Maybe I Will (Solangelo AU)

Chapter Five

Hi! Thanks for reading my story but first: I DO NOT own any of the characters or art. Second: When I converted things from google docs, stuff might have been messed up so if there are any typos or stuff, please tell me! Third: When I put the Itlian in here I got it from google translate, so if I'm wrong please tell me! Thanks again for reading!

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Will POV

He’d hoped his friends would like Nico. He certainly had himself. He knew his group was generally accepting and were never ones to make someone feel bad.

That’s why he was so confused when Nico ran out of the cafeteria seemingly on the verge of tears. It happened only seconds after Percy introduced himself, what went wrong?

“Did I say something wrong?” Percy asked anxiously. His trademark troublemaker smile wiped clean.

“I don’t think so. Though, what did you mean by your mom’s their cook?” Rachel questioned.

“My mom and I live at the di Angelo’s house because my mom’s their live-in chef. We moved in yesterday and their place is huge,” Percy said.

“Nico has always been a bit self-conscious about his status…” Hazel ventured.

“Why though? It seems like he’s living the high-life to me,” Leo said, tossing a grape into the air, and catching it with his mouth.

“He might be worried people would treat him differently if people knew he had money.  Wouldn’t really want people to know either,” Will reasoned. He really didn’t care if Nico’s family had money or not. And besides, Nico didn’t look like he wanted it either, he probably just wanted a friend.

“I get that, but there’s no reason to run out like that. My family has money and I don’t feel self-conscious about it,” Jason said. It was true, Jason and Thalia’s dad owned some major airlines. Rachel’s father had some successful business.

“Well just because you don’t feel self-conscious doesn’t mean other people can’t. And he has good reasons, too,” Hazel defended, taking on an angrier tone.

Leo raised his hands in the. “Jeez, all we’re saying is that he overreacted a bit. He didn’t need to storm out or anything.”

Hazel then got mad and walked out the cafeteria, most likely to find her brother. Frank followed close behind.

“That was kind of cold guys,” Piper said, giving Jason and Leo a “look”. 

“Things could be happening at home, and he could be hurting. You never really know,” Will scolded them.

Before they could answer, Will stood up and walked out of the cafeteria to find Nico.

~~~~~ Time Skip ~~~~~

After checking most of the classrooms, the sports field, the infirmary, and every single hallway, Will finally found Nico in the boys’ bathroom.

“Nico?” Will asked tentatively, hoping not to spook him. Nico seemed to be staring at himself in a mirror, his eyes watery and red, his cheeks tear stained. “Nico, it’s Will.”

Nico whipped his head around so quickly, Will thought he would get whiplash. His hair was messy and tangled, his hand wet as if he had been running water over them. He opened his mouth to speak, but his eyes became unfocused and bleary, as if someone was talking to him in his head. More tears filled his eyes and he whimpered.

Will quickly rushed to his side, engulfing the smaller boy into a hug. At first, he squirmed and struggled, but after about 30 seconds, he melted into Will’s embrace and let his sobs fall freely.

“Sh, it’s okay. You’re okay,” Will soothed. His shirt was becoming wet but that was the least of his worries. He didn’t know if Nico could understand him or not, but he figured he should at least try. “That’s alright, you can cry. It’s okay.”

“Sono pazzi, sono tutti pazzi, (They’re mad, everyone’s mad,)” he cried. “E' tutta colpa mia! (It’s all my fault!)”

Will didn’t understand anything, but just kept hugging him. “You’re okay you’re safe. I’m here. You’re at school. You’re safe,” Will repeated. He guessed those words helped, as his breathing evened and his crying lessened.

“I am sorry,” he whispered, his crying stopped except for a stray tear here and there. His accent was thick, and his voice was raw and dry. It echoed quietly throughout the empty bathroom.

Will pulled away to look him in the eye. “You have nothing to be sorry for, okay?” Will told him. Nico nodded, biting his lip. “Will you tell me what happened? You don’t have to though.”

Nico nodded once more, wiping his eyes. “I was being a baby. Childish. I do not like talking about my family or our money. I’ve… had some bad experiences,” Nico explained. Pausing between every few words, think of the translation.

“Nico, look at me,” Will said, cupping the boy’s face in his hands, “you are not a baby. You are just a person with feelings and that’s okay. You have every right to cry just like every other person. And know if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

Nico looked at Will unsurely, but nodded half heartedly. His tears started coming down quicker and Nico tried to wipe them away as they fell. 

“Hey, hey, it’s okay to cry. Alright? You can cry,” Will said, touching the smaller boy’s forehead with his own. “Just breathe. Okay? In, out. In, out.”

He felt Nico’s breaths as he steady himself. They’re faces were so close together that Will could feel his eyelashes fluttering. Will watched as tears streamed freely, but silently, other than a whimper every few minutes. They held hands and Will couldn’t help but love the feeling.

He had never seen someone cry so hard and it felt good to him to know he’d calmed him. He loved that he helped Nico and he just wanted to help him further. He wanted to tell him that it was okay. He wanted to let him know that he was there and that he would help him.

Will had always wanted to be a doctor, but he never really felt the pride in actually helping someone until now. He’d never really helped someone the way he was helping Nico. Sure, he’s helped his siblings and friends with cuts, bruises, and scrapes. But never had he helped someone emotionally. Never had he comforted someone before.

And yet here he was.

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I'll just start by saying I reaaaaally love solangelo. And I hope you enjoyed this chapter, thanks for reading!