Nico glanced over at Ashton. "How was your day, bud?"

Ashton just shrugged noncommittally. The hardest part about Ashton was the fact that he never really expressed anything, unless he was excited. Which he should be.

"Are you excited to go hang out with Jason?"

Another shrug.

"Ash, please talk to me."

"Sorry, Papa. I just didn't have a good day," he said, looking at Nico.

Nico frowned, "You want to talk about it?"

Ashton shifted so he was facing him. "Yes, please."

"All right; what happened?"

"Well, Jackie, this girl I like-" Nico's mind blanked- he couldn't help with girl problems. "- broke one of the book covers off of my favorite book." Ashton paused. "And the didn't even let me say bye before she threw it away!"

Nico bit his lip to hold back a laugh, "That's sad, buddy. Is that it?"

Ashton hesitated, "No."

"You want to talk about that too?"

"Yes please."

"Go ahead," Nico said gently, pulling the car to a stop at a red light.

Ashton bit his lip, "She called Kyle a faggot. What's a faggot, Papa?"

Nico's heart leaped into his throat. His knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. "We'll talk about this later."

"Papa-"

"Later, Ashton." Nico said sharply, causing Ashton to wince slightly.

Nico glanced at him before pressing on the gas again, heading right towards the apartment building.

Once they arrived, the two boys got out of the car in silence. Ashton was just old enough to understand he'd just made his father upset, if not mad. He kicked rocks as they walked to the first doors of the building. Nico buzzed them in, herding Ashton into the warm air.

After a long and awkward walk to their apartment, Nico finally pushed the door open and let Ashton go in first. The young brunette quickly hurried to the kitchen, where he smelled lasagna.

It had always been his favorite.

Nico smiled at Will's voice greeting their son happily, watching the grin on his face grow when he popped his head in the kitchen.

"Hello, Sunshine." Will greeted with glittering eyes.

Pink dusted Nico's (still) pale cheeks. "Hi, again."

Ashton bounced on his feet, "Mrs. Mariah talked about you today. Someone asked why I have two daddies."

Nico stiffened, his smile vanishing. Will's eyes widened and he looked down at Ashton. "What? Somebody asked that?"

"Yes, Daddy. Teresa Shoelace, or some weird name."

"What'd you say?" Nico butted in.

"I said 'because Papa loves Daddy and Daddy loves Papa.'"

Will's facial expression changed as he pulled Ashton into a tight hug. "I love you, baby."

Nico smiled and wrapped his arms around Ashton's other side, his arm linking behind Will's back. "I love you guys," he grinned, kissing Ashton's head.