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Nico Di Angelo stood on the hillside, arms folded and staring resolutely at the ground. He'd been irate, or more so than usual, ever sine Chiron had declared at the campfire that Will Solace, Cecil Markowitz and Lou Ellen Blackstone were going on a six day quest. They weren't even allowed to Iris Message Camp Halfblood because the would be constantly on the move. Will was Nico's best friend. In the two months since the war with Gaea ended and Will forced Nico to spend three days that turned into a week in the infirmary, the two had grown close. Will was the only one who could return Nico's infamous death glares and Nico was the only one who could persuade Will to stop working when he was tired. They were two opposites but completely inseparable. Nico didn't know what he was going to do without Will.
"Hey, Mr. Dark Lord," Will smiled his famous, sunny smile, walking away from the jeep where he'd been standing and talking to Lou Ellen and Cecil. Technically, being fifteen, Will wasn't legally allowed to drive but, many painful driving lessons later, Chiron had taught him too. Nico wasn't quite sure how considering Chiron was half horse. It was probably best not to ask.
"Here to see me off?"
Nico nodded, refusing to meet Will's eyes. He felt that if he did he might crack.
"I'll miss you," Will offered when Nico didn't say anything. Nico's eyes started to well up. He sighed and half-jumped forward, standing on his tiptoes to wrap his arms around Will's neck and hide his face in the crook.
"I'll miss you too," he admitted quietly. Will's arms surrounded his waist, hugging him tighter than he ever had before. Both boys were trying to convey a message. Neither wanted to leave the other.
"Don't leave," Nico pleaded, hating how small and desperate his voice sounded. Will pulled back a little, leaving his arms where they were, and met Nico's eyes.
"I'm coming back. I promise."
"Bianca promised." Nico couldn't help the tears that rolled down his cheeks. "Bianca promised and she didn't come back and I can't lose you. I can't."
He could see the exact moment Will's heart broke in the boy's eyes and instantly felt bad. He had made everything about himself. Surely Will was anxious too and he was the one who would actually be in danger. It was only that Nico was terrified that this would be the last time the saw one another and he couldn't bear it if that were true.
"Will, we have to go!" Lou Ellen called reluctantly as she and Cecil climbed into the jeep. Will paused and Nico's breath caught in his throat as the other leaned forwards, searching his face to check if this was okay. Nico nodded. It was a short, chaste kiss but it said everything that needed to be said. Be safe.
An intense feeling of cold hit the son of Hades when Will let go of him and opened the door of the jeep. Nico took a step back, crying freely now. He gave a small smile and a roll of his eyes as he caught the kiss Will blew him. All was silent as the jeep drove into the distance.
A few minutes later, he heard a voice behind him say, "He's gonna be fine, y'know."
"No!" Nico whirled around. "No, Piper, I don't know and that's the worst part."
Piper bit her lip and looked down. Jason stood beside her with concern etched on his face. Annabeth looked the same but Percy was looking around confused.
"It's just a six day quest. You never get that worries when one of us goes," he pointed out. Everyone glared at him.
"Will isn't one of you," Nico retorted as his hands curled into fists. "How would you feel if, after everything you've been through and everything she's been through, Annabeth went on a quest without you?"
Percy fell silent. Nico scoffed and shoved past him on his way to his cabin. He slammed the door shut and buried himself under his duvet, holding his pillow to his chest. A while later, Jason came and sat at the end of his bed. He didn't say anything but instead read a book and didn't leave until Nico fell asleep.
Nico didn't emerge from his cabin on day two. Piper came and sat with him this time but he spent the hours curled up in a ball facing the wall. He ate a pomegranate but couldn't bring himself to eat anything else.
On day three, Percy came to apologise but Nico ignored him. He couldn't deal with that at the moment. He didn't want an apology. He wanted his Will. At least he knew Will wasn't dead. He would have felt his soul enter the Underworld if that were true.
However, that didn't mean he'd be safe. In fact, being in a quest guaranteed him not to be and he wouldn't be until he was back at camp and with Nico. That meant having to deal with the constant dread, just waiting for that tug that told him it was all over.
On day four, he heard the knock that told him someone had come to look after him again. He was fully prepared to tell them to go away but paused when he saw who it was.
"Kayla." He frowned, sitting up. Kayla Knowles was Will's half-sister. Nico and her hadn't talked much but enough for him to know that he liked her and that was pretty rare. She smiled.
"I've come to take you to lunch. Will would want you to eat."
"Don't talk about him like he's dead."
"Fine. Will's going to kick your ass when he gets back and finds out that you've been skipping meals."
Nico's lips quirked up. Kayla extended a hand, which he took, dropping it when he stood and crossed his arms. He followed her to breakfast, ignoring how his friends' eyes lit up when they saw him walk in. He took his seat at the table for the big three's kids and was surprised when Kayla sat beside him.
"Are you allowed to sit here?" he asked, knowing the answer. She shrugged.
"Do you want me to?"
It was Nico's turn to shrug and Kayla took that as good enough for her. She started chatting with Percy and Jason and Nico was reminded of her father, Apollo. It was the cheerful presence and the way she so easily befriended people that gave her parentage away. Will was like that too but Nico knew that they both had anxiety. It was an act but a good one.
On the fifth day, Annabeth invited Nico to spar. He fought with everything he had and, despite Annabeth being a more than worthy opponent, beat her within ten minutes. He helped her up and wiped the sweat from his brow, eyes darting to where Will would usually sit and applaud him before coming to check him for injuries. He was a bit overprotective like that but Nico didn't complain enough when he was actually hurt so it was just as well.
"A lot of emotions to get out today," Annabeth remarked. There was a pause. "He'll be back tomorrow."
Nico nodded.
On the sixth day, Nico spent it all sat on the porch of his cabin. Piper, Jason, Annabeth, Percy and Kayla sat with him. They were all talking but he didn't join in. His gaze was set firmly on the hillside. The whole day passed and still no Will. Everyone except Kayla had gone to the campfire but Nico couldn't bring himself to move.
"He promised."
"He's not dead," Kayla said. "He's not dead because you'd know if he was. He's out there right now trying his hardest to get back to us. He'll be here soon."
Nico didn't reply so Kayla nudged him. "You're all he talk about, y'know. He cares too much about you to die."
Nico chuckled softly and showed his appreciation through a smile meeting of the eyes. They stayed there far into the evening. Will wasn't back that day.
Of course Nico spent the night lying awake. The next morning he was exhausted but got up to sit and wait with Kayla nonetheless. Around dinner, something caught his eye. Lights. Headlights. He saw before Kayla did and dashed up the hill just as the jeep pulled in. Will stepped out wearing a wide grin.
Nico found it in himself to disguise his joy, march up to Will and punch him in the stomach. Will doubled over but the smile was still on his face.
"Nice to see you too, Neeks."
"You're late," he grumbled. Will straightened his back and Nico leapt into his arms, kissing his cheek and burying his face in Will's curls. After a few seconds, Kayla caught up and joined in the hug.
Afterwards, Nico didn't let Will go to dinner. Instead, he dragged him into Cabin 13 and locked the door behind them, folding his arms and using his death glare. He advanced so that Will was up against the wall with their noses almost touching.
"I hate you," he whispered.
And the he kissed him.