Guess who was peer pressured by Sabrina to do the 12 Days of Christmas Writing Thing-Y? Me! So keep an eye out for updates in Oneshots, regular stories, or on my joined account with Sabrina and JAZ FangirlFates

___

Nico starred, slack jawed at the sight of the library room. Students lounging across both floors of the room, gesturing wildly with every word. Meaningless chatter that echoed in his ears.

He sighed, and closed the door. "This place has four library rooms." He thought, trekking up the carpeted steps, "You'd think one of them would be quiet."

He passed under an archway, glancing through the glass to the courtyard below, his footsteps reverberating throughout the hall, "How are things in heaven, Bianca?" He turned back from the window, "I can't believe it's already been a year."

"I'm beginning to think rich kids only come to school to have a good time." He thought. As he reached the end of the corridor Nico looked up,"An abandoned music room?" He muttered, "I guess this is the only place I'll be able to study in peace and quiet."

He pushed down on the handle, sleek and gold, and opened the door.

"Welcome."

"When I opened the door, I found..." His thoughts trailed off, his eyes catching sight of the six figures arranged in the center of the room, "The Host Club."

___

Only those with excellent social standing and those from filthy rich families are lucky enough to spend their time here at the elite private school: Ouran Academy.

The Ouran Host club is where the school's handsomest boys (with too much time on their hands) entertain young ladies (who also have way too much time on their hands); just think of it as Ouran Academy's elegant playground for the super rich and beautiful.

___

A clock ticks in the silent stare off; Nico Di Angelo, desperately floundering by the doors, staring at the devastatingly attractive students stood at dead center of the music room. The two parties were just barely separated by a pale blue Renaissance vase stood a couple feet in front of Nico on a podium. It took him a few understandable seconds to gather his voice.

"This is a Host Club?" He stuttered, voice painfully loud and awkward.

"Wow it's a boy!" Two identical twins chorused, staring at Nico with dull blue eyes.

"Travis, Connor." The next to speak was directly to the left of the twins, tall and tan with glittering green eyes and black hair that flopped across his forehead, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't he in the same class as you?"

The brothers shrugged, "Yeah but he's shy!" They complained, tossing up their hands, "He doesn't act very sociably so we don't know much about him."

The boy with black hair smirked, turning back to face Nico. Something glinted in his eyes; a light bulb flickering on.

"Well that wasn't very polite." He scolded, head tilted so that his bangs fell over his eyes, "Welcome to the Ouran Host Club," He looked up, flashing a bright wink towards Nico, "Mr. Honor Student."

"What!" Another gasped, lanky and blonde with brilliant blue eyes. He leaned foward in his chair, gaping at Nico, "You must be Nico DiAngelo!"

Nico was still pulling desperately at the door, although his attempts to wrench it open weren't very successful.

"You're the exceptional honor student we've heard about!"

Nico froze, hands slipping off the ornate door, and shoulders tensing. "How did you know my name?" He squeaked, body flushed against the marble.

The boy with black hair answered, "Why you're infamous. It's not everyday that a commoner gains entrance to our academy. You must have an audacious nerve to work hard enough to fight your way into this school as an honor student."

The corner of Nico's mouth twitched as one of the twins snorted, and muttered, "I bet you can't even spell audacious."

Smooth as ever, the boy replied, "And neither can you, Connor. So do us a favor and shut up."

"Well, uh, thank you I guess." Nico managed, mouth still twitching.

"You're welcome!" An arm slid around his shoulders, and Nico was suddenly uncomfortably tucked into the side of the blonde. "You're a hero to other poor people, Di Angelo! You've shown that a poor person can excel at an elite private academy!"

Nico flinched, and immediately moved away. But the blonde followed eagerly, with the sultry swaying his hips and gracefully tossing his arms as he spoke, "It must be hard for you to constantly be looked down upon by others!"

Nico scurried back towards the door, desperately digging his fingers into his textbook, "I think you're taking this poor thing too far."

"Spurned! Neglected!" He moaned, sliding into place by Nico, "But that doesn't matter now," An arm snaked around Nico's shoulder, the other punching into the air in declaration, "Long live the poor!"

"We welcome you poor man, to our world of beauty!" Letting go of Nico's shoulders, the blonde thrust both arms into the arm, smile wide.

"I'm out of here." Nico groaned, heading back towards the door, hoping another attempt at the knobs would lead to his freedom.

"Hey!" He was dragged back by a firm grip on the arm. The shortest of the boys with sparkling multi-color eyes had grabbed him, beaming, "Come back here, Neeks! You're like a hero to poor people, you're so cool!"

Uncomfortably bent over Nico grumbled, "I'm not a hero I'm an honor student." A pause, "And who are you calling Neeks!"

The blonde slided into Nico's eyeline, hand pressed to forehead in thought, "I never would have imagined such a famous scholar would be so openly gay!"

Nico flushed, "W-what?"

Ignoring him, the blonde continued, "So tell me what kind of guys your into!"

He wrapped his arms around the tallest of the bunch, a third year with stormy grey eyes and honey blond hair, "Do you like guys like Malcolm, strong and silent type?"

A hand on the shoulder of the shortest boy, "What about Mitchell, the boy Lolita?"

"How about the mischievous type? Travis and Connor Stoll!" A dramatic, flourished gesture towards the brothers with interlocked arms.

The blonde tossed a lose arm over the shoulders of the boy with black hair, "Or our resident cool type, Percy."

Nico's stuttered into the air, eyes wide with terror as he backed up, "I--uh--it's not like that! I was just looking for a quiet place to study!"

The blonde's hand cupped his cheek, and brought his face uncomfortably close to Nico's own, "Or me?" A smooth smile with sultry eyes, "You like the Princely type, perhaps?" He brushed a finger under Nico's chin, although the somewhat seductive mood was broken by Nico's desperate lunge backwards.

His elbow knocked into the podium behind him, setting it, and the renaissance vase on it off balance. Nico's head turned to the side as he gasped and reached out his hand in a last ditch effort to grab the falling vase.

His fingers brushed the handle, but slipped. Nico watched, mouth agape and quivering with horror as the blue porcelain shattered on the ground.

He stood frozen for several moments, mouth hanging open, "Aw." The twins appeared over his shoulder, faces identically flat.

"We were going to feature that renaissance vase in an upcoming school auction!" Travis complained.

"Well now you've done it commoner the bidding on that vase was supposed to start at eight million yen!" Whined Connor.

"What!" Nico yelped, arm still hanging over the side of the podium, "Eight million yen!" His head dropped, forehead and glasses smacking against the wood as he let out a pathetic groan. "How many thousand yen is that? How many thousands are in a million?"

Anxiously Nico righted the podium, lifting himself off of it and turning to face the host club, "Uh, I'm gonna have to pay you back..."

The twins made eye contact and broke it off with a snort, "With what money?" They asked, "You can't even afford a school uniform!"

Percy knelt down to pick up one of the shattered remains, carefully twirling it between his fingers he stood and glanced over his shoulder, "Well, Will, what do you think we should do?"

Will, the blonde boy, nestled into his plump chair, tossing his right leg over his left with a practiced ease, "Well there's a saying you may have heard, DI Angelo!" He leaned his head against one hand and pointed to Nico with the other, "When in Rome you do as the Romans do! Since you have no money you'll have to pay with your body!" He smirked, tilting his head, "Starting today, you're the Host Club's dog!"

Nico stood, frozen in shock, face blank and eyes glassy. "I don't know if I can handle this Bianca. I've been captured by a bunch of boys who call themselves a Host Club!"

___

"Oh, Will," One of the girls crooned, "What's your favorite song?"

"What song?" Will quipped, arm leisurely tossed over the back of the coach, "The one that reminds me of you, of course."

"I baked you a cake!" Another chimed, "Would you like to taste it?"

Will pressed a gentle thumb to the girls chin, flashing a soft smile, "Only if you'll feed it to me, darling."

"Oh wow..." The girl squealed, "Your so dreamy!"

"May I have a word with you, Will?" Drew Tanaka placed her teacup gently on the table, turning to face Will, "I've recently heard the Host Club is keeping a little kitten without a pedigree."

Will's laugh was stilted, "I don't know if is called him that." He paused, watching as Nico entered the music room, arms wrapped around the shopping, "Speak of the devil!" He grinned, holding up a hand in a wave, "Thanks for doing the shopping little piglet!" With a wink he added, "Did you get everything on our list?"

A bead of sweat ran down Nico's temple, "What?" He mumbled, "Piglet?" Before handing over the brown bag for Will's inspection.

"Hey, wait a minute?" Will pulled out a container, staring at it in shock as it rested on his palm, "What is this?"

Nico looked over Will's shoulder, eyebrows furrowed, "Just what it looks like. It's coffee."

"I've never seen this brand before is this the kind that's already ground?"

Nico's response was flat, What do you mean? It's instant coffee."

"It's instant?" Chorused two girls perched on a couch opposite Will's, head tilting to the side.

"Woah!" Will exclaimed, staring at the package in shock "I've heard of this before-- it's commoners coffee! You just add hot water!"

"I didn't know there was such a thing!" Gasped one girl, "Do poor people not have enough free time to grind their own coffee beans?"

"Commoners are pretty smart." Percy admitted, arms crossed as he leaned over the back of Will's couch.

"One hundred grand for three hundred yen?" quoted Travis, propped on Percy's right.

"That's a lot less than we normally pay." Agreed Connor, matching positions on Percy's left.

Nico sighed, "Okay fine I'll go back and get something else. Excuse me for not buying you guys expense beans."

"No." Will held up a hand to silence Nico, "I'll keep it." He decided, standing up and perching a hand on his hip, "I'm going to give it a try." Loud gasps filled the room, and Will proudly thrust the container into the air, "I will drink this coffee!" Amongst the scattered gasps and applause Will turned his dazzling grin on Nico, "Alright, Nico, why don't you make some of this commoners coffee?"

"I hate all these damn rich people." Nico thought with a groan, rubbing his temples with the backs of his hands. He watched as Will and the rest of the club flounced over to one of the tables in excitement.

"Oh Will." Drew giggled, "Now you're taking the joke too far. Your palette won't be able to stomach that crap. You don't have to drink it because he bought it."

Nico turned back, "Huh?"

Drew released a slight gasp, "I'm sorry, " She turned to face Nico, smiling, "I was talking to myself."

"Uh..." Nico trailed off, unsure how to respond.

"Nico!" Will called, and Nico's shoulders tensed, brushing the tips of his dark hair.

"I'm coming..."

___

"I'm afraid if I drink this my father will yell at me..." Lacy, a petite blonde girl, stared at the coffee, doubt flickering across her face. "I mean, it's for commoners."

In a swift move Will dipped the girl, placing a hand on her cheek and one of his sultry smiles in place as he crooned, "What if I let you drink it from my mouth?"

Lacy stuttered, "W-well then I would drink it!"

Nico pushed up the frames of his glasses with a sigh, "This is ridiculous."

___

Travis chuckled, leaning back in his chair, arms wrapped around his leg, "So he had this nightmare that made him bolt right out of bed!"

"Travis!" Connor cried, "Don't tell them what that story!" He folded in on himself, covering his mouth with a quivering hand, delicate tears rolling down his cheeks, "Why are you so mean to me?"

Spine straight and eyes wide Travis apologized, "I'm sorry Connor."

The two girls who sat with them sucked in a breath, blushes blooming as they watched.

Travis cradled Connor's head in his hands, both their eyes lidded, "I didn't mean to upset you, but you were so adorable when it happened... I had to tell them..." He dipped his head, "I'm sorry."

Connor released a shaky breath, "I forgive you."

"I've never seen brotherly love quite like that!" The girls squealed, hands interlocked and faces red.

Nico walked passed with a tea tray in hand, "What are they so excited about?" He grumbled, glancing at the Stolls wrapped in a passionate embrace, "I just don't get it..."

That's when Malcolm and Mitchell entered. Mitchell was perched on Malcolm's back, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry we're running late..."

"Hello Mitchell! Hey, Malcolm!" Cheered one of the girls, "We've been waiting here for you guys!"

Malcolm set Mitchell down in silence, "I'm sorry." He yawned, "I was waiting for Malcolm to finish fencing meeting and I feel asleep... And I'm still not completely awa--" His words were swallowed up in a yawn.

The girls squealed, hands clasped together and faces flushed, "So cute!"

Once again Nico stared blankly. "Is that boy really a third year student?"

Percy appeared at his side, one hand tucked into his pocket and the other clasped around a black folder. "Mitchell may seem young and childish, but he's a prodigy."

Nico glanced up in confusion, "Huh?"

"And then Malcolm's allure is his strong and silent disposition."

"Um..."

"Neeks!" Mitchell leapt into Nico's arms, spinning him around for several dizzying seconds, "Hey Neeks wanna go have some cake with me?"

Vision still spinning Nico replied meekly, "Thanks... but I don't really... like cake."

"Then how would you like to hold my bunny, Usa-Chan?" He offered, eyes twinkling.

"I don't really like bunnies..." Nico admitted, rubbing his neck.

Mitchell bit his lip, brandishing the pale pink bunny in front of him, "Are you saying you don't like Usa-Chan?"

Nico flushed, and leaning down to stare at the stuffed bunny, a stand of beads falling out of his shirt, "I guess he is pretty cute."

Mitchell's eye's widened, flickering over Nico's neck for a moment. He gasped a little, and something clicked in his eyes; a light bulb flickering on.

And then he thrust Usa-Chan into Nico's arms and bounded away with a light cry of, "Take good care of him, okay!"

"Anyways." Percy continued, "You'll notice that we take advantage of each members' unique characteristics to cater to the desires of our guests." He flipped open his folder, a causal flick of the wrist, "Just so you know, Will is number one around here, he's the King. His request rate is seventy percent."

"What's this world coming too?" Nico wondered.

"And in order for you to pay off your eight million yen debt with us,"Percy continued, "You will act as the Ouran Host Club's dog until you graduate." He laughed, and Nico thought he looked a lot nicer when he smiled, "I'm sorry, I meant our errand boy."

"You can try to run away if you want to, Nico." He added after a moment, "But just so you know my family employs a police force of roughly one hundred officers. By the way, do you have a passport?" Meaning you won't be able to stay in the country.

Nico stared, "Huh?"

"Y'know you're going to have to work hard to pay off that debt. My little nerd." Will materialized above Nico's shoulder, and blew a puff of air against his skin.

Nico sucked in a breath, gasping and stumbling away from Will, furiously rubbing at the back of his neck. "Please don't do that again."

Will smiled, "You need a makeover or no girls going to look twice at you."

"Yeah, well." Nico drawled, "I'm not trying to get girls to look at me."

"Are you kidding me?" Will gasped, pressing his hand to his heart. "That's the most important thing! You have to learn to be a gentlemen and please the ladies. Like me." He flashed another one of his glorious white grins.

"I just don't think it's all that important." Deadpanned Nico, "Why should I care about appearances anyways? I mean all that really matters is what's on the inside. I don't even understand why you have a host club like this."

"It's a cruel reality isn't it?" Will declared, "It's not often the Gods create a beautiful person like me!" He hugged his arms around his chest and spun a few times, much to Nico's dismay, "Beautiful on the inside and out."

"Say what?"

"I understand how you must feel since not everyone is as blessed as I am!" He lamented, head tossed dramatically to the side, "But you must console yourself otherwise how would you go on living?"

"And think about this Nico! Why do you think they put works of art in museums?"

"Um."

"Because beauty should be shared with the world! And those born beautiful should promote--"

"There's a word to describe people like him..." Nico thought, pressing his fist to his mouth.

"That's why I created this club in the first place I did it for those who are starved for beauty!

"What is it..."

"For those working day and night, pursuing beauty!"

"Hmm..." Nico pondered, "Man, I wish I could remember that word."

"And I have decided to share my expertise with you! Oh, here's a tip--" Will brandished a glass. When putting down a glass extend your pinky finger as a cushion!" Will looked up from his demonstration, grinning broadly, "That way when you put it down you won't be making a lot of noise!"

"Uh..." Nico mused, "Maybe a pain in the neck? No, there's something that fits him perfectly..."

"-- But above all else, Nico! You just remember how effective a glance to the side can be!" Will ducked by Nico's side, turning his head so that his bangs fell gracefully across his face, eyes shimmering.

"I got it!" Nico pounded his fist into his hand.

"Oh, did I strike a chord?"

Nico pointed at Will determinedly, "Obnoxious!"

Nico apologized a moment later, flat faced, as Will retreated into a corner. "I'm sorry, Will." The King was pouting, head buried in his hands and his knees tucked into his chest. "Uh, really. I am."

Snickering, the Stolls appeared at his side, "You're a hero alright!" They chorused, patting him on the head, dissolving into laughter.

Nico's eyebrow twitched, "But he is a pain in the neck." A moment later he rubbed the back of his head, "I'm sorry Will, but your lesson, uh, did strike a small chord with me."

"Really, it did?" Will cheered, leaping to his feet, reaching a hand out, "Let me teach you more, my friend."

"Well he got over that quick." Nico muttered.

"Boss?" Connor asked warily.

"Call me King!"

"You can teach him all the basics of hosting..."

"But he's not going to get very far with the ladies if he doesn't look the part, y'know." Travis finished, taking his hand off Nico's head to stalk around the boy. "He's not exactly host club material but," He reached for Nico's glasses, "Maybe if we took off his glasses it would help?"

"Hey, I need those!" Nico protested, oblivious to the way both the twins were suddenly staring at him, "I used to have contacts but I lost them on the first day of school!"

Will shoved the Stolls aside with vigor, and gasped, "Travis, Connor!"

"Got it!" The brothers each grabbed Nico by the arm, and dashed to the changing room as Nico shouted various protests.

"Percy, my hairstylist!"

"Malcolm, go to the eye doctor and get him some contact lenses!"

"What about me, Will?" Mitchell asked eagerly, eyes bright.

"Mitchell."

"Yes, sir!"

"You-- go have some cake!"

___

"Here, change into this uniform!"

"What?" Nico tensed, "But why?"

"Don't ask questions!" They demanded, leaping towards Nico, suit in hand.

"No, wait!"

"CHANGE! CHANGE! CHANGE!"

"Okay!" Nico agreed, "I'll change but you two have to get out!"

With a shout of protest, the brothers were flung from the changing room, curtains flapping behind them.

Regaining their balance, they looked at each other; two lightbulbs flickering on.

____

"Um. Will?"

"Aren't you done changing yet?" Will demanded, impatiently stood with the other hosts in front of the curtain.

Nico shoved the curtain aside, "You sure it's really okay for me to keep this uniform."

Will was reduced to tears, gripping the sides of his face as he took in Nico's new appearance. "Cute! You're so pretty! Adorable!"

Nico adjusted his tie. Aside from the new uniform, they'd replaced his glasses so his eyes, large and dark, were visible; and his wild mane of hair had been tamed into a shorter cut.

"Neeks, you look so cute!"

"If we had known that's how you really looked--"

"--we would have helped you out sooner!"

"Who knows..." Percy suggested, "... He might draw in some customers..."

"Y'know that's exactly what I was thinking!" Will interjected, eyes gleaming, "Our errand boy is moving up the ranks!" He poked Nico in the chest, "Starting today, you are an official member of the host club!"

"I will personally train you to be a first rate host! If you can get one hundred customers to request your service..." Will trailed, "Well, we will completely forget your eight million yen debt!"

"A host?!"

___

"So tell me, Nico, do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do?"

"I'm curious what kind of products do you use on your skin?"

"Yes! It's so pretty."

Nico was totally overwhelmed by the three girls sitting at his table. "I can't do this anymore." He thought, "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do!"

"So why did you join the host club, Nico?" The girls asked, beaming as they leaned in closer.

"That's right." Nico remembered, "All I have to do is get one hundred customers to request me and they'll completely forget about my eight million yen debt." He straightened, "I know just the story."

___

Will peered over the edge of the couch, catching snippets of Nico's conversation.

"I see." Lamented a girl, "Your sister was sick and passed away a year ago. Who does the chores around the house."

"Oh." Nico looked up, "I live with my sister's old friends, but I do the chores. It's the least I can do after they've helped me so much. My sister taught me how, she was amazing." He sighed, "She taught me how to cook to, and when she went to the hospital she left me all kind of great recipes. It was fun to make each dish, especially when they turned out right." A soft smile appeared on his face, "It makes me happy to seen her friends enjoy it, although I don't think I'll ever do her justice. I've had a hard childhood, since my parents are dead, but I've managed to make it through okay."

Nico looked up, shocked to see a maddening blush across the girls' faces. "So, uh, is it okay if tomorrow, uh, we request to sit with you again?" One of them squeaked.

Nico grinned, "Yeah! I'd really appreciate that!"

"Why is he so popular..." Will grumbled, gripping the edge of the couch.

"He's a natural." Percy responded, flicking through his folder.

"No training needed." The Stolls agreed, leaning against the back of the couch.

"Have you forgotten about me?" Drew demanded, voice light and airy.

Will turned back, eyes sparkling, "Not at all, sorry, Princess. I'm just a little bit concerned about our newest host."

"Well that's obvious, Will." Drew noted, "You sure have been keeping an eye on him."

Will flicked a strand of hair out of his face, "Well of course, I have too. I'm training him to be a gentlemen like me." He snapped his fingers in the air, "Nico! Come here for a minute."

Nico walked over, "What's up?"

"I'd like you to meet someone." Will explained, gesturing to the girl at his side, "This is my regular guest, Princess Drew Tanaka."

Nico sucked in a sharp breath, it's that girl from earlier, "Miss," He smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Will gasped, his eyes widened, "That was so cute!" He cried, leaping up and spinning Nico around, "That air of bashfulness was very good, surprise good, amazingness good!"

"Um, Will?" Drew tried to grab his attention.

"Oh you're so cute!" He cried, strangling Nico in a hug as he struggled desperately.

"Malcolm!" Nico cried, "Help me!".

In a swift gesture, Malcolm crossed the room and plucked Nico from Will's grasp. The necklace Nico wore fluttered out from underneath his collar. Malcolm's eyes widened; a lightbulb flickering on.

"Malcolm?" Malcolm still had Nico in his arms, and was staring at the dangling boy. Will held his hands up in a gesture of surrender, "You really didn't have to go that far..."

Although his next words proved he was undeterred, "Come on little one, let Daddy give you a big hug." He was oblivious to Drew's withering glare.

"I don't need another Dad, Will."

___

"Hey, what happened to my bag?" Nico wondered, but as he asked he caught glimpse of the pond outside. "Are you kidding me?" His bag was floating in it outside, the contents spilled and gliding across the water's surface, "But how did that happen? I didn't think there were bullies at this school... Guess they're everywhere."

___

He ran down the corridor, breath heaving, hoping to salvage some of his work.

"Oh." Nico halted, taking a deep breath, "It's you again." Drew Tanaka smirked, "I bet you love having Will making you over and fawning over you. It's useless, though, you're always going to be a second class citizen."

Laughing lightly, Drew stalked down the hall, skirts swishing behind her.

___

Hands and feet deep in the pond Nico pondered, "I have a feeling that girl is the one who threw my bag in the pond." He tossed another soaked book into the pile by the side, "I can't be bother with her now, I've got to find my wallet or I won't have money for food this week."

"Hey, commoner." Will called, hands tucked into his pockets, "You've got some nerve skipping out on the club like that." Then he noticed Nico's bag, "Hey, why is your bag all wet?"

Still fishing for his wallet Nico scrambled for an excuse, "Ah, it's no big deal. I got it. I just can't find my food money..."

Hearing footsteps sink in the water, Nico straightened, "Hey, you don't have to do that." He turned to wear Will was searching in the water, "You'll get wet."

Will sighed, "A little water never hurt anyone. Besides, people are always telling me I'm dripping with good looks."

Nico stared at him.

"Oh! Hang on a second." Will straightened, holding a worm leather wallet between his fingers, "This what your looking for?" He headed over towards Nico, "What's the matter? Your staring off into space. You're not falling for me are you?" He laughed, teasingly waving the wallet in front of Nico.

Snapping out of his trance, Nico scoffed, plucking the wallet out of Will's hand, "No way!"

Eye brows furrowed Will added, "How did your bag end up in the pond anyway?"

"Well, uh, I guess I accidentally dropped it out the window at some point..."

___

"Oh really?" Drew crooned, "That must've been terrible." She took a sip of her tea, "I can't imagine what I'd do if my bag fell into the pond."

"Why did she request me?" Nico wondered, "It's painfully obvious she doesn't like me..."

Drew folded her hands under her chin, "And you actually made Will search that dirty old pond with you, how astonishing. You do realize he's a blue blood and not a commoner, right?" Nico stared blankly,"You do realize the only reason he's paying attention to you is because he's trying to turn you into a gentlemen." He inhaled sharply. "Don't think he cares about you just because he's dotting on you."

"Now I understand." He said softly, "You're jealous of me."

Then Nico was falling forward. He made a small sound but soon found himself pinning Drew to the ground as she let out a high pitched screech, "No, Nico! Leave me alone-- somebody helped he just attacked me!"

Nico gawked, "Someone do something! Teach this commoner a lesson!"

Water spilled overhead, dousing Drew and in the process splashing across Nico's own uniform. He glanced up, sitting to the side of Drew; Travis and Connor stood, each had one hand tucked into a pocket, the other holding an empty tea pot.

"Why did you do that?" Drew demanded. Will stepped next to her and helped her up silently, "Do something Will!" She pleaded, "Nico just assaulted me!"

"I'm disappointed in you." Will frowned, "You threw his bag into the pond, didn't you?" Nico's eyes got wide.

"You don't know that!" Drew rambled, hysterical, "You don't have any proof that I did!"

"You know, " said Will, cupping Drew's cheek, "You're a beautiful girl. But you aren't classy enough to be our guest dear. If there's one thing I know, Nico is not that kind of a man."

"Why Will." Drew whispered, clutching her chest, "You idiot!" She cried, and dashed out of the room, leaving puddles in her wake.

"Hmm..." Will thought, pressing his hand to his mouth, "Well how am I going to punish you... It is your fault after all." Nico's jaw went slack, "Your quota is now one thousand!" He declared, leveling his hand in front of Nico's quivering face.

"One... Thousand?"

"C'mom." Will coaxed, pulling Nico up by his hand, "I've got high expectations for you, my little rookie."

"Sorry to interrupt, but..." Percy held out a bag, "Here's a spare uniform. You should change, can't have you dripping all over the floors, can we?"

"Thanks you guys, I'm gonna go change."

___

"Nico?" Will pushed aside the curtain, "Here you go, I brought you some towels."

He met Nico's reflection in a the mirror, eyes flickering down to the strand of beads that rested around his neck.

Nico turned around, but Will let the curtain fall shut; a light bulb flickering on.

"Nico?"

"Yeah?"

"So you're the illegitimate son of Hades Olympian?"

"Biologically speaking, yeah." He slid open the curtain and stepped out, fully dressed with the string of beads hanging openly around his neck. "Listen Will, I don't really care who my dad is, he didn't even raise me, and barely gave me and my sisters enough money to function. Yeah, I might wear the symbol of his company around my neck..." He fingered the beads, "But in my opinion it's more important for a person to be recognized for who they are rather then who their parents are y'know?"

Regardless of his words, Will still stood in front of Nico gaping.

"Well, isn't this interesting?" Percy (who'd known from the beginning) chuckled.

"Oh yeah!" The twins agreed (who figured it along the way).

"You know, I have to say Will..." Nico started, "I thought you were pretty cool earlier." He then watched in amusement as Will's face bloomed bright red, the King stuttering as he covered his face with his hands.

Percy smirked, "Now I could be wrong, but I think we may be witnessing the beginnings of love here."

"Being a host and getting fussed over by s bunch of girls might not be that bad." Nico considered, mulling it over as he pressed his fist to his mouth, "I wonder how I can pull it off..."

"I've got it!" He cried, thumping his fist into his palm, bursting into laughter, "I'll just pretend to be straight!"