Date: August 8, 1981

Will felt his cheeks heat as Jason accompanied a disgruntled looking Nico to the booth where he sat. Will's hands flew to his hastily combed hair and he wondered if his t-shirt and jeans made him look too sloppy. Jason had told him this was not a date, but just a dinner with friends — a way to thank him for the successful birth of Calysta.

      "Hi, I'm Nico," Nico said awkwardly as Jason pushed him forward.

      Will had seen Nico twice, but there was no way he could have forgotten his name. The man had a complexion as pale as cream and hair as dark as licorice. His long eyelashes softly framed a pair of lustrous brown eyes. He was wearing an oversized aviator jacket and skinny jeans that made him look even smaller than he was. A silver skull ring decorated his right hand; he's still unmarried, Will thought.

     "I'm Will," Will said.

      A server came and gave them s menu. A few minutes later, the tall man took their order. He was Asian and had a soft face that did not go along with his ox-like build. Nico ordered pasta with marinara sauce, while Will chose Alfredo sauce with penne. Jason ordered brick-oven roasted flatbread.

When the server came back with the food, Jason steered the other two into a conversation.

"So, you're both single, right?" He asked.

Nico shot him a withering look. Will choked on a piece of pasta. He couldn't believe Jason was being so casual about this. Will had spent his whole life trying to hide the fact that he liked men. It was like going to a restaurant and always ordering pizza instead of a sandwich because that what was deemed culturally appropriate. Will might be tired of pizza, but he didn't want to face scorn for eating a sandwich.

      "Jason," Nico said. "You will end up as part of Happy Meal if you don't shut up."

      "I'll — umm," Jason said, looking fluttered as if a brick had him. "I need to use the restroom."

    He left. Will's senses became hyper-sensitive.  He felt the cool leather of the booth brush against his exposed nape. He noticed how the soft glow of the light above them made Nico's skin look extra pretty and how the scent of his spicy cologne mingled with the warm aroma of their dinner.

     "Can I try some of your pasta?" Nico suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

     "Go ahead," Will said, his voice feeling dry as he watched Nico take a bite.

    He noticed his eyes lingering on Nico's lips and he quickly switched his gaze to his own meal. The back of his neck prickled and he became aware of the song "You Can't Hurry Love" playing in the background. Who knew why this restaurant was playing 60s music?

      "The food is great here," Will said, trying to break the awkward tension.

       "Yeah, almost as good as at McDonalds," Nico said and then frowned. "But not as good as Hazel's cooking."

     "Hazel?" Will asked, his throat feeling prickly.

     "My sister," Nico said. "She makes the best gumbo in the world and her roasted potatoes are to die for."

    Will laughed, feeling relieved suddenly. So Hazel wasn't Nico's girlfriend. Just then, their server returned and Will found himself paying the bill.

     "I'll leave the tip," Nico said. "Thanks, Frank. My sister was right suggesting this place."

     Before Will could say anything else, Jason returned. He looked between the two men and a smirk appeared on his face.

     "You two seem to be getting along well," he said nonchalantly. "I was wondering if you would want to go to a movie together. I got tickets for Piper and I, but the baby arrived early and we're too busy now."

     Will agreed; glad for Jason's interference for once.

Author's note: Hi y'all. I was wondering if you guys would want to vote on the next AU that I'll write. I'm thinking about writing one set in Anglo-Saxon tines along with another one of these ideas:

1) The colonization of Australia
     After getting into trouble once again, Percy Jackson finds himself sent off to Australia.

2) An AU set in Ancient Assyria and inspired by characters in the Book of Ruth and The Book of Esther.
     
3) An AU set in the Byzantine Empire where Annabeth is the only legitimate child of a king with no heir. When her father unexpectedly died, she has to decide whether to take charge or let Helen rule as regent until her sons are old enough.