Charting Unknown Territory

Chapter 11 – Random Images - Nico

The image was not the frightening part of the memory. It was just a grainy indistinct picture with faceless people, like a badly tuned radio where you could only catch every other word. The part that got to him was the look of abject terror in his mother's kind eyes, the pitiable sob from Bianca, and the certain knowledge of what was about to happen thanks to his father's 'gifts'.

After experiencing that dreadful memory, Nico thought he would be relieved to have Will with him, but it did not turn out that way. He had fumbled through an inarticulate explanation and then wrapped his arms tightly around him. The healer navigated him to the bunk and sat down. He curled up in the fetal position on his lap. All he could do was shake and sniffle into his reassuringly warm chest. He was clinging so tightly because he felt like the blond might disappear if he let go. Will kept up a steady stream of encouragements "sh angel… it's alright… I'm here… No one can hurt you…" while stroking his hair and rubbing his back. Slowly he began regaining control and his tears slowed. Will leaned back on the bed and Nico sprawled over his chest fighting sleep, but it slowly took him anyway.

Suddenly he found himself in that loathsome memory while all its associated vile emotions assaulted him in his dream state. Only this was time it was worse, this time he saw the object of their attack clear as day. It was his Will! He saw his death approaching with the certainty only he, a son of Hades could know.

"NO! STOP! PLEASE NOT HIM…" Nico screamed jarring himself awake. The anguish was too much. He felt the chill of the shadows coming for him. It dulled the torment of that vile vision, it was almost comforting.

Distantly, frantic yelling seeped slowly into his consciousness. "NICO! FIGHT IT! I'LL HELP! REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE ANYMORE! DAMN IT NICO! I'M NOT LOSING YOU! FIGHT THE DARK!" He gradually realized it was Will, his Will, he was still alive and strong. I'm NOT losing you, either!

The moment he wanted to rid himself of the darkness, it became a monolith that threatened to crush him. He knew this type of crushing agony, it was the body of Tartarus, it was at Akhlys' feet, and it was the suffocating bronze jar. In this he found a tiny seed of hope because he had survived them all. That buoyed him up and the load began to lessen. Gradually he was able to throw off the darkness.

Slowly he began to notice his surroundings again. He was encased in a warm, soothing fluid. Gentle lulling tones cascading over him. His heart was doused in heat that only touched the outer edge. Ever so subtlety his heart rate decelerated and his shaking subsided. The heat seeped and trickled into his heart bit by bit until it filled him.

After long minutes he was able distinguish that warm hands were on his forehead and chest, the sound was a healing hymn, and he was once again in the golden bath. He propped an eye open and saw Will kneeling, eyes closed, panting out his hymn like a desperate prayer. He was not alone anymore, Will was here. For a long time Nico just watched him with silent tears streaming down his face.

Will finally ended the hymn and opened his gentle sympathetic eyes. Nico chirped out a tiny apologetic "Sorry."

"Nico, Angel, Thank the gods. It worked. You're still here." He sighed, drinking in the sight of him. Will looked pale and tired, but smiled in relief at him and caressed the side of his face. It felt like he was falling into the son of Apollo's wide sapphire eyes. He was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He wanted this moment to go on forever, but humiliation had set in.

He took in the scene and noticed the sunbath was almost completely black, "Um, why am I fully dressed?"

"Sorry, I had to act quickly. How do you feel?"

"Better I think," He answered sheepishly and embarrassed, "For an overemotional child."

"Do not even go there. You know this is just a delayed reaction to all you have been through, right?"

"But why me? I don't see the others getting sunbaths."

"Gods, you are NOT weak! You don't remember your childhood, a time when you were likely happy. You lost your mother and sister. You spent the next four years with the dead and trying not to get killed. While saving the world I might add. Then you took a joy ride through Tartarus and were almost swallowed by shadows getting back to camp." Will answered in exasperation. "You have so little in life to draw from and yet you have amazing strength."

"So am I cured?" He quipped sarcastically.

"Cured enough for tonight now, but you need to face those demons." At Nico's apprehensive look he added, "I'm planning to be with you the whole way."

"I don't want to be your charity case." He said defensively.

"Dark Angel, I will still be crazy about you when you are healed and whole. I plan to hang around and prove it to you." Will answered smiling with certainty as he help him out of the bath. Does he really mean that? Some part of him really hoped that he did.

When Nico came out from the shower stall dressed in the pajamas he had drawn skulls on. He loudly complained "Great, I'm here so often, I have my own uniform."

Will grinned having already showered and changed, "You have only yourself to blame. You know I can't give them to anyone else." Then he went on more somberly, "Sorry, you have to stay here tonight. Chiron won't let me stay in your cabin to treat you and I won't let you sleep alone tonight." Nico blushed but did not reply, he only followed Will to his same room.

"Damn, less than four hours and I'm back here." He sulked over to sit on the bed.

Will turned the bright lights on and closed the blinds. "Sorry, no shadows allowed, Doctors orders."

Will sat next to him on the bed and took his hand, "I know you don't want to be here, but at least we get to sleep together." Will leaned over and kissed his cheek and winked. Nico's face paled and he froze in fear, was he saying what I think he is say?

Will let out a peal of laughter, "I didn't mean that! Dark Angel, you are just too easy." Nico punched his arm and pushed him away. "Ouch! I just don't want to leave you alone. I thought we could just cuddle. I'll stay on top of the covers, alright?" Will tilted his head down and looked at Nico begging with his warm crystal blue eyes. He could not refuse.

"You are such an annoying dork." Nico climb under the covers. Will tucked him in and lay beside him on top of the covers with no blankets, wearing his hospital scrubs. They each lay on their sides facing each other in the brightly lit room. He smiled faintly at the blond and reached up to stroke his hair. "I'm guessing a kiss will not get me released tonight."

"No, but I'd still like to get one." Will replied with a longing look. Nico leaned toward him and kissed him softly.

"Thank you Will. You have done so much for me, making that cure, and staying with me. This one was bad."

"Glad to be of service. So can you talk about what happened?"

"No… I don't…. want to relive it." He added hesitantly.

"The way you shouted made me think it was something specific. Not Percy or others suspecting us. That fear will keep coming back unless you deal with it openly." Will soothed hand raised palm out, "It does not have to be now. In your own time you can trust me and I won't push your or judge."

He was staggered by his gentle persistence and had the urge to tell him more. "I think you sensed I was dipped in the Lithe. It was after my mother died. It did not fully take. I get glimpses of memories that come back. Especially since I visited Italy and Croatia. The quality of the memories strange. It is like a few still grainy pictures with sharp knowledge of my interpretation, along with vivid emotions that accompanied it. I can't remember my mother's face, but I can smell her floral scent and hear her singing me to sleep.

"Often the things that come back sharpest are the worst things that happened in my childhood. The one that came back tonight was the first time I felt death." Nico's mouth went dry and his throat constricted when he thought of that final image of his memory. Will pulled him close and Nico snuggled into his warm chest. He held him so tightly they felt like one person. It tempered his anxiety and he gently began to relax. It felt like a bright sun shone around him and it held all the terror at bay. They stayed that way and gradually Nico drifted into sleep. He did not dream.

Hum, disaster averted. so what do you think will happen next? Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. Your reaction is wonderful,

Anne