Shadows and sparks~
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The fire crackled, casting long shadows on the faces of the demigods gathered around it.
Laughter floated through the night—Will was telling a ridiculous story about a capture-the-flag mishap involving a pegasus, a bucket of blue paint, and some very confused dryads. You were laughing too, nestled between friends on a log bench, wrapped in a borrowed hoodie that smelled vaguely of campfire smoke and summer memories.
And then you saw him.
Nico.
He stood just outside the ring of light, half-shrouded in darkness like he preferred it that way. Arms crossed. Shadows clinging to his figure, dancing across his face every time the flames flared.
You slipped away from the group quietly, cocoa forgotten, warmth left behind. You found him leaning against a tree, gaze focused on the flames but not really seeing them.
“You know,” you said, softly, “you’re allowed to sit with us.”
He glanced at you. “I’m fine here.”
“I know,” you replied. “But I figured you might want company anyway.”
He didn’t answer right away. But he didn’t tell you to leave, either.
You stood beside him, close enough for your arm to brush his jacket. The silence between you wasn’t uncomfortable—it was the kind Nico always carried with him, like a familiar shadow. You’d learned not to fill it with noise.
After a while, he spoke. “I don’t like campfires.”
You looked at him gently. “Too bright?”
He shook his head. “Too... loud. Too alive, I guess.” His voice was low. “Sometimes it feels like I don’t belong around that kind of warmth.”
Your heart ached in your chest. “That’s not true.”
He gave a dry smile. “Isn’t it?”
You took a small step closer, brushing your hand against his. He flinched—only a little—but didn’t pull away.
“You don’t have to burn to be warm, Nico,” you said. “You don’t have to laugh the loudest or take up the most space to belong.”
He looked at you then.
“You belong here,” you whispered. “Even in the quiet. Even in the shadows. Especially in the shadows.”
Something in him softened, like melting frost.
“Thanks,” he said, barely audible.
You didn’t need him to say more. You just stayed there beside him, listening to the crackle of the fire and the distant laughter of friends, your hand slowly finding his and holding on.
For once, Nico didn’t pull away.
And for once, the shadows didn’t feel so cold.