NICO

Nico nearly sprinted back to camp. He could feel Will's eyes burning into the back of his head, and more than anything did Nico want to be alone - and away from Will. He speed walked to his cabin, and his hands grappled with the cold doorknob. The minute he was inside, he slid to the floor and put his head in his hands.

Why did everything have to be so complicated?

Nico ran his fingers through his hair and tried to assess the situation at hand.

So Will... Will might actually have feelings for him?

Deep down, Nico knew he had feelings for the son of Apollo, but he had always denied his feelings and tricked himself into believing he didn't. Because, well, deep down Nico knew... He was afraid.

The concept of 'love' scared the schist out of Nico. Everyone he truly loved had been taken away from him, some way or another. First his mother, then Bianca, then Percy... He was afraid that would happen to the next person he loved. And he just couldn't lose Will. He couldn't.

Rejection was also quite scary to him. At this point, Nico was fairly sure Will returned his feelings... Though, he could never be sure with that idiot. What if Will was just trying to comfort him by taking his hand, nothing more? Then, if Nico actually confessed his feelings to him, Will might think he was a disgusting homosexual and never talk to him again.

And even if Will really did return Nico's feelings and they started dating, what would the other campers think? Nico didn't care what they thought, though... Right? No, of course he didn't.

Even with all of that aside, Nico wasn't sure he would be able to display even the simplest act of affection. Holding hands reminded him of Bianca, and kisses and hugs reminded him of his mother. Knowing Will, he would want to shower Nico with affection, but Nico didn't want that. Nico would want to take the relationship at his pace. But Will probably didn't like Nico anyways, Nico was just overreacting. ..

Nico's shoulders started to shake. There was no way out. There was no way he could be happy.

Nico plopped down at the Big Three table and was immediately met with greetings from Percy and Jason.

"Hey Nico!" Jason grinned at Nico, his glasses falling down to the bridge of his nose.

"How's it going dude?" Percy punched Nico in the shoulder.

"I'm fine!" Nico snapped.

Tension and anger was filling Nico to the brim. He tried his best to calm down; He didn't want Percy and Jason meddling in his business.

"I'm fine." Nico repeated, much more calmly this time.

Jason pushed his glasses back up and cast a concerned look at Percy. Percy just shrugged and motioned for Jason to talk.

"Alright... So, um, Percy and I were wondering if you were doing anything special in your free time today. We're going canoeing! But, if you're hanging with Will today that's fine."

At the mention of Will's name, Nico crushed the biscuit he was holding.

"I don't feel like canoeing."

Jason and Percy exchanged another look. After a long pause, Percy finally broke the silence.

"Dude.. are you okay? You've been acting weird since yesterday and-"

"I told you, I'm fine." Nico said in a deadly quiet voice.

"But-"

Jason elbowed Percy and whispered something to him. They both went back to eating their breakfast, neither one bothering Nico.

Nico ate his food absentmindedly and stared off into space. He wasn't even aware he made eye contact with Will until Will lowered his eyes and turned his head around. Something in Nico's heart shattered into a million pieces.

I'm fine, he kept repeating to himself.

I don't need him.

I never liked him anyways.

I'm. fine.

AUTHORS NOTES:

Well this took longer than expected to write! I apologize for the delay. I didn't have any time to write on my trip two weeks ago, and this weekend I went on another trip ;;n;;

Behold, more angst and sad Nico. I firmly believe Nico would be utterly TERRIFIED of love. I mean, just think about it! Everyone he's loved so far he's lost. In alot of fanfics, Nico is the one to initate the first kiss or confess his feelings, but in my opinion I think he would be too afraid. Again, that's just my opinion though. And that's the beauty of Solangelo! Everyone can interpret it in their own way, there are no wrong answers!

School and swimming are starting soon, so it might take me awhile to upload new chapters. I'll do my best to upload as frequently as possible, though!

Thank you to everyone who reads, follows, favorites, and comments! You guys are the real heroes. :,)