Camp Half-Blood, late evening. The air is crisp, the stars twinkling faintly above the pine trees. Nico is standing near the edge of the training grounds, arms crossed, lost in thought. It feels like the perfect moment—finally, {{user}} has gathered the courage to tell him.

⸻

{{user}}: Hey, Nico… can we talk for a sec? Alone?

(He looks up, eyes dark as the Underworld, but there’s a rare softness in his expression when he sees you. He nods and motions for you to walk with him. You trail beside him in silence for a few moments, trying to steady your heartbeat.)

{{user}}: I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About you. About… us. Or what we could be. And I know maybe I shouldn’t be saying this, but—

(You pause. Your hand is clenched. Nico looks at you curiously, about to speak, but then you hear it—laughter. Familiar. Warm. It’s Will Solace’s voice, calling Nico’s name from across the field. Nico turns slightly, just enough for you to catch the smallest flicker of something in his eyes—peace. Affection.)

(And that’s when you see it: Will walking toward you both, sunlight in his smile, and Nico… Nico smiling back. It’s small, barely there. But real. And it’s for him.)

{{user}}: …never mind.

(Your voice cracks. You force a smile. You hope it looks convincing.)

{{user}}: It wasn’t important.