Nico couldn't clear his mind. His thoughts constantly roaming from memories of Bianca, to the million assignments he just couldn't be bothered finishing. A half-finished cup of coffee sat in front of him getting colder by the minute. Outside the changing of seasons from fall to winter evident by the frost. He lived alone in a small apartment on the upper-east side. Rarely did he meet up with his friends, Percy, Annabeth, Piper and Jason often with the excuse of being snowed under with schoolwork. He preferred his isolation. The only person he allowed to come to his apartment was Hazel, his half-sister.

Feeling rather bored and knowing he should get out he packed up his laptop and headed out to the small café just around the corner. They knew him well there and as soon as he popped himself down in the booth in the far corner a cup of coffee they way he liked it was placed in front of him. He looked up to offer a small thanks to his usual waitress Rose, a lady in her 50s who knew everyone and everything. Instead he found himself looking into the bright blue eyes of a stranger.

Taken aback he offered a nod and a mumble of a thanks before setting up his latest project, a novel for his English literature course at university. He'd been stuck on the main character for ages, not inspired by anything. He knew what sort of character he wanted but just couldn't put words to paper. Taking a sip of his coffee, putting in his headphones and settling deep into the booth he began to write.

"His deep blue eyes, striking yet soft couldn't look away from the girl in front of him…"

Getting lost in the story, manipulating it to his liking, he didn't notice the sun slipping away beneath the horizon. The music in his ears never-ending and inspiring him to write about betrayals, love, romance, heartbreak. Multiple cups of coffee had come and gone all by the stranger. Each time Nico noticed a new feature, tanned skin, sun-bleached blonde hair, broad shoulders, tall, freckles, toned body. They never spoke to each other aside from the acknowledging glances. Checking the time, he was surprised to see it way past closing time.

Packing up and making his way out the door, he asked the waiter who served him all day, "Why didn't you kick me out when the café closed?"

"You looked pretty wrapped up in what you were doing and Rose said not to disturb you when you were in a good mood."

"She knows me well, maybe a little too well," He let out a little chuckle at that. Calling out a goodnight to Rose in the kitchen he left. Wrapping his coat around him to try and block out the freezing cold wind he made his way back to his apartment in silence. Putting his stuff down he realized just how messy his place was. Clothes strewn everywhere, all black with nothing lighter than a grey. His busted up couch served as his laundry and only half was visible. His kitchen was covered in dirty mugs and plates he didn't have the motivation to wash and his desk had books piled up in an organisation system only he could understand.

Telling himself he would get onto it tomorrow he went and crashed on his bed for the night, noting that his bedroom would need some work too.

The next morning the sun coming through his window woke Nico up. Begrudgingly making his was out of bed and into the shower he couldn't help but think of his friends. He chose not to hang out with them as often as they wanted him too because since he met them at high school he'd had the most embarrassing crush on Percy. He hadn't come out yet because not only was he afraid of their reactions and feared the ridicule he would most likely get from them, he didn't know how to tell them, because in a casual conversation he could totally just go "Hey guys, yeah, so guess what? I'm gay. Surprise!" instead he just let it come in its own time.

The only person who knew was Hazel. Since Bianca passed away when he was young, Hazel had become his confidant. It took time but slowly he let her into his life. He trusted her not to tell anyone his secret but it felt good knowing someone didn't hate him because he liked guys. Leaving his thoughts on Hazel, one of the good things in his life he left the bathroom and got dressed in his normal black jeans, black Metallica tee and black leather jacket.

He set to work spending the morning trying his best to tidy his apartment, wondering to himself how such a small space could get so dirty. Finally when his place actually resembled a house he picked up his stuff and left to work on his novel at the café.

Sitting down at his booth he set up his laptop once again giving a small nod of acknowledgement to the waiter and got to work letting his fingers flow over the keyboard, as if they had a mind of their own, the way a pianist would let their fingers fly over the ivories making a sweet melody. He poured his imagination into the world he created.

Every time the waiter came past with a new cup and a smile, Nico would glance up and offer a very rare smile in return. No words were exchanged but they both knew what the other was thinking. The silence during the exchange was comfortable, something Nico didn't experience on a daily basis. Feeling a bit stuck with where to take his novel, he glanced up trying to source some inspiration. He took notice of every small detail. Scanning over the worn red leather of the booths, the clothes of the people coming and going oblivious to the others around them. Poring over the counter and becoming mesmerized by the fluidity of the waiters and waitresses moving in an intricate dance. He found an ounce of his story.

Writing while his mind was ticking out ideas soon took him to a dead end. His mind stopped and just couldn't come up with anything. Looking up to see the waiter coming towards him he felt a bit lost. Before he had been wrapped up in his novel and with a big sign on his forehead saying 'do not disturb', he had an excuse to get out of a social interaction, but this time?

"Uh hey," He offered

"Hi… Mind if I sit?"

"I don't see why you can't," oh shit! What've I done? Nico kept those thoughts to himself trying to keep a small friendly smile on his face. The stranger sat down across from him and Nico finally got a proper look at him and boy was he screwed. This boy was not just good looking he was handsome.

"Umm I didn't really get past this point in my head. I honestly thought youd say no considering the look on your face most of the time." The boy mumbled and was obviously flustered

"What look?"

"It's sort of a cross between grumpy, frustrated and confused…" he trailed off and tried to show him instead. The result caused Nico to let out a genuine laugh, one reserved for very rare occasions. The boy's eyes grew even lighter as a broad smile graced his face. A faint rosy hue brushed its way onto the cheeks of the boy across from him, who also looked down, let out a chuckle and bit his lip most likely out of habit.

"Nico." He extended his pale hand towards the boy who took it and gave a small shake. "Will."

A small tingle traced its way across his palm and tantalizingly made its way up his arm. He let out a little almost undiscernible "oh" and hastily let go of Will's hand. Trying to hide the small blush he felt rising onto his cheeks he dropped his gaze.

"So…" The tension quickly became thick between them. "I guess I'd better get back to my shift."

Nico looked up giving a small smile before Will left. Well done on that shitty performance of a first impression he thought to himself. Realizing pretty quickly he wasn't going to get much else done he packed up and went home. Letting sleep take over he fell into the abyss of the night with one final thought on his mind. 'I'm totally fucked over.'