Page 159 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Elliot blinked drowsily, watching Nikolai leave. Oh, Nikolai had taken Sheep with him. Right. Sheep would need to be washed, because…

He brought a hand up to rub at his hot cheeks. He’d—they’d—

They’d had sex.

And it had beenperfect.Nikolai had been so careful with him.

Nikolai and Sheep.

Elliot reached for Apricot and Max in the rumpled covers and snuggled them in his arms, enjoying the fur against his bare, hot skin. Then he remembered the way Nikolai had lookedat him, soft and worshipful, and Elliot shivered and buried his dopey smile against Apricot.

Eventually, Nikolai’s steps came back into the room.

“I’m awake,” he declared sleepily before Nikolai decided to leave him to rest.

Nikolai came back up to the bed, carrying Sheep and a glass of water.

“Sorry I’m taking so long,” Nikolai said as he set Sheep down on the bedside table. “Sheep is clean but needs to dry.”

“Oh,” Elliot said, and wanted to hide his face back in Apricot’s fur. “Sorry for making a mess.”

“Is good mess,” Nikolai said, gently touching Elliot’s bare shoulder. “I’m wanting you to feel good. Washing ???? is easy.”

“O-oh,” Elliot said again. He swallowed around a dry throat.

“Here,” Nikolai said as he offered the water.

“Thank you,” Elliot said, shyly. He had to sit partially up to sip it, but it was wonderful on his throat.

“You are… okay?” Nikolai asked hesitatingly after Elliot had sipped his way through half the glass of water. He offered it back and Nikolai set it on the bedside table.

“Very okay,” Elliot said. “It was… it was amazing.”

“Sweet thing,” Nikolai murmured, stroking his knuckles down Elliot’s cheek. “Good. I’m glad.”

Elliot’s eyelids fell to half mast. He felt so good, like he could simply float away.

Nikolai took a deep breath and then shook his head. “Time to rest,” he said, voice a rasp.

It was as if the words were a command, and Elliot yawned. “Okay,” he said sleepily, snuggling down with Max and Apricot.

Nikolai pulled up the covers, tucking him in. There was a there-and-gone again touch to Elliot’s hair.

“Good night, Elliot,” Nikolai said quietly.

“Good night,” Elliot mumbled, eyes falling shut. “Thank you.”

The heavy tread of Nikolai’s steps went away from the bed, and then the door opened and shut again.

As Elliot drifted off, he heard Nikolai’s voice again.

You are my gift.

Chapter 26: Nikolai

Nikolai couldn’t sleep.

The arousal that had been simmering low in his belly from touching Elliot, watching Elliot come undone, had turned into an unpleasant roiling guilt when he’d seen Elliot snuggled up with his stuffed animals, tucked up for bed.

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