Will doesn't particularly like the people who sit around him in his science class. Bryan has called women pigs, Kenna believes that dyslexic kids are diseased, and Richie thinks Will's stuck-up because Will doesn't like talking to them. Will tries very hard not to talk to them.

One day, in the few minutes before class began, Bryan mentioned gay marriage.

"That's disgusting. Why are you even thinking about that? You're disgusting," they reprimanded, unaware that they were probably giving the exact reaction he wanted.

"Dunno, just thought about it," Bryan replied, basking in their horror.

"Well," I said, unable to stop myself, "Why shouldn't it be legal for two guys to get married?"

Their immediately swiveled towards him, glaring. Will coughed, suddenly remembering why he never talked to them.

"What are you, gay?" Kenna sneered.

Will was about to bleat out a weak "no" when Will saw Nico tapping on the door wearing a rare smile that was only reserved for him.

Instantly, Will was filled with a rush of safety and courage. He smiled back at Nico and turned back to Kenna.

"Bi, actually," he replied smoothly, standing up to open the door for him. Immediately, grabbed Nico's shoulders and kissed him on the cheek.

"Back from camp so soon?" He said loudly, then he pulled Nico in for a hug.

Will whispered in Nico's ear, "Just pretend for these jerks." Will felt Nico nod slightly.

"No problem, sunshine," Nico murmured back, and Will thanked the gods that Nico couldn't see his blush.

When they pulled away and looked at Bryan, Kenna, and Richie, they were staring with slightly dazed expressions. Nico threw an arm around Will and glared at them, daring them to say anything. Will knew Nico was a huge dork, but as the child of Hades, he could be very scary when he wanted to be.

Finally, Kenna spoke up, squeaking, "So - so you're gay?"

"Yeah," Nico answered with a smirk. "Gay and taken. Sorry."

Bryan muttered, "So you guys are both fa-"

"We're both what?" Nico growled, eyes flashing. His arm around Will tightens. Will thinks Nico is perhaps the greatest thing that ever happened to him.

Bryan shuddered under Nico's gaze. "Nothing."

Nico smiles. "We're not nothing." He turns to Will with a smile dangerously close to destroying his bad boy reputation. "Together, we're everything."

Will turns red. "Cheeseball," he snorts. His heart is almost jumping out of his chest.

"You love it," Nico shot back.

Will brushed a lock of hair out of Nico's eyes. "Yeah, I do."

This time, it was the Ghost King's turn to blush. Will's heart soared. Maybe there was just a sliver of a chance that Nico liked him back, maybe there was a hope-

"Hey," Nico said suddenly, "you want to ditch this class? Leave these guys behind?"

Will startled and looked at the table of wide eyes and open mouths. He had almost forgotten they were there.

"Yeah," he said with a wide grin. "Yeah, I would."

Nico laughs slightly. "You smile like the sun," he said softly.

Will was surprised. It was spoken so quietly, there was no way any of the others heard it. There was no reason to say it, unless - Will grabs Nico's hand and runs out the door with him.

"You did great, pretending to be in love with me," Will said once they were at the school gates.

Nico shrugged. "I have a lot of practice," he said to the ground.

"Well, at least you're never going to have to do that again."

"It wasn't such a big deal, I mean, I really liked some parts of it-"

Will kissed Nico, and he thinks his brain melts.

They break away, and Nico is smiling helplessly.

"I think we should date for real," Will said, hopefully sounding more confident than he felt.

This time, Nico kissed Will.