(Nico's party outfit ^^)

I had to chase Will around his little prison for a while. I had to. It was pretty satisfying and let out a lot of pent up stress. I continued to chase Will around as he screamed like a little girl, forgetting the blacksmith boy that had accompanied me. Finally after awhile of running around, I stopped. Will out of large door and clung to the ladder before looking back and noticing I was done with the chase. We were both breathing heavily and I didn't even have the energy to glare at the sunny prince.

"You guys done?" Leo asked awkwardly. He had sat down, leaning against one of the walls. He seemed bored. "Because I don't wanna wait here for the lady to show up."

"Right," I sighed, running my fingers through my black locks that had gotten sweaty from the chase. "Let's go."

I was fairly surprised we didn't have to use the weapons. I asked Leo if I could keep them for myself and he looked like he was ready to cry. I couldn't tell if it was happiness or not. His jaw had dropped to his feet. Will even asked to check out the boy's work. Leo literally began to sway a little.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The family reunion wasn't all that special. It was what you'd expect. Shouting, smiles, tears and a lot of hugging. So. Much. Hugging. And not only for Will. King Apollo and Queen Noami actually came over and hugged both Leo and I. Leo actually fainted. Then The Queen along with some of the maids rushed him into the living room and fussed over him. I can't imagine how shocked that kid must have been when he work up.

The royal family weren't the only ones who were happy. Everyone in the day kingdom threw a giant party to celebrate Will's return. It wasn't that much of a surprise when Will said he wasn't so sure about going out. He hated being treated like a prince on normal days. Having a whole celebration thrown for him? In his eyes that was embarrassing. And I agreed. That did sound pretty embarrassing.

Sadly, I was dragged out as well. I was forced to get dressed up, mostly by Hazel than anyone, and dragged out to the party. I hated it. It was too loud. Too crowded. Too many lights. Just.. Too much. Thank the Fates Will found me rather quickly and pulled me somewhere much more isolated.

"You.. You look nice," Will said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck with a slight blush.

"I.. Thank.. You.." I managed out, my voice a bit more hesitant and nervous. I haven't been complimented in a long time. And it coming from my "Future Husband".. "You look nice too."

(Will's outfit:

)

His blush grew. "Thanks."

We spent a while talking. He told about how ridiculous his kidnapper actually was and how it was mostly boring rather than scary. And I talked about how I was once again the enemy of the Day Kingdom.

"It wasn't at all your fault," Will frowned after I spoke about how the kingdom obviously blame me. I said nothing about my self-blame though. I had some dignity.

But I'll admit. That surprised me. Will, the victim of all of this, saying that his kidnapping wasn't my fault. I paused, looking up at him for any sign that he was being sarcastic or something. Nothing. He was sincere. I looked deeper, having a full on staring contest with him. Still. He.. Wasn't joking.

"What.. What do you mean? You could have gotten hurt," I said finally, not bothering to break eye contact. Neither did Will.

"But I didn't."

"But you could have."

"But I didn't."

"William," I hardened my gaze, holding the contact.

"Nico."

"You're being ridiculous."

Then his gaze faultered. "I'm being ridiculous?"

"Yes. Stop trying to spare my feelings," I snapped a bit, finally breaking the staring contest.

"Nico.. You blamed yourself for me disappearing?" His voice was soft, full of disbelief. Was he joking right now?

"Of course, you moron!" I finally snapped again, turning my head to once again lock eyes with him. "Of course I did! You were gone for so long! We all thought you were already dead! What if you really did died?! I would never have forgiven myself!"

Will took a step back, eyes wide with shock. We stared at each other, my heavy breathing the only thing filling the silence. Then he reached forward, his thump running across my cheek. I stiffened, my face burning immediately but I didn't pull away.

"I didn't think you cared so much," he mumbled. "I'm fine. You don't have to cry."

Cry? When he pulled his hand back, his thumb was wet. Good lord, I was crying. I spun away, wiping my face with my sleeve. Great. Now he thinks I'm weak. No.. Now he knows I'm weak.

"Don't.." Will said suddenly, his hand resting on my shoulder. "Don't turn away. Don't shut me out again."

A bit of guilt swelled in me. For the time we've known each other, whenever Will would try to get close I would almost shut down. I felt myself begin to push down everything. All the stress, the anger, the fear, the guilt. It was all being shoved down. I was starting to shut down.

"I.. I'm sorry," I mumbled. "I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

I shook my head, tears still burning as they filled and escaped my eyes. I refused to face him. Until he made me. He grabbed my shoulders, spinning me to face him. My arms flew up to hide my face, only for Will to take my wrists and stop them.

"Nico. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't. It was mine. I wasn't careful." His voice was stern, his eyes locked with mine. Even if my vision was blurry from the tears. "It's wasn't your fault."

I looked down, biting my lip.

"It was."

"It wasn't."

"Yes it was."

I gasped as two hands cupped my face, forcing my head up. For the millionth time, I locked eyes with Will. I then decided I could never get tired of his eyes.

"No. It. Was. Not."