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He couldn’t wait anymore.
He counted down the days until Peter would make his monthly visit to the institute.
Elias felt like he wasn’t himself unless he was with his lover. He couldn’t quite place it, he just lost all sense of decorum and order with Peter around and could just...be.
He spent his days overworking himself in solitude, and not the cold, foggy sort of loneliness he wished for.
-
He knew this was a bad move, but he couldn’t help himself. He was waiting at the port, anxiously awaiting the Tundra.
He checked his pocket watch nervously. Maybe he mixed up the date? Maybe there was a storm on the journey to London and-
The ships’ familiar roar placed Elias in reality again.
His captain was here.
-
Peter couldn’t believe his eyes.
Standing there, waiting for him with a smile, was his husband. Elias Bouchard.
Peter tried to remember the last time this happened. It was three years into their first marriage, and they were both so young. Peter was coming back from a three-month trip around the middle east, and had bought Elias a gift.
A pocket watch from Jerusalem.
He approached his husband, who tucked that same pocket watch into his coat and waited for him.
“Elias,” He said, shocked. “What are you doing here?”
“I hope you haven’t forgotten what day it is, Peter.”
“It’s...Wednesday?”
“No, you fool, It’s our Anniversary.” Elias said and rolled his eyes. “Anyhow, to celebrate, I had arrangements made for us. Come to my apartment at 5 PM, and don’t be late. Now, I should be getting back to work. Take care.” Elias said nonchalantly, and turned to leave.
-
“Elias, this really isn’t a good look for me…”
“Nonsense. You look fantastic, Peter.” Elias said as he adjusted Peter’s tie, smiling as he did.
“I only look like this because you chose the clothes, Eli, It’s all you.” Peter said and Elias blushed, and quickly looked away in a futile attempt to hide it.
“Don’t call me that, Peter, you know what it does to me.” Elias said and cleared his throat as his captain laughed.
-
The casino wasn’t anything Peter hasn’t seen before, but it was just good enough so that his victory was assured as soon as he walked into it, Elias on his side, arm in arm.
“Hand in unlovable hand”, Elias had said once, after their third wedding, drunk and romantic.
“Peter, Darling, where would you like to start? Tonight is for you.” Elias said, smiling at his captain again. Was it just his imagination or was Elias being a lot happier than usual?
-
Elias watched his captain win again and again, besting all those who tried their luck.
When he was younger, he used to sit on Peter’s lap as he did the same thing, his lover whispering his strategy in his ear.
Now he wasn’t as young, but still knew all of Peter’s moves by heart, watching the familiar sequence take place on the velvet table.
This will have to do, He thought, As this is the last time I get to see him do this.
-
They exit the casino hours later, the chill of the late night creeping into Elias’ bones and causing him to tremble.
“Eli, dear, are you cold? Here.”
“Peter, I’m f-fine, It’s just a little-”
Peter had placed his jacket over Elias’ shoulders, and held him by the waist.
Elias felt so small just like he did when he was younger, and he took a breath of Peter’s scent, sea salt and cigarettes.
It’s been so long since he had felt this loved, this cared for.
He leaned onto Peter’s shoulder and his husband chuckled.
“There you are.” His captain said softly, and Elias was at a loss of words.
He felt exactly like he had all those years ago, before their first marriage, so young and naive and in love.
-
The cab ride to the hotel was short, and Peter helped his husband out of the vehicle, and then had an idea.
“Elias, close your eyes.” Peter said, and Elias shook his head and scoffed. “Peter, you know I couldn’t do that even if I tried, and even then-”
“Do you trust me?”
Elias didn’t even have to think before saying “Of course I do, Peter.”
“Then humor me for a moment and close your eyes.”
Elias did as he was told, and Peter Picked him up by the waist and knees, holding him like he did on every single one of their weddings.
Elias opened his eyes and looked at Peter in awe.
For a moment, everything froze. It was just them. Peter and Elias, Polar bear and Eli, and they were in love.
-
Peter slammed the hotel room door behind him before pinning Elias to the wall, kissing him desperately.
Elias began unbuttoning Peter’s clothes, needing to see and feel more of him, one last time-
Peter broke away from his husband, and gently cupped his cheek.
“Eli, You’re crying, What’s wrong?”
The tenderness overwhelmed him and he fell to his knees, His captain gently picking him up again.
-
He tells Peter everything. Every single worry and doubt in his mind about himself, about his plan, about how everything could be lost if just one thing goes out of order.
“And that’s not even the worst part of it,” He sobbed out, as his lover held him and wiped away his tears.
“What could be worse than losing the plan you’ve had for years?” Peter asked, and Elias hid his head in the crook of Peter’s neck.
“I think I’m going to lose you, Peter.”
-