The nightmares were always the same. The smell of burning rubber. The bright flash of light. The pain, a sudden feeling of acid being poured onto skin, his own skin, melting away...
- Greg? Honey, wake up...
And then, waking up from the dream. The worst part.
- Greg?
He let out a silent sob and opened his eyes. His back was aching. The burns were still raw.
- You okay?
- Fine.
Offering no explanations he got to his feet and headed to the kitchen.
- I need a glass of water.
Yeah, remembering was definitely the worst part.
*****
Morning coffee was one of the things Greg Sanders loved. Just sitting by the kitchen table, listening to the silence, being there, in the moment-
He flinched as a warm hand gently brushed past his neck.
- Morning, honey.
Nothing to be afraid of.
- Morning, he answered, attempting a smile.
It's just Nick. It's just him, Greg, get a grib.
Nick poured himself coffee.
- You're still on leave, right?
Greg nodded.
- Do you have any plans for today? Cos I could probably get a day off and we could-
- No, it's okay.
- Sure?
- Yeah, I'll think of something.
He could feel Nick's eyes examining him closely. Nick was worried, he could appreciate that, but there was no reason for him to worry. Because I'm fine, I'm moving on and I'm fine. Never better. I'm fine...
- You know, I'm gonna start the day with a shower, so..., Greg got up.
Nick put his mug down on the counter and reached his hand out to grab Greg's. He pulled the other man into a hug, as close to himself as he could, their chests against each other. Carefully he let his fingers run down Greg's back. He could feel his lover flinch under his touch. He tightened his grib. I love you, Greg. I love you... They stayed there for a long time. Gradually Nick could feel Greg's muscles relax in his arms and he pulled the man even closer. Greg sighed and finally answered the hug. A warm feeling ran through Nick. I'll never let you go.
Finally, Greg pulled apart.
- You should go.
Nick kissed him gently.
- You don't wanna be late. Grissom-
Another kiss.
- I don't give a damn about him.
Greg pushed Nick away from him and smiled.
- You will when he fires your sorry ass. Now go to work.
Nick shook his head and pulled Greg in for a final kiss.
- I'll try and be quiet when I come home.
- No. I want you to wake me.
- I'll see you then.
Nick brushed his fingers through Greg's blond hair one more time, kissed him and grabbed his coat.
- Now go.
- Gone already! See you in the morning!
Nick put on his coat, headed to the door and opened it. Greg smiled and turned around to head toward the bathroom.
- Greg-
- Yeah?
- I love you.
And he was gone.
- Greg? Honey, wake up...
And then, waking up from the dream. The worst part.
- Greg?
He let out a silent sob and opened his eyes. His back was aching. The burns were still raw.
- You okay?
- Fine.
Offering no explanations he got to his feet and headed to the kitchen.
- I need a glass of water.
Yeah, remembering was definitely the worst part.
*****
Morning coffee was one of the things Greg Sanders loved. Just sitting by the kitchen table, listening to the silence, being there, in the moment-
He flinched as a warm hand gently brushed past his neck.
- Morning, honey.
Nothing to be afraid of.
- Morning, he answered, attempting a smile.
It's just Nick. It's just him, Greg, get a grib.
Nick poured himself coffee.
- You're still on leave, right?
Greg nodded.
- Do you have any plans for today? Cos I could probably get a day off and we could-
- No, it's okay.
- Sure?
- Yeah, I'll think of something.
He could feel Nick's eyes examining him closely. Nick was worried, he could appreciate that, but there was no reason for him to worry. Because I'm fine, I'm moving on and I'm fine. Never better. I'm fine...
- You know, I'm gonna start the day with a shower, so..., Greg got up.
Nick put his mug down on the counter and reached his hand out to grab Greg's. He pulled the other man into a hug, as close to himself as he could, their chests against each other. Carefully he let his fingers run down Greg's back. He could feel his lover flinch under his touch. He tightened his grib. I love you, Greg. I love you... They stayed there for a long time. Gradually Nick could feel Greg's muscles relax in his arms and he pulled the man even closer. Greg sighed and finally answered the hug. A warm feeling ran through Nick. I'll never let you go.
Finally, Greg pulled apart.
- You should go.
Nick kissed him gently.
- You don't wanna be late. Grissom-
Another kiss.
- I don't give a damn about him.
Greg pushed Nick away from him and smiled.
- You will when he fires your sorry ass. Now go to work.
Nick shook his head and pulled Greg in for a final kiss.
- I'll try and be quiet when I come home.
- No. I want you to wake me.
- I'll see you then.
Nick brushed his fingers through Greg's blond hair one more time, kissed him and grabbed his coat.
- Now go.
- Gone already! See you in the morning!
Nick put on his coat, headed to the door and opened it. Greg smiled and turned around to head toward the bathroom.
- Greg-
- Yeah?
- I love you.
And he was gone.