Midnight Coffee (Solangelo AU)

Breaking Routine

I was just sitting there at my computer listening to a video my professor had assigned that he wanted us to make a discussion post about. It was early October at this point. The haunted house was becoming more and more daunting as time went on. Part of the reason this night sticks out in my memory is that it was raining outside when Will came in and he didn't have an umbrella causing him to be soaked to the bone, another part is; the routine I'd gotten stuck in broke, even if just a little.

I didn't even notice he was in the shop until he was at the counter. I paused my video and shoved the computer to the side. "Sorry, heart attack?" He just laughed and knitted his brows together.

"Is that the official name for it?" I just nodded a bit and went to make it for him. "Whatcha watching on your computer?" I could hear small drops of water hitting the floor from his clothes and hair.

I got out the creamer and shrugged. "Just some video my psych professor wanted us to watch. So just homework." He nodded a bit and took his drink when I was done with it. Which I have yet to mess up a second time.

He paid and stood there for a second before seemingly making up his mind. "Well if you want we could work together on our stuff. I mean studying is always more fun with someone right?" He laughed like he wasn't sure if he believed himself. His face was a bubblegum pink so either he was wearing makeup or his face was frozen from the bad weather. Well, I suppose he could be stepping out of his comfort zone with the whole asking to study thing.

I thought about it for a minute too long just to freak him out before nodding. "Sure. As long as you don't mind my video running." He just smiled revealing his one dimple like he always did when he was genuinely happy. I had seen him smile when the dimple wasn't there and it did not suit him I'll say that much.

I got him his change and he went to go sit down where he always did. I grabbed my bag, computer, and a towel before going over and sitting across from him. I could hear soft music coming from the headphones that he decided to keep around his neck. I gave him the towel which made him laugh. "Thanks."

He started drying his hair while I resumed my video and did my best to focus. My heart felt like it had jumped into my throat and I rapidly tapped my foot to keep myself from tensing up. It seemed to me like a group of ravens had taken up residence in my stomach and was trying to rip me apart from the inside. It made me want to vomit and hide away. I was nervous about making a fool of myself alright?

I know what you're thinking and I'll admit he's cute and sweet and hot ok? But I had finally made a friend that I didn't know from high school or through my sister. I did it all on my own. I would give anything not to lose that.

Jason is still trying to get me to 'realize' that everyone would love me no matter my sexuality. To be fair Hazel probably deserves something proper and real being my sister and all. But as for everyone else, it really wasn't their business. It wasn't even Percy's business that I used to like him.

And I do mean used to. Don't get me wrong, he's conventionally attractive and that wasn't going to change anytime soon but... it's just not all it used to be. Shit. I didn't pay any attention to the video.

We stayed studying together for an hour and two minutes. He left at 1:10 but his drink wasn't made in an instant. Sue me. As he left he waved to me and told me he'd see me tomorrow. I just nodded and waved back before going back to my spot behind the counter to finish my work. I had no doubt that I in fact would see him tomorrow night.

I went behind the counter after that. My co-worker came in at 5:58 so I collect my things and left. I went home and slept until 2:53. It was the weekend so no classes today. That didn't mean I was free of helping with the haunted house though. I got up, took my shower, and did all that mediocre bull shit we do each morning. After I was done and had my ring, jacket, and hightops I grabbed a pair of earbuds and went to the school to meet up with my little sister and her not-so-little boyfriend.

Seriously, the guy is like eleven inches taller than my sister and had more muscle than my high school gym teacher. Yeah, he's chubby but Hazel says it makes him great at cuddling and he does give good hugs so there's that. Plus his chub suits him.

What can I say; the guy's grown on me in the last month or so. Once I was at the college I called Hazel to let me inside. She picked up holding the phone way too close to her face for a video call. "Nico! Hey, I'll be right there!" She then just hung up on me. I waited for a minute before the door flew open making me nearly jump out of my skin.

"HAZEL! How are you so quiet? You scared the crap out of me." She just laughed a bit and shrugged. I rolled my eyes and walked inside. To Percy's surprise and my own, I've managed to keep both in my head.

She held out the classic black and green Monster can to me. "Here you go!" I laughed quietly and took it from her.

"Thanks, sis." I kissed her temple with a microscopic smile. I only laughed or smiled around her because well... she's my sister. I let that thought sit and paused in the empty hall. She's my sister. She's my family. She turned to me and raised a brow after stopping as well.

She looked confused which was fair considering I just suddenly just froze while we were walking. "What? Did I get you the wrong kind? I can get a different one."

That brought me back to reality and I just shook my head at her. "No nothing like that. I just... I need to tell you something." She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at me.

"Who did you kill?" I laughed mirthlessly and gave her a look that told her this was serious. She dropped her joking attitude and leaned against the nearest wall. It was hard to tell what she was thinking. Her knitted-together eyebrows were the only thing that gave a hint. That hint was 'WORRIED!'

I took a deep breath and opened my Monster. It filled the space between us and gave me something to do with my hands. I downed some of it before sighing silently. I just had to tell her before the silence made me deaf. "Hazel, I... I'm gay. I've known for a long time now and I just," I paused and looked up at her feeling like I was on the verge of vomiting from the sickening nerves I was experiencing. "I wanted you to know because... well you're my sister you know?"

She raised an eyebrow like she was encouraging me to continue. "That's all?" I nodded ever so slightly while more fear overtook my nervous system. This could go awfully and I could lose my sister... again. She shook her head and hugged me tightly. "Nico, you're my big brother. You think I didn't know?" I heard her laugh quietly at me.

I hugged her back and the ball of nerves crumbled under the pressure of her hug. It felt so good to just say it out loud. I felt like I had shaken a metric ton off my shoulders. We stayed there hugging for a few minutes before she let me go and showed me her money-making smile. She still loved me. She really didn't care. "How... how did you know? Thought I was pretty good at hiding it."

She shrugged a bit and only smiled more. "It wasn't all that obvious but," She sighed looking for the right words while tapping her chin gently with her pointer finger. "You always looked at guys differently. Like they were more interesting. Like they had all your attention you know? I guess that's what really gave it away for me." I nodded a bit and smiled at her. My smiles never felt forced with her but it suddenly felt like it was so goddam easy to smile. Like I had earned it. I wasn't fighting against my own face to smile, it just came so naturally.

She linked our arms together and started pulling us off towards the haunted house set up. "By the way, we've got the whole gang here helping today." I groaned a bit and she just laughed at me. Hazel, Jason, Percy, and even Rayna were constantly dragging me into group hangouts. They were honestly pretty cool and I wouldn't mind being considered their friends by the general public.

Hey, guys,  gals, and non-binary pals!

I tried to stick to canon personalities- probably didn't do that well but this felt fun and natural

Also, no one can convince me that Frank and Rayna aren't the tired co-parents of the 7

This chapter was a lot of fun to write and I hope that translates to you guys when you read it

Let me know what you thought

Have a great day/night!