This fic currently is nameless, suggestions welcomed.
Rob Van Dam walked slowly to his locker room, a sigh escaping him.
Another lost match.
He and Kane were better than this. Were capable of so much more than they were putting out. If he didn't know better, Kane was purposely trying to make them lose.
Why? It didn't make any sense. Ever since RVD had joined WWE only a few years prior, he had always wanted to befriend the tall, stoic man. Kane was massive in size and power, and he was almost always alone. The tender part of Rob's psyche hated to see anyone alone, and felt that everyone was good even if they didn't always show it. He eventually decided that he would prove his theory by befriending the Big Red Machine. Only recently had he been given the opportunity.
When they were first assigned a tag team match together, Rob couldn't help but feel excited. He knew that with his agility and Kane's strength that they would be unstoppable. Also, he would finally have the opportunity to befriend the forlorn giant. He was determined to prove that, despite the older man's aloofness, beneath Kane's rough exterior lay a gentleness that would only be shown to those who've earned his trust.
However, he was quick to learn that Kane's friendship would not be an easy one. Rarely would the older man pay Rob any heed, often ignoring him altogether. Even after their first, successful tag team match, Kane didn't seem to want anything to do with celebrations. Wordlessly he would retreat back to his room, or leave altogether.
Despite this glaring setback, RVD's determination refused to waver. Months he had spent, trying to persuade his partner to give their friendship a chance. Finally, months later, Kane began to warm up to him. The Big Red Machine began to hang out more with his new, smaller companion, respond when spoken to and would even mimic his taunts on occasion.
Rob Van Dam had even been convinced to believe that Kane was beginning to regard him as a friend. But recently, they had been plagued with disputes, and their lack of communication was affecting them in the ring. The fact that their antagonists were cheating horrifically did little to help matters. Kane's wrestling had become sloppy, unfocused, as if he was purposely trying to lose.
But why?!
"He's trying to drive you away," a voice from behind startled Rob. He had entered the locker and was mechanically putting his clothes in a bag when the voice had broke his train of thought. A flush of embarrassment crossed the young man's features, he hadn't realized that he was speaking his thoughts out loud. But he quickly masked his discomfort and turned to see Hurricane pulling clothes and other equipment from his locker.
Not too long ago, Kane had been allied with the young superhero. Now that he thought about it, Rob wasn't sure exactly what had caused the end of their friendship. As far as he was aware, there hadn't been too many disputes between them, and none of them severe enough to ruin their developing relationship.
"What do you mean?" Rob asked sincerely as he stuffed one of his shirts into the bag.
"Kane's afraid of being close to anyone. He's just been betrayed too much, and feels that he can't afford to trust anymore," Hurricane answered, his voice soft.
"How…do you know?" RVD stopped what he was doing and looked at the smaller man.
"He told me, once," the superhero laughed. "When he lost that match to Triple H, I decided to take him out. You know, go bar hopping. He didn't really want to go at first, but I insisted, so he finally did. I got him totally plastered, and that was when he told me… Shortly afterwards either he passed out or I did, I don't know. We were both pretty drunk. But the next morning, he was gone. He has never spoken to me since."
"Why?"
Hurricane shook his head slowly, "I think he felt that he revealed too much information about himself, and that our relationship was no longer an acquaintanceship. I could have tried to pursue it, but after seeing how much baggage his friendship would bring, I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. The same thing happened with Terri, unfortunately. What's sad is that she still wants a relationship with him, if only he'd allow it."
Rob stood in silence, not really sure what to say. How awful it must feel, not being able to trust anyone, not even oneself.
"He's trying to push you away…" Hurricane concluded, "…because he's becoming too attached to you."
The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Kane had pulled away from Terri and Hurricane as soon as his emotions began to get involved.
"I won't let him pull away from me. I'll show him that he can trust me, no matter what." RVD shook his head, a fire of determination in his eyes. With that said, the young martial artist slung his bag over his shoulder and began to walk out of the locker room. However, before he left completely, he turned and gave his friend a wave, "Thanks, man!"
Hurricane waved back and watched him leave. After Rob was gone, the young superhero couldn't help but smile. "If anyone can break the wall that Kane's put between himself and the world, I know you can."
Author's Notes: Am I the only person in the world who loves Kane and RVD as a tag team?! They are just so cool together! This story takes place before they won the tag team championship belts, and is sort of a novelized version of what happens. (It will generally go along with what's been happening on RAW, but with many backstage/outside occurrences that aren't on the show. Eventually it may break away and form its own plot)