The Only One Who Sees EP. 5
She is Bloodline. Cody is the enemy. Roman is the one who swore to keep her safe. He's forbidden. She's forbidden. Yet they always cross paths...
A slow-burning, forbidden trope romance with lots of angst.
List | EP.1 | EP. 2 | EP. 3 | EP. 4 | Now | EP. 6 | EP. 7 | EP. 8 | EP. 9 | EP. 10 | EP. 11 | EP. 12 | EP. 13 | EP. 14 | EP. 15 | EP. 16 | EP. 17 - End |
13k words x | MasterList
A/N: I hope you love this!! Thank you everyone for the love that i have received so far from this series!!
This isn't fully proof read...
The silence after the second buzz was heavier than anything the brothers had said all night. You could feel their eyes on you, not harsh, not accusing, but sharp in a way that made your skin prickle. The room felt smaller with all of them still there, the air thick with a tension none of you knew how to break.
You kept your phone in your hand, screen down now, as if hiding the name could erase the reaction theyād already seen. Your fingers curled around the device, knuckles pale, pulse fluttering beneath your skin. You tried to steady your breathing, but every inhale felt too shallow, every exhale too loud.
Jey was the first to move. He shifted slightly on the bed beside you, not pulling away, not crowding you, just adjusting enough to study your face more closely. His voice was soft when he spoke, but there was a new edge beneath it, a quiet alertness.
āYou changed when you saw that notification.ā It wasnāt an accusation. It was an observation. A truth spoken gently, the same way Solo had spoken earlier.
Jimmy leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his eyes narrowing just a little. āYou didnāt even open it, and you still reacted.ā
You swallowed hard, your throat tight. āI didnātāā
āYou did,ā Jimmy said, but his voice wasnāt sharp. It was careful. Concerned. āIt was small, but we saw it.ā
Solo stood closest to you now, not looming, not pressuring, just present. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were steady, watching you with that quiet intensity that always made you feel seen in ways you werenāt ready for.
He didnāt ask anything.
He didnāt push.
He just waited.
And somehow, that was worse.
You looked down at your hands, your fingers still trembling around the phone. You tried to force your expression back into something neutral, something safe, but the damage was already done. They had seen the softening. The breath you didnāt mean to release. The tiny flicker of something warm breaking through the fear.
Jey spoke again, his voice low. āWhoever it wasā¦ they matter to you.ā
Your heart lurched painfully.
Jimmyās gaze sharpened, but his tone stayed gentle. āWeāre not mad. We justā¦ want to understand.ā
Solo finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. āYou donāt have to tell us the name. But donāt lie about what you felt.ā
The words hit you harder than you expected.
Because he was right. You had felt something. Something you werenāt ready to name. Something you werenāt ready to explain. Something that made your chest tighten and your stomach twist, and your breath catch all at once.
You closed your eyes for a moment, trying to steady yourself.
The phone buzzed again in your hand.
A third message.
Same name.
Same effect.
And all three brothers watched your reaction like it was the key to a truth you werenāt ready to give.
The third buzz vibrated through your hand, sharp enough to make your fingers twitch. You kept the phone faceādown now, as if the name glowing beneath the screen could burn straight through your palm. The room felt too warm again, the air thick with a tension none of you knew how to break.
Jey was the first to speak. He shifted slightly beside you, his knee brushing yours, his voice low and careful.
āBe real with me Uceā¦ was that a guy?ā
The question wasnāt harsh. It wasnāt jealous or judgmental. It was protective. Quietly protective. The kind that came from someone who had spent the entire night imagining the worst.
Your breath caught. āJeyāā
He lifted a hand gently, stopping you without touching you. āIām not asking to get in your business. Iām asking because you lookedā¦ different when you saw that name.ā
Jimmy leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his eyes narrowing just a little. Not in anger ā in focus. He was studying you the way he studied opponents in the ring, looking for the smallest shift, the tiniest tell. āYou softened,ā he said quietly. āJust for a second. Like whoever it wasā¦ mattered.ā
Solo stood closest to you now, not looming, not crowding, but present in a way that made the air feel heavier. His expression didnāt change, but something in his posture did ā a subtle tightening of his shoulders, a quiet readiness that made your pulse jump.
He didnāt ask if it was a guy.
He didnāt have to.
He was waiting for your answer to the twins.
You swallowed hard, your fingers curling around the phone until your knuckles ached. āItās notā itās complicated.ā
Jeyās brows pulled together, his voice softening even more. āComplicated how?ā
You shook your head, your throat tight. āI donāt want to talk about it.ā
Jimmy exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his jaw. āWeāre not trying to push you. But if some guyās involvedā¦ we need to know if heās trouble.ā
There it was.
The protectiveness.
Not loud.
Not aggressive.
Just steady and instinctive, like a reflex they couldnāt turn off.
Solo stepped closer, his voice low and calm. āDid he hurt you?ā
Your eyes snapped up, startled. āNo. No, he didnāt.ā
Solo watched you for a long moment, his gaze steady, searching. āDid he help you?ā
The question hit you like a jolt. Your breath stuttered. Your eyes flicked away. It was just a tiny movement. Barely noticeable.
But Solo saw it.
Of course he did.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, a quiet shift you wouldnāt have caught if you werenāt looking right at him. Not anger. Not jealousy. Justā¦ protectiveness. Heavy and silent.
Jey noticed the shift too. āSo it was a guy.ā
Jimmy leaned back slightly, his voice dropping. āAnd you donāt want to tell us who.ā
You didnāt answer.
You couldnāt.
The phone buzzed again in your hand.
The fourth buzz rattled through your hand, sharp enough to make your fingers twitch. You flipped the phone faceādown again, pressing it into your thigh like you could smother the name glowing beneath the screen. Your pulse was racing, your breath uneven, your face too warm.
You forced your expression into something neutral, something steady, something that didnāt betray the way your stomach had just dropped.
āIām justā¦ tired,ā you said quietly. āItās been a long day.ā
It wasnāt a lie. But it wasnāt the truth either. And the timing was too perfect to hide.
Jeyās head tilted slightly, his eyes narrowing with a softness that somehow made you feel even more exposed. He didnāt move away from you. If anything, he leaned in a little, studying your face like he was trying to read the thoughts you were fighting to bury.
āYou werenāt tired thirty seconds ago,ā he said gently.
Jimmy shifted forward, elbows on his knees, his posture tightening in that quiet, protective way he had. His eyes flicked from your face to the phone in your hand, then back again.
āYouāre trying to brush us off,ā he said, voice low but steady. āWhy?ā
You shook your head, trying to keep your voice even. āIām not brushing you off. I justā¦ want to lie down.ā
Solo stepped closer, slow and deliberate, his presence filling the room in a way that made your breath catch. He didnāt look at the phone. He didnāt look at the twins. He looked only at you.
His voice was quiet, but it carried weight. āYour hands are shaking again.ā
You froze. Because they were. Your fingers trembled around the phone. Your breath hitched. Your chest tightened. You curled your hand into a fist, hiding the tremor, but it was too late. Theyād already seen it.
Jeyās voice softened even more. āWhoeverās texting youā¦ theyāre getting a reaction out of you.ā
Jimmyās jaw tightened, not in anger ā in concern. āIf itās a guy, just say so. Weāre not gonna jump down your throat. We just want to know if heās someone we need to worry about.ā
You swallowed hard, but this time you forced yourself to look away from the phone, to the quiet tension filling the room instead. The brothersā eyes werenāt sharp or accusing ā they were heavy with concern, a silent promise to stand guard even if you didnāt speak.
Jeyās voice softened, careful not to push too hard. āYou donāt have to say anything youāre not ready for.ā
Jimmyās gaze flicked between you and the phone, then back to you. āBut weāre here. Whatever it is.ā
Soloās presence loomed close, steady and unyielding. āWeāll protect you. No matter what.ā
You swallowed again, the weight in your chest shifting ā not lighter, but somehow less alone. The phone buzzed once more, but this time you didnāt reach for it. Instead, you let the silence stretch, letting their quiet strength fill the space where your words wouldnāt come.
The protectiveness in the room deepened, not as a burden, but as a shield ā a silent vow that you wouldnāt have to carry this alone.
Jimmy was the first to break the silence.
He leaned back slightly, but the tension in his shoulders didnāt ease. His eyes stayed locked on your face, searching for something you werenāt ready to give. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, steady, and threaded with a quiet warning.
āLookā¦ mystery guys?ā he said, shaking his head slowly. āTheyāre never just nothing. Not when you react like that.ā
The words werenāt meant to scare you.
They were meant to shield you.
A brotherās instinct tightening like armor.
He wasnāt accusing you. He was preparing to protect you from someone he didnāt even know... yet.
You felt your throat tighten.
Jey shifted beside you, his knee brushing yours again, grounding you. His expression was softer than Jimmyās, but no less serious. He studied you for a long moment, his eyes gentle but impossibly perceptive.
Then, quietly, almost like he was afraid of the answer, he asked, āDid he make you feel safe last night?ā
The question hit you like a breath you werenāt ready to take. Your chest tightened. Your pulse stumbled. Your eyes dropped to your lap before you could stop them.
You didnāt answer.
You couldnāt.
But the silence was enough.
Jey exhaled slowly, the sound soft and heavy. He didnāt push. He didnāt pry. He just nodded once, like he understood more than youād said.
Jimmy stood first, running a hand over his face, the protectiveness still simmering beneath his calm exterior. āAlright,ā he murmured. āWeāll give you some time. But if this guy shows up in your life againā¦ weāre gonna want to know who he is.ā
It wasnāt a threat. It was a promise.
Solo lingered a moment longer, his presence steady and grounding. His eyes met yours, and for a second, the room felt too quiet, too intimate. He didnāt say anything ā he didnāt need to. His silence carried more weight than words.
Jey squeezed your shoulder gently before standing. āWeāre right next door. If you need anything - anything - you call.ā
Jimmy nodded, his gaze lingering on your face, still protective, still worried. āDonāt let some guy mess with your head,ā he said softly. āNot after everything.ā
Solo was the last to move toward the door. He paused, his hand on the frame, his voice low and certain. āYouāre not alone tonight.ā
The door clicked shut with a soft finality, and for a moment you just sat there, staring at the empty space where the brothers had been. Their presence had filled the room so completely ā warm, heavy, protective ā that the sudden quiet felt almost disorienting.
Without their eyes on you, without their questions hovering in the space between breaths, the room felt bigger. Colder. Too still. The kind of stillness that made your heartbeat sound louder than it should.
You exhaled slowly, your shoulders sagging as the tension youād been holding finally slipped through the cracks. Not gone ā just loosened. Just enough to breathe.
The sound cut through the silence like a blade, sharp and impossible to ignore. You stared at the device in your hand, your pulse quickening all over again. The screen was still faceādown, but you didnāt need to flip it to know whose name was waiting.
You swallowed hard, your fingers tightening around the phone. The brothersā voices echoed faintly in your mind ā Jimmyās warning about mystery guys, Jeyās gentle question, Soloās quiet certainty.
You lifted the phone slowly, your hands still trembling, the weight of the moment settling over you like a second heartbeat.
For the first time since last night, you were alone with the truth and Codyās messages were waiting.
You stared at the phone for a long moment, your pulse thudding in your ears. The room felt too quiet now, too still, like the air itself was waiting for you to make a choice. Finally, with a breath you didnāt realise you were holding, you turned the phone over.
The screen lit up instantly.
The first message blinked up at you.
Your breath caught. It was simple. Direct. Full of concern, not pressure.
Cody: Just checking youāre safe and feel better.
Your stomach twisted ā not in fear, but in something warmer, something you werenāt ready to name. You could almost hear his voice in the words, that quiet steadiness he used when he didnāt want to scare you off.
Cody: If you need anythingā¦ anything at allā¦ Iām awake.
Your fingers tightened around the phone.
You shouldnāt have felt relief. You shouldnāt have felt seen. You shouldnāt have felt that small, involuntary softening in your chest.
You scrolled to the next one.
Cody: Iām not trying to push you. Just want to know youāre alright.
Your throat tightened. He wasnāt demanding. He was actually caring. He wasnāt asking for explanations.
He was giving you space ā the kind of space that didnāt feel like abandonment.
The fifth message was shorter.
Cody: Please tell me youāre safe.
And then the last one, sent just minutes ago:
Cody: I can call if you need someone. Just say the word.
Your heart dropped straight to your stomach.
Not because you were scared. Not because you were overwhelmed. But because the offer was so gentle, so careful, so unlike the pressure youād been under all night that it made something inside you ache.
You sat there on the edge of the bed, the glow of the screen lighting your face, your hands trembling again ā but not from fear this time. It was from the weight of being cared about in a different way that you have never experienced before, for the first time in your life.
Your chest felt tight, too full, too warm. Your eyes stung unexpectedly. Your breath came uneven, not from panic, but from the sudden, overwhelming realisation that someone outside your world ā outside the brothers, outside the pain, but inside the chaos, had noticed you fall apart and hadnāt looked away.
You pressed the phone to your chest for a moment, eyes closing, trying to steady the rush of emotion rising in your throat.
Your fingers hovered over the keyboard for a long moment, the screen glowing softly in the dim room. You typed a few words, deleted them, typed again, deleted again. Nothing felt right. Nothing felt like enough.
Finally, with a shaky breath, you forced yourself to keep it simple and plain.
You: Iām good. My brothers checked up on me.
You stared at the message for a second, your thumb trembling over the send button. Then you hit send.
The message barely had time to settle in the thread before the three dots appeared.
Cody: Good. Iām glad you weren't completely not alone.
Another message appeared immediately after.
Cody: Butā¦ are you actually okay? Not just āgood.ā
Your chest tightened, a slow, warm ache spreading beneath your ribs. He wasnāt asking out of obligation. He wasnāt checking a box. He wasnāt trying to wedge himself into your night.
To your words. To what you didnāt say. To the space between the lines.
You swallowed hard, your eyes stinging again. You werenāt used to someone noticing the difference. You werenāt used to someone caring enough to ask twice. Your thumb hovered over the keyboard again, but this time you felt more confident in your words.
You: I feel better now. Really.
You hesitated, then added:
You: My brothers checked up on me. Iām okay.
You hit send before you could overthink it. The reply came almost instantly ā so fast it made your breath catch.
Cody: Alright. If youāre sureā¦
Another bubble appeared immediately.
Cody: I can stay awake a while longer if you need someone up with you.
Your chest tightened at the offer ā not because you needed it, but because he meant it. You could feel the sincerity in every word, the quiet readiness to be there for you without asking for anything in return.
You typed slowly, your fingers steadier now.
You: Itās okay. You should sleep. Iām alright, I promise.
Cody: If anything changes, you text me. Doesnāt matter what time it is.
Your throat tightened again ā that same warm ache spreading through your chest.
You: I will. Goodnight, Cody.
His reply came a second later.
Cody: Goodnight. Get some rest.
You stared at the screen for a moment, letting the words settle, letting the quiet comfort of them sink into the spaces that had felt so raw just hours ago.
Then you set the phone down beside you, the room finally feeling a little less heavy, a little less cold.
For the first time since everything fell apartā¦ you felt like you might actually sleep. And somewhere, in another room, Cody Rhodes finally let himself sleep too ā only after knowing you were safe.
You woke slowly, the kind of slow where your body felt heavy but your mind wasnāt racing for once. The room was dim, the curtains still drawn, and for a moment you just lay there, staring at the ceiling, letting the silence settle around you.
Not fixed.
Not healed.
But steadier.
Your chest didnāt feel as tight.
Your hands werenāt trembling.
Your thoughts werenāt spiraling.
You exhaled softly, the breath warm against the cool morning air.
Then you noticed your phone on the pillow beside you ā exactly where youād fallen asleep holding it.
You reached for it slowly, thumb brushing the screen. It lit up instantly.
1 new message
Cody Rhodes
Your heart gave a small, traitorous jump.
Cody: Morning. Hope you slept.
Simple.
Soft.
Not demanding anything from you.
You felt your lips curve ā not a full smile, but something close. Something real.
You: Morning. I did. Thank you.
You hesitated, then added:
You hit send before you could overthink it.
The reply came a few seconds later ā not instant, not hovering, justā¦ present.
Cody: I did. Good to hear youāre okay.
Warmth spread through your chest, slow and steady, like sunlight creeping through a window.
You set the phone down gently, letting the moment settle. For the first time in days, you didnāt feel like you were bracing for impact the second you opened your eyes.
You stretched, rolled your shoulders, and sat up. The room was quiet, but not suffocating. The weight from last night hadnāt vanished ā it had just shifted, softened, become something you could carry without breaking.
A knock sounded at the door ā soft, careful.
āHey,ā Jeyās voice came through, gentle. āWeāre heading to the arena soon. You good?ā
You glanced at your phone again, at Codyās message still glowing on the screen.
āYeah,ā you called back. āIām good.ā
And for once, it wasnāt a lie.
The ride to the arena was unusually calm.
Morning light filtered through the tinted windows, soft and pale, brushing over your skin in a way that made everything feel a little less heavy. You sat in the backseat with Solo, as Jey sat at the front with Jimmy driving with one hand on the wheel, the other tapping lightly against the leather.
It wasnāt awkward ā just quiet. The kind of quiet that comes after a long night, when everyone is still taking stock of the pieces.
Jey was the one who finally broke it.
He glanced at you, his voice low, gentle. āYou sleep okay?ā
You nodded, fingers brushing the edge of your phone in your lap. āYeah. Better than I thought.ā
Jimmy hummed, glancing at you through the rearview mirror. āGood. You looked rough last night.ā
Jey elbowed him lightly. āBro.ā
āWhat?ā Jimmy shrugged. āShe did.ā
You rolled your eyes, but the corner of your mouth twitched. āThanks, Jim. Really sweet.ā
Solo didnāt laugh. He was watching you ā not intensely, not uncomfortably, justā¦ observing. Making sure. His voice came quiet, steady.
āYou look better today.ā
Something warm flickered in your chest. āI feel better.ā
Jimmyās eyes flicked to your phone again. āThat because of the guy who kept blowing up your messages?ā
Jey shot him a look. āJimmy.ā
āWhat? Iām just asking.ā
You swallowed, keeping your gaze on the window. āHe was just checking on me.ā
Soloās head tilted slightly. āHe helped you last night?ā
You hesitated ā not long, but long enough for all three of them to notice.
āYeah,ā you said softly. āHe did.ā
The car went quiet again, but the energy shifted ā not tense, not angry, justā¦ protective. Heavily protective.
Jey leaned back, arms crossed loosely. āAs long as heās not messing with your head.ā
āHeās not,ā you said quickly ā too quickly.
Jimmy raised a brow. āYou sure?ā
You nodded, eyes dropping to your phone. āHe was justā¦ kind. Thatās all.ā
Soloās gaze lingered on you a moment longer, unreadable. āKind is good.ā
The car settles into a quiet that feels heavier than before. You stare out the window, fingers brushing your phone, your thoughts drifting to Roman ā to the way he watches everything, to the way he reacts when he feels out of control.
The words slip out before you can stop them, āAre you going to tell Roman?ā
Jimmyās hand tightens on the wheel.
Jey turns his head toward you slowly.
Soloās gaze sharpens, unreadable.
Jey speaks first, voice soft but firm. āWeāre not running to him like tattletales.ā
Jimmy nods. āIf you were in danger, yeah ā weād tell him. But this?ā He gestures vaguely toward your phone. āThis aināt danger.ā
Soloās voice comes last, low and steady. āWe donāt tell Roman everything.ā
Jey leans back, arms crossed. āYouāre our sister. Not his responsibility.ā
Jimmy adds, quieter this time, āWeāre looking out for you. Not reporting on you.ā
And Solo finishes it, the words simple but carrying weight:
āWhat you tell him is your choice.ā
You exhale slowly, tension easing from your shoulders.
For the first time, you realize the brothers arenāt just protecting you from the outside world.
Theyāre protecting you from Roman too.
You exhaled slowly, the tension in your shoulders easing just a little.
The car rolled into the arena parking lot, the building looming ahead. As Jimmy pulled into a spot, Jey got out of the car and opened the door for you, āIf he ever stops being kind,ā he said quietly, āyou tell us.ā
You looked at all three of them ā their concern, their protectiveness, their unspoken promise ā and felt that same warmth from earlier settle deeper in your chest.
And for once, you meant it.
Your brothers tapped your shoulder, saying that they were going to go ahead to the locker room and leave you.
The arena was buzzing the way it always did on show days ā voices echoing down the hall, production carts rolling past, the faint thump of someone testing the sound system. But as you stepped inside, everything felt strangely muted, like you were moving through a softer version of the chaos.
You were still in that quiet morning headspace, the warmth from Codyās message lingering in your chest, the brothersā protectiveness still wrapped around you like a shield.
You didnāt even make it ten steps before you heard your name and shout.
You turned just in time for Rhea Ripley to stride toward you, boots heavy against the concrete, eyes locked on you with laser focus. She didnāt slow down. She didnāt smile. She didnāt even blink.
She grabbed your wrist and pulled you into a side hallway, away from the traffic.
āWhat the hell happened to you last night?ā
Her voice wasnāt loud ā it didnāt need to be. The concern in it was sharp enough to cut through steel.
You blinked, startled. āRheaāā
āNo.ā She held up a hand, eyes scanning your face like she was checking for bruises. āDonāt āRheaā me. You vanished. You didnāt answer your phone.ā
You swallowed, guilt and warmth tangling in your chest. āIām okay. Really.ā
She didnāt buy it. Not immediately. Her jaw tightened, and she stepped closer, lowering her voice. āDid someone do something to you?ā
The question hit you harder than you expected ā not because it was true, but because she cared enough to ask.
You shook your head quickly. āNo. Nothing like that. I justā¦ needed a break, Triple H even said so. Then later, my brothers checked on me. I slept. Iām okay now.ā
Rhea studied you for a long moment, her eyes narrowing like she was trying to see past your words, past your calm, past the mask youād worn last night.
Then, slowly, her shoulders loosened.
āGood,ā she muttered. āBecause I was two seconds away from tearing this whole place apart looking for you.ā
A laugh slipped out of you ā small, but real. āYou donāt have to do that.ā
She smirked, crossing her arms. āPlease. Iād do it for fun.ā
You rolled your eyes, but the tension in your chest eased even more. Rheaās presence always did that ā grounding you, steadying you, reminding you that not everyone in your life demanded something from you.
āYou look better today,ā she said, softer now. āLike you actually slept.ā
āI did,ā you admitted. āFor once.ā
Rhea nodded, satisfied. āGood. Keep it that way.ā
You hesitated ā just a beat ā then stepped a little closer.
āHeyā¦ thereās something I need to tell you,ā you said quietly. āSomething important that happened last night.ā
Rheaās brows lifted, concern flickering back into her eyes. āYeah?ā
You shook your head gently. āNot now. Later. I justā¦ wanted you to know.ā
Rhea didnāt push. She just nodded once, firm and steady. āWhenever youāre ready.ā
You smiled ā genuinely, fully ā and she nudged your shoulder with hers.
āCome on,ā she said. āLetās get you ready before someone else tries to stress you out.ā
You followed her back into the hallway, your mood lighter, your steps steadier.
But as you turned the corner, your smile faded.
Because there, just ahead, you saw Roman Reigns walking into the Bloodline locker room ā Paul right behind him.
Rhea noticed the shift instantly. āYou good?ā
You exhaled slowly. āYeah. Justā¦ need to deal with something.ā
Rhea raised a brow but didnāt push. āIf you need backup, you know where I am.ā
You nodded, squared your shoulders, and headed toward the locker room.
Time to get it over with.
The hallway leading to the Bloodline locker room felt colder than the rest of the arena ā like the air shifted the closer you got. The hum of backstage chatter faded behind you, swallowed by the heavy silence that always seemed to cling to this part of the building.
Your boots echoed against the concrete, each step slower than the last.
You could see the door ahead.
Slightly ajar.
Light spilling out in a thin, sharp line across the floor.
You stopped a few feet away, inhaling slowly, trying to steady the flutter in your chest. The warmth from Codyās message, from Rheaās concern, from your brothersā protectiveness ā all of it dimmed under the weight of what waited behind that door.
You could hear voices inside.
Romanās low, controlled tone.
Jimmyās lighter one.
Jeyās quiet responses.
Soloās silence ā always the silence.
You closed your eyes for a second.
Your hand hovered over the door.
Your pulse thudded in your ears.
Your breath came shallow, tight.
The moment you stepped into the Bloodline locker room, the atmosphere shifted like someone had slammed a door on the rest of the world. The air felt heavier in here, thicker, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. Roman stood near the centre of the room, broad shoulders squared, arms folded across his chest in a way that made him look carved out of stone. His head lifted slowly when he heard the door, and the second his eyes locked onto yours, the room fell into a silence so sharp it almost stung.
Jimmy straightened from where heād been leaning against the counter. Jeyās expression tightened, his gaze flicking between you and Roman. Solo didnāt move at all ā he just watched, quiet and unreadable, the way he always did when the tension in the room thickened.
Roman didnāt speak at first. He just stared at you, his eyes scanning your face with a precision that made your skin prickle. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, controlled, and far too calm.
āWhere were you last night?ā
The question hit harder than if heād shouted. You felt it in your chest, in the way your breath caught for a moment before you forced it steady. You kept your posture neutral, your expression composed, even though your pulse was thudding in your ears.
āI needed space,ā you said, your voice quiet but steady. āI needed to clear my head.ā
Romanās jaw tightened, a muscle ticking beneath his beard. He took a slow step toward you, not aggressive, but deliberate ā the kind of movement that made the air between you feel charged.
āYou disappeared,ā he said, his tone still maddeningly calm. āNo call. No message. Nothing.ā
You swallowed, your fingers curling slightly at your sides. āYou didnāt call either.ā
That stopped him. Just for a second.
His eyes narrowed, the faintest flicker of something ā surprise, irritation, guilt ā breaking through the mask he wore so well. āI didnāt know what happened to you.ā
You let out a breath, not dramatic, just tired. āYou didnāt ask.ā
The silence that followed was suffocating. You could feel the brothers watching, feel the tension rolling off Roman in waves, feel the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on the room.
Roman stepped closer again, close enough that you could feel the heat radiating off him, close enough that you had to tilt your chin up slightly to hold his gaze. His voice dropped even lower, rougher around the edges.
āYou think I didnāt care?ā
Your throat tightened, but you didnāt look away. āOnly my brothers checked on me,ā you said, the words slipping out before you could soften them. āOnly they messaged. Only they came to find me.ā
Romanās expression shifted ā not dramatically, but enough that you saw it. A flicker of something sharp, something wounded, something he didnāt want anyone to see. His nostrils flared, and he exhaled slowly through his nose, as if trying to keep something inside himself from breaking loose.
āI had people looking for you,ā he said quietly, almost defensively.
You shook your head, your voice barely above a whisper. āNot me. You didnāt look for me.ā
The words hung in the air like smoke, impossible to ignore.
Romanās eyes softened ā barely, but unmistakably ā and for a moment, the mask slipped. You saw concern there, real concern, buried under layers of control and pride and responsibility. You saw the way your absence had unsettled him, even if he refused to admit it.
āYouāve changed,ā he murmured, his voice rougher now, less controlled. āSomething happened.ā
Your stomach twisted. He wasnāt guessing. He wasnāt fishing. He was reading you the way he always did ā too well, too closely, like he could see straight through the walls youād built.
You straightened your shoulders, forcing your breath steady. āIām fine.ā
Roman didnāt believe you. You could see it in the way his eyes tracked every microāexpression on your face, in the way his jaw clenched, in the way his breath slowed like he was trying to keep himself from reacting too strongly.
āYouāre hiding something,ā he said, his voice low and certain. āAnd Iām going to find out what.ā
Your pulse spiked, heat rushing to your face, but you didnāt flinch. You didnāt back down. You just held his gaze, even as the air between you crackled with tension.
Roman finally stepped back, exhaling through his nose, frustration simmering beneath the surface. āWeāll talk later,ā he said, his tone clipped, final. āGo get ready.ā
You nodded once, turned, and walked out ā your heart pounding, your breath uneven, your skin buzzing with leftover adrenaline. The door shut behind you, sealing the silence inside.
And you knew, without a doubt, that this wasnāt over.
You walked down the hallway with your pulse still unsteady from the confrontation, the echo of Romanās voice lingering in your chest like a bruise that hadnāt fully formed. The arena lights buzzed faintly above you, casting long shadows across the concrete floor. You kept your head down, trying to breathe through the tightness in your throat, trying to shake off the heat of Romanās stare and the weight of everything he hadnāt said out loud.
You turned a corner, heading toward makeup, but stopped when you heard voices drifting from the partially open door behind you. Romanās voice carried first, low and controlled, the kind of tone that made the air feel heavier even when you werenāt in the room with him. You froze without meaning to, your hand hovering near the wall as your breath caught in your chest.
āSheās hiding something.ā
The words were quiet, but they hit like a punch. Your stomach twisted, your fingers curling against your palm as you leaned just slightly closer, careful not to make a sound. Romanās voice was steady, but there was an edge beneath it, a frustration simmering just under the surface.
āI know her,ā he continued, each word slow and deliberate. āI know how she moves. I know how she talks. I know when somethingās wrong. And somethingās wrong.ā
There was a pause, long enough that you could picture him pacing or rubbing a hand over his beard the way he did when he was trying not to snap. You swallowed hard, your heart thudding painfully against your ribs.
Soloās voice came next, quiet and calm, the way it always was when he was choosing his words carefully. āShe said she needed space.ā
Roman let out a breath that sounded more like a contained growl. āSpace doesnāt make someone look like that. She was shaken. She was scared. She wasnāt herself.ā
Another pause. You could almost feel the tension radiating from the room, thick enough to choke on.
āShe didnāt tell me where she went,ā Roman said, his voice dropping even lower. āShe didnāt tell me who she was with. She didnāt tell me anything.ā
Your throat tightened. You pressed your back against the wall, trying to steady your breathing, trying to keep your presence hidden.
Solo spoke again, still calm, still measured. āShe wasnāt alone.ā
The silence that followed was sharp and immediate. You felt it like a physical force, like the air had been sucked out of the hallway.
Romanās voice came next, softer but far more dangerous. āWho?ā
Solo didnāt answer right away. You could hear the hesitation in the quiet, the weight of the choice he was making. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady but not revealing. āSheās safe. Thatās what matters.ā
Roman didnāt accept that. You could hear it in the way he inhaled slowly, in the way the room seemed to hold its breath.
āSomeone got to her,ā he said, his tone tightening. āSomeone helped her. Someone changed something in her. I saw it the second she walked in.ā
Your pulse spiked. You pressed a hand to your chest, trying to quiet the pounding.
āI want to know who it was,ā Roman said. āI want to know who she went to. I want to know who sheās talking to. I want to know who she trusts more than me.ā
The words hit you like a blow. Heat rushed to your face, a mix of fear and anger and something else you couldnāt name.
Soloās reply came after a long moment. āLet me talk to her first.ā
Romanās voice sharpened. āSolo.ā
āSheāll tell me,ā Solo said, still calm, still steady. āIf she wants to.ā
Roman exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with frustration. āFind out what happened. I donāt like being kept in the dark.ā
You stepped back from the wall, your breath unsteady, your chest tight. You knew you should walk away, but your legs felt rooted to the floor. The weight of Romanās suspicion pressed against your spine, and the knowledge that he was getting closer to the truth made your skin prickle with heat.
You finally forced yourself to move, turning away from the door and walking down the hallway with quick, quiet steps. Your heart was still racing, your mind spinning with everything youād just heard.
Roman was looking for answers.
Solo was trying to protect you.
And you were standing in the middle of a storm that was only just beginning.
You walked fast at first, almost too fast, your boots hitting the concrete in uneven, hurried steps that didnāt match the rhythm of your breathing. The hallway felt colder than before, the fluorescent lights buzzing faintly overhead as if the whole arena had shifted into a different frequency. Romanās voice still echoed in your head, each word replaying with a weight that made your stomach twist.
Sheās hiding something.
Someone got to her.
I want to know who she trusts more than me.
Your hands were shaking. You didnāt notice until you reached up to push your hair back and your fingers trembled against your temple. You curled them into a fist, trying to steady yourself, but the tremor stayed, a reminder of the storm youād just walked out of.
You turned another corner, forcing your steps to slow, forcing your breath to even out. You needed to get yourself together before anyone else saw you like this. Before anyone asked questions you werenāt ready to answer. Before Solo found you.
Because you knew he would.
The makeup room was warm and bright, the overhead bulbs casting a soft glow across the mirrors. The moment you stepped inside, the noise of the arena faded into a distant hum, replaced by the gentle clatter of brushes and the low murmur of stylists chatting quietly among themselves. Normally, this room grounded you. Today, it felt too bright, too open, like every emotion you were trying to hide was sitting right on your skin.
You sank into the chair, letting your shoulders drop as you exhaled slowly. The stylist approached with a soft smile, but her expression shifted the moment she got close enough to see your face clearly.
āYou alright?ā she asked gently.
You nodded quickly. āYeah. Just tired.ā
She didnāt believe you, but she didnāt push. She just started working, brushing foundation across your skin in slow, steady strokes. You focused on the sensation, on the warmth of the brush, on the soft pressure against your cheek. Anything to ground yourself. Anything to pull your mind away from Romanās voice and the way heād looked at you like he could see straight through your ribs.
You stared at your reflection. Your eyes looked too bright, your jaw too tight, your shoulders too tense. You tried to relax them, rolling them back, inhaling deeply through your nose. It helped, but only a little.
You closed your eyes for a moment, letting the stylistās movements steady you, letting the warmth of the room soften the cold knot in your chest.
You told yourself you were fine.
You told yourself you could handle this.
You told yourself Roman wasnāt going to break you today.
But your hands were still shaking.
You felt him before you saw him.
It was subtle at first, just a shift in the air behind you, a quiet presence settling into the room with a weight that didnāt belong to anyone else. The makeup room had been warm and bright, filled with the soft hum of blow dryers and the gentle clatter of brushes, but the moment Solo stepped inside, the atmosphere changed. Not tense. Not heavy. Justā¦ still. Like the room itself recognized him and quieted out of respect.
The stylist paused midāstroke, her eyes flicking over your shoulder. You didnāt need to turn around. You already knew.
You opened your eyes slowly, meeting your own reflection in the mirror just as Solo appeared behind you. He didnāt crowd you. He didnāt speak. He just stood there, tall and steady, his expression unreadable but his eyes focused entirely on you. There was something grounding about him, something solid, something that made your chest tighten in a way you werenāt prepared for.
He let a few seconds pass before he spoke, his voice low and calm, meant only for you.
Not a question.
A quiet acknowledgment of the truth.
You nodded, your fingers curling around the edge of the makeup chair. āYeah. I did.ā
Solo stepped closer, not enough to touch you, but enough that you could feel the warmth radiating from him, enough that his presence wrapped around you like a shield you didnāt know you needed. His gaze stayed on your reflection, studying the tension in your shoulders, the tightness in your jaw, the way your breath kept catching in your chest.
āHeās worried,ā Solo said softly. āHe wonāt say it like that, but he is.ā
You swallowed, your eyes dropping to your lap. āHeās angry.ā
The makeup room was quiet except for the soft hum of the overhead lights, the kind of quiet that made your heartbeat sound louder than it should. You sat in front of the mirror, staring at your own reflection ā the tension in your jaw, the faint redness around your eyes, the exhaustion you couldnāt hide anymore. Solo stood behind you, leaning against the counter with his arms folded, watching you with that calm, steady presence that always made you feel a little less like you were falling apart.
Your throat tightened. Romanās voice still echoed in your head ā sharp, accusing, demanding answers you werenāt ready to give. The memory made your stomach twist.
āHe thinks Iām lying,ā you whispered.
Solo didnāt rush to reassure you. He didnāt tell you Roman was wrong or that everything was fine. He just watched you in the mirror, his expression calm, his voice steady.
āHe thinks youāre not telling him everything,ā Solo said quietly. āThatās different.ā
You let out a shaky breath. āBut Iām not telling him everything.ā
Solo nodded once, slow and understanding. āI know.ā
You swallowed hard, your fingers curling around the edge of the counter. āHe wants to know where I went. Why I left. Who I was with.ā
Soloās eyes softened, but he didnāt look surprised. āYeah. Heās trying to fill in the blanks.ā
You looked up at him in the mirror, your voice barely above a whisper. āAre you gonna tell him somethingās off with me?ā
Solo held your gaze, and for a moment the room felt impossibly still. His expression didnāt shift, but something in his eyes did ā a flicker of loyalty, of protectiveness, of quiet understanding.
āNo,ā he said. āNot unless you want me to.ā
Your breath hitched, the tension in your shoulders loosening just a little. But Solo wasnāt finished. He stepped a fraction closer, lowering his voice even more, making sure only you could hear him.
āBut I need to ask you something.ā
Your heart skipped. āWhat?ā
Soloās eyes softened again, the edges of his voice gentling in a way that made your chest ache.
āWere you with someone?ā
The question wasnāt sharp. It wasnāt suspicious. It wasnāt Romanās interrogation.
It was careful. Protective. A quiet attempt to understand so he could shield you from whatever storm Roman was building.
You looked down at your hands, your voice barely steady. āIā¦ I donāt want to talk about that.ā
Solo nodded once ā not disappointed, not frustrated, just accepting. āOkay, then Iāll wait.ā
He stepped back, giving you space, giving you time, giving you something Roman never did.
āWhen youāre ready,ā Solo said, his voice soft but certain, āyouāll tell me. And Iāll be there when you do.ā
Then he turned and walked out, leaving you staring at your reflection, your pulse racing, your chest tight, and your heart pounding for reasons you werenāt ready to name.
The walk to gorilla felt different this time. Normally, the backstage energy before a Bloodline segment was electric, almost ritualistic, but tonight the air felt thick, like every step you took was pulling you deeper into something you werenāt ready to face. The crowd noise rumbled through the walls, a distant roar that shouldāve grounded you, but instead it made your pulse quicken.
Your boots echoed against the concrete as you approached the curtain, the familiar hum of producers and crew buzzing around you. Someone handed you the Bloodline lei. Someone else gave you a time cue. You nodded, but your mind was still tangled in Romanās voice, still replaying the overheard conversation, still feeling the weight of Soloās quiet question.
You hadnāt answered.
You werenāt ready.
But the truth sat heavy in your chest anyway.
You adjusted your gear, smoothing the fabric over your hips, trying to steady your breathing. You werenāt scared. You werenāt fragile. But you were unsettled, and that was worse.
Because you knew who was waiting for you.
Roman stood several feet away from gorilla, half in shadow, half in the glow of the monitors. He wasnāt talking to anyone. He wasnāt preparing. He wasnāt even pretending to be distracted.
His arms were folded across his chest, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, tracking every movement you made. He didnāt blink. He didnāt look away. He didnāt soften. He studied you like he was trying to solve a puzzle he didnāt like the shape of.
You felt his gaze settle between your shoulder blades, warm and heavy, almost suffocating. You didnāt turn to face him, but you didnāt need to. You could feel him like a presence pressed against your spine.
Roman finally moved, stepping forward to take his place at the front of the group. He didnāt say a word to you, but his eyes flicked over your face for a fraction of a second, searching for something he still hadnāt found.
The arena erupted the moment The Bloodline stepped through the curtain. The lights flashed blue, the pyro cracked, and the crowd roared with a mix of awe and anticipation. Roman walked ahead, commanding the space with every step, the Tribal Chief's aura radiating off him like heat. Jimmy and Jey flanked him, their expressions serious but composed. Solo stayed close to you, just a halfāstep behind, his presence steady and protective.
You walked with them, but your chest felt tight, your breath shallow. The ring felt miles away, even as you stepped into it.
Roman took the mic first.
He didnāt look at you.
Not directly.
But you felt every word aimed at you anyway.
āLast week,ā Roman began, his voice low and controlled, āthere was weakness in this family.ā
The crowd reacted immediately, a ripple of noise rolling through the arena.
Roman continued, pacing slowly, his eyes scanning the audience but never lingering on you for more than a second.
āAnd weaknessā¦ is unacceptable.ā
Jimmy and Jey exchanged a quick glance. Solo didnāt move.
Romanās voice dropped lower, āBut we handle our problems. We fix whatās broken. We tighten whatās loose. Because this family doesnāt fall apart. This family doesnāt run. This family doesnāt hide.ā
Your stomach twisted.
You knew exactly who he meant.
So did Solo.
So did your brothers.
Roman finally turned his head, his gaze brushing over you like a blade, āThis family stands together.ā
The crowd cheered, oblivious to the tension simmering under the surface. Roman stepped closer to the centre of the ring, his posture tall, commanding, unshakeable.
āAnd if someone out there thinks they can get between usā¦ if someone thinks they can pull one of mine away from meā¦ theyāre gonna learn real fast who theyāre dealing with.ā
Solo shifted slightly beside you, subtle but noticeable, like he was ready to step in if Roman pushed too far.
Roman lifted the mic again, his eyes locking onto yours for the briefest, sharpest moment. āThe Bloodline is stronger than ever.ā
Romanās final words lingered in the air like smoke, heavy and suffocating, settling over the ring with a weight that made your chest tighten. The crowd roared at his declaration, the arena vibrating with the force of their reaction, but none of it softened the tension simmering beneath the surface. You could feel it radiating off Roman in slow, controlled waves, the kind of pressure that made the space around him feel smaller, tighter, more dangerous.
Jimmy and Jey stood on either side of him, trying to look composed, but their eyes kept flicking toward you, toward Roman, toward the invisible fault lines forming between all of you. Solo remained close, his posture steady, his expression unreadable, but you could sense the alertness in him, the way he was ready to move if Romanās temper snapped.
Roman lifted the mic again, preparing to speak, when the arena lights shifted. A ripple of noise rolled through the crowd, a wave of recognition that grew louder and louder until it became a roar. You felt your stomach drop even before the music hit.
Cody Rhodes stepped out onto the stage.
He didnāt rush. He didnāt posture. He didnāt smirk or taunt or play to the crowd. He walked with a calm, deliberate confidence, the kind that made the entire arena lean forward. His eyes scanned the ring, lingering on Roman for a moment before shifting to you. There was no judgment in his expression, no pity, no smugness. Just awareness. Understanding. A quiet acknowledgment of everything youād been carrying.
Romanās jaw tightened, his nostrils flaring as Cody approached the ring. Jimmy and Jey exchanged a look, their shoulders tensing. Solo shifted subtly, stepping half a pace in front of you, not enough to draw attention, but enough to make his intention clear. Protect first. Question later.
Cody climbed into the ring, microphone in hand, and the crowd erupted again. He waited for the noise to settle, his gaze steady, his posture relaxed but purposeful. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm, almost gentle, but every word carried weight.
āRomanā¦ you keep telling the world that The Bloodline is stronger than ever. But from where Iām standingā¦ it doesnāt look like it.ā
The reaction was immediate. Gasps. Shouts. A ripple of shock that spread through the arena like electricity. Romanās expression didnāt change, but the air around him did. It tightened. Darkened. Hardened.
āI talked to Triple H earlier today,ā he continued, his tone steady, his eyes never leaving Romanās. āAnd he told me something important. He told me she needed a break.ā
Your breath caught. Romanās head turned slightly, his eyes narrowing.
āHe told me sheās been carrying more than anyone realises. He told me sheās been pushed past her limit. He told me she needed space.ā Cody gestured toward you, not accusing, not exposing, just acknowledging the truth that had been ignored for too long. āAnd instead of giving her that spaceā¦ You dragged her out here to prove a point.ā
The crowd reacted again, louder this time, sensing the shift, sensing the tension, sensing the truth.
Roman stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. āStay out of my familyās business.ā
Cody didnāt back up. He didnāt raise his voice. He didnāt match Romanās anger. He simply held his ground, calm and unwavering.
āIām not in your business, Roman. Iām telling the truth. And the truth isā¦ strength isnāt control. Strength isnāt fear. Strength isnāt forcing someone to stand beside you when theyāre barely holding themselves together.ā
Your chest tightened, the words hitting deeper than you expected. Soloās eyes flicked toward you, checking your reaction, making sure you were steady.
Cody continued, his voice softening but his message sharpening, āStrengthā¦ is letting someone breathe.ā
The arena fell into a hush, the kind that only happens when thousands of people are holding their breath at the same time.
Cody lowered the mic slightly, his gaze shifting to you for a brief, grounding moment before returning to Roman. āYou donāt have to prove anything tonight. Not to him. Not to anyone.ā
Romanās fury simmered beneath the surface, silent but unmistakable. His eyes burned into Cody, into you, into the space between you that he couldnāt control.
Cody lifted the mic one last time.
āThe Bloodline isnāt as strong as you want the world to believe.ā
The crowd exploded, the noise crashing over the ring like a tidal wave.
Roman didnāt move.
Solo didnāt blink.
You didnāt breathe.
And in that moment, with the entire arena watching, the truth settled over the ring like a storm cloud.
The Bloodline was cracking.
And everyone could see it now.
The second you stepped through the curtain, the noise of the arena faded into a distant, muffled roar. The hallway felt colder than before, the lights harsher, the air tighter. You barely had time to catch your breath before Roman spoke. His presence filled the space instantly, heavy and suffocating, the kind of pressure that made your pulse spike before he even spoke.
He didnāt yell.
He didnāt need to.
āIs that why you didnāt come back after the meeting?ā Romanās voice was low, controlled, but there was a sharpness beneath it that made your stomach twist. He stepped closer, his eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that felt like it could pin you to the wall. āYou listened to him and not me?ā
Your breath caught. You opened your mouth to speak, but Roman wasnāt finished.
āYou disappear. You come back different. You wonāt tell me where you were. You wonāt tell me who you were with.ā His jaw tightened, the muscle in his cheek ticking. āAnd now Cody Rhodes walks out there and speaks for you?ā
He took another step, close enough that you could feel the heat radiating off him, close enough that your heartbeat stuttered in your chest. āTell me the truth,ā Roman said quietly, dangerously. āIs something going on between you and him?ā
The words hit you like a slap.
Not because they were true ā but because of the way he said them.
Accusing.
Possessive.
Threatened.
Jimmyās eyes widened. āWhat? No way. She wouldnātāā
Jey shook his head, baffled. āThat aināt her. That aināt whatās happening.ā
But Soloā¦
Solo didnāt say a word.
He stood a few feet behind you, silent and still, but something in his expression shifted. His eyes narrowed just slightly, his posture straightening, his gaze flicking to you with a new kind of clarity.
All the secrecy.
All the tension.
All the moments you looked shaken but refused to explain.
All the times he asked gently and you said ānot yet.ā
He didnāt know the details.
He didnāt know the truth.
But he finally understood the shape of it.
Someone mattered.
Someone Roman didnāt approve of.
Someone you were protecting.
Roman stepped closer again, his voice sharp enough to slice through the air. āLook at me when Iām talking to you.ā
Your back hit the wall behind you, your breath catching, your chest tightening. Roman wasnāt touching you, but the force of him was overwhelming, suffocating, too much.
Your breath hitched, your throat tightening, but before you could respond, another presence shifted behind you, and that was the moment Solo moved. He stepped forward with a quiet, deliberate finality, placing himself directly between you and Roman. His broad frame blocked Romanās path completely, his presence a wall of calm strength.
He didnāt shove.
He didnāt posture.
He didnāt raise his voice.
Romanās eyes snapped to him, sharp and incredulous. āMove.ā
Solo didnāt move. He kept his shoulders squared, his stance solid, his voice low but steady. āShe doesnāt owe you an answer right now.ā
Jimmy and Jey froze, their confusion turning into shock. They had never seen Solo do this. Not to Roman. Not for anyone.
Romanās jaw clenched. āThis is family business.ā
Solo didnāt blink. āI know. Thatās why Iām here.ā
The tension in the hallway thickened, the air turning electric, the silence stretching so tight it felt like it might snap.
Romanās eyes burned into Soloās, fury simmering beneath the surface. āYouāre protecting her from me?ā
Soloās voice didnāt waver. āIām protecting her. Period.ā
Your breath hitched, your chest tightening with something sharp and unexpected ā relief, fear, gratitude, all tangled together.
Roman exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with frustration and something darker. āThis isnāt over.ā
He turned sharply and walked away, Jimmy and Jey scrambling after him, still whispering to each other in confusion.
Solo didnāt turn around right away. He stayed in front of you, still shielding you, still steady, still calm. When he finally looked back at you, his voice was soft, but his eyes were serious. āYou donāt have to tell me everything,ā he said quietly. āBut I get it now.ā
Your throat tightened. āSoloā¦ā
He shook his head gently. āWhen youāre ready.ā
The hallway felt unbearably still after Roman stormed off, the echo of his footsteps fading into a tense, vibrating silence that clung to the air like static. You stood there pressed against the wall, your breath shallow and uneven, your pulse still racing from the confrontation you hadnāt been prepared for. The fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly, casting a harsh white glow that made everything feel too sharp, too exposed, too real.
Your hands trembled at your sides, the adrenaline still coursing through you, your chest tight with the weight of everything Roman had thrown at you. You could still feel the heat of his anger lingering in the space heād occupied, like the air itself hadnāt recovered from his presence.
Solo remained in front of you for a moment longer, his broad shoulders squared, his posture steady, as if he were making absolutely sure Roman wasnāt coming back. His breathing was calm, controlled, the complete opposite of the storm still raging inside you. When he finally turned to face you again, his expression softened in a way that made your throat tighten. His eyes scanned your face with a quiet, careful intensity, taking in the tension in your jaw, the way your shoulders were still locked in place, the way you were trying so hard to hold yourself together even though the ground had just shifted beneath your feet.
He didnāt speak right away. He didnāt rush you. He simply stepped closer, lowering his voice to something warm and steady, something that felt like a hand reaching out in the dark. āCome on,ā he murmured, his tone gentle in a way that contrasted sharply with the confrontation that had just taken place. āYou donāt need to be here right now.ā
You nodded, though your body felt stiff, almost disconnected from your mind. Solo placed a hand on your back, not pushing, not guiding with force, but offering a point of contact that grounded you instantly. His touch was warm, steady, reassuring, and the moment his palm settled between your shoulder blades, something inside you loosened just enough for you to breathe again. He began walking, slow and deliberate, matching his pace to yours, making sure you didnāt feel rushed or pulled or handled. He wasnāt dragging you away from Roman. He was walking you toward safety.
The hallway stretched ahead of you, long and dim, the distant hum of production equipment blending with the muffled roar of the crowd still reacting to the segment. Each step felt heavy at first, your legs stiff from the tension, but Solo stayed close, his presence a quiet shield that absorbed the leftover shock vibrating through your body. He didnāt look at you constantly, but he checked on you in small, subtle glances, the kind that said he was paying attention to every shift in your breathing, every tremor in your hands, every flicker of emotion you tried to hide.
When you reached a quieter corridor, one far removed from the chaos of gorilla and the prying eyes of crew members, Solo finally slowed to a stop. The silence here was different ā softer, calmer, almost protective. He turned to face you fully, his hand dropping from your back, but his attention never wavered. His expression was unreadable at first, that familiar stoic calm he wore like armour, but as he studied you, something gentler broke through. Concern. Understanding. A quiet kind of loyalty that didnāt need to be spoken to be felt.
āYouāre shaking,ā he said quietly, not as an accusation, not as a question, but as an observation spoken with a softness that made your chest ache. He reached out, his fingers brushing your forearm lightly, giving you the chance to pull away if you wanted to. You didnāt. The contact steadied you, anchoring you in a way you hadnāt realized you needed until that moment.
āIām fine,ā you whispered, though your voice betrayed you with its unsteady edge.
Solo shook his head slightly, his eyes never leaving yours. āYou donāt have to be fine right now.ā His tone was low, warm, almost soothing, the kind of voice that made you feel like you could finally exhale. āWhat he saidā¦ what he asked youā¦ that wasnāt fair.ā
Your breath hitched, the memory of Romanās accusation flashing through your mind with a sharpness that made your stomach twist. Solo saw it. He saw everything. And instead of pressing, instead of demanding answers, he stepped closer, lowering his voice even more.
āIām not asking you to explain,ā he said. āIām not asking you to tell me anything youāre not ready to say. I just want you to breathe.ā
The words hit you harder than you expected. Not because they were dramatic, but because they were simple. Kind. Human. Solo wasnāt trying to control you. He wasnāt trying to interrogate you. He wasnāt trying to claim you. He was trying to steady you.
You inhaled slowly, your chest rising with a shaky breath, and Solo nodded as if he could feel the tension easing out of you inch by inch. He stayed close, not crowding you, but offering a presence that felt safe in a way you hadnāt felt all night.
āYouāre not alone,ā he said quietly, his voice steady and certain. āNot with me.ā
The quiet hallway felt like a different world compared to the chaos theyād just escaped. The distant roar of the crowd was nothing more than a faint vibration through the concrete floor, and the harsh backstage lights cast long shadows that made everything feel strangely hollow. You stood there, your back against the cool wall, your breath still uneven, your chest tight with the remnants of Romanās fury. The adrenaline that had kept you upright during the confrontation was fading fast, leaving your body trembling in its absence.
Solo stayed close, not touching you now, but standing near enough that his presence wrapped around you like a shield. His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp with concern, watching every small tremor in your hands, every shaky inhale, every flicker of emotion you tried to swallow down.
āYouāre still shaking,ā he said softly, his voice low and steady, the kind of tone that made your throat tighten even more. āYou donāt have to pretend youāre okay.ā
You tried to speak, but the words tangled in your chest. You pressed your lips together, willing yourself to stay composed, to stay strong, to stay in control ā but the pressure of the night, the confrontation, the accusations, the fear, the secret youād been carrying alone ā it all crashed into you at once.
Your breath hitched.
Your vision blurred.
And the dam finally broke.
A sob tore out of you before you could stop it, raw and unsteady, your hand flying up to cover your mouth as if you could shove the sound back inside. Your shoulders shook, your knees weakening beneath you, and Solo moved instantly, stepping forward with a quiet urgency that didnāt startle you ā it steadied you.
He reached out, his hands gentle but firm as he guided you away from the wall, his touch grounding you in a way that made your chest ache. He didnāt pull you into him, didnāt force comfort on you, but he stayed close enough that you could lean into him if you needed to.
Your forehead pressed against his chest, your fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as the sobs came harder, shaking through your whole body. Solo didnāt tense. He didnāt freeze. He didnāt ask questions. He simply lifted a hand to the back of your head, his palm warm and steady, his thumb brushing slow, soothing circles against your hair.
āItās alright,ā he murmured, his voice a low rumble against your ear. āLet it out. Youāre safe.ā
The words hit you like a second wave, and you cried harder, your breath breaking in uneven gasps. Youād held everything in for so long ā the fear, the guilt, the confusion, the pressure ā and now it poured out of you in a way you couldnāt control.
Solo stayed still, solid, unmovable, letting you cling to him without hesitation. His other hand settled on your back, not pushing, not restraining, just anchoring you, keeping you from collapsing under the weight of everything youād been carrying.
After a long moment, when your sobs softened into shaky breaths, Solo lowered his head slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. āYou donāt have to tell me what happened,ā he said. āNot tonight. Not if it hurts.ā
You swallowed hard, your voice breaking as you tried to speak. āIā¦ I canāt. Not yet.ā
āI know,ā he said gently. āIām not asking.ā
You squeezed your eyes shut, your forehead still pressed against him. āI didnāt mean for any of this to happen.ā
āI just needed space. I just needed time.ā
Your breath trembled. āIām scared of what heāll do if he finds out.ā
Soloās hand stilled for a moment ā not in shock, not in judgment, but in understanding. Then he resumed the slow, steady motion, grounding you again.
āHeās not gonna hurt you,ā Solo said quietly. āNot while Iām here.ā
You let out a shaky breath, your fingers still curled into his shirt, your body still trembling, but for the first time all night, the fear loosened its grip on your chest.
Solo didnāt need the truth.
He needed you to trust him.
And you did.
The quiet hallway still felt thick with the remnants of your breakdown, the air warm from the closeness of Soloās body and the steady heat of his hands as he held you together. You were still pressed lightly against him, your forehead resting near his collarbone, your breath uneven but slowly stabilizing. Solo didnāt move, didnāt rush you, didnāt loosen his hold until he felt your breathing settle into something less frantic. His hand remained on your back, slow and steady, grounding you with every gentle pass of his thumb.
That was when you heard footsteps ā hurried, uneven, familiar.
Jimmy and Jey rounded the corner at the same time, their expressions tight with worry and confusion. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw you in Soloās arms, your eyes red, your cheeks damp, your body still trembling slightly from the aftershocks of everything youād been holding in.
Jimmy took a step closer, his hands lifting slightly like he wanted to reach for you but didnāt want to intrude. āWe didnāt know he was gonna go off like that. We thought he was justā¦ talkinā. We didnāt know heādāā
Jey cut in, shaking his head, his voice low and pained. āWe shouldāve stepped in sooner. We shouldāve said something.ā
Solo tightened his arm around you just slightly, not possessive, not territorial ā protective. A silent message: Sheās not alone. Not anymore.
Jimmyās eyes flicked to Solo, then back to you. āYou okay? You want us to get you outta here? We can take you to the locker room, orāā
You shook your head weakly, your voice barely steady. āI justā¦ I needed a minute.ā
Jey exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. āDamn. Roman really messed up this time.ā
Soloās jaw tightened at that, but he didnāt speak. He didnāt need to. His presence said everything.
Jimmy stepped closer, lowering his voice. āYou donāt gotta explain nothinā. We just wanna make sure youāre good.ā
And for the first time, you realized ā they werenāt confused anymore.
They werenāt questioning you.
They werenāt doubting you.
They were worried.
They were hurting for you.
They were on your side.
The hallway felt colder than usual as you walked between Solo, Jimmy, and Jey ā the three of them forming a loose but unmistakable shield around you. It wasnāt planned. It wasnāt discussed. It just happened, the way instinct takes over when something fragile needs protecting. Jimmy walked slightly ahead, glancing back every few steps to make sure you were keeping up. Jey stayed at your side, close enough that you could feel the warmth of him, but not close enough to crowd you. Solo walked behind you, silent and steady, his presence a quiet anchor that kept your breath from spiralling out of control.
Your fingers curled around the strap of your bag, knuckles white, your heartbeat thudding unevenly in your chest. The confrontation earlier still clung to your skin like static, every word Roman had thrown at you echoing in your mind. You werenāt ready to face him again ā not really ā but disappearing without a word would only make things worse.
Jimmy slowed as you approached the locker room door. āYou sure you wanna do this right now?ā he asked gently, his voice softer than usual.
You nodded, though your stomach twisted. āI justā¦ I need to tell him Iām leaving. I donāt want this to blow up more than it already has.ā
Jey exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. āWe got you. Weāre right here.ā
Solo didnāt speak, but when you glanced back at him, his eyes met yours with a quiet certainty that steadied you more than anything else could have.
You took a breath ā shaky, uneven ā and pushed the door open.
Roman stood near the benches, his back halfāturned, his posture rigid with barely contained frustration. Paul Heyman hovered beside him, hands clasped nervously, eyes darting toward the door the moment it opened. The room fell silent as the four of you stepped inside.
Roman turned fully, his gaze landing on you first, then flicking to the three men flanking you. His jaw tightened, the muscle in his cheek ticking as he took in the sight ā you, guarded on all sides, protected from him.
Paul swallowed hard, sensing the shift in the air.
Jimmy cleared his throat. āShe just wants to talk, Uce.ā
Roman didnāt look at him. He kept his eyes locked on you, sharp and unreadable.
You stepped forward, your voice soft but steady. āIām going to my hotel room.ā
Romanās expression didnāt change, but something in his posture did ā a subtle tightening, a flicker of something dark behind his eyes. āNow?ā
āYes,ā you said quietly. āI think itās better if I go. I donāt want to make things worse.ā
Paul shifted nervously, glancing between you and Roman like he was watching a bomb tick down.
Roman took a slow step toward you. āAre you leaving because of what happened earlier?ā
You swallowed. āIām leaving because I need space. And because Triple H told me to take a break.ā
Romanās jaw flexed. āYou didnāt listen to me.ā
Your breath caught. āRomanāā
āYou listened to him,ā he said, his voice dropping lower. āYou listened to Cody. Not me.ā
Jimmy and Jey exchanged a look ā confused, hurt, protective.
You forced your voice to stay steady. āIām not choosing anyone. Iām just trying to breathe.ā
Roman stared at you for a long moment, something raw flickering behind his eyes. Then he exhaled sharply, the sound heavy with frustration and something deeper.
āFine,ā he said, his voice low and tight. āGo.ā
You nodded, stepping back toward the door ā and that was when you heard it.
Soft.
Barely audible.
Not meant for you.
Your breath froze in your chest.
Paulās voice came next, hushed and urgent. āMy Tribal Chiefāā
Roman cut him off, his voice cracking in a way youād never heard. āIām losing her, Paul.ā
You didnāt turn around.
You didnāt breathe.
You just stepped out of the room, the door clicking shut behind you like a final punctuation mark.
The moment the door closed, your knees wobbled. Jimmy reached out instinctively, steadying your arm. Jeyās hand hovered near your back, not touching, but ready if you needed him.
Solo stepped closer, his voice low and steady. āYou okay?ā
You nodded, though your eyes stung. āI justā¦ I didnāt expect him to say that.ā
Jimmy exhaled softly. āHe aināt good with losing people.ā
Jey shook his head. āHe aināt good with admitting it either.ā
Solo didnāt say anything.
He didnāt need to.
He just stayed close, his presence warm and grounding, the only thing keeping you from falling apart right there in the hallway.
You started walking with Jimmy, Jey, and Solo flanking you like a silent escort, their presence forming a protective wall around you as you walked down the hallway. Your chest still felt tight from everything Roman had said, your breath uneven, your fingers curled around the strap of your bag like it was the only thing keeping you upright.
The hallway was mostly empty ā except for one person.
He was leaning against a production crate, scrolling through his phone, but the moment he heard footsteps, he looked up. His eyes landed on you first, and something in his expression softened instantly ā concern, recognition, something warm and quiet that made your stomach twist.
Then he saw who you were with.
Jimmy.
Jey.
And Solo walking close behind you.
Cody straightened slowly, his brows lifting just slightly, not in judgment, not in surprise ā but in understanding. He took in the way your shoulders were tense, the way your eyes were still a little red, the way Solo hovered protectively at your back.
His gaze flicked to Solo for a brief second ā not hostile, not challenging, just acknowledging the unspoken truth between you all.
Then his eyes returned to you.
You didnāt stop walking, but your steps faltered for half a second ā just long enough for Cody to see the exhaustion in your face, the weight in your posture, the silent plea for space you didnāt have the words for.
Cody didnāt say anything.
He didnāt call out.
He didnāt approach.
He just gave you a small, soft nod ā a quiet I see you ā and stepped aside to let you pass.
Your breath caught, your chest tightening, and for a moment you wished you could stop, wished you could say something, wished you could let yourself lean into the warmth in his eyes.
Soloās hand brushed your back, steadying you.
Jimmy and Jey stayed close.
Cody watched you go, his expression unreadable but undeniably gentle.
Brief.
Quiet.
But enough to change everything.
By the time you reached the hotel, the night felt like it had stretched into something endless, heavy, and frayed at the edges. The brief car ride with Solo, Jimmy, and Jey had been quiet ā not uncomfortable, just thick with unspoken worry. They didnāt ask questions. They didnāt push. They simply made sure you got to the door of the hotel safely, each of them giving you a look that said call us if you need anything before letting you go.
You carried that silence with you as you stepped into your room, closing the door behind you with a soft click that felt louder than it should have. The moment you were alone, the weight of everything hit you all over again ā Romanās voice, Solo stepping in, Codyās eyes when he saw you, the way your brothers hovered protectively, the way your chest had felt like it was collapsing in on itself.
You dropped your bag onto the floor and sank onto the edge of the bed, your hands trembling slightly as you pressed your palms against your thighs. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, and the quiet was so complete it made your breath sound too loud in your own ears.
You barely had time to exhale before there was a knock at the door.
Not loud.
Not urgent.
But firm.
Familiar.
āOpen up,ā Rheaās voice called softly. āItās me.ā
Your chest tightened. You pushed yourself to your feet, crossing the room with slow, heavy steps. When you opened the door, Rhea didnāt wait for an invitation ā she stepped inside immediately, her eyes scanning your face with a sharpness that made your throat tighten.
She closed the door behind her and turned to you fully, her expression softening the moment she saw the redness around your eyes.
āYou said earlier you needed to tell me something,ā she said quietly. āSo tell me.ā
You swallowed hard, your breath catching as the pressure in your chest rose again. Rhea stepped closer, her hand brushing your arm in a grounding, careful touch.
You sat.
And the moment you did, everything inside you cracked open.
āI donāt even know where to start,ā you whispered, your voice trembling. āIāll just start off by what's just happened because tonight wasā¦ too much.ā
Rhea nodded once, her posture relaxed but attentive. āStart with whateverās hurting the most.ā
You inhaled shakily. āRoman. The way he talked to me. The way he looked at me. The way heāā Your voice broke. āHe said heās losing me.ā
Rheaās eyes softened, but she didnāt interrupt.
āAnd then Solo stepped in,ā you continued, your breath hitching. āHe stood between us. He protected me. Jimmy and Jey were confused, but they were worried. They walked me out. They made sure I got to the car. They made sure I got here.ā
Rheaās expression warmed, her voice dropping to something almost tender. āAnd what happened last night?ā
You exhaled shakily, your fingers twisting in the blanket. āTriple H told me to take a break. He said I needed space. And I did. I really did. But when I went back to my roomā¦ Cody showed up.ā
Rheaās brows lifted, but she didnāt look surprised.
āHe didnāt want anything,ā you said quickly. āHe justā¦ sat with me. He didnāt push. He didnāt pry. He just stayed. And thenāā You hesitated, your cheeks warming. āHis pinky brushed mine.ā
Rheaās eyes softened even more. āAnd?ā
āIt feltā¦ intimate,ā you whispered. āMore intimate than anything Iāve felt in a long time. It wasnāt even a real touch, but it felt like he was saying, āIām here. Iām not going anywhere.ā And I didnāt realise how much I needed that until it happened.ā
Rhea placed a gentle hand on your knee. āDid he stay with you?ā
You nodded, your voice barely steady. āHe stayed for a long time then left. But then he messaged me. He said heād stay up if I needed to talk. He said heād call if I wanted him to. And today when he saw me with my brothersā¦ he didnāt say anything. He justā¦ looked at me. Like he was worried.ā
Rhea leaned back slightly, studying you with a quiet, thoughtful intensity. āYou like him.ā
Your breath trembled. āI donāt know what I feel. I just know that when heās around, I donāt feel trapped. I donāt feel watched. I donāt feel like Iām disappointing someone. I feelā¦ safe.ā
Rheaās voice softened to something warm and steady. āYouāre allowed to feel something for someone who makes you feel safe.ā
Your eyes filled again, tears slipping down your cheeks.
āAnd whatever happens next,ā Rhea added, her hand squeezing yours gently, āyouāre not dealing with it alone. Not anymore.ā
You leaned into her shoulder, your body finally relaxing, your breath finally slowing, and for the first time all night, you felt like you werenāt drowning.
Not with Rhea here.
Not with Solo watching out for you.
Not with Cody quietly waiting on the other end of his phone.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING šš
Not solo being the best older brother šš
