Don't Fade Away: A Solangelo Fanfiction 2

Chapter 3: Friends

   "Nico? Are you okay?" Will said, jolting Nico out of his thoughts.

   "Hmm? Oh. Yeah, I'm fine." Nico lied. Nico had been thinking about the dreams he had had about his mom. Nico didn't want to worry Will. He had enough to deal with recently.

   Nico and Will were sitting outside next to the lake. It was a breezy day, and the wind was still cold when it swept through Nico's hair. He could barely see the sun peeking through the white clouds. It was still January, all right.

   "So." Will said. "I've been thinking about what I'm going to get you for your birthday. It's coming up soon, right?"

   Nico nodded. "January 28th."

   "So what do you want?"

   Nico shrugged.

   "That's not an answer."

   "I honestly don't know what I want, Will."

   Will pouted.

   "That's cute." Nico said.

   Will's pout vanished and was replaced with a smile. "What is?"

   "That face you made. When you pouted."

   "Aw, really? Wait, hey! Stop distracting me!"

   "You caught me." Nico said, smiling ever so slightly. "But seriously, I mean it."

   Will smiled back at him. "And I think that's cute."

   "And that is?"

   "When you smile. You rarely ever do it, and it makes me melt every time."

   "Too bad I don't do it much. It kind of hurts."

   Will's face fell. "Why did you have to go and say that?"

   "Uh, sorry. Sometimes I forget those things aren't supposed to be funny."

   "Why does it not surprise me that you like dark humor?"

   "I guess I seem like the type, huh?"

   Will laughed. He leaned into Nico and gave him a kiss.

   "So, seriously. What do you want for your birthday." Will said, after they were done kissing.

   "I think I have everything right here." Nico stated, blushing.

   Will winked. "Wow, that was smooth, di Angelo."

   "I have my moments."

   The two were interrupted by Cecil and Rachel, who were running towards them.

   "Hey, Will! Hey, Nico! Can we hang out with you guys?" Cecil called.

   "Sure! Come on over!" Will said.

   Cecil sat down next to Will, while Rachel sat down next to Nico.

   It's super great to have you back." Will said to Cecil. "I was so worried about you."

   Cecil waved it off. "Nah, I was fine. I was napping most of the time, anyway."

   "If forcibly knocked unconscious means napping to you, then okay." Rachel said.

   Nico nodded his head. "Sounds like fun."

   Will turned to face Nico. "Nico, no."

   "Things have been a bit chaotic since I've gotten back to Camp. So, you and Will are together?" Rachel asked Nico.

   Nico nodded his head warily. He was nervous about how she would react.

   Except, Rachel smiled and put out her hand for a high five. Nico didn't leave her hanging. It reminded him of when he came out to Percy and Annabeth. Annabeth had reacted the same way, all the way up to the high five.

   "Congratulations! I'm happy for you guys." Then she looked at Nico. "I'm glad that you were able to get over Percy."

   Nico was surprised. "How did you know I liked Percy?"

   She smiled. "That's easy. Because I liked him, too. I could just tell."

   "Wait a second." Cecil said. "You two had crushes on Percy?"

   Nico, Will and Rachel all turned to look at Cecil like he had three heads.

   And Nico laughed. He actually laughed. So naturally, everyone else started laughing, too. When was the last time Nico had laughed like this? He couldn't remember. Because he was here, by the lake, at Camp Half-Blood, a place he never thought he would come back to just 6 months ago. Here, with friends that he never thought he would have. Here, with Will, proving to Nico that it was possible to have feelings for someone again.