Flopping on the sofa in his Aunt's office Ethan checked his phone for the millionth time, wondering where on Earth Spud could be he barely paid attention to the stream of complaints about Angle until her off-hand mention of setting up a match between the two. Head jerking up he cut her off mid-sentence, voice tight with anger, "what do you mean you booked Spud in a match against Angle?"
"I meant exactly what I said Ethan. And I don't appreciate your tone," straightening the paperwork on her desk Dixie reigned in her own anger, really this obsession her nephew had with Spud was getting out of control. Despite Serg's belief Ethan might form a bond with Spud she was holding out for a better candidate, there were so many lovely young ladies she could introduce him to.
"Sorry Aunt D, it's just, Spud's ankle isn't completely healed and Angle has a habit of targeting ankles," jaw bunching Ethan barely managed to keep his tone on the right side of respectful, resentment bubbling up at her complete disregard for Spud's health. "Willow is probably just waiting for the chance to attack when Spud is distracted by a match too."
Dixie waved her hand dismissively, "you worry too much darling, Spud will be fine. Angle won't hurt him and Spud is good enough in the ring to hopefully get in a little damage himself." With MVP occupied with his own petty feuds and staying out of her hair she was determined not to let her nephews' tone and continued need to be Spud's protector dampen her mood.
"Right, sure Aunt D," giving in Ethan stood and tucked his phone away. Arguing was getting him nowhere. It was time to find Spud, he had no doubt other man was likely worrying himself sick about disappointing either him or his Aunt. "Anyway, I'm off. I'll see you later." Barely pausing to acknowledge her dismissal he stepped outside, zeroing in on Spud's scent he followed it to a spare dressing room, eyes flashing red and a growl rumbling in his throat at the idea that Spud had been hiding from him.
Barging into the locker room Ethan drew up short, momentary anger easing at the dejected look on Spud's face, he had unfortunately grown very familiar with that look, "I heard about your match. Do you need the speech again tiger?" Smiling teasingly and giving into the need to touch he moved in to straighten Spud's bowtie.
"I don't think Kurt Angle is going to believe I'm any sort of tiger Sir," sighing Spud tipped his chin up to give Ethan easy access, almost grateful for the familiar burn of arousal as warm and steady fingers grazed along his neck.
Leaning closer Ethan breathed in Spud's sweet scent, satisfaction burning through him at the faint hint of his own scent mixed in, "that's why you need to be a gazelle this time." Eyes dropping to the pulse beating so temptingly just under the thin silk of Spud's bowtie he forced himself to pull back at the warning tingle of emerging fangs. "Angle is fresh out of an injury; his knee can't be as healthy as he'd want. You need to be fast and agile, stay away from him as long as you can and only take a shot when you're sure you can connect."
"Oh, that sounds like a good plan," voice faint at the intensity in Ethan's dark eyes Spud slid off the table, swallowing when the bigger man didn't move back a step. Leaving them standing so close his heart started to pound, "thank you, Sir."
Allowing his affection to openly show Ethan lightly chucked Spud under the jaw, "you're my friend Spud, I care about you." The delighted smile the smaller man bestowed on him only made the instinct to protect him from Angle all the more powerful, "and you won't be alone. I'll be with you."
Pacing in front of the ring, nails biting into his palm Ethan found it a hundred times more difficult than he'd anticipated to stand back and allow Kurt to deliberately target Spud's injured ankle. It was perhaps a blessing that Kurt cinched the Angle Lock in the second the bell rang, giving Spud no choice but to tap out almost instantly under the vicious hold. Only a lifetime of control kept him from tearing Angle apart at Spud's involuntary whimpers, barely audible even to his superior hearing.
Leaning in while the ref was busy raising Angle's hand he tugged Spud to safety, steadying him when he stumbled and hissed in pain. Ignoring Spud's protests Ethan scooped the smaller man into his arms and backed up the ramp, scowling in disgust at the smugly satisfied look Kurt turned on him. As if taking advantage of an already injured opponent was an accomplishment.
Squirming against Ethan's tight grip Spud fought down his embarrassment at being carried so publicly, "I can walk Sir." His pulse jumped at Ethan's low growl and he hastily backtracked on meeting his narrowed gaze, "or you can carry me."
Laughing under his breath Ethan tightened his hold, "wise choice tiger." The sharp sting of distress at having stood back and watched Spud's ankle be re-injured eased at how easily the smaller man relaxed into his arms. Carrying him straight to the trainer's room he barged in without knocking, dismissing the Doctor's half-hearted protest he set Spud down on the examination table, "you are getting that ankle checked out and don't even think of arguing." Holding stubborn blue eyes he waited until Spud huffed and reluctantly nodded before backing away to make room for the Doctor.
Holding his breath as the Doctor rotated his ankle Spud swallowed against the urge to wince, taking in the worried expression on Ethan's face he didn't want to give the other man any excuse to put him back in that bloody wheelchair.
"Well it doesn't appear you did any additional damage Mr. Curtin, just ice it and stay off it as much as you can." Hiding his relief at the Doctor's brusque diagnostic Spud raised a pointed eyebrow at Ethan, opening his mouth to protest when the bigger man simply shook his head and slid an arm around his waist, helping him off the table.
"Argue and I'm carrying you," amused at Spud's pout Ethan led the way to their locker room, jaw clenching on passing Angle he had to firmly clamp down on his rage at the other man's smirk, concentrating instead of taking most of Spud's weight. Closing the door behind them he pushed Spud towards the bathroom, "go shower and get changed, I'll take care of packing up." In no time he had their luggage collected, sweeping Spud out to the car the second he was ready, with anger still raging under the surface all he wanted to do was get them safely back to their suite so he could properly take care of the smaller man.
Thankfully the drive to their hotel was short and he had Spud ensconced on the couch with an ice pack on his ankle while room service was its way. Ideally what he really needed to do was take this chance to go out and hunt, hunger was starting to sink its claws in a little too deeply and that was dangerous with Spud so close, that tempting scent further fraying the edges of his control.
Changing into comfortable clothes he was just in time to answer the door, gesturing the attendant in to arrange their meal on the dining table he couldn't hide his amusement when Spud immediately zeroed in on the pot of tea, pouring a cup before the server had even left the room.
"Nothing can dampen your love of tea I see," teasing Ethan pushed a bottle of muscle relaxants across the table, sitting back in satisfaction as Spud obediently took a dose.
"I wouldn't be a proper Englishman if it could, Sir," digging into a plate of his favourite pasta Spud quelled the slow burn of pleasure at Ethan's laugh. After losing so quickly to Angle it was a balm on his humiliation to know the other man didn't seem to think less of him.
Smirking Ethan raised his glass in a salute, "and of course we can't have you being less than proper," the flush that spread across Spud's face ratcheted up his hunger so quickly he had to firmly stomp on the urge to drag the smaller man onto his lap. Holding his breath he took a hasty sip of wine, maybe it would be best if he slipped out while Spud was sleeping to hunt. The last thing he needed was to lose control. If he ever decided to change his relationship with Spud he wanted it to be his choice and not one forced on him due to need.
Finishing the meal and tidying away the dirty dishes Ethan turned a random show on tv, waiting until Spud's heart beat slowed into that of sleep he stood and carefully eased the smaller man into his arms. Using a small tendril of power to send Spud deeper asleep he couldn't hold back a low groan as the other man shifted sleepily and pressed his face into his neck. Fangs dropping under the teasing sensation he hastily tucked Spud in bed, crushing the urge to join the other man under iron control he almost fled the room. Forcing all thoughts of Spud and how easy it would be to feed from him from his mind, he concentrated solely on the hunt.