It was well known that Annabeth Chase was a genius. It was also well known that she would not win this bet. She knew once she agreed she had little chance of succeeding, but it had made Percy happy.

He loved competition, as all demigods did.

That was how her plan had formed.

Nico would be mildly hot by the time she began her plan, and she suspected he would know that something was amiss at this point. She would use that to her advantage. She knew Nico was stubborn, and would purposely avoid it to foil others plans. She would not go out of this bet without a fight.

So she would tactfully propose playing a game that would offer Nico some fun at the beach while keeping him out of the water. Only after the game had started, and he was involved in it, would she move him to the water.

She went around with Percy, hand-in-hand, asking people if they were up to a game of volleyball. Capture the flag was too common amongst demigods, so they decided on the classic beach volleyball.

They asked the seven first. Everyone had agreed. Reyna said she would too, but Calypso preferred to watch.

Perfect.

That gave Annabeth the wonderful excuse to ask other people on the beach if they wanted to play, but not just any kids.

The Apollo kids would do well, since they were used to the beach, and often played volleyball at camp. She went over to where a group of them were sitting with Percy and approached Will Solace.

Specifically, Will Solace.

"Hey, Will," she said smiling brightly.

"Hi, Annabeth, what's up?" he asked smiling back at her.

"We're having a game of volleyball and are short on three players. Are you up to fill in the spots?" she asked looking around and smiling.

"Is Nico going to play?" Lou Ellen blurted out. Annabeth laughed before responding,

"We haven't asked yet, but we will get him to."

"Okay," Lou smiled "Will, me and -" she paused and looked around, "Kayla will play." No one had any objections, but Austin and a few others, including Cecil, said they would come watch.

Just as she had planned. Lou smiled mischievously, seeming to have a plan of her own. In fact most of their group was smiling. Except Will who was frowning at his friends.

Percy turned to Will, and said "Hey, we are actually gonna set up the net, so could you go ask Nico to play. Tell him Percy says he has to." He smiled and winked at Will. Will flushed red.

"Oh!" Will responded dumbly, "Ya sure. Of course"

"Okay we start in about ten minutes, and we'll figure out teams later." Annabeth informed him. "See you soon." She smiled again before leaving with Percy.

Will was slightly confused at how quickly the conversation had happened. It seemed like they almost planned it to him.

He was right, but he didn't need to know that.

Afterwards, a quick conversation engaged, and then Will was shoved into the direction of Nico. He started walking after stumbling slightly. He wanted to think of a good way to convince Nico to play.

And how he could find a way to not act like a total idiot in front of his crush.

"What's up, Solace?" Nico asked by way of greeting.

He was still lounging in the shade with the umbrella over his head. Will asked if he could sit with him and Nico told him of course. Will grabbed a beach towel from the sevens bag and joined his friend. Nico then also grabbed a towel to sit next to Will. It didn't feel right to be up on the chair.

They talked shortly before Will told him about the volleyball game and Nico made a face at the idea. Will then proceed to tell him why he should play including reasons like: 'Percy said so' 'It'll be fun' 'You've done nothing all day' 'Friendly competition'

"Plus," he added "I'll be there to kick your ass so that's really the only motive you need"

"I guess it is," Nico said back with smirk "You won't get one shot past me, Solace"

Will gaped and the two laughed and bickered about what would happen in the game; who would get hurt, who would get mad, who would ultimately win.

They were broaching the subject of who (probably Jason) might pass out from heat exhaustion when Will gasped.

"Nico have you put on any sunscreen?"

"No" Nico said bluntly

"Okay, don't mean to be the crazy medic but you will literally give yourself skin cancer or a nasty sunburn if you don't put some on," Nico frowned at that, " No offense but you pale. The sun will burn you to a crisp. Where's your sunscreen?"

Nico grabbed their bag and pulled out their sunscreen. It was the lotion type, as something about the aerosol cans made him feel slimy and stickier. He stood up and put a generous amount on his chest and stomach, and rubbed thoroughly on his legs. Will sat there and watched (stared) and made some conversation about his day so far.

Thought when Nico tried to put the lotion on his back and could not reach it severely, he closed the lid and handed the bottle to Will. Will stared for a moment before realizing that Nico planned to just not put sunscreen on his back because he couldn't reach it. He face-palmed.

He took the bottle and told Nico, "Firstly, you might be facing away from the sun so not getting your back won't do you any good. Secondly, you forgot your face. Third ,you are extremely lazy. Fourth, do you need help?"

Nico's face was tinged pink and he nodded.

Will poured out some of the lotion and spread it over Nico's back. He tried not to be creepy as he felt Nico's back muscles, nor as he covered his lower back. He finally spread it to the back of Nico's extremely red neck. Will wondered if it was possible he already somehow got sunburned there.

Sunburned. Not red and shy because Will freakin Solace was rubbing lotion on his back and Nico felt like a little creep, but Will was gently rubbing it in everywhere, and he was his crush and wow he felt weird.

Nico turned around and gave a small smile of thanks before he took the bottle and rubbed sunscreen on his face, because will had chastised him on it.

Will laughed, and Nico gave him an odd look.

"You missed a spot" he said looking at the place where Nico still had the white lotion prominent. It was right near his hairline where he hadn't bothered to rub it in. Before he thought that Nico was perfectly capable of rubbing it in himself he reached out and grabbed Nico's face, holding it steady.

With his other hand he rubbed his fingers over Nico's forehead, rubbing in the sunscreen,

Nico had gone very still and was staring at Will. Will immediately retracted his hands and said, "Am I making you uncomfortable?!" He knew Nico had a thing with touching. It took Nico a moment to snap out of his daze.

"No! No, of course not! I was just lost in thought" he laughed it off and so did Will. They were saved from trying to find a different subject to talk about when Percy started yelling at the two of them. The game was going to start soon.

And Nico found himself . . . almost excited.

~Sorry it took me so long lovelies, I had a camp to attend~

~School is starting soon, I'm crying~

~I think I'm going to make this beach game either really funny, intense, dramatic or all three~

~I hope you enjoyed this chapter, more coming soon~