SUNSHINE and DARKNESS

Until death do we part

WARNING: major character death(s) and angst
Word count - 3636
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Will hadn't seen Nico in forever.

Being the son of a (debatably) minor god, he was able to move back and forth from camp to home without too much trouble. This meant that he could attend public school, stay with his mother, and live the life of a relatively normal kid during the school year. And then he'd become the typical demigod during the summer months when his days were marked by long shifts at the infirmary, campfires, and the standard (kind of dangerous) camp activities.

It was May, and Will was getting antsy for school to be over. It was that time of year when everything was winding down, when exams were the main talk of the school, when Will was chugging coffee just to keep up with his rigorous study schedule. Will was anxious to get back to camp, to see his friends and siblings, to see Nico.

Will hadn't really talked to Nico since August. He definitely hadn't seen Nico since August. Iris messages didn't really count to Will, not when he couldn't kiss Nico's cheek or hold his hand or just sit next to him. Sure, IM's were better than phone calls (also including the fact that monsters weren't quite attracted to them), but actually being with Nico was better than anything. And Will missed that the most about camp.

Nico had tried to come and visit Will over Christmas break, but he'd been held up by some unrest back at camp. Apparently, the monster activity had increased lately, and everyone was busy trying to keep the monsters at bay. They were bringing in new demigods at least every other day, it sounded like. Will felt kind of guilty that he wasn't there to help with the influx of both new demigods and injuries. Will and Nico's conversations kept getting more and more prolonged as demigods were sent on quests and others had to set up groups for scouting and keeping watch.

"I'm sure he's doing fine, sweetie," Mama says. She rubs Will's back, kissing his head. "He knows how to take care of himself." Will nods. He knows Nico's capable of taking care of himself, capable of surviving tough situations. But it doesn't mean that Will's going to worry less.

In fact, Will's anxiety had been steadily increasing the past few weeks. Every day that went by without a call from Nico (a call from anyone, really) was a day that something could have gone wrong. Maybe if someone had checked in with Will (though he knew it was selfish of him to want that constant reassurance), maybe then he'd worry just a bit less.

"I know, Mama. But he hasn't called in forever. And I really miss him." Mama sits down next to Will, rubbing at his shoulders.

"Why don't we take a mental health weekend?" she asks. Will sighs, shrugging. He really needed to study for his exams. He also really needed to try and contact Nico again. He was hesitant to initiate the contact because he wasn't sure if he'd somehow blow Nico's cover or distract him during a fight. He didn't want to be the cause of something bad happening to Nico (or anyone else).

"I don't know. I'm really swamped with work."

Mama fixes him with a look. "Will, I don't care if Zeus himself demands you go on a quest." Will holds his breath for a minute, almost expecting his mama to get struck by lightning. "We're taking a mental health weekend. Just relaxation and rest."

Will nods, never really able to say no to his mama. "I love you, Mama." She kisses his forehead.

"I love you, sweetie." She smiles at him, brushing his hair out of his face. "Nico's going to be okay, and you will, too. If you take care of yourself."

Will nods again, leaning his head against his mama's shoulder. He really was so tired and stressed, and he really loved being held by his mama. He'd always been a mama's boy (mostly due to the fact that his father lived on Mount Olympus and didn't stop by much). They had that kind of connection where he could tell her anything, and he knew that her love for him would come first, then the lecture. He'd been so happy when Chiron had let him stay with his mama for part of the year.