"Can you, uhm, maybe sit down for a second?" Eric was stumbling over his words, the poor man could hardly make a sentence so nervous he was for this.
"Sure?" Like any other in this situation, Nell was pretty unsure, but went with it all the same. She figured she had nothing to lose, but boy, she was wrong.
"There's something I have to tell you." The sentence hadn't even left his mouth yet and Nell was already jumping to conclusions. Luckily, Eric stopped her before she could phrase them.
"Lately I've been struggling with something, and please don't take this personally. I'm bi, as in bisexual, I like both boys and girls. Had a boyfriend here and there when I was younger, you've already met Brian and you know we dated for a few years. But lately I've been questioning it, I don't really feel attracted to woman anymore. And when we get intimate, like make out or something, since we haven't had sex in a while, I don't get excited anymore, I mean I don't get- well, you know. This has absolutely nothing to do with you, because you're beautiful and lovely and I really love you, but I think I'm just gay. I only like men, I'm gay, Nell."
Eric had been fiddling with his fingers during his entire speech, but gently reached out and held Nell her hands towards the end. This was one of the hardest things he had ever done, but it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders when he finished off the last sentence. Eric's secret was out in the open now, and he prayed, to whatever gay god that was listening, that Nell would take this in a positive way. Sure, Eric knew it must be weird if your boyfriend of 2 years turned out to be gay, but he wasn't ready to lose his best friend as well.
"I-. Wow, I mean-, I don't know what to say." Their eyes were burning holes in the other's, Eric's desperately begging her to just say, something. But Nell didn't, and he couldn't stop himself from rambling all over again.
"I mean, I get it's weird, your boyfriend is actually gay. But it has nothing to do with you, I swear, you're gorgeous, loving, and overall just amazing. You could have been Kensi and it would still have nothing to do with you. I mean, you're obviously not her, you're far more greater. But if Kensi and Deeks would go to the beach and put on swimming clothes, I'd rather look at Deeks than Kensi. That just-, that came out the whole wrong way, didn't it?"
Apparently breathing was overrated, in the blond's opinion, as he rambled on and on, never seeming to stop spewing words.
"Eric, stop. Yes, it's quite a lot to take in, but I'm sure I'll be fine if you'd give me some time. We're okay, Wolfram, you're still my best friend, aren't you?" Nell's fist bumped into his shoulder, a smirk plastered on her face.
"Of course I am, Rockstar, it'd be an honor to be your best gay friend from now on." She laughed and Eric couldn't help but join in. He was glad she took it this way, the worry that had been eating his mind slowly faded away, like snow for the summer sun. He could finally take a deep breath and relax, there were no more problems to worry about for him, well, until Nell started firing questions at him.
"So what made you question it?" She sipped on her tea, the calm and comfortable atmosphere settling once again.
"Well, I mentioned Brian, didn't I ?" A nervous smile made its way on Eric's lips, it felt kinda weird to talk with your, just, ex-girlfriend about your crush on your ex-boyfriend. But, in a very Eric and Nell way, it didn't make them uncomfortable at all.
"Oh my god, are you kidding me?! You should totally ask him out."
"Are you sure though, I mean, isn't it weird to ask your ex out on a date?" Eric chuckled at Nell's excited reaction, apparently a few minutes had been enough time for her to get over the whole 'my boyfriend is gay' -thing.
"Have you seen the way he looks at you? He's definitely still in love with you, Eric, but you both think you're better off as 'just' best friends. As your best friend, and recently ex-girlfriend, I'm telling you to go for it." This time it wasn't the technical operator that grabbed Nell's hands, it was her who held his, and it definitely wasn't for the reason Eric had done the action moments before.
"But you have to help me." He smiled at her, knowing she would go with it.
"You have a deal there, Mister." The analyst stood up to pour herself another cup of tea, leaving Eric a little dumbfounded on the couch while he went over the situation is his head.
"I love how you just totally accepted it and are, actually, helping to plan this date. Without running away, may I add." His voice was teasing, yet sincere was laced in it as an undertone, grateful to have found such a perfect woman to call his best friend.
"Well, what can I say? I love Love, especially when it's gay love." Nell winked as she turned around and claimed her spot next to him on the couch again. "Now, let's watch this movie. I've been dying to see it!"
Needless to say, Eric worked up the courage to ask Brian out on that date, and it couldn't have been more perfect. He made a mental note to thank the auburn haired analyst later for bringing them back together. Nell was most certainly one of the first people who found a wedding invitation a few months later on her doorstep, smiling at it like a lovestruck fool. She was happy for the couple, and declared Eric Beale was the best, best friend in the world when he asked her to be bridesmaid.