HIS SMILE
"This is the first time I've seen Cyclops smile in months! Ol' Scott should do it more often!" – Warren Worthington III (From Uncanny X-Men Vol 1, Issue #6)
This was probably the first time Warren saw their fearless leader smile in months. He was pleased by the slightest quirk at the corners of Scott's mouth when it happened. He found that Ol' Scott had a lovely smile and that he should do it more often. You see, he was somewhat of a sucker for beautiful smiles. It happened when their leader used his eye blast to keep Hank from reaching across the table to snatch a piece of pie during the shared meal while the others argued.
Jean had offered to cook for them because the team's cook had taken the day off. It would have been quicker anyway because all Bobby would have done was ice the ingredients, Hank would have gone on to explain the scientific terms, and apparently, Scott and Warren would end up bickering because the latter enjoyed goading the former since it was the only way he knew how to get his attention. Warren was aware that he was acting silly, but when it came to Scott, he was still jealous and petty that his crush would pay more attention to Jean than to him. It figuratively and literally ruffled his feathers.
But he was content to keep out of the argument for the time being so that he could secretly admire the man he yearned for. His closest friend. His most challenging rival.
Warren's heart skipped a beat as he tried to maintain a neutral face as Scott grinned at him.
"What are you smiling at, Warren?" He inquired.
Warren responded, feigning innocence. "Oh, nothing at all. It's just nice to eat with each other."
Scott gave a brief nod and returned to his meal.
"Jean, the pie is fantastic. You're a wonderful chef." Scott praised her.
"Jean should cook more often." Bobby affirmed.
Jean frowned and rolled her eyes. "This time I cooked; next time it's your turn."
"Sure thing. If you want us to poison the team, that is." Bobby made a remark.
"Cooking is really not that hard, Bobby." Warren noted casually as he cut his pie with a fork and a knife.
"Prove it, Worthington." Scott posed a challenge.
"What am I getting out of it?" Warren wanted to know.
"What exactly do you want?" Scott asked.
"You've got everything! What could you possibly want from us ?" Bobby was perplexed.
Warren kept staring at Scott. He was going to say 'a date', but he changed his mind.
"Nothing. You're on." Warren reluctantly accepted.
That's how he wound up cooking for Scott and the team one evening after they'd returned, exhausted from their heroics.
"Damn, Warren. You're going to spoil us." Bobby exclaimed excitedly as he finished his third slice of chocolate cake.
"I concur. This is absolutely divine." Hank agreed and took another slice.
Warren, who was smiling smugly as Scott quietly ate his dessert, received a glare from Jean.
The two were left alone. Warren took a deep breath after the table was cleared, courtesy of Scott being a gentleman.
"I made you the chocolate cake because it's your favourite." His heart was racing as he mumbled.
Scott cracked a grin. "Why? How did you find out?" He questioned, somewhat nervously. Warren's beauty always made him nervous.
"Because you like it and I like you." There. He said it. Warren matched Scott's smile and pointed his finger to his chest, gaining courage when he noticed Scott wasn't walking away in disgust or fear.
However, he could chalk that up to Scott being oblivious that he liked him in more ways than just as a friend.
"Yeah?" Scott asked ambiguously. Warren winked and reached into the refrigerator for a slice of cake. "Here. I saved the last slice for you." He handed the cake to Scott, who was taken aback.
Scott placed the plate on the table.
"Want to share?" he asked, inviting Warren, who gladly accepted.
"With you? Always, Mr. Summers. " Warren flirted. That was simply the first of many nights when the two of them shared dessert alone, after everyone else had departed. And Warren was positive that he could make Scott smile again.
