Don't Fade Away: A Solangelo Fanfiction 2

Chapter 59: Wherever You Go, I'll Follow

It was May 31st, which meant 2 things: Nico and Will had been dating for 7 months, and that it had already been 2 months since Jason died.

"You know, a couple of days from now, Jason should've been arriving." Nico said quietly.

"That's right."

"I can't believe it's been 2 months already."

"I can't, either."

Nico sighed and wiped his face.

"Nico, will you please eat?" Will asked.

"I'm not hungry."

"When was the last time you were?"

Nico wasn't sure. He didn't answer.

"Okay, when was the last time you had a full meal?"

Nico still didn't answer.

"Can I please get you some food?"

"Fine. I'll try to eat."

"Thank you."

Will left the Hades cabin and came back a couple of minutes later with a tray of food.

Before Nico picked up the sandwich on his plate, he said, "Will, I have to go to Tartarus."

"What?!" Will said, astonished. "Why?! Is it because of those dreams you've been having a lot, the voices?"

Nico shivered. Those were the worst of all. "Yes."

"Well who's calling you?"

Nico shook his head. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay. Well, will you at least explain why you want to go back to that horrible place?"

"I told you. Someone is calling me. Asking for help. I need to help them."

"Nico, please. I don't want you going back there. You almost died. You almost lost your sanity! Going down there took a toll on you. I won't let you go there again."

"I have to. There's no yes or no about this situation. Someone needs my help."

"I don't care. I can't have you put yourself at risk like this. It's too dangerous."

"I should probably leave soon." Nico said, completely ignoring what Will said.

"No! You aren't going! I can't have you die!"

"I'll try not to die, okay?"

"Why is this so out of the blue?" Will asked.

"It's not. This is at least the dozenest time I've had this dream, and I think it's real. I'm done sitting around and waiting and seeing what happens. I have to do something. You can't stop me."

"I know I can't." Will said sadly. "Let's just talk about it, okay? Talk to Mr. D about this first. We can make sure that it's real."

Nico thought about it. "Fine. I'll wait."

"Thank you. And when we talk about it more, when we do, if you still decide to go down there..... I'm coming with you."

Nico's eyes widened. "Will, I will not let-"

"If you're going, I'm going. There's no question about it."

"Will, you can't. It's the complete opposite of your territory. There's no sun, no light. Just darkness and monsters and more monsters and-" He stopped himself, and squeezed his eyes shut. "It's so much worse than you could possibly imagine." He said slowly.

"I know all of that."

"No, you don't. Me, Percy and Annabeth are the only people to ever make it out. Only we know what it's like down there. Trust me, I wouldn't go back unless I thought it was necessary. And this is necessary. And I won't let you go with me. I can't."

Will sat opposite Nico on the bed, holding his hands. "Nico, I would follow you anywhere and everywhere. To the ends of the Earth, to the pits of Tartarus. I would do it for you. Wherever you go, I'll always follow. I won't let you go there alone. Never in a billion years. So if you have to go, I'll be by your side."

Nico shook his head, tears starting to form in his eyes. "Tartarus changes you. You won't ever be the same. I can't do that to you."

"You won't be. I'm the one who chooses. It'll be my fault."

"No! You can't die, you can't go insane. I need you." Nico pleaded.

"And I need you! We'll be together, okay? We'll have a better chance if we're together."

"Will, it was different for me. The Underworld is my territory. I'm fine without light and sun. You're different. You need that."

"This isn't something we're going to decide. If you go, then so am I. You're not changing my mind."

Nico was crying now. "If you die. If you die...." He shook his head again. "Then I don't know! I can't see a future without you in it! We've been together for 7 months, which I know is not long in the long run, but to me it feels like we've been together longer. These last 7 months have been the best 7 months in my entire life! Even with what happened with Jason! That probably would have happened regardless, but if I would've left like I said I was, I'd be going through another thing alone. And I'm done going through things alone! I don't need to be alone anymore when you're right here, as clear as day! These 7 months have been the best thing that has ever happened to me, and what we have is what I want forever! I want to get through my issues, and I want to be like this with you forever! I can't do that if you die on me!"

"That's why we'll do it together, just like everything else we've done together." Will said calmly. "If Percy and Annabeth can make it, so can we. Their love was strong enough to get them through, and I don't think we need to test ours to know that our love will be enough to make it out, as well."

Nico was silent for a minute. "If I choose to go, we'll do it together, then."

Will squeezed his hands. "We'll do it together."