Italy Fic!

Nico couldn't – wouldn't – let go of his hand.

As they navigated their way out of the airport, and into the busy lot outside, and onto the crowded, rather dirty public bus, Nico clutched onto Will's hand with a dying grip. For a bit, he worried that he was actually hurting the American but when Will responded with just as much pressure, Nico figured he was feeling about the same. They sat in the back, arms pressed firmly together, and ignored any lingering stares they probably received. Thankfully, the bus was nearly empty at this hour.

Nico's full attention was on the way Will's thumb was tracing circles into his hand and how perfectly his head pillowed onto Will's shoulder. Will gave a contented sigh and nudged the suitcases on the floor with his foot. "It's gonna be fun unpacking all of this."

"It's better than packing it up," Nico muttered and promptly hid a yawn into Will's shoulder. It was annoyingly late. Or, rather, annoyingly early. Will's plane had landed at the Venice Marco Polo Airport at three twenty-six in the morning. Nico, as the overthinking ball of nerves he had always been, hadn't slept a wink and been there at eleven.

Will shimmied his shoulder, jerking Nico awake. "You can't sleep!" he scolded. "I don't know where we're going!"

"Bluh," was Nico eloquent response. Nonetheless, he straightened up and willed his eyes to stay open.

The bus slowed to a stop and the fluorescent traffic lights brightened up the dark bus. Nico took the opportunity to ogle his boyfriend. After only seeing him through a smudged, pixelated screen for eight long months, Nico figured he was allowed to stare a bit. Will was blinking himself awake, stifling a yawn behind the overlarge sleeve of his NYU hoodie. Half of his face was highlighted bright red from the stoplight, and it suddenly flashed green and the bus rolled forward. Will yawned again and wrapped an arm around Nico, who happily moved into the embrace.

"I need some coffee," Will muttered.

"At three in the morning," Nico huffed, "I don't think so. Your head would explode."

Will chuckled. "Then when we wake up?"

"Bianca brews it every morning."

"Awesome," Will said with yet another yawn.

When they reached their stop, Nico had to push Will to his feet. "Almost there," he said as he grabbed one of Will's suitcases and guided him off of the bus. "My house is just around the block."

"Are you sure your dad is okay with me staying the night?"

"He's in Rome for a business conference. What he doesn't know won't hurt him." Nico stopped for a moment to readjust his grip on the case. "Damn, Will, what did you pack? Books?"

Will cast him a sleepy smile and Nico hated how, even worn-out and exhausted, Will still made him blush. "Even better," he teased. "Rocks."

"Weights would have been a better answer," he muttered and nudged him along. "Keep walking."

Will groaned and stumbled stubbornly forward. They didn't speak as they walked but their arms kept brushing and eventually Will just reached over and threaded their fingers together again. Finally, they reached Nico's driveway and he sighed in relief. "Here," he said.

Will froze, hand going rigid in Nico's, and Nico immediately turned. "What?"

Will was gaping at his house. "You live here?"

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"What does your dad do again?"

"Divorce lawyer," Nico answered automatically. "People say he's good enough to rule Hell, whatever that means."

Will nodded, still looking surprised.

"Does my house offend you or…?"

"No," he squeaked, "it's just… it's huge."

Nico shrugged. "Thank all the unhappy marriages, I guess."

"Aw, man," Will mused as they walked up to the door, "it's gonna suck going to my dingy dorm after this."

Nico felt his cheeks growing warm again. "Well… you know you're… you're always welcome here."

Will was quiet for a moment and then squeezed his hand. "I… I really missed you."

Oh, God, Nico was hoping they would skip the emotional stuff until the morning. He was so tired he wasn't sure if he could handle it. He would probably collapse right there on the porch. Still, Nico managed to meet his gaze. "I missed you, too."

They shared a smile before Nico reached for the doorknob. He turned it, but it didn't budge. Locked? He tried it again. "Shit," he hissed.

"Locked out?"

"Yeah, just let me find my key." Nico started patting at his pockets and blanched when he came up empty. He gave Will a horrified look.

"That's it." Will dropped his bag to throw his hands up dramatically. "I'm sleeping on the porch."

"Or I could call Bianca to let us in." Nico dug his phone out of his jacket as Will stubbornly sat down and leaned his head against Nico's head.

"Hurry," he whined.

"Shush." He held his phone up to his ear and waited as the monotone ring sounded.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

"Oh my God, Nico, I swear you had better be dying."

"We're locked out," Nico said. "Come let us in."

His sister let out a frustrated groan. "It's four o'clock! Are you kidding me right now? Where's your key?"

"Just come down! We're just as tired as you are."

"Who's 'we'?"

"Will."

"I thought he was staying in a dorm! Dad's gonna be pissed."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't listening. I was remembering that time you threw a party while Dad was in France and I took the fall when your drunk friends broke the television."

There was the sound of rustling sheets and movement, and, a few moments later, the front lock clicked and then the door swung open, revealing his grumpy, messy-haired sister with a defeated glare. "Touché, little brother," she said and hung up.

Nico shook his leg, startling Will, who had been softly snoring into his jeans. "Wake up, idiota. Door's open."

"Yay," Will sang tiredly and held up his arms. "Help me up?"

Nico rolled his eyes, but grabbed Will's hands and yanked him to his feet. "Do you want me to carry you up the stairs, too?"

"That would be awesome," he yawned out.

"Yes, very chivalrous of you, Nico," Bianca huffed. "Now can I go to sleep?"

"I forgot the beast needs her beauty sleep," Nico jabbed. Bianca stuck her tongue out at him.

"This is your sister?" Will lit up and held out his hand. "Hi! I'm Will. It's meet to finally nice you."

Bianca glanced at Nico for explanation and Nico tiredly replied, "He means it's nice to meet you."

"Yeah!" Will pointed languidly at Nico. "You know. Face to face."

"Right," Bianca muttered uncertainly.

"We'll do proper introductions in the morning." Nico pushed Will into the door and dragged his suitcases in after him. "Let's just go to sleep."

"Yay," Will repeated.

"All right. I'm going to bed. Don't try anything or I swear to God I will tell Dad. Goodnight, dorks." Bianca went up the stairs and Nico could practically hear her flop into bed and start snoring.

Nico pulled at Will's arm. "C'mon. Almost there."

"My bags," Will protested weakly.

"We'll get them tomorrow."

"My PJ's are in them."

"You can just wear mine."

Nico pushed open his bedroom door and strode across the dark room to turn on his bedside table lamp. Soft light illuminated the room. "It looks smaller through webcam," Will mused. He seemed to wake up enough to start exploring, looking at the books on his shelves and the posters on his walls and the pictures on his desk while Nico began rummaging around in his dresser for two pairs of sweatpants.

He threw a pair of flannel plaid pants at Will's head. "There. Those have always been big on me so they should fit."

"Thanks." Will pointed to one of the pictures on his desk. "How old were you in this?"

Nico had to crane his neck to see which one he was referring to. It was of Nico and Bianca dressed as pirates. It was a game they always played as kids. Bianca was always captain and Nico was the first mate. No exceptions. He shrugged. "Five? Six?"

Will smiled. "You were so cute."

"Were?"

"Are."

Nico blushed. He wasn't really sure what to say so he just grabbed a pair of sweatpants for himself and a t-shirt. "I'm going to go change," he said and walked into the bathroom.

When he emerged again, his heart practically burst at the sight of Will sprawled out on his bed, wearing Nico's pajama pants. They were still too short on him, resting above his ankles. Nico silently cursed his height before cautiously sitting down on the other side. At once, Will's arms wrapped around Nico's waist and pulled him down.

"So happy you're here," Will was muttering into his hair. "I can't believe I'm actually in Italy."

Nico blew out a sigh and rolled onto his side so he could look at Will properly. "Me neither. But I'm so, so happy you are." Will's eyes fluttered closed so Nico took the opportunity to push a quick kiss to his forehead and whisper, "I love you."

Will opened his eyes as Nico ran a hand through his blond hair. "I love you, too." They just stared at each other for a bit before Will broke into breathless laughter. "Wow. It's kind of intense saying it so close."

Nico cracked a nervous smile. "Just go to sleep, you idiot."

"'Kay," Will said immediately, looking far too happy to finally have a pillow beneath his head. "But first." He leaned over and kissed Nico swiftly. Nico kissed back for as long as he dared, but before he'd had his fill he pulled back.

"We have all year for that," Nico reasoned.

"Right." Will pecked his nose. "Good night, Nico."

"Night, Will."

He reached over and turned off his lamp then settled back into the covers.

Within minutes, they were both asleep, curled into each other, and already dreaming of the morning.

A/N: Yoo! I know I have two other fics to update but it was Shibuya's Composer's birthday a few days ago and I wanted to write something for her! So, happy birthday, Kari! :D I hope you have the best year yet! ;3