The Kiss You Didn't See
Nico regretted nothing. Percy Jackson was behind him- literally. He had laid it all out before making his way toward Will.
The son of Apollo stood at the open space between the dining pavilion and the cabins, watching Nico approach with intense, yet unreadable eyes.
The sun seemed to illuminate his blond hair and fair skin, making him look like the demigod he was.
It was hard to believe they had just defeated Gaea that morning. Now Camp Half Blood was back to its usual solitary quiet- as quiet as a camp for demigods could be, at any rate.
Nico paused a few feet away, looking at Will, not saying anything. What was there to say?
"What did you tell Percy?" Will asked finally, breaking the silence.
Nico seemed to consider, biting at his lip nervously. Should he tell Will everything- like really everything?
"I told him I liked him," Nico replied carefully, looking extremely vulnerable. "That I had a crush on him for years, but that... I chose someone else."
Nico finished the end of his statement, looking at Will as though he were expected to pick up on the meaning.
Will considered him for a long moment with considering blue eyes before smiling.
"I'm glad," he said quietly, almost whispering. "Nico... I want you to know that you don't have to run from us anymore. You matter. You don't have to run from anything... or from me."
Will stepped closer, watching for any hesitation from Nico, but the son of Hades didn't step back. He still looked extremely vulnerable. Will knew he was scared, and not used to sharing parts of himself with people.
"I know Will," Nico said with a small smile when the son of Apollo took his hand. "I hoped you liked me back."
Nico had already moved closer. Will had placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I do like you back," he whispered, moving in to capture those lips.
Nico felt a rush of emotions as their lips connected. He immediately felt hesitation. Everything about his 1940s raising screamed that this was wrong. Yet how could something wrong feel so right? Will's lips were soft and sent little sparks down his body.
Nico let himself give in, kissing back with fervor, wrapping his arms around Will as all fear and doubt drained away. This was alright. No one judged him. The gods didn't judge him.
Will carefully pulled back, leaving Nico's lips and body tingling with a host of new sensations. The son of Apollo smiled cutely, cheeks tinged with a hint of a blush at all the demigods who watched them.
Nico smiled back and the camp burst into applause as the two of them joined hands and walked wherever fate would take them. Probably the Apollo or Hades cabin for now...
