He grabbed at the man
As soon as he emerged.
He knew he should say
Something.
Something kind
Something thoughtful
Something..normal,
Just this once.
But the words wouldn't come.
His mouth fell
Open
As they wrapped each other in an
Embrace.
Sure,
Ask him any day, and
Eliot would say that he tolerated
Hardison.
He'd say that he couldn't
Stand him most times.
But today..
Today, he'd nearly lost
The man who made him
Laugh
(Sometimes)
Yell
(Often)
and confused.
(Always)
Instead, he settled for a
Threat.
Typical Eliot.
"Don't do that
Again."
He felt Hardison shake his
Head
Chest still heaving as he
Gasped for
Air.
"I won't."
And he knew he
Wouldn't.
Eliot
Released him.