"ITVR: Chapter 81"
Designs.

By Jadedoll, Penumbren, & Raising Kane

"So... does that mean that I'm not grounded? I still get dessert?" Although Dave was directing the query at him, the way his lover�s eyes fixed on Shawn and then the chocolate cake left Hunter in little doubt as to the actual intention. For his part the idea of chocolate cake at midday was almost nauseating, but the thought of his gorgeous David eating the confection from Shawn�s stomach was one that twisted Hunt�s insides in a totally different and pleasurable, way. Hunter used every trick in his formidable acting book to keep the rush of desire he felt at that image off his face. It didn�t help his efforts any though, when Dave filched a scoop of ice cream and began licking the spoon like he was starting the mother of all blow jobs either. Hunter looked down at his own grilled fish and tried really, really hard not to imagine he and his lovers entwined on a bed, several choices of dessert arrayed around them for Dave and Shawn�s culinary delight. �Unless you're just waiting until we get back to your place to sp..." Oh yeah, thanks heaps there Dave. Having completely lost the ability to think about anything other than sex, Hunter shot his exotic lover an exasperated look and promptly fell in love all over again with the sweet rosy blush riding high on those delicious cheekbones. If it had been humanly possible, Dave Batista would have pulled his tongue out by the root for the words that had just left his mouth. They were sitting at a table with Hunter�s family, so he didn�t give a damn what Dave said as long as he could finish his lunch without dying from laughter or hormones, but obviously the other man did care if his sheepish expression and bright skin was anything to go by. Hunt almost wanted to offer reassurances again, but hazarded that any attempts to help right now would probably make the situation ten times worse. Still he was Hunter. �That�s it Lover,� he whispered across Shawn, as Scotty rose to his feet at the other end of the table. �When we get home tonight, young man, you are in Big Trouble.� "Hey yo!" Giving Dave a moment to regain his composure, Hunt settled back with his empty coffee cup and directed his attention to the other darkly beautiful man at the table. He and Scotty had always been dear to each other, even if neither of them could match the level of intimacy they had with Kevin. His friendship with the big man had been a mainstay in Hunter�s life, but his relationship with the Bad Guy far more complex. More like brothers than best friends, they weren�t always on the same page, but the connection, the blood, was there no matter what happened. Even during Scott�s darkest times, Hunt had hoped that the man would have turned to him for help if he�d needed it, but the call had never been made. Scott had worked through his issues on his own and was a better man for it. As demonstrated by the look on his face right now. ��we haven't gotten together like this in quite awhile..." Hunt would shoulder his fair share of the blame for that lack, his own discomfort with Kevin and fear that he�d alienated his friends through his alliance with Stephanie had often resulted in convenient excuses when those sparse invitations had come. His vulnerability in front of these men was another reason that he�d avoided them all for so long, they knew him far too well for his front to fool any of them for long. Only Shawn had refused to be avoided�as usual. �Some of you have been with Kev and I through all the ups and downs...� Hunter was painfully aware that he hadn�t been there this last time, in fact had done very little to support Kevin when the other man had to have been in world of agony. It brought home to him that while they may have apologized yesterday and cleared the air, there was a lot of work to be done to fix the breach that had separated them. ��I'm going to move most of my things back to our house�� He would have to have been blind not have seen that the two men were sharing their bed again, the intimate touches, the knowing, glowing grins that spoke of very, very good sex. It was obvious, it was healthy, it was such a damn good outcome for all their bruises over the years. Hunter just didn�t know why he wasn�t shouting with happiness for them. Sean was going ape shit at the end of the table, his Heartbreaker looked like he was soaking up the bliss and radiating back at he and Dave like a spotlight and Hunter�.? Hunter was wondering if them moving back in together was the wisest move. He�d likened their relationship to one of loving parents, such a solid basis for his reality that when it had crumbled, a part of Hunter had crumbled too. Oh, it wasn�t that he was jealous of their happiness. God no. The more Kevin and Scott smiled, the more the world was a better place, no, it was a niggling fear that if it happened once�it could happen again. The two men shared something so profoundly deep, so strong and sure that they almost blistered Hunter with their brilliance at times. But with that same brilliance came a price, love like theirs could tear your soul if you didn�t handle it right. What he�d done to Shawn two nights ago was a perfect example. Hard, passionate, ecstatic love was what had lead him to be so brutal in the limousine and what had lead to Kevin�s devastated face the day he�d accused Hunter of betrayal. Scotty and Kev had the power to ransack each other�s hearts if things went wrong, as they�d done before, and Hunter was finding it very difficult to be happy they were giving each other those weapons once again. Hunt loved them both dearly, he never wanted to see the heartbroken looks on their faces again. Raising his eyes from the dregs at the bottom of his coffee cup, he looked at those faces and hoped with everything in him that they were making the right choice. That was when he saw it. Beyond the excited smiles and bright loving eyes, deeper than the naughty humour and tender flesh. They knew. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall knew exactly what Hunter was afraid of, they knew they were giving each other the power to destroy their capacity to care again� and it was still going to happen. Loving each other was worth the risk, their eyes said, their bodies said. Humbled by their courage, Hunter gave them the gift of a soft, genuine smile. He didn�t understand that strength, one day Hunt hoped he might have it, but for now, he could see it and marvel. As unofficial and totally officious spokesperson for the rest of the Kliq, Sean not counting because one word in three was insane, Hunter stood up and raised his coffee cup. �Everyone will want to have their say on the subject guys, but if I might be the first?� Even Sean kept his babble down to a whisper and Hunt sent a mental thanks to his friend for the consideration. �Nothing gives me more hope that my life will be okay that seeing you two back together again. You have something I envy and that is the courage to keep loving no matter what life throws at you. Scott� Kevin� well done.� The true support of Dave and Shawn at his side was Hunter�s own strength as he looked at his two very dear friends. �Also�I�m so not helping you move your stuff again Scotty. It weighs a ton.� **** Deciding that since he didn't have a gag, a piece of bread would have to suffice, Dave reached for the slice on his plate as he slanted a look at Hunter and Shawn to judge their reactions to his slip. Shawn looked a little dazed or maybe he was just trying really hard not to laugh. Hunt on the other hand looked caught somewhere between irritated and interested. He wasn't really sure how to interpret that, but he had no problems at all deciphering Hunt's words. "That�s it Lover... When we get home tonight, young man, you are in Big Trouble." A rabid flash of lust spiraled through his body at the thought... if only Hunter actually meant it. Oh, he didn't doubt that Hunter might actually spank him... in retaliation for this morning if nothing else, but what would his lovers think of his reaction to it? What would happen if he asked for more? Or if he asked Hunter to use a belt instead? And once he'd received his punishment, how would they view his noticeable arousal? If he begged Hunter prettily would he finally get what he'd been waiting for or be deemed just a little too freaky for 'The Game's' tastes? From the clues that Shawn had given off so far, he'd be cheering on the sidelines if not asking to take a turn... and he so should not be thinking about this in present company. "Hey yo!" He looked to Scott, unable to help responding to the call for attention. Truthfully, he was glad for the distraction even if it was by the other witness to his verbal slip. Maybe it'd give him a chance to lose some of the color in his cheeks. "...we haven't gotten together like this in quite awhile and I've really missed all the chaos that you guys provide." Nope, that color wasn't going anywhere just yet. Dave was a brand new member of this little band but he'd definitely added to the chaos today. He knew that Scott wasn't referring specifically to the incident earlier, the looks from Kev and Scott directed in Shawn's direction were proof of that. He was just feeling a lingering self-consciousness about it. At least it made him feel like he fit in, in some little way. He smiled slightly when he realized how telling that statement was. "You guys are the people we're the closest to..." Okay, so he was being included because of his new relationship rather than real proximity to the Outsiders, but he was hoping to change that. He'd make the time to get to know these people that were so important to his lovers. For now, he was just honored to be included in this crazy group. "...Some of you have been with Kev and I through all the ups and downs throughout the years so we wanted you all to be the first ones to know." Dave obviously hadn't been there through all of that, but he'd heard bits and pieces of some of the ups and downs. Not that he listened to gossip often, but sometimes you couldn't help but hear things being tossed about in locker rooms. Everyone was aware of Hall's battles with alcohol and that he was currently clear of that addiction. Most people hoped that he'd stay that way, though there would always be a few that hoped for the worst in this business. And there were stories backstage about the loving and fighting between the two men, both having been witnessed from time to time by others. Dave's particular favorite involved a tale about Kevin trying to take off Goldberg's head for a comment that he'd made about Scott. Just went to show that some people really were that stupid. "...I never thought I'd be able to say this, but Kev and I have decided to give us another chance... This time around, I know we're going to get it right." Seeing the look that Scott directed at Kevin, Dave's breath caught in his throat for a moment. He was happy for the two men to have worked their way through so much to get back together, but at the same time he was jealous. He couldn't help it... that look said so much without either man having to say a word. That was what he wanted for himself. That level of devotion, that willingness to risk it all by putting your heart in someone's hands, the knowledge that the other person was willing to risk it all as well. He was taking that risk right now, setting himself up for a huge fall if this budding relationship fell through. In such a short time he had already invested so much of himself on the chance that this would work out... that Shawn would come to love him and Hunter would work through his problems. And he needed to stop thinking like this right now before he talked himself right out of this relationship. Time... he had to give it time. He no longer had a choice about taking the risk, that decision had already been made. He was jerked out of those thoughts by two simultaneous distractions... The first took the form of Sean Waltman screaming like an insane man. "I knew it! I told you, didn't I Glen? I told you they'd get back together. No I will not hush. This is kind of like that movie... what's it called again? The one where the kid's parents split up and then get back together at the end of the movie... awesome movie. And I always knew that Kev and Scott would too, so there!" Okay... Waltman was insane, but the good kind of insane from Dave's point of view. The second distraction was the warm touch at his waist. It startled him and if he hadn't immediately recognized it as Shawn, he would have jumped out of his seat. He turned to look at his lovers and found Shawn smiling like crazy, a smile that he managed to return. Hunter on the other hand looked like he was trying to find answers in the bottom of his coffee cup. Well he hadn't expected that. Surely Hunter was happy for his friends, wasn't he? Before he had time to question it too deeply, Hunter looked up at the loving pair and smiled. It was probably all his imagination anyway. Of course Hunter was happy for them. How could you not be happy for two people that were so completely right for each other? Dave turned a smile to the pair himself as Hunter stood to congratulate them. "...You have something I envy and that is the courage to keep loving no matter what life throws at you. Scott�Kevin�well done." Wow. He felt a bit better knowing he wasn't the only one that wanted what Scott and Kev had. If Hunter wanted it too... Dave cut himself off before he started down that path again. He was not going to play the 'what if' game any more than he already was, he'd drive himself insane. "Also�I�m so not helping you move your stuff again Scotty. It weighs a ton." Dave couldn't help the snort that slipped out at that comment. He knew as well as everyone else at that table that if Scott asked for help, Hunter would be right there. And organizational guru that he was he'd probably volunteer Shawn and Dave's services as well. Dave would be more than happy to help, he just really hoped that if they did end up moving furniture that it wouldn't be this particular weekend. They had plenty to sort out amongst themselves and he was already anxious to get to Hunter's house and find out just what Hunter meant by 'Big Trouble'. He could only hope that they had the same definition. **** "I need to call Frannie... I need to see if Jessie can run an errand for me before we get home." Chris laughed for a moment at the inadvertent picture his lover was painting with his words. He knew the women Adam was talking about were friends that looked after his house while he traveled the globe, but it sounded like he was organising his harem for his grand return. Most wrestlers, like traveling salesmen, had wives, housemates or employees to look after their homes when they were absent, but Adam's adoring throng of helpers put most people's to shame. Not that his gorgeous, but sometimes clueless, lover could see that. The man had had neighbours and friends almost falling over themselves to check on him while he'd been recuperating, Chris had counted no less than five helpers, both male and female with appointments to call in on the blond. CJ knew it was all genuine too, from the man at the�local shop�walking his dog one evening who'd stopped Chris to ask after Adam, to the young girl next door who'd eyed him with a strange protective expression as he'd been ringing the bell, Chris wasn't surprised at the impact his lover had on the people around him. It was hard not to like Adam, especially when he was more relaxed and in his natural habitat. Chris had been half expecting some ladies from down the road to turn up with casseroles and fresh bread just to tide Adam over till he was on his feet again. "Yeah, it's in the bags. I'll find it for you at the car." Looking back over his shoulder CJ�spotted Bunnykins trying to wrestle Jay from the table while the slim man was still talking to Trish. Tyson was lifting his lover to his feet by a strong grip on the elbow even as Jay patted his hand in acknowledgement of the action... and still kept talking. No matter their antics, Jay and Tyson were in it for the long haul. Even with the recent tension over Jason's refusal to rest, they were looking more and more like an old married couple every day with the nagging and rolling eyes. He wouldn't be surprised if�Ty came out at some point with a long suffering 'yes Dear'.�Or maybe the tension just added to the feeling of a partnership going through natural ups and downs. Shaking his head, CJ blew a kiss of farewell to Molly and guided Adam towards reception with a completely platonic hand on the shoulder. He'd speak to Steve whenever he saw the man next. Their friendship didn't rely on constant contact, they'd gone for months before without talking and would fall instantly back into their war as if a moment hadn't passed. It wasn't Steve that CJ couldn't stop thinking about when he'd been alone on weekends. It wasn't Stone Cold who'd had him picking up the phone for absolutely no justifiable reason just to hear the sound of a deep voice and a weird sense of humour. No, Chris could go without Austin's company. He was quickly realising that managing without one Adam Copeland in his life was totally unacceptable. Checking out took less than five minutes and they were soon back in the car park, leaning against the warm metal of the hood while they waited for Tyson to bring the car keys and Jay, by the hair if necessary. Sorting through their gear, CJ turned up Adam's cell phone and handed it to his lover as the blond tilted his head to keep the sun from his face with his cap brim. The sharp heat of noon meant the area was almost deserted, so Chris took the opportunity to lean up and�press a warm kiss to his lover's sweet, crazy lips. "In case you forgot, with all the hair fondling and drugs and all. I love you.... even bruised, battered and bloody." **** "Yeah, it's in the bags. I'll find it for you at the car." Cool. That meant he didn't have to shell out money for yet another replacement phone. He wasn't sure whether the cell company loved him or dreaded hearing from him. He averaged a new phone every six months and one month he'd actually lost two of them. It was a good thing he didn't actually need one all that often. Chris seemed to be a tad more organized than he was and that was a good thing. While Chris was checking them out of the hotel, Adam spotted Kurt Angle crossing the lobby. Thankfully he had lost his obsession with shaving someone's head because Kurt probably would have given him the Angle Slam right there in the lobby. The guy was way too into his character even off camera. Besides, he'd already had the pleasure on a live pay per view, doing it without witnesses this time would be a disappointment. They made their way out to the parking lot to wait on Ty and Jay, leaning against the hot metal of the rental car. Chris handed him his cell phone and he could have kissed the guy on the spot. He was well aware of how lucky he was. Just as he finished that thought, Chris kissed him. When he pulled back, Adam smiled at him, a light reprimand dangling on his tongue. They were going to end up on the front of some tabloid if they weren't careful... "In case you forgot, with all the hair fondling and drugs and all. I love you... even bruised, battered and bloody." ...And suddenly he found that he really didn't care if they did. With an almost embarrassed smile, he looked at his lover. "I don't think I could ever forget that. I did warn you, but maybe I should have been more specific. Sorry about that. Although I did find out something interesting with all that hair fondling and if you're a good boy, I'll tell you what it is... later. If I ever sit on Austin's lap again, you have permission to smack me in the head, concussion or no." With a genuine grin this time, he raised a hand to run it through Chris' hair. "And you don't have to worry, because drugs or no drugs, I love your hair almost as much as I love you, so I won't be asking to shave it off." He was considering initiating a kiss of his own when there was a not-so-discreet cough to their right. Turning and winking at Tyson, he pushed away from the car and slipped into the back seat. Once Chris was sitting next to him, he scooted as close to him as possible, grabbing one hand with his own while he used his other to dial the phone. Thankfully Bunnykins was driving and not Jay so they were safe for the time being. The phone was answered on the second ring and Adam, being Adam went through his usual greeting without a second thought. "Frannie, my love, tell me you miss me." He stuck his tongue out at the phone even while he was waiting for the insult that was headed his way. "Like diaper rash Fran? You sure know how to stroke a guy's ego. And here I was calling to let you have the day off tomorrow and everything." He snorted quietly while he stroked his thumb across the back of Chris' hand. "Yes, I'm still going to pay you, you greedy little thing. I'm having company. Yes, we are going to have a huge orgy in the swimming pool and no, you can't come watch." He squeezed Chris' hand when he laughed and made a weird face at Jay who was staring at him in horror. "I'll leave you a message this weekend if I think of anything special. Catch ya later Fran." Without pause he dialed the second number. He wanted this out of the way before they got to the airport. Lord knew the reception in those places were awful. Smirking as Jessie answered the phone, he released Chris' hand and started drawing a heart on Chris' thigh instead. "Jessie! Can you do me a super huge favor? What do you mean who is this? I'm so going to flag down Joey the next time he's walking past your house and I'm going to tell him you have this huge crush on him. Much better." He moved on to drawing his initials at the top of the heart. Okay so maybe this was childish, but he was hoping Chris would think it was sweet instead. "Can you run to Tony's and get me some stuff for four or five days? Please, please, please? Just tell him to put it on my account and I'll settle up this weekend. And Jess? Let's skip the tofu and soymilk stuff okay? I know you're looking out for me, but I like real food," he said with a grin as he finished Chris' initials inside the small heart as well. "Oh... and Jay wants to know when you're going to make him a happy man and propose to him.... ." Adam had to laugh at the outrage on Jay's face and the smirk on Ty's. "Hmm. You really think a lobotomy would help? Ow!" He winced as a small rubber ball bounced off the top of his hat. "Damn Jay, head injury here." He was suddenly bombarded with apologies from Jay and immense screaming at the other end of the phone. "Jess... Jess! I'm fine, honest. I'll fill you in later. I promise. Okay. Thanks... bye." With one last scowl at the front seat, he hung up the phone and flung the ball back at Jay. At this rate, Chris was going to want to cover him in bubble wrap. Now that could be fun... Seeing that they'd arrived at the airport, he hoped there wasn't a delay with their flight. He was really looking forward to flying for a change. **** "I'm willing to try it... as long as you don't go comparing me to Shawn again, 'cause that was just wrong, man..." Letting out the breath he'd been unconsciously holding in a long, quiet exhalation, Mark felt a lot of the tension that he'd carried whenever he was around Sean for the last few years lift. Their little experiment would probably drive him crazy, but if they could keep from killing each other, Glen would be happier... and so would Sean. That was the point here, after all. Why comparing the Shawns to each other would cause that kind of reaction was something that he'd have to look in to later. His comparison had been honest, and from Sean's comment, probably more to the point than either of the men would admit. Shawn had unspoken permission to do and say things to Mark that would get anyone else kicked out the door at the least, though, and by underlining that, however subtly, he'd been trying to tell Sean that he'd try to extend that sort of permission... When he could remember to think first and growl later, anyway. "I'll try to keep the button pushing for things that are really important..." Although that almost sounded more like a threat than a promise. Jeff's laugh made Mark's lips curl even as he attempted not to worry too much over what exactly Sean might consider "really important". Before he could politely refuse the friendly---hopefully---offer to get him chocolate cake (not at this time of day, thanks... ), Sean had rushed onward to his next comment. "...if he doesn't stop petting you, Vince is going to have a canary when you end up tossing him on the salad bar." Eyebrows raising briefly, any response Mark might have had to the very bad joke was cut short by the abrupt movement of his younger lover, who'd pulled his fingers away from Mark's neck almost as soon as the words were out of Sean's mouth. Mark was turning to look up at him to see what was wrong, missing the soft caress, in time to see Jeff nearly collapsing in Sean's abandoned seat, uncharacteristically pale and nervous-looking. Dammit. Had Waltman upset him that much with just that joke? No... it had to be more than that. Jeff was too much the prankster himself to be upset over a joke, even if Mark was mentally bemoaning to himself that his suspicions about "really important" things had been right. Maybe it was the suggestion of what Vince's reaction would be... but that couldn't be right. Vince wouldn't give a damn; hell, the man had thought they were already sleeping together when he'd agreed to Mark's bargain, the smirk on his face saying volumes even if his words had been nothing but business-like. But they hadn't discussed any of this, had they? Another thing that could be chalked up to hastiness and carelessness... and the almost overwhelming lust that they'd shared last night. Another misunderstanding because they had moved too fast. �S-Sean has a point in all that chatter Mark... What is Vince going to think?� "Who gives a damn?" were the words hovering on the tip of his tongue. Fortunately for both of them, their discussion was curtailed as Scott stood up and asked for their attention. Listening to what the Bad Guy had to say brought an absent smile to Mark's face, since he'd been a friend of the Outsiders since well before that label had existed for them, but his immediate attention was taken by the man looking up at him with wide green eyes. Beneath the exuberant almost-shrieks from Sean and the much calmer words from Hunter, Mark leaned forward, placing a hand on Jeff's shoulder as he spoke in a low tone. "Vince is going to think... whatever he wants to, Jeff." Trying to keep his voice matter-of-fact, Mark couldn't resist sliding his fingers up the warm length of neck to curve around the thin cheek, honestly not caring who might be watching them. "He didn't say anything when I spoke to him yesterday, but the look on his face said a lot. Whatever assumptions he makes are up to him, because damned if I'm going to talk to him about our relationship. What we do in private stays between us unless we allow it to affect our work, and I don't plan to let it." His lips curling into a rueful, self-aware smile that most of their co-workers would have been astonished to see on his face, he let his gaze grow warmer as his thumb stroked across the sensitive patch of skin beside Jeff's lips. Dropping his voice even lower, he leaned in until his lips were almost brushing against Jeff's ear, allowing his voice to drop to a rough whisper, his drawl lengthening his vowels as he laid himself open with his typical bluntness in a very atypical way. "And if you're worried about public displays... I'm not normally up for much of that, I'll be the first to admit. But right now, I don't care a whole damned lot, and I'm finding that I can't not touch you. I kind of hope you feel the same." **** Tightening his grip on Scott's hand slightly as Scott stood, Kevin sat back, smiling slightly as he watched his lover take charge of the chaotic group at the tables, even if only momentarily. While Scott might have doubted that all of them would show up today, Kevin knew that none of their friends would have wanted to disappoint the Bad Guy. He just seemed to have a way with people, a certain unconscious touch that came across to those who knew him, and Kevin was gratified to know that he hadn't been the only person who'd missed being in that presence. Not that anyone else had missed it quite as much as he had, or for the same reasons, but still. "Hey yo!" His smile widened at that. They'd first met before that particular set of gimmicks, hell, before they'd even worked for Vince, but Kevin tended to count from their first meeting in the WWF. He could still remember the first time he'd heard that greeting, walking down the hallway backstage next to Shawn, and taking a long moment to recognize his former co-worker. His first thought had been of how incredibly attractive Scott was and why hadn't he noticed it before? His second was probably unprintable, but just that simple handshake had changed his life. "Some of you have been with Kev and I through all the ups and downs throughout the years..." Letting his gaze travel around the table, Kevin saw that Hunter was looking a little uncomfortable, vague hints of guilt flickering in the backs of the hazel eyes. Hopefully that would change, now that they'd managed to reconcile... with Scotty's help, of course. No surprise there, that it had taken his pushing to get them past their problem. While Hunter may not have been around as a supporter for their last, worst problems, he had in no way been responsible for any of it, regardless of what Kevin had said to him that night. Mentally resolving to have another long talk with Hunter as soon as possible, if only to get them talking again, he knew that they'd be able to work things out, although it would undoubtedly take a while.� He couldn't help the�quick look at Shawn when Scott mentioned "chaos", and he grinned momentarily at the half-annoyed, half-affectionate expression on Shawn's face. The time he'd been a part of their relationship had been interesting to say the least, and although chaos had followed in their wake, it was a time that Kevin had always treasured. Scott's pause grabbed his attention again, and he looked up in time to meet the dark eyes that were looking at him with such love and devotion and promise, and he knew that his own showed everything in return, beyond what he could ever say in words. They had incredible power over each other with the love that they shared, and they'd torn each other to shreds more than once by using it in unforgivable ways... but they'd forgiven each other and moved on, and Kevin's heart lurched a little in his chest at the emotions swirling in those eyes, his fingers tightening again against Scott's before his lover looked back at the group. "Kev and I have decided to give us another chance.... . This time around, I know we're going to get it right." When Scott sat down again, Kevin put an arm around Scott's shoulders and pulled him close, leaning his chin on Scotty's shoulder. It was intimate, yes, but they'd pulled this kind of thing for years now and if Vince had a problem with it... too damned bad for him. Speaking softly into Scott's ear, Kev said, "Love you, Bad Guy... that was a good announcement." Glancing around the table again, Kev just couldn't keep the smile off his face. Eddie and Benny were being terribly sweet, even if Chris did look a little uncomfortable. Those two were definitely doing well, and it pleased Kevin to see it even if they weren't close friends. Eddie had gone through the same hell that Scott had, and Benny had been the one to support him every step of the way. He suspected they'd be seeing a lot more of those two in the future. The grin on Shawn's face said it all without words, as did the Heartbreaker's almost-subtle touches to his own lovers. Nodding slightly, Kevin acknowledged his mixed feelings about that trio. He was absolutely happy that Shawn seemed to have found people who loved him for himself, who would unhesitatingly support him; but the small jealous voice inside him mourned the loss of his sometime-lover and his own part in providing that support for Shawn. HBK was all confidence, but Shawn was very far from that at times, and it had been Kevin's treasured job to hold him up at various times. Over the years, Hunter had slid into that one and now had definitely assumed it altogether, and while it was about damned time that Hunt woke up to the obvious, Kevin would miss that little bit of extra closeness they'd shared. Of course, from the look on Dave's face, there were still tensions to be addressed there... but it wasn't his job anymore. Pushing away the slight instinctive resentment at the thought, Kevin returned Shawn's nearly blinding smile. Things changed, and the changes that had taken place here were all for the good. Besides, he'd have his hands full with Scott anyway. Watching as Shawn looked at Hunter and Dave in turn, Kevin raised an eyebrow at the emotion visible in the blue-grey eyes. The love for Hunter was expected; it had been there for nearly as long as Hunt had been around. But when Shawn looked at Dave... Kevin had to bite back a laugh. His Heartbreaker's cynicism aside, he suspected that the faint tinge of worry in Dave's face a moment ago was very much over nothing. He should make a bet with Scott as to whether or not Shawn would admit what was so obvious---to him, anyway---before the pay-per-view. Sean was shrieking at the end of the table like a madman, and Kevin's amused gaze met Glen's long-suffering one as they smiled in understanding.�He hadn't worried about Kid since the night Sean�had hooked up with Glen. Those two were made for each other, and they were one of the steadiest relationships he'd seen... if one of the oddest. Mark and Jeff... looked distracted, actually, although Mark had glanced toward them with a slight smile on his face before leaning in toward the younger man seated next to him. Speaking of odd... he'd have to give Mark hell at some point, since he'd so obviously been right. But not right now. He was looking forward to spending the break with Scott far too much, and whatever had happened with Mark and Jeff had obviously just happened, and he wasn't completely tactless. No matter what the rest of their friends thought. Looking back at Hunt as the blond moved, Kevin paused at the strangely soft smile on Hunter's face. For some reason, that smile almost brought tears to his eyes, and he found himself blinking as Hunter stood. "Nothing gives me more hope that my life will be okay than seeing you two back together again. You have something I envy and that is the courage to keep loving no matter what life throws at you." That... was unexpected. Such completely honest words... Kevin's arm tightened around Scott as he smiled back at Hunter, moved by the short speech. Apparently their relationship had meant more to their friends than they'd ever realised... but why would they have ever thought of themselves that way? Looking at it from the point of view that Hunter had revealed, Kevin wondered just how much they actually meant to the other people at the table... and then mentally laughed. They would never know for sure, and just knowing that they did mean something told him everything he needed to know. "I�m so not helping you move your stuff again Scotty. It weighs a ton." Managing to hide his disbelieving snort in the side of Scott's neck, Kev couldn't quite stop the quiet laughter. If they gave Hunter a call, he'd be there with his cell phone in hand directing traffic within seconds. Well... slitting a gaze at the blond sitting between Hunt and Dave, Kevin had to amend that thought. Hunt would be there... if Shawn allowed him to be. Not that either of them would ever admit that it was like that, of course. "Thank you, Hunt." The affection in his voice was completely sincere, and he hoped that Hunter could tell. Hunt had been one of his closest friends for so long... and knowing that they were on their way to regaining that closeness felt incredibly good. Although... Turning so that he could speak quietly to Scott, he asked teasingly, "How much stuff are we moving, babe? 'Cause you know my back isn't quite what it used to be." **** "...and if you're a good boy, I'll tell you what it is... later." Grinning wickedly at Adam's tempting words, Chris wondered if he'd ever find out what the other blond meant. Unlikely. He suspected he was genetically incapable of being a 'good boy' but was willing to indulge Adam in his lover's fantasy while it lasted. CJ knew he'd indulge any of Adam's fantasies as soon as the bright green eyes met his, because hey... he was only human. "I love your hair almost as much as I love you, so I won't be asking to shave it off." Comforting himself that his personality was ranked just fractionally higher in his lover's heart than his hair, CJ ignored Jay's smirking 'get a room' look and settled comfortably into the back seat. Chris listened with one ear while Adam phoned his 'girls' and organized�his house�for the weekend. His lover's playful teasing of the two women told Chris all he needed to know about Frannie, Jessie and their place in Adam's life. Tony was another clue, the concerned man with beautiful dog who'd lapped up�Chris's�vigorous stomach scratch�with delirious bliss,�now had a name to put with the face. Still had to find out the dog's name though. Of course CJ could just ask Adam about all his different neighbours, but discovering these small tidbits of information about his lover would be a pleasant game and one he was looking forward to. In their lives as almost-friends, he'd learnt a�lot about the tall blond from favorite food to what school he'd gone to, but most of that had been surface chatter and lacking in the private details that people kept to themselves. Chris wasn't a man to pry into other's lives, although he'd confess to a healthy interest in them, he preferred to find out what was up by using his eyes, ears, and brain. It would often throw people for a loop that CJ knew something they'd thought was a complete secret. Jay had been one sterling example of this when the other Canadian had taken CJ out for a drink where he'd confessed,�after much drink sipping and bodily harm done to pretzels, that he and Tyson were sleeping together. Chris had manfully refrained from rolling his eyes and saying 'well duh', but had looked at his friend's blushing, hopeless look and had taken the seriousness�of Jay's private confidence as the compliment that it was. Still, his reply in his usual 'clever as shit' voice, was�that he'd hoped they were fucking or�Chris was going to complain that his 'match planning' didn't have half the sound effects that Jay's and Ty's did. Reso's face had been a picture. He'd thought he and his fantastic new boyfriend were being so discreet and Chris had to admit that they were, although more from Bunnykins' part in the relationship than Jay's if CJ was any judge. But it was the little things that had given them away, as they would most people if one just took the time to sit back and look. Chris had spent several years looking at and listening to Adam Copeland, but unlike his best friend, the beautiful man now drawing a love heart on Chris' leg, had given very little away to the sapphire-eyed stare. Freely admitting his own sexual interest in the man had been the cause of his semi-blindness in the past, CJ could now see more than clearly�into�the life of a man who was becoming more dear to him every unexpected moment.�It wouldn't be�a bad thing to spend years discovering all the secrets that made up Adam. Learning all the little things about his beloved would be the best thing he could do with his life. It might even take his whole life. Chris mentally went into reverse and slowly circled around that sudden thought. His whole life? Was he really that serious? Could this happen at such a wild velocity? First kiss Monday, declaration of love Tuesday, life long commitment Wednesday? Christ. As long as one of them wasn't pregnant by Thursday then he felt he could manage to live with it. If he forced himself. Chris discovered at that moment, in the back of a rental car�pulling into the Uniondale airport, that he�would happily let Adam write their names in love hearts for the rest of his life. The airport was an airport like any other, but at least the check-in attendant�smiled at the four of them rather than scowling and happily responded to Chris' whispered suggestion that he and Adam be seated to the rear of the plane because 'the big guy with tattoos was a prankster and he didn't want to wake up with drawn-on moustache if he fell asleep'. Of course sitting near the tail also got them much closer to the toilets and that was just the way CJ wanted it. He had plans. By Chris' calculations their flight would take about four hours as they were booked on a direct trip to Miami, so he had plenty of time to set his devious little scheme in motion. Of course, the only people being duped were the flight attendants as his partner in crime was a willing accomplice. Just how willing would be the question though, if medication, injuries and lack of sleep took their toll on Adam before they could even make it into the air. But luck was on his side and his 'getting with the program' dick, as his beautiful lover seemed wide awake and frightening cheerful when the young red-haired steward offered to help Chris do up his seatbelt because of his�injured fingers. Smiling his thanks,�CJ began counting down the seconds until that seat belt could be removed and his plan could come into play. Waiting a half hour into the flight, Chris casually winked at Adam and unclipped the belt. The small metallic click sent a shiver of awareness down�CJ's spine that had nothing to do with cold. Meeting the steward again on his way to the back, Chris reassured the man he was fine and that no, he didn't need anything, before getting into the small cubicle with sudden impatience. Unlike this morning, he didn't want to be teased, didn't want a slow agonizing exploration before being brought to magnificent climax. Resting his hands on either side of the small basin and looking at his tired-looking face in the mirror, Chris heard the unlocked door open. He wanted Adam to fuck him. Now. **** Shawn wondered at the oddly thoughtful look on Hunter's face as his best friend stared into his coffee cup, but even as he started to get concerned, Hunter looked up with a smile that took his breath away. God, that smile. Even he had seen it so rarely that it was like an unexpected gift out of the blue. Relaxing again from the slight tension he hadn't realised was there, Shawn resolved to try to see that smile again, as often as humanly possible. "You have something I envy and that is the courage to keep loving no matter what life throws at you." Blinking hard, Shawn added another thing to his list of unexpected things about Hunter: No matter how often he might poke fun at Hunt's normal lack of eloquence, there were times when the man was absolutely poetic. He was also blind to the obvious, but Shawn wasn't going to point that out anytime soon. If Hunt couldn't see already that he did have the same courage that he'd just lauded in their friends, it was going to be up to him to realise it. The simple fact that the three of them were here, together, proved that Hunt possessed the courage to keep loving the two of them even through dark times... well. Hopefully they'd never face the types of darkness that Kevin and Scotty had, but they'd already had enough of their own. Motion out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he glanced down the table in time to see Jeff sink into a chair next to Mark... and the kid looked a little pale. That and the fact that he'd left a gap between himself and Mark for the first time since the two of them walked in made Shawn frown in concern, until Mark leaned in... and started whispering in Jeff's ear? And caressing his face. And smiling like that... in public... That smile could still send shivers down Shawn's spine, and it wasn't even for him this time. Holy shit. To say that those actions were out of character for Mark would be an understatement. His former lover was one of the most affectionate people Shawn had ever been with---in private. But in public? Even if they hadn't been trying to keep their relationship private, Mark would never have dreamt of touching him like that in such a public place. Whatever was going on between him and Hardy, it was even more than Shawn had suspected. He was so going to call Mark tomorrow and drill him�about this. Unless Hunt and Dave tied him to the bed, anyway. Ohh. And on that note... Turning to face his dark lover while Hunter finished his act as the group's spokesman---and leave it to Hunt to automatically assume that position---Shawn bit his lip to keep back the laugh that tried to escape as soon as that phrase floated across his mind. Watching Dave for a brief moment, Shawn could see tension of a different sort beginning to rise there. He was a little surprised that he could see it so easily, but then, he'd always been good at sensing feelings from those he cared about, and Dave most definitely qualified for that. Stroking his fingers over Dave's hip, Shawn smiled again, his face showing the joy and affection and... other emotions that he was feeling at the moment. "I'm sure we can arrange something about your... request... when we get home, Dave," Shawn said quietly, sure that his eyes were showing some similar tension, even if he wasn't quite ready to follow through on the unspoken promise. The thought of watching Hunter with Dave over his knees... Shuddering slightly,�Shawn rather suspected that if he wasn't too captivated by the sight, he'd be begging for a turn. Hunt could only tease with that sort of thing for so long before he had to put up or shut up... and given the signals Shawn and Dave had been sending each other, the latter option wasn't a viable one. Unless Hunter's mouth was too full for him to speak, of course. Almost choking on that thought as he tried to keep from laughing, Shawn twisted back to face Hunt as he sat down again and slid a hand up the muscled thigh hiding under the thousand-dollar suit as he gave his friend a wide-eyed look. He stopped short of batting his eyelashes, but only just; he didn't want Hunter to start giggling. "What time is our flight, Hunt? I don't know about you, but I think that I'm... looking forward to our time off. The sooner we're home, the better." Smiling sweetly, Shawn waited for his answer. **** Jeff waited for Mark's answer and hoped like hell it would be something he could live with. He'd be the first to admit that lack of impulse control was a�strong facet of his personality and one he'd been struggling with for years. Jeff had nearly ended his career, both physically and politically by jumping in where angels feared to tread and he had so much riding on his current circumstances that if it all went to hell, he might not come back out again. Eyes locked on the small movement of Mark's lips, Jeff was distracted by Scott Hall rising to his feet at the other end of the table. "I'm going to move most of my things back to our house during our off time. This time around, I know we're going to get it right." Trying not to let his surprise show, Jeff looked at the obviously MegaInLove couple of Hall and Nash with envious eyes. It was a great thing they were back together after all the problematic ups and downs they'd experienced through their long term relationship. Jeff didn't have a clue what those bumps were but he was glad for them. Hell, Jeff didn't even know they'd broken up but he was glad they were back together. Everyone else seemed to think so too if Waltman's hilarious reaction and the shared look between the Heartbreaker, the Animal and Wardrobe over there was any indication. Still, happy for the two men as he was, Jeff couldn't let go of his selfish desire to hear Mark's answer, to have some direction for his future behaviour indicated. More than likely he'd break every rule they would have to set, but he was going to try for Mark's sake to be a responsible adult in public, to keep up appearances and not piss Vince off. Okay... he said he'd�try. "Vince is going to think... whatever he wants to, Jeff." That... wasn't particularly reassuring. Although he seriously doubted that McMahon's opinion of him could drop much lower than it had been the last few months, Jeff still had enough pride left to want to raise that opinion to somewhere above Satanistic Little Bastard to a level more like Crazy Fucker But What Can You Do? It wasn't nice to think that Vince would think the worst of him no matter what. No, nice was not the word. Nice was absolutely the word, however,�he would use to describe the feelings generated by Mark's fingers tracing over the side of his face. The exquisite caress, unknown to Jeff till now, shook him to his very toes. Not for its sexual component, because it was very discreet, but for the affections it conveyed, matched by the sweet light in Mark's jade green eyes. ...What we do in private stays between us unless we allow it to affect our work, and I don't plan to let it." Jeff just blinked up at Mark while his body, disassociated from it's brain as it was wont to do in the other man's presence, leaned into the cool palm, eyelids dropping to sleepy half mast as fingers roamed his features. Fundamentally this was the problem, the one that had so frightened him minutes ago. Mark couldn't just touch Jeff, couldn't bestow friendly, public gestures and have them equally returned. No. When Mark looked at Jeff with eyes that bored right into him and a sweet not-there smile that had the young man's heart crying... Jeff went up like a house on fire. Even now, while Mark explained that it was okay for them to be 'public lovers', Jeff wanted to throw himself wantonly on the salad bar and beg Mark to take him for all the world to see. And damn Waltman for putting that visual in his head in the first place. Mark's breath on the sensitive nub of his earlobe didn't help matters as Jeff shut his eyes completely and let the rolling Texan vowels wash over him. "So much for abstaining until he trusts you again Jeff?" His conscience mocked him as his cock reacted happily to Mark's stimulating caresses and the stunning pictures involving mayonnaise that his brain kept helpfully supplying. "I'm not normally up for much of that..." Like an answer to Jeff's pathetically, hormonally enhanced prayer, Mark's comment provided a much needed dampener to Jeff's slowly rising temperature. Good, good. If Mark wasn't demonstrative in public then he would find himself going off the rails far less often than he might have. Good. Just some light guiding touches like last night, but no salad bar or desks. Good. Ignoring a small wail in the back of his head, Jeff was about to nod in agreement when Mark continued, delicious teasing breaths even more arousing... if that were possible. "..and I'm finding that I can't not touch you. I kind of hope you feel the same." Crap, crap, CRAP! Standing abruptly, Jeff knew he'd only marginally missed cracking Mark's jaw by the luck of two sets of well-honed reflexes. Looking down at his lover, and feeling really weird to be doing it, Jeff smiled absently in apology and gestured at the buffet table. "Umm... I do, I do feel the same," keeping his voice low so as not to get anyone's attention but Mark's, Jeff continued. "Just... I... crap. I'm gonna get food now... NO!... um," he waved Mark back to his seat when the�big man began to rise. "I'll get it. You stay here. Just... I need a second to compose myself, Lover. " The words were hissed sotto voce, but he could see Mark get the message by the bright, hot looking coming into those deadly green eyes. Crap! Turning on his heel, Jeff made for the food. He kept as far away from the salad bar as possible while actually staying in the room. **** "Love you, Bad Guy... that was a good announcement." Kevin's reaction made him smile. His was the most important after all. Scott snuggled deeper into the arm around his shoulder even as he spent a brief moment watching Kevin watching the others. Of course his curiosity was piqued as well so he took a look himself at the men seated at the table. He didn't need to look to know Sean's reaction, the dark-haired man was announcing it loud and clear. Scott didn't have a clue what movie his friend was talking about but being compared to someone's parents made him laugh. Luckily he and Kevin did not have that responsibility though he supposed they could be considered stand-ins of a sort. Mark's smile was expected, though brief, and then he was having a quiet, and from the look of things important, bit of conversation with Jeff. He and Kev were going to have to call the big man sometime this week and find out what the deal was there. Scott was extremely curious to find out what had given them that little nudge, because they wouldn't have found their way together without some kind of interference. They'd both been way too in denial to figure things out for themselves. Chris and Eddie were smiling and that was a good thing. Though Chris seemed to be a little off. They'd fix that though. Scott was well aware that Benoit wasn't comfortable around them. Most likely due to his friendship with Mr. Hart. It was going to be one of Scott's missions to convince the Rabid Wolverine that they weren't quite the wolves in sheep's clothing or, Scott's personal favorite, tools of the devil, that Bret had no doubt painted them as. Bret had a huge chip on his shoulder and had warned more than a few people that he and Kev were bad news. Most of the time he and Kev managed to work around it by just being themselves. He wondered if anyone had ever told the other man that he had been off about them? Most likely not and Bret wouldn't believe it anyway. Proving to Chris that they were decent, okay make that half-decent people shouldn't be that hard... should it? Then there was the little trio sitting at the table. Scott just loved that word, most likely from the time it had applied to him, Kevin, and Shawn. Damn those had been great times. He would miss being able to drag Shawn off from time to time, but there wasn't the least little bit of jealousy inside. Shawn deserved to be happy and as much as he and Kevin had tried, Shawn had always seemed to feel just a little bit on the outside of what he and Kevin had felt for each other. Looked like that wouldn't be a problem with this little trio, though. The sparks flying between the three men were a sight to see and Scott was going to sit back and enjoy watching them burn brighter as time went on, maybe even stoke the fire a bit here and there. Couldn't be helped, it was just Scott's nature after all. Scott returned Shawn's smile with an openly affectionate one of his own. He wasn't about to temper his reactions where the man was concerned and the other two had to get used to it. There was too much history between Scott and Shawn for them to pretend that they were anything other than what they were. He'd make an effort though to remember he couldn't just randomly touch the man anymore. He still planned on hugging Shawn whenever his friend was within ten feet of his personal space, but he would refrain from groping him so freely. Besides, he was fully concerned with groping Kevin whenever possible right now and that was more than enough to make Scott a happy man. Speaking of which... Slipping one wandering hand along Kevin's thigh under the table, Scott turned to see if Dave had lost the color in his cheeks yet. It wasn't quite so noticeable now though he seemed thoroughly distracted by his own personal thoughts. He was smiling and didn't look like he was going to run for the door at any moment though so Scott had to consider that a good thing. He wondered just for a moment how Batista would respond if Scott gave him the general 'hurt them and we'll kill you' speech. Somehow he could imagine Dave's reply involving a growl or two. And finally Hunter... He wasn't sure what to call the look on Hunter's face just before he turned it into a breathtakingly cute smile. It was nothing. He really shouldn't worry about it, but it had almost seemed like doubt. Something that he had faced for months now as he and Kev worked their way back to each other. He had questioned what they were doing more than enough for ten people because he was scared to extend his trust again to the man who'd hurt him more deeply than anyone else on earth was capable of hurting him. But he'd decided that he didn't have a choice about it in the end because that same man was the one he loved more than anyone else on earth. So if Hunter had a few doubts that was okay. Eventually he would understand and Scott didn't doubt that he would now that he was with Shawn and Dave. "Nothing gives me more hope that my life will be okay than seeing you two back together again. You have something I envy and that is the courage to keep loving no matter what the life throws at you." Scott was touched by Hunter's words and smiled his thanks in addition to Kevin's verbal reply. He just wondered when Hunter would realize he didn't need to envy them. He had that courage inside if he bothered to look and Scott had a feeling that it wouldn't be long before he realized it. They already had Vince on their asses and if that wasn't a prime example of life throwing things at them, Scott didn't know what was. The three of them would overcome that and anything else thrown at them as long as they were sure of how they felt about each other. He wondered if they'd all admitted to those feelings yet or not... "Also�I�m so not helping you move your stuff again Scotty. It weighs a ton." Not bothering to be as discreet as Kevin, Scott laughed. Hunt would be there in an instant if asked and they all knew it despite his protests. And he'd most likely be dragging extra muscle along with him. "How much stuff are we moving, babe? 'Cause you know my back isn't quite what it used to be." Smiling fondly at his lover, Scott patted his knee. "Not to worry Kev, other than the recliner, it's just boxes... mostly clothes. We won't need Hunter's help and I wouldn't ask for it anyway. He has a bad habit of pilfering my clothes and keeping them to wear whenever he feels like it," he added in a louder tone so Hunter would be sure to hear it, throwing in a wink at the blond to show he was teasing. "I can already see him picking through my old Razor gear so he can restart the flashy vest trend on the next Raw." Grinning unrepentantly, he squeezed Kevin's thigh. He was pretty sure Kevin would remember where this particular tease stemmed from. One interesting night, years ago, he and Kevin had had an argument over something... weird that he couldn't remember what it was about... and Kevin had decided to get his own room. Scott had promptly gone out to the nearest bar to get plowed and had done a pretty good job of it. He'd looked up from his mug quite awhile later to find Hunter standing next to him. Hunter had growled and grumbled and drug him out of the bar, heading them back to the hotel. Hunter had had an arm around him holding him up and for some ungodly reason that Scott still couldn't figure out, other than that Hunter had looked really damn hot in those jeans he was wearing, Scott had turned and pulled Hunter into a kiss. It was a stupid thing to do considering he wasn't even sure if Hunter liked guys. He was lucky he didn't get his ass kicked. Hunter hadn't pulled away, most likely due to surprise, and after a bit of mild groping and a devastatingly hot kiss, Scott had come to his senses. He just couldn't do that to Kevin even if he was terribly pissed off at the guy. He'd apologized to Hunter profusely and been forgiven. And thankfully it hadn't affected their friendship afterwards. It had answered his question though on whether Hunter liked that sort of thing. When they'd made it back to the hotel, Hunter had insisted on staying with him. He wasn't sure what Hunter thought he might do besides pass out on the bed, but he'd waved him towards his suitcase and fallen face first on the bed. Hunter had borrowed some sweats and a shirt to sleep in and Scott had never gotten them back. Every once in awhile, he'd catch Hunt wearing them to work and smile. Scott had told Kevin all about the kiss after they'd hammered out their differences the next day. Thankfully Kevin hadn't gotten upset about it, though he had been surprised. Apparently Kevin, at that time, hadn't been aware of where Hunt's interests lay for sure either. As far as he knew, neither one of them had ever mentioned it to anyone else. Which is probably why Hunter's interest in Shawn had remained hidden for so long. Now that it was all out in the open, it was certainly fodder for a joke or two. And Scott wasn't above making those jokes, because he was Scott. **** to be continued...

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | ITVR Main Page | Home