This is an AU. They're mortals in this one, in their freshmen years.

Nico was sitting in an empty classroom, scrolling through his phone. The school ended thirty minutes ago, but students were allowed to hang out till the school closed. Nico was anti-social, too shy to talk and make friends.

Two years ago, Nico wouldn't have believed that he would become what he was right now, but after his sister's death, he changed a lot. He didn't even remember his mother, as she died of tuberculosis when he was pretty young. His father, the great businessman Hades of the company 'Big Three', never paid him attention or had enough time for him.

He did have a step-sister Hazel, but he was never that close to her as she had spent most of her life in Alaska, with her mother, Marie. Sitting there and scrolling through Instagram, he heard singing. At first he thought that it was coming from his own mobile phone, but then the voice got a little closer. 

It was beautiful, as if sung by the god of music himself. Then the singer entered the class and Nico sucked in a breath. He looked beautiful, with his sun-kissed skin, perfect tan and golden blonde hair. Like the embodiment of the sun itself.

"For the love of my life
She's got glow on her face
A glorious look in her eyes
My angel of light" 

He was singing a song Nico knew by heart. When those blue eyes of his fell on the brown-eyes of Nico, they widened. Just a slightest bit.

"I was all alone with the love of my life
She's got glitter for skin
My radiant beam in the night
I don't need no light to see you" He gestured frantically for Nico to sing the chorus with him, and for some reason unknown, he obliged.

"Shiiineeeeee
It's your golden hooouuur 
You slow down tiiimeee
In your golden hooouuur "

To be fair, Nico was no singer, but this song was one of his favourites. And the mysterious boy was singing too beautifully for Nico to ruin it.

Then the boy stopped the music and asked,"What're you doing here? The school finished half an hour ago."

"The same thing can be asked to you too mister..." Nico prompted. "Will. Will Solace." The boy replied, offering a hand for Nico to shake.

"And I'm a part of 'The Muses' band, so I have to wait for the dean to arrive so that I can go into the band room for borrowing instruments. Now, about why you're here..?" He asked once again. Nico wanted to get annoyed, but for some reason, he didn't. He wanted to pour all his misery to this stupidly handsome and nosy guy.

"No reason. Just wanted some alone time after school and the crowds." The black-haired boy answered, in a monotone voice, not betraying any emotion. "Can't I do that?"

"You can...but- nevermind. It's okay. The dean might have arrived. Now I need to put a name on that pretty face of yours. Wanna help, mystery boy?" Will asked. Nico quickly turned so that he couldn't see his face. It was probably red as a ripe tomato. Pretty face...

After a minute of silence, Nico whipped around to see if he was gone but his heart almost leapt out of his throat. Will was just a few inches away from him, and so close that he could count each and every freckle on his nose and cheeks. Even Will seemed a little startled, but neither of them made a move to step back. "You seriously aren't even going to tell me your name?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nico. Nico Di Angelo" Nico breathed out, his heart on overdrive. Will repeated his name, slowly, as if tasting the words on the tip of his tongue. Then he smiled, and Nico's heart beat so fast that he could've probably died of a heart attack.

"Good name you got there." And he stepped back, then out the door, but not before calling out, "Well, see you around Nico!"

...(Time Skip gambled from Khonsu, the moon god at extreme personal risk)...

These small meetings continued for two weeks and Will was ecstatic. He couldn't tell why, but his heart sped up whenever Nico was around. The first four days were horribly awkward with him because Nico would never share anything or even talk properly, which made Will even more determined to not give up.

After the fifth day, the progress was visible. Even he learnt some things about handling people who are a little- scratch that- too shy to socialize. He never pried him about his past, and just talked about anything and everything. School, Band, Music, Weather, and, well you get the idea.

He went to the room they had met, and used to meet for the last week. Entering, he found Nico passed out on the floor, his face even paler. Will's mind went into a flurry of thoughts. He scooped up Nico from the floor, laid him on the desk. Then taking out his water bottle, he sprayed some droplets on Nico's face.

After a probably minute, his eyes fluttered open and he looked bewildered. But Will didn't give him any time to process, hugging him tightly. To his utter surprise, Nico hugged back, even though he'd told that he wasn't a touchy person. 

"Don't scare me like that, okay? And here, have some chocolate. You'll feel better." Will ordered, handing Nico some chocolate to eat. "It's not poisoned, you know. Eat it."

Nico nipped the end of the chocolate and sighed, looking at his knees. "Now, you'll tell me if you had a sleep tonight or not. Or if you had a proper breakfast today. And I want the truth, mister." Will demanded. The black-haired boy finally looked up, and Will noticed that his eyes were misty. Two weeks of knowing him, Will had never ever seen Nico betray any weakness or show his vulnerable side.

All the anger forgotten, he took Nico's hands in his and brought him closer, wrapping him in a hug. Then the dam burst and he started sobbing in his chest. Will sat there, rubbing his back soothingly and comforted the crying boy. 

When he finally pulled away, Nico seemed more shocked than sad. "I-I'm sorry. Oh no. F-forget it. Um, bye. Sorry." Stuttering like a mess, he dashed out the door, not even sparing glance at the blonde and shocked boy. Will ran after him but Nico was already gone. Leaving him standing there in he corridor, with only his aching heart for company.

Nico was completely shocked by his break down earlier. He was not supposed to cry, but when Will looked at him so tenderly, he couldn't stop the tears. Bianca. She used to look at him like that. 

He had not eaten breakfast this morning. He mostly didn't. And he barely had a blink of sleep last night because of nightmares of that particular night when he got the news of his sister's demise. It had started to rain, but Nico didn't care. He didn't want to go back home, so he decided to sit by the edge of the forest, closing his eyes and letting the droplets hit him in the face.

Suddenly there was an umbrella over his head, being a barrier between him and the rain. He opened his eyes to meet with his favourite blue ones. "What are you doing here?" he asked to the person crouching in front of him.

"Come with me." Will replied seriously. When Nico didn't budge, he grabbed his wrist and said with as much authority of an officer, "Doctor's orders." And he pulled Nico away till they were in a shade of a tree. "Now elaborate because you just running out of there is not acceptable. I've never forced you to do anything, but now I have to. I can't just see you like this."

So Nico did just that, telling him everything that had been bottled up inside him for years. He didn't know how or why, but all the words just came tumbling out, one after another, and he made himself vulnerable under those piercing yet gentle eyes. Will listened, not doing anything or saying "It's gonna be okay." He just stood there, holding Nico's hand and listening to his story.

After he had told him everything, he hung his head low in shame. But Will took his face in his hands and kissed him. On the lips.

Nico was startled but he kissed back. Will's lips were soft and gentle, and Nico ever wanted that moment to end. But he pulled back, breathless and took a deep breath."Nico. Will you be my boyfriend?" He asked, hesitantly, not looking at him in the eye.

All the air was knocked out of the black-haired boy. He did what seemed suitable for the moment, and kissed him again. "Yes. Yes I will." He breathed out.

Let's just say, from that day onwards, Nico was a lot happier, with Will by his side.

(0~0)

Well, I did promise to make the next chapter long and fluffy. Here they are, our smol gay bois.

The song is 'Golden Hour' by JVKE btw. Makes sense right? Well, I hope so.

Tell me how you liked it, will ya? Hope you enjoyed. I didn't proofread so feel free to point out mistakes.

Anywho, Byie 🔵🍪🥛