DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. The boys belong to themselves and the characters they portray to WWE and Vince McMahon. This is a work of fiction and I claim no knowledge of actual events that went on in real life.


Another town, another hotel, and of course another late night at a bar. They were on a loop through the Northeast and usually the chicks were falling at his feet. Hall was convinced it was the Texan drawl, he'd like to think it was his natural charm. Either way, life was usually good whenever they were up here.

Tonight, however, Shawn just wasn't in the mood.

Instead, he was nursing a beer, eyes fixed on the latest addition to their group. Hunter had been travelling with them for a few months now and despite his dismissive welcome at first, he'd soon warmed up to him. Hunter lived and breathed this business and he'd already come to realize that he was loyal to a fault. Plus, he really had an uncanny ability to make Shawn laugh, even on his worst days. It was a miracle he put up with them, though. The kid didn't drink, didn't do drugs… Hell, he didn't even exactly party. Not like they did anyway.

Some giggling shook him from his reverie. Right, women were Hunter's vice of choice. Currently, a brunette and a petite blonde were keeping him company. Actually, they were getting pretty cozy despite being in a public environment. Not that he was ever shy of displays like that as he didn't give a shit what others thought, but this still irked him.

Kevin sat down next to Shawn. "Why are you sulking?"

"Leave me alone, big man, will ya?"

Hunter was now leaning in closely and whispering something into the blonde's ear. Even in the joint's dim light, Shawn could see her blushing.

"You could just talk to him, you know?"

"About what?" Shawn wasn't going to have this conversation. Not right now. Not ever. And least of all with Nash.

Casually, Kevin leaned back. "Don't play dumb with me, Shawn. Whitey may be blind, but I ain't. I've known you long enough to know that you got the hots for the boy."

"Shut the fuck up and mind your own damn business." Shawn took another gulp from his bottle, still watching Hunter and his latest conquests. His features darkened when one of the girls almost climbed on his lap and practically stuck her tongue down Hunter's throat. "Get a fuckin' room, dammit!" he muttered under his breath.

Kev lay a hand on Shawn's shoulder. "Jealous much?"

When Shawn finally turned to his friend, there was fire in his eyes. Kevin was simply grinning at him, and he wanted nothing more than to slap that smirk off his face. "I told ya to shut up, didn't I?"

"Touchy today, aren't we?"

Shawn was just about to respond when he noticed Hunter get up. The brunette was still in a lip-lock with him while he grabbed the blonde's hand to drag her along. When the threesome passed his booth, Hunter winked at him but didn't stop on the way out.

"Guess you got your wish, Heartbreak," Kevin commented matter-of-factly, but Shawn barely heard him. He slumped back in his seat, waving the bartender over to order some whiskey. The beer wouldn't do tonight. He was aware that Kev was watching him carefully, but to hell with him. His sole intent for the rest of the night was to get wasted and numb the feeling that was brewing just underneath his skin. One he didn't even want to face or give a name to.

His buddy's voice was more sympathetic when he spoke again, gone was the snark from before. "He really has no clue, you know?"

Shawn grabbed the glass that was just put in front of him and downed it in one go. Its content burned the back of his throat, but the feeling was better than dealing with another kind of pain.

"So what do you want me to do, Kev?"

"I told ya… Talk to him."

He huffed, "And what'd be the point in that?"

"Shawn…"

"No, don't Shawn me." He laughed bitterly. "In case you haven't noticed… I seem to be lacking two big attributes he seems to be rather fond of."

"And balls, too, from the looks of it." Kevin mumbled loud enough for him to hear.

"Fuck off!" Shawn threw the coaster he'd been fumbling with at him.

Kevin put his hands up. "Man, I come in peace. Not my fault you don't like hearing the truth."

His anger passed as fast as it had come. Indeed, it wasn't Kev's fault that he was a sucker for the unattainable. His reply was much quieter than was usual for him, "Look, just because I swing both ways doesn't mean he does, too."

"No, it doesn't. But you are too scared to find out anyway."

With a pat on the back, Kevin left to let him stew over that thought. He knew he was right, but for once in his life this wasn't just a game. He'd found himself truly caring about the younger man. And he didn't think he'd be able to take the rejection he was in for.

Angrily, Shawn walked over to the guy at the bar and got himself the rest of the bottle of Jack. Sinking back into his booth, he didn't even bother with a glass anymore. Fuck you, Kev! And fuck you, Hunter! He'd be damned before he let either of them get to him. And if that meant getting drunk off his ass by himself tonight, then so fuckin' be it.


"Bye, ladies!" He heard them giggling when he closed the door behind him. Hunter made his way to the room he was sharing with Shawn two floors up, a satisfied grin still playing on his lips. Well, he couldn't say this hadn't been a good time.

Slipping the keycard in, he fully expected to be greeted by the TV running. Shawn swore up and down that he couldn't fall asleep without the white noise. It was annoying but at the same time one of his friend's quirks he'd gotten used to. And therefore, he'd long resigned to the fact that he'd have to wait to turn it off until Shawn was dead to the world.

Now, however, the room was completely silent. Hunter flicked on the lights. "Shawn?"

The bed was still untouched. When he looked at the clock on the wall, he noticed it was way past 2 already. If Shawn wasn't up here yet, this probably meant all of the boys were still downstairs getting shit-faced. Hunter groaned. This promised to be an enjoyable ride to the next town in the morning. Since he'd be the one doing the driving, he yearned to simply lay down and catch a couple of hours of rest, but he also knew from experience that it'd be best to check on them first. If he was really lucky, they'd be reasonable. Hell, they might even make it to the arena on time for once tomorrow.

With a sigh, he walked back to the elevator to head to the bar. Upon arriving, he was surprised to not find a big party still in full swing. Instead, the bartender was cleaning that last bunch of glasses and clearly about to close down for the night. His eyes wandered across the room, and he finally spotted Shawn, still in the same place he'd been sitting in when he'd left a couple of hours ago. His head was resting on the table – and he was definitely out for the count.

"He's with you?" The bartender asked.

"I suppose so," Hunter muttered.

"I was just going to wake him up and kick him out so…"

Hunter waved him off. "I'll take care of him."

When he reached the table, first he carefully slid the bottle that Shawn was still clutching onto with a tight grip from his hand. Then he shook Shawn gently. "C'mon, time to call it a day." Shawn didn't even stir so he put a little more force behind it. "Shawn, wake up!"

He finally moved. "Leave me alone."

"Sorry, can't and won't."

Finally, Shawn opened his eyes. Upon recognizing him, he gave him a big drunk smile, "Hunner!"

"Yes, it's me. Now help me out here a little so I can get you to bed."

"Ya'd like that, wouldn't ya?" Shawn slurred. But he did clumsily try to get up.

Hunter laughed. "Very much so. We got an early wake up call, you know?"

Somehow he managed to navigate Shawn's right arm across his shoulder while putting his own left around Shawn's waist to steady him.

"Y're no fun, Hunner. No fun…"

It was a slow process, but eventually they made it to their room and Shawn ungraciously fell onto his bed. Hunter didn't exactly think that Shawn was still in any state to cooperate so he didn't even bother to ask him for help. He managed to rid Shawn off his boots and socks, and then, as best as he could, tried to undo Shawn's belt to at least get those jeans off him so he'd be more comfortable sleeping.

That's when Shawn started to chuckle. "If ya wanted to get into my pants so badly, you just should've said so…"

Hunter just shook his head. "Aren't we full of innuendo tonight?"

Shawn didn't acknowledge his response, still laughing at his own joke. Hunter gave up on the pants and simply grabbed a blanket to tuck him in. Really, having kids couldn't be half as hard as taking care of Shawn sometimes.

With Shawn settled, he stripped out of his own clothes and climbed under the covers. Before he switched off the bedside lamp, he took another look at Shawn to make sure he was alright. He'd rolled over on his stomach and seemed to have fallen asleep already, thank God. "Night, buddy."

When he finally turned down the lights, there was some mumbling from the other bed. The quiet "Thank you" he could make out, but the rest got drowned out by the pillow Shawn's head was deeply buried in. It sounded an awful lot like "I love you", though.

Once again Hunter just couldn't help but shake his head before falling asleep himself. His friend sure was something.


Shawn woke up to a killer headache and the shower running. The bastard had opened the blinds and the sun was shining right in his face. God, how he hated mornings. He pulled the sheets up over his head. If only he wasn't feeling so nauseous, he might actually be able to fall back asleep.

He lay perfectly still, hoping the world would stop spinning eventually. Hangovers really were a bitch. Shawn didn't have much recollection of the previous night. Well, at least not after Hunter had picked up those chicks at the bar and he, on the other hand, had decided to drink himself into a stupor. Seems like that worked out fine.

How did he get back to his room anyway? He could've sworn it had only been him after a while.

Clumsily, he wrestled the covers away and tried to sit up. He had to squint when he raised his head, the light still blinding him. It did nothing for the throbbing in his skull. Lowering his gaze, he rubbed his temples.

"You okay?"

Hunter's voice was gentler than he figured he deserved. He may not exactly remember what he did yesterday and he might never admit it, but Shawn knew he could be a pain in the ass when he was drunk. And seeing that they shared a room, he was certain that Hunter once again at least got the tail end of it. He briefly wondered when his buddy got back in from his tête-à-tête anyway. Wait… There was a flash of Hunter at the bar again, helping him to his feet. However, before he could quite grab it, his train of thought was interrupted.

"Shawn?" Hunter crouched down in front of him, brown eyes looking at him with concern. Shawn simply nodded. He was feeling queasy and didn't want to risk throwing up on Hunter. Not that it'd be a first, but it wasn't something he'd like to repeat, thank you very much.

A glass of water was placed in his hand and along with it some aspirin. "Here, take these. They might help a little."

"Thank you." Shawn gave Hunter a grateful smile and did as he was told.

Really, how that man put up with him was beyond him. Rarely anyone bothered to make sure he was alright. Not even Kevin often had the patience to deal with him on mornings like this one. And there was Hunter, not even giving him crap about this being his own damn fault.

Hunter slowly got up, squeezing Shawn's shoulder lightly. It was a small gesture meant for comfort, and yet the familiarity of it got to Shawn. The left-over alcohol in his system must be what had his mind and feelings all over the place today. Or so he told himself.

Suddenly another memory came back. Of Hunter taking care of him. Putting him to bed.

And him mumbling something into his pillow that he'd never have the guts to tell Hunter sober.

At least his friend certainly filed it away under drunken ramblings. Friend. Nothing more. And don't you forget it, Shawn.

A feeling of sickness hit him again in full force and he brushed past Hunter, making a mad dash for the bathroom. He just about managed to reach the sink before he emptied the remaining contents of his stomach.

Shawn hadn't even noticed at first that Hunter had followed him and was now holding back his hair. By the time he was only dry-heaving, he felt utterly miserable.

Eventually Hunter had him sit down on the toilet lid. If anything, he seemed even more worried than before. "I'll give the others a call to take the car and go ahead. That way you can rest a little longer."

"Vince will have a fit."

"He won't. We'll still get to the venue in time, I promise."

Shawn was too drained to argue. But the last thing he wanted was for Hunter to get in trouble because he couldn't hold his liquor.

"Hunter…"

"Don't worry. I'll handle Vince." He put some warm water onto a washcloth and gave it to Shawn. "Food-poisoning is a nasty thing. He'll be glad you made it to the show at all." He winked at him, before walking into the main room. "I'll come get you in a few minutes, okay?"

While Hunter was outside on the phone, Shawn did his best to clean himself up. His gaze fell on his own reflection in the mirror. His face was pale and there were dark circles under his eyes. He really was one sorry excuse of a man, even on his best days. Hunter deserved better than that. He didn't need his bullshit to deal with even more than he already did.

That was why he'd keep his mouth shut. For once he would do the right thing.

He looked through the open door towards Hunter and their eyes met briefly, his friend giving him an encouraging smile.

Hunter was slowly becoming the one person in the world he could always count on, he knew that much already. And he wouldn't mess it up. Not this time.