(AN: Sorry for not updating for a few days, I had school and family stuff going on)

(TW [Nightmares, Panic attack, Homophobia] Right away

Later[Discussion of SH])

I got up and walked around. I went outside and everything was dark. I called out Will's name, but he was nowhere to be found. I stepped outside and I was transported to a dark room. I was tied to a chair. Will emerged from the darkness. He looked mad. He had a pair of scissors. He held our string in his other hand. "You really thought I could ever love you? You thought I was gay? I hate little faggots like you. You're stupid to think I would ever like you." Just as he finished his sentence he cut the string. I screamed out in pain and started to sob. Everything around me started to break and shatter.

"-co! Nico!" Will was shaking me awake. I was drenched in sweat. "Nico, it's okay. It was only a dream. It's ok now." he comforted me. He had moved onto the hospital bed with me. He pulled me closer and rubbed my back. I was still hyperventilating. I pushed him away. I knew it was a dream but that didn't stop me from being scared. Will backed off. "Is everything okay? What happened?" Will questioned. "I-I had a dream. A bad one. Y-you.." I couldn't finish my sentence. "It's okay, Nico. Take your time. Breathe with me." He started to control his breathing. I try my best to follow. Eventually I calm down. "I had- I had a really bad dream." I recounted the details of my dream to Will. I didn't use too many details, just got the idea across.

Will's eyes looked sad. "Is that how you see me?" He looked hurt. "No! I-I don't see you like that. That's just how I feel about myself! I'm insecure… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you. I didn't mean to upset you." I started getting up to leave. Will grabbed my hand and pulled me back carefully. He pulled me into a hug and didn't let go. "Nico please stay. I-I'm not mad. I mean I was hurt, but when you explained I understood. Besides, I said 3 days." Tears were pouring down my cheeks. Before I knew what I was doing I reached out and hugged Will back. I put my head on his shoulder and took a shaky breath.

(Recap for those who skipped. Nico had a nightmare about Will hating him. When he wakes up he's panicked and Will calms him down. He explains the dream to Will and they talk about it.)

"Why do you care?"

"What?"

"Why do you care about me, Will? We met 2 days ago. Why would you care about a meaningless son of Hades?"

"Why wouldn't I? You seemed interesting and now that I know you better, I understand that you need someone who cares in your life."

"I could have been anyone though."

"Yea, you could have. But you're not. You're Nico di Angelo, Son of Hades, My soulmate. I would never cut our string. Only way it leaves is when I fall truly in love with you."

He hugged me tighter and it made me squeak. "Sorry, I forgot you don't like hugs." He let out an awkward chuckle. "No, it's okay, you just squeezed a little hard." I pulled back a little, realizing that my clothes were still covered in sweat. "I'm really gross… Do you think that I could get some extra clothes? I will go with you to pick them. And my next 3 days worth…" I asked, feeling disgusting in my sticky clothes. My jacket would need to be washed. "Fine, I'll allow it. But only because you kinda stink" He replied, with a smile. I lightly socked him in his arm and walked out of the infirmary.

(TW: SH)

When we arrived in my cabin I opened the door. I walked in and went to my dresser. I grabbed 2 plain black shirts and one with Jack Skelington on it. I also grabbed a new pair of pants. Pajamas included a pair of dark purple basketball shorts. I decided to change, before going back to the infirmary. "Could you turn around? I'm going to change." I asked, as I turned so my side faced him. He turned all the way around and covered his face. I took off my jacket and shirt first. My Jacket was kinda gross so I made sure to put it in the laundry hamper. As I slid my new shirt on I remembered the lines that littered my arms. What if he sees? Will he hate you? Oh Gods, what's wrong with me? Why don't I own more jackets? I thought as I changed my bottoms. "You can look now." I said quietly, not ecstatic about him seeing my arms. He turned around and looked my outfit up and down. His eyes fell on my arms and I bit the inside of my lip, pretending not to notice.

"What are those?" Will asked as he took a step closer. I took a step back and replied "What are what?" I moved my arms behind my back. He kept getting closer, and I kept stepping back, until we were at the bed. I stumbled and fell on the bed, now sitting. Will just stood in front of me and grabbed one of my arms gently. He looked at them and whispered "Why?" I looked at him, unable to respond. He didn't seem mad, just… Worried. Will knelt in front of me and looked me in the eyes, still holding my wrist. "Nico please… I need to know why so I can make sure it never happens again." I looked down at the wrist he was holding, breaking eye contact. "I-I don't know. Everything hurt and it was the only thing that felt like it helped. I haven't done it in a long while, but the scars are still there. Last time I remember doing it was right after the battle of Manhattan." I said, running my finger up my forearms, feeling all the bumps from scars.

(Recap for those who skipped. Nico got his clothes and started. His jacket so he had to put in the dirty hamper. His scars were uncovered and he and Will talked about it)

Will grabbed my hand and continued holding it as he moved and sat on my bed beside me. He looked sad. His eyes though. They seem brighter than normal. I don't know if it was the black surroundings or his determination burning inside him. Either way, I felt safe. I knew that Will wouldn't let anyone hurt me or make me feel like I had to hurt myself, ever again. I smiled softly at him without realizing it. "Your smile is pretty." Will said out of the blue. My eyes widened and I felt my face flush. "Wh-What are you talking about?" I said, moving my hand to cover my face. He stopped me and held my hand in his lap. He just smiled back at me. "We better get back to the infirmary, I should rest." I said, averting my eyes.

He nodded and stood up. He offered me his hand and we went on our way. We got to the infirmary and we went inside and I sat down again. Why was everything so hard? Something as simple as changing turned into a trauma dump. As I was sitting I felt someone's eyes on me. Someone staring. I look over at Will who is watching me intently, his chin propped on his palm. "Is there something on my face?" I chuckled. He grinned and shook his head no. I saw something move, the string on his hand loosened. I tried not to make a face as I looked away.

This is happening so fast. What if I don't fall in love? What if this is just a simple crush and nothing more. He will fall in love and I will still have this horrible string on me as a reminder of how shitty I am. I was pulled out of my thoughts by him poking my side. "What are you thinking about? You do that sometimes. You disappear into your thoughts." He said as he scooted his chair closer. He laid his head on my thigh and looked up at me. "Do you want the truth?" I asked. He nodded. I put my hand on his head. He made me feel like I could tell him anything.

I spoke softly, "Sometimes… Sometimes I get these thoughts. They tell me that I'm never going to be good enough. I don't like them but they always come back. When I was little, right after my sister died, I had a lot of bad thoughts. I thought it was my fault she died. I hated myself for being gay. Sometimes I still do, but I've mostly come to terms with it. Especially after Cupid outed me to Jason, and he fully supported me. And here I am… Sitting with you, not ashamed. I'm just worried that I will never actually fall in love. I know that you are, I saw the string loosening. I want to love you, I really do, but last time I let myself fall in love, I got hurt. Really bad. I don't know if I could let myself. I know something for sure though. I do like you."

I couldn't bear to look at him, I was looking at the floor across the room. I thought that Will was going to leave. He sat there and grabbed my hand. He stayed. I layed back in the bed, and looked at him. "Do you wanna lay with me?" I scooted over to make space for him. He smiled and climbed into bed with me. He snuggled close to my chest, his head under my chin. I wrapped my arms around him. His hair smelled like lemons and what I can only describe as sunshine. He wrapped his arms around me and we fell asleep. Maybe 3 days isn't bad. I hope everything stays like this forever.