~~As promised, some extra Nico, honestly, he is hard to write around. at least without making him seem like some moody cliche brat XD which I so badly want to avoid, he is so much more than that. :3

How would you all feel about Will and Nico going on a little quest together? ;) Who would you want to be the third addition to the party? What songs do you want included in further chapters? Let me know!

Also, There isn't really a set song for this chapter, I did listen to one song on repeat on the day i wrote it though which is probably why I wrote so much about Nico's feelings

song (I guess): Jinx by DNCE

Playlist for Fic: /spacedustdreamer/mortal-music

The rest of Nico's day seemed to drag relentlessly. The Sun seemed to be taunting him as if it knew he was waiting for its retreat. He found himself roaming the camp grounds aimlessly, avoiding all set out schedules and training sessions, classes. The only thing he found himself attending was dinner, and even then he couldn't face sitting restlessly at a table for more than ten minutes. He taped his fingers absentmindedly on the table until his fingertips felt numb.

Nico still couldn't get over the fact that some stupid song had made him cry. Well, not cry, he didn't feel sad, his emotions just spilled over for no reason. It made him want to run away, but that would mean going outside and risking people seeing him in that state. Will seemed to surprise him though.
After he had also made a complete fool of himself he seemed to act completely normal again with Nico. there was no awkwardness. He had even given him a snack, insisting that he needed to eat to keep his strength up. It was a stupid useless gesture that somehow managed to make him feel this strange sort of sensation. It was like a mix between feeling what he could only describe as blessed and content.

'Anytime.' The word rung in his ear as if it were a mantra, a word to live by. Sweet and inviting yet also strangely dangerous. There was something inside him that wanted to say 'Okay, then that means always right? I don't have to even leave your side?' But then Nico nearly choked on the air he was breathing, ashamed that a thought so cheesy passed through his mind.

Eventually Nico stood up, his plate still full, but his mind too occupied to eat. There was a lack of Apollo kids at their table. The infirmary must have been busy as most of the kids who were gone were those who specialised in healing.
Before Nico could make his stealthy retreat his path was blocked by a taller boy. A sigh escaped the young man before he even looked up to meet the eyes of Jason. It would be wrong for Nico to say he didn't like Jason; In fact he valued him highly (even though he would never admit that out loud).
"What's wrong?" Jason asked, his voice a mix between stern and concerned.
"Nothing." Nico groaned, pushing Jason's shoulder as he barged past, walking away from the pavilion.
"Hey! Nico," Jason was stubborn at best sometimes, a little nosey. He seemed to put a lot of pressure on his shoulders when it came to finding things out, as if the universe hadn't yet informed him that all Nico's personal events didn't concern him. "Come on. You're being distant. At least.. More so than usual. Tell me whats wrong."

They made it far enough away from the pavilion, thank the gods, before Jason gently grabbed the Son of Hades shoulder and turned Nico to face him. Nico stared up at him with a furious glare, he could tell his gaze had sent a chill down the young man's spine.
The last thing he wanted was for someone to get involved in his business and ruin it. He wasn't sure if he was going through what he thought he was going through, but if he was, he knew it was fragile beyond belief. One wrong move and BAM- ruined. You couldn't just jinx things like that by blabbing about it. He had to take his time and be cautious. If there was too much action those skeletal butterflies could be crushed. Reduced to a pile of dust and bones.
Nico felt a blush creeping up his cheeks, his ears burning red as he glared at the jock-like boy. It was becoming increasingly hard to maintain his cold stare as thoughts of Will and his stupid granola bars filled his mind.

"Oh. my. Gods." Jason's breathless words brought Nico back to the present. "It's a boy."
Nico stared at him almost confused, "what?" he saw the glint in Jason's eyes waver for a second, almost as if he were disappointed, before Nico figured out what he meant and he blew it, causing the mischievous (and slightly proud?) glint to return back to Jason's eye "What?! No! Gods, just drop it Jason!" Nico turned quickly and began pacing away as quickly as he could.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Jason paced after him almost a little too eagerly. Being taller, Jason only had to take one step for every one and half steps Nico took. Nico preferred when Jason but on his 'quest face'. Concentrated and focused. This Jason was far too curious and almost Maternal. Nico tried not to think of Jason as his mother in that moment. That was just weird.
"Stop bothering me" Nico said coldly, "I just want to be alone."
Nico didn't need to look at the other boy to realise he had struck a nerve.
A sigh escaped his lips as he slowed his pace "If there is anything to talk about, which there isn't! I swear I'll tell you about it. But only when I'm ready."

The older boy seemed satisfied with that promise and nodded as he stopped following Nico, his arms now crossed over his chest. "Just give me the word and i'm all ears. I want to know everything" He grinned and Nico felt himself smiling faintly. The people at camp could be a handful but they were reliable.

The night couldn't arrive soon enough and before he could fully collapse of exhaustion, Nico found himself staring up at the ceiling of his cabin. He was grateful to be able to just lie in bed and relax. It gave his mind time to process things. The window nearest his bed was open and sounds from the night surrounded him. Crickets chirped outside as a cool breeze gently rustled through the trees. The gentle wind caused the curtains to softly wave and flutter, pushing the chilly air through the room. He caught a scent that was slightly unfamiliar and rolled over before hugging at his pillow tightly and inhaling deeply. The pillow smelt fresh and almost floral. Hazel must have cleaned up the cabin again and changed over the sheets on the beds. What was that scent? Jasmine? Or Rose? The fresh flowery scents seemed a bit out of place in the dark building but Nico didn't really care what it was, he was just grateful for the gesture. Within moments he was falling asleep to the sound of the fire crackling in the torches by the door outside and the sweet smell from his pillow.
Unfortunately sweet dreams were often short lived for Demigods. This wasn't unusual, in fact Demigods often had dreams that foretold events or warned them of things yet to come. Dreams were an important form of communication for them. So when Nico awoke in a cold sweat feeling shaken he had known that what he had dreamt was important. It was a shame he couldn't remember it, which couldn't be good news.

~~ So, surprise Jason visit, cause why not expand the universe a bit. Gotta seem real right?

But why couldn't Nico remember his dream? What is the importance of this?

we will never know... I kid. Of course we will!~~