I'm going to post the next part here even if my friend hasn't finished beta-ing it.  She's had it for a month now and I'm tired of sitting on it.  Once she's done, I'll edit this.  I just feel like I need to do something.  :I  I hope it's all right.

Why Stay

Nick didn't go after him immediately.  He knew that it would do no good at this point.  He'd heard the front door slam and felt Ellis needed his space.  But the sun was beginning to set and he didn't like to not know where he was.  It was a lingering paranoia, but one too deeply ingrained to lose just yet.

Trees were losing their leaves, piling up on the yellowing grass in late September.  The breeze was cool and carried a moist earth smell that Nick had grown accustomed to.  It was fresh and clean, worlds away from the smog and oppression of the city.  Far from the life he'd had before.  It comforted him.  Making him feel that he'd made the right decision.

Their house was fairly small.  It was yellow with slightly peeling paint and had needed a few repairs to the windows and the front door.  Flowers had been planted by the side of it, the stronger ones overpowering the weeds and grass that choked out the others.  But its best feature was the fact it was far from most other people.  It had been a farm before the infection.  Not a large one, just a few fields to support a herd of cattle.  They didn't know what had happened to the previous owners, but they had never returned to claim their house, land, or belongings.

Past a partially downed fence in one of the fields was an old tree, under which he found Ellis.  His knees were pulled up to his chest, face drawn, the evidence of tears still on his cheeks.  He didn't look up as Nick approached.

"It's getting dark." 

No answer.  With a sigh and a grunt, he lowered himself to sit next to him.

"What the fuck, Nick..."  He finally broke the silence.  "...How... how...?"

"I don't know."

"But... but... shit...  You... ya really ain't lyin'...?"

"Do you really think I'd joke with you like this?  You know I hate to see you cry..."

"Goddammit..."  He pouted, rubbing his face.

Nick hesitated before trying to place an arm around him.  This time, Ellis let him, even leaning into him slightly.

"You... you gonna... leave me now?"  He sniffed.

"What?"

"Ah'm a freak, man...  Why wouldja stay?"

Nick took a deep breath, turning to look into the puffy blue eyes looking up at him.

"I haven't told you this, but...  I've always wanted kids..."  Ellis tilted his head as Nick talked. "Not that this is how I ever thought to have them, but I still want them.  And I love you...  I won't leave."  Pressed his lips to the young man's forehead.

"Really?"

"Mhmm."

The sun was almost gone and with it the breeze.  Ellis looked up at the moon coming up in the distance, seeming to wonder whether Nick was telling the truth or not.

"Let's get back to the house."

"...Okay."

Nick grunted as he stood, a twinge in his knee from an injury during the infection.  Took Ellis' hand and hauled him up.  The sun was nearly gone, leaving only an orange and pink tint to the horizon.  Crickets chirped faintly as they made their way back home, filling wordless space between them.

Fin

So there that is...  Working on the next chapter too...  And beyond...  I imagine them still in Georgia.  And fall is my favorite time of year.  I hope this is all right.  Not much else to say about this.  I guess I should say that my Nick has always wanted to be a family man.  He has this empty space in his heart where he wants his little family and a white picket fence.  Ha...  He's a big softie.  Anywho...  Enjoy.