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"Morning Mr Orton."

"Morning Mr Runnels, how's things?" Randy asked as he took a seat in the cafe where they were meeting.

"It's good, what did you want to meet about?" Cody asked.

Randy ordered some breakfast and a coffee when the waitress came over to their table and thought about how to broach the subject with Cody as the younger man kept the waitress waiting as he chose what he wanted.

"Cody, seriously, it's breakfast, not a three course meal," Randy chastised noticing the waitress' strained patience.

"Yeah but it's the most important meal of the day," Cody said with mock seriousness.

"Ma'am, he'll have the same as me, but one less strip of bacon and an extra egg. He'll then have pancake with a small amount of syrup to follow," Randy reeled off Cody's usual breakfast. "Oh and of course, a large, strong, black coffee."

The waitress smiled at Randy as she wrote everything down and disappeared into the kitchen. Randy shook his head at Cody as he smiled at his friend. He could always count on Cody to bring a smile to his face, even through the roughest of times.

He still wasn't sure how to broach the subject with him. John had been the one to suggest having something to eat and catching Cody out as he ate. He was joking as he said it but they both realised it was probably the best way.

Ted and Cody had serious feelings for one another, something long passed a bromance, it was obvious they were each fighting the emotions they felt and didn't know how to deal with them. If John and he could help, then they were bound by friendship to do so. Even if Ted and Cody wouldn't appreciate it at first.

"How's Ted?" Randy asked. "John mentioned he stopped by the house yesterday."

"He's good, I think he's good. He's been acting all different the last few weeks. The party was first time I've seen him truly relaxed since before you and John, well, you know."

"Do you know what it might be?"

"To be honest, I don't, but I've been... distracted."

"Work gets in the way of friendships sometimes, you just have to make the time," Randy said with a shrug. "Especially as the champ, you have extra pressures which are put upon you, press conferences, radio shows."

"It isn't work that has me distracted, I wish it were, but it isn't," Cody hinted at the issue.

Randy thought this was a little too easy to be true, Cody was almost telling him and all he'd done was ask how Ted was. Maybe it was just because Cody was ready to admit it to himself. Sounding off to someone who had already been through it could make it easier for him.

"If it's not work, what is it?" Randy asked.

"It doesn't matter," Cody shook his head as their food arrived and he tucked in faster than Randy had ever seen him eat.

Randy cursed the waitress for her inopportune timing to bring their breakfast over. It wasn't her fault really, but Cody had been about to tell him and then she arrived. He reckoned he wasn't going to be able to get anything out of Cody while they ate.

He tucked in to his own breakfast and tried not to criticise the way it was cooked. They had used far too much oil, and he simply wished he were in his own kitchen and able to cook a healthy version of the food. He tried to imagine how different his morning would have been if he'd have woken up in his own home. John would have been putting some laundry on while or tidying something in the house while Randy cooked the breakfast, and then they would have sat together either in the kitchen or out on the veranda to eat, sharing their plans for the day. And of course, he would find every excuse to kiss John, maybe make him moan a little as he did kiss him.

"You alright?" Cody asked breaking his concentration.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Randy asked confused.

"Your eyes are watering slightly," Cody said, not looking at him directly as though doing so would embarrass Randy.

"Guess I let my thoughts get away from me," Randy said. "I still see him, and things have improved... but I miss sharing the first moments of my day with John."

Randy coughed a little as he tried to get his emotions in check, he hadn't realised how much he'd been holding in. John had been his life for the last few years, and not seeing him as much as he used to was taking its toll.

"Are you close to moving back in?"

"I don't know, I don't think so. I've stayed for dinner the last couple of nights since Ally's been out, but we haven't kissed. I have to try and stop myself from doing just that," Randy squeezed his eyes shut to hold the tears back. "The last time we did, it just made things even more confusing between us. You know it wasn't this confusing when we first kissed."

"What was your first kiss like?" Cody asked pulling a face of intrigue.

Randy inwardly admitted a little shock at the question. Cody had always been the one who hated catching them. He supported their relationship and saw them as a couple, but he always acted a little prudish when he caught them kissing, not to mention the morning he'd caught them in bed together.

"I guess you could say it was awkward," Randy shrugged. "It's not like it was planned or either of us had kissed another guy before. But actually when we settled into it, needless to say, it was good."

"You're not giving much away... how did it happen?" Cody pushed.

"Seriously, what do you want me to do, give you a play by play? Cody, it's like kissing a woman, only he could give as good as he got."

"Who instigated it?"

"If I have to name someone, I would say John, but we were both going for it," Randy said with a smirk, remembering the kiss. If he had to share that moment with anyone in his life, he was glad it was John. Short of when she was born, finding out he was going to be a father, was the happiest day of his life.

"And that was it, you were gay, and you were together?" Cody said nodding as though it was answering some untold question.

"Hell, no," Randy said a little too loud for their current location.

The waitress serving them looked over, smiling slightly, as though she knew what they were talking about. She weaved her way through the tables, bringing over the pot of coffee she held to refill their cups.

"Everything alright, boys?"

"It's fine, sorry, he's just an idiot sometimes," Randy said flashing her a grin as he indicated Cody.

"I'll let the insult slide this time, Orton," Cody said as the waitress moved away from them. "How was I supposed to know that isn't what happened. You two kept so much from us back then."

"Because it was life changing," Randy said. "We had to find our feet with it. I was having a kid with my wife, while thinking about being with another man."

"Okay, but for other people going through it, it's not much help." Cody spat out, revealing his secret. At least as far as Cody was concerned it was; Randy and John had suspected for a while. Even Ally had seen the change in them when he first arrived in Florida.

"Please tell me that's you acknowledging it," Randy said, sounding exasperated but pleased that Cody was finally admitting to it.

"Maybe," Cody said, almost sulking.

"Have the two of you kissed?"

"No!"

"Okay, okay," Randy said trying to calm him down. "Do you want the play by play on my first kiss with John?"

"Seriously, Randy, this isn't funny."

"I know, I've been there, remember," Randy chastised. "Look, I freaked out when we kissed, not straight away; it was a good kiss once we got into it. But once we finished kissing, I was out of there."

"You walked out?"

"No, we did an awkward goodnight and then I left, avoided him for a few days and then he forced me to talk about it. We admitted it had affected both of us but we weren't in place to do anything about it, though deep down we both wanted to."

"You say it like it was no big deal," Cody said. "I can't fathom how this happened between us; not that I'm sure Ted's feeling the same."

"In one way, it wasn't a big deal. I may have freaked a little to begin with, and honestly I think John found the same thing, he was just able to process it a little faster so we could move on from it."

"How long was it until you got together?"

"We kissed the night I found out I was going to be a dad, then again in 2012, but we didn't get together until the following year when everything was over with Sam," Randy explained still regretting the lost time with John.

"No stolen moments?"

"No, a couple of almosts, especially during the time we were all working together," Randy said. "In fact I thought a couple of times we were going to find a room and go at it, the looks were kind so intense."

"So when did you two first... you know?"

"Have sex? Well once we were together as a couple, it happened quite quickly. The need had been brewing for a good few years," Randy said wiggling his eyebrows.

"How did you decide who was... well, you know, the one who..."

"What?" Randy asked praying his amusement wasn't clear on his face.

"Do not make me say it?"

"Yeah, it's very clear you can't," Randy laughed. "And the term is bottom, or submissive."

"So... how did you decide?" Cody asked.

"It was just natural for us, there wasn't really any discussion," Randy said with a shrug. "Listen, I'm not going to go into detail about any of that because, the truth is, you aren't there yet. You and Ted need to admit your feelings, then see where it goes. In some ways the two of you are where John and I were when we had the second kiss, the kiss that, truth be told, started everything in motion."

"We are?"

"Yeah, you just haven't admitted it to one another," Randy said chuckling. "And, on that note, I have to be going."

"Wait, you can't leave it there," Cody said following Randy over to pay.

"Yes, I can. You have more than enough thoughts going around in your head," Randy said as they left the cafe. "You've done the first step in admitting it to yourself, now you have to speak with Ted."

"What if he doesn't feel the same; or freaks out?"

"Then you give him space and then deal with in the best way you can," Randy said leaving Cody on the spot. He didn't want to run off like this, but he needed to get to his appointment. He turned back as he was walking and called to him. "Codes, it'll be fine."

As he headed to his car, he pulled out his cell phone and rang John, he would be interested in the recent development, and it was an excuse to give him a call. He deflated a little when he went through to the voicemail, but he left a message anyway, "Hi Johnny, darling. I've just had an interesting conversation with Cody, but I don't want to tell you in a message. If you don't have plans, I'll stop for a little bit at the house and tell you all about it. Plus, I might have some other news as well, if all goes to plan. I'll see you later. Love you. Bye."

When he reached the car, he hopped in and drove over to the bank for his appointment. He wanted to discuss it with John first but with the pressures John was under with his gym, he didn't want to add another burden to his list. This could just be some good news for John to brighten his day.

Not to mention, if everything went well, it would give Randy a project to work on during the day. He knew it was better for them to be apart, and he'd made himself comfortable in the hotel, but the room wasn't his home. He couldn't curl up with John in the evening as they watched television, he couldn't cook, and he couldn't share his first and last moments of each day with John. He still instinctively reached for John each morning, and usually ended up curling into a pillow when he fell asleep.

He wished he could change that, but he needed to take his time, John was still skittish when they were together. He would eventually move back in, but right now, he just needed something to fill his time with.

He pulled into the parking lot near the bank and went in with his documents, hoping he looked presentable enough and made the right impressions. He suddenly wished he had spoken to John about it so he could help prep him for the meeting, but it was too late. He'd have to face the advisor alone.

For the fourth time that afternoon, John had checked the time on his watch. Randy and Alanna were usually home by now and he was looking forward to hearing what Randy had to tell him.

He'd already figured out what was discussed in his conversation with Cody by the cheerful sound of his voice. The young pair had a budding romance and they were only just starting to notice it themselves. What John was more interested in was what else Randy had to tell him, what this new might be. He was hoping in the back of his mind that Randy was going to come home, where he belonged. Just because he lived here didn't mean they'd have to have sex, or even sleep in the same room. Nevertheless, it would be nice to have Randy under the same roof.

He was trying not to get his hopes up, and trying desperately not to think on the other side. The last thing he wanted to hear was Randy telling him he'd bought an apartment rather than staying at a hotel. If he did that, then no doubt Alanna would be moving in with him. If he did that, it meant there was no hope of reconciliation. He couldn't have that, he needed Randy in his life.

Just as he started chewing on his nails, he heard the front door close and almost immediately, a hand slipped around his waist, "You only bite your nails when you're worried, what's the matter?"

The sound of Randy's voice had him relaxing back into the hold. More than happy to have Randy holding him. He lowered his hand to hold Randy's and sighed in relief.

"Johnny, what's the matter?"

"I love it when you call me that," John said letting a small smile slip across his face.

"Did you get my message?"

"I did," John said. "I've been chomping at the bit to hear your news."

Randy slipped his arm from around John and took a seat on the stool next to him. Just as he was about to speak, Alanna shouted her farewell without even coming into the kitchen, Randy spent a minute going back and forth with her over where she was going and what she was up to. When he only short sharp answers he went out to the hallway and had a conversation with her before she left.

"That girl is going to send me to an early grave," Randy muttered, taking his seat back on the stool he'd vacated. "What were we saying?"

"You were about to tell me your news," John said smiling. "But before you do, can I ask a favour?"

"What's that darling?"

"Can you stay to dinner, I've got some meat in which I can put on the grill," John said. "I even found the left over dressing from what you cooked last night and I've marinated it. Hopefully it tastes okay."

"I'm happy to stay to dinner."

"Good; now this news of yours?" he asked as they moved outside to sit at the table with some drinks.

"I expect you've guessed, Cody admitted he likes Ted," Randy said breaking out in a laugh. "He was asking questions about our first kiss, like he was looking for a how-to guide."

John laughed in response, "What did you tell him?"

"Not what he wanted to hear, lots of vague comments, I didn't tell him that there was tongue involved, or that once we got into it I was holding you by the back of the neck."

"You always say you prefer the second kiss," John countered.

"I do, it was much more heated, and I had admitted I was gay, at least to myself I had, and I wanted a piece of you. I also know how much you enjoyed it; there was a definite reaction to that kiss, that's why it's my favourite."

"Because I got a woody?" John guffawed at Randy's admittance.

"First time I kissed a guy, I mean properly instigated and had control over, and he got hard," Randy said with a sly smile. "That's going down as my favourite. But that very first kiss is right behind it in the queue."

When John's stomach unexpectedly growled, they decided to set about cooking the dinner. John warmed up the grill and while he was grilling, Randy prepared a potato salad to go with.

Although Alanna wasn't going to be back until later, again, Randy made up enough so there would be some left over that she could have if she were hungry, and if not, then he knew John was eating something the following day. Although as the days went by, he seemed happier in himself, Randy still worried about John's state of mind.

As they ate their meal, John and Randy made small talk. News from their families and other small bits of information. Nothing that was setting off grand topics of conversation, but just a light chat while they ate. Randy almost felt like they were on a date, something you would expect, as you grew more comfortable with the person.

After they cleared away the dishes, John pulled Randy onto the sofa, and they sat, knees touching, "So what was this other news you had, if everything went to plan," John asked getting comfortable next to Randy. He wanted to be ready when Randy told him he was planning to come home. As soon as he heard the news, he was going to pull Randy in for a kiss neither would forget.

"Oh that, yeah, I almost forgot," Randy said, and John rolled his eyes. Only Randy could forget something as important as coming home. "I spoke to an advisor at the bank today."

"Right," John said feeling a little confused, was Randy setting up a joint account for them. Wouldn't he need to be there for that?

"I finally decided to set that wrestling school up. I was just going through the details with the advisor to see how much capital he thought I needed to put down and what I'd need to do to move forward with it," Randy said with a huge grin. "It's going to give me something to do during the day."

"Oh..."

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