Page 190 of Pistols and Plush Toys

To live.

That was what they’d all given back to him. His life, his joy, his freedom. And this was just a small way of thanking them.

Elliot picked up the first round of plates, and headed to the dining room.

“There he is!” Gerard said the second Elliot appeared. “And with the food! You’re my new favorite person Elliot. I’m demoting Nikolai.”

“Hey,” Nikolai grumbled. “Why I’m demoted? Why not Meredeth?”

Meredith was seated at the end of the table in a vivid green dress. “I’m not in the hierarchy. I’m Gerard’s next of kin.”

“What?” Nikolai frowned, looking deeply betrayed. “When did this happen?”

“When I agreed to binge watch Coral Island with him,” Meredith said. Nikolai opened his mouth to protest and Meredith talked over more grumbles. “Elliot, this looks amazing.”

“Thanks,” Elliot said, setting her plate down. “I hope you like it. Be right back with the rest.”

He got the remaining plates for himself and Nikolai, setting them before taking his seat at Nikolai’s side.

“You did good,” Nikolai said, reaching over to squeeze Elliot’s hand. “Just like ??????? would make it.”

“Oh hey, is this one of the recipes I translated?” Gerard asked, perking up in interest.

Nikolai nodded. “Your Russian wasn’t too shit. ?? ?? ???? ? ??????.”

“???? ? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?????,” Gerard replied with a snort.

“What did you say?” Elliot asked, looking between the two of them. “Was it about the recipes?”

Nikolai choked on his water as Gerard went pink. “Uh…” Gerard looked suddenly guilty.

“Maybe you best not translate,” Meredith said with a sniff.

“Elliot,” Nikolai prompted instead when he’d gained control of himself. “What you have made for us?”

Elliot sat up just a bit straighter, taking the cue. “So! Um, this is Nikolai’s grandmother's kotleti, a mix of beef and pork. They’re usually eaten plain, but I baked buns if anyone wanted to make it a burger.” He gestured to a breadbasket on the table. “The sweet potato fries aren’t one of her recipes, but Nikolai likes them, and burgers and fries go well together, so…”

“Sounds and smells amazing,” Gerard said, immediately reaching for a bun, “How do I book your services, Elliot?”

“You haven’t even tried it yet,” Elliot pointed out, fighting his smile.

“Hey!” Nikolai glared at Gerard. “Don’t poach my chef.”

“It’s not personal Kolya, it’s business,” Gerard said as he assembled his burger. “Elliot’s wanting to branch out, remember? Hewantsto cook for other people too.”

“You demote me from best friend, now you are stealing my boyfriend? Shame,” Nikolai said.

Gerard laughed. “If you just give Coral Island a chance, we can see about your best friend ranking.” He took a bite and made an obscene noise.“Fuckthat’s good.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Elliot said, beaming.

“Ugh, you watch such garbage,” Nikolai said, cutting into his own patty. “I will suffer.”

“Hey, it’s not garbage!” Gerard protested. “Like yeah, there’s the reality TV drama, but every season has a fun mystery to solve before contestants get ‘disappeared’ off the island.”

Nikolai peered at him, “What is meaning, ‘disappeared’?”

“They get disqualified from the prize money,” Gerard explained before he ducked his head to take another bite.

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