Nico couldn't understand the feelings inside him. The...he didn't want to say happiness. That was...no, he couldn't be happy, he wouldn't. Not after Bianca died. He didn't deserve happiness.
hap·py
/ˈhapē/
adjective
1.
feeling or showing pleasure or contentment
That was, however, what he could feel inside him bubbling in his chest and in his brain. Happiness...such an odd concept. Happiness was what good people got, what lucky people got. Was he good? Not in the least. He couldn't save anyone. Was he lucky? Sometimes, including when Persephone found him. That may have been his only spark of luck in his whole life. Still, it was there, and it was nice luck. Maybe karma.
Either way, this happiness that started during their date seemed to be eating him alive and wouldn't go away. He began to like it, actually. Maybe he could finally live.
Will Solace, evidently, would not leave his head. Every minute he thought of him, every sleep he saw him. They had only gone on one date and had one drunken night together, but he was something Nico could ever forget. Something he never would want to forget.
About a week after their first date, he decided to change schools closer to Persephone's...his...house. His old school was too far. So he transferred himself and Selena to a school in their district and went on Monday morning.
He didn't expect to see Will Solace in his homeroom.
The blond (whom of which he had memorized all of his features, even the little ones) was sitting in the back of the room with a pencil in his mouth. He was reading from a text book, his blue eyes sparkled and dull. An odd combination, but it seemed to work for him and him only.
Nico checked in with the teacher before going and sitting by Will. He didn't notice, however, obviously studying. Nico watched him for a minute tapping his shoulder gently, whispering. "Didn't think I'd see you here."
Will froze, turning to him slowly. A soft blush escaped onto his cheeks, his eyes wide. He stared at him for a minute like that before frowning. "What are you doing here?"
Nico frowned in confusion. "W-What?"
"You heard me. What are you doing here?" Will asked again, glancing around nervously. "This isn't good...you shouldn't...you shouldn't be here."
Nico frowned deeply, clearing his throat. "Um...I thought...n-never mind. Go back to studying."
Will nodded curtly, looking back at his book immediately. Nico frowned sadly, watching his eyes read back and forth before getting up, raising his hand. "Can I go to the bathroom?"
Once he was safely in a stall, hands shaking so bad he could barely hold his phone, he texted Will one question: why?
Of course, he didn't text back.
Nico stayed in there for awhile, his breaths ragged and short as he tried to stop tears from falling. Tears of what? Will...he could have simply been in a bad mood. Nico was overthinking this...right? Will was probably just crabby from lack of sleep. He was studying in first period, after all.
When Nico finally convinced himself to stop freaking the hell out, he put his phone in his pocket and walked out of the stall, going to one of the mirrors. His eyes weren't puffy, but they had that all too familiar broken look, the look that stopped him from looking in mirrors often. Usually he knew how he got that look, but now...hadn't he been happy just that morning?
love
/ləv/
noun
1.
an intense feeling of deep affection.
verb
2.
feel a deep romantic attachment to (someone).
He wiped his eyes again before checking his phone. When he was absolutely sure Will didn't text back, he gave up on it. Nico sat on the cold ground and let a couple more tears fall.
No, he wouldn't cry. Not over something as stupid as love.
When the bell finally rang, he ran out of the bathroom and to his next class. Thankfully, Will wasn't there.
That was his schedule for the rest of the day: go to class. If Will is there, run.
When the school day was finally over, he basically sprinted from the building in a liquid hot mess of fear and disappointment. He was almost off campus when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned around, about to yell at whoever it was before freezing in place.
Will Solace stood behind him, his face angry but blushing as he tugged on Nico's arm. "Stop and listen to me."
Nico frowned, glaring at him slightly as tears began to form again. "What?"
Will's expression softened. "Nico...don't cry."
"I'm not crying."
"I didn't mean to be mean." Will explained.
"Then what the hell was that this morning?" Nico asked, getting angry. "Don't want to be seen with me or something?"
"No, I don't." Will said. "Because if I was seen with you, as a couple, my parents would definitly kick me out if not hurting me beforehand. Before that happens, I need to find a place to live. So bare with me for a second instead of running off the first chance of things looking complicated. Because this relationship is going to be complicated. You basically have a kid. And we're a gay couple, Nico. We're in America but that doesn't mean anything. We'll always face some sort of troubles for that. People don't accept us, Nico. It's just how it is. But I'm not leaving you, so you don't get to leave me. We're stronger than that. Got it?"
Nico stared at him for a minute, taking it what he said before looking down in guilt. "I'm sorry I acted like that..."
Will let his arm go. "It's fine. I'm sorry I was mean about it. You caught me off guard...why are you going to school here?"
"My old one's too far." Nico explained, scratching the back of his neck before cursing under his breath. "I have to go pick up Selena."
"I'll come with you." Will offered. "We can talk."
Nico nodded slightly, leading him away. "You said your parents would kick you out...you really believe that?"
Will nodded. "Without a doubt."
Nico frowned sadly. "That's too bad...you don't have any other relatives?"
"Nope."
"Then just stay with me." Nico offered, looking at him. He could feel himself blushing, but knew better than to try and hide it. It wasn't worth it.
Will stopped walking. "S-Stay with you?"
Nico nodded. "It's my house."
"B-but..."
"When you're ready to tell you parents, my bed will be waiting." Nico smiled softly. "Which sounds awesome, by the way."
Will blushed darkly but nodded slightly. "I-I'll think about it."
"Good." Nico continued walking again.
"Will you...be there when I tell them?" Will asked softly.
Nico nodded immediately. "Of course...but why?"
"I won't be able to do it by myself." Will explained. "I know that for certain. I'm too weak."
Nico sighed. "You're not weak."
"Wanna bet?"
Nico hit his arm lightly. "I'll go with you, sunshine."
Will smiled softly, nodding. "I should be heading home...homework...I'll text you."
Nico nodded slightly. "Okay."
Will went to walk in the opposite direction, but this time Nico grabbed his arm. "I have a secret."
Will looked at him in confusion.
Nico leaned in and whispered in his ear so no passersby would hear. "I love you."
