The next time I wake up, I feel oddly content, which is unusual for me. I have gotten to the point where happiness is no longer a surprise, but this warm, satisfied feeling is foreign. I crack open my eyes and yawn, stretching out my, unfortunately, still feline body.
"Hey, did you enjoy your cat nap?" A deep, soft voice asks me. It takes a moment to figure out why Will would be in my cabin. But then I remember I fell asleep when he was carrying me to the infirmary. I stretch a bit more to loosen my muscles then lick down my bed-fur. Will sighs and I look up to see him grinning. "You really are adorable, Death Boy." He tells me. I hiss halfheartedly then continue what I was doing. "You slept through most of my shift, so I'll be off in a few minutes, and then we can see about getting you something to eat." He continues, "It'll be dinner soon anyways."
I finish grooming and just watch him as he fills out some sort of paperwork. The infirmary is nearly empty except for a snoozing daughter of Ares so I guess that Will hasn't had much to do. That's good. He works himself to the bone if he is able, so it is nice that he can get a break every once in a while.
As he writes, his brows are drawn just enough for a small wrinkle to appear on his forehead and his mouth is the closest approximation to a frown that he has probably ever made. I hop up onto his lap and he stiffens in surprise. "Death Boy?" He asks as if expecting an explanation, which he knows I can't give. This is the embodiment of an action I will blame on the curse in the future, but he is so warm and wonderfully solid that it is a feat of superhuman self-control not to cuddle him whenever possible. I'm honestly proud that I managed when I was human. But, now that I have a convenient curse, I feel no shame in indulging myself.
"Hey, Will, is Nico with you?" Jason's voice asks from a few feet away, but I don't move, being entirely too comfortable where I am. A second later, the sky god's son lets out a high pitched "awwwwww". I look up at him then at Will's red face. "This is so cute. I wish I had a camera." Jason then starts to laugh.
"W-what did you want him for?" Will sputters, embarrassed, but I still don't move.
"Right, um, Chiron just told me about his condition and I wanted to see him. And, man, did I get more than I bargained for. Did you know he hissed at me when I tried to touch him earlier?" Jason says, "Now here he is, all cozy with you. I'd be jealous if you two weren't so cute together."
I hiss at Jason and jump down, tired of his teasing. "I'm gonna go IM Piper and tell her." He laughs again and runs out before I am able to do anything else. Stupid lightning bastard. I hiss after him.
"Oh, yeah," The idiot pops his head back in. "Lou Ellen said to meet her at Zeus' fist." He informs us then runs off again.
I look to Will in excitement. Maybe they've found a cure, or at least something to help. "Mrooww!" I voice my thoughts the only way I can, but he seems to get it since he nods.
"Yeah, I'm done here anyways. Let's go." He seems like he is about to pick me up again then blushes and just walks out. I'm sure Jason is the cause of this. I'll make sure to pay him back next I see him… As I plot Jason's demise, I have to half-run to keep up with Will. We reach the meeting spot in no time and see Lou Ellen there along with Artemis. Which is surprising to say the least. The two women appear to be arguing, but they stop as we approach.
"So, Nico, you are still convinced that my request is impossible?" The Lady asks. I stay silent. It is impossible. "Chiron called me down here to bargain, though that is hardly my normal modus operando. However, I have agreed with him to give you communications with a single person. For your sisters sake. She truly was a fine woman. So, choose who will be able to hear you. But I must provide a warning: whoever it is may get glimpses of thoughts you hadn't meant to share."
I gulp at that and meow: Will this wear off when the curse does?
She grins, "Partially. You see, to be able to sense a person's thoughts, you must be bonded to them in a way that is not easily reversed. However, if it comforts you, you will be able to read them in the same way."
Even if I wanted that, no one would agree if it meant I was in their head, too. Thank you for the generous offer, milady, but I must decline. I think to her, remembering to be polite.
"Are you sure?" She smirks. "William, your kitten is convinced that being so bonded with him is a risk no one should have to partake. Do you agree?"
He seems startled when the goddess calls his name, but regains his composure, only to frown at me. "N-no. Of course not. I'll do it, if he's okay with that." My eyes widen and I stare at the blond while Artemis practically preens.
"So, I'll only offer this to you once more, child of Hades. Choose." She says.
I sigh. I don't know if it will be worth it in the end, but something tells me to take her up on her offer. And I don't see myself returning to normal anytime soon, so being able to talk to someone might be useful… I would be grateful, my Lady.
She smiles gracefully down at me then a pale light surrounds Will and me. Holy shit. I hear him project, only to realize that he didn't speak. When the light fades, Artemis is gone and Lou Ellen is staring at us, aghast.
What's wrong with her? "Meow?" I wonder. Will looks startled for a moment then smiles.
"No idea." He says to me and I can, quite literally, feel the happiness coming from him. "Lou, why are you staring at us like that?"
"T-the spell she cast on you… It is, um… Maybe I shouldn't say, actually." She sighs.
I hiss at the same time Will says, "Well, you have to now. We want to know."
"Okay, I guess. Um. It can be incredibly harmful to both parties if a condition isn't met. When you guys came up, I was trying to get her to use some other spell, but she just kept saying that her repertoire was not as wide as Hecate, so you would have to make do with what she had." The magic girl faded off, still obviously leaving out part.
"And? What was the condition?" Will asks and I stare at her.
"You have to be almost perfectly compatible, personality-wise. This may sound easy enough but really only one pair in maybe a thousand meet that requirement." She explains. I'd laugh if I could. So Mister Death-and-Destruction is compatible with Mister Sunshine-and-Happiness? Who'd have thought?
However, a second later I start to realize what this could mean in regard to a relationship—only to shut that line of thinking down with a huff. I really need to stop acting so twitter pated. At least I wasn't this mushy when it came to Percy.
"Oh," Will says, causing me to look at him. His cheeks are dusted with a layer of pink. I squash any hope that might bloom by reminding myself that this is probably just awkward for him. "Well, I'm glad it worked." He then says decisively. Lou Ellen glances at the two of us for a second then laughs.
"Well, if anything, this should be interesting at least." She chuckles again then traipses down the hill, leaving Will and me alone.
So, you can hear my thoughts? I test our "bond" once more.
He nods. "Seems so. But I think you have to intentionally want them to be heard, otherwise I just get impressions." He says then gasps. "But I swear I won't try to snoop around in your head that be horrible!"
Jeez, sunshine, I didn't think you would. I huff a few times. Apparently that is the cat approximation to laughter. I just… It's weird that we would be compatible, I think.
"Really?" He sits next to me so he doesn't have to look down quite as far. "I don't think so. I mean, we are kind of opposites except for in the most important stuff. So, it makes perfect sense to me."
What important stuff?
He waves a hand, "Like values and what-not. The stuff that really determines who you are." I'm still not entirely sure what he means, but I don't ask anything more. He still explains though, possibly picking up my residing confusion. "Like, neither of us is particularly judgmental, and we both, in or own way, help others. So, it's like the deepest parts of us are alike and it is just the rest of it that is so different." I blink, a warm feeling washes over me at having "the important stuff" in common with him.
AN: UUUggggghhhhhhh. I feel like I haven't been on here in FOREVER. School's been horrid lately and my motivation has been ridiculously low. So sorry! Maybe that'll change?