A/N: New story, which I had to publish for some sort of reason. I'm aiming for around four chapters, one which will DEFINITELY contain a superhero theme. (Maybe I'm watching too much Marvel?) If there are any embarrassing/glaring mistakes throughout this story, apologies.

'That's just how life is - filled with mistakes. It's unavoidable.'

- 1st day of Autumn, 09/16 | k. c. scott

SUMMARY: In which Nico di Angelo makes references and hidden meanings. Probable contradictions. AU. Rating - T

SONG: In The End / Linkin Park


Chapter 1

"Time is a valuable thing"


Nico couldn't sleep, which was normal. The nightmares he had were, perhaps, quite unrealistic - consisting of an ax-murderer chasing him - but it was his own fault for watching horror movies. You could guess how many times it will take to convince that it wasn't real, but sometimes the reality escaped from you.

Rolling to his side, he watched his boyfriend, Will, sleep soundly. His lips curved into a smile. Will Solace: optimistic, friendly, and handsome. Blond hair that would turn golden in the sun, and blue eyes that sparkled from excitement. Nico was lucky, which he took for granted.

"I'm just going to grab a glass of milk," Nico whispered. Will mumbled something, but was still in a dream world.

Moving out of the bed, the brunet padded his feet over the hardwood floor. Although he wanted a carpet, it was fine to feel the cool ground and become alert. Aware of the surroundings, texture, colour, and sound. His senses adjusted to the dim lighting, and quietness that came from the night.

The house was nearly fifty years old, with (so far) three months of it spent with Will and Nico. The previous occupants had moved to South Carolina; which was far from New York, Brooklyn, so it was a stroke of luck when Will found the desperate family wanting to get rid of the two-level house. A thing Nico liked about the location was mainly room for nature. Being right in the mainstream of New York was too much with noise and rush hours.

A tall, sturdy pine tree stood behind the house, with many branches. Although Nico was too old to climb trees - well, surely being twenty-two years was old for such a thing? - he sometimes imagined seeing the view and looking out at the world in front of him. At nighttime he especially wondered what it will look: the starry sky, whispering air, and city lights flooding far away so they looked like tiny, glowing dots.

Momentarily in his daze, he snapped out of it, going down the stairs. They creaked, but if Nico shifted some weight on the railway, and was light on his feet, there was not much sound.

Opening the refrigerator, he sighed when he realised that there was no more milk. Right; his friend Reyna who lived in the city borrowed it for cooking.

Deciding on pomegranate juice, which was a strange yet acquiring flavour for him, Nico poured it in a cup halfway and sipped. The flavour was bittersweet, and maybe that's why there was a liking to it.


The next morning, Will was off to work. Planning to become a doctor, the blond already had a bachelor's degree, and was now attending four years in med-school. Although that meant many tired, dreary days, that was Will's place. Assisting and healing was what he did best; what he wanted to do. He was selfless, which was admirable but sometimes frustrating. He kissed Nico before going out the doors, which was a routine. Nico once had a cup of coffee waiting for him, just as a test. But instead of staying and drinking, he always stick with a brief peck on the cheek and went out.

"Ti amo," Nico said softly. There was never a reply. The fact was, he did love Will. But it was more of a relationship that was far too platonic and relying.

Their needing of sexual desires were around eighteen, the first time they did it, but intercourse was less frequent over the years. It was almost as if Will turned into a robot with three objectives: eat, sleep, work. And maybe Nico was greedy. Making love was not on his top list for a husband, but being good in bed was. Frankly, he was a very romantic person, having erotic visions of sex when in reality were messy and sometimes loud.

Thoughtfully, he pulled on his jacket, and left the house. He will always be there for his boyfriend, supporting and waiting. There was a thing of giving up, but not just yet. Like trees, they won't go unless unrooted, or burned. It was the matter of how far you will go. Sometimes you needed to grow up and know that time doesn't do anything for you.