Day 14: Sunday

A chuckle.

Nico felt a hand gently brushing some strands of hair out of his face.

He took it, holding it tight.

"Nico…", the voice uttered gently.

Nico tugged on the hand, trying to get the person closer.

Another chuckle and he felt a body moving closer.

"Really? You know I have to go."

"No…"

"Yes. Didn't we already have this discussion yesterday?"

Nico grumbled.

He felt a weight next to him in the bed.

Instantly, he turned towards it, wrapping his arms around the person.

"Nico…"

But he could feel arms wrapping around him as well.

He snuggled closer, sighing contently.

Then he felt soft lips against his forehead.

"I wish I could stay with you like this, Nico."

Nico held on tightly to him.

He could feel himself drifting back off into his dreams.

No~.

He didn't want to.

He wanted to wake up and find out who this was and just snuggle up to him and be happy.

He moved his head up, finding his lips blindly with his own.

He just couldn't resist.

The person hesitated, then kissed back slowly.

Yes…

It felt as if everything inside him was melting away.

Nico leaned into the kiss, his hands moving up to the persons face.

"Nico…", his voice was a mere huff against Nico's lips.

Nico sighed happily.

This felt so good.

He never wanted this to stop.

The person pulled back slowly, taking Nico's hands in his own.

"Gods, Nico, don't make me want you so much right before I have to go."

Nico felt a smile tugging at his lips.

The person got up.

Nico let him, though he reached for his hand again.

He chuckled, softly stroking the side of his face.

"Get back to sleep, you tease."

Nico didn't really want to, but he sighed and turned around.

"I love you, Nico."

Nico muttered something that he himself thought sounded a lot like 'I love you, too'.

Then his admirer was gone.

.

When he woke up in the morning, he wasn't even upset at letting the person go.

Well, ok, he was, but not the way he had been yesterday.

It was ok.

He would love to know, but he also loved those nightly visits.

He went to turn on the light and checked out his bedside table.

Sure enough, there laid a big rectangular package with a small note on top.

He took the note first, as usual.

[Dear Nico,

Now it's already the 2nd Advent Sunday.

Time sure flies, doesn't it?

I hope you liked the series.

At least I know you like pirates.

I love you.

I want you.

I need you.

I need you so much, Nico.

When I get to your cabin, it's as if you know I'm there.

You always turn towards me, reaching for my hand, wanting to keep me there.

Do you know how hard it is to leave you again?

I never want to let go of your hand.

I hope you like today's gift. Thought it would be useful.

Have a nice 14th day of December.

I love you,

Your secret Admirer

P.s.: Tease.]

Nico chuckled.

Yes, he guessed he was a tease.

Touching his lips softly, he put down the note and took the package.

Heavy.

Before he got to open it, though, there was bickering in front of his door.

He rolled his eyes, putting the package down.

Before they even got around to knocking, he opened the door.

"Morning, Nico.", Jason greeted, grinning broadly at him.

"Morning.", Percy smiled, though his gaze was already busy travelling down Nico's shirtless body.

Oops.

He let them inside, intending to grab some clothes out of the wardrobe and get dressed, but then he remembered the package and went there instead, flopping back down onto the bed.

Jason chuckled. "Someone is excited about their gift."

Nico chuckled. "No clue what you're talking about.", he lied and passed him the note.

Percy looked over Jason's shoulder, squinting at the creamy white paper.

Nico began unwrapping the gift in the meantime.

Slowly taking off the green ribbon, folding it and putting it aside, he watched the two boys read.

Would they ever actually sit down and write something like that every morning?

He couldn't picture it.

Jason, maybe, if he knew it was important to somebody he really cared about.

But Jason wouldn't write like that, would he?

Percy wasn't that emotional either, also he'd probably rather go through Tartarus again instead of taking up a pen and actually writing something.

But Will didn't seem like that either.

It simply didn't fit him.

Nico sighed, looking back down at his package, gently taking off the red wrapping paper without tearing it.

"Tease?", Percy asked, having reached the end of the note.

Nico grinned to himself.

"What did you do?", Jason asked, curious.

Nico put on an innocent expression. "I have no idea."

Jason raised an eyebrow.

Percy chuckled.

Nico smirked and looked back down at his gift.

Then he groaned and fell back.

"You ok? What is it?", Jason asked.

Nico held up the box he was holding.

"Tease.", he muttered, meaning his admirer.

Jason groaned as well.

Percy's face lit up. "Yes! Awesome! Nico, now we're definitely good to go."

It was ice skates.

Nico rolled his eyes, though a grin spread on his lips.

His very own ice skates.

Blah, fine, he should probably let it show he liked it.

Even though he had no clue how to skate.

Percy flopped down next to Nico, looking at him intently. "You don't like it?"

Nico sighed exasperated, though the smirk stayed.

"Course I do. I just love how he calls me 'Tease' and then he gets me skates even though I don't even know how to skate."

Percy chuckled and brushed a strand of hair out of his face.

Nico closed his eyes at the touch.

There was something familiar about it.

But he couldn't pinpoint it.

Jason flopped down on his other side, grinning at him.

"You're getting better.", he said quietly.

"At what?", Nico asked, frowning slightly.

"Admitting to your feelings.", both Jason and Percy said, smiling at him fondly with that gleam in their eyes.

Nico blushed.

"How?"

"Well, in the beginning you'd try to put on your mask of indifference – which really doesn't work, Neeks, sorry.", Percy explained, taking the box with the skates off Nico and inspecting it.

"And you'd always say things like 'I don't care' or 'It doesn't matter' instead of simply saying you liked something. But now, you actually show your feelings. That's good. Really good.", Jason went on and smiled at Nico.

Nico only chuckled.

"If you say so.", he muttered and pushed himself up, hopping off the bed.

"I'll be in the bathroom. Jason, please keep Percy from breaking the skates in the meantime.", he said and grabbed his clothes, disappearing into the bedroom.

Jason laughed as Percy was a bit slow on the uptake, calling 'Hey!' after him indignantly.

But Nico had already shut the door and locked it.

.

"No! Don't you DARE let go, Percy! I swear, you're letting go!", Nico yelled, wanting to throw his arms around Percy but that's kind of what he had done the past times, always ending with them stumbling and falling.

Percy laughed heartily. "Don't worry, I got you.", he said reassuringly, but Nico didn't believe a word.

Percy was obviously a natural, skating backwards while Nico tried to keep his balance.

The skates had fitted him perfectly and he admitted when he managed to actually stay upright, it was quite an interesting sensation.

Only that he barely remained upright, due to the unbalanced feeling.

He was getting better at it, but it was still weird and he tended to grab hold of anything – or anyone – that came his way as a futile attempt to gain more stability.

It really didn't work out that well, especially when he grabbed random people and held on to them for dear life, ending in both of them toppling to the ground.

Percy guided him, slowly letting go.

Nico glared at him, but tried to keep his balance himself.

He definitely was getting better.

Percy smirked at him. "See? It's fun."

Will came zooming by like a pro, almost causing Nico to lose balance.

Percy helped him and then turned to Will.

"Solace!", he called and hurried after him.

"What? Don't leave me!", Nico complained but he was already rushing after Will, two pro's at work.

Jason came over.

He was one big cheater, always taking off the instant he felt himself losing his balance.

Which meant he was mostly hovering some inches over the ice, only tentatively setting foot on it every now and then.

"How's it going?", he asked Nico, who was actually managing a lot better compared to earlier.

He shrugged, actually keeping his balance this time.

"I would prefer it if you were with me. That way I wouldn't be the only fail."

Jason made a face.

"Fine, I'll do it, then.", he then said, surprising Nico and setting down on the ice.

Nico stopped, again keeping his balance.

Maybe he actually had the hang of it now?

Jason had borrowed skates from the Big House, as had Percy and Will.

Nico hadn't understood how his admirer could get him skates but not have any himself, but at the Big House he had actually noticed that none of the pairs they had had would have fit him.

So the admirer must have really done his research.

And know exactly how his feet were shaped?

He watched as Jason tentatively moved and felt the winds around him come to his aid as he swayed.

"Cheater.", Nico teased and Jason looked up at him, grinning sheepishly.

"It's a reflex."

"Of course it is. Come, let's try it together.", Nico chuckled and took his hands, this time him being the one going backwards.

Ironically, he was better at going backwards than forwards, just that he never knew when there was somebody around him and as soon as he tried to look he'd have balance problems.

He had hugged quite a few trees and fallen in almost any bigger pile of snow already.

Much to Percy's amusement, but he wasn't exactly making fun of Nico himself, so Nico didn't mind.

They both had their gazes on their feet, slowly moving together across the ice.

Then Jason swayed and the winds reacted again, just that this kind of pushed Nico away and he stumbled.

They both fell, Nico being squished beneath Jason.

"Oops, sorry, Neeks.", he muttered, trying to get off quickly.

Nico laughed as Jason fell back onto him due to the lack of balance.

Jason grinned sheepishly down at him.

Nico smirked back.

"You do enjoy this, don't you?", Jason asked him quietly, still laying on top of him.

"The skating? Yes. You squishing me? Not so much."

Jason laughed and controlled the winds to take him off him, also lifting up Nico as well, putting him upright.

They both chuckled and took each other's hands again, continuing to tentatively make their way over the ice.

"Well, fine, I admit, it's not that bad.", Jason muttered after a while.

Nico laughed.

Percy popped up, joining in.

"You're doing pretty good now, Nico.", he praised, a proud gleam in his eyes.

Nico felt his ears getting hot and was glad he was wearing Jason's beanie hat again.

"Hey, what about me?", Jason complained.

Percy snickered. "You're cheating, so it doesn't count."

"Aww."

They laughed.

Then Will came over, barreling into them, making them all crash.

"Really?", Nico and Jason called, while Percy couldn't say anything, for his head was currently in a pile of snow.

Will laughed loudly, holding his stomach and not even bothering getting up while watching them trying to get back on their feet.

Then Percy got out of the snow and Will had to skate for his life.

Though it was pointless, because Percy simply was the better skater, knocking Will clean off the ice and into the next tree.

Then he came back over, checking on Jason and Nico and getting them back into it.

"Want to try longer strokes?"

"Sure…", Nico muttered, though uncertain.

Jason flashed him a reassuring smile and they broke contact, Percy claiming him for himself again to teach him new ways of moving.

Nico really liked skating.

Of course, it was weird and he sucked at it, but it still was kind of fun.

Especially with his friends.

He watched as Will tried to get to Jason, but Jason – hovering above the ground again like a ghost – easily got out of the way.

Then he looked at Percy again, who was smirking at him fondly.

.

After a while, they even managed to skate next to each other.

Nico surely was a fast learner, he even had to cut himself that.

Percy beamed at him, going in circles around the lake with him and sometimes even switching places or going backwards.

Sometimes, they'd hold hands, sometimes they wouldn't.

They passed by Jason, who was on the ice once more with Will helping him.

He had somehow had a change of heart and helped him out a bit so Percy could show Nico some other moves.

"I swear you're getting better by the minute.", Percy stated and they joined hands again, Nico going backwards.

He chuckled, feeling quite elated because of the compliment.

And maybe a tiny bit because they were holding hands.

After another few rounds, they stopped at Will and Jason, switching partners so Nico and Will would be able to go some rounds together.

It was actually really fun.

All of it.

Will was surprisingly gentle with him, reminding him of the time in the very beginning of their friendship.

He wasn't sure when Will had become more straight-forward and clingy, if not outright possessive of Nico, always touching him and crossing any possible lines.

It had just kind of happened, even though he still could be kind and considerate.

Like on their date.

Nico scolded himself.

It hadn't been a date!

Nevertheless, Will had been different when he'd been alone with Nico.

He was always different when he was alone with Nico.

Whenever the other two were around, he was the pushiest and least considerate of Nico's borders and simply loved to freak him out and make him blush.

But when they were alone, he was gently, taking care of him and making him feel good, looking at him as if he was something precious.

"Percy taught you well.", Will called, tearing Nico out of his train of thoughts.

He grinned and they locked hands, Will going backwards, pulling Nico with him.

They rounded the lake, uncaring of the people around them.

"So what are you two going to do tomorrow?", he asked, making Nico blink.

Ah, yes. Tomorrow he'd be spending his day with Percy alone.

No, not a date.

Just keeping his promise.

He shrugged. "He didn't say."

"Aw, shame. Well, maybe he forgot. If so, can I take you out again?"

Nico made a face.

Will laughed.

They zoomed past Jason and Percy, waving.

Then Will grabbed Nico's hips and pulled him up for a moment, skating on in a big circle, making it look as if they were hugging and/or dancing on the ice.

Nico was taken aback, wrapping his arms around Wills neck for support.

Will grinned up at him.

Nico blinked down.

Then Will slowed down slightly, letting Nico down again gently.

"How did you like that?"

"I didn't know you could lift me up that easily."

"Nico, you are way too light for your age and height in the first place. Anybody could pick you up."

"Maybe, but not while skating."

"True, I'm just that awesome. Do I get a kiss now?"

Nico still had his arms wrapped around Will's neck, their faces actually fairly close together.

Will had his gaze on Nico's lips.

It was the same way he had gazed at him the night before, when Nico had wondered whether he had wanted to kiss him again.

Apparently, he had read the expression correctly, because Will was definitely getting closer.

For a moment, one sweet moment, Nico considered complying.

But then reality hit him again.

They were outside.

In the middle of the frozen lake.

Tons of other campers around them.

He squirmed, pulling back from Will's embrace, letting go of his neck and moving backwards, instantly losing his balance and toppling onto the ice.

"Nico?", Jason called over, coming over with Percy.

"Is everything alright?", Percy asked, his gaze travelling swiftly over Nico and Will.

"Yeah, I just lost my balance for a moment, that's all.", Nico muttered, getting back up (he could now do it without help, yay) and brushing off the snow off him, glancing over at Will.

He huffed sulkily and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Nico sighed. Great.

He noticed Percy looking at Will with narrowed eyes.

Uh-oh.

Jason stopped next to him, looking at him worried.

He smiled up at him.

"How about we do a round all together?", Nico asked, trying to change the mood a bit.

Jason gazed at him, seemingly trying to figure out what was up (because he could never fool Jason) but he smiled and nodded, looking towards Percy and Will.

Percy was still sizing Will up.

Next moment, Nico was well protected between Jason and Percy, with Will having to stay next to Percy, sighing irritated.

They went a few more rounds together, then split again, leaving Percy with Nico and Jason with Will again.

Originally, Jason had wanted to go with Nico, but seeing Percy still seeming peeved, Jason had changed plans in the fraction of a second, pushing Nico towards Percy and going for Will instead.

Nico was feeling both grateful and guilty for it.

Percy still looked him up and down over and over, as if trying to determine what had happened.

Nico sighed loudly.

"Percy, I'm fine. It's not like I'm made of sugar. Plus, I've fallen plenty of times today already."

Of course, he knew that wasn't what Percy was thinking about.

Percy's lip twitched. "I know that, Neeks. I'm just wondering what he did to freak you out again."

"He said something stupid, that's all."

"What did he say then?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"I don't know. You tell me. Should I know?"

Nico switched so he was going backwards, locking their hands and locking eyes with him.

"He said I'm so light anybody could pick me up."

Well, it wasn't a lie.

Percy frowned. "I agree."

"But not when you're skating."

"Watch me."

"Percy, no!"

Percy laughed and got closer, wrapping his arms around Nico's midriff now.

Nico didn't have to do any skating anymore. His legs were between Percy's legs, allowing him to move them forward at an even pace.

"Looking forward to tomorrow?", Percy asked suddenly, still gazing down at Nico with that rather indistinguishable expression on his face.

Nico found himself smiling. "So, you didn't forget?"

"Why would I forget?"

"Will was hoping you would."

Percy made a face. "Nah, I have every intention of spending the whole entire day with you tomorrow."

Nico chuckled, a blush spreading on his cheeks.

Why was he saying it like that?

It made him fuzzy inside.

"So, are you looking forward to it?"

"Of...of course...", Nico admitted.

Maybe it was true.

Maybe ever since his admirer had popped up, he had slowly managed to open up to his friends more, admitting to his feelings and showing them more freely than before.

Or maybe it was simply that one wasn't really stuck up anymore after being humped by one, having neck-nibbled the second and kissed with the third.

Great, that made Nico sound like a slut.

"I'll pick you up in the morning then. What time would you like?"

Nico shrugged, surprised at Percy actually asking him this.

"How about 8am?", Percy offered.

Nico smiled and nodded. "Sounds good to me. What are we doing?"

"That'll be a surprise."

"Sounds fishy."

"Ha-ha.", Percy deadpanned at the pun and smirked at Nico.

Nico smiled back.

Then they joined the others and spent the rest of the day skating and laughing.