The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over Camp Half-Blood as Will raced toward the Hades cabin. His heart raced, not just from his excitement but from the playful risk of bursting in on his boyfriend. Will's fingers danced in the air, ready to grab the door handle and announce his arrival.
"NICO!!" he yelled, throwing open the door with a flourish.
"AAGH!!!" Nico yelped in shock, instinctively reaching for the sword precariously perched in the corner. Dark eyes wide with surprise, he made a quick dive toward his weapon.
"Sorry!" Will raised his hands in immediate surrender, the sheepishness in his grin dissolving into giggles.
Nico, after a moment of hesitation, sighed deeply and placed his sword back down. "Godsdammit, Will you need to learn to knock."
"Sorry, we're late, and I thought you'd be ready—" Will began, only for confusion to flicker across Nico's face.
"For what?" Nico asked, a frown forming as he grasped at the thin threads of Will's logic.
Will's jaw dropped, his laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. Nico's puzzled expression only made it funnier.
"What? What's so funny!?" Nico demanded.
Will's laughter echoed through the cabin. "You forgot, didn't you?!" He could barely contain himself, clutching his stomach as the giggles surged forth.
"Forgot what?" Nico was growing increasingly alarmed by his boyfriend's state of mirth.
Will took a breath, still chuckling. "What day it is!"
"What?" Nico inquired, a blank look settling over him like a thick fog.
"It's Halloween!" Will finally managed to get out between laughs.
"Halloween?" Nico asked incredulously, scanning Will's costume—a traditional Grecian toga, complete with a sun-spike crown and a laurel bracelet.
Will's laughter transformed into shock. "You don't know what Halloween is!? But I told you!"
Nico crossed his arms, now glaring slightly, something almost petulant in his demeanor. "1930's Italy Will, remember? When you told me Halloween was coming up I thought you were just making a joke with a nonsense word"
"I have officially failed my job as your boyfriend," Will replied hopelessly, flopping to sit on the floor.
After Will concocted a hasty yet spirited explanation of the Halloween festivities - trick-or-treating, and costumes - he shifted gears, his eyes aglow with mischief. "You should dress up too!"
"Absolutely not," Nico replied swiftly, shaking his head at the thought of any costume.
"Awww, come on, Deathboy, it'll be fun. Please?" Will pouted, throwing in a puppy-eyed look that usually unraveled Nico's resolve.
"Do I look like someone who would find fun in wearing that?" Nico scoffed, gesturing at the toga.
"What if I convince you?" Will proposed with a mischievous grin, the gears of persuasion clearly turning in his head.
Nico raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched in his expression. "There's no way in Hades you're going to get me to dress up."
"Oh, I disagree!" Will countered playfully.
"Well then, Sunshine, if you're so sure of yourself, try me," Nico challenged, expecting Will to back off.
"No kisses," Will proclaimed, "For a month."
Nico blinked, momentarily taken aback. He masked his surprise with bravado. "You'll break before I do, Sunshine," he retorted, trying to maintain his confident facade.
"Wanna bet?"
"...no...." Nico relented after a long pause, feeling the challenge play around in his head like an echo.
"Then you'll wear the costume?"
"I hate you," Nico grumbled, snatching the spare from where it rested on a nearby chair before heading to the bathroom to change.
A few moments passed, the silence marked only by the rustle of fabric. When the bathroom door finally creaked open, Nico emerged, clad in a makeshift costume: a white sheet draped over his head, adorned with a sparkling tiara perched on top.
Will burst out laughing, the sound bright and warm, cutting through the nippy autumn air. "Aaaaaw~ Come on, Ghost King, Halloween awaits!" He couldn't help but admire the sight before him.
Nico's cheeks burned, thankfully the sheet was hiding his blush from view. "You're impossible," he muttered, but a smile crept onto his face despite himself.
"Yeah, but you love me." Will held out his hand with a broad grin.
Nico's grin widened, just for a moment, before he took Will's hand, feeling the warmth radiate from him. Together, they stepped out of the Hades cabin and into the darkening camp, ready to join the other demigods for an evening filled with laughter and treats, a night to be remembered despite Nico's initial reluctance.
Author Note:
Did they have Halloween in the 1930's? I need to research. Hopefully this is better than the last one.
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PJO HOO TOA Oneshots
FanfictionMost of these are on my account on Ao3 (my username is 1amCh0le). Oneshots of the characters from the pjo universe. Most of them are Solangelo (cause they're my favourite:))
