Round Robin Part 5

[stylistixs.livejournal.com]

ROUND ROBIN: A new chapter by a different author every two weeks!
Part 5: Come On Hide Your Lovers (Underneath The Covers)
Author: stylistixs
Beta: beelikej
Rating: PG
Warnings: Sappy.
Summary: Greg and Nick talk.
Spoilers: None
A/N: Title comes from the Arcade Fire song, "Rebellion (Lies)"
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Previous parts: Part one, Part two, Part three, Part four.



“Not now Nick.” Greg’s voice sounded sad, as if the threat of tears were on its way. Nick rubbed his thumb in a circular motion on the back of Greg’s neck.

“I’ll take it that we’re, uh, gonna reschedule breakfast?” Nick asked quietly, wetting his dry lips. Greg didn’t make to answer; Nick pressed on. “I’m sorry. I just…I, I can’t even explain why I did it.” Greg still didn’t answer, but moved into Nick’s hand, knuckles brushing across short hair. “I guess I just…forgot where we were.”

“You forgot we were at a crime scene?” Greg’s voice was hoarse, and Nick knew he was fighting back tears.

“No, geez, I. I guess I tried to imagine you were telling me this under different circumstances.” Nick wiped his other hand over his face as he heard Greg choke back a sob.

Nick had apologized; now what? Did he wish Greg a safe trip home or did he keep him company? As he mulled his decision, Greg stood up and quickly swiped at his eyes, picked up his jacket and headed for the door.

“Greg.” His voice stopped him mid-step. “You haven’t answered me about breakfast.” Nick immediately regretted saying it. Apparently, this was going to be Nick’s ‘Night of Regrets at the Hands of Greg’.

“I’m sorry Nick. Maybe another time.”

Nick nodded, before licking his lips and trying again. “Do you want me to keep you company?” This time Greg paused before answering, and Nick could see the dilemma he was facing. “No funny business, I promise.”

Nick could have sworn that years had passed while he waited for Greg to answer.

“Yes.”

--

They drove to Greg’s apartment in their respective cars, Nick’s Tahoe parked beside Greg’s Jetta. The walked silently to Greg’s door, while with shaky hands he unlocked it. They stepped inside, Nick shutting the door behind him.

Greg slipped off his shoes and threw his jacket on the back of the couch, heading towards his bedroom and leaving Nick awkwardly standing alone in the hall. After several minutes of nothing from Greg, Nick followed his younger friend and found him staring at a photo album.

“He followed me from San Fran.” He was seated on the edge of the unmade bed, black album sitting in his lap. Nick sat down next to him, and placed his hand on Greg’s back. He looked at the happy faces in the photos, a happy face he’d seen many times around the lab. “He called me a couple of weeks ago, for our monthly catch up. We had broken up, but we were still friends. We kept in touch.” Nick rubbed circles along his shoulders. He was filled with questions, and in particular, one question: why had they broken up? But he kept silent, and hoped it would encourage Greg to talk. “It was mutual. He liked women as much as he liked men. I had no problem with that; in fact, we had some pretty crazy sexcapades. But he fell for this one woman, and I don’t blame him. She was perfect, and he thought he could really be happy with her. To do that though, we had to end it.” Greg shook slightly as he spoke, his voice deeper with a slight tremble. “So we did. It hurt, but I was happy that he’d get to experience something that I wouldn’t.”

Nick pulled him to his chest. “Hey, c’mon.” He plucked the album from Greg’s lap, closed it, and placed it on the floor, before kicking off his shoes and pulling them both up the bed. “You need some rest.” Greg just nodded, his eyes already dropping. Nick smiled at the sight. “You sleep in your work clothes buddy?”

Greg scoffed before sitting up right and peeling off his shirt. Nick stood frozen, eyes wanting but unable to look away. Greg noticed and chuckled. “Don’t act like you’ve never seen skin before, Stokes.” He then proceeded to drop his pants as well before climbing underneath the sheets. Greg sighed as he rested his head on the pillow. “Nick?”

“Mhm?”

“I feel awkward for asking this, but…” Nick thought he knew what was coming and had already started to head for the door. “Do you mind staying? I mean, if you have other things to do, don’t go around changing plans or anything but,” Greg yawned, sleep minutes away.

Nick nodded and turned back towards the bed. “Yeah man, of course.” He took off his shirt, aware of prying eyes, though Greg pretended they were closed, before closing the light and taking off his jeans. He placed his cell phone on the nightstand before getting into the bed.

He listened to Greg’s breathing, the steady, calm sound before he wrapped his arm around the blonde’s waist. Greg moved in closer, whispering a quiet “Thank you” before falling asleep. Nick followed soon after.




... to be continued on Thursday December 18 by csichick_2!

Information on the Round Robin project: here

Comments

[murgy31.livejournal.com]

I just love this project! This part was great! I can't wait for the 18th!

[erikssiren.livejournal.com]

Lovely job! This is really getting interesting, I can't wait to find out what happens next!

[mrs-messer.livejournal.com]

awsome chapter!!!! cant wait for the next part!!!!!

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

I thought I had already commented, oops.

Ahw, this is kind of sad, poor Greg *ruffles his hair*. It's probably smart that he doesn't want any 'funny business', but as long as he lets Nick at least comfort him, they should be okay. I guess we'll have to wait to find out what happens when they wake up. Le Sigh.