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Nick was worried. It was Monday afternoon's Warbler rehearsal and Jeff was late. He had only caught sight of his blond boyfriend a couple of times in the halls between classes today and the taller boy had seemed to rush off with a wave or some other gesture each time, making Nick think he was avoiding him.

He had tried texting him 5 minutes before the meeting started, but he had not got a reply back yet. That's weird. He thought.

As Wes droned on at the front, he leant to whisper in Kurt's ear. "Hey, Kurt? Have you seen Jeff today? He's been acting weirdly and he's not here yet. I'm worried about him."

Kurt looked at Nick and nodded. "Yes, I was going to ask you if something was up. He was very quiet in class this morning. I thought he looked kind of upset." Kurt looked like he wasn't sure whether to continue, but Nick nodded, urging him on. "Well, I wondered if you guys had had a fight? He's usually so energetic and happy and...Jeff!" He finished, earning death glares from Wes which he just rolled his eyes at and shrugged.

Nick was dumbstruck. A fight? No way. I love him so much, even if we disagreed over something we would sort it out without a fight or ignoring each other. Something is seriously wrong here. I need to find him. He raised his hand to interrupt Wes.

"Yes, Warbler Nick? Do you have a question from the floor?" Nick couldn't help rolling his eyes at Wes' pompousness as he stood. "Warbler Jeff isn't here yet and I'm worried about him. I'd like permission to go and find him?"

After conferring with a concerned-looking Trent to his left, Wes nodded and Nick flew out of the room, heading for Warbler floor, not listening to Wes' answer.

He knocked on Jeff and Kurt's door, waiting for any sound from within. He thought he heard some rustling noises and what sounded like a muffled "Mm-hmm?"

"It's me, Nick. Can I come in Jeffie?" Nick waited. He suddenly felt scared that Jeff might actually be annoyed with him about something. But what though? The same muffled answer came, so he opened the door and shut it behind him, walking quietly over to Jeff's bed.

He found a very pale, tired looking Jeff lying wrapped under his blankets, clutching what appeared to be a very old and worn teddy bear. Nick's heart clenched at the sight, even more worried now. He sat on the bed next to the blanket-covered lump that was Jeff and smoothed his blond hair out of his eyes as he softly asked, "Jeffie, what's wrong?"

Jeff didn't answer. He just looked sadly at Nick and shook his head, then burrowed his face in the pillow.

"Jeff, please talk to me? Have I done something wrong?" Nick begged, panicked now.

Jeff just shook his head, his face still muffled in the pillow.

Nick stood up. He slipped off his shoes and removed his blazer. "Okay, Jeffie, if you're not coming out, then I'm coming in!" He paused, but after no movement he lifted the covers and snuggled up next to his boyfriend, putting the blankets back over them. He wrapped his arms around Jeff and waited. As he waited, he peppered soft kisses on his blond hair. Finally the lump moved and Jeff's face came into sight.

"There you are!" Nick whispered sweetly and kissed him softly once on the lips. He was pleased to see a faint smile in return, but this was quickly replaced by what looked like a grimace as Jeff groaned loudly, screwing his eyes shut.

"Jeffie! What's wrong?" Nick asked, worried.

Jeff reluctantly looked at Nick as he gingerly opened his mouth to answer. "My tooth." He winced at the pain shooting through his jaw as he moved it. "I think..." another wince, "...I cracked it." He finally finished, ducking his eyes.

Nick couldn't help the relief that washed over him to know that Jeff wasn't upset with him. He tried to concentrate on helping Jeff. "When did you do it?"

"Saturday. Popcorn." Jeff was clearly using as few words as possible to get his meaning across with the least amount of pain.

Nick thought this over. "You mean you've been in pain since we went to the cinema?" The brunet asked incredulously. Jeff nodded sheepishly. "Have you even slept?" The blond shook his head miserably.

"When are you going to the dentist?" Nick asked. Jeff's eyes widened in terror and he shook his head violently, yelping at the pain that movement induced.

Nick suddenly realised what was wrong with his boyfriend. "Jeffie, are you scared of the dentist?" He asked softly.

Jeff nodded carefully.

Nick kissed the tip of his nose. "Why didn't you just say so? I'll go with you, Kurt is in most of my lessons, I won't miss much. It's not five o'clock yet, I can make an appointment for you. Are the contact details in your phone?" Jeff nodded gingerly and Nick scrolled through Jeff's mobile before ringing to make an appointment.

"Okay, there's an urgent appointment tomorrow at 9.15. I'll take you." Nick stated in a don't-argue-with-me tone, so Jeff simply nodded, scared.

"I'll just run down to the nurse and see if she has any soluble painkillers to get you through the night. You look awful and you need to sleep." As an after thought, he added, "Shall I see if Kurt minds swapping with me tonight?"

Jeff looked extremely grateful. "Y-you'd do that for me?" He asked slowly.

Nick bent to kiss Jeff on his forehead gently. "Of course. I love you, silly. Now, try to relax and I'll run to the nurse first."


When Nick returned less than ten minutes later, Jeff was still awake and he managed to sip some soluble painkillers. Nick tucked a shattered looking Jeff back under his covers, popped his teddy bear under his arm and then set off to find Kurt.

About half an hour later, he had cleared swapping rooms with Kurt and had grabbed his uniform and toiletries from his and Blaine's shared room. The curly haired Warbler was concerned about Jeff, but he couldn't help showing excitement over Kurt staying for the night.

Just as Nick left his room, Kurt arrived having grabbed similar necessary items from his and Jeff's room. But his bag was noticeably larger than Nick's. Probably the ridiculous amount of toiletries that Jeff says he uses. Nick smirked, cocking an eyebrow pointedly at the bag. Kurt rolled his eyes, ignoring him.

"How is he?" Nick asked, worried.

Kurt smiled at Nick's caring tone. "He's out like a light. I left the door unlocked for you. Tell him I hope it goes well at the dentist." He said as he entered Nick and Blaine's room, since Nick hadn't shut the door yet.

Nick nodded. "I will. Thanks again for swapping, Kurt. I want to make sure he gets enough sleep and that he actually goes to his appointment."

He turned and walked down the corridor to Jeff's room, not bothering to knock after Kurt had said he was already asleep. He carefully tiptoed around the room, trying not to wake the slumbering boy. It wasn't late yet, but Nick decided to try to get some sleep now too, in case Jeff needed him in the night. He quickly showered, then changed into his pyjamas and brushed his teeth.

He went back into the room and shut off the light, before standing over Jeff deciding what to do. After debating whether to risk waking him up by climbing in next to him or sleeping in Kurt's bed, he thought he knew what Jeff would say. He had said it once before. "I always sleep better with you cuddling me, Nicky."

Nick nodded to himself, before climbing into bed behind Jeff, carefully wrapping an arm around his side and across his stomach, spooning. He softly kissed the back of Jeff's head and drifted off to sleep himself.


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