The Sun in the Shadow

Chapter 5

​Will didn't want to believe what he saw. Not that it was an overly gruesome scene or something truly horrifying, but because if he accepted it as real it may crack his heart.

​An empty hospital bed.

​An empty water cup.

​A fulfilled promise.

​Nico had left before the sun had risen on the forth day in the infirmary.

​Will walked over with a blank mind and ran his hands over the bedspread, neatly made as if the person who left cared that he left behind a good impression. He hoisted himself up onto the bed and then stared at the wall waiting for there to be some effect on him. But the only emotion Will could feel was this burning thing. Not hatred. Not anger.

​It was need, need of the strongest kind.

-0-

​Nico had left the infirmary early so that Will wouldn't try say goodbye to him. The whole time Nico was there Will slept in the infirmary too, instead of in his own cabin. So when he left, he left early and quietly so that Will didn't wake up.

​Outside was a brisk cool breeze that hadn't reached Nico in the infirmary. It was calming and awakening and quite cold. Though it felt nice, it also reminded Nico of his near death experience far to much, so he almost ran towards his brooding cabin.

​The cabin was as terribly done as ever. The coffin beds, the black everything, nothing was at all his taste. Also, it was still cold inside, like the people who built the cabin decided that children of Hades didn't require warmth. He was almost offended. Instead of starting a renovation at six in the morning, Nico instead grabbed a blanket and some of the pillows, laid them out on the floor, and tried to get his remaining sleep hours in the cold environment.

​Almost an hour later, there was a creak as someone opened the door. Someone walked up to Nico's sleeping form and stared at it for a moment. Then there was a rustle, a whoosh, and another rustle as another blanket was tucked around Nico. Then the helpful someone walked away and closed the door.

​Nico woke up only half an hour after them, walked outside, and found they were still there.

​"Annabeth?" Nico asked tentatively, not sure if what he was seeing was real. The blond haired girl was sitting on the little porch, her arms around her knees in a comfortable way and her eyes closed. At the call of her name she opened them and looked and Nico.

​"You're awake," she said, as if the situation needed clarification.

​"Yeah," Nico replied, trying not to look awkward even though the situation was radiating it. "What are you doing here? Were you the one who put on my other blanket?"

​She nodded and Nico said, "Thanks, but why?"

​Annabeth laughed and then stood up, a little taller than Nico. "I wanted to say thank you. For what you did," she replied and put her hands on her hips. "I know it was probably hard for you and I just wanted you to know that I appreciate it."

​"Why?" Nico asked with an astounded tone. "Why would any girlfriend want to know that another guy had a crush on her boyfriend?" Nico tried to say the words carefree, but he still started to blush at the forwardness of it.

​Annabeth laughed again and it wasn't a mocking or laughing-at-you laugh. It was a genuine kind laugh, like it was obvious to her and not to him. "I appreciate it because I don't feel this cold air between us or you two anymore. Sure, Percy's a little stunned, but in general I know this will be hugely beneficial to us. All of us." She smiled down at Nico and he could see the almost sisterly love it had.

​"Well, y-you're welcome." Nico cursed in his head at the stumble of words. Then Annabeth took her hands off her hips and took one of Nico's hands. He didn't pull away, but his eyes widened a bit.

​"Nico, I want you to know that we're all friends here. You have people you can depend on, people you can trust. We all love you Nico and-" But she was cut off by the sound of running feet and someone calling out, "By the gods, Nico!" They both turned to look at the person running towards them.

​Will Solace. In jeans, flip-flops, a surfer t-shirt, and a stethoscope draped around his neck. The blond boy was approaching them fast and Nico was all but running away, only staying because Annabeth was still there.

​"Nico are you supposed to be in the infirmary?" Annabeth asked while still staring at Will.

​"I finished today," he replied, watching Will as well.

​"Does Will know this?" she asked and Nico gulped.

​"He will soon," he replied and then he straightened his clothes, put on a straight face and stared at Will, reminding himself that he should not be feeling the butterflies in his stomach and he would not let Will believe there was anything between them.