Title: The Liberator
Part 7
Author: Angel Eterno
Rating: NC-17 - slash
Content: Slash, Romance, Abuse
Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to WWF and Titan Sports. No copyright infringement intended.
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Christian's whole body just sagged as he stared at Rob in dismay. He sank to his knees in the doorway, his entire face crumpled as fresh tears started to course down it
"No ....." he whispered, breaking Rob's heart. "No, please, Rob .... I don't want to go ..." sobs racked his body as he bent over burying his head in his hands, still kneeling on the floor in the doorway.
Rob's resolve disintegrated as he walked slowly over, kneeling before Christian and taking his crushed body in his arms. He closed his eyes as he cradled the blonde's convulsing form tightly against him. Rocking them as one he whispered soothing words against Christian's silky golden hair. Nonsense words, he wouldn't even remember later; as together they swayed gently entwined, while Christian's heart-breaking sobs finally ceased, until tranquility approached, enshrouding their embrace.
A movement alerted Rob to the fact they were no longer alone. Glancing up in surprise he remembered the open door.
Rhyno stood there with a towel wrapped around his lower torso, rubbing his eyes inquisitively.
"Nothing's going on - it's alright now," Rob firmly answered the unvoiced question. "Good night - and - could you shut the door, please?"
A dubious half-asleep Rhyno merely nodded dumbly and shut the door, staggering in a dazed stupor back to his room. As he re-inserted himself under the covers he tried but failed to make sense of the night's shenanigans. Come morning, he swore he'd never drink so much again.
*****
The regular breathing coming from Christian told Rob he had fallen asleep. He looked like an angel laying there. After Rhyno had left and closed the door, Rob had raised Christian to his feet, half supporting him and half walking him over to the bed. He didn't remove any clothing, only his sneakers. Gently he'd laid him back on the mattress, while he'd padded softly to the bathroom for a cloth to clean his face with. With infinite tenderness he'd pressed it gently against the discoloring skin, careful not to hurt him. Christian had laid there silently during his ministrations, only meeting his eyes when he'd brushed his hair back to splay out on the pillow, framing his face in a halo of gold. Weakly he offered his carer the smallest of smiles, murmuring his thanks. Rob had held a finger to his lips, discouraging him from talk. The best thing for him would be sleep, conversation could wait till morning.
Rob tucked the cover under Christian's chin, tucking him in like a child. He felt a surge of tenderness as he gazed down on the sleeping form, so peaceful like an angel at rest. Bitterness superseded the tenderness as he recalled what had brought him here; how could Edge treat him like this - he didn't deserve the abuse - but then, nobody ever did.
Releasing a sigh he turned away from the bed, spreading the spare duvet on the floor. Fortunately it was a warm, sultry night, and the sheet over the top would be all he needed. He settled in his make-shift bed - expecting another few hours of wakefulness, but surprisingly fell asleep straight away, this time with not a dream in sight.
*****
It seemed like only a few minutes had passed when something woke him up. He realized it was a whimpering coming from the bed. Noiselessly he pulled back his sheet and crept over. Although still asleep, Christian's face wore a look of great distress. He cautiously put a hand on Christian's forehead, stroking him wordlessly. He hadn't wanted to wake him but the scared eyes suddenly flew open, then shimmered with tears. He stared wordlessly at Rob a few moments before the tears started flowing and incoherent words burst out through his sobbing. Tentatively he put an arm round Christian's shoulders and let him cry for a bit, shushing him when he tried to speak. The blonde's body felt warm and cuddly pressed against his - oh god! He mustn't start feeling this way now! This in mind he made a determined effort to move away, but Christian was clinging to him; oh God what was he to do?? Christian looked up at him then.
"It's OK now", he said, "I'll be alright now. You can go back to bed if you want to."
With a mixture of relief and regret, Rob started disentangling himself. Reluctantly he started to move away, when Christian's hand came out and held his arm. "Thank you." he said simply.
"That's OK", Rob replied, not knowing what else to say.
End Part 7