Into the Night

The night air was refreshing as Chris, Logan, Nikki, and Maryse made their way back inside the hotel after spending a few hours unwinding by the pool. The rooftop’s serenity had done its job, easing the tension that had gripped the brothers earlier. Now, with spirits lifted and laughter still echoing in their ears, they moved toward the elevator to return to their floor.

The lobby was quiet, the late hour leaving only a few staff members and the occasional guest passing by. The four of them chatted casually as they approached the elevator, their conversation lighthearted and easy. For Chris and Logan, the moments like these were rare, a break from the constant grind of the WWE schedule. But even as they laughed and joked with Nikki and Maryse, there was an underlying sense of anticipation, the knowledge that the night was far from over.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and the four of them stepped inside. Chris leaned back against the wall, glancing at Logan, who was standing next to Maryse, his posture relaxed for the first time that night.

“So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Chris asked, his tone casual as he looked over at Nikki.

Nikki smirked, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Tomorrow? Let’s see… We’ve got a pretty light day, so maybe some more downtime before the chaos starts again. How about you two? Any special plans?”

Logan shrugged slightly, his eyes fixed on the numbers ticking up on the elevator’s display. “Training in the morning, as usual. After that, probably strategizing for our match with The Shield.”

Maryse raised an eyebrow, giving Logan a sideways glance. “Always so serious, Logan. You should take a page out of your brother’s book and learn to relax once in a while.”

Chris chuckled, nudging Logan playfully with his elbow. “She’s got a point, you know. But don’t worry, we’ll get him to loosen up eventually.”

Logan smiled faintly but didn’t respond. The elevator came to a smooth stop, and the doors slid open to reveal the dimly lit hallway of their floor. The four of them stepped out, the silence of the late hour wrapping around them like a comforting blanket.

As they walked down the hallway, their footsteps muffled by the plush carpet, Nikki and Maryse continued to chat, their voices soft in the stillness. Chris and Logan, however, had fallen into a comfortable silence, their thoughts inevitably drifting back to the events of the day.

When they reached their rooms, Nikki turned to face the brothers, her expression warm. “It was fun hanging out with you two tonight. We should do it more often.”

Maryse nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. You guys need to take a break from all that intensity more often. It’s good for the soul.”

Chris smiled, his usual charm shining through. “We’ll definitely take you up on that. Tonight was exactly what we needed.”

Logan nodded in agreement, though he remained quieter than his brother. “Thanks for the company. We’ll see you both tomorrow.”

Nikki gave Chris a quick hug, then Maryse did the same with Logan. As they pulled back, there was a moment of unspoken understanding between them — the knowledge that the night’s peace was fleeting, and that the battles ahead would require every ounce of their focus and strength.

“Goodnight, boys,” Nikki said softly, her eyes lingering on Chris for just a moment longer.

“Goodnight,” Maryse echoed, her gaze meeting Logan’s before she turned to follow Nikki into their room.

As the door clicked shut behind them, Chris and Logan stood in the hallway for a moment, the quiet settling around them like a shroud. Chris finally broke the silence, his voice low and reflective.

“You know, they’re right. We should try to enjoy these moments more. We spend so much time preparing for the next match, the next challenge… sometimes we forget to just live.”

Logan nodded, his expression thoughtful. “You’re right. But you know me, Chris. I’ve always been more comfortable when there’s a plan, when I know what’s coming.”

Chris placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “That’s why we work so well together. You keep us grounded, and I make sure we don’t forget to have a little fun along the way.”

Logan’s lips curled into a small smile. “I guess that’s true.”

They both knew that the road ahead would be challenging, that their upcoming confrontation with The Shield would test them in ways they hadn’t been tested before. But for tonight, they had managed to find a sliver of peace, a moment to breathe before diving back into the chaos.

Chris took out his keycard and unlocked their room door, pushing it open and gesturing for Logan to enter first. As they stepped inside, the familiar comfort of their temporary home enveloped them, and the weight of the day began to fade.

Logan tossed his jacket onto the nearest chair and glanced at Chris. “You think The Shield is ready for us?”

Chris smirked, his confidence unshaken. “They might think they are, but they have no idea what’s coming.”

Logan nodded, his gaze steady. “Good. Because when the time comes, we’ll show them exactly why we’ve been champions for six months.”

The brothers exchanged a look, a silent agreement passing between them. Whatever happened in the ring, they would face it together, just as they always had.

And with that, the two brothers prepared to rest, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges, but also new opportunities. Opportunities to prove, once again, that bloodlines run deep, and that when united, they are unstoppable.

To be continued…