Even The Best Fall Down Sometimes---Nico Di Angelo/Solangelo One Shots

One More Song

Hey guys! Thank you for so many reads, comments and votes!
**Okay, so this is the second part to Tell Me I'm A Wreck, the Solangelo AU one shot that I published right before this one. If you have not read Tell Me I'm A Wreck, please do before reading this part, or you will be very confused. :) I wasn't originally planning on writing a part two, but people wanted one, so I decided I would try to make you guys happy and write one. :) I'm not sure how this turned out because I wasn't really sure which direction I wanted to go with this. Please comment on how it was :)
This one shot does include mentions of self-harm, or references to it, but not the action of self-harm.
I hope you guys like it. Enjoy!
*Credits to the artist of the chapter cover art

Nico
I don't know why I invited that Will guy to sit with me at lunch. I didn't even know him. Still, there was something about him...maybe I was just tired of being so alone all the time. But I already know it doesn't end well when I get close to someone. I sighed, and pushed open the door to the cafeteria. I hated the place, but I knew that's where Will would be. As expected, I spotted a messy clump of golden hair making its way through the crowd.
"Hey, Nico!" Will grinned at me. God, he was always so cheerful, always smiling and in a good mood. How did he do it?
"Hey, Will," I greeted a bit reluctantly.
"Where do you usually sit?" He asked, looking around for an empty table. No, Will, please no, please not the cafeteria.
"Um, well, I usually sit outside. It's nicer and less crowded," I suggested, trying not to let anxiety creep into my voice. It was so crowded in this goddamn cafeteria.
"Sure!" Will gestured for me to lead the way, and I trudged in front of him. I plopped down in the grass outside some empty classrooms. My spot had a strip of lush green grass with flowers growing in it, and a fairly tall maple tree that dappled the light as the light fell from the sky. Will sat next to me and I grimaced. I shouldn't have sat down so hard. I'll admit, those bruises hurt like hell. And I could see some starting to turn blackish blue through the tears in my ripped black skinny (ish) jeans.

Will
"Do you sit here often?" I asked, trying to make conversation. It was really a beautiful spot, and a world of difference from the cafeteria. I could see why Nico liked it.
"Every day," Nico mumbled. I took a small bite of my sandwich, and nodded.
"By yourself?" I questioned curiously. He can't just sit by himself every single day, can he? With that question his eyes grew a little bit harder.
"Yeah," Nico muttered, looking down at his worn black Converse.
"Why?"
"I don't have anyone to sit with. No one likes me, so I have no friends," Nico stated.
"Why don't they like you?" I asked. Nico was sweet, how could they not like him? Most likely Nico just never have them the chance.
"They think I'm creepy. They don't want to be associated with me. I don't mind though. I don't make friends usually. What's the point when they're just going to leave?" Nico's voice was hard and clipped.
"Nico..." I wanted to help him. I didn't know him, I admit, but I'd like to be the one to change that. Nico just turned away, hiding behind his hair and refusing to look at me. Fine. I'll start small, then.
"So, Nico Di Angelo, huh?" I asked, grasping to change the subject. "Is it Italian?" It sounded Italian, but what did I know?
"Mhm. I'm from Italy," his accent became a lot more clear when he said the word "Italy." I noticed it too when he introduced himself, but didn't pay much attention. It was smooth and rich, and stayed just under the surface of his normal tone of voice, but you could tell it was still there, peeking out at certain words or emotions.
"So you live with your sister?" I had gathered that much from the notes.
"Yeah. My mom died a few years back and my dad just disappeared," Nico picked at the rips in his jeans. "What about you?" He questioned. "Since we seem to be revealing our whole life stories?" He said, not too kindly, either. I flinched, probably visibly, and Nico looked sorry, hiding his face between his long dark hair. I sighed.
"My mom is a single mom, well kind of, who works more than full time and is never home. I have a little brother who I take care of," I tapped my fingers against my tan shorts. Nico looked at me, his big galaxy-like eyes studying me. When he noticed me looking at him, he quickly turned away. My ear buds decided to randomly fall out of my bag right at that moment, and Nico bent forward to tuck them back in. As he reached his arm towards me, his sleeve came up, and I again saw the angry dark red cuts, scratches and bruises on his wrist and arm.
"I'm guessing your sister doesn't know about that either?" I reached out and gently touched his arm. He jerked away, looking scared. I sat, not touching him, just there.
"No, she doesn't," Nico finally reluctantly replied. "And I'd like to keep it that way," Nico's voice turned to steel, a warning.
"Okay. Just, why, Nico?" I asked, confused. Why would anyone-?
"Odio la mia vita," Nico muttered. Italian.
"Nico?" I asked. It would help if he talked in English. Nico looked at me quick with wide eyes and then continued talking hesitantly.
"I have no friends, no one accepts me, I have no one, I get bullied, my family is gone...God, so many other things. And sometimes I just can't," Nico was facing away from me, talking to the ancient maple tree. I reached out and put a hand on his knee. He flinched for a second and then relaxed slightly.
"Nico. Can you promise me something?" Nico shrugged.
"Live for me. Friends say they would die for each other, that they would do anything. Well, you know what's harder to do? Live for someone. So Nico, say you'll live for me. Promise me that," Nico wouldn't look at me. He was turned away, his hair in his face, hiding his brilliant brown eyes, his hands in his lap.
"I promise," Nico stated quietly, suddenly bringing his head up to look at me. I beamed at him, really wanting to give him a hug.
"Thanks, Nico," I said genuinely, smiling. He offered a timid smile back. "Can I have a hug?" I asked, hesitant. Nico reluctantly shrugged and nodded, looking nervous. I imagined he wasn't used to being touched except to be used as a punching bag. Which is why I was going slow, treading carefully. I slowly wrapped Nico in a hug. He smelled like pine, and a warm fall day, and leaves. It was amazing. I pulled away after a little bit, not wanted Nico to get uncomfortable.
"Thanks," I mumbled. Nico blushed, looking uncomfortable, but he had at least been pretty okay with being touched. Suddenly the end-of-lunch bell rang with a harsh, noisy clang. Nico stood up, grabbing his bag, and turned hesitantly to offer me a hand up. I took it, careful not to touch his wrist. His hands were warm and rough, comforting. I smiled at him and he looked down, blushing.
"Can I walk you to class?" I asked. I wasn't usually this forward, but I was starting to see that if I wanted to grow close to Nico I would have to make lots of the first moves. Nico hesitated, probably thinking about how it would look if people saw that he was being walked to class.
"Okay," he decided, shrugging. I smiled at him joyfully. Nico saw and smiled a little bit back. When he smiled, his whole face lit up. He looked like an entirely different person. Still beautiful, but somehow more full of life.
"You should smile more often," I told him. "It suits you."
"Yeah?" Nico made a grumpy face and then timidly smiled a bit more. "I'll try," He said softly, beginning to walk away. I scampered to follow him, and with that we walked to his next class together.

So...I could make a part three, if you guys wanted...or should it stop there? I'm undecided, but if you guys wanted, I could make another part. INPUT PLEASE? :)

Also, did anyone catch the Twenty One Pilots reference in there? Well, kind of a reference. When Will made Nico promise to live for him because it's harder to do...
Also I felt like the chapter title should go with my last chapter title so it is also the name of an Every Avenue song.