Chapter 3

"Why isn't your grandpa ever at games?" Nico asked about a month later, both of them sitting at lunch. Their table was full with Hazel's friends, which Nico usually hung out with. He told himself it was because he wanted to spend time with Hazel, but he knew it was because of Will Solace. He would never say that out loud, however.

Will played with his phone, his hands shaking slightly. "He works a lot."

Nico nodded, bumping him with his shoulder. "What's wrong with you? You seem...odder than usual."

"Nothing." Will smiled reassuringly. "Just a bad topic. We all have those."

Nico nodded in understanding. "So, what are your plans for the weekend?"

Will glanced over at him in confusion, never having heard that sentence come from the younger boy's lips. "Huh?"

Nico repeated himself, a slight blush spreading over his face as he crossed his arms.

"O-Oh...I have the game Friday, but that's it." Will replied. "What about you?"

Nico looked down. "Well...I have the game Friday. Then on Saturday I have a piano concert. M-My dad makes me take classes and stuff."

Will's smile brightened. "A piano concert?"

Nico flushed darkly in embarrassment. "Y-Yeah...I can get you in for free."

Will looked at him for a second before starting to chuckle. "Y-You're the star quarterback and you play piano?"

Nico flushed darker, if that was possible, his voice coming out small. "Y-Yes."

"I would love to go."

"Huh?" Nico looked at him, taken aback.

Will smiled, winking at him. "I can't miss the Prince of Darkness playing piano. What kind of friend would that make me?"

Nico shoved his arm again, smiling. "Okay, Sunshine. I'll see you there."

"See him where?" Percy was suddenly between them, smiling knowingly. "Do I sense a date happening?"

Nico bushed darkly, stuttering. "W-what...I-I...why did you...n-"

"Yes," Will answered calmly, catching Percy off guard. "I was supposed to ask the first date but Nico here jumped the gun."

Nico didn't say anything, his mouth not seeming to work.

Percy looked between them. "W-Wait...so you two...you're..."

"Dating." Nico managed. "Is there a problem, Jackson?"

"Not at all." Percy smirked at him, stealing one of his fries. "I'm just glad my little cousin is finally dating someone. When are you thinking about sealing the deal?"

"Percy!" Nico couldn't possibly be any redder. "Shut up!"

Will laughed, his eyes gazing at Nico. "It's okay."

"I'm just saying, if he hurts my baby brother-"

"Cousin."

"Then he's going to get hurt." Percy finished, looking at Will. "Don't hurt him. He's hurt enough already."

Will nodded immediately. "I won't."

Percy nodded, smiling again. "Now that that's covered, let's talk about the interesting rumor going around."

"And what's that?" Nico asked quickly, still blushing darkly.

"Octavian switched schools. He's playing for the Giants." Percy answered. "So we'll be doing the tournament against him."

"And that effects us how...?" Nico asked, waving his hand a little.

"He threatened you." Will explained. "Remember my first game?"

Nico nodded a little. "But he won't follow through with it. You know that."

"You should still be careful." Percy concluded, his smile dropping a little. "That kid's...unstable."

"That's rude, don't you think?" Nico asked.

"You're just bitter you didn't ask Will out first." Percy said teasingly.

Nico blushed darkly, turning his head to hide it. His voice shook, along with his hands. "T-That's not true."

"What's not true?" Hazel sat in front of them, kissing Nico's forehead.

"Will and Nico finally got together." Percy explained calmly.

Hazel smiled, nodding. "About time, don't you think?"

Will started to blush. "Y-You two have been waiting for this?"

"More like betting." Percy supplied, his smile dropping. "Crap, I owe Annabeth twenty bucks."

Will laughed, causing Nico's heart to stop before thumping loudly. His laugh...yeah, that was part of what made Will Solace his own solar system. His own sunrise. Yet, every sunrise ended with a sunset. And Nico would soon find out how dark it could get after a sunset. Yet, when the sun rose, it looked so beautiful, so bright...how could you ever think it could end so darkly?