Chapter Text
Nico was a die-hard theater kid since when he remembered himself. He'd dress up as Elphaba on Halloween, he'd watch "Annie" every second Saturday, he'd beg his mom to fly from Italy to New York, so he could watch "Cats" live, he'd rap the "Hamilton" soundtrack, on repeat, for days, etc.
So, it was really no surprise that, when he did move to America to go to high school, he made it his life's purpose to watch as many musicals as possible. Which wasn't such a difficult task, if he's being honest. His dad was a millionaire, and his children were his weakness. Nico all but had to say "please" for him to give him enough money to buy the cast of his favorite musicals, if he saw fit (not that he'd ever do such a thing, of course).
So, in the span of six months, Nico had watched more musicals than a person would watch in a lifetime. From "Mamma mia!" to "Les Miserables", he was collecting those Playbill programs like infinity stones and stored them in an old shoe box under his bed. He was so glad that he was finally able to do everything he wanted since he was a little kid.
So, sixteen year-old Nico was living the dream of every single theater fan in the world. But this wouldn't last for long.
Because, apparently, in this country, if someone expressed fondness towards theater, their friends would sectretly sign them up for an audition for the school's upcoming musical, and assume that they'd be ok with it. Which was not the case.
When Hazel told Nico what Percy and Jason had done, he had avoided them for a week straight and then ignored them for another three days before he dropped the act. Curse his good side.
-Come on, Nico, it won't kill you! was Jason's main argument to convince his friend.
-For all I know, it could, Nico responded unequivocally.
-Come on, Neeks, don't be so shy, Percy said, totally not helping his position.
-I'm not shy. I'm just busy with school and... stuff, Nico said, not really convincing either of them.
-It's only September, how can you already be busy? asked Jason, teasingly.
-I just am, alright? Drop it, Nico said, knowing full well that neither was convinced.
It's not that he was so shy that he couldn't perform; no. It was that he was so anxious that even the thought of going on stage in front of all these people, who would be starring expectedly at him, could make him sick in the stomach. But he couldn't say that out loud; he'd never let these two idiots win.
-Ok, but, just so you know, this year's production is "Hadestown", said Jason.
'Nice try', Nico thought. It was true that "Hadestown" was his favorite musical ever, but that still wouldn't make him change his mind. He just shrugged.
-And they're willing to do genderbent characters, Jason insisted, trying to get the raven's attention. Nico was already getting tired of the conversation that he almost didn't hear what his friend said next.
-And I also heard Will Solace is gonna audition as Orpheus, said Percy, smirking, managing to get the boy's attention.
The way Nico snapped his neck to look at Percy might as well have caused him permanent damage.
-What? he asked the taller boy.
-Oh, I see that got your attention, said Percy with a smug expression on his face.
Now, it was no secret among Nico's friend group that he had a huge crush on the blond. He never really had to tell them; they got it from the way the raven kept on staring at him, even at the most inappropriate of circumstances. But Nico really couldn't help himself; the guy was just so gorgeous!
He remembered the first time he saw Will in the hallway. Ironically, it was his first day in this high school. He was super anxious, and he constantly kept his head down while walking down the aisles. That, of course, resulted in him bumping into someone who he didn't notice coming towards him.
The guy apologized to him quickly and kneeled to help the raven pick up his scattered books. Nico brushed him off, telling him that it was fine and stood up. Then he lifted his gaze to see the other guy. And his knees almost gave out.
The guy was, easily, the most gorgeous human being Nico had ever seen. He had angelic golden locks, constellations of freckles scattered on his face and his eyes... Nico could right whole essays on these eyes. They were the brightest blue the raven had ever seen, but they weren't icy. No. They were warm, like the summer sky.
Nico had gotten lost in those eyes for, approximately, fifteen hours (it most likely was, around fifteen seconds, but he liked to be dramatic), before he averted his gaze and walked away, after whispering a soft "thank you".
That was it. Since then, the raven hadn't been able to get the guy out of his mind. A few days later, he had found out his name from his friends, and he couldn't help but think just how fitting his name was.
-Who told you that? he settled on asking after a long pause.
-Annabeth told me, said Percy. She talked to Piper, who asked Leo, who talked to Frank, who works at the production with Cecil, who's friends with Lou Ellen, who's roomate with Will.
Nico didn't even bother commenting. He just remained silent, thinking. Thankfully, the bell saved him from the need to say anything. He nodded to the two boys and walked over to his next class.
Ok, so, it wasn't new information the fact that Nico wasn't a very strong person. He might look unapproachable, dark, and broody - the kind of person you'd expect to be a mafia boss or something - but the people close to him knew that he wasn't as tough as he looked.
So, really, no one was surprised when Nico went to the audition the very next day.
But everyone (including Nico) was surprised that he actually got the part.