Dinner at Camp Half-Blood was usually loud, chaotic, and a little overwhelming—but tonight, Will didn’t mind it.

Not when Nico was on his lap.

He had one arm loosely wrapped around Nico’s waist, fingers resting comfortably against his side, keeping him close without even thinking about it. His other hand worked on his food, absentmindedly picking at whatever was on his plate between conversations drifting in and out around them.

Nico had already finished eating—of course he had. He never lingered over meals the way Will did. Now he was half-leaning into him, quiet and relaxed, headphones over his ears, dark hair brushing lightly against Will’s jaw whenever he shifted.

Will smiled a little to himself.

This—this was his favorite version of Nico. Not guarded or distant, not carrying the weight of everything all the time. Just… here. Comfortable. Safe enough to sit like this in the middle of camp without pulling away.

Will’s gaze dipped down for a second.

Nico’s fingers were playing with the bracelet on his wrist, turning it slowly, absentmindedly. The small, repetitive motion was familiar—grounding. Will didn’t comment on it, just let him, thumb brushing lightly against Nico’s side in a quiet, reassuring rhythm.

Everything felt easy.

Normal.

Until the bench shifted beside him.

Will barely glanced up at first—but then he saw who it was.

Evelyn.

Of course.

She slid into the empty seat next to him like she’d been waiting for the opportunity, posture just a little too perfect, expression just a little too carefully put together. And yeah—there it was.

The blush.

Heavy. Obvious. Practically painted on.

Will’s smile didn’t drop, but it definitely changed—something flatter, more polite than genuine.

He already knew where this was going.

“H-Hey Will… can I tell you something?..”

Her voice came out soft, almost shy—but it didn’t sit right. It felt practiced. Like she wanted it to sound nervous more than she actually was.

And yeah—there it was again.

Attention.

Will didn’t even get the chance to respond before he felt it.

Nico tensed.

It was subtle—most people wouldn’t have noticed—but Will did immediately. The way his shoulders tightened just slightly, the way his fingers stilled for half a second against the bracelet before starting again, a little more deliberate this time.

Even with the headphones on, Nico had heard enough.

Will’s arm around his waist tightened instinctively, pulling him just a fraction closer.

Grounding.

“I mean, you can,” Will said, finally looking back at Evelyn, tone easy but not inviting. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna like it.”

That threw her off—just for a second.

Good.

Will shifted slightly, just enough to press a quick, absent kiss into Nico’s hair, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Because it was.

Because he was.

And if Evelyn hadn’t gotten the message yet, that was on her.

Nico leaned into him just a little more at that, tension not gone, but softened. Still listening. Still aware.

Will’s thumb traced a slow line against his side again.

I’ve got you.

He didn’t say it out loud.

He didn’t have to.

Then Will looked back at Evelyn, raising an eyebrow slightly.

“So?” he said. “What’s up?”

Calm. Casual.

Completely uninterested in anything that wasn’t already in his arms.