You Revived Me: Rhea Ripley x Jey Uso
Chapter 23 Sleep in it: TW choking
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Rhea was standing in front of their bathroom suite mirror, twisting the ring on her finger.
She had been doing it since he put it on. It was still so strange having such weight on her finger; she was still getting used to it and the attention that came with it.
Jey grabbed her shoulder, pressing himself against her back, kissing the top of her head.
“Stop fuckin’ with it before you knock all them diamonds out.” He joked, trying to make her laugh, but all he got was a nervous chuckle.
He rubbed his hands up and down her arms, smoothing her. “The hard part is over, we told ‘em, they know, and there’s nothing either of us can do to fix how they feel about it.”
Thanksgiving with his family was… stressful to say the least.
It was good at first; no one knew they had gotten engaged, and they didn’t know until it was time to go around the table and say what they were thankful for, and he said he was grateful for his new fiancée.
Most of his family were happy for them, immediately starting to ask for grandchildren, and when the wedding would be. She was enjoying the attention, showing off her ring that all the aunties gawked at. Jimmy was the most excited (even though he already knew), not for the main reason, but because he had just won a hundred dollars for his wife.
But all the air was stuck out of the room when Rikishi opened his big mouth and said something about how this was too soon, to which Jey told him, if he didn’t like it, oh well.
He tried to go back to enjoying his Thanksgiving dinner, trying not to start something per request of his Mom, but to everyone’s surprise, Talisua spoke up, saying the same thing his father was.
She started with a much softer approach, trying to get them both to see their point; they had years together. Why rush into something you might regret? What was the rush? They already lived together, so why get married now this fast? It wasn’t like they needed to.
She sat there stuffing her mouth with food, looking at Naomi for help.
They both understood what they were saying, and Jey was hearing them until his dad opened his big mouth.
They went back and forth for at least 20 minutes, the argument ending when Jey told him that if he wanted to have an opinion about his life, then he should’ve been in it.
That’s when the room got even quieter than it already was, and they left, and they hadn't talked to either of them since then.
“Those are your parents, Jey.”
“I know, and that’s how I know we can’t change their minds, so-“ He laid his hands over hers, keeping her ring where it belonged, “Stop messing with your ring.” He said softly into her hair, getting the faintest scent of her lavender shampoo.
“Are you gonna stop messing with yours?” She teased, looking at the black band around his finger with the same salt and pepper diamonds in it through the mirror.
“If you stop, I'll stop.”
“I’m just saying, Jey,” she pulled her gaze off his ring to look him in the eye when she said, “They’re not wrong. I love you, you love me, we don’t need to stand in front of all our friends and family to make us love each other more. We can wait a little longer if that means your parents can be there to see their last baby get married.”
He wrapped his arms across her shoulders, holding her closer, her back pressing against his front. Not breaking the deep eye connection they had through the wide spotless mirror.
“Rhea, if they don’t respect you and our relationship now, they won’t in a couple of months or years. I didn’t ask you to marry me on a whim or because I knocked you up. I asked you because I can’t live without you. And if they don’t like it then I don’t need them there, all I truly need is you.”
He kissed the bottom of her jaw, feeling how her skin got warm in the exact spot he left his mark.
She reached a hand up, cupping the back of his head. The way Jey admired her was something that needed to be studied; even the simplest act of affection made her legs turn to jelly.
“Jey, we’ll be late.” She so hard wanted to throw everything away and just stay here with him but they couldn’t.
“Mmm, we don’t have time for a quicky?” He questioned, his lips smacking against her neck, the sound intoxicating, and it only made her want to stay for more.
“We- I have to shower.” She corrected herself, but it didn’t matter. “Mmm, I need to take a shower too.”
His hands started to move down her body, leaving goosebumps in his wake.
“I can do a lot in the shower.” His voice rumbled against her collarbone, happy that her shirt hung off her shoulder from being too big.
She squeezed her thighs together, feeling that heat between them.
“You have 20 minutes, what can you do in that?” She knew he could do a lot in that short amount of time.
“You're bout to find out.” He pulled away briefly to turn on the shower, letting the scolding water hit the tile, filling the bathroom with its sound before returning to her right back where he left off.
Hands slipping under her sleep shirt, cupping her breast from underneath, feeling the way her chest rose as she sucked in a breath.
“You're so fucking soft, Babygirl.” He mumbled, continuing to leave kisses along her exposed shoulder.
She moaned softly, his palms brushing against her hardened nipples, “Jey, we don’t have time-“
“Yeah, yeah, quick and dirty.” He said with a big grin on his face, pressed one more kiss on her skin before pulling away from her, peeling his shirt off.
She eyed him down, watching him strip in the mirror. He slowly pushed his pants down his strong legs, taking her bottom lip between her teeth at the slight.
Ugh, she was so weak! She wasn’t like this before. God, what has this man done to her, and why did she like it so much?
Once his gray sweatpants fell to the floor, he hooked his fingers in the waistband of his underwear, looking at her still fully dressed with a mischievous grin.
“We only have 20 minutes.” He tossed her words back at her with a smirk before pulling them down, throwing them into the pile of his discarded clothes.
He walked into the shower and immediately started twisting the knobs, adjusting the temperature to not skin-burning hot.
She laughed to herself, hearing him curse, before taking her clothes off, dropping them into the pile.
She pulled the glass door open, her arm and body already covered in goosebumps. Jey was standing under the shower head, drenching his freshly dyed hair. His hand wrapped around his hardening dick, water splashing off his black ring.
“It’s warmer over here, Mama.” He could feel her eyes on him, making him harder.
She closed the space between them, putting her hand over his, making him groan before she took the air from his lungs.
The water flowed over them both, keeping them warm as if their skin wasn’t hot enough on its own.
He flipped them around, pushing her up against the cool tile wall in the far corner, making her gasp at the sudden temperature change.
“God, I hate fucking quickys, not enough time to treat you the way I want.” He mumbled between kisses while gently shoving two fingers into her wet cunt.
“You can treat me for as long as you want after we win tonight, Baby.” She purred before her head fell back, the tips of his fingers rubbed against that rough spot inside her. “Fuck!”
He grabbed her leg with his other hand, wrapping it around his waist, which she immediately used to hold him closer.
He pumped his fingers in and out of her, her chest rising and falling faster, “18 minutes.” She panted out.
He smacked his teeth with a playful annoyance before pulling out his slick-covered fingers, causing her to groan out at the new emptiness but it didn’t last long.
Their moans echoed off the tile when he thrusted into her, giving her a second to adjust to his length before starting to move his hips.
“Yeah, just like that, Baby, so good.” Her words came out breathless as he repeatedly shoved the air out of her lungs.
Her hands found him for purchase, slightly scared of falling, she did not need a big bruise on her tailbone right before War Games.
Her skin sparkled under the bright blue-toned lights like the diamonds on her fingers; there was something so hot about her becoming Miss Uso, it lit a fire under them. A very big, hot fire that seemed to only grow with each day that passed since he proposed.
“You're so fucking gorgeous, Babygirl.” He praised as he pounded into her, resting his hands on the wall behind her. “Every single part,” he whispered, watching how her breast bounced with each deep thrust.
She moaned, digging her nails into his caramel skin, feeling her orgasm slowly building, “s- say it again.”
He smiled, wasting no time pointing out all the parts of her he loved. “I love watching your tits bounce, Mama, love holdin’ em, squeezein’ em, and god bless when you let me put 'em in my mouth,” he let out a loud groan that she couldn’t tell if he was being dramatic or if that thought really turned him on that much.
“Oh yeah, and these legs?” He took one hand off the wall, grabbing the underside of her thigh, feeling her muscles flexing under his palm. “God, I would let these legs choke me out. These strong muscles, legs, fuckin’ work of art.”
He left a wet kiss against her cheek, feeling the heat underneath his lips.
Her face contorted with pleasure, hearing him go on and on about how much he loved her body.
“Mmm, love marking you up more than you already are.” He moved his head, going from her neck, sucking at her skin, leaving small reddish purple marks.
“Mmm, Jey, you can’t- match.” She weakly pushed him away, barely even trying, “They will see it.”
“Let ‘em. Let them know how much Mami loves starting her morning with some dick.”
She screamed out a moan as his teeth dug into the spot where your neck meets your shoulder, “Jey!”
He grinned against the bite mark, feeling her clench down around him, almost sending him over the edge, “Damn Rhea.”
“Fuck Jey, hurryyyyyy.” Her words were punched out of her mouth and turned into a high-pitched screech.
The sound of skin slapping skin echoed around their already musk-filled bathroom. His hips snapped frantically, knocking her back into the porcelain tile.
“Yeah, yeah, deeper. Oooh, goood, Jey!” Moans spilled from her mouth as he gave her exactly what she wanted.
“Mmm, I love this too, could spend all day in this pussy, Mama, sleep in this shit.” He said in between grunts.
She giggled at the thought of him never pulling out, waking up still feeling so bloody full. Her giggles turned into a moan.
“Jey- don’t stop, please don’t stop.”
“I won’t, come on, Mama.”
Her eyes shut, her mind overwhelmed with pleasure.
“Yes, yes, fuck yes!” Her nails raked against his lower back, feeling the burning sensation they left.
Her legs shook her orgasm right there, literally right there on the edge, each thrust bringing her closer to it.
“There, there, don’t stop- fuc.. oh fuck right there, Baby.” Her voice was shaky, her mind a wreck, barely being able to put that sentence together.
A gutter moan was ripped from her chest as she came. Her body went limp in his grasp, his hips snapping a few times before he spilled inside her.
The sounds softened, leaving just the water splashing against their tired, breathing bodies.
“Think that was 20 minutes?” He asked with a grin, “You better bloody hope it was.” She breathed out, looking at his blissful, idiotic face, a long strand of his curly hair falling in front of said face, dripping water.
They walked through the arena together, her ringed hand shoved into her jacket pocket, still not used to it yet. Jey rolled her suitcase behind him while carrying his duffel on his shoulder, telling her, “All you need to carry is that rock.”
She bumped her shoulder against his, getting his attention, “Yeah?”
“I’m free to tell Iyo and them, right?” She wasn’t sure what they were doing here since everything with his parents had gone so badly.
“You ain’t gonna ask, Mama, brag all you want, lord knows I’m gonna.”
She laughed, knowing the locker room must be tired of hearing him brag about her. “Ok,” she pecked him on the cheek, “I've got to go since someone made me late.”
He leaned down closer to her with that stupid grin on his face. “Next time I’ll start a timer, not that we’ll listen to it.”
She shoved him away from her, sucking her teeth, “Asshole.”
He laughed as he started walking towards their team's locker room. “I love you.”
She made it to the door with a piece of paper taped onto the door with “Team Rhea” on it.
She opened it, seeing Iyo sitting on a bench, staring to unload her stuff, Charlotte and Alexa were on the other side doing their own thing.
“Sorry, I’m late, traffic was bloody terrible.” She rolled her suitcase over towards the bench Iyo was sitting on. “Where’s AJ?” She looked around, not seeing her anywhere.
“She’s when to go check on Punk," Iyo answered while standing up, hugging her. “Oh, ok, good.” She hugged Iyo back warmly.
“Hey Alexa… Hey Charlotte.” She was trying to be nice, like really trying, but Charlotte was making it hard.
“Hi.” Alexa responded cheerfully, elbowing Charlotte slightly, telling her to be nice, giving her a weak “Hey.” Before continuing to pull her gear out of her bag.
She could feel how thick the air in the room was, and she hoped Charlotte could put away her dislike for her enough for them to get through this match.
She laid her suitcase on the floor, beginning to get her gear out; Right now definitely wasn’t the time to tell them.
Jey had gone to the locker room to find it empty, leaving him to make the connection that they couldn’t push their egos aside enough to even get dressed.
“Stupid fucking egos, makin' me walk all around this damn place like we ain’t got a fucking job to do.” He mumbled under his breath as he walked through the bus lot towards the two buses he knew best.
He felt two strings pulling him towards both.
He probably should go to Roman’s but he didn’t want to, he’s been avoiding him as much as he could. He didn’t have the energy to deal with his bull.
His knuckles rattled on the metal door, waiting for a response on the other side.
He opened the door, stepping onto Cody’s bus, “Hey Uce, you ready?”
“Yeah, you?” Cody was sitting on his couch, pausing whatever he was watching on TV.
“Had to walk half a mile to get here, but yeah, I’m ready.” He was a little confused why he was questioning his ability, but he knew he meant well.
A grin appeared on his face as he joined the blonde man on the couch, “Yeah, I know, but damn, my fiancée is just so fine.”
“Oh? Oh shit, you did it?” He sat up, eyes wide
“Yeah, I did, and if this is what being engaged is like I can’t wait to marry that girl.” He chuckled, rubbing his hands together, his shiny band catching his eye.
Cody laughed, knowing exactly what he meant, having been there himself many years ago.
“Well, congratulations, my man,” he stood up to hug him, “That’s good to hear, I’m happy for you both. You know what, after we win tonight, I’m breaking out my new cigars I just got and we’re celebrating.”
“Yes, sir, we breakin’ out the good shit tonight.” He dapped him up, bringing him into another hug.
“Not every day Jey Uso settles down, I remember the time when that was the last time you wanted to do.”
They both laughed. He remembered all the late nights and the early mornings, not knowing where you were, wondering how a girl or two ended up in your bed or how you even ended up there, showing up to work hungover as all hell and still putting on a five-star match.
“We used to be wild, Uce.”
“And now you're getting married.”
“To the best girl in the whole fucking world.” He added, his smile getting bigger.
Rhea was bouncing in place, the chains on her gear jingling against her muscular body as she jumped with joy. This was probably her favorite gear EVER!
It was black and white, covered in red paint splatter all over it like it was blood. Studs covered her top, a tiny sunflower stuck in the middle, two more on each thigh, garters connecting with a thick chain. A choker buckled around her neck, and another chain attached it to her top.
But her mask was the best part. It was an all white one with black detailing inspired by her beloved Art the Clown, black, misty makeup underneath, the edges covered in red, looking like she peeled it off his face.
“You sound like a haunted house,” Alexa said, watching her jump and twirl from afar.
“That’s one of the best compliments I have ever gotten, you know that.” She turned around to look at her with a big grin.
She twisted the ring on her finger that no one had noticed yet. She knew she would have to take it off before their match, and she didn’t want to. She hadn’t since he gave it to her, not when she slept, not when she showered, not ever, and she didn’t think about this.
She pulled her hand away from her other, stopping herself, telling herself to stop worrying.
The door swung open behind her, AJ walking in, also already in her gear that gave her a rush of nostalgia, “Hey guys, how’s everything going?”
“It’s almost time," Charlotte said as she put on her vest, zipping it up.
“Time to beat some ass.” Iyo said with her voice full of energy, “Hell yeah, it is.” Alexa replied, and the sound of their hands slapping together bounced off the wall.
She chuckled to herself, still feeling that tension in the air between her and Charlotte. And the rest of the women could too.
“Are you two good? AJ queried, taking a few steps into the room, “I’m all down for war, but not if I am going to have to pull you both off of each other in the middle of it.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, glancing at Charlotte before turning back to the New Jersey woman. “I’m good if she is.”
“I’m good.” The self-proclaimed queen answered immediately after her
“I hope both of your words mean something. Now who’s starting the match?”
Charlotte raised her hand, “I’ll do it.”
Before they could talk about who would go out next, a rep came and knocked on their door, telling them it was time.
They walked down the long hallway, heading towards Gorilla, keeping her eyes out for Jey.
She wasn’t so much nervous as she was excited for their match; she was in good hands- even with Charlotte, her pride was great, but even then, who liked to lose? No one.
And if Charlotte did try something incredibly stupid, she knew Iyo had her back. No matter what happened in that cage, she and Iyo would be good.
She moved closer towards her high-flying friend, putting her arm around her shoulders. Since Naomi was gone, their friendship had grown stronger.
Jey’s loud voice carried down the mostly empty hallway, Cody’s voice equally as loud.
She broke off from the team, spitting out that she’ll be right back. Okay, maybe not right back.
His back was turned to her, giving her the perfect opportunity to surprise him with her new mask.
Her tall, worn-down boots made a soft thud on the floor as she walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his midsection like she always did. “Hi.”
As soon as he felt her body stretch around him he couldn’t resist turning around and looking at her, “Hey mamaaaa what the fuck!”
He jumped out of her grasp, his feet not touching the ground until he was far from her and next to Cody. The look on his color-drained face was pure and unmistakable terror; Cody’s somewhere in that realm.
She bent over with laughter, wishing she had a camera to capture this moment to share on their wedding day.
“What the hell is wrong with you! He yelled the fear he felt, clear in his voice.
“I thought- I thought you liked the mask?” She asked, taking a pause to laugh, leaning her head to the side just like her beloved clown.
“The hot one, not that twisted shit!” He gestured to her white mask with its bloody edges. “That’s what my mom be talkin’ bout.”
She rolled her eyes. Though his mom loved her, she was ALWAYS going on about how the music she listened to was demonic; his family took that as she was demonic.
She may not worship God but she wasn’t cutting up goat heads and drawing pentagrams with their blood. She just didn’t grow up religious, and Jey clearly didn’t mind it.
“It looks so cool, look at all the sunflowers.” She did a spin, pulling her two-tone colored vest tight to show off her face painted on one half of the leather as a clown, the other half her name.
He dragged his hands down his face, his fear traded out for an annoyance, “This clown is ruining my face.”
“I like it, I think it’s cool," Cody said, shrugging his shoulders.
“I knew I liked you, Mate, happy to see someone likes it.” She glanced at her fiancé, who was still staring at her, little she had just climbed out of a TV.
He sucked his teeth, “You just come over here to scare the shit out of me.”
“Nope,” She started to walk towards him, but stopped to look between him and Cody, “You told him right?” She mumbled under her breath just in case.
“Congratulations, by the way.” Cody spat out.
“Thank you,” she closed the distance between them, smiling when she noticed the way he flinched at her approaching.
She gently pulled the ring off its finger, setting it in his palm before curling his fingers up around it, "Don't want to lose it.”
His eyes finally softened, looking at her like the mask of his nightmare wasn’t there anymore, “No you don’t… I would kiss you but-“
“I know,” she took the words out of his mouth, understanding what he was trying to say, her voice lowering into a whisper. “But when I come back through that curtain, I want my celebration kiss.”
“I got you.” He kissed the top of her head, “Have fun, kick ass, and don’t take your mask off.” He grabbed her shoulders, looking down at her, hoping his words would sink in better.
“Fine, I‘ll leave it on.” She smiled as she rolled her eyes but he wasn’t as amused as herself. “I’ll leave it on, just for you.” She teased.
His whole body shivered at the thought of having to look at the mask for the rest of the night.
“Nah, I don’t need a mask that bad, you can keep this shit.”
“Whatever, see you in a few. Wish me luck, boys.” She said, starting to walk away, “You don’t need it.” They both said in unison. “That’s the spirit, don’t lose my ring or you have to buy me another.” She sang before she disappeared around the corner towards Gorilla.
AND YOUR WINNERS… CHARLOTTE FLAIR, ALEXA BLISS, AJ LEE, IYO SKY, AND RHEA RIPLEY!
The crowd exploded when Becky Lynch- the woman who has been bragging about who she was undefeated in War Games tapped out of AJ’s iconic Black Widow, securing them the win.
She carried Iyo through the curtain, the pain she would feel later nonexistent in this moment.
The moods of everyone on the team changed drastically from the beginning of the day. They were cheering and screaming, and Charlotte even saved her at the end. And now it was time to celebrate!
“Guess this was a pretty good first War Games, huh?” Charlotte asked AJ, nudging her with a teasing shoulder.
“Oh, hell yeah. We had a pretty good leader, too, huh?” The former diva champion tossed back, but instead of Charlotte having her usual pouty look, she smiled; one she couldn’t help but have. “Yeah, we did, lean us straight to victory.”
She put Iyo’s feet back on the ground, patting the top of her head before turning to Charlotte, “Because we had a good starter.”
They both shared a look full of respect- mutual respect.
She spotted Jey leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, watching them. “Ohh, one second, I gotta grab something.”
She rushed over to him, the chains all over her gear rattling like she was a wind chime, “Where’s my kiss?” Were the first words to leave her mouth.
“Straight to the point, huh, Mama?” He chuckled, pushing her wild hair behind her ear before leaning forward to place a kiss on her lips.
His nose bumped against her mask-covered one. The hard surface made it a little harder for him to fulfill her request, but that just meant it was longer than their usual post-match kiss.
Their lips came apart with a soft smacking sound escaping them, “Give me your hand.” She obeyed, giving him her naked, feeling hand. “Doesn’t feel right without it, and I have only been wearing it for a few days.
She admitted softly, watching him dig around in his pocket.
“That’s good, right?” He breathed onto the pepper diamond shining against his shirt, then lifted her hand gently as if he could break her. As soon as the cold metal touched her skin, it felt like they were on the beach all over again. “Yeah, it’s good.”
“I don’t like taking mines off either, it feels wrong.” He wrapped his claimed hand around hers, letting them both fall between them.
“Mmm, you looked really good with it this morning.” She said, leaning closer to him with a cheeky grin, “Really good.”
He chuckled, leaning forward, saying in a hushed tone, “Be careful, Mama, we have an audience.” His eyes moved behind her, causing her to look back, seeing her team standing there making kissing noises and faces.
“I’ll catch up with you.” She laughed, pecking him on the cheek, “Love you.”
“You know where I’ll be. Love you too.”
She walked back over to her team, who were all a little wide-eyed, Iyo being the first to speak up.
“Jey proposed?!” She asked a little louder than she meant to.
“Yes!” She held up her hand showing them all her sparkling ring.
They all screamed out of excitement, their high-pitched squeals filling the hallway, surely loud enough to be heard from all the way outside in the stands.
“Oh my god, it’s beautiful.” Alexa grabbed her by the bottom of her wrist, getting a better look.
“The love in the air must be really strong this year.” Charlotte was referring to the two other proposals that happened this year, the PC was a breeding ground- literally, like a bunch of cats in heat, though she and Jey weren’t any better themselves. “How long have you been engaged for?”
“Umm, eleven days, he proposed last Wednesday.” She didn’t even try to contain herself. She was so excited to finally share this news with someone other than Naomi.
“It’s been eleven days, and you're just now telling us?” Iyo was right next to her, looking at the ring.
“We had to tell our parents before we told anyone else, which went… interestingly.” She admitted still having a bad taste in her mouth about what happened at Thanksgiving.
“Ok, well, let’s all go shower and stuff, and you can tell us what happened," AJ said with her arm hooked around Charlotte.
“Yeah, then I can take this bloody mask off, it’s a little sweaty under here.”
They went back to their locker as winners, getting out of their sweaty gear, nursing the minor injuries they all had.
“Oh, ok, their assholes and Jey’s right, you don’t need them.” AJ said, sitting on the floor, leaning back against the bench to hold the ice pack to her back.
“But I want them there, it feels rude not to.” She explained, pausing to tug a shirt over her head, her hair still dripping. “I know things are weird with his dad, but he and his mom are close as hell, I don’t want her not to be there for him.”
She grabbed her towel out of her locker before flipping her long hair to the right side to dry it.
“You can’t please everyone Rhea. It's your wedding, invite who you want. Take that from a woman who’s already done it, and having people there who aren’t there for you can ruin your special day.” Alexa said, sitting down next to her.
AJ winced as she sat up a little straighter, “Yeah, it’s your day, don’t forget that. Do whatever the hell you want, don’t let anyone bully you into changing your mind.”
She tossed her damp towel on the floor before joining little Miss Bliss on the hard bench. She knew all these things; she didn’t want him to regret not having them there down the line.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around you and Jey getting married, it’s wild," Charlotte spoke up from her corner, rubbing her rich vanilla-scented lotion down her long legs still in her underwear.
“Still trying to wrap my head around it myself, it’s like a dream that I don’t want to wake up from.”
“Is that what made you late tonight?” She glanced at Iyo, already feeling her face getting warm.
"So what if it was? My fiancé is hot, he doesn’t call it the “Uso Splash” for nothing.” She winked, laughing to herself when all the women in the room looked at her jaw's dropped.
“Mami’s a dirty girl, I like it.” AJ smiled, joining in her laughter
“So does my fiancé.” She grinned playfully as she walked over towards her phone sitting on the floor charging, checking to see if her fiancé had texted her. Which he had.
“Oop, looks like duty calls.” She popped up off the ground with a small pep in her step as she went to grab her jacket.
“And just like that, we’re losing Mami.” Charlotte said as she pulled up her cream colored sweats, “We haven’t even pulled out the good stuff yet.”
She laughed, making her way towards the door, slipping on her Vans, “I’ll be back, don’t freak, it shouldn’t take that long.” She said before walking out the door.
She started walking to the bus lot, assuming he was still hanging out with Cody because it wasn't like he was with the alternative.
The cold breeze licked up her bones, the transition from the warm inside to the brisk outside causing her to stop and take a deep breath, feeling her hair stand up straight.
She walked with her hands in her pockets, fidgeting with the roll of tape he asked her to bring, watching as someone in a black hoodie walked towards her or at least in her direction, not realizing who it was until they got closer.
A small rage filled her. As happy as they were right now, his mental health was garbage. He talked to Zara when he could, and they had their pillow talks, but as much as he let out, there was still so much he kept inside.
A week or two ago, when Roman came back, he had a panic attack, a bad one, scaring him enough to call Zara since she was busy and he didn’t know whatever to do. She was still beating herself up a little for not being there when he needed her.
She kept her head low, hoping he would notice her, or not care enough to care.
Just keep walking, just keep walking, don’t lose your cool in this parking lot, Rhea, just keep walking. She told herself, despite everything in her body telling her to stop and see what his bloody problem was.
He was wrapped in a tight hoodie with the hood up and his hands in his pockets. Their eyes only met once, and she immediately looked away.
She pushed her hair behind her ear, unaware of the way the tall parking lot lights bounced off her giant ring when she did so.
He passed her, and she unclenched her fist, letting her shoulder fall back to their relaxed stance before she heard a voice call out from her.
She didn’t stop, why would she?
Something in her body told her to stop but she didn’t listen, just shouting, “What!”
His strong hand grabbed onto her shoulder, causing her to whip around, shoving her fingers in his face.
“Don’t fucking touch me. Jey may be playing nice but I don’t have to, I hate you. If you ever touch me again, I’ll lay your ass out on the bloody concrete.” All her anger came to a boil; her voice rumbled in her chest, coming out in a spiteful tone.
Her long nails stuck into his chest like a knife.
Roman didn’t get shook easily, but for a split second his tough exterior slipped just for a second.
“So what the hell did you stop me for? Venom dripped off her tongue as she stood face to face with one of the most influential men in their business.
Roman quickly bounced back from her sudden anger, matching it with an arrogant grin that she wanted to smack his face immediately, but that urge went away as soon as he said. “Nice ring.”
Her stomach flipped. Roman didn’t come to Thanksgiving so he didn’t get a front row ticket to what happened; she asked herself how he would know, but then remembered she had the evidence on her finger.
“Thank you, isn’t it nice?” She put on her best fakest smile she could, waving her hand in front of his face, “He bought it with all that champion money.” She bragged, hoping to get a reaction out of him but it didn’t- not on the outside.
“Congrats.” That was all he seemed to muster out before walking, leaving her alone in the parking lot like she thought she was in the first place.
“Such a fucking dumbass.” She mumbled under her breath, continuing to walk towards the Nightmare’s bus.
Her knuckles rested against the cool door as she took a deep breath, calming herself down before knocking on the door.
It immediately swung open. Cody stood there in his red and blue gear pants, “Hey, come on in.”
He moved out of the archway, letting her through onto the clean interior, which was surprising since two boys had been in it all day.
Jey was twisting his chair left and right with his legs, his gear hood casting a shadow over his face.
“Hey, Mama, you bring the tape?” He asked with a sense of urgency.
“Yeah,” she tossed it to him, and he instantly started to wrap his ankles. She turned to Cody, silently asking him, "What‘s up?"
He gave her an answering look that said. "Just nerves.” She nodded, watching her soon-to-be husband double wrap his ankles before he rolled his socks over them.
He was nervous. War Games was never an easy feat; it was long and exhausting, and no matter what, you were going to come out with some kind of injury. It was a War. And he was on a team that couldn’t get along long enough to get changed. Something was bound to go wrong.
Her Vans came into his line of vision as she sat down on the couch next to him, then he heard the door shut.
She grabbed his knees, pulling his attention away from the ground, “Mmm?” He hummed, looking up at her.
“You’re going to do amazing, you have been in every one of these matches and won each one. You’re gonna do great.”
He smiled at her, appreciating the way she always checked in. “Thank you, Mama.” He took her hand off his knee, bringing it up to his mouth. “You really like doing that.” She giggled out a tease.
“You got pretty fingers, especially this one." His bottom lip brushed against the rest of her fingers, his beard dragging over her soft skin, making her ticklish until he reached her ring finger, kissing the spot right above her smoky black ring.
When he looked back up at her, her face was as red as the inside of a strawberry, “Your so easy.”
She looked away from him, trying to get her heart to stop trying to escape from her chest.
“You're cute when you get flustered, Mama.”
“Shut up.” She murmured, only feeling her face get hotter at his words, "Did you tell your girlfriends yet?”
She took a moment to regather her thoughts before answering his question. Smiling for a different reason.
“Yeah, I told them, they were super happy for us.”
“See, I told you you were stressing for no reason.” He wrapped his hand around hers, “Yeah, yeah,” She thought about telling him about what happened just a moment ago, but she didn’t want him to freak out about it or do something he’ll regret.
“You were right, you want a whole song and dance too?” She laughed.
“I wouldn’t mind a little dance now.” He grinned before leaning forward, planting a kiss on her lips. “I’ll show you a little dance after you win.”
His head was pounding from hitting that table that wouldn’t break to save his life.
His whole body ached like it always did after such a hardcore battle, but the loss hurt even more.
He leaned on Jimmy for support, literally his arm wrapped around his midsection, “You such medical cleared you? You're a little wobbly.”
“Eat a Samoa drop through a table. Let's see if you walk straight.”
“Try taking about a million F5s.” Jimmy laughed off the pain. “Bruh clearly got some type of grudge.”
“Just one of the thousands we had to fight because he pissed them off.”
It was good how they could still look back on the past and laugh about it.
“How’s Rhea? I know she and Naomi talked once we got home.”
“She’s stressin’ bout it as always, but I told her if they don’t respect what we got, then I don’t want or need them there.”
“You serious?” Jimmy looked over to him, expecting to see a joking smile but he didn’t. “Ma’ loves but she has her own issues, and Pops ain’t never liked her, you know? I just hoped they would get it together before all this.” He explained how it’s not that he doesn’t want them there, it's that they don’t like the decision they made and are trying to change it. Hoping he would give in and push the wedding a few years, which he wasn’t going to do.
“I mean, ay, it’s y’all wedding, do what y’all want. Shit, I’ll know I’ll be there.” He cheesed, pulling himself away from his twin, forcing him to stand up straight.
“You'd better be, gonna need somebody to plan my bachelor party.”
He said it, and Jimmy stopped in front of him, looking back at him with a look of disbelief, “What?”
“I need a best man, Uce, who else would it be?”
“You fuckin’ serious?” The look of disbelief hasn't left his face since it appeared.
“I was yours, why wouldn’t you be mine?" He stepped closer, pulling him into a hug. Jimmy hugged him back tightly.
“Shit, man, you can’t make me emotional up in here, they're gonna think it’s because I got my ass beat.” Jimmy chuckled, wiping the wet from underneath his eyes.
“I know you're gonna throw me the best bachelor party ever, Uce.”
“Ay, you know it! Got you always.” He clapped him on the shoulder, “Come on, let’s go get our shit, Cody said we’re celebrating.”
They continue down the hall talking more about how good his and Rhea's engagement was and how mind-blowing the sex has gotten, which caused Jimmy to gag dramatically.
He walked into the locker room, immediately filled with his laughter, Jimmy opting to stay outside and wait.
“Quick in and out.” He spotted their bags and went to grab them, but then he heard a familiar and aggressive voice, causing him to stop just short of them.
“Hey, Jey," Roman uttered, taking a seat on the metal bench across the room.
“Sup, Uce, you good?” He didn’t know why he asked that because he regretted it immediately once the words left his mouth.
“No, we lost. I thought you knew better than to ask dumb questions?” His voice was full of anger, targeted towards him like it was his fault they lost.
“You right, Uce, my fault. We'll beat 'em next time.” He could already feel his stomach turning.
He wanted to leave but he couldn’t; something deep within him wouldn’t allow him to.
The biggest man- in size but also in power- leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, staring at him in that way that made his skin crawl.
“I want gold, Jey. I’m tired of fighting pointless fights. I. Want. Gold.” His strong voice ricocheted off the wooden cubbies. “And I can’t do that if I’m saving your ass.”
“Who asked you to save me? Because it sure as hell wasn’t me, I don’t need you to save me; I can save me. I ain’t needed you in years… maybe you need me? Have you ever thought bout that?
His claim seemed to hit Roman right where he wanted it to. The wiser man stiffened his position, leaning forward, like a lion does before striking its prey.
He let out a bitter laugh, mocking him for even thinking such nonsense. “I need YOU? I was a made man long before I got the Bloodline together, Jey. I don’t need anybody.”
“When did you lose? How did you lose? Huh!” “He shouted, wanting an answer that he knew he wasn’t going to get. “You only beat all those people, had a four-year-long reign because I helped you be great. I help you be amazing. I, Me. Your right-hand man!” After each word, he took a step closer until he was looking down at him, seeing the rage building in his eyes, and he was loving it. All of a sudden, he wasn’t scared of him anymore, he wasn’t worried what he would do; he wanted him to do something because he wanted to show him just how much he needed him.
He leaned over him, feeling the absolute fury coming off of his “leader”. He got as close as he could, the biggest smile on his face, before he said-
“I made the Tribal Chief.”
That was all he got out before Roman snapped, and he suddenly found himself shoving up against the nearest wall. With a hand around his throat.
“I don’t need you.” Roman yelled through his gritted teeth, his hand tightening around his neck, starting to cut off his air circulation. “I’m the fucking Tribal Chief, you take orders from me. I made you a name. I made you someone. You were just one of the USOs.”
Even with his air getting cut off, he still had a shit eating grin stretched across his lips.
“And what are you now? He gasped for air after each word but that didn’t affect how heavy they hit his cousin.
His chest was tight, his body fighting to get the air it needed, already starting to feel a little lightheaded.
“I’m the Tribal Chief," Roman answered, hiding what he was actually feeling under his cockiness.
He choked as Roman nails dug into the back of his neck, his palm pressed straight against his windpipe.
His body was begging for air, knocking him into fight or flight mode, hitting the wall he was pushing against with his fist.
His struggle seemed to make him happy, feed his ego in a sick and twisted way. But so was he because, he was in his head, he found a button that the man claimed he didn’t have.
The door burst open. Jimmy immediately jumped to act, shoving Roman off of him onto the ground.
The sound of his own heart pounding filled his head as he fell to the floor, coughing as air flowed back into his lungs.
He grabbed at his beaten and bruised chest, feeling it fall up and down rapidly, the world spinning.
Before the spin could stop, a strong hand grabbed him by the arm, immediately pushing him off, mumbling out a “Get off.”
“Josh, you already? What you need? Ay! Ay!” He yelled for help, all muffled by the sound of his heart slowly coming down to its regular rhythm.
He shoved him off again, getting on his feet, “Get off me, I’m fine.” The way he stumbled over his words was a clear sign he wasn’t but he wasn’t going to stay in this room for another second.
Rhea was sitting in their jacuzzi tub filled to the top with bubbles, having a tall glass of wine. Adding to the few drinks she already had back at the arena.
She left with Iyo, Alexa and Charlotte, not long after the show ended. Jey told her to go have fun, and he would meet her back at the hotel.
So they got back here and talked down at the bar for a little bit before returning to their room, and now she was here relaxing in the bath waiting for her amazing fiancé to get back.
She dipped her glasses up, getting a taste of the fermented grapes as she looked through the open window, watching the end of Mean Girls.
"This was a nice post-match tradition too."
She heard the lock turn and got excited, setting her glass on the wide ledge. “Hey, baby.”
She didn’t get much of a response. He walked farther into the room, unaware of her watching him toss his hoodie vest to the ground before covering his face with his hands.
Why was he still in his gear?
She moved through the hot water, leaning over the window. “Jey, everything okay? What happened?” She could practically see the dark cloud over his head.
He didn’t answer her right away, sucking in a sharp breath before standing up and walking towards the bathroom.
She turned her body around to face the door to see him walk in.
He dragged his feet behind him as he entered the bathroom, the bright white lights shining down on him, allowing her to see the fresh reddish purple bruise around his neck.
“What the fuck happened?!” She stood up, not caring how cold she got. He met her before she got the chance to jump out.
“I got into it with Roman.” He mumbled, weakly leaning into her wet hand. “Josh.” She whispered, cradling his cheek while she tried to wrap her head around how this happened. “Oh, Josh.”
“I said I needed him, wouldn’t be anywhere without him, bullshit, so I said that he needed me and he didn’t like it.” He gave her the short version; his voice strained from the lack of oxygen.
“I’m gonna fucking kill him, I swear I’m gonna kill him.” The anger was stronger than the fear now, and she meant what she was saying.
“No, I’m gonna kill him. He hurt you.” Her eyes ghosted over the large bruise on his neck, making her hurt probably as much as he did.
“He hurt you, and I’m gonna kill him.”
She rubbed her thumb across his cheek, feeling how he just relaxed in her grasp. Trying her hardest to keep him calm while trying to do the same herself.
“I ran my mouth, I knew what I was doin’.”
“This isn’t anyone's fault but his.” She grabbed his face with both her hands, repeating her words to make sure he heard her. “This isn’t your fault.”
“Come on, let’s- let me, umm, let me drain this.” She bent over to pull the plug, but he caught her arm. “Don’t.”
He kicked his shoes off before taking off his pants and joining her in the warm, bubbly water.
He leaned back against the cool back of the tub, making room for her between his legs. She laid back against his chest carefully.
His arms wrapped around her, holding her tight, the dark cloud above his head slowly growing smaller.
She should say something, right? Not just let him sit in his pain? She was worried, he definitely didn’t get checked out before coming here- he didn’t even bother changing. Did Jimmy know? Was he there? Should she call him? She didn’t want to tip him off the edge he was already on by doing that.
She leaned her head up, being met with the large mark first and his face second. He was staring at the TV, completely disappearing from reality for a moment.
Her fingers reached up into his beard, it taking a second to get his attention, but he eventually looked down.
“I know you're not okay, but I’m here, Love.”
“I know, I know.” He looked down at her, his tongue running across his teeth like he wanted to say more but didn’t. But she urged him to say it.
“I’m so tired of losing, being second best, being someone I’m not.” He started, still holding her closer.
“Everyone telling me what I can and can’t do, I’m losing it, Rhea. And it’s bad- like really bad. I thought about how easy it would be to jump everybody in that cage tonight, I did, and it took so much willpower not to do it.”
Rhea watched as more pieces of the wall crumbled.
“There are so many people in my head, I don’t know which voice is mine anymore. Jimmy wants me to help everyone and be their friend, Roman says the way to win is to have none, and I’m not even sure if I’m fit to be champ again.”
His words were heavy with honesty, just letting them flow out.
“Don’t say that, you were an amazing champion and would be one again.” She grabbed his hand that sat under the water, “Is this what Roman said? That you can’t be a champion?
Oh, yeah, she was gonna kill him.
“Nah, not tonight… I-I’m not sure if I can be champion again. He admitted, whispering, feeling ashamed that he had no confidence in himself anymore, but the woman in front of him did.
She grabbed him by the face again, moving into his lap, feeling his body on hers, “Jey, I believe you can be champion again. No matter how you do it. I believe that, and you don’t have to believe that yourself right now, but I do, and I know a whole lot of other people do too.”
She pushed his messy hair back out of his face, smiling down at him before kissing him.
“I believe in you and that wouldn’t change. Ever. I love you, I’m gonna marry you, and you're gonna be a champ again, you hear me?”
“Yeah, I do.” His hand traveled up to her waist, “but I only care bout that second one right now.” He leaned forward, taking his back off the side of the tub to kiss her.
“We have talked about titles, our whole relationship, but our wedding is new.” He smiled up at her, rubbing his thumbs above her hips.
“Yes, it is.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer, spreading her legs apart farther.
“I asked Jimmy to be my best man tonight.”
“Wait, really? Oh my god!” Her high-pitched voice echoed off the tile as she got excited. “He was excited, too.”
“Ugh, I don’t know who I’m gonna ask. Can I have two maids of honor?”
“I don’t know a rule saying you can't, why?”
“I want Calista to be it, obviously, but Naomi is also my sister. We talk every day, she can’t just be some regular bridesmaid.”
“Have two then, I don’t care, if it makes you happy, we can have a chocolate fountain at the ceremony.”
He just wanted her to be happy, give her everything her heart desires- especially on her wedding day.
Her eyes lit up at his “joke”, which she took as an actual suggestion, “Oooo, a chocolate fountain sounds amazing.”
“Whatever you want, Mama.” He chuckled softly, which made her smile; the Roman issue was far from over, but it was good that he wasn’t sitting in his head about it. He was laughing; that was a good sign.
“Oooo, whatever I want? Ok then, we'll have three chocolate fountains.” She teased, her body shook gently as his laughter flowed through his body, “Shoot for the moon, let’s have four.”
They haven’t actually had a real conversation about their wedding yet; just been too busy with War Games, but this was the last PLE of the year, so they would have plenty of time until January when things kicked back off.
Is it crazy we’re having this conversation in the tub?”
“We have all our big conversations in tubs, it’s our thing.” He squished her cheek as he pressed a kiss against it. She giggled, feeling his hands beginning to roam.
“Jey.” She whispered firmly, still worried about him, not wanting him to bury it in her.
“I’m okay.” He looked up at her with his big brown eyes, “I mean, I’m not, but this ain’t the first time. So I’m okay.”
That was up for debate, but not a debate for tonight. He had the most amazing fiancée, but he didn't want to think about what happened in the locker room.
“What can I do?” She wanted to help in some way, she couldn’t just ignore it. He was hurting, and she had to do something to help him. She promised him she wouldn’t let Roman hurt him again, and she failed to do that tonight.
“Anything, literally we can do anything so I don't have to sit here and just think about it.
The room got quiet as she thought of what to say. His hands were still firmly held onto her hips under the water.
“Naomi and I have been talking about the dress. It’s probably too early for that, but we have been looking, trying to figure out if I want to wear white or not.”
He nodded gently before saying, “Don’t wear white it’s not you.”
“Really?” She turned the top half of her body, grabbing her forgotten glass of wine.
“Yeah, wear black. It’s you, white isn’t you. I don’t think I have seen you in white, actually.”
He couldn’t remember a time when the only color she had on was white, black and white maybe, but never just white itself.
“Maybe I’ll wear some on our wedding night then.” The corner of her lips curled into a grin.
“Mmm, I would rather see you in blue, you look really hot in blue.”
“I look hot in every color.” She teased, removing her arms from around his neck, rubbing her hands down his arms, watching the side of her hands disappear into the mountain of bubbles.
“Sooooo, I've been doing some thinking,” she started with a hint of nervousness in her voice. “And, I think after we get married, we wait a year or two- more like a year and a half, then… we can try.”
She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth, waiting for an answer, but he clearly hit his head a little, then she thought.
His face scrunched up, “Try? Try what?"
She walked her fingers up his chest, building up the courage to say it again since her fiancé was slow.
“Try… for a baby.” She couldn’t say the words without smiling.
“Foreal?” He said happily, surprised, “You've been thinkin’ bout this?”
“A little. Blame Nai, every time I see her, my womb hurts, and your, umm, your dirty talk got me a little bit.” A light blush covered her cheeks.
“Oh,” He processed what she had just said. The thought of marriage lived in his head rent free but babies? Funnily enough, that one never popped up.
“And a half. I want to be married for a while before we start having babies.” Her smile had yet to fade and she didn’t think it would.
“Alright then, we'll be married for a year and a half, and then we'll have a baby.”
“Ies.” She corrected him. “I want two. Twins. So you better use all that twin power because I’m not destroying my pussy twice for you.”
He laughed, fighting the urge to say something dirty, “Given how many twins we have in the family, I’ll say your odds are pretty damn high, Mama. But you know, practice makes perfect.”
He couldn’t help himself, his hands moving along her body until he reached the back of her thighs, looking back at her with a devilish grin.
“You are impossible.” She whispered, leaning forward, pressing a kiss on his soft lips. “You're the one who's tryin’ to get knocked up.”
She slapped his chest, “That’s not what I said!” Her voice got high, “I have been thinking about this long before you said you wanted to sleep in it.”
“Mhm, sure.” He teased, seeing her chest and neck become as red as her face.
“I hate you.” She mumbled weakly.
“You love me, that’s why we’re getting married.”
“We’re getting married.” She said in a sing-song voice.
It was crazy how such a bad evening could change in just a few minutes, but that’s exactly what this girl did, and had done for months on end. Like a drug.
She always managed to take his pain away, even when she didn’t understand it. He had never met a girl he would walk through hell for before her; now, if he had to, he would without question.
“You are going to make the most amazing bride ever and an even more amazing wife.”
_________________________________________________
This isn’t the end of their story- obviously. But it will be the end for now. Of course we’re have a wedding (I have some ideas for that and for things before the actual wedding) and maybe even see them in a year and a half 🫣 I don’t know we’re see where things take us.
But do worry this won’t be the end of Jhea. I already had a few Christmas fics lined up, and hella requests, so my babies aren’t going anywhere.
Thanks if you been here since the beginning (like seriously it was real rough back then) or if your new. This series definitely would’ve died if y’all didn’t care lol. Extra special shout out to @faceless-inthecrowd 🖤 and all my other moots that have not only inspired me but helped me when writer’s block hits a bitch.
