Ink and Ashes

#36

Will could tell that Nico had been really impacted by the diagnosis.

He hadn't come out of the guest room in two days. He said he was fine, just tired. Will obviously didn't believe him.

He knocked on his door, waiting a moment before peeking his head in.

Nico was curled up under the sheets, just like he was yesterday. And the day before. Will cautiously stepped in, holding the plate of pancakes his mother had made for Nico.

"Nico?" He walked over to the bed, gently touching Nico's shoulder through his clothes, "Are you awake?"

Nico rolled around, groaning, "I am now."

Will smiled slightly, sitting down on the bed, "I brought you some breakfast, you need to eat something."

Nico glared at him, "Didn't I eat something yesterday?"

"You need to eat everyday Nico."

Nico groaned, sitting up, "Whatever. You're gonna make me all fat."

Will couldn't help but chuckle, "I don't care if you weigh 300 pounds Nico. I'd love you no matter what you look like."

Nico stared down at the plate, then looked back up at Will, a curious look in his eyes.

"Would you really want to move into my dads house?"

"What?" Will had no idea what he was talking about.

Nico looked down at his hands, "Your sister, Kayla. She said she'd like the move into my fathers house. It is bigger, we'd have more space and everything. And if your mom sold this house, or just you and me moved over there, you either wouldn't have to pay for your own house, or you wouldn't have to worry about paying for college. And I'm already planning on paying for your college anyway."

Will looked at him in shock. This was not what he was expecting when he came to see Nico. Pay for his college? Their own house?

"I couldn't ask that of you Nico," Will had to fight back the desire to grab the younger boy's hand, though it hurt him emotionally, "I know you don't have good memories of that place, I would never ask you to go back there, no matter how big the house is. And that's your inheritance money, it should be put towards your own college."

Nico shrugged, fidgeting with his hands, "I was never planning on going to college. And medical school is expensive. It would be a lot easier for you to just use my money."

Will stared at him, not knowing if he should be thankful or reluctant. This was still Nico's money, it would be unfair if Will took that much.

"Please Will?" Nico looked up at Will with wide eyes, "I want to repay you for everything you've done for me."

Will frowned, "Nico you don't have to repay me. Just knowing that you're happy and safe is repayment enough for me."

Nico shook his head, "But I won't be happy until I know that I've repaid you. You heard the doctor lady, I literally have a guilty soul."

So that was what this was about, Nico felt guilty.

"Nico," Will reached to grab the boy's hands but paused, remembering, "I get that you feel guilty. And truthfully, I don't know if I can convince you that you shouldn't be. But none of what happened to you was your fault. Okay?"

Nico shrugged, looking up at him, "That's not what I feel guilty about."

Will gave him a confused look, then what was he guilty about?

Nico sighed, finally making eye contact with Will, "I'm broken. No matter what way you look at it, I'm never, and I never will be, whole. I don't know why you love me, I really don't. I've told you time and time again that it's not worth it. I've been used and abused, I'm broken merchandise. And no matter how many times you try to fix me I can't be fixed. Yet knowing you, you'll probably never stop. I might as well try and help you make up for the wasted time."

Will blinked at his boyfriend. At the moment he wanted no more than to just kiss the boy. He knew he couldn't though.

Just as he was about to explain to the boy that it wasn't his fault. He wasn't broken, Will would always love him no matter his past. Nico suddenly leaned in and kissed him.

He pulled away a few seconds later, his face contorted in slight pain.

He smiled at Will, who was just staring at the boy like an idiot. He shrugged.

"It doesn't hurt to kiss you."

Will grinned.