Plus points for Nick
Nick's inner angel• He appears to come from a supportive and loving family in terms of his childhood upbringing so his bad experiences in the navy may have resulted in only short-term damage that can be overcome
• He has not been drummed out of the navy for bad conduct so he hasn't gotten into serious trouble there as far as we know
• He was patient with Dupree and did not try to push him into having sex before he was ready and responded immediately when Jeremy felt pain
• He is responsible about the use of condoms so his self destructive tendencies are not extreme and he has sufficient sense of duty to protect others from possible infection
• He had a guilty conscience about lying to Dupree and came clean (beginnings of trust?)
• He did not blame Dupree for him getting drunk and going off the deep end or try to manipulate his way out of trouble
• He did not start the fight with Lance
• He is willing to work and try to make amends
• He shows signs of seeing a role model in Ennis and Ellery's relationship
• He is strongly attracted to Dupree rather than someone who will brutalise him further so his self esteem is not that low. At some level must believe he can be worthy of a man like Jeremy.
Well I guess all that gives the guy a more than even chance to come through this rough patch in his young life.
PS I wondered about that kiss between Nick and Jeremy in fornt of the police colleagues. I guess they had Dupree figured out by his working in a gay bar and the absence of active skirt chasing and were used to Ellery. They also like and respect Dupree - so hopefullythey could take the kiss in their stride (although Ellery said he is careful to keep any overt references to his gayness away from work). I am somewhat surprised that Dupree didn't flinch back like Ennis would have done in the early days. It looks like Jeremy, unlike Ennis who was so isolated and without support, is making a far quicker adjustment to coming out.
