Fuck it. Might as well...

"H-Hey, after we get out of here do you want to come over to my room and watch that anime with me? I don't think I can trust myself not to fall asleep as soon as I get to my bed. If you don't want to watch anime, we could watch a movie or something. Or if you don't want to I'm okay wi—

"Sure. The heater in my room is broken so it'd be cool to hang out somewhere warm." Nathan cut in once Warren started rambling. Nathan believed Warren when he said that he might fall asleep. Shit he already almost did.

Nathan looked up from the book and caught sight of the purple bruise starting to show on Warren's cheekbone. Nathan couldn't help the guilt that started to build up in his stomach. The way he fell to the floor after James let go of him didn't look good.

"Yeah, that sounds great!" Warren said as he smiled excitedly. Nathan felt his face get hot as he stared at Warren's smiling face. He felt the corners of his mouth turn upwards, but he cleared the expression off of his face before Warren could notice and say something embarrassing again.

Warren shifted, hissing when he pushed himself too far. "I have some Ibuprofen and some pretty strong pain killers back at my room, they help a lot. I could give them to you." Nathan offered. Warren nodded, taking the bag of melting ice off of his side, the condensation from the bag leaving a wet spot on his shirt.

"Have you bruised your ribs before?" Warren asked as he laid the bag of mostly water on top of his bruised cheek. Nathan nodded, staring at the floor. He could remember a few times off the bat. When his Father found he broke his $200,000 vase when he was 13. When his Father found out that he had crashed the first car. When Warren kicked his ass, when his Father found out that Warren had kicked his ass…

"What happened?" Of course he would ask. A part of him wanted to be sure that Nathan wasn't just lying to make him feel better, but another part was genuinely concerned. Nathan sighed before he stood from the stool, lifting up his cardigan and shirt up with one swift movement. It hurt to raise his arms, but it was bearable.

Warren eyed the bruises littered all over Nathan's skin with his eyebrows furrowed. He was actually able to see them now that they were in a room with good lighting. Warren could feel his heart start to sink at the color of them. The smaller bruises had turned the same color as the ones on his face, slowly disappearing. But the ones along his ribs, those were still dark and clearly visible. He couldn't help but frown at the woeful state of Nathan's body. "I did that?" Warren asked in a low voice.

Nathan didn't reply. He wasn't going to tell him that his dad had beaten him for losing a fight against a 'loser'. His father's words still echoed in his ears, "You better not do anything more to embarrass me."

"So… when that guy grabbed you, it must have hurt like hell." Warren commented. Nathan just put his shirt back down; shaking his head, "I'm use to—" Nathan caught himself, "Never mind…"

Warren became concerned almost instantly. "What—

"Okay, boys." The nurse started as she made her way back into the room. Nathan was thankful that she decided to come back at that time. He wouldn't be able to tell Warren, especially with the way Warren looks at him like he's some poor sap. Like he deserved a pity party after all that he's done...

"Is your side okay, Hun?" The nurse asked as she walked over to Warren. "Oh, yeah! The ice melted a while ago. I didn't really think about throwing it away so I've kind of just been holding it." Warren said as he handed the bag of water to the Nurse. She turned to throw it away as he stood from the bed. "Can you help me? I'm still a little dizzy." Warren asked.

Nathan nodded and stood outstretching his hand to the other. Warren took it and eased himself of the bed, swaying a bit when he stood. Nathan tightened his grip on his hand, reaching his other hand up to rest on his shoulder. Warren grabbed Nathan's elbow, steadying himself.

"I know it's none of my business, but are you two dating?" the nurse questioned once she turned around and saw the boys holding onto each other. Warren felt his face heat up and Nathan go rigid in front of him. "U-Uh oh, no! W-We're—

"It's okay, Sweetie! You don't need to explain to me! I'll keep it a secret. You guys go on now. I have to head home now myself." She grinned.

Nathan tried frantically, "We're not—

"I told you not to worry! Your secret is safe with me!" The nurse persisted.

Warren felt like his face was on fire, but Nathan didn't waste any time hanging around any longer. He didn't let go of Warren's hand, grabbing Warren's satchel before pulling him with him as he stormed out of the office.

What the fuck was that lady's problem? Who is she to judge what we do? So what if we're dating? Wait what am I saying? We aren't even dating! That stupid bitch... She's going to tell my father. She's going to tell. Nathan could feel his rage boiling inside of him.

"Can you... slow down a little?" Warren asked breathlessly as Nathan's pace only seemed to speed up to a jog as soon as they got out of the nurse's office. Nathan slowed down. He didn't realize he had been going so fast.

"Um… Are you okay?" Warren asked from behind him. Nathan looked back, seeing their hands were still connected. He let go immediately after realizing, feeling his face heat up. He took a few breaths, his brain clouding with anger. "I… I'm, no, I'm not okay. I'm actually really," he paused to take a few angry breaths, "fucking pissed. Why do people DO THAT?! Why must people judge others for no fucking reason!? Accusing us of such… such… AGH—

Warren was startled when Nathan suddenly dropped his satchel and turned towards the row of lockers, punching his fist straight into them. His fists stayed on the locker as his head dropped to stare blindly at the floor. His shoulders were rising and falling with his ragged breaths.

Control… Control yourself, Nathan. 1, 2, 3, 4…

"Hey…" Warren tried, gently putting his hand on Nathan's shoulder. Nathan whipped around, smacking Warren's hand off of him. "Don't. Fucking. Touch me." Nathan warned with a shaky voice. Warren retracted his hand immediately. He quickly looked up and down the hallways for someone to witness his possible murder. There was no one.

Warren sighed, "Look, Nathan, I know you're mad but just listen to me. Who cares about what the nurse said? You and I both know that we aren't dating. That's all that matters, okay? Calm down. It only matters what you think of yourself, not what others think about you." Warren said carefully.

"NO you don't get it! It's not what I think about myself, it's what my Father will think of me! Word travels fast when it comes to my business. If he finds out that I'm 'dating' some loser he'll fucking kill me." Warren was a little hurt by Nathan's words, but he knows he's just talking like that because he's angry. Nathan could tell by the look on Warren's face that he had hurt his feelings.

Great, another thing I'm fucking up because of my temper. Tears blurred his vision, his breath turning uneven. Why can't I do anything right...?

Warren inched a bit closer, but Nathan flinched away. Warren hesitated, but continued forward until he was close enough to Nathan to put his hands gently on both of his shoulders. "Breathe. It's okay." Warren mimicked taking a deep breath and Nathan took a slow, shaky one after him. "That's it. You're doing well. Come on, one more time." Nathan took another deep breath, his eyes never leaving Warren's as a tear rolled down his face.

His features slowly began to loosen, causing Warren to smile warmly. "Are you feeling okay now?" Warren asked, using his thumbs to massage Nathan's shoulders gently. Nathan closed his eyes and nodded, swallowing. Warren smiled, using his sleeve to wipe Nathan's tear. "Come on. Let's go." He winked.

Nathan watched as Warren picked up his satchel and started down the hallway.