Solangelo 3

NICO

Now that Annabeth's figured out how we might be able to get Will's sisters back, it's just a matter of waiting.
We're leaving all the planning down to Annabeth, due to obvious reasons. All the rest of us can do is get ready to leave as soon as she needs us to.
I've just finished a workout when I stop by the infirmary to find Will. He's sitting at his desk again.
'Hey.' I say, coming up behind him and kissing him on the back of his head.
'Hey.' He says turning round to give me a proper kiss, 'any word from Annabeth?'
'Not yet.' I say, 'you done with your shift?'
'I am.' He says, standing up. He quickly checks in with his siblings to make sure they're okay handling it on their own, before we head outside.
'Hey I've been meaning to talk to you about something.' I say, hesitantly. He instantly becomes wary.
'You okay?' He asks, stopping and looking me over.
'I'm fine.' I say quickly, 'not like that. It's about your sisters. And Annabeth's plan and all.'
'What about it?' He asks, carefully. He looks concerned. I can't meet his eyes.
'I don't think you should come.' I say quickly.
'What?!' He asks, surprised. He let's go of my hand, 'what are you talking about? Of course I'm coming, they're my sisters.'
'Exactly.' I say, 'they're your sisters. You're too close to this.'
'Nico, I'm not going to leave them.' He says, his voice rising slightly.
'I'm not saying leave them. Obviously I'm not saying leave them.' I say, 'I just...I'm...'
'What?'
'This is what I do.' I say, 'I fight. I'm good at it. It's what I do.'
'Yeah, I get it, so much more important.' He says, frustrated.
'Will, don't. You know I think what you do is worth ten times anything I can.' I say, desperately not wanting to fight with him again.
'I can hold my own.' He says, 'I can just hide out, even. I'm not leaving my sisters, Nico, you know I can't.'
'That's not...' I say, unable to find the words to express myself.
'Not what?' He pushes.
'I can't be worrying about you.' I say suddenly, without thinking twice. But it's true, 'I...I know that you can hold your own. I know that. But...I know that if it gets to that stage, if it turns into a fight, and you're in danger, I won't be able to focus on anything else.'
He stares at me, processing it all, trying to figure out if he's still angry at me or not.
'I want to save your sisters, Will. But I can't focus on them if you're in danger.' I say, carefully. I finally meet his eyes, and he's staring at me, big blue eyes. He nods.
'Okay.' He says quietly, 'I trust you.' He hugs me tightly, and I can tell how scared this makes him.
'I promise they'll be okay.' I say.
'Promise you'll be okay too.' He says, 'I need you to be okay too.'
'I'll be okay.' I say, smiling.
'And I'm still coming.' He says, instant, 'Not all the way, but close enough that I can respond when you're done. If you're hurt I don't want you to have to travel all the way back. I'll stay hidden somewhere, a away from the action.'
'A mile away.' I counter. He considers it for a moment.
'Half a mile.' He says. I look at him, and I know that's the best I'll get from him. He stared back at me.
'Deal.' I say, 'but you stay hidden until it's all over.'
'Deal.' He says, taking hold of my hand again.