#coffee only if you want to scrape me off the ceiling! Leo

[xxxdragonfucker69xxx]

PROM IN BLACK

"This is ridiculous," Des said.

Shadow stared at her thoughtfully for a minute before agreeing. "You're right. The train is far too long, you'll be tripping over yourself all night. Sutsam!"

Sutsam came forth from where he had been lurking in the corner, bobbing and scraping. Shadow pointed to the foot of Des' dress, and the ghostly tailor set to it with needle and thread, performing some sartorial sleight of hand that managed to vanish half a foot of cloth. Des sighed.

"Not that," she said. "Though that is better. I mean... this whole thing."

Shadow frowned. "What, the dress? We've spent a good amount of time designing it, but I supposed Sutsam could probably whip something up --"

"No," Des interrupted, to Sutsam's visible relief. "I mean, holding this... prom, just for the three of us. I know it's all the rage in the Realm, but... we're hardly Dynasts." She laughed sadly. "If we're counting by blood, I suppose I am technically royalty, but still."

Shadow's softened, then hardened. "Don't think of that," he admonished. "This isn't about showing off or performing social maneuvers. This is just... fun."

"Fun," Des repeated. "With all due respect, Shadow, you're hardly an expert. I don't think you've ever had fun in your life."

Shadow raised an eyebrow. "For your information," he said drily, "I once had a riveting conversation with the former Magnus about the nature of Essence. I was positively lightheaded." He kept a straight face, but Des laughed until Sutsam pleaded for her to stay still. "But seriously," Shadow said, and she subsided. "I know it doesn't feel like it, but... you three are young. Even Star. You all deserve the joys of young adulthood, its attendant rites and ceremonies. Not... not to have to hide your face and wrestle with darkness." Shadow's face was averted as he spoke, watching Sutsam's work, but Des detected a quiver in his voice.

"Like you did?" she asked softly. "What was your prom like?"

Shadow had Awareness 3, so there was no excuse for him not to have heard, but he acted as if Des hadn't spoken. He stepped back and surveyed Sutsam's handiwork. "Perfect," he said. "The boys will never know what hit them."

+++

"This is ridiculous," Seal growled. He rotated his arm as if feeling his shoulder. "I can barely fucking move in this. First punch and I'm gonna dislocate my fucking shoulder, or maybe just rip the damn thing in half."

"You're not gonna get in a fucking fight," Leo said through gritted teeth. He was helping the boy struggle into his tuxedo, a black-and-white getup that made Seal look like a clown. As far as Seal could see himself in the tiny bathroom's mirror, anyways. And it was too fucking tight.

"You're one to fucking talk," Seal retorted. "Didn't you fuck a guy up at the last party you went to?"

"Hey," Leo snapped, rising to his feet and staring Seal in the eyes. "That's out of fucking line."

A heated glare passed between them for a few seconds before Seal broke it off and rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Sorry," he muttered.

Leo closed his eyes and breathed deeply, visibly composing himself. "It's alright," he said as he moved back around Seal to adjust the collar. "I deserved that one."

"Any advice?" Seal asked. "Besides 'do what I say, not what I do'?"

"Well, for starters," Leo said, "don't get smashed and punch the worst guy in the world." He met Seal's eyes in the mirror and they chuckled. "For real though, you don't have to worry about any of that tonight. No paparazzi, no drama, no mess. Just some kids having fun."

"I'm not a fucking kid," Seal growled, quieter this time.

"Yeah, you are," Leo said. "Oughta be hanging out at the schoolyard, menacing all the sorcery nerds or whatever."

"I'm eighteen," Seal countered. "What were you fucking doing at eighteen?" Leo was silent, so Seal pressed his advantage. "You weren't going to fancy fucking parties in full dress," he accused. "Why the fuck should I?"

Only after he said it, at usual, did Seal feel bad. He saw Leo's lips pressed together in a thin line, his eyes in some distant place. After a while, Leo looked back down at Seal's collar. "We're not talking about my life," he said roughly. "We're not even talking about yours. We're talking about what life is supposed to be like. Kids are supposed to have fun, not -- wrestle hellboars or be soldiers or what the fuck ever. It's fucked up that I didn't get to, and it's fucked up that you don't get to."

Seal felt his eyes heat up. Motherfucker. He pressed the back of his hand to his eyes angrily.

A hand pressed itself to his shoulder. "Hey," Leo said quietly. "Listen. I know your whole deal is shitty, and everything feels like it's gonna be fucked up forever, but... you should at least know what a normal life feels like. So, someday, you can start working your way back towards that."

Seal blinked rapidly, wiping a little blood away from his eyes. "I still look like a fucking idiot," he muttered, but without heat.

Leo chuckled. "A little, maybe," he admitted. "But it can't be worse than Star."

+++

"Thisch isch fucking ridiculousch," Star said.

Pho frowned around the bobby pin in his teeth. "Hold ftill," he said. "Allllmoft got it."

Star looked up at the ceiling of the kitchen. Various stains overlapped across the tiles, some more threatening than others. He considered using his new Investigation Charms on them, but decided against it -- he didn't really want to know what Harv got up to in here. At his neck level, Pho was fiddling with a bowtie, the most ridiculous garment in the universe.

"Thish kinda schit never happened in Shkullschtone," Star complained. "Not that there'sh that much fanschy partiesh there. But I got to juscht wear my polische uniform whenever that happened. It wasch cool," he preened for a second.

"Not my ecfpertife eifer," Pho agreed. "There. Got it." He stood back and took the bobby pin out of his mouth. "Now let's get that hair."

"My hair isch fine," Star said defensively, backing away. "It'sch purple and fluffy. No problemsch here." Pho considered him for a moment, then shrugged and put the bobby pin away somewhere in his armor. "What did you wear to your fanschy partiesh?" Star asked.

Pho shrugged again. "Never really had any," he said. "Lived on the road, mostly. Bounty hunter work with my ma. Circus stuff before that. I guess a circus is kinda like a party," he allowed.

"Whatever happened to your ma?" Star asked.

Pho frowned. "She died, and then the Mask turned her into chains for me. He was kind of a bastard," he said. Star stared awkwardly at the top of Pho's head. "Then I got out and turned her into an axe, and we kicked Mask's ass. Then the Sun set her free. It's a long story."

Star coughed. "Yeah," he said. "That'sch, uh.... that'sh rough, buddy."

Pho gestured vaguely. "Old news," he said. "Tonight is for all you kids, not old fogeys like me."

Star couldn't help bristling a little. "I'm not exshactly a kid," he said. "I'm twenty-one. I can drink in Shkullshtone."

Pho raised an eyebrow, a perfect imitation of Shadow's expression. "Well, you won't tonight," he said. "No alcohol at prom. It's the rules. Besides, you can't exactly say you had a great childhood either."

Star leapt to Skullstone's defense. "It'sh pretty good, actually," he said. "Free schchooling and shtuff, a plasche to live, food to eat. Lotsch of plashesh have lessh. And a job I'm pretty good at, if I do shay sho myshelf."

"And how much of that childhood did you spend playing?" Phoenix countered. "Getting drunk and doing dumb shit with your friends? From what I hear of Onyx, that shit doesn't exactly fly." Star was silent. "Listen," Phoenix sighed, "I'm not criticizing the Prince or whatever. I'm just saying, live a little. Uh. Pun not intended."

Star sighed and ran a hand through his hair, which was indeed purple and fluffy. "Schure," he said. "Guessh I'm not exshactly gonna turn down free food."

+++

There was food. There was mood lighting. And there was music.

The Sanctuary had been transformed into a dance hall worthy of the shittiest teen dances. It was dark, and colored lights strafed across the walls (cast from will-o-wisps Shadow had captured himself). The table that usually held coffee and donuts was now laden with various cookies, cupcakes, and at one end was an enormous punch bowl filled with blood punch (Hours' secret recipe, which amounted to "punch someone until you can take their blood"). All the couches and chairs were cleared away to make an open space for dancing.

Where the TV cabinet usually stood, there was instead a podium where Harv was directing a spectral quartet; the ghostly organist bent over a keyboard while the singer moaned about a burning mercy seat. Harv himself was wearing what appeared to be suspenders cut from tuxedo-grade silk, in black and white, with a bowtie at his neck. And on the dance floor, several zombies were shuffling around aimlessly, hands held out in a vague attempt at dancing.

Simultaneously, the doors to the bathroom and kitchen opened, and two of the Shitheads shuffled out.

Pho was wearing his full armor, since it counted as fancy dress; and he was escorting Star, who was in a ruffly silk tuxedo. The spikes of his arm had been artfully incorporated into the tuxedo, each one poking out from a different design; it looked almost as if it had been intentional, an artistic choice. And on his neck, a perfectly tied bowtie. Seal almost choked when he saw how good Star looked.

Seal himself was in a suit, tightly cut in black and red. A little golden pin shone on his lapel, a concession to Glorious First Light. Behind him was Leo, wearing much the same thing, though at least he got to wear sunglasses. "Go talk to him," Leo suggested, pushing Seal forward a little. Seal stammered, but Leo was already off to the food table, so there was nothing to do but push forwards through the zombies.

"Hey!" Star greeted him cheerily. "Check all thish schit out, huh? Guesh Harv thought we needed more danschersh at thish dansche."

"Fucking weird," Seal agreed. "Look at them. I think that one's trying to do a jig." They watched the zombie jerk up and down for a while, its foot dangling from its leg where the tendons had been cut or rotted away. "Anyways," he said, breaking the reverie, "where the fuck is Des?"

As if on cue, the zombies parted. Sensing the mood, Harv quickly switched the musicians over to some kind of military march. The door to Shadow's room stood open, and there they were. Shadow himself was dressed in his finest regalia, good enough to peacock around at a Dynast ball (minus all the arrow holes, maybe), but he didn't hold a candle to Des, and he stood like he knew it and was proud of it.

Des smirked, soaking in all the attention, and advanced slowly. She was wearing a glittering black dress with thorns embroidered all down its length. They grew more numerous as they neared her shoulder, where an enormous rose bloomed, red so dark it was nearly black. Her gloves were of the same color, mimicking her anima and complimenting the dress, and Bloodthorn hung at her side, held by a loop rather than a sheath: present, beautiful, and ready to kill.

Seal's jaw just about hit the floor; he didn't know shit about fashion, but he was pretty sure Des was wearing all of it tonight. Beside him, Star was similarly gaping. Des' smirk turned into a grin as she came near them, dress trailing on the floor behind her like a pool of night. "Hello, boys," she said, extending an arm to each one. "Ready for prom?"

Star, at least, knew what to do; he knelt and kissed her hand, fully mock-chivalrous. "Milady," he said, struggling not to giggle. Seal was too busy staring. "Holy fuck," he said. "If I wasn't gay my dick would be through the fucking roof right now."

"Don't be gross," Des said, swatting him, though she was visibly pleased with the compliment. "Come on, let's dance already."

Seal frowned. "Yeah, but this music sucks. Hey, Harv, this music fucking sucks!" he shouted over the music, which had returned to something rustic and melancholy at best. Harv was conducting like his life depended on it, though, and didn't hear -- until Hours loomed over him.

"Make vay, leetle man," the Dusk growled, and Harv obliged meekly. The musicians leaned closer to see what Hours was going to ask for, but instead the man pulled out a balalaika and started tuning it. Then he let loose a lively tune, and the musicians shrugged and took it up on their various instruments.

"That'sh more like it," Star said, grinning. "C'mon, Scheal, let'sch fucking dansche."

Well, when he put it like that, Seal had no choice but to dance.

+++

They danced for hours.

Des knew some kind of complicated three-person waltz that let her spin Seal and Star around herself in dizzying counterpoint, so fast that Star accidentally gored a zombie on his way through. But it was, somehow, incredibly fun, as long as Seal didn't try to think about where his feet were going and just kept dancing. He'd never thought dance could be fun, not without any swords or anything.

After a while, though, they were starting to slow down; Seal was dipping into his Essence to keep going, and all their castemarks were starting to show. Des' was burning brightest, so he expected her to step out soon, but what he didn't expect was the sudden maneuver that brought Seal and Star face-to-face while Des stepped back. "I'm going to get a drink," she said, flashing a treacherous smile at Seal. "You two have fun."

Bastard bitch son of a snake, Seal thought venomously at her, but Star shrugged and stepped up, holding out his hands. "Might ash well," he said. "Care to dansche, mishter Scheal?"

Seal sighed and stepped into his arms, taking Star's hand in one and nearly impaling the other before landing safely on Star's shoulder. Right on cue, the music slowed to something meandering; Seal looked over to see Harv ushering Hours from the podium, balalaika torn to shreds. Star hummed for a moment then started moving, forcing Seal to follow his footsteps. "I learned thish one at the academy," he confided. "In cashe we had to infiltshrate a fanschy party or shomefing."

They stepped back and forth for a while. In the distance, Seal spotted Shadow and Harv slow dancing, so he tried to copy them. Anything to avoid the sheer awkwardness, to not have to look Star in the eyes. Shadow and Harv weren't look at each other either, though as they rotated Seal caught the same look of contentment on both their faces. Ugh. Disgusting.

"Scho how do you like your firscht dansche?" Star asked, drawing Seal back to himself. "I'm guesching you didn't exshactly do a lot of dansching in Fortitude or whatever."

Seal shrugged, hoping that Star could see or at least feel it. "It's fucking weird," he said. "It's... fun, I guess. I thought I'd hate it."

"Way better than the danschesh at the academy," Star agreed. "That wash all formal and shtuff. Thish ish nische, though. Jusht ush and our friendsh. And a doshen schombiesh, I guesh, but thoshe don't count."

"Yeah," Seal said. "Just us kids."

+++

A few hours later, the Sanctuary was empty. Forlorn decorations littered the floor, and the refreshment table looked like it had been stampeded. Shadow sat on a folding chair as the zombies slowly picked up the remaining detritus of the dance. Suddenly a shadow loomed -- well, not over him, since Shadow was taller than Phoenix even sitting down, but in front of him.

"Hey," said Phoenix, removing his spiky helmet and setting it on the table. "I think that was a success."

Shadow smiled wearily. "Yes," he said, "I think so too." He raised an eyebrow at Phoenix. "I didn't see you on the floor, much. What's the matter, shy?"

Phoenix chuckled a little. "Dancing's not really my thing. I can shuffle, kinda."

Shadow rose to his feet. "Well, we can't have the kids outshining their teachers, or we'll all lose face. Would you give me the honor of this dance, sir Phoenix?"

Phoenix looked around skeptically at the zombies sweeping up and the lack of music, but he followed Shadow out onto the floor. With a sweeping gesture Shadow banished the zombies to the edges of the room, took Phoenix's hand and set it on his waist, hummed for a moment, then imperiously stepped forward.

Shadow had learned the dance a long time ago, and it was buried deep in his muscle memory: designed to be an easy one for the follower and a difficult one for the leader, though he knew both parts. A memory flashed into his mind, of dancing it with a different partner, and he sighed. "So young," he murmured.

Phoenix grunted in agreement. "Seal was thirteen when he exalted. Just a kid."

They revolved slowly on the spot for a moment, Shadow's feet dancing lightly around Phoenix's. It was a while before either of them spoke again.

"When I was young," Shadow said, "I watched the other children. They were pampered, I thought. They slept on soft beds and ate delicious food and played for hours at a time without any worry in the world. It was an unimaginable luxury."

Phoenix sighed. "That's what kids need," he said. "Safety, comfort, they need to know that things are okay. They deserve happiness. It's not their fault they never get it."

Shadow nodded sadly. "Sometimes," he said, "I think about dropping it all -- the quest, the burdens, everything -- and just... living with them. Taking care of them. Making sure they never have to go through what we went through, or even what they've been through already."

"I tried that," Phoenix said. "Rescued a whole damn buncha kids from Dowager. You heard about Sachi, right?" He shook his head. "That kid's gonna be an adventurer no matter what I do. Gonna get into all sorts of trouble." Resignation mixed with pride in his voice.

"Perhaps that's true," Shadow agreed. "Perhaps all we can do is... make them secure in themselves, to weather the storms that must come."

Phoenix sighed. "That's all you ever can do," he said. "Can't fight everything for them, even if you want to. I mean, big things, sure. But they gotta learn for themselves, too."

Shadow nodded. "Nevertheless," he said, "I wish they didn't have to." He looked down and saw Phoenix grimacing.

"Me too," Phoenix said. "Me too."

#hour in black #sanctuary in black #i hope the readmore works cause if not... im sorry #also the music when des enters is the imperial march

[rosyredlipstick]

Rental Love* (10\10)

(*Read Terms & Conditions)

-

Male/22/Long Island N.Y.C. Tired of showing up stag at holiday events? Want your family to stop thinking there’s something wrong with you? Just want some arm candy for a work event? Look no further. Your solution is here! I will attend holiday events with you as your paid date. Accepting all genders as applicants. Email [email protected] if interested. Interview & application will be set up there. - Nico di Angelo has been telling Hazel Levesque about his boyfriend for weeks. The bad part? Nico doesn’t have a boyfriend, the holidays are coming up, and not all of Jason’s ideas are horrible. They’re all a bit surprised about the last one. Read Part One Here Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven Part Eight Part Nine

With Will’s hand clenched in his own, Persephone rushing past them with a pleased smile thrown in their direction, Nico took a small, steadying breath.  

Persephone disappeared around the corner, her arms piled with blankets and water bottles probably meant to comfort the literal crowd of hungover barely-adults in her basement, and Nico pulled his hand away from Will’s tight grip. It was harder then he would have thought.

Will’s fingers would hardly, just barely, twitch out to follow Nico’s hand as he pulled away, but he’d manage to force his hand back to his side, his gaze to the front, with only some difficulty. He flexed his hand at his side, almost like he was adjusting to the empty air now around it.

Nico pretended not to notice this, and only lead the way to through the parlor to the dining room, where the symphony  of a busy morning was starting up.

It was a soundtrack familiar to their annual New Year’s Day brunch - high voices mingling together, Allegra’s cooking sizzling and popping in equal accord, the scrap of utensils across dishes, chairs against title.

He paused, an unexpected obstacle in his path, before continuing and stepping over a Stoll Brother, half curled up on the ground, half hanging off a couch cushion. It was, in no way, a comfortable position.

“Should we…” Will cleared his throat, and these were the first words they had said to each other all morning. His gaze was averted to the floor. “Should we do something?” He gestured vaguely to the boy, drooling all over Persephone’s antique carpet. She....would not be pleased with that.

Nico shrugged, his foot coming to poke to boy in the side. The boy - and Nico always had a bit of trouble telling the two apart, especially without the help of the slight height difference - only twitched, and let out a loud snore. Alive, then.

“The Stoll Brothers are invincible at this point,” Nico turned to keep walking, his voice even. “And I think I saw Mitchell force some water into this one before throwing him in this direction. He’s probably fine.”

There was slight commotion from the other room, and Nico paused, gathering himself for a moment. At his side, Will paused as well and, finally, his eyes flickered over to Nico’s. When he spoke, his voice was soft and fleeting.

“We’re leaving tomorrow.”

Nico swallowed, shoving his hands deep into his pockets with the action. He didn't want to risk a dangerous movement - like reaching out to the other boy. “We’re leaving tomorrow.” He could only repeat, his voice an agreement. There was an invitation there, in the other boy’s words, to pursue. Nico almost wanted to.

He had so much to say, still, so many questions. But was the parlor, only a room and a half away from where voices were drifting from, really the place to voice these things?

Nico didn’t think so.

He flashed the other boy a small, only slightly strained smile. “Coming?”

Will blinked a few times, his eyes falling low, his eyelashes fluttering against each other. He didn’t say anything, only a simple single nod before following the other boy into the kitchen.

The only ones seemingly awake were Hazel and Leo at the counter with food and coffee - Allegra must have been by - their bar stools leaned forward, and Reyna, who was nursing a steaming coffee cup by the table. She nodded at them as they entered, but turned her attention back to her cup. From the heavy bags under her eyes, Nico could understand.

They took seats at the counter, nodding in thanks as Hazel pushed the coffeepot towards them. Nico - a bit hesitant and unsure - poured them both cups.

“Where is everyone?” Will spoke up, his voice an empty bubbliness, nothing like the previous low tone he’d used with Nico. With this face blank, he accepted the steaming cup, with barely a beat of emotion thrown in Nico’s direction. Nico wondered if he had had to perfect that, in his line of business. Keeping his voice even, his face neutral, his eyes happy and dancing. Surely, he must have.

Hazel waved her hand vaguely towards the door, her head resting on her curled up arm. “Most of them have left,” she muttered, “Persephone and Hades started calling cabs and handing out breakfast sandwiches to the sobers and DD’s around five in the morning. The rest -” Her hand went up to wave towards the ceiling, “thrown in beds.”

“Lucky,” Leo, at her side and leaning heavily against it, groaned out. He buried his face in her shoulder. “I think I’m drunk and hungover like, at the same time.”

Her hand came up to pat him sympathetically on the back, her eyes never leaving Nico’s as they spoke. Nico claimed a chair at the counter, Will taking the one next to him.

“Why aren’t you in bed?” Nico was half tempted to steal away the other boy’s plate of fried eggs

as he buried his face in Hazel’s shoulder but decided against it. You don’t shoot a man while he’s down, and down Leo very much was.

Leo very slowly sat up to give him what was maybe supposed to be an obvious look. With his drooping red eyes, and frizzy mess of curls, it looked more like a beg for mercy.

Nico raised an eyebrow, waiting.

After a moment, Leo only dropped his head back to Hazel. “Allegra’s brunch, man.” He nuzzled his face into her pajamas, and she seemed as content with the action as much as he was. He gestured towards the plate in front of him. “You don’t miss out on her brunch.”

Nico could agree with that.

The chair beside him was being dragged out, and Nico looked up just in time to see Jason leaning down to press a quick kiss to Leo’s messy curls before sitting next to Nico. From his place half-draped over Hazel, Leo gave out a lazy, but satisfied, smile.

“You guys skipped out a bit early last night,” Jason muttered out as he sat, his voice just low enough for only the two of them, as Hazel and Leo began to bemoan the existence of hangovers. He kept his eyes straight, pouring out a glass of ice water, as he muttered the words. “Is everything alright?”

Nico didn’t turn to look at the other boy, and said nothing. He only rose one shoulder in a half-shrug, and left it at that.

It, afterall, said everything that Jason needed to know.

“Where’s Frank?” Will asked kindly, glancing around.

“Still sleeping,” Leo answered for her, as Hazel took a long drink of juice. “We managed to drag him onto a couch last night, and Persephone and Hades have been checking in on everyone every few hours, but he’s still knocked out.”

“Piper?” Hazel questioned, glancing to Leo and Jason.

Jason thumbed over his shoulder, “Same. We dragged her in bed last night around four as someone -“ He shot a quick unheated glare to Leo, who was shameless. “Convinced everyone the indoor pool was a great idea.”

Leo could only lazily fingergun at the other boy, “It was, wasn’t it?”  

Jason sighed, “Not when you’re only of the only mostly-sober people in a group of drunk toddlers, no. And just for that, you can take the first shift driving back tomorrow.”

“Driving back?” Will gave them a curious look, coming back to himself a bit. He was still on the job, after all. “Didn’t you guys fly in?”

Leo waved off the question, “Pipes likes the drive home, and we stop by my ma’s old place.” He gave them a shrug, “It’s a nice tradition. There’s a great chicken place we hit up in Ohio too, totally worth it.”

Will nodded in understanding, glancing to Hazel. “Are you guys driving back too?”

Hazel shook her head, “Frank and I fly, but we’re staying an extra few days - my classes don’t start till later on.” She gave them all a too-sunny smile, impossibly bright for how hungover she was suppose to be. “Actually, speaking of when we get back, we should all meet up! Nico and I meet once a week.” She shot a quick look over to where Jason was seated, at the end of the counter. “Are you guys still going to have monthly dinners at your place?”

Jason shot a quick, almost unnoticeable, look towards his roommate at his side. Nico kept his gaze glued to the shiny counter, and didn’t look up to meet the other boy’s eyes.

Jason cleared his throat before speaking, “Yeah, I think so. I...don’t see why not.”

Hazel beamed, “Will! You should definitely come along to those, we have so much fun! We all bring a dish or drink and just potluck style it for -”

Hazel was cut off as Nico stood suddenly, his chair scraping harshly and loudly against the tile. He...he couldn't do this. Not right now, with Will still at his side. He couldn't grin and smile and laugh and pretend to make fake plans with his fake boyfriend and -

All eyes turned on him, and the breath caught in his chest.

“Excuse me,” he choked out, stumbling away from the counter. “I - I need a moment.”

He just barely made it out of the dining room, small noises of confusion following him. He didn’t look back, stumbling up a staircase instead.

Will only stared down at his plate, clenching at his fork. Almost everyone was staring after Nico, with Hazel standing hesitantly, and most of the few of them were gazing with concern and confusion at the doorway where he’d disappeared.

Everyone but Jason.

Jason’s low gaze was directly not across the room, but down the counter, where Will was tense and still and swallowing against the building emotion in his throat.

Hazel rushed through the doorway, not saying anything to their questioning gazes. She wouldn’t know what to say, honestly, only waving off their unvocalized offers of help.

She had heard the stumbling feet up the staircase, and it was after a bit of searching she found him - the third floor, curled up small in front of the dark wood double doors of the library.

“Nico?” She plastered a soft, gentle smile on concern on her face. “Nico, are you feeling okay?” Despite him not looking up to meet her eyes, she gave him a soft joking wince. “Is your hangover hitting you?”

Nico didn’t respond, only kept his gaze low, limbs tightly curled around himself.

Her smile slowly faded. “What’s wrong?” She asked, her eyebrow furrowed.

Nico looked up at her, knowing how red his eyes were and wishing he could hide it. He scrambled to stand, “It’s nothing, I’m fine.”

Hazel frowned, grabbing onto his wrist. “Nico. What’s wrong?” He could feel her worried eyes on him as she spoke. “Is it about Bianca?”

Nico sighed, glancing away. “No. It’s not…that.”

She slowly lowered herself to the ground, pulling him down with her. Her voice was soft when she finally spoke, “What’s up?”

Nico took a deep breath, tightening his arms around his legs. “I need you to promise me you won’t like, hate me or something.”

Hazel’s hand found his back, “Nico, I could never hate you. What’s wrong? You’re worrying me. Are you okay?”

Nico swallowed, and stared ahead. Horribly, his eyes began to burn. “I need to tell you something.”

She said nothing, waiting, curled into his side.

He kept his eyes on the ground, avoiding her gaze, blinking away the wetness there. “Hazel. Will and I aren’t dating.”

Hazel’s face dropped, “Did you guys break up?” Her face immediately shifted darker. “Did he hurt you? Nico, please tell me, did he hurt you?”

Nico huffed out a breath. “No, Hazel.” He shook his head, “He didn’t do anything. Neither did I.”

She frowned, scooting in closer. “What happened?”

Nico took a breath. “Nothing. We…we were never dating.”

Hazel leaned back, staring at him in confusion. “What are you talking about? You guys have been dating for months.”

Nico came clean. “I made up a boyfriend so you would stop worrying about me.” He stared at the ground, avoiding her gaze. “And then I hired Will to be my fake boyfriend for the holidays. I’ve only known him for a few weeks. We’re not dating.”

The weight and guilt was finally lifted off his chest as he spoke, and he nearly fell back with relief when he was done. Another emotion quickly replaced it - anxiety – along with a bit of fear.

Hazel stared at him for a long moment, long enough that Nico finally broke and looked back up to her.

“Are you…are you sure?” Hazel finally asked, her voice confused.

Nico gave her a look, “Am I sure what? That I hired Will?” Nico blew air up into his bangs, “I still have the receipt, so yeah. I’m sure.”

She blinked a few times, still adjusting. “That’s….surprising.”

“What do you mean?” Nico asked.

She shook her head, still a bit wide-eyed. “No, just…you and Will are really great actors.”

“You mean you’re not mad?”

Her smile was fond, her hand coming up to brush his hair out of his face. “I’m not totally up for the whole you lied thing, but…I don’t know.” She shrugged, “I get it. I can be a little overbearing – that’s why you did it, right? To get me to stop worrying?” She sighed, “I’m sorry Nico. I just want you to be happy.”

Nico blinked in surprise, totally surprised by her apology because um, Nico was the one who totally lied to her for months. What. 

“And while I think Hades and Persephone will be devastated at your break up, they’ll survive.” She gave Nico a small smile, her voice teasing but soft. “But that still doesn’t explain why you’re upset.”

At that reminder – Nico was leaning back, his back hitting the wall with a solid thud. He took another breath, rubbing his eyes with his palms.

“You said we were great actors?” Nico sighed, burying his face in his hands. “I wasn’t really acting anymore.”

There was a moment of silence. “Oh.” Hazel said, “Oh, Nico.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, “I know, I know.”

Hazel sighed, her head falling back to hit the wall with a thunk. “This is…”

“A goddamn mess?” Nico finished for her, his words muttered by his hands. He kept his face hidden as Hazel hesitantly wound an arm around his back. He leaned into the touch.

Her touch was like the key to the floodgates, and the words poured out of him like they’d been dying to since...well, since they arrived. He never really kept secrets from Hazel before.

Nico took a steadying breath, and they both ignored the slight wobble that came with the action.

“I’m not pretending anymore Hazel - he’s just, he’s so funny and stupid and he gets on my nerves like no one else, and he’s probably the nicest person ever, even when he’s being a complete dick.”

Hazel arm tightened briefly around him. He took that as his queue to continue.

“And,” he cleared his throat, finally lifting his face from his hands to stare at the ceiling. “And I’m pretty sure he feels the same way.”

At that, Hazel’s hand paused where she had been rubbing comforting circles into his back, “Oh?”

Nico nodded, leaning his head onto her shoulder. “I - I think so. I really do. But I’m not even sure how it would work out - when we get back, I mean. We’re...really different. I’m, I’m not sure if we’d, you know, last in the real world, where we’re not in a little holiday bubble.”

“Do you….” Hazel trailed off, “are you…”

Nico sniffed, and mostly ignored the question. “I...I’m not, like, incomplete without him. He’s not my other half that completes me or anything. But I...I feel more when he’s around. I feel like I’m more.” Nico gave her a helpless shrug, “I like being around him. He makes me happy, just him being next to me, or smiling at me, or even just like, fuck, asking me to pass him the milk.” His head dropped to his hands, “I feel better when he’s around. I have more fun and it’s easier and shit, I even sleep better next to him, like -” Nico made a wild gesture, “what the fuck is that? Like, I don’t even have to be awake and I just feel....safe around him. Happy.”

Hazel blinked a few times at his onslaught of words, staring at the wall. “Well....fuck.” Her voice was a breath, her rare curse breezing out lightly. “That’s....” She shook her head, her arms tightening around him. “I think that’s love.”

“Yeah,” Nico swallowed, agreeing and cursing in somehow the same bare word. He let his head fall to her shoulder, his eyes fluttering shut with another soft, “Yeah.”

She let him sit like that, his head on her shoulder, half curled into the comfort of her soft voice and gentle hands, and they both ignored the hotness dampening up his cheeks. He was thankful for that, he thinks, the most. 

Hazel was truly an amazing sister. 

Afterwards, walking into the parlor with Hazel’s arm wound through his, Will would catch sight of the redness to his eyes, the harsh flush to his cheeks, and would dip his gaze away. Hazel’s gaze was quick, fleeting, over him, and Will would know.

Jason would throw his arm over Nico’s shoulders and lead him away from his sister and to the couch. Piper’d squish into his other side, Reyna at his feet, and Leo would sprawl over their laps, and Nico would feel grateful that this, at least, would not expire with holidays.

And Will would look away, and smile that stiff grin through some conversation, and excuse himself after a few minutes.

Nico gave him some time - enough for Hades and Persephone to start handing out trays of afternoon snacks - before he sighed. Jason’s arm dropped from his shoulder as he shifted forward, giving him a squeeze and look of sympathy before letting go. Nico stood, taking a breath, and slipped out of the room as Hades began loudly telling another one of his stories.

Nico climbed the staircase, his mind silent and heavy for once. This was something he - they - had to do.

He stood outside his bedroom door for a long moment. He took a deep breath, and pushed his hand against the wood.

And there he was.

Will was standing at the window, his body tight, and didn’t look up as Nico entered. The door shut with a click , and Nico’s hand were tight at his sides.

He took a deep breath. Before he could speak up, Will’s soft voice interrupted. He still hadn’t looked back at Nico.

“Are we gonna pretend nothing’s happening here?” Will asked, his eyes glued on something out the window. “We can, it’s fine, really.” He took a careful breath, the sound wobbling. “Really, it is. I just – I just need to know.”

Nico took a deep breath. “I need to pay you.” He said instead, thinking briefly of the crumpled up receipt at the bottom of his laptop bag. Half payment at signing, half later, it promised. It was a good system - one that Will must have perfected at this point.

Will was quiet for a long moment as Nico pulled out his wallet, standing stiff.

Will swallowed, his eyes still glued away. His voice was soft. “You...you don’t need to pay me.”

Nico took a step forward to the window, folding the bills as he spoke. “This is your job. I’m not going to take that from you.” He slipped the bills into the other boys pocket, letting his hands linger on Will’s waist. “It’s the holidays. Go buy your siblings some presents.”

Will turned to him, his gaze still averted to the ground, “You...you have to know I’m not doing this for the money. Not anymore. Not...not with you.”

Nico bit at his lip, his breath catching in his chest. The carpet was proving itself to be a fascinating eyecatcher.

He knew that, at least. That this wasn’t a job anymore, to either of them. But it was different, more concrete and real and even more terrifying and exhilarating, to hear it from the other boy. To hear that Will felt the same.

And that Will was scared too.

Nico let go of the breath building up in his chest.

“Prove it.”

Finally, with a glance, Will met his eyes. There was surprise and angst and hurt there, in all that blue. They were shiny and watery and even like this - red and slightly puffy - Nico could stare at them all day.

Will had the prettiest eyes Nico had ever seen.

“What?”

Nico ducked his head, and when he spoke his words weren’t as weak as he would have thought.  “I am, um. I’m officially out of contractually obligated physical forms of affection. I paid you in full, and the service period is over.” Nico peeked a look through his eyelashes. “I am no longer longer paying you to be my fake boyfriend. So, if what we have is more than just a paid arrangement, well,” Nico paused, his chest nearly aching with the pound of his rapid heartbeat. “Prove it.”

Will stared at Nico for a long moment, at Nico’s avoiding eyes and soft hair that brushed at his collar. Nico’s reddened cheeks, such a contrast to his pale skin and dark eyes, that only deepened in color at the heavy weight of Will’s stare.

It was easy to bicker with and scowl at the other boy, but it was so, so much easier to do the exact opposite.

Will leaned in and pressed his lips against Nico’s, so incredibly soft, like Will was afraid Nico would break. It was chaste, and sweet, and it vividly reminded Nico was his first kiss at thirteen, nervous and quick.

And that, well. That wouldn’t do.

Nico pulled Will closer, just as close as he did on New Year’s, and opened his mouth so their hot tongue and breath could mix together. Will was only too happy to let Nico take the lead, losing himself in what was quickly becoming a familiar action between them. He was only too happy to go loose in Nico’s arms, letting go of any of the chaste emotion he began with, along with any fight in him as Nico pulled his wrists together and held them to the wall.

It was hot, it was heavy, and it was everything Nico had been daydreaming - and uh, literally dreaming of, on one hot occasion - for days and days now.

Will pulled away, his breath heavy, his eyes gazed.

“I don’t put out on the first date.” Will told him through panted breath.

Nico grinned, moving to kiss down the other boy’s neck so he could whisper the next words into his skin. “Good thing we’re boyfriends of four months, right?”

Will’s head hit the wall, his hands tugging free of Nico’s hold. “Fuck.”

“I’m tryin.”

“Oh my god,” Will pulled Nico’s chin up, a bit of a glare in his eyes. “Shut up. Are you always this annoying?”

Nico’s hands came up from Will’s waist, tangling into those golden curls he loved so much. “How about you give me a reason to shut up? You’ll have to be very persuasive, you see. I’m a stubborn man.”

Will’s gaze turned dark. “On your knees,” he ordered, pressing one last soft kiss to Nico’s lips before pushing him away. “I wanna see how quiet I can make you.”

Nico did as told, grinning the entire time. “Only so I can see how loud I can make you.”

“Oh, fuck -”

Laying together in bed afterwards, sheets tangled around them, more of one article of clothing mixed in with the jumble of blankets and pillows, Will spoke very softly.

“We’re leaving tomorrow,” Will’s head was pillowed on Nico’s chest, and Nico’s fingers had been threading through the other boy’s curls.

“Yeah,” Nico agreed softly, “we are.”

“We are - I mean, this is -” Will bit his lip, and kept his head facing away from Nico. “This is something we’re doing, right? Us?”

At that, Nico’s hands slowly traced themselves down from instead Will’s head to his chin, tipping up the other boy’s head slowly. Will’s eyes - surprisingly vulnerable - were wide and open and so, so blue. Nico used the new angle to slowly and ever-so-lightly press his lips against the other boy’s.

“I was thinking maybe boyfriends, actually.” Nico pressed another kiss to his lips, “Whole nine yards. Flowers, candlelit dinners, anniversaries.” Another kiss, “I mean, you’re already met the family. Might as well do it backwards.”

Against his lips, he could feel Will lips perk up into a smile.

Hours later - late in the afternoon, long since Nico had disappeared with Hazel on his tail - they were finally showered (it took a few attempts before any actual showering got done) and dressed.

“What are we getting dressed for?” Will held up the thick coat Nico had tossed him, “Are we like, going somewhere?”

“We’re having a bonfire for whoever’s left over,” Nico told him, zipping up his own jacket. “One last thing before we all go home, you know?”

Will hummed, “Sounds fun.”

“I think…” Nico trailed off, pausing, before clearing his throat. “Do you think we should tell them? You know, the ones who know about the arrangement?”

Will thought that over for a moment, “I don’t see why not.” He gave Nico a considering look, “Are we telling Hades and Persephone? About everything”

Nico bit his lip, thinking it over. “I don’t know. But the rest of them - I think it’ll be good to let them know now.” He paused, “Or, I mean, you could just spent the night at the apartment, let them figure it out for themselves.”

Will knocked his shoulder into Nico’s, smiling. “I bet you’d love that.” He snorted, his eyes flickering up in thought. “I’d walk out in your shirt on a Saturday morning, all of them gathered in the kitchenette eating cereal.

“It’s a pretty picture, you have to admit.” Nico grinned at him, “Although honestly, they’d probably just pass you a cup of coffee and a good morning.”

Will considered that, as well as his limited knowledge on Nico’s group of friends. “That’s...very true.”

Nico, still in a bit awe he could, leaned in for another press of lips. Will, enthusiastically, returned the motion.

Despite meaning to leave immediately, they didn’t make it out of the room for another hour, at least.

Finally, he and Will managed to extract themselves from each other long enough to dress themselves decent and make their way downstairs.

It was a lot harder than Nico would have thought, simply pulling away from the other boy.

Most of their remaining guests had cleared out in the hours Will and Nico had been occupied with each other, leaving only a handful of young adults left over. Hazel and Frank, of course, and Piper, Leo, and Jason. Reyna and the others must have left to make their flights.

He’d make it up to the others with a short explanation - Reyna, in particular, who no doubt scowled upon his rudeness when he didn’t show up to say goodbye. She’d demand a smoothie, at the very least, or one of those fruit bouquets she pretended to hate. She'd forgive him eventually - she was good like that. 

They grabbed blankets from the closet before going outside, the few guests left gathered outside.  It took a bit longer than necessary, completely due to Will’s tendency - not that Nico was complaining - to push him up against a wall, apparently dedicated to making Nico show up as disheveled as possible.

Which - with his collar pulled to the side, his hair a mess from Will’s wandering, pulling hands, his lips swollen - Will had succeeded.  

Hades and Persephone, thankfully, were busy with finished up the post-holiday duties. Hades would be returning back to work soon anyways, and those two always enjoyed spending time together. It worked out nice. Here on the deck, all of them circled around the bonfire Leo had enjoyed assembling much, too much, they were able to speak freely and softly.

“We have something to tell you guys,” Will let Nico start, squeezing reassuringly at his hand.

Leo and Piper, sandwiching a too-willing Jason, grinned up at them with sparkling eyes. Hazel was biting her lip with a wild grin on her face, while Frank stared up at them with open curiosity.

“So,” Nico smiled, starting out. “Will and I are dating. Now. For real.”

There was a beat of silence. Frank cast them a curious look from his shared seat with Hazel.

“Uh, what do you mean?” The younger boy questioned, cocking his head. At his side, Hazel leaned up and cuffed her hand to whisper into his ear. After a moment, his eyes went wide.

Nico stifled his laughter into his hand, “Yeah,” he agreed with Frank’s wide eyes, holding up his and Will’s entangled hands. “Right?”

“Well, let me just say we all totally saw this coming -” Nico flipped off Leo before he could even finish speaking, causing the other boy to hold up his hands in surrender. “What, we all saw that New Year’s Eve kiss. Put a bit of a show on for us, didn’t you?.” He shot a wink over to Will, pouting out his lip a bit. “It was very good, in all honesty.”

“Anyways,” Nico spoke over the other boy, “We just wanted to let you guys know, since you were the only in the know about the arrangement.”

“What about Reyna?” Jason spoke up for the first time, although he did look annoyingly satisfied with the turn of events.

Nico raised an eyebrow, “What about Reyna?”

“You told her, didn’t you?” A look of confusion came over Jason’s face, “Right?”

“Uh -” Nico furrowed his brow, “No?”

“Oh.” There was a beat of silence as Jason seemingly considered that, “Well, she knows. Totally. She spoke about it so casually, I thought that meant you told her.”

“Did you -” Nico cut his gaze over to Will, who shrugged helplessly.

“It’s Reyna,” Piper told him, like that explained everything. Which...it kind of did.

Nico sighed, “Yeah, it’s Reyna. I’ll talk to her when we get back.”

“In other more important matters -” Piper stepped over Nico’s words, leaning forward with a mischievously interested gaze, “I think we need to discuss something here.”

Leo, always on the same page, matched her gaze, grinning evilly. “I do think you’re right, Piper. Something very interesting.”

Even Jason - usually Nico’s only lifeline in the crazy of their friend group - was smiling slightly.

Nico almost didn’t want to know. “What are you talking about?”

Piper clicked her tongue, “What we’re talking about -”

Leo and Piper were so in-sync at times, it was past the point of creepy, as Leo didn’t hesitate to finish the girl’s sentence.

“-is that very dark, very new love bite on your neck, William.”

There was a moment of stillness, both Nico and Will frozen in place. Will’s grip tightened, and he turned to whisper in Nico’s ear in a flash.

“Nico -” he hissed, “Why did you -”

“I didn’t mean to!”

“But where -”

Nico paused, his eyes flickering over the other boy’s skin. “Wait, there’s no - ”

It was too late. The damage had been done.

Piper and Leo were nearly hysterical in their shared laughter, with even Jason and Hazel laughing lightly, Frank grinning in amusement at them.

Nico sighed, turning back to Will. “There’s no mark. They were….teasing us.” He spoke like it pained him to admit this.

“...Oh,” Will breathed out, “That’s...nice.”

“Alright,” Hazel, the savior of his life, stood with a small smile. “I think it’s time we whipped out the s'mores, am I right?”

Nico let out a breath, nodding in thanks at the girl as Leo was immediately swept up in the promise of sugar, Piper not far behind.

Will, at his side, rubbed his thumb across the back of Nico’s hand.

“C’mon,” Nico pulled him along, “Let’s grab a seat, and enjoy our last night in Chicago.”

“We’ll be back,” Will promised with a grin, “someday.”

Nico turned to him, sharing a smile with the other boy. That was a good thought - one he hadn’t really let himself have in the days before - of them having a future together. “Yeah. We will.”

“Hey,” Will called for his attention, later that night as both of their bags laid open and empty on Nico’s bed.

Nico glanced up from where he was attempting to fold his shirts as small as possible - honestly, Nico had no idea how he was going to fit everything, especially without a willing Leo to sit on top of his suitcase to squeeze down the contents. If Nico had packed early - like Will had suggested they do - he could have enlisted the other boy’s help before he, Piper, and Jason began their drive back.

Nico, foolishly but unregrettably, had insisted on….other activities.

He pushed down another shirt into a corner, meeting Will’s awaiting gaze as he did so. “Yeah?”

Will was having much better luck with his own suitcase - everything perfectly folded and neatly sectioned away. Clicking his tongue, he picked up one of Nico’s own shirts and attempted to help work through the small mountain Nico had assembled.

“You like coffee, right?” Will asked a bit absentmindedly, frowning at the mess overtaking Nico’s suitcase.

A teasing grin came on his face, “I believe that it’s listed as my second favorite drink in my personal section,” He poked at Will’s side, “Forget your required reading, did you?”

Nico didn’t have to be looking at Will to know he was rolling his eyes, “Right after purple slushies,” Will winced at that, “Not even a flavor. Just purple.”

“Purple’s good,” Nico shrugged, not even a bit ashamed. “I’ll get you to try one.”

“What, corn syrup and sugar ice water?” The gag was nearly vocalized in his words, “No thank you.”

“Anyways -” Nico changed the subject before their bickering could start up. As much as Nico enjoyed it, Will had started the conversation with a curious point. “If you knew I liked coffee, why are you asking?”

Will clicked his tongue, “Well I was trying to ask you out for coffee when we got back before you reminded me how truly disgusting your eating habits are. I might have to reconsider.”

Nico turned away briefly to hide the grin wanting to break out on his face. “Are you trying to ask me out on a date, Will Solace?”

Will’s sigh was heavy and much too exhausted, “It’s what I’ve been trying to hype myself up for since like, we got here.”

“Aw,” Nico turned back to the other boy to teasingly coo, “Such a romantic.”

Will took a moment to sit on his bed, and Nico didn’t hesitate to perfectly fit himself between the open V of his legs.

This was a nice place to be, Nico was realizing as Will wrapped his arms around Nico’s waist, pulling him in closer. Nico could stay here forever, in the close enough to soak up the other boy’s warmth, close enough for Will to smile and for Nico to see every freckle, wrinkle, and crease that came with the action.  

“So,” Will ran a hand through Nico’s hair, pulling it out of Nico’s face. “Coffee?”

Nico leaned his head into Will’s touch, smiling. “You sure I can’t persuade you into an afternoon of gas station slushies?”

“The only way I’m ever going to taste gas station slushy is off your lips, babe.” Will gave him a teasing grin. Nico’s cheeks - stupidly - colored at that.

Nico pretended to consider that, playing along. “That can be arranged. But until then -” Nico leaned in to whisper against the other boy’s lip, the touch barely there. “Coffee sounds great.”

And the kiss after that, well, that wasn’t too bad either.

The next day wasn't as cold as the ones previous, and Nico was only too happy to make use of that. 

Leaning against the car, his family in his direct eyesight, his own goodbyes already said, he soaked up the rare winter sun. 

He took another drag of a rare cigarette, the smoke bitter and hot in his throat. 

Jules-Albert, coming up behind him, eyed him with distaste. “You better not be thinking of smoking in my vehicle.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Jules.” Nico told him happily, taking another drag.

Jules held out a hand and Nico took a moment to pass along an unlit cigarette, trusting the other man to have his own lighter. He did, of course, because he was perpetually prepared for everything.

“I thought you quit smoking.” Jules said, taking a long inhale of smoke.

Nico shrugged, uncommitted. “I do on special occasions.”

Jules raised an eyebrow. “And this is a special occasion? Returning to school?”

Nico flashed him a wide grin, “Is it if you’re returning to school with a brand new boyfriend.”

Jules lifted his nose, the perfect picture of nonchalance. “Why, how should I have known? I was under the impression you’d been dating for months.”

Nico kept his wide grin in place, hopping up on the hood of the car. Jules would definitely scoff at his action, and probably eye him in annoyance, but wouldn’t tell him to get off.

“Get off my car.” Jules scowled, proving him wrong for the millionth time.

“Beatrice loves it.” Nico told him, taking another breath of smoke, Jules only glared in response.

Nico sighed but did as told, still balancing a burning cigarette between his fingers. He gave Jules-Albert an evil look.

“We’re gonna fuck.” Nico informed the other man gleefully after a moment, because it was always fun to see that red vein pop out of his forehead. Nico was the only one who seemed to actually manage its appearance, and he was kinda proud of that fact.

“Not in my backseat, I hope.” Jules only responded stiffly.

Nico shrugged with a low smirk shot in the other man’s direction. “Who knows. Put on a little Barry Manilow, lower the seats a bit. We could make it work. It’s what, twenty, twenty-five minutes to the airport?” He flashed a grin, “Totally do-able.”

Nico cackled with laughter at the disdain painted on Jules-Albert’s face.

Jules shook his head, ignoring his laughter in favor of his next question.

“Do you believe you will ever inform Sir Hades and Mistress Persephone of the ongoings of this holiday?”

Nico took another drag, mostly just to consider the question. “Maybe one day, if Will and I do make a good run of it.” He smiled slightly, looking towards the house where Will was still hugging goodbye to his parents. Hazel, at least, was acting civilized in comparison to Hades and Persephone’s matching waterworks show. But that could always have more to do with the fact that she would be returning to their university in the few days, therefore having closer contact to both him and Will. Her grin was knowing, her eyes dancing, as she glanced behind Will’s shoulder to eye Nico leaning against the limo.

Nico waved at her just as Will was turning from his family, a faint smile on his face. It dropped almost immediately at the sight of Nico, and he stomped over with a now faint scowl.

He rolled his eyes, plucking the cigarette from Nico’s fingers and stomping on it. “I’m not dating a smoker.” He told Nico, crossing his arms.

Two weeks ago, that move alone would have had Nico all up in arms, ready to bicker and fight about the simple sentence and action.  

Instead, Nico blew out the last puff of smoke from his lungs, threw the pack in Jules-Albert’s waiting direction, and grinned. “No problem, babe.”

Will rolled his eyes a second time, more playful this time. “Don’t call me babe. And I’m not making out with you if you taste like cancer sticks.”

Jules-Albert was already passing along a pack of gum – peppermint, his favorite – and rolled his eyes at Nico’s thankful wink.

Nico popped the gum in, holding the door open for the other boy. “Ready to go, sweetums?”

Will, already rolling his eyes at the nickname, slid in the backseat as Jules-Albert readied himself in the driver's seat.

Nico threw himself in after the other boy, bouncing on the plush leather a bit as he did so. Nico laid his head on Will’s thigh, spreading out comfortably, before smirking up at the other boy.

“We’ve got twenty minutes to devirginize Beatrice’s backseat, and I’ve been dreaming about this moment since Senior Prom.”

Will wrinkled his nose but didn’t bat away Nico’s hand as it slide down his waist.

“Bye Jules!” Nico sang out, sliding the privacy divider close, already crackling with laughter. Jules shot him a quick glare before it shut completely, starting up the vehicle as he did so.

Will scoffed beside him. “I’m not having sex with you while the chauffeur you’ve known since you were ten sits half a foot away.”

“Oh, I know,” Nico flashed him a grin, “But he doesn’t know that.”

Will cracked a grin at that, “You’re horrible.”

“Up for one more acting exercise?” Nico cocked an eyebrow. He held up a fist, knocking it into the ground and let out a high, strangled sounding, “ Will!”

Will laughed, covering his grinning cheeks with one hand. He played along, stomping his feet down and moaning out Nico’s name, unable to keep the smile out of his words.

When they finally emerged from the limo, red-cheeked and heaving for an entirely different reason then what Jules was thinking, they were holding hands.

And Jules was glaring at them both.

Nice.

- Epilogue -

“Will you hurry up?

“Will you learn some patience?”

“I wouldn’t have to if you hadn’t taken a literal hour to get ready.”

“ You’re the one who woke up late.”

“It’s not late if I planned it.”

“You woke up twenty minutes before we were suppose to leave.”

Nico clicked his tongue, “And guess who looks fucking great after twenty minutes?”

They arrived at the front step, Jules-Albert grinning lowly as he came up behind them, their bags in his arms.

They shared a quick look of annoyance before the door before them was swinging open, cutting both of them off before either could start another round of bickering.

“My boys!” Hades boomed, throwing his arms around both of their shoulders. “My family!”

“You’recrushingus,” Nico immediately gasped out, squirming under his father’s tight grip. Will - gripping a heavy glass dish in his front two hands - had no such luck.

“Persephone!” Hades was yelling, almost directly into Nico’s ear, “Persephone, they’re here!”

In the next room, Nico heard a small crash, and hurried footsteps. Over Hades’s shoulder, he could barely see Persephone rushing into the room, smiling brightly at all of them.

Thankfully, Hades released them as his wife came into the room, but his gaze hardly left their faces - only briefly, in the quick moment it took to bounce back and forth between the other.

“Will, we’re so happy to see you.” Persephone took the casserole dish from his hands, putting it to the side, before gathering the blond boy up in her arms. Hades jumped forward to wrap his arms around his wife, cocooning Will in between them.

Nico breathed out a noise of not-really there frustration, sharing an eyeroll with Jules-Albert before the other man disappeared back to the garages. “I’m here too, ya know.” He told his father, teasing evident in his tone.

“Ah, yes, our other son.” Hades sniffed as he pulled away, “Sometimes I worry if you even remember I’m around at all.”

Nico gave him a playful look, “Hades, I call once a week, and we text constantly. What more could you want?”

Hades enveloped him in a tight huge, his feet coming clean off the ground, and sighed into his son’s hair. “Keep up our Snapchat streak, perhaps. I do grow desolate after weeks and weeks of not seeing my children’s faces, you know this.” Hades rested his chin on Nico’s head, probably still loving he could do that to his son. “Hazel and I are nearly at three hundred days, you know.”

Nico wrinkled his nose in protest, jerking his head away to glare up at his father. “You know Snapchat erased our streak!”

“You know, Will calls once twice a week. Sundays and Wednesdays.” Persephone informed him as he spun to give the other boy a look of betrayal. Will just shrugged, unashamed. “He keeps us updated on you. How’s your flu?”

“I hate you.” He hissed at the other boy, turning towards Persephone. “And I’m fine. I was hardly sick.”

“You were throwing up,” Will inspected his nails, “I skipped class to nurse you back to health. And after all that, you weren’t even sick?” The other boy sniffed, “I feel lied to, honestly.”

Nico let out a deep sigh, “I hate you.” He informed the other boy, his head hanging. “I really, honestly do.”

Will gave him an amused grin, “Right back at you, sweetheart.”

The two adults - supposed, anyways - only turned to each other to let out a small aww together. Before Nico could sigh out some remark - something he was already predicting a lot of this weekend - a high voice was interrupting them, too close for comfort.

“Nico!”

Nico barely had a moment to tense before Hazel threw herself directly onto his back, squeezing much, much too tight around his shoulders. “Will! You guys are finally here!”

Nico bit back his groan at Hazel’s weight hitting his back, instead grunting out a rough, “Hey, Hazel.”

“We’ve been waiting all day for you guys!” She squeezed him tight for a moment longer before hopping off his back, grinning widely, despite them seeing each other less than three days ago, over lunch.

And that still wasn’t enough for her, apparently, as she draped herself over Nico’s shoulders, grinning brightly. “C’mon! Hades bought at least, like, twenty-three of those cheap egg dying sets. We’ve got work to do, and I’m not losing to Jason, Piper, and Leo this year. ”

She turned to glare at the other side of the room, and Nico followed her intense gaze with an amused grin.

From their place across the room, Jason was beaming at them from his place at the counter, despite having seen Nico less than 24 hours ago. Piper was at his side doodling with a white crayon on one of the eggs spread out before her, and Leo was crackling happy over the stove of boiling water. The usual.

Hazel leaned over to coo over Frank’s small pile of already painted eggs - an assortment of little farm animal faces smiling up at them.

“More crafts,”  Will breathed out next to him, “great.”

“It’s more of a competition, actually.” Hazel chimed in, giving them both an intense look. “And we’re not l osing.”

“And competition,” Nico added on with a grin, “I know how much you love our traditions, dear.”

“So much,” Will told him lowly, a tight smile on his face. “I am...so good. At crafts.”

“We also picked up some chocolate eggs,” Hazel grinned widely, a bit of evil in the action. “We’re gonna see who can eat the most in five minutes.”

“That’s….so much sugar,” Will’s voice was a near whimper.

“I’m so ready for this,” Nico told them all with a wild grin, Will near faint at his side.

Nico grinned at him for another moment, enjoying teasing the other boy. Finally, he gave in.

Nico clasped his hand on Will’s shoulder, a smile tugging at the ends of his mouth. After one more moment, he gave pity on the other boy. “Let’s go put our bags away and rest a moment, okay?”

Will nodded slowly, probably already envisioning the small pyramid of sugar Nico was planning on ingesting this weekend.

Gods, did Nico love the holidays.

Nico lead them up the stairs - stopping very briefly in the front entrance to grab their bags - smiling and laughing under his breath the entire time. After the small climbing the small staircase, he finally pulled the other boy into his room, their luggage weighing them down.

Nico dropped his duffel with a sigh, rubbing at his sore shoulder. Will, without any reservations, brushed past him to throw his own bag on his side of the room, relief evident on his face.

Will paused at the window, his fingertips coming up to just barely graze at the clear surface.

He turned to Nico, a half-grin in his voice, and smiled with memory.

“Remember the last time we were doing this? Getting ready for a holiday with your family?”

Nico allowed himself a small smile at that, “Like I’d forget. Freaking out and pretending the entire time I wasn’t already half in love with you, just because you yelled at me in a cafe.”

“Really?” Will cocked his head to the side, smiling. “That’s what did it?”

Nico shrugged, “All I’m saying is that it didn’t help my whole don’t-fall-in-love-with-your-fake-boyfriend cause.”

Will clicked his tongue, walking over so he was close enough to wind his wrists around Nico’s waist, smiling gently. “I’ll have to remember that, that coffeeshop fights are really what gets you going.”  

“I mean, everything else -” he gestured towards the entirely of Will, “didn’t help either.”

“Aw,” Will teased, leaning down so his breath could fan over Nico’s lips. On instinct, Nico’s eyes fluttered shut. “You sure know how to make a guy feel special.”

Nico opened his eyes, a small grin in place. “C’mon special guy ,” he leaned in for a quick peck, his hand drifting down to Will’s wrist. “Hazel is probably waiting so we can get the egg dying started.”

Will groaned, leaning to bury his face into Nico’s neck. When he spoke, his voice was muffled, “I’m going to be so bad at this.”

Nico smiled, his hand coming up to entangle in Will’s hair. “Yeah, probably.”

Will sighed, and Nico had to bite down the shiver that came with the other boy’s hot breath fanning over his neck.

“At least it’ll be funny,” Nico pointed out unhelpfully.

“I hate you,” Will muttered against his skin, pressing his lips into a quick, dry kiss to Nico’s neck before pulling away.

“You too, babe.” Nico smiled, leading the other boy down the staircase, his grip on the other boy’s wrist loose.

By the time they arrived back downstairs, Hazel and Persephone had returned back into the kitchen and dining room with the rest of their guests leaving on Hades lingering in the parlor, a glass of dark wine cradled in one hand.

“Getting settled back into your room?” His father gave them both a fond smile, “It’s always nice to have you home, dears.”

Nico gave him a rare, fond smile and leaned against the couch, pulling away from Will for a moment. “Thanks, dad. We’re happy to be back, too.”

“The Easter decor is absolutely beautiful,” Will added on, “We passed the topiary in the front gardens as we came in and it’s magnificent.”

Nico had to force down an eyeroll as Hades beamed and nodded enthusiastically. “Jules-Albert suggested that perhaps the trimmings of several five-feet rabbits in preparation of the holiday was a bit much, but I knew my guests would find the beauty in it.” Hades sighed happily, “And it seems I was right.”

“The duck one was nice as well,” Will added, charming in every aspect. “I liked the detail of the Easter egg basket in its beak, it was very cute.”

“That was Persephone’s idea!” He exclaimed, happily. He sighed once more. “Oh, you’re going to love the summer holidays, William. We really do go all out for those.” Hades shot them both a charming grin, “I think perhaps the Vegas estate, or our California property would be more suitable for our celebrations this year.” He lit up for a moment, “Oh, Nico - just imagine the Los Angeles property all readied up for guests - actually, I should call about that soon…”

Nico bit his lip at the statement, feeling a bit uneasy - he and Will had discussed this a bit beforehand. Hades and Persephone would be requiring months advance notice if they wanted to keep the waterworks to a low flood, after all.

He met Will’s anxious gaze, a quick fleeting action, before turning to give his full attention to his father.

“Actually…” Nico took a moment to clear this throat, “we were thinking of spending the next holiday with Will’s sisters.”

There was a moment of stillness - Hades as he processed this, Nico as he bite at his lip nervously, Will tense with nerves. As quick as it has started - only a second, maybe less - Hades was jumping out of his chair, suddenly ecstatic.

“Persephone!” Hades was, strangely, beaming, throwing his hands into the air with excitement. With a high voice, he exclaimed words that only had Nico freezing in spot. “Persephone, the Solace sisters is coming for Fourth of July!”

“Wait, no - ” Nico tried to cut him off, standing and waving his hands at his father. Will stood with him and, desperately, Nico looked to him for support but -

But Will was grinning manically, and it was like his face was lighting up with Hades’s words. “Wait, yes.”

Persephone burst into the room, her eyes wild. “The Solace family is coming for the holidays?”

“No,” Nico hissed.

“Yes!” Will agreed.

They shared a look with the other - mostly glare on Nico’s part, mostly beaming excitement from the other. Persephone and Hades were already huddled together, their hands squeezing at each other’s.

“We only have three months to plan!” They seemed to be heartbroken with that fact. “Will we even have enough time to book the helicopter? Oh gods, you know Demeter’s catering service books up months in advance.”

“Helicopter?” Will repeated, only to be ignored by the entirety of Nico’s family. Good.

“Will,” Nico hissed through clenched teeth, “You know this cannot happen.”

“C’mon,” Will gave him a grin that he absolutely knew Nico was weak for. Nico locked his knees together, and only crossed his arms at it as Will continued, “Can you imagine? Your parents, my sisters -” he snorted, but continued. “Our families, it’ll be amazing.”

Nico was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, it was like ice vocalized. “We have a party on Fourth of July.” He looked up to Will, and his eyes matched his voice. “A party. With everyone.”

“Oh god,” Will realized, “This is going to be amazing.”

“This cannot happen.” Nico tried to emphasize, “Horrible, horrible things will happen.” He looked up in realization, his voice filled with horror. “Oh gods. They’re gonna meet Hazel. And Piper. And -” Nico took a steadying breath, “Reyna.”

“This is going to be best day of my life,” Will declared seriously, looking deeply into Nico’s eyes, “Oh my gods, seriously, this is going to be amazing.” He settled his hands on Nico’s shoulders, looking straight into Nico’s eyes. “Babe. Just consider it - this has the potential to be the best thing in the world.”

“The Stolls will be there,” Nico pointed out, a bit desperate. “They’re already planning this year’s prank, Mitchell told me.”

“My sister’s will destroy the Stolls,” Will told him seriously, “Neeks, just - imagine.”

Nico sighed, his eyes flickering back up to the other boy. “We’ll….” his voice drifted off, “We’ll about this later.”

Will’s face broke out into a wide grin, nearly beaming with the force of it. If his hands weren’t currently wrapped about Nico himself, he most definitely would have fist-bumped. Instead, he settled with his grin, and pulled the other boy in close.

He leaned in, pressing his dry lips to Nico’s forehead. “Happy Easter, dear.”

Even after all these months, Nico blushed and sputtered.

And, in the background, Hades and Persephone only sighed and beamed, their hands clasped together. They were, as usual, ridiculous.

Hazel was yelling from inside the kitchen, where Allegra was probably frowning and glaring at anyone attempting to make a mess in her kitchen. There was a chorus of laughter - Jason, he could tell, and Piper’s high bark of a laugh, with Leo’s low crackle following.

Nico smiled slightly, letting go of the argument that Will was almost certain to win, and let his hand falling into Will’s easily. He pulled the other boy along into the kitchen, where their friends were waiting.

Frank looked up with a beam as they entered, already setting aside a kit for both of them, and Nico held up a hand in greeting. Hazel waved from her spot perched on the counter, Leo seated close next to her, and Piper and Jason were too busy huddled together over a small bowl of dye to notice them walking in, the two of them being much, much too focused on the competition before them.

At his side, Will squeezed his hand briefly, and shot Nico a small, content smile.

They were ridiculous, all of them.

Notes: 

AND THAT'S IT FOLKS

also what.....im not crying.....you're crying...........

will does end up drinking a slushie one day. i feel like nico bought him one during a particularly intense study secession and he spite drank the entire 40oz thing in like, ten minutes and then spent the next day throwing up orange syrup

sigh omg. it's over! thank you so much for everyone who's been reading since i posted chapter one, or who's just binge read the entire fic. i would have abandoned this fic 5 times over without y'all's wonderful support

#solangelo #nico di angelo #will solace #rental love #fic #my fic #rosy writes #holiday fic #fake boyfriends au #fake relationship #heroes of olympus #trials of apollo #Percy Jackon and the Olympians #FINISHED