Disclaimer: I do not own anything dealing with WWE or the rights to any products or persons mentioned in the story as well.
Warning: There is harsh language and adult themes as well as slash between some of the characters (mostly M/M).
Song: "Grenade" - Bruno Mars
Chapter Four
Mike woke to an empty bed. He chewed on his bottom lip and fought back the tears that threatened to pour. The blond wiped his eyes and slowly climbed out of bed. He went to the bathroom and ran the shower. He stood underneath the waters trying to clear away the morning fog and John's absence. He stepped out and dried off. Mike looked at his face in the mirror and shook his head before brushing his teeth and shaving. He quickly got dressed and made his way to the door. As soon as he opened it, the smell of breakfast hit his nose.
Mike tilted his head and made his way to the kitchen to see John setting the table.
His boyfriend looked up, "Good morning, sweetheart."
"Morning," Mike replied.
"I hope you're hungry."
Mike nodded and took a seat.
"I have a feeling that today is going to be a busy day. Might as well get through the scripts as quickly as possible."
The blond smiled. "You didn't have to make breakfast."
"I wanted to."
"You could have woke me."
"Could...but you looked so peaceful."
Mike blushed and silently ate. After breakfast, they cleaned up the dishes and kitchen together and went to living room. Mike handed John the script while he kept a copy for himself. They stayed there running lines over and over until John flopped down in a chair rubbing his eyes.
"Sweetheart, I'm tired," John complained.
"I'm sorry, babe." Mike looked at his watch. "Damn. Wanna grab dinner and catch a movie?"
"You go ahead. I'm thinking about staying in for once."
"Really?" Mike quirked an eyebrow.
John nodded.
"Well, I can grab dinner and we can have a night in."
"Don't worry about me," John said. "You go...have fun."
"You sure?"
John nodded.
"Okay." Mike walked out of the living room and gave John one last look.
John smiled at him and stretched out on the couch.
Mike made sure to grab his phone, wallet, and keys. He went back to John and kissed him on the forehead. "I'll be back in a few hours."
John nodded.
Mike left and went to his favorite sub-shop. He waited in line while texting his brother to pass time.
"Surprise, surprise," Dolph greeted as he walked in.
Mike looked over to him and smiled. "Well, well. I haven't seen you in forever."
Both men hugged each other.
Dolph looked around. "Where's JoMo?"
"He wanted a night in."
Dolph quirked an eyebrow. "Really?"
Mike nodded.
"He's letting a fine specimen like you out and about by yourself?"
Mike chuckled. "Care to join me for a bite to eat?"
"Sure."
They ordered and sat down. Mike made sure to place their order number up.
"So, what's been happening with you?" Mike asked.
"Got a part in an action flick...with Dwayne Johnson," Dolph replied.
"Awesome. Excited?"
"Totally."
"Excuse me, sir?" a young woman said.
Both men looked to her.
"You're Mike Mizanin," she stated.
Mike nodded.
"Can I get a picture with you?"
"Sure."
She handed Dolph the camera and Mike posed with her.
"Thanks," she said. "I was wondering...um...don't take this the wrong way, but...why did you stop performing?"
Mike smiled, "I was busy dealing with my boyfriend's career to worry about my own."
"He's a very lucky man to have you."
"Thanks."
The woman nodded. "Well, since his career is pretty much solidified, you could go back to performing again. I loved hearing you play when I was visiting my sister in college."
"Thank you."
"Have a great night."
"You too." Mike watched after her and shook his head.
Dolph chuckled.
"What?" Mike asked.
"She's barely legal and she remembers hearing you play the violin."
Mike shrugged.
"Have you thought about, you know, going back?"
"What?"
"I mean, playing the violin, the cello, the piano...doing the things that you liked to do."
Mike shook his head. "I'm taking care of John. I have to make sure that he is on schedule for things."
"Fuck him," Dolph said. "Dude, I've heard you play. You're good. John's a big boy. He can handle himself. If not, he can get an agent instead of relying on you."
"It doesn't work that way."
Before Dolph could open his mouth, their meal came.
"Just drop it, please," Mike pleaded.
Dolph nodded and they ate, making conversation. When they were done, they stepped out into the night.
"It was nice having an impromptu dinner with you," Mike said.
"You too," Dolph replied. "What are you going to do now?"
"Go to the movies."
"You know, it's been awhile since I've been. Mind if you join?"
Mike shook his head. With that, both men spent their time enjoying each other's company. After the movie, they decided to walk on the beach.
"You should, you know," Dolph replied.
"What?" Mike asked.
"Go back to performing."
Mike chuckled. "That was so long ago. I can't go back."
Dolph looked to him. He took in Mike's profile and a smile played on the platinum blond's lips. He often thought about kissing those lips but could not bring himself to do so. Mike was a friend...who was in love with a fool. It broke his heart to see him in the shadows while the lesser man shone in the spotlight. To him, John Morrison was trash that was made pretty.
"What's on your mind?" Mike questioned.
"This movie," Dolph lied as they got to a bench.
Mike sat down. "Don't be nervous. You've been in plenty of movies."
"I know, but this is my first action film."
"Hey, you're in shape and you look good. Don't worry about it."
Dolph nodded and both men sat looking at the stars.
…
John Cena sat in the club by himself in a corner. He watched the bodies gyrate and grind against each other. The smell of sweat, mingled perfume and cologne, and lust stung his nose. He took a swig of his beer, not caring about what was going on around him.
He opened his shirt to cool off.
A young woman walked over and sat down. They made idle conversation before she leaned over and kissed him. He received the kiss and soon dominated her mouth. The woman straddled him and he smirked at her as he bit his lip. She started to kiss his neck and nipped his collarbone. He bucked up and grabbed her chin. He started to devour her mouth again.
From the corner of his eye, he thought he saw Mike. He stopped and looked around.
"Is something the matter, baby?" she asked.
John shook his head. "Let's take this some where more private."
She smiled and got off of him. He threw some money down and led her out of the club.
…
"Cody, don't be like this," JoMo said. "I know you miss me. I miss you too." John walked around the living room, eyes taking in nothing and yet everything.
"How about you come with me to the set?"
"Really?" Cody asked.
"Yeah, Mike never comes to any of my filmings. He says it would be distracting to me to have him around all the time."
"You think he's making excuses to be with Cena?"
John was silent. He stared at a picture of him holding Mike with his head on the blond's shoulder.
"John?"
"Sorry, I thought I heard something." He sighed. "Yeah, I do think that."
"How long do you want me to stay?"
"It's up to you, babe. You can stay for the whole time or half."
"You're sure that Mike won't show up?" Cody asked.
"I'm sure. He always calls. It's my shows that he pops up at unexpectedly."
There was a long pause.
"Cody?"
"Okay. I'll go with you."
…
Dolph sighed and looked to Mike, who had his head back still star-gazing. He bit his lip as he stared at Mike's lips.
"Can I do something and not have you offended?" Dolph asked.
Mike furrowed his brows and stared at him. "Okay."
Dolph leaned forward and brushed his lips against Mike's. The blond widened his eyes but remained still. Dolph traced his tongue along Mike's lower lip, causing him to moan. Dolph deepened the kiss and plunged his tongue in. The men sat, kissing before the aching in the lungs demanded air.
Mike sat, staring at the ground.
"Sorry," Dolph said. "I've always wanted to do that."
Mike nodded.
"Listen, go after your dreams. It's not too late." Dolph stood up. "And John's an idiot to let you stay in the shadows."
Mike just nodded again and the men went their separate ways. Mike had not slept the whole night. He felt guilty for allowing Dolph kiss him. He felt like he had cheated on John. He looked to his love, who was sound asleep. Mike sat up, climbed out of bed, and went to his office. But what stayed most on his mind was Dolph telling him to go after his dreams.
Mike stared at the violin case, deep in thought. He had never really thought about going back on stage to do what he loved. He knew that he had talen, but so did John. He knew that people loved him, but people loved and clamored to John. Mike shook his head.
"What are you doing up?" John asked as he stretched.
"Thinking."
John yawned before asking, "About what?"
"What Dolph said to me."
The brunette looked at him and folded his arms over his chest. "When did you see him?"
"Last night. He had dinner with me and went to the movies."
"So you called him up?"
"No, he showed up."
John clenched his jaw and ran his fingers through the dark brown locks. "What did you talk about?"
"He thinks that I have talent and should go back on stage."
John nodded.
"Your thoughts?"
Mike shook his head. "All of my time is for you."
John slowly walked to him. "Did you enjoy your time with him?"
Mike looked up at John. "He's a friend...so yes."
Mike did not see the hand coming, but he felt the sharp pain. He gingerly touched his cheek as his eyes moved to his lover.
"Did you fuck him?" John asked.
Mike shook his head, not knowing where this line of questioning was coming from.
"I can handle the fact that you're friends with Cena, but with Dolph? Him as well? How many more are there?"
Mike just stared at him.
John took a step toward him and Mike flinched. The brunette shook his head and walked away.
Mike sank into the couch, eyes roaming around the room. His mind was in turmoil. John had never raised his hand to him, not even raising his voice at him. He did not know what was going on. He blinked rapidly, trying to stop the tears. The blond took a deep breath and made his way out of his office. He went back to the bedroom, hoping that John was gone, but he sat on the edge of the bed with his head buried in his hands.
"I'm sorry," John said. "I didn't mean it. I see how they all look at you. It just drives me crazy."
Truth be told, John did not like men lusting after Mike. Mike was his and his alone. Sure, he went out and fucked around, but Mike was there to hold him, tell him how much that he loved John, and make life better. John did not know why he stepped around on Mike a lot. At first, it was a fun dirty secret. Then, because he could. Mike fulfilled his needs, never telling him no. It was just something about Mike that caused him to wander.
"They all want you," John said. "Haven't you noticed? Hell, even my band members want a piece of you."
Mike sat down next to John, who placed his head on the blond's shoulder.
"I love you, Mikey."
"I-I lo—"
Mike's cell went off. He looked to it and answered. "Hello...okay...okay."
"What?" John asked when he hung up.
"They've moved up the filming date. They need you in Australia next week," Mike said.
John sighed.
The week went by with Mike and John going over the script day in and day out. When breaks came, Mike arranged the hotel stay and John's plane tickets. He even packed John's bags for him.
The day came to see John off. They waited for his flight to be boarded.
"I was thinking..." Mike began.
"About going back to the stage?" John finished.
Mike nodded.
"Can you even still play?" John asked. "I mean, there is a lot of competition out there when it comes to playing a classical instrument."
"True."
"You have to go to audition after audition hoping that a conductor would pick you for their orchestra or symphony. It's been like what...eight years since you played?"
Mike nodded.
"You're going to have to take lessons again to get to where you need to be to compete with the young bloods."
Mike nodded.
"Listen, I'm trying to knock you down, but that's the reality. Besides, I'm a handful."
"I know."
The boarding call came and John smiled at Mike.
"I'll be gone for a three months or so. How are you going to cope without me?" John asked.
"I'm thinking about going to my parents'," Mike replied.
John nodded. "Tell them I said 'Hi'."
"I will."
John pulled Mike in for a kiss. "I'll try to call every day."
"Twice a week. Need your head to be in the game."
"Yes, Mother." John winked and left.
Mike stared after him, hands in his pocket. He fought back tears as he turned to leave. John's words stung him and his heart broke.
