Page 140 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Elliot blinked back to reality and nearly choked. “Time with—?” Nikolai… Nikolai couldn’t know what Elliot had done with Sheep, could he? There was no way that was what he meant—

But now Elliot wasthinkingabout it. About how big Fezzik was. How… how good it would feel, to cuddle up against him and—

“Yes,” Nikolai said. “Is bedtime?”

“Right, yeah,” Elliot stammered. “Yeah, um, I guess I’ll—I’ll just go get ready for bed?”

“Me too,” Nikolai said. At least he didn’t seem to notice that Elliot was as red as a tomato. Instead, he gave Elliot a soft smile. “Good night.”

“Night,” Elliot mananaged. “And—I had a really nice time today, with you.”

Were Nikolai’s eyes always this warm? This expressive? “Is good you have nice time. I also am having very nice time. Good day with good company.”

Elliot’s lips parted.

Nikolai cleared his throat. “Good night, Elliot.” He turned, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Trying to distract himself from the thought ofspending timewith Fezzik, Elliot’s thoughts instead drifted to Nikolai as he got changed and brushed his teeth. He kept thinking about all Nikolai had done for him. All the big and little ways the man had showed that he cared. Elliot—Elliot wanted to do something for Nikolai in return. He wanted some way to show his gratitude for all that Nikolai had done.

Sure, he cooked for Nikolai, but he wished there was more he could do. A way to show Nikolai how much he appreciated everything. Something as special as him buying Elliot a sweet stuffed animal.

All Elliot reallycoulddo was cook though. At least Nikolai always seemed to appreciate what Elliot made.

Although, actually…

The day he’d made the borscht was probably the best reaction he’d ever gotten from Nikolai. He’d just been so happy to eat something at least similar to his grandmother’s food.

If Elliot could just get his hands on herrecipes.If there were any that existed…

Was there really no way to check the boxes of his grandmother’s things without causing trouble? Elliot didn’t want to cause any more trouble, but he wondered.

He finished brushing his teeth and then grabbed up his phone off the counter, opening up the text messages that he’d been exchanging with Meredith. It was worth asking, he figured. Just to see. If Meredith also said it was impossible, then it was impossible and he’d let it go.

He typed up a quick summary of his request, wording it carefully so Meredith would know he didn’t want to pursue it if it would cause problems. He read the message over three times, then hit send.

He set his phone back down and reached for the floss. Just as he was finished up, his phone buzzed.

From Meredith.

Meredith:I don’t think his father’s place is as impenetrable as he makes it seem. I have one of his family’s contacts in that area, I can reach out and see if anything can be done. I’ll be discreet, don’t worry.

That was more than Elliot had expected. A giddy kind of excitement exploded in Elliot’s chest. If there were recipes, and he could get them–!

Nikolai would be so surprised. Elliot could recreate a recipe no problem, and Nikolai could finally have his grandmother’s food again.

He forced himself to take a calming breath. He needed to not get ahead of himself. There was no guarantee that the recipes even existed. For now it was best to put it out of mind, until Meredith got back to him.

Elliot:Okay, thank you! Have a good night!

Leaving the bathroom, Elliot went to his bed, pausing in front of it. Okay.

How should he do this?

Fezzik’s arms were poseable, he knew. And he wanted… he wanted to be held.

Easing under his covers, Elliot arranged Apricot, Sheep, and Max on one side of him, with Fezzik at his back on his other side. Cheeks heating, Elliot then settled one of Fezzik’s arms around his waist before he clicked off his lamp.

Cuddling up with Fezzik in the dark, his thoughts suddenly jumped to lying like this withNikolai.Nikolai was big, bigger than Fezzik, and he was warm and solid and strong. But he was also so very gentle and careful too, giving Elliot space and time whenever Elliot got spooked or startled.

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