So this is it. The last chapter.

I want to say thanks to everyone who read, favourited or reviewed this story. It wouldn't have happened without you. I've been working on this story since 2011 and it's become an important part of my life - as well as all of you. I'm so glad I wrote this, and I'm really happy with how it's turned out. It's the longest piece I've written to date and one of my favourites. Thank you to everyone who helped out, gave me suggestions and ideas, and were generally awesome :)

I want to write a sequel, but I honestly don't know if I'll get time. I'm about to start my degree and I don't want to compromise that. But if I can write it, I will. I really want to. So keep an eye out for that :)

I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

TWO YEARS LATER

Nick stared at the computer screen and rolled his eyes. He could sense a presence behind him and he knew exactly who it would be – and what they were trying to do. Right on cue, he was grabbed from behind and a cheery voice said, "So how's things?"

He swung around on his chair and smiled at the curly-haired woman grinning back at him. "I'm almost done. I just have to email this to Chris."

"Awesome," she said "So, about tonight…"

"Hayley, I really don't think it's a good idea for me to come."

"Aw, come on. You need to get out more."

Nick sighed. "Trust me, it would be a bad idea. You go have fun though."

Hayley gave a dramatic sigh and tossed her head back. "Uh, fine. You're so boring sometimes. I hope you're going to be more fun tomorrow night."

"I'll try." Nick rolled his eyes with a slight smile as he turned back to his computer. As he finished typing out the email to his boss, he half-listened to Hayley chatting to him about their job the next night and how much fun it was going to be. This was at least the fourth time she'd talked about it. He knew covering the opening of the new art exhibition in Columbus, starring one of Westerville's greatest, was exciting for her but it was just another job to him. Just take the photos he was asked to, smile and be polite when Hayley would inevitably drag him into unnecessary conversation and then get back home for the next day's work. He'd always thought that he'd be happy when he finally got to be a real photographer, but it all felt a little flat and boring now.

Just as he pressed send, another voice cut through Hayley's and asked, "Nick, have you sent me those photos yet? I need them."

He turned around again to see his boss poking his head around the corner. "Yeah, it's all done."

"Good," Chris said, stifling a yawn. "You two go home. Your incessant energy is tiring me out."

Nick laughed. "My incessant energy? I think Hayley's got all of us covered."

Hayley grinned. "Come on you, let's get out of here. Boss's orders."

It took Nick a few minutes to grab his things and Hayley waited by the door, talking his ear off. He shook his head as he walked out of the building with her still carrying on about the exhibition and how exciting it was. He'd always thought journalists were serious about everything, took a hard approach to their stories, were a little dark and gritty. But he figured he must have watched too much TV, because Hayley was loud and bright and somewhat obnoxious and cheerful about absolutely everything. She smiled all the time, she was a creative genius and always full of energy – something that was slowly wearing on him.

"I'll see you tomorrow then?" Nick said, interrupting her gently. She smiled widely. "See you then! And you know where I'll be if you decide to hang out tonight."

"Have fun," he said, waving her off as she headed for her car. He waited a moment before walking to his own, sighing as he slid into the driver's seat. Hayley had been pestering him all day about coming to the bar with her and some of her friends to blow off some steam – the bar he'd used to gig at. But the bar was a reminder of the past that he didn't need. Besides, he didn't mix well with alcohol. Nick rested his head against the steering wheel and sucked in a deep breath. He didn't want to think about those few months. He'd been a mess, but that was behind him now.

Sometimes he was surprised at how much had changed in the last two years. Big things had happened – he'd finished his journalism and photography courses, he'd gotten a job at Westerville's main newspaper, he hadn't touched alcohol in a year and a half. He also hadn't spoken to Cameron in a year. They'd tried being friends, then just being civil, but every time they were in the same room it devolved into a fight, so it became easier to just avoid each other. The rest of his friends had stopped checking up on him. For months after he'd stopped drinking he'd had late night calls and early morning texts making sure he was still conscious and not drowning in his own vomit. Part of him was annoyed at how long it carried on, but another part was glad to know they still cared after the things he'd said and done.

He didn't think about Jeff all the time. Only occasionally, and it was usually in the dark hours of the morning. It still hurt.

He started the car, hoping that tomorrow would be a better day.

Nick took a moment to focus the shot, biting his lip. Then he pressed the button and smiled as the photo came out just as perfectly as he'd hoped. He lowered the camera and smiled at the artist he'd just snapped. "Thanks," he said. He got a nod and a smile in return before the artist turned away to chat with someone who'd just walked up to him eagerly. Nick melted back into the small crowd, looking around for Hayley.

It took less than thirty seconds to find her – or rather, hear her. She was talking with one of the people who'd just bought a piece from the exhibition, asking for his thoughts. Nick manoeuvred his way towards her and tapped her on the shoulder.

"I think I've got everything I need," he said.

"Great!" Hayley said cheerfully "Why don't you just grab a photo of Mr Lowell here and then we'll head out?"

Nick did as he was told, then followed the curly-haired woman through the exhibition room to the street. As soon as she hit the pavement Hayley laughed and shook out her hair.

"Well that was just as much fun as I thought it'd be," she grinned "That art was fantastic!"

Nick shrugged with a smile, unable to help himself. "If you like that sort of thing."

Hayley stuck out her hand for a taxi that had just turned onto the street. Nick rolled his shoulders and stretched. "I'll be glad to get back and sleep. How late is it?"

Hayley snorted and checked her phone. "It's barely even morning. Besides, you can't sleep yet."

The taxi pulled up at the side of the road and they both piled into the back. As soon as they were settled and the taxi had started moving again, Nick asked, "What are you talking about?"

"We're going to go back to the motel and drop the equipment off, and then we're going to have some fun!" Hayley laughed. She smoothed down the bottom of her blue dress, the slice of sequins down one side sparkling against her dark skin. "I have to get some use of this dress!"

Nick sighed. "I really don't want to go out."

"Come on." The woman looked at him mournfully. "It's not every day we get paid to stay overnight for a story. Make the most of it!"

Nick opened his mouth to argue, but Hayley spoke over the top of him about how much fun they were going to have. She carried on until they reached the motel, where she pulled out the puppy eyes to make sure he didn't escape to their room and lock himself in. The pathetic gaze was enough to keep Nick in the car, but he promised himself he'd go back at the first opportunity.

By the time Hayley returned from dropping off their things, Nick was contemplating how quickly he could leave whatever club she dragged him to. If she noticed his less-than-ecstatic expression at being forced to come along, Hayley didn't mention it. In fact, she carried on talking as soon as she opened the door. When the taxi started moving again, Nick occupied himself with looking out the window and watching what went by.

After a few minutes, Hayley looked over at him and frowned. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"What's the matter? You're not going to be any fun with that attitude!"

Nick rolled his eyes and kept his gaze on the world outside. They were taking a short cut that the taxi driver had recommended, but he had the sneaking suspicion that this way wasn't as short as it had been made out to be. The buildings around them were rundown, covered with graffiti and grime. He caught sight of a couple of barely dressed girls waving at someone further up the street. A teenage boy with dark hair swept to the side, dressed in ripped shorts and a wifebeater. He waved back at them, grinning, before a car pulled up beside him. Nick looked away as the boy smirked at the driver and slid into the passenger seat. His heart sank a little at the reminder that was now long gone as the taxi turned a corner.

"Nick, are you even listening to me?" Hayley asked and he gave a noncommittal grunt. He just kept his eyes on the street on the other side of the window.

For a split-second he caught sight of a blonde figure ahead, dressed in black and red, and he looked down as memories resurfaced. But even as he averted his eyes, he felt as if the bottom of his stomach had fallen out. He had to look up. He couldn't stop himself. And just as the taxi drove past, he saw the face that still haunted his dreams.

Before he could think he shouted to the driver to pull over. Muttering to himself, the man did as he was told and Nick almost fell out of the car in his haste. Ignoring Hayley's confused questions in the background, he stabilised himself on the pavement and stared.

He was dressed differently now – black leather pants, a wifebeater and tall red boots – but there was no denying it. Standing just a few metres away, talking to yet another familiar face in the doorway of an old apartment building, was Jeff.

He hadn't spoken his name in two years but in that moment he barely even realised it had slipped out.

"Jeff?"

The blonde frowned. He and the brunette he was talking to both turned to look at him. As soon as they locked eyes, Jeff froze.

"Jeff, I…" He didn't know what to say. He stumbled and stuttered, trying to find the right words but now nothing coherent came out. Finally, Jeff ran a hand through his hair and said, "What are you doing here?"

His voice was harsh and quiet, but Nick could hear how hard he was trying to force the words out. He bit his lip. "I don't… I don't know? I'm working – well, I was working and now I'm not… and I just…"

"I think you should go," Jeff said in an even lower voice.

"What?"

The blonde stared at the ground, arms around his chest. "You should go. You need to go."

"I'm sorry."

Jeff coughed at that and closed his eyes. Beside him, Sebastian put a hand on his shoulder firmly, but he looked at Nick with something less than the hatred that he'd expected. It seemed like… hope.

"I'm sorry that I ruined everything," Nick said, barely aware of Hayley sticking her head out of the open door to watch the proceedings. "I didn't mean to."

Jeff shook his head. "Just go."

"I still love you."

Jeff looked up at him with wide eyes. Sebastian's jaw dropped. He heard Hayley gasp behind him and in the back of his mind he knew he'd have to explain this whole thing to her right from the start, but at that moment he didn't care.

"I'm sorry, but I'm also not," he continued "I've been in love with you for a long time and I need you to know that. I need you to know that I meant it when I said it two years ago and it killed me when you left and I've blamed myself for that. I thought I was over you and maybe in another couple of years I will be but right now I'm not. I'm not. And I should probably stop talking but I need you to know that I didn't mean to fuck it up and I lo–"

"Shut up!" Jeff shouted. Sebastian jumped back away from him and Nick flinched. The blonde's voice hitched as he continued. "That's why I left! I left because you said you loved me and you fucked everything up! You're not supposed to be in love with me!"

The words seemed to echo in Nick's mind and he shook his head to get rid of them. "Jeff…"

"Stop!" The brunette couldn't stand the hurt and anger in the other's eyes. "Just… stop. Whatever you wanted from me, it wouldn't have worked. Just leave it at that. Please?"

Nick couldn't speak. He tried a few times but nothing came out. A gentle hand on his arm made him jump and he turned to see Hayley perched on the edge of the seat, half-in and half-out of the taxi.

"I don't think we're wanted here. We should go."

"But…"

Hayley shook her head and tugged on his arm this time. Nick looked back and saw Jeff had turned his head away. Sebastian caught his eye and he looked lost, confused. And then it finally sunk in. Jeff didn't want him here. He didn't want him, period. And he knew in the back of his mind, though he couldn't admit it yet, that it needed to end now. He'd spent two years quietly pining for someone that he now knew didn't love him. It was over.

Nick nodded and slid back into the car. The taxi driver, annoyed and loud, asked if they were still headed to the Black Star – he assumed that was the club Hayley had chosen. She gave the confirmation and pulled the door closed behind Nick. Then the car started moving and in only a few seconds Jeff and Sebastian's figures disappeared from view – not that Nick was looking. He was staring at his feet and wondering how much he'd need to drink to forget the last ten minutes.

Jeff bit his lip as he heard the taxi drive off. His heart beat wildly against his ribs and he didn't know how to calm it down, or how to stop it catching on the hole in his chest that had suddenly made a sharp reappearance. It had dulled over the past two years to the occasional ache when thoughts of Nick came to mind, or when nightmares took hold of him and he was left curled up in the corner of the room trying to breathe. But now it had returned with a vengeance.

Nick blamed himself. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. On one level, it was true. If the brunette hadn't said anything about being in love, then Jeff never would have left. Or at least, he wouldn't have left when he did. But on another level, Jeff had his part to play as well. He shouldn't have fallen in love. He shouldn't have stayed with Nick every time he asked. He shouldn't have kissed him, or slept with him, or held onto him when it felt like his world was falling apart. There were a lot of things he shouldn't have done. He deserved some of the blame.

"What the fuck?"

Jeff looked up at his friend beside him. Sebastian stared at him in confusion and disbelief and said again, "What the actual fuck, Jeff?"

"What?" He didn't like how weak his voice sounded. Sebastian rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You're joking, right?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You ran away because he was in love with you!?" Jeff flinched when Sebastian shouted. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Well, we're going to!" The brunette put his hands on his hips and glared at him. "You always said there was some awful reason we had to leave and that was it?"

"Yes! That was why! I fucking slept with him and he said he loved me! What was I supposed to do!?" Jeff shouted back, anger flooding through him.

Sebastian shot back quickly, "Not run away? Not continue destroying your life when you had a way out?"

"I couldn't be in love with him, and you know it! I'm too messed up! He doesn't deserve that sort of shit." Jeff sucked in a deep breath and when he spoke again, his voice was ragged and desperate. "I can't love him!"

"But you do."

Jeff coughed. "Shut up."

"You do, Jeff, and you have for ages. I'm not an idiot."

"What do you care? You hate him!"

Sebastian sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I did. If there was anything I could have done to keep you away from him, I would have. But you've been a mess for so long, Jeff. Ever since we left, you've been getting worse and worse. And I realised that the only time you'd ever looked happy was when you were with Nick. And just now, seeing the two of you… He might have been an asshole sometimes, but he makes you happy and that's what you deserve."

Jeff stared down the empty street in the direction the taxi had gone. Sebastian was right. Nick had made him happier than he'd been in a long time. Just thinking about curling up on the couch with him watching movies, or sitting at the bar watching him sing, made the jagged edges of the hole in his chest soften a little. He wanted that. He wanted that more than he could ever say. But there was one thing Sebastian wasn't right about.

"I don't deserve it."

He jumped as Sebastian grabbed his shoulders and forced him to meet his eye. "Don't say that. You deserve to be happy and be safe and not have to do this shit. Don't throw this away. I won't let you throw this away."

Jeff managed a small smile at that. "What would you even do without me?"

The brunette shook his head and chuckled. "I don't even come into the equation, Jeff. This is about you and Nick. Is it what you want?"

He hesitated. He did have to think about Sebastian – he was their only source of income and if he ran off with Nick, the other wouldn't have much to fall back on. He couldn't leave him alone. But his mind forced the answer out of his mouth before he could think to stop it.

"Yes."

Sebastian smiled. Jeff blinked, taken aback at the genuine happiness behind it. Then he was enveloped in a hug and he gasped. Into his shoulder Sebastian said, "Then go get him. Don't let him get away."

Jeff pulled back. "I don't even know where he is."

"Weren't you paying attention?" The brunette grinned. "The driver shouted it loud enough for the whole street to hear. The Black Star."

For a long moment Jeff stood still, unsure. He was torn between what he knew and what he desperately wanted. Sebastian needed him. Nick didn't deserve someone as screwed up as he was. He didn't know how to do much more than the life he'd lived for the past five years.

Then he looked Sebastian in the eye and nodded firmly. "I… I'm going to find him."

In the years that he'd known Sebastian, Jeff had never seen him so excited. His grin widened and he gestured down the street. "Go on then!"

Spurred into action, Jeff spun and started running – slowly at first, and then faster and faster with the brunette urging him on from the doorstep. It wasn't long before he lost the sound of the encouraging voice and he was alone with his pounding heart and rushing blood.

I'm going to find him. I'll find him and tell him that I love him and it'll work out. It'll work.

His heeled boots slowed him down, and he got numerous confused glances in his direction as he raced down the pavement. But he ignored them, focusing only on finding the club – and Nick. Street by street he got closer and as he did the hole in his chest started to close. He could feel the pain lessening with every step. Hope filled him instead, and that was what kept him going when his legs began to tire.

Just as he thought he couldn't run any more he skidded around a corner, nearly crashing to the ground, and realised the club was just ahead of him. A crowd was gathered around the entrance under the black and neon sign that spelled out the club's name. Jeff started towards it, pushing past other people and searching the faces around him. But the closer he got to the long line of people trying to get in without seeing Nick, the more his heart sank. If he wasn't outside then he was in the club, and there was little chance of getting in any time soon. Jeff stopped halfway to the club's doors, looking from person to person in the vain hope that Nick was close by. His shoulders slumped, his heart made its way to the pit of his stomach, and he could feel the hole in his chest starting to reopen. He sucked in a deep breath and made to turn around – he'd search the club, just to make sure – when he heard a voice that sent thrills up his spine.

"I'm going to go back."

"Aw, please?" A female voice said "It won't take that long to get in, I'm sure."

"You go have fun. But I'm going back to the motel, okay? If I stay here, it won't end well."

The woman groaned theatrically as Jeff looked around wildly for the source of the conversation. "Fine, if that's what you want, although I think some partying is what you need right now," she said and as she spoke, a gap in the crowd appeared and Jeff finally saw him.

Nick was running a hand through his hair and trying to smile at the shorter woman in front of him, dressed in blue with her arms folded across her chest. Jeff stared for a second too long and the gap closed, cutting him off. Panicked, he shouted, "Nick!" and tried to push his way through. The crowd was a little thicker here and he had to elbow his way past a couple holding hands and a group of girls who eyed his boots a little enviously. But finally he pushed through and he was left with a fairly open space between himself and the brunette staring at him in shock.

Jeff could see more people coming to fill the gap in front of him and he knew he couldn't waste any time. There was no more thinking. No more wondering if he'd made the right decision. He just ran, dodging the last person in his way before stumbling into Nick's arms. The brunette staggered a little but caught him and pulled him close. Jeff could feel him trembling as he held onto him tightly. He knew he needed to say something but he couldn't speak – he'd missed this. And finally, after so long, the ache in his chest subsided and the hole closed up.

"Jeff…"

The blonde looked up from his shoulder to silence him. Nick just stared in shock with his jaw hanging loose. Taking a deep breath, Jeff steadied his voice as best he could and said, "I love you."

Nick seemed to react in slow motion. First he continued to stare as if he hadn't heard, and then he blinked. It took another second or two before it hit and he grinned in almost disbelief. Jeff gave a shaky smile in response and said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted at you. I shouldn't have left. I've mi–"

Nick silenced him before he could finish with a fierce kiss and Jeff melted against him. He kissed back with just as much passion, pulling the brunette closer by his shirt. As soon as Nick pulled away for a breath he was back and in between kisses Jeff tried to speak.

"I've missed you… fuck… I had to leave, I'm… I'm sorry… I shouldn't have… I was scared…"

The sound of someone clearing their throat finally made them stop. They both looked over to see the curly-haired woman watching them with a raised eyebrow and a slight smile.

"I'm going to go into the club while you two go back to the motel and do whatever it is you're going to do. I'll sleep in the car."

"Hayley, you can't sleep in the car," Nick said.

The woman tossed her head with a smile. "I'll manage for one night. Or you know, I might do not a lot of sleeping at his place," she said, eyeing up one of the men who'd just walked past. Nick chuckled and asked, "Are you sure?"

"I'm not getting in the middle of that," she said, gesturing to the pair in front of her. Then she waved and said a cheerful goodbye before making a beeline for the broad-shouldered man a little way ahead of her. Jeff watched her go, making a note to ask Nick who she was later on. Much later on.

He jumped as Nick pulled him close again, but relaxed a second later. He barely heard the brunette say that he was going to get a taxi and just followed where he was pulled when Nick took him by the arm and moved closer to the edge of the pavement. He stumbled over his boots getting into the taxi but Nick caught him, and he shivered where the other's hands touched his skin. He managed to stay on his side of the car on the ride to the motel, though he couldn't look away from Nick's face. As soon as they were out of the car Nick was touching him again, taking his hand as they made their way to his room. He hadn't even closed the door before Jeff grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back against it, shutting it with a soft thump.

For two years he'd tortured himself with memories of kissing Nick. But now he didn't have to force the thoughts from his head. He let Nick pull him in and he kissed him the way he'd dreamed about – slow, long and gentle. He revelled in the familiar way the brunette held him, kissed him, touched him. He smelled the same, felt the same – and suddenly the words spilled out against Nick's lips.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled "I was scared. I didn't know what to do."

"Shh," Nick whispered. He pulled back and took Jeff's hands, gently leading him towards the bed. The blonde followed without complaint. He only stopped to kick off his boots before letting Nick pull him down. He rolled onto his back and Nick draped himself over him, pressing kisses to his neck and jaw. Jeff closed his eyes, still tense, and said quietly, "I had to leave."

"Okay," Nick said between kisses.

"No, it's not."

The brunette lifted his head enough to meet Jeff's eye. "Why did you have to leave?"

Jeff could see the pain in his gaze and he swallowed hard. "What I said before, that was true. All of that was true. I was scared because you said you loved me and I knew you would have wanted to make something of it. It wouldn't have worked. It probably won't work now. You deserve better than someone… like me. Who's scared. Who's not okay."

Nick shrugged. "I don't care."

"About what?"

"About whether you're okay, or whether this will work. Trust me, I'm not perfect either. But I want this. And if you want it to, then we should do it."

"This?" Jeff tilted his head and Nick smiled. He lowered his head and kissed him, one hand in the blonde's hair. When he broke the kiss, Nick said quietly, "I want to be with you. I want you."

Jeff shivered as the brunette's other hand found its way under his wifebeater. His fingers traced across his stomach and down his side firmly. Reaching up to pull Nick's shirt over his head, Jeff asked breathlessly, "You want to be together? Like, boyfriends?"

The brunette laughed and tossed the shirt aside. "Yeah, I guess so." Jeff wriggled out his wifebeater before pulling Nick down and rolling over so that he was sat across the other's hips.

"Okay."

"Really?" Nick's grin was a mixture of hope and happiness, and Jeff couldn't hold back a smile as he lowered his head for a quick kiss.

"Yeah. I want this."

It was a series of loud knocks on the door that woke Nick the next morning. He blinked and groaned at the disturbance, tightening his grip on the blonde curled up at his side. As Hayley called from the other side of the door, Nick couldn't help but smile at the sight of Jeff starting to wake up, yawning and squinting in confusion.

"Look, I'm only going to knock one more time and then I'm coming in. You've been warned!"

A sense of urgency tugged at him and he shouted back, "Give us a second!" Then Jeff, still half-asleep, caught his eye and smiled. Nick returned it and for a minute he forgot what he was meant to be doing. It was only when Hayley knocked again in the middle of a kiss that he remembered and reluctantly slid out of bed.

"Here." He passed Jeff the pants he'd worn last night to the exhibition and grabbed a pair of jeans from the bag by the side of the bed. He'd only just managed to do them up when Hayley walked in and kicked the door shut behind her, shielding her eyes.

"You're safe," Nick chuckled. Hayley dropped her hand and faced the pair with a grin. "Apologies for interrupting, but I need to shower and change clothes before we leave. And it is still my room too."

She spun around and grabbed her own bag before heading to the bathroom on the other side of the room. As she disappeared, Nick turned to Jeff and saw the confused look on his face.

"What?"

"I forgot you two were sharing a room."

Nick frowned. "Yeah? We were working on a story that kept us here most of the night so Chris, our boss, got us a room so we didn't have to drive back early in the morning."

Jeff glanced down at the bed he was still sitting on, then back up at Nick to state the obvious. "There's only one bed."

Nick smiled and walked over to sit next to the blonde. He knew he'd never get over how easy it was to just lean in and kiss him. Jeff responded without hesitation and when they broke apart, he smiled and ducked his head.

"The motel messed up our room," Nick explained "I was going to sleep on the floor."

"No, you weren't," Hayley called from the bathroom "I told you, I have no problem sleeping in the same bed as you. I don't know why people feel weird about it, to be honest. I mean, you're asleep."

Nick laughed. "It doesn't matter anyway." He moved for another kiss but Jeff tilted his head away from him. "You should get dressed. You're supposed to be going, aren't you?"

Even as he'd spoken about it, it hadn't sunk in in Nick's mind that he'd have to leave. He'd have to drive all the way back to Westerville and leave Jeff here and he wasn't sure he could do that. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I'm supposed to. I don't want to though."

Jeff smiled. "I know. But you have things to get back to."

"None of which are as important as you right now," Nick said with a smirk. He tried once more for a kiss, this time grabbing Jeff's hips and pulling him in, but the blonde pushed him off with a shake of his head. "Go home, Nick. I'm not going to disappear on you again."

Nick nuzzled his face into Jeff's neck and even though attempts were made to fight him off, they were weak and half-hearted. "Promise?" he mumbled.

"Yeah, I promise."

"Good. Because the only way I'm getting in that car is if I know I can come back and get you."

"Get me?" Jeff chuckled as the brunette ran his hands up his sides and mouthed at his neck.

"Mmm. I want you to move in with me."

Jeff stopped moving. Worried, Nick lifted his head to look him in the eye. The blonde blinked, jaw hanging a little loose. "Move in?"

"Yeah." Nick frowned. "Do you… not want that?"

"I-I do…" Jeff stuttered "You… you have no idea. But I can't just drop everything. There's… things, to think about…"

"Like what?"

"Like that I have no money? I won't have a job? It'll be really hard to get one too, and I don't want to live off your money."

Nick kissed the blonde's jaw slowly. "I can get you a job. I know people. Everything'll be fine."

"I can't just leave Sebastian."

Nick thought that one over for a moment. He and Sebastian had never gotten on well. But it was obvious that they cared about each other, enough that Jeff wasn't willing to leave him. And if Sebastian made Jeff happy, then he was prepared to put up with the guy. He fell back on the bed and dragged the blonde with him, running his hands up his back. Jeff let out an involuntary gasp at the sudden movement.

"Maybe he can stay for a while," Nick said, sliding his hands down to grab the other's hips "Until he can sort himself out. I don't know. I just want you to come home with me."

Jeff opened his mouth to speak but only faint stammering came out. Nick was a little surprised to see him blushing, barely able to look him in the eye. He pulled the blonde down for a kiss and felt him relax under his hands. When they separated a minute later Jeff mumbled, "Don't stop," and Nick was more than happy to comply.

They were still wrapped up in each other's arms when Hayley came out of the bathroom. She interrupted them with a dramatic sigh and said, "I know you're madly in love but we do actually have to leave at some point, Nick."

The brunette groaned and nuzzled at Jeff's jaw. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure I don't want Chris calling us to ask where we are," Hayley shot back with a raised eyebrow. Nick had to concede that point and reluctantly extracted himself from Jeff. He had to leave the blonde to Hayley's company as he showered and dressed, and when he returned he found the pair of them chatting easily. Time passed quickly from that moment on and some packing, kisses, eye-rolling and a phone number exchange later, Nick found himself standing by Hayley's car in the motel parking lot needing to say goodbye.

"Are you sure you don't want us to take you home?" he asked. Hayley piped up from the driver's seat she was lounging in, "I honestly don't mind."

Jeff shook his head. "It's okay. I'll get a taxi. I think I need some time to… process things, before I see Sebastian anyway."

"Okay," Nick said "I… I'll call you when I get back home?"

The blonde smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."

They lapsed into an uneasy silence for a few minutes, not sure what to say now. Nick was the first to give in, stepping forward and enveloping Jeff in a hug. The blonde froze for a split second but then relaxed, hugging back tightly.

"Will you think about it? Moving in?" Nick asked quietly.

"You have no idea how much I want to do that," Jeff mumbled into his shoulder "But I have to talk to Sebastian."

"Okay. I love you."

Jeff tensed up in his arms and for a moment Nick panicked, wondering what was wrong. For a long minute the blonde was silent, but then finally the words came.

"I love you too."

Nick pressed a gentle kiss to the other's lips, which was quickly stopped by Hayley sounding the car horn. "Come on loverboy, we've got places to be."

He stepped back and gave the blonde a smile. "I'll see you later?"

The smile he got in return filled him with the same joy that threatened to overwhelm him when Jeff said, "I'll see you later."

It was an effort to make himself get in the car, and even harder to watch Jeff disappear in the rear view mirror. But Nick knew that this time would be different. No more hiding. No more running. No more blame and self-hate and anger. It was going to work.

He'd never believed in fate. He'd listened to stories of people meeting the love of their life by simply being in the right place at the right time, and he'd never believed them. How could he, when his whole life seemed to be one missed opportunity after another? But now he knew. He understood.

All it took was one moment to change everything.

Thank you for reading You're Too Afraid To Admit It Might Be Love :)