「☠」—» There were an innumerable amount of things that Nico di Angelo wanted to keep from those closest to him, for whatever reasons. A thousand secrets carefully filed away as so that no one he cared about would ever find them. Whether to protect them or himself, it didn’t matter. He only knew from the deepest part of himself that there were things he never wanted to show his friend, never wanted them to see. And one of the most crucial to him was just how terrifying he could be, if he was pushed, if he had a need to. And although it was something he didn’t particularly find the need to hide from strangers on the street who had no idea who or what he was, it was a different story all together when you dropped someone he knew right into the middle of it.
And so, with the shadows shifting and slithering under his feet, Nico watched as the attackers took one fear-stricken look at him before fleeing in a panic. Despite himself, he felt a smirk play across the corners of his lips. Another job well done, another pedestrian saved from the evils of bullying (although maybe a little late). He was feeling rather pleased with himself…
Until a single word sent ice splintering through his chest.
The son of Hades froze, muscles seizing in shock. That couldn’t have been… his name? And in such a familiar voice? A million thoughts passed through his mind in a split second, and the demigod could feel panic slowly building behind his ribs… it couldn’t be. But he also knew there was only one way to find out.
Ever so slowly, Nico turned his head, finally allowing his gaze to fall on the face of the one he had just saved. Golden hair and a dust of freckles, blue eyes and a surfer’s tan. He knew that face, and it made a blanket of dread settle across his shoulders… which wasn’t helped by the terror he could still see fading away from those blue eyes.
“ Will…? “ And now there’s a tinge of fear in Nico’s own voice, not for the fact that the son of Apollo was here, in Hive City… but for what he had just witnessed. Nico di Angelo at his worst, all the darkness locked up inside of him bleeding out. It made his limbs go cold, and he instinctively took a step back. “ I’m… sorry… I didn’t… I didn’t know it was you… I didn’t mean to… “
Nico stepped backwards, and Will would have rolled his eyes -- if the other demigod didn’t look so obviously afraid. Afraid. Of what? Will’s brow knitted in confusion and he pieced the individual fragments of a scene together, albeit glacially (he figured he’d lost a lot of blood; his thoughts came all slow and syrupy at this rate). Will shook his head and forced his expression into one of calmness and understanding, the kind of face he’d seen that Roman dude wear in Nico’s presence from time to time. Probably it annoyed the son of Hades, but at least it showed him the other person wasn’t afraid.
❝Sorry? For what? Saving my life?❞ Will chuckled and then winced, clutching a bruised rib. He sang something soft, slurred and melodic under his breath to heal the wound; tiny tendrils of light escaped his fingertips and seeped into his bloody shirt front like water. He sighed. Suddenly, he could breathe a little easier. He could even stand up straight. Ah, the magic of healing powers.
❝Nico, if you hadn’t shown up -- Gods, I don’t even want to think about what those guys would’ve done to me. I wanted them to think I was unfazed, but I’m shaking all over. Can’t you tell?❞
Will lifted a hand and held it level with his own shoulder to show Nico just how much he was shivering. ❝You’re a lifesaver, y’know that? You’re my hero.❞ He wasn’t even teasing when he said that last part, and the earnest gleam in his eyes likely lent a ridiculous quality to the scenario. ❝Honestly, you don’t have to be sorry for anything. Seeing you here, like this...well, it’s not ideal, but I can’t help thinking it’s a weird coincidence. You, showing up like this when I’m in mortal peril. It’s like something out of a cheesy Nicholas Sparks book.❞
Will laughed and wondered idly if Nico knew the reference he just made; he’d heard that the son of Hades was from the thirties, locked away in a timeless casino for decades. There was so much Will wanted to know about Nico, so much he was itching to ask the other boy --
-- but he staggered sideways and slammed against the wall, cringing as the bruises on his arms were aggravated. His vision swam; suddenly, it looked like there were three Nicos, all giving him identical pained looks. Will whimpered.
❝Hey, uh...You wouldn’t happen to know of a hospital around here, would you? I’d heal myself, but my powers have been seriously nerfed, so...❞ Will swallowed. ❝I only have one spell left for the day. I’d use it on myself, but...Hey, this place is crazy. We might run into someone else who needs it more.❞
