Solangelo~ One Shots

Capture the Flag

Status: Not together
xxx
"I think we lost her!" Reyna panted, peeking over her shoulder while they ran through the woods behind Camp Half-Blood.
"Of course we did." said Nico, blue flag in hand.
It was Capture the Flag night at the camp for demigods. Every demigod loved CtF night, and took the game very seriously. The team who won got a week of no chores, bragging rights, and the best desserts at dinner time.
Nico and Reyna were making a mad dash for the highest tree in the woods. They were on the red team and that was their base. Once they got to that tree, the game was won.
"Shadow-travel. Ready, Reyna?"
Suddenly a spark of light caught Nico's eye. Behind a tree, a face peeked out. It had blue eyes and light blond hair. Nico immediately recognized Will Solace, with Lou Ellen and Cecil behind other trees alongside him. They were all wearing heavy golden armor and blue feathered helmets.
Light seemed to be hanging in waves around Will like some sort of fog.
Must be some sort of son of Apollo trick to mess up my shadow-traveling, thought Nico, as Will's hands glowed brighter. Nico could feel the heat even from his distance. He ducked behind a tree, pulling Reyna after him.
"Get 'em, Will!" called Lou Ellen.
Will grinned and the golden mist drifted towards Nico and Reyna, who had dropped to a crouch behind Nico.
The fog had reached them. It seemed to  compel their feet to move towards the children of Apollo.
"So that's how they want to play," Reyna said, "Give me the flag!"
"Wait," Nico muttered. "Sunlight control? Really?"
They know we have their flag, Nico thought, but I won't let them have it, not when we are so close to winning!
Will grinned when Nico and Reyna were just a few feet away from him, already certain of a win.
Suddenly, the figure of a person flashed into view. A blond ponytail, crushed underneath a red-feathered helmet.
"Annabeth!" Reyna called, "Help us!"
Annabeth whipped around, dagger in hand. She threw the dagger expertly. It flew through the air, landing within an inch of Will's right eye. Will yelped and the mist faded as he lost his concentration.
Reyna and Nico crashed into each other as the hold on their movements halted, and turned around to run in the opposite direction.
"No!" Will shouted, giving chase. Lou Ellen tried to follow Will, but Annabeth, having received her dagger from the tree, engaged her in combat. Cecil had disappeared from sight.
Reyna ran like a hare in front of Nico, having stayed in shape after the war against Gaia was won nearly a month ago. Nico had been stuck in the infirmary for three days because of his injuries (and medic, who happened to be the very same Will Solace who was chasing him now), and had no reason to want to exercise when he was still healing (it had taken nearly 2 weeks even after being in the infirmary to completely close up).
"Don't reopen your injuries," called Will, "Those took forever to heal!"
"I know!"
"Then slow down!"
"Yeah, no!"
Nico could see the tree that marked the red team's base in the distance. If he kept up this pace, it was possible that he could make it before Will caught him.
Nico was gasping for air, and he could hear Will panting loud and clear behind him. Wait, Nico thought, Is he catching up to-
Then Will let out a startled yelp and a figure slammed into Nico from behind. Nico went flying forward, hitting his face on the the ground in front of him. And then Will landed on top of him, letting out a muffled word that sounded a lot like a curse.
"Language, Sunshine," Nico wheezed, "And you're crushing me- get off!"
"Ok, ok," Will snapped. The weight on Nico lifted for a moment- enough for Nico to flip on his back to get up- and then Will fell on him again, banging his forehead into Nico's nose. Nico heard a crunch. 
"What's  the problem?" Nico snapped. Will was too close- Nico had never liked physical contact, not even from his sisters. He could feel his face heating up and knew it was showing on his face.
"I think I'm stuck," Will said sheepishly,"Under a tree root. My feet are all tangled up and I can't reach my sword."
Nico let out an annoyed sigh, "I was so close to base..."
Will brightened, "Right- give me the flag!"
"No!"
"Yes! I caught you!" Will.
"You fell on me!" Nico.
"But I still caught you." Will.
"I don't even have the flag anymore," Nico said, raising his eyebrows. Will sputtered, "Of course you do; I saw-" He trailed off, "...Reyna."
"Yep. I was the distraction."
"Well, it worked."
There was an awkward moment of silence in which each boy made sure not to make eye contact. Until- "Are you bleeding?"
Nico started, "Am I?"
"Your nose... I'm sorry. Medics are supposed to heal not hurt."
"It wasn't your fault," Nico muttered,"It was... Ok yeah it was your fault."
"I'm sorry," Will said softly, and wiped Nico's nose with his sleeve.
xxx
A few minutes later they heard footsteps; Percy, Clarisse, and Reyna. Clarisse ran to the tree, flag in hand, and the red team erupted into cheers.
Reyna walked over to Will and Nico and cut through the roots with her sword. Will stood and helped Nico up, feeling oddly disappointed.
Nico and Reyna made their way up to the tree to join the rest of the red team.
Will watched Nico's retreating form- and saw Nico turn around and look him in the eye for a split second.
His nose was still bleeding.
Will would check in on him tomorrow.