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Title: The One Where Nick Screws Up
Author:
Pairing: TimberNick
Part: 1/1
Series: "The One" Series
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Fiction for entertainment purposes, not to be taken as truth.
Warnings: Bi-Groupal Warning
Notes: This flowed so smoothly in my head ...I’m not sure it transfered just how I wanted it. It was supposed to be for Valentine’s day but I didn’t get it done in time.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"So what you’re saying is that you forgot?" Nick asked calmly. His hands were perched on his hips, his face was a mask of disbelief mixed with a tiny bit of anger. There was a flickering of candle light dancing on the walls as Barry White’s voice wafted through the air. Nick was frozen in spot, unable to believe not only what he was hearing, but what he was seeing.

Justin’s lips curved into a sheepish grin and he just barely shrugged his shoulders.

It was obvious by the way Nick was dressed that Nick was dressed up for something special. He was wearing nice slacks, a dress shirt and a tie, although he wore no socks or shoes, he had his glasses on, those damn glasses that did something to Justin every damn time he wore them. More often than not, Nick chose casual wear when they were lounging around the house, yet the moment he’d opened the door, Justin noticed that Nick had taken the time to dress extra special. This was more than just them getting together for dinner, as Justin had been led to believe, and as he looked down at his ripped jeans, tee shirt and sneakers, his heart was racing because he knew that he’d missed something vitally important. His heart continued to sink at the expression in his lover’s eyes.

"You forgot? Like really forgot?" Nick’s eyes widened and he felt his blood pressure rising. For a moment, he thought maybe it had been a plan devised by Justin to catch him off guard. That he was going to pretend that he’d forgotten what today was, but really had known all along and was planning something. Slowly Nick realized that it wasn’t a scheme, that Justin had really forgotten and the worst part of it was that Justin didn’t look like he cared. At all. That only further enraged Nick.

"I’m sorry, it must have slipped my mind." Justin looked at the table where there was a romantic setting for two displayed. On one of the plates, Justin figured that was his, there was a small, wrapped box. He felt his throat constrict and a wave of shame filled him. Things had been so hectic with him that the date had completely slipped his mind. If anyone asked him what day of the week it was, let alone the actual date, Justin would have been lost.

"Slipped your mind? Valentine’s day, the most romantic day of the year just happened to SLIP YOUR MIND?"

Justin could only nod dumbly, aware of how upset Nick really was. He knew that almost anything he said would set the blonde off even more and he chose to remain silent. It hurt him to see Nick as angry and upset as he was. Nick’s next outburst caught him off guard.

"Get out."

Justin’s jaw dropped. "W..what?"

"Get out." Nick’s voice was low, his eyes narrow.

"You can’t be serious!"

"Why can’t I?" Nick walked to the door, opened it and nodded towards Justin. "I don’t want to see you. Get out."

"Anymore?" Justin barely managed to squeak. His heart was racing at a frantic pace, his whole body was trembling and he could feel his world ending slowly. He would have, in that moment, promised anything and everything to be able to rewind time for just a few hours. To a time when he could have looked at a calendar, any calendar and realize that it was February 14th. If he could, he might be able to salvage this relationship which had somehow spun out of control and out of his hands.

"Right now. I can’t see you right now. Get out."

"Nicky, please," Justin begged. "I’m sorry."

Nick turned his head, he was through listening. Nothing Justin could say would matter right now, he could barely look at his lover, let alone listen to his excuses.

With a heavy heart and devastated soul, Justin heeded Nick’s wishes and left. The tears were streaming down his cheeks before he’d crossed the threshold.

"I love you Nick, remember that."

Nick slammed the door and remained silent.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"So you kicked him out?" Kevin asked, incredulously. Nick had shown up on his doorstep just after breakfast looking like hell had paid him a very long and extended visit. His eyes were blood shot and he hadn’t shaved. There was also the fact that he was wearing his Sunday bests, which albeit were wrinkled from having slept in them, but still gave him an air of sophistication. Nick looked awful, Kevin had let him into the house immediately, with no questions asked.

They stared silently at each other over a pot of coffee until Nick finally began spilling his tearful story. Once he’d started, Nick’s emotions ranged from anger, to desperation to exhaustion. Kevin listened silently, taking it all in until Nick exhaled and rested his head on the table.

Silence fell over the room at Kevin’s question. Nick made no move to respond so he repeated himself.

"You kicked him out?"

"Fuck! Yes."

"Because..."

"He had no damn clue it was Valentine’s day. I made dinner. COOKED!! There were flowers, candles, music, presents .... SHIT. I even dressed up!" Nick stood up and motioned towards his clothes, as if that would answer everything.

"And?" Kevin thought Nick was overreacting. Just a tiny bit.

"AND?" Nick couldn’t understand how clueless Kevin was. He expected sympathy, a shoulder to vent on, complete and utter agreement on Kevin’s part. He got nothing, which was saying a lot since Kevin hated Justin. "AND????"

"And?" Kevin sighed. "So he forgot. I never pegged you the shallow type."

Nick’s nostrils flared, his eyes narrowed. If possible, he was now more mad at Kevin than he had been at Justin, which was saying a lot because he was seething with rage towards his lover. Kevin had officially become public enemy number one.

"It’s Valentine’s Day. The most romantic day of the year. How can he forget?"

Kevin blinked. He carefully thought out what he wanted to say. After a few silent minutes he realized that there was no delicate way to proceed, especially if he didn’t want to completely piss Nick off.

Nick continued ranting. "So what? All of a sudden you’re defending him? After years of being on my case about him, telling me how worthless he is, how much you hate him and how he doesn’t deserve me because he’s an asshole, he finally fucking proves you right and NOW you decide that you like him? What, have you joined his fucking fan club for Christ’s sake?"

"I’m not joining his fucking fan club," Kevin exhaled. He had to control his temper, the last thing he needed was to worsen Nick’s pissy mood. If they were both spitting fire, nothing would get accomplished. His mind wandered for a moment and a smile crept up on his face.

"What?" Nick growled as Kevin’s lips curled into a grin. He could just see the wheels turning in the older man’s eyes.

"For 29.95, you too can be a member of the Justin Timberlake fan club. Special VIP online access, first dibs on tickets, an iron on patch, a monthly letter and a cool tee shirt. Maybe I SHOULD sign up, my old Justin Timberlake tee shirt is getting pretty tattered."

Nick’s mood worsened and he became even angrier at the other man. Of course he couldn’t be supportive WHILE Nick and Justin were happy. He had to wait until Nick wanted Kevin to hate him to switch sides, fucking traitor.

Kevin’s snickers had turned into full blown laughter, which got louder as Nick’s frown intensified. "Oh come on Nick, you can’t not laugh at that. The image of ME wearing Timberlake’s tee."

Nick cracked as mile. Then he vowed to kill Kevin later. "Fuck you."

"No Nick, FUCK YOU."

Nick was startled at the matter of fact tone in Kevin’s voice. His eyebrows were raised as if to dare Nick to challenge him. "What the hell?"

"I’m serious Nick, fuck you. Answer me this, what was that thing... About a week ago?"

"What thing?" Nick winced as he tried to remember what Kevin was talking about. Kevin rolled his eyes.

"Tickets. To the Super Bowl. Real tickets, not comps."

Nick sighed and this time he rolled his eyes. "That was for my birthday." He ignored Kevin’s growls.

"Okay...’ Kevin mentally went back to assess every single time in the past few years that he’d been forced to endure Justin’s company. He smiled and shrugged. "What about that time ...in October? You’d been feeling down and depressed, Justin was on the other side of the fucking world but the second he’d found out you were upset, he called Joey. Told Joey what to buy you and to surprise you to cheer you up."

Nick frowned.

"Oh... And when he came to surprise you in the studio out of the blue. He was missing you, so he flew in for the night, brought you that romantic picnic ..." Kevin stopped at the expression on Nick’s face. He was getting through to him. "...kicked us all out of the studio and told us to go somewhere for a few hours. Even fucking gave us money for dinner, just to get rid of us so he could surprise you with that romantic picnic."

Nick stopped listening.

Kevin continued. "Oh, and when he sent you those ten dozen roses and Howie freaked out because of his allergies."

Nick had never hated Kevin more.

Except that he didn’t *really* hate him.

He hated himself, because Kevin was right.

Nick was a spoiled asshole.

The thing that surprised Kevin out of all of this, was that he suddenly couldn’t figure out why he’d spent so much time and energy hating Justin so much. Clearly, Justin was the best boyfriend Nick had ever had, and didn’t deserve half of the shit that Kevin had put on him. Kevin was always saying how Justin didn’t deserve Nick, how he was a menace and that Kevin hated his presence in the blonde’s life if not for the fact that he didn’t treat Nick half as good as he deserved to be treated.

Kevin had been wrong. He’d never been so wrong about anything in his entire life.

Although he knew Nick had gotten the point, Kevin couldn't stop.

"And that weekend, he took you to his cabin for a romantic get away..."

"Surprised you with presents, every day he’d been away in August..."

"Constantly emailing, paging, texting, calling ...to tell you he loves you..."

"I get it, Kev."

"So I don’t know HOW he could dare to forget the most romantic day of the year...."

"I get it."

"You were right to kick him out."

"I get it."

"Should have done it sooner Nicky..."

"I GET IT!"

Both Nick and Kevin stopped at Nick’s loud, bellowing scream. They stared at one another. Kevin was trying not to smile and Nick was glaring at him, nearly growling.

"You know, in retrospect, I think I was a little too hasty in judging him." Kevin looked off into empty space, thinking. "You think he’s looking for a rebound?"

Nick threw his arms up in defeat. Kevin had clearly won this round. "You’re straight Kevin. You fuck women!!"

"So?" Kevin shrugged. He loved how easy it was to push Nick’s buttons. "Justin seems to know how to treat a man, and I can overlook the fact that he has a cock."

"He’s taken!!"

"You threw him out!"

"Yes, OUT. Not AWAY! We fucking fought..." Nick stopped and sighed. "I fought. I was an asshole."

"On the most romantic day of the year." Kevin fought not to put a condescending ring to his words.

"God damn it Kevin. Shut up!" Nick breathed in deeply. "I know I fucked up."

They stared at each other and both men smiled. A silent conversation was had between them and Kevin pulled him into a tight embrace.

"You want help winning him back?"

The thought was tempting, but Nick shook his head. He fucked up all on his own, so he needed to fix it on his own too. The soft slap to his face came as a surprise. Kevin’s smile was warm, but his eyes were sharp.

"You’d better treat him well, he deserves it."

A warm tingly feeling went through Nick’s body. This was certainly a change. "Wow, I never thought I’d see the day."

Kevin groaned and put his head in his hands. "You’re telling me!"

~*~*~*~

The final touches were put on their dinner as Nick slid the dish back into the over under the broiler. Candles flickered romantically in the dimly lit room, Barry White’s voice was echoing off of the walls and Nick felt butterflies in his stomach. He’d called Justin the second he had stepped out of Kevin’s house. The call had gone directly to Justin’s voice mail, meaning that he was either on the other line, or had it shut off.

"J... Baby... I can’t even begin to apologize for last night, at least not on the phone. Just know that I love you and if you’ll let me, I’d like to spend tonight making it up to you. Please come over at 6:30, I hope to see you then."

Justin hadn’t phoned him back. Nick went on the hope that it meant he would be coming. If he didn’t, Nick knew he deserved it. And more. He desperately tried to be positive about Justin’s arrival, but knew that if the positions were reversed, he might not be so quick to forgive.

Justin always was better at forgiveness than he was.

It was twenty five to seven and Nick felt his stomach churn. He’d half expected this, but it still hurt. A lot. With trembling hands, Nick pulled the veal parmiganna from the oven and set it on the cooling rack. The CD had just changed to Michael Buble’s newest disc when the sound of a car door slamming caught his attention.

Seconds later, the doorbell rang.

Nick’s heart was in his throat.

The last thing he expected was to find Justin AND Chris on his doorstep.

"Chris... Jesus..." Justin groaned as he looked at the shock and disappointment on Nick’s face.

Chris shrugged off Justin’s touch and looked at Nick through hard, unforgiving eyes.

"You listen here Carter..."

Nick nodded slowly.

"I don’t know how the fuck you THINK you are, but no one treats Justin the way you did last night."

"I know."

Nick’s remorseful tone and sad facial expression threw Chris off. "What?"

Chris was forgotten the instant Nick pulled Justin into his arms. Justin could feel the regret in his embrace, the sorrow on his lips.

"I’m so glad you came," Nick mumbled against Justin’s throat. "I was so upset, so worried."

Justin's resolve to stay strong and detached crumbled instantly. He fell into Nick’s embrace, relishing the feel of their arms around each other. "Of course I came."

"Well..." Chris felt awkward and unwanted. He shifted from foot to foot. "I guess I fixed that..." Air from the door slamming in his face blew his hair back. They’d gone inside and left him standing alone on the door step.

It was like deja vu, the room was exactly as it had been the night before. It made Justin’s stomach churn nervously. Before he could speak, Nick opened his mouth.

"You have every right to hate me."

Justin nodded.

"I was wrong, I was being a spoiled brat."

Justin nodded again.

"I don’t deserve you."

Justin didn’t respond, only cocked his head to the side.

"I love you so much it fills me. Fills me and then some. And you make me so happy, so complete. And I almost threw that away last night because I was being stupid and childish."

Justin remained silent. His heart was breaking from the pain in Nick’s voice, but he needed the blonde to say all of this. He needed for it to get out. If not for Nick’s sake, then for his own. Nick gave a nervous chuckle causing Justin to smile.

"You know, Kevin asked if you were single. If he could have you."

It was the last possible thing that Justin was expecting Nick to say and his jaw dropped open. "Are you fucking kidding me?" Justin knew too well how much Kevin hated him.

They broke out into laughter. Nick shook his head and held up his hands. "I’m totally serious.

"But ...he’s straight."

"That’s what I said."

Justin’s expression was serious. "What else did you say?"

Nick pulled Justin close and kissed his jaw. "That you weren’t single. That I threw you out, not away. That even I’m not stupid enough to push away the best thing that has ever happened to me. Not for real anyways. I don’t even know what I was thinking last night, Baby. I just ...you had no idea what day it was and didn’t even seem to care and I went crazy."

"I’m sorry for forgetting.. But I didn’t think you would respond that way ...I mean, I’ve never been all about Valentine’s day.."

Nick shook his head and kissed Justin’s lips. "I know. I mean ...with you, every day is like Valentine’s day. That’s what Kevin reminded me of. You don’t need a day to show me how much you love me, or be romantic. You do it all the time."

Justin’s cheeks turned a dark crimson.

"No, don’t get embarrassed. I wish I could be half as romantic as you are..."

"You are," Justin assured him. "You’re always doing sweet things for me, picking me up flowers, or making dinner. Sending me presents and calling or writing to let me know you’re thinking about me."

"It’s just so easy, I love making you smile. I love showing you how I feel about you."

"And you do." Justin pulled Nick into the living room and sat him down on the couch. He crawled onto Nick’s lap and wrapped his arms around his shoulders. "We don’t need a special day to show each other how we feel. I mean, I wish I did remember yesterday was Valentine’s day because it’s an excuse to go over the top and be even more romantic, but at the same time, it hurt that you got SO upset. That you thought I didn’t love you enough."

Nick shyed away, obviously embarassed at his outburst. "I’m sorry."

"I know," Justin leaned in and kissed Nick thoroughly.

When the kiss was finished and Nick had tasted every inch of Justin’s mouth, he pulled away and looked deep into his lover’s eyes. "Can we pretend?"

"Pretend what?" Justin asked softly. He found himself falling deeply into Nick’s crystal blue eyes.


"That today is yesterday? That yesterday never happened." Nick frowned as Justin shook his head. "No?"

"No, I don’t want to pretend it didn’t happen. I think it was very important. I wish it hadn’t happened, but we can’t pretend."

"But ... I ruined..."

"You didn’t ruin anything," Justin assured him. "We fight all the time, we yell and overreact and scream all the time. So what? It happened on February 14th, whose to say that February 15th isn’t the most romantic day of the year? Whose to say that June 18th isn’t the most romantic day of the year?" Justin giggled as Nick licked a path from his ear down to his jaw.

"So what you’re saying is ..."

"What I’m saying is lets turn the oven onto warm, put dinner back in, go, get ourselves hungry and then I’ll feed you."

"Can I feed you?"

Justin grinned against Nick’s mouth. He pulled Nick’s shirt tails, tugging them towards the stairs that would lead them to Nick’s bedroom. "Nicky, if you play your cards right, you can do whatever you want."

Finis


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