The three boys sat on the bench watching the sunrise for a good ten minutes. It was one of the few times Nico was actually awake to watch it. He was still thinking about the previous night, clearly uncomfortable. Austin noticed, of course and told Will he was going to the cabin to clean up, leaving the two alone. After a few more minutes of discomfort, Nico finally broke the silence. "So why were you awake in the middle of the night? And why were you sleeping in the infirmary?" He asked looking down at his grey pajamas and bare feet.
"Have been for the past week, though I suppose last night was worse." He sighed and told Nico about the accident in the forges.
"Ohh" was all Nico said.
After a few moments Will enquired, "So how do you feel? Did you get any sleep at all? It's been hardly 2 hours since..." He hesitated, then finally added quite bluntly, "...since your nightmares". Nico just sighed heavily, not looking up or responding to the question.
'So not much then' Will thought to himself. "I understand" he said out loud. He considered asking him about them once again, but was fairly certain that Nico wasn't going to open up to him just yet and he didn't want to push him away by prying. So changing the subject he said, "Would you like to clean up, then maybe get breakfast together? Also, sorry about those 2 extra days at the infirmary. I suppose you can go back to your cabin now, but be sure to visit once a day".
'He let me off the hook so easily? Wow!' Nico was truly surprised. It had become pretty normal for him to have Will constantly question him and demand answers of him. Now that he thought about it, he felt oddly relieved. Will was actually looking out for him. And even though he still believed that he was more than capable of doing so himself, he was grateful for Will. Although he was indeed more grateful to leave the infirmary and go back to his cabin. Finally looking at him he said, "Sure! And uh…thank you"
"Cool. I'll see you in 20 then", said Will as he got up to leave. He was about 4 feet away when Nico stood up and called, "Hey!" Will turned to face him. "Yeah?"
"You look like a zombie" he blurted out looking at his messy hair and haggard face.
Will narrowed his eyes and frowned. "Seriously?"
Nico actually smiled. "Well yeah. But what I actually wanted to say was thank you. Thank you, for putting up with me."
'So Nico di Angelo really could smile! Yayy!' He thought sarcastically. He smiled in return and said, "Sure! Although it might be nicer if you weren't such an arse!" After which he just winked and jogged to his cabin.
Nico had a stupid grin over his face all the while as he freshened up in his cabin. He felt really comfortable in there. A lot of renovations had been made to it after the first titan war. All the weird zombie decor had been replaced with relatively simple and subtle stuff. Most of it was in dark colour schemes, just the way Nico liked it. He'd stayed around at Camp long enough to have it fixed to suit humans rather than vampires. Also, since he was the only living child of Hades, the extra bunks weren't required and most had been removed. Only 6 beds remained, one for Hazel for when she was visiting and the others...just in case. Nico had a big double bed all for himself, which he was quite satisfied with. Maybe things would work out this time at Camp. He took a deep breath, mind racing. Things weren't so bad. He might actually call this place home. Who knew?
"Or maybe not" he cursed as he crashed against the door frame and was flattened to the cold floor as he exited the bathroom in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Maybe that bright eyed, freckled blonde had been correct. He couldn't even balance his weight effectively without falling over like a drunk man. He felt weak. It took him five whole minutes and a lot of groaning and cussing to get to his feet. His ribs still hurt from where they had been fractured. He felt his fingers grow numb as he got up and held onto the door handle for support.
"Shit" he said again as he stumbled to his closet. Taking a deep breath, he stabilized himself and managed to put on some clothes. 'Grey shirt and black pants. Perfect.' he thought. As he attempted to straighten his messy hair out in front of the mirror with his fingers, he felt butterflies in his stomach.
"What in the actual hell" he muttered. "You're just going to the breakfast pavilion to eat, you moron. What's this sudden rush all about?"
Yes! But with William Solace! His brain yelled in glee.
He was actually confused. Questions kept popping up in his head followed by retorts from his brain.
Why was he excited to be eating with Will Solace?
Cause he's hot! Yelped his very unhelpful brain.
"WHAT!?"
He was supposed to be upset with Will! The guy had forcefully kept him in the infirmary for 5 whole days!
Well yeah continued his brain ruthlessly, but he let you go. Also, he sang you to sleep last night.
Nico sat down by his dresser, trying in vain to stop his speeding heart. "This is ridiculous!" Now that he was out of the infirmary and fresh and somewhat back to his life, he had time to think about things other than his health or how to avoid all the injured people he had been surrounded by those past few days. 'Am I actually attracted to Will Solace?' He thought hopelessly as he hung his head in his palms. He didn't know how to feel about it. Will was a really really nice guy and all, but he wasn't gay for crying out loud! Also, even in the rare possibility that he were, why on earth would he want Nico? Sure, he cared about Nico, but he cared about EVERYONE! What made him special?
"Gods of Greece, I'm screwed. Again."
He took a minute to sort out his feelings, still unsure of them. He wasn't 100% certain he had feelings for Will, but if he thought about it further, he was afraid that he might. That would just make it harder. Silently resolving never to pay heed to these thoughts again, he stood up and looked at his watch. It had been nearly 20 minutes. Will would be waiting.
"I'm not gonna screw this up. He's an amazing friend and I'm not gonna lose him over this. For sure." Friend he thought again. Yes, Will was his friend and not just that annoying medic who had detained him in the infirmary for 5 days. The thought made him feel warm, a sensation that was indeed quite alien to the Ghost King. Taking a deep breath, he got up and walked to the door of his cabin, the action causing his chest to ache and his legs wobble. Nonetheless, he put on a brave face and with a minimal limp, walked over to the pavilion where Will was waiting.
What did you guys think?
Is it going too slow?
Need i make the chapters longer?
Please talk to me!