Finding Yourself: Book Three

Chapter Two: Years Wasted

"Nick, we shouldn't talk to each other anymore," was what Vincent told him. He had walked Nick to Xaiver's house, where he was expected to live for a very long time. It was after Xaiver proposed.

Nick remembered being hurt, and slightly confused. His best friend didn't want to talk anymore, after all they had been through?

"Why?" Nick asked in shock, "Just because I'm marrying a rich guy doesn't make me a snob." Vincent hated snobs.

"I know, Honeybun," Vincent replied, then continued, "But you're getting a better life away from all of this f**ked up sh*t. I'm part of the sh*t. You should forget about me."

"That's stupid, Ace," Nick had called him, "I could never forget about you."

"I want you to forget about me," Vincent had replied softly, reaching up to brush Nick's cheek. At the time, Vincent had been the only being alive who could touch Nick without him flinching away.

"Why?" poor little naive Nick asked. Vincent sighed dejectedly.

"There is something I haven't told you," Vincent's voice was colder, like he had finally shown some emotion he had hidden in a cave of his heart. Nick waited with bated breath to hear what Vincent had to say. They never kept secrets. "Seeing you with another guy...Nick that's going to hurt me," Vincent replied, then continued, "Because I- I love you, alright? More than a friend should love a friend. I think I've always loved you, it just took me a while to realize it."

Nick didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to think.

Vincent kissed his forehead while he was still reeling, then pushed him lightly away.

"Goodbye, Nick," Vincent had confessed with tears pooling in his eyes. Before he turned away and ran before Nick could even think to grab him back.

And that was the last time he had seen his best friend.

Until the day Xavier hit him.

~{()}~

"So, you need me to babysit your kids?" Vincent said.

"Just the two littlest ones," Nick replied, "They aren't in school so I need a babysitter to watch them while I'm working. I hate to ask you this, but I don't trust anyone else."

Vincent looked like he was considering it heavily, tapping a finger on his knee that was bouncing from his foot also tapping. Vince always had this restless energy around him.

"Okay," Vincent agreed, shrugging, "I don't mind. But you'll be back on time for me to go to my gigs right?"

"Of course," Nick nodded, "And, I don't exactly have much to pay you- but I could literally do anything else for you. Anything." Vincent chuckled, but it lacked humor. It was almost dark in tone.

"Don't. Don't say that," Vincent shook his head, "I'm doing this for you. Not for me."

Nick was frustrated. He knew exactly what Vincent wanted. He wanted love. Non-platonic love. It was the only thing Nick couldn't give. But Nick didn't want to give him nothing.

"Please don't do this," Nick groaned, "Please, God, ask me for anything. I don't want you to sacrifice your precious time-"

"Nick-"

"Or your precious sleep-"

"Nick, I swear-"

"For me. You shouldn't sacrifice anything just because I'm me, Vincent!" Nick groaned, "I'm not worth that."

"Excuse me?" Vincent scoffed, looking at Nick like he just committed a felony without telling him, "Did you- my dearest friend Nick- just say you aren't worth it?"