Slaughterhouse

You What?

A few days pass of Rhea giving Carmen the cold shoulder. Carmen has given up on trying to make her come around, so she's been sticking by Buddy's side the whole time.

"I'm thinking about going back to work." Carmen says.

Buddy looks up from his plate at her and wipes his mouth with a napkin before replying.

"Without Rhea?" He asks.

Carmen shrugs, "it's not like she wants to be around me. Besides, she's healed up so she can go back when she feels she's ready."

Buddy nods and looks down at his plate, pushing the food around on it in thought. His eyes raise to Carmen again and he watches as she scoops some eggs into her mouth.

They're at their favorite diner to go to. Rhea practically begged to go to the gym and was given the OK by her doctor. When Carmen said she'd stay with Buddy she got an annoyed look from Rhea.

"I'll miss you." Buddy says with a small smile.

"I'll miss you too." Carmen giggles.

They finish their food and Buddy takes Carmen home. Laughing at a joke Buddy made as they walk in the door, Carmen looks up and finds Rhea sitting on the couch staring at them. The look on her face isn't angry, though. She almost looks sad.

"I think I'm gonna go shower." Carmen says to Buddy, her smile fading.

He smiles and nods at her. Carmen stands on her toes and kisses his cheek before walking upstairs, not looking back at Rhea.

Buddy goes into the kitchen and grabs a bottle of water from the fridge. When he turns he sees Rhea leaning in the doorway. He looks at her and takes a sip of water. They haven't spoken much either the past few days. Buddy isn't happy with how she's been acting.

"You know. If I was being half the brat Carmen is being you would have-"

She's cut off by Buddy's intense glare. One look is all it takes to shut her up because she knows what battles to pick.

"Don't try to put this on Carmen. You know damn well you're being irrational and, honestly, the biggest fucking brat I've seen." He raises his voice.

"Me?" She grabs her chest in annoyance and narrows her eyes. "I'm the brat in this? Not the one that beat up my best friend on live TV? Not the one that went down on you out of spite to me? Not the one who is pouting and will only stick around you now? Get a grip mate!" She shouts.

"A best friend that beat up not only you but Carmen as well! A best friend that continues to torment her emotionally! Some friend you have."

Rhea's face goes sad and she opens her mouth to speak but Buddy slams his water bottle on the counter and shakes his head.

"You think she's been hanging out with me? Of course she has because you've been horrible to her! She's starting to think you don't want her again, is that what you want? Make it right, Rhea." He growls.

Buddy grabs his bottle again and slides past her through the doorway, grabbing his gym bag and leaving the house. Rhea sighs and looks down, knowing he's right. Realizing she's been being unfair. She's fucked up. Again.

Rhea turns and goes towards the living room. She finds Carmen sitting on the stairs, looking down at shaky hands. Her heart shatters. Carmen must have heard it all. Rhea approaches silently and Carmen looks up at her as she sits next to her on the stairs. They make eye contact for a second before Carmen looks away and back down at her hands.

"I know nothing I say will erase everything that's happened this past week, Carmen. But I am so sorry." Rhea says softly.

Carmen bites her lip, tears threatening to spill again. Rhea's right. A simple apology isn't going to erase everything she's said and done.

"I've been horrible to you. Just like he said. Unfair and...and mean." Her voice cracks, causing Carmen to look up.

Rhea is looking back at her, tears spilling down her face. She hasn't cried in front of Carmen like this, not without trying to hold it back.

"Carmen I don't hate you. I don't not like you. It's the complete opposite and I just haven't known how to properly express it to you. I've never felt this way for a woman." She explains.

Carmen sighs and rubs her arm.

"Rhea..you told me if I needed you to open up to me and show me your emotions, that you would. I need that. I need you to be open. To communicate. Don't just shut me out when you're upset with me." Carmen says.

"I know. I'm sorry and I promise to do better. Carmen you mean so much to me. How can I make this up to you?" She asks.

"Prove to me that I'm wanted. Show me that you care no matter what happens. Otherwise...otherwise this with you won't work out." Carmen whispers.

With that, Rhea slides off the stairs and kneels in front of Carmen on the floor. She takes her hands and squeezes them gently. Carmen bites her lip.

"There's so many things I love about you, Carmen. Your smile, your laugh. The way your eyes flutter when you wake up. Your in-ring dominance at work. But most importantly, Carmen? I love you." Rhea squeezes her hands tighter to emphasize the last part.

Carmen's eyes widen and she opens her mouth in surprise.

"You w-what?" She stutters.

"I love you." Rhea repeats confidently.

Sniffling, Carmen smiles and her cheeks flush.

"I love you too." She whispers.

Rhea smiles and stands. She pulls Carmen to her feet and lifts her up into her arms, letting her wrap her legs around her waist. She wraps one arm around Carmen's waist and the other around her back.

"Kiss me?" Rhea whispers, looking at Carmen's lips.

Quickly obliging, Carmen presses her lips to Rhea's and kisses her softly, slowly. It's heated but with passion, with love.