Chapter Text
One month later…
Nico was instructing in the combat arena when Hazel tackled him from behind. Nico nearly fell, barely catching himself. With a put-upon sigh, he turned to face her.
“You’re early.” He glanced above her head to see Reyna standing at the edge of the clearing, with her arms crossed and a barely-there smile on her lips. “You’re getting better at shadow-traveling.” Hazel was practicing for the past couple months, always coming by shadow-travel instead of riding Arion.
“We only made two unexpected stops this time. But at least one was in New York, so we were able to get some pizza for lunch.” Hazel kissed his cheek.
Nico returned the gesture. “You didn’t bring me any?”
Hazel rolled her eyes. “I stuffed the rest in your mini-fridge in the cabin. You did some remodeling? It looks good.”
“I could have done anything and it would have looked better.” Nico rolled his eyes back at her. “You look well. It’s nice to see you. How long are you staying?”
“Eager to get rid of me already?”
Nico scoffed and dismissed his class. Most of them were no longer training anyway, opting to listen to their conversation. Nico would never get used to how nosy his students were. He linked arms with Hazel. They headed over to where Reyna was waiting.
Nico greeted her with a hug, which she accepted with a grin. She held Nico tightly for a few moments, then pulled back with her hands still on his shoulders. She examined him closely, making him glance away in embarrassment.
“You’ve grown,” she said fondly.
Nico frowned. “Half an inch can hardly be considered growing.”
Reyna laughed. “That’s not what I meant.” She hugged him again.
Reyna was visiting to discuss an exchange program between the two camps with Chiron. As ambassadors, Nico and Hazel were also involved in the discussions, since they would likely be the ones transporting demigods back and forth. Nico thought it was a good idea, although problems could always arise, especially with the more aggressive demigods.
However, Reyna and Chiron’s meeting wasn’t until later that afternoon, while everyone else was at the bonfire. She would likely take the time to observe camp and see what it had to offer to the Roman demigods.
“Those kids hang on your every word, don’t they?” Reyna watched them pack up. “Teaching suits you.”
“So everyone has been telling me.” Nico shook his head. Teaching by himself was a little awkward at first. Half the kids were scared of him. Some were awed by him. The rest were disrespectful. He made sure to talk carefully to the scared ones, and made sure to be firm, but polite with the disrespectful ones.
Nico had two instances of utter stupidity from him students. One which sent multiple kids to the infirmary. Once everything was taken care of and the kids were under Will’s care, Nico wanted to rip into the ones responsible. Instead, he surprised even himself when he sat down and had a calm conversation with them. After that, most of the kids gained respect for him – if they hadn’t already.
But it also left Nico knowing that he had to do better. He almost panicked when he saw all the blood, and felt the aura of death heavy in the air. He had lives he was responsible for, and he didn’t want to be sending any of them to meet his father. So he took every first-aid class Will offered, and bothered him to train him.
“I’m doing my best,” Nico said softly. He hoped it was enough.
Reyna squeezed his shoulders, then let her arms drop. “Even Chiron speaks highly of your teaching. I’ll have to steal you away to teach the cohorts some new talents.”
Hazel sighed. “The new recruits – they need some work.”
Reyna snorted. “They think they’re great. They wave their swords around after two days of training, thinking they’re as talented as those who’ve training for two years. They need some sense knocked into them. Usually I would get Jason to do it, but he’s too busy between the two camps now.”
“I guess I could make the time.” Nico was fully recovered after the war, and his subsequent near-death. Will still hovered over him sometimes with worry, though he trusted Nico to know his limits.
Reyna nodded. “And when you come, bring Will. My medics could learn a few new tricks as well.”
“He might be too busy to come.” Nico wasn’t saying that because he wanted to keep Will from them. Actually, he wanted Hazel and Reyna to get to know Will better. But it was Will’s decision if he wanted to travel to Camp Jupiter. “There’s always injured people here, and Will has classes he teaches as well.”
Hazel perked up. “When does he teach them?”
“There’s one in about half-an-hour at the Big House. I was going, if you wanted to join me?” It would mostly be review material for Nico, but he still enjoyed going.
Hazel enthusiastically agreed, then hurried off when she spotted Piper. She promised to meet them there. Nico offered them a small wave before turning to Reyna.
“There was something I wanted to ask you.” Nico had yet to talk to Will about the University in New Rome. He wanted to be sure it was possible before he got Will’s hopes up.
Reyna cocked a brow and gestured for him to continue.
“Percy and Annabeth were able to attend New Rome’s University before their ten years of service because of their efforts in the war.”
Reyna’s eyes widened in surprise, then softened. “Have you chosen a major?”
“Not yet, but…” Nico frowned. “I would like to do something.”
Reyna nodded. “Well, after a few more years maybe you’ll know. You’ll have to get all your high school credits and pass a few exams though.”
“I know.” Nico never really went to school. That in itself would be a whole other challenge. “But also, it’s not just me I’m asking about.”
“Will?”
“Yeah.” Nico fidgeted nervously. “We talked a while ago. I know he’s interested in studying medicine. I think he’d want to attend as well.”
Reyna tapped her chin. “Will is a bit of a different case than you, but I think I can make it work. If he logs some hours in the infirmary at Camp Jupiter while he’s studying at the University, it can count towards his years of service. I don’t think anyone would argue against furthering the education of one of the camp’s medics.”
Nico breathed a relieved sigh. “I – thank you. I’m going to talk to him about it. I think… he’d really like it.”
Reyna curled an arm around him again. He leaned against her with a soft smile.
“Now, take me to meet your boyfriend.”
“You already met him.”
“As the camp’s head medic. Not as your boyfriend.” Reyna patted his shoulder when he sent her a confused look.
They walked around camp together, Reyna asking more about the camp, and what Nico was doing there. Nico told her about some of his students. He also told her about his studies at the infirmary. Nico would never be as talented as Will was – even if he didn’t have powers from Apollo. But the information was interesting enough, and Nico liked being able to help out. Reyna asked him more about Will. Nico told her a little about their first date, and also the date Nico was hoping to take him on now that he was healed.
They ended up at the infirmary fifteen minutes early, where Will was just finishing setting up for his class. He perked up when he saw Nico, then smiled at Reyna.
Reyna greeted him with a handshake. “I hope you don’t mind me sitting in on your class today.”
Will grinned. “Not at all. We always welcome more people to join. Did Nico recruit you? He’s been bringing half of my students to me from the training grounds.”
Reyna shook her head. “I’ve already heard of your talents from the war. I wanted to come and see your talents for myself. And meet you properly, of course, since you’re important to Nico. He’s told me a lot about you.”
Will’s eyes softened. “Did he?” He sounded a little dreamy.
While recovering from overexerting himself while using his powers again, in addition to the neck injury, Nico would sometime Iris Message Reyna or Hazel at Camp Jupiter. While Percy wasn’t at camp anymore, he still let Nico borrow his cabin to do it, so long as Nico IM’d him too and occasionally left an offering for Poseidon. Reyna got him talking one night and he spent an embarrassingly long time talking about Will. He refused to use the term: gushing.
Nico flushed and scowled. Will wrapped an arm around him and pressed a kiss to his temple. Nico relaxed against him. He cast a glance towards Reyna, who sent him an encouraging smile.
Other campers were starting to come in for class, so Nico stepped away from Will to snag a good seat. Reyna sat to Nico’s right, while he reserved the other seat beside him for Hazel. She hurried in just before class was starting, whispering some apologies as she settled.
“He’s even cuter than I remember,” she said.
Nico kicked her foot under the table.
~ ~ ~
After class, Hazel went to meet with Piper again, and Reyna left to speak with Chiron. Usually Nico helped Will clean up, but instead he snuck out for a couple minutes to speak with Kayla. By the time Nico got back, Will was almost done. Nico helped him for the last bit, ignoring the way Will’s smile still made his stomach flood with skeletal butterflies.
Will caught him around the waist once they were done, tilting his head down to kiss Nico. “I have to go to my shift. But I’ll see you at the campfire?”
“Actually.” Nico took Will’s hand. “You have the afternoon free now.”
Will tilted his head in confusion. “You –“
“Do you want to go on a date with me?” Nico asked. “To the city?”
Will’s eyes widened. “I – yeah. Of course.” He started to grin. “The city? I haven’t – what should I? Um?” He picked at his clothes with a slightly panicked look.
Nico smiled. “Just grab a sweater. And some good walking shoes. I’m not carrying you when your flip-flops break.”
“Okay.” Will kissed him again, his eyes bright. “I’ll have to run to my cabin. Where should we..?”
“Meet me at my cabin.” Nico had a few things to pack up as well. “We’ll travel from there.”
Will kissed him on the cheek and hurried away. The thought that he was that excited to just go on a date with Nico did funny things to his stomach. He stepped into a supply closet and shadow traveled to his cabin to avoid running into anyone while his face was so red. But to his horror, Hazel and Piper were sitting on her bed when he arrived. They were sharing the rest of the pizza. And drinking some of Nico’s coffee.
“Pizza?” She held out the box to him, which contained one lonely, leftover slice. But at least they thought to save something for him.
“Thanks, but…” Nico grabbed his bag. It was all already packed with ambrosia, nectar, first aid supplies, money and snacks. He kept it in case his dad called him away, but it would also be helpful to take if they got attacked by monsters in the city. “I’m actually going out. To eat.”
Hazel raised an eyebrow.
“With Will,” Nico reluctantly added.
Hazel grinned. “I’ve got something for you.”
Nico wasn’t sure if he liked the glint in her eyes. She knelt by her bed and pulled something out of a bag. Nico’s eyes widened when she handed it to him. It was a dark brown leather jacket with plenty of pockets and a warm, woolen lining. Nico slid it on over his plain black t-shit. It was comfortable, and a little big. He was sure he would grow into it.
“Hazel…”
She busied herself with fixing his unruly hair. “It looks good on you.” She kissed his cheek. “Have fun on your date.”
Nico flushed.
There was a knock on the door. Nico kissed Hazel’s cheek and hurried away, returning Piper’s wave and smile. He had no doubt she would be filling in Jason when he returned to camp next.
Will was waiting for him outside, in entirely different clothing that he was desperately trying to smooth the wrinkles out of. Nico reached for his hand, squeezing it. Nico was nervous, but he was also excited. He imagined how worried Will was when he was planning their first date. Now Nico was doing their second, and he couldn’t help but feel like it paled in comparison.
But still, he hoped Will would like it.
“The shadow travel is going to be disorienting – especially since it’s your first time.” Nico took a step into the shadows, feeling them swallow him. He pulled Will in after him. The next thing Nico knew, he was on a sidewalk in Manhattan. People hardly paid attention as they walked around them. Nico pulled Will to the side. There was an alley that was empty, although dirty.
“Ugh,” Will groaned. “Dizzy.”
Nico grabbed a juice box from his bag and handed it to him. Will leaned against the brick wall with his eyes closed as he drank. “Was it like that for you your first time?”
“Yeah,” Nico snorted. “Except I ran into a wall too. Almost broke my nose.”
Will huffed a laugh. He finished his juice box and tossed it into the nearby dumpster. He glanced around curiously. “It’s been so long since I’ve been outside of camp,” he murmured. He was looking around greedily, like he couldn’t take in or see enough.
Nico took his hand again. “Try not to get lost.” Nico pulled him down the street. He was heading to a restaurant Percy recommended. It was a hole-in-the-wall in a little bit of a shadier neighborhood, but he said they had some of the best milkshakes in New York. Some damn good burgers too.
They stopped occasionally when something caught Will’s eye, but they eventually made it to the restaurant. It looked a little grimy on the outside, but the scents wafting from within smelled heavenly. Beside him, Nico heard Will’s stomach growl.
Feeling a little more confident, Nico led them inside. It was much nicer on the inside, though a little tacky. All the seats were made of red pleather, and the wallpaper was bright, but worn. They were sat at an old, but clean table. The menus looked to be a few years old, but everything on them sounded good.
They ordered a couple cheeseburgers. Nico got a chocolate shake, and Will got a cherry one. Will was glancing around the restaurant eagerly. Nico wondered when he last had a meal outside of camp.
Their milkshakes arrived first. They were thick and creamy and oh-so-very-good. Nico had to thank Percy for the recommendation later. He would pass on McDonalds to get this.
“Oh my gods. I think this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” Will sighed.
Nico hummed. “Want to try mine?”
Will’s eyes lit up. He tried Nico’s chocolate shake, and slid his own cherry one over to Nico. It was good, but Nico still thought chocolate was better. As they passed their shakes back, Will’s foot hooked around Nico’s under the table, making him jump.
Nico glared as he wiped some chocolate shake off his cheek. He extended his leg, their shins touching firmly under the table. Nico reached for Will’s hand too, threading their finger together.
They were half-finished their shakes when the burgers arrived. They were good, but nothing amazing. Will seemed to enjoy his more though, so that was what mattered the most. Nico was just sour he had to let go of Will’s hand to eat.
Nico wasn’t able to finish all his burger, but Will happily did for him. With their meal finished, Will leaned back in his seat and smiled. For most of the date, Will was glancing around at anything and everything, but now he was solely focused on Nico.
“Thank you – for taking me out.” His eyes were starting to water. “I – really needed this – to just feel normal for a day. I wish we could maybe – do this more often?”
Nico reached across the table to take his hand. “Where do you want to go next time?”
Will blinked and wiped at his eyes, then laughed. “I – uhm – I hadn’t thought that far.”
“We’ll figure it out.” Nico squeezed his hand.
The waitress came to deliver their bill. Nico paid quickly.
“Come one, there’s one more place we have to go.” He led Will out of the restaurant and down the street to a nearby park. There were a few other couples and families having picnics or hanging around. Nico chose an empty spot. Nico plopped down on the grass, waiting for Will to settle beside him. “I know its not time for the sunset, or night when we can watch the stars, but this is okay?” Chiron would definitely notice if they weren’t back for dinner. While Nico didn’t care if he got in trouble, he didn’t want Will to get in any.
Will always looked dazzling in the sun. It caught the highlights in his hair and brought out the tiny freckles all over his face. He smiled softly as he rolled towards Nico. He curled an arm around Nico’s waist. He entangled his other hand in Nico’s hair, tilting his head so they could kiss.
“It’s perfect,” he whispered.
Nico was content to stay curled around him for the rest of the day, but they still had something to discuss. Nico hoped Will would like the idea.
“I’ve been thinking – about what we were talking about on our first date. About New Rome’s University. I haven’t decided what I want to take yet, but I really want to go.” Nico saw a flash of worry in Will’s eyes.
“You’ll be going to high school then?”
Nico huffed. “Maybe in a year or so. I have a lot to catch up on.” He didn’t even really know what they taught in school nowadays. He shook his head. He didn’t want to get off track. This was just as much about Will as it was about him. “I talked to Reyna about it. She said I would be able to attend early, like Percy and Annabeth, because of my role during the war. And I hope you don’t mind – but I also asked about you.”
“About me?” Will looked confused. He sat up slowly, hands behind him.
Nico sat up too. “I know you want to attend as well. To study in the medical field?”
Will nodded slowly. “But I would have to put in ten years of service to the legion.”
“Not exactly.” Nico bit his lip as Will’s sharp gaze met his. “You’d be able to complete your years of service while you study, so long as you put time in at the Camp Jupiter Infirmary. If that was what you wanted, that is.”
Will took a deep breath. His eyes were wide as he rubbed at his jaw. “I – yeah. I want to attend. To learn how to better help people. I would –“ Will was shaking slightly. “I would really be able to?”
“So long as you pass the appropriate exams and everything.”
Will threw his arms around Nico, knocking them to the ground again. Nico grunted, but wrapped his arms around Will, who pressed his face against Nico’s chest.
“We can go – together?” Will’s voice was muffled.
“Yeah.” Nico wouldn’t want it any other way.