Nico stood in the shadows, just out of reach of the bonfire's flickering light.
All around him, other demigods laughed and joked with their friends, completely oblivious to the lonely figure.
Turning, the son of Hades took off into the woods, pulling his sweatshirt -courtesy of Percy- over his chest with a thin, bone-white hand.
Walking through the dark, chilly woods, Nico found it hard to stay solid, his fingertips turning transparent, trying to melt into the shade.
Eventually, he found what he was looking for, a small pond surrounded by soft grass and moist soil.
Laying on the grassy slope, Nico stared up at the pale, luminous moon, his dark eyes nostalgic and sorrowful.
After what felt like hours, but was probably just a few minutes, he heard heavy footsteps behind him, and before he could turn, the warm, familiar, yet concerned, voice of Will Solace asked, with a small grin, "What are you doing out here? It's... dark."
"Very intelligent statement, Solace."
Sitting down, Will snapped half-heartedly, "You know what I mean."
Nico lifted his hand, staring at the semi-transparent fingers apathetically.
Will was silent, watching the younger demigod, the smirk dissapearing from his tanned face, noticing something.
"... Nico?"
Said boy glanced towards the healer.
"Were you... crying?"
Nico's eyes widened slightly, and he sat up, wiping his cheeks.
"I...! No, I-"
He was interrupted by Will slinging an arm around him, and the boy flinched, still not used to any physical contact.
"Hey, dude, it's fine. You've completely earned the right to cry. Just don't wander off like this, especially when it's all nighttime and shadow-y, okay? We can't have you fading off on us or anything."
Nico was silent, letting Will comfort him.
"... So... What were you thinking about?"
Will, surprised that Nico had allowed him to touch him, half-expected the younger to hit him for adding something else.
But he didn't.
Instead, Nico's dark eyes narrowed, and Will could see more tears shimmering in them.
Biting his lip, Nico muttered, "... My sister. And... everyone. If Leo's still alive; what will happen now; is this really the end; how will things work between the two camps?"
"Well, whatever happens, just know you have friends. You don't have to be the outcast anymore."
Nico sighed.
"Yeah. Yeah, I guess. We should probably get back to camp now. After everything that just happened, people will probably be sending out search parties."
Will laughed, standing and offering Nico a hand up.
Nico allowed a small smile, accepting the hand, and together, the two demigods started walking back to Camp Half-Blood.