Summary: Hazel makes good on her word and they swing life away.
The bonfire crackled higher and higher, projecting long shadows. They moved in rhythm with flames and music alike, matching each dip and sweep. In tones of orange and red the makeshift dance floor shimmered till the colors morphed to a golden yellow near the center. Light jittered excited across the darkness, twisting and curling it into obscure shapes, while providing a comfortable radius of warmth.
"Feeling nostalgic?" Nico asked as soon as the first notes of the saxophone cut across the chatter. He didn't miss the way his sister had gestured towards the Apollo-kids and how they in turn formed a pseudo-improvised attempt of a big band. Suspiciously he raised a brow, however his foot already tapped to the beat.
Of course, the other campers didn't recognize the song, at least not to the same degree the children of the underworld did. With the change of tune came however some interested glances.
"A gentleman would offer a lady a dance," Hazel grinned, a smug expression on her face.
"We're going to look ridiculous." Nico rolled his eyes but very pointedly didn't refuse.
"It's dance night, everyone looks ridiculous," Hazel shrugged, before bowing and pulling on the edges of her skirt. "Signore," she giggled.
Nico sighed. "May I?" He followed her ridiculous play, folding his left forearm behind his back, and offering her his right hand with a little bow.
Without further complaints, he led his sister to a more spacious area and placed himself to her left. His arm gently wrapped around her midsection while she eagerly put her hand on his back. Nico chuckled. Her giddy energy was infectious. The music picked up, their fingers intertwined and then they moved.
Experimentally Nico swayed back and forth. First a tad stiff, but soon enough the rhythm caught on, muscle memory took the reigns. Their steps fell in sync and matching smiles decorated their faces as they swung away.
The burning embers pulsated. The music got faster and that was what they were waiting for. Without a hitch, Nico raised his left hand to maneuver her underneath with his right. She rotated laughing. Before he pulled her expertly in again.
"Somebody thinks you look nice," she mumbled, leaning into Nico's grip.
He just lifted her up, spinning her once more. Her hair whipped around her head and into her face. She cackled with excitement - windswept and exhilarated and free.
The music roared on and both Jason and Will gawked dumbstruck. They were not the only ones whose heads had turned. The siblings were the center of attention. They were mesmerizing to watch. Percy wolf-whistled with Annabeth comfortable seated in his lap. She elbowed him in the stomach, muttering something about how he was an embarrassment and she couldn't take him anywhere in public.
Nico smiled. "Ready?" He asked as the song came to an end.
"Make it look pretty for our fans," was all Hazel said before allowing Nico to bend her backward, and they ended their swing-routine on a -dare she say it?- perfect dip.
Her brother looked amused at her, which Hazel guessed must mean she had to be an absolute mess. As he helped her back up Hazel whispered something into his ear. Nico raised his eyes suddenly meeting Jason's.
The son of Jupiter blushed. He could feel the heat on his face increase scaringly fast.
Hazel grinned while handing her brother over to the other demigod. "Thank me later," she mouthed before turning to her own audience. Frank had been watching, and she gave him her best smile.
Jason gulped. Up close Nico's face was flushed, with a thin layer of sweat and his hair ever so slightly sticking to the back of his neck. His pulse still vibrated, pupils dark, and his breathing fast. Jason couldn't decide whether he wanted to kiss him or run away.
AN: So Nico can dance in my head - it's up to you to decide where, when, and why he learned it. For me, he went through some dance lessons during his childhood in Italy and maybe later picked it up again to make Hazel happy.
Credit where credit is due: This was highly inspired by chapter 16 from the story '(Like the moon) I'll sway the tide and lead you astray' by ThatOneGirlBehindYou ( a tangled/ how to train your dragon cross-over).