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“And still your intercontinental champion, Jey Uso!”
The whole stadium erupted in cheers. Jey’s music started playing and Rhea jumped up and down in excitement. She stayed beside the ring and watched. She encouraged him and told him to keep going and he did it. He kept his title.
She pushed up on the apron and slid into the ring. She jumped to her feet and made her way to Jey. He was sitting against the ropes, breathing heavily as he clung to his title.
Rhea leaned down and put an arm around his waist. He used what energy he had to help her as he was lifted off the ground. The stadium continued to cheer and YEET as he rose. She was grinning at him and he smiled back, lifting the title into the air.
Then the music started.
Jey knew it immediately. He turned to look at the walkway as blue lights changed to red. Jimmy. It was his brother.
Rhea looked at Jey and leaned in, “You okay?”
“Yeah…,” Jey was still breathing a bit heavily.
Jimmy enjoyed the cheers and the surprise from fans. He was on RAW despite being a SMACKDOWN draft. He was smiling until he made it in front of the ring. He eyed Jey down before he climbed up and went through the ropes.
Jey stood a bit taller, but he still leaned on Rhea for support. The twins stared at each other for a long moment before someone handed Jimmy a mic.
“Congrats on the title, uce. You deserve it.”
Jey’s back straightened a bit. He kept his eyes on Jimmy, but Rhea was looking at Jey and around them. She was worried he was about to get jumped. The last time these two were around each other hadn’t been great.
“Roman doesn’t know I’m here. He won’t be happy with me when he finds out either,” Jimmy shrugged, glancing at Rhea, “Rhea.”
Rhea raised a brow but nodded at Jimmy in acknowledgment. Her hand on Jey’s side tightened just a bit. She’s not sure why she felt so nervous.
Jimmy turned his attention to Jey, “Our little brother has lost it. We gotta help our tribal chief.”
Jey’s expression was blank. He was handed a mic from some staff. He eyed his twin, “And why should I? After everything he did to me? To us? You turned your back on me. Your twin. He turned his back on the family. Maybe this is what he deserves.”
Rhea was surprised by Jey’s words, but she just held onto him.
“Come on, uce. We can end this. Roman needs us. I’m sure he’ll apologize when this is all over,” Jimmy tried.
Jey laughed, “After he gets what he wants. Sure. You didn’t want me to be tribal chief because you didn’t want me to become like him and then you turned on me anyways. You picked him over me.”
Jimmy looked away, but Jey wasn’t done, “I proved I didn’t need you or Roman to get this title.”
He held up the Intercontinental championship. Jimmy looked at it before his eyes were on Jey, “But you need me. Roman needs me. Where were you two when I needed you?”
They stared at each other for a long moment before Jey tossed the mic to the ground. Rhea helped him get out of the ring as they walked down the walkway, leaving Jimmy behind. They were silent as they walked through the back halls to one of the sitting areas. Rhea was gentle as she helped Jey sit down.
They didn’t speak as medical staff checked on him. He was only a little bruised up, so he had some ice. When they were by themselves, Rhea just watched Jey. He was staring off and she didn’t want to bother him, but she had to know.
“So… what are you going to do?” She asked, her arms crossed.
Jey looked over at her and shrugged. He didn’t say anything for a moment before he finally did, “If Dominik asked you for help, would you?”
Rhea raised a brow at him, “I think our situations are different. I may call the Judgement Day family or Damian my twin, but they aren’t blood. Jimmy and Roman? Solo? They are your blood.”
“Are you telling me to go?”
They stared at each other. Jey’s expression was conflicted and Rhea had a small, sad smile on her face. She dropped her arms to her side and sat next to Jey. She reached out and took his free hand. Their fingers intertwined immediately and her other hand rested on top of their hands.
“No,” Rhea started, pausing for a moment trying to think of how she wanted to say this. She took a breath, “I would rather you not have to go to Smackdown. I want you to keep being Main Event Jey Uso and maybe when the Bloodline business is over, you can get back to being a solo champion. Maybe go against Gunther and get the Heavyweight Championship too. You don’t have to give up everything you’ve built for yourself. And I’ll be here. Fighting my own battles.”
Jey stared at her for a while before he leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. Both closed their eyes and took in each other's presence. It felt like a goodbye. Rhea didn’t want to cry though. It felt a little too dramatic, but she was sad. She wasn’t going to see Jey for a while. Sure, she could show up on Smackdown if she wanted, but with their entire relationship, they didn’t interfere. They both had their own fights and Rhea needed to stay on Raw to put Liv back in her place.
“I’ll be back,” Jey said, his voice soft. Rhea opened her eyes and looked at him, “I just got you. I’m not giving up.”
She chuckled lightly, “If you need me, I’ll come running, I’ve been wanting a go at Solo.”
Jey laughed this time, “I remember y’all eyeing each other. I believe you could take my little bro.”
Rhea smiled, “I could take down Gunther and Cody Rhodes and any other man on the roster.”
“I believe that,” Jey agreed.
Their laughs died down and their arms were around each other as they hugged. Rhea buried her face in Jey’s shoulder. She held onto him, “Don’t do anything stupid, uce.”
She pulled away and looked at his smiling face. She smiled back, “Come back to me. I’ll treat you to Waffle House when you’re done.”
“See, this is why I love you,” Jey grinned and hugged Thea again, but she was still.
She didn’t think he realized what he said and she was too scared to say anything, so she just hugged him back. She really hoped she wouldn’t come to regret sending Jey off and that he did come back to her. When he did, she’d say it back.