Punk is asleep when I slip out to the gym the next morning, I leave a note and inform both Ace and Hero where I am going. The fact that he is asleep is shocking, in truth I've never seen him sleep so much but I am guessing he needs it, his body is hurt but not as much as I fear his mind is. I think back to when we all met London, the chemistry between the two apparent from the first hello, and it didn't take long for them to fall into a relationship. Punk seemed happier then I had seen him in months, although Punk professional career was flourishing his personal life was in a constant funk, and I had huge concerns about him being depressed so when London showed up and he came off as this really nice guy I was relieved to have the burden of Punk's misery lifted from my shoulders. I didn't notice the signs of the abuse starting until it was right in my face, Paul would make subtle comments about Punk's weight, hair, attitude, really anything he could to degrade him and in front of all of us. Punk would laugh it off but looking back I should have seen it, his eyes would flash with pain and slowly he started to change himself. Then one day the bruises appeared it was always one excuse after another though, his opponent was stiff, he hurt himself in training, he fell wrong during a match. I believed him, hell we all did at first but now the truth is very apparent and shoved in out faces.
I think what hurts the most is no matter how many times we tried to talk to him, ask him if he was okay he would brush us aside, until we no longer had a place in his life. I should have fought harder I feel like I've failed him, and maybe that is why I am doing this, why I am trying to save him any way possible now is I failed him. I know him better than anyone, I know how he is and I should have seen the fucking signs, I think I may have but I figured Punk was stronger than that, and being friends with Punk can be intense so taking a step back for a while to recharge my batteries seems justified, except I left him in London's hands and now I have a broken down, shell of a friend who is clinging to me for survival. I wonder if I can be strong enough to hold the pieces together until he figures out how to get himself back together. I take all my anger out at the gym, working my body to the brink before deciding I fell a little better, and my head is clearer, the big thing is getting Punk far away from London, that is the point of the weekend ahead. Take punk out of town, remind him what it feels like to just relax and have fun with his friends, start rebuilding his confidence. I'm not sure if it is going to work, but when I return home I am reminded of how much it is needed.
Punk is curled up on the sofa, in the tiniest ball possible under that ugly quilt my mom made. He tenses when I open the door and it takes him a few seconds to relax when I enter the apartment. He gives me a small smile, and suddenly I miss his smirk the one that would spread across his face when he was plotting, or proud of himself. How I miss that smirk and his smile that would light up those green eyes, it has been far too long since I've seen a real smile on his face. "Hey beautiful, I grabbed us breakfast." I hold up the bag of take out walking over and tip his chin up I give his lips a quick kiss, knowing that affection through words or touch will help build him back up to the Punk I miss. He stands and follows me into the kitchen, Ace and Hero are busy drinking coffee and chatting when we enter. I hand out the food, digging into mine with relish, Punk on the other hand picks at his. Pushing around the pancakes, barely eating and I have to refrain from calling him on it. He is thinner then he needs to be and I have a feeling this is also London's doing. When I finish I just take his meal and toss it away, I don't speak and keep my face light. I know this is going to take time and I can not expect him to return to himself overnight, it is going to take time to get London out of his head. "I'm going to shower, want to pack a bag for this weekend Punkers and then we will head out." He nods staring at the glass of juice in his hand not once raising his head to meet my eyes and I refrain from sighing. Instead I try for something with a little more shock value. "You could always join me in the shower, wouldn't mind having someone to scrub my back." Finally his head pops up and his eyes widen meeting mine. The juice at least if forgotten and I have a reaction that is not sad, in fact I may have just gotten a touch of my missing smirk.
"Cabana, you couldn't handle me washing your back, hell I'm not sure you can handle me at all. Go shower, I will pack and then we can head out and if your ass is lucky you may get lucky this weekend." I wonder myself if I can handle him but do not voice it instead I approach and place both of my hands on the back of his chair leaning down I kiss him again a little more than a peck, but not to much he may think that he is ready for sexual stuff but I have a feeling it will be months before we get there he needs to deal with the rape and that is going to take time.
"I could handle you Punkers, all though this very hot ass is tempting me so much, I may kick everyone out and take you right here." He laughs lightly at my idle threat and shoves me away, I make my way towards the bathroom glancing back at Punk, and the haunted green eyes that meet mine scare me. I shower quickly removing the sweat of my workout, and plot in my mind. I need to get my hands on London and not go to jail for it and what better place than in the ring. I plan on contacting Gabe and asking him for a feud with London as soon as possible. When I go back to the living room I find Punk back on the couch and a half packed bag on the floor.
"He came in here started packing and then something startled him, he's been there ever since, we tried to talk to him but he is not responding. You know Colt this may be out of our area of ability and maybe professional help would be a good idea." I roll my eyes at Ace, like Punk would ever accept help from strangers we are fucking lucky he is here with us. I finish packing his bag, and my own then go and sit on the coffee table in front of him. I don't touch him, his eyes are rather unfocused and I have a feeling a touch could send him over the edge. So my solution is to just start talking about anything until he focuses.
"When I was younger Punk I had this huge crush on one of the New Kids on the Block, Jordan I think or maybe Joey, I don't remember now but I don't think I ever told you that. Then there was this one time my dad caught me having my GI Joe's make out, lets just say that was awkward as all hell and confirmed to him that I may be a little light in the loafers as he likes to say, but hey at least he is supportive. My mom tells me all the time that she knew the moment I was born, I guess us going out is going to make her happy, she I think likes you more than she likes me most of the time." He blinks at me and smiles faintly.
"Mom's always like me, well alls except my own. I don't think my parents ever noticed that I was gay or cared enough to comment on it. Really you had a crush on one of them, I may need to break up with you over that Colt. A New Kid crush is punishable by death I am sure of it." I reach my hand out and he takes it, very gently I tug him to his feet.
"Lets go Punker's, no more zoning out on me or I will sing bad karaoke the whole way to the cabin to keep you with me." He rubs his arm gently and follows us all out, as soon as we make our way to the car I am shoving Punk in and slamming the door. London is crossing the street towards us and I may kill him if he gets any closer. Ace sees the anger rising in me and shoves me into the driver's seat, Punk eyes are wide and although London's words are muffled by the windows I can still make out clearly the insults he is throwing at Punk. I catch the words slut, whore, and ugly, I also catch the threat of killing Punk and I feel myself losing it. I start the car gripping the wheel, Ace and Hero have met London before he can reach the car and I can see they are exchanging heated words led by Ace, I wonder if going to jail for vehicular homicide would be worth it. On e look over at punk and I know it would be, he is back to withdrawing his hand on the handle as if contemplating leaving, I will not allow that to happen. So reigning in my own anger I reach over and pry his fingers from the door, I turn his chin so he is looking at me. "You left him, he is angry but you are stronger than him. I promise you that he won't hurt you again. You have me now and I will do anything to protect you" I run my finger across his lip gently making sure London is looking our way I make my point and kiss Punk lightly as soon as I do the screaming increases but Punk visibly relaxes. I crank the radio drowning out London's incessant voice and relax against the seat.
I keep an eye on Ace and Hero making sure it doesn't get out of hand, and when London finally storms off Punk finally releases the tension from his body. I wish I had been outside the car, I wish I had been the one in London's face. I had a more important job however in keeping Punk calm and somehow I accomplished it. Ace and Hero enter the vehicle and I glance at Ace in the mirror, a few punches may have been thrown but not enough in my opinion. Ace is rubbing his jaw, but London get smacked around as soon as he threw the first punch. Mainly by hero who took offense to anyone touching Ace, they have an odd relationship I haven't figured out yet and I wonder if there is more there. I push away the thought and merge into the traffic, the paranoid part of me keeps an eye out in case Paul tried to follow us when I am sure the coast is clear I change focus to Punk. He is not withdrawn just not very engaged in the conversation so I decided to force him to be so. "Alright time for twenty questions and Punk is the only one who can ask questions." I see Punk roll his eyes but take a deep breath.
"Is it bigger then a bread box?" I laugh and shake my head no.
"Come on Punkers be creative." He frowns and I can see the wheels in his head turning.
"Is it a GI Joe? Cause really Colt we could stop at Toys R Us and pick you up a few if you want to relive your childhood memory." Sarcasm drips from his voice and I am so grateful to hear it that all I do is laugh and shake my head no.
"Be serious" I tell him repeating a line I have heard from his mouth several times. He gives me the tiniest of smirks and I think my heart rate increase. "Besides I have something much better I can play with once we get to that stage."
"Is it something you love?" I nod "is it a person?" another nod and I see him think. "Is it someone in this car?" Again a nod and I wait he looks at Ace then Hero before stating "Is it me?" It is soft and I almost miss it so I reach over and grab his hand. Holding it I nod giving his hand a squeeze. "I win" he states a little louder.
"You always win with me Punk." He turns so he is facing me and moves onto playing with Ace and Hero. His hand is warm in mine as we drive, his body language open to me and he eases into a light banter with his friends. I feel his finger moving in my palm, and so I concentrate as he traces letters and my smile is brighter when I figure out he is writing out I love you too. I love Punk I do, I'm just not sure if I am in love with him and part of me really hopes that this doesn't all come back to bite me in the ass.
We pull out to the dirt road a few hours later following it up to the cabin, I see the other car is already here and that Joe and Homicide are waiting on the porch. It should be an eventful weekend I'm not sure any of these guys exactly scream rustic camp living but being out of the city already has Punk changing, I just hope by the end of the weekend the changes will be a little more permanent.
Thank you for reading! Please remember to review!
Guest- thank you for your kind words and your review!
Lamentomori- Okay so happy fic when way off course! Not trying to break your heart, but if it is provoking emotions that means I am accomplishing something. I will be taking a look at the psychological trauma, and how it affects Punk and also Colt going ahead. I actually attempted to start this differently but found myself unable to write the drama needed to break punk down but I think you will see some of it in flashbacks. Your on holiday lady you have more then enough time for emotional stress, all that relaxing needs a little angst!
ClarellyJelly- I also like the antagonist but I do not think Paul is going to be killing anyone in this story, at least not right away lol!
