By the time their snowman family was complete with mother snowman, two children snowman and a pet snowdog it was starting to get dark. Taking a different path back to the car in order to pass by a hot chocolate stand Spud tried to hide his smile as Ethan ordered his with peppermint.
Catching Spud's look Ethan shrugged, "it is addicting." Sipping he closed his eyes to better enjoy the flavour, opening them to Spud's tender smile, "thank you for today tiger, I had fun."
"I had fun too," turning his head in case his expression gave away how very much he wanted to kiss away the tiny smear of chocolate on Ethan's lip Spud found his attention caught by the bright, cheerful lights of an outdoor skating rink. Looking back at Ethan's relaxed expression he smiled, "tell me Sir, have you ever been skating."
"No, I'm afraid hockey or any kind of skating wasn't on the approved list of sports. Why do you ask?" Frowning as Spud started to tug him in the opposite direction on his car Ethan stopped as he spotted the rink, "oh no, I don't think so."
"Why not?" Frowning Spud tightened his grip on Ethan's arm and stepped closer, lowering his voice he reassured quietly, "I won't let you fall."
"Spud," stomach dipping pleasantly Ethan brushed his fingers along Spud's jaw, "thank you tiger." Reluctantly dropping his hand as those blue eyes softened with affection he knew there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to see that look directed at him. "We, ah, we don't have any skates."
Pulse slowly settling Spud pretended as if he hadn't just come within inches of simply throwing his arms around Ethan and kissing him senseless, "lucky for us they do rent them. Now come on," slipping his hand around Ethan's elbow he led him towards the rink.
One rental later and Spud was holding his hand out, grinning as Ethan practically clutched him he carefully steadied the other man. "Don't worry Sir, as someone recently told me, Carter's look good doing everything." Laughing at Ethan's scowl he moved them away from the wall, "just one foot in front of the other Sir."
"Right, easy for you to say," muttering Ethan concentrated on staying on his feet and not on Spud's bright smile. Slowly getting the hang of how to move he daringly released his grip on Spud, skating by himself he made it half way around the rink before his skate caught in the ice and he tripped. Sprawling out on the cold ice he grunted as an elbow caught him in the stomach, Spud had tried to grab his arm at the last moment only to have his momentum drag them both down.
"Sorry," breathless Spud managed to get to his knees, anxiously examining the other man's face as he gingerly sat up. "Are you okay?" Pulling off his gloves he ran his fingers through Ethan's hair, searching for any sign of a wound he shivered as strong fingers curled around his wrist and tugged his hand free.
"I'm fine," stroking his thumb over Spud's racing pulse Ethan was helpless to resist the wave of longing, leaning forward, gazing falling to Spud's mouth as his lips parted on a sharp inhale he pulled back with a curse as someone skated too close to them. It broke the fragile thread of intimacy surrounding them and he repressed a sigh as Spud scrambled away.