Learn Italian With Nicolo di Angelo!

~~~fluffy~~~

"We'll be back," he mumbled, not bothering to wait for Nico's response. He stumbled towards the exit, hoping he didn't look as shattered as he felt.

Nico watched him go, a mixture of satisfaction and something else bubbling in his chest. He wasn't sure what it was, but the thought of Will, weak and vulnerable because of him, sent a strange thrill through him.

Nico met up with Will outside, satisfied with the effect Nico had on him.

"Are you f--" Will said, then remembered he didn't know how to curse. He tried again. "Are you kidding me, Nico? What where you thinking?"

Fresh air did little to quell the firestorm raging inside Will. He leaned against the brick wall outside the dining hall, head hung low, trying to tame the erratic thudding of his heart. It wasn't just the physical aftermath of Nico's touch, though that lingered like a phantom limb. It was the shift in their dynamic, the power play Nico had initiated so effortlessly.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over him. He looked up to see Nico, a nonchalant expression on his face. "Ready to face your punishment?" Nico teased, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

Will gritted his teeth. "You know, for someone claiming I was the one harassing you, you sure seem to be enjoying this."

Nico's smile faltered for a moment. "It's called payback, Solace," he said, his voice dropping a notch. "And besides, you wouldn't have dared do it in front of Kayla, would you?"

Will flushed, caught red-handed. There was no point in denying it. "Fine," he conceded. "You win. Come on, we're still going to the music room."

The walk to the music room was filled with a tense silence. Will couldn't shake the feeling of being exposed, raw, under Nico's gaze.

The music room, however, offered a welcome sanctuary. The familiar scent of old wood and sheet music calmed Will's racing thoughts. He watched as Nico strode purposefully towards the piano, a determined glint in his eyes.

"Alright, Solace," Nico announced, gesturing to the piano bench. "Since you seem so eager to 'practice' with me, why don't you join me?"

Will raised an eyebrow. "With what hand, exactly?"

Nico snorted. "Touché. Fine. But you're sitting next to me anyway."

He settled onto the bench, patting the space beside him. Will hesitated for a moment, then sat down, his shoulder brushing against Nico's. The air crackled with unspoken energy.

Nico placed his hands on the keys, but instead of playing a two-handed piece, he started a simple melody with his left hand. He looked at Will expectantly.

"You gonna play with one hand too, di Angelo?" Will asked, a hint of a challenge in his voice.

Nico smirked. "Always up for a challenge, Solace."

He started playing a variation on the melody with his right hand, weaving a counterpoint that intertwined beautifully with the original. Will, surprised by Nico's audacity, fumbled for a moment, then found his own rhythm.

The music flowed, a seamless tapestry woven from their individual parts. Their hands brushed occasionally beneath the piano bench, sending shivers down Will's spine. It was a strange, intimate dance, a silent conversation without words.

As the last notes faded away, a comfortable silence settled around them. Will couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so connected to someone, so lost in the moment. He looked at Nico, his usual sharp features softened by the music.

"You're not that bad," Nico admitted grudgingly, his gaze lingering on Will's face.

Will smiled, a genuine one this time. "Neither are you, di Angelo. Neither are you."