Butterflies

Chapter 8

Hullo again! Day two. This one is kind of short and it doesn't have any dialogue, but I think that's okay. Anyway, the story is about to take a turn, a great turn. Love ya! Ciao.
~O~
Nico was right. About everything. He had been painfully truthful in his words. Will was clingy, and protective. And he did over exaggerate most of Nico's wounds.

But by the gods, he was not going to lose Nico.

And yet it hurt like daggers to be subjected to the pain he was sending him. Because even though Nico's safety was his priority, he also wanted him to think of him as an equal. He hated the thought that Nico might feel inferior under his actions.

Gods, love was annoying.

But something happened, right then, when Will thought it couldn't get any worse. He thought Nico had said all he could to make Will feel like crap. Then the something happened.

And it was like wildfire.

The second Nico's lips touched Will's he could feel his mind racing with color. Just the first brush of their mouths sent a warm shock running through his body. Suddenly everything in his mind was chased away by every thought of Nico.

Will remembered every second he had been at Nico's side. How being near him made Will feel empowered. How Nico radiated this generous spirit. The perfect balance of darkness and love.

Nico was perfect.

That was right. That was what Will meant. He was perfect. Everything about him.

Half a second had passed and now their lips were fully in contact. Will's heart raced, his pulse thundering so loud he was sure the chicken from yesterday could probably hear it, wherever that little beast had gone.

Nervousness tore at his brain, trying to keep him from following the daring part of himself. The part that always emerged around Nico. He wanted to put his arms around Nico. To pull him closer.

The first second passed. The fantastic glorious second that began the kiss.

Kiss. He was kissing Nico di Angelo.

Will's heart thundered louder and the heart won over the brain. His hands wrapped around Nico's waist and pulled him a few inches closer.

More memories lapped at his focus. Memories of watching Nico in battle. Of healing him. Memories he forgot he had. Ones of clashing eyes with him. How the simple look sent his heart into a flurry.

It was fantastic, crazy, tyrannical love.

It was perfect.

He was perfect.

Will loved him.

And his heart sighed happily.

Finally. Finally, Will could admit it. He finally let himself admit it. He was in love with Nico di Angelo. He was kissing Nico di Angelo. And that was enough.

~0~

Nico honestly didn't mean to kiss Will.

Well, he did. He really did. But not really.

Because he was still angry. At himself. At Percy. At Will for some strange reason. Like his heart was harboring anger against these two boys because of everything they had done.

Let's make a checklist, shall we? What better thing does Nico's confused mind have to do other than list all the reasons he should be mad at these boys.

Percy:
-Was an ignorant idiot
-Kind of a rude idiot
-Very much an idiot
-Didn't make great apologies
-Totally abandoned Nico several times in the last few years

Mostly in Nico's mind he was angry at Percy for not even stopping to realize how much pain he had caused. Not only had he forgotten that Nico had done everything Percy had done, but he didn't even stop to think about Nico during any of it.

Or at least, that was what his brain wanted Nico to think.

Will:
-Was not ignorant enough
-Too protective
-Too similar to Nico and yet
-Very different

But he really couldn't blame Will for that last one. Though his brain did anyway.

And that was when Nico made up his mind to not make up his mind. Nico decided to abandon all sense and do the first idea that came to his idea maker.

One look at Will and the idea came up as kiss him.

Impulses were hard to control.

When their lips touched, Nico suddenly didn't know what functioning was anymore. His limbs were on fire, his brain too sharp.

Suddenly all the pain he had just been reminding of slipped away. Nico grasped for it, tried to keep the darkness in his heart. It was all he had. His pain made him. The betrayal, the sacrifices, the heartaches, they all shaped the boy named Nico di Angelo. And leaving them behind for one boy did not seem worth it.

But before he could take back the shadows of his heart, two hands wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer. They were strong and warm against his already overheated skin. They were all it took for Nico to let go. Because now someone was holding him up and he didn't have to stand alone.

Nico's knees collapsed and Will collapsed down with him, making sure they didn't make a rough impact. His clenched fist released Will's collar and his arms wound around Will's waist instead. With heart still pounding and skin still feverishly hot, Nico lowered his head onto Will's shoulder and tightened his arms around the boy. He didn't cry, didn't speak, just breathed. And Will understood that just fine.

Neither of them tried to come closer. Will didn't attempt to kiss him again. But they held each other, supported each other, and the weights of their hearts left on black and golden wings.