'What in the name of Hades are you doing?' Will Solace asked, leaning on the doorframe of the Hades Cabin at Camp Half-Blood and watching Nico di Angelo nail a large frame to the wall beside his bed, inside which was a replica of the old aviator jacket Nico himself used to wear.

'Redecorating,' Nico said each syllable as he hit the nail with the hammer. 'There,' he commented, jumping down off his bed and standing back to admire his work. 'That's a lot better don't you think?'

'Dude,I think you need some light in this room,' Will said, glancing around the cabin which was lit only by Greek fire torches around the room.

Nico looked around his cabin. 'What do you mean? It's fine.'

'Whatever you say,' Will shrugged. 'How are you? With the whole fading in and out of existence thing I mean?' he asked.

Nico considered this for a moment. The truth was he was feeling utterly exhausted, but there was so much to be done around camp, so many burials, that he hadn't had time to really rest. He didn't think he was feeling as well as he once had been, and quite honestly never thought he would again. He had made a vow to himself that there was never going to be a time when he shadow-travelled again. Not any time soon anyway...

'Fine,' he lied, turning his back on Will and picking up the hammer and a few discarded nails so as not to see his face. Nico turned and slid past Will out of the door but Will grabbed his hand. Nico felt as if every nerve in his hand was on fire, and the heat spread to his cheeks almost instantly. Thankfully, Will hadn't seemed to notice as he was inspecting Nico's hand, turning it over in his own.

'You should rest, Nico,' Will said, still holding Nico's hand. 'You're still recovering. Lugging a sodding great statue half way across the world using magic isn't going to disappear over night. Take a few days off, we can manage a few days without you,' he smiled.

'I can't,' Nico protested, surprised at his own willingness to participate. 'There are still burials to see to and half of the camp is in ruins and-'

Will cut him off, 'And there are other people who can help with that while you rest up. No ones going to hate you for it, you helped bring back the Athena Parthenos!' he said in an awed tone looking straight into Nico's eyes . Nico couldn't help but notice Will's were the same colour as the summer sky at that very moment, and he felt the blush creep back into his cheeks.

Nico finally tore his eyes away from Will's and realised they were still holding hands. He quickly dropped his and it hung limply at his side, no longer serving a purpose. 'I will, I promise.'

'I'm taking you up on that one,' said Will, descending the steps from the cabin door to where Nico stood. 'Doctor's orders,' and he kissed him on the forehead before walking off in the direction if the infirmary to attend to his other patients, leaving Nico staring after him, a small smile playing on his lips.