Will and Nico

Part 36

NICO

I wake up early again. Before the sun's risen. No matter what I do, I can't go back to sleep. Instead, I get changed and ready, and head outside. It's dark, but slowly getting lighter, as I go to the dining area - hoping that it's empty.
I know Will won't wake up for another couple of hours, his concussion making him sleep more than usual, and I don't want to have to interact with anyone else till he gets up.
When I get there though, it's not empty. I internally cringe as I see who it is. I fight every urge to turn back.
'Percy.' I call out, 'Hey. I though you were getting back tomorrow?'
'Nico, Hey. Annabeth wanted to come back early for one her siblings birthdays.' He explains, 'we must have mistimed it because we ended up arriving about two hours ago.'
'Why are you up?' I ask, sitting at his table.
'Couldn't sleep.' He says, shrugging. It's as simple as that. I don't enquire further.
I can't get it out of my head. I need to tell him. If I don't tell him he'll hear it somewhere else fine someone else. I've got to just say it.
'What's up with you?' He asks, eating some more of his blue waffles.
'What? Nothing.' I say quickly.
'Nico, you're blushing.' He says, smiling, 'what's wrong?'
'Nothing. Shut up.' I say, but he just smiles more.
'It's the mystery boy isn't it!' He says, 'the one who gave you that hicky.'
'Alright. I'm leaving.' I say, standing up, but he waves his hand in defeat.
'I'll stop. I'll stop.' He promises, 'I won't push it, don't worry. Your business is your business.'
I sit back down. My hands grip the bench tightly. I hate opening up. I can't do it, but I have to.
'I'm seeing someone. Dating. I have a boyfriend. I...have a boyfriend.' I blurt out. He looks up at me, shocked. But he's smiling slightly. He doesn't say anything, 'so that's...yeah.' I say.
'Do I get to know who?' He carefully asks.
'Will.' I say, quietly.
'Solace?' He asks, and I nod, 'Will Solace? The Apollo kid?'
'You have a problem with him?' I ask.
'Not At all! He's sweet.' Percy says, 'like, he's really sweet. I...did not see that coming. He's gay?'
'I'm pretty sure.' I say.
'Wow.' He says to himself, 'and it's official? You guys are dating? Boyfriends?'
'Yeah.' I mumble.
'Amazing, how long? This is insane?' He says. I stare daggers at him and he dials it down, 'This is normal, I mean. This is a very mundane conversation.'
'A couple days ago.' I say in answer to his question.
'Was he the one who...?' Percy points to his neck. I roll my eyes.
'Get over it.' I say.
'Was he?'
'Yes.'
'Will Solace...Who knew?' He says. Every muscle in my body is tended, and I know Percy can tell. He smiles a little, 'thank you for telling me.'
'Yeah, well, it was going to get to you one way or another.' I say dismissive.
'But thanks anyway. Means a lot. I know this sort of stuff doesn't come naturally to you.' He says. I don't meet his eyes, 'have you told anyone else? Hazel or Reyna?'
'Not yet. I was going to call them sometime but...' I trail off.
'Putting it off?' He asks.
'A little.'
'Understandable.' He says, 'take your time. Jason and Piper are coming back here in a week or so, so you can tell them then if you wanted. But it's up to you.'
'Can you just tell everyone for me?' I ask.
'No chance. This is your thing.' He says, shovelling another mouthful of pancakes into his mouth, 'Own it.'