Title: Hero
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I don't own shit.
Author's Note: So, I actually technically wrote this last year right after Wrestlemania, but I've kinda tossed around whether or not I was going to post it. But, now that I have a companion piece from this year to go with it, I figured I'd go ahead and put it up here. Putting it in with the NAP 'verse stuff because it just plain fits. Haha. Hope you enjoy. =) Takes place right after Wrestlemania last year.
Warnings: None.
~Now that the world isn't ending, it's love that I'm sending to you
It isn't the love of a hero, and that's why I fear it won't do.~
Justin's lying face down on the bed when large hands finally, finally make their way down his back. He shifts a bit, squirms around, even as he lets out a soft noise of contentment at the feeling. He turns his head to the side, folding his arms under it on the pillow as he finally meets John's eyes.
"Hey there, darlin'. I was wondering if you'd still be awake or not. I'm sorry it took so long. You know how people are, though, and press." John explains softly. Justin nods. The Superstar massages the younger's shoulders as he speaks again. "How you feeling?"
"I should be asking you that!" the high flyer objects, worried look passing over his features. "How's your head?"
"It's fine, seriously. Mild concussion, have to get it checked again tomorrow. Nothing I'm not used to. I'm Superman, remember?" John jokes. Justin frowns, but nods again, John's wide grin hard to argue with. Then, he asks, "Honestly, Justin, how are you feeling after your big match?"
John smiles so tenderly at him, and as much as Justin wishes he could return it, it doesn't work, a light sigh coming out instead. The older's expression immediately falls, and he scoots a bit closer to his lover on the bed. Justin pushes himself to sit up, John's hand moving to rest lower on his back. A look of concern settles on the Superstar's face, and suddenly Justin can't meet his eyes.
"What's wrong, baby?" John asks softly, and Justin frowns.
"You know what's wrong. That match was such a fucking joke." the high flyer practically spits. His tone has been full of venom every time the topic has come up since they got the plotlines for 'Mania. He's sure John loves him, the way the older has stuck with him despite that Justin knows he's been taking out his own agression on him. Still, he can't help how mad he is. "My first Wrestlemania, and I leave like that. Like some kind of loser."
"Hey, come on, now. Don't be so hard on yourself!" John says, pulling the younger closer. When Justin still won't meet his gaze, he feels himself frown as well. "Hey, whoa. Justin. Is that really what you think?"
Justin fidgets in his arms, but grinds out, "Your entrance was longer than my entire match, John. What do you think?"
They're both silent for a beat before John takes Justin's shoulders carefully in his hands.
"Justin, look at me." he almost whispers. Justin finally, slowly, lets out a deep breath and tilts his head up to meet John's eyes. The absolute sadness in them nearly takes the Superstar's breath away. Justin looks so distraught. John presses on. "Now, the last time I checked, this absolutely, beautifully amazing high flyer and his kind of annoying redheaded best friend were the tag team champs, and their big, loud-mouthed English friend was the Intercontinental champ."
Justin coughs out a laugh, the tips of a smile beginning to form across his face. John takes it as a win and keeps going.
"And, if I'm not mistaken, everyone you faced tonight has tried for your titles at least once, and failed. So you lost one match. Big deal! I've lost at Wrestlemania before, plenty of times. I lost tonight, in fact. And I don't even have a belt to show for it." the Superstar says with a smile of his own. Justin seems to be letting everything his lover said sink in, rolling it around in his head a little bit. John takes the opportunity and presses a quick kiss to the younger's lips, letting him kiss back for a moment before pulling away entirely. John doesn't go far, however, looking Justin in the eyes solidly once more. "No matter how that match went tonight, you left that arena a champion. Even I didn't do that."
The high flyer nods slowly, and John relaxes a little bit. Then, lips are on his and he pulls Justin almost all the way into his lap, wrapping his arms around the younger's shoulders. He slides his mouth open, just tasting his lover for a moment. He can feel Justin calming down, the tension draining away. It makes him feel more relieved than he has been in a month. Eventually, Justin's pulling back, still gripping his upper arms tightly as he catches his breath. He slumps forward a bit, resting his head in the crook of John's neck. John just tightens his arms around him as well.
"Thank you, John. I really needed to hear that." he mutters, John's hands finally massaging over his back once more.
"I know, baby. It's okay. We all need a little reassurance sometimes."
Justin nods. He's had to console John his fair share of times as well. He knows it's hard on everyone. Sometimes it just feels exceptionally hard on him and his friends for no good reason. He knows John's right, though.
"Hey, John?" he says quietly, waiting for John to make a noise of agreement before continuing. "I love you. Championship or no championship."
The Superstar laughs, and Justin finds himself smiling as well.
"I love you too, darlin'. No matter what." John replies, kissing Justin again.
As the high flyer falls asleep later, finally exhausted, wrapped in his lover's arms, with a wide smile on his face, he figures he's pretty close to being the happiest he's ever been, results of the match be damned. And really, he thinks, that's what Wrestlemania is all about. When John pulls him closer, nuzzling into his neck and pressing a feather-light kiss to it in his sleep, Justin knows he wouldn't have things any other way.