Page 83 of Pistols and Plush Toys

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 was looking 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.

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 бабушка 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. ты не жопа с ручкой.”

“чтоб у тебя хуй во лбу вырос,” 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? He wants to 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. “Fuck that’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.

“The mystery element is well done, I will say,” Meredith added. “Elliot, this really is delicious.”

“Thank you,” Elliot said, cheeks flushing with happiness.

“You see?” Nikolai said. “Is what I’m saying. That Elliot is best chef.”

“We weren’t doubting you,” Meredith said dryly. “Perish the thought.”

“Hm,” Nikolai said, sounding suspicious. When he turned to Elliot. “What you think, should we try Coral Island?”

Elliot laughed. “I mean, I’m willing to try. It sounds like it could be fun. And you already like Checklists.”

“What!” Gerard exclaimed around a bite of burger. He quickly chewed and swallowed. “Sorry—Elliot, this fucking delicious, wow—but what! You dragged me to the bay and back for Checklists and now you’re watching it? Excuse me? I’m betrayed.”

Nikolai shrugged. “Elliot likes it.”

“Nikolai likes to guess who will accomplish the task most creatively,” Elliot told Gerard conspiratorially. “And he comments on all the humor, or asks me to explain a joke if he thinks he’s not getting it. He’s very invested.”

“Shhh, do not tell him my secret,” Nikolai said, frowning comically.

“You see?” Gerard said. “This is why Meredith is my next of kin.” He took another bite of his burger and gave Elliot an emphatic thumbs up.

“The fries are very good too,” Meredith said. “What’s your day rate, Elliot? Have you decided?”

“Everyone wants to poach my chef,” Nikolai muttered.

Elliot giggled. “I’m still thinking about it,” he said to Meredith. He’d texted her about his plans for business and talked to Nikolai about it as well. It might be a while before he actually got his first client, but already it felt like a real thing.

“Kolya, how are you not losing your mind over the food?” Gerard asked. He was already finished with his burger, but was now devouring his fries.

“Is very good,” Nikolai said, looking proud. “But Elliot already lets me try it before.”

“I had Nikolai and Xander taste test earlier this week,” Elliot explained. “I wanted to make sure I got the flavors right. Nikolai knew what they were supposed to taste like, and Xander has a really refined palette, so he could make suggestions.”

Gerard looked from his mostly empty plate up to Elliot. “Xander helped you make these?”

“And Nikolai,” Elliot said.

Gerard waved a hand. “Kolya is old news. I just didn’t know Xander helped you. He didn’t mention it.”

Elliot hid his smile. Xander had mentioned a few times now how he and Gerard were texting back and forth. It was cute. “Maybe he didn’t want to make you jealous.”

“Maybe that’s what it was,” Gerard said. “But now I have a very important question.”

“Yeah?” Elliot asked.

Gerard took a deep breath. “Are there more burgers?”

Elliot giggled again. “Yeah, of course. In the kitchen. Let me—” Elliot went to stand, but Gerard waved him back down.

“No, sit, sit. I’m more than capable of helping myself,” Gerard said with a grin. He got up and headed toward the kitchen.

“Don’t take them all,” Nikolai called after him.

“You’ll want to save some room for dessert,” Meredith added.

Gerard’s head poked back into the dining room. “Dessert?”

“I made apple piroshki,” Elliot said.

“Wait, wait, I think I remember that one,” Gerard said, frowning in concentration. “Some kind of apple-filled danish thing?”

“Yeah,” Elliot said.

“Fuck yes,” Gerard crowed and disappeared again.

“Is he always this food motivated?” Elliot asked.

Meredith laughed. “Oh, yes. I think with a good meal you could probably convince him to do just about anything. But the inverse is true too. He’s impossible when he’s hungry.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Elliot said.

Gerard came back with a plate filled with two more patties and a handful of fries as well as a pitcher of water from the refrigerator.

He refilled everyone’s glasses, nudging Nikolai with a smile before he filled his cup.

Elliot didn’t understand what the nudge was for, but he liked the gruff, pleased look Nikolai got as he reached for his fresh water.

Meredith started talking about Lucky Clover’s grand reopening, and Elliot sat back and ate his dinner and enjoyed the conversation happening around him. Enjoyed his new friends and this new life that was taking shape.

After everyone, Elliot included, had cleared their plates, Elliot went back to the kitchen and got dessert.

It was a perfect evening.