Hearts Need Love

Chapter 12

They sat in silence for some time, staring each other down, figuring each other out. Will kept close to Nico and kept a hand on his shoulder, but Nico didn't even seem to notice him. Not when his daughter could be in danger.

"She's with my sister right now," Nico eventually said. "You can't see her right now."

"Nico," Percy hissed. "You don't want her to call the police, do you?"

"I'm not going to hurt her," Drew added. "I just want to meet her. And I want to make sure she likes you."

"What the fuck-"

"Nico, just shut up and let me talk!" Drew clenched her fists, breaking one of her nails. "How the hell am I supposed to know if you're a good father or not? The last time I saw you, all you did was drink and party and have sex with whatever girl you could get with. How am I supposed to believe you're a good father without seeing it for myself? Just let me talk to her, Nico. You can be right there."

"I'm not like that anymore..." Nico stared down at his lap. "I take care of Bianca as best as I can. Hazel and dad help, too. And Persephone and Percy and the others. She's got people that love her. She doesn't need you."

Drew's face fell.

"But...but if you promise to be nice and not take her away...I guess you can try to form a relationship with her," Nico finished. "But one of us have to be there at all times."

Her shoulders sagged with relief. "That's all I'm asking for, Nico. Can...can you tell me about her?"

Nico grabbed Will's hand and held it close. "I named her after Bianca. Um...she has FAS, from you're drinking...but she's going to be okay! We're working with her and she's happy and she's learning to talk better every day. Tell her, Percy. She's getting so good at it."

Percy nodded. "That she is."

"She likes chocolate," Nico continued. "And teddy bears and snakes. Oh, and monkeys. She's got a thing for monkeys for some reason. And she likes chocolate donuts and apple juice."

"Monkeys, huh?" Drew asked with a smile.

Nico nodded. "I don't know where it came from. Um...I...I can go get her..."

Drew's eyes lit up. "Please do."

Nico pulled Will with him, leaving the room to gain some privacy from the group. Once they were alone, Nico looked in Will's eyes in search for confirmation. "Am I doing the right thing?"

Will nodded. "I think you are, Nico. She seems to really love Bianca already."

"She hasn't even met her..."

"I know, but it's her baby," Will said. "She loved hearing about her, wanted to know everything. I really think you can trust her with Bi."

Nico leaned his head against Will's chest for a minute in silence before pulling away, going to get Bianca from Hazel. Soon enough they were back in the living room, Nico sitting on the floor with Bianca, Drew soon joining them.

Will's Nico was a father, it was evident enough. A proud father, a loving father.

Will's Nico was a fighter. No doubt he'd do anything for someone he loved, no matter what fight it took.

Will's Nico was his whole life in every which way. He was the center of Will's attention, he was light and heat and comfort. He was love.

Will's Nico was gayer than gay could be, but Drew didn't seem to notice.

Gritting his teeth, Will watched as Drew continued to try and flirt with an oblivious Nico as they played with Bianca. Little touches here, flirty words there. Their history of relations didn't help the matter.

"She's still Drew," Percy commented under his breath. "Don't worry, Nico's completely gay."

"You're sure?" Will asked.

Percy nodded. "A hundred percent. He's yours, Will."

Will still couldn't keep the jealousy out, but knew he trusted Nico enough to sit back and relax.

It was ten minutes later when Piper burst through the door, Jason right behind her. "Drew's not at her house! She's-" Piper's eyes landed on the girl in question. "Oh, fuck."

Nico crossed his arms. "You're lucky she's civilized."

Drew rolled her eyes. "So you did have them stalk me."

"Do you blame me?"

"Not really."

"So it's okay?" Jason asked. "She's not hurting anyone?"

Nico shook his head. "Bianca actually likes her."

"Of course she likes me," Drew insisted. "I brought her a toy."

Nico looked at the toddler in Drew's arms, smiled when he saw that she had fallen asleep against her birth mother's chest with part of her stuffed animal in her mouth. "She's great, isn't she, Drew?"

Drew looked down at their daughter, also smiled at the sight. "She really is."

As Percy moved to talk to Jason, Nico's eyes landed on Drew's as he finally voiced what had been bothering Will. "I'm gay, Drew. Super gay. I don't like you like that. I just...I just thought I should tell you."

"You're...gay?"

Nico nodded. "I've got a boyfriend."

"Is it the blond?" she asked.

"Yep."

Drew nodded in approval. "Good choice, Nico."

Will blushed as Nico laughed.

"I know, right?" he asked. "He's...he's everything, Drew. And Bi loves him."

"Good." Drew looked Will over once more before looking back to Nico. "So...we're friends?"

Nico nodded. "Friends. And co-parents."

Drew smiled. "Friends and co-parents."