Chapter Text
Liv For Brutality
February 19, 2022
Rhea glared at her phone one final time, before locking the screen and shoving the device into her gym bag. She stretched her back, groaning at the aches caused by the Elimination Chamber match. She didn’t win, but she didn’t expect to. This was, after all, Bianca’s story arc, a part of the plot that will lead to the satisfactory conclusion of beating Becky Lynch at Wrestlemania. She was happy for Bianca, they had been friends for quiet a few years. No one deserved the win more. Unfortunately, this meant Rhea’s own path to the grandest stage of them all was still up in the air. With Ronda fighting Charlotte, and Bianca fighting Becky, she really didn’t have a chance at getting into a single’s championship match. Not even NXT or UK were an option for her. Hopefully, this meeting she has with Adam Pearce will gives her an idea of her future plans. Maybe he will at least get her on the pre show. Sighing, she made her way to the showers, in order to clean off the grime from the match.
Once freshly showered and dressed in all black, Rhea made her way the Pearce’s office, passing the other competitors from her match. Everyone looked as sore as she was, but you couldn’t tell it bothered them too much based on the smiles on their faces. After congratulating everyone on a successful match, she turned the corner and knocked on Pearce’s door, waiting patiently. She felt her phone buzz in her bag again, but she ignored it. She didn’t have the time or mental capacity to deal with her again. The door chose that moment to swing open, revealing Adam Pearce smiling at her, ushering her inside. “Rhea! Thanks again for stopping by. Have a seat.” Rhea sat down inside the makeshift office, setting her bag by her feet. “Now before we discuss the reason I brought you in, allow me to congratulate you on a stupendous showing out there tonight. The Saudi crowd truly enjoyed the match; some were quite disappointed that you lost. I think Bianca almost lost her baby face reputation!”
Rhea chuckled at this and shrugged her shoulders, wincing in pain. A trip to a chiropractors was definitely in her future. “People just like me. I don’t always understand it myself, but I just try to go with the flow and enjoy the momentum while I have it.”
Adam nodded his head, the smile on his face growing wider. Whatever he was about to say, Rhea felt it was going to benefit her greatly. She kept her face neutral as he stood and began pacing.
“This is the kind of attitude that we like here! This is what gets you to Wrestlemania!” Rhea straightened up, hope in her eyes.
“Is that why you called me in? I have a match at Wrestlemania?”
Adam stopped pacing, his smile softening as he looked at the former champ. “You’re damn right you do. Now, don’t get your hopes up, it won’t be for either of the main titles. The publicity behind both of those matches is too great to dilute them with another opponent, no offense of course!” Rhea simply nodded, and gestured for him to continue. “Vince has decided that he is going to add you to the Women’s Tag Team Match at the Show Of Shows.”
“Truly? But, what about my tag team partner? It obviously can’t be Nikki A.S.H.”
“Oh yes definitely not her. That story line is over after this. There may a few spots involving you two while the feud is still fresh in everyone’s minds, but beyond that, it’s over with. No, we are looking for the long term, truly building a new tag team. Hopefully lasting a few years. We wanted someone who can match your aesthetic without changing up their own gimmick too much. Someone almost as equally pushed as yourself. We haven't fully figured out who yet, but I will say it’s a toss up between Shotzi, Liv Morgan and Alexa Bliss. Although to be honest, it probably won’t be Shotzi. She’s on Smackdown and for now, that’s where the powers that be want her. So either Alexa or Liv.”
Rhea nodded as Pearce quickly told her the vague ideas that they had. She wasn’t fully paying attention though. She was going to Wrestlemania. And the way he was speaking, it sounded like they were going to win too. You couldn’t tell looking at her, but the goth was excited. She went from not knowing if she was even going to Arlington to now definitely having a match, and possibly winning it. She focused back to Adam, as he handed off the rough draft of the match cards leading her to Wrestlemania. “I’m going to speak with Liv and Alexa now, and them we will decide by Monday at the latest. If I don’t let you know, your new tag partner will.”
Rhea rose from her seat, shaking his hand. “Thank you again for the opportunity. I won’t let you down.”
“You haven't yet Rhea, you haven't yet.”
She left his office, trying to hide the glee on her face. Three Wrestlemania matches in a row, with possibly two championship wins. She was only twenty-five, but it seemed there would be no stop to her rising star power.
Except for forgetting her bag in Pearce’s office.
Cursing herself for being so oblivious in her own bliss, she stalked back down the hall back towards his office. Of course the door was closed again, and with Liv Morgan sitting just outside waiting, she could only assume that he was currently speaking with Alexa about the tag team idea. Sighing, she leaned against the wall, hoping this meeting will be faster than her own; after all, she had a long flight back to the states to prep for, and an even longer conversation once she gets her phone back. She closed her eyes, content on daydream and thinking of nothing while waiting for the door to open. A tap on her shoulder put an end to that. Cracking an eye open, she was greeted by the top of a very blond head. Looking down, she sees that the blond hair belonged to none other than Liv Morgan. The former Riot squad member was smiling, hands behind her back. Her grin was quite mischievous, but not for any reason that Rhea could think of.
“Can I help you?” She asked the shorter blond. Liv merely shrugged her shoulders, stepping back slightly.
“I’m not sure. I was hoping maybe you knew why Pearce had called me down, considering I saw you leave his office a little while ago. Although I’m more curious about why you’re back.”
Rhea smirked, deciding to mess with the blond. “Well, I came back because I forgot my bag in his office. As to why you’re here, I have a pretty good idea why Pearce called you down.”
Rhea leaned, back against the wall and closed her eyes, nearly cackling at the huff coming from Liv. “Are you seriously not going to tell me?”
The goth cracked open an eye and smirked. “Nope.”
A foot stomp. “Ugh! Why not?”
“Because this is way more fun.”
Liv growled, which Rhea found kind of adorable, before stomping back over to her seat. “I’ll remember that.”
This time Rhea did laugh. “What are you going to do? Reach up and punch me in the knee?”
“You’re not that tall!”
“But you are that short.” Rhea enjoyed the shriek emitted by the shorter woman. She was right, this was way more fun. Before Liv could retort back, the door to the office opened and Alexa popped out, rolling her eyes at the two women in front of her.
“We could here you both inside the office. You’re both ridiculous.” Rhea raised an eyebrow while Liv stuck out her tongue. Shaking her head Alexa started walking away. “I’m guessing it’s not going to be me after that display. Hopefully they still have the Battle Royale or something. Oh well, Hopefully I’ll have something at Backlash.”
Rhea snorted at the retreating girl. Bliss really knows how to stay in character.
“What the hell was that about?” Liv asked. Rhea ignored her, slipping past Adam in order to retrieve her bag.
“I’m sure you’ll find out soon.” Nodding to Pearce and Liv, she made her way out of the arena, hoping to catch the next shuttle back to her hotel. Standing outside, she pulled out her phone and glanced the message she had received during her match.
This isn’t working. I thought I could handle the distance, but I can’t. Everything was great while on NXT and while we were all stuck in the Thunderdome, but with me being drafted to Smackdown and then getting released, we saw less and less of each other. It’s too much. I’m sorry I’m not strong enough. I’m sorry that I can’t be there for you anymore. Please know that you have done nothing wrong, and the love I feel for you is as strong as it’s always been. But it’s just not enough for me anymore. I know that I’m breaking your heart, but know mine is breaking with every key I press to send this to you. This is the coward’s way out, texting you, but I can’t stand to look you in the eye and hurt you. I love you. And I miss you. I am sorry that this is over. You deserve better. I hope you find better. God I’m so sorry Rhea. Slán mo ghrá. P.S, good luck tonight.
Wiping away the tears that had escaped, the goth quickly hit the call button, not caring to figure out the time difference, simply wanting to speak to her. Maybe she could change her mind. Instead of ringing, the call went straight to voicemail.
Hey there! This is Tegan! Sorry I can’t answer, but I’m sure you know what to do now! Catch ya later!
Choking back a sob, Rhea quickly hung up the phone, refusing to leave a message. If she couldn’t speak to her directly, Rhea wasn’t going to pour her heart out into a voicemail. Shoving the device back into her bag, she looked up to see Liv smiling sadly at her. The taller woman gritted her teeth and looked away. She didn’t need anyone’s pity, especially someone she might be working closely with in the future. The shuttle pulled in at that moment, and Rhea quickly climbed aboard, vaguely aware of Liv and other wrestlers doing the same. She felt the shorter girl climb in next to her, but Rhea ignored her, choosing to look out the window instead. As the shuttle traveled back to the hotel, the other wrestlers filled the silence with talks of their matches. Only Liv and Rhea chose to sit in silence. Rhea just wanted this day to be over. She was overwhelmed and exhausted.
There was a tap on her shoulder. She looked over to see Liv holding out an Air Pod. Rhea stared for a moment before deciding that whatever she was listening to, had to be better than listening to The Mysterios speaking loudly to each other, and Riddle obnoxiously singing Randy Orton’s theme song. Silently thanking the blond, she inserted the ear pod, surprised to hear her own theme song. Looking back at Liv in question, the shorter woman just shrugged. “I figured I should know your theme song inside out for when I join you for walk outs.”
“That’s an interesting way of telling me that you’re my new tag partner.”
Her new tag part smirked at her, mimicking the Aussie's accent. “Because this way is more fun.”
Despite the overwhelming heartache she feels, Rhea smiles.