Punk walked around Memphis trying to get his head straight. He had first called Melina who suggested that he just kick Ryder's head off his shoulders. A drugged out Randy told him to take his head out of his ass and man up and tell Ryder to fuck off. Punk didn't think that either one of those suggestions would endear himself to John. John had a soft spot for Ryder and if Punk wanted to be with John he would have to stomach Ryder, which sounded like an exercise in futility. Maybe people were right when they said to keep your friends close and your enemies closer but in this situation keeping Ryder close would be agony. Ryder was running around with Eve these days but the looks Ryder gave John on occasion seemed more that just friendly.

Punk returned to the hotel room and was nervous at what might lie behind the door. Maybe John had fallen into bed with his best bud and he would have to choke a bitch. Punk immediately reprimanded himself for even thinking that. John had shown him on multiple occasions that he only loved him and classed their relationship as something permanent. You didn't get someone's name tattooed on your body unless you planned on being with that person forever. Punk cursed himself for being a petulant little bitch and opened the hotel room door. He found John sitting on the bed cradling his belt.

"I don't understand what just happened," John said softly.

"I'm a jealous asshole is what happened."

"I thought you and Zack were getting along."

"That was until I noticed him eyeing you in more than a 'you're my best friend' type of way."

"Zack's with Eve."

"I think the concept of having a beard was created long before Ryder ever came up with it."

"I think you're completely wrong about Zack and as much as I love you I'm not going to stay away from him."

"I know, just don't expect me to third wheel your mutual admiration society."

"So, what? As long as Zack is around you won't be?"

"Well considering current trends Ryder is around all the time so I guess you'll have to practice time management if you want me around too, that is if you want me around at all considering my current level of bitchiness."

"What could ever make you think that I don't want you around?"

Punk just stood in the small hall by the doorway and shuffled his feet not looking up at John. He knew John wasn't a pushover but he wished that John would have just agreed to cut Ryder out of his life. He guessed this was the price you pay when you date someone as nice as John. Punk finally looked up and John gestured to the spot next to him on the bed. Punk took John up on his offer and sat next to him on the bed. John handed Punk his belt that looked as good as new.

"It's fixed with Gorilla Glue so it should stay put. I tried to pry the thing apart to make it a spinner but it just wouldn't cooperate."

"Do you want me to have to hang my head in shame if I had to go out to the ring with a spinning belt? My rep would never recover."

John wrapped his arm around Punk's waist and pulled them down to the bed, John laying his head on Punk's chest.

"I don't know how you could ever think that anyone else could catch my attention. You're the only one for me, you have to know that."

"I do, but sometimes my fight or flight response reads the situation differently."

"I don't care if Zack comes in here and dances the Dance of the Seven Veils, nothing else could remotely compare to what we have."

John's words made Punk's prickliness abate somewhat and he relaxed into John's arms which were moving slowly over his body. John's hand moved under his t-shirt and caressed his skin until he reached the left side of his chest and rested his hand over Punk's heart which was already starting to speed up. It had been a long time, at least for them, since John had paid this sort of attention to Punk. John began kissing Punk's neck lightly, making his way to the spot behind Punk's ear and John sucked lightly at Punk's skin. Every kiss was punctuated by John murmuring "I love you" over and over. Usually sex between them tended to be on the rough side of the spectrum but John's soft and sweet demeanor could only mean that Punk had wounded John with his hasty and vicious words and John was trying to show Punk what he felt for him by his actions.

John pulled Punk's shirt over his head and lavished his chest with kisses, leaving no patch of skin untouched. John moved to the foot of the bed and pulled Punk's shorts down slightly, baring his hip bones and the ink that bore John's name. John's hands circled his hips, thumbs tracing the protruding bones and lowered his head to Punk's tattoo. He licked at the area for some time, Punk finally realizing that John was tracing his name with his tongue, branding Punk over and over. John trailed his hands down, pulling off Punk's shorts and boxers, his shoes and socks disappearing as well. John gazed at his naked body intensely, as if he had never seen it all before. John knelt at the foot of the bed, still fully clothed, and lowered his mouth to Punk's erect cock. He dipped his tongue in the slit, lapping up the fluid he found there. His mouth wrapped around the head of his cock, his tongue circling around him.

"John, please…your mouth."

John took Punk's moaned direction and started bobbing his head shallowly, his hand encircling the base. Punk whimpered lightly at being denied what he knew John's talented mouth was capable of. This wasn't John being coy or teasing, it was something else entirely. Punk propped himself up on his elbows, watching John pleasure him, seeing John's reddening lips stretched around his cock was a mesmerizing sight. Punk couldn't stop himself, he needed so much more than John was giving him, so Punk palmed the back of John's head and applied pressure, causing John's mouth to slide further down his cock. John's hand left the base of his cock, Punk pushing John's head down even further until John's mouth had reached the base. Punk rolled his hips, sliding his cock in and out of John's mouth. There were no hands to halt his movements; John seemed more than happy to have Punk directing him completely. Punk began to move quickly, John letting him fuck his mouth gladly, if the moans vibrating along his cock were anything to go by. Punk bucked his hips forcefully a few times until he was coming down John's throat, John drinking down everything Punk had to give.

Punk sat up, pulling John's clothes off slowly, savoring the sight of John's muscled body as Punk stripped him down. Punk pulled John to the bed, John's larger frame engulfing Punk's body, lying skin to skin along the length of their bodies. Punk moved his legs to wrap around John's waist but John rolled them over until Punk was perched in John's lap. John moved his arms up above his head, giving Punk full reign to do as he wished. Punk lifted his hips up, sliding down John's cock until John was fully sheathed inside him. Punk slid up and down John's length, rolling his hips until he found the right angle that stimulated his prostate with every gyration. Punk moved with abandon, John laying beneath him, letting Punk use his body for his pleasure. John's hands were fisting the sheets, his chest heaving with the self-imposed denial of laying his hands on Punk. Punk could feel his muscles tightening, knowing he was approaching his orgasm rapidly. He clenched his muscles around John, determined to bring John over the edge with him.

"Phil…god…" and Punk could feel John coming deep inside him. Punk rocked his hips sharply and came over John's chest and stomach. Punk leaned down, pressing their bodies together and kissed John deeply, still able to taste himself in John's mouth. John obviously couldn't take any more torture and fisted his hands in Punk's hair, keeping their mouths fused together. They kissed intensely for a few minutes until Punk rolled to John's side.

"I think we both need a shower," Punk said, getting up and with John rising rapidly to follow Punk. They washed each other thoroughly. John seemed determined to leave Punk with no doubt that he was fiercely loved, John dropping to his knees in the shower and getting Punk off again. Punk had already come twice before and he was still sensitive, the pleasure flirting with pain. John had given himself so freely to Punk and he was sure the memory would get him through their days apart.

Punk should be overjoyed but he was disgusted with himself when the thought occurred to him that he had just been placated with sex.

January 7, 2012

The next day Punk and John went their separate ways, both of them booked with media appearances and autograph signings that took place on different sides of the country. Punk knew that Ryder was one the same schedule as John. Logic told him not to worry because John could be trusted, but his distrust of Ryder couldn't stop him from hoping that they were sleeping in separate rooms.

They finally reunited for the series of house shows and to Punk's disgust, John and Ryder seemed to have only grown closer. Ryder accompanied John out to the ring for his matches against Kane like some sort of valet. Ryder's presence at ringside only served to make John even more protective of Ryder because Kane seemed content to give Ryder chair shots than to win the matches. Punk started to wonder if this was all a calculation on Ryder's part to keep John focused on him and his welfare.

Punk could only tolerate Ryder so much everyday, so by lunchtime he was so sick of him that he wandered off alone. He had taken to hanging out with Kofi and Alex Riley, making repeated phone calls to Melina until he was sure she was sick of the sound of his voice, and spending more time in the gym than he ever had in his life.

Luckily Punk's week was blessedly Ziggler free which left him facing the Miz which was a hell of a lot easier than it had been in the past. Miz had half his mind on the match and the other looking over his shoulder for Truth. Miz was right to be paranoid because Truth took the opportunity to ambush Miz in the ring at every turn. Punk didn't mind losing by disqualification because it was quite entertaining to watch Truth thrash Miz all the while talking about Little Jimmy and all sorts of crazy nonsense. Truth might be sick in the head but the man was entertaining.

An additional downside was that Chris Jericho was also touring with them. Jericho had apparently gone mute and spent his time alone. At least he got a laugh at his expense when Otunga came out and banned his new strobe light jacket because it could cause epileptic seizures. Otunga got put in the Walls of Jericho for his trouble but beyond that Jericho wasn't wrestling; he was just prancing around ringside. He was sure Jericho was just biding his time, but for what?

Between Jericho and Ryder Punk would be lucky if he didn't end up just as paranoid as Miz.

January 9, 2012

Monday Night Raw

When they entered the arena in Corpus Christi the first road agent they encountered was Dave whom he considered one of the more sympathetic road agents. He revealed Laurinaitis' plans for the evening, Punk facing Jack Swagger with some sort of stipulation and John would be facing Ziggler. Punk was again relegated to the top of the hour and John vs. Ziggler would be the main event. Not only was John taking his spot in the main event, it was being shared by Ziggler, the #1 Contender to his title. If he could be any more slighted he couldn't figure out how.

The show began with Kane in the ring. Kane compared the shortcomings of the audience to John's. Kane had obviously not been watching the show in his time off because there was no better way to set the crowd off than by comparing them to someone they loathed. John obviously could take no more when he strided purposefully toward the arena entrance to face Kane.

John entered the arena, running down the ramp and began brawling with Kane. The brawl quickly left the ring and spilled down the entrance ramp, through the hallway, and into what looked like a loading dock.

Punk was distracted from John battling with Kane when a pair of legs dropped into his lap. Punk looked down and saw his own kick pads. He kept pushing Ziggler's legs off his lap but Ziggler kept moving them back.

"Take my kick pads off you fucking kleptomaniac."

"Why? They look so good on me."

"Is there anything you aren't above stealing?"

"Well, you can keep your precious Cena, he's so nice and sweet he makes my teeth rot. I don't know how you can stomach it. So I hear you're going to be taking on Swagger tonight."

"Yeah, and let me guess, the whole posse is going to be in attendance. Guess you'll be going back to your position as a cheerleader."

"You're just jealous because no one will have your back. What's wrong, Cena too busy playing with Ryder to care about you? Maybe you need a cheerleader of your own."

"If I had one he would be cute and male and not a horse-faced harpy like Vickie."

"Cute and male, huh? So sorry, but I'm already booked for that match."

Ziggler looked up and stood, bending over at the waist. He slipped off the kick pads and tossed them into Punk's lap.

"I'll see you later on tonight. And by the way, you should probably get those cleaned; you have no idea what I got up to while I had them on."

Punk looked up and watched as Ziggler passed John, smirking at him as he passed.

"What the hell was that all about? I walk into the monitor bay and find him wearing your gear and practically sitting in your lap," John said, obviously pissed off.

"It's just Ziggler's version of mind games."

"Mind games is what Kane plays with me, you don't see him walking around in my clothes."

"No, Kane just likes to steal them. Ziggler's just fucking with me; he's not initiating parking lot brawls or anything. He knows I'm backed into a corner with this match with Swagger. 3 against 1 aren't exactly great odds when all 3 don't care how they come by a win as long as they do."

He and John were watching the show from the monitor bay, when a camera caught Ryder on the phone to his father. Ryder switched from being scared out of his mind at running into Kane again then changed his tune when Eve showed up. John looked meaningfully at Punk when Ryder asked Eve out. John obviously felt that the interlude between Eve and Ryder proved that Ryder didn't have any intentions toward him. Punk saw it another way entirely. Ryder was all smiles when Eve was there but the second she walked away the happy face he had put on for Eve was wiped off his face. The second John saw Kane stalking Ryder John left his seat next to Punk to go track down Ryder.

It was finally time for his match and he made his way to the arena entrance just in time to see Swagger, Ziggler and Vickie entering the arena. At least he was entering last this time and not playing second fiddle to his opponent. He entered the ring to massive applause. His entrance was cut short when Laurinaitis entered the arena. Laurinaitis announced that the stipulation was that if he beat Swagger, Swagger and Vickie would be banned from ringside at the Royal Rumble. Laurinaitis certainly wasn't doing this out of the goodness of his heart. Laurinaitis wasn't stupid enough to believe that Swagger could actually beat him so he was basically handing over a match at the Royal Rumble made fairer by the absence of Ziggler's posse.

Swagger had skills but not quite enough to beat him. What was strange was that Vickie's shrewish voice could be heard through the entire match but Ziggler remained silent, which was completely out of character for him. He and Swagger traded offense but Punk got the upper hand a hit an elbow drop from the top rope. He went for the pin and felt Swagger get his shoulder up and immediately went to lock in the Anaconda Vise.

He stopped when he heard his music blare through the arena. What the fuck was going on, the match wasn't over. He looked over at the official who indicated to him that he had pinned Swagger which he damn well knew he hadn't. Although he was now getting the outcome he wanted, he didn't want it this way. Punk was incensed. He couldn't decide whether it was just an inept official or if Laurinaitis had something to do with it. Punk needing the help of an incompetent official to win a match made him look like he couldn't get it done in the ring. The opposing side made clear that they believed Punk had an ill-gotten win. Punk was humiliated because now his ability was going to be called into question.

He went straight to the locker room and into the shower trying to calm himself down so he didn't kick the head off the first person to speak to him. Punk returned to the monitor bay and found John absent. John eventually showed back up and said he had been with Ryder. John had blown off watching his match so he could be with Ryder? Punk couldn't even make himself care when Jericho went out to the ring and went on a crying jag.

Eve's match never even started when Kane's music began playing. Ryder raced to the ring and grabbed Eve by the hand and led her to his car which had a flat tire. Punk didn't need to hazard a guess who was responsible for that. He hoped Kane showed back up and beat Ryder down with the tire iron Ryder had no idea how to use. Punk couldn't get in the main event but Ryder trying to change a tire was vital news. John didn't show up on screen during any of this. He must have missed it all on his walk to the arena entrance for his match with Ziggler.

The match started and it was obvious that John's mind was elsewhere. Ziggler was easily owning John and Punk wasn't surprised in the slightest when John abandoned the match to go help Ryder after the big screen showed Ryder in peril. John had the opportunity to get his hands on the guy that had been driving Punk crazy and he just blew it off for Ryder.

John walked right into Kane's clutches, probably having no idea that Kane had thrown Ryder off the loading bay into some wooden pallets a few feet down. Kane choked out John exactly as he had done in previous weeks. John would no doubt come to and find Ryder laid out a few feet below where he had been laying. Punk left the arena knowing that John would probably be at the hospital all night with Ryder and there was no reason to wait for him.

Punk checked in at the hotel and went up to his room. He stripped down to his boxers to get ready for bed. He wasn't going to stay up all night waiting for John just to hear about the welfare of Ryder. There was a knock on the door. Punk foolishly hoped it was John but was vastly mistaken when Ziggler pushed his way into his hotel room. Ziggler flopped down on the bed, stretching out on his side.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Get the hell off my bed and out of my hotel room."

"Why? Aren't you up for a little company, Cena's not going to be back for hours."

"If I needed company you would be the last person on my list."

"Aww, you don't really mean that. I could name a ton of guys you would like to see less than me."

"Shouldn't you be crying in a corner somewhere since your posse won't be accompanying you to ringside at the Royal Rumble?"

"That just means that I'll have you all to myself, I actually rather it that way. Do you always entertain visitors in your underwear?"

Punk looked down and realized he was barely clothed and put on his jeans and tee, not that it really mattered because he showed more skin when he was in the ring.

"Don't you have anything better to do than play mind games with me?"

"I don't need to do that, Cena's got you more fucked up in the head than anything I could possibly accomplish."

"Shut up!"

"What? You think the roster doesn't see what's going on. You two make your relationship known and the next week Cena barely knows you're alive. You'd be much better off if you just threw him over before he replaces you with Ryder. I think you should start reevaluating your options."

"You know nothing about me and John's relationship."

"Oh don't I? He's trading you in for a younger model and you don't even see it because your loyalty is so misplaced. He's got you waiting, practically naked in his hotel room, but he's off with Zack Ryder somewhere. Most people would probably say that Cena's choice means that you're not very much of an attraction, but I think that it doesn't say very much for Cena's intelligence."

"If you don't leave now I'm going to pull every one of those bleached strands of hair out of your head."

"Fine, Fine. No need to damage the merchandise," Ziggler got up and brushed past Punk on his way to the door. "I'm back on the house show circuit this week; we'll be facing each other almost every day."

"And every day you're going to end the match on your back."

"You make losing sound so enjoyable," and Ziggler walked out the door, Punk slamming the door behind him.

AN: I have been dying to write Dolph Ziggler for a while now and the WWE played right into my hands. Ziggler is my favorite wrestler behind Punk. Get ready for some angsty turbulence because this is going to be a VERY bumpy ride. Hope you're ready…