"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us."-Helen Keller

Two weeks went by, and Nico finally got to live the day he had always wanted for Will. When all the feeling came back to his legs, Will set up a date to go to a wedding reception at his aunt's venue hall. Nico had immediately agreed. There was no way he could ever pass up this chance, even though he didn't want to rush it. Once it was over, it would never happen again. Once this deal was gone, he'd go to Hell and leave Will behind. He wasn't so psyched about that, but he couldn't put it off for forever.

While getting ready, he tried to ignore the ache in his legs. It wasn't too bad and he could walk, so he wasn't complaining. He wore the nicest suit he could find and the dancing shoes that Will had got him. Did he know how to dance? Nope, but Will would teach him. Even if they stumbled around the dance floor, everything would be alright.

The drive there was full of silent ecstasy. They didn't talk and didn't need to. Nico could tell how excited Will was and the happiness that shone from his smile. Will kept glancing at Nico like Nico himself was a miracle, and Nico would continue to let him believe that. Love was a miracle, so Nico could be one. He was full to the brim with love.

When they got there, the party had already started. Cars filled most parking spaces and music pulsated through the ground. Will didn't have to help Nico out of the car this time but did anyways, and Nico gladly took that help.

Was it just him or was the pain getting worse? Again, he ignored it, hoping it would go away. But he didn't pray. Was he allowed to pray anymore?

"Okay, you ready?" Will dragged him to the edge of the dance floor as soon as they entered the doors. "I'll lead you. Just follow my lead and everything will be okay."

Nico nodded at him before kissing his cheek. "I love you, Will."

Will smiled at him. "You know I love you, too, Sunshine."

Nico rolled his eyes, not even attempting to hide his smile. "Let's go, Will. This is what we've been waiting for, hm?"

Will nodded, dragging him to the middle of the dance floor. They were surrounded by strangers, but Nico felt comfortable. For some reason, nobody felt like a stranger. He felt like he knew every single person there. He couldn't tell if that was good or bad because Will put his hand on his waist, distracting him.

"Just move with me, okay?" Will instructed, moving Nico's hand to his shoulder. "Have your feet follow mine."

Nico nodded but felt like his brain was drowning. He was really there, standing by Will, getting ready to dance with him. He was going to dance. Him, the cripple, the paraplegic, was going to dance. It felt like a dream come true.

A dream, dreams came true….

Even nightmares.

The breath caught in Nico's throat as Will started to move across the dance floor elegantly, Nico latching onto him. Their bodies moved as one as the music pounded to the rhythm of his heart. Their dance, in Nico's eyes, was beautiful.

Sweat dripped from Will's forehead but his eyes shone as bright as ever. His chest rose and fell as breaths came fast. As he paraded Nico around the dance floor, it emptied out. Soon, they were the only two dancing. Neither boy could care enough to stop and see why, nor did they want to end so quickly. This is what they had been waiting for. Once their first dance was over, they'd never get it again.

Pain started to take the place of happiness in Nico's heart, however. Horrible, agonizing pain ran from his thighs to his toes. It felt like his legs were being crushed and twisted, but they kept him up and dancing. As long as they worked he'd keep going. He'd keep dancing until even William Solace got tired of it.

When the pain almost became unbearable, Nico rested his head on Will's shoulder so he wouldn't see his expressions. If Will saw that he was in pain, this would all be for nothing. This was to make Will happy, not guilty.

Having his head on Will's shoulder allowed him to see the crowd more clearly, however, and it make his blood run cold. Between the horrified faces of the guests, he could see the red eyes of the black silhouettes. They were taunting and cruel, and seemed to be staring right into his eyes. What scared him the most was the fact that the guests were terrified, but they didn't seem aware of the faces (of what Nico assumed to be demons). No, the guests were also staring at him. They were terrified of him. But why? Unless,...

If dreams can come true, so can nightmares.

When the song ended and they continued dancing to the next song, Nico finally found the courage to look down at his legs. Never could he have been prepared for this, or accept it. His heart started to race as he felt trapped in his nightmares, but this wasn't a nightmare. This was reality, this was his life.

Never had he ever been so scared before.

Just like in his nightmares, blood drenched his pants. Nico didn't know where exactly he was bleeding from, but it had to be somewhere on his legs. The blood was dark and clotting, and stained the floor around them. All over the ballroom there was a trail of it, leading to where they were now. The guests were staring at the blood, at his legs, at his still dancing form. They knew and he knew that he couldn't last long while losing that much blood. The only one that didn't know and didn't realize was Will Solace, who was having the time of his life.

The fear disappeared in one thought that slipped into his mind. He should relax, take deep breaths. If he was to die then it'd be okay. He'd die in Will's arms doing exactly what Will loved. He couldn't think of a better death, yet wished he had had more time here on earth. Life was too short, even if it didn't feel like it at some points. Once it was over you could never get it back. No take backs, no returns. Just a one way ticket heading for six feet underground.

The third song━Mozart, Nico believed━was when his legs finally gave out. He fell against Will in a heap of exhaustion and pain, knocking the perfect dance number out of harmony. Will fell back and onto his back, Nico's limp body laying over him.

"Nico…?" Will's voice was full of concern. Nico never got to see the loss of Will's smile, however, as his vision went dark and his consciousness abandoned him.