The Underworld's Sun - A Solangelo Fanfiction

Chapter Eight

Nico walked into the dining pavilion and caught Will's eye the next morning. He headed over to his table and sat down, shifting his broken arm. It felt fine, and Will said it was probably fine, but he was keeping the cast on for another day. That annoyed Nico.

A few moments later, Percy sidelled into the pavilion. He raised an eyebrow at Nico and walked over. He leaned down with his elbows on Nico's table.

Nico tried to ignore the son of Poseidon, but it was hard to do with that sly grin.

"Go away, Jackson," Nico growled. "You've got your own table."

Percy didn't move. "What's up with your new boyfriend?"

"Haven't talked to him since last night," Nico growled.

Percy grinned. "Well, have fun tonight."

"Jackson," Nico snarled, "go away."

"See you later," Percy laughed, heading toward his own table. He sat down on the side closest to Nico's. "You know, our tables are right next to each other."

"Shut up," Nico grunted.

Percy shrugged. "Okay. Blue pancakes," he told his plate.

After breakfast, Nico tried to avoid as many people as possible, but everyone kept popping up.

He tried to work on his sword-fighting alone, but Jason popped up in the arena.

"Nice job, Death Boy," He said as Nico slashed at another dummy.

"Go away, Sparky," Nico replied.

"Only Leo is allowed to call me Sparky."

"Only Leo is allowed to call me Death Boy."

"Want me to tell him that?"

"No. Go away."

"Okay." Jason left the arena.

Nico was sitting on the beach late in the morning, drawing. He gently shaded in a shadow just as Piper appeared just behind him.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Go away." Nico snapped his sketchbook shut.

"How are you doing?" Piper asked, altering her inquiry.

"Fine." Nico sat up and glared at her.

"You talked to Will this morning? He seems kinda crazy at the moment." Piper winked.

"Um... no." Nico replied. "But of course he's crazy. The guy he likes just forced a surprise date on him. Duh. Are you a daughter of the love goddess or what?"

Piper shrugged. "True. Most of my cabin wouldn't shut up until past midnight about that."

"I'm not surprised," Nico snorted. "You guys are, like, the official dating counselors of the camp. Something like what I did last night? They aren't shutting up tonight, either."

Piper nodded. "Probably true."

Nico tucked his sketchbook into his jacket pocket. "I suppose I should get to lunch and see who's going to come talk to me about Will next. I've had you, Jason, and Percy in just one morning!"

"Yeah, maybe you can make Frank, Hazel, Leo, and Annabeth!" Piper joked. "That'll be all of us."

"Frank and Annabeth won't do anything," Nico corrected. "Leo will be annoying and Hazel will just talk. Like you. Besides, Frank and Hazel aren't even here."

Piper shrugged. "Yeah. Let's go."

Nico stood and headed up the beach, Piper following him.

Nico ate quietly, ignoring everyone. He tried not to look up. As soon as he had finished, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

Nico sighed and looked up. Will was standing behind him, a cheeky grin on his face.

"Hi," Nico murmured.

"Hi," Will replied.

"Why are you here?" Nico asked hesitantly.

"Uh... do you wanna come work on some sword training?"

"Last time I tried I got attacked by Jason." Nico stood up. "Let's see if we can get Leo and Calypso this time."

Will laughed. "Yeah, maybe."

Nico threw his backpack over his shoulder and headed for the arena, Will following him.

Nico drew his sword and slashed, stepping sideways and twisting the blade. When he stepped back again, he had pierced a ragged hole in the dummy's chest.

Will kept his eyes on his bowstring. "Nice."

"You didn't even see it." Nico sheathed his sword.

"Yeah I did." Will ran a hand along the string. "There's this thing called peripheral vision."

"Shut up, Solace."

Will laughed and stood up, nocking an arrow. It sailed straight through the hole Nico had made. "Thanks for the target."

Nico sighed and started brushing the straw off his sword blade.

"Hey lovebirds!"

Nico growled a curse and sheathed his sword. He turned to the arena entrance and locked eyes with Leo.

"Go away, Valdez."

An arrow sailed over Leo's head. "Leave us alone, please?" Will asked, lowering his bow.

Leo lit the arrow on fire as it passed. "Nice aim."

"Shut up and go away." Nico clenched both fists around his sword's hilt.

"Okay, see y'all later." Leo flashed a peace sign and headed out of the arena.

Will shot an arrow after the son of Hephaestus. It landed in a wall just to Leo's left.

Nico snorted. "At least we agree that he's annoying."

"At least," Will agreed. "But doesn't everyone? Even his new girlfriend says it on a daily basis."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "How much time do you spend with her?"

"Shut up, di Angelo."

Nico smirked and unsheathed his sword, slashing at a few more dummies.