Chapter Text
He took in a deep breath even though the air was crisp and sharp in his nose and served to make his lungs colder.
The sun was starting to peek over the hills and Camp Half-Blood was starting to wake up. Some brave Romans left their cabins early to do morning exercises or to get a head start to the food pavilion.
It had been a full two years since the Giant war ended. Last year Camp Jupiter had hosted the Greeks for the celebration, so this year it was Camp Half-Blood’s turn.
These past few days of watching the Athena cabin desperately try to maintain order and keep to the plan for decorations and preparations while the Hermes cabin tricked the Ares and Apollo cabins into an almost war that roped in the Demeter and Hecate cabins over something to do with battle music, had been wildly entertaining and draining.
Though, watching the dew glimmer on the grass and trees of the Camp as well as the calm and quiet murmuring of the dryads in the trees stopped him from leaving. As did the not so subtle idea of seeing the Seven, Reyna, as well as the few others he’s tentatively made friends with over the past few years.
(it would certainly be nice to see everyone together again)
The aftermath had been rough on everyone. The dead had to be identified and readied for funerals. Celebrations, as well as mourning had to take place. Hatchets had to be buried and partnerships needed to replace them.
Not to mention healing for the survivors. Now that was difficult.
He took another deep breath and looked up at the sky and the array of colours the sun was sharing.
It had been two years and in alot of ways some demigods have no hope of recovery, or, for some, it was a far-off reward in the distance only obtainable through more pain and trauma.
He still didn’t know exactly which category he fell into. But he knew he wouldn’t give up either way because this past year it felt like he had finally started living.
Nico smiled at that. He really liked that thought these days. The idea that he was alive.
“Hey!”
Nico turned, only managing to not startle through pure force of will and a fuckton of practice.
Leo was stepping up the hill Nico was standing on with a smile and a hand raised in what could have been a placating gesture or a wave of greeting.
Nico gave a small smile in return and nodded at him before turning back to watch the camp fill with waking life.
“Taking in the view? Gotta say if you keep acting like this your body might catch up to your years.” Leo joked as he came to stand beside the younger boy to look out at the camp.
Nico only let out a huff of a laugh before turning to look at Leo. After a moment of staring, he turned to meet the Italian's gaze. He raised his eyebrows and his smile slipped into something more subtle.
“What’s up? You good?”
Nico took a moment to think about how he should reply and what he should say.
They haven't really spoken about what happened that night in the Hades’ cabin, sure there had been awkward attempts of half-stuttered words and a weird eye contact with the ground. But never a real attempt at an update.
The closest they had come was seeking each other out in moments of high stress or when the nightmares and loneliness added up too much.
Nico though, was never the best at social situations and sharing how he felt. Even with around two years of practice under his belt, the action of talking on such topics was still anxiety inducing as well as uncoordinated and awkward. But he needed to do this.
The morning was sweet when Nico opened his mouth and replied,
“Yeah. I think I’m good. What about you?”
-like an idiot.
It was almost in slow-motion that he got to watch Leo’s eyes widen and his mouth open to suck in a quick startled breath.
Time seemed to freeze as Leo’s brain restarted and gathered enough thought to reply.
“Uh yeah, y-yeah. Yes. I’m good. Good.” He managed to babble out before his eyebrows furrowed and he closed his mouth and resorted the English alphabet once more.
Nico, during all this, purposefully kept his face blank and his body language in between tense and relaxed, ready to dive to either end depending on Leo’s reaction. Though watching Leo fumble made him have to carefully keep his amusement hidden in his eyes.
After a silent moment Leo once again met Nico’s eyes and responded. This time with feeling.
“Yeah. I’m good. And...I’m glad you are too. And if you aren’t...I’m here for you. Either way.” He didn’t smile, but his eyes said he wanted to. He knew exactly what this conversation was about and he still wanted to.
Nico’s body relaxes. And when he smiles, Leo does too.
“Hey! What’re you guys doing over there?” Jason calls over at the bottom of the hill, on his way to the pavilion.
Without missing a beat Leo whips around to reply.
“Talking about how Blackjack would totally win in a fight against Tempest!”
Nico let out a chuckle without turning around as he pictures Jason’s face twisting in indignation.
Leo barks out a laugh before racing down the hill, letting out a whoop along the way, to his blond friend and Reyna just as she joins the former praetor.
The sun was fully risen over the camp as conversation and laughter filled it with life.
And in this moment, with the happy sound of his fellow demigods, the wind through the trees and the calming waves of the ocean Nico felt at peace.
He felt good.
fin. :)