It had happened again. He’d let himself go, and once again, he’d gotten his heart broken. It was just another in the string of empty relationships that he’d been through. Jeff Hardy, Sean, Test, Rocky, and most recently Christian. What was it that attracted him to people he knew would hurt him? Did he like the abuse? Was the pain somehow comforting? It reminded him that he was human and completely susceptible to the heartaches that he had put himself through. Goddamn, where would it end?

The thing with Christian had been a particularly intense relationship. Shane had fallen hard for him, and the bastard had used that to his advantage. Shane had to admit, it had started out being about sex—particularly passionate sex, in fact. Christian lit a fire in him that Shane had never experienced, but like all flames, it soon went out, leaving with them with nothing in common. It couldn’t last, Shane knew, but he still continued with it. Until, however, Matt Hardy caught Christian’s eye, and he ended it over the phone. The son of a bitch couldn’t even face him in person to tell him that it was over.

It had been so wonderful while it lasted. The sex was incredible, but Christian possessed a tenderness that Shane wasn’t used to. They would lie in bed for hours, sometimes talking, sometimes just enjoying each other’s presence. He would fall asleep with Christian whispering into his ear, reminding him that he would be there when he awoke, telling him that he was so special and so loved. What a bunch of bullshit.

What the hell did Shane expect? It was nothing new. Doormat McMahon, that’s what they should print on a damn t-shirt. They all knew it, and all of them had used him. He couldn’t stand it any more. Starting tomorrow, he would change. He was done with dating and relationships in general. It just wasn’t worth the trouble. There were so many other things that he could put his energy into that would yield much better results than him ending up on his hotel room floor, bawling his eyes out like a baby.

No one would ever use Shane McMahon again.

Never again, isn't that what you said?
You've been through this before

and you swore this time you'd think with your head
No one, would ever have you again
And if takin' was gonna get done
You'd decide where and when
Just when you think you got it down
Your heart securely tied and bound
They whisper promises in the dark

Shane walked backstage, puffing nervously on yet another cigarette. He’d tried to quit before, but it was just so relaxing, and with all the stress he’d been having, he needed something to calm him down. He walked with his head down, avoiding eye contact with everyone who passed. By now, they had all heard about he and Christian’s parting, and he couldn’t handle their looks laced with pity for him. “Oh, there goes Shane McMahon. He just got his heart broken again. Poor thing.” Always the victim, and he was fucking sick of it.

He rounded the corner, heading for his dressing room, and stopped short. Christian was standing outside the door, leaning against the wall. He had already changed for his match that night, and Shane struggled not to stare. He was a bastard, but still an incredibly hot bastard.

He looked up suddenly, a serious look on his face. “Hey, Shane.”

Shane took a drag off his cigarette. “What are you doing here, Chris?”

“I came to talk,” he replied. “I know that what I did last night wasn’t exactly the most sensitive thing, considering the situation.”

That was for damn sure. “There’s nothing to talk about, Christian,” Shane snapped. “It’s over. I accept that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get ready.”

“No, Shane, I won’t,” Christian answered. “I don’t want there to be bad blood between us because of this.”

“There’s not,” Shane replied, trying to push past him.

Christian put his hand on Shane’s arm to restrain him. Roughly, he pulled away. “Shane…”

Shane glared at him. “Don’t touch me. You lost that right when you fucked him.”

Christian’s head dropped to his chest. “I never meant to hurt you, Shane.”

“They never do.” He pushed past him and walked into his dressing room, slamming the door behind him. Hot tears sprang to his eyes, but he fought them back, refusing to let them fall. No, he thought, I won’t let him do this to me. I’m done crying for him.

A sudden clearing of a throat that wasn’t Shane’s made him look up. Hunter was sitting on the couch, looking up at him with a strange gleam in his eyes. “You okay?”

Shane fought off his surprise and nodded his head. “What are you doing here?”

Hunter shrugged. “I heard about you and Christian, and I wanted to come and see if you were all right.”
“I’m fine,” Shane replied, mashing his cigarette out in a nearby ashtray.

“Oh, yeah, that’s why you’re smoking again,” Hunter replied with a skeptical look. “You want to talk about it?”

Shane slipped his jacket off and threw it in a nearby chair. “Not really. Nothing to talk about.”

“Shane, I know you better than that,” he answered, pushing himself up off the couch. “It’s all right to be upset. I know how much Christian meant to you.”

Shane sighed. “I’m just sick of this shit happening to me. I’m tired of wondering when my relationships are going to end.”

“I would say the usual “you’re better off without him,” but I know that’s not what you need right now,” Hunter said softly, walking over to him. “You know that I’m here if you need anything.”

“Thanks,” Shane mumbled.

Hunter smiled, and then suddenly, grabbed Shane by the shoulders and pulled him against his body, pressing his lips against the young heir’s. Shane struggled against him for a moment before relaxing in his grip as Hunter’s tongue slid into his mouth. He pulled away and blushed. “I’m sorry, Shane. I don’t know why I did that. That’s the last thing I should have done. I apologize.”

Shane nodded, a little out of breath, as Hunter walked to the door. He turned. “Hunt?”

Hunter turned, the door slightly open. “Yeah?”

Shane smiled, scratching the back of his neck. “That was…um, nice.”

Hunter smiled and then walked out the door, a slight spring in his step. After he was gone, Shane just stood there. He was surprised to find himself smiling, and he didn’t know why.

Armed and ready,

you fought love battles in the night
But too many opponents

made you weary of the fight
Blinded by passion,

you foolishly let someone in
All the warnings went off in your head
Still you had to give in
Just when you think you got it down
Resistance nowhere to be found
They whisper promises in the dark

Shane sat on the bed in his hotel room, again nervously smoking a cigarette. He was definitely nervous. He could almost feel the seconds ticking by and they matched the furious pounding of his heart. His hand was shaking as he tapped the ashes in the ashtray beside him, and nearly dropped the cigarette as there was a knock at the door. Taking a deep breath, he put the half-smoked cigarette out and walked to the door. He ran his fingers through his hair and breathed deeply again before opening the door.

Hunter stood in the hallway, bathed in the soft light of the dim hallway. He smiled and his eyes sparkled. Shane smiled back. “Hey,” Hunter mumbled, his eyes running appraisingly over Shane’s form.

Shane felt his breath and pulse quicken. “Hey.”

Hunter stared at him for a moment, and then suddenly, they rushed into each other’s waiting arms. Hunter shut the door with his foot as his lips found Shane’s, and he gently walked him back into the room, his arms around the young heir’s waist. Shane clung to him, almost allowing himself to be carried. Hunter’s musky scent invaded his senses, and the room began to spin as he felt himself being pushed back onto the bed.

Hunter kneeled at the foot of the bed, pausing as he reached for the button on Shane’s jeans. “Are you sure you want this, Shane?”

Shane nodded, running his fingers through Hunter’s hair. “I’m sure.”

Hunter leaned up and kissed him before undoing the button on his jeans. Shane lifted his hips to help him, and Hunter pulled him all the way off, throwing them aside, and did the same with Shane’s boxers. Next, he worked on Shane’s shirt, and soon it joined the jeans on the floor. Quickly, Hunter removed his own clothing before lifting his eyes to the throbbing arousal between Shane’s legs.

Shane let out a howl as Hunter’s hot mouth touched his cock, and he arched his back, grabbing a fistful of the bed sheets. Hunter laughed, putting his hands on Shane’s white thighs and kneading them gently as he bobbed up and down on his cock.

“Hunt…” Shane whimpered, rolling his head from side to side. “I can’t take much more of this.”

“You want me to fuck you, baby?” Hunter whispered, flicking his tongue over the head of the young heir’s cock.

“Yes, fuck me,” Shane replied, involuntarily arching his hips up to meet Hunter’s tongue.

“First, I want you to come for me, baby,” Hunter growled, taking Shane all the way into his mouth until the head of his cock touched the back of Hunter’s throat.

Shane groaned, spreading his legs further. Hunter moved up and down his length, and as he applied the slightest amount of suction to the tip, Shane moaned his name and jerked his hips upward, shooting his warm fluid into Hunter’s mouth. He lapped it up carelessly, letting some of it dribble down his chin. Breathing heavily, Shane sat up and pressed his lips to Hunter’s, tasting his own seed and licking it from Hunter’s chin.

“Fuck me now,” Shane demanded, laying back on the mattress.

Hunter nodded, and moved to fish around the drawer of the nightstand. Coming back with a bottle of lubricant, he popped open the cap and moved so that he was kneeling at Shane’s feet. The young heir watched him coat himself and bent his knees to give him better access. Hunter set the tube aside and grabbed Shane’s leg, pulling it up and bracing it against his shoulder. He gently stuck one coated finger into Shane’s tight entrance, giving him a moment to adjust to the sensation. Shane panted as Hunter wiggled his finger around, searching for the spot that would make Shane scream for more.

“Hunt!” Shane groaned, arching his hips. Hunter smiled and added a second finger.

“Right there, baby?” he whispered, pushing his finger further in.

Shane nodded, and Hunter was about to add a third finger when Shane put his hand on his arm. “Please, Hunter, I want to feel you inside me.”

Hunter nodded, and then bent down to kiss Shane as he removed his finger and pressed the head of his cock against his entrance. Shane put his arms around Hunter’s neck and nodded. He closed his eyes as Hunter pushed into him, grasping the back of his neck tightly.

“Oh, God, Hunt,” he moaned, breathing in deeply.

“You like that, baby?” Hunter whispered, thrusting into him with quick hard strokes. “Did Christian ever fuck you this good?”

Shane shook his head, licking his bottom lip. He reached his hand between them and lightly grasped his own cock, but Hunter gently removed his hand, replacing it with his own. “Let me.”

Shane nodded, arching his hips. They continued the quick tempo, enjoying the feeling of each other’s bodies. The sound of their impassioned lovemaking rang throughout the silent room, and Shane grew dizzy from the dual sensations of Hunter pounding into him and the feeling of his hand stroking his cock.

“Hunt…”Shane moaned, now only partly coherent.

“You ready to come again, baby?” Hunter asked, moving Shane’s legs so that they were hooked around his waist. Shane nodded, and Hunter pushed into him roughly, knocking against his prostrate. Shane tensed, and then released his seed into Hunter’s hand just as the blonde reached his peak and shot his load into Shane’s tight ass. He stopped moving and leaned down to kiss the young heir beneath him.

“Don’t you ever think about Christian ever again,” Hunter whispered, stroking Shane’s cheek. “Understand me?”

Shane nodded, nipping at his fingers.

“And I promise you that I’ll never treat you the way he did,” Hunter continued, moving to lay down beside him. “I promise that you’ll be happy with me. You want to be with me, baby?” He wrapped his arms around Shane as he spoke.

Shane nodded, nuzzling against him.

“Good,” Hunter replied, kissing the back of his neck.

But promises, you know what they're for
It sounds so convincing,

but you heard it before
Cause talk is cheap and you gotta be sure
And so you put up your guard
And you try to be hard
But your heart says try again

Shane awoke the next morning alone in his bed. The room smelled faintly of Hunter’s cologne, and he stretched with a pleasant smile on his face. He’d hadn’t felt that good in a long time, and as he climbed from the bed to jump in the shower, he found himself anxious to see Hunter.

He made it to the arena a half hour later, and Shane walked through the halls, a slight spring in his step. The world looked different, and he knew that Hunter wasn’t going to be like Christian. They’d been friends for a long time; now, they were just something a little more. It wouldn’t be like it was with Christian. He wouldn’t let that happen again.

“Hey, Shane,” Stephanie said as he walked into the McMahon dressing room.

Shane nearly stopped in his tracks, but quickly regained his composure. “Oh, hey, sis.” He wasn’t sure how to act around her. Did she know that her brother and her husband had slept together? What was she going to say when she found out?

“Have you seen Hunter?” she asked, looking in the mirror.

Shane froze. “Um, no. I haven’t seen him.”

“Oh, I was just wondering. He didn’t come to my hotel room last night,” she continued.

After that, Shane politely excused himself. There was no way he could sit in the same room as his baby sister, all the time thinking about the incredible night he’d spent with her husband. Walking down the hall, Shane tried to clear his thoughts.

A disgusted groan distracted him. Shane stopped and turned to find Test leaning against the wall, shaking his head.

“What the hell is your problem?” Shane snapped.

Test crossed his arms over his chest. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

Shane cocked an eyebrow at him. “Get what?”

“Nothing, man,” Test replied, as he walked in the opposite direction. “Forget I said anything.”

Shane found that quite impossible to do. He continued on his way, still looking for Hunter when he happened upon Sean and Jesse, sitting the hallway outside their dressing room. Obviously, Tori was inside, changing. She never let them in when she was getting ready. Sean looked up as Shane approached, and he, too, began shaking his head.

“What the fuck does everyone know that I don’t!?!” Shane exploded suddenly, throwing his hands in the air.

Jesse looked up, a pained look on his face. “Shane, you should know Hunter better by now.”

The mere mention of his name sent Shane’s pulse jumping. “What are you talking about?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Sean asked, narrowing his eyes. “He fucks anybody he can get his dick into.”

Shane looked at them with wide eyes. “He told you—“

Jesse shook his head. “He didn’t have to. We can tell. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you, man.”

“Warn me about what?” Shane asked, trying not to blush.

“Despite what Hunter may have told you, he didn’t mean a fucking word of it,” Jesse answered bluntly. “He feeds that line of bullshit to everyone he gets on their backs. I speak from personal experience.”

Shane shook his head. “Whatever.”

Sean nodded in agreement. “He’s telling the truth, man. Hunter likes to fuck around with people’s heads, and you’re just another trophy on his wall. It’s even better that you’re the boss’ son. He thought he’d reached the top when he got his hands on Stephanie. You’re—well, let’s just say, you’re the icing on the cake.”

Shane was long gone down the hallway before the tears started to fall. He blasted past Stephanie as she came out of the dressing room. “Shane, where are you going?”

He didn’t answer. “Shane, you can’t leave! We’ve got a show to do!” Stephanie’s protests fell on deaf ears as he climbed into his limo and ordered the driver to go.

Fuck the show. Fuck Stephanie. Fuck the world.

You desperately search

for a way to conquer the fear
No line of attack has been planned

to fight back the tears
Where brave and restless dreams

are both won and lost
On the edge is where it seems

it's well worth the cost
Just when you think you got it down
Your heart in pieces on the ground
They whisper promises in the......dark

Goddammit, he was crying again. Shane lay on the bed in his hotel room, tears streaming down his cheeks. He’d let it happen again. He was a fool to think that he could have meant anything to Hunter. Why would Hunter need someone like him, anyway? He could have anyone he wanted. Shane took a deep drag off his cigarette, holding it in until it burned his lungs. He exhaled with a slight cough, and he closed his eyes. He wished the whole world would just go away, all of it.

There was a knock at the door. Shane didn’t bother to get up and answer it.

“Shane? It’s Hunter.”

Shane froze. Just the sound of Hunter’s voice made his heart jump. What did that mean?

“Shane, I know you’re in there. Let me in. We need to talk.”

Shane sat up, mashing his cigarette out in the ashtray. He crossed to the door silently.

“I know what Sean and Jesse said to you, Shane. You have to give me a chance to defend myself before you just decide that I’m guilty.”

Shane turned the doorknob slowly, crossing his hands over his chest. Hunter blinked at him, stepping back.

“I didn’t think you’d open the door,” Hunter muttered, a half smile on his face.

Shane didn’t smile. “What do you want, Hunter?”

Hunter’s smile faded. “I want to explain why Sean and Jesse said what they did.”

Shane shook his head, walking back into the hotel room. “There’s nothing to explain, Hunter. Last night was great, but I didn’t expect anything more from it.” Shane was, of course, lying through his teeth, but he had to do something to save his sanity. He couldn’t let someone else know how badly they could hurt him. If he did, it would come back to haunt him eventually.

Hunter entered the room cautiously, staring at Shane strangely. “You mean, you don’t want us—I mean, you don’t want a relationship?”

Shane shook his head, standing with one hip cocked out. “That’s exactly what I mean.” And then he hesitated. “You mean you do?”

Hunter bit his lower lip, and then nodded slowly. “I didn’t want to say anything because I know that you are still getting over Christian, but I want to be with you more than anything in the world.”

Shane uncrossed his arms, his hardened exterior faltering. “But what about what Sean and Jesse said?”

Hunter shook his head. “They’re just pissed at me because they both wanted you as much as I do. They’ve been lusting after you for months, but neither of them had the balls to do anything about it. It’s jealousy and nothing more.”

The corners of Shane’s mouth turned slightly upward. “And you really want to be with me?”

Hunter nodded, stepping forward to wrap his arms around Shane’s waist. “More than anything, baby.”

Shane blushed, looking down. “Oh, Hunt.”

Hunter chuckled. “Look at you, blushing like a school girl.” He pulled Shane more closely to him. Shane looked up and Hunter caught him by the lips, pushing his tongue between them. “I promise you, baby. This time, you’re going to be treated right.”

Shane shook his head. “Don’t make promises, Hunter. That way, you won’t be tempted to break them.”

Hunter nodded, and then an evil smile crept across his face. “I may not want to break any promises tonight, but I’ve got half a mind to fuck you so hard that we break that cheap hotel bed.”

“That,” Shane said, pulling Hunter toward the very bed in question, “is something that I don’t mind you breaking.”

~~**THE END**~~