Of Heartbeats Lost and Found - Oneshots

1. Dress

"Do you like that? Should I buy it for you?"

This was the fourth time Solace had offered that once they reached the clothing store and Nico turned to him with wide eyes, finally saying, "You know when you say that, it sounds like you're... uh, never mind."

"What?" Will asked, still eyeing the gold embroidered, midnight blue, silk gown hanging on the rack.

"Offering to buy me everything I set my eyes on, it's." Nico hid his snort behind his fist.

The blond turned to him with a wide grin which fell into a frown as he said, "I really hope people don't think I'm your sugar daddy."

"Well, you should be lucky this place is deserted."

"You wouldn't let me say anything like that if there was anyone else."

"It's always best to be careful."

Will hummed. "I am kinda rich now though."

"You've been saying that for almost a year. In this time you would have been broke if it weren't for your grandparents."

"I know how to be responsible with my money."

"You were literally just - "

"But I wouldn't have bought anything for you, unless you really liked it. Like this one perhaps," He pointed at a lemon colored, frilly, lace nightmare on the mannequin they had just turned the corner to face.

"Why are you so desperate to see me in yellow?" Nico sighed. "Again."

"Because I didn't get a good look that day. It was all a bit of a blur—"

"Yeah." He scoffed.

"And you look so devastating in actual, bright freaking colors."

"Nghgsh," was the sound he made as Will leaned further away because of the approaching staff.

"Are you shopping for a sister or mother or friend...?"

"Yeah, my sister, actually. But I think we're good just looking around, so." Will speed walked back to the section with gowns. Nico scrambled behind him without another glance at the lady.

Technically, they were here for Nico's sister. But the main reason she had asked them to shop for her was because someone that knew the di Angelo family worked here. So their cover had to be Will's family.

"Maybe we should start looking for something for Bianca actually."

"Okay."

As fate would have it, they immediately bumped into the woman they were trying to avoid.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah, we're looking for the—" Will glanced back at him, "formal wear. Like, uh, something you can wear for parties, weddings and stuff."

"The men's section is upstairs."

"No, it's for my sister." Will sighed a bit. Nico could see that the lying was getting to him. They were both rather keen on being truthful, even though they had different rules as to when and where they could deviate from that. Neither really ever enjoyed doing it. "A gift for her birthday."

"Oh, well, the party gowns are over here." She led them there and as they were looking through the dresses that lined the shelves, said, "I think I know your parents."

Nico shared a fleeting glance with Will, sitting in the chair beside him, before letting out a long breath. It took him a moment of labored breathing before stammering, "They. They're, th—Maria and Anthony di Angelo...?"

Will trapped Nico's leg with both his feet, which she could not see from the other side of the counter. And he relaxed a bit, letting go of the marble-top which he had been gripping with white knuckles.

"Right, of course. So sorry to hear about your sister."

"Yeah, it's fine." Nico jerked his leg free from Will's foot-cage at the other man's smirk.

Why did everyone talk about Bianca like she was dead? She was teasing him about Will literally a few hours ago. Now, even though that fact wasn't common knowledge, all they had to go off of was that she had run away. Where did death come from? Knowing his sister, she probably wouldn't care.

"Anything in particular that you're looking for, like a color or fabric?" She addressed the seated blond.

"She likes green."

"I see."

When the woman turned her back, Will pinched Nico's side. Before he could retaliate, there was a flutter of lime green fabric being spread across the counter.

He nodded at Will, who furrowed his brows.

"Nico, no."

Solace looked at a few other ones before settling on a teal—edging on emerald—gown with several golden jewels sewed on the neckline and waist.

"That wasn't even a proper green." Nico said, as they moved to the men's floor together.

"I think I would know my sister better than you do."

"She's not your sister." He laughed.

"Yes, but I feel like I understand her a lot better than you do even though we've only had like two and a half conversations."

"My two decades mean nothing?"

"You're eighteen, and really bad at math. But, like, no matter how well you know her—I could not allow you to get that first dress. It was hideous."

"It was... nice."

"You have no sense of style. This is why you should let me dress you. Not to mention," he leaned in closer to whisper, "undress."

Nico dashed up three steps and remained at that distance until they had reached the top of their two flight trek.

When Will joined him, his cheeks were probably still pink.

As Will tried on some shirts in the trial room, Nico waited outside. After a while of silence, the door creaked open and a hand gestured him inside. Nico stepped in and almost stumbled at the sight.

Will locked the door with a half smile. "Yeah, this is a few sizes too small."

Nico muttered, "And you call me devastating."

When Will started unbuttoning the tight shirt with an even bigger smile, Nico had to turn around several different ways and whisper-shout, "Solace, please. Why are there so many mirrors—aghh."

"You... wanna see if this fits you?"

Nico's cheeks might have been permanently stained red at the thought of Will and his bloody toned body. Because, of course: he was good at sports. It only made sense that he was the hottest man to walk this earth. And this was not how he intended to see Will without clothes for the first time but, let's be honest, he would take it. "No! ... Is that why you called me in here?"

"Mostly to make out but, erm, sure."

"Well, put on your shirt first."

Nico pinned him against the door, with Solace crouching so his head didn't hit the hooks above it, and kissed him. It was short but left Will panting and blushing. Nico was satisfied as he moved to leave. "Maybe make an exit after a few minutes? I'll be waiting by the elevator."

Will pecked his cheek as he left.

That gorgeous blond is mine, Nico thought giddily as he walked. He tried his best to keep his expression neutral but definitely failed.

And they did not end up buying anything else, as a flustered Nico explained to the attending staff on the men's clothes floor.

Will could only smile in contentment at this, as they left with nothing but a teal dress and a secret.