SUNSHINE and DARKNESS

"Alright, I'll leave you alone."

summary - Nico is trying to teach the kids of the underworld gods shadow traveling. Will does not approve.

Warnings: Brief mentions of trauma.

I've said it in the beginning and I will say it again. I have not read TOA and this is my take on solangelo. And let's be real, when Will said no underworld powers in BoO and mentioned the fading situation, I have a feeling that coach Hedge did not explain everything, and Nico doesn't seem like the kind of guy to talk about his problems. And I feel like Rick does not address the PTSD and issues the demigods have developed.

word count - 4,480 (just the story not including A/N and stuff)

This story is set a few weeks after the war with Gaea, like in mid or late-august

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Nico looked at the date. It has been two weeks since he first went to the infirmary for his 3-day stay. Two weeks since Gaea. Two weeks since the war. Two weeks since Leo Valdez died. And mainly two weeks since he met Will Solace.

The son of Apollo had shattered every misconception that Nico had about him. He was assertive and stubborn, unlike the chill and laid back manner he presented. His sense of humor was dry, and outside of the infirmary boundaries, he was pretty lax.

Nico had gotten along with Will, to the point of being introduced to the latter's friends. All of whom had taken a liking to Nico, especially Lou Ellen. She had become a close and trusted friend in no time. They had bonded over their shared common interests: necromancy and underworld magic. While Will did not mind them bonding and discussing the dark aspects of their powers, he could not help but worry about Nico not being ready to use his powers.

This sense of worry is what had lead to their current predicament. It started by Nico explaining the concept of shadow traveling to Lou Ellen and her siblings. Somehow the few children of the underworld gods were roped into the conversation. And so, Nico had found himself delving into great details about umbra kinesis and its many uses to 10 enthusiastic demigods.

He had asked for a volunteer after finishing his explanation. He would carry the volunteer and shadow travel so that they could understand how to manipulate the shadows and use them to teleport themselves. Lou had stepped forward and held Nico's hands. He gave her a basic rundown and stepping into their own shadows.

A few seconds later, he found himself slamming into a tree, 10 feet away from his target destination, with Lou falling to the ground next to him. "I overshot," he groaned, rubbing his face.

He turned to look at Lou, only to find her standing up, moaning as she held her stomach. "I feel a bit dizzy," she stated, "is it supposed to feel like this?"

Nico nodded, recalling his first attempt at shadow traveling. "First time I shadow traveled, I passed out for an entire week," he confessed. "Dizziness and nausea are common side effects, but after a time, they should stop."

Lou nodded back once she got over her nausea. She wrapped an arm Nico's waist while he put his over her shoulder as they made their way back to their little group. It looked as if they were hugging each other. Lou smiled and offered her siblings a peace sign as they got closer.

"NICO FUCKING DI ANGELO."

Nico tensed and searched for the source of the voice. Just a further behind the group, a fuming Will Solace appeared. In his usual manner, he pointed at Nico and then to the ground in front of him. NOW, the gesture screamed. Reluctantly, Nico let go and slowly walked towards Will. Hoping that the bout of dizziness from slamming into a tree wasn't showing.