All the Ways to Love You

The Tale of Nico di Angelo and His Boyfriend (Part 1 of 2)

Summary:
Nico di Angelo was fourteen when he became someone's boyfriend for the first time.
He found it to be something equally pleasing and confusing at the same time.

***

Nico di Angelo was fourteen when he became someone's boyfriend for the first time.

He found it to be something equally pleasing and confusing at the same time. He knew that so many things have changed already while he was stuck in the Lotus Hotel. He knew that nowadays, it was okay that a boy can be a boyfriend of another boy, just like it was okay that a girl can be a girlfriend of another girl. Knowing that it was something that just so...normal nowadays compared to those days in Italy that he only vaguely remembered, Nico was perplexed, but also relieved at the same time. Yes, there were still people that were being jerks about it. But Nico knew that there were more people who were fine with it, who thought that there was nothing wrong with it.

But still, he found it confusing when Will stood in front of him, looking nervous (which was so not Will) but still had that soft look in his bright blue eyes (which was so Will), and asking him to be his boyfriend.

So what else that Nico could say when he was just so, so confused?
"What?" He asked, quite dumbfoundedly.

It was already confusing for him when Will starting to talk with him in those three days in the infirmary, like he was genuinely interested to know more about Nico.

It was already confusing for Nico, that Will chose to spend more time hanging out with Nico instead of with his siblings, doing anything from canoeing in the lake, to watch episodes and episodes of Parks and Recreation in Cabin Thirteen. Or doing nothing but just sitting on by the lake and said nothing but stealing glances and flashing smiles at each other.

In front of him, Will cleared his throat.

Will's cheeks got brighter and Nico could feel his heart beat faster.

"Well, is that a yes or is that a no?"

(Sometimes Will was that calm, cool Cabin Counselor who was undoubtedly the best healer in their generation. But sometimes Will was also this awkward person who said things that Nico couldn't understand with reddening face and looked like he himself didn't have any idea about what he just said.)

"Will, it's neither a yes or a no. I just.. What did you just ask me?"

Will's hand flew to the back of his neck and he rubbed it.

"I... You know... I was just... Wondering... Whether.. I was... asking..."

"Will."

"Willyoubemyboyfriend?"

Nico blinked.

He was still confused.

So he asked again.

"Why?"

Will's hand went back to his side and there was this soft expression on his face. There was this gentle look in his eyes.

"Because I like you, Nico," he said. "I really, really like you."

Nico didn't understand why Will like him. Nico didn't know why Will ask him to be his boyfriend.

But he knew that he liked Will too. Really really like him.

Nico chewed his lower lip and looked down. Butterflies were flapping their wings inside Nico and there were bubbles in his vein and Nico didn't know how Will made him this happy just by asking him that question.