Title: Expectations
By: ullman
Fandom: CSI: Vegas
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not Mine
Summary: Not as fluffy as I usually write, but well it's me, so I guess it's still fluff. :) And Nick pov.

***

Answering the phone after sleeping less than two hours is one thing, having to talk to his mother is a completely different thing. Especially when she's perky as hell and, after he croaks something vaguely resembling 'hello', immediately starts a long story about one of his brothers who undoubtedly did something so amazing it justifies waking him up like this. And if only Nick could get himself to listen he'd probably find that the achievement isn't all that special, but not listening is a safer choice, because then he'll be able to believe his mother had a good enough reason to call. It's not that she doesn't know he works the nightshift, she knows and yet she always manages to call when he's asleep or just about to.

Maybe it means she doesn't care, but it's his mother so he doesn't want to go there. However, the fact that she hardly ever asks him what he's been up to isn't exactly encouraging. And even when she does ask she ends up interrupting him mid sentence to begin another one of her long-winded tales about his relatives.

There's a pause on the other side of the line and Nick realizes his mother's waiting for him to say something. Not having the slightest clue to what she's been talking about for the past minutes he resorts to making an incoherent sound, hoping his mother will interpret it as 'oh really, that's great', or not so great, depending on what the particular story is about.

His mother rambles on and he tunes out again, shifting to get more comfortable, careful not to wake Greg, he sits up, rests his head against the wall and holds back a sigh when his mother mentions his father and his upcoming birthday. Dreading what's up next, the inevitable 'when are you coming home again' that he's been consciously avoiding for the past weeks.

"So, how's Greg?" That question takes him by surprise, not only because he can count the times his mother asked about Greg on one hand, but also because it's an actual question regarding his life.

"Great. Why?" He answers hesitantly, fearing there's going to be another one of those 'are you sure what you're doing' talks he so does not need right now. Or ever for that matter. He's not a little kid anymore and his parents should stop questioning his every move.

"Well," His mother pauses for a moment and he can hear her draw a deep breath before she asks, "Maybe you want to bring him over when you're coming home for your father's birthday?"

To say he's surprised at hearing that question would be an understatement. Forgetting he's not even sure he'll be able to get time off from work or that maybe he should discuss this with Greg first, he stammers, "Sure."

His mother laughs and he finds himself smiling as well, the smile vanishing when she asks, "Are you happy, Nick?"

His mind wanders off to a talk he had with Greg, months ago, before they got together. Greg talking about how he always wanted to be a rock star when he was growing up and he was just standing there listening to the other man rambling about his childhood when Greg suddenly asked him what he wanted to be growing up. The question took him by surprise and before he knew it he blurted out 'happy'. That answer led to a long conversation over coffee, feeling a strange need to explain himself to Greg, knowing that the answer probably sounded like he had a terrible childhood, which was not true, not entirely.

It was just that his parents were always making decisions on how he should live his life, had so many expectations as to what he should do later on. And all he kept thinking was 'as long as I'm happy, it doesn't matter.' Greg then asked him the exact same question his mother's asking him now. He remembers smiling at Greg, shrugging lightly, wanting to brush him off, say it wasn't a big deal. The honest caring and interest in Greg's eyes stopped him though and all he managed to say was 'I'm working on it.'

"Nicky?" His mother's voice penetrates his brain, and she repeats her question, "Are you happy?" She sounds worried and he doesn't want to worry his mother, but the fact that she does makes him smile anyway.

"Yes. I'm happy." He feels Greg's arm tighten around his waist and his smile widens, adding, "Very happy."

***