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Eau De Vie.
The name of the speakeasy that has been reserved for the WWE roster, crew and co that had made it to Australia. Tonight was the Australian tours last night - the wrap as it were and you bet your ass that it was going to end with a hard earned cold one (or seven).
The vibe is dark and mysterious.
Iyo imagines that under normal circumstances the speakeasy would be a little less obnoxious but with people like Grayson Whaller and “his boys” in the crowd - there was no mystery to be had.
Iyo takes a sip of her delicious vodka and watermelon cocktail - a deep sigh escaping her as she leans back against the faux leather couch.
It’s been one of those weeks on the calendar that destroys a persons soul. RAW, international flights, Crown Jewel and RAW again. Not to mention the meet and greets, the non stop public appearances and supershows - it’s been super fun… but a lot!
Not only that, Iyo is still dealing with the Kabuki Warriors.
She had not expected Kairi and Asuka to come out as hard as they did. Especially at Crown Jewel. That match had wrecked Iyo - Kairi had unleashed a new level of pain. Asuka. Asuka was always ruthless.
Needless to say, the drink is desperately needed.
Iyo scans the room. Taking a moment for herself because she hasn’t had the opportunity of late and one of her favourite things to do is people watch.
She eyes Kairi who currently hangs out on the other side of the speakeasy. Carefree and smiling - the complete opposite of her in ring character. You would never think that she had been slapped in the face by her mentor less than 24 hours ago. She’s in deep conversation with Bayley and Lyra who seem to be downing drinks at an alarming rate (Iyo almost envies just how relaxed their schedules have been this week). They have definitely been able to enjoy themselves whilst in this amazing part of the world.
Raquel and Tiffany are at the bar debating which cocktails they should order next - the poor bartender looks as though it’s going to be a long night, for him and his team.
Dom, Bronson and Roman are a few seats down from Iyo. Just in earshot, having a dick measuring contest about who has the best tattoos out of the three of them. Dom making a point of his new neck tattoo which he has been going on about ever since he got it. (It kinda freaks Iyo out because the mask moves when he swallows… ick!)
Triple H and Seth are in the corner having a somewhat heated conversation. Probably a clash of creative options now that Seth was injured.
Iyo makes a note to avoid that table as much as possible.
It’s the sound of a husky laugh that brings her out of her people watching session - her head whips to the direction of that velvety sound.
Hazelnut meet sapphire eyes and Iyo’s heart skips a beat.
There, Rhea Bloody Ripley, a cocktail in both hands - makes her way over to where Iyo sits. Punk, Stephanie and little Roxy close in tow with their own selection of drinks. All laughing, all living their best lives in a city they don’t get to see very often (if ever).
Iyo scoots over to make some room as Rhea slides a fresh cocktail in front of her.
They share a fleeting moment. A silent thank you on Iyo’s part and a wink from Rhea.
The wink sends Iyo’s body into overdrive.
She bites the inside of her cheek to stop herself from saying anything that will get them in trouble.
No one knows about them. Not yet.
It’s not because they are trying to hide it from their friends. They just haven’t had the time to figure out how to go about it and getting everyone together in the same room was almost impossible. (They’d do it tonight if Liv wasn’t in Florida.) Plus, they would probably have to let the producers know before they made it public.
Punk holds up his drink;
‘Here’s to sharing the ring with the best wankers in the biz!’
He yells enthusiastically!
Everyone at the table cheers and clinks their drinks before taking a sip.
One shocking fact about Australia - it definitely brings out the cheekier side of everyone. The entire locker room seems to have embraced the Aussie ‘culture’ one way or another. It has definitely been one of the funniest and most ridiculous weeks Iyo had ever experienced in her career.
(If you had told her a week ago that she was going to be drinking beer out of a shoe with Grayson and Rhea, she would have laughed in your face.)
(Honourable mention also goes to the Aussie crowd chanting ‘Asuka’s a shit c*nt’ just for the hell of it!)
Iyo takes a sip of her new cocktail, a Honey Butter Old Fashioned, its sweet and dangerous - slides down her throat with ease. She’s in for an interesting night if this is how it’s kicking off. Rhea’s cocktail catches her eye and the Aussie notices. Slides it over without a word, her free hand finds the inside of Iyo’s thigh discreetly and squeezes gently.
‘What is it?’
Iyo chokes out failing to keep her composure. A beaming Rhea turns to her.
‘It’s a Lady White Snake. Give it a try.’
It’s almost scary just how relaxed Rhea is. She was always the most anxious out of the two of them but tonight she was different.
In all honesty, Rhea has been different this whole week.
It must be because she was in her homeland, surrounded by her people.
She was confident, comfortable and able to finally let her true blue Aussie-ness come out. Sure, the world knew she where she came from… but with there finally being matches in her country - the world could see just how fun and energetic her people could be.
Being as celebrated as she was, couldn’t hurt either.
A shaking hand picks up the Aussie’s cocktail - Rhea is absolutely going to be the death of her tonight. Especially if she keeps up this behaviour. This carefree, yet completely aware of anything and everything related to the older woman, behaviour she’s managed to develop.
Iyo takes a sip. It’s gin, lemongrass, jasmine and a mix of citrus and ginger… in a strange way it almost seems familiar… like home.
‘You like it?’
Rhea whispers curiously.
The Genius of the Sky hums.
‘Yeah, so good. I like it.’
The younger woman giggles and leans in to kiss Iyo’s temple.
‘Thought you would - it’s Japanese inspired.’
There is a glint in her sapphire eyes and Iyo wants nothing more than to kiss her. Of course she’s scoured the menu and found the only Japanese inspired cocktail. She always was the queen of attention to detail.
Iyo rolls her eyes and takes another sip.
——————————
It’s comes as no surprise that Asuka arrives late.
She is notorious for making a dramatic entrance and the fact she makes it with Shinsuke only makes her introduction grander. They were both born entertainers. Both knew how to pull an audience. Fed off of the attention.
The crowd of wrestlers and crew went nuts as the Japanese superstars enter the venue. It was like the celebration couldn’t begin until they had arrived.
Oh how Iyo had envied them both.
A small piece of her heart aches.
She had never wanted things to turn out the way that they had with her former mentor. But Iyo couldn’t stand on the sidelines while Asuka targeted her best friend so vehemently. Even before her and Rhea had gotten together - she would never have allowed it.
What is worse is that Asuka was method. If she didn’t like you in the ring … there was no chance she would have time for you outside of it.
Iyo watches on as Kairi makes her way over to the pair of superstars and is welcomed instantaneously. Remembers the days when she had once been embraced in the same way. The good days, the fun times with her family.
Iyo finds Rhea’s gaze from across the room.
The eradicator is stuck in a conversation with Tripple H and Adam Pierce - it’s obvious that she can’t leave it suddenly but it doesn’t stop her from checking on Iyo.
What shocks the Genius of the Sky is that Dom has found his way over to her.
“You know… you made the right choice.”
He says quietly in a serious tone that Iyo has never heard from him before. In truth, he and Iyo have never really had much to do with each other.
She looks up at him not quite knowing where this is going.
“Choosing Rhea over them, I mean.”
He smiles at her, a strange look of reminiscing underlining his words. The story of Rhea and Dom was one for the history books. While they had never been an item outside of the ring the friendship had never quite been the same since Dom had betrayed the Aussie. It was obvious that Dom had feelings about losing one of his best friends.
“I know I did.”
There was never any doubt in the high flyers mind. Iyo would never choose to cut Rhea out of her life, no matter who is asking. They were a packaged deal even before they kissed. Definitely before they fell into bed together.
Iyo was always going to choose Rhea Bloody Ripley.
Still she appreciated Dom’s attempt at making her feel better about the whole situation.
It was a messy situation.
It was going to take time for them to find an outcome and if Iyo listened to her gut - Triple H was definitely going to drag out this feud until Wrestlemania.
—————————
The speakeasy is buzzing with life.
The Uso’s have started ordering shots. A dangerous pairing but everyone seems to be up for it.
Iyo leans against the bar, a content smile on her face. She’s happy. The tension of the week has left her and she can finally enjoy herself.
Punk stands next to her. Vibing.
“I have to say it Iyo, I knew you were a fantastic wrestler but after this week and actually getting time to watch you do your thing… you are a generational talent.”
The Japanese high flyer feels her cheeks flush. As embarrassing as it was to hear the compliment, it’s harder to accept it. Especially when it’s coming from a living legend like Punk. She doesn’t know what to say - what can you say without sounding egotistical or worse, like a fangirl?
Iyo brushes her fringe out of her face and smiles up at him sheepishly.
“Uh oh, is Punk getting all sappy again?”
Rhea shouts playfully as she makes her way over - this time holding a tray of shots courtesy of Jimmy Uso.
Punk rolls his eyes;
“Can’t a guy say something nice for once?”
He says while putting a loose arm around the older woman’s shoulder. Rhea tracking his action like a hawk. Iyo swears she sees the eradicator’s eye twitch ever so slightly.
It’s a moment of glory. One she will remember for the foreseeable future.
Punk takes his shot, letting his arm fall from Iyo’s shoulder - it was a harmless touch but the Japanese wrestler can feel the tension melt from her lovers body.
She won’t call Rhea out - not yet. While Rhea would never be upset with Iyo for calling her out for being an idiot - their tryst was still new and Iyo doesn’t want to cross the line.
They line up against the bar.
Iyo shoulder to shoulder with Rhea and Stephanie on either side of her.
It’s been a hot minute since Iyo has had a shot - she’s more of a sake drinker (yes how stereotypical Japanese of her) so she takes her cue from the Chilean beside her. If anyone knew how to drink tequila it was the Dark Angel.
First they like their wrists and add salt.
They clink their glasses and swig the shots.
Iyo coughs. She is not a huge tequila drinker and is definitely not used to the taste of it.
Her hands fumble for something, anything that will stifle the god awful taste in her mouth. A hand in front of her holds the tangy, yellow fruit that will be her salvation.
She quickly takes the lemon on offer. Shoves it into her mouth and sucks.
“Oh Iyo, I got to teach you how to do shots better!”
The Chilean muses as she watches her friend spluttering next to her.
Iyo can’t even defend herself. Tequila is not for her and she’s not in a position to deny it. All she can do is pray the god awful taste doesn’t linger in her mouth for too long.
A gentle hand finds her lower back. It’s borderline low and Iyo turns to look at the owner. Rhea looks more concerned than anything. She moves right into the older woman’s personal space - nose brushing Iyo’s cheek slightly before lips settle close to her ear.
“Just breathe, it gets better.” (Lord Iyo hopes not!)
There’s no judgemental tone in her voice. Only fondness. And god damn this woman and her softness! It drives Iyo wild at the best of times, now, with alcohol… it’s so much worse.
The remanence of tequila still burns her throat but she will live.
———————
It’s been hours now and Iyo is starting to feel it.
The crowd is lively.
Iyo’s back to people watching because while she isn’t exactly an introvert - she doesn’t love being in crowds like this. Especially not when she’s beginning to struggle speaking English. English is hard for her at the best of times. Insert alcohol and it’s game over.
So she’s sitting back on the leather couch and taking it all in.
Penta and Bayley have started a drinking game - everyone takes a shot every time Dom brings up his neck tattoo, every time Jey calls someone ‘uce', when Grayson says that he wants a ‘shoey’ or whenever Tiffany looks at her phone in the hopes that Ludwig has messaged her - only to be left disappointed.
Needless to say, they are trashed alongside Lyra, but in a good way. And are providing shots for anyone in close proximity whenever a task is accomplished.
(There is another rule that everyone except Iyo (and maybe Rhea) seem to know about.)
Kairi, Shinsuke and Asuka have kept to themselves for most of the night which makes Iyo feel a certain way - she can’t quite place it. There is a feeling of scheming taking place. But Iyo could never even begin to prove it.
She’s not in the right headspace for it now anyway.
So she takes another sip of her cocktail.
Damien Priest and Alistair Black have taken control of the music in the venue and suddenly the place has turned into more of a dungeon than anything. It’s quite fitting for the majority of the group. Spiritbox’s ‘Soft Spine’ rips through the speakers and everyone gets excited about it.
Suddenly there is a ‘dance’ pit. Bron, Roxy and Bronson are doing their best impressions of moshing along but nothing compares to Rhea, Stephanie and Drew going for gold in the middle of it all making a massive fuss over a mortified Paul Hayman who has no business being on any dance floor!
Rhea’s infectious smile catches Iyo off guard for the hundredth time that night. What is ridiculous is that it’s not even directed at her this time. It’s embarrassing just how whipped Iyo is for the eradicator - no point in hiding it now.
Instead she watches as Rhea crashed about the mosh pit - full of energy. Full of life. She still holds a cocktail in her hand and takes sporadic sips when there is room to do so. It’s obviously not her first makeshift mosh pit. But the way she moves about the place with such effortlessness is mesmerising.
It’s the sound of Bayley shouting;
“Shots for everyone!”
That pulls Iyo out of her daze. Just in time for Rhea to join her on the couch.
She holds out a hard earned shot with a smile and Iyo can’t hide her reluctance.
“It’s not tequila this time. I promise, you’ll like it.”
Iyo would trust this woman with her life.
She sits up to prevent the shot from spilling.
They lock eyes and clink their glasses before they throw whatever the mystery shot is. To Iyo’s surprise it’s junmai daiginjo sake - her favourite. Rhea doesn’t even flinch. Her alcohol palette was far more superior out of the two of them. But that’s not what is important. What is, is that Rhea has remembered that this is her favourite.
Iyo’s body is warm and tingling with the sensation of her favourite alcohol. Feels Rhea move closer to her - to the point where their thighs are touching. Rhea’s eyes are dark and mischievous. Their position on the couch is dangerous and they both know it.
But the thing is… Iyo doesn’t care anymore.
She wants everyone to know that this woman has had her heart for the longest time. Wants them to know that they are done fighting the undeniable pull that they’ve always had towards each other. Her heart is oh so full and yeah, she wants people to know it.
So here she is.
Sitting in front of this devastatingly beautiful woman who supports a knowing smile. Surrounded by most of the important people in her life. It was almost too perfect.
It’s almost as if Rhea could read Iyo’s mind. The way she bites her bottom lip when Iyo leans forward merely confirms it.
Iyo kisses her with everything she has.
There is no denying it no matter how dark and mysterious the speakeasy is.
Iyo is kissing Rhea.
Rhea is kissing Iyo.
The eradicator holds a gentle palm to the high flyer’s cheek - a common occurrence and a favourite in Iyo’s playbook.
“Oh my god! It’s happening! It’s finally happening!”
Punk screams like a kid in high school amongst the crowd.
“Someone get Liv on the phone, right now!”
Dom yells - clearly freaking out.
The room erupts in the loudest roar of celebration. Louder than any arena could ever hope to be. Soon the lovers are surrounded by a sea of drunken, sweaty loved ones. All sharing in the happiness of the moment - yes, even Asuka bowed her head in congratulations. Iyo will unpack that at a later date.
“Guess you’re stuck with me now, Chipmunk”
Rhea whispers over the onslaught of happiness thrown their way before placing a kiss to Iyo’s hairline.
Iyo beams up at her, she’s more than happy to hold Rhea to her word.
Just as Iyo goes to kiss the eradicator again a piecing scream shuts up the entire venue.
In the middle of the crowd - a single phone with a flabbergasted Liv Morgan on screen.
“Are you actually kidding me?! You guys wait til you leave the country to finally hook up?! Oh my gosh I can’t! Ahhhh”
It’s Raquel who sheepishly puts down the phone. She silently mouths a ‘sorry’ to Rhea who knows she’s absolutely in trouble for holding out on her best friend.
Iyo turns back to Rhea who seems unfazed. The Australian looks down to Iyo and shrugs;
“Worth it.”