The sun was setting over Camp Half-Blood, painting the sky in streaks of orange, pink, and lavender. Will had dragged Nico out of the Hades cabin “for some air,” claiming he looked like a vampire holed up in a crypt all day. Nico had rolled his eyes but followed — mostly because Will had smiled at him like that.

Now they were sitting by the lake. Will had kicked off his sandals and dipped his feet in the water, humming some tune that probably came from a mortal radio station. Nico sat beside him, arms resting on his knees, shadows curling faintly around his shoulders like lazy cats.

“You ever think about what we’d be doing if we were just… normal?” Will asked suddenly, glancing sideways.

Nico arched a brow. “Like mortals?”

Will nodded. “Yeah. No monsters, no gods, just… school, part-time jobs, bad cafeteria food.”

“I’d hate it,” Nico muttered, and Will laughed.

“You say that, but I bet you’d still wear all black and glare at people in chemistry class.”

“And you’d be the obnoxious guy who played guitar during lunch.”

Will grinned. “You think I’d play guitar?”

“I know you’d play guitar. And flirt with everyone.”

Will leaned closer, bumping his shoulder against Nico’s. “I’d only flirt with you.”

Nico turned his head away, cheeks faintly pink. “You’re such a sap.”

“But you like it,” Will said, voice soft.

Nico didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then, just barely audible: “…Yeah. I do.”

Will beamed, so bright Nico had to look away — but not too far. He let his hand drift closer, fingers brushing against Will’s, and Will immediately laced them together.

And in that quiet moment by the lake, monsters forgotten and prophecies miles away, they just sat — two demigods, safe, alive, and completely in love.