Author's Note:

So. This is really short, but I'm finally getting out of my 'writing slump.' Also, yeah, this was supposed to come out on Valentine's Day. It's almost Beltane now, can you believe it?

Cheers!

Maggie

An Afternoon in the Park

It was one of those rare occasions where Will had convinced Nico to go for a walk. Like, during the day. When it was sunny. Nico didn't actually mind the sun as much as the people, but if he told Will that, then he wouldn't be able to let Will, 'bribe' him into getting vitamin D via the promise of ice cream. His only problem was the number of people around, but Central Park was one of those places that was so big, that it became small when you found a little nook, even if there were a few people around.

As they walked along, Will spoke energetically about how excited he was about his internship at the hospital, and that once he started he was that much closer to being a real doctor. Nico nodded along, but his resting face wasn't smiling. Will, of course, knew this. He knew that his fiancé was, in fact, following along. And even as he went on and on, he greeted everyone they passed with a smile and a hello, breaking up his sentence before continuing his rambling.

Because Will was just friendly like that.

"So, you get real world experience, a bunch to add to your resumé, college credit, and ten steps closer to your dream job?"

"Exactly!"

"You deserve it, Will."

Will's smile lessened for a moment, "I just sometimes feel guilty about it. When I think of Lee, or Michael...they didn't get the chance I did to live, just because they were born with archery talents instead of healing."

Nico shook his head. "You've fought through two wars, tesoro. Of course you deserve it. And for what it's worth, they're in Elysium. You don't need to worry about them, or feel guilty."

The smile reappeared. "Sometimes I forget you can talk to dead people."

Nico rolled his eyes. "I wish I could. D'you know what time it is?"

Will glanced up at the sun. "2:30. Why?"

"You said we could get ice cream this afternoon. It's afternoon."

It was Will's turn to roll his eyes. "I did, didn't I? Come on, we'll go get you your rocky road fix."

Some more wandering proved fortuitous when they happened across a little ice cream vendor, who tragically did not have any rocky road. Nico settled for mint chocolate chip reluctantly.

"I don't understand how you like vanilla ice cream." Nico said as they walked away from the cart.

"It's simple. It's lovely. It's always the same and never a surprise. What's not to love about vanilla?"

"Only that you can put anything in it and make it better."

Will rolled his eyes again. "Compromise-we have vanilla cake, but rocky road ice cream."

Nico considered the offer. "Deal. But where are we going to be eating this cake?"

"Our wedding, duh."

"I know that, I'm not an idiot, but where are we having our wedding?"

"I don't know, where do you want to have it?" Will asked

"I don't care, where do you-WE AREN'T DOING THIS AGAIN!"

Will started laughing. "I almost got you."

"No. You did not."

"But in all seriousness, do you not have any opinion on location?"

"The only thing I actually care about is that it's small. Why don't we have it where you grew up?"

Will made a face. "Not Texas. We aren't having a gay wedding in Texas. Besides, you do have an opinion, and you don't want to tell me because you don't think I'll like it."

Nico opened and closed his mouth a few times trying to come up with a defense. "No I-fuck, how do you read me so well? It's not fair, no one else can!"

"It could have something to do with the fact that I love you, and we're getting married. But where do you want to get married, Sunshine?"

"I-fine. I just, I mean….Venice? It's the only place where Biana and my mom and I were happy, and a real family, it's just got good...vibes."

"I like it. I'd love to see where you grew up."

"Really? You-you don't want to have it somewhere else?"

"Not really. I don't want to have it at camp, and I don't want to have it in the city, and I definitely don't want to have it in Texas. Besides, the farther it is, the less people will come, and I know that's important to you. You've got melted ice cream running down your arm."

Nico rolled his eyes, but accepted the napkin Will handed to him, and the two men went back to meaningless chatter as they strolled through Central Park.

Author's Note:

This was a request from kalisfandomstories1004. Thank you, my muse!

New policy: if you requested something and that's it, I won't reply here, but I did notice you and it's on the list, don't worry!

Thank you to my beta-reader, colmathgames!

Shout-outs! Reponses! Whoo-hoo!

Shout-outs go to: QueenAnnabeth18, Ellieholm, GraceBailey, and AnnabethMcGrace for favoriting, and Ellieholm and GraceBailey again for following!

TheDayofRickening - well, i got one of the promised things released, and then it all went to hell. But for what it's worth, thank you!

Previously Yesse - actually, I won't write Perlia. Maiden vow, I'm aroace, makes me feel really icky to write. But I'm sure there are lots of talented writers that have some Perlia out there!

Milkshake and Cookies - hehehehe-Tratie hath converted you…...just as they planned.

For the most part, I tend to agree, because people will break up, then get back together without actually fixing what the problem was, which only leads to them breaking up again. But I think Tratie has it in them to learn how to communicate better!

That's such a Leo thing to do though. Hope it's not too late!

It really means a lot to know that the people who read my stories also care about me. Thank you for chatting with me through your reviews, and giving me a reason to smile whenever I see your username pop up. 3

AyaTheDoggo - I hope it's less time crunchy this time, and thank you!

There's something extremely heart-warming about being threatened to not work myself into the ground. I think I'm going to take your advice and go get a cookie :)

Thumbellina - Thank you!

WolfOfSilverGoddessArtemis - Thanks for understanding!

DamaSENDhimafriend - Thank you for your kind words-I love the community of people I get to interact with on here, and it was really hard to just step back, but your kind words helped me feel less guilty for just trying to be a better me.

BabaLooWho - Thank you, kind sir :)

That's all from me!

Have a lovely day!

Maggie