Gaming is better

Nico was just lounging around the Hades cabin when he heard some of the Apollo cabin walking closer to his door. They were walking (more like dancing Nico thought) around the camp carolling Christmas songs and collecting a bit of money for a charity.

Quickly he got up, turned the lights out and shut the curtains before they could see he was in. It wasn't that Nico hated the cabin or anything it was just he didn't like Christmas songs. Even before he found out about his Greek heritage Bianca, his mother and he, had not been very religious only giving each other gifts at Christmas time for the joy of it but not going to Church or reading the Bible or anything like that. He was sure the carollers would just go away when he didn't answer so he just relaxed on his bed as they came up the steps.

"Hey Nico!" Will called after knocking twice, "Are you in there?"

Will was the only one to come close enough to the door, the others being scared of the skull hung above it and the shadows that seemed to draw nearer. The jars Greek fire on each side added to the spookiness and in general it just looked creepy. Will was unfazed though. He had lived through two wars, fighting monsters and attacking Romans. A little 'creepy' décor wouldn't do much to him.

"Death boy? Hellloooo?"

Even though Nico didn't respond, Will knew he was in there. He had seen him from the previous cabin quickly turn out the lights and pretend to be gone. Will could tell he hadn't gone though. The shadows clung closer when he was there.

"Hey Kayla, Austin why don't you go back with the others? It's getting quite late."

"Sure thing Will," replied Austin as he walked off with his brothers and sisters back to cabin 7. A few noises escaped the forest but apart from that it was a quiet, peaceful night, everyone having retired to bed by now.

Will went and knocked again.

"Nico, I know you're in there and I'm not leaving until you open the door."

Nico lie on his bed and briefly shut his eyes. What did Solace want? It was getting late and Nico was ready to go to sleep. But he knew Solace wouldn't leave so reluctantly he stood up and trudged over to the door, opening it slowly.

"What do you want Solace?" he asked annoyed.

"I was just wondering why you didn't open the door earlier on. You know I did see you turn off the lights and shut the blinds when we were coming near."

Nico blushed slightly not realising he had been seen. He shivered against the cold and decided to do something he wouldn't normally consider ever doing.

"I can tell you inside if you want. I mean if you want to come in. Unless you've got somewhere better to go or-"

Thankfully Will stopped his rant before he could get more embarrassed, "Ok, thanks."

He stepped in as Nico turned on the light again and reclosed the door. Will looked around having not seen the inside of the Hades cabin before and was surprised. It was quite dark with coffin shaped beds that had blood red sheets. The walls were obsidian black and there was a small shrine in the corner decorated with bones and jewels.

"I'm sorry I didn't answer earlier on. It's just I've never really liked Christmas songs and I hate getting them stuck in my head. This is probably a bad excuse though."

Nico gazed down whilst Will came over and sat next to Nico on his bed.

"That's ok Nico, I understand."

There was a bit of an awkward silence which Will decided to break.

"So, what do you normally do in here?" Will asked.

"Do you know how to play video games?" smirked Nico as he climbed off the bed and walked behind a bunk bed into the corner. Will followed him to see a small TV and X-box that was hidden from view at first.

"This was made by some of the Hephaestus campers not that long ago. It's monster proof, it won't attract them!"

Will smiled at how excited he was and sat down in front of it grabbing on of the two controllers.

"What games do you have?"

Nico pulled out the games he had collected from a box to the side. Will looked through them for a few seconds and then pulled out one he thought seemed fun. He hadn't played that particular one before however.

"How about Mario Kart?" he questioned, to which Nico grinned.

"Fine by me, just don't be sad when I wipe the floor with you."

"As if Sunshine."

"Don't call me that," Nico muttered as he put the disc in and started up the game. He showed Will the basics of the game and after a few practises they started a proper race. Nico was doing well but Will couldn't seem to get the hang of it much to Nico's amusement.

"Solace, you've got to keep your car straight or you're never going to win!" he laughed.

"How am I supposed to keep the car straight if I can't keep myself straight?" he threw back and smirked at Nico's shocked face which turned to a grin a few seconds later.

Nico swerved his car to the side going off the track a bit before making his way back on.

"I seem to be having trouble keeping myself straight too."

The two continued playing games all night until Nico fell asleep leaning on Will's shoulder only a couple of minutes later they were both asleep next to each other enjoying the company.


A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this and come the New Year I will try to post some more and maybe update some others that I haven't for a while. Please leave a review if you liked it, have any feedback you'd like to give me or have any more Christmas or not, one shots you want me to write and then add to this.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Good Kwanzaa and anything else you celebrate.

a-halfblood-with-attitude