(Thank you so much all for your Reviews)
(Never got to apologize for all the spelling and grammar mistakes, those little bastards taunt me constantly and sometimes they manage to slip my attention, so sorry ;-))
Chapter 11
It was close to 14:30 when they started their way down, Shawn one arm losely put around Jeff who had flinched at the touch at first but not letting Hardy push him away he whispered in his ear, "So how was it with the mean guy", "What?", "Yeah, heard you used his oils", "Soooo", "None of us ever had that pleasure, how was it", "Nice, I'm moving with no pain at all, kinda weird", "Does he know", Jeff lowered his gaze and murmured, "Nooo", "Ahh, well watch it, he might snap when he finds out", "If you say so Shawn", Shawn chuckled, "No I know Hardy, I know, why you think none of us ever tried, well I know someone who tried once", Shawn pulled a pain stricking face, "Not to recommend I swear, and I was only watching the kill", Jeff finally managed to push him away, "Tough luck", "Oooh", landing in the wall, "Ouch Hardy, wanna fight?" only to have Jeff grinning at him, "Only if you want to", "No, I'll ask Vince to get a cage match against you", Jeff looked at him, "a cage match?", Hunter got in the elevator first, "Yeah, he likes to be in confined spaces with people, watch it, your virtue is on the line on this one", "You are so funny Hunter", Shawn followed him kicking him in the leg…
Mark stopped and growled, "Don't tell me that the bickering continues", "Well you were the first, you and the punk, what was that about anyways", Shawn looked from one to the other, a sweet innocent smile on his lips and enjoying the speechlessness both protagonists were showing, Jeff suddenly very interested with the carpet on the floor and Mark staring without any sign of emotion at Shawn, "oh, this bad wow", "Shawn, shut up", Dave pushed Jeff in the elevator as Glenn did the same with his brother, Hunter objecting, "No killing in here, don't want to get covered in blood", "Then keep your buddy quiet", "I'm not responsible for anything he does Mark", "I'll make you… How come you always miss the moment to keep quiet Michaels", "Well there's obvious things going on which stay oblivi…", he couldn't finish his sentence, Dave's hand efficiently blocking his mouth, "I say enough, or this will be your last known location Michaels, got that", Shawn made a funny face but agreed, pretending to close his mouth with a key and then throw it away…
They got down without anymore incidents, and were faced with the serious question of where to go to, "Man, if we start walking around town, we'd better prepare for a fan-rush guys, there's no way all six of us together can make it low profile, anyone knows a place we could go, by cab?", Hunter was right, they would be recognized and even if they were ok with it most of the time it didn't have to be every day, and basically all shaking there heads, Mark answered, "We could stay here, already tested their bar, let's test their restaurant and since you wanted sauna and all this afternoon Hunter we'd be here", "Yeah, you plan to join me", "If everyone comes", Hunter looked at Mark who didn't flinch and stared back sternly, "What", "Wow, nothing, yeah, everybody will come right guys", Glenn, Shawn and Jeff all three pulled worthy pout faces, Jeff the first to object "I wanted to rest", "Yeah me too", "You can rest in a sauna you know", "Yeah, with Shawn on my ass, right", "Hey, I don't wanna go, it's not my idea, but if everyone goes", Shawn grinned, Mark decided to call to subject closed, "Good, we'll all go", and Dave and Hunter smiled at each other, this situation was getting more and more interesting…
"That way to the restaurant", "How you know", "There's a sign", "Damn", "Shawn, if you continue…", Jeff started making signs to Shawn behind Mark's back but not for long before the Taker stopped and his hand reached for his neck, but instead of squeezing tight as he had planed and felt the urge to he just rested his hand there, caressing with the thumb and making Jeff feel very strange, "Stop it kid or I'll snap your neck, I won't let you mock me", Dave was ready to intervene but interrupting that gentle moment was not something he wanted to do, "Nobody mocks no-one, jeez, let's all behave", Dave entered the restaurant followed by Shawn being pushed by Hunter and Glenn after he had smiled at his brother, "Man bro no wonder everyone teases you guys", Mark followed trying not to read too much into what had just happened, hell he wanted to hurt him and then that, Jeff scotched to the spot, not sure how he should feel after that touch, he still felt slight tremors run through his body followed too after a little moment, a little embarassed that a simple touch like that could make him feel this way and tried his best to hide the flushing of his cheeks…
Hunter managed to get the waiter to get them a table in the back, low profile, but they didn' t get to the table without whispers and smiles and hellos, getting down and sighing, "Wow", Hunter smiled, "Bets on who will have to sign first", "No, I rather have a quiet lunch", Glenn smirked as Shawn shot him "No-one wants you to sign anything Kane, they all want me, so you're off duty as everyone else on this table", Dave slapped him since Mark made him a sign, he couldn't reach, "Damn you, just keep it low and shut up, you're such a pain in the ass, I should have let you suffer", "Oh yes, thank you very much you mean person"
They somehow went 'till after they gave up their orders without bickering, then came the comments about the beer after the night they'd had but that subject got glared down by Shawn, and in front of the waiter who did his best not to seem too imprest they managed to keep it down…
Jeff was playing with his food, Mark wanting to comment on it but his brother's smile kept him from actually saying something, luckily Glenn jumped in to help him, "Not hungry punk?", "Starving, didn't eat in a day", "You lost your mind?" Dave's voice had some concern it it, "No, I just couldn't down a single bite yesterday, guess the anticipation and adrenalin rush before the match", "And after", "Felt even less compelled to eat and then came the drinking obligations", "You didn't eat before the match? I mean lunch?", "No, couldn't get my stomach to accept anything", Mark shook his head, "Immature and unreasonable, you're playing with your health", Jeff looked at him and barked back "You'd prefer I had forced myself and then vomitted in the ring? During the match", Mark resisted the urge to slam his fork in his face especially since Shawn nearly spat out what he had been chewing laughing and Dave sighing, "Jeff, please, I'm trying to eat, stories about vomit won't help me to enjoy it, thanx and Mark's right, not eating weakens your body, especially before that kind of match", he hadn't wanted them to know, and now he got exactly what he had thought he'd get, "Ok, I know, can we change the subject now"
Mark's voice was merely a whisper, "You saw a doc after the match, right?", "What for?", "Punk…", "I'm ok", "Right", Dave decided he couldn't let Jeff alone against Mark on that one, "And you Mark, met the doc yesterday?", "What? No, why?", "Then you shouldn't scold him for not having done it, you're both a little irresponsible on this", "As if you'd always see a doc Batista", "Yeah I do", "Right", "No I'm serious, you've got no idea of what those kicks with the ladder and the chairs did to your bodies", "Nothing", "Oh right, you don't know that do you", "I feel fine", "You can't know that", Jeff shot Dave a glare, "Stop it, I'm ok, I'd feel if something was badly injured, so cut it man", this time it was Mark joining him, "Yeah, it's none of your concern Dave", Dave staring at them as Glen couldn't keep back, "Yeah, first your fighting each other and the sec someone get's involved you join forces against them", "No", "Whatever Mark", "Can we finish lunch guys", "We do", "Yeah, with bickering and silly discussions", "At least we're not getting bored", they finished lunch and got back out to the lobby heading for the elevators…
"In 15 down?", "Yeah", they got out and left Dave getting to his floor and walked to their respectif rooms to get the things they'd need for their little trip to the sauna, Jeff trying hard not to look at Mark, he could still feel the touch of the Deadman in his neck and it felt to good to even think about it, he couldn't even start to understand where that touch had come from and didn't want to risk to… ruin it as Dave had put it, even if he still didn't know what that it was he could possibly ruin, maybe that gentleness, but than again, that was not going to be permanent, that was a one time thing…
Mark followed him discretely, two green eyes measuring the younger man and trying to come to terms with the conflicted feelings… He stalted his thoughts right there, promising his brother and the others a painful death, they'd had obviously managed to get him obsessed, a long enough teasing leads in that direction, he kicked the bed as if it had anything to do with it only to be mocked by Jeff, "Whatever it is I doubt the bed had anything to do with it", and Jeff regretted his words immediately seeing the look they earned him, "What? Mark cool, I was joking ok", Mark just kept his eyes on him and Jeff wondered a second if this would become a staring contest, he just couldn't move, not his body, not his eyes and surely not his mind, "Mark?", the adressed man wondered if that was fear he saw flicker in those magnificent eyes, he didn't want to scare him, hell all he seemed to be able of doing anymore was scare the shit out of himself, and now Jeff too and that was something he didn't want to do, he bitterly thought how 24 hours could change the situation, yesterday all he wanted to do was terrorize and break him and today, well today, the Taker hadn't come to terms with what exactly he wanted now, at least it didn't include scaring the shit out of the boy…
"Yeah, no, cool, ha ha, very funny, bad bed right", he kicked the bed again, Jeff just continued to look at him before a smile spread accross his face, "I thought you were about to… No, never mind…", "No, I wasn't Jeff…", Mark finished getting his things, clutching to them, "You're ready?", "Yeah", he gave Jeff a look that made the younger man shudder, what was going on with Mark today, "You're ok?", "Yeah, why not?", "Not sure, call it a gut feeling", "Your gut should mind its own business punk", "If you say so", there was a growl, "I demand so", Jeff glared at him, "No-one demands things of me, I don't owe you obedience or anything, man, who do you think I am,", not ready to let the Deadman command him trough the day and demand things of him, the old defiance came back fueled with some rage "That, I'm still trying to find out punk", with that he turned and stared at Glenn who stood in the doorframe speechless, "Wow, one question, just one, are you guys actually listening to each other, man, bickering just got elevated to the next level with you guys, Shawn and Hunter are going to lose that title to you two", Kane of course getting the attention of the others, much to the despair of Mark who was at a loss of words, trying to channel all the emotions that were flooding him, rage, anger, a lot of confusion, "What's going on over here?", Hunter's face showed in the doorframe, "He's still alive, we should start taking bets on how long Hardy will stay alive around the Darkman", there was giggling and Shawn appeared, "You guys ready for the sweat contest", Hunter entered and took Jeff with him, "Let the brothers talk, wouldn't want them to go berzerk in the sauna"
Jeff felt a little awkward, not knowing what was going on, and the two grinning degenerates pulling him alone made him a little nervous, and not to mention that his body wasn't ready for sprints or anything, "Slow it guys, and don't pull me like that", he grabbed Hunter's hand and shoved it away massing his arm, "Oooh poor baby hurt", there was a slap and Shawn held his cheek, gazing speechless at Jeff, "Quit annoying me man", Hunter just whistled and had a large smirk on his face, "Wow, nice move kid", "Could you quit calling me that", "Nope", "Right", Shawn just stared at Jeff in obvious disbelief, he wasn't hurt or anything, maybe his pride a little, but that that little prick had had the balls to slap him in an elevator with no means of immediate escape amazed him, "Silly punk, you'll get that one back for sure", "Can't wait for that to happen", "Yo boys, quit it please", Hunter went between them, and grapped both by the neck pushing them out of the elevator, there was an amused snore, "Aaah, the boys not nice?", "No, help me, which one you want", Dave smiled and pointed Jeff, "That one please", "You're both such pricks", Shawn tried to get lose but Hunter just squeezed tighter, "Nope, stay here you", shoving Jeff in Dave's direction who rapidly replaced the missing hand in his neck, "Not been nice?", "Man you're in for some trouble", Jeff tried to slam him in the wall but Batista just smiled, "That ain't working in this lifetime boy", giving up because his body hurt too much "Oh yeah it will, you'll see", they made it to the changing rooms and Hunter and Dave put down Shawn and Jeff in opposite directions, Shawn grinning at him, "Don't you find it funny that they make this worse as it is", "Yeah", they managed to get undressed and ready for the sauna without any bloodshed and Jeff kept his little secret to himself…
Glenn closed the door staring at his brother, "What exactly you're trying to achieve stays a complete mystery to me you know, but I can't remember having seen you so… out of control, what is going on, you scare people with your glares and not your tongue remember", Mark just glared at him, "I don't know, I'm losing it around that kid", Glenn sighed "Yeah, and I remember having told you to come to terms with that before harm is done", "what sort of harm, he can speak up for himself, I promise, I'm more often on the receiving end than he is", "No you're not, he's just responding defiantly to your attacks, one would think you're still trying to break him", "Absolutely not, I just don't get him, and that angers me", "Why", "I don't know", "He's kinda cute", Mark stared in disbelief "Tell me you just didn't say that", "I did, and I am right, you know it", there was a hand that came dangerously close to his throat, "Don't even think of doing that bro, I'm still bigger than you", "Then you quit annoying me with the subject, I do annoy myself enough with it", Glenn let out a sigh, "I pity that kid, this ain't over it seems", "It is", Mark followed Glenn out, "No word…", "None, but you know they get the signals too you know", "There are no signals", Glenn stopped, "Never pictured you to be hypocrite", "Glenn…", "Nevermind, I'll keep it to myself, even why you're so eager to go to the sauna", Mark wanted to smack his brothers head, "Glenn… My body aches from the match, a sauna and a later dive in the pool will help, now what's there to ponder about", "Why you wanted everyone to be there", "Didn't want the sleepyheads to get their rest, I'm a saddist, didn't you know",
Jeff had his towel around his waist and moved up to one of the higher benches, propping his head on a second towel and stretching his body sighed contently, even if the bath had relaxed his body and soothed the pain he still could feel some discomfort in his back, "This will be perfect for a nap", Dave got done on the second highest sitting to his left "That will be dangerous Jeff, you never know what Shawn might do to you", there was giggling and Hunter and Shawn entered too, both looking at Jeff, leaving Dave with no other choice, "No, that subject stays out of here, you heard me you freaks", "Just a peak", "It's not your place to want to do such a thing, man, I don't even want to know you right now", Dave sighed deeply gaining Jeff's attention, "What now" his gaze going from Dave to Hunter and Shawn, both smiling sweetly, "Nothing", Hunter pushed Shawn down and joined too, "Should we start or wait for the brothers from hell"…
"I'll give you from hell", Glenn entered, smacking Shawn on his leg with his second towel, he had had the same idea as Jeff, sauna means resting time, got down leaving the only bigger spot that was still unoccupied below Jeff for his brother knowing it would dephaze him completely, even if he had said no more comments would exit his mouth, that didn't include actions and he had to admit that he didn't like to see his brother like that, it had been fun for a couple of days, hell weeks, but now it started affecting everybody else too…
Mark entered, and caught his brother getting comfortable, of course the bastard had had to do this, right, trying not to let it get to him he couldn't but growl at Hunter, "Why's there no steam?", "We were waiting for you guys… Didn't want to miss your entry to this delicious place", "Cut the crap and activate your ass Hunter", Mark got down below Jeff who turned his head and repositionned so he could look at all, mainly at Mark but who could tell anyways…
Shawn poked at Jeff's leg, tracing his tattoo with a finger and Jeff making a desperate sound, "Shawn man, cut it", lifted his leg to kick that annoying hand away, "Man, you're a pain in the ass", Mark hated himself that his eyes had been directed in that direction, or no, no, he was actually glad for that little mishapp, even if it added to his general confusion when it came to Jeff, I don't believe it but it suits you well Hardy, extreme to the core, right kid, he did find it quite right, afterall the kid was extreme, why not such a, wow, he mentally chuckled at the idea he was probably the only one knowing, the gossip not to have come to his ears yet and then came the realization of what he had seen and Jeff could tell by Mark's expression that maybe, just maybe he had lifted his leg to high, or in a bad angle, or at the wrong moment or a combination of all three, but so far no-one acted as if they had been able to see his hidden piercing, he sure as hell didn't want Shawn to know, but Shawn was busy trying to get Dave of his butt, who wanted to help Jeff gain some peace and the only one to give him a gaze worth millions was Mark…
"I'm not sure kids are allowed in here, cut it guys, I wouldn't want anyone to get sick on this ride", Hunter started pouring the water and it didn't take long before they all started to sweat, "Ah this is a bliss", Hunter's voice only mirrored bless and relaxation before Glenn's bark interrupted his near-moan, This is hell you stupid ass", "No, a bliss", Mark started to relax his body even if his mind had gotten stuck on a little shiny something, "No bickering", Dave felt like compelled to say something just before Jeff objected "Who does this freely", Shawn willingly answering "You do", "Blow me", Dave sighed "Don't say such things, you know he's crazy enough to actually give it a second thought", Shawn giggled, ""Not only second thought", Jeff got up a little and slid a little closer to the wall, getting comfortable further away from Shawn even if it meant not being in the best position anymore, who grinned at him, "Don' get away from me punk, I just want to get to know you better… closer…", and as Shawn moved closer to Jeff, Mark got up and slid in between them, "Back off Shawn, there's not enough space over here for all of us… and I don't wanna get covered in your sweat"
Glenn actually forgot to breath for a couple of seconds, knowing his brother, his tone and his persona he clearly sensed the seriousness in his voice and hoped that Shawn wouldn't want to mess with him, but Shawn too saw the intensity of the Takers glare and decided not to want to try and find out why he acted suddenly like that, well suddenly, Shawn bend to Hunter whispering, "Now he starts protecting his prey", "He's not his prey Shawn, back off, Mark's right, there's place here for people who don't move around", Dave added, "Yeah, and I really don't want to get any of your parts near my face now move it Shawn", deciding he wanted to play it safe he moved one bench higher closer to Glen, knowing Shawn wouldn't mess with Kane…
No-one noticed that Glen's arm slid a little further and his hand started first resting on Dave's shoulder, then moved to give his neck a tender massage and no-one noticed their gazes that melted for instant and their grinning… Shawn as busy with giving Mark evil glares, Hunter was resting eyes closed as was Jeff, who's hand took a downfall direction Mark's shoulder too after a while and rested there, Hardy a little shocked of the connection it had made staying calm without any reaction… Mark had just turned his head a little, the black nail polish unmistakably pointing to only one possible owner and that just made the touch even more intense, even Shawn deciding to leave it alone this time and putting his head on Hunter chest, "Hug me baby", before getting shoven away, "Get a grip idiot, annoy someone else"
"You're ok punk", something close to a purr "Humm", "That was sure a clear answer", "Humm Yeah", the hand squeezed tenderly and Mark felt only heat flow trough him and couldn't resist a quick smile, before leaning his head against his arm and sighing, what was going on, this shouldn't be feeling this way, what was that punk doing to him, he wasn't supposed the feel such things, he tried gathering all his strength to straighten up before someone could notice but failed miserably, well Jeff sure had noticed and had gathered all his courage on his side to start and caressing the Deadman's neck, not sure why but it felt like the right thing to do and that was what he usually did, go with the flow, he could blame it on the steam later on…
"Some more?", it was not as if Hunter was expecting any answer as he got up to put a second load of water on the stones, who'd care that they were already in there way too long, he didn't comment on the actual cuddle time that seemed to have hit everybody, not really amazed, sometimes it could get lonely on the road, Glen and Dave were probably joking, trying to find out who's fingers were stronger with their enlaced hands, Jeff and Mark on the other hand, he couldn't but notice some kind of serenity envelopping the two men, one he didn't want to destroy and better keep Shawn busy too, unfortunately Shawn had noticed too and was kind of hanging all over them, Jeff had his head back against the wall, eyes closed and arm still hanging down with Marks head resting on it, hand playing with a lock of hair now, Mark's eyes were closed too and they looked way to peaceful, Hunter whispered "Shawn don't please", Shawn pondering the question a second before leaning back…
Mark was silently wondering what was happening to them, when it had come to the point where he actually enjoyed the punk to come this close to him, This is not happening, no, really not, despite his thoughts the Taker didn't move an inch, even snuggeled closer onto the arm before a voice could be heard, "Man this is pure evil torture you know that guys, is that your way for getting back at me for some reason", Mark wasn't sure if Jeff was talking about his head or the sauna but decided on the latter, opening his eyes lazily they connected with Glen's who had been staring intensely at his brother and Jeff, none of them flinched but Mark grinned seeing that Glen and Dave were trying to make each other abandon on an elaborate finger game, he could read many things in his eyes, hidden knowledge, as if he could give him a logical answer on all his questions but Mark was not near ready to go and get them, he merely answered Jeff, "You better not die on us punk, Vince would make our lives a hell", Shawn let out a long sigh "Noooo, my live's already one, he's right, this is bad, I don't know how you can stand this guys", "We just endure", "Oh yeah, but I'm out of here", "Shawn", "Nooo, really, too warm, we've been in here sooo long", Glen joined the discussion, "Yeah, we've been in here for ages guys", "Way too long by the way", Dave let go of the hand mumbling "We're not done", Glen gladly answering "Nope, but this sauna session sure is" before getting up and out, inhaling as he stepped into the refreshingly cool air followed by Shawn and Dave…
Hunter was still lying confortably there, "Wuzzes, really", Mark chuckled softly against Jeff's skin, tickling him a little, "No, they are right, this can't be healthy this long", if it hadn't been for Mark's head against his arm Jeff would have gotten out too and Mark somewhat hoped that he was the reason for him to still be in here, sighing he finally straightened up, Jeff caressing a spot behind his ear as he let go of the strand of hair and moved his arm making sparks fly through Mark's entire body, damn that boy really got to him…
"I'm out of here", Mark hoped that his voice wouldn't betray the emotional rollercoaster that was going on inside of him, but Hunter just seemed annoyed that everybody decided to abandon him, as Jeff got up to leave too, thinking it might be best to change without someone in, especially Mark, but unfortunately both Mark and Hunter joined him to get ready to head for the pool, the others already in it…
Hunter pushed Jeff in the pool only to have Mark do the same to him, "Last man standing, same as always", "Yeah bro, big mouth you've got there", Glen had gotten out and came up from behind and they both went flying in, "Man this is a blast", "Yeah, a lot better than the sauna", "Stupid asses", "Thanx Hunter, very eloquent of yours, glad no-one else is here to hear you swear at us", "Wow, you know a word like eloquent punk, not bad", "Fuck yourself Hunter", Shawn snuck up behind Jeff and pushed him under water laughing, "Happy dive and don't talk like that to my…", Jeff pulling him with him didn't let him time to close his mouth before his head disappeared and Jeff dove away hiding behind Mark…
Shawn made it up coughing, "You're sooooooo dead", "Will have to get me first won't ya", "Ooooh, soooooo soooooooo dead Jeff and the Deadman won't be able of saving you", Mark gave him a funny a look as he came swimming closer and Shawn wasn't sure if he would intervene or not, "Yo Mark move a little", "No", "Hey, I don't want you, just him", "I don't care, I'm not moving", Jeff made clear he stayed nicely behind Mark, on the supposedly safe side, but Hunter was getting close from behind and took him by the waist to throw him in Shawn's direction, "Here you go Shawn, one Hardy", "Hey, not fair", Shawn put his arms around him, "No, not fair really" and pushed him underneath trying to keep him there but Jeff wasn't ready to give up and he ended diving too…
Hunter sighed, "Kids, can't behave", only to have Glen and Mark both grin at him, "No guys please", "What", they both approached him from two sides, "I get bad vibrations Hunter, I'd get out if I were you", Dave felt somewhat save on the other side of the relatively large pool in the whirlpool…
Shawn lost Jeff under water and only managed to see him as he emerged close to the whirlpool and got in there too, "Aaah, safer here", "Yeah, you only think so 'cause you don't know Dave well", Shawn was on his way to and help Hunter, but one of Glen's glares and pretty mean smiles made him stop, "Sorry pal, you're on your own on this one", "Chicken", "Yeah, with those two yeah", Hunter took a nice and long dive, and a second and a third, Shawn getting out, "Yo guys, it's already 18:30", "No", "Yup", Dave got out of the whirlpool, Jeff still spread out in it, "Time to get ready for dinner boy", Mark had swom to the whirlpool and tested how it felt to caress the punks hair, and to his own confusion it felt rather good, and apparently not only to himself, he could have sworn he had heard a little moan escape Jeff's throat before he got up and smiled nearly shyly at him…
They made it to their rooms to get ready for eight, Mark stopping in the middle of the room, asking, "Wanna head under the shower first punk?", "Don't care honestly", "But I do, so how's it gonna be?", "You chose, "Jeff, don't test my patience", "I'm not testing I'm just telling you I'm not difficult", "I hope your joking right", "Argh, ok, I'll go first, damn you Deadman", Mark could just marvel at Jeff's outburst and fight a laughing fit, "Whatever punk, but don't use all the hot water", "You're such a pain, I'll only leave you ice-cold water, I'll freeze it myself I swear, just to annoy you", with that Jeff disappeared in the bathroom and Mark got down on the couch, promising himself he wouldn't peak, he was pretty sure of what he saw, but the idea of getting a confirmation wasn't far…