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So… the dynamic shift between Swerve and Adam is something Adam didn’t expect to start so quickly. Never mind exactly 2 weeks later. But somehow Adam should have seen it coming. Ever since that night in the hotel, Adam’s mind was conflicted. He remembered waking up that morning, sandwiched between the two people that were kind enough to stay and look after him. Staring at Will’s face, then over at Swerve’s, he couldn’t help but think. Would this be worth it?
With Will, it was much easier. From the rocky start of their first encounter with each other, to respecting each other in and out the ring, to… something inbetween friendship and love that grew with every moment they had. But with Swerve… God.
Could they really fully put away 2 years of pain, hatred, and sorrow under the bridge? Just like that? Realistically, not exactly. There would be no way Adam could ever just forget everything that Swerve had done to him. To his family. And vice versa. Something within Adam though was just… tired. Tired of holding onto the past, tired of thinking about the dark times, the lowest points. When it was clear that the two of them were on the verge of something akin to reconciliation. To hope not only for themselves, but for the company as a whole.
And as crazy as it sounded, Adam actually wanted just to give into the ever growing, unthinkable romance circulating around him and Swerve, despite the initial agreement of “we’ll address it after everything is said and done.” So over the next 2 weeks, his focus shifted entirely on Mox and the Death Riders, burying down those feelings.
And then, Swerve had the nerve to save him. Again.
Technically, he indirectly saved both him and Will, but all Adam could focus on was the significance of it all. Quoted him word for word almost, from that night. Destroyed the Bucks’ limo as a parallel to Adam burning his childhood home down. Almost like Swerve did it as some twisted act of love, deliberately doing it as a way to let Adam know that they would always be inevitably tied to each other.
The cherry on the top though? The look in his eyes as he stared into Adam’s own, while still fistbumping with Will. Almost teasing like a, “You saw that, didn’t you? I know you did.” Will’s own stare was an unsure yet knowing one as Adam’s gaze fell over to the other man, and he’s sure the Brit also felt the vibes shift majorly with this one act. Adam could still feel the weight of the chain he had just threatened with Mox with still on his shoulders, the same one inextricably linked to this whole thing.
After that, to be fair, it was only a matter of time before Adam went to go confront Swerve. He couldn’t wait, and finally needed the closure, once and all. Third time’s the charm, right?
As he walked into Swerve’s locker room and the two locked eyes with each other, Adam could feel the nerves begin to rise again. It was also understandable that despite Will seeing the two men come to a neutral standing that night in the hotel, he voiced his displeasure for anything horrible to happen. Slight relief washed over Adam though, when Swerve also agreed with him for Will to give them space.
Thanking Will in a much softer tone than he expected, his heart did a flip at the other man’s sweet smile accompanied with a, “No stress, mate.” If Adam wasn’t just about to have the biggest and important conversation of his life, he would’ve smiled back a little more. He distantly heard Prince Nana mutter something about coffee and disappeared as well, leaving the two alone.
However now, his full attention turned towards Swerve once again, the man’s expression looked amused and his words rang out in a teasing tone, almost to provoke Adam. “You wanna come ask me for help, huh? Go ahead! Ask me for help! I know that’s why you’re here.”
Adam looked up from the floor, glaring slightly and felt a wave of annoyance. He couldn’t be pretending like the last month of indirect saves didn’t happen, like Swerve didn’t do what he just did out there. Why in the hell now? Unless… Adam stared closer and quickly clocked the fear and vulnerability in the other man’s eyes despite his contradicting expression. Seeing that emotion from Swerve, just like the night in the hotel.
Adam’s mouth opened before his brain caught up, “That’s bullshit, and you know it. You know exactly what you’ve been doing. I know exactly what I’ve been doing. Why are we just avoiding what we both know is happening here?”
Not exactly what Adam was planning to say first, but he saw Swerve’s expression falter for a moment before returning the same energy. “You tell me, cowboy. Why would I ever do any of this for you?”
It was like Swerve’s words were like a message within a message, and Adam just had a feeling he was only doing this to avoid saying the big thing™ that they both knew was brewing under the surface.
“You’re being weird about it, and I don’t know why. Just…” Adam sighed in frustration, pausing and ultimately deciding to just shelf that part for now, and returned to why he was there in the first place. “No. No, I’m not gonna ask you for help, I couldn’t. And I won’t. Look, I am going into a suicide mission on Saturday, and I figured if I don't say this now, I might never have the chance.”
So he pulled up a chair, sitting down as he dropped the chain he was holding. Silence. Then, the scraping of another chair. Adam looked to see the other man sitting in front of him, waiting. Giving the go ahead. Expression and gaze unchanging. So Adam started to speak. About everything.
He tried, really tried to hold a steady voice when talking about the horrors of what they’ve done to each other, but damn it. He felt and heard his voice break several times, tears held back as he recalled what Swerve did to him and his family. Recalling what he did to Swerve. Above all this, he absolutely needed to know. Needed to hear the answer as he asked in a rough and barely audible tone:
“Do you regret what you did to me?”
Hearing Swerve’s answer in response honestly messed up Adam in a way he didn’t expect. This man who throughout most of their feud, had practically been impenetrable with his emotions, not willing to show an ounce of vulnerability for anybody or anyone (especially Adam), laying out his feelings right here for Adam to see. Talking about the things he’d lost on his journey up until now. However, Adam wasn’t prepared to actually hear the three words to come out of Swerve’s mouth as he ultimately responded with a softer note:
“Yeah, I do.”
Now Adam actually tried not to break completely right there, however he felt a sense of validation, relief, and understanding wash over him as those words stirred into his soul. And maybe. Just maybe they could actually start to get somewhere now. Work in progress, right? Reluctantly, Adam moved to get up and leave, but surprisingly Swerve stopped him for a moment.
He reiterated the same words he had said that day about wanting to have his kids, and even his future grandkids grow up in that house, just like he did. Adam knew that already, and could feel the shame of his actions well back inside hearing the raw emotion come from Swerve. Yet, Adam thought he wasn’t prepared for the earlier admittance from the other man, but what he said next rocked Adam to his core.
“Maybe it's time to let go of the past after all.”
There it was. The thing that Adam had wanted from the start. A chance to move on, to heal, and finally, finally break free from the horrors of the past. A chance to also finally pursue this… thing that the two have had for a while now, and not shy away from it as compared to the usual “we’ll deal with it later” mess they’ve been doing. And ironically that pathway, once closed off, now opened up with Swerve’s own words. Even after he’d been clearly avoiding the same thing, Adam could see on his face that he knew this was it. For both of them.
It almost felt like too much. So much so that Adam only responded back with a whispered, “...Yeah.” and made his way out, feeling overwhelmed.
Opening the door to the locker room and stepping out, Adam exhaled. He had a feeling still that felt like despite everything they’d just shared, it still wasn’t enough. The internal dilemma of “Should I leave now or go back inside?” mulled into Adam’s mind as he paused right outside the door. Thinking about it, it was unfair that for all the teasing, for the indirect and direct messages Swerve had been sending him, even now they still hadn’t done anything about it.
He made his decision.
Going back in however, Adam looked at the sight in shock. Apparently Swerve hadn’t noticed the fact Adam entered the room again. He was lost in thought, his face contemplative yet torn as he stared at the chain now wrapped around his hand. Adam forgot that he even left it laying on the floor, with his emotions being scattered.
Something about the exposed sight, about the significance of that chain, and the clear emotion radiating off of Swerve that apparently he didn’t want Adam to see struck him with a pang in his heart. Of concern? Care? Adam didn’t know. What he did know, was that if he didn’t do something within a minute, he might actually lose his mind. So, if Swerve wouldn’t take action on this, he would.
“Swerve.”
The man jumped and his eyes widened, standing up as he realized what Adam had seen. But before he could say anything, Adam walked up to him and placed both of his hands on each side of his face. Adam practically smushed their lips together in a very charged kiss, moving his lips against Swerve’s like he needed air.
It took a minute, but finally Adam felt Swerve reciprocate, his hands snaking up to just simply hold Adam’s hips and god. How was this happening? Granted, Adam made it happen, but even the contract in both their actions spoke volumes. Adam dictating the pace of their kiss with a very eager and desperate pace, compared to the gentle touches coming from Swerve over Adam’s midsection, wrapping his arms around him. Almost like he was scared to mess this up.
The clear difference in Adam being totally ready, yet Swerve not being prepared told Adam what he needed to know just with this one kiss. Breaking away, the two panted heavily as they breathed for air, their eyes locked on each other. As soon as Swerve caught his breath, with a failed attempt in at keeping his voice neutral, he spoke, “What the hell was that?”
Adam straightened up and sighed, “Something that should’ve happened by now.”
“...We would’ve gotten to it eventually.” Swerve argued weakly, crossing his arms in defiance. Adam just rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, right. With your little mind games, by the time that happened, pigs would actually be able to fly.”
Swerve made a noise of displeasure, but Adam continued, leaning closer. “Listen. Whatever this… is. However we define it, you and I can’t deny it doesn’t exist. Or never did. But I can see that you’re not ready. Hell, I’m not really ready either. So…”
Adam reached for Swerve’s hand again, shades of how they held hands weeks ago, running his thumb back and forth in a gentle manner. “When all of this is over. Whatever happens… we’ll define everything. Leave nothing on the table. At least, I plan to.”
Swerve stared at their adjourned hands, feeling a warm and fluttery feeling wash over him as he chuckled. “Third time’s the charm, right?”
Adam exhaled a chuckle back, squeezing Swerve’s hand before letting go, once more making his way to the door. Eyes still on Swerve, he gently asked, “So, Saturday?”
“Saturday.”
With that, Adam exited the locker room for good that night.
-
Admittedly, Will was getting more and more nervous with every minute that passed. He knows that if anything bad had happened, he would’ve seen Adam storming out of the room by now. Yet, a large part of Will was relieved to know that all of his efforts weren’t for naught. It made him feel appreciated.
And speaking of efforts, Will could see Adam walking down the hallway, the conflict and tension that had radiated of the other man now replaced with content and even a bit of joy? Will was sure he’d run down some of what took place later, but for now he was fine to just check in lightly with Adam.
“So? Everything alright?”
Adam smiled, moving to swoop Will into his arms much to the surprise of the Brit. “We’re getting there. Thank you again, darling.”
Will laughed and embraced Adam back, the sappiness overtaking his voice, “My pleasure. I did not see myself being a relationship counselor on my resume this year, but I’m glad I was able to help a bit.”
“You underestimate yourself.” Adam hummed, lost in thought for a minute as his attention looked from Will’s eyes to his lips. “Can I thank you in a different way?”
Will felt himself blush, obviously getting what Adam was asking. As much as he wanted Adam and Swerve to work out their own issues and obvious tension, Will couldn’t lie and say that he hadn’t also been wishing and wanting for more with the two as well.
So of course, there was no way in hell Will was passing this chance by. With no regrets, he eagerly responded, “Please.”
With a smile from the cowboy, their lips met softly, and it was everything Will wanted. Unsurprisingly though yet absolutely not unpleasant, he could taste a mix of not just himself and Adam, but Swerve as well as their kiss deepened.
And as it continued, Will had a feeling that come Saturday, everything would be just fine. He was sure of it.