Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

JD thought he was tough, thought he could handle anything that life threw at him. Turns out, JD was very wrong about this. He never thought that being a wrestler was easy, but because of his training certain things just came naturally to him. In ring talent? Amazing. Promo skills? Not half bad. But social skills? Now that's where JD was lacking. He didn't know really how to talk to others, how to interact without coming across as weird. The only person he felt like he could talk to was.. Finn. His mentor, his best friend, his long-time crush that JD had done everything to bury. He tried to distract himself with training or with other boys but.. Finn was always there, lingering in the back of his mind like a little parasite and-

"Bug." Finn hummed, gently patting his back,"Are you listening to me?"

"Hm?" JD blinked,"Oh- Yeah, totally-"

"No, you haven't." Finn crossed his arms.

"I haven't, sorry." JD sighed,"I just.. I zoned out for a minute."

"I could tell." Finn chuckled,"Anyway, I was just wondering if you'd like to stay with the rest of the Judgement Day tonight."

"Like.. In your hotel room?" JD raised a brow.

"Sure." Finn nodded,"I already asked them if they were okay with me asking you. Rhea said it would be great to get to know you better before we have to start working onscreen together."

"Are you sure? I mean.. I don't want to intrude on your business." JD cleared his throat, shifting almost uncomfortably on his feet.

JD was well-aware that the Judgement Day were all in.. Some sort of relationship together. From what Finn said, they were all seeing each other and JD just.. He had no problems with it, not at all, he just didn't want to intrude. He was already going to he an outsider, so why would he want to awkwardly sit around and feel like.. Feel like he wasn't worth all the trouble?

"JD, you aren't going to be intruding." Finn assured him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder,"Now, are you coming?"

JD felt the heat rise in his cheeks,"Uh- Yeah. Okay, yeah, I'll come."

"Great." Finn grinned, patting JD's back as he lead him back towards the Judgement Day clubhouse.

That smile, the constant physical touch. JD knew feeling like this was.. Well, he didn't think it was wrong, he couldn't help how he felt, but it certainly didn't feel right. He loved Finn, desperately, he couldn't help it. JD had known Finn most of his life, going from seeing him occasionally over the top of his granny's fence to training with him to talking every day over the phone. JD was trying to live his dream and it was all made possible because of Finn, he owed him everything and JD would do anything Finn asked of him. Anything. When they reached the clubhouse door, Finn seemed to sense his hesitance and paused before he opened the door.

"JD, you've got nothing to worry about." Finn reassured him,"They'll love you, honest."

"What if they don't?" JD asked, more of a mumble in case anybody heard him.

"They will, you know you're a little sweetheart when you open up." Finn hummed.

JD snickered,"I am not and never have been a sweetheart."

"Oh, yes, you were." Finn winked, ruffling his hair before opening the door,"Guess who's brought our newest member?"

"Unofficially." Damian was quick to add, pulling Finn in close to his chest.

"Yes, yes, unofficially." Finn sighed, leaning into Damian's embrace.

JD stood awkwardly in the doorway while Damian glared at him over Finn's shoulder. Great. He'd already managed to piss the big man off and they hadn't even gotten back to the hotel room yet. Just fan-fucking-tastic. Although it seemed the animosity wasn't shared within the rest of the Judgement Day as Rhea and Dominik sat on the leather sofa. Rhea looked up at him, almost with curiosity as she waited to see what his next move was while Dominik.. Smiled. He looked at JD and smiled, standing up and immediately bringing him over to sit with them, of course beside him and not in between himself and Rhea. Dominik seemed to be his way in, for Rhea at least. If JD could befriend Dominik, Rhea would be easier to get on side and not hate him.

Once that conversation, JD really couldn't get rid of Dominik and he wasn't sure he wanted to. The pair went on and on, probably boring Rhea to death. Although.. When JD glanced over at her, she was smiling at the very least, and he quickly looked away whenever he caught her eye and that seemed to amuse her. By the time they were heading back to the hotel, Dominik insisted that JD sat in the back with him and there were certainly no complaints from Damian who, again, continued looking at him like he was diseased. JD could confirm, he was in fact not diseased. But JD didn't mind sitting in the back, with Dominik in the middle and Rhea on his side. Stories that JD thought meant nothing were apparently very interesting to Dominik, who then went on to share stories of his own, including embarrassing moments that the Judgement Day had shared. While some people would rather Dominik kept his mouth shut, it made JD feel more comfortable with the group.

"Oh, I'm so glad we're here." Rhea hummed as they got out of the car.

"We're finally done with 'Story Time with Dom'." Damian agreed.

"Wh- Come on, my stories are great." Dominik huffed, nudging JD's shoulder,"Tell them, JD."

"Uh.. Yeah. Very insightful." JD nodded.

Finn snickered,"I guarantee you, JD zoned out during those stories. He's not got any clue about them."

"That is so not true." JD crossed his arms,"I was paying a lot of attention."

"Sure." Damian rolled his eyes.

"I was." JD muttered under his breath.

"I know you were listening, JD. Don't let those old men bully you." Dominik pointed, wrapping an arm around JD's waist.

"Old?" Finn scoffed,"You hear that Damian? Old?"

"Oh, I heard." Damian hummed, kissing the side of Finn's head as a giggling Rhea headed off to grab their keycards from the desk.

JD wasn't typically a.. Touchy person. Unless it was Finn, he didn't particularly like physical contact. But.. JD didn't mind Dominik resting his arm around his waist. It was quite nice, just something gentle and relaxed. Platonic. JD felt himself almost subconsciously leaning into Dominik's side, although he straightened at the sight of Rhea approaching. Dominik practically skipped over to her and hugged her side as she brought over the keycards to their hotel room. JD lingered behind the group as they chatted all the way up to the room. Once inside, Rhea and Dom made their way over to one bed and Damian and Finn claimed the other. JD flopped onto the couch in the room, lying quietly as the others spoke and laughed, only speaking up when he needed to.

"You alright over there, bug?" Finn called to him.

"I'm good." JD answered, yawning as he rolled over.

"Just let us know if you need anything." Rhea poked his side as she walked past, heading for the bathroom.

"Mami- Can I come?" Dominik perked up.

Rhea chuckled,"I'm just getting changed, Dom."

"And? Can I come?" Dominik asked her.

"You know what? Sure." Rhea hummed, opening the door,"Come on, you little koala."

"Yes!" Dominik cheered as he got up and walked into the bathroom with Rhea.

JD wanted to get changed but.. He was just tired. Maybe he should just try and get some sleep. And he did. JD closed his eyes and tried to sleep, only stirring when he was covered by.. Something. JD opened his eyes slowly and saw that Finn was hovering over him, having covered him with his hoodie. Finn..

"Sorry, bug. I didn't mean to wake you." Finn spoke softly, gently rubbing his side,"I didn't want you getting cold."

"Thanks, Finn." JD mumbled,"..Love you."

Finn paused before smiling softly,"Love you too, Jordan."

Chapter Text

JD groaned softly as he rolled over on the sofa, before prompty falling onto the floor. Great. He let out a dissatisfied huff as he slowly sat up. JD's eyes quickly fell to his lap where Finn's hoodie rested on top of him. And.. JD swallowed, picking it up and pulling the hoodie on over his head and just melting into it. He pulled the hoodie up to his nose, breathing in.. Breathing in Finn, his scent. JD let out a shaky breath. Was this the closest he was ever going to get to being Finn's?

God, he probably sounded pathetic. JD forced himself up off the floor and approached the other four. Dominik and Rhea were curled up in a tangle of limbs, Dominik with his arms wrapped around Rhea and Rhea with her face buried in Dominik's mullet. Then Finn and Damian. Finn just looked so small.. Completely enveloped by Damian's large arms as Finn rested against his chest. Part of JD just.. He longed to be held by Finn, to be cherished by him as more than a friend. But that ship had already sailed a while ago.

JD looked to the clock, realizing how early it still was and a brief look to the window made it clear that it was still dark outside. But JD needed space. He returned his attention to Finn, watching as a still-sleeping Damian pulled Finn closer to his chest, letting out a soft grunt. It was like Damian knew he was there, knew he was watching.. JD swallowed, quickly going and putting on his shoes before leaving the hotel room, making his way downstairs and eventually, outside of the hotel.

The cold, early morning air sent a chill down his spine yet it wasn't unwelcome. JD walked a little away from the hotel, finding a bench to sit down on. He didn't smoke but JD knew he'd find what he needed in Finn's pocket, a pack of gum. He grabbed himself a piece and started chewing, a way to keep him awake and distract his brain to stop him spiraling or getting any other dangerous thoughts. And because it was cold, it gave JD every excuse to cuddle further into Finn's hoodie.

Truly, JD didn't want to get in the way. That was his fear in this situation. He was scared of intruding on the relationship, of fucking everything up. Damian already seemed to hate him, so he was off to a great start there and Rhea seemed more curious of him than anything else. Though he figured Rhea probably liked to play with her food, like a cat, she was probably trying to get as much info as she could before trying to kill him. That sounded about right. At least Dominik seemed to like him. And speaking of..

"JD.." A familiar, tired voice yawned as they approached,"What are you doing out here?"

JD blinked and turned around to see.. Dominik. He was clearly half-asleep and seemed to have pulled on one of Damian's jackets to keep himself warm as he approached JD. Before JD could speak or get a word out, Dominik sat at his side and rested against him.

"Not trying to run away from us already, hm?" Dominik asked him.

"No." JD smirked,"Not yet."

"Not ever." Dominik groaned, resting his head on JD's shoulder,"It's been so fun talking to and getting to know you."

"I'm.. Glad you think that." JD told him.

"I mean, you're so interesting." Dominik yawned,"All your facts and knowledge.."

JD chuckled to himself,"And you, are tired."

'Nu-uh." Dominik mumbled, his eyes already starting to flutter shut.

"Sure." JD teased,"Come on, let's get you back to bed, back to Rhea."

"Mami." Dominik grinned.

"Yeah, Mami. I'm sure she misses you." JD told him, helping Dominik up off the bench.

Dominik was climbing to him like a lifeline as JD brought them all the way back to the hotel room, just barely able to get Dominik back in bed before he collapsed. Ah, Dominik.. But JD couldn't escape his new friendship that easily. As JD turned to leave, Dominik grabbed hold of his hoodie sleeve and refused to let go. JD did try struggling against him, but Dominik kept making these stupid winy noises, stupidly adorable, and he didn't want to wake anyone else. So what did JD do? Well, he sat down beside the bed, technically in the space in between both bed, with his arm raised by Dominik and tried to just.. Sleep there.

It was a rough night, but JD did eventually fall asleep like that. When he awoke the next morning, his arm was numb- And JD briefly panicked before he caught sight of Rhea, up and walking around the hotel room. JD blinked, almost having to catch his breath as he just watched how Rhea carried herself so effortlessly, with so much confidence when when no one was watching.. And he may or may not have been imagining her choking him out with her muscles when she noticed he was awake.

"Had a good night, Ace?" Rhea raised a brow.

"Uh- Sort of." JD cleared his throat, trying to avert his eyes.

"Eyes where I can see them." Rhea pointed, able to sense what he was feeling,"Dom likes you, that means you're okay in my books.. For now."

"Hey, I can take for now." JD nodded as his arm finally slipped from Dominik's grasp,"Oh, thank fuck."

"How long have you been like that?" Rhea questioned.

'Uh.. Couple hours maybe?" JD answered, desperately trying to shake some feeling back into his arm,"I don't know. I went on a wander, Dom found me and I brought him back... Then he wouldn't let go."

"I call him a little koala for a reason." Rhea giggled as she approached him, ruffling his hair,"Any reason you went out wandering?"

"Couldn't sleep." JD shrugged.

"I get that." Rhea hummed,"Is this a regular thing or was it just the couch."

"..A regular thing." JD admitted quietly,"I don't usually sleep well at the best of times, but I'm usually fine if Finn's there."

"Sort of like Dom." Rhea mentioned,"He always sleeps better when one of us is nearby."

"He nearly fell asleep on me sitting up." JD added.

Rhea let out a little chuckle, looking up at Dominik who was still fast asleep,"That's my Dom Dom."

"What's it like, y'know.. Being in a relationship like this?" JD asked, a little out of the blue,"I'm just curious-"

"Relax, JD, I know." Rhea assured him,"It's comforting. Yu know there's always going to be someone there who loves you. We're all so close, like best friends but more."

"Deluxe edition." JD nodded.

And that got Rhea to snicker,"Okay, you're definitely Finn's after that."

"In a good way?" JD blinked.

"In a great way." Rhea patted his shoulder.

JD was soon in the couch again as Rhea paced, just chatting to him as the others rested. There were moments when he couldn't help but look away as Rhea got.. A little too close for comfort. If Damian saw, he knew he'd be a dead man but he wanted Rhea to keep touching him. Again, he was never big on physical touch but.. This was different. Rhea trailing her hand along his arm as she discussed training and playing with his hair absentmindedly as she gossiped about other people in the locker room. But it didn't last. Because soon, everyone else began to stir and as the others were getting ready, it felt like Damian's eyes were already locked onto him.

"Where'd you get that?" Damian questioned.

JD looked around,"Get what?"

"That hoodie." Damian pointed.

"Oh-" JD swallowed.

"I gave it to him last night, Damian." Finn pressed a kiss to his cheek,"He was sleeping on the couch and it was cold, i wanted him to be comfortable."

"Right." Damian nodded slowly.

"You can have it back if you need it." JD spoke up.

But Finn shook his head,"Bug, you keep it. The colour suits you."

"Thanks." JD hummed, hoping he wasn't blushing after that encounter.

That whole day, from getting ready in the hotel room to getting breakfast, JD just felt.. Like he was again, intruding. They were all so close and he was just.. There. Gentle touches as they passed one another, reaching over to kiss someone as they gathered their clothes and belongings for the day. Even at breakfast, JD ended up sandwiched between the couple. Rhea and Dominik on one side and Finn and Damian on the other, leaving JD stuck in the middle of the booth. And JD hated it. Unlike the closeness he'd shared with nearly everyone, this felt suffocating. And Damian's eyes constantly glaring, wary of him weren't helping.

"You alright, bug?" Finn asked,"You've hardly touched your food."

"Oh, I'm just.. Not that hungry." JD shrugged.

True to an extent, really. He was hungry, but the thought of eating here was just making him feel sick. JD thought he caught a look of concern on Rhea's face but he quickly looked away from her. No. It was probably nothing..

Chapter Text

JD had sat himself on the leather sofa of the Judgement Day Clubhouse and zoned out, slowly growing more comfortable there. While he was still tense under the sharp glare of Damian, he began to let himself sink into the edge of the sofa. Despite the tough exterior and nefarious antics of the group, their space was so.. Cozy. It was safe, JD was starting to realize. Safe. Though, his thoughts were soon brought to a close as he was soon pounced upon.

"JD- Since we're only doing little segment stuff tonight, I've brought something fun for us." Dominik told him, currently sat on top of JD.

JD blinked, trying to figure out what was currently going on,"And what's that, then?"

Dominik hummed as he revealed the game system in his hand, a PSP. JD.. He only played one a few times as a kid, usually at a friend's house since he didn't have his own. The PSP wasn't JD's concern in that moment, no, it was the 6'1 Latino man that was currently perched on his lap. JD wasn't complaining, coming to the unfortunate realization that he liked Dominik sitting there, his face slowly heating up. Dominik, however, seemed oblivious to JD's inner turmoil and thrust the device into his hands.

"You.. Want me to play it?" JD questioned,"I'm more than happy to sit and watch you-"

"Nope." Dominik stopped them,"You're new, I want to see how you play."

"Go on, Jordan. Show 'em what you've got." Finn walked over, ruffling his hair.

"Yeah.. Yeah, I will." JD nodded.

Dominik grinned and slowly moved from JD's lap to sitting at his side on the sofa, pressed quite tightly to his side and with his head resting on his shoulder. JD could feel Dominik's breath on his cheek, gentle and relaxed and the Irishman swallowed, trying to ignore the lump in his throat. His lip twitched slightly into an almost smile as he turned on the device. JD hadn't even started playing yet as Rhea draped herself over the back of the sofa, watching just over his shoulder and he felt himself start to sweat. He couldn't embarrass himself in front of Rhea and the impossibly high standards he was sure she had.

Now, what would any stranger assume this was? An offering of friendship, probably. But not JD. No. Nobody had been overly friendly with him in the past, not unless they needed something, so his mind automatically thought this was some test. He was sure all of the Judgement Day members were going to have some sorts of tests and challenges for him to prove he belonged in their group. JD.. He would do whatever Rhea and Dominik asked him to, he wanted them to like him.

As they were filmed that evening, discussing strategies for Dominik's match, Dominik continued watching JD play. He occasionally pointed things out, commenting quietly on what he should do while JD had nearly all of his focus on the game. When he wasn't pointing, Dominik's arm had come to rest across JD's lap and JD felt.. Fuzzy. He'd come to the realization that he liked Rhea and Dominik, but he thought he liked Finn more.. Until he started feeling fuzzy, like electricity under his skin. That's the same thing he felt when Finn held him, almost stronger.

"Woah- You might actually beat my high score." Dominik grinned,"That would be awesome."

"It would?" JD blinked, briefly glancing away from the screen.

"Yeah, because then I-" Dominik went to speak but he was cut off by his older boyfriend.

"Dom." Damian looked down at him, arms crossed,"Were you paying attention? At all?"

"Well, I-" Dominik began.

"This is your match, remember?" Damian pointed.

"Well, I didn't hear you mention JD- And I want him out there for my match." Dominik wrapped an arm around JD's shoulder.

Damian sighed,"You want JD?"

"Mhm." Dominik grinned smugly,"I want JD there, so how you work him into our strategy?"

"Dominik-" Damian started, but this time he was cut off.

"Come on, big man. JD will be a massive help, I promise." Finn told him.

"And it makes Dom happy." Rhea added, sending a smile Dominik's way.

"Are you both serious?" Damian groaned.

"We're serious." Dominik nodded,"Now.. Is he in the match or not?"

Damian looked over JD, studying him and JD instinctively straightened as Damian's dark brown eyes trailed across his body. It was as if he was searching for any imperfection, any excuse or reason to not let JD out there. Though.. Damian let out a long, drawn-out sigh, unable to find anything wrong with the idea. Just that sigh made Dominik cheer and he excitedly pulled JD close, already starting to ramble on about how they could incorporate him. The game was all but forgotten for now as JD tried to ignore the warmth in his face.

Of course JD wanted to go out and help the Judgement Day, why wouldn't he? But.. Dominik also wanted him to play the game. So, well, that was exactly what JD would do after the match. Right now, his objective was to protect Dominik... And he was going to do just that. It was Dominik against Jey Uso, nothing too crazy but it was just JD and Dominik out there for now. The rest of the group agreed to interfere later, but Dominik was adamant about JD being at his side, something JD was more than happy to do. JD watched intently as the match progressed, his eyes solely on Dominik when.. Dominik hurried out of the ropes and jumped off the apron, straight into JD's arms. JD blinked- He caught him, of course, before carefully setting the taller man down on his feet.

JD was quick to cup his face, instinctively checking him over like Finn had once done for him,"You alright? Not hurt?"

"I'm good, honest." Dominik grinned, almost subconsciously leaning into JD's touch.

JD went to speak again but stopped, noticing Jey running the ropes for a dive and so he.. Pushed Dominik to the side, taking the move and falling to the ground. After that, JD had to sell the dive for a bit and by the time he was on his feet again, the rest of the Judgement Day was out there and Finn was there to pull him back to his feet.

"You alright, bug?" Finn asked.

"I'm fine." JD nodded quickly,"Dom- Is he-"

"Rhea's got it covered." Finn nudged him gently.

And the pair watched as Rhea gave Jey her signature little wave, distracting him for long enough for Dominik to get the roll-up victory. He scrambled from the ring and into Rhea's arms, safe and sound as she walked him back up the ramp with her arm around his waist. Damian followed, ruffling Finn's hair as he passed and Finn pulled him close to his side. JD.. Lingered, watching Jey before he followed after the group, feeling again like an afterthought. But that was okay. He'd just prove himself by playing Dominik's game. Yeah, he was sure that would make them like him.

So that's what JD did. Once back in the Clubhouse, he resumed his gameplay and Dominik went back to watching, with the occasional comment by Rhea. Damian and Finn were talking about the rest of the show, about maybe going out for some drinks though.. Finn's mind was on JD. All he had to do was pay attention to how focused JD was on the game for him to realize that something was.. Off. Maybe, he thought, JD was just enjoying himself. Though as he watched JD continuing to play in the car ride to the hotel and then in the hotel room, Finn knew exactly what JD was doing.

His boy, unfortunately, had a litany of bad habits. One of these was his habit of trying to play the perfect role. JD, in his desperation to be liked or accepted, would take on any tasks given to him by those he wanted to please, in this case, Dominik. Finn sighed as he watched JD playing from a distance, only approaching once everyone else had disappeared, be it to get dressed or get something from the lobby. JD hadn't even realized they were alone until Finn sat at his side, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Bug." Finn began slowly, keeping his voice gentle,"It's okay."

And JD paused, himself and the game, slowly looking up from the console,"..What?"

"You don't have to keep pretending." Finn rubbed his back.

"I-I wasn't, I like the game." JD told him.

"You've been playing it for hours, quietly and not looked away for a moment." Finn reminded him,"I know what you're like, Jordan."

JD looked down, setting the PSP on the nightstand,"I.."

"Shh, I know." Finn pulled him close to his side,"Dominik just wants to be friends, trust me, he really likes you."

"I like Dom too." JD mumbled.

"Well, you can tell him that when we go put for drinks." Finn hummed, only to be met by a yawn from JD,"Unless someone's too tired for that."

"Just.. Just a bit." JD rubbed his eyes.

"You lie down then, bug." Finn pressed a gentle kiss to the top of his head.

That night, Damian, Finn and Rhea were getting ready to go out as JD curled up for a rest on the sofa. Though.. Dominik wasn't getting ready and when the others left, he stayed. In fact, he grinned and leaned over the back of the sofa, poking JD's ribs.

"JD." Dominik smiled at him,"You can share my bed, if you want."

"What?" JD blinked, forcing himself up into a sitting position.

"Well, your backs gonna be sore if you keep sleeping on the sofa and I don't like sleeping by myself so.. It's a win-win." Dominik explained.

"Well.. As long as its okay with you." JD nodded slowly.

Dominik's smile grew wider as he practically dragged JD to his bed, letting him get in first before following soon after. The bed was actually quite nice, but JD was soon embraced from behind, with Dominik wrapping his arms around JD's chest. JD immediately felt himself going red and rolled over in Dominik's arms, pulling him into a cuddle of his own. Dominik giggled as he buried his face in JD's neck and JD felt himself absentmindedly trailing his hands through Dominik's mullet. They were.. Safe.

"Night, JD." Dominik mumbled sleepily against his skin.

And JD smiled softly, closing his eyes,"Night, Dom."