Chapter 7

Nico's POV (again)

Nico pulled himself out of the river. But why? Why couldn't he just allow the current to drag him as far as it could? No, he couldn't be thinking like this. The River Cocytus was messing with his thoughts. He pulled himself up onto the shore, ignoring the sharp stabbing in his back, legs, arms, neck, head…

'I need to carry on…' The son of Hades thought to himself. He sat up and looked around. After moments which could've been hours Nico finally got up. He brushed himself down and started his walk.

"You're weak, son of Hades…" A voice whispered form behind the Nico. Nico's hand darted to his waist as he drew his sword.

"Who's there?" Nico's voice echoed through the area. The dark haired boy looked around, but no one was there. "Show yourself."

"You're going to need to eat or drink something sooner of later…" The voice sneered. "You're already so weak, fragile, ready to break down like all humans do eventually." Then the voice stopped. Nico waited a few moments, but the voice didn't return. Nothing attacked him. Nico knew the voice was right. He couldn't last long without food or water, but he knew exactly where to get that.

Drinking fire from the River Phlegethon might not be on everyone's to do list. It definitely wasn't on Nico's, but he really had no choice. The flames brunt his hands and throat, but after a few minutes he got used to it. Keeping close to the river (if you could fall it that), the son of Hades continued his journey to the Doors of Death.

"Nico di Angelo." Sneered a voice from behind Nico. He knew who it was before he turned around.

"Bryce Lawrence." Nico addressed in a strong voice.

"Why did you do this to me, son of Hades?" Bryce asked, floating closer to Nico. "Why?"

"I-I didn't mean to." Nico stuttered. The memory of killing Bryce haunted him. "I-I hadn't used my…I-in a while and I guess I f-forgot… I c-couldn't control it, Bryce. I d-didn't mean to…"

"Kill me?" Bryce asked. Nico nodded, feeling as if he were about to be sick. "Well you did. My blood is on your hand, di Angelo." Nico sank to his shoulders, shaking slightly. Bryce was right. His life was on Nico's hands. It was all his fault…

"NICO…!" Called a familiar voice. It seemed to be from a thousand miles, but the voice was loud and clear at the same time. "Wake up, Nico!" Suddenly a light shone down on Nico, making his eyes hurt. Why was that voice so familiar?

"Please wake up, Nico!" Nico opened his eyes to see something he never thought he'd ever see. Will Solace was sitting on his leg, shaking the son of Hades with tears in his eyes. "Nico!" He dived down onto Nico and pulled him into a hug.

"Will?" Nico whispered, dazed.

"You were having another nightmare," Will whispered into Nico's ear. "You wouldn't wake up this time." Nico couldn't help but smiled as he wrapped his arms around the son of Apollo. At first he thought sharing a bed with Will would be awkward, but now he was happy he did.

"I'm fine now, Will." Nico promised. "I've gotten used to the nightmares."

"You shouldn't have to be used to them," Will whispered into Nico's shoulder. "You are an amazing person who deservers to have a happy, nightmare free life. You've seen too much."

"I can learn to move on," Nico reminded him, running his fingers through the blondes curly hair. "I can force myself to forget."

"You shouldn't have to." Will repeated. Will sat up, much to Nico's displease (but he didn't show his disappointment), and Nico noticed Will's nose and chin was covered in blood.

"What happened to you?!" Nico asked, grabbing Will's face, tilting it to the light to see the full damage.

"You might've punched me when I was trying to wake you up." Will muttered.

"I am so sorry, Will." Nico covered his mouth in embarrassment and horror.

"Its fine." Will smiled. Nico smiled back, but then Will's dissolved. "W-was it bad?"

"The nightmare?" Nico asked. Will nodded slightly. "Yes. They always are."

"W-what was it about?" Nico bit at the skin inside his mouth. Should he tell Will? "Y-you don't have to tell me if you don't want to!"

"Tartarus." Nico said quickly. Will looked confused. "I dreamt about Tartarus again. I was in the River Cocytus and all these awful thoughts ran through my head so I forced myself to get out. Then I heard a voice telling me I was weak and that I was fragile, ready to break down before I went to drink from the River Phlegethon. Then Bryce Lawrence appeared and reminded me that I-I killed him. Then you woke me up." Will looked like he was going to cry again. "Do you want some help cleaning your face?"

"I'll be alright." Will shook his head. He pushed Nico's shoulders gently, laying him back down on the bed. "You should try to get some proper sleep." Nico was about to say that there was no point, the nightmares would come back when Will placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "Don't worry, Nico. The nightmares won't come back. I'll stop them." With that he stood up and left the room, leaving Nico alone and confused.

"You ready, Nico?" Piper's voice called out. When she walked into the room Nico couldn't help but smile. She looked beautiful, but still like Piper. She wore a pale blue dress that fell to her knees, cream heeled shoes with a bow on front and feathered earrings. Her choppy hair was the same as always with braids on either sides and her kaleidoscope eyes were crinkled at the edges as she smiled at Nico.

"You look beautiful, Piper." Nico told the daughter of Aphrodite.

"You don't look so bad yourself, Mr di Angelo." Piper looped her arm through Nico's and lead him out of the room. "Jason's waiting for us with Will."

"Is this a 'girl goes to boy dressed up beautifully and boy can't help but fall madly in love with her' situation?" Nico asked. Piper shrugged.

"Are you talking about you and Will or me and Jason?" Nico rolled his eyes, making Piper laugh. "I'm kidding. No, its not. Jason's already madly in love with me." That made Nico laugh.

When they arrived outside the house Nico couldn't help but feel a little breath taken. Will looked… amazing. The tux made Will look elegant and posh, his usual blonde mess of hair was tidy and his blue eyes shone in the light.

"You look amazing, Piper." Will told Piper.

"Absolutely stunning." Jason hugged his girlfriend.

"You clean up nice, Nico." Will smiled at the son of Hades.

"Thanks," Nico said awkwardly. "Erm, you too, Will."

"Should we go?" Jason asked, getting into the drivers seat. Jason had gotten his drivers license not to long ago and was dying to finally get to drive. Piper jumped into the passengers seat, leaving Will and Nico in the back. Nico didn't mind. He thought of it as an excuse to sit next to Will.

Nico sat on his own as he watched his Jason and Piper slow dancing. They were smiling, looking at each other a look of pure love and nothing else. Nico often wondered how people like Jason and Piper, Percy and Annabeth, Couch Hedge and Mellie could express their emotions so easily. How could they just go up to each other, take the others hand with a small smile and kiss them like it was the most normal thing in the entire world?

Nico was swaying slightly in his seat to the soft song that was playing. He wasn't familiar with it, but he knew it was nightcore so he liked it.

"Hay, Nico." Will said, suddenly beside Nico. "You like the song?"

"I recognize it's nightcore, but I don't actually know the song." Nico shrugged. "Its nice though."

"Its Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift," Will explained. "I'm not a fan of the song, but it's the only nightcore song they have."

"Its nice." Nico repeated.

"Want to dance?" Will asked. Nico started choking on the air in shock. "Should I take that as a no?" Nico shook his head and tried to stop coughing.

"Okay." Nico said, getting up from his seat. "Let's dance." Will held out his hand, which Nico took, and lead the son of Hades to the dance floor. He carefully placed his hand on Nico's waist, which made the dark haired boy blush in the dim light. They swayed slightly so it couldn't be called dancing. When the music stopped Nico didn't want to let go of Will, but over the son of Apollo's shoulder he saw Jason holding up two thumbs so he told Will he was thirsty.

Today was a good day, Nico decided as Will handed him a drink.