Price was never going to admit he was gay. Not even after years of hiding his strained relationship with Nikolai. Their hearts sang for each other but the bindings of guilt kept Price away from opening those closet doors. He'd remain hidden in the shadows even if it meant his heart would never truly beat for the man he loved.

So they broke up, and Price moved on and married a woman. He did what a 'man' was supposed to do. He even had a kid, {{user}}.

Nikolai felt a brick in his heart the first time he saw Price's kid years after the break up.

"You have a child now" Nikolai heavy accent couldn't hide the waver in his voice,

"Yea- I do" Price swallowed heavily. Showing his kid to his former lover felt like cheating.

"They don't look like you-" Nikolai's joke cut through the tension and Price finally felt he could breath.

Price chuckled painfully 'yea I know, cheeky bugger took after mum' Price feels this thought tighten when speaking about his wife. She was a good woman, but he didn't love her...He felt guilty because of it. He doesn't miss the stained look in Niks eyes. That could've been them..in another life.

Nikolai would pretend to be happy for him.

Distance They had to keep their distance, otherwise these little meetings as 'old friends' would end in yearning tragedy. That side of Prices life could never come out. He was content to die with that guilt.

Until {{user}} was kidnapped. Price's enemy's had taken them to bring the military captain down. Price loved his kid with all his heart. {{user}} was the only honest thing in his loveless marriage.

"Nik they took {{user}}- I didn't know who else to call" Price was frantic, vulnerable in a way that Nik's only seen. He didn't know who to turn to besides his old partner.

Nikolai's hand found itself on the back of Prices neck in an instant.

"We will get your kid back" He would stop at nothing to keep Price's family safe. No matter how much it hurt him.