When Worlds Collide

10) His and His Prosthetics

Nico didn't know how long had passed before he heard a knock on the door. Usually the pain would have been gone by then, but apparently it decided to stick around for a while.

"Who is it?" Nice called, making sure he kept his voice steady.

"It's Will," the voice said back. "I just wanted to check in since you never came back to dinner. Is Hazel okay?"

Nico hesitated. Part of him wanted to lie just so he would leave, not wanting anyone else to see him like that. The other part desperately wanted Will to come in. He knew it was selfish, to want to probably ruin his boyfriend's night, but he wanted comfort.

"She's fine, we were just catching up."

The other side of the door was silent for a moment before Will spoke again, his voice quieter this time. "Can I... Can I come in?"

Nico stared at the door for a long moment, fighting internally with what wanted. "Yeah, come in," he finally said, giving in to the part of him that was begging to see Will.

The door slowly opened, Will's head peaking inside before his eyes met Nico's and he instantly close the door behind him and rushed to Nico's bedside. "Oh my gods. Nico, are you okay?"

The son of Hades internally cursed himself because apparently his poker face was awful at that moment. "I'll be fine."

Will reached out to grab Nico's hand, but hesitated for a moment before dropping it, probably not wanting to violate his boundaries. "Is it your-- I'm sorry, I shouldn't overstep. Do you want me to call Kayla?"

Nico shook his head before reaching out and grabbing Will's hand that was by his side. "Kayla can't really do anything, it just has to pass."

Will gripped Nico's hand tightly as he sat on the edge of the bed. There was a silence that filled the room after that. It wasn't a good or bad silence, it just simply was.

It had been a solid twenty minutes before anyone spoke again. Another fresh wave of pain hit Nico causing him to bury his head in his pillow and hold onto Will's hand tighter.

"I'm so sorry," Will whispered.

Nico looked at his boyfriend in confusion before he noticed the tears that streaked down the blonde's face. The younger teen forced himself to sit up slightly as he reached out and wiped his cheek of tears. "Why are you sorry, mio raggio di sole?"

Will leaned his head into Nico's hand as he shook his head slightly. "I'm so sorry I did this to you. I should have found a way to save it. I should have figured something out. This is all my fault-"

Nico cut him off my wrapping his arms around his boyfriend tightly. Will tensed at first, but quickly gave into the embrace as he set his head on Nico's shoulder and continued to cry.

"Will, you saved my life. You brought me back. Please, don't apologize. We both know there was no other way."

Will clutched onto him harder, like he was a lifeline in the middle of a storm. "There could have been. Maybe I was wrong-"

Nico pulled out of the hug so that Will had to look at him. "There wasn't. It was either I loose the leg, or I die. Kay told me about hard the decision was for you, but you made the the right call. Yeah, it kinda sucks right now, but I am still so grateful that you made that call because it meant that I got to be with my family again. I got to see my cousins and friends again. I got to see you again."

"But-"

Nico shook his head, resting his hands on Will's face. "No 'but's. No more apologies. You did what you had to do to save my life, so thank you." Yet another wave of pain hit him, causing him to hiss slightly and close his eyes.