Title: Brides and Lovers
By: totallyquirky
Pairing/Characters: Warrick/Nick
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~ 650
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI or the characters Nick Stokes and Warrick Brown, they are the property of CBS.
Warning: None
Genre: Fluff, Established (secret) Relationship
Summary: Set during 5x13 in the lab. Warrick can’t resist teasing Nick a little.
A/N: I watched the episode and just loved their little interaction in the scene where Nick is searching the website. Although I think I have taken subtext to a whole new level, I hope you will forgive me.

Warrick didn’t like admitting that he found Nick’s cluelessness just the teeniest bit adorable. Oh okay, a lot adorable.

Nick Warrick's old fashioned lover, Nick who to this day believed in soul-mates and fairytales and forever.

Warrick had enjoyed watching his partner while on this case and Brass had been kind enough to clue him in on Nicky’s conversation with Madame Matrushka (when he wasn't there to observe). Bless him, talk about feeding the lamb to the wolf.

On some level he knew he should maybe be more worried about how all this could have an effect on Nick but at the same time he can’t help enjoying the complete bemusement that is written all over Nick’s face.  Poor guy, the job just kept screwing with his limits, Lady Heather still fascinated Nick - although Nick was never one to judge. This didn't mean that Warrick wasn’t going to have a little fun though. He just knew he was going to be spending yet another night in bed explaining why people just didn't want to fall in love the old fashioned way anymore and not knocking boots like they usually would after a case.

“Find anything you like buddy?”

Warrick watched as his man laughed mockingly (he hoped), although he could see the start of a faint blush on those pretty cheeks, the blush that told him that Nick had most definitely found something he liked and it had just walked into the office. Yes Siree.

“I’m looking for kindest, noble man.” Nick quoted from the screen and Warrick watched as his lover’s eyes were soaked in compassion before he said “I got news for you Sugar Pants buyin’ women like that ain’t noble.” Nick seemed to be refusing to look up, whether to avoid looking into Warrick’s shrewd face or because Nick was once again feeling sorry for these girls Warrick wasn’t sure but Warrick did know he wanted to wash that miserable look of his lovers face.

Didn’t mean he had to be all Hershey Kisses and poems about it though.

“Life is short, dating is complicated, this makes it much simpler doesn’t it.” Oh the role of devil’s advocate. How he loved it so.

Catherine challenged him but he was too busy watching Nick process what he’d said, Nick's face a myriad of emotions before settling on slight disbelief at Warrick’s laissez- faire attitude to love and commitment.

“Hey, hey wait a minute, you’re not telling me you’re into this stuff?”

Oh Nicky baby you know I’m not.

“Me? No! But you know for a guy who’s over forty, lonely, tired of the bar scene, got a little cash and wants to buy himself a sweet honey-” Okay that was a little devious using terms of endearments that he called Nick in the privacy of their own home (and when he slipped up in the lab) but he never said he was playing fair. He never did when it came to teasing his cute lil’ Texan. “–to be his companion.”

The indignant tone rose ever so slightly “He needs a translator 'cause you’re not even speaking the same language.”

Ha, Nicky was a little riled now which would usually, if they were at home, mean he’d be dealing with a wildcat but his man was infuriatingly collected when it came to the office. Damn. 

“That’s the best part.”

Catherine’s noise of disgust cut through Warrick’s laughter as Nick looked straight up at him, those big brown eyes confused, his brow furrowing and softening as he tried to figure out what page everyone else was on, that small slightly nervous laugh that told everyone he knew he’d missed the joke but didn’t know why.

Okay, now Warrick knew he was definitely going to have to do some explaining to this man when he got home and maybe afterwards there be time to show Nick just where he stood on love and commitment.