Title: In Venere Veritas
Author: NeroAnne
Disclaimer: I don't own the following wrestlers. Do I wish? Oh yes. But do I own? Oh no. XD. I own Lucinda Larraine, that's all. The song, "In Venere Veritas" is by HIM.
Summary: "In love, there is truth." They've been divorced for three years and want nothing to do with each other. They find themselves coming together when their daughter is kidnapped. Mark/Jeff, AU!
For: Slashdlite.
{I.V.V.}
-North Carolina-
He was nineteen when he found out he was pregnant. He married two months later. Seven months after that, she was born. She was only two when the marriage came to an end.
That was three years ago.
She is five, now.
Jeff sat on the dock, smiling as Matt taught Lucinda to swim. He watched her blonde curls touch at the water, her green eyes bright and her little mouth opened wide as her laughter surrounded the lake.
He chuckled softly, resting his chin on his knee. He loved his little girl. She was the most important person in his life.
It really was a shame that his marriage to Mark didn't last.
'Idiot,' Jeff thought, frowning as he stared into the water. 'When are you going to learn to stop listening to rumors and to actually trust someone for once?'
Indeed. Their marriage had ended over a damn rumor.
That hoe-bag that he was dating now was the reason because of it, too. Michelle McCool. Ran her fat mouth and accused Jeff of cheating. She'd even gone so far as to try to let Mark think that Lucinda wasn't his.
She almost did it, too.
Mark actually wanted a paternity test but when Jeff pretty much flipped out on him, he took that thought and burned it.
"Momma!"
Jeff cringed. He really couldn't stand being called that. It wasn't a big deal; really, it just reminded him even more of Mark.
"Where's daddy, momma?"
"Momma, is daddy coming today?"
"Does daddy love me, momma?"
He put on a smile, watching Lucinda paddle over to him, her bright blue floaties helping her with the activity. "Did you see me, mommy? I swim good!"
"You swim well," Jeff corrected her. He reached behind him, grabbing her blue towel. He bent down a bit and plucked her out of the water, wrapping her up in the towel.
Lucinda smiled, pressing her lips to Jeff's nose.
Jeff couldn't stop the warmth that spread through him with that simple gesture. He smiled, kissing her cheeks before picking her up in his arms, holding her tight. As her head nestled itself against his shoulder, Matt pushed himself up onto the dock.
"She's better than you are," the older brother teased, accepting the larger towel from his younger brother. He wrapped it around his waist, tucking it into his trunks. They began to walk to the isolated cabin a few blocks away from the lake.
"I'm sure she is," Jeff replied smoothly, winking at his brother. His bun was beginning to fall a bit, so he shook it out, his blonde locks touching his shoulder blades. He'd been thinking about letting it grow past his shoulder for a while…
"How's the book coming along?" Matt asked quietly, just to strike up a conversation.
Jeff hummed. He was a well-known author, working on his fourth book. Most of his stories were dark and disturbing. 'I wonder why,' he thought sardonically before he turned to his brother, "I'm having a bit of writers block."
"How come?"
When Jeff didn't answer, Matt smiled, swinging an arm around his brother's waist. "Has it got anything to do with the fact that Mark and Michelle are coming over next week to celebrate Damien's birthday?"
Damien was Matt and Phil's son. He was seven, with big brown eyes and curly black hair. He would be turning eight next week.
Even after all the bullshit, Mark and Phil used to be really close friends and Phil had begged Jeff repeatedly to let Mark be invited.
Jeff gave in, but only because Phil was starting to stalk him around…
"I know I shouldn't hold onto the past," Jeff began, making sure that Lucinda was asleep before continuing, "But he was my first, Matt. My first…everything. I didn't know what love was until I met him…" he smiled, "I can still remember it…"
-Six Years Ago-
Jeff was sitting on the bench, his eyes reading over his writing. It had rained a couple of hours earlier, and there were puddles around his feet.
Out of nowhere, a set of heavy tires glided over one larger puddle, a stream of liquid hitting Jeff right in the face. It fell onto his writing pad, too. Soaking it…ruining it.
Jeff gasped, his hair planted to his face. He pulled the blonde/blue strands away from his face and looked up.
A motorcycle had stopped over at a bench a few feet away from him. It was big…a Harley, it looked like. The man on it wore no helmet, his long black hair blowing in the wind. He pulled off his shades to reveal dark green eyes.
Jeff swallowed a bit as he stared at him. He was draped in dark clothing and leather. Black leather pants…Black leather jacket with chains and bolts…and a black tank top underneath.
Several other people in motorcycles pulled up behind him, soaking Jeff thoroughly, his white tank top now see-through. His tiny pink nipples jutting out due to the cold water, his baggy pants sticking uncomfortably to his legs.
Creepy biker guy be damned.
Jeff growled and stood, shoving his hair behind him. He walked to the group, ignoring the looks of interest. He looked to the biggest man. "Watch where you're driving, dick." He hissed, tossing the messed up writing pad at him.
It hit his chest before falling limply on the floor.
Jeff watched the man's eyes narrow before the lips pulled into an evil smirk.
"Sorry, miss."
Jeff's cheeks tinged.
The rest of the bike crew laughed loudly.
Jeff growled, "Do you see tits on me?" he pulled up his tank, showing off his flat, pale chest. His toned tummy was covered in goosebumps. He watched the man's eyes roam over his body before he let his shirt down, "I ain't no misses, asshole."
As he turned to leave, his wrist was grabbed. The man pulled onto his wrist hard enough for Jeff to stumbled right into his opened lap, his left knee falling onto the seat of the man's bike.
Jeff opened his eyes slowly, tilting his head up. He flushed hotly, seeing the man's face so close to his.
"…You've got guts, kid," the man said quietly.
A hand reached out and patted his ass, causing Jeff to gasp.
"It's…enticing."
-Now-
Matt snorted, "Yeah. And it only took you four months to let him pop you."
Jeff sighed, "Then I got pregnant…then he heard stupid shit…now he's eating pussy." He shook his head as Matt snickered.
"Awe, don't worry bro…" They reached the cabin and Matt kissed his brother's cheek. "You've still got Lucinda."
Jeff smiled, holding his daughter tighter. "Mmhmm." He kissed Matt's cheek, "Drive safe, Matt."
Matt snickered, "It's only eight blocks, Jeff."
Jeff winked, "With your driving, that might as well be another state." The brothers parted ways and Jeff fished his keys out of his pocket, opening the door to the log cabin.
He was somewhat of a loner…but it was the perfect ambiance for his work.
He entered the house and made his way upstairs, Lucinda still fast asleep.
{I.V.V.}
She was silent during dinner, her blue fork dipping into the pasta and bringing it up to her mouth.
Jeff watched her carefully, taking a sip from his cup of orange juice. He set his cup down, "Lucy? Are you alright?"
Lucinda didn't say anything for a few minutes before she looked up. "Momma…?"
"Yes, darlin?"
"Why doesn't daddy live with us no more?"
Jeff closed his eyes. He knew this question would arise soon. She was growing up…and she was getting smarter everyday.
"Sometimes, mommies and daddies need a break, angel. Sometimes, you stop loving someone. You dad…" he frowned at himself.
'No…don't make him look like the bad guy…she'll resent that.'
"…We stopped loving each other, baby."
Lucinda pouted. "…I liked you and daddy together."
Jeff swallowed, standing up and picking up their dishes. "I liked it too, honey."
"Momma?"
Jeff turned to her.
"Will you ever stop loving me, momma?" Her green eyes watched him carefully.
Jeff bit his bottom lip and sunk to his knees in front of her. He took her small hands into his, staring deep into her eyes. "You…are the last person that I would ever stop loving."
She blinked.
"Never, baby," Jeff whispered. "I'll never stop loving you."
Later on, as he was tucking Lucinda into bed, she asked him to sing for her.
"What song, honey?"
Lucinda smiled a bit. "…The one you sing to yourself…"
Jeff was taken aback but he quickly recovered, smiling sadly at her. He rubbed her cheek.
"Let's fall apart together now
Zip and keep it in a body bag well warm
Next to the mausoleum he was born in
Picking up the pieces of this gory glory of it all
Bereave to mourn, bereave to mourn"
Jeff could see her watching him and he swallowed as he got the nerve to sing the next words to her.
"Have no fear
There are wounds that are not meant to heal
And they sing, 'In Venere Veritas.'
Come inside
Let the bother you alive and sing, baby, sing
There are wounds that are not meant to heal at all
'In Venere Veritas'…"
Jeff smiled at her and kissed her forehead and cheeks before standing.
"Momma?"
Jeff stopped at her door. He turned his head, "Yes, Lucy?"
"What does In Vine, um…those words you said! What do they mean?" Her eyes caught his.
Jeff forced a smile on his. "…They mean In Love, There is Truth."
She watched him for a few seconds before her eyes closed. She pulled her stuffed bear close to her. "Goodnight, momma."
"…Goodnight, Lucinda." He turned off her light, making sure the night-light was on before closing her door.
He found himself lying on the couch downstairs after that. His eyes watched the clock tick away.
He sighed and turned on his side. "…In Venere Veritas…" he snorted. "Not anymore."
{I.V.V.}
-A week later-
Jeff heard the damn bike pull up. He closed his eyes for a few seconds before he put on a smile.
Lucinda was running around with Damien, the both of them playing tag. Several of their schoolmates had come to the party, and they were all trying to tag someone else.
Jeff had been mingling with the other parents before Phil came in, Mark to his right and Michelle to his left.
"Daddy!"
Jeff cringed slightly, watching the light of his life run into Mark's arms.
He caught her, picking her up easily and tossing her into the air. He pressed his mouth to her cheek, holding her tight. Michelle smiled timidly at the little girl, patting her leg.
"I missed you, daddy…you were gone long this time," Lucinda whined, her arms locked tight around Mark's neck.
Mark apologized to her quietly before handing her to Michelle. The blonde woman pecked the girl's forehead, "Look at you, you've gotten so big!"
Lucinda smiled at her, "I learned to swim!"
"Wow!" Michelle squealed. "That's great!"
Well, at least she was being kind this time. Five months ago, Mark had come to visit Lucinda and Michelle wanted nothing to do with her
Michelle's eyes sparkled, "I love your dress."
Lucinda beamed, her bright green sundress making her eyes stand out. "Momma bought it for me!"
Jeff stood, showing his hands into his jeans. He walked towards them, face pulled into a fake grin for his daughter. "Michelle." He turned eyes to his ex-husband, his fake grin dropping a bit. "Mark."
"Jeff," Michelle murmured, eyes lowered. "How are you?"
"I'm well and yourself?" he muttered.
"Good…"
Nothing happened for a while. Jeff coughed into his fist, "Enjoy yourselves." He abruptly turned on his heel and walked towards the backyard where Matt was getting the cake set up.
Mark watched him leave. He looked to his daughter, caressing her cheek. "…How's Jeff been?"
Lucinda shrugged her tiny shoulders. "Okay, don't sleep much. Works a lot," her nose scrunched up at his.
Michelle sighed, "Oh, look, the cake is ready." She let Lucinda down, "Go on, honey."
Lucinda hugged her father's leg before running off to the backyard.
"…He's going to be crushed when you tell him about wanting to fight for custody," Michelle told Mark.
Mark closed his eyes. "I know. I need to tell him on my own. Keep Lucy distracted."
She nodded, reaching up to kiss his lips before she hurried into the backyard.
Mark leaned against the wall; all he needed to do now was wait.
It was a long wait...
Jeff finally let Lucinda out of his sight long enough to walk outside the house. Mark followed him and found him staring at the sky, cigarette in his fingers.
"I really hope you're not smoking those shits in front of her." Mark saw Jeff's back stiffen.
"Never," Jeff muttered, "I love her too much to poison her lungs the way you poisoned mine." He turned, glaring at him. "You were gone too long. She isn't stupid, you know, she understand that you're not around."
"There's a reason why I've been gone so long," Mark replied steadily. He sighed, feeling uneasy with what he was about to do. He knew Jeff was a good parent, but it wasn't enough.
Lucy deserved two people to look after her. He and Michelle would be right for it.
"Enlighten me," Jeff brought the cancer stick up to his mouth, inhaling and holding it before he exhaled.
"Talking to my lawyer. I want full custody of Lucinda."
For a moment, Mark didn't think that Jeff heard him. He stepped closer, moving to pull the cigarette out of the younger man's hand.
A hard slap landed on the side of his face.
Mark stared down at him in surprise.
Tears were falling down his cheeks like a river. His body was shaking.
"I'm a good parent," Jeff hissed, trembling, "You can't take her away from me."
"Jeff…"
"No, dammit!" Jeff yelled, grabbing the sides of his head. "You took everything from me! You took my damn innocence!"
Mark stepped closer, his body pinning Jeff to the wall of the house. He glared down at him, "You gave that willingly."
Jeff looked away from him, sobs escaping his throat. "You took my heart…"
Mark slowly reached out to touch Jeff's cheek, frowning slightly as his hand was smacked away. "You also gave that willingly."
"You hurt me. You believed what she…what she…" Jeff bit his lip, "Didn't I…didn't I make you happy, Mark? We were happy…"
"I couldn't stay with someone who betrayed me."
"I never fucking betrayed you!" Jeff cried. "I never fucked anyone but you! You were my first…and you were my last and I hate that…because you don't even believe me when I tell you…that she lies…to get what she wants." He sunk to his knees. "She was after you from the start…and you knew it. But you believed her…and you left us. You left me."
"…Momma?"
Jeff struggle to get up. He quickly rubbed his arm over his face, drying his tears. "Lucinda, honey…"
Her eyes were watery. "Daddy, why is momma crying?"
"Go back inside, Lucinda," Mark said quietly. When she made no move to do what he asked, he narrowed his eyes at her. "Do. As. You're. Told."
"Don't you talk to my daughter in such a tone," Jeff said coldly. "We're done talking. You will never take her from me. She's the only thing I love…and you have a lot of things you love."
Mark growled as Jeff walked away to pick up Lucinda, carrying her back into the room.
Fuck.
{I.V.V.}
Yeah, she gets kidnapped in the next chapter.
What is it with me an mpreg? Ah, well.
Mark may seem like a dick, but things will get better…
Hehe.
Love on.
