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"You're so stupid." He hisses, but there's the slightest quiver in his hands as he tries to bandage Will's wounds. Nico's lips curl, anger clear and present on his face. "What were you thinking?! Throwing your life away and for what? Our meaningless friendship that'll be over the second I work for my dad again?"
He's lying though, because being friends with Will meant the world to him, Will meant the world to him. But he can't stand seeing people hurt themselves for him, and the blonde threw himself in the way to protect him. "Don't do that again." Nico's words come out harsh, but his voice almost cracks.
And Will just smiled, his hand coming up to cup his face. Even though he was injured he was still so gentle and kind to Nico. "But I would do it again. Over and over, just for you."
Nico closes his eyes against the sudden burst in his chest. He has a million responses ready on the tip of his tongue, all of them snarky remarks. But none of them seemed right for the seriousness of this moment, so he keeps his mouth shut, and leans into Will's touch.
Just for you.
Nico's heart squeezes painfully.
Will's breathing is swallow and shaky, and it's only getting worse. The bright light people always said he was as son of Apollo was beginning to dull, and his usual warmth starting to grow colder.
Nico has seen death before, he has seen the aftermath of it and the people it leaves behind. His mother, his sister, and so many others. People die too easy, too young, too cruelly.
His own hands are trembling, but he squeezes Will tighter, hoping the warmth can spread. "Stay with me, dumbass," he says, his voice catching in his throat.
"I'm trying Neeks." The blonde whispers, letting out a short laugh that barely sounds like his genuine one. This one is hollow and dull, forced, and makes Nico's stomach twist uncomfortably. Will's real laugh, the sound that he loved and craved at that moment, was warm and charming, he always laughed with his chest and it made the shorter one's heart flutter.
Nico doesn't laugh; his expression is a storm of anxiety, concern, and the knowledge that he will fail despite all his efforts. His fingers tighten around Will, desperate, as if he could pump enough of his own soul into the other to keep him alive. "Don't leave me..." He rasps.
"I'm not going anywhere, I'll always be with you," Will responds, his thumb faintly caressing NIco's cheek. He feels tears burn at the sides of his eyes. He's never felt more powerless in his life. He's the son of Hades and he can't even stop... this. He feels like he's about to throw up from panic.
At the moment, Nico feels like he would do anything for Will. Maybe he's always felt that way. So he holds him closer, almost painfully so, and buries his face against the taller's neck. It's as if he wants to somehow connect their hearts.
"It's ok Sunshine," Will whispers softly to Nico, like he isn't dying at the moment. "You'll be ok."
That nickname... that stupid nickname. He hates it. Hates that nickname. But he loves the way the word falls from Will's mouth and the way he looks at him when he says it. "You're dying," Nico choked out. He's losing control and his chest hurts too much. "You'll be ok," Will repeats. "I love you so much, Nico."
And all of a sudden, the world went quiet.
Nico's heart stops. He wants to scream, the entire world spinning around him. All his focus is on Will. He lost him, lost this beautiful man who makes his heart skip around his chest with every glance.
He lost his Sun.
He shakes his head frantically. "No," he rasps. "Don't go. Don't leave me. I won't be ok without you." I can't live without you. Nico screams Will's name frantically.
"No, no, no, no..." At that moment, Nico doesn't care about what words are spilling out of his mouth. He starts shaking violently, hyperventilating with all his might. He doesn't care if he's embarrassed. He doesn't care who sees him like this anymore. He just wants Will close. He grabs Will's hand and squeezes it like the world is ending.
The world is ending for Nico. His friend is dead, ripped away from him, and the truth becomes clearer with each second that passes. He clings onto Will with shaking limbs, pressing his face close to him and desperately wanting the warmth the other man's body used to hold.
Nico can feel his own heart beating wildly against his chest, it feels like his entire world is collapsing around him.
"I love you too." He admits and while he always dreamed of saying that to Will, the words now feel sour in his mouth. "Don't leave me," he says again, his voice hoarse with the fear of it all. It's all he can say to Will Solace.