Will Solace isnāt used to sharing his feelings. The sad ones, that is. Whenever people hear his name, they think, āthat one doctor from the Apollo Cabinā, āthe boy of a thousand smilesā.
Sometimes though, after a long day of camp activities day and night, or a long battle with so many injured, itās a lot to take. But Will canāt take a break now. Kayla needs assistance in the medical wing, then later he promised Austin heād help him practice his saxophone, and then tonight-
Everything is so l o u d.
Will can hear his blood rushing in his ears and he hears his heart speed up.
He doesnāt realize heās crying until the cot in front of him is soaked. His hands are shaking so hard, not even balling them into white knuckled fists help. He knows what this is. A panic attack.
Itās okay, he reassured himself. Youāve dealt with this by yourself before. You can get through this.
Will remembered all the times heās had to quell his own panic because his mother had not returned from one of her concerts, only for her to come home late smelling like a bar and a man. He remembered when he had to force himself to stop worrying, and the first time he collapsed from panic at Camp. Homesickness.
Heād been emotionally on his own for seven years.
Even when the air seemed to leave his lungs and he had to gasp over and over for air.
Nicoās voice, full of worry. He couldnāt make himself respond. He was leaning over the cot, his hands griping at the bare bed. He was vaguely aware of the tears rolling down his cheeks, of his throat burning from the sobs and how he choked on them.
Gods, Will could barely muster a word. How embarrassing.
āSolace, sit down.ā The son of Hadesā voice was quiet but stern. Will felt his cold hand try to pry his hand away from the cot. āCome on now. Itās me. Youāre okay.ā
Will breathed in, and when he exhaled, a loud sob rakes his body. His ribs hurt, he was crying so hard. āI-I-ā
āShh..ā Nico said gently. He finally managed to get Will to sit. His thin fingers traced small circles on the back of Willās hand.
He couldnāt afford to be panicking right now. He had too much to do. He-
Nico touched Willās chin lightly so that they were facing each other. Then, as if Will were made of glass, he brushed a kiss lightly against his lips.
āHolding your breath helps you to be at ease,ā Nico whispered. Their foreheads were touching and Will looked at Nico who had his eyes shut. āJust breathe slowly.ā
Will closed his eyes. When he breathed in, he could smell Nicoās woody scent from the trees around the Camp, and when he focused, he could sense the smaller boyās presence. He felt something rarely any other camper felt when they were around Nico.
Leaning forward, Will leaned his forehead on Nicoās shoulder. The son of Hades wrapped his arms around him ad began to lovingly rub his back.
āI love you, you know that, Sunny Boy?ā
Will hummed and sniffed. āI love you too, Death Boy.ā