Author: Rebellecherry
Title: Hello Heartache
Summary: The ink just has dried on John's divorce papers and he can no longer deny the secret that he's hidden his entire life. His best friend Nikki pushes him closer to CM Punk an equal in the company a sometimes adversary, always an attractive distraction and he just might be the best heartache John has ever had.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything! I don't know these people, and I am in no way affiliated with this NYSE traded company. I am not saying that this has or will ever happen this is just an artistic release. And expression.
Never Let Me Go
John watched the door in front of him close and heard the one behind him opened, John turned at the sound unable to keep the smile off his face, it fell away when he saw who opened the door. It was Paul.
"Hey," John said.
"Hello," Paul said coolly, "Care to explain?"
"I'm not over him," John said, "We're dating."
"Did he leave Vince?"
"No…it's complicated," John said explaining without explaining anything.
"How? Does Vince know?" Paul asked.
"Of course," John said, "he made the suggestion after last night. Punk and I had sex at the club."
Paul smirked but John saw the hurt in his eyes, and he felt bad for putting it out there so bluntly, "How was it?"
"I don't think we should talk about that," John said blushing as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I just thought you should know."
"That the guy who took me out last night had sex with someone else and disappeared until now when I saw him kissing that same guy," Paul said, "I would have rather not known."
"Look I'm sorry," John said.
"Was I going to be a rebound?" Paul asked.
"I don't know," John said honestly, "Punk is the first guy I've been with, I've never been really comfortable with my sexuality. I thought that maybe hanging out with you last night would make me more open. And it did, you're a nice guy…"
"That's just it, I'm the nice guy," Paul said shutting the door in John's face and effectively ending the conversation.
John sighed and went into home hoping no one else caught the exchange. He lie awake most of the night, wondering how was he going to get Punk to choose him. Wondering what made him worthy of Punk's affections. He finally fell into a restless sleep he didn't set his alarm because he didn't have to be up until noon.
He woke up to find someone jumping on his bed, he was shocked to find Punk and Nikki laughing above him.
"Get up," Nikki said, "shower and take this man out to breakfast I'm going to do you a solid and wash your clothes."
"Holy hell. Is there a reason why you two are here at seven am?"
"Well, you said we were supposed to have breakfast and it's getting late, so we decided to come by here and get you," Punk said, "I'm supposed to have lunch with Vince."
"I see you've got a time table," John said, "who do you have on your calendar for dinner? I doubt Nikki wants nothing more than for us to get out of her way, so she can do whatever it is she wanted to do in the first place."
"Really? I'm hurt that you'd think that of me," Nikki said jutting her chin, "seriously John get up move your ass, you've got a Make a Wish thing during lunch and you'll probably be on your way to your next radio interview by the time either of us ready for dinner. If you don't spend time with him now your best bet is after the house show in Tuscaloosa Alabama."
John sighed, "I'll be right back. Nikki make yourself useful will you check my mail. There is this big box I haven't opened sitting in the guest room."
"Hopefully, it's not another lame gift from your super fan," Nikki said stomping out of the room, "he needs to bake some more of those damn cookies, those were good as hell."
"You got another man baking for you?" Punk asked flopping back on John's bed, "I'm jealous."
John got out of bed and left Punk lying there with a grin on his face, "Your cookies were better. I think she wants to talk to Scott and tan by the pool. And play with what's in the box in the guest room."
A squeal erupted from the next bedroom and Nikki came tearing back through the room.
"You really bought it?"
"That rocking horse was expensive as hell," John said.
"Now I'm going to really have to wash your clothes," Nikki said.
John laughed, "You'd better get started before you start playing with your new toy."
Nikki smirked and then pulled him into a hug before heading downstairs.
Punk lay back on John's bed watching the man head into the bathroom wearing a pair of tight boxer briefs, admiring his fit physique secretly wanting to follow him in the shower. But that would break the rules he'd been so scared last night when they'd had their talk. Vince had been understanding Punk had thought they were done, but it seemed Vince wanted to hold onto their relationship more than he craved having all power. He never thought that when he made that revelation last night that he'd be waiting for John to finish his shower so they can have breakfast and then he can go work out with Nikki and then meet Vince for lunch.
He was half asleep when John exited the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. That woke him right up. John's closet as it was a large walk in right in front of the big rumpled bed Punk was lying in right now. John dropped the towel without a thought, Punk's hat was half hiding his eyes, he could kind of play it off like he wasn't watching every move they made was soaked in sexual tension as it were the last thing he needed to was for John to catch him checking him out things would probably progress quickly and they'd probably end up fucking for breakfast.
"I know you're watching me," John said once he'd pulled on boxers and jeans, "maybe you've seen something you like well enough so you'll make a thorough but speedy decision about who you want to be with."
"Right now I'm just filling my spank bank," Punk grinned, "I do intend to make a thorough decision and since neither of my boyfriends plan to put out I'm going to have to take care of myself until I decide."
John pulled a tank top over his head and then he put on a button down and started looking for some shoes. Punk was thankful he'd dressed halfway decent in a pair of his new skintight jeans and a novelty tee shirt.
"I must admit you look good lying in my bed," John said, "it's something I've thought about many times."
"Really?" Punk asked.
"Yes, and I suggest we get going so I don't act out that fantasy right now," John said.
Punk reluctantly got out of John's bed just as John was pulling on a ball cap. Breakfast was great Punk enjoyed the trip to the garage most of all he got to pick which car they took the to the restaurant and of course Punk picked the black on black vintage Corvette and he held Punk's hand while he was driving, which was pretty sweet.
Breakfast was fine, it was nice getting to be with John without work or sex being involved. After breakfast it was back in the car kisses exchanged behind the tinted glass. Nikki was waiting in the foyer in her workout clothes on and a big smile on her face.
"I don't even want to know," John told her.
"Wasn't planning on telling you," she sassed, "I've got a new BFF to swap dirty details with."
John stuck out his tongue and Nikki did the same.
Punk laughed, "How's Scotty doing?"
"He's good," Nikki said, "and pretty satisfied right about now."
"TMI," John said, "did you clean up after yourself?"
"Yes dad," Nikki said, "your whites are in the dryer now, and I took a look at your bills, everything is back on track. I even pulled the sheets off the guest bed and put them in the wash, and I put on the teal ones I like. Next time we're in town we'll stay here instead of a hotel. Though I don't know if that's in the terms you discussed with Vincie."
Punk and Nikki headed down to the gym in the car they'd rented, Punk went to the locker room to change there was no way he was going to work on his moves in the tight jeans.
"Do I see a mixed tag match in our future?" Nikki asked looking over at April who was guiding a hung over Randy through a sparring match with Celeste and Nick.
"Definitely if its with Brie and Bryan," Punk said, "that would actually be pretty good to watch, Bella vs. Bella."
"I'm itching for that maybe we can quit wearing matching outfits," Nikki said pulling a face, "and you and I could even fake date. I can sell a good onscreen kiss. But I bet your boyfriends would get pretty jealous."
Punk blushed and turned his attention on the half ass of a match going on in the ring in front of them. Randy and Nemeth looked seconds away from simultaneous projectile vomiting as they tried to suplex each other.
"Hey guys wanna work on some moves?" Nattie called over from where she and TJ were locked up in a corner more in an embrace than a headlock.
"Sure," Nikki said sliding under the ropes and rolling into the ring making sure that she put her ass out.
Punk rolled his eyes and did things in a similar fashion.
They worked on spots, including a Nikki doing a suicide dive onto TJ who caught her and passed her off to Punk laughing at her antics.
"Hey Nikki wanna switch partners?" Randy leered from the ring across the way.
"Team up with you?" Nikki asked.
"No," Randy said, "I'm talking about a four Diva tag match and a tag match. Punk do you wanna team with me?"
"Not if I can help it," Punk replied, "besides we got somewhere to be."
"I gotta get cute enough to FaceTime at the airport, and check out time is at twelve," Nikki reminded him, "and I gotta get the rental back on time too."
Punk took a quick shower and redressed for his lunch date with Vince he dropped Nikki off at the hotel and passed the rental car off to one of Vince's assistants and got his bags and Nikki's bags and loaded them into the Vince's limo.
"Hey baby," Vince said as Punk slid across the leather interior to get closer to the man.
"Hi," Punk said.
Vince pulled him in for a kiss it was slow and sensual and made Punk want much more but the man pulled off.
"What are you in the mood for?"
"It doesn't matter I just want to eat outside it's a nice day," Punk said.
"Alright, where's Nikki?"
"She's changing and checking out of the room then she's going to have lunch with Brie," Punk explained, "your assistant will have her a car so she can meet us at the airport."
"Sounds like a plan," Vince said pulling Punk in for another kiss pulling him into his lap his lips drifting down to Punk's neck making him pant and buck.
"Where to sir?" the driver asked.
"Garden Bistro, my love wants lunch outside," Vince said.
Punk had eaten lightly at breakfast and he'd had salad and shrimp skewers for lunch and he didn't eat very much of it. He hadn't been on the treadmill or gone for a run in two days, he doubted he'd burned enough calories to account for the rich Ranch he was having on his salad when he was in the ring working spots.
They were outside on the deck, it was completely empty outside, and they'd been seated in a spot surrounded with hanging plants and shrubbery fence. Vince was even bold enough to take his hand at the table.
"How was your day?"
"It was good," Punk smiled, "worked on some spots with TJ, Nikki and Nattie."
"Sounds fun," Vince said, "that might be a good mixed tag match to watch. Maybe when we play RAW Roulette again, we might do something like that with crazy mixed pairs."
"How in the hell would we even explain that," Punk laughed reaching for his water.
"I would find a way to rationalize it because I want to see it," Vince said.
Punk smiled.
"You're beautiful when you smile," Vince said, "we'd better get out of here or we'll miss our flights."
"You have a private jet," Punk grinned.
"It just so happens I do I still don't want to be late taking off late I have a meeting with the board early tomorrow, and you two have house shows all week," Vince said, "We're going to be apart until Saturday when you get to Boston."
Punk nodded.
"Now, don't pout," Vince said, "that gets me hotter than anything on the planet."
"I'm going to miss you," Punk told him.
"I'll miss you too," Vince told him.
Nikki was waiting for them at the airport where Vince boarded his jet and Nikki and Punk took a flight to Alabama. When they landed Nikki suggested they grab a coffee but when they headed into the lounge the scene unfolding made Punk want to turn and go the other way.
There was Randy at the bar slamming shots once more.
Nikki went up and took the stool beside Randy before offering the man hello.
"Excuse me? Is he your friend?" the hostess asked.
"I'd use the term friend a bit more loosely, but yeah, we know him," Punk said.
"He's been here since lunch drinking shot after shot," she explained, "I offered to call him a cab, but he just orders another shot."
"I'm sitting right here!" Randy said, "how about you don't talk about me like I'm not here. I'm waiting for them to find my luggage, then once they do I'll take my ass to the hotel."
"Alright," Nikki said turning her attention to the hostess, "Can I have a non fat mocha latte?"
"And for you sir?" she asked turning her attention to Nikki.
"I'd like a Pepsi," Punk told her.
"We only have Coke products," the woman smiled.
"I'll have hot tea," Punk said sitting down next to Nikki.
Randy was leering over Nikki's head at Punk just as the phone sitting on the bar in front of him buzzed.
"There's the message I've been waiting on," Randy declared reaching for his phone and successfully dropping it in Nikki's lap.
"Do you need help Randal?" Punk asked.
"Everybody needs help sometimes, Phil," Randy smiled before turning his attention to Nikki, "Could you read me that that text Dollface all the words seem to blur together sometimes."
Nikki unlocked his phone easily he didn't have an unlock code on it, "Your bags have arrived at the baggage claim."
"Alright," Randy said sliding his wallet out of his pocket and sliding the gold card across the counter, "I'd like to settle my tab and I'll pay for their drinks too."
Nikki passed him his phone back and after the hostess ran the card, Randy slid off the stool and stumbled toward the door and out of the lounge.
"He is nice when he's drunk," Nikki observed.
"I told you," Punk said.
"He's really wasted," Nikki said.
"Yeah," Punk said adding sugar and lemon to his tea, "we'd better go after him."
"I went ahead and pre-ordered our rental," Nikki explained, "we can offer him a ride. That way we can help without him knowing we're helping he gets aggressive when help is being offered."
"I noticed," Punk said.
They took their drinks in To Go cups and headed toward baggage claim to collect their own things and they found Randy leaving baggage claim.
"Hey, do you want a ride back to the hotel?" Punk asked, "Nikki got us a rental. You staying at the usual place?"
"Yeah," Randy said, "thanks."
John was looking forward to the show in Tuscaloosa one because he got to see Punk and he even got to wrestle him. He didn't get a chance to see Punk when he got in that morning before the show, so he decided to bring something special to the arena with him to surprise his boyfriend. He was going to show Punk that he could be sweet and thoughtful and he didn't have to go overboard to show Punk how he felt.
He found Punk with Nikki at guerrilla.
"Hey," John said.
"Hey!" Punk jumped out his chair, "you didn't have to buy me flowers."
"These are clearly for me," Nikki said, "tiger lilies are my favorite, the Pepsi and the zombie show is clearly for you."
"I think you're more of a daisy kind of dude," John smiled handing Nikki the flowers.
Punk laughed, "So we're having a date night?"
"A double date," Nikki said, "Kofi and I are tagging along."
"Tagging along where?" Kofi asked just walking up on the scene.
"We're chaperoning John and Punk's date," Nikki said, "Remember I told you about Vince and John both dating Punk."
As it turns out watching the show together was fun, John stole some kisses here and there and Punk and Kofi were hilarious with their commentary on it. John had never really been into zombies and this was the first season of Punk's favorite show.
When it was over Punk walked John to the door and kissed him good night.
The rest of the week seemed to fly by until Friday when they were going to pick up Scott and go out to dinner, they'd only gotten in a few hours before John had gone to his parents home and Punk and Nikki had gotten a room at the hotel.
Nikki had gone to meet Scott at his gate and possibly tackle him in front of a crowd of fans, Punk and John were in the rental waiting for them to come out of the airport.
"You know we're here in Boston," John said, "and I'd like you to meet my parents. I'd like you to meet them as my boyfriend. I've already come out to them."
"Really?" Punk asked, "you're not going to tell them about our arrangement?"
"Of course not they'd think that was beyond the limit," John said, "they don't like the sister wife thing they think polyandry is a selfish practice."
Punk frowned and John kissed him quick tasting Pepsi and cinnamon, hoping to reassure him, "This is a special circumstance. You're not selfish. My parents are going to love you just as much as I do."
Nikki and Scott got in the car minutes later looking especially rumpled after Scott had loaded his bags into the trunk.
"Hey Scotty!" Punk said grinning at his best friend, "how was the flight?"
"Pretty good," Scott replied, "I ended up sitting next to an old lady who tried to give me brown apple slices."
"I have no doubt you took them," Punk said, "better than the food in Coach."
"I'd be a fool not to," Scott said.
"I am so glad you're here," Nikki said putting her arms around Scott, "I feel like such a third wheel all the time, now you're here and I finally have someone to make out with."
"We've got to make up for lost time too," Scott said, "but after dinner I'm starving."
"What are you in the mood for?" John said, "we can go to this place I like. It's a sports bar, it's got everything, pizza and wings and since we're out of the south we can have Pepsi at a restaurant again."
"I'm down for that," Punk said.
"Good," John said, "my brothers are going to meet us there."
While Punk had met John's brothers at live events and what not, but he hadn't met them as John's friend or significant other and John noticed the worry on Punk's face.
"They think you're awesome," John said, "I already told them I was gay. They laughed, and asked me why it took me so long to figure it out."
"Come on Punky Pal, don't be scared," Nikki said, "have you ever met anyone who wasn't completely enamored with you?"
"I pissed off the entire state of Kentucky once they threw rotten fruit at me as I was leaving a house show," Punk said, "Every time I'm there I still get at least one piece of old fruit thrown at my head."
"You've got nothing to worry about," John insisted.
The brothers were nice and unsure of Punk as he was himself dinner went well aside from the fact that Nikki couldn't keep her hands off Scott and the boy stayed so red in the face that Punk thought he'd busted a blood vessel.
John went back with his brothers and Punk allowed Nikki to drive them back to the hotel. Sharing a hotel bed with a couple who'd just started dating should have been awkward but they were all too tired to feel that way. Punk woke up lying half on top of Scott with Nikki pressed in between them with her hands on Punk's ass.
It was early for even him but he got up and went down to the hotel gym thinking that it was the perfect time for a little cardio. The gym was closed but he knew he could get the manger on duty to open it for him. He didn't even have to use an autographed tee shirt. He put in ten miles on the treadmill and then headed back upstairs to shower. Scott and Nikki still hadn't stirred they'd shifted closer to each other in his absence and Nikki was content to drool on her boyfriends stomach.
When he got out the shower his phone was going off and Nikki was holding it.
"Am I not allowed to sleep past eight anymore?" she asked.
"Lay back down on your boyfriend's doughy middle and you'll drop right back off to sleep," Punk said taking the phone from her, "Scotty is a great pillow."
"Heard that asshole," Scott mumbled pulling Nikki back down and burying his face in her hair.
Vince had just gotten in, and he was at a different hotel, the W, which was just a few blocks away and wanted Punk to have breakfast with him in his suite.
"Guys, I'm going to see Vince," Punk said.
"We're probably going to sleep some more since fooling around is out of the question," Nikki said.
"I suggested we wait at little while longer before we take that next step," Scott said, "I don't wanna fuck this up, you're a gorgeous woman who tolerates my existence and even though we ship different couples we still have this wicked chemistry."
"I agree," Nikki said, "I can't help it if I'm a woman with a high sex drive and I have a boyfriend who teased me with scenarios and stories."
"Like what?" Punk asked putting on his shoes.
"There's a really cool prompt about a hotel gym with you and Orton," Scott said.
"And there's one about you and John in a nightclub," Nikki said, "oh wait that really happened. That means I win, Scott it has happened in real life."
"There is chemistry between Punk and Orton, deny it he might there's something there," Scott said.
"Go back to sleep you crazy fools," Punk said departing the room with just the keys to the rental his wallet and the key card.
He had breakfast with Vince then he went to work on some spots at the venue with some of the guys for the Rumble Punk was entrant number one clearly he wasn't going to win but he was going to have one of the longest times in the ring. The members of the New Nexus were alright they were green and slightly annoying. Otunga was the only one who was able to see past the storyline, the rest were happy puppies intent on possibly maiming John.
Lunch with John, Nikki, Scott, and Kofi a sushi bar was fun to say the least but Punk couldn't quell his nerves he was going to John's place before the house show to meet his parents have an early dinner. No one noticed that he didn't eat much of his California Roll.
"Let me to take you to one of my favorite places," John said after he'd dropped the rest of the group at the hotel.
"I'm not dressed for the gym," Punk smirked.
"I'm not taking you there," John said, "even though it's the coolest place ever. I don't want to get into a lifting contest with you as it is you might show me up."
"Yeah right," Punk laughed.
"Besides I can't kiss you like I want at the gym," John told him before pulling in at this park. It was quiet and still save for a few dog walkers and a lone jogger, it was pretty chilly out and the sun was still high in the sky.
They walked side by side from the car their hips touching until they got to a manmade stream with a stone bridge running over it.
"It's the wishing bridge," John revealed coming to a stop in the middle, "it's symbolic."
"And with more change than a mall fountain," Punk said.
"I think a lot of those are mine," John said, "I wished many times that I could be true to my feelings, that I could be open. But I never thought I'd find someone who wanted to be with me, and as much as I pined for you and wanted you I never thought we'd have this chance."
"I was surprised too," Punk said.
And there out in the open in his hometown in the neighborhood he grew up in John kissed him. And Punk kissed back passionately hooking his arms around the man's neck John's hands slid down across the back pockets of Punk's tight jeans pulling him closer.
Meeting John's parents was nerve wracking but his mother was nice and went out of the way to make Punk feel comfortable. He couldn't get a read off John's dad until the man smiled he possessed a very dry sense of humor. John was helping his mother serve the drinks and left Punk alone with his father.
"What are your intentions with my son?" Mr. Cena asked.
"I…ugh…um…" for someone who always knew what to say on the mic and in the ring Punk had nothing when it came to talking to the parents of his significant other.
Mr. Cena broke out into a rowdy laugh, "I always wanted to do that, but I never had any daughters and never got a chance to grill any potential boyfriends until now. But are things pretty serious or is this just causal sex for you?"
"Actually, we're not having sex right now," Punk revealed, "we're trying to see where are with this relationship without the pursuit of sexual activity being the main focus. Not that we haven't had sex before. We just want more than that."
"How do you feel about marriage equality laws? John did tell me that you identify as bisexual and you've had long term relationships with women," Mr. Cena revealed, "do you think you'll eventually settle with a man or a woman?"
"I think the laws should be equal for everyone," Punk said, "though I don't think marriage is something to just do for fun or because the pressure of society pushes for the union but because the two people love and respect each other and have the bond of compatibility. I don't know if I'll every be ready to take that chance and get married to anyone I was just too hurt by my parents marriage to think about having one of my own."
Mr. Cena nodded, "I agree many people get married for the wrong reason. I'm a little hurt to think that my son married someone because he was afraid that we wouldn't accept him as he really was. That he was afraid he'd disappoint us if he told us the truth. Are you out with your family?"
"Pretty much," Punk said, "I never like sat them down and made a big production and told them. I think there were clues with the way I dressed in high school and I always attended the pride parade, and had boyfriends over while I lived there and I was affectionate with them and respectful at the same time. My dad didn't like it much and my mom didn't seem to notice and if she did she didn't care."
"I see," Mr. Cena said, "have you ever really had the full support of your parents in anything you've done?"
"No, they've always been busy with their own lives and I've had mine," Punk said, "I'd always thought it was normal until I met my friends in high school, I pretty much moved in with her and her folks and I've only now started to communicate with my mother regularly. She'd come to wrestling shows, even before things started to take off though she'd get trashed and come with her girlfriends I'm not sure if they knew it was wrestling I think they thought it was strip show they tipped one of the wresters at the promotion I was working for then. I was so embarrassed I couldn't tell them that it was my mom who had done that."
"I'm sorry you've not had an easy time of it," Mr. Cena said.
"It's been okay, don't feel sorry for me I didn't miss out on family support," Punk smiled, "I have people in my life though we're not related we still relate to one another and they love me and support me and I love and support them."
Mr. Cena nodded.
John and his mother re-entered the room and John was red-faced and trailing behind her.
"Your tattoos are lovely," Mrs. Cena said, "it's an interesting way to share your convictions."
"I don't know if it's all convictions some of it is clever product placement," Punk winked.
Mrs. Cena smiled, "They are still very pretty. I'd always wanted to get a tattoo."
"Really?" John asked shocked.
"What would you get?" Punk asked.
"The North Star on my right shoulder and then a line of little stars leading up to it," Mrs. Cena revealed.
"You've never talked about that before," Mr. Cena mused.
"I've always been too afraid," she responded, "but I still think about getting it done."
"We should go sometime, there's a shop in Chicago that I go to all the time," Punk said, "I know all the artists. I'm thinking about getting some more ink done. You can come and see how it's done, and get them to draw a mock up of what you want."
Mrs. Cena smiled, "That would be very nice."
Dinner was fine the food was delicious and there was no awkwardness other than Mr. Cena coaxing Punk up on the big gay soap box the man seemed to be genuinely interested in the homosexual perspective in a political sense.
"So your mom is into tattoos, and your dad is into gay rights? How could you not know that?"Punk asked when dinner was over and they were in the room that John used when he slept over, his nostalgic parents had set it up like the room he had when he was a child.
"I told you that they would totally love you," John said once they were inside his bedroom with the door shut.
"I shouldn't stay too long," Punk replied things could get tricky if they spent too much time alone before they were ready.
John pulled Punk closer to him, "Yeah, there's a big day tomorrow."
"A big day of not winning the Rumble," Punk said.
"I'm in the same boat," John reminded him.
"I guess we're supposed to say goodnight right here," Punk said.
"I'll say again when I take you back to the hotel," John said.
"There isn't any reason for you to drive me there and then come back here," Punk pointed out, "besides you can't even walk me to the door and kiss me goodnight."
"Then I'll just have to go inside your room and kiss you goodnight," John winked.
"But Scott and Nikki went out so we'll be all alone," Punk said, "how will you manage to stay out of trouble?"
"I suppose you're trouble?"
"Clearly," Punk said.
"I think I can manage," John replied, "I'm not in trouble right now and we're alone. But oh I wanna be."
"John," Punk began before everything he needed to say was swallowed up in a passionate kiss.
Punk forgot his reasoning as the kisses deepened and he found himself being guided down on John's bed with the man lying half on top of him, his big hands were everywhere touching and groping.
"We should stop," Punk said as John sucked his pulse point he was getting really turned on.
"I've never got to do this," John said, "I've never made out with a guy I liked in my bedroom. I feel like I'm back in high school."
"If this were high school," Punk whispered, "I wouldn't have come over for dinner you would have just snuck me in your window and we'd still be going at it."
"Damn, I kinda wish I would have met you in high school," John said.
"You wouldn't have liked who I was then," Punk told him, "I was a mess."
"I don't think that there would ever be a time where I wouldn't like you, where I wouldn't crave being around you," John said.
Punk kissed him again and was about to lose himself in the moment once again, but he felt his phone buzzing in his pocket and it was distracting.
"I really should go," Punk whispered when John broke the kiss.
"Just a few more minutes," John whispered kissing his neck.
"A few more minutes and we won't be thinking clearly," Punk said, "I thought you said you weren't going to put out anymore?"
"Well," John said blushing and rolling onto his side, "I had my resolve but I see you in here lying in my bed and it really gets me going."
It was Punk's turn to blush.
"You're adorable when you blush you know that," John said.
"I don't blush," Punk pointed to the ceiling going to his default excuse as his blush deepened, "it must be a little inconsistency from your overhead light you should probably check the bulb."
"You're blushing baby admit it," John said, "I made you blush."
Punk pulled him into a kiss just to shut him up, he couldn't have John talking about him blushing. He wiggled a bit and wrapped his legs around John's waist pulling him in closer effectively distracting him. But it would be Punk who found himself caught when the make out session became a bit more heated.
John was kissing his way down Punk's neck his tee shirt becoming a little bunched mess under his armpits as John tried to kiss every spot he could reach without taking it completely off, his pierced nipples were kissed and flicked his bellybutton was tongue fucked and his Straight Edge tattoo was licked and kissed and John was nipping at the flesh around Punk's waist band. He was lost in sensation and John seemed to be intent on teasing him. He was hard and John was too but he seemed to be ignoring that in favor of being a tease.
John was about to flick open the button on Punk's jeans when the buzzing of Punk's phone started to annoy even him.
"Would you answer that please?" John said, "I know it's him."
John stood up and looked around for his own tee shirt which had somehow got discarded before the talk of blushing. Punk took out his phone and read the text from Vince.
Punk sighed, "I'm sorry, he wants me to come over for a night cap. He even sent a picture of strawberry ice cream sundaes."
"It's fine," John said, "I wish it was just us and we didn't have all these rules, that I could kiss you anytime I wanted and that I could make love to you right now."
"Me too," Punk said.
"You're the one who can make it that way," John reminded him, "all you have to do is choose."
"I…I should go," Punk stood up and put on his shoes.
He went to open the door but John stopped him.
"I didn't mean to scare you," John whispered.
Punk sighed, "I haven't forgotten for a second about our arrangement. Don't you think I want to get to a point where I could make a choice?"
"Honestly?" John said.
"I want to hear what you think," Punk said.
"I don't think you really want to make a choice," John said, "you can have your cake and eat it too. And if we were both having sex with you I think you'd be content to let this go on forever."
"You're probably right," Punk said, "I love you both and I know it's selfish for me to want to stay with both of you but I can't help it right now."
"Let me walk you out," John said.
"I was thinking about storming off," Punk said, "but I need the keys to the rental."
"Don't get upset baby," John said.
"You say something that hurts my feelings and then you expect for me not to get upset," Punk said.
"You wanted me to tell you honestly," John said.
"I did want you tell me, I'm not mad. You can walk me out," Punk said.
John took his hand and walked him downstairs, Punk said goodnight to John's parents and John handed over the keys to the rental.
"Are you sure you don't need me to drive you?"
"I'm okay," Punk said.
"We on for breakfast?" John asked.
"Yeah," Punk smiled.
"Goodnight," John said, "I love you."
"I love you too," Punk told him.
Punk gave him a kiss goodnight and got in the rental.
John was worried that he'd blown things with Punk but they'd survived the Rumble, they'd known they wouldn't win but they'd made everything interesting. The following weeks were crazy, and John was getting a little annoyed with their arrangement. He was never sure what Punk was thinking, but he was always affectionate, and John didn't mind that in he least but keeping things PG with him and Punk was difficult sometimes but they were hardly ever alone, Nikki was around most of the time and there was an awkward group date with Scott and Nikki that John would like to forget because Punk and Scott behaved like they were on the date sharing inside jokes and at one point the two disappeared outside for thirty minutes.
When it was time for Scott to head back to Chicago both Nikki and Punk were sad, but Scott promised he'd be out again for the Chamber he had to catch up on some things. He had to face five dudes for a shot at the WWE Championship at Mania, and one of the five was Punk who knew he wasn't billed to win but he worked on spots and at house shows and on Raw with enthusiasm. John wasn't stupid he'd heard the rumor that Punk was taking the title from him in the summer, and he'd also heard Punk say a time or two before they started hanging out that he was leaving the company that he was done, but he hadn't heard that in months.
Vince was more enamored than ever with Punk and he was partly the reason things were still PG in John's relationship with Punk it was like Vince had Punk low-jacked every time John had an intense moment with him and things were potentially getting out of hand Vince would call him or text him. Maybe that gaudy little choker Punk wore all the time had a blood pressure monitor in it, and Vince knew just when to interrupt.
"I should go," Punk said darting across the hotel courtyard, they were in another city after a house show they were outside looking at the stars ignoring how freezing it was until it started to rain.
They were on different floors, John's reservation had gotten lost and he was put on the first floor next to a family bar mitzvah and ended up swamped by thirteen year old fans.
"Goodnight," John called after him stuffing his hands into his pocket heading back inside.
"Things going well with loverboy?" the voice startled him.
It was Bryan lurking by a vending machine, probably getting his Kit Kat fix before Brie came looking for him. He'd ask for a mint next so she wouldn't get a whiff of the chocolate on his breath, but he had little pieces of cookie hanging out in his beard a dead give away.
"Jeeze Bryan, way to scare the shit out of me," John replied, "things are going very well with me and Punk thank you for asking. What are you doing all the way down here?"
"Hiding out clearly," Bryan said, "the women have descended up on my room having their little toy party. Brie always hosts but never buys anything it's a waste of time really. Some of that stuff looks pretty cool. I'm gonna steal a pair of handcuffs and a gag. That would make quite the Saturday night, maybe I can finally finish Oprah's book of the month without her spilling the ending."
"You're crazy," John said shaking his head, "wanna come in for a beer?"
"Nah, gotta lay off the carbs," Bryan said, "I'm taking all comers for the US Championship and I need to be in fighting shape, or at least that's what Brie says."
"Which is way you have Kit Kat crumbs in your facial hair?"
"Crap on a cracker," Bryan furiously scrubbed at his beard with his hands, "Is it gone?"
"Mostly," John shrugged.
"Mostly is going to get me a lecture," Bryan said, "you got a mint? I've been a vegan for awhile now, long before I started dating her but when I wanted a candy bar I got it I ate it and I felt like a man. When I wanted a beer I got one and I felt like a man. Now I can only drink when she's drinking and the girls are having a dry night."
"A dry night at a dildo party, unlikely," John said, "grow a pair and drink a beer with me."
"Fine," Bryan said.
Punk was sprinting across the courtyard in the freezing rain feeling less exhilarated and more annoyed than anything else, when low and behold Randy Orton was sprawled out under the small awning of the building reading in the dim light from the lobby. He was wrapped up in an old quilt and had an ashtray beside him with the remnants of what looked to Punk like an entire pack of cigarettes. He should have kept going but really he couldn't resist.
"Well, I knew you liked to read," Punk said, "I'm glad you're reading something someone has taken the liberty of publishing rather than just stealing someone's personal thoughts and reading them."
Randy chuckled it was low and deep and chased a chill down Punk's spine which he ignored he was freezing and if there were chills it came from the rain and the cold that was Punk's story and he was sticking to it.
"Your story was way more interesting than this anyway, I'd rather be reading it and having a good chain smoke right now," Randy said looking up at Punk.
"Why didn't you get a smoking room?"
"Vince had the PA's who book the room assignments, put people like you and Nikki who don't smoke in the smoking rooms and people like me who smoke in the non smoking rooms," Randy drawled, "he's got it worked out so we can't smoke without coming outside, which is stupid because he doesn't want people to see the Superstars and Diva's smoking."
"We're in the courtyard after midnight I doubt anyone will see you smoking," Punk said, "anyone coming in at this time they'll come to the front and probably go up to crash. No one will be out a midnight stroll this late. Your secret lives and dies here."
"What's got you out in the rain this late?" Randy asked.
"I was looking at the stars," Punk said, "got caught in a downpour."
"What a nice picture you make sopping wet but I think you should go up and shower and change you don't want to be sick with the Chamber getting closer by the minute," Randy reminded him.
"Are you okay?" Punk asked, "I don't smell any alcohol but you're being nice to me I don't understand. I practically insulted you from jump."
"That's because I'm not drunk," Randy said, "I'm taking the night off from being an asshole and enjoying reading a classic."
Punk laughed, "You're reading a book instead of chugging shots of whiskey?"
"Yes," Randy said is gravely tone affecting Punk's senses, "tonight it's pretty bad. I wouldn't have stopped with whiskey, it would have been cocaine, and I would have picked up one of the boys on the street. When ever I think I'm feeling too much I need a bit more to numb the pain."
Punk noticed for the first time the claw marks on Randy's arm and he wondered if the were from a match or if he'd done that himself.
"You should talk to someone about that," Punk whispered.
"I just did," Randy smirked.
"But I'm not a counselor," Punk pointed out.
"Well we keep having these heart to hearts, at least I'll remember this one more clearly than the last," Randy winked, "go inside and get dry. You've got to be freezing. I'm surprised you're not booked with one of the boyfriends."
Punk blushed, "Actually, I am. I should go."
Randy nodded, Punk met his eyes once more the cool blue orbs seemed to be staring into his very soul another shiver chasing down his spine.
"Go inside Punk you're shaking," Randy said, "If you want more conversation you know where to find me. If you can't find me out here, it must have gotten too bad for me."
"Don't do anything stupid, Randy," Punk said, "you've been clean for a while, and you know they always find out. It's not worth it."
"It's doing one stupid thing versus doing another," Randy pointed out.
"I'm going to take a shower," Punk said, "I'll be in 6652. Come by if it gets bad, you said you like talking to me. We can talk, you can tell me about the book you're reading."
"I shouldn't come by your room," Randy said.
"Just come by don't be stupid," Punk said, "if I have to hang out with you prevent you from ruining what's left of your brain cells via drug use, that's what I'll do."
Punk went inside casting a glance behind him at Randy who was gazing back at him. Punk was freezing and they had the AC on the hotel lobby, and he'd stood outside too long so he had to scurry to his room. He showered and felt substantially warmer dressed in some boxer briefs as Nikki had stolen Scott's pajamas for herself. So he just wrapped up her purple fuzzy blanket which he'd taken in retaliation.
He was sprawled across the queen bed reading one of his comics, when a knock came at the door. He got up to open it expecting Vince it was particularly late for him well after two in the morning. Nikki probably forgot her key again.
He got up and pulled open the door trying to tug the too tight boxer briefs down a bit.
"I…oh…fuck I shouldn't have come here," Randy was standing on the other side of the door looking like he was either going to have his way with Punk in the doorway or run scared.
"You should have come up along time ago," Punk told him stepping aside to let the man in, "I invited you up remember?"
"Well, I was out scoring some coke after that," Randy said.
"What are you crazy?" Punk slammed the door.
"Yes," Randy said after a bit of thought.
"Why?"
"Because numbing the pain works for me," Randy said, "but I don't want it to work anymore. I want to face my demons head on."
"Alright so what did you do with the drugs?"
"In my pocket," Randy said, "I got up to my room and was about to shut everything out, then I thought about what you said. It's getting bad again."
"Okay, the first thing we're going to do is go in the bathroom and you're going to flush everything you've bought," Punk said trying to wrap his head around this bizarre turn of events.
Both men were soon standing in the small bathroom cluttered with Nikki's junk a silver and black leopard print bra hanging from the doorknob was common place at this point to Punk but he did flick it onto the pile of clothing his messy roommate had left her wake. He would never come their place if Scott and Nikki got married, he'd probably not be able to get in the door if they didn't hire a cleaning lady upon co-habitation.
"That's a couple hundred bucks right there," Randy poked out his lower lip and Punk laughed.
"I don't care you shouldn't have bought it," Punk said from his perch on the sink, "you didn't use today right?"
"I haven't used anything that I'm not prescribed since my last suspension," Randy said sounding quite smug.
"Good," Punk said before pausing to think, "well hell what are you prescribed?"
"Just Adderall, I've taken it for years, and before you ask I've always taken it as directed," Randy explained, "and there's the other shit I'm supposed to take that I don't take."
"What?" Punk said.
Randy sighed and dropped the baggie in the toilet and gave it a flush before he put the lid down and sat on it directly across from Punk.
"My doctor says I'm bipolar," Randy said.
Punk frowned taking in the man's words, "Really?"
"Yeah," Randy said, "I don't take my meds anymore, I don't feel like I'm me when I take them."
"That might be part of what's going on here," Punk said.
"I'm good, I haven't had an episode in while now, and I see my therapist often and he knows I stopped taking the meds," Randy said, "so you don't have to give me puppy eyes."
"I was not," Punk said.
"You were," Randy said.
"Fine," Punk conceded, "why don't you talk to your therapist about how you're feeling?"
"Generally, it's against my practices to open up to guys like him," Randy said, "to open up to anyone really."
"So why are we sitting in a hotel bathroom talking right now?" Punk asked.
"I'm wondering the same thing myself, why did you invite me up here?" Randy asked, "I thought you hated me, I set out for it to be that way anyway."
"I don't hate you Randy," Punk said.
"Fuck, then you pity me that's a hell of a lot worse," Randy said, "after what I did to you, you should hate me. I treated you like…"
"I don't pity you," Punk said quickly, "I just didn't understand you."
"You do pity me," Randy said, "I can see it in your eyes. You pity me even more since I told you I was bipolar."
"I mean should have seen it before, the depressive episodes, the manic overconfidence," Punk said, "the way you do things without rational thought as to how it's going to effect you or anyone else in the long run. The substance abuse, and clearly the hypersexuality. And that's coming from someone who is a nymphomaniac at best."
"Like I couldn't tell from your two boyfriends," Randy said with a grin, "do the three of you all lock up together or do you take them separately?"
"Not that it's any of your business," Punk snarled, "what I do with either of my boyfriends."
"So you're not getting laid?" Randy said.
Punk said nothing.
"The silent treatment I must really be right," Randy said with a cheeky grin, "since you won't answer that question. Why did you take care of me that time when I was drunk?"
Punk shrugged, "You'd be a loss to the company if I left you there."
"Seriously?"
"I spent my whole childhood looking after my dad because he was always getting wasted every night," Punk explained, "it wasn't hard to get you back to the hotel anyone could have done it, I happen to have more experience than most."
"Do you now?" Randy cocked an eyebrow.
"Jackass," Punk said, "is that all the illegal substances you have on you?"
"Nothing in my pockets but my wallet and the rape whistle I stole from Matt," Randy said, "but you can feel free to frisk me."
Punk plowed on ignoring the comment, "What about in your room?"
"Nope, nothing," Randy said.
"Good," Punk said, "what made you go out and buy something tonight."
Randy sighed his expression hardening, "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Punk leaned forward putting himself in his signature position American Native style.
"Do we gotta talk about this in the bathroom?" Randy said a blush evident in his cheeks.
"Avoiding the question?" Punk said.
"No, if I'm gonna tell you this I'm not doing it in a hotel bathroom," Randy said.
Punk sighed and hopped off the counter and walked out of the bathroom leaving Randy staring in his wake. He wondered for half a second why he was getting that look and then he remembered what he was wearing, or rather what he was not wearing. He stepped over to his half open suitcase and pulled out a tee shirt and slipped it on. Noting once it was on it was one of Scott's and it hung on his frame nearly completely covering up his boxer briefs.
Punk took a seat on the bed and covered up with the purple blanket, those chills were back. He was avoiding turning the heat on, because Nikki would be hot when she got in, and probably drunk.
"Sit down," Punk said offering Randy a small smile, "so tell me what's made you want to use lately?"
"I don't think you would understand," Randy said simply.
"Try me," Punk said, "is this about a guy? I mean you've read all about my guy troubles in my journal, you know all about Vince and John."
"You probably still remember what unrequited love is like before you got handed the brass ring and locked down not just one but two suitors," Randy grinned, "that's where I am at now."
"Why don't you tell him how you feel?" Punk frowned wondering why Randy would feel anything for Nick Nemeth, the dude was an ass then again if you asked him yesterday he probably would have said the same thing for Randy as well.
"That wouldn't be any good, he deserves better than me," Randy said, "I'm only going to hurt him. So I try not to let him get close I do what I can to push him away I live off scraps of affection from him and it's not enough but I'd rather do that than hurt him."
Punk laughed, "I'm sorry, you think Nemeth is better than you?"
"I wasn't talking about him," Randy said.
"I haven't seen you with anyone else," Punk said always a sucker for good gossip, "so who is the guy?"
Randy smirked, "You wouldn't know him."
"What's he like?" Punk asked.
"He's really kind, nicer to me than I deserve, really, I haven't been a friend to him at all," Randy said, "he's smart and he's sexy as hell, I try to pretend that I could just get by with a fuck, but I want all of him. I know that I'm going to hurt him in the long run and I can't do that to him."
"I'm pretty sure he's a big boy and he can probably handle himself," Punk said with an easy smile the wheels already turning in his head, "you do know I'm going to figure out who it is, my deductive reasoning is honed from years of watching Law and Order."
"Really?" Randy said a small smile on his lips as well, "I don't think you'll figure this one out."
There was a shuffle outside the door and then it opened and there was Nikki staggering in a bag and she was clearly drunk.
"Hi my Punky Pal!" she said too loudly as she slammed the door and bounded over to Punk practically tackling him back on the bed, "I brought presents."
Punk laughed at his best friend from his prone position on the bed, she hadn't noticed Randy until she pushed her hair back.
"Randy…" Nikki said moving off Punk a little, "What are you doing here? Were you two hooking up? You were totally hooking up…"
"We weren't hooking up…" Punk said.
Nikki breathed a sigh of relief, "I was going to owe Scott big time."
"You two made a bet about whether or not I'd hook up with Randy?"
"Of course," Nikki said, "If I lose he gets to act out one of his fantasies with me. Either way it's a win-win."
Punk laughed inevitably scooting closer to Randy to allow Nikki to move completely off him.
"I'd be in the win column for me too," Randy drawled.
"See you're in everyone's bang book," Nikki said proudly.
"You know," Randy said standing up, "I should go. I'll see you tomorrow, thanks for your help Punk."
"I will figure out who the mystery guy is you know," Punk said getting up to walk Randy out.
"I don't think you will," Randy said, "but feel free to try."
"You know me Randal, I'll do more than try," Punk said opening the door and letting Randy out.
"You two are awfully chummy," Nikki said once Randy was gone.
"We've talked a few times," Punk said, "he's not who I thought he was."
"Who is he then?" Nikki said.
"I'll let you know when I find out," Punk smiled.
"So you're going to hang out with him again?" Nikki said.
"I see no reason why I shouldn't," Punk said.
Nikki fixed him with a stare, "Didn't he extort oral sex from you?"
"Yeah," Punk hadn't forgotten it either he sighed.
"What if this is a scam to get into your pants?" Nikki asked.
"He's in love with some else," Punk revealed.
"Ew…Nemeth?"
"I don't think so, he says I don't know him," Punk said.
"Who do you think it is?" Nikki sat up quickly.
"I don't know," Punk said, "But I'll figure it out."
"I'll help once my birds stop spinning," Nikki said.
"Why don't we just go to sleep we've got to head out tomorrow we've got another house show then Scott's going to be flying in we've got to pick him up."
"Okay let me get dressed for bed," Nikki said standing and ripping off her dress and lunging for her suitcase and grabbing a tee shirt to put on.
Once she was dressed and yet another one of her bras joined a the heap on the bathroom floor Punk turned out the light.
Morning was the same routine breakfast with John and Nikki and then off to the next venue, putting on a rocking house show and then to the airport to pick up Scott, who had brought the items from Punk's home that he'd asked for all the old journals. They were a day way from the Chamber and Vince had flown in and Punk was to meet him at the snazziest restaurant in San Francisco.
Punk had dressed pretty nice for this lunch date in his tight light wash jeans and tan blazer Nikki had picked for him, it was a bit more fitted than he would have liked and a black v-neck underneath. He found Vince outside in the patio area alone with his hair blowing in the breeze his expression unreadable due to the dark aviators he wore.
He stood when he saw Punk.
"You look amazing," Vince said his posture told Punk that he was fighting the urge to go for some sort of public affection but although the patio was empty the street beside and the adjacent beach was busy with traffic.
"You look great too," Punk said watch him take off his aviators.
"I haven't got to see you in a few days, how have you been? The house shows keeping you busy?"
"Definitely," Punk said, "We've put on some great matches."
"I've heard," Vince said, "have you had any time to think about us?"
Punk hesitated biting his lip ring, he had thought a lot about both relationships, their arrangement had gone on for a month now but he was still at an impasse.
"You're sexy when you do that," Vince said, "I don't know if you think you've got a good poker face or not, but that's a tell a very sexy tell that lets me know that you're no closer to figuring out what you want than you were last week. I want all of you Phil, I can't do this halfway thing anymore."
"I'm pretty tired of having to masturbate before and after I have dates," Punk said.
"Damn," Vince said, "You do know I'm willing to take care of those needs anytime all you need to do is make me your choice. I'll give you more than you can handle."
Punk blushed, glad that the wait staff hadn't come to take their order yet.
"I know," Punk said, "I want to make the right choice."
"You will," Vince assured him just as the waiter came out.
After they had lunch Punk pulled the first two journals out of the pocket of his blazer, "You said you want to know about me, these are the first two journals they have every detail of my life up until we met. Things that I might not be comfortable talking about I wrote them in there, it's my way of opening up to you."
"Thank you," Vince said, "I want to know everything about you, but isn't this a little to personal?"
"I don't want us to have anymore secrets," Punk said, "It's got all my misdeeds all my hopes and fears everything about me you might see me differently after you read some things but no more secrets."
"No more secrets," Vince said taking the journals.
"What are you going to do about it John?" Nikki asked.
John was staring across the street onto the patio of the restaurant where Punk was having lunch with Vince.
"We shouldn't be watching this," Scott said.
"I just want to know what I'm up against," John said, "I've taken Punk out on some really great dates, personal dates and all he does is spend a lot of money and ply him with treats."
"You shouldn't let that get to you," Nikki responded, "Punky Pal isn't some gold digger, fancy dinners don't turn him on. Me on the other hand I do enjoy a good meal every once and awhile to get the blood pumping. Or a good shopping spree to get the panties dropping."
Scott's expression was verging on mild shock.
Nikki laughed loudly, "I'm kidding. My humor is wasted on the two of you."
"You think he's close to making a choice soon?" John's question was directed at Scott.
"We don't talk about that," Scott said quickly.
"Lies," Nikki said, "Whenever Punk talks to you about the status of his relationship with John and Vince he always does when he goes for a run when everyone is out of earshot."
"You know I can't talk about that it violates the very fabric of the guy code," Scott said, "and if I were you I'd worry about Randy."
"What the fuck does Randy have to do with Punk?" John asked his attention turning to the couple with him.
Nikki sat on the bench to put on her roller blades, "They talk sometimes. Nothing serious."
"Nothing serious?" Scott squeaked.
"Put on my skates babe," she told Scott, and he set out doing what she'd asked.
"If anyone should be against Punk and Randy hanging out I'd think it'd be you Scott," John said.
"That's where you're wrong my friend," Nikki pointed out.
"I think they'd be good together," Scott said not meeting John's eyes.
"What?"
"He totally ships Punkton," Nikki said.
"Oh no, don't tell me you're into that stuff too," John said.
"Like I didn't see you've looked up some fanfic on your phone lately," Nikki pointed out.
John blushed and looked down, "It's the only thing that's gotten me through these past few weeks."
"Why do you think that Randy would be good for Punk?" Nikki asked trying to tuck her hair behind her ear that was relentlessly blowing in the breeze.
"Because Randy legitimately needs someone like Punk in his life," Scott revealed, "Punk is the kind of person who doesn't just want to be wanted he needs someone to need him to rely on him. He wants to be someone's anchor, I don't think that's what you need. He wants to bring something more to the relationship than just himself."
"Why would he want someone who isn't whole, someone who continually hurting himself someone who is deliberately damaged?" John asked, "sounds like a lot of work."
Scott smiled, "Do you know anything about Punk at all?"
John was beginning to think he didn't at all.
Nikki was quiet, Scott had put on her roller blades for her and she'd stood up on them and was twirling around in her daisy dukes and bikini top and high socks.
"Are we going to skate like originally intended before you noticed them out there and stalking became more important?" Scott asked.
"Yeah I guess," John said, "you're not going to tell him about this are you?"
"I won't," Scott said with a smile.
"You know I so will," Nikki said securing her helmet and skating away before John was could stand up he already had all his gear on.
He eventually caught the two of them Scott had stopped to get an ice cream at a vendor and Nikki was looking at herself in the truck's mirror.
The fun on the beach was short lived, as it was soon time to head to the arena for a chance to work out some spots before tomorrow night. Punk was already there with Randy the two of them sitting the bench playing cards. Ron and Stephen hadn't arrived yet, and John was more or less early. The first Chamber combatants were still working out their spots in the structure at the moment which gave John a chance to observe how Punk and Orton interacted with each other. Punk was laughing a legitimate laugh it was beautiful.
For the Chamber match Punk had high energy even though he knew the structure and his opponents would take a lot out of him and though he wasn't booked to win he'd have a good time. He'd done a backstage interview and made fun of John a little bit and on the way down to get locked in his pod he'd taunted Randy a little bit. They'd built a tentative friendship after the night they'd talked in the rain. He'd watched the match aching to get in on it taunting Randy through the glass of his own pod, he legitimately had a good time wrestling all the men involved in the match.
Randy's focus seemed a bit divided between Punk and the men who'd already been let into the match up, it would make the spot they'd worked on look better later on. Then it came Punk's turn the door to his pod would get stuck and Randy would go after him and actually eliminate him before the anonymous general manager reinstated him in the match and he was able to go inside his pod and wait to be let out again. He rested and ended up coming out last. He ended up eliminating Randy and the other John only to receive an attitude adjustment for his trouble.
He had some deep scratches on his upper thigh angry red from sliding against the bottom of the structure at some point, he had no trouble selling how much taking the move had hurt. Vince was waiting for him in the trainers room.
"Magnificent," Vince said, "you did amazing."
"Thank you, but it was really the other guys," Punk said.
"I call bullshit on that," Vince said, "You're hurt. Let me see."
Punk showed him the angry red scratches on his upper thigh.
"I'll see you after you get patched up," Vince told him, "I'll be waiting for you."
"You didn't watch from guerilla?" Punk asked.
"No, the new kids get on my fucking nerves," Vince told him, "I watched from the big box, you should have joined me we could have had some fun before your match."
Punk grinned, "What happened to not putting out?"
"I'd put out all you want however you want if you'd make me your choice," Vince said with a smirk.
"Tease, I'll see you in a bit," Punk said allowing the trainer to work on him.
When he got his wound tended and his shoulder looked over he went back to the locker room showered and dressed in a pair of jeans despite the wound and a hoodie and was making his way out of the arena. A horn blew in the distance. Punk attention was drawn to the white limo when Scott and Nikki poked their heads out of the sunroof.
"C'mon Punky Pal, let's hit the town!" Nikki shouted.
Punk smirked and made his way over to the limo. Everyone was inside, John, Vince, Nikki, Scott, Kofi, Brie, and Bryan were inside.
Vince pulled Punk down on his lap, "How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good seeing as I lost the match," Punk smirked, "Congrats, John. You get to take on the Mizerable one at Mania, do me a favor and kick his ass would you maybe I wouldn't feel so bad about losing."
"I see your wheels turning," Vince said, "Planning some interesting spots for Mania?"
"Definitely want to do more suicide dives and try a shooting star press," Punk said.
"Really?" John said, "so long as it's Randy that's on the receiving end of that and not me."
"Where are we going tonight?" Punk asked.
"Where do you want to go?" John asked.
"I want to get some pizza and some drinks and go to the beach," Punk said, "can I invite Randy to come?"
"Sure baby," Vince said, "whatever you want."
Punk pulled out his phone and sent Randy a quick text. He got a response immediately.
"He said to text him where we are and he'll meet us," Punk said.
"I think it's nice that you're making an effort to hang out with Randy," Brie said, "we should include him more."
Punk sent Randy another text with their location once they arrived at the beach. The bonfire was lit by Nikki and John because she was in possession of a large lighter in her purse and he was a former Boy Scout who knew exactly how to set the logs for the bonfire. Pepsi and beer were flowing when Randy arrive actually driving his own rental something Punk hadn't seen in awhile a sure sign that Randy wasn't drinking.
He was excited for his feud with Randy if only not to spend more time with the Viper, because the more time spent in Punk's company the less opportunity Randy had to use, it was simple math. Everyone was having a good time eating the pizza brought by the delivery guy right on the beach.
"You're not eating," Randy observed.
"I had a slice," Punk told him as he watched the waves lick at his toes, Vince was telling the group a rowdy story about the time he and Pat Patterson got thrown out of Caesar's Palace no one had noticed he'd left the group but Randy who'd followed him to the shore, "I'm not really hungry."
"You still need to eat more than a slice, you had a grueling match tonight," Randy smirked, "I should know I did play a hand in your grueling night."
"It's a beautiful night," Punk changed the subject effortlessly, he knew exactly how to get around people talking about how little he'd eaten.
"It is," Randy returned Punk didn't feel the weight of the other man's stare.
"There's some veggie left," Randy said, "I'm gonna pester you until you eat another couple slices."
"Why are you so worried about me not eating?" Punk asked.
"For the same reason that you worry about me using again," Randy said, "I know your demons like you know mine."
"I don't have any demons," Punk pointed out.
"Prove it," Randy said, "Eat some pizza."
Punk gave him a big fake grin and walked over and sat on one of the logs and took the box of veggie pizza. He popped open a Pepsi and ate until he felt full, then he shot Randy another smile around a mouthful of pizza.
"Hungry baby?" Vince asked and Punk nodded.
"You didn't eat very much at lunch," Vince mused, "you must have been nervous about your match."
Punk let him draw that conclusion and wouldn't meet Randy's gaze over the bonfire.
"Can we take a walk?" John asked.
"Yeah sure," Punk had finished his pizza and was now sipping his Pepsi slowly he was full and happy wrapped up in Vince's blazer with his toes in the sand half listening at the loud discussion Vince and Scott were having about new Star Trek versus the old Star Trek.
"Can we take a walk?" John asked.
He let John lead him down the beach away from everyone else the night was quiet and the beach was deserted except for the people they'd come with, the stars weren't quite as visible with the city lights behind them.
"It's a beautiful night," John said.
"It is," Punk frowned, thinking about the conversation he'd had with Randy half an hour before.
"A good night for a slow dance on the beach," John said.
"But there's no music," Punk laughed.
John took out his phone and pressed a button and a song that Punk had never heard before started to play soft acoustic guitar and a male vocalist with a gravely tone singing about longing. John pulled him close and Punk shut his eyes melding their bodies together, trying his best to look into the future to see if this was it. If John was the man he was going to choose. He knew he was going to have to choose and soon he could see both men were at their breaking points when it came to this but they both loved him too much to give up. All he knew as he wanted this moment to never let go of him, maybe forever could feel like this with John.