Chapter Text
“I don’t see this ending well.” Piper said, one arm around Thalia and the other around Nico for support as they got down from Percy’s car. Percy was stubbornly maintaining his distance from them all, quiet as he stuck his hands into his jeans pockets and eyes focused on the floor as he locked the car. “Especially with Nico around.”
Annabeth’s eyes fell on the door of the cottage in the middle of the forest. It was the last safe place she could think of, since there was no way they could go to a human hospital or back to the angel realm, since Piper legally wasn’t even supposed to leave. Any moment, both their mothers would start getting suspicious, and she didn’t know if Leo could stall long enough. He had enough on his hands as it was.
“We don’t have a choice, Pipes. He’s the best we’ve got. He’s the only one who can save you.”
“I don’t need saving.” She argued, and fell against Thalia. The blood loss was getting to her brain, and Percy grew impatient.
“Okay, this is stupid- we’ve had this conversation already. Annabeth said he Fell because of some dumbass humans? Well, let’s prove to this guy that not all humans are douchebags. Well, most of us, anyways.”
Annabeth took a mental note to talk to him in length about Piper’s capture later. Right now, they had bigger fish to fry. Annabeth went to knock on the door aggressively just as it swung open.
Will looked exactly the same as she’d last seen him, except a little older and a lot more tired.
“Well, clearly it’s an emergency, or else Athena’s daughter herself wouldn’t be standing at my doorstep. Along with the three biggest angel hunter’s kids in LA.” He glared at Nico, who simply stared with his jaw slightly open and eyes wide, and Annabeth raised her arms.
“We’re not here to fight, Will. We just need your help. Pipes got-, well, take a look.”
Piper showed him the injury on her back, and he sighed. “She can come in. One person for support. The rest of you, stay out.”
“Thalia’s ankle is also broken.”
“So is my brain.” Her eyes crossed, lost in thought, and Annabeth couldn’t blame her. She had a lot to take in, and she had a feeling it wasn’t something she could talk to her parents about.
Will sighed again and fully opened his doors, letting them all in. Percy flashed him a grateful smile, and the rest of them followed. Thalia wobbled over to the couch, resting her leg, and Will disappeared into a room, Piper and Annabeth following closely behind. Once she was resting comfortably on the bed and Will could begin the required medical procedures, she was kicked out and joined the rest of them in the living room. Nico’s eyes kept darting to the closed door, and Annabeth placed an arm on his shoulder.
“She’s gonna be fine.”
“Wha-huh-um- yeah. Piper. That-that’s- Good to know.” Nico felt terribly out of character, and Thalia and Percy exchanged a sideways glance. “So, um, Will. He isn’t that big of a fan of mine, is he?”
Annabeth grinned sheepishly. “Well, yes, but it’s not my story to tell. Mainly because I don’t know the full details myself.”
Nico hummed carelessly, breaking eye contact before asking again, “How old would you say he is?”
“Why do you wanna know that?” Percy asked, and Annabeth could swear color bounced into Nico’s pale cheeks. He stammered and talked about how Will looked old and young at the same time, and Thalia let out a scoff.
“Hard to say. Angels are ageless and timeless.”
“Wait, then, how old are you?” Percy sat up straight, wanting to know more, and Annabeth sighed. This was going to be a long conversation.
She was incredibly thankful when midway through explaining angel ages, Will exited and immediately started checking up on Thalia’s leg.
“She’ll live. Not as disastrous. They’ll grow back, if you were wondering. Oh yeah, this is definitely fractured. You’re not going anywhere.” Will looked Annabeth straight in the eye. “Now tell me, how the fuck did it escalate to this?”