Catering was crowded and noisy as wrestlers, crew and staff all rushed to grab a bite to eat before the show started. Pushing around an unappetizing clump of limp broccoli Zema spotted Spud as soon as he walked into the area, shaking his head at the man's latest suit choice he mentally tallied up the effort it would take to persuade the stubborn man a change in style would be in his best interests. He had full confidence in his ability to pick clothing for Spud that would flatter the other man better than those awful suits.
"Ohh, nice suit bro," giving Spud a thumbs up as he passed by to the buffet table Robbie blinked as his boyfriend quietly groaned, frowning, "what? You don't like Pac-Man?"
Rolling his eyes he pinched Robbie's arm, "I love the game, but not on a suit." They both turned to watch at Ethan's loud snicker at Spud's outfit, the smaller man faltering only slightly before lifting his head and finding a table in the corner. "We really need to get him out of those clothes," sighing he pushed his plate of mangled food aside and crossed his arms.
Smothering a laugh Robbie waggled his eyebrows, "oh I think we should probably leave that to Ethan." Waiting until Zema gave in and laughed, he stole a kiss, teasing, "although I guess stripping him naked and shoving him at Ethan is one idea."
"Be serious," slouching sideways in his chair Zema pouted, hooking his chin over Robbie's shoulder he leaned against his boyfriend, "we haven't come up with a single good plan to get them together yet."
Shrugging Robbie sipped on his coffee, running his hand calmingly along Zema's tense leg, "maybe we need to start smaller then, Ethan isn't stupid, he knows James still cares about him, but he's arrogant enough to think he can get James back whenever he wants." Tapping his fingers idly on Zema's knee he stared over at the man in question, "what we need to do is show him he's wrong, that other people could sweep in and steal his boy away from him."
Grimacing Zema buried his face against Robbie's neck, "and now I'm wondering why we're bothering to help him at all."
"Because James loves him," leaning back Robbie slung his arm around Zema's shoulders, hugging him close, "and Ethan loves James, he's just … an asshole, an entitled selfish asshole who likely doesn't know any better. Besides Ethan really was a much more tolerable person when he had James by his side." Nuzzling into Zema's neck he pressed a teasing kiss against the sensitive skin, "so really we're doing this for ourselves."
Shivering at the ticklish sensation, Zema's voice came out with a slight squeak, "so jealousy then." Clearing his throat, he could feel Robbie's lips curve into a satisfied smile against his neck, "and just who are we going to convince to make a play for Spud?"
"Velvet has always had a soft spot for a good romance story," grabbing Zema's hand Robbie yanked his boyfriend up, hustling him out of the room with a bounce in his step, "come on, let's go find her, she's usually in her dressing room around this time."
It had taken barely any pleading from Robbie and Zema to convince her to go along with their plan, her romantic side quite taken with the idea of helping Ethan Carter and Rockstar Spud find true love together. Despite their obvious differences she'd always considered them a good match and so very hot together. It also didn't hurt Spud was pretty cute, not her type of course, but it certainly wouldn't be a hardship to make out with him, for a good cause.
Impatiently waiting by her locker room Velvet peered at her phone for the seventh time, willing the text to alert her Spud was on his way to hurry up. As much as she wanted to help she had things to do, she hadn't even had time to fix her make-up for the show yet. Finally, her phone dinged in time with the soft footsteps she could hear approaching, typing a quick reply she got into character just as Spud rounded the corner.
"Oh Spud, thank goodness," injecting a note of distress in her voice she held out a delicate gold charm bracelet, fluttering her eyelashes she smiled hopefully, "could you help with my bracelet? I can't seem to get it on my own."
Hesitating for only a moment Spud awkwardly smoothed down his jacket, "sure Velvet, I'm always happy to help." Taking the offered bracelet he fiddled with the clasp, scowling as it took three attempts to fasten the blasted thing, "bloody hell this thing is a real pain, isn't it?"
"You have no idea," holding her wrist up and jingling the little charms Velvet used the distraction to move closer to Spud. Looking up at him through her lashes she surreptitiously tapped her phone to send a text to Robbie, "thank you Spud, you're my hero."
"You're welcome Velvet, but it really wasn't anything," swallowed nervously as Velvet laid a hand on his chest and leaned in, he nearly choked on the cloying vanilla scent of her perfume, "I, I should go now." Hesitating on where to safely place his hands to push her away he froze when she suddenly shoved him against the wall.
Pressing up against Spud and smiling suggestively Velvet hid her amusement at his wide-eyed discomfort, "I really should thank you properly." Running her fingers through Spud's soft hair she kissed him before he had a chance to protest, keeping the contact light enough she could almost feel his patience to put up with her 'gratitude'. Really, how Ethan remained blind to the fact Spud was in love with him she'd never know.
Scowling at Robbie's back Ethan wondered how he'd ever let the other man convince him to go along with his hair-brained scheme to sneak out in the middle of a taping for a quick drink. Now he was going to be forced to watch the two men make goo-goo eyes at each other the entire time while the bliss from their new-found relationship simply radiated off them. Rounding the corner he barely avoided bumping into Robbie as the other man stopped abruptly, opening his mouth to complain shock dried the words up at the sight that greeted him. Velvet and his ex … friend were locked in a steamy kiss, in plain sight and in the middle of the hallway. Watching her fingers slide deeper into Spud's hair he ground his teeth together, hands twitching with the urge to rip her away. Sickened by the red-hot bolt of jealousy twisting his stomach into knots he had to look away and catch his breath, locking down the curses that wanted to spill out.
It felt like an eternity of awkward unpleasantness until Velvet at last pulled away, scrunching his nose up in the effort not to wipe a hand across his mouth he jumped at the wolf whistle coming from his left. Turning his head he felt the blood rush to his face, wishing he could sink through the floor as Robbie and Zema gave him identical smug grins, it was Ethan's look of anger and disappointment however that made his stomach drop, excuses trembling on the tip of his tongue.
"James you sly dog you," bumping fists with his boyfriend Robbie shared a grin at the success of their plan. Spud's expression of mingled disgust and mortification was truly a sight to behold.
Holding his hands up defensively Spud stepped away from the wall, "this isn't what it looks like …" biting his lip he glared at Velvet as she muffled a giggle with her hand, "well it is, but it was nothing."
Flicking her hair over her shoulder Velvet touched Spud's arm, delighted when Ethan's eyes followed her movement, she could practically see green in his glare, "thank you again for the help Spud." Straightening his bowtie she winked before turning and walking away, adding an extra sway to her step. That had gone so much better than she'd hoped for, with luck Ethan wouldn't be his usual stubborn self and soon their little wrestling family would have another happy couple.
Growling under his breath Ethan stalked towards Spud, deliberately towering over the smaller man he invaded his personal space, "why were you kissing Velvet?" He didn't care the question came out as a demand, or that Robbie and Zema were watching raptly, his sole focus was on Spud's face as the other man squirmed under his glare.
Holding his hands up Spud tried not to shiver as Ethan's larger hand curled around his wrist, grip just a hair shy of painful, "I wasn't, she kissed me." Taking a calming breath he inhaled Ethan's cologne, the earthy sandalwood scent driving away the lingering smell of vanilla, relaxing slightly as the other man's hold eased.
Tugging Spud just a fraction closer Ethan stared into his widened eyes, able to make out the darker ring of blue surrounding the lighter colour, murmuring low enough that neither Robbie nor Zema could overhear, "I thought you didn't like girls." The jealousy still raging under his skin made the words come out bitter and cold.
"I don't," frowning, confused at the other man's almost hostile tone Spud rotated his wrist and broke Ethan's grasp, "not that it's any of your business, Sir." He added a mocking edge to the last word, pleased when Ethan's mouth thinned, annoying the bigger man helped make up for the earlier sting of humiliation at being laughed at in catering earlier.
Alarmed, Zema gripped Robbie's arm, the tension in the air was quickly escalating in a direction he didn't want it to go. Coughing he broke the brittle silence, forcing his voice to sound cheerful, "sounds like you could use a drink bro. Why don't you join us, we were just on our way out."
Ripping his attention away from Ethan's face Spud glanced at Zema's hopeful expression, he had to admit the idea of a drink was appealing, even if it meant putting up with Ethan's infuriating company. As if the other man had the right to judge who he kissed anyway, unbidden the memory of how Ethan had held him when sick last week sprang to mind, "sure mate, thanks, I could use a drink right about now."
"Right then," clapping briskly, not willing to give Ethan the chance to open his mouth and ruin their plan Robbie stepped forward and threw an arm around each man's shoulders, leading them towards the exit, "I expect you both to be civil. Zema and I don't want to be embarrassed in public." His boyfriend grinned at him in triumph at the identical sounds of disbelief Ethan and Spud let out at his teasing.
"I don't think it's us you need to worry about mate," shrugging Robbie's arm off Spud rolled his eyes at the warning, "not when I seem to remember the last time I went drinking with you it involved an incident of public indecency."
Stopping in place Robbie's face turned slowly red, spluttering indignantly as his boyfriend soothingly patted his back he glared at Spud's unrepentant expression, "bro, you said you'd never mention that again."
Smirking Ethan felt the last of his anger dissipate under the playful banter, sidling up alongside Spud as Robbie and Zema fell further behind he nudged the smaller man's arm, "I'd like to hear that story." It was worth the effort to be civil when Spud looked up at him consideringly before his mouth curved in a familiar impish smile that had only ever been just for him. Pulse skipping a beat he slowly smiled back, for once not rejecting the ever-persistent idea that he had made a mistake when he cut Spud out of his life.
Eyes bright at his boyfriends delight as the two men walked ahead of them Robbie wrapped his arm around Zema's waist, "well, looks like plan A is off to good start."
"Yeah, and by next week I'll have Spud dressing in decent clothes," rubbing his hands together Zema grinned, already mentally planning the shopping trip, "Ethan won't be able to resist."
A rush of tenderness for Zema swept through him, "I love you." Ignoring how far the other two men were getting he had to kiss his boyfriend until they were both breathless, only breaking apart when Ethan shouted back at them to hurry up.
Laughing warmly Zema caught Robbie's hand in a firm grasp as they strolled towards, if he had anything to do with it, the soon to be couple, "just for the record I love you too Robbie."