Unexpected Desire

Pain, Deny, Repeat

(1st Person POV. Character: Gracie)

Leading Ludwig by his wrist, we both walked to his locker room. Making the quick pitstop to the break room to grab some ice.

"You really don't need to bother yourself with this, Gracie." Ludwig mumbled when I was putting the ice in a Ziploc bag. I smiled to myself. "It's okay, Ludwig. Really. I want to help." I reassured him as I zipped the bag shut.

He was doing his best to hide the fact that his chest was still in searing pain, but I saw right through his act.

We arrived at his locker room about a minute later. He unlocked the door to the best of his ability, but the more he moved his arms, the worse the pain got. "Ludwig, let me-" He cut me off before I could finish my sentence. "I've got it!" He said through slightly gritted teeth.

He pushed the door open a few seconds later. I stayed quiet, afraid I might have upset him a bit more than I'm sure he already was.

He walked into the room, flicked the light on, and walked over to his couch to sit down. Looking directly at me as he took a seat. I assumed he was waiting for me to say something.

I had briefly forgotten about the bag of ice in my hand. I'd never seen him so out of it. He was hurt, angry, and he felt humiliated all at the same time.

I'd probably made him feel a bit embarrassed as well. He was probably thinking that I was helping him because I felt he couldn't do it himself. It wasn't at all what I was trying to do, but I'd be thinking the same way if I was in his place.

My thoughts were broken by him speaking up. "Are you coming in or not?" I stayed silent for a moment longer. Then finally answered; "Um... Yeah... Yeah, I am." As I walked through the doorway and towards him.

Before I could sit down next to him he snatched the ice of of my hand. I was stunned at the way he was acting. He'd never done this before.

"I don't need to you to take care of me." He said. "I'm not a child. I've been injured before." He refused to make eye contact with me, and proceeded to place the ice over the bruised area.

It was then when I decided it wasn't best if I stayed. "Okay... Well, I'm glad you're okay..." I slowly responded, beginning to play with my hands. "I just, um... Wanted to make sure you got back to your room, I guess..."

I got no response. Only the light crinkle of the bag filling the rooms empty silence. It was about another minute before he said anything. "You should probably leave. I don't want your cousin catching you being around me."

The way he spoke sounded a bit harsh, but I was still quite touched at the way he didn't want me getting in trouble with my family member. "Okay. I'll... leave you be." I said, still a little upset myself. "Feel better." Were my final words before turning around and walking out of his locker room.

(✨Bonus scene!✨)

As I walked back to Ricochets locker room, I made the quick stop at Vince's office. Leaning closer to the closed door, I put my ear next to it and listened. And just as I'd hoped, Gunther was being scolded.

"I told you the day you got here to stick to the damn script!" The chairman yelled at the man. "People payed money to see Ludwig fight Nakamura! Not you knock your own partner down because he didn't win!!"

💭Total bullshit if I do say myself, Mr. McMahon.💭 I agreed in the back of my mind. But then Gunther spoke.

"So you just expected me to look at him as he failed? He embarrassed the way I look as the Intercontinental champion, and I will not stand to failure." Gunther spoke every word I'd expected him to.

It was so hypocritical. Gunther had lost so many matches in the past. And now he was 'punishing' someone who'd held a title before he could. And just because Gunther had a shiny belt, he thought he was better than everyone else.

However, Vince was like me. Or maybe I was like him. Both of us didn't take bullshit from anyone directly. I was just shy most of the time.

"You listen to me, and you listen to me well..." Vince said in a stern tone. I was ready to hear that Gunther was being threatened of being fired. Crossing my fingers in hope.

"You go off script the way you did tonight? And I'm not kidding. I will kick your ass out of this company. I don't care how long you've been here." Vince finalized.

I was punching the air in excitement. Happy that Gunther was getting what he deserved. Then I heard footsteps nearing the door. I needed to go!

I quickly ran down the hallway, and around the corner, making a b-line straight to my cousin's locker room. Unfortunately for me, my cousin himself was waiting for me when I stepped inside.

"Where have you been?" He began, clearly a tad bit upset, but definitely not angry. "You were supposed to be here when I got done with my meeting 20 minutes ago."

I sighed. "I know, I'm sorry!" I apologized. "I was just checking to see if Ludwig was okay!" Ric's eyes widened. "Ludwig?!" He questioned. "I told you not to go near him!"

I quickly answered back. "I know, I know! But even you saw what happened out there! I just had to make sure he was alright!" My cousin let out a deep sigh.

"Fine." He said. "I know how you get when people get hurt, so I'll excuse it this time. Just don't let it happen again, alright? I don't want to risk you getting hurt if Gunther finds you interacting with Ludwig." I smiled. Thankful that I had a forgiving and caring cousin.

"Of course, I promise." I responded while still smiling. Ricochet nodded in thanks before looking into my eyes. It was silent for a moment. "Ice cream?" I asked innocently. Ricochet smiled. "Ice cream." He agreed.

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Once again, thank you so much for reading! I did my best to make this chapter longer than the last, so I really hope you enjoyed it! The next update should be in two days. Or it might even be tomorrow! Depends on how I'm feeling. Lol. 😂
See ya gems! 💎💝

(Word count: 1114)