So Eliot found himself alone in the bar with Parker on Christmas Eve. He sat there still staring in the direction Hardison had abruptly left, contemplating the strange conversation they'd just had. Eliot supposed he could take his friend's last comment as a sort of permission or blessing. He didn't have much time to think it over though, because after a minute or two Parker flopped down into the stool Hardison had only recently vacated and promptly fitted a Santa hat onto Eliot's head.
"Parker…" Eliot growled as the little white pom on the ridiculous hat fell into his eyeline.
Parker giggled. "Oh come on, Eliot. It's Christmas."
And she looked at him with eyes full of innocence and glee and instead of ripping the hat off and tossing it across the bar, he simply adjusted it to keep it out of his face. Out of sight, out of mind he reasoned. So he started again.
"Parker, I… I mean, Hardison and I, uh…"
"Ooo can I guess? Ok you and Hardison are… starting a band. No, you're…" She paused as Eliot held up his right hand while running his left back through his hair. "Sorry. You and Hardison, what?"
Eliot couldn't help but smile as he sighed and tried to find the right words. Why was he at such a loss for what to say? This was Parker. But that was the problem, of course. This was Parker, sensitive, beautiful, crazy, wonderful Parker, who had stolen his heart when he thought it was locked away forever. He looked up to see her waiting expectantly, fidgeting on her stool a bit, and he decided it was difficult because it mattered. Because she mattered. So he reached out and took one of her hands in his.
"Parker, I choose you too."