demigoth | (no subject)

Probably because you use skeletons to help you clean the place. You know I wouldn't mind helping you out if you asked.

[Will sounds so amused.]

Oh, that's because they've learned pretty quickly to not make me so annoyed by them. The more annoyed I get, the more it sucks for them when I'm treating them.

[There's a reason he's head medic and it's not just because of his skill as a healer. He hums softly as he takes Nico's shoes and puts them near the door with the rest of them.]

You can borrow mine for the night, if you want.

[He says it so casually before he goes to wash his hands at the sink. Will comes back after he's finished drying them.]

The skeletons don't complain, and I don't ask you to clean up my mess. You do enough - you work harder than anyone in camp. Well, if it's not strawberry season. That looks hard.

[ Nico has thus far managed to not help pick strawberries. He thinks Chiron expects it will put him in a foul mood and nearby plants will wither, and, really, Nico's not mad at that assumption.

But this is all cover for his brain, which is currently choking on W-Will's clothes? That sounds... fine. It's fine. They wouldn't be too small. Maybe they're too bright, but no one's going to see. There's no reason to feel like squirming in his own skin. ]

Could work. But no pictures of me in some Dollywood shirt. I know you're going to give me the worst thing you have.

[ Worst meaning the sunniest, syrupy-sweetest look possible so that the word "adorable" can be liberally used. ]

It's definitely hard work, but totally worth it for fresh strawberries. Anyway, I won't push. Just... keep it in mind. If it's for you, it's worth it.

[That's a fair assessment.

Will raises an eyebrow at that.]

If it's not Dollywood, do I get pictures?

[It's very much a tease and not terribly serious. He pulls out the drawer with his pajamas in it, rummaging around for something suitable. His eyes suddenly light up as he pulls out a nightshirt with matching pants.]

Oh! I forgot I had this! It's probably the closest to your style as I'll ever get.

[Will sets the pajamas next to Nico before pulling out his own pajamas and heading into the bathroom to change. The dark grey nightshirt has a Chandelure on the front, and the dark purple pants have a print consisting of little Litwicks, Lampents, and ghostly wisps of fire.

When he comes out dressed in his PJs, he clearly wanted to match his boyfriend by wearing a white shirt with Eevee and Sylveon on the front, and pale pink pants with bows, stars, and little Sylveons as the print.]

No picture promises until I see what I’m in for.

[ At least it’s not an outright refusal.

The pajamas Will hands Nico are suspiciously colorful, but grey, purple, and blue are very acceptable in this case. They’re not orange, which is a strong point in their favor. Orange does suit Will though, so Nico will keep mum about that. He likes the way Will’s tanned skin looks against the sunny color.

Ahem. ]

This is fine. I can put mine back on before I leave.

[ When Will leaves, Nico changes in a rush, keeping one eye on the door in case anyone else comes storming in. It’s not always a guarantee that the cabin has other campers EVERY night. Between quests, family, and activities, there’s no guarantee.

Nico’s got the slack of shirt twisted up under one arm and is trying to tie the pajama pants a couple of inches above his belly button. He can’t have them dragging on the floor. The bathroom door opening makes him jump and drop the material so the shirt falls into place. It’s loose on him, but the overall effect makes him look his age: young. Puts a little color in his face. The overall effect is cuddly goth.

When Will enters. He looks at Will’s pajamas, which seem to have the same style of cartoon character and are very pink.

Will… looks nice in pink too. Nico swallows. ]

Are these from another movie? That movie with the enchanted castle where all the furniture talks?

Fair enough!

[Will absolutely is going to take that. A possible picture is better than no picture.

So, he's put-together. He's good at being calm. What Will's not prepared for is actually seeing Nico in his clothes. He gets the hype, now, especially with how oddly cozy his boyfriend looks in those PJs. There's a very strong urge to just let Nico keep them.

The smile on his face is definitely soft, but then it becomes a bright grin at the Beauty and the Beast reference.]

I do have Belle PJs. I'm not normally into yellow, but it was this really nice pastel color.

[This boy has absolutely no shame in admitting to having Disney Princess pajamas. It's just a shame his favorite Star Wars PJs need a wash.]

Anyway, it's this game series called Pokemon where you can catch different creatures, and you make a team with them for battles. There's a show and a lotta movies, too, but I haven't sat down to watch them yet. The one I'm wearing is one of my favorite Pokemon.

[He hesitates for a moment. Then, trying for casual:]

You can keep that set if you want. It suits you a lot better than it does me.

[ The scrutiny doesn't last long, but it makes Nico fidget. Truth be told, he doesn't even know that it's actually happening or just his own anxiousness to be taken out of his comfort zone. And not just taken out for a moment, but left here in Will's dorky pretty pajamas for the rest of the night.

For the rest of the night. It hits him that he can't hurry things along from the pajamas to whatever's next, because whatever's next is sleeping over at the Apollo cabin. Are the others going to tease them when they get home? Is Nico allowed to kiss Will good night, or is that weird since it's not goodbye-goodnight but sweetdreams-goodnight? It's weird. ]

Your favorite pokemon looks like a cotton candy demon? It's a siren cat, I -

[ Oh. Will - Will wants him to keep these? Nico looks down at the pajamas. He would never pick them for himself. They're definitely as much goth-Will as they are soft-Nico. But people don't often comment on Nico's clothing, aside from his commitment to black, which is as much about function as it is about taste.

And Will thinks this suits him. He doesn't know the writings of Dr. Seuss, but his heart eyes grew three sizes that day. ]

If you don't want them, I'll wear them.

[ They'll always be Will's pajamas in his head, but he likes the visible connection. It's like PDA without whatever letter stands for constant physical contact. ]

Um - which bed is mine?

[Will grins brightly at that.]

Then, they're yours! And, yes, I happen to love the cotton candy demon known as Sylveon.

[His grin dims down to a partially amused smile.]

I'd say the cot, but even as a joke that hurts my deeply ingrained Southern manners. These—[He points out a few of the bunks.]—are empty. And the bottom bunk over there's mine.

[Will gestures to his own neatly made bed.]

You can take your pick. Though, if you wanted to cuddle, the one above mine is the objectively comfiest.

[ Nico considers the options. The cot is a No, but the other bunks all look very similar. Clean and solid - the Apollo cabin is surprisingly plain, given Apollo’s bold preferences when immortal. But it’s something about the white plaster and cedar is warm and homey. He could probably get a good night’s sleep in any bunk.

But if he wants to be cuddled, then he needs to pick Will’s bunk or the one above it. Does he want to cuddle? No, yes? The safe answer is no.

The warmer, safer answer scares him enough to stall. ]

If the top bunk is more comfortable, then why isn’t that your bunk?

[Will's patient. He busies himself with putting his casual clothes into the hamper, and writing a note for his siblings just in case he falls asleep before they come in.]

Oh, well... there's a story behind it.

[He places the finished note somewhere obvious, and then rejoins Nico. The blond leans his back against the ladder of the bunk bed.]

It used to be Lee's bunk. But, whenever the younger of us got homesick or overwhelmed, he'd let them either take his bunk for the night or they'd share it. He did that for me, once. When I got... into this position, I decided to let it be our unofficial cuddle bunk.

[ He wasn't expecting it to be Lee Fletcher's bunk. It's a strange tribute - yes, there's a clear reason for it, and it probably is a sweet reminder to the Apollo kids. Nico didn't know him well; he thinks he saw him at camp in passing but... he doesn't know what to do. ]

It's your cabin. Your pick. I don't want to put anyone out.

[ Or assume a fellow desire for cuddles. Nico sways lightly on his feet. ]

[Will sees the swaying and moves closer to Nico, offering himself as a support to lean against.]

Then you can join me in my bed. If that's too uncomfortable, I definitely recommend the bunk up above mine.

[At least this way, Will's close by in case his boyfriend has a nightmare.]

[ And Nico does lean into Will, just a little. Just enough. He's stubbornly trying to stay Not Tired as long as possible so that he can see he didn't push himself That Far. ]

... you're not uncomfortable.

[ The idea is, scary even, but Nico thinks he wants someone living in the same bed. It's not a boyfriend thing, but he's unsure about pointing that out. Admitting it's for mental health and feeling safe reasons is just as personal as it being for... boyfriend cuddles. ]

What about the others?

[It's fine. Will puts an arm casually around Nico's shoulders.]

Not even a little bit.

[He tilts his head slightly to the side at the question, considering it for a moment.]

They'll probably tease me a little in the morning if we share my bed, but they won't say anything if we take the cuddle bunk. They... get it.

[ They fit better when Nico puts his head on Will's shoulder, and so Nico does. He actually does like affection, and he's getting better about other people seeing it. It's nice when it ramps up slowly - he doesn't get that nervy feeling in his stomach or clammy hands.

He sighs, but it's obviously completely for effect. ]

Okay. We can take the "cuddle bunk".

[Will's heart melts. He's always happy to give Nico as much affection as he's comfortable with. Hearing the sigh, the son of Apollo can't help himself from chuckling softly.]

Great! [He kisses the top of his boyfriend's head. Nico's right there, after all!] You wanna go up first or me first?

You first, I want the outside.

[ He doesn't want to have clamber over Will to get out of the bunk, so he'll let Will get in first and leave an easy escape route for himself. Nico won't complain if Will climbs over him. ]

It's just a cuddle bunk, right?

[ Skeletal butterflies all over again. He wants the answer to be yes, but doesn't want to admit that. ]

[His expression softens.]

Yep, that's right.

[Will gives him a proper hug before climbing up and settling in the bunk.]

Alright, I'm settled! And I hope you know that I still expect a good-night kiss.

[It's said as a slight tease, though. He won't push Nico's comfort when he's so tired.]

[ Hoisting himself up the latter, Nico flops onto his half of the bed. It's close quarters, so he doesn't torment himself by trying to avoid touching Will at all. That would be more awkward. He'd probably fall off the bunk if he tried.

Facts of the matter accepted, it's pretty instantly cozy. Will's warm, it's a decent bunk, and Nico can sort of snuggle in and give him a soft kiss. He's still a little shy with those. Just because he has a boyfriend doesn't mean he's quite figured out what to consistently do with him. ]

[Will waits until Nico's settled before putting an arm around his boyfriend. The soft, shy kiss melts his heart because, honestly, the shy side of Nico is highly adorable and he can't take it. He kisses back, but keeps it just as soft. No need to ruin a good thing.]

G'night, Nico.

[His voice is a gentle whisper, and he does hope that tonight the son of Hades has good dreams.]