Learn Italian With Nicolo di Angelo!

~~~fluffy~~~

Nico's smirk faltered, replaced by a surprised look. "What do you mean?"

Will met his gaze, a mix of nervousness and something else, a flicker of something warm and hopeful, glowing in his eyes. "You, Nico, you're practically a walking shadow. Mysterious, always lurking in the darkness."

Nico snorted. "And here I thought it was my dazzling personality." There was a teasing lilt in his voice, but Will could detect a hint of something else, a flicker of curiosity.

"Well, that too," Will admitted, a blush creeping up his neck. "Let's just say your whole... broody shadow prince thing is kind of... attractive."

Nico stared at him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a slow smile spread across his face, a genuine one that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Broody shadow prince, huh?" he chuckled, kissing Will teasingly, at first, on the neck. They pulled away after about a minute of small kisses.  "I like the sound of that."

The air crackled with unspoken energy, a new kind of tension hanging between them. It wasn't the tense battle from breakfast, but something charged, something filled with possibility.

"So," Nico finally said, his voice a low rumble, "what do you say we explore this... darkness together sometime?"

The walk back from the music room felt different, lighter somehow. The lingering notes of their duet danced in the air around them, a melody woven from their shared vulnerability. Will stole a glance at Nico, who was kicking a pebble down the path with a slight, uncharacteristic swagger.

"So, Shadow Prince," Will teased, nudging Nico playfully with his shoulder, "any plans for the rest of the afternoon?"

Nico snorted. "Maybe some brooding in the shadows? Practice my menacing glare?"

Will laughed. "Oh, definitely work on that glare. It needs some... improvement."

They reached the cabin area bathed in the warm afternoon sun. Nico, as always, gravitated towards the shade of the trees, his usual stoicism returning.

As they parted ways, Nico turned to Will, a flicker of something new in his eyes. "Maybe another... musical session sometime?"

Will beamed. "Definitely. How about tomorrow?" he asked, and kissed Nico tenderly on the lips before hearing his answer.

Nico nodded curtly, then disappeared into the gloom cast by the Demeter cabin.

With a spring in his step, Will headed towards Apollo cabin, a secret melody playing in his heart. He couldn't quite place it, but it felt good.

Suddenly, a loud groan shattered the peaceful afternoon. Will spun around, his heart leaping into his throat. He saw a shadow stumble out from behind the Demeter cabin, collapse, and disappear into a patch of muddy ground with a sickening squelch.

"Nico!" Will yelled, racing towards him. He found Nico sprawled on his back in the mud, face pale and slick with sweat.

Panic clawed at Will. "Nico! What happened?" He knelt beside him, checking for a pulse. Relief flooded him when he found a weak but steady beat.

"I... don't know," Nico rasped, his voice barely a whisper. "Just... blacked out."

Will gently helped him sit up, the stench of mud assaulting his senses. Nico winced, clutching his head. "I must... look a picture," he muttered, his voice weak.

"Don't worry about that," Will said, concern lacing his voice. "We need to get you cleaned up at the infirmary."

He offered Nico his arm, but Nico shook his head. "No... Hades cabin."