Page 180 of Pistols and Plush Toys

“Yeah,” Elliot sighed, the puff of breath tickling Nikolai's skin. “Last night was… amazing.”

“I’m glad,” Nikolai said. “You deserve to feel good. Max and I are both thinking so.”

Elliot snorted, his face turning against Nikolai's shoulder. Nikolai didn’t think the gentle press of lips there was his imagination.

“I still can’t believe that you’re… okay with that,” Elliot said, voice still soft. “That it’s not—that you’re not—” there was a noise of frustration, and Nikolai waited it out. “You like me even with the stuffed animals,” Elliot said at last.

The end of that sentence came out squeezed, and Nikolai felt a flash of anger how close it sounded to despair. He didn’t need the graphic details of Elliot and Vitale’s history to guess the man had made more than a few pointed comments about Elliot’s love for stuffed animals.

If Nikolai hadn’t just freshly killed the man, it would have been another reason to.

“Hey,” Nikolai said, hand stroking Elliot’s arm, “I like you. I like your friends. They are good for you. Is no problem having them here. I want you feeling good.”

Elliot pushed up from his place, turning over to look at Nikolai. He was smiling, and Nikolai’s heart turned over in his chest. “And you say you’re not nice.”

Nikolai reached out to stroke Elliot’s soft cheek, to tuck a bit of hair behind one ear. “Not nice,” Nikolai said. “Just wanting to treat you like you deserve.”

Elliot’s lashes fluttered, and Nikolai couldn’t help but draw him in.

The kiss was soft and slow and sure. Elliot tasted minty, like toothpaste, and opened easily to him. Nikolai had never been with anyone who pulled this tenderness out of him. Who made him want to be soft. But he liked it. Liked that he could be soft for Elliot.

The seconds spun out, long and luxurious. Nikolai felt a twinge of his lip from the injury, but pushed it aside. When they pulled apart to breathe, Nikolai reached blindly for Sheep.

“You deserve all good things,” Nikolai said, and he grazed Sheep down Elliot’s bare arm.

Elliot’s breath trembled, and he let out a tiny, thin moan, eyes falling shut.

Instantly Nikolai felt himself harden. How could he do anything else, seeing Elliot allow Nikolai to bring him pleasure?

“Are you wanting Sheep to take care of you?” Nikolai asked, voice hoarse. He brought Sheep up to Elliot’s neck, nuzzling there.

“Ah,”Elliot’s moan was still soft, but Nikolai cherished every sound he could draw out. Elliot had spent years making himself still and small and silent. Nikolai was looking forward to getting to encourage Elliot to be louder. “Yes. Yes a-and—”

“And?” Nikolai asked, using Sheep to pepper kisses down his neck.

“And you too, to–to touch me, this time,” Elliot said, ducking his head.

Oh.

Nikolai swallowed down his own hungry sound. “Yes, okay,” he said fervently.

Then he thought about logistics. He’d have to use Sheep with his injured hand, freeing up his other for this important task.

“Here,” he said, shuffling back to the pile of pillows against the headboard to raise himself up, then gesturing Elliot closer. Elliot sidled up as he had been, lying on his side and tilted into Nikolai. Nikolai switched hands so that Sheep could kiss up Elliot’s arm as Nikolai’s good hand landed on his back.

“Like this?” Nikolai murmured.

Elliot’s face turned into his neck, breathing hot and wet there. His thigh had shifted some, almost on top of Nikolai’s, and he had to force himself not to get distracted.

“Yes,”Elliot moaned.

Nikolai stroked from the back of Elliot’s neck over his shoulder blades and down the small of his back. He stopped at the swell of Elliot’s ass, and when Elliot moved meaningfully against Nikolai, he let himself palm lower.

“Oh,”Elliot said. His hips pushed against Nikolai’s suddenly and Nikolai felt him, hot and hard.

Perfect.

“Good,” Nikolai said warmly. “So good, Elliot.”

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