TW: BLOOD (SMALL), DEATH (TWO)

"If you move even a fucking inch, I will cut off the skin from your eyelids and you will be forced to watch as I torture your lover and slowly peel the skin from his bones."

Nico's mouth promptly shut, his eyes burning with hatred.

He glared at Octavian in front of him, wishing that he could use his powers so that he could turn him into ashes.

It wasn't the right time yet, Will was still in danger.

He spared a quick glance over at Will, who was looking at him with wide eyes, scared but determined.

Octavian snapped his fingers in front of Nico's face, diverting all his attention on him once again.

Narcissistic asshole.

"Hey, fucking look at me when I'm talking."

Nico stared at Octavian obnoxiously, eyes boring into his soul.

Octavian seemed satisfied though Nico noticed the small twitch of his fingers. He was nervous, Nico could tell.

His brain raced, thinking of all the ways to exploit that particular knowledge.

But first, he had to get Will out alive and possibly unharmed. Everything else be dammed.

"So, what's your plan here Octavian Dickface?"

Octavian's hands clenched in fists of rage.

"Maybe try not to anger the homicidal maniac?" Will offered helpfully from his spot on the floor where he was being held at sword point.

Nico rolled his eyes, "I'll keep that in mind, sweetheart."

Octavian growled weirdly (because all people were weird when they growled.)

He pointed to Will, "You, shut up."

"I have a name you know? It's Will, nice to meet you Octagon."

Octavian was turning red, who knew that such a small and sickly figure could hold so much rage?

"Otis" Octavian commanded, his voice thick with anger.

The person holding the sword grabbed a handful of Will's hair, jerking his head upwards abruptly. Using his other hand, he held the sharp blade closer to Will's throat.

Will winced as Nico saw the small trickle of blood emerging from the cut, his vision turning red.

He was going to kill everyone who thought they could fuck with what was his.

Octavian's back was turned and Nico took that opportunity to launch himself at him, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and pushing him to the ground.

He grunted in surprise as his back hit the ground and Nico was on him immediately.

He held his hand over Octavian's throat and he pushed as he felt his powers wash over him.

He was grounded, waves of darkness flowing off of him freely.

The ground moved, skeleton hands reaching up from the darkest depths.

They held Octavian down as he struggled beneath their hold, soil crawling into his mouth.

He was choking, his eyes bulging.

Nico almost felt sorry for him, but then he remembered Will who was hurt. Will who was bleeding because of his asshole in front of him.

He pushed harder and Octavian began to sink into the ground, bugs and worms and all other sorts weaving in and out of his hair.

Nico forced the shadows to hold his head in place so he had no choice but to stare directly at Nico.

And Nico smiled as the soil finally covered Octavian's face, his screams dying out as abruptly as it began.

It wasn't over yet, and Nico turned around, intending to lay waste to Otis.

Instead, he saw Will who was a few feet away, standing somewhat shakily as he dusted off his hands.

Beside him was a badly charred body, clumps of ash around the areas where some parts of the body were supposed to be.

"You alright?" Nico asked as he approached Will.

Will touched the cut on his throat lightly and winced again.

"I've had worse. You?"

Nico had nothing more other than a few scrapes and soil on his pants.

"I'm okay."

He held Will tightly then, never intending to let go.

"You scared me," Nico confessed softly in Will's ear. "I thought they were- that you were-"

He couldn't finish as a wave of sorrow washed over him.

Will ran his fingers in Nico's hair gently. "I know love, it's okay. I'm okay."

And Nico felt the sob that had been building up ever since Octavian had ambushed them burst out as the dam inside him broke, spilling out all his worries in one anguished sigh.

They stayed there in each other's embrace until the sun rose, knowing that they would be still have each other, no matter what would happen next.