The Solangelo Adventures

Chapter 3: The Aftermath

Will had thought that he would be taking care of Nico, not the other way around, but after being stabbed and almost dying that idea quickly grew wings and flew out the window.

"I can't believe I've been lying in this bed for three weeks," Will thought to himself as Nico came into the room with a tray of food. Will had been in the mood for pizza so when he saw what was on his plate he gagged and gave Nico a look of disgust.

Nico smirked and said, "Oh come on, it's not that bad. It's just vegetables, besides it could be a lot worse".

Will knew it could have been. He had been slipping in and out of consciousness for the past few weeks and had barely been able to eat at all. Nico had stayed by his side through it all though. That's what kept him going; the fact that Nico chose to be with him and the hope that they would become close. Maybe Nico did like him.

"Thanks, for the food," Will said, though he still looked uncertain about eating it.

Nico eyed the clock, noticing it was getting late. "I should probably let you rest," he said, heading for the door, "I don't want to bother you..."

"No, don't leave," pleaded Will, "Stay with me".

"But your sister told me not to take too long and I really should fix up my cabin since I haven't really been in it for three weeks and not to mention that I have..."

"Whoa there, slow down," Will said, "I know you're 'busy', but can we just talk for a few minutes?"

"I guess," Nico complained, "But just for a few minutes. You really need to rest."

Nico looked intently at Will, waiting for him to say something. "Soooo," Will inquired, "want to take a seat?" He gestured to the stool next to his bed. Nico shrugged and went to sit down.

"What exactly do you want to talk about," Nico asked skeptically.

"Well, to start off," Will said with a hint of sarcasm, "Why did you stab me?"

"O my gods!" whined Nico, "I've already told you a million times. I DID NOT MEAN TO STAB YOU! I don't even know how it happened..."

"I'm just joking," laughed Will, his smile brightening the room, "But what I really want to know is why you've stayed with me for the past three weeks even though you really didn't need to. I mean, you're not a medic, and I thought you didn't want to be in this infirmary in the first place. Right?"

Nico's gaze drifted to the floor. "Umm...I just, well you know...felt bad for stabbing you."

"Really? Is that it?" Will asked with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Yes. Well, maybe," said Nico nervously, "I don't know. But why do you care anyways?"

"Just wondering," said Will casually, "I guess I was just wondering if there was more to Death Boy than just what meets the eye."

Nico's face turned a dark shade of red. "Well you should stop wondering because there isn't," Nico said as if it were obvious.

"Well, I think there might be," said Will, "But I'll never know unless you open up and let me in".

"Maybe I don't want to let you in," Nico said with anger, "Maybe I don't want to trust people, tell them how I feel or who I am. It hasn't exactly worked out very well for me before."

"But maybe it will this time," Will invited, "Just tell me..."

"Stop," said Nico bitterly.

"Nico, just tell me..."

"Fine!!!" Nico yelled in anger and exasperation, "You want me to let you in?! I hate myself. Everyone I love is dead. I don't belong here. I'm a complete mess. I have no hope anymore. No one wants to be around me, and everyone thinks I'm a creep. I'm lost and confused and scared and I have no one to help me. And I know that none of that is ever going to change."

Nico sobbed and quickly got up from the stool and ran for the door, but Will grabbed him, and this time he didn't get away.

Even though he was still weak and in pain, Will pulled Nico in tight against his chest and didn't let go. He held him and kept him in his warm embrace for what seemed like hours before Nico finally quit crying. Nico could feel Will's strong body around him, his gentle yet firm grip keeping him warm and comforting him. For the first time in so many years Nico felt loved, like someone really truly cared about him and would do anything for him.

Will put Nico's face close to his and spoke to him softly, "Nico, you don't have to be so alone anymore. You've had such a hard life and I know just how broken you are inside. But I also want you to know that a lot of what you said isn't true. You do belong here and people do want to be around you. I want to be around. And you do have someone to help you. And that's me. And things are going to change for you. And they are going to change for the better".

Nico looked up at Will stunned and speechless. He couldn't believe Will actually cared about him that much. "Finally," Nico thought, "Finally I have someone".

Nico laid with Will for the next few hours just talking and enjoying the warmth of his embrace. Nico had never been happier.

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Knock. Knock.

Nico cursed and quickly jumped out of Will's arms.

"Sorry," said one of Will's sisters, "But I need to do an evaluation and give Will some medicine."

"That's fine," Nico said blushing, "I'll leave".

"Promise you'll be back tomorrow." Will said as more of a command than a question.

"Definitely," Nico smirked, "And you get plenty of rest, Death Boy's orders".

Will laughed as Nico stepped out of the room. Nico could hear Will being scolded by his sister, "You haven't eaten this whole time! Gods, what were you two doing for so long?"

Nico walked back to his cabin unable to keep the smile off his face. Things were definitely starting to look up.

Nico opened his cabin door and turned the lights on. "Whoa, this place is a mess," Nico said aloud. Nico walked over to his dresser where he had laid his Stygian black iron blade, but it seemed to be missing.

"That's weird," Nico said. Nico looked throughout the entire cabin for his sword but had no luck finding it. "I'll just look for it tomorrow," he thought.

Nico lay down on his bed thinking of how amazing his day had been. "Maybe my life is actually going to be better," Nico thought, "With Will in it". Nico began to doze off as a bitter cold tingle crept up his spine.

Nico felt the Stygian black iron blade form beneath him, his back beginning to burn, and the cutting began.