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Dating Advice	By : RikuRocks Category: CSI > Slash - Male/Male Views: 5865 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to CSI, nor am I making any money from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Author�s notes: Just to point it out, since it seems to differ from the norm, Nick has two brothers and four sisters in my little fanon universe. Thanks again to Live Journal�s rusty_the_train (endearments/actual sentences), as well as an old Norwegian Chef (single words/simple phrases) I once worked with, for teaching me the Norwegian Greg uses from here on in.

Norwegian translations: Du er perfekt for meg. = You are perfect for me.

God Natt. = Good Night.

Jeg elsker deg. = I love you.

See chapter one for more notes and the disclaimer.

Nick had decided to change before going to Greg�s place, and he looked at his reflection before heading off for the younger man�s apartment. He never had a particularly hard time getting ready for dates -which he knew this was not- but despite his feelings of wanting to make a good impression on the younger man, he had no more trouble getting ready then he had any other time he saw the muddle-haired youth. Somehow, he knew he did not actually need to impress Greg, only convince him that he should release his reservations about their relationship.
His phone rang on the way, and the caller ID read RJ Stokes. Nick took a deep breath; while he knew RJ would be as supportive as his other siblings, he expected the older man to have a difficult time grasping the idea of his brother having romantic interests in another male.
�Hey, RJ; How are you doing?�
�I�m alright�� The older man replied undoubtedly but with a touch of uneasiness in his voice. �You know Will started the chain, right?�
Nick sighed, �Yeah; I told him to. We alright�?�
RJ snorted, �Of course, Nick. You know I wouldn�t hold anything like this against you. I�m just� I�m sorry, but it�s just gonna take me a little time to wrap my head around it.�
�I understand,� Nick nodded to himself as he felt the knot that had formed in his stomach loosen. He believed his brother; they would be fine.
�Uh�� RJ hesitated, but then plowed on without shame. �Is Greg the first guy?�
�He�s the first I�ve ever wanted to have a relationship with, but not the first I�ve ever found attractive,� the sable-eyed man admitted a little awkwardly.
�Why didn�t you ever say anything?� RJ paused a beat before adding, as though it just occurred to him, �Or act on it?�
�I wasn�t comfortable with it for a long time, RJ. It wasn�t about you guys; I just didn�t want to face it myself�plus, it never really seemed worth the hassle I knew I�d have coming, especially back home. I guess I was never attracted to a guy I actually knew well enough for it to be more than physical, and I could be with a girl just as easily for that. Or maybe I was just being a coward before�� The CSI trailed off, unsure of what had suddenly changed in him to make him willing to pursue Greg as he was.
�Before you found someone worth being brave for?� questioned RJ with a knowing tone. Nick smiled, realizing his brother had just completely accepted his feelings for Greg as naturally as he had each of their other siblings� feelings for their significant others. �I know what you mean. I never thought I�d be interested in settling down until I met Susan. Hit me straight out of nowhere�but I wouldn�t give her up for anything; not even a chance to drive in the Indy 500.�
Nick bit his lip as he parked in front of Greg�s building. �You know how Susan didn�t think you were serious enough at first?�
RJ chuckled, �Oh yeah. She led me on one hell of a chase.�
Sable eyes looked up to find Greg�s window. The curtains were closed and there was a sliver of light shining between them. �What did you do to prove that you were serious and were willing to settle down for her?�
�Greg doesn�t think you�re serious?� The older man sounded surprised. �I know you sowed plenty of wild oats in the past, but you seem plenty settled now to me.�
�Oh, that�s not it.� Nick frowned. �At least I don�t think he�s worried about that. He�s had a few bad experiences and he�s worried about me being too�suppressed.�
RJ chuckled; �You mean closeted, right? C�mon, little bro, your own family didn�t even know you were bi until yesterday�or was it this morning? Anyway, I�d say the kid has reason to be concerned if that�s a problem for him. Have you told him that you let us all know? That should stand for something�probably won�t be enough on it�s own though. ��Least, that wouldn�t do it for Susan.�
Nick looked at his phone in irritated disbelief before placing it to his ear again. �Is that supposed to help? Yeah, I mentioned it�Jennie called me at work while I was with him. But he didn�t have any time to really react to it. I�m actually going to see him now; we�re playin� a new video game and he�s making me some Norwegian dish his grandmother taught him years ago.�
The line was blank for a second before RJ commented. �That sounds really�domestic for a couple of guys who aren�t supposed to be together yet. Susan didn�t cook for me until we�d been dating a couple months. Are you sure this guy is planning on holding out? Maybe you�re about to get lucky��
�What?! No, man; it�s not like that. He just does that kind of thing�well, for me anyway. He�s just a sweet kid.� The CSI cursed his siblings and coworkers for calling Greg a kid so much that he was doing so now. He actually did not mind their age difference much, but he really disliked having the person he was interested in being referred to as though he were a child.
�Well, I don�t know anything about guys, mind,� RJ started awkwardly. �But if this was a girl, we both know you�d take the bull by the horns. I don�t know what his bad experiences you mentioned were, but it sounds to me like you need to show him how a real man treats his girl�or guy. Sorry. You know what I mean, though?�
�Yeah,� Nick nodded to himself and grinned lightly. �I know what you mean. Thanks man. I gotta go.�
�Yeah, go enjoy a nice home cooked Norwegian meal with your g- er, boy. Man, that�s going to take a while to get the hang of,� RJ paused a moment and then asked thoughtfully; �Hey, what do I call him when you finally hook up?�
�Well, you could call him Greg�?� The sable-eyed man frowned pensively. �Or �boyfriend� I guess�significant other? I don�t know; I�m new to this too. I don�t really care what you call him,� Nick grinned, �So long as I get him.�
RJ chuckled. �You�ll get him. First thing you gotta do is get out of your truck and go see him. Bye.�
Nick chuckled as he hung up his phone and hoped out of his truck to head up to Greg�s apartment. The younger man answered the door right away, wearing a bright smile, along with a pair of faded jeans and a band t-shirt Nick had never heard of. The sable-eyed man realized for the first time that his minor foot fetish applied to men as well as women.
�Hey Nick,� Greg said as he turned to let the older man in. Nick already knew his inclination towards a nice ass applied to men as well, but he had not realized just how fine an ass Greg hid under that lab coat all day. �Make yourself at home. Dinner should be ready in about twenty minutes.�
The Texan followed his friend inside -forcing himself to raise his eyes along the way- and easily threw his jacket on the coat rack as he headed to the sofa. Nick had spent more than a week in Greg�s guestroom when his ceiling needed repairs after Nigel Crane�s arrest, and had found both his young friend and his home to be very warm and inviting. One of the things Nick had always liked about Greg�s apartment was the open design.
With the exception of the bathroom and the guestroom, there were no doors or narrow doorways, thus allowing you to see into every room of the house from every other room. The guestroom was technically the apartment�s only bedroom, but Greg had turned the open loft into his room in order to have a guestroom for his parents or grandparents when they visited. There was also one decent sized bathroom; an airy and well lit living room, a small study area, a small entranceway, and a large kitchen that was separated from the living room by a partial wall, topped with a counter bar that served as Greg�s kitchen table.
Nick inhaled deeply as he took a seat on the sofa. He caught the scent of sandalwood -which always permeated the apartment thanks to a few strategically placed infusers- the familiar scent of Greg himself, and something herby and savory. �Damn, that smells good. What is it?�
�Thanks; it�s my grandma�s herbal baked salmon with vegetables. I hope you like it as much as the FårikåL.� The muddle-haired youth handed the older man a wireless controller and tossed one beside him on the sofa for himself. �You want anything to drink?�
�Yeah; you got any beer?�
�Mm-hmm; I actually got a case of that kind you like. I should warn you before you drink too much though, I�m serving Pinot Grigio with dinner.� The younger man spoke as he headed into the kitchen.
Nick had never been a big wine drinker, always preferring beer or liquor. However, during the time the CSI had stayed with Greg, the younger man had proven himself to be something of an epicure. Having a glass or half a glass of wine with dinner was normal for the younger man, and Nick had actually come to enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner�though he had never been able to pick up Greg�s skill for knowing what kind would best compliment a meal.
Thinking of that time, Nick realized that was probably when he had started feeling something beyond friendship toward the younger man. Greg had offered empathy and consideration instead of pity or empty condolences. The doe-eyed youth had been more than hospitable, making Nick feel at home immediately. Between the open design of the apartment and the friendly chemist�s easygoing nature, Nick was able to forget his paranoia and relax for the first time since he saw the �gift� Crane left for him at the first crime scene.
�Here you go.� Greg placed a bottle of beer in front of the Texan and then looked at him in with a crooked grin. �What are you thinking of�? Actually, considering the look on your face, I might not want to know.�
�Ha-ha;� the silly little smile on Nick�s face expanded into a large grin. �Are you like this with all your friends?�
The doe-eyed man arched an eyebrow. �Like what; friendly? Isn�t that one of the key factors of friendship?�
The Texan cast his friend a satirical look. �This is a little more than just �friendly�, Greggo. Video games and dinner is one thing, even letting me stay here a couple years back was normal I guess, but you always seem to go above and beyond what any of my other friends would do.�
The willowy chemist shrugged, looking a little self-conscious. �I guess I always push a little further for you, but I�m just not as�� He drew his brows slightly and motioned a hand as though trying to help his thoughts along; ��Relaxed with my other friends. I don�t have to-� He gestured helplessly and murmured �Du er perfekt for meg,� before looking at Nick and stating simply; �You don�t seem to mind that I�m weird.�
The brawny man stared at his friend for a second before releasing a quick, bark-like laugh. �So, what�you don�t feel like you have to curb your weirdness around me?� He smiled broadly when the younger man nodded, �And you do around some of your other friends?� Another nod followed.
�Well then, I feel sorry for your other friends. If they like the muted version of you, they�d probably love the full experience. I know I wouldn�t change you for anything�even if you listen to some of the strangest music I�ve ever heard.�
Greg snorted, �You think I don�t feel the same way about your music?� He smiled at the Texan�s grin and then cleared his throat before glancing at the clock. �I should go check the food. Do you want to eat on the bar or the coffee table?�
The two friends normally ate in front of the television when they got together to play a game, but that had always included take-out or simple meals before. During the time Nick stayed with the younger man, Greg had cooked their dinners and most of their breakfasts, and they normally ate at the counter bar. Between the chemist�s excellent cooking and the witty conversation, the CSI always enjoyed those meals. Thinking of those occasions made Nick realize that Greg was actually asking him whether he wanted to start by playing the game, or go straight to the discussion he had stated he wanted to have during work that day.
Appreciating his friend�s consideration, the Texan smiled and decided to cut him a break. �Do you mind if we eat right here?� Greg smiled, clearly seeing the compromise and accepting it gratefully, and Nick smiled back.
The following two and a half hours consisted of eating, playing, and conversing, with some good-natured teasing thrown in here and there. The food was even better than Nick had expected after taking in the delightful odor, and his compliments made the younger man flush slightly, which Nick enjoyed but made no comment on. The game was fun but not very complicated, which made it easy to play while eating and talking, and both men were enjoying themselves immensely.
After Greg finished attempting to explain all the various internet communication techniques for the second time, Nick found his thoughts wandering back to their earlier conversation in the lab. Deciding it was time to start getting some answers, the Texan tried to work the conversation towards that end. �You know that was good work in catching those codes today.�
�No problem,� Greg spared the older man a glance and a grin before returning his gaze to their game. �You would have caught it eventually though. Your brain was probably just going numb from trying to decipher lousy chat speak for hours.�
�Yeah, tell me about it.� Nick smirked as his character defeated Greg�s character on the screen. �I don�t know how you can work in the lab all day�maybe it�s �cause I don�t have your concentration or brains or something��
�Oh, yeah,� Greg replied sarcastically. �I�m amazed you can figure out how to work the combination lock on your locker without help.� He grinned when the older man elbowed him. �You would have caught it sooner or later�you didn�t get your job because of your looks, you know.�
�I�ll take that as a compliment,� the Texan offered dryly.
�You should,� the chemist replied with a quick nod and a smile.
�I know I�m bright enough, but you�re damn smart�and I�m not just talking about your Stanford scholarship.� The CSI rolled his eyes at the muddle-haired youth�s surprised glance. �Yes, I remember you telling me that too. My mind might not be the information junkyard that yours is, but I do retain the small details once in a while.�
�I just remember things easily and I�m a curious guy,� the willowy youth remarked with a half shrug.
�Well that�s true enough.� The burly man smirked before arguing lightly; �There�s more to it than that, though. You make connections faster than most people�sometimes you make ones that I never would.�
�I have different interests and areas of expertise than you do,� Greg chimed in as he discreetly eyed the man beside him, wondering if the conversation was going where he thought it was.
�You have different interests and expertise than most people do, Greggo.� The Texan grinned and shook his head slightly as he caught the younger man�s uncertain expression in his peripheral vision. �That�s good though; it�s part of your charm. Anyway, my point is that you think differently�and I mean that in a good way. You consider more options than most.�
Nick saw the perfect opportunity to subtly bring up at least one of his questions. �Like that assault case the other day. I never would have suspected what really happened if you hadn�t suggested it.�
�I�m sure dude would have told you the truth when you tried to arrest him for the wrong crime,� the chemist murmured before sighing. Obviously, he had been right about the turn of subject. �We�re getting back to that conversation, aren�t we?�
�Not as subtle as I�d hoped, huh?� Nick wore a weak, rueful smile as he turned his head to look at the younger man. �I just- I can�t let it go�and I can�t stop wondering about a couple things you said. �And something Jacqui said.�
Greg closed his eyes and groaned weakly. �Jacqui�I should have known it was too much to hope she hadn�t done anything when she was acting so strange right after you-� He sighed and turned to look at Nick. �All right; I know you aren�t going to let this go, so what are you wondering about?�
�For starters�?� The sable-eyed man waited until he was sure that Greg was not too uncomfortable before asking the question he felt the most concern over. �That comment you made, about your dad?� The younger man�s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise before he frowned and nodded weakly. �You said you being with another male would have been enough for him to react the way my suspect did�and you�re gay, so�?� Nick�s eyebrows lifted as he shook his head slowly, looking uncertain.
Greg fixed the older man with a level look, his eyes somehow expressing consolation, nerves, a forgiven but unforgotten pain, and a hint of amusement. �Nick, you know how my mom was; well, is. My dad handled it the wrong way when he found out about my first crush, and she made sure that was the only time he�d hurt me.
�I stayed in the hospital over night for observation -on my mom�s insistence- then my mom and I lived with my grandparents for about a year; she told my dad he had to go to therapy and prove to her it wouldn�t happen again, or he would never see us again. He did, and he even decided to stick with his anger management group after we came back. Everything worked out.�
Suddenly, Nick felt a surge of respect and affection for Greg�s overbearing mother. He also understood why Greg never seemed to hold anything she did or had done against her; she had obviously proven that she had his best interests at heart. Nick cleared his throat, �Uh, what about now? Is your dad comfortable with�?�
The Texan was unsure of how to best phrase his question. With you being gay sounded crude in his mind and the term lifestyle just sounded wrong. Fortunately, it seemed that Greg understood without the words.
�Since then, my dad�s realized that he doesn�t get a lot when it comes to me, so we just toss this onto that pile and try not to dwell on it whenever we�re together, which really isn�t that often anyway. I mostly talk to my mom and my grandparents whenever I call anyone over there. He�s proud of me for going to school, getting this job, and moving out here to live my own life�and he doesn�t try to change me anymore. That�s enough for me.�
The brawny man nodded. He understood where the younger man was coming from, but he could not help but pray that his relationship with his own father did not suffer such damages when he finally told him the truth.
As though he could read Nick�s mind (or expression, as the CSI decided was more likely), Greg suddenly asked in a very kind tone; �Are you worried about telling your parents?�
Nick meant to say �no�, but found himself nodding before he could. He sighed and decided to spill; figuring Greg was the best person for him to discuss his concerns with. �I know it�s not going to be like it was for you -and not just because I�m bigger than my dad now and live several states away. I know my parents love me and they�ll always back me up�I just don�t want to disappoint them.�
The doe-eyed youth looked baffled. �How could they ever be disappointed in you? You�re amazing.� Sable eyes darted to the younger man�s, but he only shrugged. �It�s true.� Then, Greg grinned lightly; �Besides, have any of your siblings called you up to express their disappointment or shame yet? None of them moved as far away as you did, and I doubt if news like their baby brother being bi is something they�re going to just sit on for a while.�
�No,� Nick grinned back. �They wouldn�t�and none of them have any problem. RJ didn�t really get it, but we�re still cool. I haven�t heard from Julie, Beth, or Ronnie yet. Julie always handles everything diplomatically though -it�s why she became a lawyer like mom- and Ronnie will probably just tease me to no end�she loves doing that. I think Beth might be a little uncomfortable; she doesn�t take well to change or things she can�t really grasp, but I�m sure we�ll be alright too, in the end. The fact that she hasn�t called yet probably means she wants to wait, talk to her husband and our other siblings a bit, figure out what she�s gonna tell her kids, and get over the shock before she calls me.�
�That�s probably it,� Greg agreed with a nod. �Or she might just be busy. You didn�t tell your brother that long ago, and she�s a real estate agent on top of being a mother and a wife.�
�That�s true.� The Texan nodded thoughtfully and then smiled at the younger man and patted his thigh. �Thanks; you�re right�I shouldn�t worry. I�m really lucky, aren�t I?�
The willowy chemist returned the smile easily and seemed to have no problem with the hand that remained on his leg. �Yeah, you are.�
Nick was painfully aware of where his hand was resting, and wanted nothing more than to run it up his friend�s thigh and kiss him until Greg desired him as much as he desired Greg. He knew that was not how he wanted to do this though. He wanted Greg to feel secure the first time they crossed that line, not inebriated by hormones and lust. And he definitely did not want to have to question the younger man�s consent after the passion cooled down.
The Texan deliberately moved his hand to the sofa cushion beside Greg�s leg and decided to get to his other questions. Whether to distract himself from his current line of thinking or to get them answered before he become too distracted, he did not care�he just need to keep the conversation moving �You mentioned, well, not directly but�� He bit his lip and then plowed forward, feeling slightly guilty. �Jacqui definitely mentioned a cheating bastard, a closeted asshole, and something about a guy being bipolar. What�s all that about?�
Greg groaned again and dropped his head back onto the sofa. Nick had to force himself not to spend too much thought admiring the slender, pale throat that was invitingly exposed by the action. The younger man ran a hand over his face and then started speaking. �The last couple of years I was in college, I spent all of my breaks from school in New York with my grandpa and grandma while I interned at different labs to see what I liked best.�
The CSI nodded for the doe-eyed man to continue when he looked at him questioningly. Nick figured his surprise and astonishment must have shown�he never knew that Greg had looked into so many options before choosing to work in the crime lab. It seemed to him that everything he learned about the younger man lately just served to strengthen his interest in the chemist.
�I met this guy there, while I was interning with the FBI. He worked in the FBI�s office here in Vegas, but he had to go there sometimes for work. We got along pretty well, but it was all strictly platonic�I actually thought he was straight. We met up again at a few conferences; I mentioned that I had moved here during the last one and he asked if I wanted to hook up for coffee sometime. A few weeks later, he made a move, and I found out why he and his ex-wife didn�t work out.�
Nick�s eyebrows shot up, �Ex-wife�so he was bi?�
�Gay, but he tried -tries- to hide it,� Greg answered in an unusually sulky tone. He sighed and continued; �He said he had to be cautious, being in the FBI�which I�m fine with, but there�s cautious and then there�s closeted, and he crossed that line long before we got together. I think you got the idea of how that was by my little rant in the diner. I finally told him that I couldn�t live that way and he had to make a choice.�
The doe-eyed youth shrugged tensely. It seemed he was going to leave it there, but Nick had the distinct feeling that Greg had left out something significant. �So he just said �it�s over then� and that was it?�
�Pretty much�� The chemist straightened and trailed his gaze around the room languidly. He tilted his head toward Nick and met his gaze again. �I dated the cheater Jacqui mentioned just before I moved out here�I guess you could say the closet case was a really bad rebound. Anyway, I-�
�Wait;� the Texan shifted a little closer to the DNA technician. �What do you mean �pretty much�? Exactly what happened?�
�Does it really matter now? It ended within the year, and that was when I first moved here. It�s over, man.� Greg looked slightly ill at ease, but the fact that he unconsciously tuned on the sofa and leaned closer as well told Nick that he was not making the younger man uncomfortable.
Nick placed a gentle hand on Greg�s thigh again, deliberately this time, but with no intentions beyond offering a comforting gesture. �It matters to me�but you don�t have to tell me if you don�t want to. I just have a feeling there�s more to it, and your answer to how it ended doesn�t really put me at ease.�
The willowy youth offered a subtle, assuring smile. �I just don�t want you to think the problem is the way it ended. It was the relationship up until that point that�s made me more careful.� Nick frowned but nodded his acceptance, and the muddle-haired youth continued. �First he tried to make me feel guilty or demanding or something like that,� the blonde rolled his eyes and then looked downward and released a soft sigh. �When that didn�t work and I said I wasn�t going to hide it anymore�he hit me-�
Sable eyes narrowed and a shovel-shaped hand instinctively tightened its hold. �What?!�
Greg patted Nick�s hand and smiled gently; the older man was surprised to see that a large measure of the unease in his eyes had dimmed. Nick even felt the muscles under his hand relax slightly as Greg leaned his side into the back of the sofa comfortably. The Texan had no idea how his reaction had been comforting, but he was not about to contemplate that at the moment.
�Down boy; the shelves I crashed into hurt more than the blow did and it was over right after that. Remember the story about my mom leaving my dad for a year? Well I didn�t have umpteen years of memories to keep me attached, so I just left and never looked back. It� not like we were living together or anything; it was reasonably easy�as easy as a breakup ever is anyway.�
Nick nodded slowly as he tried to figure out if Greg was as unruffled with this aspect of the breakup as he seemed or if he was trying to put Nick at ease. The younger man seemed sincere so Nick decided to let it go. He still had to repress the urge to ask the guy�s name so he could look him up and chew him out. �So, are you worried that I�ll never be comfortable being out and that will happen again? You know I�d never-�
�I know you�d never treat me that way intentionally,� Greg interrupted firmly. �Like I said, it�s just not worth our friendship to find out that you can�t do this and I can�t do that. You mean a lot to me.�
�You mean a lot to me too.� Nick smiled and stroked the chemist�s thigh without thinking. He felt Greg�s breathing become strained, at the same time, Greg tensed and the hand he�d left on Nick�s arm started trembling marginally. The sable-eyed man knew it was time to back off for the time being. �So, you up for a round of Grand Turismo 3?�
The younger man released a shaky breath and then the tension melted away. �Yeah, just let me load the dishwasher.�
Nick nodded, �Sure thing, G. I�ll set up the game.� He watched the younger man take the dishes into the kitchen and rinse them before he turned to the PS2 and changed out the discs. He heard the dishwasher start and the puff of an inhaler, and smiled to his friend when the doe-eyed youth returned. Neither one commented when they ended up sitting much closer than was typical.
�Hey Nick?� Greg started as they began their first race. The older man made a sound of acknowledgement and he continued, �What made you decide to tell your family that you�re bi? I have a hard time believing you were willing to blow your cover just for some dating advice.�
The Texan thought for a moment before replying. �Actually, Bobby gave me a bit of advice before I ever called Will, so that was pretty well covered.�
�Bobby gave you advice about men?� The willowy chemist asked, and then grinned when Nick nodded. �He�s great at that, isn�t he?�
Nick chuckled, �Yeah, he is. Do you ask him for advice often?�
The younger man shrugged lightly, and Nick realized they�d moved closer yet when he felt the slender shoulder brush his arm. �Not often, but often enough, you know?�
�Well I can see why.� The sable-eyes man shrugged himself, again feeling his arm brush against Greg�s. �He told me that the problem here was me; that I needed to work on accepting this about myself before I could expect you -or anyone, really- to accept a date. That, along with what you�d said in the diner, made me think that maybe I was just being a wimp. So, I decided to man up and tell them the truth. You know what? I actually feel a lot better now.�
�That�s great, man,� Greg bumped the older man with his elbow. Nick briefly wondered if the younger man was trying to throw off the race, until he saw the playful smile on Greg�s face. He smiled in return upon recognizing the encouraging gesture. �And you said they�re all taking well?�
�Mm-hmm; better than I ever could have imaged. Hell, Jennie wants me to bring you to her wedding and Will told me to bring you out to see his new backyard and meet his family this summer. I figure I�ll call my folks after I hear from all of them and see how they handle it.� Nick grinned and bumped Greg�s arm this time when he saw the concern on his face. �I�m not too worried anymore, Greggo. They�re my parents. I�m sure they didn�t expect this, but they�ll accept it. It just might take some time for Cisco -that�s my dad- to understand that this doesn�t change me.�
�Yeah, I don�t think you have to worry either.� The blonde smiled, looking somewhat wistful but sincere. �Your family sounds great.�
Nick nodded, �They are. You�ll meet the rest of �em eventually and see for yourself.�
Greg made a sound of agreement, and then the two men continued talking about their families for a while as they played. By the time the conversation started ebbing, Nick could feel Greg gently leaning against his side and he welcomed the warmth of the younger man. Nick did not even notice that he was drifting asleep until he felt a slender hand rubbing his shoulder and heard Greg speaking softly beside him.
��Nick? Wake up, man. You don�t want to spend the night sitting on my couch.�
�Mmm,� Nick stretched and then smiled sleepily at the younger man. He tried to read the clock on the DVD player, but his eyes were too bleary to make out the small glowing numbers. �Yer right, man. I should head home. Thanks for dinner, Greggo.�
�Your welcome;� the willowy chemist sounded slightly amused. �But I don�t think you should drive when you�re this tired. Do you want me to take you home or do you want to just crash in my guestroom?�
The CSI was too tired to think of a reasonable protest, which he figured meant that Greg was right. He did not want to move very far in his current state of sleepy comfort, and he did not want to make Greg drive him either. That left one very logical response. �I�ll take th� guestroom. Thanks, G�I�ll see you in th� mornin�.�
�God natt,� the doe-eyed male murmured.
�Was that Nowidgeon�Norweeden�.Norwegian?� Nick forced himself to wake a little when he realized he was making very little sense.
�Yeah, sorry bout that.� Greg�s mouth stretched into a wide yawn before he continued. �Sometimes when I get really tired or em- er, talk to my family, or get tired and then talk about my family, I break into Norwegian again. I did it a lot when I was little.�
�You sound cute when you use it.� Nick�s eyes widened when he realized what he had just said, but Greg only chuckled. Seeing it was fine, Nick chuckled as well and decided that he really needed to go to bed. �Good night, Greg.�
�Night, Nick� Jeg elsker deg;� the younger man mumbled as he drowsily began putting everything away while the Texan disappeared into the guestroom.
Nick did not bother closing the door or turning on the light; he simply stripped down to his Jockeys and climbed into the comfortable bed, which was still familiar after having not slept there for so long. The main difference, he was pleased to note, was that it smelled like a mix of lavender detergent, sandalwood, and Greg again. He drifted off with a small smile on his face and slept more deeply than he had in months.
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