Light & Dark

Chapter 3

Oh my gods, did he really say that out loud? Curse his lovestruck brain. Will started internally panicking.

'What was that?' said Nico.

Thank the gods, Nico hadn't heard. Will figured it was for the best- Nico was in a fragile state and probably wouldn't want to be objectified.

'Um, nevermind. By the way, I am actually moderately trained in psychology.'

'Wait, really?'

'Yeah, I mean, what use would a doctor be if all he could do was stitch up wounds? Demigod doctors, we're trained in physical, mental and magical injury.'

''Magical Injury' sounds a lot more tame than 'Almost getting sucked into death shadows and darkness forever', doesn't it?' Nico remarked.

Will looked slyly at Nico. 'So you admit it! You would totally have disappeared into nothingness if you'd tried to shadow travel again. In fact, you still might. So no underworldy stuff for a week, alright? Doctor's orders.'

That phrase had started to etch itself in Nico's mind. He felt safe and protected when Will said it. Then he scolded himself for thinking that.

Will was standing directly inbetween Nico and the window, making the afternoon sunshine filter around him. His hair blended with the glow to form a shining halo around Will's tan face. Once again Nico found himself randomly returning to the first day he arrived at camp half-blood with Apollo.

Thalia had said, He's hot.
He's the sun god, Percy replied.
That's not what I meant.

Looking at Will, Nico now had an inkling as to why he was remembering that specific conversation, and the thought made his face go red.

'Your face is heating up. Do you have a fever?' Will rushed over to place the back of his hand against Nico's forhead. Nico initially flinched, but he was so exhausted that he couldn't do anything about it. As he drifted off to an early sleep, with Will leaning over him, the sun trickling in and a warm, soft bed beneath him, he couldn't help but think, I could definitely get used to this. Then he floated away.