Nico stayed home.

He had never spent so much time in his apartment before, at least not all at once.

He lay on his bed, staring upward at the water stains that bloomed across the low ceiling. At this point he had enough money to move into a nicer apartment, but he just hadn't gotten around to it. He figured it would be more of an inconvenience than anything.

He tried to ignore the voice in the back of his head, without much luck.

You haven't switched apartments yet because you were hoping Will would ask you to move in with him, right?

Nico rolled over and buried his face in his pillow. It smelled stale and musty.

He wanted nothing more than to see Will. But he couldn't bring himself to text him. He couldn't shake the feeling that Will was off with Cecil, having much more fun than he could ever have with Nico. The last thing Nico wanted to do was to be a burden.

It had only been a day, but Nico missed Will with an intensity that startled him. He felt it like an ache eating away at his insides.

It was then that a knock came from the front door. A quiet, timid knock.

Nico sat up quickly, the comforter crinkling beneath him.

"Hello?"

A wave of shock rushed through him. No…it couldn't possibly be.

Apprehensive, Nico crossed the small stretch of floor separating his bed from the front door. He turned the doorknob slowly.

"Oh thank god."

Nico was pushed backwards into the apartment. Will's arms were around him—Will's arms were around him—and Will's face was buried in his neck.

For a split second he felt nothing but joy. Nico wrapped his arms around Will, pulling him closer, breathing in the familiar smell of him. He had missed this, the warmth that encased him whenever Will was close.

And then he realized that Will was here, in Nico's sorry excuse for an apartment. He remembered why he had been avoiding him in the first place.

Nico pulled away, yet he didn't release Will completely. He physically couldn't bring himself to let him go. Instead, he held him by the elbows, looking up at him. The space between them was a sentient being, writhing with unsaid words.

"I'm so happy to see you," said Will. He was smiling, but Nico could tell that he was worried.

"Me too," said Nico. That, at least, was true.

"Where have you been?" said Will. "I looked for you yesterday but Reyna said she had no idea where you went…you scared me."

Nico lifted a hand to Will's face, touching his cheek softly. His skin was almost feverishly warm.

"I'm sorry," said Nico quietly. "I just had some thinking to do."

Will nodded, though he looked a bit exasperated. "You could have at least responded to my text," he said.

"I didn't see it," Nico lied.

"Oh."

Will's eyes left Nico's face. With a spike of embarrassment Nico realized he was looking at his apartment.

"So…this is where you live?" said Will. He was keeping his voice neutral, Nico could tell. He was probably disgusted. Nico couldn't blame him. He fully accepted the fact that his apartment was dingy and awful and probably a health hazard. He never really worried about it because he was the only one that lived there. But now…

"Yeah," said Nico. "How did you find me, by the way?" he added, trying to divert Will's attention. He seemed to have discovered the bizarre pattern of stains on the ceiling.

"Jason," said Will, turning back to Nico. He looked unsettled.

"Of course," murmured Nico. He should have known that Jason would tell Will.

"I'm sorry," said Will. "I shouldn't have come unannounced. I was worried, that's all. And I wanted to see you. Needed to see you."

Nico's eyes found his feet.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Why's that?"

"You have to see my disaster of an apartment."

Will laughed gently, pulling Nico close again. Nico let his eyes fall shut. It was easy to forget everything when Will's warmth cocooned him. Too easy.

"No offense, but why don't you get a different apartment? Or move into a dorm on campus?" Will asked. His chin rested on the top of Nico's head, and Nico could feel the vibrations of his words as he spoke.

"I don't know," said Nico into the folds of Will's shirt. "I just never got around to it."

Will took a step forward, pushing Nico backward gently. They sat beside each other at the foot of Nico's bed. Will draped an arm around Nico's waist, keeping him close.

Nico kept his eyes closed. If he didn't look, he could almost imagine that they were back in Will's apartment, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air and sunshine poured through the wide windows. He didn't want to see his frayed carpet and the flaking paint on the walls.

And then, relying on an instinct he couldn't possibly have named, Nico tilted his head upward, bringing his face to Will's.

Will needed no further encouragement. He brought his mouth down on Nico's, kissing him slowly and languidly, spreading a starburst of honey-colored warmth through Nico's chest. Nico pressed closer still, yearning for this feeling he had so missed.

Nico's fingers were in Will's hair, twining his blond hair past his knuckles. Will breathed a sigh that sounded of relief and Nico caught it between his teeth.

"Nico," whispered Will. His lips were on Nico's cheek, grazing a path to his chin.

"Will," replied Nico. He never got tired of saying it. Never ceased to love the name curving off his tongue.

For a moment, Nico pretended that everything was okay.

Hey guys! Another chapter just for you (since honestly you're awesome). Thanks as always for reading and taking the time to leave reviews! It really really helps me continue the story. If you want to talk or ask questions about the story or anything, you can message me at .com

-Sid