Fatal Flaw (a Percy Jackson AU)

Cancerous Society

Nico
  I woke up to the beating of the drums. I felt pain fill every hollow of my heart. I was alone, utterly alone. The beating of the drums grew louder. I felt the pressure hit every nerve of my body. "Stop the drums!" I screamed. "Stop the beating of the drums!"
   "Nico, it's okay," a voice murmured.
   I woke up to see Will shaking my shoulder softly. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.
   "Yes," I said.
    Already, the memory of the dream was shattering into fragmented pieces like shattered glass. The shards flipped away from my mind. All I could remember was the constant beating of the drums.
   "Nico?" Will asked softly. "What's wrong."
    "Nothing," I snapped.
  I winced when I saw him flinch. "I'm sorry, Will," I said. "I'm such a failure. I've never been good enough for anyone. People always shun me because my father is a funeral home owner. I was bullied in school for that. They called me a lunatic and a nutter; they said I went psycho after my sister's death. Bi-Bianca's death was all m-my fault."
   "You're amazing, Nico," Will said. "We're in a mental hospital! Of course we're all a bit weird to others; we've been through so much. We've been through more than most people will ever go through in their entire lives. We've experienced pain that others cannot even imagine."
   "I'm just a weakling," I interjected. "They always called me weak when I cried at school. When a girl saw my cuts on my arms, she started a Facebook page called: I Hate Nico Di Angelo."
   "You're not weak," Will said angrily. "People who have had it easy in life shouldn't tell you that you're weak for expressing emotions. They've never had to bear the pain you have. They've never walked a mile in your shoes. They cannot even comprehend how much you've been through."
   "I've been through all of this pain because I deserved it," I spat. "I deserve to be unhappy forever and never be loved. I know know one loves me or ever will. I'm an outcast; I'm a failure."
   "I love you," Will said softly.
    I stared at him blankly. Why was he even lying. Did he think that lie could convince me against the truth which I had faced for years. Did he think that I'd fall for his sick and cruel joke. The idea that someone would ever love me would be laughable if I didn't have to experience the pain it caused.
   "I love you, Nico, because you're a good person. "You have experienced so much pain and yet you've helped me deal with mine. I love how you never look down on someone without reason. You never ignore the outcast because you know how they feel. You help me feel better. Even if we are all imperfect vessels, your imperfections make you perfect. That's why I love you."
   "That's a paradox," I blurted out stupidly.
    Will looked at me sadly with his big, blue eyes that gleaned like a peacock's feathers. His sandy hair was ruffled from sleep. His smile was dazzling and the best part was I knew that it was sincere. For the first time since Bianca's death, I thought maybe, just maybe, someone cared about me.
    I leaned it and gave him a soft peck on the cheek. Will awkwardly gave me a side-hug. I laughed-the first time in a long time-and promptly rolled off the bed. "That hurt," I complained.
   Will helped me get up. He tucked me back into bed and plumped up my pillow. "I'll get you an ice-pack," he said. "In the meantime, you better stay here. Doctor's orders. Oh and don't forget about that kiss!"