Title: Turn of the Tide (1/??)
Author: slashburd
Pairing: HHH/HBK
Rating: M?
Disclaimer: I do not know of any of this to be true, I don't know or own these people (but I'd secretly love to!).
Summary: M/M Slash, bad language, violence
I'd like to recommend Thomas Newman, Any Other Name to listen to whilst reading this. Its a very slow and beautiful instrumental piece and well worth trying it out.
Hunter pulled back the apron of the ring and reaching underneath grabbed his sledgehammer. It hadn't been seen since the industry was made to tone down the violence but he'd been out before the show began to stash it. He'd sensed that it might be needed tonight.
He slid under the bottom rope and back into the ring, getting up and staring with rage etched all over his face, veins protruding everywhere like a road map. There was a steely and determined look in his eyes that utterly terrified the man stood before him, a man who was about to think twice about what he'd just done.
Hunter's breathing was laboured, subconsciously his body was trying to quell both the fire that was starting to rage underneath his skin and the sense of panic and urgency that was creeping slowly up his spine. However it couldn't and didn't want to be stopped, the mist had descended and nothing would clear it away now.
Paul stood there, mouthing apologies, arms outstretched to emphasize the point and, more importantly, keep Hunter at a safe distance. When he saw the snap he knew it hadn't worked and that a storm was indeed coming.
Surging across the ring Hunter swung the hammer back and then sharply thrust it forwards into Paul's gut. Instantly Paul dropped to his knees, doubled over in the centre of the ring, moans of real pain and swear words escaping freely from his mouth. The crowd cheered loudly, easily drowning out Paul's voice, all assuming that this was part of the show.
In a split second Hunter turned the weapon round and raising the handle end high above his head he brought it down with all his might over Paul's back and shoulder blades. There was nothing Paul could do other than to keel forwards, lying prostrate and defenceless in the middle of the ring, screaming in agony.
The referee called for the bell and Hunter barely registered Lillian announcing the disqualification. He couldn't care less if he tried. Dropping the hammer he slid back out of the ring and ran up the walkway, seeing and hearing nothing of the crowd cheering him on. He didn't hear his music kick in and certainly didn't stop to look back at the ring and gloat. There just wasn't time.
***
Bursting through the stage door he looked round frantically, trying to find some sign as to where everyone was at. He saw a door swing open towards the end of the corridor and sprinted down there as fast as he could. Stephanie emerged, her face blotchy and puffed up, one hand curled around her waist and the other over her mouth desperately trying to stifle the sobs that shattered the silence of the corridor.
"Steph, how bad is it?"
"Oh Hunter, my God, I don't know what's happening, he......... he........"
The sobs took over, no words came out of her mouth and Hunter just needed to know. Grabbing her shoulders roughly he asked again.
"Steph, what the fuck is goin' on in there?"
She was totally frozen, staring through her tears straight into Hunter's eyes. He had to know, now.
Letting go of Steph he grabbed the door and swung it open hard, his eyes unprepared for all hell breaking loose behind it. Every medic in the arena was there busily working away, tightening straps, talking, preparing, counting; the flow of words and noises flooding Hunter's senses until he couldn't take any more.
"Will somebody, anybody, please tell me what the fuck is goin' on?"
This was the closest he'd ever been at work to losing the plot for real. There was no script to tell him how to feel, how to react, what to do now. This was his life, their life. The room fell silent, the penetration of Hunter's yelling had brought them all to a halt, the tone of voice indicating that this wasn't something they could ignore.
He felt like everything was stuck in slow motion. The medics parted and his jaw dropped with what he saw before him. There was his lover, his world, in a neck brace and strapped to a spine board on top of a stretcher, unable to move any part of his body because of the restraints that had been placed all over him. The deeply furrowed brow of the staff doctor and how quickly he resumed his animated and anxious chatter on the phone was all Hunter needed to know, his questions were answered then and there.
Tears welled in his eyes and ran slowly down his cheeks. His mind was racing, surely this wasn't really happening. Where was the camera crew recording this for the DVD extras? Where was Vince making a sprained ankle sound like a career ending injury like he always did for this kind of shoot? This couldn't really be happening to Shawn, not after everything they'd been through......
He was brought back to earth by the faint sound of a familiar voice.
"H-Hunter, is that you?"
He pushed his way to the side of the stretcher through the throng of people who were still crowding the room. Reaching out he enveloped Shawn's cold and crooked fingers with his own large hand, gently rubbing to soothe them back to life.
"I'm here baby, I'm here."
Shawn tried to smile, his eyes lighting up with just the sound of his lover's voice nearby. All too soon though a grimace passed over his face, his eyes darting wildly while he bit down on his lip to stop the screams escaping to the point where he almost broke the skin. In trying to lift his head he'd obviously strained something all the more. So many years of pain and still a fiercely proud man thought Hunter, knowing that there was no need for this bravery as everyone understood the pain Shawn was in almost constantly these days.
As the last of the straps was clicked into place Hunter swore to God he would be by Shawn's side no matter what. Leaning down to stroke Shawn's hair he planted a soft and loving kiss on his lips. For a moment the entire situation they were in was forgotten. Shawn had never been more grateful not to be alone and Hunter never more grateful for every moment he shared with the most wonderful person ever to walk into his life.
As they parted lips there was a shock moment of electricity, a connection between them that took them both by surprise. The tears came again, and there was an unspoken acknowledgement that this time it was really serious. Muscle rub and a week off wasn't going to fix everything this time. A strained whisper broke the silence observed by everyone honoured enough to share that moment with them.
"Hunt, my legs.......... I haven't been able to move 'em since they brought me back here......I can't feel a damned thing...."
Gripping his lover's hand tighter Hunter wanted to collapse on top of him and ask what Shawn had done to get roughed up like this. Instead, for the sake of the scared and vulnerable man just inches from him, he blew out a sharp breath to steady himself to be able to speak. Meeting the gaze of the searching eyes below him he forced the words to come out as he gently whispered back.
"I'll look after you baby, ain't nothin' we can't fix between us Shawny. Right?"
Before there was a chance for Shawn to reply a walkie talkie buzzed in the background and announced that the ambulance was finally here. It was go time.
A/N: I know, I know, this is super angsty and I'm almost sorry about that ;) Playing this through in my mind was hard enough, just hope the words do the scene justice. More to come if anyone wants to read it :) p.s. for those who might not know, Paul is Big Show :)