Conquering All

“Bingo” Bert mumbled to himself as he found a pizza joint open late for the holiday. God bless America and it’s drunk pizza cravers. He reordered from their last midnight craving and set his phone down. He tried not to be obvious as he watched her out of the corner of his eye silently. It hadn’t been more than a day since he found her a good half mile from where that press conference had taken place. He screenshotted the location on his phone, intending to return and really give it a look.

Something about being asked about her time between Baltimore and Indy obviously sent her into a tailspin. But why black out and walk? Was it directionless? Like, lights on no ones home? Was she set off and programmed to seek something out?

Jesus Christ, was he in over his head.

He shook the thoughts though, opting to stand from the couch and head to the microscopic kitchen. He pulled himself up on the counter, legs dangling as he watched her openly now. “Pizza’s comin. We ended up lucky.”

The news perked Nao up from her slightly dazed state, a smile making its way onto her face. “Oh that’s wonderful! I’m glad things worked out. Did you get something like what we had last time or are we trying another new dish?” While Nao initially looked to Bert with an eager sense of curiosity over their meal, she couldn’t help but notice gears moving, which brought about some concerns. “Are.. are you okay?”

He throws a smile on his face quick as possible “Yeah, i’m good yo. And yeah. Just reordered from last time. Figure we shouldn’t complicate things.” ‘You know, like when we kissed and you passed out’ he added silently before sliding across the counter to get closer to her. Although, to be frank, it was kind of pointless given the cramped space.But, it still felt nice to get that extra centimeter. “How about you, you good? Better, at least?”

“I think so..” Nao spoke with about as much confidence as people have when the cameras aren’t on them. Though she also took the second to close the little distance they had between each other, it was clear as day that she seemed troubled. “I’m sorry about that. I know you say not to apologize, but I keep trying to think about it and am having a hard time. There’s nothing there but where I went.. not where I actually was. It’s scary.. I am..”

”Here. With me.” he finished the sentence while reaching a hand out to rest on her arm comfortingly, giving a light squeeze. He can’t help but furrow his brow and after a moment of debate, he piped up “Where you went wasn’t where you were? Like..did you see something different when you blacked out? Is...is that what happens, yo?” Should he remove his hand? Eh. Who cares. He idly ran a thumb over where his hand rested, hoping the comfort was some kind of tether...or something?

Taking a moment to steady her breathing, she seemed to focus on the touch, her gaze shifting between the general area and back to Bert. “私はあなたと一緒にいることができて幸運です..” Nao followed her statement with an uncharacteristic sigh, doing her best not to get shaky. “I don’t want to see it, but it’s always there. There are a few places, that one shows up the most. It’s cold there. I feel the cold, but also feel the burn. I know it’s not just my head, but I don’t understand it. I hate it there, I want to stay here. I feel like.. I messed everything up.”

“I doubt that.” He replies quietly, hand sliding up to rest on her shoulder. Another comforting squeeze. Another excuse to maintain the contact. Smooth as sandpaper, McAlroy “Cold like..snow? Or like being afraid? If you don’t want to talk anymore, that’s fine..” a pause, he grimaces “I don’t like asking but you know I just want to help you, right?” he asks with that sort of curiosity where the wrong group of words could shatter a world.

Doesn’t take long to get under the skin, does it? “It’s snow.” Nao responded in a simple manner, taking her time to gather up the rest. “There’s snow, glass, it’s cold but burning. That’s the main place. Others are too blurry to really see. There are feelings, but no clear sights. In the snow though.. I see a lot. I don’t like it, but I can’t hide away. We should talk more, I just.. I need a way to say it without going. I don’t want to go.” It didn’t take long for the emotional cracks to show, Nao’s breathing becoming more labored. She was quick to reach her hand and grab hold of his, turning herself to face him more, tightening her grip, almost in desperation for the contact now.

Wordlessly he slides off the counter and his arms are around her, quietly shushing her as one hand reaches up to stroke her hair before he even knew what he was doing. If she were paying attention, she would catch the twitch as his own actions terrified him. Hell, the neighbors probably saw it and made fun of him. But here he was, holding her and running a comforting hand up and down her back. “It’s alright, hey...hey. We’ll find a way, yeah? Just like..” he thought of a way to get her to stay. To latch onto now.

“Like we’ll get through these fights. Together, okay? You and me, long as you’ll have me around.” he leaned back, staring down at her and searching for confirmation. To make sure he hadn’t lost her again. It took a second longer than usual, but her eyes met his and she gave a soft nod. “Together.. we will get through it all.. together..” Nao paused for a time, looking away before suddenly pulling him close in a tight hug. She did her best to tiptoe, trying her best not to lose what balance she had at the moment. “これ欲しい..” her voice called to him, barely a whisper. Her words probably weren’t understood but what was known was they carried meaning.

Bert definitely didn;t almost topple over from her sudden latching onto him. He was overwhelmed almost instantly. The scent of her shampoo, how close she was pressed to him nearly into his skin. Despite the tragic nature of it, he wouldn’t trade it for a single thing in this world or any other. The hand continued to rub her back, face burying for a second into the crook of her neck before slowly, gently disentangling himself. He clears his throat, hoping it takes the color from his cheeks.

“The hell did I ever do to deserve you comin’ around me?” the question was quiet, low. Just for them. The question brought color to Nao’s cheeks, the young woman smiling warmly. “I think the same thing when it comes to me. I am lucky you found me before it was too late. I am even luckier to have you..” though the words escaped rather smoothly, the hush that followed showed the shyness she possessed. It seemed like she was trying to search for more to say, but couldn’t.

So many words. So many sentences. All in a fucking flurry that he couldn’t make sense of one iota of it. He let out an exhale and finally raising his eyes to meet hers. In that millisecond though, it finally became clear. Only one thing he could say that made any sense to him..

“I know.” he leaned his forehead down, resting it on hers and letting out a low sigh “I know.”

Time stood still, it was so simple but so perfect. Nao couldn’t help the rosy smile, relishing each second she stood. She almost felt wrong in trying to express herself further, but felt the need. Just in case. “I’m.. glad.. I wish I could be.. better.. at this.. in general. You deserve..” her thoughts, emotions, and nature caused her to choke up. While she found herself shaking some more, this time it wasn’t in an alarming sense.

Bert just nodded and shifted his stance slightly, leaning back and tipping her face upward with his index finger on her chin. He did his best not to get lost himself at what was before him. They kissed already but anytime it got like this. The lightning, the fire it was all so new and so different from anything else he had experienced…

...and the universe loved mocking him. This time with the knock on the door as for once, the pizza man played the role of villain in his life. He considers for a split second not answering the door. Ever again. Resolving to stay there holding her and behind held in kind..

But then he also didn’t want to know right then who she fancied more, him or the pie.

“Foods here” it came in a breathless rasp.

Though it wasn’t vocalized on her end, her expression showcased how she felt her entire existence tug thanks to the interruption. A nod of acknowledgment brought the end to their embrace. However as he went to answer, she fought herself and actually won out for once. “Set it down.. and then come back to me, please..”

His gait hitched, but he nodded. He answered and practically mugged the pizza guy to get him out of his doorway. He lingered for a moment, letting the cool night air wash over him and dull the fires a little. When he was ready, he turned back and set the pizzas on the coffee table. Had he closed the door? It didn’t matter. He shot back over to her, and as soon as she was close enough she was in his arms again and the world…

It kinda fucked off.

---

If only it stayed fucked off.

Bert sat upon an equipment crate in the back. He had been released from the infirmary after sharing a mostly wordless bonding session with Don Tirri who had paid him a slap on the back and, likely a result of the pain meds, given him a rousing speech about how this won’t define him, either of them. Sure they traded some barbs but Bert held an immense respect for Tirri. The man had always been a traveler, but Bert never bought a wrestling magazine in the early 2000s that didn’t have the big Fin in it.

But all the respect in the world, nor the camaraderie could keep Bert’s attention on Tirri as he kept eyeing the door. Desperate to find her. As soon as he was released, he made his way to the equipment crates where they agreed to meet and dragged himself up upon it, scooting back so the wall could take over keeping him upright. The makeup had mostly run off his face between blood, sweat, and getting the tacks pulled from his face.

His arms were more bandage than anything else. Hell, all of him was. But he couldn’t focus on it now as he forced his tired eyes to stay open, scanning the hall for her. The slowest minutes had passed by before there were another set of steps heading towards the equipment crates. While seeming mostly fine on her end, save for the usual pains a first match back would bring, Ahmya.. Nao.. Shiori.. whoever she was at the present time started making her way over, a mix of concern and the tiniest speck of adrenaline shown in her expression. The last couple steps were more hesitant than the first, but regardless of that she offered a smile. “大変な夜でした.. how are you feeling?”

His eyes, which had managed to shut, opened upon hearing her voice. A smile broke through the scuffed up, half painted face. He took her form in and let out a happy sigh before responding, “Better now,” he shifted, and patted the spot on the crate next to him before continuing “You looked amazing out there. Chef Boyardee got lucky and he knows it, too. You’ll get ‘em next time.”

Giving a quick nod, she made her way onto the spot and took a moment to simply enjoy the comfortable aura. “I will get better.. I’ll keep trying.. you were amazing tonight. They all talk about heart all the time with so many.. but what you have is a real one. Do.. do we still have some of the ravioli in the can at home? I’ve been thinking about that since my match. I’m thinking about a lot.” It wasn’t too long before some color began to show on her cheeks, a little scoot closer following the blush.

Vicodin, weed, being a dumb twenty something. None of these usual impediments could keep Bert from missing her actions. Before he knew it, he leaned toward her until he felt his head rest upon hers, letting out a small sigh “We always got the Boyardee at casa de Bertya...get it? Its our names like, merged yo” he chuckled to himself, before letting the silence take hold a second. He swallowed a lump in his throat, anticipation more than anything “What...what else have you been thinking about?”

A girlish giggle accompanied the combination of their names, one that settled into a calming sigh when the question was sent her way. A delicate hand slowly left her side and settled close to his, the normally lost woman seeming almost firmly in place for once. “I’ve been thinking about this.. how this is.. how you are. It’s hard to explain, I’m not the best with emotions.. I’m not really the best with anything like this..”

“It’s okay. I suck at it.” He joked, smiling as he did so. He reached his own hard closer to hers, brushing her flesh for the first time in hours. It felt like a wave of peace instantly took hold, numbing the pain that racked him, “Nao...I” he paused, losing it before shaking his head. Maybe commentary was the answer for once, “You hear Arthur say we were an item on commentary tonight?” the question hung a moment as he braved turning his face to gaze at her. Being met with a rosier cheeked Nao, which one wouldn’t have thought possible if they saw her before, Bert was greeted with another soft nod.

“I asked to watch back a bit, to study my faults and.. I did. It made me smile. I hope that isn’t bad. I wa.. I mean.. Yeah.”

“Only bad part, is I thought I was doing a good job at hiding my emotions,” fucking liar. But the smile only broadened. He lifted his head from hers and looked down at the bashful, beautiful, charming, dangerous woman sitting next to his beaten and bloodied self. “I mean…” another pause. In the millisecond he roasted himself over having the balls to tackle someone into a spider web of barbed wire, but asking a girl he’d kissed a couple times and opened himself up to to go steady seemed like storming the beaches of Normandy.

“I don’t...I don’t think we should make Arthur a liar, yo.” He felt that detachment as his adrenaline shot up, his limbs felt like they were going to detach and float away, his eyes locked on hers “I..I’d actually really, really like it if we could make sure he wasn’t a liar.”

It took a second for his words to be absorbed by Nao, who looked like she was trying her best to appear as a tomato with how much color filled her cheeks. She made an attempt to speak, but found herself choked up on the first go. “I.. I.. think.. I think.. that would be nice.. really nice. Are you sure that you.. want this.. with me? I know I try but.. there’s so much you should have that I don’t.. know if I can do because of the puzzle.” While there were clear nerves tied into her words, she didn’t break eye contact, looking for answers and hoping this didn’t prove too much for him.

Bert, likely emboldened by the pain meds, lifted a hand to caress her cheek. For a moment a he didn’t speak, content seemingly to search for something in her eyes. What it was? He couldn’t say. But he found it, “I want this more than I wanted that belt,” he said simply, leaning in and planting a peck on her forehead. Another bit of medicated bravery, “Ever since you came into my life...since I drove to West Virginia and we rode back. I haven’t stopped smiling.”

“I know there’s puzzles, there’s problems, there’s everything and there will be more. But like I said...ever since you got here, all I do is smile. And that shit, yo..that trumps everything else..” he paused, chuckling as he leaned forward to rest his forehead on hers “That means yeah, By the way.”

Nao welcomed the touch, the confirmation with a warm smile that told the tale of her happiness. Still, she felt it best to express it however she could, hoping the words didn’t jumble so badly this time around. “This makes me happy.. you make me happy and smile too.. all the time. Even when I’m lost, I get to.. come back to you and that’s what I want.. as long as you’d like.” Deciding to be a little brave herself, she broke their head to head contact for a second to plant her own peck, this one to his left cheek before getting back to their previous state. Her blush might be permanent at this point.

Bert smiled, shifting against his own protest to lean back against the wall. He spoke as he did so, a bit of strain in his voice as even through the medical fog his back screamed from the movement “Then I hope you’re not busy for the rest of my life,” he mentally gave himself an impressed nod and pat on the back for that one, eyes resting on her. The red on her cheeks, the sparkle of her eyes.

Who said no one was perfect?

“And this might be the like...concussion talking. But even though I lost, I still think we should get that cat.” now, that full crooked smile spread over his face, shining through the scuffs and cuts as his eyes twinkle with a boyish, concussed kind of charm. “あなたはとても甘いです.. the rest of life and us getting our kitty? I truly am a lucky lady.. thank you for everything. I hope to be the best for you.. for us. This is true joy.”

“Thank you.” He said, before lifting an arm and wrapping it around her, pulling her flush to him and enjoying their bubble as staff walked by, starting the tear down process as they got ready to take the show on the road for the first time. In their little bubble though? It was silent, it was warm. It was real. “Thank you,” he repeated before adding “For believing in me.” he squeezed her slightly in the half embrace, before adding.

“We should go get the hot pockets from catering before that chef douche throws them all out…”

“I always will.. and I’ll make sure to get two bags this time. We deserve a big dinner for days!”

A snicker, Bert nods but remains silent for a second. Then, for probably the first time since they became so close he made a call, “Lets...just stay here for a while longer, first.” he exhaled, eyes closing as he pulled her closer still “I want to spend a few more minutes here so I got more of it to remember.”

And through the hustle and bustle of the backstage, even as roadies glared and hinted at them to get off the equipment crate, the pair sat there in a silent glow. For all the bloodshed and all the violence Dead by Daylight brought?

It couldn’t break them.