Smile Like The Sun [COMPLETED]

Chapter 16

"Bye. Thank you, again." Will said. Persephone nodded stiffly. Hades smiled.

"Goodbye." He directed his attention to Nico. "Goodbye, son. You're welcome here anytime"

He leaned closer, whispering to them both. "Although, summer would be a... safer... time, if you catch my meaning."

Nico nodded in understanding, taking a second, deciding what to do before giving his father an awkward hug. They said their final goodbyes, hopping in a car that drove them to the world of the living. Once they were in the car, away from the cold and slightly scary gaze of  Persephone, Nico tucked himself underneath Will's arm, snuggling into his boyfriend's side with a small smile on his face.

Will inhaled, his nostrils filled with the scent of Nico. He hugged him closer and fell asleep in the slow moving car, happy knowing that Nico was in his arms and healthy, and they were going home.

~~~~~~~~

Nico's eyes fluttered open as he felt the car jolt, coming to a halt. They... they were home! His face lit up, and he gently shook Will awake, pecking him on the forehead.

"We're home..." he whispered, taking his boyfriends hand, intertwining their fingers together, the familiar warmth of Will's palm the most calming sensation in the world.

Will smiled as he exited the car into camp. Other kids were coming to see what an Underworldy looking limo was doing there. He pushed through the crowds with some success, and they escaped, only having to answer a few questions, to Clarisse, because she was too scary to walk past.

She left them alone after she saw they were holding hands, though.

Nico blushed, looking down at his feet as he tried to make himself shrink. He had always hated crowds...

Will squeezed his hand. "We're getting out, we're getting out. Then you can go to your cabin, ok?"

He led him away from the horde of people. Nico nodded, trying to calm his rapid breathing and shaking limbs as they walked away from the mass of curious and rather intrusive people.

Will noticed how uncomfortable he was, and he finally pushed out of the crowd, slightly aggressively telling people to leave them alone. They entered the Hades cabin and shut the door.

Will took deep breaths, and Nico slowly started to follow his example. "You're ok."

Nico was trembling, eyes darting around, and squirming. He was falling into a panic attack. Will gripped his hands.

"Shh. Shhh. Five things you can see?" He watched hopefully as Nico's eyes darted around the room.

~~~~~~~

Nico wasn't able to speak- the only thing he could manage was a strangled whimper as he curled in on himself, starting to sob quietly. And he hated himself for it. It meant he was weak. And he had gone through too much, seen too many people he loved die, for him to be weak. So he had no excuse.

Will rocked him in his arms.

"You deserve help, you're allowed help, I love you, I'm right here. Shh."

He lifted Nico's head. "See me?" Nico nodded weakly.

"Ok. See the bed?" Again a nod. "The window?" Nod. "The bush outside?" He continued pointing out things, bringing Nico back to the present, out of his terrified head. Nico took a shaky breath, slightly loosening his grip on his white knuckles.

Will took his hands and slipped his fingers through Nico's.

"Baby, look." Nico looked up at him. Will pressed his forehead to his. "You're right here. Everything's ok. Nobody's after us- honestly, they might be if we keep ourselves hidden any longer. You're ok. I'm ok. Your dad cares about you. A lot. Hazel is gonna be back soon. So is Reyna. And Jason and Frank. Ok? Take a breath."

Nico's breath slowed, and in a few minutes the shaking in his limbs stopped almost completely as he melted into his boyfriend's arms. It was gonna be ok... no one was going to hurt him... Will's words repeated in his head as he slowly but surely calmed down.

Will kissed his head. He needed to speak to the others about crowding. It probably wouldn't do anything. They were Greek. But it was worth a try. He also needed to convince Nico to tell at least one other person. Then he would see how supportive people were now. But not right now.