Anytime Tyler, Elliot’s best and most trusted friend, makes a suggestion, he knows it’s bound to go one of two ways: incredibly well or horrendously bad but he knows that all of his suggestions are purely out of love and consideration.

Elliot’s been living in New York for nine months and he hasn’t made a single friend. He has his coworkers. Susan, who always brings him a bagel on her coffee run in the morning and is constantly complimenting him and giving him all the teacher gossip.

Zakeriah, his trusty TA, who helps him teach his Dual Enrolment Freshman College English class always wants to have lunch with him since he has the only single office on the floor. She tells him stories about her husband and the man who lives next to her who she has a crush on.

Then there’s Richie, the man who works out on his 15 minute breaks and has the biggest crush on Susan but she won’t even look in his direction.

But none of these people are his friends. He doesn’t talk to them outside of the community college they all teach at, he doesn’t invite them to his home or out to brunch. They don’t go on weekend trips together during long breaks or get drinks after work. Elliot doesn’t have friends.

Tyler knows this all too well. They went to college together and were stuck like glue. Elliot is shy and very reserved and feels like no one would be interested in the things he has to say so he just keeps everything inside. But it’s lonely not having anyone to share with and Tyler couldn’t always be there.

He didn’t know this would transfer so deeply into his adulthood that he would be sitting on Facetime with Tyler and filling out a questionnaire for an escort website.

This was of course after several glasses of wine, a fall break consisting of 5 days with nothing to grade and some puppy dog eyes and pleading from his best friend.

“Come on Ell, the worst that could happen is that he’s ugly but they’re usually excellent at setting people up.” Tyler had said as he watched Elliot pour a second glass of wine. Elliot had just looked at him.

“Tyler, this is a sex website, setting people up for sex?”
“It’s an escort website, my dear, escorts do whatever you ask them to, it’s not always sex. I knew a mate who paid an escort to play basketball with him and lose on purpose so he could feel better about himself.” Tyler told him, sipping his own wine.

Elliot paused putting the wine back in the fridge and turned back around to set the bottle on the counter next to his laptop.

“Not sure why I was putting that away, clearly I’m going to need it if you’re going to tell stories like that. How was that supposed to make me feel better by the way?” Elliot asked, resuming his position in his chair on his island.

“I was just making you aware of what this is,”

“I’m not this lonely Tyler, I’m sure I could ask any of my coworkers to have movie nights with me. Susan is a delight and Zakeriah is always looking for a reason to get away from her husband.”

Ever since Tyler moved back to California to help run his parents business, Elliot had been having movie nights all by himself whenTyler is not available for Facetime.

“Ell, be serious, those people are not real, they are work friends. If they ever saw you do anything scandalous, they’d report you without a second thought,”

Elliot sighed, sipping his wine.

“Come on, just fill it out, see what you get. All that money your mother left you should be able to buy you hours, days, weeks of someone’s genuine time. And you don’t ever have to sleep with them.”

“Genuine is subjective because I’m paying them to care. This is so bloody stupid, this question says which type of animal would I be if I were one?”

“A rabbit, adorable but rabid when horny,”

“Do shut up,” Elliot said, looking at the screen like it had just personally offended him.

Tyler put his hands up in defense. “Am I wrong? You know how you get. You’re like a woman during ovulation week.”

Elliot rolled his eyes. “Now I’m a lonely loser and a girl, great, this is really helping me. And I’m not putting a rabbit, I’m gonna put a koala because maybe they’ll pair me with someone who wouldn’t mind a cuddle, I’m extremely touch deprived. If someone rubbed my arm for more than 5 seconds, I’m liable to cum.”

Tyler burst into laughter, knocking over the phone in the process.

“Ell, that’s- please finish filling out that questionnaire, you need this more than you think you do. And make sure you put that you’re available THIS week. You have zero plans, nothing to grade, nowhere to go, make the most of it please.”

Elliot groaned dramatically but finished filling out the sheet. He and Tyler talked for another hour, giggling and getting drunker by the minute. When Tyler was being called away, he told Elliot many times how much he loved and missed him before hanging up.

Elliot laid back on the couch, Love Island playing quietly in the background. An email came across his phone saying they’d found him a match that was available tomorrow evening. He set up his desired time, how long he needed the man for and set up his payment.

He went to sleep before he could freak out and change his mind about it.

The next evening came faster than any previous evening.

Elliot spent the morning deep cleaning his apartment, restocking the fridge with snacks, wine and other things. He shopped and picked out a comfortable sweater and got a haircut. All of these things didn’t stop the nerves that were traveling up and around his body.

He showered when he returned home, moisturizing with good smelling creams Tyler had sent him and sat on the sofa waiting for the doorbell.

It rang at exactly 8pm.

Elliot takes a deep breath, wiping his sweaty palms on the sides of his pants and opens his door. What he sees shocks him to his very core.

The most gorgeous man he’s ever seen in his life is standing there, leaning against the frame. His thick black curls were splayed all over his head, falling in his face. His eyes were a sweet hazel color, Elliot felt like he could drown in them. He’s wearing a black v-neck tank top that almost shows off his pecs, sinfully tight jeans that show off exactly what he’s working with, regular sneakers, a gold chain with a locket attached to it and a smile that could get Elliot to bark like a dog if he asked. He realized that he must have been staring (and drooling) because the man raised an eyebrow.

“Gonna stare at me or are you gonna let me in so you can get a full picture?” God his voice. Smooth like butter and Elliot wanted to melt.

Elliot stepped to the side, wordlessly letting the man in and shutting the door.

Jesus fuck, his ass was nice too. He was perfect.

“Alright darlin’, where should we start? Did you wanna do introductions or did you just wanna get to the good stuff?” The man, known as Mason, asked as he shucked off his jacket, revealing a sleeve of tattoos littered on his muscular arms and Elliot couldn’t breathe. He probably looked like a gaping fish as he stared.

Mason just chuckled. “Yeah I get that a lot, but I need you to answer my question. Although, we’re not in a rush seeing as you booked me for the next twelve hours. I won’t ask what you do for work but it must be paying well,” Mason continued, looking around the apartment.

Elliot still hadn’t figured out how to respond to a single thing this beautiful man was saying, just nodding and blindly agreeing.

“Where’s your room?”

Elliot snapped back to reality at that question, remembering what he really wanted with this man.

“A-actually, I didn’t book you for that reason,” he cleared his throat, he knew he was blushing but he’d never done this before, could you blame him?

Mason raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow and crossed his arms.

“You’re not gonna fucking murder me are you?” He asked, his demeanor changing slightly, becoming defensive. God, even wEll he cursed, it sounded majestic.

“No no, of course not. God this is so embarrassing,” Elliot ran a hand through his blonde hair, freeing it from the gel and trying not to cry over this. It all felt so dumb. He wanted to crawl under a rock and hide in shame. Was he really paying someone to spend time with him? He felt pathetic.

“Look, you can just leave, I’ll still pay for the full evening I’m sorry-“ His voice watery. Mason straightened up.

“Hey hey, whoa, dollface, just take a deep breath. Can I touch you? Why don’t we sit on the couch?”

Elliot nodded and let Mason lead him to the couch, they sat down (he smelled so fucking good what the hell?) Mason held onto his shoulders and they took deep breaths together. Elliot felt the air coming back into the room.

“See, there you go, that’s not so hard. Talk to me doll, what’s on your mind?”

Doll. Elliot’s reaction to that endearment was involuntary.

“Well. My best mate moved back to California recently, my brother lives back in England and I am very shy and have such a hard time making friends and I just- I just got so tired of being so alone all the time with my thoughts and I thought this was so silly when Tyler, that’s my best friend, he suggested it and now I feel so silly for bringing you here and you probably weren’t expecting someone who didn’t want to fuck, I just wanted some company and it sounds so pathetic when I say it out loud-“

“Hey hey slow down darlin’. You’re not pathetic at all. I completely understand that and I would love nothing more than to just keep you company, it would be a nice change of pace for me that’s for sure,” Mason told him, still hugging him around his shoulders.

Elliot looked up and into delicious hazel eyes, Mason was smiling at him.

“What did you wanna do?” Mason asks, scooting a bit closer to let Elliot know he was safe.

“Well, usually on Fridays I watch movies until I fall asleep and order food so maybe we could do that. Possibly cuddle if you’re comfortable with that, I can’t remember the last time someone held me for longer than a hug.”

Mason’s face softened as he listened to Elliot. He knew instantly he’d give him the world on a gold encrusted platter if he asked.

“That sounds so wonderful darlin’. What did you wanna eat?”

Elliot scratched the back of his head.

“Well, I got ahead of myself and was hoping you’d agree to this so I ordered Chinese food and then I realized I don’t know you or what you like so I panicked and ordered half the menu. There’s some of everything in there-“ Elliot cut himself off, blushing more than he thought was possible.

Mason smiled, taking his hand and guiding him to his own kitchen. Something about it felt very domestic but Elliot decided the best course of action was to ignore that feeling.

Mason turned on the light and his eyes widened at the display of food.

“Well damn darlin’. I’m glad I didn’t eat before I came,” Mason teased.

“I-I can order something else if you don’t want this, whatever you want.” Elliot told him, stepping out of the way as Mason walked around.

“Now why on Earth would you do that? I love Chinese food. Come on, let's eat and maybe talk a little? Or if you don’t wanna talk we can just watch a movie? How’s that sound?” Mason asked, clearly the more professional between the two.

Elliot just nodded.

Mason made them both plates and set it at the table, gesturing for Elliot to sit next to him.

“So darlin’, how long have you lived in New York and feel free to not answer anything I ask you, your business doesn’t have to be my business,” Mason asked, shucking off his shoes and getting a little more comfortable so Elliot could feel more relaxed even though this was his home.

“Well, I’m an English teacher at the community college, I teach dual enrollment so the high schoolers who are starting their college classes earlier. I’ve lived in New York for the past nine months. I was living in California but I couldn’t stand the very dry heat and had always wanted to live in this city so I decided to give it a go. How about you?”

Mason hesitated for a minute. He usually didn’t get asked about his actual personal life, it had been a very long time since someone asked him something about himself that wasn‘t how long was his stamina or how long until he could get it back up.

Elliot noticed the hesitation and rubbed the back of his hand.

“You don’t have to answer if you aren’t comfortable,”

“No no it’s just, no one’s asked me about myself in a long time. I live out here alone, I’ve been here almost 3 years, I’m getting my law degree at NYU. My family lives back in North Carolina, all my friends too. My brother was here with me for a while but I felt like I was holding him back so I told him to go home and that I’d be fine. Law school is… expensive to say the least and so is rent and food and basically everything else which is why I do this.” He explained, eating slowly and relaxing. Something about Elliot made him feel like he was right at home in North Carolina, with his brother and closest friends. He missed them.

“I understand love,” The pair continued talking for at least another hour, trading stories about the random things that happened to them in the city, their families and friends. Mason helped Elliot with the dishes even though he told him not to and they fell on the couch together.

Elliot sat next to Mason, their knees touching and sending sparks throughout his system. The air between them wasn’t tense in any way, they felt like friends, Elliot tried not to get lost in it.

“So, I usually watch one of the Dark Knight movies followed by a romance that I’ve seen a million times and still makes me cry. But since you’re here, you can pick.” Elliot told him, holding the remote out to him. Mason shook his head.

“It’s whatever you want sweetheart, I’m just here for the ride.”

Elliot chuckled at the double entendre and turned on Batman Begins.

Mason scoffed, leaning back and getting more comfortable.

“And here I was thinking we were becoming friends,”

Elliot turned his head to him, he tried not to feel disappointed by the statement. “And what does that mean?”
“This one isn’t bad but it certainly isn’t the best, The Dark Knight is the best one of all three of these.” Mason argued.

“Is that the court’s final argument?” Elliot shot back, leaning back to match Mason’s position on the couch. Mason belly laughed, throwing his head back so carefreely. Elliot just stared in awe.

“Yes your honor, the defense rests.” Mason nudged Elliot with his shoulder.

“We can watch that one next love but you did say whatever I wanted and this is what I want,” Elliot told him, nudging him back.

Mason eyed him, looking him up and down in a way that Elliot wasn’t familiar with. Mason chewed on his bottom lip.

“What else do you want?” He asked, leaning slightly into Elliot’s space.

Elliot thought about this. He’d be lying if he said he didn't want to get on his knees for this beautiful man and swallow him until his legs gave out and he was cursing and pulling his hair but that’s not what he really wanted.

“Would you mind terribly if we cuddled?” Elliot tried not to feel silly for asking but Mason’s bright smile told him everything he needed to know.

“Can I be the big spoon? I’ve been dying to get my arms around those shoulders since you opened the door.” Mason told him.

Elliot nodded, adjusting them so they were laying sideways, Mason’s long thick arms around Elliot’s broader but somehow small frame. His back pressed right against Mason’s chest, he could feel his heartbeat radiating throughout his body and it relaxed him.

Elliot mindlessly traced a pattern on Mason’s knuckle as the movie played in the background. They continued to talk softly, questions bouncing back and forth between them as if it were a first date. One movie passed, then another, then the third before Elliot found himself lying with his head on Mason’s chest, looking up at him fondly as he told a story about his friend named Logan and his brother Rowan and how he figured out they were dating.

“And Logan was actually the person who helped me figure out I was bisexual. He told me that sexuality is fluid and if I find people attractive then I should go for it. It opened up my entire psyche and made me realize that the feelings I was harvesting for the Swim Captain weren’t just feelings of admiration.” Mason was telling him. Elliot laughed at his story, ignoring the glimmer of hope that bubbled in his chest at Mason’s mention of bisexuality.

“So, this…line of work you’re in? How did you get into it?” Elliot asked. Mason seemed smart, genuine, and he was incredibly charming and funny. Why on Earth was he selling his goods to people who didn’t deserve them?

Elliot thought that he was thinking that last part but the burst of laughter that followed made him aware that he’d actually said it out loud.

“How do you know they’re good if you haven’t tried it?” Mason asked, winking down at him. Elliot flushed, thinking of an excuse but coming up short.

“Well I-... one can assume based on- Christ- are you going to answer the bloody question?”

Mason stopped laughing long enough to take a deep breath.

“Ashton, the madame I work for, saw me at a bar once, I’d just finished my final exam for my first semester and was trying to figure out what I was going to do to pay for the second. I trauma dumped onto her and she told me that she knew something that paid well and was semi-easy work. She explained more once I went to go see her and had my first client. My first client paid for all my second semester books, wrote me a check for 3 months rent and filled my shitty apartment fridge with groceries to last me a month and all I had to do was sleep with her. At first, I wasn’t convinced but then I had another client offer to help pay for the rest of my semester's tuition. One thing led to another and I’m still doing it almost three years later. I’m always safe and get tested once a month but once law school is over, I told Ashton I’d be sending her my bill for therapy.”

Elliot just listened.

“You’d make an excellent lawyer I think. And for what it’s worth, I don’t have to sleep with you to know how good you are. You are just good. Period as the kids say.” Elliot told him, tightening his hold and nuzzling deeper into his chest.

Mason felt himself tear up. He’d been doing this so long he forgot what genuine interactions felt like. He held Elliot tighter around the shoulders, breathing in the scent of linen and vanilla, committing it to memory in case he never got this chance again.

Elliot wasn’t even aware of the time as he felt himself drifting off to sleep. He blinked his eyes open, trying to stay awake and present for Mason.

He felt soft lips on his forehead and his cheek. “Go to sleep darlin’, I’ll still be here when you wake up.” Mason whispers in his ear.

Elliot went to sleep the sounds of Me Before You playing in the background, the soft thumping of Mason’s heartbeat and a hand carding through his hair. It was the most content he’d felt since moving there and he didn’t want it to end.

Mason listened to the soft snores of Elliot’s breathing. Thinking that he looked so cute when he slept, his lips pouted out, slightly drooling, Mason could get used to this.

He knew when morning hit he’d have to snap back into reality. This was a paid gig, a very nicely paid gig at that and he couldn’t afford to get caught up in this beautiful man's web. He could imagine though.

He could imagine doing this with Elliot every night. Eating food, talking about their days, going for walks, cuddling on the couch after a long day spent together, watching movies and just talking. God he hadn’t had this in so long and didn’t even think about how much he truly missed it.

Most of his clients were all business, practically naked when he arrived at their house. He’d do them, zip up and go about his day like it was nothing. None of them liked to cuddle and most of them didn’t want to hear anything he had to say outside of bedroom talk.

He knew he had to leave the next morning or Ashton would have his head on a stick. She was not to be messed with.

As he started to hear the birds chirping, Elliot blinked his pretty blue eyes open and looked up to see Mason still there, holding him tightly. He smiled softly.

“Told you I’d still be here.” Mason whispered, kissing his forehead again on instinct.

“I’m glad. That was the best sleep I’ve had in a while.” Elliot told him, a sad feeling beginning to wash over him.

He and Mason stared at each other for a minute, taking in each other's features, breathing at the same time. Elliot kind of didn’t want this to end.

“You’re really beautiful, you know that?” Mason whispered to him after a minute, moving some of his fallen hair from in front of his eyes, rubbing his thumb over his cheek bone.

Elliot swallowed and leaned into the touch. “You probably say that to everyone,”

Mason shook his head. “Maybe but I’ve never meant it. I get paid to tell people what they wanna hear, you paid me to cuddle you, not to tell you things. But at the risk of never seeing you again, I had to tell you that.”

Elliot’s lip quivered, his eyes flickered down to Mason’s lips, letting himself watch as they parted slightly, his tongue darting out to lick over the bottom one.

“Thank you Mason, it’s been a while since I’ve heard that,” Elliot whispered, breaking the silence.

“I know you must leave now, the sun is out which means my time is up.”

Mason barely nodded. A knot formed in his throat like he wanted to cry but he didn’t know why.

“I must. You have to start your day and my day is now ending.” Neither of them moved from their positions, holding one another tightly.

The interruption came from Mason’s phone blaring Ashton’s ringtone.

“Fuck, that’s my boss, she’s very strict on time.” Mason looked around for his discarded phone and shut it off.

Elliot sighed and sat up, his limbs felt heavy like he had to force it.

Mason took the hand that was previously resting on his chest and kissed it. Elliot blushed, pulling Mason into an embrace.

“You know… I wouldn’t mind doing this again. I mean I know I’d have to book you and do everything officially but I’d very much like to see you again. We could do something more fun next time.”

Mason pulled back from Elliot’s embrace and leaned down to peck him on his soft looking lips.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist, your lips look so soft.” Mason told him.

Elliot leaned up to kiss him again, slotting their lips together to make a perfect fit. Mason could feel himself about to melt into it, the hand holding him up on the couch shaking with the urge to topple him over.

The sound of his phone blasting again paused what would potentially be the best makeout session of his life.

“Fuck,” He muttered, pulling away reluctantly.

“It’s alright love, you will see me again.” Elliot told him, caressing the sides of his face, thumb grazing over his cheekbones.

Mason couldn’t fathom how nobody was spending time with this man. He’d known him for 12 hours and was ready to give up this job to be at his beck and call. Mason pulled him up by the hand, he let Elliot put his jacket and shoes on him and walked him to the door. Their hands still clasped.

He kissed Elliot’s knuckles. “Get some sleep baby, you deserve it. I’ll see you okay?” Mason told him, holding back tears? Why did he feel like crying? His heart ached.

“Get home safely, love.” Elliot kissed his cheek, watching him walk away until he got into the elevator and disappeared.

Elliot shut his door and leaned against it. He smiled. Tyler always had great fucking ideas.

When Fall break ended, Elliot found himself swapped with work. He had several assignments to hand out, a lot of things to go over and a final exam to start putting together.

None of these things interrupted his thoughts of Mason.

The 12 hours he spent with the man was on a constant loop running on repeat over and over in his mind.

He missed him terribly. He wasn’t familiar with missing someone so affectionately. He’d dated of course but the intimacy that he so desperately craved from another person was never there in his other relationships.

Somehow though, it was there with Mason. The familiarity between them, the banter, the laughs, the cuddles, he missed it and wanted it again badly. During his lunch, he took out his phone to see when the next time Mason would be available again. He was free most of the next weekend except for two hours on Saturday. Elliot booked him for 46 hours, typing in his card details without a second thought and setting his phone down.

On the other side of town.

Mason pulled out of Tessa, standing back up and rolling the condom off himself.

Tessa was a regular and Mason didn’t really like her even though he’d been doing her for about a year. She was hispanic, married with 7 children. Her husband couldn’t get it up anymore and Mason was her expensive outlet. She was a screamer, high pitched and always right in his ear.

“You didn’t cum, you’re still hard, should we go again?” She asked, rolling back over and opening her legs.

He shook his head, pulling his pants back up.

“No Tes, I have to go wEll my time is up unless you wanna write me another check, although I’m sure your husband won’t be a huge fan of that since this is my 5th time seeing you this month,” Mason snapped, not even aware of how irritating he sounded.

Tessa frowned. “You don’t have to get snippy with me, corazon, I don’t need you,” She snapped back, covering herself with the sheets.

Mason raised his eyebrows. “Oh yeah? Make sure you book somebody else the next time you’re in the damn mood then, I won’t be coming back.” Mason grabbed his money off her dresser and made a beeline for the door.

He had two more clients today and he was not in the fucking mood.

He hadn’t been since he met and spent time with Elliot.

Elliot was all he could think about. The blush on his cheeks, the softness of his hands and lips, the way Mason kissed him when he knew it was his number one rule; no kissing.

Mason also couldn’t help but think about how Elliot had gone out of his way to make him feel comfortable. Ordering food, finding good movies, listening to him ramble about his family and friends, which was something else he didn’t do. He never let his clients know him. Anytime they’d ask, he’d tell them not to ask him anything personal but with Elliot? It almost felt inevitable. Elliot just listened to him, offering his two cents when it called for it and was very attentive. Mason wasn’t used to that.

It had been three years since he’d seen his family. The shame of his current way of life and the stress of law school kept him from visiting during holidays and breaks. He’d always make up excuses as to why they couldn’t visit him like a pipe bursting or he was swamped with work and school and wouldn’t be able to make time for them but in reality, he was just ashamed.

When he first started, he didn’t think much of it, sleep with a few women and a couple men, make a couple thousand dollars and be on your merry way but it was more than that. He didn’t have anyone to talk to, no one to confide in after he’d had a long day or a strange client. On days he wasn’t working, he was drowning himself in law books, case studies and coffee. Sometimes he’d go out to bars, take himself to the movies or out to dinner but he never felt content with spending so much of his time alone.

His clients never seemed interested in him beyond what he had in his pants so he never even made the effort.

He’d be lying if he said it wasn’t taking a toll on him.

Whenever he had a spare few moments or could afford to sleep in extra, he spent that time crying, wishing someone would hold him as he slept or make coffee for him on the days he was rushing. He craved the simple intimacy that relationships brought but dating was forbidden. Who’d wanna date him anyway. He was 25 and felt washed up and used already, no one in their right mind would want him. Or at least that’s what he thought.

He leaned back in his seat on the subway when his phone started buzzing.

Ashton.

He hoped it wasn’t another client call, he didn’t even want to go to the two he currently had.

“Hey Ash,”

“Mason, what the fuck did you say to Tessa? She just called me and told me to close her account? What the hell? That’s the second client this week that’s pulled their account because of you and your smart ass mouth, what did I say about your personal opinion wEll it came to these people?”

Mason sighed, he really didn’t want to do this right now.

“My personal opinion means nothing if there isn’t a dollar sign behind it,”

“That’s right. Now I have to smile and make nice with people who shouldn’t even see my damn face. Are you headed to Jessica’s? She’s waiting.”

“Yeah ASh, I’m on the way there now. But listen, I might not be able to go to Rachel’s later, I have two reports due at the end of the week and neither one of them are done, can you call Robert or somebody?”

Ashton scoffed. “Robert is a client's nightmare, I’ll just reschedule with Rachel. I also have two new clients I want you to meet, one is a couple looking to add some spice and one is a tech mogul, wants to experiment and is willing to pay big money. Your cap and gown aren’t gonna pay for themselves so hurry up with those reports. Call me later.” Ashton ended the call without another word.

Mason sighed. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Elliot’s smiling face and bright blue eyes looking up at him. He wondered what he was doing, where he was, what he was eating. Was he grading papers in a shady spot at Central Park like he said he liked to do? Was he grocery shopping? Was he volunteering at the animal shelter since it was Thursday? Mason wondered so much about him after only knowing him for 12 hours.

His words really stuck with Mason.

‘You are just good’

He didn’t know how much he needed someone to tell him that, how much he really needed to hear it. Four words uttered from a British man’s mouth was the only thing keeping him together through this week. He wasn’t ashamed of that.

Ashton sent him a calendar update for the next weekend. He’d been booked for 46 hours by someone named E.

Mason rolled his eyes. The last time he spent 48 hours with a client, he had to edge them for two straight days, tying them to the bed and staying up to play with them every so often. He told Ashton never again but she rarely listened.

He hoped that E stood for Elliot or he had half a mind to quit.

A week later: Friday night

Elliot cleaned like he never cleaned before.

Mason was expected to be there in an hour and Elliot wasn’t sure why he was so antsy. He was even more antsy than he was when they first met.

Maybe it was because he’d been non stop thinking about the man ever since he got on the elevator to leave.

Maybe it’s because he heard his voice in his dreams, heard his laugh as he walked down the halls of his job, and saw his smile behind his eyelids when he blinked.

Maybe he needed to get it the fuck together. Elliot knew nothing good could come from crushing on a sex worker.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t crush on him.

Elliot wasn’t naive, he knew things about the escort business and what it entailed, he knew Mason had probably had more sex than anyone he knew currently but he did not care about that one bit. He wanted to get to know the man on the inside. For his heart, not for his body. Elliot could go the rest of his life and never touch Mason and it would be enough for him.

Elliot shook himself out of his thoughts and started back cleaning. By the time an hour had gone by, he was arranging and rearranging the stack of books on his coffee table when there was a knock at the door.

He tried not to smile too hard and breathe too heavily when he opened the door to see Mason smiling and leaning against it.

He was wearing his typical all black attire, locket between the pecs on his chest, leather jacket covering his arms, book bag slung over his shoulder but there was something else.

He looked a little exhausted, there were dark circles under his eyes, a small fading bruise on his left cheek and his hair was a little messy.

“Mason, hi,” Elliot managed after taking in his appearance, holding his arms out for a hug.

“Hi darlin’,” Mason mumbled, walking through the door and into Elliot’s welcoming embrace. He sighed into it, getting lost in the linen and vanilla scent, finally feeling content in the arms of someone who halfway cared about him. It had been such a long week and he didn’t even know where to begin.

Elliot shut the door, walking them over to the couch and sitting them down, still embracing.

Mason finally pulled back, realizing that he was here to work, not to relax. Although spending time with Elliot didn’t feel like work at all, he felt right at home in this small apartment on this incredibly comfy couch in the arms of this gorgeous man. The feeling of it settled deep in his bones and he fought back tears.

Elliot just studied him. He wasn’t wearing the confidence he had wEll they first met up, his shoulders were a bit slumped, his breathing was shallow and ragged and he wasn’t meeting his eyes.

“Love? May I…can I touch you?” Elliot asked, his hand lingering where he wanted to touch the fading bruise. Mason nodded softly.

Elliot ran his fingertips over the yellowish bruise, Mason winced, pulling his lip between his teeth.

Elliot’s heart fucking shattered. “What happened darling? You can talk to me,” Elliot told him, moving his hand back and wrapping them around Mason’s shoulders.

Mason was quiet for a minute, recalling the details, not sure if he could even trust Elliot with the information.

“It’s nothing, I can’t just-...” Mason shut his mouth. He couldn’t do this.

He yanked himself out of Elliot’s embrace and sat back up, his wall sliding back up.

“How are you? You’ve got me for 48 hours dollface, what do you wanna do?” Mason asked, turning to him and putting on a smiling face.

Elliot frowned, crossing his empty arms. “I want you to tell me who hurt you, and we can sit here for the next 48 hours until you do if you want to.” Elliot told him firmly.

Mason gulped. The tension rising in his body, his eyelids filling with tears.

“Mason, you have to know that I care about you, please darling, you can’t carry all of this around all the time, allow someone else to, allow me, please.” Elliot touched his shoulder, urging him back into his warm embrace. He went slowly, still afraid.

He buried his face in Elliot’s neck, a large hand coursing through his tangled, unwashed hair, soft lips pecking his forehead and he burst into silent tears.

“Oh love,” Elliot held him tighter, rocking him back and forth, soothing him with small words of praise that he needed to hear. How could this man know everything Mason needed in such a short amount of time? He wanted to stay in this forever but he knew he couldn’t. Elliot was just a client and probably would look twice at him if he were just a man on the street.

He also needed to get this out or it would eat him alive.

“You don’t have to pretend to care about me, you’re paying just like everybody else, you shouldn’t care,” Mason told him through his tears, knowing he sounded so pathetic and stupid but he couldn’t let Elliot in like this, he’d only end up hurt.

Elliot just shushed him and held him tighter. “Hush love, everything you’re saying is silly, I’d be a fool not to care about you, you are worth so much more than this, I wish you knew that.” He told him, attempting to sooth Mason’s fight.

Mason eventually gave up trying to fight and allowed himself to feel. He cried heavy tears into Elliot’s shirt.

After several minutes, he eventually had nothing left in him to cry out and he took a deep breath.

“I got a new client and clearly Ashton didn’t vet them well enough. It was a couple and the husband thought he was okay with this wife being touched but he was not and took it out on me. He apologized but I had to cancel the rest of my appointments this week because my face is half the job, nobody’s paying for bruises, which means my tuition payment is gonna be so late and the late fee is so heavy and on top of all that, I had three papers to write, a case study to present and prep for my final exam, I’m just exhausted, I can’t keep doing this,” His sobs resumed, cutting him off as he buried his face back into Elliot’s arms.

He was waiting for the moment Elliot shoved him off, telling him this isn’t what he paid for and kicking him out but it didn’t come.

Elliot held him until the tears were replaced with small hiccups.

Mason looked up at Elliot with one eye, Elliot moved his chin from the top of Mason’s head and looked down at him.

Mason’s breath got caught in his throat. The sunset casted the most glorious glow on his bright blue eyes, turning them almost green as they blinked at him, judgment free and glistening with tears of his own. Elliot smiled softly and Mason?

Well Mason was pretty sure he’d just fallen in love.

He didn’t know it could happen that quickly. He swallowed.

“I’m so sorry Elliot, I know I’m supposed to be here for you but I-” Elliot placed his hand over Mason’s mouth. He fought the urge to roll his eyes in the back of his head and moan but this wasn’t that.

“Do shut up.” Mason just nodded.

“How about this? Take a nice hot shower, I have very expensive and wonderful products in there you can use up, I’ll lay out some loose fitting clothes for you, we can order whatever you want and I’ll pick out some movies and maybe a card game or two. And I’ll also make us some tea, how does that sound?”

Mason wanted to melt into the couch. He suddenly felt shy, like the first day of school and the teacher asked him where he wanted to sit.

“Would you be pissed at me if I preferred coffee?” He muttered, scared of his own needs for some reason.

Elliot smiled a little wider. “Tyler does too,” Elliot nudged him, leaning over to peck his cheek.

He took Mason’s hand and led him upstairs. Elliot’s bedroom was nothing like he expected but he also didn’t know what to expect.

It was huge. A king sized bed with Egyptian cotton sheets and a soft looking comforter. There was an oak framed desk with a stack of books and papers neatly stacked on it. In the corner was a ceiling length bookshelf, with a sliding ladder and there was a big bay window in the center of the room, decorating the walls with the sunset from the outside.

Elliot was busying himself turning on the shower, picking out some pajamas and guiding a wandering Mason into the bathroom.

“Take as much time as you need, I’ll make some coffee and find something yummy to eat,” He kissed Mason’s cheek again and Mason was finding himself really loving that affection.

He showered for a while, scrubbing his body and face with the vanilla smelling body wash, washed his hair twice and wrapped himself in the warm fluffy towel Elliot had set out. He put on some lotion and dressed himself in Elliot’s Oxford sweater, a new pair of boxers and some plaid pajama bottoms that were a little snug on him but he loved it.

God he wanted to get used to this, he wanted to wrap himself up in all this affection and warmth that Elliot brought but he just couldn’t.

He was damn sure going to enjoy it while he was here though.

A couple hours later after eating some amazing Thai food and watching a couple of movies, they were cuddling in front of a third movie and trading stories.

Mason was holding Elliot flush against his chest, one hand in his hair, the other across his chest, Elliot was tracing a couple of his tattoos with the tip of his fingers.

“What’s this one for?” Elliot asked tracing over some words in Spanish written on the side of his arm.

“Eres lo suficientemente bueno, it means you are good enough, it’s a reminder to myself that I should look at more often,” Mason explained, scoffing softly. He’d had these tattoos so long he forgot they were there.

“And this one?” His fingers traced over the infinity symbol on his wrist.

“Matching with my brother Rowan,”

“This house on your bicep?”

“The house I grew up in,”

“This tree starts here on your other forearm and leads where?” Elliot asked, turning slightly to the left to look at the tree branch that extended up his arm and disappeared inside the sweater sleeve.

“Up my bicep and down my back. It took 6 sessions and three artists to finish.” Mason lifted them so he could sit up and yank off his shirt. He had other tattoos across his chest, an Elephant on his right breast, a bleeding heart over his heart, and a quote right under his ribs, Elliot’s breath hitched at the sight.

His fingers grazed over the familiar quote and he looked at Mason with furrowed brows.

“What?”

“This quote, it’s from Beloved?”

“Yeah, it’s one of my favorite books and it made me consider just for one second about doing a minor in English but then I decided everyone who wasn’t Toni Morrison wasn’t worth studying,” Mason told him, attempting to turn to show off his back piece.

Elliot just stared at it, his fingers finding home in the pattern and ridges of Mason’s ribs.

“My mother was a professor of English, she taught it for most of her life and she adored Toni Morrison. She got to listen to her speak when I was really young, she says I was captured by her words even when I didn’t understand her. She had every single one of her books but Beloved was her favorite,” Elliot paused, swallowing the large lump in his throat.

“I haven’t read it since she died, my father sold her book collection and I didn’t realize how much I missed reading it.”

Mason just listened. He can’t help but think about Elliot as a child or teen, if he were happier, more outgoing before his mother died. He longed to know the ins and outs that made him the man that sat before him today, eyes always casted down, lips pursed, always listening before speaking like it was never his place to be speaking in the first place. He wanted to break down that wall, open the shell and dive straight in and never look back. He took Elliot’s wrist in his hand and laid it flat over the tattoo. Elliot looked at him.

“Well, now you can read it all the time,” Mason whispered, meaning it with his whole chest.

Elliot looked at him with wet eyes, his eyes darting back and forth between his lips and his pupils. Mason watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed. He brought Elliot’s hand up to his cheek, his thumb instinctively rubbing over his cheekbone.

“You know I have a rule against kissing. I don’t let anyone kiss me because kissing leads to attachment, it’s too intimate,” Mason told him.

Elliot nodded his head, his eyes casting down in disappointment, Mason tilted his head back up with his free hand.

“I’ve spent the past two weeks thinking about nothing but breaking that rule again and again,”

Elliot blinked at him. “Why don’t you? Since you already have I mean… seems only fair to keep doing it,”

Mason’s lips quivered with anticipation.

“Kiss me Mason,” Elliot’s thumb rested on Mason’s bottom lip, dragging over it slowly as he watched.

“It’s whatever I want right? That’s what you said.”

Mason nodded, remembering his words all too clearly from the weeks prior. He knew one way or another he’d eat them.

“I want you to kiss me, however you want, however you see fit, please,” Elliot begged.

Mason barely had time to react before he was pressing his lips to Elliot’s. He lowered them back onto the couch, hovering over Elliot as he licked into his mouth, letting himself get lost in the taste of lemon, honey and ginger, his skin on fire where Elliot was running his hands over his shoulders and bare back. He’d forgotten he was shirtless but that made it much more interesting.

They kissed and kept kissing, bringing their bodies as close as they could get but something was missing.

Mason pulled back, panting and looking down at a debauched Elliot. His lips pink, cheeks red with heat, eyes Elly.

“Can I take your shirt off? I know you don’t wanna go further but I- I’d really like t-to just touch you, if that’s okay,” God Mason felt like a child, stuttering his way through his sentence.

Elliot leaned up to remove his shirt, Mason gasped.

Fuck, Elliot was better than any fuck he’d had and he wasn’t even gonna fuck him. His chest was smooth, blonde hairs crowding his soft stomach, nipples pink and hard, the flush he had on his face traveling down his chest, Mason was staring (drooling) over it.

He immediately lowered back down, moaning at the skin to skin contact and claiming Elliot’s lips again, swallowing the whimper that escaped that pretty mouth.

Mason had never felt this close to someone, he’d never been this intimate with anyone, not any of his clients or anyone he dated before he started doing this.

Elliot seemed to share his enthusiasm, wrapping himself around Mason like a koala and Mason absolutely loved it. He wanted to stay here, on this couch, in this dimly lit apartment, making out softly with a man he genuinely could see himself spending the rest of his life with.

Fuck, his life. How could he forget?

In Elliot’s arms he could but what about Sunday when he had to leave and go back out there? He tried not to think about it, choosing to have a tongue fight with Elliot instead, his arms roaming up and down the soft planes of his waist. He felt so good and Mason’s hands fit just right in the dips and curves of his body, like he was made for him.

He tried not to get lost in it.

Spending the weekend with Elliot made Mason remember what it felt like to be in a relationship, to be taken care of, to be loved. Elliot treated him like a human being and he was so obsessed with it.

They’d fallen asleep on the couch, skin to skin with the TV on. Elliot woke him up with soft kisses to the face, a hand in his hair and dreamy blue eyes the following morning. They cooked breakfast together. Mason showed Elliot exactly how he liked his eggs and he made Elliot’s tea for him almost perfectly for his first time.

They did a bit of shopping, some home decor with some color Elliot desperately needed according to Mason and a few new pairs of pants for Mason for the upcoming fall.

Elliot insisted on paying for everything, much to Mason’s bitter protests and fight that he could take care of himself.

“I know that Mason, trust me but it’s okay to let someone else take care of you sometimes,” Elliot said as he swiped his card for their lunch.

Mason pouted. “Okay but you have to let me pay you back in some way,”

Elliot just smiled, taking his hand as they left the restaurant.

“You already do, love, you don’t know what it means to me that you spend time with me, even though I do pay for it, it means the world to me.”

Mason felt his heart shatter.

In his heart, he knew Elliot meant that but his mind wouldn’t let him agree. If Mason wasn’t available, he’d probably just book with someone else. The thought of Elliot cuddling anyone else, hugging anyone else, letting some stranger run his greasy fingers through that beautiful sandy blonde head made him feel lightheaded.

“Mason, you alright?” Elliot asked, putting his hand on Mason’s thigh when the light turned red. It burned.

Burned in a way that Mason wanted to bottle up and swallow. How could he tell Elliot that the thought of him booking someone else made him feel violent, he could do whatever he wanted, he wasn’t Mason’s.

The hand rubbed his knee back and forth, bringing him back to Earth.

“Yeah, just thinking of something stupid.” He placed his hand on top of Elliot’s and intertwined the fingers.

Elliot smiled softly and focused back on the road. Mason looked at the window, fighting back tears.

The night was filled with domestic bliss.

Elliot took a shower while Mason picked out a playlist for them.

He taught Elliot how to make enchiladas, they drank the best red wine Elliot could find in his stash, had a tortilla fight and slowly danced in the kitchen.

Elliot wanted this. He wanted it so bad, he could reach out and grab it but he knew Mason didn’t. They could laugh, joke, make out and be sweet to each other all they wanted, Mason was a professional at this and Elliot knew it meant nothing to him like it did him.

He knew he was falling in love and the ending result would shatter him to pieces but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He needed everything Mason was willing to give him like he needed air and he wasn’t gonna let this go without a fight.

That night, Elliot guided Mason to his bed, stripping him down to his underwear and laying him down on the impressively soft sheets.

Mason was almost surprised when Elliot climbed in the bed next to him and turned out the lights. He was expecting something else.

He was starting to wonder if Elliot even wanted him and if he did, why hadn’t he said anything?

“I can hear you thinking,” Elliot whispered from behind him, holding Mason tightly.

Mason turned to him, Elliot flicked on the light and faced him.

“You don’t want me to touch you,” He said as a statement more than a question.

Elliot raised his eyebrows, knowing there was more coming.

“You don’t want to have sex with me because you think I have too much sex and won’t want to or are you just not attracted to me?” Mason asked, ripping the bandaid off.

Elliot scoffed. “Mason, you are the most gorgeous man I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on,”

Mason nodded slowly. He’d heard that before.

“No no, it’s different. You are physically beautiful, yes but your heart. Your mind. Your soul. Everything about you is so beautiful. The way you rarely think about something before it flies out of your mouth, the wild hand gestures you use wEll you’re discussing something you’re passionate about, the way your eyes light up and dim wEll you speak of your family that you miss so much. The way you describe them makes me feel like I know them, the way you love and want to protect them is amazing to me,” Elliot confessed, sitting up and staring down into Mason’s eyes, their hands clasped over his beating heart.

“I thought when I did this, it would be a one time thing, I’d get my cuddles and I’d carry on with my life but you talked to me, you opened up to me, you let me open up to you, that means more to me than just shagging you and kicking you out when your time is up. Your time is very precious to me and I’ve enjoyed using it to get to know the real you. Sex would just be extra sprinkles on the cake and yes, sprinkles are nice and I love them but I’d rather just have you.”

Mason was breathing way too hard to not make it obvious he was about to cry.

He flipped them quickly, his hands bracketing either side of Elliot’s head. Elliot’s hands caressing his shoulders. He leaned down to capture his lips in a kiss that he hoped would tell him he felt the same way.

When he pulled back, he rested their heads together.

“I’m not very good with words but there is one thing I’m good at. Let me show you,” Mason asked, dipping his head down to kiss Elliot’s neck. A soft whimper escaped his lips and Mason melted.

“Let me show you,” He kissed his neck again.

“How much,” Over his collarbone, sucking and kissing a small mark there.

“You mean,” A spot he found behind Elliot's ear last night that dragged a slutty moan out of him.

“To me,” He gave a wet kiss to his jaw.

“Please baby,” Mason begged, licking over Elliot’s bottom lip, sucking it and kissing him passionately. Elliot became putty in his hands, opening his legs for Mason to rest between, grinding their half hard cocks together. They both groaned.

Elliot blindly reached in his nightstand for condoms and lube and tossed them on the bed.

Mason pulled back, looking at the items and back at Elliot in awe.

“Show me,” Elliot demanded softly.

Mason leaned down and slotted their lips together, pressing their bodies together to make one

Mason showed him. Multiple times and all through the night.

They spent most of Sunday morning in the bed, learning every crack and crevice of each other's bodies.

They went for a walk through the park, got ice cream and made out sweetly under a shady tree. Elliot read Mason some of his favorite book and Mason taught Elliot how to make pizza from scratch when they got back home.

The time was approaching for Mason to leave and they were both dreading it.

He knew Ashton had canceled his Saturday appointment until she was sure his face was cleared up, which it was. He had assignments to finish and clients lined up for the week.

He wasn’t even in the mood, it would be a wonder if he could get it up after being inside Elliot, aka the best sex he’d ever had in his life.

He was surprised no one had offered him up to do it professionally which got him a beautiful belly laugh.

Right now they were holding each other on the couch, Elliot’s head on his chest, leg thrown over his waist, hand around the side of his neck rubbing at the underside of his jaw.

Mason’s one hand was in Elliot’s hair and the other was rubbing his thigh. They weren’t speaking, there was no noise except from the open window and faint TV in the background.

Elliot looked up at him for the first time in an hour, eyes red with tears Mason didn’t know he was crying.

Mason kissed away any words he might have been thinking about speaking. He couldn’t take anymore. Elliot had him by the throat, he was in love and he wanted to become one with this man. He felt Elliot in his whole body and he wasn’t sure if he’d survive out there without him.

The goodbyes were becoming harder and harder each time.

Elliot kissed him hard, arms tight around his neck and gave him everything. Mason melted in it, pushing Elliot against the hall near the door and savoring it, not even wanting to come up for air.

And tEll his phone started blaring the familiar annoying reminder of life outside this place he felt in his heart was home.

He doesn’t know who broke away first, leaning on each other for support for a moment.

“Be careful please?” Elliot whispered.

Mason nodded, kissing him again cause he needed to and reaching for the door.

Elliot watched him go with half lidded eyes.

He blew him a kiss and got on the elevator, waiting until it was closed before he let the tears fall.

He had to do something.

Mason had three rules for himself and his clients when it came to this.

He will not be tied up or blindfolded.
No foursomes or orgies
He will not bottom for anyone

Three non-negotiables that Ashton stated every time someone booked him.

So he wasn’t sure how he got himself into this mess but he needed to act fast. He was currently face down, not by his own will. The man who booked him was large to say the least and didn’t want to do any talking. He also wanted to ignore the rules and have his way with Mason. And Mason would be lying if he said he wasn’t terrified.

In all three years he’d never been faced with a situation like this and he needed to act instead of overthinking. The familiar sound of a lube cap opening was his fucking sign. The man approached him grunting and breathing heavily. Mason extended his leg and kicked the man’s thigh, causing him to double back. He leaned up, pulling his pants up and darting for the door. The man yanked the back of his shirt, ripping it and slammed him on the bed.

“How fucking dare you? I want what I paid for!” He grunted, putting his weight on top of Mason.

Boxing classes. Self defense classes. Rage. All these things made him ball up his fist and clock the man in the nose. He fell backwards but not fully off of him. The man punched him back, right in the eye. He winced , his vision blurry as he felt another punch land on the side of his mouth.

Fuck that one hurt too, a couple more and he’d be out cold and God knows what the man would do to him then. He gathered every bit of strength he had left and kicked the man square in the balls. He doubled over and onto the floor, freeing Mason as he made a beeline for the door.

It was midnight, the streets were dead and cold, he’d left his bookbag with his phone and wallet and keys to his apartment, he was miles away from his house anyway and had no one to call. He was bleeding, his shirt was ripped halfway off his body and he could barely see out of his right eye. He approached a bench and sat down to catch his breath.

He vaguely recognized the street name “Glassman Grove” . Elliot's apartment was three blocks from here.

Thank the fucking universe.

He got up, practically running the three blocks to the complex. He didn’t know if Elliot was home, he didn’t care he’d wait by the door if he had to, he needed him and he couldn’t go back for his stuff.

He waited outside for someone to come out so he could sneak in, covering his eye the best he could, he bolted for the elevator. He made it to the 6th floor when his head started to hurt, there was surely blood dripping down his neck and his eye was bruising more with every breath he took. He barely made it to 632 and he slumped down by the door, exhausted. He managed to knock before closing his eyes just for a second to relieve some of the pain he felt.

Elliot was lying awake, staring at the ceiling and thinking of Mason. He was booked out the rest of the month and Elliot had no chance of seeing him for at least a few weeks and it was killing him. He wanted him so bad it was starting to drive him a little insane.

He heard shuffling and tEll a light knock at his door. It was almost 1am, who could it be?

Tyler would never show up this late and he literally didn’t know anybody else.

He waited.

The light knocking came again seconds later and he got up slowly. Putting on his robe he trotted down the steps and looked out the peephole. He didn’t see anyone and he’d hate to be the butt of some teenagers' egg throwing joke.

Then he heard groaning.

He swung the door open and Mason fell inside from where he was leaning.

Elliot blinked.

Mason was here, his shirt was ripped, his pants were ripped, he was holding his eye and there was blood dripping from his lip down his neck. Elliot felt sick.

“M-Mason darling oh my god!” He pulled Mason up carefully and into the apartment. The groaning man went easily, leaning his head on Elliot’s shoulder as he walked them to the couch. His hands were shaking as he set him down, running to the kitchen to get ice and a first aid kit. He was vibrating with anger, sadness, disgust, tears welled in his eyes but he bit them back, forcing himself to stay grounded for Mason. He brought a bag of ice wrapped in a towel and the first aid kit, moving Mason’s hand to see the very swollen eye. He ignored the tear that fell from his own eye and held the ice to his face. Mason jerked back in pain but then leaned into it. He wouldn’t look at Elliot.

“Who did this to you-“ Elliot choked out, dabbing his face and lip, getting the dried blood off him. Mason didn’t speak, he curled into himself , breathing ragged and short.

Elliot knew he was crying now, he couldn’t help it.

He wiped all the dried blood off of Mason and held the ice to his eye and he took him in his arms. Mason wrapped himself in Elliot’s arms.

“Breathe love, breathe, just like me do this,” Elliot gently placed Mason’s hand over his chest so he could follow his breathing.

Mason followed for several minutes, his breath finally slowing, he swallowed and realized there was a large lump in his throat.

He was so happy to be here in Elliot’s arms, he couldn’t even express it.

“Darling, would you like me to run you a bath? Make you some coffee? Does that sound good?”

Mason nodded quickly.

“Okay, I’m going to get up and run the bath, I’ll be so quick love, I’ll be right back. Hold this to your eye okay?” Elliot handed him the ice bag and Mason obeyed, wrapping his arms around himself as Elliot ran up the stairs to start the bath.

He ran hot water, filled the tub with lavender bath bombs and soap, he put his robe in the dryer and got out some fresh pajamas.

He went back down the stairs to find Mason in the same position as he’d left him.

Elliot lifted the man bridal style, carrying him up the stairs with ease, despite being shorter and set him sitting on the sink.

He moved to exit the bathroom when Mason grabbed his shirt, his one good eye lifting to finally look at Elliot.

God he looked so exhausted, Elliot was fuming.

“Stay, p-please don’t leave me,” Mason whimpered.

Elliot didn’t need to be told twice. He began slowly undressing Mason, telling him everything he was going to do before he did it, discarding his tattered clothes in the garbage, undressing himself and sitting in the tub, Mason following and leaning back against his chest.

Elliot washed him, letting the water warm his body, rinsing off any more blood he saw, placing delicate kisses on his shoulder and his head.

When he was done, Mason just leaned against him, his arms wrapped around him, tracing the tattoo on his belly.

“I left my phone.” Mason said, his first words in over an hour.

Elliot prepared himself for the worse.

“I left my phone, my wallet, my keys. Ashton is gonna fucking murder me in cold blood,” Mason continued.

Elliot swallowed, tightening his hold.

“What happened darling?” He whispered.

Mason stiffened, squeezing Elliot’s wrist to tether himself.

“He tried to break rule number three,”

Elliot knew Mason’s rules, he’d told him when they first met.

He was shaking with rage. He decided that tonight was Mason’s last night. This couldn’t happen again.

Mason wasn’t even concerned that he’d just been through something traumatic, he was too focused on what Ashton would do to him. Elliot wouldn’t stand for that, Mason deserved more than she was giving him, he deserved it all.

Elliot dried Mason off and dressed him in soft pajamas.

He massaged him to sleep and slipped downstairs to his phone.

He opened the log and called Ashton.

“Mr. Cambridge? To what do I owe the pleasure?” Ashton answered, sounding almost smug.

“How much is the rest of Mason’s tuition?” Elliot asked, getting right to the point. He could practically see the smile wiping off Ashton’s face.

“W-why?”

“I’d like to pay to get him out of this-this deal you have him under. He won’t be working for you anymore after this moment.” Elliot told her firmly.

Ashton scoffed. “Mason isn’t for sale Mr. Cambridge, I won’t be telling you how much his tuition is because it is none of your business. Mason is my best cort, I’m not losing him, not to you, not to anybody. You think you’re special? You think you’re the first one to try and buy that pretty little ass, you’re not.”

“I will write you a fucking check Ashton, name the fucking price.” Elliot told her, ignoring the anger in his belly.

“A check you say? Why don’t you meet me at my office in an hour? I know it’s late but anything for your boy right? I’ll text you an address.” Ashton hung up without another word. A text came a second later to Elliot’s phone.

Ashton put her phone down and picked up her other phone.

“Robert, yeah it’s Ash, get John and Russo and go get Mason for me, some fucker thinks he can just buy my best cort, I’m gonna make it so Mason never sees him again. Yeah I’m sending an address.”

Elliot kissed Mason’s head, causing him to stir slightly.

“Darlin’, you going somewhere?” Mason muttered, opening his good eye.

“I’ll be right back, love, I just have a super quick errand, you get some sleep, I won’t be gone long.” Elliot kissed his cheek, his nose and his lips, pulling the covers back over him and zipping up his jumper.

Mason woke up an hour later, antsy and needing some comfort.

Elliot was still gone, he wasn’t sure where he went but he was sure he was bound to return any minute.

Elliot had made it clear several times that Mason could make himself at home, use anything in the bathroom and the kitchenso Mason put on Elliot’s robe and padded down the steps.

His eye was still throbbing, his lip was kind of swollen but he was feeling much better than he was a few hours ago. It’s amazing what a hot bath and some cuddles will do for you. He still hasn't processed what happened and he didn’t really want to at that moment. His next step was figuring out how he was going to pay for the rest of the semester without having to go back to work for Ashton.

He made himself some coffee, adding brown sugar and sitting on the couch to wait for Elliot.

After finishing the coffee, he heard a voice outside the door and perked up. It was still kind of insane to him how much he looked forward to seeing Elliot when he got the chance, he’d really missed him the past two weeks where he was booked solid and the only thing keeping him going was the memories they shared together during their weekend and all the endless possibilities they could share once Mason was out of this game.

Interrupting his thoughts was the door slamming open, breaking the lock and the handle. Mason shot up, looking as Robert, John and Russo entered the apartment. Robert was carrying a crowbar and John had zip ties.

“Don’t make this hard Mason, you don’t have anywhere to run,” Robert said, lunging for him. Mason dodged him and darted up the stairs and back into Elliot’s bedroom. He wasn’t fast enough at closing the door before Russo’s foot stopped it, pushing it open causing Mason to fall on the floor.

“Please, please don’t,” Mason begged, tears in his eyes.

“You think you can just quit and not tell anybody? You fucking belong to Ashton foo, nothing else matters.” Russo told him. Robert came around from behind him and hit him once with the crow bar, knocking him straight out.

The last thing he thought about was what Elliot would think wEll he came back to find him gone. He couldn’t stomach the thought.

Elliot approached the address he was given and knocked twice as instructed.

A very tall man opened the door and pulled him inside by his collar, slamming him against the door.

“Wait here,” He grunted, his breath heavy with cigar smells.

Elliot just nodded, straightening his shirt.

A few minutes later, a woman came around the corner dressed in all black with two equally large men following her. She removed her sunglasses, putting them on the small desk that was in the cold room and faced Elliot.

She was beautiful, dressed in very expensive designer clothes, red bottoms and lipstick that didn’t crack as she pursed her lips.

“Nice to put a face to a name,” She said, her lips curling up smugly.

“Likewise. I don’t have long, shall we do this?”

Ashton rolled her eyes. “As I stated on the phone Mr. Cambridge, can I call you Elliot?”

“No you may not,” Elliot said firmly, crossing his arms.

Zahra chuckled.

“As I stated on the phone Mr. Cambridge, Mason is not for sale. He’s my best and I won’t give him up.”

“He finishes school in five months, he’s bound to leave you wEll he’s done anyway-”

“See that’s what you think and you’re wrong,” Ashton interrupts. She takes a sip from the mug that was given to her and nods.

“See, Mason signed a contract, it was for 5 years. He’s only completed three of those years so in hindsight, I have him for another two. WEll I met him, he was naive, didn’t read the fine print. He can do his law work but at night, he still belongs to me and there isn’t anything you can do about it.”

Elliot swallowed, trying to remain calm and not launch himself at this woman.

“Aw, oh no,” Ashton chuckled, approaching him slowly.

“You love him don’t you? He probably fucked you deep and slow, told you how much you mean to him and how wonderful you were and you fucking fell for it. Silly fucking British, it’s a wonder to me that y’all managed to win any wars,”

Elliot stepped back, nervously playing with the bracelet on his arm.

“Look, I will pay for Mason’s tuition and buy him out of this disgusting deal, whatever it takes.”

“Mr. Cambridge, did you forget we ran a background check? You don’t even make enough money to afford to vacation twice a year, let alone that type of money it’ll take to buy Mason off.”

Elliot smirked.

“Maybe not Elliot Cambridge but Elliot Cambridge-Chamberlain is a different story,” Elliot pulled out his wallet, taking a check out of it and putting it on the desk. He usually hated to throw his family's oil wealth around, most of it was blood money and he wasn’t proud of it. He only liked to use the money his mom left him but this was an exception. Mason was an exception.

“That’s a check for 25 thousand dollars. It covers the rest of Mason’s tuition and should buy him out of this life. He won’t be seeing you people again.”

Ashton’s face didn’t fall, she picked up the check and looked at it.

“Well thank you Mr. Cambridge. It was a pleasure doing business with you. Now leave.” Ashton turned on her heel, taking the check with her.

Elliot exited the building and went right home.

He was jittery and smiling as he waited on the elevator to get off on his floor. He knew Mason would be happy about the news especially after tonight.

He approached his door quickly, the smile dropping from his face quickly as he noticed that it was broken.

Fuck!

Elliot ran up the stairs, two at a time and swung his bedroom door open.

Mason was gone.

His robe lay discarded on the floor and as he looked closer, there were a few drops of blood on the hardwood floor by the robe.

Elliot felt sick to his stomach.

He was dizzy. What happened? Did someone kidnap him? Did the man who assaulted him follow him and wait for the right opportunity?

Then he remembered.

One of the big guys had whispered something in Ashton’s ear as he gave her the check. Elliot didn’t hear it but her face perked up slightly before dropping again wEll he gave her the check.

Elliot swallowed. Ashton fucking double crossed him.

And who could he tell? The building he’d met her in was completely abandoned. The service he bought was completely illegal. The police never looked for escorts, only ever found them dead.

That thought had Elliot rushing to the bathroom to throw up.

What the fuck had he done?

He’d seen this movie before, Mason is a loose end that Ashton would tie up because she could. Thrown in a ditch and never found.

Elliot sobbed into his arms. He didn’t know how he was going to recover from this. The loss and the guilt was almost too much for him, he couldn’t be alone for fear of what he might do.

He managed to calm down enough to find his phone, dialing Tyler’s number. He answered on the third ring.

“My darling bestie, whatever do I- Elliot, what’s wrong?” Tyler’s attitude immediately changed upon hearing Elliot sniff.

“I lost him Tyler, he’s gone and it’s all my fault,” Elliot sobbed, clutching the phone to his ear and curling to a ball.

“Elliot, I’m looking for flights right now, hang on darling please,”

Elliot went silent, staring into the room and grasping the robe he knew Mason was wearing when he was taken. He could still smell the coffee scent that made him feel so warm.

“Leaving for the airport now Ell, I’m on the way,” Tyler told him, he could hear shuffling in the background.

Elliot didn’t even let go of the phone when it hung up. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t think, it was a wonder to him that he was still breathing.

Tyler was there six hours later.

“Ell?” Tyler enters the home, taking note of the broken door frame and knob.

He drops his bag in the kitchen and looks around the island and by the couch.

“Ell? I’m here darling, make a noise or something,” Tyler called, ascending the steps and going into his bedroom.

He notices the blood dried on the floor and quickly dashes to the bathroom.

Elliot is exactly where he was when he hung up the phone.

Laid sideways on the bathroom floor, clutching the robe close to him, phone dead and discarded by his head, eyes wide and staring into space.

Tyler kneeled down and laid beside his best friend.

“Elliot,”

Elliot’s eyes refocused slowly, blinking and zoning in on Tyler.

Tyler took his hand, kissing it.

“What happened darling, talk to me.” Tyler whispered.

Elliot’s brain began rebooting, his breath recentering.

It was quiet for a long time, hours could have gone by and it all would have meant nothing to Elliot.

“I made-” Elliot started, choking on the sobs that had been brewing in the back of his throat.

Even blinking was a chore, all he could see was Mason’s face and hoped silently that they hadn’t done anything to it wEll they took him.

“They took him-” Elliot said quietly.

Tyler just waited, he began taking deep breaths, urging Elliot to follow him.

He did. Mimicking Tyler’s breathing slowly until he found his words.

“I called Ashton, the woman who owns the service. I gave her a check, to-,” Elliot swallowed. He didn’t want to think about what he’d done. He felt so damn guilty, he wanted the floor to just swallow him up and make him forget.

Tyler squeezed his hand, silent encouragement.

Elliot let out a deep ragged breath, tears falling from his eyes.

“I gave her a check that was supposed to buy Mason his freedom from her. To pay his tuition off and get him off that website and out of that life. She accepted it and wEll I came home to tell him, he was gone and it’s all my fault.” Elliot managed, curling into the robe even further.

“What’s your fault, Ell? The fact that you fell in love?”

Elliot blinked almost angrily at Tyler.

“Tyler, we’ve seen the movies, the news. When workers get too close to clients, the boss gets rid of them, they become too much of a liability. Ashton will get rid of him. Toss him in a ditch to be forgotten and gone forever and it’s all my fault. I didn’t-” Elliot closed his eyes again, opening them quickly when all he could see was Mason screaming for help behind his eyelids.

Tears ran down his nose and onto the floor.

“I didn’t tell him I loved him, that I’d take care of him, that he was safe with me no matter what. I thought I was helping and now he’s gone, probably dead because of me. Because of me and my stupid fucking feelings,” Tyler covered his mouth, something he did a lot when Elliot talked down on himself.

“Your feelings are not stupid, you’re a human being and so is he. He showed you something and you decided you wanted to fight for it Ell, that’s not stupid. And he’s not dead-”

“How do you know that?” Elliot snatched the hand away, gritting his teeth.

Tyler sat up. “Because he’s not. Ashton would be a fool to kill him, especially now that you know who she is,”

“The number I used to contact her is disabled, that warehouse is abandoned I’m pretty sure, I’ve been blocked from even accessing the website, she’s disappeared from the face of the Earth and taken Mason with her Tyler, even if I wanted to tell, who would I tell? They’d lock me up for even getting on the bloody website, I should have just stayed lonely and eventually let it swallow me up, this was a stupid idea.” Elliot curled further into himself.

Tyler sighed.

“Do you know where he lives?”

Elliot shook his head.

“What school does he go to?”

“NYU, they’re on Christmas break right now so no one’s there.”

Tyler perks up slightly. “Not everyone goes home for break my dearest Ell, there’s bound to be a few strays that have seen our black haired beauty. Do you have a picture of him?”

Elliot just nods, motioning to his phone.

Tyler gets up, plugging in the phone and unlocking it. He scrolls until he finds a good picture of Mason, all smiles with his shirt off and trying to grab the phone from Elliot.

He swipes and sees a video.

“Ell, I’m practically naked, if you’re gonna take objectifying photos of me, at least get in them with me.” Mason whines in the video.

He can hear Elliot laughing behind the camera before turning it to face himself as Mason lays beside him.

“We look insane in the morning, holy crap,” Elliot says into the camera as Mason is kissing his cheek.

“I think you look beautiful,” Mason whispers to Elliot, making him blush and end the video.

Tyler looks up and at Elliot who is still on the bathroom floor, staring into space.

“Come on Ell, we have a few hours before the sun's up, you need a little sleep if we're going to spend the day harassing people.” Tyler pulled him to his feet. He clutched the robe and let himself be led to bed.

Tyler held him until he was asleep about an hour later.

Mason rubbed his eyes and rolled over to look at the wall.

He’d been awake two seconds before the door to his room was opening and clothes were being thrown at him.

“Up Mason.” Ashton called, her heels hitting the ground with purpose.

He’d been locked in a room, Ashton’s version of punishment for what she called “runaways”. There was a mattress on the floor, a small door that slid food and water in and out and one book to read.

Mason spent most of the time alternating between crying for Elliot, tiring himself out enough to sleep and waking up crying.

“Good news, you can go home today, I know you have homework piling the fuck up,” Ashton said, crossing her arms.

“More good news, I need you done with it by 6pm tonight because you have three clients back to back and I don’t wanna hear any lip or get any negative reports. I’ve had it up to here with your antics so I’m warning you. I got you a new phone, new ID and don’t even think about going anywhere near Elliot’s house. You are not to see him again, he’s the reason you’ve been in here like you have.” Ashton told him without stopping to take a breath.

Mason dressed and just shook his head. “Don’t talk about Elliot, you don’t know him.” Mason muttered.

Ashton rolled her eyes. “Shut up. I’ve got a guard over on Glassman Grove just waiting to call to report a sighting of you over there. I’d sure hate for him to accidentally call the guard he’s got sitting outside 147 Crescent Moon Circle where your mom and step dad are currently having lunch,”

Mason cut his eyes at her. That address burned into his mind.

“You wouldn’t fucking dare,” He muttered, his voice shaking because oh yes she would.

“We both know I would.” Ashton deadpanned. She walked off.

“Have a good day.” She called as she turned the corner.

Mason resisted the urge to fucking cry again. He was dried out for now, thinking about how behind he was on his school work. Even though it was break, he was approaching his final semester and he needed to be prepared for the bar.

He could do this, he’s survived much worse.

Well no he hadn’t but he feared he was about to.

By the time Elliot had woken up, Tyler had made breakfast, had him a fresh cup of tea made, picked out some comfy, warm clothes and had printed out 2 giant headshots of that photo of Mason.

He put the clothes on and padded down the steps with his tea mug in his hand.

Tyler smiled as he entered the kitchen . He set down a breakfast made of a full English, something Elliot missed dearly about England and living so close to his amazing cook of a best friend.

He dove in straight away, not realizing how long it had been since he ate.

He was finished in minutes and then he remembered what they were doing today.

“Are you sure this is a good idea? What if Ashton has one of those goons watching us and something truly awful happens, Tyler? I can’t handle this, I already think something bad has happened.”

“Ell, please relax. There’s nothing we can do but try. If someone can at least tell us where he lives, we’d be closer to finding him. Do not give up hope darling, you’re not alone.”

Elliot took a deep breath and pushed down all his negative thoughts and feelings. He thought positively. He thought about how happy Mason would be to see him, how happy he’d be to not have to do what he does anymore. Happy for freedom and the options law school will bring without the extra stress. Elliot’s only focus right now was finding Mason and making him happy.

He’d deal with the fact that he was in love with him later.

Tyler and Elliot walked up and down the partially empty NYU campus everyday for a week asking people if they’d seen Mason or knew where he lived. Everyone said the same thing.

“Mason is super private, he’s super sweet and really smart but he doesn’t have a lot of friends and rarely is seen outside of class”

No one seemed to know this man outside of his amazing mock trials and utter devotion to his study time on Mondays and Wednesdays. When he was absent the past Monday and Wednesday, the few people who’d been used to seeing him just assumed he went home for the break.

No one knew about his family, his so-called job or anything personal about him. It crushed Elliot’s heart little by little to hear it. He was almost starting to give up hope.

This was never Elliot’s intention, he never meant for it to get this far, he did not want to fall in love with anyone, he just didn’t want to be so alone anymore. He rambled all of this to Tyler at the bar that Friday before he dropped his friend back at the airport.

“Ell, this doesn’t mean you’ll never see him again,”

Elliot just sighed. He was tired of repeating, “You don’t know that Tyler” to his encouragement, he simply didn’t understand Elliot’s thought process. Elliot himself barely understood it but these kinds of things didn’t happen to him. He didn’t fall in love, he didn’t think he was supposed to, it just happened and now it was all he wanted.

All he wanted was Mason.

Elliot took Tyler’s hand. “Thank you for coming to my rescue. I may have very well died on my shitty flat’s floor and no one would have ever known,” Elliot told him sincerely.

Tyler kissed his hand. “I’d know. Your sister would know. You know she always calls me to make sure I’ve called you to check on you, even after I’ve told her dozens of times that I call every other day. You’re not alone Ell, please know this.”

Elliot smiled at his friend. They finished their drinks and gave each other a long standing hug at the gate.

“Call me when you land, hopefully I’ll have taken a break from crying and will be eating Jaffa cakes or ordering an emotional support animal,” Elliot told him, handing him his bag.

Tyler just laughed.

Elliot watched his friend go before going back to the car.

Reality set back in and he remembered that he was about to walk into a lonely apartment again. He’d almost gotten used to the warmth of another person’s presence again but now he’d have to go back to the old normal.

He decided to take the stairs up six floors versus the elevator to ease his mind. He walked to his door and ran into a figure standing right in front of his door.

His eyes shot up and looked straight into chocolate brown eyes and a half smile.

Elliot blinked.

And then he pinched his arm roughly.

“I’m really here sweetheart, please don’t hurt yourself.” Mason chuckled smoothly, smiling a little more.

“Mason,” was all Elliot could breathe out before he threw his arms around his slender neck.

Strong biceps immediately enveloped him in a tight hug and exhaled.

Mason smelled of smoke and linen but Elliot could smell the faint smell of cinnamon lingering on the patch of skin that was against Elliot’s cheek as they hugged.

Elliot pulled back, running his hands all over Mason to make sure he was actually standing there.

Mason laughed, taking his hand and kissing it fiercely.

“Oh love, I’ve been so worried, I’ve been looking for you everywhere, I didn’t know-.... Christ, if you were in trouble or if something had happened, I’m so so sorry I wasn’t here when you were, I-I mean I don’t how that even-” Elliot was cut off by Mason kissing him, pulling him by his waist and flush against his chest. Elliot was only shocked for a second before melting into it, all the worries and fears and dread he was feeling slowly melting away with every lick of Mason’s tongue against his bottom lip.

“Darlin’, why are you apologizing? If anything, I should be apologizing for dragging you into my messy world, I should have just kept it professional but my feelings Elliot, I’ve been so conditioned to ignore them but I can’t when it comes to you,” Mason told him, their foreheads resting on each others.

Elliot’s breath hitched. His lips trembled with the words he’d been dying to say even in such a short amount of time.

“Did you think I was bluffing when I said I had a guard standing out here watching you?” Ashton’s hard voice echoed through the hall, interrupting what was supposed to be the best moment of Elliot’s life.

Mason looked up at her, eyes wide, instinctively backing away from her.

Elliot stood in front of him, arms crossed. “You can’t have him Ashton, you and I had a deal.” Elliot hissed at her.

Mason frowned slightly. “What deal?” He muttered so only Elliot could hear.

“Fuck your deal! You don’t get to just write me a check and think you can buy my best cort, you’re delusional. Mason, lets fucking go if you still have dreams of being lawyer.” Ashton instructed, snapping at Russo and John to get Mason.

Elliot stepped in front of Mason, protecting the taller man with his entire body.

Mason whipped him around and frowned. “You tried to buy me? What the fuck does that even mean?” He demanded.

Elliot held his hands up. “Not like that darling, I gave her a check to cover the rest of your tuition and to buy you out of your contract with her.”

Mason nodded slowly, moving his eyes away from Elliot and to Ashton.

If looks could kill.

“What fucking contract?” Mason gritted.

Ashton looked scared for a second before remembering who she was.

“You signed a contract when you first started. For five years. It’s got your signature and you can’t just not abide by it, do you know what I could do to you, what I’ve done to others for not abiding by the contract? I don’t give a shit if you’re my best, you’re becoming a liability, costing way too much money because I have to continue to chase you down because you refuse to do what you’re told!” Ashton spat, her voice raising.

“You think I give a fuck that you fell in love? Big fucking deal, you wouldn’t even know him if I hadn’t set it up, you’re a nobody Mason, you’re only you because of what I made you. Elliot wouldn’t spit in your direction if you were a regular man, nobody would!” She continued.

Mason had had enough.

As calmly as he could, he approached her.

“Here’s what’s about to happen. You’re going to give me the money Elliot gave you, you’re gonna tear that fuck ass contract up because it won’t hold up in any court given that you’re running an illegal business and I never really agreed to give you anything other than the use of my body for others to pay for-”

“I could send it to NYU, have you exposed for being a prostitute, see how many offices would be knocking on your door for jobs tEll?” Ashton threatened.

“I could go to the police. 459 Manhattan Ave Apt C3 is where you live, right?” Mason asked. Ashton’s face dropped completely.

“71 Church Street Place is where your mom lives, right Russo? She takes care of your son? Does she know you kidnap people?”

Russo backed away from Elliot and went to stand by the elevator.

Mason nodded. “Cool, that's what I thought. I fucking quit. And you’re gonna fucking let me quit or I’m gonna quietly guide the police to 647 Blackston Street aka the brothel where you keep all your files and think none of us know it.” Mason told her, the lawyer in him coming out, allowing Elliot to relax a little.

Ashton just stood there, blinking.

“The check?” Mason held out his hand.

“Mason please, I didn’t mean any of that, I just can’t lose you, you’re my best cort, I have nothing without you.”

“Oh sod off,” Elliot muttered, rolling his eyes.

“I’m serious. None of the other tricks pull the amount of cash you do, Mason don’t quit, I’ll give you whatever.”

“What I want is for you to give my man back his check and leave.” Mason told her, all the emotion coming to a head in his firm voice.

Ashton took a defeating breath and reached into her purse. She pulled out the check and slapped it in his hand.

“Fuck you both.” She said in her final act and stormed towards the elevator. Once she was out of sight, Mason’s shoulders slumped.

Elliot was almost scared to reach out.

“Mason?” He muttered, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He heard stifled sniffs in Mason’s throat. Elliot walked around to the front of his face and saw it hot with tears.

“Oh darling,” He pulled Mason to his chest and stroked his back.

He dug around his pocket for his keys and unlocked his door quickly, not letting go of Mason.

Once inside, he closed the door and Mason screamed devastatingly into his chest, letting out all his emotions and burying his face.

Elliot held him, his back against the door as he held Mason up around his waist tightly and stroked a firm hand through his curls.

Elliot didn't dare shush him, didn’t dare tell him to be quieter, he just whispered praise. Told him he was good, how proud of him he was, how strong and brave he was, how he was free.

Free.

The sound of the word made Mason cry harder.

Elliot just held him, he would forever if that’s what he needed.

As Mason began calming down, Elliot peppered his face with light kisses, continuing to whisper to him. They slid down the door until Elliot was seated with Mason partially in his lap.

“Sorry, my legs gave out a little,” Elliot whispered, wiping tears from Mason’s face and smiling at him.

Mason chuckled wetly. “Thank you Elliot,” He said after several long minutes.

Elliot frowned. “What on Earth are you thanking me for? I thought you’d be pissed at me.”

Mason leaned up and kissed him softly, unballing his first to reveal the crumpled up check.

“You wrote that woman a check for 25 grand so I wouldn’t have to do this anymore. I don’t even wanna know where you got that kind of money.”

Elliot smiled. “Inheritance love, haven’t spent a penny of it.”

Mason sat up a little so he could look straight into Elliot’s eyes.

“No one would do that for someone they didn’t love.”

Elliot swallowed. Oh God. Here it was.

“I do love you Mason,” He started, trying not to cast his eyes down. If he was gonna say this, he had to be confident.

“I’ve loved you ever since you first wrapped your arms around me. I’ve loved you every moment we spent together. I knew when you walked through my front door, dripping in confidence that I’d do anything for you, do anything to protect you. And then you had the gall to open your mouth and I knew I would never be the same,”

Mason’s lip trembled, his eyes watery again. Elliot took his hand.

“I never judged you, I never cared about this, I love you because you are good, you are smart, you are everything.” Elliot told him.

Mason barely let him finish before he leaned forward and kissed him, straddling his lap and wrapping his arms around his neck.

“I love you too Ell, the minute you opened the door to this shitty apartment, I knew I’d rather die than be away from you. Quitting was inevitable after those 12 hours, I knew I could never properly do anything with anyone else as long as you were around. I was so afraid you only saw me as something you had to pay for.” Mason confessed.

“I will tell you every day that you are everything and I don’t care if you tire of hearing it.” Elliot told him, kissing his cheek.

“I don’t think I ever will.”

Epilogue

6 months later

Everyone looked towards Mason as he raised his glass and cleared his throat.

“Well, first of all, I’d like to thank everyone for being here. Those of you who flew out here for the weekend, who drove miles to come and celebrate with me for one day, I appreciate you all so much.” The faces around the room, those of his immediate family, all of his friends, some from high school and his cousins from Alabama all smiled at him.

Ellen had put together a surprise graduation party and everyone piled into Elliot’s new apartment for the occasion. Mason had finished and graduated law school two weeks prior and took his bar exam.

Elliot had decided to move a week after everything went down, moving into a beautiful Brownstone on the opposite side of town and inviting Mason to live with him.

Mason was of course hesitant, feeling like he was still in danger and didn’t want to drag Elliot down or embarrass him. Elliot had kissed his worries away fiercely and reassured him every single day in every way that he was never an embarrassment to Elliot.

“I wanna start by thanking my family. I know I haven’t been super present the past three years, not really coming home and locking down and not letting y’all visit but I definitely appreciate you guys always answering my calls, responding to my many late night rants and freak outs and still including me in everything from miles away. I love you guys so much.” Mason told his parents, Rowan and Logan. They all blew him a kiss.

Mason turned his attention to Elliot who was smiling bashfully by the drink table.

“I also have to thank Elliot. I wouldn’t be standing here right now, in this room with all the people I love if it weren’t for him,”

Elliot blushed, hating that all the eyes were now on him.

“Elliot baby, you saved my life. You’ve made these last six grueling months incredibly worth it and worth living. I can proudly say that I wouldn’t have done this without your constant support and voice in my ear. I’ll never stop thanking the universe for bringing me to you and you to me. You own my entire heart and I love you so so much.” Mason said, looking at him with tears in my eyes.

Elliot smiled wider, fiddling with the box that was burning a ring shaped hole in his pocket.

“Anyway folks! Drink up, eat the food my mom made and enjoy celebrating my success. Cheers!” Mason said proudly.

“Cheers!” Said the entire room.

Once all the hugs and mush from his family was out of the way, Mason made his way over to the outside terrace to Elliot who was talking to Tyler.

Tyler beamed, leaning up to hug Mason tightly. “Wonderful speech darling and congratulations.” Tyler told him.

Mason smiled. “Thank you Tyler, for everything really.”

Tyler winked, knowing exactly what he meant.

He walked away, leaving the two lovebirds. Mason wrapped his arm around Elliot’s waist and pulled him close to him, leaning their foreheads together and taking a deep breath.

“Hi my love.” Elliot muttered only for him to hear.

“Hi darlin’.”

“Your speech was beautiful,” Elliot leaned back, running his hands along the fabric of Mason’s biceps in his shirt.

“Made me very proud to be standing here with you today.” Elliot kissed his cheek.

Mason smiled impossibly wider. “I meant it when I said you saved me Ell, you’re everything to me and I’m going to scream it from the fucking rooftops one day.”

Elliot giggled, music to Mason’s ears.

Elliot thought about the ring in his pocket.

“Promise?” Elliot asked, batting his eyelashes in a way Mason couldn’t resist. Mason tightened his hold on his lover's waist.

“I fucking swear it, pretty boy.” He pulled him in for a deep kiss, promising with everything he had.

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