Page 189 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Nikolai pushed up out of his seat. “Yes, okay. We kiss and make up now.”

He was around the counter before Elliot could even finish sputtering, “We weren’t even fighting!”

Nikolai kissed his laugh right off his lips. “Kiss and make up,” Nikolai said against Elliot’s smile.

Nikolai tasted like the berry vinaigrette that Elliot had made for their lunch salads, sweet and tart and familiar.

When Nikolai pulled back, his eyes were bright. “Oh! I almost forget. I have gift for you.”

“You don’t have to buy me anything,” Elliot said, flustered.

“I know, you need nothing,” Nikolai said. “But I want to treat you, please?”

It was ridiculous to say that Nikolai gave him puppy eyes then, but the way his brows inched up gave that impression.

“Okay,” Elliot said. How could he not give in to that?

“Be right back,” Nikolai said with a grin, striding quickly from the room.

He was gone just long enough for Elliot to fidget where he stood, wondering what the gift could be.

“Is something that would be nice for tonight, I think,” Nikolai said when he returned. He had what looked suspiciously like a jewelry box, and he set it in Elliot’s palm.

“You… you didn’t buy me an expensive piece of jewelry, did you?” Elliot asked, looking down at it. He’d seen the prices of the pieces Nikolai had bought at the art fair.

“Too late,” Nikolai said cheerfully. “You already are saying I can treat you.”

Elliot’s cheeks were burning. Instead of trying to come up with a reply, he opened the box under Nikolai’s watchful eye.

Inside, on the velvet, was a familiar necklace. The floating diamond one he’d admired before on Nikolai's phone.

“Oh,”Elliot gasped, staring down at it. If anything, it looked even more beautiful in person. The charm really looked like the diamond was suspended in the center. “You—oh. It’s so beautiful. Wow.”

With shaking fingers, he gently lifted the chain away from the velvet. The diamond sparkled in the light.

Elliot swallowed. “Nikolai, this is… this is too much.”

“Is just enough,” Nikolai said as he stepped around Elliot. “Can I?”

Elliot’s mouth opened and shut in silence. When Nikolai's arms came around him from behind to reach for the necklace, Elliot let him.

The necklace was lifted out of the box and unlatched, then Nikolai carefully settled it around Elliot’s throat.

“Is good, you like my gift,” he said into Elliot’s ear. “You wear it and think of me, okay?”

His hands lingered at the back of Elliot’s neck, his breath fanning across his throat. Elliot repressed a shiver. “I… I will.” He’d delight at seeing it in the mirror. “Thank you.”

They lost some time in the kitchen after that, and Elliot had to sterilize the counter when they were done, but it was worth it.

***

Meredith and Gerard arrived for dinner at six. Elliot sent Nikolai out to the dining room to entertain them while Elliot finished preparations in the kitchen.

Elliot was confident about the food, and the anxiety he typically felt was instead replaced with excitement. He waslooking forward to seeing Meredith and Gerard, and looking forward to sharing this meal and this evening with Nikolai and the people who meant so much to him.

Elliot could hear chatter in the dining room as he put the final touches on the plates. It was, in essence, only a hamburger and sweet potato fries, but he’d plated each serving with the same artistry he’d do at any restaurant.

When everything was ready, Elliot paused in the kitchen to give himself a moment. He reminded himself it was okay to have this. To enjoy this.

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