Warbler Infections

Chapter 34: "Back to where you once belonged"

January 4th, 2011
Jeff's POV

  Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Torture.

Just one phone call. That's all I'm asking for here.

  "I know Jeff, I hate that I have to go. I'd much rather spend break cuddled up watching polar express and baking cookies with you. My parents have spent all semester planning this Portugal trip. And if I dip now, especially because I'm staying with my boyfriend? I'd be killed."

  Am I clingy? I didn't think I was.

  "We come back on the 10th, you can hold out till then, right? I'll do my best to give you a call every morning, maybe send some souvenirs. I promise, every second I'm there will be spent thinking about you."

  I'm not over-attached. Wanting to be around the guy I love is normal.

  "Hey! What's up, you've reached Nick's voicemail. Sorry to miss your call, leave a message at the beep and I'll be sure to get back to ya!"

  Should I? No, he's busy, probably just enjoying his time. Let's not bother-

  "Uh hey Nicky it's Jeff, you didn't answer my last call, or the other twelve before that. I wanted to check in, make sure you're safe and happy there. Well, I'm not gonna use up any more of your time. Take lots of pictures, say hi to Ellie for me. See you next week lovey, call soon?"

  Don't you dare cry. You know he still cares.

  Oh cut the bullshit he's not calling you back. His phone's not dead, he didn't leave it at the hotel, he just doesn't want to talk right now.

  "Dad wanted a European trip so he could be closer to work colleagues, something about a charity gala. Believe me, I have no clue what shady shit he does and I definitely don't want to go to some campy party. But babe, the second our plane hits Ohio ground you can bet I'll be jumping out the window and sprinting into your arms. This time apart isn't gonna change anything."

  Really? Because it feels like almost everything has changed.

  The only thing I know is your words, kisses, arms wrapped tightly around my shoulders after a long day of sharing snacks and binging the classics. Now it's just, cold. Our sofa is missing an occupant. Christmas presents are missing their receiver. And I'm missing you the most.

  Stop being such a worry wart, Sterling.

  A gentle rapping of the door was startling after being in near silence for what seemed like years. Was it a package? Mom didn't mention anything when she left for her meeting.

  "I'm sorry, Dana isn't here to sign for-

  Sebastian?

  "Well, guess that doesn't matter since I came to see you." Something was off about him, a good different but, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. He made his way over to the recliner, lounging back with...my phone in hand?

  "Dude, give that back its none of your busine-

"Hey Nick, sorry to bother you again but, are you doing alright? I've called you twice and no answer. You might have your phone on silent but just talk back when you get the chance. Hugs and kisses, Jeff."

  "Seb, what's the meaning of all this?"

  "Morning Nicky, are you having a good time? Break has been so slow and weird without you. When you get back I'm expecting a detailed account on everything that happened. And I've called five times so if anything's wrong be sure to tell me. I miss you something awful. Love, Jeffy." He flipped the phone closed and ushered me to the couch.

  "You still haven't told me what the hell you're doing here."

  "A little birdy had a sneaking suspicion that you'd be freaking out without Nick around and wanted me to check up on you. And clearly they were right. So now I'm stepping in as the hero and we're gonna have the best winter snowed in super party extravaganza ever. So you better wipe that frown off your face."

——————————————————————

  The far away humming of A Christmas Story rang behind me as I plopped the last of our marshmallows into two steaming mugs of cocoa. When I returned to the living room Sebastian was entranced by the screen, wrapped in a throw blanket much too small for his stature.

  "Did you finally find the right side do the bed to wake up on? Like no offense Seb, but you're never this peppy. It's refreshing." He took another handful of popcorn before shrugging.

  "I guess I'm just finally understanding how you feel all the time. Clingy, confused, longing. Hunter and I have been doing well taking it slow. But since he's at his grandparent's cabin in Vancouver I've gotten pretty lonely. Thought you would relate."

  "And how exactly have you coped with it?"

  Seb took a long inhale before pausing the movie and slinging his arm around my shoulders. "Look at us, we're smoking. And Nick and Hunter know that they're lucky to get our attention." He drawled out, laced with faux sarcasm. "But in all seriousness Jeff, you know deep down that Nick would never purposely do anything to scare you or put you in danger. Right?"

  I shook my head, staring back at the carpet. "Yeah, no, I just went into another one of my overthinking frenzies. His dad probably took away his phone or something equally as punishing. Thanks for coming to see how I've been doing though. Us winter widows have got to stick together."

  He chuckled, playing the movie once again as we sipped hot chocolate and retold stories of first Christmas's and the temper tantrums that came with them.

  "So when I woke up and saw that I didn't get the new LEGO police station, lemme tell you-

  Our grandfather clock struck the hour, indicating that Sebastian had stayed for three.

  "I should head back right about now. The roads are still slippery and I hate driving in the dark. Glad that we could hang out today, Jeff. Let's do this more often."

  I handed him his cardigan and enveloped him in a quick embrace. "Have I actually gotten the Sebastian Smythe to show his soft side?" He waved me off on his way to the end of the sidewalk.

  "Don't count on it blondie, good luck!"

  At least being alone gives me the perfect opportunity to binge the bachelor. Too bad Nick isn't here to make fun of it with me.

  Hey guys! So no, I'm not dead and I didn't abandon the fic I've just wanted to adjust to the first weeks of summer here and I have a health course that takes about three hours out of my day. I've spend the past month working on my mental state and now I think I'm back in a place where weekly updates are possible and I forgot how much I miss writing. Thank you so so much for still reading, commenting, adding to reading lists while I've been on my break. I know this entire chapter is kinda unrelated to the plot but I felt a Seb and Jeff friendship would be fun and I'm also missing holiday time right now. Have a great morning, afternoon, or evening. The ones we love the most have a way of finding their way back to us.

  Love,
- Lindsay 💕