Hey everyone! Sorry for the short absence, but I'm back now :)

The Greeks arrived to a very warm welcome at Camp Jupiter. There had been a quick, formal ceremony with the praetors and Senate as they welcomed the Greeks to their camp, and then they had been declared free to explore New Rome. The city had a lot of inns and guesthouses where they could stay, so a lot of Camp Half-Blood campers had immediately headed off to secure accommodation.

Nico knew Camp Jupiter, and he was in no hurry. So he strolled to the top of Temple Hill, where he could overlook the entire camp and city.

He watched the Greeks explore New Rome and admire the statues of the Roman gods scattered throughout the city. He saw Jason taking Piper to all his favourite parts, and watched Percy and Annabeth enjoy some brownies together at an outdoor café. But he was looking for a shaggy blond head in particular. He cast his eyes across the streets, but he couldn't find Will.

Maybe he's already at some inn, he thought, but that didn't stop his heart from sinking.

"Hi."

Nico turned to find Reyna at his side. The Roman praetor smiled as she, too, turned her gaze over her beloved city.

"It's a recovering city," she said. "The war did take its toll. We still haven't found a new augur – we're looking to the children of Apollo, but it doesn't look like we'll have any volunteers, after what happened to Octavian."

"There's always Ella," Nico offered. Reyna smiled again, and the two of them were silent for a few moments.

"You look troubled," Reyna said at last.

"When do I not?" Nico responded.

"Good point," Reyna conceded. "Do you want to – discuss – anything?"

Nico heard the hesitation in her voice. Reyna was like him in a lot of ways – she was not a talking person. She preferred to shoulder whatever unbearable burden she had in silence. And yet here she was, offering to listen to Nico.

So, again, Nico found himself telling Reyna everything, while at the same time marvelling at himself: First Hazel, then Jason, now Reyna. Nico di Angelo, you're turning into a real people person.

When he finished, he sat and watched Reyna apprehensively. Was she going to give him more of the same advice that Jason had given him?

Instead, Reyna just regarded him levelly. "It's not my place to tell you where to go from here," she said. "I'm no daughter of Venus – I can't tell you what love is. But from what I gather, you already know what to do next."

Nico took a deep breath and nodded. "I talk to him."

"That's your decision." Reyna smiled.

Nico remembered that Reyna had never yet found love, and he took her hand. "It'll happen," he promised her. "And you've got a lot of friends in the meantime."

The praetor seemed startled that he'd read her, and then relaxed. "I'll keep that in mind," she said softly.

~~Page Break~~

The Romans really knew how to party.

Nico stepped into the Senate House in New Rome. He'd been here many times as the ambassador of Pluto, but he didn't recognize it anymore. A disco ball hung from the ceiling cast strobe lights, illuminating dancing demigods. Aurae blew through the crowds, offering drinks to Greeks and Romans alike as everyone danced under the flashing ceiling. Techno music blared – not really Nico's style, but it certainly seemed to make most of the half-bloods here happy.

Jason and Piper danced together, near the centre of the crowd. Jason's glasses glinted in the strobe lights as Piper put her arms around his neck and they swayed together. Not too far away from them, Percy and Annabeth were dancing too. Percy was holding Annabeth from behind. His eyes went wide as she suddenly ground her butt against his hips, then responded with a playful growl as they continued to dance, but somehow with more – energy – than before.

Nico shook his head, smiling. Who would've thought the daughter of Athena would have it in her to dance like that? Somewhere, the wisdom goddess was probably gasping in disapproval.

His smile faded as he looked around the Senate House. He had to be here somewhere…

There. Nico's eyes zeroed in on a blond head bobbing half-heartedly near the edge of the crowd. Will stood there, a cup containing some soft drink in his hand, looking pretty unenthusiastic. Occasionally, a Roman girl would make her way over to him, but he'd shake his head politely, and she'd shrug and disappear back into the crowd.

Nico wound through the sweaty, cheering crowd of demigods. When he reached Will's side, he tapped the son of Apollo's wrist.

Will turned, and saw Nico. He tried to move away, but Nico grabbed his arm.

"Hear me out," Nico said. "Please."

For a moment, Will didn't move. Then, he sighed and turned to face Nico.

"Thank you," Nico breathed. "First of all – I'm sorry."

"You are?" Will sounded unimpressed.

"Yeah." Nico bit his lip – apologizing was new to him. "I'm really sorry for everything. The truth is, Will, I do like you that way."

Will remained expressionless, but Nico thought he saw a flicker of some emotion in his eyes. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. And I'm sorry it took me so long to come out and say it." Nico gritted his teeth – he'd prepared himself for this. "I really, really like you, Will," he said. "And I want to be with you."

"You'd better be sure of that." Will still sounded emotionless.

"I am," Nico insisted. "What you saw in Central Park – that was me being insecure. I've been hurt by too many people, too many things. I've spent years feeling sorry for myself and angry at the world. So when you came, promising to accept me for who I am and like me anyway – it seemed too good to be true."

Will waited.

"I guess you could say I have trust issues," Nico continued. "But that's something I want to work on. Something I want to work on with you next to me. I – I want to learn to trust again. And I want you to teach me."

Will regarded Nico passively, and then finally the dam broke, and a smile broke out on his face, as brilliant as the sun. "Son of Hades," he said, "there's nobody I'd rather teach."

He moved in, and this time Nico didn't move away as their lips met in an electric moment. The techno music and all the demigods went away, and it was just Nico and Will, kissing.

Will pulled away, and Nico put a mouth to his lips, stunned.

"That was your first kiss, wasn't it?" Will asked.

Nico nodded mutely.

"I guessed as much." Will offered his hand. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

"But the dance – "

"There will be other dances. Come on. Let's bail."

Nico took Will's hand, and they walked out of the Senate House together.

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