A/N: HELLOOO my wonderful readers!

How are ya'll doing on this very fine day?

Again, I'm really sorry about the irregular updates, I try my best, you see. Don't worry though, I WILL finish this story.

Anyways, on with the story!

Enjoy!

"Ghostie, are you sure this is okay?" Will whispered anxiously in Nico's ear as they silently crept towards the old apartment building, Nico cloaking them heavily in shadows.

"Well we need to know what's going on, don't we?" Nico hissed back, "waiting for something to happen has proven to be pointless, so far."

A pause, and Nico began again, "besides, this was your idea."

"I just said it would be fun to spy around!" Will squeaked, "I didn't mean it seriously."

"Well, you inspired me."

Will sighed, but he felt something warm huddle in his chest.

You inspired me.

The thought that he had inspired Nico, even if only for him to come up with this ridiculous plan, sparked something within him.

But still, this was a frivolous idea.

Then again, Will only had himself to blame.

When he suggested that they sneak into that particular building and look around, he wasn't being serious in the least.

But Nico's eyes had lit up, and he had exclaimed with a rare smile that it was a good idea and that they should go for it.

Will knew that Nico was done with the waiting. Even if this was dangerous, Will knew that there wasn't anything else they could do. They couldn't wait around for anything to happen. They need more information about their enemy if they were going to get Hazel back.

A familiar fire escape came into view. It was old and rusty, and honestly? Very unstable-looking.

Well, I suppose, a hero has to take risks, Will thought to himself, sagely.

"What if someone's home?" Will asked, the thought striking him out of the blue.

"No one's home," Nico replied without missing a beat.

"How do you know?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets!"

Will hmmed, not convinced. Nico picked up on it.

"C'mon, Mary Sunshine," he said, "I've broken into nearly all the houses in the city. I always make sure no one's at home."

Will's eyes widened, "you mean, you actually researched?"

Nico cast a look over his shoulder, and Will could tell by the angle he held his face at, even if it was covered by the silver mask, that he was giving Will a 'really dude?' expression.

"Yes dummy. What do you think I am? A dummy?"

"Well.. I-"

Nico sighed, unimpressed.

Will realized for the first time that Nico actually had a solid plan, and had prepared beforehand for this mission, that he does not rush headlong into danger without thinking it through.

"Don't worry," Nico assured, "I know what I'm doing."

Will hmmed sheepishly, "if no one's home, then where are they?"

"Have you noticed that Hazel doesn't come out to try and murder me on the first Saturday of each month?"

....

What.

"Wait, seriously?"

Nico nodded.

Will was flabbergasted. To think that Nico actually noted such a minuscule detail...

No wonder he was good at what he did...

Will's stupid brain occupied the thought of what would happen if Nico really wanted to be a villain and destroy everything for a second before he forced himself not to go down that particular rabbit hole. He didn't want to think about the literal bloodbath that might follow.

Nico wasn't a villain.

He was a hero.

And my boyfrie-

PARTNER! I meant partner!

"Anyways," Nico continued, "she goes with Hacate to do business, on the first Saturday of each month."

"Business?" Will paused, "like... black market stuff?"

Nico nodded.

Will's heart stilled for a moment. How did Nico know all of this?

Was he... was he involved in anything bad?

"Chill, dude," Nico's voice dragged him out of his thoughts, "I'm not involved in anything... the only thing I've done that's related to the black market is getting my suit made, nothing else."

Will nodded, relieved. Then asked, "then how do you-?"

"I have a... friend who dabbles in such things," Nico sounded regretful, like he wished his 'friend' didn't dabble in such things, "let's just say... I have connections."

(A/N: If anyone can guess who the friend is, I'll give them a shout out!)

That just unearthed more questions, "wait, does that mean someone else knows who you are?"

"My god, what are you? A test paper?" Nico groaned under his breath, "let me rephrase that, Ghost king has connections, Nico di Angelo does not."

Will wagged his head, taking it all in. He chanted again and again in is head.

Nico knows what he's doing.

Nico knows what he's doing.

Nico knows what he's doing.

Will felt a gloved hand wrap around his wrist, "c'mon, Sunshine, let's get this over with."

As Nico tugged him forwards, he felt like Nico was giving him a comforting smile.

The mere thought of Nico smiling at him made his heart to the tango and his stomach tap dance.

Will, Will, Will, that one logical brain cell which could still tell fantasy apart from fact murmured, you are beyond saving.

Tell me something I don't know, Will shot back.

But it didn't, it just kept repeating the same thing, because logical or not, it was still ultimately Will Solace's brain cell...

... and all of his brain cells seemed to have a thing for Nico.

Will willed himself to stay focused (A/N: see what I did there? Hehehehe) as Nico started silently ascending the rusty staircase of the emergency exit. Will followed suit, praying to all the holy beings out there that this old piece of scrap metal won't give out from under him.

Nico kneeled by the window. Will kneeled on the other side.

Then Nico brought up his hand...

And rapped his knuckles against the dirty glass.

Will nearly shrieked, the heck was Nico doing?

Nico rapped again. Will realized that he was tapping a rhythm against the pane.

A familiar rhythm.

The one Hazel rapped that night when they followed her here!

Some distant part of Will's panicking brain was awed at just how observant Nico was, to have memorized the rhythm, but a larger section was busy screaming profanities at the absolute racket he was making.

Nico finally lowered his hand, and looked at Will, "just making sure no one is home. Just to be sure."

Will was going to get grey hairs by the end of this mission.

Nico's hand found his pocket, and rummaged around for a second before reemerging with a lock pick.

He started fiddling with the lock, and in a matter of mere seconds, the lock clicked and the window opened into a dark room.

Will could feel Nico smirking at him victoriously as he gestured grandly at the now open window.

"After you."

Word count: 1081

A/N: Weeeeeeeeeellllllll how was it?

A bit of plot for a change!