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Nico’s head hurt. The headache pounding through his head, as though someone were using an ice pick to chip away at his brain. The next thing he knew was that he didn’t know where he was. He was lying in a bed, with a white curtain around it. The place felt familiar enough, but he just couldn’t place it. That thought scared him. The panic was shooting its way through his body now. Someone drew back the curtain to check on him, though Nico didn’t register it. The person laid their hand on Nico’s shoulder and lowered their eyes to be on his level.
„Nico look at me.“ The voice whispered. Nico recognised a pair of gorgeous light blue eyes, boring into his. „It’s just me, Will. I’m here. You’re safe in the infirmary at Camp Half-blood.“
Next Nico noticed the tanned skin, golden blonde curls, and freckles dusting the persons face. Wills face. As he calmed down he realised how beautiful the boy in front of him is and his heart threatened to jump out of his chest. The information about the where he was, brought a few memories to the surface. He recognised the bed he was in and the infirmary. Camp Half-blood was also familiar.
„Will, why am I here?“
„Nico, you hit your head, while sparring… How are you feeling?“
„I have a headache.“
„Anything else? Can you tell me what happened yesterday?“ Now that he thinks about it, he can’t.
„N-No.“
„Uhm okay, what is the last thing you can remember?“ His voice is so gentle, that Nico cannot help but be soothed. Will started assessing Nico’s physical condition, shining a flashlight in his eye.
„I remember dragging the Athena Pantheos to Camp, and trying to stop the Romans. I know that you made me feel your shaking hands, after delivering Baby Chuck.“ They both blushed at that. „I also know that you forced me to spend a few days in the infirmary and I can remember a few days after that. Everything else is gone..“
Wills face fell. „So you don’t remember the last five months?“
„No“ Somehow Nico knew that those had been the best and happiest five months of his life. He felt an immense sadness at that. „I’m sorry Will. I wish I could remember, but I can’t, no matter how hard I try.“ The tears were already threatening to spill over, especially as he saw the heartbroken look on the other boys face. Will covered it up quickly though, flashing Nico a reassuring smile. Satisfied with the results of the check-up, Will continued.
„That’s okay, we’ll fix it. You have amnesia, but I think you haven’t lost your memories, it’s more like they’re there but you don’t have the right key. We can find the key by reenacting certain moments and finding sensory details (so scents, tastes and sounds) that will hopefully trigger memories for you.“
That sounded reasonable enough, and Nico trusted Will. So he decided to agree.
„Perfect! The infirmary is not at all busy, so I think I can take the rest of the day off. I know exactly where we can start.“
Nico realised that he should be more panicked, but he couldn’t bring himself to be, as he watched Will. He was doing his very best to help Nico and had such an infectiously calming presence.
————
Not even ten minutes after agreeing, Nico and Will ended up in the Hades cabin. The way Nico remembered the Cabin does not resemble its current state. The obsidian walls, replaced with a softer dark brown wood. The beds ,no longer coffins, instead covered with dark purple sheets (Hazels choice). Everything from the fairy lights and candles to the plants sitting on the shelves felt much cosier and less hostile than the Cabin Nico remembered. The natural sunlight pouring in had also not been there before. He preferred the cabin this way. Slowly the memories flashed before his eyes: him and Will hanging the fairy lights, Hazel begging him to have purple sheets, the Demeter kids gifting him the plants when he decided to stay, Will insisting he have a few windows to let the sun in. So, so many memories with Will.
He showered and changed, before heading back into the other room. A loud crash came from the side of the room, where the kitchenette was. Will ducked down muttering something.
„Sorry!“ Wills voice rang out. Then he appeared again. „Do you want to watch Star Wars?“
Nico laughed. „I can’t remember anything, of course the first thing you do is force me to watch Star Wars.“
„You remembered that I like Star Wars.“
„I did, but that’s not exactly hard.“ The realisation hit him. „Will I think this is really working. I can remember fragments of moments that I spent in here.“
„Duh.. Of course it’s working. I am Head Medic after all“ Nico could tell Will was just as excited as he was. „Now Star Wars?“ He added hopefully.
„You’re such a dork.“ The Italian replied with a chuckle.
„And you love me for it.“ Will realised what he said just seconds after he said it. They both stood still, staring at each other awkwardly, with red cheeks. The thing is Nico agreed with that statement. He wanted to say that he did.
Will cleared his throat „Uh sorry, umm I have Pickles, and Cheese, and some Cake.“
„Isn’t that what we ate when we watched Star Wars for the first time?“ Nico said hesitantly, he was only like 38% sure.
„Yes, Yes it is.“
They sat down on the couch to watch the movie. Nico couldn’t remember the actual plot, so watching it was like watching the movie for the first time. He found the way Will recited certain lines very endearing and smiled to himself every time Will did it. They had started with the food between them, creating a barrier, yet as the movie progressed they had slowly gotten closer until they were almost touching. Nico could swear he could feel warmth radiating off of Will. This reminded him of something else. As the credits started rolling, Nico turned to Will, who after a moment also sat to face Nico. The shorter boy moved back so that there was a bit more space between them. He fiddled with a perfectly cut cheese cube (Will liked to practice cutting things as neatly as possible so that he could perform surgeries perfectly).
„Catch.“ He mumbled suddenly, throwing the cheese cube at Will, who of course didn’t catch it.
„Hey! That wasn’t fair! At least give a guy a warning.“
„I gave you a warning“ Nico said grabbing a couple more cubes.
„It wasn’t a very good one.“ The blonde pouted.
„Fine.. Get ready… three, two, one“ and he threw another. This time Will caught it. He threw his arms in the air.
„Your turn“
„Noooo, you know I never catch them.“
„So what Neeks, just try.“ Will grabbed some cheese out of Nico’s hand. The touch left his skin warm and tingly, while the butterflies in his stomach went wild.
„You’ve got this! Three, two, one“ and he aimed as best he could for Nico’s mouth. Nico didn’t catch the cube, instead it bounced off his nose and landed in his lap. Will burst out in laughter at Nico’s confused face. Gods, Nico really loved his laugh and his smile.
„Not funny“ He grumbled. That just made Will laugh harder, clutching his stomach.
„It’s very funny. Gods you should see your face!“
They continued for a while, Nico even managed to catch a couple of cubes.
———
Not long after, they were called to dinner. Luckily Nico got to sit with the Apollo cabin, instead of all alone at his table. Most of the campers were at home anyway, so it was just a small group. When he got up to scrape some of his food into the fire, he prayed to his dad that his memory would fully return. He did not want to lose all that time he had spent with Will. Will, who he had been fighting feelings for, but knew that Will didn’t feel the same. Will who was doing so much to help him. After dinner, everyone went off to do some camp activity or to just hang out with their friends. Will dragged Nico to the Strawberry fields.
„Will, why are we here?“
„Because“
„That’s not an answer“
They were in the centre of the field now, the Strawberry scent everywhere. It made him think of the Strawberry lip-stuff Will used. Nico only knew because Will was constantly on his back about how chapped his lips are. Nico decided a while ago not to read into that too much. He would just drive himself madder than he already is. Will was just finding a way to nag, it didn’t mean he wanted to kiss Nico or anything.
Nico watched as Will bent down to pick a few Strawberries. He bit into one.
„They’re really good, try one“ He said reaching out to give Nico one. Nico, on the other hand, was too stunned to say anything. Will looked really good in the early evening light.
„Did you drag me up here to eat Strawberries?“ He grabbed it out of Wills hand, letting his own hand linger for just a few seconds too long.
„No, they’re just a bonus“
„So then why are we here?“
„Sunset“ the taller boy mumbled between mouthfuls of Strawberries. „Plus I thought the Strawberries might remind you of something, because you can smell them all around Camp“
To himself Nico thought: „Yes they do remind me of something, they remind me of you“ He didn’t say it out loud.
They sat down just in front of the fields just talking. Will told him about the infirmary and all the gossip Nico had forgotten about. When the conversation died down, Nico asked Will how long he had been out for. He wondered why he hadn’t asked earlier.
Wills face took on a melancholy expression „a day and a half.“ He paused and then he let the words rush out so fast he let his southern accent slip „Nico, I was so worried. I was just working in the infirmary when Sherman rushed in with you in his arms. You looked so pale. I could feel the panic in my throat. I never panic like that when other demigods are injured. I haven’t panicked like that since the battle of New York. After we got you settled and found out what happened, Kayla had to takeover for a bit. I didn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat it was terrible Neeks.“ A tear had made its way down the side of Wills cheek. Instinctually Nico reached out and wiped it away. A faint blush crept along Wills face.
„I’m sorry Will. I’m okay though, I promise. I’ll be okay, because your plan is already working. It’s not all back, but I can feel it all return.“ His face was hot „Honestly, it’s really cute that you worried, no one has ever worried about me like that.“ Of course Bianca and his mom had worried, but there had never been anything so drastic for them to be concerned like that.
„Really?“
„Really.“ The way Will was breaking his heart. He wanted to just pull him into his arms and never ever let go. He didn’t though. „Thank you, Will“
The sun had set by now. The stars already shining bright in the inky sky. They sat for a while longer until the other boy grabbed Nico’s hand.
„Come on, we’ve got one last stop. I just need to fetch something from my Cabin“
———
After the quick detour to the Apollo cabin, where Will had gone in and returned a few minutes later completely red in the face, they had walked to a clearing in the woods, that overlooked the ocean. They had snuck out to this clearing multiple times to talk when one of them was having a bad day. Nico recalled the times Will comforted him when he was grieving his sister or the time he realised Will needed someone to talk to/ take care of him as much as Nico did. That day he vowed he’d be that person. They sat down facing each other. Then Will pulled out a Mythomagic deck.
„I thought we could play? You’ve been saying you want to teach me, but we just haven’t found the time yet.“ He muttered shyly.
Nico’s smile was wide, well as wide as the son of Hades dared to smile. It occurred to him that he’d never act this way in front of someone else, but Will just made him so inexplicably happy. He explained the game to Will, before launching into a long speech about the different attacks and the different cards abilities. He went on for so long he felt bad for boring Will with his fan-girling, but Will didn’t seem to mind. Soon they had played multiple rounds. Nico had won most, but Will had managed to get a couple of wins. Beginners luck. When they grew too tired to play they laid down, side by side and stared up at the sky.
„You’re just as dorky as I am.“ Will accused
„Am not!“ He definitely is
„Oh you totally are“
„Am not. But if you tell anyone I will deny it and tell them you wash cake down with pickle juice.“
Will gasped loudly „You wouldn’t!“
„Yes. I. Would.“
„You’re evil“
„Yes-“ Nico’s response was cut off by a shiver. It had gotten a lot colder since night fell.
„Here, take this“ Will pulled his hoodie off, which momentarily lifted up the shirt underneath (and Nico definitely didn’t blush and feel disappointed as the shirt covered the area again), and handed it to him.
„Are you sure? Aren’t you cold?“
„Nah, I’m fine. I threw on a second jacket when I want in my cabin earlier.“ That is true, he was wearing a second one underneath.
Nico mumbled a thanks before slipping it on. The hoodie was warm and smelled like Will. He decided then and there that he wouldn’t give it back until it lost its scent. When he looked up he saw Will staring back at him.
„It looks better on you anyway.“ Again they stared at each other. Nico’s chest was beating a million miles a minute, he was scared he’d run out of blood (he couldn’t say that out loud, because Will would lecture him about how that’s not how blood works) and he was tingling all over. The fact that Wills eyes were shining so brightly he felt like Will would be able to see right through him wasn’t helping. The silence was unbearable, so Nico did the only logical thing and blurted out:
„Is this a date?“ Wills face took on a look of shock as Nico realised what he’d said. Quickly he got up. „Uhm, never mind. Just ignore that I- I have to go.“ He turned and ran. He didn’t make it very far, as Will grabbed his wrist.
„I - uhhh- I mean it could be if you want it to be.“
„Really?“ Nico turned around to see Will beet-red.
„Yeah… Listen Nico, I need to tell you something… I like you. Like REALLY like you. I have for months now.“ The blonde stuttered the entire time.
„Really?“ Nico realised how stupid he sounded, but he didn’t care. Will likes him! Like really likes him. For months he had thought he was crazy, that Will was just being nice, but Will liked him too.
„I like you too. I didn’t think you’d like me too. I mean I didn’t know you’re also gay.“
„I’m not gay.“ Nico felt his heart drop. „I’m bi, but we’ll unpack that later. Just know I like you very very much.“ Nico didn’t care what bi meant. Will would teach him later. Later sounded good. Right now he wanted to stay in Wills arms.
„Can I… kiss you?“ Will asked tentetivley, Nico could swear Will was glowing. „It’s fine if you don’t want to, I can wait“
„No… I mean, yes you can kiss me. No, you don’t have to wait. I think I’ve waited long enough“
And suddenly Wills mouth was on his and everything faded away, as Nico’s thoughts were consumed by Will. They started slow, with just a peck on the lips, but soon they were making out. The kiss wasn’t quite what Nico had imagined, when he’d thought about his first kiss, it was messy and he didn’t know what to do, but he loved it all the same. Will tasted exactly like he imagined the Strawberry lip balm would taste and his skin was so comfortingly warm. He realised that this would be a moment that no amnesia could ever purge from his mind. When they broke apart it was Nico’s turn to talk.
„Will, will you let me be your boyfriend?“
Will answered almost immediately „You’re so cute. Of course Ill be your boyfriend“
„Im not cute! Im the Ghost king“
„You’re adorable, very scary at times, but very adorable.“
Nico grumbled. This was not a fight he’d be winning any time soon.
They spent the rest of the night talking, kissing and holding hands under the night sky. Nico had woken up that afternoon with almost no memory of one of his closest friends, yet when he went to bed that night he had gained some memories back and most importantly he’d somehow managed to have gotten the most incredible person in the world to be his boyfriend. He felt like the luckiest boy in the world. Over the next weeks he slowly gained his memories back, while making more with Will, who eventually explained what it means to be bi (and also all of the other sexualities Nico had missed out on).