AN: So this chapter is in Will's POV.
It's… weird, Nico being a cat. Though I suppose it is even stranger for him. I don't know if Artemis' curse affected his personality too, but he has been more affectionate since this happened. That part hasn't been bad, I guess. And now that we can communicate, it is much easier. I hadn't realized, however, just how deep the bond Artemis gave us went…
I wake from my sleep feeling an overwhelming panic that, somehow, I know isn't mine. Nico! I bolt out of bed, slip into my sandals, and search for him. It takes much longer than I'd hoped, but I finally find him sitting on a cliff. Actually I almost missed him because his fur is so dark and he is tiny, but my eyes had adjusted pretty well to the darkness and I noticed his tail shifting in annoyance. "N-Nico?" I call, alerting him to my presence. He stiffens for a second then looks at me. His eyes have a silver-y sheen to them and his pupils are almost completely round. I just look at them for a second and think of how often I wished I could never stop staring into them. His eyes are what changed the least during his transformation. They are still such a dark brown that you almost can't tell where his pupils start. But they change ever so slightly with his emotions, being the darkest when he is angry and a chocolatey color when he's happy. I'm not sure about other times, but I really hope I learn what every shade means. The only difference from normal is that his pupils are usually slitted now. "What's wrong? I felt something, I'm not sure what, but it felt like you were upset." I say as gently as I can. He looks away and I feel an inexplicable pang of loss. "Nico, please tell me."
I'm sorry I woke you. It—I had a nightmare o-of Tartarus. They don't happen nearly as often as they used to, but that just means it is that much worse when it does. His tiny body starts shaking and I feel some of the pain rolling off of him in waves.
"Oh, gods, I'm so sorry, Nico. I remember you had one when you stayed at the infirmary once. Do you want to talk about it?" I sit down beside him, not sure what I should do.
No. I just want to forget it. I really am sorry I woke you. I didn't mean to. A shiver passes through him. I don't know whether it was from the wind or something else, but I gather him in my lap and, when he doesn't protest, start smoothing his fur.
"Don't apologize!" I reprimand him, "You're the one who had to re-live hell. I'm glad I woke. I want to be able to be here when you need someone." He seems to relax as I continue to pet him, but I feel his annoyance at himself when he feels me shiver.
You should go back inside. I'm sorry I drug you out here.
"Nico di Angelo, stop apologizing. It isn't your fault you had a nightmare and I came out here on my own." I frown and hold him closer as I stand.
Okay… I can make it back to my cabin on my own. You needn't carry me. Besides it would just take longer for you to get back to yours.
"Nico, I'm not letting you sleep in your cabin all alone after that. I'm staying with you tonight." I inform him.
You can't. You're not allowed to spend the night at a different cabin.
"Screw that. When have you cared about camp rules anyways?" I ask. "I'm not leaving you alone tonight, Death Boy." He remains silent, but I feel him start to purr and my heart stutters. He warms me up a little on the walk to his cabin, and when I get inside, I thank the gods for AC. "Are you tired?" I ask, holding back a yawn.
He looks at me for a second before replying No, but you are. Sleep, I'll wake you if I need anything, I swear.
I sit on his bed and let him down, shaking my head. "I'll stay awake if you are."
Will, I'm fine, really. Please go to sleep. He huffs a little and tries to push me so I'm laying down. Not that he can. He's far too small for that. But I do eventually give in and close my eyes. And… Thank you, Will. He tells me just before I doze off.
AN: So? I'm really not good at writing Will, I think, but was it okay?