new fic to make up for reworked fic

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Title:  Deep In the Heart of Texas

Characters:  Nick and Greg

Rating:  PG-13 for language, subject to change in later chapters

Summary:  Things have been bad for a while now, and it’s starting to take a toll.

Chapter One:  Dance, damn it!  

It seemed like they’d been fighting for months.  Greg didn’t know how things had gotten so bad, but lately just being in the same room with Nick brought out harsh words.  It made him sad, and really, really frustrated.

The trip to Texas had been planned for nearly a year.  Nick’s parents were celebrating their fiftieth anniversary with a week long house party, culminating in a formal dinner dance for just the closest of their friends.  Last count, two hundred had RSVP’d their joyful acceptance.   

So Greg found himself in the painful position of slow dancing all night to one overly romantic song after another from some by-gone era with a man that wouldn’t even look him in the eyes.  Each time a gentle, crooning song ended another began.  Nick led, every time…like it was his right to do so.  It was beginning to make Greg angry.  It was a microcosm of their relationship.  Nick led, and Greg was expected to follow along.  Was that the key to the bitterness Greg had been feeling?  He fought with Nick because he was tired of being perceived as the lesser, weaker one in their relationship?  It had never bothered him before…why now?  

He almost asked Nick, but looking into his face made the question die on Greg’s lips.  Nick’s jaw was clenched so tight it was a miracle he didn’t break his teeth.

Greg shifted slightly in Nick’s arms.  Just a shift, putting him on a more equal footing. Almost at once, Nick tried to regain control.  Greg had had enough.

“Let go, I need a break.”  Nick stopped dancing, standing still in the middle of the room, his arms still around Greg.

“Let go?”  He looked angry.  What did he have to be angry about?  “Let go?  You make it sound like I’ve been holding you prisoner, Greg.”

That was another thing!  Greg…always just Greg.  Never “G” or even the hated “Greggo”.  Just Greg.  Short, clipped, cold.

“We’ve been dancing for a while.  I need a drink.  It’s not a big deal, Nick.  Just let go.”  He struggled to stay civil.  It was a party.  He liked the Stokes and would hate playing a part in ruining it for them.  He just had to make it through tonight and tomorrow they’d be on the way back home.  They could work out what it was that went wrong then.

“Dance!”  Greg whipped his head around towards the hissed command.

“I said dance!  What ever your problems are, you don’t get to mess up mom’s big day.  So dance, damn it!  And smile.  Smile like you’re having fun!”

It was Stacey.  One of the plethora of siblings belonging to Nick.  Greg was mildly proud of himself for recognizing which one she was.

“Remember, you’re having a wonderful time.  Break up on your own watch!”  With that Stacey sailed off to berate another non-performer.

 

Wow.  Okay.  Smile.  Greg supposed that meant that puking was out of the question.  Too bad.  He was pretty sure that would help.

They had arrived as late as possible so none of the others would notice the tension between them.   They thought they’d played it off pretty well, dancing and all.   But when yet another Stokes sister breezed by they heard a snippet of her conversation with her unfortunate partner. 

 

“I knew it wouldn’t last…nothing alike…barely looking at each other” And she was gone.

“Is that what we’re doing?”  Nick’s dark eyes looked troubled.  “Are we breaking up?”

“Is that what you want?”  For a guy who hated evasive answers, Greg wasn’t shy about dishing them out.

“Of course not!”  Nick was shocked.  How could he be shocked?  The last two months had been almost unbearable.  They barely even touched.  Hadn’t had sex in weeks.

“I love you, Greg. I always have…I always will.  I know we’ve been going through a rough patch.  But everyone does.”  They were still again on the dance floor.  Other couples jockeying around them as they stood, wrapped around each other.

Bill Stokes and yet another sister, Amanda? Abby?  Audrey?  Something A. appeared on Greg’s right.  “You boys doing okay?”  Getting sympathy from Nick’s dad wasn’t helping Greg’s composure.  He didn’t think he could deal with much more.

“We’re good dad, don’t worry about us.”  How could Nick think they were good?  “Go dance with mom, she looks like she’s trying to get your attention.”

“Actually, she wants to start the family pictures.  You two are up for the couples shot.”  He looked apologetic. 

“Sure, yeah.  Come on Greg.”  Nick started off the dance floor.  “Come on, Greg,” he repeated, emphasizing each word when Greg stayed still.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”  Greg flinched at the hard look Nick shot at him. 

“We can talk about this later, Greg.  This isn’t the time or the place.”  He looked, if anything, angrier than before. “Let’s go.”

“No.”

 

 

Comments

[katydid713.livejournal.com]

This a good start! I hope they eventually find their way back together.

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Me, too. I don't know yet, 'cause I haven't written it!

[tanisafan.livejournal.com]

This is a very promising start. I really like the premise, and the Stokes-party setting.
I'm interested to see how this pans out!

XD

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

I remembered something on the CBS site saying that the Stokes had been married (at that time) for 45 years. I decided it was time to have a party.

[indelibility.livejournal.com]

D: You make me sad. In a very good way of course. Can't wait to see more!

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Don't be sad! You should be used to my inability to write permanent angst by now!