Nick was usually so well put together, but when he fell into a bout of sadness, boy did he fall hard. That is exactly what happened when his parents had passed away 3 years ago, and it was happening again now. Jeff knew that he would have to pick up the pieces of his boyfriend, slowly and gently, with love and affection. Jeff knew, from previous experience, that he needed to let Nick cry it out for as long as necessary, for the brunette was a master at bottling up his emotions until he reached breaking point.

The moment that Jeff had heard about Nick's grandmothers death, Jeff was immediately concerned. Firstly, he had heard about it, not from Nick, but from Nick's grandfather (who knew that Nick wouldn't tell anyone until he finally snapped- usually weeks later). Secondly, his boyfriend was still in class, looking pale and not-so-happy, but not as broken-down as one would expect. Jeff knew it was only a matter of time before his Nicky snapped, and it would not be pretty at all. Jeff grandmother was his main support system, he went to her for everything. His boyfriend would surely be feeling horribly sad, but he refused to let anything show.

Later that day, in Warbler practice, they were singing through their new setlist for Nationals, and Sebastian asked if Nick and Jeff would like to take the solo for "Bleeding Out" by Imagine Dragons. Jeff wanted to ask for a change of song, as Bleeding Out was one of his grandmother's favourite songs, but knew that the curious Warblers would question the change, and he figured that Nick wouldn't want his life shared around the club. Nick was never one to seek out sympathy. All was going well until the 2nd chorus came around. Jeff could see his boyfriend barely holding back tears, and if he could see it, the others could too, right? Wrong. Everybody else was jamming out to the song, too busy harmonising with each other to see one of their own crumbling in front of them.

"I'm bleeding out for-" Jeff was cut off by a choked sob.

Jeff turned to Nick, who had collapsed on the floor, unable to hold back his sobs anymore. He sighed as the heart wrenching sobs of his loved one echoed throughout the common room. The Warblers turned to Jeff, confusion evident in their eyes, but Jeff had all of his attention focused on his Nicky. Jeff pulled Nick onto his lap and rocked him back and forth, giving him the contact he knew Nick needed right now. Jeff gestured for the Warblers to leave, so that he could comfort his boyfriend in peace. Niff just rocked back and forth, back and forth, tears soaking Jeff's shirt.

Night had long since fallen before Nick's sobs quietened out, and the steady rise and fall of the brunette's chest only confirmed Jeff's suspicions- Nick had fallen asleep. Jeff carefully placed Nick on the navy blue and red couch, and settled next to his lover, drifting off to sleep easily

The day of the funeral had finally come. That weekend, Nick and Jeff entered the funeral venue, Nick grasping Jeff's hand to the point where the blonde thought it would fall off. Nick wasn't ready. He refused to believe that his grandmother was gone, that he would never see her smiling face again. He was only here because the Warblers were performing. That, and Jeff had told him that he would regret it if he didn't go. He shed no tears. He showed no emotion. He performed with his friends, Jeff keeping his eye on Nick at all times, but it was all for nothing. Nick had let out all of his tears at that fateful Warbler's rehearsal, and he was now back to being the rock for his childish and overly-emotional lover.

A.N- that was sadder than I intended :(

Please comment with prompts! This prompt was given to me by StyxxandBethany

Have a great new year!

Climberchick72