582 words of Nathan Ford reflecting on moments of peace.
-.-.-
"Anything hurts less than the quiet."
(From madelainesvixens on Tumblr)
Written for my 2019 Summer Prompt Challenge on Ao3.
Quiet
Nate had long since accepted that moments of peace were going to be few and far between. Sometimes, when he was drinking, he would reach a level of 'don't care' that was almost peace. Then he'd black out and have to deal with a hangover that made his head feel like he was living on a fault line.
"Damn it Hardison!" Elliot's voice rang out from the kitchen. Hardison's babbling swiftly followed in a less clear, but higher pitch. Nate smiled at the familiar noise.
Parker came bouncing in to the room, a grin bigger than the diamond in her hand. "Hardison put hot sauce in Elliot's gumbo!" She clapped her hands together, diamond between her palms, "He's gonna kill him!"
"Boys!" Nate called out as he stood up. He brushed passed Parker, who continued to bounce as she followed him into the kitchen.
Elliot was wielding a wooden spoon and Hardison had grabbed a pot lid that he was attempting to use as a shield. It was made of glass though and Nate was positive Elliot could smash through it with ease. Not even accounting for his ability to disarm Hardison.
"I see there's some tension?" Nate held up his hands. He kept his face neutral and his mouth shut as they both launched into - very detailed - defenses.
"So what had happened was-" "He ruined my gumbo!"
Elliot growled and Hardison shrunk back against the counter a bit. Somewhere behind him Parker giggled.
And, for reason that Nate should probably explore with a therapist, this was his moment of peace. He knew every angle of this problem, he knew the motivations, and more importantly he knew the players.
It was different that helping Sam with his homework, but the same since of affection and amusement came over him like a wave. He rode that wave right through his mediation.
"You - don't touch Elliot's food, you know better." He pointed at Hardison, added in a narrowed look, and sprinkled some disappointment into his voice.
Hardison shuffled his feet and lowered his lid shield.
He turned to Elliot, "Put down the cutlery. We'll order take out and you start from scratch tomorrow."
Elliot grumbled, but the spoon was thrown into the sink rather than Hardison's head.
"Parker," he turned around and the blond straightened up. Her eyes went wide as she blinked repeatedly at being addressed, "You're taking Hardison out of the house tomorrow so Elliot can cook."
He could feel Elliot's anger deflate and Hardison's anxiety rise. Parker bounced on her feet again as her mouth dropped open in a wide 'o.' Her squeal was heard only by dogs.
Nate returned to the living room as the three descended into a much friendlier argument - namely, what Parker would do with Hardison tomorrow. He sank into his chair, the wave crashed into the shore - his brief moment of peace went with it.
Greedy. That's what he was. He lost one family, and here he was with another. He wanted to both.
"Hello darling," Sophie greeted him with a smile as she walked through the door. Her purchases were set on the floor before she traipsed over to his chair. She kissed his cheek, "Have the children behaved?"
There was a twinkle in her eye. He chuckled, "More or less." Hardison's high-pitched scream echoed out from kitchen. Sophie raised a brow. "Eh, anything hurts less than quiet. He'll be fine."
Sophie swiped at his shoulder and marched into the kitchen. "Parker let him go!"
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