Significant Annoyance

Strolls

Vanilla, Alcohol Based surgical sanitizer and pinewood.

Yes, that is what Will Solace had smelled like when Nico gave him a hug. The combination was strange, but it helped him calm down, since Will's story had brought over him a tide of emotions which he hadn't felt in a lifetime. 

For some time, they just sat beside each other in complete silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, just like that type, when people pass a silent, mutual understanding that they don't need to talk. Will hadn't removed his hand from around Nico, who could literally feel the heat and the blush on his cheeks.

After 10 minutes (which actually felt like an eternity) they untangled. Will wiped off the remainder of his tears with the heel of his hands and checked his watch. 

" Nico, listen...right now, I am supposed to have music lessons with Austin. Why don't you come along?" He said.

"Music?" Nico asked. Singing was one of Bianca's unsung talents. She had also tried to impart some of her musical knowledge to him, saying that he has a 'good voice, but it needed to be polished'. But at that time, he was too busy worrying about sunken treasure and Zeus' attack points to give a damn about it. Not taking Bianca's music lessons seriously were one of the many regrets Nico had in life.

"No." Nico replied flatly.

"Aww, please."

"Nope." 

"Why?"

"Music's not my cup of tea."

"Aww, please come along! It's gonna be fun!" Will was already making puppy dog faces at him. Nico simply got up and started walking.

He could hear Will behind him, trying to convince him to come along. He also called him a variety of nicknames, ranging from 'shorty' to 'anaemic angel'. God bless his creativity.(Apparently, I have run out of ideas lol)

That's when Nico decided to break into a sprint.

The rational part of  Nico's brain thought his idea was dumb, because Will Solace was literally half a foot taller than him, so he would catch up with him pretty easily. But like many other times, he decided to ignore it.

His prediction came true almost immediately when Will grabbed his wrist and spun him around hard enough to dislocate his shoulder.

"Please Neeks, come along. It's gonna be fun, I promise! Look, I don't wanna force you into this, but it'll be great if you come along." Will turned his palms up in surrender and said, "If you feel bored or uncomfortable, feel free to leave."

"Neeks? Seriously Solace?" Nico said, raising an eyebrow.

"You coming??" Will asked tentatively.

"Well, I guess I am." Nico replied, shrugging.

"Yay!" Will exclaimed, and together, they started walking towards wherever the music class will be held. 

"Where is Austin going to hold your class? In your cabin?" Nico asked.

"Oh, not there. We have a small cabin for that. You'll see." Will answered.

They came near the infirmary, where he saw Josh step out with another girl. Both of them were wearing white coats and seemed to have stuffed goggles, gloves and masks in their pockets. Josh waved towards them and motioned them to come over.

Nico got a closer look at the girl.

She was almost as tall as Josh, with a lithe physique. She would have been Rachel Dare's twin; she had the same copper red hair that shone like a million drachamas in the setting sun which pulled into two slightly messy dutch braids, the same fair skin with a freckles splashed across her face. But she had coal black eyes instead of Rachel's brilliant green ones; and her expression was far away from Rachel's cheery smile, for she was scrutinising Nico in a rather appalling fashion. Beneath her white doctor's apron, she was wearing a CHB t-shirt with black shorts and chunky high-heeled boots. Along with her camp beads, a pendant bearing twin torches hung across her neck, marking her as a daughter of Hecate.