Is This the End?

Chapter Four

Greg looked at Nick. At the only man that he knew he would ever love and nodded his head. "Nick, I do love you. I can't stop. I.... want to give you... us a second chance."

Nick closed his eyes briefly, thanking God that Greg was willing to take him back. When he went to grab Greg in a hug, Greg leaned back.

Looking into Nick's confused eyes, Greg spoke. "I want to give us another chance, but you have to understand that it's going to take time to get back the trust we used to share."

Nick nodded, "I do."

"Okay. Good." After a little hesitation, Greg leaned forward and met Nick's lips with his own.

As Nick's and Greg's lips met, Nick silently sang with happiness. He had been terrified that Greg would never forgive him or give them another chance. He was thankful that he had been proven wrong, that Greg was willing to try. At that moment, Nick vowed to himself that he would never again give Greg a reason to doubt Nick's love for him.

When Greg slowly pulled back, so they could breathe, Nick looked deep into his love's eyes. "Thanks," he whispered. Greg didn't have to ask what for. He gave a small smile.

* * *

OUTSIDE--FRONT OF THE BUILDING

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Ethan asked when Justin walked over to him.

Justin shrugged. "Greg and Nick are upstairs, talking, and I thought they would want some privacy."

Ethan nodded and went back to playing his violin.

Justin barely managed to not cringe when Ethan hit a particularly high, screechy, note. Looking at Ethan, the man he had left Brian for, Justin wondered for the hundredth time why he had been such a fool. Why he had left Brian for Ethan? He had been vulnerable at the time, he had come to realize that. He had forgotten how to read Brian. And Ethan had entered the picture, saying and doing all the things he had wanted from Brian. But he had come to realize how wrong things were with Ethan. He didn't love Ethan. Never would. The longer he looked at him, the sicker he felt. But he was afraid to try and go after Brian, once again. Afraid that Brian had had enough and wouldn't want him back. 'Who am I kidding?' he asked himself. 'Of course he won't want me back. I made my bed, now I'll lie in it.'

"Justin!" Justin shook his head, bringing himself back to the present. Ethan was looking at him with irritation. "I've been saying your name for five minutes. What were you doing, thinking about Kinney?" When Justin didn't answer, Ethan's irritation turned to anger. "You were!"

Justin didn't try and deny it. "Ethan, let's just go inside. Greg and--"

Justin didn't get to finish as Ethan interrupted him. "No! I want you to get your shit together and get out."

"What?" Justin asked in disbelief.

"You heard me. I want you and your cousin gone today! Go back to that whore, jump off a bridge. I don't care where you go as long as it's away from me!" With that said, Ethan packed up his violin and turned, walking down the street, leaving Justin watching his retreating back.

"Oookay," Justin mumbled as he went back into the building. When he reached the apartment, he cracked open the door. "Safe to come in?" he called.

"Sure, cuz, come on in," answered Greg.

He was relieved to see that Greg and Nick seemed to be back together, but his smile fell when he remembered what had happened downstairs. Justin wasn't hurt or saddened by Ethan breaking up with him. He was just concerned about where he would go.

"What's the matter, J?" Nick asked with concern.

Justin sighed and repeated what Ethan had told him. "That bastard," Greg muttered angrily, "kicking you out like that."

Justin shrugged. "I'll manage. I always do."

Suddenly an idea popped into Greg's head. "How about you come back to Vegas with us?"

"Vegas?" questioned Justin.

"Yeah, c'mon. You loved it when you visited before."

Justin nodded. That was true. He had been sixteen at the time and had loved everything about Las Vegas. The lights, the people, the energy. He bit his bottom lip, weighing his options. Decision made, he gave a slight smile. "Vegas, here I come."
 

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