This was a response to a prompt by "honeyjojames" for the following: Leverage, de-aged!Eliot/Nate, family ties. This was my reply....
Nate looked at the toddler in his lap...The one that was currently slapping at the keys of the computers keyboard with a slobber soaked hand, while looking up at him with two little bottom teeth showing as he grinned.
"When I first met you, I wanted nothing more than to put you away....far away from anyone and anything...Now, I just want to keep you close, forever close. Before you were a stranger...Now? I guess you're family...My family." He offered the baby a cracker to satisfy the teething childs need to chew. A coo and gurgle was his thank you, and then something that sounded almost like Da Da.
Nate looked at the little one with mixed emotions. It had been so long since he had heard those precious words. So many years and mistakes ago. Now, for some unknown reason, he had a chance to make amends and be the father he always wanted to be. "Come on son, let's get you cleaned up and ready for bed before Sophie gets home."
Eliot cooed again and flashed his toothy smile for his dad. "mamamamama." Was his reply.
They were a family indeed.
The end.