Page 103 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Nikolai reached across the table and Elliot forced himself not to pull his hand back. He wanted the touch and it was part of the plan, but he couldn’t shake the memory of the nightmare.

He just kept seeing Nikolai in that cage. Mattia above him with the knife.

Nikolai took his hand, a warm, strong presence wrapping around him. There were scars on his hands too, but less noticeable than the ones on his arms. The gold of his rings glimmered in the table's candlelight.

“I know,” Elliot managed. “I just–I know the point is for someone to see us, but I just keep feeling eyes on us.”

Nikolai hummed in acknowledgment. “Many are for making you safe.”

“Yeah, I know. I just…” he sank his teeth into his lower lip, eyes downcast.

“Elliot, no biting please,” Nikolai said quietly.

Elliot hadn’t even realized he’d done so. “Sorry,” he said miserably.

“I think is my job to distract you, maybe,” Nikolai said. He tapped his cheek, humming, and then his face brightened. “I know. Since you liked seeing pictures of my jewelry.”

“Yeah?” Elliot asked, ready to try to be distracted, if Nikolai was offering something up.

Still holding Elliot’s hand, Nikolai put his other hand on the table, turning his wrist to showcase the cufflink on his jacket. “You see? My favorite cufflinks. Gerard, he gives me gift many years ago.”

“They’re nice,” Elliot said, realizing that he’d seen the cufflinks before. He just hadn’t paid them much attention. Despite being with Mattia for so many years, he’d never had much interest in formal wear. Maybe because most of it justseemed like too much work when he’d personally rather be in the kitchen, his hands working with food. “Were they made by your artisans?”

Nikolai chuckled. “Yes, but also they are more special than that.”

Then he was leaning in, and Elliot couldn’t help mirroring it. They were suddenly very close, and he felt his cheeks heat.

“There is secret,” Nikolai whispered, meeting Elliot’s eyes. Elliot’s stomach fluttered, forgetting his fear and anxiety of being watched. “They are cufflinks, but also lockpicks.”

“What? Really?” Elliot looked down again, curious.

“Yes,” Nikolai nodded. “My father he–he liked to surprise me. There were tests if I could get free. After I leave Russia, I’m carrying lockpicks with me all the time. Gerard thought these were better. Stylish and practical.”

“Wow,” Elliot said, looking at the little pieces of jewelry with greater appreciation. “That’s a really thoughtful gift.”

“Yes,” Nikolai said again, smiling. “Gerard, he have them custom made. He’s say to me with gift, ‘I’m wanting you safe. Maybe is little bit funny you’re always needing lockpicks, but see? I’m caring enough to make sure you can have them this way.’” Nikolai sat back in his seat, his hand sliding out of Elliot’s. “If you’re not trusting me, you can trust Gerard, or most capable person we are ever knowing, Meredith. You think she let us be fools? No. You see?”

Elliot had to admit, all that did make him feel better. “None of you are fools,” Elliot said affectionately.

“Maybe sometimes,” Nikolai said easily. “But not for this.”

***

“You are cold,” Nikolai said when they came out of the restaurant and Elliot immediately shivered.

Before he could protest, Nikolai was slipping off his jacket and folding it over Elliot’s shoulders.

“I’m fine—” Elliot tried.

“No, you are cold,” Nikolai said. “And is three blocks to theater.”

Elliot opened his mouth to protest further, but then that arm was wrapping back around him, enveloping him in Nikolai’s warm, cognac scent, and Elliot gave up. Nikolai's jacket was too big for him, but perfect like this, blanketing him against the cool night air.

“Is better?” Nikolai asked.

Elliot nodded.

“Good,” Nikolai said, sounding satisfied. “Now we go to movie.”

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