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Nico was currently pulling his overworking boyfriend by the arm with a firm grip because he just won’t stop working. Nico understood that Will was distracting himself from Kayla and Austin being missing but if he kept going like this, he was afraid that Will was going to drain himself.
As they near the canoe lake though, Will began whining, “Nicoooo, the infirmary needs me!”
Nico scowled at the son of Apollo, “It could survive a few without you.”
Will then pulled his arm as strongly as he could but Nico was stronger, “Why are you even doing this?”
Nico gave him an exasperated sigh. This was exactly what he was talking about. Normally, Will would be happy to spend time with Nico, but it seems like the latter boy was not just pushing his own emotions away, he was also pushing Nico away, which kinda hurt. He then stopped in his tracks to face Will, “Stop this, Solace. Being all brooding and gloomy is my thing, it doesn’t look good on you.” he snapped.
Will shrugged which earned him a glare from Nico, “You always encourage me not to push my feelings away, and yet.” He let go of Will’s hand to gesture at them.
Will’s eyes widened as if he’s only realizing his actions now. Guilt began to be evident in Will’s eyes which broke Nico because he looked so broken… “I’m sorry.” Will said. It was barely a whisper but his next words were more emotional, “It’s just Kayla and Austin- and dad- and I’m so useless Nico!” his voice cracked as he shouted the last part.
Nico wasn’t good with emotions but he knew enough to know that Will doesn’t need him shouting at him right now. So, Nico tried his best to soften his features as he caressed Will’s cheek in his palm, “Hey…” he started gently, “You’re not useless. Don’t ever think of that, okay?” Nico then bit his lip, trying to find what to say next, “And if Apollo doesn’t come back in a few, then we’ll find your siblings. I’ll come with you, okay?” Nico then let his cheek go to hold his hand in his, “We’ll do it together, then you’ll see that you’re not useless at all.”
Nico’s heart began to flutter as Will gave him a smile, “Thank you.” he managed.
At that, Nico began pulling him towards the lake again, a smirk forming on his lips, “But now, you need a better distraction. Come spend time with your boyfriend, huh?”
Will gasped as they reached a canoe with a cupcake in the midst of it, “You called me your boyfriend!”
Nico shrugged, “Well, don’t get used to it.” He then gestured to the canoe, “Shall we?”
Will chuckled, “And here I thought I was the romantic one.”
Nico rolled his eyes, “Just get in the canoe before I change my mind, Solace.” Will laughed then obliged, which Nico took pride in, at the same time causing the skeletal butterflies to resurrect in his stomach. Gods, this boy was going to be the death of him.
Nico then jumped on before pushing the canoe off-shore. Once they were in the midst of the lake, Nico noticed that Will was quiet, just staring at the sky, which really worried him. Nico always depended on Will to start a conversation, but now it looks like he has to take the lead. He sighed, it’s now or never. Nobody knows about this but… Will deserved to know.
Nico took out a lighter Connor had gotten him and lit up the candle on the cupcake he brought, “Stop moping and be a good boyfriend by helping me celebrate my birthday, Solace.”
Will’s head snapped to face Nico, his head tilting in a surprised manner and in the cutest way, “Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday?”
Nico blushed then looked down at the cupcake, watching the candle’s flame dance around, “I didn’t want to make a big deal of it with so much happening like Apollo and the disappearances… I didn’t want to add to your load, you know?”
“Nico!” Will protested. Ah, there’s my Will. Nico thought as Will went on, “You would never , I repeat, never be a load or burden to me! And your birthday does matter, okay?”
Nico managed a small smile as he finally looked up to see the sincerity in Will’s eyes, “Alright.”
Will smiled back, nodding at him, “So, did you want me to sing Happy Birthday or are you just going to blow your candle?”
Nico scowled, “I'd rather just blow, thank you very much.”
Will smirked in amusement, “Too bad, I’m singing anyway!” He was about to begin singing when Nico hastily blew the candle, “Ha! Too late, Solace. The candle’s gone.”
Will pouted at that, making Nico feel guilty, “You didn’t even make you wish.”
Nico only gave him a huff, blushing as he said, “I don’t need one. All I need is right in front of me.”
Both of them started to feel their heart flutter and the butterflies beat their wings in their stomachs. Will’s cheeks tinted red as he said, “Gods, I really am rubbing off you, huh?”
Nico chuckled at that but before he could retort back he saw something looming behind Will. A shadow of something big blocked the sunlight, then suddenly there was a foot above them, “Jump off!” Nico shouted. Fortunately, they both had demigod instincts and even if Nico hadn’t shouted Will would have jumped anyway.
Soon enough they were in the water, laughing. Luckily, Nico asked Will to teach him how to swim over the past year or else he would’ve drowned. As they swam back to shore, Nico huffed in disappointment, “My cupcake.”
Will laughed at this, “I promise to give you a better birthday next year, one with a tower of cupcakes, what do you say?”
Nico hummed, “You better not leave me hoping, Solace.”
Will rolled his eyes, “When have I ever?” He then pointed his head towards shore, “Now, let’s hurry, I think dad needs our help.”
Nico sighed, “I’m afraid you’re right.” So, with a sigh, both boys swam as fast they could to get to Apollo.