Nico's POV

I grabbed Will's hand and said, "Okay, I'm going to shadow travel us to Camp Half Blood. Do NOT let go of me." He nodded. "Let's go." We dissolved into the shadows and I closed my eyes, afraid of what was in front of me. Knowing that the darkness was high. I was in ten feet deep. Then there was light. I opened my eyes and saw the Hades cabin interior. That was scarier than the darkness. Coffin-shaped bunk beds on each side of the cabin were lined up against black walls with pictures of vampires and zombies and ghosts. I hated it.

"Oh, Nico... it's great. Kind of dark, but it's..."

"Terrible, scary, dark, vampire-like. I hate it. You can say that it sucks. I already know." I said.

"Okay good. I suck at lying."

"Will, wait here. I need to go check on someone." I walked out, headed for the Apollo cabin.

"Kayla, I'm here. I'm back." I said, quietly. No reply. I opened the door and saw a red-faced Kayla. She was crying silently, not saying anything. I could only tell that she was crying because her shoulders were shaking, and she sniffled every once in a while. Kayla has suffered from depression ever since Lee died. When Will left, it only got worse. I was the only one she would talk to. I walked over to her and sat down, hugging her. "Hey, Kayla, what happened? Why are you crying?"

"Nico? You're here? I thought you weren't going to come back. I thought it was going to be like Will." She said quietly.

"Kayla, come to my cabin in ten minutes, okay. Take some time to dry your tears and clear your face." She nodded. "Bye, see you in ten." Then I walked back into the Hades cabin.

"Okay. Get ready. I have a surprise for you. When I tell you, close your eyes and don't open the until I say." I pulled out my phone and texted Kayla, telling her to close her eyes before she opened the door. I got a text back saying that she was on her way and I told her not to say anything when she walked in.

"Okay, Will. Close your eyes and don't anything when the door opens." He closed his eyes and nodded. Then the door opened, and a shut-eyed Kayla walked in. I guided her to where she was standing behind Will with her back towards him, a few inches apart. "Now open your eyes" I said. They both did. "turn around." The both followed my directions reluctantly. Kayla looked at Will and Will looked at her. Then they both burst into tears and started to cry. The hugged and hugged. Then they turned and looked at me.

"Thank you, Nico." They said is unison.

"Thank you for taking care of her while I was a coward and left camp. Thank you. I love you." Will said, choking up.

"I love you too. You were not a coward. You were in denial and didn't want to live with it. I know how you feel. I've done it too."

"What do you mean, darling?"

"Bianca." Was all I said. Kayla gasped.

"Nico, you haven't spoken her name in three years. Yet you did with Will. Am I aloud to ask why?"

"Kayla, Will is my boyfriend." I explained.

"Oh. The I love you and the darling and... Oh. Okay. Well, I have to get back to the infirmary anyways. I'll give you two space." She said. I turned towards Will.

"Well, did you like my gift?"

"Yes, I did. Thank you, baby."

"You're welcome, Will." I said, kissing him. He leaned into the kiss and smiled. But then something changed. Today was supposed to be for him, but I made it about me. Like always. Not because of the kiss, but because of what happened after.