Hey guys! So, I decided to continue this story. It is set after the war, right when Nico confesses his previous crush on Percy.

Just a warning, this is just some fluff and not much happens until the next chapter- but fear not! That will be posted soon (hopefully?) and I hope y'all like this in the meantime~ ^-^

Disclaimer: I do NOT own the part in italics., any of the characters, setting, etc. (creds to RICK RIORDAN :D)

Enjoy :)

"'For a long time,' Nico said,' I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know.'

Percy looked at Nico. Then at Annabeth, as if to check that he had heard correctly. Then back at Nico. 'You-'

'Yeah,' Nico said. 'You're a great person. But I'm over that. I'm happy for you guys.'

'You? So you mean-'

'Right.'

Annabeth's gray eyes started to sparkle. She gave Nico a sideways smile.

'Wait,' Percy said. 'So you mean-'

'Right,' Nico said again. 'But it's cool- we're cool. I mean, I see now... you're cute, but you're not my type.'

'I'm not your type... wait. So-'

'See you around, Percy,' Nico said. 'Annabeth.'

She raised her hand for a high five. Nico obliged. Then he walked back across the green, where Will Solace was waiting."

The sun stood high and bright in the sky, and the birds sang and chattered away, as if to congratulate the demigods on their success against Gaea. Nico contentedly sauntered across the field, and when he finally reached the other side, he shoved his hands in his pockets and flashed Will a shy grin.

Will smiled back, his blue eyes crinkling and his sandy-blonde hair practically aglow in the sunlight. He nodded towards where Annabeth was currently on her knees laughing and Percy was staring into space, stupefied. "What was that all about?"

"Aahhh... nothing, really."

Will opened his mouth to protest, but then decided against it, shrugging. Instead, to Nico's chagrin, he began lecturing him on the severe repercussions of shadow travelling for, oh- only the fifty zillionth time that day.

"Really, Nico, you be more watchful of your health. You practically traveled half-way around the world- and not just yourself, but two others and a fifteen hundred pound statue, as well! Your body's cellular systems are not meant to undergo such a strenuous task! Such stress could have caused physical and psychological stimulants... produce mental tension that... depleting energy reserves..."

Will's voice (and rather vast knowledge of medical vocabulary that was completely incomprehensible to Nico) faded away until it was merely a distant buzz, and Nico fell into his own world of thoughts, still grinning ear-to-ear.

Everything was perfect- so perfect, that it didn't even seem real.

But it is, Nico kept reminding himself. Gaea had been defeated. The Roman and Greek camps had made peace after centuries of brutal feuding and even allied with one another. Nico had finally dispelled of his greatest, most guarded secret. And then, of course, there was Will...

Will- who loved him back.

"Oi! Death boy! You awake?" Will asked, snapping his fingers in Nico's face.

Nico jolted back into reality and nodded, hoping that Will hadn't said anything too important.

"Good. Glad to have you back," Will laughed. "So are you coming peacefully or not?"

Nico panicked, not having heard a single word that Will had said. "Um... yes?"

Will smirked, making Nico panic even more. "Good. I was hoping we wouldn't have to argue about it."

Blushing, Nico stammered,"Uh, um... what is it, exactly, that just agreed to do?"

Laughing, Will teasingly nudged Nico in the shoulder, and Nico felt the warm tinge in his cheeks grow hotter.

His eyes still sparkling mockingly, Will finally said," You're due three days in the infirmary."

"Three-what?" Nico blinked, then thrust his arms out in frustration and cried," but I'm perfectly fine!"

Will gave Nico a pointed look (as Nico valiantly yet unsuccessfully tried to ignore the cute way Will's eyebrows scrunched up when he was frustrated) and muttered," Here we go..."

Nico just glared at him, waiting for an explanation.

Finally, Will sighed and said," If you'd been listening, you'd have heard me clarify this already. Human bodies are not cut out for traveling as a shadow- let along transporting others along with them, as well. Your systems need time to adjust back to your solid form, and your energy definitely needs to be replenished- unless, of course, you'd prefer to melt into a shadow permanently."

Damn. Will was hot when he got all lecture-y and everything. His eyes were gleaming and his arms were crossed over his rather broad chest, every detail etched into his thin shirt.

Nevertheless, Nico tore his eyes away and continued:

"But why do I have to stay at the infirmary for that- why not just my cabin?"

Will laughed at that. "I think that we've all established that you are completely unreliable"-Nico blinked in surprise and he opened his mouth to protest but Will continued-"and need to be kept under custody for the next few days."

Stifling a groan, Nico crossed his arms and glared at his feet.

"Hey, Death Boy! I didn't know it was such a bad thing to be stuck with me, considering the last time we were together in the infirmary..."

Nico yelped, his cheeks flushing red, and Will burst out laughing.

"You're adorable," Will hummed, wrapping his arms around Nico's stomach and resting his chin on the shorter boy's shoulder.

Forgetting everything that had just happened, Nico sunk into his arms, savoring the warmth from his body. "Mm... yeah, yeah..." he murmured back.

"So you're coming, right?" Will sighed into his ear while burying himself deeper into his shoulder.

"This is utter blackmail," Nico breathed, trying to subtly wipe the sweat that had accumulated on his palms off on his jeans.

Will just flashed him a devilish smirk as he chuckled," Who says I play fair?"

Nico tried to wiggle out of Will's grasp but was only pressed further into his chest as Will yanked him back. His eyes bulged as Will then ran his hands down his sides, resting at his waist.

"You're either coming peacefully, or I will have to personally carry you there myself- and you know that I won't mind that one bit."

Nico's heart was pounding against his chest, and he wouldn't be surprised if Will could feel it, as well.

His mind was exploding, and he couldn't feel anything around him except Will's breath hot on his neck. He was completely and utterly unfocused- unable to process anything.

So, of course, he did the stupidest thing that came to mind.

He shadow traveled away.

Ow, Nico groaned and he rubbed his neck as his eyes fluttered open. His clouded vision cleared and he tried to sit up straight.

Big mistake.

He yelped as his foot slipped, losing its gripping, and his arms flailed out to grab onto something. His hands caught something, and Nico looked down to find himself dangling about fifty feet above the ground off a tree branch.

Great. He had just shadow traveled himself to the top of a goddamned tree (and a rather tall, goddamned tree, for that matter). Grunting, he hauled himself back onto the branch, and his head spun with the effort. Looking around, he recognized the camp woods through black spots that dotted his vision.

Sighing, he slumped against a branch and closed his eyes until the memory of everything that had just happened came crashing back.

Shit. Shit.

He had just done the one thing that Will had specifically asked him not to do- shadow travel. And for what- escape being alone with Will for three days? Why was it, that whenever the gods literally handed him a good opportunity, he just chucked it away?

He cursed colorfully in a way that would have made Mr. D proud.

How long had he been out? Five minutes? Five hours? Clearly, he had passed out for some time...

Ok, maybe I do need some time at the infirmary... Nico grumbled to himself while fumbling around the branches for a way down. He could just shadow travel again, but seeing as how that went the first time, he wisely decided against it. No need to test out his fabulous luck again and end up in an abandoned hospital or something...

There was no good grip on the bark, either, so climbing down wasn't an option...

"Aarghhh!" Nico yelled, clenching his hair. He was tired, exasperated, and felt like the world's biggest idiot. Not only was he stuck up in a stupid tree for Hades knows how long, but Will was probably utterly shocked, confused, and mad as to why Nico just left.

Why would someone like Will- always smiling, bright, and perfect- fall for someone like him in the first place- what did Will see?

Then Nico smiled at how Will always casually slung his arm around his waist, always leaned his head against his shoulder when he was tired, always pecked his cheek when no one was looking...

Sighing, Nico cleared his bleary mind and looked down again. Desperation started crawling up his throat- there was no possible, safe way to get down this tree, unless...

Nico immediately perked up as he heard the rustle of footsteps coming from down below. His eyes skimmed over the forest floor as he yelled out," Hey! Up here!"

Relief flooded his veins as the figure looked up and said," Nico? What are you doing up there?"

"Jason! Thank the gods! I need help getting down."

"But how'd you get up there in the first place?"

"Long story..." Nico bit his lip with impatience. "Just help-please?"

Jason just smirked and shook his head. "All right, but you're due an explanation afterwards-"

"Yes! Fine, anything! Just- get me the hell outta here." Nico breathed a sigh of relief at his luck- who better than a son of Zeus to help him down a tree?

Jason just laughed and flew up to where Nico sat, nearly bouncing with relief and joy. Nico slung his arm around Jason's back as he climbed onto his back, and they both flew back down. Nico jumped off and fell to the floor, practically hugging the leafy forest mulch, and Jason cocked his head in confusion. "How long were you even up there?"

Nico looked up at him and stood up. "I'd like to know that too."

Jason just laughed. "Ok, then. Let's just get you back to camp."

So they walked back- Jason sauntering along, and Nico starting to build up with fear again. How would he explain what happened to Will? What possible explanation was there as to why Nico shadow traveled away at the thought of spending time at the infirmary with his goddamned boyfriend? His nerves almost made him want to be safe up in that tree again. Almost.

Just as they neared the camp, Jason paused and looked down at Nico. "You never told me why you were up there, you know."

Nico ran a hand through his hair and sighed, his stomach flipflopping nervously. He looked up at Jason's inquiring eyes and hesitantly, told him everything that had happened.

Jason just stared at Nico for a second before he burst out laughing. He doubled over, clutching his stomach as a wide-eyed Nico sputtered,' Hey- Jason?! It's not even that funny! What's wrong with you?"

Shaking his head, Jason just said," What's wrong with me? I'm not the one who shadow traveled away from my boyfriend-"

Nico groaned, which just made Jason laugh some more. Finally, when he was able to gain control over himself again, Jason grinned at Nico and they began walking again. "You know, you can just explain what you felt to Will. I'm sure he'll understand."

"But what sort of moron just disappears in front of his boyfriend like that?"

Jason scrunched his eyebrows and gave Nico a serious look. "You're absolutely right. I wouldn't be surprised if Will breaks up with you and never speaks to you again now."

"Aargh!" Nico yelled. "Jason, this is serious!"

Jason just flashed Nico a cheeky grin and yanked him towards the infirmary. When they reached the entrance, Jason pushed Nico inside and waved a cocky farewell. Nico glared daggers at him, but Jason was already walking away. Hades help me...

He saw Will's sister Kayla walking by with a small bottle of unicorn draught and rushed towards her. "Hey, um, Kayla- have you seen Will anywhere?"

Kayla flashed him a knowing grin and he blushed. "Yeah, he's in the third room to the right of the left hallway," she said, pointing towards a large, wooden door, before giving him one last wink and heading off.

Nico bit his lip and fiddled with the hem of his sleeves, eyeing the door with great qualm, and squeezed his eyes shut. You can do this. You can do this. You can-

"Nico?"

His eyes popped open as he recognized that oh-so-familiar voice. Grimacing, he shrunk into himself before peeping up at the shocked face that peered back at him. "H-hey Will..."