Y/N wiped the sweat from his forehead as he made his way through the curtain, the thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd still echoing behind him. His heart was still racing, but there was a sense of satisfaction in his chest. He had done it—his AEW debut was a success. The adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, but now it was accompanied by a growing sense of pride.

As he stepped into the backstage area, the energy of the live crowd was replaced by the organized chaos of AEW's behind-the-scenes operations. Production crew members scurried around, preparing for the next segment, while wrestlers, trainers, and other personnel mingled in various states of activity. The sound of fans roaring in the distance blended with the backstage hustle, creating a constant buzz that filled the air.

Y/N was greeted by several nods and congratulations from fellow wrestlers and staff as he made his way down the hallway. He acknowledged each with a respectful nod and a brief smile, but his mind was still on the match. Every move, every counter, every near-fall replayed in his head as he walked. He had wanted to make a statement, and judging by the reactions, he had done just that.

As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with Skye Blue, who was standing near one of the catering tables. She was sipping from a bottle of water, her bright blue hair pulled into a ponytail, and she wore a light jacket over her ring gear. When she saw Y/N, her face lit up with a warm smile, and she stepped closer, her eyes shining with a mix of admiration and excitement.

"Hey, look who's the new talk of the town!" Skye greeted him with a grin, her voice playful yet sincere.

Y/N chuckled, his tense muscles beginning to relax as he faced her. "Hey, Skye. Did you catch the match?"

"Of course I did," she replied, her tone slightly teasing. "I wouldn’t miss your debut for anything. You were incredible out there, Y/N. Seriously, you had the crowd eating out of the palm of your hand."

There was a genuine warmth in her voice that made Y/N feel more grounded after the intensity of the match. He had heard stories about Skye's supportive nature, but experiencing it firsthand was different. He appreciated her words more than he could express, especially coming from someone who had been through the ups and downs of the business herself.

"Thanks, that means a lot," Y/N said, his voice a mix of gratitude and humility. "Orange Cassidy was tough—way tougher than he looks. But I guess that's the AEW way, right? Expect the unexpected."

Skye nodded, her smile widening. "That's exactly right. You never know what you’re going to get here, and that's what makes it so exciting. But you handled yourself like a pro. Honestly, for someone who’s just starting out here, you already feel like you belong."

Y/N felt a surge of confidence at her words. It was one thing to hear the crowd’s reaction, but getting validation from a peer—especially someone as respected as Skye—was a different kind of satisfaction. He was beginning to feel the camaraderie that made AEW such a unique place.

"So," Skye continued, tilting her head slightly, "what's next for you? Going to ride this wave of momentum?"

Y/N shrugged, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "That's the plan, I guess. But right now, I’m just taking it one match at a time. There’s a lot I still need to prove, and not just to the fans, but to myself too."

Skye nodded, understanding the sentiment. "That’s the right attitude. Just keep that fire going. It’s what’s going to set you apart."

For a moment, they stood in comfortable silence, the noise of the backstage activity seeming to fade into the background. There was an unspoken connection between them—two wrestlers on their own paths, but sharing the same passion for the craft.

"Hey," Skye said, breaking the silence with a lighthearted tone, "you know what? You’ve earned yourself a little celebration. What do you say we grab a bite after the show? I know this great spot not too far from here. Nothing fancy, just good food and a chance to unwind."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised by the offer. He had been so focused on the match that he hadn’t considered what he might do afterward. The idea of unwinding with someone like Skye, someone who understood the business and the pressures that came with it, sounded perfect.

"That sounds great," Y/N replied, a genuine smile crossing his face. "I could definitely use a break after tonight. Count me in."

"Awesome," Skye said with a grin. "I’ll meet you by the locker rooms when the show wraps up. We’ll head out from there."

As she turned to leave, Skye paused and looked back at him, her expression thoughtful. "Oh, and Y/N?"

"Yeah?"

"Welcome to AEW," she said, her voice sincere and filled with encouragement.

Y/N watched her walk away, feeling a sense of contentment settle over him. His debut had been everything he had hoped for, and more. He had made his mark, gained respect from his peers, and now, he had something to look forward to beyond the ring.

As he continued down the hallway toward his locker room, Y/N couldn’t help but feel that he was exactly where he was meant to be. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, that didn’t scare him. It excited him. And with people like Skye in his corner, he knew he was ready for whatever came next.