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Love lots -AV

"Look Daddy! There's a man in there with the lions! Is he gonna get eated?"

Mitch smiled down at his six year old, "it's eaten sweetie. And no, I'm sure that man knows what he's doing around the lions."

"I'd like to find out if he knows what he's doing around me."

"Av, you're married. I doubt Kevin would appreciate that." Mitch eyed his best friend skeptically.

"I'm joking... mostly. He's hot though."

The smaller man giggled, shaking his head.

Wyatt pushed his way through the crowd, tugging his father behind him so he could get a look at the felines up close. The boy had always been fascinated by animals, specifically cats of any kind. It's one of the reasons the Mitch brings him to the zoo so often.

The three watched the as the blonde man played with the giant animals, seemingly not terrified of getting eaten at all. To be honest it made Mitch a bit nervous. If there was a tragic accident and this blue-eyed beauty was mauled, Mitch would never be able to explain it to Wyatt. Plus, it would be a terrible shame if that beautiful face was destroyed.

"You're drooling Mitchy." Avi said as he nudged his friend with his hip. 

"I am not."

"It's time you start dating again. It's been years since Travis left and..."

Mitch glared, "I told you not to say his name around Wy."

"Point is Mitch you deserve happiness too. I'm tired to seeing you alone."

"I'm not alone. I have Wyatt and you and Kev. What more do I need?"

"A man to go to bed with."

"I just don't..."

"Don't give me that bullshit excuse about not having time. You work from home and make your own hours. Wywy is in school or me and Kevy could watch him. You have time. You need to get back out there. Remind the world of just how fierce Mitch Grassi is."

Mitch just sighed as he looked down to see why his son was tugging on his hand.

"Daddy?" Mitch raised his eyebrows. "Uncle Avi said a bad word."

Mitch smirked at his friend, "that means a dollar in the swear jar mister!"

"Hey daddy? What's fierce mean?"

Avi jumped in with an explanation, "it means being powerful and intense and passionate."

The young boy nodded satisfied with the answer.

Soon Mitch decided that they needed to move on from the lion exhibit and find lunch for themselves. They chose a small cafe near the pandas. Avi got everyone's food while Mitch and Wyatt found a seat in the shade. As the three were eating the six year old began pointing wildly to someone who had taken a table near by.

"Daddy! Uncle AvAv! Look! It's the lion man!" Wyatt was screaming at the top of his lungs prompting everyone in a twenty foot radius to look at the tiny brunette. Mitch hung his head, slightly embarrassed with his son's outburst. When he looked back up he found the blonde man standing beside their table.

"Uhh, sorry to interrupt but I heard your son..."

"I am so sorry he interrupted your lunch. He just gets so excited with anything to do with cats, big or small."

"It's no problem! Umm... maybe I could sit here and I could discuss some lion facts with..." The man looked at the little boy questioningly. Mitch understood and supplied the name. But it was Avi who told the man to sit, offering his hand and introducing himself. Mitch following behind him. Scott, the lion man, smiled at each of them before grabbing his tray and bringing it over.

"So Wyatt. What do you want to know about the lions?"

"How do you not get eated?"

"Wy, baby. Daddy told you, eaten not eated."

Scott laughed, "Well, you may already know that the lion is one of the greatest predators. But did you know that the lionesses are the ones who do all the hunting and are some of nature's most fierce creatures."

"Fierce! That's what Uncle Avi calls daddy all the time."

The blue-eyes meet brown and green curiously before they turned their attention back to the child. Scott continued to rattle of facts about lions until Wyatt announced he needed to potty. Mitch began to jump up before Avi beat him to it, grabbed the boy's hand and pulling him to the men's room, leaving the other two to stare awkwardly at each other. Scott cleared his throat before speaking up again.

"So are you and Avi?"

"Heavens no. We've been best friends for years. Beside he's married."

"And you?"

"Divorced."

"Same. My husband left me about a year ago." This took Mitch a bit by surprise as he wasn't sure this guy was gay until now. "Said he found someone new. We didn't have kids though. Always wanted them but he never did."

"I'm sorry to hear that. It's been tough having Wyatt on my own. My ex walked out on us when Wyatt wasn't even a year old. Thankfully Avi and his husband, Kevin, were there to help me. I wouldn't trade it though, I love Wy to pieces and couldn't imagine my life without him." Mitch smiled fondly at the thought of his young son and the joy the boy brought to his life. Scott grinned back at him.

"So there's no one in the picture? No boyfriend?" 

"Nope. Av keeps pushing me to get back out there. It's hard though with a kid. Most guys don't want 'baggage.'" He made air quotes so Scott would know that he thought that was an absolutely ridiculous idea.

"A child is a gift, not simply additional cargo."

"You are so right." Mitch smiled brightly, this guy was so different that most.

By this time Scott could see Avi and Wyatt making their way back through the throng of people to get back to their table. He decided it was now or never.

"Do you want to maybe get dinner or something? You could bring Wyatt."

Mitch looked at the man, unsure of whether he should say yes. At the last possible moment before Avi and Wy sat back down he answered, "I would love that."

"So can I get your number?"

Avi looked at the two and smiled as he helped Wyatt back into his chair. Mitch pulled out his phone and unlocked it handing it to the blonde. "Just put your number in and I'll text you."

Scott did so, feeling a vibration just moments later.

Friday night, say you pick me up at 7?

He grinned across the table, "Definitely." He held Mitch's eyes for a moment more before realizing the time. "Oh shit! I'm late. I'm sorry to rush off but I'll see you Friday at 7. Text me!" Scott gave the smaller man a kiss on the cheek before rushing away. Mitch was blushing profusely when Wyatt spoke up.

"Daddy! Mr. Scott said a bad word."

"I'll be sure to let him know he needs to put a dollar in the swear jar baby."

"So I guess this means that Kevin and I are babysitting on Friday?"

Mitch's smile could not have gotten any bigger as he nodded to his best friend.