Februfluff “Taking a Nap” — Leverage

Halfway through watching a football game, Eliot was startled but not surprised when Parker planted herself so close beside him on the sofa that she was almost breathing down his neck.

”Ow,” he grumbled mildly, removing her elbow from his ribs, but otherwise not paying much attention. Parker was like that sometimes.

Ten minutes later, she snored softly—and that was when Eliot realized she had actually fallen asleep on him. He froze, forgetting the game entirely. Parker was not one to let herself be vulnerable in front of other people, and yet here she was, taking a nap with her head on his shoulder and her feet tucked up under his leg.

The implied trust was staggering. Eliot found himself blinking suddenly misty eyes, hard.

Nobody had felt safe like this around him in years. Nobody. He was the dangerous one, the predator, the man even other killers feared.

And yet here she was, this little thief, drooling into his sleeve and making funny little snoring sounds as she slept, totally unafraid and trusting.

It was enough to make a man’s heart melt—even one made of stone.

With unsteady fingers Eliot reached for the remote and lowered the volume of the game to a dull rumble. Then, very carefully, he tilted his head to lean against hers, her hair soft against his prickly cheek.

She didn’t wake up, and he relaxed, feeling weary contentment creep over him for the first time in a long time.

Nate found them there, an hour later, both sound asleep and huddled on the end of the couch like a couple of weary puppies.

He smiled, and let them sleep.

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@monthly-challenge 2024 | Taking a Nap