Disclaimer: Disney owns the movie and the characters. I make no profit from this.

Special thanks to Jeune Chat who beta-ed the last chapters. Any mistakes left are my fault!

To HelloLish: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!

Okay I really don't like this chapter, it was originally longer than this but I cut it in half. So sorry in advance if you think it sucks. I won't hold it against you! XD

Chapter 9

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"Are you sure you don't want me there Stronghold?" Warren asked, for what had to be the thousandth time.

He was growing more and more tense the closer they came to Will's house.

Warren had decided, despite Will's protests, to walk him home after school. Will had a sneaking suspicion that the pyro was afraid Will was going to run into Layla. Even after he had explained to the hothead, after there little bathroom session, that he and Layla had straightened things out. The older boy just wouldn't listen, constantly throwing the girl glares whenever she came within touching distance of Will.

Will hoped in time Warren would calm down, but for now there really wasn't anything he could do. Warren was just to stubborn.

"Yes Warren, I'm sure. I have to do this alone," Will said, trying not to let on to the fear he felt.

They had decided after the bathroom incident, to tell Will's parents. No point in putting it off, he guessed. That didn't make things any easier. He was terrified of how his dad would take it, remembering well how the hero had responded last year after being told that Will was only hero support.

"Fine. But call me if you need me. I wont be that far away," Warren finally said, as they arrived at Will's house.

As much as Will was afraid, so was Warren. Despite telling the younger boy that everything was going to be okay, there was a little bit of Warren that was scared that the Strongholds just wouldn't approve.

'What if they tried to separate us?' Warren thought. 'What if they wont let us be together? What if they send Will away?'

No! he had to stop thinking like that, Will needed support right now, not a boyfriend who was going to scare himself stupid over matters that hadn't happened yet, or might not happen.

"Don't you have to tell your parents too?" Will asked, halting Warren's thoughts.

"No, My mother already knows. I think she figured it out before I did and she's fine with it. And my father is in solitary, not much of an chance to tell to him when he can't see visitors or have mail," Warren said, not really bothering to add that he didn't care if his father knew or not.

"Oh..." Will said softly, staring at the ground.

It was obvious to Warren that the boy was trying to stall, and he didn't blame him one bit. He knew telling your parents, or in Warren's case parent, wasn't easy. Warren had had it easy, knowing before hand that his mother would be okay with it if that's what made him happy. Will not so much. He knew that Will's mom would and could be a lot more accepting than his dad, knew too that telling Will's parents had to happen sooner or later.

"Look, go on and talk to you parents. When your done stop by the resturaunt and we can have dinner on my break. Okay?" Warren finally said.

"Okay, alright, I'll go!" Will said with defeat.

Finally comprehending that he couldn't put it off any longer, he opened the door and walked inside his house.

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Warren made his way towards the Paper Lantern, knowing that Will, one way or another, would stop by when he was finished talking to his parents. Thoughts and feeling jumbled up inside of him begging for attention. He hadn't just been spouting pretty words when he had told Will he wanted the entire world to know about them. Warren was proudly bi, and had had more boyfriends then girl friends.

But Will was different then all of them. He made him want to be a better person even if he didn't always act it, and he had a tendency to bring out the pyro's gentler side. He had noticed that little fact early on when he had discovered that he really couldn't stay mad at the younger hero.

Walking into the Paper Lantern, Warren grabbed his apron getting ready to start his shift. But before he hung up his coat he grabbed something out of the right hand pocket looking at it before smiling softly.

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SO sorry this is coming out later then usual, but in my defense I have had the mother of all toothaches and spending my days looking for a dentist while writing this in my spare time.

Like it? Hate it? tell me about it! R&R Please!