"Will, we should be enjoying our engagement party." Nico mumbled a couple of minutes after, clearly feeling bad for 'ruining' today.

But he didn't ruin it. Today was a good day even though Nico realized he forgot his mother's death. Today was the day our friends knew about us and met us again after years. Today was the day I made peace with my parents. The day Nico and I officially came out as a couple, an engaged couple.

"Nico, you didn't ruin today. It's not your fault you forgot. Today was a good day, don't forget it." I said, loosening my grip on him, to see his face clearly. He wasn't crying, but his eyes were red and he did look like he was going to cry, but I know he's going to be okay. I won't rest until he's okay.

"Okay." He said quietly, probably ready to go home. Maybe we should go home? But I don't want him to think he messed up today.

Or we can just go home early?

Whatever pleases him.

"Nico, you want to go come to the bathroom to wash up?" I asked, running my hand through his hair, making it clear that I wasn't leaving his side anytime soon.

May nothing but death do us part.

"Let's go." Nico said in a small voice. I intertwined our hands and led Nico into the bathroom, the one we were allowed to use, of course. Luckily there was no one else there.

Which is kind of shocking considering the amount of people here.

But neither of us were complaining. At the sink, Nico immediately turned on the water and splashed some on his face, refreshing himself. Nico always tried to keep a clear mind so he was never blinded by emotions or anything. He wanted to be open minded and reasonable.

He always is.

I stood next to him, not daring to interrupt him as he washed up. If he needs space or time to be alone and calm down, I'll give it to him.

Unless it's some ridiculous shit.

"Will, are you okay with us still being here after that?" Nico looked at me, after he calmed down bit.

"Nico, if you are not feeling okay, both mentally or psychically, we can leave anytime. Just give me the heads up. Okay? I don't care what inconveniences we cause, you are my first priority."

"Thank you. I love you." Nico said in a lighter tone. Reassurance makes Nico feel cared for. Loved for. Wanted.

"I love you too baby." I whispered as I cupped Nico's face and brought my lips to his. His touch melted to mine, with our lips tangled. His mouth was warm against mine. It was a gentle and swift kiss full of love.

We broke apart, being very rudely interrupted.

"Woah, what are you guys doing?" Someone said from behind us, making both Nico and I spin around, seeing Jason looking at us skeptically.

"None of your concern." Nico said flatly.

"I'm just going to say that this is a bathroom meant for people, all people, well all males, at your own engagement party. So, shouldn't you be concerned with people seeing what you guys were doing?" Jason asked us, clearly confused as to why we were kissing out in the open.

"I could care less." I said honestly. I don't give a fuck about who sees. We were simply kissing. It isn't a crime. And it was our engagement, they should be fine with us kissing if they even bothered to show up.

Before Jason could say or do anything else, I walked out of the bathroom with Nico at my heels. I didn't need to tell him to follow me because I know he would do it anyways.

"Nico, you're okay now right?" I spun around, remembering the actual reason we went to the bathroom. Nico looked a little more relieved now, but nonetheless he still looked shook. His hair was all messed up, and frankly, he didn't care. At least he seemed stable now.

"I guess." He looked past me, trying to find the easiest way out of this situation and not have me pester him with questions. He never was a fan of it.

"I don't need your help, Solace!" He used to say.

"I'm fine." He used to lie.

"I don't have friends because no one wants me as a friend." He believed.

"doctor's orders my ass." He never thought he needed help.

"I can do it myself!" He was confident all the time, once upon a time.

But things happened and he changed. Instead of becoming more angry and upset he was sad and insecure. His confidence vanished. He needed help more than ever, but instead of believing he could do it himself, he questioned anyone and everyone who ever tried to help him.

"Why are you helping me? Why would anyone want to help me? What do you have to gain? " He was never a simple boy. Everything he said meant something deep.

"Will, stop spacing out. People are staring again." Nico said in annoyance.

"It's not my fault I have a fiancé who I can't stop thinking of." I'll ask him if he's okay or not at home. He clearly doesn't want to talk about it here.

"Uh, it actually is. You proposed to me." Nico deadpanned.

I felt the blush rise to my face, while Nico just stood there smirking at his victory.

I'm not going to lie, Nico's hot when he smirks.

But I won't admit that to him.

"So, you still want to go talk to people?" I asked, not quite sure if he was still up for that.

Nico took a deep breath, probably preparing himself to say yes since he doesn't like socializing much.

"Fine." He didn't look happy with his choice, but he wasn't showing any signs of regret.

He reluctantly followed me as I started walking towards Reyna. When he noticed it was her, he couldn't help the smile on his face. Reyna is his best friend and he hasn't seen her in forever.

"Reyna." He simply said, getting her attention immediately. When she turned around, she looked confused and shocked, but soon enough she smiled just like Nico.

Reyna looked very different than the last time we saw her. Similar to Nico, she dyed her hair, except it was a different color. Her hair was black but the bottom portion was purple. She wore a strapless dress that was black, it was a long dress that almost reached the floor.

They didn't even exchange one word before engulfing each other in a hug. At first both of them seemed very tense, not having hugged in a while, but they grew to relax to the others touch. Reyna seemed to be the first to relax into the hug, then Nico.

Nico was never really someone who liked hugs, but he did except them and give them at the right occasion. The only people he will hug for reason is me, Reyna, and Hazel. His parents hug him. Jason and Percy hug him. Annabeth and Piper barely even hug him. And Frank, I don't think he's ever hugged Nico.

Their hug lasted a couple of minutes, and it was awkward for me to watch them just hug, but oh well. Neither of them were uncomfortable anymore, which was good news.

When they finally finished their hug, both of them looked happier then they were before.

"Please don't give us the 'oh you're engaged and you never contacted us until now?' bullshit." Nico pleaded even before Reyna opened her mouth to say anything.

"But it's true though!" Reyna laughed causing Nico to glare at her, which made both Reyna and I smile. Nico was so adorable when he was mad.

"Yeah, but I don't need to hear anymore of that." Nico started sounding more and more confident, which meant he was feeling better. That's good.

"Okay, but congratulations. Honestly I'm so happy for both of you." Reyna finally stopped laughing.

"Thank you." I said as Nico nodded.

"I'll see you guys later on." Reyna walked away, people, her friends probably, were calling her over.

"See you later." Nico said with a small smile, sounding very happy.

"You sound so happy now. I'm glad." I told him, which made him smile more

"Will, thank you for convincing me to invite everyone to this party and our wedding." Nico said sincerely.

"You don't have to thank me." He shouldn't have to thank me, I just try my best to make him happy. He doesn't have to thank me for his happiness.

"When should we go home?" Nico asked me as we were walking around the ballroom.

"Whenever you want, we already met everyone we needed to. And besides, they are all staying for the weekend. We can see them all tomorrow or the next day." I said. It was true, all, well most of the guests were staying the whole weekend so we could see them anytime. We don't have to stay all night today.

"Okay." He bit his lip, which was what he did when he was lost between picking one of two choices. He was probably thinking about when we should go home.

"Nico, we can go home now. The party's practically over anyways." It kinda was. People came, ate food, danced, talked, what more was there?

"Let me just say goodbye to Hazel." Nico said as he intertwined our hands and he dragged me along with him to find Hazel.