Greg PoV

Here we are again. Every time we say is the last time, but it never stops him from coming over, and it doesn't stop me from letting him in. We both try to deny the reasons, but nothing will change the truth. He needs me. He lost the one thing that made him truly happy, and I'm nothing more than a cheap substitute. I know that, but I'll let him do it to me time and again. I love him. He didn't know it before and he can't know now. This isn't about me. This is about making him feel better, for as long as I can. That's why I'll let him come here for as long as he needs. It's why I pretend to be asleep as he creeps out of my bedroom. It's why I pretend not to hear every time he whispers his dead lover's name. As long as he needs me, I'll be there. No matter how much it hurts me.

Nick PoV

I hate that I do this to him. He thinks I believe him when he pretends to be asleep. I wish I could make him turn over and look at me. I want him to understand, but I don't know how. He wants me to be happy. I wish the same for him. Yet neither of us will stop what we're doing. I'm making him miserable, but he never turns me away. I want to stop myself, but I need the comfort – no matter how brief it is.

No PoV

The air was thick with silence yet again. Greg squeezed his eyes shut as he felt Nick leave the bed. He forced the tears back yet again; determined to wait until he heard the front door close. The sound didn't come. Greg waited for some sign that Nick had left. After what felt like an eternity of nothing but quiet, Greg felt the bed behind him dip. Curiosity took over, and Greg turned to see Nick smiling at him timidly. Greg was about to speak when Nick leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips; something he'd never done before. Taking a deep breath, Greg decided not to question it, and instead turned over to wrap an arm around Nick's waist.

Nick PoV

I can do this. I can give him what he needs. He loves me; I know that. Maybe in time I can learn to love him too. All I know is I can't put him through this anymore. I can't look at the pain in his eyes in work the next morning – it hurts me just as much to see it.

No matter how I've tried, I can't give him up, and maybe that's enough.

THE END