#leverage oneshot

You opened your mouth in realization as you tilted your head back "Ohh, right, forgot about that." You laughed softly at yourself as you scratched your head.

"Clearly" He chuckled "Though I'm surprised you didn't have plans." His voice seemed to change as he said that, and you couldn't help but notice.

"Why's that?" You asked curiously.

He peered over at you as he continued to take out a few dishes "Aren't you seeing someone, that guy...Chuck?"

"Chris?" You asked with a laugh before you shook your head "No, couldn't get over the fact that he doesn't like Queen." You said with an obvious note of sarcasm.

"Well, that is a good reason." He said with a soft laugh.

You smiled as you stared down at the ground "No, I just didn't feel it, he's not right for me."

'He's not you.' The thought ran through your head.

Eliot looked over at you "Well I wasn't gonna say it." He said with a soft tone, making you smile as you looked over at him.

'Good' he couldn't help but think, he hated the idea of you with someone else.

He cleared his throat as he threw a towel over his shoulder "You hungry?"

You looked down at the ingredients he had laid across the counter. "I could eat."

He motioned his head for you to come closer "Good, you can help."

You smiled as you walked over, your heart fluttering in your chest. You weren't expecting to suddenly be spending Valentines Day with Eliot, but it was the best thing that could of happened.

Eliot slid the vegetables over to you on the cutting board "Julienne" he said before he moved over to the stove.

You started to wash everything as you peeked over at him "So, why aren't you doing anything tonight?"

You saw a smile cross his face as he shook his head as he looked over at you "I am." He motioned to the kitchen "We're cooking dinner together aren't we?"

You couldn't stop the smile that spread across your face, and you hoped that the obvious heat crawling up your neck and face was not obvious.

He didn't look at you long and you were glad, you feared your feelings would be to obvious if he kept looking.

Going back to the cutting board, your heart was a mess in your chest as you thought about it more. You had feelings for Eliot, you had for a long time now. And now, you were cooking dinner together on Valentines Day, sure it wan't intentional and it just kind of happened, but it was still making you nervous.

As you stared down at the vegetables, you paused 'Julienne' you knew what that was, so why was your mind blank?

Eliot glanced over at you, seeing you staring down at the vegetables with a blank stare. He smiled to himself before he walked over and spoke softly obviously catching you off guard.

"Did you forget what a julienne cut is?"

You side-eyed him "No."

He rose one brown as you sighed.

"Yes."

He chuckled as he moved behind you. You felt your breath catch as your whole boy froze. You felt him right behind you, chest gently pressed against your back as his hands came around from behind you.

Placing his hand over your hand that held the knife, he grabbed a nearby pepper. Slowly he pressed your hand to chop the pepper the correct way.

You watched closely, trying to focus, aware of his face just beside yours, breath just grazing your cheek. You felt him look at your profile before he spoke

"Thin strips, julienne."

You nodded in understanding as you looked over, your eyes locking with his. You felt it, the electric like tension that seemed to buzz between you, did he feel it too?

"Thank you" You muttered out as you forced yourself to look back down at the pepper.

Eliot stared at you for another second before he reluctantly removed his hands from yours before going back over to the stove. His own heart was pounding heavily in his chest. Having you that close to him, it took everything to not pull you even closer.

After a few moments of silence, your heart finally slowed down a bit. You spared a look over at him and noted the way he was so careful with his cooking. You wanted to do this with him more. You enjoyed it, it felt comforting.

"I'm done." You said as you looked down at the divided vegetables, all cut in what you hoped was the proper way.

Eliot walked over and looked down at the cutting board before he smiled and met your eyes "Perfect"

You smiled in return taking them over tot he stove with him. Watching as he prepared a dish to go in the oven, he turned and wiped his hands.

"That'll take a while, let's go sit somewhere."

"It's nice outside." You suggested and he nodded as he gabbed some drinks "Outside it is then."

As you went out to the patio, you looked up at the now dark sky. The sun had set shortly after you arrived, and the stars were beginning to pop out. It was chilly, but not cold, you were sheltered from any cold breeze by the walls around you.

Sitting down, you smiled in thanks as Eliot slid you a drink.

"What did Parker and Hardison decide to do tonight?" You asked with curiosity.

Eliot shook his head "I'm not sure but I think it involved alligators."

You rose your brow "So Hardison's dead then?"

"Might be" Eliot chuckled.

You laughed along as you leaned back in your chair before you peered up at the sky again.

Eliot watched you for a moment "You really forgot it was Valentines Day?"

You smiled at yourself "Yeah I always do." You looked at Eliot and saw a curious gaze before you shrugged "I've only had two Valentines, first one was in high school, we went to a Valentines dance together. Caught him making out with my friend in the bathroom."

Eliot winced and you continued.

"Second time was not long before I joined you guys. We were in a serious relationship, or at least I thought we were. First Valentines Day, he was out of the county. Second one, I prepared his favorite meal, set up candles and flowers, wore a great outfit, and waited. But he never showed. I texted and called, only to get a pretty short text reply a few hours later. 'I'm sorry but I'm not coming back. I decided It's not gonna work out between us. Thanks for the fun times." You laughed dryly "Hell of a way to break up with someone."

Eliot sighed as he tapped his drink against the tale.

You added on softly "Ever since then I just never saw the point."

"I'm sorry. You deserve better than that."

You nodded "Yes, I do."

He smiled at that before he sat up a bit straighter "Three."

"Huh?"

"You've had three Valentines."

You stared at him in confusion for a moment before he reiterated "High school cheater, scumbag, and me."

You smiled as your heart skipped a beat "It's not the same though is it?"

"How do you mean?"

"We're not dating." You said softly hoping the regret behind that statement wasn't obvious "We're friends."

Seeing Eliot's face become a bit more serious, you feared you showed too much.

Deciding to cover it up a bit, you put on an amused tone and leaned back "Besides, you never even asked."

Eliot stood up and you felt your chest clench. Pulling out the chair beside you, he moved it to face you. Sitting down, he leaned forward as he stared at you more intensely than you were prepared for.

"What are you doing?"

"Asking you." He replied quickly, but with a soft tone.

You felt short of breath as he reached forward and grabbed your hand, wrapped his own around them.

Looking back into your eyes he smiled softly "Will you be my Valentine?"

You forced out a soft laugh "Quit joking around Eliot."

You tried to pull your hands away, convincing yourself he was just joking, but you hesitated when he gripped his hands around yours tighter and pulled them back towards him.

You locked eyes with him, confusion written on your face as Eliot's gaze became more sincere. You felt it again, that electric tension between you, but this time, you didn't doubt that he felt it too.

"I'm not joking." He shook his head lightly "I want you to be my Valentine. Hell I've wanted to ask you for years, but...I always thought you would say no."

"Why?" You asked with a strained whisper.

You didn't deny it, you couldn't, how could you? If he had asked, you would have said yes, of course you would have.

"Because I'm Eliot Spencer. And you deserve better, you deserve more."

You shook your head, always hating how he saw himself compared to how you saw him. "I've never met better than you Eliot. And even if I did why would I want it?"

You saw shock cross his eyes for a moment before he smiled, a light scoff coming from him. "But I-"

"I would have said yes. Every time." You added on, not allowing him to say more, not allowing him to bring himself down anymore.

"You're the one who deserves better, who deserves more, but you never let yourself see that." You continued, never removing your eyes from him. "I couldn't be with Chris because he wasn't you."

Eliot seemed to be left speechless before he let out a soft breath, lowering his head he brought your hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to it.

He met yours eyes again "And I've never stayed with anyone because they were never you."

You couldn't help the smile that came to your face. Eliot felt his chest tighten as he took a breath. All this time you were waiting right there for him. He couldn't let you, not anymore.

Holding your breath as Eliot reached towards you, his hands gently cupping your face as he pulled you closer to him. You met him as his lips pressed against yours.

It was a gentle, yet desperate kiss. Something you both had wanted for so long. Slowly the kiss deepened, became more passionate as his hand cupped the back of your head. His other arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer to him. Your hand wrapped around his wrist as you leaned into him.

Breaking away, breathless, your foreheads pressed together, your eyes locked and the tension was still strong between you. Smiles stretched across your faces as you held each other, finally able to both have what you wanted the most. Each other.

xx End xx

General Taglist: @criminaly-supernatural, @imaginesfire, @rexit-mo, @onuen, @witchygagirl, @alexxavicry

“Yes!” She glared at him. “Look, I know it sounds crazy but I’ve been there all day and I swear to god things have been moving on their own, the lights keep turning off whenever I’m in the room and something fucking touched me! It’s haunted okay and I refuse to stay there for one more minute.” She took a deep breath and seemed to try to pull herself together. She couldn’t be serious. “Look, I know it’s a lot to ask and I promise I am not a psycho but can I please stay in your apartment until it’s a more reasonable hour when I can call the landlord and get the fuck out? I wouldn’t ask if there was anyone else.”

“How do you know I’m not the psycho?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you?” She waved her hand as if waving the notion away. “I have a good sense about people.”

“There’s no such thing as ghosts,” he said, giving her a pointed look.

She scowled back at him. “Then you stay there but there’s no way in hell that I’m going back.”

He stared at her for a moment, considering the options. He could let her stay outside, deal with her supposed ghosts by herself. He could let her in, let her stay and deal with her if she’s a threat. The problem would be if she had back up or was waiting until she was inside to plant something. Then again, maybe she really did think she was haunted. Wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to mess with another person, trying to convince them they were crazy for whatever reason. Hell, Hardison could probably make anyone believe they were haunted.

He glanced down, looking her over quickly. She wasn’t trained. He moved back, opening the door. “Come on,” he motioned her in.

“Thank you,” she breathed, pushing her way in. She paused in the hall. “Listen, I’m really sorry if I woke you up.”

“Wasn’t sleeping,” he said. “You can sleep on the couch if you want.”

“Honestly, I don’t think I’m ever going to sleep until I get out of this place.” She ran a hand across her face as she sighed. “Got any coffee?”

“Yeah, come on. I’ll make you a cup.”

“I really appreciate it,” she said. She held out a hand and introduced herself.

“Eliot,” he returned, taking her hand and shaking it. There was no recognition on her face at the name.

“Well, Eliot, thanks for being my knight in shining armour. Now about that coffee?”

He motioned her forwards to walk ahead of him down the hall. Regardless of whether or not she looked like a threat, he wasn’t about to have some stranger at his back.

---

“You know it’s probably not actually haunted, right?”

She glared at him over the rim of the cup she was drinking. She hadn’t said anything about it. He doubted she had ever had anything as high quality as the beans it came from. He hadn’t gotten anything more than a thank you. She didn’t even comment on the cinnamon he gave her to add to it. It was from Madagascar.

“You don’t believe me. Why don’t you go next door and find out? Here.” She pulled something from her pocket and threw it towards him. He caught the keys. It was a simple set. She hadn’t even added them to her keys. Women always had multiple keys.

“Ain’t leaving you here by yourself,” he pointed out. She had seemed alright so far, but what woman in her right mind actually believed in ghosts.

She scowled at him. He stared back until she reluctantly nodded. “That’s fair,” she said. “I wouldn't want someone I don’t know in my house.”

He watched her glance around as he wiped the counters, her eyes falling on the plants on his window ledge. “They’re tomato plants,” he said.

She looked back at him, blinking in surprise. “Oh. That’s cool. The most I have is a cactus. At least if the ghost didn’t kill it.”

He gave her an unimpressed look. “Ghosts can’t kill plants because they’re not real.”

“Says the man who wasn’t there.”

“Don’t you think if there was a ghost, I’d have noticed?” He asked. “Been right next door, sweetheart.”

“Pretty sure ghosts only haunt the areas they inhabit. If the person died there, that’s where they haunt.”

“Because they can’t go through walls?” he asked dryly. He crossed his arms over his chest...and uncrossed them a moment later. He wasn’t trying to intimidate her. Five minutes in her company told him she was as harmless as a fly. Didn’t mean he didn’t text Hardison her name to run a check on her though. She was clean...and he ignored the incoming texts asking who she was. He’d deal with Hardison later.

He wasn’t used to actually having people in his apartment. Usually, he went to the woman’s place and if not, well...they were generally too busy to talk. Those tactics wouldn’t work now. At least she was finally calming down.

“I don’t know!”

“Thought you were the ghost expert,” he said, trying not to smirk.

“I’m a victim, not an expert.”

He frowned at that. She inadvertently reminded him of his theory. “You got anyone who’d want to harm you?”

“What?” She put down the coffee cup, finally, and he moved automatically to grab her a coaster.

“Got any enemies? You just moved here right? Bad ex or something?”

She leaned back slightly. “What? Why are you asking me that? Four am twenty questions?”

He sighed and headed for the fridge. “You hungry?”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

He closed the fridge and turned to her. “It’s far more likely that it’s someone playing tricks on you instead of an actual ghost. So?”

“I get what you're saying but I am not interesting enough for someone to want to torment. I just moved from across town...and regretting it.”

“Alright,” he pulled back his hair and tied it up. “Come on. Let’s go see this ghost.”

“Do we have to?” she actually whined, looking like she was trying to beseech him to change his mind.

“Yes,” he said. Least if it was something tangible he could solve that. “Let’s go.”

She took another sip of her coffee, longer this time, before she slowly got off the stool. “Fine, but I’m staying at the door. You can search it.”

He tried not to roll his eyes, before motioning her forwards and she led the way out.

---

He opened the door with her keys. True to her word, she stayed at the door. He tried not to sigh but walked in. As with most buildings, the layout was the same as his place. The walls were stark white and it was clear she hadn’t gotten far in settling in. The mattress was still propped up against the wall. There was a dark couch but the rest of the room was filled with boxes. Some of them were empty and it looked like she had half of a bookshelf set up.

He moved around slowly, taking the time to check the windows and see if there were any signs that someone had broken in. Everything looked locked and in place.

“Who helped you move in?” he called out.

“I had movers bring in the furniture and boxes. Otherwise, it was just me,” she replied, voice echoing slightly down the hall.

The light flickered above him. Maybe a problem with the wires? The building didn’t have any rodent problem or any other infestation he knew about, but these things could find their way in quickly. Not like he was home that often. If there were rodents, he needed to make sure it was dealt with fast.

He moved to check the bedroom. There were a few more boxes in here. The closet was empty and there was no sign anyone had been in here. He couldn’t see anything that would be used as surveillance.

The light turned off.

“Real funny.” He turned, expecting to see her standing in the doorway with her hand on the light.

“What?” her voice called out from the hallway.

He frowned and looked up. He headed for the light switch. It was still in the on position. He flicked it off and then on again. It worked. Definitely a problem with the wires. Something brushed the back of his neck.

He turned, arms raised to force the person back. The room was still empty. He paused. She had said something touched her but while he hadn’t seen anything, someone with Parker’s skills could make it possible. He glanced at the ceiling. There was no place for a person to hide and definitely no openings they could come from. Her stories were getting in his head and it was probably his own hair.

He turned the light off again and headed back to the living room. “Looks clean,” he said. “Ain’t seeing any ghosts.”

“Well you wouldn’t, would you?” she snarked back.

He made a face as he looked around, unable to stop himself from mimicking her words. He checked the corners again. There was nothing here.

Something suddenly crashed behind him. He turned. The mattress that had been leaning against the wall had toppled over. “You do that?”

“That shit is what I’m talking about! It wasn’t me.”

“Then how did it fall?” He peered into the hall to see her. She glared back at him.

“How do you think?”

“It slipped.”

“Sure, it just happened to slip while we’re here.” She rolled her eyes but still didn’t move any further into the apartment.

This was stupid and now he was going to have to try to climb over the mattress to get out of this place. The light turned off.

“Hey!”

“It wasn’t me!” she cried out. “Come on, Eliot. You’ve proved your point.”

“There’s no such thing as ghosts!”

He refused to admit that he jolted slightly as a plate shattered as it fell to the floor in the kitchen. The light flickered on again. She was still at the door. Despite the fact that the cupboards had been closed when he walked through it earlier, some of them were now open. It didn’t make sense. Unless it was laced with wires or some kind of mechanism that could control it. Hardison would know.

One of the boxes moved a foot. He looked at it. He was labelled with books and hadn’t been opened. He kicked it, only to feel the weight of them as it barely shifted.

A hand touched his bicep with the slightest amount of pressure. He looked, expecting the woman to be there, asking him to leave. There was nothing. An empty room. For once he could practically hear his own heartbeat. Something had touched him. He felt that.

The lights went off again and Eliot was moving before he gave it any thought.

He didn’t know what was happening but he wasn’t staying to find out. She shut the door as soon as he passed her and they both heard it lock in place. He looked at her.

“I told you!”

“Shut up,” he snapped back. “There’s no such thing as ghosts,” he said again but his heart wasn’t fully in it. Something had touched him. He didn’t know anything that could do that.

He led her back to his apartment. As she perched herself back on the stool, taking another sip of coffee that was probably at best lukewarm now, he went to the fridge and started pulling out ingredients. “You hungry?”

“Starving,” she answered.

“You allergic to anything?”

“Nope. I’ll eat anything.”

God, she was another Hardison. Hopefully, she had better taste than to put junk in her system. “I’ll make us breakfast.”

“Thanks.” There was a pause before she spoke again. “What time do you think the landlord will be up?”

“Seven.”

“Do you think he’ll give me any problems with the lease?”

He turned to look at her. “Where you gonna go?”

“No idea, but I’ll figure it out. As long as it’s not haunted.” She took another sip and he made a note to make some more. He shuddered slightly as he started chopping up peppers. He could still feel that hand on him.

“I might know a place. I’ll get the info after we eat.”

“You’d do that?” She looked at him and smiled. “That’d be great.” He wouldn’t tell her that he owned the building, but she could stay there.

“You’re welcome.” All he had to do was figure out what happened next door. He’s not saying it was a ghost, there’s no such thing...but he might start packing anyways. Just in case.

You straightened up a bit at this, which she did not fail to notice.

She continued with a hint of caution in her tone "I mean, you're the only one who doesn't make jokes. Who doesn't ask Eliot how he and Maria are. And anytime she gets brought up, you tend to go quiet, or find and excuse to leave."

You smiled softly "You're better at noticing things than I gave you credit for."

She shrugged her head "So what is it?"

You shook your head lightly, uncertain if you should tell her.

She leaned a little closer, her face expressing a small pout. "Come on, please? 'Cause I gotta be honest. When I first showed up here, I really thought you and Eliot were a couple. I mean you two are perfect for each other."

You let out a soft breath "Yeah, I've heard that before."

"So?" She gave you a hard look.

You rolled your eyes lightly before you looked past her to make sure everyone was gone. You took a breath before you began.

"When the team first got together, me and Eliot got along a lot faster than we did with the others. I'm not really sure why, we just...clicked. He would often insist that he didn't like working with a team, that he was better alone, blah blah. One day when we were talking about it again, once the team was a bit more settled. I joked that it was because he wasn't only afraid of finding a family, but falling in love."

Hearing a noise outside, you paused for a moment. Seeing Eliot leaving, you figured he was going to meet Maria. You sighed softly before you continued.

"And honestly, by that point, I...had developed feelings for him. So the joke was kind of a test I guess, to see if he showed any interest"

Breanna leaned a little closer. "Did he?"

You let out a soft dry laugh "Actually, he just retaliated with some dry sarcasm. Saying things like 'Men like me don't fall in love'"

You mimicked his deeper voice and Breanna chuckled.

"But then he said, that I had to promise to never fall in love with him. It was a joke at the time, and I agreed not too. Not that long later I figured it was for the best. I mean, we have a dangerous life, it's dangerous to fall in love in our line of work. But the longer I spent with him and the others, the more I felt at home.

Breanna spoke softly "And...the more you fell for him?"

You nodded softly as you tapped your fingers on the table. "Me and Eliot are close, but not that kind of close. He's never shown any interest in me, not like that. So I just- I stay with him in the ways that I can. While he falls in love with attractive marshals." You smiled, but it did not meet your eyes.

She shook her head as she stared at you with a mix of pity and surprise "You gotta tell him!"

"No, I don't Breanna. He's got Maria, and as far as I can tell, he's happy with her. I'm not the type to try and bust that kind of thing up. Eliot deserves someone, and it took him a long time to get over the not falling in love thing. It may not be me, but, at least it's someone. Besides! What if-" a fearful thought you had many times washed over you. You let out a soft breath. "What if I do tell him, and..."

"And he doesn't feel the same." She said with dejection.

"That would kill me Breanna, and the team would never be the same again." You shrugged, the sadness on your face evident "I can't risk that, I wont."

"So you're just gonna watch the man you love, love someone else?"

You nodded "The things we do for love Breanna, especially unrequited love, often hurt."

Hearing your phone buzz, you looked down to see a text from Sophie. "It's time" You knocked on the table before you began to leave, stopping you spun back around and pointed at her "This stays between us."

She nodded, before she watched you go. A newfound pity, and respect for you heavy on her chest.

--- --- --- ---

Sitting in the food truck with Breanna, you listened to the various conversations over the comms. While Harry schmoozed up to an old evil lawyer, and Sophie made her way back to the truck, you heard the tail-end of Eliot and Maria's conversation.

Your's and Breanna's comms weren't on, so though you could hear them, they could not hear you.

"You owe me for this one Eliot." Maria said.

"Yeah yeah I know." He said with an obvious smile.

"Maybe dinner? When you're done...working, or whatever this is."

"Yeah, dinner sounds good."

"Good. Call me later then."

Breanna made a sound akin to a sick cat "She is really good at" she mimicked a fishing rod "Reeling him in isn't she?"

"Breanna!" You said softly.

"What? I'm on your side."

"On Y/n's side of what?" Sophie's voice came from behind you as she entered the food truck. You looked at Breanna with a mild warning look.

"Nothing, don't worry about it." You said coolly, as you rose. Grabbing your ear comm, you began putting on your coat.

"Mark primed and ready for me?" You asked Sophie.

"Yes." She said while watching you closely, unconvinced of your dismissing comment.

Once you let the truck, Sophie looked over at Breanna, who quickly looked away and began typing.

Sophie sat beside her "Breanna, if something is going on between Eliot and Y/n I need to know. Are they fighting? What is it?"

Breanna looked nervously from her screen to Sophie. "I'm not supposed to talk about it."

Sophie narrowed her eyes "But you clearly very much want to." Her eyes widened a it "Is it a secret? I love secrets! Y/n has a secret from me?"

Breanna shrugged, weighing the consequences. "Okay-" she began as she muted Sophie's the comms so you would not be able to over hear once you turned yours on, "First tell me this. Have you ever thought that Y/n and Eliot should be together?"

Sophie rose her brow "Oh I always thought they should, but I never understood why they haven't." Sophie gasped "What is it, now you have to tell me!"

"Alright Sophie, Maria is gonna help." Eliot frowned when he heard no response "Sophie? Breanna? Y/n what's going on?"

"What?" You whispered.

"Sophie and Breanna aren't responding to me."

"They're in the truck, I just left them. I gotta go, I'm approaching the mark."

Eliot sighed as he walked up to the food truck. Seeing the door slightly ajar, he opened it slowly, fearing someone else may be inside. He paused though, when he heard Sophie and Breanna.

"What is it, now you have to tell me!"

Eliot was about to call out to them, but stopped when he heard Breanna.

"Have you ever noticed Y/n withdrawing and getting weird whenever Maria comes up in conversation?"

"Oh yeah definitely."

Eliot frowned, he never noticed that. He would have noticed that. He felt a small jolt of realization, as he recalled that you tended to avoid any conversation about her. He thought you were doing it for his sake, but maybe not?

"Right?! So, it's because Y/n has been in love with Eliot for years!"

"What!?"

Eliot felt his heart drop as he felt his breath catch.

"Eliot made a joke years back when Nate first got you guys together, that Y/n had to promise to never fall in love with him. They said they wouldn't, but Y/n already had feelings for him then too."

"Oh my God."

Eliot's hands tightened on the handle of the truck as he continued to hold his breath. Everything from years ago rushing back into his head.

"Y/n said that Eliot never showed any signs of being interested in them so they never acted on it. And Eliot would say things like he doesn't fall in love, ya know, typical Eliot stuff. But now, years later he's with Maria and not Y/n, and now they just have to watch, while their heart is being ripped apart watching the man they love, be with someone else."

"Oh dear, poor Y/n." Sophie said with a dejected tone.

"And Y/n refuses to tell Eliot because they don't want to jeopardize ruining the team."

Eliot stepped away and leaned against the truck, finally taking in a staggered breath.

All this time, you had loved him? The years that he spent convincing himself to never feel anything for you. Because it would be dangerous, because you deserved better? The whole time, you were doing the same, for him.

As much as it broke his heart never being with you the way he dreamed, he convinced himself it was for the better. So when people like Maria came into his life, he jumped in. Now he knew that every time he did that, he was hurting you.

All this time, you had never gotten into a serious relationship. Was this why? What it because of him?

"Eliot? Hello!?"

Breaking from his thoughts as Sophie's voice rang in his ears, he shook himself from his thoughts.

"What?"

"Are you coming back to the truck? We have to go."

"Yeah, yeah I'm coming." He replied, waiting for a few moments before he went into the truck.

Right now he needed to focus on the con, but once it was over. He would fix this. He would set it all right.

--- --- ---

You grinned at the client as she shook Sophie's hand, before turning to the rest of you "Thank you all so much."

"I hope you're able to get back on your feet quickly, let us know if there is anything else we can do." You said softly.

As she thanked you all again and walked off, you looked around at the others. You paused momentarily as you saw Eliot staring intensely at you. His face a mix of emotion you weren't sure you could identify.

Seemingly pulling himself from his thoughts, he pulled his eyes from you as he turned to follow the others inside.

Letting out a sigh as you looked around, you smiled, glad the con went well.

Looking at the time, you felt a small tug at your heart as you recalled Eliot's promise to Maria of dinner. You sighed as you tried to shake the thought from your mind, as you had many times before.

Taking a short break with everyone before they left, you were left alone, sitting at the tables outside the restaurant. You slowly spun the glass in your hand as you stared into the bubbles of the drink.

You were so lost in thought, you didn't see Eliot come around the corner. You didn't see him stand there for a while as he watched you.

He felt guilt pull at him as he watched you sit alone. After most cons, you and him would sit outside somewhere, talk, laugh, eat, watch the stars. It was your thing.

But recently, he would leave after cons to go see Maria. Just another thing he took from you.

Finally walking up to you, you heard his steps and looked up. You smiled at him with mild surprise. He smiled in return, feeling a warmer tug at his heart than before.

"Everyone leave?"

"Yeah" You nodded before you frowned slightly "I thought you were getting dinner with Maria?"

Eliot let out a sigh as he sat in the chair next to you. "Yeah, about that. I did see Maria, but it wasn't to get dinner."

You furrowed your brow "Something happen?"

He nodded "Yeah. Uh, me and Maria aren't going to be seeing each other again."

You sat up a bit straighter, both pain for Eliot, and a small amount of relief washed over you. "What happened?"

"I did." He said softly.

You turned in your chair to face him "I don't get it."

"I ended it, because...I overheard a conversation between Breanna and Sophie earlier."

"About...Maria?" Your heart was beginning to pick up pace as you swallowed hard. What exactly did Breanna and Sophie talk about when you left?

He shook his head "No, about you."

You stared at him with a blank face as you processed what he said. When you left Sophie and Breanna in the truck, she had just walked in after Breanna made a comment about being on your side.

"Oh God." You muttered before you leaned down, setting your head on the table a bit harder than you intended "What did the say?" You asked with a dejected tone.

Eliot smiled a bit as he sat forward, putting his arms on the table and leaning forward. He spoke softly "About how your in love with me. And that you have been for years."

Your heart was pounding in your chest, as your neck burned hot. You were afraid to look up, afraid Eliot would have a look on his face that told you he didn't feel the same.

But then you remembered what started this conversation. He ended it with Maria because of what he overheard. Did that mean-

Looking up, you saw Eliot with a soft smile staring down at you. No judgement, no repulsion, no rejection.

"You said you wouldn't fall in love with me." He said softly with a smile.

You let out a soft breath "Yeah, well. I lied."

His smile grew a bit "So did I."

You squinted a bit in confusion and he replied "About when I said men like me don't fall in love. Because I did. With you, years ago. And every single day since I, regretted telling you not to fall for me. I never really thought you would, but I wanted it."

"Is that why you never told me?"

He nodded softly "And I'm sorry. If I had, if I had shown any of the things I was feeling...things would've been different"

You shrugged lightly but smiled "Not so different."

He smiled "Maybe not. But they would have been better. I would have gotten what I wanted the most."

"Which is?"

"To be with you in all the way's we never had."

"I anted that too. But you aren't the only one who hid it. I was so convinced you never would that I never showed how I felt either."

He shook his head "I guess we both got that guilt in common then. But at least now we can amend that, and make up for the time we lost."

You smiled, but your face fell. "But what about Maria? I never intended f-"

He shook his head as he leaned forward, setting his hand on top of yours.

"It never would have lasted with Maria. She's a Marshal, and I'm- well, you know. It would have ended sooner or later. And I would rather be with the one person who has always been there for me, seen the best and worst parts of me and never left my side. I'd rather be with you than anyone else."

You gazed softly at each other for a few moments as he gently caressed your hand.

"Since I've been going to see Maria after all of our cons recently, I neglected our routine of getting dinner together. Have you eaten?"

"I have not."

He motioned his head towards the restaurant "Let me make you something to make up for it."

You smiled as you both began to rise "I would never say no to that."

He smiled as you both move to go inside. Suddenly stopping, he grabbed your hand and pulled you into his chest. Staring into his eyes, he smiled at you before his eyes flicked to your lips. Meeting your eyes again his lips quirked into a bigger smile.

Smiling in return as you both inched loser, your lips met in a soft kiss. Placing your hands on his chest, he moved his hands to your waist as he deepened the kiss.

As much as you were going to chastise Breanna for telling Sophie the one thing you told her not too. You'd be forever secretly grateful that she did.

xx End xx

Hope you enjoyed it! If you did please consider reblogging, it helps out a lot and is always a great motivator and makes my day! <3

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Eliot watched you leave, letting out a soft sigh. "Always will be." He muttered under his breath.

The tightness in his chest persisted, and only grew the longer you were gone.

Hours passed and Eliot checked the clock again. Looking down at his phone, he let out a sigh. You had only responded to his texts with a brief 'I'll be back soon'. Where you okay? Did the con go wrong? Was it even a con?

Eliot's frustration grew the more he thought about you spending time with Quinn. Quinn had things Eliot didn't. He didn't get angry as quickly as Eliot did. He was better at showing his emotions.

Eliot wouldn't be surprised if you developed feelings for the blonde hitter. But the idea made Eliot's chest ache.

Sophie watched Eliot as he aggressively wiped down the counter. His brow was knit, his jaw clenched.

Sophie spoke with a casual toe, watching Eliot closely. "Y/n sure has been gone for a while, I wonder what they're are up to."

Eliot's motion hesitated for a moment before he continued to wipe the counters. "Y/n said the con would be easy."

Sophie hummed under her breath "Maybe they went and got dinner."

Eliot picked up on Sophie's tone. He had heard it a dozen times before. She was prying.

Looking up he frowned "Don't do that."

Sophie feigned innocence "Do what?"

"Pry, you're prying."

"I'm not prying. I just happened to notice how Y/n absence effects you. And, how it effect you when they're with Quinn."

"It doesn't effect me!"

She tilted her head "Doesn't it?"

"Sophie. Don't"

"You're jealous."

"I am not jealous." Eliot said with offense.

She smiled "You think Y/n enjoys spending time with Quinn. You're afraid they might not come back to us one day. Might not come back to you."

"Sophie!" Eliot said with a warning tone.

Sophie tilted her head again, but her gaze was soft.

Eliot's hardened gaze slowly began to soften a bit. Finally he let out a sigh and spoke, his voice was soft, almost vulnerable. "I wouldn't blame them if they did."

"I wouldn't do that."

Eliot spun around in surprise, seeing you standing in the doorway, your face knitted in concern. Looking back at Sophie she shrugged, telling Eliot that Sophie had known you were there.

Eliot held his breath as he turned back to you. He heard Sophie leave the room behind him.

"Do you really think I would leave the team for Quinn?"

Eliot opened his mouth but nothing came out. Closing it, he took in a breath before he shook his head "No, no you wouldn't leave the team, but-"

"I wouldn't leave you either."

Eliot's eyes caught yours as his chest tightened.

You set down the bag you had in your hands and walked up to him. "Was Sophie right? Are you jealous of the time I'm spending with Quinn, and not you?"

Eliot began to defend himself, to shut down and block of the emotions again, like always. But he stopped himself short. Looking down at his feet he shook his head lightly and sighed.

"He'd be better for you than I ever could." He admitted with a soft voice.

You felt your stomach tighten with his words. All this time you wondered if Eliot had any feelings for you, now you knew he did. But you also knew the insecurities that came with those feelings.

"Quinn is my friend, but I could never feel anything for him. Let alone anything close to how I feel about you."

You saw the hint of surprise wash over his face.

"I mean-" You turned around and walked over to the bag you brought back with you "I don't think I would ever be willing to stand in a line for almost two hours just to get Quinn his favorite Religieuse's."

Eliot's eyes dropped down to the bag in your hand. A small smile played at his lips. "That's why you were late?"

You smiled and shrugged your head.

Eliot's smile grew as he walked up to you, his eye's never left yours. Gently taking the bag from your hand, he set it down before gently taking your hand in his.

"I'm not the best at this, you know that." He let out a soft laugh as he gently caressed your hand.

"Yeah, I do. But you don't need to be."

He gave you a questioning gaze. "But you need to know how much I-"

You cut him off "I do." You smiled "You're always there when I need you."

He smiled "And I always will be."

Gently placing his fingers under your chin, he leaned in, you met him as he pressed a soft kiss to your lips. Sending butterflies shooting through you.

From the balcony above, Sophie smiled before he softly shook her head and left "Finally" She mused with a smile.

xx End xx

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Your heart seemed to skip a beat as it felt heavy in your chest. What is this, a love confession? The last client didn't fall in love with you did they? Your neck and ears seemed to burn hot as you stared at the note. No name was left.

"So what does it say?" Sophie asked.

You looked over at he "Nothing, just-"

"A love confession!"

You jumped as Parker's voice sounded from right behind you, where she had read the note over your shoulder.

"Parker!"

She skipped around you and plopped down on a stool "Who do you think it's from?"

You shrugged lightly, speechless at the sudden turn of events.

"There's no name?" Sophie asked as she came over and plucked the note from your hand "Wow, how bold, and romantic." She mused.

"Well it is almost Valentines Day." Harry spoke up from the other side of the bar.

You met this eyes and he had his brow raised as he made the suggestion.

"I don't know." You said slowly "Maybe it's from the last client?"

"You two did seem to get along really well." Breanna noted "You gonna reach out and ask?"

You shook your head "No, I don't think so." Placing the note back in the flowers, you smelled them, your eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

Whether or not it was from the client, or someone else, the thought was kind. Though the message would linger on your mind all day.

Harry watched as you took the flowers to the kitchen, saying you were going to put them in some water. He forced his smile to stay hidden as his own heart pounded in his chest. At least you seemed to like them.

He hoped you would like the others as well.

--- ---

The next day as you sat at the bar once again, talking with Sophie about the most current con, you jumped slightly when Breanna burst into the rom.

"Guess who got more flowers?" She said in a sing-song voice.

Looking over you saw a bundle of yellow flowers wrapped in brown paper. Your heart jolted in your chest as she brought them over to you.

"More?" You said with a soft breath as you looked down at the fully bloomed branches of yellow jasmines.

Gently touching the flowers, you saw another note dangling from one of the branches. Grabbing the note, your heart was pounding heavily in your chest. Would the note say who they were from this time?

"Look's like someones got a secret admirer." Breanna said with a suggestive raise of her eyebrows.

"Or a stalker." Eliot added as he crossed his arms.

Harry sat up a bit straighter at this "No" he laughed awkwardly "Surely they're just...thank you's or- or something."

Sophie, Eliot and Breanna looked over at Harry with a curious stare. He raised his brows in an attempt to appear innocent before glancing over at you.

He could immediately tell you were too preoccupied with the note to have heard anything they said.

'Yellow Jasmine: Affection, Joy, Friendship.'

Still no name, and the meaning was not as abrupt, but the message still made your heart radiate warmth. Though there was a sense of concern lingering beneath it. It all depending on who they were from in the end.

Sophie moved her gaze from the suspiciously acting Harry, to you. "Any name this time?"

You tore your eyes away from the note and looked up at her, shaking your head.

She hummed before looking over at Harry who looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

Smiling softly she turned around "Well, as curious as this all is, that's enough of that for now, we've got a con to do."

Harry let out a relieved breath as everyone's attention turned away from him. His eyes fell on you as you gently an your fingers over the flowers.

He smiled softly as he watched you for a moment. Tomorrow, he would tell you. Tomorrow he would know for sure if his feelings are returned.

--- --- ---

Making your way into the building with an arm full of groceries, you immedietely noticed the lack of voices or noise coming from within the building. You looked around you, seeing no one. Frowning, you wondered where they all went.

As you looked through one of the bags, you took out the boxes of chocolates you got everyone lingering on the one you got for Harry. You wish you had the courage to tell him how you felt, but you didnt.

Looking over at the table your eyes landed on the jasmine flowers you put into a vase. You wish you had the confidence to do something like that.

Your mysterious secret admirer had yet to make a real move and part of you was relieved. You hated turning people down.

Looking back at the box of chocolates, you let out a soft sigh. If they were from Harry though...

As you heard the door open and close your eyes rose, to see Harry standing in the doorway. Partially hidden by the staircase.

"Hey Harry." You smiled.

"Hey." He greeted in response.

"Where'd everyone go?" You asked as you took some more groceries out of the bags.

"Uhm, out, I guess. They'll be gone for a while."

You frowned slightly, knowing that to be odd, as everyone should have been here by now. As you turned back to Harry, you saw a bouquet of red tulips in his hands. You paused in your step as your heart seemed to do a flip in your chest.

Harry looked down to the flowers and then back to you "Oh, yeah. These are for you."

"More flowers?" You asked softly with a mild tone of bewilderment.

Taking the flowers from him, you were aware his eyes were locked on you. Seeing yet another note, you gabbed it and opened it. Expecting to see another typed out note from an anonymous person.

But instead, the note was written in pen, in familiar hand writing.

'Red Tulips: Declaration of feelings; love.'

Your eyes slowly rose to meet Harry's and he was clearly nervous, as his brow raised slightly.

"This is your handwriting Harry." You said softly, your tone conveying your surprise and confusion.

He nodded slightly, as a ghost of a smile played on his face "Yes it is."

"The other flowers were...from you?"

He nodded again as he placed his hands behind his back "They were."

Your face was frozen in surprise for a moment and you saw Harry's trepidation. But slowly a smile stretched across your face.

You shrugged your shoulder lightly. "All I got you was some chocolates."

"I like chocolates." He said with a soft chuckle.

Your smile grew as you looked at the tulips. "They're beautiful Harry. They all are. But...why this way?"

He smiled and shrugged his head, knowing you were asking why he would confess how he felt like this.

"I was feeling...brave, and slightly romantic given the fact that Valentines Day is right around the corner, so, you know, I went with it."

"Well it's definitely the most creative confession I've received."

"You get a lot?" He asked playfully and you chuckled. He cleared his throat before he spoke again "So, you've received the confession, and now, you return the sentiment, I hope?" He asked softly.

Turning away, you grabbed the box of chocolates from the table before scribbling on it with a nearby pen.

Walking back over to Harry, you handed it to him.

Harry read it with a soft chuckle.

'Chocolates: For returned feelings'

Looking back up to meet your eyes you smiled at each other softly for a moment before he motioned his head towards the exit.

"Wanna go get some dinner?"

You smiled and nodded your head "I'd love to"

xx End xx

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You locked eyes with him. "Thank you Eliot."

He smiled a bit bigger as you smelled them, closing your eyes momentarily as the scent wafted over you.

"What are these for?" You asked softly.

Eliot's face fell into confusion for a second before he let out a soft chuckle "Valentines Day."

Seeing the confusion cross your face, before realization took over, Eliot almost laughed. Beneath the humor though, he had to admit, he felt a bit angry, that you had become so used to not experiencing this, that it slipped your mind entirely. The anger was of course not at you, but those who failed to show you proper appreciation in your relationships.

You deserved more than that. But he was glad he was with you now so he could show you everything they failed too.

"Oh." You said with realization as you looked over at the calendar. "Is it that time already?"

Suddenly you felt a circus of thoughts and motions bubble over as you looked back at Eliot.

"I didn't realize. I didn't get you anything."

Eliot, used to this side of you, gently rested his hands on your shoulders.

"You don't need to get me anything Y/n. I don't need anything except you, coming with me, to have some dinner. That's all I want."

As he smiled sweetly at you, you felt a sense of comfort wash over you. He always had a great way of calming you.

You looked back at the flowers and smiled softly "I've never had a Valentine before."

He smiled "Yeah, well you do now." Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead before placing a second kiss to your lips.

Pulling away, he slipped his hand into yours and began to lead you out of the doors of the Leverage office.

"And those flowers ain't the only thing I got you."

"Oh no." You said with realization.

"Oh yes."

"But I didn't get you anything! Eliot!" You whined, making him chuckle.

Squeezing your hand a little tighter as he pulled you along, he smiled to himself. As soon as he knew your first Valentines Day as a couple was coming up, he made plan after plan to shower you with the gifts and traditions of the holiday you never had anyone care to share with you before.

xx End xx

Short and sweet hope you liked it~

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You looked over at Eliot who seemed unconcerned, and then Parker and Hardison, who just stared at you, as if waiting for your response. Your eyes moved to Harry who's face remained almost blank.

He nodded his head softly "Yeah, uh, I agree with Sophie and Breanna, you should go."

You felt your chest tighten a bit as disappointment washed over you. "You...all, think I should go?"

'All'

Harry, Harry thinks you should go. Then again, why wouldn't he. Why would he care who you dated, even if you wanted him to care.

Sophie and Breanna nodded their heads fervently. As Parker and Hardison glanced between each other, something you failed to notice.

Harry stared at you with growing anxiety, as he berated himself in his mind for encouraing you to go.

You let out a soft laugh as Sophie and Breanna stared at you intently. "Okay okay, I'll go. If the con is done by then. Just stop staring at me already."

Sophie smiled brightly "Great, well then. Lets not waste any time."

As Sophie rose from her seat, you moved to go get prepared, following Eliot out of the room. Grabbing your phone, you re-read Danny's messages back before replying, almost reluctantly.

'Yeah I'd love to. I got work to do, but it should be finished in time, I'll let you know.'

Harry watched you walk off, and his heart sank in his chest. Suddenly feeling a hard smack against his shoulder he let out a soft yelp, as Hardison sat beside him.

"What was that for?" Harry asked in confusion.

"What the hell was that dude?

"What was wha- ow!"

Parker smacked him in the other arm as she sat beside him. "What was what? That, was you telling Y/n they should go on that date!"

"Well-" Harry stumbled a bit "Why shouldn't they?"

Parker and Hardison rolled their eyes in unison.

"Dude, it's obvious you got a thing for Y/n. So what you don't go and do, is tell the person you are into, to go on a date with someone else!" Hardison's voice grew in volume and frustration as he spoke.

"Okay, okay!" Harry said, with his voice hushed. "What was I supposed to do? Y/n doesn't know how I feel."

"That's why you have to tell them" Parker started "Before they go on a date, fall madly in love, causing Y/n to leave their life of crime behind, abandoning us all and moving to a quaint countryside and opening up a cafe where they sell coffee to old people!"

Hardison and Harry stared at Parker for a moment before Harry shook his head with a sigh "Well when you put it that way."

Hardison lightly smacked his arm again "Dude, I see how you feel about Y/n. I get it. You think you aren't worthy enough for them, you think they wont see anything in you. But dude, Y/n already does."

"You think so?"

"We know so." Parker said softly. "Y/n looked at you when they weren't sure what to do with Darren."

"Danny"

"Whatever. They were hoping you'd tell them not to go. But you didn't."

Hardison nudged him "And you have too. Otherwise you might lose your chance all together."

Harry looked out the door you had gone through, as he took a deep breath. They were right. It would kill him to see you with someone else. And it would be his fault.

--- --- ---

Seeing Sophie and Eliot leave, lost in conversation, you let out a soft sigh as you looked around. It seemed like everyone had left.

Grabbing your bag, you looked at your phone. You had yet to tell Danny you could meet up with him. The con was done, you were free. All you had to do was tell him you could see him.

'Hey, I'm done with work, still want to get that dinner?'

You looked at your unsent message, your finger hovering over the send button.

Hearing a suddenly bang as someone rushed through the door behind you, you spun around in surprise.

Seeing Harry with a look of urgency on his face, you set your phone down.

Harry felt a sense of relief wash over him "Oh, uh, you're still here!"

"Yeah.." You let out a soft laugh "Is everything okay?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah, just...thought I-" As Harry's eyes cast over the table, he stepped forward "lost my phone, but there it is" He pointed at it with a smile.

"Oh" You smiled, amused at his distress.

Your heat fluttered a bit in your chest as he looked back over at you with a smile. You noted how it faltered before he spoke again, his eyes trailing you up and down pausing on your bag briefly.

"Uh, you heading out? I mean, going on a date with Danny still?"

You looked down at your phone and smiled, though it did not meet your eyes. "Yeah, I was just getting ready to text him."

Harry nodded, but remained silent, he wracked his brain for something to say, anything, as you stared at him, almost expectantly.

As Harry said nothing, you felt a familiar pang of disappointment in your chest. You smiled at him. "I should go."

Turning to leave, you grabbed your phone. Harry felt a sudden jolt of panic course through him.

"Wait!" He suddenly yelled out, catching both of you by surprise.

You turned back around, eyes wide with surprise "What?"

Harry let out a soft sigh "Don't go on that date."

Your heart leapt in your chest as you turned back totwards him. You swallowed "Why?"

Harry let out a soft laugh as he shook his head. "Come on, you gotta know why."

You could hear your heavy heartbeat in your head as you softly shook your head. "Say it." You were almost pleading.

Harry let out a sigh as he walked closer to you. "Because I don't want to see you with someone else."

"Someone else?" You asked softly

"Someone who's not me." He shrugged lightly "I want you to be with me. And I almost ruined that by saying you should go on that date with Danny. But I don't want you to. So don't. Please."

You refrained from smiling as you took a step closer to him "So you waited 'til the very last second to stop me?"

Harry looked around before nodding awkwardly.

You let out a soft laugh "You're an idiot you know that?"

His smile grew as he nodded "I am entirely aware, yes." He took a small step closer, nearly closing the distance between the two of you. "Was my stupidity entirely in vain?"

You eyed him for a moment before you smiled softly and shook your head "No, Harry, it was not."

His smile turned into a grin as he moved ever so closer, before gently taking your hand in his, and caressing the back of it with his thumb.

Looking from your hand, back to your eyes, he smiled softly, almost shyly "Then would you like to go get dinner with me?"

You nodded with a smile "I'd love too."

xx End xx

Since no one else is writing any Harry x reader fics, I decided I would try my hand at it. Hope you like it!

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- - -

After finally getting Parker's desired amount of pumpkins, and four sets of carving knives. You, Eliot, Parker and Hardison all sat down around the table.

"This is gonna take us forever Parker." Eliot complained as he eyed the almost twenty pumpkins on the table.

"Right?!" She said with a grin.

"No, babe, that's not a good thing." Hardison said.

"Oh..." She said softly before shrugging her shoulders and pulling a pumpkin towards her.

You smiled and shook your head before pulling a pumpkin towards you, having no real idea of what you were going to carve. Flipping through the book of stencils, you pulled out a scary face, deciding to start with that while you thought of something more original you could carve.

And after what felt like the entire day, you had carved four pumpkins, Eliot four, Hardison three, and Parker was on her sixth, though she refused to show you any of the ones she had carved.

"The rest of the pumpkins are gonna have to be just plain decorations Parker." You said while a yawn escaped your mouth.

"Yeah, I know." She said a bit bummed as she continued to carve into her last pumpkin.

Looking back at your final pumpkin, you carved away at the more precise parts, trying to not the accidentally punch out the tooth of your last jack-o-lantern.

As another yawn forced it's way out, you accidentally missed the pumpkin with the carving knife, and instead sliced your finger, making you gasp out of surprise. "Ouch." You hissed out as you looked at your finger.

Eliot, having looked up at the sound of a gasp, saw you looking at your finger. Reaching over, he gently took your hand "It's just a small cut." You said as he looked, seeing some blood well to the surface.

Standing up, he began to walk towards the bathroom, "Best to clean it out anyway's."

"You could wipe the blood on your pumpkin and make it scarier." Parker said without looking up from her own pumpkin.

You stared at her silently before looking over at Hardison who was sharing your perplexed and grossed out look. You both shook your heads, ad you let out a small chuckle.

Eliot, sitting back down next to you, grabbed your hand again "This might sting a bit." He said as he wiped the cut with a small alcohol wipe. You closed one eye in a wince of pain before it subsided rather quickly. Placing a small bandage on the cut, he brought your hand up to his face and pressed a gentle kiss on the bandage "There, all better." He said with a familiar softness in his voice as he smiled at you.

You smiled in return "Thanks."

"Finished!" Parker yelled, making all three of you jump in surprise.

"Don't do that Parker!" Eliot said in frustration out of hatred of being scared.

Simply laughing, well cackling would be a better description, she grabbed her pumpkin and placed it next to the other five. Spinning them all around to face the three of you, she stared at you with glee as you all looked at the pumpkins.

"...What are they?" You asked after a few moments of silence.

"What, you can't see it?! It's us! Look, this one is me, this one is you, then Alec, Eliot, and then Sophie, and Nate!"

You stared at the pumpkins, trying to figure out the similarities. You found the longer you did, the more you saw, but, they still barely looked like people's faces. You nodded your head anyways "You know what, I see it now."

She grinned and nodded her head as he looked at Hardison who nodded his head in silence.

"What? What are you talking abo-Ow!" Eliot was cut off as you elbowed him in the side. Eyeing him, he rolled his eyes a bit before smiling at Parker who simply grinned gleefully at her creations.

After carving out one last piece to your final pumpkin, you picked it up and set it by the rest. Lighting a small tealight candle you placed it inside. You looked at the various pumpkins you had all carved. They ranged in carved faces, animals, and a few movie references from Hardison, not to mention Parker's portrait carvings.

You smiled at them as they flickered before turning back to Eliot, as he placed his last pumpkin down beside yours. "Even though there were so many, this was still pretty fun." You commented.

He smiled softly at you before planting a kiss on your cheek "Yeah it was. But don't say that to Parker, or she'll try to make us carve the rest." He said as he wrapped his arm around your side, as you both made your way back to the table.

"So, tonight we can watch scary movies and eat a bunch of candy!" Parker said with excitement.

Eliot shook his head "We should also consider eating an actual meal Parker, you've been eating candy all day."

"Bah! Who cares about that!" Parker said dismissively as she waved her hands at him.

You saw Eliot raise his brow before shaking his head, getting ready to argue.

You chuckled "How about we order out some food Parker, we can have candy later." You broke in before an argument could start.

She scrunched her nose before looking up at you, thinking for a moment she shrugged "Fine."

You and Eliot shared a look before you smiled amused as Parker ran back over to the pumpkins, taking pictures. Surely to send to Sophie and Nate.

"Come on." Eliot said as he tugged on your hand, dragging you over to the couch to sit down. Letting out a comfortable sigh, you leaned against him as he flipped through his phone, looking for a place to order food from.

Feeling content, you leaned your head on his shoulder, embracing one of the few days you've had with him recently that did not involve being on a job. And looking over at Hardison and Parker who were adjusting the pumpkins, you smiled, happy and content in the life you had made for yourself with this family.

xx