Title: Changes
Author: sarcasticsra
Rating: PG
Pairing: Nick/Greg
A/N: Inspired by Kate's rant on the passing of the bigoted proposition two in Texas. Thanks for the beta, Kate.
Summary: Some things are inevitable.

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It was amazing how something like an issue on a ballot could change a family.

X

It passed. The damned bigoted law had passed.

Nick didn't know why he was surprised. Of course it passed. It was Texas, home of the macho men and the smooth, "Howdy, ma'ams," and the "Don't mess with me!" cowboys.

What hurt the most, though, was knowing that out of his six siblings, only one voted against it. And his parents? Oh, they had not only supported it; they had campaigned for it.

"We have to protect the institution of marriage, Nicky. We can't let it go to Hell with people like that," his mother had said. He'd been visiting, then, watching in barely concealed horror as his parents unwittingly spat in his face.

Only his youngest older sister Amy knew about he and Greg. For some reason, Amy had not adopted the rest of the family's views. He was lucky for that, at least.

Still. He could've lived without knowing that most of his family thought he was diseased.

X

The last straw had been the night of the election, after everyone had cast their votes. His father: "It's too bad Nicky's not a resident. Every vote for marriage counts."

And he couldn't take it anymore.

"I wouldn't have voted for it."

"What? Son? I'm talking about proposition two - the one to protect-"

"It's not protecting anything besides bigotry and insecurity."

"Now hold on. We can't allow those people to go crazy with the sacred institution of marriage!"

"What people, Dad? Gay people? What's so wrong with them? They want to fall in love and have a family and be happy, too. They're not any different."

"It's a sickness, Nick. Against God and nature. What has gotten into you? I'd expect this liberal horseshit from Amy, but you? We raised you in traditional values, young man."

Nick just shook his head. "A sickness? Is that what you think I am? Diseased?"

It took a second for his father to respond. "Listen to me, don't you joke about-"

"It's not a joke. You know my friend Greg, who I work with in Vegas? He's not just my friend. We've been dating for a year now and we're in the process of moving in together."

His father tried to respond several times, his mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. First he looked shocked, then outraged, and finally settled on disgusted as ugly red splotches rushed to his face. "Get out of my house. I don't know who you are anymore."

Nick smiled humorlessly. "That's funny - I was just thinking the same thing."

X

By the time he was packed and leaving, his dad had locked himself away in his study, his mom was sobbing - pleading - at him, trying to get him to say it was all just a terrible joke. His sisters and brothers-in-law wouldn't meet his eyes; only Amy gave him a hug goodbye.

"I'm so sorry, Nicky," she said.

He sighed. "Me too, but we both knew this would happen sooner or later."

"It really sucks."

"I know."

"Let me come visit you and Greg some time, okay?"

"Mom and Dad won't like that."

"Who cares what they like? If you're brave enough to stand up to them, so am I." Even as she said it, she looked a little nervous. Nick smiled.

"Thanks, Amy."

He left.

X

And that was how the passing of Texas' proposition two turned nearly all of Nick Stokes' family into strangers.

-End

***