IF TIME STOPS 『nico di angelo x reader』

Chapter 9: Doctor's Orders...Or Should I Say, The Ex's Orders.

Will was waiting for them when they arrived and he looked mad. He sat by the docks with his arms crossed as both (Y/n) and Nico materialized from Will's shadow looking extremely unimpressed by their arrival as if he had seen this happen many times before and didn't happen to like it. Will tapped his fingers in his arms impatiently, jumping down from the dock and made a straight bee line towards them.

"What did I say about shadow travelling?" Will pointedly asked Nico, jabbing a finger under the Ghost King's nose. "Hmm?"

Nico staggered back, startled by Will's sudden scolding. He hadn't expected to see him so soon in the day much less hear his endless scolding. For a short moment, it felt just like the old times before they fell apart and the nostalgia made Nico unable to say anything back but rather to stare up at the blonde boy's face. Nico was surprised to hear that Will had told (Y/n) things about him, after everything that had happened to them he wasn't sure Will would've even want to talk about him much less talk to him.

Will wrinkled his nose after hearing no reply, "Do I have something on my face?"

"No..." Nico trailed off, averting his gaze from the deep blue in Will's eyes. Will glared at him, waiting for an explanation. (Y/n) shifted, looking back and forth between their exchanges.

"Um, what's going on?" She asked, her voice becoming exceedingly quiet.

Will jumped and looked at her as if only realising she was there. "Where did you come from?"

"I...'ve been here...the whole time, Will." (Y/n) rubbed her nose.

Will eyed Nico suspiciously, "Where did you take her?"

"Breakfast, nowhere more." Nico answered. (Y/n) nodded in confirmation. Will's hardened gaze softened and his tense shoulders relaxed.

Beside Nico, (Y/n) sneezed and adjusted the large aviator jacket up the nape of her neck. Will's eyes narrowed at the sight of his precious friend wearing Nico's jacket.

"Why aren't you using my hoodie?" Will asked stepping closer to the young girl. (Y/n) squirmed under his glare. She had never seen him act this way before.

"I wanted to keep it clean for you." (Y/n) felt sweat beads form on her forehead, unconsciously tightening her grip around Nico's hand.

Will clenched his jaw, unable to say more. It unsettled him to see her wear his jacket. She looked so adorable with the jacket so big on her, he didn't want anyone to see her like this. "Take it off." He said, gathering the hems of his hoodie and removing it.

Nico and (Y/n) shared a look of bewilderment. They both didn't know how to react to this new side of Will. Nico had only seen him act like this twice, both circumstances made Will Jealous. Nico glanced at (Y/n), her cheeks rosy from the cold. He wondered if it was possible that Will might...no, it probably isn't.

"Well?" Will arched an eyebrow. (Y/n) stared at the hoodie that Will was handing her — an oversized mustard yellow pullover — hesitantly.

"But...you'll get cold." (Y/n) inched back nervously, worry seeping into her (E/c) eyes.

Will felt his heart thump loudly against his ribs and the heat rise up to his cheeks. He swallowed down a gulp as he averted his eyes, handing out his jacket to the young girl. "It's fine, so..."

Nico watched the exchange of two teens. He saw the way she smiled at Will and the way Will looked at her. It occurred to him that maybe, these two are on the point of being something more than friends. Just thought of it made his heart ache.

Will looked down at his shoes for a split second and almost choked. His blue eyes flared when they zeroed in to their — Nico and (Y/n) — laced hands. Without reason, Will took hold of (Y/n)'s wrist and hastily pulled her away towards him. Both (Y/n) and Nico were stunned at the sudden action as though they had completely forgotten something and someone had just reminded them of it just to take it away.

(Y/n) looked up at Will quizzically, unsure how to make of the situation. Will slipped his warm hands inside the aviator jacket and slipped it off (Y/n)'s slender shoulders, taking the chance to put on his hoodie on her. Will handed the aviator jacket back to Nico who stood by saying nothing.

Will's gaze hardened back, "Stay away from shadow travelling." He warned. "I told you, you're going to turn into a shadow if you keep travelling that way. It's not good for you."

Nico looked as if he was slapped. "I can't not shadow travel Will, you know that th—"

"I may be your ex boyfriend-" Will interrupted him, his voice hard. Nico's heart throbbed, reminding him of better days.

"Excuse me, what?" (Y/n) asked from behind Will, confusion and wonder written in her eyes.

Will ignored her and continued glaring at Nico, a look of familiar worry flashing across his face. "But it doesn't mean that I'm not your doctor and your best friend anymore. There are still people here who care about you."

(Y/n) nodded in agreement. She sincerely agreed with Will's statement. She had learnt once from Daphne about shadow travelling. Too much of it will burn your entire will until you dissolve into nothing more than a shadow, and she wasn't sure she'd like to see Nico turned into one.

"I agree." She said, stepping up. Her eyes glistening under the yellow light of the sky. Nico studied them, they had turned golden from the light. Much a lighter golden shade than his sister, Hazel's, eyes. Beautiful.

"I only met you officially today, but it doesn't mean that I don't consider you my friend. When we arrived at the food chain this morning, I felt your energy drain just a little bit. So please, stay away from your travelling magic for now." She pleaded, feeling completely useless and pathetic for not having felt it earlier but rather realize it much later.

Nico suddenly felt the need to droop down and sleep as if complying with her pleads. He found himself not wanting to exert any more of his energy and just relax for once. To stay in one place. Her voice soothed him right down to his toes and it made him feel anxious about himself. "Okay. Fine. For now."

"That's good to hear, bud. You better take your doctor's orders seriously this time." Will smiled in relief, but held his tone firm as though he would do something much worse to Nico the next time he shadow travels. "Now come on, Mr. D is back in Camp so unless you want to get turned into a dolphin we better move."