(Now 27, Nick and Mary are finally tying the knot and Nate is the best man, of course. It's a happy day for everyone, especially for Nate when he meets someone special. Okay, before I start, I just want to say that while I was trying to think on how to describe the person Nate slow dances with I can to the realization that I was describing Sebastian Castellanos from the Evil Within 2, and let me make clear that he is not Sebastian Castellanos from the Evil Within 2, he just looks like him because I gave up trying to describe anyone different. So when you meet Vince, picture TEW 2 Seb with less blood and more smiles, and he's like four years older then Nate. Read, review, enjoy!)
Nathan didn't really expect to be Nick's best man at their wedding, but here he was watching his best friend marry the woman of his dreams. As they sealed the marriage with a kiss, everyone erupted into applause, Nate clapping for his friend. It had been hard at first to get use to Nick not being there for comfort, but they still talked, still had the occasional drink when either of them visit. At the reception, it was like nothing had happened between then, they were laughing, having fun, and taking shots. When the garter toss began, Nate was dragged to the floor by Sully, telling him to have some fun. It was fun watching Nick with Mary, he actually used his teeth to take the garter off before flinging it like a sling shot towards the crowd of single men. Nathan had a clear sight on it, reaching out, but he wasn't the only one who caught it. Next to him was a groomsman who was chuckling, a soft pink hue to his cheeks. He and Nate were practically holding hands after catching the lacy garter, and Nate had to make a joke with it, leaning his head on his shoulder and holding his hand. Nathan was lucky the guy found it funny. Mary and Nick walked up to them, laughing.
"Seems like you've meet my brother, Vince." Mary smiled. She was absolutely beautiful in her mermaid wedding gown, black hair pinned in an elegant updo. Nate knew she had a step brother whom she was extremely close with, but he didn't expect it to be this guy. Now he didn't think this in a negative way, but Vince had a hard exterior with a hard to see soft side compared to Mary who was sunshine and rainbows.
"Ah, nice to meet the infamous Vince. Nathan."
"Ha, yeah I know. Nick and Mary never shut up about you." Nick gave a sly wink to Nate who playfully rolled his eyes.
"Well, I'm interested in hearing about yourself, Vince."
"Oh, nothing much to say." Vince shrugged.
"Don't be silly!" Mary encouraged. "Why don't you two talk for a bit, Nick and I have to speak with some family members."
If Nathan didn't know better, he'd actually think Mary wanted him and Vince to be alone with each other. Watching as the newly wed couple walked off, Nathan grabbed his drank from his table, setting the garter down.
"I think we were set up." Nate observed. Vince laughed, nodding his head to Nate.
"I think so."
Both men walked over to the bar, Vince telling him a bit about himself.
"I'm a freelance private investigator with a passion for mysteries. You could say I have a knack for getting into dangerous situation." He chuckled. It was a bit of an understatement. His last case nearly took his eye when some psycho shot at him like he was blind. He was lucky it grazed his brow, leaving a tiny scar that was still in the process of healing.
"I bet you're no better than me. I managed to trap myself under an ancient Aztec temple."
"Christ! How the hell did you do that?"
"Honestly I do not know." Laughing, the men drank their beers, recalling more stories. Wild music had been playing the entire talk, so when the mood suddenly shifted from energized to calm, Vince took the opportunity to ask Nathan for a dance.
"Would you do me the honor of a dance, Nate?"
"Well I... yeah." Nate placed his hand in Vince's, letting him escort him to the dancefloor. It was a slow, romantic song, one probably meant for couples. Nathan let Vince take the lead, feeling comfortable with him. He didn't expect himself to start leaning into Vince's tough, nor did he expect Vince to let him.
"This is nice." Nathan murmured, letting himself sway with Vince. Though they were roughly the same height, Nathan let his head rest against Vince's shoulder, comfortably snug. He listened to Vince who was humming along with the music, soothing him. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach, and Nate felt at peace. The song ended faster than either of them wanted, but they left the dance floor and sat down at one of the many tables that surrounded them. It was getting quite warm now, so Nathan loosened his collar, revealing his wrist in the process.
"Amanda?" He hears Vince asked, confused for a moment before seeing his bracelet.
"Oh, this." He awkwardly replied to which Vince nodded.
"So who was she?"
"She was my daughter. Amanda-Amanda was miscarried early in the pregnancy."
"Shit Nate, I didn't realize. I'm so sorry I brought that up."
"Nah," Nate waved it off. "It was a while ago, I've had time to get use to it."
"Still, you didn't deserve to go through that." Vince placed his hand over Nate's, comforting him. Staring down at her name, Nathan sadly smiled.
"I uh, I know about your condition." Vince stumbled out, startling Nathan. "Mary told about it and your relationship with Nick."
"Oh." That was all Nathan could manage as Vince rubbed his thumb over Nate's hand.
"And honestly, I don't care." Nate snapped his head up, seeing Vince wearing a nervous grin.
"After she told me about you, not just your condition and arrangement with Nick, but the type of person you were and the adventures you went on, I was dying to meet you."
Vince confessed to Nathan. All shock and fear left him, his old cocky self soming back.
"Was this what you imagined?" He teased, making Vince snort.
"Honestly, I would have thought you'd punch me in the face the second I told you."
"Night's still young." Nate jokingly proposed.
"How about instead of hitting me, we continue what we're doing." Nate pretended to think for a moment.
"Hmm, or, we could head back to my hotel room." He suggested, wiggling his eyebrows for emphasis. Cracking a smile, Vince nodded.
"That sounds like a fantastic plan."
