“Mr. Worthington, I'm actually on this side of the window." Professor Charles Xavier's voice boomed in anger as he addressed Warren Worthington III, who seemed to be staring longingly out the classroom window. Warren blinked and turned his attention back to the professor, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"Oh... uh... DNA mutation manifests in puberty... usually," Warren answered, clearly uninterested in the topic.
"That was twenty minutes ago, Warren." The professor frowned and pinched his brow. "Now we're discussing exceptional people throughout history, and how their reputations have influenced us." When the semester started, he thought Bobby would be the one giving him migraines, but Warren fast-tracked his way to the top spot.
Warren shifted in his seat impatiently and sighed. "Look, I get how the defense and strategy lessons help me, but this is kind of lame. We're here to learn how to control our powers, not read about dead people."
Bobby whispered to Jean who was next to him. "He's going to go out the window again."
Jean rolled her eyes and whispered back, "Why doesn't anyone lock that thing?"
As Warren stood up from his desk and made his way toward the window, Bobby muttered, "There he goes."
With a beat of his wings, Warren launched himself out of the open window and into the sky, leaving the classroom behind.
There wasn't a chance in hell he was going to do the homework. As if navigating life as a mutant wasn't tough enough, he now had to endure old men droning on about history like it was some kind of inheritance. It was his dad's club all over again—cigars and stuffy banter about long-gone so called heroes.
"Not happening." he muttered.
The second he hit the clouds, everything melted away. The freedom and space were a breath of fresh air, the anxiety of being confined in class fading quickly. Warren loved every minute of it, feeling like he belonged in the sky more than anywhere else.
Scott watched Warren leave and quickly turned to the Professor, ready to defend his friend. "Professor, he didn't mean it. He's just—"
He watched Warren fly. He'd always watched him fly. There was something about Warren in the sky that whispered freedom. He loved the sensation of piloting the X-Jet, the rush of being in the air, the power of navigating through clouds and currents. The feeling was intoxicating, almost a primal instinct to soar. Hell, he couldn't blame Warren. If he had wings, he'd fly all the time too.
His thoughts drifted back to when his father had taken him up in a plane as a child. It fuelled his dreams of becoming a pilot like his dad. Those memories were tainted now, shadows cast by the crash that had changed his life forever.
As Warren's form grew smaller against the sky, Scott turned his focus back to the present.
Hank, visibly upset and frustrated, interrupted. If it were up to him, he'd have already kicked Warren out. Being the smartest person in the room was challenging enough, because he patiently waited for the others to catch up to the Professor's teachings, but Warren's antics made it even harder. "Don't waste your breath, Scott. It's not like anyone can really ditch class with Professor Xavier watching."
As Warren soared through the air, he caught a glimpse of Xavier's disembodied head floating in the sky. The cloud shaped like the professor's head gleamed in the sunlight, making Xavier's bald head look even shinier. Warren suppressed a snicker at the sight
"Warren, we are discussing gifted individuals in history," Xavier's voice echoed in Warren's mind.
Warren slowed his flight. "I didn't mean to disrespect you, Professor. But sometimes I feel like I'll explode if I'm not in the sky. It feels like home to me."
Xavier understood Warren's need for freedom and connection to the sky. "I appreciate your honesty, Warren. But you must also understand that your studies are crucial for your growth and the safety of the team. Please return to the school."
Warren sighed and nodded, knowing he couldn't stay away forever. He turned and flew back toward the school.
Back in the classroom, Xavier continued his lesson as Warren slipped back in through the window and took his seat. Xavier paused his teaching momentarily, giving Warren a pointed look. Then he turned his attention to Scott, looking at him in disappointment. Scott felt the weight of Xavier's gaze and felt guilty.
After class wrapped up, Xavier kept Scott behind for a quick chat that turned out to be a lecture "Scott, you need to take a firmer approach with your teammates," Xavier said, his tone direct but still respectful. "Warren's behavior is throwing the class off balance, and your reluctance to step up isn't helping the situation. There's no guarantee he will listen to you during missions."
Scott listened, but the more Xavier kept talking, the more frustrated he became. He felt caught between the expectations of being the leader Xavier wanted and just being a teenager with Warren and others. It was isolating, being held to such high standards just because he was the leader. He eventually tuned out the rest of the conversation.
The next morning, Warren sauntered up to Scott with his usual confident grin. "Hey, Scott, wanna ditch class?"
Scott shook his head. "Nah, can't do it, Warren. We've got training. You should stick around too." He really didn't want another lecture from Xavier.
A week had passed and Warren's daily invites were starting to grate on Scott, especially with Xavier breathing down his neck about stepping up his leadership game. It felt like he couldn't catch a break.
Before class began, Xavier gave Scott another talk about responsibility and taking charge, emphasizing the need for control. Scott had enough. He quickly scribbled a note to Warren and passed it discreetly: "Want to play hookey today?"
Warren opened the note, ignoring Xavier’s glare. His eyes lit up as he grinned at Scott. Without missing a beat, before the professor could speak, he scooped him up, and they made a quick escape out the window. The rush was real, but Scott couldn't help but think about the professor’s reaction.
Charles Xavier watched Warren fly Scott out of the classroom and couldn't hide his irritation. "He used to listen to me," Xavier muttered, "and now he's running off with Warren without a word."
As Warren flew with Scott, he gave him a cheeky grin. "So, what made you change your mind, Scott? Thought you were all about sticking to the rules."
Scott couldn't help but smile at Warren's infectious grin. "I just needed a break from school," he said, not quite telling the full story.
Warren laughed. "Well, glad you decided to join me! Sometimes you gotta tune out the annoying voice and just enjoy life."
Scott agreed. As they soared through the sky, he enjoyed the escape from his usual responsibilities and took in the moment.
Warren loved flying with Scott more than the others. Bobby would ice him for fun, Hank would lecture him about the science of flying, and Jean would complain about Bobby freezing her new lipstick or express frustration with Scott's insistence on spending too much time in the danger room. Scott didn't talk much unless necessary, and Warren respected that. He wished Scott would open up more, but he wasn't going to push him.
Lost in his thoughts, Warren heard his name. "Warren... Warren!"
Warren looked at Scott. "Oh, sorry. Want me to slow down?"
Scott shook his head. "Nah, I'm good. Just stressed out with the professor breathing down my neck."
Warren nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, the guy can be a bit much. It's not fair what he expects from you."
Scott responded, "I know.” They flew in silence for a bit as Scott glanced at Warren's face, momentarily taken aback by how striking he looked.
Warren looked more like a Greek God come to life than the statues themselves. His sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes—purple to Scott—made him impossible to ignore. And his lips, those lips... His golden hair and majestic wings only added to the effect. Angel.
What really pulled Scott in, though, was Warren's easygoing personality. His confidence and charm were a breath of fresh air compared to Scott's reserved nature. There was a magnetic quality about Warren that made Scott feel like a teenager again, loosening him up and making him smile more than he had in a long time.
Warren swooped down and landed near a lake. "Fancy a swim?"
They stripped down to their shorts and jumped into the cool water. Warren gave his wings a playful flap, sending a cascade of water splashing onto Scott.
Scott laughed and retaliated with a splash of his own. " What's your goal here, making sure I'm completely drenched?" he teased, dodging Warren's next splash.
Warren grinned mischievously. "Isn't that the point?" He swam closer, his wings gliding through the water with ease.
The two of them chased each other around the lake, laughing and trying to outdo each other with playful splashes. At one point, Warren snuck up behind Scott and lifted him out of the water, throwing him back in with a lighthearted spin.
Scott resurfaced, shaking the water out of his hair. “Don’t get too cocky, Angel." he said, feigning annoyance.
Warren chuckled, a glint in his eye. "You know you love it," he quipped, swimming a little closer.
They continued playing around in the water until they were both laughing too hard to keep swimming. Eventually, they got out and lay on a patch of grass nearby, enjoying the sun on their skin.
Warren turned to Scott, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "That smile suits you. You should do it more often," he said, clearly pleased with himself for getting Scott to relax.
Scott laughed and smiled wider, unable to hide his blush. He met Warren's gaze, then leaned in a little closer. "Think you can keep it there for me?" he said smoothly, even surprising himself and leaving Warren blinking at the unexpected twist.
Warren was surprised at Scott's unexpected smoothness, a blush colored his cheeks. He hadn't anticipated such a direct response, and it left him momentarily speechless. But he recovered, quickly. "Well, that depends, you willing to stick around for me to try?
"Guess you'll have to make me an offer I can't refuse," Scott teased, his tone light but his interest genuine.
Warren's smile widened at the challenge. "Oh, I can do that." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just a little. "And I promise you won't be disappointed."
Scott's heart raced, but he kept his cool, his gaze steady as he met Warren's eyes. "That a fact?" he said, the corner of his mouth twitching into a slight smile. "You sound pretty confident."
Warren chuckled, taking the teasing in stride. "I've got plenty of practice," he said suggestively. "Just say the word."
Scott considered for a moment. "I might just take you up on that.”
"You should.”
"Then why don't you show me what you got?"
"Don't worry, Summers. I intend to.”
And just like that, Warren kissed Scott, the move unexpected yet electric. Scott's initial surprise quickly gave way to acceptance as he responded eagerly to Warren's kiss. His hands found Warren's shoulders, pulling him closer as they both sank down onto the grass.
Warren broke the kiss for a moment, his breath warm against Scott's cheek. "You good?" he asked.
Scott's heart raced, but he managed a breathless smile. "More than good," he replied, pulling Warren back in for another kiss.
The kiss deepened, charged with a sense of urgency, as hands roamed over each other's bodies, exploring with a mix of desire and curiosity. Warren's fingers pressed into Scott's back, drawing him closer, while Scott traced the strong lines of Warren's neck and shoulders.
Warren shifted, his lips moving down Scott's jawline, leaving a trail of heated, lingering kisses. "Tell me to stop if you need to."
"Don't stop," Scott said, as he tilted his head back, giving Warren more access to his neck.
There were no loud declarations, no grand gestures, just the simplicity of this special moment between them, which Scott found himself appreciating. He liked simple.
Warren's touch was possessive yet gentle, his lips marking Scott’s skin as he moved lower. "Good, because I don't plan to."
The world around them faded into a blur, leaving only the two of them intertwined on the grass.
They pulled apart slowly, flushed more from their intimate moment than the sun. Warren rested his head on Scott's chest as Scott gently ran his fingers through Warren's hair, the warmth of the avian against him sending a calming wave.
As they settled into the moment, Scott's mind wandered. He had always been drawn to wings—planes, jetpacks, birds, and now, a gorgeous angel.