Solangelo One Shots (fluff)

Story XXXIII

Nico wasn't back yet and Will was freaking out.

"I'm sure he's fine, Will," Kayla assured, placing a hand on her half brother's shoulder and stopping his pacing.

"But what if he's not?" Will worried. His lips were chewed from anxiety and he hadn't slept since Nico left. Which wasn't supposed to be long, since Nico was only tasked to get some information for Chiron on some demigods they had found, but then they mysteriously disappeared shortly after. Nico was only to be gone for a day, at most. He had left in the early morning two days prior and was supposed to be back by yesterday afternoon. But he never showed up. It was dark outside, after dinner, two days later and Nico still hadn't returned. "What if he's trapped somewhere, held hostage? What if he was cornered by monsters and couldn't get out? What if he got hurt? Or worse! What if he's..." Will's voice dwindled at the thought, tears brimming and hands shaking as he anxiously picked at his nails, peeling them so far back his nail beds were raw and bloody.

Kayla delicately took his hands in hers and walked him over to the sink in the bathroom of the infirmary room they were in. Without a word she turned on the warm water and rinsed his hands, cleaning his messed up nails and scrubbing them with soap. After getting them clean, she dried them softly on a fluffy towel and let out a breath, intertwining his now clean hands with hers and looking him in the eye.

"Those are very real possibilities, Will," she said bluntly. He let out a whimper and sucked in a breath. "But Nico is strong. You and I both know that. That kid has gone through so much shit in his life. We have to believe... you  have to believe that he will be okay and he can take care of himself," she drew a breath, squeezing her brother's hands in hers. "But, on the chance that he is not okay, you have to be able to take care of him and help him when he returns. And you cannot help him if you are so tired your legs are shaking. So I need you to lay down on one of the cots and try your darndest to sleep. I will keep watch in case he shows up and I promise I will tell you right away. Deal?" she raised a brow giving him a serious look.

Will's shoulders slumped and he nodded in defeat. "Okay, you're right. I'll rest," Kalya nodded curtly and released one of his hands, but still holding the other one as she led him to a cot. He laid down, turning on his side and tossing to get comfortable. "Just promise me you'll wake me if anything happens," Will said once again as Kayla shut off the lights and tucked her brother in.

Kayla chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "Of course." she said good night to him before leaving him to himself.

Will took a deep breath, closing his eyes and trying to calm his nerves. He wasn't sure he would be able to sleep, but he was proven wrong when he immediately fell asleep shortly after he closed his eyes.

It had been a solid six hours until Will was woken from his not so peaceful slumber. Will had horrible, awful nightmares all night. But it certainly didn't help when he was startled awake from one of those nightmares by the door to the infirmary room he was staying in, slamming open, the lights flashing on and a panicked Kayla at his side in a second.

"He's–" she was out of breath, panting, bent over her knees. "Strawberry fields!" she shouted, pointing out the door.

Will sprinted out of the infirmary, emitting a glow as he tried to navigate the dark strawberry fields. He saw a horse-like figure galloping towards him. It was Chiron. Something was draped over his back, limp. Nico!

Will ran to Chiron and slid to a stop, anxiety wrecking his body. "Nico?!" Will cried. Nico was hung over Chiron's back, tummy up. He was so, so pale and looked to be fading. His body was soaked with blood and he trembled.

"We must get him to the infirmary quick," Chiron said. "Come now." Then Chiron cantered off, Will close behind.

When they reached the infirmary, Chiron carefully laid down, allowing Nico to be easily lifted off of him. Will scooped up Nico's limp body. He was cold. So incredibly cold. Will rested him on the nearest cot and immediately got to work.