Chapter Text
Nico was watching tv when his father came through the door with his co-worker Lester on his heels chatting excitedly. Nico wasn’t sure what to think of Lester, the guy was a hard worker, very kind and understanding. He had helped Nico and Hades a lot when Maria and Bianca died. However he was a bit much at times for Nico and his father, and it sounded like this was one of those times.
“Lester”, Hades interrupted his co-worker mid sentence “Why don’t you tell Nico the good news while I get everything set up in my office?”
Nico gave his father a panicked look just as Lester turned around to face him. Hades just shrugged and walked away.
***
It was about half an hour later when Hades came to get Lester to work on their work thing that Nico knows very little about.
During that half hour Lester rambled on about how he’s in the process of adopting three kids. Two boys and one girl all who are in their teenage years.
In Nico’s opinion that sounds a little crazy. According to Lester he wanted to adopt the oldest of the three, Will, who’s turning 17 in two months. However, Will refused to leave two of his foster siblings who he had taken under his wing. So Lester being the spontaneous guy that he is, started the process of adopting all three of them.
Nico thinks he’s in way over his head if a single person decided to adopt one of his cousins they’d be in over their head never mind three of them.
However he doesn’t dwell on it, it’s not his life and he is quickly immersed back into an episode of The Office.
***
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Will groaned along with Austin as he shut off his alarm. 6am meaning he and Austin and Kayla had to be out the door in 45 minutes.
“God! Why does school have to be so early.” Austin wailed. Will just shrugged his shoulders and went to wake up Kayla.
He opened the door to her room and found her spread eagle on her bed with a trail of drool on her chin. He rolled his eyes and smiled, Kayla always slept through her alarm.
45 minutes later the three of them were trekking the 30 minute walk to school, when that morning's struggle came up.
“It’s not fair” Kayla said, “They treat us like servants for their bio kids!”
“Yeah? They’ve been doing it ever since I can remember.” Austin replied.
“That’s the reason why they started fostering in the first place, I’ve told you that before. They take in older kids that nobody cares about and uses them for free labour.” Will chirped in.
“Well it’s not fair!
“We didn’t say it was. However you got to control that fiery temper of yours. Lester seems interested in us. I really think we may have a chance at a better life.”
Kayla quieted down, “I suppose you’re right… but what if it falls through?”
“Then it falls through” Austin said, “Though at this point it’s unlikely we’re scheduled to move in with him next month.”
“Exactly” Will said.
“Will?” Kayla said 5 minutes later. Will hummed in acknowledgement, “Thank You” Will gave her a confused look. “For what?” “For not leaving us, for showing us the ropes, for being everything a big brother should be. I- I know we all met each other because of really crappy situations but now I can’t imagine my life without you or Austin, I just wanted you to know that.”
Will hugged the freckled girl he had come to think of as his sister. She hugged back, Will saw a flash of dark skin as Austin joined in on the hug. Anyone walking by would have thought it was a weird sight, three teens who looked nothing alike hugging each other on the sidewalk. In that moment however, the three teens in question couldn’t care less.
***
It was early December when the three teens saw their new home for the first time. It was a three story house on the outskirts of San Francisco, with a white door and two car garage. It looked way too big for a single person, now however, the space would fill out better with the three of them residing there as well. Lester led them into the house and showed them their rooms expressing that they could decorate them however they want. For now they all looked similar, they all had tan walls with a double bed to one side complete with a dresser and a medium sized closet to keep their clothes in (Not like they had many closets but it’s the thought that counts).
“Okay kids” Lester said, “Dinner will be ready at 6:30 until then you are free to unpack your things, and do whatever you please, whether it be taking a nap or exploring the rest of the house.” With that he flashed them a big smile and hurried out of Kayla’s room where they were.
Austin and Will shot Kayla a smile before setting off to their own rooms to get their things organized.
***
As 6:30 rolled around Austin, Kayla and Will all went downstairs and sat at the dining room table. Lester was already there and smiled at them warmly.
“We’re sorry we made you wait for us” Will said, feeling a bit guilty. His siblings both nodded in agreement. Lester just waved them off “Don’t worry about it, I’ve only been here for a couple minutes plus you guys were perfectly on time. Though if you were ever a little late it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Now dig in!”
Kayla, Austin and Lester all started eating. Will was a bit more hesitant, he looked at Lester curiously, it had been at least 4 years since any legal guardian of his had treated him kindly. Lester caught him staring and nodded his head encouragingly. Will blushed and ducked his head embarrassed at being caught staring. He supposed it would take some time for him to get used to all this. It was so different from anywhere he’d really been. It wasn’t like any of the foster homes he’d been in and it certainly wasn’t like the farm he’d grown up in rural Texas before his mother died. However maybe his optimism from the previous months will pay off. Lester knows he gay, he knows he loves to sing and play the guitar. He wouldn’t be here if Lester didn’t want him.
***
Nico was currently holed up in his bedroom. His father’s Christmas party had started three hours ago and ever since then he had been sorting through his large collection of mythomagic.
“Dude!” Percy barged into his room, “You’ve got to come down to the party!!!”
Nico rolled his eyes and continued looking at his cards. “Nico you gotta! There are some teens that I’ve never seen before using the karaoke machine and they’re really good!”
That got Nico’s attention and his mind drifted back to the conversation he and his father’s co-worker had in the summer. The one about him adopting three kids, all teenagers. Nico would be lying if he said he wasn’t curious. He got up and dusted off his pants.
“Lets go”
Percy gave a big smile and followed the shorter boy out of the room.
As Nico walked into the room where the karaoke machine was stationed his eyes were immediately drawn to the tallest of the teens using it. A boy with blond hair, sparkling, blue eyes and a gentle smile. He was wearing a green, dorky holiday sweater. In other words he was exactly Nico’s type.
“Someone see something they like?” Percy inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Nico blushed and dropped his eyes. Raising them again when he heard the first lines of Deck The Halls. The voice starting was obviously male, soft and soothing yet strong and full of joy. His eyes met those of the singing blond as the African American boy took over.
“See the blazing yule before us
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa la la la la, la la la,
Follow me in merry measure
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Fa la la la la, la la la la la la
Fa la la la la, fa la la la
Fa la la la la, la la la la la la
Fa la la la la, fa la la la”
The African American’s voice was deeper but no less beautiful. The blond boy and a girl joined in for the rest of the song and Nico’s eyes never left the light blue eyes of the blondest teen.
***
Nico lost track of the trio after they finished their set of carols and exited the stage. Nico was feeling disappointed until he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw the blond teen smiling at him.
“Hey your Nico right?” He said.
Nico nodded his head trying to be inconspicuous while staring at the way the taller teens hair curled behind his ears.
“Cool, I’m Will. Wanna get a drink with me?” He said rubbing the back of his neck.
Nico smiled and nodded.
They talked for the duration of the party, Nico learned a lot about Will. How he used to live on a farm, how he loves to play the guitar and that his favourite colour is yellow. In turn Nico told Will that he moved to America when he was younger, that his favourite ice cream flavour is chocolate and that he loves Halloween. It seemed all too soon when Lester called Will over signaling that it was time to leave. Nico was saddened when Will left, until he found a piece of paper with his name on it close to where they were sitting. He opened up the piece of paper and smiled when he saw the following note scribbled out in red ink.
Hey! I had a great time tonight. Maybe we could hang sometime and you could show me around San Fran?
Here’s my number: ### 589 6378
Will :)