Title: Old Man
By: kennedy
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG-13
Note: Beta'd by Catlover2x.
Summary: It's been a long, hard day; and Nick Stokes is feeling old. Written for the LJ community 25fluffyfics, prompt #11 (massage).

***

Christ, he's getting old.

He's always had deep laugh lines, and crow's feet around the eyes, but now they're getting deeper. He's starting to look his age.

Nick Stokes sighs heavily, and places his toothbrush next to Greg's. He rubs his face wearily. It doesn't help that this latest case is making him exhausted and feel every one of his thirty-four years. When did thirty-four start feeling so old, anyway?

Greg is starting to call him 'old man' in private. Nick knows it is a term of endearment, but it still stings a bit. Especially when Greg points out that shaving his head makes him look older than he is. He has started to let it grow out again, but he won't give Greg the satisfaction of admitting that he is succumbing to vanity.

Or that he's right about the fact that when his hair is longer he looks younger again.

Greg is also beginning to age. He still has an irresistible baby-face, but it is narrowing and his eyes are looking even more soulful. He is starting to see too much, stuff that he used to be distanced from in the lab. Nick doesn't like seeing the change, but what can he do about it? It's part of the job, and it haunts you.

Which is why it is important that you shouldn't try and bring it home with you. Nick stares at himself in the mirror, and jumps when there is a loud rap on the door.

"Nicky?" Greg calls from outside the door. "You okay?"

Nick crosses to the door, and opens it. Greg has his hand raised, as if he is about to knock again.

"Yeah, I'm fine, G."

"You look tired. Come to bed."

Nick allows himself to be led to the bedroom. Inside the doorway, Greg runs his fingertips along the hem of Nick's faded A+M tee, lets them dance briefly over the top of his boxers, and then begins to pull the shirt over his head.

"Lie down," he instructs his partner.

Nick does so, too tired to protest and not knowing what his partner has in mind. He's also too tired for sex, he thinks that as soon as he lies down he will fall asleep, and that's about the biggest insult you can give to anybody.

"On your pooch," Greg smiles.

"I don't have a pooch," Nick says grumpily.

Greg's fingers move across the skin of his stomach. "I love your pooch."

Annoyed, Nick rolls onto his stomach regardless. He feels Greg's weight settle upon him as he sits half on his butt and half on the back of his thighs. Fingers ghost across the small of his back, and travel up to his shoulders, feeling knotted muscles along the way.

"You're so fucking tense," Greg murmurs. "I could tell just by your face, but your back is screaming."

He's not the best masseur in the world, but Nick is already feeling comfort from the warmth of his hands gliding across his skin. Maybe even enough to forgive the pooch comment. As Greg prods at a tender spot at the base of his neck, he winces.

"Feel that!" Greg exclaims.

Nick groans, unable to articulate an intelligent response.

Greg frowns, and pauses in his ministrations to reach for a bottle of massage oil. As he pours it across his fingers, it trickles off and rolls down Nick's spine. He arches slightly, and Greg's fingers press against him again and start rubbing the liquid into his skin. Greg finds the knot more malleable now, and tries to work it away. Nick buries his face into the pillow, his mind is now starting to relax and the stresses of the day fade as he concentrates on the sound of Greg's voice above him.

"Just let it go, Nicky. It was a bad day. But you're home now."

Greg can tell that Nick has fallen asleep by how pliant the body beneath him has become. Strangely enough, he also feels relaxed, even though he is the one who has been doing all the work. Just taking the time out to make Nick comfortable has helped him as well. He yawns, but continues massaging Nick's back for a while longer. As his eyes begin to close of their own accord, he reluctantly stops. He scratches affectionately at the nape of Nick's neck, where his hair is growing in, leans down and kisses the supple skin. Nick moans happily beneath him, and Greg smiles. He slides off his back, and snuggles beside him. In sleep, Nick looks ageless, all his barriers and creases erased.

"I love you, old man," Greg whispers, and closes his eyes.

***