But not for Will.

That's what went through Nico's mind as he walked up the street, his heart growing heavier with every step. He wanted to be there for some incomprehensible reason, wanted to know what had happened to his best friend. Nico knew he didn't belong in that family, especially not with Will gone, but he had to know firsthand.

Sure enough, a man in military uniform stood on their porch. Something was off, though. He wasn't accompanied by other soldiers. All he had was a backpack and a suitcase. The soldier was standing like a normal person, too, instead of the rigid salute Nico had expected.

But the screams brought Nico back to Earth. Will's younger sister, Emma, stood in the doorway, sobbing. Suddenly, she threw her arms around the soldier's neck, almost knocking him over. Will's other siblings followed suit, just about engulfing the poor man. Nico would have laughed, but William's absence had seemed to rob him of all joy. Instead he trudged on, wanting to hear the news.

As Nico neared the house, the soldier gently freed himself from the mob. When he bent down to talk to the younger children, Nico noticed something that almost froze him in his tracks. Underneath the cap firmly planted on his head, the soldier's hair was blond.

It can't be.

As if he heard Nico's thoughts-or simply sensed his presence- the soldier's head turned sharply in Nico's direction. Motioning to the family to hold on, he jumped off the porch and started walking towards Nico.

Nico froze completely. No. It can't be.

Halfway to where Nico stood, the blond broke into a run. When they met, the soldier enveloped Nico in a hug, and, though he was over a foot taller and had much shorter hair, though the war had changed him irreversibly and brought sadness to his blue eyes, Nico knew it was Will. His William. The same Will who'd shared his Jell-O on the first day of kindergarten. The same Will who'd held Nico's hand as they crossed the street, even after they'd graduated high school. The same Will who ran over half a mile during lunch on the days Nico was sick, just to make sure Nico was okay.

"I missed you," Will murmured.

"I-I thought you were dead, or hurt, or something- You never sent any letters; I was worried sick, I thought you'd left me-"

"Shh." Will kissed Nico's forehead lightly. "I'd never leave you."