Chapter 12: Welcome to New Rome

Nico was thankful when they finally arrived at Camp Jupiter. He was tired of the hot, cramped SUVs and fast food restaurants. Nico couldn't complain too much though. He had enjoyed traveling in sweaty SUVs for seemingly endless hours much more than the alternative, which was traveling via airplane. Just the thought of it made him nauseous.

The moment Nico stepped out of the car, he was practically tackled by Hazel. She was beaming, obviously excited to see everyone again. Though it hadn't even been long since they last saw each other, Nico could understand it. Readjusting to the war ending and everyone going their separate ways again was hard. Even Nico, who had only been on Argo II for a short period of time, thought it was strange to see the crew apart.

Hazel held Nico at arms length and inspected him. "Wow...You look...healthier."
"That would be my doing." Will smiled proudly. "I wouldn't say he's healthy yet, but he's getting closer every day."
"I think he's even gaining some color back." Hazel joked.

To Nico's surprise, he wasn't angry or uncomfortable with Hazel and Will talking about him and his health. He was actually proud of himself. It was strange and hard to explain, but it felt good.

Hazel, Frank, and the Romans that had been traveling with them lead them to the heart of Camp Jupiter. When Nico looked over, he saw Will gaping in awe, cranking his head to see everything.

"Wait until we actually go into the city." Nico whispered to him.
All Will could say was "Wow". Nico was convinced the Roman Camp might've broken Will.
Hazel lead them to the "guest barracks", which was actually a lot more comfortable than it sounded. It was like a hotel suite except there was 2 bunk beds in each room. There was a small living area with a couch and flat screen tv and a bunch of other goodies that Nico didn't know existed at Camp Jupiter. Now Nico was the one looking around in awe.

Coach hedge and family had a room to themselves and Annabeth and Piper took the next room, leaving Nico, Will, Jason, and Percy to the third one. Percy and Jason were both offered beds in the fifth cohort, but respectfully turned it down. Somewhere inside him, Nico was disappointed.

Finally, once they all got settled in, Will and Nico emerged back into camp Jupiter. They had some time on their hands. It was only about 4 o'clock and dinner wasn't even until 6. Nico was dying to show Will around. Will had gotten excited just by walking around Camp Jupiter.
Wait until he sees the unicorns. Nico mused to himself.

"So what do you want to do first?" Nico asked Will, who was still amazed by everything.
Will shrugged. "You're the one who's been here before. Lead the way."

Nico dragged Will through the city, showing him anything and everything that was even mildly interesting. Will halted to a dead stop in front of the university.
"You can go to college here?!" Will began fanning himself with his hand. "Gosh, they've got everything here!"

Nico wanted to laugh at Will's amazement. He wanted to wrap the little dork in his arms and never let go. Unfortunately, Nico didn't really have that option.

"That's the whole point. It a safe place where demigods can settle down and stay for the rest of their lives with little need to go outside the magical borders." Nico moving on.

The tour eventually turned into a peaceful walk by the Shrines and gardens. Nico looked up at the roof of the Pluto Shrine where he and Hazel used to sit. It seemed like forever ago, but it had been just earlier this summer. Before the war had really started. Before Nico was trapped in that stupid bronze jar. Before Nico plunged into Tartarus.
Nico tried to shake those memories out of his head. Things were different now. Things were better. He had friends and could rely on. He had a best friend.

But you want him to be more than that. Nico wanted to blame that thought on some God or goddess of love somewhere, which wasn't unlikely, but Nico was tired of blaming other people for his sorrows. He was tired of holding grudges. He was also tired of keeping who he was a secret, especially to Will. Blaming and hating and keeping secrets wasn't going to get him anywhere.

He could tell Will his feelings right now, while he had Will alone. He tried to open his mouth to speak, but skeletal butterflies raged in Nico's stomach, to the point where he almost threw up. His face grew hot. He thought he was going to pass out from the heat of his cheeks. No, never mind, I can't do it right now.

Nico suddenly became aware that Will was walking awfully close, not that Nico was complaining. Occasionally, their skin accidentally brushed, sending more heat up to Nico's cheeks.

Gods, what was wrong with him? He had this amazing guy right here that could be his if he would just do something about it. He had vowed to himself that he would tell Will how he felt, and he planned on keeping his word, but when? If he didn't do it soon, he would never do it. He would keep putting it off.
I'll do it before we leave Camp Jupiter.

Nico looked down at Camp Jupiter from a garden in the hills. The sun had nearly disappeared behind the horizon. The was a large mass of people gathered near the area of the camp dining hall.

"Oh crap." Nico halted so suddenly he almost lost balance. "Dinner's starting."

...

Will jogged beside Nico back to Camp Jupiter for dinner. He wanted to latch onto Nico's hand and almost did, but then stopped himself last minute. Why must he always second guess himself?

Will was excited and anxious at the same time. He and Nico had been alone for hours. At one point, it even looked like Nico was going to say something or make a move or something. Will desperately wished he would have. This whole do-you-like-me-or-nah game was mentally exhausting to Will.

Will's feeling were practically bursting out of him. He fought against them to keep them contained, but he was going to have to tell someone, if not Nico himself. The only person who officially knew Will's feelings was Lou Ellen, but he hadn't seen her in days and he hadn't really told her all of his feelings. Just the bare minimum.

Truth be told, Will wanted Nico to make the first move. Will knew he was acting like a baby, but he was insecure. He didn't want to take the risk of losing his best friend forever because of a crush. At the same time, Will wondered what life would be like if they were dating. Probably better than being in Limbo, between being friends only and being more.

Will missed the simplicity that used to be his life. Lead your cabin, heal the sick and injured, joke with friends. Now, every spare second was dominated by wistful thoughts and horrible scenarios, all involving the son of Hades. The only possible way to try to ignore it was to put himself to work, but considering he was on vacation, there wasn't much work here for him.

The path back to camp Jupiter seemed longer than ever. They had to dodge in and out of the streets of New Rome, which were filled with people getting ready to celebrate their Friday night. Nico said this was a shortcut, but it didn't seem very short to Will.

Will was extra careful in avoiding bumping into the people of New Rome. Nico had told him before that they were pretty much all ex-Roman soldiers and Will had seen what the Romans could do. He imagined that knocking one over wouldn't be very good for him.

Finally, Will and Nico practically slid to a stop in front of the dining hall. Will didn't have time to catch his breath before they walked inside and took their seats with the fifth cohort (and the consuls, Reyna and Frank). Everyone else was already there on time, so naturally, they received a stares and glances when they walked in late.
At the table, the fifth cohort was in deep conversation. Will managed to figure out that it started with Percy at the other end of the table telling jokes and then everyone else joined in. The dining hall was filled with laughter.
Will once thought that after the war, after the lives lost, he might never hear demigods laugh again, especially not the crew of Argo II. They had lost a dear friend. How could there be happiness after that? But here Will was now. They recovered. The world recovered. Things got better. Just the thought of it make Will spread into a toothy grin.

Will was amazed by the flying dishes and the magical plates that automatic knew what you like. He was going to seriously talk to Chiron about getting some of those. Nico said there plates didn't just fly on their own, that they were powered by wind spirits. Will thought to flying on their own thing was cooler. Consequently, Will got hit in the head with a flying Apple.

Dinner was over in the blink of an eye. Everyone retreated to their barracks, still smiling. Nico and Will trailed behind the others, not in too much of a hurry.

"Wanna take a walk?" Nico asked.
Will couldn't keep himself from laughing. "We just took a walk earlier."
"I know. " Nico shrugged.
Will rolled his eyes. It was like Nico was trying to be cute. "I don't even think that we're supposed to be out this late. We're not even campers here. We'll get in trouble."

The wicked smile that Will had saw also a week ago at capture the flag returned. Will had to admit, when Nico smirked like that, his heart skipped a beat.
"Not if we don't get caught." Nico's sparked with mischief.
Will felt like he was going to faint. Will's voice cracked slightly as his heart rate skyrocketed. "Okay."

Will was sure Nico Di Angelo was going to be the death of him.