COMING UP EMPTY

Backstage! Where a certain person who shouldn’t be here (generally) is trying to access someplace she really shouldn’t be (specifically.)

That person is, yet again, Savannah Scandal–wrestling “journalist,” rumor monger, and generally the goddamn worst–and that place is the mens’ locker room, because of course it is.

She’s got her ear pressed to the door, and is slowly pushing it open. She turns her head in order to peek through the crack, hoping to catch one of PRIME’s wrestlers walking around in a towel…or out of one.

Instead she gets an eyeful of a tall…handsome…and above all, annoyed Indiana native.

Nate Colton: Can I help you?

Savannah quickly straightens up and steps back. Nate Colton takes this opening to exit the locker room and stand in front of the door, blocking Savannah’s path.

Savannah Scandal: Yes, you can open the door. My readers need to know how Hayes Hanlon manscapes. I think he’s got another mustache, right over his Event Horizon. You’ve been in the showers with him, I bet. Can you confirm?

Nate Colton: I don’t look.

Savannah Scandal: Oh, poo.

She fake-pouts for a moment, before looking up at the Next Diamond with a playful smile.

Savannah Scandal: I guess I’ll just have to talk to you, then.

Oh, no. Looks like you didn’t think this one all the way through, Nate. He scowls, and Savannah can sense his hesitation.

Savannah Scandal: Don’t be like that, sugar pants. I’m sure my fans would love to know what you’ve been up to.

Nate Colton: I don’t give a–

He suddenly clamps down on his tongue. Maybe he’s succumbing to Savannah’s charms.

Nate Colton: You know what? Fine. Whatever keeps you from harassing everyone else.

Maybe not.

Savannah Scandal: Loooooove it. So…who do you usually hook up with on the PRIME tour? Justine Calvin? Ashley Barlow? Enemigo XIV?

Nate Colton: I don’t date coworkers.

Savannah Scandal: Never said anything about dating, sweet cheeks.

Nate Colton: I don’t do that with coworkers either.

Savannah Scandal: You’re no fun. What if we talk about your dancer-slash-lover?

Nate Colton: What if we talked about wrestling instead of my private life?

Savannah Scandal: Booooooooooooooring. C’mon, you and Skye are SO cute together. How do you make it work when you’re both on the road?

Nate Colton: No comment.

Savannah Scandal: What’s the hottest nude she’s sent you? Or that you’ve sent her?

Nate Colton: No. Comment.

Savannah gives the Next Diamond a reproachful glare…but this quickly turns into a wicked smirk. She leans closer, and even stands on her tiptoes so she can half-whisper her words into Colton’s ear.

Savannah Scandal: C’mon, cutie. You gotta give me something here. My readers have insatiable appetites, and if you show them what you’ve got, I just know they’ll eat it right up.

She traces a finger across Nate’s right bicep, and he jerks his arm away from her.

Nate Colton: I’m not talking about my relationship on live television, Savannah.

Savannah Scandal: That’s too bad. But if you won’t talk about Skye Reeves, maybe you’ll talk about someone else? Maybe someone named J–

Colton’s eyes go wide, and he levels an irate glare at the tabloid reporter. He doesn’t even waste time saying “you wouldn’t dare,” because of course she would. She would 1000% dare.

Nate Colton: That’s not–

Suddenly remembering the presence of the camera, he turns around and mutters something to Scandal. We can’t be sure, but it sounds very much like “that’s not part of the deal.”

Savannah Scandal: It’s one or the other.

Nate Colton: Damn you.

Colton turns around, looking just about every kind of unhappy. Which of course only makes Savannah smile more.

Savannah Scandal: I know how scary the first time can be, sweetheart. So we’ll start off nice and gentle. Just give me a good…straight…answer. Okay?

Nate Colton: Let’s get this over with.

Savannah Scandal: That’s the spirit. So, you and Skye…how long has it been since you two shacked up?

Nate Colton: It–

He clams up again, but worry is starting to show on his face. It’s clear that he’s putting a lot of energy into self-restraint, and might not be able to hold out much longer.

Of course, Savannah notices this. She sees the crack in his resolve.

Time to bust it wide open.

Savannah Scandal: I’m sure you two can’t keep your hands off each other. She’s so beautiful…so flexible…

Nate inhales sharply, and holds his breath. A sense of danger creeps in…but with that feeling comes an idea.

This isn’t far off from what he feels in the ring sometimes, when the situation is dire and hope is lost. That’s when Nate, like many wrestlers, would tap into their inner reserve; that in-case-of-emergency boost that would allow them to turn the tide or pull off a miracle. A moment of strength, when his strength had long since run out. That’s what he needed right now.

But of course, Savannah won’t make it easy. Just as Nate steels himself for another hardball…she throws him a curve.

Savannah Scandal: Too forward? Okay. How about…when was the last time the two of you talked?

Colton reels a little; the question is better, but the answer is so, so much worse. He needs that strength right now.

So, like so many other times in his career, he reaches down deep within himself.

Nate Colton: …

And comes up empty.

Nate Colton: …about a month.

Scandal raises her eyebrows, but says nothing. Instead, she counts on Colton to fill the uncomfortable silence.

Nate Colton: She…left. Right when her tour started. And it’s…I mean, she should follow her dreams. I want her to be happy. It’s just…

He barely chokes out the last few words before trailing off, and letting out the breath he’d been holding. It sounds like defeat, more crushing than any he’d ever felt in the ring.

Nate Colton: …I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

Without another word, Nate opens the door of the locker room and retreats. Once the door is closed, Savannah claps her hands in delight.

Savannah Scandal: Thank you for my next article, Nate.

It is now time for our next match of the evening, let’s head ringside!