Staring down at the extra picture the photographer had slipped him Spud found his gaze drawn to Ethan's expression, the look in the other man's eyes made his heart race and he decided that even if this whole thing ended with his heart broken all over again he was going to tell Ethan he was in love with him. Catching sight of the time he hastily set the picture aside, if he didn't leave soon he'd be late for his shift at the homeless shelter. Grabbing his jacket he hesitated, finally texting Ethan the address and a request to meet him at noon he shoved his phone in his pocket and hurried out.
Breath visible in the cold air he tugged his scarf up higher and took a short cut through the park, the low-level anxiety on what Ethan would think of being volunteered fading when he passed by the skating rink they'd had so much fun at. Arriving at the small, rather run-down building he cheerfully greeted several of the familiar faces, immediately making himself useful he tried his best to keep an eye on the door.
Not that he needed to, it was obvious the instant Ethan arrived, a rustle of increased murmuring swept through the room before a wolf whistle broke out. Hurrying towards Ethan, who already had one hand on the door Spud rolled his eyes at Mildred who only smiled unrepentantly. "Hi Sir, sorry about that," relieved when Ethan stepped away from the door he curled his fingers around his elbow and tugged him towards the kitchen.
"Why are we meeting here?" Frowning Ethan reluctantly followed Spud, smiling weakly at the thumbs up some old lady flashed him.
"I volunteer here about once a month," ushering Ethan through the swinging door Spud met the curiosity in the other man's dark eyes and gestured around at the overstocked shelves, "this is where the money you … donated went to."
Breath catching at the warmth in Spud's eyes Ethan couldn't resist teasing, "I think you mean the money I paid for you tiger." Laughing as Spud narrowed his eyes and smacked him on the shoulder he reached out and tenderly brushed back a lock of blond hair, "I'm glad it went to a good cause."
"It really did, and I guess being at your beck and call hasn't been so bad," flushing at Ethan's slow smile Spud jerked his head towards the busy kitchen. "Now, do you think you're up to helping me serve lunch?"
"Absolutely tiger," smiling at Spud's excitement and burying the first stir of anxiety Ethan listened attentively to the quick lesson on what to put on each plate, determined not to make any mistakes. Standing at the counter moments later and trying to calm his nerves he nudged Spud's shoulder, "it looks like you managed to find another first for me to try. Carter's may give to charity but we certainly don't dirty our hands with it."
"Well," aware of the other man's uneasiness Spud shifted closer, letting his gaze travel over Ethan's face he didn't hide his affection, "I'm glad not all Carter's are alike."
A cough shattered the intimate moment and ripping his eyes away from Ethan's face Spud wasn't surprised to find Mildred grinning at him, "hullo Mildred, lunch?" Vainly hoping she'd just move on he resisted the urge to groan when her gaze switched to Ethan.
"Now love, where did you dig up such a handsome man," Spud huffed next to him and Ethan struggled not to flush under the old women's assessing gaze.
"This is my friend, Ethan," sighing at her scoff Spud closed his eyes when Ethan dropped an arm around his shoulders and chimed in.
"I think you mean 'special' friend tiger," winking at Mildred's delighted grin Ethan grunted at the jab to his stomach, forced to release his hold he easily ignored Spud's scowl.
"You are not helping, Sir," realizing his mistake the second he said it Spud flushed bright red at Mildred's wicked chortle. Ethan's absolutely smug smirk doing nothing to counter the impression that they were a couple.
"Sir is it Jamie? Kinky, I didn't know you had it in you," cackling Mildred at last took her plate, considering it a job well done when Jamie was left gaping after her.
Spluttering and barely stopping himself from calling her back to explain Spud firmly ignored Ethan's amused mutter of 'Jamie' and served the next person in line. Ethan thankfully let the subject drop and the rest of the lunch hour passed without any more incidents of Mildred's unique sense of humour.