The Boy After Dusk

Nova, SuperNovatoEs 

She/her

The Boy After Dusk

How Nico and Will started dating

Trigger Warnings: panic attack, poor self image, mentions of death

I'm gay. Some may think 'oh you're happy? Congrats!' That's one way to interpret that but not the way I was thinking. I'm a guy who likes guys. I mean, what can I say. Guys are hot.

This story is about coming of age. About being gay and my boyfriend. It's about the boy after dusk.

It all started when I came to help Camp Half-Blood fight the Romans. I shadow traveled to the top of Half-Blood Hill next to Thalia's tree. When I looked around, I saw Will stalling the Romans from entering the camp. He had told me he was doing this to get some fresh air after delivering a baby. He had me hold his hands to show me how nervous he was after delivering that baby. I held his hands like he asked but I felt something like an electric current. I quickly let go of his hands, unsure what this new feeling was.

When we finally had a chance to have a chance to get a good look at each other, Will was concerned about me. He knew I was shadow traveling too much. He, of course, scolded me for it.

He continued the scolding as we held the Romans back.

After everything happened, the camp was silent. A lot had happened. I somehow found myself telling Will that I was leaving both Camp Half-Blood and Jupiter because I don't fit in at either camp. Will reassured me that I shouldn't feel out of place because I have plenty of friends at both camps. It actually helped me a lot.

Once I felt better, nothing happened at camp. Like I said, a lot had happened. I was talking to Percy and the others and then Will called to help in the infirmary. Before I walked over to help Will, I told Percy that I used to have a crush on him but he wasn't my type.

As I was walking over to Will I remembered when he had arrived at Camp Half-Blood some years ago. I remembered he arrived on a bus with his dad, Apolo. The daughter of Zues,Thalia Grace, had called Apollo hot. I then thought about the similarities between Apollo and his children. For some unknown reason at the time, my cheeks seemed to feel like they were a furnace.

After helping Will, which I will admit was fun, I went towards my cabin. As I got closer to the cabin, I realized I wanted to go to the lake. I don't really know why butI felt drawn towards the lake.

It was getting late but I'm the only child of Hades so I get to call lights out when I want so I have plenty of time before the harpies would come to eat me. Plus, I can always hide in the shadows if needed.

When I said it was getting late, I was lying. It's late for me. I may be a child of Hades but it doesn't mean I like to stay up all night.

It was getting to be dusk. There was a beautiful sunset that looked like cotton candy. I walked along the shore of the beach. There was a reflection of the sunset on the water. I felt like I wanted to run in the lake to go see it better.

The next thing I knew, I was taking off my shoes and rolling up my pant legs. I took off for the water. It was cold but it felt good like the breeze on a hot summer day. Better than a shower after today.

I splashed around the water for a while. When I was done, I went to the beach and sat down. When I sat down, it was then that I realized that the sun had set and it was dusk. I picked up my things, ready to leave when I saw a human figure creep towards the water. The person stopped to take off their shirt, so I assumed that the person was a boy. When 'his' shirt was off, it seemed like he was glowing. For a minute, I thought the figure was somehow a monster that no one saw Camp Half-Blood but sooner realized it was not.

He walked into the water slowly. I was intrigued by this. I couldn't tell you why I felt like this. I slowly crept towards where he had been standing to take off his shirt. His shirt was right next to me. I tried to look at it to see if I could figure out who it was. All I was able to see was a Camp Half-Blood shirt.

I suddenly thought that the person that was swimming was Percy. I didn't want to be anywhere near him. Before I was able to leave, the boy turned to me and smiled. For some reason, that was all I could see.

I had seen the smile before yet I knew it wasn't Percy Jackson. I found myself smiling back and waving. It had also gotten hot all of a sudden.

I kept wondering who this mystery person was. It had to be someone I knew. Maybe Jason or one of the Stoll brothers. They usually travel together though so I canceled them out. It could be Grover or Will but I canceled them both out. Grover is a satyr and Will has reasons not to be out here? Maybe I shouldn't rule out Will.

In fact, I should probably rule out Jason because of what happened together.

That only leaves- I started blushing because I think I figured out who. Why was I blushing? It could be someone I forgot or I haven't met. There are so many guys here I might not know about. Especially with the minor gods being here too.

I started back towards my cabin. I didn't want to know who it was yet. I was so tired anyways.

When I got back to my cabin, I wondered two things. Why I really went to the water and how to become not so lonely.

I then realized that I wasn't lonely. Hazel was in my cabin.

"Hazel?" I whispered, wondering if she was still awake.

"Nico, why are you back so late?" Hazel asked in a daze.

"I'm sorry. I went for a late night stroll." I replied, hoping she didn't hear the shakiness in my voice.

"Alright, come sleep in your coffin," She joked. The designers of the cabin made it like coffins.

I layed down. I couldn't stop thinking about that boy. Who could it be? Could I have a crush on him? Wait, this could be a boy I just met.

I couldn' stop thinking about it as I drifted to sleep.I had a thought that could help figure out who mystery boy is but lost it through the night.

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

The Next Morning

╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

I woke up to find Hazel gone. I didn't feel like going to do anything so I decided to go find Will. I figured he'd be in the infirmary. I was right.

"Hey Will! Need any help?" I asked, practically out of breath.

"I could always use help!" He seemed to say something under his breath I couldn't pick up. "Can you sweep the floor please?" He asked with puppy dog eyes.

"Of course. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. " He seemed to blush at this but I thought it's probably just the heat.

Sweeping the floor may seem like an easy job but it wasn't. Not in the infirmary. The Apollo kids always left that job to volunteers.

As I worked there seemed to be music. I should have guessed since their dad is Apollo. The music was really good. It was a love song that doesn't use gender.

"Will, do you know this music artist?" I asked, hoping he was not busy.

"I believe this is an independent artist called Naethan Apollo. I had to ask a human to put it on a CD for me. I love that the songs are genderless so you can use them for anyone." He replied. Does that mean he was bi? Or pan? Or omni? Or gay?

All of the sudden, the room seemed to get hotter but only on my face. I had to keep telling myself that he was straight.

"I like that too. Most love songs are straight guys singing about straight women or vice versa. It's good to get some LGBT rep in music." I replied, hoping he would pick up on what I was saying.

"It's the best." Will replied.

"Do you have any ch-" I stopped myself. What was I about to say?? I shouldn't say that in front of his siblings.

Why should I care if he has any crushes??? I shouldn't.

"What did you say?" Will asked.

"I was going to ask what powers the Apollo kids have." I said, trying to be smooth.

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Will asked.

"No....: I dragged on, wondering what he was saying.

"Well, I haven't either. Let's go together. I'll tell you then." He said, getting up.

We walked out of the infirmary to the dining hall. Lunch and breakfast you can eat whenever you'd like but dinner is a one time thing.

"Yes." Will said out of nowhere.

"Yes what?" I asked.

"Yes, I have a crush. You know him very well." Will said so casually.

Him?! It can't be me, can it? Wait, why would I even consider that I could be that crush.

"I had a crush on Percy But" I had to cover my mouth. I am not telling him that I think I have a crush on him!!!!!!!!!

"But what? Please, continue." He said. His face looked so soft for some reason.

"I sure you don't want to hear the rest- It's crazy." Was it getting hot out here?

"I would love to, but maybe you'll tell me over our breakfast. Let's go!" He grabbed my

hand, running towards the dining 'hall'.

"What are you going to get, Nico?" Will asked. He seemed like he was genuinely asking but that's not possible.

"Eggs, bacon, and waffles. Why? What are you getting?" This seems weird.

"I just wanted to know. I'm getting the same as you." As he said this, both of our food showed up on our plates.

When it's not dinner, we don't have to give offerings to our parents but I sent a little prayer to Hades.

"Hey dad, please give me some courage to tell Will that I like him please"

"What did you say Nico?" Crap, did I just say that out loud?

The real question is did I just admit to liking Will???

"What, nothing." Why does it keep growing in temperature???

"So, you asked about our powers. Some of the ones I know off the top of my head are healing and music powers." Will said

"Now you didn't hear it from me but" Will looked around and in a hushed voice he said "There is one rare child of Apollo power. I'm the only one that I know that has it but I can glow.'

"Wait, you're the boy after dusk?" I blurted out.

"If you mean last night, you put it together." Will leaned closer to me. I found myself also leaning towards him.

"You looked hot last night." His face got red and he backed away.

"Wait!!! Sorry, I didn't mean to say that-" Now it was my turn to become red.

"Are you sure you didn't mean to say that?" Again. Why. Is. It. So. Hot. Out?

"I like like yo-" I really need to learn to control my impulses. I shouldn't have said that.

"Same." Will said. Did he mean what I think he means????? AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! My heart can't take this!!!!!!!!!!

"You like yourself?" I asked like a total idiot.

"No. I like like you." He said, so chill.

"Very funny. Is this a joke? It has to be." I wanted to pass out. It has to be a joke right??? I'm getting too comfortable with him. I feel like I am going to pass out. I'm losing breath.

"Nico, calm down, you're having a panic attack. You're going to be okay. Breathe in and out with me, ready? In and out." I do as he says. He is the doctor after all.

"Now that you are calmed down, it was not a joke." Will said, stroking my hand with his thumb.

"It has to be. I run away from my problems all the time. Why would anyone like me? I should be dead anyways."

"Nico, you shouldn't be dead. No one should until their time." Will said as calmly as can be.

"DON'T YOU GET IT?!?! THE ONLY REASON I AM ALIVE IS BECAUSE DAD OF THE YEAR PUT ME AND MY SISTER IN A CASINO JUST SO WE COULD BE USED AS PAWNS FOR THE GODS LATER IN LIFE!!!!!!!!!!" I had yelled at him but I didn't mean to. He was being so calm with me and I just treated him so horribly.

"Nico, I understand what you mean. All of us here have been used as pawns for the gods. Didn't you realize the number of losses and injuries yesterday? No one counted because there were too many. No one wanted to count them. Why do you think the camp is so empty? We are all kids. Our lives have barely started." Will was starting to get angry but I realized he was doing everything in his power to not let it show.

"I know!!!! You think I don't know Will? Why do you think I came to help you today? TO AVOID DEATH!!! MY DAD MAY DEAL WITH DEATH BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN I LIKE IT!!!!! EVERYTIME I GO TO THE UNDERWORLD, I AVOID THE SOULS, WILL!!!! YOU THINK I LIKE DEATH?????? TOO MANY PEOPLE I LOVED HAS DIED!!!! THAT'S WHY I CAME TO HELP YOU!!!!!!!" I need to walk away but I feel as if I can't. I feel like I am cemented to this seat.

"What about the chance of a patient dying in the infirmary?" Will said, calmly, though it seemed tears were coming to his eyes. This honestly started to calm me down since I get to see a different side to

"I have full faith in you that you wouldn't let that happen. " I said. I hope this reassures him.

"What about if they did die, Nico? What about then?" Will said, the tears becoming easier to see.

"Then, I'd put my own feelings aside to help you in any way. Both mentally and physically." I was feeling better. Will is worrying me though.

It was quiet for a while. Will was trying to look happy but I could see through his mask.

"I've lost people that were close to me too. You're not the only person who is scared of death. Why do you think I'm a healer? Not only is my dad Apollo but I'm also a coward." Will said, almost full on sobbing.

I walked over to Will's side of the table. I opened my arms, looking for a hug. He opened his and I hugged him. I sat down next to him, laid my head on him and let him cry. He needed it.

"Will?" I said after a long pause of silence. "You're not a coward."

"Yes I am!!! I don't fight unless I have to because I don't want to watch my friends die in battle. That's why I normally stay wherever they need me!! Sure, watching people die in front of me is also horrible but at least I know that I was able to try and save them. In battle, there is no chance to save them." Will said in between sobs.

"Oh." I didn't know how else to respond.

After yet another long pause of silence, I got the courage to kiss Will. Okay, not really but still. I. Kissed. Will. Solace.

Oh yeah. I should probably tell you how I kissed Will since you all are probably people who love romance fanfiction.

Once Will's sobs were less and less, I leaned down to kiss his head, ever so slightly. To this day, I still don't know if he felt it. If he didn't, he probably saw my full on gay panic since I knew I was blushing so much. Like way too much.

"Will, are you ready to head back?" I asked softly. All I got back was a very slight shake of his head.

"What if we held hands?" I asked, blushing more somehow.

"Only if I can still lay my head on you." He mumbled into my chest.

"Of course. Why would I reject you?" I meant that as a rhetorical question but Will started hyperventilating again.

"Hey, hey, hey. Look at me. Breathe with me. In and out. Come on, you can do it." Why am I dumb? Why would I say something like that??

After about five minutes, Will was finally calmed down.

"Can I please know what was the cause of that panic attack Will?" I asked, trying to be as calm as he was when he helped me with my panic attack.

"When you asked 'why would I reject you', I thought of a thousand different ways why you would reject me and it was just too much. I'm sorry Nico." Will buried his head back into my shirt.

"Please don't cry again!!! I mean, you can if you need to but I might have to join you." Will laughed at that. "Also, no saying sorry, do you understand?" Will nodded. "Are you able to take today off today?" Will shook his head.

"I was able to get this time. My siblings only said yes since they wanted to see if it would turn into a date. Which did it?" Will asked.

I was already blushing a lot but it somehow wasn't the max amount of blush that could be on my face. I slowly nodded.

Will's face lit up. He grabbed my hand and leaned his head on me. I could definitely get used to this.

Once we reached the infirmary, Will let go of my hand.

"How about you take the rest of the day off and meet me at the beach around the same time as yesterday?" Will asked, hopefully. I nodded.

When I was walking toward my cabin, I remembered some of the lyrics from that artist Will said he liked. The lyrics were about getting a bunch of dollar store toys and playing with them. I thought that if I was going to meet Will at the beach, why not recreate that?

Since I didn't have access to a dollar store, I had to ask a Hermes kid. I walked to their cabin and struck a deal with one of the Stoll kids to go get me some dollar store toys. He, of course, said yes.

Back at my cabin, I couldn't stop thinking about Will. If you were to enter my mind at this moment, all you would have seen was something that had to deal with Will.

╭──────༺♡༻──────╮

At the beach

╰──────༺♡༻──────╯

Once Will had got to the beach, I had gotten all the toys set up. Will was so confused with the toys so I had to explain it. He was so excited since he said that song, Dollar Store Date, was one of his favorite Naethan Apollo songs.

Like one of the song lyrics said, we played with them for way too long.