Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nico had been quiet all week. Now he wasn’t the most talkative guy, but he always responded to a question. This week had been different. Nico kept waking up at 3 am every night, bolting up out of bed, silent tears falling down his face.

His nightmares were always the same. It started with Bianca screaming in fear, fear of him. He could manage that, he was used to it. Until a week ago when he had woken up right on schedule, but this time he didn’t dream of Bianca. Nico wiped the tears from his eyes, his hands shaking. Instead of his sister screaming in terror it had been Will Solace. His blue eyes staring into Nico’s soul, disgust radiating off him in waves.

Nico knew he wouldn’t be getting much sleep after he woke up from the most recent nightmare so he decided to get up and get ready. He glanced at the clock, 3:30am, not as bad as the night before. He walked across his cabin to the bathroom. He closed the door behind him and glanced at his reflection. “Shit.” Nico mumbled to himself. His eyes were bloodshot and the bags under them had just gotten worse over the week. His black hair was sticking out in all directions as a result of him running hands through it in an attempt to comfort himself the same way Bianca used to when he would wake her up scared. His eyes began to well up at the thought of his dream again.

He turned to the shower and turned it all the way hot, hoping that he could wash away these feelings and have a good day.
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Spoiler alert. It didn’t work.
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Nico had been lying in bed just staring at the ceiling for four straight hours when a knock broke him from his spiral. “It’s open, just come in!” Nico yelled in the direction of the door.

“Heya Death Boy! It’s time to get up, breakfast has almost started!” Speak of the devil, “Come on lazy bones, Doctor’s orders!” Will’s cherry voice echoed around the cabin. Nico was staring at the floor trying to avoid his eyes, he knew that if he looked at Will his nightmare would come racing back to him.

“Nicoooooo… are you listening to me?” Will said, waving his hand directly in front of Nico’s face. “Yeah. Sorry. I’ll be right out.” Nico mumbled fidgeting with his hands that were sitting in his lap. “Okay,” Will said softly, his eyes narrowing “ do you want to sit with me this morning? My siblings won’t mind and you look really tired and I want to make sure you eat…” Will’s voice trailed off when he realized Nico wasn’t paying attention.

“I was going to sit with Percy and Jason today… sorry.” Nico said his eyes were still not leaving the floor. “Hey that’s okay! You are coming to the party later right?” Will asked, his smile practically glowing. Oh gods, a party. Nico knew it was a horrible idea for him to come. He risked a glance at Will and Holy Hera. He couldn’t say no to that face. He was going to regret this.

“Yeah. I’ll be there.” Nico said quietly, glancing back up at Will, who’s smile had somehow gotten bigger if that was possible. “Okay cool! I’m in the infirmary all day if you want to stop by, no pressure though. I’ll see you later Death Boy1” Will said while turning around to the door, “Wear something cute tonight Neeks!” He said winking at the younger boy. Nico stared at him wide eyed as Will softly chuckled walking through the door towards the infirmary.

Nico sat there for a while just trying to process the fact that his totally straight secret crush had not only indirectly called him cute but he had winked at him. Nico shook his head leaving the cabin to head to breakfast running into his two idiot cousins who were engaged in an arm wrestle and hadn’t noticed his presence. Percy glanced up from the table locking eyes with Nico and jumped, which in turn made Jason jump and fall off the side of the bench groaning when he hit the hard concrete at an uncomfortable angle.

“Holy shit Nico! We need to put a bell on you!” Percy said catching his breath. Nico cracked a smile, “Maybe you should just pay better attention to your surroundings, Kelp Brain!” He said, chuckling slightly.

“Uh guys… I hurt my shoulder” Jason said, still on the ground. Nico glanced down and oh Holy Hades! Jason had fully dislocated his shoulder. Nico and Percy began to help Jason stand back up and oh no. They were going to have to go to the infirmary. Nico couldn’t face Will, not after this morning. He glanced around and there was only one way to escape. He helped Jason to sit down, turned around and melted into the nearest shadows disappearing from view.

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Nico materialized deep in the woods atop Zeus’s fist. He sat in the middle and broke. He was so drained and it was only 9 am. Will’s words from his dream came bubbling back to the surface. He had spoken with so much hatred and disdain it hurt Nico’s heart to think about. “Come on idiota! It was just a dream. Will wouldn’t say those things. He is our friend.” Nico mumbled to himself like a mantra as the tears got worse and worse. His body had begun to shake as his brain got louder and louder. “Hey! Nico, is that you up there?” Fuck. Percy found him. “Jason is okay! He’s with Will now!” He continued. At the mention of Will, Nico let out a soft broken sound. “Okay bro, I am coming up there!” Percy yelled. Nico could hear him begin to climb up the side of the fist. Percy’s head popped up the side and pulled the rest of his body up. Nico’s head was racing.

“Okay bro, what’s up with you today?” Percy said concern lacing his words. “Nothing…” Nico mumbled. Percy raised his eyebrow at him “That’s how this is gonna be?” Percy huffed out, “Nico you can talk to me. I just want to make sure you are okay”.

Fucking hell. Nico couldn’t keep it together anymore. The flood gates opened and he started sobbing, his shoulders shaking and breath coming out in shaky exhales. Percy just sat there for what felt like years staring at Nico before he moved faster than Nico had ever seen him move before. He hesitated when he reached Nico holding his arms out giving Nico the choice.

He fell forward into Percy’s arms clinging to him like a life line as Percy whispered words of comfort into his ear. They stayed like that for what felt like hours before Nico cleared his throat “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cry all over your shirt…’ Nico practically whispered. “Hey, no. None of that!” Percy started, “Nico it’s okay. Son of Posiedon, remember? Tears are no match for me” He smiled down at Nico.

Nico smiled back at him. He sighed and Percy just stared at him. “Sooooo, wanna talk about what caused that?” Percy asked.

“Ughhh,” Nico mumbled through his hands, “It’s dumb. Don’t worry about it, just slept weird”. Percy just kept staring. “Fuck. Stop looking at me like that! It’s literally nothing Percy, don’t even worry about it.” Nico added a smile to the end. Percy just stared harder. “ Merda. Non riesco a dormire, non riesco a mangiare. Sto impazzendo e quello stupido figlio di Apollo non mi aiuta. Continua a sorridermi e stamattina mi ha persino fatto l'occhiolino! “ Nico blurted out gasping for breath at the end.

“ So I’m going to assume you just said what was wrong but I don’t speak Italian so I have no clue!” Percy started rubbing the back of his neck with a grin on his face.
Nico let out an angry noise, “Cazzo! Percy I cannot say that all again!,” Nico yelled, “ It was hard enough to say even in italian. This is like the hardest thing to admit and it is really fucking awkward to be talking about with you! I can’t even admit it to myself!” Nico was getting louder with every word. Percy was just absorbing what Nico was saying. Nico could practically see the gears turning in his head. “Oooookay, well maybe you can say it in different words or just be vague? I just want to know what’s going on because I love you and I am worried.” Percy said softly.

Nico was taken back by Percy’s words, he let out another sigh before he began explaining. “So I have been getting closer to someone at camp. He has been helping me a lot with my nightmares of… y'know. However, recently he has been in my nightmares and it has been messing with my head so much. I can’t even look at him without hearing his voice from my dreams, so I have been avoiding him. He caught on and has started waking me up in the mornings and I know that he knows something is wrong.” Nico took a deep breath before continuing, “ This morning he woke me up like normal and told me about that party that’s happening tonight and I said I would go like an idiota! And you know what he did before he left my cabin! The motherfucker winked at me, which is so unfair because he is so straight and I am deeply fucking in love with him!” Nico took an even deeper breath and did not dare to look at Percy as he finished.

Percy looked back at Nico with a big smile on his face. “You think Will Solace is straight?”.

“What? Yes of course I do, because like look at him” Nico said, waving his hands around.

Percy just laughed at him. “Well I am glad you find this amusing!” Nico mumbled, “It’s just my luck that I fell for the first guy who showed me any care!” Nico trailed off, throwing his hands over his face and groaning.

“Wellll, I think that the party is the perfect opportunity for you to talk to him.’ Percy said wagging his eyebrows up and down, “Hey! Don’t give me that face! You’ll never know if you don’t try!” Percy practically sang.

“Holy Hera Percy! You're worse than the Aphrodite kids!” Nico grumbled out. Percy just laughed again. “Okay Nico, just think about it, okay! I think this might turn out better than you think…” Percy said a maniacal grin on his face.

“Fine! I’ll think about it okay! Just leave me alone you weirdo! Don’t you have a girlfriend to go bother” Nico rolled his eyes as recognition flashed over Percy’s face.

“You are so right little cousin! I should go bother ‘Beth!” Percy said with a smile reaching his eyes, “I’ll see you later at the party!” Percy winked.
Nico just smiled back at him as Percy began his climb down.

“Cazzo!” Nico yelled to himself. He definitely had a lot to think about.

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Nico had been avoiding the outside world all day. He was cocooned in his duvet and staring at his ceiling fan and thinking about that stupid son of Apollo and his stupid smile. Will had told Nico to dress cute, how does one dress cute?

No one had ever referred to the son of Hades as cute. It was confusing him greatly. Are skinny jeans cute? Skull shirts? His jacket? “Ughhhhh!” Nico groaned, “I have literally nothing to wear!” Nico yelled out falling face first into his bed.

How the fuck was he supposed to talk to Will? ‘Oh hey Will! I know you only pretend to be nice to me and that you hate me, but hey guess what? I fell in love with you cause you were too nice to me! It’s okay I know you are straight and I do not want this to ruin our friendship so I can just leave camp again!’ Yeah that would go over so fucking well.

Nico’s self hatred spiral was interrupted by a knock at his cabin door. He reluctantly got up and walked toward the door. He hesitated before he opened it not knowing who was on the other side. He slowly opened the door, and was greeted with Piper smiling at him. He released the tension he has been holding in his body.

“Hey Nico! I didn’t see you at dinner and your doctor sent me to check in with you!” Piper smiled at Nico the whole time she was speaking. Her stare along with her words sent a blush across his cheeks and ears. Piper was oblivious to what was going on in Nico’s head, and just pushed past him to walk into his cabin.

“So my dearest Nico, what are the party outfit options?”

Chapter Text

Nico was crudely reminded that Piper was in fact a child of Aphrodite. She tore apart his closest with scary precision. Nico just sat there staring at her. Cazzo! I just cleaned this morning.

“Nico, why do you own 9 versions of the exact same shirt? Also, only skinny jeans!?” Piper was staring at Nico with pure disappointment behind her eyes.

“I wear the same thing everyday, Piper hence the options. Also the last party I remember attending was in the fucking 1930’s, so excuse me if I don’t have enough options to please you. I was told to dress cute and I don’t know how to do that.” Nico huffed out. He watched as Piper caught what he said, her eyes lighting up.

“Now Nico, My dear friend, who told you to dress cute?” Piper asked with a slight smirk gracing her face. Nico was deeply regretting what he had just said to her. How could he be so stupid to get caught twice in one day, he wished he never got out of bed this morning.

“Uh, Yes someone did say that to me…” He finally managed to get out, Nico’s face and ears beginning to flush a light pink. “I just need your help, I don’t know how to be cute”.

“Wait, are you serious?” Piper asked.

Nico nodded, avoiding eye contact with the daughter of Aphrodite.

“Nico, you are one of the cutest guys at camp.” Piper stated, very matter of fact to Nico.
“Did you seriously not know that?” Piper asked softly. Nico didn’t know how to respond to her. People thought he was cute? How did everything at camp change so much without him knowing? Last he heard people were so scared of him that they wanted him gone from camp. Nico remembered the look in their eyes when he showed up with his father during the first war. People flinched back from him and avoided touching him like he had the plague.

“Nico, are you okay?” Piper’s voice broke him out of his obvious spiral.

“Yeah, sorry I’m all good.” Nico said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t know that, I still thought people wanted me gone. Percy and Jason are the only two who really even talk to me…” His voice trailing off as he spoke. Piper just kept looking at him.

He couldn’t handle all the looks he was getting when he opened up. It was exhausting to have people constantly looking at him with pity.

“Nico, we all want you here I swear. I didn’t mean to ignore you, I thought you preferred being alone, but if that’s not the case I am inviting you to movie night this week!” Piper cheerfully stated, “Now let’s find an outfit to knock the socks off a certain blonde haired son of Apollo” Piper said with a wink at the end of her sentence.

Nico smiled back at her and extended his arms outward. He watched as her smile grew even bigger, wrinkling her eyes and nose from the force of it. She stepped forward to him and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Nico reciprocated, noticing she smelled of flowers, just like his Mama. Nico held on a little tighter as he realized, making Piper chuckle.

“Okay now that I have decided we are best friends, I am inviting Annabeth to come over to help us out” Piper said to Nico letting him go and stepping back.

Nico couldn’t stop his smile at Piper’s words, “Best friends?”

“Yes Nico, Best friends.” Piper’s smile matched his as she responded.

For the first time that day, Nico felt good about staying at camp.

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Annabeth was walking to the Athena cabin when Piper intercepted her and directed her to come to the Hades cabin to help Nico out. Annabeth immediately changed her direction and began walking to the final cabin in camp.

She stepped up each step with slight anxiety blooming in her chest. What did he need help with? Was he okay? Did something happen? If someone hurt Nico I will fucking kill them, slowly. Annabeth walked up to the door and knocked lightly, not wanting to scare him again like last time. She had learned her lesson, after she heard yelling and a thump like Nico had fallen when she knocked loudly on his door.

Nico opened the door, and Annabeth saw the smile of a young boy that she hadn’t seen since Bianca’s death. “Annabeth! Hi, how are you today?” Nico asked her as she began to smile back at him. “I am well Nico, what can I help you with?” As soon as the words left her mouth she saw Nico hang his head down, a deep red flush overtaking his face and ears.

Oh. Something happened with Will.

Annabeth let out a sigh as Piper began to explain the predicament they were in.

“Okay, so a certain unnamed blonde healer invited Nico to the party tonight. He told him to dress cute and after surveying his closet I needed to call in reinforcements, so I came to you the smartest girl I know, don’t tell Reyna I said that.” Piper let out in a cheerful tone that just made the son of Hades blush deeper.

“I see, well Nico, this certain unnamed healer” Annabeth briefly paused to wink at the boy, his blush slowly creeping its way down his neck, “ happens to really like black skinny jeans, which I see you have quite the collection of.” Annabeth said walking over to the wardrobe in the corner of the room, Nico trailing after her the way a small duck would its mother.

She opened the wardrobe sifting through multiple black shirts before spotting a white button up with black pinstripes. Oh this was the shirt. She held it out to Nico before starting “Okay this shirt is perfect, go try it on in the bathroom and roll up the sleeves” Nico took the shirt and began walking over to the bathroom. “And Nico, leave the first two buttons undone, trust me” Annabteth added. Nico simply nodded and closed the door.

He sripped of his black camp halfblood shirt and folded it, setting it on the bathroom counter. He pulled both his arms through the button up and did as he was instructed. Nico worked quickly on each button, before carefully rolling up each sleeve. He glanced in the mirror and was shocked at what he saw starting back at him. He actually looked good.

Nico could feel the tears begin to well up in his eyes, wishing that Bianca were here to see him. He looked happier than he had in weeks, and all it took was a stupid shirt.

He tore his gaze away from the mirror and opened the door. Annabeth and Piper’s heads snapped to him in an instant.

“Nico, you have been holding out on us.” Piper said a kind smile on her face as she spoke, “You don’t just look cute, you look hot my dear.” Piper added chuckling to herself. Nico laughed as Annabeth said “If you liked girls, I would consider leaving Percy for you.” She began laughing with him as she finished.

“Okay Annabeth you need to tell Nico what you just told me, he is going to need to hear this before tonight.” Piper said, turning her head to look at the daughter of Athena.

“Tell me what?” Nico asked, looking at her with curiosity in his eyes.

“So, that unnamed healer from before was asking Percy about you earlier,” Annabeth began looking at him with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, she needed to stop hanging out with Percy all the time, “ He asked if Percy knew whether or not you liked boys, Percy didn’t answer and told him to ask you himself and that you like movie nights!” Annabth finished, the twinkle extending across her face where a smirk graced her lips as Nico began to cough.

“Wait, Percy didn’t tell him?” Nico asked, even more confused, “Why didn’t he? He’s totally the type” Nico finished. Annabeth’s smile fell.

“Nico, Percy would never out you to anyone, no matter who it was.” Annabeth stated firmly. Nico began to feel the anxiety fill his body again. “Oh, sorry.” He said, staring at the floor afraid to look at either of the girls in front of him. Good going, you made everyone uncomfortable again, why can’t you ever just be normal? Nico, you can never keep people. They always leave because you can never just be normal!

“Nico, you have nothing to apologize for!” Piper said, once again breaking him out of his downward spiral. “Now put your jacket on and follow me!” She then began walking towards the door of the Hades cabin. Nico did as he was told before asking, “Where are we going?”.

“The Aphrodite cabin, You need a haircut so you feel your best tonight.”

Oh gods.

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When Nico walked into the cabin, he was hit with a wall of flowery perfume. He once again was reminded of his mother. Gods, he missed her. He wished she was here so that he could talk to her about Will, or so that she could just meet him. Nico was led to a chair as Piper began talking, “Okay, so sit down here and tell me how you want your hair!”. Nico sat down and thought about her implied question.

“I guess just like some off so I can see and maybe shave the sides a tad?” Nico mumbled to Piper looking at her through the mirror scared again to meet her eyes, she knew too much. When she and Jason had been dating she found out that Nico had a crush on Percy for multiple years. She knew, but knew Nico well enough to never acknowledge that Nico never wanted to discuss it.

“Yes I totally get what you mean, Solace won’t know what hit him!” She began with the scissors lightly cutting his fringe to a much more manageable length above his eyebrows. She then grabbed her electric razor and trimmed the side of his mop of black hair. He watched the small clumps fall to the floor.

“Okay done!” Piper exclaimed proudly.

Nico looked at himself. Wow, Piper had a magic touch. Not only had Annabeth given him confidence in his shirt, Piper had given him the best haircut he had ever had. Nico smiled looking at himself in the mirror as Annabeth whistled at him. He laughed looking at her with the most affectionate look he could muster before speaking finally.

“Thank you both, genuinely. I feel ready to finally talk to Will. You both have given me the best afternoon I have had since Bianca. I may go find Will and ask to eat with him, if that would be okay with you guys?” Nico started finally finding the words to speak.

Piper smiled at him, the twinkle she got when talking with her siblings about relationships making a big appearance across her face.

“Of course, go eat with that unnamed healer!” Annabeth said, smirking at the end, and adding a wink for comedic effect.

“Okay thank you guys for your help, seriously I would have been lost without you two.” Nico said, opening his arms to hug both of them at once, feeling the need to hug them just like Bianca.

They both eagerly wrapped their arms around him. Filling his body with the warmth of love, specifically sisterly love. He truly wished Piper got to meet Bianca. Nico knew they would get along so well, probably just like Reyna and Piper. Nico fondly remembers the Iris message where Piper and Reyna told him that they were dating. He was so happy, but then he asked Jason how he was. Jason was even happier than Nico and proudly proclaimed that his two best girls were perfect for each other and he frequently set up dates with Reyna, who was still nervous to plan anything without her backup. Jason eagerly helped, and he knew both of them so well that everything they did was exactly what they wanted.

Piper and Annabeth let him go, both smiling before Annabeth spoke, “Now I love Will like a brother, so be careful with him. He has a lot going on that he can’t talk about, but Nico I think you may be the first person who will be able to break past that barrier.” Annabeth said very softly. Nico smiled.

“Annabeth, I want to tell him that I am in love with him. I have been for the past four months. Those three days in the infirmary were some of the best I have had since I was in Venice. I really like him and I want to treat him the best I possibly can. I will even bump up the days I meet with Dionysus with therapy. I will do everything I can to show him the type of love he deserves.” Nico said, smiling right at Annabeth, blushing rapidly.

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Nico walked down to the dining pavilion, hoping to see Will when he got close to the tables. He was looking around when he made eye contact with the most beautiful blue eyes he has ever seen. Will was smiling at him, a pink flush slightly present as Kayla said something to him that made the tips of his ears beat red before he stood up and made his way over.

“H-hey Neeks, woah. You look really great, I love your hair.” Will said, feeling brave and reaching up to touch the patch of hair that has been shaved.

“Hey Sunshine, I missed you at breakfast this morning. How was the infirmary today?” Nico, also feeling brave, reached up to put his hand over Will’s that was still on his head. Will was smiling at him when Nico caught his gaze dropping down slightly. Cazzo! Will was looking at his lips, it would be so easy to lean in and capture his lips. Nico risked a glance down at Will’s lips, they looked so soft.

Nico snapped back up as Will began talking, “Sunshine, that’s a new one, I like it! The infirmary was good, but I missed my favourite bandage cutter today. The Stoll’s pranked the Demeter cabin because Travis wanted to ‘flirt’ with Katie.”

Nico hummed in response, staring into his eyes before asking, “Do you want to sit at the Hades table with me for dinner tonight?” Nico smiled as will flush a deep red again, he looked so pretty like that.

“I would love to, then we can head to the party together, by the way you look really good in that shirt. It brings out the light in your eyes, you just look so fucking cute.” Nico smiled even bigger hearing Will call him cute, he made a mental note to get Annabeth and Piper a gift for all their help.

Nico walked beside Will to the Hades table and waved Jason and Percy away when he noticed them walking to sit with him. They made a sharp detour walking to the Poseidon table where Annabeth sat waiting for them.

Nico sat down, Will sitting down next to him. Close enough that their thighs were touching, Nico could feel the heat radiating off Will’s body. The son of Apollo always radiating heat off him in waves, a gift from his father. Nico was addicted to it, wanting nothing more than to snuggle in close to him. He restrained himself before Will asked, “So who did you trust enough to let them give you a haircut?”

“Oh that would be my new best friend, Piper. After she came to check on me after lunch we bonded all afternoon, and Annabeth was there to help Piper as her ‘backup’. I also hugged both of them, which was really nice!” Nico responded.

“I thought I was your best friend?” Will said, feigning sadness at his words.

Nico remembered what Annabeth had told him, “You are more than just a friend to me, I like you way more than I like Piper. She just reminds me of Bianca. She believes that I can be great, just like Bia did when she was here.” Nico said finally after a brief pause.

Will looked at him surprised, “More than friends? Like, maybe the same way I like you?” Will asked, staring into his eyes, hesitation and slight fear gracing his face.

“That depends, do you think about kissing me? Because if you did, then I would be okay with that…” Nico mumbled under his breath looking right into his eyes.

“Yes, I do frequently even dream about kissing you, but I want to do this right and I know you would hate me kissing you here in front of everyone.” Will responded, his eyes never leaving Nico’s lips. “Okay you need to eat up so you can stay awake for the fireworks the Hephaestus cabin worked on!” Will said, finally looking into Nico’s eyes again.

Nico asked for some traditional lasagna and a coke. Will got a cheeseburger with fries, opting for apple juice.

They ate a comfortable silence between the two, Nico occasionally looking up at Will. Fondness rolled off the two of them each time they made eye contact. Nico looked over and his two, immature, cousins mimed kissing at him when Will looked away. Nico flipped both of them off, mouthing ‘Fuck you’ at them for good measure.

They ate quickly, and with the final bite of his lasagna Will stood up and put his hand out for Nico to grab.

Nico hesitated before smiling and grabbing his hand. Will smiled back, intertwining their fingers. They began walking to the beach, walking past the Poseidon table where Percy called out. “Don’t forget we have some games planned for the party, get ready for some truth or dare and never have I ever. We have lots of snacks too, so you two don't eat each other's faces too hard.”

Jason cackled loudly as the two boys walked much faster, both equally red.

“You don’t have to hold my hand if you don’t want to. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Will mumbled. Nico barely heard him, but gripped his hand tighter before saying, “I know I don’t have to, I want to.”

Will just smiled at him before shaking his head, “You keep surprising me sunshine, in all the best ways.”

Nico held his hand just a little tighter. They continued their short walk to the beach.”

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When they arrived at the beach Will directed him over to a blanket that he had set up ahead of time. It was a burnt orange colour, and it looked handmade. Nico remembered Will telling him that his grandmother loved to knit blankets and sweaters for Christmas presents.

“So I thought we could chill here, it has a good view of the fireworks and it's close enough to the fire, but far enough away that no one can hear us. I thought that if the games got too much, we could come over here. Think of it as a home base.” Will explained to him.

Nico smiled, Gods he knew him so well. Nico was so fucking in love with him. He may die if he can’t kiss him soon. Le sue labbra erano così vicine a lui. Nico sat down, “Thank you for coming with me, I’m sure you would like to hangout with your friends. So you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.” Nico trailed off.

Will didn’t say anything, bringing his hand up to Nico’s jaw and softly running his thumb along it. His hand was soft and warm, He couldn’t help but lean into it closing his eyes, a soft smile gracing his lips.

When he opened his eyes he noticed Will had moved closer. Their foreheads are now touching. Nico gulped, staring down at his lips. He could close that gap right now, he could feel the soft press of his lips against him. It would be so easy.

“Nico,” Will asked a bit breathless, voice barely audible, “Can I please kiss you?”

“Please, yes, Will please kiss me.” Nico said in the same soft tone.

Will leaned the rest of the way in. His lips brushing Nico’s and making a soft gasp fall from the black haired boy.

The kiss was gentle, it felt like a hug the way that they moved in sync. They continued their kiss, Nico’s hand finding his way to Will’s blonde curls. His hair felt even better than Nico had ever imagined. Will’s tongue darted out swiping across his bottom lip, Nico got the hint and opened his mouth. Nico didn’t know that kissing could feel like this, he responded with equal eagerness making Will let out a soft sigh.

The two pulled apart to catch their breaths. Will not wanting to move far away from him, “Gods Nico, you keep surprising me.”

Nico asked, nervousness filling his voice “Was I good, I don’t know how to kiss really. That was my first one ever.”

“That was your first kiss ever? Nico oh my gods, that was so good. I thought you may have done this before.” Will said finally leaning back. Nico missed his warmth.

“So what does this make us? I really like you Will. I have just never done anything like this before, I am damaged goods and I don’t want to force you into that with me.” Nico dared to look up at him, watching as Will smiled at him.

“I would like us to be boyfriends, if you want?” Will said, like it was the most simple thing.

Boyfriends, Nico liked the sound of that.

“Boyfriends, that works for me Sunshine.”