A/N: Each chapter is at least 1,000 words. Hope you enjoy it! There will be exactly five chapters, and one one-shot. Updates are weekly, but I'm not making any promises.

Happy New Year! (1/1/2016)

Disclaimer: With the exception of my own plots/OC's, etc.; Rick Riordan owns the rest (quotes, characters, etc.). The songs used in the story are not mine. The Playlist shown below will list the songs and artist(s).


Playlist :

Chapter 1: Shadows (Unsteady, by X Ambassadors)

Chapter 2: Silhouette (Demons, by Imagine Dragons)

Chapter 3: Illuminate (FOOLS, by Troye Sivan)

Chapter 4: Flares (Wait, by M83)

Chapter 5: In the Shadows, In the Light (Sad Song, by We the Kings)

One-Shot: Jercy Bromance (We Are Young, by Fun.; feat. Janelle Monáe)


.: Shadows :.

If you love me, don't let go
If you love me, don't let go

Hold, hold on, hold onto me
'Cause I'm a little unsteady
A little unsteady


It was at noon when Nico felt nostalgic for going back to the infirmary. However, his three days were already up.

He wondered exactly what he will do now, and he began to pace inside the Hades Cabin. Part of him wanted to go see Will, and maybe even strike a conversation. But wouldn't that be weird?

Hi, Will, I'm not sick or anything, but I just wanted to go back to the infirmary. Totally miss the place . . . and you.

Remembering the day he told Percy about the crush-thing, he winced. It's better off just telling, to avoid any awkwardness. In fact, Nico wasn't even sure if Will was gay.

Groaning slightly, Nico hated feeling confused and nervous. He was more of an in-control type of guy.

Recollecting his courage, he quickly walked out of his Cabin. On his way to the infirmary, he saw a blond. He spotted glasses. "Jason!" he called.

Jason spun around, and grinned when he saw Nico. "Hey, what's up?"

"There are so many answers for that," Nico said. "Like the sky?"

"Wow, I didn't know you were that literal. Are you okay? You seem . . . twitchy."

Nico scowled slightly. "Why exactly will I be twitchy?"

"You tell me. Come on, Nico, I can read you like an open book."

"There goes my mysterious aura." Nico couldn't explain why, but Jason felt like an older brother to him. There was just something comfortable that relaxed him immediately. "Uh, promise you wouldn't tell?"

"Swear on the River's Styx." Jason looked interested.

Thunder rumbled on cue, and a few demigods around them glanced up at the sky curiously.

"That was not me!" Jason said to them. "Well, technically, I made the oath, but still."

"Jason," Nico urged, "I think I might like someone."

"Really? Who's the lucky guy?" Putting a more brotherly tone, Jason added, "It's not a boy way older than you, is it?"

"Relax, he's only like two months older. He's the son of Apollo." Nico couldn't say the name. Even saying it made him feel fluttery and somewhat hysterical.

Jason's lips slowly curved into a knowing smirk. "Will Solace. I knew it!"

"Hey! Don't shout the name so loud. Do you really want everyone knowing?"

"If it makes you happy. Face it, Nico; I suspected it when you two were bickering. With a war going on. You know that hate eventually turns into love . . ."

"Stop it! I mean, it's not hate, just dislike at first. You know what? Forget I even told you this."

"No, it's pretty cute. I mean, I ship Solangelo, don't worry."

"Solangelo?"

"Come on, even Annabeth ships it. Or was it Percico? Anyway, that doesn't matter. "

Nico was bewildered. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but if you keep grinning like you want to eat a bunny, don't tell me."

"Hey! I love bunnies," Jason protested. "I don't want to eat them. I think that's going way too far. How about, 'grinning like you want to eat a cupcake'?"

"Okay, I don't think a 'cupcake' proves anything. And why are we talking about this instead of . . ." Nico lowered his voice ". . . Will Solace?"

"Oh, right. I don't exactly have expertise . . . considering I didn't even know Piper, and she made the first move. Maybe ask a girl? I mean, they'll know better with all the crushes and dating stuff. I could call Piper—"

Nico chewed his lip. "I don't feel that comfortable talking to other girls about my crush."

"Come on, Piper can keep a secret. I mean, Frazel is her OTP, but Solangelo is her second."

Nico let out a sigh. "I can't handle these code words, so if you want, maybe you can speak English."

Jason raised his eyebrows. "Well, di Angelo, maybe you can ask Will. He'll tell you. In fact—" He grabbed a piece of paper and pen from his jeans, and scribbled something. He handed it to Nico, and placed the writing utensil back in his pocket.

"OTP . . . Solangelo, and Frazel," Nico read out loud.

"Yep. So, tell me the results later. Oh, and maybe mention 'Do you like Solangelo' to Will. Good luck!"

Before Nico could protest, Jason walked away, chatting with Piper who coincidentally showed up. "Ditcher," Nico muttered, and he went to the infirmary.

Okay, this was it.

Wait . . . what were his lines?

Before backing out, he knocked on the door, his heart already beating fast.

This was a bad idea.

No, he couldn't do this.

He was afraid of the rejection, hurt and humiliation.

"Hey. Nico?" Will appeared at the door, his blue eyes shining, and blond hair perfect.

"H-Hi," Nico mumbled. "I, uh, I um. Can we talk?"

"Of course." Will opened the door wider, and stepped back. "After you."

"Okay." Nico walked in, smelling lavender in the air.

"I love air freshener," Will explained cheerfully. "The chocolate cupcake is pretty strong, and I heard complaints about the pine tree. I don't know why, I mean; there are trees around camp! But, lavender was a first choice anyway."

"Right." Nico knew that the conversation was going to take a lot of patience. From air freshener to talking about his feelings, it seemed like a ringer for HUGE MISTAKE.

Taking a deep breath, he blurted out, "Do you like Solangelo? I, um, Jason wanted to ask that. I don't know why; I don't even know what that means. So, after your reply, can you explain what OTP and Frazel is? I mean, I might be wasting your time. Sorry. I know you have a lot of patients and all, and—"

"Whoa, slow down." Will smiled gently. "To answer your first question, yes, I like Solangelo. And OTP stands for 'One True Pairing'. Frazel is a ship. It's Frank and Hazel."

Will continued. "Nico, you never waste my time. Plus, I'm actually finishing things up. Some patients are healing, although there are a few that have to stay overnight. Kayla is going to take the night shift."

"Oh, that's nice. I mean, not nice that there are patients; I mean that you're, um, available. Wait, that came out wrong. Actually, I don't really know. I don't know what I'm saying." Nico abruptly stopped talking.

As he quickly made his way outside the door, he risked a glance back.

The corners of Will's lips were twitching. "Do you want to hang out after?" he called.

"Okay!" Nico tried not to sound eager. He added a "Yeah, I guess".

"Great. Tonight at six?"

"I'll be ready." Before Nico decided if that sounded creepy, Will gave a final wave, and closed the door.