A/N: I don't know how many children of Apollo there are, so I'm only doing the ones mentioned - Kayla, and Austin. That's why you don't notice any other Apollo campers. There probably are more, but let's just assume they are somewhere else in Camp Half-Blood at certain times. — SilverStreaksofStardust

A/N: Here's another chapter, enjoy reading! And – as always – let us know what you think! I'm sorry that Nico's part is a bit short this time, I'll try to write more the next time! — Hashtag

Disclaimer: Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus are the intellectual property of Rick Riordan. We own nothing but the plot.

Nico

I woke up to the sound of somebody sneaking out of my room. I could tell that they were trying to be careful, but you don't live, like, two years on your own without improving your senses and learning not to let people know you're awake. Loneliness is the best survival trainer. I could hear whoever-they-were slowly make their way to the door, and without moving, I opened an eye, just in time to see Will open the door.

"Were do you think you're going?" Ouch, I hadn't intended to sound so harsh. And if my memory served me correctly, I owed him a lot for being able to wake me up in the middle of a nightmare. I mumbled something along the lines of "sorry", and Will froze in his tracks.

"Did you just say… sorry?" he tentatively asked. I said, "um, yeah?", unsure what this conversation was about. Will didn't let me in the dark for long, though.

"You never say sorry!" he stuttered, strictly avoiding to look into my eyes, though it seemed to me that his gaze flickered at my hair for a second. Maybe it was a bit messy from tossing and turning in bed during my nightmare?

"Um, well", oh, wow, now I was stuttering as well, "I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I mean, it's not like I'd have any right to command you to stay, and you have patients to check up on and everything… nah, forget about it, I'm rambling." During the whole monologue, I had felt my cheeks heating, and I was pretty sure that I radiated the ultimate I'm-dying-from-mortification-vibe™. And I knew quite good why Will was the only person who could make me stammer like that. Maybe I should ask him to invent a medicine against romance.

"So," I tried to change the subject, "we were at the point where I ask you why you were leaving my room."

Will shuffled his feet, a faint blush visible on his tanned face, and I had the distinct feeling that he was keeping something from me when he muttered, "just, um, you know. Work. As you said, patients and everything. So… yeah. Gotta go." He left without really waiting for my answer. I wasn't really in any condition to run after him, but even if I would have been, I wouldn't. Me of all people should understand when someone doesn't want too personal questions. He wouldn't pry either, so who would I be to do so?

My firm intent not to question him about it didn't last long, however. To be precise, until noon. What was it that made Will look so guilty and self-conscious? I needed to know, and, if possible, help him. He had helped me through my nightmare even though he had stormed off angrily yesterday, he had come to me when I had needed his soothing presence. It was the least I could do to repay the favor. Which was why I was now pushing the door of the Apollo cabin open.

"Will? I'm here to—" I stopped mid-sentence. "—talk" I finished lamely, staring at the sight in front of me. Will lay on his bed, his hands clutching at his pillows, his face averted from me.

But it was obvious that he was crying.

Will

Apparently the son of Hades didn't at all sleep like the dead like people say.

When I was about to make my way out, Nico called, "Where do you think you're going?" and soon after, shockingly, a 'Sorry'. I went rigid. Did you just say . . . sorry? I wondered, but I must've said that out loud, because Nico replied, "Um, yeah?"

"You never say sorry," I breathed out. I tried not to look in his eyes, because I knew I'll be distracted while looking into his eyes. His hair was cutely tousled - and I normally would've chuckled at the sight, but now wasn't the right time.

"Um, well, I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I mean, it's not like I'd have any right to command you to stay, and you have patients to check up on and everything… nah, forget about it, I'm rambling." He turned crimson, which you could clearly see against his pale skin. "So," he quickly said, "we were at the point where I ask you why you were leaving my room."

Ah, back to the main point. I shifted, thinking of various excuses. "Just, um, you know. Work. As you said, patients and everything. So . . . yeah. Gotta go." I quickly raced outside the infirmary, squeezing my eyes shut. Why do I feel this way? It hurts - much more than I had ever expected.

"Hey, Will? Is something up?" Austin raced up to me, and I planted a smile on my face. I forgot that he was here for his morning shift.

"Can you please take my afternoon spot? I don't feel too well. I'll owe you back for tomorrow morning," I said in a rush, fearing I will blurt something regrettable out.

Austin wavered, his eyes looking back to the direction I just came from, then studied me. My smile was starting to hurt, but I kept it on. "Okay," he eventually said. "Hope you feel better soon."

I rubbed my neck, while making my way to the Apollo cabin. I doubt it.

Kayla was not in the cabin - maybe at the Dining Pavilion. Her night shifts usually caused her to stay in her bed in the morning, but perhaps she somehow knew I will need to be alone.

I went on my bed, staring up. There was nothing really interesting to look at - I could make out marks and bumps on the white ceiling. If you repaint a layer, it still won't cover the flaws.

After a moment, my mind wandered over to Nico di Angelo - when did it never? Last night I wondered if he recollected the memory of my arms wrapped around his body, and him relaxing. He was usually alert and cautious, and I wanted him to know that loosening up was a good thing. I couldn't blame him, though; always watching and looking around for any future enemies or monsters, Nico had a hard life.

So . . . if he and Jason want to be together, they can. Tears stung in my eyes, because I knew I was letting the most amazing - bravest, smart, cute, funny adorable boy go.

A part of my heart had a gap that only the Italian could fill. It was only him. Nico. Di. Angelo.

Why can't love be easy? Why can't . . . I swallowed, rolling over to my side. My usual optimistic self was gone, replaced with sadness and heartache. I had to let go and move on. For him.

Footsteps sounded, and the door to the cabin opened. I slowly let out a shaky breath, hoping my eyes weren't red. Maybe it was Austin, coming back to check up on me. My thoughts interrupted, when a familiar voice rang out.

"Will? I'm here to—" Nico paused, and I felt his gaze studying over me, "—talk."

There was a moment of silence, and my throat constricted. Gods, he knew. He knew I wasn't okay. I wiped my eyes quickly, slowly sitting up.

Okay, I can do this. I can face Death Boy, and explain that I understand him and Jason together. I can tell him everything - well, maybe not everything.

I turned around to face his concerning eyes, and bit my lip.

No, I can't.