` ❀ 𝓐nd he laughs at all my jokes and he says I'm so American . ݁ ꒱

– The moon was already high in the sky, casting its silvery light over Camp Half-Blood, but you were sitting on your bed in Athena’s cabin, surrounded by books and battle maps. The weight of the recent mission still hung over your shoulders. It had been intense, and, even worse, since your return, Athena hadn’t said a single word to you. Her silence was worse than any scolding, and it was eating at you.

Will Solace, always aware of your mood, appeared at the cabin door unannounced, with that carefree smile that contrasted with the seriousness of your state. He knew well how proper and methodical you were, but he also knew that, when things got like this, you needed a good dose of distraction.

– “Hey, battle genius." – he began, entering without hesitation. – "you look like you’re going to explode from thinking so much.” –

You looked at him, sighing. – "My mother is ignoring me, Will. And it was a difficult mission... I don't know what I did wrong." –

Will approached, undeterred by the overly organized environment of Athena's cabin. He sat down next to you, looking a little out of place in such an impeccable space. – "Maybe she's just giving you time to reflect on something important. Gods are kind of complicated, remember?" –

You rolled your eyes. – "Complicated is an understatement." –

Will, seeing that you were still stuck in your own frustration, put his hand on his chin, pretending to be thoughtful. – "You know what I think will make this better? A joke." –

You raised an eyebrow. – "Will, I'm not sure I'm in the mood for jokes." –

– "Oh, you're always in the mood for my jokes. Come on... why does Athena's son never get lost?" –

Even exhausted, you couldn't help it. – "Why?" –

Will struck a dramatic pose, with a playful smile. – "Because he always knows the map to the mine." –

For a brief moment, you tried to hold back your laughter, but you couldn’t. A chuckle escaped.