Solangelo One Shots

Strangers in the Night + announcement!!

Mentions of drinking/sex if that stuff makes you uncomfortable. Also, make sure to read to the end because I have a really special announcement!!

Nico's POV

There are benefits of being roommates with "Party Animal Percy." Free booze whenever he wants, boys coming to their dorm looking for a good time and someone to share it with, a decent reputation as someone at least kind of cool. But there are downsides, as there always are. One of those downsides being dragged to a bar in a part of New York City that he didn't even know existed, watching Percy dance his way into the crowd on the floor with Annabeth following suit. That leaves him at the bar, sipping on whatever drink Percy had ordered him with the vague instruction to have fun still ringing in his ears. Looking around, he doesn't know anyone except for Percy and Annabeth, doesn't recognize the buildings outside and has no method of getting back to his dorms other than taking the subway by himself at midnight. The night isn't shaping up to be fun in the slightest. 

"Hey, Perce," Nico says, cutting his way through the crowd. The music makes his ears throb and the strobe lights make his eyes sting, but Percy and Annabeth look like they're having an amazing time. "Perce." He doesn't get a response. "Percy!" 

"Nico," Percy says, grinning crazily. His face is covered in a sheen of sweat, but he's still bouncing on the balls of his feet like a child at a birthday party. "What's up? You wanna dance with us?" 

"Nah. I'm gonna step outside for a sec, okay?" Nico says, tilting his head towards the door. Percy nods, already slipping back into the depths of the crowd.

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Have fun, 'kay, Neeks?" Nico can't help but roll his eyes. Percy has the best intentions, he really does, but he's the dumbest person Nico has ever met. 

"Yeah, don't worry. I will," Nico says. Percy flashes him a thumbs up and Nico heaves a heavy sigh, slipping out the door and leaving his drink on the counter. 

The air is cool around him and he draws his jacket tighter, shivering lightly as a breeze blows through the street. The city is usually crowded, a bustling metropolis even so late at night, but this area is quiet, and the only sound is the music from inside of the bar, and the hooting of the people inside who have had just a few too many drinks. He can hear Percy's voice loud and clear. 

He sighs, taking a step to the right so that he's standing inside a tiny circle of light cast from the streetlight above. It's warmer in the circle, somehow, and he appreciates it in the chill of the November air. He isn't sure how he can possibly be so bored in such a big city, but the only thing he wants at that moment is to go home. He would go inside, drag Percy out and all the way back to their dorm, but he's having so much fun Nico thinks it might be considered a crime. 

"Hey." Someone steps into his circle of light, someone with blond hair that shines in the night like gold and the stance of someone looking for an adventure, and Nico thinks the night may not be so boring after all. "What're you doing out here?" 

"Got bored in there," Nico says, nodding towards the door of the club. "What about you?" 

"Just about the same," he says, flashing Nico a grin. "I'm Will." 

"Nico. Did you come with someone?"  

"Just a couple of friends," Will says, glancing back into the club. "They're so drunk it's not even worth trying to have a conversation with them. I think you're the only sober person I've met tonight except for the bartender, and they're not even that sober." Nico laughs softly, a sound that might have been drowned out by the music inside, but Will seems to have heard it. There's something about that moment underneath the streetlight that seems surreal as if he's living in a dream. He feels as if he's drunk, but he isn't; his head is clear and he's holding his breath, waiting for something to happen.