Happy Birthday, Nico! - A Solangelo Story

Chapter 2: Will's P.O.V.

Chapter 2-

Will's P.O.V.

-Friday-

I'm impressed that Nico managed to get through the whole party, even if it was just a couple of hours before everyone went their separate ways. I sensed how tired he was when he shadow-traveled me away... it's like his life was slipping through my fingers and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I feel like a major ass for planning the party in the first place, but now I know to just ask instead of surprising him, for the most part.

I shift the bag of gifts that I've put over my shoulder as I walk Nico back to Cabin 13, watching him intently. He's exhausted and has been the whole time. It would help if he'd quit using his shadow-travel like it's nothing, especially after coming back from probably using it all day on top of it...

I'm worried about him, but I'm learning that I probably always will be.

"Do you want me to just leave your gifts in your cabin, or do you want to open them when we get back?" I ask as we get closer to the dark Hades cabin. Compared to the white and gold Apollo one, this looks like it came right out of the set of some scary horror movie, with black ornate... well, everything. I can't imagine staying in here full time, it seems depressing.

"If they need to be opened, we need to open them now." He says, walking with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Okay, we'll go through them when we get inside, then," I tell him. There's a pretty fair amount of gifts in here, everyone at least brought a card, so I guess he'll get something out of this, even if he doesn't want it. I don't know if he'll even accept gifts, he's so particular about everything.

I hope he likes what I got him...

"Works for me." He says, "...Did you have a good time?"

"I did! It was nice seeing Hazel again, she's really nice." I tell him.

I think he felt the same about that at least, they're really close.

"She is awesome." He agrees.

"We should try doing something with her and her boyfriend." I say as we head up the steps of the cabin. I watch him, not sure how tired he is. He needs a good meal and a really long nap, but... story of his life.

"Frank? Yeah, he's cool. That would be nice."

"I think so too." I say, reaching out and opening the door. I blink into the dark mausoleum that is the Hades Cabin.

He walks in. "Bedtime?"

"Can be. Open my present at least, I'm nervous about it." I admit as I follow him inside. We take the step down into the cabin, just another reason the big three cabins aren't as nice, they're not made for campers, there's no ramps, multiple levels... is it always this dark in here?

"What would you have to be nervous about?"

"I don't know if you'll like it!" I say as I walk in, sitting the bag on the black couch. This is the only furniture in here, other than the bed and dresser. The kitchenette was added in the corner, I think...? This wasn't meant to have kids in it at all.

"I don't know if I like gifts at all."

"I was just wondering that myself." I agree with him. "I guess this is a good way to find out, yeah?"

He's probably going to think it's stupid, what I got him.

I shake my head to push out my self-doubt and start getting the various gifts and cards out, putting them on the couch beside the bag. "Come sit, we'll go through these."