AN: VERY IMPORTANT: I won't be updating much in the next 2 weeks cuz I have this test thing called the ACT and I can't be writing fanfiction when I have to study for it. THEREFORE, I won't have more than 3 MAXIMUM chapters over the next two weeks. I'm REALLY REALLY sorry, but this test literally defines my college path. PLEASE keep checking back for updates because I promise I'll be able to get some more up soon.

And I'm thinking around 15-20 chapters for this fanfic but I'm not sure yet. I haven't decided the direction of the story, yet.

Don't forget to check out my other fanfictions, including my collection of one shots called Post War!

NICO'S POV

"I'm going back to my cabin!" Will announces in the morning.

"What? Why?"

We had just watched the sun rise together, watched Apollo's sports car streak past us and leave a trail of sun shaped stickers behind. How bizarre. But I guess that was Apollo's way of saying Thank you for saving the world, demigods! Here's some stickers for your trouble.

What Will liked the most was that he got new medical supplies that appeared on the roof of the Hades Cabin too. Apollo seemed to be acknowledging Will specifically with that. He must have been watching us.

"I'm pretty sure that once you talked about it, your nightmares won't be that scary anymore. Your intensive treatment is over, now, which means I won't be breathing down your neck every five seconds about your health," Will responds proudly. "But if any trouble comes, you can just shadow travel to me. I am 99% sure you'll be right to shadow travel a few times once again!"

I smile despite the fact that Will's leaving my cabin. "Well, you'll have cabin counselor responsibilities again."

"Indeed, I do. I've been leaving my cabin alone for far too long." He pauses, considering his words. "Well, not alone, but you know what I mean."

I would always be alone in the Hades cabin. Hazel wouldn't come for a long time, unless the Romans came for a visit.

"I know what you're thinking," Will tells me with a twinkle in his eye. "You're feeling alone. But you're not alone, Nico. You have so many people that want to be your friend, like Cecil and Lou Ellen. I'm sure you know Annabeth, Jason, and Piper well enough to bond with them quickly."

I know I'll have trouble fitting in. "I'll try. For you."

"For yourself," he corrects. "Now I'm going to lug this stuff back to my cabin. Want to help?"

"Sure, why not?"

. . .

"Are you staying for good, Will?"

The comments from all the Apollo kids fly around me. They're all so excited to get Will back. They don't ignore me either, surprisingly.

"How have you been Nico?"

"Are you healing alright? Will's been totally concerned about you!"

I give them all muttered answers, not used to the attention. Some of the kids whisper to each other and giggle. My cheeks burn, guessing the topic of their conversations. This causes them to giggle and whisper more until one of the girls asks loudly, "So are you two dating?"

Will's eyes give an icy grin that could've stopped a wildfire in its tracks. The cabin silences and looks at us expectantly. Will exchanges a glance with me as I try to suppress a grin.

"Yes, we are," Will says, sighing, as the cabin cheers all around us. I manage a half smile as half the cabin goes to lift up Will in a celebratory crowd surf. "It's not that big of a deal!" He protests to no avail.

I just watch him, laughing internally, then smirk. I punch him on the arm as they carry him past me. "What do you mean it's not a big deal, Solace?"

"Oh, shut up, Nico!" The cabin roars ever so louder in laughter and applause. They approve.

I feel approved. I feel accepted. They begin to raise me up, too, laughing and cheering.

. . .

"You'll be fine tonight. No nightmares, I promise," Will assures me. Outside the Hades Cabin, he came to see me before I go to sleep.

I feel like a scared ten year old facing a manticore again. I want to run. I want to stay with Will, the only person that will truly understand my nightmares because I've opened up to him about it. "How do you know for sure?" I ask, anxiously rubbing my arms in the cooling wind.

"I prayed to the gods. I know they'll help you." He pauses for a second, long enough for me to look up at his face and wonder what's wrong. He proceeds to putting his arms around me, resting his chin on my neck. The warmth of our bodies together is calming.

"And if they don't? They're always ignoring us," I answer.

"Then you can shadow travel into my cabin and talk to me." I nod, wanting to stay in his arms because it feels so safe, so right. He whispers close to me, "The shadows aren't your only solace, anymore, Nico. I'm here for you and you'll never be alone."

I breathe deeply and slowly nod. I'm ready to face the nightmares if they come and embrace any good dreams that might come my way.

None of them occur- neither a bad dream nor a good dream. Instead, a goddess talks to me.

I blink in surprise in the dream. I can tell from the sounds, the smells, the sights... I'm in the Lotus Casino. That itself could have been a nightmare, but at least I wasn't stuck there. What I don't remember in the Lotus Casino is a shop with racks and racks of clothing. A woman browsing through them looks familiar as she studies me across the shop. I walk over to her, bowing relatively low.

"Rise, hero! No need to bow. This is an informal meeting!" She tells me cheerfully. Her voice is interesting, a symphony of different sounds. I stand up to full height and look at her.

Her eyes keep changing. Blue. Green. Blue-green, gray. It was like they couldn't decide. Her hair changed even more rapidly. Dark brown, light brown, blond, brown.

"Hmmm... why can't I get you right, Nico di Angelo?" She muses. Then she gives a giggle in realization. "Oh, I see."

I practically wilt into a pool of blush. "Yeah, I don't like... girls."

Immediately, as if sensing my words, everything stops changing about her appearance, settling with elaborate wavy hair and warm brown eyes. This must be how Aphrodite normally looks. She flips through a rack of clothes. I really don't recall the casino ever having such a large selection of clothing styles, but I don't mention it again. She's a goddess. She can do whatever the Hades she wants.

"You've had such an emotional encounter with Cupid!" She shouts spontaneously, looking at me with glee.

I feel myself blushing even more impossibly red. I still look defiantly in her eyes when she stares at me, though.

Aphrodite holds up a black sweatshirt with a bloodstain in the middle in my direction. All of a sudden, my clothes flash and I'm wearing the sweatshirt instead.

I cry out quickly as the blood seems to spread, looking at her incredulously. She frowns. "No, that doesn't look good on you, does it?"

She snaps and my old black t-shirt reappears. "So, Cupid," she starts. "At that time, you liked Percy. Is that about right?"

"Yeah," I grumble. There is no reason to lie to the goddess- I'm sure she knows all about my love life.

She nods. "That wasn't working out, dear. It wouldn't have worked in any of the Fates' designs. It simply was not possible." I'm not entirely sure if she's trying to be genuinely honest and sympathetic or just stating the fact. She flips through the racks again, inspecting both Roman and Greek camp clothes.

"Gee, I needed that vote of confidence," I tell her sarcastically, rolling my eyes at her. "Well, you know I don't like Percy anymore, anyway."

"Yes, of course. He... will have a tough life ahead, as all demigods do, but I think his relationship with Annabeth could do with a lucky streak for a while. They're Olympus' favorite couple right now." She holds up a black leather and dark mineral infused breastplate, zapping it onto me. Surprisingly, it fit very well.

"Time to add that to the shopping basket!" A shopping cart appears out of nowhere and the breastplate flies in. Yep, definitely not in the Lotus Casino when I was there.

"It's okay. With Percy, I mean. Now I have Will," I say. Warmly, I picture his smiling face and blond hair.

"Yes! I am rooting on you too, don't worry!" She gives a laugh, full of wonder and humor. "That boy sure is something. Compliments to Apollo, I suppose, although he'd do better with more archery skills. Perhaps Apollo can help him with that." She's flipping through the racks again. "It's interesting to think that you finally noticed him."

"What do you mean? I've only gotten close to him recently."

"That may be true, but he's been trying to get your attention for years. Poor boy. You were always so infatuated with Percy that he had no place in your life. But that's a story for him to tell."

Reluctantly, I nod. The story isn't for Aphrodite to explain. I trust that Will eventually will tell me.

Aphrodite holds up a sparkling gold gown, she turns to me and asks me. "How would this look on Piper?"

"Um..." I'm not one to really give fashion advice, of course. "I think it'll really bring out her brown eyes."

"It would, wouldn't it? And, ah, this dress for my dear Lacy." A peach colored dress zooms into the shopping cart. "And this, and this..." She trails off, but clothes continue to fly into the cart. "A new wardrobe for everyone! What a magical day tomorrow will be when everyone wakes up with new clothes! They'll think they've hit the jackpot on pleasing me. But no one's given such nice recognition to the demigods for fighting the giants and Gaea."

"I could do with some magical good luck," I suggest.

"No, no, that wouldn't be interesting!" Aphrodite protests.

"It's interesting enough for me!" I defend.

"Well, you could do without jealousy for Lou Ellen. She is only a crutch for Will, anyway. No romantic interest at all."

I can't help myself. "Really? I thought..."

"Nico di Angelo," she scolds, wagging a finger at me. "You misunderstand affection. You misinterpret! Shame!"

"It's not like I've had anyone to love me in my life. Except Bianca... and she's gone." It still hurt to think about her.

Aphrodite looks at me fondly, but sadly. "Well, lucky for you, no one will love you like Will. You have been rather... lonely. But you need to reach out a little more."

"I am," I promise. I will.

AN: almost 4k views in a week. WOW. You blow me away. PLEASE REVIEW/FAV/FOLLOW FOR MORE FUN! IF YOU DON'T, MAYBE APHRODITE WILL RUIN YOUR LOVE LIFE! Check out my other fanfictions, especially Post War,my collection of one shots taking place after Blood of Olympus. THANKS xx