Ceiling Fan - R. Reigns (Part 1) 🖤
Fandom: WWE
Trope: “Complicated” Relationship
Character: Roman Reigns
Pairing: Roman Reigns + Melissa Boyd - Original Female Character
Summary: We can’t lose each other…
Cherry Smoke Universe
Author’s Note: Hi! This story is dedicated to @xolave. I really appreciate your help with the ideas. Thank you for reading my work as always 🏷️💜
Part 2
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2024
“To be honest, I’d feel better if you found somebody, Uce.” Planning to film an episode of “Smackdown,” goofball Jimmy Uso glanced toward his cousin, modern legend Roman Reigns.
“What are you talking about, Jim?” Scrunching up his face while swinging another ponytail, Roman didn’t know what to think, at least not yet. “I’m doing fine.”
Jimmy decided to hold back. Truth be told, Roman isn’t faring well below the surface. As of late, ring announcer Sam Irvin started talking to another guy. Reigns had never looked for commitment, but Sam walking away bruised confidence much more than expected. Maybe she had grown tired of him.
Now, Reigns is “single” and moved along as his championship run would end. Cody Rhodes, spangled with blond hair and blue eyes, returned with another catchy theme song, hoping to “finish the story.” With each passing moment, Wrestlemania 40 loomed from a distance as Reigns observed everything.
Keep going. Roman thought.
_______________
Once the show ended, Roman noticed an unexpected change. There’s someone new working behind the scenes. Casting one dark complexion underneath fluorescent lights, she walked in the corridor as deep brown eyes faced the production staff. Other folks gathered important updates too.
Who is that? Reigns questioned, genuinely curious.
“Stop staring at her, man. I wouldn’t be surprised if you drooled or something.” Chuckling for a second, Jimmy nudged Roman here.
“Shut up.” Reigns clenched back.
“Get it together.” Jim smirked, heading elsewhere.
Roman looked again and noticed the woman’s face one last time.
_________________
While veterans Randy Orton and AJ Styles battled new competitor LA Knight, viewers lost their minds here. Who on earth could dethrone the Universal Champion at the Royal Rumble?
No one!
Flying to land his enemies, Roman flamed with vengeance. His ring. His title. His world. Though losing so much control soon, Reigns towered everyone else. There’s no mercy left whatsoever. Snatching up this leather-bound contract, Reigns beamed his nearly wicked grin as credits emerged for the screens.
The mountaintop is mine, whether ya’ll like it or not!
____________
Voices echoed when talent began to leave the venue. Though escorted by security personnel, Roman noticed the unexpected woman chatting with others. As Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair raved, this new professional couldn’t help smiling, either. Who knows what else could take place next?
“See you later.” she turned away and looked over, seeing Roman in person for the very first time.
“Hey.” Knowing so much better than to act up, Reigns cleared his throat and brightened the somewhat dark Southern accent. This woman isn’t like Sam of course. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Roman?” The woman offered kindness and introduced herself. Some formalities drifted away for obvious reasons. “I’m Melissa.”
Melissa. Although crossing paths for the first time in this random hallway, Reigns will never forget what happened.
*****
Booked to handle the kickoff show, Melissa nearly ran in all directions while excitement picked up. Time would shrink more and more on the road, but countless responsibilities didn’t halt backstage. Everyone covered several bases and scheduled talent hurried as fans cheered throughout walls this evening.
Roman: Missed you.
Roman: On my way…
Melissa: Don’t be late! You’re closing the show with Cody and Dwayne, remember?⏰
Roman: Yes, Ma’am.
This time around, security guards arrived with Roman, Cody Rhodes and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson himself. Based on her career, Mel refused to look starstruck. Although she wanted to greet everyone here, there’s no time for theatrics anyway. Arrangements would help this program regardless.
On the other hand, Dwayne removed signature sunglasses and glanced toward Roman, beaming that well-known smile.
“Here we go again.” Dwayne shook his head, whistling toward pristine shoes.
“What now?” Reigns huffed.
“What’s her name?” Dwayne clipped the games right back, humored while looking across the large hallway.
“Quiet.” Reigns clenched moments later. “Don’t be rude.”
While trying to change the subject past Dwayne, Roman didn’t notice how Melissa and Cody whispered over notes with production staff.
Reigns can’t interrupt, frozen. Despite becoming stubbornly independent, expressing his frustration held no room tonight.
Think about the show.
_________
Once Dwayne and Cody scuffled over trash talk, mayhem erupted. The show dimmed away, but Melissa didn’t think twice before leaving this venue. With security escorting guests away, she followed without hesitation. Drama wouldn’t solve anything after folks threw tantrums for millions to witness.
“I’m sorry.” Reigns apologized, but Mel didn’t take the words. Roman simply watching that chaos unfold irritated her more.
“Mania’s coming up and you let them start fighting like that? Officials could’ve toppled the stage, Roman.” Melissa can’t believe the silence.
“It was their problem, not mine.” Reigns tried to defend himself again.
“Whatever. I'm not giving myself a headache because you wouldn't interfere. Ignore that bullshit for all I care.” Melissa dropped that conversation, fed up. Sugarcoating flew out the window.
Not to mention how social media platforms chimed for a while. Rumors. Chaos. More and more nonsense dashed with absurd headlines. Given the endless cycle, another clip might as well ring on her cell phone now.
“All right then.” Arching one brow, Roman plopped on the living room sofa and took out his phone, scrolling. “It's not my fault, but you don't believe me.”
“I won't dwell on this.” Mel called from the bedroom while planning to rest.
When the door closed, Reigns held back several emotions.
*****
Another plot. Another city. Another broadcast. Based on the hectic schedule, Melissa worked all over again, but Roman hadn't reached out all day. Knowing much better, Reigns corrected himself in private after dealing with the kickoff show, yet something didn't feel right.
Melissa: Hi! I'm leaving the venue now. Is everything okay? You're quiet.🌙
Melissa: Call me whenever. 📱
Melissa: If we don't talk tonight, sleep well. I miss you.🫂
At one point, Mel frowned when returning to the hotel alone. Roman hadn't arranged more appearances yet, but his silent absence haunted this place. No sports would blare on the TV screen. No second meal lined up from room service. Reigns didn't send brand-new flowers to make Melissa smile.
What the hell is going on?
_______
When joining the last episode of “Monday Night Raw” before Wrestlemania took place, Melissa pulled herself together and couldn't sulk. It’s useless. Pointless. Though always checking details here, Melissa can’t help looking up when two familiar men chuckled down that hallway, amused by something.
Dwayne and Roman.
Saying goodbye to each other, Dwayne nodded toward Roman and headed elsewhere, most likely briefed over plans from one of the separate locations here. Meanwhile, Reigns pocketed another sweatshirt and cleared his throat, gentle. Who knows what could happen if Mel wanted to speak up?
“We can’t talk right now, okay? There’s work to do. ” Mel’s voice deadpanned for the first time. The kindness of her tone drifted away from this building.
“Baby….” Roman stepped forward, but Melissa turned away and clicked heels before anyone else noticed what’s going on.
Damn! Reigns gritted, frustrated toward himself.
___________
Nothing could describe what happened in the ring. Although Seth Rollins battled Solo Sikoa, Bloodline Rules turned stakes much higher than before. The Uso twins boxed each other, Dwayne emerged from the ramp, and Cody Rhodes tried to save Rollins from pathetic defeat. Fans screamed beyond words.
And yet, Roman stalked his opponents, taking charge as madness revealed absolute brutality. There’s no form of joy. No glory whatsoever. Tonight, fans watched in fear as Reigns and The Rock thrashed violence back and forth. Longtime commentators barely processed the situation, silent with anger.
Until our last bell rings, no one will stand better than us. Reigns vowed. No games. No pretense. The upcoming Tag Team match would burn these fools.
Sweating under that well-known hoodie, Reigns lifted his Universal title and Dwayne swung the weight belt, drunk with power as voices booed once more.
_________
As soon as cameras stopped rolling, Melissa was gone. No celebration. No applause after showing off that diabolical segment. Slumping around the hotel room, Roman could barely think. His heart almost dropped and plans to rest moved on autopilot. Roman can’t fret until later, needing to reach home first.
Before long, Reigns wouldn’t travel until further notice, but the mansion hollowed. Even hired staff couldn’t perk up his face. Quiet patterns moved between his days soon enough. Working out just because. Showering to remind himself of heat. Discreetly checking that phone at night. On and on.
When showtime reared its head, Reigns had already inducted Paul Heyman into the Hall of Fame and used enough willpower for the outstanding speech. Holding back again, there’s no other choice while standing near that podium. The entire world observed and Roman would still knock out more highlights.
Despite thousands of fans watching this spectacle, Reigns only looked for one person. Placed ringside once more, Sam introducing talent between matches didn’t even phase him. For once, she’s just another attractive person.
Not his lady. Never will be.
“Dwayne, what are you doing? Tag him!” Invited off the clock by Jade and Belair, Melissa almost yelled over this barricade.
“Hold on! I’ll keep my voice down, but where have you been?” Dwayne glanced from the ring and waited for Mel to answer.
“Don’t start.” Melissa defended herself, yet Jade and Belair enjoyed well-deserved snacks after facing their match with Damage CTL.
“This ain’t over.” Dwayne focused on the match again and still looked out for Roman.
_____________
“Waking up” for the first time all night, Roman became louder now. Bolder. Striking his opponents through another display. And when dangerous eyes glared toward that barricade, Melissa noticed every moment. Both fixated, quietly plotting toward each other while others raved over this match.
“Left me, huh?” Roman couldn’t step out of the ring, but Mel still caught his words. “Didn’t even call.”
“Finish.” Melissa gestured between herself and Reigns, unforgiving.
Nearly choking Cody by the ropes, Roman locked eye contact with Mel. Cameras be damned.
******
It wasn’t supposed to happen, but Melissa woke up in Roman’s bed the next morning.
Fuck!
Scrambling down the hall before Reigns could notice, she reached one of the elevators, but her heart dropped when someone else crossed silver doors.
Jey.
