Chapter Text
Nico loved the subway at night. Only at night, he yearned for the rush of the darkness shrouding the vehicle. He loved losing himself in the music and gazing out into the murky black whisking by, relished the out-of-body feeling. He had meticulously chosen the perfect time, the time few people ever came on the subway, if any. Given it was the latest possible time, but still. He was swiping through his playlist when the boy first caught his eye- a mess of floppy blond curls and sweaty clothes thrusting an arm out just as the doors were closing, before crawling in with a sheepish grin. He looked purely ridiculous, wearing a faded red t-shirt and azure pajama pants covered in ducks, a colorful beaded choker adorning his neck. Even at this time of night he had a smile on his face, seemingly proud of himself for making it into the cart. He simply looked like the sun in a person, especially in contrast with the murky grime and dullness around him. Even more stunning was this boy's face, golden clear skin and tender blue eyes--oh shit. Eyes that were now meeting his, prompting Nico to swiftly turn away.
Did he see me staring? Nico wondered. It was entirely too late to be nervous over cute boys- although this one seemed utterly out of place. He almost wanted to ask what the guy was doing this late, and maybe he might have if he didn't have zero energy and a social battery that had since been thrown into another dimension. His phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. He sighed, a pang of guilt ringing through him after seeing Hazel's many concerned messages, ones he had left on delivered.
"I'm fine. Just on subway" he typed swiftly, then closing his phone. He didn't know why Hazel was so worried, never wanted her to be, sending another pang of guilt throughout his body. It was then the song "ocean eyes" started playing, causing him to think of the boy from earlier. I mean really, his eyes were not only a gorgeous pale blue, but there was a sort of kindness in them, a wistful and warm gaze under long blond lashes. Fuck, Nico was dwelling too long--he had to stop. He'd only even had one small glance, and an unclear one at that. His eyes were now scanning the subway for this stranger, but to no avail. Had he gotten off at his stop already?
"Hi! Where are you headed?" A cheerful voice asked behind him, sending a wave of panic to crash into him. Nico really didn't want to deal with whoever this was, not now. He turned around shyly, only to see- of course. Sunshine boy was standing quite close to him, eager eyes resembling that of a puppy.
"Oh! Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Will, Will Solace. You know I didn't really think anyone else would be on here at this time of night. But here you are. What's your name?"
"Erm. Nico," he mumbled, averting eye contact. How could someone be this social at almost fucking midnight?
"What are you doing here so late?" He asked, smiling warmly.
Nico shrugged, murmuring something along the lines of "IdontknowIlikeitatnight." He almost felt bad for not saying anything, prompting him to awkwardly add "what about you?"
The boy- Will- sheepishly grinned.
"Well, my sister needed a few things from target so I offered to run out and grab them for her since it's so late. But um, now I'm realizing it's definitely closed by now. I guess I'll have to try my luck tomorrow morning!" Before he knew what he was doing, Nico was letting the beginnings of a smile poke at the corners of his mouth. He found himself asking "what does your sister need?" purely out of curiosity.
"Kayla- I mean, my sister, just went through a pretty bad breakup. I guess she didn't NEED the things but I wanted to go out and get her some chocolate and gifts, i'm not really sure what- just something to cheer her up! Oh, and maybe one of those weighted blanket things, you know? She's wanted one for a while."
"Oh. That's... really sweet," Nico softly replied.
"Aw, thanks Neeks!"
"Neeks? There's no way you're calling me that, not in hell."
"Come on, it's cute. It has a ring to it. I mean, is it ok, Neeks?" The metro suddenly screeched to a stop, Nico's stop.
"And this is why and when our conversation ends. B- but i'm sorry about your sister."
"Eh, she'll be alright. It was a rough one though, he tried to keep the cat! But no one's taking Sir
Admiral Meowington from us!"
And before Nico could control himself, he found laughter spilling out of him.
"Hu- Who gave him that awful name?"
"Uh! I am insulted!" Will dramatically threw a hand over his chest.
"And I have to go. Bye stranger," Nico stepped off the subway.
"It's Will!" He called out, a cheesy smile on his face.
On the way home, Nico felt... confused. There was something in the fluidity of their conversation, how words somehow came naturally among this... Will Solace. He didn't feel tired, or burnt out like he usually did. If anything, he felt a strange sense of energy. However, he quickly shoved the thoughts out of his mind. He'd never see this boy again, and even if he did he'd never be enough, never a worthy friend for him. The bitter winter seemed to grow even colder with that thought, pushing the lonely boy to walk even slower. He wanted to feel something else, and besides, he never felt like going home.