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Ch1: My forever
It was quiet on the rooftop. It always was. Nico liked it that way.
He watched demigods wander round camp, the fire blazing in the distance, illuminating the figures sitting around it. Couples walked hand in hand, staring wistfully at each other as they held conversations Nico couldn’t hear from where he was sat.
He observed groups of friends bantering and shuffling around each other. One demigod attempted to jump on his friend’s shoulders without warning, sending the both of them sprawling to the ground, causing everyone around them to burst into laughter.
Nico watched them with fondness, a smile ghosting his features. He used to crave those kinds of interactions with people, wishing he found someone who would look past his imperfections and circumstances to see him and enjoy his company like that. Eventually, Nico came to the conclusion that no one ever would, so he kept to himself.
He enjoyed those interactions through other people. He would find a quiet, secluded place to sit and watch everyone else find joy where he could not. He began to find comfort when he stopped expecting people to treat him like that. It was hard to be disappointed when he expected the worst.
He continued to look out over everything until every last demigod had filtered back into their respective cabins. It was soothing, their constant routine. It was certainly more reliable than the majority of things in Nico’s life. The thought was unsettling.
Once the campfire fizzled out, the sky seemed to shine far brighter, drawing Nico’s attention.
He leaned back, lying flat on his back before deciding to crook one leg, bringing his knee up. He traced lines between the stars with his eyes and then with his finger, the light emanating from the stars fluctuated whenever his finger passed over them. He slowly lowered his hand to rest on his stomach, tiredness pulled his eyes and caused them to flutter before gently sliding closed.
He savoured the sound of dying chatter as conversations held in the cabins surrounding him slowly faded into quiet, giving way to the chirping of crickets and coos and calls echoing out from the woods.
A quiet shuffling caught his attention as it drew closer. Out of instinct Nico flipped onto his front and then propped himself onto his knees, a hand resting on his hip where his sword was usually strapped. He relaxed, expression softening as he caught sight of a mop of curly blonde hair and a warm blue gaze. He breathed a sigh of relief, instantly relaxing upon the realisation of who it was approaching him.
“You scared the living life out of me!”
“I'd hope not,” Will said as he settled cross-legged next to Nico. “I'd hate to have to traipse to the Underworld and trade some poor soul to get you back.” As he spoke, a smirk rose on his face.
Nico puffed out a breath of air as he shook his head.
“A son of Apollo wouldn't last a second. Don't you dare,” Nico teased.
“Then you'd just better not die on me then.” Will seemed content with his response as he lay down next to Nico and shut his eyes. They settled into a comfortable silence, just breathing in the crisp night air.
After a while, Nico broke the silence. “Why’d you come to see me?”
“Am I not allowed to pay my boyfriend a visit now?” After a pointed look from Nico, Will elaborated. “I knew you’d be up here, and I know you like to be alone but . . .” His now open eyes darted away. “I thought you could use the company. I knew I certainly could”
Nico found it adorable that even months into their relationship, Will was still easily flustered by something so simple as saying he wanted to be in his presence. It was nice. To have at least one person that liked him for who he was. That looked past his imperfections.
If someone had asked him a year ago what he thought his romantic life would be like now, he wouldn't have known. He was still smitten with Percy at the time despite the hopelessness of ever dating him. How silly. After he realised his desire was impossible, he thought he would never feel that kind of admiration or affection for anyone again. But here he was, staring lovingly into the eyes of someone who actually enjoyed his company and loved him.
The Nico he was a few years ago would have cried at that piece of knowledge. In fact, present Nico would’ve cried too. Present Nico was crying. He didn’t realise it until he felt warm fingers brush against his skin, erasing the tears that had streaked it.
“What’s wrong?” His voice was so warm, so soft, so gentle, so perfect. Just like the rest of him. Will was perfect.
“Nothing is wrong, Sunshine,” and for once that statement leaving his lips wasn’t a lie. It felt nice to say something that was positive and true at the same time. It was certainly a new experience for Nico. “Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you.”
At Nico’s words Will, who had been looking up at the sky turned his gaze to Nico, confusion written on his features.
“You mean it?” and now it was Nico’s turn to be confused.
“Of course I mean it.” He leaned forward. “You mean more to me than anything else I could possibly imagine.” A tear leaked out of Will’s eye. “You are the brightest, happiest thing in my world. So much so in fact, I couldn’t imagine one without you in it.”
As the last word left Nico’s lips, Will shifted his face closer and then paused, mere breaths separating them. A question. Do I have permission? Nico pressed his lips to Will’s and closed the small gap between them. An answer. Yes. A soft, gentle kiss. A gesture of affection and appreciation instead of hunger or carnal desire. The kiss lasted long enough to have Nico’s mind swimming, drowning in the love and care Will was pouring into him with this one action.
When they parted, they simply admired each other, openly drinking in the features of the person opposite them. The expectations that Nico feared when entering a relationship were far from present.
Nico pressed another kiss to Will’s mouth and watched him melt beneath the contact. When Nico pressed a kiss to Will’s cheek, he swore he saw a dusting of pink join his freckles, even through the darkness that shrouded them.
Nico slowly found himself curling into Will’s warm body as his thinner frame was encircled by comforting arms. He buried his face into the crook of Will’s neck and felt the urge to mumble the words he desperately felt, I love you, but he hesitated.
Aside from Hazel and Jason, everyone he had confessed that to had been lost to him one way or another. His mother. Bianca. Leo. He was certain they wouldn’t be the only ones to grace that list, and he feared Will’s name would be the brightest among them.
He hadn't lost Hazel or Jason. Yet. No.
This time would be different. He knew more of the world – of himself. He knew how to protect Will. He would do better this time, because Will meant more to him than anything. He would do this right. He loved him. I love you.
And so, still nestled into his boyfriend’s side, he mumbled the fateful words.
“I love you”
It was so different from any other times he had said the words and he felt so much lighter.
Will’s eyes opened warily - Nico felt himself being moved to the side so he was laying atop Will – face to face. He conveyed his words through his eyes, his expression, his hand that came up to cup Will’s chin and turn it up so they were eye to eye.
“I love you. I love you more than anything I could possibly imagine.”
For a moment, Nico feared he had pushed too far too fast but was very quickly shown otherwise and he was pulled into yet another kiss, but this one conveyed a deeper meaning.
It was whispered into their mingled breaths – “I love you. More than the sun itself.”
Nico laughed. It was the most ridiculous thing a child of Apollo could utter, yet it meant so much.
They stayed like that a long time – simply enjoying the weightlessness of their confessions – before sliding to the side and melting into each other, limbs tangling.
They eventually slept – nightmare and torment free. When they awoke in the morning, there was a spring in Nico’s step which he hadn’t experienced since before he lost Bianca. He knew then that this was his forever – Will was his forever.