Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Look, look!" Heath pulled on his partner's sleeve, a big smile on his face. He had just discovered a hedgehog in their garden. Heath loved autumn. Actually, he loved every season, and he always found something exciting. It was one of those rare occasions they both had a day off, and they wanted to enjoy it together in their backyard.

The sun was shining, and the trees and leaves were beautiful in many bright colors. Adam sat down on the bench next to their little pond. He was looking forward to retiring soon. Then he would be able to spend more time with Heath. His party days were long behind him, and he didn't miss waking up with a hangover.

Sometimes, though, he missed his old friends. Some of his Rosebuds had become outstanding wrestlers. Becky was one of the most talented women the WWE had ever seen. Elias had a lot of potential and would probably become a champion in the future. But the most promising of all was Braun. Adam still remembered him wearing silly clothes. He didn't know what Bray had done to him, but it had changed him forever. He wasn't even sure if Braun would recognize him if they met again.

Heath was still watching the hedgehog rummaging around in the leaves. "We should give him a name!"

"Him? Maybe it's a girl."

"Oh, you're right. Then we should choose a gender-neutral name."

Adam thought about it for a moment before he suggested, "What about Spikey?"

Heath chuckled. "Really? Can that be a girl's name?"

"Why not?"

"Okay, I like it." Heath knelt down a few feet away from the hedgehog. "Hey Spikey, welcome in our garden. Make yourself at home!"

He turned around and smiled at his partner. Adam smiled back. "I love you, Heathy baby."

The redhead went to him, sat down and grabbed Adam's hand. "Love you too."

Chapter Text

It was one of the first real winter days, and Heath and Adam had decided to take a walk in the park. Everything was covered with a thin blanket of snow. It was quiet and cold. The sun was already setting. Heath grabbed his partner's hand. They were both wearing gloves, but he imagined feeling Adam's warmth radiating through the fabric.

His face lit up when he saw the pavilion. "Hey, do you remember this place?"

Of course, Adam remembered it. It was the place where they had kissed for the first time. It had happened in March 2016. Heath had been rumored to be the locker room bicycle. Adam had never understood why. Heath had not slept with all of his tag team partners.

It had taken Adam two months – two full months of flirting, smiling, giving compliments, touching without going too far, talking until late at night – before Heath had agreed to go on a date with him. They had gone to a restaurant, and after that they had walked through this park. It had been a warm day, and they had sat down in the pavilion for a while until they had finally kissed for the first time.

Adam smiled and dragged his partner into the building. He wiped the snow off the bench and sat down. Then he pulled Heath onto his lap. The redhead wrapped his arm around Adam's neck and leaned down a bit.

"I do remember," Adam said. His hand went to the back of Heath's head, and then he slowly pressed his lips against the other's.

Heath smiled into the soft kiss. "I love you."