Chapter 3
"Ah Man" Rob groaned as he entered the motel room. Dropping his bags, he headed straight for the bed and carefully lay down. His head throbbed like he'd been hit by a truck.
Matt entered behind him and sat on the edge. "Are you feeling dizzy or anything?" He asked, concerned.
Although he did a little, Rob slowly shook his head, not wanting Matt to worry. "Nah, I'm cool."
Matt remained doubtful. He looked anything, but cool. Rob's match earlier that night had been fine until X-Pac took a steel chair to the back of his head. But then again, that was nothing unusual for a match.
"Maybe you should get checked out." Matt suggested. "You haven't fully recovered from your concussion and now this second blow could have given you second impact syndrome."
"I'll be fine." Rob tried to assure. "Nothing a little sleep won't take care of."
And he calls me stubborn. Matt got up and dug through Rob's bag to find his prescription bottle then went to get some water. "Here, take your pills. Besides the pain, they should keep you from getting nauseous."
Without arguing, Rob obediently took the pills, hoping they wouldn't take long to kick in. "Sorry, I'm not going to be much fun tonight."
Matt smiled. "I'm not worried about that. Just rest for a little bit. I'll run you some bath water."
Rob warmly returned his smile. If people only knew how sweet Matt could be. "Thanks. Are you having a sappy moment?"
Matt gave him a dry look. "Actually you could use it, considering you didn't have a chance to shower after the match. The smell does linger you know." He laughed at Rob's little frown. "Besides, I'll get to slowly wash your back."
How can I refuse an offer like that, Rob thought, chuckling. "Hope you don't drop the soap."
Matt just shrugged innocently and left the room to prepare the water. A few minutes later, he came back to find Rob sound asleep and dead to the world.
Pills must have kicked in fast. Covering Rob with a blanket, he gave him a light kiss on the forehead then pulled off his own shirt and returned to the bathroom. No sense in letting the bath go to waste.
Matt and Jeff posed, dressed in their Hardy Boyz attire of black cargo jeans and mesh muscle shirts, while the photographer's happily snapped away. They were inside the ring, standing in front of a curtain backdrop, with huge photo lamps shining over them.
Matt's skintight shirt seemed to cling to him even more, the heat of the lamps making him uncomfortable, and without thinking, he started fanning his face.
One of the photographers sighed impatiently, having the shot messed up. "Make-up!" He barked to the woman, standing near-by.
Matt groaned to himself, annoyed at his own actions. The last thing he needed was more of that shit caked on his face, but stood still, letting the make-up woman touched him up.
Jeff chuckled, seeing Matt glare at the photographer. "Guess, it's the price we pay for being sex symbols." He said with a dramatic sigh, knowing how much his brother hated photo shoots.
Matt turned his glare on him. Jeff loved the sex symbol image as well as the cameras and played up to them both. Even though he loved tagging with Jeff, the only draw back to being a team was- he had to go along with it as well.
Seeing Rob enter the room, Matt smiled. The make-up woman went to work on Jeff, giving him the opportunity to climb out of the ring and meet him. Rob leaned against the door, slightly pale, but managed a smile.
Matt was instantly concerned the moment he approached him. "You don't look so good. Is your head still bothering you?" He placed a hand over Rob's forehead. "You're burning up!"
Rob shrugged. "I took an aspirin. I'll be fine."
Matt noticed Rob was holding his hand over his stomach, like he was sick. "Bull shit. You're going to the doctor."
Rob shook his head. "Really Midnight, I'm okay."
Matt crossed his arms, deciding to go for a different tactic. "You don't want me talking to Vince." He warned.
Rob smiled. "Beat you to it. I asked for the night off."
Matt uncrossed his arms, a little surprised. Rob really must be feeling like shit. "Did you take your medication?" He sighed when Rob shook his head. "That's what the pills are for. Man, you're as bad as Jeff. Do I need to start holding your hand too?"
"I heard that." Jeff snapped.
Rob gave a small chuckle. "I promise I'll take them. I just wanted to let you know, I'm gonna hang out at the motel for a bit. Take a nap or something."
Matt nodded approvingly. "Good. I don't want to see you back until your better. And don't forget to take the pills."
"Yes Sir." Rob replied. "And by the way..." He pulled a red envelope out of his pocket. "You got another letter from your admirer."
Matt took the letter, noticing the lack of postmark again. "Where'd you get it?"
"It was on the dressing room floor." Rob said. "I think it was slipped under the door."
Matt opened it up and pulled out the same kind of card, polaroid picture and all. This time the picture was a bubbling stream in the woods. "We'll be together soon." Matt read aloud then looked at Rob. "What do you think that means?"
Rob studied the card. "Means you've got an obsessed fan that's all. Wouldn't be your first or last."
It was true, but Matt still couldn't shake the weird feeling. "This fan just happens to be at this particular arena too? At the same time?"
Rob shrugged. "Like I said before, it's probably one of the stagehands."
"But it might not be."
Rob cocked his head to the side. "I think you're reading a little too much into this. No pun intended."
Matt smiled. "Probably. You should go ahead and take off. If I don't see you before, I'll see you after the show."
Rob nodded. "I'll be watching." He gave Matt a small punch on the shoulder, before walking away.
Matt watched him leave then re-read the card. Why is this getting to me so much?
"Same person?" Jeff asked, reading the card over his shoulder. Matt jumped, not noticing him, and Jeff chuckled. "Calm down, Man."
Matt smiled a little. "Whoever it is, apparently I'll be meeting them soon."
"Ah..." Jeff teased. "You and Booker, sharing wine by the fireplace then going for a stroll by the stream." He gave a dreamy sigh. "How adorable."
Matt gave him a withering look. "How adorable- A twit with wit." He gave back. "I seriously doubt it's from Booker, though."
Jeff shrugged. "Whatever sucka." He headed back for the ring to continue the shoot.
Although it was the last place he wanted to go, Matt sighed and followed, tossing the card in the trash along the way.
The lights of the upper level bleachers hadn't been turned on yet, leaving that section of the arena dark. The stranger sat quietly, watching the photo shoot and the conversation between Matt and Rob. He clinched his fist angrily, seeing Matt throw his card away. After all the thought he'd put into it...
Taking a deep breath, he toned his anger down. After all, it wasn't Matt's fault. Rob was the problem. And once Matt realized the kind of guy Rob could be, he'd leave him. Then they could be together.
The stranger smiled at the thought. They'd be together soon. Sitting back in the chair, he relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the shoot.
"Finally." Matt groaned in relief, him and Jeff climbing out of the ring. How was it, a photo shoot could take hours, only for a few pictures to end up in the magazine.
The photographers cleared the equipment out of the ring, while some of the wrestlers entered, ready to begin the in-ring workouts.
"I'll see ya later, I'm gonna find Chris." Jeff said.
Matt nodded and pulled out his cell phone, wanting to check up on Rob.
"Hey Matt." Booker-T walked over. "You make some pretty nice pictures."
Matt snorted. "They'd better be some pretty damn good pictures, after all that time." He complained.
Booker-T chuckled and Matt just smiled. It was part of the job, after all, so he shouldn't complain.
"Hey, by the way..." Matt hesitated, feeling a little silly, but had to ask. "You didn't happen to give me anything the other day, did you?"
Booker looked at him blankly. "Like what?"
Matt shook his head. "Nothing."
Booker raised his eyebrows. "Is that a hint? You want me to 'give' you something?" He suggestively joked.
Matt smiled. "Thanks, but I godda man."
Booker shrugged. "What's your man got to do with me?"
Matt laughed and Booker just waved a hand. "I'm playing, Man. I'll see ya around."
"Later." Matt shook his head, still smiling, then suddenly a hand grabbed his arm and spun him around. Caught off guard, Matt almost stumbled. "What the... Rob, when did you get back?"
Rob smiled wide, obviously feeling better than earlier. "Hey Baby, how'd the shoot go?"
Before Matt could answer, Rob wrapped an arm around him, clutched his hair and pulled him into a hard quick kiss, releasing it with a loud smack. Matt stared at Rob, surprised, then noticed a few of the guys near-by snickering. Get a room, somebody commented. Blushing, Matt quickly pulled away.
"What's wrong?" Rob asked.
Matt tucked a lock of hair, Rob had loosened, behind his ear. "Wow, I take it you're feeling better." He said, trying to ignore everyone's looks.
Rob held out his arms. "Dude, I feel great." He beamed. "Why don't you call up your brother and see if him and Chris wanna get some grub?"
Matt studied Rob a second. A little rest and medication really must have been all he needed, he thought then smiled. "Sure. Where at?"
Rob started to reply then stopped, noticing Booker-T over Matt's shoulder. "Hey Booker!" He yelled out.
Booker looked over, from the circle of wrestlers he was chatting with and waved.
Instead of waving back, Rob slapped Matt's backside, making him jump. "Don't forget who 'this one' belongs to." He finished loudly.
Matt's mouth dropped, his face turning redder, while Booker and practically every wrestler in the room laughed or commented. "What are you doing?" He snapped.
Rob shrugged. "Just reminding everyone who you belong to that's all." He leaned in for another kiss, but Matt quickly turned his face to the side. Rob pulled back frowning. "What's wrong? Are you ashamed to let people know or something?"
"No... It's not that..." Matt hesitated, not sure what to think of Rob's behavior. "Just tone it down a little, okay?"
He felt a twinge of quilt, seeing Rob's hurt expression. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Rob's feelings and placed a hand on his arm. "You know me. I just get a little embarrassed, I guess. But not of you." Matt said firmly. "Don't ever think I'm ashamed of us. I'm proud of you."
Rob smiled. "I'm proud of you too, Man." He said, this time giving Matt a punch on the shoulder.
Matt returned his smiled. "That's better. Now lets eat, I'm starved."
Jeff and Chris lay across the couch, their cloths carelessly discarded on the floor as they kissed with a heat to steam up the dressing room. Jeff broke the kiss and let his head fall back, over the couch's arm, while Chris nipped and nibbled on his neck.
"We really need to get going." Jeff tried, once again, although he didn't make a move to push Chris off. Instead, his hand played with the bleached locks of Chris's hair.
Chris nodded, scooting down lower to nibble on Jeff's six-pack. "Okay." He replied, not making a move to get up.
Jeff laughed at the tickling sensation around his abs. "Seriously, we should go. You know how impatient Matt gets." He reminded, his voice more breathy than before as Chris's mouth moved to the rim of his boxers.
Chris gripped the fabric with his teeth and began slowly pulling them down, his hands caressing the sides of Jeff's body at the same time. Jeff squirmed with anticipation, under his touch, and Chris looked up with a smile.
Jeff smiled back in defeat. "Well... Maybe we have another minute." He said, not too upset about the defeat.
"That's what I thought." Chris lowered his head and all Jeff could do was suck in a breath as Chris's warm mouth closed over him.
Matt pounded on the door. "Why is this door locked?" He yelled, trying the handle again.
"Uh... No reason." Jeff haistily answered, while shoving Chris's raised head back down. "Be right there."
Matt looked at his watch then crossed his arms, tapping his foot impatiently. It never failed. When he was starving, Jeff always had to hold them up. After a moment of waiting, he pounded harder on the door. "What the hell are you doing? Are you coming or what?"
"OH, SHIT YEAH!"
Matt blinked, staring at the door, then sighed in annoyance.
"Hey!" Rob came up from behind. "What's up?"
"Don't ask." Matt grumbled. "Let's just go." Why couldn't he have been an only child?
"Thanks for waiting." Jeff snapped, him and Chris entering the restaurant, flushed from their walk.
Rob looked up from the table, perplexed. "Sorry..." He turned to Matt. "Thought you said they were full."
"I said, Chris had a mouth full." Matt corrected, giving them both an annoyed pointed look.
Jeff started to reply, but changed his mind. Exchanging sheepish looks with Chris, they both sat down instead.
"So..." Chris opened the menu. "What looks good." He looked at Rob's still full plate. "Apparently not that."
Matt glanced over at the plate. So busy with eating his own food, he didn't notice, Rob had barley touched his. "Thought you were hungry?"
"Me too." Rob shrugged. "Guess I wasn't as hungry as I thought."
Matt started to say something, but was distracted by a young server coming up to the table. "Um... Mr. Hardy?"
"Yes?" Both brothers replied.
She giggled, having gotten the attention of both superstars. "Matt Hardy." She shyly cleared up. "I was asked to give this to you." She set a gift on the table, which was about the size of a shoebox.
Matt smirked at Jeff's disappointed frown. "Face it Bro, not everyone wants you."
Jeff made the pretence of brushing a lock of hair out of his face, purposely using his middle finger.
Matt ignored him and smiled at the server. "Thanks. Who's it from?"
"I don't know." She apologetically replied. "Some guy left it up front and said to give it to you."
"Some guy?" Rob asked. "What'd he look like?"
"I'm not sure." The server answered. "It wasn't left with me personally, but the person it was left with said something about him being bald."
Matt turned to Rob. "At least that rules out Booker-T."
Rob frowned. "How'd anyone know you were going to be here?"
"It's no secret the WWF's in town." Matt shook the box. "We're not that hard to find."
The server nervously twisted her apron around in her hands. "Can I just say, I'm your number one fan."
Matt smiled up at her. "You can say it all you want." He smoothly replied, causing the girl to blush.
Jeff rolled his eyes. "I think I've lost my appetite." He muttered under his breath.
The girl grabbed a pen out of her apron and held it out for Matt. "Would you?" She asked hopefully.
Matt took the pen. "You have something to write on?"
"No but..." She clasped her hands together and bite her lip as if contemplating. "Oh, what the hell." Giggling, she unbuttoned the top few buttons of her blouse then pulled the fabric down. "If you wouldn't mind."
Matt laughed lightly and stood. "Defiantly not. Especially for my number one fan." He proceeded to autograph the top of her breast.
The girl held back her hair and stood posed as if to entice Matt. Chris snorted, holding back his laugh as Matt handed back her pen. "There you go, Honey." He purred, giving her a wink.
The waitress flushed, nearly bouncing where she stood. "Thank you so much..." She sputtered out excitedly. "I'll make sure your server takes extra good care of you." She finished, before rushing off through the kitchen.
Chris shook his head, hearing her squealing in the back. "She wasn't even our server?"
"No." Matt answered sitting back down.
Chris looked toward the kitchen. "Good thing, she must be blind or something. Didn't she see the rest of us sitting here?"
"Sorry." Matt proudly tossed his head. "Apparently she couldn't see past me."
Jeff groaned. "Probably couldn't see past your big-ass head."
Rob regarded Matt, thoughtfully. "You just love doing that 'wink' thing, don't you?"
Matt smiled at him. "It seems to work. It did on you."
Rob snorted and went back to playing with his food. "Seems to work on Booker-T, too." He grumbled.
Matt lost his smile. "What's that suppose to mean?"
Rob gave him a knowing look. "You know exactly what I mean. Maybe you shouldn't tease him, if you don't plan on giving him anything."
Jeff raised his menu up in front of his face, exchanging 'what the hell' glances with Chris. Rob continued to play with his food, while Matt stared at him, at a loss for words. When it was clear Rob wasn't going to say anything else, he finally cleared his throat.
"I don't tease him. What is it with you and Booker?" Matt asked, suddenly irritated. "Did you guys have a falling out or something?" What other explanation could there be?
Rob was silent a moment, then looked up with an apologetic smile. "I know you don't. I'm Sorry. Guess, I'm not feeling too well."
Matt softened. "I'll take you back to the motel. The medication is probably wearing off."
Rob rubbed his forehead. "Go ahead and finish eating, first. I'll be fine for now."
"That stuff wears off fast." Jeff put in. "I've had the same prescription."
Matt nodded, remembering. "Maybe you should still see a doctor."
Rob pulled the prescription bottle out of his pocket and popped a few pills. "I've got the night off and I'll rest. If I'm not better by tomorrow, I'll go."
Matt nodded, satisfied.
"Man..." Jeff said, studying the present over his menu. "First roses and now this?"
Matt shrugged. "Can't help it. It's not like I can turn off all this appeal."
Jeff tossed his menu away, wishing his brother's mouth could turn off. "Now I know, I've lost my appetite."
After the night's show, Matt drove like a bat out of hell, wanting to get back to the motel. He'd been trying to call Rob, but Rob wasn't answering his cell or the motel phone. Once there he grabbed his stuff, and with a quick bye to Jeff and Chris, jogged to the room and burst through the door.
"Rob?" He called out, not seeing him.
Rob poked his head out of the bathroom. "Hey Midnight." He smiled brightly. "Great match, as usual."
Matt closed the door and let his bag fall from his shoulder, relived to see his worry was unwarranted. "I called and called you tonight. Are you okay?"
"Sure." Rob cheerfully answered. "Sorry I didn't answer. I've been kinda napping on and off. But man, it's just what I needed." He finished, then returned to the bathroom.
"Glad to hear it." Matt replied. Kicking off his shoes, he crawled on the bed and flopped down. Satisfied to see Rob was okay, he invited the lingering exhaustion to go ahead and over-take him. The day seemed too long.
A few minutes later, he felt the bed shift as Rob climbed on and straddled his back. Rob started a deep tissue massage and chuckled, hearing Matt instantly start to purr. "Anything I can do to make it better?" He asked.
"You're doing it." Matt murmured, feeling himself start to drift off.
Rob lifted up to rolled Matt onto his back, then lowered on top of him, smiling at the beautiful creature he possessed. "Anything else I can do?" He hinted in a suggestive tone, followed by a small kiss.
Matt smiled up at him. "You think that's a good idea, considering your head?"
Rob buried his hand in Matt's hair, gently pulling his head back and nuzzling into his neck. At the same time his other hand roamed down the side of Matt's body, cupped the back of his knee, and pulled it up against him. "My heads just fine." He whispered huskily.
Matt closed his eyes. Rob's warm lips felt so good, he let him linger a few seconds, before gently pushing him back. "I don't want you to do anything that might jar your head. Besides..." Cupping Rob's face, he gave him a soft apologetic kiss. "I'm actually pretty sore and tired."
Rob looked at him, perplexed, then sat up on his knees with a frown. "Sore and tired? What the hell have you been doing?" He snapped.
Matt raised up on his elbows, surprised by Rob's pissed-off tone. "You saw how long the match was." He tried to explain. "It kinda wore me out a little."
"You sure it was the match that wore you out?" Rob asked, accusingly. "Or maybe it was Booker."
Matt sat all the way up, amazed Rob could make such an accusation. "You know better than that. Do you honestly think I would do something like that to you?"
Rob climbed off the bed and began pacing the room, irritably. He honestly didn't know what to think. Matt watched him, growing more confused. Where the hell was all this suddenly coming from? What in the world could he have possibly done to make Rob think that way?
"Are you upset, because Booker's always joking around with me? Because that's all it is, joking around."
Rob snorted dubiously. "Joking around, huh? Kinda like what we used to do?" He shook his head. "Apparently that's all it takes to get your ass in the sack."
Matt's mouth dropped, completely taken aback by what Rob was saying.
Rob nodded triumphantly, mistaking Matt's stunned silence. "I thought so. And as far as your little admirer goes, don't act like you don't do anything to draw their attention." He continued.
Matt clinched the blanket in his hands, growing frustrated. "I'm only watched by billions of people. How the hell, do I not draw attention to myself?"
Rob placed his hands on his hips, glaring at Matt, like it was the stupidest question he'd ever heard. "Maybe if you didn't flaunt so much..."
"...Flaunt?" Matt interrupted. "What do you mean flaunt?"
"You know what I mean." Rob said, his voice raising. "Do you have to take your shirt off in every match?"
"Vince tells us to for the female fans." Matt reminded, his voice raising as well. "I have no control over the shit."
Rob gave him a disgusted look. "Just like you have no control over your actions, right?"
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" Matt shouted, desperately trying to get some reason. "I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE FUCK IT IS, YOU THINK I DO."
Rob's face darkened with hostility. "WHO THE FUCK YOU DO, IS MORE LIKE IT." He shouted back. He turned away, as though no longer capable of looking at him. "I seriously have my doubts, I was even your first." He added.
Matt winced at the words. Rob was his first everything. First love, relationship, first experience with a man, and for Rob to say something like that... Climbing off the bed, he quickly threw on his shoes then grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. At the moment, Rob was the last person he wanted to be with.
Rob turned around, hearing Matt open the door. "Where are you going?" Running over, he reached around Matt and slammed it shut.
Matt sighed, heavily. "I think it might be better if I stayed with Jeff and Chris, tonight." He whispered, through clenched teeth. "We can talk later."
"Chris?" Rob laughed cynically. "That's perfect. Run to Chris. Maybe you'll get another glimpse of the goods. Or better yet, maybe Chris will show you why he's the 'king of the world'. That's what you really want, isn't it?"
With an angry motion, Matt threw his bag down. "Think what ever the fuck you want. I don't give a shit."
This time Rob winced, feeling like Matt had taken a dagger to his heart. He loved Matt more than anything in the world. Would give and do anything for him... And he didn't give a shit? Matt's cold gaze was unwavering, and Rob felt his heartache turn to rage.
How could anyone be so cruel and uncaring? After everything they've been through together, Matt was just going to leave him at the drop of a dime? Like he was nothing? The rage started boiling in his blood and before Rob could stop himself, he slapped Matt, hard.
The sharp slap was so unexpected, Matt spun around and stumbled into the door. Catching himself, he stood still and silent, completely stunned with shock. Rob had hit him! Rob was never suppose to hurt him and he'd actually hit him! Bringing a hand to his mouth, he could feel the blood on his busted lip, and squeezed his eyes shut from the pain. But the pain went beyond physical and for a second, he thought he was going to throw up.
Rob looked down at his hand as though it'd acted of its own accord. He stood frozen, unable to believe what he'd just done.
Matt took a deep breath, steeling himself, before turning to face Rob. Rob stared at him with wide-eyes, his face slowly draining of all color.
Matt eyes, however, narrowed dangerously. "You know, some of the guys you've been with might have been used to you knocking them around or whatever. And maybe they were cool with it..." He paused, trying to swallow the rage he could hear wavering in his voice. "But guess what Rob? I'm not like any of the guys you've ever been with."
Still in a state of disbelief, Rob opened his mouth to reply, but Matt never gave him the chance. Drawing back a fist, he punched Rob square in the face.
Rob fell on his back, his head bouncing off the floor with a loud knocking sound. Crying out in pain, he clutched it as sharp stabs of lightening shot through, then everything went black.
Shaking with fury, Matt stood over him and waited until it became evident, Rob wasn't going to move. Quickly his fury dissolved into dread. What have I done? Dropping to his knees beside Rob, he hesitated briefly, before lifting Rob's head and placing it on his lap.
"Rob... Rob can you hear me?"
When Rob didn't move or react, Matt began to panic, fearful of the damage he might have further inflicted. Just then Jeff and Chris entered the room.
"Hey Bro..." Jeff started then stopped, seeing them both on the floor. "Holy shit, what happened?" Both ran over.
Chris knelt down and placed a hand on Rob's head. "Did you call an ambulance?"
Matt shook his head mutely, too unnerved over the whole scene to have even thought about it. As Chris jumped up to call, Jeff knelt to take his place, examining Rob. "I didn't know his concussion was this bad." He looked up at his brother and his mouth dropped, seeing Matt's busted lip. "What happened to you?"
Matt absently brought his fingers to his lip, never taking his eyes off Rob. "I don't know." He quietly answered, at a complete loss. "I don't know."
TBC...