AN: guess who broke their laptop (again). so, unfortunately, updates might take longer to get up, as I'll be writing them on my phone.

But anyways, welcome to book 3, and here's some solangelo Since it's been rare

Nico's mood on life changed that summer. Before then, he hadn't worried much about the secret of wizards getting out to the demigods. Now, sitting in the rec room with Chiron in front of him, he knew it was more serious than previously thought.

It was halfway through break, a Saturday. Nico had continued to spend the weekends at camp in order to train the kids and to be their own personal messenger to the dead. He never would have expected it for himself, but Percy had asked. And that Hufflepuff loyalty had embedded itself in Nico already.

Why? He still wasn't sure. Maybe it was because the gods had de-aged him. Maybe it was because he grew up with Ron Weasley and his family. Maybe it was because he was finally starting to have a happy life in the wizarding world.

And even though he enjoyed his life in the wizarding world, thanks to his blood from his mother, he was once again reminded that it had to be separated from the demigod world.

"So...why are you telling me this?" Nico asked, sitting back in his seat. "I already know people can't know."

Chiron rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Mr. di Angelo, do you understand that fully?"

"Um...yes?"

"Some of the Athena campers have come to me with questions," Chiron started. "They've seen you appear in your robes. They've noticed you and Mr. Cook doing your homework."

Nico glanced away. "Okay...maybe I am being too careless... I'll talk to Dominic about it."

"Thank you." Chiron went to wheel himself out of the room but Nico sat forward.

"Chiron?" he asked. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, young demigod."

"Why are you trying so hard to keep this a secret?" Nico asked. He remembered the reactions of those he had told. Percy, Annabeth, Will, Hazel... They all took it pretty well, though Annabeth had been more interested than good. She had even read most of the wizarding books he had brought back from Hogwarts during his tries to figure out what monster was residing in the chamber of secrets the year prior.

Chiron gestured around them. "Why do you think this camp was built?"

"To protect demigods from monsters," Nico answered.

"To protect demigods in general, not just from monsters," Chiron corrected. "You know we had our feud with the Romans. And we try to keep you all from the Egyptians."

"So, in general, we don't mix well with others," Nico summed up.

Chiron nodded. "Wizards are included."

"Have we...met them before?" Nico asked.

Chiron's eyes switched. Nico recognized the look of painful memories being brought to the surface.

"I shouldn't say much. I'm not supposed to. But yes, we've met them before. Many years ago." Chiron said grimly. "And no, we don't mix."

"But...Harry, Ron, and Hermoine know about me," Nico reasoned. "And they're fine with it."

"And why do you think that is?" Chiron asked.

Nico froze. "Um...because they know I won't hurt them?"

Chiron nodded. "But if the word got out, most wizards wouldn't know that. They would think of demigods as a potential threat to their world. A war would brew."

"And the same could happen on our side of things," Nico finished. "Right?"

Chiron nodded. "So, I hope this has given you the will and insight needed to keep your mother's bloodline on the down-low."

Nico nodded. "I will. Er, I'll try my best."

Chiron eyed him carefully. "I hope this information doesn't plague you. As someone who hid the existence of the Roman camp, I hope you can hide the existence of this as well."

Nico hated his role in the demigod world. Hated what he was known for. "I'm good with being a double agent, is what you're saying. I'm good at being a traitor."

"I am only bringing up your skills." Chiron reminded him all too well of Dumbledore. "Now, you should run along. The children haven't had their sword lessons yet."

Nico stood up and stretched, his confidence having grown with his second round of getting older. For the second time, he had grown to be thirteen years old. And he was starting to get used to it all.

He kept half of his old demigod appearance: black skinny jeans, his sword hanging from his waist, his hair just as messy and long. But he wore a black muscle shirt that showed off his scars from Lycaon quite well, Mrs. Weasley having made it for him to assure herself he wouldn't overheat while training during the hot summer. Even she couldn't force him to wear shorts, however.

Nico took his time while walking to the sword arena, knowing that teaching the kids always left him emotionally exhausted. They had been getting better but still needed a lot of work before they could fight anything.

Today as he started to train them, however, he didn't feel so pleased with himself. Was he training them for a future battle against his other half? Would they one day use those swords to fight against wands?

The thought shook him up pretty badly. As soon as the class was over, he made his way to the infirmary.

The infirmary itself had expanded over the years, all thanks to Nico's (ex?) boyfriend. He still wasn't sure what they were, Will having had to call most everything off after Nico's drastic change in age. But their hearts belonged to each other, that much was certain.

Still, Nico missed his kisses. He missed his hugs and the way they cuddled to stop the nightmares. He missed the way Will would force him to eat, missed the way he would stick to his side. He missed him as a boyfriend.

But now, he was lucky to have him as a friend.

The infirmary was empty save for a son of Athena, who laid on one of the beds as Will wrapped what looked to be a broken wrist. The doctor-in-training looked just like any other stressed out college kid, with bags under his eyes and hair that probably hadn't been combed in weeks. The permanent scent of coffee now clung to him.

"Will, can I talk to you?" Nico kept his voice low, knowing he didn't usually talk to Will for a reason. He wanted the best for him, even if that meant giving him the time to focus on his studies.

Will Solace didn't support him staying away, and in turn, got too excited whenever Nico decided to drop by. But he also got worried.

Turning around, Will looked Nico over in two seconds. "What's wrong? Are you okay? You look okay."

"I'm fine." Nico gestured to the patient. "Just finish up here and then we need to talk. Privately."

The son of Athena was watching him closely. Nico wondered if he was one of the ones that had brought Nico's oddness to Chiron's attention.

Will gestured to the back room. "Wait there. I'll be there in a minute."

Nico did as he was told, sitting in an old chair in the back room that served as an office and supply closet. Soon enough, Will came in as well and shut the door behind him. "Nico? What's wrong?"

So many things to say crossed his mind. War. Bloodshed. Training the enemy. Thinking of them as the enemy.

Was he really the double-crossing traitor that he used to be? The same child that turned Percy Jackson over to Hades, the same teenager that tried to keep two camps apart?

It was the same thing, essentially. But now he truly was the traitor.

Nico couldn't do much but run to Will, burying his head in that lean chest as he tried to control his racing heart. Will didn't do anything but hold him close, didn't say a word but hummed an old tune.

Eventually, Nico pulled himself away with a clearing of his throat. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Will brushed a strand of hair out of Nico's face. "Are you okay?"

Nico nodded. "I just...have a lot going on."

"Anything you want to share with me?" Will asked. "I can help."

"Not with this." Nico reached up and cupped the side of Will's face. "I...I just needed some time with you. It helps me calm down."

Will grinned. "Being with you does the same to me. It's a good break from work."

Nico frowned. "I'm distracting you from your work."

"No, no..." Will hugged him again. "I needed a break."

Nico leaned against him. "I'm staying the night tonight and going home tomorrow. In a couple of weeks, I'm starting school again."

"How is it?" Will asked. "Aside from the life-threatening stuff."

"I love it," Nico admitted. "I actually love it."

Will's eyes grew sad. "That's really good...for you."

Nico frowned. "Will...we aren't even together."

"I know, I know." Will sighed. "I just hate that you're so far away."

"But I come every weekend."

"You come every weekend." But it's not enough. "What was wrong? Something about school?"

"Not technically." Nico looked up at him. "Wizards and demigods can't mix. Chiron just warned me again."

"That sounds...oddly familiar to how we used to talk about the Romans," Will commented.

"And you should think of it like that, too," Nico said. "Apparently it's like the same deal. I'm going to talk to Dominic. But...but we need to keep wizards and demigods apart."

"What if there was a war?" Will asked. "What would you do?"

Nico broke the hug. "I've got to get going, Will." He basically ran out of the room, not wanting to answer the question he now knew the answer to. Not when he was amongst those he would betray if needed.