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Will had met Nico first years ago, he came in on Will's father's sun chariot. Will was a bit angry to see his dad could take the time of day being a demigod chaperone but couldn't take the time for him or his siblings. His anger was forgotten however, as soon as he laid eyes on Nico Di Angelo. The small, sweet little boy, eyes full of wonder. Will knew he had to talk to the boy.
He didn't exactly know what he felt in relation to the boy, just that he wanted to get close to him. In his mind he thought 'Oh, I want to be best friends with this boy!' Because, what else could it be? So he tried doing exactly that. When Nico had been brought into the infirmary for a check up, Will helped out.
The thing was, Will didn't get to see Nico much after that. Nico was rather evasive, even if he wasn't trying to be. The boy constantly followed Percy Jackson around which, he got, the guy was cool but come on! Will wanted so badly to be friends with Nico.
Even after Percy left for the quest he wasn't even supposed to go on, Nico was still ever evasive. He could also tell the boy was sad ever since his sister left. Will wanted to comfort him but wasn't sure if that was weird, they were strangers after all. However, something seemed to draw Will to Nico, he wished Nico felt the same way, wished he wanted to be friends just as badly.
When Percy came back it had turned out Bianca, Nico's sister, had died. Will hadn't seen what happened in person but he had heard how Nico ran off. Will was so upset, now he'd never be able to get close to Nico and Nico probably felt so alone.
Will was so mad at Percy for letting Nico run off. For not even trying to stop him. He was even more mad at himself for never taking the chance to approach Nico. Maybe if he has befriended him he could've stopped him, but no. He let Nico get away from him.
-
The next time Will saw Nico was about a year later in the Battle of the Labyrinth. He looked so pale and skinny.. he obviously wasn't very healthy. He looked in desperate need of a warm meal, a good night's sleep, a shower, and a change of clothes. Nico had joined the campers at dinner and Will tried to sneak away to talk to him but was dragged off by his cabin mates. He missed his chance again before Nico decided to run off once more.
This time, it was entirely his fault that he didn't get to Nico. If he had just been more competent he could speak to Nico. Nico.. cute, adorable, irresponsible Nico- wait, cute and adorable? No way he thought that- did he?
It couldn't be, he couldn't feel that way about Nico. He was a boy and boys liked girls.. didn't they? Will had crushes on girls before, he liked girls. He liked girls and not boys.. right?
When he thought about how he had liked girls before and thought about Nico he realized it was very similar. In fact, he liked Nico a lot more. This caused him to freak out, why did he like Nico like how he liked girls!?
He immediately went to his older sibling, Michael Yew, surely he'd be able to help him. "Uhm.. Michael.." He had said nervously. To which Michael turned around from taking care of a patient. "In a second Will, I'm currently busy. I'll be free in about 10 minutes."
Will waited outside of where Michael took care of the demigod still somewhat freaking out. Michael Yew emerged in the room not much later. "So, what is it?" He sat down next to Will and chuckled. "You look a bit spooked."
"I- I think I like boys? Like how a boy would like girls. I like girls too, but I recently realized I have a crush on a guy.." He wasn't sure how Michael would react. He wasn't supposed to like guys, was he? Michael gave him a warm smile and hugged him. "That's great, Will, I hope you can one day confess to the guy. Maybe he'll like you back?"
Will was surprised, he didn't expect his brother to be so welcoming about it. At the last bit heshrugged, he wasn't entirely sure himself. He didn't know Nico to well still, though he longed to get to know him. "Thanks Michael, you made me feel better."
-
Will is helping out however he can with healing people on the battlefield. He wasn't good at much besides healing anyhow, as that was the only ability he inherited from his father. As he moved on to another fallen camper he saw Nico. Gods he looked beautiful, even if he looked like he was Thanatos' front doorstep.
He couldn't get distracted though, not right now. He had lives to save. However, one thing he noticed over the past few years was how he always seemed to so favors for Percy even though Percy was sure Nico hated him. He helped Percy with all kinds of things related to the war. For instance, today he got the help of Hades and Persephone, an incredible feat. For someone who hated Percy he helped him a lo- oh..
Will realized right then and there, Nico did indeed like boys. The boy he liked however, was nothing like Will. Will could never hope to compare and it made him jealous. He was a bit frustrated but he couldn't give into that frustration as he had to help his fellow demigods.
That was when the bridge fell.. the bridge he had seen his brother, Michael run off to earlier. Tears sprung in his eyes as he knew he was dead. Michael.. the one who accepted him and helped him through his bi awakening. He had seen Percy break that bridge.
His anger towards Percy increased. Was it not enough to steal the affections of Nico Di Angelo but also the life of his brother!? He had realized he had frozen on his work on a patient to glare at Percy across the way. He quickly went back to work, he wouldn't let this person die due to his anger at Percy. He couldn't do that, he'd feel so guilty if he did.
After the battle was over he mulled over his jealousy towards Percy. Why.. why did Nico have to love Percy? Why couldn't he love him? Nico had once again stayed for a feast and even a bit longer but Will was constantly held up at the infirmary. Especially because.. he was the Apollo counselor now. He had to take care of so much because his brother died. His brother who died.. because of Percy.
Nico had left the camp before he got the chance to speak to him, again. Just his luck, as per every single time. He just wanted so badly to get the chance to talk to Nico! He wanted to show him he deserved better than Percy and that he could give him that. Percy who hadn't been able to protect Bianca or Will's dead siblings. So many Apollo kids gone..
-
During the war against Gaia Will helped birth a baby satyr and Coach Hedge, the father came to see hie newborn. That was when he learned Nico was here. Nico had also apparently been basically killing himself with his shadow travel.
He quickly pulled the gloves off his shaking hands and washed them. He went to find his two best friends, Cecil Markowitz and Lou Ellen. They came up with an idea to help stop Octavian, he couldn't believe that guy was related to his father.
He did not honor the name of Apollo in the slightest. It filled him with rage to think about it. Will took a few deep breathes to calm himself and headed out with Cecil and Lou when he spotted Nico. This was his chance and he wouldn't throw it away.
Cecil and Lou smirked as they saw him head to Nico. He may or may not have mentioned the son of Hades to them a few times.. only a few! They followed not far behind.
Will and Nico got a bit closer due to the war.. or at least Will thought so. Will had been busy in the infirmary so he hadn't been able to talk to much of anyone. He wanted to see Nico though, but whenever he tried Nico ignored him. For a bit he thought it was Nico being Nico until he realized while Nico did want to ignore others it was mainly Will.
He thought he made progress!! Why was Nico ignoring him now? Then after a while, Nico didn't come out. Until at some point Will had gone out for fresh air and saw Nico and Jason talking. He glared at them and Jason noticed, he pointed in Will's direction and Nico turned.
Will gave the motion for Nico to come over to him, now. Nico obliged and nervously came his way. Will was so upset. "You couldn't have paid me a visit!? Didn't think I could stand to see a friendly face." Nico seemed surprised at that statement. It was kind of adorable but he was still angry at Nico so he wouldn't think about that right now. "You still don't get it, people want to be your friend. If you'd just open up, you'd see it."
He told Nico he hoped he'd finally stay at camp. To his relief Nico said he would. Will then ordered him to stay for three days in the infirmary. That was when he swore he caught Nico blushing. Was he.. did Nico finally like him back?
Nico then turned as there was a scream. Will looked over and saw Percy. He hadn't been as mad about his siblings dying, it wasn't really Percy's fault but he was still upset. Will also was still jealous about him too. He was especially pissed when Nico walked to him.
Will just couldn't catch a break! He took some deep breathes to calm down. Will had been so sure he might be getting Nico to like him back.. he caught Nico blushing at him. Will was sure of it. That's when he saw Percy's mouth gape and Nico high five Annabeth.. what?
When Nico came back Will asked him what happened but didn't really get an answer. Will grabbed Nico's hand and surprising Nico didn't pull it back. He followed him to the infirmary and Will felt victorious. Nico would finally be his.. after all this time. He was sure of it, even if it took a bit longer Nico knew he existed. So long as Nico kept Will in his presence, he would keep on trying.