Chapter 8

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"And this color? What's that?" Will's voice asked.

"Yellow," Percy replied. "Why?"

"It's too bright," Will spoke after another second. "What's this one?"

"Black."

"That's my favorite." Will decided.

"Why?" Percy asked, his voice dripping with confusion, his son of Apollo stereotypes melting. "It's so dark."

"It's the color Nico always wears," Will answered. "It makes me think of him and when I think of him, I feel safe."

Nico smiled to himself as he heard this. He stood right outside the infirmary's doors, listening to the two demigods talk. It had been a week since he freed Will, a week of the boy's recovery. Throughout that week, he was the only thing that could make Nico smile.

After the second war, other campers still hated him. Some respected him, but those few turned to none after he killed that man. The only ones that talked to him were Percy, Annabeth, and Will himself. The only other place he could go for friendship would be Camp Jupiter.

"Have you figured out who my mom was?" Will asked Percy. "I know Nico's been looking..."

"I don't think so," Percy replied. "I'm sorry..."

"It's okay," Will assured him. "I just...have an idea if you haven't found her yet. If my father is a god...can't you just ask him? Or can you not get in contact with him? You said he claimed me..."

"We can...we can try." Percy's voice got closer to the doorway. "I'm going to go talk to Nico, okay? One of your siblings should be here soon to just check in on you."

"Yeah, okay."

Percy exited the room and closed the door behind him, his green eyes landing on Nico in shock. "Oh...hi."

Nico nodded in greeting. "How's he doing? He sounded okay."

"He's in a good mood today." Percy shrugged. "Likes to learn colors. Just like you."

"Seems healthy still?" Nico wondered.

"Why don't you ask an Apollo kid that?" Percy wondered. "You seriously think I know?"

"The Apollo kids don't answer me." Nico spread his hands, the blood-stained skin visible in the hallway light. "Nobody does."

"Fine, I'll figure out." Percy patted his shoulder. "Just hang in there, Neeks. Hang in there."

Nico wished it was that easy.

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"You want me...to go outside?" Will asked slowly. "Outside... During the day..."

The daughter of Apollo nodded. "You need some sun. You're really lacking serotonin and that can be really dangerous. The sun helps regulate your natural production of it."

"Kayla..." Will glanced at the door uncertainly. "It's going to be really bright."

"I know."

"What does sera...whatever you said even do?" Will asked. "Do I seriously need it?"

"You've been suffering problems with sleep and mood. We need to get your serotonin regular so that stops."

Will put his head in his hands, having adopted the habit quickly from Nico. "Kaylaaaaaaa..."

"Willllll..." she smirked. "Do I need to get Nico to help me?"

"I thought Nico didn't like the sun, either." Will pouted.

"Nico is a son of Hades, he has an excuse." Kayla jabbed Will in the chest. "You, however, are a son of Apollo. Embrace it."

"A son of Apollo that hates the sun," Will replied. "It's too bright. It hurts. There's a reason I keep the blinds closed."

"It'll take a while to get used to," Kayla admitted. "But once you do it'll be worth it. I promise."

Will looked away. "Can I ask Nico?"

"I...guess..."

"Can you bring him in here?" Will's eyes lit up at the thought of his soul mate coming. "Please?"

Kayla pointed to Will's mouth. "You see that smile? Keep it. It looks good on you."

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