Chapter 13: Silver

"We'll never stop them now."

Will chuckled at the tone of Nico's voice—the odd mix of exasperation and fondness. It was cute, in a way, how he fluttered after the children as they giggled and ran ahead up the forest trail, held back only when Will took his hand and let them lead. They wouldn't get too far, Will assured him. Just let them have their fun.

The werewolf shot him a withering look, but not without a touch of warmth. "You just had to go out with them and buy them ice cream, didn't you?" he said with a huff. "You know that I prohibit sugar for a reason."

"What's the problem with a little treat?" Will said. He offered Nico his best smile. "I just figured they deserved something nice after having to deal with us all of these months. Plus, you know, Clare's birthday is coming up in a few days…"

"And I'm sure they'll get all of the sugar they want and more come her birthday party," Nico replied, shaking his head and gifting Will with a smile of his own. He adjusted their hands so he was clasping back, rubbing the pad of his thumb into the back of Will's hand.

Will felt his face heat up. He cleared his throat and looked away, into the trees. It was a clear and beautiful day: not too warm with a pleasant breeze shifting through his hair every few minutes. The air smelled like rain. The birds were chirping and singing and flapping about. Nico's hand was warm—not hot, not sweaty, but a pleasant almost lukewarm heat that just barely registers into the skin. Will was sure his was sweaty or becoming sweaty, but Nico didn't complain. He looked content with holding Will's hand. He had that look on a lot more than Will had thought possible over a short period of time. Nico turned to meet Will's stare, smiled softly, squeezed Will's hand, and nodded. We're fine.

The blond was relieved somewhat of his nervousness, and returned the pressure.

Nico's smile widened minutely and he watched ahead for the children. "Something's on your mind," he guessed.

The circles rubbed into Will's hand calmed him. "Yeah."

The werewolf waited for him to continue, and the silence between them waned in the life of the forest. Aaron and Clara were giggling over their dripping cones, kicking up leaves and skipping down the trail as though there was no darkness or pain in the entire world. Everything was peaceful.

Nico's thumb hadn't ceased its soothing strokes. It was rough like the pads of Ghosty's paws, calloused yet oddly soft and comfortable to Will. It was like Clara's friends all over again. Ghosty's fur had been rough and displeasing to them, but not to Will. Perhaps it was only because Will had never owned any pets. He didn't know how soft fur could be. But he still felt it was significant, his differing feelings, as though that one unique thing tied the chaos together. He turned to Nico again.

"I was wondering about something concerning werewolves."

Nico's ear twitched at his sudden voice, and he glanced over. His dark bangs fell just over his eyes. "And what would that be?"

Will swallowed. "Just, you know, if there were certain things you all do…"

The Italian must have guessed Will's intent just by his flustered tone of voice. His eyes dusted over with warm amusement. "Oh?"

The blond grunted and said nothing else.

Nico smirked. "You didn't elaborate," he accused, no bite in his voice. "How am I to know what you meant? What do werewolves do? Not to mention certain things we do. However am I supposed to take that?"

To keep from further embarrassing himself, Will clamped his mouth shut and glared at Nico. He felt his face heating up despite all attempts to stop it. Exposing him. He knew Nico had seen the red in his cheeks when the werewolf chuckled. He stepped closer to Will, their arms almost touching. Will noted how Nico was half a head shorter than he—and it surprised him. Perhaps he just seemed larger when he was angry, intimidating…

The werewolf butted his forehead against the blond's shoulder. He chuckled again. "You meant how we show affection, did you not?"

The heat in Will's cheeks moved to the tips of his ears, and Nico grinned triumphantly.

"No need to be embarrassed, idiota," he huffed. His smile never wavered. "It's a good enough question. No doubt you have different ideas of affection than I. One thing, perhaps, would be that mouth-to-mouth thing I've seen on the streets."

Will was shocked. "Kissing?"

"That's right. Kissing." Nico looked thoughtful for a moment. "Seems like an odd thing to do. More often than not it would transfer illness, too. What is it that makes it attractive? I mean, I did it for you a couple of times on the forehead and cheek because I figured it would be customary, and you responded well to it, but other than that…"

Will cleared his throat awkwardly. "It's just a common way of showing affection. Usually not in public, though, but a lot of people just don't care about that sort of thing…"

"No propriety, then," Nico said. He hummed. "I suppose you know all about it, though."

"It's been a long time," Will admitted.

"You know it better than I do."

Will scratched the back of his head. "Perhaps a little…"

Nico grinned wider. His eyes travelled to Will's mouth, lingering. "Perhaps I should see what all the fuss is all about," he said in an offhanded manner.

Will made an embarrassing sound in the back of his throat. His eyes went wide.

Nico's smile softened. He shifted topics back to the question Will hadn't been able to finish. "One of our most popular shows of affection is scenting our partners. Nuzzling, rubbing—anything to get our scent onto the other. It's a mark of mates, in a way. No one can deny it. But there's no need for that in a human society, is there? Your noses aren't the keenest."

Will patted his cheek with his free hand, trying desperately to cool them down. He was almost regretting asking. Almost. "No, they're not."

"Sad," Nico said. He sounded sincere. "You and Clara have wonderful, healthy scents. Even more so now than those many months ago when we first met."

Will's gaze flickered over to Nico. He didn't know how to take that statement, let alone respond to it, so he remained silent.

Nico lifted their entwined hands and sniffed his skin. "Healthy," he repeated, stroking Will's fingers with his other hand. "Happy, contented. Not a trace of stress or fear. Discomfort or anger. No illness, no injuries. Except for that little scrape you made while shaving a day ago."

Will blushed. "Can you tell all of that from my scent?"

Nico nodded, eyes still on Will's hand.

"You'd be better off as a doctor than I am!"

The werewolf chuckled and shook his head. "What I have in abilities I lack in everything else. I cannot stand the smell of blood or inner fluids. I also don't know anything about the tools or medicines used in healing. I would be about as helpful as a sack of flour."

Will raised an eyebrow. "You don't like the smell of blood?"

"Hades, no." Nico laughed. "Especially the blood of a partner or a family member. It's unbearable. I do not know how I managed to keep myself by your side when you were bleeding out on the road those months ago. The spilling of blood to werewolves can either lead to the lust for killing or the sickness of watching someone close to you die. There is no in-between."

With a sigh, Nico dropped their hands between them and looked off for the children. They were farther off now, but not in any danger. Their laughter told Will that much. He turned back to Nico. There was a question tugging at the tip of his tongue—insistent, urgent. He decided to go on and say it:

"What was I to you then?"

Nico's eyes snapped back to Will.

Will held his gaze as best he could, fighting the urge to look away. The Italian's gaze was unsettling and unreadable. And it about drove the other man crazy as his eyes bore into Will's for countless minutes.

Finally, Nico's gaze softened. He opened his mouth to reply, hesitated, and his gaze shifted from warm to fierce in an instant. He tilted up his chin and scented the air. His voice came like a harsh whisper, almost drowned out in the songs of the forest and the laughter of the children. "We're not alone."

He dragged his hand out of Will's and made a sound akin to a bark. A high, yelping sound that spoke of his alarm. Immediately, the children's laughter cut off, and the chittering of the wildlife in the forest went dead silent.

After a few moments of smelling the air, he made the sound again. The hairs on the back of Will's neck rose.

The children ran to them, fingers sticky with sugar and eyes wide with fear. Aaron chittered frantically in another language as Clara asked what was going on. Both went to Will and clutched their hands into his shirt, keeping close.

Aaron tilted up his head at another bark from Nico, and he sniffed the air as well. Fear became alarm, and he barked, too. Albeit weaker.

Clara looked from Nico to her father. "What's happening?" she whispered.

Will could only shake his head and turn to Nico, who was staring at one point of the forest. He shifted until he was standing between them and the point he was staring at.

Will watched the spot along with the children, waiting. Holding his breath. Slowly, painstakingly, someone emerged from the shadows. A woman, adorned in furs and a purple-scale cape, stepped out before Nico. On her face was an easy smile as Nico tensed at her arrival.

"You have grown up so much," she spoke then, voice warm but holding authority. She held out her hands, showing she had no other weapons but those. "Could it be you don't recognize me?"

"Reyna," Nico said.

Reyna nodded, still smiling, and lowered her hands. Two wolves, one grey and one blond, came to stand at her sides. "It's been too long, Nico. I haven't had the chance to talk to you in many, many moons."

Nico hadn't relaxed his form, and Reyna seemed to realize this. She glanced away from him to Will and the children, and her gaze cleared.

"No need to fear," Reyna told him. "I am only here to speak to you, not to harm your mate and children."

Finally Nico's voice replied, strained and borderline angry. "What of?"

"I heard your mother and father died some moons ago. You are the Alpha now, correct?"

Nico clenched and unclenched his hands, seeming unsure what to do. "Yes."

Reyna nodded. "Then we must discuss treaty plans before a war starts out. I do not wish for bloodshed, but you remember Octavian?"

Nico growled wordlessly. The wolves at Reyna's sides flattened their ears.

Reyna nodded. "Yes. I see you do. Then you must realize the urgency of this meeting."

Nico glanced back and met Will's gaze. His eyes were dark, unreadable.

"We will not lay a claw on them, I swear on the River between our packs," Reyna said.

That seemed to calm Nico down. He nodded, still looking at Will. "Take them back home, Will," he murmured. "Could you do that?"

Will didn't want to, but he nodded. "When will you return?" he asked as Nico turned back to follow Reyna.

"I would hope to return during the evening. But I may be longer. Don't try to wait for me."

"Babbo," Aaron began.

"No," Nico said immediately, turning to look at his son. "Go with them. They may need you yet."

Aaron clutched Will's shirt tighter. He nodded.

Nico nodded back. He turned back to Reyna. "Let's get this over with then."

Reyna smiled, but the look was strained. "Indeed. Let us take to our original forms and speak a little ways to the north, where the River lies. You will be able to return by twilight, perhaps in time for a late meal."

Nico said nothing as they disappeared into the forest. He looked back once, and Clara waved at him wildly. Will was surprised by her uncharacteristic silence, but felt it was better for that moment. Nico waved back, the gesture small, and left.

~ΨΩΨ~

As Reyna had promised, Nico returned just as the sun was dipping below the horizon. He looked exhausted, beaten, and he flopped down on the couch the first moment he got. Even if that meant his head fell right into Will's lap.

Will yelped at the sudden movement, coaxing a worn chuckle from the werewolf. Nico propped his foot up over the arm of the couch, the other on the floor. "Sorry to surprise you," he mumbled. He even sounded tired. "I just need a few minutes to rest my eyes…"

Aaron and Clara came into the living room as though summoned, and they crawled on Nico to lay themselves down on his chest. They practically rattled with questions, but for now they were silent. Nico's eyes were closed, rings prominent below them, and his chest lifted and eased the children down, over and over. Soothing. Soon, even they were edging towards sleep.

Will looked down at Nico, also buzzing with his own questions. But the look on his face, peaceful with sleep, allowed those questions to slide away for the time being. Will touched his hair, coarse like Ghosty's, and couldn't help but smile.

A few minutes of running his hands through Nico's hair brought Fenwick to the door, whispering about receiving another call from Katherine. Will was tempted to stay, but when Fenwick advised against it—he had skipped out on answering for the last two weeks, and she still had no idea of what to get Clara—Will exhaled and looked down at the sleeping three guiltily.

He tried not to shift Nico too much, but Nico had never been a very deep sleeper. His eyes fluttered open, blurry with sleep, and he yawned. "Where are you going, Will?" he murmured.

Will, unable to help himself again, ran his fingers over Nico's forehead. "I just have to answer a call, is all."

"Is it Katherine?" Nico asked. There was no jealousy in his tone anymore. Just a weary annoyance.

There was no reason for Will to lie, so he told Nico that it was.

Nico grunted and looked down at the children sleeping on his chest. "I'd like to be there with you, but…"

"I know. Don't move." Will chuckled softly. "Go back to sleep, if you can."

"But I'm cold now," he grumbled back. He laid his hand atop Aaron's head, and the boy sighed in his sleep. Will smiled at the show of affection, gave the werewolf a gentle rap on the head, and left him with the children. Nico tugged him back from the hem of his shirt. "Wait. Katherine still doesn't have an idea yet, does she?"

Nico was being vague, but Will understood. He nodded.

The Italian tapped his chin. "She would like something wolf-related, wouldn't she? Recommend something of that nature."

"Sounds good," Will said. He touched Nico's hand, and the other man let it drop back to the couch. "I'll be back in a little while."

Nico grunted, already edging back to sleep.

Will answered Katherine's call with more cheer in his voice than he'd intended. "Is something the matter, William?" she asked, immediately suspicious. "You seem beside yourself. What happened?"

"Nothing happened," Will said a little too hurriedly. "Anyway, you're calling again to ask about Clara, aren't you?"

"Yes. And to ask about you," Katherine said, voice crackling on the other end as she shifted around—perhaps in her kitchen. "Has she told you about anything?"

"She hasn't. But I think I have a good idea about what she might like," Will said. "Something that would remind her of N—of Ghosty. I think she'd love you if you got her a toy or something like it."

"Ghosty. You mean that wolf you have as a pet?"

"A friend and companion," Will corrected. "But yes. Can you scrounge up anything in that time? It's only a few more days before her party."

"I think I can manage. I already got her a little something, so this might help out with that. Thank you, William."

"My pleasure," Will replied.

Katherine switched subjects: "Now, back to you."

Will frowned and waited.

"I know that you have work and everything, but have you done anything for Clara?"

"We went out today and got some ice cream and took a walk in the forest," Will replied. "She seemed to enjoy herself. She says she loves the spring air."

"I see." Katherine sounded relieved. "Good. What about yourself? Have you tried finding someone?"

Will was honestly tired of that conversation—it came up every single call—but now he was about ready to chuckle from the irony. If only you knew. Instead of saying that, he just said "If I've found someone by then, then I'll bring them to the party. You can stop asking about that now. Perhaps a single life is what I want right now."

Judith, who had been passing by just that moment, halted and gave Will a strange look.

Will was fighting back a laugh, and Judith's gaze cleared and she giggled behind her hand. She understood. She waved and left him to his business.

"You know why I'm asking, William," Katherine said with mock-patience. "Clara deserves a mother."

Will covered the mic on the phone and snorted loudly. When he was sure he wasn't going to laugh, he let go and replied, "I know that, Katherine. You remind me every time you call now. I'm doing what I can. Besides, Clara seems happy right now just by having a father. I have a little bit to find someone we'll genuinely care about."

"Right." Katherine didn't sound convinced. "Anyway. I won't hold you. I'm sure you'll want to get on to sleep so you can get to work nice and early tomorrow."

Will actually hadn't been planning on going to work until the afternoon, when his actual work generally started. "Sure. Good night, Katherine."

"Bye, William."

Will hung up and burst out in uncontrollable laughter.

~ΨΩΨ~

"It looks like the call went well."

Will snorted at being reminded of it, carrying Clara to her bedroom while Nico carried Aaron just behind him. "You could say that."

Nico hit Will with his head, his arms being occupied. "I didn't mention it just to get a vague answer, idiota! Spill!" he said in a voice just over a whisper.

"Let's put them in bed, first," Will said. He threw a laughing smile over his shoulder. "Then I'll tell you everything. Promise."

Nico seemed pleased with that answer.

"Oh," Will realized. "I have some questions for you too, just so you know. How couldn't I?"

It was Nico's turn to snort. "Yes, I suppose you would."

Nico went to the guest room as Will continued down the hallway to Clara's room, where he laid her down and tucked her into her blankets. All the while she never even stirred, her mouth slightly parted with sleep. She looked peaceful, so Will fluffed up her pillows, closed her jaw, and left her to sleep.

Nico was waiting for him outside of the door. "Should we talk in your room?" he asked.

Will thought about it, and he remembered one of the things Aaron had mentioned after Nico had left with Reyna, and he had to refuse that idea. "Could we go outside, instead?"

Nico raised his eyebrows. "Is there a reason?"

"Maybe…"

The werewolf tilted his head. He didn't have anything against the idea, and in the end he allowed it. They told Judith on their way out where they were going, and she bade them a safe walk and for them not to wander too far. It was a cloudy night, she said.

They thanked her and went out the door, into the cool air of night.

Nico breathed in deeply and exhaled. He stretched his arms over his head, arching his back, and stared up at the black sky. "Night smells wonderful, doesn't it?" Will sniffed the air and honestly admitted that he couldn't tell the difference. Nico chuckled sadly and shook his head, taking Will's hand. "Where are we going, Will?"

"A short ways into the woods would be nice," Will said. "Somewhere with a view of the sky," he added as an afterthought.

Nico didn't ask why, leading him down the trail and then sharply off to a tiny clearing Will found immediately familiar.

"This is where we first met," he said, voice almost silent.

Nico looked at the clearing, then at Will. "Yes."

The blond couldn't tear his eyes away from the spot he remembered Ghosty had been, bleeding and dying. He swallowed and cleared his throat. "Would you have made it if Clare hadn't found you that day?"

"I don't know," Nico answered, looking only at Will. He turned so he was fully facing him, and squeezed his hand. "What are you feeling?" he asked.

"I don't know. Glad, I guess." He sucked in a deep breath, released it, and finally looked up at Nico. Tears were budding in his eyes. He hadn't cried in a long time. "I'm glad she found you. I'm glad she brought me to you. I'm glad she was a stubborn ass and wouldn't let up until I let her bring you home. I'm glad to have met you."

"And yet something holds you back. What is it?"

Will swallowed again. "Aaron told me something, just after you left with…um, Reyna. Something you hadn't told me."

Nico furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Later, Will would wonder why he was able to see everything so well in the dark. Everything was tinged in silver, as though the moon were shining above them. But he was too preoccupied then to notice that there were clouds covering every inch of the sky, let alone the moon.

Will looked back at the field, finding it easier to speak when he wasn't looking into Nico's piercing gaze. "Clarisse, I remember, said that your wolf form was a weakling form. Didn't she say that? Aaron brought it up again—your "original form", I mean—and I—"

Nico had gone rigid. "You want me to show you that form."

Will risked a glance over. "It's the only thing that you haven't told me."

"I haven't told you a great many things. And I can't show you that form."

"What?" Will asked, stunned by the finality in Nico's voice. "Why not?"

Nico looked uneasy. "It's a wild and instinctual form," he said slowly. "Huge, intimidating. I could easily crush you. And I haven't been one before anyone but a werewolf. I don't know if…if I'd instantly kill you or what. I can't risk that."

Somehow, that made Will want to see it even more. He didn't know where his confidence came from, but he used it to his advantage. "I thought you said that you couldn't stand to see the sight of a mate's blood."

Nico narrowed his eyes, but not at Will. "I don't know how deep that feeling runs, Will. I don't know if it would work against my most primal instincts. And I don't want to hurt you. So I will not do it, Will. Don't make me."

"I want to know you, Nico."

Nico covered his head in his hands and groaned. He already sounded defeated. "You're not going to like it."

Will didn't say anything. He raised his hands, pulled Nico's from his face, and looked him dead in the eye. "Please," he said. "No more secrets. You said."

Nico growled, but without any fight in the sound. "You fucking idiot, Nico di Angelo, saying something like that…" he sighed at himself. "Fine," he grumbled. "But only long enough for you to see it. Don't come near me. Okay?"

Will nodded.

Nico turned away, angry with himself, and Will grabbed onto the hem of his shirt. "Wait."

Nico turned back.

Will reached forward and took Nico's face between his hands, studying him. The Italian's eyes widened and his cheeks darkened, but he did not pull away. Will knew he was being an idiot, but he didn't stop himself from leaning forward and pressing their foreheads together.

Nico took Will's wrists. For a moment the blond feared he was rejecting the touch, but when he just left his hands over Will's, he calmed.

"I'm sorry for being such a nuisance," Will said.

Nico stared at him. Then he growled and gripped Will's wrists tightly. "What are you apologizing for, idiota? You've done nothing wrong."

"I feel like I've done everything wrong."

Nico pulled away. "You're talking nonsense."

Will sighed. "Yes, I know. I'm sorry to be acting this way. I just…I don't know. Everything's confusing me right now."

"Can you think of what it is?"

"Feelings, I guess. I don't know."

Nico nodded. "It's alright. I know exactly what you mean. And we have time, Will. Time enough for you to think things over. I'm happy enough like this, for now." And he sounded sincere, his words leaping off the trees and into the oblivion of sky above them. Sealing a promise.

"For now?" Will asked, voice edging towards joking.

Nico offered a crooked grin that looked fucking hot. "Yes."

The werewolf let Will's hands slide out of his own and backed up to the other edge of the small clearing, the silver gleam shining over him like molten metal. "I will need to strip," he called loudly—too loud—to Will. The other man sputtered and blushed like a teenager, coaxing a laugh from Nico.

Will turned away as he wrestled out of his shirt, looking up at the cloudy night sky above them. Things were calm that night—no lack of wildlife sounds that would have alarmed him in any way. He had never been one for night, but this was bearable. He was with Nico. He could see.

A shuddering noise brought Will's attention back to where Nico was—and he bit back a gasp.

Where Nico had been moments before now stood—crouched—a looming form twice Will's size, almost thrice. A body of pure muscle and pitch black fur, on a low-set wolfish face but much more aggressive. If he would stand, he would be about half the height of the mature trees, towering over Will. Even crouched, he was taller than the blond. A small tail swished between his polished back claws, each probably the size of Will's forearm. Maybe even his full arm. But it was still…Nico.

Will tilted his head, taking a tentative step forward. Nico's werewolf ears—the same size as Ghosty's, but much smaller on his werewolf head—flattened against his head. He made a warning growl in the back of his throat. "You said," he muttered. His voice was Nico's, too. Except deeper. Darker.

Will raised up his hands and retreated a step. "S-Sorry…"

Nico exhaled and made a deep noise Will didn't recognize. He sniffed the air and pawed the hard-packed ground below him. "I still smell your scent," Nico said. He made his own step forward, leaning against his forelegs. "You smell different, though. Different."

Will didn't know how to respond. So he didn't.

Even from across the field, Will could see the silver spark in Nico's small eyes. He smelled the air again and shook his head like a dog. "It's stronger. I've never…" He scented the air a third time, the same noise from earlier returning. "You don't smell like food."

"W-Well, thank you," Will said, trying for sarcasm but failing. His voice cut off with a squeak.

A shuddering noise shook the earth beneath the blond's feet. Nico was laughing. He stepped forward again, hesitant, and ducked down his head to sniff at the ground. "That is a good thing," Nico supplied. "It means this form accepts you on some level. I'm sorry, though. This form has a bit of a mind of its own, so I was worried that it might…"

"What do you mean?" Will mumbled, stumbling over his words. "Accepting me, I mean."

Nico stepped forward again, a deliberate movement. He was already halfway across the field, his strides long in that form. "You smell different from what I have before. This nose doesn't smell like a wolf's. Not entirely. It goes by emotional bonds. If there is a family member nearby, this nose will recognize it faster than my other two noses. Like now. I can smell Clara's scent here, old and faint from the rains. But it still remains. And it smells the same as it would for Aaron or my immediate family. But…you're different."

Will swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. "Oh?"

Nico was edging closer, growing bolder. "Yes. Though I'm not familiar with it, I think I have an idea…"

"Wh—What is it, do you think?"

Nico's breath fanned Will's face, and a smell of pine trees and spring rain greeted him. Will forced himself not to back away. Not to retreat—and not to step forward and touch Nico's muzzle, as he'd done with Ghosty countless times before.

Nico stretched forward, almost in invitation. "I'm not entirely certain. I don't want to guess and have it be wrong. It would hurt us both." He looked around, as though suddenly realizing where he was—and how close he was to Will in his current state. "But this form seems to speak for itself."

Will furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

Nico leveled his gaze back on Will, eyes warming with amusement. And the shock just vanished in that instant. Will smiled back. You have the same eyes.

Nico stared at him in shock, and Will realized that he had spoken the thought aloud. "What…?"

Will shrugged his shoulders and reached forward, touching either side of Nico's wide werewolf muzzle. The fur was surprisingly soft there—a fine fuzz among the thick fur everywhere else on him. Nico flinched away at first, but when the blond kept holding out his arms for him, he slowly returned his muzzle into his hands.

"You have the same eyes," Will repeated, stroking the fur under one of them. "They've never changed, Nico. Not since Ghosty. Not since your human form. Not since you. You're the same."

"But I'm not," Nico insisted, his moving jaws shifting Will's grip. "I am uglier, more brutal. More dangerous. In this form, I am Death. I am my father. I am Hades."

"No," Will whispered, looking from one eye to the other. Both were the same dark shade he'd come to recognize. Both were lined in the silver of the moon. "You're you. You've never changed. Not since the moment we met here, in this field. Not for an instant." He stroked Nico's cheeks slowly, curling his fingers in the warm fur. "You're Nico," he breathed.

Nico's giant form shivered. "Will. Idiota."

His werewolf nose pressed gingerly into Will's stomach, and Nico was transforming again. Soon he was naked and human, but Will couldn't focus anywhere but the heated spark in Nico's eyes. Ones that were brought so, so close to his.

Nico cupped Will's jaw with a hand, callouses gently sliding over the stubble there. "And you are Will," Nico said, voice softer than the breeze.

Will nodded, struck dumb in the moment.

Then Nico smiled—a smile so full of happiness and hope that it made Will's heart cartwheel in his chest. "Will. My Will."

Nico wrapped him up in a hug, burrowing his nose in the mess of blond hair behind Will's ear. Will didn't hesitate to return the gesture, resting his hands flat on the plains of the Italian's bare shoulder blades. Heat radiated from Nico at night, Will had learned long ago. As though the shine of the moon and the stars in the abyss of the night sky seemed to give him power. And as Will looked at him now—eyes and hair black and his body silver as the moon—he could see the kinship he shared with the night. They were almost one person.

Curling his arms tighter around the werewolf, Nico returned the hug with a small kiss to Will's neck. His breath ghosted over the other man's skin, ruffling his hair. A warm murmur spoke from Nico's lips, but Will didn't hear what was said.

All around him, all chills were replaced by the warm embrace of night—

And Will never wanted to let go.

~ΨΩΨ~

A/N: Still a better love story than Twilight. *winks and struts off the stage*