Chapter XXIII

CW: This chapter contains hints of eating disorders, homophobia and assault.

Nico di Angelo

I woke up slowly, exhaling softly.

When I opened my eyes, I realized that I was still on the couch, a fluffy blanket wrapped around me. I must have fallen asleep there last night.

My chest warmed at the memory. Will had been so gentle, making sure I was comfortable before heading back to his cabin. He always did things like that.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, trying to make myself actually get up and start the day.

_

I sat next to Will again today. The second I did, he smiled brightly, then immediately blushed.

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

I tried not to smile too obviously. "Good."

"Good..."

Before either of us could say anything else, Kayla leaned across the table, eyebrows raised in full interrogation mode.

"Okay, what are the two of you up to?" she demanded, staring Will and me down like we were about to confess to a crime.

"What—nothing!" Will said instantly, voice pitching up.

I kept my head down, picking at the food on my plate. Talking would only make everything worse.

"You should probably eat something," Will whispered quietly.

My chest tightened. Had he noticed? Had he figured out I was not really eating lately?

"I am fine." The words came out sharper than I meant them to, but I did not want him worrying. I did not want anyone worrying.

"Trouble in paradise," another Apollo camper sing-songed.

That was it.

I stood up so fast the bench scraped loudly against the floor. I left my plate where it was and walked straight toward the forest, trying not to look back. I could handle teasing. I had been teased my whole life. But mixing it with the food stuff—the personal stuff—the gay stuff... it was too much.

I just needed air.

I found a fallen log to sit on just outside the forest entrance. I sank onto it, elbows on my knees, trying to breathe normally again.

A quiet voice came from beside me.

"Nico?"

I turned. Will stood a few feet away, looking absolutely devastated. That made my stomach drop. Was he going to break up with me?

He stepped closer, chewing on his lip the way he did when he was nervous.

"I'm so sorry," he said softly. "I should have been more careful. Kayla does not know anything, she is just guessing. I understand if you... if you want a break from me." His eyes stayed glued to his shoes.

"A break?" I blinked. "Will, why would I want that?"

He sighed shakily. "I just thought... maybe it is too hard for you. Having to hide us all the time. And if there is no 'us' then it can't hurt you."

I had never seen him look so sad. He was terrible at hiding it.

"Will," I said gently, reaching out and grabbing his hand. I squeezed it, grounding both of us. "I do not want a break. I just—" I let out a breath. "It is hard. I know they are not teasing in a mean way, but it feels like... stuff from when I was younger. People did not exactly joke with me. They joked at me."

Will's eyes softened, filling with concern. "What happened?"

My throat tightened. I looked away.

"There was this one time in school," I said slowly. "I didn't mean to, but I blushed at a joke a guy had made. And him and his friends followed me home..." I didn't finish. I didn't need to.

Will sat beside me immediately. He didn't reach out, not until I gave a small nod. Then he wrapped his arms around me carefully, like he was afraid I would break.

"I am sorry that happened to you," he murmured into my shoulder. "People were awful to you back then. But not everyone is like that now. You don't deserve to feel that way again."

"I know."

"I really am sorry," he said again.

"Stop apologizing."

"I cannot."

I rolled my eyes, but a tiny smile tugged at my mouth. "Oh gods," I muttered, hugging him back.

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