When class ended, Nico felt a strange blossom of triumph taking root in his chest. No one had ever complimented his art like that, especially not an art professor.
He gathered his things, very aware of Will beside him. Will had been quiet throughout the rest of the class, but he didn't seem angry (at least, Nico hoped he wasn't angry). It was much too difficult trying to decode Will's emotions.
"I don't think he's angry at you," Reyna whispered into Nico's ear as she stood, throwing her backpack over her shoulder, warmth in her dark eyes. Then, she left.
That left Nico alone with Will. He wanted to say something to him, but words were failing him once again.
They left the classroom walking side by side. Will's strides were longer, so Nico had to walk faster to keep up. He stopped a little ways away from the art studio.
"That drawing was really, really good, Nico," he said, after a lengthy pause. His voice was filled with awe. "Seriously, I didn't realize you were so good."
Nico shrugged. "It's no big deal—"
"Don't say that," said Will, sounding a bit irritated for the first time. "You've got a gift, and I don't want you to try and convince me otherwise."
It was then that Will did something that caught Nico completely off guard—he grabbed Nico and pulled him into a hug.
Nico tensed for a moment, confused as to how this had happened. But he didn't mind. Not really. For the most part he tried to avoid physical contact with other people, but this was…different. A welcome different. And Will was so warm. He was so tall that his chin rested atop Nico's head.
"Sorry," said Will, pulling away and ruffling his wavy hair, looking a bit embarrassed. "It's just…I think you're really cool."
Nico blinked, meeting Will's wide, blue eyes. The faintest blush painted his cheeks like rose watercolor. He had completely lost track of what was happening. One moment Will was hugging him, and now he was telling him he was cool?
"Uh…thanks," said Nico, hoping he didn't sound as awkward as he imagined.
"One question though…why did you draw my freckles like stars?"
Nico fiddled with his sleeve nervously. Why had he drawn his freckles like that? Truthfully, it was because that's how he saw them. A universe of tiny constellations spanning Will's cheeks.
"I don't know," he said instead. "That's kind of how they looked to me."
Will smiled brilliantly, like this answer was the most precious thing he had ever heard. Why did Will treat his words like they were gemstones? Nico didn't understand. Regardless, he liked this bright boy. And for what it was worth, Will seemed to like him too.
At the moment, Nico didn't question it.
Will and Nico make me so happy you don't understand.
-Sid