Subtext is everything

Hey all,

I'm writing a story that involves Nick and Greg breaking up after 5-6 years together. What do you guys think would be the biggest issues in their relationship, or what issues could cause a break-up for them at this stage in their relationship? (In the story, I'm assuming that they got together within a year of the lab explosion, when Greg had just started going into the field.)

Also, I promise that they get back together in the end of the story. But I don't think any relationship is ever perfect (personally, I'd think it's unhealthy for a couple to never argue). Every couple has issues that cause tension because every couple has two distinct personalities who are (ideally) able to express themselves. I guess I'm less looking for a reason for them to break up and more for what the issues are that tend to cause the most tension in their relationship. For instance, the scene where Nick finds out that Greg didn't tell him about GSR makes me think that trust and sharing might be more of an issue for them. I also think back to lab rat Greg (I think S1) asking Nick if he ever let loose; Nick's response was no. I can almost picture Greg wanting to have a little more freedom than Nick wants him to have; like I can picture Greg wanting to go to a crazy protest/concert/dangerous activity like skydiving and Nick being totally opposed to it. What do you guys think?

I've seen a lot of fics that put coming out of the closet as the issue that temporarily drives Nick and Greg apart, but I'm trying to avoid using that issue in my story because it's not as universal. Nick and Greg are a couple before they're a gay couple and I'd rather look at the issues that all couples, regardless of sexuality, face. I hope that makes sense.

~Harper