Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The Olympians in New York City are a group that people envy. They consist of multiple different business tycoons, with 12 being the most prominent. They run various types of businesses– from Aphrodite's makeup all the way to Hephaestus's car business. Out of the 12, three are the most prevalent.

Hades di Angelo, who runs all of the cemeteries in New York City. A body doesn't get buried in this city without him knowing. He is the most guarded of the three.

Then there's Poseidon Jackson, who owns all the property on the beaches in New York City. Out of the three, he seems the most down-to-earth; he runs a couple of charities for sea life and scholarships for children with ADHD (but between you and me, they're just tax breaks).

Then there's the most protected and influential businessman in New York, Zeus (he's so famous that his last name is pretty much pointless). He runs all the electricity in New York City, establishing a monopoly over keeping your lights on. Not only does he do this, but he also established the Olympians as a brand, trademarking the name "Olympians" and building the Tower of Olympus in the heart of New York City. He is the reason they are here today.

The only thing that someone in New York would want to be more than an Olympian is a child of an Olympian. The Olympian Children (sometimes known as OCs) have a way of running the city. They are known for their fast cars, private schools, and many, many arrests. Life as an Olympian child seems like a life of sucking on a silver spoon, as many of them use the Olympian name to get what they want. TV roles, jobs, positions they aren't qualified for (like when Connor Stoll acted in that terrible rendition of Mean Girls on Broadway). Being a teenager in New York City, seeing the Olympian kids run wild and get in little to no trouble, you grow envious.

To outsiders, it seems like all they do is drink, party, and fight over who will take over that family business. However, William Solace couldn't wait to get out.

William Solace hated being an OC.

He hated the way people treated him in the streets.

He hated the way his mom’s side treated him, as if he were something delicate.

And, Gods–he hated the way Zeus treated him.

Will wasn’t born like most OC kids. Most OC kids are from arranged marriages, or they marry someone from the middle of nowhere upstate New York. Will was neither. His mom, Naomi, was a country singer from Texas, while his dad was a music producer and Olympian from New York.

And his dad was married. And no, not to Naomi.

Growing up, Will was different from his peers. Constant custody battles, taking school on a tour bus, winters in New York, summers in Texas (whoever decided that arrangement hated Will).

By seventeen, Will had had enough. He scrambled to get the rest of his credits, graduating early at 17. He packed his bags and ran to New Rome University in California.

For four glorious, slow years, he forgot about the world of Olympus. Fights between him and his dad over God knows what--forgotten. Awkward dinners between him and his half-siblings (who he would find out have a group chat without him) were forgotten. Now it was just him and a Centurion® Black Card.

Then he failed his MCAT

It was May 2024. The sun was beaming over the sky, and Will had just graduated from college. After college, both Lou and Cecil went back to NYC, with Lou going to become a model and Cecil getting ready for law school at Columbia University. William... well, he passed on going back to NYC. He knew it was going to be drama and hatred-filled. Instead, immediately after all the graduation parties were over, he took the next flight to Dallas. He was going to spend his gap year with his mom. He promised her he was going to buckle down and study for his MCAT. But... probably not.

Today it was a Monday (or a Friday, during the summer; Will never really tracked the dates), and he was couch-rotting. The TV was playing "The Walking Dead"; it was muted because Will was doomscrolling. He had plans to go to Nobu with a couple of his influencer friends. He was curled up in a sweatsuit, honestly living his best life. He was probably 5 more scrolls from taking a nap until his headphones were ripped off his head.

"William."

Will turned around and saw his mom looming over him. He could tell she was mad.

"I called your name EIGHT times just now. When you're in my house, you don't wear headphones, mkay? What if I was hurt and I needed you and I was bleeding out?" His mom always had a flair for the dramatics.

"I know, I'm sorry, Mom."

She sighed, letting her hands fall to her side. "And if you're on your phone," She reached over him, grabbing the remote, "then there's no point in having the TV on. You don't pay a bill in this house, and it's a waste of electricity."

Will rolled his eyes, "Okay, Mom."

"I don't need your attitude today. You're in so much trouble after what I just found out, mister."

At this point, Naomi walked away from the living room and walked into the kitchen. She opened her wine cellar and grabbed her most expensive French wine with a name she couldn't even pronounce. Will left his phone in the living room and walked over to her, sitting with her at the kitchen island. She then reached into her pocket, grabbing a cigarette and a lighter.

Will shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know what I did. Whatever you heard in the news isn't true...?"

Naomi placed her cup down slowly, clearly more upset than Will had originally thought, "William, and you're going to be honest with me. When was the last time you spoke to your father?"

Now Will thought about it for a while, at least 30 seconds. See, Will never truly forgave his father for New York. While he was getting treated like a bastard child when he was a teenager, Apollo never really defended him. He was just trying to get back into Zeus's good graces. Will loves his dad, but that puts a wrench in their relationship. During the first year of college, he called and checked in on his father often, but after about 8 months, he pretty much only called his mom.

"Maybe like October." He answered.

Naomi was livid. "OCTOBER? Do you know how mad your nana would be if I called her only maybe three times a year? You know I called your nana and pawpaw, God rest his soul, every day while I was on tour. While still taking care of you."

Will shrugged, "Why is this a big deal now?"

"I talked to him, your father," Naomi took a drag from her cigarette, blowing the smoke forward. Will hated that she smoked, and she knew this. Between you and me, she did this just to piss him off a little.

“Why?”

“He was upset… William, why did you lie?”

Will shuffled on his feet a little, “Lied about?”

“You told me he decided not to come to your graduation. Meanwhile, he tells me you never sent him the ticket,” Naomi finished. She took another slow drag of her cigarette. “I called him to chew him out, and now I just look crazy.”

Will sighed, "Mom, I'm sorry. He never calls, so I thought he wouldn’t want to come. Last time I called him, he hung up because Kayla had archery practice or… something. I'll send him the recording."

Naomi slammed her hands on the kitchen island. "See, and this is the problem with you and your father. You both are just so stubborn. You know I don't believe in that zodiac sign bullshit, but my God, I mean, just because he doesn't call doesn't mean you don't. Ugh, what has been going on with you, William? I'm worried."

Will's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean, worried?"

"All you do is sit here now. Ever since you graduated. All you did for all 4 years of college was party and party and party. After I sent you to California, you came back a different person. I know this isn't you, William. You're so smart and talented. You're not like them." Naomi muttered out the last part.

That stung Will. "Them?"

"You know what I mean. Those Olympian kids. Spoiled brats."

Will scoffed, "Well, Mom, I think I am one of them. Flunked my MCAT, party boy; apparently I have daddy issues now too, so..."

"I wanted more for you."

Will rolled his eyes, "Well, Mom, you birthed a failure. So if you would excuse me-"

"You're not going to your dinner plans tonight."

Will whipped his head around, "Mom, you can't ground me. I'm 21 years old-"

"I booked you a flight to New York. You can live in my old condo there. It's 10 blocks away from your father's."

Will laughed at her, shocked she was doing this, "You wouldn't..."

"Already did. You can spend your gap year with your dad and your siblings."

"Mom, you know how they treated me there. I can't go back."

Naomi started to walk away. "Stop running away from this part of your life, William." She turned to face him. "I love you so much, more than anything. You're my little miracle from heaven. But you can't rely on me much longer. You have another family, William. You're grown now, and you need to accept that part of your life." She walked towards him, cupping his face in her hands. "I know they hurt you, but you need to reconnect."

William rolled his eyes. "How can I reconnect when we never connected to begin with. Mom," Will closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, "please, they don't want me there."

"When have you ever let someone stop you from doing something? Zeus went on 50 interviews, saying how stupid it was for you to go to college and not take over your family business. And you still did it!"

Will ran his fingers through his hair. "Mom, oh my God, I forgot about Zeus. He's gonna make my life a living hell again. Did I tell you about the time he banned me from all of Jason's birthday parties growing up, but invited all my siblings? I swear that was on purpose."

Naomi blew smoke in the air, "He can't do anything to you now. You're an adult."

Will groaned, "This is insane, Mom. I'm not ready. I barely talk to Dad, and the last time I talked to any of my siblings was at graduation. High school graduation. And then Selene looks at me like I ruined her life, like I'm the reason she's Selene Mayflower and not Selene Fletcher."

"I mean, you kinda are..."

"This isn't funny, Mom. Oh my God."

Naomi softened, "Baby, look at me."

And he did. Because he always did.

"You got this, okay? You are the strongest little boy I know. I know this isn't easy, but you have done harder things. I promise it'll be alright. But you don't wanna regret this. I regret every day not making up with PawPaw before he passed. If you go over there and they don't like you, then you make them like you, okay! You're my son, and believe it or not, you have a little bit of me in there somewhere."

Will sighed, "I hate this plan."

"You'll thank me later when you see what gift Apollo bought you."

Gods, Will hated New York. It was hard enough saying goodbye to peaceful, quiet Dallas. Naomi made him promise not to take any private jets to Dallas on the weekends. But at least when he left Dallas to go to New Rome, he was going to clear skies, beautiful beaches, and a nice clubbing scene. New York City to him just felt like a less expensive, more annoying Paris. Trash, nosy, and just congestion. Thankfully, his flight was private, so nobody knew he was going to New York. Which meant no cameras, no fans, and no Olympian Kids trying to give him a fake welcome.

Will walked to grab his luggage while a "Welcome to New York" video played on the TVs above. Of course, they featured some of New York's most famous: Congresswoman AOC, women's rights activist Gloria Steinman, celebrities such as Cardi B and Robert De Niro, and then just on cue, a shot of the Big Three Olympians. Will rolled his eyes and walked away.

As much as Will hated New York, he had a special feeling about JFK Airport. Growing up with famous parents, he was never able to fly commercially and have the stereotypical American flying experience. However, his planes would always land at the nearest Airport, and to him, going through the motions of the Airport has always been refreshing. Grabbing the luggage, going through TSA, and grabbing a coffee, it was all so real to him. He felt normal. Usually, he would be waiting for a driver, but this time his dad picked him up.

Father

HELLO!!!

I'M AT THE AIRPORT

ok

ill be outside soon

I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE YOUUUUUUU

SORRY I MISSED YOUR COLLEGE GRADUATION

I WATCHED THE LIVE STREAM

dad

youre in caps

Oh

LOL

I bought you a gift

giphy.gif

He shut off his phone and walked to the pickup area. Once he got there, he immediately saw his dad. He was parked, waving his arm so fast as if he were meeting the president. He was leaning up against a 2025, brand-new, white Corvette with a big yellow bow that had gold sparkles all over it.

"SON!" Apollo yelled out and ran up to Will, giving him a huge hug and a big kiss on the cheek. "Look at what your old man bought you."

Will gulped, "It's... it's a lot," he said, his voice reaching that pitch that scares his cat.

"You like it? Or do you love it? Are you enamored with it? Or like is it-"

Will shushed Apollo, "Dad, you didn't have to." Will really meant this. His dream car since he was 15 has been a Jeep Wrangler. "Thank you. I love it."

"I'll drive it today because we have to get to the Upper East Side, but after that, it's all yours."

Apollo always does this. Big, huge, flashy gifts after long-term disappointment. Naomi recounts how, after a huge fight, he sent her over 20 of those big Mexican bouquets, with each spelling a different potential name for Will. That's how Will got his name: a huge bouquet spelling "William" with black roses. A classy start to a classy life.

Will stuffed his luggage in the tight trunk and sat in the front. Will watched as his father's shaky, wrinkled fingers fiddled with the gear shift. A reminder of how old Apollo had gotten. How much time Will missed out on. The time his siblings had with him. The time the world had with him. The time various artists had with him. Time he couldn't even get. Will tried not to be bitter. He knows it's not Apollo's whole fault. But is it? Who isn't there for their own son?

"Will?"

That voice broke Will out of his own prison of thoughts. "Sorry."

Apollo looked over, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just space out a lot."

"You get that from me. I used to do that all the time, you know?"

"Mhm."

"Especially in the 90s when weed was on the rise in New York, you know? Have you ever smoked, William? Or is it Will?"

Will shook his head, "Can't say I have," Lie. "It's just Will."

Apollo sighed, "Thank Gods I asked you, know? Anyways, yeah, when I was your age, and I had just met your mother, me and her smoked all day and all night. Like it was the 70s, and we were in a cult. How's your mother doing?"

"Good."

"That's great. I saw her Instagram, and she looks so good! You think she'll take me back?"

It was silent for a bit.

"Too soon?" Apollo joked.

"Yep."

Apollo's eyes glanced over at Will. Will couldn't read his father's face, but he could tell his father was trying.

"Speaking of Instagram, I saw yours. You party!" Apollo exclaimed, pronouncing party as 'par-tay'. "I mean, that's the way to do it! You're only 22 once."

Will rubbed his face with his hands, "21, Dad, 22 in August."

The rest of the car ride was quiet. Apollo played One Direction the entire drive. At first, Will was confused, but he remembered that when he stayed in New York, he was so into Zayn. His dad was trying to make him comfortable. He even fixated on the yellow ribbon that was still on the car. Yellow was Will's favorite color.

"So..." Apollo started, "I know your mother set up her old condo, but it's not even in the Upper East Side. It's in like Brooklyn, and I really want to spend this time getting to connect with you, William–sorry, Will. So I was thinking you could stay with me? I hired an MCAT tutor to see you on Wednesdays, and I built a study in the basement. I used a bunch of equipment from the studio, so it's like completely soundproof. And maybe it'll be easier for you to connect with your siblings this way. You know, Lee has a baby now."

Will thought about it for a second. Apollo built him a whole study, bought him a car, and an MCAT tutor; it was overwhelming. But Will knew his dad. He knew that his dad was flashy and not the best with words. He knows how much his dad loves him, how much he regrets his past, and how much he fought for custody of Will. As much as he wanted to act cold and unforgiving, Will wanted a relationship with his dad. He craves it. He wants to be an OC and go to parties in New York and do the stupid family Olympian photoshoots that are in Forbes Magazine.

"I'd love that."

Apollo still owned the house Will lived in. Because Will moved around so much as a child, he considers this to be his childhood home. Will immediately ran up to his room, crashing onto the bed and staring up at the ceiling. Much to his surprise, his room was the same as he remembered. Glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling, every single Star Wars poster on his wall, and a desk that had every single SAT book in it. When he turned on his TV, he even had ET cued up.

"I was such a geek..."

Will's body ached from the travel. His head hurt from the mental gymnastics of 'reconnecting' with his dad, and his eyes were glossy from the flood of emotions from the day. Nothing happened as he expected. He expected that he would see his dad sometimes, but mostly he would be spending his time in his mom's condo, a quiet space just for him, where he could nap, scroll, and think. Instead, he was living with his dad and siblings. In a house filled not only with his own traumatic memories, but also with memories he wasn't there for. Family dinners, birthdays, game nights.

He had the realization that this house was already filled with life. Buzzing with it, actually. He was an intruder. For the next year, his siblings would have to work around him. This meant hiding inside jokes, pity invites, and shitty attempts to connect. The thought of this made Will sick. He was back in his 13-year-old body. Away from his mom and surrounded by family whom he never knew.

Will curled up on his bed. He wasn't ready. Closing his eyes, Will welcomed a brief escape.

Until his room was barged through and he heard a familiar voice booming through the room.

"Hey, dude," said Lee.

Will immediately got up to hug him, but was interrupted by the creature in Lee's hands. Funny enough, it kind of resembled a baby...

"Oh my Gods, Dad wasn't kidding? You have a fucking baby, dude." Will exclaimed.

Lee shrugged, "Yeah, I pulled an Apollo, and I got this model pregnant. Dad yelled at me because I had a baby out of wedlock, but like, it's not 1955 anymore. She's 5 months old next Monday."

Will outstretched his hands, offering to hold the baby. Will didn't know what the mom looked like, but he knew this baby looked nothing like her. She had these gorgeous green eyes and a little dollop of blonde hair plopped right on the top of her head. Her arms were a little chubby, and so were her legs.

"I see you guys aren't starving her." Will joked, earning a playful punch in the right arm from Lee.

Lee was the only sibling Will felt like he really connected with. Lee was 7 years older than Will. When Will first moved in with his family when he was 11, he felt like everyone had to be so perfect all the time. His other siblings definitely tried their hardest. But Lee... Man, Lee was a wildcard. While the other siblings poured into their crafts (Kayla's archery, Austin's band, and Michael's management company), Lee pretty much had nothing going on. I could go on about how his 'traumatic backstory' led him to being a nothing burger, but Lee was the type of OC to do whatever he wanted, when he wanted. He nepo-babied as nobody had ever before.

Before there was Will, there was Lee. Loved by the younger audience, hated by the old heads. He was reckless but also charming. He was structured but also free. He had run-ins with addiction and substance abuse, but he was still the sibling the tabloids wanted to root for. An underdog.

Back when Will was younger, he saw Lee as his escape. A breakthrough. He had never met anyone like Lee. Careless, free, a rule-breaker. Lee brought out the Solace in Will.

"So, I see you're back," Lee said, crossing his arms over his chest, "The others are upset you didn't tell them."

Will sat back on his bed, adjusting the baby in his arms. "What's her name?"

"Gracie."

"Aww," Will cooed as Gracie played with his hair, "Baby Gracie. Second-generation OC. That's a new one."

"You didn't tell anyone you'd be back."

"I didn't know until yesterday."

Lee sighed, "Could've called."

"I called Cecil and Lou."

"Are you related to Cecil and Lou?"

Will shot daggers at Lee. He didn't want to be interrogated. Not like this.

Lee held his hands up in defense, "We've missed you. Austin is in LA right now, but he'll be back on Thursday. And Kayla is in Staten Island for some tournament. I'll add you to the family group chat."

The room fell silent, and the only sounds were Gracie’s fussing. Lee grabbed her from Will when she began to cry.

"I know, I know," He muttered, "You're hungry, or tired, or gassy. Don't have a baby, Will. Enjoy your youth."

Will hummed, "She's cute. Annoyingly so."

Will watched Lee. Lee had a baby. It still didn't feel real. It was like seeing a glitch in the simulation. He watched as Lee placed Gracie in the carrier that was left near Will's room door. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead before rolling his shoulders back. Like he'd been carrying something heavier than a baby.

Lee leaned back against Will's desk. His eyes flickered over the room. Glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling, Star Wars posters plastered against the walls.

"Dad really kept this place frozen in time. You know my room still has my Playboy posters all over the walls. He made Michael's room a nursery, and I swear the bathroom still smells like AXE body spray."

Will laughed, "Yeah. It's creepy."

Lee checked his phone, his face glowing from a notification.

"So," He said, dragging the word out. "There's this thing tonight-"

Will tensed immediately, "You don't have to-"

"I know, I know," Lee held up his hand, "I'm just saying. There's this thing. Not a thing thing. Just… people. Noise. Somewhere that isn’t this house.”

Will immediately became defensive, "This house is fine. I'm fine."

Unfortunately, Lee knows him. He knows how much anxiety he's facing.

"Look," Lee sat next to Will on the bed, "I'm not trying to force you to be an OC now that you're back in New York. I'm not trying to throw you into a bloodbath. It's just... the first night back, it's always the worst. When I came back from rehab, I spent a week in my room with those Playboy magazines. I know you're going to spiral in here."

Will huffed, "You don't know that."

"Please, I'm the only one who knows that," Lee's phone buzzed again, "Look, this is the function. Or do the kids say func now?" Lee said as he threw the phone at Will.

"Stranger Things production house-wrapped party? How'd you get invited? And what the fuck is a house-wrapped?"

Lee shrugged, "You know that girl, Piper McLean? Her dad is an actor in it. She invited all the OCs. It has everything you would want. Free alcohol. Open bar."

Will glanced up, a look of worry on his face, "Is this gonna mess up your sobriety?"

Lee waved his arm at Will, "Pshhhh, no, I promise. I'm good. Look, this is for you. You can meet some more OCs, be seen, steal a drink, and leave."

“How many people?” he asked.

Lee smiled, small and knowing. “Enough that no one will actually talk to you unless you want them to.”

Will exhaled slowly.

“…Okay,” he said. “But if someone tries to ask me what I’m doing with my life, I’m leaving.”

“Deal,” Lee said immediately. “I’ll even make up a fake emergency if you want.”

Will grabbed his jacket from the chair. “You’re driving.”

Lee snorted. “Hell no, I saw the car Dad got you. Fancy Nancy.”

As they stepped into the hallway, Will glanced back once at his room, at the stars glowing faintly on the ceiling.

Anything but this, he thought.

And then he followed Lee downstairs.

When Will thinks of a party, many things come to mind. Bottle service, VIP sections, DJs, and EDM music blasting through speakers. You know, a real party (or par-tay, how Apollo would say). However, while a party in California has these things, parties are also seen as a way to move up the social ladder. They're a way to meet directors, screenwriters, casting directors, billionaires- the list goes on. To many, parties were more like business meetings than social gatherings. I mean, Will even met his manager at a party. But in New York, especially in the Upper East Side, who needs to social climb? Everyone already knows everyone. Those directors, screenwriters, casting directors, and billionaires? That's just family!

Will could tell the energy was different as soon as he walked in. First, the party was so crowded. For a community that is supposed to be mega-exclusive, it was pretty inclusive. Second, there were barely any lights at the whole party. It felt like walking into a Hot Topic. Finally, the last shocker was the openness of drugs. Lines on the counter and shots that were so overfilled they were basically glasses. Back in California, if you were caught with a line, you'd be put on the front page of People magazine.

"Hey," Lee turned to him, "I gotta go find Travis and Connor, but you go mingle, okay?"

"What you said-" Lee walked away before Will could even finish his sentence.

Fuck my fucking chungus life, Will thought.

As Will walked through the building, he could hear the whispers over the music. People were talking about him. He tried to tune it out, but what else would he focus on?

"Whoa, he's back?"

"I wonder if his mom kicked him out?"

"Wait, is this an influencer party?"

So, so embarrassing. Will knows what people think about him. He's just some influencer, not an Olympian. No, no, he could never be as sophisticated as Connor Stoll or Luke Castellan. Both of whom have embarrassed their dad more times than Will could count. Having dreams other than selling your soul to the world of Olympus was stupid in the Upper East Side. It was moments like this when Will really felt the disrespect. Imagine being treated like dirt because your dad decided to have an affair 20 years ago.

Will began to walk to the bar. If he's here, he might as well drink.

When Will sat at the bar and flagged down the bartender, "Hello, can I have a vodka cranberry, please?"

There was a pause. And then the bartender squinted his eyes, "Do you mean a shot of vodka?"

Will blinked hard, "Oh, it's like that? Um, I don't really drink hard liquor straight up..."

"We have bourbon."

"You know," Will started, "Bourbon is still hard liquor... Just give me a shot of vodka."

Will sat uncomfortably in his seat. If he wasn't embarrassed already, he definitely was now. As he tried to melt away in his seat, someone familiar put their arm around him.

"You don't really drink, huh?"

When Will turned his head, he saw Piper McLean. Her long, flowy black hair draped over her shoulders, falling into Will's lap. Her lips were perfectly 'M' shaped with a rosy tint to them. She had on smoky black eyeliner smudged around her eyes and drawn-on beauty marks all over her face. While she had the complexion of her father, she definitely had the look of her beautiful mother. Daughter of Aphrodite, of course, she was beautiful.

"Piper," Will started, staring at her beauty, "I haven't seen you since..."

"Graduation," She finished, "Who knew a 17-year-old was gonna beat us all for valedictorian. Eh, it didn't matter to me. Leo and I were fighting for dead last. How was LA?"

"Perfect. I'm only back temporarily. Just spending my gap year here."

Piper and Will weren't really close in high school. Will wasn't close with anyone in high school since he would constantly flip between Texas and New York. He's surprised he was able to even get enough credits, let alone graduate valedictorian. They shared the same building and had a couple of group projects together, but that was pretty much the extent of their relationship. 

Still, Piper acted like they were old friends. She ran her fingers through his hair, her rings getting caught in his blonde, curly knots. She had a blunt in her left hand between her pointer and middle fingers and a shot in her right hand.

"You got really... Pretty?" She said it like it was a question. She placed her shot on the bar table. "Like you got super pretty. Did you get Botox in Cali?"

Will chuckled and shook his head, "No, no, I just stopped straightening my hair and wearing those geeky glasses."

"Have you ever thought about modeling for cosmetics? My mom needs more boys-"

Just as Piper was saying that, her sister Drew popped up and wrapped her hands around Piper's waist, placing her chin on Piper's shoulder.

"Hey, pretty boy," Drew dragged out, her breath smelling of Pink Whitney.

"Oh my Gods, Drew, you are totally drunk," Piper said, rolling her eyes at her sister.

"Who are you wearing?" Drew asked, running her fingers over his jacket. These sisters were definitely touchy.

Will tilted his head to the side, "Who?"

Drew sighed, "Is it couture?"

"Oh," Nobody had ever asked Will that before.

Piper playfully smacked Drew in the head, "Oh my Gods, Drew, no classism this year!"

"What? I just wanna know..."

Will smiled, "My jacket is Dolce, so I guess I'm wearing some couture..."

When "Nice For What" by Drake came on the speakers, Drew immediately got up, "Oh, em geeee! Pipes, this is my song, c'mon, we gotta go," She slurred.

"She's so drunk," Piper mouthed, "C'mon, Will. Wanna dance?"

"Um..." Gods, no, Will thought, "I gotta wait for my brother, but next time?"

New York really brings out the liar in Will. Lies flow out of him like water.

Piper sighed, letting her shoulders drop, "Okay. I'll dm you about the modeling, mkay?" And with that, Piper and Drew disappeared into the crowd.

When Piper left, a certain stillness entered his mind. He fiddled with his shot, not wanting to drink it but also not wanting to waste it in front of the bartender. Everything felt so unfamiliar. Everything felt so tight. Will could feel his palms filling with sweat, his breath becoming shallow.

The music kept going.

The crowd kept moving.

He stayed still.

It was hot, the floor was sticky, and he could feel the bass of the music in your chest. Will needed a break. He needed some air.

He needed a cigarette.

Will walked through the crowd, his foot tripping on the glasses and others' feet. He saw faces he hadn't seen since high school. Near the middle were Piper, Mitchell, and Drew, all dancing in a harmonic way. Aphrodite's kids always love to party. Percy Jackson (son of Poseidon) and Annabeth Chase cuddled on one of the couches together. Percy played with her knotless braids, obviously buzzed. His eyes were clouded, and his head was falling back as if he were falling asleep.

Up the stairs, Will had to jump over a broken step.

When he got to the second floor, there were only three rooms. Two were obviously bedrooms, and Will wasn't gonna smoke in someone's room. That's just rude. However, there was a room that seemed like a bathroom. When Will approached the door, the lights were on, and he saw feet shuffling in the gap under the door. He waited a second, then another. Whoever was in there didn't seem like they wanted to leave anytime soon.

Still, Will raised his arms and knocked anyway. And then, nothing.

He waited, leaning back on his heels. Still, the light stayed on in the room, and the shadows didn't stop moving. Will knocked again, a little louder.

Still nothing.

The bass from downstairs pulsed faintly through the floorboards, dull and distant. Will checked his phone without really looking at it, then slipped it back into his pocket. His palms were damp. Someone laughed on the other side of the door.

Will brushed his fingers against the doorknob, realizing it wasn't locked. Will didn't really care who was hooking up or who was hotboxing on the other side. He hesitated for a second, just a second, and then he pushed the door open.

On the other side was Leo Valdez, propped up on the counter. In front of him was Jason Grace, son of Zeus, kissing all over Leo's face.

Will's eyes widened, "Holy shit."

Leo and Jason both turned to face the door, and Will stood there, covering his mouth.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll just..."

Will ran out of the room, walking towards one of the bedrooms instead. It looked like he was gonna smoke in someone's room after all.

"William," a voice boomed down the hallway. Of course, it was Jason fucking Grace. Just Will's luck!

"Hey, man," Will said, "I just wanted to smoke. I didn't mean to walk in–"

"Don't tell anyone."

"Wait, what?"

Jason's body tensed up. He placed his hands on his hips. "I said, don't tell anyone."

"Okay, sure. I wasn't going to. Why would I?"

Jason rolled his eyes, "Don't tell my dad, especially."

"Why would I tell your dad?"

Jason huffed, "I know you're trying to get in good graces with my dad. I know what you Fletchers are up to. Always looking for leverage or drama. Something to sell."

Will stared at him, stunned. Then he laughed, but it wasn't filled with humor.

“First of all,” Will said, voice steady, “I’m not a Fletcher. I’m a Solace. Get that right.”

"Same shit-"

"No," Will said, "No, it's really not. And why, why would I ever talk to your dad?"

Jason hesitated.

"I like guys too," Will continued, flat as fact. “And your father hates me. I don’t benefit from ruining your life.”

Jason opened his mouth to say something else.

Will didn’t let him.

“Relax,” Will said, already stepping back. “Your secret’s safe.”

He turned away before Jason could respond, walking past him and toward the stairs that led to the rooftop.

Will didn't smoke often. He actually hates smokers. He grew up around chain smokers his whole life. He vividly remembers his mom's breath: smoky and gross. And the health risks... Yeah, no. However, ever so often, Will would smoke. He has anxiety, but he feels like xanax, drugs, or alcohol just make it worse.

Will sat on the ledge, his feet dangling over. He hesitated before reaching for his cigarettes. He popped open the box, pulled one out, and reached for his lighter.

He checked his left jacket pocket, his right jacket pocket, his inside pockets, and his jeans pockets.

He forgot his lighter.

Will was about to cry. Such a stressful day, and he couldn't even smoke? Will let his head fall into his hands. He was done.

"Hey," a voice called out, "If you're going to jump, please don't do it here. My dad owns this building. I don't want you haunting it."

Will spun around and forgot, briefly, how to breathe.

The caller was short, maybe 5'3-5'4. He was wearing black shoes, black jeans, and a black Rick Owens jacket. His hair was silky black and freshly cut. In contrast to his black demeanor, his skin was pale and pasty white. He had hazel/green eyes, but huge eye bags underneath them. His nose was red, even though it wasn't cold out. Will finally understood why Piper called him a pretty boy. Because this, this was a pretty boy.

He was recognizable. This was Nico Di Angelo, a son of the Big Three. Particularly, he is the son of Hades Di Angelo, king of the dead. Nico had his own reputation, though it wasn't describable. People always thought he was sad, depressed. He actually was pretty famous in the Pinterest sphere because of his dark and "emo" style. Most famous for being one of the only OCs to not finish high school. Will still remembers the think-pieces about that and the weird DMs he got.

Nico climbed up on the ledge with Will, sitting down. His eyes diverted to Will's cigarette, "Did you need a light?" His breath smelled like vodka.

"Oh my Gods, yes."

Nico shuffled in his pockets, pulling out 4 lighters at one time, "I steal one every time I go to the bodega on Fifth Street. It's owned by Zeus, and fuck him, you know?"

Will giggled like a girl before coughing his laughs away.

Will placed his cigarette between his lips and scooted over to light it. Will inhaled and blew the smoke upwards, "Thanks."

"You don't seem like you'd smoke," Nico stated, "Blondes always surprise me. Here I wanna share." Nico snatched the cigarette from Will's fingers.

Usually this would annoy Will, but Nico was really cute, so...

"Do you want one?"

Nico shook his head, blowing the smoke into the air, "No. J's wanna share."

"Mkay..."

Nico hadn't scooted away, sitting so close to Will that their knuckles brushed up against each other. He turned to face Will, the moonlight making his hazel eyes glow, "I'm sorry... Do I know you?"

Will smiled a little bit, "You probably don't."

Nico whined, "You look so... familiar, though. That's annoying. I can't seem to remember..."

"You know," Will started, "Human memory is stored across so many parts of your brain. Hippocampus, amygdala, your cerebellum, and so many other parts. Your memory peaks at ages 20-35 because, well, that's when those parts of your brain work the best."

Nico stared at him, "Do you think 4 shots of vodka can ruin that..."

Will laughed at him, "I think so, yeah."

Nico sighed, "I hate New York parties. All they sell at parties are vodka, bourbon, or whiskey. They think we're our parents."

“I don’t even think my dad drinks whiskey,” Will said. “He was born in the seventies.”

"Why are you at this party anyway?" Nico asked. He took Will’s cigarette, dragging from it without even looking at him.

Will let his shoulders drop. "My stupid brother wanted to go."

"Oh my Gods, same thing. My sister and her gross fiancé, who, by the way, if you're 22, you shouldn't be engaged. But they wanted to come... I don't even like this show."

"What, Stranger Things?"

"Yes," Nico exclaimed, waving his fingers in the air, "It's so geeky! It's almost as geeky as Star Wars or like The Hobbit. They're literally all the same. And then the actors, don't even get me started. I need to know who let Nakamura's kid on that show. His mom must've paid for that role."

"Hold up," Will raised his hands, "Star Wars isn't geeky..."

"Are you crazy? Star Wars is like the epitome of geeky. Textbook definition," Nico continued to ramble, "Literally, the plot is so confusing, and there are 8000 movies. And why can't I watch the movies in the order they came out? One moment you're watching a movie with peak CGI, the next you're watching 1970s junk."

Will dramatically grabbed his heart, "You're offending me. My culture is not a joke."

"If your culture is shitty sci-fi movies and TV shows, please, grow up."

Will chuckled, letting his gaze fall on Nico, "At least we can both agree it's not as bad as those stupid anime. That one anime about the big people,"

"Attack on Titan?"

"Yes!" Will clapped, "It's so stupid. And people say it has a better plot than-"

Nico stood up on the railing, now towering over Will, if that was even possible, "You're lying! Attack on Titan is peak cinema, okay? Watch yourself." He pointed his index finger at Will, wagging it in his face.

Will laughed so hard he almost choked on the smoke, "Oh my Gods, it's just a show about naked, big people. It's a glorified David Versus Goliath.”

Nico frowned at him. He looked like a genuinely offended puppy. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“It’s true!”

“It’s political commentary!”

“Yeah, commentary on giant naked people–”

“It’s about the cycle of violence and the dangers of–”

“It’s about the cycle of–”

Nico crouched down on the railing. He covered Will’s mouth with his left hand, leaning in so close that their noses were almost touching. “Stop. Talking.”

It was then that Will could smell the alcohol on Nico’s breath. That mixed with how energetic he was and the fact that he was on a railing… Will might not be a doctor yet, but he still signed an oath in Patient Care 101.

“Safety is the number one concern.”

Will grabbed Nico’s wrist. “Okay, definitely not. You are way too drunk to be sitting up here.”

Nico’s face darkened, looking away from Will. “I’m fine.”

Maybe Manhattan makes Nico lie too.

“You almost just died defending dumb anime.”

“It’s not dumb.”

Will smiled, “It kinda is–”

Nico narrowed his eyes at the blond, “You’re annoying.”

Will swung his feet away from the ledge, bringing Nico down with him. “You’re drunk.”

Nico blinked slowly, “I know…” He quietly muttered, facing the floor.

Will snorted.

For a second, things felt weirdly easy. It was like under the stars, time slowed. For a second, there were no weird stares or invasive questions. No expectations or Zeus’s glare in the back of his head. Just a pretty, drunk, scrawny, emo boy arguing about the two geekiest things on planet earth.

Will could get used to this.

Then Nico stood up. Or, he attempted to. He pushed himself upright so fast it was too fast. He swayed dangerously to the left, then grabbed Will’s shirt to steady himself.

“Yeah, nope,” Will said, standing too. “I’m gonna take you back down.”

He grabbed Nico’s wrist, which Nico immediately tried to break free of, “I can walk.”

“You’re leaning.”

Nico whined, trying his hardest to pull away from Will’s grasp, “No, I’m not.”

Then Nico leaned almost directly into the concrete, and Will pulled him in. He immediately regretted it, however, because now he could see everything. Vodka, smoke, expensive cologne.

And frustratingly pretty eyes.

“Do you need me to call someone?” Will asked.

“No.”

“Do you know anyone here?”

“No.”

“I know you’re lying because you told me about your sister and her fiancé earlier.”

“...”

“Cmon, let’s go find them.”

Nico rolled his eyes, but allowed himself to be guided to the rooftop door.

The second they left the roof, Will regretted it. The party felt busier now. Louder, hotter, and overall, not a William Solace safe party. People brushed against them as they walked through the hallway, and Will could already feel eyes land on him again.

Will turned around to find anyone Nico might know, but instead his eyes met Jason’s.

Jason stood at the edge of the staircase with a drink in his hand. Leo was on his tippy toes, whispering something into Jason’s ear, and Piper leaned on Jason’s right shoulder. When Jason saw Will, and then saw Nico leaned into Will’s side, his expression hardened.

He tilted his head and furrowed his eyebrows. His eyes flickered between Nico and Will.

Not angry.

Calculating.

Will felt like he was in high school again. Being fourteen and constantly one move away from becoming Upper East Side gossip for the next six weeks.

But this time, Will didn’t look away. He locked eyes with Jason and flashed him a big smile.

“Please don’t take me to Jason,” Nico muttered, “I don’t want a lecture.”

Will broke away his gaze to look down at Nico, “Yeah, yeah. I’ll keep looking.”

As Will moved through the crowd, he pulled out his phone. He debated whether to send an SOS message to Lee.

COME GET ME BEFORE I DIE

No, no. Too vulnerable

911!

No… too dramatic. Too much like his father. 

Before he could decide, he felt a pull on the back of his shirt.

“Wait.”

Will turned so fast that Nico nearly crashed into him.

A girl stared up at him, wide-eyed for half a second before her entire face lit up. Behind her was a buff asian man, seemingly holding her drink and her purse.

“Oh, my Gods!” She exclaimed. “Will?”

Will blinked.

She was gorgeous. Deep brown skin, gold jewelry, catching under the dim lights, and her curls were draped beautifully over her dark skin. Remembrance tugged at his brain slowly.

“Hazel?”

“YES! Oh, my Gods.” She grabbed both of his hands. “Someone here told me there was a Will influencer here and I knew it was you.”

Will blushed, “Gods, why does everyone think of me like that?”

Nico squinted between them, “You two know each other?”

Hazel fake-looked offended. She scoffed, “Excuse me, big brother. Know each other? C’mon now. Best parties in all of New Rome history.”

Will laughed, “Dare I say they were educational.”

Hazel snorted, “Yeah, ‘How to Miss Your 8 o’clock 101.’” Hazel glanced behind her, looking up at the man. “I am so rude. This is my fiancé, Frank.”

Frank waved, “Hello.”

“He’s not a man of many words,” Hazel muttered.

“I can see that,” Will said.

“So,” Hazel started, “What happened after graduation? You like grabbed your degree and split. And why are you back in New York?” Hazel glanced around her before leaning in. “Are the rumors true?”

The air around them grew tense as Will responded, “What rumors?”

“Y’know… That your mom kicked you out,” She whispered.

This is what got a laugh out of Nico, by the way.

Will just smiled, “No, no. It’s a long story.”

“You went to New Rome?” Nico asked.

Will looked down, “Yep.”

“You don’t seem like a New Rome person.”

“Why?”

“You look,” Nico gestured towards him, “too clean.”

Will stared at him, “Yeah, and you look like hell.”

Nico flipped Will off.

Hazel burst out laughing so hard, “Oh my Gods. I’m loving whatever this,” She gestured towards the two, “is.”

Nico groaned, “Please don’t start.”

“Wait, so Will, you’re back in New York for good?” Hazel asked.

“Unfortunately. Until I get into Med School.”

“Well,” Hazel said, “Come over tomorrow.”

Will blinked, “What?”

“C’mon, it’ll be fun! We can catch up, and I’ll let you know about the latest OC lore. Did you hear Poseidon got calf implants?”

“I heard that was fake…” Nico said, trailing off.

“Yeah, because Percy told you that,” Hazel grabbed both of Will’s hands again as she squealed, “Oh my Gods, it’s gonna be so much fun! Coffee. Breakfast. Tomorrow. I have an apartment downtown.”

Nico groaned, “More like Frank has an apartment downtown which you live in. Which is actually more like Ares as an apart–”

“And clearly Nico likes you because he hates everyone so he’s coming too!” Hazel said, showcasing a wide, tight smile towards the pair.

“I don’t hate everyone.”

“Just most people,” Hazel finished for him, “C’mon, it’ll be fun!”

Will hesitated.

It was stupid, actually. His first response was no. No matter how many times he and Hazel had had parties before in the past, this was different. In New York, they were OCs.

Too much.

But when Will stared down at Hazel, and her big brown eyes of anticipation. She looked like reconnecting was the easiest thing in the world.

“Okay,” Will replied.

“Perfect!”