IF TIME STOPS 『nico di angelo x reader』

Chapter 8: Fast Food And A Hopefully New Friend.

When (Y/n) opened her eyes, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. In front of her stood a familiar building, one that she hasn't been able to go into ever since she was tiny. The smell of cheeseburgers and more unhealthy things were filling her nose. There was no other words for it, she was in heaven.

"McDonalds." She pondered over the name in a daze. Since the restaurant was a 24/7 food chain, she could already see people — who are either on their way to work or just had nothing to do — eating inside. Burgers. Fries.

"Heaven." She sighed wistfully.

Nico stumbled beside her only able to retain his balance by (Y/n) simply holding his hand steadily. (Y/n) laughed though nervously as if his stumble made her worry.

"Whoa, tiger." She caught his arm, watching as sweat ran down his forehead. "We need to get you to a chair fast."

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." Nico insisted, feeling himself smile. He glanced at her, looking extremely pleased with himself. Her eyes were glittering with joy as she looked back and forth between the building and the person who made this possible.

"Is this real?" She whispered to him, pointing meekly at the building before her. Nico hummed in answer, wondering how her big eyes could twinkle so happily for such a small thing.

"Yep. It's the real deal." Nico nodded, a faint smile playing against his lips. "Come on, let's buy some food. I'm hungry too." He pulled her along, vaguely aware that he had been holding her hand the whole time.

"Ah, but." (Y/n) faltered hesitantly, looking uncomfortable. "I don't have...any money." She hung her head in shame. "Is that really okay?"

"It's fine. It's on me." Nico sighed, tugging her along towards the entrance doors of the restaurant.

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You sat at the table, half heartedly eating your order. Nico sat opposite at the opposite end of the table, silently chewing on his fries. It struck you how wrong your image of him was. Your memory of him was hazy, especially since you had only seen him for a few seconds and for a few metres away at that but you had thought that your image of him was perfectly captured. You didn't know how wrong you were until now.

For one, he was much taller than you had thought and leaner. Muscles formed around his arms from many years of training so you couldn't exactly call him scrawny. His skin was as pale as snow, though his comfortable warmth proved you wrong. Your first impression of him was made in a split second back in the woods. You had called him cute. But, looking at him now this boy was far from it. He was beautiful as if his surname Di Angelo had something to do with his genes. His eyes were framed with long dark lashes that brought out the lush golden specks in his light hazel eyes. His aura was cold and void of much emotion, but at the same time he felt warm and regal. He really was —

"Hey you," Nico called, his cheek propped against his palm as his elbow supported its weight. His eyes seemed dark as they bored into hers. "Are you done checking me out?

"What?" You almost dropped your burger. Have I been checking him out? You asked yourself thoughtlessly. You felt the heat return to your cheeks. You wanted to roll and scream and jump from the nearest bridge just to get over your embarrassment. You were never like this, you've never felt so stupid. You broke away from his gaze and denied his statement.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced but went back to finishing his fries nonetheless. For the next few minutes, breakfast was continued in silence. Usually, you would be awkward especially since you had just officially met him just around an hour ago but it was different. He had a sort of calm aura that made you feel safe and thus, you didn't mind the silence and ate comfortably. But Nico didn't seem like it. He shifted in seat uncomfortably, glancing up at you from time to time. His presence still cold but rather desperate. At one point, you had started watching him instead. He opened his mouth as if to say something before closing them a moment after. Watching the Ghost King act in such a way made her feel exhausted,

"Nico." You said in finality crumpling the empty hamburger wrap. "Ask me."

"Pardon me?"

"You look like you want to ask me about something. If you do, you should ask me."

"Then..." Nico scratched his head, a little hesitant to ask. "Will. How is he?"

This took you by surprise. You knew that Will and Nico were close judging from Will's stories about him, but something told you they might've been more than that. Best friends maybe? You smiled at Nico, "Will's doing good. He tells me alot about you sometimes."

"I thought you only knew one or two things about me from Will." Nico mused, leaning forward.

"Well, not necessarily." You laughed nervously. No way you were going to tell him you know him more than you thought you would because of your fair haired friend.

"Hmm. Well, if you say so." Nico gazed outside the window. "Will...It's been a month since I've seen him."

"You guys must be really good friends if you miss him that much." You smiled, wondering to yourself if you'll ever find a friend who'll miss you when you're not around.

"I guess." Nico whispered, his eyes sad and distant as he looked on outside. You wondered what he was thinking about but you thought it better if you didn't say anything that might make him feel uncomfortable.

"Thanks for bringing me here." You mumbled thankfully. "It made my day a lot more bearable."

You glanced up thinking he'd be uninterested but to your surprise he showed you a small smile. "My pleasure. Besides, We'd be seeing each other often these days, I won't be shadow travelling to China anytime soon."

"China?"

"Long story, maybe I'll tell you next time." He smirked standing up. He looked up at the wall where a dozen world clocks were displayed. 6:57 am. Soon, everyone would be awake and the counsellors will be inspecting the cabins. As much as you would like to go back to cabins, you didn't want to end this. This moment. With him standing in front of him. You wanted to capture it so badly and keep it in a box filled with precious memories. Although, you both hadn't spoken much and you had only showed him nothing but you weak side the whole day, you enjoyed it. He was a cold person, but it didn't mean that he had a bad personality. For the first time in awhile, you felt strangely serene. You were calm. And it was all because of him.

You found yourself smiling as you stood, unconsciously lacing your hand in his warm ones. 'Let's go?"

Nico's cold eyes softened as he gripped your hand in his, "Yeah. Let's go home."