~~Guess who's back?

Moi!

so, vacation was fun until I was hospitalised :) But I'm back now and doing okay. But I digress. Thank you for being so patient! I Love you all!

Song: Bloom by The Paper Kites

Playlist for fic: /spacedustdreamer/mortal-music

Enjoy~~

If he didn't know any better Will would be pretty sure he was dying. He had spent the last two days awkwardly stumbling through his day to day business. He was restless, agitated and worst of all, he couldn't stop thinking about that broody little pain in the neck of a demigod, Nico. He had the urge to both lecture him and hold him close again every time he saw him. Will considered creating a fake prescription up so he could sneak away from his duties to see Nico.
The whole thing was crazy and so unlike him but he felt strangely content through his insane torturous state. He knew that like a fever, it would pass, the giddiness, the anxiety that he felt whenever he saw Nico or heard his name mentioned.
It was difficult to maintain composure and seem calm, cool and collected when your mind is filled with only one person each and every moment.

Eventually Will had enough of it all. He found himself stood in the doorway to his cabin in the morning, watching the passers by, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Son of Hades, (who, despite his seemingly cold and distant personality, was wonderful to cuddle. Seriously, he seemed to fit to Will perfectly.)
"Why are you staring at everyone, dude?" Percy's voice cut through Wills silent observation, making him Jump. Will stared back at him silently for a moment, his expression unreadable. Percy raised an eyebrow and gave him a look as if to say Hello? Earth to Solace? Are you even still in this solar system?
"What?"
Percy shook his head slightly and walked up the steps to stand beside Will, looking out at the passers by with exaggerated interest. "So have you found Waldo yet?"
A moment passed and Percy let out a sigh. "Seriously? You need to lighten up. Girl troubles?
Will shook his head, placing his hands in his pockets now, the movement seemed to make him feel more anchored despite his light headedness, "the opposite of that."
Percy paused, "Girl success..?"
"Not that kind of opposite."
Percy shook his head as if he didn't have the time to analyse Will's words. Will hadn't actually noticed until that moment that Percy was staying light on his toes, his hands were twitching every now and then as if he had to dash off any moment to deal with other issues.
"Spit it out then, what brings you here?" Will glanced over at Percy, The guy's hair was this bizarre kind of suave mess- windswept almost, with the occasional curl or flip that reminded Will of the sea. Percy was the son of Poseidon to the bone.
"Annabeth has me on errand duty. Shes asked me to remind all the cabin counsellors of the meeting tonight after dinner. You are coming along right?"
"Sure thing. I'll be there." Will nodded and looked ahead again as Percy nodded alongside him and made his way down the steps again.
"Don't be late, Chiron wants to discuss cabin finances. Something about Ares cabin exceeding their limit by buying excess amounts of unauthorised barbed wire. Again."
"It will be a long night then."
"You bet. Better make the most of your day," Percy sighed. "Catch you later." and with that he walked off to the next cabin, looking less than pleased.
Will looked back across the grounds again only to spot a familiar darkly dressed figure.
'Make the most of your day' Percy had said.
I intend to Will thought as he paced over to Nico.

"Hey, You." Will tried to suppress a grin and went for his usual casual expression.
Nico's expression looked pained for a second before he regained composure and nodded "Solace,"
"Stop cringing before I hug you again," Will regretted his choice of words as soon as Nico's eyes flared with anger, his dark hair did a good job of mostly hiding his ears, which were now bright red. "Hurry up and follow me." Will turned and began to walk towards the sound.
"What? Why?" Nico called behind him but followed.
Will would have paid a million drachma to relive the next moment. The sight of it was pure gold and worthy of at least a dozen replays. "You and Me are going on a date."
Will wondered if Nico could have looked any more flustered, and if he could, he wouldn't believe it until he saw it.

-(page break)-

Something inside Nico broke and he seemed to be unable to function entirely. Did he hear Will correctly. "A what?" he choked the words out as if they were acid on his tongue.
"You heard me, Death Boy." There was a playfulness in Will's tone that seemed to agitate Nico further. How could he be so bold and brash? It became apparent that Will was good at stirring up two emotions in Nico and they couldn't be more different.
Yet, just as curiosity killed the cat, curiosity too, killed Nico's stubbornness and he decided to humour Will for perhaps a few more minutes.

The morning had become a beauty all of its own. While the weather had gradually been getting colder this morning was particularly mild. Insects sang arrogantly into the breeze, their symphony was carried along the air like a second wake up call. A few Tree Nymphs wandered among the strawberry fields harvesting the fruits to sell on. Nico wondered if the plants were magical too and could produce fruit all year round, he hadn't really paid much attention to it at all before on his scarce visits; perhaps Dionysus' power did not extend that far?
They eventually approached the shore, just off the water of the sound. Nico could see a small homely set up beneath the shade of a tree that had grown along the shore, its trunk twisted and bent like it wanted to be part of the water. Beneath the tree was a blanket with a few extremely soft looking pillows on top. A small basket sat alongside the of the mountain of pillows.
Nico felt his stomach flip.
This is really happening he thought. Ew also crossed his mind. It was just such a cliche that he couldn't help being a little embarrassed. Yet the gesture was also sweet.
"Why are you doing this, Solace?" Nico sighed, "It's kind of-"
"Shh!" Will turned abruptly and placed a finger to Nico's lips.
Nico batted his hand away "what are you-!"
"SHH!" Will repeated the action, his diamond eyes watched Nico, determined and proud. "No more speaking for you. Doctors orders." With that, Will grasped Nico's hand and walked closer to the shaded area. "Sit." he pointed at the blanket, Nico obliged begrudgingly.
Will sat beside him and watched the water silently. It was calm today, lapping at the shore quietly, creating quiet 'shh' sounds.
"I brought you here because I wanted to talk."
"Again." Nico chided.
"Again. In all honesty I have no idea why all this crap is here though.." his voice changed pitch in confusion at his last few words, and Nico knew he was just as puzzled and, according to the blush on Will's cheeks, just as embarrassed at the set up. "And the whole 'date' thing was just my idea of a joke. I honestly just wanted to talk."
Nico glanced down at his side to one of the pillows. They did have a rather unnatural gold shimmer to them, as if woven with threads of gold or even bronze. The label stitched, or embroidered rather, into the side of the pillow confirmed Nico's suspicions.

90% silk
Woven with real Gold and Bronze thread.
Hand wash only.
Made on Mount Olympus.

"Your dad or mine?" Will asked, unimpressed.
Nico nearly choked on the air he was breathing. He couldn't imagine his father setting up something like this and if he had then that meant he knew.
Nico could, however imagine Apollo doing something ridiculously theatrical like this, but he didn't want Apollo knowing his business either. Aphrodite could also no doubt be behind this sickening show. Yet Gods or not, sometimes they should know when to keep their noses out.
"I'd rather not think about that." Nico returned his gaze to the water also, resisting the urge to turn his head another ninety degrees to watch the other boy.
"Nico.." Will finished before he had even begun. Whatever he wanted to talk about, all his courage had suddenly left him. He didn't need to watch Will, Nico felt it; the lack of sudden energy and enthusiasm, replaced by hundred kinds of anxiety,
It was almost painful to see Will so agitated, he knew he had to do something.
In a rather flimsy attempt Nico flipped open the lid to the picnic basket. "Might as well see what the gods have blessed us with." his voice rang with sarcasm and he could have sworn that Will laughed quietly beside him.
Within the basket was a plate of neatly packed sandwiches, a collection of luscious looking fruit, a glass bottle of pomegranate juice (which was almost certainly some sick joke in Nico's opinion) along with a stack of CD's wrapped in a golden ribbon and with a tag that read 'Hip Mortal Music'. Under the CD's was a small portable CD player.
"So blessed" Will chuckled as he peered over Nico's shoulder into the basket. "Might as well continue the habit and put on some music right?" He leaned over the shorter boy and winked as he grabbed the CD player and CD's.
Nico pulled out the plate of sandwiches and placed them on the basket. He refused to touch the bottle of juice. "Bon appetit," he muttered.
"Bone appetit, Death Boy." Will grinned to himself as he figured out the CD player.
"Don't even." Nico warned.
The other boy ignored his warning and proceeded to shuffle through the cases. "Pick a number between one and five."
"Three," Nico picked up a sandwich and took a bite.
"Easy Listening" Will read the title of the album Nico had selected as he took out the disc and inserted it into the device. "A collection of the smoothest songs around." He spoke like a TV advert voice over guy, trying too hard to seem chilled out all in hopes of selling a stupid CD.
"Joy." Nico took another bite to suppress a smile.
"Pick another Number between one and twenty two."
"Thirteen."
"Bloom" Will skipped through the tracks until he found the right one, Nico raised an eyebrow. "By the Paper Kites"
"Never heard of it."
"You have now" The blonde reached over and took a sandwich before sitting back to enjoy the music.

A minute or so passed and Nico had to give in to the drink that sat coolly in the basket, luckily whoever had sent them the hamper had packed glasses. He poured himself a glass and handed the other to his companion.
As he drank he began to really listen to the song. It was pretty he had to admit, the melody had a slight chime to it that was indeed calming. Nico also took into account, for the first time, just how absorbed Will would get into music. He seemed to really appreciate it, despite his basic understanding of the art.
The boy's eyes seemed so distant, lost in the melody. He took a sip of his drink, his gaze never shifting from the horizon. Will had such a naturally stunning appearance. Literally. It wasn't the first time Nico had noticed but in times of calmness when Will was content he seemed to radiate the light. Like the sun was drawn to his positive energy. The same way Nico could attract the shadows.
It could be painful to think of just how different they were.

Will turned his head, clearly sensing Nicos stare, his shining eyes focused solely on Nico's, their gaze still soft yet so piercing.
In that moment there was a strange spark in the air between them that made Nico's skin tingle and his breath caught in his throat.
The two seemed to gravitate towards each other, slowly but surely, He could practically feel Will's life force radiating off of him, brave once again, like the sun reflecting off of a mirror in a blinding ray of light.
They were so close now that Nico was certain he would completely lose his grip on reality and either panic-shadow-travel away or accidentally tear the ground open, releasing a horde of skeletons, which would definitely kill the mood.
His hand gently grazed across Will's, who to his surprise locked fingers with him, intertwining their hands together, gently but reassuringly as if to say it's okay, I'm terrified too.
Nico would have sworn, that given maybe thirty more seconds they would have kissed, But apparently The Fates had other plans.