The Ruler's Dilemma
Zainab watched Heatwave focused on the segment between Oba Femi and Josh Briggs. It didn't take long for the taller man, with brown hair, to attempt to plant seeds of doubt in the Ruler's head.
Oba had dismissed the man easily, but she could see the door had opened just a bit. Je'von Evans, the Young OG, was a competent competitor and challenger. With youth and quick reflexes on his side, the man was indeed bouncy and was hard to pin down. That is not including the two times Evan's had dropped him.
It was not lost on her that the words the white guy had stated, were similar to hers earlier in the day. The only difference was she hadn't used it to create doubt in him.
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She had gotten up before her alarm, turning it off so Oba could sleep in. After her shower, she slipped into one of his black shirts with a pair of leggings. She was in the mirror unraveling her braids from the bun she had, when his arms circled her waist kissing her neck. She smiled leaning into him, her hands left her bun to cover his.
"Good morning beautiful," he said, his raspy voice warm and happy.
"Good morning, Ruler," she teased, and he rolled his eyes affectionately, burying his face in the side of her neck placing light kisses.
"You smell good," he complimented, his kisses not stopping. When one of his hands slipped under her shirt she pulled away, ignoring his attempt to pull her back.
"Nope, no distractions. You have a match tonight." He scoffed.
"It's just a match against Je'van Evans, won't be too taxing."
Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. She rested her back against the sink, arms crossed as she stared at her boyfriend.
"What?" he asked.
"Je'von Evans, the Young OG, 'Bouncy,' will not be an easy walk in the park. I wish you would take this match a bit more seriously."
He pulled back from her, "I take all my matches seriously. I am also aware that he is athletic, but I have beaten him in a three way if you remember."
He turned on the shower, stripping his clothes, and entered when the water temperature was just right.
"I remember, but I don't want your arrogance to cost you," she said only receiving a sound confirming he heard her words.
She waited on the bed for him to finish his shower, scrolling on her phone. The conversation hadn't ended on her end. She looked up when he exited the bathroom, a light sheen of water still on his chest, his locks dripping and the towel wrapped securely around his waist. Their eyes locked for a few seconds until he turned away to rummage through his traveling bag for his clothes and lotion.
"Oba," she sighed.
"Zainab, I don't need to hear that you don't believe in me, please."
He turned to walk away, but she got off the bed and yanked the items out of his hand, causing him to stop.
"Can I have my items back?"
"No," she said putting it behind her back, stepping back when he moved toward her. She felt the back of her knees meet the edge of the bed, before tossing the items on the bed to the side and pulling him down with her. She locked her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck to hold him in place.
"I have never not believed in you Oba, you know that. Asking you to expect the unexpected with Je'von and to not count him out, is not me not believing in you. It's me wanting you to retain your title. But you cannot afford to get so cocky that you don't see that."
The wetness from his locs soaked her fingers and arm, but they were silent just taking each other in.
"I know you care," his voice was low. "I know your words come from a good place."
He kissed her lips and rested his forehead on hers. They stayed like that until they had to get ready.
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Zainab watched the match between the two men for the NXT championship. The match proved to be a fight. There were moments where Je'von Evans dominated, and she could see the door of uncertainty getting wider in Oba's eyes.
This was not the Young OG he had faced in the past. This Je'von was hungry, frustrated, and refused to give up. He had an instinct to win and a desire to prove that not only did he deserve to be a challenger to the champion; he deserved to dethrone him too.
She didn't feel at ease until Oba was back on the offense, using his size to counteract the younger man. Oba strategically worked on the taped-up sides of Je'von, causing him pain. She could see that Oba was trying to wear him down with it, hoping it would break his will and tire him out.
However, Je'von kept coming back. He was determined not to give up. Although in pain, he let it fuel him, fighting through it. When Oba threw him off the top rope into the referee she wondered if the mistake would cost him and it did. Je'von was able to turn the tide, and a new referee entered the ring and counted to three.
Her heart sank for Oba, but the original referee woke up and saw Oba's feet under the ring voiding the win. The Ruler came back and was able to retain, but the call was too close. For a moment the Ruler knew what it was like to become the ruled and it was an uncomfortable feeling.
His eyes looked for her in the crowd, landing on her. She was standing up, clapping and shouting. She saw the serious look on his face slip a bit at her standing ovation, before he left the ring, head held high. She watched him until he was no longer visible before glancing at the defeated and hurt Je'von.
When she got to him backstage, he was dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and sneakers. The belt on his shoulders, shining in the hands of its rightful owner, the longest reigning NXT champion over 220 days and counting.
"Hey Champ, ready to go?" she asked, and he seemed to be in a daze before her words registered.
"Yes. Are you hungry?"
"Yeah, but we can get takeout and head back to the hotel. My feet are tired in these heels."
"I could always carry you," he offered.
"Tempting, but I'm sure I can make it to the car," she smiled noticing how tired he looked.
He barely ate any of the rice and meat they'd picked up. They settled down for the night, her in the black shirt and leggings from earlier and him shirtless with gray sweats.
She was tucked in his side, her head resting on his chest. Her fingers traced the side of his chest her head was not rested on. She could feel the tension in his body as he and his silence only proved he wasn't at peace.
"You were right," he said in the quiet of their hotel room.
"I underestimated Je'von. He was different in that ring, hungry, confident, unyielding. I wasn't prepared for it, for him, and for a moment I lost my championship."
She kissed his peck, when he let out a staggered breath.
"I showed weakness and now more sharks are circling. How am I supposed to stay afloat?"
She positioned herself until she was the same height as him and turned his head toward her.
"You do what you've always done; what you did tonight. You conquer them, you rule them, and you show them why you are backed by destiny. Every ruler has had an off day or night, but they bounce back."
Even in the dark, she could see the unshed tears in his eyes before they fell.
"Maybe this reign is getting to me; maybe Briggs was also right." She tugged him until he hovered over her.
"He wasn't right. Yes, your match with Je'von exposed some areas of improvement, but once you work on those areas you will be unstoppable. Your ability to pivot in that match shows you are not to be underestimated either. Oba you have beaten every challenger in your path, no matter how small or big, quick or technical, powerhouse or high-flyer, that shows you are a threat. Briggs, Stark, and anyone else who wants to take your title will have to be exceptional to do so and none of them are on your level."
She wiped the tears from his cheek, pressing a few quick kisses to his lips, smiling when he returned them.
"I love you Zainab," he said, his words heavy and sincere.
"I love you too, Champ," she said watching the small smile on his face. It was a start.
He rested his head on her chest, his arms wrapped around her midsection, her fingers moving from his scalp to his locs, repeating the action until his breath evened signaling him falling asleep. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, falling asleep as well.
