Mending Hearts

The morning light streaming over his face woke Jay up from a peaceful slumber. He felt arms tighten around him when he tried to move and looked questioningly in the direction of the warm body next to him. Matt Hardy was still fast asleep next to him. The events of the previous night slowly trickled back into Jay's mind. Sighing, he decinot not to extricate himself from Matt's arms just yet and cuddled back into him so as not to wake him. It felt nice to have someone hold him, even if Matt was just doing so because Jay asked him to. Why couldn't Adam have been like this when they were together? Why could he only find affection from men who weren't interested in dating him?

There had been no serious relationships since he and Adam broke up. Just a few unfulfilling one night stands when he was too drunk to think straight. The worst had been with Scott Steiner, that man didn't seem to take "no" for an answer. Jay hadn't wanted to sleep with him in the first place. He'd just had the misfortune of running into Scott on his way back from obliterating himself in the bar again. It was not too long after he'd come to Raw and he was still second-guessing his decision to stay away from Adam for good. Steiner had made his attraction known as soon as he joined WWE and Jay tried to keep away from him because of the awkward feelings they produced inside of him.

Well, that night he hadn't counted on being backed up against a wall and kissed so brutally. Inside, part of him told him to fight and run. But another part just wanted to feel like he was attractive. So he let Scott lead him into his hotel room. He was so drunk he couldn't really remember what had happened after that. He got up the next morning before Scott and quickly dressed to leave before the other man awoke. The next few weeks were more awkward than ever with Scott throwing Jay hungry looks and laughing with Booker T in the corner. Jeff tried to intervene, but odds were small with the two of them against Steiner and Booker. Finally, Chris, seeing how upset his friend and partner got, had enough of it. He told Scott to keep his eyes to himself or risk losing them. When Scott looked like he would argue, Drew backed Chris up, followed by Shane and Rob. That's how their little clique solidified. All were friends beforehand, but it was more casual. Now they watched out for each other.

Jay wondered why Chris suddenly took his teasing so far lately, though. He had been in a pretty heavy relationship with Randy until recently and Jay wondered if it was just a backlash from that breakup that caused the behavior. Randy had been seriously involved with Jeff just before the younger Hardy's departure from the company. Jay still didn't know the whole story behind why Jeff left, either. He'd asked several times, but the other man was evasive and would only say that he felt burnt out and in need of a recharge. Randy walked around sulking for a few weeks until Chris finally decided to tell him he cared about him, well he was pushed into that by Trish and Amy. But Randy seemed happy with the news, so everyone thought things would work out great. Unfortunately, Chris was just a rebound relationship for the Evolution member and dumped as soon as Dave Batista came back. And Chris and Jeff no longer spoke, either, which further confused Jay. One day he would find out what happened.

"You're thinking is waking me up," Matt muttered sleepily next to his ear.

"Oh, uh, sorry," Jay offered, pulling out of Matt's arms.

Matt pulled him back down and settled him in next to him again then closed his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Jay asked curiously.

"You're warm," said Matt not opening his eyes. "I'm comfy. And it's way too early to get up."

"But."

"But nothing," Matt looked at him finally. "I don't know what went on last night while I was gone, but it's obvious something bad happened and you didn't get any sleep while I was out. You did sleep when I held you. So you will sleep with me now."

Jay was very confused at the sudden concern but decided not to fight the issue. Matt was already halfway back to sleep and Jay closed his eyes to join him.

*******************************

Rob went down to the hotel dining area and looked around at the breakfast offerings for something resembling a healthy meal. He finally settled on a vegetable omelet made with Egg Beaters and a bran muffin. He took his plate over to an empty table and began to eat. It was pretty early, but Rob liked to take advantage of the solitude sometimes. He was contemplating whether he would drive solo to the next arena or bum a ride when another plate was set down across from him. Looking up he grinned at Chris Jericho who looked down at him in question.

"Please join me," Rob answered the silent request. "I thought you'd still be sleeping."

"I could say the same thing for you, Mr. Mai Tai."

"Hey, don't make fun of my favorite drink!" Rob growled playfully. "What's theter?ter? You couldn't sleep?"

Chris frowned and looked down at his scrambled eggs sadly. Rob felt like kicking himself. He knew Chris was still having a hard time getting over Randy, and that was probably what was bothering him today. Randy and Dave were at the bar last night towards the end and Chris made an excuse to leave early because of it.

"Sorry, man," Rob said softly.

"It's okay," the Canadian sighed. "I'll have to get used to seeing them together sooner or later."

"Damn insensitive of him to flaunt Dave at you, though," Rob muttered angrily. Chris was a good friend and he didn't like to see Randy hurt him over and over again.

"I know you think he's being deliberately cruel, but he isn't," Chris said. "He was very honest with me throughout the relationship and when we broke up. I knew it was too soon for him to get seriously involved with anyone, but I took the risk anyway."

Rob listened to Chris defend Randy with a measure of disgust mixed with sympathy. "Why?"

Chris shrugged and thought for a moment. "I guess I was hoping to get him into me and over Jeff. I was never very patient when it came to waiting for things I wanted. Comes with being an only child."

Rob nodded as he chewed on his muffin. "Besides, you have another distraction now that needs your attention."

"Matt or Jay?" Chris smiled.

Ron shrugged. "Do you know why Shane has us following them around?"

"Nope. I was hoping you could tell me."

"Beats me," Rob shrugged again. "All I know is Shane wants us to watchre tre they go outside the ring."

"I see you've been having a little too much fun in that department lately," Chris grinned.

"Who, me?" Rob feigned innocence. "Nah."

"Yeah," Chris laughed. "I see you watching Matt everywhere we go. Between you and Shane that boy is going to have a nervous breakdown."

"We can't help it if he's so damn cute! And he's even cuter when he's running away from us."

"Have you decided which one of you gets him if you catch him?"

"Dude, I always get the prize," Rob put on his most pompous RVD face as he pointed to himself with both hands, one waving a muffin. Chris burst out laughing. It was good to see that again, Rob decided. "Anyway, your target is just as antsy."

"Jay?" Chris asked as he recovered. "I'm just trying to help him feel worthwhile again. His ego took a major beating over the last few months he and Adam were together and he still hasn't recovered."

"You ever going to tell me about that?"

"Adam?" Chris asked and Rob nodded. "It's a long story, but in a nutshell: Adam was afraid to come out of the closet and made Jay feel like garbage. Usually Ad's a good guy, but no one who saw what happened can quite forgive what he reduced Jay to. I just want Jay to feel like a normal human again. Not like a slut, like Steiner did, like a regular, healthy, attractive man. I wouldn't sleep with him, though."

"Why not? He's a cutie, too."

"He is," Chris nodded. "But if I did that, I'd be repeating what Randy did to me. And that's not happening if I can help it."

"Well, you've succeeded in making him feel stalked."

"It's an improvement, anyway," the blond smiled. "Seriously, are you and Shane going to come to blows over Matt if he ever stops running?"

"Nah," Rob smiled easily. It was nice to have an honest conversation about this, even if he couldn't reveal exactly why. That would betray Jeff's trust and probably hurt Chris in some way, since the two still weren't speaking yet. "Shane and I already talked it over. He says he'll graciously bow out if it comes to that."

"And you believe THAT?" Chris guffawed. "Shane doesn't easily relinquish something he wants."

"I agree," Rob replied. "But I think he knows already what he really wants."

Chris cocked an eyebrow in confusion but shoveled more food into his mouth instead of asking.