#she wants those cookies so bad. except they’re all chocolate chip but different recipes.

[starshine-valley]

I’ve been revived to just say that nene probably has a type for characters that have their hair in varying shades of blue.

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Making cookies at the Nova Aeria Clock Tower

When it comes to being creative with cookies, Addie and Ginger are always up for the challenge! Since rebranding and opening shop at the Nova Aeria, things have been going super well for them. They went from a small cookie stand in their neighborhood to a traveling cart and now they have a full fledged bakery in the city.

Today the bakery was busy because of the monthly cookie contest, which has been a huge hit since it started earlier this year. Like I said, Addie and Ginger like to think outside the box when it comes to unique cookie recipes!

A lot has changed since I last saw them at the camp. At the time they were rebranding, taking time off to reevaluate things after realizing that the direction they were going in wasn't working out. By reinventing themselves and starting over from scratch, they were able to make something that aligned more with their dreams. It wasn't easy, but they took the plunge, knowing when to bail out when they realized that they deserved better.

The Nova Aeria Clock Tower feels like it exists in a space of its own. I don't know, it just gives off this starry, otherworldly vibe. I can also see why Addie felt that this was the perfect place to settle down in. She always has a knack for being intuitive like that. The moment she stepped inside, she knew that it was meant to be. And that's not something Addie says lightly so if she's somewhat certain about anything, we gotta keep that in mind.

For now, it's just Addie and Ginger running the bakery, though now they're in the process of building a team. Bree and Lyn were gonna start training soon but they're needed at the funeral parlor where Lyn's brother Ry works as undertaker turned temporary director.

Bree and Lyn have always been Addie and Ginger's biggest supporters so it was a matter of time before they joined the team. They're creative bakers too - Bree's baking videos are always relaxing to watch and Lyn likes experimenting will all kinds of complicated recipes. Problem is that their families aren't as supportive of their baking aspirations so it's a case of them waiting for the right opportunity to take a plunge and pursue their dreams.

So now they're one step closer! Except they can't quite take the step yet as poor Ry's overwhelmed since the funeral parlor director and consultant are out of commission. Lyn says it's not as bad as it sounds - basically, the director and consultant occasionally work with an adventurer's guild so they sometimes tag along on a mission with their investigator friend. Rarely they both go together and for that particular mission, things went horribly wrong, as Lyn puts it. The director, who Lyn describes as a bit of an eccentric prankster who seems too cheerful despite her family's business, should be out of the hospital tomorrow so she'll probably be back in a week or so. As for the consultant and investigator - an old fashioned gentleman and a headstrong young adventurer - it'll be a while before they're back up on their feet again, but at least they're recovering from their injuries.

Lyn always has stories relating to the funeral parlor - mainly about the director being weird and causing trouble. She seems like an interesting person, someone full of dark humor and can be a bit much, but a nice person overall. Lyn's family and hers go way back, and she has been supportive of Lyn and Bree while Ry seems to be on the fence. The consultant and investigator sound like cool people too - Lyn doesn't know them too well but they've always been nice to him. Bree says the consultant's super knowledgable about a lot of things so he always has a lot of interesting things to say.

The funeral parlor business was never for him so Lyn only really works there if they're short handed. Bree is basically the on call undertaker - probably the only one in the world as far as I know - though she mostly does cleaning and sometimes clerical stuff. To keep things lively, she bakes treats for the staff, which they appreciate, especially the director. She also learned a bunch of new recipes from the consultant, who also taught her a bunch of obscure and valuable baking techniques that most professionals have never heard of.

Since it's the monthly cookie contest, Ry gave Lyn and Bree the day off. So Ginger felt that this was the perfect opportunity to start their training - by being contestants! Normally Bree bakes something at least once a week but since the funeral parlor situation, she hasn't baked in almost a month, which is almost sacrilege to her. Of course, she was totally up for the challenge of coming up with a brand new recipe on the spot.

I was surprised at the turnout of the contest - thirty contestants! The bakery was packed so Addie had to break everyone up in groups. I didn't participate in the contest myself while Fauna and Mira did. Daisy Jane and I were behind the scenes, helping out contestants and cleaning equipment. It was cool seeing the kitchen as well as get some sneak peeks behind upcoming recipes.

It was fun watching everyone come up with all kinds of cookies. Everyone had such a unique spin on their creations so trying over thirty kinds of cookies didn't feel like a hassle. There were sweet cookies, savory cookies, and a lot of in between. Even things that you wouldn't think would go in a cookie came out well. Addie and Ginger sure know how to get everyone creative!

Fauna made a passionfruit matcha mochi cookie that screams tropical vibes. It was a recipe she came up with on the spot so it took a couple trial batches to get things going. The matcha cookie dough texture is like a mix between shortbread and chocolate chip, resulting in a flaky, buttery, and rich flavor. Then she bakes the cookies for a bit while making the passionfruit mochi. Before the cookies finish baking, she tops them off with the mochi, like putting chocolate chips on top, and put it back in the oven for a minute or two. That way, the cookies are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside while the mochi is chewy and flavorful.

Mira came up with colorful chocolate cookies with a black sesame custard filling. They taste as good as they look, especially with the rainbow sprinkles. The cookie is made from a mix of coconut and almond flour, resulting in a nutty flavor that goes really well with the custard and chocolate. The flavor's not overly sweet thanks to the black sesame and a touch of flaky rock salt, which really elevates a dessert. I can totally see this cookie being served at a rainbow themed party for its looks alone.

Lyn went experimental with a super duper chocolate cookie. Basically a super rich brownie in the form of a cookie that's made from three different types of chocolate. To balance out all that chocolate, he topped them off with roasted pecans flavored with lime and chilis. He got the inspiration from hot chocolate with chilis and the flavors go surprisingly well together. I mean, along with the rich chocolate ganache drizzled on top, without the spicy pecans, the chocolate would've been way too much. Only Lyn can pull off something as indulgent as that!

Bree's creation is like a fusion of a focaccia and quiche in the form of a cookie. The dough is similar to focaccia, except with some tweaks here and there to make it more cookie like. The topping is a cream cheese custard with a blend of herbs, an unusual mix of sweet and savory flavors that balance each other super well. How she came up with this idea, I don't know. To add a bit of a personal touch, she decorated the cookies as various constellations. Creativity never ceases to amaze me!

There were so many cookies, more than enough to take home and give to friends. Bree and Lyn plan to stop by the hospital and funeral parlor on the way home to give away some of the sweet treats. I did a little baking myself with Addie and Ginger before they closed up and that was pretty chill. It's so good to see them thriving and I can't wait to come back, especially now that Bree and Lyn will be joining them soon.

While waiting for the cookies to cool, Ginger took us on a tour around the Nova Aeria. At first glance, the clock tower looks like a fancy shopping center. It kinda is but also isn't, if that makes sense. There are shops and cafes but there's also places like an archive building, an observation deck, the clock tower itself, a couple of HQs - it's basically the center of a lot of things. Even those who spend their days at the Nova Aeria for years - generations even - still don't know the full extent of the clock tower and what exactly its purpose is.

Being the curious cat she is, Ginger wants to learn more about the Nova Aeria. Lyn wants to know more about the place as well. Both say the consultant seems to have some knowledge about it so he seems like a good starting point. The director might know something too as her family has connections to the clock tower so that's another thing to look into. Hearing them talk about the clock tower's mysteries has made me curious too.

What stories does the Nova Aeria hold? That's another thing to look forward to on future visits.

[lovelybuccky]

Three Things That Are Certain (Chapter 7)

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Summary: Your mother once taught you that when you feel afraid, you should look at your surroundings and find at least three things that are certain, just three things that you know to be true. However, a collection of photos are found from different points in history, and you are in every single one. Questions are being raised, and you are finding it more and more difficult to name those three things. But he is there to remind you of what they are.

Warnings: Violence, profanity, graphic violence and descriptions of pain in later chapters.

A/N: Right, imma be real with you here. I found this chapter really hard to write and I still don’t like it, but I just wanna post it because it’s been so long since I posted the last chapter. I’m excited to write the next few chapters because we’re starting to get somewhere in this story, but yeah. This one was tricky. I’m sorry! I hope you enjoy it anyway hahaha.

Previous Chapter

Previously...

The night is filled with laughs and smiles, a few carefree hours in an otherwise extremely intense week. You feel warmth bubble in your chest and you let yourself relax into the group, finally starting to feel less like a lab rat  seeing yourself and everyone else as what you all are - human beings.

Maybe you could get used to this. Maybe you could hold on a little longer.

Maybe, just this once, you can allow yourself the privilege to love again.

***

2 months later

“Sam! You can’t do that!”

“It was self-defence.”

“You pulled my hair!”

“Any attacker could pull your hair, Y/N! You need to be prepared for these things!”

“Jerk!”

“Brat!”

Steve, Nat and Bucky chuckle quietly form the sidelines as you and Sam “train” - though there is definitely more bickering going on than sparring.

Gentle training had started around a month ago, and it was mainly to determine how physically fit you were and to prepare you for when you eventually left the compound. However, much to their surprise, you held your own in every fight against every Avenger, and frankly, they were impressed. So impressed even, that they offered you a job.

Not as an Avenger, though. Considering your situation and condition, missions would be too risky and, most importantly, your safety would be jeopardised. Instead, they gave you the responsibility of training new agents in self-defence; that was your speciality after all. You were hesitant to take the job, but reluctantly you agreed, telling yourself that it was the least you could do whilst they let you stay at the compound. And besides, it would keep you busy.

Now, training with the Avengers was simply to keep you fit and on your toes. You laugh and you have fun, but they don’t patronise you by going easy. They don’t hold back, and neither do you.

At least, you don’t think so.

Bucky watches you with razor sharp focus, noting every punch, dodge and kick. It’s a pretty even fight between you and Sam, but with every strike you make, he notices one thing - you hesitate.

It’s only for a split second each time, something that nobody notices. Nobody except Bucky.

Like just now, you ducked instantly as Sam threw a punch your way, but as you went to punch his stomach, there was once fleeting moment where you stopped. It was this that made Bucky remember that you learned these skills not out of choice, but out of fear. You weren’t a soldier who chose to march onto the battlefield, not a vigilante who chose to hunt down the bad guys. You were a child, a child who just wanted to survive, and that made Bucky see red.

His trance is broken by a grunt from Sam.

“Shit, Y/N!”

“What?” you reply innocently.

Sam was now curled up in a ball as he lay on the mat, “You-you can’t just-kick a man…there.”

You smile sweetly, “It was self-defence. Any attacker could kick you in the balls, Sam! You need to be prepared for these things!”

“Alright you two,” Steve interrupts, trying to hide the laughter in his voice. He fails. “That’s enough for today, tomorrow we’ll do more defence work, then move on to some team exercises.”

“Ooo can’t wait,” Nat groaned, though the wink she throws at you sends you both into giggles as you hoist Sam to his feet, “Thanks for training today, Sam. You might wanna put some ice on that though.”

Sam sticks his tongue out at you as he give you a playful shove, “You’re just lucky you’re cute.”

Bucky knows it’s a joke, and the snort in your laugh tells him that you know it too, but that doesn’t stop the little twinge in his chest. It’s just a joke, why has it sparked such a reaction in him? He has no idea what it is, but he knows it’s pissing him off.

Sam follows Steve and Nat out of the gym, leaving just you and Bucky. You start to pick up your things when you feel a tap on your shoulder. You turn around, “Oh, hello, Sir. Did you need something? Hearing aid broken? Want help crossing the road? Shall I pass you your cane?”

Bucky rolls his eyes, “You’re hilarious. C’mon, my turn.”

He struts towards the mat. You cock an eyebrow, “Excuse me?”

“Sparring. You and me.”

“Right now?”

A smirk, “Right now.”

You throw your bag back onto floor, following him to the mat. “Oh, Buck, I thought you’d never ask,” you purr, fluttering your eyelashes at him.

He rolls his eyes again, though more playfully this time, “Focus, Y/N,” you both square up. “Hit me.”

“What-”

You blink, and suddenly you’re on floor, staring up through squinted eyes at Bucky as he holds his hand out for you. You hit it away and push yourself onto your feet, “What the hell was that?!”

“You hesitated,” Bucky said evenly, “you gotta act the moment you get the chance, not a second later, got it?”

“Yes, Mr Barnes.”

You continue sparring for around half an hour, and Bucky shows you no mercy. You give it your all until you unceremoniously collapse on the floor and refuse to move, “Okay, I get it, Buck. No more hesitating, I’ll work on it.”

He can’t help the grin that creeps up his face, “You sure you don’t want another round?”

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“So lazy,” he says with a wink as he flings your gym bag over his shoulder, “We’ll pick this up again tomorrow, but right now you’re in desperate need of a shower.”

“Nope. No can do. You’ve broken me. I can’t move, I’ll have to lay here forever,” you state dramatically.

He sighs, “Not even if I baked you cookies?”

You peak your eye at him then, “You bake?!”

“They suggested it to me in therapy, something about ‘mindfulness’, gives you something to focus on. And I’m a terrific baker, thank you very much!” You laughed at that, and made Bucky smile in return. “So, what do ya say? Coffee and cookies at around noon?”

You pretend to think about it, humming and scratching your chin. After a few moments, you finally drag yourself off the floor, “Fine, but they better be some pretty damn good cookies.”

Bucky chuckles, “Oh, trust me, they’re the best. Just like Ma used to make ‘em.”

“Softy.”

“Shut up.”

A trail of giggles follow you as you leave the gym, your previous lethargy soon forgotten.

***

You bounce onto the couch, two cups of coffee in hand. You hand Bucky his as you take a sip of your own, your hair still damp from your shower. Curling up on the couch you turn to face him, “So, these are the famous cookies, huh?” you say, nodding towards the plate on the coffee table.

“Yes ma’am.”

Bucky reaches over and grabs the plate, holding it under your nose. You study each one in search of the perfect cookie. You examine them for longer than necessary, brows furrowed. Bucky chuckles at your evidently intense concentration. Finally, you choose the cookie that is the perfect golden-brown, and has just the right distribution of chocolate chips. You take your time with your first bite, savouring the taste, but it’s not long until your eyes widen and Bucky throws his head back with laughter.

“Jesus Christ.”

“So you like ‘em?”

“They’re fucking glorious,” you state, crumbs falling from your mouth as you try to speak.

A chuckle, “Like I said, Ma’s recipe.”

“Well, thank you Ma.”

The conversation is pretty light as you continue to munch on the baked goods and sip on your coffee. Somehow throughout the conversation, you had swung your legs on Bucky’s lap and covered you both with a blanket, a distant murmur of the radio playing in the background as he rubs circles on your knee.

You had found yourself doing this more in the last month, this unnecessary physical contact. But there’s nothing sexual about it and you certainly don't have an objective, it’s just become a comfort for you, and Bucky doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, he appreciates it. He’d become used to people running away from him in fear and tip-toeing around him as if he could snap at any moment, but the way that you feel safe with him and find comfort in his presence makes his soul glow.

You peak up at him from behind your mug, mischief etching your features, “So, Steve tells me you were quite a dancer back in the day.”

“Oh God.”

Your smirk grows wider, “So it’s true? How you used to ‘woo’ all the dames with your killer moves and boyish charm?”

“Okay first of all, I’m gonna kick his stupid star-spangled ass.” You snort at that. He smiles, “Secondly, I was the best dancer in Brooklyn, no lady could resist.”

You roll your eyes fondly, “And he’s modest,” you nudge him with your shoulder, “It doesn’t matter anyway, you could be the worst dancer ever and I would have no clue.”

“No?”

“I mean, I wouldn’t have anything to compare it to.”

He stops, “Oh c’mon, don’t tell me you never went out dancing.”

“Well, I never really got the chance. People my age only started going out when they turned sixteen, and when I was sixteen…”

Your voice trails off, but Bucky understands where it was going. Your smile remains, but the light behind your eyes has faded, and Bucky’s heart aches. You really did have your whole life stripped away from you, leaving you bare in the cold grasp of Hydra. You never got to live your life. You never even got to dance.

Well that just wouldn’t do.

Bucky leaps out of his place on the couch and heads towards the speakers. He’d managed to convince Tony let him make a playlist of all his favourite songs from the 40s, which wasn’t quite the same as playing the original records, but it had to do. He scrolled through the list to find the perfect track before strolling back to where you were on the couch and stretching his hand out for you to take, “C’mon, doll, can’t leave a man hangin’.”

You pretend to consider his offer, looking back and forth between his hand and his face. Finally you give in and take his hand as he pulls you to the centre of the room.

It’s messy, no real sense of rhythm or grace, but Bucky doesn’t care; as long as he can hear the laughter spilling from you lips. Sure, you step on his foot a few times, and sure you are practically dragging him across the room as you attempt a ‘tango’, but he doesn’t care. You sound happy and confident, an almost completely different woman to the one he made coffee for at three in the morning. God, he thought to himself, that was only two months ago. Time really does fly by when-

“You need some help, Barnes? That lady seems to be manhandling you. Blink twice if you need me to call security.”

“Ha-ha, very funny Tony.” Your arms fall down from around his neck, and he's only just realising how close you were standing. Not that it bothers him, why would it?

“Well, if you're done frolicking around then I have an announcement for you two. Next week I’m hosting a gala to raise money for…”

Tony continues giving all the details about dress-code and special guests and what not, but Bucky’s no longer listening. The only thing he’s concentrating on is how he felt you tense up at the word ‘gala’. He looks down at you, your eyes appear focused on Tony but he can see the panic behind them. He looks back to Tony, “Okay, Stark, thank you. We’ll do our best to help with preparations.”

“I’m glad. If you have any questions, ask Pepper.”

And with that, he was gone. Bucky turned you to towards him, scanning your face, “Hey, you okay?”

You tilt you head up towards him, the intensity of his gaze suddenly making you feel very exposed, “Yeah, yeah I’m good. It’s just…” You pause, considering you next words, “It’s the first time being back in the public eye, you know? It’s been a while, and considering what happened last time…”

“Hey, hey, you don’t have to go if you don’t feel comfortable. I can tell Tony-“

“No, no, it’s okay. Thank you, but I think it would be good for me. Sure it’ll be a little difficult, but I’m always up for a challenge.”

“…Apart from when we're sparring.”

“That’s rude.”

The tension melts away as laughter fills the room once more, but there's still the faint sounds of alarm bells ringing in your head. It’ll be fine, you tell yourself, you’re friends with the Avengers for crying out loud, nothing will go wrong. You're safe.

…Right?

***

Next Chapter // Masterlist

A/N: Yeah...I told you, not great. But I’m proud that I actually managed to finish it lmao. Any feed is really appreciated!

Tags:

@letsthedogpackandthecats // @joe-mazzello-is-my-dad // @xenwayy 

[bazzledazzled]

Lipstick + solangelo?

Omgs this is gonna be fun….. >:D

Lot’s of things happen at parties. Some good, some bad. Sometimes you can be tricked with a false sense of security, only to have the rug ripped out from underneath you.

That’s how it was for Nico di Angelo, five feet and four inches of lonely sadness, bundled up in your average fourteen year old.

The biggest problem with Nico was that everyone was scared to get close to him. He was one of those people born with a warning label on his head that screamed, “DANGER!! STAY AWAY!!” Of course that label only became louder when his mom died, then later his sister, leaving him with no one. But nobody even knew as they shrunk against the walls as Nico walked the halls of the old, rundown school. They left him in his dark scary place of a world…. except one.

“Hi!” someone says brightly, stepping into Nico’s path. A bit of sunshine lit up the dark universe.  Nico decided to use his usual tactic for interacting with Will Solace. He looked at his shoes. They where a pair of beat down sneakers that looked ancient. He always wore them, and Nico didn’t know if it was because he liked them, or it was the only thing he had.

“Hello,” Nico says to the shoes, hoping that Will will just leave him alone like everyone else in the school. But it’s Will and he doesn’t.

“Whatcha listening to?” Will says, noticing Nico’s earbuds. Nico’s fingers start to play with the cord, a bit of a nervous habit. Nico takes a deep breath and looks up at Will, preparing himself. Will always made the words die in Nico’s throat and reduced him to a blubbering mess, and this time was no different.

Will was… beautiful. Actually, that word didn’t even begin to describe him. He was more than beautiful. He had sunkissed skin and sparkling blue eyes that reminded Nico of happier times, like eating ice cream under the bright summer sun. His hair was blond and curly, falling loosely over his eyes. He brushed them back with his long slender fingers that Nico could practically sketch from memory. They where worn with calluses from playing instruments like the guitar and sometimes, if you where really lucky, the cello. Will could practically play any instrument, but he was most insecure about the cello, and Nico is the only one (other than Will’s 50 siblings) that had the pleasure of hearing it.

Nico bites his lip, trying to bring himself out of fantasies of just him and the boy before him.

“It’s um… Favorite Record by Fall Out Boy.”

“Oh my god I love that song! Can I listen?” Flustered, Nico nods his head, handing Will one of the earbuds. Will closes his eyes, smiling faintly and nodding his head to the beat of the music. Nico looks at the floor, messing with his sweatshirt strings. Will opens his eyes and turns to him.

“What does this song make you feel?” he asks. It’s a sort of game they’ve been playing with each other ever since they first met about three years ago. They’d listen to what music the other was listening to, and ask why they liked that song, or what emotions stirred in their gut. At first it was a fun little things, but that was before Nico’s emotions got more complicated. That was before his mom and sister died, leaving him with the dad that was never there anymore. That was before he found himself falling for the one boy that would listen.

It makes me think of you. It makes me think of how much I want us to live a perfect life and zone the rest of the world out, just listening to the songs of our hearts, Nico thinks to himself. Instead, he shrugs.

“I don’t know. I guess it just reminds me of happier times.” Will’s joyful smile suddenly turned a little sad. He put his arm around Nico’s shoulders, which caused him to blush.

“Hey! Piper’s having a party later. Do you want to go with me?” Nico’s heart stops. Did he… did he hear him right? Did he just… no. He was just asking if Nico wanted to go to a party in a completely… platonic way. Right?

For once in his life, Will look tense. His hands where at his sides and he appeared to be doing cello fingerings on his jeans.

“S-sure,” Nico says with a blush. He looks at the floor and murmurs, “I have to get to class,” and rushes off, leaving Will with his phone still blaring Fall Out Boy music, but the song had changed to “Alone Together.” I wish we could be alone together, Will thinks as he watches Nico leave.

The doorbell rings, practically scaring Nico. His dad is asleep upstairs. He was never awake when Nico was home. He always worked the longest, latest shifts, which made him tired during the day. Nico missed the days they didn’t have to worry about money and they could sit around the table with one of mom’s home cooked meals, laughter bubbling out of their throats.

Nico made his own dinner now. Unless the Solace’s where nice enough to allow him to stay for theirs.

He stood up, brushing the crumbs off his jeans. He opened the door to reveal sunshine that hurt his eyes. Both literally and figuratively.

“Hi!” Will says, giving a small wave. It was always disorienting when Will came to the di Angelo house, considering that everything was so dark and gloomy and he was…. not. But for some reason he liked it more than his own home. Nico still didn’t understand why.

“Why are you here?”

“What? I thought we had a party to go to.”

“But aren’t parties late at night? It’s only…. four pm? Geez did you come straight here after school or something?”

“Noooooo,” he thinks for a second. “Yes.”

“Wiiiillllllll–”

“I said I’d make brownies. You like making brownies, riiiiggghhhhttt?”

“You know I hate you right?”

“I know,” Will says, skipping joyfully into the house. Nico shut the door, shaking his head. He walked into the kitchen, where Will was already pulling ingredients from the cupboard, flour dusted on his pants. He’s only been in his house for a minute and managed to get flour on himself. Sadly, that wasn’t his record. He’s done it before in fifteen seconds.

Will loves to bake with Nico. Although, when he’s in the kitchen he gets a little controlling and ends up kicking Nico out because he cracked an egg wrong or something, but often Nico would go to the bathroom or something and come back to Will making something else. The first time he came over he made chocolate chip cookies, and they where just as good as Nico’s mom’s cookies.

“Do you even have a recipe?” Nico asks as he pushes himself onto the counter, kicking his legs against the cabinets.

“I’ve memorized it.”

“Why?”

“Because you love them.” Nico blushed. This was true, he was especially fond of Will’s brownies. But Nico knew that probably wasn’t the reason as he gave Will “The Look.”

“Fine. I know all of the recipes by heart I just like to have the actual recipe out to make sure that I get it right. But you keep asking for these goddamn brownies that I can practically make them in my sleep.” Nico snorts.

“Well is there anything I can help you with?” Will opens the fridge to get something out, then looks up at Nico.

“Uh… yeah. Can you go get some eggs?”

They are met at the door by none other that Piper McLean. Her house could probably fit at least 20 of Nico’s, and everything about it is elegant with it’s stone columns like the ancient greeks. There are marble statues in the yard. Who has statues in their yard?

She smiles at Will, who holds the brownies up.

“We brought brownies.”

“Oh thank god. All we got is half a bag of chips and a bottle of pepsi. Come in,” she gestures for them to follow her. Loud music is blaring all around them and people are talking and dancing all over the place. And everything is so nice. Nothing looks like Nico’s run down apartment with it’s plush white carpets and elegant vases and mirrors. So many mirrors. Piper seems to be shying away from them.

“What are you even supposed to do at these things?” Nico asks as Piper leaves to help someone with something.

“Have fun,” Will says simply, like it’s obvious.

“And how am I supposed to do that?” Nico shouts over the loud music. Will gives him a strange look.

“How do you not have fun?” Will asks, “Everyday is another adventure if you make it one.”

“No it’s not. It’s just another chapter of nothingness.”

“Ugh just…. follow me.” Will takes his hand. They’re warm, as if he where nervous. He leads Nico to the center of the crowds of people dancing, which causes horror to build in Nico’s gut. He pulls away.

“No.”

“What?”

“I’m not doing this.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t dance.”

“Neither can I. That’s the fun of it.”

“No, its not.”

“Well it’s not like people will care.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

Nico finds himself unwinding. Just a little bit. He laughs a little and smiles more, but that’s only the beginning.

“What the frick is this?” Nico says as the music suddenly changes from loud and upbeat to soft and slow. He notices people around them starting to partner up and sway together. Oh no.

“It’s a slow dance. You know what a slow dance is, right Nico?” Nico gulps and nods his head.

“What do we do now?” Will smirks, holding a hand out and doing a showy bow.

“May I have this dance, handsome dark prince?” Will says. Nico’s heart leaps into his throat and his stomach drops to the ground. Did Will just ask him to dance with him? DID HE JUST CALL HIM HANDSOME?! Nico tries to remember how to breath.

“I love you,” he tries to say.

“You’re a dork,” come out as he takes Will’s hand awkwardly. The same thought ran through their head at precisely the same moment. IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?????

Nico blushes as Will takes his hand, placing it on his shoulder. Softly and hesitantly, Will puts his other hand on Nico’s waist, making lightning bolts spark where they touch. Nico blushes a bright scarlet and looks at the floor.

They melt against each other into a puddle of wax. Their chests are pressed together and they can feel each other’s warm breath on their face. Everyone else fades away and they don’t even hear the music anymore. It’s just them.

“Oh god I can’t believe this is happening,” Will says. Nico looks up at him, confused.

“Frickkk. Did I say that out loud?” Nico nods his head.

“Shoot um….” Nico let’s go of Will’s hands.

“Do you not want to dance with me?”

“Wha–”

“You’re embarrassed, aren’t you? Of course you are, I don’t even know why we’re friends in the first place,” Nico says, looking at the floor and wrapping his arms around himself. 

Then, warm hands are on his chin, lifting his face up and up and up. Will was always taller than Nico. Their lips, Nico realises, are inches apart. It wouldn’t take much effort to kiss him.

“Nico, that’s not it at all.”

“Of course it is. That’s what it always is.”

“No Nico. I can’t believe this is happening because this is something that I’ve been dreaming about for ages. God, all I ever wanted was to have a moment like this…. with you.”

“Why?”

“Because Nico. You’re amazing. There’s so much more to you than what people see on the surface, and I love that. I love you, Nico di Angelo.” Nico is silent, playing with his t-shirt, avoiding Will’s eyes. Heat is rising into his cheeks, even more of it and he finnally looks up at Will, closes his eyes, and leans forward suddenly, pressing his lips to Will’s. Will gasps, then cups the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

Slowly, Nico pulls away, looking into Will’s blue eyes, finnally feeling a sense of peace around him. He’s home. This is home.

Will wiggles his eyebrows at Nico, who finds himself giggling. It’s the best music Will has ever heard.

“Now go get me some brownies. I’m starving,” Will says.

“Why do I have toooo,” Nico whines.

“Because I made them and you ate half of them on the way here.”

“Fine. I’ll get you your brownies. I can’t guarantee that they’ll make it back to you though.”

“I know,” Will says, flashing his signature grin. Nico shook his head and walked away, feeling as if he was floating as the moment replayed over and over. I kissed Will Solace. He kissed me back.

Nico walked back from the snack bar with two and a half of the three brownies he grabbed eaten. He looked around the room for Will, wondering where he could possibly be. He wasn’t anywhere though. All he saw were people dancing, people talking, people eating, and one couple making out. Gro–

OH. MY. GOD.

A feeling of dread twisted in his gut as he dropped the brownie in his hand. Sobs tried to work their way out of his gut and he realized suddenly that tears where streaming down his face as he looked at the ground, knowing that he should’ve known better as he felt the betrayal swirl around him. He closed his eyes to try to get the picture out of his mind. But it was imprinted on his eyelids. The picture Will kissing a girl with long dark hair, her bright red lipstick smearing across his lips like blood.

Sniffling, Nico wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his sweater, turning away. He should’ve known. He should’ve known. Nobody would want to hang around someone as dark as him. Being with him was too much work. People only pretended to be nice as they shot violent thoughts at him from inside their head, and Will just happened to be one of them. There was never anything between them, and there never will be. Not now. Not ever.

Sometimes, we don’t see the whole truth, and that’s the worst part of anything. Sometimes people hide things or sometimes you don’t stay long enough to see the whole story.

“What the fri–” Will says, pushing the girl off and wiping the lipstick off his face, gagging a little.

“What’s wrong with you?” he says. She smirks.

“What? I figured a pretty boy like you would love to have a little fun.”

“Fun? Fun? You call that fun? What the hell?”

“Why does it matter? Maybe you can find yourself a girlfriend,” she says, looking at him innocently.

“I’m gay,” he says, leaving her to stare stunned. They where leaving. He was going to grab Nico and get them the hell out of here. Except…. when he went over to the snacks, he was nowhere to be seen. What?

“Hey Piper, have you seen Nico?”

“Who–oh! Your boyfriend!” Will blushes and nods his head.

“Oh he left like ten minutes ago. I thought you went with him.”

“I–no.” He probably went home. Maybe it there where too many people here and he just couldn’t handle it. Yeah.

“Thanks Piper. Tonight was lovely, but I’m going to be heading out,” he says, grabbing his coat.

“Okay! See you around!”

“Yeah.” And with that, he left into the dark streets of Long Island, New York, lights flickering above him as he raced towards Nico’s house, not knowing about the hurricane that was about to hit.

Nico opened the door and then proceeded to slam it in Will’s face before he could say a word. Will knocked on the door again, wondering what Nico could possibly be angry about this time.

“Nico come onnnn. It’s cold out here.”

“Good. You can freeze to death for all I care.”

“Nicooooooooo–”

“Go away, Solace.”

“But Nico…. why are you mad at me?” Through the door he hears Nico make an angry snorting sound.

“Why am I mad at you? Why am I mad at you? Hmm… I don’t know was it the fact that you lied to me or that you thought it would be fun to play with my emotions? Experiment a little to see what I would do.”

“Nico what are you talking about. Open the door,” Will says, knocking again.

“No. You’re not allowed back here. Ever.”

“Nico what are you–”

“GO AWAY!” Will’s heart twisted with the pure hatred dripping in Nico’s voice.

“I HATE YOU, WILL SOLACE. I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. YOU’RE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THEM. I should’ve known….”

“Nico what did I do–”

“You know perfectly well what you did. Told me I was special, made me feel like maybe, for once, the world wasn’t out to get me, and then go behind my back and kiss someone else, as if I never meant anything to you.”

“Wha–” Oh. Oh no. Nico saw that girl trying to kiss him. Oh god no this wasn’t supposed to happen. Everything was perfect, and she ruined it.

Will sunk down onto the ground, leaning his head back onto the door, looking at the heavens. Rain was starting to drip down and it streamed down his face, mixing with his tears and soaking his shirt.

“Nico you don’t understand….. she pushed herself on me. I never even knew who she was. In fact, I hated kissing her. There is nobody I’d rather kiss, except you.”

“And you expect me to believe that?” Will is silent. Then–

“Fine. If you want to believe it, fine. But think about this. If I didn’t actually like you, Nico, why would I have dedicated all of my free time to coming over your house and making sure you where okay? Why do you think I make brownies all the time when really I don’t like brownies–”

“YOU DON’T LIKE BROWNIES??? NEXT YOU’LL SAY YOU DON’T LIKE CATS.”

“Oh god they give me awful allergies, but I stick with them, for you, Nico. Ever since I first met you, I knew that you where special, and I always wanted to be with you. Always.” There is silence. A long silence.

“Nico?” The door opens, causing Will to fall back, looking up at Nico’s tear streaked face.

“You’re such a sap, you know that?” Will manages to smirk.

“What can I say? It’s in my blood.”

“You’re a dork.”

“You’re a bigger dork.”

“I…. I love you.”