Chapter XXXII

Will Solace

I had never seen the Hades cabin look so dim.

It was already shadowy by design, of course, but tonight it felt as though the room itself had drawn inward, mirroring the boy sitting on the couch.

Nico sat with his knees tucked up, hoodie sleeves pulled over his hands, staring hard at the floor. His whole posture looked like someone trying to shrink into himself.

I closed the door gently behind me.

I sat beside him, leaving enough space so Nico would not feel crowded. For a minute or two, neither of us spoke. Shadows flickered across the walls from a single lantern on the table.

Finally Nico whispered, barely audible, "I don't... want to make you deal with me right now."

I felt my chest tighten. "Nico, you aren't something to 'deal with.' You wanted to talk. I am right here."

Nico's breath shook. He pulled his sleeves up to wipe at his eyes quickly, as if embarrassed by the tears.

"I keep thinking," he whispered, "that if I tell you what is going on... if I tell you what the nightmares are actually about... you'll decide I'm too much work. Or that I am disgusting. Or that I made everything worse for myself."

I froze, stunned. Then I shook my head immediately.

"Nico, no."

Nico squeezed his eyes shut, trying to steady his breathing. "You don't know what she— what happened in Tartarus. You don't know what I survived in that pit. And if I say it out loud, you'll see it. You'll see me differently."

His voice cracked on the last word.

I had to swallow hard before speaking. "Nico... whatever happened to you down there, none of it makes you wrong. Or ruined. Or less deserving of care."

Nico shook his head. "You're saying that now. But if I tell you what the Empousai did to me—"

"You didn't choose to be hurt," I said quietly, firmly. "Someone hurt you. That does not make you at fault. That does not make you anything except someone who survived something horrible."

Nico's breath faltered and he looked away, blinking fast. "I'm scared, Will."

"You can be," I said. "You are allowed to be."

The words hit something deep in Nico. His shoulders folded in, and he let out a sound somewhere between a sob and a gasp, covering his face with his sleeve. Tears slipped through the fabric anyway.

I didn't move closer — I knew better than to touch him without asking. But he leaned forward slightly.

"If you want to tell me," I said softly, "I'll listen. If you can't today, that's also alright. You set the pace."

For a moment, it seemed like Nico might stay silent. Then, with a trembling inhale, he lowered his hands.

"She trapped me," he whispered. "And she... kissed me, and..." He chocked out a sob "I can't say it Will"

Anger towards the Empuosa bubbled in me, more anger I had ever felt towards anyone in my life. "I know, I won't make you say it." I was so disgusted that someone would ever do that to Nico, to anyone.

"I didn't want it. And I hate that part of me still thinks I should have fought harder, or screamed louder, or—"

"Nico." My voice cracked sharply. "You were in Tartarus. You were alone. You were terrified. The fact that you lived is already more than most could do. Surviving is not weakness."

Nico's eyes filled again, tears streaking silently down his cheeks.

"I thought you would be disgusted."

"I am disgusted at what was done to you," I said, breath unsteady. "Not at you. Never at you. I am... I am angry that you had to carry this alone for so long."

A single tear fell down my face, surprising me.

Nico stared at him like he did not know what to do with the sight.

"You... you really don't hate me?" Nico asked in a shaking voice.

"I could never hate you. I care about you," I answered. "Deeply. And knowing what happened just means I understand you better. It does not push me away. It makes me want to protect you. To help you heal."

Nico finally broke — not in a destructive way, but like a wall that had been held together too tightly for too long. He leaned slightly toward me, just enough to show trust, not enough to seek comfort he didn't want.

I stayed still, letting Nico choose every inch of closeness.

After a long silence, Nico whispered, "Thank you."

I exhaled shakily. "Anytime."

Nico wiped his eyes again, calmer now, still exhausted.

He inched closer to me, letting me wrap my arms around him and hold him. Which I had been wanting to do the second I noticed discomfort on Nico's face.

He dug his face into my chest as I slowly ran my fingers through his hair.

"Will,"

"Hmm?"

"I know its a weird time. But I.. I wanted to tell you, that... I love you."

I blinked, glad, but taken aback.

"I don't say this to a lot of people, like anyone, and maybe its to early but-"

I cut him off with a warm kiss on his lips.

"I love you too."

*The End*🌕 🌑