❊ "why is anna calling you?" ● warzone iii fallout

[Rora Sky]

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Alyx’s Apartment ● April 3rd, 2018

Aurora definitely hadn’t slept well at all. Everything that had gone down at The Factory last night had kept her tossing and turning for hours, unable to actually relax and truly sleep. Despite the fact she wanted to kill Sebastian at the moment, guilt over what had happened in their match against Declan and Siobhan had been ripping at Aurora’s soul. The perfect ice queen just couldn’t shake the fact that she felt like she’d let Sebastian down in that match. Her failure to react quickly enough in disposing of Declan had cost her a chance to break up Siobhan’s pin on Seb. Because of Aurora, Seb had been defeated cleanly at the hands of someone who would never be in the same league as them. It was such a bitter pill to swallow and regardless of her anger at his attitude towards Alyx, Aurora hated herself for letting down her partner. Winning meant everything to Sebastian.

Despite what Seb had done to him, Alyx had majorly stepped up for Aurora. He had done everything in his power last night to try and ease her doubts about what had happened, and she had literally cried on his shoulder. Alyx was speaking as a wrestler when he reassured Aurora a million times over that there was nothing she could have done to change the outcome, but eventually Aurora had just exhausted herself into a fitful sleep.

“You’re finally awake.”

Aurora cringed as she sat up in bed. She was still dressed from the night before - simple black leggings and a burgundy cashmere sweater. Her head was throbbing which wasn’t anything unusual. Aurora got migraines on a regular basis. Alyx was walking into his room and looked as if he’d already been out. He was holding two coffees and was wearing a coat.

“I’m sorry I fell asleep in your bed. It wasn’t my intention to spend the night.”

Alyx sat down beside her and passed her one of the coffees.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t think you slept well though.”

Aurora flashed him a tiny smile before looking down at the duvet. It made her a little uncomfortable that she had just fallen asleep in his bed, but Aurora was very slowly starting to trust Alyx. After the parking lot freak out, everything they had done (and it wasn’t much) had been initiated by Aurora.

“I just can’t get over everything that happened,” she admitted and bit down hard on her bottom lip. “Losing sucks when you are sure you’ll win and Seb must be destroyed right now. I know you told me it wasn’t my fault, but Alyx it is. I could have stopped Siobhan. Seb needed this win so badly to swing momentum in his favor for Battle Royale. Winning that championship means everything to him. Now he’s going to think he can’t count on me and I don’t blame him. I don’t even think I can count on me.”

It was such a pathetic display of self pity from Aurora and Alyx had to bite back his frustration with her. Aurora was still clueless to the fact he was an actual piece of shit, and laughing or being frustrated would blow all that up. Besides, Alyx was starting to actually like Aurora. She was sweet and she was funny, and clearly the girl had scars from something he found himself curious about.

“Not to mention,” Aurora continued on before Alyx could even open his mouth. Aurora locked her big green eyes on Alyx’s face. “I’m so pissed at him.” Shyly, she brought her hand up and touched his bruised jaw, evidence of Seb’s heinous actions. Alyx flinched. “His actions towards you were ridiculous and his attitude is horrible. I’m so sorry he hit you. It was completely uncalled for.”

Alyx shrugged and pulled away from her touch. “Dude is jealous, Rora. Everyone can see that.” Alyx picked his next words carefully. “He’s used to having you wrapped around his finger. It probably terrifies him to do things on his own.”

Aurora’s pale cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “I’m not wrapped around his finger. It’s just th..”

“Stoppppp Rora,” he cut her off. “C’mon, babe. You cried your eyes out last night because ole dude can’t win a fucking match without you. Stian knows he’s fucked unless you’re waiting on him hand and foot. It’s bullshit because you’re the star of the team. Let me ask you this, what’s your plan for Battle Royale?”

“Seb and I are going to work together to make sure he wins.” Aurora didn’t even hesitate.

Alyx shot her a disappointed look. “And why aren’t you working together to make sure you win?”

The brunette frowned. “Because that’s just not how it works…”

This time, Alyx allowed a sigh to escape. He reached out and ruffled Aurora’s hair, which was a mess and had escaped its neat ponytail. “You realize how ridiculous that sounds, right?”

“I mean, no?” Aurora drew her knees up to her chest. Alyx sat his coffee down and fully got in bed so he could sit beside her. Aurora hesitated for a second but then she leaned against him.

“It’s dumb.” Alyx didn’t bother to sugarcoat his feelings. “The point of the match is to give everyone a chance to win. Do you really want to be like those idiot bros who are going to draw a fucking straw to see who is actually gunna try and win the title? You’re better than that and you’re better than Stian.”

Aurora didn’t say anything. She didn’t expect Alyx, or anyone else for that matter, to understand what she had with Sebastian. His happiness was her happiness, and vice versa. Aurora enjoyed the thrill of competition as much as anyone, but winning wasn’t going to make her or break her. The worst possible thing she could ever go through had already happened, so all the positives and all the triumphs were just icing on the cake for her. It had taken nearly four years for Aurora to find good in the world again, and seeing Stian with The Factory Championship strapped around his waist would be perfect.

“I don’t expect you to understand but I need to make sure Sebastian wins this championship.” Aurora swallowed hard. “I’m the reason we didn’t win the gold medal in Sochi. Everything that happened was entirely on me. Both of us gave up having regular lives to devote all our time and energy towards the Olympics. We had one job and we had positioned ourselves perfectly.” Aurora closed her eyes. This was the first time she was talking about that night with anyone so openly. She had an unspoken agreement with Seb to not mention it, and her mother had given up this subject long ago. “I just couldn’t perform that night,” Aurora finally said, sighing. “I cost us everything. I don’t really remember when we decided to pursue this sport. I was just working out one day when I met Dijuanna and it just progressed from there. But I do know that when Seb decided to take this journey with me, I promised him he’d be a champion. This is the chance. I owe him this.”

Alyx remained quiet but when Aurora went to get up, he lightly touched her arm. “You owe him nothing,” he softly replied and brushed her hair back off her face. “I hate that you feel that way.”

Aurora just shrugged, and allowed herself to let go and loose herself in Alyx’s gaze. “Sebastian quit skating for me. He could have easily found another partner and went to the Olympics this year. So many girls would have died for a chance to work with him because he’s absolutely perfect out there on ice. But instead he followed me into MMA and now wrestling. I want to do this for him. Please don’t judge me for it.”

Aurora wasn’t the most perceptive person when it came to how other people might feel. In fact, Seb was the only person she could read. But with the way Alyx was looking at her, she knew that he was struggling with this particular situation. She couldn’t blame him. Sebastian hadn’t endeared himself to Alyx. In fact, Seb had been an asshole.

“I won’t judge you,” the aspiring wrestler finally replied. Aurora gave him a grateful smile. “But I don’t agree with you. You’re one of the most talented performers in The Factory and that title would look great around your waist.”

Aurora nodded and brought Alyx’s arm around her shoulders. “Thank you for saying that. And I know it’s a sore subject, but thank you for not retaliating against Seb. I’m going to talk to him about the situation today and I promise you, it’ll never happen again. I enjoy spending time with you and he's just going to have to accept that.”

The briefest look of guilt flickered in Alyx’s eyes but Aurora didn’t catch it. She simply got comfortable and pressed her face against his chest. They stayed that way for a few minutes before Alyx’s phone went off. Aurora moved back a bit so he could answer it. The name “Anna Badstreet” was showing up. Immediately Alyx got up and Aurora gave him a puzzled look.

“Why is Anna calling you?”

It was an innocent question and had no accusation behind it. She didn’t jump to any conclusions because Aurora wasn’t privy to Anna’s other role in the company.

“Give me a second,” Alyx mumbled into the phone and then looked at Aurora. “Uhhhh okay. I’ll explain everything. Just give me a few minutes."

Aurora frowned as Alyx left the room and shut the door behind him. She was tempted to crawl out of bed and listen, but she forced herself to stay right where she was. As promised, Alyx returned after only a couple of minutes but Aurora did not like the sheepish look across his face.

"What's wrong?"

Alyx took a seat on the edge of the bed and took Aurora's hand. "Well, you're probably going to be mad."

Very calmly, Aurora removed her hand from his grip.

Alyx let out a long sigh. "Well, you know I work backstage right now. Well Anna Badstreet kinda does too. She's a lawyer and does shit for Dirk and the big guy. After Seb decked me, I texted her. Like Rora you have got to understand that I was fucking pissed, okay? I can't fight that guy right now. I'm still recovering from ACL surgery. I can't afford another injury that will set me back."

"What did you do, Alyx?" Somehow Aurora's voice remained calm. All those years of hiding her emotions were paying off right now.

"I got Anna to file a restraining order again Sebastian. He can't come within 100 feet of me."

Alyx at least had the decency to look slightly apologetic. Aurora pursed her lips. There was so much she wanted to say, but could she really blame Alyx for trying to protect himself?

"What a mess," she muttered.

It really was.