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Chapter Text

"You're trying really hard to end up on the naughty list this year, aren't you?" Nick mumbled as he stopped next to Greg's desk.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," the DNA tech replied without raising his head from the microscope, but his little smirk told Nick he knew perfectly well what the Texan was referring to.

"There's a fine line between friendly banter and outright flirting, and you crossed it with both feet. It's a wonder no one noticed."

"You're being paranoid. And even if they notice, who cares? I flirt with everyone," Greg pointed out, finally looking up.

Nick narrowed his eyes.

"And that's another habit that will land you on Santa's naughty list."

"Ooh, do I sense jealousy?" Greg cooed, straightening up and tilting his head slightly to the side, smirk firmly in place.

"Should I be jealous?" Nick asked, not quite looking him in the eye.

"No," Greg answered with no hesitation, turning serious. He took a quick glance around to make sure no one was paying attention to them and reached out, gently taking both of Nick's hands in his. "There's only one person I really care about, and he's standing right in front of me."

Nick finally looked at him, a small smile dawning on his lips.

"You do have a way with words."

"That's my superpower," Greg said with a grin. He let go of Nick's hands and picked up a folder from his desk, handing it to Nick. "These are the results you were waiting for."

"Thanks, G."

"You can thank me properly later at my place," Greg replied, wiggling his eyebrows.

Nick rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling as he walked out of the DNA lab.

Chapter Text

"Come on! How long does it take to open a frigging door?" Greg asked impatiently, brimming with barely restrained energy.

"What's the rush? You need to go to the bathroom or something?"

"Ha ha. Just hurry up."

As soon as the door was open, Nick found himself being pushed none too gently inside. Annoyed at his partner's behavior, he turned around, but before he could utter a single word, Greg was kissing him, hands slipping under his jacket and roaming all over his torso.

"Whoa. What's gotten into you?" Nick asked when he was finally able to pull back and breathe.

"It's this stupid sweater. Do you have any idea how fucking hot you look in it? You shouldn't be allowed to wear it in public, it's too fucking distracting," Greg said, hands running over the garment in question.

"This sweater? Really?" Nick replied, incredulous. "It's a Christmas present from my mom. I didn't even think I would be able to wear it in Vegas, it's usually too hot for it."

"Well, your mom is up to something. I think she's trying to get you a girlfriend."

Nick snorted.

"You're such a weirdo."

"And you must be blind not to notice how good it looks on you. It clings to all the right places, and that turtleneck should be illegal," Greg added, fondling Nick's chest as he spoke.

Nick shook his head.

"Yep, a certified weirdo."

"Whenever I caught a glimpse of you at the lab today, I just wanted to push you up against a wall and have my way with you," Greg went on, hands never leaving Nick's body. "It was driving me insane."

"Well, what's stopping you now?" Nick asked, a sly smile curving his lips upwards.

Greg stared at him, then gently pushed him until his back was pressed against the door. He ran his hands down Nick's arms and, when he reached his hands, he linked their fingers together. He leaned in and kissed him again, softer this time, enjoying the way Nick had gone pliant against him. The Texan didn't put up any resistance when Greg raised their arms, fingers still entwined, and pinned Nick's hands above his head.

The DNA tech eventually broke the kiss, pulling back just enough to look at Nick.

"Fuck," he muttered, unable to look away.

"You really like this sweater," Nick said. "I should wear it more often."

"Only if you want everyone to find out what effect it has on me."

Nick's laughter was quickly smothered by another kiss.

Chapter Text

"Got any plans for Christmas?" Warrick asked while they were waiting for their food.

"Not really," Nick replied. "I'm working this year. I'll just get some fancy take out from that place Catherine suggested and spend a couple of hours on the sofa watching a cheesy Christmas movie or something."

What he didn't add was that he wouldn't be alone. That would be the first Christmas he and Greg spent together and, even if they were both scheduled to work over the holidays, Nick was really looking forward to it. He couldn't hold back a smile as he thought of Greg's present: the DNA tech was going to love those concert tickets.

"Is there something you wanna tell me?"

Nick frowned and looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"I know that smile. You seeing someone?"

Caught off guard, Nick didn't answer, which was all the confirmation Warrick needed.

"You are!" He exclaimed, grinning. "Who's the lucky lady?"

Nick frantically thought of something to say. He was still coming to terms with the fact that a) he was dating a guy and b) the guy in question was Sanders, of all people. He wasn't ready to talk about it yet, not even with Warrick.

"It's still quite new," he eventually said. "I don't wanna jinx it."

"Ooh, that serious, huh? Well, good for you, man, you deserve it," Warrick commented, giving him a sincere smile.

"Thanks."

"But I wanna be the first to meet her when you're finally ready to share her with the rest of the world."

Luckily for him, Nick didn't have to answer, as the waitress arrived with their food. That was going to be an interesting conversation...

Chapter Text

"Finally. I was about to send in the rescue squad."

Nick shut the door and dragged himself into the living room.

"Sorry, I meant to call you but lost track of time."

He flopped down in one of the armchairs, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes.

"Rough shift?" Greg asked.

"That's an understatement. Remember that gang of robbers going around dressed as Christmas elves? They blew themselves up while they were trying to get into a bank vault in Henderson. Putting them back together, or rather, what was left of them, was a nightmare."

Greg walked behind him and placed his hands on Nick's shoulders, gently pressing his fingertips into the Texan's tense muscles.

"Why don't you go take a shower and join me in the bedroom? I know exactly how to make you feel better."

"Sorry, babe, I'm really not up for it right now."

"As shocking as it might sound, I wasn't referring to sex," Greg replied. He walked around to the front of the armchair and grabbed Nick's hands, pulling him to his feet. "Now go. I'll be waiting for you."

Nick reluctantly headed towards the bathroom, yawning. By the time he got out of the shower, he was feeling slightly more human, but he was still dead tired.

Just like he had said, Greg was waiting for him in the bedroom. He had gotten out of his jeans and was reading a magazine. When he heard Nick walk in, he looked up and smiled.

"There you are." He placed the magazine down on the nightstand and stood up. "Lie down on your stomach."

"Greg..." Nick started to protest, but Greg interrupted him.

"Just trust me."

Nick sighed and lied down. A few seconds later, he felt Greg get onto the bed and crawl towards him, straddling him and setting his knees on either side of Nick's thighs. Without saying a word, Greg pressed his palms between Nick's shoulder blades and started massaging his back, alternating between firm kneading and gentle touches, broad caresses that went from the nape of Nick's neck down to the small of his back. Greg's hands felt slippery and Nick could smell something sweet and spicy. He wanted to ask him if he was using that massage oil he had gotten on his latest trip to California, but he didn't even have the strength to speak.

In a matter of minutes, he was fast asleep.

Greg gradually slowed down, his touch becoming lighter and lighter, until he eventually stopped. He looked fondly at the sleeping figure lying under him and leaned down.

"Good night," he whispered, and placed a feather-light kiss on Nick's cheek.

Chapter Text

Sara sat down next to him on the sofa and took a swig of beer.

"Just ask him out already," she said, looking at the festive scene in front of them. The annual lab Christmas party was in full swing: the break room was decked with tinsel and an assortment of red, green, and gold decorations, every available surface was laid out with food and drinks, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

"What?" Greg asked, frowning at her.

"Nick. Just ask him out."

"What!?" he repeated, voice going almost a full octave higher in shock.

Sara gave him an unimpressed look.

"If you think you're being subtle, think again."

"I-I... H-How..." Greg stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"I'm neither blind nor stupid. It's pretty obvious if you pay attention."

"Shit." Greg sat up, panicked. "Does he know?"

"Nah, he's just as clueless as you."

Greg heaved a sigh of relief.

"Since when are you so shy with your crushes? You didn't have any problem asking me out. Repeatedly."

"Yeah, but this is Nick."

"And?"

"It's just... different."

Sara studied him for a while.

"You're down bad, aren't you?"

Greg let himself fall forward, hugging his knees and hiding his face in his arms. Sara patted him on the back.

"Cheer up, Greg, I'm pretty sure he's just as smitten as you are."

Greg turned his head and glared up at her.

"That's not funny, Sara."

"I'm dead serious. But knowing him, he'll never make the first move, so that's up to you."

Greg slowly sat up and gave a cursory glance around the room, his eyes only stopping when they found Nick. He was holding a beer bottle and laughing at something Warrick was saying.

"What if you're wrong and I ruin everything?"

Sara placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned closer.

"You won't," she said softly, before getting to his feet and leaving him alone.

As she walked away, Nick turned toward him and gave him one of his brilliant smiles. Greg took a deep breath and stood up.

Chapter Text

Greg was in an excellent mood. In less than four hours he would hop on a plane to California to spend Christmas with his family and get a few days of well-deserved rest. His work for the night was done: all the samples had been processed, all results delivered; now he just needed to fill the time until his shift ended.

He started to clear out his desk, humming 'Deck the Halls' as he put petri dishes and pipettes away.

"I thought you were more of a 'Jingle Bell Rock' kinda guy."

He spun around, startled.

"Gee, Nick, you gave me a heart attack."

Nick was looking at him with an amused expression.

"Looking forward to your Christmas break?"

"You bet I am. I'm gonna eat so many of my nana's special Christmas cookies."

Nick's smile turned wistful and Greg suddenly remembered his co-worker wasn't getting any day off during the holidays that year.

"Sorry, that was awfully tactless."

"Don't worry, it's all part of the job," Nick reassured him. "I went home last year, I have to work this year."

"I'll bring you some cookies. They're really good."

Nick's expression softened.

"I'm sure they are."

Greg found himself unable to look away. The way Nick's smile accentuated the lines on his face and made his eyes crinkle was mesmerizing.

"Did you need something?" he eventually asked, the silence starting to feel awkward.

Nick shook his head.

"No, I just wanted to wish you happy holidays in case I didn't catch you later."

"Ah, uh, thanks," Greg replied, not really sure why he was feeling so nervous all of a sudden. "I was about to get the last coffee of the day. You want some?"

"Are you offering me your special brew? Wow, I'm honored."

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it. Consider it my Christmas present."

He distractedly reached out to grab his mug but miscalculated the distance, knocking it to the floor.

"Dammit!"

As he knelt down to pick up the ceramic pieces scattered all over the place, Nick stepped forward.

"You shouldn't do that with your bare hands," he pointed out.

As if on cue, a particularly sharp fragment pierced Greg's finger. The DNA tech hissed and instinctively pulled his hand back.

"See? What did I tell you?"

Nick crouched down in front of him and took his hand, raising it so he could check for injuries. Greg stared, speechless, as Nick lightly ran the pad of his thumb over his skin, making sure there were no shards stuck anywhere.

"It's just a small cut. A band aid and you'll be as good as new," he said, smiling, and Greg's breath caught in his throat.

"Uh, thanks," he said when he was finally able to speak again.

Nick let go of his hand, and Greg immediately missed his touch. They got back to their feet and Greg opened the drawer where he kept a small first aid kit. Bandaging his wound only took a few moments.

"All good?" Nick asked, but before Greg could answer, Warrick stopped in the doorway.

"Nick! Grissom's looking for you," the CSI called out before disappearing down the corridor.

"I'm gonna have to take a rain check on that cup of coffee," Nick said as he walked out of the DNA lab. "And don't forget your nana's cookies," he added with a smile.

Greg stared after him, dumbfounded. He would have a lot to think about during his Christmas break.