DISCLAIMER: As much as it breaks my heart to admit it, I do not own anyone or anything connected to Vince McMahon and his awesomeness. I can only claim property rights of OC.
Cody was waiting in the kitchen for Randy and Claire to come home. Hannah had disappeared upstairs hours ago. He hadn't heard a peep out of her since. Every time he heard the slightest sound, he prayed it wasn't Hannah creeping down the stairs. He wasn't sure if he was strong enough to survive round two. Pouring a second glass of milk, Cody carried it to the small breakfast table and sat down. Monica had left a platter of homemade chocolate chip cookies out. He grabbed another cookie as he leaned back in his chair. He bit into the sweet, chewy softness and sighed.
His gray gaze moved slowly around the lavishly furnished kitchen. Every single item was carefully placed. And every single item was in it's place. Nothing was randomly left on the counter. Everything was absolutely spotless. Sighing heavily, Cody looked down at the glass of milk. It's was amazing how just being in the quiet darkness of Randy's house could make the loneliness flare to life. Deep in his chest he felt it, that restless feeling that told him he really didn't belong anywhere. He didn't really have a place to call home. Nobody was waiting for him. It was a feeling he didn't like. In fact, he hated that feeling. But it had been his constant companion for so long that he wasn't sure he would know what to do without it. Cody took a long drink of milk as he looked at the mountain of cookies. Wasn't it ironic that a all it took was a cookie to make him realize how alone he was in the world? Didn't that just fucking figure?
The sound of the back door being unlocked drew Cody from his solemn thoughts. He quickly drained the last of his milk and wiped away the crumbs that had fallen onto the table. He quickly moved to the sink and rinsed out his glass. He made sure to wipe up any water that had splattered onto the counter. He turned to see Randy and Claire coming in. Randy turned silently and reset the security alarm. Claire moved into the kitchen and set her purse down on the counter.
"Did y'all have a nice time?" Cody asked as he leaned against the counter.
Claire smiled slightly as she nodded, "Very nice. I didn't expect to see you here."
Cody glanced between Claire and Randy. Instinctively he knew something was very wrong. Randy didn't look anywhere but straight ahead. Claire kept clenching and unclenching her hands.
"Monica let me in. She said I could wait for you." Cody said.
Randy looked at Cody for a long moment before moving to the fridge. He pulled the door open and reached inside for a beer. He quickly unscrewed the top then tossed it into the sink.
Claire knew when to make a hasty retreat. Randy hadn't said very much once he had returned to their table. He'd been equally silent on the drive home. Finding Cody standing in the kitchen was definitely her cue to get lost.
"I'm just going to go upstairs and change." Clare said quietly. She took a step toward Randy, intending on giving him a peck on the cheek. The look her shot her stopped her cold in her tracks.
"'Night, Claire." Cody lifted a hand in farewell. Claire quickly disappeared into the darkened living room. He waited until he could no longer hear the sound of her heels on the hardwood floor before he turned to Randy.
"I gotta talk to you." Cody said.
Randy silently arched a brow and he opened the cabinet under the sink. He pulled out the first aid kit and tossed it onto the counter. He took a long pull from his beer before turning to Cody.
"So talk."
Cody shifted his weight from foot to foot. He wasn't sure exactly how to start his conversation. He only knew that something was very different. But how the hell did you ask your best friend if he minded being pussy-whipped? He watched as Randy flipped on the light over the sink and unzipped the first aid bag. He pulled out a bottle of rubbing alcohol, a pair of tweezers and a roll of gauze. Randy cranked the faucet on full blast then stuck his hand under. His breath hissed out as the water hit his skin.
"What happened?" Cody asked as he leaned over the sink. He could see the network of cuts on the back of Randy's hand.
Randy turned the water off without looking at Cody. He opened the bottle of rubbing alcohol then picked up the tweezers. He poured a fair amount of the clear liquid over the tweezers. He stuck his hand over the sink and poured half the bottle over his wound.
"SONUVABITCH!" Randy hissed. After a moment the burning sting started to subside. He picked up the tweezers and began gently prodding at the cuts.
"Randy! Are you sure you're alright?" Cody asked, concern making his subtle lisp slightly more noticeable. It was something he'd always had to consciously work on. If he wasn't paying close enough attention, if he was too tired or upset, the lisp got noticeably worse.
Randy didn't even glance at Cody as he pulled a sliver of glass out of his index finger. He let it drop into the sink. The sound the glass made against the stainless steel sounded unreasonably loud in the silent room.
"Are you going to stand here all night or are you going to spit it out?" Randy asked as he dropped a slightly larger piece of glass into the sink.
"Come on, Randy. Don't be stubborn. You can talk to me." Cody tried to keep his voice neutral. He knew that usually Randy preferred to have man to man conversations with Ted. Not that it was anything personal, Ted just had more experience in worldly matters. It didn't mean Cody cared any less for his friend.
With a deep sigh, Randy set the tweezers aside. He reached for a bottle of peroxide and opened it. He poured the entire thing over his hand. He watched it bubble for a moment before reaching for the gauze. Leaning a hip against the counter, Randy stared down at his hand.
"I was going to ask Claire to marry me tonight." Randy said, his voice soft.
"WHAT? Seriously? Awesome!" Cody's excitement was short lived as realization dawned on him. He realized Randy had used the word was. As in past tense. As in he did not have that intention any longer. "Oh shit. What did she say?"
Randy handed the roll of gauze to Cody and held his hand out. Silently, Cody took the roll and began gently drying.
"She said she wanted to go back to Stamford and give us some space." Randy stated very matter-of-factly. There was no anger in his voice, just a sense of dejection.
"Why?" Cody asked.
Randy shrugged a broad shoulder as he reached for a roll of tape. He handed it to Cody and waited for him to tear off a piece.
"She thinks it will be good for us." he said.
Cody shook his head slowly as he placed the tape over the gauze to hold it in place. "That doesn't make sense, Randy."
Randy laughed softly, the sound bitter and full of scorn. "No shit."
"What are you going to do?" Cody asked. He set the roll of tape on the counter as he looked at Randy. God, he looked as if he'd aged ten years since he'd taken Claire to dinner. The lines around his mouth were tight, his brows were scrunched close over his eyes. Cody couldn't remember a time when Randy had looked so exhausted. If that's what love did to a man, maybe being alone wasn't such a bad deal after all.
Randy reached for his beer and downed the bottle with a few quick pulls. He tossed the empty bottle into the trash before turning clean up the first aid supplies. He replaced the first aid bag and closed the cabinet. He moved to the fridge and pulled out two more beers. He handed one to Cody before opening his own. Exhaustion was overwhelming him but he knew there was no point in going to bed. His mind was a whir of activity. He knew he wouldn't be able to rest. And laying beside Claire would be more than he could handle right now. His emotions were too raw, too powerful. Maybe if he got stinking drunk he would be able to go to bed. What was the harm in trying?
"When is she going back?" Cody asked.
"Day after tomorrow. I'm taking her to the airport before we leave." Randy sighed heavily. God, just the thought of having to put her on that plane made the knot in his stomach worse. How the hell was he going to let her walk out of his life as if they'd never loved at all? He just couldn't wrap his brain around it.
Cody nodded as he silently began pulling the label from his beer. He wished he had the words to give Randy that would make this better. But he, better than most people, knew that sometimes words were pointless. They wouldn't do a damn bit of good to make things better. So why upset his friend even more and waste their time.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Randy asked as he moved to sit at the small table. He couldn't help but smile as he noticed the mountain of cookies in the center. He reached for one and bit into it. God bless that woman Randy thought as he reached for another cookie. Monica knew he had a sweet tooth that didn't stop. And she always made a point to make cookies each time he came home.
Shaking his head, Cody placed his practically untouched beer on the counter. He wiped his hands down his jeans, "It's not important." he said.
Randy turned slightly to look at Cody. He knew Cody was bullshitting him, but he was just too tired to care. "If you change your mind, you know how to find me."
Randy forced himself up from the table. He slowly moved across the kitchen to stand next to Cody. He looked at his friend. For a moment, he envied Cody. Cody was a good kid. He had a good head on his shoulders and a heart as big as the world. In times like this, a guy couldn't ask for a better confidant. Randy slowly held out his hand to Cody, offering his hand in friendship. Cody hesitantly took it, feeling Randy's firm grip against his own. With a gentle pull, Randy pulled Cody into a hug. He thumped Cody hard on the back then took a step away. In the man world, that was as close to a bro hug as either of them wanted to get. Randy turned to the door and quickly punched in the security code. The system beeped twice and Randy reached for the door.
Cody glanced at Randy before moving to the door. He stepped out into the cool night air and stopped. He shoved his hands deep in his pockets and took a slow look around. He really didn't want to leave Randy like this, but he knew there wasn't anything he could really do to help. Cody had barely taken three steps before Randy's voice stopped him. He turned slowly and looked at Randy. He was standing in the door way, his shoulder propped against the door frame.
"Hey, Code? Thank you."
Cody smiled faintly and nodded. He turned in the direction of the driveway and disappeared into the darkness.
***A/N – I hope you enjoyed this closer look at the new relationship building between Randy and Cody. Please be a doll and review! ***
