The city lights blurred past as Skye drove through the downtown streets, the energy of the night alive in the air. The conversation between her and Y/N flowed naturally, filled with easy laughter and shared stories about their experiences in the wrestling world. It was the kind of connection that felt effortless, as if they had known each other for far longer than just a few hours.

After a short drive, they arrived at a cozy, unassuming diner tucked away on a quieter street. The neon sign flickered, casting a soft glow over the entrance. It wasn’t flashy or crowded—just the kind of place where they could relax and enjoy a meal without any of the pressures or expectations that came with their profession.

“This is the spot?” Y/N asked with a smile as he stepped out of the car, taking in the diner’s nostalgic vibe.

“Yep,” Skye confirmed, grinning as she locked the car. “Trust me, the food here is great. Plus, it’s a nice change of pace from the craziness of the arena.”

Y/N followed her inside, the bell above the door chiming softly as they entered. The diner was warm and inviting, with checkered floors, red vinyl booths, and the faint hum of old rock ‘n’ roll playing from a jukebox in the corner. A few late-night patrons were scattered around, but it was mostly quiet—just the kind of atmosphere they needed.

A friendly waitress greeted them and led them to a booth by the window. Y/N slid into one side while Skye took the other. The menu, with its mix of comfort food and diner classics, offered a variety of options that immediately made Y/N’s stomach growl.

“So, what’s good here?” Y/N asked, glancing up from the menu with curiosity.

“Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything,” Skye said, her eyes scanning the options. “But if you’re in the mood for something hearty, their burgers are pretty famous around here.”

“Sounds perfect,” Y/N decided, setting the menu down. “I think I’ll go with that.”

“Good choice,” Skye said with a nod. “I’m getting the same. Might as well celebrate your debut with something satisfying, right?”

The waitress returned to take their order, and after a brief exchange, left them with two cups of steaming coffee. As Y/N took a sip, the warmth of the drink settled him further, and for the first time all night, he felt completely at ease.

Skye leaned back in her seat, cradling her cup in her hands as she looked out the window at the passing cars. “You know, nights like this are my favorite part of the job,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “After all the chaos, the matches, the adrenaline—it’s nice to just slow down and have moments like this.”

Y/N nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. “I can see why. It’s easy to get caught up in everything—the pressure, the constant need to prove yourself. But it’s these quiet moments that remind you why you love doing it in the first place.”

“Exactly,” Skye agreed, her gaze returning to him. “Sometimes it feels like we’re always on, always performing, whether it’s in the ring or just interacting with fans. But it’s important to take a step back and just be… you know, normal for a bit.”

Y/N chuckled, appreciating her perspective. “Normal… it’s funny how something so simple can be so rare in our line of work.”

Skye smiled, her eyes reflecting the warm light of the diner. “Yeah, but that’s why it’s special. I’ve learned to cherish these moments, especially when you’re with good company.”

Y/N felt a flicker of something deeper in her words, a connection that went beyond just two wrestlers sharing a meal. There was a genuine sense of understanding between them, a mutual respect that was growing with every conversation.

The waitress returned with their food, setting down two plates loaded with burgers and fries. The sight and smell of the meal made Y/N’s mouth water, and he wasted no time digging in, the first bite delivering on all of Skye’s promises.

“This is amazing,” Y/N said between bites, his eyes widening in appreciation.

“Told you,” Skye replied with a grin, taking a bite of her own burger. “Sometimes the simplest things are the best.”

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, both of them savoring the food and the moment. The noise of the outside world seemed distant, the din of the diner creating a bubble of peace around them. It was the kind of moment Y/N hadn’t realized he needed until he was in the middle of it.

As they neared the end of their meal, Skye leaned forward slightly, her expression more serious. “You know, Y/N, I can see big things in your future. You’ve got the talent, the drive… but more importantly, you’ve got the right attitude. That’s going to take you far in this business.”

Y/N paused, taken aback by the sincerity in her words. “Thanks, Skye. Coming from you, that means a lot. I’ve always admired how you handle yourself—both in and out of the ring.”

Skye’s smile softened, a touch of humility in her eyes. “We all have our struggles, but it’s how you deal with them that defines you. I’ve learned a lot along the way, and if I can help someone else navigate this crazy world, then it’s worth it.”

Y/N felt a warmth spread through him, not just from the food or the coffee, but from the connection he was building with Skye. It was rare to find someone who understood the ups and downs of their shared profession so well, and even rarer to find someone who genuinely cared.

As they finished their meal and the waitress brought the check, Skye reached for it without hesitation. “My treat,” she said with a wink, cutting off Y/N’s attempt to protest.

“Are you sure?” Y/N asked, though he was already smiling, appreciating the gesture.

“Absolutely,” Skye insisted. “Consider it a welcome-to-AEW dinner. Plus, it’s not every day I get to hang out with a rising star.”

Y/N chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Well, thank you. I owe you one.”

“Don’t mention it,” Skye replied as she handed the check back to the waitress. “Just promise me we’ll do this again sometime. It’s nice to have someone to unwind with after a show.”

Y/N nodded, feeling a sense of contentment settle over him. “You’ve got a deal.”

They left the diner and stepped back into the cool night, the city lights casting a soft glow around them. As they walked back to Skye’s car, the conversation turned lighter, filled with jokes and stories that made the time pass quickly.

When they finally reached the car, Skye turned to Y/N, her expression thoughtful once more. “I’m really glad we did this. It’s good to know there are people here you can count on, you know?”

“Same here,” Y/N replied, meeting her gaze with a smile. “This night turned out better than I could’ve imagined. Thanks for everything, Skye.”

She returned the smile, her eyes warm. “Anytime, Y/N. This is just the beginning for you, and I’m excited to see where it takes you.”

They shared a brief, meaningful look before Skye unlocked the car and they climbed in. The drive back to the arena was filled with more lighthearted conversation, but underneath it all was a newfound sense of camaraderie.

As they arrived back at the arena and Y/N gathered his things, Skye gave him a final wave. “See you at the next show?”

“Definitely,” Y/N replied, feeling a strong connection with her. “Looking forward to it.”

With that, they parted ways for the night, but Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the start of something special. As he made his way to his car, he felt a sense of peace, knowing that in this whirlwind of a business, he had found a friend he could count on.

The future was uncertain, but with Skye by his side, Y/N felt ready to take on whatever came his way.