Post by hawkeye on Dec 10, 2020 0:56:35 GMT
“Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadies and gentlemen, the following bout is a standard contest with a twenty minute time limit,” the announcer began. “Coming to the ring first, hailing from St. Cloud, Minnesota and standing at five feet, seven inches and one hundred twenty-nine pounds… KATE GRIMM!”
“NIGHTMARE” BY AVENGED SEVENFOLD:
KATE GRIMM:
Kate Grimm walked into the arena, arms raised and smirking. The hate was instant. It was actually kind of amazing. In no time she went from a “oh yeah, she had a match once” fighter to a hated woman amongst FAWNatics. The FAWN reddit and forums were full of vitriol aimed at her for her attack on Trixie Decker two months earlier. Who knew attacking that pint-sized fuck-up could boost her career. Hell, it threw her enough weight that she was able to skirt being fired.
She reached the ring and rolled under the ropes, kipping up to blow kisses at the “adoring” fans. Sure, they all wanted her dead, but they thought about her. Hell, some of them probably bought tickets or the pay-per-view specifically to see Kate get her head caved in. It was almost a shame those marks weren’t going to get what they wanted.
The referee, Reginald Worthington III, approached Kate. “Your corner, Miss Grimm,” he said uncharacteristically coldly. “I need to pat you down.”
Kate sneered. “No, you don’t. Look at what I’m wearing.” She motioned to the sports bra, bottoms, and boots. “Where am I going to hide something?”
“That, Miss Grimm, is what I intend to ascertain,” Reggie said simply. “Please do not make this more difficult than it needs to be. I am, after all, the official for this match. I decide it’s outcome and it is well within my purview to disqualify you before it even begins.”
Kate glared up at the zebra. “Bethany would be pissed.”
“No,” Reggie replied, “I do not believe she would be in this instance. And even so, some risks are worth taking.”
Kate moved to her corner and waited for Reggie to check her over. “Don’t forget, you’re supposed to be impartial,” she reminded him. “Just ‘cuz I roughed the Jinx up a little--”
“There is no necessity to talk to me during this,” Reggie said as he felt Kate’s boots.
“I didn’t know you and Trixie were buddies, you havin’ a dick and all,” Kate laughed. Reggie stopped and looked up at the MMA fighter-turned-wrestler.
“I’m not her friend, Miss Grimm,” Reggie answered, “but I can at least respect the fight she gives. This will be a fair fight on my end, I assure you, but I am watching you and waiting. I realize FAWN is seen as light pornographic fair to the likes of you, but it’s still wrestling. It’s still a sport, no matter what add-ons our owner wants. And in this ring, you’ll respect that.”
Kate rolled her eyes as Reggie finished the patdown. Over the sound system, the announcer continued.
“Her opponent this evening, from Flint, Michigan, standing at five feet, three inches and one hundred seventeen pounds… TRIXIE ‘JINX’ DECKER!”
“GET JINXED” BY AGNETE KJøLSRUD
TRIXIE “JINX” DECKER:
Trixie barely let her music play before bursting through the curtains and storming to the ring. It was still new, and jarring, to have the FAWNatics love her. It was nice having them on her side, though, as she only had Kanako backstage to watch her back. Kelli and Selia were out, Aloisia was dealing with family business elsewhere. Noah and Akira, who’d been present for Trixie’s last couple of matches despite not being FAWN, weren’t around as Noah was in the middle of moving across the country and Akira was dealing with her own training and mission.
And Trixie knew, somewhere in this building, the getaway driver who took Kate to safety was watching and waiting.
Trixie greeted fans as she advanced, still not used to earnest adoration, offering fast smiles and nods, as she moved to ringside and hopped onto the skirt. Bounding over the rope, Trixie’s eyes locked with Kate’s.
“Oh, no crown this time?“ Kat laughed. “Do I at least get the eyes trick you pulled on Anciline?”
Trixie shook her head. “No, you’re just getting an ass beating, Kate. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Like the hair,” Kate added. “Growing it out? It seems longer. I really appreciate you giving me a little more to pull on.”
Trixie only stared emotionlessly as Reggie patted her down. Kate frowned. She’d hoped Decker would be a little easier to rile than this. Apparently not.
Reggie backed up and pointed to the time keeper and the bell rang. Kate races across the ring looking to slam into Trixie, but the goth gripped the cables on either side of her and pushed herself up and lifted her legs. Kate slammed into the post and Trixie rewarded the effort with a stomp in the back before hopping over her.
Kate whirled about and snarled. “Just take your beating, Decker!” she howled. “This isn’t personal.”
“Felt pretty personal in that parking lot,” Trixie said quietly, beckoning Kate forward. Kate stomped towards Trixie, swiping at her face, but the petite fighter bent backwards.
“Yeah, I get that,” Kate growled. “Felt pretty personal when your bitch nearly broke my neck!” Kate managed to grab Trixie’s leg but the goth kicked her leg up and across Kate’s face, freeing herself. As Kate stumbled and fell to a knee, Trixie slammed her knee into the woman’s mouth.
“Then you take it up with Kanako,” Trixie said bluntly.
Kate fell back, smiling. “You’re not the same Trixie. No jokes. Where’s the mouth on you? You used to constantly tal-- A dropkick to the face interrupted Kate.
Trixie rose first. “You talk too much,” she muttered as she drove an elbow into Kate’s head. She slammed an open palm into Kate’s throat, causing her to gag and sputter.
Trixie circled the woman, studying her. Kate coughed as she rose. “The spooky Beatrix shit doesn’t work on me, Trixie. I’m in your fucking head,” Kate laughs. “I made you change. You’re not who you were two months ago and that’s all me.”
“People change,” Trixie replied as she did a few feints. “You don’t own that concept.”
“Naw, this is different,” Kate laughed. “I’ve seen your matches. You’re like a perky goth. You giggle and laugh and you always make jokes… and then I happened.”
Trixie threw a kick the Kate deflected with a forearm. “A lot happened to me. You were just there.” Trixie went for a grab and her arm was snagged, twisted behind her back, as Kate pushed her to the mat. A knee drove into Trixie’s back.
“Bullshit,” Kate laughed. “You might have come out of that nonsense okay but I showed up. I reminded you no one’s there for you and that even your biggest win can be taken from you.” She raised the knee and brought it back down into Trixie’s back. “Have your ‘girlfriend’ noticed? Or are they all too busy riding each other to care?”
Trixie gritted her teeth but said nothing.
“Yeah, they noticed,” Kate smirks as she begins twisting Trixie’s wrists around. “Must drive ‘em nuts, too. You’re not fun anymore, are you? Not cute.” She leaned down. “I can take anything I want, Trixie. I’m a predator, you’re prey.”
Trixie winced, her face full of pain. “S… stop….”
“Oh, does it hurt?” Kate asked cruelly.
“S… stop... talking,” Trixie grunted, kicking Kate’s right leg from under her. The larger fighter fell as Trixie yanked away from her, rubbing her wrists. Kate kipped up instantly and set onto Trixie, grabbing her in a side and running to bulldog her. Trixie landed flat to the mat with a grunt, but Kate leaned back, straining her neck.
“Ask her, stripes,” Kate demanded.
“NO!” Trixie cut off before Reggie could even start. She pushed up on the mat and Kate cranked her neck more.
“You’re not fighting Anci this time,” Kate snarled. “I’ve been fighting and preparing. And I’m pissed off. Poor you, stuck in the ring with me.” As Kate went on, Trixie reached out and snagged the bottom rope.
“Rope, Grimm!” Reggie yelled. “Break!”
Kate stared up at him. “Count.”
Reggie’s face flushed red as he began the count, getting to four before Kate released. Kate rose and grabbed Trixie by the hair, ripping her back from the cable to the center of the ring. She shoved Trixie’s head between her thighs and lifted her, hurling her to the canvas in a jackknife powerbomb. The ring shook from the impact of Decker’s tiny body. Kate looked beyond pleased.
Trixie stumbled up to a knee only to be intercepted by Kate, who wrapped an arm under her throat and began twisting and pulling her head side to side. Reggie ran to check but Kate immediately snapped, “There no’s choke! You can tell she’s breathing!” Unfortunately for Reggie, Kate was right. There was no reason to break the hold.
Kate growled down at Trixie. “How’s it feel to be the bitch to a real woman? Are you Kanako’s bottom? Or are you usually on top?”
Trixie didn’t reply, only clawed and pried at Kate’s arms.
Kate pivoted, driving Trixie to the canvas on her stomach. Kate released Trixie and moved down to her legs, twisting around Trixie’s left leg in a kneebar. “Submit, Decker!” she cried. “There’s no shame. I’ve ended fights with real fighters using this hold. Give up!”
Trixie’s eyes closed as she endured the agony. Reggie knelt at her side. “What do you say, Trixie? You done?”
Trixie only shook her head as she twisted her torso and began slamming punch after punch into Kate’s hand and knee. Most of them Kate was able to weather but defending against the hits was too difficult to do while maintaining the kneebar. Eventually she released and pushed away.
Kate stomped up, growing angrier. “Why won’t you talk, you little shit?!” she yelled. “This isn’t the Trixie I was expecting!” She grabbed for Trixie’s hair but instead got a boot to the gut. As Kate folded forward, Trixie brought down a double axe handle, followed by a knee lift.
“I thought you liked that you ‘changed’ me,” Trixie replied coldly. She threw herself back to the ropes and ran forward, slamming a boot across her face. “You seemed so proud of yourself.” Trixie wrapped her arm around the back of Kate’s neck, twined a leg between Kate’s, and threw her backwards to the mat. Trixie rolled atop her for a pin but was immediately pushed aside.
Kate rolled onto her hands and knees, laughing. “Oh, using my words against me. Nice. Very nice.” She pushed up to her knees. “Anything else you gotta say before I break you?”
“Duck,” Trixie replied.
Kate looked at her, confused, just in time to catch a spinning kick to her temple. Trixie shrugged.
“Told you to duck,” Trixie said. She grabbed Kate’s leg and slapped a figure four on but Grimm managed to roll onto her stomach and pull herself to the ropes. Reggie looked to Trixie who merely raised a hand in an “I know” gesture,” releasing the hold. Kate immediately pulled herself up by the ropes and launched back at Trixie, slamming her knee into the woman’s mouth.
As Trixie fell, Kate threw herself on top and began slamming punch after punch into Trixie’s face, cutting just under her left eye. Reggie began to scream at her and Kate halted, looking up confused.
“No closed fists, Kate!” he warned. “Do anything untoward again and you’re DQed.”
Kate glared as she raised a fist. “You didn’t warn her--”
“Don’t try that kindergarten nonsense on me,” the official snapped, pointing a finger. “Try it. See if you won’t lose this match.”
Grimm fumed at the man but dismounted. Instead, she grabbed Trixie’s arm and bent it into a Fujiwara armbar, pulling back so hard it looked fit to snap off. Trixie pounded the mat in agony.
FUJIWARA ARMBAR:
“This shit ends with you submitting!” Kate yelled. “There’s no other way! Just make this easier! I need you to submit!”
Trixie shuddered in pain but kept from yelling. Instead she blurted, “So Kanako will run to the ring to save me? So you can attack her?”
Kate stopped and looked at Trixie, who managed to push herself up and slam her forehead against Kate’s. Kate yelped and backed off while Trixie rolled away, rubbing her arm.
“I’m not an idiot, Kate,” Trixie said, standing. “I know I’m bait. You win, then you beat on me, Kanako runs out and you attack her.”
“Smarter than I thought,” Kate added with a smile.
“It’s not a difficult to guess plan,” Trixie remarked. Kate hopped to her feet and lept at Trixie, slamming a shoulder into her and taking her back to the mat. Flipping Trixie onto her stomach, Kate slapped on a rear naked choke and hauled her to her feet.
“Sometimes simple is best,” Grimm laughed. “That’s why Kanako loves you, right?”
No response. She began to shake Trixie side to side. “This is over, Decker,” Kate warned. “It’s just your choice of how it goes down. Or maybe you’d prefer to be out so you don’t see what we do to your girlfriend.”
“We?” Trixie asked, struggling to break free.
Kate paused, then frowned. She raised a boot and put it in the small of Trixie’s back, shoving her forward as Kate released the choke. Trixie fell forward, her face slamming into the canvas. Kate ran and jumped, both feet landing in the small of Trixie’s back. Trixie’s body spasmed but she didn’t yell out. Instead she gripped the mat. “Who is ‘we’?”
Kate hauled back and field goal punted Trixie in the side of the skull. “You feel clever now, bitch?” Kate spat. “Huh? Answer me!”
Trixie said nothing.
Kate pulled Trixie to her feet and began kneeing and striking her, alternating attacks. “There’s nothing you can do I can’t counter, Trixie!” Kate snarled. “Most of your attacks are shit I learned to do when I was a teenager. Your finisher is bullshit. I’m MMA. I can counter any submission you throw at me.” She spun and kicked Trixie in the neck, sending her to the ropes.
“You fight like a tiny dog who thinks it’s forty pounds heavier than it is,” Kate laughed. “But you’re tiny. You should be a flying all around the ring but you meet people head on, like a fucking idiot.” Kate crouched. “Know what that makes you? A victim by your own hand.” Kate grinned
Trixie rolled her eyes. “Just fucking attack me,” she said.
Kate was taken aback. “Excuse me?”
“Attack me,” Trixie repeated. “I didn’t come here for a chat. I came here for a fight. Attack me.”
Kate shook her head. “Dumb fucking bitch,” she grunted as she rushed off at Decker, aiming her shoulder for Trixie’s midriff. Trixie leapfrogged her, letting Kate bumble into the cables. As Kate tried to extract herself, Trixie spun around and slammed another headbutt - HARD - into the back of Kate’s skull.
The sound of surprise and pain that came for Kate was indescribable but, to the front seats, utterly hilarious.
Trixie wrapped her arms around Kate’s waist and flipped her over in a suplex, slamming her head to the mat. Trixie flipped over as well, releasing the hold and slamming a palm into Kate’s throat. Kate sputtered and rolled, gagging as she scrambled to her feed, finally standing upright.
Trixie ran and jumped off the top cable, spinning in the air in a Pele kick and driving her boot’s toe into the crown of Kate’s skull. In an automatic motion, Grimm sank to her knees and her eyes glazed over.
“That enough flying for you, bitch?!” Trixie bellowed as she kicked a boot across the back of Kate’s skull, The larger woman leaned forward, stunned, and perfecting in place for the kick that sank between her eyes. Grimm fell back to the canvas and Trixie grabbed her by arm and leg, pulling her to the ring’s center. Falling on Kate, the exhausted petite fighter hooked a leg. Reggie fell to the ring and counted.
One…
Two…
THRE--
Reggie’s hand nearly touched the canvas before he heard the crack. He looked at Trixie and saw pain in her face. Then he saw another hand bring a billy club down into her back. He looked up
TAFFY BLACK:
Taffy Black, one of FAWN’s tallest and, possibly, stronger fighters, loomed over trixie, gripping the weapon tightly. She drove the butt of the club into the back of Trixie’s neck and Decker went limp.
Reggie rose and rushed to the corner, motioning to the time keeper for a DQ. The bell rang and the announcer came over the intercom, breaking his usual emotionless tone with a tint of concern. “Your winner by disqualification… TRIXIE DECKER!” The FAWNatics were so loud, so disgusted, the could barely hear the announcer follow up with, “Security, please make your way to ringside immediately by order of Bethany Chris--”
Bethany’s voice took over. “GRIMM! BLACK! GET OUT OF THE RING NOW!”
Kate’s eyes focused on Taffy and she scowled. “I didn’t want to be DQed, Taffy,” she snarled.
Taffy looked embarrassed as she offered Kate a hand. “You’d rather have a pin from this spookshow reject on your record?”
It was hard to argue. She didn’t. Kate sighed and took Taffy’s hand, shoving the bloody mess off of her as she rose. She drove a kick into Trixie’s face, followed by another… and another. Rage overtook Kate. How dare this little whelp think she deserved a pin on Kate Fucking Grimm! She wasn’t allowed revenge. This wasn’t even about her.
The more she kicked Trixie, the redder her boot became. Kate shook the blood off. “Get her up,” she growled.
Taffy hauled Trixie up by her hair and held her in place, arms pulled behind her back, as Kate began slamming punch after punch into Trixie’s stomach. Decker was too exhausted to even vocalize the pain, just staring forward at Kate as her body shook from each impact. The silence infuriated Kate even more and she moved the hits to Trixie’s already bloody face. She went straight for Trixie’s nose and brought forth a new stream of red. But Trixie only stared, building Kate’s temper more and more.
“If you put her in the hospital again,” Taffy said finally, “you’ll be in trouble again. I don’t think it’ll be forgiven twice.”
Kate glared at her partner but she knew the truth in her words. And being fired would mean no second chance at Kanako. No chance to really make her suffer. That was unacceptable. A solid cross through Trixie’s jaw and the tiny form went slack, her eyes lolling off as she went unconscious.
“What do we do now?” Taffy asked.
Kate grinned. “It’s FAWN. We do whatever we wan--” Her words vanish as a pair of feet slam into the side of her head. The woman the feet are attached to rolls back and kicks Kate in the small of her back before glaring, wild-eyed at Taffy.
KANAKO AKIYAMA:
“About time you showed up,” Taffy laughed as she shoved Trixie’s crumpled form at her. Kanako looked down at Trixie’s bloody face, how she almost looked lifeless, and remembered last time in the start of October. Tears welled in Kanako’s eyes.
“Oh, no, hon,” Kanako muttered as she gently laid Trixie to the match. She glared up at Taffy. “It was you, wasn’t it? You were the getaway driver.” Kanako wipes tears. “I’ll fucking kill you.”
Taffy cracked her knuckles and motioned for the smaller fighter to advance. Emotions got the better of Kanako and she sprinted forward, catching a brutal punch to the gut. She hadn’t realized just how strong Taffy was and it was a lot. Kanako felt her body stop despite her wishes, and then the punch across the jaw sent her soaring backwards.
Kanako landed hard on the canvas but caught Taffy with her legs, shoving her back. Kanako managed to kick one of Taffy’s stems from underneath her and put a boot up, driving her heel into Taffy’s gut. As Black’s top-half kept falling forward, Kanako grabbed her by the hair and began pounding on her face like a jackhammer.
That’s when the billy club cracked Kanako in the forehead. She released Taffy instantly, despite her bloodlust, and stared up at the face obscured by the arena lights. But Kanako knew who it was who was cracking her in the face with the club. She knew Kate and she knew Kate was smiling as she brought the club down again.. And again… and again.
Grimm looked up at Black. “Got ‘em?”
Taffy reached into her jacket and produced some police-grade zip ties. They pulled Kanako to the bottom cable and tied her off by the wrists as tight as could be managed. Kate crouched down and admired the light bruises forming on Kanako’s face.
“Let me guess, this is where you finally get your revenge on me?” Kanako hissed.
“Oh, for the time you nearly broke my neck, you mean?” Kate asked. “The time you tried to end my fucking career? You think I’m bitter over that?”
Kanako’s bound hands moved and she placed her thumb and pointer fingers close together. “A smidge.”
“Oh, trust me, you’re going to pay for that, you schizo,” Kate said, adding a bitch slap for emphasis. “You’re going to pay very personally and I’m going to make sure your days in a ring end with you eating all your meals through a goddamn tube. But for now… I want you to understand the consequences of your actions.” She looked over at Trixie’s limp body.
“She didn’t do anything,” Kanako said, almost sounding like an angry plea.
“She loved the wrong person,” Kate reminded. “She loved a woman who was fine with hurting people and altering their life paths. Maybe you think she made you a better person, but a mad dog is still a mad dog. You’re waiting to bite and she didn’t put you down in her match with you. She gave you a home and took you on walks, putting others at risk. So, she’s gotta pay, too.”
“Please,” Kanako muttered. “Please leave her alone.”
Kate leaned closer. “Beg.”
Kanako felt rage welling up, but also fear. Warm tears dripped down her cheeks. “Please leave Trixie alone. Please don’t hurt her. This is between us.”
“Was that so hard?” Kate asked sweetly. She rose. “Oh, and the answer is both, ‘no’ and ‘fuck you.’” She turned to Taffy. “Wake her. We’re gonna have a good ol’ FAWN finish.” She smirked at Kanako. “We didn’t sign those consent and adult performer waivers for nothing.”
“Oh, gonna go from trying to fuck me up to fucking me? That’s a great idea,” Trixie’s voice rose. “You should totally do that.” All three women looked in Trixie’s direction as she pushed up. “I need a fucking laugh.”
“Excuse me?” Kate asked.
“I said I need a laugh and I’m guessing you can provide it,” Trixie answered, spitting blood. “You look like a funny fuck. And those nails.” She looks at Taffy. “You two together? She doesn’t even trim ‘em. Must be like getting explored by a cheese grater.”
“It’s… it’s not,” Taffy stammered, sounding far from believable.
“And let’s be honest, I saw how you grip that club,” Trixie went on, advancing towards Kate. “Now, I’ve only seen a few dicks in my day but wow, that was an uncomfortable grip for beating someone. It looked like you were trying to jerk it off and if that’s how good your game is, I bet I know why you’re so angry.”
Kate’s eyebrows furrowed. “You should really lay down,” she growled.
“Wow, amazing bedroom talk,” Trixie snorted. “My panties are soaked. I bet you use medical terms for body parts.” Trixie began to mimic Kate’s voice. “‘Stimulate my clitoris, Taffy. Please insert a phalange slowly into the cavity of your choice so that I may feel pleasure.’”
Taffy’s eyes darted nervously from Trixie to Kate and back. From where she was zip-tied, Kanako whispered, “Stop.”
“‘Stop’ is something you probably hear a lot, isn’t it, Kate?” Trixie demanded. “An irritated, exasperated ‘just stop.’ That’s why you joined FAWN, right? ‘Cuz of the more carnal nature of our matches here. Probably the only way you get any action. Except you haven’t, have you? You haven’t gotten a ‘FAWN win’ - shit, you haven’t gotten a win, period. Kanako went far but what was your excuse with Elizabeth Thorn? That you couldn’t take a fucking bite?”
“Her teeth sank into my neck!” Kate roared. Trixie immediately balled up her fists and made a fake sob sound.
“Alia Fucking Saad had her way with me in a goddamn cornfield after nearly beating me to death and I still hung her from posts like a scarecrow. I faced four fucking women in a dark basement here, got barbwire wrapped around my throat, stabbed with scissors, beaten with a bad, and I still walked out of there after putting all of them down.” Trixie got an inch from Kate’s face. “And your biggest victory was attacking me after that. It wasn’t even a match. You went after a woman smaller than you, concussed, bleeding all over, and I still got licks on you. Even tonight, I fucking won because your idiot got involved - and why?” Trixie grins. “Because you were losing anyway.”
Trixie pointed to the fans. “Everyone here knows, for all your ‘Wrestling is bullshit’ talk, you haven’t gotten a single ‘W’ since you arrived and, really, you’ve barely gotten ring time. This conversation has lasted longer than all your matches combined - because you’re bad at this. And that has to eat you up. I’m a petite mouthy goth girl you couldn’t beat in a fair fight and everyone’s seen it now.” Trixie put her hands on her hips. “Honestly, drop your last name in FAWN and just go by, ‘Kate.’ The only thing ‘Grimm’ about you is your future in this ring.”
Kate’s jaw dropped.
Trixie cocked her head to the side. “Was that enough talking for you?”
And that was the last straw. Both Kate and Taffy lunged on top of Trixie, throwing wild punches into her she was barely able to defend against. Eventually, though, they moved past Trixie’s defenses and her body stopped flailing, only reacting to the hits. Kanako screamed and yanked at the cables but the zip tie didn’t give way. It was only when Kate and Taffy saw advancing security that they rolled from the ring and ran, followed by jeers of the fans.
A member of security rushed to Kanako and cut her ties. Immediately, the woman lunged to Trixie’s side, no longer holding back her tears.
“Babe, are you okay? Oh, God!” She wiped blood from Trixie’s mouth.
Trixie only giggled.
“What are you laughing about?” Kanako asked.
“Earlier I saw one of the EMTs who worked on me the last couple of times I had matches,” Trixie said. “He said, ‘see ya around.’ I guess he’s really going to.”
“It’s not funny,” Kanako sniffled.
“It’s a little funny,” Trixie replied, kissing Kanako on the cheek. Bloody lip prints remained. She pushed her way up, waving the security team away. “I’m fine, but seriously, what do you all do? Like, are you all stationed five blocks away? ‘Cuz you’re never on time.”
“Just rest your weight on me,” one of the guards said.
“Naw, I’ll rest on her,” Trixie laughed, leaning on Kanako. “She’s more fun to squeeze.”
“I’m so sorry,” Kanako muttered. “This is--”
“Kate’s choice,” Trixie cut her off. She looked at Kanako. “She kept saying none of this was personal. Well, it felt personal to me and now it feels personal to her, too.” Trixie leaned on Kanako as they moved down the stairs. “Don’t cry over this, okay? Save all those tears.”
“For what?” Kanako asked.
“Kate’s funeral,” Trixie replied as her love helped her hobble up the ramp. “It’ll look less suspicious if we’re able to cry as they lower her into the ground. But, for now, we’ve got a lot of planning to do.”
“And healing,” Kanako reminded.
Trixie smiled at Kanako. “It will be okay,” she said. Kanako forced a smile as they disappeared in the back, trying hard to believe Trixie’s words.
“NIGHTMARE” BY AVENGED SEVENFOLD:
KATE GRIMM:
Kate Grimm walked into the arena, arms raised and smirking. The hate was instant. It was actually kind of amazing. In no time she went from a “oh yeah, she had a match once” fighter to a hated woman amongst FAWNatics. The FAWN reddit and forums were full of vitriol aimed at her for her attack on Trixie Decker two months earlier. Who knew attacking that pint-sized fuck-up could boost her career. Hell, it threw her enough weight that she was able to skirt being fired.
She reached the ring and rolled under the ropes, kipping up to blow kisses at the “adoring” fans. Sure, they all wanted her dead, but they thought about her. Hell, some of them probably bought tickets or the pay-per-view specifically to see Kate get her head caved in. It was almost a shame those marks weren’t going to get what they wanted.
The referee, Reginald Worthington III, approached Kate. “Your corner, Miss Grimm,” he said uncharacteristically coldly. “I need to pat you down.”
Kate sneered. “No, you don’t. Look at what I’m wearing.” She motioned to the sports bra, bottoms, and boots. “Where am I going to hide something?”
“That, Miss Grimm, is what I intend to ascertain,” Reggie said simply. “Please do not make this more difficult than it needs to be. I am, after all, the official for this match. I decide it’s outcome and it is well within my purview to disqualify you before it even begins.”
Kate glared up at the zebra. “Bethany would be pissed.”
“No,” Reggie replied, “I do not believe she would be in this instance. And even so, some risks are worth taking.”
Kate moved to her corner and waited for Reggie to check her over. “Don’t forget, you’re supposed to be impartial,” she reminded him. “Just ‘cuz I roughed the Jinx up a little--”
“There is no necessity to talk to me during this,” Reggie said as he felt Kate’s boots.
“I didn’t know you and Trixie were buddies, you havin’ a dick and all,” Kate laughed. Reggie stopped and looked up at the MMA fighter-turned-wrestler.
“I’m not her friend, Miss Grimm,” Reggie answered, “but I can at least respect the fight she gives. This will be a fair fight on my end, I assure you, but I am watching you and waiting. I realize FAWN is seen as light pornographic fair to the likes of you, but it’s still wrestling. It’s still a sport, no matter what add-ons our owner wants. And in this ring, you’ll respect that.”
Kate rolled her eyes as Reggie finished the patdown. Over the sound system, the announcer continued.
“Her opponent this evening, from Flint, Michigan, standing at five feet, three inches and one hundred seventeen pounds… TRIXIE ‘JINX’ DECKER!”
“GET JINXED” BY AGNETE KJøLSRUD
TRIXIE “JINX” DECKER:
Trixie barely let her music play before bursting through the curtains and storming to the ring. It was still new, and jarring, to have the FAWNatics love her. It was nice having them on her side, though, as she only had Kanako backstage to watch her back. Kelli and Selia were out, Aloisia was dealing with family business elsewhere. Noah and Akira, who’d been present for Trixie’s last couple of matches despite not being FAWN, weren’t around as Noah was in the middle of moving across the country and Akira was dealing with her own training and mission.
And Trixie knew, somewhere in this building, the getaway driver who took Kate to safety was watching and waiting.
Trixie greeted fans as she advanced, still not used to earnest adoration, offering fast smiles and nods, as she moved to ringside and hopped onto the skirt. Bounding over the rope, Trixie’s eyes locked with Kate’s.
“Oh, no crown this time?“ Kat laughed. “Do I at least get the eyes trick you pulled on Anciline?”
Trixie shook her head. “No, you’re just getting an ass beating, Kate. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Like the hair,” Kate added. “Growing it out? It seems longer. I really appreciate you giving me a little more to pull on.”
Trixie only stared emotionlessly as Reggie patted her down. Kate frowned. She’d hoped Decker would be a little easier to rile than this. Apparently not.
Reggie backed up and pointed to the time keeper and the bell rang. Kate races across the ring looking to slam into Trixie, but the goth gripped the cables on either side of her and pushed herself up and lifted her legs. Kate slammed into the post and Trixie rewarded the effort with a stomp in the back before hopping over her.
Kate whirled about and snarled. “Just take your beating, Decker!” she howled. “This isn’t personal.”
“Felt pretty personal in that parking lot,” Trixie said quietly, beckoning Kate forward. Kate stomped towards Trixie, swiping at her face, but the petite fighter bent backwards.
“Yeah, I get that,” Kate growled. “Felt pretty personal when your bitch nearly broke my neck!” Kate managed to grab Trixie’s leg but the goth kicked her leg up and across Kate’s face, freeing herself. As Kate stumbled and fell to a knee, Trixie slammed her knee into the woman’s mouth.
“Then you take it up with Kanako,” Trixie said bluntly.
Kate fell back, smiling. “You’re not the same Trixie. No jokes. Where’s the mouth on you? You used to constantly tal-- A dropkick to the face interrupted Kate.
Trixie rose first. “You talk too much,” she muttered as she drove an elbow into Kate’s head. She slammed an open palm into Kate’s throat, causing her to gag and sputter.
Trixie circled the woman, studying her. Kate coughed as she rose. “The spooky Beatrix shit doesn’t work on me, Trixie. I’m in your fucking head,” Kate laughs. “I made you change. You’re not who you were two months ago and that’s all me.”
“People change,” Trixie replied as she did a few feints. “You don’t own that concept.”
“Naw, this is different,” Kate laughed. “I’ve seen your matches. You’re like a perky goth. You giggle and laugh and you always make jokes… and then I happened.”
Trixie threw a kick the Kate deflected with a forearm. “A lot happened to me. You were just there.” Trixie went for a grab and her arm was snagged, twisted behind her back, as Kate pushed her to the mat. A knee drove into Trixie’s back.
“Bullshit,” Kate laughed. “You might have come out of that nonsense okay but I showed up. I reminded you no one’s there for you and that even your biggest win can be taken from you.” She raised the knee and brought it back down into Trixie’s back. “Have your ‘girlfriend’ noticed? Or are they all too busy riding each other to care?”
Trixie gritted her teeth but said nothing.
“Yeah, they noticed,” Kate smirks as she begins twisting Trixie’s wrists around. “Must drive ‘em nuts, too. You’re not fun anymore, are you? Not cute.” She leaned down. “I can take anything I want, Trixie. I’m a predator, you’re prey.”
Trixie winced, her face full of pain. “S… stop….”
“Oh, does it hurt?” Kate asked cruelly.
“S… stop... talking,” Trixie grunted, kicking Kate’s right leg from under her. The larger fighter fell as Trixie yanked away from her, rubbing her wrists. Kate kipped up instantly and set onto Trixie, grabbing her in a side and running to bulldog her. Trixie landed flat to the mat with a grunt, but Kate leaned back, straining her neck.
“Ask her, stripes,” Kate demanded.
“NO!” Trixie cut off before Reggie could even start. She pushed up on the mat and Kate cranked her neck more.
“You’re not fighting Anci this time,” Kate snarled. “I’ve been fighting and preparing. And I’m pissed off. Poor you, stuck in the ring with me.” As Kate went on, Trixie reached out and snagged the bottom rope.
“Rope, Grimm!” Reggie yelled. “Break!”
Kate stared up at him. “Count.”
Reggie’s face flushed red as he began the count, getting to four before Kate released. Kate rose and grabbed Trixie by the hair, ripping her back from the cable to the center of the ring. She shoved Trixie’s head between her thighs and lifted her, hurling her to the canvas in a jackknife powerbomb. The ring shook from the impact of Decker’s tiny body. Kate looked beyond pleased.
Trixie stumbled up to a knee only to be intercepted by Kate, who wrapped an arm under her throat and began twisting and pulling her head side to side. Reggie ran to check but Kate immediately snapped, “There no’s choke! You can tell she’s breathing!” Unfortunately for Reggie, Kate was right. There was no reason to break the hold.
Kate growled down at Trixie. “How’s it feel to be the bitch to a real woman? Are you Kanako’s bottom? Or are you usually on top?”
Trixie didn’t reply, only clawed and pried at Kate’s arms.
Kate pivoted, driving Trixie to the canvas on her stomach. Kate released Trixie and moved down to her legs, twisting around Trixie’s left leg in a kneebar. “Submit, Decker!” she cried. “There’s no shame. I’ve ended fights with real fighters using this hold. Give up!”
Trixie’s eyes closed as she endured the agony. Reggie knelt at her side. “What do you say, Trixie? You done?”
Trixie only shook her head as she twisted her torso and began slamming punch after punch into Kate’s hand and knee. Most of them Kate was able to weather but defending against the hits was too difficult to do while maintaining the kneebar. Eventually she released and pushed away.
Kate stomped up, growing angrier. “Why won’t you talk, you little shit?!” she yelled. “This isn’t the Trixie I was expecting!” She grabbed for Trixie’s hair but instead got a boot to the gut. As Kate folded forward, Trixie brought down a double axe handle, followed by a knee lift.
“I thought you liked that you ‘changed’ me,” Trixie replied coldly. She threw herself back to the ropes and ran forward, slamming a boot across her face. “You seemed so proud of yourself.” Trixie wrapped her arm around the back of Kate’s neck, twined a leg between Kate’s, and threw her backwards to the mat. Trixie rolled atop her for a pin but was immediately pushed aside.
Kate rolled onto her hands and knees, laughing. “Oh, using my words against me. Nice. Very nice.” She pushed up to her knees. “Anything else you gotta say before I break you?”
“Duck,” Trixie replied.
Kate looked at her, confused, just in time to catch a spinning kick to her temple. Trixie shrugged.
“Told you to duck,” Trixie said. She grabbed Kate’s leg and slapped a figure four on but Grimm managed to roll onto her stomach and pull herself to the ropes. Reggie looked to Trixie who merely raised a hand in an “I know” gesture,” releasing the hold. Kate immediately pulled herself up by the ropes and launched back at Trixie, slamming her knee into the woman’s mouth.
As Trixie fell, Kate threw herself on top and began slamming punch after punch into Trixie’s face, cutting just under her left eye. Reggie began to scream at her and Kate halted, looking up confused.
“No closed fists, Kate!” he warned. “Do anything untoward again and you’re DQed.”
Kate glared as she raised a fist. “You didn’t warn her--”
“Don’t try that kindergarten nonsense on me,” the official snapped, pointing a finger. “Try it. See if you won’t lose this match.”
Grimm fumed at the man but dismounted. Instead, she grabbed Trixie’s arm and bent it into a Fujiwara armbar, pulling back so hard it looked fit to snap off. Trixie pounded the mat in agony.
FUJIWARA ARMBAR:
“This shit ends with you submitting!” Kate yelled. “There’s no other way! Just make this easier! I need you to submit!”
Trixie shuddered in pain but kept from yelling. Instead she blurted, “So Kanako will run to the ring to save me? So you can attack her?”
Kate stopped and looked at Trixie, who managed to push herself up and slam her forehead against Kate’s. Kate yelped and backed off while Trixie rolled away, rubbing her arm.
“I’m not an idiot, Kate,” Trixie said, standing. “I know I’m bait. You win, then you beat on me, Kanako runs out and you attack her.”
“Smarter than I thought,” Kate added with a smile.
“It’s not a difficult to guess plan,” Trixie remarked. Kate hopped to her feet and lept at Trixie, slamming a shoulder into her and taking her back to the mat. Flipping Trixie onto her stomach, Kate slapped on a rear naked choke and hauled her to her feet.
“Sometimes simple is best,” Grimm laughed. “That’s why Kanako loves you, right?”
No response. She began to shake Trixie side to side. “This is over, Decker,” Kate warned. “It’s just your choice of how it goes down. Or maybe you’d prefer to be out so you don’t see what we do to your girlfriend.”
“We?” Trixie asked, struggling to break free.
Kate paused, then frowned. She raised a boot and put it in the small of Trixie’s back, shoving her forward as Kate released the choke. Trixie fell forward, her face slamming into the canvas. Kate ran and jumped, both feet landing in the small of Trixie’s back. Trixie’s body spasmed but she didn’t yell out. Instead she gripped the mat. “Who is ‘we’?”
Kate hauled back and field goal punted Trixie in the side of the skull. “You feel clever now, bitch?” Kate spat. “Huh? Answer me!”
Trixie said nothing.
Kate pulled Trixie to her feet and began kneeing and striking her, alternating attacks. “There’s nothing you can do I can’t counter, Trixie!” Kate snarled. “Most of your attacks are shit I learned to do when I was a teenager. Your finisher is bullshit. I’m MMA. I can counter any submission you throw at me.” She spun and kicked Trixie in the neck, sending her to the ropes.
“You fight like a tiny dog who thinks it’s forty pounds heavier than it is,” Kate laughed. “But you’re tiny. You should be a flying all around the ring but you meet people head on, like a fucking idiot.” Kate crouched. “Know what that makes you? A victim by your own hand.” Kate grinned
Trixie rolled her eyes. “Just fucking attack me,” she said.
Kate was taken aback. “Excuse me?”
“Attack me,” Trixie repeated. “I didn’t come here for a chat. I came here for a fight. Attack me.”
Kate shook her head. “Dumb fucking bitch,” she grunted as she rushed off at Decker, aiming her shoulder for Trixie’s midriff. Trixie leapfrogged her, letting Kate bumble into the cables. As Kate tried to extract herself, Trixie spun around and slammed another headbutt - HARD - into the back of Kate’s skull.
The sound of surprise and pain that came for Kate was indescribable but, to the front seats, utterly hilarious.
Trixie wrapped her arms around Kate’s waist and flipped her over in a suplex, slamming her head to the mat. Trixie flipped over as well, releasing the hold and slamming a palm into Kate’s throat. Kate sputtered and rolled, gagging as she scrambled to her feed, finally standing upright.
Trixie ran and jumped off the top cable, spinning in the air in a Pele kick and driving her boot’s toe into the crown of Kate’s skull. In an automatic motion, Grimm sank to her knees and her eyes glazed over.
“That enough flying for you, bitch?!” Trixie bellowed as she kicked a boot across the back of Kate’s skull, The larger woman leaned forward, stunned, and perfecting in place for the kick that sank between her eyes. Grimm fell back to the canvas and Trixie grabbed her by arm and leg, pulling her to the ring’s center. Falling on Kate, the exhausted petite fighter hooked a leg. Reggie fell to the ring and counted.
One…
Two…
THRE--
Reggie’s hand nearly touched the canvas before he heard the crack. He looked at Trixie and saw pain in her face. Then he saw another hand bring a billy club down into her back. He looked up
TAFFY BLACK:
Taffy Black, one of FAWN’s tallest and, possibly, stronger fighters, loomed over trixie, gripping the weapon tightly. She drove the butt of the club into the back of Trixie’s neck and Decker went limp.
Reggie rose and rushed to the corner, motioning to the time keeper for a DQ. The bell rang and the announcer came over the intercom, breaking his usual emotionless tone with a tint of concern. “Your winner by disqualification… TRIXIE DECKER!” The FAWNatics were so loud, so disgusted, the could barely hear the announcer follow up with, “Security, please make your way to ringside immediately by order of Bethany Chris--”
Bethany’s voice took over. “GRIMM! BLACK! GET OUT OF THE RING NOW!”
Kate’s eyes focused on Taffy and she scowled. “I didn’t want to be DQed, Taffy,” she snarled.
Taffy looked embarrassed as she offered Kate a hand. “You’d rather have a pin from this spookshow reject on your record?”
It was hard to argue. She didn’t. Kate sighed and took Taffy’s hand, shoving the bloody mess off of her as she rose. She drove a kick into Trixie’s face, followed by another… and another. Rage overtook Kate. How dare this little whelp think she deserved a pin on Kate Fucking Grimm! She wasn’t allowed revenge. This wasn’t even about her.
The more she kicked Trixie, the redder her boot became. Kate shook the blood off. “Get her up,” she growled.
Taffy hauled Trixie up by her hair and held her in place, arms pulled behind her back, as Kate began slamming punch after punch into Trixie’s stomach. Decker was too exhausted to even vocalize the pain, just staring forward at Kate as her body shook from each impact. The silence infuriated Kate even more and she moved the hits to Trixie’s already bloody face. She went straight for Trixie’s nose and brought forth a new stream of red. But Trixie only stared, building Kate’s temper more and more.
“If you put her in the hospital again,” Taffy said finally, “you’ll be in trouble again. I don’t think it’ll be forgiven twice.”
Kate glared at her partner but she knew the truth in her words. And being fired would mean no second chance at Kanako. No chance to really make her suffer. That was unacceptable. A solid cross through Trixie’s jaw and the tiny form went slack, her eyes lolling off as she went unconscious.
“What do we do now?” Taffy asked.
Kate grinned. “It’s FAWN. We do whatever we wan--” Her words vanish as a pair of feet slam into the side of her head. The woman the feet are attached to rolls back and kicks Kate in the small of her back before glaring, wild-eyed at Taffy.
KANAKO AKIYAMA:
“About time you showed up,” Taffy laughed as she shoved Trixie’s crumpled form at her. Kanako looked down at Trixie’s bloody face, how she almost looked lifeless, and remembered last time in the start of October. Tears welled in Kanako’s eyes.
“Oh, no, hon,” Kanako muttered as she gently laid Trixie to the match. She glared up at Taffy. “It was you, wasn’t it? You were the getaway driver.” Kanako wipes tears. “I’ll fucking kill you.”
Taffy cracked her knuckles and motioned for the smaller fighter to advance. Emotions got the better of Kanako and she sprinted forward, catching a brutal punch to the gut. She hadn’t realized just how strong Taffy was and it was a lot. Kanako felt her body stop despite her wishes, and then the punch across the jaw sent her soaring backwards.
Kanako landed hard on the canvas but caught Taffy with her legs, shoving her back. Kanako managed to kick one of Taffy’s stems from underneath her and put a boot up, driving her heel into Taffy’s gut. As Black’s top-half kept falling forward, Kanako grabbed her by the hair and began pounding on her face like a jackhammer.
That’s when the billy club cracked Kanako in the forehead. She released Taffy instantly, despite her bloodlust, and stared up at the face obscured by the arena lights. But Kanako knew who it was who was cracking her in the face with the club. She knew Kate and she knew Kate was smiling as she brought the club down again.. And again… and again.
Grimm looked up at Black. “Got ‘em?”
Taffy reached into her jacket and produced some police-grade zip ties. They pulled Kanako to the bottom cable and tied her off by the wrists as tight as could be managed. Kate crouched down and admired the light bruises forming on Kanako’s face.
“Let me guess, this is where you finally get your revenge on me?” Kanako hissed.
“Oh, for the time you nearly broke my neck, you mean?” Kate asked. “The time you tried to end my fucking career? You think I’m bitter over that?”
Kanako’s bound hands moved and she placed her thumb and pointer fingers close together. “A smidge.”
“Oh, trust me, you’re going to pay for that, you schizo,” Kate said, adding a bitch slap for emphasis. “You’re going to pay very personally and I’m going to make sure your days in a ring end with you eating all your meals through a goddamn tube. But for now… I want you to understand the consequences of your actions.” She looked over at Trixie’s limp body.
“She didn’t do anything,” Kanako said, almost sounding like an angry plea.
“She loved the wrong person,” Kate reminded. “She loved a woman who was fine with hurting people and altering their life paths. Maybe you think she made you a better person, but a mad dog is still a mad dog. You’re waiting to bite and she didn’t put you down in her match with you. She gave you a home and took you on walks, putting others at risk. So, she’s gotta pay, too.”
“Please,” Kanako muttered. “Please leave her alone.”
Kate leaned closer. “Beg.”
Kanako felt rage welling up, but also fear. Warm tears dripped down her cheeks. “Please leave Trixie alone. Please don’t hurt her. This is between us.”
“Was that so hard?” Kate asked sweetly. She rose. “Oh, and the answer is both, ‘no’ and ‘fuck you.’” She turned to Taffy. “Wake her. We’re gonna have a good ol’ FAWN finish.” She smirked at Kanako. “We didn’t sign those consent and adult performer waivers for nothing.”
“Oh, gonna go from trying to fuck me up to fucking me? That’s a great idea,” Trixie’s voice rose. “You should totally do that.” All three women looked in Trixie’s direction as she pushed up. “I need a fucking laugh.”
“Excuse me?” Kate asked.
“I said I need a laugh and I’m guessing you can provide it,” Trixie answered, spitting blood. “You look like a funny fuck. And those nails.” She looks at Taffy. “You two together? She doesn’t even trim ‘em. Must be like getting explored by a cheese grater.”
“It’s… it’s not,” Taffy stammered, sounding far from believable.
“And let’s be honest, I saw how you grip that club,” Trixie went on, advancing towards Kate. “Now, I’ve only seen a few dicks in my day but wow, that was an uncomfortable grip for beating someone. It looked like you were trying to jerk it off and if that’s how good your game is, I bet I know why you’re so angry.”
Kate’s eyebrows furrowed. “You should really lay down,” she growled.
“Wow, amazing bedroom talk,” Trixie snorted. “My panties are soaked. I bet you use medical terms for body parts.” Trixie began to mimic Kate’s voice. “‘Stimulate my clitoris, Taffy. Please insert a phalange slowly into the cavity of your choice so that I may feel pleasure.’”
Taffy’s eyes darted nervously from Trixie to Kate and back. From where she was zip-tied, Kanako whispered, “Stop.”
“‘Stop’ is something you probably hear a lot, isn’t it, Kate?” Trixie demanded. “An irritated, exasperated ‘just stop.’ That’s why you joined FAWN, right? ‘Cuz of the more carnal nature of our matches here. Probably the only way you get any action. Except you haven’t, have you? You haven’t gotten a ‘FAWN win’ - shit, you haven’t gotten a win, period. Kanako went far but what was your excuse with Elizabeth Thorn? That you couldn’t take a fucking bite?”
“Her teeth sank into my neck!” Kate roared. Trixie immediately balled up her fists and made a fake sob sound.
“Alia Fucking Saad had her way with me in a goddamn cornfield after nearly beating me to death and I still hung her from posts like a scarecrow. I faced four fucking women in a dark basement here, got barbwire wrapped around my throat, stabbed with scissors, beaten with a bad, and I still walked out of there after putting all of them down.” Trixie got an inch from Kate’s face. “And your biggest victory was attacking me after that. It wasn’t even a match. You went after a woman smaller than you, concussed, bleeding all over, and I still got licks on you. Even tonight, I fucking won because your idiot got involved - and why?” Trixie grins. “Because you were losing anyway.”
Trixie pointed to the fans. “Everyone here knows, for all your ‘Wrestling is bullshit’ talk, you haven’t gotten a single ‘W’ since you arrived and, really, you’ve barely gotten ring time. This conversation has lasted longer than all your matches combined - because you’re bad at this. And that has to eat you up. I’m a petite mouthy goth girl you couldn’t beat in a fair fight and everyone’s seen it now.” Trixie put her hands on her hips. “Honestly, drop your last name in FAWN and just go by, ‘Kate.’ The only thing ‘Grimm’ about you is your future in this ring.”
Kate’s jaw dropped.
Trixie cocked her head to the side. “Was that enough talking for you?”
And that was the last straw. Both Kate and Taffy lunged on top of Trixie, throwing wild punches into her she was barely able to defend against. Eventually, though, they moved past Trixie’s defenses and her body stopped flailing, only reacting to the hits. Kanako screamed and yanked at the cables but the zip tie didn’t give way. It was only when Kate and Taffy saw advancing security that they rolled from the ring and ran, followed by jeers of the fans.
A member of security rushed to Kanako and cut her ties. Immediately, the woman lunged to Trixie’s side, no longer holding back her tears.
“Babe, are you okay? Oh, God!” She wiped blood from Trixie’s mouth.
Trixie only giggled.
“What are you laughing about?” Kanako asked.
“Earlier I saw one of the EMTs who worked on me the last couple of times I had matches,” Trixie said. “He said, ‘see ya around.’ I guess he’s really going to.”
“It’s not funny,” Kanako sniffled.
“It’s a little funny,” Trixie replied, kissing Kanako on the cheek. Bloody lip prints remained. She pushed her way up, waving the security team away. “I’m fine, but seriously, what do you all do? Like, are you all stationed five blocks away? ‘Cuz you’re never on time.”
“Just rest your weight on me,” one of the guards said.
“Naw, I’ll rest on her,” Trixie laughed, leaning on Kanako. “She’s more fun to squeeze.”
“I’m so sorry,” Kanako muttered. “This is--”
“Kate’s choice,” Trixie cut her off. She looked at Kanako. “She kept saying none of this was personal. Well, it felt personal to me and now it feels personal to her, too.” Trixie leaned on Kanako as they moved down the stairs. “Don’t cry over this, okay? Save all those tears.”
“For what?” Kanako asked.
“Kate’s funeral,” Trixie replied as her love helped her hobble up the ramp. “It’ll look less suspicious if we’re able to cry as they lower her into the ground. But, for now, we’ve got a lot of planning to do.”
“And healing,” Kanako reminded.
Trixie smiled at Kanako. “It will be okay,” she said. Kanako forced a smile as they disappeared in the back, trying hard to believe Trixie’s words.