(This chapter was a little bigger at first, but I decided to make 2 chapters instead of 1 long one)
(Well, I maintain, no, there won't be any smoochie yet, maybe some tentative approaches that none of the two will understand)
(Thanx for the Reviews guys, keep that up ;-))
Chapter 10
Dave was the first to emerge, sometime after one, and stretching he got up and headed to take a nice shower, his head pounding a little but nothing a little pill couldn't take care of, he stayed in the shower for a long moment, water running down his neck and head a little inclined, moving slowly and letting the events of the night resurface, yeah, too much drinking and bickering, just as usually when they went out, just that this time a new face had joined them, he couldn't but grin thinking about Jeff and Mark, yeah, right, they were rooming, Dave's grin grew only larger as images of those two came back to him…
Jeff woke up with a hiss, his whole body shaking by pain and soreness, not to mention that headache that was nearly killing him, he didn't want to open his eyes, there were weird noizes around him, why was there noize in the first place, that realization made him open his eyes and try to sit up in bed, but his back just didn't want to work and it took him several minutes before he managed to roll somewhat in a sitting position and glanced over to the other bed, a little lost, not remembering how he ended up here…
Mark stood there, leaning against the bathrooms doorframe and had watched Jeff's struggle the whole time, the first wince having drawn his attention away from his hair drying to the huddled form in the bed, man, it was bordering painful for the Taker to stay there and not do anything, even if he too was somehow very amazed at finding that the second bed was occupied but someone else than his brother, but the events had come back very rapidly to the Deadman and now he made the next decision that made him flinch and rather not think about. He went back to the tube and started letting the water flow, a nice temperature a little more on the hot side than the cold and added some oils he used when his body ached, he didn't have to look for them long, he had used them earlier, feeling slightly battered too then sighed and went back to the doorframe…
Jeff hadn't moved, somewhat sitting, propped on his left arm and breathing heavily, there was not a single spot on his body that didn't scream and all he wanted to do was to find out were he was and then go back to sleep, that night out had taken it's toll on him, and the fact that he hadn't eaten in over 24 hours didn't help the nauseatic state he was a little in…
"You're finally awake punk", Jeff startled and turned his head, his eyes betraying his incomprehension at the situation, "Why", "Don't remember I see", "Not really", "Too drunk, switched rooms with Glenn", "Why", "Cause he was an ass", "Right, right", Jeff winced some more as Mark approched his bed, "There's a hot bath waiting for you, but I warn you Hardy", his eyes became menacing, "You tell someone I did that for you, I'll make you feel worse than you do already, got that", "For what it's worth, worse I don't think worse is achievable Taker", "Believe me it is, now get up and move your ass to that tube", which was of course a lot easier to say as to actually do, and Mark knew that but nevertheless he wasn't ready to help him, why, he wasn't his nanny and if the punk wanted to wrestle the way he did he'd have to suffer the consequences all by himself, they all had to learn the hard way…
Not a second after standing Jeff winced even more, his whole body felt like rigid and sore and every move was sheer horror, and Mark, not a very patient person couldn't but stop in his tracks, shirt in his hand, "You're ok?", "Yeah", "Humm, mind if I doubt that", "What do you care", "Aaah, we're back to defiant, nice", Jeff tried to ignore the pain and continued moving slowly towards the bathroom, "Noo", his voice betraying the strength he needed to do so, and Mark annoyed by the lack of movement just threw his shirt on the bed sighing again and joined Jeff, put his hands around the younger man's waist making him flinch and shake a little, "I'll help you, it's torture to watch you punk", "I can do it", "That I doubt Jeff, let me help you", "I can do it", that did it for Mark who snapped and growled straight into Jeff's ear, making him flinch even more violently, "No you can't dammit, why don't you just shut it and let me take care of you for fuckin's sake, nobody will know, I just don't want to lose fucking 3 hours 'till you're ready to go and have lunch", Jeff winced and turned his head, his emerald gaze focusing on Mark amazed, "What?", "What what punk?", "What did you just say", "That I want you to get ready on time, I'm sure Dave's already on his way down and so is Hunter", "Before that", "before what", "Argh Mark, don't be like that", "Ah yeah, I told you to shut up", "Right"
Their bickering had increased in decibels the longer it took and there was a knock coming from the wall, leaving them both a little confused, before hearing a voice they both knew very well scream, "Shut up you silly fucks" and another voice, "Sorry… Lunch guys? You've heard of Dave already?", there was a loud bang on the other side and Jeff, not really able of standing this long leaned a little back against the strong chest behind him amazed at how soft the skin felt against his shoulders, giggling, "Man, they never stop do they?", "They are like you punk", "Yeah right", Mark cleared his voice and shouted, "Yeah, say in 40 minutes, the punk will be ready by then and no, should call him", only to have Jeff turn and pout, "I wanted to go back to bed man", "Tough luck kid" and he started shoving Jeff delicately into the bathroom as Hunter yelled, "What room, 618 right?", Jeff mumbled, "No, 712" and Mark laughing yelled, "712 you drunken bastard", "Well, I hope you can get undressed and in the tube yourself punk", Jeff detached himself a little embarassed, "Yeah of course"
Mark turned and got out, hearing a soft "Thanx Mark" as he exited the bathroom and leaned the door closed, in case of a fall or problem he'd hear it, and if someone had been able to see him they'd see a sweet smile cross his lips for merely a second as he went to grab his shirt and put it on…
The loud bang had been provoked by Hunter, woken up by Shawn's screamings, had had enough of his friend and had jumped on him, pounding on him softly and then making him fall of the bed, but there was no way Shawn would get up already, and so Hunter helped him back to bed and went for the shower to wake his body and mind, more mind, he took a couple of painkillers and let the water rain down on him…
Dave on his way down decided to go and check on Glenn, since he too roomed alone and was known for sleeping 'till someone deemed waking him and it took a couple of minutes before the door opened revealing a still half sleeping Glenn who growled at him, left the door open and returned to bed. Dave entered slowly, now he could see for himself if the boy really always left such a mess as some people had started gossiping, but apparently, either Glenn had cleaned the room or the gossip was just stupid talk. "Glenn, coming for lunch", "Noooo", "You sure", "Oooooh yeah", "Ok, want me to wake you again later", "Noooo", "Ok", "Bye", "Yeah, get lost Batista", Glenn felt like a train had hit him, and that added to the fact that six hours was not nearly enough to recuperate after such an evening, he could but feel sorry for Hardy, which made him grow a very bad conscience, the boy was notorious for sleeping like a rock but his brother would see to changing that today, ah man, life was really a bitch, "Dave wait, yeah, just gonna shower and be there, damn, not fair if I stay in bed and Jeff has my bro on his ass", "You don't know that", "Yeah I do, I know my brother, and if just to annoy the punk he'll wake him and chase him to the shower and to the lunch table, believe me", "Ok, I'll check on the others, see you in the lobby", "Ok, half an hour tops man and thanx", "No problem"
Mark finished getting dressed, hearing occasional moans and hisses from the bathroom, it took Jeff a lot more than he expected to get undressed and down in the tube, but he finally had managed and was inhaling deeply letting the warm water relax his torn and hurting body, he didn't know what magic Mark had operated on the water but his body relaxed pretty rapidly and he could start moving with a lot less effort, and it smelled good too. His head back and arms resting on each side of the bathtube he closed his eyes, blushing as he thought of the way Mark had taken care of him, not even his brother had been that gentle and understanding lately and he had to admit that the Taker had surprised him a lot, never would have thought to have that guy be like that with him but it felt nice, he wasn't used to be taken care of, more discarded in a corner and supposed to take care of himself so this was quite a change, even if it cost him another couple of hours of sleep, having a man whom you'd been admiring for years taking care of you after a match against that-said man, maybe his life was on the sunny side again…
Having Jeff in the bath, Mark decided to take Glenn's bag to his room and bring back Jeff's and got out, to stand in front of Dave, "Hi", "Yeah, could have known you're ready already", "Yeah, the punk is in the tube and Hunter's getting ready too, Shawn I think is still as wasted as this morning, at least he sounded that way through the wall", Dave laughed, "And where are you going, leaving the crimescene before we find Hardy's corpse", "Very funny, I'm getting my bro his stuff and then bring back Jeff's stuff over here", "Aah how very kind of you", "What", "Nothing", "Your bro is in the shower, he didn't want Jeff to have to get up and he stay in bed", "How very kind of his", "Yeah", Dave sighed, "You couldn't let him sleep could you, you aware his more the late type and he had a bad match yesterday", "Nope, he was awake when I got out of my bath and yeah… You know his body looks like he walked a mine field", Dave couldn't resist a chuckle, "Really, you've got to see his body, wow, and I believe the mine field you're referring too was you", "Dumbass, the punk fell asleep on me, I had to undress him, imagine that", Dave tried really not to mock Mark, "What a painful thing to have to do and I just assume the falling asleep on you was meant metaphorical right, 'cause you know what that sentence usually means Mark", the first slap of the day got exchanged and Dave laughed his ass off at Marks annoyed look…
As Mark walked towards his brother's room murmuring some death threats, rectification, Jeff's room, Dave followed him with his eyes before peeking inside their room and entering, he could blame it on a sound coming from the inside later. At least both beds were used, he couldn't but grin then approached the bathroom and knocked before opening the door, "You're ok Jeff, I've got some creams and stuff that help with battered bodies", Jeff's eyes snapped open and he stared at the man leaning at the doorframe, "Hey Dave, thanx but this bath got it covered, I feel like reborn", "Yeah, does Mark know your using his secret oils he never shares", Jeff stared at him for a second remembering Marks words and he decided to play it save and shrugged, "Don't know, why? I'm in trouble now?", "You'll probably get away with it punk", Dave couldn't help but wonder why Jeff had hesitated to answer, but pushed that thought away for the moment, "Yeah well, he's getting your stuff over", "Really?", "Yeah, you're one lucky son of a bitch Jeff, don't ruin it", Dave's eyes locked a moment with Jeff's who stared at him at a loss, not understanding what he was talking about, before Dave added, "Anyways, see you down in a bit" and left the room, heading over to Hunter and Shawn for a nice torture on the Heartbreak Kid…
Jeff was stretching, not believing he could actually move again without a constant pain and wondering what this so secretive oils were that no-one was allowed to use, anyways he was on the safe side, Dave wasn't the type to run over to Mark to chatter and Mark was the one who used them, inhaling the enticing perfum and relaxing a little longer, his mind wandered of and soon he was dozing again…
The sounds that came out of Shawn's mouth reminded Hunter a lot of documentaries picturing prisoners of war after a six month straight torture-period and annoyed, he was about to go and yell in his ear when a knock could be heard, "Got lucky whimp", he went and opened, Dave only measuring him from head to toe, "Well well well, I really get lucky, a sleepy Kane, a sexy punk in a bathtube only covered by mousse and a Game clad only with a towel around his waist, man the angels are on my side today", Dave grinned at Hunter who grunted and went over to his suitcase and started to get dressed, "Didn't have a good sleep Hunter or hangover like everybody", "Shut up, that prick is whining about his headache for hours, I'm starting to get one too", Dave approached Shawn laughing, "I've brought you heavy pills Shawn, you'll feel good in no time", "And Vince will kick his ass if he catches his results should he have to go for a test Dave", "Vince won't know, you rather have your friend laying here sick?", "No", "Thought so", Shawn got up without a word and extended his hand to collect two pills and managing a grin, "No-one will know", and his voice made them both laugh, he really had had a rough night, "I'll be back", and he disappeared into the bathroom…
Mark had to wait a minute before the door opened and his brother looked at him, a towel the only cloth hiding his body, "Well, Wow, you look awake", "Good morning too you too", "Bringing you your stuff and taking Jeff's over", "Ah, so he gets to stay", "What?", "Nothing", "No he doesn't get to stay, but maybe he'd like fresh cloths don't you think", "Yeah, I didn't say anything", "You're thinking it Glenn", "That's only 'cause you thought of it in the first place Mark", "Right… Whatever", Mark entered and handed Glenn his bag, going over the Jeff's stuff and picking it up, "See you in a bit bro", "Yeah and Mark… Thanx", "Yeah whatever"
Glenn started dressing and getting ready as Mark walked back to his room and got in, there was no noize and he dearly hoped that the punk hadn't fallen asleep in the tube but tough luck, when he opened the door, wondering why it was open more than before, his eyes stopped on Jeff, well, looking at him like this he was kind of breath taking, he must have taken a dive because his hair was wet, a couple of straines were hanging to his face dripping and Mark had to push himself to disturb the calm that was reigning, "Yo Jeff… Jeff", no answer, why did he have to make it even more difficult, "Jeff", there were a couple of options, loud yelling, throwing something in there or try a gentler way, and Mark just chose the third alternative and approached him, shaking him softly by the shoulder, "Jeff", that did it and two emerald orbs glanced at him, "Hey", "You dozed off", "Yeah, sorry", Jeff stretched again, "I'm feeling better than I have for a long time, and I think your bath has an awful lot to do with that", "Yeah, don't get used to it though", "No, but thanx Mark really, and no joke underlining right, I really appreciate what you're doing for me", "Yeah whatever Jeff, here's your stuff, get moving they are waiting already…", Mark turned around and left the bathroom, a little more confused than before and sat on the bed waiting for an unknown reason…
It took Shawn a good twenty minutes to emerge fresh and smiling, grinning at Dave who was sitting down on a bed and Hunter on the other, "Thanx man, thanx, I owe you one", "Glad I could help", he had interrupted their talk about Jeff using Mark's oils, and Dave finding the circumstances weird, "Shawn, you ever had the pleasure to use the Takers oils", "Yeah right, nooooooo, why", "Apparently punk boy is laying in a tube full of them and acted strange when Dave made a comment", "Noooo", "Yeah", Dave sighed, "Guys, ssshhhh, if he used them without his knowledge…", "He'll know, man, the punk's gonna die", Dave objected "No, I think Mark knows and/or at least thought about allowing it", "Nooo", "Yes", "Wow", "Yeah", "At least he'll feel fine", "Yup", Shawn started to get dressed and Dave and Paul continued discussing the subject…
When Jeff emerged out of the tube, he took a towel and started drying himself, looking in the mirror and winced a second at the darkness his bruises had developped before grinning at his image, three shiny titan piercings getting his attention as he continued to dry himself, he hadn't been able to resist, one in the lip, one in the navel and one… Symetrie, they were aligned, but no-one knew and that gave the whole thing an even deeper meaning in his eyes… Grinning he started searching his back, fumbling his cloths out, really didn't take him long to pick what to wear, it took him another five minutes and he got out of the bathroom, finding Mark staring in the air, and stopped in his tracks, contemplating the man intensely, those butterflies starting to move in his belly again…
Mark had heard and sensed him arrive but gave him a minute to stare before turning his head and melting his green eyes with Jeff's, "Finished staring punk?", "Yeah, you interrupted me", "Really?", "Yup, your tattoos struck me for a sec, sorry man", "If you say so", "Yup", Jeff put his stuff next to the bed and tried not to create a too big mess then let himself fall heavily on his bed, gaze on Mark, "When are we going, I'm starving", the glare he got was priceless, "You're not serious Jeff", "What", "That tone, how old are you?", "What… You're starting to mock me again?", "No, you started that yourself punk", Mark got up to get out, followed by Jeff "Can I have a key to this room too?", "Shut it up and move your ass Hardy"…
Mark waited for Jeff to gather some thinks and join him, slapping him in the neck as the younger man passed him, just like that, "Don't annoy me today", "Yeah, says the guy who slaps people", Glenn came down the floor and had seen his brother in action, "You're alive Jeff?", "Barely", grinning and massing his neck, and frankly Jeff didn't understand why he felt suddenly so alive around them but decided he liked it…
(Yeah, I don't know why but I'm very very certain he has a piercing in his beep lol, well at least it wouldn't amaze me a lot… As it will our favorite Taker in the next chapter ;-) )