A/N: Didn't quite finish this off last night so you're getting it tonight... 6 chapters to go!
"I don't miss these days," Randy said as they set up the room to look like it was Ted's locker room. In truth it was just the corner of the room they were laying out with a change of clothes, his bag and of course the WWE World Heavyweight Title.
Randy had spent years setting out rooms for either John or himself and helping the creative team make it look like no one else was in the room. In this instance, John and he were having the other side of the room for a shot they were doing during the show.
"Miss what?" Ted said not paying attention to the Randy. He'd been going through the motions for the last few days and though he wanted to pull himself out of the flunk he was in, it was difficult. Finding out you were a father of a 14-year-old boy was not something that is taken in easily and anyone who tried to tell him it was a simple matter should be put in that situation.
Yes, of course, now that he knew about his son he was going to play a part in his life. He was even considering moving back to Mississippi to help and be around for the young lad.
"Ted, I wish I knew what to say," Randy said knowing what had Ted distracted. "I can only imagine what it is like to find out you're a father when your child is already a teenager. It was scary enough for me when Sam told me she was pregnant."
"Every time I think I've got my head around it, I think of something else," Ted said shaking his head. "Like, he's fourteen, has he started dating girls? Has anyone spoken to him about sex and wearing protection?"
"Okay, dating girls is one thing but sex is another. Even without you around, Kristen is a Christian woman and she would have taught him morals, the most he may have done is get to first base; maybe second."
"Stop trying to help, before you know it you'll be telling me to get on the phone to him and tell him to buy protection. He's fourteen, Randy."
"Second base is grabbing some tits; the likelihood that he did that in the same manner we would is small," Randy said shrugging.
"Randy, you haven't grabbed a pair or tits in at least thirteen years," Ted said confused.
"You know what I mean," Randy said scowling. "And for your knowledge it was fourteen years ago."
"I don't need to know that," Ted grumbled turning away from Randy.
Randy chuckled a little at Ted's reaction and turned back to John's bag. He pulled out the jean shorts and t-shirt that John was planning to wear along with his knees pads, wristbands, and armband. When he was setting the gear out, he made a mental note to check that John was going to tape his knee. It had been a long time since either man had stepped in a ring to wrestle; Randy didn't want to see John damage his knee and not be able to walk on it properly as he got older.
"I went to meet him the other day," Ted said breaking the silence in the room.
"How did it go?" Randy asked peering over his shoulder as he spoke.
"Not well," Ted said sounding defeated. "He barely said anything to me. I took that as he was angry at me for not being there."
"It could just be he doesn't know how to feel. You and Kristen are telling him you're his father. He hasn't had a father to know what that means," Randy said. "Even with my dad travelling, I had a relationship with him. For Tate, you haven't been there. I'm not saying that's your fault, you didn't know about him. But don't think you can just walk in there and start being his dad."
"I know. Kristen said she only contacted me now because he's acting out," Ted explained. "I think she maybe thought if I were there it would make everything better. Maybe I thought it would be like in a movie, where even though it's awkward, you have something you can connect over."
"Yeah, well, in my opinion, movies have set a lot of people up for failure. I've never know it to work like that," Randy said. "Look at the trouble we've had with Al over the last year; and I've been there as she grew up. Not enough, I know, but we were still able to bond. You've missed out on that."
"What do you suggest?"
"Never Give Up," Randy said with a cheesy smile as he held up John's shirt.
"Loved up fool," Ted said laughing at his friend.
Randy's phone rang as they laughed and it was Alanna calling from the coffeehouse with John checking to see if he wanted anything to eat. He told her to bring back a sandwich and he would grab something else from the canteen later in the day to top up.
Ted listened discreetly to the conversation to pick up any tips but everything seemed to flow naturally between father and daughter. Did it make a difference that Randy had a daughter and not a son, or was it simply that Alanna was older than Tate was? That said, as Randy pointed out, they'd been through their own share of troubles over the past year. Maybe it was nothing but the change for his son that was causing the distance.
Randy was right. How could he expect there to be any kind of relationship when he didn't know the boy. He didn't even know the name of his school, if he liked sports and if he did which was his favourite team. Who were his friends, did he have a girlfriend? Okay, he was fourteen but most kids had a boyfriend or girlfriend at that age even if it weren't serious.
There was something else that needed to be discussed. How did he tell his newfound son that he was gay? It wasn't a conversation you had every day. Ted and Cody were out with their friends and family but they weren't out publicly. Kristen knew, but Tate didn't, would she help him, would she sit down with the two of them and talk it through.
Of course, he needed to check with Cody if he were okay with that. Ted didn't want to upset his boyfriend who was suffering from the ordeal almost as much as Ted. The younger man had been trying to be supportive but didn't know what to say. Ever since Friday when Ted went to meet Tate, Cody had kept his distance whenever he could.
"Ted, do you want anything?" Randy asked breaking into his thoughts. Ted simply shook his head in response. "No, he's good. I'll see you when you get back. All right, sweetheart, tell John to drive safe... I heard."
Randy was smiling when he came off the phone and Ted had a pang of jealousy at the life Randy had for himself. A year of hardship was nothing when you came out of it with a family as strong as his.
"You all right, man?"
"Yeah," Ted said quietly.
"Liar."
"I just realised I had to tell Tate I'm gay," Ted said with a shrug.
"This day and age, it's nothing," Randy shrugged. "He's probably already got a few friends who are."
"You think?"
"Al was telling me, her 'friend' Mike has a gay brother," Randy said. "Plus there's a guy who's out already in her homeroom class."
"She's a few years older though," Ted said. "Anyway, I need to check Cody is happy for me to have the conversation first."
"I love Codes, but your son needs to know whether Cody wants you to tell or not," Randy said sternly. "Cody only has a say over if he wants to meet Tate and be introduced as your boyfriend."
"I'm worried about Cody, he's not coping with this," Ted said looking at his feet as he ran his hands through his hair. "How did John handle it?"
"John and I weren't a couple then. I was married to Sam," Randy shrugged. "I guess when we did sit down with Al, we did that as a couple, but she was a lot younger than Tate."
"You discussed it with him though," Ted asked.
"Yes, but we both said at the end of the day, it was my decision," Randy said. "We told her together with Sam nearby if she was needed. However, I was being selfish. I wanted John there for moral support, plus Sam was still getting used to it and I wanted to show her it wasn't a fling, John and I were a couple."
"How did Alanna take it?"
"I know you're looking for some comfort in my situation, but the truth of the matter is, Al was five. We told her, Daddy liked Johnny in the same way he used to like Mommy," Randy said with a small smile at the recollected memory of Alanna's face and comment 'Daddy that doesn't make any sense'. When he'd stopped chuckling at her, he pulled her onto his lap and told her that she might see him kiss Johnny and hold his hand or wrap his arms around him. That it was okay to do that and she shouldn't listen to people who say it wasn't all right for him to do it.
"Yeah but you separated for a while," Ted reminded him.
"We were trying to protect her; people were accepting guys being gay, but not everyone. Times are even better now, but there are still prejudicial people around who think it's wrong to be gay," Randy shrugged. "My own dad is trying to get used to it still and I've been with John for thirteen years."
"I feel old. I still remember when you were straight," Ted said laughing before turning serious again.
"Stop thinking on it," Randy suggested. "Go and find Cody, pull him into a private room or onto your bus and have a make out session. You both need to relax."
"Yeah, okay. Thanks Randy," Ted said heading out the room.
Monday Night Raw – Uncasville, CT
John sat in his locker room tying his shoelaces as he mentally prepared for his match. It was the first match he'd had in over just over a decade and he had to admit he was nervous. He looked up when he heard a door slam only to find Randy stood looking down at him. It was clear he was more nervous than John was.
John stood to meet Randy, facing the stern look that always lit something inside John. He'd faced it for years and while originally he thought it was chemistry in the ring, when he'd come to terms with his feelings for Randy, John realised it was more than just in-ring chemistry.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Randy asked with his old Viper persona firmly back in place.
"Yes. This has gone beyond Zack's comments," John stated. "They attacked me last week and I'm not okay with that."
"John I understand that, but Big E is a strong guy and has been wrestling solidly for ten years," Randy explained his thought process.
"Look, I wanted Zack. I made that clear. If I have to go through Big E to get him, so be it," John said, the old passion lighting up in him again.
"Remember to focus on his weaknesses; you've fought him before and you've watched Raw every week since you retired," Randy said trying to spur John on. "You've got this. You're John Cena. And tonight, you've got Randy Orton in your corner."
"No."
"What?" Randy asked shocked.
"I have to do this myself. Just as much to prove to myself as Zack his bodyguard," John said trying to calm Randy down. He'd love to have Randy in his corner, but he wanted to prove he still had it.
"John, don't kid yourself. Zack and his little girlfriend are going to be down at ringside and as soon as they get a chance they'll be interfering in your match," Randy told his getting riled up. "I'm just going to be there to stop them."
"Randy, I'm doing this alone," John, said walking out of the room leaving Randy to stew in his own anger.
John made his way to gorilla and when his music hit and he went out to the arena, Big E was already in the ring waiting for him. John almost went back to the locker room to drag Randy out with him, having second thoughts on the idea of Randy watching his back for interference from Zack and Paige who were in the ring with Big E.
He took a deep breath and made his way down to ringside. His entrance was more sedate than it used to be due to his age, but still fired up by the fans that were supporting him. As soon as he hit the ring, he ran the ropes and threw his hat into the crowd before removing his shirt and throwing that out into the opposite side of the arena. Finishing off his ritual, he kissed his dog tags and handed them to the referee for safekeeping. They were more precious to him than they used to be and he wouldn't ever want to lose them.
John stretches in the corner as he waits for the bell to ring. The moment it does, he jumps out of the corner and starts to circle the ring with Big E doing the same. They lock up and go back and forth for control of the match and just as John is about to get the upper hand, Big E hits him with a knee to the mid section and winds John.
Big E goes on the offensive and John immediately starts defending himself from the powerful blows Big E tries to land. Although the shots are landing, John is able to block the majority of the strength behind them and even lands some of his own as he tries to get control of the match back.
Big E gets cocky when John is on his hands and knees recovering from a power slam and when Big E tries to hit him with an elbow drop to his back, John dives out of the way and immediately takes charge. He hits his flurry of moves and manages to get Big E's shoulders on the mat for a two count.
Obviously scared that Big E will lose, Paige jumps on the apron of the ring and starts throwing insults at John. John ignores her but the referee is distracted trying to get her off the apron, threatening to evict her from ringside. As the referee is distracted, Zack attempts to chuck his title belt at Big E to use. John intercepts and throws it back at Zack, keeping an eye on him as Paige jumps down from the ring. With John distracted, Big E takes the offensive again, hitting John with a forearm to the back of the head.
Having seen enough, Randy decides to come down to ringside, regardless of John's wishes. His menacing demeanour has Zack and Paige regrouping on the opposite side of the ring as Randy heads to the commentators table, grabbing a headset and taking a seat.
"Gentleman," Randy said shaking each of their hands. "Good to see you all."
"Randy Orton, ladies and gentleman, joining us on commentary," Michael said as Randy got comfortable. "Welcome."
"It's good to be here," Randy said.
"Randy, we were just saying that John looks in fairly good shape considering he hasn't been in the ring for such a long time," Alex said. "Though he does seem to have some ring rust, having not mounted much of an offence during the match."
"John is in extremely good shape. He requested a match and when it was granted, he hit the gym and has been making sure his in ring fitness is as close to what it used to be," Randy said seriously. "As for the offence, well, we all know John is good at coming back from insurmountable odds."
"Randy Orton, once a long time rival of John Cena, I guess you know firsthand how good John is at those comebacks," Michael suggested.
"Definitely, John and I had a match in 2009, an 'I Quit' match, and I was in control of the majority of that match, but John managed to come back and got the win," Randy said. "I have faith that John can do the same here. I just don't trust Zack and Paige to stay out of the match and keep it fair, and they didn't let me down on that. The first chance they got they were interfering."
Randy let the commentators do their job for a few minutes as he watched John and Big E go back and forth in their match, each getting a few minutes on the offensive before it switched back. As he watched from the commentators table, Zack approached and got in his face.
"Look what the cat dragged in, Randy Orton," Zack said standing in Randy's eye line, stopping him from watching what was happening in the ring. "I guess you've been downgraded to cheerleader."
Randy slowly stood, taking off his headset, before getting in Zack's space. He wasn't about to be spoken to like that. Before he had a chance to say anything, Zack went to turn away only to turn back and hit Randy in the head with an unexpected blow. Randy fired back and landed a couple of his own blows against Zack.
The referee caught sight of the action going on at ringside and called for them to separate. Randy used an Irish Whip to send Zack into the barricade but Zack reversed it and Randy hit it with full force.
On the other side of the ring with the referee distracted, Paige slid Zack's title into the ring and Big E covered it with his body as John was over by the ropes checking on Randy. When he saw Randy was okay, he headed back over to Big E and when he went to pull him to his feet, the big man smashed him over the head with the belt, throwing it back out to Paige just before the referee turned his attention back to the match.
Big E hit John with the Big Ending and pinned his shoulders to the mat for a three count.
As he waited for Big E, Zack and Paige to leave the ring, John could feel just ho exhausted he was. He had spent some time in the ring earlier in the day but it clearly wasn't enough to raise his fitness levels to that which they used to be. Being strong in the gym and physically fit is different to having ring fitness. Before his next match, John knew he would have to up his game.
Randy was already getting to his feet as John rolled out of the ring to check on him and as they headed to the back, he heard Randy mention a cut on his head. John thought it odd since he hadn't noticed it when he checked on Randy, and he'd taken a good look over his lover making sure he was okay.
It was only as he wiped the sweat off his forehead and it stung as he brushed above his eye, that he realised Randy meant that John had a cut on his head. He knew that wasn't going to go down well and Randy would be babying him for a few days while he 'recuperated'.
At the hotel that night
"I'm saying he needs to be more careful," Randy called from the bathroom as he cleaned up for the night. "An inch lower and he could have damaged your eye. He's been in the business for long enough and he should know better."
"Honey, I'm fine," John said amused as he climbed into bed. "I don't have a headache, there's no sign of concussion, it just nicked my skin as it hit. How many times were you cut open during a match?"
"I'm not worried about me," Randy said switching the light off in the bathroom as he headed to the bed. "I'm worried about you. I don't like seeing you hurt. Why do you think I didn't want to be in matches with you when we started dating?"
"You're pretty sure you'd be the one to get the damage in," John said chagrined as he curled up to Randy who grabbed his book from the side.
"I don't mean that, but I didn't like the idea of hitting you back then, and I was right. It's even truer today," Randy, said quietly kissing the top of John's head as he remembered that horrendous day from their recent past.
"Just don't go getting in his face. He didn't mean to do it," John said. "Besides, I didn't even know it had happened. I was more concerned about you."
"Why?" Randy asked confused.
"You hit the barricade hard Honey, I was worried you'd got hurt," John shrugged.
"I've hit that thing thousands of times and been fine," Randy said kissing John again to alleviate his fears before smiling at a thought that went through his mind. "I know one thing though."
"What?" John asked tilting his head back to look at Randy.
"Even with you getting cut open, I got hot watching you in the ring," Randy said. "Makes me want to say screw this book I can read it anytime."
Randy put his book back on the nightstand and switched the light off sinking down into the sheets with John who was already exploring Randy's chest with his lips.
"Cody, are you coming to bed?" Ted called from the back section of his bus.
Cody was still sat out in the main area watching something on the internet and had barely spoken to him since they'd left the arena.
After speaking with Randy, Ted had made a beeline for Cody's locker room only to be told he was at the canteen getting food. Ted went on a hunt for the man, but everyone said he was in a different location. Nearly an hour later, he gave up and went back to the locker room he was using for the evening and focused on his job. He had some charity meets before the event started which kept him busy and unable to think about everything going on in his life.
"Cody, baby," Ted said walking up to the man.
"I'll be there in a moment," Cody said giving him a soft smile. Ted felt like Cody was avoiding him but while he wanted to challenge him on it, at the same time he didn't have the strength to take something else going wrong. He was starting to get an idea of where Randy and John's heads were at over the last year. He told himself to draw strength from his friends and remind himself that he could get through just as they had.
"Okay, baby," he said sighing slightly as he headed back to his bed.
He climbed under the sheets and switched the lights off so he could try and get some sleep, not seeing the point in trying to read or watch a DVD, his mind wouldn't be able to focus. He tried to stay awake for five minutes in case Cody came to bed, he wanted to be able to curl into him and draw strength from his lover.
He was just drifting when he heard movement but when Cody climbed into the bed he stayed at a distance rather than moving close. Ted fought every bone in his body not to roll onto his side and curl into Cody. It had been their natural state since they'd started sharing a bed, but ever since Ted went to meet Tate, they weren't the same together.
Before finally drifting into sleep, Ted made a mental promise to sit Cody down and talk to him, find out what he was feeling; and if he couldn't do that, then he was going to have a conversation with John. He would be able to give a better insight into how Cody might be feeling more so than Randy might.
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