After the awkward ending to their night Spud had been certain Ethan would be tired of his company and it surprised him how disappointed he felt at the idea of not seeing the other man. They'd spent so many hours together over the last week that he didn't know how he was going to handle things going back to normal once the Christmas break was over. The buzz of his phone interrupted his depressing thoughts and he leapt to answer, jaw aching from smiling so wide when Ethan imperiously claimed he was on his way over.
Racing around he had his apartment tidied with enough time left over to jump in the shower before his door bell rang, finger combing his hair in place he opened the door, "hi, Sir." Stepping back he greedily drank in the sight of Ethan's easy smile, no sign of last night's awkwardness remaining.
"Good afternoon tiger, I hope you're ready for another day of Christmas fun," dropping a grocery bag on the kitchen counter Ethan took in Spud's indulgent grin, fingernails digging into his palms against the growing urge to touch.
Moving to unpack the bag Spud hummed in surprise, "chocolate, sprinkles, icing sugar … I get the feeling cookies are on the agenda for today." Ethan's shrug was a hair self-conscious and he was sure to let his excitement show, "you might not know this Sir, but I love to bake."
Relaxing Ethan shrugged off his jacket and rolled up his sleeve, smiling down at Spud's warm gaze, "well, at least I choose the right … partner." Spud's instant flush told him he'd caught his innuendo and it calmed the clawing need to push for more to know that they were on the same page.
"I'll be sure to let you do all the work then," rummaging in the cupboard Spud pulled out his mom's sugar cookie recipe, flush fading at Ethan's soft laugh he called out the ingredients as the other man obediently collected them together.
"I was never allowed in the kitchen," aware of Spud's stare Ethan shrugged, "not that I really minded. We had a wonderful cook but I …" trailing off he swallowed when Spud's hand covered his own.
"But you wanted to make some cookies at Christmas," squeezing Spud smiled at Ethan's slow nod. "Well then, let's make the best cookies in the world." Ethan huffed and rolled his eyes but he didn't fail to notice his mood improved.
Perhaps he should have expected the cloud of flour once he set Ethan to the task of mixing the dry ingredients in, shaking his head Spud suppressed a laugh and brushed the other man off, "maybe try half speed next time, Sir, just until it's mixed."
"Right," ducking his head Ethan gingerly switched the mixer on and tried again, relieved this time when everything stayed in the bowl. Spud stayed next to him, standing just a little closer than needed and making his skin prickle with awareness of how easy it would be to lean down and kiss him. Soon the cookies were in the oven and after taking a break to eat lunch Spud had him moving on to making icing, smacking his head every time he tried to sneak a taste.
"Spoilsport," smirking at Spud's eye roll Ethan helped him bring everything to the table, as enjoyable as making and tasting the cookies had been decorating them was everything he'd hoped it would be. Dyeing the icing green to make trees he took great care to place the sprinkles perfectly, looking up to Spud's amused smirk he gave into impulse, hand flashing out to smear green icing down his face before he could move away.
"Ethan!" Glaring at Ethan's unrepentant grin Spud snatched up some red icing, huffing when the bigger man easily caught his wrist and prevented him from retaliating. "You're such a git."
Laughing softly Ethan released his grip and tipped Spud's face up, "sorry tiger, I couldn't resist, but for the sake of my clothes I think we'll hold off on an icing fight." Pulling out a handkerchief he gently wiped off the icing, lingering as Spud shivered, lips parting in a shaky breath that strained his control not to lean forward the inch needed to claim a kiss.
"Yes, Sir," forcing his voice to remain steady Spud sighed at the loss of warmth when Ethan dropped his hand. Turning his attention back to decorating the last of the cookies and not how much he wanted to climb into Ethan's lap he knew exactly what Christmas tradition he wanted to share with the other man next.