The exit was a bottleneck of wrestlers. Some members of the roster were heading home for a much deserved break after the Elimination Chamber and Raw, some for media commitments and the rest to Rockford which was a stone's throw from Chicago for Smackdown. Punk didn't mind being booked on Smackdown because he was scheduled to meet Daniel in the ring. Sure the guy was on some sort of ego trip but Punk had been there before and then some. At least, Daniel hadn't tried to form a cult yet and make AJ shave her head. Kofi was also booked for Smackdown and the house shows so he would have his old roommate back for a few nights. John had drawn a shorter straw because Jericho had been scheduled for the same personal appearances as John. Punk and John both ducked down a hallway and behind some crates to say goodbye which involved very little talking.

Punk pulled back from the heady kisses John was bestowing on him and stared him in the eye sternly.

"Listen, I know it's been a while since we've had this conversation but I think it bears repeating. Do not respond to Jericho's baiting. No doubt he's going to try to provoke you just to get at me. I'm going to extend you the same courtesy when Raw degenerates into the Rock show even though I can't stand the guy and know from personal experience that you do not possess lady parts."

"There goes my plan to smack the taste out of Jericho's mouth every time he mentions your name."

"Try to restrain your caveman impulses. I'll see you on the 24th."

"Actually you won't. I'm going film a guest spot on this new show on SyFy. I won't see you again until Raw on the 27th."

"That is entirely unacceptable."

"I'm not the one that has a roommate which will make it completely impossible for me to sex you up over the phone."

"True, Kofi puts up with a lot where I'm concerned but I think kicking him out of the room so I can talk dirty to you would be one step too far. We'll have to restrict ourselves to a G rating."

"One more kiss," and Punk proceeded to kiss the hell out of John. Even after Punk broke off the kiss John leaned forward to try to continue the kiss. Punk pushed John back with his hand on John's chest.

"The crowd is thinning out. I don't think two buses full of our co-workers want to wait on us to conclude this make out session. Love you, make sure to miss the hell out of me," and Punk walked away giving John one last wicked smile and made his way to his bus and John reluctantly made his way to his.

February 21, 2012

Smackdown

Unlike Raw, the locker rooms at Smackdown were situated differently from Raw. At Raw the road agents went out of their way to keep the more combustible elements separated. Either the Smackdown road agents didn't show the same courtesy or they just liked to create chaos. That was how the entire Raw contingent ended up in the same locker room. He was dressing next to the unlikely tag team of Kofi and Truth but also sharing a locker room with the likes of Miz and Ziggler. He could feel Ziggler's eyes on him as he changed but before he could tell Ziggler to avert his fucking gaze before he blinded him Truth stepped forward.

"Little Jimmy says stop staring like a peeping tom, put your quarters away, this ain't a peep show!"

Ziggler stared at Truth like he was crazy, which he was in fact, but Punk just patted him on the back in thanks. Truth was off the charts mental but Punk liked him anyway.

Kofi, Punk and Truth took seats together in the monitor bay. Show joined them eventually but was unable to look Punk in the eye. While everyone seemed pretty accepting of his and John's relationship Punk figured that maybe some of them weren't quite ready for the live floor show just yet.

The show opened with Daniel with AJ in tow. A few months ago he would have said that AJ was the perfect girl for Daniel but now he thought that the girl needed an intervention. Daniel seemed to be under the impression that he was going to main event WrestleMania. Even Punk had accepted that the fact he would not be main eventing due to John taking on the Rock and Triple H and the Undertaker in Hell in a Cell. Daniel began tearing down Santino which proved that Daniel had taken leave of his senses because even Punk accepted that the crowd lit up for Santino more than any other wrestler, including himself. Daniel complained that his moment had been destroyed by Sheamus showing up and revealing his intentions. Sheamus had made it very clear that he was going to choose his opponent after the Elimination Chamber and Daniel had to know that there was a 50/50 chance it was going to be him. Just as Daniel started in on him Miz's music cued up. That was probably the best thing for Daniel because if it had gone on he probably would have gotten pissed as hell even though he considered Daniel a friend still, no matter how misguided he currently was. His opinion of Daniel continued to fall as he actually tolerated Miz's ass kissing. At this point Miz couldn't get a janitorial job at WrestleMania much less a match. Thankfully Sheamus showed up to bring that grating conversation to a halt.

It was fun to watch Sheamus continue Miz's downward spiral of losses. He was less enthused when Laurinaits showed up on screen with Otunga. He couldn't get away from the man, even when he was on Smackdown.

Unfortunately Truth and Kofi did not beat Ziggler and Swagger due to a poke to the eye from Ziggler to Kofi while the official was dealing with a screeching Vickie who had managed to trip over her own heels. It had started out so well too with Kofi completely dominating Ziggler. Kofi really was an excellent friend.

The rest of the matches didn't really hold his interest as he had enough on his plate without the addition of the going-on's over on Smackdown. Kofi had put one over on him when he asked to borrow his phone because his was broken but what Kofi had done was surreptitiously install Words with Friends. Truth spanked them both which was surprising and not surprising in the slightest.

It was finally time for his match with Daniel which promised to be a hell of a match because they have always brought out the best in each other. He was pulled aside for an interview before making his way into the arena. He got a few digs in on Laurinaitis, Jericho and Daniel. All in all, a pretty standard interview. Daniel seemed pretty annoyed at the CM Punk chants, but really, whose hometown did he think they were in? The match was fast paced and highly technical. The only drawback was that Daniel knew at least 30 ways to detach his arm from his body and he was using them all. It was a good thing his legs were still working and he managed to take control of the match with a series of strikes. Apparently Daniel sensed the incoming danger and chose to slide under the ropes, call for his belt and start walking up the ramp. Now Punk was sure that Daniel had taken leave of his senses. Daniel used to be the most ethical person he knew and now he was cowering out?

Daniel's plan was foiled when Sheamus showed up and shoved Daniel back into the ring and straight into a vicious kick to Daniel's temple. Punk got the pin but only a few seconds later Clown Shoes made an appearance, restarting the match due to Sheamus' actions. His arm was still messed up and Daniel resumed torturing it. Daniel rolled him up and when Punk tried to reverse the pin he found that he couldn't due to an unusual amount of pressure that could only mean that Daniel had used the rope they were next to for leverage. His anger was quickly calmed when Teddy Long made his way to the ring, again restarting the match due to Daniel's cheating. They traded off offensive maneuvers until he caught Daniel in a small package and heard the official give the three count. When his arm wasn't immediately raised he was confused and then realized Daniel was under the impression that he had won. They had managed to pin each other simultaneously. Of course Clown Shoes insisted that Daniel had won while Long was advocating for his win. Both GM's entered the ring and raised the hand of their chosen victor. Punk just watched as the GM's started going at it, complete with aggressive finger pointing and stripping off their suit coats as if they were going to go at it. Even though the stand off ended before and punches were thrown it was still entertaining as hell seeing someone else start something with Laurinaitis that wasn't him.

Punk made his way backstage, collecting his things and Kofi who he was letting crash at his apartment for the night before Kofi left to go visit friends before the first of a trio of house shows on the 24th. He had never let anyone but Colt and John stay at his place, valuing his privacy. Kofi seemed cognizant of the fact that this was not an invitation just extended to anyone, and when Kofi called him Phil as he headed out the next morning Punk didn't even blink an eye.

February 23, 2010

Punk stared at the door in front of him with trepidation. He knew he was walking into the Spanish Inquisition but knocked anyway. At least he had brought flowers.

"Phillip, what a surprise, you usually steal away in the night when you're in town, not even bothering to see your dear mother."

"There's been a lot going on and most of it horribly bad."

"Don't tell me that you and the nicest man on the planet broke up? I can tell from your face that's exactly what happened. What the hell did you do?"

"Me! Why is it always me?"

"I did raise you, you know."

"Well, John's niceness finally got him in trouble," and Punk explained the saga that was his life for the past few months.

"First off, that spiky haired guy didn't ever strike me as intelligent enough to pull something like that off and I can't really blame you for being taken in by blonde in a bottle, he does have a certain something, and by a certain something I'm referring to his abs."

"Well he has a thing for cougars; I can pass your number along to him if you want."

"Judging from all the hijinks you get up to I can say with confidence that I have a maturity which most of your co-workers seem to lack. Your life is like a bad soap opera. I really am glad that you and John managed to get past all the drama and work things out between each other. He's a keeper."

"This I know."

"So what's the next step?"

"We moved in together."

"You live in hotel rooms."

"We keep belongings at each other's places."

"Did he have to drag you and your meager belongings kicking and screaming to Tampa?"

"I'll have you know that I asked him to move in first."

"Really? I can't deny that I'm surprised by that. You've always been commitment phobic."

"It's different this time."

"Why is that?"

"He's different. I'm different since I've been with him. He makes me happier than I've ever been before in my life. I love him."

"Has it ever occurred to you that he might want more?"

"What more is there?"

"Marriage, kids, someone to grow old with."

"That's not even legal."

"It is in West Newbury, Massachusetts."

"I don't think I'm husband material."

"You are, don't sell yourself and your feelings short. One day soon that boy is going to show up with a ring, probably on one with knee after asking for my blessing. You need to get your head straight before that happens. You say the wrong thing in that moment and it might never come again."

John had never been less happy to see his fans. All he wanted was to be with Punk. They had finally gotten past the mess of the last few months. Punk had forgiven him even though he thought that he wasn't worthy of that forgiveness. Punk had given it to him freely and John wasn't stupid enough to argue the point. He had missed Punk so much that it made everything else around him meaningless. His happiness was directly tied to Punk and without him he felt untethered to everything around him. Although he missed the sex it was the small things that he really missed; sleeping tangled up in each other, being at Punk's side in the monitor bay listening to every crazed comment that came into his head, watching him take a beating in the ring but having no way to know if he was okay afterwards. He found himself staring into space and trying to concoct some way for them to run off together, if only for a few days so he could drown in all things Punk. He was jerked out of his fantasy when he heard someone take a seat at the table next to his. He turned and rolled his eyes, he had seen this coming from a mile away.

"There are 5 other empty tables in this room, please, god, find your way to one of them now."

"I just wanted to know if banging you is what it takes for everyone to drink the Kool-Aid and recognize your boy toy as the best in the world," Jericho said nastily.

"No, beating me is what makes Punk the best in the world, something you've never managed to do."

"I have beaten you."

"Yeah, when was that?"

"2002."

"Oh, when I was fresh out of developmental and green as hell, I'd definitely put that one on your resume. I clearly remember relieving you of the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series in 2008 though."

"I was the first undisputed Champion."

"Yeah, with McMahon's help. How long did that title reign last? Oh yeah just long enough for Triple H to come back from injury and beat your ass. How many World Championships have you won? 6 right? Punk has you beat there too. Any more accolades you want to throw out there? No? How about your accomplishments outside the WWE, like when you won Dancing with the Stars, no, wait, you came in 6th. Tell me, how many Grammy's has Fozzy won and albums gone gold? None? Are we done here? Good. Now fuck off."

"I don't remember you being this much of a loud mouthed jerk."

"What can I say? I learned from the best in the world."

February 24, 2012

Punk deplaned in Los Angeles and made his way to the pick up area to catch the bus with the rest of the guys.

"Damn, that's the hottest ass I've seen in a long time."

Punk whipped around and found himself wrapped up in a tiny Latina and kissed swiftly on the mouth.

"Melina!"

"What? You think you can come to Los Angeles and not see your best girl?"

"I've missed the fuck out of you," Punk replied, returning Melina's hug with one just as fierce.

"Kingston, what the hell are you gawking at?"

"But…John?"

"Cena knows that I have visitation rights with the fine ass body of his boyfriend. No need to wait on Phil, I'm taking him home with me where I plan to have my wicked way with him. I'll get him to the arena on time. Me and some of my girls have ringside seats since I know I can't sneak backstage with Punk cause they'd toss me out on my ass the jerks."

"I'll tell them that you're not coming, you have fun with…that."

"I plan to."

"Let's get going, from what I've heard you and I are long overdue for a little girl talk."

After the most frightening car ride Punk had ever experienced they finally made it to her and John's apartment who was currently out of town on a booking. They ended up with Punk lying on the sofa with his head in Melina's lap who was running her fingers through Punk's ungelled hair.

"…so that was Ryder and Ziggler's master plan. The scary thing was that it was working until Eve volunteered her talent for espionage."

"You do realize that you came awfully close to fucking up your relationship with John permanently?"

"I know how stupid I behaved. I always thought John was the one prone to jealousy and but I proved I can be just as jealous and that combined with my vindictiveness…"

"You both behaved badly. I'm surprised you managed to get back together so quickly, you do know how to hold a grudge."

"Once all the bullshit was out the way all I wanted was to be with John. Forgiving him was an easy decision when it came down to it."

"I'm surprised you nymphos managed to keep your hands off each other for that long."

"Well…"

"Ah, hate sex can be exhilarating, but the makeup sex…"

"Phenomenal and that's all the details you get."

"Just a little taste, for me?"

"We did end up upside down on the bed."

"And how did you get there?"

"You're not getting anything else so don't even try."

"There's something else on your mind, isn't there?"

"It's just something my Mom said."

"And that was…"

"She thinks John wants to marry me."

"Are you telling me that eventuality never occurred to you? Have you taken that many shots to the head? I've already got my tux fitted for when I stand up next to you as your Best Man."

"I never really saw myself as the marrying kind. I'm crazy, occasionally cruel and withdrawn and extremely egomaniacal. Who'd want to tie themselves to that for life? It's just a piece of paper."

"You say that now but when John shows up with a ring you're going to find that a simple piece of paper means more than you ever thought it would."

"Our relationship has always been inundated with drama. There were stretches when we didn't even speak to each other, the most recent clusterfuck for example."

"Well, with that ring on your finger you'll be bound by law to come home eventually. I'm sure John wishes he could stamp his name on your ass just so everyone knows you're his, a ring will do just as well."

"Actually…"

"Actually what?"

Punk pulled down the side of his shorts to show Melina that John had indeed stamped his name on him.

"Is this part of a matching set?"

"You know it."

"And you're worried about a ring and a piece of paper? Boys can be so silly. Come on, it's about time I drop you at the arena. You can stay in the guest room and I'll cook you dinner after the show."

"You can cook!"

"I can be surprisingly domestic."

"You have officially been promoted to best friend in the world."

"Am I going to get a t-shirt?"

As Punk approached the ring he watched as Ziggler almost huddled in the corner and watched as his eyes flitted about the arena looking for the nearest exit. Ziggler obviously knew he was in for the beating of his life. He stepped into the ring and immediately spotted Melina and her friends, mainly due to the banner that they were holding over their heads with a picture of him and the words "I'd hit that!" Punk cracked up laughing as security approached them to confiscate the sign. It turned into a tug of war between Melina and the security guard, Melina finally giving up the sign. He couldn't hear the conversation but he bet that Melina had been threatened with expulsion from the arena.

He faced Ziggler to start the match and immediately rolled his eyes when he heard the voice of the shrillest harpy in the WWE.

"Excuse me!"

Punk turned around to find not only Vickie but Swagger making their way to the ring. Ziggler was obviously covering all his bases. He was ready to start the match when Clown Shoes made an appearance with Otunga at his side, announcing that he had chosen a special enforcer for the match. He knew what was coming even before "Break Down the Walls" began to play through the arena. He was in a lot of trouble.

Punk wasted no time getting the jump on Ziggler, kicking every unprotected area on his body where he could land a hit. Punk was enjoying beating the hell out of Ziggler but of course that couldn't last forever. Vickie started jumping up on the apron, distracting the official while Ziggler and Swagger double teamed him. Jericho just watched blithely from the floor as he was getting his ass kicked. The official finally disposed of Vickie and Punk was able to mount an offense. He had Ziggler locked in the Anaconda Vise and he wasn't planning on letting up until Ziggler started turning blue. He felt a kick to the back of his head, forcing him to release the hold. Punk was still on the mat when he heard the bell ring. What the hell? He saw Jericho standing on the apron, speaking to the official and the ring announcer.

"By order of the special enforcer, Dolph Ziggler has been disqualified due to outside interference. Your winner, CM Punk!"

Punk watched as Vickie berated a sneering Chris Jericho who barely even acknowledged her existence. The cheating trio made their way to the arena entrance, Ziggler outstripping them by a few feet, eager to get the hell out of there. Jericho remained on the apron, turning his mocking smile on Punk.

"Jericho, do I even want to know what that is all about?"

"An opponent worthy of me doesn't lose to Dolph Ziggler because he brought his posse with him."

"And why didn't you call a stop to the match after the first time they interfered?"

"I didn't want you to lose the title but I'm not against watching you get your ass kicked first."

"You're a sick fuck Jericho."

"I'm the best in the world at everything I do."

"When it comes to being a complete jackass, yes you are."

February 26, 2012

Clown Shoes had obviously learned his lesson from the match with Ziggler with Jericho as the special enforcer. Although Laurinaitis was probably praying every night for his defeat at WrestleMania he didn't assign Jericho again as the special enforcer for his matches because Laurinaitis obviously realized that Jericho's behavior could not be controlled. Instead Jericho found himself in a match against Kofi while Punk was put in a Triple Threat match against Ziggler and Kane.

In the absence of Ryder Punk couldn't have picked two people whose asses he wanted to kick more. Ziggler for the obvious reasons and Kane for all the hell that he had put John through. Ziggler again brought his posse but after a few sadistic glares from Kane they quickly made their way backstage. The bell rang and Kane singled out Ziggler as the weak link, choke slamming him in the opening minutes of the match and then tossing him to the outside. Kane turned his attention to him. Punk definitely had him beat in the speed department but when Kane caught him with a hit he could feel his bones vibrate from the impact. Kane hit him with the same choke slam that had befallen Ziggler and found himself dumped outside the ring right next to him. Punk looked up to see Ziggler lying motionless on the ground staring right at him. The son of a bitch was playing possum.

"You're a spineless loser, do you know that?" delivering a vicious kick to Ziggler's side. He turned to reenter the ring just in time to see Jericho jump into the ring and hit the Code Breaker on Kane. The bell rang but since the official couldn't determine who Jericho had been interfering on behalf of the match was declared a no contest. The fans rained down a chorus of boos. Jericho just shrugged and nonchalantly strolled out of the arena.

By the time Punk made his way backstage Jericho was gone. He showered and changed and boarded the bus with the rest of the members of the roster who were catching a flight to Oregon for Raw. Punk had just passed through security when his cell went off. It was John.

"Hey, how was the media tour? Spazzing kiddies and hyperventilating women?"

"Your respect for my fans astounds me."

"Hey, I've got my own harem of perverse yet attractive women in Los Angeles. They had a banner with my picture and "I'd Hit That!" on it. Don't worry, I only went home with one of them."

"What!"

"She cooked for me and everything. Can you cook?"

"Why are you torturing me?"

"Don't worry sweetheart, it was only my favorite girl and her friends."

"Please say it was Melina."

"It was indeed Melina, troublemaker that she is. She almost got kicked out the arena when she got into it with security when they confiscated her sign. I also haven't managed to win a match in 3 house shows."

"What the hell did you do?"

"Don't blame it on me; it was my new best friend acting on my behalf. Code Breakers all around. I don't think Laurinaitis is getting what he paid for as far as Jericho is concerned."

"You should be thankful you're on Raw and not Smackdown. Laurinaitis will attempt to keep you separated and save the action for WrestleMania but Long would probably have you tagging together."

"I shudder at the thought. Hey, our flight is boarding, I have to go."

"I'm already in Oregon; I'll see you when you get in tonight. I missed you."

"I missed you too. You know what would make me feel better, if you were naked when I got there."

"That I can do. Love you."

"Love you too, see you soon."

"I hope my room isn't next door to yours," Kofi said with a wry smile.

"Did you hear all of that?"

"I was standing right next to you."

"Did I sound odd?"

"Odd, no. Why?"

"Thank god."

"Something couldn't possibly have gone wrong already. You were only separated for a week!"

"It's nothing bad, just…"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Maybe later when we're not within earshot of half the roster."

Punk settled in to his seat and breathed deeply. He had managed to talk to John without revealing the unrest that had taken up residence in his head. Now he would have to see John face to face and hopefully not reveal his confused mental state. Maybe his Mom and Melina were wrong, although neither was of a particularly romantic bent.

John wanted to marry him.

AN: Thank you to my loyal reviewers that reestablished my confidence in the way this story is progressing. Review and ye shall be rewarded. This chapter is one I've wanted to write ever since John's wish in Japan. Review and let me know what you think. If you want another quick update…you know what to do!