#*orbiter*

Punk was walking down the hallway with his hands in his pockets as he heard soft sniffling. “Oh God, not again,” He thought to himself. The last time he heard someone sniffling, it was AJ, and he had to…hug her. Punk is NOT the type to show any type of affection for anyone whatsoever…maybe that was why his relationships failed. Maybe he was the problem, he was emotionally unavailable, but hot. For God's sake, he was CM Punk. Chick Magnet Punk. 

He tried walking past the door, truly, he did, but something about the crying... knowing it was AJ made something in his gut churn. He quietly knocked on the door. “AJ?” He called out. 

He heard a soft sniffle and a cough to cover the sound of the sniffle (it didn’t work). “AJ is that you?” He asked, his voice low. “I uh. Saw what happened. And I heard you crying. I just wanted to check up on you. Or whatever.” He messed with his lip ring with his tongue. He leaned on the door. “You can talk to me. I guess.” He tried to play nonchalant but his heart was beating outside his chest. He fell slightly back when AJ opened the door. 

He took one look at her before his heart dropped to his stomach, her eyes were red rimmed, her face was red and puffy from crying. She looked like a mess, but he thought she was the most beautiful mess he's ever seen. He went to go say something but he shut his mouth. 

AJ glared at him. “What. What do you want?” She snapped. She ran her fingers through her already messy hair, it was clear that she had already run her fingers through her hair. 

He put his hands up, as if defending himself. “I'm just trying to check on you.” He said looking down at her. 

She looked up at him with a sniffle. “I'm fine." She wiped the stubborn tears that fell down her cheeks. 

All Punk wanted to do was hurt Daniel, for putting those tears in her eyes, for hurting her, for making her feel inferior. Instead, he inhaled deeply and he put a hand on her shoulder. “Bullshit.” He said looking at her. 

"Its not bullshit.” AJ said stubbornly. She crossed her arms over her chest, as a way to guard her emotions, to keep herself safe. 

"Do you wanna talk about it?” He asked, leaning against the wall. He looked at her as he spoke, trying to make her feel a little comfortable. He wanted her to feel at ease around him, and he couldn't figure out why. What was it about her that..made him all soft and gooey inside. This isn't like him. No woman has ever made him feel like this. 

"I would rather scream about it outside.” She said dryly. AJ lowered her arms from her chest. She looked up at him, with her eyebrows creased. 

“We can do that.” He said looking at her. “Come on. He motioned for her to follow him outside.

She gave him a skeptical look. “Are you serious?” She asked, with a slight tilt of her head. “I'm not actually gonna do that.” She said with a slight laugh. “You're ridiculous. This is ridiculous.” She shook her head

“Humor me.” He said with a grin. “Come on AJ.” He coaxed. “Live a little.” He grinned, and that lip ring that he was so proud of, glinted in the fluorescent light of the locker room

“Where would we even do it?” She asked, looking at him with yet another skeptical look. “We're at an arena. Packed full of people. Don't you think that'll raise alarm bells?” She asked with a tilt of her head.

He let out a sound that sounded like ‘psh’. “There's woods by the hotel I'm staying in.” He moved off the wall. “Plus. We're only here for what…one more day?” He shrugged. “Come on, I'll even buy you a coffee.” He offered. 

“Mmm. Only if it has extra whipped cream.” She said looking at him. “I can't believe you're dragging me into this.” She sighed and shook her head. 

“You're actually agreeing?” He asked with a childlike grin.

“I guess so.” She said, drawing out the word guess. 

Punk felt his heart flutter in his chest, this was highly unusual. Why did she make him feel this way? He had to push down these feelings, he couldn't lose AJ as a friend. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The woods near the hotel Punk was staying at were vast, yes the hotel was top tier, but behind it was woods stretching behind what either of them could see. It was a cold April night, which was really unusual for April. Those nights tend to be warmer, with it being spring and all. 

Punk looked at AJ, who held her cup of coffee tightly between her hands. “Okay extra whip. Let's go scream it out.” He gestured to the trees behind them. They were currently standing in the parking lot, Punk had just bought the coffee that AJ was gungho about getting once he offered it. 

AJ let out a soft sigh. “Before we do this..I just-” she inhaled. “I really don't get why he did this to me. He compares himself to a sheep, but he's a wolf. I guess some people don't even realize that they're wolves.” She took a sip of her coffee to stop herself from talking. 

Punk kicked a small pebble with his shoe. “You know what. You're onto something AJ.” He looked at her. “So. You got your coffee. You feeling better now?” He asked. “Not like. I'm worried about you.” He tried to cover up. 

“A little bit…thanks for just. Letting me talk.” AJ said softly. She gently punched his shoulder. “I think I'm better now.” 

Punk felt his cheeks flush slightly at the contact. “Good. Good. That's good.” He took a sip of his own coffee. His coffee order was just a plain black coffee. AJ on the other hand, had an order that made his teeth ache just thinking about it. “So. Do you wanna head into the hotel?” He asked. 

“Yeah..thanks Phil.” She said with a smile. 

Phil…no one ever called him Phil he hated it but when it came out of AJ's mouth? It sounded like sweet symphony. He had to get out of there, and quick, before he said something he couldn't take back. 

"Night.” He said as he gave her a small wave, he quickly walked back into the hotel, his heart racing…god why was she making him feel this way…it was like..she was the moon and he was an astronaut