Lazy Note: Hey there, Strangers. I got a prompt from there-were-no-good-undernames recently that helps celebrate that love has finally won. :)

WARNING: THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET A BIT STEAMY! IF THIS IS OFFENSIVE TO YOU IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM, THEN PLEASE LEAVE! IF THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR SINCE LIFE IS STRANGE CAME OUT, THEN YOU MAY STAY. FOR NOW.

Enjoy!

Heat

by

xLazyxWriterx

Summary: There's always a point, right?

Rated: M

His forehead was glistening and the nape of his neck damp as he lifted the dripping bottle of icy water to his mouth. The water stung his gums, and he could feel the coolness running through his body as he swallowed gulp after gulp. After screwing the cap on, he pressed the bottle against his flushed cheek, sighing.

Warren tried to pay attention the whatever movie was playing the the TV screen, but the stuffy air and the thin coating of sweat all over his body distracted him. July was always the hottest month, and Warren wondered how people survived being outside in such high temperatures. He was barely surviving in his apartment, which did not have air conditioning and he had to rely on the three fans that he owned.

He threw his head back against the couch, groaning. He was miserable in his own skin. Taking a swig of water, he shut the TV off and stood. He made his way to one of the fans, and lifted his shirt up a bit to let the air cool his overheated body. Ugh, it wasn't enough.

He turned to the sound of jingling keys, eying the door as it was pushed open. Nathan stepped in, shutting the door and pocketing his keys. Warren rose a brow at his attire. How was he not having heatstroke in that damn jacket? Here Warren was in a T-shirt and boxer shorts while Nathan walked around in three top layers and jeans. Then again, Nathan was never one to mind the heat; it was winter time that he complained about.

Nathan's eyes met his, and Warren could see the exhaustion that clouded his gaze. Nathan grinned. "Hey," he greeted.

"Hey," Warren mumbled, turning back to the fan that wasn't cooling him. Nathan came up behind him, arms circling his waist and lips pressed against his shoulder. "Nooo~" Warren moaned, moving away. "Too hot."

"Too hot?" Nathan chuckled, shrugging his jacket off and tossing it over the couch. "It's not that bad, you baby."

"Dude, how are you not dying? How can you even wear pants right now?" Warren leaned down, letting the air dry the sticky sweat dripping down his face.

"Are you suggesting something?" Nathan rose a suggestive brow, smirking. Warren rolled his eyes.

"No, you dick. Keep your pants on."

"I thought you said it was too hot?"

"It is too hot! It's too hot to even move, much less mess around."

"But, I can still take my pants off, right?"

"Dude, I don't care! Walk around naked for all I care!"

Nathan snorted. "Oh yeah, you'd love that one." He moved from Warren and went to the tiny kitchen, opening Warren's practically empty fridge. All that sat on the shelves were water bottles, half a gallon of milk, and left over pizza. Nathan settled on a water bottle.

"So, how was your day?" Warren called from the living room. Nathan sat the water bottle on the counter, frowning.

"Not too shitty." he replied, and after a pause, continued, "I got a call from my dad." Nathan took a sip of water, watching Warren leave the fan and head to the kitchen.

"Yeah? What'd he want?" he asked.

"Family dinner." Nathan shrugged. "Stupid shit. Y'know." He took another sip of water, keeping his gaze focused on the counter. Warren cocked his head, eying Nathan's face. His brows were furrowed and he had that far away look in his light blue eyes. Warren always hated seeing that expression on Nathan's face, and it was only one that he saw when Sean Prescott was involved.

"You don't have to go, you know." Warren said softly. He knew how much Nathan hated going home and having dinner with his father, and he didn't blame him.

Nathan shook his head. "Yeah, right." he mumbled, setting his water down and rubbing at his eyes. They both leaned on the counter, and Nathan sighed. "Damn it."

"It's just dinner," Warren offered, only to hear Nathan let out a frustrated groan.

"Yeah, dinner with that asshole breathing down my neck. God, he's just gonna constantly ask about school and piss on me because I'm such a failure-"

"You are not a failure."

"Tell him that. Hell, even if you did tell him that, he would just laugh and snap his fingers and you would be gone. Oh yeah," Nathan ran his hands through his hair, "there's also the whole 'I've found a wonderful young lady for you that would make some wonderful ties for this family!' As if I give a flying fuck about our family ties!"

Warren walked around the counter to face Nathan. He could feel the heated stress coming off Nathan's now trembling body. "Nathan-"

"I swear to God if he doesn't get off my ass about that bitch he keeps telling me about I'm gonna crack his goddamn skull in!"

"Hey," Warren reached out and placed both hands on either side of Nathan's face. "Listen to me. Just make it through dinner tonight, then come over after. It won't be bad unless you make it bad. Just think about me if things get too bad."

"Think about you...? Ugh, that'll just make it worse." Nathan lightly pushed Warren away and pushed past him. Warren wasn't sure if he should feel offended, because he didn't. He watched Nathan flop down on the couch, kicking his shoes off. Warren rubbed at his moist forehead, sighing.

"It's so fucking stupid..." Nathan muttered under his breath, chewing on his thumb nail.

"What?" asked Warren.

"This," Nathan sighed. "I have to sneak over to your apartment just to be with you. I have to go to school for a degree I don't want. I have to lie to my asshole of a father so that he doesn't fucking disown me and kick me to the curb. I have to pretend that you don't exist when I'm in that hellhole." Nathan stood, scratching at his arm. "I have to pretend that we haven't been together for the past two and a half years. And for what? So I can please that motherfucker and take over a business I hate?" Nathan turned away from Warren now, focusing his sight on the buzzing fan. "It's so fucking stupid, Warren."

Warren bit his lip, approaching Nathan and leaning his forehead against his shoulder, running his fingers around his still heavily covered stomach. "I know, Nathan."

Nathan shook his head, covering Warren's hands with his own. "I'm an adult with daddy issues. Original, right?" he scoffed bitterly.

Warren planted a soft kiss on the back of his neck, whispering, "Very." He rested his cheek on Nathan's broad shoulder, ignoring the overwhelming heat that soaked through him. "Tell you what, go tonight. Have a shitty time, then come over and we'll have dinner. I cook."

"You can't cook."

"I can cook!"

"No, you can order pizza."

"Same difference. Anyway," Warren turned Nathan around to face him, "come over, and spend the night. You can tell me all about the shitty things that dick said. It'll be great."

"I'll bring booze." Nathan said, licking his bottom lip.

"Booze and pizza?" Warren questioned.

"I don't care about the pizza."

Warren mocked horror. "How could you say such things?"

"We had pizza last time."

"So?"

"We always have pizza."

"What if I order stuffed with extra sausage?"

"And extra sauce." Nathan added.

"One stuffed meat lovers pizza with extra sausage and sauce with a bottle of booze."

"Fine."

"Fine." Warren smiled, and Nathan rolled his eyes as Warren pulled him in for a hug.

"Thought it was too hot." Nathan smirked. He felt Warren shrug slightly.

"It is."

That evening, Warren ordered the pizza and cleaned up his one bedroom apartment a bit. He really didn't mind living there; the rent was alright, it was near the college he was attending, and it was easy to clean. After all, it was only him living there, with the exception of Nathan. Nathan left some clothes and bathroom things for convenience, and Warren didn't mind. In fact, he was glad. Seeing Nathan's things lying around reminded him that they were still a serious thing. A secret, yes, but still serious and real.

Once he finished making his bed - which he didn't know why he even bothered - he showered and got dressed. He knew he didn't need to be fancy or anything, but he was fairly sure that Nathan would be in his usual having-a-extravagant-family-dinner-in-hell attire on, and Warren hated being under dressed. So, he settled for a simple gray button down shirt and comfortable dark jeans. Rolling his sleeves up, he proceeded to fix his hair. He enjoyed having his hair longer, but it was always a hassle.

He heard the doorbell ring, and he hurried out of his room to answer it. Paying the pizza guy, he accepted the heavenly smelling box and headed to the kitchen. Glancing up at the clock, he figured that Nathan would be finishing up soon, unless his father had his mind settled on a certain topic that kept Nathan occupied for another hour. Warren hoped not, not only for Nathan's sake, but for his father's sake, as well. While Nathan was better with his temper now, he still could lose it when pushed far enough.

Opening his barely functional oven, he placed the hot pizza in. His mother used to do that to keep food warm until it was ready to serve, and his mother was usually right.

For the next hour, Warren sat on the couch while flipping through channels, becoming more and more drowsy with every passing minute. He yawned loudly, leaning back and resting his eyes. He was startled when his door was roughly swung open, and a distraught Nathan stomped in, slamming it shut behind him. Warren jumped off the couch, confused. Nathan's shirt was untucked, and by the way his collar looked, he used to have a tie on. His blazer was wrapped up in his firm grip, and his hair was slightly askew. What caught Warren's attention, though, was the darkening red mark placed upon Nathan's right cheek.

Warren was in front of him in an instant. "Nathan-"

"I can not even believe that fucker!" Nathan threw his blazer across the room. He pushed past Warren and grabbed a pillow off the couch, burying his face in it and screaming. Warren watched him, dumbfounded.

When Nathan was done screaming, he remained there with his face hidden deep in the pillow. Warren slowly approached him, placing his hand on Nathan's twitching shoulder. Nathan stiffened under the contact, and Warren reached for the pillow.

"Nathan? Talk to me..." Nathan made a strange choking sound, and it took a moment for Warren to realize that he was sobbing. Nathan slowly brought his face away from the pillow. His cheeks were wet, his eyes puffy, and his cheek angrily red. Warren ripped the pillow away, tossing it aside and wrapping his arms around Nathan. Nathan held back tightly, burying his face in Warren's shoulder.

They remained like that as Warren ran his fingers through Nathan's hair, smoothing it out. Nathan eventually ran out of tears, and just shook against Warren. Warren closed his eyes and bit his lip. What could he possibly say? He had a feeling that he knew the basics of the story. It was always the same.

Nathan pulled away and rested his forehead against Warren's, averting his swollen eyes downwards. Warren reached up and carefully rubbed the wetness away from Nathan's cheek, earning a wince out of him. "Look at me." Warren whispered. Nathan hesitantly raised his eyes to meet Warren's. "What happened...?"

Nathan hiccuped, and rubbed at his eye. "Fucking prick..." he murmured. "Got into a fight 'bout school. Told him I didn't want to do the family business. Shit got heated." Warren nodded along with Nathan's word, rubbing the back of Nathan's shoulder in comfort. "Asshole got cocky and threatened me. Said he would take it all away, cut me off. Then, he hit me. He fucking hit his 21-year-old son. I wanted nothin' more than to beat him within an inch of his life... and-" Nathan stopped, his chin quivering and his eyes closing.

Warren waited patiently for his to continue. Nathan sniffled, going on, "...about us..."

Warren's eyes widened. "You didn't-"

"Of course not." Nathan sighed. "I wanted to, but didn't. That would've been the signature on the disownment papers." Nathan then laughed dryly, bringing his own hands up to cup Warren's face. "I wanted to, Warren..."

"I know..."

"I should've-"

"No, Nathan." Warren stopped him, placing his thumb over Nathan's parted mouth. "Don't do this to yourself. You know you can't-"

"Then what's the fucking point!?" Nathan exclaimed, pushing Warren away. "What's the goddam point of us being together? What am I suppose to do, Warren!? Follow what that asshole says and marry some bitch I don't give a damn about? What do we do then, huh? What, do I just sneak around with you for the rest of our lives? I don't fucking want that!"

"Neither do I, Nathan! But we don't have a choice!"

"I can't keep this shit up! Fuck, I don't want to!" Nathan rubbed his face, ignoring the pain throbbing in his right cheek. "All I want is to get away from that sadistic motherfucker and be with you!"

Warren opened his mouth to say something, but then snapped it shut.

"You have done more for me than he ever did! You are the goddamn reason I don't have to take so many fucking meds! Or be analyzed by shitheads who think they can just fix me! Warren," Nathan reached out and grabbed at the front of Warren's shirt, jerking him forward, "you are the reason I can go back to that god forsaken place without wanting to kill myself. You are the only thing I have going for me, and if it doesn't go anywhere..." Nathan sucked in a deep breath, shaking. "...then what's the point?"

Warren's teary gaze darted over Nathan's face. "There's always a point, Nathan." He reached up and brushed Nathan's hair back, resting his hand on the back of his neck. "I know he's going to find out sometime, or that we're going to break it off before then, and I don't want to break this off. But, I also don't want you to be miserable, and that's what will happen if your father finds out about us."

Nathan's grip on Warren's shirt tightened, and Warren placed his hand over it. Nathan stared at Warren, and in a shaky voice, he whispered, "I love you, Warren." The very words curled the corner of Warren's mouth, and formed a lump in his throat.

"I love you, too." he replied, entwining his fingers with the ones that once gripped his shirt. Nathan's tears were dry, as was his throat. Warren leaned over and pressed his lips against the corner of Nathan's mouth, mumbling, "There's a point to us."

Nathan turned his head to fully capture Warren's parted mouth. He brushed his tongue along Warren's bottom lip before plunging in to fully taste Warren. Warren tangled his fingers in Nathan's soft locks as Nathan ran his hands under Warren's shirt. Nathan jerked Warren closer, pressing every inch of himself against him. Breaking away for a small breath, Nathan moved along Warren's neck, nipping and sucking in all the right spots. Warren brought his hands down to quickly unbutton Nathan's shirt, shoving it down his shoulders. Nathan pulled away, tossing the shirt aside and lifting his undershirt over his head. Warren reached out to touch heated flesh, and Nathan pushed him back towards Warren's room.

Not bothering to close the door, Nathan shoved Warren against the wall harshly, grinding their bodies together as their lips locked. Nathan pulled the buttons apart as he tore Warren's shirt off his shoulders, then moved down to the front of his jeans, pressing his palm against him. Warren groaned, thrusting up and sliding his hands down Nathan's back. His fingers reached the hem of Nathan's slacks, sliding past and tugging them down. Nathan bit down on Warren's bottom lip as a response.

The hot, heavy breaths, they pulled away and Nathan undid both his and Warren's pants. He grabbed the material on Warren's hips, kneeling as he slid the jeans down. He eyed the hardening bulge under Warren's blue boxers. His once dry mouth now flowed with saliva as he sucked on the bulge through the thin material, and Warren's hips jerked forward in response. Nathan ran his wet tongue along the covered length, feeling it pulsate under the touch.

Warren's heart beat harshly in his chest, and his grip on Nathan's hair tightened. His body flushed in the heat they were creating, and air was seemingly hard to obtain. He shivered as Nathan's tongue made it's way away from his growing bulge and up his stomach, stopping to swirl around his navel.

Warren pressed on Nathan's bare chest, moving them towards Warren's neatly made bed. Before settling down, Nathan kicked his own pants off. Warren pushed him down and climbed on top, tugging down Nathan's dark red boxers. Nathan returned the favor, and they two of them wrapped themselves around each other. Warren reached over to the night stand, opening the drawer and pulling out a small tube of lube and a condom.

Heartbeats slowed, becoming steady and calm. Warren ran his fingers lazily over Nathan's back, and Nathan rested his head against Warren's chest. A fan hummed, occasionally turning in their direction to blow a gust of cool air on their warm figures.

"We still have pizza." Warren said suddenly, and Nathan couldn't help but snort.

"Is that all you think about?" he asked sarcastically.

Warren shrugged. "No, but it's probably cold by now. Hey, where's the booze?"

"Forgot."

"You forget everything."

"As if! I don't forget that much!"

Warren laughed. "Dude, back at Blackwell you always forgot to lock the door. I can't even count how many times Victoria walked in on us because you forgot to lock your door."

Nathan snorted. "She did that on purpose, the pervert." Nathan smirked as he moved to look at Warren. "There was also the time your hipster bitch walked in. Oh man, that was just too good!"

"She about passed out, and then you made fun of her until we graduated." Warren pinched Nathan's arm, causing him to laugh.

"She was too easy."

"You're mean."

"Oh, because you didn't laugh every time she turned into a virgin tomato and got all stuttery? Then, she'd ask you all about it afterwards?" Nathan snickered.

"Whatever, dude. You're still an ass." Warren sighed, and after a moment, said, "The pizza did look amazing, y'know."

"Stuffed with extra sausage?"

"And extra sauce." Warren added. They both chuckled, and Nathan let out a content sigh. Warren kicked at the heavy blanket that partially covered him and Nathan. "Ugh, it's too hot."

"No, it's not." Nathan rolled his eyes.

"It's always hot. Even at night. It's suffocating!" Warren exclaimed dramatically, causing Nathan to pinch his side.

"You'll live."

"Oh, what do you know? You're always cold. We could be on the sun and you'd wear your jacket."

"If we were on the sun we would die."

"Touche." Warren stretched his body out, and Nathan repositioned himself so that he was hovering over him. Leaning down on his elbows, Nathan placed small, feather-like kisses along Warren's collar bone. Warren's arms encircled Nathan's waist, and he hummed happily. All signs of stress was lifted from their figures, and all bitter thoughts gone.

Nathan moved up to eye level with Warren, and studied him. Warren raised a brow. "What?" he asked.

Nathan shook his head, a sad grin pulling at his lips. "What are we doing...?" he murmured, brushing a chunk of Warren's hair away from his forehead.

"You mean, not eating delicious pizza?"

"I'm serious, Warren."

Warren frowned, sitting up a bit. "What do you mean?"

"Is that what we're gonna do forever? Sneak around, I mean?" Nathan bit his lip, and Warren kissed his bruising cheek.

"No," he assured. "Not forever. Someday your dad will be gone, and you'll be the head of the family business. I'll get my degree-"

"And I'll probably have a wife. Maybe kids."

Warren chewed on the inside of his cheek. He thought to himself for a moment before saying, "Things have a way of working out in the end. We've made it through worse."

Nathan stared at Warren with thoughtful eyes, and he brushed his lips against his in a tight lip lock. Warren inhaled deeply, tingles running through his legs, sensing something changing in the air. They kept the kiss chaste, merely enjoying the sensation of skin touching. Nathan pulled back, eyes remained shut. Warren ran his hands down Nathan's arms, resting his forehead against his. When Nathan's light blue eyes peered down at his once more, a nervous tightening occurred in his stomach, causing his hands to freeze. He could feel Nathan's warm breath hitting his mouth, and he felt the words the moment they were uttered.

"Marry me."

Warren's eyes widened. "...W-what?"

"Marry me." Nathan repeated more sternly. Warren instantly sat up, and Nathan moved with him. Warren's brain failed to comprehend what such simple words were spoken, so he continued to gaze wide eyed at Nathan. Nathan pressed his lips into a tight line, expression serious. He reached up and cupped each side of Warren's face, saying, "Warren, marry me."

Warren found his voice. "But, we can't-"

"Yes, we can."

"Well, legally, yeah. But, your-"

"I don't care. I just don't fucking care." Nathan kissed him more harshly this time, pulling away quickly. "That asshole can do whatever he wants to me, I don't-"

"But I do, Nathan!" Warren cut him off. "I care what happens to you! I don't want you to drop out because he cut you off, or for you to be shamed, or anything!"

Nathan sat back, frustration overwhelming him. Before he could scream, Warren reached out to him.

"We have to be smart here, Nathan. Or, we're both gonna be screwed." Warren pulled him back. "You know I would love nothing more than to marry you. You know that! But, we can't right now. Listen," Warren intertwined their fingers, "You don't that much schooling left, right? Year or two? I say we wait, and you just do whatever the hell that asshole says until you graduate. That way, he will have paid for everything. You may not take over the Prescott business, but you'll still have a degree to work with. After everything, then you can tell him."

"You actually think that will work?" Nathan asked. Warren nodded.

"Best plan I have."

"And if he does the whole marriage shit?"

"Tell him you're more focused on the business. You'll worry about that afterwards."

"...You've thought about this before, haven't you?"

"Maybe." Warren shrugged. Nathan kissed him once more, wrapping his arms around his neck and pressing Warren back against the bed.

When Nathan pulled away, he muttered, "So that's a yes, right?"

"Not 'til I see a ring, baby doll. And that shit better be real gold. Or sliver. Actually, I'm more of a silver guy. Get silver."

"You're an ass." Nathan nipped at Warren's bottom lip roughly, earning a chuckle from Warren. The two of them met in another tight lip lock, and when they pulled apart, the heat remained between them. Nathan gave a genuine smile. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Nathan."

Hey, what about the pizza?

These boys need to get their priorities straight.

Thanks for reading!

xLazyxWriterx