[It's still cold as hell despite being in more weather-appropriate clothing, but he doesn't show any of his discomfort. That's a lot easier to do when Will sees his boyfriend wobbling and doesn't hesitate to reach out to steady him. There's another small smile on the son of Apollo's face.]
Way too cold for ice cream, in my opinion, but we can have a café date tomorrow.
[He pulls out a KitKat from his pocket, leaning his back casually against a tree. Will hands it over to Nico before idly inspecting the contents of the McDonald's bag out of mild curiosity.]
Talk to me about it. Or vent. I'm not gonna judge.
[ He sits down on the ground with his back to the tree trunk. Plays with the candy bar’s wrapper. ]
It’s stupid.
[ Or rather, he feels stupid for caring what other people think. ]
When I first got here, after the Atlantis thing, I went looking for Camp Halfblood. Then Camp Jupiter. Came here to try to find Percy’s mom. She lives -
[ He has to think about it. Check the sky for cardinal directions. After a moment, he gestures in the vague direction of the upper east side. ]
On 104th. But she doesn’t here. No one does.
[ This is how Nico handles being open. He has to come in from an angle so that it’s never emotional vomit. He’d rage about it, but he’s angry at himself. ]
[Will's quiet as the other boy speaks. He hasn't met Sally Jackson, but he can tell she's an incredible person. He's seen here once, at the Battle of Manhattan using a shotgun against some monsters.
Still... the implication isn't lost on him. Sally's not here, neither is Camp Half-Blood, and Naomi Solace isn't here. It's not so much of a shock as it is a quiet acceptance for Will. After all, if all of them had been here, Nico would've brought them to camp.]
That... must've been hard to find out like that.
[Once again, Will wishes he'd been here earlier. He's here now, though, and he'll make that count.]
[ He’s here now, and Nico feels much more grounded to have someone who cares.
I don’t need them to be here. His mom isn’t going to fix things for me, but she helps people. Meg and your dad. I thought if I could just find someone, but… it’s hard when there’s no one.
[ It’s so lonely, and that used to be okay. But they ruined it, Will and Hazel and Reyna and J-
Nico turns more away like he’s watching something on the pond nearby. Just talk about here. It still sucks, but it doesn’t cut to the bone. ]
Then I thought, okay, if there’s no one, maybe being the son of Hades would matter less. I told two people, after the fire thing. Serrure was fine with it. That other girl, I didn't say he was my father, and she was already getting that look - I know you think that it’s all in my head that people don’t want me around, but it’s not.
[He nods, very much understanding that. Being in Nico's shoes, he'd probably do the same thing if he could shadow travel.
Will reaches out to brush his fingers against his boyfriend's hand. It's an offer of affection, but Nico can always refuse if he's not in the mood for it.
For a moment, he's quiet and munches on a French fry.]
I think I talked with her, on that post. Dana? She reached out to me because she thought I could help.
[The son of Apollo shrugs lightly. He needs to be honest about the interaction, at the very least.]
From what I've seen so far, though, there's a lotta people who want you around. I'm pretty sure I'd fall apart without you at this point, just speaking for myself. [Someone has to help make sure Will doesn't overwork himself to burn out.] Dylan seems cool, you get along well enough with Sleeper, you said yourself that Serrure was fine with it. From what I'd seen of Dana, she seemed to really regret what happened. She didn't seem to know that she tripped and landed face-first into an emotional landmine.
[Will's eyes turn skyward, watching the clouds slowly roll by.]
I'm not telling you to forgive her or talk to her right away. Give it maybe a week or two, and then see what you think about the idea of giving her a second chance. How does that sound to you?
[ Nico flattens his hand and slides it under Will's. The reluctance has nothing to do with feeling self-conscious about the affection: it's frustration and growing embarrassment about what lead them here. If it was "Will wanted to go to Central Park", this would be a good spot to hang out with the only person who can make Nico appreciate traditional fall colors and think that finding a pile of leaves to tackle him into sounds like a good idea.
Instead... he's trying to figure out how his boyfriend could possibly feel like he'd fall apart without Nico, when he's so adept at people. Nico's a disaster at people. ]
I don't know her name.
[ He didn't even stop to ask. She didn't offer it. But Will knew. He makes everyone feel comfortable enough to open up, even Nico. He doesn't even make it seem like work, and it has to be. People are so much work. ]
It sounds... like compromising.
[ He says it like he'd say it sounds like they're going to fight an army of monsters. Resigned and annoyed and bitter. Nico is definitely nursing a grudge, and he's not quite ready to give it up. ]
I have at least two weeks to consider it? Because she's not like Dylan or Serrure or even Sleeper. I don't want to do this again in two weeks. If I don't give her another chance, then she doesn't get another chance to do this.
[Will doesn't hesitate to thread his fingers between Nico's fingers. He rubs his thumb gently along his boyfriend's knuckles in an attempt to soothe him. He listens, quiet and considering Nico's words.]
On the other hand, not giving that chance could mean losing out on a potentially good friend. How was she to know that was a raw nerve?
[The son of Apollo leans slightly against Nico's side.]
Sometimes compromises are the best or only way forward. But we can revisit this topic in about two weeks. [He smiles a little.] Any longer and I know you either won't do it or you'll let it fester way too long.
[ It’s not a bad thing - it’s how Nico even has Will as a friend. But it’s exhausting to adopt the concept in practice. He leans back against Will, keeping them nicely balanced and upright. The snuggle is pretty okay, too. ]
I’m not gonna let it fester.
[ He might’ve, but with the added oversight he’ll have to find a middle ground. Friends might be much, but he can manage to not give her a death glare every time he walks past her in the hallway.
He has two weeks to stew and pick at his feelings, though, and Nico will use them. ]
But the difference between her and you is that you think about the person. Even if you don’t know them. She only tried to understand when I wasn’t there.
You, in particular, were and are friend-shaped. But I guess I can't argue that too much.
[Honestly, it says a lot if Will doesn't like someone. Still, he definitely isn't going to complain about cuddling Nico in the cold, autumn weather. The son of Hades definitely makes the colder months a lot more tolerable.
Will hums softly at that.]
I'll reserve judgment until I know her better. [He smiles gently at his boyfriend.] How do you feel about walking around Central Park while we're here?
[ Nico’s skeptic little grunt should say everything about how he feels about being “friend” shaped, but his expression gives away the joke before he does. ]
Guess that means you don’t want a kiss. Goes against the laws of friend-shaped.
[ Getting to his feet, Nico offers a hand to help Will up. ]
Come on, buddy. We can go for a walk if you promise not to call it hiking.
[ Nico relishes the upper hand, shuffling backwards away from the trees. He hooks his fingers into his belt and leans forward into the tease. ]
Oh, no. We’re stuck hiking.
[ He turns as if to hike himself off. Makes it two steps and comes back, quickly closing the distance between then to kiss Will surprisingly softly considering how he launched himself at the boy. ]
[Will can't even be properly annoyed when Nico's being the cutest brat. It's so unfair.
He almost replies, but he's completely lost what he'd been about to say when his boyfriend kisses him sweetly like that. Again, very unfair! Still, Will doesn't hesitate to return the kiss, and he can't keep himself from smiling into it. He has so much affection for Nico.]
[ Nico is exceedingly fair and equitable to everyone, particularly to Will who deserves so much more that to be trapped in another world away from his friends and support system. That’s why he only walked away two steps.
But, really, Will called him friend-shaped after Nico struggled to be comfortable with the b word. Punishment needed to be doled out.
Never date a child of Hades.
Nico gets all atwitter when Will kisses him back. That high that accompanies tangible proof that the person he likes likes him back just as he is. ]
That move will only work once, Solace. You can’t buy kisses by annoying me. Now, come on. I think I know how to get to the carousel.
I mean, I don't need mistletoe to be my excuse to kiss you for Christmas. But I'll respect not celebrating Valentine's.
[Nico's definitely not the first person he's known to not like or celebrate Valentine's Day, so Will doesn't necessarily think anything of it right now. He just follows his boyfriend to the carousel and has a lovely rest of the day in Central Park.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Way too cold for ice cream, in my opinion, but we can have a café date tomorrow.
[He pulls out a KitKat from his pocket, leaning his back casually against a tree. Will hands it over to Nico before idly inspecting the contents of the McDonald's bag out of mild curiosity.]
Talk to me about it. Or vent. I'm not gonna judge.
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It’s stupid.
[ Or rather, he feels stupid for caring what other people think. ]
When I first got here, after the Atlantis thing, I went looking for Camp Halfblood. Then Camp Jupiter. Came here to try to find Percy’s mom. She lives -
[ He has to think about it. Check the sky for cardinal directions. After a moment, he gestures in the vague direction of the upper east side. ]
On 104th. But she doesn’t here. No one does.
[ This is how Nico handles being open. He has to come in from an angle so that it’s never emotional vomit. He’d rage about it, but he’s angry at himself. ]
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Still... the implication isn't lost on him. Sally's not here, neither is Camp Half-Blood, and Naomi Solace isn't here. It's not so much of a shock as it is a quiet acceptance for Will. After all, if all of them had been here, Nico would've brought them to camp.]
That... must've been hard to find out like that.
[Once again, Will wishes he'd been here earlier. He's here now, though, and he'll make that count.]
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I don’t need them to be here. His mom isn’t going to fix things for me, but she helps people. Meg and your dad. I thought if I could just find someone, but… it’s hard when there’s no one.
[ It’s so lonely, and that used to be okay. But they ruined it, Will and Hazel and Reyna and J-
Nico turns more away like he’s watching something on the pond nearby. Just talk about here. It still sucks, but it doesn’t cut to the bone. ]
Then I thought, okay, if there’s no one, maybe being the son of Hades would matter less. I told two people, after the fire thing. Serrure was fine with it. That other girl, I didn't say he was my father, and she was already getting that look - I know you think that it’s all in my head that people don’t want me around, but it’s not.
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Will reaches out to brush his fingers against his boyfriend's hand. It's an offer of affection, but Nico can always refuse if he's not in the mood for it.
For a moment, he's quiet and munches on a French fry.]
I think I talked with her, on that post. Dana? She reached out to me because she thought I could help.
[The son of Apollo shrugs lightly. He needs to be honest about the interaction, at the very least.]
From what I've seen so far, though, there's a lotta people who want you around. I'm pretty sure I'd fall apart without you at this point, just speaking for myself. [Someone has to help make sure Will doesn't overwork himself to burn out.] Dylan seems cool, you get along well enough with Sleeper, you said yourself that Serrure was fine with it. From what I'd seen of Dana, she seemed to really regret what happened. She didn't seem to know that she tripped and landed face-first into an emotional landmine.
[Will's eyes turn skyward, watching the clouds slowly roll by.]
I'm not telling you to forgive her or talk to her right away. Give it maybe a week or two, and then see what you think about the idea of giving her a second chance. How does that sound to you?
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Instead... he's trying to figure out how his boyfriend could possibly feel like he'd fall apart without Nico, when he's so adept at people. Nico's a disaster at people. ]
I don't know her name.
[ He didn't even stop to ask. She didn't offer it. But Will knew. He makes everyone feel comfortable enough to open up, even Nico. He doesn't even make it seem like work, and it has to be. People are so much work. ]
It sounds... like compromising.
[ He says it like he'd say it sounds like they're going to fight an army of monsters. Resigned and annoyed and bitter. Nico is definitely nursing a grudge, and he's not quite ready to give it up. ]
I have at least two weeks to consider it? Because she's not like Dylan or Serrure or even Sleeper. I don't want to do this again in two weeks. If I don't give her another chance, then she doesn't get another chance to do this.
[ To make him feel like corpse dust. ]
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On the other hand, not giving that chance could mean losing out on a potentially good friend. How was she to know that was a raw nerve?
[The son of Apollo leans slightly against Nico's side.]
Sometimes compromises are the best or only way forward. But we can revisit this topic in about two weeks. [He smiles a little.] Any longer and I know you either won't do it or you'll let it fester way too long.
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[ It’s not a bad thing - it’s how Nico even has Will as a friend. But it’s exhausting to adopt the concept in practice. He leans back against Will, keeping them nicely balanced and upright.
The snuggle is pretty okay, too. ]
I’m not gonna let it fester.
[ He might’ve, but with the added oversight he’ll have to find a middle ground. Friends might be much, but he can manage to not give her a death glare every time he walks past her in the hallway.
He has two weeks to stew and pick at his feelings, though, and Nico will use them. ]
But the difference between her and you is that you think about the person. Even if you don’t know them. She only tried to understand when I wasn’t there.
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[Honestly, it says a lot if Will doesn't like someone. Still, he definitely isn't going to complain about cuddling Nico in the cold, autumn weather. The son of Hades definitely makes the colder months a lot more tolerable.
Will hums softly at that.]
I'll reserve judgment until I know her better. [He smiles gently at his boyfriend.] How do you feel about walking around Central Park while we're here?
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[ Nico’s skeptic little grunt should say everything about how he feels about being “friend” shaped, but his expression gives away the joke before he does. ]
Guess that means you don’t want a kiss. Goes against the laws of friend-shaped.
[ Getting to his feet, Nico offers a hand to help Will up. ]
Come on, buddy. We can go for a walk if you promise not to call it hiking.
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That's so rude. Fine, you're not friend-shaped.
[His lips twitch in barely restrained laughter.]
But I'll call it hiking unless I get a kiss.
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Oh, no. We’re stuck hiking.
[ He turns as if to hike himself off. Makes it two steps and comes back, quickly closing the distance between then to kiss Will surprisingly softly considering how he launched himself at the boy. ]
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He almost replies, but he's completely lost what he'd been about to say when his boyfriend kisses him sweetly like that. Again, very unfair! Still, Will doesn't hesitate to return the kiss, and he can't keep himself from smiling into it. He has so much affection for Nico.]
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But, really, Will called him friend-shaped after Nico struggled to be comfortable with the b word. Punishment needed to be doled out.
Never date a child of Hades.
Nico gets all atwitter when Will kisses him back. That high that accompanies tangible proof that the person he likes likes him back just as he is. ]
That move will only work once, Solace. You can’t buy kisses by annoying me. Now, come on. I think I know how to get to the carousel.
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He can't help laughing as he takes Nico's hand.]
That sounds like a challenge, Death Boy! But I'll remember this when Christmas and Valentine's come around.
[Naturally, Will's going to follow Nico either on foot or into the darkness, no matter what.]
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[ Nico will tug him along by their loosely laced fingers. ]
I have a reputation to uphold.
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[Nico's definitely not the first person he's known to not like or celebrate Valentine's Day, so Will doesn't necessarily think anything of it right now. He just follows his boyfriend to the carousel and has a lovely rest of the day in Central Park.]