They both share a braincell, but currently, the braincell is being used elsewhere. They look like they were trying to get a nice, professional, lovers picture done, but they kept getting distracted until they finally got one
♡ Summary: Shawn’s self-esteem takes a hit after reading hate comments
♡ a/n: we love old men in love, don't we? AO3.
Hunter’s shoulders relaxed as soon as he stepped inside of his quaint suburban home. It had been a stressful week full of press conferences, board meetings, and creative discussion with Raw and Smackdown talent. With his busy schedule, he was rarely afforded the opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet of the home he and Shawn built. Shawn was just as busy with NXT, so their competing schedules made it quite difficult to see each other with whatever free time they had.
It was an arrangement that would destroy most marriages, but Shawn and Hunter had built a solid foundation decades before committing to one other. They’d been glued to each other since the 90’s, their friendship blossoming into a beautiful partnership that stood the test of time. They’d matured, no longer arguing about the distance or getting pissed when the other was too busy to answer the phone. Their trust was immeasurable, knowing there would always come a time when they’d reunite. Like tonight.
Hunter kicked off his dress shoes, placing them neatly next to the cluttered pile of Shawn’s cowboy boots, sneakers, and house slippers. He looped a finger at the neck of his tie, loosening the constricting fabric until he exhaled in relief. A smile tugged at his lips as he entered the kitchen to find the counter filled with groceries that Shawn clearly forgot to put away. Over 20 years of marriage and Shawn's short attention span still amazed him.
“Shawn?” His voice rang throughout the house announcing his presence. He expected to hear his husband’s rushed footsteps racing towards his awaiting arms. Yet, there wasn't a peep.
Hunter did a walkthrough of their home, each room leaving traces of his husband. The TV in the living room still played a movie Shawn had yet to finish. In the laundry room, the washing machine neared the end of a wash cycle. An uncapped tube of toothpaste rested on the counter of their bathroom.
It wasn’t until Hunter reached their home office that he found Shawn slouched over in a chair, eyes glued to his phone with a perturbed look on his face. Now, Shawn wasn’t a big tech guy. He barely knew how to work a computer, let alone a smartphone. So, Hunter knew the blond was entertained by some dumb meme or came across a rude comment he couldn't shake.
Hunter hoped for the meme, but judging by his husband’s clouded expression, he knew it was the latter.
Hunter exhaled as he closed the door softly behind him. “Shawn. Put the phone down.”
But Shawn’s eyes never wavered, the blond barely hearing Hunter approach as comments from his recent Instagram post continued to flood in. He wished to look away, but he couldn’t. His finger kept scrolling as if on autopilot, positive comments ignored as he focused on the negative. Every harsh word felt like a sharp knife digging deeper into his insecurities. He only snapped out of his trance when he felt Hunter’s hand clasp over his own before slowly pulling the device from his grasp.
Hunter placed the phone on a bookshelf far out of Shawn’s reach. Then he stood behind Shawn, rubbing his hands along the blond's shoulders in a gentle massage. Shawn let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, sinking back comfortably into Hunter’s embrace.
Hunter leaned down, placing a soft kiss on Shawn temple. He whispered, “You won’t be needing that now that I’m here.”
He lightly pecked Shawn’s ear, then his cheek. Before he could kiss his neck, Shawn asked, “Am I washed up?”
Hunter felt an ache in his chest at how vulnerable Shawn sounded. He did his best every day – whether it was in-person or through texts – to remind Shawn how much he loved him. To remind him that he was an amazing person, that so many people admired and adored him. It’s not that Shawn didn’t believe him. But any progress he had in getting the blond to see how valued he was went away whenever Shawn came across a hateful comment.
“No, baby. Of course not.”
Hunter kissed the nape of Shawn’s neck, hoping to provide a needed distraction, but halted when Shawn said, “You should see what they say about me.”
Hunter let out a patient sigh. He stood straight, rounding the chair to see the dejected look in his husband’s eyes. He grabbed a chair of his own, dragging it over to sit directly in front of Shawn. He took his husband’s hand, brushing a thumb tenderly across the back. “What have I said about reading comments?”
His tone was gentle, delicate, yet Shawn couldn’t help but look away as if he were being scolded. “I know, I know. But...I can’t help it. Especially when I’m looking for fan feedback just to see people saying I’m too old. I’m too skinny. I’ve lost my hair. I have a lazy eye. My voice is shot-”
“Don’t let that get to you.”
“Easy for you to say. People still think you’re hot.”
Hunter would’ve laughed had it not been for the seriousness of their conversation. He shifted closer until their knees touched, his grip on Shawn’s hand tightening. “I don’t care what people think, Shawn. Neither should you.”
Shawn swallowed thickly. “You’re not the one they’re calling a homewrecker.”
Hunter’s thumb stilled. “That’s not true. You know that-”
“Do I?”
“Yes,” Hunter stressed, frustration slipping through his tone. “Why do you believe a bunch of random people on the internet more than your own husband?”
Shawn’s shoulders slumped, his voice softening, “Hunter, no. It’s not that. It’s just-” he sighed, failing to search for the right words. “Sometimes I wish I could be like how I used to be. Back when I was the arrogant asshole that people hated. At least shit like this didn’t get to me.”
If this had been the 90’s, Shawn wouldn't have cared what others thought of him. Back then, he was conceited, pompous, too full of himself. But at least he was confident. He wasn’t afraid to tell people to go fuck off. He didn't care if he came off too strong or if he hurt anyone’s feelings. He was universally hated, but that hate fed his ego – because at least that meant he had everyone’s attention.
But he was a different man now, humbled by the errors of his past.
Maybe this was his karma, Shawn thought. The long, flowy head of hair he was once known for was now a balding crown. His good looks, once envied by many, changed partly due to aging and years' worth of substance abuse. The athletic body he once flaunted had lost much of its muscle mass.
Sometimes he wondered what Hunter saw in him, if Hunter had buyer’s remorse, if he regretted leaving his past relationship for him. The thought was silly to anyone that saw how in love Hunter was with Shawn, but it was hard for Shawn to see it that way when the comments ripped him to shreds.
Hunter tugged Shawn’s arm, pulling the blond into his chair until Shawn settled comfortably on his lap. He placed Shawn’s head on his shoulder, holding him tightly as if to squeeze every negative thought out of his head. He knew how much regret Shawn had about the past, how much pain he felt remembering those he’d hurt on his way to the top.
But it wasn’t fair. Shawn had worked so hard to change himself, to become the kind person that he was today. He'd suffered enough, had beat himself up enough about his mistakes. But the internet would never forget, and Hunter wished he could fight every person that made his husband feel less than what he saw him as.
“You’re beautiful.”
Shawn smiled weakly. “You’re just saying that because you’re my husband...and because I won’t cook dinner if you said otherwise.”
Hunter smirked. “I tell no lies. I love you, Shawn. All of you.”
Hunter hoped that would lift Shawn’s mood, but his expression remained dim. He never liked seeing Shawn upset. It further frustrated him that his positive words of affirmation didn't seem to be working. None of it mattered if Shawn didn’t believe it himself.
“People say shit about me too, you know.”
Shawn sat up, lifting a confused brow. “What could anyone possibly say about you? That you’re too buff? Your beard's too full? You have a perfect hairline-”
“I played Steph.” Shawn’s sarcastic grin dwindled, tension rising as old skeletons resurfaced. “That I got with her only to secure my position in the company and left as soon as I got what I wanted. That I was screwing around with you behind her back.”
It was quite the scandal in the early 2000’s. Gossip sites, dirt sheets, and even mainstream tabloids covered the issue, making the McMahon-Helmsley split seem more salacious that it actually was: “Wife-to-Be, Stephanie McMahon, Left at the Altar for Another Man!”
When it turned out that the ‘other man’ was Shawn Michaels, all hell broke loose. There was a period of time where Shawn didn’t leave his home in fear of paparazzi following him. He and Hunter were both written off TV until the company could figure out how to address the public. Hunter spent most of that time in Texas with Shawn, consoling him and promising that everything would be ok once the truth was out.
The reality was that Stephanie and Hunter had a long, open and honest conversation about everything before amicably calling off the engagement. Their relationship had been on a downward spiral for some time, and Hunter knew Stephanie was too smart to ignore the signs. He admitted that he was in love with Shawn. Had been since 1996, but never pursued anything because Shawn was with Kevin. Then he was with Bret. Then Taker. And by 1999 he was gone from the company.
Years later, Hunter had moved on with Stephanie, both developing feelings for each other when they were put together for a storyline. But when Shawn returned, so did the feelings that Hunter tried so hard to bury. It was like Shawn had never left, their connection running deeper than anything he had with Stephanie.
Hunter never cheated, at least not physically. But emotionally, his heart was torn in opposite directions. He’d tried being ‘just friends’ with Shawn, tried pushing his feelings aside, tried committing to his engagement with Stephanie. But he couldn’t lie to himself anymore. There were many instances where he almost crossed the line with Shawn – empty locker rooms, late nights at bars, sharing hotel rooms. The opportunity had always presented itself, but Hunter had too much respect for both Stephanie and Shawn to put them in that position.
So, he told Stephanie everything. He knew there was a chance that it wouldn’t work out with Shawn, that the blond could reject him, that his friendship with Kevin would likely be soured by him dating his ex. There were so many risks, but Hunter chose to follow his heart and not go through with the wedding.
Things were awkward for a bit after that, even messier since Hunter was involved on the business side of WWE. But all wounds healed over time, though Shawn’s guilty conscience would never let him forget the role he played.
“That’s different,” said Shawn. “They didn’t have all the facts-”
“And neither do these idiots that talk shit about you today.” Shawn quieted, not having a decent rebuttal. “You want to know what else they say about me?”
“No, Hunter. I get it-”
“That I got a wrinkly forehead. I mean, it’s bad enough they come for my nose. But my forehead?! Now that’s going too far.”
Hunter’s exaggerated rant had done exactly as intended – cracked a smile on Shawn’s face, a giggle bubbling in his throat before he burst into laughter.
“How dare they,” Shawn teased. He cupped Hunter’s face in his hands, pulling him forward to kiss the man’s ‘wrinkly’ forehead, then the tip of his nose. His lips ghosted over Hunter’s, repeating his earlier sentiment, “I love you. All of you, you sexy man.”
They wore matching smiles, their stretched age lines reflecting years of happiness. A lot had changed over time, but one thing that remained steady was their unwavering love for each other.
Hunter placed his hand on the back of Shawn’s, gently voicing, “I need you to do something for me, ok?” Shawn nodded. “No more social media for a while. We can get someone to manage your accounts if you want, but you need a break, Shawn.”
Hunter expected some pushback, but was surprised when Shawn gave a quiet, “Ok.” Shawn pressed their lips together, sharing a short, sweet kiss before resting his head back on Hunter’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“Me too, Shawn. Me too.”
They stayed like that for some time, two old men grateful to still be in each other’s lives, mind and bodies matured not just by time, but their decades-long fight for each other. In Hunter’s protective arms, those harsh comments that previously echoed in Shawn’s mind faded into the background.
