"ITVR: Chapter 9"
Aftereffects.

By Jadedoll, Penumbren, & Raising Kane

Milky Way bar

Hunter reached out and carefully placed the crowning glory on his achievement. There were twenty-four glasses in his suite, tumblers, champagne flutes and wine glasses. Twenty-one of which, he'd broken two and one was in his hand, now reflected the light from the bedside lamp like a crystal palace. A shiny, sparkly crystal palace that would make Alice In Wonderland proud. Snow White had a palace like this...or was it Cinderella? Sleeping Beauty? Whatever. One of those Disney girls had got a Prince Charming with a sparkling castle...and a fairy that kept whacking it with her wand. Stupid fairy.

Hunter had got a castle. It wasn't sparkling, but it reflected the sunlight on a fine day. Eight stories tall and all the servants followed him around. He even had his picture on the wall there and everything.

He hadn't got a prince though. Maybe he was The Prince? He'd married the King's Daughter after all so he was probably The Prince. He'd better keep an eye out for stupid fairies or his castle would turn to dust. For some reason that seemed incredibly funny to Hunter. So funny that he almost knocked over the gleaming statue of glasses as he tried to control the spasms in his stomach. His castle couldn't turn to dust, it was all ashes now anyway.

Looking for his bottle, Hunter was amused to note it was almost empty. With completely steady hands, he unscrewed the cap and poured himself a careful measure. No necking on the bottle for this Prince, no thank you. He was a Gentleman, and Gentlemen drank from the glass. Putting the bottle back on the glass coffee table, hunter leaned back against the couch and surveyed his masterpiece from his position on the floor. The twin of his whiskey bottle sat in the middle of the castle of glass, surrounded by attendant tumblers. He hadn't considered how he'd get it out afterwards, but then logical planning was beyond him at the time.

He had a castle, sure it was small but then Hunter wasn't ambitious. That sent him into another fit of giggles until he almost wept. Almost. Adjusting his thought process backwards several steps he continued. Hunter was a Prince, he had a Castle with servants, he could probably get a horse if The King let him...so what was missing? Of course.

The glass structure tilted precariously as Hunter leaned backwards up the couch to retrieve his suit jacket. Diving into the inner pocket he pulled out his cell phone and examined it. He didn't have much luck with cell phones and this one wasn't much different. The numbers were almost unreadable! And they kept swapping around just to fool him. Hunter struggled for several long minutes till he remembered Greg's lesson on Voice Activation. Pressing his thumb onto the little green telephone, Hunter spoke the name of the person he wanted to talk to. A soft beep and then it was ringing.

"Ha!" Hunter congratulated himself, he was smarter than a piece of technology.

He was starting to lose count of the rings when a breathless voice answered.

"Hunter what is it?" Oh, that's right, it was The Princess.

"Steph? That you?" Because it might not be, although The Princess had a pretty distinctive voice when he thought about it.

"Hunter? What the hell! What's going on?" Ooops, she sounded angry. The Princess wasn't one to be messed with when she was angry. Why had he called her again. Oh yeah...

"Steph?"

"Hunter?" Not angry now, The Princess sounded worried. Good, this was a serious business. "Is Shawn okay?"

Hunter just let that question slide away from his sodden thoughts.

"Princess? My castle's gonna fall down when the fairy hits it," he explained.

"---"

"Steph?" Maybe the fairy had gotten to her already. Stupid fairy.

"Hunter? Have you been drinking, Honey?" Nope, she hadn't been fairied yet. Good. He liked The Princess, even when she was angry and her voice went funny.

"Yes." He didn't know how to lie to The Princess. He'd lied to everyone else though. 'Specially Shawn. That had been just about the biggest lie that Hunter ever told. Dave had caught him on it, but Dave had special powers to see straight through Hunter so that was to be expected. He couldn't hope to measure up to Dave when he was invisible. "It's empty but if I get the other bottle the castle will fall down."

"The OTHER bottle?? Hunter where are you?" He'd had to hold the phone away from his ear then.

"Suite four," he told her. He'd seen the number on the card in the slot by the door.

"Where Honey? The Grand is it?..." he heard some muffled thumping as The Princess did something. Her voice sounded different as if she was talking to someone else. "...that's where they are tonight right?...No...he'd just totally gone....hang on...."

Now THAT wasn't true. He hadn't gone anywhere all night, just sat right here to protect the castle. The Princess had lied to...to...that's right...Meg. Pretty Meg with short blond hair and a briefcase. Meg always carried a briefcase so she was Meg, The Princess's Briefcase Holder. Long name.

"Hunter....just relax Honey, I'm gonna call Ric okay? He'll be over in a minute."

"Why?" He liked Ric, but he could hardly see how his mentor was gonna stop the fairy.

"Just to keep you company okay?" Hunter smiled at that, The Princess was always nice to him.

"Okay...sure." Ric could maybe help him get the bottle out of the castle.

"Good Hunter, I'm gonna go back to bed now. I'll call you tomorrow okay?"

"Thank you," he responded politely, she was The Princess after all. "Bye Girl." Because that's what he always said.

"Bye Hunter." The dial tone echoed through the hotel room. Hunter hoped it wouldn't make the glass break. Then his castle would be dust.

That was so funny Hunter laughed till he had to muffle his sobs in the couch cushion.

****

Kevin smiled as he heard Scott stop fighting against the noises he was drawing out of him. He loved hearing his lover whimper and moan; it just turned him on even more when he knew how much he was affecting Scott. Feeling Scotty's hips jerk against his grasp, Kevin redoubled his efforts, knowing how close Scott already was to begging for more.

When one hand reached down and tangled in his hair, Kevin shuddered. If Scott was resorting to his hair... he growled at the sharp jerk on his hair, the momentary pain almost instantly turning into a bolt of lightning that went straight to his cock. He loved it, loved having his hair played with, and Scott knew his weakness well enough to use it when he needed to. The bit of pain only heightened the sensation for him.

"God Kev...please. Need you. L...Love you, Kev."

Oh, yeah. That was what he'd been waiting for. The moan that ripped out of Scotty's mouth drew another growl from him in response and he sat back. Finally lifting the hand that was holding Scott's hips down, he fumbled open the lube that he'd picked up earlier and squeezed some onto his fingers. Scott whined at the loss of contact, his hips moving restlessly, and Kev reached up to caress his hip reassuringly.

"Easy, Scotty, easy," he said hoarsely. Sure that the lube was warm, he circled Scott's entrance with one finger before pushing it in gently. At one point in their relationship, he would've just given in to Scott's demands at this point and fucked him... of course, at that point neither of them cared how they felt afterward, either. Now, he wasn't going to do anything to Scott that would leave him hurting later... except when that was the plan from the beginning, of course. Kev still looked forward to those times, rarer now than they had been in the past, but had discovered that he enjoyed making love to Scotty slowly, gently, lovingly, even more these days. The noises that slipped from Scott's throat prompted him to add another finger, scissoring them as he stretched his lover, watching his face as he brushed against his prostate. When he added a third finger and saw no pain on Scott's face, he spread lube over his aching erection and removed his hand, standing up with only a slight creak.

"C'mon, sweetheart, turn for me. Head up by the headboard," he rasped, pushing gently at him until he moved. Kneeling on the bed between Scott's thighs, he leaned forward and placed a hand on either side of his head, kissing him deeply as his cock nudged at Scott's entrance. Pushing forward slowly, Kev groaned deeply as he was enveloped within his lover, stopping the slow glide only when he was fully sheathed. He never pulled his eyes away from Scott's.

Just as slowly, he pulled his hips back until only the tip of his cock was still inside Scott before thrusting forward again, settling into a slow rhythm that nudged against Scotty's prostate every few strokes. The slow pace was killing him, but he wasn't going to give either of them the faster pace that their bodies were demanding until he'd fulfilled his other promise. Panting, Kev smiled down at Scotty.

"Time to scream for me, sweetheart."

****

Despite what Shawn had said, Dave found everything about Shawn to be interesting. He liked knowing that Shawn was an only child and that he'd spent quite a few Sundays at Sunday school. He listened attentively to everything from Shawn's dad helping him pay for wrestling school all the way to Shawn's interest in archery and fishing. He'd been a bit surprised to hear that Shawn had been seriously involved with Mark, but only because it wasn't common knowledge as most relationships were backstage.

As far as Dave was concerned, Shawn could 'babble' all night and he'd still be completely interested, but he did note that Shawn seemed a bit embarrassed by it. He'd just have to be sure to point out to Shawn that he'd enjoyed every minute of it. The wine might have had a little to do with Shawn's talkative state. It had turned out to be a very good wine and Dave had had his own share. If he didn't have such a naturally high tolerance for the stuff, he most likely would have been just as chatty. Finding the pink tinge to Shawn's complexion rather cute and endearing, Dave smiled when Shawn asked for his help back to his room. Clumsy or not, Dave was happy to have any excuse to spend a bit more time with Shawn.

"Back to my empty room. I'm tired of it always being empty."

Dave was pretty sure that Shawn's words hadn't been intended for his ears, but it struck him as strange how he'd had the same exact thoughts earlier in the evening. Maybe they could both avoid being alone tonight, although Dave wasn't about to take advantage of Shawn in his current state. As much as he'd love to spend the night exploring the body of the man sitting across from him, it just wasn't going to happen tonight. Besides Shawn being just a bit tipsy, he'd had quite an emotional day and Dave wasn't going to compound that by having Shawn wake up next to him wondering what the hell they'd done the night before. That still didn't mean they had to go to bed alone did it?

Flagging down the waiter, he handed him his credit card and made sure to mention they were in a hurry to get out of there. As soon as the man came back, Dave scribbled his name on the slip, adding in a generous tip, and sliding his card back in his pocket. Holding out a hand, he helped Shawn to his feet, and then guided him out to the waiting limo with an arm loosely around his shoulders.

Dave wondered if Shawn might fall asleep on the way to the hotel as short as the ride was. He sat beside him with his arm still loosely around Shawn's shoulders, enjoying the warmth of Shawn leaning into his side. The trip was quickly over as was the short elevator ride up to Shawn's floor. As they walked down the hallway to Shawn's room with Dave's arm holding Shawn steady, Dave fought with himself over the thought he'd had in the restaurant. Would Shawn even accept his offer of company for the night? There was only one way to find out. Dave would just have to suck it up and ask despite his nervousness. As Shawn leaned against the wall next to the door searching for his keycard, Dave took a deep breath and considered how to phrase his request.

"Shawn, I know that tonight might not have started out the best, but I really did enjoy having dinner with you. It was nice to have the chance to get to know more about you. I wish tonight didn't have to end and...." Dave paused for a moment raising his hand to stroke gently over Shawn's cheek as he had earlier.

"I heard what you said at the restaurant about lonely hotel rooms and I know I probably wasn't supposed to hear it, but I was thinking the same thing myself earlier tonight. If we stayed together...we wouldn't be alone. I promise no funny business because I'd never try to take advantage of you, but maybe...maybe I could just hold you while you sleep. If you want me to." Dave smiled at Shawn, hoping that he would agree to his idea. If things went wrong later when Hunter finally came to his senses, at least Dave would have this one night with Shawn to remember.

****

Damn. He just loved that smirk. Something about it always made him feel all warm and tingly inside. Then again maybe that was just the way that Chris was looking at him at the moment, his eyes all heated as they roamed his body.

"Anything I want huh?"

You got it babe. Absolutely anything...even me. Though he wasn't about to say that thought out loud. He'd already taken more of a risk than he was completely comfortable with. After all this wouldn't be just another nameless person...it would be Chris. Chris wasn't 'just' anything.

"...And I return the favour."

Adam shuddered as Chris' hot breath blew across his ear. He moaned loudly, the sound echoing off the brick walls in the alley. His eyes dropped shut as his mind raced through pictures created by Chris' words. How about it? Well hell fucking yes was his first reaction and his second, but he'd never be so ungentlemanly as to put it that way out loud.

"I think...." He opened his eyes to look at Chris and swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. "I think that if you're going to give me those kind of orders, I could get real used to taking orders from you, Sweetheart."

Grabbing Chris' hand he literally drug him through the back door and through the club. That's when he remembered that they'd hitched a ride with Jay and Ty. Aw hell. Looking for the pair at the table he'd cornered them at earlier, he saw that they were still sitting there.

"We'll have to go drag Jay and Ty out to take us back to the hotel," Adam said, pointing in the direction of the couple. "We rode here with them, remember?"

He didn't think it would be a problem once the two found out they'd be rooming together that night rather than split up between he and Chris. Adam was just about to head towards their table when he caught sight of Austin who was caught up against the bar in a full press by Rosey with Shane whispering in his ear.

Turning to look at Chris and laughing rather loudly, he said, "I don't think it'd be nearly as funny if we aren't here to watch it and I'm suddenly feeling rather generous. What do you say, should we call them off?"

****

As lost in his own thoughts as he was, Shawn didn't realise that Dave had taken care of dinner until the big man helped him to his feet. Damn, he thought. He'd have to take Dave out to a nice dinner to make up for that. The arm around his shoulders added to the pleasant warmth that was filling him and he couldn't help but lean into Dave, putting a tentative arm around his waist. If Dave said anything, he could always claim it was to help his balance.

The short walk to the limo made him realise that he didn't want Dave to leave him alone tonight. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to express that wish without it sounding like a complete drunken come-on line, so he bit his tongue, instead trying to snuggle up against Dave in the limo without acting like he was snuggling. If Dave wondered, he'd surely blame Shawn's closeness on the alcohol, right? Taking advantage of that thought, he leaned his head against Dave's shoulder and let his eyes drift closed.

He'd actually nearly dozed off when the limo arrived at the hotel. Dave's gentle touch on his cheek brought him back to wakefulness and he blinked up at the big man, a little embarrassed, but found himself wondering as he saw the expression on Dave's face just how he would've been woken up if he hadn't responded to that touch. He was more tired than he'd realised... probably the stress of the night, because he'd been pretty energised after the show, regardless of his encounter with the ring post. As they rode together up the elevator, Shawn realised that he could easily get used to having Dave touching him. The thought made him a little mournful as they stopped outside his room while he dug his keycard out of his pocket.

"...I know that tonight might not have started out the best..."

God, just please don't let Dave say that he just wanted to be friends, now. That would the final blow for his composure tonight, and Shawn really didn't want to have a complete breakdown. He was pretty sure that he'd lose it at some point during the night, but at least then he could pretend to himself that he was asleep or something.

Denial, thy name is Shawn Michaels.

"...I wish tonight didn't have to end..."

His eyes widened slightly as he pulled his keycard out, the soft touch to his cheek freezing him in place as he stared at the other man, suddenly almost nervous. He didn't want the night to be over, either, regardless of the pain earlier. He didn't want Dave to walk away from him again.

"...I could just hold you while you sleep..."

Finally realising that he'd been holding his breath, Shawn exhaled and took a deep breath, Dave's smile sending an odd little shiver down his spine. Forcing himself to move, he ran hesitant fingers, shaking slightly, down Dave's shoulder before smiling back at him.

"I... I'd like that," he said quietly. "I'd like that a lot, Dave." Deliberately not thinking about Dave taking advantage of  him, he hoped the big man would see the sincerity in his eyes. Blinking a little, he turned enough to run the keycard through the sensor and pushed the door open, walking in and shedding his jacket, dropping it on the chair in the corner. His bags were sitting by the dresser, and as he glanced around, he realised that he was going to have to find something to wear to bed. He disguised his moment of embarrassment by pulling his cap off and tossing it on top of the jacket as he headed for the suitcases.

"Umm... Make yourself comfortable, Dave. I just..." He could feel himself turning pink and turned away from the big man. This was why he didn't drink much anymore---he had no self-control when he did. Not to mention some of the other side effects... well, at least he hadn't had so much that he'd jumped Dave at the restaurant.

Dammit, that hadn't helped his blush. Opening a suitcase and digging through it, he hoped desperately that he'd actually packed something he could wear to bed. "I... uh... I just have to find something to wear."

Not quite daring to look at Dave to see his reaction to that statement, Shawn thought that it probably wasn't news to him. If he didn't wear anything under his tights---or his jeans---it shouldn't be surprising that he didn't normally wear anything to sleep in, either. Although he wasn't quite sure why he was so embarrassed about it; he never had been before. Aha! He pulled out a lone pair of pajama bottoms that had been buried at the bottom of his suitcase. Maybe it was because Dave exuded a sort of classy air that made him more self-conscious or something. Hunter did that lately, too, what with all his Armani suits and such.

Standing there, holding the pajamas, feeling all warm and fuzzy, Hunter's name nearly shocked him. And much to his dismay, he could feel the walls he'd been trying desperately to rebuild all evening start to crack. He was not going to start crying in front of Dave, dammit! He was stronger than this! Even if he had just had his heart torn to shreds, he was not going to lose control of himself... The tear that slipped down his cheek caught him by surprise, and with an almost angry movement he wiped it away as he turned toward the bathroom.

"I'll just be a minute." His voice was tight, probably revealing more than he wanted to. His lips compressed into a tight line as he tried to force his control back into place. Closing the bathroom door behind him, he stripped quickly and pulled on the pajamas after taking care of his other ablutions. He brushed his teeth and picked up his hairbrush, brushing his hair out and pulling it back before he took a breath and opened the door again.

He wasn't quite prepared for the sight that met him and stopped cold in the doorway. The big man had taken off his shoes and socks... and his shirt. Shawn felt his mouth water at the sight and forced down his libido. Even if he thought he were really in any kind of shape for something like that tonight, Dave would surely play the good guy to the hilt and be too honourable to take him up on the offer. He'd already said that he wouldn't take advantage of him, after all... too bad Shawn almost wanted him to.

Of course, the only other man that he'd wanted to take advantage of him had refused, too, albeit unknowingly. Shawn had practically thrown himself at Hunter during their DX days and Hunter had oh so gently refused to see what he was really doing... like tonight. Shawn blinked hard, then forced his voice to operate.

"Bathroom's free, if you need it..."

Damn. His voice was shaking. Dropping his gaze, he walked over to the bed, suddenly feeling awkward. As Dave walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind him, he pulled the bedclothes back and sat on the bed, staring at the paisley pattern on the comforter.

How many times had he done something like this with Hunter? Hunt had always been so worried about him, so watchful... so many nights they'd spent together in bed because Hunt didn't want to leave him alone. Something about that thought nagged at him, but he couldn't quite catch it as other memories filled his mind. Hunt with his arms around him, holding him after the breakup with Mark... brushing his hair out of his face with a concerned look when he was sick... grinning at him when he was so grumpy in the mornings...

A choked sob escaped him and he pressed a fist against his mouth, shaking his head. He'd spent so many years loving Hunter, had so many memories of him... and now it was all over. How could they still be friends, with this between them? Another sob, and he could feel the tears welling up. Dammit! He didn't want to do this, didn't want to lose control. Not now, not with Dave here... sweet Dave. Caring Dave. So much like Hunter...

The tears spilled over and he leaned forward, hiding his face in his hands as the pain crested and spilled over, escaping him in sobs that shook his body, leaving him blind to anything else.

****

Scott couldn't help the whine that slipped from his mouth when Kevin pulled away. Kevin's touch always left him feeling so needy, so wound up that losing it even for a moment was almost painful. Kevin's voice and gentle touch calmed him for a moment and luckily that was all Kevin needed before he was ready to start the next phase of their lovemaking.

When Kevin slowly slipped a single finger inside him, Scott whimpered and tried to move his hips to hurry the process along. Of course Kevin wasn't about to move any faster until he was ready. Scott loved the new gentleness between them, but at times like this he wished that gentle didn't take quite so long. When Kevin finally gave into his whining and added a second finger, Scott couldn't have been happier. Kevin's gentle touch against his prostate sent little sparks of pleasure rushing through him. Scott gasped, his eyes squeezing shut and he tried to arch into Kevin's fingers, but was limited by the awkward position.

"God Kev...more...please."

By the time Kev got around to adding a third finger, Scott was more than ready for the main event. He was almost ready to take control of things himself and jump the big man right there on the floor if he had to. Luckily, Kevin took pity on him and decided that he was ready to go. The temporary loss of Kevin's fingers had him ready to start whining again, but Kevin's directions cut it off before it could escape his mouth.

"C'mon, sweetheart, turn for me. Head up by the headboard."

He was supposed to be able to move after all that? He wasn't at all sure that he could, but Kev's gentle nudge got him started and he somehow managed to make it to the requested position. And then Kevin's mouth was on his again and he could feel the gentle nudge of Kevin's cock against his entrance. He let his hands roam up and down the wide expanse of Kevin's back as Kev gently pushed inside him.

This...this was the reason that he would always love Kevin. This was the reason he'd fought so hard to clean himself up yet again. Not the sex, but that look that Kevin had in his eyes right now. The way that he felt whenever Kevin looked at him just like that. It made him feel loved, cherished, and desired...all at the same time. It made him feel like he was worthy of having all of those things, despite all the times he'd messed things up or fallen off the wagon.

Kevin's withdrawal and consequent forward thrust back into his body drew his thoughts back to the present and Kevin's other promise. His nails dug slightly into Kevin's back as Kevin's cock brushed his prostate, a long low moan slipping from his throat. It was good. It was always good with Kevin, but this slow pace was going to kill him he was pretty damn sure.

"Time to scream for me, sweetheart."

He wanted to scream...in frustration if nothing else. Anything to get Kev to move a bit faster. Growling as another set of sparks skittered through his body when Kevin nudged his prostate, Scott wiggled until he could slide his hands into Kev's hair and gave it a sharp tug.

"Kev if you don't move a little faster...I'm going to cut you off for a week," he growled out in between heavy breaths. He knew that it was a false threat and he was betting that Kevin would know it as well. Maybe he could try another tactic. "Please. More Kev...please," he managed to gasp out as Kevin hit his aim once more.

**** 

"I'd like that a lot, Dave."

Dave let out the breath he hadn't realized that he'd been holding. Thank goodness he hadn't made a fool of himself yet again. The way Shawn was looking at him made him believe that Shawn actually would like having him there. He followed Shawn into the room and watched as he removed his jacket and his cap. It might be crazy, but he was just a little bit nervous. It got worse when he noticed Shawn's blush.

"I... uh... I just have to find something to wear."

Dave almost groaned. He hadn't even given a thought to what he'd wear to sleep in and he figured stripping down to his underwear would really give the wrong impression. He'd have to manage with his slacks. It wasn't as if he hadn't done it before. That's when his mind wandered to what Shawn normally wore to bed. Dave blushed a bit himself at the direction of his thoughts and he shoved them firmly from his mind. If he started thinking that way then Shawn surely would doubt his intentions. If not from the sight of his own blush then surely the fact that he'd have something prodding him in the back all night long would make him wonder if Dave planned to stick to his word about hands-off.

Shaking his head, Dave turned to see Shawn with a pair of pajama pants in his hand and sighed in relief. His slacks would work just fine. He was only a bit surprised at Shawn's seemingly sudden emotional state. Dave had been expecting more of a show of emotion from the man ever since the incident in the car. When Shawn made a hasty excuse and hurried into the bathroom, Dave decided to let the incident slide. Obviously Shawn just wasn't ready to deal with it and Dave wasn't going to push him. He'd already pushed enough so far tonight.

While Shawn was in the bathroom, Dave sat on the bed to take off his shoes and socks before standing and placing them neatly beside a chair next to the small table in the room. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it over the back of the chair. It would need dry-cleaned anyway so no use in worrying about wrinkles.

Just then Shawn walked out of the bathroom and Dave let his eyes wander over him briefly. It wasn't like he didn't have a picture burned into his mind of Shawn bare from the waist up. He saw him like that all the time. He'd also fantasized about him more than once and not just his chest was bare in those fantasies. Staring at the man he'd promised to 'just hold' all night would not be a good thing. Then again, as distracted as Shawn seemed to be now, he probably wouldn't notice. Obviously the events of the night were finally starting to sink in.

"Bathroom's free, if you need it..."

Dave hurried into the bathroom and took care of his needs. It wasn't like there was much to do anyway. As he was in the process of getting ready to walk out the door, he realized that he was still wearing his belt. Biting his lip in consideration he unfastened it as he was walking out of the bathroom.

"I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to lose the belt. I wouldn't want it to scratch...." Dave trailed off as he saw Shawn huddled up on the bed, crying his eyes out. He wasn't really surprised at all. He probably wouldn't have lasted this long before giving into the need to let his emotions get the better of him if he'd gone through what Shawn had tonight. "Oh Shawn...Sweetheart," he said quietly, the endearment falling from his lips before he even realized he'd said it.

Pulling the belt quickly from the loops of his slacks, he tossed it in the general direction of the chair he'd been sitting in and walked over to the bed. Crawling up next to Shawn, he leaned against the pillow and pulled the sobbing man onto his lap, his arms wrapped around him. With Shawn's head leaning against his shoulder he stroked his hand soothingly over Shawn's back and arm as he whispered to him. He wasn't sure Shawn would even notice, but he had to try something.

"Shh...it's okay, Shawn. You know he didn't mean it. Regardless of what he said, Hunter does love you, Sweetheart. One of these days he's going to have to admit to it. If it will make you feel better, I'll go find a chair and smack him over the head with it for you." Okay, so maybe that last bit was out of place, but he was willing to try anything to get Shawn's heartbreaking sobs to stop. Dave continued to hold Shawn and whisper to him in the hopes that something he said would help ease Shawn's pain.

****

Chris' body was so closely pressed to Adam's that he felt the small shudders that rippled through the other man. His heart and his dick did triumphant simultaneous nip ups at the sensation. He'd made Adam tremble. Despite Edge's earlier words, CJ wasn't a hundred percent convinced that he'd been interested oh so long ago. Sure, his explanation made sense, 'stay away from the one you actually like', but the small part of Chris that had been ignored for the better part of a year by the man he had a huge thing for wouldn't go away.

Not that it mattered in the slightest right now, because said 'man of the thing' was looking at Chris like he was particularly favoured dessert.

I could get real used to taking orders from you, Sweetheart

CJ's laughter peeled across the alley as he was pulled inside. "No you won't," he yelled over Mac's raucous voice, but he doubted Adam could hear him. "Austin doesn't call me Napoleon for nothing." Not that he didn't call Steve 'Genghis' in retaliation, Stone Cold was barbarian through and through.

Did he just have a kink, or was Adam pulling him by the hand through a crowd a turn on? Maybe it was just the feel of someone touching him, or the 'claim' perception that he was with Adam and therefore no touchies. He'd done the same move earlier but excused it as way of not losing the man in the crowd. Yeah, not a kink, just nice touching.

Oh hell. Yeah it was a kink.

Chris followed behind Adam, admiring the view and indulging his kink all the way. When Adam stopped and pointed out Jay and Ty, CJ grinned. He would have absolutely no trouble forcing the couple to leave early so he could get laid. He'd left enough parties in his time because Jay had an 'itch' and getting his own back was fine with him.

should we call them off?"

Following Adam's gesture Chris' grin turned nasty. "I'm tempted to say leave them," he watched as Austin slapped Rosey's hand from his ass. It was a move more suited to a Victorian maiden than the Toughest S.O.B. in WWE and seeing it CJ felt his revenge meter satisfied. "But he can make me laugh and he'll never come out with us again if we don't save him."

Nodding he followed Adam once again across the club. Not a kink, not a kink. Reluctantly releasing Adam's fingers he watched as the taller blond pulled Rosey to one side. Moving in, Chris smiled gratefully at Shane, then got right into the bald man's personal space. Returning Austin's embrace from earlier he wrapped his arms loosely around Steve's neck and leaned in till they were nose to nose.

"I'll rescue you this time you Fucking Nutcase, but remember if you try something on me again, my Boyfriend will be looking for revenge." Chris infused his words with all the menace at his disposal. He knew it was a HELL of a presumption to call Adam his boyfriend. They'd only kissed twice after all. But Steve didn't know that so CJ felt he could get away with the threat. Besides, it had been nice to say it out loud.

Just to prove he hadn't lost all his pissyness where Austin was concerned, as he drew back he grabbed Austin's ear and gave it a short, hard twist. Smugly pleased with Steve's exaggerated wince and ear rubbing, he turned back to Adam. Time they lit a fire under Jay's ass and headed for their hotel, cotton sheets awaiting.

He stopped dead in his tracks at the odd look in Adam's eyes. 

****

Hunter had moved from stage 3) giggly, right over 4)stare numbly into space, to stage 5) maudlin. He couldn't even muster the interest to try the tablecloth trick with the runner under his Glass Castle. Fairy'd get to it eventually. It'd all be dust and ashes.

The door opening caused him to unsteadily swing around. He'd locked it hadn't he?

"Hunt?" The electric blond head of Ric Flair poked into the room. One sniff, one look at his normally perfectly coordinated friend was explanation enough. "Hey Champ, what's happening?"

Ric was here. That was a good thing Hunter knew, although why he wasn't sure. But Ric was wrong about him, just like Dave was and just like Shawn had been. For ten years Shawn had been wrong.

Looking away from the man quietly closing the door, Hunter took slow measured steps through the arch into the bedroom and sat down wearily.

"Not the Champ Ric, you should know that," Hunter was one of those very rare people that got more coherent the drunker he got, rather than less. He just got dizzy, that's all.

"Sure you are Champ, everyone knows that." For all his often manic excitement Ric Flair was nobody's fool. Hunter had never drank to excess in all the years they'd known each other. Something very bad had to have happened for his friend to do this to himself. His pale blue eyes took in the glass castle, the empty bottle of whiskey, now sporting a tie, the broken glasses and the cell phone with the engaged tone echoing around the room.

Something very bad.

"Nope not anymore," the blond disagreed. "Benny's Champ now, then Randy....." Tired eyes the colour of the liquor in the bottle looked up at him. "...do you like Randy, Ric? I know he can be a prick, but the kid's got poten...p'ten...gonna be good in a few years. Is it too early? I pushed him you know, you were there. He gets a quick run while I'm with Shawn...." That shut Hunter right up. He wasn't gonna think about Michaels tonight. Oh yeah? Vince's voice was back. Think calling him Michaels will give you some distance? Like you won't care so much if he's not Shawn anymore.

The empty glass in his hand had tilted precariously until it was lifted away by Ric. "Is this about Randy Champ? Of course I like the boy, he's got fire no doubt. But what's the matter? You know Pat wanted you to have the title back after Chris' run, Vince agreed. Why'd you say no and give Randy a shot?" Ric's Southern accent was strangely soothing to Hunter's worn thoughts.

Hunter turned the question over and decided not to lie. He'd never wanted to lie to anyone. But he had...even when it meant he'd want to die after...he'd lied because he had to be like Dave, and do the right thing.

"I got to do a programme with Michaels," he answered ignoring the sneer from Vince. "Randy's ego's no worse than anyone else in the locker room and better than some." Hunter wondered if he was starting to sober up or if he'd just gone onto a sober-like stage of drunkenness.

Flair sat beside the younger man on the bed and adjusted his jacket.  "So if it's not Randy then what's the matter Champ?" he flicked a look at the empty bottle again. "Why the whiskey tonight?"

Ignoring the question Hunter leaning heavily onto Ric's shoulder. "How'd you do it Ric? How'd you stay a decent man when you gotta sell yourself so low in this world?" It was pretty self-pitying but hey...Ric had knocked on his door after all. 'Cept he hadn't, he should probably remember something like that.

"Who you callin' decent Champ?" Flair sounded genuinely surprised. "I got so much crap all over me I'm amazed I'm not stuck to floor with it." Even drunk Hunter winced at another of Ric's colourful expressions. Lifting his arm, the older man dropped it around Hunter's slumped shoulders. "This business can rip your heart out and then stomp all over you if you let it. But you didn't Hunt, you rode the tide like a pro and look where it's got you. The top of the heap, the King of the Castle, you're the Champ, Champ. You're a natural." Ric was trying to lift Hunter's spirits, he had no idea of the invisible wounds he was causing.

"Yeah, a natural." Hunter agreed is eyes drifting closed, his weight sliding him backwards onto the bedspread. "Ten years," he muttered as he nodded off.

Ric had absolutely no idea what was going on.

****

"...He'll never come out with us again if we don't save him."

If he could make Chris laugh, then maybe Austin wasn't all that bad. At Chris' nod, Adam walked over to the bar with Chris still in tow. When he got next to the two men, he temporarily let go of Chris' hand and put a hand on Rosey's shoulder to guide the big man off to the side. He thanked him for his and Shane's assistance, told him that they were off the hook since he and Chris would no longer be around to watch the festivities, and wished he and Shane a happy night of partying.

"...My Boyfriend will be looking for revenge."

He just barely heard Chris' proclamation over the noise of the band, but he had heard it...at least he thought he had. Adam turned to see Chris plastered up against Austin, but that didn't bother him at all. He was still semi-frozen from what Chris had said. Boyfriend...

Adam negligently waived away Rosey's offer to give him half his money back, the other half of which the two planned to use to get rip-roaring drunk. Adam didn't need the money and it had been well worth the two hundred dollars that he'd given them.

He was still stuck on that one word...boyfriend. Is that what Chris wanted him to be? Sure, he had heard Chris earlier when he'd said he wouldn't have jumped to Raw if he'd known that Adam had liked him, but it hadn't really sunk in. Did Chris honestly want to be with him? Was he really interested in more than one night of what Adam was suspecting was going to be really, really hot sex?

If that was what he wanted then Adam was more than willing to try. He just had to keep his insecurities wrapped up tight enough that he didn't make a mistake and mess things up. This would not end up like his thing with Terry. He had said that he would give Chris whatever he wanted and he had meant it. Realizing that Chris was now looking at him and most likely wondering what the hell was the matter with him, Adam smiled almost shyly and extended his hand towards the blond.

"C'mon. Let's go find Ty and Jay."

****

to be continued...

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