My second un-betad ficlet, couldn't stop myself from writing it. Again, no LJ summary like every other fic I have, but this one had a bit more thought and planning in it.
"Right this way, Mr. Books."
Phil followed the peppy, hefty blonde nurse down the stark hall. This one was nicer than the last rehab center Jeff was at, though this reminded him more of a hospital. The air smelled like stale cigarettes and disinfectant, with a hint of that sharp lemon. It was freezing! The tips of his fingers were numb, and when he twitched his nose he realized it was cold too. The sharp click of (what's her name?) Kathy's heels against the tiles was loud in the long hall. Phil tried to keep his eyes straight ahead, but couldn't help but glance into them.
He was almost expecting something like Girl Interrupted, and that's kind of what he got. The rooms looked just like they did in that movie, though everything was pretty clean and no one was eating a whole chicken or singing stupid songs in the hall to their cooped up room-mates.
"He just got back from his art therapy, he's quite the little artist" Kathy laughed cheerfully, then knocked on the door "Mr. Hardy, you have a guest."
"Go away, Matty" came the pitiful groan.
"Jeff?" Phil called softly "It's me."
The door flew open, revealing his rumpled lover. Jeff had his black-tinged locks up in a messy bun, his signature stripes shaved to leave smooth cheeks behind, and his t-shirt/jeans were speckled with various colors of pastel colors.
"Philly?"
Phil nodded, confirming it was indeed him.
Jeff all but yanked him through the door, shutting it firmly in the smiling nurse's face.
Phil almost stumbled, but managed to get his footing. He turned around, wanting to say something profound, but got caught in his lover's embrace. Jeff wrapped his arms around his waist, pressing his cheek into the groove of his neck. The hum of content dispelled any protest CM Punk had, making him give in and hug him back tightly.
"God, Philly, I've missed you" Jeff drawled, taking in his lover's cologne "All I've seen is Mattie, and still I've been so lonely."
"I came as soon as Matt said I could" the straight-edge replied, dropping whispers of kisses across the Hardy's tattooed neck "I've missed you too."
Jeff pulled away as if he'd been burnt, a shadow passing across his features. He backed up until his knees hit the bed, and he plopped down upon the worn mattress wearily. Phil took the chance to look around the room, hating how plain it looked. There wasn't much, probably because of regulations. There was a dresser, a love seat, a nice-sized bed, a window that looked out in the courtyard, and the random articles of clothing that were strewn across the cream-colored carpet. The walls were the same color, the curtains, and the bed covers. It was supposed to be soothing, but it was creepy.
Phil walked over, sitting beside his lover so their shoulders and sides touched.
"You must be so disappointed in me" Jeff stated sadly.
"No."
"Don't lie."
"I'm not" Phil replied, keeping his tone low "I don't expect you to be like me, Jeffy. I expect you to be you, but I hate that you didn't ask for help."
"I'm always screwin' up" shiny emerald eyes looked over at him "I didn't wanna take everyone down with me again."
"We love you, all of us" Phil assured him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders "Me, Matt, Evan, Trish, your dad, Lita…we all love you."
"I know" Jeff leaned his head against the younger man's shoulders, feeling weak "I'm so tired of all this, Philly, I didn't wanna do this again."
"It's alright, I'm going to be here for you the entire time" Phil kissed the top of his head, rubbing his cheek against the same spot "I wish you could be home, but this is how it has to be."
"Is everyone talking about it?" Jeff whispered.
"No" Phil only half lied "Your fans are in a flurry over it, but you've got lots of support behind you."
"Remember at Night of Champions?" the Hardy asked out of the blue "When you were preaching a good lifestyle and they were booing you…just because you were speaking out against me?"
"Not my shining moment" Phil admitted, smiling faintly at the memory "But those storylines aren't meant for me anymore."
"I hated it" Jeff confessed as well "You lost your fans because of me, and it made me sick inside."
"Hey, hey" Phil lifted his chin with the curve of his fingers, peering down into his face "Don't say that. It's my fault, I asked for a career boost and Stephanie thought it'd be funny to write in a fight between us. I should be apologizing to you, the way I hurt you in that cage match…and in Summerslam."
"Let's just say we've both done bad things" Jeff conceded "I don't wanna fight anymore. When I get outta here, it's gonna be different."
Phil nodded, agreeing.
"I can't sleep without you" Jeff leaned in, stealing a chaste kiss "I miss you in my arms."
"I miss your arms around me" the straight-edge smiled "When this is over…"
//I'll never let you go.//
