Lives Collide, Harm(fully)(lessly)

Chapter 11

When Nico got to camp, it was still bright and early on Christmas morning. He stepped out of the shadows in the Hades cabin, his frown deepening at the familiar interior. As soon as the reality of where he was set in, he grabbed his dagger and couldn't help but feel on edge.

In this world, it was either kill or be killed.

(they claimed the phrase only qualified with monsters, but he wasn't so sure.

Bryce Lawrence had once existed)

Nico kept his dagger close but exited the cabin, thankful there weren't many demigods around. Those who were awake were making their way to the dinning pavilion, talking amongst themselves and celebrating the holiday. Some looked too cheerful to be demigods. Others looked just as tired as Nico felt.

When he finally got to the infirmary, he found Will sitting on one of the beds with his head in his hands.

"Will." Nico's voice broke the silence and time spent apart. "I came."

Will Solace jumped from the bed and took Nico into his arms for the first time in months. Their bodies met once again along with their souls, and Aphrodite seemed to smile in a great victory against the Fates.

"I was scared you weren't going to..." Will muttered into Nico's shoulder. "But you actually did...you're actually here..."

"I'm actually here." Nico took in Will's scent, the feeling of his arms, the feeling of his soul and his aura. "Merry Christmas, Will."

"Merry Christmas, Nico."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Nico and Will finally stepped into the rec room hours later, Will had a sad smile gracing his now bruised lips. Nico wouldn't let himself leave Will's side, scared he would go off on another Greek and scared he'd be once again ripped away from the love of his life.

Being with Will, really being with him, it seemed to have done the healing that Nico so desperately needed.

"Mr. di Angelo, Mr. Solace," Chiron greeted. "Come sit. We have much to discuss."

Nico glanced at Will before sitting in one of the chairs, the son of Apollo sitting beside him. "Chiron, I-"

"I'm aware of everything that has happened, Mr. di Angelo." Chiron gazed at the two campers. "You're focused on protecting the wizarding world, and it's understandable. But if you're going to stay at this camp, you need to understand that you cannot attack one of my campers again."

"I know."

"I've already talked to him," Will cut in. "Someone's going to be with him at all times. And I tried to get it in him that he's not in danger here."

"I don't want to cause another war," Nico said. "So I'm going to keep to those who know and try to keep wizarding things to Europe. I'm going to try."

"And if someone finds out?" Chiron asked. "Would you attack them?"

Nico looked to his feet. "I would bring them to you."

Chiron stared at him for a minute more, decades and decades of experience shown on his face. Finally, he let out a sigh and gestured to the door. "Percy and Annabeth are in Cabin 3. They've been waiting for you."

Nico stood up, his dark eyes returning to Chiron's face. "I'm really trying to keep it peaceful, Chiron. I hope you believe me."

"I hope I can."

Will led Nico out of the Big House and onto the grounds of Camp Half-Blood, a soft snow falling around them in spirit of the holiday. More campers were out and about, much more staying for the winter than used to. When they got to the ring of cabins, Nico didn't have time to prepare before Percy was in front of him and pulling him into a hug.

"Neeks!" Percy held him close. "Will got you to come back!"

"And a baby still didn't mature you," Nico muttered.

"Oh!" Percy broke the hug and dragged him into his cabin. "Come meet Silena!"

Nico followed, trying to keep the fear down. He was with Percy, Will was following, Annabeth was laying on one of the beds. They'd stop him from hurting anyone.

"Look at her." Percy scooped the newborn out of Annabeth's arms and brought her over for Nico to see. Silena was sound asleep, her head resting against her father's chest without a care in the world.

A baby...Percy Jackson had lived long enough to have a baby. Nico could remember the Giant War, watching Percy fall into Tartarus, thinking that none of them would make it through. And now, here he was, staring at Percy Jackson's baby.

Nico grinned. "You're a dad, Percy."

Percy grinned back. "I'm a dad."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nico sat by Annabeth in Cabin 3, rocking the baby in his arms as she typed away at a laptop. Percy had left to train, leaving the two alone in the hours before dinner.

"Annabeth, what age do you think of me of?" Nico asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had formed.

Annabeth glanced him over once before looking back at her work. "You and Will made out, didn't you?"

Nico felt himself blush as he put a finger to his bruised lips. "Yeah."

"I think we should be asking how you feel about it," Annabeth said. "You wouldn't be asking me if you weren't concerned."

Nico looked down at baby Silena and let her suck on his finger. "It didn't feel wrong at the time. It felt...it felt right. I haven't kissed Will in so long. It was amazing. But then...after it was over...and we were walking here...I felt embarrassed. I felt like I had to hide it."

Annabeth repositioned his arms slightly before replacing his finger with the pacifier that hung from Silena's onesie. "Nico, you love Will. He loves you. And you're older than your body shows. Demigod lives aren't like human lives. Sometimes our relationships get fucked up. So, if you want my opinion, I think you should follow your heart, no matter how cheesy that sounds."

Nico smiled at the news he had hoped to get. "You really think so?"

She nodded. "You're not a thirteen year old boy, Nico. You're mentally Will's age. And you shouldn't let what the gods have done come between you."

"What would Percy think?" Nico asked. "And Hazel and the others? Would...would they hate on it?"

Annabeth closed the laptop and set it aside. "Imagine this. When you first came out as gay, the people who you cared about accepted it, right?"

Nico nodded. "Right."

"And some people didn't, but you basically said 'fuck you' and continued on with your life. That's how you should treat this." Annabeth insisted. "I know you should. And your friends will agree, because they know it's best for you."

"I...could be with Will..."

"You could be with Will."