Lucy wasn't going to be traveling with the rest of the group the day after Backlash due to a meet and greet commitment. For that reason, Sonya had decided to approach Charlotte with the idea of telling Valentina about their relationship. Lucy's absence provided the perfect opportunity for a more private chat, and for the easiest way of getting around the fact that Lucy had already known for a few weeks.
Sitting across a table from Charlotte in their hotel's restaurant over breakfast, Sonya decided to broach the subject. "Honey, I was thinking today might be the day to tell Val about us."
Charlotte mulled that over for a moment as she finished chewing a mouthful of food. "Could be a good idea," she replied thoughtfully. "I mean, like Lucy said that night at her place, now that she knows, we have to tell Val."
"Exactly," Sonya said. "It's only fair. If we kept it from her and she eventually found out, then learned that Lucy had known for ages, she would have every right to be mad at us. For obvious reasons, I wanted to talk to you first, though. Coming out is harder for you than it is for me because I have more experience with it."
Sipping her coffee, Charlotte gave a hand gesture that meant she wasn't all that concerned about the prospect. "It's Val," she said. "I think of all the people I would be nervous about speaking to, she's at the bottom of the list. She doesn't have a judgemental bone in her body. Besides, I've already come out to my dad, to the rest of my family, to my friends and to Lucy. At this point, I'm not dreading it like I was before we went to see my dad."
Sonya was delighted to hear that news. There was no doubt that Charlotte was a courageous woman, more courageous than anyone Sonya had known before. Coming out was an incredibly tough thing to contemplate, let alone do, and yet Charlotte was ready to face it head on. It made Sonya so proud.
"I realise every day that I love you even more deeply than I thought possible," Sonya said quietly, not wanting to be overheard.
Charlotte's cheeks reddened a little. "What made you say that?"
"The fact that it's true," Sonya said, wishing she could lean over the table for a kiss. "You're such a brave person, an inspiration. And you're my love. I'm lucky beyond words to have you. To be this willing to confront something like this shows a strength of character that I could only wish I had. And that's not to mention everything that's happened in your life before we were together."
To Sonya's surprise, Charlotte teared up, hurriedly wiping the corners of her eyes to try and hide it as quickly as she could. "Sorry, it's just… that means so much to me," she managed to say, voice thick with emotion.
"I meant every word," Sonya promised.
"I know you did, and I love you too. That's another thing that makes coming out easier: I'm so proud to be with you."
Sonya took a deep breath, feeling her own heartstrings being pulled. "Don't, you'll start me off as well."
Taking a lengthy sip of coffee served as a way for Charlotte to give herself a moment to calm down. "So, we'll talk to Val once we're on the road?" she asked after setting her cup back on the table.
"Sounds like a plan," Sonya said. "Speak of the devil, here she comes," she added as Valentina walked into the restaurant for breakfast.
An hour later, the three friends were on the road. It was Val's turn to do the driving. "It doesn't feel the same without Lucy here, does it?" she asked as she made a left turn in heavy morning traffic.
"No. It must be her charming personality," Charlotte said with a laugh. Since they knew it was a joke, the others also laughed. The truth of it was they all felt close to Lucy as a friend now.
"I honestly do miss her though," Val said. "Since we've been teaming and traveling together, it feels like I'm getting to know the real Lucy. I'm fairly sure she would stand up for me in real life exactly the way she does in-character."
"Yes, I agree," Charlotte said. "She's tough to make friends with, but once you are friends, I think she's one of the most loyal people you could hope to have on your side."
"The same goes for you guys, too," Val went on. "Since I made the main roster, you couldn't have done more to help me. It's something I'll never forget, and I hope to be able to repay you some day."
"That's really sweet of you," Sonya said. "Uh, Val, there is something we've been wanting to tell you. Please don't take offense at this, but Lucy already knows. Only because she found out by accident, not because of any kind of decision on our part to tell her before you."
"Okay," Val said slowly, glancing across at Sonya, who was in the front passenger seat.
Wanting to test her own courage, Charlotte decided to be the one to come out with it. "The thing is, Sonya and I aren't simply dating each other on Smackdown. We're, uh, actually dating. We're in a relationship, and have been for a few months."
Turning in her seat, Sonya gave Charlotte a reassuring and happy smile.
Any nerves that the happy couple might have had about their friend's reaction were quickly dispelled when Valentina laughed. It was a kind, genuine laugh, not a mocking one. "I fucking knew it," she said, keeping her eyes on the road.
"Wait, what?" Sonya asked, eyes widening in surprise.
"What do you mean you knew it?" Charlotte asked.
"I'm a good reader of people. A smile here, and glint in your eyes there, I saw enough to give me suspicions. I mean, we do spend most of our lives together."
Sonya and Charlotte shared a surprised look. Charlotte found herself considering the prospect that others in the locker room might have suspicions. And, taking it a step further, if people were starting to have suspicions, it wouldn't be long before rumours started to spread. Once rumours spread, they would end up online, and everyone with an interest in wrestling would be gossiping about them.
"Do you think anyone else suspects?" Sonya asked with concern, clearly thinking along similar lines.
"I haven't heard anything," Val said cautiously. "But that's not the same as saying no. I think it's possible. I'm really pleased for you guys, by the way. Sorry, I should have opened with that."
"Thanks. And it's fine," Charlotte said.
"Char, I wonder if it's time we put thought into coming out to the rest of the locker room?" Sonya said, turned in her seat to look at her. "Obviously the last thing I want is to go any faster than you're comfortable with."
"No, I think you might be right, based on what Val's just said," Charlotte said pragmatically. She was surprised by how little the prospect bothered her. Every time she had come out to someone, she had been nervous about it. But without fail, everyone had responded positively, wishing her and Sonya nothing but happiness in their relationship.
'What if we got the whole thing out of the way in one fell swoop?' Charlotte thought, thinking of some kind of public revealing of the relationship. She wasn't sure where the idea had come from, but she kind of liked it, mentally comparing it to ripping off a band aid. There would be no more having to be wary of who was around, possibly listening into conversations. There would be no more having to resist the urge to hug or kiss Sonya in case it looked like they were doing it out of character. There would be no more ifs, whens or maybes to worry about regarding coming out. It could all be done in a moment.
"What are you thinking?" Sonya asked, seeing a faraway look on her girl's face.
"I'm thinking about whether it might not be for the best if we just said fuck it and came out to the world in one fell swoop. Like, rip the band aid off?"
"Wait, really?" Sonya asked, eyes wide again. "Are you serious right now?"
Valentina tried her best to hide the smile on her face as she willed her friends on.
"Yeah, really," Charlotte said. "I was thinking just then that everyone I've come out to has been so positive about it, I'm nowhere near as daunted by it anymore. Plus I'm sick of us having to act like just friends every time there are colleagues or friends around us. I'm not ashamed to be with you, Sonya. I'm proud of it. So, if you agree, I'm up for revealing our relationship to the world. Wow, I actually said that."
Sonya was very surprised, but in a good way. She too was sick of the sneaking around and playacting. It annoyed her that a heterosexual couple wouldn't have needed to act that way, but as lesbians they felt like they were somehow obliged to. Now, though, Charlotte was willing to put an end to all that. "Yes, I say let's do it," she said. "How, though?"
"Aren't you guys doing a chat show appearance soon?" Val asked. "You were talking about it the other day."
It was true. Flairville had been booked by WWE to appear on The Clementine Show, one of the most popular chat shows in America.
"Wait a minute, are you suggesting we do it on live TV?" Sonya asked Val.
Charlotte had to laugh. "Hey, you've got form for it, Son." She was referring to the moment Sonya had come out as a lesbian on Tough Enough a few years earlier.
Sonya looked at Charlotte in the back seat. "You're laughing about it. I expected you to say hell no."
"I'd be lying if I said the prospect doesn't make me feel nervous. But I find myself thinking that it would be a more meaningful way to break the news than with some lame post on Instagram or Twitter. I want the world to not only know we're together, I want them to see us together and to see how happy we are as a couple."
"That means so much to me," Sonya said, feeling like her heart was filled with love and pride.
"Clementine is gay, too," Valentina pointed out. "So if you do want to go for it on a TV show, I can't think of a better one for it than hers. You'll have an understanding and presumably delighted host."
"That's an excellent point," Sonya acknowledged. "I'm convinced if you are, Queen?"
"I love you, and I want to do it," Charlotte said definitively. She leaned forward and they kissed each other.
Val let out a little squeal of excitement. "I'm so happy for you guys. You're absolute couple goals. I wish I could be there in the audience to watch you on the show. You'd better believe I'll be watching it wherever I am at the time."
"Thanks, Val," Sonya said with a smile. Then she theatrically shook her head. "Revealing I'm in a relationship on live TV not once, but twice. How do I get myself into these situations?"
A/N: Thank you to everyone who left a review on the previous chapter!
Sonya and Charlotte are going to come out on live TV, on The Clementine Show. How do you think the world will react to their news?