Chapter Text
They were atop Zeus Fist on the same day he was released from the infirmary. He was lying on the sheepskin lining of this new aviator jacket breathless as Will stopped kissing him to prop up on his side next to him. The dark hair boy’s lips were swollen and burned slightly around the edges due to Will’s stubble. The pale skin around his neck and collar bone was inflamed and he could feel several telltale throbbing bruises. He noting the same signs on Will and it sent a thrill through him. He felt dazed and giddy as he looked up into Will’s pensive cerulean eyes.
“What is it?” He questioned.
“We’ll have to go back soon. Before we do I want to talk.” He answered with foreboding. Nico’s heart sank to envision being at camp, but unable to touch Will.
“What is there to say? We just have to be very careful.” He cringed the thought of the other demi-gods at camp finding out about them.
“It is not that simple, everyone knows I’m gay. They will guess, dark angel. So you have to shed your 20th century hang-ups.” Will was matter-a-fact, but Nico’s mind squealed in panic as his face paled and mouth went dry.
“I know you are terrified, but really it will be alright.” Will said consolingly as he brushed his fingertips along the side of Nico’s face. “Everyone you’ve told has supported you. Do your really have so little faith in your friends?”
“Well no, but that is different… They are my friends because… We were on quests and they were depending on me… Here everyone else already hates me. What type of torture do you think I’ll get if they find out I’m… I’m gay?” Nico glared back at Will shaking in anger. He did not know what it was like to be despised, everyone loves him.
Will answered slowly with mock thoughtfulness, “So, let me make sure I get this right. First, you say your friends only accept you because you’re good in a fight? Second, you say everyone already hates you, but it will be worse if you are out? And third, you actually think someone could bully a badass like you?”
Nico was caught off guard, but quickly dismissed Will’s logic. “I don’t want to lose the tenuous friendships I’ve made.”
Will angrily countered, “Would you give your friends a break? They all have accepted I’m gay and they hardly know me. Heck, I’m a healer and only a few Neanderthals flinch when I examine them. Your friends will stand by you Nico. And you don’t care about the rest of the camp.”
Nico squirmed in shame and whispered in defeat, “Yeah, but I’m still an aberration for being this way.”
Will demanded angrily, “No, don’t ever think that. You are absolutely perfect, just the way the Gods made you.”
Nico looked vacantly past him, seemingly caught up in his own introspections. “Please Will, I’m not ready… I can’t do this… not yet.” He replied with dread.
Will was resigned, “I know my angel. I’ll wait for you.” And he leaned over to kiss his brow, eyelids, nose, and cheeks leaving a warm trail over Nico’s ashen face.