Will Solace isn’t used to sharing his feelings. The sad ones, that is. Whenever people hear his name, they think, “that one doctor from the Apollo Cabin”, “the boy of a thousand smiles”.
Sometimes though, after a long day of camp activities day and night, or a long battle with so many injured, it’s a lot to take. But Will can’t take a break now. Kayla needs assistance in the medical wing, then later he promised Austin he’d 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 doesn’t realize he’s 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.
It’s okay, he reassured himself. You’ve dealt with this by yourself before. You can get through this.
Will remembered all the times he’s 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.
He’d 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.
Nico’s voice, full of worry. He couldn’t 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.
“Solace, sit down.” The son of Hades’ voice was quiet but stern. Will felt his cold hand try to pry his hand away from the cot. “Come on now. It’s me. You’re okay.”
Will breathed in, and when he exhaled, a loud sob rakes his body. His ribs hurt, he was crying so hard. “I-I-“
“Shh..” Nico said gently. He finally managed to get Will to sit. His thin fingers traced small circles on the back of Will’s hand.
He couldn’t afford to be panicking right now. He had too much to do. He-
Nico touched Will’s 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.
“Holding your breath helps you to be at ease,” Nico whispered. Their foreheads were touching and Will looked at Nico who had his eyes shut. “Just breathe slowly.”
Will closed his eyes. When he breathed in, he could smell Nico’s woody scent from the trees around the Camp, and when he focused, he could sense the smaller boy’s presence. He felt something rarely any other camper felt when they were around Nico.
Leaning forward, Will leaned his forehead on Nico’s shoulder. The son of Hades wrapped his arms around him ad began to lovingly rub his back.
“I love you, you know that, Sunny Boy?”
Will hummed and sniffed. “I love you too, Death Boy.”