Fic: Lost Temper..., Crossover Leverage/Angel, NC-17

[elebridith]

Title: Lost Temper and Learned Lessons
Author: elebridith
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Slash, Crossover
Pairing: Lindsey/Eliot
Disclaimer: Not mine, no one, nothing of it. Just playing.

Summary: Crossover Angel/Leverage, originally posted at
comment_fic . Part of my Face Value!Verse, set somewhere in the future. They live together for quite a while now. Spike pays a visit.


Lindsey could pinpoint later the exact moment Eliot had started to bristle. They had been sitting in the living room, the two of them on the couch and Spike propped up in the chair. They'd been talking and discussing the news for a while. Then the conversation had turned to somewhat lighter subjects at some point, and suddenly they just had been old friends. There had been catching up and much laughing. Lindsey had done his best to always include Eliot in it, explaining in-jokes and making sure he wouldn't feel left out.

And he thought that it had worked. Had thought that Eliot would like Spike. Had been sure Eliot liked Spike. Until now. He could practically feel Eliot tensing up more and more, falling silent and mood darkening. He tried to throw him a questioning glance, but Eliot stubbornly avoided looking at him, keeping his scowl fixed on Spike instead. Lindsey frowned. What's wrong?

Judging by the amused grin Spike directed at Eliot every now and then, he had been noticing it too. And now decided that it was enough for tonight. Spike stood up. "Night, mates. See ya around, right? Cowboy?" Lindsey laughed and nodded. Spike looked at Eliot with a cocky grin. "See ya, pet." Without waiting for an answer, he went for the door, tipped them both a salute and was gone.

Lindsey turned around to face Eliot. He raised his eyebrows. "What the hell do you..." He didn't finish his sentence. The look on Eliot's face was barely controlled fury now, and Lindsey instinctively took a step back, suddenly feeling a bit scared. "Eliot? What's wrong?" His voice was uneasy, and then he found himself back against the wall. He hadn't even noticed that he had retreated so far.

Eliot moved and was now only inches away from him. His eyes were dark with anger. "What the fuck was this?" he snarled. "Who the hell does he think he is, comin' at ya like this?"

Lindsey shook his head, trying to grasp the meaning of these words. He exhaled shakily. He had seen Eliot so close to losing his temper before, but it never ever had been directed at him. I'm not... afraid of Eliot, am I? "What... what do you mean?" His voice trembled.

Eliot's hands shot forwards, grabbing Lindsey's wrists and pinning them to the wall. "He has any reason to act like this? Somethin' you ain't tellin' me, lover?" He spat out the last word and Lindsey's eyes widened with disbelief. He just stared at Eliot's face and needed a few tries before he could get his voice to work again. "Eliot? Stop it. That... hurts."

Eliot tightened his grip and laughed. It was a humorless sound and sent a shiver through Lindsey's spine.

"What hurts, Lindsey? The truth?"

"No, you idiot, you're breaking my wrists here, if you hadn't noticed!" Lindsey grid the words out through clenched teeth. Eliot blinked and seemed to snap out of his anger a bit. He jerked his hands back and a flash of guilt went over his face. Lindsey rubbed his wrists and felt his confusion slowly shifting to anger. "The fuck, Spencer? What's going on in your head? You can't possibly think..." Then it hit him, really hit him what Eliot had been thinking. He straightened and his expression went cold. "I think you better go now." His voice was flat and completely emotionless, but his eyes glared.

Eliot's anger flared up again. He narrowed his eyes and his hands were tightly clenched into fists. "So you can enjoy someone else's company tonight?"

Lindsey froze. This isn't happening. This is... "Out. Now." His voice was icy and his fists were now clenched too. "I'm very tempted to slap some sense into you right now, and you look like you'd hit back, and we both would regret that later, so GO!" His fight for self-control was so hard that he didn't even let his accent slip into his voice. Eliot looked like he wanted to bite out a response, but he abruptly turned on his heels instead and left the room. Lindsey could hear him rummage in the bedroom and then there was the sound of angry footsteps and the front door slammed shut.

Lindsey had managed to hold himself upright so far, but as he heard the sound of the door and knew that Eliot was really gone, his knees gave in. He slid bonelessly down the wall and slumped to the floor. A whimpering sound escaped his throat, and he bit down hard on the back of his hand in order to prevent himself from screaming out loud. It had been like being in a car crash - seeing the impact coming, but not understanding what was happening. And more important, not being able to prevent it.

No. No. How could he think... he doesn't... He couldn't even form a proper thought. He blankly stared down at the slowly forming bruises on his wrists and then rubbed his fists over his eyes in a futile attempt to prevent angry tears from coming out. Finally he just curled up in a ball and stayed on the floor, feeling freezing cold inside despite the warm room temperature.

***

Eliot sat at the bar, staring in his almost empty glass, brooding. The events of the evening whirled around in his head. After he had stormed out of their, no, Lindsey's apartment, he had knocked on Nate's door. Or, kicked it almost out of its hinges would have been the better description. Nate had opened and Eliot had just stomped in and thrown his bag on the couch. On Nathan's questioning look he had just snapped "No", had grabbed the spare key and was off again, leaving Nate and Sophie behind with equally astonished looks on their faces. He had landed in this shabby little bar then, where no one knew him and no one asked questions.

He downed the rest of his whiskey and stared at the empty glass, the fourth one in a row. His thoughts started to slur a little already. Lindsey. I hurt... No. Not thinking about that. Spike. Goddamn bastard. He wanted to nurse his rage, wanted a small excuse for his behavior. And it had all started so good...

He really had been glad to see Spike. He knew that Lindsey owed him some, and he was fun to be around. But then he had seen him looking at Lindsey, laughing, wearing this infuriating smirk of his, flirting. Sprawled out in their chair, cocky grin, throwing innuendos right and left, and flirting. With Lindsey, who was obviously very comfortable around him. Answering the laughs, and there had been so many in-jokes and shared memories that suddenly this nagging little voice had introduced itself to Eliot's mind. The what-if voice. What if they had been more than just... business partners? it had whispered. Look at them. They are close, aren't they? What if...

He had ignored that voice at first. Hell, it was stupid. He was absolutely sure that Lindsey had told him everything. And "everything" hadn't included an affair with Spike. There was no way... But it's possible, right? Look at Spike, look at those looks he gives him. What if...

That fucking little voice had been getting louder and louder, invading his mind until it was covered in heavy black clouds. Spike had walked off then, leaving him alone with Lindsey. Lindsey, who had looked like he had no clue. And through the thick black haze in his brain, Eliot had wanted the truth. By all means. Even if it meant gripping Lindsey's wrists and... No. He snapped out of it again, not wanting, not being ready to go there.

He signaled to the bartender for another glass, scowling at himself. You're pathetic, Eliot. Now, get drunk, pick a fight, think tomorrow. Good plan. He reached for the glass as suddenly strong pale fingers closed around his wrist.

"Don't you think you had enough, pet?"

That smooth cocky voice was the last thing Eliot wanted to hear now. His temper flared up again, deadly. He whirled around and threw a punch at the owner of that voice, aiming for that arrogant smirk in Spike's face. And hitting it fully.

He should have been surprised by that. A sober and clear-thinking Eliot would have known that there was no way that even his fast reflexes could surprise a vampire. But Eliot was neither. He lashed out again, landing another punch in Spike's stomach, getting more and more furious that the vampire simply took the blows and still laughed.

Spike swallowed a few more punches without visible effect, but finally seemed to decide that it was enough now. The next time Eliot's fist came towards him, he easily caught it, grabbed Eliot's arm and pulled him forward. The movement caught Eliot completely off-guard and sent him into a stumble. There was even a surprised yelp coming from him as Spike whipped him around like a rag doll and caught him in a choke hold. Eliot struggled, but it was no use. The shock of being overpowered so easily cleared the drunk haze in his brain a good bit, but his anger didn't lessen.

"Spike, fuck, let go of me!" he snarled and tried to elbow Spike's ribs. And there was that infuriating laugh again, but it sounded... different. Concerned, actually, if Eliot was honest with himself.

"No, pet. Really not. You'd just keep hitting me, and as much fun as that is, I'd have to hit back. An' the cowboy would be really mad at me if I break you."

Eliot struggled more fiercely. He hissed angrily at the use of the nickname. "Don't you dare..."

Spike laughed again, more amused this time. "Pet, I know what you're thinking. And as riled up as you're now, you won't believe me anyway if I tell you now you're wrong. So... I'm sorry. Really."

He abruptly let go of Eliot, who turned around, looking confused. "Sorry? What are you..." He couldn't finish the sentence. Spike's fist connected heavily with his chin and the world blacked out.

Spike caught Eliot's unconscious form before it could hit the floor. He unceremoniously dragged him up and threw him over his shoulder. "Come on pet. Let's get you... somewhere else that's not here." He looked around and grinned wolfishly at the astonished faces of the barkeeper and the other patrons. "Whatcha lookin' at, mates?" Everyone seemed to think suddenly that it was really none of their businesses and turned away. Spike grinned even wider and fumbled money out of his duster pocket. He threw some bills on the table and called the barkeeper. "Oi, mate, this should cover the drinks, right? Ta!" He adjusted Eliot's body on his shoulder and sweeped out. "So, now, pet, where to get you... ah." He grinned and began to walk on, avoiding light corners and hiding in shadows as much as possible.

Nathan startled at the sound of knocking on his door. They hadn't been sleeping yet - some time after Eliot had left, Nate had made a call to Lindsey, but had only received a gruff "I'm fine" as answer which hadn't been convincing at all. But after a longer talk to Sophie they both decided that the two were grown up... well, old enough to solve their problems by themselves.

Nate opened the door and stared open-mouthed at the bleach-blond man in the black duster who carried a limp body over his shoulder like it weighed nothing. "Yes...?" he asked cautiously and could feel Sophie sneaking up behind him, undoubtedly carrying some weapon.

The blond grinned. "Nathan Ford, I guess? Got something for ya."

He dropped the body on the floor and Nathan gasped. "Eliot!" He looked up angrily. "What did you...?"

The man held up his hands in defense. "I just needed to knock him out, mate, he'll be all right."

Nathan could see Eliot breathing and relaxed a little. He narrowed his eyes. "And who are you?"

The blond smirked. "Name's Spike. You heard of me? The vampire." He snickered at the sudden expression of panic in Nate's face. "Don't worry mate, I'm one of the good guys. Mostly." He grinned, showing his teeth and pointed to Eliot. "Got drunk, picked a fight. An' I have the feeling the cowboy doesn't want him at his place now, so I brought him here." He tilted his head. "Got two options now, mate. Can't come in unless invited, so either you say the word an' I'll carry him to your couch or your bed or whatever, or you don't. Then you can drag him in by yourself. Your choice." He eyed Nathan up and down, cocky grin still in place. "Of course the little lady behind the door can help ya."

Nate looked shocked. "How...?" He could hear Sophie gasp.

Spike grinned and tipped his nose. "Perfume. Heightened smell sense, buddy. So, ya gonna stand here all night?"

Nathan straightened. Of course he had heard about Spike and he knew that technically the vampire was an ally, but a little caution was never wrong. "I'll get him in, thanks."

Spike laughed out. "Careful one, huh? Good. Like that. Well, then, see ya around!" He turned on his heels and in a whirl of his duster he was gone. Sophie came out from behind the door and shook her head. "Now that was... interesting." She looked down. "Oh my God, Eliot! He's..."

"Okay, I think." Nate finished the sentence for her and tried to get a grip on Eliot's body so that he could bring him inside. "Come on, let's get him in."

***

Eliot groaned as he slowly opened his eyes and was hit by glaring sunlight. He shielded his eyes and tried to sit up, but fell back with a colorful curse as the world around him started to spin.

"Back in the world of the living?"

His eyes flew open again. "Nate?"

Nate grinned. "Yup, that's my name. Glad you remember."

Eliot tried to sit up again, this time more slowly. It worked. He rubbed his temples, head and jaw throbbing with a dull ache. "Whoa, fuck. What happened?" He frowned and touched his jaw. "Ouch. Nate? Help me out here. What... oh." He winced as he remembered parts of the night before, then winced again as he remembered... Lindsey. He closed his eyes. I hurt him. I wanted...

Nate looked at him, concerned. "Spike brought you in a few hours ago. Coffee?"

Eliot scowled and crinkled his nose. "Yours? No thanks. I feel bad enough already."

Nate grinned. "Thought so. Aspirin?" He held out a glass.

"Yes. Please." Eliot accepted gratefully, swallowed it down, leaned back again and closed his eyes. He replayed the whole evening in his memory and froze. Spike said that I was wrong. He realized... He followed me. God, Eliot. How could you think... Can you say stupid? He opened his eyes again as Nate said his name.

"Eliot? You wanna talk?"

Eliot thought it over for a moment. Then shook his head and stood up, looking determined. "No. I fucked up, I have to fix it. Now. Thanks for the couch."

***

Eliot opened the door to Lindsey's apartment. He still had the key, of course, and it had always been "their" place, but now... He reluctantly dropped the key on the next table. See if I'm allowed to keep it. He went over to the bedroom and peeked inside to find Lindsey curled up on the bed. Eliot slowly sat down on the bed, careful not to wake him. He didn't move for a while, just looked at Lindsey. Noticed his clenched jaw, the dried salty streaks on his cheeks, the little furrow between his brows. Noticed how tight he clung to the pillow, noticed the angry red bruise on his hand that looked like he bit himself. And he flinched at the sight of the purple bruises on Lindsey's wrists. The tight knot made of guilt in his stomach doubled its size. He reached out for Lindsey's hair, but drew his hand back, not daring to touch. He bit his lower lip and softly said "Lindsey?"

Lindsey stirred. "'liot?" The slurred out word made Eliot's guts clench. "Yeah. 'm here."

A smile formed on Lindsey's face and his eyes fluttered open. He caught sight of Eliot and the smile slowly faded as he obviously remembered. He looked away and pushed himself in a sitting position. Then he reluctantly looked back at Eliot and his eyes widened. "What happened?" He carefully touched Eliot's bruised jaw.

Eliot grinned ruefully. "Spike."

Lindsey's face darkened. "Don't tell me you looked for him and started a fight."

Eliot quickly shook his head. "No. I think... he looked for me. I started the fight, yeah, but he knocked me out and dragged me to Nate."

Lindsey grinned involuntarily. "And?"

Eliot looked away. "I've... learnt a lesson."

Lindsey raised his eyebrows. "And that would be?" His voice was neutral. No accusation in it, but it was clear that he wouldn't make things too easy.

Eliot closed his eyes, searched for words and blurted out "A vampire moves faster than I do when I'm drunk."

Lindsey stared at him, mouth dropped open. Eliot mentally hit his head on then next hard surface. And that was... complete and utter bullshit, Eliot. He dropped his head and felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. Yet it was somehow relieving as he heard Lindsey starting to laugh.

"Thats... a good and useful one. Ya know, you could have just asked me instead of getting a punch in the jaw..."

Eliot crunched his nose and looked up again. "Yeah. I s'pose." He caught Lindsey's eyes. "I'm sorry. I know that can't cover it at all, but... I'm sorry."

Lindsey held his gaze, laugh changed to serious now. "Talk to me. Tell me. What the fuck what that about? You really thought... Fuck. Tell me." He leaned back at the wall and crossed his arms, firm look on his face.

Eliot nodded, not avoiding Lindsey's eyes anymore. He straightened. "It was... you two were so... and the way he looked at you. Laughed. Gave you nicknames. Fuck, he flirted with you! And I..." His voice trailed off.

Understanding dawned on Lindsey's face. He looked amazed. "You - you were jealous?" His voice sounded incredulous. "You thought he was hitting on me? And that I would..." He broke off the sentence, shaking his head. "Everything else aside - why the fuck didya think I'd sleep with Spike? Just because we have a history? Without sex, by the way. Just because he flirts? Fuck, I can't believe it!" His voice got louder and he leaned forward. "All this time we're together? One ghost from my past shows up and you think I'd drop you like a hot potato? Sheesh, Eliot!" He huffed out an exasperated breath and closed his eyes again, trying to regain control. Eliot said nothing, just waited. Finally Lindsey opened his eyes again. "Now you know how I felt when I saw Aimee." His voice was surprisingly soft.

Eliot looked up and frowned, confused. "Aimee? You were... but... why? That was long ago, and I told ya... oh." He closed his mouth again and blinked.

Lindsey looked at him, eyebrows raised, pointedly questioning look and a smirk on his face. "See a pattern here, darlin'?"

Eliot growled. "If you're trying to tell me that I'm stupid for being jealous, figured that out already, thanks."

Lindsey smiled, a little bitter. "Last time I acted on my jealousy, I ended up beaten bloody with a smashed fake hand. You're lucky."

Eliot winced as he remembered what that had been about. Darla. Fuckin' bitch broke his heart. He bit his lower lip again. And I... He forcefully relaxed his clenched fists and caught Lindsey's eyes again. "How do I... it ain't possible to apologize for that." He reached out to brush his fingers carefully over the bruises. "I hurt you."

"You did." Lindsey's voice was flat and the smile was completely gone. Eliot's stomach twisted. He can't forgive me that. He...

"Ya know what hurt most?" Lindsey looked at him sharply. "That you really thought..." He sighed. "But we covered that already. The bruises? Hell, I had worse."

Eliot shook his head fiercely, almost desperate. "You don't understand. I almost hit you. I wanted to hit you."

Lindsey snorted. "You haven't. And you didn't. I told ya to leave. Wouldn't have stopped ya if you'd been serious, right?"

Eliot felt a little of the weight lifting, but not completely. "Guess not, no. But..."

"For Christ's sake, Eliot!" Lindsey threw his hands up, looking clearly frustrated. "If it helps you, I wanted to slap you too. Next time you feel jealous, just drag me to the training room and we can fight it out, okay?" His look softened. "Or you can just promise not to do it again."

"I promise." Eliot's response was quick and sincere, and he could see an amazed little smile forming on Lindsey's face. "Does that mean... are we..."

Lindsey tilted his head, smile vanishing. "Go."

Eliot's face fell. The weight that had lifted returned now double and his shoulders sagged. He looked away, unable to form words or even a thought. He felt numb as he tried to push himself up from the bed.

"Eliot." Lindsey's hand landed on his arm, holding him back. Lindsey leaned forward and cupped his face, turning it towards him. "To Nate's place, I mean."

Eliot nodded slowly. "I understand." His voice broke.

Lindsey looked puzzled for a moment, then he laughed. "No, you don't. You should go and get your stuff back, thickhead." Eliot's eyes widened, not quite believing it. Lindsey leaned forward and pressed a kiss on his lips. "When you get back, you'll make me one hell of a coffee and we'll talk about Spike. Cos I can't believe you didn't get it that he was flirting with you too."

Eliot felt his jaw drop. "Wha..." He didn't get further. Lindsey's hand covered his mouth.

"Sssh. Later. An' when we finished the Spike talk, you're gonna kiss me good an' proper, and..." He took a deep breath. "I'm gonna tell ya that I love you. As often as necessary, until you believe it." He pulled his hand back and kissed him again. "Hurry."

Eliot Spencer had always been fast, but now? He might have broken his own record right there and then.

***

Lindsey watched Eliot out of the corner of his eyes while he stripped out of his clothes for the night. Yup, there it was again. That look in Eliot's eyes that was need, mixed with guilt and regret. Lindsey sighed inwardly. The bruises on his wrists had long since faded. They had talked for hours, and he really had thought they had cleared everything.

Apparently not. Eliot had been treating him like a fragile object in the last two weeks. Maybe not on purpose, but he had been so careful not to grip him too hard that it was... well, not frustrating, but...

He looked up as Eliot sat down on the bed, taking off his shoes. Seems I have to make a point here. He shed the rest of his clothes, walked over to the bed, opened a drawer and pointedly placed the bottle of lube on the night stand. Eliot glanced at it and as Lindsey saw that reluctant expression again, he had enough of it. He turned around. "Eliot?"

Eliot looked up at the overly sweet tone of Lindsey's voice and gave a surprised yelp as Lindsey suddenly shoved him hard. He fell flat on his back on the bed. "Wha...?"

He tried to get back up again, but Lindsey growled and poked his chest. "Down. Stay down." He climbed on the bed and straddled Eliot's hips. He grinned down at Eliot's confused face and leaned forward, resting his forearms on Eliot's chest. "Say, darlin'..." He smiled and shifted his weight a little more, pinning Eliot down. "How long d'ya plan to treat me like a porcelain doll?"

Eliot opened his mouth, but Lindsey quickly placed a hand over it. "Nuh-uh. First you'll listen. Okay?" He waited until Eliot nodded, wide-eyed, and then pulled his hand back. "Good. Now, you know me. I'm all for sweet and tender. Hell, I'm the cuddler here, don't get me wrong. But..." He leaned forward even further until his chin almost rested on his clasped hands. He looked firm now. "You? Are afraid of breaking me or something. Are still afraid of hurting me. And you're holding back so much that I can hear your teeth grinding, darlin'. Enough of that."

He lowered his head and kissed Eliot. Hard. His hands wandered to Eliot's hair, his fingers tangled into it and he pulled, just a little. Just enough to make Eliot growl, this little sound that he loved and that he missed in the last two weeks. He broke the kiss off. Eliot made a small whimpering sound at the loss and Lindsey grinned.

"Stop thinkin' so much. Makes the blood go in the wrong direction." He lowered his head again and nipped on Eliot's lower lip, then traced slowly along his jaw. His fingers were still curled in Eliot's hair, and he could now feel Eliot's arms sliding around his shoulders, dragging him closer, already breathing faster. He could feel his fingers clench, but still holding back. His mouth reached Eliot's throat now, and Eliot let his head fall back with a soft moan. Lindsey smiled, lips still placed on Eliot's skin. Yup, still works. He licked that little hollow first, then sucked softly at the skin, enjoying the noises he got as a result. He ground his hips against Eliot's, feeling his arousal that was now matching his own.

"Linds..." Eliot's voice was almost desperate. Lindsey let his lips wander upwards again until he reached Eliot's mouth. Kissing him effectively silenced every sort of protest that might have come up, and as Lindsey broke the kiss and pulled back, Eliot's breath came in harsh short gasps and his eyes were glazed over. Lindsey ran his tongue over Eliot's slightly parted lips. "You're still thinking," he murmured softly and nipped at Eliot's jaw. His hands wandered down on Eliot's body to the hem of his boxers. "Still about the fuckin' bruises? Don't worry. Soon you'll have some of your own."

The boxers fell on the floor. Eliot's hands were in Lindsey's hair now, fingers running through the short brown locks, cradling his nape. "Linds... I..." The rest of the sentence was lost as Lindsey bit down on Eliot's shoulder, close to his neck. Eliot's body arched up and he hissed sharply. Lindsey licked over the forming bruise, looked down on Eliot and smirked. "Told ya so." Eliot's lips moved, but all that came out were soft panting breaths.

"Now..." Lindsey pushed himself upwards and reached for the lube bottle. He held it up and caught Eliot's gaze. "Do I have to spell it out? Do I have to beg you? 'cause..."

He didn't get further. He had just a split second to see the change in Eliot's eyes that told him he'd just dropped his doubts. Then in a swift move Eliot grabbed Lindsey's upper arms and flipped them both over. His mouth almost crushed down on Lindsey's with a growl. Then Lindsey's arms were around his neck and he kissed back, almost feral, hungry, needy.

Words weren't needed anymore. What's left were moans, gasps and whimpers, fingers digging into skin, teeth softly biting down. Lindsey licked away the small drops of sweat that had formed on Eliot's upper lip now. He wrapped his legs around Eliot's waist, hands twisting the sheets, his hips bucking upwards, silently urging. Eliot stilled his movements suddenly. He lifted his head and placed his right hand gently around Lindsey's left wrist where the worst bruise had been. Lindsey caught his eyes. He twisted his wrist a bit, moved inside the hold and laced his fingers with Eliot's, tightening his grip. He slid his other hand around Eliot's nape. "Don't hold back."

It was just a whisper, but Eliot heard it. He lowered his head and brushed his lips over Lindsey's, breathing out his name. Lindsey could feel him gently pushing into his body, but still too fucking slow for his burning want. He tightened his grip on Eliot's fingers even more and nipped on Eliot's earlobe. "I said... don't hold... back!" He bucked his hips upwards, and finally, with an almost desperate growl, Eliot thrusted deep into him, and Lindsey choked out a small cry, throwing his head back as a wave of pleasure hit him. He moved his hips, fervently meeting Eliot's thrusts, gasping out wordless sounds that meant more and please and ohGodyes.

It didn't take long. Eliot's free hand slid down between their bodies and his mouth found that spot below Lindsey's left ear and sucked it gently. "Linds..."

Eliot's voice was little more than a breath in Lindsey's ear. Lindsey turned his head a little and claimed his mouth with a fierce kiss. He felt Eliot's fingers wrapping around his hard cock, adding a little pressure, just right, and Lindsey fell apart. He cried out Eliot's name, his body shaking from the release, with Eliot following only moments later.

Lindsey blinked as he slowly came down again. He tried to focus on Eliot's face and smiled as he watched his eyes slowly flutter open. "Hey." He lifted his free hand and gently brushed his fingertips over Eliot's lips. Eliot made a small sound in the back of his throat, almost a sob. He tried to push himself upright a bit, not wanting to crush Lindsey with his weight, but Lindsey tightened his hold. "Nope. Stay. Like this." It was only a soft mumble instead of clear words, but Eliot seemed to understand him. He dropped back on Lindsey's chest with a content sigh and closed his eyes again. Lindsey nuzzled his neck and licked over the already forming bruise. He chuckled. "This is gonna show..."

Eliot looked up again and grinned. "'m not afraid of showing battle scars," he said softly. He reluctantly let go of the grip on Lindsey's hand and despite the small protesting sounds he pulled slowly back from Lindsey's body, sliding next to him. He propped himself up on his elbows and idly traced a pattern over Lindsey's arm. Lindsey tilted his head and grinned. "Battle scars, huh? So... who won?"

Eliot crinkled his nose and playfully swatted Lindsey's chest. "No more porcelain doll. I promise."

Lindsey searched his face, looking for still lingering doubts, but found none. A wide delighted smile broke over his face and then changed into a smirk. "I win." He snuggled closer and rested his chin on Eliot's shoulder. Eliot scoffed. "I... surrendered. Not the same thing. And we're already back to snuggling now?!"

Lindsey pouted and pointedly wrapped an arm around Eliot's torso. "Oh c'mon. Admit it, you love it." His head dropped on Eliot's chest and he closed his eyes. "Win." It came out slurred already and he was asleep before Eliot could formulate a proper (and of course refusing) answer. Eliot slowly shook his head and sighed affectionately. Yeah, okay. Maybe. His eyes fell close and he drifted off to sleep, this tight knot of guilt in his stomach finally gone.