POV:NICO DI ANGELO

Nico was happy. He never thought he'd say that but, the past few months with Will had been nothing but blissful. He was standing near the Canoe lake, the weather was quite nice-sunny, even. The camp had changed a lot this previous summer, what with all the crap about the earth-mother stirring and all. There were also a lot of new recruitments and somehow Nico didn't regret his decision of staying. All the new campers had been trained well by Chiron as well as the older campers, including Percy and Annabeth. They had been going to college this year, but they came back some weekends, like this one. Nico could see them playing with the younger campers. They had had a counsellors meeting just last night, in regard of the new campers' godly parents and the new wing being constructed. Will had taken the weekend off from his duties as a doctor, he hadn't told a lot of people but he was scared as his powers of a medic were fading every passing day as long as Apollo (his dad) was banished. He was trying very hard and Nico could see the efforts wearing off on him. Lately Will had been treating less campers but he was still exhausted from all the strength the healing took. He thought of all this while he was watching Will walking towards him from the infirmary. He was wearing his usual camp tee, and beige shorts. The shirt fit him a bit snuggly and he caught a few naiads staring at him from below the lake. He felt a twinge of jealousy but the Will saw him and Nico waved. Will smiled his brilliant smile, and Nico felt as if his heart had melted, he was looking nice as always, his freckles were highlighted by the sunrays and his blonde hair almost looked gold. But Nico knew something was bugging him, his smiled didn't reach his eyes and he seemed distracted, like he was seeing something more than the others. Nico knew better to worry as after the disaster of the oracles, the children of Apollo sometimes had a vision or a flashback. But he couldn't not worry, every time this happened, it made Will more distant. He knew Will won't share his vision with all the campers around, so he found another way to lighten his mood. He walked towards him and held his hand, he then reached up, grabbed Will's face and kissed him. Will response was so much more than the usual, it felt as if it wasn't desire, it was need. Like Will needed this kiss. This was so much different than their first kiss, during that time Nico couldn't say anything but blush. He didn't want the campers staring so he took Will's hand and they went to stand in the corner. Will was telling Nico something but suddenly Nico's knees buckled, he felt as if experiencing a black out, he fell, nauseated, but Will caught him before he hit his head. He couldn't understand at first, since he could control his blackouts generally, but then a dark feeling spread over him, like the one he feels when someone dies, but multiplied by a thousand. The pain was so strong that it felt as if someone has broken a piece of his heart. Then the memories flooded in his mind, standing in the cupid's cave with Jason, Jason asking him to stay at camp, Jason making Nico promise that he will continue to let in the new campers. The grief increased tenfold as realisation hit him, Jason Grace, his friend, his older brother, the first guy to know his secret, was no more. His soul had left this realm. Nico couldn't breathe, he understood Will saying something like, "What is it, Neeks?". He wanted to tell him, but his voice wouldn't work, he croaked, trying to form a sentence. "Jason is dead, he is dead" but he didn't know how much Will understood with the tears flowing and the sobbing. He tried to composed his voice and looked Will in the eyes. He couldn't speak more than a whisper but me managed, "Jason, he's dead."

He felt overwhelmed with the agony, he was angry and he couldn't think of a way to channel his anger. He called on the forces of underworld, wishing he could fade in the shadows. It took a lot of strength but he managed to hold his ground. Cracks erupted all around them, probably scaring the campers, but he couldn't see, his sight was blurred from the effort. He was still outrageously angry, so he was calling another forces when Will put his arms around Nico, restraining him. Nico wailed and thrashed but it was like he was held by iron chains. His vision became more strained and he felt drowsy and tired. He knew Will was doing this but he couldn't help but grab at whatever peaceful presence he felt. His shoves at Will grew slower and his eyes drooped, he collapsed in Will's arms, seeking shelter from this unbearable pain.