#Wrestling fic

[sydsaint]

Gotta show my Latino Papi some love <3

Summary: The reader is Damian's plus one at Dominick's wedding.

You and Rhea are taking the afternoon to buy dresses and get your hair and nails done for Dominick's wedding later in the day.

"What about this one?" Rhea pulls a ruby red dress off of the rack and presents it to you.

You look up from the rack you're looking at and examine the dress. "Not really my style." You shrug. "But I bet it'd look killer on you, Rhea. You should try it on." You suggest.

Rhea nods in agreement and hangs the dress over her shoulder while she browses for a few more options to try on. You go back to browsing the rack you're in front of and come across a pretty black dress.

"How about this one, Rhea?" You pick the dress up and present it to Rhea. "I like the neckline."

Rhea turns around and almost instantly nods her head. "YN, yes." She beams. "That will look so good on you."

You giggle and hang the dress over your shoulder so you can browse some more.

You and Rhea both collect four or five dresses to try on and head for the dressing rooms. The two of you have been friends for years so you opt for one of the bigger rooms and share.

"Zip me up, yeah?" Rhea asks you after she's pulled on a black dress.

"Sure, turn around." You nod.

Rhea turns her back to you and you pull the zipper up her back. She turns back around and you compliment her. "How is it you manage to look good in literally everything?" You jokingly complain.

"It's a gift, really." Rhea giggles. "Here, try this one on." She picks up the black dress you picked out and hands it to you.

You begin pulling on your dress and Rhea slips out of hers to try another one on. You get settled into your black dress and admire yourself in the mirror. "I really like this one." You admire your reflection. "What do you think, Rhea?" You turn back to her.

Rhea turns around while she's shimmying into the red dress she picked out and her eyes widen. "Damn, YN." She compliments you. "You might look too good in that dress." She teases you. "How badly are you trying to impress Damian tonight?"

You giggle with Rhea and grab your phone from your bag sitting on the bench. "Do you mind if I snap a quick pic?" You ask Rhea. "I wanna see what Damian thinks of this one."

"Sure." Rhea nods since she's got her dress on by now and is admiring herself in the mirror. "Let's take a few together after you're done." She adds.

"Yes!" You agree and snap a quick mirror picture of yourself.

You send the picture to Damian then take a few with Rhea for fun. You decide on the black dress, and Rhea choses the red. The two of you get your hair and nails done then head back to the hotel to wait for your dates to come pick you up.

"Yeah, we're good, Damian." You call out to him and reach for your clutch sitting on the table.

Damian comes into the door and you watch his gaze flit over Rhea and come to a halt when it reaches you.

"Well?" You ask Damian with a giggle and do a little sin for him. "How do I look?" You ask him.

Damian chuckles and the sound sends a shiver down your spine. You could easily become addicted to the way he looks at you.

"You look absolutely stunning, princessa." Damian shakes his head and walks over to you and wastes no time in pulling you into his side by the hips.

"Told you that he wouldn't be able to keep hiss hands to himself." Rhea laughs.

"You won't ever hear me complain." You grin and lay your hands on Damian's chest. You smooth out his tie for him before tugging him down by the neck for a kiss. "You look handsome too, baby."

You and Damian share a quick heated kiss while Rhea collects her bag. She walks over to the two of you and loops her arm with yours. "Let's get going, yeah. Wouldn't want to let Dom down on his big night by being late."

Damian nods and strides over to the door. He swings the door open and steps off to the side. "Right this way, ladies." He grin at you both. "I'll go on ahead and pull the car around for us."

"Thanks, babe." You touch Damian's arm gently as you and Rhea pass him.

Everyone arrives at the wedding venue about half and hour later and heads inside. You and Rhea find your seats at a table near the bride and grooms place. Fancy cream name-cards mark your spots for you.

The ceremony is beautiful and you shed a tear or two for your friend and his girlfriend, now wife.

The real fun begins after the ceremony. Everyone files into a immaculately decorated space with plenty of room for dancing and a wide array of foods off to the side of the room.

"You hungry at all, hun?" Damian asks you after you've found your table with Rhea and a few other friends from work.

"I'm aright for now, Damian. Thanks." You shake your head. "Dom and his girl look so happy." You gush. "Gosh, I can't wait until I finally get to plan my wedding."

Your comment earns a giggle from Rhea and a wide-eyed look from Damian. The two of you have been ating for about a year now.

"No pressure, Damian." You laugh when you see the guilty look on his face. "I'm content just the way we are."

Damian sighs in relief and plays it off like he wasn't freaked out. Everyone mingles at the table for a while until the dancefloor begins to fill up. You watch people dance for a while with a longing look in your eyes. You know Damian isn't much for dancing. So you try not to get your hopes up.

"YN, Amore, dance with me?" Damian gets up from his seat next to Austin after a while and offers you his hand.

"Oh, you don't have to, Damian." You shake your head at him, but Priest persists.

Damian keeps his hand outstretched to you and flashes you a deabonaire smile. "Come on." He urges you. "I know you want to get out there. And I'm not opposed to once dance." He insists.

"Really?" You take Damian's hand and he leads you out onto the dancefloor. "Thank you, Damian." You smile at him as a slow song starts to play.

Damian pulls you close to his chest and the two of you sway to the soft music. "I know I said it before, but you really do look stunning tonight." He compliments you. "I know I don't say it often. But I love you, YN."

"I love you too, Damian." You blush and lean in a little closer.

[naritaren]

Want to help get the three count over hate (not the faction)? Want to make the bad in the world a bit better by making them tap out? Consider joining in on Fandom Trumps Hate this year!

What is Fandom Trumps Hate? It's a group of fandom creators who come together to offer up fanworks for charity! There are different charities supported, and it is a ton of fun! Donators bid on the items you offer up, and once a donation has been made, you get to work on making your fanwork!

Here is this year's calendar for the auction process!

FTH2025 Auction Calendar

Monday, January 20th: creator signups open for both the auction and the crafts bazaar

Sunday, February 2nd: creator signups close

Friday, February 21st: browsing period begins, crafts bazaar announcement goes live

Tuesday, February 25th, 8am ET: bidding opens

Saturday, March 1st, 8pm ET: auction bidding closes

Monday, March 10th: craft stalls close

Wednesday, March 12: proof of donations due

I've done this event for a few years, and it's always a good time. I would love to see more wrestling writers and artists get involved and help raise money for a good cause!

[haddonfieldwhore]

ghosthunting - rhea & dom

rhea ripley x gn!reader x dominik mysterio

word count: 4k words

warnings: haunted jail, language, can be read as platonic if you want <3

despite the hot florida weather, your hands trembled slightly as the cameras started rolling. shotzi and scarlett had invited you, dominik, and rhea to be the guests on the first episode of their new ghost hunting series, Chamber of Horrors. you were excited, but also nervous about the idea of exploring a haunted jail, so you were relieved to have two of your closest companions by your side.

“hey guys,” scarlett introduced the three of you as you stood next to her and shotzi. you all greeted your two hosts, and they asked if any of you had encountered any ghosts before. dominik and rhea each shared a story, but you didn’t have one. you weren’t a sceptic, you just hadn’t experienced anything you would consider paranormal activity.

the five of you followed the tour guide inside, a few camera people following close behind as you stopped in the first room, the sheriffs office.

“you okay?” rhea whispered to you, and you nodded, smiling as you felt dom standing behind you, his chin resting on your shoulder.

“yeah i’m good,” you assured her, as scarlett and shotzi set up their equipment in the centre of the room. they had a few rem pods, which would light up different colours and beep if something got close or touched them, and scarlett had a spiritbox on her phone that allowed spirits to communicate using white noise and radio channels.

“how many spirits are in the room right now?” she asked, and a voice on the radio replied ‘eight’. rhea scratched her shoulder nervously, and leaned into dom’s side, as scarlett and her both repeated the number out loud. another device they had could supposedly answer yes or no questions, and it lit up green, confirming the number.

“is that how many spirits were hung here?” scarlett asked, and over the radio came a short ‘yep.’ dominik laughed nervously, and you felt rhea grab your arm and pull you behind dom, sandwiching you between the two of them, not that you were complaining. it was comforting to have them in either side of you.

“oh man,” dom said, crossing his arms in front of him.

“i know it’s weird right?” scarlet laughed, and you admired how she didn’t seem scared at all.

“i don’t my brains, shot. it’s mush,” dom said, looking at you and rhea. “i’ve never experienced anything like… this is above my pay grade. i don’t know what’s going on.” he scratched the side of his head, trying to find the right words to explain how he was feeling.

“i thought we were wrestlers,” rhea joked, and you all laughed, and you mentally thanked her for being able to lighten the mood.

“yeah, let’s get out of here, i’d much rather take a power bomb right now” you played along, and rhea pretended like she was gonna walk out, grabbing your hand a dragging you a few steps towards the door.

“my eyes keep getting randomly like.. teary,” dom said, rubbing his eyes.

“yeah i keep looking around, thinking i’m seeing shit,” rhea said, glancing around the room, her hand still holding yours. scarlett and shotzi were still using the necrophone app to ask questions, when a chill ran up your spine at the words ‘come here’ on the radio.

“you heard that?” scarlett asked, and you all nodded. “are there any child spirits here?” all of the rem pods went off, lighting up and beeping at the same time, and your chest tightened. you wrapped your arms around dominiks waist, hiding your face in his shoulder as rhea, still holding your hand, was pulled towards you by your actions, and she hugged you from behind.

“i feel very warm,” dom noted, and rhea nodded.

“yeah idk if i’m sweating because i’m nervous, or because this one won’t let go of me,” rhea teased you affectionately.

“sorry,” you mumbled, but she wouldn’t let you out of her grip.

“do you guys want to ask it a question?” scarlett asked the three of you, and you all frowned, staying silent. “you’re good?” she laughed, and it got another laugh out of the room.

“yeah, this is a lot. i heard leave,” dominik suggested, and scarlett and shotzi laughed harder as he pointed to the door, but shotzi agreed that she had heard it too.

“do you want us to leave?” she asked, and the green light lit up meaning yes. you took a deep breath, and dominik made a cross sign over his chest.

“let’s go into another room,” scarlett suggested. “there’s a cold breeze behind me,” she added, and a laugh came over the radio, making shotzi giggle.

“it’s laughing at you.”

the rem pod lit up again, and you all decided it was time to move to a different room, scarlett suggesting the general population area next. as her and shotzi moved the ghost equipment, the camera man stayed with you, dominik, and rhea for a short interview.

“yeah, i mean i’m terrified. but you know… i… someone’s gotta do it,” dominik laughed nervously. “and why not, the double champs and the future, nxt champion?” he said, pointing to the three of you, and referencing your future title opportunity that was coming up.

“exactly,” rhea agreed.

•••

you stood behind dom and rhea next to where the equipment was set up outside one of the jail cells. scarlett held the necrophone in her hand, and the hairs on the back of your neck stood up as you swore you heard a voice behind you.

“did you guys hear that?” you said, and dominik turned to look at you.

“freezing,” scarlett echoed what the voice on the radio say, and rhea wrapped her arms around herself.

“yeah, i just got the shivers,” she said to scarlett.

“what is it?” dom asked you, the only one who had heard you, and it drew the attention of the others. your throat went dry and you swallowed hard.

“i don’t know, i thought i heard someone say something behind me a second ago, just before it got cold in here,” you explained. dominiks arm snakes around your back, pulling you into his side. “you guys didn’t hear anything?” everyone shook their heads, rhea mumbling a soft ‘no’.

“would any spirits like to communicate with us?” scarlett asked, and the device lit up green for yes again. “yes, the spirits would like to communicate with us!” she smiled, and both her and shotzi raised their hands in the air. you admired the positive attitude they managed to keep throughout the night.

“my eyes just got teary again,” dominik said, wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his t-shirt.

“are you okay?” rhea asked, placing a hand on his back.

“yeah i’m good,” he laughed.

“is it bringing back memories?” shotzi asked him, referencing the time he had spent in ‘jail’.

“nah, this is just.. different,” he said, and rhea put her arm over his shoulder as he stood between you and her, dom still holding you close to his side. all of the sudden, rhea flinched, scratching her shoulder next to where her mic was clipped to her shirt.

“you okay?” dom asked softly, and rhea laughed nervously.

“thought i felt something touch me,” she replied.

“why do you choose to stay here?” scarlett asked, and over the radio the voice spoke ‘lucifer’.

“lucifer!” shotzi repeated, everyone laughing as dom turned around and pretended to walk out, raising his hands up in surrender.

“there he goes,” the cameraman said, as you pulled dom back to the group.

“you’re not allowed to scare us,” shotzi reprimanded the spirits. “we know you’re not lucifer; you can’t trick us.” rhea hid her face in her hand as she curled into dom’s side, you clinging to his other arm. scarlett was explaining how the necrophone worked to the camera when dom spoke up.

“so, quick question - not to be rude,” scarlet nodded telling him to continue. “so h..how do we know it’s not like a south park episode and there’s like a big dude behind the screen, just like..putting noises or something?” and shotzi laughed.

“well i mean, it is answering our questions pretty good.. so.”

“we’ve gotten very clear photos of faces, where there shouldn’t be anything. we’ve gotten like - figures on our sls camera,” scarlett explained. suddenly you heard another noise behind you, and dom and rhea must have heard it too because they also turned around to look for the source of the sound. your knuckles had turned white from how tightly you were holding onto dominiks hand, and could feel his finger tips digging into your side.

scarlett noticed that the three of you were distracted, and dom and rhea pointed in the direction the noise had come from, and the tour guide had heard it too.

“we heard something,” dom and rhea said at the same time, and the tour guide described it as a growl.

“i don’t know what the hell it was,” you said, your voice trembling.

“you guys are not allowed to touch dom, rhea, or y/n,” scarlett scolded the ghosts. “you’re not allowed to touch any of us.”

“he asked how we do we know there’s not someone behind the scenes, i swear to you i heard a growl and it came right over there,” the tour guide said, pointing behind you. “you all heard it right?”

“yeah, yeah, yeah,” dom repeated nervously, and you and rhea agreed.

“what was that growl? who was growling?” shotzi asked.

“what that the creeper growling?” scarlett asked, getting another laugh out of everyone.

“i don’t know if it was a growl or - it was just like a ‘rahhh’,” dom scratched the back of his neck as he imitated the noise you had heard.

“you heard another noise?” the tour guide asked.

“no no no, when we all heard it just now,” he clarified, and rhea stole you from his grip as she nervously fiddled with her necklaces.

“i just saw something over there,” scarlett said, pointing at where the noise had come from. “there was something over there, what was that? i saw a light go through.”

your were starting to feel a little overwhelmed, and you turned around, closing your eyes and burying your face in the crook of rheas neck, her arms wrapping around you. you instantly felt safer as dominik noticed the two of you, and hugged you both in his arms, gently stroking the back of your head with his tattooed hand.

“are you okay?” rhea asked, and you nodded against her collarbone.

“i just need a minute,” you admitted, and dom squeezed you and rhea tighter.

“you’re okay, we’ve got you,” he mumbled. when you felt like you could breathe again, you mumbled a soft ‘ok’, and they let you out of the cage they had made around you with their arms, but they each still held one of your hands.

•••

shotzi and scarlett were now sitting in one of the cells, and dom and rhea stood outside it. you had taken a step back for a moment, just looking over the shoulder of the camera man. dom seemed nervous as you heard scarlett say to shotzi that there was definitely a ghost in the cell with her, and the offered her hand for him to hold, which he took. suddenly shotzi yelled out in shock, and stood up off the bed.

“what! what just happened. are you okay?” scarlett asked, concerned. “wait wait, are you okay? what happened?”

“i’m fine, i just felt the bed shake,” shotzi said, laughing, and dom and rhea clung to each other.

“oh god.”

“i’m not going over,” rhea laughed, content with staying far away from the cell.

“can you not scare my friend, please?” scarlett asked.

“no, it’s okay, i allow you to touch me,” shotzi offered.

“why would you say you want it to touch you?” scar laughed.

“but respectfully! like don’t hurt me but a little,” she tapped her shoulder to demonstrate.

“i would not like to be touched,” dominik said.

“please do not touch me,” rhea agreed.

“i feel like i’m scared, but i just don’t know what going on, like-“ dom was interrupted by scarlett yelling to him and rhea.

“do you want to come in here with us?”

“nah, i’m cool,” he smiled, and the girls laughed.

the laughter had lightened the mood once again, and you had calmed down, deciding that you were ready to get back on camera. you snuck behind the camera man to head back over to dom and rhea when suddenly, you felt a stinging sensation on for back. dominik smiled as you approached him, but his face dropped when he saw the concerned look on your face.

“what’s wrong, did you hear something?” rhea asked.

“no, i thought i felt something on my back though,” you replied, trying to feel for the spot with your hand.

“want me to look?” dom asked, and you nodded, turning around so he could see if he could see anything. his hands were warm on your skin despite the chill in the room, and he rolled your shirt up slightly, and you heard rhea gasp.

“what? what is it?” you panicked, and went to turn around, but felt her manicured hand touch your back.

“wait wait wait. let me take a picture so i can show you,” she said.

“what the fuck, guys,” dom muttered, and your heart pounded in your chest. dom let you turn around, but his hands remained on your hips as rhea showed you her phone, on it a photo of a scratch on your back, about four inches long.

“what…. how did i get that?” you stuttered, and scarlett and shotzi noticed the commotion and came over.

“what happened?” scarlet asked, concern in her voice as she placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. your eyes were wide and you couldn’t form words as rhea showed her and shotzi the picture.

“oh my god, how did that happen? guys?” shotzi asked, covering her mouth in shock.

“i don’t know, maybe i bumped into something,” you mumbled, trying to rationalize; it was possible you could have, but wouldn’t you remember it?

“are you okay to keep going?” scarlett asked, and despite the sinking feeling in your stomach, you nodded. dom and rhea clung to either side of you again, and you were grateful that they refused to let go of you. scarlett and shotzi had gone back into the cell, and called for the three of you left outside to come join them.

“come sit with us,” dominik said, and him and rhea pulled you to sit just outside the cell door with them; none of you interested in actually going inside.

“come in, you guys. we’ll scooch over, there’s room for everybody,” shotzi invited.

“i’m good here,” dom said, and the two in the cell continued asking the spirits questions as you rested your head on dom’s shoulder, rhea doing the same to yours.

shotzi offered her hand for the spirit to touch as she and scarlett were talking about the boo bear, another device of theirs that was going off.

“are you sure you’re okay?” rhea whispered next to your ear.

“i think so,” you replied. “or i’m just blocking it out.”

“am i on video?” shotzi repeated what the spirit had said. “yes you are, and we want to tell your story,” she explained, before the radio said dom’s name. you felt his body tense against you, and you and rhea both held onto his hand.

scarlett suggested going to visit the isolation wing, and once again as they went to set up the equipment, the camera man interviewed you, dom, and rhea.

“i’ve never done anything like this, so this is my first time experiencing..like… this sort of like.. energy wise?” dom tried to explain.

“yeah, especially going into it and expecting something,” rhea added.

“yeah like, knowing… there’s just a lot of beeping going on,” dom said, gesturing with his hands. “i don’t know - we heard our names, and then y/n got that weird scratch…”

“can we show the camera?” rhea asked, and you nodded, turning around to let her lift up the bottom of your shirt.

“it got cold before too - and hot,” rhea continued recounting everything that had happened so far.

“yeah i’ve been going through like a mixture, but again, that’s probably just me cause i’m nervous, and scared. so like my body’s probably just fluctuating with all sorts of temperatures,” he raised his hand up and down to demonstrate. “but i don’t know, this is all very interesting, but fun in a very new way.”

“yes,” rhea agreed.

“except the maybe getting scratched by a ghost part,” you added, and they both laughed.

“except for that,” dom clarified.

•••

“to the wardens room!” shotzi exclained as dom went first into your next location, a quick pit stop on the way to isolation. he jumped slightly, getting scared by a coat rack as he turned on the light. you and rhea laughed at him as he held his chest, taking a deep breath as you all walked into the room.

“do you feel the heaviness in here?” scarlett asked.

“wow, it is - woooah. oh my goodness,” shotzi agreed, and you could also feel a weight in the air.

“it is very heavy,” dom said, and rhea expressed how warm it was in the room.

“it’s hard to breathe in here,” shotzi added.

“yeah a bit actually,” rhea replied, and you nodded.

the rem pod in the ground started freaking out, and scarlett asked who was touching it, when a voice over the radio clearly said ‘find my body’.

“where are you?” rhea asked.

“don’t,” dom whispered to rhea, either not wanting her to interact with the ghosts, or not wanting to go looking for a body. she smiled, pulling him close to her as scarlett asked more questions, before she held her forehead, complaining of head pressure.

“yeah my face is tingling,” rhea said, holding either side of her face in her hands.

“my head hurts too,” you agreed.

“if you can touch one of the rem pods we’ll leave this room, scar offered, and a voice on the radio replied with ‘want us to leave’. the rem pod lit up, and scarlett and rhea both mentioned how it had gotten even hotter in the room.

“yeah my foreheads a little hot,” dom replied, rhea once again resting her head in his shoulder.

“i just got cold; it’s like a total fluctuation,” the camera man added.

“i think we should try downstairs,” scarlett suggested, and you all moved to solitary confinement. you tugged on dominiks hand and gave him a look that thankfully he understood.

“we’ll let you guys handle business, ya know?” dom said, getting the message that you had had enough.

a brief stop in the women’s wing had left you and dom standing outside a cell while rhea sat inside.

“are you sitting next to rhea?” shotzi asked.

“are you on the bed?” rhea asked when no reply came. a voice said ‘move’, and rhea asked if it wanted her to get if the bed, to which it replied ‘do’. rhea raised her hands in surrender and you leaned against the wall, letting your eyes close as your head fell back. as much as you had surprisingly enjoyed yourself, you were just about at your limit for being scared for one night.

“fam, ima listen to you,” rhea clapped her hands together as she stood up, more than happy to get out of the cell. “you call the shots; it’s your bed, bruh.”

scarlett complained of a smell that the tour guide explained was sulphur, and shotzi mentioned that sulphur meant demons.

“yeah, i’m gonna go outside,” dom joked, getting another laugh out of everyone. “yeah that’s uh... that’s where your boy dom.. dirty dom-“ he stopped when you, him, and rhea all heard a noise coming from a cell down the hall behind you.

“i heard that too,” she assured him, and you nodded.

“right?” dom asked. “is there anyone over there?” he asked, pointing the the direction the sound had come from.

“no, we’re all in here,” the tour guide replied.

“i just heard footsteps,” dom said, as him and rhea tried to see if anything was over there.

“dom has crazy hearing,” shotzi commented, before over the radio a voice said ‘she’s coming’.

you stepped away again, dominik following after you as you stepped out of view of the camera.

“are you okay?” he asked, and you nodded. “you can tell me the truth.”

“it’s just a lot,” you admitted, and pulled you into a hug. rhea looked over, concern in her face, but dom gave her a thumbs up to let her know you were alright.

“we’re leaving soon. i think i’ve had enough for one night, too,” he said kissing the side of your head before the two of you walked back over to rhea. she held your face gently in her hands and you nodded to let her know you were ok.

you were pretty checked out by this point, blocking most of the sounds out as scarlett’s phone starting acting wierd, and her and shotzi talked to a spirit in the solitary confinement cell.

“we can watch a movie or something fun when we get back to the hotel, okay?” rhea suggested, holding your hand once again. you nodded, still not completely present. “maybe paranormal activity?” she joked, and you focused on her again, slapping her shoulder lightly as her and dom laughed. “kidding!” she pleaded. she got a wierd look on her face, and dom stood in front of her.

“what is it?” he asked.

“i had like -“ she gestured to her neck with her hand. “my throat got like.. clogged. and then it got really warm and then like rushed to my head. it freaked me out,” she explained.

the five of you decided that that was enough ghost hunting, and shotzi and scarlet gathered their equipment while you stood with dom and rhea as they filmed an outro.

“yeah i’m ready to get out,” dom said, and rhea laughed nervously, muttering a soft ‘please’.

“you wanna use that big light of yours and guide us out of here? good sir, please and thank you?”

you filmed another short outro all together outside the jail, before the three of you said goodnight to shotzi and scarlett and the crew, thanking them for having you on their show. an uber had arrived to take you back to your hotel, and the three of you sat in the backseat, you in the middle as you curled into dominiks side, happy to have made it out in one piece, and ready to go to bed.

•••

rhea shook you awake as you pulled up the hotel, and you rubbed your eyes as you sat up. dominik had also fallen asleep, his head resting on top of yours, and he sat up at the feeling of you moving.

“we’re here, sleepyheads,” rhea laughed, and you all got out and headed up to the hotel room you were sharing. you kicked off your shoes, and got changed into your pyjamas, before immediately getting under the covers, pulling them high up under your chin. rhea laughed at you, before she sat down on the other bed.

“guys?” you said softly.

“yeah?” dom replied, taking off his t-shirt, leaving him in a black tank top, his gold chain reflecting in the low light from the lamp on the nightstand.

“can you come here?” you asked, and they both laughed, rhea jumping on top of you and pulling you into her arms. dominik laid on the other side of you, and you became trapped between them.

“if i have nightmares tonight i’m blaming shotzi and scarlett,” you said.

“don’t worry. we’ll protect you,” rhea promised, getting under the blankets, her legs tangling with yours and dominiks, becoming a mess of limbs.

“goodnight you guys,” dom mumbled, already half asleep as he kissed the side of your head, reaching out and entwining his hand with rheas.

“goodnight,” you murmured, before drifting off to sleep, safe in the arms of your two favourite people.

[xoxorealitygalore]

Nasty Dancer Flashback 1

Summary: Due to her unyielding confidence, Aphrodite earns her spot on the main roster, becoming The Bloodline's manager — or rather, Sefa's Special Counsel. His Wisewoman. But can she maintain her bold, unapologetic style when faced with her greatest challenge yet: working alongside her ex-boyfriend?

Taglist: @xbriexx @christinabae @blackchickinthedesert @bratzzzdoll

Nasty Dancer Masterlist

Previous: Chapter Seven

The atmosphere at Mastro’s Steakhouse was one of sophisticated warmth, with a hint of luxury that could only come from a top-tier dining experience. The low murmur of voices blended with the occasional clink of fine china, the soft jazz playing in the background setting a perfect tone for the evening. Joseph sat next to Aphrodite, her delicate fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass absentmindedly, her eyes occasionally flicking up to meet his with a soft smile. This was their night out together, with Joseph’s older brother Jonathan and his wife Trinity.

The dimmed lighting cast a golden glow on the white tablecloth beneath their plates, the perfect stage for the conversation that was about to unfold. Joseph had ordered for them, taking control of the evening’s choices. It wasn’t anything new. Aphrodite didn’t mind. She’d never been one to demand control over every little detail. She liked to let Joseph take the reins when it came to decisions like these. There was something reassuring about how effortlessly he moved through life, confident in his decisions.

“You let him order for you?” Trinity asked with a raised eyebrow, her gaze flicking from Aphrodite to Joseph, who was already engaged in a quiet conversation with Jonathan. Her voice carried a playful, teasing edge, one that had been honed over years of friendship and familiarity.

Aphrodite shrugged lightly, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “I take pride in letting my man be my man,” she responded, her tone casual, yet there was an underlying softness to it. The way she spoke, the way she carried herself, it was a mix of strength and vulnerability, a delicate balance she’d cultivated in her relationship with Joseph.

Joseph glanced at her from across the table, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He wasn’t the type to make a big deal of things, but there was a quiet pride in the way he looked at Aphrodite. He didn’t have to prove anything to anyone, least of all to Jonathan and Trinity. They had a way of understanding each other without needing much explanation. There was an ease to their relationship, built on trust and respect.

As Jonathan smiled and watched the couple interact, he couldn’t help but think how much they reminded him of himself and Trinity. Joseph and Aphrodite were a little more reserved than he and Trinity had been at the beginning of their relationship. But there was something undeniable about the way they moved as one, how their shared laughter filled the space between them, how they exchanged knowing glances without a single word. Jonathan’s heart swelled with a certain pride, though it was softened by the understanding that there were still a few things Joseph needed to navigate. He hoped his younger brother was ready for the complexities that lay ahead.

“You two are absolutely made for each other,” Trinity said suddenly, her voice full of sincerity. She didn’t say it lightly, and Aphrodite could feel the weight of the words sink in. Trinity had a way of making her feel seen, of making her feel like she belonged. It wasn’t something that came easily for Aphrodite, who had always prided herself on her independence and strength. But something about Joseph, about this relationship felt different. It felt like home in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

Aphrodite smiled at Trinity, grateful for the compliment but unsure of how to respond. She was still getting used to being part of a couple like this, part of a family dynamic that was still so new to her. Joseph had been open about his son, but there were still parts of his life she didn’t fully understand. She was beginning to realize that perhaps she had more to learn than she thought.

As dinner continued, the conversation shifted. Jonathan and Trinity were discussing their plans for the next vacation they were going on, and Aphrodite was content to listen, occasionally offering her thoughts. But then, out of nowhere, Trinity asked a question that made Aphrodite’s heart skip a beat.

“So, how do you feel about being a stepmom to two boys?” Trinity’s words were innocent enough, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity in her voice.

Aphrodite’s eyes widened slightly. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice tight with confusion.

Trinity’s smile faltered for a moment as she realized the misstep. “I just meant... you know, being a stepmom to Joseph’s two boys. I’m sure that must come with its challenges.”

Aphrodite’s mind reeled. Two boys? She knew about Joseph’s son, the one he spoke of so lovingly, but two? She had no idea that Joseph had a second child, much less that the boy was so young. Her thoughts began to race, her mind catching up with the realization that there were layers to Joseph’s life that she had never fully understood.

Jonathan, noticing the tension in the air, looked from Aphrodite to Joseph, then back to Aphrodite. “Joseph has two sons, actually. The younger one is just ten months old. I’m surprised he hasn’t mentioned it,” he added, his voice tinged with a hint of concern.

Aphrodite felt the weight of the words press down on her chest. The room seemed to blur around her as she tried to process the information. She had been blindsided, completely caught off guard. The one child she knew about was already a lot for her to take in. She hadn’t been prepared to learn that Joseph had another son, and the reality of becoming a stepmom was suddenly more complicated than she had ever imagined.

Joseph’s face darkened, his jaw tightening as he turned his gaze to his older brother. The air between them thickened with unspoken tension. He hadn’t expected Jonathan to bring up something so personal, especially not in front of Aphrodite. It wasn’t that he was trying to hide his children from her; it was just that there were pieces of his life he hadn’t yet found the right time to share. But now, it was too late. The damage had been done.

“I... I didn’t know,” Aphrodite finally managed to say, her voice shaking slightly as she stood up from the table. Her mind was reeling, her emotions tangled between disbelief, hurt, and frustration. Without another word, she excused herself and walked toward the entrance of the restaurant.

Trinity felt a pang of guilt as she watched Aphrodite leave the table. She hadn’t meant to upset her, but the question had slipped out without thinking. She looked at Jonathan, her eyes searching for some kind of reassurance.

Jonathan sighed, his hand resting on his forehead as he shook his head. “Joseph shouldn’t have kept this from her. He should’ve told her about the boys a long time ago.” His voice was low, regret hanging in the air between them.

“I didn’t mean to make things worse,” Trinity murmured, her eyes glued to the door where Aphrodite had just disappeared.

“You didn’t,” Jonathan said softly. “But Joseph needs to fix this.”

Trinity nodded, her gaze now focused on Joseph. “You should go talk to her,” she said, her voice firm. “She needs to hear it from you, not from anyone else.”

Joseph hesitated for a moment, his gaze flicking between the two of them. He didn’t want to leave his brother and Trinity alone, but he knew this was something he had to do. Standing up from the table, he gave a nod of acknowledgment before heading toward the entrance, his heart pounding with uncertainty.

Outside, Aphrodite paced in front of the restaurant, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and hurt. She didn’t know what to think or how to feel. She had never imagined her relationship with Joseph would be complicated by his children, especially when he had never mentioned the second one. How was she supposed to navigate this new reality?

Joseph stepped out into the cool evening air, his eyes searching for her. When he spotted her, his heart sank. She looked lost in thought, her movements agitated. He approached her slowly, his voice quiet but full of sincerity. “Aphrodite,” he began, his tone soft. “I’m so sorry. I should have told you sooner. It wasn’t my intention to keep this from you.”

Aphrodite stopped pacing, her eyes flicking up to meet his. “I don’t understand,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Why didn’t you tell me? We’ve been together for a year, Joseph. Why hide something so important?”

Joseph took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you. I didn’t know how to explain it... and I guess I thought I could manage it without it affecting us. But I was wrong. I should have been honest with you from the start.”

Aphrodite’s heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She had seen so much of the man he was—the confident, loving partner who had stood by her but this was a side of him she hadn’t encountered before. He was afraid, just like her.

She sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “I’m just... I’m not sure how to process all of this. It’s a lot.”

“I know,” Joseph said, stepping closer to her. “And I’m here for you, no matter what. We’ll figure it out together.”

Aphrodite took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She could feel the weight of the situation still pressing on her chest, but something about his words, about the sincerity in his eyes made her want to give him the benefit of the doubt. He wasn’t perfect, and neither was she. But they had something real, and she wasn’t willing to walk away from it so easily.

“I forgive you,” she said quietly, her voice steadying as she stepped into his arms. “But you need to be honest with me. About everything. No more secrets.”

Joseph nodded, his arms wrapping around her as he kissed the top of her head. “No more secrets. I promise.”

With a final, lingering kiss, they stood together for a moment, the weight of the evening finally lifting. They had a long road ahead of them, filled with uncertainties and challenges, but for now, they had each other. And that was enough.

Hand in hand, they walked back into the restaurant, ready to face whatever came next, together.

Next: Chapter Eight

[the-kipsabian]

wrestling fic writers!!

i have decided to be the change i wanna see, so lets do a nice little thing for each other, as a community full of incredible and talented writers. yes this is writer specific only, but thats cause thats where the main problem of people not interacting with creative works lies in this fandom as far as i can tell and have seen people talking about it especially in the last couple of months

if you read this, please add links to your written works. it can be just a single fic youre really proud of, your writing blog, your writing tag, your ao3 account, anything where your works can be found

and if you leave your link here, PLEASE check out someone else that has left their works, and interact with them. leave them a comment, even just a kudos, REBLOG their fic, etc. interacting is the keyword i want to emphasize here, along with building a sort of a masterpost of where to find people writing in this fandom

and if you are not a writer, youre still highly encouraged to interact with this post and share it and show love to the writers in this fandom, obviously!! i think that should go without saying, but adding it in anyways

a bit more about my vision and resources and such under the read more, but thats the gist of it. happy linking and please be kind and supportive to each other!! 💜

nobody is too big or too small to add their things on this list. if you write and post anything in this fandom whatsoever, be it fics or drabbles or headcanons, any companies or any kind of ships or reader inserts or any content whatsoever no matter how 'dead dove dont eat' or hell even if its just meta, we welcome all here and nobody can say that one thing is less valid than another. just please tag your content accordingly, especially if theres content warnings, and feel free to mention what you write, who you write, any info you wish to leave that would help people before they click on your links. but even so, that should not and hopefully will not deter people from interacting, no matter what it is. someones trash is another ones treasure, i promise you

and unless the amount gets really overwhelming, im personally going to be checking out everyone that leaves something here. unless it squeaks me out, but even then, i'll spread the word. and i just wish as many people as possible will do the same, and not just use this as a potential board to only get eyes on their stuff. ofc thats also the point, but you should give as much, if not more, than you get. we need to be kind and supportive of one another (besides, from personal experience, if you show love to someone else, they are more likely to do it back than without you taking the first step, so... pay it forward)

as for resources, heres a few links that should be helpful in leaving comments and feedback. of course everyone does their own thing and no comment is too big or too small to leave, but for those who need them. if you have anything you'd like added to this list, dont hesitate to get in touch or drop it in the post yourself!!

101 comment starters

ao3 floating comment box

kudos html

dont know how to comment? easy solutions

a quick hot guide to commenting (by yours truly)

an overall guide to appreciating fanfic writers

and just in general.. leave people comments. leave them asks about their projects. just go over and gush about their work. i know it sounds embarrassing but writers love nothing more than to hear that someone likes what they are doing. if you find a fic that hasnt been updated in forever, comment on it. it might just be the spark the author needs to continue. while kudos and likes are nice, and just as valuable to some, its definitely in the words the people leave for them that matter the most. im not saying this to put pressure on anyone, its just how it is, and i feel like unless people are writers themselves, and even then sometimes, thats just hard to grasp, especially if the writer is a smaller and less popular one who doesnt get a lot of traffic in the first place

i think thats all. just be nice and considered to everyone, reblog peoples works, this post with others add ons and so forth. and if i find anyone talking shit here or at other writers for something they share, you'll be blocked and im probably taking your kneecaps. be fucking nice. we are all struggling here and we need to stick together

happy sharing and commenting 💜💜

[kyleoreillylover]

The Calm Before the Storm

Jey Uso x Fem!Black!Reader x Sami Zayn

Summary: Moments before the 2023 Royal Rumble, you, Jey and Sami have a moment alone. What's unbeknownst to you and Jey is this will be the last time you will have a peaceful conversation.

Warnings: established relationship, angst at the end

tagged: @southerngirl41 @venusesworld @jeysbae @reci1996 @tbonesteakwithasideofmashngrav @hope4more-blog @selena-tyler-564 @saintaquarius @whatdoeseverybodywant @raya-hunter01 @empressdede @judgementdaysunshine

word count: 1,113

a/n: hey y'all... ik it's been a while don't kill me 😭 been busy with school, ramadan, and personal stuff, but I hope ya'll are good!! missed you guys! here's a lil something to make up for the time away.

graphics by @firefly-graphics!!

“Is he ready yet?” You asked Jey as you walked into Sami’s locker room, your eyes filled with concern as  you scanned the room for any signs of Sami.

"He's in the bathroom." Jey stood up from his seat on the couch, his expression mirroring your concern. "He's been in there for a while. I'm starting to get worried too."

You nodded, your worry growing with each passing second. You knew the impeding match between Roman and Kevin tonight had him worried and stressed about his ex best friend, but you knew it wasn't gonna be easy for Sami. 

Just then, the bathroom door swung open, and Sami emerged, his face pale and his hands trembling slightly. His eyes met yours, and you could see the fear and anxiety swirling within them.

"Sami, are you okay?" you asked, stepping closer to him and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

He forced a weak smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'll be fine," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just nerves, you know?"

You exchanged a worried glance with Jey, both of you knowing that it was more than just nerves that were plaguing Sami. You gave Jey a look that said calm Sami down, and Jey nodded in understanding before turning his attention to Sami.

"Hey, baby," Jey began in a soothing tone, "Sit down."

"I said I'm fine." Sami replied,  but his voice wavered, betraying his facade of calmness. Jey gently guided Sami to the couch, ignoring his protests.

"Sami, sit down." Sami sighed and reluctantly obeyed, sinking into the soft cushions of the couch. You took a seat beside him, lacing your fingers with his as Jey sat on the other side of the room, giving Sami space but still being there for support.

"All you have to do is just stand there. No fighting, no nothing, just stand ringside for Roman, and everything will be okay," Jey reassured him, his voice steady and reassuring.

Sami nodded, but you could see the doubt lingering in his eyes. "I know, I know," he muttered, more to himself than to either of you.

Jey knew he should've been reporting this hesitancy to Roman, should be letting Roman know that Sami wasn't in the right state of mind to accompany him to the ring. But betraying his boyfriends trust is something Jey couldn't bring himself to do.

So, he simply continued to offer words of encouragement, hoping to ease Sami's nerves even just a little.

"Dont you want to be part of the Bloodline?" Jey Jey's question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of expectation and loyalty.

Sami glanced up at him, his brow furrowed with uncertainty.

"Sami, we need you with us. So tonight, you need to show Roman that you're with us one hundred percent," Jey continued, his voice firm but gentle.

You gently cupped Sami's face, turning it so he was looking directly at you. "Sami, baby, please, do this for us. After tonight, Roman will see your loyalty, and we can tell him about our relationship. All you have to do is just stand there by his side, and everything will fall into place, and when it's over, we'll have each other."

Sami's eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions—fear, uncertainty, and a hint of longing. He knew the stakes were high, not just for Roman's match but for his place within the group. Taking a deep breath, he leaned into Jey's arms, seeking comfort and reassurance. "Okay," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart.

Jey wrapped his arms around Sami, holding him close. He was so close to having him, and with Sami's confirmation of support, his heart swelled with hope and determination.

"That's my baby." Jey cupped Sami's face and kissed him softly, his lips lingering against Sami's as if to convey all the love and support he could muster in that single moment.

Sami quickly responded in kind, deepening the kiss, pouring all of his emotions into it—his fear, his uncertainty, but most importantly, his love for Jey. For a moment, they were lost in each other, the world outside forgotten.

When Jey pulled away, you quickly took his place, sitting on Samis lap and taking his face in your hands, kissing him gently yet passionately. "We believe in you, Sami," you whispered against his lips. "You've got this."

Sami's trembling hands found their way to your waist, holding onto you as if you were his lifeline. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely audible but filled with gratitude.

Guilt ate at him as his two favorite people in the world showering him with encouragement and love, unaware of the fact he simply couldn't do what they asked them to do. Couldn't just stand by idly and watch as Kevin got pummeled.

But he promised you two he would try, and he owed you both at least that. 

A knock on the door startled Sami, and the three of you quickly separated and made it seem like everything was normal as Roman entered the locker room. His presence commanded attention, and Sami immediately straightened up, trying to push aside his doubts and fears.

"Ready to go, Sami?" Roman asked, his tone expectant as he glanced around the room.

Sami nodded, offering Roman a tight smile. "Yeah, ready as I'll ever be."

Roman clapped a hand on Sami's shoulder, a gesture that felt both comforting and suffocating at the same time. "Good. Let's do this."

He exchanged a look with the both of you, and you and Jey stood up, and after you nodded at Roman, you both gave Sami a hug, your embrace conveying all the support and love you could muster. If Roman thought the hug lasted too long, he didn't mention it, choosing instead to focus on the task at hand.

"You got this, okay?" You whispered to Sami as you pulled away from the hug, giving him one last reassuring smile before he followed Roman out of the locker room, already thinking of how amazing it'll be to put the lei on him and make him an official member of the Bloodline, and finally tell Roman of your relationship!

Jey squeezed Sami's hand before letting go, his eyes filled with hope and pride and the same thoughts as you, thinking how good the red lei will look against his boyfriends skin.

Boyfriend. It sounded amazing to think about Sami like that, to know he has Sami like that, and that Jey has you like that.  "We'll be waiting for you, kay Sami?"

Oh how Sami wished those words were true.

[faggotmox]

title: I Won't Last A Day Without You rating: general pairing: Wheeler Yuta/William Regal (former), Bryan Danielson/Wheeler Yuta word count: 530 warnings: all hurt no comfort, villains being villains, like abuse honestly summary: Yuta's internal crisis waiting to see Bryan in the hospital. (Directly Post All Out 2024)

[link to ao3]

There’s no one else.

The halls are quiet this time of night, the white walls screaming silently at Yuta as he waits and waits. Knots of anxiety and fear fighting it out in the pit of the young man’s stomach. There’s no one else. Is there anything left? Why did this happen? The silence of the hospital did little to quiet Yuta’s thoughts as he questioned everything he held dear for the last few years.

There aren’t many contacts in Yuta’s phone anymore. Let alone people he could actually talk to, no one else that knew the situation. Briefly Yuta wondered if he texted Eddie to concede about Claudio, if that would get him anything. It didn’t seem fair. Eddie warned him many times, but it always fell on deaf ears. Just like what happened before with the Best Friends.

Tucked away at the back of Yuta’s mind, in a locked box adorned with dust, was the possibility of contacting someone he swore he’d never speak to again. The screen of his phone stayed black as Yuta tried to steal his will against temptation. Self control and discipline were exactly what was expected of him right now. Except, Yuta thought, if he contacted this person then at least he might get some insight into what happened.

Before the young man could make sense of his own feelings around the idea, his phone lit up. Illuminated on the display was the name. The fear in the pit of Yuta’s stomach won the fight. The melancholy soft rock of the Carpenters played the ringtone Yuta never had the guts to change. The sickeningly happy image of two smiling men drenched in sweat after training that also stayed the same. Yuta didn’t expect to ever be contacted again so he kept the personal touches to comfort himself.

Eventually the song stopped playing, no longer bouncing down the empty halls. The haunting image disappeared from the screen, like the ghost of the man pictured. As the fear eased out of Yuta’s gut, the voicemail notification popped up. A cold sweat broke out across his skin as the implication hung in the air.

The phone was left on top of the hard hospital seat as he started to pace in short little strides that grew longer into chaotic routes up and down the hall. Everything in his brain screamed ‘danger! don’t listen to the message’ over the gullible naivety of his heart. After all, there was the smallest possibility that the message could help, right?

After ten long minutes worth of pacing, the worn out Yuta finally broke down. The phone was retrieved, unlocked, and the voicemail played. As the recording started the young man realized he was holding his breath and exhaled loudly. The voice of his old mentor, his former family, came through the speaker.

“Sunshine, I know you’re not going to want to hear this.” No pleasantries, no fondness, no kindness. The nickname sounded like a formality or maybe a jab. “He deserved it. As did you.” The devastating click that signaled the end of the call broke what was left inside Yuta.

There was no one else. There was nothing left.

[mrsarcherofinfamy]

● Lexis King x Reader ●

Summary: Your boyfriend Baron cheats on you with Tiffany Stratton who is coming after you and your title. You find comfort and in a deal with someone you least expected.

_________________________________________

In the ring grabbing a mic from one of the helpers, the crowd is cheering for me.

"Well what's up everyone?!"

The crowd cheers louder for me. I smile looking down at my NXT women's title around my waist.

"Well I am out here to talk to you guys about me and this championship. There is a couple ladies in the back that deserve to have championship matches. Than there is some, like Tiffany Stratton, who think they can just cut the line and be first to get a title shot. But, ya know what?! I don't care! I'll fight anyone and everyone! I will fight for this championship until I can fight no more! I will....."

I get cut off by Tiffany's music playing and her coming out. I roll my eyes and huff seeing her. She stays on the entrance ramp and I lean against the ropes looking at her.

"Y/N. Y/N. Y/N. No one cares. I am going to take your title from you. Just like I took something else from you."

I look at her with a confused look and she points to the jumbotron. There is a video from Tiffany's phone of her bathroom in her locker room with her behind the shower curtain. A man walks infront of the camera with familiar tattoos and my heart breaks seeing it.

"Baron. You coming?"

"Of course baby!"

He climbs into the shower with his boxers on than takes them off throwing them over the top of the shower. They start giggling and the video cuts off. A tear rolls down my eye looking up at Tiffany on the ramp. Baron's music hits and he comes up next to Tiffany and puts his arm around her. He grabs the mic out of her hand and looks at me standing in the middle of the ring.

"Y/N. You were a terrible girlfriend. You are a useless champion. And soon, my new girlfriend, is going to be the real champion of NXT. The champion we really need for NXT. Good luck being single and alone."

He laughs, tosses the mic on the ramp and heads to the back with Tiffany. A couple more tears roll down my face as I climb out of the ring. Someone's music hits and a chair is being pushed out onto the entrance ramp. I start walking up the ramp and this person gets out of their chair walking towards me. I stop looking at him realizing it is Lexis King. He walks towards me, blows me a kiss than continues walking towards the ring. I shake my head and walk to the back.

"What was that about?"

I think to myself walking to my locker room. I walk in closing the door behind me and lock it. I take my championship off my waist and put it on the coffee table sitting down on the couch. I turn the TV onto NXT watching Lexis King battle Brooks Jenson. I wipe my tears away and start packing up my stuff. Lexis gets the win, points at the camera and blows a kiss again. I shake my head grabbing my stuff.

"Was that for me?"

I think to myself again as I finish packing up my stuff. I start walking out of my locker room when my phone buzzes and a random number texts me.

"Meet me in the back of the parking lot. Black Cadillac Escalade."

I make a confused face than look up seeing Baron and Tiffany walking out of his locker room together and decide to walk the other way before they see me. I get to my car loading up my bags when a car flashes their lights at me. I look around the parking lot seeing only one car, the Black Cadillac Escalade, sitting in the back of the parking lot with the lights facing me. I close my trunk and walk around to the driver's side opening the door. The lights start flickering at me again and I sigh closing my door. I lock my car and walk over to the car trying to look inside but can't because the windows are tinted. The driver gets out and opens the back door for me. I smile slightly climbing into the car. I sit down on the seat feeling an arm go around my neck. The light comes on and I lock eyes with Lexis King again. I gulp looking at him and he wipes the back of his fingers along my cheek and jaw looking into my eyes.

"Y/N. You are a beautiful human being. You don't deserve a loser like Baron. Maybe you should be with a King."

He grabs my hand and puts it on his chest. I look at him with my jaw dropped. He smiles and slightly laughs.

"Y/N. I mean it. Me and you could get revenge on Baron and Tiffany. Make their lives a living hell. Make them jealous. We can become the rockstars of NXT."

"Is this a business deal? Or what?"

"Well I have a crush on you but I knew you were with that piece of shit so I kept my distance. But now that he proved he is a piece of shit, I thought I would shoot my shot."

I look over at him admiring his beautiful curls and slightly smile.

"Ya know what King? You got a deal. One, I'd love to get some revenge on Baron and Tiffany. Second, I'd love to be your girlfriend."

He smiles leaning over, grabbing my face and kisses me hard. I put my hand on the back of his neck and kiss him hard back. I run my fingers through his hair as we continue to kiss. He pulls back looking into my eyes smiling.

"You dont know how long I have been waiting to do that. It felt like years."

I giggle looking into his eyes. He looks back at me smiling.

"I wouldn't mind you doing it again."

"Oh yeah?"

He pulls me onto his lap wrapping his arms around my waist. I giggle putting my arms around his neck. I lean down kissing him again. He grips my sides up kissing me back. We continue making out for about 20 minutes before he pulls back looking at me.

"Let's continue this next week."

I climb off of his lap looking at him. I shake my head yes and the driver opens the door for me. I climb out and fix my shirt a little. I smile and walk over to my car opening the driver's door. I get in and fix my hair in the mirror. I sigh starting my car heading back to my hotel.

_________________________________________

*a week later*

I pull into the parking lot and get out going to the trunk to grab my bags. Kelly Kincaid walks over to me with a camera crew.

"Y/N. Could we ask you a few questions?"

"Sure! Is this live right now?"

I point to the cameras and the camera guy shakes his head yes. I blush not realizing I was a little late coming in. I fix the bandana on my head kinda looking like Lexis.

"Y/N. So about Baron and Tiffany last week, what are your comments?"

"My comments? Kelly. Please. If Baron wants to cheat on me with Barbie, she can have him. She's all plastic anyways."

"Also do you care to explain what happened after NXT last week? There is a video going around of you entering and exiting a black car on the parking lot."

I look at her with a shocked face. She shrugs her shoulders looking back at me.

"Well Kelly. Since people have to be so noisy, I was making a deal with someone."

"Who?"

I go to speak but I get hit in the back of the head. I fall forward dropping my bag on the ground. I get gripped up by my hair.

"I told you Y/N! I told you to watch your back! I will take everything from you!"

She drags me by my hair over to my car and slams the back of my head against the car. I scream and lift up my arm grabbing the back of my head. She grabs my right arm, puts her foot on my forearm keeping it straight and slams the car door into my arm. I scream pulling my arm to my chest holding it with my other hand. She takes my title belt out of my car, holds it up against the side of my cheek and gets close to my face.

"This will be coming home with me soon."

She stands up laughing than throws the belt at me. Security guards come running over getting her away from me. Shawn Michaels kneels down next to me while I start crying holding my arm. The camera guys cut out and leave.

"Medics! Get the medics here dammit!"

I lean against my car holding my elbow when the medics come running over. They check me out for a couple minutes.

"Looks like it's just a bruised elbow. Put this ice pack on it for about 20 minutes. Try putting ice on it like 3 times a day until the swelling goes down. You should be okay in a week or so."

"Thank you."

I take the ice pack and put it on my elbow. Shawn puts a hand on my shoulder and I look over at him.

"No match tonight or next week. We will figure something out. Promise."

He pats my shoulder than leaves back into the building. I try standing up but am having a hard time. I sigh than see a figure running over to me. I look up seeing Lexis running over.

"Y/N! Honey what happened?!"

"I got jumped by Tiffany and now I have a bruised elbow and won't have any matches for two weeks."

I put my hand out and he grabs it helping me stand up. I hold the ice against my elbow looking at him. He looks back at me smiling.

"It will be okay honey. I promise. I think I have an idea from this."

"Really? Let's hear it."

"First let me grab your bags. Than we can go inside and talk about it."

He walks over grabbing my bags out of the trunk. He walks over, closes my driver door and looks down at the back door.

"Did she slam your head into the car?"

"No I did that myself."

"Oh and your funny. Knew there was a reason I liked you."

We laugh and head inside to his locker room.

_________________________________________

*3 weeks later*

I walk down the hallway towards my locker room when I hear talking around the corner. I stand behind the corner listening hearing Baron's voice talking with Carmelo Hayes.

"Have you seen the way Y/N has been dressing lately? These crazy shirts, leather jacket, bandanas? Like what even is that?"

I look down at my clothes and make a disgust face towards their words.

"Dude. I don't know what happened to her. Thank God she isn't my problem anymore though."

I roll my eyes and walk back to my locker room. Nobody knows I am here getting ready to get back in the ring. I haven't been seen since Tiffany hurt my arm. I start hearing some yelling coming from the hallway so I open my door peeking my head out.

"Don't touch her. Don't ever touch her."

Baron is getting in Lexis' face and he isnt backing down. Tiffany is standing next to Baron trying to push him back. The camera man is facing them getting the promo.

"Ya know what King?! Find yourself a female partner tonight. Because it's gonna be me and Tiffy against you and whoever you can find."

"Good luck loser."

They both walk away and Lexis starts walking my way seeing my head poking out of my room. He smiles seeing me.

"Honey! What are you doing here?"

"Well seems like you need a female tag partner tonight. I'm here to help."

"You got cleared?!"

He walks into my locker room closing the door.

"I got cleared this morning!"

He picks me up hugging me. I wrap my legs around his waist hugging him back. He sets me down looking at me.

"Go get ready and I will be in gorilla waiting for you!"

He kisses my cheek and walks out of the locker room. I grab my bag and head to the bathroom to change into my new ring gear I got to match Lexis'. (The black and orange gear.)

_________________________________________

Baron and Tiffany are in the ring talking on the mic about how Lexis is a loser and he won't find anyone to tag with him.

"Lexis is a loser and no one likes him!"

Me and Lexis are in the back waiting for our moment to go out. He kisses my cheek and I look over at him.

"Let's do this baby!"

I smile and he makes his entrance on his chair interrupting them in the ring. I watch on the TV smiling at him. Lexis continues sitting in his chair looking at them.

"Lexis! Who do you have as a partner? Cmon send em out!"

Tiffany throws the mic out of the ring and they both stand there looking at Lexis. He smirks and shrugs his shoulders. My music hits and the crowd roars with excitement. Baron and Tiffany start freaking out in the ring. I walk over to Lexis' chair and lean against it smirking up at them in the ring. Lexis' stands up, grabs my hand and we walk down to the ring together. We get in taking off our jackets getting ready for our match.

_________________________________________

*near the end of the match*

I clothesline Tiffany in the ring while Lexis is beating down Baron on the other side. I grab Tiffany and put her into a sharpshooter so she is facing Lexis hitting Baron with a corkscrew ddt. He pins Baron and gets the win. I drop Tiffany and she rolls out of the ring holding her leg. I jump into Lexis' arms and he stands over Baron with me.

"You lost this match. And you also lost this beautiful woman! Good luck loser!"

He kisses me putting his foot on Baron's chest. I put my hands on his face kissing him back. The crowd is cheering for us and I pull back smiling at him and the crowd. He puts me down and we roll out of the ring making our way up the ramp. We kiss again on the top of the entrance than make our way to the back. This could be the start of a beautiful partnership and relationship.

The End

[sydsaint]

Protective Solo owns my heart <3

Summary: the reader is Nick's assistant who finds herself in Logan Paul's line of sight. Much to her dismay. Lucky for her, Solo Sikoa seems to have a soft spot for her.

Smackdown is well into its program on a usual Friday night. You've been tentatively seeing to all GM Nick Aldis' needs as his assistant.

"YN!" Aldis catches your attention with a shout as he's looking down at his phone.

"Yes, sir?" You answer his prompt with enthusiasm.

Nick glances up from his phone and nods out toward the locker room area. "Could you please go and fetch Paul Heyman for me?" He asks you. "And Solo as well."

"Sure." You nod. "Can I ask what for? Just in case they ask?" You ask him.

"Just a meeting," Nick replies vaguely.

You nod and take off for Roman's spacious locker room. You come up on the door with 'The Bloodline' scrawled across the door. You knock briskly on the wood and wait for an answer.

A few seconds later, Jimmy Uso cracks the door open and peers down at you. "What do you want, shortie?" Jimmy wastes no time in confronting you.

"Mr. Aldis has asked to see Paul and Solo." You explain. "May I come in?" You ask him politely.

Jimmy narrows his eyes at you and glances around the empty space behind you cautiously. He glances back down at you one more time before he begrudgingly steps back from the door and lets you inside.

"Thank you." You nod at Jimmy and step through the door. "Excuse me, sorry to bother you, Roman." You turn your attention to Roman lounging in his chair. "Mr. Aldis has asked to see Paul and Solo." You explain.

"What for?" Roman quirks a brow at you.

You bite the inside of your lip, wishing that Nick had just explained what his intentions were with Solo and Paul. "I'm sorry, he just said it was for a meeting." You explain sheepishly.

Roman's jaw twitches and you watch him beckon Paul over to his side with the subtle flick of his wrist. You remain by the door and watch Paul and Roman whisper to one another for a moment before they both turn back to you.

"Take Solo with you." Roman turns to Solo and nods in your direction. "Paul will join you in a few minutes."

"Oh, okay." You nod and glance at Solo standing stoicly on the other side of the room.

Without a word, Solo stalks over to you and waits for you to leave. You offer Roman a small smile and turn around back to the door.

Solo reaches over you and pulls open the door. You nod at him in thanks and step out into the hall. Solo follows and shuts the locker room door behind him. You wait for the door to shut before starting your journey down the hall silently.

You've been working for Nick for a few months now as his assistant. Roman and The Bloodline have been a nuisance for Nick since he took the job, and you as well. But there's just something about Solo that draws you to him. Despite his stoic nature.

"Sorry to take you away from Roman so randomly." You attempt to make small talk while you walk.

"Don't worry about it." Solo replies dryly.

You nod and continue on the journey back to Nick's office. You get to the door and Solo once again steps ahead of you and grabs the door for you. "Thank you, Solo." You offer him a thankful smile.

Solo nods and you head inside the office. "I have Solo here, Mr. Aldis. Paul will be joining us shortly." You inform Aldis before stepping back over to your desk.

Nick beckons Solo over to his desk and you busy yourself with work while the pair chat. Paul shows up a few minutes later and comes over to your desk.

"Miss LN." Paul greets you. "Sorry for the delay." He offers you an apology.

"No problem, Paul." You reply. "Mister Aldis will see you now. He's with Solo chatting at his desk." You nod toward the boss's desk.

Paul heads over to Nick's desk and you once again get back to your work. A few minutes later Paul and Solo whisper to one another for a moment before Paul points over to you subtly. Solo nods and walks over to your desk.

"Is there something you need, Solo?" You look up from your work at Sikoa.

"Nah." Solo shakes his head.

You nod and Solo remains posted up by the side of your desk. Paul and Nick remain at Nick's desk chatting about something or other.

A few minutes later, the office door swings open and Logan Paul comes sauntering in with a self-entitled smile plastered on his face. "YN!" Logan walks over to you, making a note to ignore Solo. "How's it going beautiful?" He asks you.

"Logan." You reply dryly. "Mister Aldis is busy at the moment." You warn him.

"Fine with me." Logan leans over to your desk. "I came by to talk with you." He winks at you.

Your jaw twitches in annoyance at Logan's advances. Solo catches the subtle gesture and eyes Logan out of the corner of his eye.

"I'm a little busy, Logan. Sorry." You attempt to politely get him away from you.

"No trouble, babe." Logan shrugs. "I can wait." He continues to lean against your desk.

You let out a small sigh, tapping your pen against your palm. Next to your desk, Solo matches your sigh. You watch from the corner of your eye as he uncrosses his arms and steps up to Logan.

"You can go ahead and leave." Solo sizes up Logan. "Now." He stares at Paul with a no-nonsense look.

Logan laughs and turns to Solo but second-guesses himself when he sees the look on Solo's face. Logan backs off and glances at you one more time before he scoffs and exits the office.

"Thanks for that." You turn to Solo after Logan slams the office door.

"He come by often?" Solo leans back next to your desk and crosses his arms over his chest again.

You nod, recalling all the times you've had to put up with Logan meandering around the office when you're trying to work. "Only when he's bored." You answer Solo. "Which just happens to be almost always." You snark.

Paul and Nick finish up their conversation so you don't catch the flare in Solo's nostrils. Paul walks over to your desk and collects Solo before both of them head out.

Nick walks over to your desk after the pair have gone with papers in his hand and questions ready to fire at you. "Did I hear Logan Paul in here a minute ago?" He asks you.

"Mhm." You hold your hands out to receive Nick's papers. "Sikoa scared him off." You muse. "What are those for?"

"Just some copies I need to be made up," Nick replies. "I really should have a talk with our United States champion about his manners." He sighs to himself.

You nod and take the papers. Nick walks off back to his desk and you neatly put the papers into a pile before taking them over to the copier in the other room.

It takes you around 15 minutes to make all the copies that Nick needs. When you come back into the office Nick is talking in a rushed and concerned tone with a couple of the security staff.

"Is there something going on, sir?" You drop the papers at your desk and hurry over to Nick's.

"It seems that Mister Sikoa has decided to teach our US champ some manners himself." Nick turns to you. "The pair were just separated after getting into a brawl backstage." He explains.

Your eyes widen in surprise at Nick's explanation. "Oh." Is the only reply you can muster.

"I'll go have a chat with Mr. Paul," Nick adds. "I trust that you can handle speaking with Mr. Sikoa?" He asks you.

"Of course, sir." You nod. "What would you like me to tell him?" You ask.

Nick bobs his head in thought for a moment before he answers you. "Just please let Mr. Sikoa know that he cannot go around assaulting people backstage. Especially champions." He informs you.

You nod and head off to the trainer's room that they've got Solo waiting in. You nod to the security officers at the door and they let you in.

Inside the trainer's room, Solo is being treated for a minor cut to the eyebrow from the fight. You walk over to him and dismiss the trainer cleaning up his cut.

"That cut looks like it stings." You comment.

"It's fine," Solo replies.

You nod and bounce on your feet, unsure of what to say. "Can I ask who started the fight?" You ask him.

"I started it," Solo replies plainly. "And ended it." He adds.

"Right." You nod. "And can I ask why?"

Solo looks at you through the blood trickling down his face. But he doesn't have to say anything to answer your question. "Yeah...I know why." You bite the inside of your lip. "But you didn't need to. I don't need any help in dealing with Logan Paul." You insist.

"Kind of seems like you did," Solo replies, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"I-" You take notice of the smile he's trying to hide. "Okay!" You stifle a laugh but not the amused smile on your face. "Thank you, again, Solo." You thank him in a whisper. "Clean him up and then he's free to go." You turn back to the trainers. "Don't let it happen again, Mister Sikoa!" You glance at him and raise your voice.

Solo nods at your raised tone. "Yes, ma'am."

You exit the trainer room and head back to the office with an amused smile on your face. When you get back Nick is already back from his chest with Logan.

"I presume that your conversation with Mister Sikoa went well?" Nick asks you.

"It did." You nod and sit back down at your desk. "I don't think that this will be happening again." You assure him.

Nick nods and sits back down at his desk ad well. "Yes, I don't think so as well." He agrees with a knowing smile.

[mjonthetrack]

Grown Up

”You’ve changed, look at you all grown up.”

”Im not some little ass kid, I’m a grown fucking

man MiMi.”

Camille ‘MiMi’ Janelle Martin - a 34 year old

professional mua and celebrity stylist recently

was requested by WWE frontman Triple H to run

the companies backstage hair, makeup and

other aesthetic needs. Her experience was

accredited throughout the celebrity network but

her personal connects with some of the

company’s biggest starts aided in the boss’s

decision.

Find out what will happen when she runs across

some familiar faces while they sit in her chair

before matches. What is in store shakes the

veterans foundation as she works her magic

behind the scenes.

[haddonfieldwhore]

on your side - jey uso

jey uso x fem!reader

word count: 0.9k

warnings: scripted violence, blurs kayfabe + real life a bit

raw: september 18th 2023

tensions had been at an all time high backstage for the last few weeks, ever since cody brought jey uso to raw. you understood that he had hurt a lot of people, and you knew that you were one of the few people that didn’t have an issue with him being back on monday nights. you didn’t know jey very well, but you wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. you and cody were two of the top baby faces on the roster, and you shared a common trait; you believed in second chances and seeing the good in people.

it didn’t take long before the judgment day was trying to recruit jey, which would be a dangerous combination if he said yes. they were already a powerful group, you couldn’t imagine if they added the talents of main event jey uso to their ranks.

you were walking around backstage looking for adam to talk about a potential match for you next week, when you turned a corner and almost bumped into jey.

“whoa - my bad,” he said, holding his hands up like he expected you to get mad at him.

“no worries,” you smiled. “good luck on your match tonight.” he looked you up and down, and you weren’t sure if he was checking you out or looking for any sign that you were going to attack him. he must have decided that you were being sincere, as he seemed to relax a little at your friendly demeanour.

“appreciate that,” he nodded.

“have you thought about what you’re going to to about the judgment day?” you asked, and he ran his hand over the lower half of his face, smoothing out his beard as he shook his head.

“i don’t know yet,” he admitted.

“whatever you decide, make the right choice for you,” you said, and he nodded, obviously a lot on his mind. you stared walking away, not wanting to take up too much of his time since his match was starting soon.

“hey,” he called after you, and you turned back. “thanks. you’re cool,” he said, offering a hand for you to fist bump him. you smiled, tapping your knuckles against his before walking away to find adam.

•••

maybe it was because you were curious to see what decision he had come to in regards to the judgment day. or maybe you secretly wanted to cheer him on, but you had decided to hang out in gorilla to watch jeys match against drew. it was nearing the end of the match, and it had been a pretty even fight, when damian, finn, and dominik came out, surrounding the ring. you sighed, just hoping that jey took your advice and didn’t let them get in his head and distract him from the match that was currently going on.

jey was thrown into the corner, and the judgment day cheered him on, jey eventually standing up and giving priest a fist bump before super kicking all three of them, making his decision clear. unfortunately he turned around and walked straight into a claymore from mcintyre, and drew pinned him for the three count. jey was still laid out in the ring as drew jumped over the ropes, and started walking up the ramp.

you watched as a humiliated judgment day surrounded jey. they started kicking and hitting him relentlessly, jey having no chance on his own against the three of them as they picked him up and continued their attack. drew seemed to consider turning back to help him, but never did, and you decided you couldn’t watch this anymore. you ran out to the ring, sliding under the bottom rope and pulling dominik off of jey first, and he went to swing at you until he realized that he couldn’t hit you. you superkicked him, and he rolled out of the ring. you managed to pull the other two off of jey, who they had let fall down to the mat, a crumpled heap on the canvas. they backed off as you stood between the fallen uso and the judgment day.

“this isn’t over,” finn spat, and you stepped eye to eye with him.

“yeah, i think it is.”

“we’ll see about that when mami gets back!” dominik yelled. you didn’t have time to reply as cody’s music hit, and the american nightmare ran out to the ring, running past drew and getting in the ring. finn and damian attacked him, now having an opponent they could fight back against, but you pulled finn off of cody, and managed to get him to back off out of the ring, joining dominik who was backing up the ramp in retreat. cody clotheslined damian over the top rope, the taller man landing on his feet before you and cody helped jey up.

jey looked at you, suprised that you had come out to to his aid, but more than that he was grateful. you looked at cody, who gave you a nod, and you returned it.

“are you okay?” you asked jey, and he nodded, finally able to catch his breath.

“you ain’t had to do that for me. you got a target on your back now.”

“i wasn’t just gonna let it happen. and if anyone wants to come for me, i’ll be ready,” you assured him. you knew as soon as she was medically cleared, rhea would be after you, but you had the advantage of knowing she was coming after you.

“thank you,” jey insisted, and you smiled.

“what are friends for?”

jey looked surprised, but cracked a smile, wincing slightly as cody raised his arm. he may have lost the match, and made a few more enemies, but he had gained an ally, and jey considered that a win.

[stripeydani]

2024: My Year in Writing

2024 Summary

Words written: 250,243 (though I'm hoping it'll be more as I think I can get one more chapter out before the 31st!)

Fics published: Thirteen, unlucky for some! Hurt & Heal Series - My Cody/Randy Mini Universe. The series that started it all. Set all over the place tbh, check the year 😂 Good Intentions Series - Cody/John & John/Randy. Kicking it old school with Codena and Centon. My pride and joy. Electric Blue Series - Cody/Roman. It was meant to be a hate-sex series but turned into a love story. The surprise star of the year! Something About Us - Cody/Kenny Omega. Set in Cody's bisexual evil genius phase. He just wants to seduce Kenny and goes through great lengths to do so... Kenny just thinks he's cute. Ginger & Lime - Cody/LA Knight/Randy & Cody/LA Knight. It's just smut to be honest, the plot is minimal and it was a gift fic for the amazing @thlayli-ra ❤ Snake Eyes - Cody/Randy. The snake fic inspired by @codystonguepiercing. Randy gets turned into a snake. It's very silly, but somehow managed to pull out some feelings!

My favourite fic: Look we all know, it's Good Intentions, my Cody/John fic set in 2008-2010. I had such a blast writing it, and I'm always happy converting people to my favourite rare-pair from the good-old-days 😂 Shout out to @superkickme for being the best and keeping me motivated not just through that but pretty much all my fics! You're the best!

My most written pairing: Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes. Because of course. My favourite not-such-a-rare-pair. I've written them in a romcom, a devastating disaster of a doomed relationship, and made a whole mini-universe for them with multiple fics in it. My boys ❤

My most used tags: Angst... because we can never have nice things. Anal Sex... self explanatory 👀. Established Relationship, thanks Cody and Randy. Somewhat Kayfabe Compliant, because I research these fics far too much 😂

What I learned: I really enjoy writing modern characters (or like, 2006-2013 characters lmao). It flows much easier so I can just focus on the dialogue without having to put it through a particular universe filter (beyond making sure everyone who's American stays American 👀) On that note, I've also learned a lot of Americanisms this year 😂

What I want to write next year: The sequel to Good Intentions! It's John Cena's retirement year so I hope he gets some good stories for me to work into his and Cody's 15th year together (blimey...) Got my fingers crossed for his last WrestleMania match to be against Cody for the DRAMA.

I also have a bajillion ideas I want to finally sift through and get some words down for. Going to be a lot harder without the WWE Network at my fingertips 😭

[skyesblue]

Trish stratus x reader (fem)

Could you write something like when Trish turns on Becky,Becky begs reader to pick her side but reader doesn’t even think before picking Trish so whenever Becky is near them Trish rubs it in Becky’s face(by like getting really touching or something)

love your writing btw 😸😸

★ღ♔『She Chose Me』★ღ♔

✮⋆˙ ☠︎︎ ★☠︎ ✮⋆˙ ✮⋆˙ ☠︎︎ ★☠︎ ✮⋆˙ ✮⋆˙ ☠︎︎ ★☠︎

[Summary]: Trish and Becky made you choose between them and Becky couldn’t convince you enough so you chose Trish so Trish rubs it in Becky’s face

[Tw!]: angst, gxg, any mistakes I might have

[Word Count]: 1.1k

[Taglist]: @gecrgiagirl @nev-danielgarciawife

If you want to be added to the tag list let me know

Y/r/n= Your ring name

✮⋆˙ ☠︎︎ ★☠︎ ✮⋆˙ ✮⋆˙ ☠︎︎ ★☠︎ ✮⋆˙ ✮⋆˙ ☠︎︎ ★☠︎

You walked into the arena torn at the news that Adam Pearce gave you the previous week; ‘Trish is going to turn on Becky and you have to choose who you want to stay with’. This was hard for you because off screen you loved both women equally which makes it so much harder to choose, you was stuck in your mind; Trish had your heart first then there’s Becky. You walked into their shared locker room until the plan went into action later that night, you looked at them “hey Becks, hey Trish” you said as they smiled back.

You stayed in the locker room until your head started having thoughts zoom in and out of it so you told them you was going to ‘get something to drink in catering’, you got to catering looking around for Dakota Kai; she was your go to person when you needed to vent, since Nxt you and her became close, even inseparable. You pulled her to the side and she knew that was your sign that you needed to vent, she looked over at you “what’s wrong love?” She asked rubbing your arm. “I’m stressed out so much right now Dakota.”

“What’s up?” “So you know the storyline I’m in.. it’s stressing me out you know I love both of them but how do I know who to choose?” “Love you know I’m going to give you honest advice, if I was in your situation even though the head and the heart don’t agree go to which ever one your heart calls out trust me it’ll be easier to listen to your heart it knows what you really want Y/n” “thank you I will follow my heart” you said hugging her then grabbing a drink going back to the locker room.

You walked in shutting the door behind you “who do y’all fight tonight?” You asked as Trish looked at Becky. “Yeah Becks who do we fight tonight?” Becky looked at you and Trish thinking about who they were fighting tonight “we fight Zoey and Shayna” Becky said standing up. You took a sip of your drink thinking about the advice Dakota Kai gave to you to help you choose between the two even if they lost their match tonight. “When do we go out there?” “After Rhea’s promo calling out Charlotte” “got ya” you said getting tv ready still nervous.

When Rhea was done you, Trish, and Becks made your way to the ring as you sat at the commentary table. “Right here joining us at the commentary table we have Y/r/n with us, thank you for joining us” Michael Cole introduced you. “Thank you for having me Cole and Corey” you replied happily as Shayna’s theme started playing while her and Zoey walked out together. Cole looked over at you and asked “Y/r/n, have you seen the tension with Becky and Trish and who do you pick to go with?” When he asked that you froze in your tracks.

You looked over at Cole not knowing what to say so you had to think about it but before you could answer Graves yelled out “oh! What a brutal knee to Becky by Shayna Baszler” which turned the attention back to the match. Thank goodness for Graves that gave you time to avoid the question until you have to answer it when they did the promo after the match. While the match was still going you kept thinking about the advice Dakota Kai gave you; ‘listen to your heart it knows what you really want Y/n’ as you sighed sadly.

Becky tapped out to Shayna’s Kirafuda Clutch making you face palm and Trish shake her head disappointingly, Trish got two microphones handing one to Becky as you took the headset off joining them in the ring standing in the middle of both of them. Trish put the microphone to her mouth “sorry we didn’t get the win, we just lost the titles to Shayna and Zoey Stark” she said the last part pissed off looking straight at Becky. Becky put the microphone to her mouth looking at both you and Trish “I’m sorry guys, this one’s on me” she sighed.

Trish looked at Becky “so Becky I’m done I’m not gonna be wrestling that much longer anymore” she ‘cried’ to hide the fact that she was going to turn. “Y/r/n, honey who do you choose to go with? Leave with me? Or go with Becky?” Becky looked over at you but before she could talk Trish cut her off “she lost our match Y/r/n and look at what happened with her and Charlotte, do you really want to be around that honey?” She asked as Becky begged you to stay while the crowd was like ‘oohhhh’ at what Trish said.

While the advice that Dakota Kai gave you played in your head you didn’t even hesitate to pick Trish. Becky looked at the both of you distraught and confused and probably so many more emotions that you couldn’t read but would know if she told you. Before she could even ask you why Trish beat her up to the point to where she couldn’t move and was holding her ribs in pain, that right there was your and Trish’s heel turn. You was put in this storyline because you couldn’t wrestle because you hurt your leg when you got injured.

You got injured when you wrestled Sonya at a house show and you landed wrong on your leg causing you to wear a boot, but there’s no bad blood between you and Sonya. The love triangle ended because you was close to being healed soon so Adam had to start writing out your matches and your new storyline with Trish since the trio just now turned into a duo. You and Trish was booed by the fans as you both walked backstage together leaving a beat up Becky in the ring as medical staff walked past you to get her.

Over the past few weeks whenever Becky was around you Trish would rub it in her face that you chose her; she would hug you, put her arm around you, or hold your hands when telling you something, etc. petty stuff like that. Ever since that happened Becky’s been avoiding you and even stopped talking to you outside of wresting, you get it that it was a storyline but ignoring you outside of wrestling? That’s a bit over reacting to you, but who cares you’re not forcing her to talk to you, but it did hurt you a little bit.

[allelitesmut]

Palate Cleanser

After a nasty break up, Riley, a television actress, runs into her oldest and most complicated friend. Maybe Max is exactly what she needs to forget all about her ex.

Ship: MJF x Actress!Childhood Friend!OFC

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Angst with a capital A, Smut (minors dni), Cheating, Drinking, Rough sex, Choking, Spanking, Hair pulling, No seriously an extremely unhealthy dose of angst, mentions of public sex, fingering, minor degradation, biting, LONG don't know if I need to tag for that but this thing is long, and once more for good measure - Angst.

Riley stretched back in her stiff plastic chair, stifling a yawn and scrubbing her hands over her eyes.

“Coffee.” Katherine, her best friend and co-star swung around into the seat beside her. Riley puffed out a sigh and reached out for the cup she’d placed in front of her with a grateful look.

“You’re a lifesaver.” She spoke between hurried sips. “These early morning cons are not agreeing with me.” The warmth was an immediate relief to her system.

“That or last night’s tequila shots.” Katherine snickered and Riley slumped forward, laying her face flat on the table.

“That too.”

The table was cool against her cheek and she wondered briefly if she couldn’t sneak in a quick nap before their first meet and greet. Heaving a sigh but not summoning the energy to move her head, Riley reopened her eyes to see an eerily familiar blonde head of hair passing sideways through her field of vision. Her head shot up and she narrowed her eyes, attempting to see across the large convention floor. And sure enough, heading to a spot just a few tables away, was a face she hadn’t seen in years, apart from a few choice dreams. Even through his expensive suit, she could tell he was more muscular than she remembered and he was sporting the worst tan she had ever seen but there was no doubt it was him. She swallowed hard.

“Hello, are you in there?” Katherine waved a hand in front of her face before tilting her head and following her gaze over to his table. “You got a thing for wrestlers now?” Her lips curled up with a breath of a laugh.

“Wrestlers…” Riley mumbled the word as the pieces clicked together in her head. She felt like an idiot - how could she have forgotten? Granted, the last time she talked to him, he was wrestling in gymnasiums, he certainly wasn’t doing meet and greets at conventions, but it wasn’t like she hadn’t tuned in from time to time to see him on tv.

He was arguing with the guy at the table next to him when his eyes caught hers. She could hear his voice stop abruptly but averted her eyes hoping he hadn’t really noticed her, focusing on her coffee.

“Oh, babe, I think you caught his attention.” Katherine elbowed her with a grin.

“Stop looking at him!” She hissed, smacking Katherine in the gut.

“Okay but I think that’s gonna be tough because he’s headed this way.”

Shit. The pit in her stomach grew right alongside the unmistakable sound of his shoes getting closer. Her eyes peeled slowly up to take him in fully.

“Well, well. As I live and breathe.” He took his time on each word, savoring it. His voice was different, deeper and more pompous, but that stupid, arrogant smirk was the same. “Riley Masterson, in the flesh.” The way her name on his tongue sent adrenaline shooting down her spine proved to be the same too. “Long time no see, sweetheart.”

“Maxwell.” Her lips curled up involuntarily. “You…uh…you look good.” Her eyes traveled down his figure, despite her best efforts, fully taking in the way he filled out his suit. He raised a brow, his smirk only growing.

“Oh, I bet I do.” He didn’t hide the way his eyes were appraising her, tongue tracing across the edge of his teeth. She squirmed in her seat. “I was starting to think I was never going to see you again.” She shrugged with a coy smile.

“I guess it has been a while.”

“Four years.” He answered with a certainty she didn’t expect. It didn’t take long for Katherine to put the timing of Riley's last relationship together and, in her periphery, she saw Katherine's head snap to her.

“Yeah, that sounds about right…” Riley pointedly avoided meeting anyone's eyes. It didn’t take a genius to put together that she hadn’t spoken to Max since shortly after her and Lucas, her on screen love interest and newly ex-boyfriend, got together.

“It’s been a busy four years for you.” He motioned at the sign hung behind her that displayed the title of the show she had been a mainstay on since around that same time.

“And for you too from the looks of your gaudy new belt.” She raised a brow with a tilted smile, her gaze falling pointedly to the championship belt fit snugly around his waist. The logo was different but it wasn’t too dissimilar to the replica belt she’d seen sitting on the shelf in his room all those years ago. It looked much better on his waist.

“Hey now, sweetheart, jealousy is not a good shade on you.” He shook his head disapprovingly with a thinly veiled grin. “If only you’d taken me up on those wrestling lessons, you could have had one of these beauties for yourself.” He patted the belt and she clutched her chest with a puff of breath.

“Oh, the weight of my bad decision making is overwhelming. Would that have earned me the bad tan job, too?” She teased, biting back a smile and he opened his mouth to feign insult but was interrupted.

A cracked and muffled voice over the intercom announced that doors would be opening in five minutes. Her eyes drew up and then back onto Maxwell, leaning against her table with an easy, charming smile. It shouldn’t have surprised her how quickly they fell back into their rhythm but after the way they left things, she really was caught off guard.

His fingers tapped along the wooden surface and she tried not to let them snag her attention the way they always used to. If she let herself remember the way the pads of his calloused fingers always felt so rough against her skin, or notice how much more prominent the veins on the back of his hands were, or think about how good he was at curling those thick digits into just the right spot….

“Are you around the rest of the weekend?” His voice snapped her back to attention. She didn’t miss the smug look on his face as he caught her staring and, no doubt, knew exactly where her mind had wandered.

“Unfortunately, no. I'm only scheduled today so I fly out tomorrow morning. You too?”

“God, I wish but I've got another full day of this shit. Believe me, I'll be catching the first flight I can out of this dump and getting my ass back home.” He leaned back on his heel. “We should catch up over drinks tonight if you aren’t busy.”

She hesitated, the response stuck in her throat but Katherine interjected.

“She’s not. She’ll be there.” She was unfazed by the disbelieving look Riley gave her. Max’s brow furrowed for a moment as he glanced between Katherine and Riley before giving a final confident nod.

“Good. I’ll find you when this crap is over.” He toed the line of asking and telling her. Riley struggled to put up an argument.

This had been the longest they had ever gone without seeing each other and she had already come to terms with the fact that she would probably never see him again. At times, she had even been sure it was for the best. But she would be lying if she said that, here, face to face, she didn’t want to see more of him. That thrill that went up her spine when he looked at her didn’t help.

“It really is so good to see you again.” His eyes scaled up her body, drinking her in once last time before heading back to his table.

Oh, she was in trouble.

———

“So are you going to jump straight to explaining the hot new asshole in your life or are you going to make me pry it out of you by force?” Katherine asked and Riley snorted, face down, focused heavily on her lunch.

“Maxwell? Please.” But it didn’t assuage her. “Oh I don’t know. Max- Max is an old…” She paused, eyes roving around the makeshift dining area.

“Fling?” Katherine suggested but Riley scoffed so she raised a brow. “Flame?”

“Friend.” Riley corrected and Katherine rolled her eyes.

“Please don’t insult my intelligence.” She cut off Riley's objections before she could even get started. “There’s no way you’ve never slept with him. Not with the ‘fuck me’ eyes you were giving him. Not even Lucas got ‘fuck me’ eyes like that.” She didn’t think she had been that transparent. She hoped he didn’t think she had been that obvious. She was certain he thought they were going to sleep together tonight but she didn’t need to be reinforcing that thought. “So what’s the scoop on Blondie?”

“Fine, we’ve slept together a few times.” Few might have been an understatement.

“A few??” Katherine stopped with her food halfway to her mouth. “How do I not know about him? Must not have been any good if you’ve never bothered to mention him.”

“Max is probably…” She hummed, wincing after a moment of thought. “No. Definitely the best sex I’ve ever had.” Katherine gaped at her with narrowed, disbelieving eyes.

“You’re kidding me. Pretty boy?” She leaned into her conspiratorially. Riley nodded, eyes on her salad. “The guy that looks like he couldn’t find the clitoris if it smacked him in the face? The guy that looks like he’s probably won three consecutive awards for ‘worlds most selfish lover’?” Riley choked a laugh but nodded again.

“Don’t know what to tell you. It’s just always so intense with him, I don’t know that anybody could touch that.” As if that even began to describe what it was like to be with Max.

“And when, exactly did you manage to fit in a few times with this intense, mystery guy? I swear we’ve traced your uninterrupted string of long term boyfriends all the way back to seventh grade. I don’t remember that name.” She didn’t take her eyes off her but Riley just offered a shrug.

“Because he wasn’t my boyfriend.” She answered simply, as if he wasn’t the only exception, but Katherine was already melodramatically clutching at her chest. Boy, was he an outlier if there ever was one, though.

“What?! Miss Monogamy had a dirty little hook up? How did this happen?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Riley groaned a response, running a hand through her hair. She had no idea where to even beginning with Max. “I’ve known him forever. When my dad left, my mom and I moved to a new house, two doors down from Max. We grew up together, I guess, and we ended up decently good friends by high school.” Twenty years that they had known each other now. A lifetime.

“Don’t tell me he was actually your first.” Katherine groaned, pretending to gag, and Riley rolled her eyes at her.

“He wasn’t. It’s nothing that dire.” She waved her off. Katherine waited for her to elaborate and she sighed, placing her fork down and leaning back in her chair. She glanced around the backstage area to be sure he hadn’t snuck in while she wasn’t looking. “Like I said, we were pretty close in high school. And I’m not sure if you remember the story about how things ended with the guy I actually lost my virginity to, but- ”

“Oh believe me, I remember. With him kissing Savannah Morgansen at the end of the year pool party? Literally classless.” Katherine interrupted her, shaking her head, and Riley swallowed a laugh.

“Right. Anyway, the break up was messy and loud and very public. But Max was there to…comfort me.” Riley glanced away but she didn’t need to see Katherine to know the dirty smile on her face.

“Oh, I bet he comforted you real good.”

“Shut up.” She chuckled and shoved her shoulder. “I was emotional and possibly the angriest I’d ever been in my life and we were both so drunk.” She paused, the memories of that night swirling in her mind. “And he was uncharacteristically complimentary and I dove mouth-first into him.”

“As one does when angry, drunk, and complimented.” She gave an exaggerated, understanding nod. “I assume Blondie didn’t mind that, though.” Riley snorted.

“No, definitely not.” She worried her lip between her teeth. “He had me pinned to a wall with my top off in approximately 8 seconds flat.”

“While drunk? Impressive.”

“It was. But nothing serious really came of it.” Boy did that feel like a lie coming out of her mouth. “The summer after that party, we fooled around from time to time and it was fantastic but he wasn’t looking for a girlfriend and I wasn’t looking to rush into a new relationship.” She paused before wincing. “But then Paul moved to town from Oregon at the start of the school year and that just kind of happened really quickly, and Max and I just went back to being friends like nothing ever happened.”

“Nothing? Really?” Katherine raised a dubious brow. “I’m supposed to believe that you, Queen of Serious Relationships, managed to play this totally cool and never brought it up again? Just seamlessly moved back to being his friend without even discussing it?”

“You know, this may come as a surprise to you, but, as a the lead actress in a tv show, I’m actually capable of doing a little bit of acting when it suits me.”

“Babe, our show was on the CW, that’s not always a given.” Katherine bit back a cheeky grin and Riley smacked her shoulder with the back of her hand. “Okay, well then you’re trying to tell me that you got all flustered back there over a guy you slept with a decade ago?” She demanded, savoring the last bite of yogurt on her spoon. Riley scoffed.

“First of all, I was not flustered. I just…didn’t expect to see him today, that’s all.”

“Mm almost like his sudden appearance caught you off guard and you were…” She waved her spoon from side to side with her cadence, leaving space for Riley to fill in the word ‘flustered’ herself but she just rolled her eyes.

“I wasn’t flustered. And besides, I’ve slept with him more recently than a decade ago.” Her tight, restrained smile had Katherine leaning in closer for more details. “I mean, Paul and I didn’t last forever, and Max is just…so good at comforting people.” She could feel the color rising to her cheeks and tried to will it back down.

“Against all laws of the universe.”

“But that turned into kind of a pattern for us." Riley's tone shifted, the reality of her relationship with Max now laid out clearly in her mind. "I would date a guy, then when we broke up, I’d always end up back in Max’s bed. It didn’t take more than a couple of times before he started knowing to expect me." She winced, wetting her lips with a sigh. "It stopped being something he pretended didn’t happen and started being something to tease me about when it looked like my current relationship was running its course." And by the end, something he actively encouraged, but that was a can of worms she couldn’t stand to open. "But every time was always better than the last. Like he was rebooting my internal settings.”

“Ohhhh.” Katherine tsked as if she had figured her out. “He was your palate cleanser.”

“Excuse me?” Riley raised an exasperated brow.

“Your palate cleanser. You know, the guy that’s fantastic in bed but undateable - perfect for a good screw between relationships. Clears the lingering bad taste of your last relationship out and gets you ready to move on to the next guy!”

“Isn’t that just a rebound?” She rolled her eyes and Katherine pointed a spoon in her direction, accusingly.

“Not if you use the same guy every time!”

“Now you’re just making this up.”

“Don’t I wish, babe! But you’d know that if you ever looked at the newsletters I send you.” But Katherine was already laughing. Riley tried to bury her face in her salad. It felt a little rude to Max but it did hit the nail on the head. He had been more than that, though, hadn’t he? “You know, you’re probably due for a good palate cleansing right about now, aren’t you?” Riley recoiled at the implication.

“Absolutely not.”

“Come on, babe, you broke up with Lucas three months ago. It’s time to move on; you know he has.” Her expression was sympathetic but it had Riley's face burning red. The split from Lucas was nasty and she honestly hadn’t finished mourning it. Four years was a long time to be with someone - especially when it ends like that.

“It’s not that easy.” She protested but she could see Katherine's objection playing on her lips. “Besides, you don’t understand. Getting involved with Max again…that’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous how? You’re not ‘getting involved’ with him. You’re having one night of shameless sex.” She looked bored and Riley spluttered for an explanation that made sense of the jumbled feelings in her gut.

“He’s got this pull over me.” She knew that sounded melodramatic but it was out her mouth before she could stop it. “You don’t know what it was like before we stopped talking a few years ago.” Shaking her head, she leaned back in the uncomfortable folding chair. “I can’t control myself when he’s involved. I honestly probably shouldn’t even go with him for a drink tonight.”

“What, exactly, is the worst that could happen? You have one fun-filled night that helps you forget about your sorry excuse for an ex boyfriend, then don’t see him for another five years?" Katherine offered but Riley was just shaking her head. "You’re both so busy now - I mean you didn’t run into him in all these years without even trying to avoid him. I think you’ll be okay.”

But she was wrong about that. It was no coincidence that they hadn't seen each other in four years. Riley had put a decent effort into avoiding him. For four years, any time she was back home, it was peering around corners at the grocery store, and cutting short her runs through her parents' neighborhood at the sight of a car his color. When she cut ties it was a hard cut, and it was meant to be for good.

“I make bad decisions when he’s involved. Do things that I shouldn’t and normally wouldn't ever consider.”

“Oh," Katherine grimaced, "like anal? Been there. Good dick will do that to you.”

“No, like cheating on Jonah.” Riley winced.

“Oh, my god!” Her eyes bulged and she dropped her spoon onto the table with a clatter. “Is that why you and Jonah broke up?" She shoved Riley's shoulder hard and she swayed back in her chair. Jonah was her boyfriend before Lucas and was, as most of her family and friends would attest, a rotten son-of-a-bitch. Much like the majority of the boys she had dated. "You never told me that! You can be a bad girl!”

“Don’t sound so proud of me." Her scowl was not intimidating but Katherine tried valiantly not to laugh. "Its probably the single thing on this planet that I feel the most guilty about.” Tightly contested by her decision to cut Max out of her life, but she couldn’t verbalize that even if she wanted to. “I didn’t make it more than 24 hours without breaking down, confessing to him.”

“Please don’t lose sleep over it. Jonah earned that. Not like he was exactly the best boyfriend.” She was putting it mildly, mostly because she knew it wasn't worth the argument with Riley.

“But he didn’t deserve that. I should know. And I should’ve known better, but I wasn’t thinking straight because I can’t think straight when Max is around! Which is why I really shouldn’t be around him anymore. It’s too dangerous.” She was working herself up now and could hear it in her own voice. Spinning out about Max was her specialty, though; yet another reason to add to the list.

“Well I don’t think you’re in any danger of cheating on your boyfriend right now, so what exactly are you afraid of?” Katherine demanded, leaning her chin on her hand, propped up on the table. Riley shuttered a sigh, rolling her head back in an attempt to find the words. She was a jumbled mess and her feelings about her friendship with Max were a tangled web right in the center of it all.

“I just can’t go through it again." She said finally. "Not long after I started dating Lucas, he found out about what happened with Max while I was with Jonah. He told me he wasn’t comfortable with me being friends with Max anymore…and it sucked but I understood. If the tables had been turned, I probably wouldn’t have felt comfortable either." It was a very large simplification of a long, disaster of a night but that story was just going to unravel a whole yarn she didn’t have the heart to spin. But her brain was nagging her to admit the not-so-insignificant factor that weighed in her decision. "Plus, I was starting to feel a little out of control when it came to Max. I never wanted to say no when it came to him and that was a dangerous game to play. So I told him we couldn’t talk anymore." She glanced down at the table, pushing food around on her plate. "It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I couldn’t talk to Lucas about it but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I am just finally reaching a point where I don’t think about him constantly; it took me four years to stop thinking about him all the time. If I dip my toe back in there now, I might drown.”

Daring a glimpse at Katherine, she braced for the worse. She hadn't intended to divulge that much of the inner monologue of hundreds of sleepless nights spent thinking about him. They hadn't even touched on the layers of guilt that had built up over time, or the time she drunk dialed him and left a horrible voicemail that she only remembered pieces of. But the look on Katherine's face was much worse than she expected - it was sympathy and concern and much gentler than she'd been a few minutes ago.

“Babe, no one’s dick is that magical." She shook her head softly, brows drawn. "It...kind of sounds like you were in love with him.” Riley's wild scoff did nothing to assuage her.

“That’s insane.” Riley spluttered through a laugh that was distinctly outside of her vocal register. “I definitely wasn’t in love with him. If you knew him better, you’d understand why that’s just not possible.” She shook her head with another alien laugh, and she could see the way it was making Katherine look at her but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. “Like… he was my best friend, but he was insufferable. Like one of the most annoying people that most people have ever met. I definitely wasn’t in love with him.”

“Riley, I knew he was insufferable the moment he started talking." Katherine stressed and Riley's face fell slightly, her firm wall of denial crumbling before her eyes. "And yet, you couldn’t stop thinking about him for four years? Sounds like more than just a palate cleanser to me.”

“No, I mean we were friends! I cared about him. Like I care about you!" Her voice was veering on manic as she pointed to Katherine. "So, I guess, I mean, maybe you could make the stretch that I loved him. Like I love you. But I definitely wasn’t in love with him. That’s just not possible.” Oh, she did not like the way Katherine was looking at her. That concern and sympathy only growing with every passing minute. “I just missed my friend. That’s all.” She said finally, like it would undo all the word vomiting she just did.

“You know, I’m starting to think maybe you shouldn’t go for that drink with him tonight.” Katherine sat back in her seat, pursing her lips.

“What? Why would you say that? I thought you said I needed my palate cleansed!” Riley's stomach turned anxiously and she tried to mentally tamp down whatever emotion had made that happen. It was the same thing she had been trying to convince Katherine of just a few minutes ago but the way she was presenting it now was setting off pins and needles throughout Riley’s skin.

“Yeah but this guy isn’t a good palate cleanser." She shook her head and Riley let out an indignant puff of breath. "A palate cleanser needs to be undateable. Otherwise things get messy. Clearly that was the problem here.”

“Aren’t you listening? Max is undateable!”

“No,” Katherine clarified, slowing down, “Max didn’t want a girlfriend when he was 15. Max is now a grown ass man and you don’t know what he wants.”

“I mean, first of all, he isn’t just undateable because he doesn’t want a girlfriend. He’s undateable because of the whole…insufferable thing." She waved her hand in the air in front of them. "And second, it wasn’t just when he was 15; Max just isn’t the dating type. I’ve never seen him with a girlfriend. Not since high school. The second he realized he could hook up with girls without dating them, he never looked back.” But Katherine’s lips were pressed into a thin line, brows drawn as she studied her. She looked long and hard and Riley swallowed back the nerves gathering in her throat. Finally, she held her hands up in defeat, though Riley wasn’t sure what exactly had convinced her.

“Alright, fair enough. You would know better than I would, right?” Her voice didn’t sound all that convinced but Riley nodded steadfastly, brows still drawn slightly in confusion. This was fine, right? She wasn’t planning to sleep with him anyway, but, even if she did, she wasn’t in love with him so she should be fine. Right? Those were the rules…

“Trust me, he’s not a problem.” Now, if nothing else, she needed to go to convince herself. But, really, what was the worst that could happen?

———————

Max traced the pad of his thumb around the mostly empty glass of beer in front of him. He glanced around the room, then back down at his watch, foot tapping on the metallic rod along the bottom of the bar. He tossed back the remainder of his drink, desperate to silence the voice in the back of his head that told him she wasn’t coming. A finger waved in the air brought the bartender over for a refill.

He knew he was pushing his luck by trying to get her to come out. She had been plenty clear a few years ago but that look on her face when he said her name earlier boosted his ego enough to push. Now, though, he was wondering if it had been a mistake to give her this much time to reconsider. She hadn’t exactly jumped at the chance anyway.

He took another sip of the beer. It was 25 minutes past when she said she would meet him and it was getting harder to argue with that voice in his head. But then the door jingled and his head snapped to her, shaking the rain from her hair in the doorway. There were nerves visibly dancing across her face but she was here and that was all he could bring himself to care about. That, and the fact that her damp dress was bordering on sheer now as it clung to her body. It hadn’t been raining when he came in but, shit, was he glad it had started now.

Doing his best attempt at looking like he wasn’t just desperately watching the door, waiting for her, he turned back to the bar. The bartender was watching him, amused, eyes flicking back to her.

“Don’t you say a fucking thing about how long I’ve been here.” Max hissed under his breath. The bartender pursed his lips with a knowing nod. Waiting another few seconds, Max dared a glance back to see her searching around for him.

“Hey! Over here!” The bartender shouted over the noise. Turning in a swivel, Max glared at him as he waved an exaggerated hand overhead. “Your little buddy has been waiting around for you all night like some sad puppy.” The vein in Max’s head bulged. He sucked at his teeth, trying to tamp his irritation before turning back to her.

“Shit, I’m sorry! I am late, aren’t I? I hope you weren’t waiting too long.” Riley ignored the wild, tangling knot that was growing in her stomach.

“No! I literally just got here.” He lied through his teeth. “This guy is just screwing with me because I didn’t want to try the shitty homemade beer he made in his moms basement.” She gave him a dubious look but he waved her off before she could question it. “Come sit down.”

She hesitated for a moment, just like she did before stepping through the door a minutes ago. Her brain was shooting out warning signs left and right but her feet brought her up onto the bar stool beside him without regard. She gave the bartender an apologetic look for enduring what was probably not Max on his best behavior, then ordered a tequila sunrise.

“Tequila? Still? Are we 17?” Max teased her and she stifled a smile.

“I’ll need at least three more of these if I’m going to put up with you all night.” But she was all smiles and he had missed that attitude. He had missed her. A lot more than he wanted to admit.

“Oh, you’re spending the whole night with me, are you? All this time and you still just want me for one thing.” He grinned his Cheshire grin and she scoffed, ignoring the pangs in her chest.

“That is not what I meant!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure.” He watched her sip at her drink. She was too good to be true, right here in front of him again. Her cheeks were dotted with color, a few strands of wet hair clinging to her face, and it took all his restraint not to reach over and brush them aside.

“You’re all too pleased that I need a full bottle of tequila to sleep with you.”

“Hey, no shame in my game, baby.” He winked and savored the way color flooded across her cheeks before she laughed, shaking her head.

“Lots of shame, actually. Like, an astounding amount of shame.” She shook her head, unable to wipe the smile off her face. Why was it that she never could stop smiling when he was around? God, she wished she could stop.

“Please, like you’re one to talk, Captain Clarissa of the Star Cadets.” He referenced her long running character, trying to match his tone to the show's narrator with a condescending smirk and she flipped him off.

“Excuse you! Captain Clarissa is an inspiration! She is the youngest captain to ever land on Gorkula!”

“First of all, gross. Why would anyone want to land on a planet that sounds like the epicenter of venereal diseases?" He pretended to gag and she rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her drink. "Second of all, you crash landed there after flying head on into an asteroid." He paused, rolling his hands out in example. "Shame.” She tried not to acknowledge the well of warmth that grew in her chest, knowing he had been watching enough to know that.

“Coming from the guy that puts sweaty balls in his face for a living!” She shot back and Max sprung forward in his seat, mouth gaping.

“Hey! I am the youngest world champion in this company’s history!” He pointed wildly at her and she took an unimpressed sip of her drink.

“Wow, the world champion of sweaty balls. Your parents must be so proud that their boy was the youngest guy to ever get all the sweaty balls in his face.” She delighted in the way his face turned almost purple, veins threatening to burst any moment.

“I have not put all their balls-" He stopped short, smoothing a hand over his hair and taking a breath, "I mean I haven’t even wrestled most of the guys in the locker room.” Riley stifled a laugh, training her face into a sympathetic frown.

“So…you mean…you don’t even really deserve to be the Sweaty Balls Champion?" She pouted slightly, brows knit. "Jeez, Maxie, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize things were so dire.”

“God, you are such a little punk.” He muttered, tongue pressed to his cheek, and her expression melted into a fond smile that he got trapped in.

“That’s what you always told me.”

“You haven’t changed.” There was a tender charge in the air, his knee bumping hers with an electric fizzle. Her gaze drifted momentarily to his lips before she caught herself, finishing off her drink in an attempt to right herself. She gave herself a desperate, pleading reminder that this was just nostalgia but it slid down the walls of her brain without a bit of it sticking.

“You don’t think Hollywood has corrupted me yet?” She tilted her head indulgently, trying to redirect their energy elsewhere.

“Oh sweetheart, what you do isn’t Hollywood.” He teased, placing a sympathetic hand on her shoulder and they both pretended they didn't feel the rush it caused. She scoffed, catching the bartender’s eye, and he nodded.

“Man, Max, I can always count on you to be my biggest cheerleader.”

“Oh shit, my bad, babe. You wanted cheerleader Max? You got it.” He faced her head on, gripping both her shoulders more sturdily. “Riley, from the bottom of my heart," His head dipped down so his eyes were on her level, "your tits are fantastic.”

“Shut up!” She coughed a laugh as she pulled out of his grip to face the bar again.

“I really genuinely mean it, Ry. Just looking at them would make any guy wanna-“ He stopped to mime a vulgar, exaggerated version of motorboating her. Stifling a laugh, she smacked his shoulder, but it didn’t stop him. She took a sip of the newly refilled drink in front of her.

“I really can’t stand you.” She said as if he couldn’t hear her laughing. As he finally stopped, she shook her head with a smile that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Teeth scraping across her lip, she relaxed back in her chair, and into the familiar rhythm they had. He wet his lips, taking a sip from his beer, not taking his eyes off her.

“But lets be real," Max’s voice dropped to that low gravel that he knew frazzled her brain, and her eyes flashed up to him, "We both know I corrupted you way before Hollywood ever had a chance.”

She had forgotten just how heady it could be to be around him - the air heavy with bad decisions waiting to be made. Taking a breath, she focused on her drink, steadying herself with a stern reminder of the thousand reasons she shouldn't go there again. But, god, something about that insufferable asshole...

"You know, I thought that honor was reserved for the guy that took my virginity." She took a pointed sip of her drink and he snorted so loud it drew attention from the people in the corner table.

"Please, that right is forfeit if the guy has a micropenis."

"He did not have a micropenis!" Riley gaped.

"I was on the football team with him, babe. The guy was microscopic!" He held his fingers up, squinting between the small space between them.

"He was a grower, not a show-er!" She said a little too loud and he snickered. The bartender shot her a look and she shrank back in her seat.

Max's smug expression fell when she kicked his shin hard. In an instant, a familiar heat blared behind his eyes. His tongue smoothed across the front of his teeth, fingers twitching at his side, begging to be buried in her hair, gripping just hard enough for her to tip her head back with that spacey, wide-eyed look. He shook that image out of his head, smoothing a hand over his thigh to release the pent up energy.

"Okay, fine, then he doesn't count because he's a dickhead." He said with finality but she raised her brows at him, holding her tongue, waiting for him to draw his own conclusion from her silence. "Oh, shut up. He's a way bigger dickhead than me."

"Very close call but, yeah, he was pretty bad." She said, lips drawn into a tight smile.

"I mean, he cheated on you. Who cheats on you?" He gestured handily at her and her cheeks burned. "Like other girls, for sure, whatever, go to town. But you? Nah, that's clown behavior." Max watched with a grin as she spluttered into her drink, laughing. "See, I can be a cheerleader." She breathed a chuckle and cocked her head to the side.

"But haven't you heard? Cheating asshole is my type, apparently." She meant it as a joke but winced at the way it came out much more self-pitying. Max's smile melted away into a more serious expression, a real anger tinged just behind his eyes now.

"Yeah, I heard about Lucas and the intern..." He wasn't sure what to say. There were a million jumbled thoughts racing through his mind. Most of them wrapped in at least one layer of anger.

"Interns." She corrected. "Three of them. And two recurring guest stars, 1 extra, and the producer." Oh, pathetic didn't begin to cover the way she felt. Stupid and pathetic and oblivious.

TMZ didn't pull any punches when they splashed her face across the internet; along with a leaked audio clip of a moment that was meant to be private, hidden behind the sound stage, recorded and posted for every stranger in the world to see. Every sordid detail laid out plain as day, along with Lucas' stinging remarks about her after he'd been caught red handed. The humiliation had piled up higher than she could see.

"Most of them weren't even hot." He braced for a smack on the shoulder but she only laughed, almost relieved that she didn’t have to withstand his pity. Taking a long sip from her cocktail, she leaned across the space between them to lay her head on his shoulder. It was firmer than she remembered but just as electric as ever.

"Redhead intern?" She suggested and his lips curled up, past where she could see.

"Man, see, you even have good taste in women. Who cheats on a girl with good taste in women when the option for a threesome is right there?" He said and she chuckled, reaching up to blindly smack at his chest. Smoothing his free hand over her hair, he craned his neck to kiss the top of her head. "I really am sorry, Ry. He's a piece of shit and I swear I really almost tracked him down to beat his ass when I heard what happened." He murmured the words into her hair, the vibration settling deep in her chest. "You were always too good for him anyway." She hummed, quiet as that familiar gnawing burrowed its way back to the surface. Finally, she pulled back and Max cursed the way it left him feeling cold. Even more so when he saw the expression she had, guilt etched into every line of her face.

"Max, I'm really sorry about what happened a few years ago. I never should have let him make decisions about our friendship."

He recoiled slightly. He probably should have seen this coming but he felt blindsided none-the-less. It took everything in him to stop thinking about that last conversation they had. Took months before that hollow feeling even started to fade. There was a noticeable falter in his expression but he hid behind his beer until it was contained. He had been wanting to confront her about this for so many years now but they were finally enjoying themselves and he didn't want emotions he had been trying to keep buried to stop that.

"It's fine. I wasn't losing sleep over it." His tone was clipped but she knew him better than that.

"It's not fine. It was shitty and I'm sorry." Her face was so genuine, it made his stomach hurt. Dragging a hand through his hair and disrupting the style that his 15-hour old gel had kept it in, he blew out a breath.

"Fine, if you won't drop this, can I just ask..." He hesitated, trying to speak carefully but the word just tumbled out of his mouth regardless. "Why?"

"Why won't I drop it? I mean - "

"No, why did you choose him over me?" The silence that fell between them was physically painful but the face she made was even worse - the guilt and pity was too much for Max to stomach. "I swear to god, if you don't stop with the fucking puppy dog face, I will walk out of here." They both knew he was full of crap but it was enough to wipe the expression from her face.

"That's not...I didn't mean for it to feel like I chose him over you."

"Well I'm not sure how else you thought it would feel. Mr. Thespian said 'its me or him' and you didn't hesitate, Riley." He was doing a poor job at masking that bitter tone that desperately wanted to take hold. She shrank back a little.

"I thought he was the one..." Quiet and sheepish and still feeling so, so stupid. But they both know it was more complicated than that. "I really thought I was going to marry him, Max." He scoffed, though, and caught her off guard. Those emotions were bubbling over in his gut and his ability to reign it back was slipping away.

"Look, I'm not stupid, Ry. I knew one day you were gonna meet someone that stuck and we would have to stop fooling around. I knew I was never going to be the guy but for fucks sake, I thought our friendship was a non-negotiable."

"I...I..." She stammered but came up empty. That night was so heated and she was so angry with him for so many things that clouded her judgement.

"I always figured that you would think any guy that wanted me out of your life wasn't worth being with in the first place." He knew it wasn’t entirely fair. He knew she was lending him a good amount of grace by not mentioning that it was his fault that Lucas even found out about what happened with Jonah in the first place. It was complicated and the look on her face was making his stomach turn as emotion bled into her eyes. But fuck, she had always been his first choice and finding out that he wasn’t hers snapped a little piece of his soul.

"How was any guy supposed to be okay with that, Max?" Her voice was pleading for understanding. "It was one thing when we were just out of high school, fooling around when I was single, but we crossed a line with Jonah. How were we supposed to come back from that?”

"Jonah was a piece of shit." He spat the name with the venom it deserved. Never in his life had he met a more arrogant, steamrolling, belittling asshole, and that was saying something. He knew that she knew that he had been the perfect way out of a relationship she felt stuck in.

"You think every guy I ever date is a piece of shit!"

"Have you ever considered that is because you only ever date pieces of shit?" He was gesturing with his hands, voice rising again.

"That's not fair or true." She took an irritated swig of her drink, the light burn on the way down not helping matters. Finishing it off, she offered the bartender an apologetic smile and asked for another, against her better judgement.

"Okay, fine. So, what? You cut me out of your life for 'unfairly' thinking these scumbags weren't good enough for you?" His voice took a hard turn into mocking territory and he held his hands up in a faux-concession. "Sorry, my bad for giving a shit about you, I guess." His eyebrows rose and fell with his punctuation in that way that always drove her crazy. He could feel his sarcasm slipping to a cartoon-ish level but couldn't pull himself back.

"No, Max, I cut you out of my life because you actively tried to sabotage at least the last three relationships I've been in and I couldn't promise myself that I wasn't going to let it happen again!" That was the truth she had been avoiding, said loud enough for most of the thinning crowd at the bar to hear. That was what it really came down to. She couldn't trust herself with him anymore and that meant she couldn't be around him. But he rolled right past that point,

"Sabotage? Really? That's a little dramatic, even for you." He rolled his eyes and her stomach rolled with them.

A boiling anger spouted inside her at the unmitigated gall that he had to even try to pretend he hadn't done everything he could to end nearly every relationship she'd had in the last decade. From the laundry list of complaints about each and every boyfriend that got lodged in her head; to outright goading her to break up with them; to the suggestive texts he'd send her late at night; right down to that dangerous game that led to the dissolution of her relationship with Jonah. He could be relentless and he only got more brazen with each new failed relationship.

"Maybe Hollywood really is rubbing off on you." He sneered with that judgmental stare that he was so good at but always spared her from. It made her skin prickle and pushed her past the edge. If he wanted to sit here and pretend that his fight with Lucas wasn’t just the last in a long line of attempts to chase off her boyfriends, she didn’t need to stick around for it. This wasn’t in her head.

"Fuck you, Maxwell." She spat and but he wasn't finished digging.

"Yeah, why don't you, then? Lets get on with it so you can move on to finding the next scumbag to cheat on you." He saw the hurt register behind her eyes and a gnawing guilt ripped through his stomach, despite his best efforts to tamp it down. He didn't want to feel bad. He wanted to feel satisfied - if they weren't going to have a good time, at least he could win. He deserved to win after everything they had been through. But it didn't feel like he'd won.

Her eyes narrowed an almost imperceptible amount and she shook her head, brows raised. Snatching her purse from the seat back, she dug out some cash and left it on the bar top with most of her drink.

"I knew coming here was a mistake."

She hopped down from her stool and breezed out the door, into the unwelcome chill of the evening. Tucking into the narrow, scarcely lit alley beside the bar, she inhaled a shaky breath as her back melted against the brick exterior of the bar, skin buzzing from head to toe. Her chest was warm, a tingling mixture of cocktails and simmering anger. She scrubbed her hands over her face and up into her hair, closing her eyes and letting her head rest against the wall. He always knew how to shoot straight for the sore spot. Never fucking missed.

Inside the bar, Max slumped in his stool, eyes stuck on the pile of bills left on the table. Crumpled and pathetic, a sterling example of everything he had created for himself. Because he never could stop himself from digging a hole. Never could stop from pushing away anyone that threatened to make him feel something. But fuck her, she had always been the exception to the rule - the one person that was allowed past his walls - and she fucking decimated him for it.

But she wasn't wrong when she said he had sabotaged her relationships. And he knew that if he let himself actually come up with a reason why, it wouldn't take long to figure out that its because she was supposed to be his. The way they fit together - there was no way they weren't supposed to be together. That wasn't realistic, though, and he knew that more than anything.

That didn't stop her crumpled up money from staring at him, though. Reminding him that she had just walked out of his life for what was likely to be the last time. Leaving a hole that never really heals right.

Outside, she was finally starting to feel the effect of the cold's bite. The warmth of her drinks was fading away and the tips of her fingers were paying the price. She rubbed her palms up and down her legs to warm them, keeping her eyes clamped shut. She knew she should call an Uber. Just go back to the hotel and feel sorry for herself in the privacy of her own room until they were in different states and she didn't have to think about him anymore.

“You would think that someone in Hollywood would have explained to you the purpose of a jacket.” There was no mistaking that voice. Her stomach clenched, eyes fluttered open, spotting Max standing a few feet from her by the corner of the building.

“Some habits die hard.” She replied, her neutral expression not giving away a thing as it drifted off toward a spot in the distance - anywhere but to him.

“Some harder than others.” He caught her with that, her eyes blinking back to him, flickers of the street lamp overhead casting light across his face. Shrugging out of his jacket, he passed it to her but she held her hand up in protest. He ignored her protests, closing the space between them to wrap his jacket around her shoulders. She wanted to fight it but the sudden warmth, combined with way she was now flooded by his smell was too much. “I thought you left.”

“Still waiting on my Uber.” She neglected to mention she hadn’t ordered it yet. Her eyes tracked him as he came to stand in front of her.

“Ah, see, that’s why I always the follow the golden rule,” he said, “always pick a hotel that’s walking distance from the bar.” A laugh slipped out of her and the edge of his lips curled up.

“That’s a smart rule, I should really remember that.” There was a ghost of a wry smile on her face but it didn’t last. She pulled the jacket tighter around her front. “Were you waiting for me to leave?”

“Nah, I figured you were off on one of your angry power walks. I was hoping I’d catch you on the second lap.” He circled his finger in the air before tilting his head down with a sheepish smile, waiting for her to crack. She shifted her weight from foot to foot, tongue pressed against her cheek, trying not to let him do what he always did. “That was no way to say goodbye.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Her lips pursed in an almost-shrug. “Let me try again." She cleared her throat, brows furrowed in serious. "Good bye, Maxwell. Coming here was a huge mistake and I should have known better!” Her venom from earlier was gone, ending with a biting sweetness. He heaved a sigh, rolling his head back.

"Come on, we were having a good time like...a few minutes ago." His arms crossed in front of his chest and she watched the way his muscles moved under his shirt, desperate not to meet his eye. It was easier this way. Better. Her lips pressed into a tight line, hoping if she didn't argue, he would run himself out of steam. "Look, alright fine. I wasn't always very supportive of your stupid boyfriends." She crooked a brow. "Maybe, some might say, I could be a little bit of a hindrance from time to time."

“A little bit?” She clarified and he held up two fingers, squeezing them close together. "What was the text you sent me while you knew I was getting ready for my valentine's day date with Kevin a few years ago?" She watched his brows knit together before the memory dawned on him and he slowly sucked his lips into his mouth. Clearing her throat, she held out an exemplary hand. "'Hope you're excited for your date with the data analyst. Bet you can't wait for him to get you in his Toyota Camry so he can bring you back to his mom's basement for some clothes-on, lights-off sex before he turns on Jeopardy for the night.'" She carried out her best impression of him and he tried unsuccessfully to mask his amusement. She continued with a more urgent tone. "'Try not to think about that night after the concert out in Manhattan. You know, with that crowded train back to your place and my hand sliding up your skirt? If you think about the shaking orgasm you had, sitting on my lap, in front of a bunch of strangers, you might end up feeling a little dissatisfied tonight!"

"Wow, you really had that one well memorized." Was all he could manage. That one really was one of his prouder moments - it didn't take more than two weeks before she broke up with Kevin after that. And boy, did that only stroke his ego.

"Yeah, that's cause it played on repeat in my head for the entirety of my date!" She glared at him but his fond smile ensured it didn't last.

"That really was a fun night. The one and only time I've ever enjoyed public transportation."

He had nearly forgotten about that night on the train. It really felt like a turning point, when he looked back - when they stopped wanting each other and started needing each other. The point where every relationship she had after just started to feel like it was biding time until she was his again.

Max watched, in the dim light of the alleyway, as a flush rose up her chest. Her eyes met his with the hazy look he'd missed so much and he took a step closer without even realizing it; her breathing shallowed.

"Tucked in that back corner of the train car with you on my lap..." His eyes raked over her frame, covered by his bulky jacket, and she warmed head to toe. "...grinding that perfect little ass into me." Riley shifted her weight again, swallowing hard. She should have known better than to bring up that night.

"Max..." Her voice came out breathy and needy, glancing around, almost hoping there was someone else around as she felt her self control slipping away. He took a small step closer and she stepped back, against the brick wall, damp with the sporadic rain this evening.

"And you spread those legs so nice and easy for me so you could ride my thigh." His voice was low, smooth and hypnotic, she hardly even noticed as he took another step closer, his heat searing through her. Her lips, slightly swollen from the way she'd dug her teeth in, parted with a breath and his voice dropped to a gritty whisper. "Do you remember how the vibration of the train felt on your pussy? I barely had to touch you to make you fall apart for me."

He wasn't really sure what he was doing anymore but he fell back into it like it was second nature. Because it was. There was no space for him to consider his actions, there was only her and this moment and the way she was looking up at him. That look turned his brain off every time.

Then she was nodding without meaning to, and his hand cleared the little distance between them, skating up her hip, feather-light but setting fire throughout her body.

"My lips were on your neck, listening for every little whine you tried so hard to keep quiet while I helped you rock against me." His hand skimmed along the curve of her waist, helping rock her into him, just like he did back then. "Do you think anybody heard that sweet little noise you made when I reached under your skirt, pushed your panties aside, and sank two fingers into your cunt?"

The shuttered breath Riley released came out closer to a whimper and Max's eyes fluttered closed, resting his forehead against hers for just a few moments. God, those noises did something to him. His fingers found purchase around her hip, the other hand cradling her jaw. Eyes locking with hers, he smoothed his thumb across her cheek, brushing her lips. Without a thought, she took his finger into her mouth, not breaking his eye contact as she ran her tongue over it like she had a million times. Max groaned, the noise vibrating through her, and his eyes blazed with a scarcely contained lust.

"Riley..." It was a rumble of a warning. He dragged his thumb out of her mouth, across her bottom lip, trailing it down her chin, then back up across her lips before finally pulling it away. She watched a war rage behind his eyes, fingers digging into her side so tight she thought it might bruise. In an instant, her brain came slamming back into her head and she jerked away from him.

"Shit." She muttered, running a shaky hand through her hair. "Fucking shit, you see?" She took several skittering steps away from him. "How do you do that to me? I came out here to leave but instead, I take one look at you and become some brain-dead whore."

"Wait, Riley..." He took a step in her direction but quickly stopped himself, watching as she steered herself in circles. She stopped as abruptly as she started and snapped toward him.

“No, I really shouldn’t be here. I need to go.” She was looking a bit like a caged animal so Max took a big step back, holding his hands up in front of him.

“Your Uber is bound to be here soon. Just-“

“I never ordered it. I’m just gonna walk I think. I could use the air.” She breezed past him out of the alleyway. He sat back on his heel, stunned for a moment before jogging after her.

“I’m not just gonna let you walk back alone.” He said, catching up to her without much trouble. She didn’t look at him.

“I’m fine, it’s only like a thirty minute walk. I’ll be fine.” She powered ahead, trying to get some distance but his legs moved him a lot faster than she could outpace. He just rolled his eyes.

“Alone and slightly drunk? At midnight? In a town that’s currently flooded with your fanboys? Please. That’s literal suicide.” He circled around in front of her. She tried to step around him but he stepped in her path, then again in the other direction. Finally, she stopped, rolling her eyes.

“You’re the one most likely to try to have sex with me out here.” She put a hand on her hip and Max shook his head, tongue pressed against his teeth. Always a fight with her.

“Stop being ridiculous. I swear-” he crossed two fingers over his heart, “-I will be on my best behavior. But I am not letting you walk back alone.” She hesitated, arms crossed over her chest, looking around at the dimly-lit, hotel lined street they were on. It was at least thirty straight minutes of bars and booked-solid convention hotels between here and her hotel. One she’d chosen specifically because she wanted to stay away from the action.

“Fine but I want you to stay six feet away from me at all times.” She shooed him back with her hands. He sat back on his heel, narrowing his brows at her with an irritated purse of his lips.

“You can’t be be serious.”

“Deadly. I am trying to get some space from you and you’re following me. So if you want to stick around, get back.” She jut her chin out and Max swiped his tongue across the inside of his lip with irritation.

“You’re such a pain in my ass. I should just let the mouth breathers at you.”

“At least they’d have respect for Captain Clarissa.” She said, mostly because she enjoyed being a pain in his ass, and started the long walk, past him, to her hotel. He just rolled his eyes, following after her at the agreed upon distance.

“Yeah, that’s the quality to look for in the strange, sweaty man that finds you wandering the streets alone.” It came out huffy and irritated but she didn’t so much as acknowledge him. “So you never ordered an Uber, hmm?” He knew that smug tone would get a reaction out of her and it did, her face snapping back to him for just a second. “You just stormed out of the bar all upset and then waited for me to come find you?”

Her face burned red and she was glad he couldn’t see her. She wasn’t entirely sure why she didn’t call the Uber. She knew it needed to happen. She wanted to go home but her fingers just didn’t want to move. Paralyzed by the way their conversation in the bar had gone.

“Even when I took over five minutes to come out? You just sat there, still not ordering the Uber?” He taunted and she kept her head trained forward. “How long were you gonna wait for me? If I stayed until close, would you still have been sitting there, waiting to put my fingers in your mouth?” He heard her sharp intake of breath and counted that as a victory. “God, you must have really missed me to sit out in the cold with no jacket, hoping I’d chase after you.”

“Jesus Christ,” she groaned. “I forgot how much you like to hear yourself talk.” But he continued like she hadn’t said a thing. He wasn’t hearing a refute and that was causing a pang of excitement in his gut.

“You know, I feel like this really starts to call into question everything you’ve said tonight.” He kept poking because he couldn’t help himself and she considered flinging herself into traffic to escape him. “Like, maybe I’m the one that’s really in danger, being out here alone with you. Who knows what you could do to my precious body?”

“I thought you said you were going to be on your best behavior.” She tried to remind him, knowing it was ultimately useless.

“That was before I realized just how dangerous you were. Laying in wait for me, making up stories about Ubers that don’t exist. Were you even really a guest at that convention? How do I know this wasn’t some elaborate ruse to stage your little meet cute with me?”

“I’m pretty sure a meet cute requires us to be ‘meeting’, Max. And, as you’ll remember, we’ve met before.” She really was trying not to give in to his teasing. Because that was a slippery slope. But it was a slope she was already on.

“Maybe we haven’t! Maybe you’re not even Riley, just some hot clone looking to steal my perfect organs. Do you even really work for the CW or is that a lie too?” He gestured in the air behind her. Her steps faltered, though, quiet ringing out into the night around them.

“I don’t, actually. Not as of next week.” Her voice was strained but she put her focus back into moving forward.

“What are you talking about?” Max didn’t miss that shift in her tone. She’d been bordering on playful before but this was different. It was the tone she’d used when she told him they couldn’t talk anymore.

“They cancelled my show.”

“What?” His heart dropped out of his chest and, without realizing, he upped his pace until he fell in line with her. She didn’t stop him, though - even when his fingers grazed hers, the frizzle of lightning shooting up her arm.

“Yup. They had to fire Lucas because of…well because of the interns.” She gestured at nothing, still trying to come to grips with the reality herself, “And according to the network executives, the inspiring Captain Clarissa is - and I quote - ‘fundamentally unlikable without her boyfriend’.” There was no amount of venom that could come close to touching the level of anger she was feeling.

It had been weeks since she learned the show was being cancelled but that burning, sweltering rage hadn’t ebbed. She knew the show couldn’t last forever - hell, she didn’t want it to! But having it be cancelled like this - over him. It was more than she could stand.

“Are you fucking kidding? That’s bullshit!” He didn’t think it was possible for him to hate Lucas more but this did it.

“Not kidding at all. Apparently, it wasn’t enough that I had to lose my boyfriend in the most embarrassing scandal of the year, I also needed to lose my job. Karma decided to punch me square in the throat.” She had been using karma as an excuse for nearly every bad thing that happened to her since she cut ties with Max, though. It didn’t seem possible for the scales to tip back in her favor at this point. It was all earned. “They said it was better to cut their losses now than to waste money on a full season flop.” She hadn't been able to chase those words out of her head. Every second of that phone call with her team was seared into her brain.

“Please, Ry, that’s not karma at work, that’s a bunch of old, out-of-touch morons, actively steering a bankrupt network into the ground. Fuck those dudes.” He insisted but she just kicked a rock along the road, unable to look at him. “How have I not heard about this?”

“They wanted to wait until after the convention to make the announcement. Wouldn’t want to risk losing out on wringing me out for every last penny.” Yeah, she was feeling a little bitter about it. That wasn’t something she could hide anymore. This convention today just felt like salt in the wound.

“God, that’s such horseshit.” There was nothing he could say to lessen this, though. “I’m so sorry, Ry.”

“It’s just so dumb because like…I really thought I was doing something here, you know?” She sighed, raking her fingers through her hair. After weeks of staying quiet, the rockslide of feelings was already barely restrained. “Like sure, the writing was cheesy and the plots could be convoluted but I was doing something that meant something. I was creating a character for little girls to look up to. But god, I was so stupid and naive. Just like I was with Lucas. Because I was never the independent, ass kicking, trail blazer I thought I was. I was apparently just the stuffy bitch to his maverick.” She dared a glance at Max, his face drawn and serious. She didn’t mean to say that much; she never could stop from spilling everything around him, though.

“You were literally the only watchable part of that show.” He cut off her pity fest as if it was an indisputable fact. “The dude was a pathetic, Han Solo wannabe when it was fucking obvious that you were meant to be the Solo of the show.” It pained him to make a Star Wars reference but that look on her face was totally worth it. Her feet almost skittered to a stop before she caught herself.

“God, see?” She groaned. “Where were you when I tried to explain that to my producers?”

"Look, if those assholes didn't get what you were doing with that character then they don't deserve either of you. This show might have been your big break but I can seriously promise you that it's not your peak. You're just gettin' started." Max bumped her shoulder lightly and the smile that crept up her face was involuntary.

"So just like you then, right?" She raised a brow in his direction and he hummed. "AEW is just your launch pad, so i've heard." He smoothed his tongue over his lip, curious as to just how much she had been paying attention to his career. "For the - let me see if I've got this right - 'bidding war of 2024'?" A warmth bloomed in rippling tides low in his stomach at hearing his words parroted back.

"You know it, baby. Nowhere to go but up." He pointed to the sky and she rolled her eyes with a smile. "Didn't realize you watched much wrestling these days." He did his best to sound like he was teasing her but she could hear the hope in his voice. Tilting her head, she scrunched her nose and shrugged.

"From time to time." She said. "You know, if there's someone cool scheduled to be on." Holding his gaze for a charged moment, she finally dropped it back to the sidewalk, the rolling wave of nerves making its way up to her brain. She cleared her throat, trying to shake off that feeling. "And boy, I just can't wait for my boy, Ricky Starks, to get that world title off the current Jabroni that's got it- what a star!" She choked a laugh at the guffawing noise Max made.

"Riley, there are some levels of disrespect that are just unacceptable." He deadpanned and she tried to keep a straight face.

"I'm sorry, Max, but Ricky is so obviously the best professional wrestler on God's green Earth. How could I not root for him to get the title?" Her tongue poked out between her teeth and the muscles in his face twitched.

"God, you are such a brat." Worried he would end up relegated to six feet away again, he tried not to verbalize the way he wanted to take her back to his room and remind her what he did with brats. But the way she beamed back at him only made him want to say it more, knowing exactly how quickly that smile would fade into that lust-addled gape - that kind he had convinced himself she only got for him.

"You love it." The response rolled off her tongue as easily as it always did and it wasn't until she recognized that look he was giving her that she realized she was feeding the monster. A small breath hissed through her teeth.

The world around them was quiet, the street largely emptied out as more bars began to close. Their pace had slowed to an amble, stealing glances at each other, daring themselves not to drift closer. She tried not to dwell on the way Max didn't respond - or on the way his expression did plenty of responding all on its own. It had been a long time since she'd been looked at like that - like she was the center of the universe and he'd never be able to fight the pull of her gravity.

"For whatever it’s worth, I’m really proud of you, Max.” It was worth a lot. So much so that he had to look away. His mouth was dry and he was a little nauseous - fuck he hated that she was still capable of making him feel like this. He wasn't the bumbling kid trying to make his best friend really see him anymore. At least, he wasn't supposed to be.

"Ahh, shut up, ya softie." He scoffed after a beat too long. Long enough for her to catch that glint in his eyes. She raised her brows for an unspoken emphasis and he rolled his eyes but let slip a reluctant smile that told her everything she needed to know.

"I know, I know, my credibility as an uncaring hardass is in shambles." She bit back the huge grin that tried to surface at his genuine laugh. "But I'm serious. You really did the damn thing and not many people can say that."

"You can." He held her gaze steadily and she toyed with her lip between her teeth. Blinking hard, she finally shook her head with a breathy laugh.

"Hmm, you're right. Guess it's just Long Island that's special, not you." She tilted her head with an indulgent smile and he waved her off.

"Hey, screw you, we can both be special!"

"Yeah, are you Long Island's special-est boy, Maxie?" She poked the beast with a little pout. He groaned, his entire head rolling right along with his eyes. He'd swear she was a brat on purpose, knowing he couldn't do a damn thing about it, but she was starting to give him whiplash.

"Oh, you are so asking for it." He grumbled under his breath but that twinkle of mischief in her eye told him she'd heard.

"Asking for what, Prince Maxie?" She teasingly bit the tip of her tongue.

Max's restraint snapped, unable to physically stop himself from reaching back to swat her ass. Riley squeaked, jumping slightly, letting out an offended huff of breath and coming to a full stop on the sidewalk. She smacked his chest, brows drawn in a laughable excuse for anger. He lowered his head a little, raising a brow, mildly amused.

"You can't do that!" It came out sounding a lot more petulant than she intended. But the wake up call that smack had given her wasn't the one she'd hoped for - it had only stoked the flames she was so desperately trying to keep at bay.

"You know the rules - calling me 'Maxie' is automatic grounds for a spanking." He shrugged as if to say he didn't make the rules that he had, in fact, very much made.

"Those rules don't apply anymore!" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Hey, don't be a brat if you can't handle the consequences." He said with finality, starting back on their walk towards the hotel. "I'm trying to behave but you know what you're doing!"

She couldn't even deny it. She couldn't stop falling back into their rhythm. It might not have been intentional but there was no use in pretending she wasn't doing the same things she always knew could rile him up. With a groan, she jogged to catch up with him but her foot snagged on a crack in the sidewalk and she stumbled, arms flying out to keep herself upright. Max turned back with a snicker but offered her a shoulder to steady herself on.

"You know, I'm starting to think your definition of 'walkable' is different from mine." She groaned, pulling off her shoe and snatching the heel that had snapped off from the ground, holding them up to him.

"Hey, my hotel is only another two blocks. You're the one that wants to keep walking another ten beyond that to your hotel." He reminded her and she shivered, that reality settling in with her. The thought alone made her feet throb and she thought she felt a raindrop hit her head. Max knew that look and recognized it well from a few too many times she'd overestimated her ability to get around in heels. And she was starting to become acutely aware of how much Max's jacket did not help keep her legs warm under her dress.

Oh, how she didn't want to have to ask him for help. But she needed help. She couldn't walk ten blocks in a broken heel in the middle of the night by herself. That was insane - she knew that. And she should have just called an uber. She knew she should just call an uber. But for the second time that night, she couldn't will herself to reach for her phone.

"Come back to my room with me." Max said and heat raced through her veins. "I have a pair of sneakers up there you can take. I'll even walk you to your hotel after." She wanted to hit herself over the pang of disappointment she felt when she realized he wasn't inviting her to stay with him. Doubly so over the way she suddenly missed the feeling of falling asleep in his arms. Warm and content and secure and...

"I..."

"Come on, you can't walk back like that. I swear, I'll keep my hands to myself." He locked eyes with her and she nodded; it was all she could manage. "Good, hop on." He turned away from her and patted his back. She froze and he twisted to look back at her. "What are you waiting for? We got two more blocks to my hotel and I'd like to get back before sunrise."

Wetting her lips, she weighed the option of walking back on her broken heel before reluctantly climbing onto his back. Her dress rode up her legs and Max's hands found purchase, curled around the underside of her thighs, supporting her, heat searing through his fingertips, straight to her core.

"So much for hands to yourself." She muttered.

"I'm sorry, would you rather I drop your ass?" He tried to crane his head back to look at her.

"You wouldn't dare." She knew the second it left her mouth that it was a bad idea. He didn't hesitate before letting her legs go and she clung hard around his neck, nails digging into skin and feet scrambling to get hold around his waist.

"Ow, shit!" He swatted hard at her thigh before resuming his hold on it. His other hand pried her nails from his chest. "You fucking gremlin. Why am I even doing this?" She rested her chin in the curve of his neck.

"Cause you're my big, strong knight in shining armor." She heaved a dreamy sigh that tickled his neck. He tried not to think about how perfectly she fit into him or how overwhelming it was to have her scent filling his senses - how familiar and dizzying.

“Yeah, that’s what they call me.” His voice was strained. “World’s biggest gentleman.” He glanced from side to side before jogging through the crosswalk, pretending he couldn’t feel her body bouncing against him with every step. A drop of rain slid down the side of his face.

“Ohhh,” she draped herself more heavily over his shoulders. “That’s what they were saying! I always thought they were saying ‘worlds biggest jackass’.” She craned her neck to try to catch his expression, cheeky smile on her face.

Max arched a brow, angling his head enough to be sure she saw him, lips just barely resisting the urge to smile at her transparently goading him.

“You’re gettin’ awfully brave up there, punk.”

He dug his fingers into her thighs as a reminder, and they restricted around his torso. A heat crept up her chest, so strong that he could feel it, permeating through their clothes. She straightened up slightly, intent on appearing unfazed but a flash of lightning in the distance sufficiently distracted her, just before the crack of thunder followed. With it, the slow trickle of raindrops took a hard turn toward downpour. She squealed, trying in vain to cover her head with her arms, leaning heavy on Max's shoulders for support. He gripped harder at her legs and tried to ignore the water that had just rolled down his sock.

"Come onnn, you're so slow!" She pointed up at his hotel's awning just up ahead. "Lets move move move!" He hiked her up, readjusting his grip on her thighs, before he jogged toward the lobby. She clung around his neck while using her other hand to mimic cracking a whip. "Wuh-psh! Wuh-psh!" He bounded the last few steps, ducking under the awning and out of the rain.

"Yeah? You want to introduce a whip into this dynamic, huh?" Max set her down as they finally arrived at his hotel, his low rumble of a voice crashing through her plans to seem unaffected now that he could see her face. She swallowed hard, blinking back at him, dress soaked through and clinging high up on her thighs, and cheeks dusted with color. Her hair was wet and sticking to her face and he desperately wanted to tangle his fingers up in it. And the way she was looking at him, he really didn't think that she would object.

"Where's your room?" Her voice came out a hoarse whisper and he swallowed hard, forgetting for a moment why they came here in the first place. Clearing his throat, he tried to wrangle some coherent thoughts out of his brain.

"7th floor." He came to, finally.

"Lucky number 7." God, he was starting to hope so.

He led her to the elevator, her arm draped around his shoulder for support. They waited for the elevator to come in a stilted silence, both suddenly struck by the memory of their last time together in an elevator; the bending of wills and the crossing of lines. How far had either of them come? Years had passed and nothing had changed. Except that everything had changed.

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open for them. He helped her inside and she leaned against the rail on the far end of the enclosed box it sometimes felt like they lived in. Max pressed the button for his floor and turned to watch her from across the elevator, the few feet between them felt mountainous. Every inch of him was itching to touch her; he wasn't sure how much longer he’d be able to hold off but he was worried he would spook her if he made the wrong move.

She stayed anchored to the railing, unsure she could stop herself from drifting toward him if left untethered. Just like her entire life. But he was looking at her in that way that set her whole body on fire - like he was the only one in the world that really saw her and he never wanted to look away.

"I might have an extra set of sweats you can borrow, too." He offered, and she wet her lips, nodding. Inching towards her, he let his eyes sweep over every inch of her body and he didn't miss the way that she shivered. "You always did look good in my clothes." The elevator chugged along and she could feel her heart in her throat.

"Better than you?" She cooed and Max stepped in closer to her, the air around them warming in an instant.

"Better than anyone." He said with a finality that sent a warmth pooling in her belly. She cursed the blush she knew was visibly creeping up her cheeks.

"Such a flatterer." She tried to come off casual but missed by a mile. He let out a low rumble of a laugh that she felt all the way down to her toes.

"Try telling that to literally anyone else that has ever met me." Max stepped into her space, hands clasping the railing on either side of her hips, and she swallowed hard. "I'm not a flatterer. You're just special." He brushed a wet piece of hair from her face like he had been dying to all night, and she was paralyzed, breathing unsteadily and clutching the railing behind her for all she was worth. It was all she could do to keep from reaching out to touch him. He wound the hair around his finger, eyes so intent before they finally crawled up to meet hers. "God, I fucking missed you."

The ding of the elevator sent her skittering away from him, desperate to catch her breath. She breezed out the doors, into the hallway before realizing she didn't know where she was going. Stopping in her tracks, she reluctantly turned back to him. He was sauntering out of the elevator, watching her with amusement.

"Sorry, I..." She trailed off but he just shook his head with a smirk.

"Just wanted to get into some dry clothes, I'm sure." He offered and she enthusiastically nodded in agreement.

He'd spooked her. He knew it was a possibility but now he was more sure than ever that she wanted to give in. And he wasn't out of time yet.

Waving her after him, he headed for his room, at the far end of the hallway. She limped after him on her broken heel but he let her keep her space for now. Her head was spinning away and she was grateful for the chance to stop her hands from trembling. Two decades now and there was still no one else on the planet that made her shake without even touching her. And it was addictive - she wanted to chase that frenetic, electrifying feeling off a cliff. One taste was all it ever took to remind her that she needed that feeling more than oxygen. And that scared her more than anything.

He finally stopped at his door and she had no choice but to catch up with him. Sliding his key in, he pushed past the door and she followed him inside, ignoring the familiar, gnawing sensation of being helpless to her own bad decision making. The click of the door closing behind her echoed through her veins.

Max made his way over to his suitcase as Riley stood in the center of the room, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Arms crossed over her chest, she watched him rifle through his clothes, hair dripping into his face. He made a little 'tch' noise as he pulled out a precisely folded white dress shirt, tossing aside a belt that had been tucked into the collar. Reaching back, he tossed it to her and she caught it on instinct, her brow furrowed. Glancing from the shirt, back up to him, she moved to hold it up.

"What is this?" She demanded and he only shrugged, pulling out a pair of socks that he lobbed at her.

"A shirt." He answered plainly and she rolled her eyes, holding up the pair of boxers that were tucked beneath the shirt. "I only have one pair of sweatpants so I thought I'd let you have my shirt for tomorrow. I'd be happy to switch but I figured you'd prefer to get the top and have me take the bottoms. Especially since that shirt will be a dress on you." She paused, considering the options.

"What about your pants for tomorrow? Can't I wear those? I can rock business casual." She tried to peer into his bag and he shook his head with a rueful laugh.

"Unfortunately for us both, these are my pants for tomorrow." He gestured at the sopping pants that were clinging to his thighs. "Some jackass spilled coffee all down my other pair. You can take the suit jacket, though, if you think looking like a ten year old on take-your-daughter-to-work-day is your new look." She rolled her eyes, scoffing, but he was unfazed, peeling the damp shirt off his body. Her gaze lingered, wandering up and down his frame.

He was in much better shape than she remembered. She barely even registered the few steps she took in his direction, but he sure did. Getting close enough to touch, she finally snapped out of the trance, stopping short. Max chuckled to himself, loving watching how she squirmed for him.

"How am I supposed to walk ten more blocks with no pants?" She put a fist on her hip, boxers clutched between her fingers. He tilted his head with an exasperated sigh.

"You seriously still want to walk back to your hotel now? Riley, its pouring!"

"What's my alternative?" She asked as if it wasn't obvious.

"You're really gonna make me ask?" He let his head hang to the side but she was wide-eyed and he heaved a sigh. He had really hoped it was obvious. "Stay with me." A hiss escaped between her teeth and he held up his hands like he was taming a wild horse. "At least until the rain stops."

She lingered where she was for a few moments, glancing out the window behind him as another flash of lightning illuminated the city, then down at the nice, dry shirt in her hands. Her feet throbbed beneath her and she finally nodded.

"Just until the rain stops. Then, I need to go back to my hotel." She pointed an accusatory finger at him and he held his hands up in concession.

-

It didn't take long for her to come out of the bathroom, dressed in his clothes, the first few buttons undone, and Max had to physically restrain himself from falling to his knees. Fuck, he'd missed the sight of her like that. What he wouldn't give to get her like that, curled up on his couch every Sunday afternoon. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He kicked himself for the thought. This wasn't what this was and he knew it. This was the best he could get and he needed to be okay with that.

She gravitated toward him, eyes roaming across his bare chest, and down to where his sweats were hanging low on his hips. Wetting her lips, she attempted to swallow back the ball of nerves that was lodged in the back of her throat. He offered up a glass from the minibar, filled with a shot of amber liquid. She didn't hesitate before tilting it back into her mouth. It burned on the way down but the warmth that bloomed in her stomach was worth it, dulling the edges of her nerves.

"Whiskey." She hissed and he tilted the handle toward her in acknowledgement.

"You're so going to hate yourself tomorrow." He was right; she was certain of it. Holding his gaze, she took the bottle from him, filling her glass halfway up, and shooting the whole thing back.

“I’d better make it worth it, then.” She sank down into the chair beside the mini bar, crossing her legs. Max shot back his glass, trying to keep eyes on her, worried she might disappear if he looked away. Pouring them each another shot, he took his, leaning against the edge of the desk. She knew, somewhere deep in the back of her brain, that adding more alcohol to this situation was playing with fire, but she was wound so tight right now, she thought she might snap.

“Well, if you’re looking to double down, maybe we should go for a drinking game to help pass the time until the rain stops.” He suggested, a devilish glint in his eye, but she just laughed.

“And you made fun of me for drinking tequila? We aren’t teenagers, sneaking out to drink under your parents dock.” She tried not to think about all the other things they’d done under that dock.

“Come on, for old times sake.” His toothy grin should have been sending out warning signals to her brain but she couldn’t focus on them with his abs on display.

“Fine, one quick game.” She conceded. “What do you want to play?”

“Never have I ever?” He gave a crooked grin and she waved him off.

“Please. You know everything I’ve ever done.”

“Alright, fine, then how about fast facts? Let’s see how well you still know me.” And that was a challenge he knew she couldn’t resist.

“Oh, you’re on.”

They settled in on the couch in the corner and she tried to keep as much distance between them as she could but their knees met in a fizzing graze despite her effort.

“Alright, you know the rules: we do rapid-fire. If you take longer than three seconds or respond with anything other than a true fact about the other person, you drink.” He reviewed and she nodded an acceptance. “Ladies first, sweetheart.” She didn’t hesitate. Her wealth of Max knowledge knew no bounds.

“You ended up in the hospital when you were ten because you got your grandma’s knitting needle stuck up your nose.”

“You dared me to do that!” He defended, still managing to sneak in under the games’ rules. That twinkle of mischief was right there in her eyes still as she held back her laugh.

“You once ate a Babybel cheese wheel with the wax still on!" She shot back and he gaped at her.

"You told me I was supposed to!" He narrowed his eyes at her but she merely shrugged, scrunching her nose.

"When you were thirteen, your grandma walked in on you french kissing a poster of Stacy Keibler."

"Wrong!" He mimicked the sound of a buzzer. "I was fourteen. Drink up." He looked smug but she only laughed at him as she tipped back her drink.

"That is not better." She shook her head but he was unashamed, lounging back into the corner of the couch, arms spread across the tops of the cushions. "Alright, your turn. Why don't you try to come up with an actual fact about me this time instead of just skimming off my answers, hmm? I'm starting to think you don't know me at all." Max considered for a moment, eyeing her up and down. That was a challenge he couldn't leave unanswered.

"You're allergic to sesame seeds; the taste of cinnamon toothpaste makes you gag; you make the greatest lemon bars of any human on earth; and you think there aren't enough yellow houses in the world." He rattled off his short list, not moving from his position in the corner. Riley wet her lips, ghost of a smile begging to bleed through. "Do any of those count as actual facts?" Her fingers tightened around her glass and she nodded. "Perfect, your turn."

"You broke the nose off the school statue."

"You failed your drivers test five times." He grinned, watching the irritation ticked above her brow, her mouth gaping in a desperate urge to protest.

"You had a wet dream in Mr. Sampson's world lit class!"

"Shut up!" He broke. "That is not what happened!" But she just tutted, signaling for him to take a drink; they both knew it was close enough to the truth. Glaring at her, he tossed back a shot before refilling both their glasses. "I told you about that in confidence, not so it could be used against me." She pouted, legs curled under her, laying her head down onto her forearm, dangling across the top of the couch, dangerously close to Max's, just daring a spark to catch.

"Sorry, baby, that's showbiz."

"Alright, fine, then i'm upping the ante." He sat upright, causing their arms to bump, sending goosebumps rising all across her skin. Max was starting to feel the effects of his last few shots take hold but there was no way he was stopping now. "Your first kiss was cut short by having the guy sneeze directly into your mouth!" She gasped, smacking the couch arm to show her displeasure.

"You lost your virginity to a horse girl!" She pointed at him.

"No I didn't!"

"Yes you did - Molly McClannaugh!"

"I never slept with Molly! She never let me get past second base." He scoffed and Riley stilled, brows furrowing. A lump the size of Jupiter plummeted from his throat to the pit of his stomach.

"Who did you lose your virginity to, then?" She sipped absent mindedly at her drink now, trying to rack her brain for the other girls he had been with in high school. Max froze, too buzzed to properly guard the reaction from seeping into his face. "Wait..."

"I don't...uh."

"That night of the pool party, after I caught Mike with Savannah...our first..." She tried to capture his gaze but he was focusing on taking down more of his drink. "Was that your first time?' His eyes scaled back up to her, the answer clear as day on his face, and Riley blinked back her surprise. A bizarre warmth bloomed in her chest at the thought, turning that night over in her mind. "Why didn’t you say anything?" She had been so certain that he lost his virginity way before she ever lost hers.

"Was I supposed to formally announce it as I was taking your panties off?" He shrugged like he hadn't purposefully avoided telling her. She had been so cute when she came up to his room that next day to nervously assure him that she knew he didn't do the 'girlfriend' thing and that she understood the previous night had been casual. And when she oh-so-politely asked him if he would be interested in doing it again from time to time - as friends, of course - what else was he supposed to say? He certainly wasn't going to say no.

"No, but maybe sometime in the following decade?" She suggested, trying to duck into his line of sight that he had been strategically keeping away from her.

He truthfully couldn't believe it took this long for the truth to come out. It had almost slipped out on a dozen different late nights together. But he knew that if he brought it up, he would have a hard time holding back the deluge of hidden thoughts that were kept behind that dam. He spent years being just a nudge away from telling her to stop screwing around with dirt bags that didn't deserve her, and see what was right in front of her. He'd probably end up waxing on about how they were meant for each other. His feelings for her were so messy and entwined with that first night together; he couldn't promise he wouldn't end up letting her know that he wanted her to be his first and his last. So instead, he coasted, over and over, letting them go in the same circle until he thought he'd be sick. Maybe this time he'd say something, maybe next time, maybe, maybe, maybe.

"Hey, it's not my fault that I had such natural skill that you couldn't tell it was my first time." He waved her off, worried she would keep digging and trap him into admitting more things he had painstakingly kept to himself over the years. "Now drink up." She conceded, holding her glass up in a toast to no one before shooting it back.

"I can't believe you never told me that."

"Aht, aht!" He stopped her before she could drag this conversation out a second longer. "Drink again. That's not a fact about me."

"You're just trying to get me drunk now." She scowled, pouring another drink to sip at, the warmth swimming in her veins now palpable.

"I am not! Maybe you just don't know me as well as you thought you did.” He nudged her, knowing she couldn't resist fighting that accusation.

"Oh, I know you Maxwell. Better than anybody else in the world." Even after all these years apart, she was probably still right.

"Prove it then." And he knew that would seal it. Her brows furrowed with determination and he let out a subtle breath of relief knowing he had diverted her for now.

"Fine. When you went away to college, you started smoking cigarettes for some girl in your theater class, but it didn't last past Thanksgiving because your mom refused to let you in the house smelling like that." She raised a brow and Max nodded his approval. Though, technically she was wrong on the second point. He only ever even started smoking cigarettes because she wouldn’t shut up about how hot she thought it was that her new boyfriend smoked. But when he saw her at Thanksgiving, she mentioned that she was already tired of the taste when she kissed the guy. And she looked at him like what she really missed was the taste of him. He stopped on the spot.

“You are the only person I know that thinks that Billy Joel has a flawless discography.” He wagged an accusatory finger in her direction. Her face and her hands went through a journey of animated expressions before she finally shook her head, holding up a finger right back at him.

"Okay, first of all, I'm right. Please have some respect for the King of Long Island, the King of Music, the King of My Heart - William Martin Joel." She pressed her hand over her heart with a hurt expression. "The man doesn't miss." Max rolled his eyes, using his free hand to mime a mouth blabbing. "Second of all, drink up because I can tell you for a firm fact that your mother agrees with me." He gawked at her.

"Since when are you talking to my mother about Billy Joel?"

"Since always; I love Nina!" She shifted more in his direction, crossing her legs. "We have a long standing game of online Scrabble going." Max pushed his tongue into his cheek, eyes wide.

"Unbelievable. You haven't spoken to me in four god damn years but you're still playing Words with Friends with my mom?" He demanded, shaking his head in disbelief before finally taking his drink.

Placing his glass on the table, he readjusted himself, pulling one leg up onto the couch, knee bent and nestled right against her thigh, heat searing through him. His eyes finally snagged on the small glimpse of his boxers that was peaking out from under the massively oversized shirt she had on. Suddenly, he was all too aware of his hands and their desire to roam. He squeezed them both shut - one on top of the couch, the other on his thigh - in an attempt to displace some of that energy.

But she was watching, finger daintily gliding over the rim of her glass, eyes drawn to the way the muscles in his forearm flexed each time he did. Her gaze crawled up his forearms to his chest, watching the way it rose and fell before finally returning to his face. They had drifted closer to each other than she'd realized.

Breaking eye contact, she glanced down at the table, busying herself with pouring him another shot. The air suddenly felt much thinner and she needed a few seconds to catch her breath. Steadying herself, she shook the feeling out and handed him his refill, his hand lingering on hers for a beat.

"You like to sing songs from musicals in the shower." She took a hard left turn, steering them back to the game before he could suck her in. Max breathed a laugh, shaking his head; she was so predictable.

"You make a great duet partner." His eyes raked down her frame, memories flooding in of some of their showers together, from the wildly sexy to the silly to the unbearably tender and intimate. They'd had a lot of good showers.

"You make a surprisingly good pot roast." She missed when he would cook for her. Before she started dating Jonah, it was the longest she had ever been single since her and Max first got together. They both had their own places and, even if they were living hours from each other, they spent a lot of weekends together. Watching movies, cooking meals together, sleeping in the same bed, pretending this was really their lives. She missed those weekends more than she wanted to admit.

"You made my first apartment feel like home." It slipped out before he could stop it, his brain having escaped to the same place as hers. Riley's lips parted with a breath, eyes locking with his.

"Yeah..." She hummed, unwittingly letting herself settle even more snugly into him until his arm was essentially around her, resting on the top of the couch, their bodies side by side, straddling the line she was trying so hard not to cross. "You were the best roommate I never had." His chest ached, looking down at her, fitting together with him as perfectly as she always had.

"God, I miss watching you dance around that kitchen in just my shirt." He sighed the thought into existence, brushing her hair behind her ear, sending sparks straight down her spine. Her smile was involuntary as the memories floated through her mind.

"Distracting you while you made me pancakes that inevitably burned because you'd end up bending me over the countertop instead." Her cheeks burned at the way his eyes darkened. His finger delicately trailed along her shirt collar, down her sternum to the first button, eyes greedily drinking in every inch of her, exactly as she was.

"Using that spatula for much more important things than pancakes." His tongue swiped across his lips, mouth suddenly very dry. She was looking up at him from under her lashes, her feet propped up on the table in front of her putting those smooth, bare legs out on display for him.

"Leaving welts that I'd feel every minute of the drive home." Warmth pooled low in her stomach, their game long forgotten.

“Good,” his lips curled in a devilish grin, shifting so he loomed over her, “that’s what you get for being a punk.”

“Oh, is that right?” her knuckles ghosted across the toned skin of his stomach in an electrifying tease.

"Mmm, completely deserved." He hummed, toying with the button of her shirt, daring her to stop him. "You knew what you were doing and you got exactly what you were looking for." The tip of his finger skimmed down the length of the shirt, tantalizingly slow, and she swallowed hard, eyes drifting up to meet his.

"Well, now, I'm sure I don't know what you mean." That silky tone in her voice lit a fire in Max's belly. She was lighting matches she wouldn't be able to contain.

"You don't, hmm?" His finger swirled circles around her stomach. She shook her head, batting her lashes, and Max pressed his tongue to his cheek before letting out a low rumble of a laugh. "So you don't remember that little show you put on for me? Swaying your hips," his finger swept from side to side, leaving a faint impression in the fabric of the shirt, "showing off that perfect little ass."

Riley shifted in place, legs pressed together and her breathing jagged. Her knuckles still held firmly in place on his abdomen, quickly becoming the only stopper between their bodies. Her brain was a fog of scarcely contained desires, clouding every logical thought that was trying to claw it's way to the surface.

"So my crime was dancing?" She raised a brow, thumb absently grazing over his skin.

"No," Max's finger trailed down, off the shirt and onto her bare thighs. Riley shivered. "your crime was traipsing over to me, wrapping your arms around me from behind, and stroking my dick through my pants."

"I thought you liked that." She pouted, head lolling back dramatically onto his chest, eyes still angled up to him.

"Oh, I do." He traced his finger up to her knee, then oh-so-slowly dragged it back down the inside of her thigh like a trail of gasoline, ready to ignite. Blaring alarm bells sounded in her head as his fingers toyed with the edge of the shirt, but it didn't stop her knees from drifting apart just enough to give him clearance. Hand dipping beneath the shirt, he gingerly crept up that soft skin that he missed so much. He reached the apex of her thighs, using the pad of his thumb to brush against her core through the thin fabric of the boxers, sending shockwaves reverberating through her body, temporarily obliterating every sane thought she'd ever had. Her back arched as he circled his thumb over her clit, the fabric of his boxers a welcome friction. "I just don't like when little teases," he curled his free arm around her shoulders, fingers settling in her hair, "get me all wound up and then waltz away." He pulled his hand out from under her shirt and she let out an involuntary whimper. Max smirked, watching her melt right into the palm of his hand. "And when I very politely asked you to get your ass back over here, you turned around and said 'make me'. What else was I supposed to do with you once I caught you?"

In one smooth motion, he wrapped a strong hand around her thigh, yanking it up over his legs, leaving her spread wide for him. She squeaked, skin blazing beneath his fingers. He used his fingers in her hair to guide her eyes up to his. Thick digits dug into the sensitive skin of her thighs, sliding a possessive grip up to her center. Stopping just short of her core, he gave a sharp slap that echoed around the room. She couldn't stop the desperate whine that escaped her lips. Max dug his nails into the stinging flesh of her thigh.

"What am I supposed to do with you now that I've caught you?" He thrummed his fingers along her thigh, predator taunting his prey. She bit her lip hard, hips rocking up toward him involuntarily, and Max chuckled, low in his throat. "Do you miss the way I filled this perfect pussy, sweetheart?" His hand cupped her mound through the boxers and she let out a sharp breath, body stiffening. "Did your actor-boy ever touch you the way I do?" He curled his middle finger, teasing her lips, and she mewled. "Did he stretch your little cunt like he was made for it?" All she could manage was rutting her hips against his hand. "Did he make you cum until you cried - until you were shaking and exhausted and begging for mercy?" He throbbed in his pants; she was so fucking close he could practically taste her. Bringing his fingers up to his face, he smelled that familiar sweet scent of her, and his final bit of restraint snapped. "God, I fucking missed you."

There was no room to think when he pulled her face to his. They collided in a frenzied rush that she couldn't begin to resist. She melted into him, letting his tongue sweep into her mouth. He didn't hesitate to yank the boxers down her legs, fingers diving between her soaked folds. Her head tipped back, a strangled cry erupting from her chest, into the space between them, and Max grinned, burying his face into her neck. He sank one, then two fingers inside her and she keened, bucking against his hand.

"That's my fucking girl. Such a needy little pussy." He nipped at her neck, pumping his fingers in and out, his thumb working tight circles around her clit. Arm wrapped tight around her, he pulled her up to straddle his lap, keeping his fingers buried inside her. His other hand wound up in the hair at the base of her head, dragging her back into a hungry, desperate kiss. Her arms snaked around his neck, steadying herself as she ground down against his fingers. "That's right, ride my fingers, beautiful; ride 'em like they were my cock. Always such a good girl for me."

Her brain whirled in a million different directions, clouded by a haze of unrelenting need, left unchecked for years. She met his gaze, a white hot fire burning in his eyes. This didn't feel real, her brain tried desperately to make sense of how she ended up here, hips stuttering, but Max's fingers were curling into just the right spot and she struggled to keep up with her thoughts.

"God, so fucking wet for me, Riley."

But her name was so very real. Real enough to jump start her brain like a live wire and send her skittering off his lap. Fuck, this couldn't keep happening. How did this always happen? And now he was looking at her with all that confusion and hurt and decades of push and pull, shining clear as day on his face.

She smoothed the shirt down over her hips, covering up as much as she could without pants. Max was clearly waiting for an explanation, arms sagging down into the couch, empty of all the things that had been so close to his reach for the first time in so long.

"I...I'm sorry. I really don't know what is wrong with me."

"Riley, come on." He protested, holding out a hand to encourage her to come back to him but she just wrapped her arms around herself. She glanced out the window behind them and made a desperate attempt to hide from the reality of tonight.

"The rains stopped. I should go, its really late." She stumbled back a few steps, clearing the coffee table and Max stood up after her.

“You can’t walk back with no pants on, drunk, at two in the morning, Riley. Be reasonable.”

“I am. I’ll just throw my dress back on and finally call a damn Uber like I should have done hours ago.” She rolled the sleeves up on the shirt and started hunting around for her dress. Max followed after her but she refused to look at him.

“Stop it. You can't just leave like that." He said, plucking the dress off the chair she'd left it on earlier. She crossed her arms over her chest, scowling at him before jutting a hand out, demanding the dress.

"Watch me." She snatched the fabric from his hands, spinning on her heel, but Max caught her wrist, still sending sparks all up her arm.

"How fucking long are you going to keep running?" He watched her face falter, then harden, and irritation ticked up in him.

"I'm not running. This is just a bad idea - a really bad idea. So I need to walk away now - not run! Just make a completely rational and sane decision to walk away."

"How is this rational?" His irritation was biting through. "You have been running away from me for years. You're running away now just like you did four years ago and just like you did when you started dating Jonah. What are you so fucking scared of, huh?" Her brow twitched and she finally yanked her hand away from him.

“I’m scared because being around you makes me want to do irrational things!”

“Like what?” He demanded. “What have I ever made you do that was so monstrous?” She put a hand on her hip, glowering at him, but he only scoffed. “You can’t be serious. Still about Jonah? When are you gonna forgive yourself? It’s been five years!”

“We hurt him!”

“So what?” He practically bellowed. “He’s probably already forgotten it even happened; he’s an idiot! Let yourself off the hook.”

“I can’t!” She shot back, finally putting years of thoughts kept to herself into words. “I can’t because it doesn’t matter who I’m with, I can’t control myself around you.” She shook her head and Max cocked his head, hardly seeing the problem. “Given the slightest nudge, I’m going to end up making the exact same choices over and over again.”

“What’s so wrong with that? What is so wrong with choosing us?”

“It’s not fair to everyone else around us, Max!”

“Who gives a shit?” He snapped, increasingly annoyed he needed to spell it out. “It’s not about them! It’s about us,” he gestured between them, “me and you, Riley, just like it always has been. Just like it always will be.” She was frozen, goosebumps rising over every inch of her skin. “At the end of the fucking world, it’s still just gonna be you and me.”

“Max…” She breathed his name into the space between them, heart twisting in her chest. Her face was stricken and his stomach lurched. “I can’t do this dance forever.”

“Why not?” He was earnest, painfully so, that same bumbling teenager still taking his toll. Gravity was pulling him toward her but he fought it with all his strength, not sure he could take it if she backed away from him.

“Because it hurts too much.” And her voice trembled just enough for him to catch it, crumbling something inside him that he didn’t know existed. “Every relationship I have ever been in has been a battle against my instincts to cancel plans in case you decide to call; against my instinct to end things with a guy after the first date because he doesn’t compare to you; against my instinct to doom every single relationship I'm ever in, all for a guy that will never want to give me what I need.”

“You can’t be serious.” He balked and it knocked her off balance. “When have I literally ever said no to you? You are the only person on the entire godforsaken planet that I will bend over backwards to make happy.” He was bordering on angry now, heat creeping up the back of his neck. He would have bent time and space to keep her from leaving. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I would’ve given you everything you ever asked for?” The soft, devastated features of her face were pleading him to stop but he couldn’t.

“Of course it did.” She scrubbed a hand over her face, body sagging. “But even on the days that I thought you might agree to a relationship that you didn’t really want - ”

“What makes you so sure I wouldn’t want it?” He crossed his arm over his chest and she rolled her eyes. Scoffing, he took a step toward her.

“Be serious.”

“I am! What gave you the impression I wouldn’t really want a relationship with you?” He held out an expectant hand for an answer and she searched the ceiling for an answer, shaking her head incredulously.

“How about the hundred different times over the years that you explicitly told me you could never see yourself settling down and that - quote - relationships are for suckers?” She held a sarcastic hand back at him, raising her brows with a sneer.

“Oh, come on, Riley!” He pleaded, genuinely surprised it wasn’t obvious to her. “You are the exception to every rule.” He shook his head, taking a step closer but she didn’t budge. “I didn’t see myself ever settling down with anyone but you.” He pressed his luck, taking another step. “I’d be a sucker if I got into a relationship with anyone but you.” She heaved a sigh, shaking her head. It’s not like there weren’t days she thought he might want a life with her. Hell, there were days where it felt like they had a life together - glimpses at a different lifetime where puzzle pieces fit together and the boy next door is the love of your life - but that wasn’t this lifetime. Or maybe it was but that didn’t make her the love of his.

“It doesn’t even matter.” She finally took a step back, suddenly acutely aware of how close he’d gotten and the way it was clouding her brain. “Even if you had agreed, even if you had really thought it was what you wanted, how long was that gonna last? How long until the thrill wore off and you finally got bored of me like you did with every other girl you’ve ever met?”

“Oh good fucking god, Riley!” He fumed, charging toward her and taking her face forcefully between his hands. “I could fucking shake you. What is it going to take to get it through your head that you aren’t any other girl to me?” His touch scorched her skin and short circuited her brain. Fuck, she couldn’t think straight when he was this close. “This isn’t some stupid high school crush anymore. It’s been twenty goddamn years of wanting to be near you so badly it hurts.” He let his hands fall to his sides but he didn’t budge from his spot. “I’ve been as close as it gets more times than I can count and it’s never close enough.” Her brain whirred, confusion, disbelief, and anger cycling through in rapid succession.

“Well you never said that, Max!” She finally shot back. “How was I supposed to know I was some unspoken exception to a rule! All I knew was that every time I thought we might be headed somewhere, I’d test the waters only to be told you would sooner fake your own death than commit to one woman. What was I supposed to think?” She smoothed her palms down her thighs to silence the way her hands were trembling. “I couldn’t risk it.” His face hardened, brows drawn into a harsh line.

“Right, better to cut me out of your life all together.” The venom in his voice was hardly contained but she was nearing her wits end. A long, emotional day combined with the tail end of half a dozen shots meant that her filter was wearing down to nothing.

“Fine. I’m a coward - is that what you want to hear?” She used her foot to push off the wall she was trapped against, forcibly moving past Max, and bumping his shoulder. It bought her a few valuable seconds to breath and forget the way his eyes boared into her. Getting her space didn’t mend her weary filter, though. “I didn’t think I’d survive it if we made a real go of it and you got bored of me.” Her body turned back to him on instinct alone, a hurt she had fictionalized over and over again playing out on her face. “I’ve been cheated on by a lot of guys but you…? I’d never recover from that.” The hurt in his chest only read as anger. Her stomach dropped.

“Cheat on you? For fucks sake, have a little faith in me.” He scoffed but his eyes softened as they grazed over her. He might have been a little subtle over the years about just how snugly he was wrapped around her finger but he really thought she understood. “You really think, after everything you’ve been through, that I could do that to you?”

“I didn’t." She conceded, worrying her lip between her teeth, wondering if she could back her way out of this conversation now that it had started. But he was waiting expectantly for more. "I used to think that the worst thing that could happen was our friendship would end - that was already plenty to stop me from pursuing it.” She sank back against the arm of the couch, raking her fingers through her hair. “But then after things ended with Jonah, things with us were so hot and heavy. I saw you almost every day, I woke up next to you more mornings than not, hell, we spent Valentines Day curled up on your couch with a meal you made me from scratch. It almost felt like…” Her eyes met his, the weight of her unspoken words sucking the air out of the room. There was no arguing that point; it hadn’t just felt like they were together - they were together. He just never had the chance to call it what it was.

“Riley…” He didn't have the words. He was the man of a million words but somehow, with her, they always seemed to allude him.

“But I guess that must have all been in my head, cause you had no trouble taking home that girl that worked the merch stand at your shows.” She clung desperately to the thread of dignity that kept her voice from breaking, blinking away the sting behind her eyes. He floated toward her but she held up a hand that stopped him in his tracks.

“It wasn’t like that, Ry, I swear to god.” He insisted but she was just waving him off.

“Please, Max, her tits were on full display in your kitchen.” She couldn’t bring herself to look at him anymore, embarrassed heat creeping up her neck, and it was making his stomach twist. It was hard to argue with that, even if he knew it wasn’t the reality of the situation. But even if his sex with Valerie, the exceptionally hot new merch girl at MLW, wasn’t real, the look on Riley’s face when she walked into his apartment with a bottle of his favorite whiskey, only to find a topless Valerie sitting on his kitchen counter was very very real. “It’s fine, that’s how we had always operated; I was stupid for thinking anything had changed.”

That devastated look when she saw them only lasted for a second but it was plenty to haunt his dreams for years. He wasn’t supposed to be the one that made her look like that and he didn’t even know how it happened. Valerie just lived nearby and wanted to walk back with him and he didn’t stop to think when she asked to see his replica belt collection. And yeah, maybe he’d flirted a little because he didn’t know how not to, but not so much that it warranted her taking her top off while he went to find the belt she asked to see.

But she was nothing; she was less than nothing. She was so insignificant in his story with Riley, she didn't deserve to mentioned. She didn't get to be the thing that stood between them getting together.

“It wasn’t in your head.” He finally conceded, minutes too late, trying to forcibly shift them back to what really mattered. Her eyes pleaded with him to stop. She didn’t need to complicate her feelings here, they were already jumbled enough as it was. But Max wasn't finished - he had come this far. “Everyone in the locker room referred to you as my girlfriend. My dad referred to you as my girlfriend. The fucking mailman referred to you as my girlfriend. It wasn’t in your head.” Hearing it out loud had her heart clawing it’s way out of her chest; this was too much. She didn’t realize just how badly she’d wanted to hear him call her that until he’d gotten this close.

“But I wasn’t your girlfriend, Max. So you were fully within your right to invite naked girls back to your place.” She maintained her position, knowing if she let herself falter, there would be no stopping her from crying in front of him and there was nothing in this world that she wanted less than to cry right now.

“I am telling you, nothing happened!” He gestured a desperate hand out at her. “It was a complete misunderstanding. I know that sounds like bullshit but I swear to fucking god I wasn’t responsible for the tits in the kitchen.” She rolled her eyes with a lofty breath.

“It doesn’t even matter.” She kicked off the arm of the couch, restless. “It really wasn’t about her. Like I said, even if you had, it’s really not my place to get mad about it.”

“But I’m telling you it was your place. You should have torn a hole clean through me.”

If it hadn’t been for that millisecond of devastation on her face, he might not have even known she was upset by it. She just apologized for walking in without knocking, as if him giving her a key wasn't an open invitation to do so, and excused herself to the bathroom. When he got back from escorting Valerie out of his apartment building, she was on his couch and refused to talk about it. But he knew. He didn’t have to be told that she had been crying in the bathroom while he was gone. Even if her face didn’t show it, she was stilted the whole night and eventually went home to sleep in her own bed. It wasn’t more than a few weeks before she had her first date with Lucas.

“I didn’t want to tear a hole through you. I was mad at myself, not at you. All you did was remind me that there was more at stake than just our friendship.” So she hid out in the arms of another cheating bastard. And she got humiliated on a national stage. And she lost the show she had poured her soul into. But all of that pain was manageable; the pain of having her heart broken by Max, though, that would have swallowed her whole. She needed to get out of here. His jaw ticked with irritation as she began floating toward the sparse kitchen space of the suite, searching for her shoes, but he dutifully followed after her.

"And so, what? You just gave up on the entire idea of us because of a misunderstanding that you refused to let me clear up?" It came out a little indignant and his face twitched in a strain to control his temper. She slowed, head lolling back to see him.

"Because it didn't matter." She wandered into the tiny galley kitchen and turned around, only to find herself blocked in by Max. Her pulse picked up.

"Stop saying that, it obviously did matter." He stood at the entrance to the kitchen, allowing her a few feet between them.

"No, it didn't! We kept on doing what we always did. Same old cycle, wash and repeat."

"Except that you cut me out of your life six months later!" He shot back, inadvertently taking a step into the kitchen. "Is that why? Still just punishing me for some stupid mistake?"

"No, I cut you out of my life because you got into a fist fight with my boyfriend at my mom's Holiday Party and announced to the entire room that I had cheated on Jonah with you. Huge surprise that Lucas told me I needed to make a decision."

"And so you just decided for the both of us, then? Years of friendship down the drain because your cheating, piece of shit boyfriend was worried you'd beat him to the punch?" He was past the point of feeling sheepish - none of that mattered in comparison. Another couple steps toward her and she was beginning to feel the heat of his body. He was getting harder to block out.

"What was I supposed to do, Max?" She demanded, plastering herself against the counter on the far side of the kitchen, buying as much space as she could get.

"You were supposed to choose me!" He practically shouted, hands clenching in an attempt to resist shaking her. "You were supposed to stop being a coward and be with me!" She swallowed hard, the smell of him mixed with the aftermath of their evening was seeping into her brain. She shook her head, brow furrowed.

"Yeah, and what about you, huh? When were you supposed to stop being a coward?" She spit back and he glared at her. "It's not like you ever manned up and said something! You only ever hammered on about how you 'never wanted to be tied down'." Her impression of him was tempered by the edge of emotion that was seeping into her voice. "How was I supposed to choose you when you never even hinted at wanting anything more with me? You could have said something at literally any time in last decade and I would have dropped everything in my life to be with you. But you didn't. Not once." Fire burned beneath his fingertips, grinding his teeth hard enough to chip them.

"Fine, you want me to say something?" He finally snapped, crowding into her space, hand on the cabinets behind her head. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat, eyes deadlocked with his. Reaching up with his free hand, he tangled his fist in the back of her hair, and her head tipped back in a breathless gasp. "You've been my girl since day one and nothing is ever gonna change that.” He was close enough to feel her warm breath fanning across his face. Her fingers curled around the edge of the counters. “I didn't need to say it, Riley. Its just a given - you’re mine. I know it, you know, every guy you've ever been with knows it.” He sandwiched her against the counter, their legs slotting together just right, and her skin buzzed head to toe. “So you can walk away as many times as you want. Cause our roots are tangled up tight, sweetheart; you are always gonna find your way right back here." Her breath came out in shallow gasps for air, and his lips curled into a smug smirk. Using his grip on her hair, he tilted her head, nosing along the curve of her neck until his lips brushed her earlobe. "Your body is screaming it, practically vibrating over finally being back where it belongs." Her eyes fluttered closed; her brain was going a hundred and fifty down an empty highway, wind rattling the sides so hard she couldn't hear a cohesive thought. His lips ghosted across her neck, raising goosebumps all down her spine.

"Max..." She whimpered, and he strained against the soft material of his sweats. He needed that sound more than he needed oxygen.

Loosening his grip on her hair, his hand slipped down until settling firmly along her jaw. Fingers dug into her skin, he nipped at the delicate skin of her neck, and her breathing hitched.

"I'm done sharing you, Riley." His thumb slid down her jaw, across the column of her neck, ripples of electricity spilling out beneath it. He adjusted his fingers with a trial squeeze around her throat, coming face to face with her. Her eyes blinked open, wide and hazy, dragging her teeth across her bottom lip. "Now, are you my girl or not?”

Riley’s tongue dabbed over her trembling lip and she swallowed hard. There were a million reasons racing through her head that all told her to say no but she was already nodding.

“Yeah?” His brow quirked, fingers thrumming against her throat. She nodded more firmly. Slowly, he leaned into her, guiding her up to him. Their breaths mingled and her eyes drifted shut. He nudged his nose along hers and she stood on her toes, her lips aching for his, but he pulled back. “Let me hear it.” Eyes flying open, she hesitated, but Max’s fingers constricted around her throat and the whine that slipped out was damning.

“I’m your girl.” She finally conceded. It was just above a whisper but Max scarcely let her finish anyway.

“I fuckin’ know it.”

In an instant, his hands flew down to desperately grip her face, crushing his lips into hers so hard it knocked the breath from her lungs. And just like that, she was tripping headfirst into his quicksand.

Their mouths collided in a furious gnashing of tongues and teeth and deep seated need. Her nails dragged across his lower back and he groaned into her mouth. They were messy and frantic, his hands roaming into her hair and down her collarbone, slipping beneath the splayed fabric of her shirt, hungry for every inch of skin they had been deprived of for so long. His fingers wandered to her bare thigh, electricity blooming in a line beneath his touch. He shivered, hand stuttering when she smoothed her palm up his chest, roping it around his neck.

His lips made a messy trail to her chin, then up along the line of her jaw. Calloused fingers curled around her thigh, guiding it up around his hip, and he yanked her hips flush against him. She let out an airy sigh as he laid open mouth kisses along her neck, making him throb beneath his sweatpants.

"Feel good to be back where you belong, sweetheart?" He nipped at her earlobe, rocking his hips in smooth thrusts against her core, completely exposed to him. She whimpered, body doused in gasoline and ready to ignite at a moment's notice. His fingers tightened in her hair, tugging it back, and laving his tongue over the curve of her neck before sucking at the sensitive skin.

His other hand crept up her thigh, curled around from the outside but edging up closer and closer to the apex. As he reached the top, he let his nails drag back down her thigh, and he hummed against her skin.

She urged a hurried hand just inside his hip, pawing at the top of his sweats in an attempt to push them down. Max snatched her hand, pinning it to the cabinet above her head. Her eyes shot open, wildly flitting across his face, watching helplessly as he captured her other hand, holding them both high above her head with one hand, her shirt riding up over her hips. She tugged at his grip to no avail and a thrill ran through her veins.

Grinding her hips against his stiff cock, she whined, the friction just a delicious tease. Max chuckled, low and breathy, into the crook of her neck.

“Awww, what's wrong, pretty girl?” His hand skated down, over her chest and stomach, curling his fingers around the bottom of the shirt. Knuckles dragged along the electrified skin of her hip and she squirmed. “You need something?" Her brain was too hazy for a coherent response, though, scarcely even registering his fingers nimbly undoing the bottom button. He dragged his teeth along her skin before his tongue soothed over it. She whined his name, knees suddenly feeling a little insufficient as she tried to grind against him but he pinned her hips to the counter with his own. “Use your words, Riley." But she couldn’t focus with the way his knuckles were dragging against her lower belly. He undid another button and she shook.

As quickly as his hand disappeared from her stomach, it reappeared, harshly squeezing her bare ass before delivering a sharp smack. Heat seared through her, a sharp contrast to his gentle touch, rising up her torso.

"Pleeease..." Her voice was raked over, barely recognizable under the strain of her need.

"Please what?" He delivered another, lighter smack to her ass, fingers just grazing over her center. Enough to make her entire body tremble and get his fingers dewy with her slick. Twitching beneath his sweats, his lips curled into a smug smile. He raised two fingers between them, sliding them past his lips, eyes closing as he savored the taste of her arousal. Riley's lips parted in a ragged breath, pupils blown, and his eyes snapped back to her, smirking before pressing the fingers to her lips. She obliged, letting them sink into her mouth, the taste of her still faint, and Max's other hand tightened around her wrists, trying to keep his composure. "Look at you." He worked his fingers in and out of her mouth a couple of times. "All worked up and I've barely even touched you."

An embarrassment flashed through her body and she squirmed as if it would change the truth. But when his fingers withdrew from her mouth, she had to swallow back her whine - she was already in the deep end.

His fingers, wet with their mixed saliva, trailed down her chin, over her throat, and down the center of her chest. Just barely grazing the soft skin of her breasts before landing on the top button. She couldn’t stop herself from pushing her chest out. His eyes flicked back up to meet hers, lips curling devilishly as he undid the button without looking, fingers skimming right down to the final button still fastened. Wasting no time, he popped the final obstacle and let his thumb drag torturously down over her exposed stomach. He pushed past the draped fabric, clamping around her waist with both hands, inadvertently releasing her arms. His face nestled into the crook of her neck, breathing her in, trying to commit every detail of this to memory before real life caught up to them. If he could stop time, he would have spent an eternity in that moment, her fingers curling in his hair to keep him close, their bare chests pressed against each other, heat between them threatening to burn down the entire city block.

"Fuck, I've missed you so much." The words were a rasp against her skin that he couldn't control for the third time that night. He was practically throbbing, brain just a fog of needy thoughts, his ability to keep his composure was hanging by a thread.

He gave no warning before he lifted her up onto the countertop, his lips not skipping a beat as they trailed down to the hollow of her throat. His hands slid up her figure, keeping her tight to him as he sucked dark, possessive marks into her skin. Her head tipped back, steadying herself on the countertop with one hand while the other gripped tight in his hair, as if it would lend her any real control. He left a trail of hickies in a line along her clavicle and her legs curled around his waist when he nudged the shirt over her shoulder, leaving it gaping wide. His eyes raked sinfully over every inch of her on display for him now, fingers tweaking her peaked nipple, and her breath caught in her throat.

"So damn perfect." His palm kneaded over her breast, greedy and rough, squeezing hard enough it might bruise all on its own. Free hand stabilizing on her upper thigh, he pinched her nipple between his fingers as his mouth made its way down to her chest. “And all fuckin’ mine.” He accentuated his point by leaving a particularly dark mark on her chest. He would’ve laid his claim over every last inch if he had to. “Should carve my name into your skin so everyone knows exactly who you belong to.” But god, his tongue was doing that plenty well on its own, tracing his initials over the mark he’d just made.

She sank back onto her elbow, shirt slipping off the other shoulder and giving him the full access he needed. He didn't hesitate, leaning into her and grazing his teeth over her nipple, delighting in the sharp breath of air she took in. His tongue flicked over the bud and her eyes fluttered shut, teeth raking over her lip. When he blew a cool breath across the slick, sensitive skin, her entire body bowed into him, clung around his neck.

"Fuck me, Max, pleeease." Her voice didn't feel like her own, strained and desperate.

Legs wrapped around him, she fumbled to push his sweats down with her feet. She needed more, faster, worrying her body would be reduced to ash before she got to feel him again. And even if his brain had been whirring fast enough to form a rational thought, he wouldn't have been able to resist. His entire body was electrified now and there was no slowing down. She managed to get his sweats down just enough to free his erection and there was no way to stop him to from immediately delving between her folds. Her breath escaped in a puff as he ground the tip of his cock over her clit.

"Does this pretty little pussy need some attention?" He yanked her hips so hard toward him that they practically came off the counter. One hand held her hips in place as the other skated up into her hair. "Been neglected for so long." Dragging his cock through her folds again, he could feel the precum dripping from his tip, mixing with her slick, and his eyes rolled back for just a moment. Pulling her to him by the hair, he met her in a needy kiss, frantic and overdue, as he notched his crown against her entrance. "Don't worry, baby, i'm gonna take care of you. Remind you what its like to come until you cry."

And with that, he speared through her center, to the hilt - he couldn't handle anything less than being completely buried inside her right now. She screeched, nails digging into his scalp as he made strong, purposeful thrusts up into her. Every inch of her stretched to accommodate him, squeezing a chokehold around his dick. He bit hard on her bottom lip, dragging it back as he hammered into her, her body lifting on and off of the counter with their frenzied pace.

"Ohhh fuck! Max!" She cried out, hands roaming aimlessly, pleasure blanking out her mind. If she had reservations about being with him, they were long gone, replaced by a rampaging snowball of need that was quickly filling her past her breaking point.

"You feel so fucking good, squeezing this cock like it was made for you." He growled against her jaw, fingers wrapped deep into her hair. He had meant to take this so much slower - to savor her - but fuck if his patience was that strong.

He hooked her leg up over his arm, burying both hands in her hair, keeping her spread wide for him, and forehead to forehead. Groaning, his fingers twitched as she constricted around him, trying desperately to hold it together. Her body slipping down, lower back against the counter as he rocked up into the perfect spot inside her over and over.

"My pretty little slut gonna come for me already? Missed my cock so much you couldn't even take thirty seconds before falling apart?" He watched her struggle to hold his eye contact, breathy moans following one after the other. She was too far gone to feel the shame that was percolating in her cheeks, though, just holding on for dear life as her entire body bloomed open. "Good girl, fucking milk this cock, baby." He just prayed desperately he could withstand it, his thumb reaching over to rub rough circles over her clit and she screamed, arching up and toes curling. But he didn't stop to let her breath, her screams devolving to whines.

Her back slammed, deliciously painful, against the edge of the counter each time he drove into her, and her skin was buzzing from top to bottom. She felt his hand, frantically roaming to her face, hair, stuck with sweat, getting raked between them as he gripped her jaw. He pulled her in for a messy, possessive kiss, free hand slapping her tit, fingers grazing her nipple and making her cry out. Her hand flew up to grab the cabinets to steady herself, her body trying to match his movements, careening out of control.

"Who else knows your body like this? Who else fucks you this good?" He demanded, punctuating each word with a brutal thrust. She was teetering dangerously close to the edge, his words, snarled against her ear making every inch of her skin burn. "Tell me who this beautiful body belongs to." But her orgasm was closing in quick and halting all coherent thought, color dotting her vision. His palm collided full power with her ass and the red hot sting reverberated through her veins, kicking the ground out from under her. "I said who owns this body?"

"You, you do! Fuck, Max, please!" She desperately rutted against him, chasing the finish line that was tantalizingly close if she could just wade through the foggy flashing lights.

"God damn fuckin' right I do." His voice was dangerously low, growled into the skin of her throat. Any plans for taking things slow were pummeled through, his body running on full instinct now. "Now let me feel you soak this cock."

Yanking her up more solidly onto the counter, he pushed her flat onto her back, legs spread clear apart as he rocked up into her core. Pushing down on her hips, he strummed three fingers across her clit as rapidly as he could move them, his hips falling into rhythm. Her hands desperately raked across the counters, blindly searching for a hold to keep her from floating straight out of her body. He didn't relent and her body jerked, a seismic tremble stretching over her legs. Pulling out to the tip, he slammed back in, bottoming out as he pinched her clit and she unraveled, squirting over his fingers with a scream they must have heard down in the lobby, and her back rose off the counters like she'd been electrified.

His arm wound tight around her back, plastering her to him as he bounced her up and down on his dick, his balls tightening as her walls pulsed around him, overstimulated but begging for more. Her body twitched as she stumbled through aftershocks and she clung to him for all she was worth, mouth hung open in a series of silent screams. It didn't take more than a few jerky thrusts before his hips stuttered, burying himself as deep as he could go. He spilled his warmth into her with a roar, sinking his teeth hard into her neck.

They writhed and jerked, bodies pressed tight as they could get, trying to ride out every last second. Slowing, he peppered kisses over her skin, helping her settle back down on the countertop. His hands slid up into her hair, pulling her in for a languorous kiss, getting lost in her haze, unwilling to budge from his spot deep inside her.

"That's my fuckin' girl." He cooed, hands skating down to her hips, and she melted into him, every ounce of energy fully spent, her arms draped lazily around his shoulders. "God, I've fucking missed you, Ry."

And as the fog of her orgasm ebbed, reality settled in, harsh as ever, with a million unanswered questions. The pull of the crook of his neck was too much to resist, though, so she buried her face instead of addressing any of the nagging thoughts that swirled in her head. But they couldn't stay like that forever, and when he finally pulled back, he could see the uncertainty clouding her expression. That wasn't exactly what he was hoping for.

"Max..." She breathed out his name with a tiny disbelieving shake of her head, and he straightened his spine. "What are we doing?" He wet his lips, mulling over the options in his head before he swept forward and picked her up. She yelped but he didn't stop on his path out of the kitchen and she didn't have the energy to fight him.

"We're going to bed." He bounced her down onto the mattress and crawled after her.

"But -"

"No." He cut her off, yanking the blankets out from under them. She skittered up to the top of the bed, bones suddenly feeling much heavier. Max maneuvered up her body, pressing her down into the mattress, pulling the blanket up over them. Meeting his eyes, she went to protest but he pressed his lips to hers in a silencing kiss. "It's been a long ass day and I've got to get up in less than four hours for another day of talking to sweaty nerds." She bit the inside of her lips, cutting off the rest of her protests. "And I fully intend to wake you up in the middle of the night with my tongue on your clit so let's get some sleep and maybe in the morning you'll feel less like arguing." Her lips curled into a reluctant smile before she scrunched her nose.

"Not likely."

Max snorted a laugh before rolling off of her. He roped her in with an arm and she curled against him the way she always had. Maybe sleep was exactly what she needed to make sense of this night. And this bed was so comfortable. And Max was so warm...

___

Sunlight peaked through the edge of the hotel blinds, right across Riley's eyes and she stretched, quickly finding she didn’t have the space, strong arms wrapped tight around her middle. Memories of last night flashed across her mind, a lazy smile stretching across her face. Max's lips dusted over the curve of her shoulder and a flittering of electricity rolled through her skin.

"Good morning, beautiful." He whispered into the crook of her neck and she settled back into him as heavily as she could. She was going to enjoy every second of this until reality came calling. God, she had missed waking up next to him.

"Mmm morning." Rolling onto her back, she met his hazy eyes, still heavy from sleep but soft and mildly incredulous. He had half expected to wake up and find out this had been a horribly detailed and unfair dream. But here she still was, hair mussed and dreamy smile directed right up at him. "Can we just blow off real life and stay here?" She knew they needed a more serious conversation about things they admitted in the heat of the moment last night but, she was pretty sure, as long as they stayed in this bed, nothing else mattered.

"Ugh, you read my mind." He leaned over her, fingers sliding up into her hair as he leaned in to press a lingering kiss to her lips that left them tingling in his wake. "Unfortunately, I am contractually obligated to be at this convention in..." His gaze flicked over to the alarm clock on the bedside table and he groaned. "...45 minutes. Fuck, I really need to get up and get in the shower."

Riley stretched her legs out under the covers, nestling down into the mattress.

"Oh, that's sad for you. Have fun with that, I'll be right here." She closed her eyes pointedly, missing the scowl the Max leveled at her. But there was no missing his fingers tazing her sides, making her jump. "Ah! Hey!" She objected but he rolled on top of her, pressing her into the mattress before tickling up her waist. Squirming and squealing beneath him, she begged him to stop between laughs. "Please, please, I surrender, please!" He didn't let up, though, just creeping up then down until finally settling on her hips.

"Let me try that again." He said, his bare body pressing deliciously into hers. "Come get in the shower with me, brat." She bat her lashes with a coy smile.

"Now, see, my flight doesn't come for a few more hours so I don't see why I -." She stopped short when his fingers grazed back over her sides. "No, please!" She giggled, squirming under him and he grinned down at her.

"I can't shower alone knowing my duet partner is laying right over here." He licked his lips, tracing feather-light over her skin until goosebumps raised all down her spine. Tilting her head from side to side, she scrunched her nose.

"I don't know, I saw that musical number you did with Chris Jericho. Pretty sure I've been replaced. Maybe I should go get him for you?" She teased, tongue peaking out, trapped between her teeth, and he breathed a laugh.

"Oh so you've been watching me for a while, then, huh? Didn't realize you were basically a groupie now."

"Only if you count as my groupie, too. Don't think I didn't pick up on you knowing exactly what happened in the episode where we fly to Gorkula. Are you a SpaceHead, Max?" She ran her tongue over her teeth, trying to keep back a grin, and Max gaped at her, brows knitting together.

"I don't appreciate being called a slur, Riley. Incredibly disrespectful that you would lump me in with the rest of your soap-phobic fan base." He dug his fingers into her and she squirmed with a breathless laugh. "Now get this pretty little ass in the shower before I hoist you over my shoulder and haul you in there myself."

She bit down on her lip, gearing up to tease him but stopped short at the sound of the doorknob jiggling. She tried to push herself up to sit but was stuck. When the door swung open, she smacked blindly at Max's back and he hurried to roll off of her.

"Surprise!" A petite girl, wrapped in a stylish but tight office dress, burst through the opened door and Riley snatched the blanket up to her chest, looking to Max, who had jumped to his feet.

"K-Kelsey?" He stammered, his skin suddenly excruciatingly hot, desperately clambering for a sheet to cover himself. "What are you doing here?"

Watching helplessly as Kelsey took in the scene before her, steam quickly beginning to billow out her ears, Max took a nervous step back. And understanding washed through Riley crystal clear, salt water flooding her veins, poisoned and sluggish, cementing her to her spot. She glanced back at 'Kelsey', shell shocked, and watched as she launched her purse directly at Max's head.

"Are you fucking kidding me!?" She demanded, storming toward him, and Riley sat numbly as the woman smacked his chest. "I can't believe you!"

"Baby, please.." He held his hands up in front of him in defense but Kelsey kept swinging.

Riley jolted from her spot, taking the blanket with her as she backed up. She couldn't feel her skin anymore, a monstrous pit of nausea roiling in her gut. Baby. She was going to be sick.

"How could you do this to me? I came out here to surprise you after how shitty you said your day was yesterday and this..." Kelsey glanced back in Riley's direction and gave her a good look at the potent mix of anger and heartbreak on her face for just a second before she whirled back on Max. "You're unbelievable."

Max's gaze finally drifted back to Riley and she never wanted to disappear so badly in her life. She tore away from his gaze forcefully, skittering toward her dress that was laying on the floor by the door. Slipping away before his eyes.

"Kels, I'm sorry, I never meant-" He tried to defend but she stomped her heel hard into his foot. Riley shimmied into her dress on the other side of the room, fighting against the way her hands shook. "Fuck, can everybody just -" Holding his hands out as if he could still control this situation, Kelsey swatted them away.

"I'm going to go home, put your shit out on the curb, and change the lock. Go fuck yourself, Max." She snatched her purse off the floor by him before turning on her heel. Slowing to a stop when she caught sight of Riley by the door, she shook her head. "You can fucking keep him."

The door rattled shut behind her and plunged the room into a nuclear silence. Riley's eyes pinned to Max and the sting behind them finally made itself known, her chest aching so bad she thought it might cave in. She sucked in a breath, frozen to the ground.

"Riley, I can explain."

"Don't." She begged. "Please."

Sweeping up her purse from the couch, she backed toward the door and Max finally started after her.

"Please, stop, I know how this looks..."

"It looks like you have a live-in girlfriend, Max." She whirled on him with a devastated expression that she had tried so valiantly to control.

"Well...had, from the sounds of it." He mumbled but she glared daggers through him. Holding up his hands in a peace offering, he tried to get a step closer to her. "I'm sorry, I know. Fuck, I'm sorry."

"This was a mistake. I need to go." She tried to turn back toward the door but Max caught her hand. The shock it sent through her body knocked her off balance.

"Please don't go, Ry." He reeled her closer by the hand but she snatched it away from him. Darting around her, he stepped into her path toward the door. She tried to side step him but he kept in her way. "Please, I can't go back to life without you. I meant everything I said last night!" He pleaded and she sat back on her heel, stunned, the boiling guilt in her stomach turning over into simmering anger.

"Yeah, you meant it when you said you couldn't see yourself settling down with anyone but me?" Her entire body was trembling and she had stunned him into silence. "Looks like I was just never worth making the effort for. I mean, after all, I'm just a given, right." Her voice was cold as she tried to shoulder past him but he blocked her.

"C'mon, you're twisting my words!" He begged. "You know that's not what I meant. I am crazy about you, Riley, please, this doesn't change anything for me."

“It changes things for me.” She spat and he swayed back like she’d hit him. His pulse was threatening to spike him into the carpet. How had everything gone so wrong? “We make each other worse, Max. And I can’t do it anymore.” Finally managing to get past him, she made a break for the door.

Breezing through, she let it slam behind her, taking off as quickly as possible down the hallway, shoes be damned, she couldn't force herself to care. She picked up her pace at the sound of his door opening behind her, hustling toward the elevator. Maybe she was running away but she couldn't take any more, she needed to fly as many miles away from him as she could get and let her heart break in private.

"Riley!" He shouted after her, having slung his sweats on so quickly he nearly face planted. He couldn't let her get away, not this time, not when he knew he might never see her again if he let her slip away now. But she was jamming on the elevator button as if it would make it come faster, nervously glancing back. "Stop, Riley, come on!"

He didn’t take long to catch up to her, blocking the still-closed doors of the elevator with his body.

“Get out of the way.” She demanded, a hand on her hip.

“No. You can’t go like this. Not after last night.” His eyes pleaded with her, arms spread wide to barricade her path. Her gaze on him lingered but broke the second the elevator dinged above his head.

“Last night wasn’t real, Max.” She replied plainly as if it wasn’t another dagger through her chest. His shoulders slumped but he still didn’t move out of the open door. “Move.”

“Last night was as real as it gets, Riley, and you know it.” He insisted but she shook her head, eyes narrowed. “It was the most real night we’ve ever had.” The elevator doors attempted to close but he held them open forcefully.

“Well isn’t that sad for us?” She frowned, eyes drawn and dark, and Max’s arm fell. The sting behind her eyes was starting to eat away at her; she needed to get some distance now. She used the opportunity to slip past him, into the elevator.

“Riley, I need you…” He pleaded, but she clung to the back wall, just like she had the night before - she needed it now more than ever. Look at what a mess she made when she let herself off that tether.

“And I loved you." She confessed, sending his heart through his chest. " But I never want to see you again."

Max stumbled back a step, stricken, his eyes crawling over her, wide and desperate. The elevator slid closed between them and left them each in a suffocating silence, swallowing up all the oxygen around them.

Riley finally slumped down to the floor of the elevator, face falling in her hands. Her chest ached in a new and unbearable way that made her whole body shake. The pain radiated down to her toes, engulfing her.

Last night played on a loop in her mind. She was his, all his, every inch - that was what he said right? Her fingers traced delicately over the bruised skin he had left behind. All his. But never hers.

Her head fell back against the hard wall of the elevator, drawing in a shaky breath. Some palate cleanser, she thought bitterly. Eyes drifting shut, she wondered if every relationship she had ever been in hadn’t just been cleansing her palate of him.

But she wasn’t sure there was anything that could ever wipe this taste from her mouth. She had just decimated her palate all at once. Maybe that was for the best.

—-

Part Two

Prequel if you please

[wammbam]

whats the magic word?

if you asked him, punk would say that he is the ideal example of what an omega should be, in his humble opinion.

if you asked anyone else, they would say punk is full of shit and the most disagreeable omega they have ever met.

now, if you asked joe, he would probably say punker is too unruly to truly be tamed, but that the pussy was to die for.

-

read here on ao3

[faggotmox]

title: at his worst rating: explicit pairing: Jon Moxley/Claudio Castagnoli word count: 7,260 warnings/tags: watersports, leather, boots, boot licking, cbt, S&M, breeding, one instance of blood licking, violence (slapping, kicking, throwing, threats), zelophilia, erotomania, extreme possessiveness, provoking, roughness, basically cnc but not the way youd think, kinda pet play but it's more Claudio calling Eddie & Mox dogs & treating Mox as a dog to humiliate him notes: this is a kink meme fill: Mox/anyone, watersports/foot kink "What it says on the tin. Basically, Mox getting pissed on with additional foot/shoe kink." summary: Baiting someone like Claudio into loosing control wasn't easy, but Mox never minded a challenge. What he gets might be more than he bargained for, but that's never stopped him before.

[ link to ao3 ]

It’s the air of Newports clinging to the cloth of the jacket. An unmistakable stench lingering so everyone would know Mox had been sucking down that specific brand. The locker room wasn’t overwhelmed with the smell, but as Mox passed by Yuta he wrinkled his nose.

Not that Yuta was the one that Mox was targeting, it was still a fun reaction. Instead he was after a much bigger fish. Claudio had looked up immediately when Mox entered, his much more hound-like nose catching on quicker than anyone else. Narrow eyes tracked Mox as he walked over to the cubby to toss the crinkled pack of cigarettes on top of his bag.

“Wheeler,” Clauido’s voice came out tight.

“Yeah?” Yuta looked up, his eyebrow raising as he heard the stress in the other’s voice.

“Could you run down to catering and get me a coffee, please.” Claudio was stiff as he spoke, his eyes clearly trying not drift over to Mox undressing.

“What?” Yuta frowned at the request and he dared a look at the oblivious man undressing.

“Go to catering and bring me back a coffee,” Claudio repeated much more tersely.

“Wha--” Yuta found himself quickly cut off as another question formed.

“Just black. Now.” Claudio’s voice grew more stern as he gestured to the door.

“Fine.” Yuta rolled his eyes as he got going, having to tug a hoodie over his bare chest as he went.

The door swung closed with a heavy thud. Claudio used his long legs to stride to the door in as few steps as possible without running. The deadbolt was flipped with a lot of force, making metallic clinks. Finally, Mox turned around to smirk at the bothered man.

“You good, Swiss?” Mox’s slightly bratty, teasing voice set the other man on edge.

“Come here.” Claudio held himself totally tense, muscles bulging and flexing as he held the tight coil of rage inside.

“You sent the kid outta here in a hurry.” Mox leaned back against his locker instead, foot coming up on the bench to start unlacing. “Something you wanna talk about, babe?”

Claudio’s anger swelled up and crashed as he caught sight of love bites decorating Mox’s neck, where they had previously been hidden under his shirt. Instead of waiting for Mox to obey, Claudio stormed forward, stepping over the bench and forcing Mox’s leg down. The lockers rattled when Mox was slammed into the metal. Moans trickled out of Mox’s throat as he felt himself start to fill out the crotch of his jeans.

“I do not know how many times--” Claudio breathed in the smell of the wrong tobacco on his partner. “--we must talk about this before he keeps his fucking hands to himself.”

“What makes you think--” Mox felt all the air leave his lungs as his back slammed into the locker door again.

“You stink,” Claudio growled. “You’re marked.”

“I am?” Mox gave a toothy grin. “Well, you know Eddie gets--”

Everything moved in a blur as Claudio ragdolled Mox over the bench. The world turned upside down and pain blossomed even as Mox did his best to break the fall. His back met concrete, the force once again violently depriving him of oxygen. Only Mox would be turned on by that display, his world violently rocked just like he liked it.

As Mox rolled onto his side, moaning in pain and wheezing for breath, he watched the other man advance on him. It occurred to Mox in that moment that perhaps he bit off more than he could chew provoking Claudio like this (again). Then again it has been his goal for a while to drive his Swiss partner insane because a crazy Claudio fucked even harder than normal. There was a beast to unleash inside the man.

The furious dark eyes, tight frown, and pinched brow made Mox’s dick twitch. Seeing Claudio lose his composure and control was the hottest thing Mox could ever imagine. Most people would never get the pleasure of being on the receiving end of the real Claudio – of the wild animal that he truly was deep down under all the training.

Leather ring boots kicked Mox’s shoulder, applying pressure until he rolled onto his back. Claudio stood over him, looking down with a stormy expression. That was exactly what Mox wanted. The corners of his mouth turned into a smirk, tongue peeking out between his smug lips which seemed to piss off Claudio even more.

“I don't think we need to talk anymore. It doesn't seem as though my English is coming through clearly.” Claudio lowered over the man on the floor, his right boot planted on Mox's chest. “I think it's time I start speaking his language.”

“Gonna start on your Spanish--” Mox choked as the boot landed on his neck, pressing down for just long enough to be dangerous before letting up. “Fuck.” Mox coughed.

Instead of issuing a command, Claudio knelt down and slapped the shit out of Mox. Red finger prints bloomed under the beard as heat and pain burned through the nerves. Mox could feel that fog cover him the more he was roughed up. Another slap landed on his other cheek and he moaned Claudio’s name.

“I would beat you senseless if you did not have to perform tonight.” Claudio clearly meant it, a wishfulness in his voice.

“Promise, sweetheart?” Mox smirked at the fire that lit. Using Eddie’s most common term of endearment was a mean little jab, but Mox couldn't help himself.

Stepping to one side of Mox, Claudio made sure to issue a swift kick to his ribcage. Mox groaned, rolling to protect that side as another kick tried to make a bruise. Instead of telling him to get up, Mox found himself being dragged by his foot like he was nothing. The concrete transitioned to tile as Claudio dragged his partner into the bathroom.

Finally Claudio dropped the leg in favor of picking the man up. Mox was making it difficult to be picked up, allowing his body to go limp with Claudio's arms supporting him. Grunting, the larger man simply tossed Mox into a shower stall out of annoyance.

Another hard impact knocked Mox loopy. This was far beyond anything Mox had been able to draw out before, and it was amazing. Slowly he pushed himself upright, letting his back rest against the wall. It took a moment for his eyes to stop going around and around so he could focus on the huge, menacing figure in the shower stall doorway.

“Damn, big guy,” Mox muttered, his hand going to adjust his aching dick pressing against his jeans.

“No.” Claudio kicked Mox's hand away from his own dick. “You clearly can't be trusted with what's mine.”

That sent a shiver through Mox. Slowly his eyes traveled down the long, muscled body. The massive hard outline of Claudio's cock showing that he was beyond aroused too. Jealousy was an extremely potent aphrodisiac for Claudio, and Mox loved pushing that boundary.

Mox's eyes were huge with desire as the leather boot that kicked away his hand was pressed against his clothed cock. His breathing hitched as Claudio slowly stepped on his crotch, the erotic pain making him ache and throb.

“Oh, fuck!” Mox almost reached for the shiny leather but knew he'd be hit for it. “Fuck, fuck!” The pain was real, his shaft and balls hurting as the weight was steadily applied.

“Hump, mutt. It's all you're good for.” Claudio gestured to his foot, it wasn't a safe amount of pressure he was bearing down on Mox's crotch. “Now.”

“Claudio.” Mox moaned as he started to press his cock even harder against the sole of the boot. It was driving Mox to new heights, somewhere between exploding with an orgasm and passing out from pain. “Fuck, please!”

One hand slammed against the tile wall of the shower as Mox worked his hips harder. The delicious pain was incredibly erotic, leaving Mox whimpering and begging quietly. Eyes closed and head dropped back against the wall as he gave torturously painful little rocks of his hips. The second orgasm of the night was approaching like a freight train, all because Claudio was crushing his engorged cock.

“Slut,” Claudio spat as he pulled his boot away.

“No!” Mox cried out at the sudden loss of pain, even sliding down the wall more to chase after the boot. “Fuck. I was so fucking close!”

“I know.” Claudio scowled above, his eyes still just as angry and furious. “Open your jeans, slide them down your hips only an inch or two.”

“Fuck you.” Mox couldn't help himself and finally earned a swift punch to the mouth, causing blood to trickle from the corner of his lips. “God damn it. Fuck. Okay, okay.”

First Mox stuck his tongue out to catch the droplets of crimson. Eyes tracked the movement of Mox's tongue with interest, maybe wanting a taste too. Following instructions wasn't Mox's favorite thing but he did like getting punched so he may as well reward Claudio’s unhinged behavior.

“Good,” Claudio sneered as he watched Mox’s hands work open his jeans. “That's fine,” Claudio informed Mox when he started to lower his pants, just a little, just passing his dick. The red underwear was tightly stretched over Mox's throbbing cock. He glanced between Claudio and his own body as he tried to figure out what was to come next.

“I think it's time I mark my territory, don't you?” Claudio pushed his tights down until his cock flopped out obscenely. “A dog like Eddie needs to be shown who this bitch belongs to, and it is not him.”

Claudio kicked at Mox's legs until he bowed them out more. Now he was standing between the spread legs. They shared a look and Mox just couldn't resist. It was in his nature to drive his lovers mad by being the biggest brat possible at all times.

“Gonna piss with that hardon?” Mox winked.

Clearly that was the wrong move because Claudio rolled his eyes. A swift, hard tap to Mox's balls made the man cry out and try to curl in on himself. The same boot that assaulted Mox's balls kicked him back against the wall with a thud.

“Yes.” Claudio took his mostly hard shaft in hand.

It was more difficult pissing with an erection, but this wasn’t his first time urinating on a lover before. Or just Mox in general. Focus and some muscle was all Claudio needed to start a mildly weak stream of piss. The first splash landed on Mox’s crotch, wet warmth soaking through the athletic material. The sensation was pure pleasure on both sides.

Some of the stream was directed towards Mox’s stomach and chest before returning to darken the blue jeans at the thighs. The urine ran clear since Claudio was constantly intaking water. Bliss was coursing through Mox’s veins, moaning and writhing under the spray as he looked up at the huge cock delivering his pleasures.

“Mouth open.” Claudio stepped forward so he could spray down the Mox’s throat. The last dribbles leaked into the other man’s mouth. “Swallow it.”

Never one to back down, Mox barely opened his eyes as he swallowed. The growl that got out of Claudio was worth it, going straight to Mox’s cock. Before the crazed man could step back Mox leaned in to suck every last droplet of urine off the head of Claudio’s dick.

“Were you holding all that so you could go just before your match or do you just enjoy having that much piss in your bladder?” Mox didn’t sound grumpy at all, in fact he was just turned on.

“You never know when to say when, do you?” Claudio shook his head as he knelt down, making sure to avoid wet spots. “You are impossible.”

“I’m cute too.” Mox winked, his tongue poking out to taste the piss still clinging to his beard.

Jeans and underwear were jerked down further. The sigh of relief from Mox when his cock was freed made his partner chuckle. Long, thick fingers wrapped around the base of Mox’s ball sac tight enough to make him groan uncomfortably. His balls were bulging in the sac, turning a darker shade of red. The following sharp slap sent Mox reeling, stars exploding behind his eyes as he cried out.

The pain was overwhelming, white hot through every nerve in Mox’s body. Of course one strike wasn’t enough, so Claudio started to do more. Mox’s body thrashed around, tethered to the floor only by the other man holding his valuables, screaming out and moaning loudly. There were thick strings of pre-come oozing from the tip of his twitching cock at the treatment.

Each smack was more painful than the last. Mox was panting and crying, a slow trickle of tears down his face. There was a high that he was chasing and Claudio was close to taking him there. Everything was just about to become too much, where any sane person would let up, but that wasn’t the case here. Instead Claudio took the swollen sac in the palm of his large hand and started to squeeze.

“FUCK!” Mox screamed, his fist coming down on the wall of the shower. “Can’t-- Claudio--”

“Can’t what? Handle the consequences of your own actions?” Claudio hissed as he worked to tighten his grip.

“Fuck, fuck, please.” Mox could hardly breathe, his voice raw and choked. Still he wasn’t sure if he was asking for more or for everything to stop.

“You wanted this, you did this. I hate it when you make me like this.” Claudio was panting just as much as the tormented man, crazy eyes fully focused on Mox. “I can’t hold on. You made me do this.”

“I’m--I’m--” Mox looked woozy, his face flush with pain and arousal.

“I don’t care. You could pass out and I’ll still flip you over and breed your slut ass,” Claudio growled, another harsh squeeze.

“Shit!” Mox’s whole body convulsed with the pain, and finally his hands came down to grab at the ones wrapped around his balls.

“Don’t you dare,” Claudio snarled as he caught one of the incoming hands by the wrist. “You’re the one that asked me to do this. Coming into our locker room smelling like fucking Eddie, marked by Eddie fucking Kingston as if I won’t rip both of your throats out.”

“Argh,” Mox bad finally found his breaking point, loud sobs wracking his body. Stuttering breath, uncontrollable tears, and a pale face, all indicators that Mox was truly at his body's limits.

“Fuck you, Jon,” Claudio spat viciously as the other withered in agony.

The hand Claudio was holding onto was firmly placed back on the wall of the shower, making it clear that Mox was not to move it again. Another soul crushing smack was applied to Mox’s aching balls. The scream of pain made Claudio smirk so he did it again and again until his victim was all screamed out. Mox’s body was losing all its fight from the mistreatment. It was never an easy feat to subdue Jon Moxley.

Finally Claudio released the tortured sac, allowing his partner to drop back into the puddle of piss on the floor. Long legs took him back to his full height as he watched Mox curl in on himself, hands finally able to gently cup his own balls. The quiet whimpers and moans of suffering made Claudio’s cock twitch. At this point Mox was in so much pain he probably couldn’t see.

“Hey.” Claudio reached out his foot to nudge at Mox’s shoulder until vacant blue eyes looked up. “If you move from this exact spot and position while I’m gone I’ll put your balls under my boot until they pop. Understood?”

It wasn’t really fair. After all, Mox wasn’t even in this world anymore. With the kind of pain Claudio put him through he was very much in hell, but the weak nod wasn’t enough confirmation. With an annoyed sigh Claudio wedged his foot between Mox’s thighs and pressed the side of the boot against the swollen balls.

“F-fuck…” Mox moaned pitfully at just the light contact.

“Say it.” Claudio’s jaw was tight, teeth practically grinding together.

“I won’t fuckin’ move,” Mox mumbled out as he tried to keep still to prove the point.

The leather slipped wetly from between Mox’s thighs, piss covering the shiny surface. Claudio retreated from the stall, even out of the bathroom, leaving Mox alone in his misery. At this point there was no telling what would happen. Mox smiled to himself as his breathing calmed down; he had unleashed the very monster he had wanted.

The best part for him was that Claudio hated it, hated being jealous and losing control so violently. Breaking the seams of such a buttoned up man was Mox’s favorite way to live dangerously. It took a long time to find the right triggers for Claudio, the thing that would send him into a violent rage the easiest. Of course the fastest, easiest way to get under that tough skin was Eddie Kingston.

There weren’t rules. It wasn’t like Claudio could tell Mox he couldn’t see Eddie since the Swiss man had no control over him. Mox could fuck whoever he wanted, but Claudio made it clear in this case that there would be consequences. Mox sure did enjoy those consequences the more extreme they got, and despite Claudio hating losing control the man seemed to get off on being the jealous out of control lover.

The time thinking allowed Mox’s body to calm down. Sure his balls hurt, but the deep ache and throbbing also made him hard as could be. The incredible pain dulled down to low erotic simmer, any touch could cause that pain to return. The cold, wet floor was a nice contrast to his overheated body as everything started getting back to the base line.

Quiet footsteps alerted Mox to the return of his tormentor. A smile grew on his face as Claudio got closer, walking right back into the trap. Clearly their five minute intermission didn’t calm down the Swiss man like it had Mox. The angry frown was still present, the storm still going full force behind the dark brown eyes.

“I’m surprised,” Claudio announced as he saw the other man in the exact same place he’d left him. “You touched your cock though.”

“How would you know?” Mox muttered, his eyes cracking open.

“On your back.” Claudio kicked at him once more, hoping to leave bruises on Mox’s legs. “Because you’re a whore, Jon.”

“Got me there.” Mox chuckled as he rolled onto his back slowly.

“Hm.” Claudio towered over him, stepping up so his feet were planted on either side of Mox’s hips.

They stared at each other for a moment until Mox realized why the other man had run off. A large bottle of water was in one hand and his phone was in the other. Claudio made a show of bringing the bottle up to his lips and chugging a good few gulps of water. While drinking Claudio opened his phone, clearly swiping over messages from Yuta who was still locked out of their locker room.

Once Claudio made his point he lowered the bottle. On his phone Claudio opened up his camera, the lens aimed at Mox’s obscene position on the floor. After a few moments of fake consideration Claudio snapped a few photos of Mox like he was a porn star. As he flipped through the photos Claudio took another long pull of water before setting the bottle on the ledge of the stall and crouching down to show Mox the screen.

“Stay away from what is mine, mutt.”

Two photos were attached of Mox. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what was happening. Claudio made sure the image displayed how beat up Mox’s balls were, and that he was wet and laying in something wet. Wasn’t hard to figure out it was piss. Marks and bruises littered across pale skin told the story of the rough claim.

“Really gonna send that?” Mox teased, knowing full well it would have repercussions. The swift slap made him moan as his head snapped to the side. “Shit.”

“Fuck you. I’m not sending it yet.” Claudio sat the phone near his water as he stood up. “I have more to document.”

“Think some mutt’s gonna listen to that?” Mox stuck his tongue out a little at the angry twitch of Claudio’s face.

“Hands and knees.” Claudio growled. “If I have to say it again--” He made a motion like he’d lift his boot to stomp on Mox’s cock.

For just a moment Mox gave a defiant look, thinking maybe he’d risk more pain and wrath. In the end he just winked at his partner and rolled over onto his front, making sure there was a disgusting splash to his wet movements. Once he was on his hands and knees he felt Claudio’s hands searching his jean pockets until he found the one packet of lube that had been stashed away, for this exact moment.

“You know this won’t be enough.” Claudio looked at the packet, lust taking over as he imagined how rough this was going to be.

“Luckily I’m a whore, right?” Mox snarked, head turning to throw a smirk over his shoulder.

The look that slowly took over Claudio’s face when he realized what exactly was being implied could only be described as pure rage. Avoiding the wet spots Claudio knelt down on one knee, his hands immediately going to the firm cheeks in front of him and spreading them apart. Mox moaned as his hole was exposed to scrutiny.

The sharp intake of breath was the exact reaction Mox wanted to hear. The last bit of self-control broke as Claudio slid his thumb closer to the slightly puffy opening. A soft moan came from Mox as his slightly sore hole was prodded. Come and lube still leaked out of Mox’s ass, as if he had been coming back to the locker room to clean up from a rough Eddie Kingston fuck.

A large, forceful hand landed on the back of Mox’s head, pushing him down. Face first into the piss, ass sticking out and ripe for the taking. The packet of lube was torn open, the little inside was smeared over Claudio’s large dick. There was no hesitation as he pressed forward into Mox’s relaxed hole.

“Claudio.” Mox moaned at the intense invasion.

As Mox whined, Claudio cursed in Swiss German. Despite flaunting that Mox was open, it took a lot of force to slide in. Not as open as Claudio thought he would be, the tight heat engulfing him so enticing that he couldn’t even care about the lack of prep. Especially with Mox making the most pleasurable, painful little moans. It was music to his ears.

It was very rare Claudio let loose like this; his size didn’t allow it. The not-quite-dry slide was painful, making the stretch burn too much. Most people would have tapped out just after the head popped in, but not Mox. Despite being practically split in two with little to no lube, Mox was pushing back.

“Whore,” Claudio growled as he brought his hand down hard on Mox’s flank.

“Don’t stop,” Mox muttered, his whole world narrowed down to this point that the slap barely registered.

“Why would I stop when I could fuck you harder?” Claudio wrapped an arm around Mox’s waist so that he could start really pounding away.

The noises drove Claudio crazy. Anyone else crying out and yelling like this would have him needing to stop, but he knew this was what was wanted of him. Mox sounded like he was drowning. The sadistic streak won out as Claudio reached down to cup Mox's abused cock and balls.

“Nahhh--” Mox sobbed at the touch. Too raw to make sense.

“Does it make you nervous that my hand is back here?” Claudio growled, lips close to Mox's ear as he nodded quickly. “Good. It should.”

“Fuck!” Mox cried out at the harsh, pointed thrust that finally settled the large cock all the way inside. “Oh my god. Fuck. Fuck.”

“Just like a bitch in heat.” Claudio hissed as he felt the too tight passage struggle to adapt to his presence. “Fuck.”

Being inside Mox was all the big guy needed. Little rolls of Claudio's hips earned him little whimpers from Mox, the painful kind. It made Claudio moan back, his body lowering to plaster across the expanse of Mox's back like they needed as much skin to skin contact as possible. Needing to be closer than close, as if Claudio wasn't buried nine inches deep in the man. It was like Claudio wouldn't stop until he consumed all of Mox.

Strong arms shifted until Claudio snaked one around Mox’s neck, pulling him back until they were upright on their knees. The position change let Claudio slide in deeper. The strangled whine of pain made Claudio tighten his grip on Mox's neck until very little air could be taken in, a little whistle on the way out. Mox's hands clawed at the arm cutting off his oxygen, sharp nails scraping the skin.

Claudio let his other hand rest against Mox's belly, imagining he could feel himself through the other's body. Harsh snaps of his hips sent Mox into a spiral, searching for the right spot to make it all so much better. Suddenly Mox screamed out, though the little air passing over his vocal chords didn’t allow for much volume. That was the spot. The tight heat contracted to nearly painful tightness as Claudio started to really fuck Mox.

Frustrated, Claudio growled as he found it difficult to thrust. The little packet of lube was off to the side. There couldn’t be much left but Claudio snatched it up without letting go of Mox’s neck. Of course Claudio didn’t pull all the way out, how could he? No. He had to at least keep the head inside Mox or he might perish. The miniscule amount of lubrication came out, much to Claudio’s annoyance. He could have been prepared but this had all happened so fast.

“Spit.” Claudio held his hand out to Mox, knowing he would be slobbery from the choking.

“Fu-ck--” Mox allowed the saliva to flow from his lips into the awaiting hand. “Y-ou.”

“Shut it.” Claudio tightened his arm to get his point across.

The slobber helped. Claudio moaned as he coated his shaft. The slide was much easier for him, but Mox tried to jump away at the sudden reinvasion of his body. Nails painfully dug back into Claudio’s arm; he could feel blood trickling from the half moon cuts. The deeper he pushed the harder Mox scratched.

“I’m fucking you from behind because I can’t even look at you right now.” Claudio’s voice was so low, still so angry. “You’re disgusting.”

“Ah--” Mox tried to speak but the impossibly thick bicep squeezed tighter. Even tapping out wouldn’t stop it, nothing would.

“I should have cleaned your dirty ass out.” Claudio was losing even more composure as he fucked into the unwilling body.

Mox could hear it in Claudio’s voice. He was getting so close to breaking. They were so close. The heavy ache still in Mox’s balls felt so good with the assault on his prostate. Every sensation was too much, every touch and feeling was turned up to eleven. Mox was losing himself in all of it, approaching the point where he’d be so overstimulated everything would shut off.

Even with the incredible force of the thrusts, Mox could hardly tell what sensation was what except that his whole body felt like a nerve on fire. All the pain from being choked, his aching balls, and the brutal fuck he was receiving blended together to become one beacon of pain and pleasure. He was drowning in the seas of extreme pleasure.

The heavy litany of dirty talk in Mox’s ear wasn’t really registering but whatever he was hearing was turning him on. At this point Claudio probably didn’t even know what he was saying as he used every muscle in his body to force himself on Mox at the brutal pace he had set. Vague death threats towards Eddie, and claims that Claudio would do unspeakable violence for their transgressions.

Finally the arm around Mox’s neck was released. All the air and world came back to him all at once as he was shoved back down face first into the floor. The impact made Mox moan as he tried to get his hands under him but couldn’t with how much each thrust jolted him, and the slippery floor wasn’t helpful either. Mox found his face pressed up against the piss wet tiles.

“C’mon.” Mox growled, his voice harsh and raw. “C’mon!”

The roar that came from Claudio’s chest bounced off the shower walls. Brutal hands were leaving bruises on Mox’s hips that he would cherish for weeks to come. Desperate hips pushed back to meet the earth shattering thrusts. An annoyed huff was heard over his shoulder.

“Ass up, whore.” Claudio manhandled the smaller man. “Spread your legs-- Yeah.”

“Oh!” Mox felt the shift in his very soul, mouth hanging open against the wet floor. “Oh my god.”

The new angle drove home quake after quake of pleasure, sending shocks through Mox’s whole body. He slammed his fist against the floor, splashing Claudio’s piss on his own face. A hair away from bliss, Claudio just had to pull the trigger. The feeling blinded Mox as he felt all thoughts leave his head, the edge of oblivion right there.

Desperate whines filled the room as Mox begged for it. Rambling incoherently for Claudio to do anything to set him off. He knew the other man was prolonging the torment as punishment. If Mox had his wits about him anymore he’d moan Eddie’s name just to rekindle the blaze, but he couldn’t form any coherent thoughts let alone manipulations.

“I am your God.” Claudio’s hot voice was suddenly in Mox’s ear again, low and dangerous. “I will give you all you want and desire. As long as you worship at my altar. No one else’s.”

A sneaky hand came down, bypassing Mox’s aching cock to roughly fondle his bruised balls. The jolt of pain was accompanied by Claudio’s expert thrusts that didn’t let up. Mox felt his soul leave his body as he came technically untouched, his vision going white as he felt himself gush and gush onto the floor. The way his balls contracted as he came went waves of new agony through his body and for the first time he tried to pull away from Claudio.

“Not yet.” Claudio’s harsh growl sent shivers of fear down Mox’s back.

“Can’t--” Mox shook his head as he felt himself starting to lull into unconsciousness, the black edges closing in as the pleasure and pain battled it out in his body.

“Too.” Claudio gave a pointed thrust. “Bad.”

That was it, Mox was lights out. His body went limp as he shut off completely. Now he was completely at Claudio’s mercy, and he knew as he drifted through the darkness that his partner wouldn’t let up. Not over something as trivial as passing out. There was really no telling how long he would be out for, if it was a really good one he could be out for over five minutes.

The first thought that resurfaced was that Claudio had started the shower. Slowly Mox was able to open his eyes, finding himself on his front still. Warmth splashed over his ass, but the shower head wasn’t going. A smile formed when the spray stopped for a moment, as if waiting for Mox to wake up.

“Turn over.” Claudio sounded absolutely wrecked.

“Still got some in the tank, huh?” The words were slurred but Mox knew he got the point across as he worked on regaining control of his body, not that he was great at that in the first place.

“I’m not finished.” The tremble in Claudio’s voice was music to Mox’s ears.

“Didn’t think you were.” Mox got himself turned over, sitting on his sore ass and leaning back on his hands.

“You.” Claudio bit his lip so hard a little dribble of blood poured out. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

“I know--” Mox smirked as he spoke, batting his eyes up at the man towering over him. “--exactly what I do to you, baby.”

There was almost a flash of pain that went across Claudio’s face as he flinched. His breathing picked up again, a tremble running through his body as he realized just how out of control he had gotten. Watching Claudio crash was the cherry on top of it all.

“Awh, c’mon.” Mox’s throat felt raw and tight, making it drop a little more. “You’re not finished, right?”

The hot stream hit the center of Mox’s chest, running down through his chest hair to pool at the bend of his waist. On the ledge of the shower stall the water bottle was empty. Mox moaned, his eyes closing in ecstasy as the body fluid ran between his thighs. As the stream moved higher Mox felt his face get drenched.

“Open up.” Claudio’s command didn’t hold near the authority it did before, but he had to keep going. After all, he started this, which meant he had to follow through.

“Don’t gotta tell me twice.” Mox laughed at the weak command but kept his mouth open.

Mostly Mox drank down the stream of urine because he wanted to, because he expected Claudio to finish it. No matter that Claudio was crashing and feeling guilt over his actions. Losing control wasn’t something he allowed himself to do, but Mox always knew how to force it out of him.

It took an impressive amount of time for Claudio to fully empty himself. Mox really relished in the shower as if he were being showered in gold. Everything was wet so Mox had to blink away the piss clinging to his eyes and lashes so he could finally fully look up at the man above him. Even though Mox was the one on the floor, covered in urine, they both knew who was in charge.

“Gimme a hand up.” Mox extended his hand but it was pushed away.

Instead Claudio pulled up his tights and knelt down so he could lift Mox up himself. Gentle and easy, unlike any touch they had shared recently. It almost ruined the mood, but the broken look on Claudio’s face was getting Mox going again.

Along the way Mox’s jeans had gotten to his ankles. Thankfully his boots zipped off, and he easily got out of all the wet clothes. The stickiness left over was always a shame to wash away. The treatment Mox had just endured was very present in his body, he would need to ice his balls soon, but otherwise Mox was going to bask in all the pain and glory of their acts.

“Hey.” Mox grabbed Claudio’s jaw roughly. “You bring another pair of those boots?”

“I--” Claudio glanced down to see the shiny leather cover in piss. “No.”

“Tsk. Take ‘em off.” Mox pushed the other man’s face away, The only way to stop the burnout was to return their normal balance.

Claudio stepped backwards when he was pushed, taking a few steps to get out of the shower stall. He leaned down to start unlacing his boots while he watched Mox happily limp over to the shower control, turning the water onto warm. He glanced up just in time to see Claudio have a reaction to all his work being washed away.

“Front and center.” Mox gestured to the entry of the stall he was running his shower in. “With the boots.”

“Yes, Master.” Claudio did as he was told, waiting for his next instruction.

“I wanna see you lick those boots clean. Then when we get back into the locker room, I’ll ice my junk obviously and you’ll shine those off with your little kit you bring everywhere.”

“I understand, Master.” Claudio set one boot aside to start on the right one.

They touched each other, growing more aroused as they showed off for each other. Mox stood with his back under the spray, relaxed blue eyes tracking every movement. Claudio wasn’t shy when he ran his tongue over the worn leather, clearing the piss off the surface as he went. His own piss. The whole show had Mox’s hand back around his half hard cock.

It was too much, Mox wasn’t the self control guy anyways. Claudio painted the perfect picture of repentance. Getting the best fuck of his life and crushing the will of one of the strongest people he knew was a power rush that went straight to his cock.

“I know that wasn’t you, baby.” Mox smirked at the way Claudio’s eyes softened but he didn’t stop his task. “I just make you so mad sometimes. I get it. I’ll throw out the rest of that pack too.”

The platitudes made Claudio divert his eyes in shame. There was evidence all over Mox’s body that his partner had lost control, hurt him even, but Mox made sure he deserved it. That was the whole point. Maybe he would wear one of Claudio’s hoodies out to hide all the evidence, he couldn’t exactly wear the cut-off one with how many bruises he had.

“After all if you just explained to anyone that I cheated on you with Eddie--” Mox chuckled at the way the other flinched. “You know, they’d understand you busting my lip and ass.”

“Master, please.” Claudio finished the first boot.

“Don’t stop, Claudio. I want my show.” Mox was stroking his cock while he worked on cleaning his body with the random bar of soap hanging around. It vaguely smelled like Yuta. “Go on.”

As Claudio shifted one way his growing erection bobbed between his legs. Mox’s mouth watered but he wanted to give Claudio the punishment he thought he deserved. The next boot was focused on, Claudio made sure to go slow and show off. At least he had a task to do or he would be jerking off his raw cock watching Mox shower.

The soap ran through Mox’s chest hair, he made sure to scrub all his hair since he’d been drenched. The suds eased the way for his hand on his cock. It was amusing to watch Claudio’s eyes follow each movement but always end back up at his crotch, watching the slow stroke of Mox’s hand.

The last boot was regretfully finished for now. It was set aside and Claudio forced his hands behind his back so he wouldn’t touch. He never stopped watching.

“Don’t worry, baby.” Mox put the bar of soap off to the side and worked all the suds off his body. “I ain’t washin’ you outta me.”

“You’re not?” Claudio rasped, his body itching to move.

“Nope. C’mere. Get clean for fuck’s sake.” Mox nodded towards the spray. “God damn. You’ve got to relax about these things. Fuck. Finish me off, baby.”

+++

It was somewhere around the hundreth pass around that the door to the locker room was finally open. The coffee Yuta had been asked to fetch had long since been sacrificed to him for fucking off apparently. It would have been nice to grab his phone or something.

To be fair, Yuta should have known what Mox had been up to. Mostly Yuta blamed Claudio since he was supposed to be the sensible one that could handle all of Mox, even the insane sides, but it seemed even Mr. Perfect was susceptible to all of it too.

“What the fuck?” Yuta announced himself as he finally was able to open the door.

Both men looked up from their different spaces. Lounged across the only couch in nothing but a pair of wrap-around shades was Mox. Only a few towels separating his naked relaxed form from the used material. The ice pack wrapped in a towel did raise some questions but it wasn’t that unusual that Yuta was totally stopped by it. He turned his eyes to see Claudio sitting at the bench in front of his locker hunched with a shining cloth and his boots.

“Hey, kid. Enjoy your walk?” Mox sounded like he was high.

“Not really. A lot of people would love to hurt me.” Yuta pointed out as he looked curiously at the quiet form of their third.

“You can handle it.” Mox shrugged, adjusting the ice on his balls.

“Wait…” Yuta looked closer at the practically boneless form on the couch, he knew that look and what all those marks meant. “You freak out, Claudio?”

It was only once, and a very small amount of time that Yuta had been exposed to one of those freak outs but Mox talked about them a lot. Almost like they were fantasies, but they had clearly happened. There was no faster way to get Mox off than to dirty talk about one of those legendary freak outs.

“I can’t believe you fell for it.” Yuta had been trying to get his mean streak back in their newer dynamic. Sometimes he could bully Claudio when it was only a relaxed Mox around.

“Yuta.” Claudio’s voice was loud, but raw.

The firm edge that normally terrified Yuta was present but he overlooked that. Even Mox lowered his sunglasses to watch the cat fight. When it had all started earlier Yuta thought there was no way the rational, calm, collected Claudio would fall for the little poly.

“Has he realized Eddie’s still out on injury yet, or is he still freaking out?” Yuta smirked at the wink thrown his way by Mox.

“Injury.” Claudio’s shoulder dropped, he carefully put the boots down. “But…?” He turned around to look over at the lounging King.

“We stopped as we were leaving Cincinnati. I asked Mox why he was getting a pack of Newports. He said he just had a craving.” Yuta loved being the one to bring Claudio’s reality to a crashing halt. “I was wondering why you let me come inside you when we got here.”

“You what?” Claudio turned even more so he was facing both men.

“Yeah. I teased the kid for like an hour in the car or something.” Mox chuckled as he thought back to it.

“It was two and a half hours actually. The entire ride while Marina drove.” Yuta shook his head in amusement. “Mox said he’d let me come inside him if I held on the entire time, and gave him a few decent bites, but I wasn’t allowed to fuck him.”

“Nope. You were a good boy about that.” Mox smirked as realization was running wild on Claudio’s face. “Just the tip, but so much to deposit.”

“That’s gross.” Yuta rolled his eyes. “Point is, I can’t believe you fell for it.”

“You’re next if you don’t quiet down,” Claudio threatened.

“Ohhh. I’d listen to him, kid. He’s really pissed.” Mox pushed his sunglasses back over his eyes, head back on the pillow as he let some swelling go down. The timer would go off soon to let him know to take the ice off. “Doubt you could handle Claudio at his worst.”