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Nolan sat in his office fuming over what Nick had done. He wanted to get justice for the victim and his fiance. But Nick just threw their chances out the window. And for what? Pride? Selfishness? What good could possibly come from the deal he made? It made things easier. Fine. But Nolan knew first hand what happened in the field of justice when you tried to do things the easy and clean way. He knew they could've won. But the fact that Nick didn't even talk to him just hurt. Did he no longer value his opinion? Was their relationship getting in the way of their work?
He was snapped out of his thoughts as Nick knocked on his door. He came in, dressed up in a nice tux with a bow tie.
"You're angry." Nick said. It wasn't a question.
"Yes, Nick, I am," Nolan tried not to raise his voice. "We could have won this case. And you made a deal? F-for what? 12 years is nothing, especially if they release him on good behavior in 7."
"I was trying to do the right thing." Nick argued.
"Really? Because I don't think the victims fiance will agree that it was a good thing. But what I don't understand is why you didn't come talk to me. I had everything covered. But you just made a decision based on, what? You didn't even ask my opinion. We could have talked it out--"
"And you would have told me that it was a bad idea. Thats what I made the deal. I was trying to keep you out of the political drama. Trying to stop them from dragging you in the mud." Nick paused, realizing his tone might be a little harsh. "I was trying to protect you, Nolan."
Nolan blushed. He hadn't even realized that his actions might be harmful to himself. He still didn't like that Nick hadn't come to him. "Well, uh... good luck at your thing." He said, turning away to pretend to do paperwork that he didn't have.
"Actually, most of my donors pulled out. And the park revoked our permit. So... Im all dressed up with nowhere to go." He stopped to see Nolan's reaction. "You wanna go out? Get some cocktails?" He offered.
Nolan turned back towards him with wide eyes. "I feel a little underdressed, but... sure, why not? I could use a good drink." He smirked. He grabbed his jacket and followed Nick outside where a car was waiting. It was a nice car. Nicer than the ones Nolan was driven in. He reminded himself that Nick had a bigger paycheck than he did and smile to himself. Nick always said that he had more money than he needed. When they started seeing each other permanently, Nolan would wake up to packages in front of his door. New watches, cufflinks to suits he didn't have, ties and other stuff. If sam knew, which Nolan assumed that deep down she did, she would tell him that Nick was acting like a sugar daddy. But it wasn't that. At least, not to Nolan.
The car stopped in front of a restaurant that was way to fancy for Nolan. Nick opened his door for him, always the gentleman, and led him to the door, his arm around Nolan's. When they walked in, the receptionist knew Nick immediately and they were quickly seated at a table for two.
"One of our waiters will be over shortly to take your orders," she said. "Enjoy your date, Mr Baxter," she said with a wink before she left. Nolan blushed at what she said, and the way Nick smiled at him. It was a date. For a moment, while he was angry, Nolan had forgotten that he and Nick were boyfriends. But it wasn't often that they went on real dates like this. A lot of times Nolan was too tired, so they just stayed home and played Uno and drank wine. But this was a real, go out somewhere nice and eat kind of date. The waiter came over and took their orders. Nolan ordered a simple chicken salad, and Nick ordered a pasta bowl. He also took the liberty of ordering two margaritas.
"Do you come here often? They seem to know you." Nolan pointed out.
"I do. My daughter and I used to come here. And the owner is a close friend. He tries everytime to get me to pay half-price, but I never take the offer. I have the money. I don't want to be treated differently than anyone else," Nick sighed.
"Ah," Nolan remarked. Then he wondered, "does your... daughter know that we're, y'know?"
"I think she's aware. Jules always told me to move on. Though I don't think a family get together is the best idea." Nick frowned.
"Yeah, that makes sense," he agreed. They waited in a comfortable silence as their food was prepared. Then, against his better judgment, Nolan asked "Why did you feel like you needed to protect me?" Nick stared at him, trying to find an answer that didn't sound patronizing. Nolan would hate that.
"I didn't want the defense going after you. Eric Ferguson is a very good attorney. If you had gone through with the case, he would have thrown every he had at you. You are so good at your job. I hate it when people get angry at you when you're just doing your job. You somehow always do the right thing, even if it goes against your conscience. And Eric would have dug up every bit of dirt on you. Not to mention he tampered with witnesses and if you had confronted him he would have found a way to ruin you in front of the whole court. I couldn't let that happen.
I know now that I probably should have come to you first. But I wouldn't change the outcome even if it meant that they only served 5 years. This department needs you. New York needs you," he reached across the table to grab Nolan's hand, which had been tearing up a napkin. "I need you."
Their food and drinks came and they ate. Nolan found the margaritas to be fantastic, and immediately ordered more. After three glasses, Nick noticed Nolan's flushed cheeks and drawn out words. He'd seen Nolan tipsy. But not drunk. He slipped into a Boston accent and Nick found it adorable and incredibly hot.
"I love your natural accent. Why hide it?" Nick asked as he made an executive decision that it was time to go home.
"I d'know. Afta Chris died, I tried to get away from Boston. I couldn't stay there. And when I moved ta New york I just lost my accent." Nolan said. Then he laughed. "The fact that I've actually said ''ey oim walkin' 'ere'' is sad."
Nick laughed with him. "I think its cute."
Nolan pouted. "Of course you do. Everything I do is 'cute' to you. One of the most respected prosecutors in New york. Cute." They reached Nick's apartment, Nick paying and thanking his driver, and then they stumbled their way up the stairs. Nolan did more leaning than walking as Nick took his arm and waist to stop him from falling. After he locked the door, he helped Nolan onto the couch.
"Is our relationship getting in the way of our work?" Nolan asked as Nick rubbed his back. They had found their way to Nick's bedroom and Nick decided to see how Nolan would react to a massage. "Like, do you care more about me than our job?"
"Nolan of course I care about you. And I care about our jobs. If you're asking if my opinion is biased because of you, then the answer is," Nick smiled as Nolan moaned, feeling relief in his shoulders. "Yes. And as Im saying that out loud, im realizing you were right. I should have come to you. Im sorry. I just didn't want your reputation to get ruined. The political world is messy. Its scary and its painful. I didn't want you to step head first into that world without knowing the consequences."
"I appreciate that, Nick. I really do, --oh yup that's good--, but im a grown ass man. I know how the world works. I've have attorneys come after me. I've had families and relatives of defendants come after me. And each time, I come out on top. I don't wanna sound cocky, but I can handle myself," he sighed as Nick pushed gently on his spine. "It means a lot to me that you care though. No one has ever done what you did for me before. But next time, let's talk it over, ok?"
Nick kissed his neck. "Alright."
Nolan smiled. "And if you wanna discuss stuff like that, like this, Im okay with that too. This is nice."
"Is it? You should think about how I feel. You look beautiful like this," Nick massaged Nolan's spine, his fingers visiting every dip where skin met bone. He moved down to Nolan's hips and Nolan couldn't help the noise that escaped his throat. He gasped as he felt a hand snake underneath him, massaging his length, forgetting completely that he was, in fact, nude. Nick kept one hand on Nolan's back, and the other on Nolan's member, loving the sounds that he drew out of his lover. He could feel is own cock getting hard, but tonight was about Nolan. He didn't want Nolan to be angry at him. He truly did what he thought was the right thing to do. He would have gone at Eric with everything he had if he even thought about going near Nolan.
Nolan could feel his orgasm approach as Nick kissed his shoulders, at one point definitely leaving a bruise. Nick changed the speed of his fist and Nolan put a hand to his mouth in an attempt to muffle his whine/moan. He could hear Nick was certainly enjoying himself. And when he felt a warmth flow of liquid on his back, Nolan's senses were pushed overboard. He came with a sigh, his body shaking and already putty from his massage. Nick got up and retrieved a towel to clean Nolan's body, gently and lovingly. As they lay together, Nick ran his fingers through Nolan's soft curls. When they were messy, their coils were more visible.
"Am I forgiven?" Nick asked softly. Nolan hummed.
"Hmm. Yes, I think I can forgive you for now. But just know that you can't just give me a handjob and expect me to fold every time," Nolan replied with a tired laugh. Nick pulled his comforter over them and they whispered sweet nothings to each other until they were both asleep.