Warren stumbled through the hallways, looking for some sort of privacy. No one could see him like this. He wasn’t supposed to be like this. He’s supposed to be strong. He’s supposed to be stubborn. This is weakness.
“Traitor!” One of the students screamed out. The sound seemed to swirl around in his brain and taunt him. Why wouldn’t they leave him alone? He just wanted to be alone.
“Rat!” Another student joined in on the fun. He was getting close to his dorm. He felt tears prick his eyes and quickly wiped them away. Not here. Not in front of them. He isn’t going to lose like that.
“You’re scum!” His hands were shaking while he was trying to open his door. Fuck. He’s so close. He can’t break down here.
After what seemed like hours, he managed to open his door and slam it behind him. Warren made his way over to his bed and sat in silence for a few minutes. He finally let a few tears stream down his cheeks. He couldn’t handle this anymore. He had to leave.
A sudden, quiet knock at the door made him jump.
He wiped his face and tried to regain himself as much as he could. “Who is it?” Damn it, his voice cracked.
“It’s Y/N,” A soft voice replied. Relief flooded over Warren. “I was just wondering if you’re okay.. They had no right to say any of that to you.”
Y/N was the first student to welcome Warren. She was very gentle with him, always willing to help him find a classroom or with a homework problem. He wouldn’t admit it, but Warren had developed a bit of a crush on the girl. She was one of the only people that accepted him and looked over his mistakes. She trusted him.
Warren trudged over to the door and slowly unlocked it, allowing Y/N to enter his room. The door creaked open as she stepped in. Warren turned around to shut it when she stopped him.
“They made you cry.”
He forgot his eyes were still bloodshot.
In a swift move, Y/N wrapped her arms around Warren’s neck and pulled him in for a hug. He froze. She was small, standing on her tiptoes to be able to hug him. Her hair smelled like apple shampoo and gave a great sense of comfort. He slowly enclosed around her, all of his walls falling down, like they normally did when she appeared. It seemed like this was where he needed to be.
Y/N pulled away after a few minutes, breaking the hug and sending a pang of disappointment in Warren’s chest. “Warren, you’re better than that.”
“.. better than what?” Confusion was laced in his words. Y/N sighed and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ears.
“No matter what anyone tells you,” She began. “you will never be a villain.”
Warren scoffed and all of the walls that had fallen were raised again within a second. “Yeah, sure. Whatever you say Y/N.”
“I mean it,” Y/N continued. Her gentle gaze made Warren want to melt. “you are not a villain, Warren Worthington. You will never be a villain.”
Warren fell silent.
“I really mean that Warren. You are not a villain. I know you’re a good person. I’ve been next to you almost 24/7 for the past few months and you do not have bad intentions. What’s happened is that good person has been bashed back into a dark corner because of what you’ve been through. All these experiences have made you look at the world like it’s you or them, but I know that’s not really you. You’re such a beautiful person, Warren. I have so much faith in you.”
Warren heard a sob escape his mouth. How long had he been crying? He couldn’t remember, but it must have been a minute. He was covered in tear streaks.
Y/N grabbed a tissue off of his desk and wiped the tears from his face. She held him and whispered comforting things into his ears. She stayed with him. She trusted him. Warren seemed to forget everything that had happened to him during this time. All that mattered was that Y/N was here for him. She would protect him. She believed in him.
Toad's Cave 