As the days passed and the weather continued to worsen, sometimes leading to days on end of icy rain. Nico didn't much like the rain—it disrupted his nightly walking patterns. But now that he had Will, he wasn't doing much walking. He didn't mind. Will kept him grounded, kept him in place.

Nico liked having a place to stay.

It was on one of these evenings that Nico found himself in Will's apartment, laying sprawled across his couch. A fire crackled merrily in the fireplace, casting a glow of warmth towards him. Will was off in the kitchen, making something or other. Nico could hear the clinking of dishes from his place in the living room.

Nico simply stared upward at the ceiling, letting himself relax. His shoes were off, his combat boots sitting next to the door besides Will's bright yellow hi-tops. It was a funny combination.

Nico glanced over the top of the couch towards the kitchen. He could see Will, intent on whatever he was making, a checkered apron around his waist. God, he was adorable.

Nico felt a thrill in the pit of his stomach. He had never liked anyone like this before. The last person he had had a crush on…

A swirl of dark memories rushed back, and Nico forcibly pushed them away. He couldn't think about that night. Not now. Not when everything was otherwise okay.

"Alright, it's ready!"

Nico pushed himself into a sitting position, trying to wipe his face of anything that might give him away.

He's your friend, Nico scolded himself inwardly. Don't screw this up because you have a crush on him.

Will emerged from the kitchen holding a tray with two bowls on it. Tendrils of steam wafted upwards from their contents.

Will sat the tray down on the coffee table before handing Nico one of the bowls and a spoon. Nico peered inside to see what resembled chicken noodle soup.

"I made it for you," said Will, smiling up at Nico.

Nico smiled as well, taking a sip. It didn't taste like anything special, but Nico felt a stroke of warmth anyway.

"Thanks," said Nico. "It's delicious."

This seemed to make Will happy. They ate in silence, the only sound the crackling fire.

When they finished, the sat side by side on the couch, rather closer than Nico was used to. He was all too conscious of his heartbeat thudding through his veins. He hoped Will couldn't hear it.

Will cleared his throat.

"Um…Nico?"

"Yeah?"

"Could I ask you something?" Will's voice was quieter than usual. Timid, even.

"Of course."

Will opened his mouth to speak, but his words were cut off by a loud chirping sound.

Will swore under his breath and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.

"I'm sorry, I have to take this. It's my old roommate."

Will lifted himself off the couch a left the room, the phone held to his ear.

Nico felt his stomach sink with disappointment, but managed to convince himself that Will hadn't been about to ask him anything important.

Still…

Will returned soon enough, a frown on his lips.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

Will shook his head. "No, just my roommate. He's coming back from Australia for a few weeks."

"And that's…bad?" said Nico, confused.

"Yes," said Will shortly, taking a seat next to Nico once more, close enough that their legs touched.

A pause stretched between them, punctuated by the fire and the rain outside, pit-pattering against the window panes.

"Nico."

Will said it slowly, as if weighing it on his tongue, testing it out. The tone of his voice made Nico's blood turn to ice.

He was looking at him, his face half-shadowed by the fire. His eyes, usually so blue, danced with the movement of the flames. There was a strange look on his face. And then, tentatively, he stretched out a hand, placing it gently on Nico's neck.

Nico kept his eyes locked on Will's, overwhelmingly conscious of everything—his breath, coming in harsh bursts, his stomach, knotted in skeletal butterflies. Will's fingers, creeping upward into his hair. He suddenly wished that he had thought to brush it. The thought was so ridiculous that he almost laughed—almost.

"Is this okay?" said Will quietly, continuing to twist his fingers into Nico's hair.

Nico nodded, still watching Will's face carefully. For what felt like the millionth time, it seemed impossible to pinpoint exactly what he was thinking.

And then, ever so slowly, ever so gently, Will was leaning toward him, blue eyes wide. Blue eyes, filled with fire.

And Nico…Nico decided to stop thinking altogether.

Because Will's mouth was on his, so, so softly, his lips like rose petals. Nico leaned into him, letting his hands find Will's shirt, pulling him closer.

Everything was quiet—for once, Nico's mind as well.

It was easy to shut off his endless spiraling thoughts. Because Will was here, and Will was kissing him and Nico felt the frost that had crept over his heart beginning to melt.

Will left a trail of kisses across Nico's jaw, fingers grazing his neck ever-so-tenderly, as if taking immense care in every action. Nico inhaled, breathing in the smell of him—he smelled faintly of antiseptic and citrus, a strange combination, but not altogether off-putting.

Will pulled away, yet remained close enough for Nico to kiss him again if he wanted to. Will's eyes darted across Nico's face.

"I'm sorry," he said in hushed tones.

"Why are you sorry?" said Nico, still too shocked by what had just happened to properly process a thought.

"I should have asked first."

Nico rolled his eyes.

"Will, if I didn't want to kiss you, I wouldn't have."

At that Will visibly brightened, a smile brighter than the fire lighting up his face.

"Can I kiss you again?"

"Please."

And he did.

Nico smiled as Will's lips met his once more. And the rain continued to patter against the window panes, in a pattern steadier than Nico's racing heart.

This chapter made me so happy to write. Seriously. Also, I'd just like to add that this story is far from over. If anything, this is just the beginning. I've got the whole plot laid out, so you can look forward to a lot more content. Any ideas on what will happen next, or what you would want to see?

-Sid