Chapter Text
Blue, white, gold. The jewels encrusted upon the leather belt glimmered in the lamp light, illuminating the nightstand. Gold. Irrevocably gold. Undisputed gold. For a dominant champion. The Grand Slam Champion. THE Champion.
Blue, white, gold.
Gold.
Bayley smirked, again. She always smirked when she found herself staring at her championship belt. She lay on her right side in bed, her right arm positioned under her pillow. She lost track of time when she stared at the symbol of her accomplishments. Also, there was something she would not want to admit verbally into the air, in case it manifested tomorrow in a complete collapse, but Bayley was nervous. More nervous than she had been in so long.
She was slammed through steel, her hip cut on a ladder, but she still ascended to the top and her hands clasped around the Money in the Bank briefcase that would seal her destiny. And later that night, the Queen lay defeated in the ring as Bayley rose the blue belt high, triumphantly, to a roaring crowd. Bayley in the Bank. That’s what they called that PPV. But, Charlotte was able to somehow steal the gold back. Bayley won’t forget how she sat outside of the ring: hot, shameful tears burned her face as this same audience that once cheered for her, instead were rudely chanting “You tapped out!”. When she returned backstage, Sasha Banks’ welcoming arms were there to hold her and comfort her. But even though she had the most important person’s support, she knew deep inside that she had changed and her outward appearance needed to reveal this. Her ring gear was different, and her hair was darker and shorter. Her eye color, at times, could be blue and frosty.
But most importantly…
Bayley murdered her own Bayley Buddies: the skydancers, or waving inflatable tube men, the decorative display of her entrance. She slaughtered them in front of everyone who betrayed her. Children screamed and cried, while parents shielded their eyes. The audience, those sheep, who cheered on kendo sticks and Charlotte Flair’s submission maneuver - they would applaud anything that’s “in the moment” and they never thought the Hugger was good enough. So from the dead, from the destroyed, sheared, colorful plastic rose a true Role Model. And this Role Model conquered the Queen, once again, to be the Smackdown Women’s Champion.
So, after all of that, why would she be nervous about tomorrow?
Bayley’s thoughts were interrupted by a slight giggle behind her and she smiled when she felt familiar finger tips rubbing along her neck and back. She turned over and placed a playful hand on her best friend’s exposed thigh. Sasha Banks sat next to her in bed, clad in a black tank top and pink shorts. Even dressed down in casual clothing, Sasha was beautiful. But even that was a severe understatement, Bayley thought she was beyond beautiful in every moment and every second of the day.
“I swear, you stare at that belt all day,” stated Sasha, bemusement and slight annoyance in her voice. She set down her phone on the night stand nearest her.
Bayley scoffed and proceeded to trace her finger tips over Sasha’s thigh. “You’re exaggerating. And also, why wouldn’t anyone want to look at something so beautiful all day?”
“You’re right, Bay, the blue belt is a beauty. Like you,” Sasha gazed at the gold, her eyes did not shift to Bayley even when she addressed her.
Bayley wanted to focus on the compliment but Sasha’s tone and expressions were often difficult to decipher. Bayley cleared her throat a bit and gripped Sasha’s knee, in an attempt to break her gaze from the Smackdown title belt. Sasha finally looked into her eyes.
“Thanks dude. And so are you!” Bayley said cheerfully, but there was a hint of displeasure in her voice that she hoped remained undetected. She cleared her throat again, and continued normally, “What were you looking at on your phone?”
“Just the news, the usual political crap and rumors. The type of nonsense that puts you to sleep so it’s a good read before bed,” Sasha laughed, flashing a perfect smile at Bayley.
“Yeah, that could mean so many things… Speaking of crap, I still can’t believe they would allow Paige to put us in this situation,” Bayley said indignantly, her gaze fixed on Sasha’s knee.
Bayley referred to the Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match tomorrow at WrestleMania 36 for her Smackdown Women’s Championship. Paige’s twisted machinations invented this unfair match for the Show of Shows. She believed that Paige threw her to a pack of starving wolves, and one of those wolves was unfortunately her best friend. The others in the match were women that she did not necessarily get along with: including Tamina, Naomi, and the always annoying and always present, Lacey Evans.
“How did we get in this mess?” whispered Bayley, her words came out more like a hiss.
Before Sasha could speak, Bayley continued on in a frenetic way. “But! We… we have a plan and we’re gonna stick to the plan, right?! We’re gonna get rid of everyone else first and then…”
“Then it’ll be me versus you,” Sasha completed the sentence, her brown eyes pierced into Bayley.
“Well… um, uh… B-before we get to th-that,” Bayley stammered, collecting herself and rolling onto her back, “Team BAD… you and Naomi and Tamina, all together in the ring and um, I just —”
Her words were halted by sudden movements from Sasha. Swiftly, Sasha went from sitting up in their bed to cuddling up to Bayley’s side and she softly placed a finger on Bayley’s lips. The warmth and close contact was wonderful, consoling… among other feelings. Bayley could not move or talk, as if Sasha’s light touch turned her into stone, she could only gaze up into her friend’s seductive smirk. Stone could not move or talk but could still think somehow, and Bayley’s thoughts warped within her mind - feelings that she often repressed about their friendship bubbled to the surface of this whirlpool.
“Baby, why would I leave you for them? There is no Team BAD. There is only Boss ’N’ Hug, remember that,” Sasha said in an alluring whisper. She finally removed her finger from Bayley’s lips and rested her hand on Bayley’s chest.
“OK, so maybe Boss ’N’ Thug? The Role Models? Or just Bayley and Sasha Banks,” sighed Sasha with a small laugh as she noticed Bayley purse her lips together at the end of her statement. Bayley was no longer a Hugger, but she loved to hug Sasha. And only Sasha.
“That’s better,” Bayley said, also managing a chuckle, “We’ll just stick to the plan… I trust you, do you trust me?”
Sasha gave her friend an exaggerated glare, a mock expression of anger. Then she giggled again and rested her head on Bayley’s chest, as she often did before they went to bed together. She hugged the former Hugger tightly, snuggling deeper into the warmth and well-built muscles.
“Of course! But part of the plan is also to get plenty of rest before the big show tomorrow,” she murmured on Bayley’s chest.
Bayley grinned and patted Sasha’s head lightly, she then reached over to her phone and shut off the lights in their bedroom using an app. Before the lights disappeared, Bayley watched the championship belt. In the dark, the jewels and the metal on the belt continued to sparkle and shine. Or maybe that was something she imagined. Her hand drifted down Sasha’s back, her thumb rubbing along her friend’s spine.
“Good night, Champ,” murmured Sasha.
“Good night, Boss,” responded Bayley.
Bayley did not shut her eyes yet to allow sleep to overcome her. She was tired but in this silence, in this darkness, she could not deny the growing wave of anxiety that welled in her chest. She hurriedly looked in the direction of the belt, as if it would disappear if she could not see it or touch it. Maybe it would disappear tomorrow… to some undeserving woman who did not bleed on ladders, who did not endure severe criticism, who did not suffer the way that she had to be a champion in the WWE. Maybe it would still be in the bedroom tomorrow night, but the side plates would be different - maybe these plates would be red, instead of black. The red Legit Boss side plates for the new champion, who was currently cuddling with her and lulling her into a false sense of friendship. Her breath quickened, and her body tensed up. Sasha held her even tighter, in response, and started to caress her skin under her shirt.
“Baby, are you OK?” Sasha whispered in her ear, and Bayley flinched at the sound of her voice.
“Sash, could I ask you something and could you tell me the truth?” Bayley finally asked in a panicked tone, her hand that rested on Sasha’s back was suddenly grasping the fabric of the black tank top.
“Well, first of all, are you OK?” Sasha answered sternly.
“No! I’m thinking about tomorrow and it’s stressful,” she said angrily. She regretted her tone as soon as the words left her lips. Sasha did not deserve her anger, she did not create the scenario they were forced to deal with.
“I know… I know, Bayley,” Sasha softly whispered in her ear again, and pulled her close, “Sleep should help and we have to be up early, lots of training in the morning.”
“Sasha, do you want to be champion?” Bayley asked abruptly. She wanted to ask this for months but was too afraid of the answer, too afraid that the most viable competitor and the greatest threat to her reign was Sasha Banks. Now, the panic crept into her throat and she could no longer hold back.
Sasha did not respond for a while. Bayley could feel her breathing close by her left ear, as Sasha’s fingers prodded against her side. The wait, the silence, these things were not good for Bayley’s mental health. When Sasha finally spoke, the words seemed to tumble out quickly.
“Yes, everyone would want to be the champion. There is no one in our locker room who would say no to that.”
Bayley sighed and started to pull away from Sasha a bit, her touch was now too smothering and uncomfortable. “So what does that mean for tomorrow? What does that mean for you and I?”
Sasha displayed her agility once again. Before Bayley could pull away completely, Sasha surprisingly climbed on top of her and straddled her between powerful thighs. Her hands pressed softly but firmly on Bayley’s chest. Bayley’s eyes had adjusted to the darkness a bit, and saw her friend’s outline on top of her but could not read the expression on her face. Bayley was relieved actually that this all happened when the lights were off because her face flushed red, and she hoped that Sasha could not feel the heat emanating from her body.
Confusion and terror struck Bayley’s core. They were very close, they were best friends who lived together and shared everything. But Sasha had never done anything like this before. If this was proceeding into what Bayley thought was happening, why did it have to happen tonight? Of all nights? Were these the psychological games of Sasha Banks, trying to catch her off guard?
It was hard to defy reason and logic. And the thoughts that she had shoved away into the deep corners of her mind, that she would fight and argue with whenever they appeared. She would never ruin their friendship like that. If it happened. She would not be able to focus on tomorrow, on defending her championship. If it happened. That would destroy everything.
Bayley remained frozen and silent as Sasha’s face lowered closer to hers.
“I don’t like you like this, Bay. What can I do to calm you down?” Sasha asked softly, these words barely audible over Bayley’s own pounding heart, and her blue hair draping over Bayley’s shoulder.
“Sasha… I—”
Before Bayley could sputter out a made up answer like a fool, Sasha’s giggling interjected.
“I know!” Sasha tapped Bayley’s chest with her fingers, “Let’s get up for a bit, have some ice cream and watch something funny on TV. How does that sound, Champ?”
Relief, regret and yearning washed over Bayley as Sasha finally slid off of her and sat by her side. Bayley rubbed along Sasha’s thigh, in appreciation of her suggestion.
“Sure, I’d like that. And I’m sorry to keep you up,” said Bayley in a truly apologetic tone, and trying to ignore what just happened between the two. Sasha’s kindness often surprised her, and it could be sporadic. The Boss definitely had an aura of selfishness and pride, but this aura seemed to soften around Bayley. Maybe this was related to regret over past grievances. Their friendship had only solidified in recent times, and Sasha seemed happier with the “new” Bayley that she helped build: The Role Model.
Sasha gripped Bayley’s hand. “No worries. I’m always here for you. I’ll always have your back. We’ve come so far, why would we let them stop us now?”
And even baby our worst nights
I’m into you, I’m into you
Let ‘em wonder how we got this far,
‘Cause I don’t really need to wonder at all
Yeah after all this time
I’m still into you
- Paramore