Title: Our song
Author: gothikmaus
Fandom: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG-13
Category: angst, romance
Summary: Greg had been looking forward to the concert. But that was when he and Nick were still together.
A/N: Inspired by this prompt from the "Exes to lovers prompt list": "They bought tickets for their favourite band’s concert one year in advance. It’s been a few months since their break-up and they believe the emotions have calmed down a bit, so they decide to still go together when the time comes. But maybe they don’t have calmed down that much, when their song comes on."
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and all related characters are property of CBS. I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.
Greg stares at the tickets in his hand. It feels like a lifetime ago, but he still remembers how happy he felt when Nick got them. Greg had talked his ear off about how he couldn't wait for his favorite band to go on tour so he could finally see them live again, how he hoped he could get the night off to go to the concert, how Nick should totally go too, because their shows were legendary. So Nick got tickets for both of them right as they went on sale.
Greg squealed, actually squealed like a little kid when he saw them. He threw his arms around Nick's neck and kissed him like his life depended on it, then proceeded to rave about what an amazing night it was going to be and how Nick would need a crash course of the band's repertoire, because he had to sing along to every song, he just had to. All the while, Nick just looked at him with an amused expression, smiling at Greg's enthusiasm.
It was supposed to be an unforgettable night. But that was when they were still together.
***
Later that night, Greg stops in the doorway at the lab, watching Nick as the older CSI studies the photos lying on the table in front of him, frown lines appearing between his eyebrows as he focuses.
Greg has always admired Nick's love for his job, his determination in finding the truth and bringing criminals to justice. But everything changed after he was kidnapped.
What had once been dedication started to look like obsession in Greg's eyes: every day he watched Nick bury himself in work, pulling doubles and barely taking breaks, as if solving case after case could help him fight the demons that were haunting him. Nick had trouble sleeping and often woke up in the middle of the day after a nightmare, but whenever Greg brought up the topic, Nick brushed him off and assured him it was nothing to worry about. Greg knew Nick had to go to therapy before he was cleared to go back to working in the field, but that didn't seem to have helped. He could see Nick withdrawing deeper and deeper into himself, pushing Greg a little farther away every day, until the distance between them was so big it was impossible to reach him.
So he wasn't really surprised when Nick told him it would be better if they went back to just being friends. It broke Greg's heart, and he tried one last time to tell Nick that whatever he was going through, he didn't have to do it alone, they could face it together, but Nick's determined expression made it abundantly clear he had already made up his mind.
Greg sighs and pushes all hopes of a second chance out of his mind before lightly knocking on the glass wall. He knows sudden noises still startle Nick sometimes.
Nick looks up and nods at him.
"Hey."
"Hey. How's the case going?" Greg asks as he walks into the room.
Nick grimaces and looks down at the photos of the crime scene.
"The evidence we collected doesn't make any sense, but we'll get there eventually." He pauses, then looks back up at Greg. "You need help with something?"
"Uhm, no, I just... You remember that concert you got us tickets for? It's next week."
Greg can see the exact moment realization hits.
"Ah. Yes."
"It's okay if you don't wanna go, I mean, I know it's not really your thing, I just wanted to..."
"No, no, it's okay. I'd still like to go."
Greg blinks at him, surprised.
"Really?"
Nick shrugs.
"Yeah. The band kinda grew on me."
"That's because they're the best."
Nick looks at him with that fond little smile he used to give him all the time when they were still dating, and Greg feels his heart flutter at the sight.
"Anyway. I'll leave you to your case now, we can talk about this later."
"Okay," Nick replies, and goes back to studying the photos in front of him.
Greg ignores the funny feeling in his stomach as he walks out.
***
Greg feels awkward, standing in the crowd next to Nick, trying to keep a safe distance so he doesn't accidentally touch him. He scans the sea of people surrounding them and his eyes fall on a couple standing a few feet away from them, their arms wrapped around each other's waists as they exchange a quick kiss. He feels a bitter twinge of envy at the sight: that should be him and Nick, standing much closer than they are now, stealing pecks and soft touches before the concert starts. That was how he had imagined this night. But then...
"Hey. You okay?"
Nick's voice cuts through his thoughts and he turns to look at him. His expression is slightly worried, and Greg feels like an idiot.
"Yeah. Just nerves, I guess. I've been looking forward to this concert for so long, and now here we are."
Greg's words seem to reassure Nick, and he smiles.
"Yeah, I know how much you love this band."
Before Greg can reply, the lights go off and the audience starts screaming. Greg takes a deep breath and forces himself to focus on the show.
***
In the end, he shouldn't have worried so much. As soon as the first notes hit the air, he forgets everything and gets lost in the music, singing along at the top of his lungs and hopping around. He looks over every now and then, and he's happy to see Nick seems to be having fun too. He smiles and thinks that maybe they could do this after all, maybe they could still be friends and enjoy spending time together.
But then their song starts. It's not a ballad or a particularly romantic song, but it's the song that was playing on the radio the first time they had kissed. They were standing awkwardly in front of each other in Greg's kitchen, neither daring to make the first move until they somehow found themselves in each other's arms, that silly '80s song blasting from Greg's stereo as their lips locked.
And now there they are, standing next to each other as the crowd around them jumps and screams. Greg takes a furtive peek at Nick, but the other man shows no reaction. He looks back toward the stage and sighs. Of course. That song stopped being 'their song' when they stopped being a couple, Greg shouldn't have expected anything different. It still hurts, though.
And then he feels it: a light brush against the back of his hand. He thinks nothing of it at first, with so many people all around them, someone must have pushed Nick against him. But the touch comes back and lingers, until Nick finally reaches for Greg's hand properly and twines their fingers together.
Greg looks down at their joined hands, then up at Nick's face, moving slowly, afraid of breaking the fragile spell that has enveloped them. Nick is looking at him with that smile, the one he used to give him when they were still together, and Greg's breath catches in his throat.
The song eventually ends, the crowd erupting in a loud cheer, but Nick doesn't let go of Greg's hand.
***
Greg is still bouncing with barely contained energy by the time they reach the parking lot, the adrenaline still coursing through his system as he gushes over the concert.
"They just keep getting better and better, how is that even possible? And the last song! The audience went wild, it was awesome!"
"Yeah, it was a great show," Nick agrees with a smile as they stop by Greg's car. He pushes his hands into his jacket pockets and pauses. "I'm glad I came along," he adds, his expression softening.
Greg tries hard not to get his hopes too high, but it's impossible when Nick is standing so close and looking at him like that.
"I'm glad you came along too."
Nick licks his lips, suddenly looking serious, and Greg can feel his heart beat in his throat.
"Greg, I've been thinking... When I said we should go back to being friends, it wasn't because I didn't... care about you. But I needed time to figure things out after what happened. I was in a pretty dark place and I didn't want to drag you down with me. I know that's not an excuse for how I treated you, and I understand if you wanna say no, I was the one who pushed you away in the first place, but I was wondering... Would you be willing to..."
Greg doesn't let him finish: he leans forward, frames Nick's face with both hands, and kisses him. Nick has never been one for public displays of affection, but he kisses him back immediately, wrapping his arms around Greg and pulling him closer.
Greg feels like his heart is going to burst. He can't stop kissing Nick, panting against his mouth as their lips move frantically against each other's. Nick runs his hands up and down Greg's back before finally settling them on his waist, and Greg can't hold back a whimper.
They keep kissing, oblivious of their surroundings as people get into their cars and leave, until the urgency gradually subsides and the kisses become less desperate, more gentle. Greg slides his lips down Nick's chin, along his jawline, over his cheek, as if trying to familiarize himself again with the skin he wasn't allowed to touch for so long.
"I've missed you so much," he whispers, pressing his forehead against Nick's.
"I'm sorry for pushing you away like that. I..."
Nick trails off, unable to continue, and Greg shakes his head.
"I know."
They stay like that for a while, arms wrapped around each other, unwilling to let go.
"It's not fair that you got the whole night off, while I still have to report for duty and work for the rest of the shift," Greg whines after a few minutes, pulling back slightly, but not leaving Nick's embrace.
"That's what seniority's for," Nick comments, grinning as Greg pouts. He gently cups Greg's cheek in his hand and kisses him again. "Come to my place after work."
Greg's pout instantly turns into a smile.
"I'll be counting down the hours."
-----
June 2023