Solangelo One Shots

4,000 Miles Away

Will's POV-September

Will has never liked airports. The food makes his stomach hurt, the chairs are uncomfortable, and the air always aches of loss. Parents hugging children as they leave for college, summer lovers wishing each other goodbye as their time together comes to a close. And now it's Will, wrapping Nico up in his arms, knowing that when he lets go, Nico will have to leave. "It's only for a school year," Nico says, smiling gently. "I'll be back in June, and you know I'll send you letters, and we'll face time every night and I'll tell you everything." 

"I know," Will says, fighting back tears. His head is spinning and his surroundings go in and out of focus, like tunnel vision focused solely around Nico. "It's just- I'm gonna miss you. A lot." 

"I couldn't give up the chance to go to Italy for a year," Nico says. "I mean, I'll be staying with extended family, and I already know Italian pretty well. This is going to be amazing. Like, once in a lifetime experience." He gives Will's arms a squeeze. "You get it, right?" 

"Yeah, of course," Will says. He sniffs. "I'm really happy for you." He forces a smile onto his face, but all he can focus on is Nico's backpack. He knows what it has; Nico's laptop, chargers, a bag of chips, and a photo album of his and Nico's first year as a couple, put together by Will with the hopes that maybe Nico won't meet some cute Italian boy and forget all about their relationship. Will had helped him pack, digging his favorite book out from behind his bookshelf so Nico wouldn't be bored on the plane ride. Will had cried, alone in his bed, after that. 

"Last call for gate 16 to Venice, last call for gate 16," calls the woman over the intercom, her voice crackly and obnoxiously chipper. Will glares at the nearest intercom, targeting the tinny voice trying to take away his boyfriend.

"Listen, Will, I gotta go," Nico says, wincing. "I'm gonna miss my plane." 

"I know," Will says, his eyes watery and his smile sad. "Be safe, okay? And call me when you land and make sure you stay in touch." He brushes a strand of hair out of Nico's face, fingertips lingering on Nico's soft skin. 

"We've been over this, like, a million times," Nico says. "I'll send you a detailed itinerary of every day, and I'll start a vlog specifically for you, and I'll make sure not to talk to strangers. Ever." Will laughs gently, watches as strangers part like waves around them, making their way to their own separate destinies and their own separate lives. "But I really do have to go." 

"I know," Will says, trying to hold back tears. He takes Nico's face in his hands, kisses him as he cups his cheeks. "I love you." 

"I love you, too, but I have to go, Will. I really am gonna miss my plane." 

"Bye, Neeks," Will whispers, watching as Nico turns around, his carryon thumping against the floor behind him. 

He sits, alone in one of the uncomfortable chairs as he watches Nico's plane take off. Will likes to imagine that he can spot Nico in one of the windows, his cheek pressed against a windowpane, and his feathery black hair falling across his forehead. But in reality, Will can't see anyone and soon the plane is slicing through the clouds and disappearing above them.

Will leaves the airport alone, walking through a group of people who don't seem real. It's only when he's in his car when he lets himself cry.

Nico's POV-November

It isn't as easy as he expected. His extended family is lovely- they make him fresh cannoli, miles better than the ones his local Shaw's makes- and all of his classmates are so impressed that he's nearly fluent in Italian he's become somewhat of a god, attracting a gaggle of girls, not like he's interested.