Judgmental (a Percy Jackson AU)

Rhythym of My Life

Will had only twenty minutes left on his shift when a 911 call meant he and the driver, Argus, had to head over to a house near Hades' Funeral Home. The house they parked outside was small and plain with grey walls and small windows. Will squinted and made out two figures sitting on the partially lit porch.

     He opened the back door of the ambulance and jumped to the ground lightly. A first aid kit was strapped to his chest and he fiddled it with it while quickly walking over to the shadowy figures. Up close, he could make them out better. They were both small and slight, but otherwise looked very different.

     The woman appeared full of life with eyes that resembled the sun and cinnamon-colored curls. She was wearing a cream-colored sweater and jeans. One of her arms was slung over the back of the man. Will guessed they were siblings, but the man's skin was as pale as flour and he looked more like a vampire in black jeans and a skull t-shirt than anything else. His hair and eyes were dark and he appeared to be breathing shallowly.

      "The ambulance is here," Will said.

       "Oh, I thought you were bringing me pizza," the pale man said sarcastically.

       "No, Death Boy, I'm here to provide medical assistance," Will said.

      "My brother needs to go to the hospital," the woman said. "My name is Hazel Levesque and my brother's name is Nico di Angelo. I came by his house to drop off some gumbo soup and found him trying to hang himself."

      Nico dug his fingernails into his chalk- white skin. He was clenching his jaw tightly. Even in the dim light, Will could see redness around his neck.

      "Come on, Nico," he said, offering a hand to the man. "We'll get you the help you need."

     "What if I don't want it?" Nico asked.

       "I don't want to make this tough," Will said, "but you need some serious help and you could be involuntary committed. That would make it even more difficult to be released."

     Nico stared at Will's hand, but he didn't budge.

     "I don't want to," he said.

       "I know," Will said. "It sucks to be in the hospital, but nothing will ever get better unless you allow it to. Life hasn't given up on you; you shouldn't give up on it."

       Nico looked between Hazel and Will. His eyes were wet and he was frowning.

      "It will be hard, but maybe it's for the best," Hazel said. "I can visit you while you're in the hospital."

      "You have to come," Will repeated gently. "Doctor's orders."

       "I hate doctors," Nico grumbled ad he stood up.

        He slapped Will's hands out of the way and strode over to the ambulance. Will jogged after him with Hazel trailing behind. When he got back to the ambulance, Will saw Nico sitting criss-cross applesauce in it.

      "Is this sufficient enough, Solace?" He asked.

       "How do you know my name?" Will asked.

       Nico raised one eyebrow. Will looked down  at his shirt and noticed the name tag pinned to the front of it. He hoped the darkness disguised his blush.

       "I'll visit tomorrow," Hazel promised as Will clambered into the back. "Bye."

      "Goodbye," Nico said.

      "I need to check your vitals," Will said once the ambulance began to move.

       Nico blushed and looked down. He scoffed away from Will.

     "Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?" Will asked.

     "I — I don't want you to touch me," Nico said.

      "Alright, but someone will have to check your vitals," Will said.

    Nico sighed. He was hunched over now and Will was reminded of a small, scared crow.

    "It's not your fault," Nico said in a bitter voice. "It's mine."

      "What do you mean?" Will asked.

       "Well, a lot of straight men like you don't like to touch gay men like me," Nico said defensively.

     Will had to bite back a laugh.

     "I'm a medical professional," he said. "It's my job to help people and judging them is the opposite of helping. Besides, I'm gay too."

      "Oh," Nico said softly.

       He said nothing else the entire ride. Will was left thinking of how powerful internalized homophobia was. If society hated people for their sexuality, why was it any surprise that people hated themselves for it? Some were able to repress their sexuality and lash out at others, but others, like Nico, turned inwards and harmed themselves. And when either case occurred, there was a chance that Will would be called to help mend the day.