Chapter 1

Nico

Three days. Nico has been laying in the infirmary for three days now. Normally Nico would be itching to leave, and to be alone but he didn't want to leave. He was happy where he was.

After Will had commanded him to rest under observation for three days, Nico had headed directly to the infirmary, and once there, he couldn't leave until Will Solace, son of Apollo approved it. Hazel had come to visit him, just before she and the rest of the Legion had left for California. She had kissed him and reminded him that she would visit as often as she could, and she had threatened Nico by saying, "If you don't come to New Rome for college, I will personally summon our father to scold you, education is important." Nico laughed at that, and agreed to her terms. He had several years however, until he would even think about it.

While Nico was thinking, he didn't even notice that Will Solace had approached his bed.

"Hey there," the son of Apollo said. His hair was messy, as though he had just gotten out of bed. "I hope you are ready, 'cause I am here to tell you that you are officially able to go back to your cabin."

Nico had gotten used to being with other people, that the sound of going back to the Hades Cabin all alone, was not pleasant. Nico had liked being cared for by Will, his tender expressions, and funny jokes were calming. After everything that had happened with Gaea, he appreciated that. Nico however, didn't say any of that and instead said, "that sounds good, I don't like being restrained." There was a tinge of sadness in his voice.

Will Solace must have picked up on it, "Gonna miss me that much huh?"

Nico turned bright red. Sure, he had come out and he was finally truthful with himself, he was still uncomfortable expressing his feelings, especially to boys. "It's not that, these beds are… uncomfortable." Nico replied. Will's eyes gleamed. Nico couldn't help but stare at them. Will Solace, was perhaps the cutest boy Nico had ever seen.

"Alright well you better get going." Will smiled, "I'll see you around, underworld boy!" Nico was about to talk back, but Will's face made his voice stop working. He had nothing to say. He was sad that he wouldn't be able to see Will right when he woke up, Will had taken care of Nico well. He enjoyed his time at the infirmary, if that wasn't obvious.

Nico got his things together and left. The walk to the Hades cabin was short, but it was straight through the center of the camp. Nico said, "Hi!" To more people during that walk, than in his whole life. Finally, he reached his cabin. It was just before noon, the lunch bells would ring soon. Nico was starving. He had only been given a small amount of food while in the infirmary. Just as he put his things down, the bells rang, and Nico headed to the Dining Pavilion.

Because he was all alone in the Hades cabin, he sat at the same table as Percy Jackson. He was scarfing down a sandwich, when he asked, "Hey Nico, are you going to eat?" Nico didn't respond. He was too busy looking at Will Solace, who had just gotten finished his shift at the infirmary. "Nico," Percy said with more force.

This time Nico heard him, and turned to face him. "Yeah Percy?" Nico asked.

"I was wondering if you were going to eat, or just stare off into space." Percy responded. Even still, Percy was oblivious.

Nico chuckled. "Yeah sorry." Nico began to eat.

Percy looked at him, as if he had something very urgent to ask, but couldn't decide if he should. "Yes Percy?" Nico asked. "Do you want to say something?" Nico was trying to not sound annoyed.

"Yeah. I was just wondering, how long you, yeah know, had a crush on me?" Percy seemed uncomfortable asking the question.

"Well, I guess it started when you saved my sister and I, you were so strong, how could I not?" Percy seemed happy, as though he knew that he was just as great as Nico thought.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have been ok with it, in fact, I'm rather flattered." Percy said.

"I'm not sure, it was hard for me to accept, you know, being gay." Nico replied. "It wasn't something that was even remotely acceptable when I was younger, in the 1940s." Nico became cold. He was remembering how his sister, Bianca, was so accepting of Nico. She never judged him, and she knew the secret he would die to protect. "I'm sorry, it's still hard for me to talk about, especially to you. It's weird talking about how I liked you." Nico admitted.

Percy seemed hurt by that, but he didn't pry any further. They hung out a lot, and Percy didn't want to jeopardize the friendship he had made with Nico. "Yeah, no, of course. I'm sorry I pried." At this point, Nico had eaten the two sandwiches he had made, and was ready to leave. He brought some food to his father's alter, and prayed to him.

While Nico was praying to his father, Hades, Will Solace had finished lunch and walked up to the Hades alter. He startled Nico by saying, "Hey what's up? How are you feeling? No shadow travelling, remember."

He made Nico jump. "Gods Will, you scared me. I'm praying to my father right now, I can't talk." The blonde boy looked insulted, as though Nico had offended him. "Well I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were ok." Will walked away quickly.

Nico wanted to slap himself. Why was he so quick tempered? He could pray to his father anytime, and he really enjoyed Will. "Gods why am I so stupid!" Nico yelled. Sure, he was never particularly good with emotions, but he wanted to be friends with Will. He continued to think about it while he walked back to his cabin.

On the way, he saw Percy with Annabeth, they looked so happy together. Nico wished he had a relationship like theirs. He just couldn't seem to befriend people unless it was a life or death situation. He would have to work on that.