Solangelo One-shots.

Reyna.

"Hi Reyna! So glad that you came by! It's been ages." Piper greeted me excitedly. 

"A year and a half, to be exact." I replied, allowing Piper to engulf me in a quick hug. "I'm pretty sure I missed quite a lot of things." 

Piper responded by giving me a sly, close-lipped smile. "Oh, you've missed things, alright." 

I decided not to press by asking. 

"So, I hope you're okay with just me. Percy and Annabeth's on another minor quest, Jason's back at Camp Jupiter with Hazel and Frank doing who knows what, and well, Leo...still hasn't come back." Piper's breath skittered at Leo's name, and I squeezed her forearm gently in an attempt to comfort her.  

These seven demigods truly had a special place in my heart. Their courage, wit, determination, everything about them impressed me. I had been truly honoured to fight by their side during Gaia's War. They'd been through so much, and all I can do is hope that they have found peace, at least for awhile. Speaking of being through a lot, I wanted to see another certain someone while I was visiting. 

And that person was none other than Son of Hades, Nico Di Angelo. 

Nico was like a little brother to me. Ever since I shared my strength with him, I've tasted his burden, I've felt the weight of despair he's lugged around on my shoulders, I've seen his worst fears. Somehow, it seemed like there was this strange but strong connection between us. When I hugged Nico after we'd defeated Gaia and he didn't pull away, I swore on the River Styx to protect him, like Hylla did for me. 

"I suppose you have other demigods you'd like to meet?" Piper asked seeming as though she had just read my mind, and I shook out of my reverie. 

"Yes, actually. Is...Nico around?" 

Piper paused for awhile, before nodding. "Yeah, he's usually at the Archery Ranges with the Apollo campers around this time." 

"The...Archery Range?" I knitted my brows together in confusion. 

I had never pegged Nico as one who would do well in bow and arrow. I'd always assumed that he'd rather go to battle with a sword. Piper frowned at me for a moment. I could practically hear the gears turning in her head as she pondered my question. 

Did I say something wrong? 

"He hasn't...OH MY GODS. Reyna, c'mon, we have to..bring..tell you-. About." Her jumble of words made zero sense whatsoever, as she practically man-handled me toward the range. 

"What? Piper McLean, I demand to know what you mean!" I half-squealed, tripping over my own robes, not my proudest moment. 

Piper ignored me, and released my wrist from her iron grip as she scanned the green. I saw a row of archery targets lined in a row about a hundred yards away from where we were standing. A few stray campers, whom I assume were spawns of Apollo, were already there, shooting arrows. 

"Piper, I do not appreciate being hauled-" 

"Shhhh!" She interrupted fiercely, and I blinked at her disrespect. "Look." 

I glanced at the direction of where Piper was pointing. 

Let us just say, that I was NOT prepared by what I would see. 

Nico was sitting under a shady tree by the hill not too far away, watching the archers, his legs tangled with a blond boy. Their fingers, even from where I stood, I could see, were intertwined with each other. 

"What? When? Why didn't he tell me? Who? How?!" Piper watched my outburst lazily. 

"Oh, see, everyone's staring at you now." 

I turned, I flushed when I saw the campers staring at me. I guess I was being a tad bit loud. My gaze turned to where Nico had been sitting. His eyes locked with mine for a brief moment, before he leaned over to whisper something into the other boy's ear. The boy nodded, and disentangled their torsos from each other. I didn't miss how Nico seemed to sag slightly, now that the two of them were apart. Nico stood, however, a split second later, and made his way toward us.

Toward me.

"I'll let you speak to him." Piper whispered, when Nico came to a full stop in front of us. "Heya, Neeks." 

"Hey, Pipes." He greeted, almost sheepishly, as he watched Piper leave. 

"Explain, Nico." 

A flash of hurt flitted past his face, and I realized my mistake. He thought that I didn't accept him. He thought that I was disappointed in him due to his orientation. 

"Oh, Gods, Nico. I didn't mean it like that-" 

"Sure you didn't, Reyna." He muttered quietly, and my heart clenched. 

"No! It isn't like that. I'm just mad because...you didn't tell me. I thought we promised." 

The hurt disappeared, now replaced by anguish. 

"I'm sorry. I was going to, but, I didn't want to see the disappointment in your face when I told you. I just thought that, you would think of me differently, and then our...connection wouldn't be the same." 

"Nico, you idiot." I said affectionately. "I never would have done that. I'm hurt that you actually had the audacity to even think that!" 

He relaxed, and sighed. "I don't know what I was thinking." 

I smiled, and took a seat on the grass, before patting the place beside me. Nico accepted my invitation, and sat beside me. 

"So, who's that boy?" I asked, my tone open, so Nico knew that if he was uncomfortable, he need not answer. 

"Will Solace." He paused, trying to fight the grin that was taking over his face. 

A grin. My heart fluttered with pride when Nico settled for a small smile, his eyes trailing to a certain blond boy, who currently was shooting arrows. 

"Should I be protective Reyna or..?" 

Nico laughed, a genuine laugh. Again, my heart fluttered with pride. I've been gone awhile. And seeing Nico, all smiles and laughs, and being genuinely happy, I understood what Piper meant by 'Oh you missed things, alright.' 

"No, I don't think so." He paused. "Hey, Reyna?" 

"Hm?" 

"He makes me so happy." 

I smiled, and patted his knee. "I'm glad. You've changed for the better."

"Yeah. But me being happy isn't all because of Will." There it was again, the slight struggle to fight the giant grin that was trying to take over his features. "It's also because so many people have accepted me, and for once, I feel at peace." 

"That's good. I'm glad you found happiness, Neeks. You've been through so much. So, so much." I said fondly, and Nico exhaled. 

"Thanks, Rey." He opened his arms as an invitation for a hug, which I accepted. 

"So, can I meet this 'Will' someday?" I asked casually as we pulled apart. 

Nico chuckled. "Someday." 

End.

Author's note: Thank you all so much for 3k. Through this difficult time, seeing this book hit another milestone is amazing. I'm so overwhelmed by all the support. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Enjoy this extra long chapter today. It's been tough trying to get these updates out, so be patient, yeah? 

P.S. Dedicated to Lunafox15 because you voted on all my chapters. I'm so happy! Kisses and kudos to you. Hope that you might be a hardcore reader soon! 

Loves and kisses, K.