Disclaimer : see prolouge and part 2
Distribution: see part 1
Dedication : see prolouge
Kurt Angle has his three I's, I have my three D's :)
Respect the Game (3/?)
The next day...
While Mark had slept well with Hunter beside him Hunter had not. He'd slept fitfully, when he'd slept. He'd never been so happy to see the sun rise over the horizon. In fact, he'd been so happy he'd goneout onto the balcony to welcome it. He'd been there ever since, watching the sun rise slowly. Taht was were mark found him when he awoke to find Hunter's side of the bed empty, and cold.
"How long khave you been out here?"
"Don't know."
"When did you get up?"
"With the sun."
"Are you cold? Hungry?"
"No."
"Then what are you?"
"Nothing. I couldn't even beat an old man for a title that means more to me than life itslef. What does that make me? Useless, nothing! That's what it makes me."
"That's not true."
"Then what is true?"
"You fought hard last night..."
"But I lost!"
"You were injured."
"That's an excuse?"
"You couldn't give it your all."
"So you think that if my elbow were at 100% I would have won?"
"You would have had a better chance."
"But you don't think I would have won."
"I don't know, boy, " Mark sounded exasperated. "I don't like to play what ifs. the facts are that you couldn't give the match 100% because of your elbow. As far I'm concerned because of that you never had a chance of winnin. If you'd been at 100% you may have won, you may have lost; we'll never know though, boy. It's in the past, let it go."
"You're right.."
"I always am."
"No, you think you always are."
Mark paused, said nothing for a minute, there was nothing to say. After another moment he broke the silence with, "What do you want for breakfast?"
"I don't eat breakfast."
"You do now."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"Tyrant."
Mark reached across and touched Hunter's arm, withdrawing his hand when Hunter stiffened, "don't you know it; now what do you want?"
"Coffee."
"Coffe's not a breakfast.'
"It's all I want."
"Think of something else you want."
"There is nothing else."
"Think harder, boy."
"Fine, I'm thing. I'm thinking there's nothing I want."
"Stubborn boy. I'll order for you then."
"I won't eat it."
Yes you will, boy, yes you will."
"You gonna make me?"
"If I have to."
"Tyrant."
"Think what you like."
"Don't worry, I intended to."
"Smartass."
Hunter said nothing.
"So I'm getting the silent treatment again, am I? When's your doctor's appointment?" Mark gestured to Hunter's injured elbow.
"Today, at one. I fly to Atlanta tomorrow, if they think I need surgery. The trainer thought it was probable."
"I have a meeting with Vince today, so you'll have to go alone..."
" I never planned on taking you with me."
"If I had the time I might just change your plans. Lucky for you I don't. Don't forget who's in charge here, boy."
"How could i? You remind me eery ten seconds."
Mark laughed, "Perhaps not often enough then."
Hunter's remark was cut off by the room service cart.
"I didn't order anything, " Mark's voice sounded confused.
"The man in room 1346 sent it. He said to enjoy it, sir," the busboy looked confused, "he also sent you thins. He said you'd understand."
"Fine," Mark's voice sounded gruff, "I'll take it from here."
He wheeled the cart in. Hunter, coming in from the balcony, looked at the cart suspiciously, "Who sent that?"
"Vince."
Hunter's face contorted in anger, "I thought you said he didn't know."
"I told you I didn't tell him, I never said he didn't knoe. He probably guessed when I made my ... unusual request."
"Fine, whatever. I've got to go, appointment."
"I'll see you later little boy. I expect to hear how your day went."
"What am I? Five?"
"If it makes you feel better."
Hunter stormed out of the room, without eating, without looking back.
When the door slammed Mark began to huckle, and it was quite a while before he got himself under control again.
1 o'clock, Doctor's office...
"Six weeks?!?!"
"Four to six weeks weeks witht he surgery, Mr. Helmsley."
"Six weeks..."it was a whisper, barely audible to Hunter's own ears.
"Yes, Mr. Helmsley. Shall I phone Dr. Andrews and tell him you'll be there for surgery tomorrow?"
"Yes ... of course ... whatever."
Hunter wandered out of the doctor's office aimelessly, somehow finding a cab to take him back tot he hotel. He stumbled intot he elevator, no doubt looking quite drunk, got off at his flor, swayed his way over to the room, trembling hands inserting the key in the lock and unlockeing it with little trouble, before stumbling over to the bed, where he promptly fell asleep.
when Mark found the door already unlocked he pushe dit open, hoping the hinges wouldn't squeak, and enetered the room, doing his best impersonation of a jungle cat, yet again.
Three hours later...
Hunter awoke with a start, the first thing he saw upon waking were Mark's green eyes, sparkling with amusement.
"So, how'd it go?"
Hunter rolled over, hoping Mark would leave him alone and let him go back to sleep.
"I asked you a question, boy."
No such luck.
"Out for four to six weeks, surgery tomorrow, in Atlanta."
"Tough break."
"It's all your fault you know."
"How is it my fault?"
"I don't know, I don't fucking know, but it is, okay? It just is."
"Shhhhh. Calm down, Hunter."
"I am calm."
Mark made a chortling noise in the back of his throat.
"It's not funny, it's not!"
"Whatever you say, Hunter, whatever you say. Go back to sleep."
That was a command Hunter was happy to obey.
