Hello everyone! I'm back again! I'm sorry for the long absence: I thought I'd have time to post as soon as I got back to college, but, obviously, that was not the case. (sigh) So busy already! But things are looking to turn out to be a good year, so I cannot complain.
Anyway, I am back, and with another chapter of "To Be Loved." The story is indeed reaching it's conclusion...I'm a little nervous about the ending, I'm trying to make it perfect. As I said before, I tried out may different ways to end this tale, but only one way worked...I hope you like it when it comes. :)
So, not much preamble...Thanks for being so patient with me, my dear Readers! Onto the story!
"I just don't get it," Shawn said with a sigh, sitting across the table from Ric. He had decided to take a few days off from Hunter and 'Taker, and figured that the best person to talk to would be Flair at this point.
After all, he was a mostly unbiased third party, right?
Besides, Shawn had already spoken with Kevin, who had gotten so mad that Shawn was actually afraid for Hunter and Mark. Big Daddy Cool had pretty much lost his cool and stormed out of the room after hearing the story, vowing to make Shawn's boyfriends pay dearly. So now, Shawn turned to Ric.
"It's like, when I come around, those two get so violent. They've gone for years without wanting to murder one another in the past, but in these last few weeks they've fought so many times and…and I can tell that their hatred for one another is only growing. They even both tried to make me think the other was cheating on me." He folded his hands. "I'm afraid that if I take too long to decide, something terrible will happen. But if I rush my decision, I may choose the wrong person, and then we'll all be miserable."
Flair had listened silently, nodding occasionally before he finally spoke. "Well, Shawn, in all honesty, I want to see you with Hunter. I love that kid, and you two have so much in common… You have history with him, and you two still love one another, right?" Shawn nodded. "Well, that's good to know. On the other hand, however, there's the Undertaker, who seems to be in love with you, and I think you love him too, and even though you two are complete opposites, you fit together like pieces of a puzzle. But with Hunter, it's like the same puzzle makes a completely different picture."
"Pieces of a puzzle," Shawn mused, folding his arms across his chest. "That makes a lot of sense."
"I guess you just have to determine which piece you fit best with, and what picture you want to be apart of."
Shawn sat back in his chair, thinking things over. 'Ric's right…But how can I ever choose between the two of them?' Against his will, Shawn felt tears coming to his eyes as he played out the two possible scenarios in his mind. The entire decision rested with him, and he knew that the burden of making that choice would haunt him to his grave.
In his mind's eye, he saw two futures. The first, was of him choosing Hunter. No doubt he would be happy, and eventually things would go back to normal between them. But then he would be forced to watch the Undertaker's heart break, and that was the last thing he wanted see, much less cause. He would be content with Hunter, but his mind--and a piece of his heart--would always be with 'Taker.
On the other hand, he could choose Mark, which would be an adventure in itself. He had no doubt that there would never be a lack of love, because he truly loved 'Taker, and was sure that the man loved him. But it was hard to imagine a life without Hunter there… Hunter, who had always been there. Hunter, whom he loved. And he had seen Hunter's heart break before…he vowed long ago to never let it happen again. But he promised the same to the Undertaker, and now he was being forced to go back on his word to at least one of the two people he loved most in this world.
"It's too much pressure," Shawn whispered, wiping at his eyes. "I can't do it, but they're depending on me. I just…I love them both so much…"
The Nature Boy gave the Heartbreak Kid a sad glance before going over to him and hugging him tightly. "It's not fair for them to place all this on your shoulders," he said in a soft voice, stroking the golden waterfall of Shawn's hair. "I know you think you're being selfish, but they're the ones who need to get their heads out of their asses." He hugged Shawn tighter, eyes misting as well.
"Can't they see that they're hurting you?"
It had been a long time since Shawn had cried on someone's shoulder, but at the moment, it was the only thing he could do.
The next day, Shawn was mysteriously absent from lunch, and both Triple H and the Undertaker went to his room to check on him. Unfortunately, it was at the exact same time, each man scowling as he saw the other approaching.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Hunter asked with a growl before knocking on Shawn's door. "Haven't you done enough already?"
"I'm here to check on Shawn… Why are you here?" 'Taker's green eyes narrowed as Helmsley took a step towards him, glaring up at him with all he was worth.
"Listen, 'Taker," Hunter began in a low voice. "I hate you for what you're putting Shawn and me through… We're gonna settle this one day, one day soon."
The Undertaker allowed himself a small smile as he looked down at the man known as the Game. "Yes, we will settle this soon, like men, I hope." He took a step forwards in order to better tower over Triple H, letting all his malice shine through in his expression. "But know this, Helmsley: When we're done, Shawn won't have to chose, because only one of us will be walkin' out… Period."
Hunter raised an eyebrow. "Is that a threat?" he asked calmly, although his fists were clenching. The look in 'Taker's eyes at that moment was deadly serious. "You'd kill me to have Shawn?"
"Of course. At the very least I'll put you out of commission… And I know you'd do the same to me, given the chance."
"Of course," the Game said with a small smile, which quickly faded as he made a decision. The idea had been forming in his mind for the past two days, and he reasoned that now was as good a time as any to see it through.
"Don't tell Shawn a word of this: In two weeks, you and me will take this outside during Shawn's match, so that he won't have to watch, and won't interfere. It'll be a Supershow, and no one will miss us for a long time, because there will be so much going on."
The Undertaker nodded slowly. "Meet me in the garage, past the production trucks. Only one man walks away. The other's gonna be carried out on a stretcher." A low laugh escaped his lips. "And if someone happens to die… It'll be the result of a very unfortunate accident."
Triple H had to smile at that. "I like the way you think, Deadman. But we need not kill each other… too messy. Keep that as a last resort. Winner gets Shawn, the loser wakes up in a hospital bed and forgets that he ever loved Shawn. If he wakes up at all." He extended his hand. "Deal, Deadman?"
"Alright. And no weapons. Too hard to conceal."
"Sure. And no magical shit." Hunter smiled at the glare he got for that one. "You know exactly what I mean. If I can't use a weapon, you can't go all Lord of Darkness on me."
After another second of thought, 'Taker took Hunter's hand in his own, squeezing it tightly before pulling the smaller man in close. "Don't expect any mercy," he whispered.
The Cerebral Assassin laughed. "I never do, because I'm not the type to show it, or accept it."
The two men stared into one another's eyes, a dark smile on both their lips, but before either could say another word, the door near them opened, and a yawning Shawn stepped out.
"Oh…hey guys," he said sleepily. "What time is it?"
"You missed breakfast. And lunch," Hunter said with a kind smile, releasing 'Taker's hand quickly. "Late night?"
Shawn looked away. "Sort of," he said softly, faking a smile.
The Undertaker took good note of the redness of Shawn's eyes, and from the look on Hunter's face, he did too. "I can bring you something," he offered.
"Sure, that'd be great," Shawn answered, a bit more awake, and realizing that 'Taker and Triple H weren't at one another's throats for once. "I'm gonna go shower." He blew them both a kiss, hiding the confusion on his face, and walked back into the room.
The two men outside exchanged a quick glance, both feeling the same guilt, both feeling the same anger.
"Two weeks," was all they said to one another before walking in opposite directions.
Hunter sat in his room alone, wondering about the wisdom--or foolishness--of challenging the Undertaker. Triple H knew that he was dangerous…but how dangerous?
'He's crazy enough without motivation,' he though, folding his arms and sitting back further in his chair. 'And now he's fighting for Shawn's love. Damn.'
There was a sharp knock at the door, suddenly, and Hunter sighed. "Unless you're Shawn, go away, I'm thinking!" No answer, but more hard knocking. Hunter rolled his eyes and walked over to the door, throwing it open angrily.
"What?!" he growled, before realizing the he was looking into someone's chest. His eyes went up, and he found himself looking into the face of a very pissed off Kevin.
"Oh shit," he whispered, before Nash pushed him backwards and entered the room, closing--and locking--the door behind him.
"Hunter, I've been looking for you," Big Daddy Cool began, voice laced with menace and warning. "You made Shawn cry." He began cracking his knuckles.
"Wait, Kev," Triple H said quickly, putting several piece of furniture between himself and the bigger man. "I can explain everything!"
"Shawn already told me everything," Diesel growled, rolling up his sleeves. "And when I'm done kicking your ass, I'm going to go have a few words with the Undertaker next."
Hunter shook his head, distancing himself from the advancing giant. 'I can't get into a fight with him now,' he thought, racking his brain for a way out. 'Not before I fight 'Taker!' The Game was ducking behind a chair as Kevin stepped over the coffee table when an idea struck him.
"Wait! If you hurt me, you'll make Shawn cry too!" Triple H said in a rush of words, and watched cautiously as Nash froze.
"You and I fight, Shawn will only be even more miserable than he is now!" Triple H continued. "And then you'll be no better off than me." Big Daddy Cool frowned.
"Dammit," he said after a long moment, eyes narrowing. "You got lucky, Hunter. If you weren't already putting Shawn through so much hell, I'd send you there myself. The Undertaker too." He turned to go, and when he opened the door, heard Hunter sighing with relief. He turned to look at the smaller man, rage burning in his eyes.
"I love you, Chico, but I also love Shawn, and the way you're treating him right now…it makes me wonder whether you love him too." He stepped out of the room and slammed the door shut before Triple H could begin his angry outburst and saw the Undertaker walking by.
"Triple H just saved your sorry ass," he said with an angry shake of his head as he passed the Deadman.
'Taker raised an eyebrow. "The hell are you talking about?" he growled, turning to look at Diesel as he walked away, but received no answer.
'Whatever,' he thought, continuing to walk to his room. 'I have better things to think about…like winning Shawn's heart.' A part of him wondered if Shawn would ever be able to forgive him for what he would do to Triple H, but then he realized that Shawn need not know it was he who did it.
'Perfect. So, Hunter suffers an unfortunate accident, ends up in the hospital again, and everything will be fine…' The Undertaker looked up suddenly, sensing some menace, and saw Kane standing in the hallway, blocking his path.
"Move," 'Taker said shortly, and was legitimately surprised when he felt a sharp, stinging slap across his face.
"How could you?" Kane asked in a low, angry voice. "Dragging that kid into your shit…and promising me as a reward?! That's fucking low, Brother, even for you."
"Nothing's too low for me, Little Brother," the Undertaker said the shadow of a smirk on his lips. "And if you ever slap me again," he continued, smirk vanishing completely, "I'll cut your hands off and give them to the kid as a consolation prize."
Kane's jaw dropped. It had been a while since he had been threatened like that.
"Mark, what…?" The Undertaker's strong arm pushed him to the side, against the wall and out of the way.
"It's nothing that concerns you," 'Taker preempted. "But don't bother me for a few weeks or so. For your own sake." Without another word, he continued down the hallway, head slightly bowed in thought.
Kane blinked, realizing that the man he had just spoken to was not his brother. At least, not at the moment.
"What the hell is wrong with him?" he asked aloud, concluding immediately that it most likely had something to do with Shawn Michaels.
Uh-oh. The boys are getting intense...Hunter and 'Taker think they can settle things themselves, but can they really? And what will poor Shawn do? Will he find out before someone he loves gets hurts? Poor Shawn.