Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nico di Angelo was going to propose.

Will Solace was sure of it.

That's what he'd been thinking ever since Lou Ellen suggested it. She was usually right about things like that. Although her gift was allusion and not prophecy. At times though her foresight made him question. Then again if he really wanted some idea of the future Will could always call up someone like Rachel Dare. Then he remembered her powers didn't exactly work on command.

Lou Ellen had come to the conclusion of Nico's impending proposal over dinner. Knocking out Wills own 'theory'. He much rather preferred hers over his initial prediction anyway. He didn’t however like the predicament it all lead to. That night Will hadn’t wanted to voice his thoughts on his and Nico’s current relationship troubles. He'd been in denial of there being any to begin with.

The illusion he'd built had only started to crumble with a small comment. Wasn’t that how everything fell apart? Like pulling the wrong piece in Jenga. At dinner Will had sat across from Lou Ellen and Cecil. He voiced his predicament just after they’d been delivered there extremely expensive meals. A meal he was supposed to be having with his boyfriend.

"He's been distant these last few months," Will had explained over dinner nearly two months prior.

Him, Cecil, and Lou Ellen were nestled in the back of a fancy restaurant. It had been Nico and Wills date night. However, like the last couple, Nico had canceled. Unlike the other, this had already been reserved and paid (no refunds).

"Maybe Cecil or Lou could go with you?" Nico had said earlier that morning. He had called Will from work saying he was yet again held up. Will had attempted to give Lou and Cecil reservation completely so he could stay home. However, his friends vetoed that and demanded they all go. Despite it being a two person reservation Lou insisted she had it handled.

Will enjoyed hanging out with his friends but he couldn't help the frustration he felt at the situation. Will wasn't mad exactly, just disappointed. He understood that work had started picking up as of late. Nico as well as an abundance of their high-school and College friends all worked at a Agency together. They'd been working together for years with the Agency having plenty of able-bodied individuals.

It wasn't strange for Nico to have to work overtime or be called in. However, it was hardly as often as of late. In addition, it was rare for either of them to cancel date night. Before the last few moths Will had been able to count those occasions on one hand they had to rain-check. On those scares occasions they would reschedule.

Nico had canceled the last three date nights. He hadn't made no at rescheduling any of them. Will had tried but had been shot down. It had been a standing point in a majority of there arguments. They’d been doing that a lot lately: arguing. Not their copyrighted bickering or narrowed eyed disagreements. They’d been at war.

This cancelation had been Nicos fourth. It had been the strangest date, one Will dread and in equally anticipated. Nico got them reservations at a fancy Italian restaurant. One that took months to get in and what's bill was equivalent to a month's rent. It was a surprise when Nico had told him about their date plans.

"Hades pulled some strings," he'd told Will as an explanation, "Don't worry about the price it's covered…a gift of sorts…from Hades!"

Will had been stunned. Nico rarely talked to his father. It seemed sudden the man's generosity. Will and Nico had been together since they were teens. In nearly a decade Will could count on one hand the amount of times he'd been in the same room as Hades. The idea that Nico would even take an ounce of Hades generosity was alarming.

Will would have pressed, should have, but Nico had given him that look. The one that screamed 'stop asking questions i'm uncomfortable!' And despite Will's better judgment and usual response he let it go. He was tired of there constant fighting. They'd been arguing about an abundance of things., No matter how big or small the reason it was met with the same viciousness. Will didn’t like it. But no matter how hard he tried to keep the peace between them something always flipped.

The problem with being together for so long and knowing each other longer meant they knew how to push each other. Sometimes it wasn't a bad thing. Will could push Nico to take better care of himself and talk about his feelings sometimes. Nico pushed will to take breaks and to stop worrying so much mostly.

Despite the growth of disagreements they were still happily in love. At least that's what Will thought. Their was another reason he didn't press Nico about the date. Will was afraid of the reason for it, afraid his suspicions would prove true. A few days before Nico reservation announcement Octavian their neighbor (and Will's half-brother) had made a comment. One hed tried not to let fester. Sadly one of
Will's fatal flaws was he let things get to him too easy. Another was over thinking.

"And then on Wednesday last week Octavian -" Will started.

"Octavian!" Cecil growled, "Since when do you listen to what that Teddy Dahmer has to say!"

"Cecil-" Lou started.

"No! That freak butchered all the stuffed animals for the toy drive!" Cecil says.

"Nobody could prove that," Will muttered.

"He had cotton remnants on his ugly Christmas sweater!" Cecil states.

"That was just a regular sweater," Lou pipes.

"Even worse!"

Cecil has never liked Octavian, neither did Nico. Will however felt bad for the boy. Then again Will was a bleeding heart at times. When they were younger before Octavian's mother moved him across the state they'd spent a good majority of time together. Will remembered those days fondly.

They had gotten along and despite a couple year age differences they were often mistaken as twins. For a while they even acted like it. They finished each other's sentences and where one was the other wasn't far behind. Octavian would spend weeks at Wills house. And Will hadn’t minded sharing.

The only thing he hadn't liked was how Octavian had destroyed his Teddy Bear (Dr.Teddy) who had scrubbs and a stethoscope. It was the story of this occurrence that had fueled Cecil's accusation of the 2018 annual Christmas Toy Drive. It had been suspicious and the stuffed toys mutilation had been eerily similar to Dr. Teddys. However, Will looked at everything as 'innocent till proven guilty'. There hadn’t been any proof.

When Will was eight and Octavian eleven the latter boy moved. There had been no warning and no goodbye. It was one of those long visits where Octavian was dropped off and stayed under the watchful eye of Naomi Solace for an unspecified amount of time. It had been a couple weeks into Octavian stay. Summer was in full swing and the boys sat cross legged in the grass.

"I think I know what my gift is," Octavian said. Till that point he'd been specified as mortal.

Gifts didn't have a specified year to which they'd surface. Some children were born and it was there. Other times it didn't make itself known til later. There were tests to see if a child was gifted but they weren't always accurate. Will had known all Octavian's test had come back negative. However the strawed blonde boy had been convinced that he had powers and Will had no reason to argue.

"Really?" Will had asked between a mouthful of gummy worms.

"Yeah," Octavian smiles then he whispers, "I..I can see the future!"

Will blinked at him in awe, "Really? Wow! That's so cool Otto!"

"I know."

Will continues to eat his candy looking up at the clear sky. He could hear his mother humming softly as she made lemonade. It was beautiful outside, a light breeze blowing through his curls. He didn’t want summer to end. He loved school but it was nice having no requirements. He heard a phone ring and he could see his mother through their open back door and answer it.

"Are you gonna ask?"

"Huh?"

"Like don't you wanna know the future?" Octavian asks, his voice pressing and almost persistent.

Will was silent as he thought. He knew his answer before he started thinking about it. He still waited to answer. His mama always said to think before he spoke. He didn't want to say something wrong. He also didn't want to ruin the excitement on his half brother's face.

"No not really," Will tells him after a moment, "I like the surprise you know?"

Octavian looked crestfallen. He looked down, fiddling with the grass between his crossed legs. Will felt bad so he thought he could do with knowing a little of what was to come.

"You can tell me," Will tells the boy, "Just a little like…we'll it always be like this? Me and you and mama?"

Octavian perked up a little bit. He looked at Will with something strange in his eyes. Then he spoke in a cryptic way that he always did. He didn't answer the question and maybe if Will had been desperate for said answer he'd have pressed for an actual one.

"You'll always be my friend," Octavian had declared. Will, having no reason to doubt it, smiled brightly and nudged his brother's shoulder.

"Cool," he said, "But I already knew that."

That same day Octavian's mother, a woman who smelled of bitter smoke, came and picked him up. It would be the last time Will would see Octavian for a long while. When they would meet again they'd be completely different people. It wasn't until they both enrolled at the same college that they'd start to speak again. And it wasn't till Octavian moved into the apartment across from his that they'd actually hang out.

Nico and Cecil both hated Octavian and most of Will's other friends didn't like him either. However, they hadn't known Octavian like he had. While Octavian's personality and actions weren't always adequate, Will looked past it. The strawled haired boy had changed a lot since they were children. However, Will didn’t have the heart to blame him.

From what Will understood Octavian didn't have a good childhood. With their father being as absent as ever that left them with their mothers. Naomi Solace was a saint. Olivia Augur was not. When Will was old enough to understand his mother told him as much.

Naomi had explained the reason Octavian spent so much time with them. Olivia hadn't wanted children but had kept Octavian with the thought she wouldn't be alone in raising him. However, Apollo (in character as ever) didn’t stick around. Similar to her choice in men Olivia wasn’t one for commitment in men or lifestyle.

She was constantly 'living it up' as Naomi had put it. Olivia had started falling into bad stuff, falling with questionable people. Will's mother had then paused and explained the events to which lead to Octavian leaving. How it was her fault. Olivia had also been a stubborn, vain woman. When Naomi had brought up Octavian staying with her indefinitely, and offered possibly adopting the boy Olivia hadn't liked.

It was the phone call Naomi had answered the day Octavian was whisked away. Forced to move across state with his mother and the man Nero she was dating. Naomk had gotten teary eyed and after a moment she squeezed Will's hand. It was the end of the conversation. Every year since Will and Octavian reconnected Naomi would ask after the latter. When Thanksgiving or Christmas came around Will, Nico, and sometimes Hazel would go to Will's mothers house. In addition, every year Octavian would tag along (Nico dreaded holidays with the family).

So Octavian was different than the boy Will had known. He also wasn't someone Will would usually hang around with. However, the boy was family. So didn’t mind the occasional conversation with his nosy brother. Octavian hadn't had the best life. When anyone asked why Will liked his half brother he'd say Octavian was simply misunderstood. He just needed a friend. And Will never stopped being Octavian's friend.

Every once in a while he’d invite Octavian over for coffee or lunch and the straw haired boy would do the same. They’d often sit and talk about mundane things. Octavian liked to gossip about everyone in their apartment building. Will didn’t mind, in fact he kind of enjoyed listening to Octavian interpretations.

"You mean delusions," Nico had rephrased, "He’s crazy!"

"Neeks, Octavian just sees the world differently, he's not crazy!" Will had argued.

"He thinks he’s a prophet, he’s obviously a dud."

"How do you know? Rachel can see the future, paints it on canvas, why couldn’t Octavian have a similar ability?"

"I’m telling you Will everything that boy ‘prophecies’ is straight out of his ass!" Nico turns away at that point ending the conversation.

Will wasn’t sure whether Octavian actually possessed a gift like Rachel Dare. From what Will understood about people with foresight was that it wasn’t straight forward. Seeing the future wasn’t simply ‘You will spontaneously combust on the fifth of August!’ All those with such extremely rare gifts always presented the future as an enigma. Never clear and never in the way one would expect.

Rachel often spoke in riddles but more so than not she painted what she saw. Her art, like her words, didn't make sense. Will had been there when she’d spouted nonsense at Percy Jackson once. He couldn’t remember what she’d said or how it actually played out only that it came true. Well Annabeth had backed Percy up when he said it had. Will trusted Annabeth to not encourage inaccuracies.

So Will couldn’t outright deny the possibility Octavian could see the future. Perhaps he just spoke it in a way that made it seem far fetched and with no way to prove it actually had surpassed. So far Will, always being his friend, hadn't changed and Will didn’t see it happening anytime soon. So at least one of his prophecies held true. All things aside, Will didn’t despise Octavian like Nico and Cecil. He was Will's friend and Will his. They were family.

Will sighed, "Anyway he said, 'I’ve noticed your roommates has been coming and going at weird hours get himself a girlfriend or something?'"

"He’s got to know Nico, your boyfriend by now," Lou insists.

The thing was Octavian did know. However Will knew why he referred to Nico as a ‘roommate’. It was because as much as Nico hated Octavian the feeling was mutual. Will's brother had never come out and said it but it was obvious he didn’t approve of the Italian boy. Will looked at it as Octavian being the older protective brother. Though it could be a simple ‘despise at first sight’ situation. Will had wanted them to like each other but he understood when to leave things alone.

"Oh, he knows he just likes to be an ass," Cecil grumbled as the waiter topped his wine, then he added, “Wouldn’t surprise me if he used those toys as stand in sacrifices for his cult!”

“I said ‘No, he’s just been working late!’ to which Octavian replies, ‘I’d find a new job if I kept having to run back and forth!’” Will recite, “Which is odd right? I mean his office is across town! It's not like it's right there! And why multiple times?”

"You don't really believe Nico’s seeing someone else do you?" Lou pressed both of them, choosing to ignore Cecil's comment, "It's Nico! That boy kisses the ground you walk on!"

"I don't think Nico would ever cheat! It's just Nico he is rarely home," Will explains, “I go to bed alone and I wake up and he’s gone to work, half the time I'm not sure he came home at all!"

Will slumped further in his seat. His Risotto steamed happily on his plate but he hadn't an appetite. He'd probably get it to go. Nico’s homemade food was better anyway. He was a wonderful cook unlike Will. Not that Will couldn’t cook he simply wasn’t good at it (Besides for the occasional grilled cheese and boxed Mac ‘n’ Cheese).

"And if our schedules line up we're either fighting about dirty laundry or something equally mundane," he continues, "Or one of us, mostly Nico, is getting called away to work at the last minute causing cancellation and rain checks! Like today!"

"I don't mind," Cecil said around a bread roll. Lou elbowed him hard. The movement made him nearly choke. While the boy Jewish boy coughed .

“The reservation was only for two you know!” Lou reminded Cecil, “You're lucky I was able to make the receipt say three! Stay quiet or you're not coming next time!”

“Next time,” Will repeated mournfully. Would there be a next time? The thing about what Octavian said had made Will suspect the worst. Not that Nico was seeing someone else. Will could never doubt Nico’s loyalty. Nico would never be unfaithful, he wouldn’t lead anyone on. Which just fueled the realization of what this extravagant date really was.

“William,” Lou presses, “If you don’t believe Nico is cheating, what do you actually think he’s up to?”

Lou Ellen always knew what questions to ask. She could probably see Will's desperate need to speak of his suspicions. She'd always been good at guiding a conversation in a way that allowed the other person to get out all that needed said. In addition, she further pressed Will to think. To recall all the evidence in whatever case he was presenting. Nico had been pulling away. It was more than the extra hours at work. If their constant fighting wasn't obvious enough. Something had changed. So Will had thought they were still hopelessly in love. Perhaps it was one sided. Maybe that is what has changed.

Will wasn’t stupid enough to think that Nico didn’t love him. No! Nico di Angelo cares deeply about him. Will knew that whole heartedly. But Maybe.

Nico was no longer in love with him.

“I think he’s avoiding me,” Will starts small, his voice cracking, “I think he’s trying to find a way to…”

He reaches for his fluke of champagne. With a twirl of his glass he downs its content like a shot. What he wouldn’t do for a real drink. Something dark perhaps? Maybe on the rocks! Whatever that meant. Will didn’t know much about alcohol. He wasn’t a drinker, mostly he was the designated driver. Buzzkill Cecil's voice rang in his head. The boy hadn’t been the only one to call Will that.

“I’ve seen his search history…he was looking at apartments…I..” he felt a sob bubble, “I think he's preparing to... I think he wants to break up…”

Cecil stops gnawing on his bread roll to blink owlishly. It was the same look he gave Will the first time he’d discovered Will could glow. Surprised and a little scared (but not impressed in the slightest). Lou Ellen’s face didn’t betray whatever her thoughts may have been. Though Will didn’t doubt that like Cecil she couldn’t believe the statement either.

“You think he wants to break up?” Lou huffed, “Are you sick? Did you hit your head or something?”

“I mean it makes sense, his father always thought Nico could do better, why else pay for a place like this for me and his son?” Will gestures, “What better place to break up with a long term boyfriend! I mean think about it!”

“Will-“

“A grand plan really! One last nice night before the inevitable shoe!” he was going to cry, “However Nico obviously chicken out or something!”

“That doesn’t sound like Nico,” Lou argues, “You know he wouldn’t do something like that in public or otherwise!”

“No of course not he’d do it after dinner,” Will iterates, “We go home to find Percy and Jason have already moved all Nico’s belongings!”

Hopefully not the microwave! Will would probably die of starvation. While he was a doctor and was very present on a healthy diet without Nico he’d surely have no choice but to sub come to Hungry Man's frozen lunches. And salad of course but nothing four course and mouthwatering. Maybe he could convince Hazel to cook for him. Would she want nothing to do with him when Nico and him split?

Would all his friends leave him? Most of them were Nico’s first. He’d only brought Lou Ellen and Cecil. And the Stoll Brothers but they were a wild card really. There was Annabeth who he’d known for forever. Though she’d follow Percy most likely. He’d lose them all as well as Nico.

Will didn’t doubt they’d probably try to stay his friend. Inevitably though the awkwardness would most definitely cause them to fall away until they were only liking each other's social media posts every blue moon.

Thumbs up emoji. Heart emoji. Laughing emoji. Crying emoji.

Will shook the thoughts, “He’ll do it then! Nico will pull me aside and say something like ‘It's not you, and it's not me because actually it is you and here’s why we failed bye’.”

“You crafted that scenario all just because of what Octavian said?” Lou frowned.

“Of course not I’ve been wondering for awhile,” Will admits, “It makes sense, he’s never around and every time we make plans he cancels, it's like he doesn’t want to be around me and…”

“And what?” Lou presses.

“He doesn’t want me to touch him,” Will blurts.

“Ew! Okay TMI,” Cecil exclaims. His loud booming voice draws some harsh glares from other tables. Will was too flustered to worry about the possibilities of being kicked out.

“No not like that!” Will blushed, “Well...yeah that too but that’s not what I was talking about I mean he won't hold my hand!”

There was a long pause. Lou Ellen remained quiet as if she thought Will was being stupid. It was Cecil that spoke to Will like he was being stupid.

“One of your reasons for thinking Nico’s breaking up with you is that he won’t hold your hand?” Cecil repeated, “Lou doesn’t even like me breathing the same air with her most of the time and we’re still together.”

Will huffed eyeing Lou Ellen’s full glass of wine. As if reading his mind (which was entirely possible) a waiter stops by to fill up his glass. He moves down immediately. And to his delight the waiter stands at the ready. They don’t even blink as they refill Wills flute once again. After the last drop of sparkling liquid falls they leave practically floating away. This place really was fancy.

The expensive wine wasn’t perhaps a good idea with Will being a lightweight. Not to mention he’d downed a beer before calling Lou after Nico bailed. Who could blame him? It had helped him through this conversation thus far. As he finished that cup of wine he found that though his heart was heavy his head was light. And his tongue…well.

“Yes well me and Nico are not you two okay!” he bit, “I thought we were but apparently he’s going to leave me to find someone that doesn’t make his job seem more appealing than date night!”

Great now he was really crying or maybe that was glitter. Why do fancy places have so many sparkly things? Or maybe it was just this one? Will wasn’t used to this. Now that he thought about it Nico would have hated this place. He much rather enjoyed the small Italian restaurant that was near that sketchy ally he insisted Will never even look down.

‘There’s hardly any authentic Italian places’ Nico always complained.

“Wow okay buddy I think you’re overthinking this,” Cecil says, “I mean Nico has never been a touchy feely guy.”

“Yeah, to everyone else! But to me?” Will persists, “Even before we were dating we were always a bit-“

“Handsy?” Cecil finished, “Gods I know! It was disgusting, still is disgusting…constantly being all cuddly real sickening, yeah Nico and you never knew how to restrain yourself, always a light brush of fingertips or bumping knees. Remember senior year? Me and Leo multiple times did a ‘drink every time Solangelo-”

“You were just trying to make a point on how Will shouldn’t worry because Nico isn’t the ‘touchy feely’ type,” Lou interrupted.

Cecil shrugged, “It's not my fault I tried to make him feel better but he ruined it by speaking truths! I mean come on bro just let me spew comforting reasoning lies!”

Will downed his wine again. It probably wasn’t good; he could no longer taste it. With his glass empty and his hands needing something to do he reached for a bread roll. The warm ball quickly became a victim of ruthless picking and pulling .

“I…” Will starts then just gives up. He can feel the tears. He was sure they’d been spilling since the last wine refill.

“Will,” Lou Ellen says, “Nico loves you just as much as you do him, you’ve been together for longer than any of our parents could dream of holding a relationship! You’ve faced so much together, I just…I can’t…I won’t believe that Nico would ever break up with you.”

Despite Will's doubt it was nice to hear. He wanted to believe his conclusion was untrue. He wanted a reasonable explanation, anything that could make sense. At least enough to throw his current theory out the window.

“Please,” Will whispered, “please tell me something, anything that would make sense?”

“Nico being distant doesn’t mean he’s breaking up with you he’s just busy,” Cecil supplied.

“And not touching? Maybe he’s just trying to work through something, Nico has a tendency to shut down and trap himself in his own head,” Lou states.

Will wanted to take comfort in their words. However he was an over-thinker and being one meant it was hard to be put in a false sense of security.

“It's never been like this before, sure sometimes he wants to be alone and no nobody wants to be touched all the time,” Will exclaims, “but this is different…it's like I’m a problem and if he can keep me as far away as possible….like he’s hiding from me…and the apartments.”

“Maybe he just wants to move away from Octavian ,” Cecil mutters the unspoken I would say loud and clear, “That doesn’t mean he was planning to be without you.”

“Yeah maybe you’re right about the last one,” Will nods hopefully (Nico really didn’t like Octavian ). Maybe his friends could change his mind. Then surprisingly Lou crushed that thought.

“He is hiding from you,” she agrees. Her green eyes gleamed in the chandelier light. It was so fancy it had chandeliers!

Cecil blenched, “Lou! I thought we were supposed to be countering.”

“No listen it makes sense,” she persisted, “Nico is keeping secrets and he’s hiding and he’s pushing you away, and he’s looking for a better place, a new start!”

Will couldn’t’ help the loud choking sob to escape him. He could feel the eyes of the other patrons. Judging him surely! His head fell into his hands. Cecil let out a line of curses just as a waiter went to pour more wine in Wills cup. He removed his hands from his face to reach for it. Before a drop of liquid could fall Lou put her hand over the brim.

“No more thanks,” She tells the waiter who simply bows and stocks away.

Will couldn’t help but whine, “Great you just confirmed all my fears and now I’m not allowed to drink them away!”

Cecil mutter something like, great we’ve birth an alcoholic, couple power! Lou reached over the table grabbing Will's wrist as he pulled away from his empty glass. She moved her hand down to take his hand. His fingers were buttery and his cuticles had bread crumbs. The wedding band on her finger shimmered.

“William Solace,” she says carefully, “Nico’s pulling away because he’s weak.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah what he said,” Cecil says.

The two boys blinked at Lou Ellen. As if she were the all knowing and held all the answers. Which at the moment she did. Whatever she was going to say was going to determine what Will was going to prepare for. And Will prayed it wasn’t a break up. He wasn’t sure he could survive a heartbreak. He could touch someone and know exactly what was wrong with them and vaguely how to fix it. He could even begin the healing process. He didn’t have extraordinary powers that could save the world if needed. He most certainly couldn’t fix what would be left of him without Nico.

“Nico is pulling away and keeping his distance because he loves you, and he’s worried he’ll slip up,” Lou continues smiling.

“You're not making sense,” Will sighs.

“He wants a new start with you!” she squealed.

“Still not following,” Cecil muttered, waving over a waiter to fill up his fluke. Because of course he can have more wine.

“Like I said Nico is doing all these things because he can’t be around you and keep his secret!”

“What secret!” Will demand, “Why this fancy restaurant gifted from Hades of all people if not to break up with me!”

“Could you be any more blind Will!” Lou hissed, “This is not a restaurant you break up with your boyfriend of a decade at!”

“Oh,” Cecil muttered, then quieter, “So unoriginal.”

“Oh?” Will grumbled, “If not to break up then what?”

“To propose dipshit!”

The flood gates opened and Will was instantly a blubbering mess. Cecil and Lou Ellen were cheering blabbering about connecting the dots. It wasn’t a surprise when they were removed from the premises.

Will was too happy to be embarrassed.

Nico was going to propose.

Despite the notion being just as plausible as his previous thought, he took it. He let himself believe Lou Ellen's prediction over his initial one. When Will got home that night love drinking and ways to literally get drunk he called Nico. Surprisingly when his boyfriend didn’t answer, Will wasn’t hurt. In fact Will happily left a voice message.

“Hey Neeks! It Will!! Oh, you definitely knew that!” He giggled, “I just called to let you know I love you, and I brought you home Risotto! They let me take it to go even though…it’s a long story but we got our photo taken! They hung it on the ‘not welcomed’ wall which is not as empty as you’d think!”

Will feel onto their bed the mattress knocking the wall at the movement. After they’d been removed from the restaurant Cecil had insisted they celebrated. Lou had argued that celebrations usually occur once the question is popped. It was a weak attempt and they’d all ended up at a cheap dinky bar. They’d taken shots and ate peanuts until someone closed their tab and called them a ride..

It had been the most fun Will had had in awhile. It was the lightest he’d been to. With the weight of a breakup gone he could finally breathe. Will knew he would regret the drinks in the morning. At the moment he didn’t care. He’d downed a couple glasses of water before he'd stumbled to the bedroom. Even drunk Will was at least a bit smart.

Will laid back in bed. He couldn’t seem to take off his shoes. He couldn’t do much with how much the room was spinning. He kept the phone to his ear as he closed his eyes.

“We then went for drinks!” Will adds, “It was great! Wish you were there though…I miss you…Nico I…”

Will fell asleep before he could press end. When he woke he found his phone plugged in next to a bottle of Advil and a glass of water. In addition, someone had taken off his shoes and jeans. Despite how horrible he felt he couldn’t help but smile. Nico wasn’t in bed but he had been there at some point. That’s all that mattered.

That night at the fancy dinner had led to this moment. It was how Will ended up in his current predicament. However, even without the knowledge of a possible pending proposal Will figured he’d have pressed for answers eventually. It has been over two month since Lou's epiphany. An entire eight weeks, several love quarrels and two date nights. Both have been canceled.

Today was the most recent terminated date night. Will had always thought himself patient but everyone has their breaking point. This cancellation had been it. He’d been so crushed when he woke up to see Nico was gone. He’d instantly called his boyfriend.

“Yeah?” Nico had answered. Will didn’t have time to ponder on how unwelcoming it sounded. He was too annoyed to care that Nico was annoyed.

Will could hear voices in the background. He didn’t need to listen hard to recognize Leo's booming laughing and Jason’s calm muttering. Will knew Nico was at the office. Even so he asked.

“Where are you?”

Nico took a long pause. Maybe he could hear something in Will's tone. It felt like an eternity before the Italian boy spoke, “Work? Where else?”

Will stood in the kitchen after making sure Nico wasn’t hiding somewhere. At Nico’s response he leaned on their small counter. He felt a sinking in his stomach. Quickly he pushed the feeling away, going for an optimistic approach. Maybe Nico hadn’t forgotten what today was. Maybe he just had a few things to finish before later tonight. It was an important day, the perfect day. Nico just needs to be occupied beforehand to calm his nerves or something.

“Oh, thought you were off today?” Will says.

Nico doesn’t reply. His attention no longer on the call but to someone on his end. It sounded like Percy. Percy Jackson. Nico’s first boy crush and first love. Unrequited but love nonetheless. Will had long since let go of any jealousy he’d harbor at Jackson. The boy was devoted to his wife Annabeth, who had been for years. Besides Nico had been over Percy before Will and him started dating.

After a minute or so Nico spoke to Will again, “Hey sorry I’m kind of busy. Was there a reason you called?”

Was there a reason!

The question hit Will like a fist. Did there have to be? Couldn’t Will just call his boyfriend every once in a while? And wasn't it clear why Will had called? He wanted answers. Taking a breath Will push away the negative. He wanted nothing more than to say exactly what he was thinking.

However, that wouldn’t be good. Nico was at work around all their friends. Besides Will didn’t want to argue he never did! Especially if today was the day. He wanted it to be perfect, he wanted it to be easy. He wanted-

“Will?” It was snapped so impatiently Will jumped.

“Uh…I...today…” Will sputtered then with a sigh, “When will you be home?”

Nico answered quickly, “Not till late…you’ll probably be asleep.”

Will felt his heart shatter, ”But what about tonight?”

“Tonight?” Nico asked, then he seemed to remember, “Oh, I’m sorry! I know I’ve bailed on date night the last couple times- it's been…crazy.”

Will leaned his head against the marble countertop. Nico had forgotten. Not about it being date night but the significance of this one in particular. The rock in his stomach was so heavy he wanted to cry. He’d been doing that too much as of late. Crying.

“Yeah…no…it's…fine, it's fine I’ll let you go,” Will said.

“Okay…I am sorry…”

“I know.”

“Okay…uh…Bye Will,” Nico says.

“Bye-“

The call ends before Will could finish. He stood, phone still to his ear. His eyes burned under closed lids. He felt the disappointment so heavy in the air. Then he spoke to an empty line to Nico who could no longer hear him.

“I love you,” he finishes and he does hear it back.

Will had been sure that this was the day. That Nico would finally pop the question. What made this date night more special than any other? It has deliberately been placed. Every year no matter what everything was pushed aside. It was a date they put down as a mandatory off day. The reason is that I always sign the anniversary.

Will and Nico had a few anniversary: The first time they met, their first date, their first kiss. And they recognized them in small ways. However, out of them all this was the only one they really celebrated. They’d picked it as the most special next to them becoming official. It had been today ten years ago when they first exchanged ‘I love you’s.

They’d been on a date, and it was Nico's turn to choose. He had decided on a museum. Will had never been but Nico had insisted he’d enjoy it. The Italian boy hadn’t been wrong. He’d taken Will to the pirate portion. They’d lost the tour guide early on but it didn’t matter. Nico took up the role well. It was no secret the boy's obsession with pirates.

Will had seen the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy multiple times at that point. He didn’t mind it and he found it endearing. Nico blushed a bright red when Will commented about him being cute.

“I’m not cute!” Nico had argued.

“Are too,” Will had insisted then, “and you are also hot.”

Nico sputtered, nearly tripping over an information podium. Will started laughing as the boy blushed harder. Nico looked back to the exhibit hiding his flushed cheeks. They’d been going out for a while at that point. It's been months of pure bliss. Will couldn’t help feeling like the luckiest man alive.

In all that time Nico hadn’t gotten used to Will complimenting him. Which is why Will took every chance to do so. Nico deserved to know how amazing he was. And Will wanted Nico to believe every word of praise. After a few moments of silence Will thought of something that made him start to laugh again.

“Hey Nico,” Will says, making the boy look at him.

Nico looked through his eyelashes at Will. He was obviously growing suspicious, “Yeah Will?”

“You know,” Will grinned, “If you were a pirate…you’d be R rated.”

Will busted into a giggling fit while his boyfriend rolled his eyes. Then Nico turned on his heels and started away from Will. Quickly the blonde moved to follow only to do what Nico almost did. Will trip over the podium. As he hit the ground he managed to cut his knee on the stands' sharp marble base.

Despite the action only making Will laugh harder Nico seemed completely panicked. The dark eyed boy fell to his boyfriend’s side. With worried hands he gripped Will's orange t-shirt.

“Are you okay?” He asked, alarmed.

Will stopped laughing instantly. Nico sounded horrified and taking a look at the large bleeding gash it was no wonder. Just below Will's right knee was a huge cut. It had already begun pouring red. The mark would scar and would become a fond reminder of the day. However, Will didn’t know that then.

“I’m fine,” Will said, trying his best to reassure Nico, “It looks worse than it is!”

Will had always wanted to be a doctor. He’d taken up an abundance of learning opportunities to help in that pursuit. He’d taken first-aid classes and was CPR certified. He had experience in doing stitches and resetting bones. It was his gift after all. Will Solace had been born with the ability to heal among other things.

Just by touching someone he could know what was wrong and how to fix them. The more he knew about something the easier he could diagnose and start to heal. For example knowing the name of a bone and its use as well as the proper treatment of a hairline fracture could accelerate the reconstruction of marrow. With multiple sessions he could eventually heal a wound completely but it wasn’t instantaneous.
His powers weren’t that strong. He mostly could just push the healing process in the right direction.

He could close a surface cut easily, and bring down a fever. He even reattached an extracted limb. That was something he’d done much more recently. It took hours of nonstop pressing of his gift until he passed out from exhaustion. Big things like that he couldn’t do often, not without the risk of himself. However, the boy at the museum that day hadn’t known the extent of his abilities. All Will had known was that he could stop the bleeding.

He hadn’t grown accustomed to healing himself. It was a bit more difficult than someone else. His power was transferred through contact and it was hard to move his power through its own vessel. Similar to how most people couldn’t tickle themselves. Will could heal himself but more times than not he didn’t.

Using his gift on himself felt odd when he could manage it. In addition, it took more out of him. Using his power drained him. Overtime he’d build up endurance, being able to use it for longer times with a quicker recovery. Then he hadn’t started that sort of extensive training.

It had only been a cut. Will had simply covered it with his hands and closed his eyes. Nico had waited quietly as Will hummed softly in consideration. It only took a few minutes for Will to speed up the clotting of his cells. When it was done he removed his hands to reveal a less fresh looking wound.

“See it's fine,” Will states, “All it needs now is a band aid.”

It was then he noticed he didn’t have his shoulder bag. That was very out of character for him. Everywhere he went he brought it. Inside he always kept a small first
First-aid kit among a few other ‘mom-friend’ items. Will had stupidly left it a home that day. Before he could suggest going to the gift shop or asking someone Nico surprised him.

Unlike Will that day Nico had brought a bag. It was a small black satchel with an angsty teen pin fastened on it flap. Will watched as his boyfriend pulled out a small box. He recognized it immediately.

“Is that?” Will asked despite knowing the answer.

“Yes,” Nico answered.

The first day Will met Nico the boy had been worse for wear. He’d been covered in small bruises and scrapes. Will had seen him around before but they’d never spoken. It was an eventful day. Every year there school as well as a handful surrounding advertised and funded a summer camp.

And every year Will would spend a couple weeks away from home in a cabin doing fun outdoor activities. It sounded kind of dumb but Will looked forward to it every year. All his friends from school went as well as his siblings. He also got to meet new people. Kids around his age from different schools came.

Nico and Will went to the same school. They even rode the same bus home. Despite all that Will hadn’t worked up the courage to speak to the little Italian boy. Will had always had a sort of crush on Nico. It was that day he’d finally taken that step. It was the beginning of something wonderful.

“Hey Nico right?” Will had said.

Will could recall all the details of that day but this was already a flashback in a flashback. Long story short Will had managed to convince Nico to let Will patch him up. And several Star Wars themed band-aids later he’d pressed the small first-aid kit into pale fingers.

“Why are you giving this to me?” Nico had asked.

“Everyone should have one,” Will had insisted, “You’ll never know when you might need it.”

Nico had given him a grimace that was possibly supposed to be a smile, “Got it thanks Dr. Solace.”

“You’re Welcome,” Will responds, nodding to the boy's attire (a lot of black with skulls), “See you around Death Boy.”

It was the start of an amazing friendship. It led to a wonderful relationship. It led to Will sitting on the floor of a museum. It led to his boyfriend Nico di Angelo pulling out the very same box.

“You still have it,” Will whispered. His stomach erupted in butterflies. He watched as Nico’s eyes flicked with something he didn’t recognize.

“Yeah,” Nico shrugs.

“An you have it on you?”

Nico broke into a shy smile, “Yeah, I always do…like you said never know when you’ll need it.”

Will watched as Nico opened it and pulled out a Darth Vader bandage. However before he could open it Will grabbed his shirt and pulled him into a kiss. It was short and sweet and they pulled away red faced and grinning.

“I love you,” Will admits.

Nico’s smile widened and he raised his hand to twirl his fingers in Wills blonde curls. Without missing a beat he says, “I love you too Sunshine.”

They’d forgotten about the Band-Aid.

Will had been so sure that today was going to be the day. It made since. It was perfect. If Will had thought Nico wanted to be married it would be the day he’d have chosen. Then again Will was a romantic.

Then Will thought of how he and Nico had never talked about marriage. Neither of their parents had been married. In fact both of their fathers had been absent for a large portion of their life. Will had sort of forgo it as an option. Nico had never expressed an interest in taking that step. It wasn’t necessary. They didn’t need rings or a piece of paper to prove their love.

Suddenly Will was starting to wonder if Lou Ellen had been wrong. The idea that Nico was planning to propose seemed far-fetched all of a sudden. It was at that very moment Will decided he couldn’t wait. He had to know.

Will Solace had always trusted Nico di Angelo. And he had believed Nico was the same way. Will had never poked through Nico's stuff. Well not the digging for answers way. They lived together and had known each other for years.

Will often would go through Nico’s clothes stealing his socks or a hoodie. Likewise his boyfriend did the same. Nico would take Wills laptop because he hated updating his own and Will’s was always up-to-date. If Will was bored he’d often take whatever book Nico was reading and begin it himself. If Nico was bored he’d take Will's phone and beat all of Will's high scores on all his games.

It wasn’t exactly snooping but it showed their boundaries. It was hard to hide something when every inch of your home was shared. Most of the stuff in their small apartment was their stuff. Things they bought together or for each other or been given to both of them from another. That said it wasn’t a valley of hiding places.

However, there were places that were agreed to be hiding places. Will had a designating hiding place for gifts for Nico. Birthday and Christmas presents were hidden on the top shelf of their hall closet. Nico’s hiding place was in the wooden chest at the foot of their bed. It was always locked but had a set of two keys. One Nico kept on his Keychain. The other was on the bedside table on Nico’s side.

It was an unspoken agreement. They did not mess with those places. However, the things weren’t in any way guarded or hard to access. Even so Will had felt guilty the entire time. He’d retrieved the key and stood across from the chest. His back biting into their rooms entertainments stand.

He waited, attempting to build up the courage to follow through. Maybe he should call Lou? No. Will didn’t need to be talked out of this. He couldn’t sit waiting because of a hunch. What if Nico wasn’t planning to propose? What if the original suspension was right? He had to know so he could be prepared.

If he could figure it out maybe he could fix it somehow. Will could change. If he was the problem he could fix that probably. Even if there wasn’t anything in the chest to prove either at least he could cross it off. And if there was proof then Will could plan. If there was a ring or something he could wait for Nicos move without any doubt.

If there possibly was a drawn out plan on ‘how to break up with your long term boyfriend’ he could work from there. He had to know.

Without a thought he’d open the crate. It clicked with no alarms or hidden cameras to expose him. He lifted the lid to reveal the answers to his questions (and created twice as many more unanswered.)

Will fell to his knees, his hands gripping the dark wooden edges of the box. He couldn’t breathe. Nico di Angelo was planning to propose at some point. Nico wasn’t planning on breaking up with Will. Lou Ellen was right about that much. However, she was wrong about everything else. The Italian boy was hiding and keeping secrets. However it was more than the simple wanting to have a new fresh life with Will as his husband.

Will reached into the chest. He didn’t touch the ring. He couldn’t even look at it. Instead he brushed his finger across a smooth surface. He felt a surge of panic and instantly Will stood halfway across the room. His back slammed into the entertainment stand shaking its content. A picture on the wall broke free, its glass frame cracking against the floor.

Will ignore it trying to steady his breathing. How…how…why…what…why? He shook his thoughts, his head spinning. He stumbled back towards the box. Standing over it he could see more of its content. A neatly wrapped present addressed to Reyna. Another to Jason. A small one for Will. A stack of binders filled with Nico’s collection of Mythomagic cards. A photo album. A small jewelry box. A diary.

A wedding ring.

What caught his eyes the most was none of those things. Will grabbed the handle lifting objects out….a blade…Not just any blade…a sword…a stygian iron sword. Lastly right underneath the weapon was a bundle of black fabric. It was folded neatly showcasing a symbol. The symbol of Hades. It's gleaming, making it all more real.

Nico di Angelo was planning to propose.

Will was absolutely sure of that.

Will also knew this.

Nico was keeping secrets. He was lying to Will.

Nico was a vigilante; a hero and he hadn’t bothered to tell Will.

Nico di Angelo was The Ghost King.

Chapter Text

Nico wasn’t the only superhero in New York.

Will Solace had connected the dots (sort of).

It was surprising how easy everything started to make sense. How all the pieces began to fit into place. Like a puzzle that one bought used; missing a few pieces but the overall picture intelligible. Will had questions (always did) but he found he could answer most of them himself. The more he dug into his brain (and questionable tumblr post) the more obvious things became. The Big Three for example. Will knew exactly who each of them were. It was obvious once he got to looking. News clipping, blurry photographs, oddly detailed (graphic) fanart only made it unmistakable.

Will was well acquainted with New York's finest Heroes. So much so that he knew their birthdays, not to mention blood types, and several of thems social security numbers. Was it really a shock? He'd grown up around most of them. Will had medically treated all of them. He had their phone numbers and emails. Growing up he'd shared homework answers. He'd known them all long enough to acquire blackmail. Will Solace had been blackmailed by several of them.

It would have been funny if the blonde boy could feel anything other than frustration. His head hurt, his heart hurt, and by Gods if he saw another meme with The Mechanical Dragon (Leo) and Donkey from Shrek he was going to loose it.

Will slumped in his seat his computer screen showing a several hour video titled "craziest hero-villain show downs Pt.1." He had it paused while he did his best to remember what Nico, Percy and Jason said they did. Of course the trio of childhood friends/ rivals/ wtf -daddy -issue -triplets were the Allstar power group. Will had been under the assumption that while they worked together it wasn't in the "masked- comic book-hero franchise" way.

From what he had been told the boys worked for an agency that dealt with crimes conducted by gifted individuals. A government branch like the CIA or FBI. They were law enforcement for enhanced individuals. The joke that the agency was basically S.H.I.E.L.D from Marvel seemed more accurate than everyone was led to believe. There was no way the boys could be superheroes and work a full time job. Unless they were connected.

The boys were lead Agents and carried out special operations. They helped solve matters outside of regular law enforcement's capabilities. Investigations and initrations that took careful planning with backup up plans for their backup plans. Will didn't know the specific details but not from lack of trying. Nico had informed him most of what went on was classified. If Will was curious about a case or what his boyfriend was working on he was denied. Like everyone else Will had to wait for the information to be clear to the public to know (if it ever was). By the time it was approved to the public it was already on every new channel and articles front page. Nico never had anything to add.

Maybe if Will should have asked for details. Maybe if he'd done some pressing Nico would have fessed up. Then again Nico could be incredibly stubborn. 

Similar to Nico's classified response, when Will asked any of their friends about their process there was never a direct answer. Which was suspicious considering Annabeth was the most direct person Will knew (Piper was a close second). The fact no one could answer the question fully was a red flag in itself.Will should have figured it out sooner.

The agency Nico and their friends worked at was called HB. Formally known was HalfBlood Security. A less formally known acronym standing for the Homeland Agency of Logistics, Forensics, Bureaucracy  and Legalism Officials in Obtaining Demigods Security (H.A.L.F.B.L.O.O.D.S). It was mouthful and a bit ridiculous so HB it was.

Nico, Percy, and Jason were lead agents in charge of their own branch within the Agency. A bit of a squad or golden goose. They were the go to, the main team for anything major. Perhap they had an advantage having spent their whole lifes learning to work together. It had been years of comradery. It was no surprise they all worked so well together.

Outside of the main three the team consisted of Annabeth Jackson. She had married Percy and from context clues Will figured she was the sort of Secretary while also being an on ground investigator. On the side she was also a lead architect and took on projects such as the rebuild of the Olympus building (which at least one of each of their parents had some connection to.) Will had always thought she was amazing taking on so much. Realizing she was a superhero on top of it all made his head spin.

Leo Valdez and Frank Zhang worked forensics. It didn't help their competitive relationship. Leo dealt with the Tech side of evidence while Frank the physical as well as the biology side. In addition, Leo was a part of the HB's R&D department  and Frank helped Reyna lead the agency's version of a S.W.A.T. team. 

Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano was not a part of the team but instead led her own. She'd always been a natural born leader and Will had met her through his boyfriend. Nico and Reyna had bonded while traveling on a school trip through Europe. Since then Nico had said she had become sort of a sister to him. So it wasn't a surprise Will had eventually looked at her like one too.

Then there was Piper McClean. She handled the more legal aspects on the team being one of HB many lawyers (Will had heard she was the best.) She represented gifted individuals or those affected by one. She rarely lost a case (unless spontaneous guilty confessions counted.) Will had met her like most of his friends through Nico. However, Apollo and Piper's father ran in similar circles. Both having played major roles in King of Sparta.

"I would have gotten the lead, they wanted it to be me but I just didn't have the time to give that kind of commitment," Will's father had insisted , "Besides side characters are important. William, they're needed to drive the story along! And more often than not one of them is the favorite, not the boring lead!"

 Lastly there was Hazel Levesque who had recently retired from the team. She was Nico's half sister and is currently an art teacher for elementary schoolers. She'd onced worked as a forensics sketch artist and Will didn't know what her exact role on the team was. He did know that it was a great loss when she'd resigned and moved to 'more fulfilling things'. 

Despite no longer working for the agency she was often there. From what Nico relayed Hazel was basically a mother hen.  She'd bring meals, and help wherever she could. If she wasn't doing that she was either with Frank (her boyfriend) or pestering Nico (like a sister should). Them along with many others made up HB Agents. A force dedicated to protecting (and fighting) HalfBloods.

While it was the agency acronym the word 'HalfBlood(s)' itself had come first. The name came from the street term for those with powers. Alongside the labels Demigod and Gifted. The three terms used simultaneously, all describing nonmortal individuals. 

The name Demigod arose from the theory that the powers came from having a god ancestored. Some believe at some point in time a god and mortal had conceived a child. That child subsequently gained godly blood.

Which ultimately caused them to inherit some ability(s) that they then passed down generations. It was just a theory, which hadn't been proven but also hadn't been debunked. 

HalfBlood was also a term deraging from said theory. A HalfBlood having half of a god's blood. The name had been a bit more popular with the mainstream media. Demigod being found to be a bit more offensive. Lastly the term Gifted was used as an act of being kinder. An attempt to stop delegating someone half (demi) of anything. 

There were more names, some nice others not but they all described the same type of individual. A person possessing one or more special abilities usually with a dose of extreme ADHD and dyslexia. The medical terminology for the phenomenon was simply called the Enhanced Inheritance or the En gene. 

Will found he preferred the mystery not truly knowing the genes origin. Luckily it wasn't his job to try and understand the gene; he only needed to know medically how to diagnose and treat someone with it. Surprisingly it wasn't vastly different than treating a mortal. The only variation was Halfbloods tend to have faster healing and could be treated with enhanced medications that a mortal's body couldn't process. 

Medications such as Ambrosia and another nicknamed Unicorn drought. If consumed by a regular mortal the results were fatal. In addition regular forms of treatment didn't work the same or as effectively on demigods. It was important to have the ability to identify those with and without the En Gene. It was lucky that Wills power helped with that but there were test that could determine it.

While knowing how to medically treat someone with the gene there wasn't much known about it in itself. Around 38 percent of the population had some uncanny ability. Most were minor small things that could pass as just a simple natural talent. Such as being fast and having a green thumb.

The strength of an ability couldn’t be explained. Studies showed that children birthed from two gifted parents had a better likelihood of being born with stronger abilities than a child born from one. While it was more common it wasn't guaranteed. There were plenty of powerful demigods who only had one gifted parent.

That being said, it was still a practice. Two gifted people coming together in hopes of having a golden goose. Some countries had even forbidden such unions. America wasn't one of those places. It wasn't uncommon for children to be simply born in an attempt for a strong gift. Sometimes it worked. Higher endurance, longer stretch, and even combined abilities. Though a person with only one HalfBlooded parent could receive a multitude of gifts. Some people stopped at nothing for some form of fame.

"My son, he'll be the next Neptune! Just you wait!"

Will had been born with only one powered parent. His father Apollo. Who often went by Lester (a family name….) Apollo had an arrangement of gifts being born from a strong Lineage of Halfblooded couples. Oddly Apollo was the only one in his family to only have children with average mortals. Mortals being regular nongifted individuals and Mortals as in plural.

 Will had multiple half siblings with a variation of abilities. There was Kayla Knowles who was basically Hawkeye. And Austin Lakes who was a successful musician (His Youtube channel had blown up a couple years ago.) Then obviously there was Octavian whose powers were prophecy.

However, prophecy wasn't widely accepted as a plausible or possible power. It was hard to prove when the ways of telling the future were so cryptic and largely left to interpretation. Gifts like archery and music were often looked at as talents more than gifts. However, Kayla never missed a shot and Austin could play and tune any instrument he touched. So it was a little more than just natural affinity. They were only three of Will's many siblings. There had also been Lee and Michael but they were a sore topic. As for all the siblings outside of that, Will wasn’t really acquainted with them. However, he knew all of them had some form of power inherited from Apollo.

Will's father with his vast amount of abilities was well known to the public. He jumped from career to career with ease. Currently Apollo was interested in the healing department and had for years. However, he still managed to release a hit song or composed a couplet every couple months. The career Apollo was currently invested in was running his very own hospital. A strictly Halfblood firm. It was called Apollo Hospital  (big surprise) and had a sun as its logo. 

" You should come work for me Will ," Apollo said every time they spoke, " We could really use someone with your talent ."

It would be better pay and hours but even so he always answered the same, "I like where I work, besides everyday mortals need healing as well!"

It was true. Even with the long hours and strictly being subjected to emergency room duty. Will liked helping the everyday kind of guy. The idiot who burnt their hand having foregone oven mitts and the obnoxious child who shoved batteries up their nose. Sure Will was denied the better hours and pay but he didn't mind. 

Besides, it seemed like he was taking the easy way if he worked at his fathers firm. People already thought he was undeserving of his doctorate because of his advantages. Why did it matter? He was helping people, saving them! Wasn't that what counted? Not to mention he’d spent the same long sleepless nights cramming for the same finals they had.

Will looked back to his research. Usually he spent his days off being a nuisance to his friends. He liked poking fun at Cecil and complaining about everything to Lou. He'd used to force Nico into doing something out of the norm. Mostly volunteer work because it was good and Nico always got flustered. Plus the occasional crackhead showed up and made both of their day. Of course it was kind of sad but it was New York.

Will glanced at the open tabs in front of him. A blurry photo in the top right corner of a very informative (terrible long) article. The Ghost King from his first known sighting to the possible color of his socks (the artical assumed black but Will knew they were cartoonish and fluffy). Will main concentration was on the heroes abilities. The laid out in bold underlined with links that lead to more in depth descriptions. The powers listed revealed how underplayed Nico had presented his Halfblooded gifts to the world. Understandable considering secret identities. Nicos to the anusuming public possess the following: the power to manipulate shadows. 

Will knew Nico could move shadows and often shape them (he was amazing at Shadow puppets.) In addition Will had known Nico to also have the uncanny ability to sense death. He’d always known immediately when Will lost a patient. Or been around a cadaver. Nico had also mentioned once that he could talk to the dead (Will had thought he was joking.)

Now as Will sat rewatching clips of the hero The Ghost King he felt like a fool. Nico's powers were stronger than Will could grasp. The HalfBlood hero had popped up officially around six years before,  though there had been incidents involving a similar power before that. The first unofficial sighting of the vigilante turned hero happened a few years before Will and Nico had gotten together.

They'd been fourteen! 

The audio through Will's computer crackled. The person collecting the footage was shaky, the man fumbling with his phone. The scene was filmed like The Blair Witch Project. Raw and terrifying (Even with the first half being a direct shot of the filmer's nostrils.)

Kronos' voice boomed as he spoke to a small dark cloaked figure, "Do you love death so much you wish to experience it?" 

The small figure unsheathed a long obsidian blade. An obvious child twirling there weapo  a smile barely visible under the shadows of their hood. There was no mistaking who the person was. With his signature blade and obvious death wish. It was most definitely the man who never put the cap back on the toothpaste.

The Ghost King stood on screen in all his glory. Darkness gathered behind him like trapped smoke. Swirling in thick pools so dark they held no transparency. When he spoke it was so clearly Nicos stupid sense of humor. Though the voice itself was so prepubescent, Will couldn’t blame himself for not recognizing it sooner. Back then voice changers had yet to become as vital as a mask (Though they weren't needed with the squeaks of puberty). However even in the more recent clips of the Ghost King Will could still hear the soft Italian accent through the changer. It only made Will feel more stupid. He should have recognized it even a little before now.

"Your death," Nico's voice sounded, "would be great for me." 

The ground under the boy's feet broke. A tremor ran across the city block. Dust and glass fell like rain. Then after a slight dramatic pause the first of hundreds of dead became clawing to the surface. Full skeletons filled the streets. Corpses long forgotten and some much too fresh. It was pulled from an episode of The Walking Dead. 

Blankets of darkness covered the sky as if night had suddenly fallen. It was shocking how much power one could possess. The idea that The Ghost King had been holding back leading up to that moment was mortifying. Will felt his breath hitch holding in a burst of hysterical laughter. Nico…his Nico…but he'd thought…

When Nico had told Will he could speak to the dead it was during a horror movie night. Halloween had been in full swing and they’d just gotten home from a costume party. They’d been dressed as Pirates for the second year in a row. " We are not going as Princess Leia and Hans Solo !" Nico had protested (Though Nico did make a gorgeous Leia the following year).

Nico had brought it up during the original Poltergeist movie. Popcorn butter on their fingers and Nicos cold toes poking Will's side. They'd pause  just as Diane falls into the mud pool of skeletons.

"Ew," Will had said. Nico had shrugged as Will went to pop some more popcorn. While they waited they somehow stray to the topic of seeing dead people. 

Nico had nonchalantly said, " I can speak to the dead."

Will had thrown a handful of kernels at him, " You can not!"

Nico had smirked and shrugged. While Will continued to blab about how they used real human skeletons in the movie because they were cheaper than the fake. Will had simply ignored Nicos comment, deciding to believe Nico had only been joking. The boy however most likely wasn't.

Apparently Nico could reanimate their corpses.So speaking to them seemed like child's play. Not to mention he could sense death. Oh gods, Nico could probably see ghosts too! All of that on top of Shadow bending (That was a pitched idea chucked right out of Avatar The Last Airbender Will was sure.) Nico could also teleport which made Will even more upset because there was no reason Nico should be late as often as he was! How many times had they been late to Christmas parties and Thanksgiving dinners? The boy could literally shadow hop and Will hated being the last one to show up! 

Will had to pause the video of the hero showdown against the Villain Kronos. That had happened during Will's high-school career. It had been the surfacing of the upcoming (now current) hero alliance. When the Ghost King went from mercenary vigilante to unorthodox hero. When Neptune and Wisdom held up the sky. The memories of that day burned in Will's skull. Will had been pulled into helping heal the wound. A lot of civilian casualties happened that day. One being Lee. Will did not like to think about it.

If only he hadn't been pulled away to heal Wisdom. The thought made him feel guilty. If he hadn't left to heal the HalfBlood Hero his brother could have still been alive. That being said, Wisdom would have been dead. Either way he'd have lost someone. As he sat watching old clips featuring team ups of the heroes he realized how much that loss would have hurt as well. If Will hadn’t healed Wisdom, she wouldn't have been around to save the millions of lives in all the battles that followed. 

She wouldn't have been there when Arachne attacked. Or Enceladus, or countless others. She wouldn't have been there to help Will pass history with her color-coded flashcards. Or there for Nicos twenty-first birthday when it was only her and Will sober enoughto drive. She wouldn't have been there all the times Will needed advice that he could be confident would work.

Because here's the thing.

Nico di Angelo was The Ghost King.That was becoming old news as Will dug deeper into his rabbit hole.

And Wisdom was Annabeth Jackson formally Chase.

It wasn't hard to connect secret identities to Nico colleagues (it was strange referring to their friends that way.) However, excuse Will for being bitter but they’d lied to him for years! They still were! Annabeth and him had known each other forever. Nico was his boyfriend! As for everyone else there was some form of a bond, a friendship. At least Will had believed there to be. At least enough for one of them (mostly Nico) to have confided in him.

As Will sat staring at his computer screen he pulled out a fresh leather back journal. It was empty, its spin never having been cracked. He had a lot of those. Nice untouched books. Nico always commented on Will's excessive hoarding of them. How the blonde boy found joy in collecting nice notebooks and journals he never used. (In Will's defense he was actually using one now! And he would find uses for all the others!) Will always explained it simply. He just didn't want to put something in one of them when the book could be best suited for something else.

Something as meaningless as a quick 'note to self' was a waste of such an empty canvas. Each book would have a use eventually; like this one. Will took extra care of cracking open the brown skinned journal, the blank pages staring thoughtfully up at him. With his nearly illegible handwriting he wrote the following.

'Nico Di Angelo'

Then quickly underneath.

'Alias: 

The Ghost King

Power(s):

Known - Necromancy, Spider-sense (but only with death), Shadow manipulation, and teleportation. Extremely good liar.

Possible - Seeing and Speaking to the dead.

Will's notes continued in similar format. He scribbled down all of the people Nico worked with and those he was close too. Then every vigilante or hero that had fought beside and against The Ghost King. For a moment Will wondered if he should have done one of those crime investigation boards.The ones with the tacks and red string? Like some true crime or conspiracy theorist. He could pull out all the stops. Maybe invest in a foil hat?

Then he thought about how Nico would see that. The foil hat he could play off but a board that screamed- 'I know you secrets'- not so much. Currently Will had no desire to notify his boyfriend of his discovery. There were a lot of reasons for that.

Most importantly Will wanted to figure it all out first. Then He would decide what to do with the information. Confronting Nico and his friends was one option. However, the deeper Will dug the more that sound unappealing. Will wanted them to tell him themselves! To trust him enough to do so (then Will would say something like 'I know,' and bask in their guilty shock).

The journal was the best option it helped to layout his thoughts. He found it hard to organize the shitshow called his brain. Having a visual helped immensely and stopped him from forgetting something or losing his place. It was probably a bad idea having any sort of physical (evidence?) documentation of heros and their identities. Someone else, someone bad, could see this and it would all be a shit show. Wouldn't that be horrible if Will exposed all his friends and boyfriend in one go?

"I'll burn it," He muttered out loud and it was decided. He continued to write.

Annabeth Jackson (Chase)

Alias: 

Wisdom

Ability(s): Enhanced fighting abilities, hand to hand and weapons. Strong force of will, and strategist.

He drew a line connecting them on his list of Heroes and Friends. Annabeth was Wisdom. The next couple hours went like that. He connected Percy Jackson to Neptune (apparently he could do more than breathe underwater) (and sadly the name Aquaman was taken.) Jason Grace was Jupiter (basically he was Thor) lightning and storms and flying the whole shabang! Leo Valdez was The Mechanical Dragon who flew a mechanical dragon (he most definitely came up with the name himself) he was like ironman without the money and with firebending. Piper McClean was Charm Speak and as far as Will understood her powers were stronger than simple persuasion. Clips showed her convincing criminals to stand down and do the macarena. 

The list went on.

Frank Zhang was The Dragon (Frank and Leo had this rivalry going so it wasn't a surprise their Hero names were similar) he could shapeshift into just about anything including a dragon . Hazel Levesque (Nico's sister) was Miss Underground (A name Leo definitely came up with).

She held similar abilities to that of her brother. Teleportation, death sense, and a bit of Geokinesis. In addition she had a horse and a spatha (Will hadn't a clue where she kept the horse…or where the others kept their rare noble battle steeds.) Similar to Lou Ellen power, Hazel could also manipulate the world around her, making people see whatever she wanted them to. 

"The Mist ," Lou had explained to Will once, " It's what people with abilities like mine call the veil of reality !"

" Voodoo! " Cecil and Will had chimed.

 In addition Hazel had been known to pull valuable metals out of the earth (Wikipedia called it ferrokinesis) as well as control said metal. There was also Reyna who was Praetor. She was an amazing fighter but her power seemed to be that of strengthening others' gifts. It was amazing how powerful these HalfBloods were. If not a bit terrifying. Though it was also comforting knowing they were on the good side.

Will felt a surge of annoyance. They’d all downplayed the abilities! They had all not only lied about the alternate egos but they’d lied about their gifts. Will understood keeping the secrets so nobody would find out who they were. So nobody could hurt their friends and or family. He even understood why none of his friends told him despite him knowing them for years. He could come to accept that perhaps they weren't as close as he thought. However, the case with Nico was different.

They'd been dating for a long time. Will told Nico everything (unless his recent doubts counted). Will had assumed Nico confined to him just the same. At least about the important stuff. He'd been wrong. Being a superhero was next level important information. It pained Will to know that Nico hadn’t trusted him with the knowledge. Hadn't trusted Will to keep his secret! Why? Did Nico think he was that loose lipped? Did he think Will would try and stop him? The job Nico currently did was dangerous in itself, Will had been nothing but supportive. Even when he had to treat Nico in his own emergency room multiple times! 

Will had never and would never try and hold Nico back. Hadn't he proved that? Was there an instance when Will had? No! Will was a mother hen and was a constant worrier. He was okay with admitting he was clingy. None of those things should have deterred from being told the truth. Will had thought Nico knew him enough to know all of it. 

Nico was gonna propose. Was going to ask Will to marry him and love the rest of their days together. Nico trusted Will enough to give him his last name and his heart. However, not enough to confide in Will about who he really was. Was Nico really planning on proposing before telling Will about this? Was he worried it would change Will's answer? Was Nico really trying to start the marriage with lies? Because he was scared? Guilty?

Maybe even worse! Had Nico thought it not important enough to bring up? Like it wasn't that big of a deal? Had Nico simply never thought to say anything? Like 'Hey Will so what I actually do for a living is save the world in tights atleast once a week!'

Will's phone let out a shrill ring but he ignored it. He remained still, looking at his notes. There were multitudes of heros and vigilantes Will couldn’t connect to someone he knew. Of course it was impossible that every superhero in New York had some connections to Nico and subsequently Will. Besides there were plenty of hero groups that stopped by for an occasional battle. Such as The Amazons and The Hunters. Will couldn’t possibly put a name to every member (he did try.)

Will found he could hardly keep ever team up group name together. While all heroes had their own names they also had teamup names. There was The Seven and The Big Three as some of the few. Even Jupiter and Praetor had a team up named The Praetorian. Though The Dragon and Miss Underground was also called The Praetorian. It got confusing similar to how Marvel and DC portrayed their comic book heroes. How many different teams was one hero aloud to be on? An if one character cycles in or out of the group why rename it? It was confusing like how The Avengers were a multitude of different superheroes. Marvel simply changed the universes they reside in! 

Were there different universes? 

Will's phone rang again. He was actually glad to detour from that rabbit hole. The caller ID read Otto. The blonde frowned. It wasn't unusual for the boy to call (he refused to text for some reason) However today was Saturday and Octavian was always home on Saturdays. Usually if he wanted to talk to Will he'd simply knock on the door.

"Hello?" Will answered. He couldn’t help the question in his voice.

Octavian's voice like always range loud-

" And pompous!" Nicos voice muttered in his head. Will shook the voice away. 

"William," Octavian said. He always called Will that despite being corrected multiple times. 

"Hey Otto what's up?" Will winces at himself. Why is he always so awkward on the phone? Why couldn't Octavian text like a normal person?

"William, I find I'm in need of a person with your expertise," Octavian states. His voice was curt and Will can see his bored expression in his head.

"Oh…of course…what exactly," Will says as he clicks his pen. Click, click, clic-

"What's that sound?" 

Will freezes, "Uh what? Oh nothing sorry," he lays his pen down moving to close his notebook. He needed a break from it anyway, "What…what did you need?"

Octavian was silent and Will could hear the soft sound of a radio. The straw hair boy had one in his kitchen. It was always playing a variety of music, though the station never changed. Sometimes it was jazz, other times rock and every once in a while a Kesha song. This indicated the boy was home, his apartment just across from Wills. Why hadn't he simply come over?

"Well…maybe it's best if you see for yourself," Octavian mutters, "Bring a first aid kit, oh and the door is unlocked."

The phone call ends with a blip-eep. Will didn't waste time worrying about what exactly Octavian needed Will for. No it was quite obviously medical. One because it was Will's expertise. Two he'd asked for a first aid kit. Quickly Will shut his laptop and slid his notebook into one of the desk drawers.He thought perhaps he should hide it but Nico wouldn't be home for awhile (if he actually came home). Besides, sometimes the best hiding places were in plain sight.

The world wobbled as he stood. He'd been sitting for hours. It was a wonder he could still feel his legs. With not a moment to spare he rushed out of his room and across the hall. Will had several first-aid kits and he was sure he'd gifted one to Octavian a couple Christmas ago. He didn't dwell on that though, instead he grabbed the one in the bathroom.

He paused only a moment at the door to wonder if he should grab shoes. Then he remembered he'd just have to take them off when he entered Octavian. The boy hated shoes on his carpet. Will couldn’t blame him for the price he paid for his shag rugs. Will crossed the linoleum floor from his place to Octavians. Out of habit he paused to knock. Then he remembered and laughed slightly. 

Entering Octavian's apartment was like entering a completely different building. Unlike Will's own apartment it was like something from a catalog. Every piece of furniture looked like it came fresh from an Ikea catalog. There wasn't a spec of dust or coffee ring on anything. There were multiple bookshelves, filled with hardcovers all neatly aligned alphabetical order. The walls held no personal photo and there weren't any sentimental items about.

Large landscape paintings took up the places family pictures would hang. Expensive decor laid were useless knick knacks and souvenir trinkets should reside. The place didn't scream 'Homey' or 'lived in'. It was pristined and tightly pressed. It was sad, maybe a bit lonely. Will thought perhaps the price given for flawless living was forlorn residing. 

Everything was themed in blended purple hues. Beautiful, and a bit ethereal. On a white couch with round violet throw pillows sat Octavian. Looking at the boy no one would expect his home to look the way it did. Nico had once said that Octavian looked like an unhealthy washout version of Will.

They both were blonde and blue eyed but outside of that he didn't see it. They stood relatively at the same height and had some form of lankiness. Where Will was tan with freckles Octavian was pale with a singular mole on his neck. In all honesty Nico hadn’t been far off saying Octavian looked sickly. He was thin with sharp edges like he was hungry, and the bags under his eyes rivaled Nico’s on their best days.

Will often found himself concerned with the boy. He’d bring Octavian leftovers from dinner. While Nico hated Octavian he always made extra knowing Will's intentions. Sometimes Will would linger long enough to make sure his brother ate it. He couldn’t do much to make sure Octavian was sleeping but he asked about his rest often.

"I have no trouble sleeping, William . I don't understand why you keep persisting otherwise," Octavian had declared more than once.

" Maybe because you're eyes have more baggage than Miss Bast has cats ," Will would chide.

Will couldn’t help but ask, he couldn't help but worry. He was a doctor, and he cared immensely about others. He wanted to help everyone. He might not be a superhero but he would save people the way he knew how. Even if that saving involved making sure the person was sleeping and eating.

"William, took you long enough," Octavian muttered.

Will moved across the room to his brother. He ran his eyes pinpointing the physical issues he could see. The boy looked sickly as always, and the dark purple bruising under his eyes was forever present. His thin frame was wrapped in a dressing robe and his leg was propped awkwardly on a throw pillow. It was obvious something was wrong there however Will was more focused on his chest. The dressing gown was loosely tied and was slipping off the boy's shoulder. His bare chest made Will sick.

Fresh bruises splotched from the boy's neck, down his chest disappearing lower down his torso. Will felt himself move forward. There were questions on his lips but all he could think about was making contact. He needed to know what was wrong. He needed to know what he was dealing with, how to fix it. He went for his brother's hand but Octavian pulled it into himself. As he recoiled away from Will he seemed to notice the full display of his injuries. From the flicker of almost panic on his face he hadn't meant for Will to see.

"What happened?" Will asked, his right hand still outstretched. His left clutched the first-aid tightly. 

Octavian didn't answer quickly, instead he adjusted his gown covering his chest. The damage was done though, Will had already seen it. Cold blue eyes locked with Wills, the look screaming a firm don't.

"I twisted my ankle. I think it's broken," Octavian says with an underline that is all. 

Will remained still. Suddenly he was with a frightened animal. It was similar when Nico and he first began to know each other. When Will was still learning how to approach the unapproachable topics and situations in their friendship. Then he had to learn it again from a relationship standpoint. 

With Will and Octavian they were siblings. They knew each other without knowing each other. They hadn't had time to develop the knowledge of each other in certain settings. They had yet to breach certain situations. They knew each other's favorite color, and how they liked their coffee. Will had a vague knowledge of Octavian upbringing and Octavian knew of Wills conflict with the Lee and Wisdom incident.

However, there were plenty of things they didn't know. Octavian didn't know about Will's affinity with… He wasn't aware that Will could glow or that he knew at least three phrases in Italian (two extremely dirty and the thought made him blush). Will didn’t know what Octavian did for a living. He also didn't know what the boy had studied in College. In all honesty he didn't know a lot of major things about his brother. The current one being how to approach him in this situation. 

Will took three large strides to the boy. Then he crouched down on the ground between the couch and a coffee table. Carefully he set his first-aid kit on the table's glass top. It was crystal clear without a single smudge or streak. Taking  a breath he raised his hand over Octavian's propped ankle. He waited, locking blue eyes with his.

"Just touch the ankle," Octavian said. It was another thing the boy didn't know about Will. He didn't know or understand how his powers worked. Will didn't need to touch every injury to sense them or even begin to heal them. Direct contact worked better for the mending process but not for the initial diagnosis. 

Before Will even brushed the surface of Octavian skin he knew the ankle in question wasn't broken. It was most likely a minor sprain. He wondered for a moment if the bruising and the ankle were part of the same incident. Octavian twisting his ankle most likely causing him to tumble. However, falling would have created the pattern of bruising. It didn't matter what Octavian might have fallen into:a railing, the ground, a person…

As his fingers made contact he knew he was right. The ankle was not broken, only a very minor sprang. Will could feel the bruising, how it spread from where he'd seen it, down and around the boy's side. Two ribs were cracked. There was no eternal bleeding, and nothing outside of the surface wound outside that. There were abrasions, road rash, and a very slight concussion from a knock to the back of the head. Litter across various body parts

Will felt worrying nausea take over. It was then he started piecing a story. The ankle had been twisted from possibly running. Perhaps away? Bibble rose in the back of his throat. Away from someone. A person who possibly caused the bruising and the head wound. The twisted ankle from running on gravel. The road rash from trying to stop the fall. Will could see the skinned palms of Octavian hands. He looked from them and up to his brother who wasn't looking at him but at something far off, perhaps a painting.

Will looked back to the boy's hands then to his ankle. With an instant instinct he began to push. He aimed mostly for the ribs, ankle and concussion. He didn't want to touch the obvious. The bruising and abrasions were to obvious to fix. Octavian would know he'd ignored just the ankle demand. Will felt Octavian relax slightly at the relief from some pain. He probably wouldn't be able to tell which pain was being relieved. The thing about pain was the more of it the harder it was to navigate. He'd figure it was the healing of his ankle. Will doubt he knew about the concussion or ribs anyway to notice a difference.

"What's the verdict," Octavian asked startling Will slightly.

The boy was looking at Will when he glanced back up. Octavian had crossed his arms hiding his hands. Will blinked at him processing his words while keeping a steady flow of healing.

"Uh..Its not broken, just a sprang," Will says, "I've sped up the healing, relieved the swelling but it's best to stay off it for a while, I'll wrap it and as long as you go easy keep it iced and elevated you'll be good as new in…a week give or take."

"A week!?" Octavian exclaimed. His voice raised, sounding extremely nasally. His eyes widened and a look of panic flashed so bright and fast Will faltered in his healing.

"Yes?" Will answered unsure of the need to answer. He waited as Octavian fumed silently for several moments. 

"I..is there anything you can do to…speed that up," he demanded, "I..I have work."

Will thought for a moment. Technically the ankle would be good by Monday, he could have completely healed it if not for healing the ribs and concussion fully instead. However, he made the choices in order of most jeopardizing with the possibility of causing more problems untreated. Octavian didn't know this.

Will had said a week because of the other injuries. Besides his powers simply sped up the healing process, Octavian body did just as much work and need the rest to accommodate for it. While Will knew it was in Octavian's nest actions to wait and heal, Will didn’t doubt that if he didn't give a alternative the boy would go against his orders.

"I..I have a bit of Ambrosia," he offered. He released Octavian feeling slightly dazed.

He had developed extreme endurance with his gift. He was able to use it constantly and push it further without feeling the strain usually. He could work twelve hour shifts in the ER helping fix everything from fevers to third degree burns. He could go days with little rest or food and still manage to use his gift with no blip. It usually had more to do with stubbornness and his dire need to help than anything. 

Today was different, today he was mentally exhausted. He hardly slept the whole week anticipating a marriage proposal. Then he'd been crushed this morning with a 'raincheck' and then the truth. To which he spent hours connecting the dots like some bigfoot theorist. It was barely noon and he felt like he'd been nonstop for days pushing and pulling at his seams. He wanted to sleep but his mind was racing so fast he couldn't imagine closing his eyes.

Will slowly opened the first-aid kit taking out a prescription of Ambrosia. It had been Nicos when he'd been rushed to the ER after an incident involving a sword through his sternum. It had not been the first time Will had operated on his own boyfriend after an investigation that had gotten 'out of hand'. However it was the most recent. Will was a doctor and while he knew it wasn't legal to give someone medication that wasn't prescribed to said person, Ambrosia was an over the counter drug. It was expensive but it was acceptable. 

The drug was sold at most pharmacies, however it did require proof of demigod blood. At the bottom of every demigod's government issued ID there was a small Pegasus. The pharmacist would scan the symbol for authenticity before handing over the drug. People without proof of demigod blood could only purchase it with a doctor's note for a patient who was demigod. It was the same with other En gene only medication. It was a safety precaution considering it was fatal to mortals. 

Nico’s words crossed his mind again, “He’s a dud!” 

A wave of uncertainty flooded Will as he held out a piece of Ambrosia. Would it kill the boy? Was Octavian lying about being a demigod? Will's power wasn’t full proof he could sense if someone had the En gene most of the time. However, Will found that some gifts weren't always precievable to him. 

Before Will would reconsider Octavian was popping the medication in his mouth. He watched with wide weary eyes. Will held his breath counting seconds. If the medication was fatal to his brother how fast could he get him help? Will could only do so much for poisoning and overdoses. He was currently weakened! Could he hold off Ambrosia before it was too late? Octavian cleared his throat and Will jumped.

 Oh Gods! Will had made a mistake! He expected Octavian to begin spitting up blood or seizing. The boy did neither, just looking expecting at Will. 

“What?” Will whispered breathlessly. It didn’t sound like a question or feel like one. It was anxiety ridden and so tired. His heart was rapidly pounding he could hardly get oxgen into his lungs. Was he having an anxiety attack? Should he start counting? Stating the obvious? Colors, tastes, smells? 

A look of possible concern passed Octavian's face. Though it might have just been the lightning. Said boy wasn’t very expressive. He was kind of like how Nico had used to be (how he was starting to be again). A person dressed for battle surrounded by stone walls. Reserved…blank. Closed off.

“Are you gonna wrap it or do I need to?” Octavian grumbled. Will blinked.

He was doing that a lot as of late. People were going to start thinking he was sick or had a brain injury. With how the day was going he kind of hoped. Maybe the whole superhero boyfriend and beat-up brother was a concussed allusion or fevered dream. Maybe he’d wake up like Dorothy spouting out nonsense.

‘And you were there, and you were there!’ 

“William.”

Will let out a nervous laugh. There he was again getting lost in thought. Give him a couple minutes he’ll probably start reciting Star Wars. Before he could yell 'I had the high ground' or something he reached for a roll of bandages. With delicate hands and trained fingers he began wrapping the ankle. It was secondhand nature at that point. The feeling of fabric with woven elasticity.

Octavian remained quiet. He didn’t wince or shift like a majority of Wills patients. Though his face screamed impatients. Ambrosia seemed to be helping on top of Wills healing. The swelling of the ankle was nonexistent. That didn’t mean Octavian should be doing any marathons or OnlyFans content. He needs to stay off of it for at least the rest of the weekend. He told Octavian as much.

“And after that you should take it easy,” Will instructs, “I'll leave you a bit more Ambrosia but don’t take it till Sunday afternoon!”

Octavian still didn’t look happy about his recovery time. If it was just the ankle, the boy would be fine by tomorrow. Only because of Ambrosia and Wills direct healing. Will waited for his brother to argue. He waited for the ‘You might be a doctor but I know better’ declaration. To Will's surprise it didn’t come which only made his suspicions grow. 

“Sounds manageable Doctor Solace,” Octavian says. There was something going on. The boy didn’t like taking orders and wasn’t shy about it. Whenever Will usually gave him medical instructions he’d scoff and declare his own way. 

“Really?” Will press.

Octavian frowns, “Yes William! This might surprise you but I’m not incompetent, I can lounge around on a weekend,” He shifts adjusted a pillow behind his back, “I’ve got nowhere to be till Monday.”

Will nodded shifting from the floor to stand. He’d taken the other roll of bandage and began fiddling with it. He suddenly wasn’t sure what to do. He wanted to examine the boy's bruises, and offer another round of healing tomorrow. All those words were stuck in his throat. How should he approach that? Octavian hadn’t made the indication of wanting any more help. 

At least Ambrosia was doing its magic. It would help immensely and thankfully as if appearing wouldn’t be killing the boy. That meant Octavian was in fact a demigod. Will would be sure to mention that when Cecil or Nico stated otherwise. He wouldn’t say anything revealing about the situation. Patient confidentiality and all. He wouldn’t tell anyone about the bruises or the ribs, he said a twisted ankle. 

Octavian obviously wanted to keep this secret. Will could only hope he’d confide in him when he was ready. Will couldn’t very well go and tell everyone if he wanted to encourage that trust. Besides, it was nobody's business and Nico and Cecil would probably say something like ‘He most likely deserved it!’ 

Will could hear them in his head now. Cecil saying Octavian was probably caught murdering Squishmallows. And Nico declares the boy being a dick to the wrong person. Whether their reasoning was accurate or not Will didn’t think anyone deserved those injuries. What Octavian had wasn’t a fistfight but a beating. It made Will sick. There was no indication Octavian fought back…maybe he couldn’t have. That was worse.

“William, are you okay?” Octavian asked suddenly. Will tilted his head as if asking why? The older boy's gaze flickered to Will's hands. It answered the reason for concern. When Will was anxious or…perplexed he would fiddle with things.

He had a habit of wrapping his arm up in bandages and unwinding it to repeat the process. He’d go one way then the other. Sometimes he’d wrap it tight enough to begin cutting off circulation. Like people who wear hair ties on their wrist and would sometimes pull them tight so they’ll snapback. Like biting nails or picking scabs. Habits. Ed Sheerans Bad Habits. 

“Yeah…sorry just lost in thought,” Will says. 

Octavian looked through narrowed eyes, “Yeah…thanks for coming over on such short notice…I’m actually surprised you were home.”

Will gives him a smile, “I’m actually off today so no worries.”

“I know,” Octavian states, “I mean because of your… it's like your anniversary or something.”

Will's surprise must have come off as confusion because Octavian was pulling out his phone to check the date. His case was purple and unscathed like he'd never dropped his phone. Unlike Wills that appeared to have been thrown down a flight of stairs…which it had. Speak of phones he think he left his at home.

“It..it is today right?” Octavian questions.

“No… I mean yes it is sorry,” Will sputtered, “I’m just surprised you remembered.”

“I always remember death threats,” Octavian winces as he attempts to shrug.

Will couldn’t help the dread that Octavian got a lot of threats. Were his injuries an act on one of those? Had someone followed through on a threat? Will wanted to wrap his brother in bubble wrap and a blanket. Keep him safe because he was the only one who would. ' Your mother henning Will!'

 “Your roommate gave me a list of important dates to quote, ‘Avoid disturbing unless dying or else,’ and also quote, ‘I will make you wish you were’ end quote,” Octavian raises his skinned hands in quotation marks as he speaks. He looked annoyed like he always did when Nico was involved (Those boys really did despise each other.)

Will had been there for that, Nico had told similar things to everyone. With the threat to not disturb unless dying and towards Leo an ‘even then’ or face termination. The difference was Nico was mostly joking with their friends but with Octavian…Will wasn’t sure. It was sweet if not for the fact Nico had forgotten the date anyway. 

“He put Christmas and Thanksgiving on there as well but you know how that goes and I figured this was emergency enough, maybe not death but I decided to take my chances,” Octavian rambles.

Will gave him a soft smile, “You can always call me Otto, even text, emergency or not,” He began wrapping his arm with the bandage again, “It doesn’t matter the day, don’t worry about Nico he’s harmless.”

That was a lie wasn’t it? Nico had always been intimidating to some people. His aura caused unease in others naturally. Will had never felt that even before he really knew the boy. Maybe it was Will's powers. Nico had been described as projecting a sense of death and anguish. With Will's choice in career and his powers being what some would consider the opposite of death it made sense he’d be numb to it. 

Hazel had once commented that the fact alone proved they were soulmates. Will never really believe in that kind of thing before. However, as Hazel said the words ‘soulmate’ Will knew that was what they were. Two sides of the same coin, Yin and Yang, puzzle pieces…the other half of each other's soul. 

Will never looked at Nico and felt anything but a pull in his direction. Where others saw death, and despair, Will saw rest and closure. Nico used to call Will, Sunshine. It had originally been what Will had been calling Nico. At some point it became their version of ‘honey’ . ‘Sunshine I’m home !’ and all that jazz.

 At least it had been.  Nico and Will hadn’t exchanged any pet names for quite some time. Nico hadn’t even called Will his 'significant annoyance!' Nico seemed to favor that pet name the best. He would declare fondly with a slight tug at the lips. Usually during introductions.

“ Will meet Hades and Persephone, “ Nico had said when introducing Will to his parents, “ Hades, Persephone meet my significant annoyance Will Solace!”

That had been a mortifying day. Hades had glared harshly at Will the entire time. Nico had swore that it was just his fathers face but Will wasn’t convinced. Persephone had just smiled with this glint in her eyes. As if Will was a hedge in her garden. One she needed to trim. That encounter had been one of the worst experiences in his life. He’d been so sick to his stomach. He had wanted Nico’s family to like him. He had spent days practicing what he would say and how to act. He’d only ended up making a fool out of himself. He’d been so out of place in the Nico family estate with fancy silverware and elegant fabrics. 

Will had broken an antique vase, trampled one of Persephone flower beds, and worse of all been caught with Nico’s hands down his pants. Those things were only some of his biggest failures that weekend.

Will had been in tears as he made his leave. He was sure Nico was going to break up with him. They’d only been dating a little under two years. It had taken that long for Nico to even consider introducing them. Will had been hurt that Nico had waited. (They’d only been dating a few months when Nico met Naomi). Will had been confused as for the hesitation but after the encounter it made sense. Nico must have known Will would be a screw up. Will was an embarrassment.

“ Solace ,” Nico had whispered, nudging Will with his shoulder. Will didn’t look at him, instead stared out the window of the fancy limousine. Nico’s chauffeur Jules-Albert was the only one who seemed to like Will. So at least Will had that going for him. He hoped it was enough to avoid being dumped.

He leaned his head against the cool tinted glass. There was snow falling. Christmas would be coming soon and Will was starting to realize how insignificant his gift would be. How all his gifts to Nico for years were nothing in comparison to what Nico had or could get. Gods! Will had given him socks last year! (Nice fluffy socks with skulls on them but still!) 

“ Sunshine ,” Nico spoke softer this time. Instead of a nudge he leaned into Will's side. It made Wills heart hurt with fondness, “It wasn’t that bad.”

“ Oh Gods !” Will cried, “ Just from you willingly entering this conversation means it was basically calamity!”

“ That’s not true !” Nico insisted, “ You’re obviously upset about it! And it's you who presses me to talk about my feelings when I’m upset! I’m simply returning the favor!”

Will huffs his eyes still trained on the passing scenery. The forecast had called for heavy snow. It was a true blessing having forced Nico and him to leave a day early to avoid it. They hadn’t even spent the whole weekend there and Will had managed to destroy everything! He could hardly imagine staying until Sunday night. He surely would have accidentally placed a couplet curse or something! He wasn’t even remotely good at that! Still he had no doubt he’d have cursed Hades to speak in rhyme for the rest of eternity by sneezing! 

It was like all the mirrors he’d broken and black cats that crossed his path had finally reached him. Seven years of bad luck? No several moments of bad luck that undoubtedly will continue to ruin his life. Nico would break up with him surely! Hades insisted on it. Will was so distraught he spoke the last bit out loud.

“Will!” Nico huffed, “I’m not breaking up with you!”

Will groaned. He needed more control over his mouth, “ Of course you say that now !” Will puts his face in his hands, “ Your family hates me! It's only a matter of time before you realize…Nico you deserve better! You deserve everything!”

“ Will…Will look at me ,” Nico reaches to pull Will's hands from his face. Will reluctantly let him. 

They looked at each other blue eyes locked to brown. Nico’s face didn’t hold much emotion. It would be a couple more years for the stone cold façade to resolve from default. However, his eyes were soft in a way that made Will want to kiss him. Will always wanted to kiss Nico but the look made the urge unbearable. As if reading Wills thought the Italian boy leaned forward pressing a chaste kiss to Wills nose.

“ First thing Solace I’m offended you think I’d let something like Hades or Persephone’s  opinions affect my choices!” Nico says his fingers curling tightly over Wills, “ Secondly, I love you and there is no deserving anyone or anything Will were people and nobody deserves better than anyone else and people don’t deserve each other!”

Will blinked back a rush of tears, “I know..shit..I know that…I just…I wanted them to like me…I wanted them to approve.”

“ Fuck that ,” Nico grumbles, “ You are Will fucking Solace you are kind and selfless and I can’t imagine a life without you in it so fuck there feeling and if they can’t see how amazing you are than they can go to hell.”

“ Nico, there your family !”

“ No Will there my blood…Hazel, and Jason and fucking Percy there my family…and they love you!” Nico squeezes their hands together, “ And even if they didn’t…Will your my family…”

Will had launched himself into another kiss. He loved Nico more than anything. When they pulled away and Will could breathe he said, “ I love you death boy…I just want you to be happy.”

Nico smiled, “ Amore, tu mi rendi felice .”

Will wasn’t sure what that meant but he felt content. He knew that while the weekend had been disastrous as long as he had Nico he’d do it again. Nico was everything to Will. He was his sunshine, his love, his death boy. That day had proven something Will had already known. Nico was amazing. 

Not many people bothered to see past Nico's persona. They didn’t see how Nico cared and loved so fiercely. All they saw was the shadows the boy covered around him. ‘Will's opposite’ many had described the boy. Ever since Will and Nico had found each other they’d compare. Will was day and Nico was night. Light and dark, Life and death. The sun and the moon.

Those comparisons didn’t sit right with Will. If he was the sun then Nico was the star. Distant light scattering the sky is subtle and beautiful. Nico wasn’t the moon, he wasn’t a reflection of Will's light. Nico was the guide through the dark. It didn’t hurt to look at him, he shined but not unbearably so. Will loved him so dearly. It was Nico who was the true light in their relationship. People didn’t see that. They saw Nico as the mostly negative part of the analogy. As if Will was perfect where Nico wasn’t.

They didn’t understand that if Will was the sun he wasn’t the light in some darkness. He didn’t mind the analogy however it seemed everyone always saw him as something he wasn’t. If Will was the sun he was what gave the sunburn, what dried the land, what overheated the black top. He was what was dreaded in a drought, what caused heat stroke in the dead of summer. He was either too much or not enough. That’s not what people meant when they called him the sun. However it was what Will found true.

Will wasn’t someone to be compared to. Nobody should be held beside Will. 

Especially not Nico. If anyone deserved to be the high bar it was the Italian boy. Nico was the best of them. He was a fucking superhero for fuck sakes! He saved life’s and sacrificed everything for other people. 

Will was straying in thought again. Where had his thoughts began? Oh right! 

Nico wasn’t as harmless as Will had believed. People had always thought Nico unsettling mostly due to his powers. People thought The Ghost Kings terrifying. Sensing death and conjuring shadows were nothing compared to necromancy. The Ghost King had killed back in the vigilante days. However, the notiant was glossed over. People tended to forgive and forget. Especially if it had to do with being saved (however indirectly) from eminent death. Nico di Angelo was the Ghost King. Will had no doubt Nico had only did it because he had no choice. He wasn’t naïve! He understood sometimes it was yourself or the other guy. 

The Ghost King and other heroes had a death toll. Kill or be killed. Mostly they seemed better at apprehending theses days, but there had been cases. There had been losses on both sides. Heroes killing Villains and Villains killing Heroes. At least the former were saving lives in the process. 

So no Nico wasn’t harmless. However Will knew the boy wouldn’t actually kill Octavian. Nico wasn’t the person to kill anyone unless he had to. Then again until today Will hadn’t known his boyfriend had a death toll. Will shook his head. No! Will might not know everything about Nico but he knew ten years worth. The boy wouldn’t hurt Octavian because Will loved him. So no Will was sure that Nico wouldn’t actually murder Octavian. 

“I’d rather not take any chances,” Octavian says. 

For a moment Will thought perhaps he’d spoken his thoughts. Then realized it was just Octavian responding to the harmless Nico statement.

“But thank you…same goes for you? I’m here…for you?” Octavian spoke it with uncertainty. 

Will didn’t mind. He understood that Octavian wasn’t used to certain social and emotional relationships and encounters. He was awkward but it usually came off as rude. Will had heard people call Octavian a sociopath. While Will could admit the boy did have some tendencies Octavian was simply just antisocial and egotistic. It was the environment he grew up in. Octavian wasn’t used to empathy that was all. Will had seen proof of remorse, he’d seen proof of caring. So no the boy was not a sociopath.

Octavian’s problem was that perhaps he cared to much. Obsessively about certain things that warranted him to throw away logic as well as safety of others. Whether it was their physical or mental state. Wasn’t that just love? A morbid definition of it? Octavian simply loved harsh and true. What he loved was what mattered and everything else was background noise.

“So…you’re roommate bailed on you,” Octavian pipes suddenly. Will couldn’t help but flinch, “I mean obviously he must have…your sulking.”

“What? No I’m not!” Will protested.

“Your right you’re not, but you’re anxious and defensive,” the boy declares, “Spiraling? Maybe even self-deprecating? You’re upset to simply put it…you’ve zoned out several times in ten minutes with that kicked puppy look.”

“I…” Will sputters then he slumps, sinking down to sit on Octavian’s spotless glass table. He waited to be yelled at once he’d realized what he’d done. When his impolite action wasn’t called out he knew he must looked exactly if not worse than what Octavian described.

“So…work I’m guessing,” Octavian pushed, “He just canceled?”

Will didn’t want to talk about this. It was to fresh. However, he couldn’t be a hypocrite. He always told others that they should speak about there issues. That it would help them feel better or at the least relieve some of the weight. Will wasn’t stupid. He knew he couldn’t tell Octavian the full extent but he could at least get out part of it. Besides maybe by sharing and putting trust into Octavian the boy would return the notion. Maybe Will could figure out what had happened and help his brother.

“He had work,” Will admits, “he canceled but he figured it was just another date night…hes had to canceled a lot of those lately...which is fine he’s busy!”

It was fine. Will might be hurt and annoyed but what were his feelings? Nico was busy saving the world. With criminals on the rise it was no wonder! Wills resent revelation just made it all the more okay. Nico was a superhero! He was busy making the world a better place on top of working at Halfbloods where his job was also to make the world a better place. 

He had better things to do then go watch a movie with Will. Yes Nico had been a hero longer than he’d been with Will. Yes he’d always managed to make time for Will before! However, things change! Obviously something big was happening and need Nicos full attention. Will was selfish to be so upset. He missed Nico but he could wait. Will would hate himself if the world ended just so him and Nico could eat Italian food.

“I mean It sucks and I miss him,” Will continues, “I understand hes needed at work right now.”

“I’m sensing a but,” Octavian counters.

Will sighs twisting the bandages between hos fingers, “But I’m hurt he forgot the date, even if he had no choice but to cancel, I just wish he’d have acknowledged it…remembered even slightly? I mean he’s got to have a reminder set in his phone or something! Its circled on our Star Wars wall calendar.”

“People still use those?” Octavian frowned.

“Yes…well I do, theres something therapeutic about crossing off everyday you know?” Will tells him.

“Sounds depressing,” Octavian states, “another pointless day closer to death and you take the time to draw a line or x as if to further solidified it.”

“That’s a horrible way to look at it,” Will chides.

“It’s a horrible chore in your life style not at all therapeutic sounding,” his brother continues, “I mean I understand the count down to certain events but a everyday habit of crossing off the date it seems more like counting down to me.”

“Isn’t counting down and counting too the same thing?”

“Not to me…counting too something is like anticipation…excitement? To a day of importance,” the boy pauses, “counting down is more like dreading the inevitable…one is looking forward and the other is finding it unbearable to fathom.”

Will thought about it for a moment. It was a strange outlook. It wasn’t how Will interpreted the concept. Though it made sense. He couldn’t say he agreed with Octavian’s thoughts on owning and using a physical calendar. Will looked at it as everyday was a completed accomplishment. Like crossing off the day was giving it closure. 

“That’s makes sense,” Will says, “but I like the mundane act off marking a completed day.”

“Are you sure its not a form of masochism?” His brother raises an eyebrow, “Are you a masochist William.”

Will felt his face go red but he couldn’t help but laugh. As he did he found he couldn’t stop and he didn’t try. He laughed until tears poured down his face. It could have been minutes or hours for all he knew. What he did know was it was the lightest he’d felt in awhile. When he did finally stop he had managed to shift onto Octavian’s couch. He sat against the arm slight shy of Octavian’s propped ankle. 

His brother wasn’t smiling but he had his head tilted slightly. It showed he was amused. They sat in quiet for a moment. Will felt like he could fall asleep right there. He was so tired. He let his head lull to the couch’s backrest.

“You wanna watch a movie?” Will found himself asking. 

Octavian simply nodded his head in the direction of the television remote. Will clicked from on of the top ten on Netflix. It was so mundane action movie. He was out like a light before the first CGI explosion. It wouldn’t be until later that Will would realize what Octavian had done.

The boy hadn’t offered advice or let Will finish venting. Octavian had instead did the opposite. He’d made Will forget about it. He had pulled Wills attention out of himself and made him laugh. He had distracted Will from his problems. An the doctor couldn’t find it in himself to be upset. In fact, he was happy to run avoid his issues for a moment of peace. At least long enough for him to get some sleep. He could deal with everything once he awoke.

The last thing Will heard before his eyes closed was Octavian’s declaration, “Your roommates an idiot.

 It was spoken so final Will didn’t know how to respond. It was like his brother was speaking about something else entirely. That his comment wasn’t about Nico forgetting the day. As if Octavian knew something Will didn’t. However, it be what Will knew for certain.

Nico di Angelo wasn’t the only superhero in New York.

Will knew several of them. 

Chapter Text

Nico di Angelo was insufferable.

Will Solace could contest.

A knock woke Will. A loud thudding of knuckles on wood. Thunk, thunk, thunk. It wasn't something that would usually stir the blonde. He had grown up hearing his mothers band practice at all hours. Which had incidentally given him the ability to sleep through anything. Whether it be a hurricane or more realistically an orchestra of angry drumming and microphone squeaks. 

Will wasn't a light sleeper. The fact that knocking alone had awoken him revealed just how stressed he was. His nerves were shot. He was emotional and restless. He was too on edge to be subjected to a proper deep sleep. So his eyes shot open to the sound of the door and the movement of something by his feet. Through heavy lids he watched as Octavian went to stand.

"What are you doing?" Will muttered. He wasn't as discombobulated as people usually were waking up in a strange place. Perhaps it was because he was too tired to feel disoriented.

However, Will wasn't exhausted enough to stop from kicking into his 'disapproving doctor' mode. (Cecil had once commented it was basically his default). Octavian stood balanced on his good leg. Even in the dimly lit room Will could make out the obvious pain and discomfort. His brother attempted to hide it by sending Will a look that screamed, 'are you that dull?' As if the answer was a glowing light in his face.

"I'm answering my door," Octavian huffed. On cue there was more knocking. Much louder and slightly frantic, "before he breaks it."

"He?" Will blinked, "Who? What time is it?"

"You ask way too many questions," his brother muttered, "obviously, He is Nico, and it's like three."

"In the morning?"

"No, we rewinded time, it's now, three in the afternoon June 28th 2005." Octavian grumbled sarcastically, "Yes, in the morning!"

Will couldn’t hold his surprise. He’d slept that long? Why did he still feel so restless? Not to mention it was three in the morning! Has Nico just gotten home? Or had he been home awhile and finally decided to retrieve Will?

Even through his thoughts Will managed to comment, "That's oddly specific."

The sound of more knocking in slow succession pulled Will's attention. He went to stand realizing that at some point he'd been given a blanket. It was purple and soft, something hadn't been around when Will had arrived. This meant Octavian had gotten up at some point and hobbled to get it. And had done so carefully enough not to wake Will. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Whether he should thank his brother or chide him for getting on his feet (when it clearly hurt). 

Will decided to do neither. Instead he rose from his warm cocoon. He left the cover in a bundle where he'd been sitting. Will didn't bother to stretch, opting to simply make his way to the door. Octavian taking the hint slumped back into the couch which barely creaked in protest. Even with the sound of movement Nico had decided to not let up on knocking. A contestant plunk, plunk, plunk rattled the doors hinges. 

It only got more aggressive as Will unbolted several deadbolts and a door chain. All of which Octavian must have secured at some point. It was a little obsessive ( paranoid being the better word) but Will never questioned it. If Will bothered with a carpet as fancy and expensive as his brother's he'd probably get extra locks too. Or maybe not . Will had grown up in a neighborhood where nobody bothered to lock their doors. Of course that had been a small neighborhood and not a city. It also hadn't been Wills current residency, a city in the top ten Villains Villainy hotspots. 

It made sense as to why HB headquarters was stationed here. It also made sense why so many heroes were in one area. Despite the crime infested area Wills' apartment building seemed to be slightly out of range for most Villain world domination acts. Perhaps it was why Nico was persistent about their living location. When they'd first looked for apartments the ones on the east side had been cheaper. Mostly due to the constant civilian evacuations and property damage. It had been the financially better choice. Nico had other ideas. However, Will found he preferred the extra cost of rent after seeing the aftermath of a villain attack that leveled three city blocks. Which had included Wills options of residency.

Incidents small and large occured everyday. A petty thief with a strange ability robbed a bank or a more organized criminal took revenge on a corporation. It was why the News never fell short of a headline and why the emergency room never had a break ( Will was tired just thinking about his upcoming shift.) Maybe he should invest in extra security. Just because this part of the city was mostly unscathed didn't mean it was safe. Nico being a superhero wasn't much help if he was never home . Will shook his head slightly before twisting the handle.

On the other side of the door was in fact Nico. He had his fist raised mid knock with a look of annoyance and anxiety. His brown eyes narrowed when he caught sight of Will. One of the two emotions faded. Nico's gaze flicked from Will to Octavian who sat on the couch. From Nicos sudden scowl it was obvious Octavian had waved. Probably wearing his signature smirk that drove Nico up the walls on a good day.

"You didn't answer your phone," Nico said, there was no greeting and he didn't bother removing his gaze away from Octavian.

Will went to reach in his pocket only to find a (most definitely ancient) peppermint. How many times had that been through the wash? That wrapper was holding strong! He kind of wanted to eat it. What kind of a doctor did that make him? 

"Uhh," Will muttered.

"You left it in the bedroom," Nico states, meeting Will's eyes finally. It was then Will noticed the phone in his boyfriend's hands.

Will felt a rush of panic. The bedroom, his phone on the desk. The desk! The one that held his research. Had he remembered to put that away? Has Nico seen it? Will studied his boyfriend’s face. He looked for something… anything that would reveal the answer. However, all Will could see was the exhaustion. 

Nico always looked tired, his dark eyes holding dark shadows. His skin constantly pale, like the sun was a foreign concept. Today it seemed worse. The way Nico was standing, as if he were one blow from falling over. His skin seemed almost translucent and his eyes glossy and wide. He reminded Will of a ghost seconds from fading away completely.

Will raised his hand to reach out, "Hey..are you okay?"

Before his fingers could land Nico was stepping back. Similar to a skittish animal his shoulders hunched and his legs bent. As if he were one moment from darting. Nico eyed Will analyzing him; Looking for something. His eyes flickering as if reading a page with an extremely large font. Whatever he was trying to find he found it (or perhaps didn’t) and relaxed.  

"I'm fine…why are you here?" Nico grumbles. As if it was bizarre and out of character that he'd find Will here of all places.

Will felt a wave of defensiveness, "Uh…because… Octavian…does it matter?"

He let the words sound as cold and annoyed as he felt. He kind of wished he'd kept the blanket wrapped around him. The air had an odd chill to it. Will let his eyes glance about the hall. It was strangely dark, the overhead lights a yellowing glow. Like a hallway in a horror movie. The fluorescent bulbs one flicker from blowing. 

Will looked back to his boyfriend. Nico was blinking at him like Will had said 'orange elephants are planning world domination'. As if that would have made more sense. 

"It's nearly four! And you left your phone! I called Lou and Cecil and they said you hadn't responded to any of their texts, they didn't know where you were, I came here to figure out if he had seen you!" Nico spouted, making a point to glare at Will's brother, "it matters because I was worried!"

Then Nico tossed Will his phone. Tired and uncoordinated he barely managed to catch it. Will felt a rush of anger. Usually he'd feel guilty about worrying his boyfriend. Nico was the type of person who stressed about everything a little too much (Though the boy played off indifference concerningly well.) Most of the time Will did his best to not give the Italian fuel for his angsty self. 

However, Will couldn’t find it in himself to feel bad. Nico had been causing Will constant worry for months. And now that Will knew (kind of) what the boy was up to it had only caused more stress for Will. So no, he refused to feel bad about this. Nico was being a hypocrite! 

"Oh gods forbid you be worried," Will growled. He was exhausted and he knew he'd regret his reaction later. However, it was unfair. Why is it that Nico could be upset about Will worrying him but have no consideration about worrying Will?

"I called and texted until I happened to find your phone! I thought the worst! Even if you were okay and just forgot it, how would you call for help if you needed it? How would I find you?!" Nicos face was red, "You hadn't said anything about leaving! There was no note or text saying 'At shitfaces place xoxo'!"

That was hilarious (maybe that wasn't the right word for it). The Italian went full days ignoring Will's text and calls. So forgive Will for not informing him of needing to help his brother. It was short notice and he had a lot on his mind. Of course Will had made it a habit to inform Nico of his whereabouts and his daily agenda. Even as of lately knowing Nico was too busy to care or even be around to notice where or what Will was up to.

'Going to the grocery store!' -xoxo

'Cecil broke (insert here) going to help!'

'Having lunch with Octavian! And no he's not a cannibal so don't start!'

'Got a call from work! Heading in now! :( '

His messages went in a similar concession. Long list of delivered messages on his end and a rare 'k' from Nico. Will did it even though he thought it a waste. Nico most likely didn't read them. Will must have been more tired than he thought because he voiced exactly that to the shorter male.

"I always read your text! Sorry if it's hard to answer while I'm at work!" Nico growls and sarcastically says, "Considering you never struggle to answer when you're at work!" 

"I still always reply! Even if it's hours later! And I have the decency to inform you when I'm working late!" Will declares, "With you it's hit or miss most of the time! And if you are going to be late I don't know until after the clock strikes twelve Cinderella!"

"I-" Nico starts but before he can utter a word Octavian is chiming loudly from his couch.

"William, as much as I love my dose of apartment hallway drama," he says, "Maybe it's best to have your quarrel behind closed doors? Preferably not my might I add."

Will felt the flush in his cheeks shift from anger to embarrassment. He flickers a look to his brother then back to Nico. The dark-haired boy was glaring daggers over Will's shoulder. With a slight side step Will managed to orient the door obstructing the two's view of each other.

"I'll meet you at home," He finally says, giving Nico a slight nod before closing the door on him. He stands still for a moment calming his racing heart. With a few long breaths he turns to eye Octavian. The boy looks as annoyed as Will feels. Then again that was usually his brother's face. 

"I'm good William, you can just go home," the male tells him.

Will sighs, "I know…I just need a minute."

Glancing down at his phone he let out a breath. Now that Nico was out of sight he was starting to go from annoyed and angry to anxious. How was Will supposed to act normal? How was he supposed to act clueless about Nico and his job? He didn’t want him to figure out that he knew. He wanted the Italian boy to tell him on his own! 

Will felt a wave of uncertainty…what if Nico never did. What if the boy decided to keep it secret for the rest of their lives? What if it wasn’t till one of them was on their deathbed? Would it be then that di Angelo uttered 'b.t.w I'm Ghost King! Yeah didn’t tell you sorry but afterlife here we come!'

Or worse what if Nico died saving the world or something? Would Jason or Percy confess? Or would they play it as a tragic accident? A civilian casualty? If Will hadn’t found out on his own would he forever have been left in the dark? 

Nico was going to propose. Will wasn’t sure when or how. He also could fathom the bigger question. When Nico got on one knee would it be before he told Will who he was? That was the big question about the big question. Then came this…

Would Will say yes?

Yes!

He loves Nico more than anything. So of course he would say yes. He wouldn’t hesitate. What did that say about him and his willingness to set the idea of the rest of their lives on top of secrets and lies? It said Will was in love and perhaps a bit stupid. All he could do was hope Nico would confess before he proposed. Maybe Will could do something that would encourage it. Like 'You know what's better than engagements? Sharing secrets! You go first.'

"Listen William, I enjoy your company as much as the next person but I'd rather not have your roommates knuckles indents in my door," Octavian voices, "I give it less than forty seconds before he's back knocking aggressively."

Will let a long breath out through his nose, "That first part was really sarcastic and sounds suspiciously like you're trying to get rid of me."

The boy before him did an aggressive eye roll before whipping out his phone and began staring at its screen, "Goodbye William."

With the dismissal Will made sure to slightly nudge the corner of the painting by the door. It went crooked and Will felt a surge of satisfaction. He could feel the glare of his brother at his action. 

"Get some sleep!" He chirps before closing the door behind him. He could hear Octavian soft grumbles before the latch clicked.

He couldn’t help a soft smug smile surface. However, it was gone as quick as it surfaced. The bright Numbers of Apartment H13 shined a bronze gold before him. Will suddenly noticed the hallway seemed a bit brighter than before. As if the bulbs had suddenly changed. Nico had left the door slightly cracked by the sliver of hallway light breaching into the darkness of home.

Will went quickly taking the two short steps out of the hall and into the apartment. He did the mundane task of locking the door (just the top lock). After its quick click Will suddenly could hear the silence spread before him. For a moment he wondered if Nico had just left. Had simply up and gone without a word. 

What if there was a Villain attack? What if just after their confrontation he'd got a fucking alert and had to run? What if in his hurry he forgot to shut the door? It was just like Nico to leave without a word! As if he hadn't several minutes before chided Will for not informing him where he'd gone! 

Should Will be angry or worried?

On one hand his boyfriend was being a hypocrite. On another, what if it was so urgent he couldn't even bother? How guilty would Will feel if someone got hurt, or died, or the world ended just so Nico could relay the message? Oh gods! What if something happened to Nico? What if the last image his boyfriend had was of Will shutting the door in his face? 

The soft sound of shuffling drew Will's attention. The light was on in the kitchen. His body relaxed for only a moment then he tense. Nico was home and he hadn't left. There wasn't any big emergency. It was a relief. Nico was safe at home. However, him being home meant they would continue with the hall situation. Their disagreement would take up the night until one retired to their room and the other took the couch. Both are too hard headed, to resolve anything like proper adults.

 Will wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. To deal with all of it some other time. The problem was this was Will and Nico. They were both too stubborn for their own good. Will didn't want to fight but ultimately neither had it in them to step down. And Will couldn’t sleep, not with all his buttons poked. The sooner the two started this the quicker Will could sleep. Rage was a good lullaby when it wanted to be. Will marched to the kitchen. He was prepared to be met with the silent treatment. He was prepared to be met with the opposite whether it be anger or sarcasm. However, it was neither. 

Will found Nico with a plate of leftover takeout and his head just shy of laying in it. Dark curls fanning in wispy tangles, as if Nico had been running his fingers through it. Eyes squeeze tight as if involuntarily. One hand was tightly curled around a fork full of curry, the other was wedged between his cheek and the table. Nico di Angelo was dead to the world. A surge of panic rushed through Will but it softened with the light snore that blew through his boyfriend's nose. 

Nico must have been as exhausted as he'd looked. It wasn't uncommon for him to fall asleep mid anything. To Will's amusement and displeasure. The Italian male had made a habit of dozing off during the worst of times, family dinners, friend outings, and twice with a concussion. However, it didn't mean Will didn’t panic every time. Nico often worked himself to exhaustion. So when Nico used to be late home Will figured it was because the boy had crashed at the office. 

That had been back when it was every once in a while. Back when Nico would send Will updates. About how he was really busy and might be home late. When Jason or Percy or Annabeth would send a text usually in the form of a photo. Now that Will thought about it. Nico wasn’t the only one being distant. When was the last time he’d talked to any of their shared friends?

Now that Will knew of the true occupation he figured something big had to be going on. Armageddon maybe? Wasn't that frightening! It still hurts though. Being reminded how minor Will was in the midst of his boyfriend and friends life’s. Yes! It was petty but Will was just human. 

Anyway now that Will knew who Nico was, there was no question as to what Nico spent his nights doing. And after it was no surprise he didn't make it home. He probably fell asleep, maybe crashed in his very own Bat Cave. 

With quiet steps Will approached Nico. Soft whistling snores sounded from the boy's nose. He looked peaceful, so much so that all the gears in Will ready for a fight ceased. He let out a soft sigh, reaching to pet the nest of hair on his lover's head. Nico didn't so much as stir. At the slightest brush of the boy's scalp Will flinched nearly yanking his hand back.

It was as if he'd stuck his finger in a socket. A burst of burning heat then cold buzzing. There was so much…pain. Will would be lying if he'd said he hadn't felt the underline of this before. Nico had mentioned his boys could be extraneous. Will figured the whole sensing death thing might have a stressful strain on the body. He’d accept it because it wasn't uncommon for halfblood abilities to come with a price. Fatigue and exhaustion were well common in nearly every gifteds life. Will himself felt drained after a long shift at work. 

However, the pain Will was sensing was stronger than anything he'd felt from Nico. More potent and extremely concerning. Nico had been pushing himself, using his powers more than he was used to. Will felt a wave of worry. 

That explained why perhaps Nico refused touch. He knew how Will's powers worked. Perhaps he figured Will would find out. And of course Will would have begun connecting the dots and most definitely demanding answers. This new knowledge eliminated Nico simply forgetting to tell Will (not that Will thought that plausible). 

Despite being exhausted himself Wills body reacted on its own. He felt the growing warmth in his fingers and the ache of over pushing as he projected healing. It wasn't much (he wasn't a miracle worker) but the ashy gray in Nicos skin began to fade. Will felt the tension release from the small male's shoulders. It made something in Will relax. 

He wished he could do more. He wished he could take every ounce of Nicos discomfort. However, he was tired himself and had already used his energy on healing Octavian. Besides Nico would surely know of any sudden change. The boy would know if Will healed him. As if by some sign of him reaching his limits a buzz sounded. Will's phone laid innocently on the table. He must have set it down. He reached over to unlock it with ease. 

The screen lit up revealing his call log. There were several miss calls and in his notifications dozens of unread texts. Most calls were from Nico, a couple from Lou. The messages were unclear but he was convinced most would be gifs from Cecil.

 The Italian boy was an investigator. It was no surprise he'd check for Will's last call. One lasting all but forty-five seconds from the contact Otto. Above it Lou Ellen and Nico’s contacts were lit up red with an image signaling a incoming call. Nico’s was time stamped around thirty minutes before, which meant Nico hadn’t gotten home until after three. 

What had kept him? 

It must be something big, something important. Perhaps Kronos? As far as anyone knows he was still locked away in The Underworld. Which Will could only describe as being basically Iron Heights. It was located in an undisclosed location and apparently nobody had ever escaped it (at least nobody had been recorded doing so.) The place was locked up tighter than Area 51 and had twice the amount of conspiracy. Will knew about as much as any other civilian. Which was weird considering Nico's father was the Warden. Then again if there was anything Nico did well it was keeping secrets apparently. 

The phone buzzed once more and Will took the distraction willingly. He stepped away from his boyfriend reluctantly to gaze upon multiple new messages in the group chat.

[10:30pm]

CeCe-sizzle: Me and Lou are divorcing and through much debate your going with her and Nico is going with me

Piglet: We never settled! Y do u get dibs on Nico? 

Cece-sizzle: Bc I called him first. And he's shorter than me and you know my neck hurts looking up all the time.

Piglet: Will is not that tall b honest u just want someone who let you eat McD all u want!

Cece-sizzle: I plead the fifth

Piglet: Ur about to be pleading when i shove my foot up your ass

Cece-sizzles: kinky

Piglet has left the group

Cece-sizzle: listen Will honey mum and dad r divorcing and its ur fault what do u have to say about that?

Cece-sizzle has added Piglet to the group chat.

Cece-sizzle: u cant be dramatic over text thats lame

Piglet: u r one step closer to being a unsolved murder

Cece-sizzle has taken a screenshot.

Cece-sizzle: unsolved u say? 

Piglet: Will say ur goodbyes 

[1:45pm]

Cece-sizzle has changed the group name to 'The lamp is broken'

Cece-sizzle: before u ask it wasn't me

Piglet: Cecil! When I get home ur going 2 wish u were never born!

Cece-sizzle: I swear it wasn't me it was the cat!

Piglet: We don't have a cat!

Cece-sizzle has changed the group name to 'The cat is the culprit'

Piglet: I swear if u got a cat

Cece-sizzle has changed the group name to 'we've got a cat'

Piglet: I swear on the riversticks Cecil!

Cece-sizzle has changed the group name to 'Lou swears a lot!'

Piglet: if ur not joking ur dead

Cece-sizzle: (pic of cat)

Cece-sizzle has changed the group name to 'RIP Cecil Markowitz'

[5:42p.m]

Cece-sizzle: Its all good now Willie! Lou Ellen loves Poncho!

Piglet: We're not naming him that!

[7p.m.]

Cece-sizzle: Lou says I have bath duty! But thats ok me and Rasputin will be okay!

Piglet: We're not naming him that either!

[7:28p.m.]

Cece-sizzle: (Pic of bathtub and a rubber duck)

[7:32p.m.]

Cece-sizzle has changed the group name to 'Officially dog ppl'

Cece-sizzle: u can have Hitler in the divorce.

Piglet: Stop being a baby

Cece-sizzle: I was set up Will!

Cece-sizzle: I look like I got into a fight with Edward Scissorhands!

[9:30p.m.]

Cece-sizzle: The cat stole my side of the bed :( 

Cece-sizzle has changed the group name to ' 'Cock(cat)blocked'

[10:18p.m.]

Piglet: I c u haven't read any of ur messages Solace so u better b dead or getting laid

Cece-sizzle: ur really making me sleep on the couch!

[3:14 a.m.]

Piglet: U better be dead Will! It is literally 2 early 4 worried Di Angelo! 

[3:30a.m.]

Cece-sizzle: he dead

Piglet: he will b if i keep getting woke up!

[3:32 p.m.]

Me: Not dead! Forgot phone!Tell u later! 

Me: Also cat name? 

"What are you doing?" Nicos voice grumbled slurring 's's in a sentence that had none. Will couldn’t help but jump. He turned from his phone to gaze at his boyfriend. Nico's brown eyes blinked heavily as he sat up. Will's fingers fumbled a bit, raising his phone in answer. 

"Lou and Cecil…they got a cat…" The words were awkward in his mouth. Similar to making small talk with a stranger.

Were they that now? Strangers?

Nico wasn’t what Will thought he was. And Will keeping his new found knowledge a secret. That wasn't him! He didn't like secrets, he was a doctor. He was supposed to be straight forward. Honest sometimes brutally.

"That's terrible," Nico commented softly.

Will let a laugh escape him. It was loud and startling. It shook his ribcage and made his eyes water. Nico looked almost startled at the sound. Will slowly slid his phone into his sweatpants pocket. He regretted it immediately, finding he had nothing to fiddle with but his own fingers. 

It was so quiet. Two men standing still. The kitchen is much too small and the distance between them too large. The lights were extremely dim and uncomfortably bright. It was like the poem. The Two Dead Boys or something. Nonsense. Impossible. Contradicting lines, a bright day in the middle of the night. Should they talk? Should Will start? Maybe it was stupid. Maybe Will should just apologize for worrying his boyfriend. Forgive and forget? Avoid the fighting. 

"What took you so long?" Nico asked briskly. He was obviously annoyed. His gaze hard and mouth in a tight line.

Will blinked, "I needed a minute," then defensively added, "it was hardly even that."

Nico didn't seem to fully accept the answer. In a fluid motion the male was up making a move to clean up his uneaten food. Despite the obvious heaviness in his movement Nico seemed to look slightly less on the verge of falling over. It was amazing what a dose of healing and a several minute power nap could do.

Maybe Will should have left the room. Maybe he shouldn't have spoken. They were obviously on thin ice. Both too tired and irritable for a decent exchange. However, Will couldn’t leave it be. It was a fatal flaw, perhaps a core personality trait.

"You should eat that," It came out more demanding than Will intended. Nico paused long enough to give him a glare.

"I'm not hungry," he said simply. Which was stupid, Nico was being stupid.

"If you weren't hungry why'd you have it to begin with?" 

Perhaps Will was picking for a fight. He couldn’t help it. It seemed he and Nico only talked through gritted teeth and intense bickering. Will was worried. Nico was obviously working himself to exhaustion! Though he most definitely had a good reason! Which meant Will couldn’t ask him to stop! He couldn't very well make Nico either. That would be selfish! The world was probably at stake or perhaps somebody's life!

 However, Nico needs to at least try and take care of himself. And Will might not be cut out to save the world but he could at least push Nico to fulfill his basically human needs of survival. Nico could save the world if he died of malnourishment. How could he fight Villains if he was too busy figuring sleep?

"You should eat," Will repeated, "And get some sleep…you look dead!"

Nico flinched but it was hardly noticeable. Will had nearly missed it. Nico ignored Will's advice and continued storing his meal in the fridge. With a final ssclump of the door sealing he moved to continue glaring accusingly at the blonde.

"Your mother henning," Nico grumbles. 

"No, I'm being a good boyfriend and looking out for you!" Will insisted.

"Oh, so i'm not a good boyfriend!" If Will didn’t know any better he'd think they were in high school again. 

"I didn't say that, did I?" Will countered through his teeth. 

"You didn't have to," Nico says, "I can see it in your face, I'm not an idiot I can read your subtexted!"

Will couldn’t help but stomp his foot like a disgraceful toddler, "Stop being a stubborn ass, I know you're just trying to distract from the real problem!"

"Oh that being what?"

"When's the last time you had a proper night's sleep or had an actual meal!?" Will demands, "You look ill even with my healing!"

"You healed me?" Nico growled. He seemed to pale, which wasn't something Will thought possible anymore, "When? While I was sleeping! I didn't give you permission to do that!"

Will felt a wave of guilt enough to push his anger down several pegs, "I…I was just trying to help! You're…sick or something.."

"I'm fine!" Nico looked like he'd swallowed something sour, "And I didn't ask for your help Solace! I'm not a baby, I'm not one of your patients! Stop trying to treat me as such!"

"You're right you’re not my patient because I'd have put you on at least three days of bed rest!" Will hisses, "As for the child part I'm not sure because I've met toddlers who take better care of themselves!" 

Nicos face flushed a very dull red. Will had a fear that the sudden rush of blood would knock down the male. Surprisingly Nico didn't sway in the slightest. However, he did place his hands on the table leaning so his head was looking down to the floor. Will watched his boyfriend's shoulders rise and fall with a sequence of long breaths.

"I can take care of myself just fine Will, I don't need you're nagging," Nico continued to glare at the floor, "If I wanted your help I'd have asked for it."

Will raised his hands to his head. He was much too tired. He did a slow turn looking out into their dark living room. The kitchen lights reflect off of shiny surfaces. Their coffee table was cluttered in miscellaneous junk. There were a few stray water bottles and several mugs. The couch looked as unwelcoming as ever. A knitted quilt laid haphazardly folded along the back of it. A single throw pillow was tucked into the right corner and the other was completely missing. Will would be taking it he was sure. Mostly because Nico looked like he could use the bed. 

"You wouldn't," Will spats, "You don't!"

He turned (maybe a bit too dramatically) back to his boyfriend. Nico was now standing with his arms crossed. His eyes glassy and a bit confused. Will wanted to kiss him. He also wanted to punch him. Lovingly of course. 

"What?"

"Ask! You don't ask for help, your Nico Di fucking Angelo, mister 'I don't need anybody!' I bet Jason and Percy pull their teeth trying to get you to remember your part of a team!" Will declares.

"I'm an excellent team player!" Nico argues, "and I never said I didn't need anybody."

"Oh! So you just don't need me!" 

Nico growled, "I didn't say that!"

"I can read your subtexted," Will mocks, crossing his arms as well, "Kind of childish don't you think?"

"Listen I'm fine, I know my limits!"

 "I'm trying to help Nico! I…I don't know what your going through-"

"You're right, you don't," Nico states.

"So tell me so I can at least try and understand!" Will felt the plea echo through his entire being. Wouldn't that help solve everything! If Nico would just explain! Then they could work this out! 

"Will I'm tired, you're right I need sleep," Nico says, ignoring Will completely. Will however wasn't having it.

"I know you're busy and I know it's important but you're important too!" Will felt like shaking his boyfriend. Maybe some sense would pop into him, "Maybe if you just talked to me I could maybe help."

"I don't need-" Nico snaps harshly. Then he pauses and repeats softer, "I don't need your help, it's just…work okay and there's a big… case okay, me and the others we'll handle it 

…we always do."

"Nico!" Will sighs, "I don't doubt it but…it doesn’t hurt to let it out sometimes you know?"

Nico's face softens his arms following to his sides. He looked like the young boy Will had approached at summer camp. Closed off but silently begging for help. Nico closed his eyes, and took in a deep breath before he spoke.

"It's classified Will," Nico says simply.

"Okay," Will grumbles, "you can at least explain why it's more important than your own health! I'm sure whatever it is could wait long enough for you to eat a proper meal! Oh, and perhaps sleep more than fifteen minutes''

"I eat while I'm working," Nico says a-matter-of-factly, "And there's a couch which I nap on…often."

"Chicken nuggets from Mcdonald's isn't a four course meal," Will argues, "As for that second part the bags under your eyes say you haven't so much as thought of laying horizontal."

"I eat more than nuggets!" 

"French fries are not vegetables!"

"Big Macs have lettuce!"

"That doesn’t count!" 

"Okay I'll eat a salad tomorrow, will that make you happy!" Nico says, "And I'd be sleeping right now if it weren't for your patronizing!"

"Oh? So you weren't going to pretend to wait for me to fall asleep before you slipped out to go back to work?" Will demands then adds when Nico shoots him a surprised look, "Octavian told me about your back and forth adventures."

"Octavian is a stalker," Nico frowns.

"So you're not gonna deny it?" Will was quite surprised. Which was a surprise in itself considering he'd believed his boyfriend to be quite honest until his recent discovery.

"If I did, whose word would you take?" Nico's voice was quiet but extremely bitter, "Me…or brother dearest?"

Will didn’t hesitate to answer, "You Nico…always you!" His eyes began to water and he couldn't help but keep his eyes trained on the male before him, "I trust you!"

If only you'd do me the same courtesy, Will thought harshly.

"Then why don't you believe me when I tell you I'm perfectly fine and capable of taking care of myself?" Nico demanded.

"I believe that you believe that."

Nico began running his hands through his hair. He seemed like he wanted to laugh or maybe scream. He looked at Will with an incredulous expression. Then with as much grace as a tired toddler he began waving his hands and gazing up as if he were exclaiming to the gods 'See this is what I have to deal with!'

"So Octavian is telling the truth?" Will pushes. Maybe if he pressed for answers Nico would fess up?

"Yes, I know it's a surprise! Once in a lifetime, mark it on the calendar!" 

It was Will's turn to look incredulously at Nico, "You're insufferable!" 

Then as if to frustrated Will more Nico smirked, "Stop you'll make me blush."

Will wanted to be taken back by the response. However, what was he to expect? This was Nico, he was either childish or way too serious. His language was monotone sarcasm with a dose of dramatics. He had a angsty teen demeanor underlined with a geek who hoarded Mythomagic cards that were:

 "They're collectables Will you can't take them out of the package! They're not meant for playing in an actual game!"

"Why are you like this?!" Will says drudgingly, "Are we gonna keep working in circles and never actually try and resolve our disputes!"

Nico huffed, "You know what would solve this? Letting it go!"

"Okay Elsa we'll just push it all down until it comes out with our next argument," Will sneers.

"Okay fine I'll eat a salad tomorrow! And you can try and remember to take your phone when you leave incase of an emergency!" The brown-eyed male declares, "Dispute resolved!"

Before Will could respond Nico was storming away. The Italian with a dramatic flare that could rival Apollo opened the bathroom door and slammed it behind him. Will felt every tense limb in his body ache. His face was still hot and his fingernail had made indents in his palms.

Resolved my ass! He fumed silently.

He stood still in the kitchen counting breaths through his nose. This was stupid! They were being stupid! Will waited several minutes. They couldn't be done. Will couldn’t sleep if it was left at that. They needed to talk. They hadn't even addressed why Nico left at odd hours of the night. Of course Will already had an idea but Nico didn't know that.

With a mimic of Nicos previous cinematic flare, Will began in his boyfriend's direction. He paused long enough to flick off the light. Darkness eloped the area besides for the sliver of light under the bathroom door. Will didn’t need to see to stroll through their apartment. He knew every creak or board and frayed piece of carpet.

He moved with ease taking his place outside the door to wait. He could hear his boyfriend's shuffling. The sound of cabinets opening and closing. It was almost a comforting sound. It signified that Nico was home…that he was safe.

The thought struck him in the heart. He felt as his anger began falling down into the depth of a heavy growing chest. Will could very much turn around and take residence on the couch. He could fall into another restless slumber. He could stop pursuing a fight he'd wanted to avoid to begin with. Before Will would move the bathroom door sprung open.

Nico didn't look startled to find the blonde. However he did look tired. More than in the kitchen and more than outside Octavian's door. Will studied his lover counting the heavy blinks of droopy eyelids. Whatever was left of Will's anger dissipated at the sight before him. He found himself wanting to wrap his arms around the male and actually speak. No yelling or patronizing…just talk.

"Can we just not?" Nico's eyes weren't pleading but his voice sang with it.  

Will wasn’t sure how to respond. Could they not what? Not talk? Not apologize? Not address the elephant in the room? Not what! Nico seemed to register Will's confusion because he sighed.

"I don't want to fight," it was spoken so softly Will wasn’t sure if it was in his head.

It was funny how sudden guilt eloped him. How he wanted nothing more than to blurt how sorry he was. How he wanted to apologize for leaving his phone and for pestering. How he wanted to say sorry for invading Nico's space and finding out his secret. He felt guilty and maybe on top of his annoyance and heartbreak it was the leading factor in keeping his knowledge quiet.

I should come clean and confront Nico! Tell him everything. Will's logic insisted. Keeping it all hidden would only hurt them both. Will need Nico to explain why he'd kept such a secret, otherwise he'd go crazy. He’d continue questioning. He’d lose his mind. He'd leave the hurt to frester. He’d worry himself and pick at his wounds. 

Even though Will was a literal natural born healer he never did well with his own scabs. Physical or otherwise. They'd never healed. If he didn't address this he and Nico wouldn't heal. They'd both be bitter with each other. Guilty with secrets. Secrets of obsidian blades next to engagement rings. With every excuse Nico would make, and every day he didn't tell Will the truth would only add to the pain. For both of them. The only way to succeed in any sort of relationship was communication. Will had thought they’d gotten halfway decent at. Up until these last couple months, which had felt like walking backwards. 

So they need to talk.

Will had to be the one to start it.

"Nico," Will starts again.

"I don't want to fight," Nico said. This time with a finality to it. Though the pleading in his voice was still present. 

Will felt himself falter, "Okay," he managed, "Then we won't."

Then we won't. 

Nico seemed to relax a bit though his eyes were still weary. It was like he expected Will to start yelling. As if Nico himself thought he'd break his own wish. That they couldn't help themselves and needed to argue. It was all they'd seemed to be doing lately. The only time they spent any amount of time together was during their spats.

Will knew they needed to talk. However, it has been so long since they'd talked anything out. Their feuds were an endless pile of unresolved tension. There was too much to work through and no way of knowing where to begin. There was too much unspoken between them. Things that need to be addressed. 

Will want to talk about this: the issue is the hallway, the lack of trust, Nico being a superhero, the ring! All of it! Not to mention the lack of self preservation. However, they were both too tired. Nico was dead on his feet. How could Will drop a bomb like this! It was the worst possible moment. Or maybe not the worst but it wasn't ideal. He wanted Nico to sleep didn't he?

All of it could wait couldn't it? They had time. Will had time and he perhaps needed it. This was a delicate matter, he needed to think out what to say. With a mind not so irritable and exhausted. Like tomorrow! They will talk about it tomorrow! He'd wait until Nico came home! Then he'd put it all out on the table! Yes! That sounded nice. 

"Let's just go to bed?" Will offered his voice coming out peppy. He felt a relief settle in his body. He was pushing all his worries onto another day. That was bound to make anyone a little hyped.

Nico nodded, not offering any words. Will watched as the boy glanced back to the kitchen. And that was a thought! Will could make food for Nico. The male needed to eat! Plus it was always best to approach hard topics on a full stomach. Will sucked at cooking, but he could manage something simple. Like sandwiches! They wouldn't go bad or cold waiting on Nicos unpredictable arrival. He could whip it up early and or quickly if he was in a rush. 

Perfect.

He let his thoughts carry him away from the bathroom and to the bedroom. The door was open and Will didn't hesitate to enter, flicking on the lights. The room lit up and the place looked just as it had only hours prior. Stray socks littered the floor and miscellaneous trash scattered surfaces. Will had been meaning to pick up at some point. However, he'd been distracted lately. Will took a breath glancing to his right. On the desk sat Will's laptop. The lid was open, the screen having timed out. A flurry of panic rushed up from his toes. With quick strides he touched the mouse pad. The screen lit up demanding a pin. A simple four digit code. 8108. Or August 8, 2008. (He was a geek.)

He entered it in quick succession. Click, click, click, click. The screen opened to a paused Youtube Heroes v.s Villains compilation. Had Nico looked? The time stamp seemed the same and none of his tabs were gone or added to. Without much of a thought he cleared everything taking a delicate moment to delete his search history. He felt like a teenager again.

 'I was searching how to spell pianists mom I swear!'

He closed the lid of the laptop taking a moment to look at the unmade bed. The sudden desire to faceplant into the bundles of fabrics enveloped him. If given the chance he felt he could sleep for years. The idea was so enticing. Letting out a sigh Will let his tired eyes flickered to the locked chest. Even looking at the sleek wood made him anxious. He’d have to tell Nico about him snooping. That was the part he dreaded the most. 

"I know I say I trust you but I just had to know what you weren't telling me!" Will would have to say.

Nico had never said Will couldn’t look through his things. Will stole his fluffy socks all the time! He'd rummaged through Nicos clothes daily! (Of course Will was the one who mainly did the laundry!) However, it was an unspoken rule…the locked chest was locked for a reason. Yes the key was in the nightstand but it wasn't Wills nightstand. 

Nico hadn’t invaded Will's privacy! Not that Will had anything he wanted to keep private. Even when Nico had found Will's phone he never opened any of his messages. In fact he'd only looked at the call log to figure who might know where Will was.

"I'm a terrible boyfriend!" Will muttered to himself.

"What are you doing?" 

Will jumped a squeak escaping his lips. He turned to face Nico who stood with obvious amusement. The Italian always had a knacker for scaring the daylights out of everyone. 

"Nothing!" Will said defensively.

Nico raised an eyebrow and Will did his best to look back at the box. He wanted to though but that would surely give everything away. It was decided that it would all be addressed tomorrow and no earlier. So Will forced himself to keep Nicos gaze.

"I was just thinking!" He added weakly.

It wasn't a lie. Will had been just thinking. It seemed that was all he was capable of doing. His mind rushing in rapid circles jumping from one thing to another. It was amazing he got anything done. 

Nico hummed with a skeptic tilt of his head. Before he could press or Will accidentally blurted anything out the blonde made a mad dash for the bed. It was quickly determined that in the early stages of their relationship that Will preferred the side of the bed facing the window. He enjoyed the sun hitting his face through the curtain in the morning. Nico never complained so Will could only assume that he favored the view of the door.

In a haste Will began pulling the comforter over his body and laying so he was facing away from his boyfriend, "Can you get the light?" Will asked, hoping to stop whatever interrogation Nico might give.

To Will's relief Nico didn't reply but did flick off the lights. The room dipped into darkness. Will laid still listening to Nico shuffling in the dark stripping off various pieces of attire. It took several eternally long minutes till there was a dip in the bed. From the lack of breath on Will's neck it was obvious Nico had decided to face away. How long had it been since they'd fallen asleep facing each other?

It had been horribly long since they'd slept in the same bed. So it was obvious that it had been months since they'd fallen asleep like they used to. Will missed the days of laying intertwined whispering meaningless things to one another. He misses feeling Nicos breath on his lips as he mutters Italian on the bridge of sleep.

"Nico…"

Nico only hummed in response. With delicate movements Will turned to face the boy's back. He waited watching the steady rise and fall of Nicos shoulders as he took each steady breath. After tomorrow would they sleep easier next to each other? Would they lay with every ounce of skin touching like they used to? Or go on date's and kiss and call each other Sunshine? Would they go back to how things were? If there were no more secrets surely they'd be no more…distance.

"I love you," Will finally whispered but Nico was already asleep.

Chapter Text

Nico di Angelo is not miserable.

Will Solace is too tired for this shit.

The thing about Apollo is he’s the definition of dramatic. He walked and talked like the world was his stage. As if he was some star in a television show. An embodiment of that one character who broke the fourth wall, way too much. Will learned early on that he would forever be in the shadows of those like his father. He was born in the midst of greatness. His father was a man of many trades, his mother was a famous musician. His siblings possessed gifts that thrusted them in the spotlight. Something most of them weren’t opposed to and nearly all of them deserved.

Will was simply an average person surrounded by what people would refer to as ‘main characters.’ Accepting his place on the sidelines became easy with time. He’d come to accept his casting as a side character. In his fathers story, his mothers, Kayla and Austin and even Nico’s. They were simply some of the few in Will’s life that the narrative was obviously about.

Nico is a superhero. Will wasn’t blind; he knew his casting. He was Nico’s love interest, the son of celebrities, not to mention the doctor friend. He was like the one whose name was only remembered from that one backstory filler episode. The one writers only had to build anticipation for the actual conflict. Will was okay with that. He’d been conditioned into acceptance for lack of a better term. It never really bothered him.

Being the kid of celebrities meant he got a glimpse of the spotlight usually with the question ‘What’s it like being the son of Naomi Solace and Apollo?’  That was it. The question was answered and once it became apparent to the media that Will Solace wasn’t a rising star they didn’t bother with him. He wasn’t worthy of a documentary or anything more than a footnote and minimalistic page on wiki. An he found he preferred it that way. Seeing the spotlight from the sidelines made it obvious how much he didn't want it on him. He hated being the center of attention. 

Luckily Will’s life wasn’t a storybook. He’d grown up in Texas and later in life moved to Long Island where he attended school and summer camp. It was there he met most of his friends and of course Nico. They all bonded over lack of one or more parents. Was it a surprise though? Statistics showed that people with the En gene were more likely to find it hard to settle down. Hades ran a max security prison filled with villains! Apollo was an actor, a musician, a doctor and not to mention an Olympic Archer. They didn’t have much time for children.

Of course Will’s father had put most of his focus in his Hospital as of late. Which had caused him to get a bit better at being…fatherly? Apollo was still extremely busy but every once in a while he’d make dinner reservations for him and a few of his children. He’d also taken to giving everyone a phone call every couple weeks. So of course it wasn’t rare for Will’s phone to ring out I’m Walking On Sunshine. A song his father found insulting.

“William there are plenty of better options for my designated ringtone! At least give me something by The Beatles or Alabama Shakes!”

Will never changed it. However, waking up to Katrina and The Waves made him wonder why he’d never considered it. Apollo always called at the worst times. More than once during intimate interactions with Nico and twice during an important meeting with Will’s boss (in which his boss told him he hadn’t been selected for the position). Will gave a fleeting glance to the time. It was barely six.  Will had fallen asleep hardly an hour prior. It had taken a while to follow Nico into sleep with Will’s mind in shambles.

The phone buzzed angrily against Will’s leg with a muffled “Woooah! And don’t it feel good!” He had accidentally fallen asleep with it in his pocket. Which was a bummer considering it ultimately meant it was on the verge of death. Will fumbled for the cell pulling it to his face. The contact photo glared at him. It was a pic of them during graduation. Apollo had sunglasses despite the lack of sun and was holding a pen that he’d been using to sign autographs. Will was smiling wildly because just off camera Nico had shoved Percy in the campus fountain. 

With a clumsy finger Will attempted to swipe right only to fail twice before successfully answering. The other end of the line crackled to life. Will could hear Apollo shouting something like a coffee order followed by a “And don’t drink it this time!”

“Hello?” Will grumbled. He glanced to Nico’s empty side of the bed and felt a wave of disappointment. 

“William! How fast can you get downtown?” There was no greeting and the volume of Apollo’s voice shook Will’s throbbing brain.

Will sat up the bed creaking under his wait. He reached with a steady palm, digging his fingers into the disturbed sheets on Nicos side. They were still warm. Which meant Nico hadn’t been gone long. It wasn’t comforting however considering that while Nico had gotten a few more hours of sleep than Will it hadn’t been nearly enough.

“Good morning to you too dad,” Will mutters dryly, “I’ve been great! How about you? How’s Auntie Artemis?”

“Will as much as I love your sassy ass in the morning, we’ve got urgent business!” Apollo huffs, “how fast can you get here?”

“Where?”

“The hospital!”

“Your hospital?”

“Yes mine!” Apollo exclaims. 

Will takes a minute letting his mind wrap around the conversation, “Why? What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Is someone hurt?”

“I’m perfectly healthy!” He sounded extremely offended, “Just ask my personal trainer! He’s hot! Not as good looking as me but I’d lick mustard off his chest-“

“Dad!”

“-and it’s a hospital. Will people don’t come here for tea though we do have an excellent Boba place ,” Apollo states, “Oh, and I can literally see several hurt people in my peripheral-“

Suddenly Apollo was letting out a sympathetic hiss. Then he spoke to someone on his side.

“Oww! That looks painful! Last time I seen a nose that flatten it was ‘he who shall not be named!’”

Whoever he spoke to didn’t laugh but Apollo didn’t seem deterred by it. Will raised his hand brushing the matted curls from his forehead before dragging his palm down his face. His eyes felt like they wanted to eject from his skull. With sluggish movement he kicked the comforter off him and moved to sit on the side of the bed. The curtains were drawn tight but Will didn’t need them open to know how the sun was currently not up! 

“You’re not answering the question,” Will was not awake for this.

Apollo hummed, “I need your…talents!”

Will frowned, “Talents? What exactly is it that I can do that you can’t?”

“Nothing…Well besides score an emo babe…”

“Daaaad!”

“But I need you for…well…it’s more of a second opinion thing…it would be easier to show you,” Apollo declares, “I expect you here in an hour or less…less is preferred!”

“You do know I don’t work for you right?”

“That’s really a mistake on your part,” Apollo says, “don’t be late!”

The call beeped out and Will sighed with it. He pulled the phone from his ear noting the dying battery. The red sliver of power taunted him.

 “Bye! Love you Will!” Will said in his best Apollo impression.

Letting out several breaths through his nose Will reached to his nightstand. He let his fingers drift around the wooden surface blindly before noticing his phone cords absent. It took his tired mind several moments to process it must have fallen between the stand and the wall. Today was a fantastic start. He moved to stand cracking his back and rolling his shoulders. Then with little grace or delicacies Will tugged the table from the wall. The lamp rocked as he maneuvered it to reach for his charger. Catching the cord between his fingers he pulled up the end, nearly knocking the lamp completely off. It took way longer than necessary to plug his cell in. The connection was made successful by a resonating bing.

Will stood in place for several moments, his hazed brain asking the random early morning questions. How much caffeine could a human consume before death was imminent? Would he ever get a decent night’s sleep? Could he get away with homicide? Would Apollos’ powers stop him from being poisoned? How could Will get his hands of thallium? Can Google teach him how to lie properly? Would Nico help him hide the body or was that against his moral code being a superhero?

“Will, you can’t murder your father,” Will finally declared, “You’ll go to prison and you won’t do well in prison.”

Not fully convinced of his reasoning he began towards his dresser. He wasted no time opening each drawer and pulling out an arrangement of attire. He hardly cared if it matched. In fact it was better it didn’t. Apollo would be scandalized. The thought made him feel a little better but no less exhausted. He debated dressing in ‘doctor dress code’ only a moment before reminding himself he wasn’t going to work…Not technically anyway. However, he was going to assist his father which basically translated to work or as Apollo called it ‘bonding.’

Will quickly decided on a horrid orange t-shirt under a green plaid jacket. Then he opted for a pair of navy blue cargo shorts because it wasn’t that cold yet. They were far from matching or appropriate which was just what he was going for. Then to top off everything he wore flip flops (the ones that earned their namesake with every step.)

Feeling a bit more awake (and less murderous) Will marched toward the bathroom to brush his teeth. To Will’s surprise he found it occupied. Nico stood in the open doorway, a towel firm around his waist and hand reaching to flick off the light. He seemed startled to see Will; his dark eyes flickering all around as if Will had a distinct outline. Water dripped from the Italians hair running down his face and torso. Will watched as a single bead streaked down the male’s sharp features before gathering at his nose and dropping to the floor. Will was so focused on following the descent of water that when the silence was broken he leapt several inches back.

“You’re up early,” Nico comments, then he frowns his eyebrows looking Will up and down again, “You going somewhere?”

Before Will could form a response, Nico was taking a step to the side allowing entrance to the bathroom. Will slid past him quickly noting how Nico did his best to avoid possible skin contact. His boy arched pack like a cat who didn’t want to be petted. Frowning Will took his place in front of the sink. His reflection glared back at him, tired and blotchy. Nico who stood slightly in the doorway met his eyes in the glass. Will couldn’t help but give the male a tired smile. Nico didn’t return it but his eyes seemed softer. 

 The Italian looked as attractive as ever and Will was still too tired to be entertaining those thoughts. Then again maybe not. Will took a minute to pull his thoughts back on course, grabbing his yellow toothbrush out of the holder (a mandalorian coffee cup.) 

“My dad called, he needs my talents,” Will finally answers. He watched his boyfriend’s face, prepping his toothbrush and shoving it into his mouth. He noted Nico had left the toothpaste cap off again. 

Will had a flash of annoyance but it faded as Nico tilted his head (wasn’t that just adorable). Then Nico asked, “What exactly is it that you can do that he can’t?”

‘Score and emo babe!’

“That’s what I wanna know!” Will exclaims after spitting and rinsing away the rest of the minty paste. He quickly deposited his toothbrush. Then with inherited dramatic flare, he held up the toothpaste and made a show of securing the lid. 

Nico only hummed, “He knows you don’t work for him right?”

Will sighed, turning to face Nico and leaning slightly to rest against the sink, “He reminds me every time we talk!” 

Will let his eyes drift to Nico’s chest. It was strange he hadn’t noticed before. Dark bruising some old and new. Colors of yellow, purple, green and red. It was nauseating and Will wondered why he hadn’t detected it last night? Perhaps it was overshadowed by everything else. Maybe Will was just that exhausted. If his father expected his healing abilities Will could only hope he’d recharged enough to be of use.

“What happened to your chest?” He asked softly. Nico shifted slightly but didn’t attempt to hide anything. There wasn’t exactly a point Will had already seen.

“I was training new field recruits,” Nico lied through his teeth with ease. It nearly made Will flinch. It made his heart ache with how easy it was for Nico to mislead.

The thing was that Will had done plenty of research. Including the most recent incident involving a certain Ghost King. Only three days prior there had been an incident with a local gang called the Cynocephali. They wore masks resembling that of dogs and they had managed to throw Nico through a brick wall among other things. The fresh bruising pattern made sense with the knowledge. 

Will should just let it go, let Nico keep his secrets for now. However, Will really wanted to make Nico sweat. Who could blame him? Will could have a little fun right? Just to watch the Italian squirm?

“Huh…didn’t know you trained recruits? I thought Chiron and Lupa would have someone else do it considering you and the team are so…busy?” Will says.

Nico blinked slightly. Will wanted to laugh at his surprise. In addition to researching The Ghost King and all relations he’s also done some digging on HB. The more he’d read the more he began to remember things. Nico had mentioned small tidbits throughout the years. He’d made comments on different departments and people that Will had met fleetingly at one or two company Christmas parties. All of which were held off HB premises and had a bit more security than Will had thought necessary.

It must be a bit of a shock for Will remembering a fine detail. Chiron and Lupa held the evaluation and training progress. And that it was a delicate matter that only the leads such as Reyna dabbled in. It was more likely out of Nicos team Jason or Frank would be pulled in to assist with training (Nico and Percy had grumbled the unfairness of the other boys’ security clearance more than once.)

Everyone Will had met employed there was cryptic about the agency workings. Not that Will had ever bothered pushing for an outline. Mainly because it was obvious how uncomfortable it made everyone. Leo got fidgety, Jason and Annabeth spoke from rehearsed lines and Nico simply shrugged it off. That being said, any amount of information Will was given was few and far between. It was easy for him to forget what he’d been told and for others to expect him to have forgotten.

So Nico’s surprise wasn’t unwarranted. Although Will had met Chiron on many occasions. Nico wouldn’t think Will would know the man’s actual job. Not to mention Will had never met Lupa. Which made Will wonder if anyone had ever mentioned her to him? The more he thought about it perhaps Jason had said something about her once. However, anything of importance he knew was from his recent google search.

“Uh..yeah…well we were short staffed and sometimes it’s good to break away to get a better perspective,” Nico declares smoothly, then he added, ”Which reminds me that maybe it’s time you ‘breakaway’.”

“What?” Will couldn’t help but fall into Nicos obvious escape goat. What was that boy talking about?
 
“You could always just accept your dads offer, break away from Epidaurus,” Nico says suddenly, “You hate the emergency room…your abilities are wasted there! They only give you the minor cases! All you do is treat broken bones and hypochondriacs!”

“Okay Kelly Clarkson, that’s not true! Last week I dug a battery out of an eleven year olds nose!” Will countered, “apparently their starting acid early.”

Nico rolled his eyes which hurt. Will thought that was pretty funny, “You should have your own patients by now, you know an office and all that!”

“I’m not having this argument with you,” Will groans, then because he was defensive adds, “And I don’t hate the emergency room!”

Nico crosses his arms and his towel holds strong. Which was a disappointment, “Yes you do, the pay sucks and it’s been years, they still treat you like you’re just out of grad school.”

“Nothing has opened up! I just gotta be patient!”

“Yeah there’s nothing right now but how many times has a position opened up since you’ve been there?” Nico spats, “I’ll tell you! A dozen! And you’ve applied for all of them and like clockwork you come home and eat a family size pack of yellow oreos-“ 

“Golden oreos-“

“Because you’re upset that once again you were denied and instead the position was given to a guy like fucking Jared the intern instead of you who has the talent and seniority!”

“First off Jared wasn’t an intern he was a nursing assistant and secondly the positions are given to those who best fit its criteria and have the most experience!” Will was tired of having this argument.

The fight about Will’s job was another dispute that had been getting more heated each time it came up. Nico always brought up the fucking oreos. As if it was the most dramatic thing Will did when he found out he’d been turned down. Nico never mentions that Will watched all the Star Wars movies and slowly destroyed his eleventh grade anatomy book as if it were a 'wreck this journal'. (He was down to the glossary now).

“Will you reattach an arm if that’s not experience? I don’t know what is! You are just as qualified as the rest of them, you have the schooling not to mention your gift,” Nico states, “Which should qualify you even more!”

Will sighed, “It doesn’t…in fact it makes it even harder, being gifted with healing doesn’t mean I have any more of a right to a better position than anyone else!”

“No, it doesn’t but you’ve worked hard for your degree, you continue working hard everyday, you’re an amazing doctor,” Nico tells him, “With or without powers.”

Will felt a flare of warmth and pride. Gods how he loved Nico di Angelo! It had been awhile since Nico had said something so nice to Will. They’d used to exchange words of praise like breaths. What had happened to that…to them?

“I wish people could see it that way…but you know how it is…if they gave me the position people would believe I only got it for my ability not because of my degree or experience…they’ll look at it as favoritism or discrimination against mortal’s!” Will explains, “People without a healing gift they’ll feel cheated!”

“That’s stupid…you can’t help you were born with an advantage…and anyway they should be judging you on your skills outside of that,” Nico counters, “how well you do stitches or whatever doctors do!”

Will couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped him. Nico truly had a way with words. The burst of giggles made him snort through his nose. When he finally could catch his breath Will took a step closer to his boyfriend.

“Nico…you’re right,” he says with finality, “I wish people could see it that way…but they don’t…so it’s best for me to be patient and wait…it’ll all work out, I’ll move up when management sees it right.”

Nico slumped his lip pressing out into a pout. He eyed Will with a look of incredulous. It took several long minutes of silence before Nico seemed to come to terms with a response.

“I still think you should take up Apollo’s offer…better hours…better pay… you deserve it!” Nico declares.

“I’m okay with my hours…and my pays fine we get by perfectly well,” because Will couldn’t help himself, “I mean with all your overtime we shouldn’t be struggling in the slightest.”

Nico looked slightly nauseated, “It’s not just about money Will, it’s about how I’m tired of seeing you miserable and how angry it makes me that you let them get away with their bigotry!”

“Oh! And I guess I should just quit and go work for my father because it upsets you!”

“That’s not what I said!” Nico grumbles, “Besides this is about how it upsets you!”

Will was too tired. It had barely been two days and he was about to lose it, “I told you I’m fine!”

“But you’re not happy!”

“I’m helping people!” Will spats, “Sorry if it’s not up to your standards!”

“What about helping yourself!” Nico demands, “You’re so hypocritical about others being happy and doing what makes them happy the least you can do is take a chance and go for a job that’ll not leave you miserable!”

“Oh! You’re right Neeks here’s an idea why don’t I go work for HB! Since you’re so adamant about me getting a new job, and you never come home miserable from your job and you never have complaints because it’s so perfect!”

“No job is fucking perfect! Just because I like my job doesn’t mean I don’t have complaints!” Nico growls, “besides you wouldn’t like it there!”

“How would you know? Maybe I would! I mean you spend more time there than at home. Maybe I wanna know what all the hype is about,” Will spats, “Maybe I don’t wanna be home either!”

“We’re do you get these crazy ideas!” Nico’s eyes looked wild, “What makes you think I don’t wanna be home?”

“You’re never here!” 

“I’m here right now!” 

“Not for long, it’s been like six hours max since you got here?” Will mocked, “That’s an awfully long time you might want to hurry back to work, wouldn’t want to miss out on being miserable in the workplace!”

“Why are you like this!?” The shadows under Nico’s eyes made him look crazed as he scowled. Will’s stomach drops. He was adding fuel to a fire that neither wanted to burn but neither could put out, “What is wrong with you!?”

“Maybe if you were home every once in a while you might know!” Will cries, “Maybe if we actually talked we could get to the actual problem!”

“How can we talk when you do nothing but turn everything into a fight!” Nico hisses.

“Me!” Will exclaims, “I turn everything into a fight! That’s bullshit and you know it!”

This wasn’t helping Wills plan for tonight. They needed to talk about the hero thing. However, at this rate Nico wouldn’t come home. The fight was giving him a reason to stay away. Nico looked between Will and the door.

“Don’t you have to be getting to Apollo or something?” Nico inquires.

“I-“ Will started his voice still too loud. He stopped pulling a deep breath through his nose. It didn’t feel like enough oxygen to his pounding heart. He wanted to scream and maybe cry. Mostly slapping Nico felt like the right course of action.

However he didn’t do that. Instead Will stood there counting his breaths until the heat on his face and ears faded to a soft burn. As a few moments passed Will watched the look on Nico’s face shift from angry to bored. It was a look Will was beginning to take personally. What did he expect though? Nico couldn’t very well look at Will like he was magnificent or super. Will was boring compared to what Nico saw and dealt with on the daily. Arguing with his boyfriend compared to fighting crazed villains? It must be like watching grass grow or paint dry. 

Boring. Will had accepted that as a trait of himself. His siblings were amazing and his parents were famous. Nico and most of their friends were superheroes. What can Will expect being compared to any of them? He was just lucky they included him in their lives. 

“You’re self deprecating,” Nico snips, “I can see it on your face…stop it.”

Then with a finality Nico turned to their bedroom. Will let his eyes follow him, noting the harsher bruising along his back. Will wanted to make another comment. However, he couldn’t stand the thought of starting up the fight again or worse being lied to more. Nico had said he was training new recruits. At least the lies before this were closer to the truth. Nico’s usual response was his injuries were due to an investigation gone wrong or a hazard of working with Percy Jackson and Jason Grace. 

Nico usually never gave more than a fragment of a truth. When Will healed Nico’s stab wound a few years back what had he told him?

“People don’t like being arrested, Will.”

“It’s Tuesday , why are you arresting a samurai on a Tuesday!?” Will growled, “Besides I thought you weren’t a part of the apprehending of criminals!?”

 “I got promoted!”

“No you got stabbed! By a sword Nico! A sword! What is this Game of Thrones!?”

“If it is, can I be Jon Snow?”

“No!”

“You could be my Daenerys!”

“Ew! First incest and second that would make me a woman and your gay.”

“I’d be bi for you.”

Despite Will’s worry and prying Nico had only insisted it was all a work related incident and  further details were classified. That was a word Will had grown to despise. Classified. Now that Will knew the truth ( mostly) he understood that was Nicos ‘out’ method to stop further questioning. Perhaps Nico used it to avoid making up a more in depth lie. Maybe the classified card made him feel less guilty. Stretching the truth was less guilt-inducing than flat out falsehoods. Most likely Nico couldn’t be bothered with wasting his time making a more thorough explanation. Why put effort into something when it wasn’t warranted? What did Will expect when it was obvious how oblivious Nico thought him? It had taken this long for Will to even find out.  

'You must make it so easy for him to keep secrets,' Will thought bitterly.

 It made him angry. Which then made him feel stupid. He was making assumptions! He didn’t know everything. He didn’t know why Nico hadn’t told him. Maybe Nico was afraid. Terrified about all his untruths that it was easier to add to the pile instead of expunge it. Anyway wasn’t it Will’s fault for being so unheeding?

That all being said, Will now had to be the person to breach said pile of deception. If he keeps silently cursing his boyfriend they’ll never be okay again. They’ll constantly be this: Feuding and miserable. Will needs to encourage Nico to tell him everything. It was a delicate situation. Will couldn’t keep fueling his anger and whatever fire was currently burning.

“Nico…” Will says calmer than before, “I…just…do you know what time you’ll be home?” 

Will felt awkward asking; he made sure his voice held no agitation or suspicion. Most of all he hoped he didn’t sound nervous. Moments before he had implied that Nico didn’t wanna be home. To Will’s relief Nico didn’t stir back up that particular line.

Nico blinked, tilting his head and adjusting his towel slightly, “I don’t know…late…”

Will felt his face flush for no reason other than nerves. He had decided he’d confront Nico tonight. He couldn’t back out, they needed to talk about everything. Before Will blurted it out during a fight or something equally as horrid (‘Like sex,’ Cecil voice whispered in his skull.) Squaring his shoulders slightly Will gave his best reassuring smile.

“I…it’s been awhile…since we just talked…and I’ve got a lot in my head..and I’ve..I’ve got something important I wanna talk about..tell you…and well…I don’t wanna fight…I just…I’d like to talk,” Will nearly face-palmed himself. He sounds like an idiot. So much for calm or nonchalant. He sounded like the definition of nervous.

Nico looked concerned and that was not what Will wanted. He didn’t want to make him worry and he didn’t want to make things uncomfortable before they actually needed to enter the area of discomfort. 

“Is everything okay?” Nico asked softly then jokingly, “You’re not pregnant are you?”

That lightened a bit of tension in Will’s body. He let out a snort, “Oh no! You ruined the surprise! You’re gonna be a father!”

It was Nicos turn to snort. They stand chuckling softly for several moments. It was nice. Like old times. It was also a bit disconcerting considering they’d been yelling at each other moments before. Naomi Solace would probably tell him that was a good thing but a couple therapist might say something else. Even so Will wished they could freeze time. It would be wonderful to simply live in this moment forever. Laughing…being happy. That however wasn’t possible. 

“Seriously though,” Will says, “It’s important but…nothing to worry about.”

Nico nodded softly eyeing Will with something resembling uncertainty, “You sure? We can talk now, we’ve got time.”

Panic.

They couldn’t talk now! Nico was in a towel (which was hard to ignore or forget.) Besides, Will hadn’t thought about how to breach the subject. It was a lot to unload. Things wouldn’t be the same after. Will wasn’t dumb enough not to realize how big a change this would insure. He wasn’t ready, he might never be, and now wasn’t the time.

“Oh…no, I mean I should really be going, you know how dad is!” Will didn’t actually care how long Apollo waited but it was a good excuse for the moment, “It’s not urgent anyway it can wait!”

“Okay…if you’re sure,”  Nico says, “I’ll  try and be home as soon as I can.”

Will began backing down the hall making his leave, “It’s fine no rush I’ll see you tonight!”

“Yeah,” Nico replies, “See you…”

Will slammed the door behind him a bit too hard. The frame rattled and he had to stop himself from falling against it. The hall was completely empty and it seemed to remind Will how early it currently was. He winced praying they wouldn’t get another noise complaint. Gods! Will had never thought they’d be those neighbors.

The journey down town was uneventful though the bus had to take the long way due to construction. The problem with living in an advanced human society meant that taxes went towards repairing the latest super show down instead of potholes. The street currently closed for work was the aftermath of The Mechanical Dragon taking on a lanky from another mafia wannabe organization.

Will had treated seventeen patients with various burns (nothing life threatening) all who instead of following evacuation procedures, wanted to get the best story on their Iris accounts. That had been a hectic day. 

Instead of the ride taking its usual twenty or so minutes it had taken well over an hour even in the moderate traffic of the late night-early morning. To Will’s surprise he didn’t hear his phone ring out Walking On Sunshine. Usually his father was impatient and normally would have blown up Will’s cell with calls and messages. Demanding his whereabouts and what was exactly taking so long. So it was extremely out of character for Apollo to be radio silent. Will didn’t question it, instead he spent the entire ride trying to stay awake. He mostly did so by listening to a phone conversation of a young gentleman who wore a Westport College baseball cap.

It was Impolite to stare so Will gazed out the window as the male whispered harshly, “-This is your fault! None of this was supposed to happen!...I don’t care…Liste-…No…I don’t have time…Why? Because I gotta fix your mess!”

The man was silent then. Will could just make out the muffling sound of the voice on the other end. For amusement Will imagined perhaps this conversation was a lover quarrel. Maybe Will and Nico weren’t the only ones disputing this early. Logically Will knew that statistically there were plenty of people fighting every minute of every day. Will knew he and Nico weren’t the only ones in their own apartment building having disputes. However, he felt a little better witnessing a possible one.

“Here’s an idea why don’t you go get your favorite oral Oracle and I’ll clean your mess and will get fucking Mcdonalds afterwards!”

The bus came to a stop shortly after the man abruptly ended his call. Will watched as the male stormed past his seat and out the door in silent fury. Will followed after him much slower, stopping long enough to say a farewell to the bus driver. He stepped onto the deserted sidewalk and noted that his drop off companion was already several strides away in the opposite direction of the hospital. Sadly or luckily depending on the view Will was alone.

The bus stop was less than two blocks from the hospital. Will took it at a slow pace. He was too tired to be efficient in his steps. Luckily the walk helped to wake him up. And if it hadn’t done the complete job the descent to the hospital entrance sure did. Why did his father request so many stairs? It was like entering that one art museum. Maybe he should have entered on the other side of the building with the easy access ramps. However, by the time he began to regret It was too late for that. He was around half way there at that point. When he finally walked through the automatic doors he was sure he was gonna pass out.

Which was funny considering Will wasn’t out of shape by any means. He went to the gym sometimes and he played plenty of sports in his youth. However there was something about those stairs that got him every time! He did his best not to breathe so loud and heavy as he nodded to several women at the front desk.

Apollos Medical Hospital was unlike anything. The closest comparison was the Olympus building. Their similarities were no surprise considering Olympus was built by Zeus (Apollo’s father). While Apollo’s was a medical facility Olympus was basically like the Stark Industry or Wayne Enterprises, Inc (without a CEO Vigilante with dead parents). They specialize in everything from technology, to schooling, and even fashion. It was even rumored that the company also dealt heavily in political affairs but it was tight lipped. Everyone seemed to have some connection to the company. They own everything! So much so that Will was waiting for them to announce taking over Disney.

That being said Apollo being his fathers son of course had to one up the man. Which came in the form of my building is bigger than your building! Apollo even had Annabeth design it not even a month after she helped rebuild Olympus. The family feud/rivalry between Apollo and Zeus didn’t seem to have a set date. Though it started no later than when Zeus kicked Apollo out the first time at the ripe age of fourteen. It grew and dispatched through the years going from small jabs to being cut from the Inheritance. Though you weren’t part of Zues family unless you were disowned from it at least once.

The most recent fuel In the father son debacle was Apollo being kicked out of the Olympus Council. Which had been a big hit on Apollo’s ego and the main gossip headline for several months. Currently Apollo was still chairless and had been for several years. That meant he did everything in his power to outshine his fathers company. With Apollos’ focus currently residing in the medical field that was often in the form of refusing to endorse any related thing manufactured by Olympus. 

With Will’s father being an influencer in addition to having been a potential heir to the company the drama did wonders. Olympus stocks had plummeted in the medical area. From what the News portrayed, Olympus development of musical instruments and tech had been put on hiatus. It was obvious as to why. Consequently it made the possibility of Apollo retaking his place on the council and line of succession slim. The knowledge would have once made Apollo weep. However, after the first year of pleading for Zeus to reconsider Apollo had wiped his hands of it all and decided to make his father regret it. Which truly is character development and Will couldn’t help being proud. Grandpa Zeus was a real asshole.

The best way to describe Apollo’s Hospital in its white and gold regionalism was Greek- -with-a-bit-of-Roman-inspired-architecture-modernized. Will wasn’t Annabeth so it was the best he could do with explaining. High marble white pillars acted as support in and outside the building similar to the Parthenon. Statues of modern and old musicians’ legends were portrayed as gods and goddesses. Taylor Swift, Shakira and Beyonce had recently carved marble figures. It was like a wax museum in some places. The elevator music consisted of songs from the Top 100 list. Overall the place was…its own entity. Beautiful and unique and cringy in all honesty. 

Will marched towards the receptionist desk, his flip-flops squelching and plucking on sleek tiles. The atmosphere was too sunny for this time of morning. The bright LED lights glared from above. Will see black dots just from a simple glance up. He blinked rapidly trying to clear his vision. He was to have a word with his father about dimming his indoor solar flare. 

Will was hardly three steps from the desk when his path was blocked. He was greeted by a pink-haired woman with a devilish glare. Unlike the receptionist in their professional doctoring attire, she was dressed in a horrid purple shirt with a picture of a cactus, paired with a pink and purple plaid skirt. Unlike Will she had appropriate footwear (black platforms) over her green socks. 

“You’re late!” She snapped and Will gave her a large smile. Or at least as big as he could manage. He was still catching his breath not to mention Will was the type of person who rose with the sun not before it! Sue him for not being peppy.

“Lavinia nice to see you,” he offers.

Lavinia leaned to her left tilting her head as if analyzing a child. She crosses her arms and smacks the gum between her teeth as if she were about to scold him (or insult his livelihood.) Surprisingly she managed to hold her seriousness for several more seconds before launching in for a hug.

“You look atrocious!” Lavinia exclaims, looping her arms around Will’s middle, “I missed you!”

She was around a head shorter than Will which meant he got a nose full of hair that smelled of lavender shampoo. They stood there embraced for only a few seconds before pulling away. Will knew Lavinia in a way he knew his neighbor two floors down. They could be considered friends but friendly acquaintance was more accurate. Lavinia Asimov gave tap dancing lessons at the local Muses Dance Center. Will only knew as much beach, it was there she’d broken her leg on three separate occasions. None of those times was directly correlated to dancing. Will didn’t know the details but he had healed her on one of those instances. Despite Apollo doing it the other times she seemed to like Will best. After meeting her they’d crossed paths enough to get equated. 

Lavinia and Will both preferred coffee at a small local shop. Not to mention she and Hazel were friends of sorts. Which meant Lavinia was familiar with Nico if only vaguely. 

“What are you doing here?” Will wondered glancing for any visible injuries.

“Would you believe me if I said the kindness of my heart?” She says with the amount of dramatics that came from being around Apollo too long. 

“No.”

“No?” She faked being hurt before stating, “I needed extra cash and Apollo needed an assistant.”

“What happened to Amy?” Will asked.

“Apollo happened…” that was all the answer Will needed. 

As much as his father had grown as a person he could still be insufferable and needy. Apollo’s antics could make one’s head spin. The man was constantly being pulled in a million directions and while he could handle ‘busy’ and ‘spontaneous’ others couldn’t. Not to mention the man himself was impulsive to the extent of being considered a lunatic. That alone was why Apollo went through assistance and agents like crazy. Being a man in many businesses meant he had more than one and in certain areas had whole teams. All of which rotated out like clockwork. People quitting, transferring, and even going as far as disappearing off the face of the earth. 

“Sounds right!” Will says, “What exactly are you assisting? You don’t have medical training,” 

“Coffee runs mainly,” She tells him, “You’d think your father would stop sending me when he realized I never bring him one back.”

Will snickers, “He’s a slow learner.”

“Oh! And I do small mundane tasks, picking up dry cleaning, sorting through mail, making sure he knows his schedule and excitingly enough taking out the trash.”

“Thought the janitorial team dealt with the trash?”

“Oh, not that trash, I assist with security!” Lavinia stood proudly. Then with a flourish she flashed something that looked like a hall monitor badge. Will took a moment to look intrigued before indicating she can put it away.

“That’s…nice.”

Lavinia didn’t seem dissoluted from Will’s lack of matched enthusiasm. If anything it seemed to increase her own. Perhaps Apollo had been sending her on too many coffee runs. Will kind of wished he’d had that amount of caffeine despite knowing how not good it was for anyone. Lavinia popped her gum as she glanced at her rhinestoned pink wrist watch. 

Then without a word the brown eyed girl twirled in the direction of the elevators. Will noted several hospital occupants eyed her with caution as she strolled by them. Without being prompted Will began following her. Lavinia’s shoes tapped in a constant rhythm like a pendulum swing. Each step was placed against the tile deliberately as if she were dancing. From behind Will could tell her short pink hair was freshly dyed (if her stained ears and neck were anything to go by.)

As they walked Will couldn’t help but think that Lavinia didn’t seem like the type to be security. The last time they’d spoken he’d discovered she was a bit timid in confrontation. What has changed? Will let his mind ponder on the question for only a second. Quickly deciding he best not know. Look where questioning and wondering had gotten him! It seemed curiosity only encouraged complications. Will was tired of seeking answers and getting them. His luck Lavinia had joined a fight club and what was the first rule about fight club? Or she was a superhero! That seemed to be a likely deduction considering what Will was dealing with. Maybe he should interrogate Cecil and Lou. What was the likelihood that they (like everyone else it seemed) were keeping secret alternate egos!

Will was really tired.

“Apollo is surely peeved right now, he told you an hour and boss man has a tight schedule,” Lavinia sings, “Ooh! You wanna stop by the cafeteria? They make the best omelets!” 

“I thought you said we’re on a tight schedule?”

“Us? No,” She declares, “Your father? Yes! And Will that’s a Apollo problem!”

“As lovely as it sounds my father is enough to handle as it is,” Will sighs, “I’d rather not add to his antics.”

Following Lavinia’s lead Will took time to note some of the oddities he’d previously overlooked. Firstly there were several nervous looking individuals. Their eyes flicked about seemingly to avoid staring. Will was gonna ask about it before he saw the caution tape blocking off one of the vast halls. Several security guards stood guard. They mostly looked bored waving people away if they got too close.

“What happened over there?” Will wondered.

Lavinia didn’t falter in her steps, “Oh, it’s kind of the reason you’re here, there was an incident sometime late last night can’t give much detail besides…it involved the shattering of all the windows in one of the east branch halls.”

“Wow…that sucks..” Will said, “How many were hurt?”

“A nurse but it was a few cuts, Apollo healed her quickly,” it was spoken with a finality that clearly underlined ‘that’s it! No more questions.’

However, Will was way too tired to register the whole moving on from it. Besides, he wanted to know why he was here, “Was it a Villain attack?”

Lavinia’s eyebrow twitched. She slowed in step slightly, not fully turning her head to Will who’d managed to take up residence beside her opposed to trailing behind, “Yes…but not exactly…Apollo is more suited to explain…he was there.”

The last part was whispered and extremely mumbled. So Apollo was in the hall when the windows were shattered? Interesting.

“Is he okay?”

She hummed as they entered one of the elevators, “Yes…though he might tell you otherwise…he’s a bit dramatic you know!”

Will nodded in agreement. He watched Lavinia fidget with one of the many rings on her fingers. The doors slid shut unprompted and to Will’s surprise Lavinia didn’t reach to push the button for the top floor. Apollo’s office was basically a hospital’s version of a penthouse sweet. It was an open concept with more windows than necessary facing the perfect direction for every sunrise. It was where Will usually met his father. So it was a shock that Lavinia didn’t press the thirteenth button at its lone point above the rest. Perhaps it was more surprising she didn’t press any button at all. Instead she tugged at her badge that hung from a lanyard around her neck and waved in front of a small scanner.

It made no noise to indicate anything was scanned instead it jerked into motion. The elevator ride was smooth and quick as they went down. Will watched the numbers flash from the main floor to the basement levels. The music inside the small box was something from the Backstreet Boys. It bounced off the closed space rather joyfully for their obvious destination. There was only one reason they’d be going down. However it didn’t really hit him until the elevators came to a stop. Immediately the blood seemed to drain from Will’s body. He couldn’t seem to fully process it all. 

Will’s heart started to flutter and his palms began to sweat. Why was he being led down here? Why did his father need him again? His talents…a second opinion? Apollo couldn’t mean down here! He couldn’t just bring him here! Will wasn’t an Apollo employee. It didn’t matter if Will was a doctor! He was still technically a civilian not to mention he didn’t even have this amount of clearance at Epidaurus (where he was employed).

“I think you got the wrong floor,” Will squeaked. 

He had to try despite knowing it was unlikely. Nobody would have mistakenly brought anyone down here. Proving the idea preposterous Lavinia laughed. Like this was a comedic adventure! As if Will wasn’t having a heart attack. Like they were about to step into the cafeteria sharing an inside joke. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Their destination was nowhere close to over priced salads and they weren’t in a movie with Will Farrell. They were entering the Area 51 of hospitals. The place that probably had more confidentiality papers than Nicos work. 

The highly secured (secretive) floor was known mainly as The Hazardous Specimen Care Unit or simply (HSCU). It was the place hospital’s used for their dangerous cases. The little Will understood was it was a floor of advanced isolation units. Designed specifically to contain people with the powers of an overly juiced half blood as well as victims to bizarre En gene incidences. 

There was a famous incident Will could recall.  It was of a patient and her victims that were emitted into one of these special wards. The hospital that handled the case was never disclosed though the media managed to report the occurrence. The case involved a young woman whose gift allegedly allowed her to conjure cursed treasures. It has been documented that these riches caused anyone who came in contact with them to die. More specifically a ‘cruel horrific fate’. The record had claimed the girl as well as a dozen civilians had been quarantined in the HSCU. Nothing was released about who the girl was and where she came from but it was revealed that all civilians had died. No one knew what happened to the bodies but families did come forth saying they’d only been able to identify their deceased by limited photographs. Said families buried empty caskets. The Half-blood had been tried out of public eye and apparently placed into Tartarus. 

The story did nothing to ease Will's worries. His mouth begin to water as his stomach lurched. Was he going to vomit? The elevator stalled and the compartment lit up a haunting red. He watched as Lavinia used a biometric scanner. She placed two fingers on the screen which immediately lit up green. It was only then he’d noticed the music had stopped. It made everything all the more tense. Will Solace was a doctor, he was good at remaining calm and collected. Usually but not here. He shouldn’t be allowed here. They were protocols and he didn’t need to know what they entitled, to determine this wasn’t it. 

Will wouldn’t say he was a stickler for rules (he was human after all.) However, he’d worked hard for this career, it was his calling. Nobody could blame him for taking it seriously in every way. He could get in trouble for this surely. He didn’t have the authorization for a place like this! Also he didn’t even work here! 

 “Stand still,” Lavinia instructed. 

Will immediately went rigid. A large beam of light flashes like a Rollercoaster photo. Before he could blink away the black dots in his vision the doors were sliding open followed by a horn not unlike that of a forklift. Will could also recall how the place he was about to enter was said to be heavily armored with max security. It was the next best place before Tartarus and not unheard of for captured criminals to be held on these hospital floors until they could be properly transported. Will wondered if any Kronos equivalents were currently being held here.

As the sound of the siren tapered off and Will whispered, “Why are we here?” 

Lavinia gave him a strange look, “Why are you whispering?”

“I…I don’t know it seemed like the thing to do!”

“Well don’t,” she says, “and calm down Apollo will explain everything to the best of his abilities.”

“That’s even less comforting than you think.”

Lavinia ignored him, proceeding to march forward like she owned the place. Will reluctantly followed wishing to be anywhere else. It must be serious…or maybe it was just Apollo’s try at a practical joke. More likely it was Will’s father giving a middle finger to rules and regulations.

“Rules are just suggestions…guidelines…like a coloring book!” Apollo had once explained, “Sure you can color in the lines but remember scribbling outside them doesn’t obscure the intended picture.”

“Are you encouraging me to break the law?!” Will had cried.

“No of course not that would be bad parenting!” Apollo insisted, “William honey I’m just saying it’s okay to live a little! Skip class, miss curfew! It won’t stop you from reaching your goals.”

“Okay…”

“Just don’t tell your mother I said that!”

Will shook the memory away, taking his time to look around. The elevator let off into a long stretch of hallway. Its expansion was only several yards from a set of heavy stainless steel doors. Two security guards stood armed on either side. Lavinia walked towards them without a single falter in her step. Will couldn’t help but shrink back. He felt his entire body freeze. 

What am I doing? His head screamed, Just turn around…go back up and wait. 

He could demand Apollo speak with him upstairs. It was the safest (most sane) choice. He shouldn’t be here. How dare his father request and or allow this! No! He needed more explanation and at least a statement from the law saying this was ‘A’ okay!

“Will,” Lavinia said, pausing in her stride to look back at him, “Let’s go.”

Will blinked at her and wished for nothing more than to call Nico. His boyfriend would surely say something (reasonable?...comforting) about all this. Maybe he could at least tell Will that this was legal or something.

“I…Lavinia…It doesn’t matter if I’m Apollo’s son or a doctor,”  Will hisses, “ I shouldn’t be here!”

Lavinia turned to face him completely. Her eyes seem to lose some of her previous energy. Her shoulders slumped and she began fiddling with her rings. Her mouth opened but closed quickly. Whatever she originally was gonna say was veto. Will watched as Lavinia seemed to work out an imaginary conversation in her head. She frowned her eyebrows and blinks excessively. It felt like hours before she finally responded.

“No you shouldn’t,” she declares, “but we’re out of options, and Apollo believes you can help.”

Will couldn’t help but laugh. He couldn’t stop himself from asking the big question of the day, “What exactly is it that I can do that he can’t?”

Lavinia gave him a wistful smile, “I don’t know,” then she added, “nothing probably…but this may be a joint effort situation. “

“Lavinia…Something doesn’t feel right.”

“It’s all okay Will there’s nothing wrong!” Lavinia insists, “Just trust me okay.”

Will deflates. He had the sense he should run, the urge to demand answers. However, maybe Lavinia wasn’t the person he should be interrogating. It was Apollo who called him here, Lavinia was just doing her job escorting him. Gods was he crazy? Was he really about to continue forward? 

Of course he was.

“Can you just tell me one thing?” Will asks.

 As the stood there he noticed something. Lavinia seemed like she might shake out her boots. He’d played off her fidgeting as to much caffeine. That wasn’t it though. Lavinia was anxious and from her flickering eyes and her fiddling with her watch she was in a hurry, they were in a hurry. 

“I can’t say I can answer but sure, ask,” Lavinia prompted.

She had joked about taking there time, about Apollos tight schedule for what? To hide the severity of everything? To stop Will from panicking. Something was wrong! And while he shouldn’t be here, their was a reason they where allowing him. Will took a breath looking behind Lavinia’s head at the two guards. Neither one had moved an inch. They didn’t appear to be concerned with either of them which still wasn’t comforting. Will should run but he couldn’t because he was a doctor and he had morals. He could only leave if his question wasn’t answered they way he knew it would be.

“I’m assuming there’s a patient…bad shape most likely,” Will takes a breath, “If I don’t go in…they’ll die?”

Lavinia gave him a grave expression, “They’ll probably die even if you do.”

Chapter Text

Nico is fine if anyone asks.

Will is fine, they're fine.

Before Will could enter the HSCU he had to be subjected to several mortifying moments of intimidation. Apollo's security were not people to be messed with. They took their jobs seriously and up until that moment Wills interaction with any of then had been minimal

As soon as Will had agreed to follow through (with whatever this was) the guards had flanked him.

"Empty your pockets," The first one, a dark haired woman, demanded. 

Will began flailing in an attempt to comply. He fumbled with his belongings, dropping his house keys to the floor with a sshring . Luckily he managed to hand over his wallet and several open mints (covered in pocket lint) without fail. It was when he went for his phone he discovered a problem. It was missing . He felt his face go red. He must have never taken it off the charger. It explained why he'd never heard it buzz or ring all morning. Apollo surely had called him to complain about Will taking too long. And Lou Ellen would have probably sent her morning streaks by now.

How did he make it all this way without realizing its absence? More importantly, how could he have forgotten to begin with? He'd literally just had a fight with Nico about leaving without it. Hopefully the brown eyed male hadn't noticed. 

Will wasn’t worried about Nico giving him a call or text anytime soon. He'd only do that if Will didn’t beat him home (which was a rare occasion.) So as long as Nico hadn’t seen the phone in their room he'd never know Will didn’t have it. Hopefully luck was on Will's side today. He didn't need a repeat of last night's argument. There was already enough turmoil leaning against their upcoming conversation. Will could only hope this wouldn't flare up another dispute. They had enough ground to cover and not nearly enough walking room.

This was a delicate matter. Will was gonna basically call Nico out. He was gonna demand answers and it was already enough on its own that south was really the only direction it could go.

The second guard, a man, stepped forward. He reminded Will of Frank. Bulky with linebacker shoulders. The man could surely take Will without breaking a sweat. It wasn't a confidence booster on Will's part by any means.

"Arms up," he grumbled and began patting Will down. The motion was uncomfortable and rougher than any airline security Will'd ever experienced. The guard went as far as making Will slide off his flip-flops. Like he could possibly be hiding weapons on the bottom of his feet.

"Is this necessary?" Will spouted stupidly. They were supposed to be in a hurry and the security seemed to be being over thurow. 

Neither guard responded but Lavinia muttered a confirmation, "Sadly yes."

The woman opened Will's wallet pulling free his I.D. Which was mortifying in itself because it wasn't that good of a picture. His eyes were too squinty and his hair looked like he stuck his fingers in a socket. To Will's relief the male guard finally stepped back. Will watched as the man reached into his pocket and retrieved an electronic device that resembled an epipen. Instead of yellow or green it was metal and heavy looking.

"What's that?" Will squeaked. He had the right to know especially if it was meant for him. Please don't be meant for him!

"Can we speed this up?" Lavinia asked suddenly. 

Will turned his attention to her. Lavinia stood out of the way with a slightly amused and impatient expression. She was absent mindedly fiddling with her watch as she observed the scene before her. Will opened his mouth to ask if she'd have to be frisked as well when a sharp pen pointed shock hit his neck.

"Ow!" He cried looking back at the guards.

The male stood clutching the pen shaped device that now had a light green glow, "Enhanced level 8."

"William Andrew Solace," The woman guard says reading off his I.D, "Your Enhancement is defined as 'Vitakinesis', give a brief summary of what that entitles."

"Ah…I mean…I heal?" The woman gave him a look that read 'too brief', so he added, "I can manipulate a person's healing process…and diagnose them I guess?" 

"You guess?" The woman questioned.

"He does," Lavinia interjects, "Listen we're in a hurry."

"Uh huh," the woman ignored Lavinia and proceeded with Will's interrogation, "So Solace, does that include stalling or reversing someone's healing?" 

Will opened his mouth unsure of how to respond. It wasn't a question he'd been asked before. In all honesty he'd never thought of it. Why would he? That would be awful!

Lavinia spoke before he had the chance, "You said he's a level 8…he's harmless!"

"8 not 10," the woman states, never looking away from Will. She eyed him expectantly waiting for him to respond.

"No," he answered. 

"No as in you know you can't, or no as in you've never tried?" She demands. 

"No as in no," Lavinia replies, "Now let us through. I'm sure Apollo's having an aneurysm!"

"When isn't he?" The male guard sighs.

And Will could see why the two had been partnered together. The woman was intense while her colleague was nonchalant. Not exactly good cop bad cop but close enough.

The male guard stepped towards a panel on the wall. Similar to Lavinia in the elevator the man scanned a badge before punching in a code. The door opened and Will could only stare ahead at the unassuming room before him. Out of the corner of his eye he could still see the female guard watching him.

 "Go on," she instructed. 

Lavinia pressed forward and Will, still rubbing the spot on his neck, looked to the male guard, "Do I get my things back?"

"You can grab your things when you leave," he tells him and Will feels a surge of uneasiness. Like the guard was actually saying 'if you leave.'

Will frowns watching as Lavinia rushes in, "But what about her?"

Neither answer to his displeasure. He stood for several long moments before following. His stomach hadn't eased its knots and his nausea was still in full swing. The guarded doors lead to a lounging area. There were tables and vending machines and a bathroom to the left. It even had several potted ferns near a wall mounted television. The only unnerving thing about the area was the lack of windows. It made sense considering they were underground. However compared to the rest of the hospital and its natural lighting this room seemed Alien.  

Besides for him and Lavinia the room held only two others, both men. They sat furthest from the entrance, clutching tablets and chatting softly. Both were dressed in white suits that looked more like they were going parachuting than treating a patient and neither paid Will and Lavinia any mind. As if a pink haired girl and boy in flip-flops warranted little more than a single glance

Lavinia led Will through the area into the entryway of a long hall. The foyer branched off into several directions and the one they took branched into several more. There was no distinct writing and no arrows to guide. Nothing pointing to the elevators or stairs, much less a cafeteria. Will wouldn't know how to find his way back or forward for the matter. It seemed never ending but eventually one hall brought them to face a set of intimidating double doors. These surprisingly are not guarded.

The doors had several warning labels. A level 13 clearance required was one and another informing of automatic swinging doors. Above them was an ominous glowing sign reading HSCU. Along the left wall was a single call button. Lavinia wasted no time pressing it. 

She leaned slightly towards the speaker yelling, "Pranjal opened the door!"

The cracking noise of an intercom sound and a second later came a reply,  " Lavinia there's protocol we gotta follow…like your name and business and the password."

"Just open the door!"

There were several moments of silence then a loud buzz rippled through the air. A light blinked above the doors flashing red before promptly swinging out. Will couldn’t help but step back the uneasiness still lingering. Lavinia entered first sparing him an encouraging smile. He followed her doing his best to fake equanimity.

The room wasn't like Will'd been imagining. There were no dimly lit spaces or prison-like coloring. It was just like the rest of the building had been; marble white with cheery background music. The only odd thing besides the off putting synthetic lighting had been the first set of doors with the security guards. There was also the expansion of maze-like hallways but it wasn't that unusual. 

The place before him seemed like an average hospital ward. It had the basic layout of one. A reception desk sat off to the left cluttered with computers, clipboards and paper. The walls held anatomy charts and reminders to wash one's hands.  At the desk sat an attractive Indian male with black hair that hung slightly past his eyebrows. Will recognize him though he hadn't known his name. That was the case with most of the employees of Apollo.

Will was a regular considering Apollo was his father. He often stopped at the hospital. Always at his dads request and usually so Apollo could patronize Will for not working under him. Pranjal gave the two of them a wobbly smile.

"You were supposed to be here one hour and 37 seconds ago," he reminds them.

Lavinia blows a bubble of gum, then pops it quickly, "Apollo making you keep count?"

"Dr.Apollo has been asking me time intervals sporadically."

Will clenched his shaky hands into fists, "I…wheres my father."

In stage worthy timing, Apollo stormed in. He looked fresh off the beach (besides for his scrubs.) Like an abercrombie model. If Will wasn’t used to standing near his father he'd be suddenly self conscious. The man was intimidatingly perfect. Though not surpassing Ryan Reynolds on the attractive scale (just don't tell Apollo that).

Comparing father and son it wasn't hard to see how A had produced B. People simply figured that the seed smacked the ground really hard as if it fell from the tree. Unlike Will's matted blonde curls, Apollo had soft golden waves falling short of his shoulders. And while they had the same blue eyes Apollos were framed by thick dark lashes and Wills looked like he had none. 

Completion wise Will could tan to the same golden brown color that Apollo currently supported only he started to resemble a overly sprinkled cupcake. Apollo had freckles however they only lightly brushed him in a strategic kind of way, that was attractive and not overbearing. Will knew that he himself was attractive (how else would he have scored Nico Di Angelo?) but next to his father it was clear who the ten was. 

"You took your time!" Apollo exclaims as he eyed Will up and down, "Are those flip-flops! And your clothes! What are you wearing!"

Will looked down at his toes then back to his father. Doing his best to disguise amusement   he simply said, "What's wrong with how I dress?"

Apollo blinked at his son, clearly appalled. The reaction helped relax Will slightly. It was such a normal interaction in a foreign place.

"I think he looks great," Lavinia declares."Right Pranjal?"

Pranjal just looked at her and shrugged. Apollo seemed more mortified by the second. He looked at all three of them then flared his hands dramatically, "You're generation I swear! I get that not everyone can afford Aphrodite's Apparel but atleast color coordinate! I just- my own son- I- We don't have time for this. Come on, let's go!"

Apollo twirled on his heels and began the way he'd come. Will waited only a moment before he began following, pausing long enough to throw a glance back at Pranjal and Lavinia. They both remained where they were giving sympathetic smiles. Lavinia even waved. So they weren't coming. The thought wasn't comforting.

Looking back he found his father was faster than he looked. Thankfully Will was slightly taller which aided him in catching up with the man. He listened as his father mumbled something about the end of humanity which meant he was still ranting about Will's attire (At least he hoped.) With each step Will took in his surroundings. Inside the ward held more people. They stood in clusters going over data with serious expressions. It seemed normal. Like any ICU or Pediatric Ward. Nurses and doctors rushing around like busy bees. As if it wasn’t a special place that needed special access; which Will shouldn't have. The longer they walked the more apparent that became.

 While the floor didn't seem as intimidating as Will'd imagined, it still was unsettling. The more he looked he could see why. The place wasn't as normal as it had been at first sight. The doors to patients' rooms were solid steel. They looked impossible to break down (not that Will was planning on trying.) Intricate scanners accompanied keypads on the left side parallel to the door knobs. A reminder that there was no simple walking in (or out).

Large observation window peered into each space like an interrogation room with its one sided glass.The layout of each chamber was similar to that of a jail cell. A bed, a table, a sink, and a toilet. There was no privacy. Not a single curtain. To top it off everything looked to be safely bolted to the floor.

Will felt nauseous thinking about being in one. Prison seemed almost welcoming. The idea of bars instead of white sterile walls. Will felt cold as his eyes looked into the only room not vacant thus far. Tubs and wires hung around a prone figure like spider silk. In Will's medical opinion this girl was basically dead. On the edge of brain dead at least. Several monitors were visible in the room. Heartbeat was steady, the obvious signs of a ventilator in play. Brain activity however was basically non-existent.

He didn't notice he'd stopped walking until he felt Apollo's hand on his shoulder. He looked away from the girl who despite everything looked familiar. Like someone he'd met briefly or seen in a movie once? It gave Will an unsettling prickling in the back of his mind.

"Is this..is she why you called me?" His voice was soft. 

Will felt even more unsettled. What could he possibly do for this girl? His powers weren't miracle worthy. He couldn't fix comatose patients much less brain dead patients. He could heal burns and cuts and speed along broken bones. Hell, he could even reattach an arm! While he wasn't sure exactly what was going on with the girl, he didn't need a doctorate to know he couldn't help her.

"She's…not why I called you," Apollo began pulling Will away and with little reluctance Will let him. He didn't know if he should feel relieved or not. Lavinia had basically said he was set up for failure. Whatever patient he was supposed to help with his gift would probably die anyway. That didn't mean Will wouldn't try!

"Okay," Wills said then, because he seemed to be starting a trend of digging where he shouldn't, asked, "Who is she?" 

Apollo gave him this look. It was hard to describe but it kind of reminded him of the look Nico gave before he spewed out his signature 'It's classified.' Will stood apprehensive. He waited for Apollo to utter those words or something equivalent to them. He waited for the flush of irritation once he heard them. Will was simply damned to be left in the dark. And Will hated the dark.

To Will's surprise, his father didn't say what he was expecting. Instead Apollo let out a sigh and said, "We call her patients zero ...she's been here for a long time." Then he added, "she was actually my first patient in the hospital, however she's been like this even before I built the estate."

"Why is she down here?" Will wondered.

Apollo reached to squeeze his son's shoulder and the state in his signature dramatic cryptic way, "You'd be surprised how powerful the unobtrusive can be."

"So she's dangerous?"

"She's legally dead, at least in most medical opinions," Apollo says, "she's in a persistent vegetative state, having been that way for nearly two decades."

"That doesn’t really answer my question," Will complains.

"She's down here," Apollo points, "That should answer your question."

Will wasn’t sure how to respond. Instead he continued to let his father lead him down the hall. Apollo didn't speak until they were a good distance from the comatosed girl. As if he were afraid she might overhear them or something equally unsettling.

Will watched his father twitch and grimace in whatever internal monologue Apollo was going on in his head. It was something people who weren't around the man enough found concerning. Will was used to it and simply waited for daddy dearest to remember his presence.

It took an embarrassingly long time for Apollo to return his attention to the world around him, "So how Di Angelo? Haven't seen much of him lately? Though I have seen an ungodly amount of the other two in that trio. Like seriously its amazing Grace doesn't have permanent damage the amount of times I or one of my colleagues have treated him for head trauma."

"He's hard headed," Will respond automatically.

"And don't get me started on Jackson, I thought Annabeth would have him on a tighter leash!"

"Any tighter and she'd strangle him."

Apollo seems to agree because instead of going on a tangent he simply repeated his inquiry, "So you're boyfriend? How is he?"

And that was another question Will needed to find out. How was Nico? Here he was with mounds of questions involving his boyfriend's alternate ego but not once had he seemed to wonder about Nico's mental state. That man was saving the world on a daily basis and Will hadn’t thought to wonder about what internal conflicts the Italian was going through. Oh gods! Will was a terrible boyfriend!

Realizing he was taking too long to answer, Will sputtered out a dismissive, "Nico is…fine."

It was the wrong thing to say it seemed because Apollo suddenly stopped walking. Then he turned his body to face his son. Will nearly tripped because of the surprise stall in their stride. 

"There was a pause there, and I've been in enough relationships to know what that pause means," Apollo declares, "Is there something you'd like to talk about? Trouble in paradise? Do I need to regive Goth boy the shovel talk? Because I will! And I'll be more intimidating this time, he won't laugh!"

Will sighed exasperated, "Dad! Me and Nico are fine!"

  "You're a terrible liar," Apollo says simply, "Which is rather disappointing considering you're my son, you should have a natural talent for acting."

"Ugh…me and Nico are perfectly fine…like none of your business fine !"

"But you make it my business by simply being my spawn-"

"Can you just tell me why I'm here?" Will snaps, "I thought this was a time pressing matter!?"

"Excuse me for prioritizing my son's happiness!" Apollo grumbles, "I'm a terrible father if I don't and if I do I'm a terrible doctor!"

"Nobodies saying that," Will states with a roll of his eyes, "Just…tell me what's going on?"

It was then a blood curtailing scream erupted from down the hall. The sound was something he'd imagine this place to have. Crying and screaming like a haunted house. However, while he had mentally acknowledged the probability of such a sound it still shook him to his core. He wanted to hightail it and run. 

The latter of his fight or flight blaring like fire truck sirens. He wasn't supposed to be here! However, he was Will Solace . He'd discovered early on in life that he tended to ignore instincts. Someone was hurt and or in trouble and he was a doctor. He'd gone to school for it, based his whole world around it!

He ran towards the sound.

His flip-flops slapped the ground. If Apollo was protesting or trying to keep up with him, Will couldn’t hear anything over their plat, plat, pla t. When he reached the source he'd discovered a crowd of medical teams around a single room.

Will could feel the severity suddenly. Lavinia had tried to keep Will calm. In the beginning she'd even pretend that they weren't in that much of a hurry. Even asked if he wanted to go to the cafeteria despite constantly checking her watch. Apollo while declaring urgency didn't tone it like an actual emergency. Even took time to drill Will about his relationship. However, Apollo was the type to downplay the severity of things. He was also the type to do the opposite. 

Going as far as declaring calamity for a hangnail. It was hard to know the gravity of things. Apollo wasn't a linear person, he was constantly shifting as if he were multiple versions of himself in one body. It made him impossible to read. He was an arrogant airhead, then he was strategic and practical, and sometimes he was so human it scared Will.

Apollo could declare something outright or speak in riddles. He could say he was dying or give a several minute Shakespeare monologue before biting the dust. Blunt and or obtuse. 

 Apollo asked for Will's expertise like it was only urgent in correlation to his busy busy schedule. While Lavinia had told him at the end the severity it seemed that even then it was downplayed. As if she'd been instructed not to overly panic Will. Like she had been told to be as cryptic as possible. There would be only one person who'd command such a thing. Which begged the most concerning question. What exactly was Apollo dragging him into? What exactly was Will running into?

Apollo caught Will's shoulder before he could climb through the crowd of doctors blocking the observation window into the screaming patients room. He was only tall enough to see a glimpse over their heads. He could see a male's prone body and a flourish of nurses and doctors dancing around him. Will didn’t get a good look before Apollo was forcing his attention away. However Will did see enough to know something was seriously wrong with the patient's skin.

"Is he?" Will wondered.

"Yes," Apollo answered, "He's why I called you."

The patient was still crying out and Will couldn’t help but flinch slightly. A nurse from the crowd pushed a tablet into Apollo's hands. Will watched as his father tapped at the screen in quick succession. Apollo frowned at the device when he was done then he held it out towards Will. 

Taking the device into his hands Will felt as if he was about to read something he shouldn't. The tablet was light despite the weight of information it was holding. A logo of a lightning bolt gleamed at the shift of light as Will rose it closer to read. He didn't have time to think about Apollo having Olympus branded tech in his possession (or that he was willingly using it.) 

Patient Name: 

Ethan Nakamura

Will had heard that name before. And the answer as to where was blinking right in front of him. In the form of a picture. Not one from a standard issued I.D but one of a mugshot. Ethan stood glaring through one eye at whoever must have taken the photo. His left eye was covered in his signature eye-patch. Like a pirate. Angry scars peaked out from under the black leather.

Will Solace knew this man. And perhaps it was only because it was still fresh in his mind. Nakamura had been a name that popped up a few times as he'd dug through video footage and news articles. The name had been on several criminal wanted lists, mostly due to associations with Kronos. However, Nakamura was a name that hadn't been spoken much off for several years. Will only recognized it because he'd read it the previous day. 

"Nakamura," Will said, "The Nakamura as in…Kronos lankie ?!"

Will couldn’t even read the rest. He was too busy looking at his father. What was his life? Was this ironic? He finds out his boyfriend's a superhero and now he's being asked to help a known ' bad guy' who'd tried to kill Will's said boyfriend? Not to mention the man had been a part of a group that took the life of Will's brothers. Apollo's sons. 

Ethan Nakamura had been one of Kronos' many followers. Young and naive, a child who'd done an evil man's bidding willingly. Will had watched the videos. He saw the boy among others, with twisted smiles and a rebellious rage. He'd been misled some might say and others may even claim he was simply born to choose the wrong side.

One of the articles had mentioned the phrase 'the luck of the draw' 

"Yes," Apollo confirmed with surprise on his features, "I'm actually surprised you know of him…he's basically fallen off the map…"

Will had treated bad men. He'd treated whoever was placed before him because that was his job. However, he couldn’t help but feel he was crossing a line somehow. Nakamura had nearly killed several of his friends and assisted in the death of others. The man was a villain. 

"Why is he here?" Will demand. It was a stupid question. Obviously the man was dangerous to some extent and needed medical attention. A better inquiry would have been, how did he end up here?

"Ethan…he's turned himself in willingly," Apollo explains, "he turned himself over, in exchange for sensitive intel all he asked was for treatment…he's…just read the report William."

Will listened despite the questions still on his tongue. The medical note was simple and a bit vague. Nakamura was noted to have bits of abrasions and lacerations but they were minor compared to the big picture. The main issue was something Will had never heard of and that was probably because it didn't have a proper medical term instead it was simply called The Needle. From what Will could gather via context clues it was the cause more than the diagnosis . The Needle apparently had extensive side effects. The leading being an adrenaline spike of the patient's Enhancement. Which caused…

 "Spontaneous combustion?" Will looked wide eyed to his father, "Is this real?"

"I'm afraid so," Apollo tells him, "It's similar to those without the En gene taking Ambrosia but on a more severe level."

"So people get this and what? Explode!?"

"Not exactly," Apollo explains, " think of it like overcharging a battery, half bloods subjected to The Needle have a power surge that continues to increase over time, which is fine and dandy until…"

"If the vessel can't contain the energy," Will finishes softly.

"So…boom…but not as messy as those sci-fi films will have you believe it's much more contained!" Apollo says nonchalantly, "This is only the second case I've personally treated all the others never made it to medical, and they hardly need an autopsy to determine what caused their demise."

Apollo took the tablet, passing it to a completely different nurse. Will nearly laughed but that wouldn't be appropriate and he was already being unprofessional. However, it could be excused since he didn't work here. The patient screamed again and Will couldn’t hold back a flinch.

"What exactly-" Will started then paused to swallow a mouth full of saliva, "What exactly are you wanting me here for?"

Apollo suddenly looked tired. Well actually maybe he had looked that way from the beginning. Will was unobserved at the best of times, which was only further proven by the fact most of the people he associated with had a secret life. That being said Apollo didn't just look tired…he looked drained.

"I need a second opinion, and considering you're the only one of my children who inherited my Vitakinesis it's you I need," Apollo tells him simply, "In all honesty I'm unable to treat this alone if it can be treated at all."

Will nodded slightly, "Okay…okay I…so you want me to help heal this man and what? You want me to tell you what you already know? This is the first I've heard of this ! I'm not the ideal person to give a medical opinion!"

"Maybe not but perhaps you could catch something I may have overlooked, or maybe you could just verify what I've found, your findings won't harm anything at the least they'll just be a repeat of mine."

Will let everything sink in. This was one of the most bizarre things he experienced involving his father. Apollo didn't ask for help ; he didn't need help . This man was self-sufficient; a lone wolf. Apollo requested Wills assistance often. However, that was just because Apollo didn't like to do the grunt work, not because he was incapable of doing it himself. Most of the time Apollo asked favors of Will simply to have another body to complain to. This wasn't like that. Will's father was admitting he couldn't do something alone; that his abilities were coming up short. For the first time ever. At least that Will knew of. 

Apollo was really asking for help. The help asked when somebody was at a loss. It wasn't like Apollo hadn't come across things he couldn't heal or fix with his abilities. Terminal illness, or decapitation. Like all doctors Apollo had lost patients. 

Nakamura's case was different. The Needle was healable to some extent. At least for what Will could gather despite the implications Apollo made about it not being treatable at all. The man wasn't meaning that The Needle was untreatable as much as he meant it might be out of their current capabilities. Apollo asked for help because his powers weren't strong enough to fight off this drug's effects. He was also implicating that even with Will it might not be enough.

There was another cry and a female doctor turned to give Apollo a look, "He's getting worse," she says.

It was enough to get them moving. They pushed through a parting crowd and into the open room. Will stumbled, hardly keeping upright at the sight before him. A male ( Nakamura ) was strapped down on a gurney. His skin pale with burning boils that spread in heaps across his body. He looked like he'd been dipped in acid or some flesh melting chemical. Burns and craters of bursting boils flaring in angry bloody colors. They were in clusters spreading like a rash. Will had only seen graphics like this in horror movies and if a makeup artist could achieve this level of gorey detail they deserved a Grammy. Perhaps the worst thing was the smell. Like burned meat, copper and sulfur. 

Men and Women dressed in scrubs rushed round the space like buzzing bees. A nurse was sending what seemed like sedatives through the liquid I.V. A dosage that looked extreme. Upon Apollo's entry three of his employees flanked him with information. 

Will noticed that none of the doctors were touching the patient despite the man's thrashing. The motion which was only injuring the male more. He needed to be held down or knocked out. Just as Will gained his bearings, a woman pushed past him. She retraced his steps back out though the slightly parted crowd. Once she was out of sight Will could hear the harsh heaving of her vomiting down the hall.

Will made to grab the patient and began rescuing the straps. Blood smeared on his fingers and he could only think of how he should have put on gloves. Nakamura had already pulled free his left foot and was kicking wildly. Will was quick to grab the man's ankle and force it back in its restraint. While he had a firm grip on the man he began to reach out with his powers. Not a second after he began a hand grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back. 

However, not before Will could get a read. He tried to diagnose but it wasn't a simple diagnosis or even a variety of them. It was everything . It was more than flesh wounds, or broken bones or diseases, it was simply horrid agony. 

It was pain.

Not like Nico's pain. That had felt strangely like phantom limb cramps. Not like Octavian's. That was mainly a broken bone and exhaustion. This was hot and agonizing. So extreme it made Will want to scream. Its potency made him feel it. Like his skin was pulling apart in pieces trying to flip him inside out sections by sections. His eyes watered and he nearly lost his balance.

What was this? How could he even begin to heal this? There was something wrong, it felt almost like an infection in the bloodstream. Like liquid fire being pumped through the man's body. It screamed wrong, wrong, wrong!

Nakamura screamed again. Or maybe the man hadn't stopped to begin with, maybe Will had simply blacked out.

"William," Apollo said calmly.

Will was anything but calm. He had the stranger's blood under his nails! He could still feel a potion of Nakamura pain. Hot and buzzing like he'd stuck his fingers in fire then dunked his head in ice water. He was going to throw up. 

"Dad," was all Will spoke. An Apollo looking nearly out of depth pulled him a few steps back.

Nakamura let out a gurgling spew of curses followed by, "Make it stop, make it stop, make it stop!" 

The sound made Will nearly jump back towards him but Apollo's hand remained tight on his shoulder holding him in place. Will was reminded of the blood; sticky and hot on his fingers. 

"What's…what's I..I.." Will choked, because oh, gods, oh, gods. He gulped his panic down trying to remain calm. 

"William," Apollo says simply, "Breath."

However, Will was freaking out now with images of his skin bubbling and bopping like boiling water, "I…am I'm okay."

Apollo nods, "I should have warned you beforehand but…this won't be pleasant."

He then released Will holding up his hand indicating to stay put. The older male then approached Nakamura. Will watched as his father's employees brusted into motion without any instruction. Several leaving completely and others moving into the room. They fiddled with monitors and checked the straps and it made Will wonder why they hadn't been doing this all along. Then he thought it best not to ask. 

"Mr. Nakamura, I need you to remain calm," Apollo tells the patient.

Nakamura smothered another cry between clenched teeth. It was then Will actually got a good look at the man's face. If he hadn't been told he'd have recognized Nakamura instantly. Their eye patch wasn't subtle. Maybe it was only because he'd seen the man's picture yesterday during his deep dive into recent local history. Or maybe the recognition laid in a bed of trauma from the fateful days of Kronos and the destruction and death in his wake. 

Will watched his father reach out and take Nakamura's hand. It took several patronizing long seconds to see a change. One minute the one eyed man was withering in pain and the next he was still but tense.

"You told me you could help me if I told you everything and I have!" Nakamura seethed, "So keep your end of the bargain!"

"And I am," Apollo insists, then he leans over to the closest doctors and whispers something low and quick. Then he looks back at the man, "I brought help."

Quickly Apollo moved away, releasing Nakamura's hand and returning back to Will's side. His face was neutral and calm as he placed his hand back on his son's shoulder. Will wished the jester was comforting but it only made his nerves spike.

"William," Apollo says softly and Will nearly flinches at his name, "William, I know this is alot but where on borrowed time." 

Will made his way to the gurney that sat in the middle of the forsaken room. He did the only thing he could think to do. He put his hand on the man's shoulder like his father had him. An attempt to settle the man and perhaps hold him down. Nakamura began fidgeting more in pain the longer Apollo wasn't actively healing him.

"Who are you!?" He'd choked his one eye glaring coldly at Will. The boils and burns had begun spreading on his face like a rash. 

"Dr. Solace," Will replied calmly.

 He wanted to yell at Apollo. Ask him what they could possibly do to help this man.However he couldn't. He was in doctor mode. It was an easy mode to slip into. So natural, like slipping into the customer service voice. 

"How are you feeling?"

"Are you serious?" Nakamura barked looking from Will to Apollo, "Is he serious?!"

To be fair it was a rather stupid question. However, what was Will supposed to say? He was feeling a bit out of his depth here. His fingers still tingled with the overwhelming pain of the patient before him. He was expected to try and help fix this. 

"Well Doc, if I had to rate my pain on a scale from one to ten I'd tell you to shove the numbers up your ass!"

"So a solid eight I'd say," Apollo declared like the asshat he often was. Nakamura had murder written in red across his face. And it seemed to snap something awake in Will. A reminder that the man before him wasn't just anyone. 

This man was a killer. He was dangerous. The last thing Will should do was annoy the man. Nakamura might not be in peak condition but Will had no doubt the male could seriously do damage if given a chance. Even the notion that Ethan was restrained didn't comfort Will. Apollo had a death wish at best but Will would happily like to avoid being murdered.

"Apollo I hope you've figured something out, cus your magic touch isn't cutting it anymore," Nakamura says.

"Well you're talking and not screaming so I'd say it's still doing something," Apollo snarks, "And in all honesty you know more about this poison than I do."

Nakamura opened his mouth, discomfort replaced by stubbornness that was leaning more towards denial, "Its…its not poison! And I've told you everything I know about the serum and about everything else, we had a deal and you're supposed to fix me!"

Apollo gave out a huff. He looked annoyed and perhaps was more so than Nakamura. Will was feeling incredibly third wheeled. He was out of the loop, watching the final episode of a series he'd never started. He understood only the direct context he'd been given. Nakamura had turned himself in for treatment in exchange for intel. What he was seeking treatment for was a drug that had more questions than answers.

"For one that's a lie, you did not tell The H.B everything and for two you didn't make the deal with me, I get nothing out of this arrangement, in fact i'm doing this purely out of selflessness and because I'm just that good hearted!"

"You're so very modest," Nakamura mocks, his one eye flickering to stare at Will. He looks long and hard. His eyebrows frown and his mouth grimace, "Do I know you?"

The question was sudden and it took Will much too long to respond. He sputtered slightly before successfully answering, "No…we've never officially met."

"He's my son," Apollo chimes in. A look flashes across Nakamura's face as if something had clicked, "Now that we're done with pleasantries I'd say we should get to work, what do you say?"

Chapter Text

Will should have said no

Nico would have.

It took Will exactly thirty seconds to determine that he should have told his father ‘ absolutely not .’ Or perhaps ignored his phone call all together. It had hardly been several moments after meeting Ethan Nakamura, two armed uniformed officials entered the room.

One angry looking male and one obviously annoyed woman.  They both wore sleek black uniforms with an embroidered orange emblem over their left breast pocket. A Pegasus to be exact. Just like the ones engraved on gifteds I.D. It didn't take a genius to know they were H.B Agents. Will had seen Nico in this exact uniform with its over zealous amount of tactical pockets and overlaid bullet proof vest.

“There's just something about a man in a uniform that does it for me,” Will had said on many occasions watching his boyfriend turn lovely shades of pink and red.

Apollo didn't react to their arrival and Will firmly believed the agents had been there for some time. Said agents brought no comfort to Will. In fact he was unsettled and felt more in danger than before.

He was also quite disappointed but also relieved that he didn't recognize either of them. He knew quite a bit of Nicos colleagues if only by sight. He might have very little information about the agency workings but he'd attended multiple Christmas parties and picnics. All of which he'd now accept as ploys to make family and friends of their agents even more oblivious. It was surprising he had no recollection of these two. Then again maybe not. HB was probably bigger than Will could imagine.

The agents eyed Will and he couldn’t help but go ridgid. As if just by looking at him they'd know he had knowledge of classified information. Of the Nico and friends variety. What would they do to him if they knew that he knew? Would it be as simple as the Men In Black mind zap thing? 

Will kind of wanted that. It would make everything so much easier. Go back to being oblivious. Not knowing about Nico or their friends' secrets. Waiting patiently for a proposal (or breakup) depending on how well the mind erasers worked. Then again if they did have the ability had Will already been subjected to it? Has his memory already been wiped before? Had he already found out Nicos secret? Did something bad come from it? Oh Gods! This was a rabbit hole he'd much like to avoid. No thank you Alice!

“Dr. Apollo, as much as we'd like to respect your judgment, bringing a civilian in here isn't your best call.”

it was the woman who spoke. She was gorgeous with blue eyes and rich brown hair. Her posture was impeccable and her overall look was professional. She hadn't a single hair out of place. Despite her comment she gave Will a kind smile. It made some of the nerves in Will's chest settle. However, it didn't last long for the other guard began giving Will a calculating glare.  

Will was immediately back to panicking. Did he look suspicious? Was his face revealing his inner turmoil? Did they know who he was? Did they know who Nico was? Did all agents know about the superheroes that worked among them?

Maybe not. Maybe only those with a certain clearance knew the agency secrets. Less risk of the information getting out. If that is the case then did either of these two have that sort of knowledge? Maybe Will knew more than they did. And that was just more unsettling. He was a civilian with classified information and seemed to be gaining more secrets by the minute. Which was just spectacular! (Note the written sarcasm).

“Ms. Beauregard, I understand your concern,” Apollo says, “However, I trust my son immensely and there is nobody more capable ‘ outside myself’ for this job.”

There was a hidden line in Apollo words solely for Will to hear. That read ‘ if there had been anyone else William would not be here’. That stung but Will was an adult now and he could accept he wasn't anyone's preferred choice. Especially his father with all his other talented children. Will got his fathers healing but he was a class ‘A’ for average in his overall talent. If any of Apollo's other children had popped out a glow stick with magic booboo healing (or if Luis and Michael where still alive) then Will would not have been called in at the fuck before dawn. 

Instead Will would have woken up in his warm bed… alone . 

Maybe being here wasn't the worst thing.

“Dr. Apollo I'm not sure you at liberty to give a civilian this type of clearance,” Ms. Beauregard says, “This is a highly secured-”

“It's my hospital,” Apollo interjects, “In fact I picked the color tile you're standing on, not to mention Count Evil over there is my patient and I'm a medical professional and my proficiency in the field tells me I need William.”

The dark haired woman frowned and her partner glared, “Did you have him sign a NDA? Did you brief him on the risks? Is he even a doctor?”

The male agent spatted his words like they tasted bad on his tongue. And with each word Will felt more offended. Of course he was a doctor…then he remembered what he was wearing. Perhaps flip-flops were a bad call. Could he really blame the agent for questioning his status when he wasn't dressed for the job?

“Of course he's a doctor!” Apollo states firmly, “And of course he's signed all the necessary paperwork!”

Apollo gave Will a glance that revealed nothing to everyone else but Will could clearly read a ‘remind me to make you do that!’ Which was just great! Like Will didn’t have enough secrets right now.

“How long has he worked for you?” Ms.Beauregard questions.

“I…don't,” Will says and instantly regrets speaking at all. He really should have let his father do the answering.

The woman blinks and frowns deeper than before. She opens her mouth and Apollo is intersecting, “He works at Epidaurus, and he's the only doctor there and in the state that has the abilities we need right now.”

The male agent gets an odd gleam in his eyes, “He's got your abilities?”

“Vitakinesis,” Will answers simply. Was that… Déjà vu he was feeling?

At the same time Will speaks, Apollo says, “Just healing, reattached an arm once, I'm really proud and with our combined efforts we should be able to treat Nakamura.”

Was it just Will or was the male agent frowning even more. The man looked like he'd sucked on a lemon. However, maybe that was just the man's face. Nico had a face like that. However, more ‘kicked puppy’ than constipation. Not to mention Nico di Angelo was way hotter than, frowny agent. And that wasn't Will's biased talking.

“William is it,” Ms. Beauregard says less of a question and more of a statement.

“Will actually,” Will corrects and the woman almost looks annoyed.

“ Will ,” she says firmly, “You understand what you're agreeing to?”

Of course he didn't. However, against Will's better judgment and lack of self preservation at times he was going to do as his father asked. Squaring his shoulders, as if he actually needed to appear taller, he nodded.

“Yes Ma'am,” he answers, “I'm a doctor, this is my job, and I wanna help.”

Will might not know what he signed up for but he knew that much. He wanted to help people. Healing was his way of doing that. So with that he sat by the bedside of a criminal and with bare fingers grasped at the man's upper arm just shy of the restraints.  He regretted his decision to follow through pretty quickly. However it was too late to turn back now.

Apollo followed, taking a place on the other side of the patient. Ms. Beauregard and her partner stood guard. Their eyes on the back of Will's neck. It was unsettling. And there he remained for the rest of the morning.

Hours passed and Will still remained there feeling the patient's phantom pain. The prickles of burning agony crawling up his spine. He grew sweaty and incredibly tired. He'd pushed, and pushed until all that was left was heavy limbs and chapped skin. He'd strained himself. He forced his powers so hard he'd started to glow and it still made no difference. He had to pull away, only for a moment. He needed to breathe, and get some of his own feeling back into his body. In the hours since they started Will had lost the ability to differentiate between Ethan and his own pain.

Ethan (They were on a first name basis after hours of skin contact and incoherent babbling) was still declining. The healing was only slowing the process, not stopping it. This Needle had done horrors. The serum was eating away at Ethans body like a flesh-eating bacteria. Will had done his best, was still doing his best. Even with Apollo and his combined efforts there hadn't been any headway.

"His bodies burning through the Ambrosia and the Unicorn Drought," Apollo had told Will and the agents as they'd stepped away for a brief break.

Will had taken a bottle of orange juice from a nurse and chugged it in one go. The male agent was the one to ask, "Have you upped the dosage?"

Apollo gave him a 'well duh' look and then everyone quickly returned to their task at hand. Nurses worked around them. They'd injected medication in short intervals. Both through liquid I.V. and straight into the body. It helped only slightly, but it wasn't enough to truly numb the pain. This led to Will's only other option. Distract.

 Will had decided to urge Ethan to talk. Not about The Needle or the male's questionable career path but mundane things. Childhood stories, thoughts and opinions about movies and video games and whatever pointless venture Will could encourage them down. Anything to distract Ethan from his own pain and Will from exhaustion.

"My mums the one who took my eye, a real unlucky incident," Ethan had babbled between one of their many random discussions. 

Will hadn’t known what to say at such a sudden declaration. However, it didn't matter because Ethan continued back onto the original topic like he hadn't said anything at all. If Apollo or anyone else had thought anything of it, Will hadn't been able to tell. There was no comment, not even an eyebrow twitch. Maybe it was something they already knew. Maybe it was buried in some classified medical file, one stored as old papers in a manilla envelope.

The longer Will was there the more he learned of his patient. Ethans gift was that of luck. He seemed to be able to manipulate chance into his or someone he chooses favor. At some point Ethan had made a side comment at being unbeatable in board games. He also commented that he'd be lucky the side effects of the Needle hadn't killed him yet.

When Apollo had stepped away to whisper with the agents Ethan had said, “I've been the longest surviving test subject.”

It was spoken like a secret and perhaps that's exactly what it was. From Will's understanding Ethan held a lot of secrets, about not only the serum. An from what he could also gather the man hadn't given a satisfying amount of answers to authorities.

Hours ticked by and Will had to step away more and more. His body, like lead, aching and begging for rest. Apollo continued to be resilient, stronger in his abilities than his son. Will felt guilty, he'd long ago accepted his father would always be better. That didn't stop Will from wishing he was capable of more.

However, even with Apollo there was no real progress and Ethan had made it known with pleas every time one of them stepped away for a breath. It had escalated to constant need for at least one of them to be actively healing the male at a time. They'd been at this for hours. So long that Will was growing a bit numb to all feeling. That was good in a way because it meant Will could keep pushing. Even alone. Without Apollo alongside him there was more strain and potency as he used his abilities. He could handle it though. Ethan couldn't. He whimpered when Will had to step back but wailed when Apollo did.

At some point when Ethan had fallen into an unrestful slumber Apollo began his nosy father routine. Will hadn’t the energy or the mental capacity to deal with it. So he tried his best to shoot it down before it could really start.

“Everything is fine dad! There's nothing to talk about!” Will said under Apollo's prying stare, “Me and Nico are like usual! Fighting over his sleeping habits and dietary choices and whose turn it is to take out the trash.”

Apollo hummed unconvinced, “William you're my son, I think I can tell when something isn't right with you.”

Will tried not to go stiff. Apollo surely couldn't know about Nicos career . Then again the man did work heavily with HB. And who could forget that employees of the agency were in the very room. Which just fueled Will even more to stop this very conversation. Not to mention if Apollo did know then that just pissed Will off even more. Not only would that mean his friends and boyfriend were keeping secrets but so was his family.

Of course Will knows Apollo has secrets but the ones about Nico were different. Those secrets were kind of important for Will to know. Right? Will was trustworthy! What did it say though that his boyfriend, their friends and possibly his own father were keeping the same secrets from him. What did that say about their trust in Will?

“It's really none of your business,” Will spits, “and if you really wanna know why don't you drill Nico huh?!”

“So Nico has done something,” Apollo concludes.

“No!” Yes.

“You can talk to me about it, I can help!”

Will couldn’t help but snort, “ You, help!” he scowled, “You're not exactly the first person anyone thinks of going to for relationship advice.”

“Ow,” Apollo frowns, “Your words wound me William!”

To Will's dismay Ethan interjected, “Your son is not wrong,” to Will, “I could offer some insight,” and wasn't that just great !

Will had jumped slightly when the man began to speak. He'd been unaware the male had woken up. Maybe it was because he was on edge or perhaps it was the strain from using his powers but he could feel his heartbeat in his ears. It was pounding hard and unwarranted. While Will was concentrating on trying to breathe properly Ethan took his silence as a ‘go ahead’.

“In any relationship, romantic or otherwise… you've gotta look at all the problems and all the pain and grief and possibly even the worst case scenario, ” Ethan says, “then you ask yourself if it's worth it…ask yourself if you would deal with it all everyday for the rest of your life if it meant being with that person.”

Will blinks at the man. For the first time in many hours Ethan looks alive. He gives Will a strange smile, his eyes slightly unfocused.

“If the answer is no…then you shouldn't be in that relationship ...but if it is yes,” Ethan takes a moment to swallow, “then you let it all go or you try to fix it and if that doesn't work then you live with the bad because you're willing too because you know you can because that relationship, that person Is worth everything…your happiness, your love, your life.”

“That's very poetic,” Apollo says. 

“What's your answer?” Ethan inquires ignoring Apollo's comment.

Will doesn't need to think before he has an answer. Nico had alway been worth everything to Will. He'd give up everything for that man. He'd destroy himself and others. He'd burn cities, he'd die. Maybe it was unhealthy, maybe it was crazy. Will didn't care. He'd love Nico more than anything, he'd gather the stars, he'd do the impossible for his boyfriend. If Nico asked for it, how could Will possibly refuse him?

Nico keeping secrets hurts. Their constant fighting hurts. The doubt in everything hurts. Will had thought Nico was going to leave him. It had been heart wrenching. Will loved Nico so much he'd accepted that he'd have let Nico go if that's what man truly wanted.

Ethans words stirred a question in Will. If Will didn’t confront Nico…..if he let Nico keep his secrets could he handle never being told? 

Yes . 

Of course he would. He'd tell himself that Nico had his reasons. He'd force himself to live with the knowledge. He'd do it if that's what he thought was best. He'd do anything for Nico . That being said, Will also knew that not being upfront wasn't the right course of action. Secrets weren't healthy and because Will loved Nico he knew they had to be open.

 They needed to fix this. Will wanted to fix this no matter what it cost or how hard it would be.

Nico was worth it… Will could only hope Nico felt the same about Will.

“Yes…he's worth everything ,” Will says.

Ethan smiles with what should have been reassurance but was much darker. Unsettling. Like Will had said something damning. Like he'd given away his biggest secret. Feeling a chill Will looked around the room. From Ethan, to Apollo, to a blonde male nurse with his head down looking over paperwork. He even glanced behind him at the agents. 

Nothing looked different after all the hours he'd been there. The door opened and another nurse walked in to administer another dose of medication. There was nothing out of the ordinary but Will's fight or flight was gearing up. Whispers of run….run…run….run… in his skull.

“William?” Apollo says dragging his attention from the panicked fear.

"I'm fine," Will tells his father.

 Apollo doesn't look convinced. The nurse finishes with medication and leaves, while the other continues to read documents silently in the corner. Will remained tense. He tried not to flinch when Ms.Beauregard spoke.

“Dr. Apollo, do you mind following us out for a moment ....we've got some sensitive things we need to discuss.”

Apollo continues to look at Will intensely, His uncertainty clear on his face. Like he himself was sensing something wrong . Will tries his best to give an encouraging smile.

“We're good,” Will tells him softly, referring to himself and Ethan. “Go…”

"I'll only be a moment," Apollo says, "Just…"

He waves his hand then sighs. Will watches him disappear. Once Apollo is out of sight Ethan mutters something that sounds a bit like pompous ass . Then he returns his attention to Will. He's crying and his muscles tense and spasm under Will's fingers. Atleast his strange smile is gone. It's just the two of them now. Besides for the blonde nurse. The cycling of other in and out meant that they'd hardly be left alone for long.

"You're a good person," Ethan whispers and it's odd to hear. It's a strange conversation starter, and quite out of nowhere.

"I…I wouldn't say that…but I try."

How was he to respond to that? Was it even a compliment…. It hadn't sounded like one. Maybe it was his sudden fill of paranoia but everything anyone said was sounding cryptic.

"See that's how you can tell the difference," Ethan declares, "truly good people are modest, and even though they're far more kind than the average foe they still push to do better.”

The man gave Will a tight smile. His skin was sheet white in the place not overcome with blisters and rashes. Ethan looked defeated as if he had come to the realization he was losing a game and there was no coming back from it.

“I'm not a good person…but I'm not evil,” Ethan says, “…the traitors…that's what they call us but we're not bad people… we just have the balls to do what everyone else is too scared or ignorant to do!"

It took several moments for Ethan to push all his words through gritted teeth. Will was still new to the world of superheroes and villains. It had hardly been a couple days. Sure he'd lived in the midst of everything, and done his parts in the Battle of Kronos. At his actual job he'd helped thousands of civilians who'd been affected by one showdown or another.

However, he'd never dug too deep. He knew the names of local superheroes, names of gangs and lone wolf criminals. Mostly from the news in the breakroom or a patient who'd encountered one. And he had spent yesterday cramming years of information like he had an exam. So when Ethan muttered 'The Traitors'  Will wasn't at a loss.He had heard of the group on many occasions.

The Traitors were those left over from Kronos' army. When the villain and a majority of his goons had been apprehended, there were some that managed to evade getting caught. It was less than a year after Kronos fell that those criminals resurfaced taking on a name the public declared them: Traitors. 

They were named that for many reasons. Mostly for trying to conquer the world and put a mad man in power. However with Kronos out of the picture they'd shifted gears. Instead of world domination they were starting with the destruction of large corporations such as Olympus and agencies such as HB. 

They believed the system was corrupt and unfair. They believed they deserved more. More power, more control. They wanted change but only to benefit them. As if Ethan knew Will's thoughts, the man chokes through painful breaths.

"We're not good people," he repeats, "but we're not the villains…someone has to make the tough choices…the hard calls…We…I-…I don't want to die."

The last bit was sudden. Will felt his heart clinch, "We're doing all we can to make sure that doesn't happen."

Ethan's eye flickered from Will to the blonde male nurse. Will took a moment to study the man. He wore scrubs and a standard blue mask and he stood with purpose. Will didn't pay the man much mind outside of a quick glance. Instead he tried to focus solemnly on his patient. 

“I need you to stay strong, we're working the best we can to ensure your recovery ” Will said simply. Ethan ignored him, his one eye still focused on the nurse. 

"You are," Ethan says, “You're the only one working for my recovery.”

“Apollo will be back any minute to help-”

 "Apollo…the rest…they'd rather me dead… one last person to stand in their way," Ethans breathing spikes and the monitors make an unhappy sound.

"No,” Will tried to reason, “if they wanted you gone I wouldn't be here, nobody would have bothered as much as they have if they wanted you dead!"

"They want information…and they want me alive long enough to make sure I've given everything I know…once they're satisfied…” Ethan lets out a laugh, “But it doesn't matter…they won't have the chance.”

Will couldn’t help but follow Ethans gaze watching as the blonde nurse approached them. In his hands was no longer reading material; instead he had a bottle and a fresh needle. Will watchs as the nurse's gloved hands move, sloppily filling the syringe with a strange inky black liquid. It didn't look to be any liquid painkiller Will had ever seen. Neither did it look like any other medication Will could think of. When the nurse was done Will looked back to Ethan only to find the male looking guilty and slightly panicked.

 Will went to follow Ethans gaze back to the blonde nurse but there was a sudden sharp prick into the side of his neck. It was the same place he'd been hit before. When he'd tried to enter this gods forsaken place. 

There was a wave of vertigo and if he wasn't already sitting his knees would have surely buckled. He allowed his fingers to grasp at his neck. He felt like he'd been bit by a mosquito, however the slight prick of pain followed by itching quickly turned to a burning sear. It was hot and agonizing. Will tried to curse and scream but was quickly stopped by a nitrile blue glove slapped over his mouth.

The blonde nurse breathed heavily in Will's ear as something cold and heavy pressed against Will's temple. He was only a doctor but it didn't take one to know what said object was. He'd seen too many James Bond movies.

He went rigid, his watery eyes locking with Ethan who was writhing on the bed. Will had released the male's arm as soon as he'd been poked. The stopping of healing had a clear effect. Will blinked, his vision blurring for a moment. Something wasn't right. There was a loud ringing. His body felt like it was on fire. His bones twisting and blood boiling. 

He was dying. This is what dying felt like. Of course Will had never died before so he couldn't be a hundred percent sure. He could see that his hand not clutching his neck was taking on a faint glow. Then his vision went out and he was seeing a different room entirely.

There was a photo of him and Nico on a desk. An old sofa against a gray painted wall. A woman was laughing and Nicos dark worried eyes were meeting Will's own. 

Then Will was staring at Ethan again. The room, unfairly bright and a gun pressing even harder into his temple. He felt like vomiting but couldn't with the hand stopping him from opening his mouth. Then there were more images flashing everytime he blinked.

A dark alley. 

Blink.

Octavian looking down at him.

Blink.

Reyna looking at him across a table.

Blink.

Nico with fury in his eyes.

Blink.

 A strange woman…smiling

“ Ssshhh! Hey! hey… calm down…nobodies got to get hurt…okay! good? Good!” The male nurse says, “I know this is quite unpleasant but the pain will fade.”

The man's voice snapped Will's brain back into focus. What was being spoken didn’t feel reassuring even though the pain did seem to be subsiding. Wills glowing was flashing a sickly green hue every few intervals. Ethan was squawking in pain but not once attempting to scream for help. It was obvious that he was in on this or something. 

“I'm gonna let you go, and you're gonna do exactly what I say,” the man continues, “If you do anything stupid I will shoot you and that would be a waste, got it?” 

Will didn’t know what to do. He didn't know how to react. His vision was still fuzzy around the corners and his body felt adrenaline high. He was shaking, and still glowing. The nurse's hand fell away and the pressure of the gun disappeared.

“ What ,” Will slurs thick bike rising in his throat, “W-what you d-do to me!” 

The nurse did respond for several seconds, “Gave you a temporary boost,” he says, “Now heal him and no funny business got it.”

Will wanted to turn and look at the man but feared the motion would only make him more dizzy. He settled on staring intensely at Ethan. He watched as Nakamura tried to muffle cries and calm tremors. 

“I-I can't!” Will insisted, “I'm…I'm not..”

Strong enough.

That didn't sound right…it didn't feel right. Maybe it was in his head but Will found his gift was burning under the surface. His awareness of it was at a tenfold increase. Despite feeling like he was about to pass out and lose the content of his stomach he has the sensation of strength at his fingertips.

“You sure better hope you can,” the nurse growls, “ Fix him!”

With fear and uncertainty Will grabs his patient. And the phantom feeling of Ethans pain rages with an intensity that it hadn't had until that very point. Will felt as if he were being skinned, his flesh peeling away from bone leaving a burning trail in its wake. Then it faded to a slight tickle of discomfort.

What happened next seemed to surprise everyone in the room. On instinct Will's powers began to take action. Almost like a sped up time-lapse video Ethans injuries began to dissipate. The rash dissolves and open wounds knitting back together leaving only dried blood in their wake. Will was hyper aware of each injury he was treating though he could hardly keep up with how quickly he completed one and moved to the next.

Adrenaline made his heart pound and his ears ring. This was…amazing? unsettling?…impossible. Something that should have taken Apollo and him days to attempt to fix took seconds. Ethans visible injuries were gone in blinks. When the last abrasion faded Will found himself pushing deeper; Healing something beneath the surface…something that felt like the burning in his own veins.

A sickness he couldn't explain except understanding it was wrong. 

When it was done and Will was about to pull away the nurse spoke, “See that wasn't so hard Sunshine .”

Sunshine . He said it like an inside joke. Like he knew the significance of it. As if it were amusing…ironic.

Nico called Will sunshine . Will called Nico sunshine. Did the nurse know that? How could he know that? Why did it feel like Will was missing something? Like he should understand what was happening.

“You might prove useful after all, if you don't die, that is, be a waste and a shame really,” The nurse declares.

 Ethan laughs and Will feels a different burning in his body. Something more like anger and less like fear. The glowing green of his skin festered. He allowed his nails to dig into his patient's flesh.

This was messed up, these men were messed up. It was sick…they were sick.

Ethans laughter ceased.

“Ayh…what the fuck…” he said then he began choking, snot leaking from his nose, “Get ‘em…Get Him the fuck off me!”

Immediately, Will was pulled away, slung backwards onto the floor. His head bounced off the concrete tile and the room spun. The bile in his mouth began dripping like drool. It took several moments for Will to fully sit up. Every nerve in his body was screaming. 

The blonde nurse raised his gun aiming at Will's skull. Ethan coughed loudly from the gurney behind the man. Will felt like he was itching all over, as if he'd had chickenpox or poison ivy. Then it faded away and Will felt a little less foggy.

“What did I say Solace!” The man growls. His eyes are wide and deranged. Even with the mask Will could make out a slight scar. He knew this man….but from where? “It would be a real waste…tell me what you did or…or I'll kill you.”

Will didn’t know how to answer. What had he done? How had he done it? Ethan was suddenly sick, not like he had been, but with something different. 

Bronchitis.

A voice supplied in his own head. It sounded a lot like Apollo. As if he were whispering in his ear. 

“You gave me the flu?” Ethan cries, “I didn't know he could do that, Nobody said he could do that! What the fuck man!”

This time Will couldn’t help but laugh. He raised his hands to cover his face only to stop as he looked at the black underneath his fingernails. When had they gotten dirty? Then he looked closer only to find the black wasn't just under his nails but was also covering the pads of his finger tips.

He rubbed together his thumb and pointer on his right hand. The grime didn't smudge, it didn't fade. It didn't feel like anything.…It was his skin.

“What did you do to me?” Will asked just as the room went dark. Red emergency flashed on as the backup generators kicked into gear. In the strange red light he could still see the nurse's eyes on him filled with curiosity with a pleased undertone.

“We've gotta go,” The nurse says to Ethan, “Can you walk?”

Ethan nodded, muffling his coughs in a tight fist, “ Ya..yeah I think….wont know till you get theses fucking restrains off!” He gasped for air, “w-what about him?”

Even though the nurse's face was obscured by a mask, Will knew he was grinning, “ Sunshine right here is coming with us.”

Will didn’t know what came over him but he was immediately up and running for the door. However, before he could blink, the nurse was grabbing the back of his shirt, stopping him. 

“You're really just testing it aren't you!” the blonde male waved the gun just shy of Will's nose.

Will only had one option now, it was to beg, “Please, I did what you asked....just…let me go…you can leave a-and leave me here…tied up…or knocked out?!” 

The nurse snorted, “You watch enough movies don't you Solace?” It was more a statement than a question, “You know hostages are the best bargaining chips…or at least the best shields , besides that little trick you just pulled… well it's really intriguing and to think we all doubted him… so Sunshine…let's take a little walk.”

“Please…”

“Put your hands up above your head,” the nurse demands, “And if I catch you trying to inflict your… diseases …”

“You'll kill me,” Will finishes.

“You are a fast learner, Sunshine .”

If only Will could learn to say no.

Chapter Text

Will Solace is stupid

Nico di Angelo had said otherwise.

Will stood frozen, his hands shaking slightly from where he held them above his head. He watches as the male nurse removes Ethans restraints all while still keeping the gun trained on Will. The firearm looks familiar, and it takes a moment to Will to register why. It's the same model that he'd seen holstered on the H.B Agents. 

The blonde nurse seemed well acquainted with his weapon as if it were an extension of his hand. He doesn't shake or waver in his aim as if he practices holding it perfectly poised. 

“ Any sudden moves-”

He'll shoot.

“Any cries for help-”

He'll shoot .

“If you so much as blink irregularity-”

He'll shoot

“Well you know the rest,” the nurse says.

Will's smart and he does know. So despite every fiber of his being wanting to fight , wanting to run, he listens and follows orders.All he could think about is Nico and how Will's last words to him hadn't been ‘I love you.’ He couldn't stand the thought of Nico going home tonight completely alone . 

Laying in their bed alone.

It made his whole body tremble. The thought of causing his boyfriend anymore loss. Nico had lost his mother and his sister. Will couldn’t just die like that. Nico didn't deserve another death in his life.

Now Will wasn’t naive in thinking he could possibly stop loss in either of their lives but he'd be damned if he'd just let it happen by being stupid. No, he had to be smart about this. He wasn't gonna die by these men. 

He refused .

“Can you walk?” the male nurse asks as Ethan goes to climb off the gurney. 

“Yeah,” he gasps, still hacking mucus from his lungs.

 He stands unsteadily rocking on bare feet. Surprisingly he doesn't fall and eventually manages to gain proper footing. It's a miracle all things considered. Ethan Nakamura had been bedridden hardly several moments before. Now the male was up and besides for bronchitis was completely healthy. 

Will had done that, by himself. The healing and the sickness . The thought made Will nauseous. The nurse had done something to him; drugged him. Will didn’t know what he was given or what to expect. His best guess was that it was the same thing that had brought Ethan in. That thought was terrifying. It meant that Will could be taking the man's place on the gurney. His body would burn from the inside. Boils and rashes, and blisters would surface, leaving him in agony. 

He can feel an anxiety attack rising in his chest. Even if he escaped these men he could still die. Hot tears filled his vision. He was scared. All he wanted was to go home and call Nico. Even if his boyfriend was dismissive when he called. He just wanted to hear his voice. All Will wanted to do was tell the man he loved him even if he didn't hear it back.

No .

He refused to die before having the chance to tell Nico he loved him and before he could hear Nico say it back if only just one more time.

“Hey don't cry sunshine,” the nurse says, and his voice is so hushed and soft it's terrifying, “as long as you follow orders you'll be perfectly fine.”

Will nearly vomited. The sickness in his stomach curdled. He blinks back the burning in his eyes and does his best to calm his nerves. It's gonna be okay, Nicos voice whispers in his head.  Despite knowing the voice wasn't actually Nico's and it was just his subconscious, it helps. The panic attack dissipates but his heart doesn't slow in its beating. It pounds in his ears making him dizzy.

“We gotta move,” Ethan says between coughs. For a man who was just dying he sounds unfairly calm and collected.

The nurse nods flickering blue eyes to look mockingly at Will, “Open the door, you're leading the way.”

As Will approached the door the male nurse closed the distance between them in an instant. The gun pressed firmly to Will's back. The movement is so quick it steals the breath from his lungs. Speed …that had to be this man's gift . 

Will hadn’t even blinked and the male had gone from Ethan's side to breathing down Will's. neck. Even through the man's mask he could feel the hot breath brush along his skin. He closes his eyes trying to calm the tension that coils at the base of his spine. He lets out a shaky breath and with slow calculated movements Will opens the door.

-

“My mom doesn't agree with our choice to stay in the city,” Will said as he finished unpacking the last of the kitchen boxes. Their new microwave gleaming happily at its new residency. 

He spares a glance into the living room to where his boyfriend stood. Nico was stock still, staring at the pieces of what was looking sort of like a bookshelf. In his hand he clutched a crumpled instruction page, looking back and forth between the mess and the paper.

“It's where our friends are, not to mention we've been here for years now! Why is she so against it suddenly?” Nico questioned looking up briefly as Will joined him in the living room.

“I guess she thought after college we'd move back to Rhode Island or…closer to her,” Will shrugged. 

“Two hours away isn't that big of a distance,” Nico commented as he pulled a bag of screws from his pocket, “Should I have this many left over?”

Will studies the bag, “Uh, I'm sure it's fine,” then, “ And Ma’s worried…we are in the heart of major HalfBlood crime, last week alone three different people declared world domination, and even with the Hero's efforts over three city blocks were demolished!”

Nico crumbled the instruction sheet more, “There's crime everywhere! And didn't she raise you in Texas? That place isn't a stranger to supervillians leveling cities.” 

Will nods watching as Nico stuffs the bag of screws back in his pocket and kicks at a wooden slab marked ‘G’. For a second they're both quiet and Will moves to start unpacking another unopened box of their belongings. Moving in was a nightmare and they didn't even have that much stuff. 

“I know but you know how she is,” Will declares, “And I mean I see where she's coming from.”

Nico gives him a strange look,  “Are…are you having second thoughts? I told you we didn't have to move in together, I know it's a big step…”

“No!” Will moves from the boxes he's working on to take up the space between Nico and the Ikea disaster, “I suggested we move in together, I'm not changing my mind.”

Nico doesn't look convinced,“Oh…okay…so you just don't wanna live in New York then..”

“No, I love New York,” Will insists, “I'm just… mama's just got me thinking about,” He pauses, “what if something like Manhattan happens again? Or what if one of us gets caught in the middle of a hero-villain showdown?”

Nico turns his attention completely away from his bookshelf and gives Will a look, “You do know what my new job is right? I mean I've been interning for years and you've seen the aftermath.”

Will grimace, “I still don't see how they could let an intern on the field…you broke your femur twice last year.”

“You healed me right up!” Nico reminded.

“You're not exactly making me feel better,” Will says softly.

“I'm just reminding you that my profession is based around hero-villain show downs,” Nico tells him, “Preventing them, containing them, basically being in them.”

Will frowns, “You're right! Mama's just… I'm…”

Nico approaches Will slowly taking their hands together, “We….we can move back to Rhode Island…or Texas with you mom… I-I…there's plenty of HB offices around the country…If it'll make you feel better…”

“No Nico,” Will sighs, “I couldn't make you do that, even if I wanted to.”

Nico looks oddly determined, his stubbornness bleeding into his body, “Sunshine, I love you! So it doesn't matter where we live as long as I'm with you…I just want you to be happy…I want you to feel safe.”

Will couldn’t help but kiss his boyfriend. He pressed their lips together so hard their teeth clattered. Even with the slightly painful start the Italian male melted into him. When Will tried to pull back Nico chased. It took several long heated moments for Will to successfully breakaway to speak.

“I am happy,” he says, “and how can I not feel safe when I have you?... It's just this new place, living with you, it's exciting and nerve racking and mom means well, but her worry just fed into my anxiety and ....I…”

Will faltered, unsure of what else to add. Nico nods slowly tracing a fingertip from Will's cheek up to under his ear before he slid the rest of his hand into Will's hair. He tugs light, pulling Will forward so their foreheads touch.

Nico declares, “I won't let anything bad happen to you…my job is about protecting civilians and apprehending criminals and…I'll protect you.”

Will smiles, “I don't doubt that you can protect me, but you can't be with me always and…what about you? What if…”

“You'll fix me,” Nico says simply, “You'll heal me good as new.”

Will frowns, “Not if a building falls on you or you get decapitated or…”

“Will!” Nico exclaims, “Have a bit more faith in me, I can handle myself, you don't have to worry, I'm trained for those things.”

Will let his eyes flicker across the Italians features, “I know… but I always worry about you and I worry about something happening and…I mean…I've seen what could happen…Michael and Lee”

Nico gives him sad eyes. It had been years but Will was still recovering; therapy was a slow steady process, “I took this job to help prevent that from happening again…to stop another Kronos incident.”

Will nodded softly because he knew that. It was the same reason most of their friends were doing the exact same thing. Even Will himself had thought about it. Back when an H.B Agent has shown up for career day with the Kronos even still fresh. 

The agent hadn't smiled, and he didn't have a table set up with brochures like the rest. He'd simply stood off in a corner, quiet and intimidating. When a rare brave soul approached him to ask a question he'd answered in a cool bored tone.

 Will had heard him say what Nico had entailed, “Our job is to do anything and everything to prevent another catastrophic event like the Battle of Manhattan.”

For a fleeting moment Will had considered taking up that career path. Then he remembered the blood and burning flesh and the cries begging for it all to stop and he knew what he was good at. Fighting bad guys, apprehending gifted criminals wasn't his calling. It was Nico's and Percy's and Annabeth's. It was the brave souls of his friends.

 “If it'll make you feel better I'll give you some tips,” Nico offered and Will couldn’t help the swell of affection despite the anxiety in his bones.

“Tips on how to survive the next Kronos?” Will questioned grimly, “or to avoid decapitation?”

“As long as I have a say there won't be a next Kronos and even if there was I'd kick his ass before he even looked in your general direction,” Nico states with an unwavering conviction, “As for decapitation? Those are the risks that come with being so tall I guess.”

Will couldn’t help but laugh a little. Then Nico gave him a look that only made Will laugh harder. After several moments of chortles and giggles Nicos hand falls from Will's hair to rest on his shoulder. The man's palm is warm and gentle.

“You know what law enforcement says about what to do in those cases?” Nico says softly, “You run and if you can't you hide and if all else fails you fight.”

“Run, hide, fight,” Will repeats, “Yeah I know that.”

Nico nods, “It's good advice.”

“Anything to add?”

“Listen,” Nico says.

Will blinks, “I am listening.”

“No I mean if all else fails you listen, and you observe and you wait…”

“Wait for what?”

“Me,” Nico says, “I'll save you.”

“Nico,” Will sighs exasperated, “Then you're in danger!”

“Which is why I need you to listen in those situations,” Nico states, “You find out what you can and you observe, look for an escape, maybe a weapon, mostly find out the enemies weakness, so that while I'm saving you…if something goes wrong you can save you.”

“Say that's how it plays out Batman,” Will says, “Then what happens to you? I couldn't just ‘save myself’ and leave you behind.”

“That's just the worst case scenario,” Nico defended, “I'm more than capable at getting us both out of a situation like that.”

“You're being cocky,” Will tells him, “Nico I just think there needs to be a real plan, If one or both of us get caught up in a situation like that.”

“Okay, Will with such little faith,” Nico grumbles, “If anything happens the Hero's of New York will save us both.”

“Even superheroes can't save everyone,” Will mutters. 

Will watches his boyfriend's face pale at the words. Nico blinks at him and something in his eyes seems deranged. His whole body is seized with tension and Will feels incredibly guilty and hasn't a clue as to why. This was a reasonable conversation to have.The run, hide or fight was the obvious answer. However it was still something they had needed to address. Honestly it was nice hearing it out loud, comforting to know they'd come to an agreement . 

However, it was unreasonable to assume the heroes of New York would save them if all else failed. It was arrogant for Nico to just assume he could save them. Nico was being unreasonable. They need to prepare for this. Have an actual plan. Like people make alongside their plans in case of a house fire, or a tornado, or an earthquake. 

Will watches as Nico crumples the instruction paper more, his hands the only part of him not overcome with a tremor. He looks scared, he looks crestfallen. As if Will had said his worst fears. Will felt bad, he felt defeated. After a long moment Will decided he should just drop the conversation.

“Nico…I…nevermind…your right we just follow what law enforcement suggests,” Will says, “And if all else fails we'll be saved-”

“No you're right,” Nico says softly, “Heroes aren't a guarantee…but you're smart Will…you can save yourself.”

Will smiles, his eyes watering slightly, “You're unbelievable you know that?” He says lightheartedly, “You just declared you'd save me and then basically said I wouldn't need saving!”

The tension in Nico's body fell away and was replaced by a determined smirk, “You're no damsel Will, I believe you capable of taking care of yourself, I'm just telling you that you won't have to while I'm around.”

The confidence and conviction makes Wills heart flutter and his cheeks flush. He laughs at the worry and anxiety falling away being replaced with an overwhelming sense of belief. In Nico…in himself. 

“Okay,” Will agrees and then he kisses Nico on the nose and giggles when the male blushes slightly.

Nico gazes into his eyes as he says, “And if for some reason we escape a situation like that and we weren't team tagging it the first thing we do is..,” they kiss again, “We find each other.”

Will nods agreeing.

Then Nico adds in a way that sounds like he's talking to himself, “I'll always find you.”

The conviction is so honest and pure it pulls at Will's heart. He immediately feels his entire body burn and instantly knows he's glowing. He can see the soft light reflecting from Nicos dark eyes. However, before Nico could smuggly comment on it Will is stepping out of his grasp slightly embarrassed.

“Thats…” Will starts unsure of how to respond, “That's…I… same…I'll find you.”

Nico chuckles slightly and spares a glance at his assembly project, “Okay so back to building this stupid table.”

“Table?”

Nico gives Will an odd look, “Yeah, what did you think it was?”

“...are your instructions upside-down?”

-

Will almost smiles fondly at the memory. Simpler times. Then he feels a surge of annoyance, mostly at himself. Nico had been obvious. Why had it taken this long to find out the male's secret?

Nico hadn't been subtle, he'd basically declared he would save Will from the bad guys like a knight in shining armor. If Will wanted to he was sure if he thought back he'd discover plenty of moments that alluded to his boyfriend's alter-ego. Nico worked for an agency that dealt with superheroes.

How dumb did Will have to be not to not connect the dots.

Secret agent wasn't that far of a jump from secretly a superhero. Think of Black Widow and Hawkeye. It wasn't like the media hadn't already declared that employees of H.B. contained the identities of New York's saviors. It was why Nico's job was so classified and dangerous. H.B Agents had a large red bullseye painted on their backs.

  ‘I'll save you. ’ Nico had said.

“Don't stop walking,” The nurse hissed.

Will had paused as the hall outside was revealed. It was empty and he wasn't sure if he should be relieved that nobody else could get caught in the conformation or be devastated that he was alone in the situation.

If Will had thought the place unsettling before It was at a tenfold now. The red emergency lights gave the place an eerie aesthetic. As if he'd just stepped foot in a horror movie. Each step forward taunting the need for a serial killer to spring forth. However the irony of it was that there was already a monster behind him. 

The nurse walked at a steady pace directing Will forward with the press of his gun's barrel. He used the weapon to direct Will when to turn or stop or walk faster. By the time they'd reached the small break room before the secured entrance Will was shaking so hard his knees knocked.

The doors thus far had opened without needing command of any sorts. No button or keycard. They swung ajar by some outside control and it was horrific.  It meant someone else was helping. It meant the nurse and Nakamura weren't the only threats at play. 

This was only made more evident by the bodies. The halls had been empty until they'd reached the door where Will had his pat down interrogation. Both guards laid still in a puddle of their own blood. Their limbs were tangled and twisted in stiff odd directions.

The bile in his mouth and on his tongue spilled out with the vomit from an empty stomach. He bent at the waist heaving through snot and tears. He'd seen his fair share of dead bodies. He was a doctor, he'd been in the Battle of Kronos. Back when he was only a child with an equivalent of a boy scout badge in first aid.

He'd watched people die. Family and friends. He'd seen his brother's bodies, open eyes, mouth gaped. He'd smelled blood, had felt it on his fingers. He wasn't weak in the stomach, he wasn't afraid of the dead. However, he couldn’t stop the sickness in his body, or the shock of looking at the dead guards.

It was different somehow. Will couldn’t explain it. Suddenly this all was real. Logically he'd known it the whole time, but the gray haze he'd settled into, the denial and thoughts of Nico and his ability to save Will, was gone.

I'll save you.

Nico had said those very words. How would he know Will was in trouble though? Surely Apollo would have contacted the authorities, he’d left with two H.B Agents. They had to have called for backup. The flashing lights of an obvious lockdown proved that some sort of protocol was in effect. 

It meant that people were aware and actively doing something to put an end to it. The nurse knows, Nakamura knows, which is why Will is a hostage. A glorified bullet proof vest. The only concern Will has is that perhaps officers would take the shot anyway.  Maybe because they believe they're quicker. They probably didn't know that the nurse would be faster.

Maybe they wouldn't care. What was one life to the many? They couldn't let these criminals just leave. Will wouldn't blame the officers. However, that didn't mean he wanted to die.

“Sacrifices had to be made,” The nurse says as if those words were written off the bodies. Like they volunteered for whatever this cause was.

“You're sadistic!” Will chokes. And his fingers begged to reach out and try to find a pulse. Try to heal the dead guards. It didn't matter that they were obviously gone. Will couldn't help the surge of needing to make sure, to fully rule out there was nothing he could do. 

His knees gave out and he reached to brush his fingers with the female guard's hand. It was then he saw the gun that must have slipped from her hand and across the floor. He had a moment of hope but it faded with the knowledge it was too far out of reach. He'd have to dive for it. The nurse was faster than him. Will would be dead instantly.

A waste .

That is what the nurse would say just as Will's heart stopped. With shaky fingers Will grabbed at the lady guard's cold stiff wrist. He sucked in a breath, his entire body shaking. There was no pulse. He wasn't surprised, however he couldn't help but be devastated. A ugly shutter cry ran through his body and out his mouth. He felt his healing press forth. There was nothing to heal, not really. The bullet wound had done what it intended. Will couldn’t see the entry wound, only blood, but he could feel it like a phantom pain. Foreign metal right in his gut. 

He blinked back tears looking from his hand around the woman's wrist to the wedding band on her stiff curled finger. Then he followed the blood. 

There .

Closer than the gun laid a smaller weapon: a taser. He had half the mind to remember he still wouldn't be quick enough to grab it. He wasn't even sure if Ethan or the nurse had even taken note of either weapon on the ground. If he reached for either they would notice them. However, immediately after the realization the world must have attempted to balance out Will's luck (It been fucking him for days.)

Ethan Nakamura entered a horrid coughing fit. He bent at the waist, choking and gasping. It sounded painful and it made Will feel bad about being the cause of it. However, the guilt was gone as he squeezed the lifeless woman's wrist tighter. The Nurse turned his attention to Nakamura and on instinct Will grabbed the small weapon and tucked it into his horrid cargo shorts. 

Then he remained still. Waiting . He tensed, expecting to be called out or possibly a bullet. Several seconds passed filled with Ethans hacks and Will's heartbeat. It felt like there was water in his ears. The need to vomit again was crawling up his throat. Time seemed to slow. The coughing stopped. Will tensed even harder, his body holding in its tremors. After several more moments with no shots fired he accepted that he'd gotten away with it.

“We don't have time for this,” the nurse spits and Will flinches, “Get up Solace.”

The nurse yanks him off the ground by his shirt collar leaving Will no choice but to release the arm of the guard. For a fleeting moment as his fingers slipped he thought perhaps there was something . A flutter of life beneath his fingertips. The woman guard's eyes remained open and unfocused. The nurse practically dragged Will away. 

Leaving the bodies alone in the puddles of blood. Will's flip-flops tracked through and he slipped. The nurse grip on his shirt collar was all that kept him from faceplating. His hands and feet were now covered in blood that wasn't his own.

“Get it together Solace,” The nurse growled, “You're making me believe you're more trouble than you're worth.”

Will was suddenly overcome with a calmness. He gained his footing, losing one of his flip-flops in the process. He was still nauseous and unbearably dizzy. However, he no longer could hear his heartbeat in his ears. Perhaps it was because he had a weapon now. Logically he knew he probably wouldn't be given a safe chance to use it but having it brought comfort. It helped him feel less helpless.

When they reached the elevator the doors were open and waiting. For a moment Will wondered if this was the only access to the lower levels. Logically he knew there had to be stairs in case of emergencies. However Will hadn’t seen any signs or doors declaring where they were ( If there were.) It would be Apollo to somehow have a building built without proper safety exits.

Will was the first in the small forsaken box. His eyes immediately caught sight of his reflection in the elevator mirror. He was pale with a sheen of sweat across his skin. His pupils were wide. A sign of a concussion or possibly from the drug. Who knew what that injection contained. He looked like he'd been through hell and they hadn't even left the subfloors. 

Will tilted forward pressing his forehead to the glass. The cold surface made him realize how hot the place seemed to be. Then he wondered if he was burning from the inside. He looked at his still blackened fingers letting His eyes travel from them up his forearms. His palms were covered in dry flaking blood but it wasn't his own. His arms were bare, no festering blisters or rashes. 

“Don't be passing out Sunshine,” The Nurse grumbled harshly, yanking Will away from the wall and slinging him around to face the closing elevator door.

 The sudden movement had the world swaying. Will blinked rapidly trying to stop the wave of vertigo that was crawling up his body. He had no doubt that if he did pass out the nurse wouldn't hesitate in pulling the trigger. He'd make sure that Will didn’t get back up.

In an attempt to gain his bearings Will stared at the elevator numbers. None were lit and the arrow signaling up or down was absent. Somebody outside was controlling the elevator. Will wasn’t naive enough to even hope it was anyone on his side. This wasn't a solo mission; Will was the only one alone here.

The ride up felt longer than it had on the way down. So Will passed the time going through what he was to expect. When the door opened again what would be on the other side? Would there be police? His father? H.B agents? Heroes? Had the Traitors taken the entire building hostage? 

Had the operation been stopped completely? How many people in the hospital were being left untreated? How many stopped surgeries? How many people were dying or already dead at this very moment? 

‘Worry about yourself for a second,’ Nico's voice hissed in his skull. Will knew his boyfriend would be furious knowing that he was worrying about those things.

Save yourself.

Protect yourself.

Think about yourself.

Will couldn’t.

As the elevator rose Will felt as the building was overcome with slight tremors. The emergency lights blinked and the fear that any moment the small box would plummeted made him pale. Muffled sounds of panic buzzed through the walls as the box came to a halt. The elevator didn't chime and the doors remained closed. Several long moments passed and Will could swear he heard a blood curdling scream. A loud popping noise sent the elevator into a sudden shaking fit. Will grabbed onto the metal handrails. Ethan followed suit but the nurse remained balanced and unaffected.

“Are those bombs?” Will croaked. He didn't get a reply.

The Nurse moved quickly. He gestures for Ethan after the swaying elevator calmed. Without verbal direction Ethan crouched onto one knee, his fingers locking together. Immediately the blonde was stepping into the other man's hands and being boosted up to the ceiling. Before Will could fully process what the Nurse was doing, a backpack was dropping to the ground. 

The sound of panic increases on the other side of the door. The elevator music began cutting in and out, something by Ed Sheeran that didn't exactly fit the mood. Will thought perhaps Highway To Hell would be more fitting or any song that would describe how royally fucked he was.

“There's clothes in there,” the nurse tells Ethan, “Change.”

The dark hair boy was quick to listen pulling out sweat pants, a black hoodie and lastly a familiar looking ball cap. Westport College .

 Will's breath hitched his eyes burning into the nurse's face. The possible lover quarrel on the bus? The same person he'd eavesdropped on this morning? The man had seemed familiar. What were the odds that this was the very same man he'd gotten off the bus with?

As Ethan slid into the ensemble of clothes from the bag Will got his answer. The irony made Will nearly hysterical. This was the very same man. As Ethan situated the ball cap in a way that hid his face the elevator doors suddenly slid open.

It's worse than what Will imagined. The main lobby is in shambles. People were rushing around seeming too preoccupied to notice the three of them. It seemed that it was all part of the plan. Another explosion rippled through the building and a statue of Elvis Presley took a nosedive. A man screamed and an officer was waving him towards the exit. 

There was law enforcement littering the entire building. Will spotted several H.B agents but none were his friends, none were Nico. Will spared a glance to the nurse and noted the gun was nowhere in sight. 

The nurse noticed Will's wandering eyes and gave him a piercing look, “They won't be fast enough to save you,” he hisses, “Not to mention I'm not going down without a fight, you might be okay to risk your life but what about there's?”

Will looked out at the sea of civilians and officers. He watched a mother clutch her child as they ran for the exit. He looked for someone familiar and he thought perhaps he could see a glimpse of pink hair in the crowd. 

Will felt his blood boil and because he had no self preservation he opened his mouth, “This is a hospital, these are innocent people! Women, and children, people who are sick and already hurt! How could-”

Another explosion ripped through the building. This time it was close enough that Will could actually see the debris fly. Ethan let out a wet cough and the nurse shoved Will towards the exit. The air was filled with rubble dust and glass crunched under his feet.

 Will thought that he could maybe slip into the rush of the exiting crowd and possibly make a run for it. However, just as the thought crossed his mind the Nurse was grabbing the back of his shirt. As he felt his shirt tighten in the other man's fist he had a desire to make skin contact. Maybe he could do what he did to Ethan to this man. Weaken him so that Will could escape.

Then he felt sick himself. Whatever had been done to him was wrong and he shouldn't encourage the corruption. It was wrong. He felt wrong . If he let himself think of the strange energy in his body he'd panic.  He didn't have time to break down. 

The sirens and screams were making his head spin. He watched as EMTs  rushed around treating the injured. He could see the police directing people far away from the building past barricades back into crowds of outlookers with their phones out. None of them mattered as Will's eyes spotted a familiar figure. A man dressed in horrible dark blue spandex. 

Will's heart surged in his throat. 

Neptune.

Percy Jackson.

There the man stood hands outstretched helping the firefighter douse the growing flames of the hospital's north wing. Will was almost close enough to see the man's blue eyes. He could laugh because if Percy was here then Nico couldn't be far behind right?

Will shifted his body in the superheroes direction. His mouth opened to call out….

The nurse tensed ever so slightly.

‘You might be okay to risk your life but what about theirs?’

The words ring in his head and he can hear Nico's voice right underneath it.

‘I'll save you.’

Will let his eyes flicker attempting to spot a cloaked man with dark eyes. However, if Nico was there he was extremely well hidden. For all it seemed Percy was the only superhero around. 

Will let his mouth fall closed and let the fight in his shoulders sag. Despite every bone in his body begging him to call for help he couldn't. The nurse was quick, how many bullets could the man fire before the police or Percy was able to stop him?

How many people would die or be hurt? 

The nurse would most definitely take Will down with him. So what was the point? Sure, calling for help would probably get rid of his two captors. However, how many in the current crowd were part of this skeem? Someone with the ability to get access to the most secured part of the facility. Enough people to place and detonate bombs.

Will lets the nurse pull him away and back into the evacuating crowd. The hope in his chest dies a little more with each step away from Percy Jackson. They walk briskly with intention. Nobody tried to stop them but they were hardly distinguishable from the crowd. If Will's bloody clothes and bare feet were noted it appeared as if he was with a medical professional. Will did his best to avoid eye contact, in fear that something on his face may show. The last thing he wanted was to bring anyone else into the fight.

They were gonna get away, right under law enforcement's nose, and pass the eyes of a superhero. A walk in the fucking park, that's what this was. If Will wasn’t in such shock he might have sobbed. Grave cut into his feet and he wasn't sure when he'd lost his other flip-flop. The universe hated him. He'd broken too many mirrors, and didn't throw enough salt over his shoulder. He didn't shake enough hands or kiss enough babies. And for gods sakes…he hadn't told Nico ‘I love you’ enough.

Will is knocked from thought as an officer yells, “Keep your hands above your head!” 

Will immediately listened, raising his stained fingers high. He felt the grip on his shirt disappear as the nurse followed suit.The crowd continued to move, getting more dense the farther from. Luck . Completely in Will's favor happened in a matter of seconds. A man steps between Will and the nurse, then a woman followed by several more stranger bodies. It's enough people to separate him from his captors. By complete accident Will gets lost in the crowd.

‘You can save yourself.’ Nico had said.

 Being taller than a majority of the crowd means Will sees the cap on Ethan Nakamura's head drift farther away from him. He couldn't seem to spot the blonde hair of the nurse but he didn't linger long enough to try and locate the man. Instead Will follows the wave of the crowd trying his best to stay hunched and hidden. He walks slowly hoping to fall back enough to further lose the men.  Blood rushed in his ears as a new wave of adrenaline pulsed through his veins. Holy shit, holy shit! He'd escaped. Or atleast was escaping . 

Run, hide, run, run, run.

When Will is confident he’s completely lost to them, he begins to shove through the waves of panicked people. He pushes forward, knocking limbs and sharing breaths. At one point an officer is close enough to touch but Will is too afraid to stop. To his relief there's no gunshots. The nurse hadn't started shooting wildly upon losing Will. 

Maybe they took another hostage?

The guilt was strong. Scared for the possibility of another poor soul with their life in the hands of two criminals .

Or they're looking for you.

“Hey! If you're injured please make you way to the far left where-”

Will didn’t need to hear the rest as he follows a portion of the splitting crowd. His father was bound to be over that way. Apollo would know what to do and if not then the H.B Agents would surely be close by. They'd understand the situation more than anyone else. They were the reason Will was here to begin with… at least Apollo was. 

They'd know what to do.

Will repeated the thought as he’s ushered towards the makeshift hospital. The smell of alcohol wipes and disinfectant filled the area almost masking the scent of blood and sickness. Ambulance arrived and dispatched, bringing additional aid as well as transferring patients away. There are helicopters that seem to be airlifting the extreme cases, sending harsh wind and pebbles flying even from a good distance away.

Will finds Pranjal as the man is splinting a broken leg. When he glances up from his work to meet Will's eye he seems surprised. He pauses in his binding as Will gets close enough to hear him speak.

“The subfloor is under lock down, how are you here?”

“No time, where is my dad?” Will demands because his heart is racing and he feels like almost all the sand is at the bottom of an hourglass.

Pranjal recognizes the urgency in Will's voice and is immediately pointing towards a hazardly sprung together white tent. It is so blindingly obvious like the yellow markings in a video game. Without hesitating Will begans rushing in that direction. He pushes through clusters of people and around gurneys. He bumps into a male nurse and his heart nearly stops until he sees the guy's eyes are brown.

“Sir you're bleeding-” the nurse says.

“It's not mine,” Will blurts and continues his journey. It's not his, it's Ethans and the poor guards.

Will gets so close he can hear the sound of Apollo's loud theatrical voice, even over the chaos and sirens. He's overwhelmed with the sensation similar to that of too much caffeine. He's so close . He's safe, he's escaped, he’s-

Then there's a hand grabbing him and yanking him hard into the shadows between two armored vehicles. He manages a scream but it's drowned in the noise of many others as another explosion sounds from the Hospital. His hands go for the taser but he stops as soon as he sees who has him.

“William,” Octavian says and Will can only gape, because the boy was the last he thought he'd see.

“Otto?” Will breathes and he's shaking so hard it rattles his brain, “What?...I… dad… I need…”

Octavian shakes his head violently, “No, listen! You have to follow me! Okay! You have too!”

The hair on Will's arms stand on end. He feels the flare of fire in his veins and for a brief moment he is somewhere else. He is in a room and Reyna is there. Her eyes looked at him from across a metal table. His wrists are in cuffs and there's still blood under his nails but the black is gone. She looks almost sympathetic as she opens her mouth-

“William please!” Octavian's voice tore him back.

Will blinked and for a second he thought he caught his own glowing eyes in the reflective surface of one of the vehicles. Octavian grip tightened on Will's wrist. He seems frightened and all other coherent thoughts seemed to fall away. His brother is in trouble. 

“What…why?” Will demand, “Are you okay? Why are you here?”

Octavian takes Will's questioning as consent to begin pulling him along. Will lets him, his confusion and shock making him pliable. The ground rumbles below their feet and the sky above takes on a shade of gray. The wind picks up and lightning crackles just as a figure descends from the sky landing just out of Will's line of sight. 

A voice in his head that sounds suspiciously like Percy Jackson mutters, ‘Show off’ . 

Jason Grace was here, which meant Nico would definitely be. The knowledge had Will routing his feet in place but he was shocked to find that Octavian had managed to drag him all the way across the closed off street and into another crowd gathering around yellow caution tape. It was a shock that Will hadn't even noticed too busy looking into the shadows, because that's where The Ghost King usually lurked.

Upon stopping Octavian whipped around to glare, “William! Come on, I don't have time for this!”

Will frowns, “You don't hav- fuck that, what the fuck I-I don't have…what are you…why am I…I have to find Nico!”

Octavian doesn't let go of Wills wrist, “William…Will please! Just follow me-”

The look in his eyes reminds Will of something. Of the times Octavian would wave goodbyes to his mother as she dumped him with Naomi. A look of desperation, a look of pleading. One that said don't go and don't come back all at once. It didn't fit this confrontation. It was sticking out like a sore thumb.

Even so Will nodded slowly, “Okay.” And he was being led again.

Octavian was quick despite the limp in his step. It reminded Will that he'd confined his brother to bed rest just yesterday. Instead of following orders…Octavian was here. And something was so very wrong.

“Otto,” Will tries, “What's going on?”

Octavian ignores him, “Do you have your phone?”

Will blinks confused, “No?” then, “Do you have yours? I really need to call-”

Nico, he means to say but the name dies in his throat as Octavian pulls him to a familiar woman standing next to a strategically parked car. Despite the chaos she didn't look even the slightest bit disheveled. She was just as she'd been hours ago. Calm, collected, and annoyed.

“Ms.Beauregard,” Will sputters as he and Octavian stop before her, “I…Nakamura-”

“I'm aware,” she interjects, “Dr. Solace I'm afraid we're in a bit of a rush, I've been instructed to get you to safety as quickly as possible.”

“By… by who?” Will is suddenly so overwhelmed. Was the who…Nico? Was it Apollo? 

Neither made sense. Pranjal had been surprised to see him. From context clues Will had figured everyone thought him still down in the ( HSCU). With Nakamura and the guards… the dead guards. Something was wrong. How could Ms. Beauregard know anything? Will hadn’t the chance to fully process the event himself and he hadn't had the chance to tell anyone.

Will took a step back and Octavian clutched his wrist harder. It was then Will noticed something. His brother was wearing gloves…surgical gloves, blue and sterile… why?

Annabeth's voice whispers , ‘As a precaution.’

A precaution for what? Then Will remembers the darkness on his fingers and Ethans wet coughs. Octavian couldn't possibly know about that. He hadn't been there, he hadn't witnessed it. He shouldn't know.

“Octavian,” Will says slowly. His brother doesn't look at him but Will can see the sorry so prominent that his heart is stopping.

He's hit with an overwhelming sense of dread. A sense of heartbreaking betrayal.

Will is stupid.

You can save yourself.

But he can't.

I'll save you

Those words fall into the rest of the lies Will’s acquired since yesterday. The lies Nico told to hide the secrets hidden away with a ring he would never wear. The thought sinks in just as a voice behind him speaks.

“There you are sunshine.”

And it's not Nico who says them.

Chapter Text

Will is concussed. 

He acknowledges that before factoring in anything else. He'd taken a blow, possibly more than one. He wasn't sure what. A heavy object, a hilt of a gun, a rebar, a hardcover copy of Moby-Dick? There was no knowing exactly what took him out the first time…or the second…and so on. Will doesn't remember much after the first blow. He has fleeting memories of waking in an unfamiliar vehicle. He remembers seeing glimpse of leather seats, and hearing snags of conversation. Lone words out of context such as ‘ Kill’ and ‘ We’ and ‘ Madonna .’ Nothing that could craft a picture or any resemblance of where Will was and how long he'd been there and not even an ounce of why.

As Will gains consciousness he feels an overwhelming wave of nausea. His mouth tastes of blood and his tongue is dry and heavy. Worst of all is the ache in his limbs. If he didn't know any better he'd say he'd been hit by a bus. However, that would be his ‘sense of dramatics’ gene talking. 

When he blinks open his eyes he only manages to hold them for several seconds before he's scrunching them closed. The overhead lights are unbearably bright. They are a fluorescent white , very unlike an abandoned warehouse or creepy cellar in the woods. Not the villain lairs in movies with eerie, poorly lit rooms 

Will wants to look more, to take in his surroundings, to try and piece together where he is.  However after several more failed attempts at opening his eyes he decides to leave them shut. Instead he turns his focus to his limbs. In a slow succession he feels his legs before his toes and arms before his fingers. He tries to move his hands but finds they are secured tightly behind his back.

A familiar surge of panic rushes in his chest. He pulls against his bindings and feels the metal of the handcuffs bite into his skin. His breathing begins picking up and he tries pulling air through his nose to calm himself but finds it's clogged. Will feels like he's suffocating. His skull is fully pounding, heavy tightness squeezing and building pressure behind his ears. There is a soft ringing in them but he can still make out a steady hum of voices and movement.

He's helpless . 

He knows that with certainty. He can feel the despair and bitter disappointment that he's let this happen. Let himself fall pray. He'd been too weak, too slow… Not like Nico . 

The worst of all was that Will hadn't gone down without a fight… He really hadn't

But he still went down .

It had all happened in quick succession. He can still feel the phantom adrenaline rush. He remembers the nurse had moved to grab him and Will had met the man with the sickening crackle of electricity. It was the element of surprise that had given Will the upper hand for a short moment. 

As the taser took the nurse to his knees, Will had managed to yank free of Octavian's hold. He'd been ready to run and get as far away as possible. His immediate objective was to find Nico. However it was a lost cause. Perhaps it was luck on his attackers parts or it was simply because Will was still outnumbered three to one.

 He hadn't even managed two steps before he was being struck hard from behind. Will wasn't sure who took him out. He didn't know if it was Ms. Beauregard, or Ethan, or even his brother. All he knew was it hadn't been the nurse, because as Will had crumpled to the ground the last he saw was said man's murderous expression just a breath away. Then like a dramatic movie cliché everything went dark.

It's almost funny. Probably ironic. 

Here he was in the hands of villains, when just yesterday he'd learned his boyfriend was a hero. If Will didn't know any better he'd think it was all some prank. Like any second now Leo would appear with a ‘got ‘em!’ And they'd laugh, because it was hysterical.

The whole thing is ludicrous!

His phone had woken him up this morning. The phone he conveniently didn't have now. All because Apollo had conveniently needed  Wills talents. Talents that had been exploited. Will had been drugged…he'd been held at gunpoint. He'd been kidnapped. He'd been tricked, He'd been betrayed.

Betrayed .

Octavian…had betrayed him.

Octavian…

Otto..

His brother…

Despite his current predicament, Will finds that to be the hardest to accept. Apollo getting him into this mess wasn't a surprise, Supervillians taking him hostage? Could happen to anyone! But Octavian? His own brother. Will knows it to be true, had witnessed it…but his heart is in denial. 

The Nico and Cecil voices in his head both declare that they are not surprised, but Will is . This is his brother . The boy he watched Gossip Girls with and delivered dinner to. The one at holidays and family get togethers who clung to Will like a lifeline. The first to volunteer in helping Naomi clean up. The one who brought everyone practical gifts for holidays and  birthdays like socks and toothpaste. They were brothers , they were friends. Will stood up for Octavian, against Nico, against Cecil, even against their shared siblings. 

‘Why are you surprised, I've told you not to trust him! He's a liar! ’ the Nico in his skull hisses.

‘So are you, ’ Will shoots back and it's crazy to be having an argument with his inner monologue Boyfriend. Not to mention it's funny how even internally Nico and him are constantly fighting… However, it is true. Nico had been doing nothing but lying to Will. Octavian hadn't actually lied… he miss lead Will, played on his trust but the boy hadn't exactly lied to get Will into this situation.

No.

His brother had simply demanded Will follow. And Will had. He had because never before had he a reason not to. Everyone else had their suspicions, and reasons, and experiences but not Will Solace. Not till now . Octavian had betrayed Will… but he hadn't spoken a lie.

It was all too much.

Hardly a day before Octavian had distracted Will with a pointless movie, let him fall asleep on his couch and even tucked him in. How was that boy the same one who had led Will back into the hands of his captors? The more important question though was why?

Why had this occurred? Why Will?

It was just more unanswered questions on his ever growing list.

‘ The why's not important,’ Nico's voice tells him, ‘besides you're not gonna get answers to anything by just lying there.’

Will takes in a sharp breath in attempts to ground himself. He can hear distant chatter but no distinct words. He can hear a humming of music and the squeaks of shoes on hard flooring. However, it all seems far away, possibly from another room. He might just be alone.

At the thought, he slowly lets his eyes flutter open. The light still hurts but seems to slowly becoming less painful along with pounding in his skull. It still takes several moments for him to adjust but eventually things fall into focus. Will lets the room wash over him. He takes note of the fancy glass coffee table in his direct line of sight. It is completely clean with only a lone glass vase of flowers. He recognizes the dying plant: aconites. Will didn’t know much about plants outside of those used for healing and in some cases poison. 

 ‘ Why would someone have wolfsbane on their table?’ Lou Ellen questions in his skull. 

‘Werewolves!’ Cecil answers. 

“Please,” Will said hushed, “I…I just wanna go home .”

She gives him a pitying look. For a fleeting moment Will swears he sees guilt. He has this uneasy feeling as if he's trying to see something that's not there. Like if she truly feels bad it suddenly makes her more relatable ? Human ? Will isn't sure but he's struggling to look at her like an enemy? a threat . She is so small and unassuming however, Will knows better. His captors wouldn't have left a little girl watching him if she wasn't at least somewhat capable. 

“I heard you're a doctor,” she says softly.

Will nods despite it not quite being an inquiry. The girl gives him a slight up and down glance before sighing. She raises a steady hand to rap against the closed door. The knocking sounds so loud in Will's skull. Knuckles against wood. He can't stop the panic from crushing his insides.

“It's gonna be okay Will Solace,” She tells him, “Just don't be an idiot.”

‘You're smart Will.’

“How do you know my name?” Will demands.

The young girl gives him an exasperated sigh. As if it's a stupid question…though perhaps it is. Out of all the ones he should have been asking? Like how and why and what the fuck ?

“You're all over the news…every channel,” she tells him, “Iris message even sent out a notification like some Amber Alert…guess you got people in high places who care about you.”

Apollo, his father…the man was at least partially responsible for Will's situation. Was it really a surprise that he'd caused such a fuss? If Will knew is father at all, the man would have called in help from outside countries, not So much for Will's sake but for the spectacle. ‘All publicity is good publicity,’ Apollo would say. That being said, Will had been kidnapped by supervillain Kronos’s ex-lankies. Of course he is newsworthy.

The girl suddenly opens the door and Will tenses, not sure who (or even what) to expect. To his surprise it's no more than a young teenage boy. He seems to have been standing guard but it doesn't seem like he's taking it seriously. His eyes are trained solemnly on his phone and he barely pulls out an earbud to hear what the little girl whispers to him. The teen doesn't even look up, he simply nods slightly before stalking off. 

The girl doesn't bother closing the door, instead she waits by it, her eyes flickering around the room. She avoids looking at Will and he isn't sure what to make of that. He doesn't even know if it is something to be concerned about. 

He opens his mouth to speak but he hasn't an idea what he planned to say. Whatever it was, it’s cut off by approaching footsteps. He isn't sure if he's relieved or not when Octavian appears. On one hand it's his brother , he knows him but on the other Octavian’s the reason he's in this situation.

“William,” Octavian says softly. The way he says it is so familiar and soft that Will can't help but flinch. They stare at each other for several long moments. Will can hide the hurt in his face, and he couldn't stop the betrayal he was feeling. Not that he needs too, he's entitled to the emotion. Octavian had thrown him to the wolf's!

“Why?” He finds himself choking out and it's Octavian's turn to flinch. The air is thick with tension and the young girl isn't looking at either of them directly.

“Meg,” Octavian says suddenly, “Can you give us a moment?”

The girl Meg nods slightly “Yeah I'll knock when the others arrive.”

She then leaves, closing the door softly behind her. The room seems to grow cold in her absence and Will can't help but shiver. His arms are going numb from their weird angle and he would give anything to scratch his nose right now. He's almost desperate enough to ask his brother to do it for him.

A slight chuckle escapes him at the mental image the thought gives him. It's a sign that Will is seriously starting to lose it. If he wasn't laughing it seems like he was crying. Even the voice in his head where louder and almost real. He was starting to feel like a hormonal teenager all over again. Something was wrong with him. His mind didn't feel like his own. His body felt weird, as if he were wearing someone else's skin.

Wasn't that just lovely imagery?

‘Focus!’ Nico snaps. Will is so startled by the loudness of his own thoughts that he jumps. Thankfully that seems to put him back on track. He needs to get out of here, he needs more information. However, he's not sure how he's gonna get either of those things. He can't fight his way out…can he?

They had done something to him…made him…stronger?

‘Corrupted,’ Nico whispers and the word sends a painful stab to his heart. The voice wasn't wrong though. Will is. How else can it be described? 

Even so Will had been given an ability. But could he actually fight his way out by giving everyone influenza? It's not like a sickness stopped the bullet of a gun. 

‘Maybe this is your chance?’ Nico offers, ‘It's only Octavian right now…you could take him down easily. He's always been weak.’

Will is suddenly reminded of the boy's injuries. Even now Octavian was shifting all his weight to his one leg.

‘So he'll be even easier to beat!’ 

However Will can't help the fleeting thought that perhaps Octavian is just as much a victim as he is.

‘No! There you go again trying to make excuses for that boy!’ Nico hisses, ‘He's the reason you're in this situation!’

Even if that was right, Will couldn’t do anything! He was bound and Octavian hadn't dared to move from his spot by the door. 

‘He’s keeping his distance,’ Lou Ellen's voice comments, ‘Even tied up…you scare him.’

“William…I know that you're confused and frightened and have no reason to listen to me but…I need you to just hear me out.”

“Hear you out?!” Will scoffs bewildered, “You…you have me tied up in your fucking stepdads tower like some bad rendition of Rapunzel!”

Octavian frowns, meeting Will's eyes fleetingly, “The ropes are just a precaution.” 

“Precaution!” Will sputters, “I…what the fuck Otto! I..Ha! You know what I'm listening but I can't fathom what is it that you could possibly tell me that would make any of this make fucking sense?!”

“I…,” Octavian starts, then he pauses his eyes, gaining an odd gleam to them, “I didn't think it was talking about you…”

“What was talking about me?”

“The prophecy!’ Octavian says, “The Son of the Sun!” 

“What?”

Suddenly Octavian is moving forward and Will's heart leaps in his chest. Alarm bells are ringing and the fire that had been burning under Will's skin since ‘ The Needle’ ignites. Whatever reason Octavian had to keep distance wasn't of concern anymore. Suddenly all caution was out the window and Octavian was taking residency on the horrid white couch. Their sides were almost touching as the boy leaned in. Octavian spoke as if they were talking about their favorite book series. His voice rang with an ‘ awe’.

“The future is a hard thing to interpret, how it presents itself to those who can see it is even more complex..  Will…I thought Apollo was the child of the sun…but he's the sun… it makes sense.”

Will couldn’t disagree more. If he didn't know any better he'd say Octavian was speaking a completely different language. Will was supposedly ‘ smart’ but he wasn't following.

“Otto, I don't know what you're talking about!” Will cries, “What the fuck does the sun have to do with anything?!”

“Its symbolism William!”

“Symbolism!” Will repeats, “You're not doing a very good job at explaining anything!”

Octavian gives an exasperated sigh, “William..it wasn't supposed to be you! When Luke changed plans and gave you the serum I thought…well it doesn't matter because….because you cured Ethan.”

“I gave him bronchitis!” Will exclaims, “And I shouldn't be able to do that! And the only reason I could was because…because of whatever you let them do to me!”

“Will you need to understand all of that was supposed to happen, need to happen !” Octavian explains, “I was given a prophecy, and it was about you! You cured the serum's corruption, with the serum itself and you're still alive!”

“What?!”

“Exactly! It shouldn't be possible with the dose you were given, your body should have burned itself up hours ago,” Octavian says, “See the whole reason I believed the Prophecy was about Apollo was because who else with healing abilities could it be? He's the strongest one out there or at least he was…”

Will could hardly breath, “You… you let them inject me fully expecting me to die?!”

Octavian raised his hand to scratch the back of his neck. He appears almost sheepish, “Like I said It wasn't supposed to be you but…well Apollo is a hard man to get alone…so-”

“So! I was what?” Will growls, “Convenient?”

“Ethan was dying-” Octavian starts

“And I made the call,” a voice said from the door. Will recognized it immediately. It would be hard to forget that voice. It made Will sick with the ever present distant echo of the nickname Sunshine . No longer in Nico's voice, no longer a comfort or form of endearment. The Nurse .

Octavian tensed and Will couldn’t help the wounded animal sound that crawled up his throat. They had been so engrossed in their conversation they hadn't heard Meg's warning knock. They hadn't heard the grand entrance of the nurse and Ethan Nakamura.

“You see Sunshine , you just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” the nurse explains, “In fact what happened today wasn't supposed to happen at all.”

“Luke I know you're upset but it all worked out,” Ethan says suddenly.

“Shut up, you're stupidity almost got yourself killed!” The nurse ‘Luke’ grumbled, his eyes focused on Octavian, “And I didn't forget your part in this stunt, you're lucky all I gave you was a few bruises.”

Octavian stood putting distance between himself and Will once more. Ethan lets out a loud spew of coughs as Meg slowly slips away, closing the door. The sudden movement of everyone had Will's head spinning. He suddenly feels a wave of vertigo.

“I…I don't know what this prophecy is spewing…I don't know what any of you are wanting,” Will squeaks, “but it's not me! I don't have it! So please… I just…I wanna go home!”

Luke gives him an exasperated sigh, as if Will was a child asking for cookies before dinner. As if he was living fantasy because In what world would Will simply be allowed to go home? It's not that easy and Will knows this. He knows that even if home was a possibility…it wasn't a high probability. He knows begging is futile, but he can't help it. 

Luke opens his mouth to respond to Will's request. Whatever he planned to say is lost by Octavian’s sudden intersections. 

 “He's important, people are already looking for him,” Octavian states as if he were reminding someone of an appointment, “Heroes are looking for him.”

Heroes.

 Nico.

‘I'll save you.’

Will almost laughs. 

“He's all over the news…he's Apollo's son after all, not to mention we basically bombed a hospital kidnapping him so of course heroes are involved, ” It was Ethan who spoke. He sounds hoarse, a sign of a sore throat, probably from coughing.

“It's more than that,” Octavian says, “His boyfriend is Nico di Angelo .”

The name was spoken with such vile that if Will didn’t know better, he'd have thought Nico was the bad guy. Then again the villain of a story is determined by who's telling it. This is also the first time Will has heard Octavian acknowledge that Nico was in fact Will's boyfriend .

“Yeah, I'm well aware,” Luke says.

“Then you know who Nico's father is,” Octavian chided, “They'll find him eventually.”

“You know you're really not helping your ‘don't kill him’ argument from earlier,” Luke grumbles, “That being said, as much as I don't believe your prophecy bullshit, it seems you guessed right.”

Kill him…kill him… kill him …Oh gods. Will is struggling to breath again. The pain in his skull is raging once more and his eyes are becoming hard to keep open. 

“It wasn't a guess,” Octavian mutters bitterly. However, the words are so quiet that Will believes he's the only one to hear them.

“Whatever it was…he healed me,” Ethan says and he meets Will's eyes, “that's gotta mean something.”

Luke seems to consider this. His eyes are cold and harsh making the scar on his face even more horrid. Now that he's without the mask Will is finally able to get a good look at him. The man's got a sharp nose and a defined jawline and the word ‘attractive’ is definitely written somewhere.  With Luke's features, blonde hair and blue eyes he could almost be mistaken to be related to Will and Octavian. There was a possibility he was…Apollo was sort of a hoe. 

“He's a security risk,” Luke says, “He's got no reason to pledge loyalty, we were banking on Apollo's disdain for his father, and like you said important people are looking for him and we've got enough of them on our plate already… It will be easier to get rid of him now.”

“And what? Let them find the body?” Ethan scoffed, “that just changes the reason for them tracking us down! Not to mention Apollo won't exactly take his son's place as our  miracle healer or whatever if we murder his prodigy!”

Luke frowns, “You seen what he's capable of!”

“Exactly! Which is all the more reason to keep him around!” Ethan insisted.

“He's dangerous and a liability, we can't trust whether he'll cure the serum or if he'll introduce the black plague!”

“Just let me talk to him! I can convince him of our cause!” Octavian interjects, “Once I explain everything he'll be on our side!”

“He's-” Luke starts.

“Right here!” Will snaps, “Like the whole time…I've been sitting here the whole time and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't discuss killing me as if I wasn't!”

Luke tilts his head in a manner that might be considered cute. He's watching Will like one might watch paint dry or grass grow ‘ bored and completely over it.’ In all honesty Will was also kind of ‘ over it.’ The whole time they'd been talking he'd been having a mental breakdown. They were debating on whether to kill him or not. Will's mind was racing and his face was sticky with tears and snot.

“I'd really don't wanna kill you Sunshine,” Luke says, “that would be a waste.”

Will's tongue feels heavy in his mouth and he hasn't a single idea how to respond. He's not even sure he's supposed to. Will's not sure how long the room stays quiet. However, it's long enough to make everyone other than Luke shift uncomfortably. They're all waiting for someone to break…for Luke to make a call… for Will to start screaming…for someone to-

“Okay,” Luke says, his eyes leaving Will's to glare at Octavian, “Say you're magic words, guilt trip him to our side.”

Luke then looks back to Will, his eyes gleaming. It's almost the same look that Octavian had earlier. However, there's something more deranged about Luke's. 

“It won't take long,” Octavian assures, “We'll meet you downstairs?”

Luke gives a slight nod before signaling Ethan to follow. Will watches the two make their exit. When the door finally shuts behind them Will lets out a strangled gasp that rattles his ribcage. There was a chance he was going to die here. Possibly in this room, with the ugly carpet and the ruined couch. Who would find his body? Who would be forced to identify his corpse?

His mama?

Nico?

He could see their faces. His mother, a silent crier. Her sobs shaking her body as she clenches the fabric around her heart. Her blue eyes blew wide and wet as she averted her gaze, in an attempt to not have that be how she remembered Will.  His boyfriend, so used to loss…with a lifeless look to his eyes, angry at himself, lost in grief and rage. Blaming himself…or perhaps blaming Will for being so…

Useless?

Selfish?

Weak?

Will didn’t want to die.

“William,” Octavian starts, “We're not bad people.”

Will can remember those exact words from Ethan. Words that were meaningless after all he'd witnessed. They'd bombed a hospital. They were people who stood behind Kronos.

…and even now continued to do his bidding.

“You expect me to agree? To just pledge legions to a group responsible for The Battle of Manhattan? Responsible for the deaths of hundreds? Michael and Lee included!” Will chokes, “Our brothers!”

“Half brothers,” Octavian corrects, “and they died playing ‘hero’, fighting for the real enemy, the people profiting from our suffering, Olympus.”

“So that just makes it okay?” Will hisses, “Meaningless slaughter!”

“Sacrifices have to be made for change Will,” Octavian persists.

“Don't stand there and pretend to be righteous!” Will yells, “Don't pretend that this group isn't just trying to take over Olympus. That's what you're trying to do! Not trying to stop their corruption but instead become it! It's not about ending their dealings with the government but taking over as the highest bidder.”

“You're wrong.”

“Am I?” Will scoffs, “I think you're aware that the whole ‘fighting for change’ excuse is just a load of bullshit! You can't convince me to agree to your movement , I think you know that.”

Octavian doesn't look at Will, instead he focuses his eyes at something over Will's shoulder. It takes everything he has not to follow the boy's gaze.

‘Never take his eyes off his enemy’ Nico’s voice tells him.

Was Octavian that? Will’s enemy ? 

“I know,” Octavian says suddenly, “I know there's nothing I can say that could make you a willing participant, but I'm okay if you're disinclined.”

The words have something like spiders crawl across his flesh, “What do you mean?”

“How do you think this is gonna go? You refuse and Luke's gonna just let you go home?” Octavian snaps.

“I'm not stupid I know how this ends,” Will cries. 

Of course he knows despite how in denial his heart is. He wants to believe that Nico would save him. He wants to have faith that he'll see his boyfriend again. He doesn't bother to hold back his tears. He lets them fall, drenching his face and falling into his lap. 

“It ends with you dead,” Octavian says simply.

“I told you I already know!” It's more of a scream than legible words. Will's entire body is trembling again, and the sickly green glow is back, “What do you expect me to do? Pledge loyalty to your crazy cult? Hurt innocent people for a cause I don't believe in just to save my own life?”

“Yes! I'm sorry William but…yes!” Octavian sighs, “You're being stubborn! Your life's on the line, and… look Will I can't have you die, whether you believe it or not the prophecy is about you…you're a part of this now and I can't have you ducking out.”

Will couldn’t help but start violently laughing, “My life's isn't enough to convince me, what exactly-”

“Nico Di Angelo,” Octavian's voice is icy and Will freezes for a second as a wave of hope fills him. He thinks for a moment that his boyfriend is here but it becomes apparent that's not the case, “you love him perhaps more than anything...though I don't understand why.”

Will's blood runs cold and he feels a swell of sickness deep inside his veins, “Are…are you threatening to…”

“I never liked him… but he made you happy… well he did, “ The boy scoffed, “Do you recall when I mentioned his strange nightly departures?”

Will didn’t make any indication that he remembered. Although of course he did. The comment was something he'd brought up at the Italian diner with his friends. It was one of the main things that had him questioning Nico and his relationship. 

“Well the truth is I never actually saw him leave or return at least not as often as I implied,” Octavian continues, “but I did know Nico was in fact leaving quite a lot at night but he’s much too careful to be found out by something so trivial… I simply said what I said so you'd go looking and then I waited for you to figure it out.”

Will frowned, “I don't know what you're implying .”

That is a lie.

Will is smart, he could see where this was going from a mile away. How could he not? Will is smart but so is Octavian. Not in the same way of course. Octavian's type was almost poetic and perhaps a bit unsettling. The male knew things and he knew them in great detail. Facts that were trivial to anyone who'd listen to them. He was observed, and didn't often look at the picture the puzzle made, as if he put it together with the colorful side down.

Will wasn’t sure how to explain his type of smart but whatever it is, it's nothing compared to Octavian. Of course the boy had it figured out. The world was too biased against Will for it to be any other way. Even so Will Solace did his best to play stupid.

“Nico has nothing to do with any of this,” Will says, “An threatening his life is not gonna make me cave!”

“Are you sure about that?” Octavian gives him an unimpressed look, “You're a terrible liar Will…but I wasn't threatening his life…at least not directly, though I will admit they'll be a lot more gunning for him when the truths out there.”

Will bites his tongue. His mouth already tastes of bile and blood but he's sure he's breaking into the muscle. He pulls on his binds so hard that he's starting to lose circulation. 

“I don't know what truth you're referring to,” Will spats. 

Octavian hums thoughtfully, “Let's cut to the chase, Luke is impatient, and we shouldn't keep him waiting…I know your boyfriend's secret…and it would be a shame if certain people were to learn it…don't you think?”

Will's stomach completely drops. He saw it coming but the confirmation still sends him spiraling. The words make him sick. Will had been bluffing, and Octavian knew it. Nico's life was more important than any moral Will had. Hadn't he gone over that before? He'd die, burn cities, basically every cliché dark romance book he could think of.

“I don't need you to confirm it or anything,” Octavian says, “It's all over your face.”

“Fuck you!” Will snaps and he doesn't know how but he's on his feet.

 His movement causes his brother to jump back. There's a look of fear on Octavian's face and it makes an foreign wave of satisfaction rush through Will. However, it's short lived. The world tilts sideways and Will is toppling, his entire body crumbled to the ground. The force of impact causes the vase of aconites to tip, sending streams of water across the table and then onto the ugly rug.

Will lets himself completely lay back. His eyes staring vancately up. He must be running a fever now, he’s freezing. He can feel his tears run into his ears at this angle.

“What would Nico do in your shoes Will?” Octavian demands.

 Will doesn't answer. He doesn't need to.

Chapter Text

Nico is desperate.

Will is numb.

Perhaps it's all the threats or maybe it's the continual voices in his skull. All he knows is he hasn't had much time to feel. Not that he seems able to express anything, not fear or resentment. It's as if his body and mind have cut him off. He was apathetic, he was empty. It's that bit that truly saves him. The fact he hasn't the capacity to panic or cry is how he manages to stand before his captors and speak. That being said he thinks he's been convincing thus far.

Convincing.

Besides for Luke's initial demand of, “Convince me,” he hadn't said anything else nor did he indicate whether Will was being successful or not. He simply watched with critical eyes as Will declared his allegiance. Despite Will's confidence that he was coming across genuine, he would have like even the slightest bit of confirmation. 

Normally Will was a terrible liar but he wasn't exactly lying. He was pledging his loyalty not because he believed in this cause   but because he didn't have any options. He had to protect Nico, he had to keep their friends safe. So he was honest when he said he was ‘ in’ despite not fully knowing what he was getting ‘ into .’

Will only knew that he was being blackmailed to play the sun or son of a stupid prophecy simply because he didn't die after being injected by a power altering cocktail. It was crazy and stupid. There were more questions than answers and he hadn't an ounce of light in the dark that he'd been left. All he could do was tread lightly and hope he wouldn't be executed or something.

Will didn’t want to die…however he was beginning to believe that perhaps Octavian's blackmail wasn't gonna be enough to force him to play along. Especially if he was finally allowed out of this place. How was he expected to look Nico in the face and not blurt out everything? Will is usually a terrible liar. Everyone reminded him of this on a regular basis. He wasn't even allowed to help plan surprise birthday parties. Not because he couldn't keep his mouth shut but because of the possibility he'd have to make an excuse or answer an incriminating question such as ‘What's in the bag Will?’ to which he ultimately ends up spilling to the person (Leo) that it's in fact decorations, because he couldn't think of a better response than ‘what bag?’ To put it simply, Leo's 21st surprise birthday party had no longer been a surprise.

It had been killing Will, keeping his knowledge of Nicos true occupation from said person. He'd hardly known about it for more than a day and it had already eaten at his insides making him hollow. It was terrible, keeping secrets was terrible. 

“And yet I do it so well,” Nico chimes and Will was reminded of an important detail.

Octavian knew Nico's secret, that was more damning than Will knowing. If Will was able to connect the dots and figure out the identity of a good portion of the rest of New York's masks finest than someone else could. In fact perhaps Octavian had already and that made things a bit more complicated. If Will died or failed Octavian would blab. Was he willing to risk exposing all his friends?

Of course not! Will had to tread carefully. He had to treat this with care. First and foremost he needed to get out of here. Then he could figure it all out and who knows maybe take an acting class with Apollo to become a better liar?

“I swear to secrecy, I won't tell anyone,” Will states with finality. 

Luke just gives him a blank stare, his eyes nearly glowing in the soft light of the room. The small area they currently resided in was a simple boardroom. A large table sat in the center with nice leather chairs all turned slightly to face a screen which took up almost all of the far wall. 

Meg hadn't been lying, because right there on the television was his name and face. It seemed the media had decided to use his work badge picture. It was perhaps one of his worst photos. He looked tired and unkept. It had been taken not too long after he'd been turned down for a promotion. Will grimaced as he caught another glimpse of it.

Ethan Nakamura and Octavian sat in the chairs closest to the screen, they spared minimal glances with odd looks on their faces. Luke stood tall and stiff, his body blocking the exit. It was unsettling. It wasn't like Will could run, because despite him agreeing to ‘join the darkside’ he'd been left hand cuffed. That perhaps is the most unfortunate part. His shoulders ached from the angle and his nose had never stopped itching.

He figured once he convinced Luke of his loyalty he would be released, however it was bold of him to assume he could upgrade from prisoner to loyal lankie with just a few sweet words. Words he'd spent his entire dredge here thinking up, though it hadn't been an exceptionally long walk.

When Octavian had informed Luke they'd meet him downstairs, Will hadn’t expected that to mean exactly one floor down. Nero's Tower was one of the tallest buildings in New York standing at nearly one hundred floors. Apparently the top dozen were strictly Nero's personal accommodations. Which really meant it was a base headquarters for The Traitors movement. That being said, when they entered the elevator, it was a surprise when the number 96 was clicked despite their place at 97. However Will was grateful he hadn't been forced to take stairs, though that would have surely given him a bit more time to prepare. Octavian hadn't been much help, he'd simply stated that if Will failed at convincing Luke, he'd have no choice but to give up Nico's secret. 

“ It would keep you alive,” Octavian had added, “ You'd become a bargaining chip…Nico would be a strong asset Luke wouldn't pass up…but you would be killed eventually .”

The thought made Will sick. It would be worse than a quick death, to force Nico to be a puppet for Will's sake. Even if Nico didn't love Will as much or the same way as Will loved Nico, the heroine would sacrifice himself in a heartbeat. That wasn't an option.  Nico's life in any way wasn't an option.

Oh gods…if only Will hadn't snooped. He'd never have found that sword …that ring . If only he'd trusted Nico…if only Nico had trusted him. Then maybe none of this would be happening. Maybe they'd be happy.

“He's telling the truth,” Octavian insists from his spot by Ethan. Will couldn’t help but look towards them. Both men sat stiffly, their eyes watching Luke more than Will. 

Ethan was huddled in on himself, looking pale and miserable. His breathing was shallow and his expression showed just how much he didn't want to be there. Will was in the same boat. He wanted nothing more than to be out of this room, this building. He wanted to go home.

He wanted to go home.

He needed to go home .

Luke clears his throat and Will can't help but jump. All the numbness seems to fall away replaced with something alike to hope. His fingers twitch in the binds behind his back. He's been convincing enough…he can go home . He needs that to be true.

Please.

“So you believe in what we're doing here?” Luke asks.

Will can't help but blink dumbly. He opens his mouth but is immediately shushed.

“Actually don't bother answering that,” Luke says, “You're a terrible liar sunshine.” 

And Will has been shot, he can feel it. A burning pain that engulfs his whole body. He's on fire, he's bleeding out, he's dying. Except he's not really, because there's no gun and there's no bullet, there's only Lukes words. Will was naive to think he could be convincing, he was crazy to believe he could protect Nico's secret. He was stupid, stupid, stupid and he wasn't going to die, not immediately because he can see the words forming on Octavian's lips. A protest, a declaration, a secret. One that was not his own, one that wasn't even Will's to tell. 

Everything was fucked! Out of all the traits he'd gotten from Apollo, why hadn't acting been one of them? The fire under his skin is burning again, and the dark intrusive thoughts are growing louder. He could take them all out. An outbreak of measles or tuberculosis. Maybe something untreated? Could he accelerate the symptoms? Was it like his normal abilities? He could speed up the healing process…could he speed up the decline in health now?

Even if he could…even if he was willing too, he was still tied up like a pig with an apple in its mouth. There was nothing he could do, no way for him to stop these people from hurting the people he loved. No way to stop Octavian from spilling.

However, before a word could leave Octavian's lips Luke was speaking again, “Do you know who my most trusted loyalists are?” 

It feels like a trick question, an algebra equation on a history test. Like ‘ when was Greece founded?’ followed by ‘ find x’. Will frown, “N-No?”

Luke smirks and Will feels as if he just circled c for every multiple choice question. He didn't know anything on this obvious test. All he knew was that his attempt wasn't all that impressive and perhaps a bit lazy.

 “It's those with something to lose,” Luke continues, his eyes flickered to Octavian briefly, “I don't know what he has over your head, in all honesty I don't care, I only need to know if it's enough to gain me an asset…is it?”

“Yes,” Will says with such a finality that he's sure there's no room for doubt. 

Luke eyes him smugly as if he just won at poker, “Good,” He turns to look at Ethan and Octavian, “Guess your twos stunt did some good, welcome to the ‘Traitors’, will get you a t-shirt or something.”

This means he won't be killed, this means he can go home, this means that after all of this he can finally see Nico again. Relief doesn't fill Will, not like he figured it would. Instead he feels sick, because there's the foreboding ‘for now’ trailing each of those proclamations. Nico's secret, Will's life, they were all safe for now.

For now .

For now.

“ Ethan, would you take our guest to where he'll be staying?” Luke inquires moving to open the meeting room's door.

Ethan nods, “Yeah, but uh… where are you off too?”

“I've been called into work,” Luke says simply. 

This wasn't right. Will wasn't supposed to be a guest , he was supposed to be ‘ free to go’.  

“Wait!” Will squeaked, “I've pledged myself…I…You…I thought I could go home.”

Luke looks at him with something alike to disappointment. His eyebrows frowned, making the scar on his face more menacing. Will couldn't help but feel stupid.

“It's not that simple, you can't just waltz out of here, you need a story, a believable one, something not too far from the truth considering your lying skills are ....lacking,” Ethan explains.

Lacking was an understatement. 

“Besides you'll be spending a lot of time here,” Luke adds, “Might as well get used to it.”

—

Ethan wasn't much of a tour guide but then again the path he led Will didn't seem to have any centerpoints. There wasn't any art or nicknacks, it was all rather bare. The most Ethan could probably do was point and say ‘that's a wall.’ 

 Despite the youth moving about there were no toys. Nothing screamed that anyone under the age of thirty even lived there. He thinks he spotted Meg at some point but he couldn't be sure, with the other children moving about it could have been someone else. Will wondered where the kids came from, if anyone was missing them? 

Will followed Ethan at a slow pace, rendering their journey to a near crawl. Despite his reluctance at being here, it wasn't on purpose. He couldn't exactly catch himself if he were to fall and his knees wouldn't stop shaking. It seemed that despite everything thus far he wasn't trustworthy enough to be unbound. So he took each step with care.

Despite it all Will was glad he'd been left with Ethan. Octavian was currently number one on his shit list and Luke was…To simply put it  an eternity between their last conversations was still too soon. Who'd blame him? Luke had been on the ‘kill Will’ side hardly an hour ago. Not to mention he'd held a gun to Will's head, so they weren't exactly commenting on the weather and saying good morning. Ethan was the best option in his current situation.

“For what it's worth I'm sorry you got caught up in all this,” Ethan says softly, “…it wasn't supposed to be you…but you saved my life so I owe you one.”

So let me go! Will doesn't say that instead he offers a wobbly smile, “I couldn't let you just die…”

Morals aside, he did have a gun to his head at the time so he couldn't exactly not cure the guy. As if reading Will’s thoughts Ethan added, “I mean even before Luke stepped in…you were already trying.”

Will didn't know what to say so he remained quiet. He takes note of the windows they pass, gazing out at the city lights in their late night glory. How long has he been missing now? Hours. He wondered what his family was thinking, if they were wide awake presuming the worst. 

This whole time he hadn't once considered his mother. Poor Naomi who worried about something like this happening. He was her only child. Her baby boy . Pain clenches in his chest as guilt swells in his gut. 

‘I'm sorry mama,’ he thinks, hoping that somehow she can feel he's okay. As okay as one could be in his situation at least.

He was positive his siblings (excluding Octavian) were beside themselves. Will knew that Apollo was pulling every string he could. Will had been kidnapped right from under his father's nose, from Apollo’s own highly secured establishment. The man wouldn't be taking that lightly… No… Apollo would be on a warpath to show he'd not be bested.

Lou Ellen and Cecil would be going so far as to hand out missing person flyers. Nico…. Will didn’t know what the boy was doing. He only could hope his boyfriend was safe and taking care of himself. That he wasn't being stupid, that Nico di Angelo was staying out of trouble.

“Like you're staying out of trouble?” Nico's voice snips accusingly. 

“We're here,” Ethan tells him as they stop, in front of a door. 

It wasn't distinguishable from any other they'd passed in the large corridor. Most of the rooms had been occupied by a couple children each. Will had taken note of this as they'd passed several open doors. They'd all been equipped with beds, and storage space but not much else. It was like an orphanage in a way, but more military boot camp style. Sheets tightly tucked and a ‘over the top’ tidiness. No television, no windows, and not so much as a single personal touch. He'd seen no bookshelf, no posters, not a single stray sock.

When Ethan opened the door Will found the room before him, sat an identical image to all the rest. It left the same unsettling feeling as the (HSCU) had in his stomach. The constant whispering thought that he ‘ wasn't supposed to be here.’

Ethan gestured Will forward with minimal flare. Will entered, taking in the sight of neatly made beds, each with a wooden chest nestled at their foot.  It was barren and so unlike the room he'd woken up in. However, he was kind of happy to have not seen anymore of those ugly geometric rugs. That being said the room had a sort of cold feeling to it. Not the temperature but its overall presentation.

“Here we are,” Ethan says, “feel free to pick any bed, you must be exhausted. I know this all must be…alot.”

Understatement of the century but Will kept quiet. He lets his eyes flicker around the place but he doesn't move. The beds gazed back uninviting and he was too sick to his stomach to even consider sleep.

“How long?” Will finds himself asking. His voice is barely above a whisper, “...how long will I be here?”

Ethan shrugs slightly, “A night possibility… I'm not sure, the longer you're missing the more complicated things become.”

The uncertainty in Ethan's voice is far from comforting. Even if it was only a single night, it felt too long. If Will knew anything he wasn't in the clear yet. Luke could change his mind and order Will dead. This could all still end up with Octavian being a big mouth. Will could end up becoming a permanent resident, a live-in hostage, a barricaded bargaining chip.

“Hey it's not so bad, think of it like a sleepover or something,” Ethan offers and Will nearly jumps out of his skin when he feels something tug at his bound wrists, “Hey it's okay just taking these off.”

As soon as his hands are free he desperately alternates between scratching his nose and shaking feeling back into his fingers. The skin around his nails are no longer blackened, however there is blood and dirt in every crease. 

He looks to Ethan, and he almost thanks the boy… but then he remembers where he is and how and why and it's blatantly clear that they are not friends. Will doesn't owe the man anything. Even if Ethan had been the nicest to him thus far. Will had nothing to be sorry or thankful for. Even so as Ethan Nakamura lets out a series of coughs, Will finds himself holding out a steady grime covered hand.

“I….I think I can…fix…”

Will doesn't have to finish or bother explaining because Ethan, despite his surprised look, is holding his own hand out. Hesitantly Will locks his fingers around the man's wrist. It's familiar. The press of power under his own skin, but it's also different, more intense, more… there . He can feel the stir in his vein as he diagnoses what he already knows…what he has caused, bronchitis.

It's a simple fix, he can feel that much, but as if his insides hold two separate lines of power he can feel the ability to make it worse…to progress. It's as simple as tilting his head. Left or right. Health or illness. Suddenly the voice in his head are louder.

“Kill him,” Nico insists, “then run.”

Will is aware that Nico would never say that to him. At least he's pretty confident. He also knows that the idea is illogical. Where could he run? This building held only foes, and who knew how many. Will couldn’t escape, even if he uses his new powers. He didn't understand their extent, besides bronchitis doesn't stop a bullet and Octavian still has Nico's secret.

And…

Will's forgetting his morals…he was a doctor, he was meant to try and save life's not take them. He was a healer, not…not a villain. Will can see the sickness leave Ethan. How the coughs subside and the tension leaves the man's shoulders. It's so quick and easy, almost more so than placing the illness.

Will knew his gift, he's had it most of his life but never had it been so powerful. It was easier than breathing, not an ounce of pull or strain. Not like it had been before. It was rather remarkable, if not terrifying. He let his hand fall away from Ethans.

“Thank you,” the man says.

“I…what…what did you do to me?” It's a reasonable question, one he believes he's entitled to. However, hes accepted that he wouldn't be given a suitable answer. 

Ethan frowns, his gracious smile replaced with one that was irresolute, “I'm not all that familiar with how it works, I'm not a chemist, or doctor, or whatever, I only know that it's the only thing that lets us stand a chance against the heroes but there is a cost.”

“Death?” Will supplies almost subconsciously, “and yet you took it willingly ?”

Ethan nods, “Sacrifices have to be made, even so I'll admit it was a dumb plan but I couldn't stand the thought of it being…” he took in a breath, “someone else.”

The someone implied seemed to mean a great deal to the man. Will wasn't sure if he cared enough to know who. Chances where he wouldn't have met or even known the someone Ethan was protecting. In addition it wasn't like he needed to question the why of Ethans decision any further. Will was willing to die for Nico di Angelo, he understood a love strong enough to throw self-preservation in the River Styx.

“Me and Octavian devised this horrible unethical plan to get his ‘prophecy’ ball rolling,” Ethan continues, “And you basically know the rest…”

Will could argue that he really didn't know. He knew that there had been a plan to rope Apollo into the cause. A man the Traitors had suspected to be a necessary asset to their success. However, that had changed, and now Will was here. 

“You believe in his prophecy?” Will asks dubiously. What form of clairvoyance he'd received from his brother had been cryptic and not entirely forecasting. Like a simple declaration that ‘it will rain’ but never a when or why, knowing that of course it would rain eventually making it more of an expectation than a form of fortune telling.

Ethan lets out a snort, “No…I mean maybe a little, but whether it's legit or not doesn't take away from the fact that we needed something or at least someone to stabilize the serum.”

Ethan pauses, taking in a large shaky breath. The air in the room feels unbearably hot for a second. Will can feel sweat dripping down the nape of his neck. His body seemed like it couldn't decide if it was too cold or too hot. If he wasn't sweating he was shivering.

“We couldn't continue how we were, at that rate we were going we'd run out of people,” Ethan explains, “ the Serum is effective but it's basically a bomb, powerful, deadly but completely impossible to time, some last weeks, others minutes and in the end we lose good people.” 

Ethan pauses and Will has a feeling as if he's supposed to initiate the next part like some terrible knock-knock joke. Like he needs to ask “Who's there?” Either way the dramatic pauses are giving Apollo a run for his money. 

Dacrifices are necessary but at what point is it to much….how much is wasted?” Ethan continues, “How much is lost before there's nothing left for it all to be for!”

‘A waste’ that's what Luke had said. That killing Will would be a waste but somewhere between healing Ethan of the serum and being brought here the man had decided he was okay with wasting Will's potential. 

“That's all over now though,” Ethan declares, “Because there's you and that bomb can now be defused, I'm sorry you got caught up in all this…but you have to understand how lucky we are that you did…And I really hope that with time you will see that.”

Ethan gives Will a wobbly smile. There seems to be a wave of hope in the man's eyes. The look alone is enough to drop Will's heart in his stomach. 

“I don't think your leader shared the sentiment,” Will scoffs.

Ethan grimaced, “Luke's just overly cautious…you have to understand the risk we're taking, not simply killing you.”

“Why take the risk at all then?” Will demands stupidly. 

He is curious though. Luke had nearly caused him whiplash with how back and forth he was on Wills life. Was Will really worth the risk? Luke hadn't thought so but he'd also did think so. It was all rather confusing. That Will's death could be a waste on top of also being the safest option.

“How do you know this will all be worth it?” Will continues, “How do you know that this serum won't kill me? That I can continue…curing it? ”

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Nico grumbles, “Stop questioning!”

Ethan gave a slight shrug, “I don't…nobody can say for certain, but the amount you were given should have killed you by now…or atleast presented itself, but look at you! No rash, no pain, no symptoms, you seem completely stable physically, No matter how much any other has been given there were signs immediately, and I had been in the final stages of the effects and you…you saved me”

“And you regret it,” Nico supplies.

Will feels guilt in his gut as he thinks, “Yes, I do.” It's not a morally okay thought. Yet he believes it is true and suddenly he finds he is less than a good person. He was a doctor, and he shouldn't feel regret over saving a life. Right?  

“I know this is a lot,” Ethan says for what feels like the millionth time, “How about you sleep on it.”

The man doesn’t speak it like a suggestion but more a demand. Despite every nerve in Wills body protesting he moves to the bed furthest from the door and lays down. He presses his back to the wall and he watches as Ethan turns off the lights and leaves. Will listens as the door closes but doesn't hear a lock. 

The lack of sound fills Will with dread. He's being tested…or perhaps mocked. He can't escape. And with that thought alone it's a wonder he finds sleep…but he does.

—-

“ Hello?” The voice on the other end of the phone spoke. It was tired and dazed as if the person had just woken up.

Will gave a glance around the mostly vancate bus stop. He had taken a seat on a bench, the cold metal seeping through his pants. He shivered, clutching his coat closer to him.

“Hey Percy!” Will chirps.

“Will?” Percy squawked, “It's like three In the morning why are you calling?!”

Will blinked rapidly as a snowflake fell into his lashes, “I just got off of work and Nico said you two were working late… I called him but I guess his phone was dead so I thought I'd give you a try?”

Percy mutter something away phone the line, Will could only make out a ‘fucking…inconsiderate…Nico’. 

“Is he with you?” Will asked hesitantly.

There was a sound of muffled rustling and a couple grumbles and suddenly a feminine sigh, “Will?”

“Hey Annabeth,” Will says. 

“Hey Will,” she greets, “We left Nico at the office hours ago.”

“Oh,” Will responds slowly.

“Yeah, we've got a big case and he wanted to finish something before he left,” she explains, “I'll call a friend who works overnight, Nico probably fell asleep on the couch again.”

Will hummed softly as a chill ran up his spine, “He's…he's been doing that alot the last couple weeks.”

Annabeth makes a sympathetic sound, “Yeah…Will…it's been rough but we'll get through it and everyone's schedule should go back to at least part way normal.”

“Yeah,” Will says softly, “I just haven't seen much of Nico lately or the rest of you either.”

“Awe we miss you too man?” Percy's voice chimes in.

Will couldn’t help but smile, “Yeah… uh… I'll let you go… When you get a hold of Nico tell him I'll see him at home?”

“Will do man,” Percy says.

“Goodnight Will!” Annabeth chimes and the call ends.

Will shoves his phone in his pocket before residing on the glove for his right hand. He's chilled to the bone and the coldness of the bench doesn't help. He hated winter nights, where the temperature took a dangerous plummet. Where he lost feeling in all his limbs as he waited for the next bus to take him within walking distance of home. 

He waited silently and alone. There were cars on the road and the occasional horn or siren. The noise of a city night echoing off towering buildings. It was probably why Will didn't hear the person take a seat next to him.

“Hey Will.”

Will jumped, nearly falling off the bench. His heart nearly ripped out his chest as he let out a terrified yelp. When he gained his bearings, he gaped at the boy in dark clothes and tightly pulled hood. If Will hadn’t recognized the man's voice he would have thought he was gonna be mugged.

“Nico! How!” Will sputtered, “Where!?Don't scare me like that!”

Nico smiled sheepishly, “Sorry.”

Will took in long breaths of cold air to calm his pounding heart. When the shock subsided Will felt a wave of something pleasant and couldn't help but smile wide.

“You're…here?” Will states stupidly. Nico looks like he just woke up. His eyes red with sleep and there are still creases on his cheeks, “How?”

“Oh I went to Percy and Annabeth's apartment after work, it's not far so I figured I'd try and meet you here so we could go home together,” Nico explained.

It was a lie. Will knew it was a lie. However, he ignored it because Nico was there and Will had missed his boyfriend.

“That sounds nice,” Will says and he leaned his body into the other male. The warmth between them eased away some of the chill.

“How was your day?” Nico asked softly after several moments passed.

Will shrugged taking in the smell of cigarette smoke on Nicos clothes, “Long and tiring…Are you smoking again?”

Nico stiffened, “No.”

Will hummed, “It's bad for you, you know? And-”

“Yes Will, I know!” Nico snips, “and I'm not!”

“Okay,” Will exclaims.

“Are we seriously going to start fighting about this?” Nico snaps.

“Of course not!” Will cries before quickly sliding himself across the bench and away from the warmth of his boyfriend, “Gods Nico! You don't have to be so…so defensive.”

Will lets his head fall into his gloved hands. He lets out a frustrated sigh. They'd been at each other's throats for weeks now. Not to mention this is the first time in three days they'd had an actual face to face conversation. Will missed Nico and instead of a nice domestic discussion here they were.

“I'm not being defensive, I just can't stand when you call me a liar!”

“I didn't call you a liar!” Will shouts exasperated.

 Nico stands suddenly and Will drops his hands enough to gaze up at him. Nico's expression is almost cold. Will had known this man for over half his life. He knows when Nico is upset…he knows when he's hurting.

“Maybe not outloud but,” Nico growls, “but I can hear it in your tone!”

Now Will is standing and he's a bit smug that Nico has to tilt his head up to meet his eyes. Neither of them say a word, they just glare. Will is ultimately the one who looks away from their improved staring contest. He is tired and knows that Nico is too. He also can see when his boyfriend is hurting. 

“I… I'm sorry!” He says, “I wasn't trying to make you think I didn't believe you, I trust you Nico!”

It appears to be the wrong thing to say. Nico falters, taking several steps back. He looks like Will has told him something grave. They stand there a long time, their argument lost to the wind.

As Will watches their bus come into view the world shifts and…he's dreaming. He's suddenly fully aware that this is a dream. He knows because he's already lived this and he is cognizant of how it ends. How later he will throw away a pack of Marlboro stuffed in Nico's favorite hoodie. And despite it all he will still wholeheartedly trust Nico Di Angelo.

 Perhaps he trusts too easily.

Maybe that's why he's dreaming this. A warning from his subconscious. A reminder about how naive he is. How he's too forgiving, too trusting, too weak.

Will watches as the bus stops before them and Nico moves to enter. The snow is falling heavily now and Will can't recall if it actually had that day. He can't remember if this dream is a true rendition or if the weather choice was fully subconscious. That he internally settled on a climate to match the feeling that night had left. A frigid, icy hollowness that had settled in his bones. 

Just as Will goes to follow his boyfriend, a voice stops him.

“Will!” 

That's Nico…But Will is looking at the back of said man. Slowly he turns to look towards the voice. He shouldn't be surprised because this is a dream and they weren't known for being predictable. However, he couldn’t help it because before him was his disheveled boyfriend looking worse for wear. This Nico was completely different from the Nico on the bus. He's looks more tired, and is obviously extremely panicked. Strangest of all, is that the boy didn't look like he belonged there. Like he was a 2D drawing in a 3D animation. 

“Nico?” Will gasps, “What…huh?”

Will spares a look back to the bus only to find it's suddenly gone, the previous Nico gone with it. The realization almost makes him sad despite the replacement. 

“Will thank gods,” the Italians voice is hoarse. Slowly Will turns his entire body to face the man and away from the vacant street.

As he does the world shifts and they're suddenly no longer on the street but in their bedroom. It's dark, the only light illuminating from Will's phone. The device is resting on the nightstand and it buzzes flashing a blocked number. He wonders who it could be.

“Should I answer that?” He asks as he looks from it to his boyfriend. 

The call abruptly stops and suddenly there on the street again Nero's tower looming in the background. Will doesn't spare it too much of a glance instead choosing to eye Nico. The man is dressed in his work uniform and it looks like it could use a good wash. There are wrinkles and creases and grime like he'd been digging in rubble or something.

Will doesn't have much time to question it

because Nico is moving towards him. His boyfriend was slow and hesitant, his arms held up like Will was a frightened animal. Like any sudden movements will make him dart…Will does sorta feel like running but he's aware this is a dream, and all he really needs to do is open his eyes and he'll be-

“Will, hey!” Nico is snapping his voice different from what he usually sounds like in Will's head, “Hey I need you to listen to me okay.”

Will nods slightly, “Okay.”

This is bizarre for some reasons. Everything feels off. Unsettling…wrong. He can't describe it all he knows is he wants it to stop. 

“You need to tell me where you are,” the boy demands.

Will blinks at him, his eyes glancing around as the street becomes their bedroom once more, “We're at home.”

It feels like the wrong answer. Probably because it is.

“No! No!” Nico snaps, “That's not… Will the hospital…”

Everything shifts again and suddenly they are standing in the lobby of Apollos hospital. His eyes lock immediately on Lavinia. She is waving frantically at him from behind Nico and she is yelling something he can't makeout.

“The hospital,” Will repeats softly. He feels a sudden wave of nausea and the sinking feeling like he's missing something. 

This is a dream…and he's forgetting something.

“Yes Will,” Nico groans, “The hospital, you where..” he takes a harsh breath, “taken.”

The ground shakes and Will can suddenly read the words forming across Lavinia's lips. A constant “Run! Run! Run!” 

“I…I don't want to be here,” Will says as the bombs begin going off. 

Each boom shakes the foundation, sending marble and dust flying. Will stumbles and tries to move away from Nico but the boy surges forward. Nico grabs Will by the shirt pulling him close. Through the fabric Will can feel how unbearably cold the other male is. 

It's strange because this is a dream and it shouldn't feel so real. However, Will can't question it because the whole building is crumbling around them and Lavinia is gone and in her place is Apollo who's tapping his watch impatiently. 

“You're smoking again,” he mutters suddenly because he's not sure where his brain is supposed to be at the moment. Before he can comprehend Nico has Will's face in his hands and he's yelling.

“I need you to tell me where you are, who took you…anything!”

“It's bad for you,” Will continues and Nico looks even more desperate.

“Gods! I know! I know! Please I promise I'll stop I…” His voice cracks, “Please Will, you have to- I have to find you! Okay? So please just give me something! Tell me what you know!”

The Italian is pleading and Will feels so guilty, because he knows too much and nothing at all. “I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry!” He tells Nico. And he remembers now what's waiting for him when he wakes up. 

The room spins and there in an elevator, then there on the bus, and then there in the hospital room where Ethan Nakamura lays on the bed. It all shifts so fast that Will can't keep up, but he knows… he rips away from Nicos hold looking around frightened. There is someone else who's supposed to be here.

“Will, please!” Nico begs, “You have to give me something, I can't help you if you don't-”

“I…I have to wake up,” Will says mostly to himself. It all feels too real and he can't handle the look in Nicos eyes. It's all too much.

“No!” Nico growls, “You need to…don't you remember what happened?”

“I was taken,” Will responds, repeating his boyfriend's previous words.

“Yes,” Nico states, “And you need to tell me where or by who…please Will anything!”

“I…I can't,” Will says because despite this being a dream, if he allowed his subconscious to blab, how would he ever be able to keep everything secret.

“W-what?” His boyfriend has never sounded so devastated. The shorter male is shaking and his cold fingers nearly claw into Wills cheeks, “You… you have too! Please!...I…I can't…”

Nico is crying and Will feels his heart shatter, "Shhhh,” Will tries to soothe, “It's gonna be okay don't cry.”

Nico's sad eyes flash with burning rage, “NO! You don't get to…I have to save you Will! I can't…It won't be okay, I won't be okay! Don't you understand?” Nico is breathing harshly, “Will…babe….Sunshine, please you got to help me find you.” 

The coldness of Nico so close begins to seep away and it's unsettling. Will allows his fingers to reach and grab ahold of his boyfriend. The heart wrenching sob that escapes Nico's lips causes the whole room to shake and Will can feel the cries rattle through the man's body. It hurts his soul.

“I'm sorry,” Will whispers, feeling his own tears spill.

 They both stand there clutching at each other and it feels real. However, Will knows he's dreaming, he knows that Nico isn't really there. Its all in his head, his brain trying to cope with his new found trauma.  For a fleeting moment he thinks perhaps he could simply tell Nico everything. This wasn't real, it couldn't actually hurt. And maybe he'd feel better…like subconscious therapy or something.

“Please,” Nico whispers.

Will feels himself cave and he opens his mouth to respond. The words are almost light on his tongue. He thinks it will be easy, and reminds himself that it's only a dream. Before he can speak he's interrupted.

“Sunshine,” and it's not Nico's voice this time . 

It's coming from somewhere outside. Outside his head…outside this dream. Nico doesn't appear to react and perhaps the man didn't hear it.

“I love you,” Will finds himself whispering because he wants to tell Nico that so bad and dream Nico was just gonna have to do for now.

“Will-” Nico starts.

Will doesn't have a choice. He has to wake up…So he opens his eyes.

Chapter Text

Nico wants answers.

Will is questioned.

Nico is forced into consciousness abruptly. His entire body lunches up and he can't help the growled, “Fuck!” that spews out almost like a scream.The room spins in and out of focus and his skull pulses in pain. He groans and collapses back onto the lumpy couch. His entire body feels heavy and his clothes are itchy. 

“Guess you didn't find him?” 

Nico shoots a menacing glare in the direction of the voice. Clovis lounges lazily across one of the rooms loveseats. The man is obviously unfazed by Nico's anger simply peering at him through tired bored eyes and messy blonde hair.

“Or perhaps you stumbled upon an unsavory dream?” Clovis sighs, “Obviously not a wet dream considering the ‘not so fun tension’ you got going on.”

“You're impossible!” Nico grumbles and closes his eyes wanting nothing more than to fall asleep again. However he can't, he's wasted enough time and it is unlikely he'd catch his boyfriend in a dream again.

Who knew when Will would succumb to slumber? It had been a whim attempting this method of tracking down his boyfriend. It had been a waste of time. Time Nico didn't have. What did they say about the first forty-eight hours after someone goes missing?  Besides Nico hadn't obtained anything useful in the dreamscape, Will hadn't been helpful .

“So you find him or not?” Jason questioned and it showed how tired Nico was to haven't noticed the man in the room. Jason Grace hadn't been there when Nico had been put to sleep. Despite the time he'd spent with his eyes closed he hadn't gotten an ounce of actual rest.

He could almost hear Will badgering him about taking better care of himself. He doesn't think the thought should have made him so subconsciously ill. After several moments Nico, still foregoing opening his eyes, responded, “Yes, I did…”

“Did you talk to him?” 

“Of course!” Nico huffed, “but you know Will! He was too worried about me to give me any sort of clue to help him!”

Jason hummed and Clovis was silent. Nico didn't have to open his eyes to figure the man had fallen asleep. He was envious. 

“It kind of startles me how alike the two of you are,” Jason says, “So busy worrying about the other to even think about yourselves.”

Nico doesn't bother with a response. There was no sense in arguing or protesting. Will was out there, in danger. The knowledge made him sick and beyond anxious. He let his eyes flutter open pushing himself into a sitting position.

“I hope by you being here you had more luck,” he knows he sounds desperate and overly hopeful. He can't help it. Every second that passes not knowing is agonizing. He needs Will. He needs him here, safe and guarded.

Jason gives Nico a slight smile, “Not exactly,” he says. Despite expecting as much, the knowledge still hurts, “The woman guard, she’s awake, me and Reyna went to question her.”

“What did she say?” Nico demands, "Did she give you anything useful?” 

“Gwendolyn.”

“What?”

“The guard that's her name,” Jason explains, “and not much, just that the person who attacked her was fast and wore hospital scrubs.”

“An inside job?”

“Maybe.”

“What about Will?” He demands but before Jason can answer he adds. “I wanna talk to her.”

“I think it's best if you… hold off, maybe get some actual sleep,” Jason tells him, “You look one small gust of wind from falling over.”

If looks could kill then Nico knows his friend would be six feet under, “Will is missing .”

Saying it outloud makes his chest lurch. He feels flabbergasted that he has to remind his best friend of this. Will Solace was taken hostage less than twenty-four hours ago and nobody knows where he's being held or why. It was well known the organization would often take prisoners for a short time to complete their task. That being said, every person they used was abandoned after the job was done. Usually alive but not always. There was the argument that perhaps whatever the job was it wasn't complete. 

Then came the concerning question as to what they were planning and how Will fit into it? The lasting theory was for ransom but The Traitors have never shown interest in such things. However, Will is the son of one famous Apollo. They'd never had a hostage of such importance. That being said Nico didn't believe this to be the case. If it was all truly coming down to ransom…he'd give anything…everything. But what if it was bigger than that?

He couldn't lose Will.

“I know,” Jason sighs, “And everyone is doing everything they can to find him! Fuck! Even Director D! Which just proves how you're his favorite!”

“Dionysius hates everyone,” Nico snips.

“Well he hates you a little less than everyone else,” Jason supplies, “But that's not the point, I just mean… we're gonna find Will, and when we do he's gonna be really pissed when he finds you … like this.”

Nico rolls his eyes, “I'm fine.”

“No you're not!” Jason declares, “You've been overworking yourself for months now and when's the last time you had a decent night's sleep or a meal that doesn’t have a yellow M logo on it?”

“You're starting to sound like Will!” Nico croaked and in all honesty that's the worst. It makes his chest hurt and he can't breathe. 

“Good!”

“Jason,” Nico says calmly, “We don't have time to waste.”

“Taking care of yourself is not a waste of time,” Jason argues, “I'll tie you down and hook you to an I.V myself if I have to.”

“Try and I will animate every corpse in a five mile radius and full on Night of the Living Dead your ass.”

“You couldn't conjure a dead fly.”

“Wanna bet?” Nico growls then in his best impression, “ They're coming to get you Jason!”

Jason looks not the least bit terrified,

“Neither of us are any help standing here arguing!” Nico exclaims.

His best friend relents slumping pitifully into defeat, “The guard is being treated at The Asclepion Center.”

“That's all you had to say-”

“Gwen has already given her statement,” Jason says, “It's not the most credible, she's confused.”

“How so?”

“She believes she died,” Jason explains, “she says she felt her heart stop and the next thing she knows is she's being pulled back into her body by quote ‘a blinding light.’”

“Could that be true?” Nico asked.

“No…her wounds, while deadly if left untreated, were minor compared to that of the others guard,” Jason said, “In fact she was conscious when she was found, delirious but awake…her test showed she suffered minor blood loss and a concussion but she had in fact not died, Doctors said she was simply in shock.”

“That still doesn't make her story uncredible,” Nico pressed, “Did she say anything about Will?”

“She says she thinks she saw three figures walking away from her when she came too but she doesn't know for sure.”

Nico slumps a little bit of hope dissipating. He sighs, “Is that all you came to relay? That our last witness had nothing ?”

Jason gives him a frown, “No…I came to tell you that your father inlaw is running about.” 

Nico feels a rush of anger, “Good, I have a few bones to pick with him…and he's not my inlaw…yet.”

“Yet?” Jason repeats, “Tell me when are you gonna grow a pair? I mean honestly I thought for sure you'd have asked before Percy got the nerve to…Annabeth is much more intimidating than Will Solace.”

“There hasn't been a good time,” Nico explains, “I…I want it to be…it doesn't matter right now.”

Will is missing… what if he never gets the chance now? He's shaking and he can't figure out if it's the chill in the air or his exhaustion. However, it doesn't matter because he's still standing and Will is still out there and he can't rest.

He can't, because every second was one more that he was without his boyfriend. Not knowing if he was hurt, or suffering…not knowing if Nico could save him.

“We'll find him,” Jason says, reading his thoughts. Nico gives his best friend a smile and he does his best to believe him…he doesn't know if he can handle it if the statement isn't true.

—

“You look like shit,” Apollo tells Nico and he doesn't bother telling him he feels like it too. There standing in H.B medical, where several important patients from Apollos hospital now took residence.

Nico frowns at the man, glad that Jason has a slight grip on his shoulder otherwise he's sure he'd attack, “Yeah well you look rather well considering.”

Apollo doesn't take the bait, instead he looks to Jason.  Probably because he doesn't expect any reasonability or rationality from the Italian. He wouldn't be wrong, because Nico is seconds from murder and can't seem to stop the shadows crawling from his very soul. It's probably his exhaustion that keeps skeletons from breaking through the surface under his feet.

“I'm guessing you're not here to relay progress?” Apollo asks his eyes solely on Jason.

“No,” Jason affirms, “but we've got analysts testing the remnants of the bombs used, Leo is scanning your security system trying to find how it was breached and hoping to recover the lost camera footage, every available agents are patrolling the streets, and Reyna is in charge of witnesses and suspect 

interrogation.”

“And you've got nothing,” Apollo finishes for him. His tone is almost condescending and it pisses Nico off even more.

“What about you?” Nico demands, “I don't see you doing anything for Will knowing damn well we're only in this mess because of you!”

Apollo does seem the least bit fazed by Nicos outburst, which doesn't help ease the rage in the younger male. Jason grips Nico's shoulder harder.

“Will shouldn't have been there!” Nico nearly shouts. His chest lurches with the force of those words. 

“He's a doctor, it's a hospital,” Apollo says, “How was anyone to know what would happen!?”

“You brought him in to treat a supervillain you of all people knew the risks!” 

“I would hardly call Ethan Nakamura a supervillain, a criminal? Yes, a terrorist? Probably! But being unbeatable at poker isn't supervillain material!”

Nico clenched his fist in an attempt to ground himself, “He worked for Kronos, he still sort of does, he's dangerous!”

“He was at death's doors!” Apollo tells him, “I was only supposed to try and keep him alive long enough to get intel, but the effects of the needle made it nearly impossible, which is why I called Will.”

“You left him alone with that man!” 

“Nakamura wasn't gonna to give anything to  me or any law enforcement…but…he seemed to like Will,” Apollo explains, “I only left him because your people insisted, they thought perhaps Nakamura would give something if it was just the two of them.”

Nico looked to Jason for confirmation. He hadn't been informed of this. His best friend gave a slight nod, “Why…why wasn't I told this? Isn't there a protocol? Why would you leave the room unguarded?!”

“We were watching live through a security feed several rooms away… but then Agent Beauregard got a call and the systems went offline…when the bombs started going off I sent the two guards on duty to protect him while I went to oversee evacuation.”

“You should have taken him with you.”

“The place was built to hold Kronos, a few bombs weren't gonna make a dent,” Apollo says, “It was the safest place.”

Nico can't help the deranged laugh that leaves him, “Well obviously not considering where we are…where we still are with no help or thanks to you!”

“Do you think I haven't pulled every favor I've got?” Apollo spats, “If I could be out there looking I would but in case you forgot, my hospital is still burning as we speak and my patients and employees are slung about, but please tell me what else you'd like me to do?”

Nico opens his mouth but Apollo wasn't waiting for an answer.

“How about calling Naomi? Considering it is her son swell whose face is plastered all over the News!” Apollo spats, “Oh wait! I did do that and I made sure to inform her of the actions being taken to return our son home.”

Naomi Solace. Shit . Nico hadn't thought for a second about the woman. He hadn't considered giving her a call or responding to any of hers. Now that he's thought about it he hadn't reached out to Kayla or Austin and definitely not Lou Ellen or Cecil. His phone had been going off nonstop but he'd ignored it knowing that his work phone would be where the useful information would come from.

“I'm tired of arguing with you!” Nico growls, “I have to go look for Will, we're wasting valuable time… I shouldn't have bothered with you.”

He turns to leave but Apollo has to have the last word, “You're not the only one who cares about him.”

Nico wants to yell that he doesn't need the reminder. He know s he's not the only one missing Will. He is fully aware there are plenty who want to see him found. It's just more of a reason for Nico to do the finding.

—-

“You'll be questioned,” Luke had said.

 Will had known that much. He had known that everyone he'd come in contact with outside of Nero's Tower would want to know the story. Would want to know every detail of what was possibly one of the worst days of his life.

Ethan had been wrong about the length of Will's stay, it was hardly several hours after their conversations that Luke barged in, waking Will with a loud, “Time to rise Sunshine!”

It had only been the last word that had breached Wills slumber but it was enough. The doctor had shot up his entire body tensing for a fight and Luke had been amused and perhaps much too satisfied with himself. 

Will had been so disoriented and unnerved he didn't have time to think about his dream. As the next hour progressed he wasn't given time to think of anything but the plan being shoved down his throat. Luke had been persistent and Ethan was ever present and Octavian…where the fuck had that boy been?

There'd been other people, none that Will learned the names of, all of which came together to form a plan. The scheme was all very simple at least that's how it was perceived considering how nonchalant everyone acted. Will couldn’t find it in himself to agree with that. In fact he thought it all a bit complicated, but he'd been too overwhelmed by it all to be a good judge.

Will's role for the most part was straightforward. He simply had to be found by Luke. It had been easy considering Will had conveniently been dropped off near one of Luke's patrol routes. It was no time at all before the man had found him and hardly anytime before Will had been ushered into the H.B agency's headquarters.

From that moment onward it was just reciting what Luke said. And the man had given him an answer to every question Will had been asked thus far. Will couldn’t say he was surprised. After he'd seen the gleaming logo on that man's uniform it all clicked . It seemed that almost everyone Will was in contact with both willing and unwilling , were employed under the H.B agency.

  Of course Luke was an agent. Of course the man and Gods knew how many others were entwined with the same people trying to take them down. Will wasn't sure what was more ironic, them being under the nose of the heroes or the heroes being under theirs. If Will had the current capacity, he'd laugh. It was like Hydra embedded into S.H.I.E.L.D without ( sexy ass ) Sebastian Stan. 

“Doctor Solace… we've gone over what happened at the hospital,” Reyna says softly, “but what about after you were taken?”

Will wasn't sure how he felt about being questioned by Reyna. He had hoped he'd be interrogated by an unfamiliar face, if only to stop the overwhelming guilt from taking over. The good thing was that while Reyna was like another sister to Nico, she'd never developed any relations with Will. They knew each other but in a way that was acquaintance more so than friends. So perhaps Will had a chance at not being snuffed out immediately. 

He ran through the events of the past twenty-four hours. Over and over he combed until there wasn't a single knot. He thought of the stuff he could say, stuff that wasn't incriminating. Then he did his best to remember everything he'd been spoon fed the short drive to this very building.

“What do I say?” Will had asked Luke when he'd finally picked him up. He wasn't sure what he'd been hoping for. A stack of cue cards, maybe an ear piece? He knew there was no way he'd be able to pull this off without something.

“Honestly nothing too far from the truth,” Luke had told him, “You were unconscious and when you woke up you were alone, the only person you really spoke to was-.” 

“Besides Mr. Nakamura, was there anyone else you recognized?” 

“No.”

Octavian… but he could hardly say he recognized the boy anymore. At least on an emotional level. The man couldn't possibly be his brother. The man he'd confined in, the boy he'd stood by when no one else would. The one who gave him socks for his last birthday and smiled at Naomi when she invited him personally to Thanksgiving every year.

“Could you describe some of them? Maybe point them out?” Reyna asks, “I have pictures? Could you tell if any of them were there?”

She passed over a tablet and with shaky hands he flicked through them. The first couple faces that stared back were none that he recognized and he wondered if he did come across someone if he was to say. There are eleven pictures in total, three women and the rest some shady looking men. He did his best to stare at the photos for a reasonable amount of time. He really did try to place their faces. Perhaps his luck turned out because he’d recognized none of them.

“No… If any of them were there…I didn't see them.”

“Did any of those you did encounter stand out?” she prys, “If you could describe them we've got a sketch artist you know, Ms. Hazel Levesque.”

Will blinked, “I…I thought she resigned?”

Reyna nods, “She did but she is often on standby for things like this,” she explained, “I'd like to make you as comfortable as possible and a familiar face couldn't hurt.”

He gives her a tight smile, “I…I don't think I can…I was blindfolded for the most part and I didn't get a good look at anyone…I'm sorry.”

She frowns but doesn't press, “You didn't hear anything? Any conversations?”

“Nothing was said to you, at some point you were forced into a vehicle and dumped in an alley-”

“ What about the vehicle that dumped you?” she persists.

“ -you think it was a van.”

“By the time I got the blindfold off…they were gone!” Will says, “I couldn't be sure.”

Reyna sighs and Will isn't sure if she's buying what he's selling. Since he'd arrived it felt like he was being looked at as a suspect instead of a victim. 

“They have no reason not to believe you,” Luke smirked , “Just play the victim…because that is what you are right?”

Will is sure he looks guilty…he feels guilty . He's lying by omission mostly. And it's almost easy, because he hadn't said anything completely untrue. He was just leaving out details. Will had in fact been blindfolded and dumped in an alleyway….after a short run down of the plan.

“What did you do after that?”

After he'd been left in the alleyway he'd stayed there attempting to gather his bearings before he'd ventured further. The roads had been filled with late night into early morning traffic. The sun hadn't even begun to rise and the air was frigid. He tried not to question the puddles his bare feet trudged in.

He was unfamiliar with the area he'd been left. The few patrons on the street didn't spare him so much as a glance. He held himself back from asking for help because that part of the plan hadn't been too clear. He knew that he was to stay close to his drop point and was to look his part in case of possible security footage. He was to look like…an ex hostage? He guessed. 

“You weren't sure where you where so you tried to find a street sign or someone who would let you borrow a phone,” Luke recites, “However before you-”

“Agent Castellan, he found me and..” Will croaked, “he brought me here.”

Will finishes and everything heavier than it was before. Everything he recited had been exactly how it played out for the most part. Just without the major details. He wasn't sure how long it had been since he'd been brought to the small interrogation room. It was enough time for him to have scratched his palms raw from nerves. Despite Reyna giving him several bottles of water his mouth was still dry and he found himself licking his lips chap. Will was positive he looked like he was hiding something. He was sure his body language screamed he was a filthy liar. A terrible one at that.

Every long second Reyna sat across from him with her dark eyes staring into his soul was another second closer to him spilling everything. He could feel the confession on the tip of his tongue. How had he made it this far? 

“Will,” Reyna says softly and the lack of formality has him sweating, “Is there anything else? No detail is too small.”

“I…I don't..” his chest feels tight and he wants out of this room, he wants to go home, he needs to… “Is Nico here? Does…does he know I'm here?”

Will hadn't seen Nico and as far as he could gather Nico hadn't been in the building when he'd arrived. Knowing his boyfriend, the man would have done the interrogation himself if he'd been present. Will wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed. He knew that out of anyone Nico would know . Know that Will was lying through his teeth. That was a horrifying thought but Will really just wanted to see him.

After everything, who could blame him?

“He's still out looking for you,” Reyna tells him, “For…security reasons only those necessary know of your arrival, i'm sure you understand.”

Will wonders how many of ‘ those necessary’ were in cahoots with The Traitors…Was Reyna? Was this a test? If he spilled the slightest of incriminating information would she…

“Before we go in I wanted to remind you of what's at stake,” Luke had said, “More than just your life…but those you truly care about.”

“I know.” Will had squeaked, his fingers trembling so hard he had to clench them.

“No…I don't think you do,” Luke scoffed, “Let me explain something, I'm not the only one in this uniform fighting for this cause, So in case you feel like opening your big mouth just know that I will find out about it…you can't escape me Sunshine I know who you are… I know your friends, your family…your boyfriend…yes It's very easy to dispose of unnecessary weight…a mission gone wrong… a civilian caught in the crossfire…a misfortunate car crash, it's all very doable…”

Will had thought of his mother, his father and he had thought of his siblings, his friends. In the forefront of his mind was Nico with vacant eyes and…unsettlingly still . It was too much to bear and he was sure his heart would simply give out.

“I want you to think about that everytime you feel a wave of defiance, or bravery, or hell guilt,” Luke had finished and Will still couldn't manage a proper breath.

“Will, anything you can think of that you've yet to mention?” Reyna pressed, “Anything that could help in bringing those who did this to justice?” 

“There's nothing,” Will insisted, “I… I don't know why they took me, or where… I've told you what I can.”

Reyna looks disappointed and the fear in Will's gut is twisting into heavy knots. He waits for her to say something. To call him out on his bullshit…but she doesn't. She just continues to look at him as if he's a puzzle that she's already put together once and is now wondering the point of doing it again.

He's unnerved, he is tired and he thinks perhaps none of this effort is worth it. That he's just too bad of a liar. He lets his eyes take in the room looking everywhere but the woman in front of him. He spots the obvious corner camera, its red light blinking mockingly at him. It is positioned close to the door which is blocked mostly by Reynas' figure. To Will's right a portion of the wall is made of reflective glass. He's positive it's a one way mirror, he'd seen enough movies to know.

His reflection is startling. His skin is pale and dirty, his curls are a matted mess. He can't differentiate his freckles from dirt. There's blood under his nails and streaked across various parts of his person. Dark browns and rusty reds. He can't tell which of it had been his or someone else. He smells of singed hair and sweat. To anyone who looked at him they could see how terrible the last day had been for him. He wonders why they hadn't offered him a change of clothes or a chance to clean up. 

Clothing wise the most he'd been given was a pair of slippers which did little to stop the chill from the cold linoleum. In addition, he’d been lent one of those shock blankets, which he kept loosely draped over his shoulders. He hadn't even been looked over by a medical professional yet, which was odd. As soon as Luke had led him into the building he’d been brought to this room. It could have been hours since then. 

“Do you have any questions for me?” Reyna inquires and Will thinks she's the first person to have asked him that. Nobody has thought to willingly offer insite. He'd done nothing but demand answers, and been given nearly nothing.

“I…” Will starts, “How many were… hurt? At the hospital I mean?”

He thinks of the guards and their still bodies, their blood still stained in the creases of his skin. He thinks of the bombs as they shook the building, of the screams, the panic.

“The number of those injured hasn't been released yet but luckily there was only one casualty,” Reyna tells him.

One.

“One ?” He repeats because that can't be right. There had been two guards. He'd seen them both. 

The world suddenly grows dark around the edges and Reyna is on her feet, her chair sliding back with a loud ssskkrt. Will looks up to the light and takes note of the shadows in the corners of the room growing deeper almost like voids of darkness. 

“Sorry if you'll excuse me for a moment…it seems I have other urgent matters to attend to,” Reyna says tight lipped, “Would you like another water? I'll have someone bring you one right away!”

Will watches her leave the room. The brief time the door is open he hears an abundance of colorful words and a voice so cold it brings chills up his spine.

“-tell me where he is or I swear-”

That's Nico.

The door shuts and Will is left in silence. The room continues to grow darker and Will digs his nails into his palms to stop their trembling. Shit. He can hear his heart pounding faster in his ears. Fuck. He can't breathe properly, his lungs have collapsed, his throat is swollen, all the oxygen has been sucked out of the room. However that's not reality, Will's got everything he needs to keep his heart beating properly but he can't seem to. He knows it all in his head, that he's having a panic attack but he can't ground himself. He feels like he's suffocating…drowning.

It's all hitting him now, that Nico's here and that is without a doubt real . It feels like it's been years since he faced the man but he knows logically that isn't true. Will audibly gasps for breath then he chokes like a heavy smoker. Nico is out there and Will can't be here. He has to see the man… but they're both liars and Will is not the better of the two. Nico will know, he will see…or worse he won't and the charade will continue. 

Have they grown so distant that Will could be successful? That Will could lie directly to Nico and the man wouldn't know? The idea made him sick, because while he hoped to keep this up at least long enough for him to make a plan…the idea that the wedge between them was that great was devastating.

Will stands his own chair toppling to the floor and the blanket spilling off his shoulders.The room is spinning and he swears the shadows are reaching for him. The space feels too small all of a sudden, he can't be here anymore. He needs out. His body moves before his mind and he lunges for the door. He doesn't expect it to open for him and he thinks if that's the case he will surely suffocate. However, by some miracle the door gives way. 

He stumbles the force of his weight nearly causing him to headbutt the opposite door. The hall seems just as riddled with darkness but it's much bigger than the interrogation room and the air feels cleaner. The open space doesn't completely rid Will of his claustrophobia but it does allow it to subside enough to calm the thumping behind his ears.

“You're interrogating my boyfriend?!” Nico's voice resonates from Will's left. He can hear the anger in the male's tone and it's enough to set off the warning bells. The man could be scary when he's angry. The shadow curls around Will's feet and perhaps it's in his head but he swears he can feel their cold tendrils.

“It's necessary to get all the information we can while it's still fresh in his mind,” Reyna says. Will can't see either of them but he knows that they're not far. He immediately starts in the direction of their voices. Each step is more steady than the last.

“ Fresh in his- He was missing!” Nico shouts, “I was out there looking for him! I should have been the first to know that he'd been found! Fuck you and whatever investigative protocol bullshit-”

“I did what I had to,” Reyna declares, “If you'd known I wouldn't have been able to conduct a proper investigation.”

“‘ Proper investigation’ my ass! My boyfriend was taken by supervillain terrorists!” Nico shouts, “You'd have got your answers after I was done making sure he was okay!”

“Can we all just calm down for a second,” that's a new voice but Will isn't surprised to hear it. Jason Grace is Nico's best friend and they can often be found with each other. Will isn't bitter about it. 

“I'm incredibly calm!” Nico hisses and the shadows that creep heavily from under doors and paint the walls in muddled grey declare otherwise. 

“I'm sorry Nico but it wasn't my call, ” Reyna says, “even so I agree with the decision, you have a conflict of interest so to speak.”

“You're talking like Will's a suspect!” Nico states. Will freezes in his strides his entire body stopping dead. Reyna knows.  

Will is half tempted to hightail it in the other direction but he doesn't know this building and even if he did, running signified guilt. Not to mention Nico. Will has to see him. He doesn't care if they start screaming at each other the minute their eyes meet. He needs him .

“This is Will we're talking about!” Nico continues, “You can't possibly believe he is anything but a victim in all this."

It's silent for several moments and Will remains still unable to convince his feet to carry him further. The guilt is at his throat burning his face with shame.

“I'm not implying he's a criminal or guilty of anything Nico,” Reyna’s voice is softer now, “but I need you to understand that this is an incredibly sensitive case, Dr. Solace is the only insite we have and your feelings have a habit of getting in the way of protocol and that cannot be allowed.”

“Did he answer all your questions?” The Italian spats bitterly, “Considering he's been here for hours now? Haven't you got what you wanted?”

“I-” 

“I sure hope so because I'll be retrieving him now,” Nico states.

“I've been given strict orders-”

“By the same person who said to keep me in the dark?” he demands.

“Yes actually.”

Nico hardly pauses before hissing, “Well you can tell them to go fuck themselves.” 

Despite not being able to see any of them, Will can accurately imagine each of their faces. He can see Reyna unfazed professional frown, and Jason's awkward grimace. Mostly Will can picture Nico's cold calculated glare, determined and frightening.

“You can tell me yourself,” and that was a voice Will doesn't recognize. It's a man and he speaks in tired bored sighs. As if this was the very last place he wanted to be. Will shares the sentiment.

“Go Fuck yourself Director!” Nico says with zero hesitation and the man laughs. 

It's not dry like Will expected but full with amusement.  From the few story's Will had heard about the Director this surprised him. If he recalled correctly the man was arrogant, rude, lazy, and hated his job and everyone in it. More importantly not someone to laugh at disrespect.

“Di Angelo you're making it look like we don't pay our electric bill, stop , “ the Director states. His tone is still bored and the force behind it is tired and nearly nonexistent.

To Will's surprise the shadows do seem to lesson in their intensity. The darkness doesn't fully disappear but it's much less menacing. He finds himself able to breathe a little easier. The claustrophobia subsiding with each passing second.

“Director D,” Jason chirps respectfully, “Sorry about Nico sir, he's a little worked u-”

“John Green I don't need you to explain the situation, I'm very much aware of the situation,” the man snips. 

“It's Jason Grace Sir,” Jason corrects.

“Whatever,” Director D sighs then sarcastically, “Di Angelo as much as I love being here, I've got more important matters to attend to, so I'm gonna need you to calm down and let Riley continue to do her job.”

Reyna doesn't bother correcting the man and Will finds it odd that said man could get so many of his employees' names wrong. He had a feeling the Director did it on purpose but he couldn't be sure. Though he has a faint memory of Leo mockingly calling Percy, Peter Johnson in reference to something.

“Fuck that!” Nico hisses, “What gives you the right-”

“Nico incase it slipped your mind, in the last twenty-four hours there's been an attack on a hospital by a organized terrorist group,”  Reyna interrupts, “the media having a field day causing civilian uproar, they want answers, like how said group managed to break in and out of a place that once held Kronos.”

Nico makes a guttural noise of annoyance but Reyna doesn't give him a chance to speak. Her voice is steady and firm as if she was the only adult among children.

“The entire incident makes no sense, Ethan Nakamura turned himself over in exchange for medical treatment,” Reyna explains, “from Apollo’s testimony and the two agents on guard, the man was at death's doors and there was nothing to be done… but yet that man walked out with Dr. Solace's and is somehow still alive.”

“Was he faking? A distraction for the bombing?” Jason wonders, “But why all that?”

“Our most important question right now isn't why, it's how,” Reyna responded, “How were they able to get in and out of the HSCU without anyone noticing? How is Ethan Nakamura still alive? Dr. Solace was there and he is the only one who can possibly answer that…the reason they did this isn't the most pressing question because if they can break in and out of Apollo's hospital who knows where else they can go.”

“The Underworld?” Jason breathes the obvious concern. Will feels a sudden rush of fear. 

“That's impossible,” Nico says, “Even if they could get in nothing gets out.”

“You have,” Jason mutters. 

It's spoken so soft that Will almost misses it. He hardly has time to process that new information before Nico is hissing, “I'm different.”

“Even if that's true, there's still the implication that if Ethan Nakamura is still alive then the Needle is no longer a one shot,” Reyna states.

“We don't know that…the man is the embodiment of luck or something right?” Jason says, “Maybe he's just lucky?”

“What if that's not the case?” Reyna demands,  “If they've found a way to stabilize their serum, the damage they could cause could make the Battle of Manhattan look like child's play.”

“Yes, you have a point Ms. Ramírez-Arellano, though I believe this discussion is something for a place a bit more private,” a new voice says and Will had almost forgot that he was an eavesdropper and the conversation he was hearing wasn't for everyone.

“Chiron about time you wheeled your ass down here,” the Director declares, “do take over I've done enough.” 

There's the sound of retreating steps and Chiron sighs audibly. Nobody seems inclined to speak up and the quiet gives Will enough time to properly think. However, the only thought in his head is how Luke hadn't prepared him for this. Reyna hadn't asked Will about how Ethan Nakamura was still alive, but she had asked him about how they got out of the HSCU. Will had told her the truth, they'd taken the elevator. She hadn't pressed further than that, not that Will knew anything more.

He didn't know how Luke managed to infiltrate the sublevels of Apollo's Hospital, and Will certainly didn't know how Luke had been able to smuggle them out. He could only guess that it had something to do with Luke's position at H.B and with the help of Agent Beauregard and whoever else. Not that Will could relay any of this information. 

He was grateful that Reyna hadn't actually questioned him too deeply on the questions she was indicating were the most important. That being said…why hadn't she? She hadn't pried, and she never once inquired about Ethan's health. She never asked Will if he knew how Ethan Nakamura was still kicking…why? 

“Chiron,” Reyna greets, “You're right sir, shall we finish this discussion in your office?”

Before Chiron can respond Nico interjects, “No need the discussion is over, if you disagree with that feel free to go on without me, I'm collecting my boyfriend now.”

“Nico!” Reyna protests, “I don't think-”

“Honestly I don't care what you think or what anyone else thinks , the last twenty-four hours have been hell for me and I can only imagine how bad they've been for him,” Nico says darkly, “I'm going to go make sure he's okay, then I'm going to take him home, if you or anyone else try to stop me-”

“Di Angelo,” Chiron starts, “I understand that you're been worried out of your mind, but I must ask that you allow Reyna to do her job.”

“Chiron!” Nico growls dangerously, “Don't you think Wills has been through enough today? Haven't we all been through enough today? Can't this wait?”

Will can hear Chiron let out a defeated noise and it takes several moments for the man to respond but when he does his words don't fill Will with relief but an odd sense of panic.

“Okay, you're right…take him home, let him recuperate for a couple days, talk to him, see what you can gather yourself, after you've both had a bit of time, I ask you bring him back,” Chiron insists, “I would like to speak with him myself.”

The thought of having to come back to be interrogated again makes him woozy. However, the idea of going home and being questioned by Nico has his entire body trembling. He's already convinced he failed convincing Reyna, he doesn't have faith he could persuade Chiron and the thought of trying to with Nico is gut wrenching.

“Okay,” Nico says, his voice breathy and relieved, “ Yes … I- thank you.”

Chiron hums in acknowledgement before he says, “Reyna please escort Nico to Dr. Solace.”

“Yes sir,” Reyna responded and if she's put out by the outcome she doesn't voice it. 

Will can hear the clicking of her heels beginning in his direction and he realizes where he is and how obvious it is he's been eavesdropping. Before he can really think, his flight response is activating and he's pushing his way into the closest room. 

He finds himself in what he can only guess is a storage room. He catches sight of stacks of printer paper and other office like equipment before the door shuts quietly behind him and plunges the place into darkness. Immediately he feels stupid because he’d already reminded himself once that running signified guilt and yet what had he done?

To make matters worse this new enclosed dark space has the claustrophobic feeling back. His breathing becomes erratic once more. He tries to turn the door handle but his clammy hand can't find purchase. He gives up on trying to get out and instead focuses on trying to remain standing. His legs shake and he rests his palms on the door for leverage.

There are tears in his eyes and through the water pooling and spilling he can see his skin taking on a faint glow. The color isn't like the soft gold he's used to but instead it's heavily tinged with green. It's sickly and doesn't light the area much, like a dying glowstick. 

Gods he wanted to see Nico so bad but he fucked that up hadn't he? He almost had what he wanted but in the moment of panic he forgot everything.

He stands there unmoving taking deep shaky breaths through his nose. He's not sure how long he's there. He can't seem to count the seconds, or his breaths. He has no indication of time but it's long enough for his tears to have soaked his cheeks. He also knows it hasn't been nearly long enough because he's not prepared to be found.

The door before him swings open and he rocks from the loss of his anchor. His hands extended in front of him to break his fall but luckily someone is taking hold of his shoulders, steading him once more. Will hesitantly moves his head to look at the person who'd open the door.

“Will! Thank Gods!” Jason exclaims, “Are you okay?”

“Where's Nico?” Will hesitantly asks, not bothering to answer the question. He couldn't think of a word that could come close to explaining how very not okay he was. If calamity was a feeling maybe that would be the word. 

Jason gives him a smile, “About to lose his mind when he finds you're not where you're supposed to be… again, ” he holds out his hand to help Will to his feet, “You're a hard man to keep track of Solace.”

“I'm not trying to be,” Will assures, allowing the man to help fully steady him. 

“Why were you hiding in here?” 

Will can't think of an excuse besides for something along the lines of ‘looking for a bathroom’ and that's blatantly a lie. Will takes a breath and settles on a bit of the truth, “I panicked, Reyna was asking me all these questions and… I felt like I was getting them wrong and it wasn't like they were multiple choice!”

Jason lets out a snort, “Yeah she has a habit of making people feel that way.”

“I… I can't give her the answers she wants,” He says shakily and he lets the man interpret his words. Not in the way they obviously are meant. Will can not give Reyna or anyone the truth. He can't answer the questions with the utmost honesty… He can't get Luke's voice out of his head.

“That's okay,” Jason reassures, “I know you've been through a lot, Honestly I'm surprised you didn't run straight home.”

“I wanted to…I want to,” Will tells him, “Am…am I in trouble?”

He feels like a child asking. Like he got a bad grade or touched something he shouldn't have, “No,” Jason tells him, “but the longer we stand here Nico's probably gonna be…you know how he is.”

Will follows Jason back out to the hallway. 

“Good thing I found you,” Jason says, “I'm sure Nico and Reyna have discovered your absence and it's only a matter of time before they…well let's try not to find out.”

Will lets out a nervous laugh and lets himself be led, “How'd you find me?”

“I noticed the odd glowing light from under the door.”

“Oh…yeah,” Will mutters sheepishly. 

Suddenly Will spots a figure in front of them. The person stops and they lock eyes. The first thing Will notices is the frantic look behind those tired eyes surrounded by dark sunken in circles. Then he sees the clamminess of their pale skin. It's Nico. Will's breath is caught in his lungs. 

He sees his name on the male's lips and he stands frozen as the man approaches. Jason is saying something but it falls on deaf ears. Will shaking, by God's he's trembling and he can't find words in his throat and Nico is nearly running at him. 

Wills terrified and overjoyed at the same time. His nerves are on fire and he feels like his blood is trying to escape his body and-

He's in Nicos arms. The pale boy grabs ahold of him pulling him tightly against his chest. The force nearly knocks the air from Will's lungs and it takes him several seconds to do anything but just stand there. It's not until he feels Nicos hot tears on his neck that he grasps the boy back.

“Ssshh hey it's okay,” he finds himself saying. The tone is the same he uses for treating children, soft and reassuring. He feels the tension in Nicos body fade but the grip only gets tighter. He hears a soft laugh amongst soft sniffles.

“I…I thought…” Nico mutters but never finishes. That's okay because he doesn't need to. 

Who knows how long they stand there, clutching at each other. It doesn't matter. As Will stands there in Nico's arms he can't for the life of him remember why he'd been worried.