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It had been a terrible day. Everything seemed to go wrong from the moment he woke up. Overstimulated and exhausted, he just wanted to sleep and be left alone. He couldn't even bring himself to care about what his sister was saying. But then his brother arrives, asking loudly for help with something. He usually loves helping, but today was different. He just needed some space.
"-Will, you said you would help me with..." His brother's demands fell on deaf ears. He didn't even bother to pay attention. "Hey! I'm talking to you! You're not even listening! That's not nice, man. You could at least listen to what I'm saying. You promised to help me."
Will got up, ready to leave. People were now screaming at him, and he couldn't take it. Tears welled up in his eyes. If he stayed here, he was going to have a breakdown. Goodbye, Mr Sunshine. Hello, Rainstorm. At the same time, Nico DiAngelo stepped into the dining pavilion, coming back from Gods know where. His gaze grazed the room, and when it stopped on Will, a small smile twisted his lips. However, it fell instantly when he realized the state he was in. Stepping over his bench, Will just crossed the room straight for the son of Hades, almost leaping into his arms. Nico didn't hesitate before closing them around him, letting Will's face fall in the crook of his neck.
"-Hey," Nico whispered softly, rubbing circles on Will's back. "What's wrong?" He cupped the back of his neck and squeezes it tenderly. Will sniffled and shook his head, not wanting to talk about it. Nico didn't push, just holding him tightly while the other campers looked on in surprise. They had always known that Will and Nico were friends, but they had never seen them like this before. "It's okay, you're fine. I've got you. Let's find somewhere quieter, hmm?" Nico whispered softly, rubbing circles on Will's back. The dining pavilion was usually a noisy place, but in this instance, not a sound could be heard. The campers around them were too nosy to be noisy. Nico refrained from sending a death glare to every single one of them, hoping they would mind their own business. He knew the absence of noise would be a relief for his boyfriend's headache. Besides, he had more important matters at hand. Nico knew how much Will needed quiet and space in moments like this. He had seen him struggle before, and he had learned how to read his moods. This was one of those moments where Nico needed to be there for him, to make sure he felt safe and taken care of.
He offered, "You can rest in my cabin. It's nice and quiet, with nobody to bother you. What do you think, sunshine? Want to take a nap in my cave?" Nico receives only an exhale as a response, but it seems enough for them. It's as if they don't need words to communicate. "Of course, I'll stay with you. You'll have to deal with me once again. But you chose it, baby. Too late now, no backing down." With a cheeky grin, he kisses Will's temple. He firmly holds onto Will's shoulder with one hand, while the other plays with the shorter hair on the back of his neck. His thumb makes soothing patterns on Will's back. He wasn't letting him go until the blond broke the embrace himself. "When you're ready." Nico dropped a few more kisses on Will's temple and waited for him to finally calm down enough to let go, or at least to look Nico in the eyes.
"-Hi..." Will's voice was smaller than anyone had heard before, and clear exhaustion bled through.
"-Hi sunshine, are you ready to go?" A small but genuine smile twisted Nico's lips. Will nodded shyly and smiled back. Nico's arm across Will's back didn't move as they walked side by side, with Will cocooned in Nico's embrace.
The noise in the dining pavilion instantly intensified, but the scene that just took place wasn't the focus of the conversation. Nobody cared. It was a surprise, of course, but not really at the same time. It's difficult to find people more opposite than they were, but finding people more fitting for each other was even harder. the grumpy “dark” one, soft for the sunshine.The people pleaser fragile only in the trust of the other, knowing they would burn the world before letting anything happen to them. The black cat and their golden retriever partner. The loved by everyone, only loving the one who hates everybody else.
Darkness and Sunlight
A star and the Sun
Nico and Will
As they walked through the camp, Nico could feel Will's body tense up. He knew that the loud noises and the constant chatter of the other campers were getting to him. Nico wished he could shield Will from all of it, but he knew that wasn't possible. All he could do was be there for him, to offer him a safe space where he could rest and recover.
Nico led Will to the bed and lay them down, making sure they were comfortable. Running his fingers through Will's hair and whispering sweet nothings in his ear. Nico knew that Will needed to feel loved and safe. He knew he had to make him forget about the terrible day he had just gone through.
"-Everything's going to be okay," Nico said softly. "You don't have to worry about anything. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere." Will closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief. He felt safe and loved in Nico's arms, and he knew that he would be able to get through this with him by his side. As he drifted off to sleep, he could feel Nico's hand rubbing circles on his back, soothing him like a lullaby.
Nico stayed by Will's side, keeping a watchful eye on him as he slept. He knew that Will needed his rest and that he would feel better after a nap. Nico had been through overstimulation multiple times himself, and he knew how important it was to have someone by his side when things got tough. As the minutes turned into hours, Will slept soundly, his breathing slow and steady. Nico watched over him, his heart overflowing with love and tenderness. He knew that he would do anything to make sure Will was okay, no matter what it took. Finally, as the sun began to set over the camp, Will stirred awake. He looked around, momentarily confused, before remembering where he was. Nico was still there, sitting by his side, watching over him with a gentle smile on his face. "Hey," Nico whispered softly. "How are you feeling?" Will smiled weakly, but this time it was a genuine one.
"-Better," he said softly. "Thank you, Nico. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." Nico smiled warmly at Will's words. He leaned in and kissed him gently on the forehead.
"-You don't have to thank me, sunshine. I'll always be here for you, no matter what," he said, his voice filled with love and affection. Will felt his heart swell with emotion as he looked into Nico's deep, dark eyes. He had never felt so loved and cared for in his life.
In that moment, he knew that he had found his soulmate, the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
"-Can we stay here for a while longer?" Will asked, snuggling closer to Nico.
"-Of course," Nico replied, wrapping his arms around Will and pulling him close.
"-We can stay here for as long as you want." They spent the rest of the evening in each other's arms, talking softly and enjoying the quiet of the cabin. Will felt all of his anxiety and worries slowly melt away in Nico's embrace. He knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.