Will's POV

His accent was thick and smooth as butter, his glossy hair falling over dark eyes that glittered with a quiet yet mischievous energy. Nico Di Angelo had been in his house for a week, living across the hall from him and yet, Will had yet to break the shell he surrounded himself with. The half of the summer that Nico was staying with them was ticking away, and Will was no closer getting to know him than he had been a week ago. 

Will knocked gently on the guest room door, listening for any sounds of life. The only thing he could here were the faint sounds of Nirvana spilling out from under the door. It quickly shut off after Will knocked, the door cracking open and Nico's eyes peering out. "Hi," he said.

"Dinner's here," Will announced. "Mom ordered Dominoes." Nico slipped out of the door, shutting it tightly and giving Will a small smile. "And maybe after dinner, we could watch a movie? That is, if we can kick Kayla off of the tv. She's probably going to want to watch the newest episode of Seinfeld, but we can probably claim the tv after her."

"What movies do you like?" Nico asked as they thumped down the stairs. 

"Well, I noticed you like Batman," Will said. "You know, your pillowcase?" A deep red blush colored Nico's face as they settled down at the small round table, two large pizza boxes and a two liter bottle of coke sitting on the weathered wood. 

"I didn't know you saw that," Nico mumbled as he slapped a piece of cheese pizza onto a paper plate, grease staining where it hit down. "It's a little bit embarrassing, I guess. I'm a seventeen year old who still likes Batman."

"No, no, it's not embarrassing," Will said. "I love Batman. I've got a massive collection of comics up in my room, we can check them out if you want."

"You still like Batman?" Kayla laughed, coke splashing at the rim of her glass as she poured it from the bottle. "Batman's for five year olds."

"Hey, shut up," Will protested. "I love Batman. We're watching the movie after your show, if you want to join us."

"Nah, I'll pass," Kayla said. "I'll leave your nerdy life to you."

"Don't listen to her," Will said, turning to Nico. "While she's watching we can go up to my room and check out the comics? I've got some pretty cool ones I think you're going to like." Nico's smile split up his face. 

"That sounds fun," he grinned. "I'm looking forward to it." Will hid his smile in his pizza. It had taken one shared interest, one light push and just like that, Will had broken the shell.

After stuffing their bodies with cheesy globs of pizza they raced upstairs and Will fell to his knees next to his bookshelf, pulling out the small drawer stuffed full with comics, the oldest tucked neatly in the back covered in thin sheens of plastic for protection. "Is this one of the first ones?" Nico gasped, carefully pulling out a comic from the back and gaping at the date. "1940? Is this an original copy?"

"One of my prized possessions," Will said, scooting up closer to Nico and watching as he pulled it out of the plastic covering and flipping it open to the first page, fingers dancing across the ragged paper. "It's the one where Robin was once introduced. It's just so cool, seeing the two of them come together. It's like the origin story but for a team, instead of just one person."

"You know, you're a really cool person," Nico said as he turned the page with the utmost care. "I'm glad I met you."

"I'm glad I met you, too," Will said, resting his back on the bookshelf. "Have you read this one yet?" Nico shook his head. "It's one of my favorites." Nico brought it closer to his eyes, squinting.

"It's hard to read," he said. "Everything's so faded." 

"Here, let me see it," he offered, holding out his hand as Nico set the comic in his hands. "I've read it so many times over I've practically got it memorized." He began reading, using a deep, gruff voice for Batman and a higher voice for Robin. Nico was smiling, showing off the tiny gap between his two front teeth. His eyes lit up as Will read, focused steadily on the faded illustrations. 

"You know, I think Kayla should be done with the tv," Will said after the final line of dialogue left his mouth. "The movie's going to be on in a few minutes, and we can pop some popcorn before, if you want. We have some jiffy pop in the cupboard." Nico's face was made of stone for a split second before he leapt to his feet, a childish grin playing across his lips. 

"Race you down!" he said before bolting downstairs, leaving dust in his wake. Will's face was stuck in a shocked expression before morphing into a grin, leaping up from the floor and flying downstairs after him.

Once the air was perfumed with the thick scent of butter Will and Nico sprawled out across the couch, Will's legs tangled around Nico's with heads resting on opposite arms of the couch. "Can you see the screen alright?" Will asked. 

"There's a bit of a glare," Nico responded, squinting at the screen. "It's fine, though."

"No, no," Will protested, waving Nico over to his side. "There's plenty of space over here."

"Really?"

"Yeah, come on," Will grinned. With a smile Nico grabbed his container of jiffy pop, crawling over to Will's side of the couch with his head resting on Will's chest. 

"Is this uncomfortable for you?" 

"I'm fine," Will said. "Look, the movie's starting." The opening credits rolled onto the screen and Nico snuggled in tighter, Will wrapping a gentle arm around his body. There was a warmth rolling off of him, one that reminded Will of winter nights spent around the fireplace and hot showers on cold nights. When his eyes fell to Nico's face he was smiling, chocolate brown eyes trained on the tv. There was something there that Will couldn't explain, an infatuation with Nico that he couldn't seem to shake. It felt wrong, forbidden almost, but despite that, Will was pretty sure he liked it.

"Hey," Will said halfway through the movie, when the popcorn was down to kernels and Nico's eyes were drooping. "Michael Keaton is kinda cute, don't you think? I mean, in the batman suit and all. I dunno, he just looks good in this movie."

"Nah," Nico shrugged, and Will felt his heart plummet ten feet in his chest. "I'm more into blondes. I will say, though, his abs do look nice in that suit." Will's heart rose again, fluttering up on wings made of gold.

"You like blondes?" he asked. "I'm more into dark hair myself, but I guess everyone has their preferences." They exchanged small smiles, filled with knowledge and twin senses of joy before turning their attention back to the tv.

Two hours later light snores rose up into the air, Nico's thick eyelashes shut gently over his eyes. He was curled up on Will's chest, a faint smile still on his face. "Nico?" Will whispered, shaking him gently. "You asleep?" No voices, only a small mumble. Will's hand reached for a fluffy white blanket hanging over the couch, pulling it over them and inching downward. Exhaustion began to take over his body and soon magnets were pulling his eyelids together, his arm falling over Nico's back as it rose and fell with his deep breaths. He fell asleep happier than he had been in a long time.

------

Nico's POV

Sun streaming from the window drew Nico's eyes opened and he found himself on top of Will, one of his blonde curls falling over his face. His freckles dotted his face like flowers on a field and for a brief moment Nico laid on top of him in utter silence, his eyes drinking in every detail on Will's face. He was filled with beauty, his face glowing from it. When Naomi stuck her head out from the kitchen, flashing Nico a smile he was forced to draw his attention away from Will, trying to bury his growing affection with a grin. "Do waffles sound alright to you?" she asked. "I can start making them now, and we have all sorts of toppings. We can have a waffle bar."

"That sounds delicious, Mrs. Solace," Nico said. Naomi's eyes swept over the boys, chuckling lightly. 

"Did you two fall asleep here?" she laughed.

"We were watching Batman last night and it got late," Nico responded. Underneath him Will groaned, blinking and opening his eyes. 

"Good morning, sweetheart," Naomi chirped. "We're doing a waffle bar for breakfast, does that sound alright to you?"

"That sounds delicious," Will said sleepily before turning his attention back to Nico. "Did you sleep alright? Were you comfortable?"

"I've never been more comfortable in my life," Nico said. 

"Well, I'm glad," Will said. "I'm sure I'm not comfortable to sleep on."

"No, no, you were super comfortable," Nico said, blushing faintly. "There's no one I'd rather sleep on top of." A blush appeared high on Will's cheeks, a shy smile spreading across his lips. 

"Thanks," he laughed. "You wanna read more comics today?"

"Obviously," Nico said. "Come on, let's get breakfast."

A bottle of chocolate sauce was set on the table next to bowls of chopped walnuts, m and ms, two bottles of whipped cream and three bowls of any fruit that had even a chance of tasting good on a waffle. Celine Dion was blasting through the speakers as Naomi poured batter into the waffle iron, singing along to the song. "Hey, boys," she said, turning around. "There's a pile of pre-made waffles over there, grab a few and get started on those toppings."

"Wow," Nico whistled as he surveyed the toppings, shaking the whipped cream bottle and spraying a heaping mound of whipped cream on top. "Your mom takes breakfast really seriously."

"It's kind of a thing here," Will laughed. "She loves breakfast." He scooped strawberries onto his waffles, sprinkling m and ms into the squares. They devoured their waffles in three bites, earning an astounded look from Naomi. 

"You're done already?" she asked, watching as Will licked his fork clean. "I can make you more, but it'll take a few minutes."

"Nah," Will said, leaping up and sticking his plate in the dishwasher. "We're going upstairs to read comics."

"Nerds," Kayla snickered, pouring copious amounts of chocolate syrup onto her waffle.

"Hey, shut up," Will complained. "It's fun being a nerd."

"Yeah," Nico agreed quietly, smiling softly at Will. "It's fun being a nerd." 

When the door was shut tightly to Will's room Will kneeled next to his comic collection, sifting through until he pulled one out from the middle, staring intensely at the cover. "What about this one?" he suggested. "It's the one where he meets Catwoman. Another one of my favorites."

"Sure," Nico said, his back against the bed. "Will you read to me again? I like your voices." Will smiled.

"Of course. Anything for you." The sun streamed through the window but they were protected from the heat by the bed and the rays of the sun soared straight over their heads, hitting the closet on the far side of the room. On the floor of Will's bedroom they were protected from the vicious heat of summer by the ceiling fan whirring overhead. As Will started reading, keeping the comic in the middle so that Nico could see the illustrations, using his deep, gruff voice for Batman it felt as if they were the only two people in the world. In the heat of the summer, they were alone. And Nico liked it like that.

------

"How about this one?" Will suggested, sifting through the comics to find one that had gone unread by the duo. "It's the one where Batman finally kisses Catwoman."

"Finally," Nico grinned. "Don't you hate it when two people obviously like each other, and would be perfect together, but don't get together?"

"One of my biggest pet peeves," Will grinned as he flipped open the front cover and began reading. Nico rested his head on Will's shoulder as crickets chirped outside and faint music drifted from Kayla's room down the hall. Will smelled of strawberries and vanilla, his blue eyes reflecting the dark tones of the comics. Nico found himself tuning out to the comics, focusing instead on the movements of Will's mouth, the way his nose sloped up, just a little bit. 

"Would it be alright if I kissed you right now?" he asked as if in a trance, surprising even himself. Will's face took on a look of shock and he set the comic down on his lap, staring at Nico. 

"What?"

"Sorry," Nico blushed, staring at the carpet. "It's just, I remembered that night where you hinted at liking boys, and I just really wanted to kiss you right now. I completely get it if you don't."

"No, don't apologize," Will rushed out, moving closer to Nico. "I've been trying to get up the guts to ask you." When Will kissed Nico, it felt better than watching the Batman movie with him the first night they had gotten to know each other. It felt better than Naomi's famous breakfasts in his mouth every morning, and it felt better than listening to Will read the comics using all of his funny voices. It felt better than anything Nico had ever felt in his life. He found himself pressing his palm to Will's cheek, his eyes fluttering shut as he let himself be swept away. When he opened his eyes he was staring into Will's, sparkling with happiness. 

"Have you ever done that before?" Nico asked breathlessly. 

"Kissed a boy or kissed anyone in general?"

"Doesn't matter," Nico grinned, his cheeks apple red. "I haven't done either."

"Me neither," Will laughed. They stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds before bursting into laughter, chests heaving and tears leaking out of their eyes. They were still gasping for breath when Kayla shoved the door open, her headphones hanging around her neck and her hand gripping her discman. 

"What is so funny in here?" she shouted. "I've got my music on full volume and I still can't hear it over your laughing, which is super loud, by the way."

"It was the comic," Will blurted out, holding up the comic, which had been pushed aside to the floor. 

"Yeah, the comic," Nico echoed meekly. She gave them her best stink eye but when neither of them broke underneath her piercing gaze she slammed the door shut behind her, and they could hear her stomping back down the hallway until her door banged shut on the other side of the house. When the coast had been clear for a handful more seconds they let themselves relax, Nico slowly blowing a breath out of his mouth that he had been holding in for the whole conversation. "I can't believe I almost got caught kissing a boy," he said. "My first kiss, with a boy in his bedroom across the world."

"Do you regret it?" Will's tone wavered, and Nico could hear the fear seeping into his voice as he spoke. In response Nico cupped Will's face in his hands, leaning in for a kiss. Will's lips were soft as silk and when they broke apart for the second time in five minutes they were staring into each other's eyes once again, secrets dancing behind the surface. 

"Never in a million years."

------

Summer wore on, the pleasantly warm June weather turning to a sweltering July sun. The heat beat on the world, scorching the ground and boiling the waters but Nico and Will stayed sheltered in the confines of Will's bedroom, surrounded by the piles upon piles of comics waiting to be read and old vhs tapes of the batman movies yet to be watched. The world outside was filled with those who would disapprove of their summer romance, those who would turn their noses up and those filled with hatred. But in Will's bedroom, with Batman and Robin to hide behind, they were safe. 

When a sweaty August arrived Nico and Will found Nico's departure date drawing closer and closer with each comic read, movie watched, kiss exchanged. "What are we going to do?" Nico whispered as they lay in sleeping bags on the overhang just outside of Will's window, watching meteors rain down on the Earth. "We have a week left. I have to go back to Italy soon."

"We have to make the most of it, I guess," Will murmured, inching closer to Nico and grabbing his hand. "There's nothing else we can do. It's out of our control." Nico buried his face in Will's shoulder, wrapping his arms around his chest.

"I'm going to miss you so much." 

"I know." Will pressed a kiss to the top of Nico's head, gently stroking his hair. "I'm gonna miss you, too."

------

Planes took off around them as Nico stood at the entrance to a long tunnel leading to his plane, his bags clutched in his hands as Naomi fretted over him, brushing his hair out of his face and tugging at the zipper of his sweatshirt. "You're sure you have enough food for the trip?" she fretted.

"Yes, Naomi."

"And you're not missing any of your things, are you?"

"No, Naomi." 

"Alright sweetheart, you have a good trip back, okay?" she gave him a watery smile, wrapping him in a bearhug. 

"I will, Naomi," Nico promised, squeezing her back. "Thank you so much, for everything. You were amazing."

"Don't mention it, sweetheart," she said. "Keep in touch, alright?"

"I will." He hugged Nico's father and when he broke out of Kayla's embrace she slapped him on the back, grinning. 

"I guess you're not as nerdy as Will, so you're cool," she grinned. "Call sometime, okay?" 

"Of course." He turned to Will, who blinked a single crystalline tear back. "You have no idea how much I'm going to miss you," he whispered. 

"I think I do," Will said with a watery laugh. "After all, I'm going to miss you more." He wrapped Nico in his embrace, letting out a long sigh. Nico buried his face in Will's chest, fighting back tears. "Hey, I have a present for you," Will said once they broke apart, handing him a small bag. Nico reached into it, pulling out a comic, its pages rough and papery in Nico's hands. 

"Is this-"

"It's the first one we ever read together," Will said quietly. "The one when Robin was introduced, from the 1940s."

"Will, I can't take this," Nico said, shoving it back to him. "This is one of your most prized possessions, you told me."

"Well, hopefully now it can be one of your most prized possessions," Will said. "Take it, it's yours."

"I don't know what to say," Nico whispered. 

"Don't say anything," Will said. "You're going to miss your flight if we keep talking." He wrapped Nico in one last hug, murmuring an "I love you," into his ears. Nico's eyes widened as Will straightened his back, a tear leaking down his cheek. 

"Will, I-"

"You're going to miss your flight." Will's voice was cracking and he wiped the tear from his face with the back of his hand. Nico could feel his mouth opening as he struggled for words but he could think of nothing more to do than to slowly back into the hallway, his shaking hand gripping the comic as he watched Will and his family get smaller and smaller until he rounded the corner into the plane and they were gone.

He sat gripping the armrests as the plane took off, the comic sitting in his lap as the plane leapt up from the ground. He stared down at the terminal as the plane rose into the air, the voice of the conductor gibberish as he fought to hold the terminal in his gaze for as long as he possibly could. He could feel his heart crying out for Will, his lips begging for one last kiss and his body in need of a final hug, a hug that made him feel warm and safe. He scanned the terminal windows for one last glimpse of him and just before the plane rose above the clouds he thought he could make out a single blonde figure standing at the window, watching the plane rise higher and higher until the buildings were nothing more than specs of dust littering the ground.

Hey guys, so I just want to start out by saying that I'm doing NaNoWriMo so all of this month's one shots are going to be pre-written and I'm not looking over any of them, so I apologize for any mistakes. Also I don't remember this one being so long but I wrote it over the summer so I had a lot more time. There will be a part two of this next week, and I hope you liked it!

Nina