#san antonio current

[subsidystadium]

How many times will MLB threaten a minor league city and then walk back that threat when the deadline passes?

As I wrote about in a previous story, sports owners love to act as if they need everything, and they need it right now. Just look at Philadelphia right now. Their mayor spent months coming to an agreement with the 76ers on a new arena. Yet, while most of the agreement CONTINUES to be secret, local officials who are required to sign off on this agreement, have been given not even 3–4 weeks to…

[arugulafriend]

Being a “self employed” artist means when your not at your part time job, youre at home working constantly ,, like I’ve been working since I got up and I have a shift tomorrow and I will simply work until I have to go into work :^T

[leighlew3]

Per NewsRated...

The following cities are CONFIRMED to have expected ICE deportation operations starting Tuesday and continuing into next week:

- Chicago - Los Angeles - New York - Boston - Miami - Washington, D.C. - Denver - Houston - San Antonio - Dallas

Phase 2 is expected to include a significantly larger and militarized deportation force and is expected to occur in the cities with the largest populations of undocumented immigrants.

The current list of cities included in the phase 2 operations are:

- San Francisco / Bay Area - Los Angeles - New York - Chicago - Miami - Seattle - Portland - Austin

-----

To the countless immigrants who are wonderful human beings and contributing members of our increasingly f'd up society here in America… I’m sorry we failed you. First, by not fixing the system to make the process reasonable since at the end of the day majority of people in this country ARE DESCENDANTS OF IMMIGRANTS.

But now this. 😔

To everyone else and especially those rooting for all of this: you have no idea how this is going to negatively affect so much. The long-term economic impact will be devastating, amongst the numerous other issues this will create for us all. Good luck.

[plutomaris]

DO YOU WANT TO HELP HOMELESS TRANS YOUTHS IN TEXAS RIGHT NOW?

The Thrive Youth Center in San Antonio, the city where I live, needs you! They house homeless LGBTQ youth and help them find jobs and housing. I’ve been speaking with someone currently housed in there who has told me 80% of its population is trans, specifically trans women.

They’re really underfunded, as you can imagine. They don’t even have curtains. The person I’m talking to has pinned her bedsheets to the window for privacy.

I am linking both their donations page and their wishlists page.

https://thriveyouthcenter.networkforgood.com/projects/185536-general-giving

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

@ that guy who tried to argue that "most people are vaccinated" the other day.

By Courtney Friedman

Local infectious disease doctor said this continued trend is putting people, healthcare system at risk

Most Americans haven’t been vaccinated this year, and health experts are worried about outbreaks of COVID, flu and RSV.

“We’re seeing lower numbers of people going out to get their vaccines for COVID, for influenza. And over the last couple of years, we’ve seen that,” said Dr. Jason Bowling, infectious disease specialist with University Health System and UT Health San Antonio.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that only about 37% of adults have received a flu shot, while just 19% have received the updated COVID vaccine.

It’s even lower for children at 33% for flu and just under 9% for COVID.

These numbers climbed around 2% higher than last year.

Bowling said part of that is likely due to vaccine fatigue from the pandemic, but not all of it.

“I think we’re getting a little too comfortable with COVID and flu, but we’re still seeing people get very ill with both of these and RSV,” Bowling said.

RSV cases have already spiked this year, hitting the vulnerable hardest.

“We now have vaccines available for RSV for people that are at highest risk. So people that are 75 and older, adults (who) are 60 and older and have medical conditions, and then, also, it’s protection for infants,” Bowling said.

He said the rates are low for that vaccine, too, and have been since it was released last year. Part of that, he believes, is awareness.

“It is a new vaccine. So we want people to be aware that this vaccine is available,” he said.

As for the flu, cases are picking up by the week.

“Ninety-two cases just last week of flu, and that’s up from 57 cases the week before. So it was a 65% increase just week to week. And that’s just confirmed PCR tests. So there are way more out there,” Bowling said.

While COVID numbers are currently low, Bowling said they’re expected to spike again soon.

“At the end of this year or early next year. And there’s data now that shows that people (who) are vaccinated have lower risk of long COVID, have less severe symptoms,” he said.

Misinformation and doubts over the COVID vaccine have hampered those numbers, bringing experts to emphasize that it’s trustworthy and helps cut down on long COVID diagnoses.

“COVID vaccines have been studied more than any other vaccine in history. We really have a lot of safety records, and they’re continuing to monitor for side effects, too. So it’s not as though they did the monitoring and they stopped,” Bowling said.

Healthcare workers also are trying to remind people that the perspective is wider than just each individual.

“For some people, it might be a mild illness that lasts for a few days, but for other people, they could end up in the ER, or worst, case admitted to the hospital,” Bowling said.

Even in mid-December, it’s not too late to get your vaccines.

“This is a perfect time to get it because a lot of people are going to be traveling in the next couple of weeks. So if you get that vaccine now, it gives your body a couple of weeks to generate antibodies, provide that protection, and keep you having fun with your family and friends, (but) maybe not in urgent care or the hospital,” Bowling said.

San Antonio school districts even see this trend of lower vaccine rates by way of the exemption form parents fill out and get approved by the state of Texas if they want to waive their child’s vaccinations.

Two of the largest local school districts replied to KSAT’s request about the subject on Monday, confirming that trend.

North East ISD:

“We have seen a little steady increase in the number of incoming kinder with conscientious exemptions. In 2017-2018, there were 37 students with exemptions to all vaccines. There were 78 kinder students last year and 90 this year,” the district said.

The district said they see exemptions less in other grades because parents have generally already made those decisions about vaccines by then.

The percentages break down to:

2017-2018: 0.9% of kids had vaccine exemptions. 2023-2024: 2.4% of kids had exemptions. 2024-2025: 2.7% of kids had exemptions. That means vaccine exemptions are up 0.3% from last year.

San Antonio ISD:

The district said they are “seeing numbers of parents opting out of vaccinations trending slightly upward.”

Vaccine exemptions by school year:

2024-2025: 368 students. 2023-2024: 301 students. 2022-2023: 297 students. 2021-2022: 219 students. 2020-2021: 164 students. 2019-2020: 197 students.

[ardri-na-bpiteog]

This ranking feels...dubious

For the others considering moving to U.S. a lot.

Ranked: These are the top 10 best U.S. cities for public transportation

(Read the Article for Details)

New York, New York

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles, California

Richmond, Virginia

San Diego, California

San Antonio, Texas

Boston, Massachusetts

Seattle, Washington

Washington, D.C.

Salt Lake City, Utah

[butchspace]

Hey Texans (and others in the US)!

We’re expected to have a freeze and harsh weather this week and/or next week (check your local forecast for specifics). Make sure you have some extra water storage, non perishable foods, blankets, and maybe some hand warmers in case our local or state power supply gets fucking destroyed again.

Make sure to at least set your heat to 55°F, keep cabinets with pipes in them open to allow heat in, and drip your faucets to help prevent pipes bursting.

It’s not anything to be scared about, and not likely to be as bad as 2021, but always better to prepared.

There might be snow in the panhandle today, though!

[madlori]

General PSA - Michelin stars

Because this came up in a conversation I had last week.

The context was someone talking about being excited to visit a restaurant with one Michelin star in Chicago (the closest city to my city to find a starred restaurant). Someone else said "One star? So it's terrible?"

Pause, rewind.

The Michelin star system is ascending, not descending (as a five-star rating system is). You can have either zero Michelin stars (99% of of the world' restaurants), ONE star (currently about 2900 restaurants worldwide), TWO stars (about 500) or THREE stars (currently 145).

There are 6 three-star restaurants in London. Four in New York. This is the highest distinction a restaurant can achieve.

This is why you hear about chefs "earning their star," when you go from the rank and file to having a star. And once you have one, you can earn more...or you can lose it. Restaurants are re-evaluated to ensure they're maintaining their standards.

The Michelin guide does not review only fancy restaurants. Many of the starred restaurants are very high-end, but lots aren't. I ate a one-starred restaurant in San Francisco called State Bird Provisions which you'd be fine to go to in jeans and a tee. It was great. There's a food truck that has a Michelin star.

Michelin also only covers certain cities. They're continually expanding, but right now in the US they cover New York, DC, Chicago, California, central Florida (Miami/Tampa/Orlando), Colorado, Atlanta, and just recently added the five major Texas cities (Dallas/San Antonio/Austin/Houston/Fort Worth) although those results haven't been released yet. They cover a lot more in Europe and Asia (the Michelin guide is French).

And yes, it's the same company as the tire manufacturer. Early in their history they wanted people to travel more by car, and use their tires, so they started writing and printing guidebooks for travel. This evolved into restaurant ratings, and somehow along the way it became the ne plus ultra of restaurant hierarchies.

This has been your infodump post for the evening, brought to you by MadLori, Inc.

[probablyasocialecologist]

Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped counting Covid-19 cases, according to wastewater data—which emerged early on as an accurate tracker of the ebbs and flows of the virus—we are currently in one of the biggest surges of the pandemic, amid the spread of a new variant, JN-1, as the virus keeps mutating. More than three-quarters of U.S. hospital beds are currently in use due to Covid hospitalizations. Uptake of the most recent booster shot, which should help to protect against the new variant and lower the risk of severe cases and the odds of getting long Covid, hovers around 19 percent. Meanwhile, the most recent White House response to a question about whether they had any guidance for hospitals, some of which have brought back mitigation protocols in response to the most recent Covid spike, came courtesy of press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre: “Hospitals, communities, states, they have to make their own decisions. That’s not something we get involved in,” she replied, appearing exasperated. “We are in possibly the second-biggest surge of the pandemic if you look at wastewater levels,” said Dr. Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, who runs a long-Covid clinic at the University of Texas, San Antonio, and has had ongoing Covid symptoms since August 2022. “There is no urgency to this. No news. No discussion in Congress. There is no education.”

[...]

Since the Biden administration declared the end of the national emergency in May, Americans across the political spectrum have largely followed the example set by the government and entirely disposed of any level of Covid precautions. Liberal and left-wing outlets have participated in the normalizing of Covid too, dismissing or even ostracizing people who still take precautions as if they are tin-hat conspiracy theorists. “We can’t be in lockdown forever,” has become a common refrain, as if wearing a mask on the subway constitutes “lockdown.” In September, Biden himself participated in the spread of this kind of harmful disinformation when he declared the pandemic “over” on 60 Minutes. “If you notice, no one’s wearing masks,” he said. “Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape.” This is, essentially, governing via “vibes”—so much for “following the science.”

[...]

The consequences of discarding all Covid precautions are becoming clearer, as more people get repeated infections and long-term symptoms, amid an alarming spike in heart problems among healthy young people. People are getting sick more often not due to the myth of “immunity debt,” which posits that the lack of exposure to other people during lockdown has made people less able to fight off infections (three years later), but because Covid weakens the immune system. Each time someone contracts Covid, the odds of long-term complications increase.

[subsidystadium]

The absurdity of non-disclosure agreements, sports and taxpayer money

The San Antonio Spurs want a new arena. That isn’t new or shocking news. But if you want actual news on this subject? Good luck.  For the last year or so, the Spurs and city officials have kept every possible detail out of public view if it pertains to a new arena. No discussions. No interviews. Just silence. Now, will taxpayers end up paying quite a bit? Sure. But they won’t know about it until…

[hometoursandotherstuff]

This historic 1890 home in San Antonio, TX was meticulously restored with a modern aesthetic modeled after a serene wellness-inspired retreat. 3bds, 2ba, 1,682 sq ft, $415k.

Plenty of built-in storage was added to the homey entrance hall.

The sitting room, directly off the hall, is a large, light-filled room featuring a corner wall of windows with a view of the deck.

Here's a roomy dining room with lovely shelving and what looks like a little craft corner.

The kitchen is a lovely cook's kitchen with lively 2-tone orange cabinetry.

Love the color. It's different.

They made a walk-in closet before entering the bedroom.

I don't know why, but the Cookie Monster on a stand kind of creeps me out.

The ensuite has an industrial farmhouse vibe.

This bedroom is currently set up as a playroom. Love the peachy wall color.

It also has an ensuite shower room.

The back hall to the garden doubles as a storage area.

Neat patio and garden.

There's a shed, but the listing doesn't mention if the trailer is included.

Look at this feature- there's a private, secluded Bamboo Grove.

The home is on an oversized .27 acre lot and features solar panels on the roof.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/418-Burleson-St-San-Antonio-TX-78202/26110262_zpid/?

[rapeculturerealities]

Texas governor buys billboards warning migrants they'll be raped if they illegally cross border | San Antonio | San Antonio Current

How much did you pay to have your daughter raped?"

That's the English translation of one of the grotesque Spanish messages featured in a billboard ad campaign Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is spending $100,000 on in a bid to deter migrants from crossing the border.

Abbott unveiled the campaign Thursday in Eagle Pass, pledging to splash similar messages across dozens of signs in Mexico and Central America. Other slogans would read "Many girls who try to migrate to Texas are kidnapped" and "Your wife and daughter will pay for their trip with their bodies."

[bom-bombon]

Oaxaca Needs Help!!

Hi, there is currently a fire that started in San Lucas Quiavini, Oaxaca, that has now grown and is burning more Indigenous Zapotec communities. Unfortunately, five volunteers died as a result of the fires: Rafael Antonio Morales, Pedro Curiel Diego, José Hernández López, Felipe García, and Celso Diego. The communities are asking for help.

Here are some places where you can help financially:

For Celso Diego's family

And Emergency Funds right here

If you cannot donate, that is totally fine! Reblogs are very much appreciated!

[menticidemushroom]

Project Eden's Garden Theories + Minor Analysis 🍎

Not a specific death order theory, just an excuse to yap because I'm hyperfixating

This is very long and it probably doesn't make sense.

🐍 Damon Maitsu- Ultimate Debater

Obviously everybody has the mastermind theory. It's the garden of eden and Satan was the snake. I do agree with the Satan analogy, but more so as an "outer" symbolism as opposed to an "inner" symbolism. Let me explain that better. I think that Damon will come of as antagonistic to the group because he says the right things in the wrong way. Like how he was trying to help everyone by telling them not to trust each other, but he was a dick about. Damon will play the Devil in the perception of the cast, but I don't believe that he will be actually behind the Killing Game.

🐦‍⬛ Eva Tsunaka - Ultimate Liar

I understand the first culprit theory. Eva is a similar name to Eve, Eve is the first human to sin, Eva is the first cast member to kill. That makes sense, but I see her taking on a more Kirigiri kind of role. Smart girl sort of side protag actively tries to hunt down the mastermind. However, since she's the Ultimate Liar and the cast already seems distrustful of her, I could see Eva discovering the secret to the killing game or the true mastermind but no body believes her which either leads to Eva killing the mastermind, or the mastermind killing/framing her. (Like Junko trying to frame Kirigiri in chapter five.)

🦈 Desmond Hall - Ultimate Marksman

I don't have much for Desmond. I feel like he'll either be a victim or a survivor. I can't see him as a culprit. At least not intentionally. I could see him trying to protect someone and killing their attacker in the process on accident, but I lean more towards a victim for him.

🦢 Eloise Taulner - Ultimate Fencer

I see Eloise as a survivor, but I lean towards a culprit. It's not a strong theory, but I see them trying to flip the shrinking violet trope on its head. In the chapter one preview from the San Antonio game expo we see Wolfgang trying to "help" Eloise by offering to walk with her before they go exploring and she seems to get annoyed with him. I could see this being a way to show that Eloise isn't a fragile as she let's on.

🦩 Toshiko Kayura - Ultimate Matchmaker

I want to believe that since she's literally a baby that she won't die, but part of me believes that since she's so young she will die. My current theory is that she's either the chapter one or two victim. I could definitely see the team choosing to kill her off early as a sort of "shock value" for the cast. Because I'm sure seeing a child get murdered would be more psychologically damaging then seeing an adult die. I'll be honest my Toshiko theory is kind of weak.

🐻 Wenona - Ultimate Entrepreneur

I see Wenona as a kind of Celeste character. The whole "if you do not adapt, you will die" mindset. I could see her staying distant from the group the majority if the time. I think that she will be a culprit, chapter three specifically. In the chapter on trailer we see during her free time event that the bear symbolism they gave her represents strategy. I feel like she'll have a really complex murder plot since she's obviously smart. She's also a Native American woman in the field of business. That's obviously not something easy. I highly doubt that she would give it up so easily. Plus, she's a billionaire. As much as I love Wenona, she's evil.

🦉 Ulysses Wilhelm - Ultimate Historian

Let me start by saying tat he is my favorite. Unfortunately, that means he's going to die. He writes everything in his notebook, if that doesn't sound like a major point of discussion in a trial, I don't know what does. I could also see him surviving, but I lean more towards a victim for him. The only reason I seem him surviving is that there could be this big moment in the final trial where they have to connect several seemingly unrelated notes in his notebook to find the big mystery or whatever. Anyway, I love him and if he dies I will lose it.

🐊 Mark "Mayhem" Berskii - Ultimate Music Producer

I can see Mark as a victim or a culprit and both of them revolve around Jett. As we see in the prologue, Mark is a very shy and reserved person. Obviously this paints a target on his back and any character who has a close friendship is another death flag. I could see him being killed and Jett falling into despair, or killing somebody with Jett.

💄Diana Venicia - Ultimate Cosmetologist

Diana is a character who I feel very strongly about as a survivor. It's not a strong theory, but it's just what feels right. Most people take the chameleon symbolism to be negative, but I don't see it as good or bad. I think it just emphasize that Diana is your average sixteen year old girl blending in with the crowd. She'd not a threat, she isn't aggressive, she just a teenaged girl. She is kind, she is helpful, she loves makeup. She just wants to love her life. She's so plain that she'll blend in and she will live.

🐑 Wolfgang Akire - Ultimate Lawyer

Oh boy, here we go. This is the big one. I believe that Wolfgang will either be a victim or a survivor. He will be the antagonist, but he is not a villain. Like I said for Damn who says the right thing in the wrong ways, Wolfgang will say the wrong thing is the right ways. I truly believe that Wolfgang has good intentions, but he is so optimistic and passionate that he lets his savior complex to bring everybody into a more vulnerable state. Like Damon's snake symbolism alluding to him bring the "devil" to the group, Wolfgang's sheep symbolism shows him as the "angel" to the group. The lamb of God, the Messiah, the guardian angel. He wants to save everybody, but he can't because he doesn't accept the horrible truth of the group's situation. He wants to believe that he can bring them to salvation, but a man can never be a God. My other theory is that he will be a final chapter sacrifice. A death is necessary for the group to escape and he will accept his new role of Martyrdom. Letting him finally become the savior he wanted to for the entire game.

🦋 Kai Monteago - Ultimate Influencer

Butterflies represent change, the butterfly effect. Kai will be the first culprit and this will lead to more fear without the group causing more people to want to kill. The flap of his wings will cause the tornado of death that will plague the group for the rest of the game. Short theory, but I feel strongly about it.

🐺 Jett Dawson - Ultimate Drag Racer

As I stated with Mark's theory, I see Jett as a culprit. Either Mark will be a victim and Jett will fall into despair driving him to murder in a later chapter, or he will kill somebody to escape with Mark. The only way this would work is a motive we're the backend can bring one person with them to the outside or they find a way for Jett and Mark to both equally be held accountable as the culprit. Though I'm not sure how something lijrme that could happen since the only instance is in SDRA2 chapter three and the plan behind that was bizarre (in a good way) and I doubt they could replicate anything similar.

🦁 Ingrid Grimwall - Ultimate Blacksmith

Ingrid is the only character I can't really think of anything for. I just have a strong feeling that she won't survive. Sorry.

🐲 Jean Delamer - Ultimate Ship Captain

I can see Jean as a chapter five victim. Since we see in the chapter one demo that he takes the hope speech guy role, I can see him dying fairly late in the game either as an "easy target" or since he's getting in the way of more murders happening.

🕷 Cassidy Amber - Ultimate Pro Gamer

I see Cassidy as a survivor, but I don't have any evidence. I just can't think of a theory for her as a victim, or as a culprit. She could also be the true mastermind, which is a fairly popular theory. That makes some sense considering her spider symbolism and the whole "tangled in a web" metaphor.

Thanks for reading!

Feel free to tell me any other theories you have!

[acute-crashout-jeyuso]

Possession: a Jey Uso x Rhea Ripley x Jimmy Uso fanfic.

Chapter 14: Ride by Somo..

Rhea stormed back to Roman’s tour bus, her boots thudding heavily against the concrete. The adrenaline from her backstage outburst hadn’t worn off, and her mood was still smoldering. She swung open the door to the tour bus and found Jimmy and Roman sitting inside, both leaning back as if they’d been waiting for her.

Jimmy leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “So? What’d they say?”

Rhea dropped into one of the seats, letting out a frustrated sigh. “They told me to cool it with the vulgar language.” She ran a hand through her hair, shaking her head. “Like that’s the problem.”

Roman raised an eyebrow. “Well, it kinda is. You can’t just go around threatening half the roster and cussing on live TV.”

Rhea shot him a glare. “Don’t start, Joe. Tiffany’s the one who took it too far. Did you hear what she said to me? That’s not scripted heat—that’s personal.”

Jimmy crossed his arms. “Yeah, we heard. The crowd was eating it up, though. It’s messy as hell, but it’s working.”

“That’s not the point!” Rhea snapped, sitting up straighter. “I’m not just some pawn they can use to air out my personal life for ratings. They’ve already turned my life into a soap opera, and now I’ve got to work with her.”

Roman’s expression softened slightly. “I get it. But this is the business, Rhea. You know that better than anyone. Sometimes you’ve got to take the punches and roll with it.”

She scoffed. “Yeah, easy for you to say. No one’s dragging your name through the mud or making a joke out of your relationships.”

Jimmy shrugged. “True, but you’re the one out there proving you can handle it. You’re stealing the show. Hell, tonight’s segment is already trending.”

Rhea’s jaw clenched. “I don’t care about trends. I care about respect. And Tiffany? She doesn’t respect me. She thinks she can just say whatever she wants and get away with it.”

Roman leaned back, his arms crossed. “Then make her respect you. But do it smart, Rhea. You’ve got all the momentum right now. Don’t let her get under your skin and make you lose focus.”

Rhea leaned her head back against the seat, staring at the ceiling. She hated to admit it, but Roman had a point. “Fine,” she muttered. “I’ll try to keep it together. But if she steps out of line again—”

Jimmy smirked. “We’ll be ready.”

Roman stood up and clapped her on the shoulder. “Good. Now take a minute and cool off. We’ve got the rest of the night to deal with.”

Rhea nodded, closing her eyes as they let her be. She might have agreed to play by the rules, but deep down, she knew the next time she and Tiffany crossed paths, all bets would be off.

Little did she know.. all bets had already been off…

—

SNME: San Antonio, TX January 25, 2025

Rhea tightened the laces on her boots, her movements methodical, her mind razor-sharp. Jimmy’s steady hands adjusted the collar of her leather jacket, ensuring everything was in place. Roman stood nearby, his arms folded, his eyes scanning them both with quiet intensity.

The past month had been a whirlwind, both on-screen and off. The rivalry between Rhea and Tiffany had become the must-see storyline, eclipsing everything else in WWE. The explosive segments, backstage brawls, and unpredictable encounters had cemented Rhea as a bona fide megastar. Her relentless pursuit of Tiffany, Ms. Money in the Bank, across RAW and SmackDown kept fans buzzing, and her star had risen to unprecedented heights, even rivaling Roman himself.

All the while, the feud between the Elevated Bloodline—Roman, Jimmy, and Rhea—and the remnants of the old Bloodline had grown more personal and vicious. Lines had been drawn, sides taken. Tiffany had thrown her lot in with Solo, Jacob, Tonga and Tama, becoming their smug, untouchable prize. It was clear they’d do anything to protect her.

Now, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, the tension had reached its peak. The long-awaited 3-on-5 handicap match was about to unfold.

Rhea stood and rolled her shoulders, her jacket shifting with the motion. Jimmy took a step back, giving her a once-over. “You good?”

She glanced at him, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Always.”

Roman’s voice cut through the tension, calm and commanding. “Tonight isn’t just another match. It’s a statement. We’re not just here to win; we’re here to end this.”

Rhea met his gaze, the fire in her eyes matching his intensity. “They started this. We finish it.”

The door opened, and a stagehand peeked in. “Five minutes.”

Roman nodded, then turned to Jimmy and Rhea. “Let’s go. Time to remind everyone why we run this.”

The three of them made their way toward the entrance curtain, their steps in sync, their presence magnetic. The energy of the crowd was palpable, their anticipation like a living thing.

Rhea didn’t need to look back; she could feel the weight of everything that had led to this moment—the betrayal, the anger, the fights, and the losses.

Jey hadn’t contacted her, and she hadn’t reached out either. The silence between them was deafening, but it didn’t matter anymore. There was no going back, no mending what had been shattered.

This was about personal grievances. It was also about dominance, about proving who truly controlled the narrative in WWE.

The familiar beat of Roman’s music hit, and the crowd erupted, their deafening roar echoing through the arena.

Tonight wasn’t just about settling scores.

It was about making history.

—

Michael Cole: “Ladies and gentlemen, this is it—the highly anticipated 3-on-5 handicap match between the Elevated Bloodline and the Old Bloodline! The stakes couldn’t be higher!”

Pat McAfee: “This is gonna be a straight-up war, Cole. You’ve got the biggest egos, the most dangerous forces, and a whole lot of bad blood!”

Michael Cole: “Speaking of the Elevated Bloodline, here comes the Tribal Chief’s music!”

Roman Reigns’ iconic theme hits, and the crowd roars. The camera pans to the stage as Jimmy Uso and Rhea Ripley step out first. Rhea, dressed in her black leather jacket and her Mixed Tag Team Championship belt around her waist, looks intense as ever. Jimmy walks beside her, his expression focused, his belt on his waist as well.

Pat McAfee: “Cole, look at them—walking like they own the entire damn arena!”

Michael Cole: “This is the most unified we’ve ever seen Rhea, Jimmy, and Roman. They’ve had enough of the Old Bloodline, and tonight they’re here to put an end to it!”

Jimmy and Rhea pause at the top of the ramp, turning back toward the entrance. The crowd’s volume spikes as Roman steps out, his stoic face radiating dominance. The trio stands together, soaking in the energy before beginning their slow, deliberate walk to the ring.

Pat McAfee: “This is a sight to behold, Cole. You’ve got Jimmy Uso, the technical high flyer, Rhea Ripley, the Eradicator, and Roman Reigns, the Original Tribal Chief himself. What a power trio!”

In the ring, Tiffany Stratton paces back and forth, grinning with malicious excitement. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa stand behind the ropes, their eyes locked on the Elevated Bloodline.

Michael Cole: “Tiffany Stratton is chomping at the bit to finally get her hands on Rhea Ripley, but let’s not forget the Old Bloodline standing behind her. This is as stacked as it gets!”

The Elevated Bloodline reaches ringside. Jimmy climbs onto the apron and holds the ropes open for Rhea. She steps into the ring, her eyes never leaving Tiffany. Roman finally enters, taking his time as the crowd showers them with a mix of cheers and boos. The energy is electric.

Lilian Garcia stands in the center, microphone in hand, ready to announce the competitors. But just as she begins, the crowd buzzes with confusion as a familiar voice cuts through the arena.

Paul Heyman: “Ladies and gentlemen!”

Michael Cole: “Wait a minute! That’s Paul Heyman! Roman Reigns’ Wiseman!”

Pat McAfee: “What the hell is Paul doing out here? This just got even more interesting!”

The camera pans to the stage where Paul Heyman walks out, holding a microphone and wearing his signature smug grin.

Paul Heyman: “Lilian, sweetheart, I’m sorry to interrupt your wonderful introductions, but this match—3-on-5? Now that doesn’t seem very fair, does it?”

The crowd erupts in cheers, sensing something big is about to happen.

Paul Heyman: “Rhea, darling, you thought you didn’t have any more friends? You thought you were alone in this fight? Oh no, my dear… you still have allies. Gentlemen, would you do the honors?”

The arena goes dark for a moment before the familiar beat of Damian Priest’s music hits. The crowd explodes as Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, and the Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan step onto the stage.

Michael Cole: “What?! Are you kidding me?! Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, and Liv Morgan are here!”

Pat McAfee: “Cole, this is HUGE! Is this a reunion? An alliance? What’s going on?!”

Damian Priest strides down the ramp, shaking Paul Heyman’s hand as Dominik and Liv follow close behind. The Judgment Day trio enters the ring, tension thick in the air as they approach the Elevated Bloodline.

Damian steps forward, locking eyes with Roman Reigns. For a moment, the arena slightly becomes silent as the two leaders stare each other down. Then, Damian extends his hand. Roman looks at it, then slowly shakes it. The crowd goes wild.

Michael Cole: “An alliance has been formed! The Judgment Day and the Elevated Bloodline—this changes EVERYTHING!”

Dominik shakes hands with Jimmy, and Liv nods at Rhea with a smirk before sliding out of the ring. Damian and Dominik then turn to Rhea. For a split second, there’s hesitation, but then they step forward and hug her tightly.

Pat McAfee: “Cole, this is unreal! Rhea Ripley has reunited with the Judgment Day, and now they’re standing united with the Elevated Bloodline!”

The camera captures the image of Rhea, Jimmy, Roman, Damian, and Dominik standing tall in the ring, their alliance signaling a seismic shift in WWE. The Old Bloodline watches from across the ring, their confidence visibly shaken.

Michael Cole: “What was supposed to be a 3-on-5 mismatch has just become a battle of titans! The Elevated Bloodline and the Judgment Day are united, and this war just got a whole lot more interesting!”

Pat McAfee: “Cole, I’ve got goosebumps! Saturday Night’s Main Event just became a night no one will EVER forget!”

The tension in the air is palpable as the Saturday Night’s Main Event reaches its boiling point. The audience is on the edge of their seats, knowing that the conclusion of this match will shift the landscape of WWE forever. The match is a chaotic frenzy, with the Elevated Bloodline and the Old Bloodline locked in a brutal battle, and everything is on the line.

Michael Cole: “Ladies and gentlemen, we are nearing the end of what has been an all-out war! Bodies have been broken, and all competitors are giving everything they have left. Who will come out on top in this epic contest?”

Pat McAfee: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this, Cole. Every member of these factions is exhausted—this is madness!”

The match is at its breaking point. All competitors are either knocked out or desperately fighting with each other, trying to gain any shred of advantage. The action is relentless as each faction attempts to assert their dominance.

First, Dominik is taken out by Tama, leaving the Judgment Day stunned. Then, Tama falls after a brutal exchange with Roman. Jacob Fatu soon follows, knocked out cold by a superkick from Jimmy. The Elevated Bloodline’s numbers continue to dwindle as Roman succumbs to a devastating spear from Solo, leaving him out of the equation.

Next, Damian Priest is knocked out by a chairshot from Tonga Loa. Finally, Solo and Tonga are taken out by a combination of double super kicks from Rhea and Jimmy, but not with Jimmy getting pulled from Jacob and getting thrown into floor. Jacob brutally strikes Jimmy, leaving just Rhea and Tiffany standing in the ring.

Michael Cole: “This is it! It’s down to Tiffany and Rhea—these two women are about to decide the fate of their respective factions!”

Pat McAfee: “They’ve been through hell tonight, Cole! And they are still standing!”

The crowd roars as Rhea Ripley and Tiffany Stratton exchange fierce blows, each one desperate for the win. The intensity is unbearable as the two women battle it out in the center of the ring. Suddenly, in the heat of the scuffle, the referee is inadvertently knocked out, collapsing to the mat.

Michael Cole: “The referee is down! This could be disastrous for both women!”

Rhea unaware that ref has been knocked out, gets her second wind. She hits Tiffany with the Riptide, delivering the crushing blow that could end the match. The crowd erupts in excitement, anticipating a clean pinfall victory.

But as Rhea moves to pin Tiffany, the crowd gasps—another referee runs down the ramp, ready to take over. The new official slides into the ring, and the count begins. One… two… and then, suddenly, the referee halts the count at the two-count.

Michael Cole: “What in the world? The count stopped! Why did the referee stop the count?”

The crowd falls silent, the tension thick in the air. The unknown referee pulls down their mask, revealing a familiar face—Jey. The shock waves ripple through the arena as Rhea’s eyes widen in disbelief.

Pat McAfee: “Jey Uso?! What is he doing here?!”

Rhea, frozen in shock, stares at Jey, trying to process what just happened. Jey, without a single emotion on his face, signals the end of the match, declaring it a disqualification. Rhea’s heart sinks as she watches him get out of the ring and begin walking up the ramp, leaving her standing in the ring in complete shock.

Michael Cole: “Jey Uso just called for a disqualification! What is going on here? This match has been completely thrown into chaos!”

Pat McAfee: “This is madness, Cole! Jey’s actions have left us all questioning everything!”

Jimmy rushes to Rhea’s side, concern written all over his face. He looks on at his brother as he walks up the ramp, Jey sports this unusual stoic expression. Rhea stands in the center of the ring, visibly shaken, tears streaming down her face. She can’t fathom what just happened.

As Rhea is left stunned, Dominik, Damian, Roman, and Liv all make their way to the ring, having been recovered from each devastatingly blow, except for Liv of course, joining Rhea in a show of unity. The Judgment Day and Elevated Bloodline stand together, still unsure of what to make of Jey’s involvement.

Michael Cole: “Jey Uso’s actions have left everyone here in a state of confusion. What does this mean for Rhea, for Jimmy, for Roman, for the factions?”

Pat McAfee: “There are more questions than answers, Cole. But what we do know is that this match is over, and nothing was resolved.”

Michael Cole: “And now, Tiffany Stratton, still reeling from the Riptide, is being pulled away by the Old Bloodline. And look at this—there’s a tense stare down between the Old Bloodline, the Elevated Bloodline, and the Judgment Day! These factions are on the verge of an all-out war!”

Pat McAfee: “The tensions couldn’t be higher, Cole! The future of WWE could be shaped by what happens here tonight, and I don’t think anyone knows how this is going to play out!”

With the Old Bloodline escorting Tiffany Stratton up the ramp, they lock eyes with the Elevated Bloodline and Judgment Day. The stare down is cold and intense, signaling that the animosity between these factions is far from over.

Michael Cole: “The match may be over, but this war is far from finished. I have no idea where things go from here, Pat.”

As the camera lingers on Rhea’s broken, emotional face, it’s clear that the battle is not over. The unresolved tension and the uncertainty surrounding Jey’s actions are only the beginning of a much larger storm that’s about to unfold.

Pat McAfee: “You said it, Cole. We are just getting started, and I don’t know what’s going to happen next!”

The scene fades to black, the uncertainty hanging in the air, leaving the audience eagerly awaiting what comes next in this explosive rivalry.

—

Rhea stormed into the locker room, her emotions barely in check. Jimmy and Roman followed close behind, their own frustration evident. But the sight of Hunter sitting calmly in the middle of the room ignited something in Rhea.

“WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the silence, her breathing was uneven, her fists clenched and she looked like she about died of anger.

Hunter leaned back slightly, his expression calm but measured. “Rhea, I know you’re upset—”

“Upset?” she interrupted, her voice sharp and filled with venom. “He’s supposed to be on leave for another two months, Hunter! Two months! He had a shoulder injury!”

Hunter sighed, running a hand over his face. “Which he got cleared for by the doctors.”

“So, you just allowed him to come back?” Rhea snapped, her anger intensifying. “Without telling any of us? Without warning me?!”

“Rhea,” Hunter said firmly, “I’ve always said this was your storyline.”

She laughed bitterly, a hollow, mocking sound. “Really? Because it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it! What it feels like is that you let my ex-boyfriend, who publicly humiliated me, come back just to fuck up everything we’ve built!”

Hunter opened his mouth to respond, but Rhea pressed on, her voice rising. “I’ve been fucking up Tiffany left and right for a whole month—building this feud, getting people invested—and tonight? Tonight was supposed to be the payoff! You said we were going to win!”

“I know what I said,” Hunter replied, his voice growing firmer, but Rhea wasn’t backing down.

“No, you don’t!” she shot back, her voice cracking slightly from the sheer intensity of her emotions. “Because if you did, you wouldn’t have killed my momentum, or Jimmy’s, or Roman’s! You just handed everything over to Jey like it was some big fucking plot twist. Well, congrats, Hunter—you’ve turned my life into a goddamn soap opera!”

“You have to trust me on this,” Hunter said, his tone resolute, but his eyes betrayed a hint of guilt.

Roman, who had been silent up to this point, finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “My character arc will not participate in this whole real-life drama, Hunter. I’m telling you that right now. You told me it was only going to be temporary and that’s it.”

Hunter looked at Roman, his expression hardening. “All of you are involved now. There’s no turning back.”

Rhea’s breathing quickened, her emotions spiraling as tears welled up in her eyes. She turned away, trying to compose herself, but the words spilled out anyway. “This is my life, Hunter,” she said, her voice trembling. “Jey cheated on me with Tiffany our whole relationship, and she—she gets pregnant and then has an abortion just so she can keep wrestling. And now you want me to continue to work with her? To work with him? Hunter, this is my fucking life.”

Hunter’s face softened for a moment, but his response was cold and detached. “Rhea… this really is just business.”

That was the breaking point. Rhea grabbed her bag without another word and stormed out of the locker room, slamming the door behind her.

Jimmy immediately moved to follow, his protective instincts kicking in. Roman stopped him briefly. “Make sure she gets to the tour bus,” he said quietly, his tone firm.

Jimmy nodded, grabbing his own bag before quickly heading after Rhea.

Once they were alone, Roman turned back to Hunter, his imposing presence filling the room. He crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Hunter with an icy stare. “Let’s talk,” Roman said, his voice low and dangerous. “Businessman to businessman.”

Hunter swallowed hard, sitting up straighter. He knew Roman wasn’t the type to mince words. Whatever was coming next would be a reckoning.

—

Rhea’s pace was frantic as she stormed toward the tour bus, her wrestling boots hitting the pavement with sharp, angry thuds. Jimmy followed closely behind, struggling to keep up with her long strides and the emotional whirlwind trailing in her wake.

She reached the bus, yanked the door open, and climbed in without hesitation, leaving the door open behind her. Jimmy arrived a few seconds later, slightly out of breath. He climbed in but froze in his tracks at the sight before him.

Rhea was on the floor, her knees pulled to her chest, her shoulders shaking with uncontrollable sobs. She didn’t even look up as he stepped inside.

“Rhea…” Jimmy said softly, his voice laced with concern. He closed the door gently behind him, shutting out the rest of the world.

Rhea’s voice was raw and broken when she finally spoke. “Why did he have to cheat on me?” she asked, her words tumbling out between sobs. “Why couldn’t he have just left me alone?”

Jimmy knelt down beside her, his heart aching at the sight of her pain. He reached out to hold her, but she pushed him away, her hand shoving at his chest with surprising force.

“I’m disgusted,” she spat, tears streaming down her face. “Disgusted that I even kissed you in the first place.”

Jimmy flinched at her words but kept his expression neutral, knowing she was lashing out in her pain. “You don’t mean that,” he said quietly.

Rhea looked at him, her eyes red and brimming with tears. “You all knew Jey cheated on me,” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of heartbreak and anger.

Jimmy stayed silent, his jaw tightening. He didn’t know how to respond, and the truth hung heavy between them.

Rhea broke down again, her cries filling the bus as she buried her face in her hands. Jimmy hesitated for a moment before trying again to reach out to her. This time, she didn’t push him away.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her against his chest as she cried. She didn’t resist, her sobs muffled against him. Jimmy rested his chin on the top of her head, his own eyes stinging with emotion.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “For everything.”

Rhea didn’t respond, but she clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt as her pain poured out in waves. Jimmy held her like that for what felt like an eternity, silently vowing to be there for her no matter how messy things got.

Jimmy carefully lifted Rhea off the floor, her weight light in his arms despite the emotional heaviness that seemed to cling to her. She didn't resist, letting herself be cradled as if the fight had drained completely out of her. He adjusted his grip and gently nudged the door to his room open with his foot, the faint creak barely audible over the low hum of the bus.

With Roman now accommodating three instead of two, the tour bus had been once again upgraded to something far more spacious, complete with three private rooms. Jimmy maneuvered through the slightly cramped hallway and stepped into his room, the soft lighting casting a warm glow over the neatly made bed.

He kicked the door shut behind him, the click of the latch grounding him in the moment. Gently, he laid her down on the bed, her body sinking into the plush comforter. He pulled back, intending to give her some space, but her hands shot up, grabbing him by the neck and pulling him down into a kiss.

It wasn't soft or tentative-it was desperate, raw, and filled with emotions she couldn't put into words. Jimmy melted into the kiss, the taste of her salty tears blending with the heat of her lips.

His hands cupped her face instinctively, thumbs brushing away the damp trails on her cheeks as the kiss deepened. He broke the kiss to speak but she spoke..

“Just make love to me..”

"Okay," he murmured, his voice steady but filled with emotion.

She pulled him closer, her hands fisting the fabric of his shirt as if she was afraid he'd change his mind. Jimmy didn't. He leaned down, pressing another kiss to her lips, this one slower and more deliberate, an unspoken promise that he would give her whatever she needed tonight.

He let himself fall into the moment, the world outside fading away as they found solace in each other, the shared pain and complicated feelings making the connection between them even more intense.

—

Roman approached the door to his tour bus, his thoughts still tangled from his tense conversation with Hunter. The weight of Hunter’s insistence on keeping this storyline alive lingered in his mind, a storm of conflicting emotions brewing beneath his composed exterior. Just as he reached for the handle, he heard a voice call out from behind him.

“Hey, Roman! Wait up!”

Roman turned to see Damian approaching, his long strides carrying him quickly across the lot. Roman sighed, glancing back at the bus, but turned to meet Damian halfway. “What’s up, man?” he asked, his tone neutral but laced with an edge of impatience.

Inside the bus, the sound of Damian yelling Roman’s name echoed faintly, causing Rhea and Jimmy to freeze mid-moment. They had been caught up in the heat of the moment, their earlier vulnerability boiling over into something neither had fully anticipated. Now, they scrambled to compose themselves, panic settling in.

“Shit,” Rhea muttered under her breath as she frantically pulled her shirt back on. “You’ve got my lipstick on your face!”

Jimmy, who was hastily pulling on his sweats, wiped at his face with the back of his hand. “Do you have one of those makeup things? A wipe or something?”

“No,” Rhea said, grabbing her jacket and glancing at him with a mixture of frustration and panic. “Just go shower or something!”

Jimmy nodded, his movements hurried but not frantic as he slipped out of the room and headed for the bathroom. The sound of the shower starting up soon followed, masking any further noise.

Rhea adjusted her shirt, gave herself a quick once-over in the mirror, and then slipped out of the room, heading for her own. She moved quietly but quickly, her heart racing as she prayed Roman wouldn’t step in and sense something was off.

Back outside, Roman was still talking to Damian, his broad frame leaning slightly against the side of the bus as Damian explained some issue or another. He nodded along, his eyes flicking back to the door, his gut telling him something was amiss even as he tried to focus on the conversation at hand.

“So, you see,” Damian continue his voice steady but with a hint of concern, “Hunter did say we were working together next week, and we were just wondering if we could stay with you guys this week?”

Roman raised an eyebrow, considering the request. The whole situation had been chaotic, but Damian wasn’t asking for much, and Roman knew how important this downtime was before the craziness of the upcoming week.

“That’s cool,” Roman said, nodding. “My new bus has two bunks in the front, plus the couches if you’re cool with that.”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Damian said, his tone relieved.

Roman paused before continuing, his eyes scanning the lot as if he could sense something before speaking. “I’m sure Rhea would love to have you two back. I don’t know how she feels about Liv, though.”

Damian’s expression faltered for a moment. He had expected this. He wasn’t sure how Liv would go over, especially given Rhea’s recent turmoil.

“Would you want me to have Liv talk to Rhea before we get on board?” Damian offered cautiously. “We want to respect your tour bus.”

Roman gave a slight shrug. “That’s fine. Let me get her, and you can bring Liv to talk it over with Rhea.”

Damian nodded in understanding. Roman gave him a brief nod before heading toward the bus, his mind already working through the conversation that was about to happen.

Inside, Roman approached Rhea’s room, the soft knock on the door seeming louder in the quiet of the bus. She opened the door quickly, her face betraying a hint of nervousness.

“You okay?” Roman asked, his voice soft but direct.

Rhea, standing in the doorway, gave him a quick, almost anxious glance. “Yeah, why?” she asked, her words laced with tension.

Roman stepped in a little, wanting to keep things casual but making sure to check in on her. “Well, I said it’s okay for Dominik and Damian to board with us for the week,” he began, his eyes watching her carefully, “but I wanted to make sure you were okay with the other person.”

Rhea’s gaze shifted past him toward the windows, where she saw Liv standing with Damian and Dominik. The sight of her triggered a flurry of emotions inside Rhea, but she tried to stay composed. She thought for a moment, then responded, “Just tell her to come and give us some privacy.”

Roman gave a reassuring nod. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

With that, Roman stepped back outside to tell Damian and Liv what Rhea had decided. He knew things had been difficult for Rhea lately, and this week wasn’t going to be any easier, but he hoped this would give her the space she needed to sort through everything.

As he went outside, he caught Damian’s eye and gestured for Liv to follow him. Damian nodded, understanding the need for a brief talk. Liv gave a tight smile but followed without argument, knowing this was about Rhea’s comfort.

As Rhea and Liv sat together on the couch, the weight of the tension between them seemed to lessen with each passing second. Liv’s voice was soft but sincere as she began.

“I just want to say… I’m sorry I didn’t keep in touch,” Liv confessed, glancing over at Rhea with a hint of regret.

Rhea smiled faintly, her eyes tired but appreciative. “Water under the bridge,” she replied, the words carrying a quiet finality to them.

Liv took a deep breath, clearly wanting to say more. “No… for real…” she started, her eyes lowering for a moment before looking back at Rhea. “I really admired you in The Judgment Day. I didn’t want to take your place.”

Rhea raised an eyebrow, surprised by the admission. “Liv, seriously… water under the bridge,” she assured her, though there was a trace of humor in her voice, as if she’d heard enough of this kind of apology for a lifetime.

Liv smiled softly, but a mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. “Is it true?”

Rhea looked at her in confusion. “Is what true?” she asked, her gaze shifting to Liv, sensing the question was something deeper.

Liv hesitated for a moment before leaning in further. “That Jey really did cheat on you the whole time?”

Rhea paused. The room seemed to grow quieter as the question lingered between them. She let out a breath, nodding slowly, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “Yes,” she said simply, her eyes avoiding Liv’s as she said the words, the weight of the truth still a heavy burden.

The two women sat there in silence, absorbing the weight of the revelation. It was as though the room had suddenly become still, each lost in their own thoughts.

Then, as if to break the tension, Rhea spoke up again, her voice quieter now. “I kissed Jimmy,” she admitted, not realizing that Jimmy was now out of the shower and listening in.

Liv’s eyes widened slightly, her eyebrows raised. “As a girlfriend, how was it?” she asked, her tone playful, despite the heaviness of the topic.

Rhea let out a small laugh, clearly caught off guard by the question. “To be honest, Liv… I think I made a mistake when I got with Jey.”

Liv gave her a teasing grin. “So does he have a big—” She made a popping sound with her lips, her attempt at humor cutting through the tension.

Rhea burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the room. It had been so long since she’d laughed like that, and she needed it more than she realized. “We haven’t done anything yet,” she said between laughs, shaking her head at the absurdity of the conversation.

Liv’s grin only grew wider. “Really?” she asked, as if incredulous.

Rhea shrugged, her eyes twinkling with a playful spark. “Well, he does know how to eat…” she said, her words trailing off with a sly smile.

Liv let out a dramatic gasp, her hands going to her chest. “Rhea, you sly dog!” she teased, and both of them erupted into giggles.

Jimmy couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t the conversation itself that made him grin, but the sound of Rhea laughing. The tension had lifted from her shoulders, even if just for a moment. She had always seemed so closed off, so guarded, especially around Jey. He knew Jey had a way of sheltering Rhea, keeping her from opening up to others. Maybe, just maybe, she needed more friends than she realized.

The laughter continued for a few more moments before both women calmed down, still sharing a knowing smile. Rhea wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, grateful for the lighthearted moment amidst all the chaos.

—

As the bus rumbled down the highway toward Phoenix, Arizona, the lights inside dimmed, and the soft hum of the engine mixed with the rhythmic sounds of sleeping bodies. Roman had already passed out blankets and pillows, ensuring everyone was comfortable for the journey ahead. One by one, the members of the group succumbed to sleep, the bus growing quieter with each passing moment.

But Rhea, restless and unable to sleep, glanced at the time. 2:13 AM blinked back at her, a reminder that the night was still young, and her mind wouldn’t quiet. She had freshly showered earlier, the lingering scent of shampoo still in her hair, and the cool air from the vent made her shiver slightly. She sighed, staring at the ceiling for a moment, before deciding she needed a moment away from the stillness.

She slipped out of the bed as quietly as possible, her feet padding softly against the floor. She glanced toward the living room and heard the faint snores of the Judgement Day—everyone lost in their own dreams. Rhea’s heart pounded just a little faster as she approached Jimmy’s room. She opened the door cautiously, trying not to disturb him. The dim light from the hallway illuminated his peaceful form, his breathing steady as he slept.

Rhea stepped inside, closing the door behind her with a soft click. The room smelled faintly of the shared cologne that lingered in the air, and she felt herself drawn to the warmth of the bed. She climbed in quietly, careful not to wake him, but as she shifted, Jimmy stirred. He turned to her, his eyes half-lidded with sleep.

“Hey,” he murmured, his voice hoarse from the sleep he was pulled from.

“Hey,” Rhea replied, her tone soft but filled with an undercurrent of exhaustion. She could feel the weight of the day still on her shoulders, the emotions from earlier in the evening threatening to resurface.

Before she could say anything else, Jimmy wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his warmth. She melted into his embrace, the comfort of his closeness soothing the tension in her chest. Their lips met in a kiss, gentle at first, as if testing the waters. It was a kiss that held the weight of everything unspoken between them—the turmoil, the laughter, the exhaustion, and the unexpected connection that had formed between them.

As they pulled away slightly, Jimmy’s eyes met hers, still tired but filled with understanding. “You okay?” he whispered, his voice low and concerned.

Rhea nodded, resting her forehead against his. “Yeah,” she murmured, her eyes fluttering shut as she allowed herself to sink deeper into his embrace. “Just needed this.”

Jimmy nodded, holding her tighter. The world outside the tour bus faded away, and for a moment, it was just the two of them—away from the chaos, away from everything that had been weighing on her.

“Get some sleep,” he said, his voice soft, and soon after, she felt herself drifting into a deep, peaceful sleep, the steady rhythm of his breathing lulling her into the comfort of his arms.

But she didn’t want to go to sleep..

“Make love to me,” she whispered as she leaned in to kiss him once more. Jimmy kissed her back, his lips soft against hers as his tongue snuck out to taste her lips. Rhea sighed, her hands traveling down to his chest as he pulled her by her hips so she can straddle his hips.

Her soft breath against his lips, her hand running through his hair-it made something possessive inside him stir, an overwhelming need to claim her as his and his alone. She'd been through so much, and no one had protected her the way he could. He wouldn't let anyone get close enough to hurt her again.

Rhea couldn’t keep quiet for long, not when Jimmy was touching her like this. She started to moan softly as he kissed her neck, her hands clenching in his hair as he sucked on her skin. Rhea had to cover her mouth to keep quiet, her body shaking as Jimmy’s hands slid up her sides.

“Demi..” Jon moaned as he felt Rhea’s heat from her most delicate area.

He felt her need for comfort, her hurt, and every ounce of it tightened something deep in him. She wasn't just a woman who had been betrayed-she was his woman, and anyone who even thought about crossing that line would have to go through him first. Jimmy wasn't about to share her with anyone-not Jey, not anyone in her past. She wasn't just some rebound, some distraction-she was his.

Jimmy tugged Rhea’s shirt up over her head, exposing her bare breasts in the dark. He sucked on her nipples, his hands traveling down to her shorts as he tugged them down her legs. Rhea kicked them off before she climbed back onto Jimmy’s lap, her hips grinding against his as she felt his dick harden beneath her.

As their lips met once more, he sure as hell didn't pull away. He deepened the kiss, claiming it, claiming her. The way her body responded, the way she let him in, it sent something dark and possessive through him. She wasn't running anymore; she wasn't hiding.

Rhea moaned into his mouth as she felt his hands sliding up her sides, his fingers brushing against her breasts as she leaned into his touch.

She was letting him in, and that meant everything.

She needed him, and that made her his responsibility-his to protect, his to comfort, his to own.

He let his mind run wild with the thought of how easy it would be to keep her right here, to never let her go. She was the only one who could make him feel this way-like everything in his life could be shut out, just to keep her safe, just to make her his in every sense of the word. And he'd do whatever it took to make sure she stayed that way.

Jimmy broke the kiss as he leaned down to suck on Rhea’s neck, his hands sliding down to her hips. Rhea moaned softly as she felt his fingers brushing against her pussy, her body trembling as he slid a finger inside of her.

Jimmy had never been one for subtlety when it came to what he wanted. He wanted Rhea. And not just in the way that others might. He wanted to be the only one who knew her deepest parts, the only one who could make her smile like that, the only one who could pull her out of her darkness and give her a reason to stay. She was his. And anyone who thought otherwise would have to answer to him.

Rhea had to keep quiet as Jimmy started to finger her, her body shaking as she felt his fingers sliding in and out of her. She leaned down to kiss him, her hands sliding into his hair as she whispered in his ear.

“Please…”

What if he's just like Jey? The thought hit Rhea harder than she expected. Jey had shattered her trust in ways she never thought possible. He had made her feel like she wasn't enough, like she was disposable, all while lying to her face. She'd given him everything-her love, her loyalty, her time-and he'd repaid her by sneaking behind her back, with Tiffany of all people. The betrayal still stung, even now. The idea of going through that kind of heartbreak again made her chest tighten.

Jimmy noticed her shift, he slowly pulled his fingers out of her and reached over to turn on the small light by the bed. ��You okay?” He asked, concern in his voice.

She put her head down in his chest and he used both hands to lift up her head.

“Talk to me..”

Rhea’s gaze softened as she searched Jimmy’s face for any hint of deception, any trace of the lies she had endured with Jey. Her voice trembled as she repeated, “I don’t want you to be like him.”

Jimmy sat up slightly, his hands adjusting and his arms wrapping and tightening around her as if to ground her in the moment. His tone was firm, but his eyes betrayed his vulnerability. “I’m nothing like him,” he said, his words carrying weight.

Rhea tilted her head, her fingers lightly reaching to touch the tattoo on his left pec, her doubt still gnawing at her. “You say that now,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “But Jey said all the right—“

“Demi… let me do what you needed me to do..” He pleaded. He kissed her once more but Rhea’s doubts never left.

What if I'm just repeating my mistakes? Jimmy was Jey's brother, after all. Bloodline or not, could she trust that he wouldn't do the same? That he wouldn't take advantage of her vulnerability? She hated feeling this way, doubting someone who had been nothing but kind and patient with her. But the scars Jey left were deep, and every time she started to feel herself letting her guard down, those old fears came rushing back.

Her thoughts were broken away as she felt his fingers back inside of her, she moaned softly as they went in and out. The pleasure Rhea was experience was something she hadn’t felt in such a long time, the pleasure of feeling wanted.

“Fu… fuck.. Jon..” Her head fell into the crevice of his neck.

“Fuck me, Jon,” she begged as she felt his fingers sliding out of her. Jimmy kissed her as he flipped her onto her back, his body covering hers as he slid inside of her, very quickly.

Rhea moaned softly as she felt Jimmy filling her up, her legs wrapping around his hips as she held him close. Jimmy started to thrust into her, his hips slamming into hers as she gasped for breath.

“Demi..fuck..”

“Don’t ever stop please..”

“You are fucking tight..”

He's different, a small voice in her head argued.

And maybe he was. Jimmy had shown her a side of himself that felt real, raw, and unfiltered. He didn't shelter her the way Jey had, didn't try to control her. Instead, he encouraged her to be herself, to let herself feel. He didn't demand anything from her-he just gave. But wasn't that how it always started? Sweet words, tender touches, and promises that eventually fell apart?

She knew she wasn't easy to love. She came with baggage-her temper, her insecurities, the walls she'd built so high to keep herself from getting hurt again. Jimmy didn't deserve to carry that weight, did he? Maybe this was unfair to him.

Maybe she was pushing him into a role he didn't even want.

But as Rhea had to cover her mouth to keep quiet as Jimmy thrusted into her, her body shaking as he hit that spot inside of her that made her see stars and see clarity. Jimmy wanted this role. She couldn’t keep quiet for long, not when Jimmy was thrusting into her like this. He removed her hand from her mouth and said, “Need to hear you..” Rhea nodded and she started to moan softly as he thrusted into her even more harder, her hips meeting his as she felt herself getting closer and closer to the edge

She thought about the way he looked at her in the most delicate way, his eyes filled with something she could only describe as devotion. The way he didn't just listen to her, but actually heard her. He didn't treat her like a trophy or a conquest. He treated her like a person—flaws, fears, and all.

She could feel her orgasm building, her breath now coming in soft pants. Jimmy thrusted into her as hard as he could now, his hips moving against Rhea's, the bed now slightly squeaking to only where Jimmy and Rhea could hear.

He made her feel like more than just "Rhea Ripley," the tough-as-nails wrestler who didn't take shit from anyone. He made her feel like Demi-vulnerable, messy, but somehow still enough.

“Fuck I’m almost..”

“You gonna cum for me?”

“I can’t…. I can’t… fuck..”

“Cum for daddy..”

Rhea’s moan came out in a choke, her pussy clenching around his cock as she felt her orgasm reaching its climax. Jimmy’s right hand moved to her clit, teasing it with his index finger as he continued to thrust into her. Rhea’s moans were silenced by Jimmy’s left hand, her orgasm crashing over her like a wave, tears welled up in her eyes as she experienced the ultimate high.

“Demi..”

Jimmy came with a low groan, his seed filling Rhea’s pussy as she finished her orgasm. He collapsed on top of her, his breath hot and heavy against her neck. Rhea wrapped her arms around him, her fingers tracing patterns on his back as they caught their breath.

The gentle hum of the bus moving through the night became the only sound that filled the quiet space between them. Jimmy slowly pulled away from Rhea, his chest rising and falling with the weight of their shared intimacy. He shifted slightly, making sure to pull her close as he settled beside her again. Rhea, still trying to catch her breath, felt a calmness she hadn’t expected, yet the knot in her stomach remained. She couldn’t push the doubt aside completely, but she didn’t want to think about it now—not when she was here, with Jimmy, in this moment.

She turned her head to look at him, his warm, steady presence offering a sense of peace she had longed for, but hadn’t fully allowed herself to feel. He was quiet, letting the silence stretch, before he finally spoke, answering Rhea’s question.

“Does this change anything?” Rhea asked, her voice barely above a whisper, the uncertainty heavy in her words. She wasn’t sure why she asked, but the question felt like it needed to be said—like the air between them had suddenly thickened and she needed reassurance.

Jimmy paused for a moment, lifting his gaze to meet hers. His hand reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Just be in the moment,” he said softly, his eyes locking with hers. “Here with me. That’s all that matters.”

Rhea nodded, the weight of his words sinking into her. She felt her body relax against him as he pulled her in closer, her head resting on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat was soothing, almost rhythmic, and for the first time in a long while, Rhea allowed herself to simply breathe.

She closed her eyes, her mind racing but trying to quiet the noise. The warmth of Jimmy’s body, the strength of his arms wrapped around her—it felt real, grounding, in contrast to the chaos she’d felt earlier. But still, those lingering doubts clung to her thoughts, like shadows she couldn’t shake.

“Everything’s gonna be okay,” she whispered to herself, though she wasn’t entirely sure she believed it.

Jimmy didn’t respond immediately, but she could feel the steadiness in him, his calmness washing over her like a tide. He wasn’t asking for anything—just this moment, just her. And that, in itself, was something Rhea wasn’t used to.

Before she knew it, the exhaustion from the day’s emotions caught up to her, and her body relaxed, her eyelids growing heavy. Her thoughts began to drift, but the last thing she felt before succumbing to sleep was the warmth of Jimmy’s hand gently resting on her back.

As she let herself slip into slumber, the doubts still lingered at the edge of her mind, but they felt distant for now. Maybe tomorrow would bring clarity, or maybe it would only bring more questions. But for tonight, Rhea allowed herself to rest, to be in the moment with Jimmy, just as he had asked.

& with this chapter I am currently on my break. I will return in the new year 😭🩷