Learn Italian With Nicolo di Angelo!

~~~fluffy~~~

"Actually," Will suggested, a playful glint in his eyes, "how about my bed? It's way more comfortable than this Spartan cot you call a mattress."

Nico snorted, a weak but genuine sound. "Knowing your bed, Solace, it's probably overflowing with stuffed Apollos and cheesy romance novels."

Will feigned offense, clutching his heart dramatically. "How dare you! My collection is tasteful, thank you very much." He couldn't help but grin at Nico's teasing.

Despite his playful protest, Will knew pushing it wouldn't be wise. Nico looked ready to fall asleep standing up. "Alright, alright," he conceded. "Hades cabin it is."

Will rummaged through his bag, finding a travel-sized bottle of ibuprofen and a pack of blue sports drink.

"Here," he said, handing them to Nico. "These might help with the headache and whatever else awoken-from-the-dead feeling you've got going on."

Nico took the offering, a hint of a grateful smile gracing his lips. He swallowed the pills with a grimace, then washed them down with the sports drink. "Thanks, Will." His voice was barely a whisper, but laden with a sincerity that warmed Will's heart.

Will helped Nico back to the armchair, carefully pulling the black wool blanket off the foot of the bed and draping it around Nico's shoulders. Nico sank into the chair with a sigh of relief, his eyes already fluttering closed.

"Alright, Shadow Prince," Will said softly. "Time for some beauty sleep."

Nico cracked one eye open, a playful glint in its depths. "Beauty sleep, huh? Since when did I become Sleeping Beauty?"

Will chuckled. "Well, you might not be the fairest in the land, di Angelo, but your complexion definitely is. And the most powerful, too."

Nico's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Is that right?" he mumbled, his voice heavy with sleep.

Will leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Absolutely," he confirmed. "Powerful enough to knock yourself out in a mud puddle and still manage to be the most captivating sight in the whole camp."

Nico's eyes fluttered shut again, a soft smile lingering on his lips. He seemed to be drifting back to sleep.

Will watched him for a moment, his heart brimming with a newfound tenderness. He didn't know what had caused Nico to faint, but seeing him so vulnerable had awakened something deep within him, a fierce protectiveness mixed with a burgeoning love.

Hesitantly, Will reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Nico's ear. Nico stirred slightly, leaning into Will's touch.

Will took a deep breath. Maybe this wasn't the most conventional sleepover, but something about the dimly lit cabin, the scent of damp earth and Nico's faint lavender shampoo, felt strangely perfect.

He decided to take a chance. He slipped out of his shoes, then carefully got in bed next to Nico. Nico's head lolled to the side, bumping gently against Will's shoulder.

Will wrapped his arm around Nico's back, pulling him closer. Nico mumbled something incoherent, but didn't resist. Will rested his head on top of Nico's, a feeling of peace settling over him.

In the quiet of the Hades cabin, surrounded by the shadows Nico commanded so well, Will found himself drifting off to sleep, a silent promise hanging between them, a promise whispered in a stolen kiss and a shared moment of vulnerability. They would face whatever caused Nico's blackout together, just like they faced everything else - side by side, shadows intertwined.

The warmth radiating from Nico's body seeped into Will, a comforting counterpoint to the lingering chill of the Hades cabin. As Will settled his arm around Nico, a wave of unspoken apologies washed over him. Their little "fight" that morning, fueled by flying insults and Nico's ridiculously tempting boxers, still hung in the air between them.