By the next day, Miz was back to his regular self. He was strutting around, fedora placed firmly on his head and a smirk plastered on his face. Jake watched him carefully, waiting for the cracks in the façade to show. They had a few house shows, nothing serious. TNA was passing through town, so old friends got to reunite.

There was a silent agreement amongst both rosters that if you were in a friendly mood, to go to this bar down the road from the hotel. It was pretty spacious, but it filled up quickly. A lot of people from both brands showed up, ready to chill for the night and let the past stay behind them.

Miz was quick to flirt and work his way into all the groups of the bar, causing anyone who looked upon him to instantly fall in love. How could anyone not with Miz looking as fine as he did? He'd gone full-out tonight, from his dark slim-fitted jeans to his dark amethyst long-sleeved shirt that trimmed close to his waist.

If Jake was more insecure, he would've thought that Mike was cruising for a new trick. But he was confidant in their relationship, he didn't care who Miz flirted with or for how long. He knew his lover wouldn't cheat on him, not after that last incident. Mike was just flirty by nature, it was how he conned people into thinking he wasn't a threat - then he destroyed them.

Jake sat alone at a table near the back, watching his love as he wiggled his way between Matt and Chris. The couple seemed happy to have him, both allowing him to steal their drinks and whisper to them. It was nothing new, and the older men seemed to be greatly amused by the flamboyant young man. Hell, later on in the year, Chris and Mike's storylines were going to entwine and they would spending more time together. The blonde laughed at something Miz cooed to him, reaching up and smoothing back a few of the stray strands in his faux-hawk. Miz crinkled up his nose gamely, shaking his head slightly.

The couple laughed at this, shooing Miz off with a good-natured pat to the butt.

Jake jolted as two hands fell upon his shoulders, forcing him to spill his drink over his hand. He cursed lowly, looking between the two younger man that had appeared at his sides. Chris Sabin was on his left, lengthy copper hair framing his face and falling in his eyes enticingly. He was a handsome creature, one look into his eyes would reveal that he was brimming with dark thoughts. Alex Shelley, his partner in crime and bedmate, had a more innocent expression. He was quite handsome himself, with his dark hair and eyes, less dark and more kind than his counterpart.

The Motor City brats.

"Hey Jake" Alex offered him a smile, hand still firmly on his shoulder.

"Hey guys" Jake sighed, mopping up his spilled drink with a napkin.

Chris slid a tumbler of whiskey in front of him in consolation, but his smirk made the blonde wary. The younger man followed his previous line of sight, finding The Miz and giving a small chuckle.

"You've snagged a nice piece of ass" Alex commented.

Chris snickered, "From what I hear, you're his piece of ass."

"So what?" Jake downed half his drink, not even wincing at the burn it caused.

"It's not a bad thing" the brunette amended "You guys make it work."

"Have you two been stalking me?" Jake inquired, looking between them suspiciously.

"No" Chris lied "But he's hot, I'll give you that. Manipulative, psychotic, violent…but sexy as hell."

Jake couldn't help the satisfied smirk that curled his lips, "My little vixen…"

"Your Demon of Desire" Chris purred, saddling up close to the blonde.

"Your Solider of Seduction" Alex tisked, seeing the way Miz was draping himself over a sober Punk "A little handsy, isn't he? Aren't you pissed?"

"Nah" Jake threw back the rest of his drink "I trust Mike. He doesn't mean anything by it. I know who's bed he come-th back to at the end of the night."

Alex raked his teeth over his lower lip, "As long as you're okay with it…"

"I really am" Jake replied truthfully. He knew Mike was faithful to him, that his loyalties lied with him first and no other. This could be seen by anyone who bothered to look, for every few minutes Miz would shoot him a smoldering gaze and smile sweetly. It was to show him that he was thinking of him the entire time, though not at his side. The drinks that had appeared on his table were all from the Demon of Desire, paid directly from his shiny credit card.

"I heard something rather displeasing" Alex whispered in his ear, looking at the blonde while Jake had eyes only for his lover "Word in the TNA locker room is that McIntyre…McMahon's precious chosen one…is gunning for your demon."

Jake's lips pursed at this, ears burning at the memory of the dressing room incident.

"Yeah, I know" Jake spat, halting his insults when the waitress came by and set down three beers. He flashed her a 10 cent smile, getting one in return. The moment she was gone, his lips turned down in a deep scowl.

"The fucker's done more than you know" Jake informed them "No respect, no fucking boundaries…I'm going to have to set him in his place."

Chris cocked an eyebrow, "Can we get the details?"

Jake shot him a dirty look, "…no."

The Guns nodded, understanding the harsh tone for what it was. McIntyre must have done something horrible to piss the normally easy-going blonde off. Miz and Jake had been together since the Oklahoman was green, just in the WWE with big ECW Championship dreams. They had a deep bond, one that people seemed to love to fuck with.

Since Jake was too busy soothing his throat with a chugging session of beer, Alex took it upon himself to look for his friend's lover. It took a lot of squinting, and he had to peer above heads, but he managed to catch a glimpse of him near one of the crooks of the bar.

Him, and someone else…

Alex's eyes widened, "Shit!"

Chris looked to his partner, surprised at the anxious tone, " 'Lexi?"

Alex mouthed wordlessly, staring wide-eyed at the corner.

He couldn't believe it.

xXxXxXx

Miz was nearly bent over laughing, clutching his side as he stumbled away from a fuming Jeff. He had only given Punk a little teeney kiss on the cheek, and his psychotic boyfriend flipped. He enjoyed screwing with Jeff, it was easy to twist the Hardy's screws until he screamed. He had only gotten a firm jab in the ribs, but he had expected worse, so he was okay with it.

Miz wasn't really paying attention where he was going, and he'd already taken down a few shots, so he only got out a yelp when a solid palm struck him in the middle of his back. He lunged forward, smacking into the wall. He braced his palms on the wall, flipping around to find himself backed into a corner. A shadow of a man was in front of him, one taller and thicker than himself. He blinked dully, trying to adjust to the dimmer lighting here.

"Miss me, slut?"

Mike's jaw dropped obediently, realizing just who it was.

"…Raven…" Miz breathed, heart jump-starting inside his chest. Without warning, his reverted to his usual submissive state when around the man. His breaths started coming in short gasps, chest rising and falling rapidly, knees starting to go weak and shudder under his weight.

Raven looked the younger man over, a smirk gracing his mouth, "Your body remembers me."

"You…" Mike wanted to be offended, he wanted to be pissed off. He wanted to punch this man in the face for what he did! He wanted to beat him to death with one of Abyss's twisted weapons. Seeing nothing but a bloody pulp of Scott Levy would greatly please him.

But he couldn't, because his training wouldn't let him. In those few moments, he could recall everything Raven had put him through. He couldn't get out a word, he couldn't even coax his body to move. All he could do was cower, like a bunny beneath the eyes of a fox.

Raven crowded in on the Superstar, drinking up the fear that poured off him in waves. He was all but lapping it up, snatching the wrist that was trying to push him off the wall. He dug his digits into the tender flesh, feeling the thin scars beneath his fingertips. He wet his lips, grabbing the other arm by the bicep and pinning him. Mike's head jerked, smacking off the surface. His fedora tumbled to the floor, clattering silently beneath the hum of the music.

"W-What are you doing here?" Mike whispered, lips numb.

"I came to see you, my little slut" Raven replied on a purr, leaning in and breathing the younger man's clean scent "I'm going to give you a night from the past. I decided you were worthy of one more go."

"I…I can't…Jake…" Miz turned his head away, face flushed with shame "I told you I-I'd never do it again."

"You loved it, admit it" Raven taunted, grinding his palm down upon the man's wrist until he grasped sharply "I started your career, I got you in this industry. You should be getting on your knees every day for me for what I've done for you."

"I've paid my dues a hundred times over" Miz hissed, whipping his head around to glare at the older man.

It was true. He'd given up his ass and mouth enough for a dozen careers, let alone the one he'd settled into. It was Raven's fault he was the way he was. This man had tortured him, warped his mind, taken what he wanted and left him broken and bleeding wherever he'd decided to have him. It was why he manipulated everyone around him, why he'd chosen Jake - someone who he could mold to his liking. This bastard was the reason he couldn't have a normal relationship, the reason he couldn't stop himself from pushing Jake to his breaking point and beyond. The reason he'd fucked John Morrison…trying to break someone just as strong as himself.

Raven was the reason The Miz was created the way he was.

Cocky, strong, loud, energetic, risqué, annoying…

All the things Mike Mizanin wasn't.

That sweet, shy kid from Cleveland died in the locker room of UPW.

Mike whimpered as the man's hand left his wrist and fisted in his hair, forcing his head back. His back arched off the wall, trying not to cry out as the older man's sharp teeth sunk into the soft flesh of his neck. He jerked, pushing at his shoulder with his one free hand as he tried not to breath in that near-sweet tang of spiced rum that always seemed to cling to this man. After two years of exquisite torture and mind-fucking, his body responded to the touch of it's 'master'. He hated himself for it, but there was a faint stirring in his groin. His eyes glazed over with tears of shame, the drops trickling down his cheeks without his consent.

Raven pulled back, swiping his tongue over the swollen skin. It was beautifully flushed, the perfect imprint of his teeth left behind.

"My sweet little slut" Raven murmured, dragging the boy closer and molding their bodies. Mike couldn't pull away, he couldn't do anything but go limp against the wall. He shut his eyes tight, hoping it would go away.

"Stop…Scott…" Mike murmured "Don't make me."

"Don't worry, bitch" the blonde's smile was full of malicious intent "I'll put you back where you belong. On your back. I'll remind you of your…humble beginnings…in only the way your master can."

Master.

Mike hadn't heard that word in years, and the thought of saying it again left a bitter taste on his tongue.

Mike managed to crack open his eyes, gasping hoarsely as he saw the one person who could save him.

Jake grabbed Scott by the shoulder, forcing the man to turn and look at him. The second those kohl-rimmed eyes met his, he felt an instant chill down his spine. The older man kept his grip on Mike's wrist and hair, keeping him pinned to the wall for all his squirming.

"Get the fuck off him!" Jake snapped, furious to see another man on his lover (though afraid to attack him less he do more damage to the other) "Who the fuck do you think you are!"

"Me?" his smirk was that of sin "I'm the man who made this little slut a star."

"Shut up!" Miz found his voice with Jake so close, clawing at the man's hand to try and unlace it from his hair "Just shut the fuck up!"

"Oh, now you speak?" Raven taunted, pulling him from the wall and into his body. He claimed a harsh kiss, making the other whimper and wrench from him. By this time, they had most of the bar's attention. Raven let go of the other's soft hair in favor of his neck, digging his fingers hard into the fluttering jugular that kept the brunette alive.

"Back off" the older man spat at Jake, who obeyed.

"Okay, man" Jake held out his hand, taking another step back "Just let him go."

Mike gasped in bursts, trying to find air pas the unforgiving grip. Raven dragged him further away from the wall, dark eyes scanning the crowd but finding no one would speak out against him. Those who weren't familiar with his dark tendencies were quickly informed by those from TNA, a hushed murmur rippling through the crowd as some victims showed their scars to their friends. Those who didn't want to share just warned, haunted looks on the faces of those who had been on the wrong end of his temper.

Raven dragged him into another kiss, biting down upon his lip savagely. The delicate skin gave way beneath the sharp force, crimson pouring down his chin like water. Mike found himself tossed upon the ground like a common whore, dirt smudging his clothes as he struggling to get on his hands and knees. He touched his mouth, pulling his hand away to see scarlet staining the lines of his palms.

That brazen temper he was known for flared in his eyes, he turned around and glared up at the man with all the fire he had. His hands braced on the floor as a wave of dizziness hit him, legs splayed out without strength to get on his knees.

"I hate you" Miz rasped, then found his voice "I fucking hate you!"

Miz used the leverage of his palms on the floor to push up, lunging at the older man. He was ready to claw his eyes out, but didn't get very far before his lover's arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him back. He thrashed, reaching out for the older man with crooked fingers to scrape down his face. He was taken into Jake's broad chest, his lover's warm breath bathing his neck and face as he was taken close to him.

"Go on, take him back" Raven cocked his head "I've gone and ruined his pretty mouth for the night. I don't want a bloody mess to fuck."

Handcuffed, helpless…he was bent over a couch, helpless, screaming…no one could hear him, no one would save him…

Miz turned in his lover's arm, briefly brushing his lips along his ear, "Please…let's go…"

Jake cast a nasty look at Raven, bitterly hating the satisfied look on the man's face. He kept his arms tight around his lover, leading him through the crowd of their friends and colleges.

No one said a word, they let them go in silence.

xXxXxXx

The moment the light turned green on the hotel lock, the door was all but kicked in by its humiliated occupant. Still flushed from the encounter with Raven, Miz hurried inside and started shedding his clothes. He couldn't stand the feel of them against his skin any longer. They were suffocating him, binding him within their rules of fashion and hypocrisy. He ripped the collar of his shirt in a hurry to get it over his head, flinging the ruined material onto the carpet. His jeans fell in a puddle, only to be kicked across the floor.

Catching a glimpse of himself in a mirror, he growled and started running his fingers through his hair. He clawed the tresses free of their gel, letting it loose and free.

With only his plain boxers to cover his modesty, Mike fell upon the bed he'd be sharing with his lover. He curled into the sheets, burying his face into the smooth plush of the pillow.

Jake shut the door quietly behind him, face set in a grim expression. Cradled almost delicately in his large palms was his lover's fedora, dusted off from where it had been dropped onto the floor. He shed his shoes and jacket in a much quieter fashion, tugging off his shirt in favor of a simple wife-beater. He carefully stepped out of his jeans, trying to subdue the swell of anger stifling his breath. He'd never admit it, but down there… in front of Raven…he'd been scared. Scared for his life, scared for the life of his companion…because of the murderous intent he saw in the depths of the older man's eyes.

There was a darkness there, and apparently Mike had experienced it first hand.

Jake walked into the bedroom, surprised to see a paler, ruffled, depressed version of his lover. He'd never seen Miz so down. No, this wasn't The Miz. This was Mike, broken down with his heart bleeding all over the sheets. He could see the fine tremors in the older man's fingers, his arms, even along the muscles of his back. He was trying so hard not to break down, but Jake could finally see the cracks he'd been searching for all night.

"Mike" was all he could manage at first, standing beside the bed.

Miz turned his head away from the other, keeping his eyes clenched tight. The evasion tactic didn't work. Something was placed on his lower back, bare skin breaking out into goosebumps at the scratch of it. He reluctantly turned on his side, grabbing whatever it was.

His fedora…the one that bastard had knocked off when he'd pinned him to the wall…

Blood…so much blood…trailing down his arms, his neck…

Mike pursed his lips, refusing to let even a whimper escape him. He couldn't think of that, not now with Jake so close. That was another time, another place. Years ago, when he was still so young and fresh and shiny. Not now, not after he'd just gotten over all of that and moved on. But had he moved on? Really?

Miz couldn't look the other in the eye; that told him more than he needed to know.

"What wa-th that?" Jake inquired, arms crossed over his broad chest "In the bar…what wa-th that with Raven?"

Miz winced at the two syllables that haunted him more than anything else, "It wasn't anything, man."

"Fuck that" Jake's nose scrunched up, a sign that he was getting pissed "First you get your-thelf backed into a corner, you froze…then you tried to claw his eyes out! What the hell is your problem?"

Mike chucked the hat, not caring for it's subtle shine around the rim nor what it had cost. He didn't want it, he didn't want anything. Nothing but to sleep. But apparently he couldn't even get that.

"I don't have to explain myself to you" Miz seethed, flipping onto his stomach once more. He turned his head away, refusing to look at the one he'd claimed he could tell anything to.

"Stop it" Jake begged, getting on the bed and kneeling behind the smaller man "This isthn't like you."

Mike's eyes slid close, /No…this is me./

"Did he hurt you?" Jake lowered down next to the other, trying to get a response from him by running his hand down his arm "Before tonight…I've never seen you so scared…you just let him-"

"I've never let him do anything!" Mike barked, flipping over and snatching his lover by the neck. Jake didn't utter a word in protest, nor did he struggle as he was pushed on his back and pinned there. Miz hovered above him, a wildfire in his icy blue eyes, blazing as he tightened his grip around the blonde's neck.

Jake reached up to touch the other's wrist, hoping to calm him, when he felt something he'd never noticed before. His eyes widened, the only warning Miz had before he was the one on his back upon the bed. He thrashed, wildly protesting this, but found he couldn't move with the blonde's weight on top of him. His arms were pinned, his wrists examined. Jake noted there were thin, white lines across the delicate skin. Scars, more than a year old for sure. Some extended nearly the full way around, some were thick and short.

Something had cut him badly.

Jake peered into his lover's face, twisted with pain and rage at being held down, "What did he do to you?"

Mike tried to fight longer, but he quickly crumbled after all that had happened tonight. He turned his head away, focusing his eyes on the smooth plane of his lover's forearm instead of his inquisitive eyes.

"I've never told anyone, Jake" Mike softly admitted "I've never wanted to. I-If I tell you…it makes it true…it means it really did happen and it wasn't all a nightmare."

"You can trust me" Jake reminded him "I could never think any less of you."

Mike gave a watery smile, looking up at his lover briefly, "You're sweet, but…let me finish before you say it again…"

Jake rolled to the side, letting his lover have the room he needed. Mike didn't move, he merely shifted his eyes to the ceiling and kept his hands laying limp as if someone were still pinning him down. As if someone were always pinning him down.

"I was twenty-three…and I had just done my debut in Ultimate Pro-Wrestling…" Miz scoffed bitterly "Apparently that's where he stalked to prey on the boys. No one told me this…no one told me anything…"

xXx

2003

Mike collapsed on a bench near the back of the locker room, a goofy smile on his face. He had just gotten done with his promo, the crowd (though small) had really eaten him up. But it wasn't about that. It was about his progress, about the fact that he actually got here! He'd made it into the pro-wrestling world, and he was determined to catch the eyes of the WWE scouts snooping around here.

There were some other guys changing and showering as well, and he'd even gotten to know some of them pretty well. But he was crashing hard from his adrenaline rush. He couldn't even bother to do more than change out of his gear and into a pair of cargo shorts, his last drop of energy going to slipping on his wife beater. It wasn't worth it.

Mike leaned back against the lockers, eyes slipping shut as he let the cool sooth his heated flesh.

What Mike didn't notice was the man that entered the locker room, nor did he notice how it all went quiet after the initial smack of the door. The man was tall, blonde hair tinged with black, kohl-rimmed eyes roving over those who were around. Disinterest showed in his features. That is…until they landed on the Mizanin kid, the one that had been the buzz of the day.

What a beautiful kid it was, indeed. The light caught in his golden hair, making it glow like a halo around his head. He was still growing into his face, but he filled out his body nicely. Lithe, supple…still so young and sweet. A few freckles were sprinkled across the bridge of his nose, lashes fluttering to reveal their icy treasures, full lips parting obscenely to allow soft pants to escape.

Raven's lips curled up in a smirk, he'd found his new prey.

Mike opened his eyes a bit more, spotting a figure approaching him rather swiftly. He couldn't imagine what he'd done, he hadn't had time to screw up. The man was scary looking, he was older too. He was seriously intimidating, he had some height on himself.

Raven stopped in front of the younger man, "Your name's Mike, isn't it?"

The deep voice sent a serious shiver down his spine, but he tried night to let his trepidation show, "Yeah, that's me."

The older man cocked his head to the side, examining him further, "Pretty neck you have…it'll look better with a collar around it, though."

Mike blinked up at the man, "What?"

Before he could inquire further, the man's hand lashed out and his strong hand covered his mouth. Fingers dug into his jaw and cheeks, two digits biting into the soft flesh beneath his jaw. He reached up instinctively, grabbing the older man's thick forearm, but it did him no good. His heart had picked up a frantic pace, fear lacing in his very blood and paralyzing him. He was dragged to his feet, only to be slammed into the lockers. His jolted sharply, making his vision swim. The man's free hand lashed out, striking him at the right angle to knock the breath out of him.

Gasping and blurry, Miz had to go limp.

"Listen here, little bitch" Raven hissed, looking right into those frightened eyes "You're going to come with me right now, and you're going to make it look good. Later, you're gonna hand your sweet little ass over to me on a silver platter. You know why?"

Mike shook his head, he could barely breathe let alone fight.

Raven came in closer, nearly brushing their lips, "Because…I'm going to make you."

Mike tried to push the other away, just as confused and frightened as a kitten confronted with a large bulldog. Something sharp trailed up his thigh, sliding into place just below his bellybutton. He glanced down, still unable to speak with the palm clamped down upon his lips. He saw a flash of silver and a handle, his breath coming faster when he recognized a knife. The sharpened edge caught his flesh, small droplets of crimson oozing from beneath the blade.

Mike looked around, hoping to find some help. The ones who hadn't already rushed out of there were carefully avoiding his gaze, either talking amongst themselves or quickly trying to pull their clothes on so they could dash.

/Please…someone…/ Mike pleading silently, but no one responded. He drew back his leg, striking the locker hard and giving a muffled cry. Those who looked his way had blank stares, watching him struggle beneath the older man. His own eyes were full-on begging anyone to help him, but no one could be bothered.

Raven's breath burned his ear, "No one's going to help you…you're mine now."

xXx

Miz was looking toward the far wall, his chest trembling with each inhale. He had shed his tears long at the start of the story, they had dried on his cheeks already. His eyes were empty now, too lost in his memories to spark up and fill with his natural light. He had that cold, near psychotically calm look on his face that sometimes came when he was alone or he thought no one was looking.

It was a man who'd seen horrible things, and was remembering them.

Jake was sitting cross-legged beside his lover now, eyes falling from the man's handsome face to the smooth plane of his pec. Looking closer, he could see truly faint scars speckled across his chest and abs. He leaned forward, squinting at the older man's ankles. There was only one kind of mark there, a pale circle that faded in and out. Rope burns, severe enough to leave the palest of marks.

Jake let his eyes rove back up to the man's face, admiring it's strength and beauty.

"What happened next?" Jake whispered carefully, he needed to know the rest.

"He took me out of there at knife point" Miz replied, his airy tone showing how out of it he was "He led me back to his hotel…into his room…then locked the door. I stayed there for…three days? A week? I'm not sure. It was the start and end of my life."

"He handcuffed you" it wasn't a question, the blonde was looking at his wrists as he spoke "He raped you, didn't he?"

"And worse" Miz admitted reluctantly "He kept me in his bed, he didn't let me contact anyone or tell anyone where I was. I disappeared for that week, and no one came to look for me. I was just…gone…"

"Did he let you go?"

"Eventually" he sighed "But by then, I was already chained to him."

Cornflower blue eyes went wide, "How long did this go on?"

For his credit, Miz looked him right in the eye, "Three years. With breaks."

"Why?" that was the biggest question in his mind "Why would you let him keep doing that to you? Why didn't you tell someone? Or stop him? You're a tough guy, you could've taken him. He's got…what? Ten years on you?"

"About" Mike snorted in disgust "But you don't get it. No one gets it. It was what I needed."

It was Jake's turn to scoff in disbelief, "You needed to be beaten and raped for three years? What? Did you get off on it?"

The insensitive words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. It wasn't all his fault, it was mostly his brain. He just couldn't imagine why someone would let someone else torture them for years when they could just walk away, or tell a higher up to get him out of it. Vince would've been sympathetic, he would've helped him get a restraining order or a bodyguard.

Miz growled, sitting up and grabbing his lover by the base of his throat. Again, Jake didn't fight the determined fingers closing around his trachea. He kept his eyes locked with the other, choking down his fear as he saw the cold rage smoldering deeply in those icy eyes.

"What the fuck did you say to me?" he hissed "What did you just have the balls to say!"

Jake tilted his head, "Mike…"

"He gave me what no other had" Miz spat "He gave me a start. He bloodied my by night, but by day…he introduced me to all the right people. He may have warped my mind, told me I was nothing…but that made me strive all the harder to be something. For every scar he left on me, I shook hands with a person who helped me get here."

Miz shook the younger man to emphasize his point, "He got me on Tough Enough, he got me a million dollar contract! Without him, I never would have gotten my hosting job in the WWE! He gave me everything! It's no different than Ted or Cody!"

Mike lowered his eyes, voice hushing, "Except my chance wasn't given to me on a silver platter."

Jake threaded his fingers through his lover hair, heart aching at the thought that he had hurt his beloved.

"I'm stronger for what he did" Miz acknowledged, tilting his head up "And weaker. I can survive a lot of things now…but sometimes…"

He shook off the man's touch, scooting away from him, "Sometimes I'm not all there."

"Brainless slut…beg for it…."

"He had no mercy."

"Shane, this is my new protégée."

"His intentions were always blatant, he always did what he said he would" Miz shoved aside the pillows, putting his back to the chilly heard board "Nothing more…nothing less. Because of him, I met Shane McMahon. Raven taught me how to use my looks and charm to get my way, how to cast my web."

Jake's lips twitched upwards, "Thath why he's so bewitched by you."

"Without ever having to fuck him" Miz stated bluntly, but he was proud of himself "That was another thing he taught me. How to whore myself without giving my body away. It comes as second instinct to me now. I do it to people without even thinking. It's how I make friends…"

He cast a side glance to his lover.

"And enemies."

/This is scaring the shit out of me/ Jake chewed on his lower lip /I hate it when he gets like this. He's almost…detached. If I gave him a reason, in this mind-set…I think he would strangle me to death right here in our bed./

"If Raven's the one who hurt you…" they seemed to be hesitant with their words, as if both of them were afraid of what they would let out from between their lips "Then why doeth Drew scare you so badly?"

"I don't know" Mike shrugged, lolling his head back against the wall "Maybe it's his size. Maybe because I haven't had someone come at me like that for a long time. Maybe it's because I wasn't trying to cast my spell on him. Or…it could be his eyes…they remind me of Raven's a bit."

After a long moment of silence, Miz shook his head and scrambled to put himself back together.

"I don't know" he huffed "I wish I had a real answer for you. Something about him just scares me."

Jake knew he was pretty special to get The Miz to open up like this. He knew no one had ever gotten so close, at least not mentally. His lover was a fragile creature, and the last few hours of information was almost too much for him. To find out one's loved one had been abused in the past, downright mind-fucked…it left a distinctively sour taste in your mouth.

Jake looked into the man's face, seeing the red bruises beneath his eyes. He knew his love needed rest, and he needed it now. The blonde got up, going over and turning off the lights.

"Jake?" the whisper in the dark was like that of a child.

"Shhh."

Jake crept back into the bed, gently nudging the man until he laid down. He pulled the blanket up around them, covering their semi-nudity. Mike sighed in relief as his head met the softness again, though this time his anger had dissolved. He felt naked and exposed, and he was glad to have the bigger man's brawny arm curl around his waist.

Snuggling into the warmth, Mike let himself be lulled to sleep.

He missed the words that were murmured in his ear.

"I'll protect you now."

xXx

Outside the hotel, two men met in the ally. One nervously sucked down the acrid smoke of a cigarette, his long digits trembling. The other was stock still, kohl-rimmed eyes inspecting the long form of the other wrestler.

"You need to keep your cool."

"When can I 'ave my shot?" Drew's accent was thick with his mild fury "When can I go after 'im?"

"Soon" Raven tisked "And publicly."

This intrigued the Scotsman, "Publicly?"

"Oh yes" the blonde man's lips turned up in a smirk "It wouldn't be fun if you didn't."

"You told me he'd be easy" Drew spat, nearly chomping off the end of his cigarette in his anxiety "With that big baboon 'round 'im, I can't even get close. He fought me when I came onto 'im."

"He'll fight" Raven tisked "I warned you he might. He's only broken on the inside…on the outside, he's like clean diamond. You have to strike at the right angle to get him to shatter."

Drew nodded. He'd come to Raven in the express interest of snagging The Miz, of taking him on his back like the whore he'd been rumored to be. Who would know better than the man who made him that way? He'd listened to Raven from the start, from getting Shane to boost his career to participating in the upcoming Pay-Per-View. So far, things were going well.

"Okay" the Scotsman sighed, dropping the cigarette and rubbing it out with the heel of his shoe "Tell me what to do at the taping."

Raven tried not to cackle, it was too perfect. He'd been advising men for years on how to shake The Miz's solid façade, sending one after the other for different reasons. Drew was just his recent project, and it was fun to observe the breaking of his once-precious pet.

"The moment the match is over, when the cameras go off…"