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Mutt swiped the rag over the chest again, watching as the stain absorbed into the wood. He'd be glad when it was done. It had taken longer than expected and quite frankly he was tired of looking at it. The shop door opened and slammed shut, followed by the steady thump of boots walking along the concrete floor.
"Welcome back, babe," Mutt said as he continued to stain the chest.
A hand snaked down his chest. "Hi," Jake said as he pressed a kiss to the corner of Mutt's lips.
Mutt smiled, dropped the rag, and turned toward Jake. "I'm assuming the delivery went okay?"
"Yeah. I stopped by the Apothecary after and talked to David. Apparently, he talked to town council and got approval to host a gallery. It's gonna be during June for pride month. The theme is 'what does pride mean to you?' He asked if you and I wanted to put something in it?"
Mutt stared at Jake. Took in his long legs, wrapped in well-worn denim, chest hair peeking out of a tank top, and the carefree smile and earnest eyes. He never would have expected Jake.
Well, he never would have expected he'd be in a relationship with Jake. He'd arrived in Schitt's Creek after Mutt left and during his infrequent trips back his only knowledge of him was from his mom who mentioned "the handsome man with the wood shop." It wasn't until he did community service with Alexis he met Jake and that didn't extend further than the quick wave of acknowledgment you do in small towns regardless if you know the person or not.
He didn't get another opportunity until he came back after the pine cone picking and seeing his new baby brother. It was at Café Tropical. Jake sat at the counter and Mutt was stunned for a moment when confronted with all that . The only thing that broke Mutt's trance was Twyla coming up to drop off Jake's order. Jake turned around, looked at him, and winked before leaving.
Mutt didn't do anything with the burning desire he felt for Jake until about a month later. He'd heard enough about Jake's woodwork (and god his brain couldn't help but give a childish passing thought of what Jake's wood was like) to stop by the shop and see it for himself.
The door was open and Mutt peeked his head in before stepping through. The shop was a decent size, a few projects in various states of completion dotted the ground. A large work table took up one side with a tool chest tucked in next to it. He glimpsed maybe a bedroom through the open door on the far side of the shop. He spotted Jake, leaned slightly over a board, pencil tucked behind his ear. Mutt watched as Jake retracted the measuring tape and then grabbed the chalk box. His arms stretched across the board as he secured one end and unspooled the line. Tightening the line he plucked the string and Mutt watched as blue chalk dust flew through the air and a resounding thwack filled the space.
"Hey," Mutt finally said.
Jake turned to him and smiled. "Hey," he unsecured the chalk box and started spooling it back up. "You need something? Depending on what you want, it'll take a few months. I'm full up on projects at the moment."
"Uh," Mutt uttered. He hadn't really had a plan coming here except to see Jake. “I didn’t know if you wanted any help or if maybe I could share the shop space with you? I know you probably don’t know me, but I’m pretty good with my hands and I’d help pay the rent and utilities for the space.”
Jake grinned and walked up to Mutt. He gently grabbed Mutt’s hands, turning them over as his fingers glided along his calloused palms. He looked back up and Mutt tried not to shy away from the intense stare. “You have nice hands. Strong. I like them.” Jake squeezed his hand. “I know who you are. You’re Mutt. Jocelyn mentioned you a couple of times when I was in the café.” Jake firmly held Mutt’s hand now and started walking toward the open door. “I think we could work out a partnership. If you want, let's go talk about it in the office.”
Mutt followed Jake. They did discuss a business partnership and if they did anything else, well that was just between them.
—
Part of Mutt knew it made sense if he participated in the exhibition, no one would think twice. There was another, smaller part of him that didn't want to share with others. He never had thought about what pride meant to him before and he didn't think sharing it for all of Elm County to dissect was what he wanted. "I don't think I'll join."
Jake kissed him. "Alright. I think I'll do it though. Let me know if you ever change your mind, I'm sure David will let you join."
—
The idea of pride lingered in Mutt's head for weeks. He thought of it mostly in the liminal space between sleep and wakefulness. He hadn't given it much thought before and he didn't really know where to start. Part of him was jealous that Jake clearly knew what it meant for him, but it wasn't like he'd really given it any thought before. Jake kept his project a secret and Mutt didn't ask, even when every part of him screamed to ask Jake what he was making, to help Mutt figure it all out.
As the date for the exhibition grew closer David hired Jake and Mutt to set up the displays. There wasn't much to do, but David directed him and Jake throughout the space with a confident command that Mutt wondered if this was just a small glimpse of what he was like during his gallery days. As Mutt drilled a brace he tried to ignore David and Jake’s conversation. They were talking about the exhibition and part of Mutt wished he could connect with them, but he just couldn’t.
Maybe at this point, it was too much pressure. If he stopped thinking about it, it would come to him. Yeah, he decided, he would push it out of his mind as much as possible and then it would come to him during some mundane task.
—
“Ready to go?”
“Just a minute.” Mutt tied his shoes and made his way out of their bedroom. Jake stood in the living room looking stunning. He wore black slacks and a floral button-up with the first three buttons open and part of Mutt wanted to walk up and easily flick off the remaining buttons. Of course, that meant they’d be late and they really shouldn’t be late.
“Don’t you look good,” Jake murmured as he went to kiss Mutt. Mutt reached a hand up to grip Jake’s shoulder and he didn’t stop Jake when he slipped his tongue in. He felt Jake’s muscles shift under his hand and Jake wrapped his arm around Mutt’s waist and snaked his hand so it pressed firmly against Mutt’s back. There’s something about Jake’s casual, tactile affection that made Mutt melt and preen at the touch. They really didn’t have time for that though.
Mutt pulled back. “We do have to leave.”
“Alright,” Jake replied easily. “We can pick this back up later.” He winked.
—
The exhibition space turned out beautiful. Though it was small every space was utilized and Mutt didn’t know where he wanted to look first. There were photos, paintings, sculptures, and he faintly heard Patrick singing. He grabbed Jake’s hand and they followed the natural flow of the crowd. He was in awe of the sheer talent on display. Between the Apothecary, farmer’s market, craft fairs, and just living in town he knew there were skilled people in town, but seeing it come altogether here made Mutt’s heart burst with joy.
They perused, stopping occasionally to talk to someone, grab a glass of zhampagne or a canape. The further they made it into the building the more Mutt’s restlessness grew. He wanted to see what Jake made. He still hadn’t asked and honestly thought he’d see it by now. Just as he turned to ask Jake he saw it.
At first glance it looked like a simple black walnut table, as Mutt got closer he saw the carvings on the table legs seamlessly going up and onto the edges of the tabletop. Full of various leaves, flowers, and what he was pretty sure were some dicks and labias, it was gorgeous. If he was at the shop he would have gotten closer to inspect it, instead, he turned to Jake.
“I’m surprised you could keep something as big as a table hidden from me.”
Jake smiled. “Well, when it was just a simple table I did a lot of the work at the shop. When I started carving I moved it all to the cabin. I knew we didn’t have plans to visit anytime soon.”
“And what does the table mean?”
“Conceptually, found and chosen family. In practice, having people over and sharing a meal with loved ones is such a bonding and healing experience.” Jake chuckled. “Also, the table should be sturdy enough to fuck on.”
Mutt looked at Jake, this man who he’d never expected to come into his life. Thought of all of the whiskey nights, dinners, brunches, and all full of people. It wasn’t a surprise for Mutt to come back to the apartment to find other people there. Jake made people feel welcomed. The table was a perfect choice.
—
Mutt sat down on the bed and patted Jake’s arm. “I loved what you made for the exhibition.”
Jake sat his book down. “Thanks.”
Mutt rested his hand on the bed. “So, um, ever since you mentioned the exhibition I’ve struggled to think about what pride means to me.”
“You know you don’t have to ever have the answer right? It’s not some kind of thing you have to tick off of a queer bucket list.”
Mutt smiled softly. “I know. But I thought of something last week.” Mutt leaned over and opened the bedside drawer, picking up a small piece of aspen. “This might be the most simple answer ever, but, I think for me pride just means love.” Mutt opened his palm to reveal a small, half-finished heart. “Just knowing that there’s so many different types of love, ways to love, and who to love, it’s nice.”
Jake reached out and gently touched the heart. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
“Well, I’ve realized it’s important to be more open and honest in a relationship and I don’t mind being vulnerable with you.”
Jake grabbed the heart and gently set it down on the bedside table before he pulled Mutt in his arms and kissed him.
