Chapter Text
Filming Tik Toks with talent could at times feel like extra work, and at times, it was. And on the Fastlane weekend, it was in-fact, extra work. She had received a memo—from whom she did not know—asking her to make some content. It didn’t specify who to make it with or what to do.
But Cathy knew exactly who she was recruiting.
“It’s cute.”
Rhea warmly quips, an arm loosely slung over Cathy’s shoulder as they watch the clip back on her phone—and Cathy would agree, the Tik Tok was indeed cute. It was another lighthearted addition to their ongoing side-story of Cathy wanting to win back Rhea from Dom, which concluded with Rhea tapping her shoulder and finally reuniting. It was silly, but damn, fans loved it.
And so did Cathy.
“Do you need to make any more?” Rhea asks—because Rhea, despite all her Judgment Day related posturing, is a sweetheart—and the gears in Cathy’s brain slowly start turning.
And as they do, she can feel a flush blooming across her cheeks.
A few weeks ago, Dominik posted one of Rhea backing him into a wall, and much to her chagrin, her first thought was ‘why couldn’t that be me’.
“You know that one you did with Dominik?” she suggests—blurts— in the spur of the moment; a fleeting thought that spills out of her unthinkingly, doing all that she can to avoid Rhea’s gaze as she sputters to save some face. “Maybe that but—”
Rhea smirks at her then, head tilted and expression slightly quizzical. Curious.
“You don’t push me or anything.”
Rhea laughs.
“Would you like me to? Because I c—”
“No!” Cathy interrupts, palms up and slightly panicked. “No, no, it’s ok if we just do the first bit you know. Tease it.”
Rhea gives her a tight lipped smile and nods, agreeing with Cathy’s suggestion. The older woman almost thinks—hopes—that she sees a small hint of disappointment in Rhea’s gaze.
They ready the shot, run through it a few times, but Rhea keeps laughing at Cathy’s silly posturing and attempts. The hands clasped above her head and the sway of Cathy’s hips sets Rhea off everytime.
“Sorry,” she giggles again, the sound of Rhea’s laughter, sweet and girlish, makes Cathy’s chest tighten. “You look so cute when you do that.”
Cathy knows for certain that she’s blushing now, and is a little more than grateful that she’s wearing a decent smattering of makeup. Her head dips in a slight bow, a delicate blend of embarrassment and butterflies trapped in her stomach.
“Come on, we can do it,” Rhea reassures her gently, a delicate finger tipping Cathy’s chin towards her. “I’ll keep it together,” a wink then, and Cathy really thinks that her heart might give out.
Cathy swallows, tongue heavy in her mouth and instructs their hand to begin filming again. It goes the same as it did the last time, but Rhea, thankfully holds it together. Cathy raises her hands and rolls her hips, quietly taking note of how Rhea regards her: with gentle fondness and quiet amusement, her piercing eyes taking her in, roaming over her the elegant svelte of her physique.
“Got it. Nice work,” Cathy snaps out of her reverie and quickly takes the phone from the hand of an assistant, thanking and shoo’ing him in the process, before she can finally turn her attention back to Rhea. She watches it on mute, Rhea peering over her shoulder to catch a glimpse.
She spins on her heel to face Rhea—having to tilt her chin to look up at the bigger woman.
“When are you gonna post it?” she asks, a dazzling smile gracing her lips as she plays with the red cup in her hands. The smile shouldn’t take Cathy off guard, but it does. Though, Rhea has been catching her off guard for quite some time now.
They have been friends since NXT, but she can’t quite put a finger on when things… Changed. When her feelings began to shift and alter.
All she knows now, however, is that she certainly wouldn’t mind Rhea pressing her close and firm against any solid surface. Part of her hoped that maybe Rhea would’ve just done it for the clip anyway.
“Maybe for your birthday,” she replies, putting the clip in her drafts for a later date. “People are invested, you know. Bit of extra attention on you as well.”
“Oh, I know,” Rhea grins, teeth flashing as she gestures to herself.
“And the birthday girl does love attention.”
Cathy smiles again, tilting her chin into her chest. This crush was going to be the death of her.
“Ripley! Judgement Day is next, you’re needed in gorilla.”
Cathy watches Rhea tip her head back as she quickly downs the remnants of whatever is in her cup, gaze following the bob of her throat.
God. Please help me.
“I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”
“Sure!” Cathy replies, doing her utmost to maintain some level of cool. “Good luck out there.”
Rhea doesn’t reply then; she just flashes her teeth and winks, promptly turning on her heel and walking into the labyrinth of halls on her way to gorilla.
Cathy closes her eyes and exhales.
I am soooo screwed.