Pre-Solangelo

It was Nico's birthday today. Not a lot of people knew as Nico wasn't really one to socialize. All of the seven knew, of course, because Hazel told them. Reyna also knew. She was his best friend after all. Lou Ellen and Cecil had also congratulated him. Will had told them one day when, unbeknownst to Nico, Will had been ranting about his crush. Valentina Diaz had also congratulated him. Surprisingly, Nico and Valentina had become really good friends. They were very similar and liked the same music. Valentina was really good at guitar and piano, so sometimes, they'd just jam to Fall Out Boy together. 

However, Will Solace had not even been in his presence today. Nico found this peculiar since, in the lapse of three months, they had become really close. Nico, unwilling, admitted to himself - as well as to Jason, Reyna and Valentina - that he had a crush on the overly enthusiastic boy. Both boys were gay, and they knew that. It disappointed Nico that Will had forgotten his birthday. Dare he say he legitimately felt hurt. It took a lot to hurt Nico after all he had been through.

Maybe he actually got tired of me. Nico thought. It seemed unlikely, but with his luck it was possible. Nico sighed as he entered his cabin.

Nico gasped.

Right there, in the middle of the Hades cabin, Hades stood with his usual dark attire. It was all Nico could do not to yell.

"Hello, son." Hades said.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" Nico asked still shocked.

"Well, I'm here to wish happy birthday as well as to give you a present." Nico felt mixed emotions. He was a little happy that Hades had gone through the trouble of coming for his birthday and gotten him a present. Most gods didn't even know when their children's birthdays were. He also felt sad because even Hades had wished him happy birthday and Will hadn't. Most of all, though, Nico felt nervous. Last time his dad had given him a present, he had gotten a zombie chauffeur with a French accent.

"Thanks, dad." Nico said, figuring that was his best bet.

"Well, now for the present," Hades said. Nico felt more nervous by the second. "It took a lot of research for me to find you the perfect gift. I've been talking to that girl you're close to - what's her name? Valerie? Valentine?-"

"Valentina." Nico corrected.

"Yeah, her. Anyhow," Hades continued. "Persephone and I, after hearing a lot about your crush on William Solace, finally decided what the best present would be." Nico was nervous it'd some kind of medicine to "cure his gayness" but then he remembered times weren't like that anymore.

It was worse than that.

Hades stepped aside reviling a wide-eyed Will Solace who was tied in darkness and flower bonds.

"What the- Hades! Why would you do this?!" Nico dropped next to Will and started to untie the bonds.

"I thought you'd like it, being that you're in love with him and such." Hades said while frowning. Nico blushed furiously.

"You can't just kidnap my friends as birthday presents!"

"I'm a god. I can do what I please. Well, I leave you to figure out what to do with your present. Goodbye son." Hades disappeared.

Nico finished untying Will. He mentally cursed Hades and Persephone as well as Valentina for opening her big mouth. He probably wouldn't stay mad at her, though. Even if she was a badass, that girl knew how to be adorable. Nico finished untying Will and gave him a hug. He couldn't bear to look at him in the eye now that he knew Nico liked him. Nico let go of and started ranting.

"I'm so sorry, Will. I had no idea my dad was gonna pull this off. Fucking Hades went out stalking me, and Valentina opened her blabber mouth and-"

"Nico," Will interrupted him. "It's alright. It doesn't matter. I don't blame you." Nico only nodded still not meeting Will's eyes. Will grabbed Nico's chin gently and turned his face towards him. "Happy birthday, Nico."

"Thanks." Nico smiled. This was all he had wanted today.

"Now for my present..." Will said.

"Will, you didn't really have to both-" Nico was cut off by Will kissing him. On the lips. Nico kissed back, though, it was bit awkward considering it was his first kiss.

"I hoped you liked your present." Will said as they pulled away and turned to the ground nervously biting his lip. Nico turned Will's face to him.

"Best birthday present ever." Nico said and kissed Will once more.