"ITVR: Chapter 62"
Declarations.
By Jadedoll, Penumbren, & Raising Kane
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The quick kiss Hunter had received in answer to his request to see his lovers entwined together, brought up an answering�twitch of the lips�to match Dave's. The speed with which the dark man scooted from the bed to their bags was enough to broaden that twitch into a smile. Hunter was pleased that Dave had seen fit to pack some lube for their 'getting to know you' threesome, as he hadn't bought any in... god... years. 'Talk about a dry spell, Champ.' Well at least the voice in his head sounded like Ric now, rather than his father-in-law. Although the idea of suffering a mental commentary of the proceedings from Richard Flair was enough to stifle Hunt's ardour to a manageable level. A level that was blown to hell as his lovers began necking right in front of him. God did that look good. Dark and light. Dave and Shawn. Lips locked together like they were lonely when apart and gorgeous muscled bodies straining to be one. When they weren't focused on him, Hunter was all for joining in, his hands desperate to stroke Shawn's hair, his mouth aching to trace Dave's shoulders with his tongue. If they would let him go now, he'd be able to... to... Run away like a girl the moment they try to touch you. Dammit. Ric was gonna be worse than Vince. Biting his lip to keep from asking to be released, Hunter let his head fall back against the headboard and let his eyes feast on the sight before him. Shawn and Dave, still touching, stroking each other and Dave asking... Dave asking... couldn't ask last night when I was holding you because it wasn't right... what it would feel like to have you over me.. .inside me Hell, Dave hadn't needed to give them the toys earlier... if that wasn't a declaration of love, Hunter didn't know what was. Not the asking to be made love to, god no. That was just trusting someone to make it good for you and Hunt knew without a doubt his lovers took that trust on joyously. No... it was the words Dave chose to couch his request in, that had Hunt's heart squeezing in his chest. Could the man get any better? Hunter was beginning to see that he and Shawn had seriously lucked out by landing Dave Batista in their lives. Then Shawn bit Dave. Bit him. Damn that was hot. Hunter knew that indulging his voyeuristic side with these two would cause him more than just blue balls, but he'd had no idea how arousing it would be to watch the foreplay. He didn't think he'd manage to ignore anything they did to each other and could feel the desire to get free, to run, to pounce on his lovers rising up again. God this was so hard. Smirking at his own pun, Hunter tried again to relax back as Dave pulled Shawn over him and the two settled�onto the pillows next to�him, mouth locked once again in a fire-hot kiss. While his shoulders were still as hard as rocks and his fingers still occasionally tugged on the ties, Hunt's body was beginning to accept the fact that it wasn't going anywhere. So he really just should settle back and enjoy the show. **** Jeff was walking on air as he heard the dead silence in the lift behind him greet his previous declaration. Yeah, he'd been trying to out-tease Waltman by not denying a relationship between he and Mark, but he'd also wanted to show that he could handle that kind of question when aimed at them. He didn't know who would be the next one to take a shot at Mark over him, but Jeff was determined to�take that hit as well. Mark was doing him a favour; he shouldn't have to cop this kind of shit over it too. He could guess Mark's room, but he'd probably be wrong, so taking a punt, Jeff slowed his walk and lingered near a potted plant exactly halfway down the hall. If Mark's room�was past him, then cool, if he was earlier on then Jeff wouldn't look too much like an idiot walking back the way he'd come. Hey, Jeff. Wait up a minute. Steeling himself for another verbal assault, Jeff dangled his overnight bag from one hand and cocked his head at the curly haired man catching up to him. In this mood, he knew he was unreadable and kind of off-putting, but he didn't care. Right now, he had to be bulletproof. I'm sorry... for asking. I wasn't going to, but they gave me that look so I did it just to be a prick. Jeff smiled slightly without any humour, nodding his acceptance of the apology and the friendly punch. He'd guessed that Waltman was just trying to stir up trouble and wasn't really upset with the man anymore. Curiousity was just Sean Waltman's middle name, you couldn't really hate him for it, especially when he acted so quickly to fix the mess he'd made. Problem was, in this case, Waltman had no idea that the mess Jeff was in was unfixable by him or anyone else. Mark's been alone for a long time and he's a good guy... Oh... Jeff hadn't known that. Still keeping his expression completely neutral, Jeff let that tidbit of information swirl around his head for a moment. He'd guessed Mark was single, given the lack of screaming boyfriend kicking Jeff's ass all over the arena for going after his man in the shower, but he hadn't realised he was... lonely. Jeff could feel his heart twist in sympathetic agreement with that feeling. He had felt so very alone even with his last... partner... and hadn't found anyone yet with whom he felt any kind of connection beyond the physical. The bitch of it was... he reckoned he had found that connection, with Mark. Someone for whom the physical was out of Jeff's reach like a child jumping for an escaped balloon. He could go find Dom and get fucked to within an inch of his life and absolutely loathe the man or he could fall harder and harder for 'tall, dark and sexy' and keep his hands to himself. Sometimes life sucked. With all that unusual PDA he was showing you. Bullshit. Mark was like that with everyone. He'd been just the same when they'd worked together all those months ago. They hadn't even known each other beyond a polite nod and Mark would help him off the�mat with a strong�hand and ruffle his hair when he told a lame-ass joke. The big man was just like that... he touched people all the time. It was Jeff's problem that those minor, unconscious touches were like tiny�electric shocks to his nervous system. ...was kind of hoping you liked him back... at least a little bit. Jeff lost his Mr. Smirky expression the moment the words left Waltman's mouth. Shut up, shut up! he wanted to yell at the man in front of him. Flicking a desperate glance down the hall, Jeff was relieved to see that Mark and Jacobs were still out of earshot... although not for much longer if their long-legged strides were anything to go by. Pasting on what he knew was a hopeless excuse for a smile, Jeff spoke through gritted teeth, his voice low and harsh. "I know he's a great guy Sean, I'm not blind okay. It's not like that for him, I know okay? Just... can you leave it alone? Please? He's been copping that kinda shit from Heyman all night and I doubt he wants to hear it from his friends." The words had barely left his lips when Mark was there, by Jeff's side. His hand on Jeff's shoulder in a reassuring grasp that�he hadn't even realised he'd been so in need of. Waltman looked like he was going to say more, probably in response to Jeff's low-voiced comments�and Jeff didn't want Mark�hearing anymore about the supposed 'them', something that would�bring forth the painful denials,�if Jeff didn't divert them real quick. Dragging his expression back to a semblance of good will, he answered Waltman's original question from the lift. "I'm on probation right now. Maybe a couple of months, it's up to Vince to see if I pass muster. I can't wait to find out what he's gonna get creative to do for me this time 'round." An eye roll to indicate the common feeling towards that particular department. "Not." Jeff couldn't look at Mark right then, promises made earlier be damned. He had his heart in his eyes right now and was far too vulnerable standing in this hotel hallway. "So what room number are you 'Taker? I'm ready to crash and I didn't even work tonight." Damn. That sounded worse out loud than it had in his head. **** 3.15am Adam sounded so damn frustrated that CJ actually considered letting him sleep through, bleed on the brain or not. But he was made of sterner stuff than that and the risk to Adam was just too great to ignore the treatment every man and his dog in the WWE knew all too well. At least he was trying to be funny about it and if Adam didn�t know the President then Chris would dance around the room naked. Or, given that that might actually happen at some time in the near future, CJ would break into Shelton�s room and� err� steal Benoit�s title belt and� anyway, he would do something that he might not normally do. Shaking his head free of the bizarre cobwebs that seem to have infested it, Chris was brought back to definite reality by the roaming hand of his COCKTEASE lover. He almost missed the first few strokes to his thigh, but not the slight snicker muffled by the pillow against his middle or the unrepentant groping taking place below said pillow. Chris wondered if he would react like this every time Adam touched him or if it was just a �honeymoon� thing. Their lovemaking had been almost entirely one-sided not that long ago and CJ�s memories of their first night were beginning to blur into a mass of �hotness� that threatened to push the pillow into new and wonderful directions. Tilting his head back against the headboard, Chris almost arched into the touch, his hands fisted in the sheets to stop the movement and stifle the demanding growl that threatened to erupt at Adam�s teasing. Sure, turnabout was fair play, but Chris had fulfilled his promises to Adam earlier, this was just unfair. After a few moments of totally deliberate fondling, Adam removed his taunting hand and went back to sleep. Well fine. It was 3 fucking 30 in the morning and Chris was half-hard, very horny and his boyfriend was passed out from a concussion. Chalk up one more reason to feed Terry his balls next time Chris saw him. Yeah, that would do it. Thinking of Rhyno would be like a cold shower on CJ�s groin and hopefully put him to sleep. Resetting the alarm, Chris gently nudged Adam back onto the mattress and slid down in the bed, facing the long line of Adam�s spine. He wanted to reach out and stroke his lover�s skin, but that might wake him and Chris knew Adam did need all the rest he could get. Instead he just settled down to watch the slow, even rise and fall of Adam�s ribs, his breathing finally normal after the battering he took. What got Chris was why Terry had such a bug up his butt about him and Adam being together. From what he�d heard, often with clenched fists, Terry had derived a sick amusement from knowing Adam was playing the field. He�d never hunted down and beat Adam up because he�d picked up a ring rat to take home, so why had CJ as his bedmate caused such a spectacular reaction? Had Terry actually thought he�d have a chance to get back into Adam�s good graces while the tall blond was sleeping around, but then realized he was screwed when he�d seen them together? The Fuckhead had seemed to know about Adam liking� no actually� wow� loving Chris, even before he did, so perhaps it was just sour grapes that had caused the fight. Chris mentally shook his head and reached out to rest the palm of his hand between Adam�s shoulder blades. If Terry had had the slightest chance of getting back with Adam, then putting the guy through a wall had bombed that idea into the dirt. It was like the man was doing a primitive If I Can�t Have Him No Man Will statement to CJ and was willing to do some serious damage to Adam to achieve it. Well� fuck him. Chris had the fantastic good taste to pick a lover with guts as well as smarts and if Terry thought he could take out Adam Copeland with a shoulder and some help from a wall then he was dumber than he looked. Feeling his body relax, Chris lifted his damaged hand and cradled it against his chest. He hadn�t even started on all the reasons he should be kicking Terry�s ass. Firstly being the �Bitch� comment and closely followed by thinking he could do CJ some injury in the ring. �Been tried by bigger and better men than you Fuckhead,� Chris murmured, his eyes closing on the sight of Adam�s tangled hair. 4.15am �Okay, okay. Shut the fuck up already!� Chris snarled at his phone, pressing the red button insistently in the dark. A disgusted sigh came from the other pillow. �Look Babe, I know who you are and you know who I am, and I�ll put you through a wall if you say Terry.� Chris grumbled at the ceiling. �So just tell me what my punishment would be if I flashed Shelton and Randy before their match on Sunday and we�ll call you �aware� okay?" **** Lost in the sweet, sweet taste of Dave's mouth as they tried their best to exchange air, Shawn was caught by surprise as the world abruptly shifted. Catching Dave's moan in his mouth and returning it heartily, Shawn shuddered as their cocks bumped together, the delicious friction upping the urgency of his body's demands. The whine from Dave made him smile to himself---the sounds of their Animal lost in lust were positively addicting, and he was more than willing to be a slave to that habit. The sudden thought of wearing Dave's collar flashed through his mind as Dave settled back against the bed, and his eyes closed for a moment. It had been a long time since he'd played those kinds of games, but from all the little cues he'd picked up today, Dave would more than willing to play with him... and Hunter might be, too. He hadn't been with anyone he trusted enough to play those games with... but he'd trust these two with anything, without even stopping to think about it. Twitching against his lover as Dave's hands skimmed over his ass, he bit his lip against the plea that wanted to tumble out. Dave had already asked that Shawn take him, and he wasn't about to argue with that. They'd have plenty of time for other combinations, and he was going to have his fill of that particular need, no pun intended, later tonight. Casting a quick, sidelong glance at Hunter, Shawn was mesmerised for a moment by the intensity of that burning amber gaze. His eyes wandering down Hunter's body, he was gratified to see Hunter's response to their show, although the sight sent another pulse of want through him. Dave's fingers dragging across the sensitive skin of his inner thighs, brushing against him in the most intimate of spots, made him squirm, soft noises slipping out of his lips. God, did he want more. But in this position, he couldn't really respond. Pulling reluctantly away from Dave's hungry lips, Shawn smiled at him before levering himself upward, straddling Dave's thighs for a moment as he simply looked, taking in the gorgeous sight before him. All dusky skin and dark eyes... all for him. For now, his mind amended with quiet humour, because he was definitely looking forward to watching Hunter and Dave together at some point soon. That would be a show that could never have too many repeats. Where to start? So many options... Tracing his fingers gently over Dave's collarbone, tucking away certain spots for future exploration based on Dave's shivers, he allowed himself to slowly move further down. A barely-there touch brushed across a small dark nipple, and Dave's response told Shawn that his hunch had been correct. Teasing the small nub with feather-light touches for a moment, Shawn leaned down and ran his tongue over the other one, tasting the enticing bit of flesh. Scooting back, Shawn continued his own exploration, discovering Dave's sensitive spots with slow caresses and nibbles, intent on tasting as much of his lover's body as he could, this first time that they had together. Right now, he wanted Dave to be a whimpering mess before he moved on to anything else... and Shawn always got what he wanted. Bypassing the straining length standing out proudly between Dave's legs, Shawn shifted to kneel between the strong thighs, his tongue tracing a gliding path from the sharp hipbone around the curve of upper thigh, glancing teasingly against the soft sac lying there. Without lifting his head to look up from the sight in front of him, he groped to the side, trying to find the small tube that he'd dropped when Dave had moved him so effortlessly. His fingers skimmed across Hunter's thighs, accidentally brushing against Hunter's shaft on the way. At the choked sound that drew out of Hunter's throat, Shawn did finally look up, his half-sincere apology dying unspoken at the burning look that met him. A small, wicked smile slowly curving his lips, Shawn glanced over and saw the tube lying beside Hunter's hip. With slow, deliberate movements, his fingers wandered over Hunter's thighs, brushing against the straining flesh between them more than once in their haphazard quest. Finally taking pity on his restrained lover, he picked up the tube, leaned over to press a promising kiss to Hunter's hip, and returned his full attention to Dave. Popping open the cap on the tube, Shawn had Dave's full attention as he squeezed some of the contents out onto his fingers, rubbing them together to warm it before leaning forward, his hair falling across his face as he ran a finger delicately across the sensitive entrance, watching Dave closely. "Ready, sweetheart?" he rasped, pausing before going any farther. **** "I was afraid too.... I wasn't sure where this would fit in with how we are now." The roughness of Scott's voice only served to remind Kevin of exactly what they were discussing, and he tightened his grasp on Scott's waist slightly. He'd been right; Scotty had known what he was thinking. Knowing that his lover had shared his doubts, if for slightly different reasons, made his own lingering fears subside. "It's part of who we are and I love who we are. I love you." A shiver ran down Kevin's spine at those emotion-filled words, the absolute love and trust and sincerity behind them obvious in Scott's expressive eyes. He'd never get tired of hearing that from Scott, not ever. Before he could respond in kind, the soft kiss stole his words away. Just a ghost of a touch, but it moved him almost more than what they'd just shared had, because Scott's entire being was contained in that brief touch. "Your kiss is the best kind of addiction." Now that was something he could agree with; his addiction to the dark-haired man in his arms had only grown with time, and Kevin knew that it would continue to do so. His mind was caught by Scott's words, though, and even while he listened with mingled love and embarrassment, something in the back of his mind was trying to catch his attention about what Scott was saying. Scott's finger at his lips drew him back to the moment, however, and he couldn't stop himself. "Just thinking about how warm and wet it is, is almost enough to get me off." Really? Kevin slid his lips around the digit with a hint of a smile, sucking gently. That was something he'd have to remember. Filing it away for future reference, the quiet whine from his lover made him mischievous and he bit down on the finger in his mouth. Gently, of course, but hard enough to be felt. Laughing himself as he watched Scott inspect the "wounded" digit, he was taken by surprise at Scott's next words. "But the thing I love most about your mouth is your smile. It's another beautiful part of you, Kev." Blinking away a sudden suspicious moisture in his eyes, Kevin was speechless as he looked at Scott. Not quite sure what had caused these little declarations today, he wasn't about to argue with his longtime lover; he'd learned the futility of that long ago. Instead, he leaned forward after a long moment and pressed his lips to Scott's, trying to express the depth of emotion that this man brought of him through that simple touch. Leaning his forehead against Scott's once they separated, Kevin smiled at him again. "I don't always have your way with words, Scott... not in this setting, anyway." A small gesture with his hand to indicate the room and a hint of ruefulness creeping into his smile, Kevin continued, "So all I can really say is how much I love you." Pausing, he gathered his thoughts for a minute, knowing that he was about to say some things he'd never expressed out loud before. "I think I loved you the first time I saw you, you know that? It took a lot longer to tell you that, of course, but I was scared... you meant so much to me that I didn't want to risk what we had." Shifting so that he could run his fingers through Scott's hair, he cleared his throat. This sort of thing wasn't particularly easy for him, but he felt that it was necessary, right now more than ever. They were rebuilding their relationship and he wanted it to be on firm, honest foundations. Which meant that Kevin needed to tell Scott exactly how much he mattered. "Once I did... it made that risk seem so meaningless because we were so much more afterward. It wasn't always good or easy, but it was worth it because I had you. When I..." walked out on you. The words caught in his throat and he stopped, taking a deep breath as he forced himself to meet Scott's eyes. "Our time apart taught me that without you, I don't have anything. You are everything to me, Scotty." Running out of words, Kevin shrugged slightly, a self-deprecating smile on his lips. "I love you." **** He was standing too close to Jeff. He could see the curious expression on Glen's face, one of his few long-time friends and who undoubtedly hadn't missed his odd behavior tonight. Normally he didn't drop random touches or stand this close to people... unless he cared about them. That thought lead to him sucking in a quiet breath as he had to face the obvious. Suddenly not caring what Glen or Sean thought, Mark knew that he had to get himself and Jeff into his room... not for any sudden declarations of emotion. No. Even if he did care about Jeff---and he had to acknowledge, however reluctantly, that he did---the situation they were in right now made that sort of thing unthinkable. Except... Did it? Hearing Jeff's response to Sean's original question in the background of his suddenly swirling thoughts, Mark thought about his friends. Kevin, Shawn, and Glen had all assumed that there was something more going on... even after his protests. Glen didn't know about the exact position that he and Jeff were in... dammit, why couldn't he stop thinking about Jeff earlier in the shower? That hadn't been a good thing... but the sight had been almost stunningly beautiful. With an impatient mental shrug, Mark tried to follow the thoughts that were racing around his mind, just out of reach. He was responsible for Jeff. That meant that he had power over Jeff. Which meant that there was no way he could pursue this strange fascination that he had for the younger man. But... he was lonely. And Jeff called to him, drew him in like a magnet. Jeff needed him. And he, however much he hated to admit it, needed to be needed. And he was beginning to suspect that that need might be mutual. None of his friends seemed to see the problems that he did... and Shawn especially was aware of why he saw them. Maybe it was time he stopped wrapping The Undertaker so tightly around him. Maybe... "So what room number are you 'Taker? I'm ready to crash and I didn't even work tonight." Jeff wasn't looking at him. He squashed the sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to spin Jeff around so that he could see his damned eyes. There was something... something in the tone of Jeff's voice that told Mark something important had just happened here, but he didn't know what. Biting back the retort that wanted to spring to his lips to just call me Mark, dammit!, he answered, "I'm in 634, just down a few more doors. We should get going so that you can get settled in the spare bed. It's late." Not quite able to meet Glen's gaze, he nodded sharply at the other two and used his hand on Jeff's shoulder to guide the younger man down the hall, the silence enveloping them almost oppressive. Running the card through the reader, Mark pushed the door open and gestured Jeff inside, pausing long enough to place the "do not disturb" card on the outside of the door. Neither of them had to work the next day and he didn't have to leave until that afternoon... He didn't know how Jeff was getting home. He should find out, so that they'd both be on time. Placing his gym bag just inside the closet, he turned around to ask Jeff what his plans were for the next day. His words died on his lips as he met Jeff's eyes, something simmering unspoken in the air between them. ****. The conversation from the hallway echoed in Jeff's head like a bell. You should think about it, seriously. As Mark locked the hotel door behind them, Jeff came to a�halt halfway across the room. Seven steps forward and he'd be putting his bag on the single bed near the bathroom, seven steps back and he'd be out the door and away from the disastrous temptation of Mark Calloway. Because, harsh as it was, sleeping in the same room as the compelling man just now walking past him, could only end in disaster for Jeff. For his sense of self-control and for the budding friendship developing between them. Jeff took the few precious seconds of Mark's inattention to have a brief sharp, conversation with himself. He just... wasn't cut out for self-denial like this. He was too emotional to have the self-control to keep his�feelings to himself tonight. Matt kept telling him he wore his heart on his sleeve, but Jeff couldn't understand someone who didn't. How could you not reach with both hands for any scrap of joy and pleasure you could find in this world? Christ! Just look at the personal history of any wrestler in the business and you'd see how hard life could treat a person, why not take chances with your heart? Because it could get shattered into a thousand splinters? Couldn't hurt worse than being alone. Than being ten feet from a man you were crazily attracted too and unable to touch him for fear you'd show just how much you wanted him.�Or was it just the fear of rejection that's got you all scared and playing Mr. Goody Two Shoes Jeff? Since when... since fucking WHEN, has Jeff Hardy played by�anyone's rules? Since never. Not even when he convinced his big brother to hold a trampoline steady so Jeff could do a somersault off their Dad's ladder. Not even when they remade themselves into the Team X-Treme and he frightened the life out of their mother every Monday night. Jeff Hardy just didn't have it in him to be scared of anything. If Mark turned him down, then he'd grin, laugh and say 'It's cool, I thought it was worth a shot.' So... With a�low thump�muffled by the carpet, Jeff's bag hit the floor. "It doesn't bother you when�your friends�say shit like that about you?" He kept his voice low and�let the spark of anger he'd felt earlier seep in. "That you're sleeping with me?" He just came onto people in his own, unique way. **** Happily capturing Shawn's soft sounds of pleasure with his lips, Dave hoped to draw a few more from the man. Shawn seemed to have other ideas at the moment... least that's what Dave figured when Shawn pulled away from his mouth and sat on his thighs. Instead he was treated to that sexy boy smile and Dave couldn't feel sorry for exchanging one pleasure for another. He had no doubt at all that Shawn could see the sheer hunger in his gaze... the need. Despite the fact that he was anxious to have Shawn inside him, he'd let his lover take things at his own pace. Even if it killed him in the process. Even focused on Shawn, he wasn't unaware of the other presence beside him, had felt Hunter shifting on the bed beside them. Though he yearned for his participation in this 'first time' as well, he was happy for the moment with the fact that Hunter hadn't as yet escaped his ties and fled the room. Everything would work out in time, he had no doubts about that. He'd just have to be patient. Dave almost laughed at that. Patience really wasn't his strong point when he wanted something so badly, but it seemed he'd be tested by both his lovers tonight. Tests he planned on passing with flying colors. The light touch along his collarbone had his breath catching in his throat. He was used to drawn out foreplay, but it had been so long since someone had touched him so gently, since someone had bothered to look for those almost hidden sensitive spots. Shawn was finding every damn one of them. His eyes drifted closed of their own volition before he forced them wide open again so that he wouldn't miss anything. His eyes seemed content to focus on Shawn's smile rather than what he was doing with his hands though and so he had no forewarning of the light-as-air touch that glanced over his nipple. A quiet moan slipped from his lips and he shifted restlessly, leaning his head against the soft warm skin of Hunter's ribs. It was a small touch, but a touch nonetheless that gave him some contact. Even if he couldn't focus his attentions on the man, he refused to leave him completely out of this encounter. The heat of Shawn's tongue slipping across his sensitive nub made him growl, the noise barely muffled against Hunter's skin. Shawn's teasing didn't end there and Dave fought constantly with his impatience. The teasing tongue delineating his ribs and traipsing through his navel were particularly inciting when coupled with slowly roaming hands. He tried to control his squirming but found it useless in the face of such a tender onslaught. By the time Shawn knelt between his thighs, he was incapable of controlling much of anything. He did manage to control the instinctive thrust of his hips as Shawn's tongue slipped across his hipbone, but only barely. Knocking out his lover's teeth would hardly gain him any points at all and he certainly didn't want to hurt Shawn. Though it was much harder to fight that need when Shawn's tongue slipped over his balls. His thighs tensed, the muscles shifting in ripples. Dave's head snapped upward at a slight angle when he heard an odd choking gasp from Hunter, his eyes taking in the look on Hunter's face. Searching out the source of said noise, Dave almost laughed when he noticed Shawn's searching hand and the naughty smile the Sexy Boy was currently sporting. He couldn't quite manage it considering just where Shawn was at that moment. He did sneak in a smile and a slight shake of his head though just to inform Shawn that he hadn't been fooling anyone with that 'oops, can't find it' routine. The popping sound of the lube being opened brought his need rushing back after the interval of amusement. He watched Shawn's fingers warming the slick substance for a moment before searching out his face. Intent eyes and tousled hair only made him that much more appealing. When Shawn's finger brushed over his entrance, he shifted his hips seeking a firmer touch. He was on the verge of begging, if need be, for Shawn to give him more though he voiced only a needy moan. "Ready, sweetheart?" Ready? If asking his mind, he'd been ready for years. If asking his body, he would say he'd been ready for the last twenty-four hours. His heart though had one tiny objection to its readiness. Reaching out with the hand closest to Hunter, he searched out a warm smooth shoulder and followed bunched muscle until he found Hunter's hand. Lacing his fingers through Hunter's, he nodded at Shawn, his eyes just as intent. "Show me, Shawn... please..." **** "It's not like that for him, I know okay?" It took everything in Sean not to snort at that statement. Obviously Hardy was only going to see what he wanted to at the moment and nothing Sean was going to say was going to convince him otherwise. If Jeff ever actually opened his eyes and noticed that the way Mark was acting with him was not a normal reaction to everyone, Sean sure hoped he was there to see it. He'd have liked to have pointed that out again, but Mark and Glen were bearing down on them now and he'd already interfered more than he should have. Mark would kill him if he knew that he'd taken it even this far. "Just... can you leave it alone? Please? He's been copping that kinda shit from Heyman all night and I doubt he wants to hear it from his friends." Sean wasn't sure whether he should be insulted or inform Jeff of his misconception. While Mark considered Glen to be his best friend, Sean was sure he was nothing more than an annoyance to the man despite the fact that he would be happy to be included in that elite group that Mark considered friends. He just always seemed to rub the man the wrong way and most of the time it wasn't even on purpose. He'd be the first to admit that what he'd done in the elevator was purposefully provoking, but he knew that's what Mark expected of him so that's what he'd given him. Of course it had provoked Jeff as well and that wasn't Sean's intention which is why he'd apologized. The insult of course was being compared to Heyman in any way, shape, or form. He wasn't that bad for Christ's sake. And he knew just the way to prove it. If a few subtle words of discouragement wouldn't get the man to back off then a few words to Shawn would take care of it. The problem was he was already skating on thin ice by involving himself in Jeff and Mark's relationship that wasn't a relationship according to them. Not only would Mark be unhappy with him, but Glen would most likely be infuriated as well if he got involved in the Heyman situation. He'd have to think about it more before he made that decision. His eyes narrowed as Mark reached the group and immediately put a hand on Jeff's shoulder. He wanted to say something, he really did. Jeff must have realized that because he started talking about his probation with the company. Not wanting to have Jeff write him off as an ally before he even had a chance to prove his point, he kept his mouth shut, though it was killing him to do so. Especially once he saw the look in Jeff's eyes. Nothing there his ass. "So what room number are you 'Taker? I'm ready to crash and I didn't even work tonight." Sean suffered through the glare Glen was directing at him and quietly said good night, though he doubted either man heard him as they hurried off to their room. He couldn't help the smirk that flitted across his face as he realized that they had the room right next door to the two men. It didn't last long though as he looked at Glen. His lover was furious with him and Sean knew exactly why he was. ----- Glen had noticed Mark's shock at his comments, but wasn't sure of the reason why. He'd find out later, but for now he needed to fix whatever blunder Sean was making with Hardy. It was obviously something Jeff was not happy about from the distressed look in their direction, though he doubted that Jeff was aware of what message he was sending. The smile he quickly adapted was obviously fake and Glen was not happy that Sean was upsetting Mark's newest interest. Jeff was that whether Mark wanted to admit to it or not. Mark confirmed that idea in Glen's mind when he reached Jeff. The casual hand on Jeff's shoulder and the close proximity just screamed Mark's interest. Outside the ring Mark wasn't a casual toucher unless there was at the very least a close relationship. In the last fifteen minutes, Mark had touched Jeff a lot based on Mark's usual tendencies. He cared about Jeff, of that Glen was certain. So why was he restraining himself? Glen really hoped it wasn't the age thing again, but he just couldn't think of any other reason for Mark to avoid facing how he felt. He'd have to make a point to talk to him about it later. "So what room number are you 'Taker? I'm ready to crash and I didn't even work tonight." Glen almost choked. They were rooming together? That should make for an interestingly tense night for Mark. And how ironic was it that they had the room right next door to theirs? Glen bid his goodnights to Mark and Jeff as they hurried down the hall. Raising a brow over the 'do not disturb' sign that Mark slipped on the door, Glen turned to look at Sean. Was Sean ever going to learn the art of subtlety? He doubted it. Grabbing Sean's hand, he tugged him down the hall to their room. ----- The door had barely closed behind them when Glen let Sean know exactly how aggravated he was. "Are you insane? Do you want Mark to kill you?" Given that Glen's question came out as something close to a roar, Sean had no doubt how peeved Glen really was. "No. Despite what you two think, I was trying to help. It's obvious that Mark is nuts about Jeff, even I'm not that blind. Jeff didn't believe me though." Since Glen had roared at him, Sean figured it was only polite to return the favor. "You told him that? God, Sean..." "No. Of course not." Sean took a deep breath and managed to tone his voice down just a bit. "I just mentioned that Mark wasn't big on PDA. I was trying to find out how Jeff felt about him." The look Glen was giving him wasn't at all encouraging and he started back to shouting again. "Jeff likes him too, damn it. I could tell. Mark may not like me, but he's your friend. When he's happy, you're happy. So excuse me to hell for giving them both a nudge." Having had enough of Glen's angry stare, Sean walked into the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind him. **** "It doesn't bother you when�your friends�say shit like that about you?" Caught by surprise by the angry-sounding words, Mark didn't have an answer. While he'd been irritated by Sean's comments, that was just Sean being Sean. Of course, he wasn't sure what Waltman had said to Jeff out of his hearing, but he was fairly sure that Jeff's response wasn't really due to that. "That you're sleeping with me?" Lord. It was a good thing that Jeff hadn't heard Kevin or Shawn, then. Heyman had been bad enough... and god only knew what Hall might've said to him. Taking a moment to think before he responded, Mark wondered... did it bother him? The answer was depressingly quick to form in his mind. No, it didn't... except for the unimportant little fact that it wasn't true. And with that in mind, he had to face the fact that he'd love for it to be true, love to be able to face Heyman's slimy little innuendoes and Sean's bad jokes equally by pulling Jeff up close and saying, 'Hell yes, we're together'. But that... that lead back to the original problem. Mark couldn't do that; besides the fact that there was no reason whatsoever that Jeff would want to be with him, he just couldn't abuse the power he had over the other man. "Jeff... " Starting to reach out, Mark caught himself. Not yet. Not now. If he touched Jeff now, he wasn't sure what he might do, with the air between them filled with this strange tension. Instead, he stepped closer, stopping when they were only a few feet apart, and met the deep green eyes that were oozing emotion.�As much as the thought hurt, knowing as he did the imminent�horrified rejection that even the idea would cause, Mark had to be honest here. He'd allowed�an unspoken truth to be the barrier between him and Shawn until it finally broke them; he couldn't do that�again. Trying to keep his voice steady, he spoke slowly, formulating his response as he went. "I... Yes and no. It doesn't bother me because I know it's not true. But it does bother me because I don't want anyone thinking that I forced you into it. I know that's a natural assumption, considering our... situation..." After all, even you thought that. He wasn't going to bring that up again. He wasn't. If he had to think about that scene in the shower right now, he might just crumble and tell Jeff everything... and that was something he wasn't planning on doing. "If the circumstances were different, it wouldn't bother me at all. People will think what they want to think, regardless of the truth. But..." The words stuttered to a halt. He just couldn't tell Jeff the rest. He hadn't intended on confessing the odd fascination he'd felt for the man for the last two years... but watching the expression on Jeff's face, he couldn't even seem to find the words to say how attractive he found him. That if the circumstances were different... he'd want to make those suspicions true. As the momentary silence stretched on, he became aware of noises from the next room over. "Do you want Mark to kill you?" A frown and a glance at the wall, and Mark could've cheerfully throttled his best friend at that particular moment. Someone up there really did have it in for him, if Sean and Glen were in the next room over... and it was obvious that they were. The atmosphere momentarily shattered, Mark found himself listening to the half-audible shouts with growing consternation. "It's obvious that Mark is nuts about Jeff, even I'm not that blind." Dear lord. Not able to look again at Jeff and see the reaction to those all-too-true words, Mark found himself staring wide-eyed at the wall. Was he that damned obvious? They'd only been around each other for that evening... how many cues could he have given off? "Jeff likes him too, damn it. I could tell. Mark may not like me, but he's your friend." A fleeting thought crossed the back of his mind: He did like Sean... even if he did want to strangle�him more often than not.�Somehow, he'd have to make that obvious; he didn't want his best friend's lover thinking that he hated him. But that thought was immediately overshadowed as Mark realised what else he'd just heard. Finally daring a glance back at the other man, still within arms' reach, he couldn't interpret the expression he saw there. The sound of a slamming door apparently marked the end of the "conversation" from next door, leaving silence. This time, it wasn't just uncomfortable... it was stifling. Mark couldn't seem to focus his thoughts well enough to find a coherent sentence, and he wasn't sure what good it would do if he did. How would he be able to deny what Sean had said and be believed? And if he did manage it, where did that leave him? Still alone and lonely... and a lying asshole, on top of that. No way could he just outright lie to Jeff, not about this. But... if Sean was right... Feeling nothing like his normal self, Mark's fingers almost twitched with the need to reach out and touch Jeff, but he didn't trust himself to do it. If he did, would it be comforting or provoking? He couldn't trust himself to stop, not now, before he revealed too much. And for all his strength... he found that he couldn't take that risk. Last time he had, Shawn had torn his heart out. He'd never blamed Shawn for it; it hadn't been anyone's fault... but it had taught him too well. He'd closed himself off afterward and now found himself wishing that he hadn't. The lengthening silence was beginning to make him worry, and he still couldn't tell what Jeff was thinking. Another moment's wait, and then Mark finally reached out, his hand hovering just above Jeff's shoulder as he spoke, wincing at the uncertainties in his own tone. "Jeff...?" **** to be continued... |