SUNSHINE and DARKNESS

"bro... that's so... not cool..."

summary - It's the December after the war with Nero and camp is playing a special game of capture the flag.

word count - 3,905

let me just tell you that i have not still read ToA so, this chapter is based on some HEAVY google research and my last two braincells. so please correct me if i make any mistakes

thelightinshadows please see this chapter because you are the expert in ToA and my official grammar corrector (hehe). so i would really like if you take your time and correct my mistakes

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It's been almost a year and a half since the war with Gaea and her giants. A year since Apollo had shown up at camp and mortal. Six months since the war with Nero took place in the summer. Luckily, this time around, camp half-blood was not heavily involved with the fight. The battle took place in New York, and only a few select volunteers have gone with Apollo.

After that fight, many things had happened. Apollo regained his godhood. Meg found a family, and things started to change in Olympus for the better. One of the things that happened was Nico telling Will 'I love you' for the first time ever. They had been dating for six months, and Nico was still getting used to the relationship. All it took was a death scare for Nico to decide to tell Will right then and there, in the middle of the battlefield.

The confession served as a great distraction. They kissed each other as if it were the last time. Enemies had stopped fighting to stare at them, shock and confusion decorating their faces. That opening was all that Apollo had needed to kill Python and then team up with Meg to give Nero the finishing blow.

Both Nico and Will were defenceless as they kissed. A monstered had recognized its chance and decided to strike, only it never got to them. An invisible arrow whizzed past and lodged into the monster's heart, killing it.

They pulled apart in shock and looked at the carcass. "I'll always be on your side," a voice said, and Nico shuddered as he recognized it as Eros' voice. The love god went on to destroy all the other monsters and enemies before materializing into a proper form once the battle had ended. He approached Nico and Apollo, apologizing to the two for being rough in his methods and fumbling through his explanation of wanting the best for them in their romantic lives.

That reunion was a disaster, to say the least. Both Nico and Apollo had told Eros to fuck off and that they will never forgive him for causing them pain and suffering. No matter what the intentions were, it did not erase the trauma, it caused them. As a peace offering, Eros had decided to release Zephyros from his service, though neither Nico nor Apollo understood how it translated to such.

Six months have passed since then. Six months since Nico told Will that he loved him and vice versa. A year since they have been dating. Through that time, they had been through a lot. It is their second winter holiday season that they would celebrate together, among many other holidays. This time, their relationship was longer, stronger, and deeper.

Winter break had meant that several year-round campers have gone back home to celebrate the holidays with their families. Likewise, a few summer campers were visiting to celebrate the holidays with their siblings and friends. Others decided to pop for a few days before leaving to return to their families. Percy and Annabeth had decided to spend the few days before Christmas at camp before spending it together with their families.

This year, a group of roman campers were invited to visit Olympus during the winter solstice and then celebrate new years at camp half-blood. There were about two dozen campers, all of which are assorted members of the legion, led by their newest praetor, Hazel.