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It was supposed to be a normal, peaceful day. Nico was out in the city, hearing at least three different pop songs and maybe one punk rock playing over each other. Maybe he was wrong in his assumption, considering it was Saturday. Or, in his words, hell. Better known as "The Weekend, When Everyone Is Out Of Work And School" to the public.
He was chewing on some disgustingly stale and overly sweet donut he'd found in a dumpster, but he couldn't complain since there was a whole free bag of donuts and barely any of them were rotten. He was also not exactly rich. Sort of. His father gave him 'mortal money' all the time, but he refused to use it up until he was twelve. After that, the dumpster diving became a fun hobby and also something he could do in spite of his father. In spite of the stereotypes. Also, he couldn't, in good spirit, leave all those delicious maple donuts to rot.
Living on the streets was fun. Somewhat. Most of the time he stayed in the major parts of New York, but occasionally he would venture off. Recently he discovered that he enjoys going to see the Wonders of the World, especially the Natural Wonders. There was something about the peacefulness of nature that nothing could beat. He'd actually seen the northern lights a couple of times, and frankly, it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever laid eyes upon. But New York was the most familiar, and shadow travelling to all those places took a lot out of him.
He jumped to the side as someone bumped into his shoulder, eyes narrowing at the person as he studied them. He swore their face looked familiar, but he couldn't place from where. Usually, he'd push it off and say it was just an employee from wherever he'd been the past week or so, but this person looked younger than him. Or at least the same age. They scurried away before he could ask (Which, for the record, he wouldn't have asked anyway if he had the chance).
He shrugged the feeling off and continued walking down, swallowing the last bits of his divinely sweet maple donut and taking a chug from his water bottle. Technically, if he wanted, he didn't have to live like this. If he wanted, he could just call up his father and have him sign a house or apartment and he'd live there by himself.
But living on the streets, constantly moving, constantly seeing and learning, he just.. couldn't bring himself to let that go completely. Especially if all he got in return was a cube that kept him contained and utter loneliness. Those strange interactions with others were his social life, and believe it or not, he actually enjoyed holding talks with people when they weren't talking about Percy Jackson, or the next prophecy, or how horrible he was, or Bianca, who was so much greater than him. So much more than he would ever be. She told him all about nature. She was why he was who he was.
The pain radiated in his chest at the reminder of Bianca when he passed up a hunting store, despite them being different from one another, he couldn't help but sniffle whenever he saw the word Hunters on a billboard or sign.
Finally, he sat down near an outdoor food truck court, pulling his knees to his chest and staring up at the sky.
Today it was a pale, milky white, clouds hanging low with a sad hue, a sure sign of rain soon. The air was humid and warm, but not uncomfortably so. Just enough for someone to acknowledge it, but to stay relatively room-temperature throughout the whole day. The wind carried a light breeze as well, drifting past Nico's face with the gentleness of a caress from the spirits.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered how much time had passed. Not just since he was sitting there, but since everything.
Since school, since his mother, since Bianca.
In the more apparent part, though, he was people watching.
That person he recognized was sitting with other people now, and while he could only see the back of their heads, it felt.. strange. Like these people knew who and what he was.
The person from earlier glanced back at him, and he quickly turned his head the other way, lost in his thoughts about something else already.
That was, until, he heard something that made his throat shut.
"Hey,"
His head snapped toward the voice, and his eyes widened.
"Nico di Angelo, right?" The not-stranger smiled sheepishly.
Nico paused, running his eyes over the golden locks, those bright blue eyes, and the atrocious outfit the man was wearing. This could only be one man.
"Will Solace," Nico acknowledged, trying to tamper down his surprise. Of course he'd seen campers around the streets once or twice, but only when they were actively seeking him out for something. Will Solace was not that kind of man.
"That's me!" Will flashed a smile, blue eyes friendly and so, so welcoming, like the cleanest beach on a hot day. "I heard Cecil say he saw you, and I had to come see."
Nico blinked a couple times. Oh. So that's who bumped into him earlier.
"Oh," He said, not very emotionally.
Will and Nico hadn't exactly been friends, per se, but they knew each other, and talked frequently during Nico's days in the infirmary. So, at most, Will was a familiar face. A beautiful one at that, but he'd never admit. "Well, you've seen." He mumbled, getting uncomfortable under Will's heavy gaze. The healer let out a sheepish laugh, eyes closing for a minute, before landing back on Nico's face, almost fondly so. "I have," Will replied, glancing back at his friends, which Nico now recalled as Cecil, Lou Ellen, and Kayla— he was bad with faces.
Nico hesitantly stood, looking in the other direction in hopes of an excuse to get going, but he wasn't exactly busy. "Why don't you come sit with us? We bought loaded fries, if you want some." Will jerked a thumb toward the table, and Nico pondered for a minute.
Will and Nico had met, yes, they worked together in the battles, and later Nico had been forced to stay three days in the infirmary. It would've been a nightmare if Will hadn't been there to keep him from dissolving from being so trapped. His time in the infirmary felt like he was a scrawny dog in a cage, and Will felt like the kind shelter caretaker every animal loved. But keep Nico locked up too long, and he'll bite, and then run, no matter how gentle you are.
He is not afraid of man. He just cannot be contained.
But, Will was not containing him. He took him to the pavilion for meals and campfires on the last day, and tried to keep him up and walking in the infirmary. It might not be freedom, but it was trying. And that trying was something soft. Something that warmed his chest and loosened that impossible knot, like when he was with Jason, or when he was with Hazel or Bianca. Trying.
So, he nodded slowly, and Will lit up with a smile as bright as the suns great golden rays.
He followed behind Will to the table, and the rowdy conversation lulled as they all stared at him. Nico did not care when people stared at him anymore. He was used to the feeling. The stare of disbelief and shock or even fear.
But Will and Jason and his sisters, they didn't stare like that. Will stared; Will stared with his soft blue eyes like Nico had done something amazing, like he was a little lost puppy in the rain. Jason and Hazel stared like they were proud of him, who he'd become. Like they weren't afraid of him.
Bianca looked, too, but she didn't stare. Bianca looked at him like his mother had, he assumed. Bianca looked at him and understood him.
"Hey!" Cecil smiled widely, voice laced with an energy that was not being used, banging against the walls. Lou Ellen nodded, and Kayla narrowed her eyes at Will, to which he narrowed them back. The sibling exchange would've made him laugh if it didn't remind him how bad he missed Hazel. Maybe he'd head up to California next; he had a new waterfall he wanted to see anyway.
"I'm sure everyone remembers Nico," Will finally said, breaking the tensed silence that Nico wasn't sure only he felt. "He agreed to join us for lunch, if that's okay with y'all."
The younger demigod tried to fight back a fond smile when Will said 'y’all', because that was adorable, and he was sure everyone else thought so as well.
The entire group nodded enthusiastically, and Nico sat down next to Kayla Knowles, whom he was a bit more familiar with than the rest of the group, bar Will.
In front of him were loaded fries, with every greasy topping he could think of, and nachos next to that on a different tray. Everyone had some sort of unique drink, like bubble tea (Nico did not understand that trend) or.. Hot chocolate, for Cecil. Will had sweet tea, like the picture Texan he was at heart. Nico went up and took a free water bottle from a cooler before going to sit back down and looking appalled at the food before him.
"This looks like it would give me a heart attack before I got a second bite." He commented, eyes fixed on the tray of fries, greasy meat, cheese, tomatoes, and maybe jalapeños? All of them laughed. Nico didn't think it was that funny.
"It's good, Nico, try one." Kayla invited, smiling widely— Nico faintly thought how Will's smile was much brighter; While Kayla's smile was bright like a sharp, cool display light, Will's was warm like a welcoming kitchen light, and as bright as the sun rays that hit in the golden hours of the day.
Hesitantly, he picked out the least greasy one, which caused a chorus of groans before he took a nibble off of it. It really just tasted like a soggy fry, so that's what he said.
Again, everyone laughed. When Will paused his laughing, his smile was soft as he gazed into Nico's eyes. His dark, uncomfortably brown— almost black— eyes. Against Will's own, it probably looked like Yin and Yang.
"That's why you eat it when they're fresh." Will said lightly, picking out one of his own. "That way, they're crunchy and you still get all the toppings."
"So it's like a time sensitive snack!" Cecil offered. Nico's ears were ringing and it was probably because Will hadn't broken eye contact with him yet, and was giving him that stupidly soft smile.
"Okay," Nico mumbled, tearing his eyes away, then added, "I'll remember to get here earlier next time you all buy me food."
And Will giggled. He covered his smiling lips with a hand and giggled, eyes shining with entertainment.
Nico realized that it was no longer just a silly crush in that moment.
Still, they ate and talked until they were all stuffed (save for Nico, he barely picked at the food and hardly talked). The group of campers all stood, stretching in various different ways. Nico stared ahead of him with lips downturned, wondering where he'd go for dinner soon. A hand on his shoulder made him jump a bit, and he looked over to see Will.
"Hi," Will offered him a small smile, and Nico couldn't help but to return it nervously. "What's up?" He asked, deciding to cut straight to the point. Will's smile didn't shrink, but he had a little blush on his face. Nico tried not to get hopeful, but oh, that expression drove him mad. "I was just going to ask if we could hang out, yknow.. together. Without the others. So we can catch up. I like seeing you around, Neeks."
Nico wanted to tear all of his hair out and plummet into a hug with his dearest friend. Instead, he managed a nonchalant nod, along with "Sure, sounds fun".
Will practically lit up at that— or maybe literally— and beamed like the light of a fire that wrapped around you in a pleasantly searing hug instead of burning you. "Great! I'll– I'll take you somewhere for dinner tonight, yeah? Just let me get back to camp and drop off the others and I'll be back. Right here. This spot." The healer stumbled over his words, not nervous, just because he was talking fast, eyes landing on the ground.
Nico wasn't stupid. He knew the signs of someone liking someone. He just wasn't used to being on the receiving and reciprocating end. At least, he was pretty sure he was on the receiving side.
Eventually, Nico nodded for what seemed like the fiftieth time that afternoon, as well as letting his smile grow a bit. It hurt his cheeks.
"Awesome." Was what he finally settled on, and Will nodded back before scurrying to catch up with his already leaving friends.
Nico heaved a sigh once everyone was gone. Gods, he hoped he hadn't messed anything up. Interacting with people was hard, usually, but Will was different. It came easy, even when they'd just officially became friends. Even when he realized he had a crush around camp, or when he realized he was slowly falling in love just by those three days earlier in the months. It was as easy as breathing, and when conversations lulled, it felt like his chest was slowly tightening.
So, when he left camp after those three days, it had felt utterly confusing. On one side, he was happy to be free again, stretching his legs like a wild horse. On the other, he really missed his newfound friend whom he was beginning to fall for.
Now, staring at where the group had disappeared, he felt a worm of hope wriggle into his chest and nestle into his heart like it was a cartoon apple. Maybe it won't be too bad to fuel a 'budding' relationship. But it wasn't budding. Nico feared his flower was completely bloomed and open and actively being watered. Not that he was ready to admit that to anyone, labels or not.
Nico settled in his spot, leaning against some wall just outside the food truck park. Absently, he ran fingers through his tangled hair, trying to pull out every knot that he could reach. In the end, it wasn't perfect, but it was better. Of course he still had basic human hygiene (somewhat), he'd just taken a shower yesterday. A good shower too, the water had still been warm and he took a little extra time to run fingers through his hair and coil it beneath his palms. Right now, he almost felt jealous of his past self. Despite the fact it was a relatively cool summer day, a shower was definitely the thing he needed in the moment.
The two hours passed achingly slow. Nico wandered around, trying to stay confined to one area, but he was excited to see Will again. Summer had just started, so he'd probably be seeing more of all the campers more often, but it wasn't the same when he saw Will in a group as opposed to Will when they were alone.
Will in a group was everything someone could want; bright, festive, not too loud even when he talks excitedly, yet still a calm presence.
Will when it was just the two of them was a completely different person, and the exact same. All the exact features, but softened around the edges. A bit more vulnerable. Like a cat showing its belly, a dog pausing to ask why it's baring its teeth instead of wagging its tail. But Will was never baring his teeth, not really. It was more of a bushing of a cat's tail, where it could be coaxed down with patience and a calm touch. His eyes spoke whole conversations at times, it seemed. Nico thought that man was the most expressive person in the world. Whenever he was happy, his eyes would visibly light up, like someone had sparked a match of energy and tossed it into the fire that was his burning soul. When he was sad, his eyes had a dull tint to it, akin to an overcast day with a light drizzle on and off.
Nico was impossibly obsessed with it all. With the eyes, the personality, the voice, everything about him. All he wanted was to sit next to him. He thinks that, maybe, he'd be content if he sat next to Will for forever. Maybe.
He was dragged out of his thoughts by said person appearing in front of him. Will Solace, blessed by the gods with almost every aspect.
"Will," Nico acknowledged softly, voice quaking as he studied the boy who stood before him.
It wasn't a very different outfit from usual, but the fact it was different at all did something to Nico. He wore a loose, yellow shirt, and of course his cargo shorts. Nico faintly assessed that the shirt was looser than usual, showing a little more of his collarbones. Will usually wore nothing but his multiple copies of Camp Half-Blood shirts, and even when he went out, it was usually the stupid strawberry coverup shirts he'd wear.
Nico looked down at himself. He'd washed his clothes last night, yes, but they were still the same ones he wore all the time.
Will didn't look like he cared, swooping Nico up by the hand with that eye damaging grin he wore. "Nico," He replied, separating the 'Ni' and the 'co' eyes bright with emotions Nico could not identify. He would never get tired of those gorgeous eyes.
"So, where are you taking me?" "I think we should go to that diner down the road, it's pretty good." They spoke over each other, then paused, both smiling as they met eyes. "Sounds like a plan." Nico's smile grew a bit, and he fell into place beside Will as they began to walk, hands brushing occasionally. They weren't ever really touchy, but Nico didn't mind when they were, because Will's hands were so warm and soft, and his presence was so soothing. He was one of the few people Nico could accept being touched by, but it felt like more than that, sometimes. Instead of accepting it, it felt like he wanted it.
There was one time he initiated the hug instead of Will, just before leaving Camp Half-Blood after his infirmary stay, and he wasn't sure he'd ever get the look on Will's face in that moment out of his mind. The healer had literally brightened and squeezed Nico so tight he may or may not have felt his feet momentarily leave the ground.
He decided just then that maybe he wanted it to happen twice, and snatched up Will's hand before he could think twice about it and change his mind.
Will looked over, cheeks dusted a very pretty pink, and beamed his bright smile again, tilting his head to the side ever so slightly, like the border collie he was.
What an odd pairing they were, a border collie and a black panther. Yet they worked out, fit together nicely, bounced off of each other with ease.
Before he knew it, they were standing in front of the doors to the resturant, and Will opened it like the gentleman he was and Nico felt himself slipping a little further into love as he let out a murmured thanks.
Will told him to go get the seats while he ordered (after Nico told him his order, he didn't trust Will enough to pick food for him) and specifically emphasised it had to be a booth, because 'the other tables are too uncomfortable', in his words. Nico agreed, but he usually just grabbed the first table he saw whenever he went to a restaurant.
So he sat down into a red booth, scooting in and resting his head in his hands.
Will appeared a few minutes later, pushing over the chicken sandwich Nico had requested before pulling out his own large burger— so large Nico almost had to laugh.
He failed at holding it in and let out an amused giggle, much to his embarrassment. "Would that burger even fit in your mouth?" He asked, that annoying smile worming his way back onto his face like an infection he couldn't get rid of. Will looked over at him, picking up his burger. "You're just jealous you didn't think to get this instead." The blond replied, taking a bite out of the disgustingly greasy concoction. Nico could've gagged if he saw that a few years ago, but now he was pretty used to these heart-attacks-on-a-plates were just part of the wonders of America. He wasn't sure he'd ever prefer American food over his own, his mother's, but damn, the chicken sandwich he just bit into was divine. Suddenly, Will moved up off the booth he had settled on next to Nico, walking away and leaving his burger sitting half-devoured on its tray. Nico had half a mind to pause him and ask where he was going, but he seemed in quite the rush, so the demigod just settled a bit further in his seat and took another mouth-filling bite of the delicious food before him. Maybe it was just his lack of warm food lately, but he was silently declaring that this was his new favorite food, and shoved most of it down his throat and into his stomach by the time he saw Will approaching. Oh.
Will slid back into the seat he'd claimed, pressing his shoulder against Nico's. "Milkshakes," He smiled, as if that wasn't obvious.
He narrowed his eyes at the one Will had pushed in front of him. "What kind?"
"Cookies and Cream, Nico. Have you never heard of Cookies and Cream? You're missing out." Will leaned into him a bit more, taking a sip of his own strawberry milkshake.
"So why didn't you get it?" Nico asked, taking the drink from Will's hand (which they had done multiple times before, for some reason) and sipping on it. He wasn't a big fan of strawberry ice cream, usually, but he had to admit it was okay.
"Well, I prefer Strawberry, honestly. You know me and my strawberries." Which was very true, Will adored picking strawberries off the vine and snacking on them. He also could be seen ingesting strawberry flavored things a lot— Nico was pretty sure he might've seen him use strawberry lip balm once. "And, before you ask, I didn't get you Strawberry because I know you don't like it. I figured you might enjoy Cookies and Cream because it's pretty sweet and a mixture of Vanilla and Chocolate, which you said you've liked before..." Will paused between every few words to take a sip of his new sweet drink.
Nico was, frankly, speechless. Something about the thought just behind picking out blended up ice cream and milk made his heart flutter.
"Oh," Nico mumbled, then fixed it so Will wouldn't think he did something wrong, "Thank you." And then he reached for the cup and took a sip, eyes widening a bit. Oh, he really liked it. Maybe it wasn't the added sugar making it so sweet, though. Maybe it was the look Will was giving him, like he'd just won a Grammy. Which, he would probably never do, because his singing was.. not horrible, at all, it was quite pleasant, actually. But people would be surprised at how shy Will was to show it off. "That's.. uhm... really thoughtful." He smiled sheepishly, looking back at Will. "And really tasty."
Will shrugged, the movement almost bashful, and looked to the other side.
The older demigod looked gorgeous right then, sharp and handsome but at the same time soft and pretty. "Will," Nico suddenly said, before he could think even once.
Will looked to him and tilted his head with a quiet hum of acknowledgment, signalling that he was listening in probably the cutest way Nico could ever imagine. This was pretty embarrassing, that just a milkshake could drive him to this— now imagine what would happen if Will picked out a ring that thoughtfully.. that was ridiculously off track.
"I..." He trailed off, momentarily getting lost in Will's ridiculously hopeful eyes. "Uhm. Will, I like you." His gaze drifted to the empty spot on the booth before continuing. "A lot, actually." Teeth dug into his bottom lip subconsciously, and he looked back up at Will, and oh, he was so happy looking. "Really?"
"Definitely."
Silence rung between them for a moment, and then Will opened his arms tentatively for a hug. Nico, without hesitation, leaned into him and wrapped arms around his back, enjoying the lovely scent of Will. "I hope this means you feel the same, or else this would be a really awkward hug." Nico teased, but his words were muffled by Will's shirt. "Of course I do, Neeks." Will reassured, a laugh obvious in his tone.
When they pulled away, Nico almost felt disappointed, because Will's embrace was just so perfect. "So, are you, like.. comfortable with labels?" Will tilted his head again, eyes big and wide and right on his.
Nico paused, wriggling nervously in his seat. "Would you want to be labelled? I mean, I'm not at camp a lot, so I doubt it'd be the best relationship..." He trailed off by Will gently taking his hand, pressing their palms together. The healer was slightly dipped down lower than Nico to seem less imposing, so he had to tilt his chin up to meet his eyes exactly. "Nico, I don't care how often you're around, as long as I get to see you sometimes. I also don't mind if we don't have a label yet, okay? It's all up to you."
Nico gulped, nodding slowly. "I do want to be your boyfriend..." He paused. "But can you call me partner for now? I just think it.. fits more."
Will lit up, sitting up straight. "Of course, partner," He smirked, pulling out his southern accent. Nico rolled his eyes and lightly punched his arm, then tugged the hem of his sleeve and pulled him into another hug. He pressed a little kiss against the edge of his hairline, smiling tenderly. "Y'know," Will began, sitting up, "This is the strangest possible place for this to happen."
Nico let out a scoff, looking back at his milkshake as he thought. "It could've been weirder. I think this place is much more romantic than camp." He joked, glancing around the restaurant. Nobody had even batted an eye at them.
Will followed his gaze, and his smile softened when his eyes back on Nico. "I think I might agree."
The rest of their dinner had been eaten mostly in silence, and now they were walking along the sidewalk just as quietly, shoulders pressed together as well as their palms. The sunset that evening was absolutely perfect, red and gold and orange mixed together against the clouds with a perfect blur, like Apollo was proud of them. Of his son.
They slowed when they reached a crossroads where Will would turn on his way to be picked up by the camp van.
Nico turned to him, admiring the golden light bouncing off of his skin. Wordlessly, he leaned in for a tight hug, arms wrapping around Will's back and bundling his flannel in his fists. "I'll come to camp soon, okay?" Nico whispered against his shoulder.
"Soon is too far away," Will replied, but his tone was light, as if he was referencing something that Nico didn't understand. Instead of asking, the younger demigod replied "I know," and buried his face a little tighter against him before pulling away.
"I'll see you soon." Will smiled gently, affectionately, and grabbed Nico's hand with both of his, a silent question in his eyes.
Nico was confused, but he trusted Will and nodded once. The blond pressed a kiss to the back of his hand, and he swore his heart leaped at such a sweet gesture.
"Bye," Nico said solemnly as their hands parted, longing for the contact back as soon as it was over.
Will's smile grew, and he waved, before turning around and taking off speedwalking so he wouldn't be eaten by harpies when he got back home.
And as the golden sun hit his halo of hair, the brown roots shining, and his flannel slipped down his shoulder, Nico thought to himself:
Maybe the northern lights were the second most beautiful thing he'd ever laid eyes upon.