A/N: Sorry for the long wait, guys. Hope you're all still interested in this! Summer is almost here which means no work for the teacher me and I can update more often and end this story! I already have a number of chapters done and an ending in mind.
"Smile like you mean it, motherfucker," whispered Randy sharply towards Cody. The younger man flinched at the swear and the cold tone coming out of Randy's mouth but quickly widened the smile on his face. Randy glared at him momentarily before turning his eyes forward and continuing the walk down to the locker room.
"This isn't going to work. You and me walking down a hall acting all lovey dovey isn't going to work when this whole company knows you and John are still together," replied Cody as he trailed behind Randy, his smile wavering.
The older man stopped in his tracks and spun around to meet Cody's surprised expression. "Are you questioning me?"
Cody gulped and shook his head. Seconds later, he also shrugged. "No, Ran…it's just…come on! Don't we want this to look real? We can't go from hating each other to loving each other in one day! No one is going to buy that!"
Randy took a step away from Cody, his jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. "Shut your trap and just do what I say. Smile and shut up."
Cody sighed and plastered the smile back onto his face. Randy quickly turned and walked down the hall, anxious to get to the locker room and begin the plan he, John and Ted had agreed to. He had no doubt Cody would go along with it, as well, despite his grumbling.
The past few days had been a nightmare for his family. He and John had provided a temporary haven from Ted to escape to after Cody's lies had been revealed but they knew whatever peace they gave him would be over the minute he went home. Despite their renewed promises to him of keeping his indiscretions secret, Ted didn't waver. He vowed to tell his wife and he did. Only a few hours after leaving Randy and John's house the men received a call from him telling them Kris had taken their son and left. She had gone home to her parents, unable to understand why Ted would revisit a lost romance he'd sworn to Kristen he'd forgotten about. She didn't want to hear Ted's explanation. She just wanted away from him and his betrayal. And, as expected, Ted had fallen apart even more at the loss of his wife and son. Randy and John had been devastated to hear. They had both hoped that Kristen would stay once Ted confessed. It had proven to be a fool's hope.
"What do we do when we get in there?"
Randy looked over his shoulder once more and let his hardened expression soften. "We follow the plan. Just try and be normal."
"I don't know if I can…" Cody shook his head, coming to a halt as the men's locker room door came into view. He took a step back and ran a hand through his hair. "I can't put up an act with people, Ran."
"Really? Cause you damn sure put up a good one with Ted," replied Randy with a smirk.
"And look at what happened! It blew up in my face because I ended up falling for the guy again and then destroying his life and any chance we had to even be in the same room together again!" Cody replied, his voice rising. Randy quickly raised an eyebrow at him, reminding him to keep it together.
"Look, Randy, you may not believe it but it's true when I tell you all how this has changed me. I'm so sorry for what I've done to Ted and you and John…I just want it over. I don't think I can keep acting anymore…with anyone! I just want to come clean with everyone and be done with it. Why can't I do that?"
"Because you can't," replied Randy sharply. He moved to where Cody stood and stared intently into his eyes. "You say you realize what you've done and that you're sorry for it. Don't you realize this is how to prove you're sorry for it? Don't you realize yet that these assholes you partnered up with don't deserve to walk around and think they can do this shit to people? Let's teach them a lesson! Get them back, Cody; for Ted's sake more than anyone's."
"They're gonna see right through me, Randy. What I was doing was to you was convincing because I was putting my all into it. I can't do that this time." Cody lowered his head, unable to look at Randy's eyes any longer. He crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged. "Can't we just tell them all we know and drop it? You and John won. You still have each other. Brock and Dwayne lost. I lost. Whatever this plan does, it won't help Ted. This plan is never gonna work anyway."
"You have to make it work then because we are not dropping shit. End of discussion!" Randy reached for Cody's arms and smiled slowly as he disentangled them. To anyone passing by the touched looked friendly; a friend comforting another friend who was distraught. However, Cody knew the touch was not meant to be comforting in any way. Randy's nails digging into his skin was a warning of other things to come and he knew he had no choice but to listen.
"Fine, Randy. I promised you that I would do this and I intend on keeping that promise…even if I don't think this is worth it." Cody sighed, the tension leaving his body somewhat as Randy pulled away.
Randy shrugged and pushed the door to the locker room open. The sounds from the crowded room instantly enveloped him as he walked to a locker towards the far corner of the room, Cody's footsteps steady behind his. He could feel eyes on him as he walked and none stronger than John's, who was already in the room surrounded by his usual gaggle of admirers. Randy ignored them all and threw his bag into the empty locker, turning around to smile at Cody as he did the same in the locker beside him. The younger man smiled back, his usual smirk plastered on for everyone to see as he fell into the role he had to play.
"Aren't we a popular pair?"
Randy rolled his eyes, his character quickly morphing. "To these nosy fuckers, of course we are."
Cody laughed and began unpacking his clothes. "I'm gonna go get changed so we can get a good workout in. Maybe you can spot me? "
Randy smirked and slowly nodded. "You got it," He let his eyes travel up and down Cody's body, lingering over his form as he walked away in an effort to get a desired rise out of people. Thankfully, his acting worked.
"Uh, hey bro. What's up?"
Randy's eyes slowly moved over from Cody's disappearing form to the man speaking next to him. "How many times have I told you to not call me, bro? Need me to tattoo it onto your head, kid?"
Zack Ryder shuffled from foot to foot, anxiety coursing through him. "I'm sorry, Ran…I mean, Randy…it's just…well, what going on?" He looked back over at John, who was busy shooting daggers into Randy's head with his eyes. "John's pretty pissed off and I just wanted to give you a heads up because you're like talking to Cody and you know he hates Cody, bro…I mean, man. So, uh…"
"Would you shut the fuck up and mind your business?" Randy bent over his bag and began pulling out clothes. "But first you can go and tell John he's been a bitch. I mean, really? Sending his lapdog over here to scold me? What are we now?"
"No, John didn't send me over here! He just looked really upset and I wanted to help so I came over," Zack pressed his hands to his chest. "I wasn't trying to be nosy, I swear. I just wanna help John. He's my friend and I care about him."
"Or care for him?" replied Randy mockingly.
"No!" responded Zack indignantly. "I'm just being a friend!"
Randy dropped the clothes he had in his hand and spun around to face Zack. "What you're being is what everyone else in this shithole is being right now; a nosy motherfucker! So, take your ass and walk back over to your little master, lapdog, and tell him how pathetic I think he is for having you do his bidding. He knows damn well what our issues are and if he wants to talk about them then he can do it himself!"
Zack's eyes were wide by the time Randy finished ranting in his face but he was saved from having to respond or any further abuse when John walked up behind him and pulled him away.
"Go back to your locker, Zack."
Zack quickly nodded and walked away practically at a sprint. Randy watched him go, an amused look on his face, before turning his attention towards John and frowning.
"What? Did I raise my voice too loudly at your boy?"
"That's enough, Randy," replied John calmly. "Enough of this show,"
"Show? Oh, I'm making a show?" Randy laughed sarcastically. "That's a new word for it,"
"Randy, whatever our problems are, we need to keep them out of the workplace. No more scenes, understood?" John held his hand up, his eyes darting over to his co-workers, who were failing to look as if they weren't staring.
"John, I think you know right now that you can't tell me what to do." Randy replied, a menacing tone in his voice.
"I think you know how much these little scenes annoy me, Randy. As a matter of fact, I think you've caused this one on purpose; just to make me angry. Don't make me angry, Randy," responded John evenly.
Randy stared at John, mildly in disbelief, before laughing loudly. "Don't make me laugh, John." He shook his head at the older man and walked away, still chuckling to himself.
John watched Randy walk away and groaned loudly. He avoided the stares of the other men, who were outright staring at them now, and turned to walk away. a sudden hand on his shoulder made his stop and he turned to meet Dwayne's wide eyes staring at him.
"Whoa, John. What was that about?"
John groaned outwardly but inwardly gave a silent cheer. Dwayne's arrival couldn't have been any more perfectly timed. "That was Randy being Randy; just making things harder than they have to be."
"Is that so?" asked Dwayne skeptically. He stared at John carefully, surprised to see something in his eyes that led him to think he truly was angry with Randy. He wouldn't let down his guard just yet, though. John had been playing him for weeks and this was most likely another game. He wouldn't fall for it again.
John shrugged. "Look, it doesn't matter. I can't focus on him right now." He looked up at Dwayne hopefully. "Could we do dinner tonight? I really need a friend right now and…"
Dwayne watched as John trailed off and an amused grin came across his face. "Sure, why not? I promised you I would always be there for you."
"You're the only one that is right now," John smiled gratefully. "Thank you," He turned back to his locker and motioned Dwayne over. "Wanna get a quick workout in?"
Dwayne looked down at his body, his muscles flexing in reaction to the thought. "Keep it tight, keep it right. Let's go!"
John laughed loudly and nodded, happiness on his face while disgust curled his gut.
Hours later, John and Dwayne found themselves in the back table of a small Italian restaurant only a few miles from the arena they had performed in that night. A couple twenties in the hand of the greeter had promised them the quietest and most secluded table in the place and for that John was grateful. He didn't really want anyone being witness to the spectacle he would have to endure with Dwayne that evening.
Swirling his wine around in the glass, John cleared his throat, ready to begin. "OK, so I have a confession to make to you. I've been lying to you just a bit…"
Dwayne looked up from his menu, famous eyebrow arched. "Excuse me?"
"Our talks? Our days spent together?" John looked down at the table. "I think I was misleading you. Randy and I were having problems but they were never the kind that would've led to us breaking up for good...until now. I think I was giving you that idea, though. I'm sorry, D."
Dwayne stared at John intently for what felt like hours before lowering his menu. "So, you were playing me?"
"No…well, I guess how you could see it like that." John sighed. "Look, Randy was slipping away from me and leaning towards forgiving Cody again and it made me panic. I ran to you like I did the last time but I knew in my heart that I would continue trying to work things out with Randy even while trying to see if there was anything between us. I was an asshole; I get it. I wanted both of you hanging on my string because at least I would end up with one of you when it was all said and done. I was only thinking of myself and I apologize. I got bit in the ass by it and I deserve it."
"How did you get bit in the ass by it?" asked Dwayne with a frown.
John shrugged. "Well, as I'm sure you know by that debacle in the locker room earlier, things with Randy have not gotten any better. He's totally fixated on Cody despite Cody blowing him off more times than not, for what I can see. And you, well, you've backed off from me too. I just assumed that you figured it out and wanted nothing to do with me; that you saw me as the tease that I was being. So, in the end, I'm ending up with only myself."
Dwayne sighed, unsure of where to take the conversation. John was confessing to him everything that he knew already; that he had been playing him. He would be a fool to fall for John's act once more but the sincerity in his voice, however, was making him wonder. The desire for John hadn't lessened in any way despite his anger towards the younger man for playing his games.
Cody had made it clear to him in the conversations that Randy was stuck to him like glue lately. It seemed the kid's plan of making Randy jealous with Ted was paying off. Randy was following him around like a lovesick puppy, begging for Cody's attention all to himself like he'd once had it. Could that be what worked to get him John once and for all? Should he believe John?
"Well, while you mull this over, I'm gonna hit the little boys room," said John. He reached a hand over to Dwayne and squeezed one of his gently. "D, I never meant to play with your emotions and hurt you. I understand if you're done with me. It was wrong, I know."
"And it's exhausting but not if I'm fighting for something. Am I fighting for something, John?" asked Dwayne softly. He saw John's eyes widen momentarily before he nodded.
"If you'll give me another chance…and be patient with me, then yes,"
Dwayne frowned, his grip on John's hand tightening. "No more games, John?"
John shook his head. "No more games, D. I want to see what's really between us. That one night and the fact that I continue running to you must mean something. There's something there. I want to find it."
Dwayne nodded and released John's hand. He slowly smiled as John stood up from his seat and reached for his hand once more. "This makes me very happy, John. I promise to try and make you just as happy. I'll start right now if you let me…" He quickly tugged John down towards him, catching the younger man off guard. John reached forward to brace himself and found his hand lying on Dwayne's chest. His heart immediately began to race from the closeness of the two men's bodies and he tried to pull back before their lips met.
"D, as much as I want to, we can't,"
Dwayne frowned, his breath mingling with John's, their faces mere millimeters apart. "Why can't you? A kiss wouldn't hurt any, John."
"It would hurt, Dwayne. I have a daughter. I can't risk her seeing anything like this before Randy and I explain to her what's happening between us." John subconsciously licked his suddenly dry lips, regretting it instantly when he saw Dwayne's eyes follow the motion. "Soon, OK? When there aren't so many prying eyes around."
Dwayne nodded slowly. "Soon," he repeated. What sounded like a faint threat accompanied the word but John pretended to ignore it. He pulled away from Dwayne's hand and headed for the restroom, trying to walk normally instead of racing away from the man like his body asked.
Dwayne followed John's body towards the hallway where it disappeared. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, quickly skimming the new messages and ignoring them all but for the one from Cody.
"Don't know where you took John but thanks for distracting him. I got to keep Randy all to myself for one more night. Plan's working like a charm, D!"
A small smile crossed his face as he read the message from Cody, the excitement in his message clear.
"Easy, kid. Aren't you supposed to be playing hard to get? Isn't Ted your one true love?"
Only seconds later his phone buzzed back with a response. "Oh, I am playing hard to get. Right now I'm telling Randy all about how in love I am with Ted and he's damn near grinding his teeth down to the stumps. He probably thinks I'm even texting Ted! This is so awesome, D. Whatever games they wanted to play are nowhere near what we're doing. I refuse to stop until I get Randy back in my bed and away from Cena for good."
Dwayne nodded appreciatively, grateful for the strength and conviction he could hear behind Cody's words. It gave him all the determination he needed. He would give John another chance. He would prove to John exactly how silly his refusal of him was. It was clear he was the better man, not Randy. The time for games was over. John would be his this time because he wouldn't let him walk a second time.
"Hey, so what looks good for dessert?"
Dwayne put his phone away as John slid back into the seat across from him. "You," he replied without missing a beat.
John immediately flushed. "I'm serious, D."
"So am I but I'll stop until you're ready to hear it," Dwayne winked over at him and opened his menu. "Just don't expect me to wait long,"
Randy looked up as he heard the room door close and smiled the first real smile of the day. He quickly walked out of the bathroom, tossing the towel he'd used to dry his hands onto the counter, and into the main area of the small room. His eyes quickly locked with John's, who smiled back at him as he met him halfway between the room.
"Hello, estranged husband,"
Randy's smile widened as he laughed softly. "Hello,"
John pulled Randy into his arms, as he tilted his head up slightly to meet Randy's kiss. Randy brushed his lips against John's and felt the older man pull him tighter against him before deepening the kiss. John licked Randy's lips, moaning inwardly when he felt them part. He slipped his tongue inside Randy's mouth slowly, feeling the younger man start to kiss back. John groaned and grabbed Randy's face in his hands, pulling his face towards him, their lips still joined, warm and soft. Randy pressed up against him, throwing his arms around John's neck and allowing their tongues to caress. He moved his hands down John's body and stroked his strong back gently. John ran his hands up, running them through Randy's short hair, their tongues intertwined, then slid his hands down Randy's back to enjoy the feel of his toned back muscles.
"God, I fucking missed you. To think, it's only been one day. How the hell am I supposed to act like I'm bothered by you or don't want you when this is how I act after only one day?"
Randy shook his head, not wanting to acknowledge the truth in John's statement. "I know, baby." He looked around the small room and sighed. "Just being in this crappy room and knowing I have to be away from you tonight is bad enough."
"I'll call you," replied John with a wink.
"Don't. That phone sex shit never works on me anyway. And it especially won't if Cody is in the room with me. I can't believe I'm back to sharing a room with that shit stain." Randy rolled his eyes and pulled away from John.
John watched Randy walk away from him, a small smile on his face. His eyes traveled up and down his husband's body and he groaned inwardly. "Well, we have an empty room here. I can send you back to Cody thoroughly satisfied…"
Randy looked over his shoulder and smirked. "In this filth? I don't think so, Cena."
"What?" John shrugged and looked around the room. "These are the types of rooms we used to stay in all the time when we first got started."
"Yeah but then you went and got me accustomed to the finer things in life…like clean sheets," Randy lowered his eyes to the bed and grimaced. "I mean, look at this bed, Johnny! I can only imagine what little critters are crawling around in here."
John laughed and moved over to the small couch in the room. He threw his body onto it and patted the seat beside him. "Come here,"
Randy rolled his eyes and slowly sauntered over to where John sat. He gingerly lowered his body to the questionable fabric but John quickly tugged him onto his lap.
"Sit on me. I'm not covered in critters and it'll let me feel you up a little before you have to leave,"
Randy arranged himself on John's legs, his butt falling in between them. "This is comfortable," he mumbled sarcastically. A sigh escaped him before he could stop it and he found himself turning into John's body, resting his head against his chest. "But I guess it's all we have for now,"
John reached down a hand and ran it over Randy's face gently. "Just for a little bit, baby. This will be over soon."
"Will it? How long until we really can be back together the way we're supposed to be? This plan could take forever to pan out, Johnny." Randy looked up at John's face. "Cody said something today. He said we had already won; that Dwayne and John lost. He can't understand why we're doing this. Does he have a point?"
"I'm sure some people would think he does. In a way, I think so too." John frowned down at Randy. "But aren't we trying to teach them a greater lesson in this? Isn't this all about making a point to them; letting them know they can't get away with fucking with people like this?"
"Yeah, but…." Randy sighed, his voice muffled by where he buried his face against John's chest. "None of this is gonna help Ted. We're gonna end up together, laughing at those 3 morons while Ted still ends up alone."
"Baby, as cold as it may sound, Ted made his choice. He can't be our concern anymore. You and I were faced with the temptation of Cody and Dwayne and we didn't fall. Unfortunately for him, he fell for Cody. He needs to work himself out of that mess with Kris." John kissed Randy's forehead gently.
Randy nodded and lifted his eyes to lock onto John's. "I know. It just sucks. I wish we could do more for him. I want to make Cody pay even more. He's getting off too easy" He shifted and tried to get comfortable on John's lap, his t-shirt dipping low enough to expose his collarbone momentarily. John's eyes were drawn to the patch of skin and he leaned forward and pressed his lips to the exposed skin, gently tugging the fabric down further. Randy sighed, welcoming the tremble that coursed through him.
"Johnny,"
John pulled Randy close, thrusting his tongue into the younger man's mouth, ravaging the soft insides until he was whimpering with need and his lips until they were swollen with his attention.
"There's more planned for Cody." He whispered as he pressed kisses along Randy's neck. "I know you want to get him back for Ted but I have a bigger purpose; I want to get him back for you. I still haven't forgotten what he did to you. You're my main concern,"
A moan escaped Randy's lips as John bit the sensitive skin of his neck, sucking relentlessly until there was a good-sized mark on the tan skin, partially hidden by his tattoos. He shook with pleasure as John's tongue licked the mark gently. "Johnny, stop…"
"No," replied the older man, moving his lips over Randy's ear and back down to his collarbone. His arms came up around Randy's waist, pressing their bodies tightly together. He lifted Randy up and after hurriedly having placed him on the bed, pounced on top of him. Randy closed his eyes with a groan as John placed his lips on his neck and sucked hard, but they shot open again and he gasped in surprise as John suddenly grabbed his t-shirt at the hem and frantically pulled it off him. His shorts, underwear and John's own clothes received the same treatment, practically torn to shreds by John with a growl that was so filled with lust that Randy felt as if he would come from that alone.
John fastened his lips around one of Randy's nipples, making the younger man cry out. He sucked the nub, teased it with lips, tongue and teeth. He used some of Randy's leaking pre-cum and slipped his hand between the younger man's legs, lightly rubbing the skin around Randy's opening with his index finger before pushing it inside, gently rotating it, and then adding another finger when the tightness eased. Randy moaned loudly as John began teasing his prostate. Smiling, John removed his fingers and wrapped his hand around his shaft.
Randy watched, licking his lips as John lubed himself up with a mixture of both their pre-cum, a shiver running through his body at the sight of the glistening large member that was about to enter his body. When John positioned himself, Randy wrapped his legs around his waist, gazing with reverence into the bright, blue eyes of his husband.
John pushed, groaning as his member slid inside Randy's passage. "Oh, God... baby, you're so hot... you feel so good."
"You... too..." Randy gasped. He pulled John down for a kiss, moaning into it when John suddenly began moving. He slid in and out with long strokes, so achingly slowly that Randy began whimpering and moving his body impatiently.
"Please," he begged when John showed no sign of speeding up. "John, please! I need you!"
John nodded and, without warning, he snapped his hips and drove his entire length into Randy with one hard thrust. Randy gasped loudly, John's name escaping his lips.
"John!"
John didn't pause; he kept thrusting, hard and fast. Randy had both arms and legs wrapped around John's body, digging his fingers into his back and as he desperately pushed his hips up and tried to meet John's thrusts. Moans and cries filled the air and sweat broke out on their skin. John kissed and nibbled on Randy's ear, his collarbone, his chin, any part he could reach. Randy panted and gasped, crying out when John raised his body enough to be able to take Randy's cock in his hand.
"John, I can't..." Randy sobbed. "I'm gonna cum..."
"Me, too, baby," John panted. "Let go, it's okay."
When Randy felt a sharp bite on his neck he exploded, screaming as his cock spurted to cover his and John's chest with his release. Pulling Randy into his arms, John pushed in one final time and emptied his own release inside Randy, a sound of absolute pleasure coming from his mouth.
After a while, when his breathing began to return to normal and his arms and legs felt less like jelly, John rolled off Randy and took him into his arms, kissing him softly.
"I love you," Randy whispered,
John nodded. "I love you more," He sighed and turned away from Randy's form, letting some silence linger between the men before speaking once more. "Dwayne tried to kiss me today. I was able to stop him but I don't know how much longer he'll fall for it…"
Randy reached for John's face and sighed. He turned it gently back towards his and whispered, "This will all be over soon, right? If so, then it's all worth it,"
"Let's hope so," replied John.
A/N: Hope to get some reviews!
