Part 1

"Hey Midnight...Been skipping out on the work-outs? Ass is looking a little soft." Rob Van Dam yelled at Matt Hardy who was walking out of the shower, sporting only a towel around his waist.

"Shut up Van Damnit." Matt yelled back, good-naturedly, while some of the guys in the locker room laughed. "Why are you looking anyway?"

"Dude, we have a match in a few days. Just wanna make sure you can keep up with R V D." Rob pointed to his head with the trademark arm jesters.

Matt made a show out of tightening the towel around his waist. "You know, some people may find that 'R V D’ thing cute...But I'm not one of them." He smirked, although he was just playing around.

"Don't worry Rob." Jeff Hardy said from a bench, where he was packing his gear. "I think it's cute." He gave Rob a wink.

"Hey...thanks dude." Rob gave him a thumbs up.

Matt shook his head and started dressing. "You're both morons."

Jeff sat up, insulted, and raised his eyebrows at his brother. He was about to bite back, but Rob raised a hand halting him. "Dude...let it go." He told Jeff. "Cuz' deep down...I think Midnight thinks it's cute too." He nodded and smiled knowingly at Matt.

"Think what you want...look all you want." Matt flashed his own smile back as he pulled on his jeans. "Just don't get upset when you don't get, what you want." He finished, tossing his wet hair.

Jeff rolled his eyes. "Glad that wasn't corny." He muttered. Matt ignored him.

Rob shrugged. "Okay Midnight, but one day...you'll come calling, and I might not be interested anymore." He picked up his bag and headed for the door. Once there, he stopped and looked over his shoulder at Matt. "Dude. This is the part where you come running after me." He stated, like Matt should have known.

Matt laughed. "Oh I forgot...Go on ahead. I'll be right there." His expression clearly read 'fat chance'.

Rob waved a hand. "Nah...That's okay. I don't want you causing another one of your little scenes." Him and Jeff chuckled at Matt's 'Whatever' look. "I'll just see you guys tonight." He said, waving bye.

"Wouldn't miss it." Jeff called out.

Matt shook his head, but smiled. Rob never gave up. They were all good friends and it was no secret Rob was gay. He was pretty sure, half the locker room was screwing each other, as it was.

Rob knew Matt wasn't into guys but liked to flirt with him just the same. Matt didn't mind, however. He joked with Rob, like he would anybody.

Any other straight person might have been uncomfortable with it, but Matt wasn't narrow-minded, like that. Especially, considering his own little brother was into guys. He just didn't think anything of it.

Jeff attempted to get his bandana around the purple and blue mess of hair. He was counting the minutes till tonight. Rock was having a huge party at his hotel suite. Since the next show was the day after tomorrow and only a few hours away, they could kick it all-night and still rest up the next morning. And after the party, he would need it. Rock's parties always met his seal of approval for extreme.

Satisfied with his hair, Jeff waited for Matt to finish packing and studied him curiously. "Of all the guys he could have...He chooses you." He shook his head. "Man. What a waste."

Matt frowned at him. "Thanks a lot."

Jeff laughed. "I don't mean it like that. I just mean...he knows your straight, so why bother?" He shrugged.

Matt had never really given the matter much thought. "I guess you can't blame the guy for having taste. Forbidden fruit is the sweetest." He said dramatically.

Jeff rolled his eyes. "Suddenly, I have this urge to re-gurge." He placed a hand over his stomach, forging sickness.

Matt wasn't impressed, by the weak performance. "What's wrong lil' bro. Jealous?" He gave Jeff a challenging look.

Jeff stepped back to look him over. "Please...Not even on your best day.” He snorted.

It was Matt’s turn to roll his eyes. Get over yourself, he thought.

“Besides,” Jeff continued. “I only got eyes for one man."

"Glad to here it." Chris Jericho said, coming up to wrap his arms around Jeff, from behind. "Cuz' I saw one of those eyes wink at Rob."

Jeff looked thoughtful. "Hmm...Could you be jealous?" He asked, while hugging Chris's arms against him.

"Maybe I am." Chris kissed him on the cheek.

Jeff smiled. "Maybe that was the plan." He laughed when Chris playfully nipped at him.

Matt sighed. How is it they always end up doing this in front of me? "Now I'm gonna re-gurge." He said turning away. It wasn't a total lie. Sappy crap like that made him sick.

Jeff and Chris were too caught up in each other to notice. They had been together for almost a year and Jeff was happier then ever. Chris was his first serious relationship and the ex-'play the fielder' was still in awe that he could wind up settling down with him.

He always thought relationships would be boring, but with Chris everyday felt like a new day. Looking over his shoulder, he smiled beautifully at the man he truly loved.

Chris returned his smile, feeling amazed every time he held him. Remembering Jeff's comment to Matt, Chris couldn't help but wonder the same thing about Jeff. Of all the guys Jeff could have...He chose him.

Jeff tilted his head and Chris obediently kissed him, cherishing every second. He couldn't wait for their anniversary.

Matt cleared his throat loudly, trying not to look at the gross display. "Cut the sap, boyz." He swung his bag over his shoulder. "Let's get the party started." He headed for the door.

"Oh, Hell Yeah!" Jeff agreed eagerly, pulling Chris behind him.

Austin snorted from the other side of the locker room. "Don't be stealing other people's material, kid."

They all turned and looked at the Texas Rattlesnake. Jeff frowned. "What?"

"There you go again. I said stop it." Austin snapped from his seat.

"Chill out Austin." Chris cut in. "Go get laid or something."

Austin stood and glowered at Chris. "I'm thinking about laying your ass on this here floor."

Jeff looked at Chris. "Man, that's weird. I was totally thinking the same thing." He smiled suggestively.

Matt groaned, exasperated. "Oh, come on." He pushed the laughing couple out the door and looked back to see, Austin was still standing. He knew the Stone Cold thing wasn't all a gimmick. The man really was a cold ass-hole.

"Look, Man.” Matt held up a hand in truce. “He wasn't trying to steal anything, okay?" He explained, hoping to tone things down a bit.

Austin snorted at him. "You might want to keep your ‘little’ pansy-ass brother and his 'little' boyfriend in line. You got that?" He sat back down. End of conversation.

Matt raised an eyebrow. Pansy-ass brother? "Well, get this...You might want to keep your 'little' insecurities in line. No one wants your tired-ass gimmicks, anyway." He narrowed his dark eyes. "And watch your fucking mouth when it comes to my brother."

Not many people were left in the locker room, but those who were looked at Matt in surprise. Matt looked back at them. "What?" He snapped.

They turned away muttering to each other or shaking their head. He knew what they were thinking. No one talks back to the Rattlesnake, but he didn't care. The Rattlesnake's comments had pissed him off, giving him an extra set of balls.

Hunter walked over to Austin and chuckled. The surprised look on Austin's face only lasted a moment and he jerked his thumb at Matt. "Did cha hear this kid?" He asked Hunter.

Hunter looked Matt over with an expression of complete distaste. Matt felt like he was being labeled: White Trash.

"Just can't teach some kids." The Game shook his head.

"Wanna bet?" Austin grinned then turned to Matt. "I'll be seeing your 'little' punk ass tonight, kid." He pointed at Matt. "You just watch your back."

Matt wasn't about to let Austin faze him in front of everybody. Who the hell made him the fucking king, anyway? "I guess that's your style isn't it...Up from behind." With that, he turned to leave.

Austin snorted and elbowed Hunter. "I think that's more his stupid little brothers style." They both busted up laughing at the crude joke.

Matt’s mouth dropped. What the...? Whirling around, he threw his bag down, angrily. He didn't care who the fuck Austin thought he was...He was nothing to him.

Austin seemed amused by the little fit. "What cha waiting for, kid?" He asked, his hands motioning Matt to 'come here'.

The gesture was unnecessary. Matt was more than happy to be the one that finally put the ass-hole in his place. He started to advance toward Austin when suddenly, the locker room door opened and in walked Shane McMahan.

Matt halted instantly, seeing the boss’s son. Trouble from the top was the last thing he needed. Austin sat back down, apparently thinking the same thought.

Fighting was strictly prohibited and a quick way to get fired. Despite Vince’s reputation, he cared about his wrestlers safety and felt that anger outside the ring was a sure thing for a devastating injury in it.

Shane raised his eyebrows at the two of them. The tension in the room was thick and the instant silence, when he walked in, was a dead gives that something was up.

Cool as ever, Shane casually walked over to Matt and place an arm around his shoulder. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." He asked in his smooth voice.

Matt looked at Austin, whose eyes glinted with a silent threat. He wasn't going to say anything, but he sure as hell didn't want Austin to think it was because of him. Shane followed Matt’s gaze and coolly regarded the Rattlesnake.

Austin smiled at the younger boss. "Nah. We were just having a little chat. Weren’t we kid?" He looked at Matt, pointedly.

Matt glared at him. He had no choice but to go along. Especially with Shane observing him. "Yeah...A chat." He finally agreed.

"I see." Shane hardly believed them, but would have been surprised if they'd told the truth. He looked at Austin. Whatever was going on, he was sure the Rattlesnake was the main cause. If he weren’t such a big name in the business...

Matt cleared his throat. "I goda get going." He said, gathering his bag and hoping to avoid anymore questions.

Shane nodded and clapped his back. He liked Matt, as did everybody and truly hoped there wasn't any kind of problem. "See ya around, Matt." He said with a friendly smile.

Matt returned his smile. He didn't mind Shane, but still...Shane was a boss. "See ya." He headed for the door.

"See ya around, kid." Austin called out.

Matt paused with his hand on the handle. The dangerous undertone in Austin's voice was unmistakable. Matt realized his anger had dissolved and was slowly being replaced with a bad vibe. Austin is not one to have as an enemy. Without looking back, he nodded his head and exited the locker room.

Shit. What the hell have I done? Matt stood in the hallway and looked back at door. The whole thing simply got blown out of proportion. Maybe Austin will realize that and brush it off.

He bit his bottom lip. Somehow, he didn't see that happening. Sighing he headed off to the women's locker room, knowing Jeff and Chris went there to meet Amy. It was too late to change things now. Tonight should be interesting.
Read Part 2 of 14 of NightMocha's Midnight