Title: Prove it
Author: gothikmaus
Fandom: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG-13/Teen
Category: ficlet
Summary: Greg learns something unexpected about Nick.
A/N: Inspired by the following dialogue prompt by creativepromptsforwriting on Tumblr:
"You can't like me. You are straight."
"Well, since I do like you, it doesn't seem like I am."
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and all related characters are property of CBS. I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.
Greg was fuming. He didn't get angry easily, but Hodges had gone too far, accusing him of cross-contaminating samples in front of everyone. He could've strangled him. Grissom had immediately taken his side and refused to even consider the possibility of such a rookie mistake, but the words still stung.
Yes, he liked to play music loudly while he worked, and yes he didn't wear the same bland, anonymous clothes everyone else wore; but that didn't mean he was sloppy. He was an excellent chemist and took great pride in his work. Hodges had no right...
"You okay, Greg?"
Greg started and turned around. Nick was standing just a few feet away, a concerned expression on his face. He was so out of it, he hadn't even heard him approach.
"I saw you storm out of the lab. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Just taking a break," Greg replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I've never seen you take a break in the middle of a case."
"There's a first time for everything," Greg said, facing away from him.
"It's because of Hodges, isn't it?" Nick asked. "Just ignore him. You know how he is: he likes to point fingers hoping it'll make him look good. But no one is falling for it."
Nick was right, of course, but having his work publicly questioned like that had really upset him.
"Mind if I join you on your break?"
Greg looked back at him, surprised.
"You don't take breaks."
"There's a first time for everything," Nick answered with a smile, echoing Greg's earlier words.
Greg gestured to the spot next to him.
"Be my guest."
Nick walked up to him and rested his elbows on the parapet, leaning forward and looking out over the hundreds of lights illuminating the Vegas night.
"This view never gets old. I should come to the roof more often."
Greg remained silent. Ignoring his crush on Nick was difficult in moments like that, when he was standing so close and sporting such a dreamy, relaxed expression, something he rarely got to see during work.
As if feeling watched, Nick turned toward him. He smiled, his features turning even softer, and held his gaze. Greg loved that smile, but seeing it directed toward himself made him suddenly self-conscious.
"Do I have something on my face?"
"No, I was just thinking you're cute."
Greg could almost hear his brain coming to a screeching halt.
"Sorry, what?"
Nick glanced away, and Greg thought he looked embarrassed.
"I said I think you're cute."
The DNA tech just gaped at him, for once in his life at a loss for words.
"Is this a joke?" He eventually asked. "Oh, I get it: you lost a bet against Warrick and he challenged you to do this. Very funny, guys. Is he hiding somewhere enjoying the show?"
"What? No, I'd never do that to you." Nick turned back toward him, looking almost offended. "I'd never do that to anyone, but especially not to you."
"Then why are you doing this?"
"Because that's what you do when you like someone: you compliment them."
Greg thought he was going crazy. Surely Nick hadn't just implied...
"You know what? Just forget it, this was a mistake," Nick added, moving away from the parapet. "Let's pretend I never said anything, yeah?"
"No, wait!" Greg stepped in front of him before he could leave. "I just wasn't expecting that. I never thought you... I mean, you can't like me. You're straight."
"Well, since I do like you, it doesn't seem like I am."
Greg stared at him, trying to think of something to say, but his brain was too busy processing the fact that Nick liked him. Never in a million years did he think Nick would return his feelings, but there they were, standing awkwardly on the lab roof like clueless teenagers.
"Did I finally manage to shut you up?" Nick asked. He was obviously trying to lighten the mood, but Greg could see how nervous the Texan was.
"You wish," Greg replied. Nick's words had kicked his brain back into gear and he was determined not to waste his chance. "So, you like me, huh?"
Nick sighed.
"I think I made that abundantly clear."
"Then prove it."
Nick stared at him intently.
"How do you want me to prove it?"
Greg moved right into his personal space, lips curving into a small smile and head tilted slightly to the side.
"I'm sure you can think of something."
He could see Nick's expression subtly change as he studied him briefly, before framing his face with both hands and bringing their mouths together. Greg pressed himself against Nick's chest and wrapped his arms around him, parting his lips and moaning into the kiss when their tongues touched.
Nick pulled back slowly, still holding Greg's face gently between his palms.
"Do you believe me now?"
"I think I need a little more convincing," Greg answered, letting his hands wander down to Nick's ass.
Nick smiled and leaned forward for another kiss.
"We still have a few hours before the end of shift," he added when he withdrew again. "After that, I'm gonna treat you to breakfast, then we're going to my place, where I plan to convince you thoroughly."
Greg felt a shiver run down his spine.
"We can skip breakfast."
Nick shook his head.
"I'm a gentleman, I wanna do things right. Besides," he added, his smile turning mischievous. "You'll need to stock up on energy, believe me."
Greg whimpered.
"Are you trying to kill me?"
Nick grinned and stepped back.
"Let's get back to work. The sooner we're done, the sooner we can get out of here."
Greg followed him. He knew what would occupy his mind for the next few hours.
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June 2025