The Plan

Chapter 25: Compassion

July 10th, 2023

Dominik sat on the couch of the clubhouse with his elbows perched on his knees and his head in hands, staring at nothing in particular.

Rhea was talking strategy with Finn while Damian was throwing darts, trying to ignore JD's looming presence who he felt shouldn't be in their damn clubhouse anyway.

Dominik and Rhea had just left the ring not too long ago after another unsuccessful attempt at Dominik talking to the crowd. He had his first singles title opportunity next week at NXT and he couldn't wait to go out to the ring and brag to everyone with his Mami by his side.

He didn't even care about the boos, he never did, he was just gonna talk through them anyway. But before he could barely say anything, Seth Rollins' music hit as he flamboyantly strutted from around the corner with a plate of buffalo wings in his hand, smacking as he chewed and laughing away without a care.

Dominik threw a tantrum, pacing the ring furiously demanding they cut his music off and for them to stop trying to ruin his moment.

It always went this way, no one ever let him talk. No one ever cared what he had to say. He should be used to it by now.

He could usually brush this kind of stuff off but it was something about tonight that bothered him.

Walking out eating wings? Who does that? He wouldn't do that to anyone else but he did it to Dominik. Seth made a complete mockery out of him. The crowd thought it was hilarious.

It was moments like this where he wished he could be scary like Rhea who struck fear into everyone just by breathing, or intense like Damian, or respected like Finn.

But he was none of those things, he was just....Dominik.

Mami's little boy (a title he wore very proudly) and the resident entitled brat of the Judgment Day.

But maybe he wanted to be more than that.

Rhea glanced over to Dominik, the blankness on his face told her everything. She approached him, lifting his chin with her finger to get him to look at her.

"What's wrong Dom Dom?"

Dominik locked eyes with her instantly.

"How do you get people to be scared of you?"

Rhea tilted her head, studying Dominik's face. He wasn't just sulking this time, he was genuinely upset. His usual bratty, cocky facade had cracked, and underneath was someone who was frustrated and unsure of himself.

She took a seat beside him, her hand still resting under his chin. "What do you mean, Dom?" Rhea asked in the soft voice she only used with him.

"I mean... people laugh at me," Dominik admitted, his voice low. "No one takes me seriously. They don't listen when I talk, they don't even boo me because they hate me. They boo me because they think it's funny. I'm a walking joke."

Rhea frowned. She had always been protective of Dominik, but hearing him voice his insecurities made her heart ache and made her want to stomp a hole through any and everybody that had him feeling this way. "You're not a joke, Dom."

"Feels like I am," Dominik muttered, leaning back against the couch. "I watch you, Finn, and Damian, and everyone's scared of you. They respect you, even if they hate you. I want that too."

Rhea leaned back as well, crossing her legs and resting an arm on the back of the couch. "So take it." She said simply.

Dominik hesitated. "H-how?"