We were walking around the woods in the morning. After Will told Hazel that I was talking again she wasted no time and came to see me. We've been talking about everything and nothing. How Frank was actually quite a good praetor. How Reyna made reconstruction projects... Nothing really important, at least not for us. We were just enjoying each other's company. I know she is dying to know what happened to me but, I don't feel brave enough to tell her, at least not yet. I want to tell her my little dirty secret but, I want to savor this day... just before she hates me.

-You know... I've just remembered something.- Hazel interrupted my thoughts with a devilish smile.

-W—what did you remember?-

-Well, — she giggled— You told me you knew how to dance remember? You said you could teach me since... you know... I didn't had someone to teach me.-

I blushed — Well, umm, yeah.—why did I had to tell her about my childhood? Why? Oh, well then.— But we need music, though. Let's return to the Cabin.-

-Will! This is like literally the first day you spend without Nico and you are still worried about him? What can go wrong? He is with Hazel!-

Will frowned, looking up at his friend— I know Lou but, I'm not comfortable not knowing how is he doing, I mean, he was acting strange, muttering something about being brave, to man-up. I need to know what that means!-

-Well, we can always spy on him.- the girl responded with a smirk.

-NO! He will tell me... when he opens up but, he will!-

-Oh please! How long will that take? A year? At least let me show you him so you can stop worrying about it, okay?-

-But... but...-

Hecate's daughter groaned in frustration. -Cecil? A little back-up, please?-

-Will, please listen,— the son of Hermes sat up on Big House's couch— you don'y even enjoy your evenings with us anymore. I know you have this massive crush on him since for ever... but, man! If you really want to help him you need to relax too, got it?-

After a long time of hesitation, the healer finally said -Okay but, just for a few minutes, I don't want to know anything he won't tell me about.-

-And that was American Waltz. Not so difficult, right?-

-You're right. —she gave him a blinding smile— What do you mean by American Waltz? Is this like a style or something?-

Nico sat down on his bed -Yes, is a variation of the original Waltz from Vienna. Actually there's also Mexican Waltz, Musette Waltz... There are some variations on the rhythm and some movements... nothing to worry about, this is the one everyone knows.-

-Oh, I see. Which other popular dances from our time do you know?-

-I was thinking about this one you might have heard about. —Nico gave her a small smile— This one actually, was quite popular, specially in Southern USA.-

-Really?- the daughter of Pluto was jumping in excitement, she always dreamed on learning how to dance, and that her big brother was teaching her, made things better

Nico looked up to her, holding his answer just to see her emotion building up. After waiting a bit with a knowing smile he said -Ever heard of Swing?-

-Damn! di Angelo knows how to move! I can even hear the bells at your wedding, Will!-

The son of Apollo groaned —S-shut up Cecil!— he exclaimed as he blushed furiously.

-There's something I don't understand. You said Nico was really depressed, right? —Will nodded in confirmation— Then why is he so happy right now? Even smiling? Is not a bad thing but, it's not normal.-

-Well, first of all Lou, it is Hazel who he is with, he always gets happy about being with her and I believe that he would never show any weakness with her as long as he can't hide it, he's the big brother, the one that has to be strong. I think that he is hiding everything so she doesn't have to worry. He wouldn't be the first demigod I know to do that.-

-It's 6pm.-

-I know.-

-I'll have to leave soon.-

The sibling were sitting down next to Peleus. Enjoying the sunset, not ready to say goodbye.

-Haze?- the unsure Ghost King asked.

-Is something the matter?- the roman asked in worry.

-I...—Nico gulped— You need to know something... I need to tell you, to accept who I am even though I don't like it.— the son of Hades looked down and sighed— Even if you hate me for it.-

-You're talking nonsense, why would I hate you?-

-Because who I am... I'm wrong... so, so wrong and... and I... I'm a mistake... I need to tell you, even if you don't talk to me again... I'm disgusting!- he hyperventilated

-Hey! C'mon Nico, slow your breathing. You're not disgusting, what can be possibly so wrong with you?-

-Hazel, please, just listen to me.— Nico was looking at anywhere but his sister, roaming his hands through his hair— People like me, they were shamed because of their condition, even in the 'good' countries like England, they were killed, tortured inside and outside Concentration Camps.— he made a pause, trying to regulate his breathing and failing miserably— I won't hold it against you if you hate me, that's what I expect.— a great silence fell between the Underworld children, the air wasn't moving anymore, feeling suffocating. The grass underneath Nico was dying, leaving brownish spots around. The time even seamed froze up.-

-Nico?-

-I'm gay.- he finally intoned.

Hazel opened her eyes like plates, covering her gaping mouth with her little hand. Slow and silent tears were falling of Nico's big dark-brown eyes. No one said a word. The Ambassador of Pluto took hesitant steps as he was walking down the hill, slowly returning defeated to Camp. He avoided people, blending with the shadows, reaching out for his Cabin.

Walking like dead, he let himself fall to his bed, curling up like he had this last week, crying and staring at the void that the darkness was.

This is how Will found his an hour later.

-Hey, Death Boy! I heard Hazel already left— the blonde glazed at Nico— What's wrong?— he sat next to Nico, knowing well not to touch the boy.-

-I told her Will... I knew she was going to hate me. That doesn't mean it hurts any less.- he said with a shattered, hoarse voice.-

-What did you tell her? You know you can always tell me if you want to. I won't push you away.-

-That's what she said too.— the dark-haired boy sniffed— I told her my secret, something that in our time was wrong, gross, a sin.— Will didn't interrupted him, letting Nico continue at his own rate.— I'm gay, Will. I could have been killed back then, you know?-

-And you still think that you're a mistake, broken and not-supposed-to-be?-

With hesitation, the old-fashioned boy said -It's what I am, right?-

-Would you think that I'm disgusting, a mistake?— Nico shook his head — Then, guess what? I'm gay too! There's nothing wrong with me, and there's nothing wrong with you either. Now stand up, or you are going to miss dinner, or do you wish me to bring it here?-

-I'll go with you.-

-So that's what you meant when you said you needed to be brave today?-

Both boys were already tucked in bed, neither of them sleeping.

-Yes.-

-Does anyone know about this?-

-Jason, Coach Hedge, Reyna, Percy, Annabeth and Drew.-

-Okay, goodnight Death Boy— Will yawned— Just for the record, you are always brave Nico, don't think of yourself as a mistake.-

There was a desperate banging at Cabin 13's door the next morning. Will wasn't there anymore, as always he woke up really early to go to the Infirmary so it was up to Nico to open the door. He had crusting in his eyes. The nightmares of his family turning their back at him wouldn't leave him alone last night.

As he opened the door a small girl jumped to his arms.

-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!— the girl sobbed agains his chest.— I love you! You're my family, who you like doesn't change anything! Please forgive me!-

Nico was shocked but, happy. -It's okay, Hazel, it's okay.-

Later that day, when Nico happily told Will what happened that morning, the healer couldn't help but smile Nico can finally move on, slowly, at his own pace, accept that part of him but sadly he also knew that this was just a small fraction of his problems and that there was a long way to go still.