Work Text:
Warren walked back into the boys dorm, wincing at the blood stains left from Nathan.
He truly didn’t know what came over him. Maybe the stress from the entire week or just because Nathan has always been a prick to his friends.
He did regret it. Even if it was satisfying to see Nathan finally get put in his place.
He could still feel the connect of his knuckles to Nathan’s face. Damn. Maybe he should check on the guy.
Warren has always been the type to avoid conflict, not because he can’t fight, but because there should be no reason to. He needs to apologize. He didn’t mean to go that far.
As he got to Nathan’s door, he hesitated. Should he really be doing this? Nathan asked for it, not like he would help Warren if he was hurt.
But Warren knows he’s a better person than that, he went too far and he wants to fix it. For himself and Nathan.
When he raised his hand to knock, he paused. Warren heard muffled, soft crying through the door.
He knocked three times, hoping Nathan will answer. He heard a little bit of shuffling and then it went silent.
“Go the fuck away!” Nathan still sounded like he was crying. The guilt was really eating at Warren now. “Nathan…just listen, plea-“ Warren started, but getting cut off by Nathan.
“Graham!? Go away, fuckhead!” Clearly, he was still bitter about getting his ass handed to him.
“Just listen! I went too far. I wanted to apologize. Really to your face…but whatever, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hurt you that bad. I really am sorry, Nathan.” Warren sighs, waiting for a response.
Warren hears the click of the lock and sees the turn of the knob. He tries not to show it, but when Nathan reveals his face, he’s shocked.
Nathan’s left black eye was swollen shut, blood still dried on his cheek, nose and above his eyebrow. His face was still a bit flushed from crying.
“You happy now!? Wanted to see m-my face, after you tried to kill me!?” Nathan’s voice cracks as he steps closer to Warren. Warren takes a step back, holding his hands up, trying to placate Nathan.
“No! I’m being genuine here, dude. I was defending my friends, not trying to kill you.” Warren says, studying Nathan’s scowling face.
“Whatthefuckever!! Get lost, fag.” Nathan turns to shut the door, but Warren catches it, pushing it open.
“No, let me help you. It’s the least I could do…” Warren rubbed the back of his neck as Nathan stared him down. Both of them stood still, listening to each other breathe, watching each others faces. Warren awkwardly standing as Nathan’s face became slightly softer. “Whatever…I guess…” Nathan turned around and flopped on his bed. “Hurry up, Graham!”
“Oh, o-okay let me get my first aid kit.” Warren jogged to his room, throwing the door open and immediately goes to where he keeps the box of supplies. He grabbed it, quickly making his way towards Nathan.
“Here, sit up a bit so i can clean your face.” Nathan rolled his eyes, sitting up as little as possible just to piss off Warren.
“Really….you can’t get up anymore than that?” Warren was starting to regret helping this brat.
“You offered.” Nathan said with a scoff. “Right….” Warren frowned.
Warren opened the kit, picking a packet of wipes out first. He ripped it open with his teeth, and gently started wiping the blood off. Nathan winced a little at the touch, but was mostly unbothered.
Next, he pulled out ointment cream for the cuts and gashes on his face. As he softly rubbed it in, Nathan closed his good eye, relaxing back onto the bed.
Warren grabbed the butterfly bandages next, placing one above an eyebrow and on his nose. Warren couldn’t help but stare. Even beat up, Nathan was still pretty.
Warren zoned out while staring, jumping when Nathan’s eyes opened wide.
“What the hell are you looking at??” Nathan sat up, while Warren stayed on the side of the bed.
“I- You look…pretty. Like this and other times…any time, really.”
Warren felt himself get red in the face. He meant it though. He wasn’t afraid of Nathan’s reaction anymore.
Warren was still watching Nathan, but the other boy seemed stunned. His face was blushing and his mouth was open.
“You don‘t mean that..” Nathan looked down. Warren shuffled closer to Nathan and caressed Nathan’s face.
“I really mean it. I’ve always admired your looks, even when you punched me.” Warren said. “I’m also sorry for making you cry. I never want to do that again.” Warrens thumb lightly brushed Nathan’s face. “I guess I should’ve never messed with you. Fuck you anyway, though.” Nathan made a face of playful anger.
Warren slid his hand behind Nathan’s head and pulled him in for a soft kiss. Nathan’s eyes fluttered shut. Nathan felt his heart pumping out of his chest.
He couldn’t believe he was kissing Warren, some nerd he hated an hour ago. The same nerd that put these bruises on his face. Wait, why is that kinda hot?
Warren felt his heart soar as his and Nathan’s lips met. If you told Warren he would be kissing Nathan fucking Prescott just a few hours ago he would’ve laughed it off.
He kept his crush a secret just so Nathan would never get hold of it, and use it to taunt him.
He’s astounded this is how it turned out. Maybe beating Nathan up was their destiny. Nathan pulled away to look at warren. His black eye slightly faded, not by much though.
“I’m pretty exhausted. Can we just…” Nathan tried to say but he seemed unable to get it out. “Snuggle? Cuddle? Embrace?” Warren laughed with a big grin.
“Shut the fuck up. Yes, okay. That’s what I want.” Nathan got off the bed to hang his jacket up while Warren laid on the bed with his arms crossed behind his head. Nathan got to Warrens left, and just put his head on his chest, listening to the subtle heartbeat. Nathan sighed. He hasn’t felt this relaxed in a long time.
“Thank you for letting me help. I know I did this but-“ Warren still felt guilty, like he hasn’t made it up yet. “How many times do you need to say it? Let’s just sleep, okay!?” Nathan gripped Warrens shirt with his hand, shuffling closer to Warren.
“Of course, Your Highness.” Warren softly ran his fingers through Nathan’s hair. Warren closed his eyes, basking in the warmth of Nathan’s body. He laughed to himself about the whole situation. Who would’ve thought?