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After Nico’s three days in the infirmary stay, he had grown quite close with Will Solace. Actually, he had started to form a crush on him. There was a problem though, Will was in a relationship with Drew Tanaka. Nico had heard people talk behind Will’s back though, saying just how toxic the relationship was, and how Drew always took advantage of Will. This made Nico slightly angry, but he didn’t do anything about it. Why? Because he was Will’s friend, he had to be supportive, and second, he is soooo not falling badly for another straight guy.
Well, Nico didn’t have a reason at first, until he finally observed the relationship as it went on. Nico was in the infirmary helping out when Drew walked in. She went straight for Will, “Hey dear, care to take me to the mall today?”
Will smiled at her, but something was wrong with that smile. It wasn’t as bright as the ones he gave Nico, plus it seemed kinda forced. “Umm, sorry dear, I have to do some inventory today. There’s going to be Capture the Flag tomorrow, gotta make sure we have enough supplies.”
Drew pouted fakely, “Would you really choose your duty over me?”
Will’s eyes widened, “No, no, no, but I have to do this. I am head medic afterall.”
Drew crossed her arm, “Well you’re not being fair towards your girlfriend at all.”
Will sighed, “I guess a quick trip would be fine.”
Drew smiled, “Oh darling, when does a trip to the mall become quick?”
Will sighed again as Drew grabbed his arm then led him towards the door. Nico couldn’t help himself as he blurted out, “I thought you wanted things fair?” This got the attention of both Will and Drew, plus Austin and Kayla who were hiding in the storage room when Drew came in.
Drew turned to him with a glare, “Who gave you permission to speak?”
Nico glared back, “I have my right to speak, and so I did.”
Drew let go of Will’s arm who was staring at Nico with shock. Drew then walked towards Nico so they were face to face, “You don’t want to mess with me.”
Nico crossed his arms, “Well, Will’s my friend. So, I’m pointing this out. You said you want things to be fair, but you’re not as fair as you think. You’re so possessive, and needy all the time! You want Will to go with you anywhere at anytime, but there’s more to Will’s life than you, you know! He has the infirmary, and siblings, and friends he has to attend on too. The least you can do is limit your time at the mall so he could do other stuff that he actually enjoys, and that actually builds up Will. Because guess what Drew? You’re not his entire world.” Honestly? He surprised himself by scolding Drew that way, and it looks like everyone in the room, including Will.
Will then gave him a smile of appreciation and awe from Drew’s back, but it was gone when she turned to face Will, “You do enjoy hanging out with me, right?”
Will rubbed nervously at the back of his neck as he looked back and forth between Drew and Nico. He then sighed as he said, “Yeah, of course. You are my girlfriend after all.”
Nico felt just how ungenuine that sentence was but Drew didn’t seem to notice as she faced Nico with a cold look, “See? He doesn’t need the infirmary, or his siblings, or even friends, because just being with me is enough.”
Will then started to protest nervously, “Now, I didn’t say that.”
Drew then shouted, “Shut up, Solace!” It was heavy with charmspeak, so Will can’t help but close his mouth with wide eyes. She then turned to Nico, “You have no idea who you’re messing with, Di Angelo.”
Nico smirked as the room temperature dropped, “No Drew, you’re the one who has no idea who you’re messing with.” The two then glared at each other and it stayed that way until Will pulled Drew away.
Drew turned back to him then sighed, “I’m wasting time here, come time to go to the mall.”
Will sighed, then walked out with Drew, but he looked back at Nico first. When Nico met his gaze, Will looked apologetic, so Nico nodded in reassurance.
Once the two were gone Austin and Kayla came out. Austin stared at Nico with shock, “No one has ever confronted Drew that way, aside from Piper, you know that, right?”
Nico rolled his eyes, “You’re right she’s toxic for Will.”
Kayla smiled at him mischievously, “And you care for him.”
Nico sighed, “As a friend.”
Kayla rolled her eyes, “It’s obviously more than that.”
Nico covered his face with his hand as he sat down on Will’s desk, “That obvious, huh?”
Kayla hummed in agreement, “You have to take Will from Drew.”
Nico looked up in shock, “What?”
Kayla crossed her arms, “Will has been wanting to break up with her but he’s afraid of what she can do.”
Nico narrowed his eyes, “What makes you think I can do anything about it?”
Austin snorted, “Because he likes you, duh!”
Nico looked at him with shock, “No, that can’t be. He’s straight and he has never shown interest.”
Austin laughed, “Oh gods, you really are dense.”
Kayla nodded, “Will is bisexual, and have you seen the smiles he gave you? Those are the most genuine it had been in years, Di Angelo! So heck, if anyone was going to talk some sense to him, it would be you!”
Austin smirked, “Or maybe, you could sing some sense into him! Will had rambled once about how beautiful your voice is.”
Nico huffed, “I will not sing to him.” He then sighed as he saw Austin and Kayla’s pleading faces, “But I will try to talk some sense to him.”
Kayla sighed in relief, “I really hope you finally get him out of that toxic relationship. Don’t worry about Drew, we got your back in case she does something terrible.”
Nico shuddered at the possibilities, Drew’s charmspeak is definitely something not to mess with. Austin then nodded in agreement, “But the offer of singing still stands though. If you decide to do that instead we’ll play background.” He and Kayla then high-fived.
Nico smiled at them because they cared for Will just as much as he did. He swore that he will get Will out of such an awful relationship. He didn’t like seeing Will struggle with him shooting fake smiles all over, it was so not him. Nico then felt hope as he realized that Will may actually like him back too.
The next few days he tried to get close to Will, but everytime he tried, Drew was always there like she was stopping him from getting near her boyfriend. Yup, definitely possessive. Nico sighed this was getting annoying. At the campfire one night, he was accompanied by Jason and Piper.
Piper then looked at him, “I can feel a romantic dilemma.”
Nico groaned as Jason narrowed his eyes on him, “Oh shut it.”
Piper sighed, “Tell us what's wrong? Maybe we would help.”
Nico sighed then thought what could go wrong? “Just don’t judge me after.”
Jason put an arm around Nico, “Of course we won’t.” Nico nodded appreciatively then began telling them everything, his crush for Will, Will’s toxic relationship with Drew, the stand-off he had with Drew, and his talk with Austin and Kayla.
When he finished, Piper had an amused expression, “Dam, that must have felt like a slap in the face for Drew.”
Jason smiled then nodded, “Maybe you should sing to Will.”
Nico huffed, “What if Drew just drags him away?”
Piper smirked, “Leave that to us.”
Nico was starting to get anxious, “And when am I supposed to sing to him?” As if on cue, Austin started to ask for voluntary singers. Jason then raised his hand, “Hey! Nico here wants to sing.”
This seemed to make Austin and Kayla smile from the front and beckoned Nico to come to them. Nico glared at Jason, “I am not going up there.”
Jason then pointed at Will who was beside Drew but was staring expectantly at him, “Don’t waste the chance, bro.”
Nico looked at Will then back at Jason. He then shrugged, “Fine, but you’re so gonna pay for this.”
Jason smiled, “I got a feeling you’ll thank me later instead.” Nico glared at him one more time before going in front. He heard Piper beckoning Jason for them to go nearer Drew and Will in case they had to do something about Drew.
When Nico reached Austin, he already had a song in mind so he whispered it at him. Austin grinned then nodded as he passed the song to the other musicians.
Nico sighed, “Hey everyone.” The crowd went silent as they looked at Nico expectantly. Nico shrugged before saying, “This is uh, actually.” Nico swallowed, he looked back at Austin who gave him a reassuring smile. Nico breathed in then out as he continued, “This is for one of my closest friends, hoping that I’ll finally talk, or sing per se, some sense into him.” He then met Will’s gaze who smiled at him. Drew was starting to pull him away, but Jason and Piper sat opposite of her, holding her back.
Nico took another breath then went for a smile, “For the record, this is your siblings' idea, okay? So don’t need to call me cheesy or romantic after.” He then gestured for Austin to start playing and so he did. Nico just stood there staring at Will as he sang the first verse:
You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset
She's going off about something that you said
'Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do
Nico then winked at Will as he turned back to face some other campers who were cheering at him. He was starting to gain confidence as he started to dance in a really sassy way, his hand gestures matching the lyrics:
I'm in the room, it's a typical Tuesday night
I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn't like
And she'll never know your story like I do
He was pointing back and forth at him and Drew at the next lyrics, until he settled at Will in the end with finger guns.
But she wears short skirts
I wear T-shirts
She's Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time
Nico approached Will as he sang the chorus, with everyone else were clapping to the beat with amused expressions:
If you could see that I'm the one
Who understands you
Been here all along
So, why can't you see?
You belong with me
You belong with me
Nico opened his arms at the last line for a hug, but quickly drew back as he walked back to the front, leaving Will craving for more. He then faced Will from the front as he did some sassy hand gestures to match the next lyrics again:
Walk in the streets with you in your worn-out jeans
I can't help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on a park bench thinking to myself
Hey, isn't this easy?
He then met Will’s gaze filled with affection as he smiled while singing the next line. At the corner of his eyes he saw Drew struggling with not only Jason and Piper but also some others like the Stolls, Clarisse and several Aphrodite kids:
And you've got a smile
That can light up this whole town
I haven't seen it in a while
Since she brought you down
You say you're fine, I know you better than that
Hey, what you doing with a girl like that?
He then stuck a tongue out at Drew before continuing to the next lines:
She wears high heels
I wear sneakers
She's Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time
Two skeletons came out of the ground to the dance in his background for the chorus. Will was just staring in awe at Nico at this point:
If you could see that I'm the one
Who understands you
Been here all along
So, why can't you see?
You belong with me
Standing by and waiting at your backdoor
All this time how could you not know, baby?
You belong with me
You belong with me
Kayla went down of the front and ran to Will to drag towards Nico as Nico sang the bridge:
Oh, I remember you driving to my house
In the middle of the night
I'm the one who makes you laugh
When you know you're 'bout to cry
Will chuckled at this, “So true.” Nico smiled at him as he continued:
And I know your favorite songs
And you tell me 'bout your dreams
Think I know where you belong
Think I know it's with me
Will tried to reach for Nico, but Nico fell to his knees at this point looking up at Will. Will looked at him questioningly, “What are you doing?” Nico just shrugged the continued the song with a more gentle tone:
Can't you see that I'm the one
Who understands you?
Been here all along
So, why can't you see?
You belong with me
The skeletons Nico summoned were now back underground as Will pulled Nico up. He was gonna hug Nico but Nico started dancing like crazy again as he sang the chorus. Will can’t help but feel amused so he danced with the son of Hades:
Standing by and waiting at your backdoor
All this time how could you not know, baby?
You belong with me
You belong with me
You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me?
You belong with me
Nico finally opened his arms as the other campers cheered. Will accepted the offer to embrace Nico. The crowd definitely cheered louder once they were hugging. When they pulled away, Nico was panting and both boys were blushing.
Nico smiled despite the attention though, “Hey Will?”
Will met his gaze, “Yeah?”
Nico leaned his forehead against Will’s “I like you.”
Will chuckled, “I’m bi and I like you too.”
Nico hummed in satisfaction, “Are you gonna break up with Drew, now?”
Will chuckled nervously, “I’m still scared.”
Nico pulled away, “Oh for fucks sake, Solace.” He then took Will’s hand then marched them towards Drew. The whole camp seems to go silent, watching the situation unravel. Normally, Nico would be bothered to know everyone was watching, but this is for Will, he’s not losing this opportunity.
Drew glared at Will, “What type of boyfriend are you? Just hugging some other person in front of everyone!”
Nico smirked at her, “Actually, he’s breaking up with you. He’s been wanting for awhile now, he’s just scared you’ll use charmspeak against him.”
Drew scowled, “I will not.”
Piper chimed in, “Actually you will.”
Drew glared at her then to Nico then to Will, “Whatever, there are others who would love me the way I deserve anyway.”
Piper rolled her eyes at this, then Nico grabbed Will’s hand, “If you’ll excuse us, we need some time together.” Before anyone could respond, he shadow travelled them to the Hades cabin.
Will stared at Nico more awestruck than ever, “Did you just break for me?”
Nico smiled smugly, “Yup.”
Will smiled, “Where have you been all my life?”
Nico rolled his eyes, “Dork.” He then moved closer to Will with a blush on his face.
Will looked down at him, met his gaze then closed the distance. It was a soft and gentle kiss, yet it was filled with passion.