Notes: Drew is a butthole; a very understandable butthole.

Warrior's Sacrifice

It wasn't as if Drew didn't feel guilt. He was a good guy deep down – or, at the very least, he hoped he was. There was definitely something approaching guilt inside of him as he let out a satisfied sigh as he pulled open the door to the Dot.

It was early – entirely too early for the typically lazy and late sleeper Drew Torres to be out and about. But it was a necessary part of his plan. Again, he felt a flush of guilt course through him, but he wouldn't let it overcome him. So he squashed it. He could see it in his mind's eye as he wrapped his fingers around it – a throbbing, beating organ much like his heart – and squeezed and crushed it until it was taunt and coiled around his fingers before tossing it aside. Guilt was for later.

He saw Riley sitting at a table in the back, and the older boy's face split with a grin as he saw Drew. Drew returned the grin, happy to see Riley despite the conversation that was coming. The Dot was mostly empty, only the most diehard fans of the café and coffee addicts present for their morning cup. It was a safe place to meet up. The crowd was small enough to allow their little relationship to be a secret, and they could explain away their meet up as working on homework before school. There was also enough people to stop Riley from freaking out or turning their conflict to violence less he risk making a scene.

"Hey," Riley greeted him as he approached.

"Hey yourself," Drew flirted as he took a seat.

"Got you a coffee," Riley stated, indicating the second cup resting idle on the table. "It's black, but you can add sugars and stuff yourself," he added, sliding containers of creamer across the table.

Drew nodded his thanks as he popped the lid off the cup and dumped three of the mini-containers of creamer into it. This was nice. It would be grand to be able to wake up early every morning and have a friendly face ready with coffee. It would be nice to have someone there for him. It would be thrilling to have a lover who could rock his world in bed; he closed his eyes to savor memories of Riley's hands and lips traveling his body and the feeling of a dick doing things to him he could scarcely imagine much less achieve in any other way.

But none of those things were for him. He was a warrior. His purpose was to protect those he loved, not to savor the joys of life. A shard of pain tore through him; he didn't let himself think the thought often, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he may never find one to love as his own. If he was willing to do this to Riley – to crush this something that they had which sent electricity through his body – would he ever find someone he wouldn't hurt?

Adam first, he thought. Always Adam first. It was his mantra since childhood when his brother was still known as Gracie. Adam first. Adam first. Adam first.

He felt a nudge on his arm which jerked him to awareness and helped him process the words Riley was speaking. "You okay?"

Drew blinked as he returned to the world. "Oh…" he stammered. "Sorry, I guess I dozed out for a moment there."

Riley chuckled as he shook his head with amusement. He took a moment to survey the room before speaking again. "You're cute when you're flustered."

Drew blushed as he covered something approaching a giggle of his own with his hand.

"You should drink your coffee – it'll perk you up," Riley suggested.

Drew nodded as he tested the hot liquid on his tongue which was made only slightly cooler by the creamer.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Riley queried. "I have to admit, I was intrigued when you texted after our fun last night."

Drew smirked. "That was fun, wasn't it? But we did manage to skirt the true purpose of our meet up."

"And what was that?" Riley asked skeptically.

"So, how are we going to convince everyone that you're stepping down as QB without it being… suspicious?"

Riley bellowed with laughter. "Still on that?" he asked. "I can tell you one thing Drew – that isn't happening."

Drew kept the cheshire-like smile painted across his face despite the guilt that swam in his stomach. "Oh, I think it will," he gloated. "Look, Riley, I like you. A lot. But I will make this clear for the last time – I will be QB. Now are you going to give it to me, or am I going to have to take it?"

Riley frowned. "What are you up to? I thought we had something special."

"We do," Drew vowed. "What we have is really special to me, and I would hate to lose it. I would really quite like for us to keep up what we're doing, but that can only happen if you back down."

"Why's that? Don't want to play football anymore if you're not in charge?" Riley asked with a shimmy of his eyebrows as he tried to make light of the situation.

"Because if you make me to this the hard way," Drew said slowly before pausing to lock eyes with Riley. "I can guarantee you will want nothing to do with me. This is your escape, Riley. Take it before I destroy you."

"Going to 'out' me then?" Riley demanded, before taking a panicked look around the room to make sure no one overheard.

"With how paranoid you are?" Drew snickered. "I won't have to. The threat will be enough. I'm kind of glad really. I'd hate to think that I've hurt you – well, more than stabbing you in the back."

"You wouldn't," Riley countered. "You're not willing to out yourself to hurt me."

"As I've said, I'm not out to hurt you. I just need to be QB," Drew retorted. "And, Riley, not all of us are ashamed of who we are."

"I'm not ashamed…"

"No, you're just afraid to let anyone know."

"You won't do it," Riley repeated to dodge the question.

"I will," Drew promised as he spread his arms on the table and locked eyes with Riley.

"You have no proof," Riley intoned. "Good luck convincing anyone."

A devious grin spread across Drew's face. "Don't I?"

Riley frowned.

"I'm shocked you didn't catch on," Drew murmured as he retrieved his phone from his pocket and dangled it in front of Riley's face. "Maybe you didn't notice me dropping my phone under the couch. I was being sneaky after all. But didn't you find it a little convenient when I knew exactly where it was when I claimed I lost it? I set it to record every last sound the two of us made."

He snatched the phone away with a grin as Riley grabbed for it, grumbling something along the lines of 'gimme that.'

"Nope!" Drew snickered in response. "Not that it matters anyway. I made a copy at home; even added a few edits to make it more interesting."

"You're lying," Riley's voice cracked as he attempted to boast confidence.

"Lying? I thought you'd try that route," Drew stated as he hit play. He spoke along with his own words, "Have you… done things with a guy before?"

He hit pause as he looked a Riley. "Do you remember your words?" he asked. "Let's see."

Then he hit play and mocked along with Riley's words. "A bit. Zane and I got up to a lot this summer."

Riley's face fell at the turn of events. "Dude…"

Drew paused the recording. "Some of my favorite parts are you talking about your love for Peter and the thrill of messing around with a guy for the first time. And, and…" Drew's lips curved into a wicked smile as he left Riley in anticipation of his next words. "Let's not forget all the sexy groaning."

Drew let his smile fall, and forced himself to hold a straight face as he saw Riley's twisting in pain. It pained him to see Riley distraught as he nibbled on his lips to stop from screaming or crying or from blowing up in whatever way he was internally screaming to. It wasn't his concern anymore – Riley had made that choice for both of them. Drew let his straight face break as he exhaled a sigh. It really was a shame that Riley hadn't backed down when the chance had been offered, but it was almost certainly too late to turn back.

"Your decision then?" Drew asked after some time had passed.

"What do you mean?" Riley croaked, clearly fighting back tears.

"Don't cry," Drew muttered. "At least let me respect you."

Please, don't cry. Take this in stride. Don't let this actually hurt you.

Silence rested between the two of them as those thoughts prickled his mind. After a moment, Drew spoke again. "It's not a decision of whether I'll be QB. It's a matter of whether you will hand it to me or run away crying when I release this recording."

Riley shook his head in disbelief. "Are you serious?" he asked more himself than Drew.

"I already said I don't want to do this, Riley. Don't give me no other choice. Back down."

"Would you really spread what is essentially a sex tape to get what you want?" Riley asked.

"A noble sacrifice one could say," Drew replied.

"Noble? You're willing to ruin my life to get what you want? Hell, you're willing to ruin your own life?" Riley exclaimed.

"I'm a warrior," Drew said with resolution.

Riley squinted. "What?"

"I'm a warrior," Drew repeated. "I protect. That's my purpose. I will create a world in which my brother can feel safe. It is the warrior's prerogative to sacrifice anything to protect those he loves."

"What they hell is wrong with you?" Riley demanded. "Hell, what's wrong with your brother that you have to do all of… this!" he hissed as he flung his hands through the air.

"Nothing," Drew stated. "Nothing at all."

"Then…"

"Make this easy, Riley. I really like you, but I care about my brother more. I'll destroy us both to take care of him."

"You're insane," Riley muttered. He closed his eyes for a moment. "Look," he sighed. "I can tell couch I want to focus on academics this year…"

"Sounds like a plan," Drew said, voice turning to cheer and smile coming back to his face. "I'm glad you came to the mutually beneficial decision."

"Mutually beneficial?" Riley mocked.

Drew ignored him. "I hope we can still be friends?"

"We never were," Riley stated as he stood up.

"Wait," Drew began, but Riley cut him off.

"Just… don't," Riley stated as he turned around.

Drew shook his head and finished his coffee. That had been a little less awful than he had expected, but no less painful. Perhaps a little more so than he hoped. Riley had taken it better than expected, but he knew now that whatever they had was over. His gut twisted at the thought. He never thought he'd be the type of guy to fall in love so fast, but in the short week that he had known Riley he felt something that was entirely new to him. But that something was dead now; both the feelings towards Riley and his capacity to love someone in that way ever again.

He could never deal with the pain of crushing someone he cared about for his real purpose. It was so painful - so incredibly painful. His heart throbbed with pain, and he felt like it had been half-ripped out into a torn, bloody mess. He looked down to his hands and recalled the image of guilt coiled in around his fingers. Perhaps it wasn't only guilt he had torn out.

His eyes shot up to see Riley passing by the window in an angry huff as he darted out of the Dot.

Drew felt cold. So incredibly cold as he reached into himself in search of the feelings he had felt mere moments ago, only to not be able to find them.

He stood up and discarded his coffee on the way out. It was empty like his heart. He shook his head as he headed for the door, and fought the urge to throw up as he pushed it open. This would pass soon enough. He wouldn't miss the feelings; they were second to Adam, and he didn't doubt that sacrifice in the slightest.


A/N: The last chapter changed significantly as I wrote it! It was originally supposed to be called Warrior's Throne and focusing on the power Drew attained by taking down Riley to become QB – leaving the thought open that Drew hated that he was more addicted to the power than protecting Adam, and not being as good of a guy as he thought.

But as I was writing it, it became more focused on his sacrifice. First his social sacrifice of being willing to post the recording, but later focusing on a true sacrifice – his heart and the capacity for future love – and how it was all worth it to create a world in which Adam is safe.

It came down to a decision between two Drews: the first hating himself for coveting power, and the second finding solace in knowing that everything he sacrificed was for Adam.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this story! It was a fun write! I don't often write for this time period, so that was great! But also writing a new version of Drew as the person he started as in Season 10 was different from who he left as in season 14 – both an incredibly clear thing, but also something you don't get to explore much.

I would like to thank Bejeweled-Cupcakes on tumblr for the chats that led to this story and her enjoyment in hearing my ideas. Also to Welldeservedobscurity on tumblr for her essay on Drew and how it shaped my thoughts on him – this story came directly from the idea that Drew would do absolutely anything for Adam. And lastly to AmethystBeloved for her continued support, reading and attention despite the busy personal life!

Check my out on tumblr under the user name MilesAboveFantasy if you like!

[Side note. I have considered a sequel that explore his relationship with Bianca as they teach each other how to love. As in canon, they both doubt that they deserve love and for someone to have faith in him. So if I were to write a sequel it would deal with Drew healing his heart.]