Solangelo

Chapter Three

When Nico's eyes shut, he knew it was going to be a bad night and it was.

There was a flash of Bianca's spirit, touching Nico's cheek. The last time he saw her. Then, "You think I was going to appear without Percy? You think I would have appeared for you? The moment I could, I left you. I died so I wouldn't have to put up with you."

He shook his head, thirteen and defenceless, "No." The tears poured down his face and pain stabbed at his heart, "No."

He was in Tartarus now, every curse a monster had ever laid on him making him bleed and blinding him with pain, stumbling helplessly, reaching for any light in the eternal darkness.

The scene shifted again and he was in the bronze jar. Screaming till his vocal chords gave out, banging on the celestial bronze. Fists bruising and knuckled bleeding.

It shifted and he was with Jason, "Tell him, Nico!" Cupid's voice echoed around him and he let out a sob, a helpless sob as he shook. It hurt. It hurt so much more than anyone would ever know and he wished he got shot with the arrow instead.

And then he woke up, covered in a cold sweat and face drenched in tears, concerned blue eyes looking at him. "Nico! Are you okay?" Will Solace was shaking him gently and he realised that his hand was pressing against his chest. His heart. It was beating too fast and the pain kept them there.

The sky outside was dark and Will looked rumpled and concerned, "Yeah. I'm okay." When Will looked unconvinced, he added, with a fake smile, "Trust me."

"You sounded like you were being murdered, Nico. All demigods have nightmares but these seemed worse. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine." Nico said. The pain had subsided to the dull ache it always was and he sat up, his muscles in his control now. "Besides, what were you doing here?"
"Oh, um . . . I wanted to makes sure you were okay, so I was sleeping here, on the chair." He gestured to an uncomfortable looking plastic chair," I hope you don't mind?"

Will wanted to make sure that he was fine? Why?

"Sorry."
"If you say sorry again I'm going to make you stay another day. And then another for the next sorry. Your 'sorry' card has been revoked." That made Nico smile a little. And want to say it again.