Author's Note! It has occurred to me that people in other countries probably have no idea what Target is (thank you to the guest who commented about that). It's the second largest American retailing company/supermarket (Walmart is the first largest American retailing company/supermarket). You can find out more about it on Wikipedia and stuff. I tried to put it into the revised summary (please review if the change was effective). Now, onto the story!

At Chuck's birthday party (which was surprisingly ok), Nico had spent most of his time talking with Will and carrying the birthday boy around. It was astonishing that he was actually socializing with another human being at a party of all places with a guy which he was somewhat infatuated with. They discussed a lot of different topics, including the legalization of gay marriage in all fifty states. Their conversation went a little like this:

"Oh, dude did you hear about same-sex marriage is now legal in the US?" Will asked. His eyes shone with happiness and what looked like a hint of anticipation.

"Yeah…" Nico said nervously. "LGBT for the win!" He added just for the heck of it.

"Hell yeah!" Will shouted passionately. Heads turned and stared at the pair. Nico heard Leo snickering from the window. He just wanted to shrink into oblivion where no one could see him. Will on the other hand, just waved at the people and said, "Uh, sorry. You can go back to talking now."

With a sigh of relief, Will turned back to Nico and apologized. "Heh, sorry. I didn't mean to sound so enthusiastic."

Nico slumped into his chair as the gentle hum of party conversations grew. "It's ok."

Will formed a plan which he thought was ingenious. "It's just that…" he paused for effect, "I'm… you know- gay." Bam! He dropped the bomb. Will felt so clever. It was now or never. He kept his act up by look shy and letting his blush rise to his cheeks.

"Cool."

Will felt deflated. Cool? COOL? That's all he could say? He spent so much time pining for Nico- it was - he was- ughhhhh. Will felt so stupid. He shouldn't have gotten his hopes up. He shouldn't have expected anything. Just because a boy wears skinny jeans doesn't mean that he's gay. Will's overwhelming emotions of sadness, regret, and anger came up in a bubble, rising from the pits of his stomach, and almost popped until-

"Me too."

Wait, whut? It was barely a whisper, but Will heard it. And by the looks of it, Nico knew he heard it too. His face was red, and Nico stared at the ground, eyes wide.

For Nico, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off his chest. He instantly regretted it. Thousands of questions poked Nico's insides, making him even more insecure than he already was. Stupid Nico. Why did he blurt it out so easily? It took him years to confess to Percy and months to just walk out the closet to his family and friends. Why did it come out so easily with Will?

Without knowing what he was doing, Will cupped Nico's cheeks in his hands and tilted his face to look at him. For a second Nico thought Will would kiss him, and he freaked out, but Will just smiled at him and said, "Well that makes two of us."

Realizing what he was doing, Will dropped his hands to his side and started blushing furiously. Nico just mumbled that he needed a bathroom break and left.

By the time he came back, they both looked at each other with a totally different light, examining the possibilities and potentials of the other. By the end of the party, they exchanged numbers.

For the past few months or so, it's been a habit of Nico's to stop by Target regularly on either Monday, Thursday, or Friday ever since the first few encounters he's had with Will (especially after what happened at the birthday party. Thank goodness for that). He makes sure that he changes up the patterns of the days (for example he won't go on Mondays two weeks in a row, or go in a repeated sequence) so the visits would look more random and less planned.

In fact, they've bonded over his weekly visits ( although Nico tries his best to make his little shopping excursions seem random, Will always expects him to come) so much, that they would both consider each other a friend (much to Nico's disappointment), not close friends, but friends nonetheless. This was proven in his latest shopping trip.

It just so happened to be the second week of summer (2 and a half months since his first little confrontation with Will). They'd only been out of school for two weeks. Two very, very long weeks. And in these two weeks, Nico had been dying of boredom. The only highlight of his week was Will of course, and whenever Jason or someone would drop by his house and drag him around town to make sure he was alive.

For example, on Tuesday, Piper and Annabeth came by to pick Nico up for an outing at the mall. Ever since he came out (Piper knew all along) she had asked him for fashion tips. A horrible idea really, as if all gays were magically bestowed with perfect fashion gifts. Of course, she was way better at choosing clothes and stuff, but if she asked his opinion, Piper knew she could trust him. At least he was more helpful than her boyfriend.

Or, yesterday, Thursday, Hazel talked him into going to Frank's archery competition. Sure the shots were impressive, and there was an exceptional variety of delicious snacks, but it was hot and sunny and Nico was practically dying under his shady umbrella. Although Nico would never admit it, he was glad Hazel and Frank were together. He wouldn't have wanted any other person for his sister.

Other than those unexpected expeditions into the outside world, Nico barely left his home this week. He was bored out of his mind.

His father, Hades (often called Pluto in other countries), was the owner of over 5,000 major funeral homes worldwide. He and Nico's stepmom were often out traveling leaving only Hazel and him to take care of the house (which was more of a mansion). And since Hazel was out 50% of the time, and Nico was the responsible older brother, it was up to him to do all the chores and forage for food.

This particular week though, Nico had run out of his supply of food. Lucky for him and his efficient cleaning methods, he could use the rest of the day for his errand run.

As he got to Target, Nico made a short list in his mind. It didn't take too long, but he wanted to be prepared.

He wrestled with a stubborn, squeaky cart for a few seconds before giving up and choosing a different one.

Nico made his way around, going aisle per aisle, getting what he absolutely needed and speculating the rest. He got everything from shampoo and bodywash to nightlights and kitten litter.

This entire time, however, Will had been watching Nico from afar. He was going to help him out ever since he saw him enter and struggle with the carts, but Will was a curious person, and for once, he observed quietly rather than go up and talk to him. It was kind of stalker-ish, but Will honestly just wanted to know more about him, especially since he was harboring a more or less crush on him. Nico, despite the fact that he was completely oblivious to Will's crush on him, noticed the sunny boy's presence right away. Will's spying skills weren't exactly subtle, so Nico just let him be.

In the pet aisle though, Will was intrigued by the fact that Nico owned a cat. In hopes to surprise and possibly scare him, Will sneaked up behind Nico and asked, "I didn't know you have a cat."

Nico knew all along (when he heard Will's footsteps come closer, it took all his might to keep his blush down and lock it in a safe) that Will was behind him, so he acted like it was nothing. He wouldn't give him the satisfaction of winning.

"I don't have a cat. There's just this stray kitten that likes to go around my house." Nico replied. He wasn't being sarcastic. There actually was a slinky black cat that lurked around his window, and Nico had become quite fond of it. He'd named is Bastet, after the Egyptian cat goddess.

"Oh." Will blinked, surprised that Nico wasn't surprised. Nico, on the other hand, rejoiced silently. It was now an unspoken game to get the other flustered. Nico was winning.

Will backed away and Nico turned around. "I didn't take you as a cat person."

"And why is that, Solace?"

"It's because," Will faltered. He needed a good comeback. "Uh because," Will got an idea. He started to sing, "Because you are so beautiful!"

It was so absurd Nico started to laugh. "Oh my gods, Will. You're ridiculous!" He giggled and shook his head, trying to stop.

"Hey! That was a perfect impression of Boq from Wicked! (AN: For non-musical-nerds, Boq is a munchkin boy from the musical, Wicked. The line 'because you are so beautiful' came from the song Dancing Through Life {listen to it…}. Anyway, carry on with your reading) I am an aspiring thespian, thank you very much." Will shot him a look. "At least it got you to laugh!"

"Yes, but only because you sounded horrible." Nico snorted.

"Yeah I did. Horrible-y good!"

Nico sighed. "Stop yourself before you get hurt. Don't you have a job to do?"

Will's eyes widened. "Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me. Don't want Lou Ellen getting mad at me again." He took Nico's cart and ran to the check out line.

Nico ran after him. "Solace? Solace! Solace, what are you doing with my stuff!?"

Will looked back for a second to flash him a grin. "Just doing my job, sir."

Nico sighed and looked up to the ceiling as if to ask 'why do I put up with this?'. Because you like him… Nico shut his mind up.

By the time he got there, Will had already finished checking all his stuff out. "Finally! I was waiting for you for eons! Will that be credit or debit?"

"Credit please. Thanks."

"No problem, Nico. Here." Will shoved a Coke bottle in his hand. "Don't worry. It's on me. Have a nice day!"

It wasn't until Nico got into his car and opened the soda when he noticed the Share a Coke label said 'Friend'.

Fourth chapter up! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS AND FAVORITES AND FOLLOWS. The more I read your comments and get notifications saying that someone just followed my story, I feel so honored. It just motivates me even more! Any ideas for the next chapter? I'm just making this up as it goes along. Hope you guys have a great day/week!

-Phantomosolace