#hangman x renee

[bloodycowboyclub]

HANGMAN PAGE BIRTHDAY WEEK

(Belated) Day 6: Favorite Relationship

[allelitewrestlings]

[adampage]

Rapport Growth & Decay

Link to Ao3 (Ch. 1)

Pairing: Hangman/Renee (don't yell at me please i'll cry)

Word Count: 3,246

Summary: Cowboy is lonesome, on'ry, and mean.

[supakixbabe]

Lowkey wish all these magazine’s were real. Once again, thank you all for your continuous support of my art. I’m trying to spread joy and happiness through designing — showing love and appreciation to all the amazing pro wrestlers; as pro wrestling has given me a purpose to go on. I’m not doing so well physically — my health is declining rapidly, so I want to do what I can while I can. You all have also given me a purpose and I cannot thank you enough!

I love and adore you all! 🥹❤️

[allelitewrites]

(This is my first story and I honestly don't even know if I'm doing this whole thing right but...)

A Subtle Warning

Word Count: 1630

Relationship: Hangman Page x Reader

----------------------------------------------------

Tonight was just like any other Wednesday night. My boyfriend and I arrived to the venue a few hours before doors opened for the weekly episode of Dynamite. I thankfully wasn't booked to do anything for the night. I was only thankful because a rest was very much needed. Adam however was in the middle of a pretty personal feud with Swerve Strickland. Their whole thing wasn't supposed to be personal at first. The initial intention for it to just be apart of the wrestling business. One person wanting another's position. However, things changed when Swerve had brought up that Hangman was walking away from his issues. Walking away from his issues like he had from the Elite and I some years ago. It was a low point that he typically didn't like to talk about and that night, Swerve really struck a nerve.

Hangman and I found our way into The Elite's locker room. The EVP's temporarily absent due to a creative meeting. We set our things down before taking a seat next to each other on the cheap couch. He and I leaned into each other. With the way his calloused fingers were tracing along my skin, I could tell he was nervous. "I hate signing contracts on TV." Adam mumbles as he lets out a large sigh.

I turn my head and plant a firm kiss on his large shoulder before leaning my head against him again. "Just go out there and do your thing." I reassure him as I twist at one of the bracelets resting on my wrist. I can feel him nod as his hand finally starts to decrease the amount of shapes it was drawing. "Try not to let him get to you."

"Well, Y/n, it's kind of hard when he's sitting right across the table from me with a disgusting smirk as he mocks me."

I didn't even have a response. I hate contract signings just as much as he does. They were a stupid excuse to get publicity and a chance to manipulate your opponent on a golden platter. To me, you shouldn't need a set up situation for you to get to your opponent. Everything you do should be in the ring. Without a table and without chairs. Contracts should be signed in the back. A response came to mind but I wasn't able to share it as Kenny, Matt, and Nick came back into the room, instantly complaining about how long and boring their meeting was. Adam sat up straight and let his large hand rest on my thigh. We weren't huge on PDA, especially not around our friends.

A few hours later...

For whatever reason Tony Khan decided to give Adam and Swerve the main event. All for a contract signing that would probably end up with tables flipping and chairs being thrown. I was sitting anxiously next to Matt as the Elite watched the segment go down. Renee Paquette table side to officiate the signing.

Strickland was chewing Adam up, not even giving the blonde headed man a chance to speak his own words. Eventually, he started to talk about how different he and Hangman were from each other. Almost as if he was offended by being compared to the cowboy. "What's a farmer to a mogul, huh?" Swerve asks, making Adam furrow his eyebrows. "What's a cowboy to an outlaw? What's a buckshot to a kill shot?"

I chewed at the inside of my cheek. I could see Adam's gears in his brain moving at a hundred miles per minute just through the television screen in the locker room. He was keeping his cool, never breaking eye contact with the man across the table from him.

Finally, Swerve put his microphone down. For the first time tonight, Adam was given the opportunity to speak his thoughts. But, he didn't start the way I expected him to. First, Adam calmly mentioned the things Swerve had said to him in the weeks prior. However, the thing that caught all of us off guard as Nick and Kenny settled in their spots around the room was that Hangman thanked Swerve. Adam thanked him for reigniting a flame in his body that was long burnt out. He explained how something was up with him. Something that a person really couldn't explain.

The crowd was so invested in every single word that either man let slip from their lips. Letting every single sentence set in, expanding their thoughts to multiple different things. Things that hadn't even realized they didn't really notice at first. A slight stir could be heard as Adam spoke of a dark cloud that he'd felt was hovering over him every single time that he showed up to work.

"And then sure... sure. The sun would shine. I beat Jon Moxley in a Texas Death Match." Adam proudly brags. I caught him taking a pause to look at Renee, who drew her lips into a line at the thought of the brutal match her husband had gone through with my boyfriend. "I reunited with my friends in the Elite. I was able to rekindle my relationship with the absolute love of my life. And it felt like I should've been the happiest man in the world. But every time I started to smile. That little black cloud came back and it started to rain."

I couldn't help but smile at the fact of him calling me the love of his life on national television. Something I could never get used to him calling me. In the good way of course. He continued to speak before addressing how the fans who supported him so dearly deserved to see more from him. And when he decided that he spoke enough of his mind to get his point across, he picked up the pen and signed his name on the dotted line.

An evil laugh was heard. A laugh that echoed through the building. Adam was caught off guard. Looking up to see Swerve looking like he was having the time of his life. Looking like he was having a good time. Looking like this whole thing was a simple joke to him. The crowd quickly canceled him out, a chant of 'Cowboy Shit' echoing through the seats of the arena.

"That was beautiful. But, quite frankly, that was the most pathetic thing I've ever seen." Swerve chuckles before insulting the crowd's home team. Earning an array of boos. He continued on to speak about how he was fueled to take Adam's position in the company before Hangman had heard enough. Tired of hearing how Swerve believed Adam was handed everything in his career which couldn't of been more untrue.

Hangman stood up, the anger coursing through his veins finally reaching a boiling point. "If you think you have what it takes to fill my boots... you don't."

Swerve matched his energy also standing up across from him. But he didn't speak a single word. Instead he froze to look Adam in the eye once more. And just when Adam thought it was over, Swerve rose his and and slapped the cowboy across the face. Adam turned around and leaned on the ropes behind him as Swerve picked up a microphone yet again. "Hey. Hey, hey Hangman. You seem to not think of me as a threat. You sure as hell better watch your back... or maybe you should tell your friends... actually, no. You want to make this personal? Fine, we'll make it personal. You better tell your hot girlfriend to watch her back."

Adam didn't even hesitate, raising the microphone he still had in his hand to his mouth.

"If you touch her... I'll kill you."

Swerve let out a long sigh. Finally he got the hint that Hangman wasn't joking. Threatening me... someone Adam cared about so dearly was the final nerve that Swerve could've hit. He leaned over and signed the contract.

In that split second, I saw Adam clench his fist and I knew he was going to swing. However, I didn't expect what he actually did.

Using the pen Adam formerly used to sign the match contract, he stabbed Swerve's hand. I watched as Strickland screamed in pain. He pleaded as my boyfriend refused to let go. I booked it out of the room. Rushing to get into the guerrilla position. I intended on meeting Adam there. After that... I had no plan, I was left with whatever my first option would end up being.

He forcefully pushed his way back through the curtain not seeing me at first. But when I walked up to him and put my hand on his bicep. He spun around and I could see relief wash across his face. He pulls me into his chest and holds the back of my head. I can feel his heavy breathing and I can hear his heart beat at the speed of a thousand race horses.

He pulls away to kiss the top of my head before firmly grabbing my hand. Not even whispering a single word. He rushes me through the hallways before pushing me into an empty room that he surely scouted out before the show. As soon as I shut the door he crashes his lips into mine, his hands grabbing greedily at my top. I wrap my arms around my neck before tilting my head back to get a good look at his face.

"What?" He asks.

I smile and push a golden curl out of his face. "I just wanted to make sure that I heard you right. Did you say you would kill him?"

A smirk crawls onto his face. His ocean blue eyes staring directly into mine. "With my own two bare hands, sweetheart."

[judgementdaysunshine]

Drunk bravery

Pairing: Adam Cole x Fem reader

Description: The feelings between you and Adam flow after winning big matches and a few drinks make you more confident

Cheers are heard in the bar as you and your friends celebrate your big win at Collision having won your ROH match against Ruby Soho feeling proud of yourself after the match ended tears pouring down your face at all the hard work you had done finally being paid back. You joke around with Max and Yuta sharing hugs and drinks with Renee, Hikaru, and Willow as everyone begins to leave laughing at a tipsy Toni and a very drunk yuta who was carried out by Mox turning when you feel a hand on your shoulder as you slowly sway seeing Adam next to you "Wanna get out of here? I think if we don't right now we'll be dragged out of here possibly or have to drag everyone else out" you laugh at a giggly willow and a half asleep max leaving after watching max walk to his hotel making sure to see him go inside before the two of you were driving around since the two of you didn't drink too much where neither of you couldn't drive only having a pina colada and two shots spending the rest of the time sipping on regular soda and water but just enough to where both of you felt a bit loose and more relaxed laughing as you and adam joke with each other in between singing to songs on your shared Bluetooth playlist playing on the radio stopping at your home since all of you were in your hometown for the next five weeks for training and collision that all of you competed in earlier that night congratulating adam om his big match win against Hangman Page. The two of you walk in your house sharing a few sips of wine unable to keep your eyes off adam when he wasn't paying attention feeling yourself churn with warmth as you try to keep yourself under control but then things went to shit with your thoughts being said out loud with a moment of loose lips "God why do I fall in love with you even more just looking at you" your eyes widen as adam turns staring at you feeling yourself want to crawl under a hole and disappear "Adam...I am so-" before you could apologize he surges forward kissing you passionately leading to clothes being stripped and thrown on the floor "Wait are you sure about this? I know we're not black out drunk but we've still been drinking a little" you both slowly nod at each other before sharing a slower softer kiss feeling the warmth that grew hot turn to pleasure as your fingers lightly squeeze adam's thighs until he gently pulled you away flipping you on your back kissing down your body burying his head between your legs licking and kissing at a slow tender pace that grew as time went on before holding you to him thrusting slowly which left you a puddle of pleasure, love, and tender care. The two of you smile and laugh looking at each other sharing a tender kiss before showering together smiling when he holds you for the last few minutes of the shower instantly molding together in each other's arms under the covers "I love you Adam" his heart flutters gently grabbing your chin locking eyes before sharing a tender kiss as you lay your head on his chest over his heart "I love you hon" that night is filled with whispers of live and affection until the two of you were asleep waking up to find adam making breakfast in his boxer giggling as the two of you share a kiss before eating breakfast and having coffee.

[of-twilight-and-moonshadow]

Innuendo - Emery x Orange Cassidy

This idea came to me last night and it was too cute to pass up. Hope ya'll get a kick out of it as much as I did.

Dark Angel of the Bullet Club Masterlist here

Tag List: @katries @mrsmatt @summertimefun1982

If you want added to the tag list, let me know!

Word Count: 538

(Divider)

“Thanks guys,” Renee smiled at the camera, “Joining me, I have Emery – now, you’ve been gone for a bit, welcome back.”

“Thanks, Renee,” Emery smiled sincerely, “I just…. With everything that went down with BCC and then with the Bucks and Kenny….. Hangman and Swerve… It was just—a lot. I needed some time away, ya know?”

“Totally get it,” Renee nodded, “Now that you’re back, do you have any plans?”

“Actually, yeah. I’ve been watching the show from home, keeping my eye on certain people; cheering my friends, booing those I don’t quite… like…. Uh, but—I think it’s long past time that I branch out away from the Elite and find myself again. Maybe go for some title gold?”

“Which title holder do you think you’ll go for—Julia Hart and the TBS championship or Toni Storm and the AEW Women’s Championship?”

“Ya know, I don’t know. I’ve steered clear of Julia since she joined the House, but maybe it’s time I dip my foot in that pond. Or, speaking of ponds- I could look across the pond and go tit for tat with Toni again. Either…. Way…..”

Emery trailed off, tweaking her head to the side inquisitively as Orange Cassidy and Trent stopped across from her. Renee took a step backward, looking at the two guys, unsure where this was going. Emery’s eyes briefly flickered back to Trent, who gave her a smile and a shrug, obviously not sure what his best friend was doing.

“Hey Ree…” Orange said flatly, looking downcast towards the floor, “Heard you wanted a title match… I think you’ve earned one….. I’ll uh—see you Friday on Rampage….”

Emery’s mouth opened a fraction in surprise and amusement, Renee using her free hand in an attempt to hide her own amused smile.

“Orange, uh,” Trent chuckled, stopping him from walking away, “I hate to say it—but I don’t think TK will sanction a match between you and Emery.”

“Yeahh…..” Emery drew out, coughing out a laugh, “I appreciate the uh… offer, J. But Trent’s right.”

“…. Oh….” Orange slowly spoke, as if lost in thought, as he turned his attention back in her direction, “Uhm…. I guess we’ll do this tonight then…. I don’t have a match…. Uh…. Unsanctioned—for the International Championship….”

“Orange….” Trent said under his breath, shaking his head in amusement.

“…. 11:30… My hotel room. See ya then.” He turned away and walked off, leaving everyone in absolute shock; all three of them were wide-eyed and slack-jawed at what had just happened.

“Uhm--- back to you guys,” Renee coughed out as she tried to hold back the laughter. Trent looked at Emery, surprise fully evident in his eyes, but he shrugged, waving goodbye.

“Uh… Good luck?” Trent told Emery, giving her a thumbs up.

Emery stood there, wide-eyed, mouth agape, face tinting a deep shade of pink, too stunned to speak.

“Yeah. Good luck,” Renee echoed, sucking her lips between her teeth in an attempt to hold back her smile.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Emery wordlessly turned and walked the opposite way that Trent and Orange had disappeared.

Surely, that did NOT just happen. On live TV.

“I’m never going to live this down.”

[mackdaddyofthecravate]

Shout-out to Renee for ALWAYS shit stirring btw. She brings up Hangman with Swerve she brings up Swerve with Hangman, she was always up in the Baybays business. Good girl x

[writercole]

Squares: Comatose @badthingshappenbingo Pairing: Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw x GN!Reader Words: 530ish Credits: @wildbornsiren for looking over this for me. :) A/N: *waves white flag* Um. I hope this makes up for the last two chapters.

You spent three days sitting at Bradley’s bedside praying to any deity that would listen to just let him be okay. A few people from his squad had been by and spent a few minutes talking to you after they introduced themselves. Reuben and Mickey didn’t say much but they did stop by a couple times a day, bringing you snacks and drinks each time. 

A guy you knew by reputation only, Hangman, who even introduced himself with his callsign, came in and apologized for being too late, for not going after them sooner. You could tell there was a lot of guilt weighing on his shoulders and you were sad that there wasn’t anything you could do to relieve it.

Natasha stopped by, bringing a familiar yet surprising person with her. You knew Maverick and everything he’d done in Bradley’s life, from being a stand-in father figure to pulling his papers at the academy. He’d been at the wedding, pulling you aside quietly and telling you how happy he was that Bradley had met someone who challenged him the right way. 

This time, he was hugging you and apologizing. He swore it was never his intention to get Bradley shot down, he tried to keep him safe as much as he could but you knew your husband was stubborn. There was no way he was leaving a man behind.

After Maverick left, Natasha sat down across from you, Bradley’s unconscious form between the two of you. You’d never felt worse in your life. You recounted everything that had transpired in the past month, tears falling down your face as you did.

Tash told you all about what had happened on their side, the dagger mission that was the most dangerous thing any of them had ever done, the confrontation with Pete, coming to terms with his father’s death as an adult. The more she talked, the worse you felt. 

“Why didn’t he tell me?” you sobbed, “why wouldn’t he want me to know this was coming?”

“Because he didn’t want you to worry more than you already do,” a raspy voice answered. 

Your gaze shot to Bradley’s face, finding his dark eyes looking down at you softly. 

“I’ll get the nurse,” Tasha said as she walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her firmly.

You stared at Bradley for a long moment, so relieved that he was awake and so upset that he hadn’t told you.

“I’m sorry, baby,” he croaked, “I didn’t want you to worry any more and then when Mav showed up I got caught in my head and -”

“Bradley, stop,” you interrupted, “I’m the one who should be sorry. I wouldn’t listen to you and I took everything personally and I said some things that probably landed you here.”

“There’s nothing you could have said to prevent this,” he whispered, gesturing to the bed and IV pole. “But will you please come back home?”

“You try and stop me, Bradshaw.”

“I promise we can go to therapy or go on vacation or whatever you want,” he continued, “I just really want you to be mine again.”

“I’m yours, Bradley. I always have been.”

Top Gun: @princessmisery666 @evansrogerskitten @bradshaw-fanclub @saiyanprincessswanie @luckyladycreator2 @mavswife @princessphilly @ahockeywrites @clints-lucky-arrow @wildbornsiren @w0nderw0man-reading @shanimallina87 @fuckyeahhangman @blue-aconite @hope-love-equality2 @peachiicherries @marvelousmermaid @therebeccaw @green-socks @imjess-themess @jostystyles @mayhem24-7forever

Everything: @thelastpyle @deangirl93 @evergreencowboy @katelyn--renee @fictional-affairs @lassie-bird @paintlavillered @buckys-zomdoll @polireader @b3autyfuldisast3r @welcometothefandommultiverse @mlovesstories @supraveng

@justanothermagicalsara

[legit9thlunaticwarrior]

Bestie!!! Can I get some Hangman where someone has trouble sleeping??

taking a ride on the cowboy train for a moment. not too familiar with hangman but for a bestie, i do my best. also yes, the title is a reference to an of mice & men song

|remember to leave feedback and i love all you heathens| 

‘When You Can’t Sleep At Night’ Adam “Hangman” Page (Stephen) x fem!reader

^when stephen wakes up in the middle of the night and can’t find his girlfriend in bed with him, he quests for her^

- belle (noun) - a beautiful girl or woman, especially the most beautiful at a particular event or in a particular group - mention of adam cole (austin) - going to try a 3rd person pov for this one 

3rd Person POV:

After two months on the road away from home, Stephen finally felt the comfort and warmth of his own bed; but the presence of his partner in crime was the best part of it all. He reached over to her side of the bed to pull her closer but felt nothing there. He sat up a bit to search for the clock in the darkness: 2:45am it read. He got up fully and turned the bedside light on, the sudden brightness hurting his eyes, “Shit-” he cursed. The bathroom door was open so she wasn’t there. Starting to get a little worried, he stood up and went to look for her.

Spare room? No. Office? No. Laundry room? No. ‘Where the hell?’ he asked himself as he walked down the hall. When he saw the dim lighting from the kitchen, he finally got his answer. Leaning over the counter by the window she was, mug of tea in her hands and staring at the night sky. “Darlin’, what are you doing up?” he asked softly so he didn’t startle her. She turned around to look in his direction “Can’t sleep. I just kept tossing and turning, and I didn’t want to disturb you so I came out here.” She knows how tired he gets after long flights or drives from wherever his last adventure was. “You can go back to bed Stephen, don’t worry about me.” He arched his brow in confusion, “Y/N, it’s almost 3am and you’re still up. Why would I not worry?” He walked over to her and pulled her close to his chest; she finally found herself relaxing since coming to the kitchen. “Are you feeling okay?” he asked as he felt her forehead, gaining a smile and soft laugh as a reaction. “Honey, I’m not sick. I just couldn’t sleep. You know how I get sometimes.” It wasn’t a lie: she always had trouble sleeping. It was just how she was. When Stephen was away from home it was worse; but what he couldn’t wrap his brain around was why she couldn’t sleep now that he was with her? He knew something was on her mind and it was keeping her up. “You know you can talk to me if something is wrong, sugar.” She sighed and told him to sit at the table. Taking the seat diagonal from him, she messed with her hands; another sign for him to confirm that something was up. “Stephen, I-I’m nervous.” “About?” he questioned. “This whole Texas Death Match. I know how crazy they can get and I don’t want to see you hurt. I know your job entails pain but, this is a lot. I even talked to Renee about how she felt when Jon did it, she said she was nervous too.” He processed the words that left her lips and got on his knees in front of her, taking her hands while stroking her knuckles with his thumbs. “I know you get nervous about my matches but everything is being worked out. Everything will be okay. Nothing dire will happen to me. I can’t leave until I make you my missus.” His joke at the end put another smile on her slightly tear stained cheek, which he wiped the stray ones away. “I’ll hold you to that cowboy.” Stephen stood and picked his belle bridal style and pronounced his southern drawl more “Well then partner, I say we leave this saloon and and blow this ghost town.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled, “Or you could just take me back to bed?” Nodding, “That works too.” Y/N pulled his head down a bit to kiss his lips sweetly; then was whisked away to their shared bedroom. “If Austin steps out of line, he’s dead.” she said playfully. Stephen snorts. “This is why I love you, cowgirl.” 

~~~~~~~

lovely taglist babes (dm or comment to be added) @josiewrites @rubyred1980 @chrisdickinson @xkennyxomegax

[allelitewrestlings]

[allelitewrestlings]

[of-twilight-and-moonshadow]

Ambushed Again - Kenny x Emery

This is part of my Dark Angel of the Bullet Club series

I have too many ideas circulating over what's been happening on Dynamite the past month or so. I'm sorry

Eventually, I'll have a more unique idea for Kenny x Emery, but for now, the show is fueling the creativity. Oh well.

Based on Dynamite from... March 29th, I believe?

Word Count: 3153

Tag List: @blxxckheart, @summertimefun1982

((If you would like to be added to my tag list, please let me know! I have 3 separate ones for each company- NJPW, WWE and AEW))

Warnings: I attempted to describe Kenny's match against Cobb, so there's a fight scene. Mox being an ass. Angst?

(border by)

Emery stood beside Kenny as the doctor wrapped up his wrist. As Don explains to Tony Schiavone about what supposedly happened last week, it took everything in her not to roll her eyes. Biting her cheek, she kept her mouth shut of any witty remarks—if only for Kenny’s sake.

She didn’t know why, even after all this time, Kenny kept Don Callis around. However, she respected Kenny too much to pick fights with the balding manager constantly.

As soon as Don left the room, having stated he was going to find Hangman to apologize, Emery let out a huff of annoyance.

“Tch, I can’t believe him.”

“Emery,” Kenny said as she looked over at him. His eyes looked tired, but she could see the silent plea.

Don’t start.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, Ken. Come on—you don’t honestly think that Hangman would—” Emery started, “You know Hangman! I can’t believe I agree with Callis here, but he’s got a point. What’s up with the two of you? You were so close—we all were! How come you didn’t believe him last week when he tried telling you he didn’t do anything?!”

Kenny’s head tilted to the side just a tad as he looked at Emery. This was the last thing he needed, especially with everything going on lately.

“Emery—”

“No- no,” she shook her head, holding her hands out, before dropping them to her sides,” I’m going for a walk. I can’t keep---”

Kenny watched silently as she left the room before his head dropped back in agitation. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath before looking at the doctor and telling him to continue on. Kenny had an important match tonight that he had to focus on; it was already complicated enough with what happened to the Bucks. He didn’t need any more distractions.

 Emery stalked down the halls, arms crossed in front of her. She really didn’t get it. Callis had been nothing but mean and condescending to her since she met him—but Kenny never seemed to be there to see it happen. Hell, even Matt had been ready to knock Callis’ teeth down his throat once but backed off in the end.

As she’s walking, Emery hears the BCC music roll through the area as they made their way out to the arena.

“Dalton Castle and the Boys, eh? Hate to say it…” Emery thought, feeling bad for the Ring of Honor mainstays. Eventually, she came upon a camera set up, where Renee stood with Hangman. A lump rose in her throat, and quickly, she turned to walk away before he saw her—but it was too late.

“One sec, Renee—Hey, Emery,” Hangman called out, jogging after her before she got too far away; he stopped just behind her, and since she’d feel bad about ignoring him, Emery slowly turned to face her old friend.

“How… how you doin’?” he asked her, a small smile on his face. She could feel her heart restricting, and Emery wanted nothing more than to smile and talk like before… but she couldn’t.

Could she?

“I—I gotta be going… Kenny’s got a match—”

“Right, right—Cobb,” Hangman nodded, scratching his beard momentarily,” I just—I wanted to check with you really quick. After what happened last week. I didn’t do what Callis is saying, I didn’t push him—”

“No, I know,” Emery told him, taking a deep breath, “I know you didn’t. Just… be careful around him, ‘kay?”

“I see you still don’t trust him,” Hangman gave her a smile. A brief smile crossed her face before disappearing quickly.

“Yeah…”

“Well, I’ll uh—I’ll let you go then. I got an interview, anyhow. Renee’s waiting…”

“Right….” Emery nodded, her eyes not meeting Hangman’s, so she missed the sad look that crossed his features.

“Be careful out there, Ree,” Hangman told her before turning around and walking back over to Renee, standing in front of the cameras. With a nod, Emery turned and walked away from the area.

Her heart pained at acting so distant with the Cowboy—but she didn’t know what else to do right now. Taking a deep breath, the brunette kept walking around the hallways; she was cool-headed enough to return to Kenny, but he was busy preparing for his match, and she didn’t want to bother him.

A half-hour later, Emery walked towards the go-position, seeing Kenny standing amongst the crates.

“Hey…” she said to him as she got closer. He looked over at her, a small smile briefly on his face.

“Thought you might not come back…” Kenny told her, rolling his neck to loosen it up.

“Yeah… for some reason—I can’t seem to stay mad at you for too long,” Emery gave him a smile, causing him to chuckle softly. Kenny bopped from foot to foot, amping himself up for his match as Cobb’s music began.

“Have you seen Don?”

“Nah, I haven’t,” Emery shook her head. Not that she cared, but it was unlike Callis not to meet Kenny before a match. The IWGP United States championship belt, with its red strap, was around his waist. As she stood there with him, just watching him prepare and stretch his muscles, Emery heard a voice growing closer.

“Yeah—Alright, guys. Are we live here? Okay—Kenny—”

Kenny and Emery both looked over their shoulders, eyeing Tony Schiavone as he stood there with a microphone.

“Just moments ago—” Tony began as Kenny pointed towards the short stairs that he was about to go up. This was rather… irritating, Emery had to admit.

“—Right before the break, the BCC attacked Don Callis and Hangman Adam Page. I don’t—”

“Adam!” Emery thought, looking at Kenny with wide eyes as he looked down at the floor, ingesting the information.

“They attacked Don—” Kenny interrupted Tony, looking back towards the stairs, trying desperately to keep his composure and focus. Emery reached a hand out towards Kenny, gently placing it on his upper arm.

“I know you have a big title match, but I thought you should know.”

Kenny stood there in silence for a moment, emotions running rampant on his face, licking his lip in thought before briefly telling Tony,” I’ve got a match—”

His words became muffled and almost inaudible as he waved off Tony dismissively. Emery gave Schiavone a small, apologetic smile as he backed up.

“Okay, buddy…”

“This is the last thing Kenny needs right now,” Emery frowned, sighing deeply as she watched Kenny bring one hand up and pinch the bridge of his nose, his head hung slightly. Grimacing as he pulled his hand away, Kenny glanced towards the crates beside him, his focus on the match quickly dissipating.

“You’ve got this,” Emery told him, trying to be as supportive as possible. Kenny’s old music hit, the sound of Devil’s Sky flowing through the arena as it was bathed in the blue lights.

Trying to shake the thoughts from his head, Kenny climbed the steps and walked out onto the stage, Emery following along right behind him. Standing behind him, she tried to keep as much emotion off her face as possible, forcing a small smile on her face for the crowd and fans. Pointing to the sky, pyro went off beside them before the two walked down the ramp toward the ring. Kenny stopped briefly at the steps to the ring, trying to focus on the task at hand. As he stood there, Emery looked at him, taking in his left elbow that was bandaged in black tape and the blue kinesio tape on the left side of his abdomen.

Jeff Cobb was not an opponent that you wanted to fight while injured in any way and lack focus.

Emery stayed on the floor, giving a curt nod to Kenny as he stood in the corner of the ring while the referee held the belt up. He returned the nod; his expression was flat, emotionless, as he tried to focus. The bell rang, and the two locked up; it didn’t take long for Emery to become very concerned as Kenny began to clutch his abdomen. Hobbs caught onto it, too, and started to zero in on it when he could. She could tell, as she paced ringside, calling out to Kenny in support—that he was not fully there. His body was there, sure, and his brain and heart. But Kenny’s soul was not in the match—it was far away.

Was he concerned about the Bucks? About Hangman? Or was he concerned about Callis still?

Emery wanted to believe that it was the Bucks and Hangman that caused his lack of focus, but something told her that she was wrong. As she watched Cobb stand on Kenny’s back, his full weight pressing into the already sore ribs, Emery winced, backing up from the apron.

“Come on, Kenny! You got this!” she called out, trying to will him back into it somehow. Peering around the corner post, she watched in horror and concern as Cobb picked Kenny up from the floor and sent him stomach-first into the barricade around the ring. Emery felt her entire body tense up, her teeth grinding as she watched—quickly spinning away to avoid watching as Cobb picked Kenny up and rammed him spine-first into a nearby ring post.

Emery felt sick to her stomach the longer the match went on. Every time Kenny would attempt to lift Cobb up, he’d buckle as his ribs cried out in protest. Every defense Kenny tried to mount would end the same way—his ribs sending sharp pains through his body, causing him to buckle to the ground and allow Cobb to get the upper hand once more.

She had no idea how he managed to do it, but Kenny pulled off a string of defenses, picking up Cobb and performing a snapdragon suplex, quickly following it with a V-Trigger and another snapdragon. However, after the second suplex, Cobb got up, and with a lariat, Kenny was back down, clenching at his ribs.

The thought of tossing in the towel, if only to save Kenny from serious injury, occurred to Emery several times—but if she had done that, it would cost him the championship.

And that was one thing Emery could never do to him. Kenny worked hard and put himself through a lot to get each championship. Especially after losing all the titles he had back in 2021 so he could take a break and get what surgeries he needed to heal his body.

Emery watched as Kenny climbed the corner turnbuckles, preparing to launch an attack—wincing as Cobb caught Kenny right under the chin with a fierce headbutt. From her spot, she could hear the impact, making her worry that Kenny might have a broken or fractured jaw. She turned her back, not wanting to watch as Cobb delivered a delayed vertical suplex from the turnbuckle—and with a grimace, she heard the impact Kenny’s body made with the matt when he landed. Risking a glance over her shoulder, Emery felt her heart breaking as she watched Kenny writhe in pain, his back arching off the matt below him.

A two-count pin for Cobb only served as the beginning, as he performed a moonsault press and went for another pin—but again, Kenny managed to kick out at 2. Cobb pulled Kenny over to the ropes closest to Emery, pushing him into them to do more damage, but only briefly. The ref backed him off, and Emery hurried to Kenny to check on him. Gasping for air, his eyes glazed over as he fought to breathe through the pain. She glanced up briefly at Cobb, standing behind Kenny; he gave her a wink, holding his hand up like Kenny does before he delivered a V-Trigger, and as he ran at Kenny, Emery jumped away from the impact.

“Kenny!” Emery called out, wondering if throwing in the towel was the right thing to do after all. He’d forgive her eventually… wouldn’t he? Biting her lip, she watched as Cobb lifted Kenny up for a one-winged angel, and anger coursed through her at the mockery—but she quickly smiled as Kenny slipped out of it and went for a one-winged angel of his own. It was a mistake, though, because as soon as he tried lifting Cobb off the matt, his ribs gave out, and he landed on his knee.

“Come on Kenny! You got this!” Emery yelled at him, turning to the audience to try and get them behind Kenny. He shook his head, clearing the cobwebs for a moment, before performing a ripcord V-Trigger on Cobb, getting the larger man’s chin with his knee, and quickly following it with a V-Trigger. Emery held her breath, watching as Kenny lifted Cobb up, keeping him on his shoulders for a substantial period of time—probably longer than he should have—before successfully doing a one-winged angel and going for the pin.

At the three count, Emery jumped in joy, and her arms stretched out to the sky as she smiled; Kenny clutched his ribs, rocking back and forth as he lay on the matt. Despite the excitement of the win, Emery grew extremely worried for him. Kenny managed to kneel in the middle of the ring, his shoulders visibly heaving as he struggled to breathe. As he eventually made it to his feet, Emery climbed up onto the apron, smiling at Kenny- and he returned the smile, but it quickly disappeared into a grimace as he fell back to his knees, clutching his ribs.

Emery knelt down on the outside of the ring apron as Kenny slowly crawled over towards her.

“Hey, give me a number Ken. How bad is it?” Emery asked him, frowning at how hard it was for him to breathe.

“I’ll—I’ll be—fine,” he choked out, trying to level his breathing.

“Kenny—” she started to argue, but the crowd began to stir at something, and as she looked around, Emery felt her heart drop. Blackpool Combat Club jumped over the barricade and slowly circled around the ring. Kenny saw the fear in her eyes, looking over his shoulder to see what it was before he began to worry. Unable to stand, Kenny kept spinning around carefully on his knees, trying to keep all three members in his line of sight.

“Stay back, Emery,” Kenny called out to her as she stayed perched on the apron.

“What? No! Kenny, I can help—”

“No!” He exclaimed, his eyes landing on her. As she stared into his blue eyes, Emery could see the concern and the uncertainty he was feeling; she could help—she knew she could, and he knew she could.

So why was he having her stand back?

“That’s right Lil girl,” Mox drawled, as he paced the side of the ring closest to her, “Might wanna stay out of this.”

Looking back to Kenny, Emery saw his focus was once again on BCC as they slowly climbed up onto the apron. Biting her tongue, and against her better judgment, Emery carefully slid off the apron she was on. Just as BCC was about to enter the ring, Bryan Danielson’s music blasted through the arena—catching everyone by surprise.

Hope surged through her as Bryan entered the ring, and BCC fled to the side, gathering together outside the ring. Kenny is just as surprised as anyone and uncertain about Bryan’s intentions.

“What are you doing?”

Emery heard Claudio call out to Bryan but got no answer. Turning to Kenny, Bryan held out a hand to help him up. A smile found its way onto Emery’s face, thinking that maybe- just maybe- Kenny would make it out without further injury. Though he was uncertain, Kenny eventually took Bryan’s hand, and no sooner had Kenny gotten to his feet than he took off, sprinting across the ring to knock Yuta off the apron. The younger man had been trying to sneak into the ring, but Kenny had seen him instantly. Astonished at his sudden gust of energy, Emery was focused on Kenny and completely missed Bryan crouching down in the corner opposite of her friend—and was shocked when Kenny turned around, walking right into a knee to the face.

“KENNY!” Emery yelled, pressing against the apron as Bryan locked Kenny into a face lock, and the rest of BCC slid into the ring, beginning their attack.

Ignoring that Kenny had told her to stand back, Emery reached up and grabbed the second rope- using it to pull herself up onto the apron, fully prepared to get into the ring, only to be cut off before she could. Mox knelt down in front of her, blocking her path with a sickening smirk on his face.

“Nah nah nah,” Mox mocked, waving his finger back and forth, “Listen to daddy. He said stay.”

Narrowing her eyes as she glared at him, Emery slowly lowered herself back to the floor. Her eyes darted past Mox to where Kenny was; Bryan still had him in a headlock while Yuta and Claudio kicked at him. The timekeeper had begun to ring the bell repeatedly, trying to get some assistance to the ring to stop the attack. The first people out were Brandon and Nakazawa, but Mox and Claudio quickly took them out as Yuta continued to kick at Kenny.

Emery watched helplessly as some security came out to try and stop BCC, only for the group to take them out. Finally, Bryan let go of Kenny and stood up with a sickening smile as BCC stood beside him.

They all dropped their gazes from the crowd to Emery, each gaze saying the same statement.

Mox walked up to the ropes and yelled down to her.

“Your elite boys ain’t shit.”

Bryan joined him by saying,” By the time we’re done. There will be no Elite left in AEW.”

Claudio nodded, adding a warning, “It’d be best if you just stayed out of it. We don’t want to hurt a pretty face.”

Yuta stayed silent, and a part of her felt like the silence hurt more than the words from the other members of BCC. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Emery watched as BCC climbed out of the ring, and the second it was clear, she scurried into the ring and over to Kenny’s battered body.

“Kenny--!”

His eyes were open, but there was a faraway look in them. Emery gently placed her hands on his arm, too worried to make him feel more pain than he was already in. As the ringside doctor joined her beside Kenny and began to check on him, Emery watched silently, wondering.

How much longer was this going to go on? How much more could the Elite take?

[adampage]

I’m SCREAMING

[writercole]

September '22

Good morning and welcome. I'll be your librarian today. A little housekeeping first:

Patreon has been deactivated. It's too much stress for me right now.

Requests are generally always open for Supernatural, Marvel, Peaky Blinders, Top Gun: Maverick, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Star Trek, Han Solo, Poe Dameron, Charlie Young, The Boys, Sons of Anarchy, Boaz Priestly, Tom Hanniger, and Rhett Abbot as well as various characters from Tom Hardy, Chris Evans, Chris Pine, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Danny Ramirez, and Sebastian Stan.

I have one request that I'm splitting into two parts and then I'm going to be putting a stop to writing RPF. Nothing against it but it's not for me anymore.

Now down to the fun stuff:

September 13: The Best Benefits starts posting! Master List and Summary post on the 6th. It's a Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x Reader friends with benefits series.

September 16: Illicit Affairs begins posting! Master list and summary post on the 9th. Doctor Sam Winchester AU based on this drabble.

In Progress:

I have two Dean Winchester series in the works. Make Me Believe will begin once Illicit Affairs finishes.

There are several (and I do mean several) Top Gun: Maverick series starring Bob, Hangman, Rooster, and Fanboy.

I had started a new Jake AU but it ended up being a Javy date fic so we're getting set up with Hangman’s roomie, Coyote, because our bestie is dating Jake. I'm hoping to have this one ready in a week or two. 😉

The Last Job sequel is in progress and I've got a new piece in editing for publication.

If you'd like to be added to additional tag lists or just switch up to everything, send me a dm or an ask. 😘

Thank you guys for sticking with me and reading the things I write and being here when I need a boost. You're the best.

-Cole

Everything: @thelastpyle @deangirl93 @evergreencowboy @katelyn--renee @fictional-affairs @lassie-bird @paintlavillered @buckys-zomdoll @polireader @b3autyfuldisast3r @welcometothefandommultiverse @mlovesstories @supraveng

[adampage]

Sweethearts | Hangman Adam Page

Chapter 1: Call Me When You Want

Pairing: Hangman Adam Page x OFC (Raquel “Kelly” Montero)

Word Count: 2,459

Warnings: Mox & Nora make an appearance so if children in fics kinda throws you off, then this isn’t for you. Also there’s cursing.

Author’s Note: Hello, everyone! It’s been a minute since I actually finished something. I hope that y’all enjoy it. Feedback is appreciated! Send me an ask if you want to know more about them, I’m not gonna lie when I say it’ll help spark ideas for me to continue this further :]

She could see him from across the banquet hall screwing around with the dark order. Brandon was with them, camera pointed at the group while they tried their best to get through their BTE segment without laughing. They were playing a card game of some kind, sitting around a folding table. He was sitting chest to chair back, one arm across the curve of it, staring thoughtfully at the cards in his other hand. His tongue poked out and ran along his lips. She could hear someone - Uno probably, though she couldn’t be sure because her eyes were preoccupied - say something that made the entire group giggle, which immediately brought the most beautiful smile to his face. He was absolutely beaming. And to make matters worse, he cocked his head to the side, leaning it sleepily on his arm.

Wow, she thought, looking back down at her book. She had held it up to her face while she gazed at him. He is so fucking pretty. Too bad he’s literally never noticed me ever.

And then she felt it.

The feeling in the back of her spine, at the base of her neck. The little tug at her mind that begged her to pay attention.

Shh! It said. Somebody's watching you.

She looked up, horrified but curious.

Bright eyes met her dark ones. The color was unfathomable from the distance, but she had heard him say it once in an interview. They were green. If she had to describe them, though, they were ocean eyes. Sometimes bright blue, sometimes green, sometimes grey or almost brown, depending on the colors that surrounded him. The colors that he reflected. Just like the ocean.

Her eyes widened. Fuck.

Fuck fuck fuck.

He was looking at her.

What the fuck.

He didn’t seem to notice her mental breakdown. He ran his tongue across his lips again, and she could feel something deep in the pit of her stomach. John was next to him, flexing his bulging biceps at Brandon’s camera. All the men of the dark order were entranced, ogling him. Meanwhile, this one, the handsome one with the green eyes, was staring at her.

Her heart was racing. She wondered if anyone could hear it.

She pulled her book back up to her face, breaking eye contact. “That’s enough risk-taking for one day,” she mumbled to herself.

“Raquel ‘Kelly’ Montero, you are a professional wrestler.” A voice from behind took her by surprise. She whirled around and dropped her book with an echoing thud, catching the attention of everyone in the open banquet hall. She reached for her book, embarrassed by her lack of poise, and tried not to think about how he was probably looking at her again right now. She looked up, finding the familiar face of Jon Moxley, looking particularly amusing with one of those baby carrier thingies strapped across his chest, a chubby little Nora in tow. “Now what could possibly be more tied to taking risks than that?”

Kelly’s mouth formed a thin line. Was she gonna tell him? No. She couldn’t. This wasn’t something you just tell a guy. Certainly not her best friend’s guy. She could just hear Renee in her head: I cannot believe you told Jon before you told me!!

“I—“

“It’s Hangman, isn’t it.” He said it so dryly it didn’t even feel like a question. As if the question was just a courtesy. Nora babbled at the sound of his voice.

“How did you—“

“—Renee.”

“But I haven’t even told Renee yet!”

“I don’t know what to tell you. But she knows.”

Kelly sighed in exasperation. Unbelievable. She pulled on the duffel bag beneath her chair, figuring it was probably best to put her book away for now, and zipped it back up.

“Why don’t you just talk to him?”

She shook her head so quickly she was surprised it didn’t twist off. “No. Absolutely not.”

“Fine. Look, I’m not one to talk because I usually don’t fuckin’ talk or give a shit, but I’m trying to reason this out from your level.” He motioned for her to scoot a bit so he could sit on the edge of her chair, and she obliged him, giving Nora her index finger while he continued. “He’s a locker room leader. Came with the title. You gotta say hello. It’s common practice and everyone will think you’re a piece of shit if you don’t.”

Raquel squirmed. He had a point. It’d been a few weeks and she still hadn’t had the guts to shake his hand. That probably looked bad to somebody, and she couldn’t handle that kind of judgement. She groaned, making Nora’s eyes go wide. “Sorry, sweetie.” And then to Jon: “Fine, but I’m gonna be mad about it.”

She closed her eyes for a few seconds to calm herself and steel her nerves, but she realised the longer she took the more she tried to talk herself out of it. “Fuck. Okay. Fuck it.” She launched herself off the chair.

“Atta girl.”

Before she could even think, she was halfway across the banquet hall and she could almost see the grassy green of his eyes. Hahaha, oh shit.

“Hey, Kelly,” Brandon looked out from beneath his camera and waved. “We were just finishing up a BTE segment for next week.”

“Oh, hey, Brandon!” she mentally smacked herself for sounding as if she just noticed him when she had in fact been gunning in his and the dark order’s direction. She suddenly felt exposed and awkward. “I actually came to introduce myself? I realised I haven’t even met everyone and I’ve already been with y’all a few weeks.”

Brandon smiled and nodded. “Yeah, sure, lemme help you with that. Everyone, this is Kelly Montero, she’s one of TK’s newest acquisitions.” The members of the dark order took turns saying hello and shaking her hand, while Brandon told her their names. “And this,” he said, gesturing towards Hangman, “is our AEW world champion, Hangman Page.”

It was the first moment she allowed herself to look him in the eyes again. He stood up from his chair, beautiful green eyes meeting hers as he reached for her hand. “That introduction was embarrassing, I’m so sorry,” he said, and tripped over his chair. He sighed, pulling himself together. “That, too.”

She laughed, attempting a second time to shake his hand. Kelly noted his hand was a bit rough, but not in a way that was unpleasant. “Hi, Hangman. Nice to meet you.” She shyly pulled a strand of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear.

“Oh, don’t-it’s Adam. Just Adam.”

“Okay. Adam.”

He seemed pleased. It was only then that Kelly realised they were still holding hands, and pulled away, blushing. A small smile played on his lips. She wondered if it meant something.

“Uh, Brandon called you Kelly, is that really your name?”

At this point, everyone in the dark order had stopped paying attention to her, talking amongst themselves while Brandon sat down across from them to survey his footage.

“It’s…Raquel, actually. But everyone calls me Kelly.”

Adam’s eyebrows furrowed as he gestured toward the chair John had vacated beside him, and her heart leapt. She sat down next to him as he spoke. “Do you prefer Kelly?”

She squirmed in her seat, rubbing the palm of her hand with the opposite thumb. She couldn’t bear to look at his eyes anymore. It was like being completely and totally exposed. It was horrifying. And yet, somehow, it was the most she’d felt in her soul in years. “Actually, I hate being called Kelly. I just let them because people say Raquel is hard to say?” She shrugged. “I dunno, it’s just always been like that.” An awkward laugh erupted out of her. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this? You don’t even know me.”

Adam smiled, leaning back in his chair. He looked positively mesmerizing, splayed out on his chair like a lazy house cat. He did that little thing she’d noticed before, where his head cocked to the side and rested on his arm. “Maybe not. But…” he paused, catching her eyes, “...I’d like to, if that’s okay.”

She blinked. Twice, three times. Finally, “Uh. Yeah. Yeah, definitely.”

From his back pocket, he pulled out his phone. He started typing. “Ra….quel. Mon. Tero. Parenthesis, Not…Kelly. Close Parenthesis.” He handed it over to her. “Here.”

She took the phone shyly into her hands, forcing herself not to notice that their fingers had brushed and a fire had lit beneath her skin. Staring at the little screen, she smiled, a small moment of curiosity flashing across her face. Wetting her lips, “You spelled my name right.”

“I did?” He sighed, his mouth animatedly turning into a circle and letting out air, “that’s great because I feel like I embarrassed myself enough today.” They both laughed.

“You? Embarrassing? Nuh uh, no way. Champions don’t get embarrassed!” Raquel flirted, mentally kicking herself for allowing herself to be one of those girls. But wait. Literally why shouldn’t I be? Who cares?

While Raquel battled herself on whether it was okay to flirt, Adam answered her bashfully, scratching at the base of his neck. “Well, you’d be surprised.” He pulled himself out of his resting position, making to stand. “Guess there’s a lot about me you still need to find out.” His eyes brightened. Man, was he perfect. His golden curls framed his face in a way that could make a pageant girl jealous.

She stood up too, flattening out her skirt with her hands, cheeks flushing red. God. God! Then, “Oh! Wait.” She pulled out her phone, opened a new contact page, and handed it to him.

“Don’t trust me?” He joked. “Not like you don’t know where to find me.” His eyes gestured around them, then he smiled at her radiantly. Everything about him made her heart flutter.

“Whaaaaaat? No!” She smirked. “No, actually, I - I don’t answer strange numbers.” Her arms folded across her body.

“Oh,” he squinted at her, biting his lip. Amused. Flawless. “Reckon that makes sense.” He finished typing his contact in, handed it back.

She stared at her phone. Raised an eyebrow. “Man with No Name?”

He shrugged. “Well, y’know.”

“You really stick to that cowboy gimmick, don’t you?”

He focused on the ground, one of his caiman leather boots scuffing the floor. Tugged lightly on his belt loops. “Like gum on a boot.”

“Oh, my god.” She hid her face behind her hand.

He smiled. Looked back up at her. Moved a little closer. “What?”

The air had been sucked out of the room. Raquel tugged at her loose cardigan, suddenly very aware of the short distance between her mouth and his, a finger’s width away. She wondered if he could hear the loud thumping in her chest. Her eyes fluttered. She wouldn’t allow herself to look down at those lips he so often ran his tongue along, choosing instead to meet his eyes through her fingers.

She could scarcely speak, her voice but a whisper. “Nothing, I just —“

The moment was shattered by the wail of a baby. Turning away from Adam, Raquel’s eyes found Mox and Nora across the banquet hall. He looked to be arguing with her while she sobbed, red little cheeks painted with tears.

She turned back. “I better go help him. Renee’s busy with an interview.”

Adam’s eyebrows furrowed, eyes giving a hint of disappointment. As if maybe he enjoyed her company. Raquel didn’t want to relish that thought too much, for fear she was wrong.

By the time she reached them, Nora was full-on shrieking. If she wasn’t happy, nobody could be happy. “Mox, what did you DO to her?!”

A bag crinkled in his hands, and Raquel could see the brightly colored shape of gummy worms in the packaging. Mox pulled one out, bringing his hand back up towards his mouth, when Nora tried to reach. “I didn’t do nuthin’ but what I was told. Renee said no sugar for the baby.”

Raquel rolled her eyes, incredulous. “So you thought it was a good idea to dangle it in front of her?!” She reached for Nora as Mox sat down to help pull her out of the baby bjorn.

“Kid’s gotta learn you don’t always get whatchu want,” he mumbled as he bit the tail end (or was it the head?) of a gummy worm, “it’s an important life lesson.”

Nora settled the opposite of gently onto Raquel’s hip, still upset but immediately lowering her volume as she noticed the change of hands. Raquel beamed at Mox, who just rolled his eyes. “I guess she knows who her favorites are, don’t you, sweet pea?” she said, falling into a fit of baby talk.

“Hey, eh. None of that sh-well. None of that,” he said, waving another gummy worm in Raquel’s face, who ceased the baby talk. “Kid needs to learn to speak English.”

“Oh, boo to that,” Raquel said, shaking her pinkie in Nora’s little fist as they bobbed gently. The baby’s weight felt comfortable on her hip, like it was always meant to be there. “Also, you realise you already said the f-word and the s-word in front of her today, already, right?”

“Well, fuck it, then. So how’d it go?” Mox nodded, biting off the head (or tail?) of another worm, looking very bluntly in Adam’s direction with no sense of discretion whatsoever.

“Um. Okay?”

Mox scoffed. “Okay? Dude was smilin’ the entire time and phones were in hands. You’re tellin’ me that went just okay?”

Raquel sighed, rolling her eyes, but eventually giving way to a happy grin. Her voice went up a couple pitches but she tried to maintain control of her excitement by whispering. “I have his phone number! He has mine!”

“Oh my god, it’s a miracle,” he replied sarcastically.

Raquel frowned. Then, realised she’d forgotten something. “Thank you.”

“On account of?” He grinned at his baby, who began to squirm in Raquel’s grasp. Nora wanted her daddy back.

“Encouraging me.” Raquel sat down next to Mox, handing the baby over. “Here.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, “you’re welcome. But ol’ Mox can’t always be here to take care of you, ya know.”

Raquel smiled, nodding. “I know, I know.”

Mox held Nora up for a second, looked into her eyes and listened to her quiet babble. “Sometimes It’s gonna be Eddie.”

Which made Raquel burst into a fit of laughter.

Across the room, the cowboy’s ear perked up at the sound. He couldn’t help but feel like he wanted to hear that sound, again and again, and again, for the rest of his life.