ONE

The only reason he was in this situation at all was because his stupid landlord raised his rent. Two years he had been living on his own, perfectly content while attending classes at the university, and now he had to get a flatmate if he wanted to keep the apartment.

He had met with several potential flatmates but hadn't liked any of them. Though, that could be because he wasn't fond of people in general. Only one more person had responded to the posting, so he hoped that whoever it was would be a good fit. It was then that the doorbell rang, startling Nico.

A tall, blonde greeted him, on the whole looking pretty average. They shook hands and completed the awkward small talk before they both stepped into the apartment. Will, the potential tenant, followed closely behind Nico the entire time. The tour wasn't long as the flat wasn't huge, merely large enough for two people to coexist without too much problem.

Will liked what he was seeing, and figured this could be a great arrangement. It didn't hurt that the other tenant was down right gorgeous. Flopping down on the couch like he already lived there, he started off the inevitable conversation. "What are your ground rules, boundaries, the likes?"

Nico was thankful Will wanted to get straight to it instead of more dreaded small talk. "I take several night classes, so keeping the noise down in the morning while I sleep would be greatly appreciated. I like to keep the place clean, I don't mind cooking, and I don't mind if you have friends over but if possible, a little heads up would be appreciated."

"So is it safe to assume that I got it?" Will inquired hopefully. This was his last apartment on his list to check out, and he was running out of time.

"Yes, I think we will get along fine, and you seem like a decent person. One step out of line and you are gone though. No warnings." Nico saw Will gulp and nod his head quickly. He could be intimidating whenever he needed, despite his being not very tall. "So now that we've got that out of the way, any boundaries or rules you would like to set?"

Will pulled out a list from his pocket. "Sorry, there isn't actually much on here, I just have a terrible memory, so I write everything down. People sometimes get a little put off when I pull out my lists. Basically, I'd prefer if you knocked before entering my room, for starters. I'm a terrible cook, but I'm great at washing dishes, and I don't stay up super late because I have to get up at the ass crack of dawn for classes. I would appreciate a little bit of quiet in the evenings because of that."

Nico relaxed a little. "Sounds like we won't be seeing much of each other, but yes, your room is yours. You don't have to worry about that as I am a very private person as well." With that, he pulled out the single key on a ring and dropped it into Will's open palm. "Welcome roomie."

Will grinned. He had a house, his life was coming together finally, and a lot of the stress that had been weighing on his shoulders was finally released.

- - - - -

Maybe this won't be so bad after all Nico thought to himself after two weeks of living with Will. He had barely seen the blonde. Nico was in charge of cooking, and did so before his class, eating on the way. Will would get home shortly after, and clean up the kitchen after eating. They had eaten all of two meals together. There were traces of him everywhere though. The clean dishes piled in the sink when he got back from class. The mirror still slightly steamed after Will left for class when Nico got up and showered, and the stupid TV channel.

Every time he turned it on, it was on the news channel. He took pride on his lack of knowledge of current events. There was enough darkness in his own life without adding in that of the entire worlds. No, he much preferred the mindless drone of midday soaps. Or any crap telly that happened to be on, really.

The door opened, and in walked Will and girl that was in some of Nico's classes. He had no idea of her name, but she was a hard person to forget, with her shocking green hair, and bright red roots strewn about. She always looked festive, that's for sure. "Hey Nico, this is Kayla. I think you have some classes together." He gestured awkwardly to the girl before dragging her into the kitchen and rummaging about for some food. Will handed Kayla a drink before sticking a bag of popcorn in the microwave.

"Will! You never told me your roommate is Nico Di Angelo." Kayla whispered excitedly to her friend.

He shrugged it off as he opened his own beer. "Why is that such a big deal? It's not like he's Beyoncé. Now that would be amazing."

"Because! He's only the best forensic pathologist in our school. Not to mention the hottest. Does he have a girlfriend? Would you be totally mad if I hooked up with him? Can I trade lives with you?"

Will simply laughed as he pulled out the now popped bag of popcorn. "Kayla. Chill. I have no idea if he has a girlfriend, no I wouldn't be mad if you hooked up but I've never seen him talk to a live human, let alone sleep with one, and I'm just fine with my life thank you very much."

"I'm gay." Nico deadpanned as he entered the room, having heard their conversation. He grabbed his mug of coffee and went to his room, leaving a shocked Will and Kayla in the kitchen.

"Oh my gods Will. You have to tap that." Kayla whispered loudly, and shoved his shoulder lightly before heading to the living room and picking a movie. Will followed behind, confused. Gay?

- - - - -

Nico wasn't planning on coming out to Will anytime soon, and certainly not like that, but he would rather that than deal with the annoying attempts from the Christmas tree. He was also aware that that probably wasn't the nicest way to refer to the girl whose name he didn't remember, Karen or Katherine or something, but at this point he had yet to have his much needed caffeine intake, so he was willing to overlook his own rudeness in this instance.

He shrugged all thoughts aside and picked up his sketchbook and grabbed his charcoals. They weren't his favourite medium, but they were what he had handy at the moment. Nico got to work, quickly losing himself in the picture, bringing her to life when there was a loud knock on the door, startling him and making him drop his blender.

"Neeks, let's head out to the grocery store soon, I'm starving and we need food." Will called out through the door. Nico scowled and let out a growl of frustration before taking a deep breath and putting his sketchbook away. He got up and opened the door. "Could you drive? I forgot to fill up."

Both boys walked to the door, pausing only to put on shoes, in silence. Nico grabbed his keys from the hook by the door and headed out without making sure Will was following him. They were both buckled in before Nico finally broke the silence. "Don't call me Neeks if you value your life." Then he started the car and backed out of the spot.

"Sure thing, Neeks." Will was feeling cheeky today, and while Nico was intimidating, he was short and scrawny, and Will could take him any day. He had clearly underestimated Nico's hatred for the name though.

"I said. Don't. Call me. Neeks." His voice was sharp and cold, sucking out all the air from the vehicle and making Will feel like he was suffocating. Will simply gulped and nodded his head quietly. Needless to say the rest of the car ride was a silent and awkward affair.

Will's feelings were quickly forgotten when they had entered the store, and his usual excitable, happy self was back. "Nico Nico Nico! We need to get these cookies! They are literally the most best tasting food in the entire world." Will shoved a box near Nico's face, and he grabbed it from his hands and shoved it in the cart.

"There. Now will you please shut up so we can grocery shop in peace?" Nico walked forwards, putting a few more snacks in before they moved on to the healthy 'adult' aisles. "Will, go get some chicken please." Nico had grabbed several veggies, much to Will's dismay, and pointed Will in the direction of the meats.

Nico was done by the time Will returned with the chicken and another box of cookies hidden pitifully behind his back. Nico raised his eyebrow and almost gave in when he saw Will's sheepish grin. "Will. We have enough junk. Put it back. You're almost a doctor, you know that is crap for your body." Nico managed to keep his stern voice, even though he really wanted to smile. He couldn't help it; Will was just being so damn...cute? No, that wasn't the right word. Well whatever word he was looking for that was currently evading his brain, made him want to just agree with whatever the blonde wanted.

"But it tastes so good. Why do you even care what I put in my body? And anyways, I'm obviously in good shape." Will lifted his shirt a little to show off his abdomen. Nico quickly looked away, pushing the cart towards the tills.

"I care because I know what your insides will look like if you eat that crap. When you get murdered and I examine your body, it's going to be gross." Nico finally let out a laugh, but Will stopped in his tracks.

"What do you mean when I get murdered? Do you know something I don't? Are you in some sort of weird Italian gang that is watching my every move, waiting to strike when the moment is right?"

"Will. Relax. It's called a joke, have you heard of those before? It's when someone says something to someone else and they don't mean it, they say it for the sake of entertainment." Nico handed the cashier some cash, went to leave the store, and Will had finally caught up with him again. "Put those muscles to use and put the groceries in the car, I-" Nico's phone rang and he answered it, going and sitting in the car.

Will decided to respect his privacy and actually be useful for once, so he unloaded the groceries and returned the cart. By the time he was back, Nico was off his cell and back to his usual scowling self. "Any other errands we need to do before we head home?" Will asked.

Nico clicked the turn signal and pulled out into traffic. "I just need to stop by Art N' Soul quickly. It's on the way."

"So you're an artist?" Will tried to smirk, but it looked more like a normal smile. All he got in response though was silence. Not that he expected much else though; Nico didn't really strike him as the type to divulge his entire life story within a few week of knowing someone. Give it a few years and Nico might tell him something, like his birthday or favourite colour. Maybe.

Nico parked the car outside a small, run down looking shop. The outside was completely covered in graffiti, and a not very nice looking guy was sitting against the wall smoking. "How did you even find this place?" Will was genuinely curious. Most people passing by would walk faster, not enter this obscure store.

"Just wait in the car. I won't be longer than ten minutes." Nico left Will in the car and entered the store as if it was nothing. It probably was nothing to Nico, but Will didn't generally frequent places like these. He leaned over the center console to lock the doors.

As usual though, his worrying was for absolutely nothing. Seven minutes (not that he was counting) later Will leaned over and unlocked the car as Nico walked out of the store with several bags. Nico dumped them carefully onto the backseat. Will was curious, but he kept his nose to himself and they drove home in silence.

The lack of an elevator meant climbing the three flights of stairs multiple times in order to carry up all their purchases. "Nico, I'm literally dying here. Carry me." Will dramatically flopped down on the stairs. Nico rolled his eyes and stepped over his body before climbing up the stairs.

"When you literally die, can I please perform your autopsy for some extra credit?" Nico kept climbing the stairs. He could hear Will's muffled yell of frustration from a flight down.

"Oh my gods Nico. I get it. You only want me for my body. You and Kayla both. Damn forensic pathologists." Will finally dragged himself the rest of the way up the stairs and into the flat. Nico had already put most of the groceries away by the time Will entered the kitchen. Together they quickly completed the job and Nico went back to his room with the intention of getting some studying done. That was the plan anyways.

"Nico!" Will called from the living room.

"What?"

"Come watch a movie with me. I'll even let you choose what we watch." Will proposition was too good to pass. No one ever let him choose the movie for the simple fact that nobody liked the movies he watched.

"The Conjuring." Nico flopped down on the couch with his mug. Will tried to protest but Nico simply cut him off. "You said I could choose. That's my choice. You can have next pick but only if you actually watch it with me."

Will groaned loudly once more before getting up and setting up the movie on his laptop. He paused it before leaving, coming back moments later with an entire box of cookies. He raised his arms in defence when he saw Nico's look. "I like cookies, sue me." Will hit play before sitting down.

Nico leaned over the side of the couch, stretching as far as he could, trying to turn off the lights but he fell. "You okay?" Will asked, stifling a laugh.

"Shut up Solace." Nico grumbled before shutting off the light and sitting back down, getting comfortable under his blanket and absorbed in the movie.