LIABILITY - WILCO SOLANGELO

Ch. 28

Thank you. For every comment. I owe it to you guys to write. Love y'all. Gonna be more of a thoughtful daydreamy chapter than moving the story forward because I'm kinda stuck in a similar zone. Also shoutout to xoAnotheriwiseGirlxo :)

WILL POV

Day 3, and Nico's last day in the infirmary, was thankfully uneventful. However, the previous day's use of his powers had drained him substantially and so he spent the day sleeping in the sunlight. After pestering him to death, he had - reluctantly - pointed out the girl who had triggered his breakdown yesterday. He tried to assure me that it wasn't the girl's fault but his. So, I had to promise I wouldn't so much as say a word to her. What Percy and Jason might have to say though is a different story- They didn't seem particularly happy when I told them what had happened.

It was a rather busy day in the infirmary and I couldn't spend half the time I wish I could with Nico. That didn't stop me from checking in on him every time I passed the door, sometimes sneaking in a kiss on the cheek or forehead. After last night, we both went to bed pretty peacefully without much discussion ahead but now I was itching to be sure. I mean it wasn't all a dream, was it? And if it wasn't - who on Earth would tell Percy and Jason, and oh goodness- Reyna and Hazel. I gulped at the very thought. Four very scary campers would be breathing down my neck. What if they think I'm not  good enough for him? I'm not half as strong or brave as any of them. Yeah, we work fine when we cross paths and for Nico's sake. But, me dating Nico? What would they think of that? Would they think I was caring for him just to make a move on him?

Kayla must have seen my pale expression when she passed because she had to quite literally shake me out of my reverie. 

"Oi what's wrong lover boy?" - Oh did I forget to mention, I'd already told Kayla. For someone who was great a bottling up the hurt and pain, I did a terrible job disguising affection and happiness. I guess it just radiated off me. Like maybe you can just keep one emotion hidden and I'd already made my choice. I just shook my head as though it'd clear the brain fog. 

"Go grab lunch for yourself and my brother-in-law." Kayla pushed me in the general direction of the pavillion. I took two steps away before her words hit me.

"He's not your brother-in-law," I yelled back at her. Maybe a bit too loud. Campers all around looked in my way. Oops. I ducked my face and headed to lunch. I filled up two plates - one for me and one for Nico. Nico's plate had a bit less because he had once told me that the sight of a full plate to finish made him even more uncomfortable eating. His plate also had a considerable more junk food simply because I didn't enjoy it and because he ate for junk. Balancing two plates in my hands, I somehow opened Nico's room door with both plates in hand. He was sitting on the bed sketching again. He'd finally gotten the colours he wanted and was shading intently with earphones on. So, when I closed the door, he looked up startled, flipped the book over and removed his earphone. Then, slowly and painfully he stretched out his back. Goodness only knew how long the boy had been sitting like that. "What were you drawing, angel?" His cheeks turned red and I smiled - it was adorable when he blushed. He tried to hide his face behind a pillow and my heart melted. Eventually he looked up. "You." He replied. And I was truly surprised. He always seemed more of a scenery person, or a still life person. For a person who hated people so much, it was surprising he drew people as a hobby. I voiced my opinion aloud as I sat on the edge of Nico's bed. 

"People are beautiful, Will. They're not all ugly. My inability to interact with people is my shortcoming but I watch. Sitting on the skirts of a crowd, I watch. I watch people laugh till they cry. I watch people hold each other and cry. I've seen so many people mourn the loss of loved ones after the war and even that has a tragic beauty to it. Humans with all their emotions in a chaotic jumble are quite a beautiful species. And then there lies the uniqueness of every individual, the delicate features. It's beautiful when you pay attention. And you my sunshine might just be the most beautiful of them all. I don't think you know it but when you smile, a dimple shows. When you laugh your right lip turns up more than your right and your left eye closes more than your right. Your eyelashes are as blonde as your hair but and when they catch the sunlight they look golden. Your eyes are bright blue but there are little specks of golden woven in your eyes, the same way Percy has specks of green. I observe a lot and when you do you see beyond humans' surface flaws and see the beauty of their soul."

I could hear him talk all day. "That's beautiful Neeks. You're quite the poet at heart aren't you. I could just keep listening to the thoughts inside your head. Beyond all the hurt, there's so much character and beauty and hell I wish I could read your head sometimes."

He laughed but there was a certain hollowness to it, "Too bad I hate talking, eh? Besides you don't wanna read my mind Solace."

I didn't want to ruin the chill mood we had created a while back, "Oh come on Neeks, I know how bad you want me. Trust me I want you to." I added in a wink for goof measure.

That got him laughing and I smiled. I liked making him laugh. "Oi, show me the sketch." I insisted. Nico shook his head "It's not complete yet." I groaned. As if I cared. Curiosity would kill me. But when even my pleading look failed I resorted to letting Nico sketch while I fed him. 

Lost in his own world of drawing and colouring, he finished his entire plate. Without him noticing, I slowly began feeding him a bit from my plate. After a few bites, he said he was full, with an apologetic look. He thought he hadn't finished his food again. I just smiled and showed him his empty plate and he looked surprised with himself. Then slowly, he cracked a small smile. And it made me happy. He was, even if just a bit, proud of himself. And I was proud of him. I gave him a peck on the forehead, before I ate the remaining food in my plate. Then, I headed to return the plates. 

I came back later, with some water for Nico. There were no new patients per se and I had a while before my rounds so I decided to spend it with Nico. I entered his room and he was still sketching, intently as always. I thought he hadn't noticed me till he said, "You know, I bet we could make ponytails out of your blonde locks Rapunzel." I burst out laughing. "That was so fricking random. And Rapunzel, really?" Nico had been laughing in his soft teasing way all this while and he just shrugged. I handed him the bottle and he took a small sip before placing it on the table. I tutted. "Neeks, you gotta drink more water than that." 

He frowned but took another sip or two of water. I smiled. Nico returned to his shading and I just sat there watching him. Occasionally, he'd look up at my face for reference. He'd make me look at him from different angles and I couldn't help the blush when he stared into my eyes or at my lips. "How'd you normally draw me without me as a reference in person?"

He shrugged. "Lots of observation, I guess. And I remember faces well."

"Observation or ogling. How long you been spying at me and staring at my pretty face?" 

Nico turned red before he muttered, "Not long enough." And I bet I was just as red as him. 

Another five minutes of silence and Nico slowly turned the sketch. "The eyes aren't as pretty as you and the lips aren't as smooth but here you go." 

I all but gasped. It was beyond words. It could have been a photo. From my freckles to the red of my nose and every lock of hair - he'd drawn it. It was beautiful. No one had ever made something like this for me. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a bit misty eyed. "It's beautiful Neeks. Really, really is. My dad's the God of art and poetry but I can't make stuff for the life of me but I swear you're a natural. Oh my god, teach me this skill. You're amazing. Does anyone else know you can draw like this."

Nico just shook his head slightly and smiled warmly. I hugged him tight. And then he kissed me. "Thank you, Will."

"Why?"

"For making me believe I'm good at doing things. For taking so much effort on me and with me. Thank you for being there when I was at my lowest and for making me smile this much. I don't think I've ever smiled this much."

"I'm gonna make you smile like this forever, love. So, better get used to it." And then I knew, it was the perfect moment. "Hey Nico, would you like to come on a date with me."

And if it was possible his smile widened even more and when he said, "Yes.", I thought my facial muscles would tear from the grin that stretched across my face.