Chapter Text
"I . . ."
Will paused, the arm that was rubbing Nico's back stopping in its tracks. "Nico, it's okay. You don't have to talk."
Nico shook his head. His voice was muffled with how deeply he had buried himself in Will's chest. "I want to. It's just— It's been so long. It's been so long, and I thought I was over it. Over her. I mourned her and moved on. But seeing her again, I— I don't even know. It just broke something in me again. Something I thought I had already put back together. I couldn't face her again, knowing what was going to happen. I didn't want to interfere with her fate, so I tried to leave. I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."
Nico couldn't bring himself to look up at Will's face. He wasn't scared, no, Will would never judge him like that. But he didn't want to see the heartbroken expression he would surely have.
"Nico . . ." The hesitation made Nico's heart pound, eyes watering with tears once more. He sniffled, trying not to start crying again.
"Yeah?"
"I don't blame you. When I saw Lee, I just-- I don't know what I thought. I was alone in that cabin, none of you were around, and my dead sibling was there? I felt so helpless, and I thought the grief was going to take over me." Will gripped Nico tighter, clutching him to his body. "Please, Nico. Don't let this stop you. Don't let this break the group apart. We need to be united, now more than ever, so we can go back and stop Nero."
"I won't." Nico pushed, rubbing his eyes and using his sleeve to wipe his nose. He sniffled a little. "I promise." Will put his hands on both sides of Nico's face, smiling slightly. He leaned for a short kiss.
"Don't tell the others I was crying. I might lose Meg's respect."
Will chuckled. "I don't think anyone has Meg's respect."
Back by the cabin, Nico was hesitant to open the door and face the others. He felt Will nudge his arm, and when Nico looked over, Will was smiling at him, a soft look in his eyes. Nico returned the smile, and then pushed the door open.
Rachel's head twisted to Nico, a curious look on her face. Meg stared at the ground and Lester gently pushed her shoulder forward.
"Sorry." She muttered, crossing her arms. "Shouldn't have said that."
Nico stared, before snorting. "Don't worry about it. Someone had to say it."
A look of relief had washed over Lester's face, and he was quick to move on. "So, the whole time travel thing—"
"Wait, Lester, I should probably say something first." He took a deep breath, trying to steel himself. "I should have been honest instead of starting a fight. I didn't need to be so stubborn. I know we should help. It just hurts seeing my sister again. I'm sorry."
Rachel walked forward, bringing Nico into a hug. She pulled away. "We all messed up. No one blames you. But." She said, eyeing both Nico and Meg. "Next time we should try and have clearer communication. Preferably without being so accusatory. Yeah?"
Meg huffed and plopped down onto a bed. Nico shrugged.
Rachel sighed. "Worth a shot." She patted Nico on the back and sat down next to Meg.
Will spoke up from behind Nico. "All in agreement? We're here to help?" Everyone nodded at him. "Then, I think our next step is to go talk to Chiron. We need a game plan."
Wordlessly, Will opened the door, and the group filed out of the cabin. Nico stepped aside to let the others pass. Lester stopped momentarily to pat Nico on the shoulder, making eye contact for a quick second before moving on. It was short, but meaningful. Regardless of their situation, Nico was glad he was able to have Lester with him.
Rachel met his eye and her lip quirked up the slightest little bit. Her shoulder brushed his as she passed.
Meg didn't stop or anything like that, but she sniffed lightly as she walked by him. Maybe it was her version of an apology. Maybe it was her way of saying he stunk. Which was fair, as none of them (barring Rachel, maybe) had the chance to shower since they got here.
As Nico exited the cabin, Will walked next to him, taking care to match him step by step. Nico glanced at him, as if warning Will that he could sense the over-protectiveness. Will ignored the looks Nico sent him.
In the distance, Nico could hear faint shouts coming from the forest, accompanying the tell-tale clang of swords and the thwip of arrows being shot from bows. He paused for a short moment, overwhelmed with memories.
"Hey, guys." The rest of the group turned back, eyes focused on Nico watching the forest. "I think they're playing capture the flag right now."
Will's eyebrows furrowed as he scanned the clearing. "I don't know how I didn't notice this before, but the camp is empty. And the infirmary is oddly busy."
"Sooo, Chiron won't be in the Big House right now?" Rachel sighed, exasperated. "Can we ever catch a break?"
"If it helps, we might find Mr. D in there?" Lester suggested.
They all fell silent. Nico diverted his eyes.
"That's fair." Lester shrugged. "I wouldn't want to ask for his help either."
"So our is to, what, run around in there until we find him?" Meg scrunched her nose. "That's stupid."
"Really stupid." Lester agreed, shaking his head. "I quite like not being maimed." Nico couldn't help but agree.
"I think everyone does." Rachel added, giving the camp one more search. "But we may have no other choice but to."
"Also," Will jumped in, confusion written plainly all over his face. "Why did they continue playing capture the flag even though they had, like, 5 time travellers right here in camp?"
"They did it with the Hunters when I came to camp." Nico offered, patting Will on the shoulder as he started towards the forest. "I think we should know very well by now how nothing really messes up the camp schedule." Very little. Nico thought. In hindsight, not very surprising.
"Wait, we're just— going in there?" Will raised his hand, pointing to where a camper just stumbled out of the trees, 3 arrows sticking out of them. "Right into the fighting? Don't get me wrong, I love danger just as much as the next demigod, but shouldn't we maybe, I don't know, avoid putting ourselves in it?"
"Don't be a baby." Meg snorted, kicking at him lightly as she joined Nico. "The infirmary is right there anyways."
"I guess we don't have any other choice, do we?" Lester said, looking every bit and even more apprehensive than Will was. Rachel put a hand between his shoulders and pushed him forward.
"Although, I am surprised that you, of all people, are reluctant to go in. Aren't medics supposed to rush into danger to save people?" Lester asked, looking over his shoulder at his son.
"Maybe." Will pursed his lips as he joined the rest of them. "But you guys don't remember what happened here?"
Nico almost turned around. To ask, to joke, or to tease. But instead he clenched his fist, swallowing hard. "I remember. A little too well."
He avoided the others' gaze as he marched toward the edge of the forest, thoughts clouded with the fear of coming face-to-face with the past that he avoided for so long.
There's nothing I can do about it. Nico told himself, subconsciously biting his lip. Just have to attack it head on.
He ducked down, dodging an arrow, and charged into the forest. Without checking, he knew he had his friends right behind him.