Disclaimer: I do not own anyone in this story or in the world for that matter. This is for fun, not profit.
Quick notes: Thanks for the reviews/favs/alerts, etc. I'm glad you all like the story!
JNHwwe: Right? I love Jeff in pain. There is just something endearing about him overcoming them all. They do sync rather well together, don't they? I think they are sweet. And thank you so much! I love that line also haha. I am SO glad you enjoy the story! Thank you for the review!
EuphoricLust: Yesss, it is slow to warm up but when they get to their passion, it is going to be LIT. Thank you for the review! I am glad you like it.
Also, I'm going to go ahead and skip this chapter to May 8th where Dean faced Bray Wyatt, which means they are currently on the European tour.
Chapter 3: Peculiar Feelings
-London, England; Monday-
"Damn it, Dean!"
Dean jerked awake, the loud voice startling him enough to fall out of the bed. He shoved the hair away from his face, peering around the bed frame. He was met with an odd sight.
Seth was balanced on one foot, the other one cupped in his hands. He was massaging the bottom heel, eyes shut tight in pain.
"What the hell happened to you?"
"You left your stupid toy on the ground again!" Seth hollered, expression livid as be set his foot down gingerly before grabbing the colorful rubix cube and chucking it at Dean's head. Dean caught it easily, smiling innocently at his friend.
"This is why I told you I wanted my own hotel room but you and Roman insist on making my life miserable by rooming with me." Dean glanced behind them. Roman was un-bothered by the noise, still snoring away on the other bed, his long hair strewn about the pillow and the sheets tangled up between his legs.
"They make the hotel beds bigger in Europe and it's cheaper for all of us," Seth reminded him, face still stern. "Come on, we've got to get ready." He half-limped over to Roman, gently stroking his fingers over the bigger man's cheek.
Dean mimed a gagging motion at the affectionate display before plopping himself back down on the bed, setting his rubix cube on his bedside drawer and scratching at his bare stomach lightly, "Get ready nothing, I'm going back to sleep."
Roman let out a loud yawn before promptly rolling over, tugging Seth down into a sleepy embrace. "Good idea."
Seth grunted, throwing Roman's heavy arm off of his chest. He smirked, arms crossed as he leaned his back against the wall, "Guess I'll just tell Jeff that you would rather sleep than explore London then."
Dean sat up. "What?"
"Honestly, Dean, you have the memory of a goldfish." Seth shook his head. "We decided last night during dinner that we would sight-see with the Hardy's, and Ronnie."`
"He was eyeing Jeff all night," Roman chuckled, eyes still closed, "He doesn't remember anything but that."
Seth frowned but Dean couldn't help the small grin on his face as he recalled last night's events.
"Back in the saddle!" Ronnie, better known as R-Truth, cried out as he dinked glasses with Matt and Jeff, "Man, I missed my boys." He tossed his head back as he drank from his glass.
They were seated at a nice restaurant recommended to them by the company, and they were enjoying the night. The Hardy boys and Ron were sitting side-by-side with Jeff in between, and right across from them sat Roman, Dean, and Seth.
Dean had his chin resting on his palm, lost in watching Jeff as the enigma brought his own glass up, those damn lips kissing at the rim. He immediately turned away as those green eyes turned towards him and he lifted his own drink, casually sipping as he pretended he wasn't just leering at the man.
"It's nice to be on tour," Jeff said softly, "I missed it back when I was on probation." He glanced at his brother, noticing the older man looking a bit forlorn.
"Are you okay, Matt?" Seth asked, peering over at the Hardy from across the table. "Is it the food?"
Dean elbowed his friend in the ribs, "Don't start that shit," he muttered, "None of us are eating anything unhealthy." And it was true. Being on tour with a hectic schedule, they all knew better than to gorge themselves on food that would potentially do more bad than good. As such, all six of them were eating some sort of salad with a protein and carb choice.
The drinks were conservative. They were allowed a little bit of fun.
Matt smiled, shaking his head, "Food is great," he said, "I just don't really feel good being away from Reby and Maxel for so long."
Ronnie nodded, "It all changes when you got kids, man." He reached over to pat Matt's back, "But hey, it's only two weeks. It'll fly by before you know it and when you get home it'll make the reunion that much sweeter."
"Thanks, Ron," Matt was touched.
Jeff smiled at his brother and close friend before grunting in surprise when Ronnie smacked his shoulder.
"So, when you gonna pop out some kids, Jeff? That girly figure of yours, I'm telling you man! You still got it!"
Several tables down, chuckles erupted at Ron's words. Dustin, Joe, and AJ all grinned playfully at the now red-faced Hardy boy, eagerly awaiting his comeback.
"I haven't got a girlish figure," he grumbled, poking at his tomatoes with his fork, "In case you didn't notice, I gained quite a few pounds."
"So does that mean you're pregnant?"
Loud guffaws filled the air and Jeff twitched, responding by throwing a balled-up napkin at his friend. "Screw you, Ronnie!" but he had begun to smile, that beautiful repaired grin bright and sincere.
Jeff's eyes were so fucking bright in the dimly lit restaurant. The small light above their heads emitted a soft golden glow; the fucking thing just highlighting the gorgeous green eyes that-
Dean jumped when he was poked in the ribs, the fork in his hand clattering loudly onto his plate. He could see several heads turn in his direction, confused gazes causing him to twitch before he frowned at the man to his left.
"You're staring at him again," Roman whispered, smirking when Dean stuck his tongue out in reply. "Don't show me that, show it to Jeff. I'm sure he would enjoy-"
The sound Roman made when Dean stomped on his foot drew those god damn gorgeous green eyes in his direction again and Dean shrugged, smiling lazily at Jeff.
"Everything okay over there?" Jeff asked, head tilted as Dean waved him off.
"Roman has got stomach problems, he's fine." Dean stood, reaching across the table to spear one of Jeff's pickles with his own fork. "Thank you."
"You're so rude, Dean," Seth groaned, dragging a hand down his face.
Jeff chuckled, watching Dean chew the nicked tomato, "It doesn't bother me," he told Seth, "I'm getting pretty used to it actually." And he smiled that fucking smile and Dean found himself lost all over again.
The pillow hitting him in the face pulled him rather rudely away from his memories and he glared at Seth.
"Dean," Seth began, voice low, "What do you feel for Jeff?"
Roman sat up. He gazed at his lover quietly for a few seconds before he turned to Dean, awaiting the answer.
"I…don't know," Dean replied, eyes lowering to the bed-sheets. He fisted the material, trying to find the words, "I like being around him. I really like it. The air smells so much cleaner when he's near me and my thoughts," he swallowed, "my thoughts are always on him. His voice, his smile, his fucking eyes…"
His friends were silent, waiting for him to continue.
"I feel happier when I'm with him. As much as I love you guys, and I do," Dean met their eyes, "I'm not always a fan of being your third wheel. You're my best friends but you don't really understand all of me." He paused and then admitted, "I feel like Jeff does."
Roman smiled at him but Seth seemed a bit worried.
"Dean," the aerialist murmured, "be careful."
"Careful?" Dean frowned, "of what?" He caught the stern look Roman aimed at Seth. "Of what?" he demanded, voice louder.
Seth hesitated but Roman sighed.
"Seth and I are worried that if Jeff falls back into old patterns that he'll drag you down with him." Roman told him bluntly.
"You can't be serious." Dean stared at them. "Jeff's been clean for years. He wouldn't do that to me." Roman seemed content with his answer but Seth looked doubtful. Dean shook his head, getting up.
"I'm going to shower," he muttered, not looking their way as he went into the bathroom. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, his blue eyes looking back at him. Jeff wouldn't…he wouldn't do it.
"He won't." He whispered, lowering his head slowly.
Jeff wouldn't turn back to drugs.
"I won't let him."
Sight-seeing was actually pretty fun. Not to say that Dean didn't enjoy it in general but it was just that usually he would only have Roman and Seth as company and half that time it was spent with him rolling his eyes at their PDA.
With Jeff as company, he actually had someone he could talk with and to experience and take in the atmosphere with. They were briefly followed by a camera crew to cut some short videos for the WWE's YouTube, but for the most part they were free to roam. As long as they made it back to the arena for RAW, of course.
They came upon a public park, a large fountain built in the dead center. Benches and trees lined the quaint area, and families were all relaxing about. At some point, they were stopped by young fans.
Dean remembered to smile as he handed the little boy back the pen and paper. He still wasn't used to the attention. A quick glance over to Jeff showed that the Hardy was all too familiar with this routine. He was taking pictures and signing things left and right, his smile always bright and his wacky expressions delighting the fans.
Once the fans all dispersed, they trekked slowly towards the fountain. It was well over nine feet tall, the top tier decorated with a statue of dolphins spitting water. A couple of younger kids were dipping their hands into the water, clearly ignoring the warning sign engraved onto the fountain's rim, something about it being deep enough for a child to drown or whatever.
Jeff's slow smile and the way he glanced over at the fountain caused Matt immediate panic.
"No," the older brother began, eyebrows lowering, "don't you dare-"
"He said it." Ronnie said, grinning over at The Shield.
Dean felt that damn purring in his chest when Jeff turned those eyes on him. He exhaled softly, thankful that the shades he was wearing were concealing the stars he had for this man in his own eyes. "What is it?" he murmured, curiously watching Jeff lean closer to him.
Jeff didn't answer at first. He shrugged out of his zippered up gray hoodie, handing it to Matt, whose face was absolutely thunderous. Ignoring him, Jeff then lifted his shirt over his head, the hair that been held up in its usual bun becoming messy and uneven.
Dean gazed at the tattooed pale skin, his jaw dropping just slightly as Jeff offered him the shirt. He took it, his fingertips grazing Jeff's just slightly. Dean almost jumped when Jeff's hand grabbed at his sunglasses, slowly pushing them up to rest against the top of his messy hair.
Jeff smiled, fingers slowly trailing down Dean's jaw before he opened his mouth. And Dean could swear on his life that his heart skipped a few beats at what came out of those lips.
"Dare me," Jeff breathed, eyes locked intensely on his own.
"Do not!" Matt said sternly, grabbing a tight hold on Jeff's hand. He frowned at Dean, who was staring at Jeff heatedly. "Ambrose, no."
"Dean," Seth tried to intercede, grabbing his own friend's arm, "Listen to Matt-"
Dean shrugged him off. He stared at Jeff's face, his eyes, and his lips. That fucking smile and those damn green eyes.
Dean smirked. He reached over, gently pulling at the band holding Jeff's hair in place. He tugged it off slowly, watching those darkened locks slip down to slide against his shoulders. Voice low, he spoke. "I dare you."
And Jeff's eyes glowed.
"Jeffrey!" Matt tried to keep his hold on his brother but it was futile.
With a well-timed jerk of his wrist, Jeff was free. He rushed to the fountain, making sure to go the other way around the not jostle kids. He jumped in, grabbing at the structure with quick hands and damn near flew up to the top.
People gathered around, staring at the crazy Hardy boy. Parents grabbed their children, disapproving frowns on their faces as the kids cheered and laughed at Jeff. At this point, Matt had just accepted the problem. He was apologizing profusely to the people around them, trying to make up an excuse for his brother.
Ronnie was cheering along with the kids, his laughter echoing around the area, watching as Jeff danced around the statue, patting the dolphins on the head. "You're insane!" he cried out.
Seth was beside himself. He looked somewhere in between being embarrassed and afraid. He was gripping Roman's shoulder, who was also cheering for the enigma. "Roman! What if he fucking slips and falls?!"
"You're joking, right?" Roman cackled, "This is Jeff Hardy!"
Dean stared, heart hammering painfully in his chest. Jeff was beautiful, his expression so free. There was nothing quite like seeing the man cause mischief, putting himself in danger. He wasn't afraid…he never seemed to be.
It didn't last very long. After a few minutes, Jeff climbed back down. He grinned playfully at his frowning brother, hissing as he received a whack to the chest. "Owe!"
"You're not going to make it to forty," Matt growled, "If you don't manage to kill yourself before then, I'm probably going to end up doing it for you." He shoved the hoodie back at his brother. "Get dressed. We're done for the day."
Jeff snickered, watching his brother stomp away. He winked at Ronnie, who was still laughing even as he followed after the irate brother.
"Jeff, that is so dangerous," Seth lectured, "you could have slipped and fallen and you didn't even know if the structure was sound enough to hold your weight."
"Are you saying I'm fat?"
Dean and Roman chuckled, seeing Seth's face immediately drop as Jeff pouted.
"Of course not, but-" Seth squawked in outrage when Roman dragged him away. He had not been done with the younger Hardy but the Samoan could clearly care less. "Dean!" the architect hollered, "I'm going to dig into you later!"
"I'm terrified," Dean drawled, watching Jeff slip his wet arms into his hoodie. The material scrunched up but Jeff didn't seem to care. They shared a smile, Dean handing him his shirt. "You really are kind of crazy."
"Does it scare you?" Jeff challenged, running his fingers through his damp hair, intending to tie it back.
Dean stopped him. "It doesn't scare me," he murmured, knocking Jeff's fingers away. He stroked the silky locks, curling them around his wrist. "It gives me bad thoughts, though." He enjoyed the red stain blooming on those cheeks. Almost as much as he enjoyed the squeak that came from those lips when he gently tugged at Jeff's hair, "Come on. You need to get dry."
"Yeah," Jeff said quietly, but he didn't move.
That odd grumble in chest started again as he stared Jeff. His eyes focused on a water droplet sliding down his temple. He followed it, watching it glide down Jeff's face until it reached the corner of his mouth. He swallowed hard, watching Jeff's pink tongue slide out to collect that little bit of water.
Fucking Christ.
Dean released Jeff, walking back a few feet. He inhaled shakily, shrugging off his leather jacket. He pressed it against his front, narrowing his eyes at Jeff's teasing grin. "Walk, damn it."
Jeff obliged, giggling a bit.
That didn't solve much of Dean's problem though. His cock jerked at the sight of Jeff's water-clogged jeans pressing tightly against the curve of his round ass.
Wonderful.
-Raw; May 8th-
Jeff had been waiting backstage after Dean's match. Stepping up to the brown-haired man after he had slowly walked over and sat back against the wall, Jeff placed the bag of ice he had been holding onto Dean's traps, smiling as the man tensed before slouching against the wall, the coolness easing his aching muscle. "Nice belt shot from Miz, you sold it like a pro."
"It hurt," Dean grumbled, glancing up at the enigma. "I brace myself for it each time and it doesn't do me any favors." He pushed his damp wet hair out of his face. "You don't have a match tonight, right?"
"Nope." Jeff leaned his shoulder against the wall. "That promo with Matt, Sheamus and Cesaro was it." He blinked when Dean grinned widely up at him.
"Let's go out," Dean said casually.
"Okay, sure," Jeff nodded, "I'll go let Matt know while you get Roman and Seth-"
"No," Dean interrupted softly. He stood, wincing a bit as he reached back to hold the bag in place. "Just you and me, no one else," he licked his lips, Jeff's attention zeroing in on the movement, "We can just walk around and talk…?"
Jeff stared. Was Dean trying to initiate some sort of a date? It was so cute.
He sucked so badly at it.
"Sounds great," Jeff said, just as softly. "What else do you want to do besides talk?"
Dean looked away and Jeff chuckled, taking pity on the younger man.
"Go shower," he said, tugging on the dark, soaked tank top. Seriously, how could a simple pair of jeans and a tank top look so good on a man?
Dean handed Jeff the icepack and slowly curled a finger around Jeff's pant loop. He pulled him close, his forehead coming down to rest against Jeff's shoulder. "Stay here?" he murmured, "will you wait for me right here?"
Jeff shuddered, feeling Dean's lips gently press against his exposed collarbone. "Of course I will," he swallowed thickly when the other man pulled away, a tiny smile in place.
"I'll see you in a few," Dean said, turning on his heel and wandering into the locker-rooms.
Jeff's fingers reached up to his collarbone, skimming over the area where he could still feel the warmth of Dean's lips. He smiled to himself and damn near jumped when a hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Well, I guess I don't need to ask if you're ready to head out with me." Matt was smiling playfully at his brother.
"He wants to go on a walk," Jeff defended, crossing his arms. "You're going to be talking with Reby for hours before bed anyway. You kept me up last night."
"I'm not arguing," Matt held up his hands. "But what exactly is going on here, Jeff?"
Jeff faltered, eyes lowering.
"Are you going to get involved with him?"
"Matt-"
"Jeff." Matt countered, face stern. "Man, the last time you got into it with someone in our business, it didn't end well. Remember?"
Shit. This was bad, bad territory.
Jeff sneered, angry that his brother dug up memories best left forgotten. "Yeah, Matt, I remember. He fucked your girlfriend and never even gave me a reason as to why."
Matt winced, staring sadly at his brother.
Licking his lips, Jeff turned away from his brother. "Don't wait up."
"Damn it, don't be a child." Matt grabbed Jeff's shoulder and turned him back around. He grabbed Jeff's cheeks, pressing his forehead against the extreme wrestler. "Jeffro, I'm sorry. I just don't want you hurt again."
"He won't hurt me," Jeff mumbled, stubbornly refusing to look Matt in the eyes. "I know you don't take my words seriously on this matter but I just know that Dean isn't…isn't like him."
Matt exhaled deeply, breaking the embrace. "Okay," he said. "I trust you on this." He frowned, pointing at his brother, "but if he starts shit, Jeff…I'm not going to let it go."
He wouldn't. Lord knew that Jeff loved his older brother but he knew better than anyone that Matt was an extremely vindictive man.
"Have fun," Matt said finally, turning away, "make sure he uses a condom."
Jeff turned red. "I hate you," he whined, watching his brother walk away laughing. Sighing, he eased down the wall to sit on the floor, bringing his knees up to his chest and resting his elbows on them. He closed his eyes, mulling over his brother's words.
Matt had made Amy and Adam's life hell for a very long time. A lot of people agreed that they had deserved it. Chris at the time had even boldly told Matt he thought it was the right thing. Shane wanted no part of it, neither did Jay, and even though the bridge had long been burned and their friendships with Matt had been restored…
Jeff had never received an apology from either of them.
"You mean so much to me. You have for so long."
He recoiled, balling his fists up against his temples as he remembered hazel eyes and passionate nights.
"Fuck-do that again," Adam whispered, eyes falling shut as Jeff obliged, clenching tightly around his thrusting cock. "So good…so tight." He reached up, his thumb tracing a bruise he had sucked into the younger man's collarbone.
"Harder," Jeff begged quietly, his hands planted firmly on the Canadian's chest. He rolled his fingers over Adam's stiff nipples, sighing loudly in pleasure as his demands were met. "Adam…"
He opened his mouth for the kiss he knew was coming and he wasn't wrong. Adam sank down into his arms slowly, their mouths fusing together and staying locked as thrusts became sharper and hands held tighter.
How many times had he fallen asleep just staring into Adam's eyes? He couldn't fathom a number. That calm hazel glint that he was so used to. He'd only ever stared two other people in the eyes for much time, his father and Matt.
Jeff jerked awake. He stared at his screaming phone and groaned, reaching over to grab it. He flipped it open, knowing only one person who would be stupid enough to call him at the hour. "Matt, what the hell-"
"Is Adam with you?"
Jeff glanced over his shoulder. The blonde was still asleep, his snores echoing around the room. "Of course he is."
"Good." Matt's voice was so low, so guttural, "because I'm on my way over there to kick the shit out of him."
Jeff sat up immediately, feeling dread pool in his stomach. "Matt, you've never had a problem with him being my-"
"I didn't have a problem with him being your boyfriend, but I do have a problem with him being your boyfriend and fucking my girl at the same time."
And then the voicemails came. Matt had forwarded every single one of them. Jeff sat there, face void as he listened to the man he had fallen in love with…profess his love for his brother's girlfriend.
He played the messages on speaker, watching as Adam began to wake. He saw the look of horror on the tall man's face as he registered what was happening. Jeff only stared, hearing Adam begin to speak but not really listening.
And when Matt arrived only minutes later, Amy being following with tears running down her face and a too large T-shirt covering her small frame, he had moved to launch himself at Adam and Jeff didn't really remember what happened after that.
At some point that night, he had wandered off to the woods, easily locating one of his more elusive hide-outs. That was where he kept them, the only place he knew Matt would never find them.
It was the first time in a long time that he had gone for the drugs. He took a lot of them. Enough to forget, to fade away for a while…
It was too much. After not using for well over a year, the length of time he had been in a relationship, too much of the hard stuff didn't do his body any favors. It took him weeks to start leaving his house again. Months before he began to train with Matt and Shannon.
A hard while later and he was back on RAW; stepping up to Edge. Not Adam, because Jeff had known Adam. He stepped up to Edge and led the rest of their feud with hatred in his heart.
Never once…was there a reason. Edge never spoke to him outside of wrestling. At some point, Matt had confessed to him that he and Edge were on better terms, but there was still no reason.
Jeff never got his closure.
A hand reached out to grab his chin and Jeff found himself staring into blue eyes. They were the most interesting shade of blue he had ever seen. So dark at times but at others, brightness like no other. The color of an ocean right before it would rain…or become deeper.
"Where are you right now?"
Jeff blinked at the words. A quick glance at his surroundings made him realize he was still backstage, leaning against the same wall where Dean, and then Matt, had left him. He braced his hands against Dean's forearms, both of them rising up slowly, keeping eye contact.
"Nowhere important," Jeff finally said, sliding his hands down to grab Dean's. "I'm happier where I am now."
Dean tilted his head. A wet tendril of hair brushed against his eyelash and Jeff swept it away with a smile. He really liked the younger man's eyes. They were beautiful…and he somehow felt so much more at home staring into Dean's eyes than he ever had staring into Adam's.
"You are happy here? With me? You're happy when you are with me?"
Dean was so adorable. He looked genuinely stunned.
Jeff rested his hand against the back of the brown-haired man's neck. "I am very happy when I am with you."
We got a neck kiss! Things are slow but they will pick up at some point. Maybe chapter 5ish.
So much more to write. Not enough time.
So the thing with that Matt/Amy/Adam triangle imploded around 2004 so that's around the time Jeff/Adam have been a couple. I'll dive more into details later. And sorry for the late update, I am sending several drafts of each chapter to a confidant and taking in tips and such.