A/N: This is where the real time jumps start happening since I don't want to bore any of us with random daily routines so just for clarification:
"…" is a few hours' time jump or in some cases just to black out
"~.~.~.~" will be used for days' time jump
"xx" will be for flashbacks
Vindictive John Dark Fantasy: Oh.. conflicting emotions will only get worse from here on out. Prepare yourself my friend. (*cough* I'm kinda cheering for Randy too _) And as for the submissive thing, right again.. you're sneaking in my head. I will elaborate on that in the form of flashbacks at some point. :D
Lamentomori: Colt was a must for this fic, Punk needs a real-life friend so this was just the obvious choice for me, as for idiotic banter don't you worry it will keep happening. About the possible minefields, well either way this is going to be an angst-filled ride with John so we can only hope for the lesser of two evils, yes? PS: moving out is done so thank you!
AnetteBP: I was being honest, it didn't feel like much to me but I'm very happy that you loved it. 3
Wakko's minion: Sorry? But glad you enjoyed this and thanks so much!
Xenarocks99: Heh but he's our little loose nut. :P Thank you!
On to the story!
Punk smiled at the man and nodded, finding his spot in the comic and trying to focus on the panels but feeling Colt's eyes on him every few minutes made it damn near impossible. He sighed and looked up at the man "…what?"
Colt jumped, shrugging and rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly "..nothing, man."
He rolled his eyes at the man and turned his body to face him "I can beat it out of you! What the hell are you thinking?"
"Just wondering how much you do or are willing to do in these sessions.." he answered honestly.
Punk groaned and grabbed a couch cushion to toss it at the man's face "Pervert. Keep your weird ass fantasies to yourself.. ugh and keep me out of them."
Colt laughed and shrugged shamelessly "You asked."
He rubbed a hand over his face and groaned as he got up and walked to the kitchen for some water. "I'm gonna hit the sack, man.. I don't have time for this shit, have a meeting tomorrow." Punk told him, trying to politely kick his best friend the fuck out of his apartment.
"…when you say meeting.."
Punk cursed and peeked out of the kitchen to cut the man a glare "I mean meeting. That's it. No weird ass orgy party with my coworkers."
"So what I'm getting is: you do sign up for orgies but only with the clients?"
Punk walked over to the couch and twisted Colt's ear, pulling the man up and marching him to the door "Get the fuck out. It's not all just about sex all the time you know?" he huffed, fed up with the man mocking his job at this point.
"Aw, come on at least humor me: do you sign up for orgies?" he pleaded, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"No, creep. It's a one-on-one thing, the kinda thing you're looking for is only done by third-rate hookers a few cities over." He retorted, a scowl on his face but the humor in his voice giving him away. Punk couldn't truly last being mad at Colt.
"Gotcha. And with that, I'm off to this mysterious city you speak of." He teased, winking at his best friend before slipping out of the man's grip and patting his ass lightly. Colt saw Punk reach for him again but managed to escape to safety before then, waving at his friend from the bottom of the steps "See ya 'round Punkers.. if you need a letter of recommendation for your new bosses, I'm your man!" he called out happily before running down the street to his car and driving off.
"Fucker." He muttered to himself, shaking his head as he closed the door and scooped his comic from the couch before getting a water bottle and taking it up to his room with him. Punk muttered to himself for a few more minutes as he got situated in his bed but eventually got around to reading his comic book.
When he did end up falling asleep it was already around 4 a.m. so less sleep than what he wanted but still it was a wonder he got any after having this conversation with his best friend.
…
"You sure this is not too much?"
Colt rolled his eyes and popped Punk's collar just to be a douche. "Yeah I'm sure. You look downright fuckable but not to the point where you look sleazy" he nodded mostly to himself as he took a sip of his coffee.
Punk rolled his eyes and sipped his own drink after adjusting his collar under the blazer again. "Why did I agree to meet up with you before the meeting again?"
"Because you can't get enough of my abuse.. oh and because you didn't want to make a complete ass of yourself in your first meeting," he smiled triumphantly before hissing as Punk punched his arm.
"Get over yourself.." he huffed as he stood up and took another sip of his coffee "'m going to walk to the building, man.. I'll talk to you later, see if it goes good or if you need to hook me up at your radio station." Punk winked before adding "..I will do anything to get in a good word with the boss." He joked, chuckling to himself.
"Ugh. Save your pimpin' for your job." He smirked as he walked along with Punk for a while until they got to his car. Colt unlocked the car and patted Punk on his back "Be good, Punkers.. see ya."
Punk smirked at the man and nodded at him before he walked the last couple of blocks to the building, having to calm himself a few times on the way there because his overactive mind seemed to like to give him hell. Heh. Say that to the years' worth of lost sleep.
"Take it you're the new kid, right? Heard a lot about you.. and that's sayin' something. You've only been around for what? Two weeks tops?" the man shrugged dismissively as he twirled a strand of his long brown hair.
Punk looked at the guy, squinting in thought as he tried to remember if he'd so much as seen the guy the few times he'd been into the building so far. He shook his head once he'd realized he hadn't and opened his mouth to ask.
"Oh shit. I'm JoMo." He stated it like if it should have been obvious, the man clearly a bit full of himself. Morrison let his hair go and pat the new guy's arm as if he was a child though to be honest he was sure this blond guy was older than him. Morrison lifted his eyebrows expectantly when the man didn't say his name. "Alrightttt.. nice to meet you too."
Punk shook himself from his thoughts and smiled sheepishly at the man "Err.. I'm Punk.. well Phil but I like Punk better. Just like you like JoMo over…"
"John Morrison."
He nodded "gotcha.. could be weird havin' the same name as the boss, yeah?" Punk tilted his head before squinting a bit at the man.
"Eh. Sometimes comes in handy for when I want to get under people's skin." He laughed and pressed in the code to be let into the building, letting Punk in with him "so.. are you like your name in any way?"
Punk laughed, nudging the man "Actually I am.. it was a nickname from a childhood friend and I just got attached to it I guess. Phil has no good memories for me" he shrugged dismissively and stopped walking and rambling once they were nearing the meeting room. He glanced at JoMo and smiled lazily.
"Yeah.. I figured as much. I like it.. looks like it suits you, if anything at least for that hair style and those sexy ass piercings."
Punk lifted a brow at him "piercings?" he shifted and clicked his tongue a bit.
"Yeah. That lip one and the one you're hiding in your mouth. I bet you got a few more around.. or maybe not on right now, rather saving them for a special occasion?" he winked suggestively.
Punk flushed and mumbled "Okay so I have a total of four. Two in right now." he winked, laughing a bit as he saw the look on JoMo's face, deciding right then that he liked the man. He turned and stepped into the meeting room finally, looking around and seeing a few familiar faces and others not so familiar. He straightened up and nodded at most of them before taking one of the few empty seats –just as luck would have it it's right next to John's– and seeing JoMo sit right across from him, the slightly younger man sending a flirty wink at him. He snorted and shook his head before hearing John clear his throat and immediately sucking his lip ring into his mouth out of nervous habit as he focused on the older man.
"Well I can see you're making friends already." The older man began, his tone only making Punk wince a little but his nature wouldn't allow him to shrink back like JoMo had. "I'm glad.. and now that you both are here we can start this." He nodded quickly to Punk, having to pry his gaze away from the younger man's so he could scan it over the rest of the men he was addressing. "This was basically just for Phil to meet everyone and put names to faces and to brief him about security rules and expectations from him and everyone else here or even the clients.." he went on to talk about how pay worked in front of everyone just to make sure Phil knew he was being honest in that aspect then moved on to how these faces were the other employers for them and they ran not only the biggest escort business in the area but the one with the most loyal and pleased clients.
Punk looked around the table, counting maybe 15 others and smiling to himself, liking the closeness and how that meant they pretty much were the best in the business. Isn't that an ego-booster? He smirked a bit before feeling eyes on him and looking around to see everyone looking at him. When he looked up to John, he didn't miss the look of amusement and endearment on the elder's face, that of course only making his cheeks hot. Punk cleared his throat as he locked gazes with the other man "Did I miss something?" he asked, earning a chuckle from the room. He chuckled uncomfortably before JoMo nudged his foot under the table and sent him a reassuring smile.
"I just asked what you preferred to be called but before that I bragged about how good we are." John winked at the man.. shit. Actually winked at him,.. in the front of the rest of his employees. He cleared his throat again and after the briefest of pauses moved on as if nothing happened –which by the look on Punk's face, the man hadn't even noticed "So what do they call you?"
Punk flicked his gaze around the table before shrugging "Well.. you all can see I'm a little shit sometimes so.. Punk. John told you all my name but I don't really respond to that anymore.. like I forget that's my real name." he shrugged again and looked around the table, seeing a few faces looking at him in awe but most just staring at John as if they expected him to snap at Punk for calling him by his first name so casually. But when no such moment came they all nodded at Punk and Punk –completely oblivious to their stares– smiled at them then turned back to John.
John caught the stares but kept his professional face on, making a note to tell Punk later that he could only call him that when they were alone since only people above him were allowed to call him that in the office. He composed himself rather quickly and stared back at the others "Okay.. well you met JoMo so let's start there. Next is Shawn Michaels, Christian, Evan Bourne, Dolph Ziggler, Rey, Wade Barrett, Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Adam Rose, Jimmy and Jey Uso, Justin Gabriel, and Johnny Curtis." John let Punk nod to each men in turn then locked eyes with the young blonde again. "Any questions, Phil?'
So looks like he could never get the boss to stop calling him Phil but for some reason Punk was starting to get used to it. He looked around the room again, just now noticing that each men had their own level and flair of attractiveness, seeing a different type of attractiveness in each man. So there were the more rugged and demanding looking ones like: Shawn, Dolph, Wade, Drew, and Jimmy. Then there were the could go either way ones like: Christian, Rey, Adam Rose, JoMo, Jey, Curtis, and Justin. And even some that fell into the 'twink' category: Cody, Evan, and Seth. He took a moment to soak it all in before looking back to John with a cautious stare "For now I guess just: where would you group me?"
The room broke into laughter again and a few people piped in what they thought about where he fell into. Punk smirked, hoping everyone's enthusiasm meant he had passed the initiation ritual with flying colors. He snorted when someone suggested he was like Evan then looked at the man apologetically "No offense but I may be a blondie but I don't exactly look young." He smiled a bit when Evan nibbled his lip and shied away from his gaze, earning a light pat from Christian.
"I'll settle this right here. He's with Jimmy and Drew." Everyone looked at John after the man gave his opinion on something as trivial as what Punk asked but they quickly glanced at the other men and nodded at their boss.
Punk looked at the two men once more and flushed a bit when he realized what John was saying. Okay so maybe he shouldn't have asked for the man's opinion but at least now he knew "And you?" he asked before he could stop himself, again earning stares from half the people but only looking at JoMo and since he saw the man give him an amused grin he merely turned back to John just in time to hear the man gesture at JoMo. Punk felt something stir inside him but just looked back at JoMo and winked at the man, feeling the long-haired brunette kick him under the table again.
John saw the way Punk looked at JoMo and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he began talking about the rules on how to run a client-escort relationship and what to do. One of the things he stressed the most was to keep engaged in each meeting but not attached, he gave an extra glance at Punk when he said that. Soon John was rambling about how things in the office were to be kept professional no matter how close two people might get, again his eyes might have lingered on Punk, perhaps this time too much of his emotions shining through. After that second slip he moved on to how Trish updated everyone's website with a picture and more information as well as adding more security to the site just in case and how they should all head back to their offices or homes to look over their new schedules. He hummed in thought after that just to make sure he covered the bases, "I think that's pretty much it. You guys can go now.. email me if there's anything wrong with the sites and I'll let either Trish or Vince know." John waited for the rest of the escorts to start walking out before tapping Punk's shoulder.
Punk was about to kick JoMo back under the table to get his attention when he felt the tap, looking up at the older man curiously "Yeah, Boss?" he asked casually after smiling at JoMo and watching him get up then strutting away. Punk fixed his gaze on John seeing as the man stayed quiet until everyone left.
"Just wanted to make sure you're warming up to the job and there hasn't been any problems.."
"Nah. No problems yet but then again I've only had one meeting.. have another in a few days. I like it so far.. pretty nice people and the pay's definitely worth staying." He grinned deviously at John, earning a small laugh from the older man.
"Good.. and I uh… wanted to apologize for acting like that last time we met. I was going through some shit and took it out on you."
Punk looked at the man, squinting a bit and shrugging as he stood up. "No worries, John. I don't take shit like that personally. Not that kind of guy. If I did that shit I wouldn't have made it out of high school." He added perhaps too casually as he patted John's shoulder "No hard feelings. Hope whatever the fuck it was you're better up there now." he gave the man a sincere smile as he glanced at the door.
John almost gasped at the unexplainable buzz he felt where Punk touched him but managed to only bite his lip. He saw the way Punk shifted toward the door and smiled "Go ahead.. oh and be sure to ask me if you need anything.. I'll see you soon."
Punk smiled again, this one more polite as he nodded and walked out of the room, glancing around the building and debating going to his office but deciding against it and just heading back home. After he'd walked the first few blocks, his phone buzzed and he pulled it out after recognizing the sound of his email notification. Strange. It was the 'business' one he created.
{Message}
Punky,
Hope you don't mind I creeped on the escort-escort information list and got your email but seeing as you forgot to give me your number I hardly had a choice. Anyway, I'm at Jamba and was thinking we could get to know each other a little more. Professionally, of course. Unless you've got a better idea. ;)
I'll be here for a while and it's only a few blocks away so I'm expecting to see you soon.
xoxo
JoMo
Punk chuckled. So he hadn't imagined the man playing footsie with him during the whole meeting. Thankfully he knew exactly which Jamba Juice JoMo mentioned and looked around, finding that it was only a few stores over and smiling to himself. He quickened his pace and stepped into the small drink shop, finding JoMo leaning against the counter, his back facing Punk. The blond smirked and walked over, kicking JoMo's foot off the barstool and chuckling when the man jumped a bit "That's what you get for the meeting."
JoMo lifted a perfectly plucked brow at the blond "What you mean being the only one that didn't laugh at your expense?" he huffed indignantly before chuckling as he felt Punk smack his head. "Ow! You should treat your coworkers a lot better, Punk."
"Hey, you just said it. I'm a punk.. not much else I know how to be" he grinned at the man after seeing his glare then taking a seat next to him "So any particular reason you invaded my information page or is this what you do to all your new friends first?"
Morrison laughed and patted Punk's shoulder lightly "Any particular reason you practically teleported next to me as soon as I sent that email? Were you stalking me?" he teased lightly.
Punk rolled his eyes and stole the man's drink, taking a small sip before sliding it back over. That wasn't too rash, was it? .. fuck he had a problem with these social things. He tilted his head at Morrison "Answer my question first."
He pouted "I don't do it to all my new friends. Just the cute ones."
Punk huffed despite the light blush that graced his cheeks, never used to receiving compliments like that "Well good to know. Mind pointing me in the direction of the cute guy you're referring to?" he chuckled at the pout he drew from Morrison and nudged him lightly "Kidding, kidding. You're pretty good looking too." Punk watched the man's face light up before Morrison took a quick sip from his drink, his perfectly plump, pink lips puckering around the bright colored straw. He inadvertently licked his lips, not noticing until he heard Morrison's giggle. He looked up at the man's eyes again, smirking at him and shrugging "What? You wanted me to compliment, right? What better way than admiring one of your best assets?" Punk grinned, his typical flirty nature finding its way out rather quickly in the man's presence.
"That's not even the best one.. have you seen me fully? Ya know, browsed a few of my personal pictures on the site?" he teased before leaning close to Punk "..or I can send you some to your phone.."
Punk took the hint, rolling his eyes and reaching down until his hands landed on the brunette's jacket and he felt around for the man's phone. He unlocked it and clicked his number in under 'Punk ass Kid' before sliding it back into Morrison's jacket and patting it lightly. "There you go. Now if you don't mind, I need to go home and-"
"Nope. You need to tell me where your other two piercings are."
Punk looked at the man, astounded with his upfront words and shaking his head as he tapped the man's nose "Maybe you'll find out some day, JoMo. Until then, stick to daydreaming." He laughed at the man's pout and leaned in as if he were to kiss the man ".. I got them for a kink." He whispered before pouting his lips but lifting Morrison's drink to his mouth and taking one last sip as he pulled away. Punk felt a slight rush at the way Morrison almost whined when Punk pulled back completely, tilting his head at the man and winking. "Later.. thanks for the drink and the talk. Oh and for running into me on the way to work." He walked out without waiting for an answer, practically beaming the rest of the way home.
Once he got into his apartment, Punk showered and cleaned up a bit of the mess Colt and he left the night before. His mind was a bit distracted, mostly him trying to assess everything that happened today. It was a lot of information for him to grasp and a part of him knew he wouldn't be sleeping much tonight, not that he had anything to do tomorrow. Punk warmed up some leftover Chinese and started eating at the table as he loaded up his site. He almost spat out the orange chicken when he saw what picture they'd chosen for his main page. His cheeks flushed as he stared at the image of him practically seething, a chain in hand as he stared straight into the camera, his blond locks covering part of his face as he looked.. well, feral or better yet downright demanding. "Well fuck."
xx
The balding man neared Punk almost too eagerly, his beady eyes shining brightly as the wheels started turning in his little rat brain "Oh I know you'll make it past the interview.. mandatory for this photoshoot to be ready before then, lovely."
Punk grimaced and rubbed a hand before his eyes "Call me lovely again and I'm walking the fuck out."
Paul Heyman looked at the blond and grinned "There's that fire. Keep that burning as long as possible, Phillip. I have the utmost faith in you." He assured him as he cleaned his lens and made sure the backdrop was spotless.
"Whatever." He muttered before looking at the seemingly random items on the floor next to Paul "..so what the hell am I supposed to do? I've never really taken professional pictures." He almost growled as Paul looked at him in that creepy way again. Punk heard the man tell him to just grab any item he wished and pose with it or pose alone, he told him to not be afraid of having fun with it.. so, that's what he did.
Punk grinned and posed for the camera by flipping off the lens and scowling, he heard Paul chuckle and went on, showing off his knuckle tats in the next one and doing the next few in various positions, the whole time Paul giving him praise or motivation. The blond laughed and at one point bent down to pick a few items up, posing with each one in turn but when he got to the thick dog collar and the chain hanging off it, he furrowed his brows in concentration, feeling the familiar warmth spread through him. Punk did what was most natural to him with that object and stared straight at the camera, hearing Paul go off on how perfect this would be and how he knew he'd just made a star. But none of that mattered right then because Punk quickly got lost, posing over and over again with that chain until he left it for cuffs, dangling them off his finger as he stuck his other hand out in offering to the camera.
A loud buzzer drew him out of his haze, Paul's frustrated groan sounding around him. Punk looked at the short man in a confused state, his eyes glazed over only slightly "What? Did you get enough?"
Paul gleamed at the man "Oh did I. Your job is here as long as you want it.. take it from a veteran." He nodded before shaking Punk's hand and sending the dazed blond on his way, deciding to let him keep the handcuffs he never released, knowing they would come in handy to the blond at some point very soon.
xx
Punk shook his head and cursed as he scrolled rapidly, trying to avoid looking at that train wreck of a photo shoot for too long. When he finally got to the calendar, he gaped, rubbing his eyes and staring at the page once more. "10 days lined up for the next two weeks. Fuck me How?" a few days ago he only had 3 lined up for then but now.. shit was getting real. Punk made sure he still had nothing before the appointment he already knew about then closed the laptop, shoving it as far away as he could then starting on his meal again.
His thoughts were running rampant and at this point he couldn't even try to control them so after the rest of his dinner, Punk went upstairs and turned on his PS3 to play The Last of Us, putting headphones on to blare music into his ears, and wasting the night away as he attempted to avoid the crushing anxiety he was beginning to feel at everything changing so soon.
~.~.~.~
[Text] Get to work, Punky. I know you'll miss me but try and keep it professional. ;) xo
Punk rolled his eyes, the past days had been nothing but relaxing and mentally preparing for him so Morrison's random texts along with Colt's stupid phone calls were the only thing keeping him sane –enough– for today.
[Text] I can if you stop sending me pictures long enough. You're distracting.
[Text] Later, JoMo.
He hit send and walked through the mid-rank hotel, suddenly missing the first meeting he had but hoping this one was at least somewhat like that and the two clicked immediately. Once he walked up the two flights of stairs and down the hall, he stopped at the door, fixing his plaid, gray shirt and undoing the first two buttons, showing off just enough of his chest tattoo to keep someone looking. Punk knocked and heard a bit of rustling before a string of curses came from the man's mouth; he had a bit of an accent, a rough.. very hot accent, an accent that wasn't from New York.
The dirty blond pulled the door open, leaning against it and scanning Punk's body as if he was some sort of fake "Name.."
Punk lifted a brow but replied "Phil Brooks.. but I like…"
"Punk, I know. I can tell." The man drawled out before moving away so Punk could walk in. "And I'm Dean.. but you already got that, right?"
His upfront and down to business attitude was something that made Punk's more tense side come out "Yeah… I knew that." He huffed as he walked towards the bed and sat down Indian style just on the edge of the bed "But I'm assuming you also know what I do or am willing to do.. but by the way you were looking at me earlier something tells me you're not quite convinced."
Dean smirked, tilting his head to the side and shaking his head "Damn right I'm not. How is someone this damn skinny and inexperienced supposed to be able to handle what I like in bed?" he challenged, stepping closer to the bed as if to test the claims on Punk's website.
Punk smirked. A challenge, oh how he loved those. "I'm not inexperienced in the least, Ambrose. Believe me." His eyes gleamed with mischief as he added "you might need to ask me to tone it down for you, actually.. want to talk safety word?" Punk knew he'd ignited that lustful spark in the man when Dean's eyes lit up and he shook his head at him.
"How about you show me why I need one then?.."
A/N: Again I suck for the wait but I worked hard on this one and that list of escorts took up a lot of my time. ;~; Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Review?