AN: *Throws Confetti* Here, have some Solangelo!
Nico smiled, allowing Will to coax him into relaxing a bit. Let his guard down and rest his head on his boyfriend's arm.
Will grinned at him. "I can't believe you actually did it. I was expecting you to fight me. But you're even smiling."
"We're not going to be together in the fall, right? And when it's just us…" Nico shrugged, feeling a burning sensation on his face and ears.
Will's eyes were intense while his smile was gentle. "We'll be fine. You and Cassie will be goofing around and I'll be studying myself blind. We're spending the holidays together, right?"
"Of course, Cassie's not cruel. Not to mention I can still shadow travel."
Will hummed in a slightly grumpy tone. "But you're not going to overdo it."
"Nah," Nico stretched and sat up a bit more, still feeling Will's gaze on him. "You done staring yet? What's so fascinating?"
"I was comparing two years ago you to today you." Will's voice was gentle, loving, and it made Nico's heart hammer against his ribcage.
"Y-yeah? And?"
"You've relaxed, even since last year. Even since earlier this year. I mean, you let me kiss you in public and everything this morning. What's up with that?" Will asked, a happy grin on his face.
Nico rolled his eyes. "You're seeing things."
Will caught the collar of Nico's shirt and pulled him into a firm kiss.
When it ended, Nico stared breathlessly at the blond.
Will grinned. "Yeah, you've relaxed." He got up and started walking.
Nico felt his breath catch, and he hurried to catch up. "Have not."
"And pigs can't fly."
"Isn't the saying 'when pigs fly'?"
"Titan war, flying pig, got killed by a combination of Percy and a giant Hermes automaton. You were still convincing your father to join at that point I believe." Will shrugged it off, continuing to walk with long strides, his couple inches on Nico allowing him to pull ahead.
Nico jogged a bit to catch up. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
"My shift in the infirmary begins any second now and we're at least a six minute jog from the big house. I got distracted." Will flashed him a grin.
Nico froze, staring after Will. He was unexpectedly pleased that he was the reason that the normally prompt Will Solace was late. Normally, Will pulled himself away in time to get to the infirmary early. What was different today?
Will glanced back with a bemused expression. "You coming? Or will I see you later?"
Nico grinned and ran to catch up, taking his boyfriends hand. "Only for today."
Will nodded. "Sure."
Nico couldn't stop smiling. How long had it been since he'd felt that happy? And over something as ridiculous as Will getting distracted by him. They hadn't even been doing anything particularly special until that kiss right at the end. They were just hanging out. "Why'd you kiss me?"
Will let go of Nico's hand, and put his arm around his shoulders. "Because you looked so happy. I wanted to be part of what was making you happy. You don't mind, do you?"
Nico fought back against the urge to grin even more. "Will, you're ninety percent of the reason I am happy."
It was Will's turn to freeze in place as Nico continued walking. Nico knew that later he would be back to teasing and not being completely honest, but right now…
Will caught his arm, and before Nico could even think, had slid his arms around him and was kissing him again.
Yeah.
That was a summer memory he wanted to keep forever.