Page 139 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Elliot couldn’t stop beaming. Fezzik was so silly, so large, so ridiculous, and Nikolai had spent so muchmoneyon him. It made him want to laugh at the pure un-believability of it all. Elliot wanted to feel bad about it, but seeing Fezzik sitting there, it was hard to conjure anything other than delight.

Nikolai had brought him up after they’d finished watching Checklists and set him on the bed. Now they were both staring at the stuffed animal dominating the space.

“I’m thinking he maybe hog blankets,” Nikolai said after a minute.

Elliot snorted, and Nikolai glanced his way, wearing a smile and clearly pleased with himself.

“That’s okay,” Elliot said. “He looks pretty warm.”

“You should check,” Nikolai said, giving him a wave of encouragement toward the bear.

That was all Elliot needed. He climbed onto the bed and threw his arms around the polar bear. Fezzik was just as soft as he remembered, and so big it was like hugging an actual animal. The big bow around his neck was cool against his cheek.

“I can’t believe you got him for me,” Elliot said when he pulled back. Seated in the bed, Fezzik dwarfed him, and it made him laugh again.

“I’m supporting local artist,” Nikolai said solemnly.

“Right,” Elliot said with a smile so big it made his cheeks hurt.

“So,” Nikolai said. “How we will tuck you in with Frezznik?”

“Fezzik,” Elliot corrected. “You know, like the giant?”

A line appeared between Nikolai's brows. “What giant?”

“From The Princess Bride.” There was no change in Nikolai's face. “Have… you not seen The Princess Bride?” Elliot asked.

Nikolai shook his head. “Is movie?”

“Yeah,” Elliot said with a laugh, still hugging Fezzik. “It’s kind of an American cult classic? We’ll have to watch it sometime. You can’t go your whole life having never seen The Princess Bride.”

Nikolai edged up to the bed, reaching out to lay his hand on Fezzik’s head. “Then we should watch. I was thinking what strange name he had.”

Elliot grinned. “Yeah, you’re missing the reference.”

“I see,” Nikolai said, smiling at him. His eyes drifted from the bear back to Elliot. “So, you are teaspoon tonight?”

“Um, teaspoon?” Elliot asked.

Nikolai frowned and said something in Russian, cupping one hand inside the other. “Is saying about spoons. They go together?”

It took Elliot a second but then he realized. “Oh! Um, like big spoon, little spoon?”

“Yes,” Nikolai said. “You are little spoon, Fezzik, he is big spoon.”

“I–I guess,” Elliot said, face heating.

Nikolai nodded as if that settled it.

“Thank you again,” Elliot said softly, meeting Nikolai’s eyes. “Really. This is the nicest gift someone’s ever gotten me.”

Nikolai smiled back and held a finger to his lips. “Shhh. Don’t make Max and Sheep jealous.”

Is good, to make you happy.

Elliot’s heart beat harder, in the face of Nikolai’s playful smile, the memory of those words. The clear proof that Nikolai meant them, with what he kept giving Elliot. Not just with gifts, but with actions. Safety.Freedom.

Nikolai didn’t notice, continuing, “now I think maybe, you want time with Fezzik?”

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