Bad Dreams, Secret Movie Nights, and Contraband McDonaldâs
Book Series: Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus/ Trials of Apollo
Characters: Nico Di Angelo and Will Solace
Summary: Itâs Christmastime (between The Blood of Olympus and The Hidden Oracleďżź) and Nico reveals to Will that he often has trouble falling asleep because heâs always worried about what his dreams will bring. So one night, even though it is against the camp rules, Will sneaks into the Hades cabin after lights out where he and Nico watch The Nightmare Before Christmas until Nico can fall asleep.
Disclaimer: I donât own these characters.
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It was pitch black out as Will ran from the Apollo cabin to the Hades cabin. He did his best to be light on his feet. It was 12:00 so the patrol harpies would be patrolling the beach, but they would be back to check on the cabins at any moment (and he really didnât want to be eaten for sneaking out of his cabin). He gripped tightly to the strap of the bag over his shoulder as he glanced around. When he reached the intimidatingďżź cabin, he used the light from the torches outside to look all around the solid obsidian walls for a window, but there was none. He let out a quiet huff of frustration. It would have been quieter to knock on a window then the big door, but it didnât look like he had much of a choice.
With a bit of apprehension, Will took a deep breath and lightly knocked on the huge doors. Nothing happened. Everything was as still as the skull that hung above the door. Will chewed on his lip nervously as he knocked again, a little harder, and whispered, âNeeks. Itâs me. Will. Let me in before the harpies eat me.â
Willâs heart thudded about as loudly as his knock on the door. He waited in a nervous silence, hoping Nico had heard him. He suddenly wished that he hadnât kept this a surprise and had told Nico about his plan beforehand.
The day prior, Nico had confided in Will that he had trouble sleeping, particularly when he was alone. His troubled past had left himďżź scarredďżź, so at night, fear would often consume him, making his dreams even worse then most demigods. As Nicoâs doctor and boyfriend (even though Nico wouldnât admit that they were a couple) Will wanted him to be getting a good nights sleep. So he had decided to sneak over to the Hades cabin to help Nico get a better nights rest (for health reasons, obviously).
Just as Will was about to give up and try another day, after telling Nico to let him in beforehand, the large doors opened just a crack. âWill?â A quiet tired voice asked.
Willâs heart skipped a beat at the sound of Nicoâs voice. He suddenly felt really nervous being in Nicos presence, âI didnât wake you did I?â Will asked worriedly.
Nico shook his head, âI fell asleep briefly for once, but like 45 minutes ago I woke up from a nightmare and havenât been able to fall back to sleep. What are you doing here?â He looked around, then pulled Will inside before he became a harpie snack.
Taking a second to breathe in relief, Will kicked off his shoes and looked around the dark Hades cabin. He had been in there before for inspections. There was still the small shrine with bones and jewls in the room, but the coffin beds had been recently replaced with regular beds. The red velvet sheets and pillows remained though.
âI come bearing medicine,â he announced cheerfully, trying to hide his nerves.
Groggily, Nico said, âWhat?â
Will walked over to the closest bed and dumped out the bag heâd been carrying. Inside was a movie player (an old one that people could use on car trips back in 2004), The Nightmare Before Christmas on DVD, and two McDonaldâs Happy Meal bags. âItâs a help my boyfriend get over insomnia care package. Just what the doctor ordered.â
Nico was apparently too shocked to dispute the whole boyfriend comment, which Will was pleased about. Will waited for the son of Hades to say something, but Nico stood there flabbergasted. His cheeks were tinged pink by Willâs kind and oddly romantic gesture. Finally Nico spoke, âWhere did you get the McDonaldâs?â
Will raised his eyebrows and put his tanned hands on his hips, âI sneak over here at midnight, risking death, to help you sleep and all you have to say is âWhere did you get the McDonaldâs?ââ
Nico blushed even harder, and a slight hint of a smile appeared on his lips. He shrugged, âYeah?â
They stared at eachother for a moment before Will answered, âConnor had a satyr sneak it in for me this evening.â He chewed on his lower lip nervously, hoping that his gesture wasnât to grand for Nico. Affection scared Nico sometimes.
Nico walked over to the bed and ate a few fries from the bag, âYou did all this for me?â
A rare genuine smile broke out on Nicoâs face, âGods youâre such a dork Solace,â and Will didnât even have time to react before Nico stood on his toes and quickly kissed him.
Willâs whole face turned bright red and he turned to set up the movie player to hide his reaction.
Grabbing the Happy Meals, Nico walked over to his disheveled bed. He quickly straightened the velvet blankets and hoppedďżź onto the bed sitting cross legged, munching on his fries. âWhatâll we do if we get caught?â He asked.
Will walked over with the movie player in hand, âIâll just say that you have a doctors note.â He stole a fry from Nicoâs hand and sat down next to him.
Nico scowled at the loss of the fry.
It was just then that Will noticed what Nico was wearing. Will havenât thought much about what he was going to wear. He just had on a white camp half blood sweatshirt with orange writing over a sleep shirt and grey sweats. Nico had on a typical black oversized T-shirt, but on the bottom half of his body he was wearing fuzzy black and white skull pajama pants. Will had to contain a laugh.
He leaned over towards Nico and brushed his messy hair out of his face before kissing his cheek and saying, âYou look cute in your skull pants.â
A horrified look came over Nicoâs face, âItâs not like I knew you were coming over okay. I wouldnât have worn them if Iâd known.â
âWhy not?â Will pouted, âI said you look cute!â
Nico glared at him, but Will could tell he wasnât really mad at him. âIâm not cuteďżź, Iâm scary.â
Will rolled his eyes, âSureee you are sunshine.â He pressed play before Nico could address his sarcasm.
They sat there in silence for a while, eating the McDonaldâs and watching the movie. It wasnât until they were done eating that Will scooted closer to Nico. He slipped his hand into Nicoâs and squeezed it slightly. Just enough to remind Nico that he was there. This gesture relaxed Nico a bit, and surprisingly he moved even closer to Will. Will caught his breath as Nico leaned into the side of his body and rested his head against him. Nico usually hated physical contact and would barely tolerate a hug that was longer then two seconds, so the fact that he initiated this contact made Willâs stomach flip all over the place.
As if noticing Willâs shock, Nico said, âI was cold.â
Will knew this was a lie, the son of death (okay Hades, whatever) didnât get cold, but (partially joking) he asked, âYou want to wear my sweatshirt?â
Nico looked up at Will, âItâs white. And orange. I only wear black and very very dark greysâ
Will chuckled, âYou donât have to. I didnât really think youâd want to.â
A frown appeared on Nicoâs face, âWhen did I say that I didnât want to?â
Willâs lips formed into a smile. âWell, you said you only wear black andââ
Nico crossed his arms, âWell I want to wear it.â He blushed profusely, which made Willâs cheeks turn red too. Nico sat upright so Will could pull the sweatshirt over his head. He adjusted his shirt underneath and handed the sweater to Nico who put it on. It was way too big for him, but seeing him in it made Willâs stomach fill with butterflies. Will leaned in and brushed Nicoâs nose with his before leaning his back against the headboard again. With the movie still going, Nico (cozy because of the sweatshirt and Willâs presence) ďżźďżźslid under the velvet sheets and laid his head on his pillow, his forehead gently brushing Willâs side.
It was only a few moments later when even breathing came from Nicoâs mouth. Will waited until he was sure that Nico was asleep before he quietly scooted out of the bed. He wrote Nico a quick note on the empty McDonaldâs bag:
Hope you sleep well Sunshine. I had a great movie night with you. Iâm going to head back to the Apollo cabin before we get caught so we can do this again. Night Neeks! p.s. You can keep the sweatshirt âĄ
He set the note next to Nico, lightly kissed the sleeping boyâs forehead, and then he packed up the movie player before rushing back to the Apollo cabin.
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