Hearts Need Love

Chapter 1

"Will, we need to talk." Naomi Solace opened the door to her son's bedroom, her blonde hair pulled back in a low ponytail. "Your dad has some news."

The late summer air was filtering in the open window, having caused Will to fall into a short nap on his bed. When his mother spoke, he looked up through half lidded eyes and tried his best not to yawn. "What?"

Naomi walked into the room and shut the window. "It's too cold for that, Will. Now, come on, your dad needs to tell you something."

"Something like...?" Will questioned.

"Something important." she looked around the room once more before heading out. "Come on, he's in the kitchen."

Will crawled out of bed and pulled a hoodie on. Everything in his room was warm colors, yellow and orange and even some red here and there. On the wall, he only had pictures of him and his parents where others would have pictures of their friends.

Only a couple weeks left before his school started again. A couple weeks of peace and quiet before he was sent to literal Hell for seven hours a day. Whatever his father had to tell him, he could only hope that it didn't upset the time he had left.

When Will finally emerged into the kitchen, he poured himself a cup of coffee from the still steaming pot.

"Will, good to see you awake." Apollo Solace was as odd as his name. His good looks were passed down to his son, along with his taste in music and the arts. "Have you been awake at all this summer?"

"Ha ha," Will looked between them. "So...what's the news?"

Apollo cleared his throat. He also had a cup of coffee, but his was almost white with flavored creamer. "Well, depending on how you take it, it can be good or bad. I know you hate the school you're at now, so it may be an improvement for you-"

"You're switching my schools?" Will asked. "Why?"

Naomi put her hand on Will's shoulder. "We're moving."

Will paused, his cup halfway to his lips. "How...how far?"

"New York!" Apollo exclaimed proudly. "Your father got the job he's been praying for!"

New York. Will had always wanted to visit, but he never thought about living there. It was far, too far, and he wasn't sure if he was excited or upset.

But he thought back to what his father said, thought about his current school. He needed to get out of this small town if he was going to go anywhere in life.

"When do we move?" he asked.

Naomi and Apollo shared a look, their thankful smiles no doubt from his acceptance to the idea.

"This weekend," Apollo said. "So we better start packing."

"This weekend?" Will repeated. "You don't realize how long it takes to pack, do you? We're going to be working nonstop!"

"You need some work ethic in you." Apollo tossed his own keys to him. "Go buy a couple bundles of boxes. I need to make sure our new house is ready."

Will pocketed the keys. "You're serious about all this? It's really happening? This isn't some sick ass joke?"

"Not a sick ass joke," Apollo assured him. "Though it would be a good one."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nico descended the steps with little Bianca in his arms, the 2 year old having kept him up all night like usual. Now, she slept with her small head resting against his chest.

She had been an accident, had been made from Nico's immaturity and sexual confusion as an early teen. Now, as a single father, he matured faster than he thought possible. Nights he once spent partying were now spent making bottles and singing lullabies.