Always You - Nico di Angelo x Reader (Oneshots)

The Coloring Book

A/N - hey guys! I've just found out that wattpad has a 200 story-part limit. Since I'm already more than halfway there, this means that I'll be ending the book very soon!

Let me know if you guys want me to make another oneshot collection or continue on my Leo x Reader book, esp since that one is already so dead :P

Just to update ya'll, I'm still in the process of writing my book. Also, I adore your comments and story requests! Don't be shy and share the ideas with me, maybe I could interpret them into something that other readers would enjoy <3

Anyways, that's all I have for you guys today. Happy reading!

- Third Person's POV -

Nico never really liked making art. He had tried it a couple of times during the craft sessions of his Camp Half-Blood schedule. But his "creative juices" simply can't flow properly the way the other kids' did.

It was difficult for him to understand what was the point of art, especially since people have been telling Nico that it was supposed to make him feel something. Their argument was laughable.

It doesn't stop him from enjoying watching you make art, though. Ever since you and Nico had started dating, Nico's hobbies now include cuddling up next to you as you worked on your new project.

He would be curled up right beside you, occasionally running his fingers through your hair or helping you pick up supplies from across the room.

While art may not have felt something to him, you surely did. You were the only beautiful, graceful thing in Nico's life that's able to make him feel that life was worth living.

"What are you making now?" Nico quipped, peeking from behind your shoulder to get a glimpse of what you were doing.

"Just coloring," you chuckled, leaning away slightly to give Nico some space to tuck himself into the comfort of your side, "I'm not in the mood to do anything too difficult at the moment."

"Says you," Nico teased, looking up at you with eyes full of adoration, "It's a wonder how you could make the most hideous colors look good. All my color palette is made out of black and very, very dark grey."

You giggled, "Was that supposed to be a reference to something?"

"Maybe," Nico smiled, looking down at your coloring book. He knew you had personally designed the illustrations yourself on your tablet, then asked Leo to print them out for you in pretty binding paper.

"That's us," he suddenly said, pointing happily to two cats snuggling in the picture, "I want to be the one with spots, so you get to be the one with a heart-shaped nose."

You visibly melted at his soft remark.

"Sure," you chuckled as you gently pet Nico's hair, "I'll get started on Nico-the-Cat right away."

~ time skip ~

"That's beautiful, Nico," Piper smiled, admiring a huge painting that Nico hung for his art exhibition.

"Thank you," Nico whispered, his voice rather breathless as he stared up at his work. He couldn't help but compare his paint strokes to yours, how similar they were in style. Would you have been proud of him?

"I still can't believe you went to art school for college," Piper quipped, taking note of Nico's silent mood. "Is there a particular reason behind it?"

"I just..." Nico fell short, fiddling with his fingers as he tried his very best to swallow back his tears. "I just wanted to continue her dream."

It could be said that Nico's art exhibition went great, people from all over the world came over to the museum to appreciate what the young man made of his life.

That afternoon, however, Nico didn't take a second longer to return home, where he could be seen dropping to the floor and sobbing painfully. He hugged his knees to his chest and tried to breathe normally again.

This was a regular routine now, as if there was no way of escaping anymore.

Later in the day, Nico was painting in his art studio - a room that he had purposely set up in his small apartment.

Paintings of you lined the walls and littered the floors, including some of his most recent sketches, in which all of them portrayed his favorite muse: you.

Your face glowed with ethereal beauty in all his art pieces, highlighting all his favorite things about you. That is, every little bit of your being.

Nico had boldly sent some of his work to the museum to set up his first exhibition after graduating, wanting the world to see the love of his life gracing the life of others.

None of his clothes was left clean without a droplet or splatter of paint on them. You would have made fun of him, if you were here.

You were the real reason why he decided to pursue art, even after years of not being able to master the techniques. But now, art was the only way he could feel something. It was the only way for him to feel some sort of connection back to you.

It has been five years since you've left him for good, gone from the world and from his arms. Nico wished desperately for you to come back into his embrace, where you belonged.

Now, he lived your dream through his life. Your whole passion for art has soaked into his very soul, now being an essential part of Nico's existence.

Nico's favorite method of portraying his art and expression is through painting, wanting the colors to overflow in his work, just like how your love felt for him. In contrast to his appearance on the outside, Nico absolutely detested any sight of muted colors, not wanting to return to that state in life anymore. He wanted to feel, wanted to live.

He wished you could see him now. Nico wondered if you would love what he was doing right now, living your dream for you when you can't.

Hung on the wall, right next to his desk, as a framed picture of your unfinished coloring book, where Nico-the-Cat was fading right after Y/N-the-Cat once was.

A/N - hmm after writing so many oneshots with multiple parts, it's quite odd to get back into fast-paced stories. Do you guys prefer having multiple parts or just one chapter to the story? Thanks!

And boy, I've been writing a lot during the holidays (can you tell by the steady stream of oneshots?)

BTW, I post every weekend! So in case you guys are still confused about my uploading schedule, just know that I usually have a new story ready for ya'll on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

1,126 words

Until next time,

- FantasyDemiWitch