Chapter Text
You're newly hired at AEW in the wardrobe department, allowing you to combine your two passions. You would need to move away from Atlanta to Jacksonville, where the main campus of AEW is.
On your first day, Christopher Daniels warmly greets you. "Come this way, Calista; I need you to finish some forms and all the boring HR stuff," he said as he led you through the hallways. As you finished up your paperwork, Christopher Daniels came back with Anna Jay.
"Hello, I'm assigned to be your buddy to show you around and get all your secrets out of you," Anna laughed. You smile in relief, already telling you liked her.
You are emerged quickly throughout the next few weeks, quickly gaining the trust of your boss and the wrestlers. It is always hectic; no two days are the same, and you love it. You fit in quickly and become fast friends with many wrestlers and makeup artists.
Kris Statlander has become your best friend. You, Kris, Anna, and Britt Baker are a tight-knit group. In order to save on costs, you and Stat move into a condo close to work. Most of the younger group at work lived in the area, making it easy to go out and have get-togethers.
The live shows are on Wednesday nights, making this day by far the most hectic. Today, you are running around with a massive bag of glitter and a glue gun. You don't understand why Nick Jackson wants this much glitter without your help, but you drop it off without question. This is what life is like for you at AEW.
When you made your way back to wardrobe, Kris was standing awkwardly in front of your area, holding a piece of paper. "Cali, I'm going to need you not to freak out. Remember, we are at work, and everyone has ears." You look at her, confused. "I will...try?" Kris (whom you adoringly refer to as Stat) sighed and handed you the paper. You saw a rough drawing of pants along with a jacket. Both had "LEATHER, NOT PLEATHER" scribbled above them, making you laugh. Stat stared at you, waiting for your reaction. "Stat, I don't know why you thought leather would make me freak out, but that's cool. Look, it's drawn by whoever needs it, which is rare; I love it."
Stat grabbed the paper, turning it over in your hand, and your mouth dropped to the floor. Stat lunged with her hand to cover your mouth. "Shush! Don't freak out."
Jericho. The gear was for Chris Jericho. He hasn't asked you for gear before. Your head got dizzy, Stat shook you back into reality. "Okay, well, I have to get to work," you managed.
Stat squeezed your arm, smiling. "I have to go prepare for my match, see you later tonight."
You couldn't believe it. Chris Jericho is the one who made you starstruck. You have worked with almost everyone at the company, but you haven't had a lot of interaction with him. You have always had and very much still do have a massive crush on. He was always very nice, but since he had his band, Fozzy, and other projects, he tended not to stick around for work gatherings. The few times you talked with him, you almost threw up from excitement while trying to stay cool on the outside.
During a girl's night after too much tequila, you admitted your feelings to the girls. Everyone squealed in delight, "OH MY GOD, and you STILL have a thing for him, don't you?!" Britt shouted as you slapped her arm. "Okay, okay, this stays with us!!" They teased you mercilessly for the rest of the night.
Knowing your friends would never let this go, you wondered if Stat had already told Anna and Britt about the request. The last thing you needed was for the three of them to stop by as you tried to work on Jericho's gear. You went on the search for all the leather and studs you could find.
On Friday morning, you were preparing for the day to be ready for any last-minute requests or wardrobe emergencies before the wrestlers started traveling to the city. Since starting, you have stayed at their home arena, Daily's Place. Being in one place made working on gear easier, but you missed everyone and wished you could travel with them. You hope to someday.
The girls had just finished training and came to visit you while you put the finishing touches on Jericho's jacket.
"Ohhh, look at how PERFECT this jacket is! I have to make you fall in love with me too!" Anna teased, making you glare at her. You looked down the hall, and there he was. Your breath got stuck in your throat. Britt pushed you just enough to jolt you into reality.
"Hello ladies," he smiled. "Cali, is my stuff done?"
"Yes," you answered too quickly, causing a snort out of Britt. "You have to try on the pants; they might be too long."
"Ah, another woman calling me short."
"Oh no, that's not what I meant, it's just, of course, you're not short. You're like the perfect height... I mean...."
Jericho cut you off. "I was kidding. I know I need tailoring. I'll go try them on now and be back."
"Smoootthhhh," the girls taunted. "We need to sedate you on days Jericho's around."
"Cali, it's okay. You're in love with him, he makes your legs shake with desire. You should pack extra panties for here," Britt playfully added.
"I wish I never told any of you my feelings for him. You guys suck," you huffed.
As the words left your mouth, all three girls' eyes opened as wide as possible. Anna pointed behind you. You slowly turned around, already knowing it was Jericho.
"I ....figured I should try the jacket on at the same time," Jericho said with the cockiest smirk as he reached around you slowly grabbing the leather jacket, keeping eye contact with you.
"By the way, I will absolutely need those pants taken in," he said, winking at you as he strutted away.
"Well, I'm screwed," you sighed. This was it. Jericho knew you were obsessed with him and, for some reason, found it amusing.
It was Saturday morning, and you were in your pajamas playing mindlessly with your phone. Stat was playing a game with James online, who wrestles under the name Orange Cassidy.
Suddenly, a direct message from Twitter popped up, it was from Jericho's verified account.
"Hey, Cali, I want to thank you for the amazing job you did on my new gear and entrance attire. I was wondering if I could treat you to dinner at my place and pick your brain. We haven't really connected."
Your mouth dropped open, gaining Stat's attention. You tossed your phone to her so she could read the message. "Oh well, you are going!!" she squealed out.
"I can't. I made such an ass of myself."
"He wants to take you out, he clearly doesn't," she convinced you.
You typed and deleted a few responses. Finally settling on "Yes, where can I meet you?"
"This might be a stretch for you, but I live three hours away from Jacksonville. I'd send a car for you and have them bring you home."
You shook Stat. "He wants me to go to his house three friggin hours away! Is this normal?!"
"Nothing is normal about that, dude. In terms of him being a serial killer, we all know where he works," she teased. "You need to go. And fuck him," she started laughing, and you pushed her over.
You took a deep breath and messaged Jericho back. "That's incredibly thoughtful of you, I accept. Can I bring anything?"
"Yourself and a bathing suit. I will have someone there for you around noon. See you soon :) "
At noon on the dot, you got a text that the car was ready for you. As you got in, an envelope was waiting for you on the seat.
You opened it and read the small card. "I am excited for us to get to know each other. There's champagne and other treats to keep you comfortable on your ride. Have anything you want."
You indulged in the champagne, thankful for the few hours to calm your nerves. This can't be real.