Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the PJO and HOO universe.

Nico walked out of his cabin already late for breakfast. It was the first day after his stance at the Infirmary and he didn't know if he was ready to face the world now that it wasn't ending. Everyone started to fall into routine again, the big crisis had come to an end.

He kept his head low as he calmly walked to the Dining Pavilion. He sat down, ordered two slices of bread with marmalade, made an offering to his father and started eating in silence until a particular clumsy green-eyed boy sat in front of him.

-Nico! Good morning.- Percy said without any hint of awkwardness in his voice. - I just got told that you were released from the doctor. How are you feeling?-

Nico looked up from his meal and stared at Percy for a bit. 'He isn't acting strange towards me. I guess I can give this friendship a shot.'

-Hello, Percy. I'm definitely better, not completely healed but it's a start. Thanks for asking. -

-No problem, man. And now that you're free, what are you planning to do?-

-I...- Nico frowned- I actually didn't think about that. Jason told me to help him when he had to build the temples for the Underworld gods, Annabeth told me that she wanted to test me so she could know what level of education I have and Drew told me she needed urgently to cut my hair. Apart from that, nothing I guess.-

-Drew? As in Drew Tanaka? Since when do you talk with her?- Percy tilted his head slightly with a expression of serious confusion.

-She went with... - He sighed- Bianca and with me to Westover Hall. She had some problems and we helped her. We have been friends since then.-

Percy somehow knew there was more to dig in that story but he knew not to push Nico.

-Oh, well that's great. You know... It feels kinda strange.- the son of Poseidon drifted off.

-What feels strange?-

-Going back to normal. Paul was able to let me skip the year I lost and now I'm going to do my last year of high school with Annabeth but after all that happened it is almost... Hilarious.-

-I guess it is time for new beginnings. A time for peace.- the dark haired demigod said -but if you're going back to the city, who is going to teach the new campers how to use a sword?-

The older demigod opened his mouth and closed it again. He started to rub his chin and he stayed quiet for a long time. He looked down and banged his head on the table in sign of frustration. Then he slowly looked up with a grin so wide that someone could tell he found the formula for world peace.

-You- he stated.

Nico who wasn't paying attention to Percy anymore and was actually lost in his own mind quickly reacted and almost chocked himself as he heard the statement.

-What?! Are you crazy? I'm sure I'm not the best people to teach kids. They'll be scared just be looking at me.-

-Nico, come on! They won't be scared. Give them a chance. Please? I'm leaving in a couple of weeks. You can come by during classes and help me so the kids get used to you. Please? Please?- he begged just as the hero made his so famous puppy-eyes.

-But, what if—

-No! Come on! This is a great idea and it will help you interact with the campers. Please?-

Nico knew that nobody could resist those puppy-eyes plus he knew Percy was probably right. 'What do I have to lose?' He sighted.

-Fine. I'll go with you today before I regret it. When do we start?-

The sea green eyed demigod stood up with a radiant smile and exclaimed -Right now!- he started walking -Come on!- and like that was how both sons of the Big Three set path to the Amphitheater without noticing the devilish stares of their friends and how they followed them.

They were halfway through the class and it was not as bad as The son of Hades thought it would be. Just after 'Mr. Jackson' presented him to the class all the kids went quiet until a shy hand rose up and asked if it was true that Nico had a zombie army. Then the hurricane of questions started. To say that the Ghost King was shocked was saying little.

And his surprise lasted all class majorly because he still couldn't believe that those little rascals actually asked him to help them.

-He still looks surprised and it's been half and hour already- exclaimed a girl with purple highlights an black hair.

-I know, Lou, it's like he expects everybody to run away from him! It's so frustrating!-

-Will, you have to understand what he has been through. He can't miraculously change in a day-

-I know, I know. But Jason, I remember how he was when he arrived for the first time to camp. It's unbelievable how much he has changed. Almost as if nothing remains from that bubble of happiness.-

-Shush now you two! Or I'm using my charmspeak with you- advertised the Cherokee girl with feathers in her hair.

-Hey! Look what's happening over there!- said at unison the prankster brothers.

Nico had a feeling that something was about to go extremely wrong. He turned around just in time to realize that the movement that the Ares kid was going to fail and that it would probably hurt his training partner, a daughter of Hecate. He ran towards the kids and concluded that he wouldn't have time to block the attack. He launched himself so he pushed the little girl out of danger. He suddenly felt something hot draining across his abdomen. He barely heard the kids gasp, questioning if he was alright and the son of Ares apologizing repeatedly. He just looked down and saw red.

Next time he woke up he discovered he was, once again, on one of those extremely white and surprisingly little beds of the Infirmary. He heard someone clicking their tongue so he looked up just to find Will Mother-hen Solace starring at him with an amused look.

-Unbelievable. You practically scream that you don't care about people but actually you're one of the most caring people I know. We will talk later about that wound, it is a miracle that you're awake right now, the spear scarcely missed an artery. You have visits.-

The healer turned around leaving a dumbfounded Nico and a bunch of kids. Will walked outside the infirmary where everyone else was waiting.

-How is he, doc?-asked Chris Rodriguez.

-Quite good, actually.-

-Well, you did prove my mother wrong.- Katie Gardner commented -she told all Demeter Cabin that all Hades spawn were assholes. To say the least, I'm positively amazed. Who would have guessed the bad boy had such a golden heart?-

Everyone laughed at the statement unconsciously making plans on their own to bring more people to spy on the Ghost King. The demigod, more than anyone, deserved a chance to break the stereotypes.