[ the thing is he knows he should grant will mercy. he should probably hurry this up for everyone watching. he should just run his sword through his boyfriend, quick and painless and effective and call it the end. william andrew solace is dead.

that would work if nico wasn't so fucking selfish and didn't want to try and actually hold onto someone, for once. that would work if he didn't so desperately want to not be responsible for the death of someone he loves, for once.

he feels the vicegrip on his hand and he knows will's struggling to keep it together. it means he's walking a little faster, pulling him along and letting his jaw work so that he can bear the pain in his hand. focus. that's all they have to do. ]

We'll...go to the beach. Or we'll go back to the park. Space to get it out, and then back to the dorm. [ to their left, another acid bubble bursts and he pulls will closer out of its line of fire. ahead, a sharp branch dangles a little too low for comfort. the path ahead begins to grow a little more narrow. ] Listen to my voice, Will. Focus on what I'm saying. Tell me what we're going to do once we're out of here.