Knock, knock

Ughhh she rubbed her eyes Who is that freaking asshole knocking at my door so early?!

Grumpily she went to beat up that fucking camper who dared to pester her at this time in the morning, like, seriously who was awake at 6:00 am? She opened the door with her fist ready only to find a mop of blond hair hiding behind a shield I see the bastard came prepared.

-What do you freaking want this early, Solace?!-

-It's important, I need your help.-

-So, let me get this straight, you want me to do you that favor, without even knowing why?- Clarisse remarked as calmly as possible (which wasn't much by the way)

-Please, I know it sounds weird but, I can't tell you why, not yet, I swore it under the Styx, so please?-

-You know that your plan is mad right? Nobody is crazy enough to challenge him to sparring... Hell! He is even better than Jackson!-

Will placed his hand on the Ares' kid -You don't need to beat him, just make him tired.-

The girl turned around, ready to return to her Cabin -You better have a good explanation for this Apollo's spawn.- she shot a deadly glare to him.

-I promise I will, by tomorrow at least.-

This is insane she thought while walking to the Amphitheater.

-Hey, di Angelo!-

His head turned around and she saw a pair of dark eyes staring at her, she took this as a opportunity so she lifted her spear already launching at him. His eternal black-pitch sword met her midair -Care to spar, hobbit?- Nico's only answer being a creepy smirk and a wrist movement that sent her tumbling down -Let's see if you're as good as everyone says!-

During the fight, she noticed how the son of Hades relaxed, completely submerged in his element, he never reached out for his beloved shadows or anything. He even smiled and laughed with ease, blocking her movements and playing most of the time at the offensive. The Ares' veteran also noted that his style wasn't exactly Greek, he combined a lot of elements from other cultures, even dead ones who nobody, not even Athena campers knew much about.

She rolled away from him, she needed a little break, He doesn't even look tired! Damn it!, Clarisse looked up to the sun, she realized that the sun was already going down, we just spend all afternoon sword-fighting, how's that?, then la Rue turned to around, they had public since who knows when! Finally her gaze turned back to him, who was waiting for her, without pushing, he looks so different, relaxed, without frowning, this is certainly a surprise. And she went back to her fight.

She lost in the end, of course.

-I have to admit, di Angelo, for someone so scrawny you surely hold your ground. Where did you learn to fight like that?-

After being released from the cheering crowd they fell into a light conversation making path towards the Dining Pavilion.

-Well, you know, lost of skillful people roaming the Underworld with nothing better to do than teach me their talents.- he shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

-You're such a lucky little shit, you already passed Jackson by far! The best swordsman of this generation! I'm jealous!-

-You can train with me if you want— he mentioned in a low voice, almost unheard by Clarisse— I can teach you some not-greek techniques, if you wish.-

She noticed how he fidgeted with his skull ring. Naturally, she understood, she was awkward with people too, and secretly not sos sure of herself, not that she would say that out loud, so she decided to show him a bit of kindness.

-I'd love to.-

Nico kept yawning after dinner, he went back to his cabin at the same time everybody was going to the Campfire.

-N-nico?-

He had already opened the door when he heard the recognizable but strangely unsure voice. He turned around and Will had already fixed his composure going back to his stubborn attitude.

-We need to talk.-

-I'm listening, Solace.-

-You need help, right now.—the son of Apollo made a pause— you're still sick, don't think I haven't noticed.-

Nico looked at him with a indecipherable expression, he knew that if he didn't tell him right now, he would back down later.

-Your mind is not okay and that's affecting you physically. You see to be healthy not only your body should be okay but also your social relationships and your mind should too. There's this thing called PTSD, who usually happens to people who suffered traumatic experiences. You of course try to hide your nervousness and stress but, I noticed and I kinda spied on you, even before arriving to this conclusion I noticed you were uneasy and indifferent. And I'm sorry for what I told you during the war, when I told you that you were the one pushing yourself away and that your head was only a brooding cloud, I mean, I still believe that a bit but it wasn't all your fault, you had your reasons.-

Will Solace went silent after that, clearly out of breath. Nico didn't know if to kill him or not.

-How dare you Solace?! Ill? You think I'm sick?! I'm not crazy, you know?—

-Hey! Wait! Silence! I didn't meant it by that, I don't know what you understood by that, but sick doesn't mean crazy, it means that you are in trouble and need help. Listen, please. —Will grabbed Nico's wrist as he prepared to leave— I want to help you, really. I swear under the Styx that I'm not lying, let me help you, I want you to be happy again, to be at ease.-

-Oh yeah, sure! Helping me? How? Electrocuting me?!-

-Electro... Nico, you're talking nonsense! Mental problems don't solve themselves by electricity or something! What are you talking about? This isn't the 20th century, you know?-

Will gaped at Nico with a pleading look, but the Italian was staring down at the ground with a murderous glared. He pulled back his wrist.

-I don't know, Solace. I need to think about it.-