After an extremely awkward dinner at the Big Three table, Nico rushed over to the Apollo table. He had waited until all of the other campers had left. Will was still at his table; they had discussed their plan of action with Piper, their new confidant before dinner. While the rest of the camp was at campfire, Piper would "forget" her sunglasses at the dining pavilion. She would ask Percy, Annabeth, and Jason to come back with her. Nico and Will would be sitting alone, talking, and hopefully they would interrupt them.
"Are you ready?" Will asked, as Nico slid onto the bench next to Will. Nico nodded. Will was seated facing out, at the dark horizon. Nico did the same. They both tensed, ready for the oncoming storm. They would be ready for any visitors.
Those visitors did come. A minute before either of them saw a face, they could clearly hear Jason and Piper's voices rising up through the darkness.
"Pipes, can't you wait until tomorrow at breakfast?" Jason grumbled. Their voices sounded closer, about a hundred feet away.
"I have an early morning activity, I won't have time to get them tomorrow. I'm really sorry about this." Piper explained.
"Ah, don't worry about it," Jason said warmly. "I'm willing."
"Geez, guys, get a room." Nico heard Percy say.
The four broke through the darkness, their faces lit by the dim lights of the dining pavilion.
Nico looked up quickly.
Piper was beaming. Jason was grinning. Annabeth had her hands held to her mouth. Percy… didn't look surprised.
"What are you guys doing here?" Piper asked. She was a surprisingly good actress.
"Just sitting. Why?" Will replied casually.
"Okay, can the bull. Let's get this over with." Percy threw his hands into the air.
He gestured to the four standing demigods. They all gathered around the Apollo table. Sitting in the bench on the opposite side of the table. Will and Nico swung their legs around and faced them.
"I saw you two this morning in the infirmary." Percy announced, finality in his tone.
Nico cringed, though he had known for most of the day. "We weren't sleeping together."
"What were you doing then? It looked a bit… suggestive." Annabeth commented.
"We were just sleeping next to each other. Were our clothes off? No! Also, I'm still fourteen!" Nico exclaimed.
"Okay, okay. Please explain a little better." Jason asked.
Will glanced at Nico, who nodded hesitantly. "We're together." Will said, his face breaking out into a smile. Nico searched for Will's hand under the table, and clasped it tightly.
Annabeth clapped softly. Piper was beaming. "I love how you feel that you can trust us with this secret. Is it a secret?" Annabeth said.
"If it is, you might want to work on your secret keeping skills." Jason mumbled.
"Yeah, it's not really a secret. Sunshine here made sure of it." Nico commented, making Will laugh.
"You guys are the first people we've told." Will said, his Southern accent prominent. Piper smirked.
"Do you want us to tell anyone?" Percy asked.
"We're planning on being really public," Will replied. "Let people find out themselves."
Jason nodded respectfully. "Clever. Less gossip if they can see for themselves."
Piper rolled her eyes. "I think you mean more. I'm sure it'll work out in the end though."
"Well, congratulations to you both." Annabeth said, and she stood, elbowing Percy in the side.
"Be faithful, be safe." Percy said grandly, snickering. Nico grimaced.
Piper shooed them all out, following the chatting group. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at both of them. With that, the group retreated back into the darkness.
"Piper, did you get your sunglasses?" Nico heard Jason ask.
"I just remembered, I left them in my cabin. Sorry guys!" Piper exclaimed.
"I'll find it within me to forgive you." Jason joked. They grew out of earshot.
Nico sighed contentedly and leaned into Will.
"Good?" Will murmured.
"Good." Nico sighed. "Now, everyone else. Gods, that was draining."
"Don't worry. You're mine now."
"You're such a sap." Nico mumbled. Will laughed.
"I know. I won't let another person hurt you."
"How can you possibly promise that?"
Nico heard Will take a deep breath. "Because I care about you. Even though we barely started dating, you mean a lot to me." Nico looked into Will's eyes.
"Do you promise?"
"I promise."
Nico smiled softly. "That's all I need."
