Chapter One

The sun was shining, the sky was a deep blue color; birds were singing, demi-gods were playing capture the flag, just a typical afternoon at Camp Half-Blood. The sun made Nico look paler than usual, but Nico decided that he didn't mind. He could deal with the sun. In fact, he welcomed it.

Nico walked back to the infirmary, relieved. He felt the weight being lifted out of his shoulders. He enjoyed the look on Percy's face when he told him that he was over him, and chuckled to himself. Today couldn't get any better. Once Nico reached the infirmary, he noticed Will waiting for him and smiled. Will's blue eyes glinted, amused at Nico's unusually good mood. Well, I guess these three days won't be so bad after all he mused. Will ruffled Nico's bat like hair and shepherded him to an empty bed. To Will's surprise, Nico didn't pull away. How strange, Nico di Angelo letting someone touch him, without swatting them off like a fly? That was new.

The two were walking close together, too close for Nico's comfort. Nico's skeletal butterflies intensified when he felt Will's hand brushing his, but didn't pull away. Nico was in too good a mood. He was still not able to admit to himself that a part of his wanted some human contact.

"Here you are one nice comfy bed." Will gestured to the empty bed with a proud smile snapping Nico back into reality.

Breathe Nico! He chided himself.

He nodded at Will. "You just rest here for a while. I'll check up on you later" He added reassuringly.

Will was about to leave when he noticed the injury on Nico's arm. "When did you get this?" He asked grabbing Nico's arm tightly. Nico tried to push him off, but Will just ignored him.

"It isn't properly taken care of. I have to double check if it is infected or not." He muttered to himself.

He let go of his hand, and went to bring out his first aid kit. Nico pulled his injured hand as far away from Will as possible as soon as Will came back.

"Don't." He said glaring at him.

Will softened his gaze, and said "I'm sorry. I was surprised when I saw your injury. I promise I'll be gentle." He held his hands out in the 'I surrender pose' and Nico relaxed his arm. Will took it, and gently disinfected it. Nico winced at the pain.

"It's not too bad. It could be worse. You could have become a werewolf" he teased."Imagine that, the werewolf son of Hades. Absolutely terrifying!" He chuckled.

Nico rolled his eyes. Will continued "I wonder if you would become like Mrs.O'Leary, a shadow travelling monster from the Underworld."

Nico snorted, "Even as a dog, I would still be able to beat you in combat Solace."

Will laughed "Yeah, sure Death Boy. I could outrun you and your skeleton army any day." This caused both the boys to start laughing.

"Will!" someone called from across the infirmary.

"I guess that's my cue to leave. Behave!" Will commanded sternly. Nico only snorted in reply, and decided to take a nap.