WILL SOLACE ONE-SHOTS

SAFE AND SOUND

I am SO sorry I haven't been updating!
This song is by Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars. I love the Hunger Games soundtracks.

Will jolted awake with a strangled scream. Bolting upright, he tried to claw his way out of bed, but the sheets tangled around his legs, and he hit the floor with a thud.

"Will!" Kayla rushed over, blue eyes full of fear. "Will, what's wrong?"

Scenes from the nightmare flashed in his vision, bloody and graphic. Curling in a ball, Will sobbed, body shaking as sorrow crashed through him.

Austin and Kayla knelt beside him, wrapping arms around him and whispering comfort. Self-loathing rose up in Will-- he was supposed to be the strong one. He was supposed to be the one who comforted them through their nightmares. And yet here he was, shattering like porcelain, while his siblings tried to hold him together.

Will found himself leaning against them as tears streamed down his face. At last, the nightmare's memory receded from his mind. The sorrow drained out of him, leaving him hollow and numb.

For a moment, silence swelled between the three as they knelt on the floor. Then Austin broke it. Softly, he began to sing.

I remember tears streaming down your face when I said, "I'll never let you go"
When all those shadows almost killed your light

Austin gave Will a sweet smile. His voice was lovely-- rich and clear, echoing through the cabin.

I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone"
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Quietly, Kayla sang with him.

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Will wondered if others saw them through the window, wondered what they thought of the three kneeling on the floor, the eldest with a blanket wrapped around him. The thoughts scattered when Kayla sang.

Don't you dare look out your window, darling everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby even when the musics gone, gone

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Kayla and Austin sang the vocals of the third verse. Will found himself joining them, his voice frail and trembling next to their strong, beautiful ones. Their voices seemed to weave together, forming a tapestry of fear and love and sorrow.

Tears sprang in Will's blue eyes--not of sorrow, but of love. Love he felt towards the two angels at his side, their lovely voices soothing him.

Just close your eyes

The children of Apollo pulled closer, wrapping their arms around each other, exchanging warm smiles.

You'll be alright

Will took a deep breath, blinking tears of joy from his eyes.

Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

They quietly sang the vocals, swaying with each other, voices bouncing off the walls. At last, the song came to an end.

The three stood from the floor. Grinning, Austin grabbed Will's blanket, wrapping it around his brother. From the depths of the quilt, Solace laughed, the sound strange in the sudden silence.

With a gentle push, Austin and Kayla led Will to his bed. He obediently crawled in, peeking out from the folds of the blanket, a light, happy feeling washing over him.

"Good night, brother," Kayla whispered. Will smiled, then closed his eyes.

He did not have nightmares for the rest of the night.