The next morning I awoke to Will suddenly jumping out of my bed.
"What in Hades'-" I started to say when I saw that sunlight was starting to trickle through the window. A little reminder that people who weren't your siblings shouldn't be in others' cabins edged into my mind and I face-palmed my forehead. "Will, get back to your cabin before you get in trouble." I told him and he nodded, giving me an apologetic smile.
He gave me a small wave before darting out of my cabin and across the cabins, I silently prayed to any god that was listening that it was earlier enough that nobody else was awake yet.
I flipped on the music and looked at the ceiling pulling the blankets closer around me. They smelled like Will.
Last night replayed in my mind over like a broken record, one I didn't mind playing over and over.
Gods on Olympus I was turning into an Aphrodite kid.
An hour passed and I looked at the time, around thirty minutes until breakfast. I'd take a quick shower and then head out to breakfast. If I meandered, maybe I'd happen to run into Will on the way. If I didn't well, that just meant that there'd be less time to wait until breakfast. Not that I ate much, like I mentioned.
I climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
The bathroom had deep amber lights so it looked like I was in a cave of some sort, whoever the genius who made this cabin made the towels black as well as my sheets. Conflicted feelings on that, on one hand my mind was screaming about how stereotypical it was that even the towels were black, but the other half of me kind of liked how they made them black. The brightest thing I wore was my Camp Half-Blood t-shirt and even that was a rare occurrence.
I threw off my shirt and unchanged before getting into the shower. The water was tepid, just the way I liked it. Too hot reminded me of the river of fire in Tartarus, too cold was just plain torture. Sue me but I can be picky at times.
After I finished with that I wrapped the towel around my lower torso before heading out to the main part of the cabin to put on my clothes.
There was a knock on my door and I looked up, uh-oh.
"Nico?" Called Will's voice, making my heart rate speed up so quickly I could practically hear it. Not good.
"Will, I'm a little-" I started to say when the door opened and I was stuck standing by my bed in nothing but a towel wrapped around my waist.
He stood in the doorway; his mind seemed to stop momentarily as he processed me without a shirt on. Something that made me slight uncomfortable, how long he was looking at me.
"This is why I tell you to knock." I said fighting to keep a sultry tone. A blush crawled up his cheeks and he closed the door without a word. "I'll…uh…wait out here." He said, voice cracking.
My guess was that he was embarrassed, maybe even more embarrassed than I was.
I quickly pulled on my shirt and jeans then put on my shoes and tied them up before sliding into my jacket. My hair was still damp, but I didn't mind that.
When I stepped out I folded my arms across my chest. "Come on."
He walked beside me in an awkward silence. "Sorry about that I…um…" "Will, it's fine. Just try not to do it again." I told him, rolling my eyes. Keep it casual. He only saw you when you were practically naked. No big deal.
Will nodded then tapped his chin. "Just curious, you don't really like showing a lot of skin do you?"
I looked at him with narrowing eyes, wondering why he was asking something like that. "No. I don't, pardon me but I'm not lean and tan like some people." I shoved his shoulder as we walked and Will chuckled. "I hope you were talking about me there, but you have nothing to be ashamed of. You may not be tan but you're built well if I do say so myself in my doctorial opinion."
A shook my head, a small smirk crossing my face. "Mhm, your 'doctorial opinion', sure."
"Completely doctorial. I don't know what you're thinking about." He stated with an innocent smile. I could see devil horns below his halo.
He draped his arm around my shoulder with a grin. "So, are we going to talk to Chiron about our trip?"
I nodded slightly, and shoved my hands into my deep pockets. "Yeah, you're better with explaining things you should talk to him. Every time he looks at me I feel like he's thinking about how much untapped potential I have or something."
Maybe it was the teacher nature in him, but I didn't want to commit to giving my all for fear of disappointing him. Gods knows I disappoint nearly everybody else.
The Son of Apollo laughed and shrugged. "I mean you do, but that's his personality. We'll talk to him after breakfast." "We?" I asked him, frowning, "Did I not just ask you to do it?"
He gave my shoulder a small squeeze. "Poor baby, I'm actually making you do something for once." "You make me do things all the time." I grumbled, taking my hands out of my pockets only to cross then.
We soon arrived at the Dining Pavilion and found we were some of the first to arrive. I sat down next to Will and leaned on the table using my hand to prop my chin up. "So did you make it back to your cabin?" I asked him.
His cheeks flushed red and he rubbed his neck. "Let's just say I had to make up something to Kayla and Austin," He held up a finger to his lips, "it'll be our little secret though okay?"
Keeping our kiss a secret? Keeping how I had a mental breakdown and sobbed a secret? Little to say the least, I was relived.
"Hey, Austin, you owe your ukulele for a week, I told you he was going to meet Nico." Kayla said and to Austin as the two sat next to their oldest brother Will. I sighed and looked at them. "What's it with everybody and betting on what Will and I will do?"
She shrugged slightly, tucking her red hair behind her ear. "The internet's being stupid so there isn't much else to do."
My scowl deepened.
"Might I remind you…that you are in a magical camp for the children of gods there's plenty to do!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up, and Austin shrugged in reply, mimicking his sister's movements.
"I mean you're right…but still. Keeping up my YouTube channel took up most of my time now I can barely even do that. Only one cover of a song a week!" he let out a sigh like somebody had just told him his dog died and he was in a state of mourning.
Honestly.
Soon the other campers filed in and Chiron said to start eating, the usual business.
Afterwards, Will tapped my shoulder and tilted his head in Chiron's direction as if to ask if I was ready. I gave a small sigh, my way of saying "Why not?".
The two of us stood up and walked over to the old centaur. "What can I do for you?" He asked with a sincere smile and I sighed. "I wanted to visit my sister Hazel in Camp Jupiter."
"And I wanted to visit my mom, so Nico and I were wondering if it would be fine if we left for a week or so." Will finished explaining for me.
Chiron scratched his beard, musing the idea as he gazed down at the two of us. "With the lack of communications it would be even more dangerous than usual my boys."
I nodded and held out a hand on front of myself. "I know that, but I was the one who brought back the Athena Parthenos, I understand that there are dangers but I think I can handle myself. I'll have Will with me; he can mend almost anything, and brought me back from the brink. Do you think we can get a little credit and some time to spend with family?" I asked him and Chiron stared at me for a minute.
That may have been the longest thing I had said to the centaur since I was eleven. Holy Hephaestus I was an idiot back then.
Chiron chuckled, "If you insist, Nico," he turned to Will and put a hand on his shoulder, "keep an eye out for him won't you?" "Course I will." Will replied, grinning, flashing me a quick wink that I had no idea how to interrupt.
"When will you leave?" He asked me and Will looked at me as if expecting an answer. "Um…two days? If that's fine." I added quickly, trying not to press what little luck I possessed.
"It is, you'll be gone a week, I hope you're back in a week's time then." Chiron stated then I saw something in his face, worry, "I don't want to have another Percy fiasco; losing one camper is bad enough. Losing two would be detrimental."
Me, as important to camp as Percy? The idea made me want to laugh, and with a courageous effort, I didn't. Even though I had made the decision to stay, that didn't make me any more important to this camp. A few people may be sad, cry even, but like I said all of that time ago, they would all move on.
Will, he'd be a different story. He's like an invisible crutch, when the seven weren't here, he provided the hope that so many demigods here desperately needed. That I understood from the respect he had, respect I don't even think the campers knew they had for him. I had seen whenever he needed to fix somebody up, mend their broken bones, and anybody around him stood silently ready to do anything he needed them to do. He didn't use that respect to gain more attention either, he didn't even seem to know about it.
People would miss Will Solace.
Me?
Forget about it.
"I'll make sure at least this idiot gets back safely." I told the centaur, jabbing my thumb at Will before heading off to my cabin to go grab my Stygian Iron sword, which I had forgotten because of the towel incident.
As I walked down the hill past the odd array and assortment of cabins that had become the closest thing to home in years, Will jogged up beside me and punched my arm as he came to a halt in front of me and folded his arms across his chest. He had a frown on his face and he pointed up to where he had just walked down from.
Then he held up two fingers and tapped his foot in an aggravated way. "One, I am not an idiot, idiot. Two, both of us will make it back here or not at all. Okay?"
Was that what he was getting so aggravated about?
"Nico, why are you laughing?" He asked, confused and I nearly doubled over.
"You call me dense, okay Will. Fine, you aren't the idiot but that sure as hell doesn't make me the idiot," I started taking a step closer as I poked his chest, "And if there's a monster I can't beat I'm going to make sure you get out instead of me. I'm not going to lose anybody else." My laughter had faded, but I still stood firm. "Okay?"
Will grabbed my hand and stared at me with a fierce expression, like he wasn't as amused as I was.
"Nico." "Yes?" I asked, not backing down from the staring match.
"I know perfectly well you don't want to lose anybody else, but has it ever occurred to you that I've lost people too?" He asked, and then enveloped me in a bone crushing hug, burying his face in my jacket. "I'm not going to lose you too."
My heart sunk to my feet, yes Will was my boyfriend and I was his…but he still cared about me that much?
The dots didn't seem to connect at all.
"Will…" I murmured, and he hugged my tighter. "I'm sorry; I know you probably didn't mean much by the comment up there. Like it's become second nature to self-deprecate yourself but that makes it worse. I wish you could see yourself like I see you." He told me, looking at me with his soft blue eyes.
He was so close I could almost count the number of freckles on his nose.
"I wish I could too, but I'm long past that."
My voice was barely more than a whisper, and Will let go of me before poking my forehead. "Well then I take it as my solemn responsibility to get you back to that point. After all, in your word's I brought you back from the brink. I guess I'll just have to do it again. It's a terrible honor, this role."
I folded my arms and raised an eyebrow at him. "Terrible honor?" "I was about to say terrible privilege then I realized I'd be quoting Iron Man in the Avengers." He added, shrugging lightly as he put his hands on his hips looking like a blond Peter Pan. "Anyhow Nico, I have to go and pack. I'm going to stop by randomly, so no more towels."
He jogged off without another word.
"Maybe you should knock…idiot." I muttered as I walked away, shaking my head.
That boy's mood could change at a snap of a finger, it baffled me.
Lots of things tended to now.
Back in my cabin I didn't have much to pack, just some of my shirts and pants. After that I figured there wasn't much else. Maybe some drachma's but that was it. I tossed off my jacket and sat on the floor.
Something I had taken up here this past month was working out; maybe Jason was rubbing off on me. To try and turn off my mind I'd blast my music and do crunches, and was able to get a punching bag in my room, it was off towards the corner opposite of mine surrounded by a vast empty space because they figured they couldn't fit in another bed and they didn't have any more cheesy death decor.
I changed into my sleeveless t-shirt and started on the punching bag, tying the majority of my hair out of my face when I heard the door open.
Will stopped and laughed. "I always catch you when you're practically naked." "Will Solace, I am wearing a t-shirt."
He made his way towards me and let out a dramatic gasp. "A sleeveless one, I can see your arms, how scandalous!" "Shut up Solace." I muttered with an eye roll, as I turned off the music and grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off of myself.
The Son of Apollo sat on the bed nearest to me and stretched out in his usual cat-like manner, looking at my arms. "I have a ripped boyfriend. Damn."
That was the first time I heard him cuss, I was both startled and had a feeling of pride welling inside me. My baby's finally cussed.
"Have you seen yourself?" I asked him, rolling my eyes again as I tossed my towel on his face, which he swatted away promptly. He sat up as I sat down next to him and shrugged. "You lug medical equipment and supplies around and camp and see if you don't burn some calories."
He swept some of my hair that was hanging in my eyes out of my face and laughed. "Nice look Nico." "If that was sarcasm-" I said pursing my lips and he shook his head, leaning back on the bed. "It was not, in fact, sarcasm. I happen to like your workout look."
I laughed and shook my head. "You're unbelievable. I don't look much different except for there's no jacket."
"And you're sweaty and…for lack of better words, hot." He told me and my brain temporarily stopped working.
"Did you just call me…hot?" I asked him, tilting my head to the side. "Literally and metaphorically." He added, placing his hand on my forehead. "Yeah, yeah." I replied absentmindedly, swatting his hand away.
He looked out of the window, the afternoon sunlight washing him in a golden glow. "It's a nice day out, we should go walk." He said and I groaned falling back onto the bed. "I'd really rather not. Leave me here, I prefer the indoors."
"And the Underworld, which isn't-" He said holding up a finger and I pulled him down so he was lying on his side next to me. "If you say 'healthy for you' I swear." He paused for a moment before breaking into a smirk. He leaned closer to me so his breath was nearly tickling my ear. "...healthy for you." He muttered and I kicked him off the bed.
He rubbed his head on the floor, chuckling to himself. His eyes were closed as he sat up. "Totally worth it."
I hopped off of the bed and pulled on my jacket just to spite him, he opened an eye at me and sat up. "Aw, no. Don't put on your jacket." "You brought this on yourself." I told him firmly, fighting the urge to smirk. He stood up and pursed his lips into a pout. "I should have known you'd do something like that." He sighed and sat down again and I rolled my shoulders back, feeling sore from punching the punching bag.
"You were working out for a while?" He asked me, and I sat down again, shrugging. "Almost since when you went to pack, so not long."
Will poked my arm, "Nico, you've been hitting that thing for two hours."
Geez, time flies.
I looked over towards the corner then looked at him. "Two hours, what in holy Hades, what were you packing? Your cabin?" He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "More so getting everything in the infirmary ready in case people need healing when I'm gone, I set out the first aid kits, things to help headaches, the ambrosia, and all the nick knacks."
Nick knacks?
"Oh, well if they hold off on Capture the Flag they should be okay." I told him, and he sighed looking like he had a secret he was dying to tell but was sworn to secrecy. "Yeah and when we get back from the trip I have to tell you something."
That sentence made my stomach twist into knots, not good.
"Can you not tell me now?" I asked him, crossing my feet Indian Style on the bed. His head hung forward slightly and he made the motion of sipping up his mouth and pantomimed throwing away the key.
He shook his head, his disheveled blond hair falling in front of his eyes, making me want to sweep them out of the way.
"Sorry, Chiron made me swear on the River Styx not to tell." He apologized, giving a hopeless shrug as he held my hand, giving it a slight squeeze. "I really am sorry Nico; I know how you feel about secrets."
Stupid adorable guy being sweet with how he feels, dammit. I couldn't really 100% focus on what he was saying due to his hair getting on my nerves. I wanted to see his blue eyes. It reminded me of when Jason came to speak to me after the battle with Gaea and his glasses were falling off of his nose.
"So long as it won't get anybody killed-"
"Slight issue there." He prompted, biting his lip, not quite able to look at me.
"Okay…" I told him reaching up forwards his forehead, as I finally couldn't restrain myself from getting the hair out of his eyes.
He gave me a soft smile as his eyes flicked down at me and laughed, "That was random." "Not necessarily, it's been bothering me for a while." I replied, rolling my eyes at my boyfriend.
Will's smile grew and he leaned his head towards me so our foreheads were touched. "Ah well, we can't have that. Can we? A grumpy Nico isn't what I wat to see." "I'm always grumpy I don't know what you're talking about." I retorted, shoving his shoulder lightly but he pressed a finger against my cheek.
"Oh my…grumpy you say? I daresay I see a smile on your face though." He replied, his smile turning into a lopsided smirk that made my face unwillingly blush. "Shut up."
He kissed the corner of my mouth with his eyes closed. "We both know that isn't going to happen." He nearly purred, and I grabbed the collar of his shirt before kissing him on the lips suppressing a grin.
It's safe to say that the Son of Apollo was thoroughly surprised and shocked. The silence lasted for a good minute and his face was an unreadable mask.
"What were you saying?" I asked him, chuckling despite myself and he shook his head, laughing as well. "You sure are something. I never seem to be able to know what you'll do."
"I hope I can keep it that way." I told him, laying down the bed with a content sigh, using my hands behind my head as a pillow.
He smiled down at me and then looked out of the window once more. "I have no doubt you will."
((Author's Note: SO, I'm debating if I should do a few chapters from Will's point of view. I've been debating with this idea for a while, but I don't know. Anyhow, give me your ideas ! Thanks for all of the nice reviews and views! Hope you've enjoyed it so far!))
