I Won't Tell Anybody
Then again, it could also have just given Hunter some twisted variation of thought that he and Shawn were getting to them… and sadly they were; look at the way Randy was intending to cut Ted and Cody out of his life before anything could happen to them. Or potentially happen to them. The life gave a gentle bump and John exhaled a quiet breath as he made one last-ditch effort to push it out of his mind until later--- he would have to tell Randy, he knew that, even though he also believed the other could do without that particular piece of aggravation. Exiting the lift John heard the quiet ding as it headed off to another floor, called by someone who was having a much better morning he’d bet.
Placing the takeout bag in his other hand John then rooted into his pocket for his wallet and located the cardkey. Putting it in the slot he tapped his foot impatiently as the door light clicked green and alerted him to the fact that he could get in. rolling his shoulders lightly John then headed inside. Randy was still laid out on his side of the bed, covers up around him and John quirked a small smile though it was rather sad; Randy must have been more tired than even John had believed when he had taken the other back to bed earlier on. Moving to the bedside he started to unpack the two drinks and the food he had gotten. A quiet curse left John as he noted things had cooled somewhat, no doubt thanks to Hunter waylaying him before.
Just as he was shoving the wrappers in the bin Randy made some sound from underneath the mound of covers, poking his head above them just as John was stripping his shirt off and sitting himself back on his side of the bed. “Good morning,” he greeted, “Breakfast?” The younger man blinked hazily a few times and then reached up to rub his eyes. “You’ve been out?” at least, that was what John interpreted the unintelligible grunt Randy gave to mean. He had to fight a laugh at Randy’s sleepiness.
Pushing himself upright Randy scrubbed his hands over his face, disoriented since he had been awake once already and had no clue how long he had been out for the second time for, “Time’s it?” he rumbled and John stretched an arm so he could glance at his watch. “It’s just after nine,” John reported and Randy immediately seemed to relax a little more. Apparently he had been envisioning that it would be much later than that. When the other had straightened up John handed him what he’d brought for him and settled down with his own food and drink. Mentally he promised that he would get his diet back on track at lunchtime otherwise the damage was going to kick in before he had even blinked. It’d happened before.
“You should have woken me up,” Randy said lightly but John waved a hand absently and said, “Since you looked so comfortable asleep I thought I’d best just leave you be. You look so cute when you sleep you know,” he grinned at Randy as he took a bite of his morning bagel and Randy nudged his cover covered thigh against John’s denim-clad one. “I am not cute, you tart. Get them pants off and get under here,” John chuckled slightly as he chewed his bagel and shucked the pants on as he had been asked--- well, told. “You could at least let me have something to eat before you try to pound my brains out again,” he joked, and as John had expected Randy made a joke about something he could eat that was better than a protein shake.
Even though the joke was heartfelt it was a little weak by usual standards, however John thought that it was more likely because Randy had just woken up as opposed to anything being wrong with him. “I figured we could grab a shower together after we’ve eaten,” John said, happy to be settled beside the warmth of his lover once again as he returned his attention back to his bagel. “Sounds good to me,” Randy said, “Any excuse to see me naked and wet, huh John?” John laughed lightly and shook his head a little, “Of course.” Well, why deny what they both knew to be true?
Being away from Hunter and relaxing with some food and Randy was putting John at ease which was lucky because Randy was nowhere near as oblivious as he might like some people to think and he seemed to be getting very good at figuring out when John seemed to have something on his mind. They clicked the news onto the hotel TV for a brief skeg as they finished up their breakfasts. “You got crumbs in the bed you tramp,” John teased Randy with a grin.
“Shut your mouth and go and get the shower on, bitch,” Randy joked, seeming more awake now he had eaten and had his coffee, getting out of bed even as he spoke. However, John’s belief that Randy was going to go and put the shower on was short-lived when he realised the other was seeking out his packet of cigarettes and lighter. He clucked his tongue reprovingly as Randy pulled one from the pack before then smirking slightly as the other as Randy padded towards the balcony bollock-naked. “Hey, Champ,” he called lightly, heading into the bathroom, “Put some pants on.”
Glancing down at his uncovered tackle Randy then smirked slightly and struck a little pose, “The fans’d die to get a look at me like this,” he said haughtily but stuck on some pants none-the-less before heading onto the balcony and lighting up. He always insisted that he needed a balcony; they could stop you smoking out of the window but he’d be damned if they stopped him smoking outside the fucking room. One snotty hotel managed had tried to tell him once and Randy had just looked at him, the little git fleeing the scene--- he heard rumours later that the guy had pissed himself in fear.
Even if that wasn’t exactly what happened it was the story that Randy told everyone. When John came back out of the bathroom Randy looked over his shoulder to him and arched a brow; he had expected the other would get in the shower and wait for him since having a cig wouldn’t take him long. John shrugged, hands planted on his naked hips and a dimpled-grin on his face, “I figured we’d be alright to have a bit of time in the bath.” It wasn’t easy but he knew they both enjoyed the intimacy it afforded them, even more so than the shower. “Alright,” Randy said lightly, leaning on the balcony again to finish the cig.
Just as the two men were preparing to get into the bath though there was a knock at the door. Before John could even think to grab some discarded boxers from the floor or out of the nearest bag (Randy’s, but it wouldn’t kill him) the door opened and a serious looking Cody strode into the room with determination written on his face. Well, he was determined until he realised John was naked as a jaybird and Randy was standing there in his boxers, slung very, very low on his hips. Ted followed him in not moments later, turning redder than a tomato as he took in the two men before then clapping a hand over Cody’s eyes as well as his own. “Teddy!” Cody protested, trying to pry Ted’s hand away but the blonde wouldn’t budge it.
“Can you two please put some clothes on?” Ted managed with great dignity, John and Randy exchanging a look and it was apparent they weren’t sure how they were supposed to feel about the two younger men barging in. “After your spectacle last night-“which Ted would forever deny until his dying day as to it having had no effect on his and Cody’s libidos in turn, “we’ve given you more than enough time to wake up and do whatever. We want to talk to you and we want to talk to you now, so, if you wouldn’t mind?” John looked completely non-plussed by their appearance and Randy cursed; he should have taken Cody’s text seriously, because the other only ever really meant it when he was in that sort of mood.
“John-“he tossed the other some boxers that were close at hand and he pulled them on, Randy not bothering to adjust himself as much because they had seen him in the altogether far too many times for it to really bother them now. He then indicated the bathroom and John exhaled a quick breath before then hastening into the bathroom to make sure that their bath didn’t overflow. Once he was out of sight Randy looked to his two protégés, steeling himself involuntarily in a gesture he just knew they’d recognise as defensive.
Recovering from his bout of pseudo-fanboyish shock, Cody nodded firmly, “What was yesterday all about, Randy? And don’t say ‘nothing’ because we know it was something.” Without further ado Cody made him comfortable sitting on the end of Randy and John’s bed, Ted dithering for a moment before he sat beside him. Randy rolled his eyes slightly but remained standing. He always felt claustrophobic in some way when it came to confrontations and it was just lucky that fans thought it was part of his psychotic character because that was evidenced even in the ring when the stuff was all rehearsed.
John came out of the bathroom and Randy wasn’t sure whether he wanted the other to go or stay, but when he felt John’s hand on his back he knew that that was something he wasn’t exactly going to have much choice in: John was going to be right there. There was part of him that would have preferred to do this without him there but his presence was reassuring. “First off,” Randy started, expression completely serious, “Didn’t your parents never teach you not to barge into other people’s rooms?”
~:~
Ted looked slightly embarrassed but if Cody had any shame over catching John naked he gave no sign. “I never walked in on my parents,” he said (and everyone in the room tried to hide a shudder at the thought of catching Dusty naked). “And that’s hardly the point, we know you Randy and if we planned some meeting then you’d be all prepared and you’d have John or someone call you ten minutes in to say that it’s an emergency and leave. You were acting strange yesterday and you about broke your bollocks trying to get away from us. What, do we have bad breath or something?”
Randy shrugged guardedly. “We were tired-“
“It’s more than that,” interrupted Cody. “You weren’t tired, you were being off with us and you were deliberately trying to ignore us. Why?”
Randy could feel his defences going up, the way that Cody and Ted probably realised they would; as they had said, they knew him too well to think otherwise. He didn’t like being put on the spot the way he was and if he said he was tired and there was nothing wrong then they should damned well take him at his word and to hell if his word wasn’t the truth. He should have known that Cody would try to goad him into a reaction, it was just his style. But he wasn’t going to play, or so he told himself.
“Do we have to hang around together all the time?” he snapped. “Fuck, it’s no wonder that people think there’s something going on with the three of us, we live in each others pockets all the time and maybe I just didn’t want to make conversation!”
John’s fingers dug into him and he almost jumped and gave it away - he should have known that John would find some way to express his disapproval. He was aware that John didn’t think he was being very fair by forcing a wedge between himself and his friends, like they should get a say. And he would have given them one, except he already knew they’d choose wrong and he was protecting them from that.
He expected a flash of hurt and the high-strung Cody to start yelling insults back at him, Ted to usher him from the room with a few cutting remarks of his own and that to be the end of it. probably something about how Hunter and Shawn had been right all along and they should never have trusted him. But the two of them exchanged quick looks first, which he hadn’t anticipated; it wasn’t like they always looked to each other before they acted. And then Ted sighed, rubbing his forehead tiredly. “You want us to hang around together less?”
Randy was thrown completely off his game. “I’m pretty sure that’s what I just said.”
“Why?”
Randy shook his head. This was something else he hadn’t seen coming. Recriminations and arguments yes, calm questions about his reasons, not so much. Shouting he could deal with but he wasn’t sure he could reason.”Does it matter? That’s just the way it is.”
“Yeah, it matters.” Ted reached out for Cody’s hand, probably not even realising he was doing so. “You won’t even look at us. What’re you playing at?”
Randy forced his eyes to meet Ted’s. “There’s no fucking conspiracy here Ted and I’m getting really tired of this crap. I’m about to take a bath and you guys come barging in on us and start in wanting to talk about how you’re so goddamn butthurt because I wanted some peace?”
Ted’s eyes narrowed slightly - Randy knew just what to say to piss them off - but his tone was mild enough when he replied. “See, we might have believed that if you’d shoved us out of the door and told us to fuck off out of your face. But you’re stood here arguing with us and that’s what you always do when you want us to believe something really badly. Just like there is no surprise party-“
“Ted’s really not out on a date with a girl,” added Cody, catching Ted’s rather startled look and apparently deciding to deal with it later.
“I’ve no idea who filled your boots with foam Teddy,” continued Ted relentlessly.
“Who me, jealous?” John cut in. “I’m not jealous Cena, I’m just stood here not going anywhere to make sure your room doesn’t have more pillows than mine…”
“Traitor!” Randy glared at his lover. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”
“What’s all this about sides?” asked Cody. “There are no sides. There’s us and we’re all on the same side… or we’re supposed to be. You’d better ‘fess up Randy and tell us what’s going on because if you think we’re gonna leave you alone for a moment until you do, you’re wrong. Think us seeing your boyfriends wang was bad? Wait until we’re really stalking you. Wait until we’re in every room you check into, hanging around outside your house, leaning on your car outside the arena…”
“We’ll do it,” added Ted in what John suspected was supposed to be a menacing fashion, although the threat of being stalked by Ted and Cody lacked a certain something in the menace stakes. Although had he ever been subject to it before, he would have quickly learned just how wrong he was.
Randy rolled his eyes. “Why does everything have to be so fucking full on with you guys?”
“You’re not gonna distract us Randy.”
Randy looked to John and saw there was going to be no help there at all. Sighing, he looked down and hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his boxers, pouting, looking for all the world like a truculent child even if he was taller than the other three. Then he pulled himself together - there was no way at all that he was going to cave on this one. So he was going to have to explain himself, so what? No one could force him to change his mind or go back on his decision, no matter what they said.
“It’s just better for everyone if you guys aren’t around so much,” he said firmly, raising an eyebrow. “I know we’re in a storyline together but outside the ring, there’s no need for us to be always in each others pockets. It’s not good for your careers if people think you’re getting too friendly with the main eventers-“
“I knew it!” exploded Cody, making Randy jump a little - he had thought he sounded pretty damned arrogant, which was the effect he had been going for. “This is about us! You think DX are gonna chew us up and spit us out as some kind of retaliation for you pissing them off and you think they might go easy on us if they think you’ve dumped us!”
“You think that never occurred to us too?” asked Ted, clearly as angry as Cody because neither of them were letting Randy get a word in. “We’re not stupid Randy and we’ve been around this business as long as you have. We know how it works sometimes and we also get to choose how we deal with it. And we already decided how to deal with it!”
“You don’t get rid of us that easily,” added Cody.
“Who said I was giving you a choice?” Randy hadn’t meant to lose his temper but that was the way he was going. “If you two are too fucking stubborn to do what’s best for you then maybe it’s time I stepped in to decide for you!”
“And you think that deciding for us shows some kind of separation?” returned Ted, starting to raise his own voice. “You might be looking out for our best interests, but we think you’re wrong on this one!”
“And you need us Randy,” interrupted Cody. “Don’t even deny it. The three of us, we’ve looked out for each other and we’re not about to let you go through all this crap that they’re putting you through alone - either of you. John’s one of us by default-“
John bit his lip slightly to stop an ill-advised bray of nervous laughter at the thought of himself wandering out with the Legacy, wearing black trunks and plenty of baby oil. That would be a helluva sight. But his mind wasn’t really on that; he knew he was all but forgotten while the three of them argued things out and he was loathe to interrupt them but he wasn’t about to let Randy make what he too thought was a mistake. It would be amusing if it wasn’t so serious; Randy was doing all of this to stop Cody and Ted doing what he thought was a mistake and the three of them in turn wanted to stop him because they thought his actions were a mistake.
“We stick together,” Cody continued. “And anyway, what makes you think they won’t see right through it? Or that they even care that much about us? They’re using us as a tool to get to you guys, but you know that they both care more about appearances than about you. We can make them look good in the ring and play the perfect bad guys to their fan favourites, they’ll be remembering that in a couple of years when the Legacy are ancient history, they won’t even be thinking about who our friends are.”
“And if they do decide to push, we can push back,” Ted cut in. “You know they’re not interested in us, that we’re just a way to get to Legacy and that’s just a way to get to you. We’ll still be a part of Legacy whether or not you decide to never speak to us again.”
“And if you let them beat you like that, then you’re not the man we thought you were,” added Cody.
That hurt. Randy bristled, thinking that both men knew his weak spots too well and they worked as a team far too well, in all respects. And they knew he didn’t really want to be doing this. He didn’t want to lose his best friends and not over something like this, because it felt like he was being forced. But he didn’t want them to suffer because of who he fell in love with.
“There’s something else,” said John, almost reluctantly. The three men looked at him expectantly, almost surprised. No one had really expected him to get involved, not even to smack Randy upside the head and tell him to grow up. But John knew they would remain at a standoff unless something interrupted them and there was a good chance that if their minds were taken from the argument, even if just for a few minutes, there was more chance that Randy would see sense and back down. If he were pushed any further, then he wouldn’t. Certainly not after the comment that Cody had made; Randy would be anxious to prove him wrong by proving him right.
John gave a quick outline of what had happened in the foyer; how Hunter had accosted him and suggested that Randy would get bored, while John had warned him to back off. By the time he had finished, he could tell that the Legacy’s already poor humour had deteriorated still further, especially Randy’s, who clearly objected to being likened to the man.
“He’s got some goddamn nerve,” snapped Randy, already reaching for his jeans. “That’s it, I’m gonna go tell him exactly what I think and-“
“No.” John put a hand on his arm. “I thought we’d decided, we were gonna just not engage them and do this whenever they pulled this shit. We’re not supposed to be giving them a reaction!”
“Wait, wait.” Ted rubbed his forehead again. “What you’re saying is that you decided it was past time to stand up for yourselves, and this has something to do with Randy ditching us? It’s because you don’t want us getting involved?”
“If they’re gonna be looking for retaliation, we wanna give them as little ammunition as possible,” said John, answering for both of them.
“Well, that’s bullshit,” said Cody bluntly. “You can’t isolate yourselves from everyone just because they might use us for something they want. And you can part ways with us and that just leaves the others. Evan or Mike or Morrison. Are you gonna isolate yourselves from them too? You can’t just have each other, it doesn’t work that way.”
John frowned suddenly; although it had occurred to him that his friends might come under fire he had assumed that Cody and Ted were under greater threat because they were so obviously close to Randy. But Cody was right about no one being safe.
“Are we gonna take a stand and keep our friends or are we gonna let ‘em win this one too?” he asked Randy, his tone casual but the question serious.
Randy rubbed a hand over the bristles of his hair. “You two. Get outta here. I’m gonna take a bath.”
Cody didn’t budge. “And? Are you gonna be talking to us after the bath or are we finding our own way to the arena?”
Randy sighed. “I think you’re all insane. You can take the backseat though.”
John was most amused by the reaction; Cody grinned and actually pulled Randy in for a hug, Ted barely having the chance to let a slightly jealous look cross his face before Cody grabbed his wrist and pulled him in for the group embrace. It wasn’t exactly unusual to see Legacy like this, but John thought it was the first time that it hadn’t been a show for the cameras and he couldn’t say that it looked awkward or anything.
There was a long moment and then Ted spoke. “Rand?”
“Yeah?”
“Take your bath. You smell of sex like, really strong.”
Randy snorted with laughter. “It’s very wrong, you thinking of sex right now.” He released the two and took a step back. “Go fucking molest each other and let me get my damned bath.”
Placing the takeout bag in his other hand John then rooted into his pocket for his wallet and located the cardkey. Putting it in the slot he tapped his foot impatiently as the door light clicked green and alerted him to the fact that he could get in. rolling his shoulders lightly John then headed inside. Randy was still laid out on his side of the bed, covers up around him and John quirked a small smile though it was rather sad; Randy must have been more tired than even John had believed when he had taken the other back to bed earlier on. Moving to the bedside he started to unpack the two drinks and the food he had gotten. A quiet curse left John as he noted things had cooled somewhat, no doubt thanks to Hunter waylaying him before.
Just as he was shoving the wrappers in the bin Randy made some sound from underneath the mound of covers, poking his head above them just as John was stripping his shirt off and sitting himself back on his side of the bed. “Good morning,” he greeted, “Breakfast?” The younger man blinked hazily a few times and then reached up to rub his eyes. “You’ve been out?” at least, that was what John interpreted the unintelligible grunt Randy gave to mean. He had to fight a laugh at Randy’s sleepiness.
Pushing himself upright Randy scrubbed his hands over his face, disoriented since he had been awake once already and had no clue how long he had been out for the second time for, “Time’s it?” he rumbled and John stretched an arm so he could glance at his watch. “It’s just after nine,” John reported and Randy immediately seemed to relax a little more. Apparently he had been envisioning that it would be much later than that. When the other had straightened up John handed him what he’d brought for him and settled down with his own food and drink. Mentally he promised that he would get his diet back on track at lunchtime otherwise the damage was going to kick in before he had even blinked. It’d happened before.
“You should have woken me up,” Randy said lightly but John waved a hand absently and said, “Since you looked so comfortable asleep I thought I’d best just leave you be. You look so cute when you sleep you know,” he grinned at Randy as he took a bite of his morning bagel and Randy nudged his cover covered thigh against John’s denim-clad one. “I am not cute, you tart. Get them pants off and get under here,” John chuckled slightly as he chewed his bagel and shucked the pants on as he had been asked--- well, told. “You could at least let me have something to eat before you try to pound my brains out again,” he joked, and as John had expected Randy made a joke about something he could eat that was better than a protein shake.
Even though the joke was heartfelt it was a little weak by usual standards, however John thought that it was more likely because Randy had just woken up as opposed to anything being wrong with him. “I figured we could grab a shower together after we’ve eaten,” John said, happy to be settled beside the warmth of his lover once again as he returned his attention back to his bagel. “Sounds good to me,” Randy said, “Any excuse to see me naked and wet, huh John?” John laughed lightly and shook his head a little, “Of course.” Well, why deny what they both knew to be true?
Being away from Hunter and relaxing with some food and Randy was putting John at ease which was lucky because Randy was nowhere near as oblivious as he might like some people to think and he seemed to be getting very good at figuring out when John seemed to have something on his mind. They clicked the news onto the hotel TV for a brief skeg as they finished up their breakfasts. “You got crumbs in the bed you tramp,” John teased Randy with a grin.
“Shut your mouth and go and get the shower on, bitch,” Randy joked, seeming more awake now he had eaten and had his coffee, getting out of bed even as he spoke. However, John’s belief that Randy was going to go and put the shower on was short-lived when he realised the other was seeking out his packet of cigarettes and lighter. He clucked his tongue reprovingly as Randy pulled one from the pack before then smirking slightly as the other as Randy padded towards the balcony bollock-naked. “Hey, Champ,” he called lightly, heading into the bathroom, “Put some pants on.”
Glancing down at his uncovered tackle Randy then smirked slightly and struck a little pose, “The fans’d die to get a look at me like this,” he said haughtily but stuck on some pants none-the-less before heading onto the balcony and lighting up. He always insisted that he needed a balcony; they could stop you smoking out of the window but he’d be damned if they stopped him smoking outside the fucking room. One snotty hotel managed had tried to tell him once and Randy had just looked at him, the little git fleeing the scene--- he heard rumours later that the guy had pissed himself in fear.
Even if that wasn’t exactly what happened it was the story that Randy told everyone. When John came back out of the bathroom Randy looked over his shoulder to him and arched a brow; he had expected the other would get in the shower and wait for him since having a cig wouldn’t take him long. John shrugged, hands planted on his naked hips and a dimpled-grin on his face, “I figured we’d be alright to have a bit of time in the bath.” It wasn’t easy but he knew they both enjoyed the intimacy it afforded them, even more so than the shower. “Alright,” Randy said lightly, leaning on the balcony again to finish the cig.
Just as the two men were preparing to get into the bath though there was a knock at the door. Before John could even think to grab some discarded boxers from the floor or out of the nearest bag (Randy’s, but it wouldn’t kill him) the door opened and a serious looking Cody strode into the room with determination written on his face. Well, he was determined until he realised John was naked as a jaybird and Randy was standing there in his boxers, slung very, very low on his hips. Ted followed him in not moments later, turning redder than a tomato as he took in the two men before then clapping a hand over Cody’s eyes as well as his own. “Teddy!” Cody protested, trying to pry Ted’s hand away but the blonde wouldn’t budge it.
“Can you two please put some clothes on?” Ted managed with great dignity, John and Randy exchanging a look and it was apparent they weren’t sure how they were supposed to feel about the two younger men barging in. “After your spectacle last night-“which Ted would forever deny until his dying day as to it having had no effect on his and Cody’s libidos in turn, “we’ve given you more than enough time to wake up and do whatever. We want to talk to you and we want to talk to you now, so, if you wouldn’t mind?” John looked completely non-plussed by their appearance and Randy cursed; he should have taken Cody’s text seriously, because the other only ever really meant it when he was in that sort of mood.
“John-“he tossed the other some boxers that were close at hand and he pulled them on, Randy not bothering to adjust himself as much because they had seen him in the altogether far too many times for it to really bother them now. He then indicated the bathroom and John exhaled a quick breath before then hastening into the bathroom to make sure that their bath didn’t overflow. Once he was out of sight Randy looked to his two protégés, steeling himself involuntarily in a gesture he just knew they’d recognise as defensive.
Recovering from his bout of pseudo-fanboyish shock, Cody nodded firmly, “What was yesterday all about, Randy? And don’t say ‘nothing’ because we know it was something.” Without further ado Cody made him comfortable sitting on the end of Randy and John’s bed, Ted dithering for a moment before he sat beside him. Randy rolled his eyes slightly but remained standing. He always felt claustrophobic in some way when it came to confrontations and it was just lucky that fans thought it was part of his psychotic character because that was evidenced even in the ring when the stuff was all rehearsed.
John came out of the bathroom and Randy wasn’t sure whether he wanted the other to go or stay, but when he felt John’s hand on his back he knew that that was something he wasn’t exactly going to have much choice in: John was going to be right there. There was part of him that would have preferred to do this without him there but his presence was reassuring. “First off,” Randy started, expression completely serious, “Didn’t your parents never teach you not to barge into other people’s rooms?”
~:~
Ted looked slightly embarrassed but if Cody had any shame over catching John naked he gave no sign. “I never walked in on my parents,” he said (and everyone in the room tried to hide a shudder at the thought of catching Dusty naked). “And that’s hardly the point, we know you Randy and if we planned some meeting then you’d be all prepared and you’d have John or someone call you ten minutes in to say that it’s an emergency and leave. You were acting strange yesterday and you about broke your bollocks trying to get away from us. What, do we have bad breath or something?”
Randy shrugged guardedly. “We were tired-“
“It’s more than that,” interrupted Cody. “You weren’t tired, you were being off with us and you were deliberately trying to ignore us. Why?”
Randy could feel his defences going up, the way that Cody and Ted probably realised they would; as they had said, they knew him too well to think otherwise. He didn’t like being put on the spot the way he was and if he said he was tired and there was nothing wrong then they should damned well take him at his word and to hell if his word wasn’t the truth. He should have known that Cody would try to goad him into a reaction, it was just his style. But he wasn’t going to play, or so he told himself.
“Do we have to hang around together all the time?” he snapped. “Fuck, it’s no wonder that people think there’s something going on with the three of us, we live in each others pockets all the time and maybe I just didn’t want to make conversation!”
John’s fingers dug into him and he almost jumped and gave it away - he should have known that John would find some way to express his disapproval. He was aware that John didn’t think he was being very fair by forcing a wedge between himself and his friends, like they should get a say. And he would have given them one, except he already knew they’d choose wrong and he was protecting them from that.
He expected a flash of hurt and the high-strung Cody to start yelling insults back at him, Ted to usher him from the room with a few cutting remarks of his own and that to be the end of it. probably something about how Hunter and Shawn had been right all along and they should never have trusted him. But the two of them exchanged quick looks first, which he hadn’t anticipated; it wasn’t like they always looked to each other before they acted. And then Ted sighed, rubbing his forehead tiredly. “You want us to hang around together less?”
Randy was thrown completely off his game. “I’m pretty sure that’s what I just said.”
“Why?”
Randy shook his head. This was something else he hadn’t seen coming. Recriminations and arguments yes, calm questions about his reasons, not so much. Shouting he could deal with but he wasn’t sure he could reason.”Does it matter? That’s just the way it is.”
“Yeah, it matters.” Ted reached out for Cody’s hand, probably not even realising he was doing so. “You won’t even look at us. What’re you playing at?”
Randy forced his eyes to meet Ted’s. “There’s no fucking conspiracy here Ted and I’m getting really tired of this crap. I’m about to take a bath and you guys come barging in on us and start in wanting to talk about how you’re so goddamn butthurt because I wanted some peace?”
Ted’s eyes narrowed slightly - Randy knew just what to say to piss them off - but his tone was mild enough when he replied. “See, we might have believed that if you’d shoved us out of the door and told us to fuck off out of your face. But you’re stood here arguing with us and that’s what you always do when you want us to believe something really badly. Just like there is no surprise party-“
“Ted’s really not out on a date with a girl,” added Cody, catching Ted’s rather startled look and apparently deciding to deal with it later.
“I’ve no idea who filled your boots with foam Teddy,” continued Ted relentlessly.
“Who me, jealous?” John cut in. “I’m not jealous Cena, I’m just stood here not going anywhere to make sure your room doesn’t have more pillows than mine…”
“Traitor!” Randy glared at his lover. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”
“What’s all this about sides?” asked Cody. “There are no sides. There’s us and we’re all on the same side… or we’re supposed to be. You’d better ‘fess up Randy and tell us what’s going on because if you think we’re gonna leave you alone for a moment until you do, you’re wrong. Think us seeing your boyfriends wang was bad? Wait until we’re really stalking you. Wait until we’re in every room you check into, hanging around outside your house, leaning on your car outside the arena…”
“We’ll do it,” added Ted in what John suspected was supposed to be a menacing fashion, although the threat of being stalked by Ted and Cody lacked a certain something in the menace stakes. Although had he ever been subject to it before, he would have quickly learned just how wrong he was.
Randy rolled his eyes. “Why does everything have to be so fucking full on with you guys?”
“You’re not gonna distract us Randy.”
Randy looked to John and saw there was going to be no help there at all. Sighing, he looked down and hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his boxers, pouting, looking for all the world like a truculent child even if he was taller than the other three. Then he pulled himself together - there was no way at all that he was going to cave on this one. So he was going to have to explain himself, so what? No one could force him to change his mind or go back on his decision, no matter what they said.
“It’s just better for everyone if you guys aren’t around so much,” he said firmly, raising an eyebrow. “I know we’re in a storyline together but outside the ring, there’s no need for us to be always in each others pockets. It’s not good for your careers if people think you’re getting too friendly with the main eventers-“
“I knew it!” exploded Cody, making Randy jump a little - he had thought he sounded pretty damned arrogant, which was the effect he had been going for. “This is about us! You think DX are gonna chew us up and spit us out as some kind of retaliation for you pissing them off and you think they might go easy on us if they think you’ve dumped us!”
“You think that never occurred to us too?” asked Ted, clearly as angry as Cody because neither of them were letting Randy get a word in. “We’re not stupid Randy and we’ve been around this business as long as you have. We know how it works sometimes and we also get to choose how we deal with it. And we already decided how to deal with it!”
“You don’t get rid of us that easily,” added Cody.
“Who said I was giving you a choice?” Randy hadn’t meant to lose his temper but that was the way he was going. “If you two are too fucking stubborn to do what’s best for you then maybe it’s time I stepped in to decide for you!”
“And you think that deciding for us shows some kind of separation?” returned Ted, starting to raise his own voice. “You might be looking out for our best interests, but we think you’re wrong on this one!”
“And you need us Randy,” interrupted Cody. “Don’t even deny it. The three of us, we’ve looked out for each other and we’re not about to let you go through all this crap that they’re putting you through alone - either of you. John’s one of us by default-“
John bit his lip slightly to stop an ill-advised bray of nervous laughter at the thought of himself wandering out with the Legacy, wearing black trunks and plenty of baby oil. That would be a helluva sight. But his mind wasn’t really on that; he knew he was all but forgotten while the three of them argued things out and he was loathe to interrupt them but he wasn’t about to let Randy make what he too thought was a mistake. It would be amusing if it wasn’t so serious; Randy was doing all of this to stop Cody and Ted doing what he thought was a mistake and the three of them in turn wanted to stop him because they thought his actions were a mistake.
“We stick together,” Cody continued. “And anyway, what makes you think they won’t see right through it? Or that they even care that much about us? They’re using us as a tool to get to you guys, but you know that they both care more about appearances than about you. We can make them look good in the ring and play the perfect bad guys to their fan favourites, they’ll be remembering that in a couple of years when the Legacy are ancient history, they won’t even be thinking about who our friends are.”
“And if they do decide to push, we can push back,” Ted cut in. “You know they’re not interested in us, that we’re just a way to get to Legacy and that’s just a way to get to you. We’ll still be a part of Legacy whether or not you decide to never speak to us again.”
“And if you let them beat you like that, then you’re not the man we thought you were,” added Cody.
That hurt. Randy bristled, thinking that both men knew his weak spots too well and they worked as a team far too well, in all respects. And they knew he didn’t really want to be doing this. He didn’t want to lose his best friends and not over something like this, because it felt like he was being forced. But he didn’t want them to suffer because of who he fell in love with.
“There’s something else,” said John, almost reluctantly. The three men looked at him expectantly, almost surprised. No one had really expected him to get involved, not even to smack Randy upside the head and tell him to grow up. But John knew they would remain at a standoff unless something interrupted them and there was a good chance that if their minds were taken from the argument, even if just for a few minutes, there was more chance that Randy would see sense and back down. If he were pushed any further, then he wouldn’t. Certainly not after the comment that Cody had made; Randy would be anxious to prove him wrong by proving him right.
John gave a quick outline of what had happened in the foyer; how Hunter had accosted him and suggested that Randy would get bored, while John had warned him to back off. By the time he had finished, he could tell that the Legacy’s already poor humour had deteriorated still further, especially Randy’s, who clearly objected to being likened to the man.
“He’s got some goddamn nerve,” snapped Randy, already reaching for his jeans. “That’s it, I’m gonna go tell him exactly what I think and-“
“No.” John put a hand on his arm. “I thought we’d decided, we were gonna just not engage them and do this whenever they pulled this shit. We’re not supposed to be giving them a reaction!”
“Wait, wait.” Ted rubbed his forehead again. “What you’re saying is that you decided it was past time to stand up for yourselves, and this has something to do with Randy ditching us? It’s because you don’t want us getting involved?”
“If they’re gonna be looking for retaliation, we wanna give them as little ammunition as possible,” said John, answering for both of them.
“Well, that’s bullshit,” said Cody bluntly. “You can’t isolate yourselves from everyone just because they might use us for something they want. And you can part ways with us and that just leaves the others. Evan or Mike or Morrison. Are you gonna isolate yourselves from them too? You can’t just have each other, it doesn’t work that way.”
John frowned suddenly; although it had occurred to him that his friends might come under fire he had assumed that Cody and Ted were under greater threat because they were so obviously close to Randy. But Cody was right about no one being safe.
“Are we gonna take a stand and keep our friends or are we gonna let ‘em win this one too?” he asked Randy, his tone casual but the question serious.
Randy rubbed a hand over the bristles of his hair. “You two. Get outta here. I’m gonna take a bath.”
Cody didn’t budge. “And? Are you gonna be talking to us after the bath or are we finding our own way to the arena?”
Randy sighed. “I think you’re all insane. You can take the backseat though.”
John was most amused by the reaction; Cody grinned and actually pulled Randy in for a hug, Ted barely having the chance to let a slightly jealous look cross his face before Cody grabbed his wrist and pulled him in for the group embrace. It wasn’t exactly unusual to see Legacy like this, but John thought it was the first time that it hadn’t been a show for the cameras and he couldn’t say that it looked awkward or anything.
There was a long moment and then Ted spoke. “Rand?”
“Yeah?”
“Take your bath. You smell of sex like, really strong.”
Randy snorted with laughter. “It’s very wrong, you thinking of sex right now.” He released the two and took a step back. “Go fucking molest each other and let me get my damned bath.”