Smile


There aren't a lot of things that make Eliot smile. Eliot often fakes it while on a con, but the genuine smiles are far and few between.

Parker has been watching, but not taking notes. It is a small list and easy to remember. Eliot smiles when someone appreciates him. Eliot smiles when someone thinks they are winning and he is about to show them how wrong they are. Eliot smiles when he sits down to watch sports with Nate and Hardison. Sometimes, Eliot smiles at her.

But he only smiles at her when he thinks she isn't looking. She likes it. He smiled the other day while she was demonstrating a new harness she designed.

"Want to test it?"

"How about I watch from the ground?"

Parker frowned. "You liked my harness didn't you?"

"Course I did," he answered quickly.

"Then you will try it. You won't scream will you?"

Eliot blinked rapidly for a moment. "What?"

"Hardison screams. It's funny. Do you scream?"

"No."

"Good."

Eliot did not smile as she adjusted the straps just a little bit tighter after he finished strapping himself in. Eliot did not smile when he looked over the edge.

"Ready?"

His breath came in short puffs, and she could see the pulse of his heartbeat on the side of his neck. She remembered feeling like that when she first started jumping, and she was happy to see him excited. She grinned and quickly stole a kiss. Eliot's lips felt cool and dry, and he smiled briefly when she pulled away.

"For luck," she explained, and then pushed him.