#(nick threads)

The stars had aligned - giving him and Nora the day off, so he was just wanting for her to arrive.  Maisie was at work for the next forty-eight hours; which meant that Nick had little worries about work calling him.  While he waited for Nora, he tried to tell himself to not be nervous, but the truth of it was that he was, indeed, nervous.

He knew how it must look  --  he was covered in blood from the dead,  fresh and dried,  and likely smelled like one of them too.   He’d come across a large horde and decided staying in disguise was going to be the best way to trick the dead,  to keep surviving,  just in case.

Nick was finding it hard to  stay asleep.   Nightmares.  Sometimes he remembered them,  sometimes he didn’t.   He’d just woken with a start,  sat up straight so quickly.   Nick felt the body next to him move.   He had no idea how it had become a common occurrence to share a bed with Ben,  but he wasn’t going to complain.  It was comforting to have someone next to him.   ❝I’m sorry,  I didn’t mean to wake you.  Bad dream.❞   He whispered.   He settled back down into the mattress.

A gentle arm falls around his mom’s shoulder.   He squeezes,  leans against her.   ❝Mom,  it’s okay.❞  He said,  offering her a sad smile.   ❝We’ll get more supplies.   We’ve made it on less than this before.❞   He was determined that this was going to work,  though still a little against the idea of leaving the stadium even if it was just to go on a supply run.

❝Holy shit.❞  Nick wrapped his arms around Alicia and pulled her close to him.  It crossed his mind that she would be angry with him,  but he was too relieved that she was in front of him to care.  She had always been strong so he wasn’t completely surprised that she had been able to make it.  And she always called him on his bullshit too,  which was why he figured she would be angry.  But that stunt he had pulled  --  he hadn’t meant for it to go that way.  ❝You're okay.❞

He wanted to reach out and touch Troy and just  know  that he was really there.  But he figured that Troy was angry with him.   He wouldn’t have blamed him.  Not at all.  So he took a deep breath,  ❝I wanted to help you and I just  --  I left you there   and I  --  I can’t believe that you’re here. I’m so sorry.❞ 

❝Just let me grab one.  I can cover myself in the blood   and make my way through them without a problem.❞