luce del sole (sunshine)

eleven | will

Will stared at Nico's retreating back. His crutches had been abandoned over at Elise's bedside, so he had to hop back over. Normally Will would be right at his side, but Nico had asked him to leave. Just like that... he just said, "You need to leave."

Will had kissed Nico before. He'd pecked his forehead once as Nico covered it with his blankets, but they hadn't spoken on it. Will had been extremely touchy tonight as well, and he knew Nico wasn't comfortable with that. Had he pushed him too far? 

He'd been hoping for a better reaction when he kissed Nico's forehead just then. But Nico had just stumbled with his words and turned away from him, eyes downcast. 

"Neeks," Will called out at his back softly. "Are you alright? I...can't leave. What if something happens?"

"Go, Will."

Nico's tone didn't leave room for argument. If Will wanted this girl brought back, he was going to have to do whatever Nico demanded. So Will tucked himself around the bookshelf and slipped out of the infirmary entrance. 

He made himself comfortable on a bench built right outside for waiting patients or friends. He'd never sat on it before, and he had to admit, it was about as comfortable as a rock. But Will was exhausted, so it only took a few quiet moments of watching the campfire go on without him and Nico for him to drift to sleep. 

Will was shaken awake by a crazy looking Annabeth. She was smiling broadly and her hair was a mess. "Thank you, Will!"

Will shot up at the light pouring from the sky. It was morning. What had happened to Nico? Was he alright? What was Annabeth going on about? 

Austin was sitting next to him in the next instant. "Nico is fine," he assured his brother. 

Will only relaxed a little. There was a dark haired girl twirling and laughing with Juniper and Hazel. A dark haired girl Will hadn't seen other than on an operation table. He stared. 

"Is that...?"

"It's Elise!" Annabeth exclaimed. "You and Nico did it!" 

Will didn't know why she was crediting him with anything, as Nico had done it all, but he stood to his feet insanely fast. "Where is he?"

"You fixed her up so well during the operation that when she came back to life, she was perfectly fine," Austin explained. "Nice work, man."

"Where is Nico?"

"Percy's just gone to get Chiron. He'll be thrilled," Annabeth continued. 

"Guys, where's Nico?" Will persisted. 

"He's inside," Austin said finally, "he won't let anyone near him. I figured you'd want to celebrate before going to talk to him."

Will stared at him. "Why would I want to do anything else?" Right as the words were out of his mouth, he smacked a hand over it. Austin smiled at him. 

"I knew it."

"Knew what?" 

"You-"

Will was walking back into the infirmary before Austin could finish his sentence or Annabeth could put the pieces together. He noticed Nico wasn't on his cot, so he called out his name softly. 

"Here," came his quiet reply from the bookshelves. 

Nico was wrapped in a blanket and cuddled up in the small couch at the books. He was studying Bianca's poetry book. 

He looked terrible. His eyes were more sunken than normal, he was as pale as he'd been when he entered Will's care. He tried to cover it up with a small smile aimed at him when he wanted in, but Will wasn't buying it. 

He rushed to Nico's side and grabbed a wet towel from a bowl. "You shouldn't have sent me away," he chastised. He began padding Nico's forehead with the towel and pushing his hair back. 

"Will," Nico complained. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not." He reached for the hem of Nico's shirt. Getting some moisture and heat on his chest would help. "May I?" 

Nico met his eyes. Will's fingers played with his shirt, waiting for his answer. Nico gulped. "What are we doing?" 

Will's fingers stilled, some resting on his bare stomach and some gripping the fabric. "What do you mean?"

Nico huffed. "Small kisses might not mean that much to you, Will, but they mean a lot to me."

Will leaned back on his heels. "Who said they didn't mean a lot to me, too?"

Nico regarded him with a hesitant glare. "I'm just saying... don't...don't mess around."

Will stood. Nico's eyes followed him. "I'm not messing, Nico."

Nico laughed humorlessly. "Why would a guy like you ever like a guy like me? I didn't even know you...you were gay."

Will laughed. "Nico, I think you underestimate yourself. You're...extraordinary."

Nico stared at him. "Says you."

Will caught his eyes. He bent back over and tapped his shoulder. "Sit up." As Nico did so, he peeled the smaller boy's shirt off of his body. Nico was sweating like crazy, but Will didn't know whether to credit his health or their conversation.

He pressed the towel to Nico's chest and shifted to press his lips to Nico's jawline for a few seconds. "Extraordinary."

Nico's body released it's tenseness. He sighed. "I could almost believe you right now."

"Why can't you?"

But the small, tired, and weak boy didn't answer. His face had fallen to Will's, asleep. Will chuckled and gathered the blankets and Nico into his arms. He was so light you'd think he'd never eaten in his life. He set Nico down on his cot just as the celebrating demigods outside erupted in cheers. 

The noise made Nico shift, and he buried his face into the crook of Will's elbow. "Don't go," he pleaded. 

Will smiled. "I won't."