Title: Fireworks
Author: gothikmaus
Fandom: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG
Category: romance, fluff, ficlet
Summary: Las Vegas is ready to greet the new year and everyone is watching the fireworks. Almost everyone.
A/N: Inspired by the "New Year's Dialogue Prompts". Prompts used:
2. "Will you let me kiss you?"
5. "All those fireworks and you're only looking at me?"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and all related characters are property of CBS. I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.
"Come on everyone, it's almost midnight!" Greg called out from the corridor as he quickly made his way toward the elevator.
The few people remaining in the lab followed him to the roof, where the rest of the staff had already gathered, ready to watch the fireworks. He stopped next to Nick, who smiled at him and handed him a glass just as the countdown started.
At midnight, a loud chorus of "Happy New Year!" erupted from the group, people exchanging hugs and kisses and popping the corks of a few bottles of champagne, before raising their glasses to make a toast to the new year.
Then the fireworks began. Green, red, purple and gold stripes illuminated the sky above Las Vegas, and all eyes were glued to the explosion of sparkling lights making the Sin City night even brighter than usual.
All eyes but Nick's. He was looking at Greg's profile, the fireworks colors reflected in his eyes and painting vibrant shadows on his face and hair.
After a while, Greg turned to him and caught him staring.
"Hey. All those fireworks and you're only looking at me?" he asked, eyes bright and cheeks flushed.
Nick knew he should come up with an excuse, make a joke, change the subject. But he didn't want to. They had danced around each other for too long.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Uhm. Can we..." Nick said, nodding toward an empty corner of the roof.
Greg nodded and followed him, finishing his champagne along the way.
"What's up?"
"I've been thinking about it, and I wanted to... I mean, I think we both... You know..." He stopped and took a deep breath. "Will you let me kiss you?"
Greg's eyes widened, glass almost slipping from his fingers, and for a few, excruciating seconds, Nick thought he had just made the biggest mistake of his whole life. Then Greg blinked, and the biggest smile Nick had ever seen appeared on his face.
"Yeah."
Nick stepped closer, afraid he would lose his confidence if he didn't act immediately, and leaned in, Greg meeting him halfway. He placed a hand on the back of Greg's head and closed his eyes, all the noises of the fireworks and their coworkers celebrating fading to nothing as Greg's lips opened against his, Greg gently placing his hand on Nick's hip and pulling him closer.
The kiss was just about to turn a little too heated for a public place, when they heard a loud "Finally!" Nick didn't need to open his eyes to know it was Sara's voice, which was quickly followed by clapping, cheering, and wolf whistles.
He pulled back slightly but didn't remove his hand, simply letting it slide down to the back of Greg's neck.
"I'm afraid we weren't exactly subtle," Greg said, looking at him with a sheepish grin.
Nick found himself unable to hold back a smile.
"I don't care," he said, before leaning in for another quick kiss. "Happy New Year."
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January 2023