Gwico was created by mew-tsubaki, please give her a small mention if you wrote them, thanks. :)

Please enjoy this story!

"I might be busy doing nothing but I've had my share

D-doo do, d-doo do, d-doo do, d-doo do

You've got a strange infatuation with the elements in the air

D-doo do, d-doo do"

—Architecture in Helsinki, "Contact High"

Although Nico was someone who sunk in the darkness, Gwen followed into his shadowy footsteps.

Gwen woke up from her daze as Dakota slurped his Kool-Aid loudly. The cafeteria was bustling with demigods and wind spirits popping out food. Happiness burst through Gwen as the Fifth Cohort was sitting together for once—everyone was always doing something. It was nice to have a simple meal together.

"Here comes trouble," Dakota said under his cherry-chapped lips. Gwen turned to see Nico approaching the table, who was led by Reyna.

"Here you are Nico, I hope that Fifth Cohort will treat you well. Won't we Gwen?" Gwen knew that Reyna's statement was not to be challenged.

Gwen rose from her seat, "Yes. I'd be glad to welcome Nico, Son of Pluto!" Dakota scoffed, but she stepped on his foot, making him choke on his drink. In a way, he deserved it. Nico was a guest, not a stranger. She smiled to Nico as Reyna left, but she was caught off guard when he smirked and nodded to her. This guy, boy was he…enrapturing.

"Nico, please sit," Hazel prodded to the empty seat next to her, and he did so as a wind spirit brought him a hamburger and soda.

"Gwen, why did you do that?"

"Because you were being mean. Be nice or I'll tell the wind spirits not to bring Kool-Aid."

Dakota yelped and the two smiled at each other and laughed. From the corner, Gwen head Hazel snicker and Nico gave a thumbs-up and looked away. Gwen smiled. Nice guy, she thought as she munched into her food.

-O-

By the time everyone was done eating, Gwen looked back to see Nico's spot—he was gone. He probably shadow-traveled as Hazel had explained to her before.

Gwen was going to be honest with herself: she was interested in how this shadow traveling worked. As people cleared from the cafeteria, Gwen went through her head what needed to be done as she exited onto the cobbled street: training, cleaning her room, skills the list went on…Something caught Gwen's eye as a black portal opened in one spot by the baths and opened in another near the barracks. Nico was shadow jumping from one portal to the next—practicing his skills. Maybe preparing for upcoming battles he might have to face when he was gone from her view again.

Gwen knew she had to catch up before he would disappear to a far off land—which he had always done. Knowing these unsettling thoughts, she ran with all her life. Her steps pounded onto the pavement. By the time she reached the portal, she was out of breath. She didn't care about her breath in that moment, because she knew she would get it back. Gwen's heart raced as she neared the portal. What lay in the darkness? Where does Nico go through these portals? What would her reaction be? Would she get to understand the son of Pluto better? Her feet shuffled slowly, like a robotic toy, but they quickly became full of interest and human concern when she went though.

Although Nico was someone who sunk in the darkness, Gwen followed into his shadowy footsteps.

The shadows enveloped her as she traveled swiftly through the darkness. Her body trembled out of fear and excitement; but she took in the darkness in all its glory. As her feet led her forward, she entered another world. She closed her eyes and felt a cold hand gently guiding her through the dark, as thought it was a second-nature to walk through the dark. She knew it was Nico, but she let the silence overpower her. All her worries got went swimming into the depths of the swirling shades of black around her. A sense of peace grew within her. It was a tantalizing, eye-opening experience. The element of darkness had somehow become her own.

So I really love how Gwen made the darkness her own and how Nico was right there beside her in the end. This is true love, people, true love. ;) I hope that people are enjoying this couple, and it so needs more love. Let the Gwico fandom grow! Tell me what you think. Also, I'm still loving Nico. Forever and always.

Thanks to mew-tsubaki for creating Gwico and betaing my fic.