Sorry I haven't updated for so long - school, and exams, have been manic. Also sorry I haven't replied to reviews (can't figure out how - not good with technology). But I really appreciate any comments, good or bad. Thanks!

"Will?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Don't call me that."

"Sorry, darling. Never again, darling."

"Seriously, you're an idiot."

"That's offensive, darling."

"Will. Stop."

"Your wish is my command, darling."

"Will!"

"There's only one way to stop me, darling."

"Cut out your tongue?"

Slight hesitation. "Okay, darling, you've found a second way. But I'd prefer you not to use it."

"You'd better stop then."

"No way is that going to happen, my precious darling munchkin."

"You're so infuriating!"

"Oh, but you love it, dar-"

Nico's lips cut him off before he could finish the word. Will smirked at his victory, leaning back slightly onto the grassy floor so he could kiss back. Nico could feel the sunlight, dappled through the trees of the clearing where they sat, warming the side of his face.

It was several minutes before he gathered enough self control to pull away.

"Are you actually going to be sensible now?"

"I suppose so." Will sighed dramatically. "Gods, you are annoyingly reasonable sometimes, you know that?"

"You're just annoying."

"Cruel!"

A jokey fight commenced. As always, Will came out on top. Nico's fighting skills did not extend to hand flailing battles. Unfortunately.

A short while later, he tried to start again. "Will. It's nearly the summer holidays. It is already in some places."

"Brilliantly observed."

"Everyone is going to be arriving back at Camp within the next few weeks. It's going to be manic." Nico continued, undeterred.

"Flocking back to marvel at my brilliance, no doubt. I don't know how they coped without me."

"I'm just trying to say, we should take advantage of our last few days of peace."

Will leant back, staring through the canopy of branches above their heads. The sunlight flickered across his face, turning parts of his yellow hair to gold. Very distracting. "We should, actually. Any ideas?"

"I don't know. Just... Something we can't do when the others are back."

"We may need a more definite plan than that."

"That's why I'm talking to you. You're better at ideas. Can't you think of anything?"

Will grinned. "As a matter of fact, I already have."

That was how they ended up on top of the rock climbing wall. At night. With pizza.

"You know." Nico lay with his head in Will's lap, staring at the sky. "This wall is much nicer when it's switched off."

"I definitely prefer it when it isn't spewing lava."

"I wish I knew how to stop it. We could come up here over the summer too."

"I asked Harley from Hephaestus once. When I figured out it was a machine," he tapped a finger on the wall, making a satisfying clunk. "But he wouldn't tell me. Something about cabin secrets. Honestly, what's up with that?"

"Well, nobody from Apollo will say how you got those miniature sun lights to hang in midair." Nico pointed out.

"That's irrelevant. They wouldn't benefit other cabins. This wall would be so much better if they told us." Will argued.

And it was true - this was actually a great place to look down on Camp from. Not only was it the highest point in the area, but the burning lava that normally spilled from it had cleared the surrounding area of trees. Instead of having to compete with the trees for a view of the sky, they had the entire Milky Way to themselves. And it was beautiful.

"I love the stars." Nico couldn't stop himself murmuring as he stared upwards.

"So do I. They're beautiful."

"After so long... there. So long in the dark. I just..." Nico's voice caught in his throat. "I just love being reminded that I'm not there anymore."

"I know." Will reached out, taking his hand and twining their fingers together. They lapsed into comfortable silence.

And until morning came, Nico lay gazing at the things he loved most; the stars, and Will silhouetted against them.