"Hey!"
Cody slowed to halt but didn't bother looking around. John came up and stepping in font of him he snapped," Look I don't know what pissing match you are having me with but right now you and I do not matter. D'you hear me. This is about Evan and the three of us needing to work together to make sure he gets better. Now you can be a queen bitch to me, I don't care but the moment you bring Randy and Evan into what ever one upmanship game you are playing with me then I do care. And you keep being a pissed off bitch then you and I were gonna have a real problem."
Cody glared at John sniffing angrily as he did. He could feel his cheeks colouring. He knew he was being pathetic knew that the need to constantly get one up on the big man was both juvenile and ridiculous but he couldn't' stop himself. He still hated the fact that Randy and Evan had accepted John so easily into what had been their perfect lives. He glared angrily at John then looking at the hand resting on his forearm he spat, "Don't' you dare tell me how to act in my own home."
John let his hand fall away and, as Cody pushed past him, he sighed and shook his head. Then without really knowing why he called, "By the way good match with Edge the other night. It was impressive."
Cody froze then slowly he glanced over his shoulder and asked in surprise, "You...you watched my match?"
"Well yeah," replied John frowning slightly, "Why wouldn't I?"
"Uh, didn't think you saw me as anything more than a mid carder," Cody stammered out his own insecurities about his position in the company seeping through.
"I see you as a lot more than a mid carder. A lot of the guys backstage do, you've got talent," John seeing the doubt in Cody's eyes. "You may not see it but wrestling wise we do have something in common."
"What are you talking about?" Cody was taken back there was no way he could have something in common with the top star in the company.
"Well you gimmick," John paused as he heard Cody groaned in disgust about his gimmick. "I know you hate it, well when I was starting out I hated mine too. I don't mean the jobber type one either I mean the white rapper before I went face."
"You hated it," Cody folded his arms over his chest. "Bull."
"Ok not all of it but a good portion. I didn't like the hat they stuck on my head, how they tried to write my raps for me. But I did it with smile and little complaint and got through to where I want to be and I know you will do that same."
Cody glared at him searching John's face searching for a sign that this was a wind up. But eh found nothing, just a genuine honesty that cut through his anger and resentment and left him feeling very confused. He lowered is eyes and mumbled, "But what if I don't get through?"
John frowned and bending his head he tried to see Cody's eyes asking, "What d'you mean?"
"I mean what if this it. This is all I'm ever gonna be. Dusting has more talent half the roster but they gave him Golddust and…" Cody finally looked up and with the brilliant blue eyes swimming with uncertainty he asked flatly, "What if this is all I can hope for?"
John swore then shaking his head he sighed, "Listen to me, trust me this is not it for you. This gimmick its annoying buts it's getting you know getting you out there on your own away from Randy away from Ted away from legacy. Trust me," soothed John giving a blinding smile, "This aint all there is for you."
Cody stared at him struck by the fact it was the first time he and John had ever really talked properly talked about something and if he was honest he liked it. But the moment he realised how much he was liking it the shutters came flying down and he gave an annoyed sniff snapping, "I'm going bed. I'll see you later."
Then before John could stop him Cody stomped away and slammed the bedroom door in his face. Deflating John leant back against the wall and closed his eyes. For a moment there he really thought they'd made a break through but it seemed he was wrong. Again.
He pushed off from the wall and walked towards his room. What do I have to do he thought to himself he wanted to be at least friends with Cody even if not in the same manner he was able to establish a relationship with Evan. He understood now that Cody felt threaten in his career and relationships but he shouldn't be with his relationship because John wasn't trying to take them away from Cody he just wants to help and join in.
As for Cody's career he know Cody was in the sink or swim boat and Randy might not have the stroke to protect him but maybe - John looked at his reflection in a mirror in the hall – maybe he did. But what could he say or do? Maybe saying he wanted to feud with Cody? No that would be a line-up of squashes that would only hurt him more.
Back on Raw, thought John, pounding his fist into his hand. He needed to help Cody get back on the Raw brand but how? Raw was a little over crowded and Smackdown was lacking talent. Giving a sad sigh he closed his eyes and tried to think of way he could help without being seen to help.
x x x x x x x x x
Cody sat on the edge of his bed. He didn't know why he'd just stormed off. All John had done was be nice to him and he'd acted like a petulant brat. He screwed his eyes shut hissing, "Fuck I'm becoming that fucking character!"
He punched his mattress then drawing in a deep breath he pushed himself up and padded over to the small en-suite bathroom. Staring at himself in the mirror, he searched his own crystal clear eyes, noting the way the slight liner he still wore made them sparkle. He liked parts of the new character. He liked the parts that let him be himself, that let him express his own feeling but he hated other parts, hated the parts that made him out as cocky and arrogant and...He bought his hand up and touching his reflection he murmured, "Who am I?"
He didn't get a reply. Lowering his eyes he sighed sadly. He knew what he wanted. He wanted a hug. A special hug that only one man had ever been able to give him. A hug that soothed him and comforted him and let him know everything would be just fine. Pushing away from the sink he padded through the bedroom out into the hallway and across to the large doors that lead to the master bedroom. He hesitated then screwing up his courage, he gave a soft knock and slipped into the darkened room, calling softly, "Randy? You still in here?
"Yeah Baby," Randy rose from the chair he was sitting in turning to Cody. "Keep your voice low he's sound asleep finally," the older man looked into his young loves eyes and saw a sea of emotions. He saw fear, confusion, sadness, all dark emotions none of light. He had seen that look before on Cody's face but it hadn't been in years.
Saying nothing he walked towards Cody, reaching out to him and pulling him into a tight embrace. Cody closed his blue eyes and buried his head into the clothed tattoo shoulder. Randy always understood him even when others didn't. Lifting his arms Cody crushed himself more into the strong muscled body.
Randy wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with Cody but he knew that there was more than one issue for the young man but he knew prying without receiving an invitation wasn't the right option at the moment. Randy stroked the dark hair, slowly rocking them back and forth as he felt tears soak through his shirt.
"Randy?" Cody sobbed turning his head so his lips brushed the tanned skin of the Viper. "I'm…I'm," Cody couldn't think of the proper way to phrase things.
"Shhh Baby, I'm here take your time," Randy kissed the top of Cody's head. "We have all night."
Cody looked at him. There was so much he wanted to say, but he couldn't find the words. Instead he nodded and as Randy slowly released the tight embrace Cody looked towards the bed and sighed. He knew he'd been a bastard to Evan and that hurt. He would never willingly hurt the smaller man that he adored as much as he loved Randy. He bit the side of his lip then looking at Randy he asked softly, "Is he going to be okay?"
Randy shrugged not replying. Right then he was more worried about Cody than the sleeping Evan. He reached over and caressing Cody's neck he rumbled, "You want to come sit with me, help me keep watch over him?"
Cody nodded letting Randy lead him towards the armchair the viper had been slumped in before the interruption. Sinking into the plush material Randy gave a wicked grin and patting his lap he chuckled, "Then you're gonna have to sit on my lap Baby cause I'm not move any furniture."
Cody giggled then shaking his head he careful lowered himself down onto Randy's lap it took them a moment to get comfortable – the chair groaning slightly at the weight of the two wrestlers – but as Cody leant back into Randy's body he looked down and murmured softly, "I miss you."
"I know, I miss you too," Randy nuzzled the back of Cody's head. "I hate that you got traded but I know your career will only get better if you're there and not on Raw."
"Why do you say that?" Cody pouted not like that the older man was happy he was on the blue brand.
"Have you seen the losing streak Ted is on and how he's getting buried because of the amount of top guys on Raw. You're not having that problem. You get promo time, match time, just room to grow into the main eventer I know you can be," Randy glided his hands up and down Cody's arms.
"I guess you're right," Cody touched Randy's hand holding it to his skin. "I'm just scared over there with no allies. Then there's here, with the big change that's here," Cody sighed.
"Yeah," Randy replied turning his head to Evan who snuffed in his sleep. "That big change is only going to make things better, Baby. He's not here to steal me away. I'm here now, aren't?"
"Yes but your attention seems more divided," Cody frowned. "It wasn't like this when it was just Evan and I."
"Well we all need to work on that because that divide is caused by," Randy inhaled. "You, me and John and how we interact. We need to find a middle ground."
"What do you mean?" asked Cody softly the pout returning to his face.
"I mean," rumbled Ready absently caressing the small of Cody's back, "That you need to try and stop biting John's head off every time he speaks, John needs to think before making his awful jokes and I..." he paused and letting out a long breath he murmured, "I need to make sure that both of you remember I love you both. In different way but Baby I mean it I still love you, I always have and I always will."
Cody stared at him wanting desperately to believe him but he was so scared of losing Randy he couldn't quite let go of the feeling that John was still intruding on what had been a perfect world.
Sensing the younger man was slipping again Randy caught Cody's chin gently and turning the younger man to face him, he soothed, "I mean it. But you need to meet us half way baby, John is good man, one of the best I've ever known. If you'd just give him a chance the way Evan did and stop looking at him like some thief in the night you'd see that." his voice faded into a sad sigh.
For a moment Cody said nothing then leaning in he brushed his lips over Randy's murmuring sadly, "I wish I could. Randy I'm not like Evan, I don't..." he sighed and dropping his head he confessed, "I don't see the good in people I just see the competition and I..." his voice broke and with a soft whimper he snarled, "...I hate the fact John gets to have a part of you I'll never know."
Randy sighed inwardly he knew what Cody meant, he meant the submissive side of Randy. The older man nuzzled Cody's hair, he just didn't know how answer. He wanted to say that it wasn't true, that Cody and Evan could take control some time but he couldn't. He worried that he wouldn't be aroused by his lovers if they dominated them because of their size and his own mental fantasies of regarding the of them two and he knew that was wrong.
It was a thought he didn't want to get past. He wanted to always look after Cody and Evan, to always be there protector even though not long ago he failed both of them. Randy sucked his lip inward closing his eye, he knew John wouldn't mind the others topping, he probably thought they may have topped once or now.
"We can work on it," Randy swallowed hoping that answer would be satisfactory.
"How?" Cody shifted looking at Randy who still had his eyes closed.
"I don't know," Randy's eye fluttered open so he could show Cody that he meant he would actually try and it wasn't a lie. "Just give me time, all of this is going to take time."
"Guys?" came a sickly moan from the bed, "Are you there?"