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Nico and Will were sitting down on a blanket settled at a clearing in the midst of the forest. It was their first date which Will prepared and the son of Hades was excited about (Eventhough he won’t admit it). Will turned to Nico who gave him a small smile. Nico rarely smiles, and when he does, especially if it was for Will, it just makes the latter boy’s heart explode with affection.
So, Will returned the smile, gently bumping Nico’s shoulder purposely, before taking out the sandwiches he prepared, “I’m not much of a cook, but I tried…”
Nico nodded, observing the sandwich warily. Will snorted at that, “Oh come on, di Angelo, it’s not like I’ll poison you or anything.”
Nico rolled his eyes then shook his head, “It’s just that…” he faltered, stopping himself, looking at Will nervously. Will chuckled then gave him a reassuringly smile, which made Nico’s heart flutter, “Come on, deathboy. I won’t judge.”
Nico wanted to protest for the nickname, but he couldn’t get himself to, so he just scowled, before looking back at the sandwich and saying, “It’s been a while since someone cooked for me. I believe my Mama did, but I don’t quite remember either.”
Will nodded in understanding then reached out to cup Nico’s cheeks but stopped, remembering that Nico doesn’t like to be touched. When Nico noticed the hesitation, he reached for Will’s hand which was still staying afloat in the air, then guided it towards his cheeks.
Sure, he didn’t like being touched still, but he was getting used to it. Nico felt the warmth of Will’s hands in his cheeks, providing him calm then letting it spread throughout his body as he leaned into it with a hum of content. At that, both of them smile in content. Will’s much brighter than Nico.
Then Will’s smile faltered, doubt evident in his voice, “Maybe you shouldn’t taste the sandwiches.”
Nico let Will’s hand drop as he gave him a questioning look, “But you prepared it.”
Will nodded, biting his lip nervously, his hands looping over the other, as if he was trying to wrap an imaginary Ace bandage, “That’s the problem…”
Nico shook his head in disbelief. Then before Will could do anything about it, Nico took a bite, then immediately regretted in doing so as he tasted the saltiness of the sandwich. Will was looking at him expectantly though, and so, he continue to chew instead of spitting it out, then swallowed.
But then Nico couldn’t help himself, “Gods, that was salty.”
Will sighed, looking more down than Nico has ever seen him, making Nico deflate in guilt as Will said, “I told you not to eat, didn’t I?”
Nico looked straight into Will’s eyes then saw something. Sure, he was upset, but there was definitely more to this story than Will’s letting on. Now, Nico wasn’t a people person, but seeing Will sad… Well, it feels unnatural. He couldn’t stand it. So, he decided to cheer him up, but first Nico had to find out the root.
Nico then let out a sigh, before facing Will, asking, “What’s really the matter, Solace?”
Will looked away, mumbling, “Nothing…”
Nico shrugged, then reached for the other boy’s chin, hesitantly, eventually succeeding, then gently turning Will’s head to face him, “It’s obviously not.” He pointed out.
“You already know me too much.” Will whined. Nico shot him an unimpressed look which made Will sigh, looking down, “I’m damaged, Nico. More broken than I let on.”
Nico shifted, trying to catch Will’s gaze but he was still looking down, “How so?”
Will sighed, “I can’t taste anything. Everything is so dull. What is sweet? What is bitter? What is salty? I used to know, but each passing day, they fade even more…”
Nico’s heart clenched, a sense of protectiveness washing over him. He wanted to tell Will his perfect just as he is, but before he could, Will began talking again, and Nico decided to listen, “It all started when Michael died. The grief of Lee still hasn’t left me, then I had to grieve again, but aside from that, everything just came crashing down. Suddenly, I have these responsibilities, being the eldest, being the head counselor, being the head medic… I just wanted to grieve, move on, and such, but I couldn’t.”
Will’s voice cracked and tears began to make his eyes sparkle but he continued anyway, and Nico knew that for now, he just had to listen, “I never knew that it hit me with such great shock, grief, stress, and probably trauma until I began eating. At first, I didn’t notice, still too numb to notice anything, but then… Things got better yet my tongue was still numb.”
Then that was it, it was the breaking point. Will was now sobbing into Nico’s embrace, all fear of touch forgotten, “I just want to taste again…”
Nico pursed his lips as he tightened his embrace on Will, trying to come up with soothing words. Though he knew it was hopeless. Grief was hard to cure, so he just stayed there, just being there for Will.
Once Will calmed down, he pulled away, wiping his tears away, “I’m sorry.” He said, trying to smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
It was Nico’s turn to cup Will’s cheek, shushing him, “Never say sorry for opening up. No one deserves to hold their burden alone.”
Will gave him a small smile, more sincere than the one before, “Thank you.” He said barely a whisper, his voice hoarse.
Nico smiled softly, wiping a few tears out of Will’s cheeks, “I’ll help you.”
Will gave him a questioning look as Nico explained, “Grief is tough and it may have its after-effects but most of them are reversible, curable.” Will’s eyes met his, a tinge of gratefulness and joy evident as Nico finished up, “I’m no psychiatrist or therapist but, I think all you need is a little more joy in your life, and a little less stress. I don’t know about the stress part, but I could try to be your joy. I'll... try to make you happier.”
This time, Will smiled brighter, spreading a warmth through Nico’s insides, did he really manage this? “Thank you, Nico. You really are amazing, have I told you that?”
Nico chuckled, wanting to sound sarcastic only for it to come out affectionately, “Atleast once a day, everyday.”
Will hummed in content, then leaned into Nico, “I hope it’s alright if I bask in your presence a little more.”
Nico rolled his eyes but placed an arm around Will, “Dork.” Then an involuntary smile tugged at his lips, “But don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“You better not.” Will half-joked.