ext_1100 ([identity profile] iamtheenemy.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] crack_van2005-09-08 05:54 pm
Entry tags:

Four Lessons in Love by Caster (G)

Fandom: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Pairing: Nick Stokes/Greg Sanders
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Archive of stories on What Makes The Desert Beautiful
Why this must be read:

It's a sweet tale of two Christmases in the relationship of Nick and Greg. They're having some personal problems, because Nick's family doesn't approve of his homosexuality, and around the holidays especially, he misses them. For some reason in CSI fic, there are a lot stories about family gatherings, probably because we know very little about the home lives of the CSIs (with the exception being Catherine), so it's funny to imagine. Greg's loud, ethnic, hippy, San Fransisco family is wonderful and endearing, and explains a lot about how Greg turned out. Nick's family, particularly his mother, are not monsters or gaybashing homophobes, they're straight-laced Texans who don't know how to adjust to their son's "alternative" lifestyle. They still love him, and that's what makes the angst so believable. You don't hate Nick's parents, you just don't agree with them.

Nick and Greg's nervousness about meeting the other person's family is adorable and very true to life, not over the top. I also love Greg's accidental conversation with Mrs. Stokes before the second Christmas, because it shows that Greg loves Nick and Mrs. Stokes loves Nick, and if nothing else, that's something they can agree on. And yes, it's only September, and not nearly time for Christmas recs, but give it a try anyway.


“And how’s everyone?” Nick asked, managing to work past numerous relatives and make it to the backdoor in one piece. He slid the door open, stepped out, and then slid the door close again, finding a seat on the abandoned back deck.

“Everyone’s fine,” she replied, her voice a little strained. There was a pause in their already awkward conversation before he heard her take a breath.

“Nicky, it’s not quite the same without you here.”

He felt a wave of relief at her admission. He wanted to be missed by his family. If they acknowledged his absence with just a little regret, then maybe there was a place their hearts where they didn’t hate him, where they could look at him without disdain at the fact he wasn’t what they molded him into. “You’re the one who asked me not to come,” he said softly, closing his eyes at the memory. He knew the route this conversation would take and he knew where it would end.

“I know, but if your… boyfriend-’’

“His name’s Greg.”

“Fine. If Greg were to just visit his own family for Christmas or- or if you just came down here alone then there might not be a problem. It could be the way is used to be.” Her voice held a tone of pleading; asking her precious son to return back to the way he was, not to cause any scandals. To be the good son he always had been before he left Texas.



Four Lessons In Love