Nick closed the apartment door behind them; watching carefully as Greg looked around him.
"It's not much," Nick offered softly. "But it does me ok." As soon as he started talking, Greg span around to face Nick; his head bowing. Nick sighed internally; not wanting to show his frustration.
"Greg, you don't have to do that. I want you to look at me, ok?" Slowly, Greg looked up.
"Sorry sir," He whispered.
"Call me Nick," Nick took a careful step towards Greg. "I hate being called sir."
"Ok." Greg looked uncertain, and almost as if he would cry at any moment. Nick panicked. He didn't know what he was doing, but he needed Greg to think he did.
"Ok, so why don't you get settled," Nick tried to sound positive. "I'll cook some dinner. We can go over house rules later." Greg nodded, seemingly happy to have an order to follow. He carefully sat on the sofa. Nick was a little disheartened that he didn't seem very relaxed, but shrugged it off in favour of going to the kitchen.
Greg looked around the room slowly once he heard Nick leave. This was home now. Nick was his home. Greg tried to ignore the flutter that caused in his stomach and focus on what he'd been told. Nick wanted to go over the rules later; which meant Greg needed to pay attention. He'd heard stories; indentured people who hadn't lived up to expectations turning up dead. From what he'd heard, the police were lax in their investigating. Strangely, Greg felt safe here despite all that. Life could be good here. He would be good to Nick; if the CSI would let him.
The sound of the kitchen door caught Greg's attention, and he saw Nick enter the room with two plates. Quickly, he stood to help Nick carry them. Nick was about to decline Greg's help, but he could see the younger man needed to feel useful, and so he relinquished the plates and went back to the kitchen for the drinks. Greg set the plates down carefully before standing beside the table; waiting for Nick to come back. When he did, he handed Greg a glass of coke and motioned for him to sit. All the formalities Greg was following were giving Nick a headache. They sat together, and Nick slowly began to eat the lasagne his mother had sent him home with last thanksgiving. It had been in the freezer for a while; being too big a meal for one. Greg seemed to be enjoying the meal, which calmed Nick greatly.
Once they were done, Nick took the plates to the kitchen; leaving them in the sink. He returned quickly and sat next to Greg, who was looking at him expectantly. Nick took a deep breath before beginning.
"I don't have many rules around here," Nick tried to explain. "I hold pretty crazy hours at the lab, so this place tends to be more of a crash-pad than a home." Greg nodded like he understood, so Nick continued.
"The main rules are obvious; don't burn the place down, try not to lose any of my stuff in a card game." Greg was quicker this time at picking up on Nick's joke, and he smiled a little. "I've got the full sports package on the TV," Nick offered. "You're welcome to watch anything you want. If it's pay-per-view, just let me know first. Like I said; my hours are pretty hectic, so I don't expect you to keep the same sleep patterns as me. You can go to bed whenever you're tired. Same goes for eating and drinking. If it's here, you're welcome to it. If it's not, leave me a note and I'll get it when I shop." Greg was looking much calmer now, and Nick sighed internally in relief.
"Did I miss anything?" Greg looked a little apprehensive as he nodded.
"When are you going to brand me?" Nick was more than a little shocked at this.
"What?" By way of explanation, Greg dropped to his knees in front of Nick. He turned his head to reveal a small tattoo behind one ear. It was a family crest.
"It marks me as yours," Greg explained quietly. "So if you lose me, the police will bring me back." Nick felt panic rise again, but he tamped it down when Greg turned to look at him.
"I don't have a family crest," He said as calmly as he could. "So we'll have to figure that out later." Greg nodded. There was silence for a moment, in which Greg didn't move from his position on the floor.
"Are you tired?" Greg turned to fully face Nick.
"A little," He replied quietly. Nick stood up, and Greg followed. It was then that Nick realised he hadn't planned where Greg would sleep.
"Do you usually sleep alone?" Greg looked a little scared; avoiding Nick's eyes.
"I can sleep anywhere…"
"Please, Greg," Nick placated. "I won't get mad, just tell me the truth, ok?" Greg nodded, a little uncertainly.
"I slept in the same room as Mrs Miller."
"And what about Mr Miller?" Nick asked as delicately as he could. Greg let his head drop. Nick didn't need to be told; he understood from the gesture.
"There's a spare room you can sleep in. Or I could get the fold out bed and put it in my room, if you'd prefer." Greg looked up slowly. He didn't know what he was supposed to say.
"I… I've never slept alone," Greg whispered; hoping Nick would make the decision for him. Nick gave a short nod.
"C'mon," He smiled a little. "I'll show you to my room." Greg let out a relieved breath as Nick led him towards the bedroom.
(~*~*~)
Greg studied Nick's silhouetted outline in the dark. The older man was sleeping, but Greg was too worked up to follow. Nick had set up a fold out bed just across the room from his own, and Greg had noticed the flash of anxiety in his eyes as he got into the double bed alone. Greg wasn't sure if it was guilt over the sleeping arrangements, or a desire for Greg to be in his bed. With a muted sigh, Greg realised he wasn't against the idea. Guilt washed over him quickly afterwards. He hadn't shared a bed with anyone but Mr Miller. Greg knew that, if Nick asked for it, he was obligated to comply, but wanting it himself was another matter. Nick shifted in his sleep, and Greg's heart stopped when he thought he'd been caught staring. Suddenly, Nick's phone began to ring. It was on vibrate, and the noise of it hitting the bedside table didn't seem enough to wake Nick. Slipping out of bed slowly, Greg took the phone and answered it.
"Nick Stokes' phone," He said quietly, looking at Nick's sleeping form.
"Greg?" It was Catherine, and Greg calmed a little at the voice.
"Nick's sleeping," Greg replied. "Do you need me to wake him?"
"That's ok," Catherine's voice was sweet and low. "I was just calling to check in."
"Ok…" Greg didn't really know what to say.
"You should get some sleep, Greg."
"I will." Greg was saved from the conversation but the sound of Catherine hanging up, which was shortly followed by a rustling in the bed. Greg turned to see Nick turning over; still clearly half asleep.
"Come back to bed," He mumbled; barely coherent. Greg stopped for a second, unsure if Nick realised what he'd said. Deciding it would be best not to disobey, he slowly made his way over to the bed and slipped in next to Nick, dropping the phone back on the table as he did. The CSI immediately rolled over; pulling Greg into his chest and wrapping his arms around the younger man. Greg pushed down his panic at the sudden movements. Nick was clearly sound asleep, and Greg relaxed a little; letting the steady beat of Nick's heart lull him to sleep.