Finding Yourself: Book Three

Chapter Eight: Poker Face

After Nick had finished tucking in his kids and giving them goodnight kisses, he found Vincent sitting on his bed in his room with only the dim lamp light on. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest from nerves. He trusted Vincent, but it had been so many years since they had slept next to each other. Plus, the last person Nick slept with wasn't trustworthy at all.

Vincent had stripped to his boxers, and Nick, respectfully, looked at Vincent's body. He had grown some lean muscle and now was eating steadily, so he was no longer skin and bones like he was when they were teens. In fact, his boxer shorts were taught against the skin of his thighs. He had let his hair loose from a bun, and the strands were draped over his blue t-shirt. 

Vincent bent over to scratch his calf, and Nick couldn't help but appreciate his muscled, hairy legs. 

What? He was still gay. Vincent was very attractive. He couldn't help but stare.

"Sorry," Vincent apologized, "I didn't want to sleep in jeans. Is it okay if I sleep like this? I swear I won't do anything you don't want me to do."

Then it finally hit Nick what Vincent was on about. 

He thought he was going to scare Nick away.

"No, it's fine," Nick admitted, "I wouldn't want you to sleep in jeans. It would be cruel." Nick cleared his throat to clear his head. He then moved over to his own dresser to grab some pajamas. He personally liked having a blanket and some pajamas on; he didn't know how Vincent slept without them. "Didn't you used to sleep in just your boxers?"

"Oh, uh, I still do," Vincent replied, "I just thought I could keep my shirt on. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."

"Vincent," Nick chided, pausing his search for pajama pants to look him dead in the eye, "The whole reason you are here is because you are making me comfortable. Sleep how you sleep normally, and I will too."

"Do you still sleep fully clothed?" Vincent questioned. Nick resumed his search, finding a plaid pair of pants that he could wear with his rock band t-shirt. Vincent grabbed the hem of his shirt and slid it off in one fell swoop. 

"Yeah..." Nick said, glancing at Vincent's decently toned body. Nick was always the best, strength-wise. However, Vincent was the first person to teach Nick how to fight. Nick noticed that he didn't stop fighting, if his torso said anything about it. The horny side of Nick- that barely surfaced after the Xavier thing started- wanted to lap up Vincent's happy trail with his tongue- but he quickly pushed that thought down. Sexy things with Vincent could only lead to disaster.

He also noticed a new tattoo on Vincent's arm. It covered up his cutting scars. Two cards were there, two Aces. One was of hearts, which was on top, and the other was a black Ace of which the suit was covered by the first card. It had the word "Ace" in fancy lettering- of course, it did. 

Both Vincent and Nick noticed that Nick was staring at Vincent in that moment. Nick decided to unbutton and shed his jeans. He could change in front of Vincent, right? It was nothing that Vincent hadn't seen. But he could feel Vincent's eyes on him when he slid his jeans off and his pants back on. "I like your tattoo," he said, just to break whatever tension was left in the air.

It look a moment of staring from Vincent for him to respond.

"Oh, thanks," he shrugged, then laid back onto the bed. He patted next to his body as an invitation to join. Nick walked over and sat on his side of the bed. "Are we snuggling?" Vincent continued, "We used to snuggle." Nick was glad he asked.

"It only really works because I feel safe in someone's arms," Nick admitted, with a light blush. He didn't make contact with Vincent's eyes. He pushed away the guilt that resurfaced.