A/N: So this chapter was a hell of a time. Fresh hot out of the oven, but it's still certainly leagues better than the original draft this was a (almost) complete remake of. More of my writer struggles are sequestered to the ending notes :)
Chapter 2: Don't You Start No Fight
~CHRISTIAN~
It was just about ten on the dot now. Hm. Seemed the last time Christian checked his watch, it'd only been six. He couldn't stop a disappointed sigh rushing past his lips. The past four hours spent running amok with his brother and two closest friends had served as a nice distraction. Whether it'd been arguing over games they knew were rigged; testing out the most dubiously structured rides they've had the pleasure of experiencing (more than one instance had them thinking they were about to get maimed); and other general tomfoolery that almost made him feel like a stupid but carefree adolescent again.
Hell, even just walking around was refreshing. Caught up in their animated conversations. While they got to talking about their careers more often than not – it was only natural given why they got together tonight – it didn't weigh down as much on Christian. Not like when he and Edge were talking earlier. Here, his weariness and doubts were an afterthought. The main priority was to enjoy themselves! Have fun!
Of which there was only an hour or two remaining.
Then it was off to sleep.
Then off to work.
… But Christian couldn't let that sour his mood. He'd bitched at Edge about it; he wouldn't have the pot calling the kettle black. Time might have flown by, but the younger Cage would savor the rest of tonight.
"Soo, what do you think, Chris?"
It took him a moment for Christian to register Rhyno was talking to him. One – he'd forgotten that Jericho had split off from them for the moment. Two – he'd zoned out so much he wasn't paying attention, and very nearly bumped into his best friend. The blonde looked up to see both Rhyno and Edge facing him.
"What do I think of… what, exactly?" Asked Christian.
"Yo, earth to Christian? Pick the wax out, we've been talking about this. Jericho is gonna be so bogus on that mic, isn't he?" Edge said.
Rhyno shook his head, sighing. "Serriously, Edge…"
Oh. Thinking quickly, Christian shot Edge that smirk of his' with crossed arms and a shrug. "Sorry, Edge, hearing you flap your gums puts me into a semi-conscious state sometimes. But… I dunno. He might talk a lot, but we know he can back it up."
"But that's just it, isn't it? He loves his voice so much he doesn't know the public embarrassment he's about to put himself through!"
"I know someone standing here with me, that looves to hear himself talk…"
"Hey, Rhyno, good idea! Christian can go up there and show how well he knows Islands in the Stream! Better yet – you can duet with him!"
The simultaneous "No" was lightning fast.
"That's what I thought." Edge nodded, pearly whites glinting under the flashing lights. As he pushed past both shorter men he added, "You guys snag some spots – I'll get more beer."
…...Ugh. Sometimes Christian wondered why he loved his brother.
Rhyno's flushed face seemed to hold a similar query. Though only once they were back on the move to the karaoke tent, with Edge well out of earshot, did he put words to it. "What's up with him? He seems… well, on edge. Mmore than usual. Being all passive-aggressive. I feel like he's jusht waiting for something to set him off…"
"You and me both, man…" A decent crowd was already filling the space; the two murmured excuse mes as they shuffled around people. Lucky that they found a picnic table near the front of the stage. Christian used that time to think of a good explanation. "Honestly, I think most of it is him getting tired of our day-in, day-out. You know our situation. We're doing… fine and all, with our matches and odd jobs in between, just not making any huge strides. That's what our promoter said too – in a more, flavorful way than that... and you know Edge… always impatient, always taking shit to heart."
Rhyno nodded in understanding. "I get it. The burnout gets to all us, riight? Always felt your promoter was a little, ehh, stuck up, I guess, from what you guys tell me… sorry you two have to deal with it, though."
"Hey! Don't apologize for crap, Rhyno. Being told we essentially suck was bound to happen at some point… what matters is you're going places! We're sure it's only gonna be up from here for you," Christian said.
"You guys have made that known. I 'ppreciate it." Yet as soon as Rhyno's smile appeared, it dropped into a concerned frown. He leaned towards Christian somewhat. Stared at him intently. "Still, though… I might know Edge, but I know you even better. I know how you are. So – how are you feelin'?"
Christian was silent, stunned at his friend's sudden directness. In a deliberate attempt to dodge Rhyno's rather intimidating stare, he flicked his eyes to the table, lips turned downward. He studied the grains of wood as he debated whether he wanted to answer. No - how he would answer that. Rhyno did know how he could be… he was only looking after him.
This answer would not come. As soon as Christian opened his mouth, Jericho's raucous voice rose above the din.
"Goooood eeveeeeninng, soon-to-be Jerichoholics!" Shouts were falling to a whisper. Christian saw heads collectively turning to Jericho – he and Rhyno included. Their friend stood tall at center stage, feet planted apart at either side of the mic; there was a lazy, buzzed grin on his face as he surveyed the reaction. Suddenly he pointed, with his two friends pivoting to see his target – a nearby clique of teens squabbling loudly in their own conversation. "Hey! You three! Spazz, Pencilneck and Pee-Wee Herman! Pay attention when the teacher's talking!"
A wave of laughter rose throughout the crowd. Once realizing they were in the proverbial spotlight, these teens pursed their lips and shrunk into their seats. Chris continued.
"Alright! Now I'm sure you've all had your fill of carny music, decade-old pop, and children screaming tonight. So how about I liven this place up a bit with a little ol' thing called rock-and-roll?!"
Chris thrust the mic out towards the crowd – receiving a gradual but surprisingly unified roar of agreement. Even Christian gave a little cheer. Rhyno threw his hands up in mock rejoice. Just then, Christian caught sight of Edge. With three Molson's in hand, he was bounding over to them from along the stage without so much as a glance to Chris.
Jericho, however, noticed Edge.
"Ahh, so the blond sasquatch joins the partaay!"
All eyes on Edge. Christian gulped, watching Edge stiffen as Jericho waved innocently, "Hey Old Yellow Top! We haven't seen you since 1970!"
A smaller rupture of chortles, but fingers were being jabbed and comments were directed at Edge. Christian saw his sibling's features harden, fingers tightening around the bottlenecks. Edge could've taken the jabs on his own – but the fact it made people laugh at his expense? Not good.
"This ain't a stand-up, jerky!" Edge said. "Why are you stalling? Cold feet?"
"Yeah, Chris! Nobody came here to watch a guy that looks like a shih tzu flap his gums." Christian added.
Jericho once more feigned offense. Then put his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, alright – I concede! These blonde bombshells have spoken." The fellow blonde adjusted his mic. His stance. "I'd like to dedicate this song to my friend in the front here, Rhyno! Congrats buddy! Don't we all love better job opportunities?"
At once, the stereo came to life. From the opening riff Christian immediately recognized this as an AC/DC song. Edge was still red as he plopped down beside his brother and doled out the beers – Christian heard some colorful language slip under Edge's breath but chose to ignore the pouting.
"See me ride out of the sunset on your color TV screen -"
… Rhyno was not wrong. Huh. Christian found himself nodding along with the beat, swigging his drink, watching Jericho strut around the stage.
"Out for all that I can get – if ya know what I meaan…"
The crowd began to pick up as they slowly realized this man might have some bite behind his bark. Those who knew the song started to murmur along into a not-quite-so-harmonious chorus; the few who didn't know were still beginning to buy into the rhythm and jive along. Beside Christian, his older brother's eyes were glued on Jericho, brows furrowed high. Then he noticed Jericho flash the three of them a grin before turning back to the whole of his audience. Chris himself was almost freakin' dancing with how he was zipping around, rousing the crowd with gestures to lead them into the chorus,
"- Cause I'm T-N-T! -" Foot pounding to punctuate each letter - "-I'm dynamite!-" Jericho thrust the mic at the crowd again, and they chanted TNT, stomping along. It was from that moment on when the audience flowed into Chris' performance with enthusiasm. They joined in his spirited singing; responded and cooperated at his queues.
It was honestly amazing. A thought crossed Christian's mind that, if he closed his eyes, he could perhaps be convinced they were actually at a concert. Albeit a tiny one – but a passionate one.
He almost… envied Jericho. The way someone could so simply yet effectively command an audience… the younger Cage would love to do that. If not with singing – but with magnetic charisma and technical talent.
Edge felt the same – perhaps even more. Christian knew it as soon as he swiveled to face his sibling with his signature smirk again. The older blonde appeared to be fighting with himself; legs jittering, holding himself back from thumping along while his hands balled into fists. His face was a perfect mix of admiration and frustration.
"Sure is embarrassing himself, eh?" Said Christian.
Rhyno joined in the teasing, "Oh yeahh… really booin' himself off the stage…"
Christian was almost certain Jericho heard them – he'd just shot another winning smile their way. Edge's nails scraped the wood.
"Shut. Just, shut…" He muttered through clenched teeth. "Why. Does he always… have to prove… he's better…"
"Damn Edge, put your pad right side uup. Enjoy th' music…" Rhyno rolled his eyes. Christian barked out a surprise laugh, not expecting to hear that from his friend.
"Calm down, bro. You get angry at the littlest shit-"
But Christian had not been paying much mind to the surrounding crowd in this moment, and could not have given a warning as a particularly large fellow stumbled in from behind them – his balance broken as he bumped into one of the jiving bodies – and practically barreled into Edge at his back. Edge crashed forward under the sudden weight. His face collided with the table. Arms jerked, his Molson's spiraling off the table and into the dirt.
… Fuck.
It was almost instinct that drove Christian to his feet, moving to help Edge – while also trying to maneuver himself between his sibling and the man who fell into him, who was now on the ground. Christian could feel Rhyno close behind him.
Not good enough. Edge was shoving Christian aside as soon as he found the chance. Christian stumbled back, bumping into Rhyno. The two friends couldn't grab Edge before the taller man reached out to touch his antagonist.
As a 'hit first, ask questions later' kind of person, Edge was lifting the man up by the collar of his shirt none-too-gently, and a crisp smack flew from Edge before any words did.
"The fuck was that for, asshole?!"
The man must've been drunk - Christian noticed his eyes swimming, mouth agape as he stared up blankly… though, his face was deathly pale rather than flushed. His expression was almost… horrified… but could he blame the guy when face-to-face with a pissed off Edge?
The next few moments felt like a rollercoaster in itself – up and down and too fast to register all at once. Christian and Rhyno made their second attempt to play peacekeeper, trying to break two shouting men apart. The younger Cage was only vaguely aware of the noise and song dying down, the surrounding crowd distancing themselves from what seemed to be an inevitable fight. A few people broke out and approached – presumably the man's friends judging from the exclamations and accusations that came with them. Pissed their pal was being manhandled. More than ready to make themselves involved – physically, if need be.
All he knew at that moment is that it was a right clusterfuck they found themselves in. Arguments rose. People were getting pushy. Trying to hold Edge back might as well be like hugging a bear and dammit, Christian was just trying to mediate everyone and he just wanted this to settle down and Christ he just wanted a fucking nap! Damn all this drunken testosterone running rampant!
Who threw the first punch? He was pretty sure it was the instigator to Edge, lunging past Rhyno and Christian just enough to crack Edge's jaw with a right hook. Christian was about to retaliate in Edge's defense when he was shoved by two of the men's pals. This time he lost his footing, fell backwards – his shout followed as a spike of pain drove into his back, the small of it catching the rough edge of the picnic bench.
Okay. So the gloves were off now, eh?
A meaty arm snaked under his arms, supporting Christian in his rise back to his feet. He opened his eyes when the pain faded. Rhyno. Of course. But he was not being his crutch for long as, like an actual rhino, he looked about ready to charge. Shadowed by his mop of raven hair, the look on his face was terrifying. Rhyno let out a roar. One of the unfortunate fools that had tagged Christian practically did a backflip from Rhyno's running clothesline.
"Mosh pit, bay-baay!" Jericho's jubilant cry rose again. Christian turned his head to see him now standing in front of them on stage. In turn, he watched as Jericho delivered a mule kick to the head of Edge's assailant, helping Edge as he was getting handicapped. Chris continued the song as chaos erupted.
"'Cause I'm T-N-T – I'm dynamite!-"
Christian felt his shirt collar being grabbed – the other man that shoved him was pulling him in for a punch – and he pulled a good one too, direct in the eye. Oh boy now it was on! So Christian grabbed his shirt just the same and, tapping into the good ol' hockey skill reserves, swung for the fences – almost drilling to the beat of the song -
"T-N-T – and I'll win the fight! -"
Through his own brawl Christian noticed Edge in his peripheral, regaining agency, giving a stiff spear to a poor sod that was trying to subdue him. Wait – blue shirt, nametag – was that a security guard? -
"T-N-T – I'm a power loaaad -"
Christian's scuffle was cut short. There was a blur of movement to his other side – a hand shot out and put his 'opponent' in a chokehold, catching the man by surprise and dragging him away with surprising ease. It wasn't Rhyno. Nor a security guard. No, this appeared to be a total stranger that had stepped up from the crowd to help him. Around the same height as Christian, though hunching shorter as he loomed over the man he held. Nose-to-nose, this stranger's similar blonde hair fell about his face and over his raybans, staring down with an unsettling… intensity? Aggression? Whatever it was, it just about made Christian's assailant piss himself, by the looks.
As much as he was implored to figure this out – he couldn't. Christian at least seemed out of harm's way. He took a gander around -
"T-N-T – watch me explooode!"
"Edge!" Christian shouted.
Now his brother was just blindly swinging at anything and anyone within his vicinity. While both parties had gotten in their fair share of pokes, it was safe to say the brawl was stopping, the situation getting under control. Yet Edge was not relinquishing.
Christian lunged. Prepared to restrain Edge with an all-too familiar maneuver. He was not surprised when a swift elbow connected to his jaw midway. "- Hnngh! Fuckin' stop, man – breath!"
"Alright assclown! Party's over!" Jericho said. He'd abandoned the mic and was about to hop off stage when Edge responded by hurling the half-broken Molson's bottle his way. Thank god the aim was far off.
With his own spat broken up by a security guard, it was Rhyno's turn now – yet before he could even think of approaching Edge, the stranger that had aided Christian swaggered his way over. With his good eye the younger sibling watched this new addition to the mixup shake his head and let out this quiet chuckle.
"Well isn't this quite the domino effect I caused."
Christian, having been trying to grab at and wrangle Edge, now found it fruitless for another reason – Edge froze at the stranger's words. Glancing up, Christian noticed his brother's eyes widen. His expression was stony. Statue-like. The only furious look about him now was his chest heaving from exertion. In a slow pivot he fully faced the stranger; the stranger who now stood a mere foot from the brothers.
"Coming off of your tantrum, now? Good. I'd hate to see how much more harm you can cause to the people trying to help you. That rage of yours' is blinding, isn't it?" Said this man before he snapped his gums into a smile.
This revealed a pair of fangs, gleaming a faint red under the dim stringlights.
Edge stared on. Rhyno and Jericho joined Christian's side as he stepped back. The three friends exchanged glances. Jericho mouthed, with a raised brow, 'who the hell is this guy?'
Rhyno appeared thoughtful. "He looks… ffamiliar? Doesn't he?"
No lightbulbs clicked in Christian's head. Well, there were about a dozen things bouncing around up there but all he could think of right now was the second round of trouble about to begin. Judging from the looks security gave as they gathered the friends' assailants – and their fallen co-worker – with a few accosting them now… they were not about to get out of this scot-free.
The stranger seemed to share this thought. He spared a look towards the guards before leaning over to Christian. Hands in his black jacket pockets. Looking as calm as a cucumber.
"Don't you worry, boy," He whispered. "This is a mess I started. I'll handle it."
… Welp. It was fun while it lasted. It wasn't like they had planned to stay any later than karaoke anyway - they just hadn't planned to exit in such a dramatic fashion. And with a lifetime ban slapped on them, to boot! But, as Christian rationalized the night's events on their way back to the parking lot, he knew it could have been a lot worse. The pokey could have factored into the equation; charges could've been slapped on them instead.
For that, Christian was grateful that odd, fanged man had managed to weasel out a lighter punishment for their brawl. It felt like it could have – and should have – been a more complicated process… but why would he complain? The blonde was just relieved to have the situation was diffused – however curious he was at the stranger's courteous choice to diffuse it. But he did say it was a mess he caused, wasn't it?
Normally he would probe Edge for his thoughts on this. But Christian couldn't tell what was running through his brother's thick skull; somehow it seemed that Edge was getting punched with a whole wave of emotion whilst not having any apparent feeling at all. First he was squinting at the ground. Then his eyebrows were knitting together. Then narrowing. His jaw clenched. His bloodied nose sniffed. He ran a hand through his disheveled locks almost obsessively. All the while he hadn't spoken a lick. Perhaps Edge was only concentrating on not getting pissed off at the whole ordeal. Or at himself.
Yet the fact he'd been like this ever since he'd seen that stranger… something felt off.
"You look like you've seen a ghost, Edge." Jericho said. He's been surprisingly mellow since they were told to leave the premises. Probably understood he'd helped matters as little as the rest of them had, by watching on and singing along like it was an MTV video taping... Christian almost wanted to laugh at the theatrics of it. Maybe if his jaw wasn't throbbing from Edge's elbow.
"It's nothing." Edge replied.
An eye roll, "Sure. 'It's nothing' is what someone says when there is something."
"… You know what? I need to take a piss, be right back…"
The three friends watched as Edge unceremoniously turned away from them and stalked off towards the nearest treeline.
Rhyno spoke up. "Yeah. There's something, alright."
"And you have to live with that, everyday?" Jericho turned to Christian. Still staring after his brother, he heaved out a sigh he felt he'd been holding in all night.
"… Uh-huh…"
Jericho's arm locking around his neck forced Christian away, his fellow blonde guiding him and Rhyno back into the parking lot. "On the bright side – I think tonight rocked! All things considered. Hope the brawl wasn't a mood killer for ya, Rhyno."
"Considering that in ECW, violence is kinda just another day at the office… this wasn't anything but a warm-up."
"I'm just glad we didn't land in hotter water," Christian said. "Least you got your wish of 'publicly embarrassing' yourself… you're real good on that mic, Chris. Seriously."
"Glad you finally noticed! Mark my words, men – not only will I be a superstar in the ring… I'll be a rockstar on the stage!"
"Is he like that often?"
They had just neared Jericho's rental car. Chris dropped his arms, and all of them swiveled their heads. The fanged man was behind them. Leaning casually against the next car down, he peered at them above his sunglasses and over a most peculiar drink. Rich red liquid sloshed in a wine glass; in the light of the streetlamp Christian could see the metallic stem was sculpted in the shape of a bat, wings spread across the bowl.
… Alright. Weird?
Christian must've been staring at the chalice too long, as the stranger presented it to him with another toothy smile. "Sample some?"
"Er… no." He shook his head. "No thanks."
"Understandable." Slicking back his own similar blonde hair, the man took another sip. Once more, the three glanced at each other. "Again – is he like that often? Your… friend, I mean?"
"You mean captain caveman taking a 'calm down' whiz back there?" Jericho nodded, as he moved around to his car's rear door. "As far as I've known him – totally."
"He doesn't take stuff lying down." Rhyno said.
Christian's mouth moved to form an unspoken remark; while he would love the chance to take a stab at Edge, he suddenly did not have the energy to. Instead he gave a shrug, rubbing his jaw again. "Though it usually doesn't get that bad, nowadays…"
At least the man understood. He nodded, eyes flicking in the direction they came, as if expecting Edge to appear at any moment. And then he spoke this -
"All that fury boiling inside, ready to overflow at any moment and becoming a detriment to himself and others… at least he hasn't burnt his bridges to you three, hm?" A swish of the glass. The stranger tilted his head, inspecting Rhyno and Jericho above his shades again, before staring specifically at Christian. "But I have to wonder if that unbridled fury could possibly be any worse than the kind of silent rage that manifests like a poison… festering, working through, before it becomes completely… lethal."
… What?
In holy fuck's name?
Is this man going on about?
Christian blinked. Blinked about a dozen times in a matter of moments. He found comfort in looking away from this man, grabbing his own sunglasses and examining them for any damage caused during the brawl. One of the hinges seemed looser than before but – still good, still as fuzzy as ever.
"… Wow, buddy," Exclaimed Jericho. "No wonder you're wearing sunglasses at night! You must be on drugs."
Another chuckle. "No drugs here, I'm afraid. Just a man who likes to look at things in a more, hm, philosophical perspective - for lack of a better word."
"Uhh huh… and you still ain't making a lick of sense."
Christian looked up from his inspection in time to see the fanged man shake his head and click his tongue. The faint sound of metal on teeth broke the momentary silence. The younger man then noticed, the stranger seemed to be closer now. Leaning on the rear edge of the car.
"I'll apologize for the inane ramble, then." He spoke. "Though I have to say, I didn't expect such standoffish attitudes from whom I just helped out of hot water… then again, maybe I should have. Good first impressions aren't my strong suit."
A stab of guilt hit Christian. Right. You know, that should have been the first thing he said… so even if Christian could honestly agree with his friend, he felt the need to speak up and explain.
"Don't take it the wrong way – that's just Jericho's way of, uh, making conversation. We really are thankful you dealt with that situation. You didn't even have to do it, really… but you did anyway. So thanks."
Murmurs of agreement rose from Chris and Rhyno behind him. This earned yet another full-fanged smile.
"You're welcome. It was no trouble. Like I said, I felt partly responsible. I'd gotten into a little dispute with that man who'd provoked your friend beforehand. So I apologize for that."
The image of that man's pallid, terrified expression as Edge had grabbed him flashed through Christian's head. Then to the moment this fanged man had first intervened in the brawl. Something seemed to click. What if it wasn't Edge that had put that guy into such a terror – but the stranger standing before him?
And what of Edge's own reaction?
His train of thought was interrupted as the stranger stepped away from the car, freeing one hand from his chalice and offering it to Christian.
"Make that two apologies – we haven't even introduced ourselves, have we? My name is Gangrel."
Gangrel…
Huh. Just another oddity about this man…
Christian shook Gangrel's hand out of simple courtesy. "Christian Cage. The chumpstain with the anger issues is my brother, S-uh, Edge."
From the condescending tone of his voice Christian could just tell Jericho was making some grand gesture to himself. "Chris Jericho – sure to be a household name in due time!"
"I actually have a legal name, but everyone calls me Rhyno. So, Rhyno."
"Jericho, Rhyno… Edge and Christian."
For some reason, that appeared important to Gangrel, the brothers' name rolling off his tongue as if testing the taste of a delicate dish. Christian could hear the clinking of the man's tongue piercing on his fangs. Thinking and gazing off in the direction Edge had went again. A cough from Rhyno made Christian turn to his friends. Their subtle gestures were immediately understood; maybe we should get going?
"Well, it's nice to meet you Gangrel. And thanks again for the help. Though I think we should start heading out before they decide to nab us for loitering or whatever." Said Christian.
Gangrel hadn't even torn his eyes away from the treeline. "Oh! Of course. I've taken up enough of your time… I believe that's your brother coming back right now…"
Jericho looked that way, then nodded. "That's Edge alright. I can see his knuckles dragging on the ground."
All four of them shared a good snicker at his expense. Christian approached his friends; he saw Gangrel walk past his peripheral. Then he heard fingers snap.
"- That's what I was thinking of! The Suicide Blondes? That's you and your brother, isn't it?"
Christian couldn't help it; his eyes lit up. He peered up at Gangrel, who was looking over his shoulder at him, a smirk ghosting his lips.
"Uh, yeah. We're the Suicide Blondes, that's us!… wait, you've heard of us?"
"Mm-hmm. I should've guessed from the start. You can call me a bit of fan - in my opinion, you two might be among the most promising young wrestlers I've seen… when is your next match?"
"It's, eh, tomorrow evening actually. Next town over, at the district high school." Christian said, looking thoughtfully at Gangrel.
The fanged man nodded. "Interesting… well, if we don't cross paths again there – I wish you two the best of luck. Our business can be unfulfilling and draining. I hope you find something to fall back on if your high hopes come crashing down."
But before Christian could respond, Gangrel was already exiting the lot, disappearing into the night.
A/N: So yeah. The original draft these two parts replaced was only about 3,200 words. Eh. I wasn't a fan of it. Didn't feel like a good introduction and was honestly quite bland. Nothing significant happened, really. This is a definite step up, though I still have reservations (because when is a writer ever satisfied with their work?) Like, I feel I let it drag out too long, yet at the same time didn't add enough to certain parts? Like the ending felt rushed again. And I felt like that fight scene could've been better, more realistic.
Then I remember this will ultimately be a fic about vampire cults and worry less about realism and worry more about fun :)
Bleh. Well, the next two chapters should be easier, as there will be much less of it to rewrite. And guess what? Next chapter will feature actual wrasslin'! In a wrestling fic? Who woulda thunk it!
As always, let me know how you think this is going so far. I love and cherish every word ya'll type :3
