#phoenixfanfic

I related to this on a spiritual level. 

It was the third week Nico had gone to library to find that The Kite Runner was still not checked in at his library. He could have gone to any other public library or his school’s library, but sadly, he had been banned from the school library for reasons he’d rather not recall and this library was the only one within walking distance from his house.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Is this person just rechecking it out each time?” he asked in frustration.

“No, actually,” the volunteer said. “It’s just late. The guy hasn’t checked it back in. He’s about a month overdue.” She shrugged and looked at Nico wearily.

“A month,” Nico growled. “Who the hell is it?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

Nico bit his lip. “I’ll give you ten bucks.” She raised an eyebrow. “Fifteen.”

She smiled. “Name’s Will Solace. He goes to our school.”

Nico sighed. He didn’t know a Will Solace. But dammit, he was going to find him. He wanted that book, and a careless boy who didn’t know how to take care of books or pay attention to deadlines was not going to get in his way. “Thanks,” he muttered.

“Ah-ah,” she chided. “Pay up.”

Nico rolled his eyes and gave her fifteen dollars.

The next day at school, Nico asked his friends if they knew a Will Solace. “I think Austin knows him,” Jason told him. “The guy that plays the sax?”

“Got it, thanks.” Nico dashed to the band room during lunch and caught sight of Austin with his saxophone case before he went inside. “Hey, dude!” Austin stopped and turned to him. “How’s it going? Good? That’s great! I need to know if you know a Will Solace.”

“Why?” Austin asked. Nico waved the question away. “I know his step-sister. Kayla. She’s on the archery team. They practice fifth period. She’s got green hair, you really can’t miss her.”

“Okay. Shit. Alright thanks dude. Keep up the sax playing stuff!” He turned away and started for the cafeteria. He kept his eyes peeled for green hair, but Kayla must not have had this lunch. For the next class period, he kept Kayla and her green hair in mind. Finally during fifth, he asked for a bathroom pass and went to the field where students were practicing archery.

He noticed the girl almost immediately. She was the only one with most of the arrows near the bullseye, the only one not gossiping and giggling over the coach watching them or the football players on the field. As Nico stepped towards her, she aimed her bow and arrow towards him, causing him to stop dead.

She studied him for a second before lowering her bow. “You the guy Austin was talking about? The one looking for Will?” Nico nodded. “What do you want him for?”

“It’s a long story.”

She frowned. “Look he’s not interested in dating anyone right now-”

“What? No!” Nico shook his head. “Look I just have a question to ask. Do you know where I can find him?”

She furrowed her eyebrows and gestured to the gym. “He’s in basketball. They practice after school today.”

“Okay, thanks,” he said, starting for the gym. He heard the whip of the air as her arrow cut through the air and lodged itself in the bullseye of her target. He went back to class only to return to the gym when the bell rang. He heard the raucous laughter of the boys in the changing room and went inside without hesitation.

A few of the guys glanced at him in confusion and Nico realized he didn’t know what Will looked like. “I’m looking for Will,” he told one boy. “Solace,” he added.

The boy pointed over to a guy near the back off the locker room laughing with another guy, both in the middle of changing into a uniform. “The blond one.”

“Thanks.” He stomped toward the blond, his hands in fists at his sides. Will glanced over and confusion settled over him. “Will Solace?”

“Do I… do I know you?”

“No, but I know you,” Nico growled. The guy next to him inched away.

“That’s kind of creepy,” Will pointed out. Nico scowled.

“You have a book that is way overdue at the library and I have been waiting for it for a goddamn month. Where- is- it?” His blue eyes widened and he blinked in surprise.

“So… you’ve been tracking me down… for a book?” Again, Nico scowled and stepped closer to the shirtless blond that wasn’t taking him seriously. Will stepped back and pressed himself against the wall. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, tiny angry person, okay, wait!”

“Listen, Blondie, I just want the damn book, so where is it? I have a very clear shot at kicking your crotch right now, so speak up.” Nico heard the other guys in the locker room chuckle as Will’s mouth fell open. “Where’s the book, Solace?”

“Somewhere in my room, okay? I’ll look for it tonight and return it, I swear.”

“Okay. Thank you.” Nico turned away and glowered at the others who looked at him in surprise. He left the locker room but hadn’t made it halfway down the hall when he heard someone call for him to wait.

He turned around and was surprised to see Will, this time with his jersey on, jogging up to him. “Uh, so I’m really bad at remembering stuff,” he said. Nico scoffed. What an understatement. “Could I maybe… give you my number so you can remind me to look for the book tonight?”

“Why would I-” Nico cut himself off when he noticed the tinge in Will’s cheeks. “Wait… are you… are you hitting on me?” Will turned slightly redder and cleared his throat.

“I mean… it’s not every day I have someone looking for me to threaten to hit me in the crotch. All for a book.” Nico scoffed again, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I don’t even know your name.”

“Nico. Nico di Angelo.”

Blood Troubles:

Nico looked at the body and scrunched his nose. The alarm was ringing obnoxiously in his ears as Bianca paced behind him. “Went a little overboard, don’t you think?”

“It was an accident,” she insisted.

“It’s the freaking quarterback,” he snapped. “We can’t hide this.” He put a toe under the teen’s stomach and flipped him over. “Father already thinks I breached the stupid peace pact with the Mystics, and now you’re killing kids at our school?”

“He tried to hurt me!” she shouted. “I only meant to knock him out, but then the blood…. I was so hungry, Nico.”

“I know,” he said. “Sorry. Just stressed. I was on a date.”

Her eyes turned into slits and she snarled. “Look around you!” she hissed. “Look at the trouble we’re in and you’re worried about a stupid date?”

Nico rolled his eyes and hefted the body over his shoulder. “Alright, calm down. We just have to make it look like an accident.”

“What about the blood?” she asked, her eyes turning back to normal. “What about his family? Nico….” She fell to her knees and started crying again.

It made Nico uncomfortable when she was like this. She was the older one. She was supposed to be the one that made everything else make sense. She should have been taking care of him. But there had always been an unbelievable amount of goodness in her. Even as a vampire, a creature made for killing and hunting and seducing, she had her morals. She ate as little as she could, and even then felt guilty.

Nico had been consumed by the long drone of immortality. Years blurred together, decades even. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt guilty about anything. He killed to eat and that was that. Although he usually stuck to other horrible people, he never felt bad.

With a sigh, he put the body down and walked over to her. His hands were stained with blood, though he had no urge to drink it. The merblood was so effective, he hadn’t even craved Will’s blood as badly as he had yesterday. “Bianca. He was going to hurt you. And I have no doubt he must have hurt other girls before. Girls who couldn’t fight back.” She looked at him with her human brown eyes and Nico felt his heart clench. “He wanted to hurt you, Bianca. If you hadn’t killed him, I would have. It’s not that different from what I do. We’re just… ridding the world of the scum they don’t catch. Now come on-”

He cut off suddenly, catching a strange scent. The smell of dog was prominent throughout the school as it was. Many students had one if not more. But this time, the scent was laced with something pleasant.

Wolf blood.

I got like 5 messages asking to continue this. I’m so glad you guys like it!! I have more to it if you guys want more. 

They’d tried working in the library. But their arguing got too loud and they got kicked out. It was too hot to work in the park. And frankly, Nico had seen enough of the God-awful classroom they were stuck in for ninety minutes. He didn’t want to stay any longer.

“What about your place?” Nico asked the third day they’d failed to find a study place.

“I left my keys and my parents are working,” Will said with a huff. “What about your place?”

Nico grimaced, but it came off as a scowl. He twisted his ring and shrugged. His father wouldn’t be home for hours. And he didn’t plan on having Will at his house for that long. “Fine,” he grumbled. “Keep up, I don’t like slow walkers.”

They started for his house and Nico let him in, feeling anxious. He hated this guy. Now he was in his house? He went to his room and put down his bag on the floor. He yanked out the chair at his desk and gestured for Will to sit as he turned his computer on.

But Will didn’t sit. He started glancing around the room and Nico watched him warily. He paused at his corkboard. “You had a girlfriend when you were little?” he asked.

Nico grimaced, feeling annoyed and melancholic at the same time. “That’s my sister,” he said. Then, knowing what he’d ask next, he added, “We have work to do Solace. Stop looking at my stuff.”

Will rolled his blue eyes and started for the chair. They managed to get more done that time, but Nico heard Will’s stomach grumble. He raised an eyebrow. “Hungry?” Will nodded sheepishly. “You could have said so. I’ll order pizza.”

Nico ordered online and they continued to work in tense silence. He had a lot of mannerisms that Nico couldn’t choose whether to label as endearing or annoying. Like asking questions aloud to himself, making sound effects as he searched, and tapping his foot. Before he could decide, the door opened and Nico’s stomach dropped. “Shit,” he muttered under his breath.

“What?” Will asked.

“Nothing. Just stay here. And don’t touch anything.” He got up and left the room, shutting the door behind him. “Dad?” he called. He came into view, eyelids drooping and a beer bottle already in his hand to cure last night’s hangover. “Uh, I have a… friend over. We’re working on a project.” His father sighed in exhaustion and looked at him expectantly. “I ordered pizza. So… don’t worry about it.”

“With what money?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

“My own,” Nico said softly. “It’s fine, Dad.” He shrugged and pushed past Nico to sit in the living room. He smelled sour, like stale alcohol and maybe even vomit. Nico felt the embarrassment creep up on him and berated himself. Who cared what Will thought about his dad? Nico didn’t like him much either.

He started back toward his room when the doorbell rang. Pizza. He took the box and thanked the delivery girl.

Will waited in his room, glancing around, shocked at how clean it was. He thought Nico would be messy. He figured he’d have his CD’s all over the floor, dirty clothes strewn on the bed, on the television, and have candy wrappers and half eaten food on his desk or littering the ground by his trashcan. But he didn’t.

Everything was in perfect order. The pictures on the corkboard. The books on his shelf, one pulled out with a bookmark in it. Will recognized it- The Kite Runner. He had a dry erase board with goals and reminders written on it. In one corner it had a motivational quote. The bottom corner was labeled ‘Memory of the Week’ and under it, When we were little, you never let me watch anything that wasn’t rated G. Will’s eyebrows furrowed and he neared the corkboard again. His sister.

The door opened suddenly and he walked in with that stoic expression and a pizza box in his hands. “Have at it,” he said. “I don’t eat pizza.”

“You bought me an entire pizza?” he asked in astonishment.

“Well, it’s not like I can buy four slices of it. Besides I don’t know how much you eat. I used to be able to eat a whole pizza by myself. Now I can barely manage a slice.” He returned to his computer and Will began eating. “Did you want something to drink?” he asked after Will had gotten through the third slice. Will shrugged and Nico rolled his eyes. “Honestly, would it kill you to speak up?”

“Well, you’re not exactly approachable,” he muttered. He was doing it again. He was giving Will that look that made him feel stupid and lame. Nico rolled his eyes and left the room again. He heard yelling suddenly and then Nico’s voice shouting over it.

“Dad! Dad give me the phone!” Will left the room and peered into the living room where a man with greasy shoulder length hair was yelling into a phone and at Nico. Nico had one hand on the man’s wrist and the other tried to pry away the phone.

He’d never seen so much emotion on Nico’s face. He looked sad and worried and scared and every single horrible emotion anyone could feel all at once. Will preferred the stoic look over the expression he had now.

“Dad, please. She’s not coming back!” Suddenly the man flicked his free hand, dousing Nico in liquid. Nico tensed, his eyes screwed shut. He let go of his father and wiped his eyes. When he opened them, they looked red and irritated. Surprisingly, he didn’t look angry. Just defeated. Somehow, that was worse. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. He stepped away, and Will stood frozen in shock.

But when Nico passed by him, he didn’t say anything. He just went back to his room and Will recognized the acrid stench of beer. After mobility had returned to his limbs, Will went to his room, hoping to say something reassuring, but his words caught in his throat.

Nico was sitting on his bed, his shirt balled up at his feet, and a sweater in his hands. But he made no movement to put it on. He just sat there, staring at the floor, his jaw set. Will could see every line accenting his arm muscles, the gentle curve of his back as he slouched forward. And he couldn’t breathe. His heart was pounding in his ears. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Nico’s light brown skin and the muscles that adorned it.

Suddenly, Nico’s head snapped up. “I don’t like being watched. Stop staring at me.” He pulled the sweater on and Will blinked and snapped his mouth shut. He was about to object to staring when Nico said, “You should go. He’s just going to get worse.”

“Nico-”

“I don’t want your pity or your sympathy or whatever it is that’s going to make you say whatever is on the tip of your tongue,” he snapped. “Just go.”

Will stepped back, slightly hurt. Before he was able to shut the door, he heard Nico call his name. He backtracked. “Don’t tell anyone,” was all he said.

The next day at school, Will couldn’t help but look for Nico in his classes and the hallways. He saw him laughing with his friends at lunch, flirting with some girl in the hallway, and of course in class where he had to sit by him to work on their project. But when he tried to bring up the night before, Nico would cut him off with a random question about the project.

He didn’t smell like beer anymore. He smelled like cologne and clean cotton. “If you don’t stop looking at me like I’m a lost puppy, I’m going to punch you in the face,” he said eventually.

“I’m worried about you,” Will blurted, surprising himself.

“Well, don’t be. Worry about this stupid project that tied our grade together.”

Will could feel his annoyance coming back. “You don’t have to be such a prick about it, Nico. So what if someone cares? What’s wrong with that?” Nico didn’t answer. He just kept working. When the bell rang, Will offered Nico to continue working at his house. “I have my keys today so if you want to keep working….” He shrugged.

Despite what Will had seen, Nico remained Nico. He continued with his expression, with his snide remarks, with that frustrating no emotion attitude. If anything, it had magnified in him. They went to his home where his father was working in the garage on the nice new car he never drove.

“Hey, champ!” he called. Will waved. “Who’s that?”

“Nico. We’re working on a project.” Will’s dad nodded and he led him inside. “My mom’s usually working till about nine.” He noticed the pictures of himself as a kid in a basketball uniform and groaned internally. Nico saw them, but he didn’t comment.

When he got into his room though, Nico let out a low whistle. Will had a table filled with trophies that dated back to when he was about ten. “You played basketball?” he asked.

“Dad wanted me to. I was good at it, but I didn’t like it. Mom intervened and made me get into academics and medicine and stuff.” Nico hummed and his eyes raked over the trophies and medals. “Anyway, project.”

They started working and after a while, Nico asked, “Your parents don’t check in on you?”

“Dad tends to forget about me. He spends his time in the garage, outside in the yard, fighting with my aunt, or something. Mom gets home too late.” He shrugged and glanced at Nico, unable to read his expression. “So-”

“I should go,” he said suddenly. “We’ve done a lot of work, we can take a break from each other.” He stood and rubbed his neck, letting out a long breath through his nose. “I’ll see you around.” He turned and left, closing the door before Will could answer.

“Okay,” he mumbled to the empty room, feeling oddly hurt. Same old Nico.

Ummmm…. YES?!?!?!?!??! I’d like to name this “What is This Feeling?” (Yes that was a Wicked reference.

Will was seated on the opposite end of the classroom, but hewas still aggravated. “You’re scowling again,” Cecil noted.

“I can’t stand him,” he hissed. “I mean I’m a nice guy, Ilike everyone. But he’s such a pretentious asshole!” Cecil raised an eyebrowand looked over at the boy with long, bushy raven black hair. He was messingwith a ring on his finger. Will had always thought rings were sort of afeminine thing, but Nico wore it and made it look so masculine and good andWill hated it.

“Really, he doesn’t seem too bad.” Will rolled his eyes andcrossed his arms. He kept glancing at Nico and at one point, the deep browneyes were looking back. Will’s gaze hardened and he looked right back, refusingto be intimidated. Finally, Nico looked away in response to a question directedat him. “Sheesh,” Cecil muttered.

Will really didn’t know what it was about the guy thatticked him to no end. Nico was attractive, no doubt about it. He had girlsswooning over him left and right, and even the few gay guys they had at schoolwould fawn over him. There was something about that stoic expression and hissunken eyes and dark clothes that made him mysterious and inviting anddangerous all at once. Like a vampire.

And he knew it. Will knew he did. He saw in the way he’dwalk into class, the way his eyes would sweep over everyone as though heexpected to be admired wherever he went. In the bland expression that he hadthat could make anyone feel stupid or inferior. In the relaxed way he’d chew onthe caps of his pen or the eraser of his pencil. And the stupid, annoying, frustratingway he’d always make better grades than Will without trying while Will bustedhis ass trying to get top scores.

While Will was brooding over it, someone in front of himcleared their throat. He looked up and nearly choked on his spit. “What?” hesnapped, still in shock.

Nico raised an eyebrow and looked down at him in a way thatmade Will want to stand and loom over him. He was taller than Nico anyway. “Iwanted to ask if you understood the second problem. My friends and I can’t figureit out.”

Will scoffed, and crossed his arms over his papers, tryingto hide the fact that he hadn’t even started. “Wow what a surprise,” he saidwith mockery thick in his voice. “You never listen to the lecture and now youneed my help.”

Nico’s upper lip curled in a face almost of disgust. “I don’tneed anything from you, Solace. Ijust thought you’d be the next best to ask. But seeing as you haven’t evenstarted your work, I see you’re completely useless.” Will heard his blood roarin his ears. Nico scoffed. “And you call me pretentious? Nice.” He walked backto his seat and sat down with a huff.

Will stared after him, his face still flushed though whetherin anger or in embarrassment from the fact that Nico knew what Will thought ofhim, he wasn’t sure. For some reason, he didn’t want Nico to know what he’dsaid. He didn’t want Nico getting offended by him.

Next to him Cecil whistled softly. “Talk about sexualtension.”

“What?”

Despite his efforts, Nico’s eyes flitted to Will when heheard him exclaim. He bent over whispering harshly to the boy who sat next tohim. Nico tapped his pencil against his journal in aggravation. “Hey, what isit?” Jason asked next to him. His girlfriend was sketching patterns onto hispale skin. “You look mad.”

“It’s the freaking know-it-all over there,” Nico muttered. “Idon’t get what his problem is. I never did anything to him but he seems hell benton being an asshole to me.”

“What do you care?” Piper asked. “A lot of guys are assholesto you. And you can be one too. No need to get worked up over it.”

She had a point. He had his good share of people that didn’tlike him. But he also had a good amount of people that did. People that weredying to be his friend but were too scared to really try. Nico didn’t try toscare them off, he just did. It was just the way he was. But this guy….

This guy was all smiles. Bright and sunny, friendseverywhere. Anytime Nico heard his name, it was followed by something good. He’dnever heard a single bad thing about Will Solace. Except for that one day.

Will called Nico apretentious asshole.

Nico scowled at his paper and shook his head. It didn’tmatter.

So what had Nico done to be the only guy not on Will’s goodside? Did he just think he was better than Nico? Because he was friendlier?Maybe. He had so many friends whereas Nico was avoided for the most part. He’dlearned not to let it get to him, the way people averted their eyes. He’dlearned to hide what he felt for the most part because he knew people couldexploit it. Will didn’t have to do that. He was a person who was immediatelyliked. And with his uncensored distaste or Nico, there was no doubt that evenmore people would avoid him.

So why was he itching to go back over there? To pester Willwith unnecessary questions and watch the way his face flushed with anger andfrustration, the way his eyes would darken at the sight of him?

Before figuring it out, the teacher called for theirattention. “The semester’s coming to an end, and as you all know because you’regood kids and you read the syllabus,” she said with overdone sarcasm, “there’sa project you have to do.” The kids groaned. “Don’t worry, it’s in pairs.” Afew students perked up. “Take it serious or you won’t graduate. You get tochoose who to work with, but choose wisely because you will be graded as apair, not individuals.”

“Hey, do you mind if I work with Piper?” Jason asked. Nicoshrugged and waved a dismissive hand. He stood to ask if he could do theproject alone. He didn’t want his grade depending on anyone.

“What do you mean you’re pairing up with Lou Ellen?” Willasked the boy next to him. “She always pairs with Butch.”

“We broke up,” said the girl who was listening from themiddle of the room. “So I want Cecil as my partner.”

Nico saw Will glower at Cecil and mutter, “Traitor.” Thecorner of his mouth twitched slightly.

“Um, Ms. Dodds, can I work on the project alone? My usualpartner paired with someone else, and-”

“Well you’re in luck, because from what I hear, so did Will’s!”she said cheerily. “You can work with him.”

“What?” they askedat the same time. Will stood and walked over to the desk, his height makingNico feel small, even though he wasn’t. Nico scowled and got the urge to pushhim down. “Ms. Dodds, really, I’d rather work alone!” he said.

Nico crossed his arms and huffed. He noticed the other studentslistening to see what the drama was about. Heat crept up Nico’s neck whetherfrom anger or embarrassment he wasn’t sure. “Don’t make such a show, Sunshine,”he said coolly.

Will turned to him and glared. “Don’t call me Sunshine.”

Nico’s fists clenched and he took a step toward him. “Whatare you going to do about it… Sunshine?”The familiar flush filled his face and Nico smiled in triumph. The class washolding their breath, waiting for the fight they desperately wanted to see.

But Ms. Dodds’ suddenly bitter voice split the silence. “Well,now it’s not up to you, my dear. You’re partners and your grades are tied. So Isuggest you figure it out and get to work. I will not have you two making ascene in the middle of class.”

Nico shot Will a final glare and Will’s nose twitchedadorably before they turned to sit in their chairs with a huff.

“I hate him,” Nico muttered.

“Sure you do,” Piper said with a suppressed smile.

On the other side of the room, Will had his fists clenchedin his lap. Without looking at Cecil he said, “One word out of you and you’regetting punched in the face.” Cecil looked at Lou Ellen and they both laughedas quietly as they could.

Neither of the two knew for certain why their hearts werebeating so obnoxiously loud and fast. Though of course, it must be the anger.

OH MY GOD THIS WAS SO FUN TO WRITE!!!!! 

Leo kicked the ball to Nico from between the two opposingplayers. It rolled to Nico like a magnet. He could hear the opposing team’smidfielder coming up behind him, but Nico was in control of the ball now. Heturned and saw his opponent, a boy with light brown hair and dark eyes. He wassweaty, and it made his hair stick to his forehead. He could have been cutewithout that scowl on his face. But the scowl only made Nico smile in triumph.

Nico feinted right, only to kick to the left and follow theball as the other player tried to rebalance himself from the sudden step to theright. Several other players began to swarm Nico, but it was like slow motion.Nico processed each one’s moves, each step and attempt to take the black andwhite ball at his feet. “’Scuse me, boys,” he said with a smirk, kicking theball between the legs of a red haired boy towards Leo.

The boy looked down in shock as the others tried to get toLeo. He looked at Nico, and Nico winked, leaving the boy confused and redfaced. He laughed in delight and ran a little further down the field, callingfor the ball. The other team had a horrible manner of playing, every member swarmingthe ball rather than staying at their position and staying spread out. Leokicked the ball hard toward another teammate who passed it to Nico.

The goal was so close. And only one defense. Nico startedfor it, his eyes set on the net. The crowd got louder, but Nico couldn’t hearthem. He was too focused.

Before he knew it, a sharp, stinging pain shot up leg and hefell. The ball rolled ahead of him, slowing, as one of the other players walkedaway from Nico, not even going for the ball. Nico clenched his teeth and screwedhis eyes shut. Immediately, his teammates came to check on him, the referee’swhistle pausing the game.

“Nico!” Leo shouted, kneeling next to him. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” Nico growled.

“Other team got a yellow card. Penalty shot,” one of theteammates said.

“I’ll do it,” Nico said, trying to stand. But the second heput his foot down, his vision went white. “Ow!” he yelped.

“You’re not doing anything,” Leo said.

“Look, Valdez-”

“Hey, what happened?” a new voice said. Nico turned his headand his voice caught in his throat. A boy with sandy blond hair, falling aroundhis face like waves and eyes bluer than the sky above them was looking at himand Leo. He wore white shorts and a white polo with the school logo on thepocket.

One of the medics for the game.

“He hurt his foot,” Leo said.

“No I didn’t, I’m fine,” Nico said, finding his voice again.“He kicked me, but I can still play.”

The medic smiled and Nico noticed he had freckles splatteredalong his cheeks. “Put your foot down,” he said. Nico growled but did as he wastold, stumbling immediately. “Whoa, I got you,” he said, putting a firm grip onNico’s arm. “You’re not playing the rest of the game,” he said. Nico gloweredat him. “Pout all you want, Sunshine, it’s not happening.”

Nico’s eyes went wide as a few of his teammates snickered.Nobody talked to him like that. Ever. They were too intimidated by him. “What’sthe hold up?” the ref said jogging up to them.

“His foot is hurt. He can’t play,” the blond medic said.

“I’ll take the shot,” Leo said.

“Don’t miss, Valdez,” Nico said in defeat. Leo nodded andgave him a thumbs up. Then the medic swung Nico’s arm over his shoulders andslid his arm around his torso. “What are you doing?” Nico asked in a panic.

“Helping you off the field?” the boy answered with aconfused look. Nico blushed and looked away, limping and not saying anythingelse. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the medic smirking.

Finally he seated him on the bench and another medic gavehim a first aid kit. “Di Angelo,” the medic said. “Maybe you should change thatnumber on your jersey.”

Nico rolled his eyes and pulled off his jersey. Now that hewasn’t running, it was incredibly hot. He glanced at the back of the shirtwhere his last name was stitched and his number beneath it- 13.

He looked back at the medic to respond, but was surprised tosee him blushing and intently working on his ankle. Nico smiled to himself andstretched, noticing the blue eyes glance up his torso. When he noticed Nicolooking at him, his eyes darted away and he cleared his throat.

“Thirteen is actually my lucky number,” Nico said with asmirk. “So what’s your name?”

“Will,” he answered softly, his drawling voice like warmhoney. “Yours?”

“Nico,” he answered. “How’d you- ow!” he flinched as Willpositioned his foot. Will shook his head in dismay, but a smile tugged at hislips. Nico tried again. “How’d you get to be a medic for the games?”

“I’m a nurse aid,” he answered. “And I’m also in med-micro,so….” He shrugged.

“So you’re like… a nurse’s nurse?” Will moved his foot againand Nico yelped. “I wasn’t being sarcastic!” he said with a huff. Will gave hima look. “Okay maybe I was.” Will rolled his eyes, but Nico smiled at him. “Soyou want to be a doctor?”

Will stood up and packed up the first aid kit. “It’s notbroken,” he said. “But try to stay off it for at least three days. The othermedic is talking to your dad now.”

“What? Wait!” Nico called, starting for him, but rememberinghis ankle. “Hey!” he said. Will turned back around and was once again at a lossfor words. This hadn’t happened before. He was usually the one with the silvertongue, able to talk himself out of anything, insult and make it seem like a compliment,flirt and get what he wanted. But now, with those bright light blue eyeslooking at him intently like nobody had before, he was suddenly mute. He justknew he didn’t want Will to go.

“Yes?” the freckled boy asked. He hadn’t stepped back towardNico, but kept a safe distance.

“Um….” Nico rubbed his neck and bit his lip. Think! Say something! “Thanks. Forfixing me up,” he finally said.

“Yeah, it’s kind of my job here,” Will answered, starting toturn back around.

“No don’t-” Nico called, before he was able to stop himself.Will turned back, just as shocked as Nico. He cleared his throat, but didn’tlook away. If he did, Will might just bolt. “Um, I mean…. Oh, to hell with it.Look, I think you’re really cute and I kind of want to keep talking to you, butI have no idea what to say to make you stay or somehow give me your number.”

Will’s eyes went wide and his cheeks became as red and theginger’s hair on the other team. Fuck, Nicothought to himself. He must have scared him off. But instead, Will took a smallstep toward him. “Uh, well I have to go tell your family what happened. And I’llprobably have other injuries to deal with for the rest of the game. I can’tstay.” Nico furrowed his eyebrows. “But if you stay after the game for a bit,once you’ve changed and have your phone back….” He shrugged. “Okay.”

“Yeah, okay,” Nico said with a smile. “Cool.”

“Yeah, cool,” Will said, trying not to smile. He turned awayand Nico shifted his attention to the game.

I actually have this little OC named Micah. I’m using him in my fanfic on Wattpad later! This is one of many scenes I have concoted in my head for Percico as parents:

“Are you sure we can’t homeschool him?” Nico pleaded as thealarm went off.

Percy groaned in response. They’d had this talk before. Buttoday there was no going back. Percy got up from the bed, snatching up hisshirt from the floor and tugging it over his head. “Come on, Nico. It’ll beokay.”

“What if he gets bullied?”

“There’s teachers to prevent that.”

“What if-”

“It’s the first day of school!” someone yelled triumphantly.A small boy with dark curly hair and olive toned skin barged into the room,wide eyed and smiling. “I’m so excited!” Percy gave Nico a look that said, See? He’s excited.

“What do you want for breakfast, Micah?” he asked.

“Pancakes!” Percy gave him a confused look. “Fruit Loops?”he amended.

“Deal. Go get dressed, I’ll get you your cereal.” Micah leftand Nico stared at the door where he’d left. “Babe,” Percy said gently. Heclimbed back onto the bed and tugged him closer. “He’s going to be fine. It’llbe okay. Come on.”

Nico let Percy haul him out of bed and did his best to lookhappy for their son. The whole time he could feel the tugs at his heartstrings.He got into the car with Percy in the passenger seat and Micah in the back,holding onto his large backpack. He wanted Ninja Turtles and it had taken Nicoweeks to find the damn thing.

They were allowed to walk Micah in the first day. But theywouldn’t be allowed to linger. “Are you sure I should go?” Nico murmured. “Whatif he gets bullied for having two dads?”

“Nico,” Percy said gently, taking his hand. “He won’t getbullied. They’re little kids. Come on, Micah wants you there too.” Nico took adeep breath and nodded. The three of them went to Micah’s classroom and hefound his desk immediately.

He looked so excited and immediately began to talk to thegirl who sat beside him. “He’ll be fine,” Nico murmured to himself.

Before the parents were ushered out, Micah leapt out of hischair and ran for his parents, throwing a small uncoordinated arm around themboth. “I love you Daddy. I love you Papa.” Nico smiled at him and kissed hisforehead. “Don’t forget to pick me up!”

“Of course, champ,” Percy said. Nico followed him out,casting a final glance over his shoulder. “So how do you feel?” Percy asked asthey drove back home.

“Strange. I’m so used to him, and now he’s going to be gonehalf the day.” Percy took his hand again.

When they got home, Nico made himself a sandwich and frownedat the silence in the house. After five years of noise, he’d learned thatsilence was suspicion. But of course, Micah wasn’t here, so there was nothingto be suspicious about.

Percy joined him in the kitchen, smelling of Old Spice bodywash. His hair was wet and when he pulled Nico close, Nico could feel thecoolness of his skin. “When’s the last time I had a day off and got to be alonewith you?” he said softly. His tone of voice sent shivers up Nico’s spine.

Before he could answer, Percy pulled him into a passionatekiss. Nico lifted him up and started for their room.

A few hours later, they lay half asleep over each other. “Whattime is it?” he whispered, his fingers tracing random patterns onto Percy’sbare chest.

“A couple more hours before we have to get Micah,” Percyyawned. “Sleep first.” Nico smiled and pulled him closer, obliging.

After their nap, they went to pick Micah up. As soon as hegot into the car, he was telling them every detail of his day. How nice histeacher was and how funny he made things so it was easy to learn, how he’d madefriends with the little girl that sat next to him and the boy that sat with himat lunch, how the school looked and how they had bathroom breaks and had towalk in a line.

“So you like your school, love?” Nico asked.

“Yeah! I can’t wait to go back tomorrow!” he said happily.

OOOOH yes!!! Okay, since the rodeo is the only carnival I’ve ever been to, I’m basing it off that:

The carnival looked beautiful during sunset. And as Nicowaited in line for tickets, he was able to see how the entire scene changed ina matter of minutes. Lights came on, flickering and colorful against the blacksky that fell. The air became a little cooler as the sun disappeared.

Suddenly, he felt an intense vibration in his pocket andjumped slightly. He pulled his phone out and answered.

“Where are you?” his sister demanded. “Hazel and I reallywant to go on the Ferris wheel.”

“Trust me, Bianca, I know. You two haven’t shut up about itsince we got here. But the line is long. I’m like two people away. I’ll callyou when I have the tickets.”

He hung up and put his phone away. After a few moments, hewas finally able to get his tickets. As he tried to stack them neatly, someonebumped into him and he had to grip onto the tickets. “Whoa!” he said, losinghis footing.

“Whoa there!” someone else said, catching his arm andbalancing him again. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

Nico looked up, completely ready to tell someone off, butthe words shriveled and died in his throat as he looked into a blond guy’sbright blue eyes. “Uh,” he said dumbly. A blond eyebrow ached and a slight smirkbegan to tug at his lips. Nico had to remind himself to close his mouth, seeingas it was hanging open.

“You okay?” the sandy haired teen asked, smilingshamelessly.

“Uh-huh,” Nico said. “T-totally, uh, fine, yeah.” He hatedthat he stammered when he got nervous.

“Oh, watch out,” the boy said, pulling him close as a womanwith a twin stroller passed behind him.

He smelled like spearmint. Nico realized he was chewingspearmint gum. My, God, he was close enough that Nico could feel his breathsagainst his nose. He glanced up at his crystal clear eyes, and his cheeksflushed. The guy was still smirking at him, his hand warm against Nico’s lowerback.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated again, and Nico jumped awayfrom him, his heart hammering. “Hello?” he spoke into the phone.

“Nico? You okay? Your voice is like an octave higher.”

Nico cleared his throat. “Fine. Uh, I have the tickets, I’llmeet you at the house of mirrors.” He hung up and turned back to the boy. “Uh,thanks,” he said though he wasn’t sure for what.

The boy must have thought the same thing, because he chuckledand tilted his head at Nico. He was about to say something when the girl he waswith tugged on his arm. “Will, come on, we lost Cecil,” she said.

“Oh- wait- what-?” he said before he was tugged through thecrowd. Nico scoffed and turned away.

Most of the tickets were used on carnival games, like ringtoss and water guns shooters. Bianca managed to win a stuffed monkey, and Hazelwon a few beaded necklaces. “Come on, I want to try the slingshot!” Hazel said.Bianca ran after her, but as Nico followed, someone grabbed his arm.

“Hey,” he heard. And his stomach dropped. He pulled away andcame face to face with the same boy from before. “I didn’t get a chance to askyour name before my cousin pulled me away.” Nico looked away. His cousin? “So…can I get your name?” he asked with a small chuckle.

“Uh, Nico,” he answered, though it sounded like a question.

“I’m Will,” he answered. He bit his lip and cocked his head.“Have you won any prizes?”

“I don’t play,” Nico said softly. “My sisters do. I just look.”He shook his head, realizing he’d left his sisters. “Crap, the let actually. Ihave to go. It-”

“The sling shot is right over there. Are those yoursisters?” Nico looked and saw Bianca and Hazel whispering to each other, theireyes on Will. Hazel looked over at Nico and gave a thumbs up, while Biancawinked.

“Nope,” he groaned. But Will laughed, knowing that theywere. “I should uh… go. They wanted to see the Ferris wheel before we left,and-”

“Well, I could take you to that,” Will interjected. Nico lookedat him questioningly. “The wheel seats two. I don’t think you’d want to share aseat with a stranger.”

“You are a stranger,” Nico answered.

Will’s smirk became a wide smile. “I don’t have to be,” hesaid. Nico’s cheeks flared, and despite the chilly air, he felt a tongue offire slide down his back. “I’ll win you a giant bear,” he offered.

“What?” Will laughed, a wonderful light sound that gave Nicosecondhand joy.

Without explaining, Will took his hand and led him to abasketball toss just a few feet away. “If I win the bear, you have to say yesto the Ferris wheel ride with me. And maybe give me your number.”

Nico’s mouth fell open again and his face burned inembarrassment. “I-What- I –uh.” Will laughed and gave his tickets to the womanat the stand. He was given four basketballs.

“Three shots is all you need,” the lady said.

Will winked at Nico and positioned himself to throw. Theball went in without even hitting the rim. Just a clean, swoosh sound as it slid through the netting. Then the second. Thenthe third. Then the fourth.

He was given a large bear, about half his height and twiceas stuffed. He approached Nico, his cheeks glowing with pride. “So?” hequestioned.

“Well you got the bear, didn’t you?” Nico said. Will smiledshowing a perfect array of teeth and handed the bear to him. Suddenly, Biancaand Hazel raced up to him, both disheveled and laughing hysterically.

“That was so fun!” Hazel said.

“I thought I was gonna puke!” Bianca added. “It was amazing,it was like flying!”

Hazel nudged Bianca. “Look, it’s him,” she said, not reallywhispering.

“He’s cute,” Bianca said, nudging Nico in turn. Nico’s facebecame red again and he looked away. “Did you win him the bear?” she asked Will.

“Yeah. We had a deal.” Nico looked at him, keeping his eyesdowncast. “So, Ferris wheel?” Nico nodded, not trusting his voice. Hazel andBianca walked ahead of them, giggling. Will stayed close to Nico, keeping hisside warm. “Hey, you’re cool with this, right?” he asked. For the first time,his voice wasn’t playful and suggestive. It was sincere.

It made Nico feel better. “Yeah,” he said smiling. “I justget nervous.”

“With heights?”

“When someone pays attention to me.” He felt blood creepinto his cheeks and wondered why he’d said something like that.

Hazel and Bianca were seated and the next set of seatsallowed Nico and Will to sit. He put his bear on the small space between theirfeet glad that the seat were closed with see thick see through plastic. Hewasn’t sure where to look, so he just fiddled with the ring on his finger andwaited to be taken high enough to look out.

Will scooted a little closer. Nico felt his breath hitch.“You don’t have to be nervous,” Will assured in a whisper. Nico looked over athim, captivated by his eyes.

“I’m not used to this,” he answered back quietly. The musicand shouts from the carnival was getting farther away, and Nico didn’t want todisrupt the silence. “I’m usually invisible.”

“Impossible,” Will said. He was extremely close and Nico hadthe urge to lean in and kiss him. He wanted to know what his lips would feellike against his own, if they would taste like the spearmint gum he hadearlier. But he was still a stranger. “Close your eyes,” Will said.

Nico didn’t know why, but he listened. He shut his eyes andwaited. Instead of lips though, he felt hands settle gently over his eyes,tilting his head away toward the see through plastic. His hands were warm andsoft. “And open,” he whispered in Nico’s ear. Nico opened his eyes as Willpulled his hands away.

The entire carnival was visible from up here. The lights,the people hurrying with food or prizes, couples walking, families trying tostay together. The music was a distant sound. He looked up and saw the stars,bright against the night sky and smiled. “It’s incredible up here.”

Once the Ferris wheel started going back down, Nico turnedto Will and smiled sheepishly, but Will continued to just smirk and look at himlike he was the most interesting thing at the carnival. When they got off, Nicosaid they had to go back home. Their curfew was almost over.

Before he could turn away, Will stopped him and held out hisphone. “You owe me a number, remember?” Nico smiled and bit his lip. He put hisnumber into the phone and handed it back. Now it was up to Will if they ever spokeagain. “I’ll call you,” he promised. Then he leaned forward and kissed Nico’scheek, causing Nico to gasp softly as he turned red to the tip of his ears.