Some angst because what self esteem?
(Don't read to deeply into that, okay)
(Also unedited)
(Like always what)
———

Nico only really wanted a hug right now.

And that's the only thought that ran through his mind during breakfast. Well, not necessarily the only thought. Also Will's hugs. Although he'd never admit it, he really enjoyed the hug ability his friend had.

How they engulfed Nico entirely, blocking him from the rest of the world, how the were firm yet gentle and warm, comforting, and how they made him feel safe (not to mention that Will smelled nice).

Nico let out a longing sigh as he stared at his cabin's ceiling.

How could he get Will to hug him? He can't just ask for a hug, that'd be weird, wouldn't it? Normally Will hugged him when he was excited about something. .

Nico let out an annoyed huff, because this was stupid and a complete waste of time. Sitting up, he grabbed his sword and put it on his belt.

Jason should be here soon, they were training some of the younger campers together.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, there was a knocking at his door, and Jason was there when he answered it.

"Hey," he said happily, "you ready?"

"Yeah," Nico sighed, walking out and closing the door. Jason frowned at his lack of enthusiasm.

"You okay? You seem gloomier than usual."

"If I was gloomier that usual," Nico reasoned, "that comment wouldn't have helped, believe it or not, it may have even made me gloomier."

As they were walking to the arena, they had a light and casual conversation (with Jason doing most of the talking and Nico only half listening), and when they started to walk past the infirmary, Nico hesitates. Maybe he could. . ?

"Hey, Jason," He interrupted, catching the son of Jupiter's attention, "I need to tell Will something g really quick," he pointed to the infirmary.

After Jason's nod, he made his way up the steps.

"Hey," Austin greeted, "you here for Will?"

"Uh, Yeah. If he's not busy." Austin glanced at one of the rooms.

"I'll go check, be back in a second." Nico nodded, and a minute or two later, Will was walking out of one of the rooms with a huge smile.

"What's up, Neeks?" Nico grinned.

"Hi."

"I'm only free for a second, kinda busy today, sorry. What do you need." Nico blushed. He really didn't think he would get this far.

"O-oh I just, Uh, wanted to say. . H-hi, I guess." Will let out a laugh.

"Are you okay?" He joked, "You never stop by to say hi, you always want something." Nico's grin fell slightly, and Will frowned.

"Are you okay?" He asked more seriously.

"Y- Yeah I just- "

"Will!" Someone shouted from down the hall, "We need you!"

"Shoot," Will looked down where the shout came from, "I'm really sorry Nico, I have to go. We can talk later, okay?" Will started running to the room after waving goodbye to Nico. When he was gone, Nico let out a sigh of disappointment.

Nico turned around, walking back out of the infirmary, to where Jason was waiting, then they both made there way to the arena.

———

After dinner that night, while everyone started making their way to the usual camp fire, Nico made his way back to his cabin and flopped onto his bed with a long sigh.

He really didn't understand why he was feeling like this. He just wants Will to be with him.

Nico clicks his tongue at the offensive thought. Will probably didn't care, if he was being honest with himself. Or maybe he was just over reacting.

How soon was 'later' anyway? A few minutes? Hours? The next day? Or was Will trying to politely trying to say that he really didn't care? Or maybe he just forgot because it wasn't that important to him to begin with?

Sighing, Nico got up and changed into his pajamas. He was only a little disappointed.

———

The next morning, he woke to someone knocking on the door.

Grumbling, he got up, and was (sadly) pleasantly surprised to see Will.

"Nico!" He exclaimed, smiling at him.

"What?"

"We were supposed to talk yesterday, and I only just now remembered that we were supposed to, I'm really sorry, but I'm here now," he smiled at the end, looking at Nico expectantly.

Well that answers Nico's question, but he's not really surprised, he supposes. Will has a busy life, with lots of people. Lots of friends. Of course, compared to everyone else, this small dilemma going on with Nico is not his top priority. He has other people that he obviously cares more about.

"Nico?" Will asks, frowning now.  Nico blinked.

"Oh, sorry. Listen we don't have to talk, if you don't want to, I'm fine."

"Well I do want to talk and I don't believe you." Nico pouted.

"I'm sure you have other people that you want to hang out with, you friends probably want to hang out with you, so really-"

"We're friends," he interrupted, "and I would like to hang out with you."

"Well I don't want to hang out with you."

"Well," Will responded, walking into the cabin, closing the door, and then making himself at home on Nico's bed, "that sucks for you, doesn't it?"

Will patted the spot next to him, signaling Nico to sit. Nico let out an annoyed huff, but sat anyway.

"What's wrong?" Will asked seriously. Nico rolled his eyes, brought his legs up to sit with them crossed, and let his hands rest of his lap.

"Why do you do that? Why do you pretend that you care?"

"What? I do care, Nico." Nico turned his head, putting one of his hands to his cheek and resting his head on it.

"Why, though? You have so many other people in your life."

"Nico you're just important as everyone else." Nico glared at his blankets, because no, he was not.

Nico only had about ten people that cared about him while Will had the whole camp.

"I don't know," Nico sighed eventually, "I guess I just feel worthless. I just- I just don't get why nobody cares. I don't know why people see me, and just- just decide I'm not worth the time," Nico felt tears welling, "P- People look at you, and they judge you before they learn who you truly are. They- They see my image, and decide they don't like it so they make poor judgements of me and I- I feel so alone," a sob escaped his lips, and hesitantly, he asked the one question that has been on his mind, "Can- can I please have a hug?"

Imminently, strong freckles arms wrapped around him. Nico started crying harder, turning to bury his head in Will's chest and slowly, he inches forward until he was sitting in Will's lap.

And he figures that as long as Will was with him, he would be okay.

———

This suck m'sorry
Also I won't be able to write for a few days because I (sadly) have family coming over 👏🏻

-Lexie

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