Blaine and Nick had settled on a mammoth game of Super Mario. Sat side by side in the common room, they were shouting at the TV, engrossed, neither noticed the common room doors open nor Christian enter down the steps.
"Guys" quipped Christian smoothly.
"Oh, hi" nodded Nick, glancing quickly towards the doors then back towards the screen. "Didn't see you there."
"Clearly" dead panned Christian; walking slowly around the room and coming to a standstill behind the couch where Nick & Blaine were sat.
"Hey, Blaine how's Kurt?" he asked, absentmindedly running his fingers along the back of the seat.
"Um, okay" said Blaine, not looking away from the screen. "Gone home for the weekend."
"Really" replied Christian raising an eyebrow which Blaine didn't notice as he was still staring at the screen.
"Yeah, family stuff you know. Oh hell, Nick, that was my star and you know it."
"How about you Nick, how's Jeff?"
"Yeah, great, bit tired, gone back to his room for a rest, back to himself later, you know what he's like" he replied, still staring at the screen thumbs flying over the control.
"Well, I must say I admire your attitudes" scoffed Christian. "You might want to pay a little more attention to your guys though boys. You never know what might be going on while you're distracted like this" he sniggered.
"Huh" said Blaine, still not taking his eyes off the screen. Neither he nor Nick was particularly friendly with Christian but he was a Warbler so they were acquainted, "what was that" he asked over his shoulder, still not taking his eyes off the screen.
"Nothing, nothing" smiled Christian. "You carry on. Enjoy the game guys, I certainly will" he called over his shoulder as he sauntered out of the room hands in his pockets a sly smile on his face.
"What did he want" Nick asked, glancing over at Blaine.
"Not sure. Wasn't really listening" said Blaine still hammering at his control, "Something about enjoying the game I think."
Jeff let himself back into his room. A plate of cold toast clutched in his hands.
He made his way over to his dresser and put down the plate and the bottles. Taking the note from the mirror he screwed it into a ball and threw it into the wastepaper basket on the opposite side of the room, raising his hands in victory as it bounced in first time.
Looking around he saw the bed was empty and he could hear the shower running. Straightening the comforters and righting the pillows Jeff collapsed onto the bed and shut his eyes, throwing one arm over his face for good measure, this was going to be a very long two days.
"Jeff?" Kurt called from the bathroom.
"Hey, Kurt" he responded moving his arm and sitting up slightly so that he could see his face "how are you this morning?"
"Okay" he replied in a small voice "a little sore; bit bruised" he gestured to his eye attempting a smile.
"Uh huh" Jeff nodded.
"You thought anymore about telling Blaine? He's right downstairs with Nick. We could pop down and spend the day with them. What do you think?" he proposed warily.
"Jeff" whispered Kurt.
"Okay, okay" Jeff replied putting his hands up "I just thought that maybe after a night's sleep you might have changed your mind."
"No, sorry" Kurt mumbled looking down at the floor and shuffling his feet from side to side.
"Hey it's okay" said Jeff standing and making his way over to Kurt "I just don't understand why you don't want him to know, you could be having a much better time with him taking care of you than me you know" he said giving Kurt a quick hug.
Kurt remained silent.
"Kurt" Jeff said pulling back from the hug and bending slightly to try and catch Kurt's gaze, his hands remaining on his friend's shoulders, "I was only kidding you know, I don't mind looking after you at all."
"I just. I just don't want him to feel like he has to protect me all the time" Kurt mumbled to the floor, "It's bad enough that I have to feel pathetic, I don't need my boyfriend knowing I am too. Hell I couldn't even go to the mall without getting beat up."
"Kurt" stuttered Jeff, "Do you honestly believe that he would feel that way?" his fingers tightening somewhat on Kurt's shoulders, "do you believe that any of us feel any less of you for what's happened to you, now or ever?"
"Jeff" sighed Kurt, "it's really about how I feel about myself, and I can honestly say that I'm embarrassed to be me sometimes. So please, please, don't tell him" meeting Jeff's gaze with watery eyes and a face so sad it broke Jeff's heart.
"Fine" Jeff sighed, pulling Kurt into a loose hug "We'll do it your way".
"Thanks. Did you bring me anything to eat?" he smiled shyly as he backed away from the hug.
"Of course" laughed Jeff, gesturing over to his dresser,"only the best when you stay at Hotel Jeff. Cold toast and water. Bon Appétit."