Early spring had loosened winter's hold, bright blue skies welcoming them back to Nashville after last night's disaster of a show. Between Spud still upset he'd let Willow get to him in their tag team match no matter how often he assured him he wasn't angry to Aunt D's cold fury at his throwing the match and Bully's stunt with the tables Ethan was looking forward to simply relaxing. Even with all the recent turmoil the whole family was quick to take advantage of the beautiful weather.
Keeping a close eye on the kids as they shrieked and splashed in the pool while he grilled burgers Serg rolled his eyes at his nephew's lethargic form. The younger man had already spent hours doing nothing but lay out in the sun working on his tan and it certainly didn't look like he planned on moving any time soon.
Tilting his face into the light breeze Ethan forced down the trickle of irritation at how long it was taking Spud to join him, he really needed to teach the other man there was a time and a place for work and a beautiful sunny day wasn't one of them. Stretching lazily he finally heard Spud approaching from the direction of the kitchen, along with the welcome sound of beer bottles clinking together.
Looking up he sucked in a sharp breath, Spud's hair gleamed like spun gold in the sunshine and the sight had the flicker of an old dream teasing at the edges of his memory. The details remained frustratingly out of reach and he had the feeling it had once been important to him. Shrugging the uncomfortable feeling aside he let his gaze travel down Spud's body, grateful for the sunglasses hiding the red swamping his vision. In a pair of light blue trunks Spud was all smooth skin and slim muscle and it was a struggle not to give into the itch to touch. Men weren't his usual preference but there was no denying he very much wanted Spud.
"Here you go Sir, sorry for being late," handing over a cold beer Spud claimed the lounger next to Ethan and forced himself not to look at all the golden skin on display. It had taken him longer then intended to finish the paperwork Dixie had assigned and the increasing volume of texts from Ethan had clearly showed his impatience.
"Don't worry about it," waving dismissively Ethan was careful to keep his fangs hidden until he was able to force them back, scratching idly at the label he glanced over at his Uncle. Feeling a glimmer of mischief he raised his voice, "did my suits get dropped off at the dry cleaners?" Even from his peripheral vision he could see Serg's frown, the older man had been becoming more obvious with his disapproval on the way he ordered Spud around for the smallest of tasks. What he didn't understand was how Serg hadn't spotted the gleam of amusement in Spud's eyes whenever he asked the smaller man to do something trivial. But it at least made the game to see if he could find something to crack Spud's composure more fun.
Blinking innocently Spud saw Serg shake his head in disgust from the corner of his eye, "of course sir." Pulling out his phone he made a big production over checking his email, "they should be ready to be picked up in about two hours."
"Spud isn't here to take care of your dry cleaning Ethan," Spud bit his lip as Serg's scolding voice made Ethan huff and toss his sunglasses to the side.
Shrugging off Serg's admonishment Ethan climbed to his feet and stretched lazily, standing over Spud's chair he deliberately flexed as those blue eyes fell to his chest, "Spud doesn't mind … do you Spud?"
"Anything to help, Sir," proud of how steady his voice emerged there was very little warning before Ethan grabbed his wrist and dragged him to his feet with such easy strength heat coiled through his body. Squeaking embarrassingly Spud steadied himself against Ethan's chest, shivering at the glorious feel of bare skin under his fingers his heart rate spiked at the other man's smug smile.
Blood heating at Spud's reaction to his touch, very evident in the pulse racing under his fingers Ethan pulled the phone out of his grasp and dropped it on the chair, "good boy." He grinned triumphantly when the smaller man's eyes narrowed in annoyance, positive he was about to get Spud to snap at him in front of Serg and lose their little game.
Spotting Serg's look of disappointment Spud was just able to rein in his first impulse to tell Ethan where he could stick his 'good boy'. Digging his nails into the firm muscles under his hand and using the distracting flare of desire he managed to hang onto his temper, "thank you, Sir. I do try my best." Peering through his eyelashes he held back smile at the resignation flashing across Ethan's face, worry hitting him a split second later at the sly smile replacing it.
Tightening his grip as Spud abruptly tried to back up Ethan scooped the smaller up and threw him over his shoulder, easily ignoring the affronted protests and the wild squirming he carried Spud towards the pool and tossed him in. Eyes gleaming in amusement when Spud broke the surface looking very much like an indignant cat, hair plastered to his face and glaring blue fire at him he kneeled down and murmured low enough Serg couldn't hear him, "one of these days tiger your very impressive control will snap." Laughing at the rude gesture he got in return he graciously offered his hand despite Spud's scowl.
"Not bloody likely Sir," firmly grasping Ethan's wrist Spud gave into his annoyance at the other man's smug amusement. Bracing his legs against the side of the pool he yanked the bigger man into the water, laughing at Ethan's startled shout.
The sound of Spud's delighted laughter greeted him as he surfaced and Ethan let a small grin curl the corner of his lips when the other man tried to back away on seeing his expression. Shaking water out of his hair he growled in mock anger, "oh you're going to pay for that." Using his longer reach he quickly snagged the smaller man's wrist and tugged him closer, smirking as blue eyes widened in alarm he dunked him underwater before he could protest.
Coughing out water Spud swept his hair out of his eyes and glared at Ethan's pleased smile, "I hope you realize this means war." This time Ethan was the one to back away and paying no attention to his protest he jumped on him, using his momentum to push them both underwater. Surfacing and grinning at Ethan's disgruntled pout he wrapped his arms and legs around the bigger man to stop from being tossed off. Firmly squashing the rising excitement being all but plastered against Ethan's chest it was soon it was an all-out war to see who could force the other underwater the most.
Stepping out on the patio Dixie's eyes were immediately drawn to the pool, frowning at the sight of her missing Chief of Staff all over her nephew as they roughhoused in the water. Annoyed she cleared her throat, "boys, boys, it's time to stop now." Ignoring her husband's eyeroll she crossed her arms, normally she wouldn't interfere with whatever Ethan did with his free time but she needed Spud to run some errands. Plus as much as she tried to keep an open mind she just couldn't get past the two men's growing closeness. Tapping her foot impatiently she was gratified Spud at least had the decency to flush guiltily under her gaze. "I need you to pick up some papers Spud. Right now, please," her eyes narrowed at the look the two men exchanged, unable to interpret what it meant.
Fighting back embarrassment Spud released his grip on Ethan's arms, "of course Madame." Swimming to the ladder and climbing out of the pool he was uncomfortably aware of the water dripping off his body as his boss flicked an unimpressed look over his bedraggled appearance. Glancing back at Ethan for a second he forced a smile, "I'll just, er, get dressed and leave right away."
"See that you do, it is what I pay you for after all," Spud's smile faltered as he turned to hurry away and Dixie frowned at the obvious irritation on Ethan's face. About to comment she repressed a sigh as her nephew's expression smoothed back to neutral, once again wishing she's never agreed to allow Spud to stay in her house.
Grabbing his towel and the cellphone Spud had forgot in his haste to leave Ethan smiled tightly at his Aunt, forcing down the urge to complain on how she had treated Spud, "I think I'm going to head out for lunch." Walking away before his Aunt could offer an objection he made a quick pit stop in his room to shower and change. If he knew Spud as well as he thought he did he'd have to be fast to catch the other man before he left.
"You forgot your phone," holding the device up Ethan pushed away from the wall as Spud jumped, amused by the rapid thump of the other man's heart he waggled the phone until Spud snatched it from him.
Taking a deep breath to calm his heart Spud smacked Ethan's arm, glaring at the other man's stifled laugh, "you're going to give me a bloody heart attack one of these days, Sir." Tucking his phone into his pocket he was unable to maintain even a sliver of anger as Ethan draped an arm over his shoulders and pulled him into a half hug.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," nuzzling briefly into the soft silk of Spud's hair and inhaling his sweet scent Ethan kept his simmering hunger firmly in check. Guiding the smaller man towards the garage he gently nudged him towards his favourite car, "I thought we might grab lunch in between errands." Watching Spud's eyes light up with pleasure it was a struggle not to give into the desire to lean down the bare inch separating them and kiss the smaller man breathless.
"I'd like that," swallowing at how husky his voice sounded Spud shook off the thought he'd seen a flash of red in Ethan's eyes and climbed into the passenger seat. Looking over at Ethan as he buckled his seat belt he grinned teasingly, "I'll complete your Aunt's errands and you can pick up your own dry cleaning."
Shaking his head Ethan laughed, the last of his bad mood evaporating in the warmth of Spud's friendship, "better be careful tiger, Serg would be all too happy to hear you say that."