I've become so numb, I can't feel you there,
Become so tired, so much more aware,
By becoming this all I want to do,
Is be more like me and be less like you

- Numb, Linkin Park

c h a p t e r 8 : n i c o

The scenery stretching before the son of Hades was unbearably resembling his dreams. Nothing before him was different. His former visit was just as heart-wrenching. Beneath him, his feet seemed to waver, he stumbled before crumbling into the dust. Memories peirced his mind, accompanied by whispers.

He doesn't love you.

Why do you think you are?

Just die already.

Waste of space.

"Quit it!" Nico screeched, bolting from his knees into an unknown direction. The voices didn't subside, just continued to feed from his growing irritation. Monsters grumbles faltered to whip their vision in the young demigods direction. They're gazes simply passed, uninterested. Fire erupted from a lake, only feet away from Nico.

He paused to heave vital breaths, while the whispers shrunk in his mind. A pair of eyes met his, she was a young girl. About his age, with long light brown hair spiraling into a braid while his eyes were a chocolate mixture. Every inch of her resembled Nico. It took a second for Nico to produce her name from his lips, "Bianca..."

Slipping a smile across her lips, she pressed towards him. His body was frozen when she placed a cold hand into his cheeks, now erasing his forming tears. The faint smile she was possessing soon gathered into a bewildered expression, "What's wrong? Is my little, Fratellino, frightened?" the aged nickname only caused Nico's orbs to flood with more tears. His mind recalled the memories where Bianca would cradle her younger brother soothing him with Italian words, along with his nickname included throughout the words.

"Bianca..." was all he managed before he slapped her across the face with the hilt of his sword. She whimpered, flailing arms towards her injured cheek.

"Nico! Stop!" tears cascaded down her cheeks, as he advanced in the direction of his young sister. Unsheathing his sword, he halted at his sister's presence. "Please, Fratellino." Nico locked his eyes shut before shoving his sword into his sister's abdomen. The monster burst into golden dust, then Nico crumbled to his knees.

The amount of shadow traveling along with the energy required for survival, Nico was desperate to stay awake. Soon his body would collapse into slumber, but he needed to escape. Searching through his pockets, his fingers met the tingle of a gold drachma. His heart pounded as he approached the lake of fire stretched before him. It was worth a shot.

"Lady Iris, please accept my token." his sentence dispersed as he chucked the drachma into the obliterating fire. "Percy Jackson." he never imagined whispering those words again, part of him desired to call Will. But he was afraid the young boy would scold him then complain about having to sacrifice himself. Plus Nico couldn't ponder what he may do to himself if Will somehow didn't make it out... especially if it was on him.

"Nico?" a voice brought him back into reality. Dazzling sea-green eyes were planted on his own, Annabeth was etching into a notebook while Percy was wrapped around her. Percy wiggled from Annabeth, who delivered a puzzled look towards Nico. "What do you need? Wait- where are you?" he inched closer only to suck in a deep breath.

"Yes.... Percy, I'm in Tarturus."these words captured Annabeth's attention. Her pupils were now alert, aware of the circumstance. It was a long shot to call Percy and Annabeth after all they'd been through. Except he felt like he had no one else. Hazel would come racing in his direction, which he couldn't have. Will and Hazel getting hurt or worse- on his conscience would literally damage him.

"What is it you need?" Percy questioned, almost on the verge of tears himself. Nico's episode was soon to be the cause of Percy's weeping.

"I need you to tell Hazel that I love her. With all of my lasting heart. Tell Jason and Piper that I'm sorry but operation Solangelo isn't going to happen. Will.... can you tell him... that he couldn't have stopped me..." faint salty droplets released down Nico's face. "I love you guys."

Then he waved away the Iris message. Nico sprawled against the gravel, then swiftly removed his sword. Without contemplating his fatal actions, he progressed his sword to his heart. Not piercing the skin yet, just preparing his body. Except he couldn't graze the blade into his heart, instead he kept grasping the hilt, bracing his body for nothing. Nothing was coming. Because he couldn't do it. Will Solace was still out there. Will risked his life racing after Nico only to arrive in the Underworld. Now he's in Tartarus, pleading for a death stance practically.

Will wouldn't notice. Will isn't even searching for him. Why does he keep thinking that people will return his feelings? Who would ever like a boy like him? There's nothing left for him. Then why can't he push the blade through? His fate is destined to end with never being able to escape this prison. A quick and painful death would be easier. One stab. That's all it takes. After all, the sun never rises. Not in Nico's life.

Before he could take the next step, a shimmering light shattered his vision. Faltering for his footing, he was swept to the ground. Then he was accompanied by dazzling light, except a figure was standing in the light. Aphrodite.

"Nico, why are you doing this?" she whimpered, a honest worried expression plastered against her usual gorgeous face. Even Nico admitted it, she absolutely beautiful. "Where is Will Solace?"

"I drove him away... just like everyone else I manage to get close to." he barked, aware of her charm speak that was now laced between her phrases. "You were right. He doesn't love me- never will."

"Oh, Nico. You can still accept my gift." she offered then outstretched a hand. Woven between her fingers was the necklace Nico noticed the time they first encountered each other. The necklace was in the shape of a small heart with an arrow piercing it's middle causing a crack to engrave across the silver lining. No, he couldn't. Will could still fall in love when Nico passed, if he accepted her offer Will would weep over his dead body. Nico wasn't that selfish.

"No, no. He deserves to continue his life without me. Even though I lo.... Like him." Nico corrected then continued, "I could face myself if sown thing were to happen to me and I wasn't there to wipe away his tears. I desire more than anything for him to live the life I never could."

With that, he began to press the sword through, when a body embedded itself into Nico, causing him to tumble to the ground without the blade killing him. His sword skittered away when Nico shifted to face his attacker. Instead of Aphrodite or a monster his eyes battled with the color of blue. Bleu eyes. Blonde hair. Freckles. Tears.

"Nico Di Angelo. I will never understand you." then his lips clashed with Nico's. A fire burned beneath Nico's cold skin. It was beautiful, more beautiful than anything he'd ever experienced. Nico never wanted it to end. Unaware of his actions, he reached into Will's hair deepening the kiss. Will obliged to the kiss, clutching Nico's waist. When they disconnected, Nico and Will just involuntary grinned from ear to ear. A tiny of pink was released on Will's cheeks. But he stammered a, "There's no one I'd rather end my life with than you. Nico, you're my sunrise." before he was empaled from his back.

The sword nearly met Nico's stomach when it passed through Will's limp body. Nico bellowed a cry then sunk his sword into the monster disguised as Bianca. This time, the blade ripped through her gold infected body. Nico lunged to Will's side, examining his state. Blood was seeping it's way through Will's Camp Half-Blood shirt. His blue eyes were now layered in pain, his throat barely taking in oxygen. The wound was now a barrier of blood when Will's eyes locked shut, his breath dead. Nico cried into the empty out of Tartarus before summoning his shadow traveling power.

Nico was Will's sunrise.

A/N

Who officially hates me? Your welcome. I've considered the fact that I hate myself too :)

Anyways, next chapter should be posted next week. It took a bunch of thinking before posting this, so those of you who hate waiting- I apologize. But here it is. Now Will's dead, along with your feels. At least they had a moment before his passing.

Please comment here your thoughts and theories! Trust me, none of you will expect what's happening next. I have everything ready to post. I just hope ya'll will enjoy it. Over all, I've had pretty positive feedback. So let's keep it there ;)

Love ya! ~Ally