AN: this is my first upload here :D zombieplatypus helped me out! so go check out her L4D stuff ^^ she's a great author! so yea this isn't my first story but my first story of nick/ellis :) so hope you guys enjoy, give me a comment and say if ya think i'm gettin their characters right or not (also gonna stick in mature, doesn't need it til chapter 3 but just to be safe about the cursing and stuff)

----------------------Nightmares: chapter 1---------------------------

The ginger sun was slowly setting over the trees; the growls of the infected becoming louder with every bright inch lost to the darkness. Ellis gasped at the telltale screech of the hunter lurking just beyond a few broken down cars. "Overalls, get your ass back over here unless you want to get pounced. The safe house is just ahead."

Ellis nodded as he turned to limp towards the group, gripping his shotgun tightly. He had been attacked earlier that day by a jockey that pulled him over a railing on a high ledge. He had sprained his ankle and was falling behind the group. He sped up and groaned as the pain shot up his leg. Nick turned, his green eyes focused on the younger man with worry. Ellis's eyes widened as a hand was urgently thrust in front of his face, "Take my hand Ellis. Only a couple yards away." A bright grin spread across Ellis' face as he took the conman's offered hand. Somehow the unexpected generosity helped him to forget about the pain. Nick wasn't usually this nice. Usually it seemed he only looked out for himself.

Rochelle smiled as she glanced back at the two men. She had noticed the bizarre kindness towards the young mechanic. It pleased her that the two seemed to be getting along. They seemed to bicker like children since they met.

The screeching got louder as the hunter appeared from behind a car, preparing to pounce. Nick pulled Ellis against his chest as he shot at the pouncing creature. The younger man blushed as his face pressed against the other man's chest, his free hand gripping at the white jacket and his eyes squeezing tightly at the sound of gunfire. Rochelle and Coach were already at the safe house, yelling for the two to hurry. Once the hunter lifelessly fell to the ground, Nick reached down to pick Ellis up bridle style. The mechanic yelped as he wrapped his arms around the older man; clinging on for his life. Nick panted as he entered the room, Rochelle slamming the door shut and helping Coach bolt it shut. "Woo that was a close one, is everyone alright?" Rochelle looks around the room to access the damage.

"Ellis, it's alright. We're safe now," Nick's voice almost purred against Ellis' ear. The younger boy pulled back, pulling his hat down to cover his rosy cheeks. Nick set him down on his feet, being careful not to further injure his friend's leg. The conman wouldn't admit his feelings towards the younger man aloud, but he had already come to terms with the fact that the mechanic was quickly filling a part of his heart.

"T-Thanks Nick. Ah man tha' was close guys," he smiled as he gazed over at Rochelle, "Thin' it's safe enough to stay her' for the night Ro? I thin' if I got a little rest, ma' leg wouldn' be so worthless."

Rochelle nodded with a smile, "It seems safe enough. I'll go check the upstairs to make sure." She quickly went up the stairs, checking the bathroom and bedroom. The last room was boarded up nice and tight. She hurried down the stairs, giving the boys a grin, "Yep. It checks out. Me and Coach will take upstairs so Ellis doesn't have to walk up the stairs."

She started heading up the stairs when Nick spoke up with a raised brow, "Great leave me down here with the cripple."

She flashed him a smirk as she disappeared upstairs. Coach yawned, grabbing one of the first aid kits as he headed up the stairs, "Get some rest boys, we'll leave first thing in the mornin'."

"Man I'm tired," Ellis looked over the open room with the door off its hinges, frowning at the small single bed. He was hoping to have an excuse to sleep next to Nick that night.

The conman stretched his arms out before passing Ellis into the room, kneeling on the floor in front of the bed, "Well get over here Overalls so I can check your ankle."

The mechanic's eyes brightened as he stumbled into the room, almost falling onto the bed in front of Nick, "Gee thanks Nick. Yer bein' so nice ta me."

"Don't let it get to your head, kid. If I had my way I'd be upstairs and Coach would be patching you up right now," he punctuated his point with a particularly rough grip on the younger man's leg. He glanced up at Ellis with something the young man considered an apologetic look. Nick sighed, re-bandaging the ankle. "I'll sleep on the floor, you can have the bed. Don't want you kicking the hard floor with your foot."

"Nick…" Ellis asked shyly.

"What?" Nick looked up as he pushed himself back against the wall.

"I…ah nothin'. Night Nick," Ellis winced as he rolled over a bit too quickly. He wanted to ask Nick to sleep with him, he just…couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Whatever kid," the conman closed his eyes, letting himself drift off to sleep.

-------

"Keith!" Ellis screamed as his friend was covered in zombies. He tried to shoot them away but his pistol could only do so much.

"Run Ellis!" Keith yelled, kicking at the infected fruitlessly, "Get yourself out of here! I'll meet you at the next safe house!"

"Promise me," the younger man called as he continued to shoot.

"I…" Keith got a few shots off before grinning weakly at his friend, "I promise, now run!"

Ellis couldn't bring himself to smile as he turned and ran for his life. He knew what was going to happen. It killed him to run from his friend like that…from his lover. As he glanced back and saw the explosion of the pipe bomb, he could feel the tears sting at his eyes, "Keith!"

He awoke with a jerk as Nick shook his shoulders. His eyes lashes fluttered open through the tears as he lunged towards the warm body in front of him. Nick grunted as he ran his fingers through the boy's hair, glancing at the doorway to make sure no one was watching, "Shh Ellis it's alright…" He wasn't quite sure why the younger man had started crying, but hearing him so sad was rattling his heart.

"I-It was my fault! I couldn't save him…" Ellis whimpered as he rubbed his face against the older man's shoulder.

Nick grimaced at the thought of what the mechanic was rubbing on his jacket, but continued to stroke his back comfortingly. "Ellis…who couldn't you save?"

"K-Keith…" his sobs grew at the sound of his name.

Nick's eyes widened as he squeezed the younger man tighter, "Don't fret Overalls." The conman smiled, pushing the boy away slowly by the shoulders. The red puffy eyes instantly began to break his heart, "Ellis you can't change what happened. You just got to go on without him." He couldn't stop the sudden jealousy that sprouted as he realized how much this Keith must mean to Ellis, but he pushed that aside to push Ellis back against the bed, "The moon is still high. You need your rest."

"P-Please stay," Ellis whined softly, still gripping tightly at Nick's jacket.

Nick grinned, moving to lie next to the young man and wrapping his arms protectively around him. "Shh Ellis I'm here…" he whispered to the sobbing boy, coaxing him into a dreamless slumber.