Flames

Cages, part 1

"So." It was only one word, but Becky knew the voice well enough to recognize it right away. She was standing out on the Survivor Series stage, watching the War Games contestant cages being settled into place, and she turned just in time to see Charlotte come out the ramp entrance. This time, however, there was no flowing robe, no sparkling gear: she was dressed simply, in a hoodie Becky recognized as Andrade's and athletic leggings. "Think the cage is big enough for both of us?" Charlotte quipped. Once upon a time, she would have given Becky a wink and they would have dissolved into laughter, but they weren't quite there yet.

Becky doubted they would ever get back there, but she wanted to stay open to the possibility. Roux was intrigued by her new auntie, especially since she had seen Charlotte often enough backstage but never really interacted with her. Seth had suggested inviting her and Andrade over during the holiday break, but Becky wasn't so sure yet. Getting along backstage and on screen was one thing; sharing holiday meals was something that would take a little more time. "Well, if they can fit two rings in there," Becky replied with a chuckle, "I think we should be fine. My ego took a whupping the last time Bianca got me with her braid, so it should be able to fit through the door. I got in the cage with Trish after all...." For a moment, she regretted bringing up the Hall of Famer. Charlotte had a feud with Trish back in 2019, but it wasn't nearly as well regarded as what Becky and Trish had done this summer. Between that and her run with Lita, Becky had all sorts of female Legends and Hall of Famers eager to work with her, and she wasn't sure if that rankled Charlotte.

If it did, Charlotte didn't let on. "And if not, we've all seen you climb to the top...."

Becky shook her head. "No leg drops from the top this year. I'll leave the top spots for Iyo and her garbage can. It's practically a Thanksgiving tradition at this point."

Charlotte's laugh sounded more natural than Becky's had. "All these girls and their moonsaults: Iyo, Tiffany... I've got some stiff competition now. Not to mention all these Amazons they're finding—Lash Legend, Izzi Dame, Nikkita Lyons; even Ava, though they seem to have different plans for her...." She toyed with her ponytail for a moment before looking over at Becky. "Does it ever make you feel old? I mean, I know Iyo isn't that much younger than us, but...." She shook her head, and the gesture had more wistfulness in it than Becky was used to seeing from Charlotte. "They all just seem to have an energy that I don't anymore, you know? It's starting to feel more like work." Then she laughed again, tapping Becky's wrist. Roux had made her and Seth matching bracelets and Becky was careful to make sure she didn't accidentally give it away to a fan. "Not that I should be complaining. You have a whole person to consider. That's a type of work I can't even fathom yet."

As long as you aren't still trying to wrestle when you're seventy like your father.... Becky kept that thought to herself. Ric had already apologized to her and tried to make amends and while Becky didn't doubt his tune would change whenever he needed money or attention—or both—again, she was trying to wipe clean as many slates as she could. She would never be Ric Flair's biggest fan, but she could be civil when she needed to be. Charlotte, on the other hand, was his daughter and, to paraphrase her, that was a type of work Becky couldn't fathom. "Lots of time yet," Becky said instead, "for families and wrestling." It was an awkward segue, but she took it anyway. "Have you and Andrade talked any more about having kids?"

Charlotte glanced over at her and winked. "Why? Trying to get rid of me already after we just started talking again?"

Becky laughed and shook her head. "No. Roux's been asking about babies and siblings since so many of the girls are pregnant at the moment: Alexa, Carmella, Jessica. I figure a bunch of wrestling cousins should make her stop asking."

The way Charlotte's expression softened almost made Becky forget how long the rift between them had lasted. She had told everyone from her mother to Seth that she wasn't expecting much out of the reunion, but in truth she had missed having such a close friend in the locker room. Bayley missed Mercedes too, of course, but their friendship had never faltered. Building a new friendship with Charlotte—whatever it ended up becoming—was going to be a challenge, especially since they were on different shows. "She's asking for a sibling? Are you and Seth trying? I know... well, before... you said you wanted to have a few kids, but... I wasn't sure if all the time off changed your mind."