Fan Boy

A two part lesson in the art of letter writing.

Part 1

“Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!!

With each chant a fresh wave of tremors swept through him. Watching him climb
the turnbuckle and throw his fist in the air, sweat glistening on his bronze skin,
made his mouth go dry.

“God damn....how many of these “returns” is he gonna make?” Chris Jericho tore
his gaze away from the TV screen to see Hunter standing behind him, gym bag
hanging limply from his shoulder. “Ah...you’re just jealous,” Chris teased with a
wave of his hand. “The only way you can get a response like that is to beat up
some furniture.”

Hunter walked up behind him and peered over his shoulder at the monitor.
“These fans are amazing. They scream for whoever Vince dangles in front of
them.” “I seem to recall him dangling you a few months back,” Chris said with a
grin. “Totally different thing,” Hunter retorted. I was gone forever. This guy pops
in and out every couple of months.” “And they still go nuts,” Chris noted quietly.
“And.... I know how they feel,” was what he added silently.

“You have to admit...he knows how to get the crowd worked up.” “Hey I had them
yelling last week,” Hunter said in his own defence. “Yeah...with the help of your
ever present sledge hammer”. “Hey don’t knock the hardware,” he said with one
of those quirky grins. “It’s more popular than Steph ever was....quieter too.”

Chris laughed appreciatively, but his attention was drawn once more to the TV
screen in front of him. He hated Monday house shows. It was nearly impossible
to concentrate on your own performance and still follow what was happening on
RAW. Most times he didn’t even bother, settling for a videotape the following
day. But when word raced through the arena that Dwayne was making his return,
he made sure to find himself the closest monitor.

The sound of Dwayne’s voice, passionately describing his love for their chosen
business made him stare in wonder. He watched as Dwayne paused every few
words to run his tongue across his full lips. Each time he did it, Chris repeated
the action, totally unaware that he was doing it. Hunter watched the screen for a
few seconds and then turned his eyes to Chris. Chuckling he nudged his
shoulder. “Why don’t you just do what all the lovesick fanboys do? Write him a
mushy letter?”

Chris whirled quickly. How the hell did Hunter know? It had only been the one
letter...and it really hadn’t been mushy. Admiring was a better word. “Why would I
write him a letter?” he asked defensively. “Whoa....calm down. I was kidding. But
you have to admit...you were just staring at him like a hungry man at the world’s
longest buffet table.”

“Very funny,” Chris mumbled. He reached over and snapped off the monitor,
making a mental note to find a video copy in the morning. “Come on...let’s go if
you want a ride,” he said, scooping up his bag.

Chris always liked doing the driving. It was one of the few solitary moments in his
day. Some guys were better than others to ride with. Kane was great because he
was so quiet. He rarely spoke, usually caught up in reading the latest best seller.
Rikishi was cool because he was so damn funny. He could do dead on
impressions of every one in the company...including his famous cousin. “Does
Dwayne know about this?” he once asked him. “Oh sure,” Rikishi replied with his
patented gap toothed smile. “He even critiqued me to be sure I got it just right.”

And then there was Hunter. He had to admit that in the past they had engaged in
some very interesting conversations. But tonight, all Chris wanted on the drive to
Sacramento was a long stretch of deserted road and a bit of silence. He got
one...but not the other.

“So how long will Mr. Famous be with us this time around?” he asked as he
leaned his head back against the seat. “I don’t know....September I think.”
Hunter cast him a sideways glance. “That should give you plenty of time.” “Plenty
of time for what?” Chris barked. “To fulfil your fantasies.” Chris turned and glared
at him. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.’ Letting his eyes slip
closed, Hunter laughed quietly. The sound like a low rumble of distant thunder.
“Sure you do.”

Chris dragged his eyes back to the road and thought about the letter. It had
really only been a note. A simple congratulatory message on the success of
Dwayne’s movie. Ok, so he had mentioned in passing that he missed their
matches together. But he was damn sure there was nothing mushy about it.
Then he remembered Dwayne’s words from earlier that night. He was going to
be at King Of The Ring on Sunday. It had been quite sometime since Chris had
actually looked forward to a PPV appearance. Having Dwayne back again would
make this one at least tolerable.

The series of matches they had gone through, leading up to Chris’ Undisputed
title run, had honestly been the most enjoyable of his career. Not only because
they were quick, action filled encounters that told their story brilliantly, but
because physically, they were some of the most intimate moments he had ever
spent with anyone.

He was sure Dwayne would have cheerfully knocked his head off if he knew that
he felt this way. But planning those matches had been some of the happiest
weeks he had spent as a wrestler. As sick as it sounded, he was more than
happy to take Rock Bottom after Rock Bottom if it meant feeling that god like
body on top of his.

He took a quick peek over at Hunter to find that he was, thankfully, fast asleep.
He continued to drive, lost in his thoughts.....and longings.

Part 2

Most guys preferred driving in the morning. But Chris liked getting to their next
destination the night before. It meant a more restful night’s sleep when he didn’t
have to worry about what time he awoke. As he headed through the deserted
hotel lobby towards the bank of elevators he wondered if Dwayne might be
making an appearance at Smackdown as well. The surprise element would be
gone....something Vince thrived on. But the fans would flock to see it. Something
Vince also loved.

“Can I catch a ride to the arena in the morning?” Hunter stood next to him, eyes
closed, swaying slightly. If he hadn’t just spoken, Chris would have been positive
that he was asleep on his feet. “Yeah sure,” he said. “You gonna make it to your
room ok?” “I’ll be fine....unless you want to come and tuck me in?”

The doors to the elevator slid open and Hunter stepped in, that maddening grin
still on his lips. “Was that supposed to be a joke?” Chris demanded. “Oh relax. I
know your heart belongs to Rocky.” “Are you nuts?” he almost screamed. “Why
do you say things like that? That’s how rumours get started.” “It’s only a rumour if it
isn’t true...right?” Chris tried to come up with something...anything... in the way of
a snappy comeback. But amazingly, words failed him.

“Don’t look so stricken,” Hunter teased. “He wouldn’t be my choice for a
boyfriend...but hey...to each his own.” As the elevator stopped they stepped into
the silent hallway and turned in opposite directions. “Chris,” he said over his
shoulder. “I’m only having some fun with you. But if you want to know
something......there’s plenty of truth in that old saying, “wishing doesn’t make it
so. I’ve always believed that if you want something you should go after it.”

Chris studied him thoughtfully. “When did you become so wise?” “Beats the hell
out of me, he laughed. “Maybe I’m talking in my sleep. Just give some thought to
what I said.” he paused and then that wiseass grin reappeared. “If all else fails
there’s always the sledgehammer.” Laughing softly, Chris shook his head. “Night
Hunter....and thanks.”

As he headed for his room he let Hunter’s words play in his mind. He could be as
thick as a brick sometimes. But he had to admit, he did have a point. And if his
feelings were obvious enough for even Hunter to see...then maybe everyone else
could see it too. He was debating with himself over whether or not this was a
good or a bad thing when he opened his door and froze. He knew his mouth was
hanging open, but he seemed powerless to snap it closed. “How’s it going
Jabroni?”

He sat across the room, sprawled in a chair, dressed in the same attire he had
worn earlier in the ring. Black sweat pants, black sleeveless t-shirt and sneakers.
Hardly Armani....but he looked so hot it made Chris break into a sweat.

“What are you....how in the world.....who let you in here?” “Which question would
you like me to answer first?” he said. “How did you get in here?” Chris asked.
Dwayne held up his own key card and smiled. “I told them you were expecting
me. When you’re The Rock...I guess people listen.”

“They just gave you a key to my room?” he said in shock. “Hey listen...if it’s a
problem...” Dwayne started to rise and Chris quickly corrected himself. “No...no,
it’s fine. I’m just surprised to see you, that’s all.” Dwayne smiled at how quickly
Chris tried to placate him.

He sat quietly and studied Chris thoroughly. “You catch RAW tonight?” “Sure
did,” Chris said grinning like the fanboy fool Hunter had accused him of being.
“That was one hell of a promo.” “I meant every word of it.” “How long you back
for?” Chris asked. “Long enough,” Dwayne replied coolly. “But that isn’t what I
came here to talk about.”

“Oh? Why did you come?” Chris asked, now thoroughly confused as to why the
subject of every dream he’d had for the past week was sitting in his hotel room,
looking very fuckable.

“I came because of this.” Dwayne reached between the thighs that had been
playing starring roles in his fantasies of late and into the bag that rested on the
floor. Chris recognized the envelope immediately. “My letter?” he squeaked,
hating himself for sounding so shocked.

“Your letter,” he repeated. “It was very......interesting.” “I just wanted you to know
how much I liked the movie...and....” Dwayne held up a hand to silence him. “I’m
referring to this.” He opened the letter and appeared to be reading. “I love the
way just looking at you makes my mouth water. I hope you get back to the
business of wrestling soon. I can’t wait to take you to the mat.”

Dwayne looked up and the smile on his lips, made Chris’ knees visibly wobble.
“Dwayne...I never wrote that,” he stammered. “I know you didn’t Jabroni. But
you’d be lying if you said that it isn’t what you meant.” Chris tried to respond, but
no sounds came out of his mouth. He watched in stunned silence as Dwayne
stood and crossed to where he was standing.

“I’m pretty sure this is the point you were trying to make.’ He leaned in close, the
warmth of his minty breath caressing Chris’ face. Just a fraction of a second
before he felt Dwayne’s velvet lips touch his, he finally found his voice. “Holy
sh......”