Guess who's back with a brand you chap! Haha sorry I couldn't resist. Sorry this has taken so long and it will likely longer for another new one now that I have a new job and will working a lot but I will try to get back to my writing as much as I can.

Ch. 4

Emily had fallen asleep on Nico's lap about halfway through the sing along, she had leaned back and rested her head on his shoulder as she began to doze off and Nico had wrapped his arms around her protectively to make sure that she didn't slip as she finally fell asleep. Will glanced over at the two of them every now and then to see how things were going and couldn't stop the smile that made its way to his lips as he saw Nico holding the little girl while she slept as if his arms were a silent promise to her, You're safe now they seemed to say and it was clear that Emily understood that as she slept on without a worry.

Others had glanced over at the two of them as well and everyone was thinking along the same lines; many of the campers had come from not so happy backgrounds and knew just how important it was to find that sense of security here at camp that made you feel like you belonged, many of the older kids that had known Nico before the Giant war knew that this was just as important for him as it was for the little girl sleeping now in his arms.

Will who was closer to Nico than most wasn't surprised at all to see how much and how quickly the son of Hades had grown to care about the newest camper. He already knew what kind of person Nico was and just how truly caring he was. Emily seemed to be able to pick up on that as well, that and the fact that Nico had saved her life it was clear that she looked up to him.

When it was time to head back to their cabins for the night Nico nudged Emily to wake her up so that she knew what was going on. She opened her eyes a bit but looked like she would nod off at any second once more. "Hey, it's bed time so you should go with Katie and the other Demeter kids." Nico said gently but Emily shook her head and clung tighter to him. Nico looked at the others for help.

Will feels lost on what to do as well until Katie suggests that they have a sleep over in the infirmary so that Emily doesn't feel uncomfortable, she stay with them while other kids go back to their cabin tonight that way Emily can get used to at least one of her siblings being around and maybe they could wane her dependence off of Nico. It seems like the best course of action so while the rest of the Demeter kids head back for the night the four of them head over to Chiron to ask permission to stay in the infirmary together. After explaining their plan and that it would be a good idea to have Will there in case she has a panic attack or something brought on by the stress of the day and how Nico can help with dreams Chiron agreed.

Together Chiron, Katy, Will, Nico, and Emily made their way over to the Big House where the infirmary was and Chiron helped them find some clothes for Emily to wear for the night, Nico had promised Emily that he would be right back and went back to the Hades cabin as fast as he could to change into pajamas for the night and got back in time to meet up with Will while Katie left to quickly change as well before coming back. Once they were all ready they began setting up the beds.

…

"Should we divide up the room? You know the whole boy girl thing in case anyone feels uncomfortable or whatever?" Katie asked as she looked around at the beds. Will shrugged. "I'm used to the whole co-ed thing back at the Apollo cabin. How about you guys?" Katie nodded. "Yeah I guess that goes the same for me." She looked at Nico, "How about you?" he didn't look up from where he was tucking Emily in after she had drifted off again. "If you're worried about me peeking at you or something then you have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Katie's brow creased as she tried to think what he meant by that but then something clicked and she made an "O" expression and shrugged. "Well okay, guess this will work just fine then. Nico can take the bed on the left and I'll take the one on the right, how about you Will?" she asked as she looked up at the son of Apollo and caught the way he was looking fondly at Nico. She shook her head and said quietly to herself, "Like I even needed to ask…" then loud enough for them to hear "Okay kiddies, bed time so get settled in and I'll see you in the morning unless anything happens between then and now. Good night." She was answered by two Goodnight's and Will switched off the lights.

…

Nico closed his eyes for a few moments as he focused on sending sweet dreams to Emily to help her sleep soundly. He had learned recently that since Hypnos resided in the Underworld he technically had the ability to tap into dreams; it also explained why he was able to traverse the dream scape so easily even if he was a son of the Big Three he still had more control in dreams than most others.

He opened his eyes once more and turned over onto his back and heard the sound of the girls even breathing as they slept soundly. "Hey Nico?" He turned his head and glanced in the direction of Will's voice. "Yeah?" he asked, not really sure what Will had to say. "Have you ever had a sleepover?" Nico was confused by the question. "Sleepover?" Was that like staying at New Rome? Or his father's palace in the Underworld? "You know, when you stay over at a friend's house and you sleep in the same room, usually you end up staying up late or possibly all night talking or playing games together." Will explained.

"Um no, I don't think I've ever done that before." He had lived in a dorm when he was still going to school after leaving the Lotus but that didn't seem like the same thing, maybe the closest thing to what Will described would be either staying on the Argo II or traveling with Reyna and Coach Hedge from the ancient lands though he spent much of that time sleeping or avoiding people.

"Why do you ask?" he heard Will chuckle a bit and his stomach fluttered a bit with those skeletal butterflies again. "Well this is like a sleepover, don't you think?" Nico thought about it for a moment and saw that Will had a point. "I guess." He turned over onto his side so that he could face Will even though he couldn't see him, he had a feeling Will was facing him as well. "This is nice, don't you think?" Will asked and Nico had to agree. "Yeah, it is." A small smile made its way to his lips. "I just wanted you to know I had a lot of fun hanging out with you today, I'm really glad that we decided to go into the city to go shopping today."

There was no missing the smile in his voice and Nico felt his own growing in return. "Me too." So much had happened today and it had all been thanks to Will suggesting that they go shopping. "I hope tomorrow turns out just as good." Will said with a yawn, it was clear he was trying to stay awake just to talk but sleep was getting to him now as well. "I do too, now get some sleep Solace. I'll see you in the morning, goodnight." Nico said fondness finding its way into his voice as he turned back to his back and closed his eyes. "Goodnight Nico." Will said before finally surrendering to sleep.

…

Katie lay on her bed listing to the two of them talk after waking to the sound of quiet voices. Used to having to tell her siblings to go back to sleep she was about the same to these two until she caught what they were saying, she smiled to herself and settled back in and went back to sleep.

Please let me know what you think so far.