Unspoken Feelings

I could feel it creeping up on me. The darkness, that feeling of inadequacy and sadness. As I sat at yet another campfire months after Gaea's defeat, I finally saw the terrified looks returning, the flinching when I appeared. I had been expecting it, but that didn't dull the pain I felt.

I looked around at everyone from my place at the back, taking in their faces, knowing this might be the last time I saw them. I saw Jason singing along with Will Solace, both of them terribly out of tune but not caring. To their right I saw Katie Gardener and Travis Stoll arguing as they often did, but it was in a playful way ever since they started dating. Then there was Austin and Kayla, attempting to fix the mess Jason had caused with his awful singing.

I found myself grinning, if only for a moment, at the people who I had come to care for. It was too bad, I suppose that they did not care for me as I cared for them. And even if I had been considering staying, one of my only friends was going away to a private school in a few months. So, staying didn't make sense for me.

I felt a tear slide down my cheek but brushed it away quickly, knowing if I let myself feel anything that I would stay. But I knew, deep down that I needed to leave. Better to leave now while they still had good memories of me than leave with them regretting meeting me.

I took one last look at the happy scene before turning my back on them and heading into the woods. I blended in perfectly and I doubted anyone noticed me leave. They would probably notice tomorrow when they weren't constantly looking over their shoulders and jumping in fear.

My feet crunched the dry leaves on the forest floor making it impossible to be silent. I sighed loudly in annoyance before I continued on. I shivered in the cold, wishing I had something more than just my aviators' jacket. But my decision was a spontaneous one so I would have to make do.

I walked quickly through the forest, attempting to put as much distance between me and the camp as fast as possible. I couldn't have anyone wandering off and dragging me back. I made my way to Bunker nine, one of the only landmarks in the forest. Once I reached the Bunker, I headed West, towards who knows where.

I had been trudging along for a while when I groaned in frustration as I realised, I was lost. In the dark all the trees looked the same, making it impossible to navigate. And while I would normally shadow travel, Will had warned me that if I were to try it again in my weakened state I would dissolve into the shadows. And I wasn't particularly keen on dying just yet.

"You lost?" I heard a voice call from behind me. I whirled around immediately, sword in hand and pointed in the direction if the voice. I relaxed almost immediately, realising it was just Will. Not that Will Solace was just anything.

"No. I don't get lost."

"Well camp is back that way," he said pointing behind him, "and you're headed in the opposite direction."

"That's kind of the point."

Will stopped midsentence as he realised what I meant, anger and hurt crossing his face. With that look I felt a strange pang in my chest. I wasn't expecting this to hurt him so much. I didn't expect it to hurt him at all.

"You better not be saying what I think you're saying," he finally said breaking the silence that had fallen between us.

"You really expected me to stay."

"I did actually," he replied hotly. "Up until today I was certain of that. You were just pranking Katie with Travis yesterday and helping Jason teach the new campers to fight. You seemed happy but I guess nothing is ever enough for you is it."

"What are you on about."

"Your whole act of 'Oh no-one likes me' when everyone does in fact like you and you're just paranoid. Every time I think you've finally settled down you decide it's time to up and leave. Why do you keep doing this? It's not like we don't care about you."

"You want to know why I keep doing this. Fine. I keep doing this because despite what you think, people don't like me. I waved at a girl the other day and she ran in the other direction. When I was helping those kids yesterday, I went to adjust a kid's grip, and they flinched away from me."

"Those people don't know you yet and you're kind of intimidating."

"I am but it's not just because of me, it's because of my father and the stupid powers that came with being his son. Which is why no-one wants to know me, and they talk about me like I'm a monster. But no, everyone likes me and wants me to stay. They definitely wouldn't be glad I left." I said sarcastically

"Well I wouldn't. And neither would Jason or Travis or Katie or Harley or Austin and Kayla. People care about you here Nico, you just don't want to see it."

"Well what happens when Jason leaves for boarding school. Or when Katie and Travis go to college. And Austin and Kayla only tolerate me because of you!"

"I'll still be here!"

"No, you won't! Because it's only a matter of time before you figure out what everyone else has already assumed. I'm a freak and broken and no-one wants that."

"No, you're not Nico. You're a brave, funny, kind kid with an unhealthy obsession with the colour black and Mythomagic. You say you hate the sun, but you actually love it. You hate swimming and love capture the flag. You're an amazing person and anyone would be lucky to meet you."

"You're just saying that because you have to."

"Why do I have to? There's no-one here except me and you. I'm telling you the truth. But for some reason, you're too blind to see that."

"Why though Will? Why do you care?"

"Do I really have to spell it out for you Nico? I like you. A lot. But I obviously haven't made it clear enough if we're having this conversation."

"I…I… I… what?" I stuttered in shock, staring at Will in confusion.

"Ahh screw it," he said, striding towards me. I just stood there frozen as he gripped my face between his hands and kissed me. It wasn't gentle but felt like he was crashing into me. I was frozen, completely in shock as he pulled away.

"I'm sorry Nics, I shouldn't have done that. I don't know-" he stammered but I cut him off with another kiss, twining my fingers in his golden hair. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. I forgot all about my earlier doubts and lost myself in Will.

I couldn't believe it. Will Solace was kissing me! When I finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine, grinning. And I found myself grinning back.

"Took you long enough Sunshine," he whispered as he pulled him in for another kiss.