The Sun Without Stars Solangelo

Not Even A Star

Will's POV

"You good in there?" Will asked after fifteen minutes had passed and Nico still hadn't exited. He hadn't planned to rush him, but this was taking suspiciously long, and he was starting to wonder if Nico had passed out or something.

How did those stitches tear?

"I'm coming. I'm coming," Nico grumbled, jerking the door open.

Up close, Nico looked even more... well, dead. Something in his eyes was fiery, though, much more vibrant than Will had ever seen in him before.

Maybe he really is better off without me. 

Will ached. He'd missed many things in his lifetime, but he'd never yearned for someone so strongly that it consumed him before he'd abandoned Nico.

"Found something," Nico said absentmindedly, not meeting Will's eyes. He handed him the discman Will had lent him.

"You listen to it?" Will asked as they both headed to his cabin. Nico seemed surprised when he made conversation, but didn't ignore him.

"Yup," Nico replied, their fingers brushing when he handed him the discman.

Will reached into his pockets, looking for his earbuds. He offered one to Nico like he'd done millions of times, and a memory he'd wished to recreate ever since they'd parted. Nico, whose eyes widened and then drooped, accepted the bud. 

While he was afraid that the being might come for them, he felt sure for some reason that nothing would attack.

~

If I could, I'd be your little spoon
And kiss your fingers forevermore
But, big spoon, you have so much to do
And I have nothing ahead of me

You're the sun, you've never seen the night
But you hear its song from the morning birds
Well, I'm not the moon, I'm not even a star

~

By the time the song had ended, they both stepped foot inside the cabin, Nico seeming on edge.

"The bed beside mine is the only available one, I think. Sorry for the mess."

Thank you, Apollo.

A wide range of instruments were strewn across the ground, from guitars to bagpipes. Will picked up a viola off of Nico's bed, which had been used as spare storage for a while now.

"Is every Apollo kid a band kid?"

"We've got band kids, strings kids, choir kids, and theater kids," Will listed, to which Nico chuckled dryly.

Nico placed his backpack on the bed, but didn't remove anything.

Nervously, Nico mentioned, "The funerals. When are they?"

How'd he know more than one died? Did he sense it?

"Tonight. Problem is the bodies are probably going to have to be covered. They were... in pieces," Will mumbled.

"Sorry."

Will didn't understand why he was saying so. Was it for the argument or for the situation at hand?

Will opted to reach for his equipment instead of answering, gesturing for Nico to remove his shirt.

"We always end up like this, don't we," Will joked. Nico frowned, pulling off his shirt with immense strain. Will reached out to help him remove it, but Nico pulled away.

Nico's arms had been quite muscular before the quest, and he'd grown to be at eye level with Will. Now, his waist had thinned and his ribs protruded from his chest, and only skin clung to them.

Will was quick, since only half of it had ripped. When they were done, Nico grabbed a new top and pulled it over his head, facing away from Will.

Breaking the silence, a crowd of younger campers entered the cabin, some sobbing and others looking plain terrified.

Will got up and kept the door open for everyone to enter.

"Everyone. I know this looks bad, but we've got campers all over the grounds on guard for any potential danger. We ask that you guys stay inside until we make sure whatever attacked is removed. The children all seemed relieved by Will's words, a warm glow emanating from his body, giving the impression of an angel.

"Will, can I talk to you?" Nico asked.

"Sure...what's up?" Will whispered.

"The being that attacked them entered the barrier on some sort of fluke, but the Ares kids got to it. What I mean is that, not only did the Ares kids die, but the being that they met did as well."