"I want you in ways even
the moon shouldn't witness.
In ways that are only meant
for the darkness.

▽▽▽

"Thanks so much for driving me" I smiled and Baron rolled his eyes.

"Thanking me means I'm doing a favour. I don't do favours, I need to go work and you just happen to be going there as well." He shrugged as he casually made a turn.

"Whatever" I sighed glancing out of the window wishing they were tinted but I guess when you arrive late to a rental company the best ones are usually taken.

"Nikki"

"Yeah?" I turned to look at him even though his eyes were focused on the road.

"When last have you spoken to John?"

"Around Christmas I think"

"He's back on the roster though" He briefly glanced at me seeming confused by my answer.

"He is?" I knew he was, I had realized last week when I had gotten backstage after my match with Nattie to find him warming up. I had given him a brief kiss before moving on.

"Yeah how did you not know that?"

I shrugged, "I leave straight after my segment"

I wasn't lying as even last week I had left straight after, it was the nice thing about feuding with one of your best friends. She was my travelling partner so it was convenient as well. I had no need for any excuses with John because we knew when we had to work that's how things were. Most of the time I would just tag along on his tour bus but I liked to assume he knew I missed my friends too after being away for so long.

"And he didn't tell you he was here?"

"What's with the 20 questions, Pestock?" I snapped as he hadn't actually let me know he would be returning and to feud with AJ at that. Neither of the two had bothered to mention it to me, I only realized it when it had popped up on my feed.

"Seriously? Well fuck you" he snapped in return. "Excuse me for caring"

"I thought you didn't care" I sighed as he didn't actually deserve it, I was sure there were many times in the future when he probably would but up until now he had been a saving grace.

He remained silent and focused on the road, on a normal day I could deal with it but he was currently the one person on the roster who knew my situation. "Don't be mad at me."

"Getting mad would mean I care which I don't remember?" He raised his eyebrow before rolling his eyes as we reached a red light.

"I'm sorry. I'm just.. You know what I told you so why would you think I want to see him?"

"Because you're supposed to be keeping up appearances" he shrugged.

"He doesn't make the effort so why should I?" I couldn't erase the bitterness from my voice which he of course noticed.

"Not to sound like a total ass but you're the one who is madly in love with the guy and won't shut up about him. So not doing so will get attention" He shrugged before moving on as traffic picked up once again.

He wasn't wrong though, my world was centered around John. He was the sun in my world and I just revolved around him, I never complained about that part. I was always happy just being around him, making sure he was okay. That's what you do when you love someone isn't it?

"You didn't sound like an ass, you just made me realize how pathetic I am. Here I am constantly declaring my love for him backstage and on screen because he means everything to me and he could just be laughing it off behind my back." I voiced aloud as I thought I knew John better than anyone but deep down I knew there was always a bit of a wall there. A wall someone else could have knocked down...

"You're not pathetic. He is. So I'm guessing you didn't see me kick his ass last week?" The annoyance mixed with slight pride made my eyes fall on the lone wolf.

"You fought him?"

"Yeah. Here I was thinking you were watching. I made it entertaining even though I lost" He chuckled seeming to recall whatever beating he had given my soulmate, or thought to be so.

"Thank you." I smiled as he parked the car.

"Just doing my job, woman" he sighed dramatically as if it had been a major chore for him to beat someone up when we both knew the satisfaction he got out of it.

I leaned over and kissed his cheek before side hugging him, "I'm not letting go until you at least give me a shoulder pat"

I squeezed tighter when he had failed to do anything, "I'm serious"

"Fine" he grumbled and I let go as soon as he did and we vacated the car.

"I really don't understand why you have two suitcases if your gear could probably fit in my back pocket" He sighed as he dragged one of mine with his.

"You literally never know what this company might throw at you. I have to always be prepared." I shrugged and he simply rolled his eyes and I laughed at him not bothering to leave it behind.

"Hey. I was waiting for you at the hotel" I heard AJ and glanced up realizing he was talking to the man beside me.

"Really? Well that's kind of you" he smirked. "But I flew in with Nikki"

"Flew in together?" AJ questioned, staring at him and he nodded while I remained quiet feeling offended that he hadn't even bothered to acknowledge my presence.

He was about to say something when Bryan approached him and I smiled at my brother-in-law before following behind Baron. "Why'd you lie?"

He shrugged, "He doesn't need to know I bumped into you at the hotel. I like messing with him, especially since he thinks so low of me most of the time."

"What do you mean?"

"Well he always questions me about my relationship with you. I keep telling him there is none but for some reason it bothers him" He spoke thoughtfully and almost questioning me as if I would know.

"I mean I got that vibe maybe once when he mentioned you but does it really bother him that we hang out a lot?" I frowned as I wasn't sure why there would be any problem with it from his side. I had spent as much time with Baron when I returned as I had with him.

"Yeah maybe cause he's so buddy buddy with that cheater of yours"

"Thomas!" I snapped.

"Nobody would believe it. Calm yourself. But yeah I always get interrogated by him, if he only knew you were the faithful one in that relationship huh?" He smiled and I nodded slowly knowing that wasn't exactly the truth. I stopped which caused Baron to as well and raise his eyebrow at me.

"Did AJ say anything about me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well I don't know if you noticed but I basically got the cold shoulder over there. I might as well have been invisible if you ask me" I shrugged.

He chuckled before shaking his head, "Come on, I have something that will make you less invisible to him"

"Following you always gets me in trouble. I'm pretty sure he is upset that he found me in his locker room with you." I mumbled but followed him anyway.

"Just follow me..."

●●●

"I mean I'm not surprised. She did it when she had her feud with Carmella and people loved it. And this will add fuel to the already burning fire between them" I heard Renee as I entered the cafeteria.

"That's true. Its adorable, she can pull off anything. Even ripped tights" Nattie giggled and caught my frown as I approached.

"Oh hey AJ, we were just talking about you."

"Me? Do tell" I smiled not bothering to take a seat just yet as I was heading to get something to eat.

"You haven't seen the video yet?" They glanced between or another as if it were a sin I had not.

"Of?"

"Nicole?" Renee questioned.

I raised my eyebrow which led to Renee browsing through her phone and eventually turning the screen so I could see what they were fussing over.

My eyes widened at what I saw, Nikki Bella dressed in my gear with a ridiculous wig and I wasn't even sure what to make of the beard. What the hell?

"...You eat your vegetables you hear me and you don't fight with your brother and sister. And lastly you keep your hand out of the cookie jar cause they are too sweet." She raised her fingers in the gesture and I shook my head and handed her phone back not being sure if I wanted to see the rest.

"You missed the best part" Renee whined.

Apart of me was definitely amused by it, especially with the ending but the other part was confused. She had been back to avoiding me and being all over Baron and here she was recording a spoof video. Yes it was obviously in John Cena's favour with him being her better half but she had even gotten my tights.

"How did I not notice this happening?" I had been roaming backstage for most of the night and had even stumbled on her and Tommy coming in late together which had annoyed me to where I might have..

"I think Baron recorded it in one of the rooms"

"Oh yes he did. You know its so strange I get along with most people but even though Baron and Corey are besties he has never given me the time of day." Renee spoke.

"I don't have an explanation for their friendship either. I think since her return she feels sort of out of place with us so hanging with him is probably easier cause he doesn't pay much mind to the rush" Nattie shrugged and I simply nodded before getting up.

"If you see Nicole let her know she needs to have a drink with us after the show!" I heard Renee.

"Why would I see Nicole?"

"Uhm because you watched the video I assumed.."

"Oh right yes I will give her that message" I smiled trying not to look like the fool I felt like. I had gone from a man running over move sets in his spare time or helping out backstage to being caught up in a sort of cat and mouse game with a Bella. I questioned one of the workers for her locker room location and I wasn't sure what my intentions were. The last time we had really been alone and spoken was weeks ago on Christmas day.

"It turned out good I must admit even with your poor skills" I heard Nicole before I pushed the door open.

"Shut up. We both know..."

"So you two really just enjoy making fun of me?" I opened the door and frowned briefly at them. Baron seated on a couch with Nicole's legs draping over his as she sat back.

"Okay. $20 please" Baron focused on her, completely ignoring me and she laughed out before stopping as her eyes met mine.

"Sorry uhm. I figured since you let me borrow your gear and.. You didn't borrow me your gear.. Thomas Pestock you said..."

"I actually didn't say that he did. I said courtesy of Allen Jones which it was, since its his property." He smiled at her.

"Tommy, leave" I sighed which caused both of them to frown.

"What?"

"I said leave" If I had never been upset with Nicole then tonight would be a first. And I shouldn't have been, perhaps I should have been flattered and if she were just another colleague I would have been amused. But our friendship if one could call it that at this point was mostly all dependent on her moods and I had always just tried my best to play along.

"Woah ease up. It was just a joke no.." He began but Nicole spoke.

"Its okay, Baron. " She shrugged and stood up which led to him sighing. "I'll be waiting in the car after my segment so just text me when you are ready"

"Will do" she spoke as he left not before rolling his eyes at me.

"Allen I..."

"Oh now I'm Allen? "

"Are you actually pissed at me right now over a video?" She narrowed her eyes.

Not actually the video if I was honest with myself.

"Yes as a matter of fact I am. I can't deal with this up and down with you. I get it, I say things loosely sometimes but do you really think its fair to go from jumping me in my room one day and ignoring me the next?" I frowned as my voice raised but I realized I really was pretty annoyed and upset.

I didn't get emotionally attached to anything in my work place because it was a job to me and the job itself meant the world to me while everyone surrounding me simply existed. I loved the connections I made don't get me wrong but becoming too invested meant there was something to be missed if I were to have my career taken away from me. But then there was the uncontrollable factor that for the first time in my career I had allowed myself to become attached to a female colleague, a taken one at that.

"Are you actually raising your voice to me?"

"What? Is Allen Jones not meant to raise his voice huh? What? Am I too good to be angry at you? Is that why you find it so easy to avoid me?" I moved towards her but she quickly moved to the other side of the room.

"I don't find it easy to avoid you and you know it. Its fucking necessity when I find myself in compromising positions with you and you know it." She wavered in my direction before moving towards the door and shutting it.

"I just walked in on you and Tommy in a compromising position and you couldn't have been bothered. "

"Because its him and..."

"And then with this video? You ignore me and then do some parody to show your support for John. Do you just love rubbing salt in a wound? You have John back on the road and I'm just cast aside and I shouldn't be surprised. So tell me, Nicole. What am I huh? A distraction to make you feel less lonely or that's what I was and now you're buddy buddy with Corbin so screw AJ." I shook my head as it all made sense I suppose.

I had enjoyed her company and believed she enjoyed mine but it seemed with Nikki Bella I would always be some sort of backup. Why else had she showed up outside my door on Christmas day?

"What is it with you and fucking Baron?" She rolled her eyes with an edge to her tone.

"I just want to know why I'm so easy to avoid while the guy who hates everyone is the one you can't seem to stay away from." I shrugged feeling my voice lose its fire as I realized how pathetic I sounded.

I was a grown man begging for the attention of a woman who was the girlfriend of my current opponent. The girlfriend of a man who seemed to be very impressed with me..

She sighed and her eyes that had been narrowed since he had left softened as she stared at me.

"Maybe because he hates everyone, I like it. Because with him there is no doubt where his loyalty lies, he is my friend and my confidant. You are the most amazing person Allen and to me that's a curse because I don't know to what lengths you would go as a friend for me. But I know Tommy would beat up John in an instant for me. I know he would pretend to hate my company but love it, I can read him because I know him, I know his fiance. You? I can't. And myself with you I can't. I find it easy to be with him because I don't have these feelings for him. He is just a friend but you are not just a friend."

Feelings?

"I...woah wait. Why would he need to beat John up?" I questioned instead of the obvious one as the woman I knew or everyone knew would never even think of any harm coming to her beloved John Cena.

And just like that whatever remaining fire was left in her eyes due to me going off on her left as she glanced away. I moved towards her as she opened her mouth to speak but stopped before I reached her due to the door being opened.

"Nicole.. Oh hey AJ?" John frowned in confusion due to my presence.

"Hey.. er AJ didn't really enjoy the video" she spoke with a small smile.

"I just caught it. I found it adorable, kiddo" I watched as he walked over to her and kissed her forehead as she closed her eyes before moving away from him and I frowned.

"Thanks love. Baron forgot his beanie so I'll go get this to him."

"Why would it be here?"

"He was hanging out here with me" she smiled.

"And here I was searching the entire arena for you. You didn't answer my texts..."

"Sorry, I'll be back in five. Bye AJ." She moved past me and he sighed.

"I should probably get going as well. "

"Catch you out there later" he nodded before taking a seat on the couch and being focused on his phone.

"Yeah" I closed the door behind me and realized her going to Tommy meant she would be in my locker room. Apart of me believed I should have gone anywhere but there but yet I found myself moving towards my hallway anyway.

"I just can't deal with all of this anymore" I heard her.

"Just tell me and I'll take care of it. Or you can just stay here"

I frowned as I saw her head rested on his shoulder while he was focused on his phone.

"No. Tell Roschelle you'll call her now. My segment is on soon anyway, I'll see you later"

I took a couple steps back before walking forward as she exited my locker room. I had expected to bump into her but instead she had left in the other direction unaware of my presence.

"What's going on?" I questioned as soon as I entered my locker room.

"You losing your mind maybe? Kicking me out of her locker room? I mean I get that you are jealous but..."

"I'm not in the mood for your jokes now, Tommy. Something weird is going on and I'm pretty sure you have an idea"

"Even if I did I wouldn't tell you." He sighed.

"Why is she travelling with you when John is here?"

"I don't ask any questions" he shrugged but glanced away.

"I was talking to her and as soon as he came she immediately made an excuse to come to you"

"Maybe because she doesn't feel like being confined to a room with her boyfriend and kissing buddy?"

"Tommy..."

"Look if you don't know anything its because you're not supposed to know anything. If you're actually concerned about Nicole then ask her yourself instead of being mad over a funny video but if this is just some jealousy then don't bother me or her." He pushed past me.

"What the hell is going on?"

♥♥♥♥

It has literally been over four months since I have updated and for that I am very sorry.
Hopefully you guys are still interested in this duo and please don't hold back the feedback!
Lets keep the love of my life ROMAN REIGNS in our prayers!!!!!

NENA is over and AJ is no longer champion!

Back to the story:
Do you approve of Nikki and Baron's friendship or is it weird?
AJ confronting Nicole?
Nicole not confronting John?