The lounge room set aside for wrestlers and staff had been designed to be a relaxing space despite its size, with one couch tucked off to the side in a cozy nook while another larger couch along with half dozen arm chairs were strategically placed around a large screen tv. Normally a hive of activity it was nearly deserted due to a staff meeting, only one lone occupant was left peacefully sleeping on the couch tucked into the furthest corner.

Hurrying through the doors Spud grimaced at finding the lounge empty, the bloody rental car breaking down had made him late. For a while he'd feared he'd have to make the dreaded 'no show' call, fortunately it appeared all he would miss was the usual rubbish staff meeting. Heading for one of the many lockers lining the wall next to the bathroom he dropped his duffle bag, steps faltering when he spotted the sleeping man for the first time.

Breath catching Spud inched closer, the man's face was half covered by a hoodie but he knew that mouth, that nose… Ethan Carter the Third, ex-best friend, current enemy and man he was still very much in love with. Chewing on his bottom lip, eyes greedily drifting along Ethan's body his heart jumped on spying the small sliver of skin exposed from where the hoodie had risen up. Something about the vulnerability of Ethan's position had him moving closer, fighting against the more sensible choice to just leave he tentatively reached out and gently tugged the hoodie back in place, squeaking embarrassingly when a strong hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. Dragged off balance he half fell on top of the other man, trapped by Ethan's firm grip as the bigger man glowered at him.

"What do you think you're doing?" Growling Ethan sat up, dragging the smaller man with him. Startled out of his nap he was in a filthy mood made worse by the part of his mind that admired how very blue Spud's eyes were.

Awkwardly kneeling half on the couch and half over Ethan's lap Spud steadied himself against his chest, stomach dipping pleasantly at the feel of solid muscles under his palm and the achingly familiar scent of the other man's cologne. Pushing back the urge to shift closer he lifted his chin at the anger in Ethan's dark eyes, "I wasn't doing anything." Sucking in a sharp breath he muffled a groan when Ethan's grip tightened painfully in response, "bloody hell Ethan, let go, you're hurting me."

Despite his anger Ethan couldn't help but respond to the pain in Spud's voice, gentling his grip, "I caught you standing over me while I was asleep." Anger rising when Spud opened his mouth and then hesitated he yanked the smaller man closer, lowering his voice menacingly, "I won't ask again, what were you going to do?"

Looking away Spud fought down a blush, mumbling, "I was fixing your shirt." Glaring at Ethan's huff of disbelief he tried to tug his arm free, "despite what you may think Ethan, I don't go around attacking people." Meeting the coldness in the other man's dark eyes his heart clenched in pain, even after all this time it hurt to no longer see the affection Ethan used to look at him with. Sighing, suddenly tired of the whole situation he slumped into the bigger man's grip, "I don't want to fight with you Sir."

Frowning Ethan realized with a low jolt of arousal how intimately they were pressed together, with Spud practically straddling his lap and looking wretchedly unhappy he couldn't stop his protective instinct from flaring. Groaning, irritated at himself for caring he stood, pulling Spud up with him he had to quickly shift his grip to the other man's waist to steady him as he stumbled, "well lucky for you I'm not in the mood to fight either." It was the wistfulness in the way Spud looked up at him that had his usual iron-clad control slipping, reaching out he carefully smoothed back a lock of hair, gaze dropping to Spud's mouth as the smaller man swayed towards him.

Clutching the sleeve of Ethan's hoodie Spud stood a little taller, lips parting as the mood in the air shifted to something warmer, something electric he struggled for something to say, "I'm glad …" trailing off as Ethan tugged him closer with a large hand pressed possessively against his back he shivered at the sudden blaze of heat in the other man's eyes.

On the verge of throwing caution to the wind and kissing Spud like he'd longed to do for far too long Ethan froze at the distant sound of the meeting breaking up. Trying to hide his own disappointment he dropped his hand, smirking at Spud's frustrated whimper, "better luck next time tiger." Chucking Spud under the jaw he stepped back with a chuckle from the smaller man's furious scowl.

"Git," swallowing dryly as Ethan walked away Spud willed his pulse to settle, with the heat slowly fading from his skin he tried not to be too angry for allowing Ethan to get to him. Pasting on a cheerful face as a flood of other wrestlers rushed in he caught one last glimpse of Ethan as he slipped out of the room, cursing himself for being foolish enough to still be in love with a man that quite possibly hated him.