Wings

11: Throw Enough Rope Until The Legs Have Swung

A/N: If you are a reader who just saw this update without knowing that I've been editing this story, go back to chapter 1 and reread this story from the start; I have changed the story enough that you're going to be very confused if you don't go back and reread. For people who have been following the story as I update, welcome to another chapter!

I hope you're all excited; the original version of this story had 10 chapters, and this is the eleventh so we are officially posting new chapters rather than what could be considered heavily edited chapters <3 enjoy! The OG version will be linked at the end of the story in Story Resources.

WPOV

Track: Eat Your Young, Hozier

Staying awake all night means I have a lot of time to think about tomorrow. Too much time, maybe. As the night wears on, I can feel my exhaustion growing, but it's a strange sort of exhaustion where although I feel tired, my nerves are on fire and so awake that I know my eyes would never even stay closed long enough to drift off. So I stay on my feet instead, trying to get my thoughts in order.

The sun rises, and eventually, Nico shifts. I'm glad he got some rest at least—it makes up for those first couple of days when he kept watch over me, refusing sleep for the sake of keeping us both safe and sound. I'm glad that tonight I could pay that back at least a little bit—and he looks so peaceful when he sleeps that I feel like I've won too—so few people must get to see him vulnerable like this. It's sweet, and it makes my heart pound, but then I remember Nico nearly burning up in front of me. I try to stamp out thoughts of sweetness and vulnerability after that.

When Nico sits up, I immediately greet him with, "I'm sorry, Nico."

He rubs at his eyes and frowns deeply at the sun. "You apologize a lot."

"I mess up a lot."

Nico huffs. "It's fine, Will. You're only human—I can't blame you for making a mistake. And besides—I'm equally responsible. I could have told you no, but I chose to try it. It's alright."

I swallow my protests even though my heart tells me that what happened was really not alright. I shouldn't have asked to kiss him. I mean, he could have been killed, and that blood would be on my hands.

"Annabeth told me something yesterday," I say instead. "I wanted to get your opinion on it."

That piques his interest. He props himself up on his elbows and tilts his head at me. He doesn't say anything, but he nods at me to continue.

"She told me my parents have asked me to visit them so they can apologize," I say, and Nico's eyebrows immediately shoot up in an undeniably doubtful expression. "If I don't they say they'll assume I no longer wish to contact them, so this could be my last chance to ever get to speak to them. If I don't go, I might not ever see my family again."

I don't mention my siblings specifically, but Austin and Kayla's faces are clear in my mind. This is more than just meeting my parents. It's a chance to show Austin and Kayla that I didn't abandon them. It's a chance to get my life from before back, and even if there's risk involved here, isn't a chance at happiness worth it?

"That feels like an ultimatum," Nico says, dubious. "I'm not sure any genuine apology in human history has ever started with an ultimatum."

My face falls. He doesn't think I should go. But he doesn't get it—if he could have a chance at seeing his sister again, wouldn't he take that opportunity no matter what? I know there's risk involved. I'm not blind to that—but taking a risk to see if I can make things better will always be the better option than just trying to survive for the rest of my life.