Nico whined adorably. "You promise, (Y/N?"

You sigh with a smile, "Yes, Nico, I promise."

Nico frowns, pouting, "Fine. But it'll hurt so much!" He slaps his arm across his face and falls onto his bed behind him.

I chuckle, "It's four hours out of the day. You can handle."

"But I'll be here, and you'll be there, and-"

"Nico. You can be away from me f'r four hours."

"But, (Y/N)-"

"No buts."

He frowns like the child he's acting like, glaring when his arm is removed from his eyes.

"Not cool, (Y/N)."

I smile and laugh, and move over and kiss his cheek, "See you when I'm done helpin' out, Deathbreath."

He grabs my hand and let's go as I walk away. I open his cabin door and then close it once I'm out.

A take a deep breath. Child.

~

All throughout my helping out, I was getting strange looks. Some were looks of doubt and curiosity, others were glances tied along with snickers, and some were dirty winks.

I frown every time, wondering what rumor had spread this time.

Drew approaches me as I'm feeding a pegasus, "Well, well, (Y/N). The son of Hades, mm?" She giggles like the stereotypical teenage girl.

"Um, what?" I blush, glancing at the pegasus that was chomping down on sugar. I gave it another cube.

"Oh, don't joke around! We saw you two playing around yesterday." She curls her dark hair around her finger.

"Well, we are dating, but it's not that serious yet." I nearly whimper at the thought of a more serious relationship with him. I'm not ready for that!

"Mm-hmm. Well, then he's open?"

My ears burn with anger, "We're still a couple! Go away, Drew!"

Her cheeks burn with anger, "You're gonna wish you never said that. I'll make sure everyone hates you two as a couple."

"Um, one, Drew, everyone ships us anyway. And two, like we care! Just go away, jeez!" I was on the verge of hot, angry tears.

Drew scowled, giving me the evil eye. She walks away without a word nonetheless. I sigh, brushing the pegasus. Is that why the whole camp keeps looking at me like that? Because I was hanging out with my boyfriend? That's stupid, but, somewhat hurtful.

They're probably joking, right?

But the ship us, right? Because I know Nico cares what others think. . . when it comes to me.

I sigh. If only teenagers won't so stupid.

I wipe my mind, deciding to focus on seeing Nico again was my duties are taken care of.

~

"Nico?" I say as I open the door.

Immediately, arms are sprung around me. I smile with a chuckle, wrapping my arms around him.

I kiss his cheek, "Why, hello to you too, Nico."

"I missed you so much! You were gone for like ever!" he cries dramatically.

I let out a gasp-laugh, "I'm glad I was missed.

I happily move his arms and hold his hand, and we exit the cabin. We earn strange glares, but neither of us seem to care.

He lifts my hand up and kisses it, "My lady."

I laugh, tapping his head with my palm, "You dork."

We keep walking through the camp with smiles and glitter washing over our eyes.

Happiness washes away all doubt and pain, I guess.