#at this point coco is the closest with nico

[softpine]

working on the next post was frustrating me so i made more of coco's family to relax!! let's hear it for beautiful brown eyes

nico (33), nicole "coco" (23), monica (22), jasmine "jazzy" (18), amir (12), xena (1)

their family situation is very complicated but if you're interested:

nico was an oopsie when their mom was young. she got married and then quickly divorced nico's dad. coco looks up to her brother a lot. he's the kindest, most generous person you'll ever meet (gives you the shirt off his back kinda guy) and he loves coco so much, but he has an intellectual disability as a result of a complicated birth and he was never given the support he needed. he's had problems with substance abuse for a long time. growing up, coco always wanted to be around him, and unfortunately he didn't always do a good job of sheltering her. even though she doesn't blame him, he'll always blame himself for exposing her to his lifestyle.

when coco's mom met her dad, she didn't want to ruin things by getting married again. nevertheless, coco was planned. she was supposed to be the last baby (hence the cute matching names: nico and nicole).

monica came along so quick after coco that they were basically raised like twins, but coco was still very much a protective big sister to her because monica started losing her eyesight as a toddler. by middle school, she could only see light & shapes. she continued to go to the same school as coco, but she didn't get much in the way of accommodations, so coco was the one who helped her the most. she made sure monica never fell behind or felt different – she learned from nico that if she didn't support monica, no one would. they're the only 2 that share both the same birth parents, though monica always got along better with their dad than coco. oh also she's the sister that used to listen to danny's music fjkjsds

jazzy was from their mom's 2nd marriage which didn't last long. she spent summers with her dad in indiana, which made coco so jealous until she actually visited indiana herself lol. she goes to college at purdue so coco doesn't see her much. it also makes coco feel weird that they both started college at the same time though coco is 5 years older. she wants to be the big sister giving advice and helping jazzy through college, but jazzy has her life together more at 18 than coco ever has. she won't admit it, but she does judge coco for her life choices, and she has a lot of valid reasons for doing so. sadly jazzy had a front row seat to some of coco's worst moments. neither of them really know how to move on from that.

their mom is still married to amir's dad. he's the only kid still living with their mom. coco actually spends quite a lot of time with amir; he likes to stay at her apartment when he needs a break from his step siblings (who coco barely knows, since they moved in after she moved out). they also like to get out of the city and go exploring together / hiking

xena is....... complicated. she's the only one here that doesn't have the same birth mom and that's really all i can say. (btw i'm not bringing back the 2018 extreme red blush, the poor thing just has eczema)

[rosyredlipstick]

Rental Love* (5\?)

(*Read Terms & Conditions)

- Male/22/Long Island N.Y.C. Tired of showing up stag at holiday events? Want your family to stop thinking there’s something wrong with you? Just want some arm candy for a work event? Look no further. Your solution is here! I will attend holiday events with you as your paid date. Accepting all genders as applicants. Email solace.w@fastmail.com if interested. Interview & application will be set up there. - Nico di Angelo has been telling Hazel Levesque about his boyfriend for weeks. The bad part? Nico doesn’t have a boyfriend, the holidays are coming up, and not all of Jason’s ideas are horrible. They’re all a bit surprised about the last one. Read Part One Here Part Two Part Three Part Four

Nico was incredibly mournful of that fact that he wasn’t able to say that it was his first morning being woken up by a body colliding into his.

Jason was a terrible roommate, after all.

But this was definitely not Jason, with her high, feminine laughter ringing in the air, and her horribly clashing ugly Christmas sweater themed pajamas.

“Merry Christmas!” Hazel laughed, perfectly content in the space between him and Will’s previously sleeping bodies.

She threw her feet and hands into the air, kicking them about. “It’s Christmas!” She declared as if it wasn’t already completely obvious. “Get up!” She ordered, sitting up to point to both of them. “Hades won’t let us open any gifts until everyone’s eaten breakfast and is downstairs and neither of that is going to happen if you guys lay here all day!”

Nico groaned out loud, burying himself into his blankets, momentarily grateful both he and Will wore sleep shirts to bed. “What time is it?”

“Early.” Will groaned back, his voice just as rough as Nico’s. Nico tried to ignore it, the nice edge of the rasp in his voice, and forced himself onto other thoughts.

“It’s eight-thirty!” Hazel declared, “Frank made me wait, we’ve been up since six.”

They heard an exhausted groan from the doorway, and Nico peeked up from his pile of warmth.

Frank, leaning against the doorway, slid a hand over his lax face. “That we have.”

“Poor Frank.” Nico mumbled, tucking the blankets tighter around himself as Hazel tried to pull them off.

“Poor Frank.” Nico heard Will agree in the same low tone, muffled as he buried his face into the pillow.

Neither of them bothered to change out of their wrinkled from sleep pajama bottoms, instead only absent-mindedly shoving on shirts that belonged to the other. They both shuffled down the stairs, and Nico, with his face buried in the warmth of Will’s neck, didn’t even try to hide how heavily he was leaning against the other boy. Will didn’t seem to mind though, just as clingy in his sleepiness, his arm slung around Nico’s shoulders.

Hazel, who had bounced ahead of them as they changed, waited at the bottom of the stairs with a fond look on her face.

“Go lay on the couch with your boyfriend.” She teased, happiness in her voice. She was far too chipper, and even Will’s ‘morning person’ personality shied away from her sunny grin. She balanced a tray on her hip and made a shoo-ing motion with her hand. “Frank and I will grab the hot chocolate and be in there in a second. Hades and Persephone should be down in a minute.”

Nico laid down on the couch, and Will’s movements weren’t anything like the hesitation Nico was feeling. Will laid across his chest, his hand coming up to rest on Nico’s shoulder. His body was heavy and warm against Nico’s, and the roaring fireplace next to them wasn’t the only reason for the blush crawling up Nico’s neck.

“Is this okay?” Will’s voice was quiet, too quiet for anyone but Nico.

Nico’s voice was soft, but it didn’t need to hold any volume for Will to hear it. They were so close, Will could feel Nico’s breath on the back of his neck.

“Yeah.” He breathed out, his arms coming up to circle Will’s waist.

“Hey sleepyheads.” Hazel gave them a soft smile, balancing a tray on her hip. “Coco’s here.”

“The famous di Angelo mix.” Will grinned, catching on quickly. He accepted a cup topped heavily with whipped cream and sat up slowly.

Hazel passed Nico a cup with much less cream, but from the scent, much more peppermint. Just how he liked it.

He gave her a small smile in thanks, following Will’s example and sitting up with his legs tucked under him. He leaned into Will’s warmth, not really as tired and clingy anymore but still craving the contact nonetheless. Will’s hand, almost like without thinking, came up to brush Nico’s bed head back before it could fall into his drink, and Nico had to will away the flush climbing up his neck.

“Where’s Hades?” He asked, probably too-loud, mostly as a distraction from the way Will’s shoulders were leaning into Nico’s side, his warmth welcome and comforting through their thin pajama layers.

“Hades isn’t here.” He heard his father’s voice exclaim loudly, causing a twin wince from him and Will. “However ~”  Hades threw himself in front of the couch, a large red and white hat taking up most of his face, the matching color scheme taking up the oversized outfit he was donning. “Santa is here!”

Nico only stared at him, blinking slowly in response to Will’s sudden erupting laughter at his side. “Why.” He breathed out, “Why do you have to do this.”

Hades beamed, rolling up his red sleeves only to have them fall back down a moment later.

“What are you talking about? I am simply Father Christmas, here to visit to Di Angelo household.”

Nico finally groaned, shoving his head into Will’s neck. “Why are you so embarrassing.”

Will laughed, his hand coming up to thread through Nico’s hair. “I think it’s cute.”

Had been Nico been looking, he would have seen the impressed and happy look Hades shot Will at that. “See?” He asked Nico, pulling on the edge of Nico’s foot hanging off the couch. “I’m cute.”

Nico kicked out his foot, hitting Hades’s wrist with a nice wack, and smiled a bit at his father’s noise of surprise.

Nico turned his face out of Will’s neck to see Hazel giggling loudly into Frank’s chest, their own position similar to the close one he and Will were tied up in.

Persephone - thank the gods - was wearing her normal soft pajama ensemble she wore every year - her bare face and messy ponytail a rare sight. She plopped down on the couch closest to them, tilting her head back and laughing as Hades struggled not to trip over the much, much too large outfit.  Her face was fond, an open picture of love, and she tilted her head to them as she spoke with bumpy, laughter filled words.

“Isn’t he hot?” Persephone giggled, “I swear, I find him more attractive everyday. Like a fine wine, yes? Gets better with age?”

“I hate you. I hate both of you.” Nico only declared, fitting his hands over his ears, ignoring Will’s soft laughter at his side. “Why do you guys have to do this.”

“Don’t you agree, Will?” He could barely hear Persephone ask over his plugged ears, grinning wildly like the witch she was.  

Nico removed his hands in time to hear Will hum, a thoughtful look on his face.

Will grinned, catching Nico’s eye playfully. “All I’ll say is this - if Nico grows up to look like that? I wouldn’t be disappointed.”

Persephone howled with laughter, her wine glass swinging dangerously as she fell forward in laughter, and Nico huffed out a breath, his traitorous cheeks coloring horribly.

“I”m leaving this family.” He announced, standing. “Goodbye, it’s been fun, Hazel can have my shares of the will.”

Hazel peeked her head over from the couch, smiling at something Frank was saying. “I can what?”  She asked, laughter making her voice happy and bumpy.

“You get Hades’s retro car collection and the manor in L.A., congrats.”

Hazel nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll enjoy the sun. So your entire inheritance?”

“Consider it yours.” Nico made a bowing motion, rolling his eyes, and reached for another cup of eggnog.

“Including Jules-Albert?” She asked, her voice teasing.

Nico paused, his mouth clicking close. “Okay. Most of my inheritance.”

Hazel laughed, “Thought so.”

“Your chauffeur is in your family’s will?” Will asked, giving him a look.

Nico nodded, frowning. “Well, yeah. Someone has to remember to visit him and make sure Beatrice is up to shape, and he’s needy.” He shot a smirk over to Hazel, “And he likes me the best.”

Hazel huffed a breath up into the hair in her face. “That’s just because you used to make him to take you to the convenience store at two in the morning and force him to bond with you.”

Nico gave her a nonchalant shrug, “Worked, didn’t it?”

Hazel only rolled her eyes in response, not really minding. Everyone knew she was Allegra's favorite anyways - their esteemed cook who had been in the family since Nico could remember - and the sneaked bites before dinner and midnight snacks were enough for Hazel to give up the title of Jules Albert’s preferred.

Hades stepped forward then, Nico sighing again at the sight of his costume, and the older man took advantage of the lull in their argument.

“Merry Christmas, di Angelo's!” Hades grinned, his arms tucked behind him. “As your beloved father could not be here today -” He spoke over Nico’s loud groan, shooting a small smile to Will as the blond boy swatted at him in response - “I, Saint Nicholas, will be filling in for this Christmas morning!”

“Let’s get this over with.” Nico muttered, sitting up from Will’s embrace.

Hades, pushing the plastic white beard back a little so he could speak, smiled down at his son. “Why, little boy!” His voice was much, much too loud. “Have you been naughty or nice this year?”

“I hate you.” Nico answered, glaring at him with too much humor and not enough heat. “I really, really do.”

“Naughty, I assume!” Hades only took from that, still grinning widely. He took a step forward closer to his family, his hands still wound behind his back. “But that’s quite forgivable, I assure you. Especially since your father tells me you’ve brought such a nice young man home for the holidays!” He winked at Will, and Nico was almost embarrassed to acknowledge that this wasn’t the first time. This entire experience had only so far taught him one thing: he could never, ever bring home another guy to his family.

Hazel, the traitor, was giggling at the whole ordeal, her hands fanning over her wide smile from her place on the couch. Nico resisted the urge to stick her tongue out on her, and settled for rolling his eyes at his father.

“Does any of this have a point?” Nico asked through gritted teeth, ignoring how Will was shaking with quiet laughter beside him.

Hades brightened, as if Nico was reminding him of something. “Ah! Yes, yes I do.” He cleared his throat. “As comes tradition with Nico’s winnings of the Annual Gingerbread Contest -” With a lavish movement, Hades revealed an extravagantly wrapped gift from behind his back, smiling hugely. “The first present!”

He handed the gift over to his son, all eyes on Nico, and Nico took the familiarly shaped box in his hands and gave it a playful weigh.

Nico grinned,, the playful annoyance from earlier disappearing, and tipped his head back towards his father, already knowing. “Vinyl?”

“Of course.” Hades smiled, referring back to their mutual agreement of giving each other vinyl every year. It was simple, made Hades easy to shop for, and Nico was hardly ever disappointed. It was good arrangement.

He tore off the paper - too thick to be anything but ridiculously expensive for paper meant for ripping - and settled the heavy package on his lap.

He whistled, smoothing his hand over the plastic cling wrap that guarded the earthy colored album. His smile was small, private, but meant nothing less than a beaming face of joy. “Hozier - how’d you know?”

Hades knocked his shoulder with his hand. “I have my ways.” He said, his voice dripping with mystery, probably meaning he just checked out Nico’s latest spotify playlists.

Nico smiled, a small and real sort of thing. “Thanks, dad.”

Hades beamed at the thanks, already turning away to reach for Hazel’s first gift from him.

Will grinned next to him, bringing Nico’s attention to him, and his voice soft enough so his words were just for Nico. “Wow Nico, didn’t know you were a hipster too. I thought pop punks were suppose to hate hipsters, isn’t this kind of a contradiction?”

Nico shoved him, no real heat behind the action. His stuck his nose in the air, a playful look crossing his face. “It’s how music was supposed to be played. It sounds a thousand times better.”

Will hummed, tracing the silhouette on the album cover with a light finger. “You’ll have to show me later. Educate the misinformed, you know.”

Nico thought that over, glad his family was momentarily distracted as Persephone unwrapped one of her first - of many, if by tradition - gifts from Hades. “That sounds...okay.”

Will glanced at him, his eyes too blue and too nice to look at for such a casual action. He curved his smile up into a half-grin, and Nico pretended to be extremely invested in the ugly pattern of their antique rug that spread out before the fireplace.

“Yeah?” Will asked, his voice soft.

Nico nodded, still looking away. “Yeah. Sounds good.”

He glanced to his sister, excitedly gushing over the new set of watercolors Hades had ordered from Italy or France or whatever, and focused his attention on the holiday instead of Will’s warm body pressed into the line of his.

It was Persephone’s turn next - Hazel had helped Nico with hers, directing him towards a soft and earthy colored scarf Persephone had apparently been eyeing, and his step-mother smiled in thanks at the soft fabric. “Thank you boys.” She smiled, referring to the From Nico and Will tag Nico had added on last minute. “It’s beautiful.”  

The continued like that, Hades enjoying the few vintage records Nico found buried in a record shop down the street from the restaurant Jason worked at. Frank made a soft noise of surprise at the engraved arrowheads Persephone had excitedly ordered weeks ago, his eyes going red as he stumbled down a shy thanks.

���Open mine next.” Nico nodded to the small wrapped gift under the tree, thanking the other boy when Frank handed it over. Hazel smiled at him, her smile going a bit soft at his messy dark handwriting on the side of the box. She tore off the paper quickly, handing it over to Frank and his garbage bag, and took a good look at the box.

Hazel blinked in surprise, a happily pleased smile coming over her face as she realized what it was. “I - I love it!” She hugged the small box to her chest, beaming. “Nico! This is - this is great! I’ve always wanted one of these!”

Nico blushed slightly, “There’s no need to sound so surprised.” He teased.

She shot him an amused look. “Nico. You got me a kitten calendar and an expired fruitcake last year. I love you, but you’re usually horrible at gift giving.” She grinned suddenly and hugely, like a thought was just now coming to her. “Wait...Will totally helped you pick this out, didn’t he?”

She laughed at the immediate blush that fell over Nico’s cheeks, “Knew it!”

“Just enjoy your gift.” Nico only said, falling back into Will’s side with an easy air. Will’s arm, already stretched across the back of the couch, fell to Nico’s shoulders, his hand brushing Nico’s neck. He willed himself not to blush at the simple action.

There was another round of ruffling paper as Hades pulled another gift from under the tree. He passed it over to his wife, giving both he and Will on the couch a playful - but happy - look.

“Your turn, Will.” Persephone smiled at him, passing over a brightly wrapped package.

Will took the package with surprised hands and eyes, his mouth falling open into an oh. He glanced up to Hades and Persephone, both still smiling excitedly, and blinked a few times in obvious surprise. “You - I didn’t - you didn’t have to -”

Hades waved his hand through the air, interrupting Will mid-stutter. “It’s nothing, son. Now hush and open your present, or my feelings very well may get hurt.”

Hades shot him a teasing smile, gesturing to the package in Will’s lap, and they all waited.

Will bit his lip and nodded, doing as told. He pushed away the wrapping paper easily and stared at the package for a long moment, still blinking.

“A Hamilton sweatshirt.” Will breathed out, looking up to glance from Nico - who shrugged - back to Persephone and Hades’s grinning faces. “How - how’d you know I -”

“Love that musical?” Persephone finished for him, still smiling widely at the shocked look on Will’s face. “Sweetheart, you’re not the only one awake at six in the morning you know. And I have to say, your shower rendition of Guns and Ships is particularly impressive.”

Will blushed a harsh color, his glowing cheeks hiding none of his obvious embarrassment. His dipped his head, his curls falling over his face, “Thank you. Um - for the gift. I really like it.”

Nico smiled at his step-mom and father, his arm coming to loosely rest around Will’s waist. Will was still staring down at the sweatshirt - a gray zip-up with the well-known logo on the breast pocket  - with a shy, small smile on his face, his expression only visible to Nico through the curtain of his hair.

“We love Hamilton.” Hazel suddenly spoke up, smiling sweetly. “You should hear Nico’s Eliza - he gets into it. Burn makes him cry everytime.”

Nico scowled, “It’s an emotional song and she trusted him so much -”

“Anyways!” Hazel ignored him, “My turn!” She reached under the tree to gather one of the few presents left, shoving it over to Will’s lap. “Merry Christmas!”

Will looked even more surprised by the second present then the first, and he fumbled with the gift as to not drop it straight onto the floor. He didn’t wait for anyone’s insistence this time, only shooting Hazel a coy look before carefully folding back the expensive looking wrapping paper.

He hadn’t even fully unwrapped the gift before he paused, staring at the box in his lap with obvious question, his hands frozen mid air over the peeled back paper.

“Nico said you collected them!” Hazel beamed, “I wasn’t sure which ones you had so I just got one of the more rarer ones - I still have the receipt  if you do though! I just wanted to surprise you!”

Will stared down at the package with a shell-shocked look on his face, disbelieving.

“I...I don’t have this one.” He said, his voice a bit numb. He continued to blink down at the package, and Nico craned his neck to attempt to see what it was over the mess of crumpled wrapping paper. What had she gotten him? Nico couldn’t remember even mentioning anything to her. Maybe something else Hamilton? Except that didn’t exactly fit the context.

Hazel clasped her hands together, “Great! I had to fight a few Ebay bidders for it, but I’m so glad you like it!”

Will nodded, still staring down at the gift. He looked up, giving her a convincing charming smile, despite the obvious - obvious to Nico at least - tension in his shoulder. Will was a great actor, after all. “I love it, Hazel.” He said, holding the gift - still covered a bit in wrapping paper - to his chest.

She beamed, happy, and moved on to giving Frank his present from him, nearly shaking in excitement. Hazel loved gift giving then any amount of gift receiving, and it was obvious.

After only a few minutes, Will was standing, the gift still to his chest, as he announced, “I’m going to get us some refills.” He grabbed onto Nico’s arm, a death grip. “Nico, help me, will you?

Seeing as Nico didn’t have much of a choice - and Nico was curious to whatever gift Hazel had given him - he went along, Will’s arm pulling him down the hallway into the kitchen.

Will spun on his heel as soon as they entered the room and pushed the package towards the other boy, his eyes on fire.

“What the hell is this?”

Nico stared down at the package for a long moment, uncomprehending.

He blinked a few times.

“Um.” He said, because Will was obviously expecting a response. “What?”

Will kept his voice to a low frown, “What did you tell her.” His words were flat with barely concealed annoyance and frustration, anger seeping through the syllables as well.

Nico blinked again in confusion, ready to deny having any part of the gift, when he was suddenly hit with something.

A memory came to him - fuzzy and barely there despite being only months old, a throw-away sentence that seems so insignificant and undetailed at the time - then the memory was gone, leaving behind the barely there image of a coffeeshop and Hazel’s insistent tone, a joke she had no idea to take as anything but the truth, his and Jason’s lingering joke about it.

Nico clasped a hand over his mouth, a laugh staring to climb up his throat. “ Oh my god.”

Will continued his glare at him. “What did you do.”

Nico only repeated himself, his eyes wide with realization and quickly gathering amusement. “Oh my god.”

Will put his hands on Nico’s shoulders, forcing Nico to meet his eyes. “What did you do.”

Nico took a breath, attempting to momentarily keep his laughter at bay, and grinned so widely his cheeks ached in protest. Hazel unknowingly had just become his favorite person in the entire world. “Oh my god. I had no idea she would remember. I totally forgot about it - oh my god.”

“Remember what?” Will demanded.

Nico shook his head in disbelief, his eyes falling back down on the package, causing another bout of laughter. “Hazel - Hazel wanted more details on my mysterious boyfriend or whatever a few months ago, and - oh my god - I gave her some random details and -” He broke off into another peal of laughter, bending over at the waist. He grabbed onto the chair for support, nearly heaving.

Will’s jaw clenched, and he glared at an empty spot on the wall as he said the next words, the sentence hard and flat.

“You told her I collected vintage troll dolls?”

“I told her my boyfriend collected vintage troll dolls!” Nico said through hysterical laughter, his words barely making it out. “Jason and I thought it was hilarious, and she wanted more details on my boyfriend! I had no idea she would remember!” He heaved for breath, his face turning red with the lack of oxygen. “Gods, this is the best day of my life. Oh my god. I can’t believe this, oh my god.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do with this.” Will hissed, shoving the package under Nico’s nose.  

With a forced note of composure, Nico looked up at him with serious eyes. “Treat it lovingly, I hope. It’s rare, you know.”

Will stared at him for a long moment. “I hate you. So much.”

Nico patted him on the shoulder, his lips spread out into the most shit-eating grin he could manage. “I’m glad you like you gift, Will. Shame, if I’d known you loved them so much I might have picked you up a few.”

Will let go of a breath that must have been holding the last of his surprised anger, replacing the emotion with full, uncomprehending disbelief.

Will was now staring down at the package in his hands, at the chubby little figurine, and the neon colored hair that curled out of the top.  He had to stifle down the last of his laughter.

Nico, in a rare moment of pity, grabbed onto his arm, cutting through Will’s still heavy disbelief. “They’re probably wondering where we are. Let’s grab the refills and go before someone comes looking.”

Will blinked up at him and allowed himself to be dragged away, his hand still curled around that damn package.

Nico, without the hysterical laughter, would definitely be thanking Hazel later on.

Hours later, after all the gifts were unwrapped the their arsenal of hot chocolate and eggnog drained, Hazel was shoving a bundle of clothes into his arms.

Nico was already groaning. “Hazel -”

“Nope!” Hazel smiled brightly, “Just because you fight it every year Nico doesn’t mean I’m ever gonna let you sit out, ya know.”

Nico scowled down at the bundle in his arms, Hazel already plucking through it. She found a lumpy multi-colored knitted hat and shoved it on her own head, still looking through the pile.

Will shot them both a questioning look. He caught Nico’s eye, a smile in his now-pleasant voice. “Care to fill me in, Nico?”

Will had seemed to finally adjust to the reality of his new-ownership of a probably too-costly vintage troll doll much better then Nico would have done so himself. Had it been him, Nico would have promised a fiery death on the small doll before the hour was over. Maybe Will had some experience with horrible, but well-meaning gifts. This gift, at least, should be rememberable.

Nico ignored how warm that thought made him feel. The thought that this - maybe him - would be memorable to Will.

Hazel seemed to notice that Nico hadn’t bothered answering, speaking up in his place.

“We always play in the snow for awhile if we can.” Hazel smiled sweetly, pulling out a scarf from the pile to wind around Frank’s. “It’s a lot of fun!”

Will hummed as he pulled on his gloves. “My sisters love playing in the snow.” His smile took on a bit more realness, “We have the best snowball fights.”

“Just wait till you see how competitive Hazel can get.” Frank told Will, his tone joking. “She and Nico….get into it.”

Will raised a teasing eyebrow towards Nico, who only rolled his eyes. “Gingerbread House level competitiveness?”

Frank only shook his head. “Worst.”

Will whistled lowly, “I don’t know.” He shot Nico a teasing glance, “I think I can take ya.”

Nico gave him a look clearly stating you wish and dropped the pile on the nearest flat surface to begin shifting through it.

Nico pulled out a pair of gloves he remembered wearing last year, picking at one of the loose threads as Hazel and Will continued to joke.

He threw on a few more warmth-appropriate accessories on, hoping they wouldn’t be out there much long. He was just pulling on a plaid gray and black winter hat - poof end and all - when he was interrupted by a soft touch on his arm, pulling him back into the conversation.

He glanced up, a bit surprised to see Will standing much closer than he was previously. Nico swallowed.

“What’s up?” He got out, hating how the automatic reaction his body gave in response to a too-close Will Solace, with his too-blue eyes and curved up smile, was to freak the fuck out.

Will shifted closer to him, his hand dropping from Nico’s arm, and he spoke in a flat, serious voice.

“Nico. I’m about to ask you the most important question known to man ever.” Will gave him a grave look, placing both hands on Nico’s shoulders to stare directly into his eyes.

Nico swallowed, his throat drying up a bit at the intense emotion in the other boy’s eyes. “Will, we’re already dating.” He said, half-attempting to joke, his voice light and teasing, mostly for the benefit of Hazel and Frank standing a few feet away.

Will shook his head. “That’s not it. Nico…” He trailed off, reaffirming his hard steel look. “Do you want to build a snowman?”

Not even Nico’s loud, dragging groan could drown out Will’s ringing laughter.

“What are we going to name her?”

Nico rolled his eyes, readjusting the thick scarf around his face. He hated the cold okay? It was a known fact. “We’re not naming the snowman.”

Will shot him a wounded look. “Why not? She deserves a name!”

Nico continued to pat down the snow on his side. Which hopefully wasn’t the front because, well, when you hated snow as much as Nico did, you didn’t tend to have much experience with it, which leads to horribly deformed snowman. “First, the snowman does not have a gender. And if it did it would be, ya know, a man. And secondly, no. We’re not naming a pile of snow.”

Will frowned. It was annoying that despite the thick winter gear they were bundled up into, unattractive neon colors and all, Will still had the audacity to look cute. Fuck him.

Will was still frowning, and Nico attempted to listen what he was saying. “That’s sexist. Our snowperson could totally be a woman.” He glanced around for a second, seemingly looking for something, and paused when his eyes landed on Hazel and Frank, working on their own snow pile a few yards away. “Hazel!”

Said girl turned, already grinning. “Yeah, Will?”

“Nice snowperson! What’s their name?”

Hazel turned to Frank for a quick moment before responded. “Tina! Yours?”

Will gave Nico a triumph look before turning back. “Haven’t named her yet! Thanks!”

Nico glared at Hazel, who only blew him a kiss.

Will was still giving him a satisfied look. “We have to name her. Without a name she’s nothing but snow.”

Nico stared at him. “It is nothing but snow!”

Will frowned. “Nico. We have to name her.”

Nico finally sighed and threw his hands up into the air. “Fine! Gods, name the snow pile, go wild.”

Will beamed, and Nico hated how warm that act made him feel. Will turned, eyeing their snow pile with concentrated interest. He finally seemed to decide, nodding and crossing his arms. “She’s been named.” He declared, turning back to Nico to grin.

Nico raised an eyebrow, curious despite himself. “And?”

Will nodded, looking back to the snow pile. “Antoinette. Her name is Antoinette.”

He paused, “Like…Marie Antoinette? The Queen of France?”

“Yup. That’s the one.” Will patted down a bit of the snow. “She looks like royalty, doesn’t she?”

Nico hung his head, giving up. “I – yes. Sure. Yes. The snow pile looks like royalty.”

Will beamed again. “Glad you agree. Hazel!” He waved her attention back to them. “Her name is Antoinette!”

“Like the Queen!” Frank yelled back, joining in. Will nodded excitedly.

He turned back to Nico with a smug glimmer in his eyes. “See?”

Nico only sighed, resigning himself to the fate of Will’s annoyance for the immediate future.

Will went back to patting down the snow, readjusting the stones of the face into a happy expression. Nico turned to do the same, another shiver rushing through his body as the wind began to pick up.

The chill had been worsening since they first got out there, definitely due to the slightly setting sun. Not like the sun was providing much heat to begin with, but still. It was definitely getting colder.

“It’s freezing.” Nico barely got out through chattering teeth, tucking his icy hands under his armpits.

Will frowned at him, his eyes full of concern. “You’re cold?”

“It’s winter. In Chicago. We’re outside.” Nico barely got out, “Yeah, I’m a little cold.”

Will continued that frown of his, stepping closer, one of his hands coming up to cup Nico’s cheek. “Do you wanna go inside?”

If Nico’s cheeks hasn’t already been burning a harsh red due to the frigid air that whipped around them, they would have bloomed into a slight blush at the action. Instead, Nico only stared a bit wide-eyed at the other boy, his voice a barely there stutter. “I - I mean, no. We can stay out a bit longer.”

Will nodded, a simple dip of his chin, his hand still warm and pressing into the freezing skin of Nico’s face. “Good.” He finally said, his eyes flickering up to Nico’s through his blond eyelashes. “That means I can do this.”

Before Nico could blush, or wonder what he meant, or even take another breath, Will was leaning and -

- and shoving a handful of snow down his collar.

Nico immediately jumped back, cursing and recoiling at the sudden invasion of wet ice on his dry skin as Will - along with Hazel and Frank, he noticed bitterly - cackled with laughter

“Asshole.” Nico cursed, waving out the end of his shirt to attempt to get some of the chucks out of the fabric. He continued cursing, glaring at the other boy’s still laughing face, “You’re such a dick.”

Will smirked at him, “Sorry darlin’, couldn’t help it.”

Nico held his arms tighter around himself, his voice low enough that Hazel and Frank wouldn’t be able to hear his mutter. “You couldn’t help being a dick? Wow. Prime boyfriend material, let me tell you. Can I leave a Yelp review? Might help out whatever poor sucker tries to hire you next.”

Will only answered in a laugh, his eyes dancing, and annoyingly took absolutely no offense to the remarks.

“Fine, how bout I let you get in a hit?” Will held out his arms, as if embracing for impact.

Nico thought about it for a moment. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.”

Will continued to wait, even as Nico turned and began climbing up the slight hill back to the manor. Will called out in question behind him, his head now cocked to the side in confusion, and Nico only looked over his shoulder as he continued to walk.

“Never said I was going to cash in that freebie now.” It was Nico’s turn to smirk. “Keep on your toes, Solace.”

Will didn’t answer, but Nico definitely counted that one as a win, despite the sticking snow still melting against his chest.

He immediately headed towards his bathroom, vaguely registering Will falling in place behind him, a bit out of breath as he rushed to follow Nico and climb the staircase. Dripping with melted snow, Nico didn’t even feel bad about heading straight for the bathroom first.

Nico peeled off the cold fabric, wincing at the ice chunks that fell to the title with the action. He changed quickly, thankfully, as threw his soaked clothes into the bathtub, putting that off until another time. He dressed in a pair of delightfully soft and worn sweats - the same pair he had caught Hades, on several occasions, attempting to throw into their fireplace due to the few holes along the bottom and blotchy bleach stains - with a V-neck so stretched out it no longer resembled the letter at all. An O-Neck, maybe.

So, dressed in his unsexiest clothes, it understandable the confusion that came with the double-take Will gave him when he reentered his bedroom, the other boy already changed into similar clothes, chosen not for their fashion but completely on softness and warmth.

“What?” Nico demanded, crossing his arms.

Will stared at him for a long moment. “Your hair’s messy.”

Nico blinked, his hand coming up to rest on his head. It seemed a bit more tangled than usual, probably due to the several snowballs Hazel had manage to noogie into his head earlier in the day. He should probably put it up honestly, but unsurprisingly he couldn’t find the motivation to do so.

He gave Will a suspicious look. What did the other boy want, for Nico to drop everything and pour himself into stylizing the tangled mess that he couldn’t be bothered with? Fuck that. And it’s not like Will had the best hair in the world, despite how the curls fell oh-so-perfectly across the nape of his neck, and how the golden strands seemed to glow under sunlight.

“Yeah?” Nico gave him a half-shrug, “And?”

“You look...soft.” Will seemed to finally decide on. He gave Nico a small smile before Nico could bite back something - because how the hell was he suppose to take that? “I like it.”

And what the fuck was Nico suppose to do with that?

Nico settled on a frown, his default expression, and turned out of the room, fully expecting the other boy to follow. “Whatever.” He said, his voice nonchalant despite the very nonchalant blush his cheeks were burning.

Will didn’t answer, but Nico could almost hear the unvoiced laughter that Will was holding back. Ugh. Nico really didn’t need this.

He lead the other boy down the staircase, fully intending on throwing himself onto the plush couch to watch some Christmas specials, when he noticed a flash of movement darting into the parlor room. He frowned, following it.

This simple action, he would later remember, would lead to so, so much regret.

He lingered in the doorway of the parlor for a second, Will’s presence a slight question as his back, before he turned to leave.

“Ahhh….son?” Hades drawled out, his voice filled with glee, and Nico turned slightly to face the older man, standing in the hallway.

Hades was grinning, staring at them so obviously with such a huge grin, it was a bit creepy. He clasped his hands together, leaning into Persephone with a loving excitement evident in his eyes.

Without looking, Nico could already tell what Hades had done. He had done it many times in Nico’s teens, and even more with Hazel and Frank in their early relationship. He should have expected it.

Will was glancing up, an amused look passing over his face at he glanced over at Nico’s father. He dipped his head closer to Nico’s face, their faces nearly cheek to cheek as Will lightly pulled him forward.

“You get three moments of PDA.” Will told him, his voice a soft whisper into Nico’s ear, a soft reminder of the job Will was doing, of the service Nico was paying him for. Nico swallowed. He didn’t need the reminder. He knew.

He mentally composed himself. He - he didn’t need to think about that right now, with Will here, with Will close and warm and slightly smiling that stupid charming grin his family immediately fell for. Will smelt good - Nico had noticed these past few days - like coconut shampoo and spiced cologne. He pushed those thoughts out of his mind, pulling the smile out of him that this situation needed.  

Nico glanced up, not surprised in the slightest, but needing to see it just the same.. “Does it count if we’re under mistletoe?”

Will grinned, dipping his chin. “’Fraid so. But I can’t be one to deny a tradition, can I? After all,” Will leaned in a bit, letting his hot breath brush over Nico’s lips. “We’ve got to save some for New Years. People expect those.”

Nico could only nod back, not trusting his voice, and briefly wondered when he should shut his eyes.

Nico had kissed people before. He’d slept with people before, for gods sake. He had been in relationships and dated and fucked and had one night stands and - and Nico was experienced. He wasn’t some blushing virgin, wasn’t some coy and shy eyed high schooler who’s only experience was from his left hand. Nico was experienced.

So gods, why was his body suddenly acting like he wasn’t?

Will took the lead, and the stubborn part of Nico should have risen up at that, should have at least glared at the soft part of him that desperately wanted actions like that, but he didn’t. He didn’t do that all.

Will’s hands were steady on his back, and he tilted Nico back just the slightest, almost like he was asking for permission, before dipping Nico to the side, his eyes dancing, his mouth ringing with light laughter.

Had Nico been fully mentally there, perhaps he would have rolled his eyes or muttered some sarcastic remark, or maybe would have smirked and pushed the other boy back to do the same to him.

But, as Nico’s mind tended to go a bit vacant at the blueness in Will’s eyes these days, he didn’t do any of those things.

Instead, staring with wide eyes at the other boy, he only leaned back into the dip, his hands coming up to circle Will’s neck. He wasn’t sure if he imagined the slight widening of Will’s eyes - probably did, Nico was always too wishful for his own good - but he didn’t imagine the slow grin erupting across his face, or the growing audience behind them as Hazel cooed and Frank laughed.

Will was leaning in, and so was Nico, and so was their gathered audience as their lips finally met in a chaste rendezvous under that damn piece of fake mistletoe. Will’s curls, always framing his face so nicely, fell over Nico’s forehead, and his nose pressed into Nico’s cheek ever so slightly as their lips pressed into each other.

There was just the slightest tease of tongue from Will, his tongue barely tracing the line of Nico’s lower lip, and Nico had to stifle the gasp that wanted to emerge at the unexpected move.

Will was good. Will, obviously, had had a lot of practice.

Will pulled away first, already turning away to grin at Nico’s family. He kept his arm wrapped around Nico’s waist, and Nico barely had time to slap on a grin before his family was descending on them, giggling and winking.

He’d manage to escape for a moment, pushing Will’s arm off with light, casual hands, and he’d lean against the wall and breathe in and out for a long minute, his mind racing with everything that had just happened.

He….Fuck.

Fuck.

Nico retreated to bed first that night, claiming a terrible headache, and it only took half an hour - according to the clock on the bedside table - for Will to join him.

“How are you feeling?” Will frowned, setting a cold water bottle on the table. “Did you take anything?”

Nico glanced at the other boy over the cuff of the comforter. Will began readying for bed, his concerned eyes still a presence on Nico. “Aspirin.” He lied, “I’m feeling better. Think I just need some sleep.”

Will hummed, “Understandable.” His voice was teasing. He seemed completely unaffected by what happened in the hallway, and Nico wasn’t sure if that was for the better or worst. The better, probably. “You’re used to sleeping into noon at least, eight A.M. is a big change. Surprised you didn’t crash earlier, even with all the sugar you regularly ingest.”

Nico smiled slightly at that in answer, content to simply watch as Will pulled out his pajamas and left to brush his teeth and wash his face. He would return smelling like mint and grapefruit, Nico knew, from his toothpaste and facial soap. It was a nice change from the coconut and spice he smelt like the rest of the time.

“Hazel told me the plans for tomorrow.” Will told him as he reentered the room, throwing his dirty clothes into the corner his empty duffel was. “We’ve got to be well-rested. She wants to get there before it gets too busy.”

Nico hummed in response, curling a bit in on himself as Will threw himself onto the other end of the bed.

Will took a few moments to get other the blankets and comfortable, plugging in his phone, and relaxing into the blankets. Nico could almost already feel the warmth from the other boy creeping over, his arm nearly brushing Nico’s despite the hugeness of the large bed.

Nico turned over so they were back-to-back, because he was a coward and couldn’t face this conversation with Will’s too-big, too-blue eyes on him.

“What happens after this?” Nico finally asked, his fingers twisting tight in the sheets pooling around him.

“What do you mean?” Will’s voice was light, still filled with a bit of leftover energy. “We go to sleep, dork.”

Nico buried his face into the pillow. “No.” He said, “I mean. With us. What happens after this. This….whole thing.”

Will let out a breath at that, even more audible through the darkness. There was a beat of silence as he seemed to take in the mood change and as he thought over his words. When he spoke, his words were soft. “We break up. You tell your family it didn’t work out. We go our separate ways. That’s how it always goes.”

Nico swallowed, staring ahead. “Right. Yeah.”

He shifted in their shared bed, the mattress suddenly much more colder than the heat around him should have allowed.

Notes:

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) sooooooooooooooooooooooo kiss 1 down. ANGST. christmas is over.........i wonder what nerd 1 and nerd 2 are going to do for five days till NYE.................hmmm........who knows...... tbh reviews really help the writing process - knowing that some people out there are reading and actually ENJOYING my work enough that they WANT more content is honestly the best motivation. review if you enjoyed! <3 thanks loves. i had to google vintage troll dolls for this chapter and DAMN THOSE THINGS GET EXPENSIVE FIND A CHEAPER HOBBY WILLIAM i laughed so hard writing that scene omfg. poor poor william. i bet when nico was just beginning to tell hazel about his fake boyfriend he would give her the WILDEST details. thank god hazel forgot 80% of it or the plan would be foiled in like 4.5 minutes.