They ate dinner together that night, Will and Nico. Their fathers were "talking about work" in Hades' office, but they didn't hear much talking going on. So they snuck their own food up to Nico's room, careful not to be heard on the creaking steps or in the echoing rooms.

Once they sat across from each other on Nico's floor, they ate in relative silence beside the occasional conversation. Asking about their day, asking if the food was good. Simple words that didn't mean much, simple words that Nico ignored as he stared at that smile, those blue eyes, that cheerful face... That beautiful boy.

But it'd never work between them. They were born in a time that didn't accept that, a time when it was almost unheard of. A time when they couldn't get married. A time where they would have to hide it from the world, which Nico would be willing to do if Will liked him back. They could make it work, he knew they could, but it'd be hard.

His life was already hard enough. But Will gave him something to live for, something to work towards. Will made him actually live, not just survive.

"I have a question." Will set his fork down, his smile gone. "About something you said earlier."

Nico stopped playing with his food long enough to glance at Will's face. "What is it?"

"You said...you said 'if he's anything like my father, then I understand'. Is your father...bad?" Will asked.

Nico frowned. "What classifies as bad?"

Will suddenly had more interest in his food. "I would classify mine as bad... He hits me sometimes, not a lot, but he still leaves bruises. Mom tried taking me and leaving but he caught her. She had to leave on her own. He...he doesn't ever let me do my own thing, you know? I'm not my own person around him."

Nico's smile held no humor. "My dad is bad, also, if that's the definition of it."

Will's head perked up. "Really?"

Nico nodded. "Hits me, too. A lot. He's with a different girl every week. Hates when I'm around. I'm usually in my room or the attic."

Will stared at Nico. "Really?"

"Really."

Will's eyes broke a little, along with his voice. "So I'm not alone..."

Nico stared into Will's eyes, his heart dropping when he saw his own emotions mirrored there. "No...no, you're not alone..."