A/N: (1) Hopefully you don't get confusing signals from reading the last chapter's note. I wanted to write this to clarify that in THIS STORY, Nico is over Percy. In reality of the books, no. Obviously not. His love for Percy is hard core, but I think somehow they could be kind of like brothers. Huh, that will actually be cute. I could imagine that.


.: Flares :.

No time
There's no end
There is no goodbye
Disappear
With the night


Essentially, time flies by when you already grow up.

Whether Aphrodite did do something over the years, Nico di Angelo didn't know. He was happy that he was dating Will Solace, their relationship already four years. By now the Italian was way over Percy Jackson - and yes, it amused him that he had such a silly infatuation (1).

The couple planned to move out of Camp Half-Blood, as long as they both were together. Right this moment, however, they stayed in the Hades cabin, enjoying each other's company. They lay in the bed, Will resting his head on Nico's lap.

"It was Romeo's fault - he shouldn't have interfered with that guy and the other guy's fault," the son of Apollo said, of course speaking vaguely to anyone who didn't know that plot.

Nico sighed, clearly subjecting. "No, it was Romeo and Juliet. They shouldn't have had the affair. They only met each other and suddenly started to develop feelings? That's not plausible. In fact, everyone is crazy! Why would the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets even take effect years later?"

"Hey, it's kind of like the Greeks and the Romans," Will pointed out. "Plus, it did end when the lovers died. You can get all technical to the classics, especially set back ago. Who knows what people acted like back then? They won't care about incest."

There would certainly be a awkward cough on the last part, especially dealing with the Greek mythology. However, the couple didn't seem to widen on the topic, as it should be. There was tension in the air, and a warmth that spread between the contact being made, distracting. Nico absentmindedly ran a hand through the silky blond locks, as Will gently accepted it.

Perhaps arguing about Romeo and Juliet and what caused their death did not sound at all romantic. But it did lead to a playful banter.

"Love at first sight," Will said in a sing-song voice. Nico made a slight growl at the back of his throat, feeling deeply flushed, so the blond teased further on. "Gods, Nico, you look so adorable." He leaned up, and did a quick kiss on the lips. It was always soft touches and faint kisses, as if Will never wanted to be rough with Nico, afraid that he'll break.

Nico stole a kiss - this time holding longer and deeper. His body invoked with heat, and he couldn't help from thinking what this might lead to. But before he could stop for a moment and ask, Will's knee somehow pressed up against his groin. "Hmph, Will -"

Will hummed, rolling on top of the brunet. "Do you want to?"

After a few minutes of hesitation, Nico nodded his head, almost in a shy mannerism. "Y-Yes."

In awkward movements, hands fumbled with clothing - unzipping, slipping off, and kicking.

Nico was self-conscious, despite the fact that Will saw him without clothes before. He had a depressive moment when he was fifteen, concerned around his body - as if his skin didn't feel right. He knew it was okay now, but there was still uncertainty.

Will smiled gently, the room looking so dull against his blue eyes. "You're beautiful all over," he murmured. "You look like an angel. My angel."

Nico nervously went on his stomach, looking over his shoulder carefully, like Will was going to leave. Instead, the blond moved between his legs.

"Are you sure?" Will asked.

"I swear, you're even more nervous than me." Nico gave a reassuring smile.

"I don't want to hurt you."

"I trust you. Please." The last word slipped out, not exactly pleading but a word that made Will relax visibly.

"Okay." Will fumbled with the drawer next to the bed, searching for lube. "Where?"

"Um, bottom right-hand corner. Second drawer." To the Italian's immense gratitude, Will did not make a joke at his expense.

"Do you have condoms?"

"No . . . Honestly, I thought I wasn't going to have sex until I was, like, fifty."

"Hm. Well, small predicament. I guess I'll have to get them. Can you wait for me?"

"I'll always wait for you," Nico teased, but it came out gentle. His stomach gave a flip, and he wondered what made him say such mush-y words. Showing affection was not exactly his strong suit, at least through words. It was by his actions.

They gave each other a quick kiss, and Will pulled on his clothes, not realising that his t-shirt was backwards. Nico was too distracted to notice this, wondering if Will's eyes were always this blue before.

. . .

As Will came back, his face was entirely red all over.

"What happened?"

"My siblings. I think they know what we're doing."

"Isn't it obvious? With the box you're holding?" And your clothes, too, he thought privately.

Will whacked him with the box, which did no help for seriousness. "Okay, di Angelo, so are you still ready?"

"Yes." Nico dropped to a husky voice. "What do you plan to do, Solace?"

The son of Apollo smiled. "I . . . am going to kiss and make love to you."

Although the words sounded like something from some old soap opera, Nico knew that only Will could get away with it. "I'm fine with that."

"Good."

They started to kiss gently, but as Will probed in with his tongue, it became more heated. He swirled his tongue in the cavern, running it along the teeth as if counting as one. Nico gave a moan as their hips met, grinding against rough denim. Quickly, Will yanked his clothes off and rolled a condom on. He searched for the lube, which somehow transferred to the end of the bed.

As the cold lubricant touched Nico's skin, goosebumps appeared and he visibly jerked.

"You okay?"

"Yes."

Will continued, preparing himself and Nico. His touches were warm, and soon Nico grew impatient with the want - practically the need to become together. The moment was like taking a big leap; terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

"Okay. Uh, okay. Are you okay?"

"Gods, you're making me nervous." Nico tilted his head. "Seriously, Will, you're supposed to be the relaxed one."

"Sorry, but I. Am. A. Perfectionist," Will said, transferring kisses down Nico's neck to his collarbone.

"Somehow, I believe that."

Will angled his hips, brushing faintly over Nico. The son of Hades shivered, biting back a moan. Will always teased him; even in bed.

The blond started at a slow pace, easing in and out to get used to the momentum.

Oddly enough, Nico was quiet and nervously, Will stopped. "Are you okay?"

"Uhn -" Nico's voice came out croaky, and unevenly. "D-Don't s-stop. Please. Ah, merda. Will, per favore."

Will figured it was time to grant satisfaction, and he thrust in faster, until he could hit what should be the bump.

"Oh gods. Sì sì sì. Will, oh gods, ti amo -"

As they shifted after the orgasm, both wiped themselves and Nico exhaled slowly. "Will, that was -"

"Amazing?" Will went alongside Nico on the bed, and both grew silent.

They wondered if confessing love was a cliché thing to do, especially after mind-blowing sex. But then again, it was always worth repeating. At the same time, moments, later, they said 'I love you', and smiled.

"Thank you," Will said.

"For what?"

Nico said it more as a joke, but Will replied seriously, "Everything. For loving me. Just being you. For your existence. And believe me, Death Boy, I don't think . . . I can't manage without you."