Two days turned into a week. A week then turned into a month. And things were not getting any better. Mike seemed to become both withdrawn and clingy at the same time. Randy didn't even know that this was possible. Yet, here he was with a lover that both wouldn't let him out of his sight but consistently not let him touch him. All he wanted to do was talk about things. It was driving the older man insane. Just what did Mike want from him?

"What exactly does Mike want from me?" he demanded. It was early afternoon before a Raw show.

"You're asking the wrong person," John said as they walked through the arena together. "You did kind of lose yourself in playing referee for Ted and Cody."

"I would just hate to see them mess up a good thing," Randy insisted. "And I had to keep Mike out of it. Ted made me swear not to tell him anything, I should have just stuck to that, and I probably wouldn't be in half the trouble that I'm in now."

"He would have figured out that something was going on," John pointed out.

"I guess," Randy admitted. "It doesn't mean I'm happy about this"

"Of course not," John said. "But at least he's talking to you."

"Yeah, about everything except the shit we have to deal with," Randy said. "He's acting paranoid, like if I walk away from him, I won't come back."

"Well, that has happened before," John pointed out. His friend let out a small sigh.

"I'm starting to wonder if it was all John after all," He said after a small pause of hesitation.

"Randy, what you need to do is sit him down and find out exactly what is going on in his head. Find out his worst insecurities, and yours for that matter, and figure this shit out. Also, there should be some time for nudity. Lots and lots of nudity. For sex."

"Fucking horn dog."

"Don't judge me."

Meanwhile, Mike was doing his own thinking on his problems with Randy. He was trying to just talk to his boyfriend, so he would bring up anything and everything that was on his mind. The long road trip in front of them, the grueling schedule, new workout routines, new haircuts; whatever he could think of, he talked about it.

What really worried him was that he was losing the connection he had with Randy ever since he had admitted to not telling him about Ted, Randy was becoming more and more withdrawn. Oh, there was that one night that he had tried to seduce Mike, but what happened? He answered his phone! In the middle of sex, no less! Did he even notice the stricken look on Mike's face as he pulled away from him? Did he see the tears that had threatened to fall down his face? (thank God, he had managed to pull himself together in time.)

But from that moment on, he was afraid to let Randy even touch him. He couldn't stand to be hurt like that. Was he being selfish? He knew that Randy was getting frustrated with his behavior, but he just couldn't do it; after he saw things going back to something resembling normal. He couldn't wait for that to happen. Not just because of the lack of sex, but just so they could get that level of intimacy back.

"Hey, Mike." He jumped when he heard someone saying his name. Josh was walking towards him with a smile on his face.

"Oh, hey Josh," Mike said with a smile. Josh had been a great friend as of late.

"You seem pretty lost in thought. Are things still weird?"

"Yeah, you could say that," Mike said as his eyes darkened a little." Randy just is getting more and more distant. You'd think it was him and Ted that was the couple instead of us."

"That's a visual," Josh laughed. "Can you imagine those two together? Oh, sorry."

"No, don't be. I'm sure that they aren't doing anything. It's just" Mike stopped. A tear formed in his eye. "Am I not good enough for him anymore?"

"What do you mean?" Josh asked, looking worried.

"It just seems like all he wants to do is hang out with John or help Ted," he fumed. "He's only tried for sex twice in the past month. Is there something wrong with me? Is he ready to move on?"

"I think these are things that you need to go over with him." Josh said gently as he took Mike's hand. I'm sure he doesn't realize what he's doing."

"Maybe you're right," Mike said as he dried his eyes. He managed to give Josh a weak smile and kissed his cheek lightly. "Thanks, Josh. You really know what to say."

Josh went to say something in reply when a figure behind Mike caught his attention. "Oh, hey Michael."

"Hey, Josh," the ring announcer said, not seeming to notice the position the two men were in. "Mike. What are you two up to?"

"We're just talking," Mike said casually. "What are you up to?"

"Same old, same old," the other man said. "Have you seen Randy? I needed to talk with him about something."

"He's been hanging around John a lot lately," Mike said. "Cena," he added with a chuckle as Cole raised an eyebrow. "I have no idea where they are now."

"Are you alright? You seem like something is bothering you."

"Nothing much, really. Just tired from the schedule." Mike looked down and realized that he was still holding Josh's hand. He felt his face redden and Cole walked away saying that he would look around for him. He didn't notice the smirk forming on the older man's face.

"Anyway, thanks for listening, Josh," Mike said after a pause. "I really want this to work out, but that can't happen if we don't talk."

"Exactly," Josh said sympathetically. "You two will be just fine. I'll see you later." The two men exchanged a brief hug before parting ways. As Mike got out of earshot, Josh pulled out his phone and dialed.

An hour before the show, the two lovers found themselves in Randy's private locker room. Mike was sitting in a chair, and Randy was standing behind him rubbing his shoulders lightly.

"How are you feeling tonight?" Randy asked gently.

"Just a little sore," Mike mumbled. "Why do you ask?"

"You just seem a little tense lately. I hate seeing you upset." Taking his chances, he let his hands roam downwards slightly. He was carefully rubbing the other man's chest, and he smiled inwardly when he heard the sigh of pleasure that followed. At least he knew the other man was alive; until Mike realized what was happening and tensed. "See? You love it when I do that, don't you?"

"Of course I do. It's not you," Mike insisted. "I just have a lot on my mind." In an instant Randy pulled him out of the chair and in his arms. He sighed and awkwardly lay his head on his shoulder.

"I just wish you could relax with me," he said quietly. He kissed Mike's neck. "Let me help you, please."

Mike drew back slightly looked in Randy's eyes and licked his lips. After a moment's thought he leaned in and they kissed. It started out slow, but soon it became deeper and more sensual. They were both panting slightly when they broke away. They stared at each others eyes for a moment, and exchanged a smile. Neither of them knew if this was the last moment they would share as a couple.