Reading the text from Spud that he was fine and Willow hadn't touched him Ethan only half paid attention to whatever his Aunt was complaining about. It was only the mention of Spud's name that had him tuning back in, interrupting abruptly, "I'm sorry Aunt D could you repeat that?"

Huffing Dixie crossed her arms over her chest, "honestly Ethan I wish you would pay more attention to me when I'm speaking to you."

"Sorry Aunt D," flashing his most charming smile Ethan slipped his phone in his pocket. "I'm paying attention now."

"I was saying Spud had the terrible idea to throw me a welcome back party as it hadn't taken me weeks to persuade the board to put me back in a position of authority over in-ring decisions while he did nothing to help me." Rolling her eyes at the memory of all those tacky decorations Dixie resisted the urge to sigh at the way Ethan's face froze before settling into a neutral expression, knowing he was about to defend Spud.

"Come on Aunt D, you know Spud would do anything for our family," forcing back a trickle of anger at his Aunt's dismissive shrug Ethan swallowed down his frustration. "Spud put himself in danger for me Aunt D, Willow would have put me through a table last week if he hadn't come down to the ring. With an injured ankle I might add. Not to mention his success in distracting Willow again tonight."

Looking into her nephew's determined eyes Dixie smiled faintly and patted him on the arm, "I was impressed by that darling, perhaps I've allowed my nerves to get the best of me and took that out on Spud. Why don't you go check on him and offer my apologies, it really was rather sweet of him to think of me."

"Sure Aunt D," even though he was slightly suspicious over the abrupt change in attitude he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. "I'll see you at home." At her absent-minded wave of dismissal Ethan made his way to the conference room Spud was hiding out in.

Pushing the door open the first thing that hit him was Willow's foul scent overlaying Spud's and then what a mess the room was in. Tensing in preparation of a fight Ethan's breath rushed out at finding Spud alone, turning to look at him with such a lost expression he was pulling the smaller man into a hug before being aware of moving. "What happened in here? The last text I got from you said everything was fine," releasing one arm but keeping Spud tucked close he gestured to the destroyed room. "This doesn't look like everything is fine."

"Willow is what happened Sir," sighing shakily Spud soaked in the comfort and safety from Ethan's embrace, the last traces of the mini panic attack he'd had when Willow had burst in fading. "Not that it matters now, your Aunt hated all of this. I think she's disappointed in me."

"She's just stressed tiger. Don't take anything she said to heart, I know she didn't mean it. After all she sent me here to apologize on her behalf," stepping back Ethan straightened Spud's bowtie, breath catching at the way those blue eyes lit up.

"Really Sir? She said that?" Voice breaking in his excitement Spud cleared his throat and refused to blush at the amused smirk on the other man's face. "You're not just saying that are you Ethan?"

Smirking Ethan clapped his hand on the smaller man's shoulder and shoved him towards the nearest pile of debris. "I never say anything I don't mean and right now this room needs to be cleaned up so we can get something to eat. I'm starving," picking up a handful of ripped streamers and tossing them in the garbage he tried not to let his mind stray to the temptation to indulge in a meal of a different kind, still able to feel Spud's pulse under his fingers.

Watching Ethan tidy for a moment Spud took a deep breath to steady his voice, aware in this moment he so completely in love with the other man there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for him. "Yes Sir, thank you for helping."

Dropping Spud off at his apartment Ethan remained outside for over an hour, fingers tight on the wheel as he tried to convince himself to leave, the knowledge he was leaving Spud alone and vulnerable if Willow decided to attack almost more than he could bear. Protective instincts screaming in protest as he finally put the car in gear and drove away, he knew he had to fix this situation before he snapped and directly eliminated the danger.

Entering the house Ethan wandered towards the delicious smell of baking cookies, pausing in the kitchen doorway he forced a smile at his Aunt and Uncle's cheerful greeting. Reassured to find them both in a good mood he decided it was time to bring up an idea that had been kicking around in the back of his mind, "hey, I was hoping to catch you both together, I have an idea I want to run past you."

"Of course, darling," smacking Serg's hand when he reached for a handful of cooling cookies Dixie smiled encouragingly at her nephew, she hasn't seen him quite this nervous in a while. "What's on your mind?"

Taking a seat at one of the bar stools Ethan took a deep fortifying breath, "I want to ask Spud to move into the guest room in my wing for a few weeks, just until this whole thing with Willow blows over." By the darkening of his Aunt's expression he knew she was going to say no and he turned his best puppy dog eyes on her, "please Aunt D, Spud is my friend and I …" tracing his finger along the cool marble he glanced away for a second, admitting roughly. "I don't like knowing he's alone and at risk, it makes my other half restless."

Stepping up alongside his wife Serg wrapped his arm around her waist, squeezing until she gave in and leaned against him. "We have no problem with you asking Spud to move in for a while Ethan, goodness knows he's no trouble. We'll tell the children to be careful what they say in front of him but it's up to you to ensure he doesn't find out about us. I think the last thing any of us wants is to have to wipe that young man's memory." He knew he'd made the right decision to override his wife when Ethan looked up and smiled, until this moment he hadn't recognized how tense his nephew had become. Besides he had a very good feeling about Spud, the young British wrestler might finally be the one to tempt Ethan into forming another bond. God knows it was well past time Ethan experienced one again before he risked never getting over his fear and missed out of one of their greatest gifts.

"Thank you Uncle Serg, Aunt D. I promise Spud won't find out," snatching a cookie before his Aunt could stop him Ethan stuffed it in his mouth, grinning as the huge weight lifted off his shoulders. Now all he needed to do was convince Spud to go along with his plan, and how hard could that be, ego aside he knew there wasn't much Spud wouldn't do for him.

Forcing a smile Dixie waited until Ethan practically skipped from the room before turning a glare on her husband, annoyed when all he did was raise an eyebrow and grin. "Why on earth did you agree to allow Spud to move into our house? The last thing I need is for my Chief of Staff to suspect there is anything different about us." Or to grow closer to Ethan she finished in her mind, aware her husband did not share her view on their odd friendship.

"Ethan will ensure he doesn't find out," shrugging dismissingly Serg tugged Dixie into his arms, nuzzling against her neck he smiled as she shivered and relaxed. "Although you have to admit Spud would be perfect for Ethan to bond with, it's been far too long since that horrible fiasco with Sophia."

Growling at the mention of the horrible bitch who'd almost taken Ethan from them Dixie pulled away from her husband and crossed her arms, she absolutely did not want to admit Serg might be right. "In case it has escaped your notice dearest, Spud is a man."

"I have noticed, as I'm sure Ethan has as well," wagging his eyebrows Serg grinned as his wife huffed, used to how slowly she moved with the changing times he didn't let her prejudice bother him. Sooner or later she'd change her mind. "Besides I'm not sure it matters. Spud is the first person to break through Ethan's walls, and you know better than I how valuable Vessel Bonds are. The day he finds his mate he'll need that experience."

"Fine, I admit Spud might be good experience for Ethan," giving in with ill-grace Dixie snatched a cookie, the warm chocolate soothing the unhappiness at the idea of her nephew bonding with another man. "I won't interfere, but neither am I going to stop trying to find him a proper woman to bond with. Ethan's friendship with Spud only proves he might be ready to finally form another bond."

"Deal," shaking his wife's hand Serg spun her around and dipped her, stealing a cookie as she laughed and rolled her eyes. He'd done what he could, now he just hoped Ethan was up to the task of moving past his fears.