The morning had arrived far to quickly for Warren, but after having a quick shower and driving to a local diner for some coffee, he felt much more awake. However, after his third cup, he still felt just as apprehensive about being back in Maxville.
All morning he had been fighting the urge to drive right over to Wills house. The fantasy of Will opening the door and falling right into his arms was intoxicating, but he had the sense to know that it wasn't going to be that easy. He sighed, rubbing his temples slowly.
"Ugh, this is ridiculous." He muttered to himself as he slammed down his empty mug and threw some notes on the table, more than enough to pay for his coffees. He strode out of the diner with more confidence than he felt and got into his car.
"Just get a grip Warren!" He growled, talking louder now that he was in the safety of his car, where nobody would think he was insane. "This is going to be rough however you go about it. Might as well man up."
He lit a cigarette and slowly inhaled, before starting the car and taking the familiar route to Will's house. As he drove through the leafy suburban streets of Maxville, his mind wandered over the possible outcomes. Hopefully, Will would at least talk to him. Warren grimaced slightly as he imagined Will slamming the door in his face. Of course he wouldn't blame him at all, but it would hurt all the same.
"It's probably what you deserve." He muttered.
Before he knew it, and long before he was ready, he had pulled up outside Wills home.
"This is it." He said as he stepped out of the car and walked calmly to the front door. Inside his nerves were shot, but he figured he could at least pretend to still be the confident tough guy Will had known.
Taking in one last breath, he knocked on the door three times. After what seemed like an eternity, but was most likely only thirty seconds, the door opened. Standing at the door was the one person Warren wasn't looking forward to dealing with. Standing as tall as Warren, with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes, the boy was easy to recognize as the boy he had seen kissing Will.
"Just like you to go the totally opposite way Stronghold." He thought wryly as he took in more of the figure before him. It was obvious to Warren than he was strong, but from the way he was standing, holding the doorframe and biting his lower lip uneasily, he knew the man was nothing like him. He was clearly meek, timid and didn't look like he enjoyed a fight.
"He probably makes Will feel safer than I ever did." Warren thought.
"Can I help you?" The boy asked, breaking the silence.
Warren smirked. Will hadn't shown him pictures.
"Yeah." He said, surprised at the velvety tone his voice had taken on, part challenging and part intensely sexual. "I'm looking for Will Stronghold?"
"Are you a friend of his?" The boy asked apprehensively.
"Something like that. Who are you?" He said, glaring as he shifted his weight to look more menacing. He was now a step closer, leaning into the doorway.
"I'm Daniel. His boyfriend." He said, annoyance flashing amusingly across his face. "And you are?"
"Not here to see you." Warren shot back, pushing past Daniel and walking into the hallway. Once again he was surprised by his actions and his instant dislike for Daniel. Sure, in theory he was competition, but that was only by Warrens own doing. He hadn't planned on being so aggressive, although he had hoped to avoid meeting the guy altogether.
Suddenly, he felt a hand clasp tightly around his neck and within a second was pinned against the wall, his feet dangling a few inches from the ground.
"Alright tough guy." Daniel said, squeezing Warrens neck a little tighter with each word. "Who. Are. You?"
Warren rolled his eyes dramatically, mocking Daniel. He ignited his hand quickly and grabbed Daniels wrist. Instantly he was on the floor, Daniel having let go in as much surprise as pain as he too fell to the ground. This kid obviously had a lot of strength, but Warren knew he had the advantage, being very open to fighting dirty.
"So you're strong too huh?" Warren asked, gasping for breath as he stood. "Bet daddy loves you."
Daniel looked up at Warren, gasping audibly. Warren smiled as the look of confusion on the boys face turned to fear. Even though they had never met, Warren had no doubt the boy had realized who he was dealing with.
"You're him aren't you?"
"The one and only." Warren said, letting the flames that covered his hand go out.
Suddenly, from upstairs, a very familiar voice caught Warrens attention.
"Dan, what's all the noise?"
Warren smiled broadly. He had never heard such a beautiful sound before now. Instantly his mood had changed and all the aggression and bravado he had felt a moment ago washed away. Within a moment, the sound of Will bounding down the stairs filled the hallway.
"What are you doing down ..." Will began, trailing off as his eyes turned to Warren.
The seconds ticked by in silence as Will stared, mouth hanging open slightly. Finally, Warren could bear it no longer.
"Will..." He began, placing his hand gently on Wills shoulder. "Will are you ok?"
"You're... are you really here?"
"Yeah."
"Oh god." Will said quietly, sitting down on the bottom stair. Daniel began to move towards him, but was stopped with a violent glare from Warren.
"Will... I'm sorry for springing this on you...I couldn't think of any way to make this less of a shock..." Warren said, choking up slightly as the moment really hit him.
"Will... I..."
"Get out of here." Will muttered, so low Warren could hardly hear it.
"Will please..."
"I... I can't... I can't deal with this Warren..." Will whispered, tears steaming down his cheeks "Please just go."
Warren reached out to grasp Wills hand. It felt just like it always had, just like he had never been away.
"Baby... please let me talk to you."
Again, Warren was surprised as another attack from Daniel came from nowhere, the first alert being the throbbing pain in his head as it hit the Wall. He stood up quickly, ready to fight back, when Will, sitting motionless on the stairs caught his attention. He moved towards the door, turning back as he walked through.
"Will. I'm staying in Maxville, one way or the other. When you're ready, come to me."
"That's never gonna happen." Daniel growled, throwing his arm over Wills shoulder protectively.
"Oh an Will?" Warren said slowly. Will looked up, meeting his eyes for the first time "When you come, leave the kid here."
With that, he turned and walked to his car calmly, looking back at the house once. From the doorway, Daniel stood watching Warren with a look that turned from anger to fury as Warren showed him one flaming finger.
-
Minutes later, Warren stopped the car, only a few blocks away from Wills home. He got out and sat on the hood, lighting a cigarette with trembling hands. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks and he tried to inhale without gasping.
His head was spinning. While he was there, he was only reacting to what was happening, but now that he was alone and able to think more clearly, the shock of seeing Will like that set in. He knew Will wasn't as angry as he had sounded and that it was just shock that made him react that way, but it wasn't an easy sight for Warren to see. Once again, he was causing Will more pain, or so it seemed to him.
Warren sighed, pulling himself together slightly. While he wasn't expecting an easy reunion, he hadn't counted on Daniel. If only he had been able to talk to Will alone....
He sighed again as he got back into his car, finally feeling like he was stable enough to drive in a straight line. He headed home quickly, to wait for Will.
-
It was dark when Warren opened his eyes, looking around the room quickly. He knew instinctively that he wasn't alone, but it was too dark to see anything.
"Alright, I'm gonna give you five seconds to show yourself before I start torching things. I've had a really crappy day, so don't think I won't." He called out to the darkness.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his chest, pushing him back onto the bed. Warrens fear left him abruptly. Even in the dark, he knew that touch. Warren lay down slowly, placing his hand over the one on his chest.
"I knew you'd come." He whispered into the darkness, as he felt the body of his former lover press into his side.
"How could I stay away?" Will whispered back.
-
AN: So Warren acts like a bit of a tool, strolling in there like that and being so aggressive, but really, that's Warren. When he left and told Will to come over, I know that comes across as a little arrogant, him just assuming that Will will come, but that's just part of how well they know each other.
Stupid Daniel, being all protective of Will and annoying...
P.S Are they (a) having passionate, crazy make up sex, (b) talking and crying or (c) being all romantic and laying together?
I don't know lol
