Page 87 of Pistols and Plush Toys

Now his eyes zeroed in on a man near the back of the store. This was the third store they’d gone to, and Elliot knew he’d seen him in the other two. The guy had short buzzed hair and a leather jacket. He wasn’t quite as big as Nikolai, but he was big, and with his heavy brows, the piercings in his ears, and the thick rings on both hands he looked rough and intimidating.

Meredith was preoccupied with the clothing rack, but Elliot edged closer so that he could whisper. “Someone is following us.”

“It’s just Gerard,” Meredith said without even looking up. “Gerard,” she added, raising her voice so it would carry, “stop skulking in the corner, would you?”

Sure enough, the man peeled himself off the wall and sauntered over.

This… this was Gerard? The Gerard whogets goat?

Elliot had no idea what he’d been picturing when hearing the story, but this leather jacket wearing mountain of a man wasn’t it. As he got closer though, a few new details became obvious. He had an easy smile, a rainbow pin on his leather jacket, and one of his earrings was a music note.

That helped a lot in making Elliot feel less like he wanted to bolt.

“Hey Meri,” Gerard said with a flicking wave. Then he turned his attention to Elliot. “So… you’re Nikolai’s new boyfriend?”

Boyfriend?Elliot thought, panicking as he saw Meredith shoot Gerard a sharpdon’t say thatsort of look.

Boyfriend?

Then he remembered the plan Nikolai had talked to him about earlier. The one Elliot was supposed to be thinking about but… it wasn’t like there was another choice, was there? Elliot wantedto be helpful. Brave.

Everyone had been doing so much for him, and he wanted–wantedto be able to do something in return. If this was what got Mattia to come back, then—then Elliot would do it.

Even knowing what that would mean for Mattia.

“Or… uh…” Gerard looked guilty now. “No…?”

“Um,” Elliot blurted out. “Y-yes. I think?”

Now Meredith was looking at him closely. “That’s the choice you’ve made?” She asked carefully.

Elliot nodded, even though his heart was pounding. “You’ve all done so much for me. I want–I want to be able to help. I can do this.”

Meredith watched him a second longer and then nodded. “Alright. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure,” Elliot said, trying to sound firm.

“New boyfriend—” she said, turning to Gerard. “—and I don’t know if Nikolai’s messaged you yet, but Elliot’s also his new chef.”

“Oh? Oh hey! Nikolai’s been needing a good one for ages.” Gerard grinned, which did wonders for making him not look so intimidating. “Sweet. Nikolai said you’re a good cook. I like burgers for the record, in the event you want to have us over for dinner.”

“I can make burgers,” Elliot said eagerly.

Meredith flicked Gerard in the bicep. “Less than two minutes and you’re already trying to get Elliot to make you food?”

“What!” Gerard squawked, making a show of rubbing his arm. “Nikolai has been sending me about a million pictures. I don’t get to want to try the goods?”

“He’s an employee now, and notyouremployee,” Meredith said, giving Gerard a pointed look.

“That’s why I said have us over for dinner,” Gerard replied easily. “Formal. Official. By the book—that’s the kind of thing you like Meri.”

“Uh-huh,” she said dryly. “Why’re you even here? We have Alex today.”

Gerard shrugged, fiddling with the hangers on the rack beside him. “Had some time in my schedule, and I was curious. Thought I might help with some shopping. I hear the nextvacation is sand and sun, so best add a swimsuit to that shopping list.”

Meredith slid the clothes on the rack with a little extra force and Gerard pulled his hands back to avoid getting pinched. “When are we going to get to go skiing?”

Gerard laughed. “Never. You know how Nikolai feels about snow.”

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