Down the Road
PG-13
A/N: decided not to sit on my bum worthlessly. sorry.
Chapter 14
It took about a week before Steph broke the news to him, and she was pretty amazed that he didn't freak out or break down or something. But what she didn't know was that it was all over a long time ago. "Its going to happen one day," Chris said without emotion, like it didn't matter. Stephanie found that a little hurting, but she figured that he couldn't be blamed. Why should he care? He's got a capable girlfriend, and he probably could be affected that much. But not even a little bit... Not even a question as to when it was, or why... Puzzled her to a great extent.
The so called 'engagement party' was going to be a bash, at least that's how she put it. It was pretty near the date centering about mid-June. Chris was invited, of course, and what's more, Greg somehow made him the best man at the wedding. That would be as fun as a barrel of monkeys. What could he do? Oh, let's say... Wreck the whole damn thing. He didn't think that marrying this fast would make sense anyway.
Chris had a constant train of evil thoughts -accompanied by the cheesy evil grin- for the whole day. Everybody noticed, including Stephanie, freaking her out in the process. That bad smirk was back! "Are you feeling alri---"
"---Finer than you'll ever be," he replied. He was going to start off slow, and tick her off bit by bit. He figured the consequences wouldn't be that bad that way.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm sorry, I thought I just heard buzzing."
"What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with you?" Chris shot back, equaling her irritability.
"You're starting to get more and more intolerable everyday, you know that?!" She said with a frown marring her facial features. Chris hadn't seen that in a long, long time.
"...Whatever."
"What's wrong? Its like you never open up anymore," she said. "Something about me is seriously affecting you."
"Stick your nose where it doesn't belong, why don't you?"
"Fine!"
"FINE."
"FINE!"
"FINE!!!" Chris finished.
Everyday it went just like that. Quarrels became more frequent and deep, thanks to Chris. In fact, he missed the friction and heat their quarrels produced between them. Made things a little more exciting these days, even if their relationship was going downhill unknowingly. One fine day, Stephanie decided to resolve to drastic measures in order to relieve herself of him.
"Chris, I don't understand why you're acting like this... I just can't take it anymore," she said with a hint of frustration in her voice. "i'm throwing you out."
Yeowch. He didn't expect for that to happen. "Throwing... Me out?"
"Yes, exactly that."
"You can't do that! I'll have to move back to my---" Didn't he say he didn't have a place? "---to Kurt's place."
"Then you'll have to go there. Get out."
"But---"
"Get out!"
Chris sighed defeatedly. *What did I just do?! Now she's acting like a real bitch.* "No way."
"Fine, then you'll see your things on the sidewalk if you don't pack up and leave in the next ten minutes. Don't think I'm kidding you." Then, she slammed the door to her room for impact.
*...See things on the bright side, Chris. At least she gave you ten minutes to pack every single piece of clothing into whatever bag you can find.* Chris sighed. Why was he doing this? Maybe he should go apologize. *No, that'll just make me look like a total wimp.*
"GET MOVING CHRIS JERICHO!"
"Okay, okay. No need to be so touchy. Like I give a rat's parasite infested ass," he mumbled.
***
"Hello Kurt! Feeling lonely? Bored of playing with the microwave all the time? Well, you need Chris, new roomate of the future! What's more, you can borrow either one of the suitcases I'm holding!" Kurt's jaw remained hung. "All parts sold separately."
Chris stepped in gingerly and set two suitcases and a carrier full of his stuff on the floor.
"Wait a minute---"
"I'll explain it in a minute," Chris said, straightening his shirt and sitting on Kurt's cow-print couch. "Okay. So I wanted to be the same-old kid again."
"To the point."
"I said something that I shouldn't have, so I got kicked out. I didn't know it'd be that bad."
Kurt sighed. "You've been wanting to live there how long?"
"A long time, but---"
"No buts. You're an idiot and now, I'll have to add 'loser' to the name list."
"Imagine all the great times we'll have living together, man!"
"I don't want to. I'll probably get nightmares." Kurt looked around. "I guess I could clear the storage and stick you there."
"Stick me there? What hospitality."
"Well, its better than I leave you out in my backyard."
Chris frowned. "Show me the place," he said unenthusiastically. Kurt went around the house and opened the door to the storage.
"There's alot to clear, but I suppose you don't mind living with a few here and there."
"This room makes yours look like a dump, honestly. I'd be happy to take this big momma."
"Whatever you say... dude." Kurt went back to the living-room-infused kitchen. "Listen," he said from the sink, "I don't really think its a good idea."
"Good idea to what?"
"A good idea to make her not like you. Because she naturally does."
Chris' head popped out from the room. "What?"
"Believe me, she's liked you for a long time." Chris blinked. "And I thought I was stupid."
"Fine," he said, swatting the subject away. "I'm going to use Victoria too, if you didn't know. Hopefully she isn't as revengeful as Steph really is."
"Whatever," Kurt said, picking up a plate and just wiping it with a cloth. "Don't get yourself into too much trouble. Oh, and if you didn't know, I'm the camera man for the wedding."
"I'm the best man! Do you know how..." he silently grumbled. "Its just not right!"
"I'm the camera man!"
"So?"
Kurt frowned. "Camera men don't get cake. At least in general." Chris rose a brow. "What?" he said, after viewing Chris' expression.
"Man, you're such a kid," Chris said, shaking his head.
Kurt defended, "I'm not!"
"Are to."
"Am not!"
"Are to."
"Am not!"
"Are to."
"Well I'm not the one who's whining about all this. Get a grip J-man."
"J-man?" Chris repeated.
Kurt shrugged. "Something I thought of. Better than whatever tofu crap you made up. Anyway, I don't think that you're going to be successful on this whole manipulate-and-use idea."
"Of course I will. I'm Chris Jericho," Chris said. "I can pull anything off."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
"Then you start by helping me out," he finished.
***
"Oh my God, this is worse than making the maid bet," the J-man complained, hauling a large trash bag.
"Do you want to live out in the streets?" Kurt threatened.
"KURT! Don't you remember that I actually HAVE my own place?"
There was a slight pause. "Then why are you living here?"
"Because," he began, hoping the bag wouldn't rip, "remember you had to open your big mouth and said that i didn't have any cash, so i sold my place?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, we haven't exactly told her the truth, have we?" Silence. "Which is why I have to stay here to keep the lie going. And what the hell do you throw away? Anvils?"
"No, normal things like cans and glass bottles. Maybe, you know, you could like tell her the truth."
"That'd be embarrassing, really."
"Anything for the love of your life," Kurt said. "At least I would."
"Oh no you don't. She's mine."
He frowned. "No, she's Greg's. Her fiancee, remember?"
Chris frowned just as much. "Thanks for rubbing it in." The phone rang and Chris reached over and answered. "Kurt's place, we give the worst conversations ever, and we'll make fun of you." Kurt stared daggers at his friend. Chris gave him the thumbs up. What he got in return was the receiver's tone. "Hello?" He looked at the phone. "I think I just chased off your friend."
The phone rang again. Kurt made a dive for it, but had to battle with Chris. "It's mine, you moron," he yelled, kicking his friend away. The whole set fell to the floor along with Kurt, so Chris gave it up and started laughing at him. "Kurt Angle speaking."
"So he's really at your house?"
He immediately gestured for Chris to shush up, that it was Stephanie. In milliseconds the room turned serious. "Yeah, he is. You can see how stupid he's being."
"Mmm, okay. Well, just checking."
"Checking for what?"
"If he's living anywhere else."
"Like where?"
"Man, you sure are nosey," Chris said. He received a death glare from Kurt. 'Ok, Ok' he gestured.
"...Like if he's living at Victoria's place. But I mean, it doesn't really matter to me anyway.."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe some other time..."
"Say hi to Greg for me, if I see him mistreating you, I'll beat him up. Maybe an ankle lock or two."
"Me too!" Chris whispered, but not loud enough for her to hear.
Stephanie laughed. "Yeah, okay..." She smiled, and Kurt could hear it. Too bad for Chris. "Kurt?"
"Yeah?"
"Tell... Tell -him- I'm sorry. He was acting childish and all, I couldn't help it. Hope he doesn't have any hard feelings."
"I'll make sure I do."
"Thanks," she breathed, what sounded like a hard sigh of relief. "Love you so much Kurt, thankyou. I'll see you round."
"Yeah, take care." She hung up.
"So, what'd you talk about?" Chris asked, almost too eagerly.
"Things. She wanted to know if you were staying here for real. She thought you'd stay at Victoria's... I think she's still concerned about you."
"Really?" He thought.
"She also said that she's sorry. But you were childish. I can't blame her, you're really irritaing when you're that way."
"Really?" he said again.
"Yes, really. In my opinion, I definitely think that she might be a little jealous if you were to get closer to Victoria. Women are so competitive, it scares me."
"Really?"
"Is that all you can say? God, help me. You're thinking about her now aren't you?"
"So what if I am? Its not like YOU don't think about her."
"I'm giving way to you! Damn it, if only you knew how its like to be me."
"Lame, crazy, conniving... You're right." Kurt got up and shoved the bag to Chris.
"Shutup and get going."
PG-13
A/N: decided not to sit on my bum worthlessly. sorry.
Chapter 14
It took about a week before Steph broke the news to him, and she was pretty amazed that he didn't freak out or break down or something. But what she didn't know was that it was all over a long time ago. "Its going to happen one day," Chris said without emotion, like it didn't matter. Stephanie found that a little hurting, but she figured that he couldn't be blamed. Why should he care? He's got a capable girlfriend, and he probably could be affected that much. But not even a little bit... Not even a question as to when it was, or why... Puzzled her to a great extent.
The so called 'engagement party' was going to be a bash, at least that's how she put it. It was pretty near the date centering about mid-June. Chris was invited, of course, and what's more, Greg somehow made him the best man at the wedding. That would be as fun as a barrel of monkeys. What could he do? Oh, let's say... Wreck the whole damn thing. He didn't think that marrying this fast would make sense anyway.
Chris had a constant train of evil thoughts -accompanied by the cheesy evil grin- for the whole day. Everybody noticed, including Stephanie, freaking her out in the process. That bad smirk was back! "Are you feeling alri---"
"---Finer than you'll ever be," he replied. He was going to start off slow, and tick her off bit by bit. He figured the consequences wouldn't be that bad that way.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm sorry, I thought I just heard buzzing."
"What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with you?" Chris shot back, equaling her irritability.
"You're starting to get more and more intolerable everyday, you know that?!" She said with a frown marring her facial features. Chris hadn't seen that in a long, long time.
"...Whatever."
"What's wrong? Its like you never open up anymore," she said. "Something about me is seriously affecting you."
"Stick your nose where it doesn't belong, why don't you?"
"Fine!"
"FINE."
"FINE!"
"FINE!!!" Chris finished.
Everyday it went just like that. Quarrels became more frequent and deep, thanks to Chris. In fact, he missed the friction and heat their quarrels produced between them. Made things a little more exciting these days, even if their relationship was going downhill unknowingly. One fine day, Stephanie decided to resolve to drastic measures in order to relieve herself of him.
"Chris, I don't understand why you're acting like this... I just can't take it anymore," she said with a hint of frustration in her voice. "i'm throwing you out."
Yeowch. He didn't expect for that to happen. "Throwing... Me out?"
"Yes, exactly that."
"You can't do that! I'll have to move back to my---" Didn't he say he didn't have a place? "---to Kurt's place."
"Then you'll have to go there. Get out."
"But---"
"Get out!"
Chris sighed defeatedly. *What did I just do?! Now she's acting like a real bitch.* "No way."
"Fine, then you'll see your things on the sidewalk if you don't pack up and leave in the next ten minutes. Don't think I'm kidding you." Then, she slammed the door to her room for impact.
*...See things on the bright side, Chris. At least she gave you ten minutes to pack every single piece of clothing into whatever bag you can find.* Chris sighed. Why was he doing this? Maybe he should go apologize. *No, that'll just make me look like a total wimp.*
"GET MOVING CHRIS JERICHO!"
"Okay, okay. No need to be so touchy. Like I give a rat's parasite infested ass," he mumbled.
***
"Hello Kurt! Feeling lonely? Bored of playing with the microwave all the time? Well, you need Chris, new roomate of the future! What's more, you can borrow either one of the suitcases I'm holding!" Kurt's jaw remained hung. "All parts sold separately."
Chris stepped in gingerly and set two suitcases and a carrier full of his stuff on the floor.
"Wait a minute---"
"I'll explain it in a minute," Chris said, straightening his shirt and sitting on Kurt's cow-print couch. "Okay. So I wanted to be the same-old kid again."
"To the point."
"I said something that I shouldn't have, so I got kicked out. I didn't know it'd be that bad."
Kurt sighed. "You've been wanting to live there how long?"
"A long time, but---"
"No buts. You're an idiot and now, I'll have to add 'loser' to the name list."
"Imagine all the great times we'll have living together, man!"
"I don't want to. I'll probably get nightmares." Kurt looked around. "I guess I could clear the storage and stick you there."
"Stick me there? What hospitality."
"Well, its better than I leave you out in my backyard."
Chris frowned. "Show me the place," he said unenthusiastically. Kurt went around the house and opened the door to the storage.
"There's alot to clear, but I suppose you don't mind living with a few here and there."
"This room makes yours look like a dump, honestly. I'd be happy to take this big momma."
"Whatever you say... dude." Kurt went back to the living-room-infused kitchen. "Listen," he said from the sink, "I don't really think its a good idea."
"Good idea to what?"
"A good idea to make her not like you. Because she naturally does."
Chris' head popped out from the room. "What?"
"Believe me, she's liked you for a long time." Chris blinked. "And I thought I was stupid."
"Fine," he said, swatting the subject away. "I'm going to use Victoria too, if you didn't know. Hopefully she isn't as revengeful as Steph really is."
"Whatever," Kurt said, picking up a plate and just wiping it with a cloth. "Don't get yourself into too much trouble. Oh, and if you didn't know, I'm the camera man for the wedding."
"I'm the best man! Do you know how..." he silently grumbled. "Its just not right!"
"I'm the camera man!"
"So?"
Kurt frowned. "Camera men don't get cake. At least in general." Chris rose a brow. "What?" he said, after viewing Chris' expression.
"Man, you're such a kid," Chris said, shaking his head.
Kurt defended, "I'm not!"
"Are to."
"Am not!"
"Are to."
"Am not!"
"Are to."
"Well I'm not the one who's whining about all this. Get a grip J-man."
"J-man?" Chris repeated.
Kurt shrugged. "Something I thought of. Better than whatever tofu crap you made up. Anyway, I don't think that you're going to be successful on this whole manipulate-and-use idea."
"Of course I will. I'm Chris Jericho," Chris said. "I can pull anything off."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
"Then you start by helping me out," he finished.
***
"Oh my God, this is worse than making the maid bet," the J-man complained, hauling a large trash bag.
"Do you want to live out in the streets?" Kurt threatened.
"KURT! Don't you remember that I actually HAVE my own place?"
There was a slight pause. "Then why are you living here?"
"Because," he began, hoping the bag wouldn't rip, "remember you had to open your big mouth and said that i didn't have any cash, so i sold my place?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, we haven't exactly told her the truth, have we?" Silence. "Which is why I have to stay here to keep the lie going. And what the hell do you throw away? Anvils?"
"No, normal things like cans and glass bottles. Maybe, you know, you could like tell her the truth."
"That'd be embarrassing, really."
"Anything for the love of your life," Kurt said. "At least I would."
"Oh no you don't. She's mine."
He frowned. "No, she's Greg's. Her fiancee, remember?"
Chris frowned just as much. "Thanks for rubbing it in." The phone rang and Chris reached over and answered. "Kurt's place, we give the worst conversations ever, and we'll make fun of you." Kurt stared daggers at his friend. Chris gave him the thumbs up. What he got in return was the receiver's tone. "Hello?" He looked at the phone. "I think I just chased off your friend."
The phone rang again. Kurt made a dive for it, but had to battle with Chris. "It's mine, you moron," he yelled, kicking his friend away. The whole set fell to the floor along with Kurt, so Chris gave it up and started laughing at him. "Kurt Angle speaking."
"So he's really at your house?"
He immediately gestured for Chris to shush up, that it was Stephanie. In milliseconds the room turned serious. "Yeah, he is. You can see how stupid he's being."
"Mmm, okay. Well, just checking."
"Checking for what?"
"If he's living anywhere else."
"Like where?"
"Man, you sure are nosey," Chris said. He received a death glare from Kurt. 'Ok, Ok' he gestured.
"...Like if he's living at Victoria's place. But I mean, it doesn't really matter to me anyway.."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe some other time..."
"Say hi to Greg for me, if I see him mistreating you, I'll beat him up. Maybe an ankle lock or two."
"Me too!" Chris whispered, but not loud enough for her to hear.
Stephanie laughed. "Yeah, okay..." She smiled, and Kurt could hear it. Too bad for Chris. "Kurt?"
"Yeah?"
"Tell... Tell -him- I'm sorry. He was acting childish and all, I couldn't help it. Hope he doesn't have any hard feelings."
"I'll make sure I do."
"Thanks," she breathed, what sounded like a hard sigh of relief. "Love you so much Kurt, thankyou. I'll see you round."
"Yeah, take care." She hung up.
"So, what'd you talk about?" Chris asked, almost too eagerly.
"Things. She wanted to know if you were staying here for real. She thought you'd stay at Victoria's... I think she's still concerned about you."
"Really?" He thought.
"She also said that she's sorry. But you were childish. I can't blame her, you're really irritaing when you're that way."
"Really?" he said again.
"Yes, really. In my opinion, I definitely think that she might be a little jealous if you were to get closer to Victoria. Women are so competitive, it scares me."
"Really?"
"Is that all you can say? God, help me. You're thinking about her now aren't you?"
"So what if I am? Its not like YOU don't think about her."
"I'm giving way to you! Damn it, if only you knew how its like to be me."
"Lame, crazy, conniving... You're right." Kurt got up and shoved the bag to Chris.
"Shutup and get going."