Lost Brotherhood

"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Jeff screamed again at what he saw.

"I can't look that bad." Tom said "Can I?"

"That's a big owie." Jeff said., watching the doctor pull splinters of wood out of a gaping wound in the back of Tom's head.

"So they tell me." Tom grimaced when the doctor pulled an exceptionally long sliver and dropped it into a silver tray beside him. "I think that one was connected to my teeth."

"Sorry, Mister Hardy. We did inform you that there would be some discomfort during the procedure." The doctor smiled. The English doctors were known to have a strange perception of what "some discomfort" meant. To Tom, "some discomfort" mean stubbing your toe, not this.

"Explain to me again why you couldn't numb the whole area?" Tom complained, gripping both sides of the bed when the doctor went back to work.

"We are always wary of reducing sensation in a sensitive area like this. We could inadvertently cause damage to your cranial nerves and not know it..."

"So, if I start convulsing, you know you've screwed up." Tom tensed up. His head felt like it was on fire. "Fuck!" He shouted as a bolt of pain passed right through his system and down. It felt like he'd been struck by lightning.

"Doc, you're hurting him!" Jeff said, a tear forming in his eye.

"Nurse, I think we can add a little more freezing right now. I've gotten most of the big ones out." Even the doctor seemed to sympathize.

"Yes, doctor." The nurse brought over a long needle.

"This will hurt a little."

Tom screamed again when the needle penetrated the skin just below the wound. He clenched his fists tightly around the metal frame of the blanket. He looked up at Jeff, his eyes telling him to put him out of this.

Jeff crossed over and took Tom's hand in his own, gently rubbing it.

"Jeff..."

"Shhh, bro. Talk later." Jeff continued to massage the hand, hoping it would take Tom's mind off the repeated stabbings of the freezing agent.

"There. Last one." The doctor retracted the needle. "Give it a minute to work and then we'll stitch you up."

His eyes watering, Tom looked up at Jeff. "Thank-you." He whispered, dropping his head back on the bed.

While the doctor sewed, they talked.

"So what the hell happened, Tommy?" Matt asked

"As if getting hit by a double-decker bus wasn't bad enough, some dumb ass decided to pick a fight with me." Tom answered

"You? Why?" Jeff answered

"I was defending you." Tom answered, repeating the conversation at the bar. "The next time, you can defend yourself."

"Me?" Jeff asked

"Yeah. Some idiot kept asking me if you were gay... I assume that's what a dinner-masher is. If not, then I'm really stupid." Tom replied

"There we are Mister Hardy... all done. Now I don't have to tell you that until the stitches come out, I am forbidding you from wrestling." The doctor smiled

To Tom that was the worst thing the doctor could've said. Tom would've preferred being told that he had to have his penis amputated.

"Dammit, Doc, I got four matches this week alone." Tom replied "What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"Other than stop getting into scuffles at public houses, I would suggest that maybe you should find someone to take your place." The doctor replied slyly.

"Oh man, Vince is gonna flip." Jeff said

"Hey, doc, is there a chance I can get some sort of note?" Tom asked

"A note?"

"Yeah. You don't know Vince McMahon. He's the kind of boss who won't give you time off for your own funeral without proof." Matt added

"I sure I can provide some documentation. Mister Hardy, the nurse will be along shortly to clean you up and then you can be on your way." The doctor quickly checked his sewing. "They should be ready to come out any time from ten to fourteen days from now. "

"I guess I should get my hair cut as well." Tom said, staring at the back of his head in the mirror. They had shaved a swath right out of the middle of his formerly shoulder-length hair.

"I can have the nurse take care of that for you as well. Just wait here."

Tom paced the room waiting for his hair appointment.

"Don't worry about it." Matt said, throwing his arms around Tom. "We'll take care of everything for ya."

"Yeah. I'll wrestle for ya tomorrow night if ya want." Jeff volunteered.

"Uh Jeff, I don't think that's such a good idea." Matt knew who Tom's scheduled opponent was.

"Oh come on, Matty. Tommy's hurt. It's what we brothers do." Jeff answered

"Jeff, chill the fuck out." Tom said "I agree with Matt."

"Why?" Jeff demanded

"I'm fighting Morrison." Tom replied "Or at least I was fighting him before this shit happened." He gingerly patted the wound on his head.

"Oh." Suddenly, Jeff didn't seem to be that keen.

"I'd do it, but I already got a match." Matt said "I"m defending against the Big Show."

"Don't worry. I'll talk to Vince and see what he can suggest. Maybe we can just cancel the match. It's not like it's important or anything."

"Yeah... Vince McMahon cancel a match. That's like saying Jeff doesn't care about his appearance... it just doesn't happen." Matt suppressed laughter.

"Tom, I said I'd do it." Jeff shouted

"Are you sure about this Jeffro?" Tom grabbed Jeff's shoulders and looked him dead in the eye. "I am not gonna make you do something like this. I'd rather fight and risk serious injury than force you into a situation like this."

"Tommy, I'm okay." Jeff's determined look convinced him.

"Did someone call for a haircut?" The nurse returned, accompanied by the hospital barber.

"Yeah, him." Jeff quickly pointed at Tommy lest there be a mistake and he end up looking like Stone Cold.

"Have a seat and we'll see what we can do."

...

"Good evening, London!" The Fink bellowed

The crowd cheered raucously.

"Due to an injury, Tom Hardy will not be appearing in our opening contest." He announced "But this contest is scheduled for one fall... introducing first, from Los Angeles, California, weighing two hundred nineteen pounds, John Morrison."

"Hey Hardy!" John grabbed the microphone and started to berate his injured opponent. "They say you're hurt, but I think you just didn't wanna fight me."

The Hardy theme interrupted him. Tom stepped out onto the stage. The crowd gasped at his new look. Completely gone was the long hair. It was completely shaved on the sides and back and whatever was on top was concealed underneath a baseball cap. It looked like he'd had his entire head shaved. The stitches were concealed beneath the headgear.

"Hi Johnny." He said, looking calm and serene. "Did you miss me?"

"Get down here and let me beat your ass, rookie." Morrison shouted

Tom turned his head, almost as if he'd misheard Morrison. "Chill out, dude. I know I'm good looking, but I ain't playing for your team, so whatever you wanna do to my ass is gonna hafta wait."

Morrison stomped around the ring.

"I'm not medically cleared, but if you want a fight, I can give you one." Tom walked threateningly toward the ring. He was almost halfway there when the entrance theme of one Jeff Hardy began playing.

The fans erupted yelling. Tom looked a little confused, while Morrison looked really confused.

Jeff did his little dance routine (Has he ever considered going on the next Dancing With the Stars?) and headed right for Tom. Without a mic, it was impossible for the crowd to hear exactly what was being said, but apparently Jeff was "offering" to take his place against Morrison.

Tom and Jeff started to argue, but it soon ended once some of the other personnel "convinced" Tom that he wasn't going to wrestle that night.

"Fine." His body language clearly conveyed that message. He allowed the agents to escort him to the back while Jeff entered the ring to fight.

"That was the easiest thousand bucks I ever made." Tom said, plopping his butt into a chair to watch the match on a monitor.

"I told ya we'd come up with something." Matt dropped down beside him, title belt securely across his shoulder.

"Yeah. Jeff seemed okay to you?" Tom asked

"Yeah, fine, did I miss somethin'?" Matt returned the question with one of his own.

"I guess I'm still a little worried about Jeff takin' this match." Tom replied, his glare never wavering from the screen.

"One thing about Jeff: he wears his heart on his sleeve, but once he's in the ring it's all business." Matt responded "I gotta go check in with Show."

"I'm just gonna watch the show from here." Tom stretched his lanky frame out.

"Cool. Comin' out later?" he asked

"Nah, I'm just gonna go back to the hotel. I have a really bad headache." Tom answered

"Okay."

As he watched the match, Tom saw what Matt meant. Considering not thirty-six hours ago Jeff was having a nervous breakdown over him, he sure seemed to have turned off any feelings that he might or might not have had. He was indeed all business tonight, and two consecutive swantons was all he needed to dispose of Morrison.

Jeff seemed to be alright when he came backstage.

"Nice job, Jeffro." Tom said

"Thanks, dude."

"Hopefully I can figure out a way to get around my match with the Miz on Raw tomorrow." Tom briskly rubbed his eyes.

"Dude, don't stress. Vince said you can have the time off." Jeff said

"You don't get it. I don't care what Vince, the doctors, or what anyone else says... my ego won't let me disappoint anyone. Just letting you take this match tonight makes me feel like shit." Tom's hand went to his temple.

"Head still hurt?" Jeff asked

"Yeah." Tom answered

"Hey Hardy, great match." Morrison returned.

"Cool." Now that the match was over, Jeff obviously didn't want to have anything to do with John.

"Uh, can we talk?" Morrison asked

Tom took this as his cue to leave. "I gotta go take some Aspirin. My head is just pounding."

Jeff and John stared at each other.

"So, whaddaya wanna talk to me about?" Jeff asked

"Look, Jeff, what happened the other night wasn't your fault." Morrison answered

"Yes it was. I went way too far way too fast." Jeff replied

"Jeff, listen. I like you, I do. I think there might be a chance for something to happen between us and frankly I'm a little scared..."

"Scared? Of what?" Jeff asked

"I don't know how to handle these feelings." Morrison replied "I'm not used to this."

Jeff was stunned. "But I thought..."

"Jeff, I want to try again, if you'll let me." Morrison swallowed noisily. "Please?"

"Let me think about it yes." Jeff replied

"Thank-you." Morrison embraced him warmly. Over his shoulder Jeff saw Tom leaning silently against a wall. He gave Jeff a thumbs-up, smiled, and disappeared from view.

"You seen Jeffro?" Matt stopped him as he was heading to the locker room.

"Yeah. He and Morrison are making up." Tom replied

Matt seemed to take this news rather strangely. That look he had in the cafe the other day returned and he glared right through Tom.

"I hope you know what you are doing, bro." He said in a fierce low tone. "'Coz if he ends up hurting Jeffro any more Imma gonna hold you personally responsible."

"Matt, I'm taking my own advice and backing off. I expect you to as well. If Jeff needs us, we'll be here for him. If not, he's old enough to make his own decisions. If he wants Morrison in his life, I say let him be happy." Tom answered in his own low growl. "You have a title match later... I'd suggest you focus on that."

Tom walked away, feeling Matt's gaze burn a hole in the back of his head. Either that or his stitches were giving way. He watched the rest of the show from a secluded area in the canteen, not wanting to socialize with anyone for the time being.

"Is it me?" he thought silently. "First Jeff, now Matt. Maybe they don't want me in their lives after all." The animosity with Jeff regarding the title match hadn't been discussed at all, and now Matt was getting all over him.

Despite the friction, he couldn't help but cheer when Matt soundly defeated the Big Show to retain the title. It didn't hurt that Jeff stuck his face into the match when the referee wasn't looking.

"At least two-thirds of the Hardys are happy." Tom mumbled, watching the on-camera celebration.

"Hey, rookie. What's shakin'?" Cody pulled up a chair.

Tom answered "My fledgling career is in the crapper, my new brothers both seem to have a problem with me, and I have a hole in the back of my head you could drive a truck through. Other than that, not a whole fucking lot."

"Sounds like my first few weeks." Cody answered "Don't worry, things have to get better."

"I guess they can't get much worse." Tom answered

"Cody, can I talk to Tom for a second?" Matt interrupted. It looked like he'd come right from the ring.

Cody grunted and left. Matt took the chair had vacated.

"I've been thinkin'."

"Oh boy, here we go again." Tom thought "Now what is he gonna bust my ass over?"

"You're right. I really have to stop treating Jeff like he's a little kid." Matt wiped sweat from his brow. He really had come straight from his match. "If he needs us, we'll be there but I gotta let be his own man now. Fuck, he's almost 32."

"Does this mean I have to stop sleeping with Bunny?"

"Jeffro? How long you been there?" Matt turned

"Long enuff." Jeff stated "And you do have to stop treating me like a kid." This, coming from the Superstar who shed more tears per day than anyone else, seemed a little ironic.

"I promise, Jeff. From now on, I am gonna stop runnin' your life." Matt solemnly swore on an imaginary stack of something.

"Tommy..." Jeff asked. It seemed that Jeff was expecting a similar reply.

"What... I have nothing to apologize for." He responded, a little harder than he'd intended, but a little late to change his tone. "I've been in your life for less than a month... how the hell have I been running it?"

Jeff stuck out his bottom lip.

"Don't do that. You know I have a weakness for puppy dog faces." Tom covered his face. "Alright, I'm sorry I took a bar stool for you."

"That's not what I was gonna ask." Jeff pouted. "I was gonna say John and I are gonna give it another try and I have you to thank for it."

Before Tom could even muster a reply, Jeff embraced him. That was awkward. When Jeff kissed him on the cheek, that was more awkward. And when Jeff whispered "I need the room tonight." before skipping away that was just downright creepy.

Matt took off to grab his shower, leaving Tom alone.

"Well, I guess there is only one thing left to do..." He said "Anybody wanna go out for a couple?... I'm buyin'."

...

"Are you sure he won't mind?" Morrison asked

"I told him I need the room." Jeff answered

After their date, Morrison wanted to get some rest, but Jeff was still rarin' to go.

"We do have work in the morning." He should've known better than to use that excuse with the biggest party animal in the company.

"So? C'mon Johnny, live a little." Jeff skipped around the room, hastily tidying up his mess.

"Jeff, I don't know what you have planned, but..."

"I have nothing planned. I just wanna relax with you for a while. We can raid the mini-bar..."

"Say no more... let's drink."

The two got down to business and in no time were pleasantly buzzing. Unfortunately, it was almost four in the morning.

"Jeff, I really gotta go." Morrison finished whatever he'd grabbed recently and got off the couch.

"Awwwww... do ya hafta?" Jeff whined

"I'm not like you, dude. I need my sleep." Morrison answered

"There's an extra bed here." Jeff grinned

"I'm sure Matt would have a problem when he comes home."

"I'm not roomin' with Matt this trip." Jeff answered proudly.

"They actually let you stay on your own?" John inquired, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"I wish. Tommy's with me." Jeff replied wistfully. "But he's gone for the night."

"Jeff, I'd like to. Maybe some other time." Morrison grabbed his jacket.

"Okay." Jeff sulked "How 'bout a goodnight kiss?"

Morrison tentatively pecked Jeff on the cheek.

"That was pathetic!" Jeff replied, his hands on his hips. "Let me show you."

Jeff took hold of Morrison's face and gently placed his lips to him. Morrison moaned softly. The kiss was a lot more enjoyable than he'd expected. But to paraphrase The Tragically Hip, he was "twenty-nine years old... never kissed a guy."

"Whoa." John said

"You like?" Jeff asked

John licked his lips. "Fuck yeah. Let me try that again." John returned the kiss with the same, if not more passion and intensity that Jeff had shown. The two of them soon collapsed onto Jeff's bed, mouths locked together, their tongues dancing in each other's mouth.

Jeff soon felt something else pressing against him.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked, finally breaking the kiss. "Remember what happened last time?"

"I'm sure." John answered "But I wanna make you feel good too." He squeezed Jeff gently, enjoying the reaction he got.

"MMM..." Jeff rejoined lips with Morrison, his hands roaming the younger man's body, caressing, kneading, and rubbing every muscle he could reach.

"Wow!" Morrison said "Where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"I dunno. There are a lotta other things I can do with my mouth instead of kiss..." Jeff licked his own lips in anticipation.

"You did that once... it's my turn." Now John was the aggressor, pinning Jeff to the bed and tearing at his clothes like a madman.

Jeff tried to get at Morrison's clothing as well, but John held his hands above his head. "You're mine tonight." He returned to Jeff's body, removing the last few articles and staring at his naked beauty.

"Now that I'm yours, what are ya goin to do with me?" Jeff asked, his cock stirring to attention.

"I'm sure I'll think of something." John smiled and devoured Jeff's now erect member in one gulp.

"Damn!" Jeff gasped, feeling the head of his dick slide down Morrison's throat and then slowly back up.

John smiled. He'd been dreaming of doing this to someone, anyone, for years. He'd ruined a friendship, lost his girlfriend, but now it all seemed worth it to have the man he'd been lusting after since day one underneath him, quivering with need and knowing that he was responsible for it. He returned to sucking on Jeff, giving him the most intense suck job he'd had in a long time.

"Johnny, you better slow down."

"Hell no." Morrison removed Jeff's cock from his mouth. "I have no idea when I'll be able to do this again, so I'm gonna make you cream." He started sucking again.

"It ain't gonna take much... John... fuck...." Jeff's hips were pumping up to meet John's mouth. He could feel it... he was gonna come.

"Give it to me." John begged "Now!"

"Oh yeah... oh yeah... oh shit!" Jeff heard one sound and his heart stopped. It was the sound of the key card in the slot. Tom was back.

Before either of them could cover up; before Morrison could even take Jeff's dick out of his mouth, Tom was in the room. He saw them a moment later.

"Let me know when you're finished." He said, like seeing his brother getting head wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Tom walked into the bathroom and immediately ran the water for a bath. He looked in the mirror and shivered.

Morrison went to go back down on Jeff, but this time Jeff pushed him away. "John, I can't... not now." He sighed

Morrison was disappointed, but he understood. He'd been walked in on when he was with a girl once. It was irrelevant that the girl was Melina and it was Mercury who'd interrupted, but neither of them had been interested in continuing afterward.

"I understand, man." He said, trying to hide his disappointment.

"We'll see each other again, I'm sure." Jeff replied "It was fun..."

"While it lasted." Morrison said "Anyway, I'll see you at RAW tomorrow night."

"Sure... maybe we can get together after the show again." Jeff winked

"Maybe... g'night." Morrison pecked Jeff again before he left. Jeff quickly gathered his clothes and redressed.

Tom stood under the shower, hoping the water would wash away the memories of what he'd just seen. He'd given Jeff the room alright, staying out until the last bar closed, but apparently that wasn't enough. As the water cascaded over his shoulders and down his body, Tom willed his tense muscles to relax.

"You didn't just see that." He repeated to himself several times, but every time he closed his eyes, even for a second, the vision came back in vibrant Technicolor. It was only a matter of time before the visions overpowered his self-control and Tom gripped his hardened member in his hand, stroking himself furiously as he replayed what he saw over and over again. Less than a minute was all it took before he went over the edge, jetting several streams of come all over his chest. No sooner had he emptied his load, then his eyes snapped open.

"Fuck!" He yelled, looking at what he'd just done.

In the bedroom, Jeff was pacing, wondering what was gonna happen when Tom came out of the shower, when he heard the shout.

"Y'okay, bro?" He gently rapped on the door. He heard the sound of water running for a second or two before shutting off.

"I'm fine." Tom answered, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He knew he had to calm down before facing Jeff, or he might do something both of them would regret. The weird thing was not what he'd seen, but his body's reaction to it. It definitely isn't normal to jerk off thinking about your own brother, is it?

"And just when you thought you had everything under control..." Tom shook his head, leaving the shower, wondering if everything would ever return to normal.

TO BE CONTINUED

Based on a true story... now I know why I'm glad I'm living alone again.