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The first time he heard about Chris Redgrave, it was from Finn's mouth. The blond was telling him, or more like complaining, about his new mentor at his new workplace. He said something along the lines of a "ladies man". After that, each time Finn would visit the orphanage, he would talk a bit more about this Chris, and he seemed more like a friend now. Lindsey was relieved that Finn had new friends in his workplace.
Few weeks/months later, he would refer to him as another "family". This made Lindsey smile, really happy that Finn found his people. He even got a check from this Chris without knowing who he really was. All that for Finn, which was really nice of him.
A few days after he came to see Finn at his work, the blond told him about Chris's little sister who was in the hospital from a disease. And then Chris got in the hospital himself, with the same disease? Or so he has been told. When Finn visits the reconstruction of the orphanage after that, he seemed sad. Lindsey had hope that this Chris guy would be alright because he did not wanted to see Finn devastated. He proceed to gave the garden the name of Chris for the generous donation he did, and gave some flower seeds to Finn, hoping that his mentor/friend/family would visit soon. He was really eager to meet the man who had such a positive link to the blond.
♡♤
The first time Lindsey met Chris Redgrave, he had no clues who he was. It was a few weeks after he last saw Finn when the latter came to the orphanage with a man, slightly taller, brown/gray hair, amber eyes and a red suit. Finn seemed a bit sad once again and the man next to him had a serious expression on his face. That day, Lindsey was outside playing with the children when the two men came to him from the entrance.
"Hey Lindsey. Can we talk a bit?" said the blond one with a sad smile.
"Yeah, sure."
The three men got a bit farter from the children to talk near the gates. Finn told him he had a big brother, that he probably died in the past hours (no body has been found), excluding telling him how he died, and that he remembered a bit of his childhood before the orphanage. While telling his story, the other man with them put a comforting hand on the back of Finn, not hiding the gesture from the older. Lindsey was a mix of relief and sadness. He was relieved that Finn remembered his childhood, but not for the suffering part. He did what a good "father" would do. He hugged the boy against him as a way to show his support. Finn hugged him in return, trying really hard not to let his emotion flow. When they broke contact, Lindsey turned his head to the other man he didn't knew about, making Finn realize he haven't made the introduction yet.
"Oh yeah, This is Chris, Chris Redgrave. My uh, coworker." He said with a bit of hesitation.
"Nice to meet you sir. I heard a lot about you." said Chris with a smile and a hand in his direction. Lindsey shaked the hand, also with a small smile. He was happy to finally have the man in front of him. He seemed like a nice gentleman.
"Same here. I know a lot about you. He talks about you all the time."
"I-I don't! Not that much..."
Lindsey and Chris shared a look and started laughing at Finn.
"Oh yeah? Talking about me a lot, Se-n-pa-i~?"
"Sh-Shuuush you! Stop laughing! Both of you!"
Chris put a hand on Finn's head, ruffling his hair with a happy smile.
"Yes yes, we'll stop laughing about the fact that you talk about me all the time. Didn't knew I had suuuch a good impression on you!"
"I said shut up!"
Finn was red from embarrassment, or from having Chris's hand in his hair. Lindsey was quietly looking at them, a big smile on his face. He could understand what Finn liked about Chris, and if he were to be asked, he'd said they made a cute couple. Finn never outed himself about his lover preference, but he knew damn well that Chris Redgrave stole his heart. Lindsey also knew about the other man act with woman. He does remembered the "ladies man" part, but he was hoping that it was that, just an act. He could see that he loved Finn a lot and you can call him delusional, but he could also see all the tender smiles, looks and actions he does.
After that talk, Chris got the seeds flower out of his pocket and talked directly to the older man with a small smile.
"I've been told I have a garden here and seeds to plant in that said garden."
"Oh yes! Come with me, you two! Let's plant them!"
The three of them got near the garden and took care of planting the seeds. Chris was somehow happy about the garden having his name. A small donation for the suffering he did to Finn. After they were done, Finn presented Chris to the children as his friend. The newcomer had no problem adjusting and he started playing with the children with Finn, before the both men had to go.
♡♤
The second time Lindsey saw Chris Redgrave was almost a month later. Chris came again to the orphanage but he was not with Finn this time, but rather with an adorable little woman, looking a lot like him. Chris didn't took long before presenting the girl as his little sister, Michelle. For what Lindsey knew about her being in the hospital, she looked good today and he was happy to see the two Redgrave together like that. Chris really did seemed like a good man. He told him that he had a date with Michelle and wanted to show her the garden, asking Lindsey if it was okay with him. Obviously the older man said yes with a smile, and the two siblings got near the garden.
They were looking at the small sprouts from Chris's garden at the SunFields orphanage. Both crunched near the floor.
"So this is your flowerbed, huh big brother?"
"Cute right?"
They looked at each other with small smiles.
"So, what did you plant?"
Chris then looked at the sky, deep in thought.
"Uh, I don't remember..."
"Jeez, you could care a little?"
They both laughed at the little reprimand from Michelle while getting up.
"Well, we'll find out in spring."
Lindsay heard this small part of conversation while playing with the children outside. Chris was always looking at his little sister with a fond smile. Family seemed also really important to him. They left not so long after that, saying their goodbyes to Lindsey and the kids first.
♡♤
The third time Lindsey saw Chris Redgrave was when he passed the gate of the orphanage, fingers interlaced with Finn's, both looking nervous but happy. Finn didn't have the time to tell him the news that Lindsay got him into a small hug, congratulating him on his new relationship. Finn's face got red in seconds, while Chris kept the act, laughing at his new lover redness even if he wasn't in a better position. Lindsey couldn't be happier that Finn found the most important person in the world to him, but he needed to act a bit like the paternal figure he was.
“You better take good care of him, Redgrave.”
Chris smiled, not even scared of the little threat. He never intentionally hurt Finn after all. “Yes sir! He's in good hands with me!”
They didn't stay long, but he had a bit of their declaration story where Chris was the first to admit his love. Finn was a bit shy to tell all the details and Chris didn't add anything either so he didn’t push to know.
♡♤
He saw Chris Redgrave more often, from the time they came together to play with the children, or when they visited him to talk. They even came with Michelle from time to time. But the most important day where he saw Chris Redgrave was at his wedding with Finn Oldman.
After years of relationship, they were finally married and it was only the beginning of their story. Lindsey felt privileged that he had witnessed the growth of little scared Finn who had no family left, to the man he became now, surrounded by so many people. He couldn't wait to see what the future had for them and once again, he couldn't be happier that they have each other.