Here's the much anticipated update. I'm working on a new chapter of 'SmutFest' at the moment and then I'll be completely focusing on this baby here again.

Don't hate Cody, please. He has his reasons, and those will be revealed soon.

PS: I hate writing the two of them fighting.

Chapter-Title: Time Apart

Warning: Angst, Slash and more Angst

Italic is Randy, Normal is Cody, Italic and bold is Ted

Mid August 2011

"Come on, Orton! Let's get you out of here and between people again. You've been mourning for a month now already and it's making me sick."

For almost an hour now, John had been hot on his heals, trying to lure him out of his tour-bus and into the night-life. The other hadn't moved from his side ever since he and Cody had broken up... or taken a break, whatever it was, and if John had been any other guy, he'd surely had killed him by then. Being best friends however, no matter how annoying the older was at times, he had just blocked him out.

But John was right. He'd been miserable ever since Cody had walked out of their house without another word being spoken. The days at home, all by himself with no one around, had been terribly lonely and quiet, but the days on the road had been even worse. The days when he saw him, up far. When he had to work with him. Around him. And the storyline they had going was only reminding him -day in and day out- of what he'd lost.

He'd turned every offer down over the past 4 weeks to go out, party, drink, have some fun. Not feeling it at all. Staying back in his bus, sometimes alone, sometimes with annoying-as-fuck John Cena keeping him company, bugging him to death. Though he was grateful to have a friend like that. He had not mentioned Cody for once ever since Randy had told the older about their end, tip-toeing around the topic whenever work came up, and making sure -whenever he could- that Randy didn't run into his ex-fiancé.

"John..."

The annoyed voice was followed by a heavy sigh, Randy shaking his head being enough of an answer for the other even though he hadn't asked a question.

"Okay... then -at least- let's go grab something to eat. I've seen a steakhouse on our way over here and I'm starving."

"Aren't you always?"

"Why don't you just talk to him?"

They (namingly Ted and Cody) had been sitting in the steakhouse for quite a while already, the blond having decided to stop by on their way from the arena to the hotel. Though Cody had claimed he didn't have appetite, he'd followed him inside and ordered a Coke, sitting back to watch his friend devour a king-sized steak. Amused by Ted's ability to eat something that big at such an unholy time of the day.

"I can't."

It was the same game the were playing for four weeks already, the frown on Cody's face not having left ever since he'd walked out on Randy. Not for once had Ted seen him smile ever since, not for once had his expression changed, the handsome features already marked by heavy bags underneath the eyes -some that even make-up had had a fit about- and the sparkle in those beautiful blues long gone.

And Ted just could not understand it -much like everyone else.

After sighing heavily, the blond took another bite of the delicious steak on his plate, then pointing his fork at his young friend opposite to him.

"I understand that..." He swallowed down the piece of meat before continuing in a hushed whisper. "... you don't want to tell Randy the reason... but you could tell me at least, you know? For a month already you are walking around like a zombie. You barely eat or sleep and even creative has an eye on you by now for botching in nearly each of your matches. You're a wrack without Randy and you know that as well as I do. And I just don't get WHY the fuck you've left him."

It was true. Though they had had that conversation a felt 100 times over the past weeks, Cody still had not revealed his reasons to him -or to anyone else for that matter- and it kind of hurt him that he wasn't trusted enough. Not that he could blame Cody after what he'd done to him a year ago. He could be more than grateful that the younger man and him had gotten back to being best friends after he'd left him like that.

"Teddy..."

If he was being honest, Randy was indeed hungry, too. Those past weeks had seen him starving daily, no appetite having his belly grumble 24/7. The only thrive to eat was his diet somehow, but even that had been secondary for quite some time.

Flipping his friend off, John sighed heavily and opened his mouth to protest, but before he could so, Randy cut him off.

"Okay, you big baby... I admit that even I could go for a steak now. So... lead the way."

He was up and out of the room quicker than John could process the words, the older hastening after him with a smirk of pride on his lips when he finally realized he'd gotten Randy out of his shell.

They walked the few blocks down the road, the warm summer-air feeling quite refreshing to Randy, who'd only been out in the past month when he'd had media to do. The only thing stopping them on their way were a few fans recognizing them, the two superstars stopping every now and then to pose for a picture or sign an autograph.

It took them a total of thirty minutes to arrive at their destination, the walk having helped stir their appetites even more by then. Besides the usual mocking and bitching, they had been quiet on their way down the street, the topic of Cody pushed aside once again as John knew exactly when to stop. Once dinner was over he'd pick it up again and Randy knew that all too well, but he'd stopped bothering long ago.

He was glad that John was there for him and he could trust him enough to keep everything that was said for himself.

After Ted had finally dropped the topic and concentrated back on his steak, Cody had ordered beer for the two of them. Though he usually did not drink anything alcoholic, especially not on an evening before a big event, he'd found himself with a bottle in his hand more often as of late, the alcohol -though not making him forget- at least soothing his nerves somewhat.

The downcast was that he needed to use the bathroom more often, the place he was now occupying. Thankfully alone. The other guys in the steakhouse hadn't really looked trustworthy to him and even Ted had stated that -once he was done filling his grumbling stomach- they'd be out of there asap.

He used the break from Ted to arrange his thoughts again, something he'd done quite often those past weeks. It bothered him that he was the bad guy now backstage, everyone knowing about their break-up and everyone knowing that HE'd been the one to make Randy miserable. Not only creative was mad at him, but everyone who was a friend of Randy was suddenly avoiding his presence.

Not that he could blame them. He'd seen it with his own two eyes, the state Randy was in. Not only a different person in the ring but also in private. He seemed... so quiet and broken. So... sad that it broke his heart each time they crossed paths. But he couldn't go back. He just couldn't.

He already had a bad feeling before entering the steakhouse and it only got worse upon stepping inside, his eyes instantly falling onto one of his co-workers. Not exactly one he'd wanted to see. He stood stock still for quite a while, long enough for John to realize that something was wrong and let his eyes follow the gaze of his best friend.

Frowning, he let go of a long sigh before looking back at the lean figure next to him, placing a large palm carefully onto his biceps.

"Doesn't mean he's here, too."

He said those words in a whisper to not draw any attention towards them, knowing he was probably wrong. And Randy knew, too. Wherever Ted was as of late, Cody was, too. And the last thing he wanted at the moment was to run into his former lover. His former friend. Former fiancé.

The small squeeze to his biceps got him moving, slowly trailing behind John towards an empty table not far away from where Ted sat. The steakhouse was pretty occupied for a time like that and the choices were rare, something Randy only noticed when his eyes left Ted for a split second to see where he was going.

The second the door to the steakhouse had opened, Ted's eyes had drifted over to the new guests, a quiet 'Fuck' escaping him when he saw who exactly had entered. Quickly returning his gaze to the now empty plate in front of him, he prayed to go that they'd take their seats far away, and right after that hoped that Cody would take a while longer in the bathroom.

While the second prayer got heard, his first didn't, Randy and John sitting down not far away from their table. He kept his gaze low, watching the two out of the corner of his eyes, seeing the way Randy was practically staring at him the whole way over to the table. His features a mixture of surprise and pained sadness. It broke his heart. More than it should have as Cody's friend and surely more than it should have as Cody's ex-lover. But he knew the break-up had been Cody's fault entirely. Knew that Randy had tried his best. And he knew they belonged together. He'd realized that not long after they'd come out to their friends.

Though he wanted for them to work it out, hoped that Cody would soon open up and tell Randy what had caused him to change his mind, he knew that it wouldn't happen tonight. He knew that as soon as Cody came back from the bathroom and saw Randy -and there was no chance he wouldn't- his mood would drop to a new low and he'd beg Ted to leave immediately. If not even throw a fit. No one knew with the young brunette nowadays.

For reasons unknown, he found his legs moving seconds later, first bringing him into a standing position and then walking him over to his co-workers, something his brain hadn't caught up with quickly enough. He had no idea what he was doing nor what he was going to say, but a little voice inside his head told him that he had to talk to them.

He hadn't talked to either of them in a month out of respect to Cody, only around them in case they had a match against each other or a segment to be filmed. But he was tired of it. Yes, Randy wasn't his closest friend anymore, but him and John had always gotten along quite well. Not to goof around with him or to talk business with him were things he was missing, and if Cody got a problem with it, he did not care anymore.

"Hey."

The air around them was quite tense, the situation awkward as Ted came to a stop next to them, hands nervously stuffed in his pockets.

"Hey."

It was John speaking first, Randy's jaw clenching audibly as he grabbed the menu tightly.

"I just..."

"Where's he?"

The question didn't come surprisingly, but surely a lot shakier and harsh than Ted had expected, his eyes instantly locking on those cold grays of Randy. The older, however, could not fool him. The pain and sorrow were more than obvious in his eyes.

"Bathroom."

A short nod told him that Randy had understood, even though his voice had not been exactly steady. He was nervous, for whatever reason, hands sweaty and a lump in his throat. However, Randy was even more nervous, judging by the look in his eyes, the other trying to hide it by instantly lowering his head again to the menu in his hands.

"So..."

It was obvious that neither of them knew what to say, Ted's eyes drifting unconsciously over to the bathroom every few seconds to check if Cody was coming, but there was no sign of the other whatsoever.

"Great match, tonight, by the way."

It was -again- John who broke the silence, the dimpled grin on his lips clearly forced as he swirled his hat around between his fingers.

"Uhmmm... yeah. Thanks. Yours, too. I mean... you two always had great chemistry in the ring. But tonight... well... Wow."

It was true, not only some 'kissing asses' tactic, John and Randy having torn the arena apart that night. The match had been one of the best he'd seen in a long while, leaving the two of them visibly breathless at the end and the crowd happy.

"You know... you're on a really good way to stardom, man. You only need to work on your promos a bit more. If you need help..."

He was slightly taken aback by John's offer, though they'd often worked out together and it wasn't the first time the older supplied him with some advice. The past few weeks had changed that though, thus leading to him not knowing how to react.

"Well... Uhmm... Yeah. Thanks. Sure, we could meet up before the show tomorrow. Maybe?"

Ted knew he was walking on thin ice, Cody probably throwing a fit if he got wind of it, but then again... Cody wasn't his mother. Only his best friend. And that alone made him feel guilty.

He gauged Randy's reaction in-between looking at John and glancing at the bathroom-door, finding the other still staring at his menu. Silently. Not even moving a muscle. Features showing nothing but blankness. And then he saw it... the quick -almost invisible- movement of Randy's eyes towards the bathroom door and the following twitch of his lips as they formed a frown. Just for a second, but enough for him to notice.

"Sounds like a plan then, DiBiase."

Nodding his head, his eyes still locked on Randy's pained features though, he barely realized the bathroom-door opening -finally. Only the changing expression on Randy's face made him turn his head, though he had not needed to. The tensing muscles in Randy's back and the short sparkle in his momentarily lifeless eyes had been indication enough that none other than Cody had entered the room.

He'd taken his time in the bathroom, not because he'd needed it but because he'd wanted it to clear his mind. Those past weeks had left their traces. He hadn't felt good in ages, hadn't been happy in ages, not before he'd left Randy and quite surely not after. It had only gotten worse. Not that he had not expected it.

But he had not been able to string Randy along any longer. He knew that, if they had gone through with the wedding and he'd told Randy later in their lives that he could not go on any longer, the older would've hurt even more. Something he never wanted to happen. He loved Randy way too much, painfully much, to ever wish him any harm.

He could've kicked himself that he'd even started the relationship with Randy, knowing already back then that he could never marry the man. He could've kicked himself for ever saying 'Yes' to the proposal, for even suggesting such a thing to the other. For suggesting they could become parents one day or another.

He hated himself for it. For causing Randy so much pain. More than he felt, probably. More than he had EVER felt. He could see it each time they met backstage -for that was the only place they ever crossed paths, Cody always making sure to avoid the older anywhere else. He could see it in those strained features, those dull looks, empty eyes. Could see it in those slumped shoulders and those thinner-growing legs. And it broke his heart -literally.

But he couldn't go back. Not now nor ever. He'd only make it worse.

He'd stood in front of the mirror for at least 10 minutes, staring at his blank expression, hating the person who was staring back at him there. He wasn't himself any more. Wasn't the man he used to be. The kind, good-natured, giddy, nerdy boy. He'd grown into someone he despised.

He had no idea when it had started, but he knew he'd carried it deep down inside for a long, long time already. Long before he'd met Randy, long before they'd become an item. Long before he knew what true love really was. Before Randy had SHOWN him what true love really was. But if the older ever found out -and that was very likely to happen if they'd stayed together-, he would have turned that love into hatred. Bitter, cold hatred. A thought Cody couldn't live with...

A thought that had made him quit.

Many minutes later, after washing his hands and his face a dozen times -a habit he'd picked up shortly after he'd walked out on Randy-, he found himself slowly moving towards the door again, an uneasy feeling in the pits of his stomach. A feeling he couldn't quite put. A feeling that he shouldn't go out there.

But he had to. He was surprised Ted hadn't come looking for him yet, the other over-protective of him ever since... well... yeah. Though he'd loved Ted's company, it being the only thing that kept him sane, he sometimes wished the other wouldn't always be there. Wouldn't always question him. Then again, he could understand him. He was just worried... and he had every right to be.

Before he could think any further, his hand was already on the door-handle, pushing it down and then the door open, legs leading him back outside to face his best friend again, but it wasn't Ted he spotted first.

He froze immediately in place, his body turning stock-still, muscles tense as his eyes fell upon Randy, the older staring right back at him. Equal expression on his face. Even though the other looked strained and tired, hurt and exhausted, he was still the most beautiful thing Cody had ever seen. The most beautiful being he'd ever see. From the moment they had first met. Something he'd never told Randy and now never would get a chance to tell.

Startling as he felt something wet slide down his cheek, he needed a minute to realize that he was crying, his hand instantly coming up to angrily wipe the signs of weakness away. And Randy was still staring at him. Looking right through him. Into his soul. Never had anything felt so painful to him. Never had anything felt so wrong. Never had he felt more as an asshole than right then.

And before he could stop himself, he was moving, legs carrying him faster than wanted towards the three of them only to grab Ted's wrist and drag him away. Or trying so at least.

Because his friend didn't budge.

"Please."

The pleaded whisper was directed at the blond only, even though he'd felt the urge to say it to Randy, too. His voice was shaky, cracking as he repeated the word a little louder when Ted still did not move. His eyes were begging with the older, his fingers digging tightly -a little too tightly- into his friends wrist.

He was so close to breaking down and the last thing he wanted was for Randy to witness it. To see he was hurting just as much.

Randy had followed every step of Cody as he'd come stalking towards them, every change in emotion on his handsome face, realizing the tears silently streaming down those flushed cheeks. He'd heard the soft, pleading whisper of that trembling voice, had seen the tight grip Cody had on Ted's wrist, had witnessed those usually so happy eyes glaze over with pain and confusion. So much like his own.

He had no idea what he was supposed to do or to say, just sitting, watching, examining, an inner turmoil of emotions cursing through him. Humiliation, hurt, anger. Frustration that Cody did not even want to face him. That he did not even talked to him. And pity, because Cody was unable to open up. For whatever reason, Cody was hurting just as much as he did, maybe even more, but couldn't talk about it.

One word from the young brunette and he'd be there. Listening to him. Understanding. Without judging. Enough trust in them to know they'd get through it, whatever it was. But the other didn't let him. Didn't confide in him. Didn't trust him. Something that he couldn't understand. Something that hurt more than anything.

He couldn't help but to watch how Ted -though reluctantly- nodded his head after another cracking plea; couldn't help but to hear Ted sigh and excuse himself; couldn't help but to witness silently how they exited the steakhouse.

Only the kick to his shin -pretty damn hard- that John gave him, brought him back out of his trance. He sucked in a deep breathe and blinked his eyes a few times before shaking his head violently, realizing only now that the menu in his hands had been damn near ripped to shreds, surely not useful anymore for following visitors.

"Earth to Orton?"

He looked up again then, blinking more, something wet being pressed against his cheekbones as his lids closed.

"You know, as much as I love hearing myself talk, I'd much rather have someone listen."

But Randy's mind was already gone again, fingers automatically coming up to brush away the hindering drops blurring his vision as he stared at the door again. Wishing Cody would come back. And suddenly, he felt like drowning his pain in alcohol.

The alcohol did not exactly soothe the aching pain in his heart but it made him think a lot less. After he'd assured Ted a million times that he'd be okay and only needed some time for himself, he'd gone down to the drug-store on the other side of the street and fetched himself a bottle of Whiskey. Not that he favored it. Not that he liked the taste. But it was what worked fastest.

Every time his eyes fluttered shut -giving way to the tiredness invading his body- he saw Randy's face, the hurt edged into his features, the disappointment in his eyes. Every time he took a sip of the burning liquid -bottle firmly grasped in his hand- he saw that weary look blurred by tears. His Randy crying. Something he'd never expected possible. Something his heart couldn't handle. An image that even that intoxicating drink couldn't wipe away from the deepest corners of his mind.

It didn't only break him that Randy hurt, it broke him that he wasn't able to comfort him. To touch him. Make him better. It broke him that he was not able to trust in him. In them. Broke him that he was that weak. That he let his past take control over his present. Ruin his future. Because he knew Randy was the only thing making him truly happy.

The half-empty bottle almost slipped through his grip as he remembered their first time together. That look of pure adoration and love in Randy's eyes. The way the other had gently driven him to another dimension. A better place. Heaven. Something he'd never see. Not after all the bad he'd done. Not after hurting the man that meant the world to him.

He didn't only miss Cody's body, the sex, the touches, the kisses. He missed him. All of him. His hearty laugh. His teasing charm. His nerdiness. His childlike naivety. His heartwarming kindness. He missed Cody and everything that was him.

The bottle of Vodka wouldn't just make that feeling disappear. But it soothed his heartache for now.

After dropping John off at his room -with the promise to meet up for breakfast in the morning- he'd gone straight to his own room and raided the mini-bar, thankful beyond belief that it was filled to the brim with the good stuff.

As his jaw clenched and his muscles cracked, images of Cody invaded his mind; images of the younger man crying, begging Ted to leave. Trying to get away from him as quickly as possible. An image that spoke more than a thousand words. An image that made his blood boil and his brain dizzy. Thinking of things that he hadn't done in years. Things that would surely get him into trouble. But what more harm could be done?

Next will be 'The Morning After'. I think I'll have fun writing that (inspired by 'Hangover').

Review away!