Chapter 14:

Koala Bomb

Wednesdays at Chiron's Academy was always only a half-day, the morning dedicated to lessons, the afternoon to an elective activity. The last class was English, and Will and Nico had pretty much learned their scripts. Will had more to say, but he only needed to check his play a few times to make sure he was saying the right thing. Nico was dead most of the time, and he took the opportunity to nap as he lay on the log.

Will glanced over at his sleeping partner as he muttered lines under his breath, a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth. Nico had turned onto his side and cushioned his head with his hands. Will carefully moved over to him, keeping up his monologue of Romeo in a lulling tone. When he reached Nico he gently swept a lock of hair off the smaller boy's cheek. Will kissed the tips of his fingers and touched them to Nico's forehead.

"The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark. Here's to my love," he whispered. His eyes went a little blurry as he stared at Nico, and then said quietly, in a daze, "What the hell does that even mean."

The bell signalling the end of class rang through the woods, and Will knelt down beside the log. He shook Nico's shoulder.

"Hey, Nico," he coaxed, tapping his jaw. "C'mon sweetie, wake up. It's activity time."

Will was unconscious to the fact he'd just called the Hades camper 'sweetie', and was surprised when Nico cracked his eyes open and asked, "What did you just say?"

Will blinked.

"Uh, it's activity time?" he offered, and Nico shook his head, still not getting up. He was staring at Will with a small frown.

"No, before that," he said. Will cocked his head to the side.

"Wake up?"

"Further back."

"Hey, Nico?"

"No, after that."

"C'mon sweetie."

Will stared without seeing as he realised what he'd said.

"Oh."

Nico – who was obviously still in a post-waking up stupor or Will was sure he'd be flattened (He'd seen Percy after he'd called Nico 'honey', and he hoped he'd never have to treat that kind of injury again) – just smiled sleepily and closed his eyes again. "S'okay. But lemme sleep more now."

"Uh, no," Will said, bending down and rolling Nico over so the sun was on his face. "I wasn't kidding when I said you need to get up."

Nico groaned and tried to get out of the light. He twisted away from Will-

-and fell off the log.

"I knew you weren't a morning person Death Boy," Will laughed, "but this is ridiculous."

"You're ridiculous," came the reply from where Nico had disappeared behind the log. "Let me sleep, Solace."

Will climbed on the fallen tree himself, jumping down to stand beside Nico and look down at him.

"I'll pick you up, di Angelo."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

Nico glanced up, glaring at Will. Will glared right back and reached down to grab Nico's hands. "Up."

"No."

Will pulled, and Nico lifted off the ground. He was a dead weight in Will's grip, and the Apollo camper grunted as he hauled Nico to his feet. He let go for a moment, and Nico dropped right back to the earth.

"You're kidding," Will exclaimed, and Nico flashed him a triumphant look. A challenging scowl appeared on Will's face and he leant down again. This time, when he got Nico standing, he didn't let go, and instead hooked his arms under the other boy's before lifting him into the air. Nico made a noise of surprise as Will slung the Hades' campers arms around his neck and held onto his hips to keep him steady.

"I told you," Will grinned, glancing down. He was carrying Nico like a koala bear, but felt like he was holding a live explosion. Nico sniffed, and hooked his ankles behind Will's back so he didn't fall.

"Whatever," he grumbled. Will smirked as he held the smaller boy. Nico blushed and hid his face in the crook of Will's neck. "I hate you."

"Nope," Will chirped, angling his head away so his chin was brushing Nico's shoulder, "you don't."

Walking them both out of the clearing, Will hummed softly. He didn't want to think about the very-probably painful repercussions of his actions. All he wanted was for the smell of midnight and pomegranates that was Nico di Angelo to hang around a little longer.

I thought this was longer than it was but it's not. Short chapter. Of fluff.

I also think I'm going to focus on finishing this story first, before finishing my others. There will be order in my updates. Finally. I'm knuckling down on this – watch me.

Jasmine Out!

(Next chapter is PLAY and PROBABLY THE ACTUAL MOMENT OF TRUTH WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. Also Nico wears a dress)