Part 27

It was getting late. Chris looked at the clock across the living room from where he was snuggled in Shawn's arms on the sofa. After the gamut of emotional events from the morning, Kevin had decided he was hungry yet again. Amidst much teasing by the rest of the group, they had dressed and filed into the kitchen to scavenge for something that might tide the big man over for a few hours at least. Kevin insisted that the emotional ups and downs were responsible for the hole in his stomach...Scott insisted however that Kevin was always hungry after sex, which earned him a scowl and a grumble or two for his observation. Sean was bouncing all over the place at his usual frenetic pace...the guys all attributing it to his excitement over Glen's future visit. That was especially obvious by the grilling he gave Chris over what Glen had said about him when they talked. Chris and Shawn seemed generally happy and totally sickening to the others. They managed to sneak in several dozen affectionate kisses and a dozen or so sappy endearments just so that they could hear Kevin make gagging noises and Scott's "Isn't that sweet" observations.

After lingering over their meal of grilled chicken breast, rice, and steamed vegetables, the five of them had ended up in the living room watching the Rocky Anthology that Shawn had received as a Christmas gift. Kevin had taken the sofa of course with Scott laying in front of him, his arms wrapped tightly around his dark-haired lover. Shawn and Chris cuddled side by side on the loveseat. Sean bounced back and forth between the floor and sitting next to Chris. He was way too anxious for Glen's arrival and had a hard time sitting still which drew many teasing comments from his friends.

"Watch. Glen will be here for all of five minutes before Sean jumps him." Scott laughed while Sean shook his head.

"Nope, you're wrong. They won't even make it into the house without Sean jumping him," Kevin said with a grin.

"The house? Hell, I'm voting for in the car on the way home." Sean perked up a little at Shawn's suggestion.

"You're all wrong. I'm going with the first men's room they come to in the airport."

"Damn, Chris. I'm not that big of a whore." Sean deadpanned.

The rest of them laughed, finding his denial completely hilarious. "Sure you are Sean, but we all love you anyway," Chris returned. "Just make sure you avoid the toilet paper dispenser. Those things can leave wicked bruises." Another round of laughter, although Shawn had raised an eyebrow in his lover's direction. Seemed Chris wasn't quite as innocent as he'd thought, not that it mattered with this bunch. Not one of them could claim anything close to innocent either.

As they finally settled down, Shawn popped in the Rocky DVD. Scott commented about how much Heyman resembled Paulie, both in looks and character, and Chris mentioned how weird it was that they shared the same name. Not one person in the group was a fan of Heyman's and they all tended to avoid the man if possible. Luckily, since the last draft that hadn't been much of a problem.

Their observations turned to a discussion of which of them could have taken down the Italian Stallion. Scott of course insisted that he could have, the Bad Guy didn't play fair after all. Kevin insisted that he could as well, though Scott disagreed.

"He'd be so busy trying to figure out why they call you Big Sexy that he'd never get around to fighting with you," Scott told him with an exaggerated wink.

Sean, Chris, and Shawn all mock gagged at that nauseatingly cute suggestion. Chris and Shawn started arguing over whose finisher would cause the man to go down first. They were debating the merits of 'Sweet Chin Music' versus the 'Walls of Jericho' when Sean put his two cents in.

"I'd be too busy going down on the man to worry about taking him down," he said, wolfish grin firmly in place. Shawn and Chris quickly seconded and thirded that motion.

Apollo's entrance as George Washington drew snickers and grins and they decided that as a joke Shawn should suggest just such an entrance for himself to Vince at their next meeting. If by chance he actually convinced Vince to give it some thought, the rest of them wouldn't be allowed to wear clothes for the duration of their next visit, no matter who might show up. Shawn decided right then that he'd have a huge party if by chance it should occur although he wasn't sure that he wanted 'his' Chris running around naked in front of everyone.

Rocky II turned out to be just as much fun...well except for Kevin. The others reminded him of how he'd gone crazy spending money during his first title reign, including buying Scott matching convertibles in red and black because he couldn't decide which color would better suit his lover. Kevin of course had a rebuttal ready, saying he'd only spent all of his money so that he'd finally have to move into Scott's house with him.

Scott snorted then smiled at Kevin. "Actually they were a bribe so I'd let him in my house at all. I was afraid his ego was getting so big that his head wouldn't fit through the doorway and I'd be stuck with him forever." Kevin pouted spectacularly until Scott leaned over and distracted him with a long passionate kiss.

Chris and Shawn compared Rocky's attempt at reading dummy cards to some of their coworkers. Snitsky, Lita, Goldberg, Torrie, and Simon Dean all immediately came to mind. In the end they voted and Lita was given the 'botch award' for her talent of screwing up any and all promos, commercials, and spots although there were almost as many votes for Goldberg.

Mid-movie Shawn and Chris snuck off to make popcorn and indulge in a vigorous make-out session while waiting. They might have forgotten the movies and their guests altogether if Sean hadn't bounced into the room to see what was taking so long.

"You feeling neglected, Kid?" Shawn asked with a smirk. He was sitting in a chair with Chris perched on his lap, one hand obviously visible under the front of Chris' shirt.

Sean rolled his eyes and then shook his head. "Nah. Kev and Scotty are making out again and I've seen that a million times so I came to watch you two make out instead," he finished with a wiggle of his eyebrows and a smile.

Chris took his turn to roll his eyes and got up to check on the popcorn, shoving Sean into Shawn's lap instead. As he turned back with the popcorn, now separated into two bowls with one in each hand, he made a soft noise of appreciation. He had been right. They were pretty together. Light and dark, tongues entwined, hands exploring lithe bodies...very nice. Pulling apart at the soft sound, Sean looked at him for a moment before flinging himself directly between the bowls of popcorn and wrapping his arms around Chris' neck. A few Kernels bounced out of the bowl on impact and hit the floor as Sean's mouth covered Chris'.

As Sean pulled back, he smiled up at Chris. "Welcome to the family...Tiger."

Chris groaned and then stuck his tongue out at Sean. "There is just something disturbing about you calling me family after a kiss like that. You kiss all of your family that way?" Chris asked with a smirk.

Sean grabbed a piece of popcorn from the bowl as he seemed to consider that question. "Nope. Only the ones whose asses look really hot in tight leather pants." Grinning, he bounced back out of the room as quickly as he'd bounced in.

"Sometimes that boy just worries me."

****

Chris and Shawn having finally made it back into the room, found Scott and Kev in pretty much the same position as when they'd left, making them both wonder if Kid had been using them as an excuse to crash their party. Chris retaliated by throwing pieces of popcorn at Sean's head at various intervals. Sean shot him dirty looks from the floor for awhile before he finally decided to get back his own. Waiting until Chris was paying more attention to the movie than himself, he flipped onto his back and nudged the bowl in Chris' hand sharply with his foot, upending the contents of the bowl. Unfortunately his aim was off and it ended up all over Shawn instead of Chris. Chris simply smirked when Shawn growled and then set about cleaning the popcorn from Shawn's lap...with his tongue. Sean shook his head and rolled back over to watch the end of the fight between Rocky and Apollo.

In-between the second and third movies, Kevin and Scott snuck off to the bathroom. Shawn couldn't help but laugh and when the duo came back he commented that he thought that only women went to the bathroom in pairs. Kevin and Scott scowled at him for a good five minutes over the implication, but Shawn shrugged it off. Once Hogan hit the screen, the men laughed over the antics of "Thunderlips".

Calling Hogan 'the Ultimate Male' was just too much for Shawn. He laughed and pointed at the screen. "Even back then he barely had any hair."

"Shawn, I hate to break it to you, but the hair's getting a little thin up there for you as well," Sean said with a smirk over his shoulder.

"Hey!" Shawn immediately started pouting.

"Awww. Don't worry Shawn. I'd still do you...even if you do go bald." Chris' grin and choked laugh didn't endear him to Shawn any and Shawn retaliated by dumping what was left of the popcorn on Chris' head. "Hey!"

Kevin and Scott laughed from the other couch until Scott happened to look up at the clock. "Shit. If we don't get out of here we're going to miss our flight."

"I'll drive you two over and then wait for Glen's flight. He should be arriving about an hour after you guys take off," Sean said as he sprang to his feet.

Kevin ran up to get their bags and then the five men congregated in the hall. Good-bye's amongst them were just as interesting as hellos apparently Chris noticed. Instead of being met by an angry Kevin, they said good-bye to an amorous one. Chris was surprised as hell when Nash wrapped him up in a hug and laid a hell of a kiss on him ending with a dip nearly to the floor. As Kevin pulled him back to a standing position, Chris stood there a bit dazed while Shawn laughed over his condition. Scott didn't try to top it, but left Chris a little more dazed with a kiss of his own.

"Welcome to the family, Tiger. We'll be seeing you soon. Have those promises to cash in on after all," Scott said wiggling his brows, which made Chris blush prettily.

After the three had left, Chris and Shawn settled back down to watch the rest of the movie, though their minds weren't really on it. Chris was leaning back against the corner of the couch with Shawn leaning against his chest, his hands stroking slowly through Shawn's hair, his breath heavy against Shawn's ear. They were quiet for the moment, indulging in the peace of having the house to themselves. Shawn had considered dragging Chris off to his room for another round of lovemaking, but for now he was content to just sit and enjoy having him here at his home. They had all night - Sean would likely seclude himself in his room with Glen once they got back from the airport - and Shawn was content to sit and wallow in the feel of Chris' arms wrapped around him.

For Chris, as much as he was enjoying the moment, he couldn't help but feel a little bitter. How many moments like this had they missed? How many times could he have held Shawn like this, spent his week like this, if not for one jealous spiteful man? He shouldn't be dwelling on Hunter, he knew that, but after the lies he'd been told and all the time that he and Shawn had spent separated when they could have been together it was hard not to dwell on it. And it would be hard until Hunter got what he deserved...which was nothing. If Shawn's plan worked, Hunter would be left with nothing...no friends, no 'family', and no championship.

Shawn could tell what Chris was thinking about, his frame tense beneath the weight of Shawn's body. He knew that Chris wouldn't truly be happy until Hunter paid for what he'd done and Shawn blamed him not one bit. While he might mourn the friend he'd once had, Hunter had ceased to be that person for a long time now. Shawn didn't even recognize the person that Hunter had become...so bitter, so obsessive, and so vile in his methods. "Hey," he said quietly, turning his head to look up at the man holding him, "don't worry. I told you he'll get what's coming to him and he will. We've got it in the bag...well almost. The only real wildcard here is Batista."

"I know. I just have this feeling that that one wildcard is going to be an issue. I mean Benoit and Adam will have no problem falling in with this and Orton will be on our side as well after his latest contretemps with Hunter. I don't know about Dave. Hopefully we'll be able to convince him." Chris continued running his fingers through Shawn's hair as he settled back against his chest once more.

"Yeah. Hopefully. I'll talk to Orton and you can talk to Benoit, though I don't know how you two are still friends after that nickname you gave him." Shawn grinned as he thought of some of the nicknames Chris had handed out over the years that had actually stuck. Mr. Roboto was certainly apt, even if Benoit denied it up and down. "I'll try to get to Dave sometime during the taping Monday. If Hunter won't leave his side, then I'll draw him away with some excuse and you can talk to Dave. He seems like a reasonable guy. I want to go with you to talk to Adam if you don't mind. I know he really doesn't like me, but maybe if we explain everything to him then he'll let go of some of the animosity."

"I think once we explain everything, he'll be fine. You know I think he used to idolize you as much as I did. It was only after everything went down between you and I that he changed his mind. He blames you for the night that I...ended up in the hospital." His chin resting on Shawn's shoulder, Chris tilted his head so that his cheek brushed Shawn's. "Maybe I should talk to him first just to make sure he doesn't try to take your head off."

"Nope. No way. I'll brave it. You made up with Kev and the guys and I want to do the same with your friends." Shawn turned his head just enough to brush his lips against Chris' cheek and noticed the reticence in Chris' face. "What aren't you telling me?"

Chris' head snapped up and he looked at Shawn with something akin to awe. "How the hell do you do that?" He smirked, deciding he really didn't need an answer. "Adam...was the one person." Surely Shawn would be able to figure it out without him having to spell it out. Shawn didn't disappoint him.

"But you said it had been over a year since..."

"And it has. It just kind of happened...one of those things. It started around July of 2003 and was over by December of that year. We decided that being friends was more important than anything else. He figured out that I was still in love with you, despite everything, and I didn't think it was fair to him." Still his fingers running through Shawn's hair were like a balm to him, calming his nerves. "It wasn't like a relationship in any real sense and I think he deserves to find that. The only reason I even brought it up was in case it happened to come up during the confrontation. I didn't want you to think I was keeping things from you."

"I know you wouldn't keep things from me, but are you sure that's not part of his problem with me?" Shawn didn't really know Adam, but he could see where losing a lover like Chris just because Chris still had feelings for Shawn might just upset the man...unless it really was just a sex thing like Chris thought it was. Then again if it were something else then Adam had had a year to let the man know and he hadn't...so maybe the animosity was just due to what had happened in the past.

"Of course it's not. Adam and I are best friends and we were lovers, but it was a mutual decision to end that part of it. He knows how I feel about you and once we straighten out the mess with Hunter for him, he'll be happy for us. You'll see."

Shawn really hoped that Chris was right. If not then they would just have to deal with it because no matter what he was not letting Chris go again. Not for any reason.

"So we go talk to them and convince them to see things our way. Like you said...I don't think any of them will have a problem with it except maybe Dave and if we have to work around him then we will. It would just be a lot easier if he were on our si...."

Just then the front door opened and they heard heavy footsteps in the hall. Shawn climbed from the couch, heading towards the door with Chris following him.

"Glen, Shawn is fine with you staying here. I promise. I doubt he'll even notice you're here anyway since he and Chris will be too busy fu...."

"Christ, Sean. You make it sound like that's all we ever do." Shawn said with a smirk.

Sean rolled his eyes and smiled up at Glen. "That is all they ever do."

Glen's almost shy smile caught Shawn off guard.

"So Sean...Exactly how long did it take?" Shawn laughed at Chris' question and apparently Glen had a clue what Chris was talking about if the bright pink shade of his cheeks was anything to go by.

Sean stuck his tongue out at Chris and grabbed Glen's hand, dragging him towards the stairs. "Just for your information you were all wrong. We're being mature and talking first."

It was a nice try...really it was. If not for Glen's booming laugh, Shawn and Chris just might have bought it too.

Read Chapter Twenty Eight of Undelivered