Author: Kristina Q.
Disclaimer: No one belongs to me. This world is so unfair!
Distribution: Ask me. I am very nice.
Spoiler: AU. I guess.
Warning: This fic contains profanity and male/male slash.
Rating: PG-13.
Notes: This is the 8th chapter of my Cautious Affections series.
Chris sighed heavily, tightening his arms around Jesse, pulling him closer. He buried his face in Jesse neck, murmuring into his braids. "Do you think we should tell them today?" His voice was coated with concern and insecurity.
Jesse nodded shakily, not saying a word.
"Why does love have to be so complicated?" Chris whispered as he brushed his lips over the soft skin on Jesse's neck. Jesse shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe it's not… It might be easier if we told our friends…"
For several minutes they just sat there, in Chris' locker room. Holding each other closely as if they were gonna be apart for the rest of their lives. Not speaking or moving. Just savoring the feel of warmth and protection.
"What the hell?" someone suddenly exclaimed.
Jesse and Chris jumped in fear instantly moved themselves away from each other. "Ummm…" Jesse mumbled, desperately trying to find an excuse to Sean who was now facing them both. "We were just…" Chris tried unable to make any excuse either. "Yeah…" Jesse then continued. Both of them looked as if they were about to faint.
"You were hugging…" Sean said as he pointed at them, his eyes huge in obvious confusion. "Sean, I-I can explain it!" Jesse said, stepping closer to Sean.
Sean looked at Jesse expectantly as he awaited his excuse. "I love him…" he murmured quietly. "You what?" Sean was astonished! "I love him!" Jesse repeated, reaching his hand for Chris allowing him to hold his hand.
Sean didn't know what to think. "Does that mean…? You two are…?" Jesse nodded and so did Chris. "Wow! I sure missed something here!" Sean laughed happily. Jesse and Chris just looked at each other. Now it was their time to be confused!
"I knew already that you were in love with Chris. It was obvious. I just didn't know you two were actually together now!" Sean quickly walked over to his friend, giving him a quick hug. "Wait a minute… You mean you're ok with us?" Jesse questioned as Sean released him again.
"Of course! It's your life and as long as you're happy!" He smiled brightly when he saw the pure happiness shining from Jesse's eyes. "This is just great!" Jesse laughed.
Chris stood and simply just watched not wanting to interfere. However Sean came to him, smiling and then reached his hand out to shake hands with him. Chris smiled and gladly shook his hand. He was surprised though when Sean pulled him into a semi-hug.
"We need to go tell the rest!" Sean bounced, causing both men to grin. "Alright…" Jesse smiled as he turned towards his lover. "We'll go tell our friends now then, ok?" Chris nodded, "Sure" he answered before claiming Jesse's lips in a deep kiss. "Love you…" he whispered against his lips. "Love you too" Jesse responded before they headed towards the door, walking separate ways after exiting.
Chris walked down the hallway, a wide smile decorating his facial features. He went straight to his closest friends, Adam, Jay, Matt and Jeff. And as usual the four of them were in the same locker room. He carefully pushed the door open and went inside.
"Hi guys," he greeted as he approached them. "Hey Chris! How's it going?" Jay asked before hugging him. "Yeah, we haven't seen you much lately! What's up with that?" Matt added.
"Ummm… that is why I am here. I need to tell you something" Chris murmured. "You don't like us anymore?" Adam abruptly asked. "What? No, no, it's not that!" he laughed, "No, it's… I got a boyfriend…" he said trailing off into a whisper. "New boyfriend, huh?" Jeff asked, "Who is it?"
Chris gazed confused at Jeff. He was expecting a loud "WHAT! A BOYFRIEND!" scream from at least one of them. But no, they all looked ok with it. He inhaled deeply and found all his courage.
"Jesse…"
Matt rose, tilting his head slightly, "Jesse James?" Chris nodded. "Who would have ever thought that!" Jay smiled before adding, "Congratulations, man!"
Chris couldn't believe it! None of them seemed to have a problem with them! Never in his life had Chris felt more relieved than at that very moment!
"He's not exactly my type" Matt laughed "But he's a hell of a nice guy! And he's funny!"
Chris couldn't help but smile at that.
"Did you sleep with him?" Jeff suddenly asked out of nowhere. Chris laughed nervously, "That's none of your business Hardy!" Jeff then laughed hysterically, "That means you did!" Chris blushed slightly, "No I didn't!" "Yes you did! Is he good?" Chris then blushed bright red, "You're so childish!" he laughed.
Jesse still couldn't believe that Sean had been happy for him! Sean was a true friend. Now he was only hoping for Hunter to accept it to. It would be hard! Since Hunter and Chris had a very bad past. They never really got along. To say the least.
Billy. Damn, it was gonna be tough as hell! Billy was Jesse's former boyfriend and sometimes Billy did still act as if he owned Jesse. He could be an asshole if you didn't do what he liked. But Chris already knew about Jesse and Billy's relationship so he should be able to understand.
Sean was watching his friend as they walked down the hallway. He could see that he was concerned. He wrapped an arm comfortingly around his shoulder, pulling him closer. "Don't worry Jesse. They'll be happy for you! And if not then I'll kick their asses!" Jesse couldn't help but smile at that. Sean seemed very sincere. The Kid was a great person.
Together they entered their locker room, Hunter sitting on the little couch curled up with his wife Stephanie in his arms and on the opposite site Billy was resting on another little couch. "Hey, Jesse!" Hunter greeted happily as he saw him enter the room.
"Hi…" he said low, waving his hand quickly in the air. "Friends, Jesse has some great news to tell you!" Sean was practically bouncing!
Jesse felt as if he wanted to run straight out of the room and never come back again. They were all staring expectantly at him. "Ummm…" he scratched his head, not really knowing what to say. Sean gently nudged his side with the elbow, trying to make Jesse speak.
"I am seeing someone…" was all he could say. He instantly realized that it sounded stupid! And of course it made them all look even more curious!
"I mean I've been with him for quite some time now…" Jesse trailed off, thinking that this was a mistake. "Who!" Hunter suddenly interrupted his thoughts. Jesse gazed at Hunter, seeing the wide grin on his face. He looked happy… Jesse concluded that he should tell them.
"It's Chris… Jericho…"
Jesse glanced down at his feet, feeling the need to bury himself alive. "Jericho?" Hunter asked quietly. To Jesse's surprise Hunter didn't sound angry or disgusted! Nodding slightly, Jesse was about to answer when he was cut off by Billy suddenly starting to yell.
"Chris! You've been fucking with that bitch!" Billy was obviously furious, his yelling causing Jesse to feel embarrassed and stupid for telling them. "I can't believe you fucked with him!" with those words he walked straight out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
"What the fuck is his problem?" Hunter questioned, staring at the door before looking at Jesse again. "Oh no, Jesse…" he said as he noticed the stray tear trickling down his cheek. Hunter rose and went to his friend, Sean doing the same.
"Don't be sad. He's an asshole!" Hunter tried to sooth him, gently rubbing his back. "I shouldn't have told you… I should have stayed away from Chris…" Jesse spoke but Hunter interrupted him. "Bullshit Jesse! I don't like Chris, but I better start now! If you love him then you should be with him! Just fuck Billy!" Hunter then pulled him into a hug.
"I'll go talk to Billy, ok?" Hunter gently squeezed his shoulder before heading towards the door. Jesse heard the door close just as he sank down onto the couch. "This was a mistake…" he muttered to himself. "No it's not. It'll work out, don't worry…" Sean told him, wrapping his arm around his shoulder.
Jesse really wanted to believe Sean, but somehow he felt that this could go wrong. No one knew Billy better than he did and he knew that Billy did not like this at all. He feared Billy would do something stupid. Something that could mean the end of his and Chris' relationship. Only time would tell.
The End
