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The Great Jello Debate, part 2

"Apple pants!" Roux's eyes lit up when Seth stepped out of the locker room wearing the shiny black pants that laced up the thighs. When he reached down to pick her up, she shook her head and hugged his leg instead, playing with the laces as if they were strings on a guitar. Considering he was also wearing a knee-length faux-fur jacket, he was surprised it was the pants that got her attention, especially since she had seen them before.

"I knew that Applebee's commercial would pay off," Becky grinned, kissing Seth while Roux was preoccupied. Then she ruffled her daughter's hair. "Careful. Mama has to help with those later."

Scoffing, Seth slid his sunglasses—technically another pair of Becky's—into place. "Right. Help. I've heard that before." He glanced down to make sure Roux wasn't untying either of the laces. "At least I can't have a wardrobe malfunction in these," he added.

Becky grinned, going up on tiptoe to kiss his neck. "That sounds like a challenge," she whispered before stepping back and picking up Roux. "Okay, time for Dada to go work. That means we should go find the aunties and get dressed for the match. Wish Dada luck!"

"Good luck, Dada!" Then Roux waved at his knees. "Good luck, apple pants!"

"Oh, the apple pants are lucky, all right." Seth leaned in to kiss Roux and then Becky. "I'll catch up with you later. Say hi to all the girls for me." Some people thought it was strange that wrestlers wished each other luck when they already knew if they were going to win or lose, but it was habit. He had started wrestling almost twenty years ago—a lifetime ago, it felt like—and he still held that spark in his heart. Maybe it was being superstitious. Maybe it was just a nicety. But it didn't change much for him.

Working with Miz was always a relief, since he was one of the best talkers in the company and definitely among the best improvisers. It was all to set up a WrestleMania feud with Logan Paul, unfortunately. Seth was trying not to dwell on that, but it was somewhat inevitable, given that at this stage last year, he was preparing—subtly, quietly, unofficially, since things were still up in the air—to face the returning Cody Rhodes. After that level of intrigue and hype, almost any other non-title match would feel like a letdown.

There wasn't much physicality in the spot, at least not against him, but Seth was still careful to protect the laces on the pants when he attacked Miz and used his phone to call Logan Paul. Need something to look forward to tonight, he thought as he finished up the segment and headed to the back; he had a dark match after the main event, and he definitely wasn't risking the lace-up pants for that. After he changed into his wrestling gear, he tracked down Becky and Roux, who were doing pre-match stretches with Lita—and Trish Stratus, who was slated to help turn the tide in their favour. "Hey, Trish."

Trish rose from where she was showing Roux a simple yoga stretch and went over to hug him. "Hey. Good to see you. Want to join in? I have extra mats."

Becky glanced over and frowned. "You changed already? Don't go thinking that counts for our deal."

When Trish looked confused, Seth shook his head. "Friendly wager that I lost," he explained, sitting on a folding chair. "And also the last time I leave my fate in the hands of an internet poll."

"Sounds like there's a story there," Trish laughed, gently correcting Roux's stance so the little girl didn't topple over. "You're doing really good, Roux!"

"Thank you!" Roux beamed. She ended up losing her balance a moment later anyway, but quickly scrambled back into position. "I can do it!"

"Good job, sweetheart." Then Becky glared over at him. "You could totally wrestle in those pants. Toni Storm wrestles in pants like that...."