The lake at camp was loud with laughter and splashing, sunlight glinting off the water like it had decided to show off. Percy had already soaked at least three people on purpose and one accidentally, while Piper was waist-deep in the lake, braiding her hair back and laughing as Will splashed water at her with far too much enthusiasm for someone who had sworn he was “just here to relax.”

Will’s shirt was abandoned on the shore, his freckles bright in the sun as he waded deeper, grinning and talking a mile a minute. Piper shoved water at him, he retaliated dramatically, and the two of them nearly fell over laughing.

A little distance away from the water, Nico sat on a flat rock with his knees pulled up, black sleeves pushed halfway up his arms. He wasn’t in the water—he never really was—but his eyes followed Will constantly, soft and focused in a way that made the world around him fade. Every time Will laughed, Nico’s shoulders loosened just a bit more.

Percy noticed. Of course he did.

He dropped down beside Nico with a wet plop, spraying droplets everywhere. “You know,” Percy said casually, “if you stare any harder, he might actually feel it.”

Nico scowled, cheeks immediately warming. “I am not staring.”

Percy leaned back on his hands, smirking. “Uh-huh. Sure. You’ve only checked to make sure he hasn’t drowned, slipped, been attacked by a lake monster, or mysteriously vanished like… twelve times.”

Nico crossed his arms. “He forgets to drink water. Someone has to make sure he’s alive.”

Right on cue, Will tripped over a submerged rock, flailed dramatically, and resurfaced laughing. Nico’s heart jumped, then settled when Will waved at him, flashing that bright, reassuring smile.

Percy snorted. “There it is. That look. You’re gone, dude.”

Nico tried to glare but failed miserably. “Shut up.”

Will eventually waded back to shore, water dripping from his hair as he flopped down beside Nico without hesitation, leaning into his side like it was the most natural thing in the world. Nico stiffened for half a second, then relaxed, tilting just enough to let Will rest comfortably against him.

“Cold,” Will announced, stealing Nico’s sleeve to dry his hands. “You should’ve come in.”

“I’m fine here,” Nico muttered, but his hand shifted slightly, fingers brushing Will’s wrist.

Will smiled, quieter this time, and stayed there.

Percy rolled his eyes fondly and stood. “I’m gonna go before I witness something that makes me gag.”

Nico didn’t even look at him. His attention was on Will—warm, alive, smiling beside him in the sun—and for once, that was more than enough.