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The Devil You Know	By : SisterWine Category: G through L > Law & Order Views: 3165 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Law & Order, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-The Devil You Know
- 2-Two
- 3-Three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Part 6
- 7-Seven
- 8-Eight
- 9-Nine
- 10-Ten
- 11-Eleven
- 12-Twelve
- 13-Alternate Scene
- 14-Alternate Ending 2
- 9
- 10
- 11
Alex Cabot had taken her time with her questioning, trying not to violate the Attourney/Client Confidentiality Agreement. "Was Mister Martinelli living with you, at the time of your rape?" She stood between the two tables and motioned to Jake, who sat next to his lawyer. Her tone had been even and calm as she asked Erik, on his second day of testimony. She had been dressed very professionally in a blue skirt and white blouse. Her hair had been put up neatly in a tight bun, giving her a sophisticated aire to her.
"No, but he still had a key." Erik blinked. He sat straight, with his hands in his lap. His gray suit and blue shirt made him seem paler than he was. It had been two days later since his release from hospital and already his stress level had mounted to a hightened level his doctors had warned him against.
Cabot's brow furrowed. "Why? You already testified that he ended the relationship, after your diagnosis. Why didn't you change the locks, when he moved out?"
Erik was silent for a moment. Taking a deep breath and looking from Alex to his father, at the back of the room, he swallowed and answered. "I didn't think I needed to. Plus, at the time, he was the only one closest to family as possible." He could tell he hit a nerve with his brother as they made eye contact. He hadn't dared make verbal contact with his brother or father, since the trial began. Nor, did he want to. In fact, he had wished they hadn't been present to hear his testimony. Erik shuddered.
"Whose idea was it for Mister Martinelli to forward his mail to your office?" Alex had decided to test the thin waters of legalities.
Jake's attourney stood. "Objection. Relevance."
The judge looked from watching Erik and Alex, over to where Ms. Craig stood. Taking a deep breath and looking back to Alex, she raised an eyebrow. "I'm inclined to agree with counsel, Ms. Cabot. Where is this line of questioning going?" Pushing her glasses back up her nose, as they had slid down half an inch, she had been interested in getting to the point, instead of humiliating the young man on the witness stand, any further.
Ms. Cabot turned to face the judge and shifted onto her left foot. "Your honour, the question is inclusive in the defendant's actions and indicative of his behaviour towards Mister Matthews and Mister Paxton."
Wyatt sighed, weighing her options. "I'll allow the question but, get to the point, Ms. Cabot. And, tread carefully." Turning back to Erik, she evened her gaze on him. "Answer the question, Counselour."
Inhaling and swallowing as he glanced over at Jake, Erik answered. "It was Jake's idea."
"Why?"
Erik shook his head and shrugged at the question. "I don't know. He told me he had some trouble and asked for my help."
"Nothing further." Alex walked back to her seat as Ms. Craig stood and came to the middle of the room.
Holding a folder, in her left hand, Ms. Craig looked at Erik and paused a moment. "Up until the attack, how would you classify your relationship with Jacob Martinelli?" Her head tilted to the side, slightly, letting her chesnut bangs sweep to across her forehead. Her hazel eyes stared calmly at him, even though, he had been a key witness against his own client.
Erik swallowed, confused by the question. "In what instance?"
"Personal relationship."
Erik shrugged. "The same as anyone else's."
"Do you date all your clients?"
"No."
Clearing her throat and holding up the folder, she opened it and moved to show him the top page. "Before my client, you dated three other men, two of which, were also your clients. And, all three were felons." She paused as their eyes met. She watched the recognition and shame played across his face. "Where are they now, counselour?"
Erik took a breath. "I dated them before they were my clients. They retained my legal services afterward." Erik stared at the names on the page. He had remembered each of their faces and voices.
"Answer the question, please."
Sighing and shifting in his seat, Erik looked away from the paper, briefly. "One is serving life, one moved out of state and one is dead from drug overdose."
Ms. Craig nodded. "Was this before or after you broke up with my client?" Her peach skirt and jacket had been conservative enough for court, even though, peach was not her winning colour. Her long hair had been pulled back into a French braid that snaked its way down her slendre back. Her low heels made a deep, hollowing sound as she walked back to her table, with the folder.
"Two were before we officially ended our relationship."
Linda nodded but didn't turn around until after asking her next question. "Was it sexual?"
Again, Erik took a deep breath. "Yes."
She nodded again. "So, you claim my client abandoned your relationship, after your diagnosis, because, in your words, he became upset by your 'lack of interest' in sex. Are you sure, my client wasn't driven to another man, after learning about your extra romps?"
"No." The shame filled his cheeks with redness. "It happened before I had my first chemo." The anger in him had begun to creep up and he had to mentally tell himself to "breathe" to calm down. Erik had been under explicit instructions not to become overexcited or overexert himself to cause another instance. He hadn't told his father or Ms. Cabot of his doctor's warnings as he had been too used to doing things on his own that he hadn't thought they needed to know.
Linda stepped forward and cocked her jaw to the slide. "Did you love any of the three men, you slept with, while you were dating my client?"
"I had feelings for them, yes."
Walking up to him and raising a sly eyebrow, she examined him. "You look healthy now. Are you still doing chemo treatments?"
Erik took a breath. "No."
"When was your last treatment?"
"About a year and a half ago."
"Remission?"
"No." Erik shivered. "I've been taking an alternative treatment."
Nodding, Linda smiled. "Has it been working?"
"No."
Linda nodded sullenly. "Sorry to hear that. When did you find out?"
"Octobre 18th of last year."
Linda turned and walked back to her table to check her notes. "That was five days before Aaron Jasper's death, correct?"
"I suppose so, yes."
"Why do you think Jacob had Aaron Jasper pretend to be you, after finding out about your cheating on him?"
Alex Cabot stood. "Objection! Speculation."
"Sustained. Watch it, Ms. Craig."
Catching the hurt in Erik's eyes, Linda lightened her tone and withdrew anything further.
Judge Wyatt's voice boomed into the court room. "Recess, one hour." The gavel banged and the court stood and made their way out of the room.
Detective Anders, who had sat in the back of the room with his father, watching the testimony of his brother, stood up and made his way to where Erik now stood, at Cabot's table. He stared at Erik's sullen, pale face and blinked as they made eye contact. "Erik."
"Aleksei." Though, he was angry and humiliated, Erik's voice was calm and soft as he stared at his brother.
The detective sighed and carefully eased himself forward to embrace his little brother.
Erik stiffened. His eyes widened as he hadn't an idea of why he was being hugged by someone he had never been close to. When the embrace ended, he stared at the man, in silence. Turning to Ms. Cabot, he resigned himself to the proceedings. "Please let me know if I'm needed again." Shaking her hand and brushing past his brother, Erik left quietly, followed by his father and brother.

~~~~~~~~~
Elliot sat at his desk. His elbows rested on several folders while his hands curled about his chin. He thought about the day, in court, and the several testimonies he and the others of the squad sat through. He had been lost in his own thoughts, replaying images of court and personal conversations with his wife. He sighed and sat back, bringing his hands to clasp behind his head as he stared up at the dark ceiling as he heard thunder rumbling, in the distance. It was late and he had told Olivia he was going to finish some paperwork. He had been alone, in the squadroom, save for Captain Cragen's light on, in his office.
Cragen shut off his light and closed his office door, behind him. "Elliot, everything alright?" Fixing his collar on his jacket, he came to a stop next to Stabler's desk.
Scrubbing a hand over his face and standing up, Elliot nodded. "Yea, just finishing up some stuff."
Nodding, Cragen's brow furrowed slightly. "Anything else?"
Elliot shook his head. "No. I'm just working on some things. I'll be out after I finish this report." After a week of continuances and weak testimonies, on behalf of Jake and Justin, Elliot looked forward to having a weekend to unwind. A deep breath and long exhale as the captain nodded and left him to his work. After another cup of coffee and staring at his finished report, he closed the folder and turned out his desk lamp, he grabbed his coat from the back of his chair and made his way to the lift. The entire way down to the lobby, he had wondered if the young attourney was alright.
Elliot drove to a small diner, for a late night bite to eat. The diner had only a handful of people inside and almost no one at the long, U-shaped bar, in the middle of the room. Sitting down and ordering a sandwich and a cup of coffee, he glanced around, at the other patrons that sat in the booths, along the right wall. His eye caught sight of two men, facing each other, in a booth, away from the others. Erik had been talking to a young man over something to eat. He grinned as he watched Erik's face light up as he laughed at something that was said. He hadn't recalled ever seeing Erik smile, before. Then, he heard the soft, throaty laugh that went with the smile.
After a few minutes more of laughs and conversation, the other young man grabbed his coat that had been draped over the back of his booth and checked his phone for messages before telling Erik he was called back in to work, and slid out of the seat. He was a nice looking man, in his mid30s, with sandy blond hair that had been borderline too short. He was average height and kept himself well-toned. He had asked if Erik was sure, he would pay for the meals and Erik nodded, telling the young man, goodnight. The smile on Erik's face faded, briefly as he thanked the young man for the company and watched him leave. As the door closed, Erik took another bite of a steak fry slid out of the booth. Picking up the check, from the table, he made his way to the countre to hand the waitress his payment and letting her have the change as tip.
"Are you following me, now, detective?" Erik asked as he came to a stop at the bar, two stools away from where Elliot sat. His coat had been draped over one arm and his attire suggested business casual. Yet, nothing too overdone for a date.
Elliot smiled as the waitress placed his order in front of him. "Just out for a bite." Motioning to the stool Erik stood beside, he glanced over at the young man. "Looking better, Counselour."
Smiling and sitting down on the stool, Erik shook his head. "Just Erik, now. I resigned from the company. Health reasons." Colour had begun to come back to his face and his appetite had returned enough for something other than salads and soups. The burger and fries had been a special treat, to go along with his date.
"Meeting new people...?" Elliot took a bite of his sandwich and chewed as he eyed the young man next to him.
Erik blushed. "He's a friend of my oncologist." He watched Elliot take another bite of his sandwich and wipe his mouth, with his napkin.
After chewing and swallowing, Elliot put down the sandwich and turned to look at him. "Decided to stay away from court, huh?"
Exhaling as he had hoped to stay away from the topic, altogether, Erik nodded. "Pop keeps me apprised. He tells me just enough before I stop him and then, it's on to little stuff about when my brother and I were kids." He paused as the waitress came over to refill Elliot's coffee and ask if Erik wanted anything. Shaking his head, he watched her leave before turning back to the detective.
"How's the moving coming?" Elliot changed the subject as he hadn't wanted to upset Erik.
Another deep breath. "Karen, my attourney, has asked me to hold off on putting it on the market. At least, until the court is settled." Erik's eyes flashed down, at Elliot's left hand and noticed the tanline but didn't say anything.
Elliot nodded. "That could be awhile." Thunder rolled, outside, emphasizing his words.
"Yea." Erik sighed and paused. "I'll let you eat your meal. Good night, detective." He stood and slowly moved to put his coat on.
Elliot turned and looked back at the windows, after hearing a roll of thunder start. "You sure you don't want to wait for the downpour to pass?" Turning back to Erik, he cleared his throat as the rain started thumping heavy drops outside. Catching the defeat in Erik's face, he gave a small smirk to himself as he stared at the young man's profile, becoming more and more intrigued as the lightning flashed. "How's everything else?" Elliot blinked as Erik paused from slipping his arm into a sleeve.
Erik shrugged. "It's fine. Doctors, lawyers, stuff like that." He removed his arm from the sleeve as the rain pounded harder, and sat back down.
Taking a sip of his coffee, Elliot grinned at the younger man. "At least you're getting out of the house." Nodding to the empty booth Erik and the other young man sat.
This time, Erik gave a small laugh with his smile. "It's nothing sexual, Detective. He's nice and good looking but, he's not exactly my ideal partner."
"He's not that into a catch, like you?" Hoping to lift Erik's self-esteem, Elliot smiled coyly and took a bite of his sandwich as Erik blushed and lowered his gaze.
Erik caught Elliot's eye. "Are you hitting on me, Detective?"
Blushing, Elliot took another bite of his sandwich, chewed and swallowed. Clearing his throat, he changed the subject, again. "Buy you a cup of coffee?" He had hoped the diner's poor lighting hid the colour in his cheeks as he tapped the countre, in front of Erik.
A smirk as Erik caught the waitress's eye and held up a finger, signifying one, and then pointed to Elliot's coffee cup. He waited for her to place a fresh cup of coffee, in front of him, before he stood and excused himself to the restroom. When he returned, he found Elliot still sitting there, waiting for him. The plate had been removed, as Elliot had finished, and the handsome detective now sat and waited patiently, for him. A sigh as he sat back down and sipped his coffee. "So, what's the real reason you're out so late, on a school night, detective?" Replacing his cup, on the countre, he turned to look at Elliot.
"I uh, I was following you." Elliot smiled and reveled in the sound of Erik's soft laughter. "No, uh, working late, wanted to grab a bite to eat before going home."
Erik nodded. "Police go home? Unheard of." Smiling and winking with the small joke, Erik stared at the detective's smile.
Enjoying the jovial mood between the two of them, Elliot sipped his coffee, containing the smile. "Occassionally. Usually, just for five minutes." He had caught the wink Erik had coyly worked in and wondered what it would be like to be on a prospective date with the young man. He had obviously caught on that Erik was hitting on him but had tried to be subtle about it. Though, his brain told him to remember his marriage status, for once, Elliot was enjoying being able to smile and laugh, even if it was with another man.
Erik held his hand over his cup, telling the waitress he had had enough coffee, as she brought the pot over for refills. Glancing out of the window, he watched the few drops of rain drip onto the street. "Well, detective, the rain died down and, it's late. Your family is probably waiting for you." He hadn't wanted to say goodbye, not just yet. However, he knew Elliot wasn't into men and he hadn't wanted to jeopardise whatever small morsel of friendship they have, by keeping the detective there, longer than needed. His heart silently broke as Elliot nodded and took one last sip of coffee before standing up and grabbing his coat, he had draped over the stool to his left.
"You have a ride home?" Elliot asked as he slipped on his coat.
Erik stood and slipped his coat on, as well. "CleanRide Company. They cater to cancer patients. Staying in town, for a few days. Have some things to finish up, at the office and then doctor appointments. My hotel is just a few blocks from here." He had hoped Elliot wouldn't leave it at that and go their separate ways. Yet, he couldn't and wouldn't hold the detective longer than Elliot wanted to be there. "Thank you for the coffee, Detective." He smiled and reached for his cell phone he had tucked into an inside coat pocket. He froze as Elliot placed a hand over his and stopped him from calling a cab.
Paying for the meal and two coffees, Elliot replaced his wallet, in his back pocket, and waved Erik outside.
Smirking, Erik followed Stabler out of the diner and over to Elliot's car. "Do you enjoy giving me rides, detective?"
Elliot opened the passenger door and paused as he thought about what Erik said. "Call it, saving you the wait time." He winked and waited for Erik to sit down, in the seat, before shutting the door. As he sat down in the driver's seat and shut his own door, he placed the key into the ignition and waited for directions.
~~~~~~~~~
Parking the car in front of the motel room, Elliot looked around. The hotel Erik stayed in was a brand new, five-star hotel that had been a service of Caldwell & Jameson. An expensive hotel with clean-room capabilities, for those in need of the service. The main function of the hotel had been for visiting wealthy clients and senior partners, as well as high-ranking employees with credible backers. Elliot could only wonder how or whom afforded the bill. "Here you are, Mr. Matthews." He glanced over at Erik and caught a glint of sadness in the young man's expression.
Erik sighed and unfastened his seatbelt. "I suppose the 'coffee-for-the-ride-home' won't work, this time." He smiled faintly. "Thank you, for the evening and ride, Detective Stabler." Opening his door, he paused and turned back to Elliot. "I wish I had met someone like you. Your family is very lucky to have you, in their lives. Good night, Elliot." Before Elliot could process what was said or even say "good night" back, Erik had gotten out of the car and shut the door, hurrying to the lobby door, to go up to the second floor room, he had taken for the week. His pace slowed, the higher he had climbed, until he stopped and turned around to see Elliot's car still sitting in the spot.
Elliot watched Erik stop and turn around on the halfway mark. Concern had entered his expression as Erik gave him a small smile. He could tell Erik had been fighting depression from the recent turn of events and also from his grim diagnosis. Something tugged at his mind and refused to let the young man disappear behind an empty motel room door. Taking a deep breath, Elliot shut off the engine, unfastened his seatbelt and opened his door. He locked and shut it before running to catch up to the young man that was now at the lobby door. "Counselour, you feel up to a chat?"
Pausing and turning around to see Elliot take the strides to meet him at the door, Erik smiled and nodded, leading Elliot to the lift. "Come on in, detective." Unlocking and opening the door, Erik flipped the light on and unbuttoned his coat. "Coffee? I only have instant, though. Or, would you prefer something stronger?" Removing his coat and laying it on the end of the bed, he turned to see Elliot close the door and stare at him. "Something wrong?"
Elliot glanced around the small room, noting the small black bag with Erik's things, neatly folded inside, sitting on a luggage rack at the end of the bed. He also noted the small toiletries bag, on the nightstand and, in the dim light of the room, the pale and thin young man that now sat on the edge of the bed. "No," he shook his head and smiled as he removed his own coat and sat down, in the chair, by the door.
Nodding, Erik shifted on the bed. "Are you afraid to say 'good night,' Elliot?"
"You could say that."
"Why?" Erik blinked.
Elliot was silent for a long time. Leaning forward and staring down, at his hands as they were clasped together, Elliot sighed. "It's a cop thing. Intuition."
"You can let me go, detective."
A visible flinch as the sentence registered with Elliot. "No."
Brow furrowing, Erik wasn't sure how to take the answer. He also leaned forward to close the gap between them, copying Elliot's position. "Are you always this involved with your cases, Detective Stabler?" He could see the tension in Elliot's body and the terrified expression the man tried to conceal. Thin, dark eyebrows knitted together as he recognised the struggle silently going on behind Elliot's facade. Biting his lip and easing himself off of the bed, Erik knelt at the detective's feet and slowly, gingerly, reached up to cup Elliot's left cheek with a warm hand. "What are you afraid of, Elliot?" Their eyes met and for an instant, he had calmed the daemons Elliot silently wrestled with. "What can I do to help you?"
Elliot didn't answer but kept staring into the younger man's pleading, moist, caramel eyes. Raising his own hand to Erik's pale cheek, gingerly wiped his thumb along the thin, pick bottom lip and stared at the gesture. Erik had smelled clean, like Zest soap and apricots. His skin was soft, almost fragile. Elliot felt that if he pressed hard, at all, Erik would break.
Erik swallowed, not sure if he was able to move. His mouth opened to speak but nothing came. A sharp inhale and shifting his position, he was surprised to find the detective's lips pressing themselves to his. A sharp inhale as his eyes closed and he felt Elliot's hands in his hair. The kiss deepened as Erik brought his other hand up to cup the detective's face. He revelled in the taste of the man's lips, savouring kisses. Wrapping his arms around Elliot, Erik's nails pressed into the man's muscular back. He breathed in the scent of aggressive detective but flinched as he felt Elliot's strong hands grab his forearms and hold him, firmly. Erik gasped as he was pulled to his feet. Their lips parted and Erik sighed. "Please don't let this be a mistake." Erik pleaded with himself. "This is all that I wish for." He sighed, disappointed with himself, as he knew it wouldn't last. He didn't dare open his eyes or look up, into the face of the man still holding him.
Elliot held Erik, still, and forced himself not to tighten his grip but let go completely as Erik groaned under the strength. He panted as he removed his hands from Erik's arms. "This is wrong."
Erik stared at the floor. "Things that don't belong to me." It was said under his breath but loud enough for Elliot to hear.
"I can't take advantage of you. You're a victim, for one. For two, you're ill." Elliot turned and walked away, stopping a few steps to the door.
Looking up, Erik stared at Elliot's back. "I'm not dead yet, detective."
Elliot turned and met Erik's eyes. "Why aren't you staying with your family?"
Stepping back, Erik sat down on the corner of the bed, hands folded in his lap. "Why aren't you with yours?"
The verbal slap of reality had hit Elliot, full force. He had thought he had kept his private life out of his professional life but they had intertwined as he delved more and more into the personal life of Erik Matthews. He withdrew his argument and averted his attention, only turning back as Erik stood and closed the gap between them, placing trembling hands on Elliot's shoulders.
"Instead of being with your wife, detective, you're here, with me. You won't let me go, for some reason, and I can't help you, for another." Slipping a hand down to Elliot's chest, Erik watched the stoic facade of Detective Stabler change. "What do you need from me, Elliot?" He swallowed and prayed Elliot wouldn't swat him away, again. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he gingerly tilted his head and played small, light kisses on Elliot's left jaw, inhaling the scent of Elliot's aftershave. "Is this what you need?" A soft, subtle whisper spoken so sensually, Erik wanted so badly for Elliot to give in to him. "Elliot--?"
The detective was silent for a long while, avoiding eye contact with the young man. "Thought sex didn't interest you." His brow furrowed in confusion over what had just happened.
"There is no enjoyment from it but, I can still give pleasure." Erik paused and swallowed shallowly. "You didn't enjoy it?" Shame consumed him and he turned away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry, Detective Stabler. I misread signals. If you wish to press charges,...... I.... understand." He paused as Elliot grabbed him by the arm and carefully turned him around to face him.
Elliot stared at the soft, thin, pink lips that had kissed him so pleasantly. "You didn't enjoy it? Even a little?"
Sighing, Erik shifted from one foot to another. "It's like eating when you're not hungry, or full. Or, spending all day at a water park and then being asked to go swimming, when you get home. Your body is always in pain, always exhausted and always uncomfortable. I used to enjoy it. But, none of that matters if you didn't."
"Doesn't seem fair." Lifting Erik's chin to initiate eye contact, Elliot leaned in and gently kissed Erik's left cheek. "Does that feel good?"
Erik nodded, too embarrassed to answer verbally. A low moan as the kisses continued. Closing his eyes, he felt Elliot's warm, open palm caress him. "Please....." he whispered.
Elliot halted his caresses. "Do you want me to stop?"
"No." Erik hushed a whimper. His body was responding to Elliot's touches, mixing euphoric sensations with tiny jabs of pain and nausea.
Elliot leaned closer and gingerly kissed Erik's neck. His ears picked up soft moans as he continued, kissing Erik's neck and collarbone. An arm snaked around Erik's middle and drew him closer, holding them together. He could feel Erik shiver, under his clothes, a navy long-sleeved polo sweater and thick black jeans. He breathed calmly as Erik wrapped his arms around him and rest his head on Elliot's shoulder. He jumped as Erik flinched from his phone alarm breaking the silence.
Erik flinched again, as the alarm sounded for a second time, demanding his acknowledgement. He held tighter to Elliot as the detective tried to let go.
"C'mon. You should take your medicine." Elliot whispered and rubbed Erik's back.
A sigh as Erik let go and sullenly removed his cell phone from his coat pocket and shut off the alarm. Making his way over to the nightstand, he placed the phone down, next to the lamp and picked up his toiletry bag. Erik removed his pill keeper and opened the night tab. He sat down on the side of the bed and dumped the pills into his hand and reached for the bottle of water, that sat patiently by the bag, on the nightstand. Opening the bottle, he took his pills, one by one, a sip of water to wash each pill down. When he looked up again, he found Elliot kneeling at his feet, untieing Erik's shoes and slipping them off. He smiled at the gesture. "A father, first. Hm?"
Elliot looked up and smirked. "You want to change into your pajamas, or sleep in your clothes?" He stood after taking the second shoe off and stepped back so that Erik could stand up.
"No, I'll change." Placing the bottle of water down, on the nightstand, he stood and moved to his bag of clothes to pull out his long, flannel pajamas and made his way to the bathroom. When he emerged, he had changed from his clothing into his gray flannels and readied himself for bed. He had even changed his socks to clean ones. Placing his soiled clothing into another bag, under the luggage rack and looking back to Elliot, who still waited by the bed, he noticed that the detective had pulled back the covers and waited to tuck him in.
Making his way back over to the bed, he paused, as if to say something but then sighed and sat down. Slipping his legs under the covers and lying down, he watched as Elliot covered him up and straightened from his bent over position. Grabbing Elliot by the arm, he took a breath and sat back up. "Please,.... will you stay? Just until I fall asleep?" He pleaded, meeting eyes with Elliot.
The feeling of dread overcame Elliot, again. He had seen the same look, down in the car, not 40 minutes prior. Sighing and sitting down on the side of the bed to remove his shoes, Elliot then made his way around, to the other side of the bed, and stretched himself out, above the covers, beside Erik. Pausing as Erik shifted and turned on his left side, Elliot lie on his back, his arms wrapped around the young man as Erik placed his head on Elliot's right shoulder. "Close your eyes. Rest."
With a deep, content breath, Erik smiled and snuggled Elliot's shoulder, draping his right arm over Elliot's stomach. "It wasn't too long ago that the positions were reversed. Kevin liked to snuggle close to me, in order to fall asleep. Jake, too. After Jake, I forgot what it was like to have someone lie next to me. I miss the feeling of those days." Erik's voice was just above a whisper and faded as he closed his eyes and started to drift off to sleep. He listened to Elliot's calm rhythmic heartbeat and breathed in the detective's scent.

Continued.
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The Devil You Know