It's been a year since the war with Gaea. Nico was practically in Tartarus after all of the hell he'd gone through.

He lay in bed, miserably. All he could think was: Will's gone.

His first kiss, the first person he dreamed of a future with. Gone. To his father. Just like that.

Gone.

He didn't believe it, but he knew it was real.

One too many healing jobs, I suppose. He just wanted to get out! Nico could feel the tears running down his face. He just wanted to get out.

Flashback to earlier that day

"…Colchis bulls." The emergency siren had just rung, and everyone on shift sprinted up to Thalia's pine tree.

"Are you kidding me?" Percy wheezed. "They're back?"

Annabeth laughed humorlessly. "Don't almost get killed by one again, Seaweed Brain."

"I know, I know," he grumbled. "'I owe my life to Tyson' and all that."

Nico ran up the hill, deep in thought. He took no notice to Solace joining the group after talking to Clarisse.

"Di Angelo!" Clarisse jostled him out of his thoughts. "Watch your boyfriend."

"Solace? What are you doing here?" Nico frowned at Will.

"Thanks for the warm welcome, Death Boy," Will laughed. "I just needed to get out of the infirmary."

"Okay… but stay near me. Don't get hurt."

"I pinky promise," Will said jokingly. Nico winced at the memory. He hadn't kept the promise.

"Good." Nico nodded firmly.

"Alright," Clarisse yelled, stopping. "We've got a couple demigods holding them off, but they need us. Let's do battle plan Hephaestus III." A couple of people nodded, and they crept up the hill.

The beginning of the battle passed by in a blur. Clarisse, Piper, and Percy triple-teamed one bull and it was gone in a matter of seconds. Nico had to admit, they were an unstoppable team. But, really, he was focused on keeping Will alive.

They were attacking the flanks of the other bull, but, before long, Jason was on top of the bull. He didn't succeed in anything except making it terribly mad and causing it to spit fire everywhere. You know the usual.

"Get down," Nico growled, pushing Will to the ground and jumping down with him. They ducked as a spiral of fire was sent their way, watching Percy valiantly hit the bull on its butt to get its attention, allowing Jason to jump off. What a hero.

"Aphrodite IV," Clarisse called. Everyone went easy on the bull, and then, suddenly, sprang upon it, slashing as much as possible.

Will left Nico's side, to tend to some of the wounded. Before Nico noticed anything was wrong, Piper was on the ground, a huge burn on her arm. Will had to be valiant; he ran over to help her. The bull probably thought, 'Oh, look, injured kids. I want to burn them to a crisp.' So the bull followed Will.

It is clear that Will noticed the bull. Nico sprinted to catch up with him. "Don't risk yourself!" Nico called. "It's not worth it!"

Will looked back, clearly torn. "I have to help her." He sighed, kissed Nico on the cheek, and ran again. He said quickly, "Non importa quello che succede sarà sempre nel mio cuore." Nico remembered when he had been teaching Will Italian. The first thing Nico had said to Will, once Will was somewhat fluent, was those words. His heart panged, hearing Will's voice saying, first in Italian and then in English: No matter what happens, you will always be in my heart.

Not much detail is needed in telling about the demise of Will Solace. He died heroically, pushing Piper out of the way and taking the burn himself. Nico had stared in horror at the pile of ashes that was his first true love, and then in anger, terrible, terrible anger, at the bull. Skeletons rose, Nico's blade tore through the bronze like it was putty, and before anyone could blink there was bronze and bones melting into the ground, a sobbing Nico about to go with them.

Flashback over

What seemed like decades but was really hours later, Nico somehow found himself back in his cabin, slowly recounting what happened and breaking down in tears again. How could this happen, to him, of all people? Gods, hasn't he suffered enough?

A loud noise hit his ears, and he froze, but quickly realized it was just thunder. Thunder? He walked out onto the Hades cabin balcony. It never rained here. The camp reflected his mood.

The balcony was enchanted; it was Nico's alone space. No one could see him up here; no one else could come up here.

Nico pulled himself up onto the railing, carelessly letting his feet dangle. Letting the rain wash his tears away. The rain washed it all away.

"Will…" he mumbled. "Tu sei il mio sole. You are my Sunshine, Solace. Sorry I never told you."

And just like that, Will was there next to him. It was probably just Nico's mind playing tricks on him, but there he sat, his tall lanky form chuckling at Nico. "Tu sei la mia morte ragazzo. You are my Death Boy, di Angelo. Sorry I told you every day."

"Will," Nico said, tears in his eyes again. "I can't live without you." And just like when Nico was suicidal, Will leaned over and grabbed his hand.

"You go, I go," Will promised. Nico had never gone.

"You go, I go," Nico repeated. Will had already gone. "One."

"Two."

"Three," Nico finished, squeezing Will's hand. He jumped.

Ti amerò per sempre, Solace.

Ti amerò per sempre, di Angelo.

To the Seven of the Prophecy:

Percy: Thanks for making me laugh, for having my back, and for constantly mentioning how you're not my type. Thanks for being awesome enough that even I had to have a crush on you.

Annabeth: Thanks for supporting me, always, and for letting me tell in my own time. I'm sorry if my cowardice disappoints you. Ricordati di me.

Piper: It's not your fault; don't blame you. I can't live without Mr. Sunshine. I'll see you soon, in Elysium. Live life to the fullest, regardless of if I'm here or not.

Jason: You're my best friend, and you know me. So you should understand that I need to go see Solace. Thanks, Jason. For everything. I'll be down there waiting for you, I swear it on the Styx.

Hazel: I love you, Sis. And I'm sure it's torture putting you through what I had to go through for Bianca. But I will not be reborn, and I will be down there waiting for you, Frank, and all your babies to come. Don't worry, I am such a proud uncle.

Frank: Take good care of Hazel. I don't know you very well, man, but she needs to be able to move on from this.

Leo: You are a terrible comedian, but I really appreciate you keeping the mood light. Thanks a ton.

To all: I love you. You guys are my best friends. I'm going to be with my love. I will see you in Elysium.

-Nico di Angelo