You're All I Need [Solangelo AU]

VII

Nico's PoV:

"Guys!" Annabeth calls to us. "Over here!"

Me and Will walk over to Annabeth and look at everyone sitting on the lunch table.

"Nice to see you guys again," Annabeth says.

"You too," Will says.

"Oh yeah, this is Jason." She points to a blonde with glasses. "Piper, Leo, Frank, Calypso, Reyna, and you've met my boyfriend, Percy. (A/N: I know I didn't say Hazel.)
"Guys, this is Nico and Will."

Everyone says hi and waves, and we say hi back.

"Well come on, sit down." Annabeth says. Will and I sit down next to each other, Annabeth on my right.

"So," the one Annabeth said was Leo, starts. "Are you two dating?" He wiggles his eyebrows.

I nearly choke on my own spit.

Will just coughs awkwardly.

Everyone is staring at us, and Calypso slaps the back of Leo's head, and mutters, "Nice job, repair boy."

"Ow!" He says.

I'm not sure who's blushing more, me or Will.

Who would ever think that a guy like me would ever be able to date a guy like Will? He's probably straight, anyway.

A voice in my head hopes he wasn't. A voice in my head told me of different lives, worlds, where me and him were dating.

You stupid faggot, no one would ever date you. No one.

I stare at my plate.
Then the voices laugh.
Wow, you really are stupid if you ever think that anyone-- especially Will-- would ever date you.
I feel myself on the verge of tears.
No. I can't cry. Crying is for the weak.

Oh but Nico, you are weak.
We thought you already knew that? Guess we have to try harder.
This time, I feel a small tear slide down my cheek.
They laugh.
You are weak.
You've always been weak.

"--Nico!"

I snap out of my daze and look up from my plate.

Everyone is staring at me.

"Are you okay?" Percy asks.

"Look man, I didn't mean to offend you or anything by that 'dating' comment," Leo says.

I stare at them.
Did I really, just cry in front of everyone? I look at Will and he has a mix of confusion and concern on his face.

"I-I'm fine," I manage, and wipe my cheek.

"Doesn't look like it," Will says.

"What happened?" Frank asks.

"Nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing," Will says.

"I said I'm fine!" I snap at him.

He stares at me, hurt written across his face.

I sigh. "L-look, I'm fine. Just.. Bad memory popped into my head."

He still seems hurt, but nods his head. "Okay. ."

I eat in silence. Every now and then, Will would look at me, then look away.

I finish eating.

Everyone else finishes.

Then we get up, and walk to class.
Leo follows me.

"Hey Nico. ." Leo says, while following close behind me.