A/N: There's been mixed reviews and opinions for a few of the characters I decided to add in here but I hope to at least sway a few of you. :3
AnetteBP: How am I playing with your emotions, love? :3 And I know. :c I had a bit of a hard time writing that last chapter but I'm glad you liked Jeff scene. :3
Wakko's minion: Thank you so much. I'm glad you think so. It gets hard at times but I enjoy it as much as possible in hopes that it will reflect on here. As for the decoy.. ;) might not have been planned but eh works all the better.
Vindictive John Dark Fantasy: No worries, flashbacks in due time my friend. :) But I will say you are partially right there.
Lamentomori: I gave a little more background on Punk in this one and as for the clarification on what happened and whether John is being used or not: … when I get back to John's POV it will involve a lot of angst so I'll let you take a guess as to which one. And I didn't know anyone would ask about that. I can add that in next chapter to clarify if you would like. (Gonna just ignore the nouns you used. ._.) Thanks again.
On to the story! :]
Punk frowned, shaking his head at Colt "I'll give you whatever I want to give you. Leave my fucking job alone already. I fucking know it's shit okay, I know it. It's more goddamn trouble than it's worth and only making me feel more goddamn useless and unwanted by the minute."
Hearing the fire leave Punk's words let Colt know just how bad Punk was hurting but even more so after the older man called himself that. It'd been 5 years since the last time Colt heard that and he couldn't stand it. He looked his best friend in the eyes and replied "You're not fucking useless. When are you gonna get that through your thick skull? And you're sure as hell not unwanted." He added before doing something they hadn't done in.. fuck he couldn't remember.
Punk was about to spit something more at Colt when he felt the man's lips against his, freezing for a moment until he felt Colt's lips move against his smoothly, their lips fitting together almost too perfectly. The haze only lasted for so long though before Punk felt the man try to coax his mouth open; he growled and broke the kiss, turning his head away from his best friend and shoving him half-heartedly. "Get out."
Ouch. He'd never been denied a kiss from Punk.. especially not after he was trying to show Punk how much he cared. Colt heard the man's half-assed order but remained where he was, staring at the man.
Time seem like it dragged on, nothing but the sound of their soft breathing being heard. It was almost too much for Punk, almost. He silently turned his back on the man who'd helped him become everything he was today and walked to the kitchen to get a water bottle before heading upstairs. Nothing but silence coming from downstairs. Yeah, Punk knew he'd fucked up but he was a stubborn, proud man and he just couldn't bring himself to apologize just yet. For this reason, he decided to get cleaned up and ready for bed.
Even once he'd gotten showered and settled in bed with a comic, there hadn't been any noise from downstairs and time seemed slow. Still, Punk stayed at the center of the bed, his legs tucked under his ass while he read and reread the same three panels, trying to grasp the words on the page but finding it increasingly difficult. He bit his lip, sucking and playing with his lip ring in an attempt to soothe himself and keep from running down the stairs to beg for Colt's forgiveness.
When Punk finally did hear a sound, it was the creaking of the door, Colt walking right in looking exhausted and hurt. Punk swallowed and quickly looked away, hating that he'd made Colt feel that way. He didn't ask the man to leave because truth was, there was nothing he needed or wanted more than his comfort at the moment. He needed something solid. Familiar. Punk needed something that was home.
Despite the sinking feeling in his stomach when Punk adverted his gaze, Colt shuffled to the bed and sat down a few inches from Punk, staring at the man in complete silence for a few seconds. "Do you really want me to leave?" For once, Colt couldn't find a joke to make out of the situation and the question almost tore him apart but he needed an answer. True, he didn't love the man as a partner anymore but he couldn't imagine his life without his best friend and he had a feeling if he left tonight he just couldn't come back. Colt waited for an answer but when he didn't get one he sighed and scooted closer to Punk, wrapping his arms around the smaller man and pulling him against his chest.
What happened next was something Colt sure as hell didn't expect; Punk's entire body shook as he started crying. The blond didn't make a move to hug Colt back but the heaving sobs moving his body were something Colt hadn't seen Punk do since they were in high school.
xx
Colt lay in Punk's bed, looking up at the ceiling where Punk had various rock posters and a few flags hanging proudly, not daring to move as he tried to block out the screams carrying from Punk's living room.
"Don't you fucking touch her again! You're a sorry excuse for a husband and a worthless piece of-" Slap. … Silence.
"Wanna say that again, boy?!" Crash. …. "What the fuck did you say?! I can do whatever the fuck I want. I'm workin' to feed your sorry ass while you're sneakin' out with your faggot friend!" Slap, slap, slap, crash. "You think you're a better man than me? I can and will break you, boy!"
"F-fuck you!"
Slap. Whip. Whip.
Footsteps. Struggling. Kick. "Get the fuck off me!" Crash.
Footsteps. "Get back here you worthless fucking worm!"
Slam. Sniffling. Sobbing.
Colt glanced over, seeing Punk practically hugging his abdomen as he rocked himself. He heard Punk's father pound on the door and shot up from his position, locking the door and dropping to his knees in front of Punk. Colt did the only thing a 15-year-old boy could offer his best friend; he pulled Punk against him and rocked him. The man struggled a bit at first, as if still fighting his father but after a few moments he must've remembered their plans for the night because the sobs intensified and Punk started mumbling broken apologies to his best friend as he let Colt rock him. He waited until the pounding on the door died down and footsteps were heard –after Punk's dad made a threat– to actually answer "…is this the first time?" it wasn't the best thing to ask in this situation but Colt needed to know. He felt his heart jerk as the short-haired teen shook his head at him. Colt cursed and kissed the side of Punk's head, rocking his best friend even more, wanting now more than ever to run away with his secret crush.
xx
By the time Colt chased the horrific memory away Punk's sobs turned into small sniffles, the man starting to pull away from Colt's body. He let it happen, watching Punk carefully and waiting for him to say anything. Colt's eyes never left Punk's body, watching as the man slumped a little and gently uncrumpled his comic.
"I don't think I can do this."
Colt looked at the man and lifted Punk's face up to look him in the eyes "Phil, You're a Chicago-made Punk.. you fuckin' beat the odds and moved out of that hellhole you were living in. You had your dream and now you're working to get it back. I know you can do way more than you give yourself credit for."
Punk huffed and chuckled softly, the noise sad but laced with genuine humor "Chicago-made Punk… I like it."
Colt rolled his eyes "That's all you got out of that?"
Punk made a face and shook his head the action causing him pain but he tried not to let it show. "No.. it's all I believe from that."
"Would you just trust me on this? You can do this.. you know your only other option is to move back to Chicago.. unless you were serious about the radio job." Colt looked into the man's olive eyes when Punk finally looked up, trying to get through to him.
"I won't go back." He stated with far more confidence than he felt "..I just need more money but.. I fuck. I got dragged into some drama that I'm assuming goes back way longer than I care to find out." Punk admitted, going on to explain the last two days to Colt (leaving out the sessions with his clients of course) in as much detail as possible. He felt the anger rise up in him at one point, not sure who to direct it at in the moment but knowing that he couldn't be left in this situation for much longer before he punched someone in the face. Punk ended with the shitty –unexplainable– feeling of loss and hurt when he lost his only friend at the office for something he didn't even know was true or not and how that just reminded him of how he could never do anything right.
Colt stayed silent for a few minutes, digesting everything Punk said to him before shaking his head "This is like Sex in the City but with hot guys.." he muttered under his breath, glad he could at least get a small laugh from Punk for that one. "But, guess.. I'd say: stick with it, Punkers. Fuck the bullshit and fuck their drama. You do your job and get as much money as possible as soon as possible so you can open up a shop again or at least rent space in another one around here." He thought about what he'd said before adding "And ask boss man about why he distrusts Morrison.. if you really want to know if his friendship is worth keeping.
How about you ask him to tell you how he got to his position in the company over Shawn or Christian who've been here longer? Morrison's voice echoed around in his head after Colt's advice and he glanced at the man with a slightly hopeful glint in his eyes "Yeah, I'll ask him.. either way, I'm staying the fuck away from the drama after this." He promised before groaning and slapping his forehead "fuck!"
Colt looked at Punk but didn't bother to ask, glancing at the clock and seeing it was 3a.m. then remembering Punk had a meeting in four hours with 'boss man.' Fuck indeed. Colt sighed and scratched the back of his neck apologetically before making a move to get up "I'll let you get some sleep, man.. I'm fuckin' sorry. I just had to make sure you were okay."
Punk's guilt consumed him again "Don't fucking apologize, Colt. I.. if anything I was the one that fucked up by not calling you before I disappeared." He told the man, knowing that was as close as he could get to an apology right now. Punk met the man's gaze and relaxed when Colt smiled softly and nodded in understanding. "Thanks.." he whispered out before glaring when the bigger man still moved toward the door "I swear if you fucking leave me alone tonight I will bite your goddamn dick off. I know tomorrow you're off.. and your ass is gonna be here later today anyway."
Colt laughed, shaking his head at the man and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before grinning "All I got out of that is you want my dick in your mouth." He teased, knowing it might've been uncalled for right then but needing to get rid of the tension that seemed to be suffocating Punk at this moment. Colt beamed when Punk smirked and rubbed his temples in that way he always did when Colt was annoying the fuck out of him.
"Shut up and get your fat ass on the bed." He huffed, stretching his legs before crawling under the covers and glaring at Colt until he saw the man roll his eyes and walk to the bed.
"I didn't exactly bring clothes.."
"Don't act like I don't have a bag of shit you leave here." He rolled his eyes, clearly losing his patience with the man's excuses.
Colt saw the look on Punk's face and grinned, shaking his head as he took off his long sleeve shirt and jeans, crawling into bed with boxers and an undershirt. "Don't give me that damn look, Punk. You better wake me up before you go.. I'm waiting in the coffee shop for you." He huffed and turned away from Punk, curling up and trying to get some sleep after shutting off the lamp.
Punk frowned at the man's request but didn't say much, only giving a a light grumble of acknowledgement at Colt before turning to face the man's back and watching his best friend's body move with his breathing until he noticed Colt was asleep. Not too soon after, Punk managed to pass out as well but not until he squirmed as close as he dared without touching the man.
A few hours later, Punk woke up well before his alarm and sighed, not that he was unused to it but it was still annoying. He looked over at Colt, seeing the man now on his back and snoring quietly; Punk huffed and rolled out of bed to take a quick shower and put on a nice change of clothes instead of putting on the monkey suit.
Once he'd finished getting ready, Punk sat at the edge of the bed and picked up his discarded comic to finish reading it seeing as he still had a few minutes before they should leave to the coffee shop. Punk managed to read most of the comic before Colt stirred next to him and mumbled out in his sleep.
"Mm.. 's time to get up?"
Punk snorted at the man's tired voice and nodded, setting the comic back down "..if you want to get some food at the shop before I leave, yes."
"Nng.. don't need.." he grumbled and covered himself with the covers again. "want.. sleep."
"Fine. I' m leaving then. I'll lock up, be back in a f-"
"NO!" Colt bolted up and struggled to catch his balance seeing as he was still mostly asleep "I'm up I'm up. Not leavin' without… me." He glared at the smaller man as if he thought Punk really wanted to get rid of him.
Punk grinned and went into his closet, digging around until he found Colt's old gym bag and tossed it at the man "Get your fat ass dressed then."
Colt scoffed, feigning offense before digging through his clothes for a pair of jeans and a loose-fitting t-shirt. He ran a hand through his short-shaved hair before sliding his boots back on and glancing at Punk. Suddenly he felt very underdressed. "You couldn't steal some nicer clothes from me?" he huffed, smoothing out the small wrinkles on his shirt and moving to rummage through the bag again but Punk gave a warning call of his name and he was forced to move away "fine.."
Punk rolled his eyes, ignoring the muttered curses and whines leaving Colt's lips and grabbing his wallet and keys before they headed out.
After some bickering over whose car to take, they made their way to the shop in Punk's small car, making small talk on the way there. Granted it was still more tense than normal, it was nice for Punk to not have to worry about whether Colt was 'bad' for him to be with. Colt was as trustworthy as friends got.
Colt looked at the blond when they got out and headed into the café, furrowing his brows and touching the hair Punk had so meticulously brushed back. He untucked a strand and ran his fingers down to the tips, looking at Punk curiously "When did you put the color back in?" Colt tried to think back to last night but all he saw was Punk's eyes as the man screamed at him and then again when his best friend cried. He tilted his head and let the hair go as they waited in line and Colt waited for the man to answer.
"Yesterday.. in the morning." He pushed his hair out of his face again and shrugged as he waited for Colt to make some snide comment.
"I missed the red in it."
Punk blinked. He looked at the man and opened his mouth to speak
"What can I get for you?"
He gave Colt one last glance before he looked at the woman and smiled "Usual. Chai latte with skim and ground cinnamon over the whipped cream." Punk replied easily before stepping aside and letting Colt order his hazelnut frappuccino. He then added two breakfast sandwiches to his meal before making a face and shaking his head as he passed the cashier his card then went to sit at a table against the window with his best friend. "I don't know how you can drink that shit.. it's sugar mixed with more sugar." He commented, completely forgetting about the man's compliment to his hair.
Colt huffed and messed up Punk's hair again just to piss him off "Not everyone can be as healthy as you, mister 'I only drink shitty-tasting tea.'"
"Fuck off. It tastes way better than diabetes in frap form." He huffed, shutting up when the woman walked over with their order, smiling at them softly. Punk nodded at her before scowling at the other man and taking a sip of his latte.
Colt laughed and unwrapped his sandwich, taking a big bite and chewing slowly as he watched Punk. It took a while, but after a few minutes of Colt wiggling his eyebrows and making faces at Punk, the blond loosened up again and laughed, kicking Colt under the table with a huff. Colt merely grinned "Can you stop criticizing my drink choice now?"
Punk grumbled out a yes as he started eating after a quick glance at his watch. Colt and him started talking about everything and nothing at the same time, learning details from each of their jobs and how they'd spent their free time during the week other than talking to each other of course. Soon enough, the conversation turned to them bickering and throwing shade at each other until Punk's watch beeped and he groaned out, his insult to Colt getting cut off mid sentence as he ran a hand through his hair and took one last sip of his tea. "Lucky bastard.. I have to go.. I'll see you after I get my pay?"
"Mhm.. of course ya will, Punkers. I'll be ready for you to treat me to nice take out for game night today." He joked, watching Punk get up and feeling his best friend shove him playfully.
"Yeah, yeah.. later, Colt." He grinned and tossed his trash away before he walked the last few blocks to the building, going through the routine to enter the offices and walking straight to John's office. For some reason, he felt a bit braver than he'd expected to right now. Punk stopped outside of John's office and lifted his hand to knock.
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" Punk frowned a bit, sure he'd heard the voice before but not sure from who. He dropped his hand just as Cena's voice rumbled through the thin door "What are you talking about?" Cena sounded more annoyed than offended, "I have a meeting coming up soon and, no offense, Shawn but you're cutting into the time." He had a bit of an edge to his voice, clearly using the power he had over the older man. Punk heard Shawn give out a quiet sigh "When you realize what you're doing then find something worth more to you than this damn job.. it'll be too late to get out." He warned. Punk pulled away from the door and stood across the hall, heart pounding at the possibility of being caught.
When Shawn opened the door and saw Punk standing there, he smiled sadly. This poor kid.. The older man gave Punk a light pat on the back "You're up." He started walking away but not before he murmured "Stay vigilant."
Punk frowned at the man and would've chased him down to question him but John opened the door and smiled large and wide –a sharp contrast to his cold, suspicious eyes. Punk stared at the man defiantly for a moment, squinting at him but not giving away anything just yet; he tried extra hard to make sure Cena didn't know how disturbed he was.
"Hello, Phil. Come in.. sorry about the delay, got tied up in some.. affairs."
Punk didn't like the tone of voice Cena was using but he walked in anyway, sitting down across from Cena's seat without even waiting for permission. He shrugged "Shit happens, right boss?" He saw the weird look Cena gave him but didn't comment on it "What's with the weekly meetings?" he wondered, trying to bring this back to a professional setting instead of one where he felt tangled in a web of deceit.
Cena took the bait "Part of regulation. I'm not allowed to wire anyone money until I take a look at them and see if I think they're doing as good as they say they are.." he shrugged before walking around the desk and sitting across from Punk "..what's with ignoring all my messages?"
Punk was taken aback by the question and started reaching for his phone but remembered that in all the chaos he'd forgotten to grab it from the couch or turn it back on. He squinted at Cena again "What does that have to do with my adjusting.. or anything that relates to business?" Punk saw Cena's eyes light up with emotions he'd never seen him display and he suddenly felt very trapped in this small room. "But to answer your question: I've been busy with an appointment and hanging out with my best friend.. and Morrison. So answer mine." He added the last part, hoping Cena would comment on it so he could lead into the question that way.
Cena's jaw locked, looking away from Punk –a feeling of betrayal and .. hurt? filling him. He typed away on the computer for a while "Very well.." he clicked and sat up straight, putting on the façade of a clean business man again as he spoke "..I just wired your money. You're obviously faring well here. You got a bit of a.. bonus from one of your clients and even more appointments in for next week. You would've had more if it wasn't for your rule that Friday must always be your off day." Cena gave Punk one of the fakest smiles he could muster (where the hell did that come from?) before glancing at the door as a hint.
Punk felt a sinking feeling when Cena started brushing him off and pushing him away just at the mention of Morrison. He shook his head "Thanks. But that doesn't answer my question."
"I don't want to answer it because it's irrelevant."
Punk hated the change in Cena's attitude toward him ever since he found out Morrison and him were friends but he tried to shove that away; he let the anger take over "Fine. Answer this one then: How did someone so young become the head guy around here when I'm sure Shawn and Christian have been here longer?" He held the older man's gaze, never once faltering even when the vein in Cena's forehead jumped and his face turned red in anger.
"Who told you to ask me that? Morrison? Shawn?.. you know what, it doesn't matter. I got here because I wanted it and worked hard as hell for this shit. Sometimes you have to do shitty things to get into a good position and I don't regret a goddamn thing, Phillip. I earned this." He was seething, glaring at Punk yet again as he pointed to the door "Get out. Meeting's over."
Punk had no idea what exactly Cena did but he did know it must've been bad since Cena was so damn defensive. He glared again and stood up "Don't text me again, John. You're my employer and nothing more… stick to business emails." He spat, leaving the room and starting to walk out of the offices. Punk froze when he was about half-way down the hall, hearing Cena's voice blare out through the intercom.
"No one is allowed to call me 'John' I am not your equal. There will be consequences for those that do."
Silence rang around the offices, Punk shaking his head in disbelief and continuing his walk down the hall but this time with eyes on him. All of the bunch of coworkers that were in today were staring at him with pity and some even with disgust. Punk felt his anger rise up again, anger and something he couldn't quite place yet.
He never faltered though, walking right out of the building with his head held high and down the street to make his way back to the café. Punk had one thing on his mind, grab Colt and head back to the apartment to calm down before he called Morrison and tried to fix things. Things –of course– didn't go as planned.
Punk saw Morrison and the man must've been walking to the building because he looked like he hated his life at the moment. Fuck. He took a deep breath and almost considered crossing the street now before Morrison saw him but he figured now was as good a time as any to talk to the man. He stopped a few feet in front of the brunette, blocking his path on the sidewalk. When Morrison looked up as if he was ready to curse someone out but as soon as he realized it was Punk, his gaze became guarded. Punk tried to ignore the feeling that look hit him with as he met the man's gaze.
"What? I'm gonna be late."
Punk frowned at the lack of emotion in the man's normally teasing voice "Since when do you give a fuck about keeping Cena waiting?"
The use of their boss's last name didn't go unnoticed by Morrison but he didn't say anything about it. "I don't. I just don't want to give him a reason to fire me. You're not the only one that needs money."
Punk pointedly ignored the hostility in the last thing Morrison said "I'm sure he's a little preoccupied right now and firing you is the last thing on his mind at the moment. .. Firing me may be on top of his list now." he admitted, locking eyes with Morrison and seeing they softened a bit "I asked him."
Morrison stayed quiet for a moment before shaking his head "I shouldn't have told you to.. he's.. he'll be an asshole now, I should've just let you keep friends with him."
Morrison shook his head before offering Punk a sad smile much like the one Shawn had earlier today. Punk growled softly; there was nothing he hated more than pity or being patronized especially not when he was just getting adjusted to a different setting. He inhaled slowly before tilting his head at Morrison "I'm a big boy. I can handle myself." He informed him, perhaps too much hostility in his voice "..but he didn't tell me everything." Punk shrugged, and calmed himself "..Cena said enough though. I'm not saying I'm choosing sides.. but I… uh.. can we be friends again?"
Morrison laughed openly at Punk's hesitation, shaking his head after seeing the look on the man's face and covering his mouth to try to quiet his laughing fit "Were we broken up, Punky?" he teased a bit.
Punk relaxed as soon as the younger man went back to teasing him, shaking his head at him "No need to be a fucking prick about it. It's a yes or no question, asshole."
"Am I a prick or an asshole? Can't be both." He spoke snidely, grinning at Punk before starting to walk around him "Don't answer that. I don't think I want to know. But… I kinda wanna hear what happened with Cena. I'll call you after I'm home." and walked off, leaving Punk alone again.
That's it? More vague answers (or were they questions) and mood shifts up the ass? Fuck he did not sign up for this shit. AND WAS HE EVEN FORGIVEN?! Punk mumbled to himself for a moment as he walked the rest of the distance to the shop and walked inside, seeing Colt texting furiously. Punk frowned as he approached him, tapping his shoulder "Days like today make me wish I was an alcoholic." He huffed before seeing the look on Colt's face and drawing his hand back "What?"
"Dammit. You left your phone in the apartment, didn't you?"
Punk sucked his lip ring into his mouth and shrugged at the man "Yeah.. I didn't want to deal with shit until I absolutely had to." He looked at Colt and sighed "Sorry. Can we go back? I don't know what time Morrison is calling and I don't want to make anything worse."
Colt nodded at the blond and they headed out to the car "I take it the meeting was absolute shit?"
Punk laughed as they got in his car and he started driving them to his place "Understatement, Colt." He stayed quiet for a bit until Colt reached over and played with his hair the way he used to when they were in high school and Punk would flee from his parents' 'home' when things got bad. The feeling immediately relaxed him and he gave a quick nod, signaling the OK for Colt to stop. When the man didn't, Punk bit his lip ring "I think I made an enemy out of my boss.. and the whole office knows he's pissed at me, well except for Morrison since I just ran into him and gave an attempt at an apology.." he shrugged "He said he'd call me later so.. I'm not sure what that means."
Colt nodded, fingers lingering on the red tips longer than the rest of his friend's hair "Stop thinking so damn much, Punkers. Remember, this job is just for money for your shop." He sighed when they got to the parking lot and reluctantly let go of Punk's hair "And if he said he's calling you.. then I'd assume he is gonna clear shit up for both of you then." The last part made him shrug a bit before both of them were on their way to Punk's apartment.
"You know what you're asking is fucking hard right?"
Colt shook his head "I'm not asking, I'm telling."
Punk stared at Colt, processing what he said before slumping down on the couch and glancing at him "Okay."
Colt didn't expect Punk to give in so easily given his nature but he was hoping the blond meant it. He sighed and sat next to Punk, picking up the man's phone and turning it on before handing it to him "Here. Do you want to talk or you wanna wait for it to soak in a little more?" Colt waited for a few minutes for an answer but the man didn't say anything so he took that as answer enough. He got up and went for sodas before joining Punk and turning on the x-box and starting up Netflix. Colt shifted closer to Punk until their legs were touching, feeling the smaller man lean on him and smiling as he browsed through the TV shows until he found The Walking Dead.
Punk sighed quietly, resting his head on Colt's shoulder as he watched the man put on his favorite show on his favorite season so far. They watched most of the first episode of season two in comfortable silence, Punk inadvertently getting closer to Colt until he was all but hugging him. Punk pulled away slightly but Colt wrapped an arm around him; he looked into Colt's eyes and went back to his position "When did you get so demanding?"
Colt grinned and shrugged "..when I realized you needed it." he stated simply, his smirk only getting wider as he looked into the blond's bright eyes.
Punk swatted Colt's side but stayed in his position, gazing back at his friend and sucking his lip ring lightly as he started tilting his head back down. But he felt Colt cup his chin, the man knowing all his tells and his thoughts most of the time, and pull his face back up. Punk knew Colt was going to say something so he leaned forward and pressed their lips together, much slower than what they'd been used to at one point. He gripped the bigger man's shirt and tugged him closer, leaving the kiss at its soft pace.
A/N: Welp, hope this shed light on Punk's past and wasn't too terrible with my muses' vagueness. :c Review?