Fix This

Where It All Went Wrong

Prompt: Could you write something about Jeff's childhood? Like him remembering the good times and when it all went wrong. Then he cries and Nick consoles him - Damiann Green9836

Hope this is close to what you were looking for! Thanks for the prompt!

Note: This chapter shows Jeff at various ages

They used to hug him, his mother especially. If he had a bad dream or got hurt or sometimes just because, Jeff's mother would scoop him up into her arms and hold him close.

His father was never overly affectionate, but even back then he would smile and clap Jeff on the back or pull him against his side for a quick moment.

That all changed a couple years after his brother was born. Jeremy was an active toddler, running all over the place and never stopping for a moment. Their mother was always having to chase him around the house.

Their father... well, Mr. Sterling loved having a son who was running and who, even at only a few years of age, already showed a love for sports. Soccer and baseball were easier for Mr. Sterling to understand than dancing and singing.

So Jeff was left alone most of the time. He didn't blame his brother for getting so much attention, Jeremy was only a baby after all. But Jeff never understood why his parents suddenly didn't seem to care about him at all.

Things only got worse when Jessie entered the picture. Finally his mother had a little girl to dress up and dote on.

Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling had the perfect children. one year old Jessie with her curly blonde hair and beautiful dresses and six year old Jeremy who played soccer, baseball, and loved to swim. They were even looking into peewee football for him next year.

"I just wasn't good enough," Jeff said, wiping miserably at his eyes. "I didn't play sports, I danced and sang. I wasn't a little girl my mother could dress up and show off... I remember once I put on some of her lipstick when I was like, four, and my dad yelled at me for an hour."

Nick said nothing, just continued to hold his boyfriend's hand and rub soothing circles on his back.

"When they found out I was gay..." Jeff shook his head and scoffed. "We'd been assigned to work in pairs for a science project and my partner, Ryan Thomas, was at my house. We just wanted to see what it was like... kissing another boy. We were so stupid, I was so stupid."

"No you weren't," Nick murmured gently.

"I was," Jeff nodded, "My dad walked in and saw his. I don't think he's ever been that angry before. Needless to say Ryan Thomas was not allowed back to my house. We were twelve."

Nick closed his yes as he felt his own tears starting to build. He had to stay strong. Jeff needed to be strong right now.

"He never hugged me again after that," Jeff said, his voice tight with both emotion and anger. "Wouldn't touch me at all, barely even looked at me. He said it was that kind of stuff that had led to me being what I was." Jeff laughed humorlessly.

"He couldn't even say the word gay," his laughter turned to sobs as he looked at Nick. "Why wasn't I good enough?"

Nick pulled the blond boy close. "I don't know baby, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything they did to you."

He held Jeff tightly for a while longer.

"Hey, you know something?" Nick pulled back slightly and cupped Jeff's face. "You're more than enough, right here, right now. You are beyond perfection and your parents couldn't see that because they're idiots. But I see it. I see how wonderful and perfect and beautiful you are. And I love you."

Jeff half laughed half sobbed as he buried his face in Nick's neck.

"I love you too," he choked out.

Nick pressed a kiss to Jeff's head and rocked the boy back and forth.

He knew not everything would be solved over right, but eventually he would make Jeff see that he was good enough and that he was loved.

Jeremy and Jessie are original characters of mine from another Niff fic I wrote and I decided to bring them back for this.

Thanks so much for reading! Prompts are always welcome!