Chapter Text
Nico’s smiles when he walks into the bedroom. Will’s still sleeping, his curls falling into his face, a lazy smile buried into the pillow. Nico sits gently on the bed, setting the tray beside him. Will shifts slowly, pulling the blankets up to his chest as he curls around Nico’s body. Nico has to resist the urge to lay down and cuddle with Will. Any other morning he would, but not this morning.
“Nico,” Will groans, and that about does it. “Cuddle,” Will demands in his soft sleepy voice. He reaches out, trying to find Nico and tug him down.
“If we cuddled, you’d miss breakfast,” Nico says. He’s pretty proud of himself, that he forced himself out of bed and made breakfast. Usually, he and Will have to convince each other to get out of bed. And then it’s a race to the bathroom. Because they both like long, hot showers. (And hot water is kind of a luxury out in the woods.)
“What’s for breakfast?” Will asks, popping an eye open. Nico smiles, leaning down to kiss Will’s lips. He loves the slow, steady heartbeat of Will just waking up. If he ever has trouble falling asleep, he’ll press his ear to Will’s chest and his heartbeat will lull Nico to sleep. Now, he just shifts so that Will can see the tray full of food.
He’s made eggs and pancakes and orange juice. Will’s looking more awake now, possibly drooling a little bit as he takes in the assortment. “For me?” he asks. Nico nods. Will moves to sit up, leaning close to Nico to hug him.
“Happy birthday, Will.” Will beams before digging into his eggs.
While Will’s eating, Nico takes a moment to just stare at his boyfriend. His freckled cheeks were now tanned and pink with a morning blush. His curls are floppy and messy, and he’s steadily making his through breakfast. He stops halfway through his pancakes, looking at Nico.
“Oh, was this also for you?”
Nico laughs. “No. I’m just having some bread.”“And blood,” Will adds. “Because you haven’t had any for a while.”
Nico rolls his eyes. It’s endearing that Will keeps track of when Nico needs blood. The longest he could go without having any was about four days. Then he would start feeling the effects: dizziness, drowsiness, impaired senses.
“Of course, sunshine.” He goes to retrieve the mug that Will got for him at a yard sale. It’s just black with little bunnies on it. Will thought it was funny. Will watches him for a moment before returning to his breakfast.
Only a few months ago, Will had been on the brink of death. And now he was back to being a fully functioning human. Which was more than Nico could say for himself. But he was proud of himself for nurturing Will back to health. He feels himself smile when he sees that black rose peeking out from underneath Will’s shirt. It’s forever in bloom these days, not all wilted like it had been when Nico had just rescued Will.
Those were the scariest days of his life. When Nico had actually considered Turning Will as a way to save him. Nico’s glad he didn’t have to resort to that. Not that being a vampire would make Will less himself, but it’d take away some of the qualities that Nico loved about him: the way his skin tanned in the sun, his freckles, the cute blushes he got every time they were affectionate. (That and consent is important, and Will wasn’t in any condition to give it.)
“What’re you smiling about?” Will asks. He’s finished his breakfast, and he’s leaning in for another kiss. Or two. Or five. However many. Today’s his birthday, and Nico’s going to let Will know he’s special. Even if that means putting up with morning breath.
“You,” Nico says when Will pulls back. “I’m smiling because I love you.”
Will blushes a light pink, and Nico grins, leaning in for another kiss. It was so easy to make Will blush, and he was so adorable when he did. Of course, he was always adorable. They kiss for a couple more minutes, and Nico laughs when Will whines.
“We’ve got other things to do, William,” Nico teases. Will pouts, slumping down into the bed a bit. “We can’t spend all day in bed.”
“Why not?” Will asks. “It’s so comfy here. And there’s food. And you’ve got blood.” Nico blushes at that. He’s definitely had his fill of blood this morning. “I promise that wasn’t a suggestion. I just meant that we could cuddle more,” Will continues on.
“But then we’d miss all of the fun stuff planned.”
Will looks at him curiously. “But it’s daytime. You’re going to get a sunburn.” Nico shrugs. He’d endure a lot more than sunburns to make Will smile, but the concern is nice. “And you’re not endangering yourself again, Nico. Once was enough.”
Nico smiles, pulling Will close. He knows Will’s still working through being kidnapped. And whatever else happened. Nico’s only gotten some of the bigger details, and that’s bad enough. He’s not sure he could stomach knowing anything worse.
“Well, I was thinking that we’d go to a bowling alley. I know you’ve talked about wanting to do that. And then I have a surprise for tonight.”
Will nods slowly, smiling. “What I’m hearing is that there’s plenty of time to cuddle. Bowling only takes about two hours.” Nico rolls his eyes, but he lets Will wrap his arms around him, pulling him close.
“I love you, Will.”
Will kisses the back of Nico’s neck, and he shivers. “I love you, too.” He kisses Nico again. “I think you’re fang-tastic.” Nico groans, pretending to try and get up. Will tightens his arms just a bit, and Nico can’t help but laugh. He’s pretty sure Will somehow comes up with these awful puns while they’re working in the garden. But he can’t hide that he not-so-secretly likes them.
“Remind me again why we’re dating?”
Will looks at Nico smiling. “Because you couldn’t control yourself when you met me.” Nico sighs. He has yet to live down their first encounter. He’s not ashamed that he kidnapped Will, but he definitely wasn’t thinking straight then. (And he has yet to think straight since Will stuck around.)
“But you stayed. And I think it might have something to do with the fact that you find me irresistible.” Will laughs, kissing Nico on the lips.
“Can’t deny that, darling.” Nico’s heart beats faster. He loves that pet name, especially how it just rolls off of Will’s tongue. “Do I get a cake today? Since it’s my birthday.”
Nico snorts. “So demanding. I guess we’ll see.”
They end up spending the rest of the morning in bed, and neither of them really mind.
-
Bowling with Nico is way more fun than bowling with anyone else probably would be. Will’s been bowling once, when he was invited to a birthday party, the kind where everyone in the class is also invited. But it’d been fun, and Will had begged his parents to take him bowling again. But they never got around to it.
“So, the whole idea is to just throw this ball at the pin things and knock them over?” Nico asks. He’s eyeing the ball and then the pins. He’s cradling it like a baby, and Will thinks it’s adorable. “I don’t understand humans.”
Will lets out a laugh, not caring that other people are looking at him. “How about I go first?” Will asks. “And then you just copy what I do.”
He hasn’t been bowling in years, so he’s not sure how well this will work out. But he hopes he at least knocks down some pins. After all, he can’t be worse than someone who’s never played. Of course, he’s not sure what kind of supernatural abilities Nico has that might help him win.
Will winces a little as the ball bounces once before rollings down the lane. He’s insisted that they get the railings so ensure no gutter balls, and he’s not ashamed that he needs them. Even though there’s a six-year-old kid in the lane next to them that is getting strikes like no one’s business.
“Like that?” Nico asks after Will’s gotten his two tries. “I was expecting more like a toss.” Will shakes his head.
“I guess it’s more like a push. You’re guiding the ball down the lane.” Nico nods at this, setting the ball on the ground before pushing it. It rolls a little way before bumping the railings. It’s slow going, but eventually, it knocks down one pin.
“Sort of like that,” Will says. “You want a little more force, though.”
Nico nods. This time the ball goes zooming down the lane. Will blinks, and then the ball is crashing into the pins. “Maybe not as much?” Nico asks. It’s clear he’s trying to hold back a laugh, and Will is, too.“Yeah. Maybe like human strength.” He looks around to make sure no one else saw that. He doesn’t want to get kicked out of the bowling alley.
They play two games, and Nico ends up winning both with his granny-push method. Will thinks it’s because of his superior strength. If Will started working out, he might be better at bowling. He’s not sure if it’s worth it, though. They get cheap bowling alley food and split it while they watch everyone else bowl.
“So, fries is a meal?” Nico asks. He’s carefully dipping his fry into each of the sauces, trying them all. They also ordered a few pizza slices to split.
“It can be,” Will says. “Humans make everything a meal. Like, chips can be a meal. But it’s not all that healthy.”
Nico stops eating before Will does, but Will’s used to eating more than Nico. He guesses it’s the blood and the fact that Nico’s technically dead. He doesn’t mind too much, though in the beginning, he had to wonder if he was just fat.
After eating, they take a walk through the woods. It’s shaded enough that they don’t have to worry about Nico burning. They hold hands, and Will can feel the ghost of a flutter that tells him Nico’s loving this. He’s gotten more used to sharing emotions with Nico. He still hasn’t learned how to control how much he lets Nico feel or how to interpret the nuances of the feelings, but he’s getting better.
The first few weeks, he had a lot of nightmares, and he always worried about disturbing Nico’s sleep. He knew Nico slept less than him (especially during those weeks), and he didn’t want to be a burden. But Nico had told him that he blocked the emotions, wanting Will to open up when he was ready and not because Nico had a window inside his head.
So he woke to hot tea and warmed up buttered bread and Nico ready to listen or just cuddle. And it was nice. Will’s still not ready to share everything, even months after the incident. Part of it, he’s hidden away in the back of his mind, just catching flashes of it when a memory is triggered.
“Hey, you okay?” Nico asks softly. He strokes Will’s hand, gazing up at him.
“Oh, yeah,” Will says. “Just zoned out.” Nico nods. He never pushes Will to talk before he’s ready, something Will is grateful for. He’s still not sure about everything that happened to him. Sometimes, he’ll catch a scar in the mirror and wonder where it came from. He doesn’t remember all of his injuries.
“Do you like it here?” Nico asks.
“Yeah, it’s amazing,” Will says. He loves the forest, waking up next to Nico, gardening in the mornings. It’s like a life he had only dreamed of, and now he was living it. “Why? Do you not like it here?”
Nico smiles, turning to look at him. “I have lived here for the last eighty or so years,” Nico says. “I even put up enchantments so that no one would be able to find me.” He blushes. “Of course, then I go crashing into you, and that all changes.”
“What are you saying?” Will’s not sure if this is some break-up speech or Nico’s way of saying life is better now.
“We could move. If you wanted to. Get out of here, find another forest to haunt.” He laughs. “I don’t care where I am as long as I’m with you, Will.”
Will’s not sure what to say. He can feel both his and Nico’s emotions rising in him. “Who knew vampires were so cheesy,” Will says.
Nico rolls his eyes. “I’m the exception,” he says. “Most aren’t.” He stops them for a moment, so that he can stand on his tiptoes and kiss Will’s lips. Will’s heart flutters. He feels Nico’s fingers trace the black rose over his collarbones.
“You’re beautiful,” Nico whispers. Will blushes, not used to Nico’s compliments just yet. He tips his head down to kiss Nico’s cheek. “And you should shave,” he adds, pulling back. “Your face is getting all scratchy.”
Will lets out a laugh. “Are all vampires hairless or is it just you?”
“I have hair, thank you,” Nico says. “Just not all over my face and chest.” He pokes Will’s chest for emphasis, though Will didn’t have much hair on his chest either. “I’m a vampire. Not a werewolf. We are sleek and elegant.”
Will rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling. “Fine, I’ll shave,” he says. “But are you sure you don’t want a bearded boyfriend?”
Nico makes a face, his nose wrinkling up. “Definitely not. Don’t you dare stab me with your stubble again.” Will tries to grab Nico now, puckering his lips, but Nico manages to escape. They chase each other through the forest, laughing and shouting at each other. Nico lets himself be caught a few times, but he always escapes at the last minute.
Eventually, Will starts slowing down. He doesn’t have super strength or speed, and his heart is working overtime to pump an adequate amount of blood into his body. He stops, hidden behind one of their corn plants, waiting for Nico to come along. He can hear him, laughing and crashing through the forest in a way that tells Will he’s being carefree.
He’s a blur as he goes by, but Will manages to catch him, throwing them both to the ground. Nico lets out a squeal when Will crashes their lips together. And then they’re laughing and kissing, and Nico’s trying to tickle Will.
Will couldn’t have ever imagined being this happy.
-
Nico’s nervous. It’s finally time for his surprise. Will’s holding his hand as they trek through the forest. They’re heading to a clearing that Nico had found years ago on a summer night that feels so far away from now. Then, he had been a lonely vampire, just trying to survive. And now he had Will to share his world with.
“Where are we going?” Despite the summer night, Will’s wearing a sweater decorated with baby ducks, and Nico thinks it’s adorable. Will trips over an exposed root, and Nico catches him. In this light, Will looks magical. The full moon catches the golden color of his curls, the blue of his eyes, his smile. He is radiant.
Nico can tell when Will sees the clearing. He lets out a breath of air, suddenly still in the night. Nico smiles, leading Will to a blanket he’s set out. They sit down, and Nico watches as Will tries to take everything in. There isn’t anything technically magical about this place, but it feels magical, everything so alive and full of breath.
“Wow,” Will says finally. “It’s beautiful.”
Nico feels his heart flutter, so full of everything that they’re both feeling. He can feel Will’s pulse in his hand, against his side, in his heart. He’s never imagined being so close to someone.
“I made a wish here once,” Nico starts softly. “A few years ago. That I wouldn’t be so lonely. Vampires live almost forever, and there’s nothing as lonely as living forever by yourself. So I made a wish that I would either die soon or that someone would come into my life.” He thinks he’s crying now, and he knows Will is.
“And then I literally crashed into you,” Nico says. “You’re beautiful and radiant, and I want to give you the world, Will.” He pulls a slim, silver ring out of his pocket. “I know it’s only been a year, so I’m not proposing. But I know that I’m never going to find anyone else who can make me as happy as you can.”
He’s definitely crying now.
“So, I have this promise ring.” He looks into Will’s eyes. “I promise to give you the world, Will, and all of my love. From this day to forever.”
Will holds out his hand, the other covering his mouth. “Nico,” he breathes as Nico slides the ring onto his finger. “I love you,” he manages.
Nico chokes out a laugh, pulling Will close to him. He can smell the minty-ness of Will’s soap, the evening dew, the salty tears. He kisses Will’s cheek.
“And forever?” Will asks. “How long is that?”
Nico smiles. “However long you want.” Maybe one day, they’ll discuss if Will wants to be Turned. But right now, Nico’s just thankful for however many years he’ll have. Because he knows that he’s never going to live a day without Will in his life. So on the day Will dies, he’ll turn to ash. Or maybe they’ll never die, and their love will be legendary.
He thinks that might be a nice middle finger to their parents. But whatever comes their way, Nico’s going to face it with Will by his side.