The Sun in the Shadow

Chapter 23

Will stood on the Camps hill, watching the sunrise next to Thalia's tree. Wind blew back his blond hair and tugged at his shirt, like it was trying to pull him back to be warm bed and safety of the cabin. But he hadn't been able to sleep, not knowing Nico had left again.

Gods, I just had to keep pushing him. I couldn't leave him alone for all I tried.

But Will knew he could never try too hard to leave Nico alone. Every time he saw him his heart decided it no longer wanted to live in his chest, beating with such ferocity and clawing up in his throat. The only thing that ever made it better was kissing Nico. Even if he had only kissed him twice, Will was more than certain the he loved Nico more than life itself. Everything about him made Will nervous with liking.

As a fresh gust of wind brought the smell of the forest swirling into Will's senses, he couldn't help but remember standing at this exact spot not a week ago, with the same problem on his hands.

Nico di Angelo was missing again.

Except this time, no one cared. If there wasn't a dramatic tale about him being taken by shadows then everyone left it to the people who actually liked Nico to find him. Plus they believed this time Nico had chosen to leave.

Will shook his head to himself, running his fingers though his hair.

"He wouldn't leave camp just because of me, right?" The words caught in his mind, of course he would. Nico wanted to before, who's to say that Will didn't push him too far and send Nico running?

"By the gods, Nico. Don't do anything stupid, okay?"

But the wind carried his words the wrong way. Carried them back to camp and over the water, not out to wherever Nico was.

Will sighed and looked up at the pale yellow sky, imagining watching the same sky in another time, happier. Clouds shifted shapes and Will watched them, not taking in anything happening around him until it all happened at once.

BOOM. A ten foot tall dog landed feet away from Will, it's heavy paws imprinting on the dirt with the force of impact. A second later a firm slide off the back of the animal, wearing pure black and a weapon swinging at his side. Will only got a glance, but he guessed intruder and knew if he didn't do anything then the black figure might make it into camp by going through Will. Probably going through him with that black sword.

But Will's thoughts were jagged, unclear. He wasn't used to battle and so he wasted the previous second he had before the figure advanced by standing there.

The black clothes person was still almost blurry in Will's vision, his nerves making it impossible to see anything but the advancing form.

His hand on his weapon, reaching out to take Will's neck and snap it for sure. He was going to run Will through with the weapon and move on to attacking camp, whoever he was. Him and his hellhound probably.

Why wasn't he dead yet?

Then there was the kiss and the clarity.

Two hands wrapped around Will's neck, bodies close, lips touching. This was Nico in front of him, but a new Nico.

All his hesitation, his nervousness, it was gone. Like Nico had stepped out of himself and taken on a new form. He kissed Will with such passion he couldn't help but wonder what had changed his mind.

But right now, with Nico choosing to kiss him, Will wasn't dwelling on questions.

He looped his arms around Nico's waist and pulled him closer. Will closed his eyes and opened his mouth, letting the kiss start freely. It lasted forever and yet not enough, for when Nico pulled away and Will let him, the sensation was ripped from him.

"Nico," Will was breathless and sure he was blushing, but he couldn't help it, he was really happy and didn't want he kiss to be the last.

"I'm a second chance, Will," Nico spoke softly, rubbing his thumb along Will's features. Under his eye, across his jaw, over his ear. The touches were much gentler than Will had ever felt and each one made him blush harder.

"A second chance? What in the name of Hades does that even mean?" Will asked a little louder than he meant. Nico chuckled and let go of Will, stepping away.

"It means that I've been given another chance to define myself. Another chance at happiness in my life." He turned his eyes off of the camp and back on to Will, grinning. "And I took it Will. I'm taking it right now actually."

And then he grabbed Will's collar and kissed him again, sweeter this time, softer. Will felt Nico melt into the kiss and he let himself as well. His fingers tugged on Nico's belt loops, lifting him higher and closer. Nico twisted his hands into Will's hair and laughed into the kiss, a sweet laugh of pure happiness that Will couldn't love more.

In response Will placed his hands on Nico's waist and lifted him off the ground, keeping their faces close enough that their noses bumped while they closed their eyes and laughed with each other. When Will set Nico back down, they didn't kiss again, the kiss wasn't needed. A kiss is a representation of love, but they both knew the love was there, so instead they stayed interlocked, watching each other and studying each other's faces as the rising sun moved the shadows on their faces.

Nico's arms loosely held around Will's shoulders, Will's hand touching the bare skin of Nico's lower back and the other keeping Nico close. But there was no need for force, both of them wanted this moment, as long as it lasted, and they were pretty sure it would last as long as they wanted.

But it didn't. For right then there was a sound like a pterodactyl screeching and a bunch of exclamations louder yelled than a foghorn. Nico was jarred out of his gaze and instead moved his eyes to the scene on the ground.

Jason dancing with Piper, hand in hand, jumping in a circle like little kids.

"FINALLY, THE FREAKING KISS!"