Light & Dark

Chapter 12

Nico looked up. 'You do?'

Will sat down at the end of Nico's bed and clasped his knees nervously.

He tried to speak but all that came out was a gag. There was a lump in his throat which he figured had nothing to do with sickness and everything to do with what he would say next.

He swallowed and tried again.
'I- I'm gay too,' he managed to say. His heartbeat tripled.

Nico said nothing. What was he supposed to do in a situation like this? He tried to supress the giddyness bubbling up inside him at hearing the best news in the world. Be serious, Nico. This isn't about what you want. It's about Will.

He should have said something comforting. Heck, he should have said anything. But curse his social ineptness, he just froze up with no clue how to respond.

Will tried not to meet Nico's eyes.
'I've never told anyone that before,' he whispered. 'Not even my siblings know.'

Nico frowned. 'Then why are you telling me? Now?'

'I guess... you're the only person I know who'd understand, really. I couldn't even tell my dad, because - well, surely you've heard what Apollo is like. He wouldn't be able to understand why I don't want people to know.'

'...and why don't you want people to know? Are you ashamed?'

Will shook his head. 'No, of course not! Wait... are you?' He looked generally incredulous.

Nico went red. 'You don't understand. When I was growing up... it was a totally different time back then. It wasn't just bad to be gay. It was... completely taboo. No one ever mentioned it, or acted like it was even a real thing at all. So through all my childhood, I believed that I was wrong, twisted, messed up in the head or something, because as far as I knew, it was meant to be impossible.  And yet it wasn't, not for me. So of course I was - still am - ashamed.'

He paused, embarrassed at divulging so much of his inner self.

'Wouldn't you be?' he said defensively.

Will considered this. 'Wow, man. I can't even begin to think how tough that must have been.' His problems seemed like nothing compared to what Nico had been through. He started to regret being so dismissive of Nico back in the battle.

'So... why don't you want to tell people you're gay if you don't think there's anything wrong with it?' Nico questioned.

'That's just it. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. But others do. And I don't want people to stereotype me or assume things about me based on one trait which, in reality, doesn't really affect who I am as a person.' Will's voice rose as he worked himself up. His voice stung with bitterness towards the rest of the world.

Nico brooded for a bit. Eventually he spoke slowly.

'Surely, considering we're literally surrounded by Greeks, we shouldn't be that worried about being judged? I mean, the Ancient Greeks were a very gay bunch.'

Will raised an eyebrow. 'You say that, but I don't see you exactly rushing to come out.'

Nico cringed. 'I guess not.'

Will's eyes lit up. 'I have an idea,' he said abruptly.

'Please don't tell me it involves running at 5am.'

'Ha, ha, no. Let's make a pact.'

Nico sighed and decided to humour him. 'A pact involving what, exactly?'

'We both promise that by the end of the month, we'll both have come out.'

Nico's insides coiled in fear.
'Will... that's a big ask.'

'I know. It's a big ask for me too. But together, we can do it.' Without thinking, he took hold of Nico's hand. To his delight, Nico did not pull away.

Instead, he squeezed back.

'Ok,' decided Nico. 'We can do this,' he resolved, despite every sense in his body screaming nope nope nope nope nope! He needed to be there for Will. That's what friends are for right? Something like that.

The invisible wall that hung between them crumbed away as Nico leaned over and hugged Will.
'Thanks, Will. It's a relief to finally have someone to talk about everything with.'

They pulled apart. 'It's no problem. I needed it too,' said Will. 'Also, Nico? Hugging? Since when?'

Nico's eyes narrowed. 'Tell no one,' he hissed darkly.

Both boys erupted in laughter. After they had recovered, Will glanced towards the curtained window where a faint light was beginning to peek through.

'We should probably sleep before Apollo graces us with his presence.' he noted.

With that, he collapsed on the bed beside Nico's and they gently wafted into a peaceful slumber.