Sean laughed from his place on Glenn's lap. "Jeez Chy jump up his ass and out of his throat why don't you." He teased. Joanie just looked at him and smiled causing him to laugh even harder.
"I'm sorry Kev, I really am, it's just been really stressful the last couple of days." Joanie apologized turning to eye Jeff after Kevin accepted the apology with a nod of his head. "Jeffrey stand up please." She requested politely.
A few of them laughed at the petrified look on Jeff's face. "Uhm you're not gonna deliver a low blow on me are you?" He asked.
Joanie laughed and shook her head. "If I was gonna low blow a Hardy it certainly wouldn't be you, now c'mere." Jeff did as she told him, he was wearing red T-shirt and baggy black jeans. She looked him over. "Okay now face me." She eyed him, a worried look on her face. "You are just too damn small." She concluded before hugging him.
A surprised smile graced Jeff's handsome face as he returned the hug happily. "Well maybe other people are just too damned big." He replied, feeling at ease with her. Everyone looked at him in shock causing him to shrink back as if he'd been struck. "Sorry." He mumbled looking down at the fall.
"Never apologize for teasing us Jeff; we'd rather have you do that than have you hide in your shell all the time." Shawn looked Jeff in the eyes. "Kapiche?"
Jeff just grinned and nodded. "Uh Shawn?" Shawn turned around and looked at him curious. "I think you're a little too far out of your shell." Shawn looked confused. "I mean, you're sitting completely nude surrounded by people in your kitchen."
"Yeah well, better me than any of you guys. I have a sexy body so I should show it off." He stood up and stretched moaning softly. "Besides it's nothing y'all haven't seen before."
Jeff just blushed and sat down with Joanie next to him watching all of them he felt a sense of awe as he watched them interact with each other. He felt an overwhelming sadness at the sense of group unity that they had with each other. He and Matt had been like that with Chris Jericho and E&C at one point. But that was before Chris Jericho became larger than life and E&C broke up.
Mark watched in amazement as many emotions flickered across Jeff's face. "Jeff, you have nothing to worry about. You are one of us, the freaks, the Outlaws, the people who don't quite belong but manage to somehow belong together." He squeezed Kevin's hand fondly.
Jeff seemed to think about this for a moment and then nodded with a look of acceptance on his face. "Thank you for making me feel like I belong somewhere, like I have a purpose."
"Whenever the chips are down you can come to us Jeff," Monty chimed in from Brian's arms. "Although it would probably be best for your wallet if you never played poker."
"Why is that?" Jeff inquired curious about the views of these people whom he had never really talked to.
"Because you're eyes and facial expressions betray your emotions Cub." Kevin replied for Monty.
Nodding Jeff seemed to understand that. He began giggling softly causing all of them to look at him, startled. "Now I know why I lost so much money to Ron and John last weekend." He explained. They all sat talking and laughing gradually drifting away to different parts of the house looking for things to do. Kevin decided this would be a good time to talk to Jeff, he found him on the porch swing along and approached him. "So Jeff, I was just wondering if you had a crush on a certain icon that we all know and love?" He bluntly questioned.
Jeff looked at him gaping for a moment, the wheels in his mind turning furiously before he managed to answer truthfully. "Yeah I suppose I do, at first I thought it was just idol worship because I'd always wanted to be like him growing up. Since he's been back I've talked to him; he's kind, charismatic and just cool in general ya know? And he's funny and caring, just the kind of person that I've always wanted but then he had sex with Paul, and he seemed so happy. I just don't know what to do anymore, I'm so confused about everything."
With a sigh Kevin eased himself carefully down onto the porch swing next to Jeff. "One thing first, that was the most I've heard you say since I met you. Congratulations on that. Also, Shawn and Paul aren't together, granted they were once upon a time they were but it ended badly and them having sex was a kind of closure because of how much they've hurt each other in the past as well as recently. It's over now and they are ready to move onto bigger and better things." He tried to make it easier so Jeff could understand and wouldn't get more confused than he already was. However Kliq matters were a lot of things and simple was rarely one of them.
Thinking about what Kevin had told him he stared off into space for a couple minutes before nodding. "I get it now, so what should I do?"
"You should ask him out on a good old fashioned date," Mark suggested from the doorway of the house, Kevin looked at him and smiled. "I mean, that's what I did with Kevin here."
"It sounds easy enough but things like this never are." Jeff sighed. "You really think that I should do that?" He seemed hesitant to even try.
Kevin shared a look with Mark before answering Jeff's question. "HBK won't refuse you Hardy, he's already taken with you. Trust me, I know, and so does everyone else."
Jeff nodded and stood up, grim determination on his face. "Okay I will." Reluctance appeared to take him over, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Tomorrow of course, I think he's busy right now." He smiled shyly and waved before going inside the house.
Mark sat down beside Kevin pulling his lover close he dropped a kiss to his lips gently stroking his cheek sighing. He pulled away slowly and smiled tenderly.
Kevin rested his head on Mark's shoulder feeling exhausted, it had been a long and stressful day, filled with a roller coaster emotional ride. On top of everything they had a new club to heal while they licked their own bitter wounds in an attempt to heal themselves. "Do you think that Jeff will actually tell Shawn how he feels?"
Mark sighed again sadly. "No I don't." He replied voice soft. "What's happened with Matt has hurt him real bad, he can't trust any of us as much as he would like to." He ran his fingers through Kevin's long hair. "I'd like to think he would do it but I know he won't. I do know, as well as everyone else Shawn does like him. I can tell by the look in his eyes. He had that same look years ago when he was with Bret all those years ago."
"I was hoping you wouldn't say that," Kevin closed his eyes as thought it hurt for him to have them open. "I hope that this doesn't turn out like that did, with Shawn having to betray Jeff, the poor kid doesn't need any more betrayal." He shivered slightly.
"C'mon big Sexy, it's time for you to get some rest, your body needs it." Mark helped him up, steadying him when he thought Kevin might fall, always worried about his love.
"You gonna tuck me in too?" Kevin joked making his way into the house.
"You know it." Mark replied winking at him.
The two of them made their way upstairs to their room and got changed into their pajamas soon falling asleep.
Sean lay in Glenn's arms staring at the mural on the ceiling of a beautiful southern night sky. "Glenn, do you think everyone will get the chance to be as happy as we are together?" He asked.
Glenn smiled slightly and kissed the top of Sean's head. "I think that everyone deserves it so I hope they do." He ran his hand up and down Sean's side gently. "Everyone has someone who will always love them no matter what, it's just all about finding them."
"Do you think Shawn and Jeff would make a good couple?" Sean rolled onto his stomach so that his boyfriend could rub his back.
Running his hand up and down the smooth skin of Sean's back Glenn nodded. "Yeah I do, they'd be perfect for each other, the only problem is both of them are too insecure to tell each other how they really feel."
Sean sighed. "I hope one of them does. I have the feeling that something bad is going to happen soon and I don't like it." He trailed off slightly. "Besides, they both deserve to be happy, they've both been hurt so much by different people. I want Jeff to trust us Glenn."
"You are so sweet, always wanting to help people." Glenn told him. "I think he will with time, obviously he trusts us somewhat, because he came here with Kevin. Now it's just a matter of getting to know each other I suppose. Now go to sleep, your thought processes tire me out." He teased nudging Sean.
Chuckling softly Sean pulled the blanket up fully around their naked forms and closed his eyes listening to the comforting sound of Glenn's heartbeat as he succumbed to the sleep
Glenn sighed softly watching Sean, running his fingers slowly through his raven locks. "You help everyone else but never tell anyone what's wrong with you, you're so intent on being strong." He whispered. "I only hope that one day you'll trust me enough to tell me about what haunts your dreams." He smiled sadly. "I love you Sean."
Sean shifted closer curling an arm around Glenn's waist a small smile on his face.
Closing his eyes Glenn breathed deep over and over until his breathing evened out and he joined the sleepy silence of the house.