Author: Katie
Rating: Uhhh, PG for now I guess
Disclaimer: Don't own em. Would love to but ya know how that goes.
Notes: response to First Date Challenge.
Jeff looks up to see Mark watching him. 'When is he gonna say something to me?' Jeff asks himself. Jeff watches as the older man looks away.
Mark thinks to himself 'What's the worst this kid is gonna do? Laugh at me, that's what. Maybe I should just go ask him out. No I can't risk him laughing at me. God what is it about this boy that makes me
so nuts.' Mark jumps as he feels someone tapping on his shoulder. "Yeah what do you..." The question is stuck in his throat as he looks at the object of his desire.
"Hi Mark. Listen I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me sometime?"
"You're asking me out?" Mark was astonished.
"Yeah well I just... well I mean... I've wanted to... I mean... Well?" Mark laughs at Jeff's frustration. Jeff's face falls. "Sorry to have bothered you man. I just thought... I mean I've noticed you watching me..."
"Jeff?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you ever shut up?"
"Sometimes but not when I'm nervous." Jeff backs up when Mark stands up. "Listen man I didn't mean anything by it. I'm sorry."
"Shut up Jeffrey." Jeff looks down at the floor until he feels a hand on his chin pulling his face up. "Jeff I'd love to go out with you. Pick me up at nine o'clock tonight. My room number is 822, okay?"
"You want me to pick you up?"
"You asked so you get to pick me up. If you don't have a car we can take my bike but I expect you to come to my door, okay?"
"No problem. We will have to take your bike though cause Matt is taking the car and going out with some of the guys."
"See you tonight then kid."
"Later."
Jeff looks at his brother, panicking. "Matt what the hell was I thinking asking out the Undertaker? Am I nuts?"
"Shhhh. Baby brother, relax. I know you haven't gone out with anyone since you and Shannon broke up but if Mark accepted the date then he wants to go out with you. Calm down and breathe okay?"
Jeff takes a deep breath. "Okay I'm better now. But what in the hell am I gonna wear. Should I dress up? Should I go casual? Should I dress down? What the hell am I gonna wear man?"
"Jesus Jeff breathe. It's okay where are you guys going tonight?"
"I don't know. Am I supposed to make the plans since I asked him out? Or should I just assume that he's gonna make the plans? Dammit Matt I don't know what to do?"
"Give me a minute." Matt picks up the phone and calls someone. Jeff listens in. "Jericho? Hey man. Will you do me a favor?" They both wait a second for a response. "Cool. Call Taker and ask him if he
made plans for his date tonight or if he wants his date to make the plans. Call me back as soon as you get an answer. Thanks man." The two bothers sit in silence, waiting for Chris to call back. Jeff
jumps when the phone rings. "Hey Chris. Okay. Okay. Okay. Thanks again man. See you in a little bit."
"Well?"
"Okay Mark says that since you asked him out you get to make the plans but he is still driving. So where do you want to take him?"
"I don't know. Where are you guys going?"
"Jeff we are going clubbing. I really don't think that Mark is gonna want to hang out with a bunch of wildly dressed people bumping and grinding to alternative music. Why don't you take him to a nice
restaurant and then just let it flow from there?"
"Okay but then what should I wear?"
"Let's look through your suitcase and see if you have anything appropriate. If not maybe we can go bug one of the other guys to find you something decent to wear." Matt and Jeff spend the next twenty
minutes going through all of their clothes. Jeff vetoes every outfit Matt puts together. "Well then dammit Jeff what the hell do you want to wear?"
"I don't know maybe Jay or Sean or.... oh man maybe I should call Mark and cancel this date tonight?"
"You are not going to cancel Jeff. Let's go talk to some of the other guys. One of them is bound to have something you will wear." Matt drags Jeff down the hallway to their friends doors.
Meanwhile in Mark's room
"Damn I don't know Glenn. Maybe I should call Jeff and cancel. I mean he is fifteen years younger than me."
"So what Mark. You like this man and he obviously likes you so suck it up and act like a man. Now what are you going to wear?"
"I don't know. I thought I'd go in what I have on."
"Mark you are wearing jeans that look like they've been worn for twenty years and a t-shirt that has more holes in it than one of Jeff's ring wear shirts. Now go put on some nice slacks and a clean
shirt with a collar."
"But Glenn..."
"Go. I am sure Jeff wants this to be a memorable first date."
"Oh shit. Why didn't you tell me that earlier?"
"Tell you what earlier?"
"This is our first date. Man I hate first dates. They always turn out badly for me."
"Mark calm down. They turn out badly because you are too uptight to enjoy yourself. Remember that you and Jeff already know quite a bit about one another. You obviously like one another so go out tonight
and have fun. Take him to dinner maybe a movie or something and just enjoy his company. Can you do that?"
"Yeah of course I can."
"Then do it."
"Okay man, okay." Mark goes to his suitcase and pulls out his only pair of nice pants and his only collared shirt.
(3/6)
Disclaimers see pt. 1
Jeff reaches his hand up to knock on the door, hesitating. He thought to himself 'Come on man. He ain't that intimidating. So what if he's almost a foot taller than you and outweighs you by a hundred easy.
Just knock on the door.' Jeff knocks, waiting impatiently until the door is pulled open. "Hi Mark. I.. uh.. are you ready to go?"
"Yeah kid let me grab my keys and a jacket and we can get going." Mark turns and grabs his stuff. "Let's go Jeff."
"By the way, you look really good tonight." Jeff says unsure of himself.
Mark smiles down at the younger man. "Thanks Jeff you look good too." Jeff grins up at Mark and they head towards the elevator. "So where're we going kid?"
"Antonio's. That is if you like Italian food?"
"I love it. Next to southern cooking it's my favorite."
"Good. I made us reservations for nine thirty though so we had better hurry." They get outside to where Mark has parked his bike. "Damn that is one fine looking bike Mark."
"Almost as good looking as you kid." Jeff blushes at the compliment. Realizing that he is going to have to sit behind Mark, Jeff hesitates. "What's wrong kid?"
"I.... Uhhhhh.... Nothing just admiring the view." Jeff climbs behind Mark and tries not to sit too close.
"You're gonna have to hang on to me, kid. That is unless you want to fall off the bike?"
"No it's just that I..."
"I understand Jeff. You do the same thing to me. So put your arms around my waist and sit as close as you can okay?"
Jeff blushes and grins. "Your wish is my command sir."
"Don't get smart with me boy."
"Sorry Mark." Jeff hugs Mark's back and lays his cheek against it, reveling in the way the muscles feel, rippling under his cheek.
(4/6)
Disclaimers see pt. 1
Jeff groans with disappointment as they arrive at the restaurant. Mark smiles when he hears that. Both of them slip off the bike and head towards the door. Walking inside Jeff gives his name to the maitre d. "Reservation for two. Jeff Hardy."
"Right this way sir." The man says looking Jeff over. Jeff doesn't see it as he is too busy looking at Mark. Mark does notice and isn't happy about it.
"What's wrong Mark?"
"Nothing." Mark snaps.
"Sorry you just looked upset." Jeff says with a stricken look on his face.
They quickly order their food and sit in silence. Jeff is looking away from Mark. Twenty minutes pass in silence as they wait for their food. After they have finished eating, Mark sighs. "I'm sorry Jeff. I just didn't like the way that man was looking at you."
"What man?"
"The maitre d. He couldn't take his eyes off you."
"Oh well you know what. I know why I didn't notice some scrawny little man like him."
"Yeah. Why's that?"
"Because I can't take my eyes off the best looking man in this restaurant." Jeff smiles shyly at the big man.
Mark blushes and replies "What so you have a mirror in front of your face that I just can't see?" Jeff giggles, blushes and bites his lower lip. Mark groans at this sight. "Boy if you don't stop looking
at me like that I ain't gonna be able to control myself."
Jeff looks away shyly. "Mark I hope you don't think.... What I mean is I don't... I've never... I.... Well... I don't... I didn't..."
"Spit it out Jeff."
"I don't plan on having sex with you. I just... well I really like you and I want to get to know you better but if you agreed because the guys in the locker room say I sleep with anything that stands upright than we should just head back to the hotel and end this now. I don't have sex with a man just because I go out to dinner with him."
"Jeff I never meant to give you that impression. I agreed to go out with you because I like you. A lot. I think you are the most beautiful man I have ever laid eyes on. I don't sleep with men on the first date either. Or for that matter on the second or third. As for what the guys say in the back, they can kiss my ass. I don't listen to their gossip."
Jeff looks properly chagrined. "Sorry Mark. I haven't even been out on a date since I broke up with my last boyfriend."
"How long ago was that?"
"About three years. Shannon was and still is for that matter, my best friend. I was totally and completely head over heels for him but he wanted more than I could give him."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, I'd rather not discuss it on our first date." Jeff locks green eyes with green. "Mark please don't be angry with me."
"I'm not. Maybe you'll see fit to tell me on our second or third date."
Jeff's smile gets wider as he stares into intense green eyes. "You mean, you're gonna ask me out?"
"No." Jeff�s face falls. Mark smiles softly. "You are gonna ask me out again."
Jeff grins. "I'll have to think about that."
Mark rolls his eyes. "Okay brat. Let me get the check and then we can see if there are any movie theaters open this late." Mark signals for the check.
When he tries to take the check, Jeff snatches it out of his hands. "I asked so I get to pay."
"Oh is that how it works?"
"Yep."
"Then you are definitely gonna have to be the one to ask me next time."
"As long as you promise that there will be a next time?"
"Deal."
They smile at one another as Jeff hands over the money saying, "Keep the change."
As they walk out the door holding hands, Mark mouths to the maitre d 'Sorry buddy he's mine.'
(5/6)
Disclaimers See pt. 1
Jeff and Mark pull up to a movie house that has a sign out front saying open all night. They look at one another and walk to the box office to see what's playing. "Hey what movie is showing?" Jeff says to the young man sitting behind the counter.
The boy swallows hard. "A bunch of sappy old movies starring Audrey Hepburn." He is trying his best to flirt with Jeff who isn't actually paying attention to the attention he is receiving.
"Cool. Which ones exactly?"
"Wait a minute. Darlin' you sure you want to sit through some romance movie for two hours?"
"I love old movies. Especially Audrey Hepburn. Please Mark?" Jeff pouts up at the older man.
Mark smiles and shakes his head. "Whatever you want to do is fine with me. Just don't get mad if I spend more time looking at you than at the movie."
"Aw. Ain't you sweet." Jeff turns to the young man behind the counter who is trying to hide his disappointment. "Okay we'll take two tickets to see Breakfast at Tiffany's."
The boy rings the tickets up and Mark pays quickly ushering Jeff inside. "Damn kid. What is it about you that makes men get hard just looking?"
Jeff shrugs and takes Marks hand in his. "Do you want popcorn?"
"Of course can't go to a movie without having popcorn Jeff."
"Large popcorn, extra butter and a large lemonade." Jeff says to the old man behind the candy counter who is staring at him with obvious lust.
"Coming right up young man."
Mark shakes his head and tries not to laugh. Jeff notices and whispers to Mark "What the hell is so funny?"
"This old man and that kid out there have both come on to you and you are completely blind."
"Nope not blind. Just why would I want to look at anyone else when you are standing next to me?"
Mark shakes his head and leans down for a kiss. Hitting Jeff's cheek, Mark swears because Jeff had turned his head. Jeff looks up at Mark with wide eyes. "Not now honey. I have to pay the man for our popcorn and lemonade."
Mark just growls at this comment.
"Don't do that. You get me even more hot and bothered when you do that."
Mark grins at this statement. "Let's go watch the movie gorgeous."
"Let's go." They head into the theater holding hands.
(6/6)
Disclaimers see pt. 1
Jeff and Mark are walking out of the theater holding hands. "I love that movie. What did you think Mark?"
"I didn't actually watch the movie kid. I was too busy staring at you."
Jeff looks down at the ground and blushes, thankful for the darkness outside. "Mark I don't want this night to end. Can we go do something else?"
"Won't Matt be worried about you?"
"Right now Matt is thanking heaven that I ain't in our room so he can bring up his lover."
"Who would that be?"
"I'm not allowed to say. Matt would kick my ass to North Carolina and then back here."
"If I promised to protect you?"
"I'd say you were insane. Matt isn't someone you wanna mess with when he's angry."
"I don't think he could do much damage to me do you?"
Jeff bites his lip and looks away. "That's the thing. I don't want to find out. I lo.. like you and I don't wanna see you hurt."
Mark grins and climbs on his bike. "Get on. We'll go for a drive and see where it takes us."
"Sounds good." Jeff slides behind Mark and wraps his arms around the big man's waist. Resting his cheek on the older mans back he sighs in contentment, eliciting a smile from Mark.
They ride straight out of Los Angeles. Three hours later, Jeff finally looks up at where they are. "Mark? Where are we?"
"About three hours outside of LA"
"What? Are you nuts?"
"Nope. You see a few years back, when I was in a serious relationship, I had a fight with him. I was sick of arguing so I got on my bike and just rode. This is where I ended up. I finally bought the land about a year ago. I've never brought anyone here but it has the most beautiful sunrises I've seen outside of Texas. For some reason I had the urge to bring you here with me."
Jeff bites his lip. "Mark that is possibly the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me." Jeff stops talking and looks around. Climbing off the bike he heads towards a hill. "Come on. Let's go watch from
the top of the hill."
"I'm right behind you." Mark smiles as he watches Jeff running towards his hill. He laughs when Jeff suddenly starts doing cartwheels and flips.
Jeff stops at the top of the hill and hears Marks laughter. Smiling to himself, he looks down at Mark. 'Okay I knew I cared a lot about the man, but when did I fall in love with him?' Jeff asks himself. Shaking those thoughts away Jeff yells down to his date, "Come on slowpoke or you are going to miss the show."
Mark laughs at this and finally reaches the top. "Just remember something kid. I am fifteen years older than you and I've been taking bumps a lot longer."
Jeff smiles and looks shyly up at Mark. "Do you want me to give you a massage?"
"I would love it but..." Jeff pouts at the but "I don�t know if I could stop myself from embarrassing myself if you were to touch me that much."
"Well, then why don't we lie down and watch the sun come up." Jeff just plops on the ground and signals Mark to sit next to him. Mark obliges the young man. Jeff scoots closer until he is between Marks legs and lying back on his broad chest. Mark groans at the younger mans closeness and sighs when Jeff pulls Marks arms around his waist. They watch the sun come up over the land just holding on to one another. Finally the sun is up and the show is over. Jeff turns to Mark and says "Why don't you have a house or any buildings here?"
"I never thought about it. I have a huge spread in Texas so I never thought about making a home here too."
"You should. With a huge glass wall on either side of the house so you can watch the sunset and the sunrise."
"Not a bad idea. But I already have a home. I'm only one person Jeff. I can't live in two places at once."
"And you love Texas and would never leave right?"
"I don't know about that. I lived in Florida for a while but I missed Texas so much I had to go back."
"I know. I hate being away from Carolina for any amount of time. I miss my friends and my family too much I guess."
Mark looks sad at this announcement. Suddenly his expression changes and he is smiling again. "Come on kid. Let me take you out to breakfast and then we can head back to the hotel."
"Is this our second date?"
"Nope still our first."
"Good cause I don't want our date to end for a while." Together they head down the hill and get on Mark's bike. Stopping at a diner down the road they quickly eat their breakfasts and head back towards the hotel.
Walking inside they are pounced on by Matt. "Where the hell have you been Jeff?"
"Sorry Matt I thought you and him would be busy. I didn't think you'd notice I was still gone."
"Dammit Jeff I have been worried all night long. The least you could have done was called."
"Matt take it easy. It's my fault."
"And you. Who the hell do you think you are keeping my baby brother out all night long? I have no doubt in my mind that you are the main reason he didn't come home all night long. Stay away from my baby brother Mark or else."
"Matt. Bro knock it off. Mark isn't to blame. We went to dinner then a movie and then we went to watch the sun come up. I am as much to blame as Mark is."
"I know that Jeff but you.."
"No buts big brother. Now go back to Glenn and let me finish my date without big brother looking on." Jeff grabs Marks hand and pulls him towards the elevator. "Sorry Mark. Matt tends to fly off the handle
when he thinks I've been irresponsible. He loves to play big brother."
"He is your big brother and it's not that big of a deal. Now are Glenn and Matt a couple?"
"Yeah. They've been seeing each other for quite some time now."
"Cool." They step off the elevator as it reaches Marks floor. Jeff walks him to the door and they both just stand there awkwardly.
Finally, Jeff speaks up. "Well, I had a lot of fun last night and this morning. I hope we can do it again someti..." Jeff trails off as Mark caresses his cheek.
"What do you say we have that first kiss now?" Not waiting for an answer, Mark leans down and kisses Jeff. "Now we can end this date. Don't wait to long to ask me out again Jeff, okay?"
Jeff just nods shocked at the feelings coursing through his body. "Bye Mark."
"Bye kid." Mark enters his room and shuts the door. Jeff stands there for several minutes before snapping out of his daze and heading back to his own room.
The End (for now)