Six | Nico

    Nico huffed, sending his fringe into havoc. Well, more havoc; It couldn't get much worse. Jason thought it would be fun to be his usual annoying self and 'tousle' it like a 'big bro.'

    "Yes, really, it will be so bad," Nico answered him, "No offense but I don't want to watch all your sorry asses get drunk. Again."

    "Well then join us! You can't just go to Vegas - for a bachelor party - without getting drunk! That's like, the whole point," Leo tried.

    Nico just rolled his eyes and pushed his hair back. He let his gaze wander as the rest of the crew continued to try and persuade him with strippers or some shit. To be fair, he thought, just about anyone would tune out their friends at the words Banana Hammock. As he looked for something to do, a few jostling pens in a cup holder caught his attention. But then he was bored of that, so he moved left.

    Unfortunately, to the left was Percy. Despite the fact that it was his party they were driving to, he wouldn't let anyone else take the wheel. Even when Jason fought him on it. God, he was so loyal and kind. Nico breathed in a bit. Percy's rough hands gripped the pleather, strong muscles bulging slightly as he turned. His shoulders were cut squarely, sharpening his jawline that much more. In the mirror, Nico could see his sea green eyes animate, brighter than ever. And his lips... a soft pink, like coral. But not nearly as rough. Or at least Nico guessed... watching them move... oh shit Percy was talking to him.

    "-already most of the way there anyways."

   Oh. Right. "Yeah....." Nico said cluelessly, agreeing to whatever Percy was trying to get across. He was still staring. Nico looked away, hoping his cheeks weren't flushed. He could practically feel Jason giving him pity eyes. Hypocrite. You're the one who forced me to come. To Percy's bachelor party, nonetheless.

    "How far?" Frank asked. No doubt he was getting uncomfortable with the Priess' low roof.

    "Three hours. Ish," Percy affirmed. Leo cheered, and the rest of the boys joined him. Nico just groaned. Still? They had been driving all day. Sounds like too much opportunity to stare dramatically out of the window, if you asked him. But, back to it. Talking to the idiots only encouraged them, and staring at Percy wasn't particularly good for his health.

***

    Suffering. That's all driving with them was. If he had to hear another story about how awesome Piper and Calypso and Hazel and Annabeth were he might explode. All he had been hearing for the past three and a half hours was:

    "I wish I could be getting married!"

    "I wish I could be getting married!"

    "I wish I could be getting married!"

     "I'm so happy that I'm getting married!"

    It was enough to drive any man insane. But, they had made it to the hotel and back, and now they were standing outside a club, so Nico could abandon them as soon as they got in there. And that he did. Nico slipped away behind a slot machine at his first opportunity. What? He wasn't there for Percy, he was there because Jason made him come, and he knew Jason wouldn't want to babysit him all night. So, he headed for the bar. And not the fancy one up front. The one they hid in the back for loners like him. He wasn't sure why he picked the bar. He could do literally anything in here. But he didn't want to. Heartbreak will do that to you.

    Five pachinko machines and a hell of a lot of card tables later, Nico found it. Despite the bar's solitude, and tiny frame, the club still bothered to put a couple layers of blue neon around it. To be honest, more than anything it was just sad. An old man sat at the far end of the bar table, making love to his tonic and gin. And that was it. Seven seats empty, if you didn't count the bartender. Nico sat down with a huff, putting a hand in his hair as he waited. He hated his brain some days. And his heart. An engaged man, for fucks' sake. Why?

    "May I get something for you?"

    Nico looked up to see wild silver hair and a blue vest and name tag.

    "Whiskey on the rye, please," he squinted, "Bob."

    "Coming right up, friend," he grinned. Nico pursed his lips in a brief smile, eyes widening with it. Friend, really? He had just met the guy. But, his drink was ready in less than a minute. Pretty good.

    "Thanks," Nico said to him, tilting his drink to him before taking a swig.

    That night was long. There was a lot of drinks. Every once in a while someone would come and go from the bar. A man in a police uniform. Three young ladies with martinis the size of their heads. A sexy blonde. But Nico was there the whole night, gradually getting more bored and more drunk. At first, he wondered if the alcohol was working; he still felt pretty depressed. But as time dragged on he felt himself thinking, 'Fuck it'. And with that, he ordered three more shots of tequila, downed them and bid goodbye to his 'friend' Bob. Surely his friends will have moved on to a different club. Maybe Nico could have some fun.

***

    Oh, Fuck. His head. Nico clutched it, groaning as he rolled over onto his back. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open against the daylight streaming in through the window. Instant pain. "Jesus," he muttered, slapping his right hand over them. What even? How much did he drink? He breathed in through his nose. So far, he could tell he was in a hotel room. That's good. Hopefully, it was the one his friends had booked them. If not.... how much cash did he have left? He turned his head to the left side of the bed, where he always kept his phone and wallet. Sure enough, through the cracks in his fingers, he could see said items. Also good. You do not understand true panic until you wake up with a hangover and missing phone.

    Nico groaned once more, reaching for the black leather bifold. He opened it quickly, expecting to see at least two hundred dollars there. Unfortunately, he was sorely disappointed.

    "What the fuck?" he asked no one in particular.

    "You spent it on roulette, remember?" answered a husky voice. Nico whipped around, eyes wide, suddenly very aware of the fact he was only wearing boxers. He was met with a well-muscled, blue eyed blonde. Nico could tell the boy was well muscled because he was not wearing a shirt. In his bed.

    "What the fuck," he repeated, barely a whisper.

    They grinned. "Bet it all on double zero, said it was your lucky day."

   "Who are you?" he whispered. The Blonde's smile dropped, and his eyes fell. A soft chuckle escaped him. That was ironic, wasn't it? Last night Nico said he would never forget his name.

    "Will. Will Solace." he mumbled, dragging his gaze back to Nico's.

    "Like the doctor?"

    "Well, actually, I am the doctor."

    Nico stared blankly for a few seconds. "No, you know what, no. That doesn't matter. Get out of my bed," he said finally, sitting up irritably.

     "Nico..." Will pleaded. He sounded so heartbroken.

    "Get out!" Nico yelled, covering his face with both hands. Something cold touched his face.

    "No, Nico, you don't understand..."

    Nico pulled his left hand away, eyes wide. Right next to his pinky shined a small, gold band. "Oh," he squeaked, terrified.