Work Text:
Adam has never seen or heard Nigel cry, so walking into their home after work to the sounds of someone sobbing is honestly scary.
"Nigel?" He calls out.
He hears something get knocked over in their bedroom and Nigel say, "Shit." Before he appears in the hallway, his eyes are bloodshot and wet, his nose and cheeks are tinged pink. "Didn't realize how late it was. How was your day?"
"Why were you crying?" Adam asks, completely ignoring Nigel's question.
"I wasn't-"
Adam interrupts him, "Yes, you were. Don't lie to me, Nigel."
"Fine, I was crying but I'm fine."
"Nigel, I've never see you cry. What's happened?"
"I got a call earlier, but it's nothing important."
"Of course it's important, Nigel."
"It shouldn't matter. I'm here with you and I love you, Adam."
"What's going on, just please tell me."
"Gabi died and I shouldn't fucking care, she cheated on me, left me for that fucking cunt Charlie and I'll forever be glad that our breakup lead me to you, but I still love her."
"Nigel, I'm sorry." He tries to hug Nigel, knowing that when you're sad hugs are supposed to make you feel better, but Nigel doesn't let Adam hug him, he ducks away from him.
He paces, "I fucking hate her."
"Nigel, it's okay to be upset."
"I shouldn't fucking care."
"You were married to her, you can care."
"I'm sorry, Star, I'll be back."
"Where are you going?" He tries to ask, but Nigel doesn't stop, he walks right past Adam and out of the front door.
Adam doesn't try to follow Nigel, if he wants space, Adam will give it to him. He likes to have his own space when he's upset too.
An hour passes, then two and three and Nigel still isn't back.
Adam makes macaroni and cheese for dinner, he eats alone and puts the leftovers in the fridge after making up a plate for Nigel and covering it with tinfoil.
Adam watches TV for a little while, but he misses Nigel. He takes out his cell phone and dials Nigel's number, but it goes straight to voicemail, he turned his phone off.
He locks the front door, hoping that Nigel has his keys with him. Adam takes a shower, brushes his teeth, puts his pajamas on and climbs bed alone. He's a half hour early, but he hopes that if he's asleep he won't miss Nigel so much. Tears slip from the corners of his eyes and dampen his pillow as he tries to fall asleep.
When Adam's alarm goes off the next morning the first thing he notices is that the bed next to him is still empty and hasn't been slept in.
He exits the bedroom and goes to the kitchen, he doesn't drink coffee but he does like to have a glass of no-pulp orange juice in the morning. On his way to the kitchen he sees Nigel face down on the sofa, one arm hanging down onto the floor. Adam walks towards Nigel and he can smell alcohol and cigarette smoke on him before even getting very close.
"Nigel." He says.
Nigel doesn't move.
"Nigel." He says again, louder this time.
Nigel jolts, "Adam."
"Are you feeling okay? Do you have a hangover?"
"Hangover? No, Star, I'm still drunk." Nigel laughs.
"I'd like you to have a cup of coffee and sober up, please."
"I'm sorry, Star."
"You don't have to apologize, you were upset and you needed to be alone, it's okay. I'm going to make breakfast now." Adam walks away from Nigel the same way he'd walked away from him the night before.
They can talk about Nigel's feelings and Adam's later, right now it's time to make breakfast and then get ready for work.