Oh I’m not trying to take anything away from that win because let’s face it, you earned it. I blew it - and not in the fun way. You had me beat hands down, and that is a fact that I’ve come to terms with. No, the disappointment stems from the feeling we all get when we drop a match and the hopes we had going in are so much dashed on the rocks at the crest of a sinking ship. I thought – hoped – that a win against you would be my ticket to a spot in the Ultimate X match. A Summer XXXTreme XI tradition that I’ve been a fan of for many, many years. Sadly though… as I’ve stated, it was not meant to be. But this match this coming weekend, I'd like to think of it as a sort of redemption arc for myself. It won’t get me into the Ultimate X match for your championship like I had originally wished for, but it will serve as my second chance at getting a much needed win against a man of your caliber of talent. It would get me into the World Mixed Tag title match with Ariana at my side and if I’m the one that puts you down for the count, well who knows? It might also put me in line for a one-on-one against you for your gold, should you retain.”

“But, and no offense Peter, considering who they announced on twitter as one of your challengers, that future is looking pretty grim, my friend! So, we’re just going to have to wait and see. This has been the perfect birthday week for yours truly, and I have no desire or intention of letting it end on anything other than a high note. I want that spot for Ari and myself. Summer XXXTreme XI. The Fatal Fourway for the World Mixed Tag Team titles.”

Carter stood up from his desk.

“That’s a present I plan on getting for myself.”

Carter then carefully walked back around to the bedside, the only light being shone in through the windows. He sat down carefully so as not to disturb the sleeping form of Miles and he laid back. And Miles’s bare arm reached over around his upper body and pulled him in close as the scene faded.

“Okay, so here’s the thing. I know some of what I am going to say might upset some people that I actually have a very high level of respect towards. And no, it’s not because I am about to go woke on anyone. And no, I do not take being called woke as any form of insult, even if it’s intended to be. To me, being woke means to be awakened toward the needs of others. It’s having the desire to make the world a much better place for everyone - not just the people who live like you do or how you believe they should or just those that have the same beliefs as you. Everyone. So please, by all means, call me woke. I take it as a compliment!”

“But… I also don’t consider myself the typical member of Generation Z, the young men and women my age or relatively close who will freely go around and tell anyone who will listen - willingly or not - how offended they are by even the slightest of slights. If I am going to be perfectly honest, there are times when my generation actually embarrasses me with how easily they get butt hurt over just about anything. Comedy. Politics. Religion. Food - pretty much everything gets under the skin of my generation it seems.”

“Of course what I’m saying isn’t limited to just my generation. I’ve seen people of all ages, men and women alike, cry about this or that offending them and expecting the world to bend over backwards to accommodate them. I read the news about how older generations are banning books from libraries because they feel the literature will be bad for younger minds. Okay, I mean, yeah. Sure! If by bad you mean bad that they’ll learn truths from your older generation that you don’t want them knowing about. Despite separation of church and state in politics, some older generations want everyone to live as they do - dictated to by their church and their religion. They firmly believe that since their religion says that they can’t do this or that, that it also means that you can’t or shouldn’t do this or that. Sort of like someone being on a diet and telling me that I can’t buzz saw through that pint of cherry cordial ice cream Same thing!”

“I mean, yeah. I’d be lying if I told you that some things don’t annoy or offend me. I just don’t make it a habit to try and force my views on the world around me. I don’t try to axe beloved cartoon characters like Apu from the Simpsons or cost someone their job because they express an excited interest in a video game. There’s right and there’s wrong. Just don’t try to tell me how I should think and act or else I’m going to sit down at a table full of vegans and order the bloodiest thing on the menu, just to be a bitch.”

“But I can see that I’ve gotten off track here to some degree, but trust me when I tell you that I have a point that I’m trying to make. When the Saviors first debuted in SCW, it was before the closure of Sin City Underground and before I moved on up, and while a part of me regrets not being there for the heyday of this group that made such a huge impact upon its arrival, another part of me breathes a sigh of relief that I wasn’t just another statistic of that team. Because when they first came to SCW, the Saviors were legit feared because you never knew who was next on their agenda. Every week it seemed someone new, someone unexpected, came under their radar and suffered the consequences. Even if it seemed like there was no reason for who they were targeting or attacking, the implications were clear to anyone paying attention. They wanted all eyes on them, and they certainly succeeded in accomplishing just that! They were going after everyone from Bill Barnhart to Jack Washington and even Aron, Fenris’s little brother, got attacked. The Saviors were on their way to becoming the single most dominant stable in SCW history – until they weren’t. And it wasn’t because they weren’t successful inside of the ring because they were! Mac Bane’s string of championships is proof of that! It’s just that, all of a sudden, the attacks stopped and people stopped being afraid. When that happened, the aura of invincibility that they enjoyed for so long was just gone. Poof! Mac continued being a badass inside of the ring, and they even brought in top guys like Ken Davison and Peter Vaughn, and some tough as nails women like Kim Pain. But still… not the same as it once was. Especially when they actually brought in the Troll and Krystal Wolfe as new members. I could almost see Krystal, but the Troll??? And the sad thing is – the Troll has lasted longer! Krystal didn’t even last a month on that team before they kicked her to the curb!”

“And then … Mac left. I know he’s watching and no Mac, I’m not saying any of this in an obvious attempt to try and talk you into returning to SCW. I mean, I hope that day comes and I hope it happens soon, but dude – I respect you and I can understand why you needed time away. It’s just that I always saw you as the life force of the Saviors. The heart, I guess you could say. With you gone … again, not the same.”

“Just my opinion.”

---

Harry Reid International Airport -
Las Vegas, Nevada

How many people here knew that after 73 years as the McCarran International Airport, the state commission voted unanimously to rename the airport to the Harry Reid International Airport? I certainly didn’t. But after the negative publicity surrounding McCarran and certain views the man held, it happened – in 2021. I guess it would help to do better research. Thanks a lot wikipedia! But I digress!... Here we are, in the airport that delivered thousands of tourists each and every day! Yes, day. It has been recorded that just under 110,000 people come to the famed “City of Sin” each day, and this day was certainly no different as Harry Reid International was absolutely flooded with tourists from all over the world, male and female, young and old alike. One might be forgiven for thinking it had everything to do with being so close to the weekend but the truth is, that the scene is just as familiar on a Tuesday morning as it would be on a Friday afternoon.

But this isn’t entirely about someone arriving - it is and it isn’t. This also has much to do with the one being visited. Carter McKinney, known to the SCW Universe by the unique ring moniker of Helluva Bottom Carter, waited rather impatiently at the airport’s arrival in the lower level, as crowds descended from the escalator to retrieve their luggage and be on their way. Carter had slyly maneuvered his way to the forefront of the many who held signs with names on them, hoping to attract the attention of whomever they were waiting for, be it business or pleasure.  As he glanced around while he waited, he saw some who were holding up signs with names on them, hoping to catch the eye of one person or another. Carter was really no different, but anyone could hold up a cheap piece of poster board from the dollar store with a name scrawled on it. Carter? He had six colorful balloons floating above, tied to his upper arm; one for each color of the rainbow. If that didn’t attract the eye of this very special lady coming for a visit, nothing would! Not unless… a whiff of a fresh scent attracted his attention, and to his right, from the corner of his eye, Carter spotted a rather large bouquet of orchids in the hands of his boyfriend, Miles Kasey who just reappeared after wandering off.

Carter looked from Miles to the flowers and back again, with a raised, inquisitive eyebrow. To which Miles simply shrugged his shoulders with an air of innocence and asked, “What?”

“So that’s where you wandered off to?” Carter smiled, adoring this man and how he managed to find new ways to surprise him every day. Spoiling his family just added to the feelings between the two men. Carter added, “I can’t believe there’s a floral boutique in the airport.”

“There's not.” Miles mused. “I found that out the hard way. I lucked out and got these from this cute little old woman selling flowers near the stores.”

“First you buy out that flower shop for Mother’s Day, and now this.” Carter chuckled silently, casting a sidelong glance to the man beside him with the heart of gold. “You’re going to spoil them, you know?”

To which Miles just smiled and answered with a quip, “Hey your Mom and Grams have to love you. I’m earning it.”

“Earning what?”

Carter answered casually, “Your love.” Before he realized who had approached to ask the question, and then realized, “Grams!” And practically threw himself at the older woman who played such a vital role in his life, from his years as a child to his awkward teen years - clear up until now. The loving embrace was returned with mutual affection, as Joan hugged her beloved grandson, Miles noting the calm and loving look on her face - a look only a loving grandma could truly pull off.

Once she separated from Carter, Joan aka “Grams” turned to Miles and her face lit up even more, if that were at all possible, at the sight of the loving man who had entered their lives in the most meaningful of ways. Miles played such a pivotal role in saving her grandson from a downward spiral that would have quickly led to tragedy if not for their forced intervention. And while Carter had convinced himself from the get go that good things like Miles did not happen to him, for the first time ever, Joan was over the moon at her grandson having been proven wrong. Joan quickly enveloped Miles in the same, warm embrace while he returned the hug with one arm, holding onto his welcoming gift with the other hand.

After adding a soft peck on Miles’s cheek, Grams separated from him and took a step back, her attention turning toward the orchids in his hand. She looked up to him through her lashes and smiled, “Are those for me?”

“Who else?” Miles smiled, offering them over to her to which she accepted gratefully. Her fingers stroked the white and purple petals with care, before she brought them in close for a sniff of their fragrance. She then lowered them and said, “Thank you dear, they’re lovely.”

She then teasingly turned toward her grandson and added, “I’m glad to see someone knows how to welcome a lady properly.”

Carter’s jaw fell open, as Miles offered her his arm, “Shall we go get your luggage? Your carriage awaits.” Joan then slid her arm into Miles’s offered one and Miles started to escort her toward baggage claim with Carter right beside. Miles leaned over as they walked to add for his man, “Grams gets shotgun.”

“Fine.” Carter said without thinking clearly. “I guess I get your backseat.”

Grams stopped and turned to look at Carter without saying a word. Her face was without expression as Carter came to a halt and saw her looking at him with a twinkle in her eye. He asked, “What?” Then after a brief moment’s pause, the proverbial light bulb lit up and his face flushed a charming shade of pink. Grams just smiled and patted his warm cheek and resumed being escorted forward through the crowd while Miles cast a glance back over his shoulder and gave his boyfriend a coy wink.

---

“I guess I need to elaborate a little further because I’ve come to know and respect a few members of the Saviors, Kim Pain, Kat Jones and Mac bane chief among others. And, by association, that fabulous lady known as Whisper. I don’t want anyone upset with what I said earlier or taking offense because I wasn’t intending it. I was just trying to say that the Saviors were one of the more feared and dominant groups ever in SCW, their success rate not having been seen since the Seven Deadly Sins stable. And while their in-ring success continues, the fear factor has just slipped away. With Mac gone and Goth’s injury, things just aren’t the same and speaking from the heart, I hope that all changes. Because I’ve had experience against the Saviors inside of the ring. I learned firsthand what Mac Bane is capable of inside of the ring. He’s one of the best ever in SCW, and even though I like to flatter myself and say I gave as good as I got in that match, truth be told the man handed my ass to me. So, I’m familiar with being in there with a Savior, which is a good thing because I find myself returning this week to face another Savior.”

“Peter Vaughn, the brand new Roulette Champion. I watched that match happen in London and even though I have to admit I was pulling for Malachi, I can’t say that I am surprised that Vaughn walked away with the gold. It could have gone to any of the three, but Vaughn brought a championship back to the Saviors. Which just goes to prove everything I’ve said about the team is true, that their track record just keeps continuing and they were meant to bring gold into the fold. But then again, I’d like to take the time to flatter myself for a moment and say the same thing about myself. Now maybe I am tooting my own horn but … toot toot! I know I have yet to win a championship here in SCW, but I’m not exactly without having held a title or two during my time down in SCU. Pride tag titles. TV. Combat. And, yes – the top tier title, the Underground title. Now, I have to admit that in the end my head wasn’t into things the way they should have been and I wasn’t the Underground champion that SCU deserved, but that’s the past. This is the present and the future is where my mind is right now.”

“Because despite what some have hinted toward, no. I am not insulted or upset at the fact that this match against Peter Vaughn is a non-title match. I mean, why would it be? This is my first match back since Blaze of Glory XI - in March! Ironically in the same city then that we will be in soon - Vegas baby! So no, I couldn’t justify getting a title shot after being out for three plus months, even if I wanted to. Peter worked his ass off to win that title, and if I want to get a crack at it, I’m going to have to work my ass off in order to earn it. That right there is where my future lies. Because this is what I had in mind… should I – when I – win this match against you Peter, I’m not going to do what others have done and immediately cry for a title shot since I beat the champion. I’m going to be patient instead, and just ask that I be entered into the traditional Ultimate X match for the Roulette title once Summer XXXTreme rolls around and we board that cruise. That’s all I ask. And if somehow I don’t win this match…?”

“I guess that would mean it’s back to square one with no hard feelings.”

“What I said on Twitter, I meant Peter. I’m booking forward to this match because I’m still in my formative years in this business and I am never going to rise and get better without getting in there against the best. And the opportunities just don’t get any better than by getting inside of the ring with a reigning champion. Belt at stake or no, win or lose (and I hope to win!), I’m going to be satisfied enough that Peter Vaughn walks away from this match knowing who he was up against.”

“Me, myself and I.”

January 31 -
Las Vegas

The entire world had found out about what happened between Miles Kasey and Carter McKinney quite by accident thanks to ‘loose lips’ on a live edition of Climax Control, and even their respective family who might not watch their loved ones put their bodies on the line like modern day gladiators would have found out eventually thanks to neighborhood gossip. The thing was, Carter did not want his own family finding out through second hand gossip. Knowing his Mom and Grams, that would hurt them worse than any bad news - and this was most definitely not anything of the sort. When Miles was fighting to protect him over the turbulent time of discord with Lazarus, Grams and Mom both simply adored him. When Miles accepted their invitation to spend Christmas with the family, that simply elevated their affections toward the man Carter had grown increasingly fond of.

They deserved to hear from him and him alone. It was why he had messaged the two of them ahead of time to ask if they would be available at the earliest possibility because he needed to talk to them about something. Joanna, his Mom, went into immediate protective mode out of concern for her only child and tried to get him to divulge what was wrong, then and there, thinking perhaps that he had gotten injured somehow in that barbaric sport that he calls his profession. He had to assure her time and again that this was not the case before she finally yielded and agreed to set up a video chat for him with Grams and herself.

And that time was now. Miles was out at the gym, keeping that fabulous toned body fit. Carter wanted to go with because he loved watching Miles do the squats but such was life; he could not always get what he wanted it seemed. Plus, this was more important than staring lustfully at Miles’s ass. Well, almost.

“So what is it dear?” Joanna asked from her end of the video call, prompting Carter to gaze about and ask, "Where’s Grams?”

Joanna answered, “She’ll be joining us in a moment. She’s making herself a cup of tea. That gift set Ariana and Francisco gave her is being put to very good use.” Apparently so, as Carter’s two friends knew that Joan aka Grams loved tea so for Christmas they had gifted her with a gourmet gift set of different blends from across the globe. And soon enough, the beloved matriarch of the family arrived on the screen, blowing into the cup she held between both hands.

“Hello dear!” Grams smiled brightly, as she always did when she was greeting her grandson. Once she took her offered seat beside her daughter, Joanna then turned to face Carter and she asked, “Now what’s so important? You sounded worried before.”

Carter shook his head and answered, “No, not worried. It’s just … something happened and I wanted to tell you personally before you found out from someone else.”

“Sounds important?” Grams spoke up, more of a statement than a question, to which Carter nodded in agreement.

“It is.” He said. “Everything I was feeling for Miles was… well, it was actually hurting to a point at the time. You knew how I felt in the airport and I thought maybe it’d be better if I just left his condo and stayed with Ari and Francisco instead.”

“And did you?” Joanna asked, to which Carter shook his head in the negative and answered, “No. Miles caught me trying to sneak out and we had a long talk.”

“And…?”

“And we…” Carter drew in a deep breath and for the first time in what seemed like forever, Carter smiled. A smile that felt as genuine on the outside as it did on the inside. He looked to both women on the laptop screen and he said, “He told me he feels the same way.”

This bit of news caused both ladies to sit up a little straighter and his mom curled her fingers over her lips, the smile for her son’s happiness threatening to overwhelm her emotions as she asked gently, “You mean… you and Miles…?”

To which Carter nodded and Grams sipped at her tea and simply observed, “It’s about time!”

“Mother!”

---

February 3rd -
Las Vegas

It felt like, well, like an eternity since he had returned to Miles’s condo at the Turnberry Towers, in the very same building that the brothers Baltasarsson called their home here in the famed “City of Sin”, just two floors down from Fenris and Aron. Carter had offered Miles his personal time alone with his visiting Mom and sister, having even offered to find a hotel for the duration of their visit, privately hoping that he would not only agree but actively encourage the idea but alas - it was not to be. Miles did not want him to be wasting money on a hotel without need, and he simply wanted Carter to be there. This was, after all, a very big step for Miles as a son and brother, coming clean to his blood as a pansexual man, and also one who had recently become involved with Carter himself.

Simply put, Miles wanted him there and Carter knew that if this was going to succeed between them, he had to set aside his own personal insecurities and be there for this wonderful, wonderful man. The one instance that Miles did yield to Carter was the thought that Miles alone should pick them up from the airport so that he could have some time with them to discuss everything before bringing Carter himself into the equation. At the time, Miles had not been altogether certain how any of his family would take the news of not only his sexuality, but he was tired of hiding who he was - and that trait Carter could understand and support. So as Miles prepared to head for McCarran International Airport, Carter himself opted to do a little damage at the nearest Mall close to the Vegas Strip, the Wynn Plaza. As Miles had left for the airport, he made Carter promise that he would return in time so they could take his Mom and sister out to dinner on their first night in Las Vegas. A promise Carter agreed to and sealed with a kiss.

Yet now Carter stood outside of the door to the condo, listening to the vices within. He had arrived back at the Towers near twenty minutes ago, wondering if he would be too early or too late. Airline arrival times were notoriously unreliable, even at worldwide renowned ones such as the Vegas airport. But pulling his little yellow beetle into the parking garage, he saw Miles’s own vehicle in its reserved spot and the butterflies ignited even further inside of his stomach, making him feel almost ludicrous. By his mother’s definition, Carter was a ‘social butterfly,’ a people person. But meeting a man’s family was something else altogether different. It was serious, and it was a situation that Carter had never found himself in before. Lazarus was his first SERIOUS boyfriend, and the topic of his ex’s family was never broached. For good reasons, obviously. But when it came to meeting Carter’s mom and Grams? Miles did not so much as hesitate, even when the circumstances were different. He dove right in and never once looked back. Well…

Carter scooped his bags up and extended a hand for the condo door. If Miles could be so brave for his sake, how could Carter not do the very same?

Once inside, he heard a pause in the conversation between the occupants inside, obviously having heard someone enter.  His arms full of shopping bags from such boutiques as Hermes, Breitling and Nutridrip, he used his arm to carefully shut the door as quietly as possible, suddenly feeling very self conscious. Once having done so, Carter carefully swept past the main foyer and into the hall where he could make his grand escape - er, I mean, set aside his shopping bags before joining Miles and his family, when –

“I thought you were just going window shopping?”

The voice right behind him caused Carter quite the start as he jumped out of his skin, calling out, “Jesus!” Carter spun around to face a very bemused looking Miles whose eyes were roaming over the bags in his hand with an inquisitive look. “Miles, you have got to STOP doing that!”

Ever the curious sort, Miles took a step closer and that act alone made Carter feel flushed but Miles’s attention was on the contents of the bags he had been carrying, using a finger to poke around and…

“If you’re trying to snoop to see if I bought you anything,” Carter quipped. “You’re going to have to wait until later.”

“Window shopping, hm?” Miles teased, stepping back and Carter looked down and realized that perhaps he had bought more than he intended - or realized. He shrugged his shoulders and looked back up into the teasing eyes of his man and simply retorted, “So I was weak and bought the windows.”

Miles just chuckled to himself, knowing Carter well enough that he did enjoy going shopping but the shops at the Wynn Plaza were high end and even one of those bags had to have cost a bundle. As if he could read his mind, Carter sighed, “I know, I’m supposed to be saving to get my own place but… “

Miles held a hand up, waving off any further thoughts about his spending habits. He said, “hey, so long as there’s a little something in there for me, I won’t judge.” He winked and then asked, “So, are you planning to put those down and come join us? Mom and Bri want to meet you.”

Carter shifted his gaze down the hall and toward where the aforementioned women would be waiting, most likely in the living room or at the bar island. He swallowed hard, and felt like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car before he looked back to Mlles and he started to say, “Maybe-maybe this isn’t the best time? You haven’t seen your family in awhi-Miles! What are you…!?” Carter yelped in surprise as Miles simply stepped forward and dumped Carter over his shoulder, shopping bags and all, and did an about-face to bring him back up the hall to the living room where his Mom and sister watched with amused and interested expressions.

“Well, he has a cute butt.” Brianna said. “I’ll give him that.”

“Brianna!” Mora chastised her daughter with good humor as Miles arrived, front and center with his favored “baggage”. Miles said, “Mom? Bri? This is Carter.” Miles then turned around so the dangling form of Carter could look up from his awkward position and wave as best he could with his arms full.

“Hello?” Carter smiled, despite the awkward circumstances, before Miles turned back around so that he could face his family. Carter then asked, “Are you going to put me down now?”

Miles then glanced back over his shoulder and asked in turn, “Are you going to make a run for it? Because I’ll sit on you if you do!” After a moment’s pause, Miles frowned and looked back over his shoulder and asked, “You’re thinking it over, aren’t you???”

---

A classroom setting…

The young grappler known now to the SCW Universe as Helluva Bottom Carter, stood at the forefront of the classroom setting, a chalkboard behind him with random mathematical equations etched on in colorful chalk and the desk behind him and just to his right side, neat and tidy with a stack of papers and an apple for the teacher front and center. And Carter himself? Carter was dressed most uncharacteristically in a tweed suit with checker pattern and patches on the elbows, his hair slicked back and thick rimmed glasses worn over his eyes. 

“Class, tonight’s lecture is one that we’ve all been looking forward to. It is about False Prophets, and the art of near truths. I’m sure we’ve all experienced now and then someone enters our lives who has mastered the art of half-truths. You know the sort; the type of person who will tell stories of their own personal experiences, whether to play the role of hero or victim, but leave out crucial details in order to ensure those they are speaking to see them as either the hero or a somewhat sympathetic figure. These half-truths leave out details that might seem small and insignificant, but in truth are quite vital to the overall story and serve as the main catalyst in how we see the subject. A visual aid…”

Carter walked around the desk to arrive at the chalkboard where he picked up a pointer stick and then reached up and drew down the screen to show a blown up picture of none other than the reigning Internet Champion, Alexander Raven. Pointer in hand, Carter directed everyone’s attention to the championship figure with the gold and jewel encrusted belt worn around his waist.

“Class, this here is a prime example of a master of half-truths. Alexander Raven, a championship caliber wrestler but an artist in making himself look good, even when the situation does not warrant it. Now this man won the Internet Championship as far back as October of last year, defeating Lachlan Kane for the title. October… this marks his reign at a very impressive five months, and since that night in Sparks, Nevada, the new champion has defended successfully against the likes of Austin James Mercer, Fenris and yes, even Miles Kasey!”

There are recorded boos now emanated from the classroom, to which Carter raised a hand and nodded knowingly with eyes closed.

“I know, I know. Those names and a handful of others have all fallen to the wayside of this ‘Broken Messiah’ as he likes to call himself, and the more wins he racks up against established stars, the more he believes himself to be the proverbial King of the Mountain. I believe he phrased it best when he stated he was ‘melting down the crowns of the former kings to make his throne’. Former kings - as in former World Champions such as Mercer and Fenris and many, many others. He would have you believe that his wins sullied the reputations of those men while further strengthening his own.”

Carter wagged a finger toward the camera, clearly against this notion.

“Not so, if you ask me! If anything, I would dare say the exact opposite is true if you were to take the ‘half-truths’ he spews regularly on social media and promos and see the entire picture for what it is! A charade, a fantasy land of make believe where Alexander Raven likes to sit in his ivory tower and look down at the world around him and all of the so-called peasants who would seek to dethrone him. But… let’s take into account HOW he won, and in many cases, how he has managed to keep hold of that crown of his, shall we?”

“His match against the then-champion Lachlan Kane was an epic contest, to be certain. Saying otherwise would be a lie, or a ‘half-truth’. But did Alexander REALLY defeat Lachlan for the gold? Did he pin his shoulders to the mat for a three count?”

He shook his head no.

“Did he force Lachlan to tap out and thus yield his crown?”

Again, Carter shook his head no.

“No, in fact, he did neither. He did trap Lachlan in his submission finisher, but Lachlan did not give in. His body did. Lachlan Kane passed out in the Boston Crab hold and the proverbial torch was passed, without what many would call a decisive victory. Now…!”

Carter walked back around the desk and had a seat on the edge.

“How about High Stakes XI, and the first real threat to the new King’s crown? A threat by the name of Austin James Mercer? I admit, I was one of the MANY who was involved in the getting pools for this match, and the odds were most definitely not in the favor of the wannabe King! More often than not, people were placing bets that Austin would rise again and reclaim his throne from this usurper, but as Alexander would have us all believe, the former King fell in defeat. But the simple truth is neither man won that day. The battle ended in a double count out - a stalemate! And when they met once again in a rematch to decide then and there who was the real and true King? Indeed Alexander did indeed retain his title - but had to use his finishing touch onto a steel chain to deal the extra bit of damage to walk away the winner.”

“Then of course there’s the threat of ‘the White Wolf’. This was brought about because Fenris simply refused to give in to Alexander raven’s delusional fantasies about being the King. In fact, Fenris barely acknowledged him at all! Fenris wanted nothing to do with him, and even less to do with the Internet Champion! A narcissist like Alexander could not abide by this and he all but coerced Fenris into this unwanted championship match and yes again, Alexander shocked the world by dealing a rare defeat to ‘the White Wolf’ – technically. I say technically because Alexander did not pin Fenris. On a technicality, Fenris pinned himself. The fact simply worked in the champion’s favor, allowing him to retain.”

“Then of course, there was the most recent challenge to your throne, it took place just this past week! The challenge where the King Raven was brought to the very brink of defeat by Prince Miles before the King (again) snuck past by the skin of his teeth in order to keep hold of his championship just a little while longer! But once again, he did so by a mere technicality as he had Miles trapped in a submission finisher, and like Austin before him, Miles passed out in the hold rather than deign to give Alexander the satisfaction of a decisive victory.”

“Not to hear Alexander Raven tell it, of course. If you were to listen to him and him alone, he would have the world believe his victories were a mere formality and he won decisively and dominantly! When the facts could not be further from the truth!”

That being said, Carter casually tossed the pointer back over his shoulder, the length of wood clattering against the chalkboard and falling to the tile floor. He then whipped off the glasses from his face and gave them a nonchalant toss. He leaned back heavily in his seat on the edge of the desk, his hands gripping the edge with white knuckles.

“Okay, that being said, I think it’s time to cut all pretenses of fun and games and call this for what it really is; a fact check! Broken Messiah… False Prophet… Alexander, you can call yourself whatever your little delusional heart and soul desires. I can’t stop you. I wouldn’t even if I could. But do you know what I can call you? You are seriously and without a doubt the absolute luckiest champion in the history of Sin City Wrestling! You won that title by mere chance, and ever since then, you’ve managed to get past every challenge to your gold by either chance, luck, breaking the rules - or a combination of one or the other! Or, all three! Of sure, you can go by the old adage of ‘doing whatever it takes’ in order to succeed, but what the whole truth of the matter is, you’re really just a champion here through sheer, dumb luck!”

“But this here?”

He motions with a forefinger between the camera and himself.

“What we have approaching us in a mere matter of days? This isn't a match for your crown. It's not even a one-on-one non-title event. No, this is a match that is allowing me to do what I love to do best. Team with my best friend Ariana to face some quality competition! She and I ruled the tag team division down in SCU, and it is just a damn good thing that Mark and Christian decided to retire the Mixed Tag titles or else we’d be doing the exact same thing here! And while you're better half did not exactly succeed in her debut, I won't fault her for that. None of us win all the time. And in her defense, you did train her if I’m not mistaken so you probably forgot to teach her all of your underhanded tricks of the trade. But I have all the faith in the world that Ariana can and will handle her when it's their time in the ring. And as for us, Oh Mighty Alexander the Great? You've been so focused on dismantling the crown and putting the former Kings of Sin City Wrestling beneath your boot, you went and looked right past what could be your biggest threat. You have yet to acknowledge the queen!"

“I’m not ‘Godly’ Ken Davison, but a part of me wishes I was because after this match between us? The world is going to see you for the paper champion that you are. If Ari gets the win over Luna, great! Terrific! But my personal end game is to get the win over…”

He twirls his finger around and points it right into the camera.

“You. For both personal and professional satisfaction. For doing what nobody else in recent memory has been able to do. Not since last year! I missed my chance against Barnhart and the Roulette title. Beating you..? I won’t try to muscle in on Ken’s chance against you at the Supercard, but beating you will force you to acknowledge the one simple truth that has so far escaped your delusional little mind.”

“I. Exist!”

Quirky.

If Carter had a single word that he could best use to describe his BFF, Ariana Angelos, it would be just that; quirky. Her love of all things chef-related, even some of her more nefarious recipes that were probably behind the true reason for the success rate of Recipe 4 Disaster. Her sense of humor was bubbly with just a hint of mischievousness - which he would partially blame himself for. But above all else, Carter would say that she was absolutely loving and loyal, she would die on that proverbial hill were it in defense of a loved one; be it friend or family. Or a friend who she loved as family.

Like him. Why he didn’t see this coming.

Given ‘his Ari’s’ personality traits, he often thought her choice of house in Las Vegas was oddly fitting. It was a very quaint and humble two-story house, unlike the mega mansions one hears about so many wrestling stars claiming for themselves in this day and age. Many men and women wanted to flaunt their wealth or status in the wrestling industry by purchasing the absolute biggest and grandest estate that money could buy. Not his Ari. When she had moved out of his tiny little apartment, seeking her own space, she wasn’t looking for grand or extravagant. She just wanted a simple home. And in Carter’s opinion, she found just that. It was just on a slight lift of a hill in the neighborhood, just on the outskirts of famed Las Vegas with steps that led from the street to the covered front porch alongside a street-level drive where she and Francisco parked their cars. The exterior of the house itself was a soft shade of a robin’s egg blue; Ari’s favorite color. If you had asked Carter, he would have said that his bestie’s home looked like it had stepped right off the screen of a 1960s TV show - and he sincerely meant that as a compliment.

The yellow 2001 Volkswagen Beetle slowly pulled to the curb right in front of the house itself and came to a stop. The engine turned off, and as the driver’s side door opened, out stepped Carter McKinney himself. This is where Carter shared a few quirky traits with his bestie. Because where many stars, especially the younger generations, would spill their wallets and bank accounts to buy the flashiest car imaginable, Carter went for “style over substance” in his own choice of vehicles. Carter loved the charm and individuality of this make of car, and endured teasing from friends and colleagues but he couldn’t care in the least. It was his baby. He loved it - end of story.

Carter shut the door behind him and stared at the house, slightly apprehensive and small wonder why - the passenger door opened and out stepped his boyfriend, Lazarus. The controversial figure who, for weeks now, has been at the forefront of every one of his close friend’s minds when it came to the accusations of abuse. Carter’s friends and family had done everything in their power to shield Carter and save him from himself and from the violent nature of this seemingly devil in an angel’s guise, but to little avail. Such was the nature when one suffered from the belief that one could do no better, and that deep down you were truly in love with your abuser and would be good for them and that they needed you as much as you did they. No matter what they did, no matter how badly they would beat you down, you kept going back believing that it would be the end.

Stockholm Syndrome.

“I still don’t get why you insisted on coming along.” Carter said as Lazarus closed the door and walked around the vehicle to join his boyfriend as they started up the path to the front porch. He went on to say, “It’s just a special DnD game Krystal invited me to.”

“Oh well maybe because the last time I left you on your own, your friends stole you away from me?” Lazarus said without a hint of remorse or guilt, given he himself was the reason they had done so. They found Carter beaten absolutely bloody in Lazarus’s latest fit of rage and they wasted no time in getting him out of there, whether he wanted it or not.

“I came back, didn’t I?” Carter tried to reason, feeling as if he were walking on eggshells with his man, not knowing what might set him off this next time. And the truly frightening thing was he knew that there would indeed be a next time.

Lazarus paused and stared at Carter, almost making the young grappler feel the need to flinch under the hot gaze. “Yeah.” Lazarus chided. “After how long?”

Carter sighed, “I can’t win.” as they reached the porch and while Lazarus expected Carter to ring the doorbell or knock, Carter simply took a key from his key chain and unlocked the front door. He went to open it when he noticed Lazarus’s curious glare from behind him and he shrugged, “What? Ari gave me a key when she first bought the place. She said to let myself in.”

He opened the door wide and stepped aside to let Lazarus enter first, pausing to look around at the side street of the neighborhood and didn’t spot a few recognizable cars. “And it doesn’t look like everyone is here yet.”

After Lazarus entered, Carter soon followed and shut the door behind them. The inside of Ari’s house could best be described as having a modern Greek flare. The dominant color was Ari’s favorite blue in varied shades, but she played up her Greek ancestry beautifully with touching decor that befit her heritage. Not overdone, just enough to make this home seem elegant in its own way.

Stepping past the foyer and en route to the front room where the DnD game would be set up, Carter cast a sidelong gaze toward his man and said, “Laz, you should know Ari may not be happy about my bringing you along…”

“Actually… we were counting on it.” The voice of Miles Kasey startled them both as they turned the corner to the living room, and they found more - many more - people than they had expected to be there for this “game”. Ariana and Francisco. Krystal and Cassie Wolfe. Miles. Aron Baltsarsson and his older brother, Fenris. Gabriel Stevens. But without the doubt the most conspicuous - Carter’s mom Joanna and grandmother Joan were right there in the midst of this gathering – whatever it was! They were all seated, save for Fenris who stood upright against the near wall, and all eyes were on the two young men who stood like two prisoners facing the gallows.

“Well, well, well…” Krystal shook her head. “Look what the cat dragged in.” Krystal looked at Joan and said in a stage whisper, just loud enough to be heard by all present, “This couldn’t have worked out better had we planned it this way.”

“Planned. What?” Carter felt the color in his cheeks rise, the heat of his flesh growing from the neck up. All eyes were on him and he felt like he was having one of those humiliating dreams where he went to class without any clothes on. Carter’s eyes found Ari who was seated on the sofa beside Francisco. “Ari? What’s going on?”

Ari being Ari, she almost felt the need to hide her gaze as her hand found itself in the warm comfort of Francisco’s own. She took a moment to gather herself before she found it within herself to meet Carter’s eyes and give him her most hopeful and imploring expression, “Carter, we’re here for you. To talk.”

“Talk to me about WHAT?”

But before Ari or anyone else could say anything to answer, it was Carter’s own grandmother who spoke up from the love seat she shared with her daughter, “Maybe about why you snuck out like a thief in the night to go running back to the bastard who beat you bloody.”

“Mother…” Joanna lightly reprimanded her mother at the same time Lazarus glared at Joan, “Excuse me!?”

Carter looked back and forth between those who he was closest to sitting there before him, united as one and for his own well being. He closed his eyes and shook his head before he confirmed, “So… there was never a game tonight? You just said that to get me here for this… what? Intervention?”

His eyes found Ari's, whose own brown eyes were filled with hope for saving her bestie from himself, from becoming more than just another statistic in a domestic abuse case and something far, far worse.  Carter sighed and shook his head with sadness before he turned to Lazarus, “Let’s go.”

Lazarus bore a satisfied smile but before they could make their exit, Miles wrapped an arm around Carter’s shoulder and gently - but firmly - steered him in a wide circle away from the head of the living room and more importantly, away from Lazarus, and he set him down gently, but firmly, in the chair that he himself had just vacated. Carter looked up with surprise at Miles who tried to give his best firm but stoic expression, brooking no arguments from his friend.

Gazes that were sympathetic. Disappointment. Worried. Angry.

Then eyes turned toward Lazarus who stood there like a deer in headlights at the open hostility focused now on him, arms held out as he looked toward Carter… “Carter? Are you just going to…” But before he could say anything further or protest further, Fenris grabbed him by the back of his collar and unlike Miles’ gentle handling of  Carter, Fenris all but threw him around the surrounding seats to a vacant chair and released him, pointing at the chair.

“Why don’t you play nice and have a seat?” Fenris said but his tone laid it all out that this was not by any means a request. But Lazarus was either blind to the obvious or he was putting on false airs because he looked first to the open chair and then at Fenris and he all but sneered at the volatile “White Wolf” and dared him in asking, “Or what? Huh?”

But that was perhaps the wrong thing to ask because Fenris was not one to have his bluff called, because the man simply didn’t bluff. He simply took one step forward and stared right into Lazarus’s eyes and he answered, “Or else I make what Miles did to you look like a love tap.”

“I’ll call the police…” Lazarus started to say but was quickly interrupted by Fenris simply stating the obvious, “Be too late. Plus… there’s not a person in this room that won’t tell the cops that you swung first. … Sit!”

Their eyes continued to be engaged in a deadlock until Lazarus slowly, and perhaps most wisely, yielded to a seat in the chair. Fenris then resumed his place against the wall but his eyes were solely on this abuser while Ari’s voice broke the discomforted silence that permeated the room.

“Carter?” Ari’s voice wavered, but he looked to her as she shook her head, wanting so hard to understand what was going through her bestie’s mind. “Why did you leave? Why did you sneak away like that?”

Carter took a deep breath but this time it was almost like he was prepared for battle in some strange way, as they had exchanged these barbs for months where his life was concerned and now here he was, having been tricked into being the center of attention - and not in a fun nor pleasant way.

“Look!” He started to say slowly but his words were filled with both desperation and anger. “I told you all before that I was sick and tired of being treated like a damn prisoner! I didn’t ask to be taken away from my home and dropped into the last place I’d ever want to be…!”

“Carter…” Aron did his best to offer his best. “My brother and I did everything we could to make you feel welcome in our home.”

“And we just wanted to keep you safe.” Krystal added, but that was when Lazarus broke his silence with a disbelieving scoff, “Safe from what exactly?”

“Maybe from the man who beat my son’s face in so badly that his own mother could barely recognize him?” Joanna said from where she sat, the mother bear tone of voice rising to confront the man who had been badly abusing her only son, her baby boy.

Lazarus picked up the gauntlet, still fighting to maintain this innocent facade that he had well established through deceit and subterfuge for so long as he rolled his eyes, “And what exactly makes you think I’m the one who did that?”

“Carter.” Miles answered before anyone else could. “He told us you did it.” And this caused Lazarus to very slowly, very deliberately, turn his head and his almost serpent-like gaze became focused on Carter and it was absolutely gut wrenching to everyone in attendance the effect that look had on Carter as if a scolded child in fear of a lashing from a belt - or worse.

“You told them I did that to you?” He said in a tone of voice that could almost rival Fenris’s own in the calm, dangerous stage. Where you could hear the smoothness of the words but it had a threat of danger beneath the surface.

“He did.” Joan aka Grams said from where she sat beside Carter, gripping her grandson’s hand in the comfort only understood between a child and his grandma. Her age notwithstanding, she bore no sense of fear when it came to speaking in defense of her special boy. “And we swore from that moment that we would do everything to protect him from you!”

By now, tears were starting to well up in Carter’s eyes as he was clearly going through an intense, mental struggle. Lazarus stood up suddenly and he snarled, “I am not going to sit here and listen to any more of your lies!”

And Joan stood up just as easily, just as determined, and she said, “The only lies here tonight are the ones that you’ve filled your own head with.” Joan stared him right in the face with a finger upright in his face for emphasis and she said with finality, “I have known men like you my whole, long life. And you are a great many things my boy, I am sure, but a man is not one of them!”

“Look…!” Lazarus suddenly grabbed Joan’s wrist to pull her hand from his face and she winced. “I am not going to let you break Carter and me up with your lies!”

“You’re hurting me!”

And… It happened. It was as if a cloud had been lifted, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. It would be hard pressed to explain why so suddenly the veil had been lifted from Carter’s senses. Carter looked every other way when Lazarus laid a hand to him. He made every excuse heard by counselors the world over, but the moment someone, ANYONE, put a hand on his beloved Grams…

Not a single soul present didn’t step forward the moment Lazarus grabbed Joan, but it was one in particular was the fastest, and the last Lazarus would have expected. Carter’s fist shot out at lightning fast speed and met Lazarus in the side of the head with such ferocity that it knocked the man loose from Joan and he was sent tumbling back into the chair he had just vacated and fell backwards and over it, crumbling to the floor!

“Mom…?” Joanna was at her mother’s side, comforting her as the elder rubbed her wrist from where it had been clenched in the vice-like grip. Miles and Ariana checked on her as well but Joan nodded that she was okay. All heads turned from where Lazarus had landed hard on the floor, and they turned to see Carter staring at his handiwork, visibly shaking. As if in disbelief at what he just did.

“Carter…?” Ariana started to ask, causing Carter to turn to his best friend. His eyes had now spilled over with tears streaking down his cheeks. She made a move to offer him a hug when Joanna suddenly cried, “Look out!” And Lazarus suddenly tackled Carter, knocking the both of them into one of Ariana’s end tables and sending them to the floor amidst the shattered remains!

Miles made a move to intervene but Gabriel Stevens held an arm out, shaking his head and saying one simple word, “Wait…”

After having so much free reign of abuse over Carter for so many of these past months, Lazarus was under the woefully mistaken impression that his dominant role over Carter would allow him to maintain dominance as he straddled Carter and grabbed him by the clothes and slammed the back of his head into the floor of the house repeatedly! And that was the moment Carter’s training took over, and his defiance against the adversity he had faced with this man for so long! He kicked his legs up and he scissored Lazarus’s head and literally tore him off! Miles, Gabriel, Fenris, Aron and Francisco moved to get Joan, Joanna, Krystal, Cassie and Ariana out of the way as Carter was back on his feet, grabbing Lazarus’s arm as he swung and Carter counted with a shot that practically caused Lazarus’s nose to EXPLODE!

Carter kept hold of the arm and utilized it as a fulcrum, pivoting around and taking Lazarus with him, slamming the man’s face down onto the coffee table! The table didn’t break but Lazarus did! Keeping hold of his arm at length, Carter KICKED Lazarus in the gut! Then again! And again! The floodgate had been opened and Carter unleashed all of his pent up anger and humiliation over the past several months as he continued to kick Lazarus in the stomach and ribs until the inevitable happened; Lazarus started to wretch and got violently sick!

“Carter-Carter!” Joanna, his mom, quickly tried to end this justified carnage but Carter had been blinded by rage over everything he had suffered through these many months, and what Lazarus had just done to his lovely Grams!

“Enough!” Miles said as he suddenly grabbed Carter by the arm. “Carter, stop!” And he finally pulled Carter off, leaving Lazarus lying on the floor of the living room in his own blood and sick. Carter stepped back and he was shaking so badly, as if he was coming down from the emotional high that had just been turned loose! He turned to Miles, wide-eyed, as if in shock and Miles wrapped his arms around his friend in one of those famous hugs of his as Carter simply broke at that very moment, his friends surrounding him.

“It’s going to be okay.” Ari whispered as she joined in on the hug, rubbing her hand on her bestie’s trembling back. “Everything’s going to be alright.”

---

“Wow. I can’t even begin to describe where my head has been for the longest of times, because as much as it ashamed me to admit it, it hasn’t been where it should have been. My career. My friends. My family. For months it seems that I’ve managed to cast aside and isolate every pillar that I had built in my life, and for what?”

Carter scoffed as he looked away.

“Apparently for a fantasy life that I was never meant to be a part of. I offended some of the people I care about the most. I insulted men in this business I always looked up to with respect. I fell into a trap of my own making and it almost cost me everything. If it hasn’t already. I guess that was one good thing about being put on the shelf for so long. It gives you time to think. Make you realize where you stand and if I can be so bold, just how badly you’ve fucked up both personally as well as professionally. Then then moment I got cleared, I thought the clouds had parted and the sun was just beginning to shine down on me, even if for just a little bit.”

He said as he pinched a thumb and forefinger closely together. Carter then sighed and shook his head.

“Which makes me then ask myself… is Mac Bane my best Christmas gift possible or the biggest lump of coal Santa could possibly fit in my stocking?”

“I mean, please don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against Mac or being given the opportunity to face one of the best modern veterans that SCW has on its roster. The man even made an effort or two to reach out to me during my…”

He cleared his throat and cast a look heavenward.

“Personal issues… but like everyone else, I played the effort off as just another person trying to interfere where they had no place or right. Ignoring the hand that simply reached out, wanting to help for no other reason than he saw another human being crying out in pain and in need of help. For that, I have to thank you Mac for your effort, and apologize for my own indifference. Folly of youth, as my Grams would say. Kids tend to think they know it all, and are invulnerable. I’ve learned the hard way that I am anything but. But maybe this… our match Mac? This is my chance to turn things around.”

“The only interactions you and I have had with Mac that were even remotely social were, ironically rough, on social media. We’ve never really hung out before, during or after shows. We just have different cliques and there’s no harm in that. The fact you still wanted to help me, it speaks volumes on you as a man. You are a hardcore bad ass through and through. I’m no liar and I’m sure as hell not blind enough to deny the fact. But you also have a heart, even if you do like to keep it buried so no worries.”

Carter playfully ‘tick a locks’ his lips and ‘threw away’ the key.

“That part of yourself can be our secret. But the man you are inside of the ring? That’s no secret. The world knows just what you are capable of inside of the ring. I’ve sat back and watched you absolutely annihilate men who have pissed you off, to facing and besting men you considered a friend or respected peer in friendly competition. And here you are now, one of three number one contenders to the world championship facing… little ol’ me?”

Carter paused as if in thought, trying to contemplate the fact. He nodded once and continued.

“Hunh. My first match back after over a month out is against a two-time former World Heavyweight Champion who may very well be on his way to become a three-time champion. Mac Bane who is a locker room leader, the sort of man who commands respect just by walking into that dressing room. I make no pretense that this match will be easy – for either of us. Mac, I know that you have me beat when it comes to size, strength, experience….”

He raised a hand and then blinked.

“Okay I think I forgot where I was going with this…”

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and continued on.

“Mac, I know this will be one of the most physically demanding matches that I’ve had ever since I was first signed to SCW. But I just ask that you understand despite all your advantages, this won’t go down as easily as some armchair experts might assume. I don’t know if you paid very close attention to what went down in SCU before it closed but…”

He counted off of his fingers.

“Pride Tag Team Champion. TV Champion. Combat Champion. The youngest Underground Champion in SCU history… I’m not trying to brag or throw my success rate in your face Mac. I just want you to not look at me and assume that just because I look soft, that I also compete the same. Nobody thought I could succeed in the Combat division down in SCU and it was my pleasure proving them wrong. You don’t grow up the way I did without knowing how to defend myself. I can only fight because I had to. Being a flamboyantly open gay teenager in a public school wasn’t the easiest life. But I made it then, and I’m going to make it now.”

“All I ask is that you give me that same respect.”

The GO Gym -
Las Vegas

You know the place, or at least you should. Given the reputation is academy of future champions holds in Sin City Wrestling, one would not be easily forgiven for not recognizing the established reputation of this training facility. Having pumped out such esteemed personalities such as Evie Jordan, Fenris and Krystal Wolfe, the GO Gym has a reputation for not being only one of the best academies of professional wrestling, but also one of the strictest. Not only is it difficult to be accepted as a student, but once you are, you are held in high regard and are expected to maintain that reputation even after graduation. Many men and women who have passed through these hallowed halls continue to return to keep their brain skills sharp, as the proprietors Gabriel and Odette Stevens believe that you only stop being one of their kids when you retire. And even then it is called into question.

One factor that has spelled out so much of their success was how they were able to tailor training regimes towards each prospective student. A super heavyweight could not logically be trained properly by someone who weighed under 200 lb and vice versa. Gabriel and Odette recognized this fact and accommodated for it. They both possessed many friends in the business, former students and not, who they regularly employed to come in and assist them when needed.

Which was why it such an odd sight to see that Carter was currently involved in a training session in one of the two rings against a member of the London Underground faction, the gargantuan Osbourne. The Silent Sentinel dwarfed Carter by over six inches and a hundred pounds of rock hard muscle.

Gabriel called from the corner of the ring where he stood watching over both men, silently critiquing both, "Come on Carter! You're not supposed to let him get hold of you! That's the whole point of this exercise!"

Osbourne slung the diminutive Carter up as it for a scoop slam, but the smaller man slid out of the larger man's grasp and ended up on his back like a monkey, legs wrapped around his other body and his arms wrapped around his tree trunk neck.

"That's easy for you to say!" Carter called out from his unique predicament. "He has half the ring cut off without even trying!"

Gabriel cannot help but chuckle at the awkward truth of the situation that he had put his student in. In fact, another one of his students that had taken a break from the free weights, and Carter's closest friend, Ariana Angelos, found herself at her mentors side, watching her friend in the six-sided ring.

Gabriel saw her from the corner of his eyes and smirked, "Tempest actually let you take a break from the weights?"

"Yeah I think she just wanted to call someone enough to get a look at Osbourne shirtless." Ari quipped. "Gabriel? Do you mind if I ask why you have Carter training with Osbourne? You usually train with him yourself or with Despy."

"Well the situation our boy's in this time around is slightly different." Gabriel observed. "I'm training in the same way I did when he was down in SCU at the Combat Champion. The roulette division and combat divisions are similar so I want to make sure he's ready for anything Miles or the division can throw at him."

A moments pause while watching the tussle inside of the ring, Gabriel quietly asked, "His boyfriend is out of the country this week, isn't he?"

"Mm hm." Ariana nodded. "He's in Canada for a photo shoot. Why?"

"No real reason." Gabriel shrugged. "I just can't help but notice he seems to be mostly back to his old self without his boyfriend around me."

"Yeah my bestie seem to have his spunk back. I'm so happy!" Ari smiled as inside of the ring, Carter let go of Osbourne and dropped to his feet behind him, wrapping his arms around him from behind and running his hands over his muscled upper torso. Osbourne IMMEDIATELY started struggling to get free of this touchy feely spot while Gabriel's brow rose.

"Yeah I'm not too sure Osbourne shares your sentiment."

Well! Speak of the Devil!

That’s what we would be saying as at that very moment, right outside of the Gym, the entrance door opens and in steps the man himself just recently spoken of, Carter’s boyfriend Lazarus. He glances around with skeptical eyes, obviously taken in just as many others had been in the past with the misleading exterior that some have compared to a grunge warehouse when the REAL ‘magic’ took place inside. He set foot into the air conditioned hall of the lobby and walked through until he came upon the front desk which was manned by Despayre who’s eyes were glued onto the computer screen in front of him and the airing of the latest episode of She-Hulk Attorney At Law. Lazarus looked around, then at this unusual site and he slowly approached the front desk.

“Excuse me…” Lazarus started to say when Despayre, being Despayre, simply said, “I accept your apology.” Bringing Lazarus to a confused silence as something on the screen caused Despayre to jump back in his seat and cover his mouth with both hands.

“Does your boss know you’re watching TV on the clock?” Lazarus asked with a frown, judging this book by its proverbial cover, but not one to turn away an innocent enough gauntlet, Despayre turned his attention from the show to the guest in Gabriel and Odette’s lobby and answered, “I’m not watching TV. I’m looking at my laptop.” Before he turned back to what he was doing before. Lazarus, his impatience growing, rolled his eyes and asked, “This is the GO Gym, right?”

“Right-a-roonie!” Despayre declared with a smile, taking his cue to do the VERY important job that Gabriel and Odette bestowed upon him as he clocked the pause button and now turned to Lazarus and clasped his hands on the desk, trying to look all businesslike. “Are you here to apply or start your training?”

Lazarus scoffed, a frown on his face, “No! I’m here to see someone.”

“Oh.” Despayre went to turn away from him. “Never mind then.”

“Never mi-?” Lazarus was a little lost, clearly not knowing who Despayre was or anything about him or his personality quirks. “What do you mean ‘never mind’? Can I go in or not?”

“Nope.”

Lazarus looked around at the emptiness of the lobby and assumed from the sight before him that they weren’t busy so he held his arms out and wondered aloud, “Why not?”

“Because Odette and Gabriel say so.” Despayre declared, citing a long standing rule of the Stevens that their gym remains private and not for public display or entertainment. “And because you’re not a student.”

“Stop talking about this place like it’s a college, okay?” Lazarus said snottily. “I’m dating one of the…” **air quotes** “students here anyway!”

“You are?” Despayre turns back to look him over briefly before resuming his stance. “Wow. Tempest really lowered her standards on this one.”

“I am not dating someone named…” Lazarus started to say when Despy’s words really caught his attention, both his ego and temper suddenly flaring, “What do you mean ‘lowered her standards’!?” He shook his head, “You know what? Forget this!”

And straight away, Lazarus marched toward the double doors that led to the GO Gym’s interior, determined to get inside when suddenly he found Despayre standing in front of him, arms spread wide to better block his path.

“You can’t go in!” He declared, determined to do his and Angel’s duty, but Lazarus was having none of that. The hot-headed male model who was used to getting his way tilted his head back and sighed before he looked down at Despayre who stood a good few inches shorter than him.

Lazarus smiled in a cool, sinister way and said, “Don’t make me move you physically little man… oh what the hell?” And he suddenly put a hand on Despayre’s arm and shoved him aside roughly and reached for the door…

When suddenly from inside of the Gym, all heads turned as all hell seemed to break loose from just outside of the doors to the lobby! The heads of Gabriel, Odette, Tempest, Carter, Ariana and Osbourne spun around in silent alarm…

“What the hell…?” Gabriel started to say when he took off for the doors with all present right on his heels! Gabriel grabbed the doors and shoved them wide open and came to such a fast halt that the others almost bowled him over from behind! Their eyes looked down and came upon the comical sight of…

“GET OFF OF ME GODDAMNIT!!!” Lazarus shouted from where he was pinned face and chest first on the floor with Despayre sitting on the back of his head, holding him in a double hammerlock! Lazarus’s legs kicked but he was effectively subdued. “YOU’RE HURTING ME!!!”

“Despy!” Gabriel called out. “What’s going on!?”

Despayre looked up and his face immediately brightened from the situation and he answered, “He started it! He tried to force his way in!”

“He…” Carter started to ask when he got a closer look at who Despayre was restraining physically and he was mortified, “Lazarus!!”

“Lazarus…?” Gabriel started, then turned to Ariana who stood just off his side, who looked pale at the sight of Carter’s alleged abuser. He gave her a questioning gaze and she answered silently with a nod to both Stevens who returned their attention to the situation before them.

“Get OFF him…!” Carter bellowed, storming forward when Osbourne’s grip tightened on his arm, knowing full well what the ramifications would be if he laid a hand on Despy, even to get him off of his boyfriend. Carter turned to Osbourne, “Let go…”

“Despy…” Odette spoke up, giving the little guy an assuring nod. “It’s okay. You can let him go.”

That was all he had to hear as Despayre let go of Lazarus’s arms and rolled off of his back, jumping to his feet and taking his dutiful spot right in front of Gabriel, his best friend and ‘big brother’. Carter was immediately at his boyfriend’s side and helped him to his feet, Lazarus’s normally handsome face filled with humiliation and anger as Carter tried to comfort him and ask, “Are you alright?”

To which Lazarus shrugged his hands off of his arms and shouted, “Do I LOOK alright!?” He turned and pointed a finger at Despayre and snarled, “I should sue you! I should call the police and have you arrested!”

“For what exactly?” Gabriel asked with skepticism, disliking this young man almost immediately. “Despy here said that you tried to force your way into our Gym.”

“That’s a lie!” Lazarus declared, causing Despayre to gasp, wide eyed, at the audacity. “I was just here to surprise Carter!”

“And for that Despy roughed you up?” Odette asked, a frown of her own to match her husband’s.

“I didn’t!” Despayre swore, crossing his heart as he turned to her, pleading. It was not needed as Odette simply nodded, patting him on the arm to assure him that they believed him.

Lazarus blinked, “So are you calling me a liar?”

“I would NEVER say that!” Despayre said simply. He then turned his head to look up at Gabriel and he added, “He is, but I wouldn’t say it.” Causing Osbourne to snort back a laugh but he quickly smothered it with a hand.

“Let me tell you something… Lazarus, is it?” Gabriel spoke up, a warning tone behind his words. “First of all, there’s a simple fact I learned over the past several years.”

“Which is?” Lazarus rolled his eyes, showing his disrespect almost immediately.

“Despy doesn’t lie.” Gabriel stated simply, and Despayre stuck his tongue out at Lazarus from his side. Then Gabriel continued, “Also, take no chances in business.” He pointed up, causing all heads to look up and spot the small but distinctive security cameras installed in each of the lobby’s four corners. All heads turned back down and stared ahead at Lazarus who glared at Gabriel to Despayre and back again.

Odette then added, “I think you need to leave.”

“I have a right to be here…” Lazarus started to say when Gabriel interrupted, “Wrong. This is a private business on private property! Which is why WE could not only call the police on YOU for trespassing, but I’m willing to bet if we gave them the security footage, for assaulting Despy here!”

“Yeah!” Despayre added just because, jetting his chin out at Lazarus as if to say, “So there!” without actually saying it.

“So you don’t trust me.” Lazarus stated simply, more of a statement than a question.

“No offense,” Gabriel answered. “But I wouldn’t trust you as far as I could throw you.” He then blinked and turned to address the amazon Tempest who was standing just behind the Stevens, almost protectively. Her eyes had not left Lazarus from the moment she set foot in the lobby and Gabriel asked her, “How far do you think you can throw him?”

“Where’s your property line?” She asked, her eyes burning into Lazarus who appeared alarmed, his confident demeanor shaken. Lazarus shook his head,
Fine! This place sucks anyway!”

He turned to walk toward the exit when he paused to look at his boyfriend, “You coming or not?”

All heads turned now to  Carter who seemed to desperately want to shrink back into nothing as he felt absolutely torn apart - like he was being pulled in two completely opposite directions. He looked at Gabriel’s expectant gaze, and at Ariana's caring, worried one, before he looked at Lazarus before ultimately…

“I’ll get my bag.” he turned and walked toward the Gym doors, when Odette spoke up, “Carter, your session isn’t finished.” Giving him pause as his hand reached for the door. He then started to move again, grabbing the door handle and this time it was Gabriel speaking up, but not his friend or mentor, a man he looked up to. It was the businessman, the proprietor of the GO Gym who spoke.

“Carter.” he said simply, calmly, which should have been enough warning. “If you walk away from this session, you’re suspended until further notice!”

Carter started, then turned his head and he looked fearful at Gabriel whose own countenance remained passive, all eyes staring at the young man. Carter glanced around, then back to Gabriel and the fear flickered away and he turned and shoved the doors open to get his things…

Lazarus smiling with satisfaction behind them.

---

“You know what’s funny? All of the people that are closest to me, from family to friends, have always told me that I never seem to be at a loss at knowing just what to say in any given situation. Now I don’t know if that means they think I’m witty or a smart ass, whether it’s a compliment or a bit of a hidden dig that I need to watch myself and what I say. But I can admit that it’s not entirely true, especially where Miles Kasey is concerned.”

“You see Miles, I hope you understand the difficult position that you’ve put me in. And yes I know what I said and no, I didn’t mean it the way it came out. Just a happy coincidence I guess. What I mean is, it’s usually very easy to know what to say when we’re expected to shoot these promos in regards to our matches and our opponents. You come in, talk a little trash, throw a few insults around and boom! Say you’re going to kick some ass and win and call it a day. But with you, Miles? It’s not so easy a thing to accomplish because I can’t say any of those things where you’re concerned. I don’t hate you. I don’t even mildly dislike you. Truth be told, I am actually quite fond of you and again, I know what I said. I would go on record and say that Miles ranks right up there with names like Ben Jordan and Candy as being the nicest people in SCW. You’re one of those rare gems that doesn’t take long to warm up to someone or a person who is comfortable enough in their own skin that you mind  them being exactly who they are. In fact, you seem to encourage it. You find someone even in a highly competitive sport like wrestling that you like and call a friend, you don’t abandon them. Ever. Do you have any idea just how rare of an occurrence that is in this day and age where everybody seems to look out only for themselves and being concerned with number one?”

“But that’s you, Miles, and that’s why I just don’t know what I’m supposed to say going into this match against you for the third time. Things haven’t exactly taken off for me the way that I had hoped. Sure I got a couple good wins against you and Bulldog, but lately…? I don’t know. I just haven’t been the same me that I’m used to being. I don’t know what’s wrong and I don’t know how to correct it. But I’m hoping that when we have our tie-breaking rubber match, that the third time is the charm and not only do I break this slump that I’m in, but I win my first SCW championship. The Roulette division in SCW is a lot like the Combat division was in SCU, and I am pretty proud to admit that I surprised a LOT of people by how well I was able to handle myself in such a division.”

“You see Miles, I’m not like guys like you or Ben or Mac Bane. I’m me. Everything you see in front of you is who I am, and I can admit from experience that it’s not easy growing up when you’re … me. I can fight, but I didn’t have much choice. I wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction of curling up into a ball. I can fight because I had to, growing up. So whatever the roulette calls for us on Sunday? I can handle it. It’s you that I worry about. This is the third time we’ve met, and we each walked away with a win. Third time we’ve met, and this one is for the championship.”

“Third time is the charm, Miles. Good luck.”