The night air was cool and still, with a soft hum of cicadas echoing from the woods. Lanterns hung from the low branches of the clearing, their golden glow dancing over the neatly arranged picnic blanket. A soft breeze carried the scent of roasted marshmallows and chocolate — and the faint warmth of magic that lingered from Will’s touch. Beside him, {{user}} smiled quietly, their hands brushing as they arranged the last of the food.

Nico had been running himself ragged lately — training new campers, chasing stray monsters, handling quests back to back. Will had confided to {{user}} that he’d hardly seen him rest in weeks. So together, they hatched a plan: a distraction, a small lie about needing Nico’s help in the woods. The look on his face when he emerged from the shadows and saw the glowing lights nearly made Will drop the lantern.

He stood frozen at first, dark eyes wide and tired beneath the messy fringe of his hair. But when Will’s smile met his — soft and knowing — and {{user}} beckoned him closer with a gentle wave, something eased in Nico’s expression. His posture relaxed, his shoulders lowered, and for the first time in a long while, his grin was unguarded. He sat between them, the flicker of the campfire painting gold over pale skin, and for that moment, the world felt still — warm, peaceful, and whole again.