A/N: First chapter for my first solangelo fic. The moment I saw these two together I knew I was completely and utterly screwed. Like I knew I would spend every moment of my life planning out fanfics for them. Anyways, this is my first attempt at one. Pleeeease do not judge harshly. On with the solangelo... :)
Will Solace was one the most infuriating people Nico had ever been forced to put up with. And Nico had put up with a lot of infuriating people.
His first crush, Percy, had been so simultaneously annoying and embarrassing that when Cupid had cornered him on Croatia he had been driven to the brink of tears. If Cupid were to pay him another visit now, and force him to spill the beans about Will, Nico had no idea what he'd do.
The guy was inhumanly annoying, and inhumanly endearing. No, let's not go down that path, Nico couldn't afford to fall in love again with someone so hopelessly out of his reach.
The unfortunate thing was that Will was sitting in front of him right now, with his golden hair and ocean blue eyes, his adorable face all scrunched up. What was the point of trying to not fall in love if you'd already fallen head over heels already.
It was only embarrassingly belatedly that he realised that a hand was waving in front of him, and Will was talking.
"Helloooo? Earth to Nico? Death boy? Any reason you've been staring at me weirdly for the last ten minutes?"
Nico's eyes snapped up, a generous blush dusting his cheeks. Blush? He was the son of Hades he didn't blush, he summoned up rotting ghosts that scared the life out of other demigods. Nico did the best to school his expression into a signature scowl.
"I was plotting my revenge on a certain annoying person. Maybe because they forced me to stay cooped up in the infirmary for three days straight."
"You were thinking about me? I'm flattered."
Nico flushed, because yes, he was thinking of Will Solace. In an extremely flattering way. But the son of Hades would rather die than admit that. "Thinking about what to do with your entrails? Yes. If you find that flattering, then maybe you should consider raising your standards."
Will huffed, half-pouting. Nico immediately found himself wondering at how cute that face could become. Yep. He was a lost cause.
"Anyways as I was saying before you decided to zone out, we're a bit low on staff in the infirmary, what with everyone deciding to go home to start the school year." Will paused and fidgeted a bit trying to read my expression. Apparently it must have been something good because he smiled and continued. "So if you're not busy, could you help me out? I also heard you wanted to redecorate your room, I could help out... Maybe?"
Will looked so damn hopeful that Nico could never bring himself to say no. Not that he was planning to. Will had just handed him two excuses to spend more time with him on a silver platter.
"Sure, I suppose. But I have no idea how much of help I'll be."
Will's face split up into a blinding grin, as if Christmas had just come early. Nico could have also sworn that he glowed a bit, later he realised that it wasn't just his imagination.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be extremely useful!"
A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of Nico's lips. But he quickly dampened it. If Will somehow caught wind of Nico's feeling... He almost shivered at the thought.
Nico wasn't ashamed of his sexuality anymore. No, that was a long, long time ago. But he knew from previous experience that even though it was the 21st century, people still judged others based on it. He also knew that his last crush had been very much straight. He was half certain Will was the same, but either way he didn't want to ask. He'd played out different possible conversations in his head, and with all of them he'd cringed at the awkwardness.
"Sure, whatever Solace."
"Great! I'll see you there then death boy!"
"Don't call me that!" But his voice was half-hearted at the most. Will gave him a mischievous grin as if to say 'can't make any promises.' Nico's insides did a giddy somersault as Will got up and bounded away.
Nico's afternoon was uneventful, he had started planning some ways to redecorate his rooms. He walked over to his table and pulled out the drawers looking for stuff to throw away. Among all the tissues was a single mythomagic figurine, Nico remembered the rare edition all too well.
Bianca had given it to him as a parting gift through Percy, before rushing into a suicidal 'save the day' mission. A sharp stab of emotional chaos stabbed his gut. There were too many to count: guilt, anger, a hollow sadness and much more.
Not listening to the many walls Nico had erected, his mind started wandering to his darkest memories. Namely Tartarus.
He'd seen and apparition of Bianca, no doubt unreal, but Nico couldn't deny the things that had come out of her mouth.
Her beautiful face had been marred by a cruel and judgemental expression. She'd gone on to say how much of a disappointment he was to his father, how pointless his life was, how his heart had been through so much it had lost the capacity to love. It was all of his worst fears and deepest regrets, being voiced by the most cherished face in his life. Nico let out a strangled sob, leaning forward and holding onto the table for support.
Of course due to Will's impeccable timing, he had to walk in on Nico trying not to cry while stupidly staring at a mythomagic figurine.
"Nico, I need you help at the infirmary..." He trailed off when his eyes turned to Nico's hunched figure. "Nico! What's wrong! Sorry did I do something or did someone else? Please... Tell me."
Nico had felt embarrassed before, but nothing prepared him for the wave of white hot mortification that hit him now. He tried to control his breathing, hoping to retain some of his dignity. "I'm fine! I... ummmm-uh. Whatdoyouneedmyhelpwith?"
Will's eyes glazed over with a look of stubborn determination, never a good sign. "Neeks? What's wrong? You can tell me, I won't judge you. Patient confidentiality."
Nico turned away, he couldn't look like this in front of Will. "Neeks? New nickname I see. Maybe you should use it when I'm in a better mood."
"Fine, Nico, if that's what you want me to call you, tell me. Tell me everything. Doctor's orders." He paused, looking quite pleased with himself, before his expression quickly morphed back to one of concern. When no response came, Will tentatively tried putting a hand on his shoulder.
Physical contact. That's what did it. Nico pulled away so suddenly and violently that Will almost injured his wrist.
"You said you needed my help at the infirmary." Nico said, steadying his breathing.
Will looked hurt, and immediately Nico felt incredibly guilty. Pulling away had nothing to do with him. Well actually... It had everything to do with him, but for reasons completely different to what Will was probably thinking. The electric shock that passed down his spine every time they touched was exhilarating, but with every smile, every glance, Nico tumbled even more into the messy chaos that was love. And truth be told, that was dangerous. If he were to be rejected, or - Hades forbid it - but if he were to lose Will, Nico would probably tip over the edge of sanity. He couldn't let that intensify, for the sake of his heart, which was already very fragile.
Will looked as if he were debating on what to say back. But eventually the stubborn resolve that Nico had seen dissolved into something that looked suspiciously like guilt.
"Yeah... You're right, I do. Some new campers have just come in. And from what Kayla's said, they're not in top condition." Nico looked grim, his eyes were no longer clouded by tears but were still bloodshot. Will frowned slightly. "I'm letting you off just this once Neeks. This conversation isn't over."
Nico bit his lip, wishing dearly that Will Solace wasn't so nice. That way he could easily get over this silly crush. But the more time he spent with him, the less it felt like something he could grow out of, like pointless mythomagic. He gave Will a tight-lipped smile.
"Sure, whatever Solace."
Will took Nico's hand before the son of Hades could protest, and dragged him along to the infirmary.
A/N: Finally! That's done. The sappiness is enough to make anyone want to puke but I cba to write anything less. They're just too adorable (honestly tho, whyyyyy?) See you round for a 2nd chap :)