Sebastian Everett-Bryce had had some strange meetings in coffee shops in his time, but the one he was about to embark upon was probably one of the more surreal he’d encountered. After all, how often do you get to have coffee with a Grand Slam Winner, a living legend, a sex-symbol and a terrifying succubus-like nightmare all at the same time.

And they’re all the same person.

“I can hear you thinking that.” said a voice, approaching the table that Seb was already at. He glanced up and rolled his eyes. “The fuck is that for?”

“Because you’re dressed like you’re about to walk into the Met Gala and we’re in Starbucks on a Friday afternoon,” said Seb as he got to his feet – never one to forget his manners. Eden Morgan-Baal pulled out the chair opposite Seb.

“Yes I am – believe it or not, I don’t get out as much as I used to. You think this is extra, you should see what I used to wear on the daily. These days if I manage to get out of Yoga Pants and a sports bra it’s a good day.” said Eden Morgan.

Mother. That was another description. And one that Seb imagined those who had known Eden the longest would probably be surprised over.

“I was surprised you called,” said Seb, as he retook his seat. He pushed the cup towards Eden, who had sent her order in advance because Eden. “I assumed we’d all just meet up later.”

“Well I plan on meeting up with Lucy while you finish your broken-hearted sad-man errand that she was talking about.” said Eden, before putting on a fake pout. “Are you going to take one last chance to remember all those five minute trysts you had in that old apartment?”

“Let me stop you there.” said Seb, quietly. “You can poke all you like, but I have no plan to indulge your attempts to get under my skin about the people or relationships of my past. So, by all means carry on, or perhaps save your energy for later. We may have to stay up past your bed-time – dinner isn’t until 8pm.”

“Hilarious,” said Eden, taking a sip from her cup. “I mean, since you told me to carry on… How is married life treating your ex? I happen to know from experience that those first few months post nuptials are… Oof. I don’t think I could walk comfortably until at least the six month mark.”

“Lovely,” said Seb taking a drink from his own drink. “How is your husband? Still gas-lighting you into believing you’re happy you settled?”

“He’s just fantastic. We were talking about Bubblegum Barbie earlier – about how many times she accused him of injecting her when he beat her for the World Title? I guess it turns out she was just wishing to get a little prick from someone other than you, hmm?”

“Alright Eden,” said Seb, quietly. “Let’s talk about something else.”

She rolled her eyes again.

“You used to be way more fun than this – make a joke about how old Gabriel is or something. When you mope, it’s not as fun.” she said.

“Sorry to disappoint,” said Seb with a strained smile.

“Jesus Christ, Lucy was right – you’re a fucking mess.” said Eden, trying to force eye-contact. “You need to pick your shit up off the ground and work this out before you start letting this get in the way of your work.”

“I’ll have you know, since… All of this began… I’ve successfully defended Championships I already owned…”

“… Then lost to Vain.” said Eden.

“ … I was on the winning team in the Strength trials…” argued Seb.

“ … After Alias and Vhodka Black kicked your ass.” added Eden.

“… And I joined XWF and instantly became the number one contender for the Universal Championship…”

“ … I mean sure, you haven’t managed to fuck that one up yet, but give it time…” said Eden calmly.

“Fucking hell, Eden. Do you just ask to meet me so you could get a few kicks in while I’m already down? What’s the matter? Retirement and motherhood not enough for you now? Gabriel getting to that age where he’s ready to start dropping blue pills, but won’t quite cave so he’s having to thumb in a semi?” snapped Seb.

“I mean if anyone knows about performance anxiety, it’s you Blue Chew.” said Eden.

Seb slammed his hands on the table, almost knocking the cups over. The other customers glanced over, and Eden sat pin straight, never taking her gaze off Seb.

“You want to calm down, Sebastian?” asked Eden. “It was a joke…”

“Yes, well, I’m fed up of being the clown for all the smiley happy people out there,” said Seb calmly. “You think I’m going to let Lucy down because I’m not focused. I get it – she’s your friend and you’re worried she’s going to get caught in the crossfire. And that’s fine – I’m used to friends of the people I care about digging me out because they think I’m going to fail. But at some point, it would be really, really good if someone stopped to think about just how hard it is to be the person everyone expects to fuck up all the time. So, I have no intention of hurting your friend Eden. I have no intention of letting her down.”

Eden pushed the hair back over her ear and leaned forward, her fingers clasped together as she rested her elbows on the table.

“If you repeat this to anyone, I’ll tell them you’re a liar and they’ll believe me because I’m better at this than you.” said Eden, before checking around for anyone listening out. “You’re my friend too. And as much as I am looking out for Lucy, I’m just trying to light a fire underneath you.”

“Yeah, alright,” said Seb skeptically.

“Answer me this, if I wasn’t your friend, would I have asked Gabriel to step in a couple of years ago to have your grandfather brought back to America?” she asked.

“ … It was you…” said Seb calmly. “My gramps talked about the couple who spoke to my father. The American woman who told my father he was radiating SDE and the Englishman who threatened to destroy him.”

Eden let out a small chuckle.

“Oh yeah. I forgot about that…” said Eden. “Yeah, well, I heard about what happened and I felt bad for you. Oh… That was around the time your ex was fucking that other British guy, right? Jesus Seb, you and I need to have a heart—to-heart later when we’ve had enough to drink because I’m not sure you know what you’re doing…”

Seb held up a hand and shook his head.

“Never going to happen,” he said. “But… Thank you…”

“You’re welcome,” said Eden calmly, before pushing her hand into her purse and pulling out a set of keys. “And then there’s this.”

She handed the keys to Seb.

“And what ARE these?” Seb asked.

“They are the keys to the apartment Gabriel and I own. We barely get into the city anymore, so it’s mostly empty.”

“And why would I want these?” asked Seb.

“Because Lucy told me you haven’t had a base since you left your old apartment in October. And I get it – no where feels like home, and when it does, it hurts,” said Eden, with an eerie level of understanding. “So, maybe this can help. You don’t own it, it’s not your home, but its private. And you can come and go as you please.”

“I don’t know what to say…” said Seb. “Thank you…”

“Save the thank yous – you can pay me back by not getting stains on our furniture when you hit your ring-rat phase.” said Eden. “I do NOT want to have to check the entire apartment with a black light.”

“Pretty sure if I did that…” began Seb.

“Okay maybe don’t do that.” said Eden, with a smirk. “The whole place would look like a Jackson Pollock…”

“A plasterer’s radio…” said Seb with a chuckle.

“Sebastian!” said Eden, with a mischievous smile. “So uncouth.”

And the two finished their coffees, finally having thawed enough that Seb could imagine that they would actually have quite a fun evening.

 

It had only been a few months since Lucy had been in New York, but as her boots clicked down the sidewalk in front of the Blath Gardens apartments, she felt like a stranger. She and Rogan had almost started an entirely new life in Alabama and abandoned this one like it had meant nothing.

Of course it didn’t mean nothing. They were just busy. Rogan with the bar, and Lucy helping him and jetting off to Chicago and wherever else UGWC took her. They just hadn’t found time to come back. Lucy missed it.

She didn’t realize how much until she heard that faint choir singing that she always heard when she got close to the building. Suddenly, she felt okay.

“Oh my God, it’s about time you show up.”

Lucy wasn’t paying attention as she entered the main lobby of the building, but that familiar voice quickly pulled her out of her own thoughts as her eyes settled on none other than Eden Morgan-Baal as she sat on one of the benches that surrounded the rose that sat in the center of the room.

“Edie!”

Eden rolled her eyes, “Oh please. Don’t act like you weren’t expecting me.”

“Of course I was. I’m just.. Running behind today.” Lucy replied, shaking her head. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”

“Long enough.” Eden immediately snapped back, bringing herself to her feet as Lucy approached – the two of them sharing a quick hug. “What the fuck is up with this building, anyway?”

At first, Lucy didn’t understand what Eden meant. That was until Eden motioned around the lobby and crossed her arms over her chest as she awaited an explanation. But all Lucy could do was shrug her shoulders.

“I don’t know what you mean, Edie. I think it’s relaxing.”

“I think it’s unnerving. And a fucking flower just… there, all the time?” Eden approached the rose and leaned down, taking a closer look at it.

Lucy chuckled. “Yeah, it’s always there. Apparently, as Rogan told it, this small piece of earth has been here for centuries. Buildings have been constructed and demolished all around this rose. It’s been protected for a very long time. It just.. Felt right…”

Eden turned to look at Lucy as her voice trailed off and she stood there just staring at the burning pink petals of the rose. While Eden wasn’t entirely sure what she believed in relation to a flower that has lived for centuries in the same spot… She could easily see it affected her friend.

Pulling herself away, Lucy noticed Eden staring at her and she laughed. “That’s what Rogan said to me when he brought me here the first time. That it felt right, us being here.”

“How is Rogan, anyway?” Eden asked as the two of them made their way to the elevator.

As the door closed behind them, Lucy pressed the button for the top floor and let out a sigh. “He’s good. He’s really been enjoying himself with the bar.”

“Then why don’t you sound happy about it? Aren’t you the one that set that whole thing in motion?”

“I’m not unhappy, Edie. I’m thrilled that he’s got something now that he’s not really competing anymore.”

Eden shot Lucy a look as the latter stepped off the elevator and began walking down the hallway towards their apartment as Eden followed. A few moments later, they were in the apartment and Lucy set out to grab a few glasses to fill with what she’d brought with her knowing that they didn’t have anything here that wouldn’t be spoiled after all this time.

“But…” Eden finally said as she sat down and grabbed the glass sat in front of her by Lucy.

“But…what?”

“It sounded like there was a ‘but’ coming after all of that gushy bullshit about Rogan having something to do now.”

It was Lucy’s turn to shoot Eden a look from across the counter. “Whatever you’re implying, it has nothing to do with Rogan. We’re great. It’s no problem of his that our new venture has pulled us away from here, you know? I just didn’t realize how much I missed being here.”

Eden nodded her head. “We haven’t seen you in quite a while. It never occurred to me that your presence would be missed.”

“Wow, thanks.” Lucy shot back with a chuckle. “I love you too.”

“Bitch, you know I care.” Eden rolled her eyes, “Obviously. But if you feel like something is missing, no one can fix it but you.”

“I know, I know. I will.” When Lucy finished that statement, Eden shot her a ‘yeah right’ kind of look to which Lucy shook her head, “No, I mean it. I didn’t really know how much I missed being around here, until today. We’ve been so busy. And when I’m not in Alabama, I’m in Chicago dealing with…”

“Yeah, I’ve seen. And I just had coffee with your partner a little while ago, so..”

“How is he?” Lucy asked, only to get a shrug in response.

“He’s Sebastian.”

Lucy rolled her eyes. “No, he’s not. I worry about him.”

“Well you’ll be relieved to know he was all too quick to make sure I knew that come Monday, he wouldn’t let you down. But we both know there’s more to it than that.”

“Obviously. But he won’t talk about it to anyone. At least not me. But I get it. If something happened between Rogan and I, at this point, I don’t think I’d be much better off than he is right now. That and.. I see a lot of myself in him. To a certain point, at least.”

Eden took a sip of her drink and let Lucy’s words linger for a bit before she quietly cleared her throat and drummed her fingernails on the counter in front of her.

“I don’t think you’re wrong, Lucy. And if he’s anything like you were in similar situations.. He’s gotta figure it out on his own, and he will. Just like you did. You forgot that you have people who care, because you’re a stubborn bitch. He might be at that same point. I don’t know.”

Lucy shook her head. “I know, and you’re right. Just gotta stay the course and be here. Let him figure it out. Help him when he wants it. Believe it or not, Edie… I have grown as a person.”

Eden let out a laugh, much to Lucy’s chagrin. “You have. Small growth is still growth.”

“Bitch.” Lucy scoffed.

“You know it.”

Silence settled between them for a few moments, until Lucy let out another sigh.

“What now?” Eden finally said when the tension got too uncomfortable to ignore anymore.

“He’s already dealing with so much. I’d never entertained the thought of him letting me down, considering he’s being forced to throw his hat in on both sides of this. I don’t wanna let him down, because it’s hard enough to feel how he’s feeling, let alone feeling that way and working with a partner he despises… If Travis somehow pulls it out because I didn’t do enough.”

Eden rolled her eyes again as she finished her drink and placed the glass on the counter between herself and Lucy. “Listen. We’ll discuss this later. The two of you really are a great pair… I swear.  It’s disgusting.”

 

The door to the storage unit opened and the light turned on, revealing boxes upon boxes of things that had been long forgotten… at least in theory. Seb stepped into the room first, lugging a box in his arms – followed closely by Lucy, carrying a few smaller ones.

“Eden didn’t care to join us for this?” Seb asked as he lowered his box onto the ground beside the door and moved to the side, allowing Lucy to place hers on top of his.

“Did you really think she’d wanna be around for manual labor?” Lucy stood and turned around to look at the rest of the room, only to find Seb staring blankly at the piles of boxes. “To quote her directly, ‘fuck… that.’.”

Seb didn’t answer right away, or all all until Lucy softly nudged him with her elbow, pulling him out of his thoughts.

“Fair point.” He replied with a half smile. “She already gave me use of her and Gabriel’s old apartment, so…”

Lucy nodded her head. “Well that’s better than jumping around in some hot hotel potato bullshit, right?”

“I suppose, yes.”

While she hadn’t been exactly in this position, Lucy knew… Or at least she hoped she knew what Seb was feeling right now. His life with Sloane.. Condensed and stored away in this small room, forgotten about.. Like it didn’t matter. Except that’s all that mattered.

After she and Joe had parted ways, Lucy left much of it behind in the condo that they’d shared. She’d done the hotel hopping thing. She let herself go. She wondered if she was good enough for anyone. She… She felt exactly like her best friend did right now. But it’s worse to see someone you care about going through the same thing. Worse by a long shot.

And she didn’t know what to do.

So she stepped forward and turned towards Seb, drawing his gaze from the nothing that he’d been staring at and focusing it on her. “So what are we here to do? What do you need, Seb?”

At first he shrugged.

Lucy reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder. “We don’t have to do this right now anyway. It’ll be here when you’re ready, you know? The apartment will be there too. This doesn’t have to be done today.”

Then he nodded. “No.”

“No?”

Then he shook his head. “I.. Let’s just get it done. No use in drawing things out anymore than need be.”

“Okay. Then tell me where you need me and what you need me to grab.”

Seb moved around Lucy and began hesitantly looking into a few boxes. “I just need a few things to get started… So maybe… take some of the boxes and let me know if you see anything you think I’ll need.”

Lucy nodded and headed across the room and began to sort through boxes – moving things around and quite frankly, guessing at what Seb would need. She couldn’t help but feel sad as she sifted through small pieces of Seb and Sloane’s life together, but she also tried not to let it get to her too much.

Seb didn’t need her to fall apart too.

“Hey, I just..I wanted to…” Lucy looked up when she heard Seb’s voice from across the room and when she glanced around a few boxes, she found him seated on the floor, digging through one box in particular. When he saw Lucy, he looked down into the box and sighed. “Thank you. For–”

“You’d do the same for me.”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

He glanced up again and Lucy smiled at him before she returned to the stack of boxes she’d been going through. She opened up the next one and began sorting things out and stopped when she saw something…. Curious.

“Uh…” She began, reading the label on the VHS tape ‘OM ROGAN’. She stopped and looked around, even though she knew full well that Seb was on the opposite side of the room, focused on his own things.

Why would Sebastian have a VHS tape, first of all…

And secondly, why would he have one with Rogan’s name on it?

What did ‘OM’ mean?

She wanted to ask Seb about it. But she also didn’t want to add onto everything else that was already on his mind. It was probably nothing. Maybe old wrestling tape? But has Rogan been wrestling long enough for it to have been caught on VHS?

What else could Seb have recorded Rogan doing?

“OhmyGodOhmyGod…” Lucy whispered to herself, remembering a few weeks back when Seb had happened to see a very private message sent from Rogan.

Did Rogan record them when they… Did Seb get a hold of it?!?

“Hey Luce?” Lucy could hear Seb getting up and sliding boxes around and she immediately threw herself backwards and into a few other boxes, nearly knocking them all over as she panicked, trying to get the tape out of her hands before Seb saw her with it.

“Y-Yeah? What’s–What’s up?” Lucy said as she rounded the corner, holding the tape behind her back. “You good?”

“Yeah, I just.. I think I’ve gotten all I want to get out of here. Have you found anything worth bringing to the apartment?”

Lucy glanced behind her at the boxes and nodded, meanwhile the hand holding that tape practically shook – her fingertips buzzing where they made contact with the cold plastic. “Yeah, a few things. We can always come back if you think we may have missed anything.”

Seb chuckled. “Yeah, it’ll be here. Let’s get out of here.”

“You got it.”

She watched Seb gather a few boxes and take them out of the room and in that moment she heaved a heavy sigh of relief. She put the tape down on top of one of the boxes she hadn’t opened yet and piled what things she found to take with them into a box she’d emptied.

Once she was ready to take it out, she glanced back at the tape and wondered if she should just put it back where she found it. Maybe it wasn’t what she thought it was. But maybe… maybe she was meant to find it.

Rogan’s voice echoed through her head. ‘It felt right’.

The tape called out to her. So she grabbed it and tucked it into the back of her pants where her jacket would cover it.

She’d figure out the rest later.

Right now, there were other things to see to and a best friend that needed her.

 

“How the hell did you do it?” asked Seb, as he sipped from a glass.

“Do what?” asked Eden, as she followed suit from her own glass.

“Deal with Pierce for so long. I was friends with him for a year and I want to scoop that entire time from my brain with a spoon.” said Seb.

“Oh my god, Seb.” said Lucy with a chuckle, “wait, do you want to scoop me out of your brain with a spoon?”

“Not yet.” said Seb.

“I’ve had a lot of people in this business pop in and out of my life. Weirdly, Pierce has always been pretty consistent. He’s always believed in his heart that he and I were at our best when we were side by side.”

“That’s because he wanted to see you naked, Edie.” said Lucy.

“Pretty sure he has – he hid that camera in our kitchen a couple of years ago, and god knows how long it had been there. And Gabriel have always been… spontaneous,” said Eden.

“I paid good money for these drinks, I’d appreciate it if I didn’t throw them all up before I’ve had the full benefit, thank you.” said Seb.

“Rude.” said Eden.

“I’m serious though – he wanted the two of you to be more than just friends and partners,” said Lucy. “but you never caved?”

“God no,” said Eden. “That’s the trick with Travis – never quite give him what he wants, but always make him think its possible. That’s how you control him. I’ve had him swinging off my little finger for years – he never took the hint after I got married. And I’m not the only one – look at Vain.”

“Do we have to?” grumbled Seb.

“I’m serious – Vain’s had Pierce twisting himself inside out since he came back at Wrestlestock. But has Pierce actually done anything about him? No – he just talks about it. Same with me – he’s always tried to make out that he wants to choke the life out of me, and not in the good way. But he’s never come close – because in truth, he wants what he wants, and he won’t cross too many lines until he gets it.”

“Then what the hell does he want from me?” asked Seb.

“Ahhhh, you are very different Sebastian. Because you were the proverbial cheap date, putting out on the first date. He wanted you by his side to draw ratings. You gave him that. The shows, the ratings, the exposure. If you’d kept him at arms distance, then there’s every chance he’d be shaking his fist at you from a distance now rather than trying to take what you have. How many times has it been now? This is the third time he’s challenged you for a title?”

“… Yes.” said Seb.

“Because he’s had what he wanted – there’s nothing to fuck up. The people he’s always fought hardest and longest with are the ones who caved to his bullshit. Look at him and Jet – Jet always talks about how the Piercing Weapons were the greatest Co-Op team of all times, and how many times did Pierce turn on him? Over and over and over – because he’d gotten what he wanted already. Jet’s endorsement.” said Eden.

“But what the hell has that got to do with me?” said Lucy. “I don’t have anything he wants.”

“Of course you do – you’re Lucy fucking Wylde.” said Eden. “And the fact is, to this day, the world still thinks he got lucky when he beat you at Horizons’s a few years back. The only meaningful win he’s ever gotten over you, and people still tell him it was a fluke. I know I do at least once a month. And knowing Travis as I do, that’s got to eat at him. This whole ‘I’m a better partner for Seb’ nonsense he’s peddling is just an attempt to sow seeds of doubt between the two of you. But the fact is, deep down? He knows the truth.”

“And what is that?” asked Lucy.

“That it’s taken decrees from Deimos and The Consortium to force Seb to play things straight – if it hadn’t been for them, there’s no way this is a match that plays out fairly. You two walk in, beat the shit out of him and walk out as Champions. The only way Seb chooses Travis is if he’s forced to, and the only way he’s forced to is to prove that he’s better than you, Luce… It’s simple. He has to be better than YOU to win the Coop Titles. Seb is inconsequenstial.”

“Well fucking thanks.” said Seb.

“Oh you know what I mean, don’t be a bitch Seb.” said Eden. Seb offered her a sneering look.

“Travis has always been talented – he’s only ever gotten in his own way.” said Seb. “But I refuse to ignore the fact that he’s a former World Champion. I refuse to ignore the fact that he and I were an effective team – and even if I’m being forced to be his partner, that does create a threat to us…”

“Seriously?” said Lucy.

“Do you want me to hold back and risk the Consortium stripping me of the titles?” asked Seb.

“Of course not.” said Lucy. “I never want you to hold back.”

“Right, and look what happened last time the two of us were in the ring together.” said Seb, nonchalantly before drinkin. It was a moment or two before he realised his error.

“Oof.” said Eden.

“Excuse me?” said Lucy.

“I’m just saying… If i have to go all in, then… You and I have a history that kind of leans my way. So… It’s probably best that we keep Pierce in there with you… Just in case…” said Seb.

“Is that right?” said Lucy, folding her arms. “Listen to me, Seb – I know how good Pierce is and as you’ve made quite clear, I know how good you are. But don’t think for one second that if it’s you and me in that ring, this is some foregone conclusion. It’s not like everytime we’ve faced you’ve won by a fucking mile.”

“No… But…” Seb began.

“Rookie mistake.” said Eden, under the guise of a cough.

“But… What, Sebastian?” said Lucy.

“Well… The result… has kind of… Always… Been the same…” said Seb.

“I swear to fucking god…” Lucy said, seeming to swell with rage.

“I hate to be the one to point out that you’re being a pair of fucking morons, but you’re being a pair of fucking morons.” said Eden. Seb and Lucy both snapped their heads her way. “This is what they all want. Pierce. Deimos. The Consortium. They want the two of you out there beating the shit out of each other so that Pierce can hoover up the pieces. Seb might be one of the best in the World right now, but Lucy – you’re one of the greatest women ever to lace boots in this sport. You’ve been a legend for years already – you’ve won twice as many World Titles as Seb has for one thing, and whilst you might dress like an unmitgated loser, you are definitely a winner.”

“Hey!” said Lucy.

“I mean you can’t argue the dress thing.” said Seb, before wincing.

“You don’t know when to shut up do you?” asked Eden.

“It’s a flaw in my personality for sure.” added Seb.

“Eden does have a point though, Seb. I’m clearly the senior partner in our team.” said Lucy.

“… What the fuck?” said Seb. “Lucy!”

“That’s my girl.” said Eden.

“Don’t you fucking start!” said Seb.

“Hey!” said Eden and Lucy together. “Be nice…”

“I am being… You two are… You’re ganging up on me!” said Seb. “That’s it, there’s no way I’m putting out tonight.”

“Should have tried that with Pierce,” said Lucy sipping from her drink. Seb looked mutinous.

“Besides,” said Eden with a smirk. “You couldn’t handle either one of us, never mind both.”

Seb opened his mouth to answer and instead… He shuddered.

“No, I can’t even joke about that. I haven’t drank nearly enough.” said Seb.

“Rude!” said Eden and Lucy together. Seb cleared his throat and raised his glass.

“To the sound defeat of The Piercing Media Empire!” he called, and Eden and Lucy raised their glasses, to join in the toast.