Disclaimer: All rights to Rick Riordan. I own nothing, but the plot.
Themes of self-harm, anxiety, and depression are expressed within this story. TRIGGER WARNING! Please do NOT read if these themes upset you. TRIGGER WARNING!
Criticism is appreciated, but please no hate. Please review and leave me suggestions! Enjoy!
Will's POV:
It had been two days since the meeting. The evening after the meeting, Reyna and Hazel had arrived on Arion in a frenzy. Frank had stayed behind at Camp Jupiter as praetor. Jason followed closely behind. They demanded to know everything, but Annabeth had made everyone swear not to tell the girls who the suspect was. Mostly because Annabeth was probably scared of Reyna killing Aaron if she found out his name. Will was tempted to do the same.
His mental state and physical health were deteriorating rapidly; he hadn't eaten or slept in three days. Anything Kayla tried to get him to eat, he ended up vomiting back up, his anxiety about Nico eating away at him. His hand was still throbbing since when he had punched the cabinet. He welcomed the pain, not allowing anyone to heal him. There had been no change in Nico's condition; he was still in a coma, injuries far from healed. There had also been no change on the investigation. Annabeth assured him that she had been looking, but so far nothing concrete had shown up. Will just wanted Aaron to pay the consequences for his actions.
Will was blankly staring at the common area. Kayla had restricted him from seeing Nico outside of the approved visiting hours. Bullshit. She was sitting next to Will, talking to him, but Will was tuning her out. Jason was sitting on his other side. Jason had been hanging around Will a lot the past couple of days, like a bodyguard. He wondered if Kayla and Cecil had asked him to do it. Cecil would usually spend a lot of time with him, as he was his best friend, but Will had been forbidden from telling Cecil what was going on. Will had one of Nico's Mythomagic figurines in his hands. Nico, over the break, had shown him how to play and had accidentally left the figure at Will's cabin. Will hadn't returned it yet. And thinking about how Nico's condition hadn't change, he didn't know if he was ever going to get the chance to.
Footsteps drew Will from his thoughts. He looked up to find Brandon, looking at Kayla with fearful eyes. He sounded winded as if he had been running. "Kayl-Kayla. Chiro- Chiron sent me. Nico... bad shape-" he gasped out.
Will's heart dropped. Kayla sprang into action. "Gods no."
The three siblings and Jason went sprinting across the camp to the Big House. They ran up the steps and opened the door. Kayla and Brandon ran into the infirmary with Will close behind. They headed straight towards the room Nico was in. Will glimpsed inside and saw blood all over Nico's sheets. He felt himself go numb and tried to step forward, but Chiron was blocking his and Jason's way.
"Will, you cannot come in here."
"He's going to die, isn't he?" Will asked. Chiron didn't answer. "Answer me!"
"I cannot allow you in here, Will. Not when you're in this condition!"
Will fought to get in. "I might be able to help! Let me try!"
"You couldn't do it last time. You won't be able to do it this time either!" Kayla shouted over her shoulder. The words stung Will. "And if you try to heal him when you are this exhausted, you'll hurt yourself. Now get out, so we can focus. Otherwise he's going to die."
Chiron shut the door in Will's face and locked it. He banged on the door, but to no avail. Jason pulled Will back from the door, whispering words of comfort. But the words fell on deaf ears. The fear Will was experiencing quickly turned into anger. He needed to find Aaron.
He ran from the infirmary, leaving Jason far behind. He ran into the arena. He thought the Ares cabin had a sword-fighting class during this time. He realized that wasn't for another hour. He yelled in frustration and grabbed a sword. He started hacking away at some straw dummies. His thoughts blanked as he let his rage and worry wash over him.
He didn't know how long he was there, hacking. Nothing was really getting accomplished as Will was not that skilled with a sword. His hands started to go numb. He threw the sword down. He hadn't gotten rid of his anger yet. It was still bubbling up inside of him. If he didn't find a way to dispel it, he was going to burst. He turned and ran into someone. He felt himself fall to the ground.
He pushed himself up. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't-" he cut himself off as he realized who he had run into.
"Oh man, are you okay?" Aaron asked, reaching out his hand to help Will up. Will refused his hand.
"Fine. Thanks." He said curtly. Aaron withdrew his hand sheepishly. It still had a bandage on it. The sight of the injury lit a fire inside Will. That was the fist that had put Nico in the infirmary. Will forced his voice to remain steady when he spoke. "How's your hand healing up?"
"Oh." The son of Ares looks at his hand. "It's almost all healed. Just a scratch now. Just keeping the bandage on for protection."
"How did you get that injury?" Will dared to ask.
Aaron turned red as he spluttered. "I- um- during the game, I-um- someone sliced it open."
"Sliced? That injury wasn't consistent with the slice of a sword," Will pointed out.
"It's a difficult game. It was also super dark. Maybe I hit it on something," Aaron seemed to recover his composure. "Why the interrogation? What's the problem here?"
"The problem-" Will's voice got louder, before he took a breath. He couldn't get into a fight with this guy. He had almost killed Nico. "The problem is that it looked like you split your knuckles... punching someone."
Fear appeared in Aaron's eyes. Will felt himself smirk. Got him. "What are you insinuating?"
"I just thought it was interesting that you were the only one who knew where Nico was. And your hand had injuries that matched the wounds that Nico had on his body." Will shrugged. "But what do I know? I'm just a homosexual. Isn't that's why you beat up Nico?"
"You better back off," Aaron threatened.
But Will was just getting started. "What are you gonna do? Beat me up too? Just like you did Nico?" Will taunted. "You could have killed him, you know that. But that's what Drew wanted you to do, huh?"
Aaron looked defensive. "I don't-even-even know what you're talking about. I've never even met this kid. And what does Drew have anything to do with this?"
So, he's touchy about Drew?
Will decided to push Aaron just a little further. "She has everything to do with it. She's the boss of you, isn't she?"
"You need to watch your mou-"
"Always in control. Bending you to her will. Tell me, do you enjoy being ordered around like a dog?"
His words were met with fury. Aaron punched him in the jaw. Will felt himself fall back. He hit the ground hard. Will welcomed the pain and the attack. It gave him an excuse to fight back. He grabbed his cheek as he used his elbows to prop himself up.
"Got a little temper, do we?"
"Shut up!"
"Did that temper come out when you were beating up my boyfriend?" Will spat blood at Aaron's shoe.
Aaron let out a strangled yell and launched himself at Will. Will rolled out of the way so Aaron hit the ground hard. Will got quickly to his knees and attempted to punch Aaron in the face, but Aaron avoided his fist and lunged forward, effectively tackling and pining Will to the ground. Aaron put his arm against Will's throat and Will started choking. He tried to push Aaron off, but he was too strong.
Suddenly, the weight on Will's chest was lifted. Air flowed into his lungs as he coughed, sitting up. Clarisse had grabbed her brother, hauling him back. The Ares cabin had arrived for their sword-fighting class.
"What the hell are you doing?" She screamed, face red as she struggled to hold him back.
Will got up, rage in his stomach, as he prepared to launch himself at Aaron. He wanted to make this guy pay. But he was pulled back.
"No! Let me go!" He screamed as he struggled to get away from his attacker.
"Fighting isn't going to solve anything, Will!" Jason's voice sounded in his ear.
Jason must have followed the Ares cabin, looking for Will. Will continued to try to fight towards Aaron, as Aaron did the same, but Jason hit the back of his knee. He crumbled down to a kneeling position, Jason's arm still around him.
"He did it!" Will screamed at Jason. "He needs to pay!"
"That guy is insane!" Aaron gesticulated wildly at Will. "He came out of nowhere and attacked me."
"You absolute liar!" Will struggled to break free from Jason's grasp. "You are a liar. You beat up Nico! It was you! You are why he's dying right now!"
Aaron stopped fighting Clarisse. "Clarisse, who are you going to believe? A guy who looks like he hasn't slept in days and is worried about his boyfriend, or your own brother?"
"At this point, I'm not sure who to believe." She looked at Will sadly. She didn't believe him.
"He attacked me!" Will defended. "He attacked me!"
"Will, calm down!" Jason pleaded. "You aren't making yourself look good behaving like this."
Will looked around. Their fight had drawn a crowd. Will slowly got up, Jason releasing his grip. He lunged forward again, but Jason grabbed him, pushing him in the opposite direction.
"Walk it off, Will," Jason muttered.
"Yeah, remember this when you try to attack me again," Aaron dared to say.
"Will, no!" Jason turned, but it was too late.
Will whipped around, storming up to Aaron. He pointed a finger in his face "You attacked me! You're the one who is insecure about themselves that you decide to take it out on people who you think are lesser than you!"
Jason grabbed Will's arms, pulling him back.
"Jason, you have to believe me!" Will turned in Jason's arm. Tears started running down his face, mixing with the blood that was already dripping. "Nico's- Nico's dying-" he sobbed, not even caring about the crowd he was drawing. "And it's his fault!" He buried his head into Jason's shoulder. "It's my fault."
"It's not your fault," Jason whispered. "It's his fault." He glared at Aaron, making sure his next words were audible. "And we are going to make him pay." Jason put his hands onto Will's shoulder and pulled him away, looking into Will's eyes. "Now let's go get you cleaned up."
Will let himself be steered away from the arena. When he glanced up, he saw campers looking at him with worry and pity in their eyes. He looked to the ground, unable to face anyone. Jason led him into his cabin. He opened the door and instructed Will to sit on the bed. He did as he was told, and Jason disappeared behind the corner. Will looked around. He had never been inside the Zeus cabin before. There was a giant statue of the King of Olympus, looking creepily down on Will. Will felt himself shiver. He would not be able to sleep with his dad looming over him.
He peered into a little alcove. Jason had adorned it with photos. There was a picture of him and Thalia, laughing. Another depicted Percy aiming a ball of water towards him. Piper was kissing his cheek. Leo and Piper with their hands around his shoulders. Frank and Jason sword fighting. And the final picture he noticed was one of Nico and Jason. Nico was glowering, his arms crossed over his chest, while Jason smiled, his eyes squinted, arm around Nico's shoulder. The sight of his boyfriend sent pain through Will's body. He turned away from the photos. Nico was dying and Will was picking fights. He breathed deeply in. He just wanted Nico to be okay.
Jason reappeared, holding a wet washcloth and an ice pack. He placed the ice pack on the table and stood right in front of Will. He gently grabbed Will's chin, pushing it upwards. Will flinched in pain but let Jason work. Jason carefully started sponging off the blood and snot from Will's face. Will could feel the black eye forming. He let Jason take care of him. He finished removing the blood and put the now red washcloth on the table. He handed the ice pack to Will who gratefully accepted it, allowing the numbness to wash over him.
"What happened?" Jason inquired.
"I-I went looking for Aaron," Will admitted sheepishly.
Jason's eyes widened. "Do you know stupid that was?"
"Yeah, I'm plenty aware of that right now." Will allowed the sarcasm to shine through his words. "I didn't know what I was going to do when I found him. He's ten times stronger than me. But I went to the arena, to wait for the Ares cabin to start their lesson. Eventually, Aaron showed up. I started taunting him and accused him of beating up Nico. Then he attacked me. He started the fight. But I didn't care. I wanted to fight him. I wanted to make him pay. I wanted him to feel the pain and suffering that I was feeling. And that Nico is feeling."
Jason looked shocked at Will's words. "You- I- Will-"
Will removed the ice pack, closing his eyes, not wanting to see the terrified expression on Jason's face. "I know. I shouldn't have wanted to hurt him. It's against my morals. As a person. And as a healer." His eyes opened as he sought out Jason's eyes. "But my rage just came over me. I couldn't stop myself. I just- I felt like Nico- I needed to get revenge on Aaron."
"Hurting him isn't going to make you feel better." Jason pointed out.
Will clenched his hand in a fist. "I didn't even hurt him anyway. I had no chance. He had the advantage."
"Well, maybe it's better that he did," Jason said. "If you had hurt him and put him in the infirmary, you would be under just as much scrutiny as he is. You might face the same fate that he does."
"Yeah," Will murmured, not seeming to want to contribute anymore.
Jason's POV:
Jason had convinced Will that he needed to go to the infirmary, as his healing skills weren't up to par with the Apollo cabin. Will knocked on the infirmary. They were still locked. He wanted to check on Nico. Kayla looked up from her table. She came over quickly and unlocked the door.
"What happened to you?" She gasped, seeing his black eye.
"How is he?" Will asked.
"Answer my question first, Will," Kayla demanded, trying to grab Will's face. He stepped back so she couldn't touch him.
"He got into a fight with Aaron Stevenson," Jason informed.
Kayla's eyes went wide. "William! What on earth has gotten into you?" She led him into the infirmary and sat him on a bed.
"My boyfriend is dying. I tend to get a little angry when the person I love is dying." Will snapped. "How is he?"
Kayla looked exhausted as she brought some salve for Will's eye. "Chiron is still in there. We stabilized him as best as we could. But, he's still in bad shape."
"I want to see him."
"You can't."
"Kayla, please," Will begged. "I want to help him!"
"I'm sorry. You can't see him. And you are in no condition to be using your powers," She tried to put the salve on Will's face as Will fought her off. "Let me help you!"
"I don't need help!" He pushed Kayla away, standing. "Nico does. What am I supposed to do? I can't just sit here, Kayla! " Will started pulling on his hair. Jason could see the frustration boiling up in the son of Apollo.
"Working yourself up in a fit isn't going to solve anything," Kayla explained, noticing Will's anxiety. Will started pacing like a caged animal. He started breathing heavily. Jason had seen these signs before. Will was about to have a panic attack.
"I don't know what to do! I feel so helpless, so weak! There is nothing I can do for him. Nothing." Will was wringing his hands. The cut that was on his injured hand reopened. Kayla guided him back towards one of the beds.
"You are not weak or helpless," Kayla reassured.
"Then why did you say I was when you kicked us out of the infirmary?!" Will yelled.
Kayla looked shocked. She had forgotten her hurtful words. "I didn't mean that Will."
"But it's true! I couldn't heal him. I couldn't. And now he's dying. I just need Nico to be okay." Will's voice cracked as tears started flowing down his face.
Kayla wrapped her arms around Will. Will melted into her arms, starting to sob. Jason felt for him; the whole world was on his shoulders and he was expected to heal impossible injuries. But he was still only 15. He was concerned about Nico too and hadn't been able to see him yet.
Kayla whispered his name. Jason raised his eyebrow. She was still embracing the sobbing Will. She indicated to the table where a syringe lay. Jason picked it up and handed it to her. He had a feeling about what was about to happen.
Kayla kissed Will's forehead. "I'm sorry, Will." She whispered, before plunging the needle into his arm.
He gasped, pushing away from Kayla, but she held on tightly. His eyes looked betrayed as they started fluttering shut. He stopped fighting and Kayla slowly lowered him to the mattress.
"No," he moaned, but he was already too far gone. He slipped out of consciousness.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." Kayla apologized. "He was on the verge of a panic attack and he hasn't slept or eaten for three days-"
"You don't have to explain. As hard as it is for him, it must be insanely difficult for you to see him like this." Jason sympathized.
He was worried about Nico and Will. He was worried Will was going to hurt himself. He was glad Kayla had intervened.
"He was going to make himself sick." Kayla sounded like she was trying to assure herself.
She prepped an IV drip to get some food into Will.
"Maybe Nico will wake up by the time Will sleeps off his sedative," Jason hoped.
She slid the needle into Will's arm. The IV started pumping into Will's system. She removed Will's shoes and threw the sheet over him. She rubbed some salve on the bruise that was quickly forming around Will's eye.
"I hate seeing Will like this. He's usually so calm and relaxed. Violence isn't in his nature."
"When do you think he will go back to normal?" Jason voiced his concern.
"Not until Nico wakes up." She admitted. "But even then, now that this side of him has been revealed, I don't know if he can go back to normal."