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Title: Sniffles
Author: Aurelia
Warnings: Slash (m/m). Rated G.
Notes: My story. Don't steal. Ask before posting anywhere. I'll say yes.

Date Began: July 9, 2002
Date Ended: July 10, 2002

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Nathan stared down at his English book, his eyes running over the familiar grammar rules without interest. His teacher blathered on about their importance, her voice incessant in his tortured ears. And then in the midst of it all, he heard it. A small sniffle coming from the back of the room.

He sighed, resting his chin in the palm of his hand and looking out the window next to him. But there it was again, the distinct sniffle that had been interrupting his thoughts for the past half hour.

Sam had a cold. And he'd been complaining about it for a week -- pouting helplessly at home, blowing his nose in what seemed to be absolute agony...overall, just being the drama diva that he was.

Nathan wondered why it was so hard for that drama diva to get up and get a Kleenex in class once in awhile instead of sniffling pitifully every five seconds. Just like he was right now.

Nathan listened to the sound coming from the very back of his row and sighed again. The tissue box was on the other side of the room. Usually, Sam treated the ground he sashayed upon as a catwalk. But no, not when he was sick. He didn't want to draw attention to himself when he was less than oozing sex appeal. It certainly wouldn't do to have people staring at him while he had a runny nose.

Another sniffle came, followed by a loud exhalation of breath through the mouth. Nathan rolled his eyes at the sound and looked down at the chipped black polish covering his fingernails. Hmm. He needed a touch-up.

His teacher's voice droned on, and then came another sniffle, accompanied by a shakey inhilation.

Oh, for God's sake. Nathan sighed with resignation and set his jaw, rising from his chair. He walked down his row, towards the back of the room, trying to ignore the eyes upon him, especially those belonging to Sam. He walked past his friend and across the back of the room, finding his teacher gazing at him, though she only slightly slowed her speech pattern.

He walked up the far row, aware of how squeaky his shoes sounded upon the hard floor. Reaching out his suddenly sweating hand, he grabbed a couple of tissues from the box and headed back to where he'd come from.

Sam's bright blue eyes met his as Nathan walked towards him. Nathan couldn't help but smile in return as Sam favored him with a grateful grin.

He laid the tissues down on Sam's desk, and paused for a moment to affectionately ruffle the boy's blond hair, allowing his hand to linger briefly on Sam's neck. He felt for a moment Sam's touch at the small of his back, and then pulled away, walking back to his desk and taking a seat.

He looked up at Mrs. Winchester apologetically, but the woman only smiled, nodding slightly. Nathan grinned to himself and settled back, again looking down at his English book and the familiar rules written there.

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FINISH -

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