Day 12: Friday

"Shh, it's ok. You need to let go of my hand, Nico. You aren't allowed to know it's me just yet.", a voice muttered softly against his ear.

He instinctively turned towards it, feeling a hand trying to retreat from his.

He didn't really want to let go.

It felt good holding onto it.

He made a small sound and turned around.

There was a soft chuckle, then he felt soft lips kissing the side of his face.

"I love you, Nico.", the voice said again and Nico muttered something indistinguishable.

Then he felt the hand leaving his.

He frowned, turning around and feeling for Mrs. O'Leary Jr. again, wrapping her tightly against him.

Another chuckle sounded through his cabin, then he heard footsteps and the door close.

He opened one eye slightly, turning his head to look at the door, but whoever had been here was already gone.

He sighed and closed his eyes again, falling back asleep.

.

When he woke up next, he seriously considered banging his head against the wall.

He had been SO close to finding out.

Worst of all, he couldn't even identify the voice.

It was familiar, yes, but the more he thought of it, the fuzzier it became.

Gods, it was maddening!

He looked at his bedside table, finding a note and a small package lying there, waiting for him.

He sighed defeated and picked up the card.

[Dear Nico,

I hope you like the bracelet. It certainly looks good on you.

You are a very beautiful person, Nico.

Even if you might not think so yourself.

You're not just beautiful on the outside (that abs, though!) but also on the inside.

Even though you've had so many bad things happening to you and had to suffer so much, you are the kindest and gentlest person I have ever met.

I hope that from now on, you'll be able to have lots of good things coming your way.

I'll certainly try my best to make you happy.

I hope you enjoy today's gift, Nico.

Have a nice 12th day of December. We're almost there.

I'm not sure whether I'm relieved or anxious about that.

I love you,

Your secret Admirer

P.s.: Tonight, you grabbed my hand and didn't want to let go. I've never felt happier.

Thank you. I love you so much.]

Nico smiled fondly.

Then he looked down at his hand.

He felt all fuzzy inside.

Great, he was in love with a person he didn't know who it was, just because he wrote him sweet lines.

Awesome.

He took the small package.

Hm, what could that be?

Then again, he hadn't really been able to guess any of the other things, so he didn't really start to think about it.

Instead, he began unwrapping it slowly, putting the wrapping paper aside and staring at the gift in his hand.

Then he laughed.

"Really?", he asked, though he didn't know why.

He knew nobody could hear him.

He unpacked the cards inside the pack and looked through them.

Then he shook his head, grinning. "I've said a thousand times I don't play Mythomagic anymore."

He still looked over his new card set (yay for expansion sets) and then hushed over to a corner in his room where he kept the cards and figurines he still owned.

Ok, maybe he had stocked up a little bit to make up for the time he had burnt down his old cards.

He hesitated for a moment, then took them out, starting to lay everything out.

Maybe, just maybe, he'd take the time to actually teach his friends how to play.

.

"Gods, why can't I use this card? It looks good!", Percy wailed and Nico facepalmed.

"Percy, you just can't. Look at how you're positioned. Playing that card now would be like hoisting a flag saying 'please rape my ass'."

There was silence.

"But why can't I play that card?", Percy wailed again.

Nico rolled his eyes and pulled out a normal monster card from the cards in Percy's hands.

"How about you play this one, then you can do 200 damage on Jason, unless he has the Aegis, which I highly doubt."

"Gee, thanks, Nico. Why can't he play the 'please rape my ass'-card?", Jason complained and Will chuckled.

Nico waved them off and Percy played the monster card.

Then he moved over to Jason and looked at his cards.

"Hm, ok, what were you going to do?"

"I don't know."

"Then guess."

"Play this card to do damage on Percy?"

"Sounds legit."

"Hey!", Percy complained but Jason smirked and played the card.

He went over to Will.

"I want to play this card."

"No."

"Why not?"

"That will erase all the characters on the field."

"So?"

"It will also erase your characters off the field and you're the one who has the most on the field right now."

"Oh."

Nico tapped at one of the cards.

"How about you play that, then anybody who will attack Apollo will get double damage."

"Why would anybody attack Apollo though?"

"It's your best bet unless you want to say bye to your figurines."

"Blah."

He played the card.

Nico smirked to himself and looked at his own cards, checking whether there was anything good he could do.

He sighed and looked at his three friends in a row.

Then back at his cards.

Then back at them.

"Ok, sorry Percy, but I'll have to take you out."

"What?! But I didn't play the 'please rape my ass'-card!"

The other two chuckled.

Nico sighed. "Fine, fair point. Jason, you're out."

"What?!"

Now Percy laughed.

Nico played his card.

"Aw, but Neeks!", Jason complained, putting down his cards and taking his figurines off the board.

"Shush, I need you to help Will. You're the only one who at least understood part of what I told you all."

Jason instantly stopped his complaining and slid over to Will, looking at his cards.

Nico looked over at Percy, who was smirking at him like an idiot.

"You better not play the 'please rape my ass'-card this round.", he warned.

Percy grinned broadly. "Nah. I got a real awesome plan."

Nico didn't like the sound of that much.

But they went on for a few rounds without too many problems, Nico actually being able to play without having to look into Percy's cards and help him.

Jason talked in hushed voices with Will and they managed to stay aloft as well, though barely.

Nevertheless, Nico was certain with a bit of exercise they might actually manage to become decent players.

Percy played a card.

"Card switch!", he announced and Nico had the distinct feeling he knew where this was going.

Percy grinned at him and held out a card.

Nico sighed and looked down at his cards, deciding to give Percy his Katoplebs-card. He didn't need it anyways.

They switched cards and as expected, he had the 'please rape my ass'-card.

Oh well.

At least he knew how to use it to turn the game around.

A few rounds later, it was Nico's turn again.

He put down the Card and grinned victoriously.

Percy blinked.

Will blinked.

Jason blinked.

Then Percy looked at the figurines and facepalmed.

Nico smirked.

"How did you just turn the 'Please rape my ass'-card into a 'I'll rape you all'-card? Not fair...", he muttered as Jason and Will also understood and groaned, clearing off the board.

Nico grinned and patted him.

"I have to admit, you all weren't half as bad as I'd have expected."

"That was actually really cool. Can we play again?", Will asked and Jason nodded.

Nico hesitated.

"Yes! We have to play again.", Percy chimed in, using his baby-seal-face again.

Though he really didn't have to use it, Nico could play this game all day.

"Sure.", he said, shrugging and they started over again.

.

"I'm glad you showed us that game, Neeks. As difficult as it is, it really isn't a game for kids at all.", Will muttered as they stored the cards and figurines away after three more games.

"How can that be a kid's game, anyways? I still don't even understand half of it. Like why can't I move my dad in the beginning of the game?", Percy asked and frowned, holding up a figurine of Poseidon.

Nico chuckled and took it, storing it away with the others.

"When you've played it for a while, it's actually quite simple.", he said and took another stack of cards from Jason.

"I'm surprised, though. I don't think I ever told anybody but Frank what sets I already have. So how would the admirer know?", he asked, more to himself than the others.

"Who knows.", replied Jason, looking around for any leftover pieces.

"He's had quite a few lucky guesses so far already. Or he simply knows you, Neeks.", Will retorted.

Percy just shrugged, staring at the snow globe again.

Every time Nico found him looking at it, the dark-haired seemed to be deep in thought.

Nico walked over to him, watching the other two chatting about how they should have moved instead on the last game.

Nico stopped, standing next to him and took the globe in his hand, shaking it.

"Snow in Venice, though.", he said and glanced at Percy, seeing his lips twitch.

"Who knows, what with global warming...", Percy muttered and Nico chuckled.

"You know what, I wouldn't be surprised.", he said drily and they both chuckled.

"If it does happen, I'll take you there.", Percy suddenly said, looking around at Nico.

Nico blinked. Then he smirked. "Ok, I'll remind you of that when the time has come."

Percy winked. "I sure hope so."

Will and Jason appeared behind them.

"Eh? You have to take me along as well! I want to go to Venice, too.", Will wailed and Jason hugged Nico from behind.

"And me as well. Don't you dare forget me."

They laughed.

.

In the late afternoon, Nico decided it was time to get some shopping done.

"Wait, you can't go by yourself!", Percy complained, while Will wrapped his arms and legs around Nico's legs, refusing to let go.

Jason pouted.

"Hey, I want to buy Christmas presents, you can't come along for that."

Instantly they were all ears.

"Christmas presents? For us?", Jason asked, surprised.

"But Neeks, you don't have to get me anything. Though you can give me a kiss.", Will said, winking and immediately got shoved away by Percy.

"Hands off. Nico, you have to take me along with you, I need to buy some as well."

"Percy, you told me today in the morning you don't have any money.", Jason put in.

"Shht! He doesn't have to know that!"

Nico laughed. "Seriously? Come on, guys, the sooner you let me go, the sooner I'll be back."

They all gave him their best pouting faces.

He made a face.

Then he rolled his eyes.

"Fine. But you will NOT go into the stores with me and I will not hear any excuse whatsoever."

They all nodded wildly.

Somehow, he had a feeling they weren't going to keep their word.

.

They didn't keep their word.

Nico groaned as they walking into each store with him, either right away, claiming they needed to use the restroom (Will seemed to have a horrible bladder, judging by the fact that he needed to go into several stores in a row with that excuse) or soon after Nico had entered it, claiming that they were worried a monster might have dragged him off or the like.

After the 6th or so store he gave up, simply taking them along with him inside.

He looked at various items, though he wasn't exactly sure what to get them.

For Reyna, Frank and Hazel he already had something.

He looked at some clothes. Should he really get his best friends clothes for Christmas?

They kind of had everything already anyways.

He walked over to a corner with Christmas decoration articles.

Uh, no.

He walked over to the gaming supplies.

Maybe...no.

He walked over to stationary.

Hell no.

He sighed exasperated as he watched Percy run after Jason with a plastic sword.

Those dorks.

He saw Will standing further away at a shelf with cuddly bears.

Ha-ha.

Nico began strolling through the store.

He wanted to give them something special.

Something they could actually use or that was at least something they really liked.

He thought of Jason.

The first thing that came to mind was brownies.

The second was a brick to remind him of how many times he'd been knocked out already.

Ok, it was official, he was a really mean person.

He thought of Will.

Maybe something that had to do with his work as a healer?

Books wouldn't help much, of course.

Equipment he already had more than enough.

He looked around and spotted some pocket watches.

He remembered faintly how Will had kept asking the time of him and other campers whenever he was in the infirmary.

Maybe...?

It would be an idea at least.

He thought back to Jason.

How about a helmet to protect him from oncoming bricks?

Hehe. Nah, better not.

Something nice.

He looked around the store.

Maybe brownies after all?

He could try make them himself...

He had never actually baked before.

The thought was odd.

Well, he'd have to think about it...

Then he thought of Percy.

Oh my.

What would he like?

He saw him running around with two light sabers now, play fighting against Jason.

Maybe he should separate them before they either broke the toys or the storeowner kicked them out.

He looked around some more.

Why were people so difficult?

He stopped for a moment.

What would he have gotten himself?

His admirer had thought of 25 things for him.

If he could do that, Nico could think of at least one for each of his friends.

With new determination, he went for another round in the store.

.

With them constantly drifting off and playing with the items for sale, it had been surprisingly easy for Nico to get the gifts.

He had gotten an elegant golden pocket watch for Will, which ironically even had a sun engraved onto it.

For Jason, he had gotten a bottle of cleaning spray for his glasses as well as a pretty carton for brownies – Nico was so going to try bake them at Camp Jupiter.

He only hoped they turned out alright.

Percy had been his biggest problem.

He was always so carefree and really, he seemed to either have everything already or not need anything.

But then Nico had seen something that he had thought might work for Percy.

It was a charm, really.

Something utterly stupid.

It was a small bottle with some sand in it and it looked as if there was a message rolled up sticking upright in the sand, held together by what looked like a tiny golden ring, though it could have been a ribbon as well.

Next to the message was a real, small seashell that was the exact same color as Percy's eyes.

The thing Nico liked most was the fact that it looked as if all of that was underwater.

He had no idea how they had done that, because if there was liquid in there, it didn't move.

Anyway, the bottle was connected to a thin golden necklace.

Nico didn't even know if it might not even be for girls.

But he had taken a liking to it, thinking it might be a cliché, but at least it was something that would suit Percy.

Since he was always wearing his Camp Half-Blood necklace, he might also wear that.

Or he might not.

Nico sighed.

At least that matter was settled.

Though he also had gotten some photo-albums.

One in green for Percy, one in blue for Jason and one in yellow for Will, as well as a purple one for Reyna, a golden one for Hazel and a red one for Frank.
Since the three had been so thrilled by Nico's photo album, he thought it might be nice if they had one too and for Reyna, Hazel and Frank it seemed like a great idea as well.

After their shopping, they had stopped by a stand and gotten themselves some hotdogs, which would be their dinner since none of them particularly felt like going to the dining pavilion.

They all just wanted to go to bed.

He clutched the bag closer as they got into the car, shoving Percy away as he tried to sneak a peek inside.

His zombie chauffeur waited patiently as usual as they all filed into the car.

Then they started driving back to the camp.

"So, did you get everything?", Jason asked while swatting Will's hand away as he tried to put it into Nico's bag.

"Yup."

"What? For us as well?", Percy asked, surprised.

"Only you three were missing."

"I thought you'd get something for Hazel, Frank and Reyna as well.", Will frowned.

"I already have something for them."

"So all that's in that bag is for us? Oh gods, how am I ever going to live until Christmas now without knowing what you got me, Neeks?!", Percy wailed from the front seat.

Nico rolled his eyes.

Jason next to him swatted Will's hand away again.

"Well, welcome to my life. I have to wait until Christmas to know who's giving me a gift, like, every day. At least you know you'll get a gift and who it's from."

Silence.

"Fair point.", Percy said, shrugging.

The others nodded quietly.

Nico sighed loudly, looking out of the window.

"You know what, guys? When we're going to Camp Jupiter I'm definitely sitting in that front seat."

"No way!", all of them instantly replied and he raised an eyebrow.

"We'll kill each other in such confined space.", Will said dramatically, eyeing Percy suspiciously.

"I'd say I sit here, you in the middle and Jason can sit on the other side while Percy stays in the front seat.", he then proposed.

"How about you sit in that front seat and Jason and I sit on the left and right of Nico.", Percy muttered and Nico rolled his eyes.

He looked to Jason, who only smiled with that understanding smile.

It also looked a bit pained.

Those dorks.

.

All three of them dropped him off at his cabin.

Percy and Will tried up to the end to get a sneak peek, if not at least a sneak feel.

So Jason and Nico had had a tough time getting them to back off.

Nico had also gotten wrapping paper, though he knew he sucked at wrapping gifts.

But he wanted to do it himself.

Things like that were simply better done personally.

It was meant to be a gift from the heart after all.

So as soon as he was inside and checked the windows for possible signs of Will and Percy, he set out to wrap the objects up, except for the box for Jason's brownies.

He so hoped they would turn out well.

Maybe he should still think about something different as an emergency plan.

He carefully wrapped each gift up nicely, writing the names on the ribbons instead of the packages.

He didn't know why, but he always preferred it that way, because it made the package look so pretty and neat.

Then he wondered where to store them.

Percy and Will were bound to go looking for them.

Those two idiots.

Endearing idiots, but still idiots.

Nico chuckled and decided to hide them in a really obvious place: Beneath his bed in the far right corner, covered by a box in front of it.

Even if Percy decided to hide beneath his bed again to wait for his secret admirer, he wouldn't see them if he didn't know they were there.

Satisfied, Nico went and got ready for bed.