Family tensions

Nick woke up the following morning and was initially confused as to where exactly he was. Then it all came flooding back to him - everything that had happened to him the previous day. He was still amazed at how quickly an ordinary day at school could turn around. How quickly his entire life had been turned upside down, all because of a few seconds in which he admitted his feelings at last. That was one thing he did not regret, letting Jeff know exactly how he felt. That kiss had felt so right, had made him so happy for the first time in months; since before Hunter and everything that had come along with him. In fact, aside from his father's reaction and the subsequent events, everything since had been more than alright.

"You're awake then Nicky," came a voice. "I didn't want to leave you alone in bed, but mom said that I had to give you peace to sleep and not wake you. But it's nearly 11 o'clock now, and you must be hungry. So I've brought you some breakfast." Nick sat up and opened his eyes - Jeff was standing there with a plate with some toast and a mug, which by the smell of things contained coffee. "Also, you really do need to get up because I've convened a council of war. It's only a matter of time before your dad turns up here looking for you, and my parents and I have decided on strength in numbers. So we might have made a few phone calls between us and people will be getting here in about an hour. So, eat your toast, drink your coffee and then we will get you looking presentable - but battered…"

Nick did as he was told, as his boyfriend (it still seemed so strange to refer to Jeff as that, but he was) fussed over him. They sorted out clothes for Nick to wear after he had taken a quick shower. Jeff had offered to leave the room whilst he changed, but he had told him not to bother - they had shared the locker room at Dalton often enough, and soon they would be seeing a lot more of each other anyway. Jeff had blushed, but at the same time smiled broadly. They had then made their way downstairs, where Mrs Sterling had fussed over him, checking his head over to make sure that the cut was clean. Then there was a knock at the door.

The first two people to arrive were Trent and Sebastian - on seeing Nick, the former burst into tears, whereas Sebastian just looked so angry, muttering darkly about making Nick's father pay. He had Jeff on side for that, and once Trent had been reassured that Nick was not seriously hurt, he calmed down and sat listening to the conversation. The next to arrive was Blaine, with Sam Evans. "We need numbers, and Sam is a) a good guy and b) pretty handy with his fists if necessary." Nick looked startled at that statement, but he appreciated it nonetheless. Finally, the door sounded again, and this time Burt and Carole appeared.

"Blaine's idea," Jeff whispered to Nick. "We all know that he is the best when it comes to rights - on top of that, he's a Congressman and no matter how angry he is, your dad wouldn't risk attacking anyone whilst he is here. Carole is a nurse so no doubt she'll be here to check your head." Jeff was proven right the minute that she walked in. Burt stood on the threshold, shaking his head and talking to the Sterlings. Nick felt slightly guilty at all the attention he was getting. He looked up to see Trent answering yet another text on his phone. "He might have sent a text to Wes to say that your dad had hit you," said Jeff. "And it has snowballed. I think everybody that we know in the Warblers knows now. I think we could beat your dad hands down." As Nick smiled, not knowing whether to be glad or upset that everyone knew, he heard the screech of car brakes outside. He knew without looking that his father had arrived.

The conversation in the room stopped as they heard footsteps making there way towards the front door. Instinctively, Jeff and Trent sat either side of Nick - Blaine, Sam and Sebastian formed a wall in front of him, and Carole and Jeff's mom stood next to them. There was a thunderous knocking on the door, and then a voice yelling. "NICHOLAS! I know that you are in there. You have one minute to get yourself out here, or I will be calling the sheriff to let him know that you have been abducted by your friend and his parents. You know who he will believe. Just get out here, and get in the car. You're sick and we need to get you treated. I'm warning you, if you care about that freak as much as you claim, then you don't want to get him mixed up with the cops."

It was the word freak that did it. It took all of Carole's powers of persuasion to stop four boys rushing to the door to open it and deal with him. Nick was crying and Jeff was blinking back his own tears as he tried to comfort him. Meanwhile, Mr Sterling and Burt had gone to the door, the latter keeping out of sight as the former opened the door keeping the security chain on. In the lounge, they couldn't hear what was being said by Jeff's dad, but they could all quite clearly hear Nick's dad shouting at him to give him his son back. Finally came a shout of "Just because you are happy that your own son is a freak, it does not give you the right to poison my boy. It's child abuse and I won't stand for it."

"And so is slapping your son so hard that he loses his balance and gashes his head on a table." Burt's voice echoed through the whole house as he suddenly appeared and shouted back as loud as Mr Duval. "I'm sure that the sheriff would be delighted to hear how you injured your boy last night; would love to see his bruises. As for who he would believe, I think you might find he believes the evidence of his eyes, your boy and me. I suggest you go home, cool off and think about what you are doing. He is your son - if he isn't what you expected then that is tough, because we don't get to choose for them. Carry on the way you are, and he will never forgive you."

There was a moment's silence, and then as clear as day, they all heard Mr Duval. "I don't really care. If he wants to stay here, fine. Just let him know that as far as I am concerned,I don't have a son anymore. He is nothing to me. He can do what he wants, because I don't give a damn."

There was a stunned silence in the Sterlings lounge, punctuated only by the sobs coming from Nick. Jeff and Trent were both crying too. As they heard the sound of a car tearing away, Nick suddenly stopped, and took a breath. "I guess that's it then. He isn't going to come round. I guess I always knew that admitting the truth about myself would cause trouble. But I wouldn't change anything. I am happier right now than I have been for a very long time. I don't have to hide my real self anymore and that's such a relief. If I have lost my family, then… as long as I have you, Jeffie, I don't need anyone else."

"You've got me Nicky, because I am going nowhere, and I'm sure that we have everyone here too. Your dad is an idiot, because he's just thrown away the most talented, beautiful person in the world." With that, he leaned in to kiss him, gaining an awww from his friends, and from Carole. She couldn't help but notice that Mrs Sterling was not so pleased…

Everyone stayed for lunch, and a list of priorities was drawn up, much of the input coming from Burt. Firstly, they had to ensure that Nick was safe - for that, they needed to find him somewhere to stay on a more permanent basis. Jeff's room was ok for a couple of nights, but not forever. "I guess I could ask my grandparents if I could move in there. They don't like my dad, and they've always said they will love me whatever I do."

"Sounds to me kiddo like your grandparents might have known this day would come with words like that. They know how close you are to Jeff?" Nick nodded at Burt's question, and suddenly it dawned on him - maybe his grandmother at least had an inkling that he wasn't as straight as he made out to be.

Secondly, they had to find some way of getting into the Duval house to get the rest of Nick's belongings. "Easier said than done, given that my dad took my keys away. My mom won't let me in either, and the only other person with a key is my sister, but she lives in Denver these days. I might just have to resign myself to having the two cases of stuff. I have the most important things…" The final question was what to do about Nick's injuries. He was adamant that he didn't want to go to hospital, as that could lead to the police and trouble. In the end, Carole dealt with things as best as she could, not for the first time. She also had a quick word with Jeff's mom in private and confirmed what she had thought - they had no problem with Jeff being gay, or with Nick as his boyfriend. Just not under our roof, and take it slowly please, so nobody will get hurt. Carole knew teenage boys only too well - the latter might not be achievable.

It was later that day, after everyone had left, and Jeff's parents had gone out shopping, that there came another insistent knock on the door. Nick was immediately worried that his father had returned, or sent the cops. Jeff had every reason to worry about the same things, but decided that it was better to answer the door and know what they were dealing with. He ensured that the chain was on first, then opened the door. On the threshold stood a young woman, with dark hair and the same colour of eyes as Nick. "Hi, I'm looking for Nick. I'm guessing that you are Jeff?" He looked at her, a bit startled that she knew so much - a plain clothes police officer was his first thought. Nick stood just round the corner, trembling. The voice however had seemed slightly familiar. "Sorry, I should introduce myself, as you've probably had a bad enough day already without me stressing you out. I'm Grace…"

Before she could even finish the sentence, Nick was running to the door. He took a look through the gap, then shut it to wrench the security chain off. He flung it open again and jumped out to embrace the woman on the doorstep. She returned it at once, all the while with a look of shock on her face at the state of Nick's head. Jeff was still completely confused by the turn of events. "As I was saying, I'm Grace Duval, this idiot's sister. It is a pleasure to meet my brother's first boyfriend, Jeff. Unlike my parents, I think that it's fantastic. So, does your potential future sister-in-law get a hug?" That was how Jeff's parents found them moments later when they turned into the driveway - the two boys wrapped in the arms of Nick's sister.