Chapter Text
“Can I talk to you about something?”
Apollo turned toward Will, waiting for him to continue. He could tell something was bothering his son, but he would never push. He and Will had fallen into a sort of trusting friendship in the last several months. Will would talk to him when he was ready.
“I kissed Nico the other night.”
“Oh. Oh! How, uh, do you feel about that?” Apollo asked.
“I think I really want to get back together with him. Kissing him again… I just. I really love him, dad. So much. And part of me is so scared that that kiss wasn’t as real for him as it was for me,” Will admitted, looking up at Apollo.
“Oh, sweetheart, Nico is crazy about you. Just the way he looks at you is enough to tell me that much. I know it’s been a little off the last couple of days, with Nico and Percy trying to prepare for this conversation with Annabeth, so the two of you probably haven’t had the chance to talk. But you should talk to him. I’m sure he needs to talk to you, too. And I’m sure it’ll be just fine, my dear. The two of you are good together.”
Will smiled at him and leaned in, letting Apollo wrap him up in his arms and plant a kiss on the top of his perfect curls. The two sat like that for a moment before Will pulled slightly away.
“Thanks, dad. Not just for this, but for like, everything. I never thought my dad would end up being my best friend, but I’m really happy you are.”
Apollo smiled and pulled his son back in, squeezing him a little extra tight.
“I love you, Will. I’m so proud to be your dad, and so lucky to be your friend.”
~
“Can we talk?” “We need to talk.”
Will and Nico stood face to face and spoke at the same time.
Nico huffed out a laugh and dipped his head low, hiding the blush dusting his cheeks. Will laughed and put a hand on his hip, the other finding its way to the back of his neck, gently kneading the anxiety away.
“You can go first,” Nico murmured.
Will let out a breath. “Yeah, okay. Sure. Uh, I just. Okay. What I want to say is that I, uh. I want to get back together and I understand if you don’t because that’s okay. You broke up with me to begin with, so I get it if you aren’t interested in being my boyfriend again but I’ve just had a really nice time with you the last few months and we kissed and it reminded me just how much I want to be with you and kiss you and tell you I love you, and I miss waking up with you in the mornings and I miss seeing you in my sweatshirts and holding your hand and-”
“Will, you’re rambling. Breathe, please,” Nico interrupted his breathless admission.
“Oh, sorry. I just wanted to get it out there before I chickened out,” Will blushed.
“Will, I want you, too. Kissing you and being close to you… I never stopped wanting to be with you, Will. You’re my person. And I know that sounds super corny or whatever, but you’re it for me. It’s always been you, Will,” Nico admitted.
Will’s eyes widened and his freckles started to glow in the way they tended to do when he was feeling big emotions. A smile grew across his face.
“It’s always been you for me, too, Nico.”
~
Nico giggled as Will pressed a soft, warm kiss into the hollow of his throat. He ran his fingers through Will’s sweat dampened curls, scratching his nails against the blonde’s scalp. Will’s weight pressed on top of him felt like coming home.
“I love you, Billy,” Nico whispered.
“I love you too, Nick.”
~
“Would you like to go on a date? With me?”
Gods, he sounded so lame! Why did he add the last part? Percy would obviously know he meant a date with him! When did he become such a loser!?
“I would love to!” Percy lit up. His eyes looked especially green behind the smudged black eyeliner and golden eyeshadow.
“Really?” Apollo asked, sounding even more desperate.
“Of course, dork! I would love to go on a date with you!”
“Wait, you guys are going on a date?”
Apollo spun around to face his son, in all his boxer-and-sock-footed glory.
“Will?” Percy asked, startled by the other man’s presence.
“Nico and I are going out later, if you want to do a double date,” Will suggested, ignoring the looks he was getting.
Percy and Apollo shared a look and hid their laughter.
“Sure, Will. If it’s okay with you and Nico, we’d love to go on a double date with you both,” Percy replied, delight evident in his voice.
~
Percy and Apollo strolled hand in hand a few feet behind Will and Nico. Apollo squeezed Percy’s hand and pointed out a street performer on the other side of the street, and Percy smiled, leaning in closer to feel the warmth radiating from the sun god.
It had been a year of ups and downs for Percy.
Getting broken up with. Graduating college. Finding his best friend. Finding love and safety in a god. Growing comfortable with who they are.
Percy looked at his friends in front of him, Will and Nico. They glanced behind them where Annabeth walked hand in hand with Piper on one side and Connor Stoll (that one had been a surprise to Percy, but they were happy for their friends) on the other. Their eyes settled on the blonde god next to them, and they smiled, content.
This is their life. Step by step. Easy and slow.