Precious

Thank you for all the lovely reviews. As I mentioned before, this is where the story gets pretty AU. In this universe, gay marriage has been legalized and male/male and female/female pregnancies are possible. Explanations will be given later as the story progresses.

Hopefully, you'll continue to read.... *g*

Time passed in blur. Days were marked by the haze of dancing on stage, then dancing in private. Giving a brief interlude to the main action soon to take place back at Nick’s apartment or even Vinny’s penthouse.

Nick could only recall two things: the rough heat of Vinny’s hands and an overwhelming sense of falling. Falling in love. Falling in lust. Falling into something bigger than he could ever be.

Nick could barely concentrate on the last pages he needed to study for his final nursing exam. He found his body swaying, hips shaking to a nonexistent rhythm. He couldn’t wait to see Vinny.

A knock on the door.

Nick padded quickly out of his room to get the door. He straightened his baggy sweatpants and wife beater. Excitement coursed through him. “Hey!” Nick opened the door, his smile dimming as he not only saw Vinny but several other menacing men standing behind him.

“What’s g-going on?” Nick’s eyes darted to the men as they entered his apartment, spreading out and beginning to move his stuff.

“I thought I’d help you with the moving process.” Vinny ran a hand over Nick’s cheek and long fingers shifting through the strands.

“But Vinny, I’m not ready to move in with you. I--”

Vinny kissed him deeply. Not caring who saw. The look in his eyes spoke of a clear immovability. “You’re more than ready, Precious. I’m just giving you the push.”

Nick began to shake his head, only to have Vinny silence him with another deep and overly passionate kiss. “Don’t argue, Precious. I’m doing this for you.”

Nick didn’t fight it. Maybe he should have.

* * *
Things were different after Nick moved into Vinny’s penthouse. The bed was bigger than anything he’d ever slept on. The sheets cocooned him in coolness, while Vinny’s heavy arms held him close. Sometimes, it was too tight. But, he never said anything.

All was well, as satisfactory as could be until Nick packed his bag to head to Leo’s. Vinny was in earlier than usual. Having someone in the penthouse gave him incentive to actually go home. There was so much he wanted to do for Nick. There was so much he wanted to do to Nick.

Vinny planned to take Nick to Catholic mass. After that, he planned to introduce Nick to his associates, his friends—really his brothers to Nick. They knew about his plan for the ‘business’ and the area. There was one job they needed to pull of to keep anyone from trying to muscle their way into their neighborhood.

He heard Nick coming his way and shoved the small jewelry box into his pocket. Nick was decked out in a sleek black track suit. The sight caused a string of heat to curl in the bottom of his belly. But, the athletic duffel in hand shook him out of his lusty haze.

“Where are you going?”

Nick walked towards the door. “I’m heading out for my shift at Leo’s.”

Vinny felt his anger rising. One of his reasons for wanting Nicky so close to him. Vinny gripped Nick’s hand which held the bag. “Precious, you don’t have to work anymore.”

Nick shook his head. He smiled sweetly, awed by Vinny’s apparent concern. “Then, how am I supposed to make money? I need to work, Vinny.”

“No, you don’t. I’m taking care of you, baby. There’s no need to worry about money. I’m taking care of everything.” Vinny hoped Nick understood what he was saying. They would be equals in their relationship, with Vinny’s job being taking care of Nick and Nick’s job was keeping Vinny human.

“I can take care of myself. I won’t take your money.” Nick said. He walked towards the door.

Vinny stood there. Just looking. Anger boiled inside. It wasn’t just anger; it was jealousy and possessive rage. It had been acceptable for Nick to work at Leo’s before they got serious, but now…

“You’d rather take money from one sweating pig, who wants nothing more to lay his greasy hands on you and fuck you senseless than have me provide for you?” He sneered.

Nick faced him suddenly. Where had the anger come from? What was Vinny talking about? “Vinny, what’s wrong?” Vinny snatched the bag out of Nick’s hands. “Give that back! I need to go, Vin--”

Hard breaths. “No!” Vinny crowded Nick against the door. His bigger body being used to its full advantage. He brought his face mere inches away from Nick’s. “I.Love.You. Don’t you get it? I want to provide for you. Make your life better so that you don’t have to wave your ass in the faces of other men.” He bit out.

“You met me while I was shaking my ass!” Nick gritted between clenched teeth. His heart raced as he stared back at Vinny.

“Yeah, I did and now, I’m telling you that you won’t be shaking your ass for anyone but me.” He grabbed the sides of Nick’s face, making the younger man focus more intently on his face. “I don’t know how many times I can say it. You’re so beautiful and so full of grace. I’m saving you. Giving you the type of love and respect you deserve. With that said, no more dancing.” Vinny searched Nick’s eyes for understanding. The younger man was full of rage.

Vinny released Nick and took a few steps back. They needed space, especially him. He’d hate if he did something regrettable. “Why don’t you go relax in the bedroom?” Nick just looked at him. His eyes tight with scorn. He stormed off to the bedroom. The slamming of the door giving notice that he’d reached his target.

A drink, Vinny told himself that’s way he needed. He poured a glass of Scotch. The sleek burn made him feel something other than anger. How could Nick want to continue working in that hellhole? Vinny would be damned if his Precious would continue to be the sex object to anyone. What would the others say about him allowing his caro to expose his body to anyone but his intended husband? His fingers stroked the velvety box inside his pocket.

No respect from his caro and then, there’d be no respect for him or his new Family. He wouldn’t allow that to happen. Vinny would stick to the plan and make Nick understand what he was trying to do.

The Church said he—no, they were wrong, but he knew what they had was so right. The law of man was on their side. They were outsiders enough in the eyes of the ‘real’ Families and those that ran around dabbling with crime. The law passed ten years ago gave not only him, but all those F-Town, the thing that had long since been used against them—tradition.

Vinny had arranged so much. Nick would love it. They’d get married at St. Luke’s. Though Father Lisboa wasn’t supposed to conduct the ceremony, he would. He was like the rest of them. Like everyone Vinny Constantine figured he was helping. Father Lisboa made arrangements with Father Johns from the Episcopalian church two blocks over to make the record of their union. Either way, it would be legal and they would carry on tradition.

Hopefully, there after Nick would undergo the treatment. Vinny hoped for countless daughters that looked like Nicky and sons big and strong like himself. So many plans. So many hopes. It’d just take one step at a time.

He just needed to make Nicky see his vision.