The Second Hand Unwinds

Nico is slow to gain awareness. The first inkling he has that he's no longer dreaming is the warmth. He's practically burning up. The next thing he realizes is why he's so hot. A voice vibrates against his back, humming a quiet hymn. Will. He smiles and savors the moment, Will's bare chest radiating heat and healing, his scent familiar and welcome to Nico's nose. But then he recalls where he's just been and the severity of what the choice he and Hazel were forced to make.

… you must return without your Underworld powers.

He opens his eyes a crack, wincing as he realizes he's not in his own cabin but in the big house infirmary. Great. Just what I need.

He shifts, trying to separate himself from Will enough to clear his head.

"Aha! Looks like we've got a live one!" Apollo's voice.

Nico screws up his face, and groans into his his pillow. "Will, why do you always have to crawl into bed with me when people are going to walk in?"

Another voice chimes in, Will's youngest sister. "Yeah, Apollo. We should give them some privacy."

Will chuckles and yawns, rolling onto his back, though it doesn't seem to lessen the heat coursing through Nico's body. "C'mon, you know you heal faster when we're skin to skin." He rises up on his elbows, taking half the sheet with him. "When did you guys get here?"

Nico pulls his pillow over his face. Maybe he'll suffocate and the embarrassment will end. He's thankful he's at least wearing his jeans. Nothing quite like waking up to the sunshine family reunion.

"Just came by to check on you. I've been showing Liz the ropes around camp. She's gonna be a force to reckon with, I'm telling you. Shoots a bow with the same grace as Artemis."

"That's fantastic, Liz," Will says. Nico yanks the sheet back to cover his shoulders, and pulls his pillow even tighter over his head, trying to block out the light. Will's voice is muffled, but he can still hear him. "We'll meet you in the rec room in half an hour. I just want to make sure he's feeling okay."

"Sure thing," Apollo says, entirely too cheerfully for Nico's tolerance, and worse, he can hear him perfectly clearly as if Apollo's letting him know that even pillows won't keep him hidden from the camp director. "C'mon, kiddo, and what happened to calling me dad? You used to."

Nico loosens his grip on his pillow so he can hear them leave. "You looked older before, but now you're like Will. It feels weird to call you dad." Liz's voice grows fainter as she and Apollo head down the hall.

When they're alone, Will sinks back on the bed and spoons up behind Nico. He pulls the pillow off Nico's face, then splays his hand across Nico's sternum, pulling them back to chest.

Nico feels his face flush even hotter when Will kisses the side of his face, the tops of his ears, and then shifts his hips, prodding Nico's backside with what feels like a very eager groin.

"Seriously?" Nico asks, though his body responds to Will's arousal without his permission. He turns in Will's arms, kissing back when Will peppers his lips with more kisses. "Is this really the time?"

Will stops, his eyes and lips turned down so he looks like a poor pathetic puppy who's just been told to stay down. "But Mr. D is finally gone. It's been forever…"

Nico cocks an eyebrow and glances at the door. Apollo is waiting to talk to them with Will's little sister hanging around. He looks back at Will.

"Yes..." Will says, grinning sheepishly as he forces himself to get up. "You're right. It's not the right time." He groans as he gets to his feet and starts rummaging through his backpack.

Nico smirks and throws the sheet back, starting to get up too, but Will stops him, holding up a hand. "What?" he asks. "I feel fine." Will reaches for Nico's wrist and takes his pulse, then lets go. "See?"

"Okay. But you did pass out cold for no apparent reason. You want to tell me what happened?" He tosses Nico his T-shirt and then starts rummaging again apparently looking for his own.

"Yeah, but," Nico starts. He pulls his shirt on, hesitating. "I only want to tell the story once, if it's all the same."

Will nods. "Aha!" he says, finding his camp T-shirt and shaking the wrinkles out. It strikes Nico how much older Will looks. Two years. His chest is bigger, his pecs more defined, like he's been working hard on building his strength. As Will pulls his shirt on, Nico stands up and checks his belt. His Stygian iron sword is back in its ring form. He sighs, relieved, and then looks up as Will comes over. Will presses a soft kiss to Nico's temple, then whispers beside his ear: "What about an answer to the question I asked you last night?"

Nico's mind whirls. He hasn't a clue what question Will is referring to, but it would probably not be the best idea to tell him that right now since Will doesn't seem to be aware of the lapse in time. He wonders if anybody other than himself, Zephyros, and Mr. D are aware of it. He searches his mind, trying to recall Will's question, but with two years worth of new memories to sift through, it's impossible to do without spending some time.

Will takes a step back and runs his hand down the side of Nico's face. Whatever the question was, it seems pretty important. Nico swallows past the lump in his throat. "Soon, okay?"

Will smiles and jerks his head towards the door. "Shall we?"

Nico gives Will's butt a pinch, then races for the door, Will hot on his heels.

XxxX

As they approach the rec room, Nico protects his smarting butt cheeks, his back to the wall. His boyfriend is malicious; though, he knew that before teasing him. Will grins and holds a finger to his lips, slowing his steps and then stopping.

Nico perks his ears, stopping behind Will in the shadowed hallway. A woman's raised voice comes from the rec room's open door.

"Would you open your eyes already? You are the only one who can do something about it. He called Muscles before him, and then intimidated him to the point of torture! Little d seems to be the only one he's showing favor towards. I sometimes wonder if he may be playing a part in …"

"Hold your tongue." Apollo sounds weary. "I will not hear any more. It isn't safe. It isn't sane."

Nico raises his eyebrows as Will turns toward him and mouths "Muscles?" at the same time Nico mouths "Little d?"

The only women, Nico thinks, that would dare talk to Apollo like that would have to be goddesses, but he has trouble figuring out which goddess it is. He looks to Will, shrugging as if to say, who do you think that is?

Will makes a heart with his hands – which Nico assumes refers to Aphrodite – and then points at the doorway. He raises his finger to his lips again. Nico nods in silent agreement that they should stay put and not draw attention to themselves while the goddess of love is tearing Apollo a new one. But that means 'Muscles' must be code for Ares so they don't attract Zeus's attention, and 'Little d' … Nico's lips twitch. Coming from Aphrodite, that must be Dionysus.

The goddess starts speaking again. "Tell me honestly that you do not see how it will all end if nothing changes."

Apollo answers almost the instant she pauses. "Why me? Why would you think I am more capable than your champion? He loves conflict; I loathe it. Let him be the one to take a stand."

The sound of a long exasperated sigh follows, and Aphrodite starts talking again. This time she sounds sad. "That's what I'm trying to explain. The big guy brought Muscles before him after installing a bronze jar beside his throne. The fire's gone out of his eyes. He came back to my place as meek as a mouse trembling under the blankets at the foot of my bed. There is no one better suited to the task than you are."

"Listen, lady," Apollo cuts her off, unmoved by the grief in her voice. "You think I haven't already been put in my place? That I haven't learned where my boundaries are? Come and talk to me about this again after you've had your spirit ripped in two, after you've been stripped of immortality and been made to serve a mortal. The Diva herself has pulled this same shit over on me enough times that I'm not gonna fall for it again, especially not from your charming lips. I've already tried and failed at the very thing you're asking. He's still not over it. Look at where I'm at now. Punished for another war that I honestly am not at fault for. Did any of you stand up for me? Do you really wonder why I don't stand up for myself any longer? I have learned from my past. I've lost enough. I am not your savior."

A chill runs down Nico's spine at the mention of the jar. He's never really thought about having anything in common with Ares, but eight days in the jar had nearly driven him mad, and if he recalls, Ares had been imprisoned in it for 13 months as a toddler. The idea Zeus would use that experience to intimidate … Nico's blood thunders in his ears. The sound of heavy breathing filters through his anger and he looks at Will. Will clenches his jaw, then wipes a tear from his cheek with a clenched fist as Aphrodite speaks again.

"Mark my words, Apollo. If you do not stand up for what is right, you will find yourself in a worse way than a lifetime serving a mortal."

Apollo says nothing. There seems to be a radio silence for several long moments, the tension of holding still, keeping quiet, builds between Nico and Will until something has to give.

Nico wonders if they should return to the infirmary and leave Apollo alone for now. Aphrodite has either left the room or ended an Iris message, however she was communicating.

Will is the first to move. He presses his lips tightly together, meets Nico's eyes, and gives a sharp nod. He walks determinedly into the rec room, leaving Nico little choice but to follow.