Chapter 10

I own nothing.

Am I too late?

Normal POV

Monday Night RAW was less than three hours away. From the moment he had arrived, Punk had to fight his way through the hordes of co-workers, superstars and divas desperate to catch up. Then he had been locked up with Vince and Stephanie going over his comeback and new promos and storylines. They had decided to settle the still unresolved tension with Triple H by establishing them in a new feud. Bryan was currently facing off against a returned Batista for a number one contenders spot whilst Orton was out with injuries. The Shield was currently in the middle of a face turn and were set to go against the Wyatts at the next pay per view. Needless to say, everyone had a lot of work on right now. Christian and Shea were to start feuding and tensions were running high backstage.

Punk listened to Vince drone on and on, clarifying the last few details of the contract. He bounced his knee distractedly. Colt had vanished as soon as they arrived to go and find A.J. in catering, or possibly get A.J. and find a broom closet, he wasn't sure. The two had had an on/off thing for a while, more often on than off just to blow up some steam.

Speaking of, he wished Vince would just get to the point so he could go find Dean. He hadn't seen him yet, but he was here. A.J. had gotten in on the plan and was keeping an eye out with Colt.

A.J. text: Hey Punk, where are you? He'll be finished eating soon, get your ass here now!

Punk text: The universe is conspiring against me…

Colt text: Stop being such a drama punk :p

Punk text: Bite me guys :p

"OK, I think that's us. It's good to have you back son", Vince smiled and reached out his hand to Punk, who took it with a thin lipped smile.

"Yeah, good to be back".

Colt POV

I couldn't help but sit and bask in the complete and total awesomeness of this plan. A.J. and I sat sharing a plate of curly fries as we kept an eye on Punk's man. Everything was going great, Dean was alone, Punk would be here soon and we would just kick back and watch the glorious reunion. Let's face it; this is a fool-proof plan. Nothing can possibly- wait what?

"Christian"? A.J. cocked her head in surprise. "What's he doing"?

NO! Christian would ruin everything! The entirety of this plan depended on Dean and Punk having a full, complete heart to heart without incident or interruption.

I felt my heart drop down into my shoes. Christian had just kissed Dean on the cheek, and was snuggled with him…really affectionately.

"Oh fuck".

My thoughts exactly A.J., my thoughts exactly. This wasn't part of the plan.

"Double fuck".

And Punk had just seen everything…

Dean's POV

I just stabbed my mashed potatoes with my fork and pushed them around my plate. Punk was back, Punk was here. Why? Why now? I was just starting to things back on track, then he walks in. I saw him arrive. I was hidden; just wanted to make sure it was actually true. Then I went and hid out in Christian's dressing room for a while. Rome and Seth have texted asking if I'm OK. I'm not OK. I am the complete and total fucking opposite.

I want my razor.

"Hey", Christian slides in next to me. "I'm sorry, I tried to get away sooner. How are you holding up"?

I look up at him shakily. "Really fucking bad, I need it Christian. Please".

"No", Christian moved closer me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. He pressed a kiss to the side of my face and leaned his against mine. "Come on, you can do it. Breath in and out, get grounded. I'm right here".

I just buried my face in the crook between his neck and shoulder. I stayed like that for a long time.

"I've got you little brother".

Punk's POV

Well, fuck.

Normal Pov

Punk didn't cry. That was one of the things he had learned from a young age. When he got into wrestling, he learned how to live completely in the moment everything else falls away. When he became an active Dom, he learned all of that again on a different level. But he didn't let himself get vulnerable, even when he knew other people were.

Is this payback?

He sat on a construction crate near the back door tracing the edges of a black box. He had been staring at the skip across from him for a while, but he didn't want to throw it away.

He opened the box and looked at the plain collar within it. It was black with a thin green stripe around it, and an X at the front. He had bought it before he came back, just in case.

Guess I won't be needing it now.

Christian POV

I had managed to calm Dean down. We spent some time watching the show backstage in the Shield's locker room. Now Dean and Seth had a tag team match with Roman at ringside. Dean was on his way up to the meeting point, I was walking with him as far the arena layout would allow without running into any fans.

"Maybe you should talk to him, just to clear the air"?

"I don't know if I can". He scoffed. "Jesus, when did I get so pathetic"?

"Dean, you're not pathetic".

"Hmm. I wouldn't know what to say".

Normal POV

RAW had only been over for twenty minutes, and Vince McMahon could not have been happier. Merchandise sales were up, remaining tickets had been sold and the new storylines had gone over really well.

Backstage, the momentum was running high. Seth had already been abducted by Orton for the night and Roman and Shea disappeared sometime after the main event. Christian had vanished briefly too for a skype date with his wife and daughter. He had been reluctant to leave Dean, but he had insisted, saying he was going to try and find Punk.

After running into the Usos, Dean was reminded about the last time he had tried to find Punk. It was funny how the situation was so similar. It made him nervous and he almost wanted to give up on the idea.

"You have to face up to it, otherwise it will haunt you".

Nah, he'll just tell you to get fucked you dumb slut!

Dean shook his head frantically. He knew Christian was right, that was the main thing. He needed closure. He turned the corner and froze; looks like he had it.

Punk's POV

Colt eventually found me. I'd managed to avoid most people while the show was on, performed at my best, standing ovation. Then I ran away to the back and hid like a whipped dog. Why? Because the first thing I saw when I came backstage was Dean and Christian walking around with their heads together, whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears. Then I ran into two of the nameless divas from that stupid show, who kept belting on about how "the Canadian sweetheart has tamed the hound"! Urgh! Someone please shoot me.

I leaned my forehead against the wall and sighed in frustration. I couldn't even lash out, I just felt broken…

Colt slipped his arms and around me and I turned to face him.

"I'm such an idiot Colt, I'm such a fool", I whispered closing my eyes. "I lost him. Clearly, I never had him. I was just kidding myself".

"No, no you weren't". Colt pressed a soft kiss to my head and held me closer. I knew this was wrong, this wasn't what I wanted. But I needed it, I needed to know there was light at the end of the tunnel. Even if it didn't last for long

Colt POV

I know I'm not what he wants; I'm not who he wants. But I can give him something to ease the pain. I just want to help; so I kiss him, and I pour everything into it.

It's not love, but it's the only thing I can offer him to ease the pain.

Normal POV

Dean stepped away from the two entwined men, walking back down the hall as quietly as he could, before he broke into a run. Tears came, and he angrily dashed them away with the back of his hand. He didn't need closure, Punk clearly didn't care. Neither did he; this was over. It ends now.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and followed this story so far; hope it is living up to people's expectations.

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