(Back after a long break. The rest of the story will be co written with my fiance JadeRose1. Please leave a review and tell us how we are doing. Off topic, getting married in two weeks :)

A Few Days Later

John felt his stomach turn with nerves as he stood outside of Randy's hotel room door and gave a knock. He went back on the road yesterday but had been too busy to talk to his best friend until now. Truth be told he had almost avoided the whole issue. He was worried about his ex boyfriend's well being but Randy had sounded near crazy on the phone and he dreaded seeing the man worse than he had been in the past. Bray had not spoken to John at the Raw show, only gave him an almost knowing smile from afar before their promo leading to Wrestlemania. The older man tried to tell himself that he must have imagined the entire thing, that it had all been some sort of nightmare from lack of proper sleep. Bray was a cool guy, everybody said so. John shook the cobwebs from his head as he waited for Randy to answer the door. He was dressed in his normal cargo shorts and a t-shirt he had thrown on after his shower.

"Yeah?" Came Randy's familiar tone through the door.

"It's me, John. I told you I'd be by to talk." John replied, thinking Randy was being more paranoid than usual. Nikki was in his suite and had kindly urged him to take as long as he needed to talk to his buddy. She could sense how worried John had been since the phone call.

The door slowly unlocked and opened. Randy was in gyms shorts and a tank top. "Oh yeah...hey." He breathed a slight sigh with a lick of his lips. "Come on in." He move out of the way for John.

"Was you expecting the Boogeyman?" John joked lightly as he walked inside, sitting his gym bag down by the door.

"Around here you never know." Randy tried to joke back. He shut the door, moving to sit. Without the make-up girl's magic Randy's face looked like he hadn't slept in weeks.

John took a chair close to Randy. There was no hiding the worry in his eyes. "Fuck, Man. You look like hell. You sleeping at all?"

"What's sleep?" Randy tried to joke with a dry laugh. "You know that's a luxury most of the time."

"You know what I mean." John said bluntly as he always was with the younger man. "Fuck, you called my phone talking about blowing your head off with a gun. What's going on, Man?" He suddenly remembered how he used to call Randy his Daddy jokingly and swallowed hard, trying to push the memories into the back of his mind.

Randy shook his head, running a hand over his shorn head. "Sorry, Johnny. I don't know what's been getting into me." The younger man stated.

"Tell me everything that's been going on so I can help." John prodded almost gently. He had dealt with this before when Randy was taking pills. "Maybe you've fallen into depression...it can be hell on a body."

"I told you the main one on the phone...I feel like I am losing my fucking mind. I can't tell anyone though...well beside you." Randy told him.

"When did you start having the...um nightmare?" John asked. He could not believe Randy was dreaming of killing Nikki and fucking him by her dead body. It was intense even for Randy.

Randy lightly scratched his head. "Fuck, I'm not even fully sure. I want to say not too long...yet I think maybe longer then I realized."

John took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm just confused. I was enjoying my day off and Bray called...he was rambling on and on like he does in the ring...saying crazy shit about our past...next thing I know you call me all upset...then I get a text from Bray." He handed Randy his phone so the younger man could see the text. #He still has the ring. Ask him. It never leaves his side.# John raised an eyebrow at Randy.

Randy's jaw clenched at the message but lowered his head, handing the phone back. "How would he know that? And why would he want to fuck with me like this?" John asked as he took the phone. He did not ask Randy if the message was true. By the younger man's body language it obviously was.

"I don't know why he's messing with you, John. I know you two have a ring feud, but I have no clue why he is trying to make it personal with you." Randy replied.

"Fuck, I've never done anything to him." John gave a sigh. "He said I was a hypocrite...trying to act like I have a good life when I am hiding secrets...then he brought you up."

"Sorry, John. I don't know what happened. I was out at a bar and next I knew he took a seat at my table. I told him I wasn't much for company, next I knew my mouth was like a running faucet."Randy sighed.

John nodded, trying to be understanding. At times it was hard to believe that they could sit here so normally after how close they had been in the past. So many memories filled his head, so vivid they almost took his breath away. He had not thought about him and Randy for a long time. Was this Bray's work as well? "I'm sorry, Ran...I never realized our...drifting apart was so hard on you."

Randy gave a dry laugh. "How could it not be?" He tilted his head, looking at John.

John almost felt like he was under a microscope as Randy's intense blue eyes studied him. "Sorry...that was thoughtless. I guess since you never bring it up I thought it...well, it doesn't bother you anymore. We hang at my place all the time and it never feels awkward to me."

"Why would I keep bringing it up? You made it clear back then." Randy told John, trying not to sound bitter. "You realize how long it's been?" He shook his head. "Forget it, John. I'll deal. I always deal."

John was taken back by Randy's words. He did love the younger man just could not force himself to come out and risk losing his career. "I'm sorry...I never wanted it to be this way." He said at last. "I...I did care more than you think...and it's been almost two years."

"Actually, John...just over two years now." Randy corrected him. "You never wanted it this way...but you're the one that made it this way."

John sighed. "I know...I know...I never hid the fact that I didn't want to marry, Ran...I loved you but you put me in a bad position and then made me feel like the bad guy."

Randy shook his head, lowering it. He then cringed, pressing a hand to his temple. "I still want you." Randy almost whispered.

John felt a lump in his throat at the admission. He had suspected it, but hearing it aloud made his heart hurt. It seemed like it had been forever since they had been close. "I...I don't know what to say, Ran." He said at last, his tone soft. "I do still care about you...but I have Nicole now...and you deserve better than I can give you."

"Never gonna happen." Randy told him before rubbing his temples. He cursed himself over these damn headaches he had been getting. "Guess friendship is better than nothing hmmm?"

"Yeah." John said thickly. Concern began to fill his eyes. "You okay? Have a headache or something?"

"Yeah...they come and go." Randy told him. He lifted his head to try to look at John, the normal predatory gaze looked almost distant and vacant.

John moved to sit close to Randy. He was very concerned about the man, knowing his past with self destructive behaviors. He rested a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "You asked me to come so we could talk...what can I do for you?"

"I don't know...I just don't know. I thought I had it under control...had it worked out. FUCK!" Randy exclaimed loudly. "I feel like I am coming unhinged."

John jumped at the screamed curse as it caught him off guard. He honestly did not know what to say or do afraid he would hurt Randy's fragile state more. "Maybe you should see a doctor about the headaches...and a counselor like before?" He advised, remembering the younger man's success with anger management. A part of him missed hearing Randy call him Baby while they...wait, where did that thought come from? John wondered if Randy's mental issues were rubbing off on him.

"You know if I try a counselor Vince will have me pulled from the road." Randy stated. "I can't talk to just anyone about this shit."

"I...I know. Fuck, I don't know what to suggest, Ran." John admitted. "At least see the Doc about the headaches."

"Yeah...maybe." Randy mumbled. He blinked his eyes, trying to focus. When did he last get a good night's sleep?

"You need to lay down and rest...you look exhausted and you had a hell of a match tonight." John urged as he pulled Randy to his feet to guide him to the bed. "You need me again..you know my number."

Randy stood with John, looking at him. "I do need you..that's the problem."

John felt a slight wetness in his eyes and blinked it away. It was so difficult to keep saying no to the man he loved more than he cared to admit. A part of him felt like a coward for caring so much about what others thought of him. With Nikki in his life the public saw him as a man who had it all together and he could not find the courage to shatter the illusion even for the gorgeous man in front of him who never seemed to give up. "You know what I mean." They reached the bed and John gently guided Randy to lay down on it. His face lowered to look into the near tormented eyes. "I won't be far...Rest."

Randy's face fell, turning to his side. "Don't you need to run back to the little miss?" the question may have sounded slightly biting. Randy didn't know why. He liked Nikki on so many levels. Actually maybe he did know. She had the life he felt should have been his. John was surprised to hear Randy's tone when speaking about Nikki. They had spent many a day together, the three of them talking and having a nice meal at his place.

Nikki had no clue about his past with men and just assumed Randy was a close friend. "You know she doesn't mind me checking on you." He bent to kiss the top of Randy's head before walking to the door to excuse himself from the room. When Randy did not respond to the kiss or his words John sighed. He picked up his gear bag by the door and left the hotel room, closing the door behind him. When he reached his suite Nikki was laying on the bed waiting for him. Her long hair was draped her shoulders and she wore a baby blue colored nightgown. She was beyond attractive, always knowing just how to dress to please him. Why was his mind on Randy still?

"Everything okay, John?" She asked as she noticed his tense body language. John sat his bag down beside the bed and kicked off his sneakers once he walked close to the bedroom area.

John sat on the bed, shaking his head. "Not really...Ran is having some serious headaches...and he just didn't seem like himself at all."

Nikki's concern matched John's as she sat up, resting a hand on the older man's shoulder. "That's terrible...he needs to see a doctor."

John suddenly felt overwhelmingly guilty. He prided himself on being an honest man and Nikki had no idea about this important part of his past. "Yeah...guess I'll go hop in the shower." He mumbled before standing to walk to the bathroom.

"Don't be long, Babe." Nikki called, which only served to make John feel worse. He hated himself that he preferred hearing the word Baby coming from Randy's deep baritone to Babe spoken in his girlfriend's sweet voice.

John was only gone from Randy's room a few minutes when the younger man tossed in his sleep as the vivid nightmares filled his mind again. It wasn't long before he woke up screaming and stumbling to the bathroom, growing ill. Looking in the mirror after he rinsed his mouth he couldn't believe the face looking back at him. It was that of the sick, twisted Viper. The cold predator that would love nothing more then steal John away from Nikki and show him how good it can be, Remind him how good it can be. "NO...NO GO AWAY!" He yelled, holding his head again, stumbling back.

A few floors below Randy's room was the sound of a crazed laugh. Bray was transfixed on a burning candle. He then snuffed it with his fingers. Slowly the pieces were sliding into place. For now he would continue to work the pieces into place.

John did not sleep well himself that night as he kept thinking of how Randy had looked and sounded. He thought those conflicted feelings were in the past but now it had all come rushing back. A part of him had longed to take Randy into his arms and comfort him but he knew that would only bring trouble. John woke early that morning and looked over at the soundly sleeping Nikki. She had been very into the sex they had enjoyed before calling it a night. The older man gave an almost sad smile as he remembered saying he had no interest in anal play of any kind. The truth was he longed for it. It had been years since Randy had filled him. The day seemed to pass in a tired blur for John. When the evening came he made the drive to the arena for the Smackdown taping. He was determined to have a chat with Bray if he could catch him alone. He had to watch his words though. Bray knew his secret and could destroy him if he chose to do so.

Bray was sitting in catering with his two normal large shadows...Luke and Eric flanking each side of him. They were enjoying a pre show meal. When John walked into catering he gave a glance Bray's way, debating if he should say anything with the other two men so close. He finally grabbed a plate of food and carried it casually over in their direction. "Hey, Bray." John greeted, trying to keep his tone light. "Want to chat alone later? I thought you might want to after our...interesting phone call the other day."

Bray gave a faint chuckle, a smile tugging the corners of his lips. "Of course, John." He replied almost too cheerfully. "Stop by our room after the show if you wish. My boys can keep secrets." He smile grew faintly with a twinkle in his eye.

John shook his head. There was no way he was talking about his past love life or Randy in front of two more people. "No thanks. My personal life is not for just anyone to hear. No offense but I hardly know your boys. Just forget it." As if on cue Randy walked into the room and began to look over the table's choices for food. John's eyes looked him over, seeing how tired the younger man seemed and tense. The veins could almost be seen bulging in the back of his neck.

Bray's lips moved to a faint pout, the top lip sticking out faintly from under the mustache. He pulled Luke down, whispering something. Then the same to Eric. Both men gave a faint nod. Bray looked at John. "When you come they will leave for a time." He cooked his head. "That suit you, John?"

John looked doubtful but gave a slow nod. "Okay...sounds good. What's your room number?"

"1412." Bray replied simply. His eyes shifted, seeing Randy gazing their way. He gave a faint nod in greeting.

"See you then." John nodded, not wanting to reveal any more than he had to. He walked to take a seat away from the Wyatt Family, trying to put on a calm face for the public.

Randy looked between Bray and where John was. Part of him wanted to be alone, He knew in the crowded common room it was doubtful it would happen, He started to head for the exit so he could head for his locker room. John watched Randy go and sighed but did not push it. He knew in order to get over him the younger man would probably want his space. He missed how easily they were able to hang out together only a few days ago. Instead of the locker room somehow Randy ended up down one of the many hallways backstage that was lined with equipment. Next he realized he was near the Diva's locker room watching as Nikki was talking to her sister. His free hand clenched as thoughts ran in his head of what he could do to her. His eyes studied the two woman. An almost dangerous look filled his eyes before he cringed, shaking it off. His plate fell to the floor, the silverware on it clanked on the hard cement floor. He placed a hand to his head trying to shake the feeling.

"You okay?" John's voice came from behind Randy as he had headed for the Diva's locker room to inform Nikki he would be held up with Bray after Smackdown. Randy jumped, having the same distant look from the night before. John was starting to really worry now. Randy held almost the look of a zombie to him. "Come on." He said, pulling Randy away from the Diva's locker room and toward his private one. Randy almost was glad to be led away yet also reluctant.

Once they were in the locker room John closed the door and gave Randy a confused but frustrated look. "What the hell is wrong with you, Ran? Your eyes look like you're either asleep or dead...and what are you doing stalking the divas?" He gave a shudder as he remembered the younger man's dream about killing Nikki.

"I...I don't know how I got there." Randy replied. His head lowered, twitching slightly side to side.

Before John knew it he had backed the younger man until his back was against the wall. John's panting breaths could be heard as his face was inches away from the taller man. "Admit it. You were spying on Nikki. I don't know what's gotten into you lately, Ran...I thought things were good between us now but you're acting like a stalker."

Randy was taken back by John's actions. "Honest...I...I don't know how I ended up over there." Randy moved his hands to hold John's face to look at his eyes, They were scared and lost looking. Next thing Randy knew he bent down to kiss John. Heat caused John's body to tingle in a way it never had before the moment their lips met. He was not the type to cheat on a lover and his mind told him this was wrong but his body seemed to have a mind of its own. His cock gave an excited twitch inside his cargo shorts as a small groan came from deep in his chest. One of Randy's hands left John's face trailing down his arm. He then stopped, breaking the kiss and turning his head away. His chest heaved from where he was still pinned between John and the wall. He wanted to apologize...say he was sorry. Was he really though?

Reality began to set in in the middle of John's lust when the kiss broke. His cheeks flushed, embarrassed by the obvious tent he was sporting in his shorts. "Um...I believe you." John said, slowly backing away from the wall to give Randy his space. He wanted the younger man. He wanted him so much but knew it was not permitted now. "G-Guess I'd better get ready for my match." He said as he tried to pull himself together.

"I...I should head for my room I guess." Randy said lowly as he moved away.

"See you later." John almost whispered. He dared not look at the younger man or he was afraid he may do something foolish.

"Yeah...maybe." Randy replied before vanishing out the door. John gave a shudder once he was alone. Why was Randy affecting him this way after all that time? It was as if he was compelled to be with his best friend. He tried to cool his body before the house show, wondering if maybe he should avoid Randy for awhile before they ended up doing something they would regret.

The show went normal with no sign of Randy after the final bell. John figured maybe Randy was as embarrassed about the incident as he was so he let it go and made the drive back to the hotel. He gave Nikki a call and told her he would be getting in later than normal. John felt nervous as he knocked on Bray's door, determined to get some answers to this whole mess.

The big man Luke opened the door, looking down at John without speaking a word. John looked up at the wild looking man, trying not to seem intimidated. "Bray is expecting me?" He said calmly. Luke nodded, turning to walk back into the room, leaving the door open for John to follow. John walked into the room, trying to shake off the creepy feeling as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.

Bray was sitting in a chair. A few candles lit the room. Eric stood near by looking as John entered. A creepy sight to some would be the old fashioned rocking chair. Why was that there? Shouldn't it be with production? John was very confused as he took in the sight. Why was Bray sitting in the dark with candles like he was holding a seance or something? "Hey." He said, looking at Bray. "You have time for our chat now?"

"Of course, John...of course." Bray replied. "Boys if you please?" He gave a sweeping motion toward the door and the two larger men headed out.

Once they were alone John stood in front of Bray awkwardly a few moments before speaking. "I admit I'm confused. You called me on my phone while I was at my home and said some very disturbing things...some would say you threatened me...why did you want to do that?"

"Threat? Threat oh no, no, no, John….no threat. I just wish to open your eyes that you have become blind with. Wish to open your eyes to the world you have forgotten is out there." Bray told him calmly.

"Have you been messing with Randy's mind?" John asked bluntly. "He said you two went out for drinks and he's been acting off ever since. I know he told you we were once together...we had moved on...but suddenly he's more depressed than when we first lost contact."

"I merely gave the poor Viper an ear when there was no other. Poor, poor fellow." Bray spoke in almost his sing song manner. "You think he moved on...think all is fine and bright in the world? That is the first thing your eyes don't see, John. A poor, sad, lost soul. Seeking warmth in bed where there is none to be found."

"That's not my fault! I cared about him just as much!" John exploded before catching himself. "He proposed to me. He knew how I felt about marriage...still do. I told him no, let's just have things as they are...but they were never the same after that."

"He opened his heart to you...his world. You allowed it to crumble, John. You want to be Superman...but you can't even save those closest to you can you?" Bray commented in reply acting unphased by the outburst.

"You don't know anything about it and why do you care anyway?" John said. The truth in what Bray said stung. "You know what...fuck this. Don't call me again and keep our relationship purely work related. If it's not about work I don't want to talk about it."

A smile tugged Bray's lips. "You came to me remember, John?"

"Yes, because I was getting crazy calls and texts from you." John reminded Bray. "I mean it...my personal life is my own so please stay out of it."

"Just trying to help." Bray replied. "How long can you avoid the Viper's hold though?

"What do you mean his hold? We aren't together anymore." John bit, suddenly feeling shame as he remembered the kiss in the locker room. His body had all but screamed for Randy to take him.

Bray just gave a laugh. A chilling, unsettling laugh like when he is in the ring. John felt his throat go dry as the laugh wanted to send fear through him. "I'll let myself out." He stammered as he moved to go. He just wanted far away from all this.

"Your eyes can only stay closed for so long, John." Bray called out after him.

Once John was in the hallway he paused to catch his breath. He was shocked to see he was sporting a small erection just from saying Randy's name. It was like his body had a mind all its own. "What the fuck?" He whispered before trying to walk discreetly to his suite.

Bray laughed after John left. He looked as the rocking chair slowly moved. "Yes, yes...I know." He laughed again. "Those boys won't know which way is up. Falling deeper and deeper until there is no light left."

John did not have a good evening as he hoped. He went back to his suite and tried to forget about all the drama. He hoped that he could forget his troubles in a session of hot sex with his beautiful girlfriend. John wanted to scream in frustration as he just could not seem to get the release his body craved inside of Nikki's warm body. Nikki screamed out her second orgasm as he pounded into her. "Yes...Yes, Babe. You have so much stamina tonight." She moaned under him. John felt so close to cumming but nothing seemed to push him over the edge. What was wrong with him?

When he was ready to give up and admit to Nikki his problem a vision filled his mind that made him groan. He remembered one of the last times he had been filled by Randy. He had been on all fours as the younger man held his hips in a bruising grip, pounding him until his body rattled. The pleasure from his prostrate had been almost too much as he pleaded for more from his Daddy. John cried out at the memory as his cock pulsed and his orgasm hit hard, filling the small woman under him. His body shook in pleasurable aftershocks as he pulled out of Nikki and fell to the bed beside her spent. "That was so good, Babe." Nikki gave John a warm smile before excusing herself to the bathroom.

John was horrified as he laid in bed covered in sweat. What the hell was wrong with him? He had been having sex with Nikki over a year and never had issues before. It was like his body had a mind of its own when it came to Randy. Even after his powerful orgasm a part of him wanted nothing more than to track Randy down and finish what they started in the locker room. It seemed his perfect life was unraveling before his very eyes. In another room Bray laughed at the visions he had shared with him. The two big stars spiraling out of control in a swirling sea of chaos. His two large shadows joining him before he retired to bed.

John once again had a hard time sleeping and felt tired the next day. The next few days on the road were difficult for the older man. He seemed to think of Randy every waking moment, his ass and cock aching for the Viper's touch and he had no idea why. He avoided Randy, hoping the distance would somehow make him feel like his normal self again. John sometimes thought he was losing his own mind. Others he felt like a bitch in heat. He had gone two years without anal sex why did he need it so much now? On Saturday evening John went to the local arena for a house show. He was thankful he would get Sunday off and could go home for awhile.

While John was in one area of the common room listening to the pre-show meeting Bray sat with his boy s in area another watching as the great Cenation leader looked to be slowly crumbling. Even if others couldn't see it past the mask John always seemed to wear he could see it well. He could see as the cracks formed below the surface, slowly growing bigger. John gave fake smiles and nods in the meeting, as always trying to put on a show of having the perfect life and everything together. Once it was finished he walked back to his locker room to prepare for his promo against Bray. A part of him dreaded the exchange even if it was work related.

Facing off in the ring Bray tried to keep the script given even if some of the words seemed to have extra bite to them. John could not wait until after the show so he could drop the fake mask of happiness and go back to his locker room. He stripped down and hopped into the shower, taking a deep, cleansing breath as the water washed over his body. Nikki had to work with her sister tomorrow so he would be heading back to Florida alone. A part of him was thankful for the privacy and peace.

Over the water of the shower a hushed voice could be heard. It had the faint familiar almost resonating tone like when Randy would whisper to him in the night. When John tried to look past the water he couldn't find the source of it though. John knew he had to be alone as this was his private locker room so the sound of a voice startled him. Seeing nothing he shrugged his shoulders and went back to washing himself. His body suddenly tingled as he felt a warm breath on the back of his neck. "Baby.." Randy's deep baritone sounded near John's ear. "Oh, Baby..." John jumped and glanced behind him to see nothing. His cock twitched as he felt a teasing breath against his neck, filling him with heat and sexual longing.

"I couldn't stay away." Randy's voice whispered.

John gave a chuckle at the words and his body's reaction as more blood traveled to his thickening manhood. "I'm cracking up. I need more sleep." He said out loud to himself.

"You feel it too don't you, Baby?" The voice asked. The warm feeling was still on the back of John's neck.

"Fuck." John gave a pant as his eyes drifted shut. He knew it was not true...that Randy was not really there. It was a figment in his mind but it just felt so good. He had not heard Randy call him Baby since the day he proposed. It reminded him of so many shower times they had spent together in various hotel rooms although John was too afraid of getting caught to allow it in his locker room. "Yeah...Daddy. Touch me." He said in a husky tone. John knew he would not actually feel anything but it was nice to daydream here alone away from prying eyes.

A gasp came in the voice as if it were hearing something. "Come to me tonight, Baby….please." The voice spoke and movement heard before silence filled the space except the falling water. John slowly opened his eyes, wondering why his mind would stop in the middle of a fantasy.

His cock stood hard and aching under the spray. "Dammit!" John cursed before trying to cool off. He managed to focus enough to finish cleaning and dress in a clean change of clothes. The voice just would not leave him as he drove back to the hotel. The temptation to see Randy was just so strong, especially now that Nikki had left to travel with her sister after the show. The older man argued with his conscience until he could take it no longer. He walked to Randy's door and gave a knock, telling himself he was just checking up on a friend.