demigoth | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ Continued from here ]

If that’s true, how come Cabin 13 doesn’t get top marks during cabin inspection? I should be all the decorations it needs.

[ He should try cleaning without the undead. ]

Seeing the bright side everywhere is cheating if you’re the one making it bright. How do you have to glow to not be annoyed by the rest of us?

[ Nico yawns around a mouthful of chocolate, but he obliges Will by picking up his feet to help toe off his shoes. Mumbles almost to himself. ]

I should get clothes from my cabin.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only