Hunter's alarm went off at 9:30 the next morning. He grabbed his cell phone shutting it off half wondering why the hell he had it set so early and then it hit him. It was because of that interview and whether Bret wanted him to or not, he was going to the interview if only to make sure Bret didn't come out looking squeaky clean. Hunter sat up in bed only to find that someone else was in the room, tossing things in a suitcase. He rubbed his eyes, getting adjusted to the light in the room and realized it was Jeff.

"When did you get here?" he asked, a loud yawn escaping him. Jeff didn't say anything to him. He just continued to walk about the room picking up hair products and things throwing them in his suitcase. "Jeff?" Hunter frowned. "What the hell is your problem? And why'd you dye your hair that annoying color?" The now red head merely glared at him as he went about still loading his suitcase. Hunter rolled his eyes. "I don't know what I did but I demand an explanation. At least tell me why the hell you came here only to leave again so soon."

"Screw you Hunter."

"Excuse me?"

"Screw you. Fuck you. To hell with you. I don't know how many other ways I can say it."

"What the fuck is your problem?" he asked again. Hunter rolled out of bed stalking towards him, his face twisted in confusion. Just what the hell did he do? "Jeffrey!"

"Leave me alone Hunter!" he snapped. "Go find your beloved Shawn and fuck with him. It's what you want to do anyway."

"Not this again," he groaned. "I don't…I'm not in the mood for one of your little tantrums, especially since I have to go deal with that stupid prick Bret in a few."

"Ahh so you're going to rescue Shawn huh? Just like you always do." Jeff brushed past Hunter to pick up his shoes off the floor.

"What the hell is your problem? Since when has it been a big deal about me and Shawn? I thought we got over this a few months ago after the whole fiasco with JBL? You said you were fine with us being friends. Fuck, you even spent the night with him so why the change of heart all of a sudden?"

"Never mind Hunter. Just…go. I'm getting on a plane and I'm going to visit my brother. I need some time to think about things."

"Wait…what? I thought you and Matt—

"Yeah well we might fight an awful lot Hunter but when I need him he's always there!" he snapped. "Unlike somebody I know!"

"When have I not been there for you Jeff?" Hunter asked, doing his best to control his temper. Nothing Jeff was saying made any sense.

"Never mind. Fuck Hunter, just move!" he yelled a little louder. "I have to get going before I miss my plane."

"You must be out of your damn mind if you think I'm about to just let you walk out of here without an explanation. Tell me what I did! What the fuck happened that's got you so worked up over Shawn?" he demanded. He grabbed Jeff's shoulders spinning him around. "Jeff!"

"Let me go!"

"Tell me dammit!"

"You still love him!" he choked.

"So what?!" he screamed. "You know I can't just stop loving him. I love him but not the way that you—

"YOU'RE STILL IN LOVE WITH HIM!"

"WHERE ON EARTH…?"

"YOU CALLED OUT HIS NAME LAST NIGHT HUNTER!" he choked. "You…you called me Shawn when we were making love. You said his name Hunter and no, you cannot take this back. Plain as day you called me Shawn…I love you…," he sobbed. "You said I love you but it wasn't meant for me. It was meant for Shawn. I…I should have known."

Shaken, Hunter released his grip on Jeff staring at him dumbfounded. I did that? No…there's no way… "Jeff…" He couldn't believe it and at the moment he started racking his brain trying desperately to remember what happened last night. He was pissed about Bret for some reason. Just knowing Bret was sleeping with Shawn again reawakened memories that Hunter had long buried in the back of his mind, some of which included moments being with Shawn. But we never made love…not until… fuck Hunter, what did you do? I can barely remember Jeff getting in let alone fantasizing about Shawn. Ugh! It's all Bret's fault! While Hunter was staring off into space racking his brain for answers, Jeff managed to sneak away and the next thing Hunter knew, the door was slamming shut. He jumped. "JEFF!" Jeff, his Jeff, was long gone and it was all because he royally fucked up. Dammit all!

~*~*~

When Bret finally made it to headquarters, Shawn was already seated and much to his displeasure the divider was back up. Bret frowned. "Chris, what's the meaning of this?" Chris was seated in his chair sporting a glow about him that kind of caught Bret off guard. Chris seemed unusually guilt stricken during the interviews but to see him all glowy was a new one on Bret.

Chris winced. "It wasn't my idea. I just ask the questions and do what I'm told."

Bret rolled his eyes. "Shawn, I thought we were beyond this."

"I don't want to see you," he huffed.

Bret smirked. "Fine then. That just means you still love me."

"Go to hell Bret."

"I was only teasing Shawny now stop being mean and let Chris lower the divider. I want to look at you while we chat."

"No."

"Well how about this? If I can't look at you during the interview then we'll be here all day. I refuse to answer any questions unless we can talk like civilized adults."

"You are such a…fine!" he snapped. "Lower the damn divider but I swear to God Bret if you try anything—

"I know. I know. You'll leave." Bret watched with an amused look on his face as the divider lowered, revealing the body of the blonde he refamiliarized himself with just hours earlier. He was fidgeting with a bracelet on his arm, refusing to look at him. Typical, stubborn Shawn… Bret took his seat next to Shawn, the distance between them not nearly as close as it had been the other morning. He scooted the chair closer to Shawn who merely rolled his eyes.

"So um…gentlemen…are we ready to proceed?"

"Yes. Let's get this over with," Shawn muttered.

"Alright. So I guess we'll start with Hunter today."

"Oh joy," Bret mumbled.

"Don't start," Shawn growled.

"Sorry sweets but I can't stand the bastard."

"That's because you were jealous of him."

"Oh yeah," Bret scoffed. "Like I'd really need to be jealous of him. I was the champ and I had you. Why would I need to be jealous?"

"Keep telling yourself that Bret. You were jealous and you know it, but what I can't figure out is why. He was so beneath you and a rookie. Why did you hate him so much?"

"Oh my dear, naïve, little princess. We'll get to it eventually."

"Chris, why do we have to talk about Hunter?" Shawn asked irritably. "Hunter's not really important until Montreal so can we talk about something else? Like the build up to me winning the belt from him?"

"Well…I…we can talk about whatever you want," he stammered. "It's just…well after the other night I figured it was only fitting to start with Hunter considering he debuted around the time Kevin and the others were leaving. And…I thought maybe he'd be here today—

"He's a fucking coward," Bret spat. "He wouldn't dare show his face for fear of what I might reveal about him."

"And here you go again talking as if you have some big secret about Hunter," Shawn said.

"That's because I really do know things about Hunter that you don't but I won't go there right now. Chris, let's get to it because next to Montreal, Hunter's the most difficult topic for me to speak on."

"Okay. Well um…who wants to go first?"

"I guess I'll start," Shawn said with a sigh. "I met Hunter through Kevin and I guess you could say we hit it off from the start. I thought he seemed nice enough and judging by the way Kevin and Scott took to him, I figured he'd fit right in with us. He did. From day one it was smooth sailing with him."

"Mn…I bet," Bret mumbled.

Shawn ignored Bret and continued. "It didn't take long for Hunter to become my other best friend. Kevin was my friend but he was more of an over protective brother. I tolerated the others but Hunter and Kevin were easily my favorites."

"So how long was it after Hunter arrived before Kevin and the others left?"

"Oh it was a while," Shawn answered. "They were with me when I finally decided I wanted to play with the big boys. I was intercontinental champion but I wanted more. Not necessarily because I wanted to be "the guy". It was mainly the journey I was after."

"Why would you want to waste so much time fighting for something you didn't really want?" Chris asked. "That sounds a little…well it defeats the purpose I think."

"I know, but I was going through so many changes. My life…this was the part of my life where I'd say it was complicated."

"Complicated?" Bret asked. "I can sum it up better. You were starting to grow feelings for that big nosed loser and it was clouding your judgment."

"This is exactly why I drove myself up here. I just knew it was going to be one of those days."

"I'm sorry sweetheart, but the truth is the truth. You can't sit here and tell me that you didn't know Hunter had a thing for you. He's wanted you ever since he first laid eyes on you and you know it."

"I know this Bret," Shawn stated calmly attempting to suppress his anger. "I've always known about the crush Hunter had on me, but that's just it Bret. It was a crush. I would probably compare Hunter's crush on me to the one John Cena has on me today."

"Cena? Cena still has a thing for you?" Bret asked curiously.

Shawn laughed. "Yeah he does. It's funny because if I had not gone through all that crap a few months ago with JBL, I'd probably be with Cena now. He's a sweet kid and his silly devotion to me is flattering, but I love John."

"Ahh I see," Bret answered. "So Cena's another psychotic loser who'd do anything to get what he wants right?"

"Bret…whatever. I'm not…Cena's a good kid. You can say what you want about Hunter but I won't let you talk about someone you don't have the first clue about."

"Fair enough, but comparing Cena to Hunter doesn't help."

"Look, I was trying to say that Hunter is and was just as devoted to me back then as Cena is today. In his eyes, I could do no wrong no matter what it was. Hunter – much like Cena today – stood by me through everything…and I mean everything."

"Especially your bed."

"That too," Shawn answered smugly. Bret cut Shawn an evil look but he decided to let it go. Shawn was trying to piss him off but he wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. He loved Shawn and after reminiscing so much, it wasn't hard to remember how to deal with his princess.

"So Hunter's crush on you started affecting your life?" Chris continued.

"Kinda," Shawn answered. "You see, Bret and I weren't able to act like a normal couple. I was tired of people whispering behind my back and since Bret was the champ and probably the most respected person in the locker room, he didn't need people gossiping about him. By now, I was just starting to live up to the name "Heartbreak Kid". Not between the sheets, but just my attitude in general. I hated having to sneak around with Bret and what was worse is that Hunter was starting to fill in for him in so many ways."

"What do you mean?" Chris asked.

"Well…" Shawn sighed. "Hunter didn't give a damn what people said about him and of course you know to this day it's the same. Back then he didn't have the kind of power he has now but that didn't matter. Hunter was loyal to me and just…he kept me from being alone."

"Bret what do you have to say about this?" Chris asked.

"I honestly don't know what to say really," he shrugged. "Shawn and I talked about it countless times when we were together so it wasn't like he didn't know how it was going to be for us. He said he was willing to fight for us and I held him to his word. I guess it was all just words to him."

"Now wait a minute!" Shawn huffed. "Don't you dare—

"But I still love him," Bret soothed. "Looking back now, maybe it was wrong of me to expect him not to feel neglected. We went so many days without real contact Chris. Sometimes it would be weeks even before I could get my hands on him and it drove me crazy. Sometimes I would lay in bed at night, painfully aroused – almost to the point of tears – because I missed him so much." He glanced over at Shawn but the blonde looked away, not wanting to remember the longing he would have for his Bret.

"Wow. It must have been hard for you both. So Shawn, I'm guessing Hunter was like a substitute for Bret?"

Shawn shook his head. "No. No one could ever replace Bret in my heart at the time. Hunter was just a distraction to me. He was a hopelessly devoted fool who kept my mind off of Bret but…" He sighed. "If it wasn't for Hunter, I'd have spent many more nights crying. I was such a frail man Chris. People will tell you that I had a huge chip on my shoulder – and I did – but it was my defense. I…I was a crybaby and I hated being alone. When Marty and Kevin abandoned me…well, at the time I thought they were abandoning me but they weren't. Anyway, when Kevin left me behind, I just sort of…I don't know. In case you didn't know, I could cope with a lot of things but loneliness wasn't one of them. I just felt so alone all the time. Hunter sort of helped kill the feeling."

"How was it for you Bret? Did you feel alone?"

Bret sighed. "For me, it's a bit more complicated. You see, I had family to keep me company so I was never alone so to speak. They were always tagging along with me so I rarely had a moment's peace. But the thing about it is, while I considered my family to be my best friends, Shawn was still the one I confided in. He was still the one who knew me better than the rest. When I was with Shawn, I was a different person; I was the real me. Shawn didn't expect nothing of me and because of this, it was a huge weight off of my shoulders. My family expected so much from me that sometimes I just wanted to be free. Shawn was my freedom." Bret reached over and grabbed his hand giving it a gentle squeeze. He half expected Shawn to jerk away but he didn't which made him feel a little bit better. He brought Shawn's hand to his lips kissing the back of it. "I love you so much."

"Bret don't…"

"I used to miss you all the time Shawn. At night I would lay in bed, often times reaching for you only to find it empty and void of your warm body. God Shawn…"

"Don't make me remember," he whispered. "I don't wanna remember."

"Shawn look at me." Bret reached over cupping his face turning him around. Shawn was crying again, his tears the only weakness of his heart. "I would open up my arms and reach for you, but you were never there. And I would cry…baby I would cry for you." He held him tenderly drawing him in for a kiss.

"No Bret…I—

"Looks like I got here just in time."

Bret and Shawn both jumped, both of them with horrified looks on their faces. Hunter was standing in the door with his arms folded across his chest. He looked anything but smug which had both Bret and Shawn concerned. Shawn stood to his feet. "Hunter…what are you…?"

"I'm here for the interview," he shrugged. He cast Bret a knowing look as he brushed past him to get to Shawn. He cupped his face drying his eyes. "He made you cry. Nothing new," he chuckled.

"Hunter I—

"I thought you would be too much of a chicken to show up," Bret smirked.

Hunter ignored him and continued to tend to Shawn. It took Shawn a minute to gain his composure again before he shoved Hunter away irritably. "Ugh! I'm fine," he snapped. "Why'd you show up? I told you last night—

"I showed up because I don't like being called a coward," he growled, nodding towards Bret. "I'm not a fucking coward and I'll be damned if I'm going to sit back and let you get swept away again."

"Hunter—

"He was bad for you then and he's bad for you now," Hunter insisted. "Come on Shawn. You know what this is and you know how it used to be. While he was running around with his brothers you were with me, crying your eyes out because you felt neglected. I have never, ever left your side and I never will. He on the other hand can't be trusted. You let him back into your life and it will never be the same."

"That's for damn sure," Bret growled. "Because if he comes back to me, I'll make sure you come and visit us in Calgary."

"Stop…Stop it!" Shawn snapped. "Just…stop it! I don't wanna hear anymore of this macho…whatever the hell you two got going on. I'm a grown man and I can think for myself! Hunter, go back to Jeff. Didn't he just get in last night? You should be somewhere with him helping him relax after a long trip."

"I would 'cept he's gone again," he winced.

"Gone where?"

"To uh…stay with his brother."

"And why? I thought they were on the outs."

"It's complicated."

"Oh well now this is interesting," Bret smirked. "Wonder what Big Bad Hunter did to piss off the little Hardy boy?"

Hunter lunged at Bret but Shawn held him back. "Hunter…Hunter stop it! What the hell is your problem and why the hell didn't you follow Jeff?"

"It's nothing and Bret wipe that fucking smirk off your face before I do it for you."

"What? You're gonna hit me?" he teased. "Go ahead. If you hit me then Shawn can't say a damn thing about me hitting you back. Better make the first shot count big nose because when I get my hands on you—

"SHUT IT!" Shawn screamed. "GOD…dammit I'm not in the mood. Hunter, why didn't you go with Jeff or should I call and ask for myself?"

Hunter sighed. "Shawn it's…"

"What…did you do?" Shawn asked slowly. Hunter looked up at him, his eyes practically giving him away. "What does it have to do with me? Did he forbid you to do the interview and you ignored him?" Hunter shook his head. "Okay…but he's mad at you about me. This part I'm right about." Hunter nodded. "Alrighty then. So what is it?" he laughed, throwing up his hands in defeat. "It's always my fault so lay it on me. What did I do this time?"

There was a long pause before Hunter finally answered. "I…dreamt of you." Bret snickered at this earning another angry glare from Hunter.

"Hunter? Hunter ignore him and look at me. You had a dream about me. Big deal. I dream about you all the time so what's the big deal? Is Jeff that fucking insecure to think I'd actually try to take you from him?"

"No."

"Then what is it dammit?!"

"I…kind of…Shawn I…" Hunter did not want to say this in front of Bret but if he left now then it would make him look like a coward. "Alright fine. Shawn I sort of called out your name last night and Jeff is pissed at me."

"You said my name in your sleep?"

"No I—

"He probably called out to you during sex," Bret snorted. When Hunter didn't answer Bret's jaw dropped. "Oh my God…that's it isn't it?"

Shawn looked up at Hunter shaking his head. "No way. No…fucking…way."

"Shawn, let me explain—

"Are you out of your damn mind? How the hell…? What were you thinking about?"

"Well he…Shawn I tried to tell you yesterday that I—

"No! No, no, no, no! I don't wanna hear it. You love Jeff. Not me Hunter! We've been through this countless times."

"Yeah well blame him," Hunter growled pointing at Bret. "If he'd a stayed in fucking Canada where he belongs instead of deciding that he'd rather fuck up your life again then I wouldn't be feeling like this!"

"Like what Hunter? Both of you…get it through your thick skulls! All of this…all of this is all in your heads! It's not real! You don't love me! They're all just memories! It's the past and it's called "the past" for a fucking reason!"

"Shawn I'm sorry but I'm not Hunter," Bret growled. "You know what we had was real and you can't tell me that you don't feel anything for me. We made love last night Shawn. You never, ever would have allowed it to happen if a part of you didn't want it."

"That's why I can't stand you Bret!" Hunter growled pushing his way past Shawn. "You always do this to him! He'll decide that he wants to move on and then you come back, whisper sweet words in his ear reminding him of the past and then you rope him in. You know he's weak and incapable of hating so you use it to your advantage."

"Oh right. Like you haven't done the same over the years?" he spat. "Stop trying to sound so noble Hunter! You and I both know the real you."

"And I know the real you too!"

"Guys listen…you guys…" Chris started.

"WHAT?!" they screamed. Chris felt like crawling in a hole now but it was too late to stay silent now. "Uh…" He pointed at the door which was now wide open. Shawn…was gone.

AN: Goddammit I'm sorry. These guys are killing me! Hunter is killing me but the end of DX is surely near which makes me happy. Maybe Cena can get his Shawn back. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the update. Those two were bound to explode at some point. Ahh the drama in my head. In case I don't update for a while, it's because I don't feel like it. You people who also host H or BH muses can understand right? Anyway, I'm also going to a WWE Supershow and then the Royal Rumble next Sunday so go me! I'll get to see Shawn for the first time in my life and yes, I'm am freaking the hell out.

-God I wish this story would end.

-I love Twitter. :D

-I want to read more Owen/Shawn fics.

-I am having serious Shawn/Cena withdrawals.

-Seriously, you should join Twitter. Fan girls + twitter = WIN!

-wrestlefan4, Dark Kaneanite, slashburd, and seraphalexiel are seriously the best damn writers on the fucking planet. Read their fics.

"Closure" by Seraphalexiel (Bret/Shawn/Hunter)

"Past and Present" by wrestlefan4 (Jericho/Bret/Shawn/Hunter)

"A Life Without Love Is No Life At All" by slashburd (Bret/Shawn)

"Their Final Confrontation" by Dark Kaneanite (Bret/Shawn/Undertaker)

-READ THOSE FICS! Also, be on the look out for a - and I can't believe the words are coming out of my mouth - a spring prompt. You'll get to request a pairing and IF your request gets chosen, one of my carefully handpicked writers will hook you up.

-I'm still not through with this fucking fic but in the meantime, there are several other good fics floating around that feature Bret and/or Shawn. Go search and read.

-Vince muse is looking for a victim.

-I have a new muse. Her name is Seraphalexiel. o.O She loves Jub Jub.