𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒𝟑// 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭

Will awoke to ragged breathing. He turned to see Nico trembling, terror on his face as he dreamed. He went to scoot closer, but Nico bolted upright, forcing him back. 

"Nico?" 

He didn't respond. His eyes were wide and glassy, staring at nothing. He reached to the back of his neck, wincing. Will realized what he was doing and scrambled forward, trying to grab his wrists. 

"Nico!" 

"Get it out." Nico wriggled out of his reach, clawing at his neck. Tears streamed down his face. "Get it out." 

Will managed to grab him, but Nico yanked against his grip, and the two went crashing to the floor, tangling in the sheets as they struggled. By some miracle, Will gained the upper hand, pinning him down. 

"Let me go!" 

"Nico!" 

Nico began to scream. "Stop it! Get off me!" 

"Nico, please!" 

Will could barely hold him down. Nico was sobbing, and he couldn't stand the sound. At last, the terror drained out of him, and he went limp, chest heaving. 

"I'm sorry," Will whispered, tears in his eyes. "I'm so sorry." 

Nico didn’t respond, staring at the ceiling over Will’s shoulder as he caught his breath, trying to relax. A minute passed, and Will spoke again. “Be honest with me. If I let you go…will you stop trying to take the chip out?”  

Nico’s expression filled with worry. “I..I can’t promise that.” 

Will gave a shaky exhale, but before he could respond, he heard footsteps from outside. The blue-haired healer came bursting through the entrance, taking in the scene with wide eyes. “We heard screaming. What’s going on?” 

Nico was the one who answered. “I…tried to take the chip out. Will had to stop me.” He craned his head to look at the healer over Will’s shoulder, as though this was all completely normal. “Get the other healers. And Leo Valdez. It needs to be out now. I’m not waiting anymore.” 

The healer nodded, her face full of concern. “Can I trust to leave you alone with him? I don’t need you injuring the prince on my watch.” 

“I’ve calmed down now.” Will slackened his grip, before letting him go, sitting back on his stomach. Nico didn’t move, sucking in another breath before continuing. “You don’t need to worry.” 

The healer left without another word. 

Nico looked up at Will and raised an eyebrow. “You can get off now.” 

Will realized he was still straddling Nico, and scrambled off, face warming a bit. “Sorry.” 

“It’s fine.” Nico wrapped his arms around his knees and rocked back and forth, taking deep breaths. Will sat next to him, studying him carefully. 

“If you need grounding techniques, I have a few,” Will suggested. 

Nico turned to look at him, then gave a slow nod, as though he was struggling to understand. “Y-yeah. Yeah, that would be good.” 

“Okay.” He scooted closer. “Name five things you can see.” Nico’s gaze scanned the room, and he did so, stumbling over his words. Will nodded. “Good. Now name four things you can hear.” He continued to guide Nico through naming what he sensed, until Nico was somewhat calm. His breathing slowed, and his eyes focused. 

“I’m sorry,” Nico whispered. “Thank you for helping me.” 

Will reached out a hand, and Nico took it without hesitation, lacing their fingers together as they shared a smile. They stayed like this until the healers came.