Work Text:
1 - Yellow
The sun beat down strongly, the small clouds drifting along the sky too thin to block the heat assaulting the demigods below. The sand under Jason’s back was almost as hot as the air above him, and, if it wasn’t for the enchanted ice on his forehand, courtesy of Hecate’s kids, he might’ve been tempted to slink back off to his cabin and ditch his friends.
“What are you guys doing?” Came an appalled voice behind Jason. The blond turned his head to the side to see the newcomer, almost groaning at the effort it took to move.
In front of Jason, Piper and Leo, who were currently sunbathing on the beach, stood Nico di Angelo. In a black sweater, holding an umbrella over his head.
A black sweater .
Piper tipped her ridiculously large sunglasses down her nose to peer up at the younger boy, “Sweetie, what are you doing?”
“Being sensible and trying not to burn?” He blinked, like they were the crazy ones.
“Dude…” Leo shook his head lazily, “In a sweater? This is the middle of a heatwave…”
“You’ll get heat stroke at this rate,” Jason winced, wondering just how overheated Nico was at this point, “Keep the umbrella, but lose the hoodie.”
“I think I’m just going to go and pay the Underworld a visit,” Nico cringed, and turned to walk away.
“No, don’t go!” Piper called out, lethargically using one of her hands to try and beckon Nico back over, “Sunlight is so good for you!”
Nico muttered something like, “Don’t I know that… ”, but Jason couldn’t be sure.
Piper crossed her arms, “Please, dear gods, take that ridiculous cardigan off - use it as a mat or something! - and come sit with us!”
“Uh…” Nico looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up - reproachful expression on a pale but flushed face, dark hair frizzy from the humidity and hand clenched tightly around his skull-motif umbrella.
“Come on, Nico,” Jason gave him his most award winning smile, “What about…We won’t even try to force you to go to the campfire later!”
Leo beamed mischievously, “And you’ll be able to impress the girls with your tan!”
Nico grimaced, seemingly arguing with himself for a second, but soon hesitantly sat himself down next to them. With the air of someone committing blasphemy, he dropped the umbrella for a moment to pull the sweater over his head, carefully placing it down on the sand next to him. He was wearing a t-shirt underneath which was, you guessed it, black.
And Jason really, truly wished that Nico would invest in some colour. Black absorbed the most heat, didn’t it? So surely it was an awful choice for the middle of the summer… But Jason wasn’t quite sure how anyone would go about getting the younger boy to wear anything other than dark colours - he could picture Nico sending scores of skeletons after anyone who even dared to suggest it.
Then he noticed the bracelet tied around the boy’s wrist.
And it was yellow.
Yellow.
Jason’s eyes almost bugged out of his head. And, looking closer, the beads threaded on the sunny string were carved like… like flowers. And suns.
What sort of alternate dimension had they fallen into?
Jason took a deep breath to calm down, leaning back and covering his face with his arm when the sun got a bit too much - but that didn’t stop him from being insanely curious. Why was Nico - the Ghost King, lover of the emo aesthetic - wearing something so bright and shiny? Where did he get it? Did he buy it or did someone give it to him? Jason thought it looked homemade (it was cute, but not like anything you’d find in a shop), so did that mean someone actually convinced Nico to wear colour? And flowers? And miniature suns?
Jason felt like the missing piece that would solve the mystery was just at his fingertips- but, ugh, it was too hard to think in this heat.
2 - Black
Kayla liked to pride herself on always trying her best at everything . She put 100% into archery, singing, playing the lyre, sword training, healing, and, most importantly, being the best sibling ever .
She made it her goal to memorize everyone’s birthdays, what foods they liked, if they had allergies, where she was likely to find them during reactional time, and what sort of gifts they most liked to receive.
The secret notebook stashed under her pillow was full of hastily scribbled down information about each of her siblings, which she prayed to the gods wouldn’t ever be snatched by a monster and used for evil. Or be found by someone who actually valued privacy somewhat, and then thrown into Tartarus. But she tried not to think of that.
So, with all that in mind, Kayla liked to think she knew everything there was to know about her fellow Apollo campers. Which was why she was so perturbed when she woke up one Saturday morning, rising as the sun did, and saw Will - Will who liked flower crowns and the colours yellow and orange - stumble out of bed wearing a frayed black hoodie with a skull on the front.
There were many things wrong with the sight. Her half-brother in black . Her half-brother wearing a well-worn hoodie that he had never worn before . Her half-brother wearing clothing that was slightly too small for him when everyone at camp always bought things two sizes too big, so they’d fit for ages.
She gaped at him, her bed head flying all over the place, a pillow intent on her cheek and her eyes bleary and blinking rapidly, and he had the gall to ask, “You alright there?” In his usual upbeat, concerned tone. Like everything was normal.
“What are you wearing?” Kayla croaked out, aghast, wishing she could go back to sleep. Which was basically impossible now the sun was beginning to shine through the window and light their cabin up like a bloody golden glow-stick.
Will peered down at himself and shrugged, “Clothes? Pyjamas?”
“Dear gods ,” Kayla shook her head, and brought a hand out of the comfort of her bed sheets to point at his hoodie, “What in the Underworld possessed you to wear that?”
Will blinked, and muttered some bullshit excuse about people being allowed to try new things. Then, like he was wearing Hermes’ winged shoes, he had grabbed a change of clothes and had shot off to the bathroom, leaving Kayla burning with curiosity behind him.
Kayla groaned, and stuck her face back in her pillow. She’d ask him about it later.
3 - Flowers
Piper was a fan of long walks through the forest. She always took her dagger just in case, but she enjoyed the peace and quiet, and the absence of Drew’s whining and Leo’s inventions blowing up in all their faces.
Her feet took her down the usual route, jumping nimbly over fallen branches and sidestepping tree roots that reached out to trip her. The forest was quite beautiful, she thought, especially when the murderous shouting from Capture The Flag wasn’t present - idyllic meandering streams, swaying oak trees and leaves drifting in the breeze… Just calm, quiet and a lovely place to spend an afternoon.
Occasionally, Piper would come across another demigod or two, usually a couple sneaking away for alone time or someone who just got too fed up with camp. Today was one of those days, Piper noted when she rounded a bend, as she saw a hunched-over figure sitting in a flower patch. She couldn’t quite see who it was thanks to the tree trunks, but she might as well go and say hello, to make a new friend or greet an old one.
Piper stepped off the path and weaved through the trees, getting close enough to recognise the dark clothing, the messy hair and the bruises under their eyes.
“Nico, hey!” She waved as she approached, and he startled like a stray cat, whipping around in a panic as if he was doing something illegal. On that thought, what was he actually doing out here? Mrs O’Leary was nowhere to be found.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, frowning and echoing her earlier thought, pushing something behind him. But a corner was poking out from behind his sleeve - daisies, all bound together in a chain.
“Just taking a walk,” She grinned, rocking backwards on her heels, “How’s the daisy chain going?”
He blanched, “Don’t tell any-”
“Of course I won’t, silly!” She laughed, “I think it’s cute! Do you like wearing them, or…?”
“I’m just…trying to make a flower crown,” He said after a long pause where he sized Piper up, “I’m just trying to guess what size their head is…” Nico drew out the daisy chain flower crown and held it up to the light, as if Apollo would miraculously jump down and tell him the answer.
Now, Piper didn’t know who this mysterious they was, but she guessed either Hazel or Reyna, who Nico was arguably closest to. She didn’t want to pry, though - she and Nico were friends, just about, and she didn’t want to ruin that.
“Always make it longer than you think,” Piper advised, “Because that way you can shorten it if it doesn’t quite fit!”
He blinked up at her, actually looking his age as he sat surrounded by flowers and with a blush on his cheeks, instead of someone much older as he summoned skeletons and led armies. Nico scratched his cheek awkwardly, “Um. I’ll try that. Thanks for the advice?”
“No problem!” Piper beamed, giving him a thumbs up, “I’m sure they’ll love it!” She glanced back over to her path, “I’m going to finish my walk now - but I’ll see you at dinner?”
“Yeah. See you.” Nico gave her an unenthused wave as she bounded back over to the path. For the rest of her walk, Piper mused about flower crowns and friendship, and kept pondering over Nico’s mystery daisy chain recipient.
4 - Mornings
The Apollo cabin woke as the sun crested over the horizon, every day without fail, no matter how annoying it got to be. Maybe it was their internal body clocks screaming at them to wake up, maybe it was the fact their cabin lit up like a Christmas tree as soon as a ray of sunlight hit it.
Austin, however, was the exception. And not in a good way. He was up as soon as the dark of the night turned into a misty grey, as soon as he could blink his eyes open and just about see the bunk next to him, instead of inky blackness.
It was infuriating.
But he learned to live with it - going to bed earlier, using a sleep mask in the evenings, and studying in the mornings with the torch Kayla bought him for his birthday.
But it seemed he wasn’t always the only one awake at that time. Will, Cabin Counsellor and all round role-model, stuck back into their Cabin before the sun was in the sky, but after the Harpies had gone to sleep.
Austin never let on that he saw the other boy sneaking around - he didn’t want to get Will in trouble - but it led to endless questions forming in his mind. When did Will sneak out ? Where was he going? Who was he seeing? Was he getting enough sleep?
At least Austin could reassure himself with the last one, as Will would collapse into his bed as soon as he got back, and was out like a light bulb, only to act all innocent when the rest of them woke up.
One morning, though, Austin’s curiosity burned him up from the inside, and he just had to know.
“Will!” He whisper-shouted as his half-brother closed the Cabin door behind him.
Will jumped about a foot in the air, startled, and shot a wide-eyed look over the younger boy, “Austin?”
“Where were you?” Austin sat up, stifling a yawn.
“I didn’t know you woke up this early! It’s two hours until sunrise!” Will seethed, “Your medical file says it’s not this sev-”
“Dude,” Austin interrupted, “At least I’m not sneaking out ?”
Will winced, “I had a Counsellor meeting.”
“Every night for the past three months?” Austin snarked, crossing his arms.
“Yes!” Will hissed, glancing around at their siblings anxiously, “Well, I’m meeting up with a Counsellor whose Cabin we’re teaming up with for Capture the Flag, and we’ve been talking strategies…”
“That’s a pack of lies, and you know it,” Austin sighed, “Just… don’t get eaten by Harpies?”
Will grinned, relieved, “I’ll try not to!”
“Good.” Austin flopped back down into bed, and, once Will was asleep, drew back out his musical theory text book.
5 - Evenings
Percy knocked on Cabin 13’s door, cheerily whistling a new tune he’d learnt and holding a blue smoothie in his left hand.
They were about to have a meeting about Capture the Flag for that week, and Percy had been put on round-up duty. So far, he’d retrieved the Counsellors from Hecate and Hypnos, and, after sending Nico off to Annabeth’s war counsel, he’d be on his way to Hephaestus and then Apollo.
They had a good team this time around - Athena, Poseidon, Hades, Iris, Hecate, Hypnos and Apollo - but they were up against the combined efforts of Zeus, Aphrodite, Demeter, Ares, Iris and Hermes, who were some of the biggest Cabins in camp. It would probably be a close battle, Percy thought, and he was super pumped up for a rematch with his bro Jason, hopefully without getting hit on the head by a Pegasus this time.
“Nicooo!” He called, wondering if the boy was even in his Cabin. Percy took a slip of his smoothie and pressed his ear to the door, listening for a sound of life. Ha, life. Y’know, Hades being of death and all- never mind.
There was some scuffling from the inside and then a panicked, “Just getting changed! ”
Percy blinked, why was Nico getting dressed up for war counsel? Annabeth literally went to those in her pyjamas and still came up with the smartest, craziest, bestest plans. Most best? Bester? Whatever.
Percy heard some frantic whispers - was Nico talking to himself, or ghosts? Surely there were laws against talking to ghosts while you were getting changed?
Footsteps hurried over to the door, and Percy straightened up, plastering what he hoped looked like an innocent smile on his face.
“Nico, hi! Ready for the war counsel?” Percy beamed as Nico opened the door.
Weirdly, Nico was in the same clothes as earlier, but he was super flushed and with a really swollen mouth.
“Dude! Why do you look like a blobfish?” Percy blurted, thinking of Steve, the blobfish he had met at an aquarium once.
“I- uh…um- well…” Nico stammered, “I- ate a banana?”
“I didn’t know you were allergic to bananas! You should tell Will, don’t you think?” Percy frowned, concerned.
Nico choked on air, “What ?”
“So he can update your medical records! What happens if he gives you medicine with banana in it?” Percy asked, horrified. Then he thought for a second, “I’m actually popping over to the Apollo cabin later, so I can let Will know then, if you want?”
“Sure.” Nico agreed weakly, “I’m just gonna…” He coughed, “Head to the war counsel now.”
“Alright,” Percy gave the younger boy a thumbs up with his free hand, “I’ll see you later then!”
5 - Revelations
One evening in the middle of summer, Chiron decided to take the younger campers to stargaze on the beach. It was random and unexpected, but had the best result.
All the older campers were free from responsibility for the night, and, after Piper’s suggestion of a big get together, they all agreed to meet in the Aphrodite Cabin, which had a huge floor space.
Lou Ellen had been humming with excitement the whole day - this would be perhaps her first real teenage experience! Pollux would be bringing the alcohol, and Piper would be deciding on the games…It was going to be so much fun!
So, that evening, she snuck out of her Cabin (before the Harpies were out - she wasn’t in the mood to get pecked to death), and made her way up to Aphrodite’s Cabin, meeting Cecil and Will on the way.
“So,” she asked the two as they entered the very pink room, “You guys excited?”
Cecil nodded with gleaming eyes, “Can’t wait for a taste of what Pollux’s got for us!”
But Will was on his tiptoes, not really paying attention, as if scanning the room for someone. His eyes lit up after a moment, and then he turned back to them, “There’s a place to sit just over here, come on!”
He led them through the crowded, chattering cabin, and to a small, empty space next to Nico di Angelo.
“Is it okay if we sit here?” Will asked the son of Hades, beaming, and got a small nod in return. Without hesitation, Will sat down next to the dark haired boy and started talking his ear off about something that had happened in Archery Practice that afternoon.
Lou Ellen and Cecil exchanged a glance, shrugged, and then squeezed themselves into the small space left.
Piper, from where she sat cross legged on one of the lower bunks, clapped her hands, “Welcome guys! I hope you’re ready for some party games?”
Everybody cheered and clapped, ready for the fun to begin.
Piper grinned, “Pollux, if you would do us the honour?”
Lou Ellen hadn’t noticed Pollux before then, but she followed everyone else’s gaze to where he stood next to a table filled with plastic drink cups. The boy grinned, and started handing them out, “Take one and help pass the rest on, yeah? Oh, and don’t worry, they’re self refilling.” He winked, and everyone laughed, eagerly reaching forward for a cup.
When Lou Ellen was passed a drink, she immediately took a sip, enjoying the tangy spiciness as it slid down her throat. She giggled as Cecil tipped his back in one go and then smirked mischievously as it refilled automatically.
“The first game we have planned,” Piper grinned, “Is a classic that everybody must play at least once in their life - Truth or Dare! And the penalty for forfeiting is… downing your cup!”
People began whooping and whistling, before quieting down when Piper spoke again, “I’ll go first! Percy!”
Percy laughed, “Hmmm…Truth!”
“Tell us about your most embarrassing experience!”
Soon, everyone was in fits of laughter as Percy recounted that time he had been dangling off a building without his pants, and then it was Percy’s turn to ask.
He surveyed everyone menacingly before his eyes locked onto Leo from across the room, “Leo, dude!”
Leo lit up, leaning forwards, “Dare, man!”
Percy thought for a moment, “Best rendition of the Macarena?”
Leo whooped, “Someone put on some music!”
Piper rustled around in her bag until she found an old MP3 player and a speaker, and put the song on full blast.
Everyone was in peals of laughter as Leo went full out, swinging his hips so wildly that he caught Jason in the face and broke his glasses. Lou Ellen shrieked with giggles as Leo’s flailing arm almost hit her, and she fell back into Cecil who wiggled his eyebrows at her.
After Leo had stopped his deadly dance and the campers had calmed down slightly, the game continued. Jason had to give Percy a lap dance, Connor Stoll told them about the time a monster had attacked while he was on the loo, and Katie Gardiner admitted that yes, she did like someone, to many shouts of “I knew it!”. Mitchell and Travis had to do trust falls, Piper and Pollux had to switch clothes, Clovis had to sit in Jake Mason’s lap, and Cecil did the funniest Disney impressions ever.
Then Cecil was scanning the room looking for a victim, and his eyes lit up with mischief when he saw Will, “Truth or Dare, Will?”
The blond winced, “Dare?”
“Kiss the person you most want to date in the room. Mouth or cheek, doesn’t matter.” Cecil said proudly, leaning back on his hands and looking far, far too smug for Lou Ellen’s liking.
Will blushed cherry red, spluttering as people started up a tipsy chant of “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”.
Lou Ellen watched as he scratched the back of his neck nervously, and turned to the boy beside him. She blinked as he tangled a hand in Nico di Angelo’s inky black hair, and leant forwards slightly. What was going on? Was he going to…? Surely not…
Will didn’t stop leaning in, though, and gently tilted the other boy’s head so he could press their lips together, gently, softly, tenderly.
People cooed and giggled, but Lou Ellen just kept wondering how she’d missed this. They weren’t exactly kissing in a clumsy, first-kiss sort of way. No, the way they moved together came from practice, experience.
When Will finally pulled back, leaving the son of Hades with a pink blush on his usually glowering face, he was met with cat calls, clapping and confused stares.
“What?” He squawked defensively, “He’s the person I most want to date! It was the dare!”
Nico cleared his throat, “Actually, we’re already dating. We have been for a while.”
There was complete silence for a moment before the whole cabin erupted into screams of “I knew it!” and “Oh my gods!”. Drew and another Aphrodite camper were exchanging money, and Austin was shouting something about ‘sneaking back in’, while Jason was making frantic gestures at his wrist to Piper. Will had turned to Nico and was telling him how proud he was of him, while the people around them cooed and giggled. All in all, absolute chaos.
Lou Ellen turned to Will and Nico, giving them a wide smile and yelling so they could actually hear her over the cacophony, “Congratulations, guys!”
Will beamed, brighter than the sun, and drew his boyfriend into his side, “Thank you!”
Once everyone had calmed down and Lou Ellen thought the game was finally going to begin again, Percy Jackson smiled widely and said, “So that’s your type!”