Okay. So. I did more. (shame) FOUR MOAR. All relatively angsty, even nine in it's own way. but. I may or may not write more. ~ but yeah. c;

9/Title and Registration, Death Cab for Cutie

Greg feels a little like he's snooping, but it's his car, too, right? Sure. Maybe. Anyway. It's cold sometimes. Like, really cold. Especially out in the desert when Nick's car, because Greg's crapped out in the driveway at home, won't start. And he just happens to think that okay, maybe Nick puts gloves in the glove compartment. Like any normal person would. It's completely logical. Honest.

But Greg doesn't find anything regarding gloves or a hat or hell, even those fake heating things that react to the air or whatever. Nothing. Nada.

What he does find, though, is a bunch of old photographs from their early dating years. He takes them out, and catches sight of a tiny little black box underneath them all.

Maybe he shouldn't... but seriously, Greg's curiousity? Not a force to be reckoned with.

He looks. Opens the black box with shaking fingers, and hardly can contain his excitement.

A ring.

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10/I'll Be that Girl, Barenaked Ladies

First: Greg knows how Nick feels about him. Absolutely certain. Because, seriously. A guy can't stare that much and expect no one to catch on. So yeah, he knows. He really knows.

Second: Greg also knows how Nick feels about that whole 'gay' business - even if he tries to admit that there's nothing weird or awkward about it. Sure, his parents are weird about it, and he might be out, but oh, Greg can see how weird it is for Nick to act like they're, y'know. A straight couple.

Third: Greg has definitely considered dressing up as a girl to make it easier for Nick. He's looked into it - extensively. Outside, behind closed doors, where people watch without shame, he could be a girl. Or, pretend. Wear a wig. Earrings. Whatever. So long as he could get Nick to look at him when they're grocery shopping together. Besides, skirts? Greg almost wishes he could wear them all the time.

Okay, so maybe he's actually done a little more than just research crossdressing.

Thing is, though, that no matter how pissed Greg gets at Nick for being weirded out about the gay thing, no matter how many girls Nick pulls out on his arm - even Greg's therapist at some point, which really pissed him off - Greg's still going to love him.

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11/Everything You Want, Vertical Horizon

Nick looks at Greg and sees a lot of things. Innocence. Hopefulness. Excitement. Adoration. Whatever. He appreciates that he's the one Greg finds safety in, the one that Greg feels at home with. He's thoughtful, courteous, whatever, all the good things you can say about a significant other all rolled into one, and, well, dammit. He's perfect.

And yeah, of course life gets to Greg like everybody else. Of course Greg gets bad days, bad cases. Of course. That's going to happen, it happens to everyone. Nick likes that he can help.

It works both ways; Greg does the same for him. Watches out when he knows Nick's tired at a scene, listens and doesn't demand answers when he knows Nick's had a bad day.

Thing is? Nick's not sure anymore if Greg's right. He doesn't want to say it; three years in, and Greg looks happy when Nick so much as makes eye contact with him. Which is a lot more than Nick can say for other couples who have only been together for a month.

Greg's just... not it.

And Nick hates that.

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12/Far Behind, Candlebox

"He left."

Catherine has a look on her face that is pure pity. "I'm sorry, Greg."

He accepts the apology but doesn't know why she is. It's not her fault that Nick didn't mention it to her, didn't feel the need to say he was leaving Vegas. Greg had noticed over the past few months that Nick wasn't happy here anymore; Nick denied it when Greg asked, said that as long as he was with Greg he was happy, but somehow, without Nick in Vegas to prove that wrong again, Greg can't find it in him to discredit that.

Maybe he should; maybe he should stick up for Nick like Nick stuck up for him so many times, but he can't even find that in him.

"He didn't tell you?" Greg slowly shakes his head. Catherine sighs. "I'm sorry," she repeats.

"It's not your fault," he says, and his voice is surprisingly calm. Monotone, but calm. "Did he say where he was going?" he asks, but what he's really curious about is did he say if he'll be back?

Catherine looks back up from where she's staring at her desk. "I don't know," she says, like she knows what he said isn't what he meant

Greg hates how she says that, but figures the regret immediately evident in her expression more than makes up for it. "Let me know if you hear from him, yeah?"

She nods. With that, Greg figures he's dismissed. Sara tries to get his attention, but he beelines right for the breakroom. He doesn't want coffee, it reminds him of Nick. He just wants the solitude.

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