"Does that mean you want to?" Will asked.

Again, Nico froze. But he decided to be brave. And so he responded a bit louder this time, even if not by much, "Yeah."

Will took that opportunity to quickly close the gap between them--They kissed.

It was quick. It was soft. But Nico tasted Will's lips, they were softer than he pictured. He touched Will's arm gently as he did so, wanting to bring him closer. When they separated, he kept his eyes for a moment. He couldn't believe he just did that, but wow. Time had slowed. His heart nearly exploded.

"I love you," he whispered without thinking.

Will smiled, "Love you, too, Nico."

Nico stepped back slightly, "I mean it..." He couldn't believe he said it out loud, but might as well go with it, he thought. "I know you have to be patient with me, but I really do, Will."

Will smiled and his eyes gleamed, "I mean it too, Neeks. I love you, and I don't mind going slow. I have my whole life to make things perfect between us anyways."

Nico nodded, appreciating that. Will wanted to stay with him--not just wanted, planned on it. He felt so lucky, special, appreciative. He wasn't sure what else to say, but he stared into Will's eyes. He stared and Will stared back and all he could think about was how much he wanted Will, and to give himself to Will, and for them to share a kiss like just before, with time slowed, but for always, since no living thing gets always, even the gods.

"Nico..." Will mumbled. They had unknowingly stepped closer. They could nearly feel each other's breaths, energy.

"Yeah..?" Nico asked.

"Do you... Really want to?" Will asked. So much for slow?, he thought.

Nico hesitated. "I... Just don't know what to do."

Will nodded at this confession, "I do... If you trust me?"

Nico nodded, finally breaking the no-contact by touching Will's chest through his shirt. "Of course I trust you, Will."

Will took this opportunity to cup Nico's cheek, and he thought of replying with words, but when he opened his mouth he just dipped in and kissed Nico's. Nico couldn't complain about the offering, feeling mesmerized again.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, before Will directed Nico to the bed. There was very little hesitation this time. Nico sat down, and Will crawled delicately on top of him.

They started kissing again, faster than before. It got rough when fingers flew into hair and tongues pressed together.

Will slowed pushed Nico down so that they were laying. "Tell me to stop, any time, okay?" Will told him.

"Okay," Nico quickly responded.

Will slid his hand up Nico's shirt, and Nico squirmed slightly under the surprise. His hand didn't go very far, but Nico felt sensitive to the touch, his breath growing ragged and quick.

Nico sighed and Will pulled away from Nico's mouth. At first Nico crinkled his eyebrows in response, but then Will started kissing the sides of Nico's lips, and dropped to his neck.

Nico let out a quiet kitten moan, and he couldn't hide his blush. He felt more vulnerable than he had ever before. More vulnerable than he was ever given permission to.

He whispered, "Will?"

Will stopped and looked up at him, "Yeah?"

"Can we stop?" Nico asked. He felt almost guilty doing so. But he was scared now. He knew he'd never been this vulnerable before, and he kind of just jumped into it without thinking.

He enjoyed it, he did, and he loved Will, but... Whoa. He felt overwhelmed.

Will nodded, "Yeah, of course." He sat up, shifting off of his boyfriend.

Nico sighed and avoided eye contact. That felt nice, he wanted it to keep going, and then he got anxious. He wondered what was wrong with him--other teenagers would've done it. Even demigods. Demigods had sex all of the time, or at least made out. Especially with their partners, because life is so short for them.

Will tilted his head, noticing the distance. "Are you okay?"

Nico took a minute to reply, "No." If it was anyone else, he would've said yes, but he wouldn't be in this predicament with anyone else anyways.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Will asked innocently.

Nico shrugged, "No. Can we cuddle?"

Will smiled, crawling up right next to Nico and laying down with him. Will's head rested on Nico's shoulder, "This okay?

"Yeah," Nico sighed, smiling. He rested his chin on Will's head, "Can you tell me something?"

"What?" Will asked, starting to feel sleepy.

"You love me," Nico said.

Will smiled, "I love you. A lot."

"Love you, too," Nico put his arm around Will. "Goodnight, Sunshine."

Will closed his eyes, "Night, Neeks."

Nico couldn't feel any more grateful. And honestly? Any happier in this moment either, despite his struggles. He really couldn't <3