"ITVR: Chapter 57"
Knocks.
By Jadedoll, Penumbren, & Raising Kane
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Shawn followed Dave's wave into the back seat, a little surprised when the big man pushed Hunter into the back as well. Not that he was going to complain, of course. Someday, though... someday, he looked forward to sitting back and watching his lovers with each other. The thought sent a pleasant shiver through him as he pictured dusky skin and tawny wrapped around each other... The sudden touch of Hunter's hand on his drew him back to the present and he smiled as Hunter twined their fingers together. Taking advantage of Hunter's position in the seat, Shawn edged closer to him, letting their entwined hands rest on Hunt's thigh. Promising himself that he'd be good and not ravish Hunter in the back seat with a driver watching them---not that there was really enough room to do anything anyway---he raised an inquiring eyebrow at the other blond's reply to Dave's question. "No David, not the hotel.... Could you take us to the Entech Building please? Great." The Entech Building? What in the world was Hunter up to? Recognising the smug look on Hunter's face, Shawn knew better than to ask any other questions. The man was obviously enjoying his little surprise, whatever it was, and Shawn was sure it would be well worth it once it was unveiled. Twenty minutes later, he wasn't feeling quite so patient. He'd never been good with waiting for surprises, and twenty minutes in a car with Hunter touching him and not able to touch back in any sort of way that he wanted to was pure torture. Hopefully they'd get used to it, since they would have to deal with appearances and separations in the future... but that was in the future. Right now, he just wanted to turn his head and kiss Hunter breathless. Climbing out of the car, highly aware of Hunter's hand at his waist guiding him, he smiled at Greg's banter, catching Dave's matching expression. The elevator ride was quiet but mercifully quick, and when the doors opened and they stepped out, Shawn stopped dead in his tracks as he took in their surroundings. "...I'm afraid I left my loincloth in my other bag." He heard Dave's voice beside them and even as lovely as the image of Dave in a loincloth was, Shawn couldn't stop staring at the scene in front of him. He'd always known that his best friend had a romantic streak, but he'd apparently underestimated the size of said streak by quite a bit. "God, Hunt... it's beautiful." Not quite realising that he'd spoken the thought out loud, he took a few steps further in, caught by the sight. He'd always love his desert home, but growing up in Texas had given him a huge, if generally unspoken, appreciation for forests and green expanses. This... this was amazing. The faint sounds of jazz coming through the trees gave it the perfect finishing touch. The quiet sound of Dave trying to muffle a chuckle made him turn to look at the man, and when he spotted him looking at the chilled bottles, Shawn had to smile himself. Dave was probably remembering the night before. Overindulgence was not in the plans for tonight, however. He had much better things to indulge tonight in than alcohol, after all... and Dave was one of them. Shaking his head slightly as he realised again how completely his life had changed in the last twenty-four hours, he walked up to the spread blanket and stretched out across the corner of it. Whatever Hunter had planned, Shawn could do no less than enjoy every second of it. **** Kevin drank in the sight in front of him, his eyes not leaving his lover as he slowly approached the bed. He drew in a deep breath, feeling his body responding eagerly as he remembered the teasing all day: the touches, the looks, the moments they'd stolen in Bradshaw's room... Watching as Scott's fingers moved along his length, his mouth watered, wanting to lean in and taste that drop of fluid, to push Scott's hand away and touch that loved flesh with his own. "Since it took you so long to get here, Chico, I thought I'd get a head start." Cocking his head as he stopped beside the bed, he couldn't help but smile a little. That certainly answered his earlier question. If Scott wanted to be punished for his earlier stunts, then Kevin was more than happy to oblige him. It had been so long since they'd done something like that, only teasing around the edges of it---until this morning---since their reunion such a short time ago. Remembering Scott arching against him, moaning, as he spanked him earlier, made his own length throb almost painfully in the tight jeans he was wearing, and he let that heat flow through him, reflecting in his eyes as he pulled his gaze back to Scott's face. "Head start? You got that earlier, Scott... when I had you across my lap." His voice was gruff but sure, a gentle note of teasing running through it in reaction to Scott's taunt. Reaching down, he wrapped his hand around Scott's wrist and pulled his hand up, leaning in to slowly lick the taste off of it. A soft growl emanated from him at the familiar, addictive flavour, and he locked eyes with Scott again as he released his hand. "Impatient tonight, Scott. You should've waited for me. You need some discipline." Settling on the bed next to his lover, Kevin ran a hand down Scott's side, his touch soft as his expression gentled. No matter how much he thirsted for this man, hungered for his taste, his touch, he'd never do anything to actually hurt him and especially tonight, he needed the reassurance that Scott wanted this as much as Kevin thought he did. "Love you Scotty," he said quietly, resting his palm over Scott's heart. "Trust me?" **** Mark burst through the curtain trailing an aura of adrenaline and anger�? like a�raincloud. Knowing�his dislike of Heyman was great, Jeff still didn't think it was enough to cause the look of total fury crossing the wickedly frowning features.�Seeing�the man's eyes shift over the dozen or so people in the prep area, Jeff almost tried to raise up on his tip-toes to catch�Mark's attention.�As if�something deep inside his heart�had taken over, Jeff called mentally,�'I'm here.' He needn't have bothered with the extra height, as the bright green orbs, charged with a heat that almost scorched Jeff's skin,�fixed on him almost immediately.�Like a magnet,�Jeff took an involuntary, but not unwilling, step�closer�to the tall man. His body drawn into the circle of energy pouring off Mark like a waterfall, Jeff's own nerves�beginning to thrum as they fed off the passion so close to them. Dumbstruck by the atmosphere of a post-performance Undertaker, Jeff's eyes followed the big�hat as Mark pulled it from his head in a flurry of black fabric. Was there anything more impressive than The Undertaker in all his glory? Jeff honestly doubted it, Mark just had a way about him that pushed all Jeff's buttons and pushed them hard. it'd probably be a good thing if we could talk for a while. Probably. But then, maybe not. If spending just these few hours in Mark's company had resulted in a shocking misunderstanding on�Jeff's part, freaking out Paul.E, a minor scuffle with Richard and a second aborted pass, then Jeff had no idea what would happen if they were alone for more than five minutes. It was just that every moment he was spending with 'Taker seemed like a combined gift and curse, and Jeff just knew he would have trouble giving it up at the end of his probation period. So, promising himself that he wouldn't get too 'up close' while they were talking, Jeff nodded his agreement to the idea, eyes still mesmerized by the looming figure in front of him. Why don't you go find whoever it was you wanted to talk to... We can head back to the hotel afterward. Now that was... actually a good idea. Despite the small wait by the curtain, Jeff felt he could use�some more�time�to himself, to sort out his actions and responses tonight without Mark's distracting presence. Also Mark was going to take him back to the hotel, so Jeff wouldn't have to bum a ride with one of the other guys. He'd still have to cadge a bed or a couch of someone though. Expecting Mark to�put him up for the night along with everything else would be pushing his luck way too far.� "I can do that," Jeff glanced at the people working around them, packing boxes and dismantling equipment. "I need to see if Ames is still in�the building and drive a bug up her butt if she is. I'll meet you at your room." Slipping his hands into his trouser pockets Jeff took a few strides towards the locker-rooms where the Divas were situated. A thought suddenly struck. Spinning, Jeff spoke while walking backwards, his own uncanny grace avoiding any collisions. "Can I buy you dinner? At the hotel, I mean. I don't know which it is, but they always have the restaurant open late when we're in town." Jeff felt a small rush of pride to be able to claim a place in the 'we' of the WWE. "You gotta be hungry and I'm starving." If he said no, Jeff wouldn't beg.� Much. **** Okay, next time Hunter organised this kind of thing, he was definitely ordering the loincloths. Dave as Tarzan would be too hysterical to miss and if he could get Shawn into a safari hat with a whip, well, more fun for Hunter. Maybe the place was a little overboard, but then, the owners of the building had enough money to do with as they would and if they wanted a garden on their roof, who was Hunter to argue? He'd rather just take advantage of the fact that they hadn't gone for a putting green and soak up the surprised pleasure in the two beloved faces beside him. God, Hunt... it's beautiful. Watching Shawn sprawl across the blanket, Hunter took a moment to admire his lover in their�paradise-like surroundings. The landscaper, to whom Hunter wanted to send a card, had cunningly hidden several lamps amongst the foliage, their diffused light granting the men enough illumination to see, without stealing from the sensual twilight feel. The orange tinged glow surrounded Shawn and played flickering shadows across his honey hair. He was like some kind of alluring, exotic jungle creature... well... except for the jeans and baseball cap, Hunter had to admit. But Shawn was still laid out like a feast for he and Dave and Hunt definitely planned on feasting tonight, in more ways than one. In response to his lovers' comments, Hunter merely shrugged. Placing a hand in the small of Dave's back he propelled the dark man over to their picnic spot with a smile. "Oh, it was nothing. I just whipped it all up in my spare time." Waving a hand at the obviously well established garden, Hunter kicked off his shoes and sat down next to the basket. Unloading about fourteen different kind of foodstuffs, Hunter took mental note to actually give Greg that bonus, and spread them all on the space between himself and the other two men. Pulling a bottle of white wine from one of the ice buckets, he poured glasses for himself and Shawn then tilted the neck of the bottle invitingly towards Dave's. "Will you be joining us tonight David? There isn't any coffee and trust me... I'm not having more than a glass. My liver will hate me enough for last night as it is." Hunter winced as soon at the words left his mouth, both in pain for his remembered hangover and for bringing the uncomfortable subject up right then and there. His lovers had forgiven him for his actions the previous evening, at least he presumed they had if their behaviour today was anything to go by. But he and Shawn hadn't spoken a word about it since that final, awful moment this morning, when his beautiful friend had hit him in the face and become his even more beautiful lover. When the man he had a crush on for months stopped Hunter's rage with a touch and burrowed so deeply into Hunt's heart he'd never want him out.�Dropping his wrist to his knee, Hunter looked at the mouth of the wine bottle for a moment before continuing. "Did I even say I was sorry?" He couldn't look at them. **** Smiling slightly as he watched his lovers settle themselves on the picnic blanket, Shawn sat up to take the glass of wine from Hunter, winking at Dave as he did so. Maybe he should be more reserved, more cautious, considering all the ups and downs that the three of them had already gone through in less than a day, but he couldn't be. If he didn't give his all to these two, give them himself as he really was, what kind of foundation would they be building together? Keeping part of his heart in reserve "just in case" just wasn't his style even if it was something that he'd been capable of doing. He watched Hunter unload the basket until he realised that Dave had been almost strangely quiet for the past few moments. Turning to look at the man, Shawn realised that he seemed almost... nervous? Frowning a little, he watched as Dave fidgeted while Hunter arranged the food. Well, whatever was wrong, hopefully it would be something that could be taken care of quickly. If something was bothering Dave, all he had to do was tell them about it, after all. They'd work things out. Scooting closer to the big man, he took advantage of Hunter's fiddling with dishes to lean in to Dave, wrapping an arm around his waist as he looked up at Dave inquiringly. Not getting a response, he realised that Dave was watching Hunter intently and was almost ready to wave a hand in front of his eyes to get his attention when Hunt seemed to break the odd spell. "I'm not having more than a glass. My liver will hate me enough for last night as it is." He couldn't prevent the wince that crossed his face any more than he could have prevented the instinctive urge to reach out and comfort. As terrible as last night had been, at least he'd had Dave to help him through it. Hunter had been alone, and from what Shawn had seen today, he'd suffered at least as much as Shawn had from their exchange last night. His free hand was already moving to cross the space between himself and Hunter when Hunt's next words stopped it in midair. "Did I even say I was sorry?" God. The sadness and guilt emanating from Hunter was almost a physical thing, rising up between them like a cloud. Biting his lip, Shawn released his hold on Dave with a quick apologetic glance before rolling to his knees and closing the few feet of distance between them. To see that kind of hurt on Hunter's face hurt him, and he'd practically made a second career over the last nine years of stopping Hunt's pain whenever he could. Stopping and sitting back on his haunches, Shawn reached out again, gently lifting the hand still wrapped around the wine bottle, twining his fingers through Hunt's, just like Hunter had done earlier. "Hunt..." His voice was low, husky from the morass of emotions surrounding them. Raising his other hand to stroke gently across Hunter's cheek, pausing at his chin to raise his head so that he could look into those whiskey eyes, he continued, "You did, actually. To�both�of us." Trailing his fingers down the side of Hunter's neck to rest on his shoulder, he tilted his head a little, a thread of regret for what had happened this morning running through the gentle note in his voice. "What you said hurt, Hunter. It hurt a lot. But it also pushed us to the point where we both had to face ourselves... and it's not as though I didn't hurt you in return." Tracing the now mostly-faded pink mark his blow had left that morning, Shawn smiled sadly at his lover. "I think it'll take longer for me to forgive myself than it will to forgive you, Hunter." "And while I'm not going to pretend like it never happened, it's not something we need to dwell on. We'll need to talk about�why it happened, but I don't think right now is the time." Leaning in until his lips were nearly touching Hunt's, he said softly, "Just promise me, and I'll promise you, that we'll never let things get to that point again. Deal?" He waited only long enough for Hunter's almost reluctant nod, then closed the tiny gap between them and kissed him, a soft touch of lips to lips, as his hand twined in Hunter's hair. It was a promise, an echo of the unspoken promise they'd made that morning with a similar kiss, and when it was over, Shawn looked into Hunter's eyes for a long moment before turning his head, resting it against Hunter's shoulder to smile at Dave. "And don't think you're excluded from that promise, Dave. You're just as pigheaded and close-mouthed as we are." **** As he looked at Kevin, took in his smile and the molten look in those deep green eyes, Scott knew that Kevin was thinking about their interaction earlier that night. He didn't have to look to know that Kevin's length lay hard inside his tight blue jeans. The look in Kevin's eyes told him that it was there. That hungry stare and the intent behind it made him shiver. "Head start? You got that earlier, Scott... when I had you across my lap." Yes, yes he had, but he hadn't been able to fully enjoy it then. He yearned for the contact of flesh on flesh... the feel of Kevin's hand meeting his bare skin. When Kevin tugged on his wrist, Scott easily released his hold on his swollen length. The flick of Kevin's tongue against his fingers increased the urgency he felt, as did the low growl that Kevin emitted. "Impatient tonight, Scott. You should've waited for me. You need some discipline." Yes, he was. Yes, he should have. Yes, he most certainly did. He hadn't pulled all those stunts for nothing. He couldn't have the full out scene that he was yearning for, not until they went home anyway, but he could have this... and he fully intended to. "Love you Scotty." The gentle touch along with the words had Scott twitching for more... more of anything. Scott laid his hand over top of Kevin's as it rested against his chest. "Trust me?" Slipping his hand under Kevin's, Scott wondered why Kevin needed to ask. If Kev needed the reassurance then Scott was going to give it to him. He lifted the warm hand to his lips, brushing against the back of it. "With all that I have and all that I am, Kev," he said huskily. "I trust you with my life... my love..." Pushing up onto his knees, he leaned into Kevin, his lips brushing gently against his lover's. "And I trust you to discipline me when I deliberately provoke you to it... just like I did tonight," he said slowly, his forehead touching Kevin's. After another teasing brush of lips on lips, Scott draped himself across Kevin's lap. His head pillowed on his arms, his eyes closed, he smiled. "I love you, Kev. Now give me what we've both been aching for." **** "I'll meet you at your room." Mark almost let out a sigh of relief; he'd been almost positive that Jeff would take the chance to get away from him until the next show. The kid had been acting even stranger than normal tonight, although understandably so considering the ups and downs with his contract that he'd had, and Mark was a little concerned about him. Of course, whatever was going on in that tie-dyed head meant that Jeff had apparently missed Mark's own uncharacteristic behavior, so maybe it was a good thing. In a bad way. Or something. Nodding, Mark started to turn away to head back to his own room when Jeff spun around again, catching his attention. "Can I buy you dinner? At the hotel, I mean... You gotta be hungry and I'm starving." Almost on cue, his stomach rumbled and a small smile came to his lips. "Sure. Sounds good." A nod of his head and he turned, ignoring everyone around him as he walked down the hall, his mind spinning.� What in the world was going on with him tonight? Sure, he'd been lonely for a helluva lot longer than he'd like to think about, but what the hell was he doing, playing this odd little game with Jeff? Why had he gone to Vince for the man when he wasn't sure if Jeff could be reliable? Why had he pulled Jeff into his arms? Why had he run his fingers through that surprisingly soft hair? Why was the memory of Jeff in the shower haunting his thoughts? Why couldn't he forget how Jeff felt in his arms? Cursing, he flung open his locker room door and strode in,�slamming it shut behind him as he threw his hat almost violently at the wall. Sinking down onto a bench, he propped his chin on his hands and stared at the wall. Sure, the man was attractive; he was compelling, somehow; he reminded him of Shawn, but that wasn't the reason for Mark's fascination. And it was definitely a fascination. Why couldn't he get the thought of Jeff pressed up against him, naked, out of his mind? It hadn't happened, and it sure as hell wasn't going to happen. Especially now that he practically held Jeff's future in his hands; he'd never played that sort of game before, had in fact helped put a stop to it, and he wasn't about to start now no matter how tempting the thought was. Standing up abruptly, he stripped off his clothes, leaving them where they hit the floor and grabbed his towel before heading into the shower. If he didn't�get�these totally inappropriate thoughts out of his mind, he'd never be able to work with the kid. Shaking his head at himself, he turned the water on with an almost vicious wrench, the heat from the water almost immediately sending up steam around him. Relaxing under the hot spray, he sighed noiselessly into the falling drops as he forced his mind to blankness, his eyes drifting shut as he tilted his head back. With his mind finally at some sort of rest, he slowly became aware of his body: the lingering ache in his shoulder, the touch of a headache from not eating coming on... the hard heat throbbing between his legs. Almost of its own accord, his hand reached down to wrap around his hardening shaft, his thumb rubbing idly across the sensitive head. Biting his lip, he tightened his grasp with a shiver and thrust up into his fist, a strangled noise escaping him at the delicious friction that sent slivers of pleasure dancing across his veins. He really shouldn't be doing this, not now, not with Jeff coming back at any minute... As if summoned by the name, the vision he'd had of Jeff earlier in this same shower returned to his mind, but this time those green eyes glowed through the steam, the long-fingered hands reaching up to rest on his shoulders as they had earlier as Jeff pressed close against him. Groaning, a shudder working its way through him, he stroked faster, his other hand reaching out to the�cool�wall for support. Imagining those long fingers wrapping around him, sliding over him, made him gasp, his fingers clenching uselessly against the water-slicked tile as his own fingers mimicked the ones in his fantasy. So close already... it had been so long since he'd had anyone to share this with... Unbidden, he wondered suddenly what those clever lips would feel like wrapped around his cock. A single harsh cry, half-growl and half-shout, fell from his mouth as he tensed. His fingers never stopped their movement as that single thought sent him over the edge, white-hot pleasure flooding his body as he came in long hot jets. It seemed like forever, but only moments later he opened his eyes. Panting as though he'd just run a race, he let his hand fall away as he bowed his head while he tried to regain his breath, the falling water washing away the evidence of his release. If only the guilt that was overwhelming him now would wash away as easily. **** Dave watched as Shawn walked over to the blanket and stretched out. He looked almost fey... magical in a sense as if he didn't quite belong in this world... and tempting as all hell. He could imagine Shawn in that same spot without a stitch of clothing, spread out like a bountiful feast on the picnic blanket. Catching his lip between his teeth, he withheld the quiet whine trying to escape. Damn. He really needed to focus on something... anything... else. Hunter's hand on his back as he guided him towards the blanket brought him out of his little fantasy world for the moment. It also brought him back to his plan for later. Damn was he nervous. It should be easy, after all Hunter already knew the most important part of what he was going to say. He wouldn't be on pins and needles waiting for the man's response. Shawn was another story. He had no clue how Shawn would react to what he was going to say. Watching Hunter unload the basket, Dave realized that he was almost too nervous to eat anything. He felt Shawn cuddling up to him, but at the moment he was focused on Hunter. The motions of Hunter setting out the food gave him something to focus on... something to keep the nausea at bay. He noticed the quiet slide of the elevator doors and noticed Bob, the security guy, setting their bags to the left of the opening before the doors slid shut again. Dave's eyes immediately refocused on Hunter. He'd completely forgotten to bring the bag with him. Thankfully he wouldn't have to run down to the car to fetch it or worse yet, the driver could have taken off with it. Dave was determined to do this after they ate. Then he could either settle back and enjoy the rest of the night with his lovers or try to settle Shawn down if he freaked out. "...I'm not having more than a glass. My liver will hate me enough for last night as it is." Oh boy. There was another subject that they needed to cover at some point in time, though hopefully it wouldn't be yet tonight. Dave was intensely curious about the previous benders that Hunt had gone on, but that wasn't something to dwell on... not right now. "Did I even say I was sorry?" Dave watched Shawn move immediately to comfort Hunter. It almost broke his heart to see Hunter's anguish. He had apologized and they had forgiven him. Not that Dave had so much to forgive. Hell, if anything he'd been the one to set everything in motion, but he'd be damned if he apologized for that. He couldn't apologize for something that had resulted in the three of them ending up together. He completely agreed with everything that Shawn said in his bid to soothe Hunter. It wasn't something that they needed to dwell on now and even if he had to poke, prod, and pinch Hunter to get him to open up when something was bothering him, Dave would do so. He smiled at the gentle kiss between Shawn and Hunter. As he reached over to snag Hunter's wineglass--damn was he thirsty--Shawn turned and looked at him. "...You're just as pigheaded and close-mouthed as we are." Dave couldn't help his mouth dropping open. "You're kidding, right? With the things that have managed to slip out of my mouth today?" He shared a conspiratorial look with Hunter even as a slight blush crept across his cheeks. "I'm considering buying a padlock for it." Dave took a healthy drink of the wine. He'd have to eat. If he didn't get something in his stomach, he'd end up getting buzzed within the hour. "And I'm not near as pigheaded as either one of you. I may have my moments, but most of the time I'm completely reasonable." He nodded. He'd almost added that at least it hadn't taken him ten years to admit he loved someone, but he managed to catch it before it slipped out by lifting the glass to his mouth again. He was too close to doing this right, damn it. He wasn't about to spoil it now. He knew, just knew, that Shawn was going to argue with what he'd said. He smiled at the blond and as he opened his mouth, Dave grabbed a strawberry from a nearby plate and popped it into Shawn's mouth. He grabbed another strawberry from the plate and fed it to Hunter as well. "I think I've just found the second best way to keep you from arguing with me." Of course neither of them would have to guess what the best method of keeping them quiet would be. They already knew. **** Hunter looked up as the wine bottle was carefully removed from his grasp. Shawn was touching him, bringing his face up so that he could look into his lover�s gorgeous sea blue eyes. Eyes that Hunt had found himself lost in over the years they�d been the best of friends. Whether looking at him across the ring, or laughing by his side on one of their not particularly well thought out DX antics, Shawn�s eyes and the love he now realized lurking in them, was his anchor. He wanted to say �sorry, sorry� over and over for what he�d done last night. For the bald-faced lie he�d told Shawn when he believed it was the right thing to do, for letting Shawn climb from that damned limo with tear-drenched sea-blue eyes that could break Hunt�s heart. But warm, affectionate kisses stopped his words, stopped the flood of guilt that threatened to spoil the brief moments of privacy the three of them had finally found. I think it'll take longer for me to forgive myself than it will to forgive you, Hunter. And of course� Shawn forgave him. It was just that simple. Hunter had lied, fucked up and hurt one of the two most important people in his life� and Shawn forgave him. The gentle kisses peppering his face would have bought Hunt to his knees if he hadn�t already been leaning against the picnic basket. So lovely to feel those soft, sweet lips he�d once only dreamed about, now granting him caresses that he wasn�t a hundred percent sure he deserved. God, how had he ever doubted that Shawn loved him? His beloved friend didn�t carry his heart on his sleeve, despite his previous relationships, and Hunt would have been blind to miss the affection he�d been granted, well beyond that of a loyal friend, more like that of a lover� just without the good parts. Ahhh yes� �blind� was a nice way of putting it. Taking a moment to nuzzle his face against the warm curve of Shawn�s neck, Hunter chuckled at his lovers� banter. Stubborn was also the nice way of putting it and Hunter would be the first to argue Dave�s own closed-mouthness. Their own bizarre not-courtship, was a study in lack of communication, although Hunter had tried to get the guy to go out on a date with him. He just... ahhh� hadn�t made it clear that it would be a date. But then Dave could hardly claim to have given off �signals�. The man had watched him from the high seats for months apparently without giving even the slightest indication that he was interested in more than a wary friendship from Hunter. Now well� Hunt being married may indeed justify some reserve on Dave�s part, but Hunter hadn�t had a single clue� not a one. Dave was the true master of the poker face if it came down to a contest between the three of them. You're just as pigheaded and close-mouthed as we are. Opening his eyes, Hunter shared Dave�s look and returned a warm one of his own. Oh yes. Some things had been blurted out by Mr. Batista tonight and Hunter wasn�t about to forget them. But he could see from the slight tension in Dave�s shoulders and hands that perhaps bringing the subject up would be a seriously bad idea. Dave hadn�t said anything to Shawn yet, they�d been asleep when Hunt found them in the dressing room, and the last thing Hunter wanted was to push Dave before he was ready. The dark man had already suffered from Mark�s inadvertent pressure and Hunt knew that this time� Dave would prefer to run things at his pace. Smote with regret that he�d cast a sour blanket of guilt over his �Romantic Dinner for Three�, Hunter kissed Shawn�s temple in gratitude for the comfort and leaned over to finally fill the third wine glass. But before he could finish, he found a strawberry popped expertly between his lips. Biting down, Hunter smiled around the fruit and caught the end in one hand so it wouldn't fall. I've just found the second best way to keep you from arguing with me. Cocking an eyebrow, Hunter pulled the strawberry from his lips with a sensual lick and matched Dave's not-innocent expression. But then... did Dave actually know a way to keep Hunter shut up? They hadn't gone there yet... or he hadn't gone that direction yet anyway. Something he'd have to take care of in the near future, Hunter was a 'return the favour' kind of guy... when he could stop running like a girl that is. �Thank you Love,� he grinned to both men with a wicked look at Dave, hoping his expression reflected his thoughts. Yeah well� he was still The Game after all. Lifting his glass, Hunter took in their exotic surroundings, his two beautiful lovers and the magnificent feast laid amongst them. �To first dates... at least for me.� **** Sure. Sounds good. Jeff was NOT going to dance like a three-year old watching the Wiggles. No way. Okay, so maybe if he does a weird little slide as he reaches the door of the Diva�s dressing room, it could be considered a dance� but Jeff would skin alive anyone who even so much as mentioned it. He may be a rock-boy by nature, but there was a difference between getting down on a dance floor crammed with a hundred other crazy people and dancing at work because he got a date. It wasn�t even a real date anyway� just dinner. Dinner with Mark. In a restaurant. Where people would see them together and think Mark was there�. with Jeff. As his date. Sweet. Knocking politely, because a man who wanted to keep his hands attached to his body always knocked politely on the Divas door, Jeff waited and hoped that his brother�s girlfriend hadn�t left already. What was up between the two lovebirds was anyone�s guess and Jeff didn�t have the slightest clue. But she hadn�t called or visited for two weeks and unfortunately the WWE just didn�t give the Women�s Division that much to do to have work as a credible excuse. Matt�s knee surgery had been put off for as long as humanly possible, almost beyond it if Jeff was honest, and now that he was laid up, Amy was acting weird. It was no secret the Team X-Treme had been having �issues� but most everyone put the blame for that at Jeff�s door, and rightly so. It had been Jeff�s fault that they hadn�t been able to work together anymore, he�d fucked up grandly with his brother and their estrangement had fueled speculation as to the reasons for Jeff�s recent erratic behaviour. More erratic than normal that is. Rumours had flown with everything from Jeff fucking Amy and being caught by Matt, to Jeff fucking Matt and being caught by Amy, to Jeff being raped by a crazed fan and then fucking Amy, to Jeff being a drug addict and trying to fuck Matt. If it wasn�t such an indictment on people�s opinion of Jeff�s character then it would be funny, in a sick twisted Hardy sort of way. The truth, of course, was far less sensational and really just kinda sad. But he�d worked his ass off to get back into his brother�s graces, Matt�s injury giving them the silver lining of being stuck in one place for four months and forced to talk, rather than yell. Oh his brother had put him through the wringer, emotionally ripping his guts out and stuffing them back in, in the right order. Matt, once again, had grounded Jeff when he�d been on the verge of flying off the edge of the world and pulled him back into his arms and his life. Right now, anything that threatened or hurt Matt caused such a protective instinct to rise up in Jeff, that he wondered if he�d be able to keep a civil tongue in his head when talking to Matt�s lover of several years. It was god�s honest truth that Jeff would die for his brother in an instant� kicking Amy�s ass was easy in comparison. �Hey Rainbow Brite, I heard you were back.� Stacey Keibler was the one human being who could get away with calling Jeff that without being kicked in the shin. Simply because the girl was just so damn sweet that Jeff couldn�t take offense for fear if he told her how much he hated it, she�d be upset. Now he worked with some of the toughest women on the planet, no doubt there, and Stacy, for all her little-girl bimbo-ness, was as savvy as they come. But even still, Jeff would be beside himself if he got Stacy upset over something as stupid as a nickname� it would be like pulling the head off your sister�s Barbie doll. Nice boys just don�t do that kind of thing. Jeff considered himself fortunate that Stacy thought he was nice. He was sure it was a world first. �Hello Legs, why�re you still here?� Jeff waited patiently while Stacy got the �all clear� from the other occupants from the room. Despite Vince�s chauvinistic tendency to get the girls as naked as possible on a regular basis, it wasn�t in most of the wrestlers' nature to be voyeuristic about the women on the roster. They were work-mates as well as friends and they were treated like meat enough as it was. With a giggle and hair flick that was so practiced she could have been a shampoo model, Stacy waved Jeff in and indicated the red-head seated on the locker room floor. �We have to sign some stuff for the new DVD and find out where they�re taking us for the shoot.� �Ahhh� not the Bahamas this time? You girls got it made, I�d love an all expenses paid trip to a tropical island so I could roll around in the surf with my gear off.� There was a somewhat thoughtful silence as Jeff crossed the room to sit next to his long-time friend. �Hi Jeff, you�re back.� He didn�t even get a smile, let alone any kind of hug. But then, he probably wouldn�t be hugging himself either in this situation. �Yeah, doing the rounds with Melrose. You know the drill.� Jeff picked at the button on the cuff of his jacket. �You gonna call Matt?� The thoughtful silence suddenly became very tense. �Yes� of course I am. Just been busy.� Amy Dumas still hadn�t looked him in the eye. For Amy, a woman who prided herself on her up-front nature, it was almost unheard of. Jeff looked at the phone on the dressing table under the mirrors and the obviously bored and waiting Divas. �Sure.� So did he get to the ass kicking now, or just deliver his personal little message and head out? Matt wouldn�t thank him for putting his two cents in and the last place Jeff wanted to be was caught between his brother and his brother�s girl if things went south. So� he�d be discreet. In his own way. �Well, whatever the fuck is up with you two, I so don�t wanna know. But if you don�t call him soon, he�s gonna come find you, busted-ass knee and all.� Amy�s head had snapped up at the harsh tone in Jeff�s voice. Meeting her gaze, he realized something that hadn�t been obvious from her posture. She was scared... of Jeff. But why? Amy knew he�d never lay a hand on her for no reason, therefore, there must be a reason. A reason that would cause her to be afraid of what Jeff would do when he found out. Jeff suspected he knew exactly what Amy should be afraid of and if he didn�t get out of this room in five seconds, then Stacy would never think of him as �nice� again. �Fucking call him, then come and tell him or I swear I�ll drag you home by the hair myself.� Rising to his feet in one fluid movement, Jeff threw a quick nod in the direction of Trish and Stacy then bolted out the door before he did or said something that would bring his brother�s wrath down upon his shoulders. By the time he reached Mark�s door, he had walked off the flare of anger and shaken his arms to loosen the tension he�d felt at Amy�s reaction. Swallowing a lump in his throat that wasn�t due to nerves at all, Jeff knocked once again� politely. **** to be continued... |