Over a light dinner of seared duck breast with balsamic green beans, Sonya had enjoyed the conversation with Charlotte despite having a problem on her mind. The problem was how to bring up the way Charlotte had acted prior to them filming the video segment for Smackdown. At best, she had been doing some pretty heavy flirting. At worst, she had been playing games. One way or another, Sonya needed to know what the deal was because she certainly wasn't the kind of person who liked having games played with her emotions.
After declining an offer of dessert, Sonya followed Charlotte out of the dining room and stood in the kitchen with her while she set about loading up the dishwasher. This was the moment to bring up the difficult subject, she figured, taking a deep breath. "Char, there's something I need to ask you."
"Sounds ominous," Charlotte said, arranging items in the dishwasher.
"No, it's not. It's just that earlier you were kind of sending signals out. Pretty damn strong ones at that. You licked jam off your finger that had been on my bottom lip. That's very suggestive, Char. I feel like I need to know what you're thinking, because as far as I know, you're not gay or bi. I don't think it would be fair of you to play with me, knowing that I'm gay and we have to…"
"I'm not playing with you," Charlotte insisted, stepping away from the half-loaded machine. "I wouldn't do that. But I should apologise for acting like that earlier. I was behaving like a teenager around their first crush. Honestly, I don't know what came over me."
As Charlotte had been speaking, Sonya's heart had started beating harder and she felt herself warming up. "Are you saying you have a crush on me?" she asked, needing absolute clarity.
Charlotte's cheeks began to redden. "I've never felt anything for a woman before, but yes, I think I do. Since we kissed in the ring last week, I've not been able to stop thinking about it. I kept reliving that kiss and the way you moaned slightly as we kissed. It does something to me when I think about it, Son. And again, earlier today when we kissed, it turned me on. So no, I'm not playing with you, but I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that I think I have a crush on a girl for the first time in my life."
In that moment, Sonya felt for Charlotte, and inwardly reprimanded herself for thinking that there might have been game playing going on. She could well remember the first time she had realised she was attracted to a girl, back when she had been in school. She could only imagine how much harder it would be to deal with it for someone of Charlotte's age, who to date had always been into men.
Sonya stepped forward and took Charlotte's hand. "It's not easy, Char, but please don't blush. You don't have to feel embarrassed in front of me. Frankly, I'm deeply flattered and very excited that you have a crush on me, considering how long I've had one on you."
Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise. "You had a crush on me before this angle started?"
Ahead of time, Sonya hadn't planned on revealing that little nugget of information, but it was out there now. She hoped that it would at least help Charlotte feel a bit more comfortable about her own feelings, knowing that they were returned in kind. "Yes, I did," she admitted. "I've always found you incredibly beautiful. I knew I was in trouble when I walked into McMahon's office that day and saw you standing there. Working a romance storyline was never going to be easy for me. I never imagined you would feel anything for me in return, though."
"Well, I do, and honestly? It kind of scares me to admit it," Charlotte said.
Sonya squeezed her hand. "Trust me, I understand. It's a shock when you first have feelings for someone of the same sex. But the good news is that if anything happens between us, it won't go any further than the two of us. It can be our secret for as long as we want it to. Obviously I'm not presuming something will happen, I'm just saying…"
"I would have to take it slow," Charlotte cut in, breaking eye contact as she spoke. "I feel so nervous right now, just having the thought in my head that I might have sex with a woman."
Taking Charlotte's other hand also, Sonya squeezed them both. "Again, I understand. The absolute last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable. This is all very sudden, so I don't think it would be a good thing for either of us if we jumped straight into bed with each other."
Charlotte was still looking down, rather than into Sonya's eyes. Sonya gently lifted her chin, forcing her to make eye contact. "I don't want to do anything you don't want, Char. But I'd like to kiss you again."
"I'd like that too," Charlotte said, voice thick with desire even in the awkwardness of the moment.
Slowly, Sonya pulled Charlotte close to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. As soon as they made contact, a fire was lit inside both of them. Moment by moment, more and more feeling was injected into the kissing. For the first time, since this was their first 'real' kiss, Sonya risked slipping her tongue into Charlotte's mouth. She moaned in pleasure when the gesture was returned.
For a couple of minutes, they stood there in the kitchen, experiencing genuine mutual passion for each other for the first time. Sonya craved to do more with her hands than cradle Charlotte's face. She wanted to caress her breasts, maybe even slip a hand down the front of her pants. But no, she had just promised not to rush things, and she couldn't let her cravings force her into breaking that promise. Charlotte had to be the one to dictate the pace they moved at.
After another moment, Charlotte pulled back. Her lips were wet, desire burned in her eyes and her cheeks were red from a persistent sense of embarrassment over kissing a woman. "I, uh… Why don't I get the dishwasher going, then we can go sit in the living room and maybe…"
"Make out some more?" Sonya finished when Charlotte faltered.
"Yes. Make out some more," Charlotte said, biting her bottom lip shyly.
And that was what they did. After eating dinner, Sonya had been left with another hour before she needed to head back to the airport to get checked in for her flight. They spent that whole hour on the couch making out. When the time came to leave, Sonya was incredibly tempted to suggest leaving her flight and re-booking herself on one the next day. However, she had a distinct feeling that passions were running so high that they might end up having sex if she did that, and she felt like that would be a mistake, as tempting as it was. No, it was better to tear herself away, giving them both some time to process what had happened and what had been said.
For her part, Charlotte could also see why it was a good idea for Sonya to go, much as she wanted her to stay. She was in a state of emotional overload, and some time to get things straight in her head wouldn't be a bad thing.
"I had really better go," Sonya said, checking her watch as they stood in the front doorway, needing to say goodbye but not wanting to.
"Okay," Charlotte said. She smiled shyly, a sight that Sonya found truly beautiful. "I can't say this is how I expected things to go today, Son."
"Me either," Sonya assured her. "But I'm glad it did go like this. You're an amazing kisser, Queen."
"Don't call me Queen, you'll finish me off," Charlotte said, blushing for the umpteenth time.
"Okay, I won't call you Queen, yet. But I will call you when my flight lands."
Charlotte nodded. "Make sure you do."
With one more kiss on the lips, Sonya turned and walked towards her car. Just before she opened the driver's door, Charlotte called out to her. "I'll see you Tuesday."
"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it," Sonya replied with a smile. She got into her car and was soon pulling away, giving Charlotte a parting wave, receiving one in return.
As she drove away up the street, Sonya was left with something of an unpleasant feeling in her mind. The last exchange had been awkward and left her thinking she should have had something nicer and more meaningful to say.
"Damn," she muttered under her breath in annoyance.
Then her phone beeped. Keeping her attention on the road as much as possible, Sonya picked up the device from the central console and unlocked it to read the message.
Charlotte Flair: Miss you already.
Suddenly, Sonya's heart felt full. It was such a simple message, yet it meant so much to her. Yes, the goodbye had been awkward. There would almost certainly be more awkwardness in the future. But there was something between them; something real; something concrete. It wasn't love, not yet. Maybe one day, though, it would be, Sonya thought hopefully.
A/N: Many thanks to those who left a review on the previous chapter. Also, a special shout out to 31rahulkulkarni for making the awesome cover image! I think it's one of the best I've ever had made for me.
Understandably, a very uncertain start for Sonya and Charlotte. Nonetheless, it is a start. They confessed their feelings for each other, and both seem willing to try and see where it leads. Next time, we're jumping forward a little to the Royal Rumble, where it's Becky against Sonya for the Smackdown Women's Championship. Time for you guys to predict a winner in your reviews!
Also, if you like, you could also pick a women's Royal Rumble winner. I won't be writing the match, but the winner will be mentioned.
I'll give a shout out to anyone who makes a correct prediction for the outcome of either of those matches.