They survive. Alberto and Ricardo ride out the storm together in a quiet kind of tension, stare out at the damage from the window, and once things are calm enough to go out, check on the neighbors. They help as needed and share what they can of supplies they have, Alberto even helping to break up some larger branches blown by the wind while Ricardo is helping another neighbor place buckets to catch leaks from roof damage.
Once things are calm and the neighbors are sorted, they return to Ricardo's apartment and collapse on his couch before exchanging a look. "Well," Alberto says, "it is always an adventure with you, hermano."
Ricardo pauses for a moment, then laughs. "Si, si, I suppose this is the truth." He exhales. "Gracias, Alberto. I would probably still be working on helping everyone if you weren't there." There is still much to do, many tree branches all over the road, and other difficult things like that, but the people are safe, and that's the important thing.
"My pleasure," Alberto says with a soft smile.
Ricardo's week doesn't let up, his school slowly getting back into a somewhat regular training schedule. Alicia flies back in late in the week and they reunite with soft kisses and a somber walk through the neighborhood, her fingers laced in his as he helps her around fallen trees and unusable vehicles. "I'm booked in Tennessee this weekend," he shares with her and she laughs wearily. "I know, the place you just left. Wanna come with?" She shrugs, squeezing his fingers, and he smiles. "It's ok, don't worry about it. I'm riding with a couple of guys from the wrestling school, you'd probably be more relaxed at home doing what you can to help your sister out with her apartment and everything."
"Yes," Alicia says, eyes widening. Christina had seen more damage than their area had, and Alicia was going to use the time that WWE was overseas to do just that, help her clean and sort and figure out what could be salvaged and what couldn't. "I'll miss you though, go kick some ass for me, huh?"
"I will," he chuckles, kissing her as she throws her arms around him.
He's a little rusty, he thinks. Despite the training, despite everything. Actually being in the ring, and feeding off the crowd's energy, it feels different. His opponent is Rockstar Spud, a guy he's heard a lot about, something about how the poor sucker got hit in the head one time too many and thinks it's 2002 or something. Spud is tough, despite his size, and they go back and forth for awhile, Ricardo laying into him with kicks and a couple of risky dives from the top, eventually laying him out for the three count. It had been a good, solid match. He feels more envigorated than he had in a long time, relishing in the rare victory.
Lurks around backstage, when he doesn't have a hundred eyes locked on him from the crowd, and finds Spud. "Hey, man, good match," he offers.
Blue eyes meet his and Spud half-smiles. "Same to you," he says, accent thick as he rubs at his head. "I'm not very experienced yet but I believe I will be, in time."
Ricardo swallows. Seeing the truth behind the amnesia, how weird it must be for his former co-workers, for him to not even remember them. There had been times when he thought he might be better off forgetting Alberto, but to see it in person, he can't even imagine how off-setting that is. "I'm sure you will be," he says awkwardly. Thinks about their similar pasts- Alberto, Ethan, and everything in between, and quickly scribbles a note. "Here's my phone number," he says. "Give me a call if you ever want advice, or to talk."
Spud's eyes widen as he takes the paper. "Wow, a veteran offering to help a rookie like me! I... I would be honored, sir." He shakes Ricardo's hand enthusiastically. "Thank you so much!"
Ricardo laughs under his breath as he goes to meet up with the others, hungry and feeling the soreness finally creeping in now that the energy of his victory is finally fading away. "This business is something else," he mumbles to himself.
