Foregone Conclusions

Another AFL fic. Sorry to everyone waiting for The Bachelor fic. It's coming, I promise :)

Justin stops stretching as Nick comes over and sits down next to him. He lies on the floor and watches Nick through hooded eyes. Nick sits with his legs crossed, blue eyes thoughtful as he looks down at Justin.

Justin moves one of his hands closer to Nick so that he's touching Nick's knee. If anyone was looking it would look like the innocuous touch Justin wants it to be. Nick breaks in to a small smile as Justin's thumb traces across his skin. There is so much noise in the room, everyone moving around, doing interviews and warm-downs. But none of it matters. It's just the two of them, in their own corner of the world. Their small touches saying more than words ever could.

---

He jumps off the bench and almost runs on to the ground before Joey pulls him back.

"Calm down, Justin" Joey says. "He's fine"

Justin shrugs off Joey's hand, watching Nick slowly getting back on to his feet. He looks dazed. Anyone would be if they'd just been smashed across the head. Justin can't help but smile as Nick pushes the trainers away with an impatient hand. He's fine, Justin knows. But he's be damned if his heart doesn't skip a few beats anytime Nick takes a hit.

---

It's Justin's turn to drive. Nick leans his head against the window and watches the city pass by with tired eyes. Match wrap up had taken several hours and despite being elated about the win, all he wants now is his bed. He opens his eyes as he hears Justin swear under his breath.

"hmm?"

Justin glances at him and the annoyance on his face vanishes in to a gentle smile.

"Nothing. Just idiots on the road. Go back to sleep"

Nick takes a deep breath and sits up on his seat. They're almost home, he can stay awake.

"Nick"

He wakes up blinking blearily at Justin, whose leaning across his seat.

"mmm?"

Justin smiles and kisses him lightly.

"We're home"

"Fell asleep" Nick murmurs, almost keening when Justin leans back and get's out of the car. But he's back soon after on Nick's side of the car and opening his door for him.

"Come on, let's get you to bed" Justin wraps an arm around him and gets them in to their house and up to their bed.

Nick falls on to the bed face first and hears Justin laugh but he really has no energy to do anything but lie here right now. He feels Justin pulling off his shoes and immediately curls up on the bed just as the second shoe comes off.

"What would you do without me, hmm?"

He knows Justin thinks he's asleep but he's not. And that is a question Nick tries to stay away from if he can help it. Justin gets in behind him soon after and wraps his arms around him. He can feel Justin's heart beat against his back and breaths. This is the safest place in the world for him. In Justin's arms. He twines his fingers with Justin's.

"Can't imagine my life without you" he whispers and feels Justin's arms tighten around him in response.

"Not going anywhere" Justin whispers, lips against the back of his neck.

"I know" Even if he can't see him, Nick can feel Justin smiling.

He falls asleep like that, wrapped up in Justin's arms. As he had so many times before and if he has his way, for the rest of his life.