Wrestling One Shots/Short Stories

Dante Martin Part 1

"Hook! You got the paperwork?" Dad yelled as the match ended, Hobbs leading Hook and me towards the ring where Dante Martin was standing after his win. "You do have the paperwork, right," I asked, arching an eyebrow at my brother, who pulled the contract out of his pocket with a huff and handed it to Hobbs, who slid into the ring first. "Dad would have rung my neck if I didn't," he mumbled back, the both of us rolling in after the larger male. I zoned out as Ricky spoke, giving Dante the speech about joining Team Taz, tuning back in as Hobbs shoved the paper into Dante's chest, turning and leaving the ring, Hook and I following shortly after. "Hey, Blue, maybe you could go talk to him. You're his age," Ricky suggested as we stepped into the back, leaving my dad to finish the rest of the show on commentary. "Don't call me that." I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest and sharing a look with Hook. "Sorry, Sapphire, maybe you could talk to him, though," he sighed, making me scrunch my nose. "I doubt Dad would approve," Hook chimed in both our phones, chiming in unison. "Or it was his idea," Ricky smirked, both of us checking our phones to see a group message from Dad suggesting the same thing. "Fine, but I'm bringing Hook with me." I groaned, grabbing my brother's hand and dragging him through the hallways and closer to Dante's locker room. "So, what, we just lurk till he comes back?" Hook asked, leaning against the wall. "I mean, I guess? I've never done this before." I shrugged, pulling out my phone to play games while we waited. "Can I help you?" the voice of Dante Martin sounded, dragging our attention up to see him standing in front of us with the contract in his hand. "Just thought if you had any questions, we could help you." I shrugged, hating that it was just Hook and me, which meant we had to do the talking. "Or if you wanted to just hang out. See that we aren't that bad," Hook added lowly with a shrug of his own.

An awkward silence filled the hallway, Hook and I sharing a look as we waited for Dante to say something. "Sure, why not? It couldn't hurt," he finally sighed, stepping into his locker room and waiting for us to pass before he shut the door. "What is Hobbs like," he asked as he dug through his bag and stepped behind the changing curtain. Hook and I took a seat on the couch. "Quiet, likes his own space." I started, "But once he gets comfortable, he's hilarious and protective," Hook added, pulling a bag of Taki's out of his pocket and opening them. "He's dedicated to his workouts. Likes to try different foods. Prefers staying in over going out partying." I finished taking a chip from Hook as the other male stepped back around now in sweats and a t-shirt. "What about Ricky?" he questioned, flopping into the chair, his question making me grimace. "The exact opposite." Hook grumbled. "He's nice," I offered quietly. "But he's loud and always wants to go out drinking." I scrunched up my nose. "And he's flirty. Doesn't care who it is or who it's around," Hook snorted, throwing his free arm around the back of my neck. "It's just his personality; I don't think he means it," I shrugged, taking another chip from the bag. "What are you two like," he asked the question, making me uncomfortable. I hated talking about myself, and I knew Hook felt the same. "I mean, we pretty much just stay together," my voice squeaked slightly, making me grimace once again. "Our Dad is nice. He cares about each of us in his own way," Hook said, suddenly changing the topic. "He knows when it's business and when it's not. He's really good about balancing Dad and Tazz. And not just with us. He cares about Hobbs and Ricky, too," I added, happy to talk about someone else. "We're a family. I know a lot of people didn't think so with the way things happened with Cage, but we are." I continued fading off to another silence. "Cage was a dick. All he cared about was himself. His matches, his training, his money." Hook elaborated, "We'd do team workouts or team dinners, and he wouldn't show up. Ricky and Hobbs helped Dad and Cody train us, but if we asked Cage anything, he looked down his nose at us and went back to his own thing," he continued explaining "It just got to be too toxic to work with him, so we did what we had to. And we're better because of it. Out there and back here," I shrugged, snuggling into Hook's side as Dante slowly nodded. We hung out for a little bit longer before we ultimately decided it was time to head out. After a quick exchange of phone numbers, we parted ways.

"You're smiley today," my dad commented as we walked into the arena for Dynamite a week later. "Oh, sorry." I chewed on the inside of my cheek to stop the smile from sliding onto my face, stuffing my phone back into my pocket before anyone could see it. "I didn't say it's a bad thing, just unusual," he sighed throwing an arm around my shoulders "Just excited for tonight I guess" I shrugged casually knowing they were going to ask Dante for his answer tonight. "Oh I'm sure you are, don't think I don't know about you two meeting up" he commented knowingly making me blush softly. "I'm sorry," I whispered, not sure what reaction he was going to have. "I'm not mad, sweetheart; I just want you to be careful. You don't usually let yourself get attached to new people, and I don't want to see you get hurt" he sighed his words a doubt I had been feeling for the last few days. "You always tell Hook and me to be careful who we trust. Who we let in." I whispered, snuggling into his side. "I don't want to trust him, and I don't really. But he makes me smile, and I don't think he even tries." I sighed, conflicted and unsure of all the new emotions I had been feeling in the last week. "Honey, that's normal. When I first met your mother I was scared everytime we were together. Even now after all these years and two of the greatest children in the world she still makes me nervous and scared" he admitted "But that's part of caring about someone and letting someone into your life and giving someone part of yourself" he continued as we stepped into the locker room. With his words on my mind we parted ways, my phone coming out of my pocket to continue texting the boy as my dad and the guys got ready for the night.  

It was finally time for our segment, I waved to Dante as we walked into the conference room, the camera crew placing each of us where they wanted us. Hook and I sat on either side of our dad while Ricky and Hobbs stood right behind us. I was glad I wouldn't have to talk; it was bad enough that they put me front and center on the screen. I zoned out for most of the segment, focusing back on what was happening as the sound of paper slapping the table caught my attention. Lio stormed out of the meeting, signifying we were almost done. I had to fight to hide the smile that wanted to slide on my face as the cameras cut, with Dante accepting a chip from Hook before we all started to part ways. Once everyone else was out of sight, I jumped onto Dante's back, the boy letting out a surprised laugh.. "I'm so excited you said yes!" I squealed quietly, wiggling on his back as his hands came up to grip my thighs in support. "How could I say no when you were part of the offer?" he questioned, tilting his head to look at me. "Beats me; I am pretty great," I grinned,, relaxing against his back as he wandered slowly through the arena, giving us some more time alone before we were back with the team. "Shorty, are you falling asleep back there?" he asked suddenly, my body jerking in response. "Maybe," I sighed, not realizing how tired I was until now. "Rest shorty, you need it," he sighed, adjusting his grip slightly as I relaxed against his back more. "When was the last time you slept?" he asked softly, hands gently rubbing my leg under his grip. "I don't know, a couple of days ago, I guess." I yawned my sentence, a silence falling over us, the silence and safety I felt with the boy easily helping me fall asleep against his back. 

OTHER POV

"Hey, there you" Taz stopped talking as he noticed with the newest signee of Team Taz, came his daughter sleeping against his back. "She fell asleep on our walk back here," the young man whispered, trying his hardest not to wake the girl on his back. "I knew she was lying when she said she was fine" Hook sighed getting up to his feet and carefully helping get the small girl off the back and onto the couch in the corner. "How long has this been going on?" Tazz asked quietly, now worried for his youngest child. "Couple days. At least that's what she said" Dante informed making the leader of the group shake his head "I was worried you would say that" he sighed "If she doesn't get enough sleep she'll be in really bad shape" he informed the room of men "I'll stay with her dad. You guys go do your stuff," Hook volunteered, knowing how bad it could be for his little sister if she couldn't get some rest. "Don't worry, she'll be alright. It's a good thing you got her to fall asleep." Taz assured the newest member of the group who was staring down at his daughter with worry on his face. "I got her." Hook nodded, the younger Martin brother following the others out of the room with one last look at the girl he was quickly starting to fall for.