A/N: Here's a new fic i've been working on. I'm updating it once a week to give me a moment to breath instead of rushing it out. It's based off of an idea my friend and I had joking about fake dating and breaking up with someone to listen to Olivia Rodrigos album sour, and one thing lead to another and here we are. it's also mixed with a fan fic i never got around to writing thrown in, so i think it's sexy.

enjoy

Tuesday

"Jason and I broke up."

Nico just stared at Piper, eyes wide. His browed furrowed as he took in this information. Jason and Piper broke up? When the fuck did this happen? Why?

"Are – are you going to elaborate on this?" he asked, still unsure if he even heard her correctly.

Piper shrugged, her hair was falling out of a braid she had done a few days ago, shifting over her shoulder.

Nico and Piper sat on the floor of her bedroom, some random 80's rock song playing in the background that they had "picked up" from a thrift store on their way home from class. Piper was a senior and Nico was a junior so they never shared any classes together, hanging out after school was all they really had.

They had actually met through Jason, the now Ex. Jason and Nico were second cousins. Even though their family wasn't very close, they grew up pretty close by to one another. Nico was closer with Jason's older sister, Thalia. She had gotten him into her music taste, and Jason just happened to tag along.

When Jason and Piper first got together, by default Nico and Piper had gotten to know each other and their friendship simply grew from there. They didn't have much in common, but when Nico had come out to Jason, Piper was right there to support him.

When Thalia went off to college, Nico and Piper fell into a similar friendship him and Thalia had so it only natural they would cause trouble everywhere they went. What Jason didn't know, wouldn't hurt him.

So here was Piper telling Nico that her and Jason had broken up. Even though he knew it wouldn't affect their friendship, he knew things would be tense.

"There were," Piper paused, taking in a breath, knowing she was tossing some words around her mouth, seeing if she liked the taste, "things that caused us to break up."

"Oh shit," Nico muttered, hoping he didn't come off as abrasive as he thought it might of. "I hate to pry – "

"No you don't."

"No, you're right. I need to know what the fuck happened?"

Piper gave a nervous smile followed by a laugh that became more genuine as she relaxed, leaning back on the side of her bed. She was looking at the ceiling as if it would spell out the words she would need to put everything into perspective. As she searched, she was watching how it went down. She let out a tired sigh as she understood it was really happening.

"I–" she started, finding the air to continue on. "I broke up with Jason because…" She closed her eyes. Nico watched as her face hardened as she took a moment to finally say what she was thinking. The seconds were years, killing him. But he wouldn't rush her. "I don't think I was in love with Jason."

Nico just stared at her. What did she mean that she wasn't in love with Jason? He knew that they were extremely close, a little weird at times, but there was no way all of their relationship was fake. There had to be more to it than that.

"You weren't in love with him?" he said, hoping he would understand if he said it himself. He could feel it on the tip of his tongue, but when Piper turned her head over to look at him, her expression said everything she couldn't in that moment.

Without a second guess, Nico closed the space between the two of them and embraced her. Piper was on the verge of tears and Nico hated contact, but in this moment, Piper's issues outweighed his hatred of his person space being intruded upon.

Piper wrapped her arms around him, refusing to give an inch. She buried her head into his shoulder and sobbed. Piper wasn't someone who openly cried, especially around people she knew. But out of all their friends, Nico knew he was the best person for this job.

Piper didn't not love Jason, but she wasn't in love with him. Something Nico knew all too well. He a wanted to crack a joke, something he did to deal with pain, tell her, "Well, that makes sense. All my friends are gay." But he knew that probably wasn't the best timing. Maybe when she was feeling a bit better.

They stayed like that as heavy guitar riffs still played on the old CD player in the corner of the room. For that moment, all they needed was each other.

"It's going to be okay," he told her, knowing he needed to give her reassurance in this. Even if he wasn't sure of anything involving love, especially his own life.

"I'm scared," she admitted. Her voice was shaking but her sobs had died down. She got the main cry over, but her tears were still running down her cheek.

"Of what?"

"I don't know."

Nico couldn't help but smile at that. He knew exactly where she was coming from.

When he first realised he was gay, it was the hardest part of his life. His mother had raised him and his sister catholic, and being from a strict Italian family, there was so much he was taught to be. And being gay wasn't something that was spoken about in their family.

One of his strongest memories of his sexuality was when he was in middle school and first started noticing that he didn't look at the girls the same way everyone else in his class had. He always thought he was a late bloomer, that was what his father said when his mother would ask if he had any crushes on the girls in his class.

He didn't think it was strange or unusual until his mother enrolled him and his sister in swimming lessons. Him and Bianca had been separated by age and he was terrified. But the junior swimming teacher he had was this kid a few years older than him named Percy. He would always remember watching him run his hands threw his wet hair as he got out of the pool.

Nico had felt so nervous around him that Percy had thought he was just scared about swimming so he spent a lot of time working with him. He was only a junior swim coach, but he was probably one of the best swimmers in the entire city. There was no surprise when Nico found out later he was scouted for the Olympics.

At first he thought he was just in awe with him, looking up to him, but as time went along, Nico felt his heart pound harder when he would help him one-on-one. The night he knew he was screwed as when he woke up from a very vivid dream involving his swimming teacher kissing him. He had woken up in a cold sweat, crying.

The next day he sat in church, holding a bible, praying that if there was someway to make these feelings go away, he would do anything. He prayed that if God could fix him, he would devout his entire life to service. He would give up everything that enjoyed and only study the bible. He prayed and he pleaded, begging and crying, looking up at the statue of Jesus, hung on the cross.

He begged that his prayers would be answered, but as the words of the pastor filled the hall with scripture, the hymns drowning out his own pain, he knew that God wasn't there. As much as Nico wanted God to save him, to make everything thought of his pure again, he wanted there. God didn't have time to listen to his cries of homosexuality.

He decided that he would push it down. He would ignore every feeling he had and would ever have. When God refused to answer, to save him, he decided that he would save himself.

He was terrified. He was a good son, the good catholic boy his mother wanted him to be. She never needed to know about these repulsive thoughts of his.

It was Thalia that made him realise that it wasn't as bad as he was taught to think. Thalia was five years older than him, but she didn't care too much about him being so much younger. Nico was her cousin, someone she could get into her similar interests. Jason obviously was much different from his older sister, but Nico and Bianca, his older sister, were more similar to her so she made it her mission to "convert" them.

Thalia had come out as bisexual her junior year of high school. When Nico had asked her what that meant, she had told him it means she likes girls and boys. For a moment, Nico had hope. Maybe he was bi, not gay. But as Thalia explained, he knew that the two of them were similar, not the same.

When Nico had asked her if she was worried about going to hell for being gay, something he was genuinely worried about, Thalia had given him a pity laugh and hugged him. She told him that God didn't give a shit if she liked girls. Even if her parents didn't agree with it, it wasn't up to them to decide.

Nico had a theory later on that Thalia knew he was gay even then. That what she had said and done was to reassure him that he was going to be okay. It was her words that gave him enough confidence to come out later in high school. And it was her words that gave him the strength and knowledge to tell Piper that she was going to be okay.

"Trust me, Pipes," Nico started, gripping her shoulders tightly as he looked her in the eyes, the colour shifting through pooled tears. "Shit's gonna be fucking scary at first, but nothings going to change. Some people might be assholes, but fuck them. And look at you! It won't be hard for you to get a girlfriend."

Piper laughed, her tears staining her face and her eyes puffy, but she laughed. Her nose was starting to drip as she rubbed it on her sweaters sleeve. She didn't care what she looked like, especially with Nico.

"Thank you," she said, still sniffing, but she was smiling.

"And if you have any gay questions, you can ask me or, like, Will. Now, about gay girl questions, don't look at me, I have no fucking clue, so you're on your own for that one."

Piper laughed as she leaned back against the bed.

"Don't worry, I know girls scare you," she joked.

"Hey, I'm a gay man. The only things that scare me are God and the government, I just don't understand all of that," he said as he gestured to Piper.

She rolled her eyes, but was still smiling.

"But hey, at least you can listen to Olivia Rodrigo's album and really feel it now."

Piper let out the loudest laugh she could, her entire body was shaking as she doubled over. Nico couldn't help but copy her. They had joked about her and Jason breaking up just so she could listen to the album to the fullest about a month ago, but now that joke was a bit too real.

"Oh, god. You're fucking right."

Nico decided that he could keep making jokes as it seemed like Piper was starting to feel a bit better.

"God, I wish I had someone to break up with to listen to it. We could go through this together," he joked, but Piper just grinned and raised a brow.

"Why don't you just ask someone to date you and then break up."

"What the fuck?"

"Seriously," she started, "I think that would be so fucking funny."

"Who would I even ask to do that?"

"Why not Will?"

Nico had to laugh at that.

"I don't fucking like Will."

"Dude," she said, putting her hand on his knee, tugging at the rips in his jeans, "you don't have to like him. Just go on a date and then get him to break up with you."

"Is there like, anyone else?"

Piper scoffed.

"You think there's other gay kids at our school?"

"Openly gay, at least. I could tell you, like, six people that are still on the closet."

"Austin?"

Nico giggled softly.

"Obviously. But once he figures that out, it's all over for everyone else."

"He's really hot," Piper pointed out, pulling a string out of Nico's ripped jeans, playing with it between her fingers before tossing it over to the side.

"Okay, he really is. But not my type."

"What is your type?" Piper asked.

Nico thought about it, knowing instantly where his mind goes when he's asked that question. He was far over his crush on his swim coach, but it was the only guy he had ever had a crush on. Yeah, he had thought other guys were cute, maybe even started to develop a small crush, but it usually went away within the week.

He shrugged.

"No fucking clue."

Piper rolled her eyes and threw her head back.

"Nothing can be easy with you."

"Hey!"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

Piper grinned.

"Dude," she said, "just ask Will. He's pretty chill. He'd probably even think it's funny."

Nico thought about it.

Will was a guy he had met halfway through his freshman year. He had transferred from Texas mid way through the year and had been Nico's English partner for the Shakespeare unit. They had to do a project for Romeo and Juliet, and instead of actually completing the work, they had messed around and scrambled together the last possible minute a half assed video of them doing the Nurse and Juliet scene. Between Will's heavy accent dressed as the Nurse and Nico wearing his mothers wedding dress and the shittiest wig they could find, they managed to get an 80 on it.

As much as Bianca swears she deleted the video after helping them film it, Nico knows she has to have a copy of it. There is no way she would have gotten rid of it.

The two of them became great friends afterwards. Will had gotten made fun of for being friends with the emo kid, but he never let anything bother him. He had a way of just going with the flow for the most part. But it wasn't long before Will became friends with basically everyone in the school. Besides his accent that everyone fell in love with, something you don't hear much in New York, he was one of the nicest people Nico had ever met.

Nico would admit that he was sad Will's accent had softened while being in New York, but get him tipsy, tired, or angry, and Nico swore he wasn't speaking English.

All of their sophomore year Will was never without a boyfriend or girlfriend. He had told Nico that the reason he had left Texas was because he got bullied for being bi. He was sad he had to leave his few friends, but his mother said it was a good time to get to build a relationship with his father.

His mother and father were both musicians and had met when Will's mother had opened for his father back in Houston. It had been a fling that resulted in Will. He always joked that his lack of musical talent was the world punishing him because it knew he would have been too talented.

His father always sent him Christmas and birthday presents and he got to visit him once a year during the summer in New York. So, when Will suggested he finishes high school in New York, his mother was hesitant, but after some time, his father, Lester, had agreed that it would be a good idea. He wanted to build a relationship with his son and it was a perfect time to do so.

Will had moved over Christmas break and started that January and the rest had been history with him and Nico's friendship.

Even though Will was out, Nico still had been terrified when he finally told Jason. Will was the fourth person he told, even though he wanted to tell him first. He knew Will wouldn't give a shit, he even forced him to go to his first New York pride the first June he was there, but he was too close with Will. Jason had at least been family and kind of found out on accident. Piper was the next, followed by his own sister, Bianca.

When he told Will he was gay, the first thing Will had told him was, "we can check out dudes together, fuck yeah." He had the brightest smile the entire time and Nico knew Will was going to be one of his best friends for the rest of his life.

"Yeah," Nico agreed, "I think he would think it was funny."

"Then ask him."

Nico pulled out his phone and pulled up Will's contact info. He had his phone number, but he never really texted anyone. Instead, it was Snapchat he pulled up and sent him a message.

You
Ok, question

Sunshine Man
What's up, my dude?

You
I have a proposal for something I think would be funny.

Sunshine Man
Sure. What is it?

You
You and I start dating and go on one date. After that you break up with me so I can listen to Olivia Rodrigos album with the full emotional set up.

Sunshine Man
You
Want us to date?

You
Just for like a day.
I want to feel the album at its full force.
How you should listen to it
You know?

Sunshine Man
Okay that's funny!
Um, sure?
Like, we go on one date and I break up with you?

You
Exactly
Then after I finish we just go back to being friends

Sunshine Man
Hahaha, okay
Sure
I think that's really funny

You
I thought so
Thanks dude

Sunshine Man
Np!
So
Does that mean we're dating right now?

Nico looked up Piper who was watching him with a raised brow.

"He's down," Nico said, smirking.

"This is so fucking funny." Piper shifted to look at his phone over his shoulder. "What is he saying?"

Nico read of the last few messages and bit his lip.

You
I guess?
To be fair I didnt think this far ahead

Sunshine Man
Hahaha
Okay, that's fine!
So boyfriend, when's our first date?
;)

Nico just stared at his phone, not sure how to respond. He didn't think Will would be this on board with it. He knew it was Will playing along and joking, but there was a moment when Nico felt his stomach twist.

"This is so fucking hilarious," Piper laughed as she fell back, her eyes still a little puffy from crying earlier. "Wait!" She sat up, eyes wide as her grin grew. "Holy shit – does this mean this that Will is your boyfriend?"

"I-" Nico felt his mouth go dry as he thought about it. Oh no, He didn't realise that this meant he was actually dating Will. "I mean, it's not like this is really us dating."

"No, no, no. You want the full experience; you're actually dating him now."

Nico rolled his eyes as he looked back down at his phone. Wasn't he supposed to be here for Piper? Why was this now all about him? At least she was feeling better now.

"After this you can refer to him as your Ex - I think that's funny." Nico shot her a look as she shrugged, looking anywhere but at him. Nico's brows furrowed.

Sunshine Man
Wait!
Question
How far are we taking this? Cause that will depend on how these next few days go.
Cause like
If it's just one date and done, easy.
But are we speed running the entire relationship stage in one go or…?

You
Umm
I guess it really depends on what you wanna do?
I was just gonna say one date and done
But obviously you have some ideas

Sunshine Man
Not gonna lie, I'm lowkey pumped for this.
I think this is the funniest idea you've had.
Yeah okay, I have some ideas.
Just let me handle this.
Get ready Nico for the best week of your life!
You are going to be SO prepared for this album!

You
pfft
aight

Sunshine Man
I can't wait to break your heart

You
Counting down the days!

Sunshine Man
:D

Nico shook his head and tossed his phone over and leaned his head back, glancing at Piper after he took a breath in.

"This is only gonna end in two ways," she said, a twitch of her lips making Nico nervous.

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah," she said, grinning, "and I can't wait to see it."

Nico raised a brow but she didn't elaborate. Instead she stood up and turned off the CD player and grabbed the remote to her TV. As she turned it on, Nico just glanced at his phone, wondering what the fuck Will had planned.

At least by the end of the week, him and Piper can blast the album and properly enjoy it.

A/N: yay, first chapter done! on AO3 (where i also post) there's actually photo graphics thrown in later chapters to help the use of social media. the entire story can be written without the use of photos, but at the end of each chapter, there's the instagrams of each character. so if you ever want to check that out over there, you can.

other than that! i hope you enjoyed it. New chapter next week. and if it does well, i already have a sequal in mind. who knows.

Kitty