Title: The Liberator
Part 9
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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Rob did his workouts, did his shows, didn't involve himself too much in the affairs of the others - ensuring he just kept himself to himself. Getting too close to others only brought aggravation and sometimes hurt. At the end of the day, he figured, it just wasn't worth the hassle. He also made sure he had as little contact as possible with the E&C Team, studiously ignoring Christian as if he didn't even exist. Christian had frowned and looked pained the first couple of times.
"Hey, how you doin'" the blonde had asked him the first time.
Rob had slung his bag over his shoulder, contemplating him coldly before replying: "I'm doin' just fine." And immediately walked out the door, leaving a surprised Christian in his wake.
The second time Christian walked over to him after his match, affecting a friendly attitude.
"Hey, good match, man!" and he'd put an arm round Rob's shoulder in comradely fashion. Rob shrugged the arm off, subjecting him to a frosty glare.
"Whatever!" and he walked out on him once more, leaving the surprised blonde staring after him.
The third time he didn't get off so easily. Christian hung onto his arm.
"What's with you, man? All I said was you did real good out there."
With a scornful expression Rob forcibly removed the unsolicited hand from his arm.
"I don't play games, Christian."
Christian grabbed him again.
"I'm not playing games, Rob - I meant it."
"Yeah, maybe you meant that - but there's other things you say and do that you don't mean, isn't there?"
Rob could have bitten his tongue off. Why give the blonde the satisfaction of knowing he'd gotten to him? Christian's gaze wavered. He looked down at his boots.
"You mean the night I disturbed you ... I meant to say thank you for that."
"It doesn't matter." Rob tried to leave, but Christian was having none of it.
"Look - I'm sorry I woke you - I shouldn't have come - you were so nice to me. It meant a lot ..." Rob could have sworn he could detect a slight shimmering in his eyes, and his resolve not to get involved and get taken in by this guy began to crumble inside.
"You just left, Christian - you didn't leave a note even...." Shit! He was starting to sound like somebody's mother! "What I mean to say is - you came to me - Edge had knocked the fucking crap out of you - then you went back to him?!? Don't you think that's a bit weird, Christian?"
Continuing to gaze at his feet, Christian sighed heavily, and it came out like a half-sob.
"I can't help it - I love him."
Rob sighed too.
"How can you when he does that?"
"I get used to it - to Edge and his moods - he doesn't really hate me or want to do it - he's always so sorry afterwards. You can't have love without some pain ..."
Sadly Rob shook his head, uncomprehending.
"If you love someone - you never want to cause them pain."
Christian shook his head, trying to clear his mind and conflicting thoughts.
"I'm sorry - it's just the way things are ..."
Rob shrugged, feigning an indifference he did not feel
"Well, guess that's it then. If you enjoy that kind of thing - it's your choice."
Rob picked up his bag and walked soundlessly through the door. Christian gazed sadly after him. "Yeah," he muttered under his breath "I guess it is..."
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Christian felt wretched. He loved Edge, despite the bullying. Rob didn't understand - couldn't understand. He had known Edge for so long they really were like the brothers they portrayed; closer than brothers - closer than either of them could ever be to anyone else. Whenever Edge hit him - he was filled to overflowing with remorse afterwards; and just when he, Christian, felt he could take no more, he always saw the deep regret in Edge's eyes reaching out from his soul - and knew he would always forgive. The times he'd yelled back if he hit him it would be for the last time - but it never was - he was too weak - too enslaved to his tormentor/lover. He couldn't leave Edge - where would he go? There was no-one else he had ever felt this close to - until now ... Why did Rob have to care so much? Though it seemed he didn't any more. He, Christian, really wasn't worth worrying about.
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Rob put the incident behind him. He told himself he didn't care. If Christian couldn't admit he needed help - he wasn't going to push him. If he enjoyed Edge beating him up then fucking him , then beating him up some more - that was up to him; he, Rob Van Dam, was going to adopt a carefree easy-living lifestyle. Enjoy himself without getting too emotionally involved with anyone.
On his way to the parking lot he bumped into Chris Jericho. Chris was standing by his car, spotted him and called over.
"Hey there!"
Rob grinned back, throwing his bag on the passenger seat of his open car. Chris sauntered over. Rob eyed his tight black leather trousers appreciatively, enjoying the way they clung provocatively to his well-defined thighs. He'd always admired Chris in the ring - the way he moved, his taut well-sculptured body and the long blond hair which reminded him of .... Oh fuck! Couldn't he stop thinking about another blond? Forcing the image of the other blond to the darkest recesses of his mind he turned his full attention to the 'Ayatollah'. Chris was always full of fun and mischief, it felt good to be around him.
"Hey yourself! What you up to?"
Chris peeked at Rob through half lowered eyelashes.
"Just wondering why my car won't start." He replied suggestively.
Rob frowned. "You want me to take a look at it?" He didn't know that much about cars really, only the basics, but he could look.
"No! That won't be necessary - I don't think there's anything you can do for it. But ..." and he sidled up closer "maybe there is something you can do for me ..."
Rob's grin widened.
"And what might that be?" he drew himself straight, regarding Jericho through amused eyes.
"Let's go have a drink and a meal," Chris suggested "Then maybe my car will be feeling better - if not ..." he shrugged "I'll just have to stay with you so I can get a lift back in the morning ..."
Rob's grin widened even more. "Now that sounds like a good idea."
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End Part 9