Out Of The Shadows: A Solangelo Fanfiction Chapter 12: Will’s Birthday

   Jason helped Nico finish wrapping his presents to Will in the Zeus cabin, even though it wasn’t the best wrapping job in the world.

   Jason had asked Will what he wanted for his birthday and also explained to Nico how birthday parties usually are.

   “Remember Nico, there’s usually a present pile to put the present. Luckily Will was kind enough to invite me, so I’ll be right there if you need me.”

   Nico nodded.

   “Then let’s go!”

   Nico knocked on the door to the Apollo cabin, and Will answered it. His hair was slightly combed, and he was wearing a tank top. He was wearing dress shorts instead of cargo shorts. His face lit up immediately when he saw Nico.”Hey, Nico! I’m so glad you could come! You too, Jason! Come in and make yourselves comfortable!”

   Will eyed the presents in their hands. “Ah, I told you guys you didn’t need to bring presents!”

   “It’s no bother at all! Jason assured him. “Where would you like them to go?”

   “Oh, you can just set them over there.” Will pointed over to a table with a bunch of presents on it.

   Nico looked around the cabin. All of the Apollo kids were there, which there were 9 of them. Also at the party was Percy, Annabeth, Piper, Lou Ellen, and Cecil.

   There were yellow streamers and balloons around the cabin, and a big banner that read “Happy 15th Birthday, Will!” The beds and nightstands were pushed back to make room for tables and chairs. Nico suspected that some of them were probably originally stolen by the Hermes cabin. On one table there was a present pile. On another was cake and snacks. There were some random chairs thrown about for sitting. There was also music playing.

   This was the only cabin Nico had gone in besides Hades, Hermes, and Zeus. The Apollo cabin was really nice, with white walls, plants, medical things, instruments. It was definitely the opposite of the Hades cabin.

   Will came over to him and handed Nico a red drink. “It’s gatorade.”

   He felt Jason grip his shoulder behind him as in “If you need me, I’m here” then he walked off to talk to the other members of the 7. Piper looked over and winked at him.

   Will handed him a plate with pretzels, fruit, and chips. “Wow, Solace. Some of those things are pretty unhealthy.”

   “I don’t always eat healthy. I only gave you healthy things to eat in the infirmary because you needed it.”

   Nico bit back a retort. It was Will’s birthday. “Happy birthday, Solace.”

   “Thanks, death boy. So how old are you? And when’s your birthday?”

   Nico started counting on his fingers. “Um, let’s see…”

   Will started laughing. “No, I mean how old are you physically?”

   Nico’s face slightly reddened. He didn’t know if it was from embarrassment or Will’s laugh. “Oh. I’m 14. My birthday is January 28th.”

   “Nice! I’ll have to get you something special.”

   “I haven’t celebrated my birthday since I was 10 in the 40’s. Most times I would forget it even happened. Like when Bianca died, my birthday was only about a month later. I didn’t know how many days would pass. I just woke up one morning, realized it was March, and I was like ‘Oh, I guess I’m 11 now.'” Nico said this casually, like it was no big deal.

   Will looked at him with sad eyes. “I won’t let that happen again.”

   Nico shrugged. He desperately wanted to change the subject. “So, uh, what kind of stuff do you do away from camp?”

   “Oh, I haven’t been living at home since I was 12. There’s too many monster attacks, and I’m not strong enough to hold the monsters off. That’s why I stay at camp. But also since I’m head counselor and medic, It’s better I stay anyways.”

   “Oh. I’m sorry.”

   “No, no, it’s fine! I have plenty of friends and family here. Plus, I Iris-Message my mom sometimes. I even visit occasionally.”

   “That’s good. So why are you only hovering over to me?”

   Will rubbed his neck. “Well, I know that if I didn’t, you would probably be by yourself. And I just want to. So why are you being so nice to me today?”

   “Well, it’s your birthday. It would be rude not to.”

   “And it isn’t rude every other day?”

   “I never said that.”

   Will laughed. “I’m just really glad you’re here, Nico.”

   “I’m not disappointed myself.”

   “Was that your way of saying that you’re having a good time?”

   Nico gave him a small smile. “Maybe.”

   “Hey, let’s talk with everyone else for a little bit, okay?”

   “Okay,” Nico agreed hesitantly. But only because it was his birthday.

   Will grinned and led him to where Percy, Annabeth, Piper, Jason, Lou Ellen, and Cecil were at.

   They looked up when the boys joined the group and greeted them. Nico felt a bit uncomfortable from all the attention, but Will was right next to him, which made him feel better.

   “So why didn’t you want to celebrate your birthday at camp, Percy?” Piper asked him.

   “Well, when Annabeth and I were…you know….in Tartarus, Annabeth’s birthday passed down there. I didn’t really want to celebrate this year.” Annabeth, Percy and Nico all shared a knowing glance. “And also, my birthday last year was the same day I had to save the world, so…”

   Everyone talked for a while. Nico didn’t really talk, he just listened. If this was the Argo II, he would be sitting atop the ship alone. But Will wouldn’t let him be alone anymore. That stubborn brat.

   After a while, it was time for cake. Everyone surrounded him as they sang happy birthday, and even though Nico didn’t sing, he said the words.

   “Make a wish!” Yelled his sister, Brooke.

   Will closed his eyes and paused before blowing out the candles. Nico wondered what he wished for.

   Afterwards, everyone got a slice of cake. Even Nico agreed to have one.

   Once everyone finished eating cake and other snacks, it was time for the present opening.

   Will got a lot of presents. Each of his siblings got him something, which was 9 presents. Then the 4 of the 7, Nico, Lou Ellen, and Cecil. He got so many cool gifts, Nico started to think that maybe Will wouldn’t like his present. Finally, Will picked up his present. The last one.

   “Nico, these are from you, right?” Will asked.

   Nico nodded.

   Will ripped off the yellow wrapping paper of the first one, and inside was a stack of rare medical books that used natural remedies to heal, books from his half-brother Asclepius himself! There were other books that used different remedies that weren’t as natural, but the main ones were the most important. Will looked at them, then looked up at Nico, a shocked look on his face. “W-where did you get these?!” He stammered.

   Nico shrugged. “I had help from your father. He’s always liked me.”

   If it was possible, Will looked even more shocked. “You talked to my father?!!”

   Everyone was looking at him, and the son of Hades felt like running away. “Not exactly. I just asked him for medical books for you. I think he decided he liked me when he took me to camp when I was 10. It was either him or Asclepius.”

   His face was still a mask of shock, but he finally unwrapped his other present. It was a guitar that he had gotten Will’s sister Brooke to help make. Nico had tried to tell her to take some of the credit, but she insisted it was only a present from Nico.

   “Um, I know you like playing the guitar. I had Brooke help me make it.”

   “Oh, wow. It’s gorgeous! Thank you so much, Nico!” He set his gifts down and ran at Nico and glomped him in a hug. Of course, Nico’s face turned as red as a tomato. Nico could swear Will had tears in his eyes.

   “Alright, Will. That’s enough.” He said, pushing him off.

   “Hey Will, you should play for us!” Cecil yelled.

   “No, I couldn’t!”

   “Come on, Will! You don’t have to sing!” Lou yelled back.

   Will turned to Nico, who gave him a slight nod. “Alright, alright! I guess I’ll play something.”

   And for the rest of the night, Will played songs, and everyone chatted. Even Nico chatted a little bit.

   Nico hadn’t had such fun since Bianca was alive.