Chapter 27: The Claim

With a little support from Will, who had his arm around Nico's waist, they both made it to the Amiptheater for the Campfire. And, once they entered, everyone seemed to glue their attention to the couple. Then, they cheered, which caused the fire to turn yellow, showing the campers excitement and happiness. Chiron clopped for silence, and they found their seats in the front, feeling the warmth of the fire wash through them. "You all know how bonfire nights go. So, I'll turn this over to the Apollo cabin, and we'll get started." Will didn't move, though. He had a special trick up his sleeve. One he knew his boyfriend would love, even if he found it cheesy. His siblings started with a low melody on the gutair. Then, Austin came in with some jazz, and Kayla started to sing. She really didn't have the best voice, but that didn't matter. Nights spent in the ampitheater were for having fun, not sounding like the perfect singer. Halfway through the song, Austin stomped his foot two times, which was Will's signal. Everything was ready backstage. So, he got up, tugging the son of Hades with him, and went behind the curtains. Two mic stands stood inches from each other. Will grabbed one, and handed the other to Nico, smiling. He had a duet planned. And there was no way Nico was getting out of it. He owed Will for scaring him to death. "Will, you know I don't like being seen singing by-" "I know. Which is why no one will see you. The curtain will stay closed as we sing." That last part was kinda true. The singing from the other side stopped, and as the gutair sounded out, Will knew it was his last cue. He started to get into the beat, tapping his foot along to it. He knew his boyfriend had heard it because he'd been the one to get him to listen to it. And he thought it described them pretty well. Nico smirked, and started singing.....

"Little do you know, how I'm breaking while you fall asleep. Little do you know I'm still haunted by the memories. Little do you know I'm trying to pick myself up piece by piece. Little do you know I need a little more time." His voice was strong, and deep but not too deep. Drenched in emotions. And he sounded like an angel. "Underneath it all I'm held captive by the hole inside. I've been holding back for the fear that you might change your mind. I'm ready to forgive you but forgetting is a harder fight. Little do you know I need a little more time." Almost immediately, Will took over. "I'll wait, I'll wait. I love you like you've never felt the pain, I'll wait. I promise you don't have time be afraid, I'll wait. Love is here and here to stay. So lay your head on me." He took a breath and dived back in. "Little do you know, I know your hurt while I'm sound asleep. Little do you know all my mistakes are slowly drowning me. Little do you know I'm trying to make it better piece by piece. Little do you know, I, I love you 'til the sun dies." They both looked at each other, ready for the duet part. "I'll wait, just wait. I love you like I've never felt the pain, just wait. I'll love you like I've never been afraid, just wait. Our love is here and here to stay." Will stopped to let Nico take his part. "So lay your head on me." Then, they both dived back in. "I'll wait." "I'll wait." "I'll wait." "I'll wait. I love you like you've never felt the pain, I'll wait." "I'll wait." "I promise you don't have to be afraid, I'll wait. Love is here and here to stay. So lay your head on me. Lay your head on me. So lay your head on me." They sung in harmony. And Will let Nico finish as the curtain rose. "Cause little do you know I love you 'til the sun dies." Once his voice died out, he realized the curtain wasn't hiding them anymore, and he stood, frozen with stage freight. For a minute, the campers were silent. Then, they cheered so loud, Will thought the astronauts in space could hear them, and Nico relaxed. He seemed to register that he wasn't so bad at singing. And everyone cheered for more. And that night, they hung around, just talking and joking. "Not bad for a grumpy little ball of darkness." Will whispered, smirking when his boyfriend scowled. "Yeah, well, you were horrible for a son of Apollo. I thought you were supposed to be good at music." Nico joked. He knew Will had a great voice. But he just didn't want to admit it. "Watch it, di Angelo. Your skating on thin ice." The son of Hades chuckled. "And you have already fallen in the water." Wow. Since when did Nico joke like that? "Gods. Who are you and what did you do with the real son of Hades, huh?" He pushed Wills shoulder playfully. "Oh, shut up, Solace." The two boys stood to leave for the night, when they heard some sort of commotion, and went over to see what it was. The Camp was crowded around the newcomer, Kit, who had been claimed. And the symbol of Hades was glowing over their head.