Wrestling One-Shots Six

Jack Perry

You are backstage for Dynamite talking with Willow and Kris after your match against Robyn Renegade a few minutes ago.

"The belt looks so good on you, Willow." You compliment Willow and the shiny new TBS championship belt hanging off her shoulder. "I can't wait to see you and Mercedes go at it. It's going to be such a good match."

"Thanks, YN." Willow smiles at you. "I saw your match with Robyn just now. You looked great back there." She pays the compliment back.

You, Willow, and Kris chat for a while about work. Kris is showing you a new photo of her pet lizard when the three of you notice the sound of the AEW crowd becoming rowdy.

"What's got them all worked up?" You wonder aloud.

"No clue. Wanna go see?" Kris shrugs.
You and Willow nod so the three of you weave your way through the backstage are. You make it down near the tunnel entrance where some monitors are streaming the show.

"Isn't that Jack Perry?" Willow is the first one to speak up. "What's he doing out there with the Jackson brothers and
Okada?" She asks.

Your attention snaps to the monitor in front of you at the mention of Jack's name. You haven't seen Jack since the incident last Summer at All-In with CM Punk. Kris notices the surprised look in your eyes and remembers that you and Jack were hanging out a bunch before the incident.

"Hey, didn't you and Jack used to be close?" Kris asks you.

"Yeah." You nod. "I haven't talked to him
since that fight he got into with CM Punk." You explain.

Willow turns around to join the conversation. "That long?" She asks you. "He didn't even like text you?"

You shake your head and turn back to the monitor. You watch Jack commit an assault on poor defenseless Tony Khan with help from The Elite. Your stomach churns at the despicable sight. But in the back of your mind, you can't help but notice how attractive Jack seems now. This new persona he's putting on is enticing, to say the least.

"Damn, that was brutal." Willow shakes her head when the camera feed cuts out, signaling the end of the show.

"I know." You agree.

Kris and Willow head back to the locker rooms so they can get ready to leave. But you linger backstage for a bit. You hang around and try not to act suspicious until eventually, Jack comes strutting back through the tunnel with his new friends.

"YN!" Matt Jackson greets you with a smug grin. "What are you doing hanging out all the way out here?" He asks you casually.

"Hi, Matt- er, Matthew. Sorry." You offer the EVP a small wave. "I was just cooling off and enjoying the show." You explain.

Matt nods and steps off to the side with
Nick and Okada. Jack steps up to the front of the group and locks eyes with you.

"Hey, Jack." You smile at your former close friend. "You grew a beard! It looks nice." You pay him a friendly compliment.

"YN." Jack returns your smile. "It's good to see you again." He takes a step toward you and away from his newfound friends. "You've been growing out your hair? It looks nice too." He adds.

You smile at the ground sheepishly and nod. "Yeah, thanks. How are you?" You ask him. "I heard that you were off doing some work in Japan. How was it over there?"

"It was good." Jack shrugs. "I learned a lot while I was over there, that's for sure." He explains. "Hey...listen, YN. I'm sorry that I didn't call or anything these past few months." He rubs the back of his neck.

You shake your head at Jack's admittance of guilt. "Jack, no, it's alright." You assure him.    You step forward and close the gap between the two of you. Jack looks a bit surprised when you place a gentle hand on his arm.

"You're forgiving me? Just like that?" Jack laughs. "But I was such a dick to you these past few months." He shakes his head again. "I mean. I just up and left! I ghosted you for so long!"

You shrug and crack a small smile. "You were getting railroaded!" You remind him. "Scapegoat, remember? I get it. And sure, it would have been nice to get a call or a text just to see how you were doing. But it's okay. I get it." You assure him one more time.

Jack laughs again and you suddenly find yourself trapped against his chest in a warm embrace. "Man. You've really got it bad for me, don't you?" He teases you. His new bad-boy persona breaking through.

You giggle and break out of his embrace. "I've got it bad?" You quirk a brow at him. "You spent half a year in Japan surrounded by groupies and yet here you are." You tease him right back.

"Right here begging me to forgive you for ghosting me."

You and Jack both laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. You glance down at his hand now holding your wrist in the gap between the two of you. It's like he's making sure that you aren't going to go anywhere.

When you glance back up at Jack's face you find him staring at you with a tell-tale twinkle in his eye. You recognize the look to be the same one you used to give him when he wasn't paying attention. Like you are just dying to kiss him.

"If I try and kiss you right now, you aren't going to slap me, right?" Jack asks you playfully.

You shrug and match his playful smile. "I guess you'll just have to try it and find out." You tease him.

Your teasing remark earns one last laugh from Jack before he closes the gap between the two of you. You feel his hand snake behind your back, his palm laying flat against the small of your back as he pulls you flush against him. Your eyes flutter shut as Jack crashes his lips to yours in a sweet but passionate kiss. A kiss that's about three years in the making and about six months late.

But damn was it worth the wait.