Nick sighed as he opened the door to a dark house. He'd forgotten to call Greg on the way home, and was a little surprised at how quiet the place was. His silent worry was abated when he entered the living room and saw Greg, sleeping soundly on the sofa. With a soft smile, Nick knelt in front of Greg; touching his shoulder gently.
"Greg, wake up." Greg stirred slowly; his eyes eventually focussing on Nick's face. He smiled at first, but then a memory seemed to hit him, and he sat up quickly.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry. Is it late? Did I sleep long?" Greg was babbling; looking around wildly. "I didn't mean to fall asleep."
"It's ok, Greg," Nick smiled. "I should've called on my way home." Greg paled further as he remembered the conversation from the morning.
"I forgot about the list!" Greg was positively panicking now. "I'm sorry, Nick. I cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes and put away the fold out bed and by the time I was finished, I just fell asleep." Greg looked up to see Nick smiling; clearly amused. Slowly, he moved to sit on the sofa next to Greg.
"It's alright," He laughed. "Greg, you've done more than I could've thought to ask. That kitchen hasn't been cleaned in God only knows how long. I'm really grateful." Greg let out a deep breath and nodded; slowly calming now he knew Nick wasn't mad at him.
"Why don't I make us some dinner, and we can write your list later." Slowly, Greg shook his head.
"I already made dinner," He whispered. "It'll be ready in half an hour. It's in the oven." Nick smiled widely, and couldn't stop himself pulling Greg into a soft, sideways hug.
"Thank you," He said softly. They parted slowly, and Greg looked much more relaxed. "So, how about your list?"
"Wh-what should I ask for?" Greg asked uncertainly. Nick kept his smile inviting as he reached into his discarded bag for a pen and paper.
"Whatever you want," Nick replied. "Why don't we start with essentials?" Greg nodded and slowly started listing things. Toothbrush. Toiletries. A few sets of clothes. He faltered when he ran out of absolute necessities.
"How about luxuries?" Nick encouraged. "Is there a specific soap you like? Deodorant? Hair Gel?" Greg nodded slowly; answering reluctantly.
"I used to use honeysuckle body wash," He whispered. "Mr Miller said he liked the way my skin smelled…" He trailed off; looking up at Nick. "But if you don't like honeysuckle, I can change it. What smells do you like?" Nick smiled patiently as he answered.
"We can leave that until we go shopping if you'd like; make a snap decision when we get there." Greg smiled at the idea and nodded.
"I like to use hair gel," Greg ventured. "If it's ok with you. I like my hair better when it's styled." Nick nodded his approval.
"You don't have to check everything with me, Greg," He said carefully. "I'm pretty easy going. I want you to think for yourself, ok?"
"Ok," Greg whispered, getting up. "Dinner should be almost done. I'll go dish up." Nick watched as Greg left the room. He thought about what the younger man would look like with styled hair, and it made him smile. Greg returned shortly with two plates of what Nick suspected was casserole. It smelled amazing and Nick smiled widely at Greg when he set it before him.
"Catherine gave me the rest of the week off," Nick stated conversationally as they ate. "So, barring any multiple homicides, we can go shopping tomorrow for your stuff." Greg looked up; a little surprised at how easily Nick spoke of spending money on him.
"Thank you," Greg spoke earnestly. Nick smiled widely at the younger man, before continuing with his meal.
(~*~*~)
Nick trailed behind Greg as the younger man pulled him along by the hand. They'd been shopping for three hours, and Nick was beginning to think giving Greg coffee had been a mistake. Laughing lightly, he was dragged into a pharmacy and led to the shower supplies. Greg finally detached; picking up various body washes and smelling them. Nick followed suit. He smelled a few before finding one he thought was perfect. It was sweet and spicy; a little like Greg's natural scent. He turned to Greg, to find the younger man holding one of his own. Greg frowned softly, before submission rose up in him and he put the one he was holding back on the shelf. Nick sighed a little before picking up the wash Greg had put down.
"You like this one?" He asked. Greg just nodded; looking a little forlorn.
"Reminds me of you," He mumbled. Nick looked at Greg curiously; opening the wash to smell it.
"Alright," Nick smiled, putting the wash Greg had selected with the one he'd picked.
"What are you doing?" Greg asked, clearly confused.
"You like this one, right?" Greg nodded. "So I'm buying it for myself." The confusion didn't lift from Greg's expression, but he smiled widely at Nick; shaking his head in disbelief.
"C'mon," Nick smiled back; taking Greg's hand. "I'll get these, and then we can go for lunch."
(~*~*~)
Greg was happier than he ever remembered being. Walking through a mall, eating a pretzel, with Nick looking over to him every few minutes; just to check. The serenity of the scene almost made up for the looks he'd been getting all day from passers by. The black cuffs on his wrists clearly marked him as indentured, and many people seemed to disapprove. Either Nick hadn't noticed, or he was ignoring them, because he hadn't mentioned it; or even made a show of ownership over Greg. It made the younger man smile that Nick was so secure about Greg's place with him. Passing a jewellers, Greg was stopped in his tracks by a necklace shining in the window. It was gold, with what looked like platinum detailing. A mix between a chain and a choker; it had a small disc in the centre, with space for engraving. Greg didn't realise he'd stopped until a hand fell on his shoulder. He looked around with a soft smile, which quickly disappeared when he saw the person touching him wasn't Nick.
"What are you doing out alone?" The man standing before Greg looked angry, and he couldn't work out why.
"I'm not…"
"I don't see anyone around. What's your name?" Greg's head instinctively dropped as the hand on his shoulder tightened.
"Greg… Stokes," He mumbled. "I'm indentured to Nick Stokes."
"And where is this Nick Stokes?" Greg panicked at the question; he didn't know where Nick was. He shouldn't have stopped.
"Greg!" Greg looked up to see Nick striding towards him. He sighed in relief, despite the annoyed look on the older man's face.
"I didn't see you stop," Nick trailed off; looking at the man with a hand on Greg. "Who are you?" The man immediately let go of Greg.
"I'm security," He explained quickly. "I saw the cuffs, and you weren't here…"
"Yeah, that's my fault," Nick excused. "I wasn't really paying attention." The man nodded, looking a little suspiciously at Greg.
"Keep an eye on your boy," He advised before turning to leave. Nick turned back to Greg, who was looking shamefully at his feet.
"I'm sorry," He almost whispered. Nick sighed softly before taking Greg's hands. Greg looked up slowly; Nick's expression was unreadable. Turning Greg's hands over, Nick began to unbuckle the cuffs on his wrists.
"Nick?" Greg became distraught as the cuffs were removed, but when Nick looked back at him, he was smiling softly and Greg relaxed. Looking up, Nick pointed to the window; at the necklace.
"You like that?" Greg nodded slowly, his hands tightening around Nick's. "C'mon." Nick let go of one hand, pulling on the other to direct Greg into the store.