Clay
CLAY
let the hot water of Elliot’s shower beat down on his sore and bruised back. Separate showers seemed the safer option for the two of them. Not that thought they were in danger of doing anything they weren’t supposed to. He’d never felt more tired and unsexy in his life. But it would keep them from bumping into one another, and they were beat up enough.
He closed his eyes, sagging against the wall. They were safe for the moment. wasn’t so sure they should have let the men in the building see their faces or even live knowing who they were. Elliot insisted it would be fine, and was too tired to argue.
And honestly, he was just glad he was alive.
Smiling, he flipped the shower off and grabbed the towel outside the tub to dry himself. Somewhere in the apartment, Elliot was waiting for him. couldn't remember when he’d ever had someone just...waiting for him. Elliot had truly seen , knew what kind of person was, and still wanted him. Even better, Elliot believed there was something worth saving in him. Even though Anthony had planned to sell Elliot like cattle, the man still refused to let soil his hands out of anger.
He only hoped he could live up to Elliot's belief in him.
opened the bathroom door, letting the steam billow out. A glance to the right told him Elliot wasn’t in the bedroom. He could just make out the soft sound of the TV, though, and followed it to its source. had expected to find Elliot asleep on the couch, but the man was wrapped up in a blanket, sprawled out and staring at the TV.
Elliot looked up when entered, beaming. “Hey, you. Have a good shower?
“Felt like I was getting beat up a little the whole time, but it was worth it,” told him, patting the towel wrapped around his waist.
Elliot motioned him close. “Come curl up with me.”
chuckled. “I’m still wet from the shower and naked.”
“It’s a leather couch for one, and secondly,” Elliot said with a grin, opening the towel. “So am I.”
looked over Elliot’s naked body, torn between concern and arousal. It was a sight to see, Elliot naked and exposed. was hoping he never grew tired of the view and that Elliot was happy to invite him for naked cuddles just as easily in the future. What bothered him was the sight of the black and blue bruises littering the man’s broad chest, flat stomach, and thick arms.
“Maybe we should get that looked at,” said, eyeing the marks.
Elliot held out his hand. “Quit worrying about me. I’ve been injured enough times to know when I’m going to be okay and when I’m not. I’ll be sore for days, but that’s about it.”
wanted to disagree, but the lure of sitting down and being wrapped up by Elliot won him over. He pulled his towel off, tossing it onto the tiled floor of the hallway. didn’t miss how Elliot’s eyes swept over his body or how a certain part of Elliot’s body got a little more attentive.
But then he was pulled down onto Elliot’s lap. Sure enough, he felt the man stiffen, pressing against his back. It made smile, but more so when he felt Elliot’s arms wrap around him and squeeze him tight. There would be time enough, after a good long rest, for the two of them to deal with Elliot’s growing problem. For now, though, he was happy to be wrapped up in the man’s arms, where he felt content and satisfied for the first time in a very long time.
Elliot’s breath ghosted against his neck. “We made the news.”
’s head jerked up to look at the TV. “What?”
Elliot’s hand squeezed his thigh. “Not us personally.”
The screen showed a reporter standing on the side of the road, smoke thick in the air behind him. The bottom read, ‘Fire at abandoned hotel; second explosion in a day.’ Elliot reached out to grab the remote and turn the TV up, and the reporter’s voice came through clearly.
“Authorities aren’t sure precisely what caused the fire, but they believe the explosion was caused by a gas main accidentally left on in the building. They are also unsure if the explosion here and the one at a local motel on Fifth Street are connected. They have assured us the building here has been abandoned for many months and that it’s unlikely anyone was inside. We do, however, regret to inform you that the inhabitant of the motel downtown has not shown up and is presumed to have died.”
“Oh shit,” muttered.
“Hm?”
“I forgot to tell the people at the front desk that I was alive. They think I’m dead,” said with a laugh.
“Did they have your actual name?”
“Well, no.”
“Was it a real person?”
“Fuck if I know. The name probably was, though the picture was of me.”
“Will they have it on file?”
shook his head. “They didn’t bother copying anything, just wanted to make sure the name was the same as on the card I gave them. They’ll be looking for the wrong person.”
Elliot pulled him closer, flush against him. “Well, I, for one, am glad you’re not dead.”
“And I’m glad to be alive too,” said with a laugh.
He stopped, realizing, at that moment, he’d deftly swerved around Elliot’s comment as though it was second nature. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head, telling himself that if he was going to do this, he had to start trying to be the sort of person Elliot deserved.
“No, that’s not right,” said.
“Hm, what’s not?” Elliot asked, looking up with a frown.
forced himself to look at Elliot dead on. “I mean that when I thought you were dead, it felt like someone ripped my chest out. We barely know each other, but you know more about me than anyone alive, as far as I know. And that would be enough to send most people screaming, but you just...look past that and see something else. You’re the best thing to happen to me in years, and it felt like my last shred of hope was turned into mulch and set on fire.”
Elliot’s eyes were wide, and he gently stroked ’s cheek. “And you really think that, with a reaction like that, you aren’t better than you think you are?”
“I don’t think being hurt by loss is all that selfless,” murmured.
“. It’s human . It means you care. It means you got close enough to someone to be hurt in the first place. It means you’re capable of love and compassion. You’re able to be the person Mrs. Collins saw in you all those years ago. You don’t have to be the tool your bosses made you into. You can be free,” Elliot said, smiling wide.
wasn’t so sure that was the case. He’d been alone for so long, wandering a world of shadows and blood, it was hard to see Elliot’s words as true. That didn’t mean he didn’t find himself hoping it was true. If that sort of world meant he could feel what he felt with Elliot, then maybe there was something, and it was worth having.
Elliot was worth having.
sank into the warmth of Elliot, kissing him softly. The strength of his body against him was comforting, but the strength of his heart comforted . With this sort of man by his side, wondered if maybe he could get through just about anything.
A sharp noise brought ’s head up, and he frowned at the offending phone as it buzzed across the table. With an annoyed grunt, he snatched it up and handed it to Elliot.
Elliot frowned at it. “Not someone I know.”
stared at the number, ice trickling into his gut. “Answer it.”
Elliot raised a brow but did it. “Hello? Uh, yeah, this is...you...what? Uh, okay.”
With a confused look, Elliot pulled the phone away from his ear. He pressed a button, and an all too familiar voice came from the screen.
“Just to confirm, this is, in fact, Elliot Remus, correct?” Fate asked in her clipped voice. “Who I am is not important. What is important is that for all intents and purposes, you are essentially the last known kin of ,” she continued.
“I’m what?” Elliot asked, eyes wide.
shook his head, shrugging. He had no idea what she was talking about either, and he sure as hell didn’t know how she even knew about Elliot in the first place. The fear in his gut was growing into a cramp, and he began to wonder how long they had until an operative showed up on their doorstep.
God, he was going to have to flee to keep Elliot safe, wasn’t he?
Fate cleared her throat. “Yes. had no family and, until recently, had no personal relationships. You are the closest I have to inform.”
“Of?” Elliot asked faintly.
“I regret to inform you that in the line of duty, tragically lost his life. We’ve confirmed this, and I have forwarded the report. As far as we are concerned, is lost to us, and all records of him will be dealt with accordingly,” Fate told him.
“I...oh?” Elliot managed.
It was then realized she wasn’t talking to Elliot. No, she had to know was sitting right there and was actually telling him the Agency believed he was dead. Fate had considered the explosion at the hotel as faking his own death and leaped on it immediately. It had been the last thing on his mind but damned if luck wasn’t still working in his favor.
“I also regret to inform you that he kept all financial records out of our hands, so we cannot pass power over them to you.”
“That,” Elliot said, staring at , “is unfortunate.”
“Yes, but that was the nature of the man we employed. To that end, I’m deeply sorry to have brought this news to you and to remind you that the work he did was and will forever remain classified.”
Elliot cleared his throat. “Right, yes, of course. Thank you for telling me.”
“Of course. Then, with that business over, I’ll allow you to get back to your life, Mr. Remus. And...take care.” The last was said softly and with more genuine emotion than had ever heard from the woman.
It was meant for him.
Elliot ended the call, his eyes never leaving ’s face. “What...just happened?”
stared at the phone, unexpectedly touched by Fate’s final farewell to him. He had no idea how she even knew about Elliot or why she cared enough to try and help him. They were mysteries he might never solve, but he found himself grateful to her. Wherever she was, he truly hoped she knew what she’d done for him.
“I’ve...been freed,” said softly.
Elliot’s eyes widened. “What?”
nodded. “I guess the media weren’t the only ones who thought I died in that explosion. I guess she knew where I was by keeping track of my cell phone. I was on the phone with her when the explosion went off, and we were cut off. She probably saw the news and?—”
“Thought you died,” Elliot finished.
closed his eyes, shaking his head and smiling. “No. She thinks I faked it. But she’s giving me the chance to be free. Everything about me will be wiped from their records, one last loose end that could be traced back to them. I’m free, Elliot.”
“Free,” Elliot repeated.
“Free,” assured him.
The last loose end, tied up and thrown away, never to bother him again. He still had no idea if there was even a chance he could do this, if he even had it in him. But damn, just looking at the growing joy on Elliot’s face made ready to take on the world in order to try.
Elliot let out a whoop, crushing with a huge hug. squawked as he was squeezed hard, unable to do more than wriggle as Elliot held him.
“Air!” gasped.
Elliot pulled him back, staring at him. “Do you want to do this? Be with me, live like a normal person?”
Give up a life of loneliness and bitterness? Throw aside, always having to look over his shoulder, refusing to trust anyone. To take instead a world where he could take real comfort in the touch of Elliot, the thrill of Elliot inside him, the warmth of the man’s very presence?
“Of course I want it,” said easily.
It was the easiest choice he’d ever made.