He Loves Me?

part 2 - 20

Nico woke screaming. Which wasn't an unusual occurrence for him, but it still hurt. He stumbled out of bed an splashed his face with water, tugging on a socially acceptable pair of black jeans as he did so. A top followed, to hide the scars littering his chest. No attempt was made to wrangle his hair into some form of compliance, as it usually failed.

He tripped out the door and banged his elbow on the frame; a bruise would blossom there later, he mused. That in mind, he made his way to the Hypnos cabin. Maybe there was some magic potion that would make his sleep dreamless.

Getting to the cabin in the dark was easy enough, but waking up its occupants? Not so much.

"Clovis." He hissed.

"Clovis!!" Still nothing.

With a groan, he made his way back to the Hades cabin, swearing as he went. He stopped short as a small 'Nico?' was whispered out. Nico turned slowly.

"Who's there?"

The voice was still quiet.

"It's Will, and you're going to wake the whole bloody camp up if you keep yelling."

"I wasn't yelling." Nico whisper-yelled.

Will was probably smirking. He came up to Nico, patting him on the shoulder to let him know he was there. Nico felt the strange urge to lean into Will. He fought it down.

"What are you doing up, Sunshine."

"I was hungry." Nico noted that he didn't protest to the nickname Will had bestowed upon him a while ago.

Will snorted.

"Bull. Come with me - I'll find you a sleep potion."

Nico started.

"I never said that I had a nightmare- "

"Who said anything about nightmares?"

Nico punched him. (On the arm, and luckily not hard enough to warrant more than a smirk from the golden haired boy now leading him to the infirmary.)

-x-x-x-

Once in the infirmary, Will flicked the lights on and unlocked the supply cupboard. He fumbled in there for a second then turned to Nico.

"So I'm just gonna- "

Nico didn't hear the rest of his sentence because his heart had spluttered to a stop.

Will was wearing glasses.

Circular glasses with golden rims that sat perched on his nose. His blue eyes seemed brighter, his lashes soft and fluttery. His cheekbones were more prominent - Gods, Nico, get a grip. He tried to listen to the rest of Will's talk, he really did. But Will was standing there with his cheekbones and his eyes and his glasses and his freckles that seemed to glow and Nico found himself reeling, clutching at the door handle in front of him to stay upright.

Will looked at him, slightly concerned.

"Are you alright, Nico?"

Nico let out a muffled yes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Yes - yes I'm sure." He was ashamed to admit his voice was slightly croaky. A blush crept up his neck.

Will looked at him again and rolled his eyes.

"Just take the potion. All of it."

Nico nodded mutely, grateful for something other to do than stare at Will. He downed it in one gulp, wincing at the taste.

"Nico! You take it just before you want to sleep, idiot!"

Nico was dimly aware of his eyes closing and Will swearing. The last thing he remembered before complete oblivion was Will's face as he picked Nico up, blue eyes scrunched with worry.

Nico sighed, smiled, and drifted off.

a/n This is a shorter chapter but it seemed fitting?? To end it here?? Idk. Also it's slightly unedited, so just ignore that.

- L