So, this is basically a series of 15 one-shots I will finish in (roughly) 15 days. Enjoy!
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Nico was just trying to get through day by day. Some things helped. Some things, like the other campers looking at him in that discreet way or whispering to their friends as he walked by, didn't.
One thing that helped-- that had always helped-- was music. Music brought back memories that were carefully preserved, like a butterfly between two pieces of glass. A smooth, low melody sung by his mother in their tiny, cozy, apartment. Bianca singing a light, sweet tune to get him to smile on the train to that awful school. Percy humming a song under his breath--
Percy...
Stop it, he told himself firmly. No. No Percy. Think about anything but Percy. Music. Yes, good. Think about the key changes from Rent or Sondhiem's incredible tempos or that Apollo kid that was supposed to have As Long As You're Mine transposed by yesterda--
Nico pulled on his aviator jacket and half-ran out of his cabin. He gave an involuntary shiver at the rush of brisk air. Not that it was any warmer inside. Nico began the walk to the Apollo cabin, which was practically swelling with Christmas carols at this time of year. Nico knocked briskly. The door swung open almost immediately.
"Nico!" cried a girl with a round face, pink, flushed cheeks and dimples. "Just who I wanted to see!" She darted inside before appearing only seconds later with a stack of papers. "Got it! Right on time, too!" The dimples deepened. Nico decided not to correct her. "Well, hope you put it to good use. Have a merry Christmas!" chirruped the joyful camper. Just as Nico was walking away, she called back. "Hey! Given any more thought to partaking in our Christmas Karaoke Explosion?"
"I-I'll think about it more," stammered Nico. Truth be told, he would rather face a dozen hellhounds than have to perform anywhere but in his cabin.
"Well, I'll be saving you a spot!" she trilled before closing the door.
Nico shook his head and started the walk back to his cabin. Being within even three feet of an Apollo camper could be pretty draining. Which could be part of the reason he got so pissed when he collided heads with someone walking the opposite way.
"Ow! Son of a BITCH!" Nico fell right on his ass in the snow as it broke his fall. The opposing force wasn't so lucky-- he face-planted into the icy slush and immediately started shooting off curses in rapidfire Spanish.
Nico slowly got to his feet, rubbing his forehead where it got bonked and glaring at his attacker, still swearing freely. Nico winced. He recognized some of the less pretty profanities from the time Leo had tried to--
Wait.. that WAS Leo!
Because who ELSE could be so aggravating, grumbled Nico mentally as he pulled the still steaming Latino out of the snow.
"Gods, Nico, I'm sorry..." Leo stammered, rubbing his own nose, which had hit the former's forehead. "All my fault-- Here, let me help you--" and he reached down to pick up one of Nico's loose sheets of music. And, with Nico's luck, it was the title page.
Shitshitshitshit, thought Nico frantically. If he asks me to sing, I swear to Hades I'll--
"No. Way!"
Wait, what?
"You're a Wicked fan, too?!" asked Leo excitedly. Nico began to wonder if it was possible for human beings to spontaneously combust.
"Yeaaaaaah..." replied Nico cautiously.
"Oh, man, this is just wild!" cried Leo. "I didn't think anyone here but an Apollo kid would even know who Idina Menzel is!"
Nico had to smile. Leo was getting pretty excited. He was pretty sure Repair boy's eyebrows were sparking, but it was actually pretty alluring.
Wait, what?!
"So, do you like... sing?" asked Nico cautiously. Leo laughed, in a bit of an embarrassed way, and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Well... when it comes down to it I'm a pretty solid baritone, but I haven't sung anywhere but Shower Hall since I was maybe three."
"Huh," said Nico, but his mind was already turning. Valdez?! He was just the jokey guy, the covered-in-grease guy, the flirts-with-every-girl guy. It dawned on him that maybe Leo had a lot more to him that what it seemed. Nico's eyes widened as a second something dawned on him: Maybe he and Leo had more in common that he thought.
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"What got you into Wicked?" Leo inquired. The two boys were walking-- where, Nico didn't know, but Leo sure could carry a conversation.
Nico shrugged sheepishly. "It's just a great show, I guess." Wanting to turn the conversation around, Nico added, "What about you?"
"The story," Leo replied almost immediately. "It's just... like, the whole message is that whatever makes you different makes you special, right? But it's so much more that that. The people that deserve it don't get a perfect life, but if you work hard enough you can have your own kind of happy ending, y'know?"
"Your own kind of happy ending..." repeated Nico, dazed. Truth be told, he love Wicked because it depicted the hero figure falling in love with the outcast, and often wished his life would parallel it. But now...
Fuck. Leo's deep. And pretty hot.
Fuck.
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Their aimless stroll had taken them to none other than the Hades cabin, and as Nico started to go inside, Leo squirmed.
"Hey, uh, dude?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I-- uh-- come in?"
"Yes! I mean, uh, sure," replied a shocked Nico. The fire boy stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
"Nice place," commented Leo, after a long awkward silence.
"Thanks," mumbled Nico, drifting towards his piano. He set up his sheet music and, giving a nervous glance at Leo, sat down to lose himself in song.
Kiss me too fiercely
Hold me too tight
I need help believing
You're with me tonight
Nico hadn't really played before an audience before. But it was just Leo. Just Leo, sitting on the bed with a faraway smile, and Nico, playing and softly singing.
My wildest dreamings
Could never forsee
Lying beside you
With you wanting me
Leo got up and stood behind Nico, watching his pale fingers dance up and down the minor chords. With a renewed sense of confidence and fear, Nico increased his volume for the chorus.
And just for this moment
As long as you're mine
I've lost all resistance
And crossed some borderline
And if it turns out
It's over too fast
I'll make every last moment last
As long as you're mine
A slight chill went down Nico's back as he finished the first chorus. The next part was Fiyero's verse, which he never sang, but still liked to play through. He continued.
Maybe I'm brainless, Maybe I'm wise
Huh?!
But you've got me seeing through different eyes
Leo was singing. Why was Leo singing?
Somehow I've fallen under your spell
Hot damn, the boy could sing.
And somehow I'm feeling, it's up that I've fell
Nico swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and sang with the fire boy.
Every moment
As long as you're mine
Awake on my body
And make up for lost time
Nico's heart swelled with the chords. He hadn't ever sung with someone else, let alone a singer like Leo.
Say there's no future
For us as a pair
Leo's body was even closer to Nico's now, and the Ghost King could feel the incredible heat rising from his skin.
And though
I may know
I don't care
Just for this moment
As long as you're mine
And now Leo really was "lying beside" Nico, squeezed onto the tiny piano bench, bodies and voices touching.
Come be how you want to
It was such a little gesture, but it said so much.
And see how bright we shine
Nico started to wonder why he was feeling this way.
Borrow the moonlight, Until it is through
Nico started to wonder if Leo felt the same way.
And know I'll be here, holding you.
As long as you're mine...
The two boys held out the note impossibly long. As the Nico played the final notes, he looked over at Leo. To his surprise, Leo was looking at him. There seemed to be an incredible electricity in the air.
Leo swallowed hard.
"What is it?" the Hispanic demigod said, for that was Fiyero's next line. He said it in a joking way, but there was nothing funny.
Nico reciprocated.
"It's just, for the first time, I feel..." He frowned. He knew what Elphaba said, but it didn't seem to fit the situation. The situation?! Is that all this was? No, this was worse than a situation. But somehow, he didn't want those glowing brown eyes to stop looking at him that way, like only Nico mattered. Only Nico and Leo. Just them.
And before he knew it, the right word came out, even though he didn't even register saying it.
"... Loved."
Both boys later denied the kiss, but at the same time, both of them knew how much had changed.
~The End~
How was it? Not too awful, I hope? I just needed Nico to be a Wicked fanboy... And, well... fluff came pouring out. Have I ever mentioned how much I love singing Nico? No? Well, I do. Next oneshot will be up soon. Good Morning! And, if I don't see ya, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Good Night!