Title: Priority
By: justtopostmyfic
Pairing: Gil/Nick
Genre: hurt/comfort, short one-shot
Season/Time set: post-Grave Danger
Author: justtopostmyfic
Rating:safe
Summary: Gil knows what's important in his life, and small sacrifices don't matter as much as that.

Kidnapped. Chloroform. Confusion. Panic. Fear. Air. Bright. Suffocate. Bubblegum. Trigger. Goodbye. Ants. Freak out. Hallucinate. Autopsy. Rescue. Gil.

Hope that word cascade succeeded somewhat in putting you back into the timeframe of Grave Danger.



Gil sprawled out on the couch, feet up on the coffee table, arms eagle-spread along the couch's back, completely relaxed and comfortable. He clicked on the television as he waited for his documentary to start. He'd been looking forward to this program since he read about it in the tv guide a couple of days ago.

The secret to any good relationship is the occasional alone-time, he realised some time ago when he reflected on his healthy relationship with Nick. Gil'd catch a documentary he'd be interested in every now and then, left alone with his interests and curiosity. Nick, on the other hand, preferred paragliding or long treks alone to clear his mind once in a while. It was all unwritten, unsaid and un-discussed, but somehow the both of them knew and abided by it, and each knew how beneficial it was to their relationship.

"Can I sit on the couch with you, Gil?"

The question was asked timidly, with a heavier-than-usual Texan accent and the hidden hint of hesitation. Gil looked up to see Nick wearing nothing but a snug, sleep-crumpled black shirt and maroon checkered boxers. But the raw lust awakened in him quickly turned to worry on closer inspection, which revealed red-rimmed, tired eyes, a clammy-looking pallor and Nick's slightly trembling form.

All the physical evidence pointed to a nightmare, a bad one, Grissom thought to himself.

No way could he turn Nick away when he looked so fragile, no matter what he was doing. Besides, in the past few weeks following Nick's abduction, they'd broken so many rules, including the biggest one, letting Ecklie find out about their relationship, that Gil figured, what's one more? What's one more now, especially when Nick needed to be close to someone?

"Sure, Nick", Grissom replied after swallowing the lump of concern in his throat.

Nick padded over to Gil and rested his head on Gil's shoulder, almost snuggling, but seemingly too ashamed to. He let out a low sigh- of relief, maybe?- that Gil was sure he'd have missed if his hearing was still compromised. Gil, able to read his lover so well, reached out his free hand and drew Nick deep into an embrace, cradled him like how he needed to be cradled right now.

Gil knew that there were some things- and someone, for sure- more important and beloved than Discovering Exotic Butterflies: Up Close, as he clicked off the tv and turned his full attention to the most important matter in his life.