nickngreg | A Proud People--fanfiction (Reply)

Title: A Proud People

Summary: Greg and Nick talk after the Oslo and Utoya right-wing terrorist attacks.

Author's Note: Wrote this after listening to Jens Stoltenberg's speech. I've been wanting to write about Greg's reaction to the attacks for a while, but only just got down to it. My heart goes out to Norway and all its people. What a strong, little country! As a Muslim, it angered me even more to know that hatred towards my brothers and sisters is what motivated the attacks. Love Jens Stoltenberg though, and his undying love for Norway!

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"We are a small country, but a proud people."
Jens Stoltenberg.

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Nick walked into the break room to find Greg at the table, staring intently at his laptop screen. He came up behind the younger man and looked at the screen over his shoulder, wondering if Greg was following a lead on their case.

But instead, Greg was watching a video on YouTube. Nick squinted, and realized it was a video of the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. The volume was low, but Nick could just make out the strange, foreign words that he assumed were in Norwegian.

Just as Nick was about to move away, Greg paused the video and looked up at him with a weak smile. "Hey," he said, sounding tired and dejected.

Nick smiled at him, putting a hand on his shoulder and rubbing it. "You okay?"

Greg nodded, though he himself seemed to realize he wasn't very convincing. He stared at his hands intently, but said nothing more.

"What did he say?" Nick said, sitting next to Greg and nodding at the screen.

"It's his speech at the cathedral after the attacks," Greg said quietly. "He said… 'Hvis en mann kan vise så mye hat, tenk hvor mye kjærlighet vi kan alle vise sammen... If one man can show that much hate, imagine how much love we can all show together.'"

Nick's hand trailed down Greg's arm to rest at his elbow. "Did you know anyone involved in the attack?"

Greg shook his head. "Not, personally, no, but…" he trailed off and shrugged.

"But they're your people," Nick finished for him.

Greg nodded, looking Nick in the eye, and saying sadly. "I guess I just want to go… home, even if I've never even lived there."

"I'm sorry," Nick murmured.

"Alt vær er forbigående," Greg said softly, his voice changing, growing deeper and sadder. "Bak skyene er himmelen alltid blå."

"What does that mean?"

Greg merely smiled and shook his head. "Nothing... Come on," Greg stood and tugged Nick to his feet. "Let's go to the diner for breakfast."

"Should I page the rest of the team?" Nick asked, walking down the hallway with the younger man.

"Sure," Greg said with a small smile. "It can be a family meal."

Nick nodded, but couldn't help wonder…. How many times did Greg sit in this stranger country, thinking of his real family? Thinking of home.

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