Meaning of Rings

Disclaimer: I don’t own Warren or Scott or any of the X-men universe. No money has been made.

This is a collaboration with LS/Sarafimm.
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Chapter 6

Scott woke up the next morning with Warren half on top of him, a spread wing providing the only cover. A niggling feeling in his head told him that Xavier was the reason he'd woken.

“Are you two going to be eating breakfast with us?" the Professor mentally inquired, a note of chiding in his voice.

A blush crept across Scott's face and he quickly glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. It was 7:30. Just enough time to shower, dress and be at the table at 8:00.

"We'll be down," Scott replied to his mentor.

Scott turned to Warren and paused, taking in the beauty of the sleeping angel pressed against his side. "Warren," he said softly and jiggled the shoulder his head laid upon. "Warren, wake up."

A soft, sleepy moan of inquisitiveness fell from Warren's lips. "Mmm?" He wiggled slightly against the warm, hard body.

"It's time to get up. The Professor wants us downstairs for breakfast," he told him, slowly raising his voice from soft to normal tone.

He didn't want to wake up; he was having a great dream where Scott had been fucking him senseless. Warren groaned and forced one eye open. He sat up sharply and looked at Scott, it hadn't been a dream and the previous days events came flooding back to him.

"The Professor?" He ran a hand through his blond hair. "Time is it, anyway?" He tried to focus on the clock.

"It's 7:30, we barely have time to get ready," Scott replied. He stood up once Warren's weight was lifted, "Where are my pants?" He couldn't walk down the hallway to his room naked.

He rubbed his face and looked around the room. He would much rather stay in bed with Scott, he felt himself getting hard at the thought.

The brunette picked up the pants that had been recklessly tossed upon the floor and began to put them on.

"I'm going to jump into the shower down the hall. We won't make it if we have to share yours." He absolutely knew he wouldn't be able to resist a repeat of the previous day's activities if they both got back inside that tub.

Warren smirked, "Shame, would rather we got all distracted." He swung his legs out of bed and stretched his limbs and his wings.

Scott paused in the zipping of his pants as Warren's wings folded out. He'd never get tired of that sight. He got back to zipping. "The Professor will be giving us his last minute instructions during breakfast and after Bobby's parents pick him up at ten, we'll have the whole weekend to ourselves."

"You want to head to that store you mentioned?" Warren asked, fluttering his wings he stepped close to Scott, angling for a kiss before they parted.

"I do owe you a ride," Scott smirked and gave Warren a teasing peck on the lips. He didn't trust himself to do much more. "If you want to go shopping in White Plains, I'll be your chauffer." He smiled and picked up his clothes and shoes from the floor. If no one saw him leave Warren's room, they'd think he'd come from his own.

The blond smiled at the sweet kiss, it was quite chaste but held a promise. He headed into his bathroom and set the shower running.

Scott opened Warren's door and stepped out. No one was in the hallway, so he quietly closed the door and headed down the hall towards the community bathrooms. After he rushed through his morning bathroom routine, he headed down to the dining room. He had five minutes to spare.

The Professor, Jean and Hank had already arrived and were seated around the large antique table that had served the Xavier’s for years. Typical breakfast fare resided inside the china dishes along the centre of the table.

Warren had to take a bit longer than he would have liked. They hadn't used the conditioning water repellent on his wings and he had to use that before he could do anything else. His hair was damp and he was still pulling his clothes straight as he stopped outside the dining room. He wasn't late by much but he knew there would be looks from at least two of the people in the room. He took a deep breath and walked in. "Morning all." He smiled, cheerfully.

His eyes sought out Scott, unsure if he should go and sit with him, they hadn't had chance to talk about this sort of thing.

"Good Morning," the Professor and Hank almost chorused with Jean saying a belated "Morning."

"Outta the way, Wings," Bobby slipped around him and sat down next to Jean, leaving the only chair open next to Scott.

Warren's smile grew as the decision was taken out of his hands and he sat himself down in the chair beside his lover. He quietly started to load his plate with food.

The Professor waited until most of the food was eaten before he began giving his instructions. Robert's parents were to pick him up at approximately ten and return to Boston for a family reunion. They would bring him back in a week's time. Jean and he would reside at the hotel in which the conference was being given. The information on the hotel, the conference schedule and the emergency phone list was on his desk in his office should they need to contact either of them.

Scott would be in charge and he had transferred funds into his account to take care of any grocery or repairs that may be needed while they were gone. He'd also transferred funds into Hank's account so he could stock up the labs and buy some of the new equipment they'd discussed the night before. He told Scott to check with the chef about meals for the next few days or should the three of them decide, they could give the Help Staff the next few days off. It was up to them.

Warren listened carefully as he ate, his foot seeking out contact with Scott's. He nodded "Sure, they could have a few days off, I'm sure we can fend for ourselves." He offered, at the Professors suggestion. He looked at the other two for confirmation.

"Yes," Hank said in agreement, "I would prefer to set my own schedule if I am going to be working in the laboratories downstairs."

Scott smiled at the Professor, "We can handle it. You two have a good time at the conference and don't worry about us."

Warren smiled at Hank and then his lover, before returning his focus to his breakfast. He was excited about his trip with Scott, he'd never been to an adult store before, and his only regret was that he would have to bind his wings. He sighed as he cleared his plate.

After breakfast, while Jean brought round the car, Scott headed up to the Professor's room to help him get his luggage downstairs. While they loaded up, Scott reassured them that everything would be fine and they'd only call if there was an emergency. Hank was practically rubbing his hands in glee and bouncing on the balls of his feet, anxious to run to the supply store.

Once Jean had driven the car past the gate and the four of them headed back inside, Scott told Hank he could go, Warren and he would wait for Bobby's parents. Hank leapt up the stairs in bounds, eager to grab his keys. Scott picked up the phone and ordered four pizzas with everything on them to be delivered to the mansion.

Warren listened in confusion as Scott ordered pizzas so soon after breakfast. He waited until he'd hung up the phone. "Um...Scott? Pizza at this time of day?"

"They're for Hank. When they get here, we'll place them in the refrigerator so he'll have something to eat. You know if he ordered it himself, he'd forget and the poor slob who delivers them will end up sitting outside the gate until he decides it was a prank call," Scott explained.

"Ah, you think of everything." He smiled widely. He felt a swell of pride at his lover.

"That's why I'm in charge," Scott stated with a smirk. "Let's make sure Bobby's ready to go. As soon as he's picked up, we're outta here." He headed up to Bobby's room.

Warren followed quietly, watching Scott's ass muscles shifting under the material of his pants.

Scott knocked on Bobby's door and entered at his call. Bobby sat at his desk playing a game on the computer. The rest of the room was a disaster with clothes thrown on the bed and a few on the floor that hadn't made it to the hamper.

"You ready to go?" Scott asked, "They're here."

Bobby jumped up from his game, wide eyed, "No! They said ten!" He ran to his closet and pulled out his suitcase.

Scott looked over his shoulder at Warren with a wink and a nod for him to go along. Laughing at the young teen's frantic pace, Scott helped Bobby load up his suitcase, including reminding him of his toiletries at the end.

Warren tried to stop himself from laughing. Scott was clever; he knew how the kid worked and how to get him moving. He'd rarely seen this wicked side of his sense of humour.

As Scott lugged the case down the stairs, Bobby ran ahead of him shouting that he was ready and looking for his parents. Scott put the case in the entrance hall and Bobby gave him a questioning glance as he headed out the front door.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, looking for and seeing no one. "I thought you said they were here!" he accused.

Scott leaned against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his chest watching the harried and frustrated boy. "They will be," he checked his new watch, "In about a half hour. Until then you can play your game."

"Asshole," Bobby ground out as he pushed past him and back up the stairs.

Warren grinned and let his laughter go. He could only hope he didn't end up on the receiving end of devious Scott, but he suspected that it was unavoidable.

Scott closed the door and with a quick peek up the stairs to make sure Bobby was out of sight, he walked over and grabbed Warren to his chest. His hands slid down and cupped his ass as he pressed his lips to his in a hungry kiss.

The blond moaned into the mouth as it captured his, wrapping his arms around Scott's waist and held him close. He parted his lips and flicked his tongue out.

Scott suckled on his tongue, sliding his own into his lover's mouth. His grip tightened and Warren could feel the hardening pressure of his arousal digging into his hip.

"Ah, there you are..." Hank's voice trailed away as he landed on the bottom step of the stairs and saw the two teenagers in a tight embrace.

Warren blushed furiously as Hank's voice cut into the passionate kiss, he pulled back from the kiss looking somewhat guilty but didn't drop his hands or move far away, so that his hard on was hidden from view.

Scott dropped his hands from Warren's ass and took a half step back. "I thought you'd already left," he said into the silence. Hank's eyes returned to normal size after a few blinks, he looked down and remembered the piece of paper in his hands. "I, uh, I wanted to know if you wanted me to pick up some dinner on my way back," the older man asked.

"The pizza's are already on their way," Scott answered.

"Oh," Hank nodded. "Thank you," he began to head back up the stairs and then turned around and opened his mouth. He hesitated for a few moments before he shut it again and headed back up the stairs in a bound.

Warren sighed and rested his forehead on Scott's shoulder. "That went well," He moaned.

"Yes, it did," Scott said, staring at the stairs. "I'm sure we'll get some sort of lecture, later, after it percolates in his mind for a few days." Scott brought his arms up across his chest in a defensive posture, "We're going to have to discuss the limits on this."

Warren stepped back from him. "You're probably right," He sighed slightly, not sure what Scott was going to say but hoping he wouldn't want them to hold off on being affectionate around the mansion.

"I'd have hated for that to have been Bobby," Scott said and gestured for them to move into the parlor off the entryway.

Warren followed him, "He probably would have thought it was a perfect opportunity to tease us."

"And it would have been the first thing he told his parents," Scott pointed out. "Not exactly what the Professor would have wanted. We need to set some sort of ground rules until we know that everyone is able to accept the two of us being together."

He nodded and wondered what sort of ground rules. He remembered asking Scott if there would be rules when he was semi-panicking about the whole domination thing. He wondered if this would be like that, if Scott would be the one making the rules for him to follow. He sat down on the edge of a chair.

"We should be able to do anything we want in our own rooms," Scott began, "but until we know everyone's attitude we should limit signs of affection."

"I know I started the situation in the foyer just now, but I wasn't thinking," Scott admitted.

Warren felt his stomach drop, he knew in a way that it was sensible, but he couldn't help but feel disappointment. He wondered if that would always be the case, that if one of the others had the slightest issue with them that they would be restricted to their own rooms. He nodded despite his hidden unhappiness.

"I know the Professor has no problems with it," Scott said. "He ... he told me he had a boyfriend before his accident put him into his wheelchair. I'm sure he'll expect us to restrain ourselves in front of everyone, probably no kissing and definitely no groping. And until we know how the others feel, no hand holding." The look on his face was strained. He didn't want to put up any obstacles to their relationship, but his responsibility as the leader made him do it.

Warren stood up suddenly and started pacing. "So basically we have to act like nothings going on? Am I even allowed to smile at you?"

The winged man felt bitter, this was his home and he'd spent long enough justifying all this to the Professor the day before. "I don't want to sneak around and worry that I'm standing too close to you or spending too much time in your company. I don't want to stand and stress over whether or not I can sit beside you at dinner and I don't want to be a dirty secret."

Warren surprised himself with the depth of his feelings on the subject. He understood that Scott had responsibilities but if he were a girl then this wouldn't be an issue. Two days ago he hadn't ever felt lust towards another guy, that he'd been aware of, and he'd gone from that to accepting that he wanted Scott. It had nothing to do with gender for him… it was about the person. He couldn't understand why others didn't see it that way.

Scott bit his lip in indecision, his limits did sound a bit stiff and Warren was right. If either one of them was female, there would have been no limit. Except, maybe, to extended groping and kissing sessions in the public areas. "Okay, maybe I was a bit harsh, but you know Bobby can't keep his mouth shut. Once he knows, his family will know and anyone they tell. I think I'm just afraid of it getting to your father. Sure, I'm afraid Bobby's parents will pull him out of the school, but I'm really afraid of your father doing the same thing. Giving you an ultimatum." He placed a hand on Warren's arm, "I just thought that if we kept it low key, there would be less damage to deal with."

Warren stopped his pacing at Scott's words and the hand on his arm. "I think if we talk to Bobby it'll be fine. He probably will just enjoy poking fun at us, that’s nothing new though. But you're right, its best left ‘til he gets back from this week home." He reached a hand up to caress his lover's smooth cheek. "I've no problem with the 'no groping in public' its not like I'd do that anyway. But I want to be able to at least hold your hand when we're watching a movie." His tone was a lot less stressed now, he knew that Scott's fears were founded, and his father could make his life hell. It wasn't that he minded so much that he could be disinherited, it was the damage and trouble he could make for Xavier's if he chose to. "I can handle low key ... but not so low key it’s off the radar completely."

Scott smiled, glad that they'd resolved their first point of conflict in their burgeoning relationship. "I think holding hands might be acceptable and a chaste kiss every now and again. And when we're out on the town, we can hit some gay friendly places and be ourselves if you don't care what your father thinks. But," he looked towards the doorway, "let's not show anything until after Bobby comes back from his family reunion."

Warren nodded and lowered his hand; "I should go bind my wings."

"And I'll dismiss the servants. The pizza guy should be here any minute, too," Scott agreed and led the way out of the room.

He smiled softly before leaving the room and heading upstairs, Warren had become quite adept at binding his wings; he just hated it more and more. Still, he was able to get them strapped down and pulled his shirt on in near record time. Bobby's parents would be arriving soon and he didn't want to leave Scott to deal with it on his own. He pulled a light jacket on over his shirt and headed back downstairs.

Warren heard a car idling in the driveway and then it left.

Scott opened the door with four large pizza boxes horizontally balanced in his hand. "I'm going to go put these into the fridge and then get the car out. Can you wait for the Drake's?" he asked. "They should be here any minute."

"Sure thing." He smiled at the balancing pizza boxes, they smelt good and despite having just eaten, his stomach growled.

He didn't have long to wait for the car to pull up. "BOBBY!" He shouted into the hallway at the top of his lungs as he watched Mr. and Mrs. Drake getting out of their car.

Scott was standing outside, between his car and the Drake's Mercedes, chatting to Mr. Drake by the time Bobby and Warren got his luggage out the door. It was a long drive and the Drake's were a little disappointed to not be invited in for a snack and a quick update on Bobby's progress with the Professor while they waited for Bobby to get ready.

Warren heard Scott explaining that the Professor had headed out of town earlier that morning for a conference. He carried the luggage across as Bobby skipped over to greet his parents. He smiled and handed the bag over to Mr. Drake.

"Hank's car is gone," Scott said as they waved goodbye to the Drake's car as it headed down the drive. "I told Chef we didn't know when we'd be back and he said he'd lock up when he left. He's making us some quick microwave meals before he leaves. You ready to go?"

"Yeah, all ready." He replied, checking his wallet was in his pocket as he watched the retreating car. "Do you know where this place is?" he turned his attention to Scott with a bright smile.

"The directions are in the car," Scott said as he made his way over to the driver's side. "Let's go."

He slid on a pair of sunglasses and slipped into the car seat. He squirmed to make himself comfortable. Reaching out he hit the button on the radio. While music filled the car, his mind brought back to him the piece of paper that the Professor had handed to Scott the night before.