A/N: Hi again! I'd like to start off by recommending a story here on Fan Fiction called 'Highschool Troubles' by CandyK1ng24 and Reader Gonna Read. It is well written, and unique from all the other high school fan fictions I have read. So if you get the chance, check it out! I would also like to say that, even if it might seem like it once you finish reading this chapter, THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER.

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or any of its characters. All rights go to Rick Riordan. I own only the plot and a couple of original characters.

WARNING: This chapter contains mild language, some punches, and verbal abuse. Slight trigger warning. Suicide is mentioned. Do not read if this could hurt you.

As Drew promised, the next day rumors about Percy, Jason, and Will were flying around campus. Nico's arrhythmia was also now a known fact- after he informed everyone that that was why he had passed out in the cafeteria- and to his delight, next to no one cared. Sure, he received a few remarks from Luke Castellan and by default Ethan Nakamura, but in the long run, who really cared? Castellan and Nakamura would fade as quickly as their insults.

Percy embraced the situation. Now that everyone knew about his feelings for Annabeth, he asked her out in front of everyone that morning ("Hey, Wise Girl!" "Yes?" "Wanna go out with me?" "Of course, Seaweed Brain.")

Jason and Piper had apparently been texting into the early hours of the morning, because when they entered the building, they were holding hands with each other . Jason walked Piper to her first block class and even kissed her in the cheek before heading off to his own. The student body was surprised for about two minutes. They were such a cliche couple, that their relationship was accepted immediately.

That left Will.

Nico couldn't go anywhere that day without hearing some comment about Will.

"His father thinks he's a failure,"

"I heard he was bullied by his own brother,"

"I heard he was responsible for his older brothers' deaths!"

Nico paused at that. That wasn't true...at least, Nico didn't think it was. Not on purpose, he was sure. Maybe by some kind of freak accident, but not on purpose. And even then, it wouldn't have been Will's fault. Accidents happened. Then Nico scowled. He hated it when his advice applied to himself.

Still, the rumour filled him with unease.

Nico ate lunch with Will in the library that day. Will had texted him, saying that he wouldn't be in the cafeteria today, in an effort to not be overwhelmed by everyone at once. Nico, like the friend he was trying so hard to be, joined him.

Will's smile made everything worth it.

They hadn't been there for long when Lou Ellen and Cecil burst through the door.

"WILLIAM SOLACE!" Lou Ellen yelled. Nico and Will both jumped. Lou Ellen marched over to the table where they were sitting, an equally outraged (but not as loud) Cecil following behind her.

Lou was seething. "Cecil and I are your best friends. How could you not tell us something like this?" Her voice got a little softer. "Will. We would have helped you. You're father and brother are jerks. You shouldn't have been listening to that for so long without someone to tell you otherwise."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys," Will whispered, looking at the table. "But you don't understand how hard it is to hear that kind of thing said about you, much less tell someone else." He turned his gaze to Nico and gave him a small smile, which Nico did his best to return. "Besides, I did have help."

"What do you mean?" demanded Cecil. "Who knew?"

"Nico and Jason," responded Will. "They met Octavian."

"Wait." Lou said, looking indignant. "Two strangers knew about this before your best friends?" She sounded hurt and kind of angry. "That hurts, Will."

Will turned to face her, and now he looked angry. "Jason is a good person, Blackwell. He tried to help me when he found out. Offered me a place to stay." Nico's heart sank. Will didn't consider him a good person? Ouch.

Will continued. "And Nico happens to be a very good friend of mine." Now Nico's heart soared. Now he had verbal acknowledgement that Will thought of him as a friend, and a close one at that. Sure, Nico would like to be something more to Will, but for now, this was good. He could work with this.

Lou Ellen looked slightly ashamed, but she was still angry. "But why didn't you tell us? I thought the three of us were close, Will."

"We are," Will assured her. "But some things aren't meant to be said to certain people, even people close to you. And that was one thing I couldn't tell either of you. But I could tell Nico, because he understands. Jason does too, to an extent. You guys wouldn't have. I should, however, have told you before the rest of the school found out."

"Wait," Cecil interrupted. "You knew this was going to happen?"

Will glanced at Nico. "I expected it to. I knew Drew knew, and I figured it was only a matter of time."

Lou Ellen wasn't easily satisfied, apparently. "Will-"

Cecil cut her off. "C'mon, Lou," he said, "Will needs some time to cope, and he's already in good hands." Cecil winked at Nico, grinning mischievously. He dragged a complaining Lou Ellen Blackwell out of the library.

"I'm sorry about her," Will said, looking at Nico. "She's demanding and sometimes not the most empathetic."

"It's fine," Nico told Will. "How are you handling things?"

"Eh," Will said. "I'm doing okay, it's just the sympathetic stares. When you and Jason found out, you were both angry and outraged, ready to offer help. You guys were prepared to listen to me and make a difference in my life. They just look at me and judge me, their eyes full of sympathy. They care only enough to feel sorry; they don't really want to help me. It's hard to look at them and know they feel pity for me. No one has even come up to talk to me about it. They just whisper and steal glances among themselves."

Nico nodded, understanding. When his mother and Bianca had died, people did the same thing. You want help with whatever it is you're going through, not empty pity or sympathy. People seeked help; it was part of human nature. People were never entirely independent. Nico would let Will lean in him, because Will had let him lean on him.

"I'm here for you," Nico murmured to Will. "I'm here,"

Nico stuck by Will's side the rest of the day. If anyone do much as looked at him wrong, Nico sent them his signature death glare, which had them promptly looking anywhere but at Will and Nico.

While Nico loved being able to help Will, it was hard for him to be there. Not because he wasn't capable of helping or even that he didn't want to, just that he hated refraining himself from doing anything even remotely intimate. He had to console Will while doing things that strictly friends would do. Nico wanted to hug him sometimes (which was weird in itself, because Nico never wanted to touch anyone), but the most he could do was put an arm around his shoulders briefly. It was really putting a strain on his emotions.

Nico had decided once that he could come to love Will. That decision still stood, and it terrified Nico just how sure he was about it. If anything, he felt more sure than he did when he originally came to that conclusion. Everything about Will Solace called to Nico. His eyes- lapis lazuli, they were so precious- calmed him. When he couldn't sleep at night, he pictured those eyes, and the next thing he knew, he was waking up to the sound of his alarm clock.

That smile- perfect white teeth, one side of his mouth higher than the other, pink lips gorgeously arched- it filled him with immeasurable joy. Just seeing that smile made his day.

His hair- golden as sunlight, gently curling. Nico wanted to run his fingers through those beautiful locks. When the sun shone in a halo around it- well, let's just say Nico had some serious self control.

His tan skin was that of a god's. Nico had seen the muscle in his biceps, too. Will was strong, and he had the body to prove it. His freckles formed galaxies, and Nico wanted to count them all. Nico felt warm all over whenever he was in contact with Will. Will was the sun, and the sun was necessary for life to exist. Will was necessary for Nico to exist. It was as simple as that.

Oh, gods. Nico had it bad.

It had been a week since Drew had let the cat out of the bag. Will had handled everything very well, claiming that it was all because he had Nico to help him. Nico was just relieved that that smile was back on his face. Now, Nico was at the airport, waiting for Hazel, Reyna, and Frank.

"Nico!"

Nico was suddenly engulfed in a hug, which he gladly returned. He breathed in the scent of his sister, jasmine and vanilla. It felt so natural, so right. Having Hazel back felt like your favorite song coming on the radio, like the warmth of a fire after being left out in the cold, like a home cooked meal after a long journey. Hazel was calming and comforting. She was grounding and accepting and Nico had missed her so much.

"Hazel," he murmured into her dark curly hair.

She didn't let go, and Nico was glad. "I've missed you so much!" She sounded like she was getting choked up. Nico squeezed her once more and then pulled back. He was right; there were tears in her golden eyes.

He placed a gentle hand on her cheek, using his thumb to wipe away her tears. "I missed you, too, Hazel."

"Hey, Nico. Good to see you again."

Nico turned around, smirking. "How's life lately, Frank? You been treating my sister right?"

Hazel smacked his bicep. "Nico! Give Frank a break. This is the first time you've seen him in years, and that's the first thing you say to him?"

Nico's smirk only grew. "I'm pretty sure the first thing I said to him was 'How's life lately?' Besides, Frank and I understand each other."

Frank laughed at the siblings' exchange. "I'm good, Nico." When Nico and Frank had first been introduced, Frank had been intimidated by Nico. But they had grown more familiar with each other over time, and now the operated on a common ground. Nico quite liked Frank. He and Hazel were good together. Frank Zhang was the only guy Nico trusted with his sister. Frank hadn't once let him down.

Frank continued. "I'm more concerned about you, Nico."

Nico blanched. "Why me?"

Frank looked unimpressed. He raised an eyebrow and even crossed his arms. "Uh, maybe because you completely shut everyone out of your life for years? That's not exactly healthy."

"You sound like Will," Nico complained.

"Do continue talking about this Will. He must be quite the catch to have captured your attention."

Nico whipped around. "Reyna!"

He walked up to her and held out his hand for a greeting, as she usually liked, but she swatted i aside and pulled him into a hug. "You are an idiot," she informed him.

Nico laughed, pressing his nose into the side of her tan neck. "I missed you to,"

Reyna pulled away to stare at him, dark eyes regarding Nico cooly. Her braid was thrown casually over her shoulder. She looked, as always, regal. "I hope you fully understand just how dumb you were, detaching yourself from us like that, di Angelo."

Nico nodded solemnly. "I guess I'm starting to,"

Hazel clasped her hands together. "It's so great to be in New York again! I've missed the big city. Oh! We should do something together. You can bring Will, Nico. And we'll get Thalia and Jason and Percy-"

"Okay, okay," Nico cut his sister off. "I'll text Jason and have him bring Percy and Thalia here."

Reyna smirked and raised an eyebrow. "And Will?"

Nico mimicked her actions. "He's just outside. He drove me here."

Hazel gasped. "Nico! Why didn't you tell us? We can't just leave him waiting outside! C'mon!" She grabbed her suitcase and his hand, tugging him toward the entrance. Frank and Reyna were following close behind.

They finally exited the airport. Nico found Will's car immediately, and pointed it out.

"Where's Will?" Frank asked. Nico scanned the parking lot, searching for the familiar head of blonde hair. He found it and laughed.

"What's so funny?" Hazel asked, trying to follow his gaze.

Smiling, Nico pointed to where his friend was. "See the tall, tan guy with blonde hair? That's Will." Will seemed to be helping a middle aged woman bring her suitcases and children to their car. He had a bag slung over one shoulder, and was pulling a bulky suitcase behind him. On his shoulders was a little girl who looked about five. In the arm that wasn't occupied with the bag and suitcase, he was holding a toddler. The mother looked exhausted; she was carrying two more suitcases and had a baby strapped to her chest. Nico, Reyna, Frank, and Hazel all watched as they reached the mother's car. Will let go of the suitcase he had and set down the bag. After the woman had loaded the suitcases into the trunk of her car- with Will helping as much as he could one-handed- and after she had strapped the baby into its carseat, he carefully handed her the toddler. Then he lifted the five year old off his shoulders, swinging her around before he set her on the ground, both of them laughing. He put away the family's remaining luggage and closed the trunk door. The woman finished making sure all of her children were in their carseats and came over to thank Will. She looked so grateful, and Will smiled at her. Nico knew what Will's response probably was, It was no trouble, ma'am. Your children are wonderful. It was my pleasure. Have a safe drive!

Nico smiled softly at the sight. He failed to notice the looks his sister and his friends were giving him.

Will started to walk back to his car, waving to the woman. He turned around and saw Nico. His smile brightened, and he started jogging toward them.

"Hi," Will said upon reaching them. "I'm Will Solace." He turned to Hazel. "You're Hazel, right? Nico showed me a picture of you once. It's a pleasure to meet you; Nico speaks so highly of you."

Hazel smiled back at Will, glancing at Nico. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Will. Nico speaks of you quite highly, too."

Will grinned. "Aw, I had no idea you cared, Death Boy."

"Shut up, Sunshine."

Will laughed and turned to Frank. "You're Frank, right?"

Frank shook Will's hand. "Yeah, I am. Nice to meet you."

Reyna stepped forward. "Will Solace," she mused.

"You're Reyna, then." Will's smile still hadn't faded. Nico briefly wondered if his cheeks hurt at night from smiling all day. "I've heard lots about you, too."

Reyna tilted her head to the side. "That was a nice thing you did for that woman,"

Will shrugged. "She looked like she needed help, and I was able to offer her some. It's no big deal."

Nico and Reyna rolled their eyes in sync. "Still," Reyna said. "Not many people would."

"I guess I'm in the minority, then. Not that that's a strange thing for me."

"Will's gay," Nico explained, seeing the confusion in his friends' faces. They all nodded and moved on.

Ever the conversationalist, Will asked, "So, how was your flight? I, for one, admire the fact that you guys could fly all the way here from California, because I hate planes."

Before any of them could respond, a voice called out, "Well, if it isn't Reyna Avilla Ramirez-Arellano."

Everyone there froze and turned around. There was Octavian Aeron. What was he doing at the airport?

"Octavian," Reyna growled.

Will's face had gone blank again, and Nico cursed Octavian in Italian.

The rat-like boy sneered. "What are you doing in New York?"

Reyna lifted her chin. "I hardly think that's any of your business."

Octavian's gaze swept over Hazel, Nico, and Frank, apparently deeming them unimportant, before coming to a rest on Will. "Hello, Willie."

Will's face betrayed no emotion. "You're going to miss your flight."

Octavian clucked his tongue. "Trying to get rid of your brother so easily? You certainly got rid of Michael and Lee, but I like to think I'm harder to kill-"

Nico's fist connected with Octavian's jaw. Octavian stumbled, and Nico used the opportunity to tackle him to the ground, throwing punch after punch, creating multiple bruises on Octavian's ugly face. He thought he heard Hazel scream his name, but all he was aware of was the desperate need to protect Will. "Will didn't hurt anyone!" Nico hissed.

Arms wrapped around Nico's torso, pinning his arms to his sides and pulling him off of Octavian. Nico fought them, but they held him to them.

"He's not worth it, Nico," Will's voice said in his ear. "Don't give him the satisfaction of knowing that what he says gets to you. I learned that early on."

That made Nico pause. He twisted around so he was looking Will in the face. "What do you mean?" He said dangerously. "What do you mean?"

Will didn't say anything for a moment. Then he replied, "Now's not the time or place."

Nico narrowed his eyes. He wasn't satisfied, but he knew Will was right. "Fine. But we will talk about this." Ugh, Nico thought. When did I start sounding like an overprotective boyfriend? No. A concerned friend. Just a...friend.

Will smiled down at him and released him. Nico only barely refrained from decking Octavian again.

The rat picked himself up from the floor. He snarled, "Keep your filthy hands off me you f-"

"Octavian!" Will yelled. "Go. Leave. Get on your damn flight. And please- stay on the West Coast."

Octavian's already ugly features twisted into a scowl that did nothing for his appearance. "Don't even try telling me what to do, Willie." His voice started to rise hysterically. "You listen to me, freak! I am superior! I won't have my inferiors trying to undermine me!"

"Octavian-" Will began.

"No!" He screeched. Octavian had a mad glint in his eye, and Nico wondered if he was actually sane. "Don't even try ordering me around." He ran up to Will, fisting his hands in his shirt and slamming him against the car. "I have put up with your inability to conform long enough. As your superior, I give you one last order: Kill yourself, you fa-"

Octavian never got to finish what he said. Nico grabbed the back of Octavian's collar and yanked backward as hard as he could. Octavian started to choke and lost his grip on Will. He landed hard on the pavement.

Reyna yelled, "I'm calling airport security!" And she ran off, Hazel close behind her. Frank took over restraining Octavian, and Nico headed over to where Will, the boy still leaning against the car. Will's normally tan face was ashen, and his blue eyes were empty, staring at nothing.

Nico put his hand on Will's shoulder. "Will," he whispered. "Are you alright?"

Will gave a small shake of his head, hardly noticeable.

"Nico," Frank called. Nico turned toward him, but kept his hand on Will's shoulder. "I'm taking Aeron here to meet security halfway."

"Okay," Nico replied. He turned back to Will as Frank dragged a struggling Octavian behind him, knowing that Frank was more than capable of doing this task himself. "Will," he murmured. "Don't listen to him, okay? He's...he's not-"

"He's not sane," Will whispered. His voice sounded hoarse, and he looked so broken. Nico's heart clenched. "My half-brother is mentally ill. And I can't help him."

Nico gave Will a shaky smile. "That is so like you, Will. To only care about helping other people, regardless of how you feel. But right now I need you to focus on you." Nico couldn't help it. He cupped Will's face in his hands. "Look at me, Sunshine. You can't listen to a single thing Octavian just said- don't you dare take a single thing to heart."

A tear fell down Will's cheek. "Nico," he croaked. "Nico, you don't understand. He- he told me to give up because of who I love. Like for some reason I'm not supposed to love someone whose gender is male, because I'm a male. I try so damn hard, Nico, to let their words slid by. But he just told me to kill myself. When someone tells you that, it's hard to see a bright side to life. And all because I'm gay. I didn't commit a crime, I didn't hurt anyone- all I did was dare to love someone who had the same gender as me. You can't possibly understand what that's like." Will hung his head in defeat.

Nico inhaled slowly and made an impulsive decision. "Will," Nico said, tilting Will's chin up so that lapis lazuli met obsidian. "I understand, at least to a certain degree. I'm gay, too."

Will's gorgeous eyes widened. "You are?" Nico nodded. "How long have you known?"

"A long time," Nico said. "Persephone and Jason are the only other people who know, though."

"So, I'm guessing you don't want me to allude to that in front of your sister, then, right?"

Nico smirked. "Right." Subconsciously, Nico moved closer to Will. "Solace, you're the one who gave me the courage to come out, all right? Without you...I'd never be able to accept myself, let alone allow other people to accept me." Nico leaned his forehead against Will's. "I don't know what your father and Octavian have said to you," he whispered. "But I do know that whatever they've said, they couldn't be farther from the truth. You are an amazing person, Will. You care so much about everyone, and you help them. You'll be an incredible doctor. You know more about my heart than I do." Looking back later, Nico would realize that that statement stood not only for his physical heart, but for his metaphorical heart, too. "You may not be my doctor, but you've fixed me more than mine has. Sunshine-" Nico's voice broke, and he felt tears sting his eyes, but he kept going. "If you were to- to die, I wouldn't...I don't think I'd ever be okay." The tears started falling. "Don't kill yourself, Will." Nico begged. "Come talk to me or someone else, but don't kill yourself. You're the reason I'm alive, Will. You've given me a chance to start over and make amends with my family- you're why Hazel and Frank, and Reyna are here right now. Without you, I'd have died a long time ago, whether from my heart condition- because we both know without you I'd never listen to a word out of that doctor's damn mouth- from living without emotion, like a corpse, or because of- of suicide. I need you, Will. And- and now I know that you need me."

"Nico," Will whispered, tears also streaming down his cheeks. "Nico, thank you. I'll promise you to never give up, but only if you promise me the same thing. Deal?"

Nico gave him a watery smile. "That's a promise I'm willing to keep." Nico swallowed, and then he took a risk. "Sunshine, I also promise to always, always be there for you. I really like you- more than I've ever like anyone."

Light appeared in Will's lapis lazuli- precious- eyes. "I'm pleased to say that the feeling is mutual."

Nico smirked mischievously. "Will Solace, can I kiss you?"

Will smirked back. "I'd like that,"

Their lips pressed against each other's. The kiss was gentle, sweet. It spoke of comfort and reassurance, of promises and healing. But most of all, it spoke of the love between two boys- one darkness, one light. They were both broken, but they were no longer shattered. Will Solace and Nico di Angelo held each other tightly, pressed against an old, red truck in the middle of an airport parking lot, and freed themselves from their self-inflicted cages. They loved, and they promised, and they embraced every part of the other. Nico had never, not once in his life, been happier. He felt complete.

"Nico, I can't believe you didn't tell your best friend you were gay. Instead, this is how I find out. Good to know where I stand."

A/N: If you have any questions or comments, feel free to PM me or leave them in a review. Thank you again for reading!