A/N: Here we go... chapter twelve... and since I'm only six away from the first mile marker, I'll write a oneshot for review 100. If you're a guest reviewing please leave a name so I can dedicate. Will warn you though, I still have two to write from the last story so may be a little while til it appears... sorry.
"Jesus fucking Christ, you're all grown up," Cody yelled as Alanna came out onto the veranda stopping dead in her tracks at his reaction.
"Cody," all three men admonished as he blushed and sank into his chair.
"Sorry," he said recovering and going over to greet her. "It's just been so long since we saw you last. I think you were seven, or something around that age."
"It's good to see you too," Alanna said nervously, being swamped by his hug.
He pulled her over to the table and she said hello to Ted who she felt more comfortable with since he didn't flood her with the same hyperactivity as Cody did. She remembered when she was a kid, how there was always a lot of activity when Cody was around, and for that matter, it was always that way with John as well.
She looked over to where he stood with her father and she wondered when he'd calmed down. Maybe her father's laid back personality was rubbing off on him. She watched them for a moment longer and admitted to herself she could see the love and happiness they shared. It was the little things between them, like quick kisses shared, or an arm around the other as they stood at the barbeque. She hoped as she moved into adulthood, she found her own relationship which lasted the test of time like theirs.
She still struggled to understand what went on in the past and both parents continued to tell her conflicting stories, but she was trying not to focus on it at the moment and trying to enjoy the summer before she went back to school.
"Are you coming to the show later?" Ted asked Alanna as they sat waiting for the food to cook.
"FCW? I don't know, I like watching wrestling but only WWE," Alanna said shrugging her shoulders. If her dad was going then she'd probably stay in and watch a couple of movies or have him drop her off at the movie complex so she could get out the house.
"Yeah, about that," Randy said in a slightly embarrassed tone.
"Your dad's going deaf," Cody jumped in.
"No I'm not, the line cut out, so I filled in the blanks," Randy defended himself.
"So instead of Pay per View you thought F-C-W?" John asked bringing over a plate of quarter pounders.
"It was an honest mistake," he called as he went in the house to get the salad.
Alanna chuckled at the banter between the four men as everyone grabbed a burger and filled their plates, as Randy carried the salad over to the table.
"And it was an understandable mistake, considering it's been five years since SummerSlam has been anywhere other than Miami," Randy said.
"That in itself means it was time for a change," Ted said pointing out. "You know the McMahons, five years in one hot and sunny climate, and then it's on to the next hot and sunny climate."
"I was surprised it's in the same state though," Cody said, tapping Ted's arm as he spoke.
"Look let's not get side-tracked. This whole conversation is about the fact Randy is getting old and going deaf," John said, pulling Randy down onto his lap, wrapping his thick muscular arms around his waist to keep him from getting away.
"So I get in trouble for calling you old, but you can drop the 'o' word whenever you like?" Randy asked, pulling John's arms from his body so he could move to his own chair.
"I've got two words for you…" John said jokingly.
"You wish," Randy said dryly in return.
"Sat right here," Alanna said turning his nose up at the comment. The last thing she needed was to hear comments like those. "And also, the point of the conversation was it's a pay per view tonight, not FCW."
"Exactly," Cody said jumping up to sit cross legged on the chair. "So are you coming? Want to see me and Teddy go at it?"
Alanna wasn't sure what to think for a moment as Cody's words could easily mean something different. Then again, maybe she was just thinking too much like her dad. Living with a gay couple made comments seem different.
"If these two are going, I'll be coming along with," Alanna said. "Can we get decent seats?"
"Already got some put back for you. Your favourite seat as well. Right on the aisle," Cody said getting animated.
"Can you please ask the cameramen to ignore us; we don't need people thinking we're going for a comeback," Randy groaned.
They settled down and were eating the dinner prepared by John, whose barbeques always amazed Alanna. She was never sure why he couldn't translate the skills into a kitchen. But, with that said, her dad never seemed to get barbeques right. That again was another reason they knew they were good together. They complimented each other.
As they all the men talked about wrestling, Alanna knew John and her father always felt like they were away from their surrogate family and they were missing out on what was happening in the business. It was their own choices to take a step back but Alanna felt like she wanted to see them have at least one more round before they gave it up entirely.
She sat back in her chair, participating in the conversation when she had something to offer, but simply enjoying the different company she had. It had mostly been fun, coming to live in Florida and spending so much time with her dad, but until she started school, she didn't really know anyone. At times over the last couple of weeks, it would've been nice to speak to someone outside of their household and who didn't know them.
As she sat there she couldn't help but notice Ted and Cody were sharing the same type of touches as she noticed between her dad and John. She didn't say anything but she wondered when their relationship had become something more than friends. She couldn't recall a conversation with her dad where he mentioned the change.
As the afternoon went on, the touches were becoming more and more apparent and when she went to get a drink she noticed their knees were leant against one another. She made a mental note to ask her dad when he happened. As she was pouring her drink her phone buzzed as she received a message from a friend in St. Louis.
"Dad, do you mind if I disappear? My friend wants to talk online," she said, poking her head outside.
"Yeah no problem, sweetheart," Randy said smiling her way.
"Al, I'm sorry, all we're doing is talking shop, we'll be better next time," Cody said looking back to the door where she stood.
"Cody, it's fine, honestly I don't mind," Alanna said. "I like wrestling as much as you guys… well almost as much."
"Are you sure?" Cody said getting up to pull her back. "We'll change the subject I don't want to alienate you in your own home."
"Codes, man, let her go. Poor girl wants to talk to her friend," John said laughing. "You'll see her after the show."
Just as Cody let go, Alanna's phone rang and she answered it as she walked into the house, it was her friend.
"I'm just heading up to get logged on. Sorry, crazy person at my house wouldn't let me leave," she said while laughing, loud enough Cody would hear.
"That's mean, Alanna Marie Orton," Cody called as he settled back into his chair.
The four of them quickly settled back into wrestling talk and Ted and Cody were telling them about the outcome of the match set for the evening. They'd been left to come up with a suitable match, which would leave Ted coming out on top but without the win. After John became the first ever loss from cashing in the briefcase, WWE had pushed it through with a mixture of other losses over the years and Ted was set to fall victim.
Cody and Ted had been offered help from some of the writers and producers but both were determined to come up with a good match on their own, wishing to prove their worth in the industry. Unfortunately they were struggling with the finer details. Reluctantly, they sought help from John and Randy, feeling they would at least give them advice if not help them fully plan out the match.
Randy could see how his younger friends were beating themselves up over the match. He had told them so many times not to worry unduly about a match. If they felt they couldn't come up with an appropriate idea that was why the producers and writers were there. All they had to do was make it look credible. Hell, before he retired, Randy himself was still seeking advice from those older and wiser, he'd realised over the years he didn't have to do it himself.
"Guys you've been working together for over fifteen years," John reminded them. "Work to your strengths."
"Listen," Randy said sitting forward. "When Johnny and I use to have our matches. We never use to plan them. Okay we'd talk about the spots we were going to do, like in the Iron Man match and the I Quit match but we knew each other so well we didn't need to lay out the whole match before going to the ring."
"He's right; you two know each other as well as Randy and I do," John said trailing off, not sure he wanted to follow his sentence through when he saw the look in Ted's eyes. John could see how he was struggling with something other than his match. "At least, like we did back in those days… Jesus even I'm saying I'm old, now."
"I think what he's trying to say is he agrees with me," Randy said smiling over his shoulder at John. "Go with the flow, and listen to the crowd's reaction. As long as you're getting a reaction, you're doing okay."
"Come on, if they start chanting 'boring' it's not going to go down well," Cody said as his shoulders slumped.
"The crowds are too used to the high flying and hard hitting approach; they don't appreciate the technical matches until about five, maybe ten minutes into it. Then they remember why they got into wrestling to begin with. How it all began," John said trying to calm Cody. "Have you got any inkling as to how you want to finish the match?"
"Cody getting disqualified," Ted said.
"Details, boys," Randy said.
"I'm on a roll, getting it set up to hit the Dream Street, but Cody gets out it and pushes me into the referee," Ted explained.
"I grab the belt and use it on Ted while the ref's out but Ted fights back. When I fall out to ringside I grab a chair and smash Ted with it just as the referee comes to. He sees and disqualifies me," Cody finished. "Then I keep hitting Ted."
"Sounds fine to me," Randy said. "Why are you worrying about it?"
"It sounds like it's already been done," Cody said.
"Codes, everything has been done, fifty times over; as long as you keep it fresh then it'll be fine," Randy assured him. "Besides, if they don't think the storyline is working they'll soon do something about it."
"I guess."
As they were talking, Ted checked the time and realised they would have to head over to the arena. Both men were due to take part in an autograph session before the event started. They said their goodbyes and shouted up to Alanna who came down to say goodbye and they all arranged the time to meet at the arena. John checked to see if they wanted a ride back to the house afterward but the Ted and Cody had rented an SUV for the day.
After they drove off, John and Randy set about clearing up the dishes from the barbeque and Alanna came out to help.
"Weren't you talking to a friend?" John asked as she started helping.
"She couldn't stay on to talk for long. Her mom was taking her out somewhere. We just wanted to catch up," Alanna said as she carried some plates in to the dishwasher.
"You miss everyone in St. Louis?" John asked trying to make conversation.
"Yeah, I guess. Having the laptop has helped though so I still speak to most of them at the moment. Can I ask you something?" she said as Randy came out and sat with them on the veranda once they'd finished. "Why didn't you two mention Cody and Ted were gay?"
John and Randy looked at each other and smirked a little. They'd suspected there was something going on the last time they visited but they weren't sure. But now, if Alanna suspected something as well then maybe they weren't seeing things that day.
"What makes you think that?" Randy asked.
"I don't know. I see resemblances between how you two are and how they are," she said shrugging.
"What do you mean?"
"Like earlier when John was cooking, you were stood next to him and I saw you kiss him every now and then."
"Wait you saw them kiss?" John said shocked at what Alanna said.
"No, sorry I'm not explaining it right," Alanna said trying to think of a better way to say it. "It was more like, you two steal kisses from one another, they would steal looks. Like they wanted to kiss each other, but couldn't in present company. I just figured they were shy about it."
Randy shot another knowing look at John before turning back to Alanna and explaining their thoughts from the previous month. He couldn't say for sure, but there was definitely something going on with the pair. Question was, did they know something was hanging between them.
"Sweetheart, I don't think they are," Randy said. "I'm glad you never said anything to them though, because I think they'll freak a bit when they realise they have feelings for one another."
"So you see it too?" Alanna asked.
"Probably because we've been through it as well," John said shrugging his shoulders. He didn't want to stay on the topic in case it raised other issues. "So, you excited? This is your first live event in a long time."
"It'll be fun. Especially since we've got good seats," Alanna said as she stood. "Do you think Cody and Ted will start dating?"
"I don't know sweetie," Randy said. "I do think we need to leave them to it though. If something happens it has to happen on their schedule. You can't force it."
Alanna headed inside to get ready, even though it was only early afternoon. When Randy commented on it John simply laughed, reminding him that his daughter was a teenager. She was going to start taking hours to get ready for nights like this.
They lounged out for a while, enjoying the one on one time while Alanna was in her room. Randy lay on the lounger with John in his arms; however the older man couldn't get comfortable, continuously adjusting his position. Eventually Randy had enough and pushed John up so he could move out from under him.
Without saying anything Randy went inside and made his way upstairs to his bedroom. Rifling through the drawer on his nightstand Randy grabbed the bottle he was looking for. He turned around to head back downstairs only to be confronted by John, leant against the doorframe of the bedroom with his arms folded tight across his chest.
"Did my lack of comfort annoy you that much?" John asked looking pissed off.
"Actually, yes," Randy said sauntering across to his lover. "And it is the reason I came to get this bottle of massage oil. Whether you're claiming your freebie or not, you're having a massage."
"Oh," John said relaxing and blushing at the same time.
"On the bed," Randy ordered pulling John into the room. He closed the door and turned the lock so Alanna wouldn't accidentally walk in. "Get naked first."
John felt a thrill go down his spine at Randy's words. Not even the words, just the way he said it, a pure order, laced with sexual promises. As he stripped out of his clothes he could feel Randy's eyes on him and it made his mind wander with lewd thoughts. How he wanted Randy to take his time with him, running his tongue over every inch of skin and then kneading his tight muscles with his hands. Once he was naked, Randy walked around him, looking his body up and down.
"Johnny, Johnny, Johnny," he said tutting. "I told you to get naked so you could have a massage. You shouldn't be getting in this state."
John bit back the moan he wanted to release when Randy took hold of his hardening member. He knew Randy was in a playful mood now and the best thing John could do was to keep quiet. The longer he did, the better he would be treated at the end.
"On the bed, face up," Randy stated with no emotion in his voice, but the lingering touch told John everything he needed to know. Randy was playing but he loved him. Randy went over to the dresser and retrieved the cock ring they kept there. "Don't want you losing control while I massage you."
John felt the cock ring slide on as he looked over at the clock. They only had an hour top before they had to get ready to leave and Randy's massages always take more than an hour. John groaned and Randy, who was already working his hands into the calf muscles of John's left leg, stopped immediately, scowling at John for interrupting him.
"Honey, I can't believe I'm going to utter these words, but, we can't," John said, hiding his face from the evil glare he would be receiving from Randy at this moment.
Randy lowered John's leg to the bed and slithered up his body before pulling John's hands away from his face and slamming them to the mattress. John knew he was going to be in trouble, and he couldn't help being turned on by the thought.
"Tell me, darling, why you would stop me when I was being kind to you," Randy said, reincarnating The Viper as he spoke.
"Because I know how thorough you are," John said gulping as he saw the angry look on Randy's face. "I didn't want to interrupt later when it would be harder to stop. I'm sorry."
"You always do this John, when I'm being good to you, you have to ruin it," Randy said. "You will have to make it up to me later."
"Mmm, I promise, honey," John said trying to work a hand free from Randy's grip to soothe the younger man. Randy only pushed him harder to the mattress, letting a smile work its way across his face before finally releasing John's arms. "Care to share a shower?"
"On one condition," Randy said, wrapping his arms around John's naked body. "You let me take care of your back for you; you're obviously still in pain."
"In the shower," John said pointing at the en suite. "Oh and Orton, get naked first."
"You're bossing me around now," Randy said laughing. "Don't forget you're still wearing something I haven't removed yet."
Randy led John into the en suite and stripped down as John started the shower. Once they were under the spray of the water, Randy discreetly removed the cock ring, throwing it behind him, as he softly kissed John. He let the water run over John's muscles, hoping they would loosen up a little more, before he started kneading the muscles of his lower back. Unlike in the bedroom, Randy had no plans of it turning sexual and just wanted to help his partner.
Once he was through with the massage, the men washed their bodies quickly and then started changing for the evening. John lay back on the bed still wrapped in his towel as Randy went through his dresser looking for the right top and he eventually found it. John smiled when he saw which top it was. Randy had a thing for tight shirts when he was at a wrestling event, whether working or not and tonight was no different.
"What?" Randy asked, turning back to the bed where John lay. John pushed himself from the bed and went over to Randy, kissing him gently.
"You're gorgeous, honey. Have I told you recently?" John said.
"A couple of times this week," Randy said smirking, stealing a kiss from John. "Get dressed."
It was nearing midnight by the time Cody and Ted were leaving the arena, and although they were tired, they were also ecstatic. The match had gone off without a hitch and everyone backstage was appreciative of the way they worked in the match. Paul had even come up to them afterward, personally congratulating them.
But right now they had two things they wanted to do. Get some food and get some sleep. They decided after a good match like that they deserved a takeaway and they headed to the nearest drive-through they could find.
The trip back to Apollo Beach was about forty minutes and they stopped for gas along the way.
"Do you want to head somewhere before we go back to the house?" Cody asked as Ted got back in the car.
"How can you still have energy to go to a bar?" Ted said, shaking his head in amusement.
"I don't mean a bar; I'm just not so eager to get back there and here them going at it," Cody said, shrugging.
"Come on, it won't be like that," Ted said, trying to persuade him. "Cody they've got Alanna in the house. They won't be going at it. I promise."
"Still, I'd rather get some fresh air somewhere first," Cody said looking over to Ted as he pulled out. "Pleeaassee, Teddy."
Ted didn't know what came over him as he gave in to Cody's request. Maybe it was just because he was tired. Or maybe it was because of Cody's eyes. The way he was playing the puppy dog eyes, and then there was his lisp. All the time they were coming through the ranks he barely even noticed it. But the last month or more, he couldn't help but notice how it sounded. He knew Cody was a little wary of it, but the more Ted heard it, the more he was becoming attracted to it.
He had no idea if Cody was noticing the slight changes in his behaviour. He hoped not. How do you explain to your best friend, you've started having thoughts of attraction to them? It was hard enough when you fell for a female friend, but when that friend was a guy, it became twice as difficult.
"Go along there," Cody said pointing to a right hand turn. "I'm sure we passed a lake, or maybe it was a part of the bay, I don't know. But it'll be deserted; especially at this time of night."
Ted wasn't sure why Cody was so worried about being alone. You idiot; he's just concerned about the fans. Ted followed the road along and sure enough there was a lake. Ted couldn't help but think it was somewhere he would bring a loved one if they wanted to be alone. Not a best friend. They pulled up and got out of the car and strolled along the bank.
"It's a shame we have to leave first thing. I always enjoy staying with John and Randy," Ted said. "The area has so many nice spots to take a walk, even at midnight."
"Aren't you glad I suggested not heading straight back now," Cody said slapping Ted's chest with the back of his hand.
Ted chuckled as he rubbed his chest where Cody had hit. Thankfully he was playing it on as though he hurt him, but really he just wanted to feel connected to the man. They continued walking for at least half hour before deciding to head back to the car as Cody declared there was no point in putting off the inevitable.
"Cody, will you relax," Ted said, grabbing hold of Cody's shoulders. "They're probably going to be in bed… sleeping."
When he realised he was still holding onto Cody's shoulders, he let go suddenly and tried to play as though he was looking for the keys to the SUV. When they got back to the car, they hopped in and made the remainder of the journey back to the house.
As they entered the house, Cody once again stayed behind Ted and held lightly onto his shirt. They could hear faint music coming from the rear. Ted led Cody through the house, following the music. He stopped dead when he saw John and Randy on the veranda.
"What i-" Cody started to say before Ted clamped a hand over his mouth, signalling to him to stay quite.
Ted went over to the counter and left a note for the two men, letting them know they were back and had already gone to bed.
Cody had been puzzled at first when Ted clamped his hand over his mouth, not that he minded the feel of his hands on him. Hell, he'd been going over his times tables in his head during the match so that he didn't get worked up.
When Ted went to the counter and wrote a note, Cody saw what Ted had seen and his heart fluttered a little, wishing it was he and Ted in that position. On the veranda, John and Randy were holding each other in their arms as they slowly danced to the music playing. He couldn't tell who was leading, and he realised it didn't matter. They were just sharing a loving moment.
He was getting lost in the romantic moment, when Ted pulled him away and they headed upstairs to the spare rooms.
"What time do we have to leave in the morning?" Cody asked.
"It's only up to Orlando, so we can take our time," Ted said, trying to remain quiet so they didn't wake Alanna.
"Want to go for a run in the morning, before breakfast?" Cody asked.
"Sounds good," Ted said. For some reason he didn't want to say goodnight.
"I've got to get some sleep. Six thirty we go for a run," Cody said, heading to his room.
Ted watched him go in before even opening the door to the room he was using and cursed himself. How could he want his best friend as much as he did now? It just didn't feel right.
A/N: Just a reminder. There's a oneshot up for grabs to the person who completes review #100