Theodore Long took centre stage and addressed the raucous Philadelphia crowd.
"It's with great pleasure that ECW anoounces that with it's final draft pick, it selects... Jeff Hardy!"
In the locker room, Jeff fell off his chair.
"Praise the Lord!" He shouted, raising both fists to the sky.
"Looks like Matt's in trouble now." Shannon Moore giggled.
"Damn straight." Jeff stated. After the Royal Rumble screwjob, he been waiting to get his hands on his brother. But what was really going on? Jeff couldn't admit it to anyone else, but beating the tar out of Matt was secondary. Lately, and this was the hard part, he couldn't get his mind off newcomer Eric Stryker. At first he thought it was just a schoolgirl crush,. But the more he hung around him, the more he wanted something a lot more than that. He'd had vivid dreams of him almost every night and usually awoke in a cold sweat, his heart pounding and his cock throbbing.
Leaving the RAW locker room, he went down the hall to where the ECW wrestlers were chilling.
"Welcome to our little family." Tommy Dreamer greeted him.
"Thanks." He replied, feeling like the new kid in school. He looked around at this future allies and enemies, trying to find one person in particular.
"Looking for Matt?" Dreamer guessed
"Yeah." Jeff lied.
"He's in the ring." Tommy pointed to a monitor. "He's in the first ever Tables-Ladders-Chairs tuxedo match."
"Did you just say a tables-ladders-charis tuxedo match?" At first, Jeff thought his ears were playing tricks on him.
"Yeah. That's what I said."
"Who's winning?" He asked
"I dunno. It looks pretty even to me." Tommy pointed to the monitor.
Jeff watched, torn as for whom he should be cheering for. If he was to stay in character, he should hope that Eric would destroy Matt. But, since the only way to win was to strip your opponent down to his underwear, part of him hoped Matt would be victorious. Maybe it was because he wanted to see Eric almost-naked, or maybe he didn't want to see Matt in that state, he wasn't sure.
Feeling a slight case of deja-vu, Jeff watched Eric toss Matt onto a ladder and grab a chair. He lined up the shot and this time, Matt didn't move. Standing over a prone Matt Hardy, Eric proceeded to rip, tear, and otherwise shred the tuxedo. He grinned evilly when he went for the pants.
"I don't think so..." Matt kicked Eric low and followed up with a suplex onto a table. He pounced on Eric and started tearing the clothing from him.
"Yeah!!!" Jeff shouted, quite by accident.
"Whose side are you on?" Tommy asked
"Sorry, I'm so used to cheerin' for Matt." Jeff blushed, sitting down again.
"You better keep your story straight. People already think weird things about you..."
"Whatever." Jeff returned his focus to the match. Matt was down to his shirt and pieces of his pants, while Eric only had his bow tie and cummerbund left. Jeff tried to focus on the match itself, but found he couldn't take his eyes of Eric's chiseled form, especially in what little he was wearing at that moment.
Eric climbed the turnbuckle and the camera caught him dead center. From where he sat, it appeared that Eric was pointing directly at Jeff. He flew, doing a perfect imitation of the Swanton. Matt was dazed and Eric ripped the rest of the clothes from his body. Thankfully (or not) Matt wasn't goin' commando that night.
"Here is your winner... Eric Hardy!"
Eric celebrated with the crowd by throwing pieces of the two tuxedos into the crowd, followed by the rest of his own suit.
Running to the back, he made a directly dash for the locker room. Unlike some members of the company, showing off more than he had to was not something he liked to do very often.
Grabbing a towel, he quickly wrapped it around his waist and headed for the showers. Trying to look inconspicuous, Jeff followed.
"Hey..." He didn't want to seem like he was up to something, even though he was.
"What the..." Eric turned around, his towel flopping open for the briefest of moments, but that was enough. "You always sneak up on the guys in the shower, Hardy?"
"Only when they're really hot." Jeff replied
"I guess I should take that as a compliment." Eric retorted
"I guess." Jeff looked down at his shoes, trying not to go ga-ga any more than usual.
"Is there something I can do for you?" Eric asked
Jeff's head snapped up. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you must want something from me pretty bad if you're bothering me in the shower, right?"
"Well, yeah."
"Well, spit it out then."
"I was wondering if... y'know... maybe, after the show you'd like to... " Jeff felt more embarrassed now than the time he'd been caught behind the barn with the girl down the street.
"Are you asking me out?" Eric asked, the tone clearly indicating that this was not something he was expecting either.
"No. I mean, I just wanted to maybe have a drink or... 'coz you're always hanging out with Matt..."
Thank God Matt entered the shower himself, saving Jeff any further embarrassment.
"Great match, Matt." Eric said
"You too." Matt replied
"Yeah." Jeff added, almost at a whisper.
Matt looked over at his younger brother, smiling. "It's a good thing we don't have to keep up the charade all the time, isn't it?" He was referring to their animosity, that even had to be maintained to a degree around the boys in the back.
"If the family reunion is done, I'm gonna get cleaned up." Eric tossed his towel aside and stepped under the hot water. Jeff's eyes bugged out and he had to force himself to step back instead of running into the shower with him. He wanted to feel his body against him, the friction building to an indescribably messy conclusion...
"You still starin' at me?" Eric's sharp command snapped Jeff out of his dream.
"No..." Jeff whined
"Oh." If Jeff didn't know better, he'd say that Eric sounded disappointed.
"Then pass me my towel please."
"Sure, dude."
Once he was re-wrapped, Eric stepped out. "Are you gonna stand there forever?"
Jeff turned away, dejected.
"Cause you got until I get dressed to make yourself presentable."
"What?"
"Our date?" Eric briskly towelled his shoulder-length hair. "I don't kiss on the first night though."
"Me neither."
"Then you better take care of that anaconda in your pants before we go." Eric glanced down, as did Jeff. To his horror, he was fully hard. This seemed to happen way too much lately.
Leaving a red-faced Jeff yet again, Eric walked back into the locker room. He tried adjusting himself, but he couldn't will his organ to cooperate. He was to the point where he though he was going to have to rub one out, when it started to deflate on its own.
"There is a God." He whispered
No one even looked at him when he stepped out of the showers.
"Enjoy your shower?" Elijah Burke couldn't resist cracking a joke, albeit a bad one.
"Knock it off, Burke. He's just making himself look good." Matt jumped to his defense.
"Little Jeffy has a date? How cuuuuuuute?"
"Did you just call me cute?" Eric walked over, his babyface niceness gone. In its place was a look that could melt steel.
"No... I meant that... it was cute that Jeffy had a date, not who he was dating..."
"Elijah, I'm gonna give you some advice... don't put your two cents in unless you have exact change." Eric winked at Jeff. "Are you buying the first round?"
"Yes, sir." With exaggerated formality, Jeff saluted.
"And knock that 'sir' crap off. You make me feel old." Eric smacked Jeff on the seat. "Now let's go before people get any more of a wrong idea."
Laughing, they strolled out the door.
"Hey, Matt. What's up with your brother?" Elijah asked
Matt looked a little bewildered. "I'm not sure."
"I mean, he's not gay is he?"
"I don't think so." Matt answered, looking cockeyed at Burke. "But Jeff's done a lot of strange things in his life."
"So, how long have you had a crush on me?" Eric asked in the parking lot. "My car?"
"Please..." Jeff loved driving in Eric's Viper with the top down, with the wind rushing through his hair, at 200-plus miles per hour.
"Well?" Eric paused to wipe a smudge off the metallic paint job on the trunk.
"Huh?" Jeff was busy staring at the car.
"You haven't answered my question. How long have you had a crush on me?"
"What makes you think I have a crush on you?" Jeff answered with his own question.
"How dense do you think I am, Jeff? You've been hanging around me like a little puppy since the first day I was here."
"Oh. I didn't think it was that noticeable."
"A guy with more hair colours than the rainbow is talking about subtlety?" Eric laughed "That's a good one."
He backed out of the parking lot and floored it. They drove through town, hair flying, sometimes barely keeping the car on the road.
"Where are we going?" Jeff demanded
"There's a club on the outskirts of town I wanna go to. A friend's band is performing tonight."
"Cool."
"I thought you like the idea. Given what I've heard of Peroxwhy?gen, you'll probably enjoy these guys." Eric popped in a CD. "This is them."
Jeff listened. It was a little lighter than what he played, but still heavy enough to get in a good mood.
"They're called NCDR." Eric answered "Don't ask me what it stands for."
Jeff shrugged, snuggling down in the seat a little.
"Don't get too comfy." Eric playfully slugged him. "We'll be there in five."
"'Kay, dude."
Eric turned into the parking lot of what looked like your run of the mill bar. Faded clapboard siding, a rooster weathervane, and corrigated tin roofing made it even more hillbilly.
"Don't let the outside fool ya." Eric noticed Jeff's bewilderment. "It's quite the place."
Jeff looked over, a questioning expression on his face. Eric laughed again.
"You may be good a lot of shit, but the People's Eyebrow isn't one of them."
Jeff pouted. "Show's what you know."
Eric turned his head, concerned that he had really hurt the Enigma's feelings. "Let me tell you a little something about me. Sometimes, well actually quite often, I open my mouth before my brain has a chance to tell me not to. I'm not trying to put you down."
Jeff looked over. From his expression, Eric seemed sincere.
"Maybe I should stop being so sensitive." Again, he tried the Rock's look.
"That one was better." Eric replied "Let's go get drunk."
A few minutes after eight, NCDR took the stage.
"Good evening Cincinnati! We are NCDR and we're here to make you forget how expensive the drinks are!"
Laughter.
"Just kidding. Enjoy the show. Please try the fish."
Eric stared at the remnants of his dinner. "I hope that's not what we ate."
"It looked a little fishy to me." Jeff replied
"That's what I was afraid of." Eric faked a burp.
Jeff laughed.
Once the band got into their set, Jeff and Eric had to shout just to hear each other. So any serious discussion was put on hold until their show ended. Eric excused himself midway through; he was experiencing a severe headache. He'd been to this place many times before and never felt this bad ever. He really hoped it wasn't dinner.
He pointed at himself and in the direction of the bathroom to make Jeff understand. He nodded sympathetically; he too was feeling a little off.
Eric eventually returned, still feeling ill. But he was determined to enjoy the rest of the performance.
"You okay?" Jeff yelled
Eric made a "so-so" gesture.
Jeff tapped his watch in a "You wanna leave now?" motion.
"I'll live." Eric mouthed
"Folks, we are NCDR... on drums, Erik Draven..."
The crowd cheered.
"On base... Lee Isley..."
More cheers.
"On rhythm guitar, Tommy Oliver..."
Still more cheers.
"And finally, the man without whom this wouldn't be necessary... Joel Belanger!" It was the drummer who did this bit."
"We'd like to thank you all for comin' out. Have a good night and we'll see you again real soon."
Tha band played their final number, a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'". As soon as it was done, Eric got up.
"If you wanna stay and have another drink or two, that's cool, but I gotta get outta here now!"
"That's fine. We gotta show tomorrow anyway." Jeff slid out of the booth behind Eric.
"You need a drive somewhere?"
"You sure you're okay?" Jeff looked concerned.
"Maybe you should drive." Eric tossed his keys to Jeff.
"Sure." Under most circumstances, Jeff would've been thrilled to drive, but he was starting to worry about Eric. He didn't look real well at all.
"Where are you staying, Eric? I'll drive you there." Jeff said
"Same hotel you are." Eric mumbled "But I don't think I'm gonna... urp!"
Eric leaned over the side of the car and vomited.
"Fuck that, I'm taking you to a doctor!"
Jeff, I'm..." Eric threw up yet again.
"No arguments... just try to keep it under control until we get there." Jeff spun the wheels and drove out of the parking lot as fast as he could. It was only a ten minute drive to the nearest clinic, but Eric was belligerent.
"Just find me a Seven-Eleven and I'll be fine. I'll get some Gravol or some shit like that." Eric heaved deeply, trying not to be sick again.
"Okay, but on one condition... you're staying with me tonight." Jeff quickly did a U-turn. They'd just passed one such store.
"Fine. Whatever. And something to wash it down with as well." Eric sighed, feeling his gorge lurch with every bump in the road.
After what seemed like forever, Jeff pulled in to the parking lot.
"I'll be back in a minute." Jeff was in and out in less than two minutes.
"Here."
Eric took two of the pills and washed them down with several swallows of water.
"Better?"
Eric looked over at him, the green tinge on his face matching the colour of his shirt. "As... long... as... I... breathe... slowly..."
Jeff drove as quickly as he could to get them both back to the hotel, only stopping once for Eric to empty his stomach. It was mostly dry heaves now, whatever had been causing his discomfort had long been expelled.
"I'm on the twelfth floor." Eric sighed during one of his less nauseous moments.
"You wanna stay with me?" Jeff asked quickly. A little too quicky for Eric's liking.
"Jeff, thanks, but no thanks." Eric responded. He soon realized how harsh he'd sounded.
"I was just trying to be nice. Dammit, why does everyone think I'm trying to get with them when I just want to be friends!"
"Jeff, I didn't mean it that way." Eric leaned back against the seat, fighting the rising bile in his throat. "Actually, maybe it would be a good idea if I wasn't alone until this stuff starts working."
"You really mean it?"
"I'm not promising anything." Eric answered "But if I didn't trust you at least a little, you wouldn't be driving. And besides, I'm new to the company. I need all the friends I can get."
"What are you talking about?" Jeff demanded
"I'm not putting you down, it's just that you and Matt are the only people I've really bonded with since I've been here."
"Guess it's tough now that Matt and I are 'enemies', eh?" Jeff replied
"I know our fans aren't stupid, but since you two don't hang out a whole lot off-camera, I'm sortova loner. You get me?" Eric turned his head to face Jeff. "And I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I really prefer to be around a lot of people..."
"If you didn't, you wouldn't be in this profession." Jeff retorted
"I guess."
"We're here." Jeff pulled into the hotel lot and quickly found a spot near the doors.
Matt paced his hotel room, confused by recent things. He wished he hadn't told Jeff about his recent infatuation. It was hard enough trying to explain it to himself, but then Jeff goes and makes a fool of himself in front of the guy Matt was trying to impress. And now, he had a date with Eric.
"Dammit, Jeff, you've really done it this time." Matt threw himself at his bed and covered his face with the pillow.
Matt's phone rang. By the ringtone, he knew who it was and he didn't want to talk to him right now. He waited for the message.
"Hey, bro, it's me. Eric must've ate something bad so we're crashing in his room. We were gonna hang with you but I remembered how much you don't like being around sick people. I'll talk to you later. If I'm wrong about you and sick people, we're in room 1212."
Matt stared at the phone, wondering what to do. Should he go up and watch his brother make a fool of himself, all the while wanting to take Eric for himself? Or just spend another night alone, angry and confused?
"Have your fun, Jeff." He groaned "'Coz big brother isn't gonna take this lying down."
He tossed his phone away and stared at the ceiling. He could almost picture Jeff, literally throwing himself at Eric. Those eyes, that hair, God it was too much for him! That's why he'd suggested the TLC/tuxedo match. He'd needed an excuse, no matter how cheap, to get close to the man. And when Eric had agreed, he'd almost come in his pants right there.
Matt ran his hand down his chest, feeling the prick of stubble under his thin shirt. He always hated having to shave his chest almost every day, but he'd been cursed with dark hair. His fingers traced around his left nipple, tweaking it slightly and sending a wave of anticipation straight to his groin.
"Ah, yesss." Matt continued to play with his nipple with one hand while his other searched for the hardness between his legs. With a grunt, he forced open his pants and stared at his dick which had popped free of his jockey shorts.
He lightly touched himself, and his hand already felt sticky.
"Not gonna last too long tonight, eh Hardy?" Matt thought silently, starting to work his cock in his own special way. He knew he wasn't gonna last, so he became determined to make every second count. He could almost taste Eric on his lips, his mouth falling open slightly at the thought of the younger man kissing him, his tongue flicking out to wet them and moaning slightly.
"Oh... " Matt groaned "Yeah..." His mind played out his new favorite fantasy. Based on what he'd seen in the tuxedo match, he pictured playing with the soft fabric of the g-string. His fist pumping like a piston, he soon brought himself to the edge and then over it.
"Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He screamed into his arm, hoping that he'd muffled his cry of ecstasy somewhat.
Down the hall, Eric was leaning over the toilet, having another case of the heaves when he heard something that sounded like his name. He wiped his mouth on a swatch of toilet paper and stepped out. Jeff was exactly where he had left him, sprawled one of the twin beds, demolishing a bag of Skittles.
"Did you hear that?" Eric asked
"Hear what?" Jeff replied, munching rather noisily.
"I thought I heard someone scream my name." Eric gingerly lay down on the other twin bed and exhaled loudly. "That's the last time we go to that club."
"At least to eat." Jeff added
"Yeah."
"Uh, Jeff, can we talk about something???"
"Sure, Eric, what's the deal?"
"I'm not sure how to bring this up, but are you expecting something from me other than friendship?" Eric looked over at Jeff, uncertainty plain on his face.
"What d'you mean?" Jeff looked back, slightly confused.
"I mean... how do I put this politely... do you want me in a sexual way?" Eric answered "I mean... oh fuck, I've blown our friendship, haven't I?"
The look Jeff returned made Eric feel ashamed.
"I've always lived honestly, Eric, and if you want to know the truth, I think we're destined for more than just being simple friends." Jeff answered
"Is that a yes?" Eric queried, confused. He hated it when people answered hs questions without actually answering them.
"Maybe." Jeff responded "I don't know what the future holds for us, and right now my motto is live for the moment, so I really don't care."
"Okay." Eric replied "Because I want to set the record straight... not the best choice of words, okay... but I do enjoy your company, but right now I'm not ready for more than that."
Jeff was disappointed, but he didn't let it show.
"And it has nothing to do with you being a guy, alright? Honestly, I don't know what you'd call me, but I believe that everyone has a soulmate, whatver gender mix it may be, and I don't think I've found him or her yet." Eric swung his feet over the bed and stared at Jeff. "I should probably go now."
"Yeah. You should." Jeff retorted
"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but I thought you'd appreciate my honesty." Eric let himself out without another word.
Jeff rolled over and stared at the phone. He punched the top button on his speed dial.
After twelve rings, it was finally picked up.
"Matty...." was all Jeff said before he started to cry.