The First Times

First Boys Talk

Right after Ana had her communion, Nico started to notice something weird.

Or, at least, weird for him.

While the previous year Ana hadn't spoke much about her friends at school- always sharing a funny story about class but nothing about someone in particular -, the last weeks Ana couldn't stop talking about her new friend. And while that itself was not wrong, the thing that worries Nico was not that Ana finally had friends but the sex of it.

Ana couldn't stop talking about Benny Troyer, her Sunday Class and fellow classmate at school.

When Nico pointed it out to Will, he got a wide open eyes look and a small chuckle from the sunshine demigod. Obviously, Will had to stop laughing under Nico's frown to explain that what he was feeling was nothing but pure and biased parental jealousy.

"That's not it!" Nico argued, while Will adopted a posture that said 'please, prove me wrong!'. "I just don't think is correct for her to have male friends being so young..."

"Nico, it was bound to happen sooner or later." Upon Nico's raised eyebrow, Will sighed. "Whether we liked it or not, Ana eventually was going to grow up, bring someone for us to meet and your Principessa was going to fall in love and do what grown ups do. Granted, Ana still think that boys carry 'cooties', but you and I were bound to deal with it." He added the 'cooties' part on purpose to emphasized Ana's age, but Nico only got paler.

"It's not April Fools, Solace. Stop joking about it." It was Will's turn to frown, but knew this was a lost battle for now. Nico would simply refuse to see that Ana was going to grow. The saying goes 'daughters are a father's curse' and it looked like Ana was Nico's. He had done a wonderful job not associating her with Bianca, but it looks like Nico was not ready to share yet.

"How about we talk to her about boys?" He proposed to him, making him ponder about it. Making him stop to think was better than a ranging and blind anger.

"Fine. It won't be enough, but it's a start."

Which is why they were on the living room, medical books opened, after Saturday lunch.

"Ana." Will called her after she sat down on the couch, in front of them. "Papà and I were talking the other day and there's something we have to talk to you... It was honestly a conversation that we hoped to have in some years and not now." Ana was confused and Will didn't blame her. When Nico kept quiet, Will knew he was alone to start. "Ana, what have school told you about babies and stuff?" Ana noticed her Papà going red, but she was still confused.

"Well, I know how animals make babies... We studied how hippocampus and fish do it...and snakes... Did you know that the female lays the eggs and the male has to fertilize them?" She said, totally innocently. Will smiled softly, but Nico was still quiet. "Daddy, demigods do it differently? Did Luke came out of Aunt Annabeth's head like she did?" The total curiosity of his daughter made Will chuckle softly, which was enough to ease the tension out of Nico.

"No, sweetie... But, I have to say the school is teaching you correctly." Will grabbed one of the anatomy books in front of them and sat next to her to show her properly. "You see, every female of the species have some eggs than need to be fertilize by the male... The problem lays that every type of animal does it a little different, but in essence, they're all the same."

"Even us?" Ana opened her eye wide in surprise.

"Even us. Which is why we're having this conversation-"

"But to do so I have to like a boy! And boys have cooties!" Ana interrupted, a little scared. She dusted off her arms and clothes, as if the dust in her could be contagious.

"Ana." Nico finally spoke, grabbing her hands in hers. Ana locked eyes with him, a little upset.

"Does this mean that I can't have Benny as my friend?" Both Will and Nico shared a look. However, to contrary belief, Nico swallowed his anger- and jealousy, something he would never admit -and replied.

"Ana, no one is saying you have to stop being Benny's friend." Ana's lower lip was trembling and Nico didn't want to know why this time. "We're just letting you know because- because we care about you and we don't want anything to happen to you..."

"Happen how...?"

"Ana." Will took over, knowing Nico couldn't deal with this following part. "Unlike the animal kingdom, where they have babies out of instincts, humans have the ability to decide yes or no. You have the control. No one- no one can force you to do something you don't want, all right?" Ana nodded, more calm. "Unfortunately, kids learn from their parents so you have to be careful, it's all we ask..."

"OK..." Ana promised, hugging Nico first. Then, Will. The grown ups, more relaxed about having some of the conversation, soon were faced with a torrent of questions. "So, my Daddy fertilized my Mommy's egg? That's how me and Alex were born?"

"In the basic talk, yes. But you forgot one important detail about it." Will smirked, tapping Ana's nose, who looked confused. "That without love, neither you or your brother Alex would had been born..." She smiled and giggled a little.

"Did Grandpa Apollo love Grandma Naomi? Cause you have lots of brothers and sisters-"

"Alright! That's enough!" Nico jumped up from the couch, over dramatically on purpose, getting their attention. "I think you do not need to hear that story yet, young lady!" With those words, he picked Ana up and tickled her merciless, making her shriek in delight. Will simply laughed at the scene. "Don't you dare tell the story either, Solace."

"Are you kidding? I don't even wanna know it!"

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I need to apologize. I started this chapter trying to making it funny and cute, but turned a little serious. Thankfully, I hope, I could light it up at the end. I'd like to use this opportunity to remind of CONSENT. I found it difficult to believe we have to have this conversation when it should be a fact, a truth. Just like without oxygen, food or water, we die.

It doesn't matter your gender or your sexuality: NO = NO. Don't insist.

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Good morning/afternoon/evening!

How are you? Already getting used to the routine again? Is there someone wishing for a longer period of holidays/vacations? I know I am! Here, the heat is unbearable sometimes...

Anyway, before today's update I want to say that my future Caleo fanfiction has a topic and I'm excited about it! It took me a while to find it, but as the best of the bunch, I hope I can deliver justice to the pair, along with some laughs. This story will feature some of your other favorite pairs, but Caleo will be at the front and center of it!

That being said, the update of this week!

The First Times: 1 chapter! Random doubt, would the story title sound better if I change it to 'First Milestones' or not...? Just curious...

I'll see you guys next week!
xoxo, SilverHuntresses