Solangelo 1

Part 18

NICO

I wake, not remembering much at all, but feeling absolutely fine. My hands are solid. I'm not sure what happened.
'Hey, oh my Gods. Hey, you're okay.' Will comes in, his eyes red but smiling like I've never seen him smile before, 'don't do that again.'
'It's not like I had a choice.' I say, his hand rests on mine and I suddenly realise everyone else surrounding me. Annabeth looks away, clearly realising my anxiety. I pull my hand away.
I see Will's face drop obviously. He doesn't meet my eyes.
'I'm glad you're okay.' He says. Something's different with him. I don't know how I can tell, but I can. He turns to leave and I can't bring myself to call out for him.
Everything in my body tells me I shouldn't be with him. It's not right.
'Can I...is it okay if I, y'know, have some space?' I ask.
'Of course.' Annabeth says, leading the others away from my bed. She pulls the curtains shut around my bed.
It's a weird feeling. I draw my legs up to my chest, inspect my hands. I've never felt more a part of this world, but I still don't feel right.
As if my body has finally caught up with being seventy years out of place, but my mind is just falling behind.
I curl up in a ball, not sleeping - just thinking. Hours pass.
I don't leave until I know it's dark out. Most people are asleep. I am not.
I start to walk to the forest when I see someone lying on the bench beside my broken down cabin. The golden hair is enough to tell me it's Will.
It takes me a moment before I decide to go up to him.
He's fallen asleep, arm outstretched and just brushing the floor. He snores lightly.
'Will.' I say, lightly. I know he won't hear me. I know he's a heavy sleeper, 'Hey.'
I kick his hand lightly with the edge of my foot. He pulls it in, his eyes blinking open. He turns to see me; he doesn't look surprised.
'Hey.' He says, sitting up, 'what are you doing here?'
'It's my cabin. What are you doing here?' I ask, smiling slightly. He doesn't smile back.
'Thinking.' He says.
'About what?'
'You.' He answers simply.
'Oh.' Is all I can say. I know that this is the point where he tells me he's had enough. I'm too sinister, too problematic for him.
'Do you like me?' He asks, but cuts me off before I can even answer, 'I mean, like me. Genuinely like me. The way I think I like you.'
'I...yeah.' I say, quiet. I look to my feet.
'Then why can't that be it? Why can't you like me, and I like you. Why's there always got to be something else?' He asks. He doesn't say it in an accusatory way. Just frustrated.
'I don't know.' I say, 'I just...it's new territory for me. I'm trying. I am.'
'I know.' He says, standing up. He brushes his hand lightly against my cheek, leaving his hand on my shoulder.
'I'm sorry it can't be as simple as it is.' I say. He laughs a little. A pained laugh.
'Me too.' He says, 'but it's okay. I'll wait.'
He kisses me lightly. He leaves his forehead against mine when he pulls away, my eyes stay shut for a moment. I open them to see him staring at me.
'Promise me you'll stay.' He says.
'I'm not planning on leaving.' I say.
'I know. But don't think about it. Stay here. This is where you belong.' He says, he interlocks his finger with mine, 'Your heart is beating fast.'
'Yes. Well.' I say, blushing, 'it does that when I'm scared.'
'You're scared of me?' He asks, laughing slightly.
'You terrify me, Will.' I say. And he kisses me again, softly and slowly. A good kiss.