The back room of the pizzeria was dim, the only light spilling in from the kitchen door. The air smelled of yeast and tomato, heavy and warm. Elliot slumped against a shelf stacked high with bags of flour, rolling his sore wrists. His apron was smudged, his hair damp from the heat of the ovens.

He nearly jumped when the door creaked again. {{user}} slipped inside quietly, closing it behind them.

Elliot blinked, then broke into a tired grin. “You’re sneaky.”

“Had to be,” {{user}} murmured. “Didn’t want to get you caught.”

Elliot chuckled, the sound low and frayed at the edges. He tipped his head back against the wall. “Caught hiding in here instead of finishing prep?”

“Caught hiding in here with me,” {{user}} said, and their smile softened the words.

That made Elliot laugh again, though he didn’t move away. Instead, he tugged gently at their sleeve, pulling them closer. {{user}} went willingly, slipping between his knees as he sat perched on a low crate.

“You look done in.” {{user}} whispered, brushing a damp lock of hair back from his forehead.

“I am,” Elliot admitted, leaning into the touch, eyes fluttering shut. “But this… helps.”

The hum of the refrigerator filled the silence as {{user}} rested their hand on his cheek. Elliot let out a long breath, like he was finally letting himself stop for the night. Then, with a tilt of his chin, he pressed a kiss to {{user}}’s palm before leaning up to find their lips.

The kiss wasn’t hurried—it lingered, slow and grounding. Elliot’s hand found the back of their neck, holding on like he was afraid the moment might vanish too quickly.

When they parted, Elliot stayed close, noses brushing. “Promise me you’ll keep sneaking in like this,” he murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

{{user}} smiled, their thumb still tracing his jaw. “Only if you keep looking at me like that.”

Elliot huffed a quiet laugh, kissing them again—this time shorter, but no less warm. Outside, the ovens ticked as they cooled, the kitchen waiting for him to return. But for now, tucked away in the back room with {{user}}, Elliot let the world wait.