Nico took a deep breath, holding in his tears.

Mama.

Bianca.

Losing them both, along with the normal life he'd known for so long as a child, was difficult. He felt like he was grieving himself in a way, grieving the world as he used to know it as he is thrusted into demigod-ness and forced to experience his new life as a child of Hades.

It was hard, navigating these changes.

"Baby?" Will asked, leaning over Nico's shoulder.

Nico was sitting on his bunk, thinking about this difficulty. This challenge. Tears were brimming his eyes, but his mouth was silent and his eyes emotionless. He'd never let Will see how vulnerable he felt in this moment, just in case he was forced to grieve the loss of Will too.

"Yeah?" Nico croaked, staring at the wall in front of them.

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

Nico gave a light smile, turning to face him with a fake gleam in his eyes, "Nothing. You."

Nico hummed, resting his chin on Nico's shoulder, kissing his cheek ever so slightly, "You're on my mind too, beautiful."

Don't leave me.

Don't turn your back as I'm losing you.

Never let go of us.

Nico stared into Will's eyes and couldn't help but beg in his thoughts, but to pray that he would never have to grieve this gorgeous ray of sunshine called his.

"I love you..." Nico whispered.

"I love you, too," Will smiled, unaware of the inner turmoil Nico was going through. "Always."