Punk leaned sitting against the ring post sweating dripping down his tired body, okay so he had some ring rust, hell he had a lot of it he needed to get back into shape. Note to self make sure the clinic has a gym or one close by. He couldn't remember when he had so much fun in the ring last, Colt with his jokes and sense of humor and Punk pulling out his heel persona had been the best. Now however the awkwardness had settled back in for Punk, Colt seemed to be fine of pretending like nothing had happened and Punk was also deciding that perhaps having this talk would have been easier if he wasn't essential in a speedo and his best friends hands hadn't just been all over his body. He cleared his throat awkwardly looking across the ring at Colt the man raised an eyebrow and then gave Punk the middle finger. Punk knew he was trying to lighten the mood but it was going to work that easily. He rub the back of his neck looking down at the ring mat he took a deep breath. "Scott can we talk please?" by using the mans real name he knew Colt would know that this was important. He saw Colt wince visibly and turn his back on Punk.
"We have nothing to talk about Phillip just let it go." Punk grabbed the top rope and pulled himself to his feet his body aching with that simple move.
"Yes we do, we need to talk about last night and everything that happened, you can't avoid it or pretend we need to work this out." Colt turned around and leaned against his corner and Punk noted how they picked corners almost as waiting for the other to make the first move or throw the first blow. Well he had made the first move he just needed for Colt to counter him.
"Last night was last night just let it go Phil, we don't need to focus on it. What more do you want from me?" Punk growled and took a step towards Colt.
"I need you not to hide behind your emotions that is how we got here in the first place you chose to hide how you felt for years and I ignored the obvious signs and paid no attention to how I myself felt towards you. I want you to get angry yell at me, hit me, tell me to go to hell just don't fucking lie because it is not going to fix anything Scott." Colt went to get out of the ring and Punk raced over grabbing his arm to prevent his friends escape shocked a moment later when he was on his ass in the ring thanks to a hard shove from Colt.
"Don't touch me Punk, I am mad at you, at me, I waited way too long and I told myself years ago that you knew and didn't feel the same way and that was okay I accepted that. You weren't gay so I never had to worry about seeing you with another guy. Then along comes fucking Randy and he uses you, hurts you, betrays you and I watch it all. Then to top it off you fall all over yourself to forgive him, to love him when all I ever do is protect you, take care of you, take everything you dish out and fix you when you are fucking miserable and what the hell do I get in return I love you too Scott but its too late I'm gonna pick the douche over you. So now I'm going to pretend that its okay and seeing you with another man doesn't break my fucking heart. Why don't you do us both a fucking favor and let it go because I don't see this conversation ending well if you don't" Punk stood and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Really, it's all about my choice is it. What about your choices Colt, I never asked you to take care of me, or fix me, or fucking protect me. You choose those actions, hell you chose to put your life on pause in hopes I would return your feelings when was the last time you had a relationship? I set you up with Cody and you think that didn't hurt, it fucking killed me but I knew he is perfect for you, but now you are bound to ruin that by hoping Randy and I don't last and you can be there to pick up the pieces again? Guess what it is going to last he is not going to go anywhere. Scott stop living your life through me and pursue your own, I am grateful beyond words for your friendship but at some point there has to be a disconnect for the two of us and we need to establish boundaries because although I do love you, I'm in love with him. You pretending isn't going to fix this, facing it head on so it's not awkward and we drift apart is how we need to handle this. I would love to stand here and fight with you all day until we both are crying, or screaming, or throwing punches but I feel like crap I may be going through slight withdrawal right now and it may be hitting me harder than it was earlier and god I really want to take a couple pills. Guess that is something else I need to face head on right now. I'm rambling now and I can see the concern so I am going to so play on that and asked my best friend to take care of me one last time before he decided to be all distant while I'm in essentially rehab with a different name. By the time I get out I expect you to deal with your shit see a therapist. Can you please take me home before I go raid the lockers here because I guarantee I could probably find something to take." Colt slid out of the ring and pulled Punk out collecting their bags turning and looking at Punk who sat on one of the benches.
"Your right on some of that, I have put my life on hold and its been forever since I dated anyone seriously. Cody is a great guy and I am going to give him a real chance, just don't expect it to be easy for me to see you with him for a while. I'm jealous as all fuck of Randy and that drives me crazy. I like taking care of you, protecting you, and fixing you. You need people to do that for you, that stick around even when you are at your worst. You may never have asked me to do that but you never told me to stop or pushed me away but I knew that you needed a person to trust and I was glad it was me and I hope it still will be. I love you Phil even with all your attitude, fuck ups, and hostility. Of course I will get you home, and no pills ever again." He pulled Punk up and wrapped an arm around his waist guiding him to the doorway, turning off the lights he led him outside and over to his car. After Punk was settled he started the car and looked over at him. "What the hell were you thinking the first time you have been in the ring in a few months and you are coming off pills, and have worked out in forever I bet you feel like shit right now. Sometimes you are not the brightest crayon in the box Punkers" Punk smile at the nickname and just shrugged staring out the window.
"What can I say I get off on the pain." Colt groaned and shook his head knowing there was a double meaning behind Punks words.
Randy watched as they drove away knowing Punk would be pissed that he was spying on them but he had to make sure nothing happened between the two, and that Punk didn't go off and get drugs. Though mainly he didn't trust Colt right now, in fact he really wouldn't mind if Punk wasn't friends with the man but he knew that would break Punk's heart so he had to bite the bullet and accept the man into their lives forever. He took his time getting home and by the time he arrived Punk was asleep on the couch with a cool cloth on his forehead and Colt was flipping through a comic. "Hey how was the morning?" Colt just nodded pretty much ignoring Randy and the viper could feel the anger rising. He stalked over and grabbed Colt's arm pulling him into the kitchen. "Look we don't have to like each other but for Punk's sake we need to be civil. I don't trust you, and you don't trust me but Punk is mine and if you make him choose it will be me we both know that so drop the attitude tell me how your morning was, how he is doing, and have a conversation." Colt folded his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes but spoke.
"It was good, he was fine in the ring with me but needs to do some conditioning and workout. He didn't freak out at all so hopefully that means he will be able to wrestle again. Punk himself is okay he has a headache and feels very rundown but as we both know it will pass in day or two he obviously did more codeine then he is letting on though if he is going through withdrawals. Keep an eye on him, when do you leave for the center and where is it?" Randy grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and looked at Colt.
"We leave in two hours, it is in Colorado some type of ranch, but it was a gym and plenty of trails and running areas. Plus some of the best therapy in the world, if you want to visit let me now I will arrange it, and he will have his cell so feel free to call anytime you want. They are making an exception to the rule at the recommendation of Derick so he can reach me whenever he wants."
"Co-dependent much" Colt muttered glancing at Punk in the living room. "Tell him I said bye and I will call him tomorrow and not to worry we are still best friends even if his fiance is the biggest ass in the world." With that Colt left the house and Randy walked over to Punk slightly worried that Colt was right and they were too co-dependent on each other. Was that always a bad thing though he wondered. He shook Punk and handed him the bottle of water when he awoke.
"Go take a shower babe I am going to call Chris and see if he has any recommendations for codeine withdrawal" Punk looked at the floor his cheeks turning red, Randy grabbed his chin and raised his head up kissing him lightly. "No more lies right?" Punk nodded and stood going to shower and finish packing. Randy placed the call and looked around his home smiling he couldn't wait for Alanna to be here with them, and maybe a few more when they were ready. They were going to make it Randy knew this in his heart and the viper was never wrong.
Months had flown by and Punk was heeling, it was taking time but things were changing for the better. He currently sat in a small room waiting with his friends. He looked at Daniel and John and shook his head as his godson let out a squeal at the funny face John was making. Ace and Joe were having a quiet discussion that seemed rather important so he left them alone, he turned to his left and tried not to cringe at the couple making out in the corner. He now understood Colt's jealousy hell he felt it sneak up on him from time to time despite the fact that he was incredibly happy with Randy. Colt's tongue was currently shoved down his husband's throat and Cody was wrapped securely around him. Yup that didn't hurt at all either the fact that they had run off and gotten married after only three months of dating and now were in the honeymoon phase of their relationship well that just sucked. He was happy for them but a little jealous they had gotten married first, and even more confused how Colt had moved on so quickly, yet he had decided to let it go like Colt wanted and they were working their way back to a solid neutral ground in their relationship.
John standing caught his attention and he was grateful for the distraction. "Well I am going to go do the best man thing and calm your groom down." Punk actually laughed at this and shook his head.
"Please he woke me up at four am this morning with a song about how it was our wedding day and I am a sleepy head this after spending most of the night having sex and then having more sex after he woke me up. He is not nervous in the least bit just annoying. Hopefully he calms down after the ceremony or I may kill him on the honeymoon. Oh then he went on a rant about finding a surrogate so we could start on project baby. Excuse me I never agreed to Project Baby I am going back to wrestling next week, and am headlining Wrestlmania this year against your dumb ass we do not have time for a baby right now. I blame both of you ever since he held that little one it's all he can talk about. Tell him to stop or I am divorcing his ass John, tell him do you hear me" he rambled nervously it wasn't getting married that made him nervous it was the whole notion of marriage he never believed in it before Randy and he still had lingering doubts but knew he would say I do no matter what the voice in the back of his mind was screaming.
"Okey dokey" said John walking over to Colt her shoved him towards Punk "you have best man duties handle him he is freaking out." Punk glared at John as he left the room but smiled brightly when a ball of red tulle ran into the room.
"Dad, Daddy says we need to start now he is not waiting any longer. Get your well he said a bad word that I can not repeat but it starts with an a to the alter." Punk smiled brightly reaching down he smoothed Alanna's dress and kissed her forehead.
"Thanks pumpkin I will be right out go tell Randy I need five minutes and take everyone but Colt with you." She nodded and everyone followed the girl, his daughter legally now since Sam had given up her rights and he had officially adopted the little girl. Colt sat beside him and Punk rested his head on his shoulder taking several deep breaths breathing the smell of his friend in allowing the scent to sooth his frazzled nerves. Colt gave him a hug and Punk smiled.
"You okay want me to cause a distraction while you make a run for it?" Punk laughed nervously but shook his head.
"No I want to marry him, I just didn't realize when he said he wanted a wedding he meant a real wedding, there are a lot of people here and I have seen most of them in months and the rumors of me being a drug addict and in rehab are all over and I am sure some of them believe the rumors. Not that they are totally wrong but they aren't right either. Plus his whole family and well my people that's a lot. How did you do it convince Cody to run off and elope? Why did you do it? You seem really in love with him." Colt didn't answer at first just fixing Punk's tie.
"I still have feelings for you if that is what you are asking, but Cody is the better half of me. It wasn't east at first even after we got married which was me being rash and saying the hell with it and convincing him it would be a brilliant idea despite the fact that I never had told him I loved him, that took a while longer but now I can say I do honestly love him and am grateful that he puts up with all my bullshit about you. Don't worry about what anyone out there thinks about you the only one who matters is waiting very impatiently at the alter for you and happens to think you are perfect. Now let's go your kid is waiting to throw out a bunch of flowers how did you end up being the chick in this scenario?" Punk stood pursing his lips slightly.
"He didn't play fair, pointed out I was the chick in the relationship and then proceeded to show me how I am, and he wouldn't let me cum until I agreed with walking down the aisle to him. It's obnoxious that he can do that. Hey don't look at me like that you asked so not my fault you didn't like the answer." Colt rolled his eyes and headed through the door Punk following.
Punk watched Alanna disappear through the door and then Colt, he took a deep breath as the music hit for him and had to laugh when AFI began to play. Only Randy would think of that, the doors opened and he took a deep breath looking up and when olive meant silvery blue the smile that spread across Punk's face could not be denied. Love reflecting in each others eyes, as silver had learned not to be so cold, and olive learned he was strong enough to survive.
Sorry this is so short it is really a set up to the next chapter which is the final chapter besides the epilogue. Everyone please review.
lamentomori thank you for all the positive feedback despite the fact you still haven't publicly reviewed this lol , your story Tail of a Comet is one of my absolute favorites and everyone should go read it. It is an amazing Colt/Punk story for those who long for that coupling that is entirely not written enough on this site.