Chapter Text
"Baby, you're like lightning in a bottle
I can't let you go now that I got it
And all I need is to be struck
By your electric love (Ohh)
Baby, your electric love (Ahh)
Electric love"
-Electric Love by Børns
“Can you stop binging TikTok and help me?”
“What’s got you all grumpy?” Jason asks.
Nico huffs. “The fact that I just made dinner for everyone, even though we’re hosting the party together.”
“I helped. I made the centerpiece. And the nameplates.”
“Which weren’t necessary,” Nico deadpans. “But we do need the food. Since it’s a dinner party.”
“And it’d be no fun without the decorations.”
“And it’d be even less fun without the food.”
Jason rolls his eyes. “Something’s got you all grumpy. C’mon, spill. It’s not the party, is it? Because our friends won’t care if it’s not perfect. They already know your cooking is amazing. And, honestly, they’d be happy if we fed them those frozen chicken tenders Will left at our place last time.”
“No one is eating frozen chicken tenders,” Nico says. “Will didn’t even get the good ones. The breading falls off before you even bite into them.”
“Doesn’t seem to stop him from eating them.”
“Which is my point. Our standards are anywhere from disgusting frozen chicken tenders to your cooking. So everything is going to be fine.” Jason stares at Nico, waiting for a response. Nico doesn’t answer while he takes the chicken and rice casserole from the oven, carefully cutting large squares.
“It’s not the dinner party,” Nico says softly.
“Then what is it?”
“Something dumb.”
“It’s not dumb if it’s making you this upset.”
“It is dumb. And there’s no reason for me to feel upset.”
Jason just waits. They’ve been friends since they were both in diapers, so it’s pretty common knowledge that Nico will cave eventually. It’s just a matter of time. And it would be best if Nico got it over before the dinner party. He’d rather not suffer through Jason’s knowing looks for all of supper.
“Fine. I, uh, heard that Will went on a date,” Nico says. “And I don’t know if I’m more upset about the date or the fact that he didn’t tell me.”
“If it makes you feel better, I just heard of it. Like now.”
“It doesn’t,” Nico sighs. “I heard it from Lou at the cafe yesterday. Which I guess is where the date was.” Nico shrugs. He hates making this a big deal because he doesn’t think it should be. But Will was his best friend, and they told each other everything. They knew every embarrassing thing about each other— either because they had been there or because they’d told each other later. Nico was the first one Will had come out to.
Secrets didn’t stay secret long in small towns. Might as well be the one to spread the news.
“Who’d he go on the date with?”
“Lacy, I think.” Nico doesn’t know her well, and this didn’t make him hate her. But Lacy was a lot of things Nico wasn’t. He wasn’t blond or curvy or athletic. And he wasn’t a girl. “Which good for them anyway. They’ll have lots of pretty blond children.” Their children would probably look like gods.
“One date doesn’t mean they’ll end up together,” Jason says.
“But why didn’t he tell me? He’s never said anything about Lacy before. Other than she did a good job on that fundraiser last year. Which everyone said.”
Jason shrugs. “Maybe he just wanted to keep it to himself for a little bit. I’m sure he was planning on telling you.”
Nico hums. He doesn’t know. Will’s always told him who he was dating or planning on asking out or crushing on. The last girl Will had really dated was Katie Gardner, back in high school. Nico can’t really remember the name of the last guy Will had dated. It seemed Will was more particular about the guys he dated.
“Do you think it’s because we’re at college now?” Nico asks. “That we’re drifting apart?” The whole point of this dinner party was that they were all finally back in town together. They’d all gone their separate ways for college, having different interests and preferences for schools. But Nico had been excited for this dinner party for weeks. He knew things were going to change, but he wanted to hold on to these friends, too.
“I don’t think you’re drifting apart. Maybe he’s jet-lagged,” Jason says. “Didn’t he just get in like a day ago?”
“And then went on a date apparently.” And when had Lacy even had time to ask Will out? She was a year younger than Will, and Nico had never seen them hanging out. He wasn’t jealous. He just wanted to know what was up.
“Why don’t you just ask him instead of making it worse on yourself? I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding.”
“I guess.”
“Besides, are you really upset that he didn’t tell you? Or that he’s dating someone? Supposedly.”
Nico pouts. He doesn’t have to answer the question because suddenly there’s someone knocking at the door. Nico’s both relieved and disappointed that it’s not Will.
“Hi to you, too,” Reyna says. She waves a large bag of gummy candies in his face. “I brought snacks.”
“Jason, you’re up!” Nico calls. If Nico was going to be doing all of the cooking, Jason could do most of the hosting.
One by one, their friends arrive until all five of them are squished on the couch. Nico’s parents were out for the night, on some business trip or something, so they had the place to themselves. Which was good because they had a lot of catching up to do.
“Okay, stop ruining your dinners and actually come eat,” Nico says. He’s finally gotten the table set and all of the food out. Unlike every other time they’d gotten together to eat, Nico hovers around the table, not sure where he wants to sit. He wants to sit by Will, as usual, but he doesn’t want this to be awkward.
“Oh, man, I’ve missed your cooking so much,” Will says. He’s already shoveling several spoonfuls of the casserole onto his plate.
“Save some for the rest of us,” Rachel says. “Some of us have manners.”
“I have manners. My mama says I’m the perfect gentleman.”
Rachel hums. “Prove it by leaving me some of that casserole.”
Nico rolls his eyes, taking a roll or two for himself. There was plenty of food to go around. He knew they’d all be hungry and cooking had kept his mind off of Will’s unmentioned date. Everyone quiets down as they eat, their mouths too full to talk properly. It’s only when the food starts to really disappear that conversation starts again.
“Anyone got exciting news?” Jason asks. Nico shoots him a look.
“I think I know what I’m going to major in,” Rachel says. “Aside from visual arts. But I’m getting really interested in the whole museum curation thing, so I think I’m gonna do that.”
“You could have your own museum,” Will says. “Running it and making the art.”
Rachel throws her hair back. “I’ll make sure to remember you all when I’m famous.”
“I started a fencing club,” Reyna says. “And then I joined this martial arts organization. Legal fight clubs and all that.”
Nico starts clearing some of the empty dishes. He’s got brownies and ice cream for dessert. He’s pulling the ice cream out to thaw a little when he bumps into Will.
“So you got any exciting news?” Will asks. “I noticed you kind of ducked out.”
“Um, not really. Just that I made it to fall break. So whoo. You?”
Will shrugs. “Nothing to report. I mean, I made a few friends and totally bombed my first exam, but you already know that. Feels weird being back, doesn’t it?”
“We’ve only been gone for two and a half months. But I get what you mean.” While they had the occasional field trip and vacation, they didn’t really leave their small town too often. It had felt weird to suddenly be surrounded by hundreds of people they didn’t know and have to start all over again. Home felt changed now. Nico’s not sure it’s necessarily bad, but he definitely feels different.
“So, any, um, new crushes?” Will asks. He’s leaning against the counter, still eating a dinner roll.
“Nope. You?”
Nico can’t quite look him in the eye, but Will shakes his head. “Had a few dates, you know, but nothing really stuck. It was nice getting to actually know people, though. Instead of already know their entire family tree and criminal history.”
Nico snorts. “Can’t say I know yours.”
“Well, because I’d have to kill you then.”
“Where’s that dessert?” Rachel yells.
“Patience is a virtue!”
“And I’m hungry! Will ate the last roll.”
Will shrugs. “She finished off the green beans.”
Will helps him carry the brownies out to the table. Everyone descends upon them immediately before taking their bowls to the couch. Nico smiles at the familiarity of it all. They all had their favorite spots on any particular couch. Rachel liked throwing her legs over the armrest. Reyna liked sitting on the floor and leaning her back against the couch. Jason usually took a middle seat, and Will and Nico often fought for the last spot. Winner got to throw their legs over the loser’s lap.
“We watching a movie?” Reyna asks. “Or does someone want to try to beat me at Mario Kart?”
“I’m eating my ice cream,” Jason says.
“Does that mean a movie?”
“As long as we don’t watch some dumb romance.”
Nico snorts as this evolves into a debate. He’s lost the couch battle, so Will’s legs are over his. Not that Nico really minds. Will was always a comforting weight and warmth. Too bad Nico had a crush on him.
“Do you think they’d notice if I just turned something on?” Will whispers. He tilts his head to where he’s holding the remote.
“Do it.”
It takes a little maneuvering to get the remote facing the sensor, but no one really seems to notice until a loud car commercial comes on.
“Hey! Who’s got the remote?”
Nico ducks as Reyna dives for the remote, elbowing his knee in the process. Will lets out a scream, flinging the remote across the couch. Nico watches as Rachel and Jason start fighting over what to put on.
“Look,” Jason says. “We’ve got enough snacks for two movies. So what should we watch first?”
Nico never remembers how they ever settle an argument. But twenty minutes later, they were all on their second bowls of ice cream and watching some sci-fi movie that is already confusing Nico. He’d probably understand the plot better, though, if he wasn’t so focused on the way Will was sitting. He’s shifted so that he’s almost leaning against Nico’s side.
The position wasn’t unusual. They’d had plenty of sleepovers and shared a bed before even. But that was before Nico had developed a crush on his best friend and watched him board a plane for college. Before Will had gone on a date with someone without telling Nico anything about it.
By the time they’re on the second movie, Nico isn’t even paying attention anymore. He’s way too invested in the way Will’s fallen asleep against Nico’s shoulder, snoring softly into his neck. Will had his arms wrapped lightly around Nico, like a koala. It was cute and warm and familiar, and Nico would be soaking it up if he were sure Will was single. Had the date gone bad? Lou hadn’t had time to give Nico all the details, but she said it looked like it had gone fine. But maybe something had happened once they’d left the store?
“Boo!” Rachel throws a gummy worm at the TV. Nico doesn’t even know what she’s booing. Reyna darts forward, rescuing the worm before eating it. “This is what I don’t get about love triangles. They’re never triangular, and there’s always a super obvious choice about who should end up with who.”
“Which is none of them,” Reyna says. “They’re clearly too immature and invested in drama for any of this to work. Plus, he just camped outside of her house for the night. That’s creepy. I’d sick my dogs on him.”
“Straight romances, man,” Rachel curses. “They’re too desperate for me.”
“Sorry, guys. A friend said this was a classic,” Jason says, holding up his hands. Nico guesses he’d chosen the movie.
“Classic doesn’t mean good. Just quotable. Or relatable because there are so many desperate, creepy people in the world.”
“I need representation.”
“Do you want to watch a different movie?”
“No, I need to see who she picks. The creepy guy or the loser.”
“My vote is for the creepy guy. He gave her flowers.”
“And didn’t hit on her sister.”
“Again, neither is a win.”
“But you’re invested.”
“Shut up.”
Nico rolls his eyes. He loves his friends. He’s really missed them. He still wasn’t sure if he was allowed to talk during movies when he watched them with his college friends. Not that he got invited to a lot of movies. College kids seemed to run on a completely different schedule and Nico had yet to crack it.
The credits finally roll, and Rachel and Reyna are caught up in some debate over whether the ending was satisfying. Jason neatly exits, carrying their bowls to the sink. Nico doesn’t miss the wink he shoots over his shoulder, though.
“Will would agree with me,” Rachel says.
“Will wasn’t even watching,” Reyna shoots back. “Besides, we all know he’s a hopeless romantic. I doubt he’d like that ending. It’s clear they aren’t going to last long.”
“But they might.”
“And it’ll probably be a horrible relationship.” Reyna pops the last of her gummy worms into her mouth. Discussion over. Rachel pouts.
“Anyone need a ride?” she asks.
“Does your car still run on gas? Or just sheer stubbornness?”
“Maybe a little of both. Is that a yes?”
Both Jason and Reyna nod.
Nico debates whether or not he wants to try and move without waking Will. He was a pretty heavy sleeper, but Nico didn’t really want him to go.
“I can take Will back,” he says.
Reyna says something, but Nico doesn’t catch it. Whatever it was earns her a few grins. Nico hears Jason cleaning up in the kitchen, and then they’re all coming over to say goodbye.
“Let’s do this again soon. Friendsgiving?” Rachel asks.
“If Nico’s cooking, I’m in.”
“It’s going to be a potluck if we’re having one at all,” Nico says. “Bring food or don’t eat.”
“Harsh, but I’m already marking it on my calendar.”
Nico manages to untangle himself from Will’s arms and legs, melting a little when Will curls up around a pillow.
“Have fun tonight, Nico!” Jason calls. Nico flips him off, but he’s already following Rachel and Reyna out the door. Which just left Nico and Will. One very sleepy and adorable Will. On Nico’s couch.
Nico checks the clock. It’s already midnight. Should he wake Will? Just let him sleep? It wasn’t like Will hadn’t slept over before. But usually he didn’t sleep on the couch. But Nico wasn’t sure if Will would just leave if Nico woke him now.
Still, he should probably wake Will and at least give him the choice.
He walks over, gently shaking Will’s shoulder. Will lets out an adorable snuffle before uncurling and blinking awake. He rubs his eyes, and Nico wants to just smoosh their lips together and make sure Will never leaves. But he resists.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Will mumbles.
“I’m not looking at you.”
Will rolls his eyes. “Yes, you are.” He yawns before looking around. “Where are our friends?”
“They left. All the food was gone.”
Will snorts. “Typical. Guess I should leave, too.”
“Are you awake enough to drive?” Nico asks.
“Might need a cup of coffee.”
“No coffee. It’s past midnight.”
“But Nico,” Will pouts. It’s way too cute. “You’re looking at me again.”
“Can’t I look at you?” Nico asks.
Will just grins in response. He’s definitely not awake enough to drive. Nico can tell he’s about to fall asleep again.
“You wanna spend the night here?”
“Yes, please,” Will says, grinning. “Come sit so we can cuddle.”
“Shouldn’t we move to a bed?” Nico asks. “And brush our teeth? We did maybe eat a pound of gummy worms per person tonight.”
Will sticks out his tongue, but he holds out his arms for Nico to pull him up. Nico snorts, grabbing WIll’s hands. He might have pulled a little hard because Will lands with a soft oomph against his chest and instantly latches on.
“C’mon, Will. Gotta brush our teeth. We don’t want cavities.”
“In a little bit.”
Nico sighs, but he’s really not upset. It takes them another fifteen minutes to brush their teeth, get their pjs on, and climb into bed. Will seems to fall right back asleep, but Nico finds himself awake. He pulls out his phone, scrolling through social media.
He sighs when he sees the several TikTok videos scattered through. He’s heard more than enough TikTok videos to last him a lifetime. Especially since he’d learned of the latest TikTok trend. He glances over at Will before giving in and clicking on one of the videos.
Nico wonders how well things go after the videos end. It doesn’t seem like this many best friends could be harboring secret crushes on each other. But what does he know? He’s in that category.
“What’re you listening to?” Will asks. Nico glances over, surprised to see Will looking at him.
“Just some stupid video.”
“Lemme see.”
Nico sighs, tilting the screen. He watches Will squint at the bright screen before he starts to hum that stupid song about electric love. He doesn’t even know all the words, but he’s pretty sure that tune is going to be stuck in his head for years.
“Seems pretty improbable, huh?” Nico asks.
“I don’t know. They probably don’t post the ones that fail.”
“Do you think it works?”
“Wanna try?” Will asks.
Nico’s pretty sure his mind blanks. TikTok has moved onto the next video, which just means the song is playing again. He blames the time and all of the sugar he’s just consumed for nodding. This is probably a terrible idea. He doesn’t think he can kiss Will and just continue his life as if he never did.
Before he can overthink it, Will’s cupping his face and kissing him softly. Nico kisses back, figuring he might as well since he won’t be getting this chance again. Will gently presses him into the pillows, not seeming sleepy anymore. Nico doesn’t want to pull away, but he does have to breathe eventually.
Will’s hand still lingers on Nico’s cheek, and his weight rests warmly over Nico’s legs and chest. Nico wants to reach up and kiss Will again, just pull him back down and go for it. But what are the chances Will likes him? The pop song is still playing. Nico has no idea how many videos there are on TikTok, but he doesn’t want to know.
“So?” Will asks.
“So?”
“Wanna be boyfriends?”
“Don’t play with me,” Nico says.
“I really like you, Nico. Even more than I like this song.”
“You’re ridiculous. But I like you, too.”
Will looks surprised, and Nico rolls his eyes. “So we can kiss again?” he asks.
“Who needs sleep?”
“Thank gods for TikTok.”
“Shut that off or I’m never kissing you again.”
Will laughs, but he closes out the app quickly. Then his lips are back on Nico’s. It occurs to Nico that Jason was never going to let him live this down. But that was a problem for tomorrow. Right now, he had better things to think about.