Mending Hearts

"Terry, lots of guys are doing the long distance thing since the split," Rey tried again.

He and Billy were attempting to get Smackdown's resident Man Beast out of his funk since Chris was switched to Raw. It wasn't working too well, though. Terry had been moping since Monday, when Chris left with the other show's roster, promising his lover he would see him as soon as possible.

"Yeah, you know he loves you," Billy chimed in. "Besides, we all agree he was way overdue for that push!"

"I know," Terry sighed. "I just miss him."

Rey exchanged meaningful looks with Billy and they both silently sat down with their friend. The current cruiserweight champion wanted to think anyway. Billy had been around him much more lately since he and Torrie split and it was confusing the hell out of the little Latino. He'd been trying to extinguish his feelings for his friend for some years now, considering Billy was straight. In fact, he was almost ready to stop flirting with John Cena and start a relationship, but Billy stuck to him like glue. And, truth be told, he really didn't want to stop hanging out with him. The question was, why was Billy so attentive now?

"You guys don't have to hang around the depressed guy, you know," Terry finally said.

"We want to," Billy replied.

"Hey, Rey," Cena called from the doorway. "You want to catch a movie with me?"

Rey's stomach lurched as he felt Billy's eyes bore into him from across the table. It was evident that he didn't want him to go with Cena, but John looked so hopeful. Rey felt caught between two magnetic forces. What should he do?

"Why don't we all go?" Terry asked.

"You feel up to it?" Rey asked, grateful for the Man Beast's idea.

"Yeah, I think it would be good to catch a flick."

"Okay," Cena said, masking his disappointment for Terry's sake. "Let's take my rental. It's a Bronco."

They all got up to follow John out and Rey didn't miss the smirk Billy threw the doctor of thuganomics.

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

Shannon and Adam sat on their respective beds in their room and stared at each other. It had been like this since Sunday night's pay per view. Adam had demanded that Shannon go over his conversation with Matt word for word, but Shannon would only paraphrase. He didn't want to reveal Jay's secret until the Canadian was ready. But Adam was afraid Matt was stringing the small blond along again and wanted every detail.

"Why can't you just tell me?" Adam pouted again. "You used to tell me everything."

"I still tell you everything," Shannon shot back. "Just not things that pertain to others."

"Matt's still got a hold on you."

"He does not."

"He told you not to tell me."

"He didn't!" Shannon exclaimed. "Some of what we discussed was about a third party whose friendship means a lot to me. It's not Matt."

"Jeff, then?"

"Stop asking me to name names," Shannon rolled his eyes. "Look, I told you everything he said to me that pertains to me. I'm done with him."

"I wish I could believe his hold was done with you."

Shannon suddenly came up with a mischievous idea. He looked directly into Adam's sexy eyes and said, in his huskiest voice, "Then see for yourself."

"Huh?"

"Make sure the hold is gone, Adam."

The tall Canadian fixed Shannon with a confused gaze and Shannon sighed in exasperation. Sometimes, he really did act his hair color.

"Replace whatever hold you think he still has on me with one of your own."

Adam's eyes suddenly smoldered as the idea Shannon brought up took root. He eyed the small blond predatorily and Shannon was suddenly a little unsure of this situation. But before he could say anything else, Adam was on him, pushing back on the bed and kissing him more deeply than he'd ever been kissed before. The small blond was stunned as his world started spinning. That one kiss he'd had with Adam couldn't have prepared him for the full onslaught he was currently receiving. But he wouldn't pull away. Oh no. He wasn't frightened of the taller man anymore. Instead he gave Adam as much as he received, and was rewarded with a low growl that emanated from deep within the Canadian's throat. God, this man was sexy, Shannon thought.

Adam tasted spicy and decidedly male. Matt hadn't even intoxicated Shannon so much. He ran his hands slowly up Adam's sides and reveled in the shudders the other made. It was a potent combination, the feel and taste of the man above him. Not to mention the musky, sexy scent. Shannon knew he'd never get enough of Adam. And now he knew that Matt had been nothing more than a crush that became a casual relationship. He wasn't, and had never really been, in love with the older Hardy. Just hurt at being abandoned. But Adam took away all of that pain and replaced with something new and mind blowing. Shannon felt his love returned with a depth he never dreamed possible.

Adam broke the kiss and gazed into Shannon's eyes. The small blond stared back as he gulped in air trying to regain his breath.

"I take it you didn't mind that," Adam rasped, his voice hoarse with barely leashed passion.

"Actually, I've been waiting for it," Shannon drawled back, lightly tracing Adam's jaw line with his fingers.

"YOU'VE been waiting?" Adam teased, then grinned wickedly. "Well, then let me ease your torment."

He leaned in again and took hold of Shannon's mouth again, this time slowly exploring with his tongue. Shannon moaned and opened his mouth further, which apparently gave Adam all the invitation he needed to deepen the kiss to impossible levels. Slowly pulling away, the larger man began to explore Shannon's ears and neck, leaving a trail of kisses wherever he was. Shannon sighed happily and tangled his fingers in Adam's thick golden mane, holding him close.

"You know," the older man said as he rained kisses all over Shannon's now sensitive chest, "I would stop if you want me to, but you're going to have to ask me now."

"Oh, I don't THINK so," Shannon giggled as Adam touched upon a ticklish area. "I told you I've been waiting for you, and I'm not kidding. Ever since you tried to get away from me, I've been chasing you. You just haven't noticed."

Adam stopped his ministrations, causing a frustrated groan from the small man. He grinned up at Shannon, which the younger man found infernally adorable, and cocked an eyebrow.

"I noticed, baby," he finally said. "And I wasn't trying to get away from you, I was trying to protect you."

"Don't want to be protected FROM you," Shannon pouted. "Want to be protected BY you."

"Are you sure?" Adam looked worried.

"For the last time, Adam," Shannon said as he pulled the other man's shirt from the waistband of his jeans. "I trust that you won't hurt me. I know you're trying to atone for your mistakes with Jay. And I know that I'm not just a casual fling for you. Now, can you please make love to me?"

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

Adam couldn't believe how much passion he'd felt from Shannon in their kiss. It was as if the younger man was determined to meld into him. And now he was writhing beneath him, pleading for Adam to take him. He knew he had felt passion from Jay before, but nothing prepared him for this. Grinning down at his soon-to-be lover he leaned in for another series of intimate pecks before rising back up on his elbows.

"No, not casual at all," he said between pecks. "I will make love to you. But you have to understand something first."

"What?" Shannon whined impatiently, pulling Adam closer.

"I love you."

Shannon opened his eyes and looked curiously up at him with an expression that made Adam want to laugh out loud. But he wouldn't. Shannon needed to hear this. He needed to know that Adam loved him for himself and not just for his luscious body.

"You love me?"

"That's right," Adam assured him. "I love you."

"You don't have to say. . ."

Adam cut him off with a long, deep, searing kiss that heated both of their already hot bodies. Shannon moaned and gave into the kiss.

"I said it because it's true, baby," he said to the smaller man as he pulled away. "Not because I have to."

Shannon nodded mutely beneath him and tried to wiggle closer. Adam held the smaller man's hips with his two large hands and looked sternly down.

"And I will make love to you before this night is over." He vowed. "There's just one more thing."

Shannon looked up inquiringly, arching an annoyed brow at being kept waiting. Adam's smile spread slowly onto his handsome face.

"In order for you to truly understand how much I love you," he said as he drew out every syllable for effect, "I can't top in our first time together."

Shannon looked perplexed so Adam flipped them over quickly, pulling Shannon firmly on top of him.

"You have to take me first."