Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, and they are just the characters represented on tv and not the real people behind them.
The airport was a crowded, hot mess of people scurrying to catch flights and kids screaming at the top of their lungs. Ethan had never been so glad to reach the air-conditioned coolness of the lounge in his life, his sweet Aunt D had made arrangements to allow all talent and staff to make use of the exclusive space. Sending Tyrus off to collect drinks he went to claim the corner of the room with the best view and seating, scowling to find half of the area already occupied.
"Well, look who's decided to grace us with his presence," Robbie nudged Zema, grinning as Ethan looked back unimpressed. "What's the matter Ethan, private plane not available?"
"As always your wit slays me," dryly Ethan shrugged off the question, dropping his luggage and suit jacket by the window. Taking a seat in the leather chair across from the couch, he bit back a groan at who was taking up the space. The man's arm may have been covering his face, and he was dressed simply in dark jeans and t-shirt but he knew that blond hair and slim frame all too well.
Robbie had followed Ethan's gaze to the couch, exchanging a quick look with Zema at the irritated expression on Ethan's face. As annoying as Rockstar Spud could be sometimes he found himself feeling a little protective of the small brit, "James is sick and hasn't been getting a lot of sleep lately Ethan, so just leave him alone."
Zema coughed, poking Robbie in the ribs, "bro, you know he hates it when you call him James." He struggled not to laugh as Ethan crossed his arms and visibly sulked.
Robbie shoved him back, "well he's stupid bro." The playful jostling quickly devolved into a tickle fight until Zema was giggling helplessly under Robbie's determined attack, both men only stopping when a pillow was flung at their heads.
"Would you two bloody shut up," blinking groggily at the two troublemakers Spud yawned and stretched out his cramped limbs, falling asleep hunched over had done him zero favours. Rubbing his burning eyes he finally stood, stumbling as a wave of dizziness swept over him he would have fallen if not for the strong warm hand grasping his arm firmly and steadying him. "Thanks," looking up he expected to see either Robbie or Zema, certainly not Ethan Carter the Third. "Sir?" he blamed the fever for his verbal slip and not the leap of excitement in the pit of his stomach.
Ethan smiled slowly as Spud blushed and yanked his arm free, there had been no disguising the affection in the smaller man's voice. It was darkly satisfying to know that even after everything he had done to this man that Spud still cared. "You're welcome Spud," fascinated he watched as Spud lifted his chin, blue eyes glaring up at him defiantly, he'd never admit to it but he found the other man's new tough attitude pretty adorable.
Taking in a deep fortifying breath Spud pointedly turned his back on Ethan, addressing Robbie and Zema who were staring at them with annoying interest, "I'm going to get a beverage, would you mind watching my stuff?"
"Sure James," nodding in agreement Robbie grinned as Spud rudely flipped him off, "just bring me back a pepsi."
Hot and sweaty Spud ducked into the bathroom, splashing his face with cold water he groaned at the sweet relief. His body ached in a dull wave of pain and his head felt like it could fall off, Christ he hated being sick. Having to fly out at the same time was just the cherry on top. It was a small blessing that the beverage area had a fantastic selection of teas, including his go to when under the weather, peppermint. While waiting for it to steep he grabbed a bottle of water and took his second dose of flu medication, it would knock him out for a few hours but the relief was be well worth the groggy after-affect.
Picking up his mug, remembering at the last moment to grab a can of soda for Robbie he ventured back to his corner, sighing faintly at the sight of Ethan stretched out on his couch and Tyrus now taking up the matching chair. Robbie and Zema were cuddled together in the loveseat and it made him happy to see the ease in their new relationship.
"Here Robbie," tossing the can over once the other man looked up Spud waited for the resulting explosion.
"Bro!" Sitting up indignantly Robbie waved the can and just barely missed hitting Zema in the face. "This is coke not pepsi."
"Oh I'm sorry Robbie," widening his eyes Spud pasted on his best innocent smile. "Isn't it annoying when people mistake one thing for another like that?" He outright grinned when Zema laughed, flushing in pleasure on hearing a faint huff of amusement from Ethan.
"Point taken Spud," rolling his eyes Robbie hauled himself to his feet, "and now I need to go correct this travesty." Planting a quick kiss on his boyfriend's lips he eyed Spud's pale face as he passed, "you should sit down before you fall down."
Sighing Spud approached the couch and ignoring Ethan's glare he kicked off his shoes and settled back into his corner, forced to curl his legs under him to fit into the leftover space. Sipping on his rapidly cooling tea he relaxed as the peppermint and medication started to take effect, it wasn't long before he no longer even cared that he was sitting next to his traitorous ex-best friend. Setting the now empty cup on the ground he leaned his head back into the cushions, closing his eyes and drifting along the tide of exhaustion.
Doing his best to concentrate on his phone Ethan scrolled through his various social media, annoyed to find his attention slipping more and more to Spud than his screen. It was easy to tell the smaller man was feeling sick, there was a faint flush on his face and his sleep was restless, shifting fitfully every few minutes. Robbie's warning cough made him roll his eyes, he might be an ass most of the time but he wasn't about to pick on someone who was ill, even if that person was Spud and tormenting the smaller man was a highlight in his life.
Silence settled amongst the small group as time ticked past, Tyrus was dozing in his chair, Robbie and Zema were sharing a set of headphones and watching a movie on a laptop. Bored Ethan idled time away by tweeting out various sarcastic responses to all the unflattering comments on his timeline, almost flinching when something touched his shoulder. Looking up his eyebrow's rose, Spud had twisted in his sleep until his head had come to rest against him, subduing the first urge to shove the smaller man away he darted a quick look over at Robbie, thankful to find both men still engrossed in whatever they were watching.
Spud moaned faintly then, muttering something he couldn't quite hear. Dipping his head he was just able to pick out the words. "No Ethan, please … don't …" The sharp distress in Spud's voice sent a jolt of dismayed shame burning through him and Ethan fell back on his hard-fought instinct to take care of the smaller man. Wrapping his arm around Spud's waist he smoothed a hand down his back in calming reassurance, gently tugging the smaller man in closer.
Vaguely becoming aware of a firm touch across his back and the familiar scent of sandalwood Spud lifted his head with great effort and blearily focused on Ethan's handsome features, "sir?" Barely awake he registered only cool relief and an odd sense of worry that Ethan was holding him.
"Go back to sleep Spud, everything is fine," murmuring soothingly Ethan tightened his grip, guilt pressing heavily on his heart. The dazed look in Spud's feverish blue eyes proved how out of it the smaller man was and his guilt increased at the realization it had been months since Spud had looked at him without fear or pain in his eyes.
"K," curling further into the solid warmth of his best friend Spud was dimly conscious of a distant feeling of unease threading itself through his mind, sleep pulling him under before he could figure out what was wrong with this situation.
Releasing a heavy breath Ethan gently maneuvered Spud into a more comfortable position. Keeping a stabilizing arm around his waist, thumb rubbing idle circles on a patch of warm, bare skin from where Spud's shirt had ridden up he tried to return to his phone. His attention could no longer be held by the device however, absorbed instead by the feeling of Spud's soft hair tickling his neck, breath gusting across his collarbone and on the hand that was resting teasingly high on his thigh. Giving it up as a lost cause he leaned back and closed his eyes, allowing himself to fully enjoy the feeling of Spud pressed so close, for now at least he could pretend they were still … friends.
Looking away from his laptop Robbie's eyes widened, "Zema," he hissed, nudging his boyfriend and silently gesturing over to the couch. "Would you look at that."
Looking up Zema bit his lip to stop the exclamations that wanted to spill out, "how adorable." Pulling out his phone he snapped a few pictures of the sleeping figures. "They look perfect together."
Robbie took a second look, noting how carefully Ethan held the smaller man tucked against him and how utterly relaxed Spud was despite how sick he was, no sign of his former fitful rest. "Yeah," smiling he held onto Zema's hand, kissing each knuckle, "almost as perfect as us." His boyfriend laughed warmly and leaned into him.
"Well now no one's that perfect." Selecting another movie to watch Zema found his eyes drifting back to the other couple, "we should help them get back together Robbie. Spud has been so sad since Ethan, asshole that he is, fired him."
"You're such a romantic," Robbie murmured, leaning in to kiss the other man softly. "I don't think Ethan, or James for that matter would welcome our help …" smirking he shared a fist bump with Zema. "Let's do it." Snickering they shared a devious look, neither man would know what hit them once they were done.