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IRL!

(Thursday, August 11th, 2022)

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I stir awake, taking in a comforting scent. I feel so relaxed, so peaceful... did I sleep through the entire night??? I can't even begin to remember the last time I've done that.

All the screaming, the thrashing, the crying, the bruises, the scrapes... I finally had a break.

"Morning." Damian says lowly and I bury my head further into his chest, last night rushing back into my mind as the morning fog blurs away and I remember where I'm at. Damian's arms. And I couldn't be more grateful. "How'd you sleep?" He asks, arms slightly tightening around me.

And for once I don't have to lie.

Every time I sleep, every time I close my eyes, every time a breathe—

And it doesn't get easier. You just learn to tell a really good lie.

But not today. Today I won. Not a belt, not a match. Mentally.

"Great actually." I chuckle. "I think that's the best sleep I've ever had."

Relief seems to pour out of Damian's body. "I wish I could give that to you every night." He whispers.

Me too. Me too. "But you were here last night. And I didn't wake up once. That's all that matters." I insist, reassuring him he did all he can do. He'll still think it's not enough.

"What matters is that you're okay."

I unbury myself from his chest, bringing my hand up to his chin I make him look at me. Worry drowns his eyes, forehead creasing.

"I will be." I look at him strongly. "I'm traveling today and I'll be with Denni tonight." Traveling makes it easier, tires me out more. And Denni is a crazy ball of fury sunshine that makes every situation better, no matter what it is. "I have SmackDown tomorrow, how could I not?" I smirk, trying to get him to lighten up as he nods along, carrying every word I say. "I'll be fine. Okay?"

"Okay." Day mumbles stubbornly.

I reaffirm my hold on his chin, bringing his gaze back to me. "Okay?" How did I get lucky enough to have someone like Damian in my life who cares so much they're mad and stubborn about me being okay... life isn't even real.

He tilts his head down, eyes meeting mine. "Okay." He gives, knowing he won't win with me.

"Okay." I inhale softly, releasing his chin and resting my hand on his chest. "What time is it?"

"10."

"AM?!" I exclaim. I haven't slept in til 10am in years... I have to pack, workout—

"You needed the sleep." Damian shrugs, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Enjoy it."

I inhale through my nose. Fineee. "If I must." I roll my eyes dramatically causing him to snort. "Protein pancakes?"

"From you?" He looks down at me. "Hell no."

I jaw drops. "What?" I smack his check. "Why not?"

"You will burn down your kitchen— actually, Jack's kitchen." He muses. Now—

"Excuse you, I can cook." I argue.

"Since when?" He tilts his gaze even further.

"I make wraps on the stove... and eggs." I humph.

"Mhmm." His chest rumbles. "Okay... only if I can help."

I click my tongue. "I guesss..." I fake pout.

"And I'll make protein shakes again." He smirks. He drives a hard bargain...

"Deal."

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"What smells good in here?" Uncle Jack walks through the back patio, letting Maverick in from outside as he does.

"Protein pancakes, want some?" I offer happily.

He throws his hand over his chest. "You're gonna put me out of a job."

"Never, you love to cook too much!" I reassure. I truly think he would thrive working at or owning a restaurant.

"Oh, alright." Uncle Jack breaks immediately and I'm starting to think I know where I get my dramatic ass from... "I just came to say bye before you left, I'll be right out." He comes around to envelope me for a hug.

"No, stay." Damian argues, just as he did at dinner last night. Uncle Jack cannot get out of trying to stay out of the way when anyone's here, they all love him too much.

"Well, if you insist." Uncle Jack grins as I hug him back tightly. "I'll miss you, kiddo."

Leaving is always hard, but I'm glad he has Mav and Caroline to keep him company so he's not alone entirely. I do need to get him tickets to a show again soon though... he'd love SmackDown. We've been a couple times even when I wasn't on the roster, of course, just for fun, but this would be the first time I'm on.

"Not as much as I'll miss you." I tell him.

"You take that back right now, or I won't let you go." He jests, squeezing.

I squeeze back, giggle. "Okay, I'll let you win."

He pulls back with a satisfied smile and takes a plate from Damian. "I won."

"I had no doubt." Damian chuckles.

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"Afternoon hoes." Denni hollers, slamming the door shut behind her.

"In here." I call from the laundry room, pulling out the load Uncle Jack started for me after breakfast. Damian and I got another episode of The Boys in before he made stop and start packing... sadly. I actually love packing in the moment of doing it, but working up to it is like pulling teeth for some reason.

"Your favorite person on planet earth is here." She sings, standing in the doorway.

I shake my head. "Andrew Garfield?" I tease. When I hear silence I glance over my shoulder to find her arms crossed and foot tapping. Gosh, I love her.

"Very funny." She sticks her neck out towards me. "You should be nicer to the person who brought candy for our flight." She retorts. "And I'm basically the female Andrew Garfield anyways."

I snort. "Oh, you're so right, my mistake."

"Thank you, thank you." She waves her hand in a bowing gesture before jumping up to sit on the washing machine, swinging her feet. "Where's Dami?"

"Folding clothes for her." Damian appears around the corner. "You know, being useful." He chuckles at Denni's mouth parting.

"Rude." She huffs, picking up a pair of socks and tossing them at him, but he ducks his shoulder down last minute.

"Okay, all I have to do is pack these workout sets and I'll be ready." I say more so out loud for me than anything. "You're coming with us to the airport right?" I check with Day.

"Of course." He nods. "Take care of our girl and get good shots of her tomorrow." He says to Denni, leaning against the doorframe.

She rolls her eyes playfully, hoping down. "Well, duh. What else am I there for." She breaks out into a smile. "She's on excellent hands." She loops her arm through mine as we exit the laundry room.

Damian squints his eyes in thought, walking backwards down the hall to face us. "Didn't you almost get you both arrested last time it was just the two of you?" He counters. Okay, that is unfair...

"Hey, allegedly." Denni points at him as he breaks into laughter. "You weren't there!"

Let's just say never trust Denni to park somewhere she's supposed to... and then not argue about it afterwards. Wasn't me though!

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Insta Story!

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crimsonkaewwe

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello, hellooo!! And welcome back to Crimson Ustulationnn!!

First off, sorry it took me a hot minute to updateee... last Thursday & Friday when I tried to finish writing this chap & publish I fell asleep at 8 & 9pm... sooo... hahaha, here we are now!!

Also, I had originally planned to start SmackDown in this chapter, but this went a little longer than expected & I loved the fun direction it took, SO NEXT CHAP WILL FINALLY BE THE LONG AWAITED SD CHAPTERRR!! And I have many plans up my sleeve ;)

I can't thank y'all enough for sticking around through these fun chaps of Crimson hanging  out with everybody, bc even tho this is a WWE book we gotta have some chaps outside of that rightttt (just me?? okay... lol)

Happy NXT Tuesday & MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!! My gift & treat to y'all (& myself bc I haven't updated anything since last Weds so it's about dang time lmao)

Alsoooo... I recasted Uncle Jack ;) I've been wanting to since this summer but couldn't find the right one until today!! Totally thanks to The Bear living on my fyp the past couple days & I'm not mad about it at all!! So had to give y'all some Uncle Jack content in honor of the recast!! There will also be a new addition to the casting chap (as soon as I do that after publishing this lol) if y'all are interested & wanna check out a new character that debuted a couple chaps ago & will be reoccurring in the future ;)

Hope y'all enjoyed this chapterrr!! And hope y'all had a good holiday today & have a good Christmas tomorrow!! Stay tuned for the SD chapter & until next time!! <3333