~ Backstage, 2004 ~

"You're a fool, Shawn."

The easy tone of the words didn't hide their sincerity. Shawn sighed, running a hand through his hair as he looked at his long-time friend and sometime lover. He didn't need to be told that; he was well aware of what he'd let slip by him. Not a day went by that he didn't think about it.

"What now, CJ?" Weariness was evident in his voice. Chris cocked his head, looking at him, and put a hand on his shoulder.

"You keep bitching and moaning about the past and all the things you've done wrong with him." CJ shook his head and held up his other hand, ticking off his points on his fingers. "First of all, you're not the only one who screwed up. He's just as responsible. Secondly, it's in the past. You can't change it. Thirdly, this is _now_, and you _can_ change the present." Shawn opened his mouth to protest, but Chris spoke over him. "And fourth, he's been staring at you ever since you walked in."

Shawn's head snapped around, his eyes falling unerringly on the man in question. He frowned, not liking the defeated air that seemed to hang over the man. He watched Ric sit next to him, obviously trying to pull him out of his slump, and wondered what they were saying.

"He's not staring at me _now_, CJ. So what's your point?" Shawn growled as he turned back to Chris, hating the angry tone that had crept into his voice. Chris shook his head and pulled him closer, lowering his voice.

"My point, you stupid assclown, is that Hunter stares at you like he's a drowning man and you're his lifeline every time he thinks you're not watching. I know we've had some good times, Shawn, but I'm not him. I'm not what you need." Chris's voice was regretful, and Shawn shook his head, hugging CJ.

"You're not him, CJ, and I'm damned glad of _that_. You've been there when I needed you... but..." He paused, his lips quirking as he met Chris's eyes. "I happen to know that _I'm_ not who _you_ need anymore, either." Chris blushed, dropping his gaze to the floor, and Shawn couldn't help but chuckle. "C'mon, Chris, I know you and Benoit have a history. If you've finally managed to work things out, that's great." Chris looked back up at him with a grin, blushing a little.

"Yeah, we have. We talked last night... a lot. And... he wants to see me tonight."

Shawn smiled at the happiness radiating off his friend and pushed away the bitter thoughts that threatened to choke him.

"Well, you'll have to see him, then. I'm glad for you, CJ. Benoit's a good man, and you both deserve to be happy." He wasn't prepared for Chris's response.

"You do too, Shawn. But you won't be as long as you let yourself brood over him."

He didn't have a response to that.

~ Backstage, 1995 ~

Shawn nearly whistled in appreciation as he eyed the newcomer. Bret laughed and gave him a gentle shove.

"Go on Flirt, go say hi. Just remember who you belong to," he said teasingly. Shawn smiled at him, reaching up to tangle his fingers in the brunet's hair as he kissed him. A shiver ran through him; Bret always affected him, even with just a simple kiss. He didn't think he'd ever get tired of it. He certainly wasn't going to get tired of _Bret_.

"I'm yours, Bret. You don't ever have to worry about that," he promised breathlessly, his love evident in his eyes. Bret smiled back, his expression tender.

"I know. Now go on. I have to go check and see when my promo's up. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Shawn nodded, watching his lover's backside with appreciation as Bret headed down the hall, then entered the locker room with a happy bounce in his step. He still couldn't believe that he was with Bret, and it'd been a year. He was an incredibly lucky man, and he knew it. Bret was even willing to deal with his... sense of humour. He might call it flirting, but Shawn didn't mean it that way... usually. Was it his fault if people kept misinterpreting his friendliness? He stopped a few feet away from the blond digging through his locker, wondering if he was really as cute as he'd been told.

"So you're the new guy, huh?" He watched with amusement as the other man spun around in surprise, his eyes wide. Shawn gave him a minute, wondering how long he was going to stare. His smile finally broke out as the moment stretched on. He didn't normally get this kind of reaction! Not that Shawn minded having a few minutes to stare at the other guy. He was even better looking than he'd heard. Long blond hair, _gorgeous_ whiskey-coloured eyes that you could probably drown in, and a really nice ass. The nose was a bit... large, but it worked on him. And, Shawn thought with a smile, you know what they say about big noses.

The embarrassed, mumbled apology was charming, and Shawn couldn't help but tease him, hoping to put him more at ease. "It's okay. It's just my overwhelming charm." He winked as he introduced himself.

"I'm Hunter.... Overwhelming charm?" Shawn grinned as Hunter's eyebrow went up questioningly. The man was too cute! Before he could say much more, though, Kevin and Scott showed up. Trust them, Shawn thought with a sigh. They had horrible timing... and they never wanted to let him have any fun. He waited impatiently through the introductions, then spoke up again, barely managing not to glare at the big goofs. This was _his_ newbie, dammit.

"So, you're just up from WCW, aren't you?" He saw the grimace on Hunter's face as he nodded, and had to push down a sudden urge to wrap his arms around him and comfort him. Where the hell had _that_ come from?

"Um, yeah. This is my first day here," Hunter said quickly. "At least I haven't been pounded into pulp by anybody yet for looking at them the wrong way. That's an improvement already." Shawn raised his eyebrows, surprised.

"They really did that?" He couldn't keep the shock out of his voice. He'd heard things about WCW, but he'd never heard that sort of thing. He'd been told that it was getting worse down there, what with the new ownership and all, but still...

Hunter's nod convinced him. For some reason, he found himself ready to believe the other man completely, even though he barely knew him.

"Anything you've heard about the place doesn't really do it justice." Shawn glanced at Kevin and Scott, wondering how they were taking that, and saw the brief frowning look that they exchanged. They'd been talking about feeling WCW out, seeing how much they could get if they jumped ship next year when their contracts were up. The thought made Shawn frown again. Bret might not like them very much, but they were Shawn's two closest friends and he really wasn't looking forward to them leaving. He forced a lighter tone to his voice as he replied to Hunter, putting a hand on his hip.

"Don't stress too much. I've heard about the way things are down there, and it's a lot different here. Vince is a pretty good boss," he answered almost carelessly, wanting to reassure Hunter. He saw Hunter's eyes widen at the mention of Vince, and kicked himself mentally. Vince might be a friend of his, but he _knew_ better than to just casually drop the name. Too many people took that the wrong way. After all, it wasn't like Shawn had any extra pull around the company. He just wasn't afraid to talk to Vince about things that were bothering him, that's all.

He missed what Kevin said, but took advantage of the brief silence to ask mischievously, "So... you seeing anybody, Hunt?" The nickname came naturally to his lips, and he was pleased when Hunter didn't say anything about it.

"Umm... no. I don't really know anyone yet." Hunter looked pretty surprised at the question. Shawn was a little surprised himself; that wasn't normally something even he asked people when he first met them. He wasn't _trolling_, for heaven's sake! He had Bret. Shaking off the odd thoughts, Shawn smiled at the other man as he put a hand on Hunter's shoulder. He almost jumped at the contact, feeling like he'd just been shocked. What the _hell_? Trying to cover his reaction, he replied quickly.

"That's okay. I didn't mean to pry; sorry if I upset you." He knew he didn't sound sorry, and part of him wasn't. That part was cheering wildly and dancing around screaming, 'He's single! He's single!' Shawn stomped on that part. Even if he were looking---and he _wasn't_---he was with Bret, for God's sake! What was he thinking? Just because he'd never gotten that odd tingly feeling from Bret didn't mean anything. He _loved_ Bret! But... he couldn't stop watching the other man.

"You've got such nice hair, Hunter," he murmured, only half-aware that he'd moved closer as he ran his fingers through that lovely hair. He pressed up against Hunter, suddenly realising that he was about to kiss him. He hadn't planned to, but...

He covered Hunter's mouth with his own, sucking softly on the man's lower lip before running his tongue along the crease, sliding inside Hunter's lips to taste him. The intensity of the kiss surprised him, as did Hunter's enthusiastic response. He felt Hunter's hands wrap around him, that tingly electric feeling sparking along his nerve endings, and that brought him back to himself. Covering his own breathlessness with a smile, Shawn stepped away from Hunter, out of the other man's reach. He watched with mixed emotions as Hunter tried to speak, his heart aching a little at the confusion he saw on that oddly endearing face, and shook his head, not wanting Hunter to say anything they'd regret later.

"Don't, Hunter. Just... think of it as a hello. Welcome to the WWF," he said quietly. He paused, wanting to say... _something_. As he searched for words that could express the way he was feeling, a familiar voice called out.

"Shawn... ready to go? You're up next."

His head jerked up and he smiled as he turned toward Bret. Just the sight of his lover was enough to make his heart beat faster, and when Bret looked at him like that, with that light in his eyes...

"Yeah, Bret. Hang on." He practically ran to his lover, chattering excitedly. Bret smiled down at him as he wrapped an arm around Shawn's waist, answering his questions patiently as they walked out.

When Shawn paused for breath, Bret tightened his grip momentarily and asked, "So, who's the new guy? He sure seemed to like you." Shawn heard the faint jealousy under the casual words, and shook his head.

"His name's Hunter. Just came up from WCW. Sounds like it's gotten pretty bad down there, too." He shrugged, and added casually, "He's a nice guy, Bret. I hope we can get to know him better." Bret raised an eyebrow at that, and Shawn replied to the unspoken question. "Not like _that_. God, you've got such a filthy mind. He's a good guy. I think... I think he'd be a good friend."

Bret snorted but didn't reply, and Shawn leaned into his embrace as they walked down the hall. He turned his mind to his match that night and resolutely pushed away any thoughts of sparks and amber eyes.

****

Read Chapter Two of Ten of Penumbren's The Hanged Man