June 2, 2019
Bridgeport, Connecticut
P.A.3.K.'s Room
Hotel
Morning

P.A.3.K. just woke up and still felt a bit sore after his match with Cameron Grimes the night before. He had to modify his morning routine so not much strenuous stretches. He then received a text message and saw who it came from.

Tegan Nox/Steff
Hey Pat, are you up? Want to join me for some breakfast?

P.A.3.K. replied promptly.

P.A.3.K./Pat
Oh yes, that sounds good. Will join you in a bit.

P.A.3.K. brought his phone with him to the hotel lobby to hopefully catch up on the breakfast buffet. He still felt some struggle with his right shoulder as that hit the impact of the barricade.

As he walked to the lobby in just an NXT shirt and some jersey shorts, he saw Tegan in a hoodie and shorts, which showed off her leg tattoos, her knee brace and especially the operational scar. Tegan blushed as she saw P.A.3.K. notice her.

Tegan: - still blushing - morning to you!

P.A.3.K.: Hey, morning! What's with the blush?

Tegan: Oh..uhh... You see my legs - pouts - must look ugly to ya huh?

P.A.3.K.: Hey, I don't judge. They look fine to me. In fact, interesting with the tattoos and .... well the knee brace is temporary.

Tegan: But you see...my scars 

She said this with closed eyes in embarrassment. P.A.3.K. knew what had to be done. Instead of shaking her, he hugs her in the middle of the hotel lobby. Tegan was taken aback but decided to go against all apprehension and hug her friend back. 

P.A.3.K. hugged her close but not so much due to the wincing from the "battlescars" of his NXT Takeover debut the night before. 

Tegan notices P.A.3.K. struggling to keep the hug in and gently unwraps the hug.

Tegan: Aww I appreciate the hug but I feel you're still not recovered from your Takeover debut.

P.A.3.K.: - sadly admits - yeah. Shoulder's still hurting like a bitch. Ooops - covers his mouth -

Tegan giggles as she saw her friend curse his pain.

Tegan: Awww you know what the trainer said, Pat.

P.A.3.K.: Take it easy. I know Nurse Tegan - chuckles -

Tegan: Oh so you see me as a nurse? - giggles -

P.A.3.K.: Well, you are caring and concerned. But anyway, where to for the day, Shiniest Wizard?

Tegan: Well, I did some readin' up while you had your match and I saw that Bridgeport has parks and well... - blushes -

P.A.3.K.: Well?

Tegan: - smiles - and a Zoo! Beardsley Zoo!

P.A.3.K.: I will take a guess that you are an animal lover.

Tegan: Yeah - nods adorably - I got my doggos back at home. 

P.A.3.K.: I'm guessing dog lover?

Tegan: - with enthusiasm - Yeah! They've helped me through some hard times and even interrupt me while I rehab at home - giggles - 

She then shows her phone and grins while presenting this picture to P.A.3.K.

P.A.3.K.: - nodding - Good for you Steff

Tegan: Don't you have any pets Pat?

P.A.3.K.: Nope. Given our situation we can't have another mouth to feed. 

Tegan: Oh yeah, well, shall we head to the breakfast buffet?

P.A.3.K.: - smiles - Let's.

They both then headed to the lobby to partake in the breakfast buffet.

timeskip to later in the morning after the breakfast buffet
After enjoying the breakfast buffet and each other's company, they then rested up a bit in their respective rooms to wash up and meet up at the lobby.

P.A.3.K. had arrived earlier as usual, wearing a simple white shirt and blue jeans with some rubber shoes. He was nursing his shoulder a bit as the pain had not gotten away even after taking a pain killer. 

Whilst P.A.3.K. was seeing people pass by as time passed, he saw families, parents, couples and friends. A part of him felt homesick since it was a long time since he had returned to Tondo. He sighed trying to fight the homesickness. What he failed to notice was his companion for the day, the Lady with the Shiniest Wizard, in Tegan Nox, began to gently poke his back. P.A.3.K. was still into the homesickness until Tegan spoke.

Tegan: Pat? Are you okay?

P.A.3.K. then hears Tegan's voice and blushes.

P.A.3.K.: Shit! Tegan you're there. Oh man....

Tegan: Is something the matter?

P.A.3.K.: Not really....

Tegan: Patrick Jose, Come on now. No need to hide things with me. 

P.A.3.K.: I see these...families, couples, togetherness... Reminds me of stuff I left behind to be where I am.

Tegan side-hugged P.A.3.K.. P.A.3.K. was fighting to show more emotion.

Tegan: Hey, if you wanna let it out. It's okay with me. - smiles -

P.A.3.K.: Well, when we head to the park after we go to Beardsley Zoo.

Tegan: Oh yeah! Beardsley Zoo - giggles - I always wanted to go to the Zoo.

P.A.3.K.: Let's get going!

The twosome then made their way to the Zoo. As they were headed there, Tegan was all bubbly and chatty around P.A.3.K. to the point Tegan's stories were met with P.A.3.K. nodding out of respect and with open mind and ears. 

timeskip to Beardsley Zoo
P.A.3.K. and Tegan arrived to the Zoo with both of them slowly becoming comfortable in each other's company. Then as Tegan saw the front gate she told P.A.3.K.

Tegan: - hands P.A.3.K. her phone - Pat, mind snapping a pic of me in front of Beardsley Zoo?

P.A.3.K.: - nods - yeah, sure!

P.A.3.K. held Tegan's phone as Tegan was trying to strike a pose and she was letting out as much as she can so long as her knee can handle the posing.

P.A.3.K. was snapping pictures on Tegan's phone and he cannot help feeling all warm inside seeing Tegan be all carefree. 

P.A.3.K.: (mind) Man, she is really happy and all free that... oh man am I blushing?

As he was thinking to himself, he was noticeably blushing that Tegan giggled and called out to her companion.

Tegan: Hey Pat? Pat? - waving her hands -

P.A.3.K. then was brought back to Beardsley Zoo and saw Tegan waving.

P.A.3.K.: Oh shoot! Where was I?

Tegan then approached her friend and gave him a hug while seeing her phone with her pictures on them. She then smiled a bit and then asked P.A.3.K.

Tegan: Hey, I think you should have some pictures too. You know, as souvenirs or to show your friends and family back in the Philippines.

P.A.3.K.: Well, I don't know....

Tegan: Hey, live a little Pat. Come on now. I will hold your phone and take your pictures

P.A.3.K. relented but then gave in as he did some poses. Even as it felt awkward for him, his awwdorkable photographer just snapped away with some stolen shots even as he did not pose. Tegan smiled per photo as if joining in his attempt to smile. 

As P.A.3.K. was doing some chill posing, Tegan was enjoying her time with him that she snuck a selfie among the pictures of P.A.3.K. on his own phone and smirks before handing his phone back. P.A.3.K. did not suspect a thing as Tegan smiled at him.

Tegan: For someone who's usually intense, you sure can be chill and photogenic.

P.A.3.K.: Well, thanks. But usually photos of me are as you said, intense as was my previous experience in....

Tegan: oh yeah, MMA.

P.A.3.K.: Anyway, we're here so where to?

Tegan: Oh! I'm hoping they have Hippos! I always wanted to feed some hungry hippos. Can we, can we, can we????

P.A.3.K. can only chuckle at Tegan's child-like persistence in getting him to see her feed the hippos. He gave in.

P.A.3.K.: Alright Steff, no problem - smiles - 

Tegan: - blushes - Oh, thank you - smiles -

The two then paid the admission fee and went in Beardsley Zoo, snapping a picture here and there of the various animals. 

Tegan: So, I bet you have zoos over there in the Philippines?

P.A.3.K.: Yup. The usual go-to place for field trips. Manila Zoo.

Tegan: Are there hippos there too? 

P.A.3.K.: Well, last we went there was more than 10 years ago back in my elementary days.

Tegan: Oh! - giggles - 

P.A.3.K.: So yeah, been a long time but we did have elephants and giraffes.

Tegan: Oh! But no Hippos ....or then

P.A.3.K.: Well, I seem to have heard there are hippos here.

Tegan: Hippos?!?! - gets excited - let's go! 

As she said this, Tegan grabs P.A.3.K.'s wrist as both of them walked fast to the hippos. P.A.3.K. was concerned due to both his shoulder and Tegan's recovering knee.

P.A.3.K.: Uhhh Tegan... - winces - oww!

Tegan: - stops - Oh no, - pouts - sorry bout that...

P.A.3.K.: No, I'm fine. But we have to be careful. Recovering my shoulder and you're still on a knee brace and might wear out that knee to...

Tegan: - sad - yeah...

P.A.3.K. then changes his tone and words.

P.A.3.K.: Shucks, let's go feed the hippos but we walk slow and take in the sights.

Tegan: - happy - yeah! 

timeskip to them reaching the Hippo pen
Tegan finally saw the arch and was giddy as if she aged backwards.

Tegan: Oh here come the Hippos...ahhh! 

As she said this, her hands covered her quickly blushing cheeks. P.A.3.K. saw this and just let her bring out her inner little kid as she goes up close to the zoo keeper.

Zookeeper: Hey, aren't you Tegan Nox from the Mae Young Classic?

Tegan: Oh yes... - sad -

Zookeeper: Hey, that was still quite a performance. What brings you here to Beardsley Zoo?

Tegan: Oh... - blushes -

Seeing Tegan blush, P.A.3.K. stepped in.

P.A.3.K.: Oh, my friend here wants to feed the hippos. Can you help us with that?

Zookeeper: Yeah, sure! And I see her recovering well so let me be a part of the recovery.

Tegan clapped her hands and thanked P.A.3.K. but was only able to muster a smile towards him. P.A.3.K. nodded back, and as Tegan was being led by the Zookeeper, he couldn't help but be blushing and feeling warm at Tegan's gesture of appreciation.

P.A.3.K.: - mind - Am I... feeling...for her? Oh no, no. She is just a coworker who became a friend. I can't...  

Tegan then was assisted by the zookeeper as she was now face to face with one of the hippos. Tegan was trying to contain her excitement but deep down, she was brimming with giddiness seeing a hippo in front of her.

Zookeeper: Alright, here he is. Want to feed him?

Tegan: - excited - Oh do I! - smiles but then takes it down a notch - I mean... - blushes - I want to feed the big boy. 

The Zookeeper then hands Tegan some leaves and guides Tegan to the Hippo. As the Hippo approaches Tegan, Tegan then calls on the hippo

Tegan: Big bubba... come on now. I got some treats for ya *smiles*

The Hippo then approaches Tegan as she was waving the leaves then the Hippo waits for Tegan to leave the leaves near it to safely munch on the leaves.

P.A.3.K. was watching Tegan smile and be all happy after feeding the hippo. He couldn't help but uncharacteristically snap a stolen picture of Tegan feeding and watching the Hippo as it ate.

Tegan then thanked the zookeeper, who helped Tegan off the pen and back to P.A.3.K. 

timeskip to afternoon
Tegan and P.A.3.K. returned to their rooms after sweating up from the walk and more zoo merriment, which included P.A.3.K. posing near a lion's den and Tegan seeing more animals. 

The two agreed to meet at the lobby to go out for a stroll at the park near the hotel as the two just had lunch. P.A.3.K. was then wearing a Connor McGregor workout shirt and another pair of jeans while waiting for Tegan. 

As P.A.3.K. was looking by the lobby door, he felt a familiar finger poking his back. He saw Tegan in a shirt and short shorts with the knee brace back on.

Tegan: Hey, did ya have fun with me so far?

P.A.3.K.: Yeah, I did. It was fun seeing you so giddy like a little kid.

Tegan: Well, that's what you get when you spend the day with the Lady with the Shiniest Wizard. - giggles -

P.A.3.K.: Well, let's go with that - smiles -

Both of them then walked to the park and some people couldn't help but stare at Tegan and P.A.3.K.. Maybe it was the size difference, maybe it was something of an oddity. Both of them could care less, moreso for Tegan.

Tegan: So rude, these people staring at me....

P.A.3.K.: Tell me about it. 

The two reached a park and they spent the day strolling around and walking. They then felt a bit tired and sat by a park bench to just take a breather and enjoy the sights.

Tegan: Some day it's been huh? Without rehab, live events. NXT for a while.

P.A.3.K.: Well, yeah. Been a long time since I got me a lazy day. Where I need not be working up a sweat preparing for the next bout.

Tegan: Pat, you're in WWE. - laughs -

P.A.3.K.: Can't get away from that past - chuckles - 

Tegan: Hey, you know. Jess and Shayna have been telling me a lot about you.

P.A.3.K. then felt nervous upon the mention of Jessamyn Duke and Shayna Bazler's names. 

P.A.3.K.: Uhh what....have they been saying?

Tegan: Well... - puts her finger and taps it on her chin like she's thinking - they did say you can be quite tightfisted with money, which I saw. Also that you're someone who knows a good time.

P.A.3.K.: Well you do know of my situation.

Tegan: Yeah, and that leads me to my next question. Have you ever found...you know....the one?

P.A.3.K. was shocked to hear this from Tegan. He had some feelings brewing but he was trying to act without any suspicion.

P.A.3.K.: the one how?

Tegan: The one. One who you feel will bring out the best in ya. The one who you feel can complete that missing piece in your heart. The one who... - blushes -

Tegan stops as she looks down the ground. P.A.3.K. then notices it and sees Tegan become uncomfortable.

P.A.3.K.: Tegan, are...you okay?

Tegan: Oh! - shakes herself off - don't mind me. But I'm just curious...

P.A.3.K.: Alright, just so you can be at peace. I've been having feelings but thing is. No one wants anything to do with me. May be because I'm big. May be because I'm from a part of the capital city that isn't where wealthy and affluent people live in. Or my tightfistedness when it comes to expenses. It never came to me to I guess if you want to go with that question, find the one. 

Tegan: Oh.... right...

P.A.3.K.: It isn't really a concern of mine but it can't be helped if parents or siblings or even relatives keep badgering me on with finding a significant other. 

Tegan's eyes shot up towards P.A.3.K. as he was baring his soul out.

P.A.3.K.: I mean, would anyone really fall for someone who resembles and was for all intents and purposes, a bruiser. Someone who grew up in the streets? 

Tegan: Don't put yourself down like that Pat!

P.A.3.K. was shocked to hear this level of concern from Tegan once again. He then breathed then told her.

P.A.3.K.: I guess it's how life has been. But will do. You sure are a lucky woman for some lucky man.

Tegan was a bit warmed at first but looked away sadly due to that last word. P.A.3.K. was concerned.

P.A.3.K.: Oh no, did you go through a....

Tegan: No, it's...nothing. But anyway, thanks for keeping me company Pat. You surely are dependable.

P.A.3.K.: Anything for a friend.

Tegan was relieved yet in a mix of emotions. She knew that P.A.3.K. for her was just another friend but she was still figuring herself out. She knew that if P.A.3.K. knew, he might view her differently. So she intends for things to stay the way they were.

The two then headed back to the hotel to rest up for the day as they were headed back to Orlando to get ready for the NXT after Takeover.