Inconvenient Love

Chapter 7

Sitting at the table was awkward enough without the choice words Leo kept sending their way. Will was as red as a tomato, his blue eyes glued to the table. He sat next to Nico, their arms stuck together as if physically glued. Percy sat across them, playing with his keys as they waited for Leo to take their orders.

"What do I get?" Will whispered, turning to Nico despite his growing embarrassment. "I've never had Mexican food."

"They have burgers." Nico flipped open the menu to find them. "Here, see? Just order it how you like a burger."

"How do you know he likes burgers?" Percy countered. "For all you know, he could be a vegetarian."

Nico went to retort before stopping, glancing sideways at Will. "Are you a vegetarian?"

Will shook his head.

"See, he's not a vegetarian." Nico leaned forward to glare at Percy with a little more energy. "You were wrong."

"That doesn't mean I'm wrong about everything," Percy defended. "Being a vegetarian was an example."

"You're an example!"

"Wha-? That doesn't even make sense!" Percy sat back in frustration. "If you're going to argue, at least do it right."

Suddenly Leo was in front of them, impish grin directed toward the newest member of the friend group. "So, you're Nico's man."

Nico facepalmed. "Valdez..."

"Will Solace," Will shook Leo's hand. "Um...It's nice to meet you."

Leo looked at Percy. "Is this for real? This is Nico's type?"

"Apparently," Percy grinned. "Blond, confused, uptight..."

"The complete opposite of you," Leo noted. "No wonder Nico said-"

"Guys!" Nico clapped his hands together before flipping them both off. "Will's new. He's confused. We met like yesterday so I would appreciate if you didn't scare him away. Now, Leo, Percy and I will take our regulars. Will here wants a burger. Will, tell him what you want on it."

Will stuttered off his order as he tried to process what had happened. When Leo got it down, he winked before speeding away again.

"Um..." Will squirmed uncomfortably but didn't move away from Nico. "Can you explain what that was all about?"

Nico reached over the table and covered Percy's mouth before he could speak. "I'll tell you later."

Percy pulled away from Nico with a grin. "So, get this, Will. Apparently-"

"Percy Jackson, I will end you-"

"Is it about his drinking?" Will asked. "Because his dad already told us that..." He faltered when he saw how serious the other two got. "Um...I'm guessing that's not what it was about?"

Nico's eyes were dark, darker than Will had ever seen them. As he sat back in his seat, they seemed to try to stare a hole into the table. "No, that wasn't what we were fucking talking about, Solace."

Percy gave Will an apologetic look before turning his attention to Nico. "Do you want to step out for a minute?"

"I think I can decide for myself whether or not I need to take a break, Percy." Nico's words were sharp, would have stung Will if he had been who they were aimed at. But Percy didn't seem offended, but more concerned.

After a minute of silence, Nico stood up anyways and left the restaurant. As soon as he was gone, Percy turned to stare at Will. "What were you thinking?"

"I'm...I'm sorry..." Will looked down. "I didn't know he was sensitive about it."

"You don't know anything about him, actually." Percy sat back. "But he's my best friend. He might as well be my brother. And you better start learning if you want me to like you."

"I'm trying," Will promised. "I am. I've never had a boyfriend before and I've never really had friends. I'm not used to talking to anyone, really."

Percy frowned. "You've never had friends?"

Will shook his head.

"Why not?" Percy asked. "Your mother?"

Will nodded. "She kept me in the apartment all day. Studying, doing chores. She homeschooled me as well."

"Okay...then you're definitely not used to talking to people like Nico." Percy stirred his drink with the small straw, poking at the ice cubes. "Don't talk about things like his drinking unless he brings it up. It gets him in a bad mood. Just imagine if it was you. And he has a lot of that shit you don't want to talk about."

"So, drinking...but what else?"

"His mom, Hazel's mom, Bianca," Percy listed. "Anything about his drinking, any bad memories... He just needs to focus on the good stuff, you know? He's had a rough past."

Will nodded as he took the information in. "Is he going to be okay? He hasn't come back in yet."

"Yeah, just talk about something good when he gets back," Percy instructed. "And...what kind of humor do you have?"

"Um...not dark, if that's what you mean," Will answered.

"Okay, good." Percy glanced around before lowering his voice. "Don't make rape jokes. Don't make abuse jokes. Nothing like that. Pedophilia or anything."

Will paled. "Why...?"

"Nico!" Percy stood up when he saw the boy enter the restaurant and waved him over. "Come on, our food should be here soon!"

Will eyed Percy in hopes for some kind of sign, any answer to his question, but none came. Instead, Percy pulled Nico back into their seats.

"What are our plans after we eat?" Percy asked. "My place? Avengers marathon?"

"I've got to get back home," Will admitted. "Mom's gonna be mad enough as it is. If I stay out any longer, it'll be even worse."

"I hate that woman," Nico muttered. "Percy, I'll come over. We can drop Will off."

"Deal." Percy eyed Leo as he finally came from the kitchen with their food. "Ready for the best food of your life, Will?"