Title: Moments Like This
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Greg Sanders/Ryan Wolfe
Fandom: CSI: Vegas/CSI: Miami
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This is entirely a product of my own imagination, and I make no profit from it. I do not own the lovely Greg Sanders or Ryan Wolfe, unfortunately, just borrowing them for a while. Please do not sue.

***

Greg closed his eyes as the credits of the movie moved across the screen, snuggling into Ryan's embrace. The two of them were sitting on the couch in his apartment; they'd decided to spend the night here tonight, rather than going to the newer place next door.

He had to admit that he liked the other apartment; he liked Ryan's taste in furniture, the way that he had arranged the rooms. Both places felt like home to him now; he was comfortable in either, and it almost felt as though those rooms were in the same house.

Ryan had been right when he had said that it would just be like having a bigger apartment, with two front doors and two of everything else. And it was nice to have a little variety, and still know that for all intents and purposes, both places were home to them.

It didn't really matter to him where they were, as long as he was here in Ryan's arms, he thought, sighing and settling himself more comfortably. He wanted them to stay like this forever, right here on the couch, never having to move or have any responsibilities again.

But of course they couldn't do that, and he knew it. They had lives that they had to live, lives that took place outside of these four walls -- eight walls, if you counted their other apartment. They couldn't simply hide away from the world and forget that it existed.

And neither of them would be happy if they did that, he told himself. Neither of thme were the kind of people who could remain static for long; they were both a little restless, both of them active people who needed more in their lives than just peace and quiet.

That peace was appreciated sometimes, though -- like now, Greg thought, sighing contentedly as Ryan's arm tightened around his waist, pulling him closer to the other man. He rested his cheek against his boyfriend's shoulder, feeling safe and protected.

If their colleagues at the crime lab could see them now, they'd be shocked, he thought to himself, a small smile curving his lips. They'd done a pretty good job of containing their feelings for each other when they were working -- at least when they were within sight of anyone else.

He was fairly sure that Nick knew about them, but he didn't think anyone else had guessed. They were always on their guard at work, trying to be discreet unless they were alone in their office with the shades drawn over the window that looked into the hallway.

There, they had to be careful; they couldn't risk anyone finding out what they meant to each other. But here, at home, when they were alone, they didn't have to hold back. They could have all the moments of bliss together that they could ever want, for now and for always.

"What are you thinking about?" Ryan asked, his voice soft and husky. He reached for the remote, turning off the tv and focusing all of his attention on Greg. "You're usually not this quiet after we watch a movie, so I'm guessing there's something on your mind."

"Not really," Greg answered, being as truthful as he could. After all, they had promised that they would have no secrets from each other. "I was just thinking that I love having moments like these, when all we have to think about is being together."

"I wish we could just lock the world away sometimes," Ryan told him, nodding in agreement. "But life isn't going to work like that for us, babe. We've got rent to pay, responsibilities to take care of. There are lot of things we have to get done before we can have moments like these."

"I know," Greg said with a sigh, laughing softly as he raised his head to look at his boyfriend. "Are you psychic? I was thinking almost exactly the same thing, that we've got too much in our lives to be able to just sit back and let the rest of the world go by us."

"Not psychic, just ...." Ryan shook his head, laughing along with Greg. "I don't know. I guess you and I are so in tune with each other that sometimes we think the same things at the same time? I wouldn't be all that surprised. I've never connected to anybody like I have with you."

"Neither have I," Greg murmured, resting his head against Ryan's shoulder again, enjoying the closeness and the warmth of his lover's embrace. He felt safe here, as though nothing could ever hurt him, as though the past was far away and all that mattered was the present.

"Y'know, when we're old and gray, it'll be moments like this that we remember," Ryan told him, raising a hand to stroke his fingers gently through Greg's hair. "It's the times when we're close that are going to stick with us, not the bad times."

"I hope you're right," Greg said, not lifting his head from his boyfriend's shoulder. "I want to remember all of the good times we've had together. The bad times are going to come and go, but it's all of those moments of love that I'll treasure the most."

"Me too," Ryan said with a sigh. Greg could hear the contentment in his lover's voice; the thought that Ryan was happy to be where he was created a soft glow around his heart. Of all the things he wanted most in the world, Ryan's happiness was at the top of that list.

As long as Ryan was happy with him, then he was satisfied. Of course, he was happy with Ryan, too; he had never thought that he would meet someone like this man, someone who could fill his heart so completely, someone who made him smile every day with just a touch.

Ryan was unlike anyone he'd ever known, or anyone he could ever hope to know. There was nothing about this man that he didn't love; even the traits that Ryan considered faults were precious to Greg. He loved Ryan unconditionally; he needed nothing in return.

Yes, he did, he told himself. He needed Ryan's love. He needed to be loved in the same way that he loved Ryan -- completely and unconditionally, without question. And Ryan did give him that kind of love; he had everything that he needed, right here in his arms.

Ryan was right; it was moments like this that would always stay with them, for the rest of their lives, until they were old and gray -- and still together. Greg had no doubt that they would always be as one, up until each of them drew their last breath.

He couldn't imagine a life without Ryan; that was a life that he wouldn't want to live. Which was why they had to find the man who was now threatening them both, and make sure that he was kept behind bars -- preferably a long way away from Las Vegas.

But he didn't want to think about that now. He only wanted to luxuriate in his lover's nearness, in the feel of Ryan's arms wrapped around him so protectively, in the closeness and love that they shared. They could put aside their problems, just for this brief time.

It was moments like this that he wanted to lose himself in; these moments when he was in Ryan's arms and it seemed as though everything was good with the world. These were the times that he treasured, the times that made him feel that his life was complete.

"You're everything I've ever wanted or needed," he whispered, lifting his head from Ryan's shoulder to gaze into his boyfriend's eyes. "If there was never anything else in my life but this, just being with you, then I'd still be the happiest guy in the world."

"I feel the same way about you," Ryan answered, his voice soft and husky. Greg knew what that timbre in his boyfriend's voice meant; he had no doubt that within moments, they would be headed for the bedroom, or else he would be picked up and carried there.

Ryan disentangled himself from Greg's embrace, standing up and holding out his hand. Greg took the proffered hand, getting to his feet and sliding one arm around Ryan's waist. He didn't need words to know where they were going; as usual, they were in perfect accord.

It was definitely moments like this that he was going to remember years from now, Greg thought with an inward smile as he followed Ryan down the hall to their bedroom. He intended to treasure each and every moment he spent with his boyfriend -- and to keep creating those moments for all of their lives.

***