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It was too hot.
Nico couldn’t stand the mixture of sweat, fine grains of sand and the sticky sunscreen stuck to his skin. It was all far too stimulating for him, but the things you must do for your partner.
He stayed perched under a brightly striped white-red umbrella, a small plastic table by his side, on top, a glass of coke with ice melting from the scorching heat. He lay on the thin, soft orange blanket on top of the cheap lounge chair, squirming every few minutes in search of the most comfortable position.
Looking down at himself, he hated having lots of his skin exposed to the outside world, but Will insisted. So, after lots of quarrelling, he settled with a loose black t-shirt and one of Will’s brown cargo shorts, which were awfully too long for him, and sat just on his lower waist. Large, dark sunglasses sat comfortably on the bridge of his nose, in an attempt to make the world ever so darker.
It took a while, but he found peace in being at the beach, hearing the soft waves crash upon the shore, which had lulled him to rest his eyes. It was peaceful, indeed. But… only for a moment.
An unmistakably tall figure started to approach him from the sea as soon as the figure’s eyes were set on Nico, his left eye perked up. His face readied to send one of his famous, deadly glares. However, after his vision adjusted to the brightness, he saw a man. A man he’d waken up to every morning, with wet, golden glocks, and a body that screamed son of Apollo as the water glistened on his tanned skin.
If he weren’t so comfortable, he’d jump him, he thought.
Will had approached him just by the front of Nico’s lounge chair, with the biggest grin a sun could ever conjure. Before any of them could say anything, Will shook his wet hair in a very dog-like manner, and drops of water scattered everywhere, his boyfriend being one of the victims.
Never mind, he’s a goner. Nico decided.
“Will!” he snarled as he felt droplets of salt water on his clothes and face.
Will stopped his movements, letting out a soft chuckle and holding his hands up in surrender.
“My bad, darlin’, I forgot that you’re allergic to water”, he teased as he picked up a towel he’d packed in his bag.
Nico let out a huge huff in annoyance. How did he ever come to be unimaginably in love with this person? He’d never know.
Once Will’s done ruffling his hair dry, he placed the towel down and moved to sit in the small space next to Nico’s thigh. He looked down at Nico with such care in his eyes and placed a comforting hand on his thigh, rubbing in smooth motions.
“Enjoying the sun?” he asked as he reached over Nico to grab the sunscreen.
Nico had hardened his glare. He hadn’t been in the sun and would prefer to stay out of the sun.
“Baby, what will it take to get you in the water with me?” he pouted slightly, as he outstretched his arms to reapply a thorough coat of sunscreen.
“Not happening”, Nico replied plainly.
Will’s face pouted further. Nico would never admit it, but he found his antics incredibly adorable.
“Please, sunshine!”, as he grabbed Nico's hand pleadingly. “The water’s temperature is near perfect, plus I’ll be there to make sure you don’t drown!” Will said with a playful grin.
“As if I’d ever drown”, Nico murmured, slightly enjoying the sight of seeing his lover pleading.
Will let go of his hand, moving to lather another layer of sunscreen on his legs now, almost seductively. Nico had already craved his touch as soon as they lost contact, but he couldn’t help his cargo trousers getting ever so tighter as he watched.
“I’ll happily carry you into the sea if that’s what you want”, he winked teasingly as he moved to his chest, ensuring to get a thick layer over his sun peck tattoo.
“Even worse”, Nico grimaced at the thought, continuing to watch his boyfriend intently.
Will handed the sunscreen back to Nico before turning away, waiting for Nico to apply it.
With all the energy he could muster, he sat up, opened the bottle and applied it to his lover’s freckled, broad back, feeling the hot skin under his hands. He despised the feeling of sunscreen on his hands but did it anyway.
“Done.” Nico popped the lid back on the bottle, placing it back onto the table.
Will wiped his head quickly back, a soft smile planted on his face as he lifted his hand to reach Nico’s shoulder. He gazed lovingly into those deep onyx eyes before placing a soft peck on Nico’s plump lips.
Nico could taste the saltwater on his lips, but decided to let this go. The corners of his mouth turned ever so slightly from the gesture.
“Thanks for being here with me, Angel”, he whispered, “I’m sorry you’re not having the best time right now. I didn’t know it would be so hot today” he reached to move away the stray hairs on Nico’s forehead, but kept his gaze on Nico the entire time.
He could tell his mood was affecting Will; he wished he could enjoy the heat, but it was all too overstimulating. Every step in the sun felt like his skin melting; he really did not beat the vampire allegations back at camp.
“I’ll go in one more, and then we can pack up and head back home, okay?” he asked hurriedly as he placed one last peck on his cheek and began to stand up.
“Maybe—“, Nico hesitated as he grabbed for his lover’s wrist.
“I might dip my toes in”, Nico murmured, looking at the way Will’s eyes perked up with excitement.
“But that’s it!”, he emphasised, furrowing his eyebrows.
Will smiled, “That’s fine with me, darlin’, it’ll feel great, trust me”, he said confidently as he offered to take Nico’s hand to help him get up and leave the comfort of the shadows.
Nico accepted his hand, and as he stood and wobbled a little as his legs had gone numb from lying still for such a long period of time.
With much effort from Nico, they walked towards the shore. Luckily, the tide was not too low or high.
Will went in first, leading Nico until his ankles were wet.
Nico fidgeted his feet as the cool water hit his pale, sticky skin.
“See? Not too bad”, Will smirked, as he led Nico deeper until it reached his knees.
“I said just my toes!”, Nico exclaimed.
Will quickly let go of Nico’s hand, “Sorry!”, as he went a bit further to dunk his entire self in the refreshing seawater.
As he emerged from the sea, he stood with his hair covering his eyes, and he reached up to push back the hair. Nico stared in awe at how a demigod could do something so casual and so breathtaking.
Will’s gaze focused back on Nico, tilting his head cutely before asking, “You sure you don’t want to go further in?” as he opened his arms for Nico.
Surprisingly, Nico took a big step forward, and a sudden stray wave pulled him in. He had lost his footing and couldn’t touch the ground. He yelped as he treaded in the water erratically, spitting out the unexpected volume of saltwater that he had swallowed.
Will quickly went over, grabbing for his waist to keep him afloat.
“Are you okay, darlin’?” he asked in a concerned tone.
Nico reached for Will, grabbing the back of his neck and locking his legs on his hips. After a moment, his coughs stop, and he feels relatively safe in his lover’s arms.
“I think the sea hates me too”, he sighed tiredly as his head lay on Will’s shoulder.
Will places a few comforting strokes on his back before he teases, “You didn’t do anything to upset Poseidon, did you?”
It took a moment for Nico to respond. Can you blame him? Some gods need to be humbled.
“Can’t think of anything”, he pondered, “Yet.”
Will only rolled his eyes as he shifted his arms to prop Nico higher. “Would never expect anything less”.
“But, look, you’re here in my arms”, he mocked him.
Nico didn’t want to say anything, but he enjoyed feeling safe and comforted. He enjoyed the warmth and the tight feeling in his stomach whenever he was with Will.
He stared at the slightly chapped lips and pressed his own against them. Will had not expected his remark, but didn’t refuse as Will leaned in closer to deepen the kiss further. He tasted the saltwater on his lips and enjoyed the soft sounds that came out of Nico’s lips. Will licked his bottom lip, asking for entrance to explore his mouth further with his tongue.
Nico’s grip on his neck tightened, and so did the arms caving around him.
Nico was the first to part from their make-out session, panting slightly with reddened lips.
Will whispered teasingly, “You know, there’s one thing we’ve never done yet”
“No, we are not having sex on the sea or the beach”, Nico fought.
Will pouted before turning back into his loving smile reserved for Nico and held him closer.
“Can we go back now? I need to shower off the salt,” Nico complained as he kicked Wil’s behind playfully.
“Anything for the prince of darkness”, Will nodded.
“I love you”, he muttered as he started to walk them back to shore.
“I love you too”, Nico whispered as he rubbed his nose against the other’s shoulder.
“Most”, he added.
“Hey! That’s not fair!” Will exclaimed as Nico's body struggled to stop himself from laughing.