No, you're not tripping off of bath salts. I am ACTUALLY updating this story for the firs time in, what, 2 years?!
After their bit of lockerroom fun, Stephen and Ryan returned to their hotel room. Ryan was exhausted after the long day. He undressed and crawled into bed. Laying his head on the pillow and closing his eyes, he sleepily patted the spot next to him, indicating that he wanted the ginger to join him. Stephen couldn't help but oblige. Climbed into bed and placed an arm around the sleepy one. He kissed Ryan's hair softly and whispered goodnight.
Stephen wasn't as tired, so he decided to play around on his phone a bit before retiring. He checked his e-mail and responded to some texts before logging onto Twitter. Feeling obligated, he posted an angry Tweet about his loss, calling it a fluke, and promising to destroy Zac Helmsley once and for all. Once this task was complete, he began scrolling through the fans' Tweets about the show. Then he saw something he wasn't expecting:
"Saw Sheamus wit Zac after show. looked pretty friendly lol what a fag!"
Suddenly Stephen felt his heart sink and a lump for in his throat. Is he really a fag? He was the same guy he just happened to be having feelings for another guy. Does that really define him? For the first time since he and Ryan started their relationship – whatever it may be – his mind started racing. How will people perceive him if they find out? Will it jeopardize his career?
Stephen still wasn't tired, but he put his phone away, wanting to get away from that word. Fag. He hated it. Why were words like that even necessary? His mind kept racing, but he lay down and closed his eyes. It was quite awhile before he finally drifted off to sleep.
When morning came, Stephen was awoken by the sensation of soft lips on his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes and rolled over. Their eyes locked and Stephen couldn't help but grin.
"Good morning," the little one whispered.
"Good mornin'," the Celt replied softly.
"How are you feeling? You were tossing and turning all night."
Stephen's face fell a bit, but he quickly attempted to recover: "Oh, I didn't ya noticed. I hope I didn't keep ya awake. I just had trouble getting' comfortable."
Ryan didn't but it completely, but at the same time he didn't want to press the issue. "Okay. Just making sure there isn't something on your mind."
"Nah, I'm fine. Dontcha worry 'bout me," Stephen uttered, lightly pressing his lips against his partner's.
The moment was ruined by the shrieking alarm on Ryan's iPhone.
"Ugh, time to get going," Ryan said with a huff as he rolled out of bed.
The two packed up their belongings quickly. It was going to be another long day in the life of a WWE Superstar. Ryan went to the front desk and checked out as Stephen loaded up the car. Neither one of them were looking forward to the 3-hour drive to be followed by a press conference and autograph signing.
On his way out of the hotel, Ryan was spotted by a few fans who happened to be staying there. He obliged them with autographs and a few photos. They attempted to carry on a conversation, but he was able to excuse himself and make his way to the car, where Stephen waited.
"Ya can't stop for every fan, ya know," Stephen said without even looking over at the boy in the passenger seat.
"Sorry, this is all new to me. I get caught up in the excitement of being a celebrity…"
"Well, sooner or later, ya gonna have to learn to jus blend in and go unnoticed. Standin' out isn't always a good ting." The way he spoke, it sounded like Stephen was scolding Ryan like he was a child.
"Sorry…" was the only thing Ryan could stammer out as he felt his heart sink. He felt like a puppy who just got swatted on the rump by his master.
The two sat in silence for a moment. Ryan looked out his window and rested his head on his hand. Finally, the driver broke the silence.
"I'm sorry, Ry. I din't mean ta soun like an arsehole. I'm jus crank cuz I din't sleep well. Tat's all."
He reached over and gently brushed the young man's shoulder in a comforting manner. Ryan took the hand and squeezed it gently. Stephen then pulled the boy's small hand to his face and kissed it gently. The two continued to hold hands for a while as they traveled down the high way.
Further down the road, they hit some traffic. Stephen glanced about in a nervous, almost paranoid manner. He felt that everyone was staring at them. Silently, he withdrew his hand and clutched the wheel. Ryan glanced over to see how his partner was doing. The redheaded man was staring intently ahead.
"Are you okay?" the boy questioned.
"Yeah…" the response was short and almost snappy.
"Really, because you've seemed a little weird all day. Are you sur…"
"Ryan, I said leave it alone! Christ!"
The two fell into silence. Stephen was just as shocked as Ryan by the sudden outburst. The boy just swallowed hard and turned to look back out his window. He felt a little choked up. If he wasn't in "worry mode" already, it was just thrown into overdrive. Stephen sighed heavily and tugged at his own hair.
"God dammit," he stammered, looking for the right words, "I jus can't say anyting righ today. I'm jus gonna kep me mouth shut for a while."
"Okay…I'm going to take a nap," with this Ryan reclined his seat and rolled to face away from Stephen. He didn't nap at all, he just laid in silence…feeling oddly empty. After a long while, Ryan felt the car come to a stop.
"We're here," the driver announced. "I'm gonna let ya out at the door so ya can meet up with Paul. I'll park."
Without a word, Ryan sat up and slid out of the car. And disappeared into the convention center where the press conferences were to be held. Stephen pulled the car around to a secluded spot in a far corner of the parking lot.
He sighed, rubbing his head. Suddenly he began violently slamming his fists into the the steering wheel.
"God dammit! I'm not a fag!"
He took a moment to cool down before he turned off the car and made his way into the convention center himself.
The press conferences went on without incident. Ryan, although confused by his emotions, kept his cool. Nobody could tell by his demeanor that he had had a rough morning. He channeled everything into the Sheamus-bashing segment of the interview.
Stephen watched Ryan's interview from a monitor in the back. He was feeling very conflicted. His feelings for Ryan were strong; he enjoyed the time they spent together. Yet, he just couldn't shake this bizarre feeling he had of apprehension. Soon enough, it was his turn to go out to meet with the press. Similar to Ryan's method, Stephen covered his own issues with Sheamus sourpuss attitude.
The hours seemed to drag by during the fan meet-and-greets. Ryan did his best to escape into his newfound celebrity. His reluctance to look across the room at Stephen's table only added to the tension between characters. Eventually the time came and it was time to go. In all honesty, Ryan was not looking forward to another two-and-a-half hours in the car with Stephen. This was a first for him.
Ryan was escorted toward the exit by Nicole. She was his own personal diary. He told her everything. She gave her advice on the situation. As good as the advice was, Ryan wasn't paying much mind. They were almost to the exit, when the man was caught on the arm by a large white hand.
"Ry, can I talk to ya for a minute?" The voice was unmistakable.
Nicole knew it was time to exit and give the men their privacy. She simply gestured for a hug. "I'll see you later tonight. We can do dinner or something."
"Alright, have a safe drive," Ryan responded as the two hugged.
It was only a moment before Nicole was gone and Stephen turned his attention back to Ryan.
"Listen, I'm sorry. I know I've been actin like a complete bastard today. I'm dealin' wit my own problems and I took them out on ya."
Ryan was comforted by his love's soft tone. He looked into his man's eyes in a way that communicated understanding.
"Here," Stephen continued, pulling sometime from his pocket. "I want you to have something."
The man placed a silver chain around the boy's neck. At the end of the chain hung a Celtic cross with a single emerald stone in the center.
"Forgive me?"
"Of course. And thank you for the necklace. It's beautiful."
With this, Stephen wrapped his large arm around small of Ryan's back and pulled him in close. The grasp was strong yet gentle. The "captive's" small hands slid up the muscled torso covered by a soft t-shirt. In this proximity, the two could feel the rhythm of each other's heart beat. They seemed to sync as the two's lips met. Ryan's hands slid up around the base of the Great White's neck as the grip around his waist tightened.
"We haven't known each other that long, but I want ya ta know that ya mean so much to me. Thanks fer puttin' up wit a jerk like me."
"Yeah, you have been a jerk lately," the boy pulled back to show the smile growing across his face, "but you're my jerk."
The two chuckled and kissed again before locking in a tight embrace. Stephen rested his head on top of Ryan's. In that moment, he didn't care what anybody said. He didn't feel like a fag. He just felt right.