#punklee

the energy backstage buzzed louder than the crowd in the arena. you weren’t new to this world, but tonight felt different, like the walls themselves vibrated with the anticipation of cm punk being back. everyone had their eyes peeled for him, some curious, some cautious, most just excited to see if the man lived up to the legend after so long away.

you’d told yourself not to care. you’d seen enough debuts and returns to know that hype faded. still, your stomach tightened when you caught sight of him walking down the hallway, hoodie up, hands shoved into his pockets, the ghost of a smirk tugging at his mouth like he already knew every whisper happening around him.

and then he noticed you.

"hey" he said, voice gravelly but light. "you’re the one i’ve heard about, right? you’ve been running around here like you own the place."

you blinked, caught off guard. "me? hardly."

"oh, no, don’t be modest." his eyes glinted as he leaned against the wall, studying you with deliberate ease. "couple of people told me you’re the one to know if i don’t wanna get lost. guess that makes you my tour guide."

it was ridiculous, the way your chest warmed at that. you crossed your arms, feigning nonchalance. "maybe. but my rates are steep. hope you’ve got coffee money."

punk chuckled, a low, genuine sound, and it made something in you stir that you immediately tried to shove down. he wasn’t supposed to be charming. not to you.

"coffee money, huh? that’s doable. but just so you know, i don’t do fancy. black coffee or nothing."

"good" you shot back, grateful for the easy rhythm between you. "fancy coffee people are exhausting."

"glad we’re on the same page already." his smirk widened, almost approving, and then he tipped his chin toward the chaos of the hallway. "c'mon, show me where I’m supposed to be before someone yells at me."

as you walked beside him, you were hyperaware of his presence, the way he carried himself like he owned the air around him but somehow didn’t make it suffocating. he asked you little questions, small things about the locker room dynamics, which trainers were worth listening to, where to find decent food that didn’t taste like cardboard. And each time you answered, he listened like it mattered.

by the time you dropped him off at the right door, you’d almost forgotten he was cm punk, the cm punk. he felt more like a guy you’d known longer than ten minutes, one who happened to look at you with eyes that seemed sharper than you were prepared for.

"thanks, tour guide" he said, lingering just a second longer before heading inside. "guess i owe you a coffee."

you told yourself it was nothing. just a joke. just banter. but as the door closed behind him, your heart betrayed you, a quick stutter, a spark you didn’t want, couldn’t afford.

you weren’t supposed to have a crush. not on him.

not on someone else’s husband.

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the gym smelled like old mats and sweat, the kind of place where champions were built and egos were broken down. you weren’t sure why you’d agreed to meet punk there, maybe curiosity, maybe because part of you wanted to see if the man outside the ring matched the one you’d started joking with backstage.

he was already there when you arrived, earbuds in, working a heavy bag with methodical precision. the dull thud of each hit echoed in the small space. he noticed you almost instantly, pulling out his earbuds and flashing a grin that was equal parts challenge and welcome.

"didn’t think you’d show" he teased, wiping his forehead with the edge of his shirt.

you rolled your eyes. "what, and let you hold it over me forever? no chance."

he smirked, tossing his water bottle at you. you caught it clumsily. "hydrate. i don’t train with quitters."

the next hour slipped by quicker than you expected. it wasn’t just the workout, though you were surprised by how much he pushed himself without pushing you too far, it was the way he filled the space with conversation. he asked about your start in the business, the people who’d inspired you, even the stupid travel stories you thought no one cared about.

and in between, he dropped pieces of himself.

"i almost didn’t come back" he admitted, sitting on the bench after a long set. His voice had softened, stripped of bravado. "figured maybe the chapter was closed. but then i don’t know. something in me didn’t feel done yet."

you leaned against the wall, towel draped around your neck. "what changed your mind?"

he shrugged, staring at the floor for a moment before looking back at you. "aj. she told me if i still had that itch, i'd regret it forever if i ignored it. she’s good at calling me on my bullshit."

the way he said her name carried weight. admiration, affection, maybe even awe. you smiled, but something twisted in your stomach. you weren’t jealous of her, not exactly. it was more that you wished someone might ever talk about you that way.

"she sounds smart" you said carefully.

"she is." his lips curved into a small smile that didn’t fade. "i don’t deserve her most days, but she sticks around anyway."

you nodded, trying to ignore the tiny sting in your chest. you shouldn’t have been surprised. of course he loved his wife. of course he adored her. that was the way it should be.

still, when he looked at you again, really looked, eyes sharp and searching, your pulse betrayed you, quickening in a way you knew you shouldn’t let it.

punk tossed his towel over his shoulder and stood. "so, coffee after this? or are you gonna pretend you’re too busy for your new training partner?"

you rolled your eyes again, but you couldn’t stop the smile tugging at your mouth. "fine. but i'm not paying."

"wouldn’t dream of it" he said, and there was that grin again, the one that made it feel like he saw more of you than he should.

as you walked out together, you told yourself it was harmless. just friendship. Just two people bonding over sweat and sarcasm.

but the warmth in your chest said otherwise. and you hated how much you liked it.

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the locker room was mostly empty after the show, the air still carrying the faint hum of the crowd outside. you’d flopped into a chair with your boots unlaced, watching highlights play quietly on the monitor mounted in the corner. it was one of those rare lulls, the kind where exhaustion hit you, but you didn’t want to leave just yet.

that’s when punk slid into the chair beside you, his hair damp from a quick shower, hoodie zipped halfway. he carried himself with that same restless energy you’d come to recognize, like he never quite shut off, even when he was still.

"you didn’t tell me you were this good" he said, nodding toward the monitor. your match was replaying, and you felt heat climb your neck immediately.

you tried to brush it off. "it was fine."

"fine?" he scoffed, leaning back with his arms crossed. "that was solid. clean, sharp, and you didn’t let the crowd dip once. you can’t call that just ‘fine."

compliments usually rolled off you, but the way he said it, steady, certain, no hesitation, made your stomach flip. you forced a laugh. "careful, punk. people are gonna think you actually like me."

He tilted his head, smirking. "maybe i do."

the words hung between you, casual on the surface but with an edge you didn’t know how to read. your throat went dry, and you scrambled to keep it light. "guess i’ll take what i can get."

before the silence could settle, a voice piped up from across the room. grayson waller, grinning as he shoved gear into his bag. "better be careful, punk. keep talking like that and aj’s gonna get jealous."

your heart stopped for a second, but punk didn’t miss a beat. he just chuckled, shaking his head. "nah. aj would like her."

the casual confidence in his tone hit you harder than you wanted it to. like it was obvious, like the thought had already crossed his mind, and hers. you stared at him, searching for the punchline, but all you found was that same maddening smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

you forced yourself to look back at the monitor, though your pulse was pounding in your ears. "you’re impossible" you muttered.

"maybe" he said, leaning closer just enough that his shoulder brushed yours, warm and solid. "but i'm right."

the moment lingered, stretching thin like a thread ready to snap, before someone else walked in and shattered it with laughter and noise. you exhaled quietly, realizing you’d been holding your breath.

it was nothing. just teasing. just punk being punk.

at least, that’s what you told yourself as you grabbed your bag and tried not to think about the way his shoulder had stayed pressed against yours for just a second too long.

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you were half-asleep on the couch in catering, a half-empty bottle of water balanced on your stomach, when punk dropped down beside you with the kind of ease that suggested he didn’t care if you’d claimed the whole couch.

"you look dead" he said flatly, though there was a grin tugging at his mouth.

"thanks" you muttered, cracking one eye open. "really boosting my confidence here."

he leaned back, stretching his legs out like he owned the space. "confidence? please. you’ve got more swagger than half this locker room combined. you’re fine."

it was ridiculous, how easily he made your chest tighten with just a couple of words. you closed your eyes again, willing the feeling away.

he was quiet for a beat, then said casually, "so, aj’s flying in next week."

your eyes snapped open. "she is?"

"yeah. she wants to catch up with some friends, check out the vibe here again." he paused, glancing at you, almost amused at how quickly you’d sat up. "also, she wants to meet you."

"me?" the word slipped out too sharp, too quick, and you hated how it sounded.

punk’s smirk widened, like he was enjoying your discomfort. "yeah. you think i don’t talk about you at home? she already feels like she knows you."

your throat went dry. "why would you talk about me?"

he shrugged, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "because you matter. you make this whole circus easier to deal with. aj's been hearing your name for months, she’s curious."

you blinked at him, thrown completely off balance. your brain scrambled for some witty retort, something to deflect, but nothing came. instead, you just felt the guilt rise like a tide, heavy and suffocating.

crushing on him was bad enough. now his wife knew your name, had probably heard him laugh about your dumb jokes, talk about late-night coffees, maybe even praise you the way he had in the locker room.

and the worst part? some traitorous part of you was excited.

you shoved that thought down so fast it made your stomach twist. "well" you managed finally, keeping your tone light, "guess i better make a good impression, then."

punk chuckled, shaking his head. "trust me, you will. she’s gonna like you."

you laughed weakly, but inside, the guilt gnawed at you. crushing on one half of their marriage was bad enough.

but if aj really was everything he said she was? You already knew you were in trouble.

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the backstage hallway buzzed louder than usual, a current of curiosity running through the crew. you didn’t have to ask why. word had spread fast, aj lee was in the building.

you told yourself it didn’t matter, that you’d just meet her politely, smile, maybe make small talk, and move on. but your palms were damp, your chest tight, and you caught yourself checking your reflection in a passing mirror like you had something to prove.

"relax" punk’s voice came from behind you, amused. you turned to find him strolling up with that smug little grin. "she doesn’t bite."

"easy for you to say" you muttered. "you’re married to her."

that only made him grin wider, but before you could bury yourself in embarrassment, he was calling out, "hey, babe."

and there she was.

aj walked toward you with the kind of confidence that wasn’t loud but commanded every eye in the hallway anyway. dark hair glossy under the harsh lights, smile bright and sharp at the same time. she moved like she knew exactly who she was, no hesitation, no apologies.

your breath caught before you could stop it.

"finally" aj said, her gaze flicking from punk to you as she slipped easily under his arm. she looked you over in one quick sweep, not judgmental, just curious. interested. "so this is the girl you don’t shut up about."

your eyes widened. "he talks about me?"

"all the time" aj said without missing a beat, and it knocked the air out of you. she extended her hand with a smile that made your pulse jump. "i'm aj"

you shook her hand, trying to ignore how warm her skin felt against yours. "i know. i mean, obviously."

punk chuckled beside you, clearly entertained, but you barely noticed him anymore. aj’s eyes were dark and playful, like she could already see right through you.

"so" she said, tilting her head slightly, "you’re the one keeping him out of trouble?"

"trying" you managed, voice thinner than you wanted.

she laughed, light, quick, easy and it sent a spark straight through you. And in that moment, you knew. the same tug in your chest you’d been trying to smother with punk was back, only sharper, more dangerous. because now it was doubled.

and as you stood there between them, punk smirking like he knew something you didn’t, aj smiling at you like she’d already claimed her space, you realized the truth you’d been dreading.

you weren’t just in trouble.

you were completely doomed.

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the restaurant was noisy, a post-show hum of fans and chatter bleeding in from the street outside. you sat wedged in a booth across from punk, half-listening to him argue with the server about whether or not fries counted as a vegetable, when aj slid in beside you like she’d always belonged there.

"sorry i’m late" she said, brushing her hair back from her face. she smelled faintly of vanilla and something sharper, like citrus. "traffic was brutal."

"you’re just in time" punk said, sliding the menu toward her. "i was about to win this argument by default."

aj arched a brow. "over fries?"

"yes" you chimed in before you could stop yourself. "apparently he thinks they’re part of a balanced diet."

aj turned her head to look at you, and her smile broke wide and bright, like the two of you had been friends forever. "thank you. Someone with common sense."

punk groaned, dropping his head back against the booth dramatically. "this is betrayal. team me up with her against everyone else and now suddenly it’s two against one?"

you laughed, surprised by how easy it was, the way aj’s presence didn’t disrupt the rhythm you and punk had found, but sharpened it. completed it. she leaned closer to you, conspiratorial, and whispered just loud enough for punk to hear, "you’re right. he is impossible."

punk slapped a hand over his chest. "et tu, brute?"

aj rolled her eyes, bumping your shoulder playfully as if you’d already chosen sides. the warmth of her touch lingered longer than it should have, and you told yourself not to read into it. but your chest buzzed anyway.

dinner unfolded in layers of laughter and stories, aj tossing in barbs that Punk volleyed back, you caught between them, the rhythm of the three of you flowing so naturally it scared you. when aj asked about your worst travel horror story, she leaned forward, chin in her hand, eyes locked on you like your words mattered more than the whole room around you.

by the time the plates were cleared, you’d forgotten the nerves you’d had earlier. instead, you felt something else. something dangerous.

on the walk back to the hotel, punk fell a few steps behind to answer a call, leaving you and aj shoulder to shoulder. the night air was cool, her arm brushing yours occasionally, and every time it did, your pulse spiked.

"you know" she said softly, glancing at you with a sly smile, "i can see why he talks about you so much."

your stomach flipped. "he does that a lot?"

"all the time." her smile didn’t falter. "i get it now."

you wanted to ask what she meant, but punk rejoined you before you could. aj just gave you one last look, eyes sharp and knowing, before slipping easily back into the trio’s banter.

and that was the moment you realized, it wasn’t just him anymore.

you liked her, too.

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the gym was quieter than usual, the hum of the fluorescent lights filling the silence between the clank of weights and the steady rhythm of your breath. you hadn’t expected anyone else to be around this late, which was why your chest skipped a beat when you spotted aj at the far end, lacing her sneakers like she’d been waiting.

she glanced up, catching your surprised expression, and grinned. "don’t worry. i’m not here to steal your spot. just thought i’d keep you company."

you fumbled for something casual, trying to hide how fast your pulse jumped. "guess punk sent you to check if i'm slacking off?"

"please" aj said, tying the knot tight and standing to stretch. "i don’t take orders from him. if anything, he takes them from me."

you laughed, and it came easier than you expected. she moved with that same sharp grace you’d noticed before, effortless, magnetic. When she joined you at the treadmill, her presence filled the space so naturally it felt like she’d always been there.

for a while, the two of you worked in companionable silence, the sound of sneakers against the belt filling the air. then aj slowed hers, resting her arms on the rails as she looked over at you.

"so" she said, her tone light but her eyes intent, "i feel like i know all about you from punk. but i want to hear it from you. who are you outside of this?"

you blinked, caught off guard. "outside of wrestling?"

she nodded. "yeah. what makes you tick when you’re not putting on boots or traveling from city to city?"

you hesitated, then told her about the little things, hobbies, guilty pleasures, the music you blasted on long drives when you couldn’t stand the silence anymore. aj listened closely, smiling at the details, laughing at the small quirks you admitted out loud for the first time in ages.

when you finished, she tilted her head, eyes soft but steady. "i like that. i like you."

your throat went dry. "you don’t even know me that well yet."

"I know enough" she said simply, and there was no teasing in her voice, no smirk. just honesty.

you had to look away, focus on the blinking numbers on the treadmill screen, because if you held her gaze for too long, you weren’t sure what you’d do. the heat in your chest was unbearable, and guilt coiled tight in your stomach.

she must have noticed your sudden silence, because she bumped her shoulder gently against your arm. "relax. i’m not trying to freak you out. just telling the truth."

but her smile lingered, warm and knowing, and it stayed with you long after she’d left the gym.

later, lying awake in your hotel room, you realized the truth you’d been trying to deny: the crush you had on aj was every bit as strong as the one you had on punk.

and that terrified you.

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the locker room buzzed with post-show chatter, gear bags unzipped and the smell of sweat and tape thick in the air. you were sitting on a bench, lacing up your sneakers, when punk dropped down beside you and aj perched gracefully on your other side. it had become so normal, the three of you moving together like gravity itself kept you orbiting, that you barely registered how close they were until you heard the first laugh.

"would you look at that" one of the guys across the room said, smirking as he slung his towel over his shoulder. "the three musketeers strike again."

you glanced up, startled. "what?"

another wrestler snorted, jerking his chin toward your little cluster. "you three are always together. where one goes, the other two follow. it’s like a package deal."

your face heated instantly, but punk just leaned back, smirk tugging at his mouth. "that’s because we’ve got better taste than you" he shot back.

aj crossed her legs neatly, her smile sweet and sharp all at once. "don’t be jealous" she said, her eyes flicking to you for just a heartbeat before returning to the group.

the locker room erupted in laughter, but you forced a laugh that came out too thin, too high. "it’s not like that" you protested quickly. "we’re just friends."

"uh-huh" someone else drawled, exchanging a look with their neighbor. "sure. friends who practically breathe the same air."

punk chuckled low in his throat, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "well, can you blame us?” he said easily, throwing an arm over the back of the bench so it hovered just behind your shoulders. "she’s good company."

your heart stumbled at the warmth in his tone, and you found yourself staring at the floor, wishing you could disappear. aj reached over to adjust the wrist tape you hadn’t even realized was crooked, her fingers brushing lightly against your skin. the touch sent sparks racing under your skin, and you prayed no one noticed how rigid you’d gone.

"see?" liv said from the corner, shaking her head. "super obvious. i give it a month before someone admits it."

your stomach dropped. "admits what?"

no one answered, just a wave of laughter that left you flustered and trying desperately to pretend you didn’t understand.

you told yourself they were all imagining things, projecting, making jokes because wrestlers thrived on gossip. but the way punk’s arm stayed resting behind you, the way aj’s fingers lingered a second too long before she let go, made it impossible to ignore the truth everyone else already saw.

the problem was, you refused to let yourself believe it.

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the next morning, you slipped into catering early, hoping the room would still be half-empty. your plan worked, just a few wrestlers scattered around, hunched over bowls of oatmeal or scrolling through their phones. no punk. no aj.gGood.

you grabbed a plate of fruit and sat near the corner, forcing yourself to look busy on your phone while your stomach turned. every laugh from last night echoed in your head. they all thought it was obvious. they all saw something you swore wasn’t there.

but it was.

that was the problem.

you couldn’t deny it anymore. you had feelings for punk, and you had feelings for aj, and they were married. the realization pressed against your ribs like a secret you weren’t meant to hold. it was wrong, unfair, selfish, and if you didn’t put distance between you now, you were going to hurt all three of you.

so when punk and aj finally entered the room, laughing at something only they seemed to find funny, you pasted on a polite smile and waved from your corner. their eyes lit up like always when they spotted you, but instead of joining them, you shoved the last piece of pineapple into your mouth, mumbled something about needing to call your family, and slipped out before they could ask questions.

the confusion on punk’s face was enough to follow you down the hall.

over the next few days, you made it a pattern. where you once walked to the arena with them, you started falling behind, pretending to take calls or answer emails. in locker rooms, you’d busy yourself with lacing your boots when aj tried to strike up a conversation. on the road, you begged off rides, saying you needed to clear your head, then sat alone in silence while their laughter filtered through text notifications you didn’t dare open.

it hurt. god, it hurt more than you expected, carving out that space where once there had been warmth. but the guilt made you stubborn.

better lonely now than heartbroken later, you told yourself. better to cut it off before you let yourself believe they wanted you back.

still, one night, when you saw them walking ahead of you in the hotel lobby, punk carrying both of their bags without complaint, aj tucked under his arm, both of them smiling like they belonged in a world you could never touch, your chest ached so sharply you had to stop in your tracks.

and for the first time since this whole thing began, you wondered if pulling back was going to hurt them just as much as it hurt you.

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you thought you could keep dodging them. that if you stayed busy enough, quiet enough, polite enough, they’d let you fade back into the edges of their lives. but punk and aj were stubborn, and tonight, they proved it.

you’d just stepped out of the arena, gym bag slung over your shoulder, when you heard your name cut through the parking lot. sharp, firm.

"hey."

you turned to see Punk standing by the rental car, arms crossed, aj leaning casually against the passenger door. both of them were watching you with the kind of intensity that made your stomach flip.

"oh" you said quickly, forcing a smile. "i was just gonna grab a ride liv tonight"

"don’t" punk interrupted, voice low but firm. "get in."

something in his tone left no room for argument, but your feet still rooted to the pavement. aj tilted her head, her dark eyes narrowing in a way that made you feel like she was looking right through you.

"you’ve been avoiding us" she said plainly. "why?"

your throat tightened. "i haven’t"

"yes, you have" punk cut in, stepping closer, his gaze steady but softer now. "don’t play dumb with us. one day you’re glued to our sides, the next you can’t even sit at the same table. what changed?"

heat rushed to your face, guilt flooding your chest. "nothing. i just don’t want to be a distraction."

"a distraction?" aj repeated, incredulous. she pushed off the car and came to stand in front of you, closer than you were ready for. her voice softened, but her words struck deep. "you think spending time with you is a burden?"

you shook your head quickly. "no, that’s not what i meant. i just"

"then what did you mean?" punk pressed, his tone edged with frustration, but his eyes betrayed something else. hurt.

you looked between them, panic rising in your chest. you couldn’t tell them the truth, that every stolen glance, every brush of a hand, every late-night laugh was pulling you under, making you want things you had no right to want. that the guilt was eating you alive because you weren’t supposed to fall for both of them.

so you forced the words out like a shield. "you two have your own lives. you don’t need me hanging around all the time."

silence fell, heavy and sharp. punk’s jaw tightened, like he was holding something back. aj’s expression softened, though, her eyes shining with something dangerously close to understanding.

"you don’t get it, do you?" she said quietly. "we want you around."

your chest squeezed painfully, because it sounded too much like hope. you shook your head, eyes darting away. "don’t say that. please don’t. i can’t"

but before you could finish, punk stepped in closer, his presence warm and overwhelming. "you can’t what?"

you swallowed hard, heart pounding in your ears, but no words came. all you could do was stand there, caught between them, their eyes pinning you in place, their voices tugging at the truth you’d been desperate to bury.

and in that moment, you realized you couldn’t run from this forever.

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the hotel room door clicked shut behind you, the sound too loud in the small space. punk had insisted you come up, not asked, insisted and aj had followed silently, her expression unreadable. now you stood in the middle of their suite, your bag at your feet, pulse hammering in your ears.

you wanted to bolt.

"alright" punk said, dropping his jacket onto the chair. his tone was steady, but the steel underneath was impossible to miss. "no more dodging. tell us what’s going on."

"i told you" you said quickly, staring down at the carpet. "it’s nothing. i just needed some space"

"bullshit." punk’s voice was sharp enough to cut. he took a step closer, and you felt aj’s gaze burn into you from the other side. "you don’t just wake up one morning and decide you don’t need us anymore. not when it was like, this." he gestured between the three of you, frustration flashing across his face.

aj moved in then, softer, gentler, but no less relentless. she stopped in front of you, tilting her head so she could catch your eyes. "you’re hurting yourself" she said quietly. "and you’re hurting us. why?"

you broke.

the words tore out before you could stop them, jagged and desperate. "because i like you, alright? both of you. and it’s wrong. you’re married, and i shouldn’t"

your voice cracked, and you clapped a hand over your mouth, horrified at yourself. the room went silent except for your ragged breathing.

for a moment, neither of them moved. punk’s expression softened, the fight draining from his shoulders, while aj’s lips parted just slightly, her dark eyes wide and searching.

you shook your head, backing up a step, shame flooding your chest. "i shouldn’t feel like this. i can’t be that person. so it’s better if i just stay away."

but aj's hand shot out, catching your wrist before you could retreat further. her grip was warm, steady. "you think this is one-sided?" she asked softly, her voice trembling at the edges.

your breath caught. "what?"

behind her, punk exhaled slowly, almost like he’d been holding the truth in for too long. "you’re not the only one feeling something here."

the floor tilted beneath you, the words hanging in the air like a live wire. everything in you wanted to believe them, but the fear, the guilt, the ache of it all left you frozen.

aj squeezed your wrist, her eyes locked on yours. "we’re not letting you run away from us. not anymore."

and with that, the dam inside you cracked wide open, not yet acceptance, not yet surrender, but the first slip of truth you could no longer deny.

the silence pressed in on you, suffocating, after those impossible words left your mouth.

you stood frozen in the middle of the hotel suite, hands trembling, your bag still dropped by the door like you could grab it at any second and run. the air was thick with everything you’d admitted, everything you hadn’t meant to say.

"i like you" you whispered again, softer this time, like repeating it would somehow undo the damage. "both of you. but it’s wrong. you’re married, and i shouldn’t"

"stop." punk’s voice was firm, cutting through your spiral. he had moved closer, his eyes locked on yours, steady and unflinching. "you don’t get to stand there and tell us what we feel is wrong."

you blinked at him, chest tight. "but"

aj’s hand touched your arm gently, grounding you. when you turned, she was watching you with that quiet, piercing intensity that had unraveled you since the night you met her. "look at me" she said softly.

you did, because you couldn’t not.

her lips curved into the smallest, most disarming smile. "do you really think we didn’t notice? that all those nights, all those moments, didn’t mean anything to us too?"

your breath caught, but you shook your head quickly, panic flaring again. "you’re just being kind. you’re..."

"kind?" punk scoffed, cutting you off. he shook his head, pacing a step away and then back again like the words themselves were too much to hold. "you think i talk about you nonstop at home because i’m kind? you think aj's been glued to your side since the second she met you because she’s just being polite?"

you stared at him, wide-eyed, your throat closing up. "i don’t want to ruin what you have."

aj’s hand slid down your arm, fingers brushing against yours, delicate but purposeful. "you’re not ruining anything" she whispered. "you’re adding to it."

the words hit you like a shockwave. for a second, you couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t believe. the hope swelling inside you felt dangerous, like touching fire, beautiful and devastating all at once.

your instincts screamed to retreat, to deny, to run before you let yourself believe something so impossible. but then punk’s voice cut in, low and steady:

"you’re not going anywhere. not anymore."

and when you looked between the two of them, punk’s fierce eyes and aj’s steady warmth, something inside you cracked wider than it ever had before.

you weren’t sure what was going to happen next, but for the first time, you didn’t feel completely alone in it.

your knees felt weak, so when aj tugged gently at your hand, you let her guide you to the edge of the couch. she sat beside you, close enough that her thigh brushed yours, her presence soft but overwhelming. punk stayed standing, pacing like a caged animal, his eyes never leaving you.

"i don’t understand" you whispered, voice hoarse. "how can you both, how can this even"

"you don’t have to understand it yet" aj said softly, cutting you off with a touch to your hand. her thumb brushed over your knuckles, warm and steady. "you just have to trust it’s real."

you stared at her, your chest aching. her dark eyes held no hesitation, no doubt, only an honesty that terrified you more than any rejection ever could.

from the corner of your vision, punk crouched down in front of you, his tattooed forearms resting on his knees. he leaned in, close enough that you could see the faint crease between his brows, the sharp edge of sincerity in his gaze.

"you’ve been torturing yourself, haven’t you?" he asked quietly.

the question landed heavy in your chest. you opened your mouth, closed it, then nodded once.

"i knew it" he muttered, shaking his head. "you think you’re wrong for wanting us. but you’re not." his hand came up, calloused fingers brushing against your knee, grounding you in place. "we want you, too. both of us. you need to hear that."

your heart hammered painfully, torn between belief and fear. "if i let myself, if I fall into this, it’s not just me that could get hurt."

aj leaned closer, her shoulder pressing against yours, her voice steady and gentle. "that’s not your decision to make for us. we know what we want."

the room spun with the weight of it, with the way their words wrapped around you like a net, leaving no escape. your throat worked as you tried to swallow down the panic and the wild, dangerous hope rising inside you.

and then aj’s hand slipped to your cheek, her thumb grazing your skin, tilting your face toward hers. the touch was featherlight, reverent, and for a heartbeat you couldn’t breathe.

"i want to" she whispered, her breath brushing your lips. "but only if you want it too."

you froze, trembling, every nerve in your body screaming with want and fear.

and then, before you could talk yourself out of it, you nodded.

the kiss was soft at first, careful, like she was afraid you’d vanish. but the warmth of her lips against yours, the sweetness of it, sent a shudder through you. your hand found hers instinctively, gripping like a lifeline.

when she pulled back, your chest was heaving, your eyes wide. punk hadn’t moved, still crouched in front of you, his expression unreadable but his eyes burning.

"see?" he murmured, his hand squeezing your knee once before sliding higher, a warning and a promise all at once. "you belong right here."

the truth of it rang through you, undeniable, terrifying, intoxicating.

for the first time, you let yourself believe it.

your lips still tingled from aj's kiss, your heartbeat rattling so hard it felt like it might crack your ribs. she didn’t move away after pulling back, not really, her forehead rested against yours, her thumb still stroking your cheek like she was afraid to let go.

"you okay?" she whispered.

you nodded too fast, words trapped in your throat. okay wasn’t the right word. you were on fire, nerves alight, fear and want tangled together so tight you couldn’t tell them apart anymore.

when you finally lifted your gaze, punk was still in front of you, crouched low, his dark eyes fixed on your face. his smirk was gone, replaced by something heavier, something that made your stomach twist.

"your turn" he said quietly.

before you could even process, his hand slid up from your knee, slow and deliberate, until it rested against your hip. he leaned in, close enough that the faint scent of soap and sweat clung to him.

"tell me to stop" he murmured.

you didn’t. you couldn’t.

instead, you tilted forward, closing the space between you. the kiss was rougher than aj’s, firmer, hungrier, years of sharp edges distilled into the press of his mouth against yours. it stole your breath, stole your balance, until aj’s arm slipped around your waist to steady you.

the world tilted as punk deepened the kiss, his hand tightening on your hip, pulling you closer. when you broke apart, gasping, aj’s lips brushed your jaw, soft and sweet, grounding you between the two of them.

it was too much, and not enough.

"i shouldn’t" you whispered again, the words shaky and weak even to your own ears.

"you already did" punk countered, his forehead pressing against yours, his voice low and dangerous. "and you’re not gonna regret it."

aj’s lips trailed lower, pressing a gentle kiss just beneath your ear, her voice a soft promise. "we’ll take care of you."

the heat coiled low in your stomach, your hands clutching at both of them like you’d fall apart if you let go. the guilt was still there, gnawing faintly, but it was drowned out by something louder, the certainty that you’d wanted this for so long, and now it was finally real.

when punk stood, he tugged you up with him, steadying you as aj laced her fingers through yours. neither of them gave you the chance to hesitate this time. they led you toward the bedroom, each step pulling you deeper into something you couldn’t run from anymore.

and for once, you didn’t want to.

the bedroom door shut with a soft click, but the sound roared in your ears. aj’s fingers were still laced with yours, her grip warm, steady, a lifeline pulling you forward while your heart thundered in your chest. punk lingered close behind, his presence heavy and grounding, like he could sense the tremor in your steps.

the room was dim, the city lights spilling in through a crack in the curtains. everything smelled faintly of him, soap, leather, something darker, and now of her too, sweet and sharp. It wrapped around you, dizzying, intoxicating.

before you could think, aj was in front of you, her hands sliding up your arms, curling into the fabric at your shoulders. she kissed you again, slower this time, deliberate, like she wanted you to feel every brush of her lips, every shift of her breath. your hands trembled against her waist, but she only pressed closer, coaxing you deeper into the kiss until the world narrowed to the taste of her.

then punk’s hands came down on your hips from behind, large and steady, pulling you back against the hard line of his body. his mouth found the curve of your neck, a scrape of stubble against sensitive skin, and your knees nearly buckled.

"you’re shaking" aj whispered against your lips, her smile brushing your mouth.

you nodded helplessly, breath shallow.

"good" punk growled into your skin, his voice low and rough. his teeth grazed your throat lightly, a warning and a promise.

aj laughed softly, her hands skimming down your sides until they covered punk’s where they still gripped your hips. she turned her face just enough to look at him over your shoulder, her smile sharp. "she’s beautiful like this, isn’t she?"

"more than she even knows" punk murmured, his lips dragging over your pulse.

heat pooled in your stomach, sharp and overwhelming, as aj kissed you again, slower, deeper, while punk pressed you firmly between them. their bodies caged you in, every brush of lips and hands a reminder that you weren’t dreaming this, that they wanted you right here, right now.

your hands tangled in aj’s hair without thinking, tugging just enough to make her hum against your mouth. behind you, punk’s grip tightened, dragging you back against him, grounding you in sensation.

every touch was deliberate. aj’s fingers slipped beneath the hem of your shirt, stroking your skin in lazy circles, sending shivers rippling through you. punk’s hands held you steady, guiding your body as if he already knew what you needed.

you broke the kiss with a gasp, head falling back against punk’s shoulder. his lips found your jawline instantly, rough and insistent, while aj’s mouth trailed lower, pressing heated kisses down your throat.

you didn’t even realize you were whimpering until aj pulled back slightly, her eyes glinting with something wicked. "so sensitive" she teased softly. "we’re going to ruin you."

your body ached at her words, your pulse wild as punk’s low chuckle vibrated against your ear.

"already halfway there" he muttered.

and as their mouths and hands moved in tandem, one coaxing, one claiming, you surrendered, every last wall inside you crumbling. the guilt, the fear, the hesitation, all of it burned away in the heat of their touch.

all that was left was want.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

you woke slowly, cocooned in warmth, your body heavy with exhaustion but humming with something softer, lighter. for a moment, you didn’t move, afraid to break the fragile peace that wrapped around you.

then you felt it: aj’s arm draped across your waist, her breath steady against the back of your neck. behind you, punk’s chest rose and fell against your spine, his arm anchoring the both of you together. you were caught between them, tangled in sheets and limbs, and for the first time in what felt like forever, you didn’t feel out of place. you felt home.

you shifted slightly, and aj stirred, her fingers flexing against your stomach. her voice was still thick with sleep when she whispered, "you’re awake?"

"yeah" you breathed, keeping your voice low, almost reverent.

she hummed softly, pressing a lazy kiss to your shoulder before settling back down. "good. stay."

you didn’t have the heart to tell her you’d already been planning to.

punk’s voice rumbled behind you, gravelly with sleep. "she always overthinks. don’t let her get up and talk herself out of this."

your cheeks heated. "i wasn’t"

"yeah, you were." his arm tightened around you, pulling you closer into his chest. "you don’t get to run. not anymore."

aj laughed softly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on your skin. "we’re serious, you know. last night wasn’t some one-time mistake. we chose you. both of us."

your throat tightened. "but what if"

"what if nothing" punk cut in, his voice firm but warm. "you’re here. with us. that’s all that matters."

you blinked hard, fighting the sting in your eyes. the words felt impossible, too good, too dangerous to hold onto. and yet, lying there between them, wrapped in their warmth, you finally believed it.

aj shifted closer, her lips brushing the corner of your jaw in a kiss so soft it broke you open all over again. "you don’t have to feel guilty" she whispered. "you just have to let us love you."

your chest ached, but for once, it wasn’t from holding everything back. you let out a shaky laugh, burying your face into the pillow as both of them pulled you closer, anchoring you in place.

for the first time in months, you didn’t feel torn in two. you felt whole.

and as punk pressed a kiss to the crown of your head and aj tangled her fingers with yours beneath the sheets, you knew the truth: this wasn’t the end of something forbidden.