Waiting (a pernico fic)

Chapter 24

AN: OMFG only the epilogue and bonus chapter after this ugh

Nico

The next day, Will told Nico he had to talk to him about something and told him to meet him by the beach. Nico told Percy and said he had to go alone. After the fight, Nico wanted Percy to prove that he trusted Nico. "It's not that I don't trust you. It's that I don't trust him."
"If he tries anything, I'll run him through," Nico said, patting the sword by his side. "Promise."
"That's my babe."

"You're leaving the camp?" Nico asked, shock evident on his face. Will nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Wha- why?" Nico spluttered, not quite believing what Will had said, let alone that Will even wanted to do this. "Because my presence pisses Percy off and makes you uncomfortable. More for the latter reason. I'm moving to New Rome." Nico tried not to choke on air. Why was he reacting like this? Shouldn't he be happy that the guy who... that Will was leaving? And yet all he could feel was shock.
"You don't have to-"
"Yes I do," Will cut him off. "I'm sorry, again, for everything. I know it doesn't help, but I am."

Just a few yards away, Percy was perched behind a rock, eavesdropping. It wasn't necessarily the most trusting thing to do, but he knew what happened the last time Will was left alone with Nico and he wasn't taking chances. However, once Percy heard Will was leaving, he relaxed immensely. With Will gone, Nico wouldn't have to worry about Will, either him doing anything to Nico or to himself. Percy knew that with Will out of the picture, Nico could be okay again, so he relaxed.

For some reason, Nico felt panicked that Will was leaving. He didn't understand why but he did.
Before Nico could think about what he was doing, Nico hugged Will hard, face in Will's neck.
Will froze, not hugging back or pushing him away. Nico heard his breath hitch and he wasn't sure if it was shock or something else. "Don't get my hopes up, Death Boy," Will breathed against the crown of Nico's hair and Nico immediately pulled back. "Sorry," Nico said softly but Will waved it off. Nico took a deep breath and blurted, "I'll just... I'll miss you. I mean, you've always been here and things are just so different now and-"
"I know. It's weird. But I'll miss you too... Um, will you come visit me?"
Nico thought for a few moments. Would he?
"I'm... I'm not sure. Maybe after there's some distance, I'll be okay." Will seemed disappointed by this but he just nodded. "Okay."

Later, after Will went off to pack, Nico came back to the Hades cabin and told Percy everything. He relaxed at the news but seemed confused as to why Nico would miss him. "It's weird. I don't understand it myself," Nico admitted as he curled into Percy's side, cheek against his chest. "I think it's just that he's been a constant. It'll be weird, him not being here, but I'm glad he's leaving." Percy seemed satisfied by that and so was Nico. "It'll be good for you, you not having that memory around."
"And not having the testosterone shows all the time will be nice."
"Don't act like you don't like me being all butch."
"So you're a twink the rest of the time?" Nico looked up at him and they both smiled. "Obviously," Percy replied in a sassy voice and Nico laughed genuinely for the first time in a while.
And just like that, with one bit of news, all was well.

AN: HOLY FUQ THIS IS THE LAST OFFICIAL CHAPTER HOLY SHIT I CAN'T CONTAIN MAH HART
So the epilogue is next and then the fluffy bonus then it's dONE JUST LIKE I AM I AM SO DONE PLZ STAPH THE FEELS
also I'm putting a special authors note as it's own part at the very end, plz read it when I put it up
Anyway, I will see you here for the next two parts.
˜Tom