Work Text:
The sky rumbled ominously overhead, bright flashes of lightning dancing between the heavy storm clouds. Nico watched as the rain pattered discordantly across the usually smooth, glassy surface of the lake at Camp Half-Blood. The water seemed dark and unsettled today, every now and then a flash of lightning flared across the surface in a starburst of bright light then faded back into darkness. Occasionally he caught a glimpse of a skittish naiad darting for cover in the water’s icy depths.
Nico liked rainy days. Normally the lake would be crowded with people swimming or kayaking and just generally being too loud and overexcited for his liking. It was quieter with the rain. Most people were probably cozied up in their cabins laughing and playing games with their siblings. Nico pictured the cold, empty Hades cabin and couldn't help wishing he had someone to share it with. He was the only one there now since Hazel had returned to Camp Jupiter. I mean, sure she visited sometimes but mostly it was just him.
He sighed and rested his chin on his knees.
“Hey, Death Boy”
Instantly Nico whipped around to come face to face with a tall, blonde demigod. “Will!” He squeaked, then mentally punched himself at how embarrassing he sounded.
The son of Apollo flashed him one of his signature grins and made a finger gun gesture. “That’s me.” He winced “Sorry, that was really cringy.”
Nico felt his cheeks growing warm and desperately hoped the rain obscured the pink blush spreading across his face. He scrambled for a distraction. “Uh what are you doing out here?” He tilted his head. “I didn’t take you for being much of a rainy day person”
Will’s grinned, his perfect sky blue eyes glinting teasingly. "Because my dad’s literally the sun god?”
“Well, yeah”
Will smiled faintly, gesturing next to Nico. "You mind if I sit?" Nico nodded and sidled over so there was space on the pier beside him.
“I came looking for you actually” Will answered after he'd settled down. “You weren’t in your cabin”
Will went to my cabin?! He wasn't sure whether that made him want to burst out grinning or melt into the ground at the thought of the other boy having seen the nuclear war zone that was the Hades cabin (he really wasn't much of a tidier).
Will glanced at him. “Why are you sitting in the rain anyway?”
Nico went silent. There were a million reasons why but not one of them he wanted to say to the handsome son of Apollo.
Because his cabin was so oppressively gloomy and lonely (like seriously, whoever decorated that place needs a lesson on interior design). Because at least if he’s sitting in the rain he had a reason why no one came to talk to him.
Until Will.
Eventually he just replied simply. “I like the rain”
Will sat down next to him and Nico tried to ignore the eruption of skeletal butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Will’s arm brushed against his with a burst of warmth and he suddenly realised how cold and wet he was. Will glanced at him and Nico was almost certain he saw a smile flicker across the other boy’s face as he leaned into him.
“Better?” He grinned.
Nico nodded not wanting to say anything in case he somehow managed to ruin the moment.
Warm sparks flared wherever their skin touches and Nico couldn't help wishing they could stay like this forever. He could feel Will’s breath pluming in the cold air beside him. The gentle thrum of his heartbeat as they sat side by side, so close he could feel Will’s chest rise and fall with each breath.
Nico lost track of how long they'd sat there, leaning against one another. He would have gladly stayed in that moment for eternity. The rain falling all around them, the icy wind whipping his face yet not feeling anything except for the comforting warmth of his skin against Will’s.
Like he’d finally found something he’d been searching for his entire life.
Eventually the rain and cold started to seep in and he hunched his shoulders slightly against the wind. Then mentally punched himself when Will drew away and glanced down at him.
“You okay?”
Nico quickly sat up and looked away, trying not to look like he'd almost fallen asleep on the other boy. Gods above what is wrong with you?
“I’m fine.” He answered sharply.
Will recoiled slightly, a flicker of hurt flashing in his dark blue eyes.
Nico instantly felt bad. “Sorry I-“
“It’s fine.” Will still wasn't looking at him which seemed out of character for him, usually he would just shrug something like that off and smile. “I- i should go”
He stood and started to turn away.
“Will.” Without meaning to he found himself reaching for the other boy’s hand. His perfect blue eyes widened as Nico’s palm met his.
For a heartbeat the world seemed to freeze. The raindrops plummeting around them hovered in mid air in an arc of rainbow droplets. Nico’s heart hammered against his chest as he looked at Will. And gods above was he beautiful. The raindrops glistened against his skin like fallen stars. His soft golden hair like a halo.
His voice caught in his throat but Will seemed to understand. His gaze softened and he squeezed Nico’s hand gently in return. Suddenly Nico’s throat felt bone dry. “D-do you want to come- i mean hang out- or… something?” Nico could feel his cheeks burning bright red but Will flashed him a reassuring grin.
”I’d love to”
Looking up at Will the world seemed so much brighter, like the sun had just began to peek out from behind the storm clouds.
Suddenly the Hades cabin didn’t seem as lonely anymore.