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IRL!

(Wednesday, August 10th, 2022)

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"Ooo." I reach over the countertop to steal a tostone as Damian makes dinner, he insisted and who was I to object? Last night we had takeout food and so he wanted to do something for us tonight.

"Ni siquiera lo pienses." He says to me, back turned at the stove.

"Wha-uh." I scoff. "I just want oneee."

"No." He shakes his head. "Gotta wait til I'm done."

"Day Dayyy." I whine, pouting my lips out.

"I'll let you taste the sauce." He glances over at me, caving instantly when he sees my face. "But that's it."

I smirk victory. Day doesn't cook often, but his Puerto Rican food is to die for.

He motions for me to come to him and I hurry over, leaning over his arm as I watch him stir the rice before scooping up a spoon full of sauce and I feel my mouth water as if I haven't ate all day. I know what it's like to go days without eating or merely having to eat scraps, but after being spoiled with Uncle Jack's cooking, eating out, Day's cooking... sometimes a humbling a moment feels necessary. It took a while of having full access to catering at work and the ability to fill my fridge full of groceries to allow myself to enjoy and indulge when the opportunity is given, and remind myself that I work hard.

"Mmm." My eyes fall shut as I savor the warm, delicious spices coating my tongue. My body leans into his as I savor every possible second of flavor before swallowing.

"Good?" He chuckles.

"Um, yes!" I pop my eyes back open, reaching for the spoon to get more before he switches hands on me. I huff.

"It's almost ready. And get Jack in here, he better eat with us." He tells me and I tsk, but oblige, pushing off of him with my hip.

"You're lucky I love you." I call over my shoulder.

"I'm making you food!" He shouts back.

"But Maverick is getting all the scraps!" I stick my tongue out at Mavy on the way out to the guest house. Usually when I have Rhea or Damian over for a few days when we can he tries to stay out of the way, but they always want to see him anyways, no matter what we're doing or how long they're here.

And that's why they're my family. And always will be.

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Damian and I lay in comfortable silence, other than the soft music playing from the tv, after we turned off The Boys several minutes ago when we called it a night. We finally started season three which came out back in June but I reframed from watching without him... which was hard.

Anxiety begins to creep into my chest, causing my skin to feel like it's breaking out into hives, and I clutch it, rubbing my heart. I honestly think Damian's already asleep until he stirs a bit, turning on his side before speaking up.

"Rhea said you haven't been sleeping well." I can hear the frown in his voice from here. I blink up at the ceiling, traitor. "Is that true?" I rub my lips together harshly. "CK?"

"What- huh?" I stumble out.

"Look at me. Look at me."

I sigh in defeat and turn to the side to face him. Our heads meet the ends of my L-shaped in my den, and with the light from the large flat-screen tv, my eyes meet his immediately, seeing the frown etched on his face to match his concern.

"Have you been sleeping well?" He asks again.

"Off and on." I answer nonchalantly, feeling like I'm in trouble.

"Have you been having nightmares again?" He presses further and I can't help but snort to myself. Again. That would indicate that they stopped.

"Day-"

His brows crease. "Jack said you haven't been taking your medicine." His voice comes out barely audible but only a mere few feet apart the words reach my ears all the same. My lips part, chest tightening. "Please, Crim-"

"I hate taking them." I admit, adverting my gaze to Maverick on the floor in between us, my fingers hook onto each other. "It makes me tired throughout the day, dizzy even." I heave a sigh. "And I hate pills."

"I know you do." Damian says, listening intently.

I glance up him. "It hasn't been bad these past several nights." I lick my lips, desperate for water. "It's always better when I'm with you, or Rhea, or Denni."

Damian nods. "But it's been a couple months since you've gotten to see Rhea and I."

"I know."

"How bad?" I go to shake my head when he repeats himself, once again. "How bad, CK, please?" My throat closes up, but my pained expression is enough of an answer. "Mm-mm, you're not sleeping over there by yourself tonight, come on." He rustles the covers, scooting til he's up against back of the couch and without a second thought, or objection, I throw my blankets off and crawl onto his side of the couch with him.

He wraps his arms around me, and I feel safe, protected. Like the thoughts that creep into the corners of my mind can't get to me.

"I'm sorry." I mumble into his chest.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." He immediately protests.

I shake my head slightly. "No, I know, but- I could tell you, or Rhea, or Uncle Jack, or Denni what's happening and I don't. I haven't taken my pills since the first week."

"You're not alone anymore, CK." Damian voices, squeezing me in his arms.

"I know." I nod slowly, letting his words sink in. But it's not their problem to burden them with.

"I don't care how late it is, or what I'm doing, or where I'm at, you wake me up if you need to. You talk to me. Always. Okay?"

A small smile makes its way onto my lips. I remember when we'd have to travel together for NXT he'd do this. No matter how late, no matter what time, he would never let me sleep alone. He'd hold me or watch over me until I fell asleep. He never made me explain, said I didn't need to and it wasn't his business. He just wanted me to know he was there and I was safe.

Him and Rhea both. Never judged, never asked questions, they were just there for me. And that was enough.

And almost as soon as I wrapped myself around Damian I doze off in content, sleeping the best I have in months.

And for once, I won. And my mind didn't.

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hey, heyyyy!! Welcome backkk to Crimson Ustulationnn!!

First of all... HAPPY SATURDAY NIGHT MAIN EVENT!! I'm SO excited they brought this back & I've been wondering if they were gonna do this once & month or what & it looks like they are!! The next one is Jan. 25th!!

Also, Damian, Rhea, & Cody looked SOOO fucking good tonightttt>>> But Kevin... count your mf days you fucking sore loser !! Stay mad Cody clearly trusted Roman enough to team up with him over your "friendship." And don't even get me started on mfing Liv... cause WHO thought it'd be a good idea for her to win THAT match clean??? Will never hear the end of it from the Liv lovers when Iyo carried that match & killed it, & Liv was sloppy asf that match...

ANYWAYSSS, sorry y'all know I have to rant lmao. I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!!! I've had this scene planned for SO long & it just came out so naturally while writing it & ugh I hope y'all love it as much as I loved writing it!! The Crimson lore is coming to the surface!! And all I can say is y'all aren't ready... but I can't wait to give more!!

And finallyyy, the moment y'all have been waiting for... THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE SMACKDOWN!! Eekkk!! Roman & Crimson's run in will be addressed... or will it??👀👀 Will they cross paths again for this show... guess you'll have to wait & find out next week for Crimson Usutlation's anniversaryyyy ;)

So until then... stay tuned & don't forget to comment your thoughts, questions, & reactions!! And thank y'all so much for sticking with this book through these fun chapters before getting back into wrestling <333

UNTIL NEXT TIME, MWAHHH!! 💋