Day 9: Tuesday

When he woke up next morning, the guilt came instantly washing back over him.

Nico turned sideways, the Mrs. O'Leary plushie pressed tightly against him.

It gave him some comfort.

Now he wondered how he could have ever slept without it in the first place.

He sighed and let his gaze travel through the still dark cabin.

He pulled her tighter.

He didn't like the darkness much.

Which was stupid.

He was the Ghost King.

He was darkness.

Nico sighed again, his eyes wandering over to his bedside table.

Oh.

A smile tugged at his lips.

His admirer had been here again.

It still surprised him how the thought of a mysterious person in his cabin in the middle of the night didn't freak him out half as much as it probably should.

But he found himself trusting that person.

He hadn't done anything to Nico (nothing he knew of, at least).

Instead, he had treated him like something precious, loved.

He slowly pushed himself up and examined the little bag of candy.

He half expected it to hold the same candy as last time, but was surprised to find it didn't.

It was a completely different assortment.

He chuckled, pulling it closer, looking through the cellophane.

In the darkness, he couldn't really tell what was what, but he did recognize some Mint Rocks, Winter Nips and Stem Ginger pieces.

He looked back at his bedside table for the card and took it gingerly.

Maybe he really should turn on the lights.

He squinted at the note.

[Dear Nico,

I hope you liked the Snow Globe.

Sorry if you thought it lame or something, I just thought it was a nice idea.

I know it won't only bring back good memories, but I hope you'll realize what I meant to say.

I love you, Nico.

I love you and I want to be there for you.

I want to hold you and make you feel at peace.

I want to wrap my arms around you and keep you safe from anything that might upset you.

Let me be there for you, Nico.

I hope you'll like today's gift.

I wish I could do more for you.

Have a nice 9th day of December, Nico.

I love you,

Your secret Admirer

P.s.: You thrashed around in your sleep when I got there, so I sat down at your side and tried to calm you for a bit. I hope you're feeling better now.]

Nico let his head flop back into the pillow.

His insides were all fuzzy.

He really didn't know what to make of his admirer.

One time, he seemed pushy, another time so considerate.

He thought of his friends.

Which made him think of Will.

Which immediately made him feel bad.

He knew Will had initiated the kiss, but still it felt like it was all his fault.

But why did he really mind that much?

If Will had started the kiss, he must have wanted it, too.

He might not know why he would, but shouldn't that alone already relax Nico?

Shouldn't he just go about it as usual?

But what was 'as usual'?

Did something between them change now?

He knew they weren't dating or anything, that was for certain.

But were they still just friends?

Did kissing count to something friends would do?

He highly doubted it.

Not for guys, at least.

They usually were too worried about being thought gay.

But Will hadn't even looked around to make sure nobody was watching or anything.

Did he simply not care?

Did he...did he maybe like Nico?

Nico shook his head wildly.

It had probably just been some sort of 'heat of the moment' thing.

Nico groaned loudly and pushed his face downwards into the pillow.

A loud knock came on the door.

"Nico?! Are you ok?!", Percy's voice came worriedly from the door.

Nico groaned again and pushed himself up, dragging himself to the door, unlocking it the three times he had locked it and opened it a gap.

Originally, he had every intention to tell Percy to leave him alone and go away.

But as soon as the door was open that tiny little bit, Percy pushed himself inside and wrapped his arms around Nico, making him stumble backwards.

"Nico! Is everything alright? Did something happen? I heard noises.", he asked, pushing Nico away an arm length and looking him up and down.

Nico looked at him incredulous. "I'm fine. I was just sleeping."

Percy mustered him quizzically.

Then he sighed. "Ok, if you say so. So, how was it yesterday with Will? What did you guys do?"

Nico blushed and began fidgeting.

Not a good idea.

"Erm...we...", he muttered, turning away and trying to casually walk back to his bed.

Though then he decided to rather turn to his wardrobe and grab a set of clothes, noting how he was only wearing pyjama pants and feeling self-conscious slightly.

"We went to a pretty nice spot at the lake. You should check it out sometime, it's really nice there.", he said, forcing his voice out calmly.

"Really? What did you do there?"

"By the gods, Percy, why do you want to know so badly?", Nico muttered, pulling out his clothes and trying to push down the heat creeping into his face.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Percy was behind him, turning him around and grabbing his chin, urging him to look him in the eye.
"Did he do something, Nico?", he asked, his voice deadly quiet.

Nico's gaze hushed down to Percy's lips.

He squirmed away.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about. We just had a picnic, that's all."

Percy let him pull away, though he still stood there, his hand raised as if waiting for Nico to come back and put his chin back there, looking after him with a sorrowful expression.

Nico walked over to the bed, pulling on his sweater and dropping his other clothes on the side of the bed, flopping down onto it and pulling out the bag of sweets.

"Want one?", he asked, trying to change the topic.

Percy still gazed at him worriedly, but came over to him anyways, sitting down unnecessarily close and looking at the bag of candy in Nico's hands.

"Candy again?"

"It's different ones. You'd be surprised how many different types of candy there are."

"Tell me about it. My mum works in a candy shop after all."

"True, you did say that. How's she doing?"

"Quite well, I suppose. I talked to her not too long ago about Christmas and whatnot."

"Oh, yeah...true...", Nico muttered, shuffling.

True, Percy was most likely going to celebrate Christmas with his family.

"Yeah, she was quite surprised at my decision at first, but she said she understands. She's amazing like that."

Nico frowned. "What decision?"

"Well, I'll be spending Christmas with you guys, won't I? Already got everything settled that I'll be leaving with you and Jason on Tuesday for Camp Jupiter. Didn't I tell you yet?"

Nico stared at him. "You...you are?"

Percy frowned. "Of course. Why do you sound so surprised?"

Nico blinked. "I...nothing...", Nico muttered, then grabbed the note.

"Want to read it?", he asked.

It felt weird, offering the card up like that.

Percy grinned at him and took it carefully.

"You really like that admirer, don't you?"

"What? I...I suppose I don't mind..."

"Aw, Nico, come on. You can just admit to it, really. I can tell by the way you treat everything he makes for you with so much care and affection. I mean, you even keep them all in the correct order in your drawer."

Nico flushed and looked away.

Percy wrapped his arms around him from the side.

"It's ok, Neeks. Nothing wrong with that."

And thus, he started reading the note right next to Nico's face.

"You were thrashing around in your sleep? Did you have a nightmare?", Percy asked after a while, passing back the note to Nico, who took it quietly and put it into his drawer.

"I guess.", he muttered, not really wanting to talk about it.

Percy raised an eyebrow, then put his chin on Nico's shoulder.

"Nico..."

"Hm?"

"What would you like to do on Monday? I thought I would ask you first before making plans or something."

Nico hesitated.

Then he turned his head ever so slightly, looking into Percy's face.

He gazed at him so intently with those sea-green eyes.

Nico gulped. "Erm...I don't know. Anything you want, really."

"I want it to be better than what Will did."

Nico chuckled, but then he thought of the kiss and stopped.

"Percy, this isn't some sort of contest, you know? Plus, I always enjoy spending time with you."

"Hm...yeah, ok. Then I'll think of something nice. But…Nico?"

"Yes, Percy?"

Percy pulled back and placed a soft kiss on Nico's shoulder.

Even through the sweater, Nico could feel his skin tingle at the spot.

"If anything is troubling you, anything at all, please tell me, ok? I want to be there for you. I really do."

Nico didn't look around at him, instead intently staring at the ground.

Then he nodded slowly.

"I...I know, Percy.", he muttered.

Percy smiled at him.

"So, and now what's that yellow-ish stuff there?", he then asked and Nico chuckled, opening the bag of candy.

"Crystallized stem ginger.", he said and passed one to Percy.

"Ginger? Really?"

"Don't sound so distasteful, it's actually quite good. Plus, ginger is good for...erm...your health."

Percy raised an eyebrow.
Nico looked away. He had been about to say ginger is good for potency, but he rather not point that out.

The dark-haired hero shrugged and popped it in his mouth.

Nico fished out a Winter Nip and they grinned at each other.

Jason and Will joined the candy-devouring soon after.

At first, Will had stood in the doorway, seemingly uncertain as to how approach Nico.

Which had been Nico's problem as well, standing next to the door and looking at him, wondering what to do now.

But then Nico had held out the bag of sweets and Will had taken a piece of liquorice, smiling at him tentatively.

Percy had interrupted their mute conversation though with stepping between them and making a show of taking a few pieces of candy out.

Which Nico was inwardly grateful for, for he had absolutely no idea what to do.

Since then, Nico and Will might not have talked much, but they at least weren't as awkward around each other as Nico had feared.

Though Nico noticed that Will really waited for a chance to talk to him alone.

Somehow, Percy and Jason must have noticed, too, for they decided to NOT give them any moment by themselves whatsoever.

Another thing Nico was inwardly grateful for.

He really didn't know how to deal with the situation.
He also definitely didn't want to think about what Will was going to say.

"I brought your camera, by the way.", Will mentioned quietly while they all sat together on the floor in front of the open fireplace and played another round of poker (instead of chips, they used candy, which was really pathetic).

Nico stiffened slightly, but Jason and Percy instantly shot up.

"Really? Let's see some pictures.", Percy piped up and Nico made a face, looking away.

It was ok.

He hadn't taken any pictures of anything nobody was meant to see or something.

Nothing really had happened.

Other than the kiss, of course.

He came closer as well, letting Will operate the camera and settling for looking over his shoulder.

Will turned his face slightly towards him and shot him an uncertain gaze.

Nico stared intently at the little screen.

They zapped through the pictures Nico and Will had taken at breakfast and when they had entered the clearing.

Nico relaxed, recognizing the last picture he had taken of the way the sun had made the snow shimmer so beautifully on the frozen lake from the clearing.

Right when he wanted to lean back and be glad this was over, Will pressed the 'next' button and new pictures came up.

They were of Nico.

The first few were at an awkward angle and showed Nico asleep in Will's arms, with a bit of Will on it as well, like an arm or his face right next to Nico's, grinning.

Then Nico must have turned sideways.

Then completely around.

There were a lot of pictures with Nico just happily dozing off, hand on Will's shirt, a relaxed and rather peaceful expression on his face.

Nico's face flushed and he swallowed hard, not daring to meet anybody's gaze.

"Yeah, well, those are all.", Will announced as he reached the last picture, showing a sleeping Nico and a broadly grinning Will and passed the camera to Nico, who quietly took it.

He could feel Percy's gaze on him but didn't look around, instead accidently meeting Jason's gaze.

He seemed to watch Nico, trying to deduce whether there was something wrong with him or not.

Nico tried a tentative smile.

"Well, seemed to have been a nice and relaxing day.", Jason muttered and watched Nico's expression intently.

Nico kept it neutral.

"Yeah, it was pretty nice.", he said and saw Will looking around at him surprised, but ignored it.

Instead, he got up and walked over to his bedside table, putting on his scarf.

"Are we going outside?", Jason asked, frowning.

"You guys did complain about wanting to train.", Nico pointed out and put on his aviator's jacket.

Percy and Jason instantly jumped up.

"Yes!", they both hurried over to their jackets as well.

Will hesitated for a moment, then got up as well, though he hung back slightly.

Nico knew if he wanted to, he could buy himself some time and let the other two run off to the arena and have his talk with Will.

But he didn't know what to say.

And he didn't know what Will would say.

And since he was a coward, he walked out the door first, having Jason and Percy next to him instead of falling back to wait for Will.

Will wordlessly followed, closing Nico's cabin door quietly and then trailing after them on their way to the arena.

The arena wasn't very crowded.

Most of the campers were at the Camp Fire or built snowmen or had snowball fights.

Even Clarisse wasn't about.

Just some of the younger campers, trying their luck at some dummies.

Nico pulled out his Stygian Iron sword and turned around to the others.
He just really wanted to do something he actually could do without blushing or freaking out.

Percy and Jason both raised their weapons.

"Wait, you can't both go against Nico alone!", Will complained, looking devastated.

Nico raised an eyebrow.

"What? Think they'll need backup?", he commented, making Will blink.

Percy laughed. "Will, don't worry. Jason and I used to train lots with Nico whenever you were stuck in the infirmary."

Will still looked hesitant.

Nico raised his eyebrows, practically daring him to say something.

Their kiss flashed through his mind but he pushed it firmly away.

Now was not the time to think of that.

Now was the time for fighting.

He went into his fighting stance.

Jason and Percy mimicked him.

Will stood at the side, still looking doubtful.

Nico nodded and both Percy and Jason rushed at him.

He blocked both their attacks with ease, memorizing the positions of the other kids around them as to not hurt them accidently while he swung his sword around, narrowly missing Jason's shoulder as he barely managed to jump back.

Percy came from behind but Nico easily evaded the attack, feigning to slice at Percy's left side just to then switch in midblow.

Percy blocked the attack and counterattacked.

Jason joined back in.

Nico fought them off with remarkable ease.

Of course, they weren't really trying to get to each other.

That stage usually only started after a whole day of attacking, blocking and counterattacking without ever hitting their mark, turning them sour and annoyed.

But usually, even then they were quite well balanced.

If Nico had been able to use his powers, he would have easily managed to beat them both.

Especially with his shadow-travelling.

But then again, that would also permit Jason and Percy to use their respective powers, which would most likely end in them all either drowning or getting blasted out the sky by Zeus.

So, all in all it was better this way.

Will's doubt was soon replaced by awe, gaping at their swordplay.

Nico grinned to himself.

And that idiot had thought he needed help against these two.

The other kids in the arena stopped and watched them, fascinated.

Nico could even see some trying to mimic their blows.

He smiled, completely in his element.

This was awesome.

He loved fighting.

Not the 'fighting' fighting, but the fighting type of fighting when you were just fighting.

Ew, that didn't even make sense.

Well, to him it did, but if he had said that out loud people would have definitely stared at him, wondering if he was nuts.

He slashed at Jason who tried to get to his side. Their swords clashed together and Percy came rushing at him from the side.

Uh oh.

Jason turned his sword as to keep Nico from being able to wield around and defend Percy's blow.

Out of instinct, Nico kicked Jason in the gut, sending him toppling backwards and he shot around at Percy, narrowly deflecting the blow.

Percy's sea-green eyes sparkled with defiance, challenge.

They started hacking away at each other, dancing across the field.

Their eyes solely fixed on each other.

Nico hadn't had a fight like this with Percy in what felt like forever.

He felt the way his heart beat faster not just because of the exercise.

He loved watching Percy's face like this.

He could go on forever.

The intensity in his gaze alone sent shivers down his back.

He narrowly blocked a blow to his shoulder and went for Percy's leg, forcing Percy to jump back just to then rush at him once more.

They reached the other side of the arena and Nico found himself beheading dummies accidentally while trying to get at Percy.

Percy laughed heartily and swung his sword, cutting a dummy in two instead of Nico, who had jumped out of the way and switched stance as to get out of their corner.

Corners were never good.

Corners meant Percy could...

Percy saw his chance and slashed at Nico as he had to step out of the way of some dummies.

Nico had to move back into the only direction he could – towards the wall.

Damn it.

Percy grinned victoriously and Nico frowned, wondering vaguely where Jason was.

That question was quickly answered when he felt a gust of wind behind him.

Great.

The hairs on his neck pricked up and he knew he only had a splint second to react.

He did.

Launching himself sideways into the dummies, he heard the surprised sounds from Jason and Percy, who now barely managed to block each other's attacks and toppled over each other.

Nico rolled over and jumped back to his feet, raising his sword again but stopping.

Percy and Jason laid on the floor, trying to scramble up but seemed to be somewhat entangled.

Nico couldn't help but laugh.

Will came hurrying over.

"That was amazing! I knew you were great and all, but Nico, your fighting is unbelievable."

Nico blushed and went to help Percy and Jason getting up.

"Aw, I almost had you there, Neeks.", Percy pouted, nodding to the wall.

Nico winked. "Nah, I was going to let you think that and then evade at the last moment. You know me."

"Yeah, which is why I thought if I get Jason there we could get you."

"Gotta try harder next time."
"Oh, trust me, I will."

They sized each other up for a moment, then Percy laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Hope that stunt with throwing yourself into dummies didn't hurt too bad."

"Nah, better than getting Jason's gladius stuck through my back."

"Fair point."

They chuckled and Jason shook his head.

He was about to say something, when a few younger campers came hurrying towards them.

"Can you teach us some of your moves?", one of the boys asked, looking at Nico with big eyes full of admiration.

Nico blinked.

Nobody ever asked HIM to teach them anything.

It was usually Percy and Jason everybody wanted.

He looked over to his friends, who grinned at him and gestured to go with it.

Nico looked over the kids.

They all had their eyes completely fixed on him.

"Erm...sure. Show me what you already know and I'll look if I can show you some of my moves."

They instantly went to work, splitting into pairs without Nico needing to say anything and started slashing at each other.

Somehow, the sight reminded him of Percy's freestyle slashing and he found himself smirking.

Then he began showing them his stance and how to properly feign an attack, as well as some blocking methods he usually used.

They were eager to learn, taking in the new knowledge like a sponge.

And soon it wasn't just them anymore.

The group seemed to grow by the hour.

Jason and Percy now joined in as well, helping some kids improve and explaining others how they usually fought.

Will was right beside Nico, sometimes halting him when he moved into a stance or something and explaining to the kids that when bending like this, it would keep you more flexible and your back uncramped, while you should avoid moving like that, for that would lead to muscle cramps and made you more vulnerable at that and that part.

He touched Nico as he talked, showing them what parts of their body they should especially protect and whatnot, but Nico also noticed he always left his hands on his body a tad too long, sometimes even doing a small sort of stroking motion.

He let him do it though.

It didn't feel bad and the kids were too occupied aweing and copying the stances to really notice anyways.

They thus spent the entire day in the arena, teaching newbs the basics and improving those that already knew a bit of fighting.

Nico loved it.

In the evening, the kids were all completely beaten and exhausted, dragging themselves and each other to dinner to almost fall asleep at the table.

It was pretty endearing.

"We should do that more often.", Percy said, grinning from his place next to Will, opposite to Jason and Nico.

"Don't you give classes usually, anyways?", Jason asked him, frowning.

Percy chuckled.

"Yeah, but I'm not even half as good as Nico. Did you hear him talk? He really got a way with words and kids and pretty much anything.", Percy said, smirking over to Nico who blushed and chewed his pasta faster.

Percy's eyes widened.

"Blue pasta!", he exclaimed and launched over the table with his fork, stealing Nico's food.

"What the...", Jason muttered and shot away from Nico as Nico heroically tried to protect his dinner.

"No way! Mine!", he called and went for Percy's fork.

Will equally slid away further from Percy as he began climbing onto the bench and pushing himself over the table towards Nico more, who pulled his plate with him.

"Lemme try~!"

He managed to get a forkful, but Nico's head snapped forwards, his mouth closing around the fork and eating the noodles himself.

Percy wailed, while Jason and Will snickered.

Then he fell back, pouting.

Gods, not his baby-seal-face again.

Nico put his plate back neatly on the table, raising his own fork to continue eating, but glanced over to Percy for a splint second.

Percy looked at him with big sea-green eyes.

"Uh, fine.", he muttered, twirling some spaghetti onto his fork and holding it out to Percy, who beamed at him and ate them.

Nico noticed quietly how they had just shared forks twice.

He decided not to think about it.

"Mmh, they taste just like my mum makes them.", Percy reminisced.

Nico rolled his eyes. "Well, I did have them at your place."

"You've been to his place?", Will asked and Nico noticed an odd type of undertone in his voice.

He blinked.

"Of course.", Percy said, grinning. "My mum loves him."

Nico blushed. "Percy, she barely knows me."

"Doesn't matter. Every time I see her and we talk a bit she goes like 'So, how's Nico? Is he doing well? Is he eating?'. It's really quite annoying, but I know she only means it well. She simply cares."

Nico blinked at this revelation.

Sure, he had met Sally Jackson, but he had kind of expected her to not think much of him, since he was son of Hades and all.

She didn't have the best background story with Hades afer all.

Percy shrugged and stared down at his plate, then at Nico's. "Pizza against pasta?"

Nico rolled his eyes and they switched plates.

Will still looked oddly at them.

Jason snickered. "Can I try the pasta too?"

Percy made a face but pushed the plate over and Jason tried it.
"Mmh, not bad.", he muttered, impressed.

"Ok, that's it. Can I have a bite as well?", Will gave in and made puppy eyes to Percy, who only eyed him warily with narrowed eyes.

Nico cleared his throat, taking a bite of the pizza he now had.

Percy made a face but pushed the pasta over nevertheless.

"Well, it's good, alright.", Will praised though clearly not happy about it.

Percy looked rather smug and dug in.

Nico only rolled his eyes and held out a slice of pizza to Jason who had eyed it wistfully from next to Nico.

He grinned at him and took it.

"So, what are you having?", Percy asked, nodding towards Jason's plate.

"Roast chicken breast with mashed potatoes. Nothing spectacular, I fear.", he said, ears turning rather pink.

Nico chuckled and leaned over.

"Looks good."

Jason raised an eyebrow and took some meat and potato on his fork, holding it out to Nico tentatively. "Want to try?"

Nico hesitated for a moment.

Fork-sharing with Jason as well?

He shrugged and tried it.

"Hm, actually, not bad."

Percy stole a piece as well.

"Has some type of lemon like taste to it though...but good...", he commented, making Will look over as well.

"Are we seriously going to try each other's meals now?", he asked, taken aback.

They exchanged glances.

"Yup.", "Yes.", "Looks like it." They all three said and Will rolled his eyes.

Then he shrugged and tried Jason's meal as well.

"Pizza?", Nico asked, holding out a slice of pizza to Will, who eyed it oddly for a moment but took it nevertheless.

"And what are you having?", Percy asked, checking out Will's food.

Will chuckled.

"I'm the downer. Ratatouille."

"Ew, vegetables.", Percy said, making a face, but Nico threw him an exasperated glance.

"But I'll try it, anyways.", he added and nicked some of Will's meal, making him blink surprised.

Jason joined in as well.

Will looked over at Nico and seemed uncertain for a moment.

Then he cautiously picked up his fork and put some of the ratatouille on it, holding it up in front of Nico.

"W-Want some...?", he asked tentatively.

Nico had never actually heard him stutter like that.

He knew he had just shared forks with both Percy and Jason.

He also knew Will had noticed.

This was pretty much his try to determine whether they were good again or not.

Nico leaned forward.

"Sure.", he muttered and took the bite.

Will seemed visibly relieved.

"Aw, cute. Why don't you four just get a room already?", Clarisse called in passing.

"Sure. Chris, care to join?", Will replied instantly and Clarisse shot them one of her deadliest glares.

Chris only chuckled and put his arm around her, pulling her away from them before she could think about too many ways to skewer them.

Nico only shook his head. "Really...", he muttered, but had no clue what to say so he stuffed his mouth with pizza.

His friends grinned around at him.

Especially Will, who still breamed at him.

Nico still didn't know what to make of their kiss.

But for now, they seemed good.

And that was all that mattered right now.